Thanksgiving idea: Place cards

Over the years, my kids have used the traditional method for making place cards: computer + printer. But how fun are these fall fruit place card holders? They're easy to make and will undoubtedly ensure the perfect seat assignments.

On a separate (but also holiday-related) note, I recently discovered Doozy Cards, a small, family owned and operated animation studio and ecard company. A father and daughter team founded Doozy Cards with the intention of uplifting each person who views their cards. They've been creating original ecards since 2003, including popular funny Thanksgiving ecards, and have a huge selection of charming and humorous musical greeting cards for practically every holiday or special occasion.

Healthy snack.

Did you know LUNA Protein Bars are gluten free? (I didn't.) The bars come in five flavors (we sampled Chocolate Peanut Butter and Cookie Dough), and they have a whopping 12 grams of protein, are high in calcium and folic acid and less than 200 calories!

Guest Post: Big City Dating

Living as a single in a large city can be a lonely existence for someone who doesn't have a family or community support system. Many singles don't find it easy to meet other people in a big city, whether they're interested in friendship or dating. In addition, singles looking for a committed relationship may be reticent about expressing that sentiment. Yet if they can't make it clear that they're looking for a serious partner, they may attract people who don't share their goals.

Some singles appreciate their friends who try to "set them up" while others are offended, but in the best of circumstances, friends have their own lives and can quickly become weary of trying to find dates for their single friends. Singles can also weary of hearing their married friends tell them that they're being "too picky" or "not doing enough" to meet a partner.

Internet dating can also be frustrating. Dating sites are not always secure. Some online dating sites may include profiles of people who live across the country or even outside of the country. Profiles are often misleading, either intentionally or unintentionally so if a single wants to identify a person that will be a good match, the online profiles can create more problems than solutions.

The final option, meeting people at events, bars or parties often feels awkward and superficial. Singles often say that they feel pressured to make a connection at venues where the lights are low, the music is loud and the conversation feels shallow and phony.

The bright lights and excitement that big city living offers can bring new opportunities for singles of all ages but for those who are looking for a meaningful relationship, living in a large city can bring a certain level of loneliness that's not always easy to overcome.

Sarah is a professional matchmaker at Table for Six, a unique dating service based in Los Angeles. Table for Six has years of experience matching like-minded single professionals together. A policy of caring about their members above all, has produced many happy Table for Six reviews.

(Photo from Awesome People Hanging Out Together)

Guest Blogger: Laurie R. on the New Lowell Milken UCLA Law School

LA residents appreciate that our UCLA Law School, one of the nation's top law schools, continues to function as a leader in enhancing the ethics and values of law. This connection was recently augmented by a $10 million gift from Lowell Milken, an advocate of educational reform and a 1973 alumnus of the school.

Milken's gift created the Lowell Milken Institute for Business Law and Policy which will develop innovative approaches to law and business. It is anticipated that the Institute will develop new strategies to improve law students' transactional and problem solving skills through hands-on training through its research into successful law and business models.

Milken sees this gift as one which will attract and retain top Law School faculty as it supports centers and institutes which inform law and public policy. An additional component of the gift provides the UCLA Law School with the capability to offer increased financial aid to students who demonstrate leadership potential in the fields of business law and policy. The Law School anticipates that the enhanced training in real-world transactional skills and the expanded curriculum will be of use to the broader legal and business communities in addition to the UCLS Law School students.

The UCLA Law School's reputation as a leader in business law along with its long tradition of interdisciplinary collaborations convinced Milken to open his Institute at UCLA. UCLA Chancellor Gene Block noted that "Through groundbreaking research, as well as symposia and conferences, the Lowell Milken Institute will facilitate the kind of sustained dialogue with policymakers and practitioners that is UCLA's hallmark as a public university."

The UCLA Law School sees this kind of private philanthropy as vital to allowing the school to attain its vision and values and serve the LA community.

(Photo here)

Forever 21 Fashion Finds for the Fortysomethings

Some of our favorite fashion bloggers are featured on F21's website with their fall picks. This of course inspired me to select a few pieces of my own for the fortysomething crowd.

French Terry Dolman Shrug $17.80
Shelly Tall Boots $34.80
Pull On Skinny Denim $22.80
Sheer Jeweled Top $28
Wool Blend Sweater Cardigan with Belt $22.80
Multi-Size Chain Necklace $7.80
Quilted Leatherette Wallet $12.80
Knee Length Skirt $15.80
Belted Leatherette Jacket $42.80

Martyn Lawrence-Bullard receives interior design award, and Absolutely Not Martha goes to the ceremony.

One of the perks of blogging and living in Los Angeles is having the opportunity to go to various parties and events. Last Monday night I was invited to a star-studded awards gala (at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood) honoring Martyn Lawrence-Bullard, the recipient of the prestigious 2010 Andrew Martin International Interior Designer of the Year Award.

A little background on Martyn: He was named one of the world’s top 100 interior designers by Architectural Digest and will be featured on Bravo’s new program, “Million Dollar Decorator”, set to debut at the end of 2010. His client list includes Cher, Elton John, Christina Aguilera, Eva Mendes, Ellen Pompeo, Kid Rock, Sharon and Ozzie Osbourne and Tamara Mellon, founder and President of Jimmy Choo. Very impressive.

I love his work on Ellen Pompeo's classic 1920s Spanish-style home in the Hollywood Hills...
Back to the gala. Wolfgang Puck catered the affair, and I definitely enjoyed my share of miniature grilled cheese sandwiches, thin pizza mini slices, chocolate-covered Ho Hos and teeny tiny (maybe 2 inches tall) vanilla ice cream cones.

While the majority of the previously mentioned celebrities were not in attendance, with the exception of Sharon (and Kelly) Osbourne and Ellen Pompeo, I did see Shannen Doherty, Lance Bass, Cheryl Tiegs, Taylor Dane and Camille Grammer (The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills). The evening's highlights for me: telling Shannen that while we were dating, my husband and I never missed an episode of Beverly Hills, 90210; chatting with Camille and letting her know I can help with any real estate needs (I just passed the California real estate salesperson exam!); and watching Taylor Dane perform "Prove Your Love". Photos of celebrities at the red carpet event are here if you'd like to see.

(Camille, call me.)

(Photos via Elle Decor and Google Images)

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(Image created by JKLDesign)