The Real Cougar Woman on Friday's Today Show

I'm very excited!  This Friday I have the opportunity to talk about Real Cougars on The Today Show.  I am going to tell the world how sensational all of us women over 40 really are.    

I will be on the program with Valerie Gibson who has been discussing cougars for a very long time. She has her views, I have mine. It should be a very lively discussion. Valerie says cougars cannot be married and they are looking to date but aren't interested in any attachments.  I say The Real Cougar Woman can be married or she can be single - it's more about her attitude than the ring on her finger. 

I have talked to many men and women who are in cougar relationships.  Do they have challenges?  Of course they do, but for the most part they are making it work. The most important thing about relationships of any kind is to know what you want.  Know what will make you happy, not buy into what you're told SHOULD make you happy.

Here's the thing about Real Cougars. We know relationships are just one slice out of a very complex pie.  When we hit our mid-forties we're hit by what I call a Tsunami of Change.  I call it a tsunami because it sneaks up on you.  You don't feel it coming but it can be life changing when it arrives. These waves of change affect everything about us - our health, beauty, relationships, finances and our spirit.  It takes tenacity, support and understanding to successfully navigate this transition in our lives. 

When we do start to see calm after the storm, we realize we are women who know what they want.  And even better, we know how to get it.  We realize how important it is indulge in the things that make us feel good. We realize that we deserve a top spot on our priority list. And, we are looking forward to what life has in store for us, because we know we can successfully handle anything that comes our way.

I was told this segment will air in the 8AM hour.

Cougars That Are Plus Size Having More Sex

Yes, it's true.  A new study shows that overweight women have more sex than skinny ones. In fact, 92 percent of overweight women have a thriving sex life compared to 87 percent of women who are considerably thinner.

The research is based on data gathered on more than 7,000 women. Experts say women who are feeling a decrease in desire should try more erotic methods of stimulation — like reading trashy romance novels for 20 minutes, three times a week.

"There is nothing sexy about housework or PTA meetings or grocery shopping. If that’s taking up all your thoughts, there is no room to think about sex, no matter what your shape or size," Susan Kellogg, director of sexual medicine at the Pelvic and Sexual Health Institute of Graduate Hospital in Philadelphia. "Weight becomes less of an issue when a woman simply feels better and feels sexy."

There's one thing we Real Cougars always have to remember.  Weight is more of an issue for us than for the men in our lives.  Men love a confident woman. They also love women with some flesh on their bones. So start appreciating your body and I guarantee both of you are going to be smiling a lot more.  

Testosterone Patches Jumpstart A Woman's Libido

Good news for cougars!  A new international study showed testosterone, when used with no other hormone therapy, is an effective treatment for low libido in postmenopausal women. More than 800 women from 65 centers in the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom and Sweden participated in the study, the first to show that testosterone administered by a skin patch can boost sex drive in postmenopausal women.

Previous studies have shown testosterone treatment for low libido is beneficial for women undergoing estrogen therapy. However, this study shows testosterone by itself could be a good alternative for women who do not want to take estrogen.

"What we have found is that treatment with a patch delivering 300 micrograms (ug) of testosterone each day results in meaningful improvement in sexual function in postmenopausal women with low libido who are using no other hormone therapy," said Susan Davis, Professor of Women's Health.

Ask you doctor if testosterone can help get your sex drive off the launching pad. 

Real Cougars Are Hot Under The Collar!

Here's what's bugging Beth our Real Cougar correspondent.

 

I sick and tired of staying quiet when I see over and over again how women over 40 are portrayed.  I'm mad and I'm not going to take it any more! 

 

I've been reading blogs posted in AskMen.com about cougar women.  The question being put to these guys was are cougars dateable?  I was appalled at the answers.

 

Per usual the underlying belief is that we are decrepit old women who aren't able to attract any male, so resort to hunting younger men for sex and acceptance.  This tired old rhetoric is the reason I’m so glad to be a Real Cougar Woman and part of this movement, trend, choice whatever you want to call it.

