Girls just wanna have cupcake -- cars?

Ya gotta love Neiman Marcus: No matter what the state of the economy, they still provide plenty of gift imagination with their holiday catalog.

This year they take a beloved sweet treat to super-sized dimensions. And add wheels.

The cupcake cars may be (gulp) $25,000 each. But, hey, at least they're calorie-free!

Ramen noodle waffles?

Yup, that's just one of the ways creative cooks have used the student staple.

Others, including coating and frying fish in the ground "flour" from the noodles and "Stoodles," a combo of stew + noodles, are mentioned in a piece that NPR aired on nostalia for -- the nouveau popularity of -- the classic budget gourmet meal.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120360464&ps=cprs

What are your favorite ways to savor them?

You go, Mrs. O!

Just in time for holiday giving, there's a new book out detailing Michelle Obama's impact on American style  -- and on how she's influencing the world with her fashion choices (which is not to diminish the impact of the full range of her accomplishments -- her personal style is a reflection of her confidence, determination and spirit, in my opinion).

Anyway, there's a cool mini video on Amazon that pages through some of the images I know have inspired me (though I'm still not sure I can pull the trigger to buy the sold-out now-famous glittery J. Crew sweater, available on Ebay for $200+)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599952580?ie=UTF8&tag=mro0e-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1599952580

Anyway, check it out -- and note that she's recycling clothes and accessories -- as well as bringing authenticity, creativity and glamor back to the role of First Lady  -- and validating that we should all choose to wear what makes us feel good and expresses our personality.

So, yeah, you go, Mrs. O.!

More good news on the beverage beat!

If you've never been to Barcelona, put it on your bucket list. Why?

Yes, it's a fabulous city in so many ways (that's a whole other post), but I'm referring to its obsession with chocolate. More specifically -- high-intensity cocoa.

The kind that will make you slip blissfully into a coma. Seriously. You've been warned.

But I digress. We all know that chocolate is gaining ground -- and respect -- for its ability to enhance well-being in so many ways.

And here's some more evidence. Researchers now note that drinking chocolate milk can help keep your arteries clear.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/10/health/research/10nutr.html?_r=1&em

How about that? And you thought it was just for kids. Or for helping to to kick hangovers.

Drink up!

Protein-infused vodka?

Yup, it's the latest addition to the bonanza of beverages that aim to do some good while you're being bad.

But does it diminish the thrill of the swill?

No, says its creator, a workout warrior who insists he's just combining his two top faves -- nightlife and healthy living. 

In fact, that's why he's calling his new product Devotion Vodka.

Drew Adelman (that's him with a fan) adds that a shot-sized serving of Devotion packs a protein punch equivalent to a Balance bar or a protein shake.

Plus, those who've tasted it -- I've not -- claim it tastes just like a premium vodka should, and there's no hint of the healthy ingredient, casein, a proetin found in dairy, to give away the drink's secret mission.

So what do you think -- is this the perfect product for no-guilt imbibing -- or does Devotion disrespect a drink that should be a "pure" temptation?

Soy joy!

Less calories than a pumpkin pie, these stylish handmade soy candles come in several "flavors," and I'm enjoying making the transition to fall in my place by using them.

Inhale, exhale. Aaaah.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21031303&ref=cat1_gallery_12

What are you doing to embrace the season?

A great night!

UPDATE: Thanks to everyone who joined us for Girls' Night Out! And congratulations to Laurie B., Blogger of the Month, and Sally G., Commenter of the Month, on their awards.

And to those who won the great giveaways -- see you next time!

-------------------------

Yep, it's that time again -- Girls' Night Out on pnn.com.

Time to mingle, catch up with friends -- and make new ones.

The festivities start at 5 p.m. Pacific with with the official event kicking off at 5:30 Pacific nd continuing until 7:30.

Jump in at this link:

http://pnn.com/chat_events/10-girls-night-out

Laurie B. will be our fabulous host for the pre-party at 5, making sure everyone has a virtual margaritas.

At 5:30 (also Pacific), Jessica Lee will take over hosting duties, and keep things convivial with giveaways -- and an earlier than usual announcement of our pnn.com Blogger of the Month Award.

Recognizing the Most Supportive Commenter is also on the agenda -- as are prize giveaways.

You don't want to miss this!

Cheers to pomegranates!

Tangy, tasty, terrific. I love pomegranates. In salads and in beverages.

Especially this season, when the fruits start popping up at markets everywhere.

To me they look like fabulous pieces of sculpture, with their little regal little "crowns."

Anyway, in my continuing quest for fabulous fall drinks, I wanted to share one of my other favorites, the pomegranate martini.

It's festive, and good for you (packed with antioxidents).

(Find more fascinating facts on the ancient fruit here: http://www.mixdrinx.com/articles/Pomegranate-Drinks-and-Cocktails/  )

Cheers!

It's time for pumpkin primping!

I am sooo not a Martha Stewart type. In fact, I haven't decorated a Halloween pumpkin in years.

But I think even I can create this glam gourd!

No carving -- just popping in upholstery tacks -- and voila.

