Archive for January, 2010

Item #6–Valentine Gift Guide–"Great American Date Night" San Antonio

[ 0 ] January 30, 2010 | Shelley Zurek

This February, San Antonio brings back the “Great American Date Night” with a whirlwind of romantic giveaways. For many, a date night has become a luxury that doesn’t fit into a busy life. San Antonio is setting the stage for couples to reconnect, rekindle and reawaken romance with all-inclusive dates in markets around the country as well as trips to romantic San Antonio

Beginning February 1, 2010, people throughout the United States can log on to www.romance.visitsanantonio.com and enter to win one of four fairy tale trips to San Antonio. The website will also offer an inspiring romance and relaxation section brimming with travel ideas, love stories, scenic San Antonio photos and love bites—recipes from local chefs.

In addition, various radio stations throughout Atlanta, Chicago, Denver and Los Angeles will offer contests for listeners to win an evening out hosted by the San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau. Dates will include limo service, signature San Antonio yellow roses, dinner for two, Texas wine and even babysitting.

Considered one of the nation’s most passionate destinations, San Antonio is the ideal city to spur this amorous movement. Established in 1691, it has hosted centuries of love stories. Here, countless lovers have strolled the pathways of the River Walk, taken carriage rides through historic downtown and reveled in the splendor of Spanish colonial missions. Through the “Great American Date Night” promotion, even more couples will get the chance to savor the city and discover that San Antonio has hosted the most romantic of love stories—their own.

The romance begins February 1, 2010 at www.romance.visitsanantonio.com.

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Menopausal Quotes and Jokes of the Day–January 2009 edition

[ 0 ] January 28, 2010 | Shelley Zurek

So if you think your life is complete confusion because your neighbor’s got it made, just remember that it’s a grand illusion and deep inside we’re all the same.”

–Styx,
American rock band, from “The Grand Illusion

And always remember…..when life hands you Lemons,ask for Tequila and Salt and call me over!

Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, wine in the other, totally worn out and screaming ‘WOOO HOOOOO what a ride!’

If you can’t be a good example — then you’ll just have to be a horrible warning.

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Apple Ipad Women Over 45– Preliminary Review

[ 0 ] January 28, 2010 | Shelley Zurek

Apple Ipad–A Really Big Ipod Touch!

Here’s a great video from Engadget with view of the new Apple Ipad:

Chief Blonde’s Remarks: We sure would like an opportunity to review one of these for our Still Blonde after all these YEARS! audience of Women over 45. We currently have an Apple iPod touch 32 GB (3rd Generation) NEWEST MODEL which we use extensively for our blog including easy access at trade shows– it’s amazingly easy to use and surf the web. Reviewers are paralleling the Ipad with an Itouch–only bigger! As we think the Ipod Touch is GREAT–we’d like to contrast the two. Exciting times in Consumer Electronics! Criticism so far seems to focus on the fact that it’s not SOOO powerful but given that it combines basic computer, e-reader, ipod, and probably soon camera/video–it will probably work wonders for our readers. We’ll try our hardest to get one to review, maybe even a Giveaway?!

Here’s some basic details:

The iPad

Price: $499 for 16 GB, $599 for 32 GB, and $699 for 64 GB. Add $130 for 3G capability. Look for pricing to come down quickly–think the Iphone!

Data: Optional and no contract. $14.99 for 250 MB a month or $29.99 for unlimited.

When? End of March for WiFi-only version, end of April for 3G version.

Battery life: Reportedly 10 hours.

Other stuff: An 30-pin dock connector port (like iPods and iPhone), a speaker, a microphone, Bluetooth, accelerometer and a compass.

What the company says:
Steve Jobs Ipad

Apple® today introduced iPad, a revolutionary device for browsing the web, reading and sending email, enjoying photos, watching videos, listening to music, playing games, reading e-books and much more. iPad’s responsive high-resolution Multi-Touch™ display lets users physically interact with applications and content. iPad is just 0.5 inches thick and weighs just 1.5 pounds— thinner and lighter than any laptop or netbook. iPad includes 12 new innovative apps designed especially for the iPad, and will run almost all of the over 140,000 apps in the App Store. iPad will be available in late March starting at the breakthrough price of just $499.

