Fragrance Pick: Estée Lauder Sensuous

Estée Lauder Sensuous Eau de Parfum Spray ($29.50 - $75.00, esteelauder.com)

Right now this is my signature scent - I never leave out for a date without spraying a little bit of this on. I'm addicted to this warm woodsy fragrance. It's undeniably feminine and sexy.

Holiday Time = Good Cause PR

How was your Thanksgiving? I really enjoyed it. Spent time with my family and enjoyed the all the great food. Thanksgiving really makes me reflect on all the good people in my life.

This is also the time of year where you read numerous articles and see various news segments on how people are helping those in need. I saw one early this morning about a toy donation program in Los Angeles that let children borrow toys for free (I'll find out the name of organization). The program is a big help to parents who can not afford to buy new toys and it gives children a chance to play with them then return them for another toy. It also teaches kids responsibility because they are essentially taking care of someone's property.

I also read various articles about churches donating food including turkeys, so families can prepare their own Thanksgiving meal. There are so many good organizations that are genuinely trying to help others such as Toys for Tots. Every year I try to donate be it some of my time, PR skills or monetary (gift or money) to hopefully make some kind of difference with different organizations.

6 Cookbooks for Easy Yummy Comfort Food

I'm always looking for new ways to spice up my recipes. I love to cook and I enjoy looking through cookbooks to get a new take on something, be it a fun new way to make chocolate chip cookies, savory soups or to try a recipe I never even heard of. I also like the fact that I don't have to turn on the computer to look for a favorite recipe just flip through a book.



"The Comfort Table: Recipes for Everyday Occassions" by Katie Lee




"Down Home With The Neelys: A Southern Family Cookbook" by Patrick and Gina Neely




"Martha Stewart's Dinner at Home: 52 Quick Meals to Cook for Family and Friends" by Martha Stewart




"Jamie's Food Revolution: Rediscover How to Cook Simple, Delicious, Affordable Meals" by Jamie Oliver




"Emeril 20-40-60: Fresh Food Fast" by Emeril Lagasse




"Nigella Christmas" by Nigella Lawson

Decorating Your Home With Fragrance This Holiday Season

Edited by me, for the original press release click here.

NEW YORK, Nov. 16 -- We've cocooned and vegged out. We've tried the couch potato method of traveling by "staycationing" instead of vacationing. We've turned the humble barbecue into a gourmet, built-in outdoor kitchen. The message from all of this? Home is where the heart is. And, this holiday season, Home is the place to be.

When it comes to holiday decor, think out of the tinsel-and-ornaments box with a whole different approach to decorating your home for the holidays. What could be more "scentsational" and creative than decorating each room of your house with a different fragrance that sets the holiday mood? According to The Fragrance Foundation, nothing could be more enjoyable, simple, or, in today's budget-conscious mode, affordable. "A scented candle or room spray can instantly transform a room or create a mood," explains Rochelle Bloom, President of The Fragrance Foundation. "Forget those bad-odor concealing sprays. Today's home fragrances come in many forms and an infinite variety of scents."

Room by Room Decorating with Fragrance:

• Entrance Doors and Hallways: Hang lots of small wreaths. Use pine or eucalyptus scents, studded with apples and lemons, mix and mingle to welcome friends and family with a green, alpine scent.

• The Family Room: Use a diffuser, it emits a gentle aroma that will please everyone and will also add a little instant glamour.

• The Bedroom: Everything looks better by candlelight. Add a little sex appeal and romance with scented candles. Coordinate with linen sprays and drawer liners to create a haven for grown-ups.

• The Bathroom: Turn it into a spa. Essential oils, fragrance warmers, soft towels and lots of bubble bath. Rest, relax and enjoy as the scents take you far, far away.

• Kid's rooms: Melon scented room sprays will keep them happy and in a sunny mood. You can also hang citrus satchels or small wreaths on their doors.

• The Kitchen: Place a bowl of lemons and oranges to keep your kitchen smelling lovely. While all the great cooking and baking smells don't need to be enhanced, keep a tube of scented hand cream nearby to soften up your hands after cleaning up.