 

This website, OUR website, is all about change.  It empowers us to act on all the changes going on in our lives including the popular beliefs of who we REALLY are.  In my opinion, that’s one of the biggest challenges for all of us Real Cougar women…changing the misconceived notion of who we are and who we are not.

 

 First the “we are nots”: 

-We are NOT sex starved felines

-We are NOT decrepit

-We are NOT desperate

-We are NOT out preying on younger men

 

Now the “we ares”:

            -We ARE sexy, but we decide who, what, where, when And if

            -We ARE powerful, confident, fit and beautiful

            -We ARE in love with our lives  with or without men

            -We ARE being pursued by younger men

            -We ARE everything that many younger men are looking for

 

So ladies, I’m challenging each of you to take a stand today to change our image.  The first step is to acknowledge how fabulous you are - if you don't already.  The next step is to be.  Be confidence, grace and intelligence.  Be proud of the woman you have become.  Then finally share.  Share what you know with other women so they too can embrace their Real Cougar.

 

Let’s do what we do best, ladies….ROAR!

Sex and the City Sequel - Not a Done Deal Yet

Hold on Kim Cattrell!  The fate of another Sex and the City movie isn't sealed yet.  Those words coming from lead cougar Sarah Jessica Parker.  It looks like these ladies continue to have difficulty communicating off screen. 

This latest announcement came just one day after Cattrall seemed to hint that the follow-up film was a done deal.  Parker insists Kim's words were a bit premature.

"I'm thrilled to know Kim is excited but all the deals are not yet done," Parker said.

Let's rev up the excitement girls - we all know it's coming.

Botox Boob Jobs - Bad Idea

It's poisonous and yet it's heralded as a dermatologist's wonder-drug.  Botox is billed as the cure-all phenomenon and now it's being injected in women's breasts.

"Dermatologist to the Stars," Dr. Patricia Wexler, began offering Botox injections in the breast as a quick-fix for women who want to non-invasively give their breasts a temporary lift.  The procedure requires three injections on each breast and is performed with a needle. Wexler says the effect lasts anywhere between 10 and 12 weeks, though other doctors say it could keep the pec muscle at bay for up to six months. The procedure costs between $1,500 and $2,000 for both breasts."

As you might imagine plastic surgeons seem to wholeheartedly disagree with Wexler, who contends that the Botox boob job "doesn't have the same complications and downside from having a surgical breast lift."

In fact, it seems the idea of using Botox in the plastic surgery community for anything considered "off-label," or not approved by the Food & Drug Administration, is grossly unacceptable. Dr. Anthony Griffin, a prominent Beverly Hills board certified plastic surgeon – who works closely with Allergan, the company that manufactures Botox – fears this procedure could have more just a paralyzing effect on her patients' pecs.

"Here's the other thing we know about Botox: it can drift. It can drift around and very often in the face you end up paralyzing the muscles you don't want to paralyze. I just can't imagine somebody paralyzing my pec," he says."  

I'm in your camp doc.  Botox for breast enhancement - not a smart idea.

Real Cougar Woman "Special Event"

This is an hour you can't afford to miss. “How To Manifest What You Need During These Times of Change” is something we all need to hear in these chaotic days of massive change. On Wednesday, November 12 at 8PM EST, Mariana Cooper (Mari) will be imparting  some very valuable information to all of us.  She has been providing spiritual consultation and intuitive readings to hundreds of clients for over 20 years.   

Mari has targeted her information to meet the needs of The Real Cougar Woman.  All of us gals over 40 are experiencing what I call the “Tsunami of Change”.  And now with everything else going on in the world, those changes are hitting extra hard.  So many of us are living in a state of overwhelm.  We all need a lot of support and guidance to make it through and prosper.

So if you are:

·         feeling particularly stressed and a little powerless to fix the problems you are facing at this time

·         concerned about money and finances going forward

·         thinking about a new job, career or business direction

·         tired of the negative energy that seems to be everywhere

·         wondering if your relationship can sustain this added pressure

                         then you won’t want to miss this special event! 

