How is President Obama doing so far when it comes to women’s health care? Planned Parenthood has given him a scorecard which says that “women of childbearing age spend 68 percent more in out-of-pocket health care costs than men.” The organization has given him high marks and says that he has “lived up to his pledge to make sure that strengthening women’s health is a priority in his administration.”

Some of the highlights include protecting a woman’s right to choose, making birth control accessible and affordable, and “repealing the global gag rule.” For a complete list of grades and …read more

No matter what side of the aisle your political passions reside, it must give you pause for reflection and awe — after watching Elizabeth, with Senator Edwards at her side.
She announced that cancer was detected, that it probably had spread and that it is incurable.
Not curable, but treatable.
Which tells us that from now on, our National lexicon about Cancer may have changed.
When we hear the word Cancer…we might discuss it with our loved ones in a different way…in much the same way as we discuss Diabetes.
In other words, it might be possible for Ms. Edwards to live with Cancer, operative …read more

I suppose if even Rachael (do you ever let your guests speak? ) Ray is talking about menopause well then everyone must be.
There is one element of this fabulous change in direction in a woman’s life that people are familiar with…but don’t seem to dwell on.
Memory loss or scatter-brain-ness. (And I am just in the beginning stages, I think.)
It’s one thing when I’m standing alone in my pantry — wondering if I was supposed to be looking for an ingredient, or if I was supposed to go get the mail.
It’s quite another when this gem of a …read more

As a business owner, I am a staunch believer that customer service is THE key ingredient to a successful business.
For me, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics is a superb example of customer support at it’s finest.
It’s only taken me 20 years to figure out how make-up works, in terms what is appropriate my own color palette and application.
But honestly, if you spend time on a cosmetics site…sometimes you just shut the computer off because all of the choices can be overwhelming.
But what Bobbi Brown has on her site is unique: an on-line cosmetic consultant! You write in what your question is …read more

Everyday, I come across a feature story about a stay-at-home mom who takes a simple idea and turns it into a viable and even multi-million dollar business.
From fabric alphabet letters that ended up as a prop on Friends, to scrapbooking, to door-to-door salon services…the thing these women have in common is their desire to work from home and their courage to take a chance on making their once “kitchen table” idea a reality.
Here are some thoughts from Kim Lavine, author of Mommy Millionaire, on how to take the leap:
Tips for balancing life with love

1. Don’t apologize for having …read more

Well, after 15 hours, door to door from Vegas to New York, no thanks to U.S. Airways and the entire airline industry we have returned from our trip to Vegas.
I wasn’t sure about the whole packing thing, because I’ve calculated that since I started The Pet Set, much of my wardrobe harkens back to the late 1990’s…(can you say Delorean?)
Years ago, when I was working at Mercedes-Benz, I bought the cutest little spaghetti-strapped, little black dress for, ironically, a business trip in Vegas.
Since that time, I haven’t worn this piece once, although it’s been packed about a hundred …read more

How’s this for a fabulous name for a site: Madonnalicious.com ?
Well, it’s finally happened.
My touchstone to the Avant Garde has joined the ranks of super duper stars who sell reasonably priced clothing at formerly hip (and obscure, therefore hip) department stores.

In this case…the clothing actually looks well made and fun.
I say this because, by contrast…some other designer’s stuff at stores like Target are simply horribly made and ugly.
My absolute favorite — her little black dress…you’ll never have to buy another LBD again.

I am quite certain that Christina at E Beauty Daily has a much better take on this all-important issue in a woman’s life than I do: hair color.
I have been going to the same stylist for 5 years…Paul has done wonders with color on my fine, semi-damaged hair:
Highlights so delicate and beautiful, they look sun-kissed…base color that looked like my 10-year-old self…BUT…all at a price.
During the holidays, everyone always takes pot shots at how much I spend on cut/color/styling. It’s the one beauty thing about which I’ve always been sort of snobbish; and I don’t care.
But recently, I …read more

I received a wedding invitation recently, from someone who has not been a presence in my life for almost 20 years — my father.
He seems to be a person who really needs to be married.
He met and married my mother; they were married for 18 years, then got divorced.
Soon after, he met and married another woman shortly after my mother died; that marriage lasted for about 18 years — until he lost that woman to cancer as well.
Now, he’s on his third marriage…or should I say wedding ceremony?
I’ve always imagined that if something should happen to my husband or we …read more

Oprah, to me, has always been a light and an inspiration…but now she’s just off the charts, in my opinion.
Last night I watched her special on the opening of The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy For Girls.
Gosh, I’ve been following Oprah’s career and her interests since back in the Phil Donahue days of daytime tv.
She probably doesn’t know it but I was sending her books and press releases to her when I worked at Random House, and she worked at WLS TV in Chicago.
I had planned to watch Oprah’s special presentation of the opening of the school and the selection …read more