Say "Hello" to my new Best Friend - "The Beauty Blender"

I will be the first to admit that I did not think this little sponge was worth its price.  However, after using it for the last month, I have found it to be worth its weight in gold. 


The Beauty Blender(TM) is the perfect tool for makeup newbies or makeup old-timers who just can't seem to "whip it real good."


Honestly, this little thing is easy to use and saves so much time and frustration.


Around $20.00 for the "original" sponge and well worth the price.


Perfect for the working women.

Take Good Care of Your Hands and They'll Take Good Care of You With Crabtree and Evelyn

I never thought about my hands much until I reached a certain age.

Okay, truthfully speaking, I never thought as much about my hands as I have this winter.

They are taking a beating.  The colder temperatures combined with what may or may not be compulsive hand washing in an effort to avoid germs, it's been brutal on "les mains."

Grateful for Crabtree and Evelyn (TM) and their La Source Hand Care Collection.

I usually "treat myself" during the holidays to a nice bottle of hand cream that will take me into the first quarter of the new year.  It's important to take care of your "whole self," which includes your hands.  Feet are another subject for another day.

I've tried many hand care products over the years and this one has really proven its worth.

There's nothing like handing over the brief to the attorney with alligator hands.  You don't want alligator hands.  No one wants alligator hands.

You should treat yourself to a nice hand cream.  This one is well worth a try.

I hope you find this tip handy.  Get it?

Is it too late for a New Year Planner Party?

Every year, I pledge to get organized.  And every year - well, I won't say that I fail, but I often fall short.

This year, I had my head all wrapped around the Planner idea.  Like, back to paper, going to keep planners in several places and never miss another deadline or appointment.

Needless to say, it's February 1st, and I've only written one thing in one of my planners.

But aren't they pretty?  There's the vibrant one from Anna Griffin and HSN and the more "formal" one from Filofax.  

They both have plenty of wide open space to fill in all the juicy details.  No more excuses.  Time to get it together at home and at work.

Just one thing - can someone help me pick out the "perfect pen?"

"Small Admissions" by Amy Poeppel in Bookstores and Online Now! A Laugh Riot

The debut novel by Amy Poeppel is one of the funniest books I've read this year.

If you're a fan of chick-lit, this has got to be on your reading list for 2017.

It was hard to feel sorry for the book's main character,  Kate, who endured many pitfalls throughout the novel, when she kept me in stitches.  I want to be Kate's new best friend.

There's something here for everyone.  There's the college roommates meet adult life scenario.  There's the "my boyfriend dumped me," scenario.  There's the dysfunctional family scenario.  There's the "mom and dad like you best" sibling rivalry scenario.  There's the helicopter and over-ambitious, private school parent scenario (translated "I'll do anything to get my kid into this elite school).

And, last, but not least, there's the "nothing is ever as it seems" scenario. 

A thoroughly enjoyable read.  You'll devour it.  I promise.



When ambitious grad student Kate Pearson’s handsome French “almost fiancé” ditches her, she definitely does not roll with the punches, despite the best efforts of family and friends. It seems that nothing will get Kate out of pajamas and back into the world.

Miraculously, one cringe-worthy job interview leads to a position in the admissions department at the revered Hudson Day School. Kate’s instantly thrown into a highly competitive and occasionally absurd culture, where she interviews all types of children: suitable, wildly unsuitable, charming, loathsome, ingratiating, or spoiled beyond all measure. And then there are the Park Avenue parents who refuse to take no for an answer.

As Kate begins to learn there’s no room for self-pity or nonsense during the height of admissions season or life itself, her sister and friends find themselves keeping secrets, dropping bombshells, and arguing with each other about how to keep Kate on her feet. Meanwhile, Kate seems to be doing very nicely, thank you, and is even beginning to find out that her broken heart is very much on the mend. Welcome to the world of Small Admissions.  (from Aria Books).

Don't Be Tardy to the Holiday Party

I hope I'm not too late for my annual list of "Do's and Don'ts" for the Holiday Party.

For those of you, who haven't already had your celebrations here are some of what I like to call "helpful hints."

• Arrive "on time."  Meaning don't be the first one there.  But don't be obviously late.
• Don't be the last one to leave.  Because if you are, that means that you didn't follow the below
• Don't over-imbibe.  Everyone loves holiday cheer but no one wants to be the stuff that office party folklore is made of
• Don't wear anything too revealing.  While you might be super proud of your yoga body this year, resist the temptation to let it all hang out - less is not always more

'Tis the season to be jolly - in moderation.

"The Girl on the Train" movie - A Thriller to Wind Down the Week

If you liked the book, "The Girl on the Train," you're going to love the movie.

Often movie adaptions don't go so well, but this film from Dreamworks and Universal Pictures makes the transition seamlessly.

Superb action, directing, lighting and suspense.

You'll never look at your morning commute quite the same.


"The Girl on the Train" in theaters now.

Starring Emily Blunt, Rebecca Ferguson, Haley Bennett, Justin Theroux.  Based on the bestselling novel by Paula Hawkins.

Watch the official trailer below:

Recommended Read: "The Last Good Girl" by Allison Leotta

I have yet to read an Anna Curtis mystery that I didn't enjoy.

And once again, Allison Leotta came through for me with "The Last Good Girl."

Her books are so detailed and accurate.  It's clear that she was a prosecutor in her former life.  And luckily for mystery lovers she's now parlayed that skill into one of the best contemporary crime novelists of the day.

Ms. Leotta writes about what's happening now and stories to which we can all relate.  I'd liken her to the literary "Law and Order:  SVU."

I'm especially loving her new locale (Detroit).  Nothing against the previous backdrops of the nation's capitol but I'm all about gentrification.

Highly recommended for lovers of the law and legal thrillers.


Emily Shapiro has gone missing. A freshman at a Michigan university, Emily was last seen leaving a bar near Beta Psi, a prestigious and secretive fraternity. The main suspect is Dylan Highsmith, the son of one of the most powerful politicians in the state. At first, the only clue is pieced-together surveil­lance footage of Emily leaving the bar that night...and Dylan running down the street after her.

When prosecutor Anna Curtis discovers a video diary Emily kept during her first few months at college, it exposes the history Emily had with Dylan: she accused him of rape before disappearing. Anna is horrified to discover that Dylan’s frat is known on campus as the “rape factory.”

The case soon gets media attention and support from Title IX activists across the country, but Anna’s investigation hits a wall. Anna has to find something, anything she can use to discover Emily alive. But without a body or any physical evidence, she’s under threat from people who tell her to stop before she ruins the name of an innocent young man.

Inspired by real-life stories, The Last Good Girl shines a light on campus rape and the powerful emotional dynamics that affect the families of the men and women on both sides. ("The Last Good Girl" by Allison Leotta)