Wine With Wanda

Toast the New Year with Sparkling Wine

Legend has it that Prince Henry of Prussia sipped champagne out of a courtesan's shoe in 1902 at Chicago's notorious Everleigh Club - then the country's most famous brothel. I'm guessing that your parties, New Year's Eve or otherwise, tend to be somewhat less salacious but that bubbly is still an important part of the festivities. Here are a few of my favorite picks for sparkling wines that are perfect for toasting 2010. 

If you really do want to sip champagne from a shoe and price is no object, then splurge on Piper Heidsieck-La Rituel par Christian Louboutin. The French sexy shoe guru has teamed up with the highly regarded champagne maker to create a limited edition set that includes a crystal stiletto and a bottle of Piper Heidsieck Brut. Priced at $500, I can't help but wish it included a pair of shoes I could wear.

For a more affordable sparkling wine option, I am a big fan of Spanish Cava. Llopart Rose Brut Reserva 2005 ($19.95) is not only delicious but the rich pink hue looks like a liquid gem in the champagne flute.

At $13.99 Mionetto Prosecco Brut NV is budget friendly but the crisp and fruity flavors are pleasing to the palate. Basic but not disappointing.

Trapiche Brut Extra from Argentina is subtle yet sassy and at $11.49 is very easy on the budget! This is a really pretty wine that pairs nicely with shrimp, fresh fruit and cheese.

Cheers and Happy New Year!

Dream Hotel Was a Nightmare for Rape Victim

NY1 is reporting that a 28-year-old female guest sleeping in her room at NYC's posh Dream Hotel woke up to a hotel employee raping her. Sources say the woman and her boyfriend had returned to the Dream Hotel after a night of drinking and had difficulties getting into their room. A hotel employee was sent to assist them and that employee now stands accused of rape. It is not yet clear if the alleged rapist reentered the room or if he remained inside after assisting the couple.

The Dream Hotel bills itself as "13 stories of surreal luxury, playful attitude, and intuitive service in the fashionable heart of Midtown Manhattan." It is also the home of the Chopra Center & Spa, an "oasis of health and healing" designed by Dr. Deepak Chopra.

As more details are revealed, it will be interesting to see if the accused rapist has a previous criminal record that was either ignored or not discovered by the Dream Hotel. 

Click here to read more details on the NY1 website.
Click here to read my article on hotel safety for women.

Ivana Trump Goes from First Class to No Class

Naughty, naughty, naughty. Ivana Trump, the socialite ex-wife of The Donald, was booted from her first class seat on a commercial flight from Florida to NYC on Friday as a result of her less than classy behavior.

"From the initial contact until Ms. Trump left the property, she was saying f - - k you to all the deputies," and called the kids "little f - - kers," a police spokeswoman told the Palm Beach Post.

Ivana's tirade of F-bombs was allegedly ignited by the sounds of a crying baby that she was unable to block out with her headphones. It is reported that her behavior was so unruly that the plane returned to the terminal so that the TSA could escort Miss Thing off the aircraft.

Shame on you Ivana! Take your private jet if you can't play nicely with others!
Click here to read the entire story in the NY Post.

Sashay Through Airport Security: Five Tips for Flying with Finesse

'Tis the season for overcrowded airports and higher than normal levels of travel related stress. Airport security measures can seem awfully grinchy but there are things you can do to ease the pain. Here are five tips for sashaying through airport security.

1. The readiness is all: Don't be that annoying diva digging through a junky purse looking for your photo ID. Make sure your ID is readily accessible and valid - an expired ID card can slow you down if you get a persnickety agent. Also, even in this age of e-tickets, it is always advisable to print out your confirmation.

2. Get on the right line: Just in time for the holidays, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has established family lanes at every airport in the U.S. for travelers that need extra time, such as those traveling with small children. Do not mistakenly get in this line if you are traveling solo. Opt for the faster moving Expert or Casual traveler lane if it is available.

3. Leave the thigh high lace up boots in your bag: My least favorite part of the security process is taking off my shoes. However, you can get this indignity over with quickly by wearing shoes that slip on and off with ease. And, if you're not wearing hosiery, please make sure your tootsies look cute. Ok, a pedicure isn't a security requirement but do you really want to be known as the girl at security with the jacked up feet? Also, avoid setting off the metal detector with belt buckles and heavy jewelry.

