Fashion Poll: Cindy McCain vs. Michelle Obama

Recently, I hit the streets to ask people one question: Which Presidential hopeful's wife do you think is more fashion savvy?

According to NPR news, “(Cindy McCain) is known for her tailored suits and designer jewelry.”
“(Michelle Obama) is sometimes known to infuse lively colors with classic pearls.”

The response was incredible! When it cames to talking political figures, everyone was fired up about their candidate and most were ready to respond to the fashion question.

Here are the results of my poll:

Michelle Obama

34%

(Name not given), “Michelle—She looks classic and tailored and knows how to dress her body.”

Cindy McCain

45%

Salina, “Cindy probably cares more about fashion.”

Neither

21%

Winter Essentials

The last few weeks I've spent preparing for the Fall/Winter changes. The morning air is crisper, the mornings are dusky, and my warm mug of morning coffee is all the more enticing. In preparation for the winter chill, I've started stocking up on a few fashion essentials.

A Robe

It's time to invest in a plush robe. Nothing feels better after a long day followed by a hot shower when you can wrap up in a robe and slippers.
An Oversized Sweater
We're seeing them everywhere this season and it's no wonder everyone's falling in love with oversized sweaters. Pair one with tights, leggings, or over a pair of jeans.

Boots

This is one item you can't do without when the weather turns cold. Boots are great through all kinds of winter, versatile, and WARM!

Scarves

Make sure to have at least one scarf on hand this winter. Besides being warm, you can wear them in so many ways. Tie it around your neck, over your hair, or drape one as a belt.

What is your winter essential?

It's that time! Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

I can't wait to see what this year debuts as the leading girls of the runway hit the catwalk. This December, the show will air on CBS. Plan ahead and keep an eye on your local listings for date and time.

Lindsey Lohan Cut From 'Ugly Betty'

Celebrity news this week seems to have taken over... Hopefully no one minds my intrigue.

It now appears that the self-proclaimed diva, Lindsey Lohan, has been cut from her last two scheduled appearances on the Ugly Betty television series. While Ms. Lohan's sources point to America Ferrera as the culprit, America's entourage points the finger back to a certain red-headed (ahem, Lohan) startlet who has trouble making timely appearances on set. (Full story)

Given her past, Lindsey Lohan has proven to be very dedicated when it comes to making producers wait and drumming up enemies wherever she's cast. How easily fame flows to the (red) head...

'Gossip Girl' Star Taylor Momsen Hospitalized

Gossip Girl star Taylor Momsen, has been hospitalized for a potentially life-threatening infection in her throat. (More HERE) She is expected to recover but remains in the hospital for now.

Taylor, the former Cindy Lou in How the Grinch Stole Christmas, has also been featured lately for her 'party girl' reputation. It does leave us wondering if there just may be a connection to her current condition...? Sources remain tight-lipped over the matter.

Fashion Faux Paus of the Texan Variety

Texas is full of colorful, friendly "folks." As I've gotten to know more of them, I really do admire their no nonsense approach to life as well as their ability to make a stranger feel right at home. However, people-watching in this state is something to behold!

The fashion sense here is a wide scope of styles and tastes. You see everything straight from the pages of Vogue, to casual chic, jeans and t-shirt, and every range of western wear imaginable. The 40 and over crowd has a fashion sense all of their own. There is no self-consciousness when it comes to what they want to wear and they will wear the most amazingly wrong ensambles with shameless pride.

Here is a re-make of the outfit I found on a woman in her 50's at a chili cookoff yesterday:

What do you think?

Look What I Found!

So, I've been searching for a new coat before the winter season begins to blow in. It seems like I have a closet full of perfectly decent jackets, but last year I still ended up mostly wrapped in the oversized jacket I stole from my boyfriend. Mine of course were the typical type of "girl jacket." (i.e. they are more fashionable than functionally warm and too fitted to wear a sweater or many layers underneath without looking like you've spent too much time at the holiday buffet table)

After shopping online and browsing a few stores, I decided that what I really wanted was a vintage faux fur. I came across a fantastic vintage shop downtown, but the coat I tried on had two problems. 1) It was more than double my budget and 2) It was real fur. Mink to be exact. And what girl is realistically going to spend the winter in a mink coat?? Aside from the fact I do not believe in wearing animal fur.

