AAA (In LA they are the Automobile Club of So. California). had a huge booth at the Women's Convention Village and while I would have walked by, they caught my attention by asking me did I know what discounts I could get by using my AAA card. I replied " travel related like hotels, airfare, cars,right? ". Their reply, "much more, let us show you." They handed me a booklet that was amazing!!
Did you know you could get discounts from these sorts of places?
Banana Republic Factory Store , Gap Factory Store Save 10% on all purchases, including sale merchandise

BarnesandNoble.com AAA.com/barnesandnoble

Cabazon, Camarillo, Carlsbad and The Citadel Outlets -- all in So. California (which means if there is an outlet mall near you, check to see if they are on the list. Every little bit helps shave the prices and give you more bang for your buck)

Dell Computers AAA.com/dell

Lamps Plus --online and by phone only. $30 off $200 or more

Lenscrafters Save 30% on complete pairs of eyewear or non-prescription sunwear and eyeglass accessories. Save 15% on lenses or frames purchased separately

Payless Shoes 10% savings on all regular price merchandise.

Shoes.com Save 20% on all purchases through their site.

Target.com Save 10 percent when you shop at AAA.com/target.

and here's one of the best ones: New York & Company apparel stores
Save 15% on in-store purchases on regular priced merchandise.

Now are your bargain-shopping skills a bit more in tune with the power of AAA card discounts? The key is to register online and then you can order online for a lot of merchants. Call for some and at other places like NY & Company, you walk in and whip out two cards: the plastic that you pay with and the AAA card to get that extra % off your purchase!

Stevie Wilson

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Dana and Melanie Harvey of the famous HARVEY BAGS have a design contest heading into the final lap for some talented designers who haven't broken through.

The semi-finalists were announced at a party at the Harvey store on Melrose -- and some incredible judges that included Linnea Olsen-Schwartz (Surface Magazine), Dana and Melanie Harvey, Tarina Tarantino, Jenni Lee (Antenna Magazine), Paul Frank, Zio Fulcher, Everette Perry, Shane Giel, Greg Craola, Sujean Rim.

Tarina Tarantino and Chris the Melrose store manager.

The ten finalists and their work can be seen on this page-- and you vote for your favorite bag!


Tote designed by NEKO

Be forewarned-- you can only vote one time. Choose wisely!!

Nancy Chiu and her tote design

Look at each design because they are incredibly creative and amazing. I am very impressed with the ambition and imagination of these designers. Voting ends on 11/30. Winner will be announced on 12/4!

Crosby Lusby's tote design!

Vote now!!

Stevie Wilson

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If you want to live a longer life, start with positive thinking. Learning how to be an optimist can make your heart and your mind healthier.

By Chris Iliades, MD Medically reviewed by Pat F. Bass III, MD, MPH

Need proof that optimism is healthy?

Photo courtesy of Redbook Magazine,

The evidence can be found in a couple of recent studies. One evaluated 309 people who were having heart surgery and found that people with a positive outlook were 50 percent less likely to return to the hospital in the six months following surgery. Another, from the Women's Health Initiative, followed 97,000 post-menopausal women for more than eight years and found that those who scored highest in optimism had a significantly lower chance of developing heart disease.

How Optimism Contributes to Good Health

Just as positive thinking and good emotional health contribute to wellness, negative thinking can have adverse effects on health, such as weakening your immune system and preventing you from doing the things you need to do to take good care of yourself.

Eva Ritvo, MD, vice chair of the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in Florida and co-author of The Beauty Prescription, says that positive thinking improves your mental health and reduces stress. "When you are optimistic, people are attracted to you. This leads to healthier relationships, more success, and decreased emotional stress. And of course, we know that emotional stress can lead to physical illness," says Dr. Ritvo.

"Positive thinking reduces inflammation, which is a byproduct of stress. It is important to reduce inflammation because it stands at the root cause of disease and plays havoc with your thinking," adds Debbie Mandel, MA, author of Addicted to Stress and a nationally recognized stress management expert.

