Fashion At The Academy Awards

The Oscars are over.  Did you watch?  It's THE awards show people all over the world are likely to see.  Naturally, I watch for the fashions, as well as, to see who wins the awards.  Nowadays, celebrities hire a stylist, so there's mostly glamour, instead of mistakes, on the red carpet. Plus, the dresses are custom-made, highlighting a nominee's best assets and hiding any flaws. At 5'8" tall, host Anne Hathaway has the long legs...

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Orange Alert ... Even Oprah Is Trendy

I just returned home from a 40 block browse and walk, down Madison Avenue in New York City.  Every designer from  Prada, Chanel and Ralph Lauren ... to Burberry, Hermes and Donna Karen has shades of orange in their collections.  Orange shirts, dresses and purses are hanging on racks at Express, Banana Republic and Coach to name only a few.  To say that orange will be all the rage this Spring just might be an understatement. ...

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Waste Not Want Not ... When Less Is Enough

Not long ago my building renovated our laundry room, putting in new washing machines, which require half the amount of detergent to clean a load of clothes.  Use more, and you must run your clothes through a second wash cycle to get the suds out.  Suddenly we learned that less is enough.  And actually, it reinforces a lesson we received several years ago when our building installed new water-saving toilets.  Wad up a big-ball-of...

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Hungarian Goulash Made Easy

What's for dinner?  Well at my house, it's a stick to your ribs meat and potatoes meal, which I first saw on a cooking show, than tweaked and spiced to my liking. Simple, delicious and addicting!Hungarian GoulashIngredients:3½- to 4 pounds chuck roast, trimmed of fat, and cut into 1-inch cubes1/3 cup dried sweet paprika3 large red peppers, steamed in the microwave for 6-8 minutes until tender (You will use them to make 1 cup of paste.)1/4 –...

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Happy Saint Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is named after several early Christian martyrs.  One of them died, or was buried on February 14th according to different accounts.  The occasion became associated with romantic love during the Middle Ages through the writings of Geoffrey Chaucer.  In a poem depicting the courtship of Richard II and Anne of Bohemia, Chaucer used the images of love birds – who mate for life – as well as, Cupid and Venus.  He also...

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M.C. Hammer Presents The ZAGGmate iPad Case

Years ago I met M.C. Hammer at MTV, where I worked at the time. Hammer is the nicest man -- polite, friendly and outgoing. After he finished his “Behind The Music” interview, we rode the elevator down 23 floors to the lobby, and M.C. was charming.On that day I was dressed in black cotton velveteen trousers, with white accents.Hammer said: “I really like your white socks, dear.” I replied: “Thank you, M.C.  I've always loved the look of spats.”Smiling,...

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Did Your Grandma Wear An Apron?

Loretta G., who is a reader, mother and herself, a savvy shopper, sent me a nostalgic passage called “Grandma's Apron.”  It reminded me that both my grandma and mom wore aprons in the kitchen, while I rarely bother, despite the fact that I own a very nice blue and white stripped one.  And not surprisingly, my apron is still in mint condition.  When I put it on, I do feel more like a serious cook.  Once, while helping my mother...

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The Coziness Of Uggs

Uggs.  You either love 'em or hate 'em.  I own two pairs of boots, the ultra short suede, which are mid-shin length, and a smooth leather pair -- a style extending up to the knee.  So without a doubt, I fall into the love camp.    In winter, my Uggs keep my feet toasty, warm, even on the coldest, Arctic-bone-chilling day.  And they are so comfortable.  Some people don't like their look, but there's a good reason...

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