4. Keep it Neat: Once your bag goes through the X-ray machine, the screener has a short window of time to determine if anything in your luggage looks suspicious. Try to pack things in layers so that they can be quickly identified. Innocent items, like the cords from your hair dryer and flat iron, can look ominous if they get all tangled up.

5. Smile: I've come to realize that the TSA screeners are in a no-win situation: they are dealing with people in a hurry and are required to enforce rules that don't often make sense. (Really, my lip gloss is a threat?) Although some of the screeners aren't the friendliest of folks, I still make sure to smile and say how are you.  After all travel is about connecting with people  - don't ignore the ones you meet along the way.

Visit the Transportation Security Administration website for more security tips.

Snow in New York City: Scenes from Central Park

Waking up to the snow covered streets in New York City today reminded me that a change in weather can make home feel like a brand new place. Here are a few photos of Central Park transformed into a winter wonderland by the first snowfall of the season. I took these photographs in the northern tip of Central Park at the Harlem Meer and in the Conservatory Garden.

 

Smell Like Paris: Perfumes Inspired by Places

Scent has the power to conjure up emotions and memories. Years before I visited Paris, Yves Saint Laurent's scent named after the City of Lights was my signature fragrance. Each spritz of Paris added a dash of joie de vivre to my everyday routine and fueled my fantasies of one day seeing the Eiffel Tower.  (I snapped that photo in Paris 3 years ago.)

Capturing the essence of a city in a bottle is no easy undertaking but perfume makers continue to find inspiration in destinations. Sephora has a great selection of perfumes that hope to spark your wanderlust. Here are a few you may want to add to your fragrance library.

Yves Saint Laurent - The man behind this quintessential French brand is no longer with us but the house that Saint Laurent built remains a power player in the fashion and fragrance world.

Paris: $62
Notes: Rose, Hawthorn, Mimosa, Violet, Sandalwood, Moss, Iris, Amber, Musk.


Parisienne: $39 - $85
Notes: Blackberry, Damask Rose, and Sandalwood

Guerlain - Established in 1828, the iconic Parisian fragrance house Guerlain has created over 700 perfumes.

Champs-Elysees: $68
Notes: Mimosa Leaves, Rose Petals, Cassis Berry, Almond Blossom, Hibiscus Seed

Burberry - Offering more than their classic trench coat, the oh-so-British Burberry is a very fashion-forward design house.

Brit: $68-$88
Notes: Italian Lime, Icy Pear, Green Almond, White Peony, Sugared Almonds, Amber, Mahogany, Vanilla, Tonka Bean


Acqua di Parma - Established in the 1930's, this Italian brand remains a popular choice for those who prefer oldies but goodies.

Blu Mediterraneo: $40-$104
Five distinct fragrances inspired by Tuscany, Sicily, Capri, Amalfi and Panarea.


Lilly Pulitzer - The queen of preppy attire has branched out into fragrance.
Beachy: Inspired by Palm Beach. $29.50 -$48
Notes: Jasmine Blossom, Tiare Flower, Watermelon, Frangipani

Michael Kors- Fashion designer Michael Kors wants you to smell as gorgeous as you look.

Island: Three unique fragrances inspired by Bermuda, Fiji and Capri. $12-$62.  

Very Hollywood: $40-$85
Notes: Mandarin, Gardenia, Vetiver




Sephora doesn't have the monopoly on fragrance. For scents inspired by New York City, Bond No. 9 has a great selection. Their fragrances include Park Avenue, New Haarlem, Central Park and many more.

Bath Junkie - Prefer to create your own signature fragrance inspired by your favorite place? Find a Bath Junkie store near you and start blending. They have over 200 fragrances you can choose from to create everything from body mist to scrub and everything in between. I blended Spicy Georgia Peach at Bath Junkie to remind me of my sweet trip to Savannah. 

Bordeaux Won't Make You Broke: Delicious and Affordable French Wines

Are you looking for a great gift for the the wine lover on your list? A bottle of Bordeaux is sure to impress. If a fine bottle of wine is a passport to a journey in taste, then Bordeaux is a dream vacation. However, unlike that trip around the world, Bordeaux may taste expensive but there are actually 100 Bordeaux wines priced under $35.