But TODAY, lo and behold, I came across the perfect brown vintage faux fur coat. It was tucked on a rack outside the fitting room of a second hand store, obviously discarded after an unsucessful fitting. Elation! I snagged it up. Felt the heaviness of it's warmth and silkiness of delicate lining. Trying it on was like falling into a warm embrace. And for all of $12, it was mine!

The Truth: Where Does Your Meat Come From?

It's been many years since I first became a vegetarian. The decision was simple for me. Although my mother's skills at cooking a roast left something a little stringy, a little rubbery staring back at me on my dinner plate, this wasn't the only reason I decided to go "veggie." The truth was, I didn't really like meat. Sure a large pool of ketchup could get most flesh to slide down my throat and a little barbecue could taste pretty good, but my hamburgers quickly began to resemble a bun-free pile of salad with only a quarter size piece of burger atop the greens.

Another reason I chose veggie was that I simply FELT better eating this way. I was one of those rare teens who actually enjoyed eating my fruits and veggies, didn't mind beans, nuts, or tofu, and brought bountiful salads to school almost every day. Instead of leaving lunchtime fatigued and overstuffed, I felt sustained to finish the rest of the day.

Now that I know a little more about the meat production process, it's no wonder I would feel better without partaking in their goods. Mass producing most food products, especially ones that involve live creatures, is bound to have problems. Time versus money always gets in the way. Quite frankly, I don't trust what they do including what they now feed the animals, all stress-induced adrenaline that is running through animals at slaughter houses, the conditions they are kept in, and the quality of the resulting product. The thought of meat does not turn my stomach, the process taking an animal from start to finished steak dinner does. At least with whole foods you know what you are getting. Yes, I have to think about pesticides (that can mostly be washed away) and genetic manipulation, but I also have choices. I can shop at farmer's markets or buy organic. I feel like I have more choice in the matter.

Now that I'm vegan, I feel the same about dairy and egg products. My body likes the alternatives, I like the soy substitutes, and it's a win-win situation for me.

And if you're free today, you might want to watch the Oprah show. (Or set the DVR.) A featured story is "How We Treat the Animals We Eat" with a look into topics such as what 'free range' and 'cage free' really mean.

BLM Wild Horse Adoption This Weekend

The Bureau of Land Management held a wild horse adoption and expo this weekend. I heard about it on the radio and my ears perked up immediately. I've always been fascinated by these creatures and the idea that we still have the chance to purchase and "tame" a wild horse.

I've heard of two cases of people who adopted a wild horse from the program and began working with them. While I'm sure they are all different, these two (a male gelding and female mare) turned out to be a real handful. The gelding has spent four years in professional training with only an ocassional day that he will put in a good workout without protest. Could it be that he preferred the open wilds to his new found stable? Or maybe an arena is just not challenging or stimulating enough to make him want to partner up with his rider? In any case, he is a loved and a cursed member of the family who bought him.

The second horse, the mare, became the best friend of a teenage girl. They struggled together through the gentling and training process and have been able to create a special bond in the end. The horse remains a feisty little thing that refuses to canter at less than full speed, but her rider doesn't really care.

From these two instances I can only come to the conclusion that these wild horses have an ancestory of survival making them a) Hardy b) Quite stubborn and c) Born with an iron will that will continue and sometimes be used against a human who tells them what to do

Here are the photos I got before the auction began.

Best Airport Wine Bars

At some point in time, we’ve all been in this situation—either a delay in connecting flights or a cancelled departure has left you with extra hours of wait time with no way to leave the terminal. To accommodate inevitable layovers and delayed travel time spent in the airport, new conveniences have been made available that range from spa treatments to the newest in wine bars conveniently located throughout the country. Wine enthusiasts are now able to savor some of the top vintages from almost anywhere they may find themselves when traveling far away from home. If you haven’t yet sampled what some of these establishments have to offer, you may be in for a big surprise! The following are some of the top Airport Wine Bars currently open for business to discriminating connoisseurs.

Yadkin Valley Wine Bar

This cozy bar boasts a fine southern flair with featured wines brought in from nine local North Carolina vineyards that cooperate in ownership to offer their best selections. Since opening in March 2005, business has flourished. Around 54 bottles are regularly available with wine flights rotated throughout the day. At any given time, patrons may be greeted by one of the nine vineyard owners or wine producers who each alternate working at the establishment. Shipping of wine is complimentary on orders exceeding one case.

