http://www.mjspeaks.com Telling you what I think. . . . Sun, 11 May 2008 03:41:07 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en As a lover of wine, I excited to get a review copy of Red, White, and Drunk all Over, a wine-soaked journey from Grape to Glass. I can tell, after only fifty pages, that author Natalie McLean is someone that I'd like to spend some time with! ... http://www.mjspeaks.com/pour-yourself-a-glass-of-wine-pick-up-a-good-book/ I have a special event coming up, one that I'm really not sure what would be appropriate attire.  It's a tea.  A proper afternoon tea for a very special event. Pants are out.  No matter how attractive or flattering, a tea is one of those events that calls ... http://www.mjspeaks.com/diane-von-furstenbergs-wrap-dresses/ As a fan of airline memorabilia, I liked these magnets from the former Pan Am Airlines.  I believe this was the emblem from the "original" Pam Am, rather than one of its later reincarnations. I found them at the Museum of Flight gift shop in Seattle, as well ... http://www.mjspeaks.com/pan-am-magnet-recall-a-grander-time-of-passenger-travel/   A chance encounter with a great smelling guy has me totally loving this scent from Versace.  It claims to be a fresh interpretation of the original Versace Man fragrance. The overall scent is smooth fruits spiced with green leaves and warm notes of musk, amber, and ... http://www.mjspeaks.com/get-a-whiff-of-this-versace-man-eau-fraiche/ While I was on vacation, all the others were reading John Grisham's new book, The Appeal.  Now it's my turn. I've a Grisham fan, although some of his recent books have not held the same appeal for me as his earlier ones.  I'm hoping this one will break ... http://www.mjspeaks.com/im-reading-the-appeal/ I'm back from a couple weeks vacationing in Italy! I spent a couple days in Rome, which was NOT enough time to see everything that I wanted to see.  Nonetheless, I managed to see the Vatican, the Coliseum, Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, view a few other ... http://www.mjspeaks.com/a-vacation-in-italy/ I love popcorn, chips, Frito's, crunchy Cheetos, and all sorts of salty, unhealthy snacks.  I know that they aren't good for me (duh!), but the healthier alternatives just taste like cardboard.  Or worse! I was reading an article about a healthy "new" snack that has me willing to try again. Pop Chips ... http://www.mjspeaks.com/salty-snacking/ Elie Tahari is one of my favorite designers.  There are a couple reasons for that:  his clothing fits my body well, his styles fit my lifestyle, and -- this is really important -- the fashion fits my budget. As I was browsing for summer clothes idea, I came ... http://www.mjspeaks.com/elie-tahari-eyelet-dress-would-make-great-beachwear/ "Wherever my travels my lead, paradise is where I am."  (Voltaire) http://www.mjspeaks.com/voltaire-must-have-been-a-traveler/   Isn't it fun to shop when you feel like your efforts are going to a good cause? That's how I feel about Spoon Fed Art, the creative outlet for Los Angeles designer Karin Collins.  As part of her treatment for an eating disorder, she began making one-of-a-kind ... http://www.mjspeaks.com/shopping-at-spoon-fed-art-will-make-you-feel-good/