Positive Thinking: Tips for Maintaining Optimism
"To maintain positive thinking you need to pay attention to basic needs such as getting enough rest, proper nutrition, exercise, stress reduction, and heath care. It means keeping your life in balance," advises Ritvo. Here are some tips for keeping a positive outlook:

Let it out. Keeping feelings of sadness, anger, or guilt bottled up inside is unhealthy and can undermine positive thinking. Talk to a friend or loved one. Get your feelings out in the open where you can deal with them.
Replace negative thinking with positive thinking. "People who are optimistic are able to reframe negatives into positives. Practicing this kind of positive spin will eventually make it automatic. Since there are no absolute truths, consider your life story. Do you want it to be a positive one or a tragic one?" asks Mandel.

Learn to deal with stress. Some stress is inevitable. Learn to handle it in a positive way. "Exercise sheds stress, releases endorphins, helps you focus, creates personal empowerment, and boosts the immune system," advises Mandel. Having a good social support system, accepting change, and keeping life in perspective are other ways people can deal with stress and maintain positive thinking.

Be a survivor. Life is both magic and tragic. We all have to face loss, failure, and disappointment sometimes. People who are optimistic find a way to recover. They develop resilience. "Life is a series of recoveries. When you understand this premise, you believe that you will get through your obstacles and emerge stronger with experience and empowerment to navigate the next challenge," says Mandel.
Create time for fun. Positive thinking and joy go together. "Instead of an endless to-do list, pursue a creative hobby to fill any loss or grief you are experiencing. Activate your sense of fun. Laughter is your inner treadmill and it breaks negativity instantly," urges Mandel.

Take good care of yourself. People who are optimistic don't neglect their physical health. "Take responsibility for your health care. Find a good health care provider that you see regularly, trust, and can work with. Keep up with the latest health information and make sure you are current on your preventive screenings and vaccinations," advises Ritvo.

Positive thinking and optimism really do contribute to a longer, healthier life. Avoid the false sense of optimism offered by drugs and alcohol. These solutions to stress only cause more problems in the long run. A recently released study followed over 6,000 students who attended the University of North Carolina in the 1960s. Of the 476 students who died during the next 40 years, those students who scored lowest in optimism had a 42 percent higher rate of death than those who were the most optimistic.

Positive thinking provides its own rewards, so take responsibility for your thoughts. As the great William Shakespeare once wrote, "There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so."

I did a bit of my own research on this topic-- having just read about it last week and coincidentally today when I wrote this post.

Harvard Medical School Health Publications

www.youmeworks.com

UK Guardian/Science

About.com: Stress Management

There's a lot more information and studies out there, but think about how much you have rather than what you don't to adjust your stress level. Deep breathing, taking breaks that involve exercise (walking, going up and down stairs) is better for you than drinking or eating a lot of junk.

It's a way to get you healthy before the holiday and through these days with less stress.

Stevie Wilson

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The "Live on Letterman" series returns with seven-time GRAMMY winner artist John Mayer. The "Live on Letterman" webcast concert, presented exclusively by American Express from the Ed Sullivan Theater on Thursday, Nov. 19, follows the taping of Mayer's appearance on the LATE SHOW with DAVID LETTERMAN.

During the concert, Mayer will be performing songs from his fourth studio album, Battle Studies, which dropped yesterday, Tuesday, Nov. 17, as well as some of his most well-known hits.

Mayer's LATE SHOW appearance will be broadcast that same night, Thursday, Nov. 19 (11:35 PM-12:37 AM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. In addition to his performance on the Thursday broadcast, Mayer will perform with Paul Shaffer and the CBS Orchestra throughout the show.

Stevie Wilson

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The Love Lovely Smoothing Shampoo feels good and lathers well. Doesn't take a lot so don't over-do it!

The Love Lovely Smoothing Conditioner is truly "love at first application". It really smoothes out your hair and it feels so good going on. The trick on this one is to use a little at first and work from ends to root-- because your hair is most porous and damaged at the ends

The Davines Momo Moisturizing Anti-Frizz Protective Fluid, with Grapefruit Seed Extract is amazing and my hair looked better today because of it. Do follow directions -- which makes it work better. I didn't get it at first when I first used this. Now that I am following the instructions exactly, I have softer looser curls with seriously less frizz. Hair is softer looser and smoother to the touch.

