An Electric Toothbrush Under $6? Thanks Colgate!

Electric toothbrush prices have always been out of my reach. With three kids, a husband, a dog, two cats, a hamster and fish who keep reproducing, my budget hasn't allowed me to purchase an electric toothbrush. With prices that reach from $15 (Crest's Spinbrush) up into the hundred range (Philips' Sonicare), my teeth have only been met with the tried and true manual toothbrush usually bought in the family pack.

Colgate has a new Electric Toothbrush in cool colors like green, blue and pink with a price under $6! ActiFlex SonicPower is the first powered toothbrush with a flexible bridge. It glides along your teeth, cleaning away debris leaving your teeth feel smooth and your breath fresh!

When I received this toothbrush, I was excited! Like I said before, my budget hasn't allowed me to purchase an electric toothbrush. I ripped open the package and went right away to scrubbing. My husband saw what I was using and he was excited too. He said, "I'm stealing that!" Not a chance mister.

Colgate has made it's competitors a little nervous with this invention. I'm happy they have! I can afford the benefits allowed only to those who use an electric toothbrush. Regular toothbrushes only remove the food and plaque from the surface of the teeth and gums. An electric toothbrush can penetrate more of the teeth and gums resulting in better plaque removal. [articlebase]

Happy Brushing and Happy Holidays!!!

My boss makes me text for business purposes on my own dime.

Awhile back, my boss could see people using their phone to text others while at work. Sometimes, I would text my installer (I'm in construction) information that would be better served as a text such as dimensions for a cabinet or appliance or an address for a job. Texting makes sure the information is written down and not lost through talking about it. It's right there even when your brain may not be.

Soon he was interested in texting too and saw how it could help in our field. Shortly after this he began to ask me and fellow employees to text each other instead of calling from the office phone. For me, this wasn't such a problem because I have unlimited text and other capabilities on my phone that allow me to share pictures and video. The problem began when I noticed he began to ask everyone to start texting data and photos to each other. I asked a couple of employees who paid for their phones and they told me they did.

Do you think its right in asking employees to use their phones to send text and photos that are business related while using their own money? Personally, I do not believe this is fair.

Are you using your phone to call, text or send media to fellow employees on your own dime?

Taylor Swift and Jake Gyllenhaal Hooking Up: She must need new material.

Rumor mill states Taylor Swift is hooking up with Jake Gyllenhaal. She brought him to a Saturday Night Live taping over the past weekend. While she sat with her bodyguard when the lights in the studio were up, as soon as they were down, it seems so were the two lovebirds. While no kissing or hand holding was evident, it seems a meeting of the minds was at hand.

After the string of bad relationships she loves writing about in her music, it's no wonder she hasn't decided to take a break on dating: She needs new material!

She has said, "Every person I have fallen for, they've all been in a song," she tells UsWeekly.

In her new album, "Speak Now" she sings about the cradle robbing John Mayer in "Dear John" and hottie Taylor Lautner in "Back to December." Wonder what she'll be singing about in a couple of months? She reminds me of Harriet the Spy, writing in her journal all the thoughts on the people she surrounds herself with. Unlike Harriet, Taylor likes people to read her rants.

In a world where girls have always seemed to like the boys who don't kiss and tell, it seems this chick wants to turn the tables. Not sure if it's going to help in the long run or not because usually people don't want to hear about what they did wrong in a relationship and especially not broadcast it to the world.

The Best Beauty Advice I Ever Heard

A lot of people will say their best beauty advice came from their mother but not I. I love my mother to death but some of the things she has worn and makeup choices she has made were never my cup of tea.

In the early nineties, while I was experimenting with my 'hippie look of natural makeup choices, she was still hanging onto the the 80's thought of more is more. I can still see her pictures in that day wearing eyeshadow in which her eyes looked as if they had been pummelled in a fight where she was not the winner. When I was wearing lip gloss, she was heavily lining her lips with dark liner and filling in her lips with nude color.

I love her dearly, I do but as I said, she just didn't understand the notion of allowing her 'real face' to shine. In truth, I think I taught her more about makeup than anyone.

The beast beauty advice I ever heard didn't come by anyone but by trial and error on my own. After trying unsuccessfully at keeping my makeup to look soft but staying on my face, I finally broke down and purchased base. At first I tried the liquid coverage but it never looked even and always seemed to break my skin out. Later I switched over to a potted foundation and how my life has changed, for the better!

So in summary, foundation should be thick enough to hold onto your skin but thin enough not make you look like you are wearing a mask. Cover Girl Simply Ageless is my favorite!

Happy Primping!

