Hate talking on the phone? Rather leave a message? Slydial is a new program designed to help the socially self-conscious bypass having to talk to someone on the phone.

It does seem a bit complicated, however, as not only does the caller need your number, but the Slydial number as well. Here's how it works:

Dial 267-SLYDIAL from any touch tone phone.

At the voice prompt, enter the phone number you wish to dial.

You will immediately be connected to that person's voice mail -- no need to worry they're going to pick up.

I suppose this is a good way to avoid an ex boyfriend, ignore a telemarketer, or tell your husband to pick up bread.

But having to dial two numbers? Sounds like too much work for me.

The invention of the iPhone brought tech geeks and status seekers alike rushing to the stores. Phones were flying off the shelf faster than Tickle Me Elmo back in the 90s.

Like every new technology, it's had its glitches. But recently a new one has come to light.

Apparently, women with long fingernails are having some issues.

According to the LA Times, this is causing a big problem and some women want the solution to be a stylus -- a plastic pointer much like ones used on PDAs. However,

"many people assert that one of the iPhone's best traits is its ability to function without a stylus, the often-misplaced mini-chopstick required by the Palm Pilot and other earlier hand-held gadgets. Apple created the iPhone with a multi-touch screen, navigated by presses and swipes of the finger. Unlike a BlackBerry or Treo, which has a separate keyboard, the iPhone requires you to type by pressing a virtual keyboard that appears on the screen."

So what's the solution? Add the stylus? Cut your nails? Will anyone ever really be happy?

"On Wednesday, May 21, the Health Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee held, for the first time ever, a hearing on the bipartisan Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act. Championed by Representative DeLauro (D-CT) and Senators Snowe (R-ME) and Landrieu (D-LA), this bill would eliminate the practice of "drive-through" mastectomies, when women are forced to leave the hospital following their physically and emotionally difficult breast cancer surgeries before they and their doctors may feel they are ready to go home.

For the millions of women and families who have shared their horrific stories of "drive-through" mastectomies on myLifetime.com, this hearing — an important first step toward the passage of this bill — is 12 years too late. But for the nearly 200,000 women who will face breast cancer this year, it is about time.

This is just the first step. There is still a long way to go. You can help. Sign the petition today and urge Congress to continue to take steps to pass this bill. "

Interested? Click here to sign.

The bridal industry has taken off in recent years. Gone are the days of an affordable wedding or a court house ceremony. These days the average wedding costs about $27,000 and brides are stopping at nothing to make their day special.

Blame it on celebrities -- what with their double digit carat diamonds and their fairy tale weddings. Every day ladies are just trying to keep up!

But there comes a point when it goes too far, if you ask me. In a recent article by Newsweek I found out that some brides are making their bridesmaids sign legal agreements!

"If having to squeeze into a puffy, unflattering horror of a dress wasn't bad enough, now bridesmaids have another indignity to contend with. Some brides are so worried about the way their wedding party will look, they have a lawyer draw up a pre-nup that can include things like requiring that a bridesmaid not gain more than 7 pounds before the wedding, not consume too much alcohol at the reception, vow to take extra care of her skin and hair, and not to make any inappropriate advances toward male guests at the reception."

This is insane!

Recently, the newest winner of America's Next Top Model (what "cycle" are we on here? 42?) was announced.

Whitney -- the first ever plus-sized ANTM winner took home the prize.

I Am Fashion told her thoughts on it here:

"I do think that it is about time a plus size model won and Whitney is not a bad choice. She is very gorgeous and well proportioned. And out of all the plus size models who have ever graced this show, she is the most confident about her full size figure and never had those rather annoying "oh no, I feel so depressed because I feel so fat compared to the other girls here" moments. Also, she did have the best Covergirl shot and did a good job on the runway (comparatively anyway, her walk was a bit too jaunty for my taste.)"

I have to admit I didn't watch this season, but I think it's great that a plus-sized woman was finally recognized as model-esque. It's about time!

This first caught my attention because in the next few months I have many, many wedding-related envelopes to put stamps on.

Stamps? They're going up in price again. This time to $0.42. Which means unless you have a book of Forever Stamps (the ones with the flag), after May 12th you better make sure you have the correct postage or your letters (or my  invitations!) (ah!) won't arrive.

It's a Jaime Thing wrote a very helpful post about it and explains exactly what you'll need for correct mailings.

