By Audrey van Petegem, Senior Editor
Tuesday was election day here in the United States (in case you missed that…) and here in California, Prop 19 and its effect on the state’s economy has grabbed lots of attention. California voters have already passed a law allowing the use of marijuana for medical purposes and Prop 19 was going a step further in legalizing marijuana for recreational use (only in California, right!).
Although it was not passed, it brought a lot of heated debate about the hemp industry also. There is much confusion between hemp and marijuana because both are cannabis plants, but [...]

You’ve probably heard of Tosca Reno. She is the author of the Eat Clean Diet. And she is the woman who, at age 40, decided to transform herself from an overweight housewife and mother of three into a swimsuit model. Which she still is at the age of 50! She is showing us that indeed, Fifty is the new Thirty.
I was sent her latest book, Your Best Body Now, by her publicist and was eager to share it with you. Tosca is a true inspiration.
If you are a late bloomer to the fitness world and/or, like many women, have put [...]

You’ll Laugh. You’ll Cry. You’ll think about it. And you will want to show your daughters.
The word pretty is unworthy of everything you will be, and no child of mine will be contained in five letters. You will be pretty intelligent, pretty creative, pretty amazing, but you will never be merely “pretty.” Katie Makkai
Powerful stuff this poetry.

Like most of us, I really, really do make an effort to act green… as long as it doesn’t add yet another complication to my already endless To-Do list. I know, that’s almost lame, but it’s my reality. Still, in my defense, know that I’m a recycling tyrant.
So, when an item like the Green2 Laundry Washing Ball comes along, I can’t help but embrace it and spread the word. The Laundry Washing Ball is an earth friendly product that replaces the need for bleaches, harmful synthetic detergents or softeners.
I found out about this item on Alice.com (you know, my second [...]

By Audrey van Petegem, Senior Editor
We have written, thus far, on our suggestions for perfect and soooooooo easy Thanksgiving Appetizer, Soup and Salad recipes. You might want try these ahead of time to test them. We’re pretty sure that once you see how incredibly easy they are, a whole wave of relief will wash over you. Yes, you can have an EASY, fail-proof and incredibly delicious Thanksgiving feast.
Now we have come to the piece de resistance, the bird itself. It is the most intimidating part of the menu but have no fear, the bird is just big,a bit unwieldy but [...]

By Audrey van Petegem, Senior Editor
When I mentioned in an article a few months ago that I was a part of a Cooking Club, I was surprised of the interest and the questions that this generated. What exactly is a Cooking Club? I have to give all the credit to our friends, Charlotte and John, who have a love of great food and a passion for cooking. They got the idea from Bon Appetit magazine.
We choose to keep our club simple because we all have children under the age of ten. We have five couples in our Cooking Club – [...]

As first published and written for the Alice.com Community Blog. Purely editorial, non-solicited and non–paid. Because I love Alice.

It’s been almost two months now since our son has left the nest for his freshman year in college. We are slowly getting over the shock. He is happy and having the time of his life, taking it all in. I’m not sure how much he thinks of us, but I think of him multiple times a day: How was his chemistry test, might he need more laundry detergent and darn it, why isn’t he here to take out the trash!
I didn’t [...]

I am still in my honeymoon phase with fall. The weather is getting colder but it’s not unbearable by any means – yet. It merely nudges me towards cozier, cushier fashion accessories. Like these wraps and shawls that caught my attention recently…

I’m not sure if I would prefer to wear this sculptural Rose Scarf with a coat or with an evening gown. It would probably work well with both… Jenne Giles uses the most ancient of fabric techniques to craft her sumptuous Rose Scarves from Merino wool, Tussah silk, and silk chiffon. Here are more pieces from the artist. Vavavoom [...]

It’s getting cold out there. Time to heat things up.
Sexy Slang (I love this brand) has come up with yet another way to get couples to cozy up. While they started with with the Sexy Slang board game mentioned here and then the dart game (here), it’s the latest addition to the collection that is getting my attention of late: their book, Sexy Slang Bedroom Challenges, 69 Ways to Spice Up Your Sex Life. It’s part game, part sex education and part therapy and all feel good.
Sexy Slang’s Bedroom Challenges brings some excitement back into the bedroom. Their motto: “We’re [...]

By Audrey van Petegem, Senior Editor
We are already on the third article in the seven part series on easy and succulent Thanksgiving recipes (see the appetizer recipe here and the soup recipe here).  Are there really just four weeks left until Thanksgiving?
This Crab and Grapefruit Salad looks so elegant and is, yet again, sooooo easy to prepare. Grapefruit is a great palate cleanser and is just what you need to get mouths watering  before the main attraction. When crabmeat is added to the grapefruit, you have the perfect second course to your Thanksgiving spread.
CRAB and GRAPEFRUIT SALAD (for 4)

1 can [...]