Impressively Delicious!

You've been dating this guy for weeks, and you really like him! This week it's your turn to set up the date, and you're at a total loss. He's already taken you to all of your favorite spots, and you're not sure how to impress him. So what are your plans?

Now's the time to show off your skills (whether authentic or not), and cook him a dinner that he'll never forget! Thanks to the delicious, hearty, 'just like mama used to do' recipes at getemgirls.com, a good meal is oh so easy to find!

Try this yummy Shrimp Scampi w/Linguine and add some toasted garlic bread... but be ready to get the fire burning after this one ...if you know what I mean!!

1 (16-ounce) package linguine noodles, uncooked
5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
5 tablespoons butter
2 shallots, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup dry white wine
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
Prepare pasta according to package directions for al dente. Drain and set aside.
Meanwhile, heat 3 tablespoons olive oil and 3 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shallots and garlic to the pan; cook and stir until the shallots are translucent, about 2 to 3 minutes.
Season shrimp with salt and pepper; add to the skillet. Cook until the shrimp turn pink, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the shrimp from the pan and set aside.
Add the wine and lemon juice to the pan and bring to a boil. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. When the butter has melted return the shrimp to the pan. Remove from heat and add the parsley and cooked pasta. Toss to coat the pasta and drizzle with a bit more olive oil. Serve immediately.

Makes 4 servings according to the "Get 'em Girls" ...you may be able to stretch it out to 6 though! :)

...do it with STYLE, and seal it with a KISS!

FALL SPA WEEK IS HERE!!!

...and at the perfect time too! I don't know about you, but I'm practically doing back-flips and leaping for joy! Spa Week is back with a Fall event for this week only! In fact, if you haven't taken advantage yet, you only have four more days to do so! Treatments at the finest salons... such as waxes, wraps, massages, mani-pedis, facials, and so much more... are all priced at only $50!! Many salons are combining treatments and offering you exclusive packages that add even more value to your dollar! Call your favorite salon, or try out a new one while the prices are amazing! You'll love it!

For a complete list of participating Salons and Spas visit...
www.spaweek.org!

...do it with STYLE, and seal it with a KISS!

In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we all should be doing our part to support the cause! After all, thousands of women are diagnosed yearly, and this disease is certainly not biased. I'm sure everyone knows at least one other person who has been affected personally with Breast Cancer, or indirectly through the illnes of a family member. So if for no other reason, SUPPORT THEM!!

Since there is no known cure for the disease, most monetary donations are resereved strictly for research. So even purchasing that Pink Ribbon at the checkout of your favorite retailer will help! Also, since about 85% of women who develop the disease have been found to have no family history of it, it is extremely important for you and the women in your life (especially those over 40) to go for an annual screenings! Of course, unless you are at a higher risk due to family history or over 40, it is not necessary for you to be tested unless you discover symptoms. However, we can not forget about our moms, aunts, sisters, and grand-mothers. Encourage them to to take care of their health and get their mamograms!

To find out more information on statistics, treatment, and screenings, etc. check out these site...

www.nationalbreastcancer.org
www.breastcancer.org
www.nbcam.com

To purchase "Save the Ta-Tas" T-shirts and merchandise check out

www.savethetatas.com

She's Got Game!

Come out to meet actress and former Miss USA, Kenya Moore, tonight at Hue-Man Bookstore in Harlem, as she promotes her new book, Game Get Some: What Women Really Want!

"I’m so happy about this book. It’s my way of explaining women from A to Z for the fellas out there that want to polish their game," the beauty queen states.

Hhmmm... Sounds interesting. Especially since all of these men out here profess to have what it takes, but when it comes down to it, they really have no clue! So while one does not need to be a relationship connoisseur to know what she wants from a man, I'm really interested in finding out what Kenya has to say on the topic. So I'll certainly check this one out!

Tonight, Oct. 1, from 6pm - 8pm

Hue-Man Bookstore & Cafe
2319 Frederick Douglass Blvd
Between 124th and 125th Streets
New York, NY 10027
Tel: 212-665-7400

The Opera ...in Times Square??

