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Chick Lit Author: Cara Lockwood
Chick Lit Authors

Chick Lit Author: Cara Lockwood

Cara Lockwood has had many successes as a writer, though it took the Mesquite, Texas native some time to get there. Lockwood attended Pennsylvania University, majoring in English. During her college career she worked on the school newspaper, and after graduating worked as a newspaper reporter for the next four years. According to Lockwood, her overly excitable editor combined with the insane hours and less than stellar pay had her searching for a new career move, and she chose marketing next. The marketing firm was more laid back than the newspaper, and during her free time Lockwood began writing fiction, which turned into her hit novel I Do (But I Don’t).
Cara Lockwood has the following chick lit novels published: I Do (But I Don’t), I Did (But I Wouldn’t Now), Pink Slip Party, and Dixieland Sushi. I Do (But I Don’t) was made into a Lifetime movie, starring Denise Richards and Dean Cain.

November 15, 2009
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DJ AM’s Estate Suing Charter Company
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DJ AM’s Estate Suing Charter Company

The estate of Adam Goldstein (aka DJ AM) has filed an unexpected wrongful death suit. Goldstein was found dead in his New York City apartment on August 28, 2009 at age 36. Toxicology reports found that the DJ was killed by a toxic overdose of prescription drugs and cocaine. So who is the estate suing? The charter company that was responsible for a deadly plane crash in September 2008, where Goldstein and musician Travis Barker were the only two survivors.
According to documents shown by TMZ, the statement reads, “The crash ultimately caused Adam Goldstein’s death.” Friends say that before this horrific plane crash (responsible for four other deaths) Goldstein was clean and sober for 10 years from the drug addiction he had been battling from his early 20’s.
Usmagazine reports that the lawsuit shows that Goldstein was “forced” to abuse prescription drugs to deal with the painful burns and emotional trauma from the accident. The new lawsuit names Clay Lacy Aviation as well as travel service Goodyear Tire, Learjet and the estates of the two pilots who perished in the crash.

November 14, 2009
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Stress Reducers
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Stress Reducers

Shape Magazine released a list of 20 simple stress reducers that I think everyone should take a look at. I started using multiple suggestions throughout the day, and saw of these very simple things could make my day go better. Here are my top 5 favorites:
1. Prep for tomorrow. Nothing is worse than being unorganized, especially in the morning rushing around trying to make it to work on time. Before I go to bed, I make sure I have prepared my lunch for tomorrow and have everything in the containers ready to grab on my way out. I also always lay my clothes out for the morning. Days that I forget, I find myself wasting precious meetings staring inside my closet trying to figure out what matches with my sleepy brain trying to function.
2. Arm Yourself with Snacks. This is always a must for me. I have snacks with me no matter what I’m doing: working, going to a friends house, even going out. I hate being hungry! Shape.com reports that more women often binge eat on ‘bad’ foods because they have tried to deprive themselves from. Forcing yourself not to eat a little bit of chocolate can actually do worse for you, causing to eat worse and too much later on. Carry a few small snacks with you, one of my favorites is string cheese or baked chips, and munch away when you feel hungry.
3. Wash your hands. When you are feeling stressed, research has shown your immune system is also depressed, making you more susceptible to viruses. Hand washing is the best way to keep away the germs, as well as using hand sanitizers and other germ killers.
4. Exercise. I think this is my number one go to move when I am feeling stressed. I especially love doing yoga because it is a great relaxer but at the same time I can feel myself getting a workout. Shape.com reports that research has shown people that spent 30 or more minutes on a treadmill had lower anxiety levels.
5. Once a Day, Get Away. If your having a hectic day (or even if your not!) it can always be refreshing to slip away and be able to relax. I work five days a week at a hospital, and have moments where I know I need to get away from desk. Just 10 minutes of being by myself, and doing something calming such as reading a book or listening to my iPod can really refresh me.

Head to Shape.com for all the other great stress relieving tricks!
Direct link: http://www.shape.com/health/stress_and_relaxation/20_simple_stress_reducers/p/page/7

November 14, 2009
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Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber in Extortion Plot
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Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber in Extortion Plot

Cindy Crawford and husband Rande Gerber have falling victims to an extortion plot. This situation centers on the couples’ 8 year old daughter, Kaia, and a photo taken of the girl when she was seven. The photo shows Kaia “bound to a chair and gagged” in revealing clothing. TMZ reports that this was apparently a part of a “cops and robbers game” that the nanny would play with the children. (Crawford and Gerber state they have had no idea about this “game.”) The photo was then stolen from a former nanny by an acquaintance named Edis Kayalar. Kayalar threatened to sell the photo unless he received money. A rep for the couple released this statement to Usmagazine:
“A criminal complaint was filed today in federal court in Los Angeles by the U.S. Attorney’s office and the FBI stating that Rande Gerber and Cindy Crawford have been the victims of an on-going extortion scheme. This crime has been committed by Edis Kayalar, an acquaintance of a former nanny employed by the family. Mr. Kayalar threatened to sell an image taken of the couple’s then-seven-year-old daughter. There was no previous awareness by Mr. Gerber and Ms. Crawford of the existence of the photograph when they were contacted by Mr. Kayalar. The photo was taken by the former nanny as part of a purported game without the knowledge of the parents. The couple reported the extortion threat to the police and the FBI began a criminal investigation in the matter. Rande Gerber and Cindy Crawford intend to pursue any and all available legal action against anyone who aids the perpetrator in the distribution or sale of the photograph of their daughter.”

