Back to school: not just for the kids!

There's just something about this time of year—the first hint of coolness in the air, the reappearance of school busses, the excitement of the first varsity games—that can leave a girl feeling mighty nostalgic for her school days.

We say, "why let kids have all the fun?" There are plenty of ways you can recapture the back-to-school vibe ... minus the braces and the bad skin.

• Load up on school supplies. This time of year, stores are chock full of fun notebooks, colored pencils, and even cool paper clips and sticky notes. You need this stuff at work anyway, so why not add a little fun to your desk?
• Go back-to-school clothes shopping. Remember that annual trip to the mall to update your wardrobe? Treat yourself to a marathon shopping spree, and when you get home, toss out all the stuff that no longer jazzes you.
• Take a course. Almost every university and community college offers non-credit courses on evenings and weekends, covering everything from photography to investing to flamenco dancing. Check out a local catalog and pick out something you always wanted to try. Or if you'd rather go at your own pace, the Web is awash with learning opportunities; check out about.com, where the courses are absolutely free.
• Change your hair. No back-to-school experience is complete without a sassy new hairdo to go with the new duds, so book a date with your stylist and consult with her on a new look.

So have some fun and enjoy the season, ladies. And remember, no running in the halls ...

Sassy summer sippables: strawberry-peach sangria

Fresh summer fruits are in their prime, ladies, and before you know it, it'll be October and you'll be wondering, "Why didn't I enjoy them more when they were around???"

Of course a sumptuous peach or succulent bowl of strawberries is perfect on its own, but if you want to mix things up a bit (pun intended), whip up a batch of strawberry-peach sangria for your next summertime get-together.

Strawberry-Peach Sangria

Serves 8

• 1 750-ml bottle dry white wine
• 1 1/2 cups orange muscat
• 1 1/2 cups sliced strawberries
• 1 cup peach liqueur
• 3 peaches, each cut into 12 slices
• 1 large orange, cut crosswise into 6 slices
• 1 large lemon, cut crosswise into 6 slices
• 1/4 cup strawberry syrup (optional)

Mix all ingredients and let sit at room temperature for 2 hours, or chill for 4 hours. Serve over ice and enjoy!

(Source: YumSugar)

The Fabbies are here!

The Emmys, Oscars, and Grammys are all now behind us, but there's still some fierce competition to enjoy. Introducing the Fabbies, the first-ever, blogger-organized awards to recognize the Web's top fashion, beauty, and lifestyle blogs.

And no, Getting Underneath isn't among the nominees this year, but we can still cheer on our fave cyber-hangouts for the latest fabulous dish (and plot for victory next year).

Just click on over to fabbies.org and sign up. You'll then be able to vote for your favorites in 12 categories, including Men's Fashion, StreetStyle, and Accessories. We're a little sketchy on the tallying and winner announcement process, but we'll definitely keep you posted.

May the most fabulous blogs win!

(Hat tip: All About the Pretty)

Designated driver's delight: Festive Wassail

It's still the season for festive holiday parties, and while a well-stocked bar is a key element for any successful celebration, it's also important to offer the designated drivers something a little more special than plain soda or sparkling water.

Over the rest of the season, we'll be bringing you some scrumptious nonalcoholic holiday quaffs that will earn rave reviews from drinkers and non-drinkers alike.

Today's teetotaler treat:

Festive Wassail
Serves 18

Pronounced wossayl or woss’l, this hot, spiced punch has its roots in the winter celebrations of northern Europe, usually those connected with Christmas, New Year's, and Twelfth Night. Not only is our nonalcoholic version a delightful party drink—it'll also fill the house with a warm, spicy aroma that's sure to put everyone in the partying mood.

2 quarts apple cider
1 cup packed brown sugar
4 cinnamon sticks (about 3" each)
24 whole cloves
4 cups orange juice concentrate
2 cups pineapple juice
Additional whole cloves (optional)
9 thick orange slices, cut in half (optional)

In a 3-quart saucepan, stir together apple cider, brown sugar, cinnamon sticks, and 24 cloves. Over medium heat, bring to a boil; reduce heat to low and simmer 5 minutes. Add orange juice and pineapple juice. Heat just until heated through (do not boil).