Fall Trend Alert

Yesterday while I was out shopping, I noticed that many of the fall trends are in the brown color family. From rich browns to camel colors, these trends pose one slight problem to my wardrobe and maybe to yours also.

What shoe color goes well with brown?

The Nude Pump!

Celebrities have been known to rock the nude pumps because it elongates the leg and creates the illusion of an endless leg.

Poll: What does your monthly grocery bill look like?

As a parent of three growing girls, they eat a lot. With a grocery bill that hovers around $400 a month, I'm fortunate that we can afford it! Heading to Costco today to stock up on the essentials and by essentials I mean milk, bread, and eggs!

Angelina Jolie is speaking out on feeding her brood of six. "We go through so much food." [UsMagazine] "They're still little. So can I imagine it's going to gets worse."

Yes, Angelina, it does. Just wait until they have friends over who raid your cupboard too!

What's your monthly grocery bill look like?

Kara DioGuardi Fired, Ellen Quit: Are you still watching Idol America?

Reports are coming out that Kara DioGuardi has been axed from American Idol. [UsMagazine] Among this report, Ellen DeGeneres has quit the show after one season stating, "It just didn't feel like the right fit for me."

With the firing of Kara, the show will go back to the originial 3 panel judge.

Jennifer Lopez has been hired to fill Paula's place and it is likely Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler is in to fill Simon Cowell's shoes.

With a new panel of judges arriving on the hit show, America: Are you still watching

Phot Credit: Michael Beckler/ Associated Press

When the heat gets going, the only thing I need is...

This month has been one of the hottest months on record her in the Mid Atlantic. As a Shine Beauty Guru, each month we are given an assignment to write on concerning beauty topics. This month is: What is your summer beauty secret?

Well.... when it's as hot as it's been lately and the only secret I can come up with concerning beauty is ICE!

When your face is melting off and your can barely breath from the humidity either take yourself inside an air conditioned room and sit or you can take a plastic baggie and fill it with ice. Wrap it in a thin towel and place at the nape of your kneck. When your body is cool, you can back to looking your best.

A couple of other secrets I do to keep cool:

• A Fan


• A Personal Mister


• A Parasol

Want to ever think about selling your home? Don't do this.

My family and I are in the process of searching for a new home to buy. As someone who sold their house before the market bombed, here are a couple of pointers to help sell in this market.

Want to Ever Sell Your House? Don't Do This:

1. Purchase plumbing products that are colorful: Who really wants a blue toilet or a yellow tub? Stick to the basics such as white or tan. (Preferably white.)

2. Not clean your window treatments: How gross are blinds that have dirt piled from the last seven years on them? Wash them or throw them away!

3. Keep so much furniture in the house you can't see the floor: Do you really need that 4th chair in the den? Do the kids need so many stuffed animals lying around. Clutter isn't good for your health or your pocketbook. Pack it up so you can move!

4. Keep that brass chandelier in the dining room your builder picked out: Just stop!! Get it out of there or spray paint it and put those little shades on the light bulbs! Please save the world from ugly chandeliers.

5. Paint every room tan: You have seen enough shows on how to quickly sell a house but tan everywhere is so blah! Sage green is a nice neutral color and it goes with everything! This is good for those moving in also.

6. Be afraid to paint your cabinets: Oak is ugly. Paint them with an oil-based paint and no one will ever know they used to be.

Do We Really Care about Jennifer Aniston's New Perfume?

As Jennifer Aniston gears up for her new fragrance, Jennifer Aniston, to hit the market, I wonder who really cares?

I think the last perfume I bought that had a celebrities name attached to it was Debbie Gibson in the 80's when I was a pre-teen. As a consumer, I just don't feel the need to purchase a product because some star stands behind it.

For years in the marketing industry, models were paid to look pretty and promote a product. In today's time, celebrities with their movies, books, hit singles and clothing lines are the rage.

What "Big Time" star doesn't have a perfume named after them? You have Brittany Spears, Beyonce, Mariah Carey, Avril Lavigne, Eva Longoria, Halle Berry, Reece Witherspoon, Queen Latifah, Kate Winslet.... Carlos Santana just to name a few.

Are you excited about Jennifer Aniston's new fragrance?

And Baby Makes Marriage: Bristol and Levi Engaged!

Growing up from a self absorbed teenager into a responsible young adult takes time. Add a baby to the mix and you are either forced to grow up fast or do as many do by running fast from the situation.

During the last Presidential election, the world was made aware that vice presidential candidate, Sarah Palin, was hiding the fact her daughter Bristol was pregnant. With the conservative beliefs that exist in the Republican Party, this sent everyone into a tizzy when the news was exposed to the public. Someone was having premarital sex and her mother was running for the second most important position in the United States Government.