Here are some classic and unusual scents that can be found in all sorts of home fragrance products to spice up your Holiday: Apple, Grapefruit, Mocha, Strudel, Lavender, Wisteria, Green Tea, Vanilla, Patchouli, Eucalyptus, Sandalwood, Jasmine, Mint, Sage, Ginger, Melon and Rose.

So don't fret at over decking the halls ... a candle here, a spray there is all you need this holiday season. Just don't over do it. You want to keep the scent subtle and inviting.

###

The Fragrance Foundation

Work Chic: A Fool-Proof Outfit

It happens, you over slept and now you have to haul it to work. Don't waste what little time you have by trying to piece together the perfect outfit. For a quick no-brainer outfit, pair a soft yet lightweight fitted sweater or top with a great pair of wide leg pants. Accessorize with a blazer, fitted vest, cardigan, necklace or scarf. To take this outfit from after work just change up your accessorizes and re-touch your make-up.




Rolled U-Neck Sweater $39.50 sale

Wide Leg Side Tab Trouser $55.00 sale

Both available from Martin + Osa (martinandosa.com)

Women Safety Tip: Don't Leave With Guys You Don't Know

You're having a good time and meet a great guy guy at a party, bar or nightclub. You click and he suggest you find a quiet place to get to know each other or he knows of another party. What do you do?

My Golden Rule: Don't Leave With Guys You Don't Know. This is especially true if you've been drinking a little too much. You are not able to assess the situation. It might seem like common sense but that doesn't stop women from being sexually assaulted, abducted or killed. Why not just exchange contact info so you can get to know him instead of leaving with him. He might be the nicest guy in the world but you have to think about your safety.

Also, if you went out with your friends then leave with them and don't leave anyone behind.

As a former Risk Management for Panhellenic Council (for three years and one year with my sorority) it was my duty and responsibility to figure out ways to keep the girls safe. I want to continue to do that with my blog by providing occasional tips to keep you safe. I think you can still have fun but you just have to be more proactive about your safety.

14 Glamorous Fall Shoes and Boots

Fall brings out the glamour in all of us. And one of the easiest ways to add a little glam is by updating your shoes. They'll make your old outfits totally pop and will have you feeling instantly glamorous. Below are 14 Fall options that'll update your wardrobe:


Lucky Brand 'Candice' Textured Boot $198.95 Nordstrom


Boutique 9 'Charissa' Boot $285.00 Nine West


Boutique 9 'Mila' $199.99 Nine West



'Renee' Peep-Toe Wedge $98.00 Banana Republic



Bombazin Platform Sandal $89.00 Nine West



Boutique 9 'Jayleen' Satin Pump $149.00 Nine West



Charles by Charles David 'Prissy' Platform Sandal
$149.95 Nordstrom



Janalynn Satin Pump $79.00 Nine West



Enzo Angiolini 'Merryann' Pump $79.95 Nordstrom



Keysor Platform Sandal $89.00 Nine West



N.Y.L.A. 'Maysal' Boot $169.95 Nordstrom



Eliza Slouch High-Heel Boot $198.00 Banana Republic



Colin Stuart 'The Devon' Convertible Boot
$149.00 Victoria's Secret


Elois Block High-Heel Boot $198.00 Banana Republic

What I'm Reading Now: The Alchemyst by Michael Scott

If you love reading books such as Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings then might like The Alchemyst (The Secrets of The Immortal Nicholas Flamel) by Michael Scott. This the first in the series and it's quite good. It sucks you in the moment you start reading it. The author perfectly weave together history, mythology and modern times.

About the book:

He Holds the Secret That Can End the World.

The truth: Nicholas Flamel was born in Paris on September 28, 1330. Nearly seven hundred years later, he is acknowledged as the greatest Alchemyst of his day. It is said that he discovered the secret of eternal life.

The records show that he died in 1418.
But his tomb is empty.

The legend: Nicholas Flamel lives. But only because he has been making the elixir of life for centuries. The secret of eternal life is hidden within the book he protects--the Book of Abraham the Mage. It's the most powerful book that has ever existed. In the wrong hands, it will destroy the world.