Join  Mari Cooper and  I on Wednesday Night, November 12th at 8pm sharp eastern!

In This Real Cougar Teleseminar:

1. We will share an energetic "State of the Union" Address.  Find out what is going on energetically that is causing the turbulence.
2. We will reveal 3 of the key ways to change – and - how to pave the way to successfully manifest money, resources and answers now.
3. AND, we will lead you through a channelled Guided Meditation to help  you release fear, tension and bring in the light you need to move ahead powerfully with confidence, peace and positive expectations.

Registration is Required! To Register Now: Please click here.

Space is limited so make sure to register now!  If you are surrounded by others who are stressed out and feeling overwhelmed tell them to jump on the call too! This is one they won't want to miss! :-)

Real Sex For Real Women

Sex therapist Dr. Laura Berman was on Oprah today having a pretty frank discussion about real sex for real women.  She revealed that discussing sex therapy with Oprah made her realize that it can be a confusing topic for a lot of people. 

On the show today she discussed the three types of orgasms that women can experience. Yes, there are three - clitoral, vaginal and blended.  And it was a eye-opener to hear about the vast numbers of women who have not explored their own bodies and have yet to experience the pleasures of orgasm.

Dr. Berman also showed women a detailed treasure map leading to our G-Spots. The best part of the show was watching Oprah's facial expressions as all this was going on.

So, have you ever wondered if you need a sex therapist?  If you are rarely having sex with your partner or you no longer enjoy sex like you used to, then sex therapy can be a helpful way to rebuild intimacy. Of course, it depends on how good your therapist is in getting to the root of the problem.  There is a laundry list of reasons desire fades.  It could be the medications you are taking.  It could be a drop in your hormone levels.  Or it could be a breakdown of intimacy between you and your partner.  Whatever the reason, sex is too important to ignore.

Best Buy Wants You To Win a $1000 Gift Card

We all know that this year Christmas is going to be economically challenging for all of us. So, Best Buy is having a Black Friday contest.  You can win a $1,000 gift card, VIP treatment, and early entry into the participating store nearest to you on the morning after Thanksgiving! 

To enter the contest you just need to click here and “share how Black Friday shopping is an important holiday tradition for you and your family, and what kinds of rituals you have to make the morning after Thanksgiving an enjoyable kick off to the holiday season.”

Each Black Friday VIP will receive:

• A $1,000 Best Buy gift card

• VIP treatment at the designated Best Buy store closest to you, including:
  

  o A limo ride to and from Best Buy on the morning after Thanksgiving
  o On-site pampering and prizes for the winner and three guests
  o Early admittance into the store at 4:30 a.m. - a half hour before anyone else!
  o The ability to purchase up to four unique Black Friday doorbusters

And as a special bonus, a Pure Digital Flip Video Ultra Series Camcorder to document your Black Friday VIP experience. 

Good luck!

Courteney Cox In Cougar Town

Sounds like ABC is jumping onto the "Cougar" bandwagon with a new comedy called "Cougar Town," starring Courteney Cox. 

Next year there is going to be a onslaught of cougar reality shows coming our way.  And, in my opinion not one of them will do much to lift the image of The Real Cougar Woman.  Dating younger men is just one slice of a very large pie.  She is a complex and has a lot more on her mind than prowling in after hours haunts.

Why can't there be a reality show that deals with the Tsunami of Change that women over 40 are facing every day?  Remember when Edith Bunker on All In The Family started to feel the effects of menopause - now that's reality. Noticing our beautiful faces sprout lines, wrinkles and sags - now that's reality.  Wondering if you should leave your marriage of 30 years because your wants have changed - now that's reality.   Worried because you don't have enough money to get you through the next 20 years - that's reality too.

Why can't there be a Real Cougar reality show that deals with our real issues?