EnjoyBordeaux.com invited me to discover that "life goes better with Bordeaux" by sampling two bottles of wine.

Chateau-Larose-Trintaudon (Haut Medoc) 2004 - $17.99
This luscious ruby red wine paired perfectly with my garlicky marinated steak. Voluptuous and fruity, this wine is simply delicious. Dare I say, yummy? Buy one for them and one for you! Also pairs well with duck and lamb.

Clarendelle (Bordeaux, White) 2006 - $19.95  

I confess to sipping a glass of this lovely wine as I write this. Tough job, I know! This feisty white wine is a combination of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc and has some wonderful fruity hints of pineapple and citrus. 

Visit www.enjoybordeaux.com to find more wines under $35, tasting notes, pairing suggestions, and where to buy.

La Dolce Vita On a Plate: Delicious Italian Desserts

Americans adore our milk and cookies but food historian and author Francine Segan (The Opera Cookbook, Movie Menus) says that Italians prefer their sweets paired with a delicious glass of wine or liqueur. I just returned from Francine's presentation in Manhattan at the 92nd Street Y, La Dolce Vita: Italian Desserts Tasting & History, and my sweet tooth is saying grazie!

Francine kept the audience captivated with sugary treats, sophisticated libations like Limoncello, and tasty historic tidbits. As we munched on rich Italian chocolates, torrone, panforte and panettone; we learned that Columbus introduced chocolate to the New World, a woman invented the popular BACI chocolates, and everyone's favorite creamy chocolate and hazelnut spread, Nutella, is the result of cocoa rationing during WWII. Even spices get the sugary treatment in Italy: have you ever tasted candied cinnamon or fennel? Delicious!

So, next time you are fantasizing about long days under the Tuscan sun or starry nights in Umbria, add a dash of la dolce vita to your day with some delicious Italian sweets. And, take Francine's advice - don't forget the vino!

Journalist Gwen Ifill: On the Go In a Great Jacket

In an age of television pundits who raise their voices without raising important issues, journalist Gwen Ifill's poise and knowledge make her a stellar standout. As moderator and managing editor of Washington Week and senior correspondent for  PBS NewsHour, Ifill is an undisputed media power player. And, power players dress the part.

 Gwen Ifill moderating the 2008 Vice Presidential debate.

I met Ms. Ifill yesterday at the Hudson Union Society's event at the Williams Club where she was discussing her best-selling book The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama. She made the journey from her home in Washington, DC to New York City on the ACELA train and was dressed in a simple yet elegant travel friendly ensemble of black slacks paired with a black shirt and a perfectly tailored royal blue jacket. The other guests sensibly questioned Ms. Ifill about politics, President Obama, and other serious matters. Don't get me wrong, I care about those issues too and enjoyed hearing her perspective. But there was one question I really needed the answer to. 

"Ms. Ifill, I couldn't help but notice the gorgeous blue jacket you wore when you moderated the Vice Presidential debates in 2008. Who designed it?"
 
Smiling warmly, Ms. Ifill answered, "Nina McLemore."

While not as important as the countless hours of research and hundreds of questions that she carefully crafted in preparation for the highly anticipated debate between Joe Biden and Sarah Palin, I suspect that Ms. Ifill gave serious consideration to a jacket that would be seen by a live audience of almost 70 million people. Not only did she need to like the garment but her selection needed to convey the message that she was confident and in charge without being distracting. For the debate, Ms. Ifill needed to be prepared in every way, especially since there were some vocal critics who questioned Ms. Ifill's ability to be unbiased because then Presidential Candidate Obama was a focal point in her book. When asked how she felt about her detractors Ifill said, "They were trying to mess with my mind and I wasn't going to have it."

Nina McLemore? The name was unfamiliar to me but Nina McLemore must be nothing less than fabulous if Ifill opted to wear her jacket on such a momentous occasion.  Ifill was also wearing a McLemore jacket at her appearance yesterday.