As we later saw through mass media outlets, the Palin household was not very happy about all of this and especially not very happy with the father of Bristol's child, Levi Johnston. Levi basked in his new found fame; he posed for the risque magazine Playgirl and played around like any 19 year old guy would do. (They do... I'm just saying...) Sarah Palin stated in an Oprah Winfrey interview his, "aspiring porn" career was "heartbreaking." All the while, Bristol was at home playing mommy to Tripp and continuing to finish school.

During their recent custody plan for their 18-month old, something changed. Instead of arguing it seems the two began to fall back in love with each other. Doting over their son, the two rekindled the high school romance.

"I really thought it was over," Levi tells UsWeekly. "So when I went I had no hope. I think we both just started talking -and then we took Tripp for a walk."

Bristol continues, "When he left that night we didn't hug or kiss, but I was thinking how different it was. He texted me: "I miss you. I love you. I want to be with you again'... I was in shock."

Aww.... young love. I really wish them the best. How often is love just like this? Crazy and awesome and then something breaks down but if it works... it comes back.

Don't Get Caught With Sweaty Pits: Secret Clinical Strength

Wanna know how you can tell if your antiperspirant is working? Well for me it meant traveling thirteen hours to my hometown, experiencing one of the hottest beginnings of summer the Mid South has seen. With temperatures hovering at the 100 degree mark and humidity that made the temperature feel like 120, Secret Clinical Strength Waterproof Antiperspirant/ Deodorant held strong all day. With the heat as high as it was, dousing yourself with water was a must. Even when swimming, it didn't swim away. It stayed put and keep me smelling my best.

Summertime means shaving the underarms more frequently. Usually, I am worried about deodorant causing pain and irritation to this delicate skin but Secret Clinical Strength didn't let me down. With skin soothing conditioners and odor absorbing capsules, the heat and humidity was no match for the toughness of this deodorant.

Don't be caught with sweaty armpits...

Viola! I have been Made-Over

For months I have romped around town with a new do. Sick and tired of being labeled as only a blonde made me wonder what it would be like to go back to my roots. Armed with brown hair dye and a hopeful wish, I took to my locks wishing it to come out looking decent. Well.... let's just say it wasn't the best look for me.


Brown dye over bleach blonde hair pretty much turns green. After years of being too scared to try anything new with my hair, here I was with green hair. Instead of a tragic look slapped upon my face, I just laughed. What should I have expected? Did I really think it would turn out looking wonderful? No, but I was hopeful and hope died that day.


The next day I returned back to the store to purchase more brown dye. Hey, I could try again. Maybe an extra couple of bottles would take to my hair better? It did, thankfully. Thanksgiving and Christmas came and went. A dividing line grew among of friends and family. They either loved it or they hated it.


"It looks so much more natural," said my neighbor.


"I think you look good," said my husband.


"You just don't even look like Leigh Ann," said my eighty something year old Aunt.


"You need to put a little more blonde in it," said my pap paw.


"Mom, is your hair green," asked my youngest.



I took their questions and statements with a grain of salt. Whatever, it's my hair and it's my life, I told myself. I'm the only one who has to walk around looking like this and if I want to be a brunette, it's my prerogative. I want to walk around with green hair, I can!


Well... slowly but surely as they snow melted away and the promise of spring awakened in my spirit, the dreams of blonde began to reemerge from hiding. Looking at pictures of myself from seasons past, sporting blonde locks began to call to me again. And so, I wound up in the hairstylist chair ready to reembark on my past.


Little by little my hair has changed. I did the dark hair thing and I'm almost back to where I was a year ago. A little shorter in length but that's alright.

It's hair! Feel free to play with it!

Mel Gibson wants his wife back: What do you think she should do?

Poor, poor Mel. He is missing is wife after leaving her for another woman....

Although Mel Gibson impregnated Oksana Grigorieva with his 8th child, left his wife of 30 years to be with this woman and later regretted it, he is now trying to woo his ex back into his arms.

"He is still in love with Robyn. He realizes he made a huge mistake leaving her." A source has revealed. [blogs.babble]

A huge mistake huh, Mel? A woman who lived with you through DUI after DUI and produced seven children for you and then you allowed pictures to surface of you with another woman? Get over yourself.

Personally, if I had been married to a marry for thirty years, birthed 7 babies, had to deal with Mel's drunk ways and then he left me for a younger version only to realize he had it made with me, I'd say: Too Bad!

Do you think Mel's Ex-Wife should even consider taking him back?

What's up with posing with your newborn half naked?