Real Cougar Power

Is it still a man’s world?  Does the old double standard still exist? See what the men and women in New York City have to say on the matter.  Here's the latest installment on Real Cougars from the folks over at SheZoom.com.  Do you think this video captures the progress women have made or is there a whole lot of work still to be done?

Infidelity On The Rise - Is This Something New?

Have you ever cheated on your significant other?   Even if you have it's hard to admit it to anyone right?   That's why it's almost impossible to get accurate data about just how many people are actually indulging in the pleasure of an afternoon delight.

A few studies do suggest that infidelity is on the rise, particularly among older men and young couples. Notably, women are closing the adultery gap: younger women appear to be cheating on their spouses nearly as often as men. I'm not going to bore with the numbers, but if you're interested you can read Tara Parker Pope's article in yesterday's New York Times.

The change in women's fidelity is creating the most buzz. It seems the men not only cheat, but brag about it.  But, the women tend to lie about it to everybody including themselves.  Men want to think women don’t cheat, and women want men to think they don’t cheat, and therefore the sexes have been playing games with each other for ever. 

The question that keeps cropping up in my mind is are we built to be monogamous?  And, is it so bad to indulge in a little extra curricular activity if we truly aren't hurting anyone in the process?   As always comments are welcome.

Snoring The Ultimate Sleep Killer

Is your partner's snoring driving you to distraction?  Do you lie in bed with the pillow over your head wondering how one human being can make such horrible noises?  Are you at end of your rope, exhausted and irritable?  Are you wondering what in the world you have to do to get a quiet night's sleep?  If you've answered yes to all those questions, let me be the first to welcome you as a honorary member of "The Non-Sleepers Club".

Before I continue, here's the very first thing you need to do.  Determine whether this is the ordinary garden variety type of snoring, or could it possibly be sleep apnea.  How do you do that?  It's easy to spot. People who suffer from sleep apnea snore snore very loudly, then stop breathing for 3 or 4 seconds.  It gets real quiet until they draw their next breath. Someone with sleep apnea usually wakes up feeling groggy and remains tired during the day. If you think there is a problem, go see your doctor.  There are remedies for this disorder, but it needs to be diagnosed before it leads to future health problems. To learn more click here.

Having said that, snoring is a bear, and you need your rest.  Ever consider separate bedrooms?  It could be the ideal solution.  More and more couples are doing it.  In fact, some of the newer homes are being built with two master suites. This arrangement is for sleeping only and it shouldn't interfere with your sex life.  In fact, if you're not so tired, it could even make it even better. Share the same bed for all the fun stuff,  but when it's time to call it a night one of you retires to their own room.  Sounds pretty good, doesn't it? I love win/win scenarios.

Real Cougar Tips For Dating Younger

These days you don't have to be a rich or beautiful to attract a younger man.  However, the perceived stigma about a younger man with an older woman hasn't completely disappeared. Unfortunately, we are still dealing with the antiquated double standard. 

According to AARP, 34 percent of all women over 40 dating younger men are enjoying the experience.  They find a younger man more appealing because he is less controlling, not so set in his ways, more fun loving and carrying around less baggage. Also, the chemistry is better and the balance of power is more equally distributed. A woman who has a career may find a younger man more supportive and understanding of her hectic schedule. 

Here are a few tips for navigating the older woman-younger man relationship.

• Decide what kind of relationship you want - commitment, friendship or sexual
• Forget about the stigma, your peers and societal pressures
• Enjoy the moment - take it one step at a time and enjoy
• If you're getting serious - delve into how you both feel about marriage, the baby issue and also talk about everything financial

Real Cougars Put Under The Microscope at SheZoom.Com

Last month I was contacted by SheZoom.com asking if I wanted to participate in a video they were producing on Cougar Women.  They assured me that their video would take the high road and show all of you fabulous females in a very positive light.  Now, after seeing the final product, I'm happy to say they succeeded.

SheZoom has put together a terrific three-part series called “The Cougar Craze”.  It showcases a discussion on societal factors that make cougars such a controversial topic.  You’ll hear about the challenges that both sexes face and you can decide if we've really overcome the "old double standard". Watch the first installment entitled “What’s in a Name” and see what you think?  