“iPad is our most advanced technology in a magical and revolutionary device at an unbelievable price,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “iPad creates and defines an entirely new category of devices that will connect users with their apps and content in a much more intimate, intuitive and fun way than ever before.”

iPad syncs with iTunes, using the standard Apple 30-pin to USB cable, so you can sync all of your contacts, photos, music, movies, TV shows, applications and more from your Mac or PC. All the apps and content you download on iPad from the App Store, iTunes Store and iBookstore will be automatically synced to your iTunes library the next time you connect with your computer.

Apple also announced the new iBooks app for iPad, which includes Apple’s new iBookstore, the best way to browse, buy and read books on a mobile device. The iBookstore will feature books from major and independent publishers.

Listen to Steve Jobs introduce it:

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Item #5-Valentine’s Day Gift Guide–Elizabeth Gillett Scarf

[ 0 ] January 27, 2010 | Shelley Zurek

Elizabeth Gillett, trained as a painter and printmaker at Hartwick College, couldn’t find a replacement for a favorite lost scarf so she designed her own. Within months the same velvet scarf was being sold at Barneys New York and Elizabeth was running a full-fledged accessories business from her fourth floor walk-up Manhattan studio.

Eighteen years later, Elizabeth Gillett is designing a full line of cover-ups, scarves and wraps under the Elizabeth Gillett brand and for private label clients. Her seasonal accessories are a unique combination of current trends, feminine details and vibrant color. Knitwear shrugs and cardigans feature pointelle pattern details and covetable, soft yarn blends. Custom prints and lustrous sequins make woven cover-ups for dresses and swimsuits new and special. Elizabeth’s casual scarves are the perfect solution for busy women – throw a jeweled, fringed style over an outfit and leave work for a fun night out effortlessly.

What the Company Says: With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, Elizabeth Gillett (www.elizabethgillett.com) designs a line of scarves, wraps and cover-ups sold at favorite local boutiques as well as high-end retailers including Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom. Styles such as the Xinia ($42) in gorgeous red, silver, and cream are the perfect gift for any trend-setting woman.

Chief Blonde’s Remarks: We were shipped a beautiful ivory with gold metallic Xina Scarf to reveiw. It was so soft– Like baby’s hair . The touch of the scarf just said luxury and expensive, though they are fairly affordable in our estimation! It would be great for an evening out with a cocktail dress or with jeans, a very transitional piece! 100% Viscose / Made in China / 30″ x 80″ ($42). We also liked the fact that they designer was a women over 45!

To View more of our 2010 Valentine’s Day Gift Guide for Women over 45–Click Here!

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Advice for Surviving a Super Bowl Party:Women over 45

[ 0 ] January 27, 2010 | Shelley Zurek

How to Still Feel “Super” the Morning After

The Super Bowl is America’s second largest food consumption day, after Thanksgiving, and many adults will experience digestive discomfort the next day. These adults aren’t alone: Constipation affects 1-in-4 Americans, and the condition becomes more common as people age.

For many Americans, the Super Bowl means two things: beer and comfort food. One thing is certain, though: while nachos, wings, and pizza with “the works” all seem like good ideas at the time, overdoing it on greasy snacks and generally being a couch potato can cause digestive discomfort. If you wake up on Monday feeling hung over, constipated, or bloated, rest assured you are not alone.

So how do you have your wings and eat them too? Dr. Cynthia Yoshida, a gastroenterologist, has some easy fixes to ensure that you’re still feeling “super” the day after the big game.

1. Water Down Your Hangover. Though the best way to avoid a hangover is not to drink at all, you’re going to do it anyway. So, to make sure Monday morning doesn’t hit you like a truck, alternate with a non-alcoholic option after every beer. Be sure to choose something that isn’t carbonated and doesn’t contain caffeine.

2. Try a Smart OTC Solution. Drug store aisles can be daunting, so, for sufferers of occasional constipation, Dr.Yoshida urges you to educate yourself about over-the-counter options. If you are experiencing this issue, Dr. Yoshida recommends a gentle solution: MiraLAX. It’s safe to use, and doesn’t cause the unpleasant side effects that may come to mind when people think of the word “laxative.”

3. Get Off the Couch. Though your first instinct may be to hit the snooze button, getting up and moving is a good idea. There is no better way to feel better quickly than to get your metabolism moving again. However, since your body might be a little dehydrated, intense exercise could make the problem worse. “It’s cold outside, but even a brisk walk can help,” says Dr. Yoshida.