Meanwhile, push additional cloves into rind of orange slices; set aside.

To serve, strain cider mixture and pour into a warmed pitcher, slow cooker, or another saucepan set over low heat. Place one orange slice in each heatproof cup and serve.

Here's to a happy—and safe—holiday season, ladies!

(Source: cdkitchen.com)

It’s almost 2008—do you know where your resolutions are?

Oh, come on, you know you want to. Each year you say you won’t, that it’s not worth the disappointment, but you make a New Year’s resolution anyway. And by Valentine's Day, it’s about as memorable as last year’s Oscar winners.

If so, you might be interested to learn that the key to a "keepable" resolution has less to do with what you resolve than with how you approach your goal and how you handle the inevitable bumps along the way. Henrik Edburg over at The Positivity Blog has some wonderful suggestions on how to make a New Year’s resolution you’ll actually keep:

1. Choose something you want—not something that others expect or that you’re “supposed” to be striving for.
   


2. Choose one thing. Trying to change too many habits at once is a sure-fire recipe for frustration. Choose one, and if you hit your goal by midyear, terrific—just pick another area to focus on.


3. Focus on the process. Process-oriented resolutions (“I will go to the gym 3 times a week”) stand a much better chance of survival than those focused on a destination (“I will lose 15 pounds”).


4. Make it easy on yourself. If you’re resolving to hit the gym, make sure the location is convenient for you; if you want to save money, avoid stores and websites that tend to spur impulse buying.


5. Educate yourself. For example, if your goal is to quit smoking, talk to people who have successfully kicked the habit, and check out websites, blogs, books, and magazine articles on the subject.


6. Realize that setbacks will happen. You will have bad days along the way, and beating yourself up only makes things worse. Decide ahead of time that you will view setbacks as just that, not as failures.
   


7. Just do it—even if you don’t feel like it. After the first few weeks, it’s only natural for your enthusiasm to wane a bit; pushing through these moments of resistance is the key to making lasting changes.

Here’s to a happier, healthier, more prosperous new year, ladies!

Surviving holiday house guests

They're coming. You thought maybe this year would be different, but deep down you know it's inevitable. Oh yes, they're coming.

No, we're not talking about those few extra yuletide pounds or even the latest super-flu germs. We're talking about something with a far greater capacity for mayhem: holiday house guests.

As if the holidays weren't crazy enough, many of us will have the additional responsibilities of cooking for, cleaning up after, entertaining, and, yes, sharing our homes with the friends and family who choose this time of year to visit.

Fortunately, a few savvy strategies can help make the experience more enjoyable—or at least a little saner—for both you and your temporary roommates.

Recently iVillage.com asked its readers to submit their favorite tips and tricks for making holiday guests feel welcome without making themselves feel like they need a padded cell. Here are the top 10 responses:

1. Tell guests who have visited before, "The first time you're a guest, the second time you're family," meaning they're welcome to anything in the house but are expected to clean up after themselves. Make sure you show them where everything is (food, dishes, towels, laundry supplies, etc.) so you needn't wait on them hand and foot.


2. Put them to work. Most considerate guests are always asking if there's anything they can help with; don't feel bad about taking them up on it!


3. Create a list of meals you've planned to prepare and enjoy together at home, and place it on the fridge. Guests will know which food items are "off limits," plus it solves the problem of preparing a huge dinner only to find out they've had a huge lunch.


4. Leave a container of Clorox wipes on the bathroom counter ("hint, hint, please clean up after yourself").


5. Remember all those hotel-size shampoos, lotions, and soaps you just couldn't bear to leave behind? Pile them into a decorative basket in your spare bathroom for guests to use as they please, so they won't need to keep borrowing yours.


6. Designate a "travel-free zone." This is one room in which there are no open suitcases, no clothes lying around, no miscellaneous clutter allowed, preferably the living room. (If you have guests sleeping in your living room, just ask them to stash their stuff in your bedroom—or at least in a corner—during the day.)


7. Every night, get the morning coffee ready to brew, so that whoever is up first can just switch it on (and so you won't be awakened with plaintive cries of "Ummm, where did you say you keep the filters?").