I laughed this morning out loud and almost snorted coffee out of my nose when I switched over from my home page to UsMagazine. If any of you out there follow my blog, you know I have teeny tiny obsession with gossip magazines; their tabs sit nice and neat on my favorite's bar.

This morning, Eric Dane and Rebecca Gayheart are exposing the world to their new bundle of joy, Billie Beatrice. They not only expose the baby, but Eric Dane's chest is also available for viewing.

Why do some parent's feel the need to pose shirtless or half naked with their babies? Are the parents so sleep deprived that a shirt couldn't be found when the camera flashed? I mean, this couple is not at home where bottles and diapers and dirty blankets abound when private pictures are documented. These people are in a studio where clothing was required to get in there. "McSteamy" had to have arrived dressed don't you think?

Would you pose half naked with your newborn?

Testing Cover Girl's ShadowBlast: A lesson in choosing the right color for you face.

For Shine Beauty Guru's latest assignment, we were asked to choose a color. Because I had recently tried a cool purple eye shadow I loved, I figured why not the Purple Plume. I always enjoyed looking at purple on my lids before, why not this time?

WRONG!

On my skin, the radiant purple turned mauve. Mauve is a color I associate with bad 80's design: tacky balloon shades, ugly floral patterns and borders with cows and chickens. This was the color my mom used in my childhood home to add a little "spice" to our home and it has haunted me to this day. You could say, I was horrified when I looked in the mirror and was reminded of days lounging around staring at wooden cows and chickens as decorations. My face was washed in an instant.

Beside the fact I chose the wrong color, Cover Girl's ShadowBlast is a unique tool in producing a smoky eye look. It's creamy, goes on easy and a breeze to use. Just don't twist it too far because it will break.

How to use it is written right on the applicator. Step one goes on first and then you highlight your lid with step two. You can blend the color with your finger if it's too bright. Pretty simple but make sure you choose the right color!

* After completing my bachelor's in Interior Design, I can happily tell you, my mom has a home that is fit for a magazine now. She may not be an interior designer but she has always been good investing. She spent her money wisely.

Why All Carry On Luggage Should Be Banned

Spirit Airlines, a small Florida based airline, has caused an uproar with a plan to charge those who carry on luggage. I gasped the first time I witnessed the news. It was a happy gasp. Finally, an airline with a brain.

When major airlines began charging for checked baggage, I was outraged. How could they? Our drinks and peanuts where stripped from our trips and then a charges for luggage? What was the airline industry thinking? How expensive could a can off of soda and a bag of peanuts really be? Why not just put the expense into the ticket and forget the thought ever crossed anybody's mind?

After years of traveling, people with carry on luggage bug me to no end. For one thing, even with posted signs about the size the airline accepts for these bags, no one seems to abide by them. It's like explaining to a child they can only buy the toy under $10 and having to repeatedly say to them as they choose, it's over the limit. Someone is always going to try and manipulate the system and get past with a bag too big. Then when they are boarding the plane, they take forever to shove the too big bag into the too small compartment. In return the rule breaker takes up all of the room for the one who followed the rules. We've all witnessed it. Standing in the aisle waiting for it to move and looking ahead to the person huffing a puffing with the oversized bag thinking to yourself, "What an idiot. Come on!! I want to sit down."

Why the airline should ban all carry on luggage:

It's a nuisance for the passengers:

How many times have you tried to board a plane only to stop midway down the terminal because every person on board it pushing and shoving their bag into an overhead bin. If it doesn't fit under the seat, you cannot bring it on board. All bags carrying clothing and other knickknacks should be treated as freight. It fits in the bottom part of the plane designed for cargo.

It's a nuisance for airline crew:

How many time have you seen after all the overhead bins are full, the staff tagging bags unable to fit, preparing them for gate check? It's time to help out the crew and let them get back to handing out peanuts and drinks, not toting luggage around.

It's a safety hazard:

The inside of an airbus is not designed for traffic. It's a one way street. If people are standing in the aisle with luggage, safety of passengers and crew is in jeopardy. How many times have you been smacked with a piece of luggage as someone walks by or tripped over the luggage with pull handles? Not a pleasant feeling.

So many people are outraged carry on luggage may have a charge attached to it that your US Senators are taking aim at the airline industry and demanding fees be stopped. Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-NY, is leading the charge to get airline to back off. Last Wednesday, Schumer introduced a bill along with the help of other senators, Mendez, D-NJ, Shaheen, D, NH, Frank Lautenburg, D-NJ, Ben Cardin, D-MD, and Amy Klobuchar, D-MN, seeks to efficently ban the fees by imposing an excise tax on fees collected by the airline.