Crazy Sexy Cancer is a documentary about "a young woman looking for a cure and finding her life."The story follows actress/photographer Kris Carr, telling her story of strength and survival with humor and hope.

Here's a little background:

"With experimental treatment as her only option, Kris became determined to find answers where there were none. She traveled throughout the country interviewing experts in alternative medicine as she tenaciously dove head first into a fascinating and often hilarious holistic world. Along the way, she met other vivacious young women determined to become survivors. Their stories are as poignant and exciting as the women who tell them. As Kris's amazing journey unfolds, she realizes that healing is about truly living rather than fighting."

The documentary led to a book and a website that you absolutely much check out.

In lieu of anything fashion-y today (why? Because it's Monday, my dears. And being fashionable on a Monday is really, really hard.), I thought I would bring a little smile to your afternoon.

Are you a dog person? I am. I have a giant, hairy, lovable newfoundland named Kodiak who is my big baby. (And also the adorable model you see up there in the corner.)

Kodiak is a suburban dog, but on my daily Internet travels I came across a site with the most adorable pictures of urban doggies you've ever seen.

I bring you the Photohound Urban Dog Blog.

You're welcome.

PS- I especially enjoy this face right here.

My favorite technology website directed at women is Popgadget. While browsing, I noticed that many of their recent posts featured things that were pink!

For $199, we can now own the new pink iPod Nano, complete with free engraving and shipping.

What about a pink laptop cover? (Love this one!)

And then there's the phone head-sets covered in Swarvoski crystals. Don't like pink? They come in other colors too.

Don't let anyone tell you technology is a man's world. It's not. Tech-savvy women are making a major impact on the industry and their influence is really starting to make a splash.

Take Gadget Gals, a consumer reviews website written entirely by women. Here's a little bit about them:

"Since the early 1990's, nearly a dozen Gadget Gals have contributed a prolific flow of consumer electronics and computing product reviews, plus commentary on travel, entertainment, books, and leisure activities targeted at women. Gadget Gals are the ultimate consumers, the early adopters, and the first to embrace gender-friendly products and ideas. "

Currently run by six female editors, the site has three main parts: Technology, Travel and Entertainment, making their site full of topics to interest every woman.

This is girl power at its finest. Check it out!

Sex &The City fans, rejoice! The trailer for the upcoming movie has been released! Don't worry, there's no spoilers.

Page Six is reporting that filming has wrapped, which means there's just five more months (the movie premiers May 30, 2008!) until we get to find out what happened to Carrie, Charlotte, Samantha and Miranda. I can't wait!

Head over to Sassy Bella to check out the trailer.

The world is finally starting wake up and realize that if we don't start protecting our planet, it won't be here much longer.

The Green movement can be seen popping up everywhere, from weddings to political campaigns. And there's plenty you can do at home.

CasaSugar posted an interesting article on wind power and how you can use it home. It is costly, but if you can afford it, the benefits are high. CasaSugar says:

"While wind is less expensive than solar to install, you will still get a similar energy output. There's also the advantage of it having a very low visual profile. However, your house will need to be assessed by an architect to make sure it is structurally sound to support the wind turbine. And while it's almost 75% cheaper than solar panels, it's still expensive for most of us, at $5900 pre-installation."

Check out the post to watch an informational video and learn more.

If you're anything like me, the only reason you watch award shows if for the fashion. "Who are you wearing?!"

Red Carpet Style Awards feeds my addiction with complete recaps of all the big shows, plus regular fashion dishing.

Recent posts make me wish I could afford Herve Leger, took me to the Louis Vuitton fashion show and had me drooling over the Paris Fashion Week.

The sidebar also features a recap of the 2007 Emmys, MTV Awards and Teen Choice Awards. Head over to check out some great fashion!

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This is a topic that hits close to home for me, so my next few posts will be dedicated to it.

For today, head over to Shop Diary for their list of Pink Buys--shopping for a cause, including:

• Ralph Lauren Polo for Fashion Targets Breast Cancer [$75]
• Vita Bracelet for Susan G. Komen for the Cure [$66]
• Eleni’s New York Cookies: 50% of proceeds benefit The Breast Cancer Research Foundation [$75]
• OPI Pink of Hearts Nail polish: $250K for Susan G. Komen for the Cure [$8]
• Erin Condren Personalized Note Cards: $20 from each sale goes to breast cancer awareness efforts. [$40]
• Avon Memo Jotter: 100% of net proceeds ($5.43) from each sale goes to breast cancer awareness efforts. [$7.50]

More than 90 million votes were cast last month to pick the next seven wonders of the world. On Friday, the last day for voting, the website New 7 Wonders became so overwhelmed with people trying to access the site that it crashed numerous times.