Yadkin Valley Wine Bar is located at Charlotte Douglas International Airport between concourses D and E.

Rose City Café & Wine Bar

Hung up on a layover in Portland? Rose City has merged the grab-and-go service with a seated meal. This growing café offers wines of the Pacific Northwest to quench your needs. Each label has been grown and bottled in Oregon, Washington, or California. Sample a variety of local favorites and take advantage of the fresh sushi bar and Japanese cuisine.

Rose City Café & Wine Bar is located at Portland International Airport just inside the Ticket Lobby Level, before the security checkpoint.

Hours of Operation:Restaurant - 5:00am - 11:00pmSushi Bar- 9:00am - 11:00pmWine Bar- 11:30am - 11:00pm

La Bodega Winery

Did you know there were wine-tasting rooms in Texas terminals? Heralded as a “wine lover’s dream,” La Bodega is a vibrant atmosphere dedicated to everything wine related. This charming winery heralds a large selection of wines that are available for sampling throughout the day. Stop in to enjoy a glass or two, or simply shop among bottles and silver home accents.

La Bodega is located at the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport in Terminal A at Gate 15 and Terminal D at Gate D14.

Hours Are:Mon. – Sat. 7:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. Sun. 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

A Snapshot of My Pup

I snapped this shot the other day of my dog, Heinrich (aka "Henry"). I thought I'd share it and a little of his history.

I bought Henry from a woman who also owned his sister when he was four months old. He's a French Bulldog, now 3 years old and the most laid back dog I've ever owned. Born in Hungary, he came to the U.S. with his sister and was introduced to grass for the first time! (He was born during the winter season there.) I showed him sucessfully as a puppy before we retired him to be a companion pet. Here, he was sunning himself by the window and starting to fall asleep. I actually think he may be narcoleptic! He will literally start to close his eyes while in a sitting position, waking himself up when his head begins to drop until he gives up and curls up to sleep like a normal dog.

Eating for Glorious Skin!

What is the secret to a glowing complexion? When it comes to skincare, natural beauty truly does begin from the inside out. It’s time to take a look at what you eat and reveal just a few of the natural powerhouses for the complexion. Fruit and veggie lovers can rejoice! The more often you nosh on these antioxidant and nutritionally rich foods, the more repair and management properties you will be consuming. Here are just a few of the notable favorites.

Avocados

Loaded with vitamin K, avocados pack a powerful health punch. These wholesome fruits contain natural oils that maintain the elasticity and youthfulness of the complexion. The palm-size fruits are great for eating or even as a topical mask that will easily absorb right into the skin. Other key nutrients include folate, vitamin B6, and potassium. The Hass avocado is generally available throughout the year, but best in spring and summer. During the fall and winter months choose Fuerto, Zutano and Bacon varieties.

Blueberries

Blueberries reign as one of the highest antioxidant sources. Just a half cup daily is all you need to reap the benefits of these tasty berries. Add them to a bowl of cereal, create a blueberry smoothie, toss them in a salad, or enjoy them by the handful. Since this fruit has the hidden power to slow the aging process and reverse cell damage, I think we can all agree that this is one food worth enjoying.

Carrots

Have you had your beta-carotene today? Carrots are slam packed with anti-inflammatory properties. This vegetable is able to soothe skin, ideal for those who suffer from inflammatory skin conditions. By eating carrots you may soon find relief to redness without relying on harsh chemicals or expensive treatments. If you’re looking for an alternative with no side effects, grab a carrot and eat your way to a smoother complexion.

Salmon

High in omega-3 fatty acids, salmon has both anti-inflammatory components as well as natural oils for a healthy glow. As an additional bonus, your hair will also reap the benefits of lustrous shine! The healthiest choice is wild caught salmon that has been allowed to live in a natural, uncontaminated environment. Add the fish to salads, steam, bake, or broil with no added oil or butter. Your skin will thank you.

Actresses and models know the key to picture-perfect skin—it’s all about what goes into the body. Ideally, skincare changes will incorporate the entire diet by reconstructing how you think about food. By eliminating processed and fatty foods, limiting your soda consumption, and focusing on ways to eat more of these complexion enhancing foods your skin will never have looked better.