The easiest way to clean up this mess is to ban all carry on luggage that would fit into an overhead bin. If it fits under the seat, it's fine.

What do the Kardashian's Sell?

To revamp the Miami store owned by the infamous Kardashian Sisters, Dash, Khloe and Kourtney pose nude.

Khloe blogged, "Kourt and I came to Miami to revamp Dash, and that's exactly what we did! We worked our little tushies off and we are so excited about the store's fab new makeover that we thought what better way to celebrate than by getting one of our own?" [UsMagazine]

Together with two of their "Dash Employees," the reality television stars are covered in air brushed bodysuits that say "Dash Miami."

After seeing the news, I began to wonder just what these girls were selling. After searching online for awhile, I have concluded: I can't tell.

From the pictures they are selling the public though, it seems a lot less like clothing than airbrushing for the body.

Lady Gaga: Poster Child for Abstinence?

Lady Gaga is treading into uncharted territories speaking about reasons why not to have sex. Usually dressed in provocative outfits that warrant tell-tale signs of sexuality, no one could have ever guessed she would be one to preach abstinence.

Recently while attending a M.A.C. Viva Glam event, Lady Gaga surprised herself by saying "I can't believe I'm saying this -- don't have sex. It's not really cool anymore to have sex all the time. It's cooler to be strong and independent. It's OK not to have sex, it's OK to get to know people. I'm celibate. Celibacy is fine." [CNN]

To young women out there who were pressured into having sex because all the cool kids were, she is saying: you don't have to do something unless you want to do it.

I think she is really awesome for being up front and honest with her fans on actions that can occur when partaking in risky sexual behaviors that change many women and men forever. Whether it be STD's, AIDS, unwanted pregnancies or emotions that come along with being physically intimate with another, Lady Gaga embraces her fame in ways many in the spotlight of media do not. She tells her fans to take care of themselves and not worry what others are doing.

With a fan base of many pre-teens, Lady Gaga realizes her role as a role model. Many look up to her because of her individuality and spunkiness. Speaking to men and women on why choosing not to have sex until they are ready is a huge step in gaining ground on helping those who have yet to learn not to let peer pressure run their lives. Isn't that what mom's and dad's around the world hope for their children?

Wait, until you are ready.

Whew! And it only took a half dressed popstar to say it!

CND Nail Color Is Pretty Awesome

After my last pedicure left my toes with chips of pink for the world to see, a thought occurred to me. "Why not try nude next time?"

Lo and behold, Shine was sweet enough to provide me with the experience to try this out.

CND, a company developed for those individuals in the salon and spa industry the opportunity to provide the best quality products to their clients, was kind enough to allow the Beauty Gurus this month to try out a couple products the style world has known about for years.

Armed with Desert Suede and Gold Shimmer, the two colors I tried for the month, I went for Desert Suede first. It provided me with the nude color I was wanting. The paint goes on effortlessly and dries faster than any nail color I have ever used.

Moments after I painted my toes, I was anxious to put my feet back in my bunny slippers because they were cold. Though the paint many have need more than moments to dry, my toes were not smudged. Personally, I hate waiting for nail color to dry. I want it painted on and ready to go. CND's nail color is the fastest drying paint I have tried.

A month later, the color still looks nice and not chipped. YAY!!!

Today as I prepared for my report to you on CND, the final test came: How easy does the polish come off?

Viola! Pretty easy. It's a good thing too!! Nothing is worse than spending thirty minutes taking off polish.

CND makes a great product and one you will love! With over 50 colors to choose from, you are bound to find the perfect shade for your nails. (And with an $8.99 price tag: pretty affordable.)

John Mayer's Continual Quest to Make Sure He Never Dates Again

I have always been a fan of Mr. Mayer. He is an absolute genius in his ability with the guitar.When he played 'Human Nature' at Michael Jackson's memorial, I was stunned at his appreciation and understanding of musical theory. His lyrics about love are so heartfelt you know he has been through pain when dealing with love; Who hasn't?

I have defended him countless times in his understandings with love but this time, he has gone too far.

In Playboy's March issue, John Mayer rants on again about his past relationships with Jessica Simpson and Jennifer Aniston. [Playboy]

When asked about his relationship with Jessica Simpson he responds, "That girl, for me, is a drug. And drugs aren't good for you if you do a lots of them. Yeah, that girl is like crack cocaine for me."

He doesn't end there either. He goes on to describe intimate details with Simpson.

"Sexually it was crazy. That's all I'll say." But he doesn't...

"It was like napalm, sexual napalm. Did you ever say, "I want to quit my life and just f****** snort you? If you charged me $10,000 to f****** snort you, I would start selling my s*** to keep f****** snorting you."