Those who were able to get through had the opportunity to choose from 21 locations, from Stonehenge to the Sydney Opera House.

The results were announced Saturday at a star-studded event in Lisbon, Portugal. (It was hosted by Hillary Swank and Jennifer Lopez performed.)

So what are the new seven wonders of the world?

• The Great Wall of China

• Petra in Jordan

• Brazil's statue of Christ the Redeemer

• Peru's Machu Picchu

• Mexico's Chichen Itza pyramid

• The Colosseum in Rome

• India's Taj Mahal

The fastest way to spice up your pad? Add some funky accessories. Bodanna has an excellent selection of ceramic vases and plates, plus some funky and fun jewelry.

But the best part of the organization has to be their mission:

"Bodanna is a New York City based nonprofit organization dedicated to helping inner city youth gain the necessary tools for successful adulthood. Using the pottery enterprise as a real-life classroom, youth develop creativity, discipline and a strong work ethic while handcrafting ceramics and operating all aspects of a business. 100% of the proceeds of every sale support Bodanna's mission of empowering youth throughout enterprise."

They also offer a two-year apprenticeship program and an opportunity for interns. If you're interested in helping the program, donations can be made here.

Unless you've been living in a hole, you've probably heard about the iPhone. The thing looks pretty snazzy, but not everyone is sold. Is it right for you?

The Papierblog outlines some pros:

"One of my favorite features of the phone...is going to be the ability to select which voicemail I want to hear. Instead of going through each voicemail one by one, you can select the voicemail from the caller id. Another feature is its physical stature, it is very…VERY slim. In pictures it may look huge, but this is a small sleek device."

And cons:

"The internet on AT&T’s network is S-U-P-E-R slow. Accessing your favorite web page may take longer than going through dial-up. It takes approximately SIX steps before you actually get to making a call. It doesn’t support Flash or Javascript. That may be a deal breaker as many videos (more than half online) are encoded in Flash."

Either way, the choice is yours. And if you're lucky, you can even win one over at Popgadget!

I never write about celebrity gossip, but I must admit I read it. And while the comings and goings of the trendiest celebs don't usually stop me in my tracks, today I had a total Oh-My-Goodness-I-Want-That! moment.

According to New York Magazine, Victoria Beckham (better known as Posh Spice from the girl-group the Spice Girls) recently made a $500,000 purchase. No, it wasn't a house (that would be in the millions anyway, right?), a car or a stay at a fancy resort.

It was for a closet.

A closet! So what does a $500,000 closet look like? Celebrity blogger Perez Hilton says it features:

"a leather floor, a Baccarart crystal chandelier, an $80,000 Andy Warhol shoe print, a computer that tracks when she wears items of clothing and a camera to give her a 360-degree “cat scan” of her outfit before she steps out."

I am currently accepting donations towards my own personal fantasy closet. Care to help?

Any product junkie will tell you that there's no better place to get your fix than Sephora.

Ah, Sephora...with your aisles of makeup, lotions, fragrances and applicators, a girl can get lost in your for hours. And let's not even begin to talk about how you can try anything and everything inside to find the perfect product for you. Heaven!

Now, Sephora has taken it one step further. Not only are they fueling my product obsession, but they've latched into my favorite pastime: blogging.

Beauty and the Blog: Adventures of a Beauty Editor is one-stop shopping for beauty news. Whether they're writing about Sephora products, beauty trend-setters, or You Tube videos, you'll always be in the know.

They've even found some weird beauty stuff that will make you scratch your head.

(Itchy scalp? Find a solution at Sephora!)

It seems to me that over the last few years there has been an Indie explosion. From the word independent, to be "Indie" is to be unique, creative and out of the box. The whole Indie movement started with Indie rock, bringing bands signed to independent labels to the masses.

But now the Indie craze has moved outwards, encompassing everything from shopping to babies.

