Paint It Black.

Janet Fitch's novel White Oleander was moving and disturbing, her follow-up novel Paint It Black promises not to disappoint.

Josie Tyrell, art model, teen runaway, and denizen of LA's 1980 punk rock scene, finds a chance at real love with art student Michael Faraday. A Harvard dropout and son of a renowned pianist, Michael introduces her to his spiritual quest and a world of sophistication she had never dreamed existed. But when she receives a call from the Los Angeles County Coroner, asking her to identify her lover's dead body, her bright dreams all turn to black. "What happens to a dream when the dreamer is gone?" is the central question of Paint it Black, the story of the aftermath of Michael's death, and Josie's struggle to hold onto the true world he shared with her. As Josie searches for the key to understanding his death, she finds herself both repelled and attracted to Michael's pianist mother, Meredith, who holds Josie responsible for her son's torment. Soon, the two women find themselves drawn into a twisted relationship reflecting equal parts distrust and blind need. Passionate, wounded, fiercely alive, Josie Tyrell walks the brink of her own destruction as she fights to discover the meaning of Michael's death. With the luxurious prose and emotional intensity that are her hallmarks, Janet Fitch has written a spellbinding new novel about love, betrayal, and the possibility of transcendence.

Yet another book I need to read!

For my fellow magazine whores...

Hearst is having a blow-out sale on magazine subscriptions-- I got Marie Claire for 50 cents an issue and Redbook (which I have to say is much cooler than I previously thought-- check out Alicia Silverstone on the cover of the current issue), too!



You can get the cheap-o mags here, but hurryj-- only two days left!

Marcia Cross' favorite necklace

Lately Marcia Cross has stepped out wearing a DelicateRaymond.com necklace, the gold franc charm one.





Marcia Cross also wore the gold necklace on Good Morning America and Regis and Kelly on September 25. She loves it!

All of Delicate Raymond's pieces (as the name implies) are delicate and charming. She uses the cutest charms, like teddy bears and even ice cream cones. The pieces are elegant and not overpowering like some accessories can be. You can layer and layer them and still not look overdone. Love it!

DelicateRaymond.com has a lot of celebrity fans...everyone from Lauren Conrad, Gabrielle Union, Lorraine Bracco, Navi Rawat, Kat Dennings, even Ace Young! Congrats DelicateRaymond.com!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Pound Cake

1 c. butter
3 c. sugar
5 lg. eggs
3 c. all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. cloves
2 c. canned or cooked pumpkin
1/6 c. rum
1/6 c. apple cider
1 bag dark chocolate chips or chunks

Beat butter at medium speed of mixer about 2 minutes or until creamy. Gradually add sugar, beating 5 to 7 minutes. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating only until yellow disappears.

Combine pumpkin, cider, and rum in a bowl.

Combine flour, salt, spices, and soda in a bow.

Add flour mixture to creamed butter mixture alternating with pumpkin mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Mix at lowest speed just until blended after each addition.

Fold in chocolate chips.

Pour batter into a greased and floured 10-inch tube pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour and 25 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack 10 minutes then remove from pan.

Glaze it with a confectioners sugar/apple cider thin royal icing, and then drizzle over top with melted dark chocolate.

Chocolate chips can be omitted, or replaced by dried fruits, nuts, or other add-ins.

$4 Cocktails? 135 Bars? So there.

For my NYC friends...I'll be there with you in spirit!



When: Today thru Fri, Sept. 29th * 5pm-9pm
Where: 135 Bars Throughout Manhattan
Host: Shecky's
What: Toast to New York Week 2006 - STARTS TODAY!
Enjoy $4 drink specials at 135 hot bars and clubs all week long (Mon-Fri, 5pm-9pm) during Shecky's third-annual Toast to New York Week 2006. Plus, enter to win a Shecky's 2007 Bar Guide or 10 happy hours for you and your friends in celebration of our 10th anniversary!

RSVP here!

Ooh la la...a few beauty treats

A few recent beauty finds...



Ooh La Lift by Benefit is a godsend. Ever since I started my own business I find myself wide awake at 3 a.m. Then I crash and struggle to get up at a decent hour in the morning. Lather, rinse, repeat. So this $20 miracle product does damage control-- allnighter what? I tested it out at Sephora and could feel my eye area firming up, tightening...bye bye marshmallow undereyes!

The Biggy Smacker by Bonne Bell. OMG, I didn't know they still made these! It's like a gigantic LipSmacker! I got the Kool-Aid Strawberry one at Rite Aid this weekend. I'm a balm/gloss addict, and I love having this huge .60 oz tube handy.

A variety of other flavors can be found here.



I've been addicted to my Sephora Bananas Foster hair & body wash. It's so gentle, smells DELISH, and leaves my hair soft and shiny. I'm kicking myself for not picking up more bottles when it was on sale at my local Sephora for $5. Now it's nowhere to be found!



I think I'll try the chocolate raspberry one, though, and triple layer cake. Hmmmm!

Edit: Just ordered them at Sephora.com!

Cupcakes from tonight

Decorated by me :)

Running off to the circus

Check out Fashion Circus in Pasadena, I'll be there helping out my friend My Little Pretty there tomorrow!

Fashion Circus: "Celebrating life, the human body and the human spirit in the pursuit of self expression."

Fashion Circus is the medium to connect daring artist, entrepreneurs and designers with their audience. Los Angeles has become the hot bed for innovation, new ideas, and latest trends. The new retail experience, "one day its here the next day you might never see it again." Lifestyle show showcasing not only the clothes & the art but the people behind it. Get the inside story of how companies started, meet the people behind the brand.

Beautiful yoga

I just ordered this two DVD set, Yoga for Beauty with Rainbeau Mars. Has anyone tried it? It seems pretty neat, there is a DVD for the morning to "awaken and energize" (oh do I need that) and one for night that helps you unwind.

And Rainbeau...Love the name! :)

Fall is in the air

It's that time again-- the Pumpkin Spice Frappuccinos & Lattes are back at Starbucks, the air is becoming crisper, you're starting to crave apple crisp and go on a hayride. Fall!

This also means...Halloween recipes!



I spied the latest issue of Country Living today at Barnes & Noble and couldn't resist. I love Halloween! All of the spooky music, trick or treating, decorations...Love.

Check out these pumpkin recipes from Country Living. Pumpkin Cream Cheese Frosting?! I'm so there!



I also found a brand new mag on the stands, MissBehave magazine. I liked what I saw-- a lot of good content, sassy writers, a definite Brooklyn/hip vibe. Be sure to check it out!