Love Denim!

I love denim. I have quite a few pairs of jeans by Diane Gilman, my favorite designer who knows how to dress women's bodies. And I also have a number (not saying what number) of denim jackets in a variety of colors and designs – my favorite being the traditional indigo.

One thing I've learned by watching "What Not to Wear" is that I don't want to be too matchy-matchy, so I rarely wear denim sets. Instead, I pair the jackets with other items in my closet. You can update almost any classic piece by wearing it with denim.

Photo courtesy of Ageluk1222/Morguefile.com

Denim jacket with a skirt – Denim is no longer reserved for casual days, so you can wear a denim jacket in the place of a blazer.

Jean jacket over a short dress – Have your denim ready to slip over your shoulders for cold days at the office.

Jean jacket over your maxi dress – Be on trend by pairing denim with your ankle skimming maxi dress.

Denim over a formal gown – Give your special night out an edgy look by adding a youthful jean jacket. Dark wash is best for formal occasions.

Denim with any pants – You can wear any shade of denim with whatever pants you own. Today's trend is very flexible, so your jacket can be longer than your shirt or cropped to show the cuteness of a tunic underneath.

Staying Fit

As someone who always worked out, I know the value of staying fit. It's not always easy, but being active is essential to live a long, healthy life. Writing is such a sedentary profession, so I have to plan my fitness everyday. Fortunately I don't have to nag my husband to get out of his chair because he's rarely in it. After he retired from being a financial advisor, he became a certified personal fitness trainer, and he also works as a golf coach for the First Tee program.

You don't have to pay an expensive membership fee at a gym, although if that's what it takes to get you active, by all means go for it. However, if you don't want to spend the money, there are things you can do that cost little or nothing.

Here are some ideas:

• Go for long walks and enjoy the sounds and smells of nature.
• Pick up a fitness DVD by your favorite exercise expert and set aside the time each day to work out in front of your TV.
• Jump on a rebounder (mini trampoline) while you watch the shows you recorded the night before. You'll feel like a kid again.
• Go to the mall before the stores open and walk back and forth until you reach your daily distance goal.
• Download your favorite upbeat music and dance around your house.

Brokenhearted

My heart aches. Earlier this month I learned that one of my closest friends and former next door neighbors tragically lost her oldest son, a young man who was passionate about life. He was one of those guys who seemed older than his years when he was a teenager and more youthful as he aged. He laughed easily and made everyone around him feel comfortable. The phrase "He never met a stranger" was written for people like him.

As tempting as it is to ramble on and on about my feelings, that's not what I think is appropriate right now. All I want to do now is remind you to hug those you love and don't forget to tell them how much you appreciate them. Cherish the time you have together.