8. Ask guests to give you their itinerary of day trips, parties, planned visits, etc., so you know when you'll have some downtime to yourself.


9. Don't let it stress you out! As one reader puts it, "As long as the laundry is up to date and the bathroom is kept clean, most of the other housekeeping stuff can wait."


10. Move. If they can't find you, they can't stay with you ... kidding, kidding!!!

And what if you're the guest this year? To ensure that you complete your stay with your friendships intact—and with the possibility of returning—check out 10 Ways to Be an Excellent House Guest, courtesy of The Frugal Law Student.

Happy visiting, ladies!

(Image: inspireco.com)

Designated driver's delight: Mai Tai Mocktail

'Tis the season for festive holiday parties, and while a well-stocked bar is a key element for any successful celebration, it's also important to offer the designated drivers something a little more special than plain soda or sparkling water.

Over the rest of the season, we'll be bringing you some scrumptious nonalcoholic holiday quaffs that will earn rave reviews from drinkers and non-drinkers alike.

Today's teetotaler treat:

Mai Tai Mocktail

2 oz fresh orange juice
1/2 oz almond syrup
1/2 oz fresh lime juice1/2 oz sour mix
3 dashes Angostura bitters
Crushed ice

Mix all ingredients in a cocktail shaker and pour into a glass. Add crushed ice, then garnish with orange or pineapple slices, cherries, or even a tiny umbrella to give this "mocktail" the air of the real thing.

Here's to a happy—and safe—holiday season, ladies!

(Source: drink-recipies.org.uk)

Designated driver's delight: Mock Appletini

'Tis the season for festive holiday parties, and while a well-stocked bar is a key element for any successful celebration, it's also important to offer the designated drivers something a little more special than plain soda or sparkling water.

Over the rest of the season, we'll be bringing you some scrumptious nonalcoholic holiday quaffs that will earn rave reviews from drinkers and non-drinkers alike.

Today's teetotaler treat:

Mock Appletini

Ingredients:
2 oz freshly pressed apple juice (green or gold apples)
1/2 oz simple syrup
1/4 oz lemon juice
Granulated sugar for rimming
Apple slice for garnish

Add apple juice, simple syrup, and lemon juice to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass rimmed with granulated sugar. Garnish with an apple slice.

Here's to a happy—and safe—holiday season, ladies!

(Source: cocktails.about.com)

Dear Santa, all I want is ... a break!

OK, so you've decked the halls, mailed the cards, trimmed the tree, bought the presents, attended the parties, and now there's just one thing on your mind: getting the [bleep] away from it all!

If this sounds like you, then you're in fantastic luck, as this is a great time of year for a vacation. Not only are the crowds lighter, but there are also some terrific deals to be had.

And if you're looking for something a little different from the tried-and-true beach or ski vacations, here are a few ideas for a truly memorable getaway:

• Discover California wine country. While the vineyards may not be at their prettiest this time of year, the sparse crowds mean winery staffers have much more time to chat with you. You may even come away with a new favorite or two!



• If you've always wanted to party in Las Vegas or New Orleans, now is definitely the time: both locales typically experience lighter crowds during the family holidays, then get busy again for New Year's.



• Feeling adventurous? Treat yourself to a rainforest eco-vacation in beautiful Costa Rica, complete with ziplining, mountain hiking, and whitewater rafting.



• Or if you and your honey desperately need some "us time" while you enjoy a little pampering, you can find some great deals on cruises to Mexico and the Caribbean.

Let everybody else deal with the traffic, the stress, and the awkward family gatherings—you'll be treating yourself to a holiday getaway that leaves you refreshed, relaxed, and ready for the new year.

(Image: jupiterimages.com)

Champagne 101

Nothing says "happy holidays" better than the cheerful pop of a champagne cork. From brunch to dinner to way-past-midnight parties, champagne is one of the wine world's most versatile and most universally loved performers, perfect for the holiday season's variety of gatherings. And despite its traditional association with luxury, today's market offers many fine options for under $25 a bottle.

The sales associates at your local wine shop or liquor store—and even at some finer grocery stores—will be happy to help you find a champagne to fit your taste, your menu, and your budget. Once you get it home, here are a few tips to help you get the most out of your bubbly:

• Storing: As champagne is more sensitive to light and heat than still wines (hence the thick green glass it's bottled in), store it in a cool, dark place, either standing up or on its side.