So last night I experienced the opera like never before! Lucia di Lammermoor was transmitted to the big screen in Times Square in celebration of Opening Night for the start of the 2007-2008 season, and was free for all!

Natalie Dessay offered a phenomenal performance as Lucia that totally transformed the the story to real life. As you re-live the dramatic turn of events that are so close to reality, you forget that the opera is based on a true story that is over three centuries old.

The direction was great and the vocalists were amazing. Though this was not my first time attending the opera, it certainly was my first time in well over ten years... and from the sidewalk (street) theatre that closed off Broadway at Times Square, for about five blocks!

Love free theatre... Would I pay to see it? Absolutely!!

...do it with Style, and seal it with a Kiss!

Don't forget to post your VOTE for the surveys!

The DREAM Team!

Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, Russel Simmons, Garth Brooks, Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys, Robin Thicke, Whoopi Goldberg, Babyface, Ludacris, Joss Stone, Aretha Franklin, Bebe and Cece Winans, Carlos Santana, Ben Affleck, Angela Bassett and many more... were among the All-Star line up of musicians, celebrities and entertainers that came together to raise funds in support of The Dream! In honor of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the funds are being raised to complete the memorial being built in his image in Washington DC. To find out more info, go to the official site...
www.buildthedream.org

Spring 2008... Fashion Week Recap!

Oscar de la Renta


This fashion week the runways were full of inspiration... especially from across the globe!

We see that Spring trends will be a follow up of this past, when it comes to lady-like expressions, but we will definitely see more lean sihlouettes, and a lot of 'waist' attention. High-waist skirts and pants... and belts everywhere, from the skinny half inch to the further extreme and wider five inch. Pale and bright fruity colors, as well as ethnic and abstract prints dominated the runway, and headscarfs were worn with everything from cute casual dresses... to evening wear... to business daywear.

With global charity work becoming more of a trend (hey, whatever works), it's no surprise that we see so much ethnicity on the runways! I think that because of this we'll start to see a clear translation of this trend, with these prints making strong statements next spring!


These are just a few of my favorite looks from NY Fashion Week!













































Oscar de la Renta - 2 looks, Tracy Reese - 3 looks, Diane von Furstenberg - 3 looks, Carolina Herrera - 2 looks, Zac Posen - 2 looks, Doo.ri - 2 look, Malandrino - 2 looks, BCBG Max Azria - 1 look, Carlos Miele - 1 look, Marc Jacobs - 1 look and Bill Blass - 1 look.

...do it with STYLE, and seal it with a KISS!

OPRAH is INNN the Building!!!!

Were you among the lucky few who went to the live taping of the season premiere at MSG?? Well if not, stay tuned to catch the show, as Oprah chats it up with David Letterman, Gayle talks shoes at Saks, and Lisa Marie Presley performs with the King!! And of course, there will be an entire show devoted to 9/11 tomorrow! Don't miss them!

Red-Carpet VMA Fashions...

Congrats to the winners of this year's MTV Video Music Awards! Justin Timberlake took home four awards including Male Artist of the Year, proving that he was successful in bringing Sexy Back!! And Rhianna's hit single Umbrella won Best Single and Best Video!
Beyonce and Shakira won for Best Collab! ...and I must agree, that was definietly my fave! Whoo-Hoo!!

Let's not talk about Britney's humiliating performance, or Lil Mama's Halloween costume complete with the pacifier!

Instead, let's check out these Chic Red Carpet Looks...


Queen of R&B, Mary J. Blige kept it nice and simple using her beautiful new 'do and a few accessories to doll up her look!



Love the detailing on Nicole's dress!



Beyonce, looking gorgeous as usual...



Rhianna's bold color was the perfect pic! The sweetheart neckline and bare neck are equally sexy, elegant and fun!



Eve looks like she's been under the knife... but still beautiful!



How cute is this for the red carpet? Go Solange!