And then he feels a little remorse describing his sexual past in such detail, enough to stop his mouth from rambling on further. Mayer feels he may hurt Jennifer Aniston's feelings by detailing his emotions about another woman.

"Pardon me for interrupting. I love Jen so much that I'm now thinking about how bad I would feel if she read this and was like, "Why are you putting me in an article where you are talking about someone else? I don't want to be in your lineage of kiss-and-tell girls."

In the game of love, detailing past love affairs is a no-no. The only time you can't shut up about someone else is when you are not over them. Bringing up their name just you can hear it aloud is a tell-tale sign you are not over someone.

Luckily with Mayer's continual quest to tell the world he is not over his past love, Jennifer Aniston, no other woman will have to endure hearing about her own sexual antics broadcasted on the web.

Cutest Looks For Spring!

CoverGirl Shineblast: Not My Type of Lip Gloss

When the package arrived this month for my Beauty Guru assignment, I was stoked. I'm a lip gloss addict! Maybe this is because I have purchased almost every brand known to man but I know my lip gloss. I need my lip gloss!

When choosing a lip gloss, my needs include: one that stays longer than two seconds and one that has a ton of shine. With that said, this product does not qualify.

CoverGirl's Shineblast is easy enough to open but that's where its user-friendliness ends. The main issue with the design of the bottle is in how much energy is required in inserting the stick into the gloss. I felt like I was pumping up a tire.

The "Breakthrough Applicator" claims to hug the contours of your lips but it doesn't grab enough of the thin gloss. You will have to keep dipping the applicator into the bottle, again pumping up a tire. Not what I want when trying to gloss up my lips.

The texture of the gloss itself is very thin. Even with the three bottles I was supplied with, in a month they are almost empty. I personally like a gloss that is a little sticky because it holds to the lip longer. My husband may not like it when trying to kiss me but a gloss with a thicker consistency holds much longer and offers more shine. This gloss will make you lips shine for a moment but look quick! Oops, it's gone.

With a cost of around $8 a pop, I won't be purchasing any more of it in the future. There are finer glosses on the market for much less that offer the qualities I look for in a lip gloss.

On a plus note: As a mother of a pre-teen, I would suggest this product to her. The colors are light enough she won't look like she is trying too hard and they taste sweet. She'll be busy licking off her gloss instead of worrying if it makes her look older.

Taylor Momsen Smoking At 16, Could've Guessed That!

I could have predicted this months ago when I questioned what Taylor Momsen was wearing to her sweet sixteenth birthday. Dressed like a woman ready to take to a pole, where was her mother? Someone should have helped her find her shirt and her skirt!

As the idiom "Where there's smoke, usually there's fire" states, if something seems off ---it probably is.

Now caught smoking a cigarette underage, Taylor Momsen, actress in the poplar CW series, Gossip Girl, bats another smug grin into the lens of a camera.

Recently she responded on her feelings about being a role model to younger children, "To be honest, I don't f-ng care. I didn't get into this to be a role model. So I'm sorry if I'm influencing your kids in a way that you don't like, but I can't be held responsible for their actions. I don't care." [info]

If you think sixteen years old girls should be sweet and innocent, Taylor Momsen never asked for your opinion. She announced on her risque dress, "I like wearing garters. Apparently people think that's a big deal, but my tights won't stay up."

One to take notice to blogs in cyberworld, she laughs at the words many mothers express on her dressing habits. "My favorite blogs are where you get the mothers saying "She's the worst influence on my daughter, I would never let my daughter dress like that..."[Celebitchy.com]

Taylor Momsen is on her way to the top or all the way at the bottom. There really is no way around it. Children brought up in the lifestyle of making movies and playing life instead of learning about movies and life, wind up living a drunk, incoherent existence until one day, and we hope they all do, hit rock bottom and find their way back up.

Momsen has spoken about her mother, "I mean, I'm sixteen and I can't get away with anything. My mother finds out everything." You get away with wearing see through pink nighties to your sixteenth birthday and smoking cigarettes?

It makes me question your mother's parenting style.

Not pulling your weight in parenting? At some point it happens to all of us!

I find it amusing that tabloid press continually insists Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie fight constantly, are on the verge of breaking up daily and that she feels Brad "isn't pulling his weight." From one day to the next, an unnamed source states something detrimental in their relationship is occurring.

Surviving a relationship where children are involved can get heated at times. What married couple with children hasn't fought over thinking the other isn't pulling the correct weight in the relationship?

In the latest report out about the couple of six children states that Angelina is so upset at Brad that she yells at him because his eggs are lousy. She feels she's shouldering the parental burden and Brad can't do anything right.

