Chick Lit Plus

Celebrity gossip, articles on fashion, health, fitness, and beauty.

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Nicole Kidman, Keith Urban, Welcome Baby Girl

Well this is shocking! Just one day after attending the Golden Globe’s, the Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman announced they have welcomed a new baby girl! No, Nicole was not hiding the most magnificent baby bump of all time, Faith Margaret Kidman Urban, was born via a surrogate on December 28th. Usmagazine.com reported the news, and said that daughter is Urban and Kidman’s biological daughter. The couple, who have been married since 2006 and have two year old daughter Sunday Rose, said in a statement, “Our family is truly blessed, and just so thankful, to have been given the gift of baby Faith Margaret. No words can adequately convey the incredible gratitude that we feel for everyone who was so supportive throughout this process, in particular our gestational carrier.”

Why Are We So Fat?

A headline from Yahoo! Heath caught my attention: “Why are American’s so fat?” Well, why are we? According to this article, written by David Zinczenko, it’s because we are consuming far more calories than we need. And I agree with that. Each time I open my Shape or Women’s Health magazine, I am learning about consuming too many calories and how to cut them down. I even started using a calorie counting website to help me figure out what exactly I was putting in my body.
According Zinczenko’s research, the food we eat is often filled with extra calories, especially in mass produced foods. Sure, that can help make the food taste better, but it’s only bad news for your pant size- and your health. Zinczenko helps uncover which foods contain more calories than necessary, and where to find healthier options of the same food.
One example is a new favorite food of mine. I recently tried guacamole and fell in love at first bite. I thought the guac was healthy for me (it comes from avocados after all) but that’s not always the case. The truth about premade guacamole dip is that it often times lacks a punch of real avocados. When you see the word “dip” after guacamole, you can assume that is contains less than 2 percent avocado, and is instead filled with chemicals and fillers. So where can you find real guacamole dip? Zinczenko suggests Wholly Guacamole to buy in stores, or making it yourself. Avocados are filled with fiber and mono-saturated fats (good for your heart) and can be easily made from home. Scoop out the flesh of two avocados, combine with two cloves of minced garlic, a bit of minced onion, the juice of one lemon, chopped cilantro, one medium chopped tomato, and a pinch of salt.
Be sure to check out the full article filled with more foods that could be upping your calorie intake!
Source: David Zinczenko, Yahoo! Heatth

Mari Winsor Pilates for Pink DVD

I was looking to add a new Pilates DVD to my workout collection, and I have found the best results with Shape DVD’s. I found the Mari Winsor Pilates for Pink DVD, which included a pink exercise band and donated $1 from my purchase to breast cancer research. There are three separate sections, and you have the option to do them separately, or all together for a fifty minute workout. There are sections on upper body, lower body, and abs. I thought the workouts were okay. They were less challenging then other Mari Winsor workouts I have tried, and I got a little bored through some of the sections. They feature basically all of the regular Pilates stretches, but they were more difficult with the added resistance of the band. I think having the band included makes the DVD worth it, and if you are a beginner to Pilates, I would suggest picking this one up.

My Favorite Product for Frizzy Hair

I have struggled with frizzy hair for most of my adult life (the constant hair dye and highlights might have something to do with that) and I am always searching for the best frizz-free products. I have bought countless shampoos, conditioners, hair sprays, gels, waxes, creams, you name, I have probably bought it. But nothing seems to really help. I was always embarrassed to leave my hair down because of all the frizz, so I would constantly wear ponytails and buns. I decided the more expensive route would be the one take, the expensive products would have to work, right?
I bought the shampoo and conditioner set from Tresemme, under their Smooth and Silky line. I didn’t even use half the bottle of conditioner before I had to throw it away. It was awful! It was impossible to work the conditioner through my hair, so I kept using more and more of the product, which in turn made my hair look and feel greasy. When I would try to comb out my hair after a shower, I kept running into knots, making me pull my hair out in the process. And my hair did not look any sleeker or smoother after use. It almost looked to have more frizz! This conditioner was definitely not the answer, and I was disappointed that I had wasted my money.
Enter Herbal Essences. I love their commercials, but never tried out any of their products. They have catchy packaging and were less expensive than the Tresemme, so I decided to give them a try. And I found a winner! Not only did the conditioner go on easy in the shower, it smelled great and I could comb through my hair without any problems. But the big test- the frizz. My hair is virtually frizz free. I can’t believe it! I have been able to wear my hair down since I started using Herbal Essences and I am so happy. The product I use is None of Your Frizzness, and it is completely worth it. If you have frizzy hair, I would suggest giving Herbal Essences a try.

Kate Hudson Pregnant with Rocker Boyfriend

Alright Hollywood, you are officially out of control. Who else joined in with the baby party this week and announced they were pregnant? If you guessed Kate Hudson, you were right! Sources confirmed with People.com that the actress is expecting with boyfriend Matthew Bellamy. The couple has been dating for about nine months, and he is the frontman for the rock band Muse. Hudson, 31, also has a seven year old son, Ryder, with ex-husband Chris Robinson.

Debut Authors & Novels- January, February

Here are some debut authors and their novels coming out in January and February. Chick Lit Plus challengers- I hope this helps find some debuts for you to count towards the reading challenge! More debuts will be posted each month.