Ashanti sure looks like a shining star tonight!

Fashion, Fashion in the Air... Fashion, Fashion EVERYWHERE!!

It's definitely that time! New York Fashion Week Spring '08 officially begins today, kicking off Runway shows at the Tents (Bryant Park) and other locations all across the city! Designers 'new' and 'established' in the American market, will be presenting their Spring '08 lines in NY this week through next Wed 9/12!

This week every one's a super diva fashionista, and will be flaunting their newly purchased fall outfits fresh off of the racks of Madison or Fifth! For many Fashion Week is an open opportunity to express their own personal sense of style, and although under normal circumstances some of these outbursts would be COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE, this week it's honored! In fact, if it's unique enough or fab enough, it may even be featured in the next morning's Daily! The fashion show is clearly ON and OFF of the runways! So while some will merely be affected by the chaotic fabulousness of Fashion this week, totally oblivious to the Tent's, the after-parties, wondering why there are so many celebs and models in town, etc... the True Fashionista lives for it!

Chado Ralph Rucci Fall '07


Credentials or none, invitation or not... the Art of "catching the show" has certainly been mastered season after season. For some, all it takes is to have "the look" complete with the hottest Lu-Bu's and the season's "It" Bag , and you're in! Other's hustle just a bit harder, even volunteering their time (rather smart thinkin' if you can afford it!), just to See and be Seen!! The worst are the sneaky, grimy "Fashio-Know-So's" who are CEO of their own camp, and feel that their entitled to the world... be careful, they are the ones who steal your seats (acting as if they didn't see your name!), try to steal your goodie-bag, and can work any crowd... fooling many among them!

Despite the Tricks, there are more than enough Treats, and if you're not in the industry, but a fashionista still... be sure to check out all of the looks, straight from the runway on Style.com, one of the many sites that get the pics first hand and publish them almost immediately!

Oscar de la Renta Resort '08


...do it with STYLE, and seal it with a KISS!!

When There's More in His Closet Than Suits and Ties!

More and more we're finding that our men, our friends' men, or just men we happen to know as otherwise HETERO... are GAY!!! OMG!!! WTF!!!

Have you ever been in a situation that was a bit uncomfortable for you accept? Has your man ever done or said something that was an automatic RED FLAG... but either in denial, OR an effort to not humiliate him, OR in respect of his E.G.O... OR just total shock, you let it slide??

Have you ever wondered... even for a half-second... if your man was GAY? Worried that what your friends keep saying about him being too pretty to be STRAIGHT, may actually be TRUE!! Does it totally freak you out to think that his "Feminine Touch" may come from something other than growing up w/a house full of gals? ...Because after all, "Can't Nobody... Love You Better... Make You Happy... Make You Feel This WA-AYYY!!"

Well ladies, it's time to Open Up His Closet Doors... and really take a look inside! Here are a few things to look for... lol!! (Insert Wendy's sound effects for the ultimate hilarious experience!) FYI...While some of the signs seem obvious, many women are blinded by LOVE!

1) He listens to Wendy Williams everyday at work, and has officially begun to say "How U Doin'??" on a regular basis!! ("Aurriight!!")

2) His eyes are absolutely gorgeous... always have been, but you actually start to think that you see mascara on them tonight!!! (...GASP!!! ...now BREATHE!!!) No way!!! So you pretend to remove something from the corner of his eye, and almost faint when you see a trace of black on your finger tip!! ("I like boys")

3) His mani-pedi routine has become more regular than yours, and he even agrees to getting a WAX with you!! ("How U doin'??")

4) His fashion sense is better than yours! ...and I don't just mean that he has great taste!! ("Aurriight!")

5) The two of you are out to dinner, and after a few drinks you find his eyes wandering. You decide, after the second time, to turn around and see this sexy chick that's got your drunk man's attention... ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT IT"S ANOTHER MAN!!!!! ("I-I-I-I-I-I-I... I'm GAY!!!")

6) One or more of his closest male friends is GAY!! ("I like boys!")