That's exactly what Dr. John Dee plans to do when he steals it. Humankind won't know what's happening until it's too late. And if the prophecy is right, Sophi and Josh Newman are the only ones with the power to save the world as we know it.

Sometimes legends are true.
And Sophie and Josh Newman are about to find themselves in the middle of the greatest legend of all time.

Retailers to Give Thousands of New Winter Coats to Underprivileged Elementary School Students

The Keeping Kids Warm Program to Donate 10,000 Coats Nationwide

BALTIMORE, Nov. 3 -- In an effort to make the winter season warmer for underprivileged children, the Keeping Kids Warm® program is donating new winter coats to 3 schools in the city of Baltimore. The Keeping Kids Warm program is supported by the Charming Shoppes, Inc. family of brands, Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug, and Catherines. Baltimore Coat Distributions will take place at Dr. Bernard Harris Elementary School on November 4th; Alexander Hamilton Elementary School on November 5th; and at Eutaw-Marshburn Elementary School on November 5th. All events begin at 9:30am.

Starting this October, employees volunteer to organize coat distributions, order and pack coats, and present them in person to children in their communities. Each child chooses a brand new, warm winter coat and winter accessories.

"To see our associates come together to give back to local children in need is very rewarding," says Jim Fogarty, President and Chief Executive Officer of Charming Shoppes, Inc. "Our family of brands are in the business of profiting from the sale of clothing, so giving back to the communities we serve by clothing those in need is a natural extension. We also appreciate the support we receive from our vendor base, which assists in the smooth execution of our program," says Jim Fogarty.

This is the Keeping Kids Warm program's 14th year. To date, the retailers have donated nearly 115,000 winter coats to elementary students all over America in such cities as Minneapolis, Cleveland, Chicago, Columbus, Cincinnati, Philadelphia, Milwaukee, Syracuse, Newark and many others. This fall, Keeping Kids Warm will visit close to 20 schools and give away nearly 10,000 coats. At the end of this season, the program will have donated close to 125,000 coats in 75 communities across the country, a truly inspiring accomplishment.

The press are invited to attend the Baltimore Coat Presentation Day events at Dr. Bernard Harris Elementary School located at 1400 North Caroline Street; Alexander Hamilton Elementary School located at 800 Poplar Grove Street; and Eutaw-Marshburn Elementary School located at 624 Eutaw Place.

About Keeping Kids Warm:

Keeping Kids Warm is an endeavor of CSI Charities, Inc., a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization. Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug, and Catherines operate under the parent company Charming Shoppes, Inc. Charming Shoppes operates more than 2,200 retail apparel stores in 48 states. The Charming Shoppes family of brands offers the latest styles for in apparel, accessories, and footwear for women of all sizes. For more information on Charming Shoppes, Inc., please visit www.charmingshoppes.com. For more information about Lane Bryant, please visit www.lanebryant.com. For more information about Fashion Bug, please visit www.fashionbug.com. For more information about Catherines, please visit www.catherines.com.

My Life: Bored with Extreme Shoes

Shoe shown: Report Signature Suede Lattice 'Percy' Platform Pumps $132.00 Bluefly.com

Any one else really bored with the shoes that are currently out there. I can't wait for this "ugly" shoe trend to hurry up and go away. I like statement shoes but it's getting ridiculous with all the extra details (studs, extreme platforms, multiple straps and zippers, etc). It reminds me of when the big bag trend was getting out of control and they had every detail they could think of on a bag. However, Spring fashion looks promising.

Fashion wise, I haven't really seen anything that really stands out. But I've been stocking up on fall staple pieces (with all the good sales). I did buy a pair of really great boots. I also found an amazing soft throw to curl up on the sofa with a good book. I'm not really a snuggie person, so I like to buy a nice warm throw for the fall and winter.

How was your Halloween weekend? I had fun, I went to a friend's Halloween party. It's surprising that how creative people can get with their costumes. I also saw a lot of vampires (I can't wait for the vamp trend to die down, I'm a bit tired of seeing vampires). I passed out a bit of candy before I left. I remember how fun it was to trick or treat when I little.