There are many great products within Davines collection- particularly the yogurt based collection and their skincare is to die for I hear. (I don't know, because I haven't tried it but I do know some who swear by it)

You can find these online on follica.com and other sites. or reach out to davines.com

Stevie Wilson

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This was a really great event that was geared more towards consumers than dealers and guests were able to check out the Buick LaCrosse

Podcast about the Buick LaCrosse

as well as the 4-wheel drive Enclave which both cars were getting lots of attention from guests.

While waiting for the "special" moment, guests were treated to fabulous fare courtesy of Wolfgang Puck. The invite had said appetizers or snacks.. but this was a full buffet of appetizers and main course options and a killer dessert buffet that left me reeling with chocolate frenzy. The bar featured some of the best brands including my fave Cruzan Rum which I had a really great Mojito (ps. look for a post about Cruzan Rum)

2011 Buick Regal Revealed..

This sleek almost sexy car drew lots of oohs and ahs when it was finally unveiled.

After the Regal, guests were treated to some great music courtesy of Colbie Caillet, a great singer and she had the audience-- particularly the guys enthralled. She was in a smokin' haute dress (I have been looking for one like that)

Colbie Caillet

One of the songs Colbie did. Sorry the photography isn't the best but given the lighting situation, this was the best I could do. There was no way I could get to center stage.. but then you see all the cute guys in the band!!

Paine PR Team who invited me and lots of others to the event.

Podcast 2: guests at the event

Stevie Wilson

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Twilight: New Moon's MICHAEL WELCH shows off his musical savvy in this new viral video, talking about the current music scene; the direction of today's music industry; and his current favorite bands--including New Zealand natives "LIKE A STORM"! Check out the accomplished actor and drummer's take on music in this original, grassroots footage

I find his commentary interesting. I too find a real change coming in the music industry and the entire music scene. (look for an upcoming series of CD reviews featuring new releases and new artists that go beyond what I have typically covered) . There's an evolution coming that's going to be really interesting that will use the bands like Pearl Jam as references and inspiration and then building off that.

Stevie Wilson

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From the blog, Living in a Pefect World

Embracing Mortality

A fleeting glimpse of fading beauty holds timelessly within my field of vision. My heart leaps and flutters upon witnessing perfection-- even if it is only just this moment. Yet-- even with this vigorous reflex of my heart and mind-- I know the truth all too well. Such a thing is not meant to last.

In the beginning, we are all so new, so fresh and full of life, but somewhere along the way, time makes its' claim and takes its' toll and our youth slips away without warning. We turn to look behind and we find that all of a sudden the years which remain ahead are numbered shorter than those that came before today.

Our lives are not the same, not for the fact of time's toll taken on the body, but because we ourselves have changed. Life has shifted its' focus away from its' outside appearances and the ever-changing looking-glass of mind has turned inward. For what reason I don't know-- maybe the mind finds the fleeting beauty of the world less appealing. Or maybe it senses each breath running shorter,each year propelling one toward the grave. Wisdom must bleed trhough if only to right the wrongs that foolish youth has created.

None of us can escape this fate. We are born, we suffer and in the end find death's sweet embrace standing firmly up on the threshold between this world and the next. We have no choice when it comes to change. In a world where almost nothing is for certain it is the one thing that is inevitable.

No, we can't control when, where or even how we die --apart from suicide- but we can choose to cross that bridge with a balanced mind. We can lay down our anger, desire and fear. In doing so we are not just beings of truth and purity, , we are truth and light for so many others that will soon make the same journey. Such is the way of all things. Embrace your mortality. Embrace your life.

Jeheshua.

Thank you to livinginaperfectworld.com and Jeheshua for the commentary.

Stevie Wilson

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Kathryn Joosten is currently starring as Mrs. McClusky on the popular, award winning series Desperate Housewives. In 2005 and 2008, Kathryn won an Emmy for her portrayal of the crotchety, gossipy neighbor on the hit ABC comedy. Kathryn was also nominated for a SAG Award for Desperate Housewives in 2007, 2008 and 2009. In 2005 Kathryn won a Camie Award (Character and Morality in Entertainment Awards) for her work in the Lifetime Movie, Secret Santa. Kathryn also won an Theatre Los Angeles Ovation Award for her work in the play, "Ladies of the Corridor" in 2000.