Modish is the place for Indie shopping. They call themselves a "stylish blog for Indie shoppers" and feature handmade goods that you could never find in a chain store. I love the Site of the Week posts that always lead me to a new shopping obsession. Don't worry if you missed one, you'll find it and much more on Modish's impressive blogroll.

Indiebride, "a site for the independent-minded bride", takes a step away from the traditional fairy princess weddings. Here you'll find insightful and amusing essays, book reviews, interviews and even a section called Kvetch, where Indie-brides can come together and, well, kvetch!

Indie Babies is just the place to find reviews of all the best unique baby stuff out there. All items featured are created by artists and independently owned businesses. Indie Babies promises your baby will stand out in a crowd! Sign up for their email list and you'll be automatically entered to win all the items they feature. How cool is that?

There's even Indie Bloggers (where I myself am a member). They give exposure to written talent you might not see otherwise. It's awesome, if I do say so myself!

I know this story has been circulated to death, it's been fodder for every News organization on the planet...Who is Anna Nicole Smith's Baby Daddy?  And the answer is...The sweet natured, golden boy of the moment Larry Birkhead. Finally, we Americans who have been biting our fingernails, pacing on pins and needles waiting for the paternity tests to come in, we finally have the answer. So what now?

Well I agree with blogger sugarbits, even though Birkhead confirmed the fact that he will not be sharing custody, (and truthfully why should he, Howard K. Stern has no blood relations to Dannielynn, and she's so young, she probably won't even miss him after a couple of days) I too have a feeling this saga is still unfolding.

So now the real burning question...what are we going to do with all the time that has been freed up now that the Anna Nicole Smith's Baby Daddy in question has been resolved? Hmm...I don't know, maybe now we can "really" focus on the fact that Sanjaya has finally proven that he deserves his spot as one of the eight remaining finalists on American Idol, with that Latin tune he crooned on last night's show? (I happen to think he was actually pretty good, and so did Simon Cowell) Okay, I'm just kidding!!

There are far too many important things going on like; Rosie O'Donnell's feud with everyone on the planet...Katie Holmes and Posh Beckham's new kiddie clothing line and oh so much more! Don't worry if you're experiencing Anna Nicole Smith Drama withdrawal symptoms, there are plenty of celebrity dramedy's that are waiting in line for that coveted top spot!

Any comments?

Anna Wintour hates two things: your pleather shoes and the word 'blog'. Yes, legendary Vogue editor and the inspiration for The Devil Wears Prada, finds the word unsavoury. La Femme dishes:

"Anna Wintour reportedly dislikes the word "blog" so much that she has asked her team of voguettes to come up with a new descriptor for the [not]blog on Vogue's nascent website. Should we care about this? No. But I like words, and La Wintour's malcontent makes me curious... can you think of alternative, elegant nomenclature for what it is we do?"

This comes about at Vogue tries to revamp their online presence and (yes) join the blogosphere itself. Although "Anna has nothing against blogs," she sees the word as garish. And if there's one thing Vogue cannot have, it's a garish element to their site.

Handbag prices are soaring, and there seems to be no end to the madness. What strikes me a cruel, however, is that the look and feel of bags is not improving at the same rate as the cost of said bags. Take, for example, what I call The Emperor's New Handbag. Those clear plastic numbers you once took to the pool (or to work if you had a retail gig). How can a transparent plastic Louis Vuitton handbag cost $1200 or more? When cost is commensurate with quality (or even brand prestige) I understand why those who can indulge in such goods do so. But clear plastic? I don't need to see what you carry in that bag. Privacy is a good thing when it comes to ladies handbags. And it is easy to find others who agree.

I also balked at the Coach 'patchwork' bags. (Just because a designer finds a clever use for factory floor remnants, doesn't mean we have to fall for it, ladies!) While tastes vary and every woman has her own style, there comes a point where we are more lured by the designer than the design. Think about that, if an established designer comes out with a garish new style, there is a subset of the population who will buy it not because they love the bag. They will buy it instead because it bears a specific tag (whether that be a brand tag or price tag).

This is why I feel a woman should discover her own true sense of style. Determine who you are what your style trype is. Are you classic? Invest in items that will stand the test of time. Edgy and modern? Invest in pieces that support that look. Once you've identified your own personal fashion sense you won't find yourself running to the store when the desgin of the moment arrives. I'm not saying one should not pay attention to evolving runways looks. It just pains me to see friends fall for the 'color of the moment' and feel the need for a Crayola yellow handbag that costs as much as a mortgage payment.