• Chilling: Champagne should be served chilled, but not too cold, ideally between 40 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit. To chill a bottle quickly, place it in a bucket filled with ice, water, and a dash of salt for about 20 minutes. Never chill champagne in the freezer.


• Opening: First, carefully remove the foil wrapping and the wire cage. Cover the cork with a towel and grasp it firmly with one hand, then with the other hand, turn the bottle slowly and let the cork gently slide out.
  


• Serving: Serve champagne in tulip-shaped flutes, which are ideal for preserving bubbles as well as aroma. To minimize foaming during the pour, tilt the glass slightly and pour slowly into the side.
  

Cheers!

(Hat tip: Novus Vinum)
(Image source: drinksmediawire.com)

Designated driver's delight: Blackberry Breeze

'Tis the season for festive holiday parties, and while a well-stocked bar is a key element for any successful celebration, it's also important to offer the designated drivers something a little more special than plain soda or sparkling water.

So, in the spirit of safe partying, we're bringing you some scrumptious nonalcoholic holiday quaffs that will earn rave reviews from drinkers and non-drinkers alike.

Today's teetotaler treat:

Blackberry Breeze

1 cup boiling water

6 blackberry flavored tea bags

1/2 cup pineapple juice

8 oz crushed pineapple, undrained

1/3 cup sugar

18 ice cubes

Fresh fruit for garnish

In a teapot, pour boiling water over tea bags; cover and steep 5 minutes. Remove bags and chill tea. (Remember to do this step well ahead of time.)

In a blender, process the tea, pineapple juice, pineapple, and sugar until smooth. Add ice cubes, one at a time, processing after each addition until blended. Garnish with fruit and serve.

Here's to a happy—and safe—holiday season, ladies!

(Source: drinksmixer.com)

Designated driver's delight: Orange Cream Mimosa

'Tis the season for festive holiday parties, and while a well-stocked bar is a key element for any successful celebration, it's also important to offer the designated drivers something a little more special than plain soda or sparkling water.

Over the next few weeks, we'll be bringing you some scrumptious nonalcoholic holiday quaffs that will earn rave reviews from drinkers and non-drinkers alike.

Today's teetotaler treat:

Orange Cream Mimosa

Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups freshly squeezed orange juice (5 to 6 oranges)
1 orange, zested
1 cup half-and-half
1 cup superfine sugar
1 bottle nonalcoholic sparkling wine, cider, or ginger ale
Strawberries, for garnish

Combine orange juice, zest, half-and-half, and sugar into a blender and process until the sugar has dissolved, about 30 seconds. Pour this mixture into a shallow pan and freeze until hard, 4 hours or overnight.

Remove the frozen orange mixture from the freezer and let it sit to soften slightly, about 10 minutes. With a scoop or tablespoon, scrape out a small scoop and put it into a champagne glass. Slowly fill the glass with the nonalcoholic sparling wine, cider, or ginger ale, and serve garnished with strawberries.

Here's to a happy—and safe—holiday season, ladies!

(Source: Food Network)

Bonjour, beaujolais nouveau!

For fashion lovers, the fall season is all about the new collections. For students, it's all about the new semester. For TV fans, it's all about the new shows. And for wine lovers, fall's appeal is all wrapped up in two little words: beaujolais nouveau.

By tradition, the beaujolais nouveau (pronounced bo-jo-LAY noo-VOH) season begins at midnight on the third Thursday in November, which this year fell on November 15. Made from Gamay grapes grown in the Beaujolais region, it's one of the only French reds that's produced, bottled, and released in the same year of the harvest.

Bright, fresh, and alive with intense fruit flavors, this is a great choice to enjoy with hearty ham, sausage, and cheese dishes—or simply on its own. To quote Wine Weekly, "Beaujolais Nouveau is not a wine to sniff, swirl, and contemplate; it’s a wine to pour and party with."

So the next time you're out visiting friends and wondering what to bring, tote along a colorful bottle (or two!) of this festive seasonal favorite. Très chic!