Prior to joining the Desperate Housewives cast, she was probably best known as Mrs. Landingham, secretary to the President of the United States, (Martin Sheen), on the critically acclaimed and Emmy award winning NBC drama, The West Wing. She has also recurred on "Dharma and Greg", and guest-starred on many hit television series such as My Name Is Earl, Becker, Arli$$, Ally McBeal, Providence, Scrubs, and over twenty other prime time shows. Her credits are impressive for any actor, let alone as part of a career that only began at age 42.

I ran into Kathy Joosten at the Buick Regal Launch event and we got to talking about her personal battle with lung cancer and then the conversation took a different sort of turn as we discussed the situation with research on treatments, causes and prevention of lung cancer. Kathy told me of an 8 year old child who had lung cancer-- she certainly didn't smoke, nor did a 21 year old woman who has been diagnosed with the cancer as well.

Here's a podcast of the conversation with Kathy Joosten

What's really sad is that while there is so much more push for breast cancer, AIDS/HIV, and other cancers, why nothing has been done about lung cancer which has more cancer deaths than all other cancers combined-- according to what Kathy told me and these statistics are verified by the National Lung Cancer Partnership.

Approximately 219,000 people are diagnosed with lung cancer in the U.S. each year - over 103,000 women and nearly 116,000 men.1

Lung cancer kills more than 160,000 people annually - more people than breast, colon and prostate cancers combined.1

Lung cancer is responsible for more than 28% of all cancer-related deaths every year.1

Smoking is the primary cause of lung cancer. Approximately 87 percent of lung cancer cases occur in people who are currently smoking or have previously smoked.2

Although the risk of developing lung cancer goes down with smoking cessation, a significant risk remains for 20 years or longer after quitting.2, 3

Approximately 50 percent of all lung cancers (106,500) occur in people who have already quit smoking.4

Radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer, and the leading cause of lung cancer among never-smokers.5

More people who have never smoked die from lung cancer than do people from AIDS or liver cancer or ovarian cancer.6, 7

Risk factors for lung cancer other than those from smoking include lung scarring from tuberculosis, and occupational or environmental exposures to radon, second-hand smoke, radiation, asbestos, air pollution, arsenic and some organic chemicals.1

Only 16 percent of lung cancer patients are diagnosed before their disease has spread to other parts of their bodies, (e.g., regional lymph nodes and beyond), compared to more than 50 percent of breast cancer patients, and 90 percent of prostate cancer patients.1, 8

Men's mortality (death) rates from lung cancer began declining more than 20 years ago, while women's lung cancer mortality rates have been rising for decades and just recently began to stabilize.9

African Americans experience the highest incidence of lung cancer, and the highest death rate.10

Roughly 84 percent of people diagnosed with lung cancer die within five years of their diagnosis, compared to 11 percent of breast cancer and less than 1 percent of prostate cancer patients.1

Less money is spent on lung cancer research than on research on other cancers. In 2007, the National Cancer Institute estimated it spent only it spent only $1,415 per lung cancer death compared to $13,991 per breast cancer death, $10,945 per prostate cancer death, and $4,952 per colorectal cancer.1, 11

Kathy's request and on behalf of all those with lung cancer and their loved ones, please contact your congressperson and senators and ask them to move this out of committee and on through Congress so that it hits the president's desk as law or funding .

Stevie Wilson

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The Character Arcade Game of the week -- Alpha Fusion. It's a unique game with serious presentation. Challenge yourself and your friends to online games.

Play it and maybe you will win an iPod Touch, PSP Go or Wii bundle. When did games give back? Starting with USA Network they do.

The cool thing about CharacterArcade.com is that there are 50 games you can play for free. plus forums to interact with others and get tips on how to beat the games.

Start playing and start winning...... and maybe you might play against me in one of those games!

Stevie Wilson

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