Ms. Ifill was gracious enough to pose for a photo with me! Look, another great jacket!
photo by J. Hoch

Further research revealed that Ms. McLemore is the Founder of Liz Claiborne Accessories and Former Chair of the Fashion Group International. Her collection of clothing for "smart, confident women on the go," is also a favorite of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

After delivering her great talk, Ms. Ifill had a few hours of free time before taping her appearance on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Could a visit to Nina McLemore's Manhattan showroom for another fab jacket have been the next step on her busy agenda?

Whoopi Inspires Aretha to Fly the Friendly Skies

Legendary entertainers Aretha Franklin and Whoopi Goldberg may not get stage fright but for years they were both grounded by their intense fear of flying, opting instead to cruise around in their luxury tour buses. Earlier this year Whoopi conquered her fears and took her first flight in 13 years. Now it seems that the Queen of Soul is ready to do the same!

Today on "The View", Aretha of the soaring vocals indicated that she was inspired by Whoopi and ready to soar the skies. It just goes to show that it is never too late to conquer your fears! Aretha, get your black dress ready and go!

Have Dress, Will Travel: The Sofia Dress from White House/Black Market

I am always engaged in a never-ending search for the perfect little black dress. In reality, every lady needs more than one LBD because the occasion, weather, hemline, fabric, and even your mood dictates what dress is right at any particular moment in time. When it comes to travel, my dresses have to meet the following criteria: simple yet elegant, can transition from day to night, virtually wrinkle free and hand washable. Here is my latest find.

THE SOFIA from White House/Black Market
$98 (get 20% off and a free gift Thurs. Dec. 10 - Fri. Dec.11. use code 8044)
available in sizes XXS-XL

The White House/Black Market describes the dress as:

"A lovely break. A beautiful voyage. A weekend with the girls...just because. Meet Sofia. Carefree by day, chic by night...the must-pack silhouette we're wearing everywhere. Timeless knit dress tailored with a scoop neckline, 3/4-length sleeves and hidden on-seam pockets. 95% Polyester, 5% Spandex. Machine wash, cold. Imported.

• Classic stretch fit.
• Includes a removable black belt.
• Fully lined.
• Length: 33". "

 

25 Truly Terrific Holiday Gifts for Women Travelers

Are you looking for the perfect holiday gift for your favorite traveling diva? No worries, The Black Dress Traveler has assembled a great guide of stocking stuffers and statement makers to assist you! Bags, jewelry, gadgets, books, clothing, toiletries and more are all featured in my comprehensive round-up of gifts that are just right for the holiday and everyday. Best of all, most items are under $100 and as low as $7.95. With prices like that, why not spoil yourself too? Happy Holidays!

Gadgets and Gear

RCA Small Wonder EZ209HD Available for $88.35 on Amazon.
Santa baby, please put a snazzy RCA Small Wonder under the tree for me! Add this to your gift list so your favorite traveler won’t have to lug around bulky video equipment to capture precious vacation memories. At about half an inch thick, the RCA Small wonder fits perfectly in a purse but is still big on features, including a two-inch, full color LCD display and direct YouTube uploading. Don’t let the point and shoot simplicity fool you – the RCA Small Wonder records in various modes, including HD.

X Shot 2.0
$29.95
Ditch the bulky tripod! The X Shot 2.0 telescopic camera extender collapses to 9 inches and extends to more than 3 feet. Say bye bye to awkward photos from doing the single arm stretch because the X Shot 2.0 attaches to any compact digital camera or hand-held video camera so that the photographer can be in the picture too. The X Shot is a great gift for the solo traveler – no more handing your camera to strangers and asking them to take a picture.

Wordlock Luggage Lock
$9.99
These Travel Sentry® Approved locks keep bags secure and eliminate the need to carry a key or memorize a numerical combination. Just pick a four-letter word that’s easy to remember (might I suggest DIVA?), lock your bag, and go!

Train Reaction Device
Two for $19.95
This easy-to-use gadget quickly connects two pieces of wheeled luggage, making it much easier to maneuver bulky bags.

Fab Bags & Cool Cases

Port.a.Bra
$54.95
No more crushed bras! Keep your pricey brassieres in mint condition by packing them in the Portabra. Made of fine Thai silk and lined in satin, each case holds up to 6 bras in sizes A-C cups and some D’s. The Portabra folds flat and has two interior pockets for lingerie and hosiery.