7) He has EVER referred to you as, or started a sentence with, "Gurrll..." or "Chillle..."!! (Aurriight!")

8) You go out to a karaoke bar, and after you have just finished belting out your own rendition of I Am Telling You, your man comes behind you... kisses you on the neck and takes the mic away from you. You're so excited that he's actually agreed to sing this time, but when the music starts to play, you can't help but think that they've got the wrong song. UNTIL HE STARTS TO SING!!! Why is your man singing Aretha's version of I Will Survive!! "At first I was afraid, I was petrified..." is definitely what's going on in your head RIGHT NOW!!! ("How U Doin'?")

9) He's been spending more time with TYRONE!!! ...and unless, or shall I say even if Tyrone is really Tiffany, you've got yourself a bit of a situation here!! New sound effect required for this one... ("To the Left, To the Left!!")

10) You've agreed to bring some freak into the bedroom and to role-play his secret fantasy... only you don't know what it is yet. It can't be that bad though, because you told him that you were only down if it didn't involve a third party. SUPRIIISSE!!!!! He came home with a sexy fire girl costume, and (DRUMROLL!!!) ...a STRAP-ON!! ("I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I'm GAY!!!")


OK... now what do you do if you realize that the signs are CLEAR... the flags are IN YOUR FACE... and you're suddenly HEARTBROKEN??? Unfortunately, there's not much that you can do... there's no "Working this out!" ...You can't put it on him any better, and expect him to CHANGE!! You have to GET OUT! ...NOW! ...I SAID NOW!!!

This may be one of the ONLY situations where you two can truly benefit from 'just being friends'!

(shout-out to Wendy Williams... friend in my head!! ...even though I can totally see us having a love/hate relationship!! Gotta love her...lol!)

Dress the Trend Within!

So just as the forecast has predicted, way back in February... we are beginning to see Fall's hottest (or shall I say coolest) trends hit the streets! ...from Beauty to Fashion!

Just take a stroll down Fifth Avenue and you'll see that most of the store window displays are merchandised with Fall's "NOW" colors... Grey and Red! Grey is definitely going to last throughout the season, and you'll continue to see it as the neutral working especially well for Fall's hosiery, knitwear, outerwear, dresses and wide leg pants! It's so easy to wear, and all shades work! It's a cozy color, and compliments all of the season's Bold Colors that you'll find in most of the accessories! While the bold purples, royal blues, bright pinks, golden yellows and vibrant oranges are sure to hit the scene... a RED bag, clutch, shoes and/or gloves MUST make it into your wardrobe this Fall!

The leggings, ladies, are slowly fading away!! What was one of the hottest trends since last fall will soon be classified as a 'fashion Oh-NO'! Instead, this fall we will be revisiting the opaque tights... and guess what color you'll be seeing all over?? You got it! GREY! I'm sure there's no need to reiterate that tights are NOT stockings, but just in case... you get the point!

I love the sleeve details on all of the tops this season... puff and balloon sleeves on coats, cardigans, dresses and blouses add a flirty, girly touch to your basics.

While designers are relying on celebrities to pretty much be their anchor people in setting the trends, it's important to remember that you have to Dress the Trend Within. You are a real person, with a real body, and you may not have the pocket size of the rich and famous... YET! So although it's totally OK to be inspired by Sarah Jessica Parker, Beyonce, Jessica Alba, Sienna Miller, Kerry Washington, Paris Hilton, etc... what works for them may not work for you! Staying in the 'know' of what's going on in Fashion helps you to confidently step out in Style! ...Regardless of whether you're shopping at H&M or Saks! Personal style plus Class plus Confidence equals Beauty!!

Check out these fun looks on Saks.com!

Cynthia Steffe



Marc Jacobs


Jimmy Choo


Chloe


Christian Louboutin


...do it with STYLE, and seal it with a KISS!!

BK's Finest!