We keep hearing and seeing references to the ‘cougar’ trend throughout pop culture – in movies, on TV and in the gossip pages. Wake up – this is nothing new!” said Stacey Artandi, CEO of SheZoom.com. “We produced ‘The Cougar Craze’ to reveal people’s true thoughts about what the term means and why we even have one.

For those of you who may not be familiar with SheZoom it’s a  video website that targets women with a diverse range of programming.  It’s an upbeat and engaging community that encourages all of us to  laugh, learn, share and connect.

Tea Leoni Getting TLC From Billy Bob Thornton And.....

 Tea Leoni joins Sharon Stone and Jane Fonda on the November 2008 cover of MORE' Magazine's “Breaking the Age Barrier” issue.  As we all have heard by now, Tea announed the breakup of her marriage to David Duchovny last week. But, was the split because of his his sex addiction or could it have been her new friendship with Billy Bob Thornton? 

Billy Bob is denying he's to blame for the breakup and insists he and Tea are just pals.  She recently described him as "maybe my new favorite person in the world".

And, just today another rumor was circulating.  It turns out David may have been involved with something a lot hotter than his computer.  How about a relationship with his 28 year old Hungarian tennis coach?  Whatever it was, the bottom line is the same - another marriage down the drain.

Anyway, here's what Tea has to say about aging gracefully: “My mom bites life in the ass. Aging gracefully to me isn’t about accepting it or doing only a bit of Botox. I think it’s a spark – a way of being.”

Warren Buffet: Be Fearful When Others Are Greedy, And Be Greedy When Others Are Fearful

In an New York Times editorial on Friday, Warren Buffet tells us:  Buy American, I am.  Mr. Buffet was talking about his personal account which previously held only U.S. Government Bonds.  Now he is putting his money into American stocks.

Why is he doing it?  He lives by this rule:  Be fearful when others are greedy and be greedy when others are fearful.  "Fear is now so widespread, gripping even seasoned investors, but fears regarding the long-term prosperity of the nation's many sound company's make no sense", says this financial guru. 

He goes on to state "I can't predict the short-term movements of the stock market, but it is likely that the market will move higher, perhaps substantially and if you wait for the robins, spring will be over".

I have to listen when this man talks.  He believes cash equivalents aren't where our money should be.  Over the next decade equities will almost certainly outperform cash.  Those investors who are waiting for good news are ignoring Wayne Gretzky's advice:  "I skate to where the puck is going to be, not to where it has been".

To read Buffet's editorial in full click here.

Madonna Calls Ritchie Out - Is A-Rod Next At Bat?

Madonna's motto "the show must go one".  The same day she announced the end to her seven-and-a-half year marriage she performed her Sticky and Sweet Show in Boston.

The split could end up costing the superstar singer up to half her $520 million fortune.  Sources say the divorce was announced  because the couple couldn't bear to pretend they were happily married a minute longer. 

Reports of trouble in paradise started in July, when Alex Rodriguez 34, was paying Madonna 50, secret late-night visits at her Upper West Side apartment.  It was soon after that Cynthia A-Rod's wife, filed for divorce. She accused him of having an "affair of the heart" with Madonna, and sexual flings with other women.

Apparently "The Cougar and the Yankee"  have talked about taking their relationship to another level by going into business together.  They are both obsessed with fitness and were considering opening a chain of fitness clubs. 

And, I've heard there was no pre-nup.  What were they thinking?

The Real Cougar Woman And The Commitment Thing

Beth our "cougar corespondent" writes:

 

I know many of us Real Cougars have already done the commitment thing.  We got married, had a few kids and through all the joys and the heartaches discovered a whole lot about who we are. 

 

After my 18 year marriage ended, I knew that I never wanted to get married or have any more kids.  But, when I met a wonderful new guy I wondered if I was being fair to him.  Maybe we wanted more than I could offer him.  Not everyone wants what I want.  So, from the get go I was completely up front.