The Rack Trap
$7.95 - $19.95
The Rack Trap is a one-size-fits-all bra pocket that holds all your essentials safely and conveniently in your bra. The RackTrap makes it easy to keep your license, credit card, boarding pass and cash safe when you are going through airport security or anytime you want to keep these items really close to you. Celebrity fans include Dolly Parton. Need I say more?

TraveLite Tote
$70
Weighing in at only 8 oz. and made of 100% recycled material, the TraveLite Tote is super sturdy and spacious. Fitting virtually everything, including a laptop computer, the TraveLite tote keeps you organized with plenty of pockets and zippers.





Locher’s Paris Small Purse
$54
These dainty little purses made from old French fabric look perfectly lady like. Look again. These sweet bags by Lohrer’s Paris can be customized with your choice of nine naughty sayings such as, “Only to be used on shoes, clothes and alcohol”, and “So many boys, so little time.” Locher’s also makes delightful lipstick and Iphone cases.

GIVE Train Case
$65 (originally $130)
Made of stain resistant microfiber, this elegant train case by GIVE will keep your favorite jetsetter stylishly organized. GIVE has a strong celebrity following, including Jessica Alba and Sheryl Crow. Fashion forward and altruistic, GIVE annually donates 10% of their net profits to charities. This is a gift that keeps giving!

Rojeti Travel Laundry Bag
$19.95. For a limited time, get a set of 2 for $18.49. The Rojeti Laundry Bag is a great and eco-friendly alternative to disposable plastic laundry bags. Made of water resistant nylon, this reusable bag is easy to use: just fill it with your dirty clothes, zip it up, and pack it in your suitcase.

Glam & Gorgeous

ZULUGRASS Necklaces by the Leakey Collection
$12.95 - $39.95
The Leakey Collection, founded in 2002 by Katy and Philip Leakey, is one of my favorite finds for the holiday season and anytime! Philip is the son of legendary paleo-anthropologists Drs. Louis and Mary Leakey and Katy is an artist and a designer.

Based in The Rift Valley, Kenya, East Africa, The Leakey Collection includes jewelry and home accessories made of natural elements such as fallen wood, grass and porcelain. The items are unique, protect the environment and provide economic opportunity to the local communities.

Zulugrass, the flagship item of the collection, is handcrafted by Masaai women of Kenya. Sold in individual or multistrands, Zulugrass is both earthy and modern. These travel friendly pieces can be combined in endless beautiful combinations. Truly a beautiful gift!

Cambodian Silk Scarf from Global Goods Partners
$44
The lucky recipient of this elegant silk scarf will not only appreciate the subtle Khmer Flower pattern but will feel an extra sense of warmth knowing that your purchase of this gift benefits those living with HIV and AIDS in the Stung Treng Women's Development Center in Cambodia. In fact, all Global Goods products are fair trade, eco-conscious, and help to build sustainable communities.

SKINN Face in a Case – The Luxe Collection
$42.50
This ultra portable and elegant collection from SKINN by Dimitri James has everything a traveling lady needs for a complete make-up application. The Face in a Case Luxe Collection includes, blush / translucent powder, concealer, eyeliner, eyeshadows, lip color, and lip gloss. The formulations  are all anti-aging and talc-free treatment colors designed to create a beautiful face at any age. Purchased separately these items would cost easily over $200!

Neero & Ana Satin Hydration Therapy Pillow Cases
Prices start at $29.99
The Black Dress Traveler almost never lets my face fall asleep on a pillow that is not cloaked in a Neero & Ana case. I use these fantastic cases at home and always pack them when I travel. They really are a beauty treatment because unlike cotton pillowcases that suck the moisture right out of your skin and hair, Neero & Ana cases are made of botanical satin that keep your precious face and tresses hydrated.

Crazy Sticks - ShanghaiJava Solid Perfume Gift Set by Crazylibellule & The Poppies
$41.00
Eliminating the need to worry about spillage, breakage, and dreaded confiscation, solid perfume sticks are great for travel. The ShanghaiJava Gift Set from high end Parisian parfumerie Crazylibellule and The Poppies contains 3 solid perfume sticks in the sensual scents of Ananas Impérial, Musc & Patchouli, and Lilas Spiritual.