Well... aside from the occasional visit to friends and family, which usually only happens around the holidays, you wont ever find me in Brooklyn!
UNLESS...
you're checking out my two new favorite Brooklyn spots! New additions to the "Best of..." which was originally intended to cover areas in Manhattan, I am pleased to add Brooklyn to the map!

For relaxation at any time... day or night, Body by Brooklyn Spa and Lounge is located in Clinton Hills, and is the perfect combination of chic and serene! The list of available services and treatments go on and on, but I must recommend the six-step Red Flower Haman treatment... incredibly relaxing!!! especially after you've tried the martini!! They've got great after-work hours, as well as weekend of course, and VIP rooms for you to enjoy a more personal experience. You can even enjoy the wet lounge with or without a treatment... A Russian Bath, Turkish Aroma Steam Room, Cedar Sauna, Thermal Hot Tub, Cold Plunge Pool!

Definitely try to drive in or take advantage of the car service that's available if you're coming from the city.... it's much more convenient that way! ...lol! but from BKYLN or Queens... the G train is only a couple blocks away.






Of course you'll also need to know where the grown and sexy nightlife is in Brooklyn! ...and it's definitely downtown at NY Perks!! The stylish and trendy wine bar, martini lounge and restaurant, with private cigar deck, is not only conveniently located... it's signature cocktails and sophisticated atmosphere will embrace you, and keep you coming back! NY Perks hosts a number of private events and parties, accommodating everything from birthdays and baby showers to weddings and corporate holiday parties. On a typical Friday or Saturday night, you can groove to the sounds of Brooklyn's hottest DJ's and dance away the stresses of the work week! The after-work Thursday scene is much more relaxing, as the weekly schedule of events vary. Monthly film festivals, spades tournaments, and ladies nights are among the rotating list, or you can just sit back and mingle while enjoying a glass of wine and a delicious slice of Red Velvet Cake! Mmmmm!!! I love it!




Be sure to check out these spots on-line as well!

www.bodybybrooklyn.com
www.nyperks.com

...do it with STYLE, and seal it with a KISS!!!

Is Black the New BLACK??

When it comes to FASHION... it always has been, and it always will be! Though many colors and flavors splash into the scene, the staple and basic foundation of classic style will simply always be BLACK! ...Hhmmmmm??!!!

So of course, it's only befitting that true "Blackness" in fashion, through the influence that Blacks have had in the industry, be celebrated! Check out EBONY's new September issue as they do just that! You'll be totally "WOW"-ed by all the fashion in this issue!!! ...Especially since EBONY is not known for Fashion!

...do it with STYLE, and seal it with a KISS!!

SHOES... A Girl's Best Friend!

They're flat, they're high, pointed, rounded, and even square. They're knee length, calf length, ankle length, and everywhere in between. A thong, a lace-up, a slide, a sexy strap or plenty. In an array of colors, prints, skins and fabrications beyond belief... they're fun, they hip, they're classic and they're chic. They're cool, they're warm, they're comfy and they're cozy. Sometimes they're so divine that we even sacrifice comfort for a few hours of painful FABULOUSNESS! They complete our outfits, and change our moods... keeping us relaxed and grounded or confident and sexy! They hold the deepest vow of confidentiality while silently witnessing our inner most secrets, knowing all of our flaws, and supporting our daily transformations. Our shoes stand by us and keep us standing through thick (heels) and thin (heels)! Our shoes... they know what's hidden in our closets... they know who's been in our beds... they know what happened in Vegas! Our shoes are our true best friends!











So let's be sure to gladly welcome the largest new shoe department ever to NYC!! Saks Fifth Avenue has even went out and claimed a separate zip code , 10022 (along with a stamp collection) for this huge addition to their flagship NYC location. This Friday, the store will launch their NEW SHOE DEPARTMENT on the 8th Floor. Totally revamped and equipped with not only the largest selection of designer shoes in the city, but also a round-up of all the best shoe specialists in the industry! Who can ask for anything more?? There's really no better place to shop this FALL's latests trends!

...do it with STYLE, and seal it with a KISS!!