 

My guy knows marriage and kids are not for me and it seems to be okay with him because we've been together for two amazing years.  Now, don’t get me wrong, Ricky is 27  and if marriage and kids is what he wants that's what he should have.  I can't even imagine what life would be like without my wonderful son.  But, I didn’t make false promises to seal a relationship deal and never would. That feels good because it leaves me guilt free. 

 

Today, I must admit I have had a slight change of heart about never again getting married, but I’m being honest with him about that too.  I really like having him in my my life, he adds so much. We all need and want love.  I was lucky to have found a man who wanted the same things as I did.  And there are plenty of those guys out there.  I was just true to myself and found the man who fit me perfectly! 

White Teeth Instantly With Snap-On-Smile

White teeth are a must these days.  We have a laundry list of choices on how to get our pearly whites dazzling - the whitening strips, bleach trays, veneers and now there's something new - Snap-On-Smile.

Snap-On-Smile is a set of teeth designed to fit right over your own. Some of the Real Cougars using them say you can eat with them sleep with them, and they are easily removed when you want to brush.

Your smile is custom designed after an impression of your mouth is taken.  You get to choose the shape of the teeth and the perfect color for you. They cost between $1,500 and $3,000 depending if you want both the uppers and lowers.  

The company that came up with product say they should last anywhere from three to five years. To read more about them click here. 

Halle Berry - Sexiest Woman Alive

Esquire Magazine has voted Halle Berry the "Sexiest Women Alive".  Humbly, she accepted this honor saying, "I don't know exactly what it means but being 42 and having just had a baby, I think I'll take it,"

Berry went on to say, "sexy is not about wearing sexy clothes or shaking your booty until you damn near get hip dysplasia; it's about knowing that sexiness is a state of mind -- a comfortable state of being". 

Halle has dated Welsey Snipes, Christopher Williams and was married to baseball player David Justice and Eric Benet.  Now she is speaking candidly about her lovers and her orgasms. "There have been some men in my life who have been wickedly sexy and have taught me much about sexual pleasure. There are a few men I should thank, and others I need to forget.  But I don't regret. To hell with regret. I like what I am now. I like being a mother. I like my body better since I became a mother. I feel sexier as a result of becoming a mother."

Not bad for 42!  No wonder the younger guys are standing in line to meet "older women".

Jean Chatzky - She's Back to Basics In The Midst Of A Financial Meltdown

On Monday I attended the MORE Magazine Reinvention Convention.  They had a who's-who roster of speakers including Carly Fiorina, Cybill Shepherd, Dr. Nancy Snyderman, Isaac Mizzrahi and Jean Chatzsky - to name just a few. In my opinion, the thread that connected all the women who traveled from near and far to attend was confusion.  Changes in their bodies, their relationships and their careers are creating uncertainty - too much hitting all at once.  They want to see light at the end of the tunnel, but aren't sure how to make that happen.

As you would imagine the meltdown of our financial markets is adding an ton of anxiety about the future.  Women usually don't talk about the stock market and their investments, but on Monday they did.  The room was packed when Jean Chatzky took the floor.  All of us were looking for sage advice on what to do in this crisis, but what we got fell way short.  Maybe I am being harsh but what we heard was the same old vanilla rhetoric. Here's a few of Jean's steps for going forward, see what you think.

• Get organized - set up a filing system
• Pay bills as they come in and pay them online to save time
• Protect yourself with estate planning - living will, power of attorney etc.
• Educate yourself - Read the Personal Section of the Wall Street Journal twice a week
• Give Back - Be charitable even when your own assets have shrunk
• Don't be consumed by wanting more - be grateful for what you have
• Money doesn't buy happiness

My advice - don't panic and keep your money safe - cash is king for at least the next three months.  Right now the country is building a "bridge of confidence" and we have to see if that bridge holds the tremendous amount of weight being piled on it.  There will be many opportunities for all of us to make make what we've lost but let's see some signs of stabilization before we dive into the the markets - both stock and real estate.