The Bag Lady has a great post on just this topic. She's a handbag diva like myself, and similarly she doesn't like to see big brands trying to dupe us into wasting our precious benjamins on bad products. Here's what she had to say about the bag above:

"It seems the higher the price tag, the more covetable it is, and quite often, the uglier it is. How does that work? If I had £23,000 or so, call me boring, but I know I'd probably do something practical like put a deposit down on a house or buy a nice car, but I certainly wouldn't buy this beast. I'd maybe indulge in a bag or two, but nothing too extravagant."

The lesson? If we keep 'rewarding' designers by buying up lesser quality designs, they'll continue to raise prices and lower quality. Invest in quality bags you'll love for years to come. Let the splashy trendy ones pass. Not good enough? Head over to Bag Borrow or Steal and "rent" a bag for a month. Then put the $100 you saved and drop it in your retirement plan. Think of it as an investment in your (very stylish) future.

I you're a gadget girl like me, you have your share of USB devices on hand. From iPods to cameras, it seems everythng can be plugged through this clever adapter and powered. But as our technological prowess grows, so too does our silliness. Yes, folks. Some of the items out there today are too fun (and funny) to let slide under the radar. Which is why I present to you a list of clever (albiet odd) USB devices...

• Outblush brings you the Oooms Wooden USB "Stick" This falls into the "is this for real" category.
• PingMag brings us a list of items that are definitely on the hoax list. Bizarre, clever contributions from some - shall we say - inspired minds.
• At least from Perpetual Kid we have a list of useful items. Most notably, the cafe pad and beverage chiller.
• Last but not least, TechEBlog has a terrific top 5 list (our "stick" from earlier makes their list, too). For the 007 in all of us, they offer the bike lock USB drive.

Finally...something I'll actually be able to use (Not that those footwarmers wouldn't do us some good this time of year.)

That was the caption on the cover of the People magazine I saw Friday afternoon. On the cover Tyra Banks is sporting a one-piece bathing suit and looking (dare I say it?) fabulous. Tyra's been under scrutiny since she ended her modeling career last year. Critics (and fans) have questioned her weight. Unfairly, I might add. Fortunately, Tyra is fighting back.

Here's what mo pie over at Big Fat Deal has to say:

"Last night I spotted a story in my referral logs: this site was getting a spike in traffic from people searching for "Tyra" and "fat" and finding this post.  What happened, I wondered? Had Tyra put on another fat suit? 

Here's what I've been able to piece together. Tabloids published pictures of Tyra Banks in a swimsuit.  Gossip websites posted the pictures. Tyra Banks fought back.

"'I don't want to sit in front of you and be soap-boxy and fake and say, "I love myself, I'm beautiful, it's great,"' says Banks, who is 5 feet 10 inches tall. 'I still feel hot, but every day is different. It's when I put on the jeans that used to fit a year ago and don't fit now and give me the muffin top, that's when I say, "Damn!'" In other words, yes, she has put on weight, though not nearly as much as recent tabloid stories have suggested. 'I've made millions of dollars with the body I have, so where's the pain in that?' she says. 'If I was in pain, I would have dieted. The pain is not there - the pain is someone printing a picture of me and saying those (horrible) things.'" "

Of course it hurts to have the public try to humiliate you for not looking perfect every waking moment. Every woman wrestles with some aspect of her appearance, but 99% of us can wander the planet without having our unflattering pix gracing the pages of tabloids or on TMZ.com. But I love Tyra's attitude (and comeback) towards the public lashing. I think the cover of the magazine says it all: You call this fat?

I'm not into new year's resolutions, but something about the new calendar on the wall makes me want to start cleaning. Latent desire to start anew? Who knows. What I do know is that if you look hard enough you can find plenty (and I do mean plenty) to give away.

Our friends at Apartment Therapy turned me on to Housing Works. Not being a New Yorker myself, I'd never heard of it. But if you're in the northeast, this shop is worth the stop. Here's the scoop:

"New York-based Housing Works is the nation's largest non-profit minority-controlled AIDS service organization. They accept donations of gently used clothing and housewares and resell at Housing Works thrift shops around the city."

Great cause, and by the looks of it, primo finds. This isn't your mother's goodwill shop. We're talking D&G furs, vintage Fendi and even Prada bags. Hooah. If you're in NYC you simply must head over to one of their locations to give up your goods or to donate to the cause. Visit the site to learn more. 