I found this design here:

http://www.bhg.com/holidays/halloween/pumpkin-decorating/simple-folk-art-designed-pumpkins/

Do you do the Halloween pumpkin-primping drill? Do go glam? Scary? Silly?

Why women are more impacted

UPDATE: It influences our lives every day. From what we eat, to what we wear, to how we get to work, to, well, you get the picture: What doesn't it affect?

And this year's Blog Action Day aims to expand the global conversation about Climate Change.

Organizers say they've signed up more than 5,000 boggers from 126 countries to post on the topic on Oct. 15 (yep, today).

I'm one of them. Leigh tells me that pnn.com is also signed up as a community.

And it's not too late to join in. (If you register individually, your posts will be streamed for the whole world to see -- plus, you can see what bloggers worldwide are sayig about the subject):

http://www.blogactionday.org/en/blogs/new

Last year's Blog Action topic was Poverty, and a lot of us here on pnn posted about that.

I know it caused me to reflect and respond, and I know it did the same for a lot of you. And reading your posts was definitely inspiring.

Plus, I remember the satisfaction of feeling a sense of purpose in participating in a worldwide effort focusing on such a critical issue.

Our personal observations and opinions do make a difference. They raise awareness, they change habits -- they get leaders to pay attention.

Can we do it again this year? C'mon -- yes, we can!

I'm vowing to do small things today -- using my recycled shopping bag, wearing only sustainably prpoduced clothes (and some I've gotten from consignment -- as well as taking some clothes to consignment) and even (yes, shocking for me) cooking from scratch.

It's also worth learning about and contemplating how women around the world are being more severely impacted by the results of climate change than men.

Whether you believe it's a big deal or not, that fact is women have the burden of raising most of the crops in the developing world, traveling far every day on foot to get clean drinking water from wells that are increasingly scarce. Plus, their/our futures are more closely linked with what happens with climate change.

This post connects some of the additional dots, and was an eye-opener for me.

http://www.motherjones.com/blue-marble/2007/03/climate-change-will-affect-women-more-severely-men

What are your thoughts? A vibrant discussion is the point. and I know I can count on you for that -- right?

Cheers to Fall!

I may not be the most adept cook, but I'm learning to make some pretty intriguing -- and tasty -- seasonal elixirs.

These are made with prosecco (think Italian Champagne), sparkling apple cider (yay Fall!) and Galliano, an herbal liqueur that originates from a seaside town in Tuscany, Livorno.

I've got goosebumps

I just listened to our president humbly accept the Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of American leadership, and as a further call to action for what he/we are endeavoring to do to make our country and world a more humane place.

Wow. Daunting, inspiring -- many words come to mind. This is the first American President to earn this honor, right?

I so hope it will provide even more momentum for us all to come together as a global community....

The most awesome small towns are...

I love Chicago. It's majestic (Millenium Park, the lakefront), and intimate (small, kick-ass storefront restaurants) at the same time.

Still, there's a part of me that would love to try living in a Mayberry-esuqe place. Where the local bakery would serve a perfect peach pie and an indie coffee shop would brew some of the finest morning fuel.

And, of course, you'd know all your neighbors -- who would always wave.

So, Budget Travel has named the Top 10 Best Small Towns in the U.S., including Lexington, Va. (pictured) and Tubac, AZ. Though I've been through the latter, I nevered realized that in addition to the incredible views, there are all the qualities I mentioned, as well as world-class art galleries.

Who knew?

Here's the full list:

http://www.budgettravel.com/bt-dyn/content/article/2009/09/04/AR2009090402162.html#

But here's what I want to know -- what's great, cool, quirky, about your small (or big) town?

Want a facial? Have your iPod book it for you

Guests checking into a new Las Vegas hotel are getting a personal virtual concierge -- for free.

Yup, the special iPod Touch you're issued lets you order room service, book spa appointments, make dinner reservations -- nearly everything a human concierge would do.

Owners of Hotel32, part of the Monte Carlo Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, want you to luxuriate in feeling like a VIP.

If you don't want to use the official device (which I actually think is pretty sweet), you can use your own iPhone or other smartphone to get the same perks by downloading an app.

So what are we waiting for? Let's book those poolside cabanas!

The United States of McDonald's?

I admit it: I've been through the drive-through.

Still, it's pretty stunning when you think of what some of the leading environmental and cultural experts have to say about the pervasiveness and resulting impact of a landscape overtaken by fast food.

This map makes it pretty vivid. The author/blogger got data on the 13,000+ locations of McD's in the lower 48, and then used some clever programming to create the overlay rendering that shows there's hardly a spot when we aren't just minutes away from a burger and fries -- even in what should be pristine wilderness.

Anyway, it was pretty startling to me. And, especially when I see our own GG doing such a great job with cooking from scratch, and the need to support local producers, which I try to do whenver possible -- I thought it was worth sharing and pondering.

There's more on the original blog:

http://www.weathersealed.com/

inspired by the author's cruise through California's Central Valley this summer, and resulting lament over what is described as "country stip malls" that have sprouting where there just used to be landscape....

What are your thoughts?