Real Cougars - Taking On Too Much?

I want to share an email I received from one of my Real Cougars.  I think it's important for all of us to realize just how much responsibility is put on our shoulders - and, one of the big reasons it's happening.  Read this and see if you can relate.  We must learn to slow down or I fear there will be a very high price to pay!  I would love to hear your comments.

 

Men have lost their "balls" and some women have totally taken over the entire role in a relationship.  It is a totally gentle balance we must keep -- a very difficult balance to find and maintain.  In our defense, we have had to take over both roles because the men in our lives have failed to maintain their side of the relationship.  I will use my personal life as an example (sorry if this is too one-sided).  I returned home one day about 5 years ago to retrieve the mail before my husband.  I found all my utilities "pink slipped" or about to be turned off.  When questioned about it since the utilities were his responsibility to pay, he merely shrugged his shoulders and said "I guess I overspent."  He couldn't tell me where his money went (and he made at that time approximately half again as much as I was making) but he did not have enough to cover the bills.

 

 At that point I made the decision to work my independent business less and go to work for an additional attorney (I am a paralegal and community college adjunct professor).  I found myself working about 60 hours per week to make sure all of the bills got paid.  With this responsibility I also took over making decisions for the family, which I thought was only fair since I was the majority source of financial security.

 

If the "males" will re-assume their traditional role of being the bread winner, maybe we can concentrate on coupling being "sexy" with professional.  I love nothing more than to combine my professional look with a look that screams "woman," but when I had to assume all roles (wife/mother/financial provider) it is hard not to appear tough.  Unfortunately, with the assumption of the above, I allowed myself to neglect myself.  I am now on a regimen to renew myself -- I have lost 35 pounds in the last 10 months (along with my gallbladder) and am working with every fiber of my body to re-create myself as a woman (not an easy task at 56; however, I have not felt so good about myself in a long time).

 

Men need to "step up to the plate" and re-establish themselves so that we women can stop having to "strap on a set" and do what they are supposed to do.

 

Thanks for the opportunity to vent!

Melissa Etheridge - Real Cougar Launches Hard Rock's Pinktober

I am proud to say Real Cougar women come in so many different packages.  Melissa Etheridge 47, is planning to tie the knot with her longtime partner Tammy Lynn Michaels 33.  Melissa sure fits the definition of a Real Cougar.  She is strong, confident, smart and proud to be a woman over 40.  She's living her life to the fullest. 

Etheridge is mom to four kids, including a daughter who Tammy gave birth to in October 2006.

Melissa was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004 and now she is once again rocking for the cure.  She and the Hard Rock Cafe have teamed up for the Pinktober live music campaign for breast cancer awareness. Hard Rock Cafes and Hotels around the world are hosting Pinktober parties and live music events, raising awareness and money for local, national, and international charities, such as The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Real Cougar - you rock on!!!

Yummie Tummie - Get Rid Of Your Muffin Tops

Yummie Tummie was created by Heather Thomson, a fashion designer and celebrity stylist. When she  became frustrated with existing shapewear that compresses the  bust, doesn't stay in place, and are horribly uncomfortable – she came up with a solution to a universal problem.  No matter how young, fit and slender you are, a so-called “muffin top” or tummie bulge will rear its ugly head.

Think of Yummie Tummie as a tank top or T-shirt on steroids: that favorite, super-soft, lightweight cotton wardrobe staple you wear alone or under everything you own. From your bust up and your hip bones down, it is exactly that. The extra bonus comes from its same-tone, firm control midsection panel, which smoothes and shapes your tummie and hips, eliminating pounds off your appearance, and camouflaging any lumps and bumps.

Heather says it never rides up or rolls and that's because it's made with sleek yarns that do not cling, so you can wear it under anything. Yummie Tummie can be worn each and every day as a foundation, a layering piece, or even on its own.

Last but certainly not least it was one of Oprah's top picks this summer.  To see more click here.