By now you know I love being organized. You might say I have a shameless addiction to keeping things clean and clutter free. So imagine my delight to discover that January is National Organization Month. (Who comes up with these holidays?) To celebrate, let's look at what the pros have to say.

Becky from Hatch serves up a nugget of advice we all should heed:

"..everyone should start with a little project that will make you feel a sense of accomplishment.  The flickr group called Pretty Organized is full of inspiration.  Instead of starting with a mess of a closet, start with a medicine cabinet or a smaller linen closet.  I felt a ridiculous amount of pride when my linen closet was this organized after a half hour of effort."

John at OrganizingLA points out tips from Martha Stewart herself on caring for your junk drawer:

    "Use wooden boxes to divide and conquer a drawerful of odds and ends. Measure the inside of your drawer, and cut a piece of kraft paper to this size; note the drawer's depth.     Bring the paper to a home store that sells wooden drawer organizers. Place different-size boxes on top of the paper, covering most of its surface. If there's room, add lidded spice canisters, which are ideal for small items, such as buttons and tacks.     Arrange the containers in your drawer, using them to keep like items together."

Need more help than these two little tips? I highly recommend you spend some time on John's blog. He offers a wide variety of tips that anyone can put to use. The site is fresh and fun, and even serves up the occasional nugget on the organizing habits of celebs (it is LA, you know). You might even have fun while learning. (Dare I say it.)

It's snowing outside, and I turned to the web for a bit of sunshine. And found it. Pomegranita is written by Priya, a New Yorker with an eye for all things stylish. While looking through her posts I discovered a new book I simply must have. Here's what she had to say about This Little Piggy Went To Prada:

"My co-worker Stephanie brought this amazing book into work to show everyone and we all absolutely fell in love with it. Titled This Little Piggy Went To Prada, it’s a collection of nursery rhymes by Amy Allen tweaked for the Blahnik-wearing mommy set. Illustrated with stunning watercolor by Eun-kyung Kang and hardcover bound in hot pink linen, the book is totally adorable and fun to read."

I'm off to go add this to my Amazon wishlist.

What does it mean today to be a "good mom" in the eyes of others? Inspired by MSNBC's recent article, What's the Measure of a Good Mom, Kristen confirmed what I've always suspected in today's post:

"I remember when I was a young mother, there was always an edge between the moms who “worked outside the home” and the moms who “stayed home with the kids.” Each thought she was “better” than the other. Better because they offered a second income or better because they spent more time with their young children. In these situations you just can’t win."

Jim, my husband, observes that raising a child has never been more difficult than it is in modern life. In decades past, mothers and children experienced a more "clan-like" lifestyle. This allowed distribution of duties and the ability to accomplish things in a group (like sewing, making bread etc) in order to keep the house going while the men were out providing for their families.

Jim writes on StorkCalling:

“The expectations of mothers (including the need for a second income) have grown while the help offered the modern mom (in the forms of other caregivers) has shrunk - and moms do need a break.”

Today a stay at home mom might find herself at home watching three kids, all under the age of 5, and is still expected to keep the house relatively clean, run household affairs and somehow find "time for herself" - all while looking like a supermodel. And she's doing this alone. Without the daily help of her mother and grandmother living under the same roof. My how times have changed. And the working mother has to balance a day job with a more than full-time job waiting at home the moment she walks in the front door. How cruel are we to pit one group against the other?

Where am I going with this? The next time you see a mother (even your own), thank her. Thank her for the choices she has made, whether she works out of the home or works as a full time mom. Thank her for sacrificing her own needs for the needs of others. Thank her just for being herself. It really is the toughest job in America, and doesn't get the recognition it deserves.

Dove's Campaign For Real Beauty is nothing short of impressive. From print ads to commercials, they are trying to add a dose of reality to the visual images we are hit with every day from advertisers. According to some sources, the average American woman today is a size 14. The average model is a size 2.  Not to mention the stylists, camera tricks, expert Photoshop work and lighting involved with every image. Facing unrealistic visual images depicting "beauty" every day on news, TV, in magazines and on outdoor ads absolutely has an effect on the women who see them.