How many nights have I come home, exhausted and weary from work, wishing a hot meal was awaiting my arrival only to have my hopes dashed with questions of, "What's for dinner?"All the while the dishwasher is still loaded from the night before and laundry piles at the door. How many mornings has my husband wanted a little more shut eye, when I state "Your morning!" I know it's my morning but the dishwasher not being unloaded questions the equilibrium of whose turn it is.

I have three kids and there are times when I ask myself, "What was I thinking?" Even with nannies that help with the Jolie/Pitt clan, I'm sure all of the attention six children demand comes with a breaking point. Patience is defiantly a virtue and three children ranging in ages of 11 to 5, I am still learning.

Just today after a long day at work, kicking of my heels and collapsing on to the bed was something I want but my little bit is off with her normal daily greetings of "Watch Me!! Watch Me!! I want to play a game!! I'm thirsty!!" All the while jumping up and down she happily greets me. Middle babe files in rambling on and on about something that I will never fully understand and then oldie flaunts in throwing around her long hair, smacking gum wanting to use my phone so she can text our neighbor.

"HONEY!!! HELP!!"

I hear movement on the steps; he is here to save me for a moment. In the game of married with children, it's a give and take. Some days, we take more than others but then some days, we give way more than we ever thought possible. It's balance.

For the children's sake and for the sake of the hearts of Brad and Angelina, we should all hope they work it out.

When was having a family ever easy?

What went wrong? When Your Children Go To Jail

Out of all of the people you know, someone has spent time behind bars. It could be a friend of a friend, or a brother or maybe even yourself, but many people make bad decisions and wind up on the wrong side of a jail cell.

Cameron Douglas, the son of Hollywood's acting elite Michael Douglas, plead guilty to charges of selling large quantities of crystal meth and cocaine today in a Manhattan courthouse. [nydailynews.com]

He faces up to 10 years in prison.

Drugs can be a huge factor in the beginnings of criminal activity. An uncle of mine spent most of his life behind bars . He chose to drive drunk one night and hit and killed another person. These actions affect not only the person who committed the crime but those of the family.

Should the the parent's of these children bare any of the brunt of these actions or are they limited to the committer?

Have you know anyone who has served time and how was it on those left behind?

The Bachelor's Double Standard: It's alright for the boys but not for the girls

I have to admit it: This season I have been sucked into the Bachelor. For some reason, my husband turned it on the first night it aired and we can't stop watching it! Granted my husband is from Richmond where Rozyln, "THE CHEATER", is from. The chatter from our Facebook pages were loaded with a steady stream of gossip from her appearance on the show. A friend of mine actually used to date her when he was in high school.

Coming up on Monday's The Ellen Degeneres Show, Ellen asks Jake if he has found his soul mate. Jake responds by admitting he never knew he could possibly have feelings for more than one person.

"The world tells you that your heart can only be in love with one woman at a time, and that is absolutely not true." He tells Ellen. "That is one of the things I learned on the show." [People.com]

Yes, many people Jake have been in love with two people at one time. Haven't they? The hard part is deciding which one you love the most, right?

The thing that really gets me about this show and Jake's reaction to Rozlyn's betrayal is a question I want to ask of you?

If Rozlyn's laying her hand on a staff member constitutes as "cheating" then what is it considered when Jake goes around kissing every other woman on that show?

How Do You Tell Your Child Ghost Stories Are Just That: Stories?

Over the holiday, my family and I met at our normal halfway point in between Eastern Virginia and Western Tennessee. Also some friends of ours with their children came with us also. Smack dab in the Smoky Mountains we shared laughter and cheer but without my knowledge also some fear was shared between the children. During their nights of getting reacquainted with friends and cousins, the idea of telling ghost stories was brought up. Bloody Mary was mentioned along with a very unfriendly wolf.

What was once a pleasurable time of the day has turned into a nightmare. Instead of kisses and chimes of "See you in the morning," it has turned into dagger hugs and "Please let me sleep with you, I can't stop thinking about Bloody Mary!!"

As as child, I can remember the stories that were told between cousins and friends that would haunt my images before bed. Imagining a blood streaked woman with deranged hair would leap from the mirror and claw me until my skin bled was frighting to me. Instead of peaceful dreams of kittens and bubbly birds, haunting images rocked me from my sleep and then there was no way I would return to "night night" land. Instead, I would run to my parents' bed and hold fast to mom or dad's arms and wish I could remember the happy ideas before the stories of death and fear ached in my head.

Why do these stories continue? What is the purpose of exposing fear from one child to another, especially fear from things that are made up?