The Jet Setter from Blooming Lotus
$50
This extraordinary hand-dyed silk bag was created exclusively for Blooming Lotus by noted fabric designer Joscelyn Himes. Her designs have been used in the collections of Donna Karan and Vera Wang. Designed using the Shibori dyeing technique, each unique bag is filled with TSA approved travel sizes of aromatherapy mister, body lather, luminous lotion and a full sized lip conditioner. Once you reach your destination, the bag can also be used as an elegant evening purse.

Chic & Comfy Clothes

Flingz Thongs
$22.50 for the weekender three pack. Looking for a comfortable pair of travel-friendly dainties that won’t show a pantyline?Just fling a pair of Flingz™ thongs into your bag. Made from 5% elastane and 95% cotton (which is biodegradable), Flingz are packaged in two-by three-inch recyclable bags that tuck discreetly into a clutch, gym bag or carry-on. Flingz make a great stocking stuffer. Available in nude, black or cotton candy pink.

NITESWEATZ – Moisture Wicking sleepwear
Pant & tee set is $106
NITESWEATZ sleep apparel is not just for women dealing with biological changes that increase body temperature. Just imagine how great it would be to have on moisture wicking sleepwear if you are spending the night in a room that is hot and sticky. This simple yet stylish pant and tee set can even be worn outside the bedroom and will keep you in chic comfort on a long flight. NITESWEATZ has a great collection of nightgowns, daywear, underwear and more!

Footzyrolls
$25–$30
Rollable and foldable Footzyrolls are a travel must! Stop torturing your feet and ruining your expensive shoes by walking long distances in high heels. The brainchild of sisters Jenifer and Sarah Caplan, Footzyrolls make it easy to always have a comfy pair of shoes with you. Each set of Footzyrolls is comprised of 3 pieces – 1 pair of Footzyrolls, 1 Footzypouch, and 1 Footzybag. Simply pack Footzyrolls (in Footzypouch) in your bag of choice, when your feet start to ache or you need to race to your flight, place your shoes in the Footzybag and put on your comfy and cute Footzyrolls. Footyrolls are available in several colors and are waterproof with a skid proof sole.

MicciMicci Travel Treads
$24.95
Keep a pair of Treads in your purse and slip them on when you want to protect your tootsies on the plane and other dubious surfaces. Treads are foldable, washable, and are made of stretchy, durable spandex with a foam insole and non-slip tread.

Keep Fit

City Running Tours
$60 per person for the first six miles and $6 per person for each mile after that. Discounts for groups of four or more.

Keeping up my exercise routine is important to me when I travel but I tend to rush through my workout so I can get out and explore. Thanks to City Running Tours, travelers no longer have to choose between fitness and sightseeing. Buy your favorite fitness minded traveler a City Running Tours gift certificate and they can jog right by the boring treadmill and run outdoors. Available in Austin, Charleston, Chicago, New York and Washington DC., City Running Tours provides travelers with a guide that meets them at the hotel. While running together, the guide gives a tour and shares local history and culture. The guide returns the traveler to the hotel once the run is complete. City Running Tours provides a safe option for women who wish to run in an unfamiliar city. 10% of the total fee is donated to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

Great Reads

100 Places in Italy Every Woman Should Go
by Susan Van Allen
$18.95
A great gift for the armchair traveler or a friend who is Italy bound, Susan Van Allen's book is a girl friendly guide to Italy’s many pleasures. Discover the palace where Audrey Hepburn lived in Roman Holiday, spas for pampering, beaches for relaxing, culinary adventures and more!




Paris Movie Walks: Ten Guided Tours Through The City of Lights! Camera! Action!
by Michael Schurmann 
$15.95
Francophiles and movie buffs will go gaga for Michael Schurmann's in-depth guide to Paris’s cinematic treasures. From An American in Paris to Amelie, Paris Movie Walks contains 10 different walking tours that offer an intriguing and cost-effective way to explore the City of Lights.

Shopping in Marrakech
by Susan Simon and with photos by Nally Bellati
$18.95 (at press time the book was being offered at a 25% discount for $14.21.)
The girls of Sex and the City have been filming in Marrakech and you just know those divas are shopping up a storm! Susan Simon’s helpful book is a must for any gal planning a trip to this legendary Moroccan city. Learn how to choose among the thousands of shops, stores, and souk stalls and how to even find them in this labyrinthine city, where street names and addresses seldom appear on the city map.