Hot podcast: Hip Tranquil Chick

If you think being a devoted yogini requires trading your stiletto heels and Lancôme lipgloss for Birkenstocks and Chapstick, then Kimberly Wilson would like to have a word with you.

Actually, she'd like to have three: Hip Tranquil Chick.

Author of a book by the same name and owner of Tranquil Space, one of Washington, DC's hottest yoga studios, Kimberly delivers a weekly podcast dedicated to helping us integrate a vibrant yoga practice with the fabulous lifestyle of a modern girl on the go.

Available via the blog and on iTunes, Hip Tranquil Chick podcasts are like cozy, heads-together-in-a-coffee-shop visits with a girlfriend, one you really admire but don't find perfect enough to hate. Each podcast features "On the Mat," which guides us through a specific yoga pose or sequence, "Off the Mat," which covers topics ranging from fall fashion finds to ayurvedic medicine, and a groove-a-licious podsafe tune to close the show out with style.

And with a new edition posted every Sunday night, Hip Tranquil Chick lets you start your workweek informed, inspired, and deliciously tranquil. Check it out.

Rachel Zoe on all things fabulous

Stylist to the stars Rachel Zoe made a recent appearance on the Tyra Banks show to promote her new book, Style A to Zoe, and took the opportunity to share some tips for enjoying the fabulous life:

• Quickest way to alter a dress that's gapping? Add a fabulous brooch for a solution that's stylish and practical.
• Never leave the house without at least one chic piece of jewelry on.
• Add some classic Hollywood glam to any look with a timeless string of pearls.
• Nails should be kept short to medium-length and lacquered in a nude or deep color.
• Add style to your environment with orchids—they're low-maintenance and they last forever.
• Say thank-you with hand-written notes; they're a dying art, which is what makes them so much more special than e-mail.
• And finally, learn to love and appreciate yourself instead of comparing yourself with others.

Want more of La Zoe's fabulous wisdom? Her book is on sale at Amazon and at your local bookstore.

Fall refresher: Trick-or-Tini

It's just not Halloween without candy corn, and YumSugar shows us how to bring this classic confection to a fun, festive cocktail: the Trick-or-Tini.

1 part coconut cream
1 part tangerine-flavored mixer
1 part banana liqueur
Splash of white rum

1. Chill ingredients in fridge or freezer.
2. Pour the first three ingredients, in the order listed above, slowly over the back side of a spoon into a martini glass.
3. Top with a splash of white rum.

Quite a treat for your Halloween guests—and nothing tricky about it!

Pets get a little Sugar of their own

Are you crazy about your kittycat? Passionate about pooches? Or just ardent about animals in general? If so, the Sugar family of blogs has a new spot just for you ... and your cuddly friends.

Yes, the same talented team that brings us FabSugar's fashion finds, BellaSugar's beauty beat, PopSugar's paparazzi pics, and more now has a blog just for pet lovers:

PetSugar is your go-to site for all things fabulously furry, feathered, and finned. Whether you're already a pet owner, dreaming of one day owning a pet, or just in need of a cute pick me up, PetSugar is the place for the latest and greatest pet news, product reviews and yummy treasures that will make your pets come running. Your lovable pet can also become a celebrity on the site!

Click on over to PetSugar today—it'll bring out the animal in you!

Fall refresher: Cranberry and Vanilla-Bean Mimosas

As the nights turns cooler and the days get shorter, your summertime standby mojito might feel a bit out of place. After all, fall is a time to change your wardrobe, your makeup, your skincare—why not your cocktail?

If your palate is as ready to embrace the season as your fashion sense, try this delectable concoction courtesy of Epicurious:

Cranberry and Vanilla-Bean Mimosa
Cranberry juice, chilled
Ice cubes
1 vanilla bean
Sparkling wine
Garnish (optional): sugar and halved vanilla beans

Combine a few cups chilled cranberry juice and ice cubes in a cocktail shaker. Scrape in the seeds from vanilla bean. Shake well. Strain into champagne glasses, filling only halfway. Top off the drinks with sparkling wine. For an extra-special touch, rim the glasses with sugar and garnish with halved vanilla beans.

Serve and enjoy with friends—perfect for lounging on the deck on a crisp fall afternoon!