Title: A Valentine’s Kiss
Author: Lucie Hart
Synopsis: This Valentine’s day Imogen is going to meet the man of her dreams. If only she can discover who he is…At a gloriously over-the-top house party in the balmy South of France, British trainee chef Imogen finds herself playing blind man’s buff with a host of impossibly handsome men. And then one of them kisses her. It’s the most perfect kiss she’s ever experienced in her short – and frankly, to date romantically disappointing – life. Sweet, sexy and full of promise. Imogen wants more, but by the time she recovers her wits sufficiently to remove her blindfold her mystery kisser has disappeared. Could her Prince Charming be one of her fellow-chefs, Dimitri or Bastien? Both are clearly interested in her. But there’s also enigmatic Latino hunk Enzo, good-times-guy DJ Cheyenne, aristocratic Amaury, and the American visitors – Archer and Everett…So many men, so little time. And Imogen can’t just keep kissing men until she finds the right one…can she?
Release Date: January 20, 2011

Title: Playdate
Author: Thelma Adams
Synopsis: Inside their picture-perfect homes, the residents of this quiet California suburb are not at all what they seem.
Lance is a former weatherman, now a buff yogi, stay-athome dad, and manager of his daughter’s Girl Scout troop’s cookie distribution. Belle is his precocious and quick-witted daughter. Darlene is a classic Type A work-a-holic, she has little time or patience for the needs of her husband and daughter
And just down the street are Alec and Wren. Alec, a womanizing businessman, is also the financial backer—and sometimes more—behind Darlene’s burgeoning empire. Meanwhile, Wren is a doting mother and talented yogi, ready to lay down the mat for a quick session with Lance.
As looming Santa Ana winds threaten to turn brushfires into catastrophe; Playdate proves that relationships are complicated and the bonds between families, spouses and children are never quite what they seem. What happens next door, beyond the hedges, in the romper room and executive office—it’s all as combustible as a quick brushfire on a windy day.
Release Date: January 18. 2011

Title: Postcards from the Heart
Author: Ella Griffin
Synopsis: Life is looking up for Saffy. She has a great job, a gorgeous flat in the most desirable part of Dublin and – after six years – it looks like her boyfriend, Greg, is going to propose. Greg (just voted the 9th most eligible man in Ireland) is on a high too – he’s about to swap his part as a heartthrob in an Irish soap for a break in Hollywood. His best mate Brian wakes up every morning with Daryl, the most beautiful woman on the planet but, even after seven years and two kids, she won’t get married. He spends his days teaching teenagers and his nights writing the book he hopes will change everything, including Daryl’s mind. But their happy endings are playing hard to get. It seems everyone’s keeping secrets – one night stands, heartbreak, grief and loss are all in the mix. It’s going to take some tough questions and even tougher answers before anyone’s being honest – even with themselves. POSTCARDS FROM THE HEART is a book about four friends in their thirties. It’s about love, lust, life, death, balloon rides and missing hamsters. But most of all it’s about figuring out how to stop saying ‘I don’t’ and how to start saying ‘I do’.
Release Date: January 2011

Title: 666 Park Avenue
Author: Gabriella Price
Synopsis: Ever since fabulously wealthy Malcolm Doran walked into her life and swept her off her feet fledgling architect Jane Boyle2 s world has become an absolute fairy tale. When he proposes with a stunning 5-carat diamond to seal the deal Jane can2 t believe her incredible fortune and decides to leave her Paris-based job and make a new start with Malcolm in New York. But when Malcolm introduces Jane to the esteemed Doran clan one of the most feared and revered families of the New York City upper crust Jane2 s fairy tale takes a darker turn. Soon everything she thought she knew about the world and herself is upended and Jane is left to struggle with newfound magical abilities and the threat of those who will stop at nothing to get them. Bringing together the dual fascinations of high society and black magic 666 Park Avenue is a story of a young woman2 s discovery and survival when her mother-in-law to-be turns out to be a horrible grasping witch…literally.
Release Date: February 1, 2011

Jewel, Ty Murray Expecting

What is with the baby news coming from Hollywood this week! On the heels of Natalie Portman, Victoria Beckham, and Owen Wilson, Jewell and husband Ty Murray have announced they are expecting. People.com released the news from the singer, 36, saying she is in her second trimester. This will be the first child for the couple, who married in 2008.

Owen Wilson to be a Dad

Well who saw this coming? Owen Wilson is going to be a dad! The actor’s rep confirmed the baby news to People.com, saying, “Owen Wilson and Jade Duell are happy to be expecting a baby.” Wilson, 42, has been dating Duell for more than a year. This will be the first child for the actor. No due date was given.

Health Tests Women Need

I read an article from Fitness Magazine that was titled “Eight Medical Tests Every Woman Needs,” and knew I needed to pass the information along. Not only is it important for women to know what tests they need, but they should know how often they need it and why. The writer, Donna Fennessy, did a great job at breaking down the eight different tests. Here are three that she touched on, and be sure to read the entire article yourself.
TEST: Pap Smear
WHO TO SEE: Gynecologist
WHY: Collecting cells from the cervix during a pelvic exam is the best way to tell if your cervix is healthy — cell changes can lead to cervical cancer.
HOW OFTEN: Starting at age 21, most women need to be screened every other year or less, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Once you turn 30 — and you’ve had three consecutive negative tests and no abnormal history — you can get it done once every three years.

TEST: Skin Cancer Screening
WHO TO SEE: Dermatologist
WHY: She can ID weirdly shaped moles or other growths that might be cancerous or precancerous.
HOW OFTEN: Get new or changed growths assessed ASAP. If you’re a current or recovering tanning-bed or sun lover, are fair or dotted with moles or freckles or have a family history of skin cancer, see the derm twice a year. If not, go annually.
FAST FACT: Derms are better at diagnosing melanomas than primary-care docs, finds a recent study. The result of better screening? Higher survival rates.

TEST: Cholesterol Panel
WHO TO SEE: Your GP
WHY: High cholesterol means higher risk for heart disease. You want total cholesterol under 200 mg/dL; LDL (bad cholesterol) under 100 mg/dL; HDL (good stuff) 60 mg/dL or more; and triglycerides under 150 mg/dL.
HOW OFTEN: At least once every five years, starting at age 20.