The interesting thing about the Campaign For Real Beauty  is that Dove sells beauty products. Granted they don't delve into the anti-aging arena like many companies, but they are stillin the "buy this to look and feel better" business. I'm proud to witness a company in the beauty industry make a concerted effort to raise the self-esteem of women worldwide.

Added to the campaign is this video they've created in hopes of dispelling beauty myths. It is designed to help women realize that what we see in ads isn't as real as we might think. The idea? That women will see this on YouTube and pass it around to friends. Watch to see the transformation of a woman from average Jane to billboard hottie. You'll see that it takes more than a good concealer to do the trick.

[Thanks to Sarah at WetJello for featuring the video.]

When you're done, visit the Dove site to send a real beauty e-card to tell a friend how beautiful she really is.

Yes, it's true. As of February, Aunt Beep is getting an overhaul. Like the woman who inspired the site, Aunt Beep is constantly reinventing itself and evolving as need times and desires change. The creative, unpredictable blog we've come to love will be expanding its horizons (and its reader base, I'll venture to bet) in '07.

What (or who) is Aunt Beep? Imagine having your best pal save you the trouble of surfing the web and sorting out life's discoveries - and then telling you her findings so you don't have to discover those answers on your own. It's a bit like the with equal doses of style, design and technology thrown in for good measure. But don't take my word for it, hear what owner Tracey Tee has to say about the inspiration for the site:

We've all done it. It was once banished to private conversations and hushed voices. But now regifting has come around to the mainstream and is even acceptable in certain circles. In fact, twenty-somethings these days see it as a smart (if not the only) way to give gifts at office parties or to others further along the financial path than themselves.

So regardless of its taboo or non-taboo status, a host of sites (beyond the old standby eBay) are available now to help you with your regifting efforts. Here's a list to keep you busy this week:

Although many companies are encouraging flex-time these days, it has been largely seen as a benefit geared towards women. Women today strive to avoid being accused of being on the "mommy-track" for fear of being held back from advancement.  Until now. In a new twist, major companies such as Earnst & Young are touting successful men who have taken time off to be with family or care for personal matters. Did you hear that? Companies are showcasing the many ways that men have used work-life policies to let women know that it is perfectly acceptable do do the same.

Times are changing. Women are eclipsing men at four year colleges, and soon will outnumber degreed men in the workforce. With more men staying home to care for children it is only a matter of time before the established methods at companies are forced to adapt. On the flipside, people are working upwards of 70 hours a week and are perpetually tied to their office via Blackberry or mobile phone. So taking true "time away" form the office is actually more difficult than it seems. 

Best Buy is one of the leading examples of our changing work environment. They recently began a results-only work environment. What does that mean? No meetings. No schedules. They are revolutionizing our perception of work. Imagine the implications for workers. You can go to your son's soccer games, make that dentist appointment mid-day and celebrate your anniversary without looking like you're scooting out on your boss. Best Buy is reshaping the idea of 'showing up for work' for its employees. And it is done in a way that is gender neutral.

This is just the beginning of change. It will take several years for us to the the organizational shift that is occurring. If you've been living to work and need to begin transitioning to a more balanced work-life lifestyle, consider this chilling take from Michelle Goodman at the Anti 9-to-5 Guide:

We spent an amazing day with my family yesterday. For the first time in years, we only had one Thanksgiving dinner to eat at one house - rather than the ususal two. Quality time. Quality conversations. Quality dinner.

But as the evening drew to a close and the men were off discussing politics, I realized the women in my family (self included) were sitting around discussing physical appearance. An odd conversation to have amidst the myriad leftovers and turkey carcasses. As some chimed in with complaints or criticisms of body parts ranging from (ubiquitous) thighs to (a variety of) facial features, it dawned on me that I had no desire to critique myself. It isn't that there aren't things I'd like to change, but as a gender we are so hard on ourselves and I didn't want to perpetuate that habit. And I discouraged my favorite women at the table from tearing themselves apart pore by pore as well. It's time we stopped to love ourselves.

Women have better things to do than compare ourselves to the lastest "it" girl or sexy lingerie ad. We are marvelous creatures with miraculous bodies. These bodies allow us to climb Mt. Everest, reproduce (hello!) and to travel the world if we so desire. How fabulous is that? Europeans marvel at the American desire to prevent death and aging. We resist it. We tell time to wait, we're not reaady to age yet. We prolong the inevitable. It is unique to our culture and it is the foundation of many a multi-billion dollar industry. (Don't believe it? Read this book.)