As a parent that has never dealt with these fears from her children, it's quite disheartening. If you have ever dealt with this, what was your way used to help ease the fears?

Renewing Vows Without Being Married A Year: Fergie and Josh tell the world they are not over!

The marriage hasn't even hit the year mark and Josh Duhamel has already surprised Fergie with a vow renewal?

Following reports that Duhamel had an extramarital affair with Nicole Forrester while on location for the comedy Life as We Know It in Atlanta this year, the newlywed couple vehemently denied the report.

Radaronline.com has reported that Duhamel whisked Fergie away in a private helicopter to an awaiting limo that took the couple to the Bacara Resort and Spa twenty minutes away from Los Angeles.

During the 15 minute ceremony Fergie was "crying and very emotional." After a private dinner the two returned back to Los Angeles where they will continue their married life.

Should Celebrity Children Be Photographed?

I can remember the days when celebrities would shield their children from the eyes of the media. In today's time, with social networking and news outlets available with the flick of the finger, shutterbugs have taken to the street in droves ready to catch their next meal ticket with a camera. More times than not, celebrities have their picture taken while grabbing a cup of coffee, pumping gas or taking their young children to school.

Being well known can often times bring about unwanted exposure of personal ideas and allegiances and welcome in all walks of life into a person with a high status of being "known" in the public eye. Many celebrities have seen and felt people who meet them often times know them better than they know their neighbor. Playing characters on screen and witnessing daily photographs available in gossip magazines and online in blogs and news outlets, celebrities are available 24/7 for your viewing pleasure.

As a parent of young children, I would be nervous about the well-being of my child constantly being followed by the media wanting to take their picture. It makes me wonder how all of the media's attention focused on obsessions of our need to feel in the know by witnessing Brad and Angelina's next adoption or Jessica Alba's day at the park with little Honor affects the home life of these children.

Has there been one day when Suri Cruise hasn't been photographed? Will Harlow Madden be able to ride her bike down the street one day without a camera snapping pictures along the way? Can Tori and Dean get smoothies for their kids without it being a media circus?

This makes me pose the question: Should Celebrity Children Be Photographed?

My Favorite Moisturizer Ever!! Keihl's Ultra Facial Cream

As the owner of sensitive skin, I understand anytime I change my skin regime, she will protest. Instead of harsh words of revolt, my skin erupts into red bumps and puss filled pockets of hate. For this month's Beauty Guru reviews, she surprised me. It's as if she has waited her whole life for Kiehl's s Ultra Facial Cream. She responded with an evening of tone and a restored balance of vibrancy not seen in years.

After months of sitting in front of my computer blogging on a broad range of topics, the palm and fingers of my hand have met my face more times than ever before. While visions of creative thoughts poured from my brain onto my computer screen, the idea my hands could bring about such destruction on my face never occurred. So with red streaked chin and cheeks, something had to be done I had never done before.

I had to purchase my first batch of foundation. The years of getting by with loose powder seemed but a long lost memory.

A funny thing occurs when applying foundation to an unevenly moisturized face - Blotches!! Thinking I could hide the redness on my face with a base turned into an awful, uneven discoloration mess. I felt like I was looking back into the eighties when my mother would fix up her face and her neck would be three shades lighter than her face: Ouch! Preparing for the worst and thinking all was doomed in the world concerning my appearance to public viewing, a gift from heaven appeared on my doorstep.

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream!!

With it's 24 hour hydrating formula with extracts of Glacial Glycoprotiens from microorganisms sourced from sea glaciers and Imperata Cylindrica, a plant from the Australian desert, Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream hydrates and evens the tone of my skin so well, the redness of my skin has diminished and using base to hide my imperfections on the skin is not as necessary as once before.

This is a real miracle cream. I couldn't ask for a better moisturizer and neither will you!

Vanity Fair Sells Tiger Shirtless and You Will Buy It

There is something to be said about nudity: People look.

Playboy would have never survived if men and women didn't want to see other people's nakedness open for other's to see. Peep shows have been around since the beginning of time. Remember in James Cameron's, Titanic, how men stole lustful glances at Kate Winslet's character when only her ankle was exposed for the air to breathe? It's an ankle! The industry that sells sex as a mainstream product from cola to cell phones continues to show promise.

There is something to be said about the human body unclothed. People seem to love it.

In Vanity Fair's February issue, Tiger Woods stands shirtless for the world to see. While pumping iron with sultry look at hand, Tiger Woods gives the world a sense into his world, "Pre-Scandal."

Shot by famed photographer Annie Leibovitz before the media grasped it's hand into Tiger's struggles with adultery and drug use, Tiger Woods as he wanted you to see him.