November 13, 2009
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Chick Lit Author: Alisa Kwitney
Chick Lit Authors

Chick Lit Author: Alisa Kwitney

Alisa Kwitney was destined to be a writer. She is the daughter of science fiction writer Robert Scheckley and journalist Ziva Kwitney. Kwitney attended Wesleyan University and found a mentor is sci-fi/fantasy author Kit Reed. After graduating, she left Manhattan for Miami, working as a newspaper reporter. She returned to New York later to attend Columbia’s MFA program in fiction. After the program ended, Kwitney applied for an assistant editor position at Silhouette and DC Comics, where she began working for Karen Berger. She went on to become a full editor at Vertigo, a mature/dark fantasy imprint of the DC Comics. Seven years later, she left to begin writing full time.

Alisa Kwitney writes many different genres, including chick lit, comics, young adult, science fiction and fantasy-paranormal. She publishes science fiction and fantasy-paranormal books under the name Alisa Sheckley. Other genres are published under Alisa Kwitney. Her published chick lit novels are: The Dominant Blonde, Does She or Doesn’t She, On the Couch,, and Sex as a Second Language.

Alisa Kwitney currently lives in the Hudson River Valley with her husband, son and daughter.

Official Website: http://www.alisakwitney.com/

November 13, 2009
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Belly Dancing as a Workout
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Belly Dancing as a Workout

I recently stumbled across a new workout routine that makes me work, makes me sweat, but overall I actually enjoy. It was none other than belly dancing! I rented a DV D from my library, called Belly Dancing and Beautiful Abs. I thought this could be a unique way to get a workout in, and I sure was right. The particular DVD I did had three segments to it, all incorporating traditional belly dancing moves, along with cardio and yoga. The dancing was a bit difficult at first, because I was not used to moving my body that way, but I eventually got the hang of it and had a great time moving like a real (albeit beginner) belly dancer. Many of the moves concentrated on the core, but there was also a lot of cardio, with the jumping and shaking. My legs were burning afterwards, my stomach felt sore, even my arms were tingling. I never felt too challenged, like I couldn’t complete the moves, but was challenged enough that I was sweating and red in the face when I completed the 42 minute DVD. I recommend belly dancing for anyone who is looking for new and different ways to get a total body workout.

November 13, 2009
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Julianne Hough and Chuck Wicks Together….At CMA’s
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Julianne Hough and Chuck Wicks Together….At CMA’s

Many eyes were following country singers Julianne Hough and Chuck Wicks at last nights CMA Awards. Just the day before, the two were confirmed to be taking a mutual break from the 2 year relationship. Wicks was working as a correspondent for ET, and said, “Julianne is actually my date tonight, so it’s all good man. We’re going to have a good time and we will address [the breakup] together, but right now we’re going to have a lot of fun.” People.com reports that it didn’t look like Wicks was having the best of time. Onlookers reported seeing the singer with “his head down, shoulders slumped” and not “cracking a smile.”

November 12, 2009
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Swift Sweeps
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Swift Sweeps

Well Taylor Swift sure had a good night. The 19 year old country singer swept at the CMA’s ousting co-host Carrie Underwood for Female Vocalist of the Year and shocking all the boys, beating out big names such as Brad Paisley, George Straight, Kenny Chesney, and Keith Urban for Entertainer of the Year, the highest award. Swift immediately started crying once her name was called for Entertainer of the Year, and called her band to come onstage with her during her acceptance speech. “I will never forget this moment because in this moment everything I have ever wanted has just happened to me,” she said, not able to wipe the shell shocked expression of her face.
CMA 2009 Winners:
Entertainer of the Year: Taylor Swift
Male Vocalist of the Year: Brad Paisley
Single of the Year: “I Run to You,” Lady Antebellum
Album of the Year: Fearless, Taylor Swift
Female Vocalist of the Year: Taylor Swift
Song of the Year: “In Color,” Jamey Johnson (w/ cowriters Lee Thomas Miller and James Otto)
Music Video of the Year: “Love Story,” Taylor Swift
Best New Artist of the Year: Darius Rucker
Musician of the Year: Mac McAnally
Event of the Year: “Start a Band,” Brad Paisley and Keith Urban
Vocal Group of the Year: Lady Antebellum
Vocal Duo of the Year: Sugarland

November 12, 2009
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Lindsay Lohan’s Collection Bashed
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Lindsay Lohan’s Collection Bashed

Emanuel Ungaro, founder of the fashion house bearing his name, is bashing Lindsay Lohan and her failed clothing collection. According to the Agence French Passe, the 76 year old Ungaro told told an audience at the Estoril film festival in Lisbon, Portugal on Monday that Lohan’s collection “was a disaster.” The 23 year old Lohan was tapped as Artistic Advisor to the house in September and presented co-designed collection with Estrella Archs, house designer, less than a month later. People.com reports that Ungaro is “furious but there isn’t a thing I can do. I have absolutely no link with that house.”

November 12, 2009
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