To combat this phenomenon, there are voices out there encouraging us to live life more happily and focus on the importance of a positive self image. Stephanie at Skinny Jeans is one of my favorite sources of self-loving wisdom. She gave me the giggle I needed today when I read her post about the eating habit of models:

"Over time, I realized that when a smug skinny says, "I eat whatever I want", what it really means is "I can eat whatever I want, and what I want is lettuce, coffee, and cigarettes because those things keep me skinny." No one can throw it down at the Hometown buffet, eat at McDonald's, or slurp at the spaghetti house, and stay a size 2. Unless of course, you exercise enormous amounts at the gym, are bulimic, or have the metabolism of Olive Oyl."

So if you are finding yourself being hard on yourself this season, stop. Stop and appreciate your curves, your fine lines, your jiggly bits. They are yours and make you uniquely you. And as any man will tell you, self confidence is the sexiest characteristic a woman can possess. And it doesn't cost a dime.

We've just returned from two weeks in Italy, and I am consumed with fashion. The Italians have no shortage of style, and it is on display for all to see on the streets of Rome. What struck me the most was that it mattered not what you wore, but how you wore it. Gucci and Prada aside, some of the most fashionable women I saw were wearing items most certainly pulled from the back of the closet. But here is the essence of my lesson in how to dress like a Roman:

1. Dress for the season, not the weather.
   It may have been 79 degrees, but you wouldn't have known it from the apparel. Coats, scarves, hats and boots everywhere you looked.
   
   
2. When you think you've goen too far, go even further.
   The Italian women (and men) seem to see fashion for what it is: fun. Why not pile on the scarves, low-slung belts and huge (huge!) sunglasses? It's what those accessories are there for: to enjoy.
   
   
3. Don't just take it home, make it your own.
   Granted, the requisite outfit this fall was knee-high black boots (flats), tucked-in jeans and a drapey black sweater - but that didn't stop each fashionista from making a statement of her own. Whether it was the ever-present newsboy cap, a cashmere scarf or other adornments, each woman brought her own 'look' to the uniform.
   
   
4. What you lack in resources, make up for in attitude.
   One of the most fabulous women I saw actually had a hole in the sleeve of her well-worn (black, of course) top. But from her strut to her posture you'd have thought she were decked out in Prada head -to-toe.

It's not about what you wear, but how you wear it, and these women definitely had the confidence game down pat. So when you step out this fall in your boots and shades, think like an Italian and vamp it up. I guarantee you'll look fabulous to everyone you pass and feel great by the time you get to work.

At what point did table scraps become haute couture? It's happening, and we're all likely to fall prey to the lure of those calling it an "upscale" offering. Keep reading to find out why I think we're all being duped.

My muse, the Wall Street Journal, has a huge feature today on "to-do" lists. Apparently they are en vogue right now, which tells me I'm way ahead of the fashion curve on this one, baby. I live by my daily to-do list. I go so far as to buy special pads of paper just for these lists. Over time this has changed from small, fabulous notebooks (Jordi Labanda's were all the rage for a bit) to more sophisticated top-bound spiral books with hard covers. Why? Because being organized, in my opinion, is the key to professional and personal success. You'll never miss a meeting or deadline (or a sale for that matter) if you can just adhere to a list. And it appears I'm not alone anymore in my thinking.

From iTunes to email, lists are everywhere. This year several books are even coming out showcasing compilations of lists, one featuring 300 grocery store lists left behind by careless shoppers. (Yes, for those of you paying attention, lists of lists.) But that's just the tip of the iceberg. Lists are everywhere these days. Online services are popping up left and right with the lofty goal of helping you stay organized. Try these on for size: Ta-Da, 43Things, voo2do, TaskFreak to name a few. I even stumbled upon a magazine dedicated to to-do lists.

The key to this is that the concept of an action list isn't new. But companies and enterprising individuals looking to capitalize on our collective desire to organize our lives and ourselves - that's new. Comparing lists with peers and friends is new. Sharing lists online is new. Competitive list making is new.

I think it's wondeful there are technologies available online for helping people get and stay focused. If it helps someone get on top of their workload or catch "Last Call" at Neiman's, good for them. But I'll take my trusty notebook and fine tip blue pen anyday. In my opinion, there's nothing quite like the joy of scratching something off once a task is done.