Shoo, Jimmy Choo: The Modern Girl's Guide to Spending Less & Saving More
$14.95
Even budget vacations require money! Get your favorite travel dreaming but cash challenged diva on the right financial track with Shoo, Jimmy Choo. Written by Catey Hill, the money editor for the New York Daily News online, Shoo, Jimmy Choo offers great advice that will help ladies get out of debt and on the road to financial prosperity and their dream vacation! The title of the book was inspired by the famous Sex and the City episode where Carrie realizes that she couldn’t afford to buy her apartment because she spent all of her money on designer shoes.

Win 2 Tickets to the Hit Broadway Musical MEMPHIS!

Congratulations to winner Kathryn W.!

Don't miss your chance to see the musical that has been called "the biggest hit on Broadway this year or any other year.” (WOR Radio.) Enter for your chance to win 2 tickets to see a January 2010 performance of the hit Broadway musical MEMPHIS! (The winner will be mailed a voucher and must follow the instructions in order to redeem the prize.) Contest ends on Friday, Dec. 11 at 5:00 pm (EST).

From the underground dance clubs of 1950s Memphis, Tennessee, comes a hot new Broadway musical with a brand-new story to tell. Get ready to rock, because MEMPHIS is blowing the roof off of Broadway! The plot - She's a black singer whose career is on the rise, but who can't break out of segregated clubs. He's a white radio DJ whose love of music transcends race lines and airwaves. When the two collaborate, her soulful music reaches radio audiences everywhere, and the Golden Era of early rock 'n' roll takes flight. But as things start to heat up, whether the world is really ready for their music - or their love - is put to the test. A thrilling theatrical event that combines Broadway splendor with the roots of rock.

American Student Amanda Knox Sentenced to 26 Years for Meredith Kercher Murder

On November 2, 2007 Meredith Kercher, a 21-year old student from England, was found brutally murdered in her bedroom in Perugia, Italy. Meredith's American housemate Amanda Knox and her Italian boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito were quickly identified as suspects by the Italian police. Today, after a high profile year long trial, Knox and Sollecito were both found guilty of murder and sexual assault and will serve 26 and 25 years, respectively. Click here for more details about the case.

I am no legal expert but I have been following this case with great interest. Having been blessed with the opportunity to spend both my junior years of high school and college studying abroad in Spain, I can imagine the excitement and anticipation that both of these young ladies must have felt about spending a year in a foreign land. 

I can just picture both Meredith and Amanda spending the weeks leading up to their departure shopping for clothes, brushing up on their Italian, and fantasizing about the wonderful meals, adventures, and maybe even romances that awaited them in Italy. Both girls surely hugged their loved ones goodbye, never realizing how final those farewells would be. Meredith's grieving family will never see her again and my heartfelt condolences go out to them. Amanda's family will see their daughter grow into middle age behind bars if her appeals are denied. Is Amanda guilty? I don't know. But I do know that Meredith's and Amanda's stories, the rich possibilities of their year abroad, were not supposed to end this way.

Nigella Bites the Big Apple!

Best-selling cookbook author, television star, and world renowned domestic goddess Nigella Lawson had the crowd at Tuesday night's Hudson Union Society event eating out of her hands and hungry for more!

Dressed in a perfect little black dress, the curvy culinary celebrity was in New York City to promote her newest book, Nigella Christmas. More than just a collection of holiday recipes, Nigella's festive book is full of practical advice to keep your holiday meal preparations stress-free so that you can focus on enjoying time with your guests.   

A winning combination of posh and down-to-earth, Nigella proudly proclaimed that she is "spearheading the anti-perfectionist movement."  She continued by explaining that "food is about home cooking" and that most people on their death beds will reminisce about the simple foods of their everyday lives, such as a juicy roast chicken, and not the elaborate creations served in restaurants.

Nigella's talent and passion for food have led her on an incredible journey but her ascent was far from premeditated. "I never planned anything in my life. I loafed from crisis to crisis," she laughed. 

Nigella's talk revealed some basic but important truths about life: be comfortable in your own skin, relish life's unexpected twists and turns, and a pat of real butter makes everything better!

Photo taken by J Hoch.