Beauty and Makeup Trends Fall 2009

Beauty and Makeup Trends Fall 2009. From new york fashion week we've seen plenty of beauty trends for fall 2009 and these are the top looks to follow. Some trends to keep in mind gray was seen on the nails, lids, and even on the lips. While ponytails and buns are a top hair choice.

Dark Lips
Gray Smokey Eyes
80's Hairstyles
Big Ponytails
80's Makeup

Some Looks from the Runway

Emma Roberts for Neutrogena

Emma Roberts for Neutrogena. Emma Roberts is the new face of Neutrogena. Neutrogena is known for using teen actresses for their ad campaigns and commercials from Jennifer Love Hewitt to Vanessa Hudgens. We've seen Emma Roberts in movies such as Blow and her hit tv show Unfabulous which I must admit I use to watch. Her latest project Hotel For Dogs is in theaters now.

Without Reservations: The Travels of an Independent Woman

A book review by Lorna Harris

Without Reservations: The Travels of an Independent Woman by Alice Steinbach

I think I’m the sort of person to take myself off to Paris on my own, stay in a hotel and explore. I think. I’m not sure though. Maybe I’d think about it too much, worry about safety and loneliness and not take the adventure.

Alice Steinbach abandons her life as a journalist to spend several months journeying through Europe on her own. I thought Without Reservations: The Travels of an Independent Woman would offer practical advice and tips mixed in with her adventures but it reads far more as a romantic view of the trip. It’s an emotional adventure for Alice. As she tours art galleries, gardens and museums, she reflects upon her divorce, the death of her parents, her children and her work as a journalist.

The author starts her trip in Paris and part of me wished that she’d just stayed in one city, really got to know it and become one of the locals. She’s not a tourist, not a local but somewhere in between. Getting to know the local cafes and shops but not quite a part of it.

In one chapter of the book, Alice meets a big group of Americans traveling together. Which is my idea of hell. We’ve tried weekends away with groups of friends. I always struggle with the dynamics of all the different personalities wanting to do different things. I would much rather explore a city with one other person or on my own. This book really made me think about that. Although being surrounded with a great deal of people sounds great fun, in reality, for me, it’s not enjoyable for long periods of time.

But I’m not very good at being alone either. I loved Alice’s description of London on a Sunday and how lonely it is. I’ve lived in London and felt that. It’s a strange feeling to be in a city jam packed full of people, not know a soul and feel the loneliness deep inside you.

If you’re debating such an adventure, this book is your treat. It’s not for practical advice. Read this is to inspire you and take it along with you on your trip. It may even encourage you to write down your experiences or just be able to relate and understand your feelings.

I truly admired Alice’s ability to make friends and acquaintances wherever she landed. Many of her adventures stemmed from starting in conversation in a café and then developing a friendship. I’m terrible at that. I assume people aren’t interested in meeting me. Alice boldly strikes up conversations and is then invited to various outings and restaurants, a character trait I truly admire and wish I had. It’s so much more fascinating to explore a city with the people who live there rather than following a guidebook. Perhaps that’s my next adventurous move, reaching out to strangers and making friends. Then I can head off to Paris.

Adventure Films Wanted

From Women's Adventure magazine:

Women's Adventure Seeking Films

Know any climbing film buffs? Daring directors? Mountaineering producers? Environmental stars? Women’s Adventure is seeking films about women, for women, or by women to highlight on our media page and for consideration for the “Women’s Award” at the 2009 Adventure Film Festival in Boulder, CO. The Adventure Film Festival is the International arena for the best and most inspiring films of the year. The films encompass all aspects of adventure, from serious exploration to environmental heroism and gripping tales from the edges of the believable. Please visit www.adventurefilm.org for more information on the festival. To read all the particulars and submit your film, visit our website here.

Follow the Baffin Babes: 80 Days in the Arctic Circle

Vera Simonsson, Emma Simonsson, Ingebjoerg Tollefsen and Kristin Folsland Olsen -- four women calling themselves the Baffin Babes -- are setting out this week on an 80-day ski trek around Baffin Island in the Canadian Arctic. Covering 1200km, and visiting only three towns, the women are prepared to face the elements, and the occasional polar bear while enjoying the Arctic wilderness. Why? According to their web site, it's because of, "their great love of nature and the feeling of freedom from living such a nomadic life out in the snow. It's pure, its simple, and its satisfying!"

You can check out the Baffin Babe's site and track their progress here. You can sign their guest book and leave a message here or contact the Babes directly here.

Good luck ladies, we'll be watching!

Trend Alert Long Layered Necklaces

Trend Alert Long Layered Necklaces. Long layered necklaces were seen all over the New York fashion week runways as well as on celebrities. The Oscars also showcased many huge neck candy elements which leaves us to believe only one thing necklaces long and layered are making a huge fashion statement these days.

Anne's Training Journal: Week 5

Anne lives in Missoula, Montana, and is training for the Grizzly Triathlon in April. Believing that she is not the typical triathlete, (age 49 and not a regular competitor) Anne feels that if she can pull this off, anybody can. This is her training journal:

This has been a tough week. Last weekend we did our time trials, which left me very tired. So I took Monday and Tuesday off. I had a compressed week since I was leaving home on Friday to travel to a conference. Despite the time constraints, I was committed to getting some exercise. I biked on Thursday night between 9 and 10 pm on the trainer in my family room while I watched ER. After that I finished packing. While I was in Denver for my conference, I used the workout room at the hotel. It was a nice facility.
I skipped the social hour to get in a work out.

I am getting into the habit of working out again, but it's still not easy. There are a lot of days and nights that I would rather just go home and read a book or watch TV. I do take one day a week off completely.

This week I'm skiing in Colorado. I don't expect to get too much running, biking or swimming in. I haven't been downhill skiing in years, and I'm hoping that it all comes back to me. I grew up in Colorado so I skied quite a bit when I was younger, but I haven't done it in many years. My
newly developed leg muscles should help a lot.