Brookey's Cafe Blog

Hola mi gente!

First let me apologize to Liz (and all of you) for not posting her video blog yesterday. I was giddy from the Eagles win, so I was focused on posting a pic of my gorgeous nephew in his Eagles jersey :-) And my blog yesterday was so long that I just wanted to finish it and I neglected to add Liz's update. So with that said, let's check in with her!



Yay Liz!

Now, I remember on Liz's first video blog, she said she wanted to get healthy for herself and that her boo loved her just the way she was. I think it's great to have a support system of loved ones who walk your journey with you, but would love you no matter what journey you took. That got me to thinking about all the beautiful, voluptuous, sexy, full figured women out there who snag awesome men.

Last night, I went to the launch party of our new series "Manhunters: Fugitive Task Force." And when I say "our" I mean A&E Television Networks. The new series premieres tonight on A&E at 10P (yes, a shameless plug but this show has given me MANY a damn headache, so I would appreciate it if you all could set your dvr to watch it, thanks!) The show is about US Marshals hunting fugitives. If you're into crime shows, you'll like this one (Annamaria), so tune in and let me know what you think!

We invited the US Marshals from NYC, Newark, NJ and Connecticut last night to screen a couple of episodes. Can I just say, there was something that made me a little tingly about being surrounded by a couple hundred men packin' heat. All I could think of was "I wonder how many guns are in this room?" Sexy ass menzes all ready to blast a fool at a moment's notice...woo-wee!!! Loved it!

But what I also noticed was that some of them brought their wives/girlfriends. Not a lot, but a few...so I got to enjoy the view without worrying about some chick catching me checking out her man :-) And most of the women they were with were thick, lovely, stacked, brick-house women. There were a few Barbie Dolls in the room - but for the most part, these were grown-ass, curvy, vivacious women.

That made these men even sexier to me. They were hugged up and proud to be with these women. These men were the epitome of fitness and they were with women that, even though they may tip the scales a little heavier, you knew the Marshals could pick their behinds up and throw them across the room if they wanted to!

I got the feeling that these men PREFERRED their women this way and it made me think - "are there more chubby chasers out here than we think?" LOL!!

Are you a man that LOVES fuller figured women, that PREFER them? Women, have you ever dated a man who said to you, "don't lose too much weight girl, I need something to hold on to"?

We're so used to seeing Hollywood's version of beauty that we forget that there are a whole group of women out there who fit someone else's standard of what beauty is. There are websites for full figured women to subscribe to just for the men who love them. Jamie Foxx says he has a crush on Oprah - BIG Oprah.

But I think it goes a little bit deeper than simply being attracted to a certain physical type. I'm sure if Oprah were a mean-spirited bitch, Jamie wouldn't find her so sexy. I'm sure if Liz's man thought she was a selfish heffa, he wouldn't want her no matter what her size. Sexy is as sexy does. Through all of life's ups and downs - the push and pull of living, the stresses, the disappointments and the fear we are taught along the way - sometimes we forget to be open to giving and receiving the love we were born to give and receive. We become judgmental rather than compassionate. We shun communicating soul to soul, because it means risking revealing our true selves. We give in to our insecurities.

But Liz is a prime example of having the courage to love your beautiful self. This journey she is on is not just about pounds and inches. It's about peeling away layers of fear, insecurities, and unhealthy thoughts while growing in awareness of God's many blessings, the renewing power of love and strength and loving herself the entire time along the way.

While I may have forgotten to post her video blog, I am constantly reminded of her strength, her willingness to share, her courage and her larger than life personality and determination. All of that is what makes her sexy, desirable, and attractive - and I can see why Leo loves her - just the way she is.

-b

Happy Monday!

An Eagles win over the Giants is cause for some celebratory ice cream, don't you think? LOL!!



Ah, I had to get that out...ahem...sorry Giants fans! Okay, I'm really not sorry :-)

Now, onto the topic of the day :-) This is kinda long...so...sorry!

A friend of mine asked me to do a blog today about breaking up with someone "nicely." The reason she asked me to do it was because she recently had the awful task of breaking up with her boyfriend...and she did it over text message. He texted her to say he loved her and her response? "We need to talk."

OUCH!

She knows she's wrong, but I thought it was kind of funny because she did it incorrectly and he tricked her into staying with him - so basically they're still together because he wasn't having it! LOL! Okay, I guess I shouldn't laugh at her pain, but I thought that was funny as hell :-)

Now, I'm certainly no expert in the art of break-ups. I've had to do it a couple of times and it was not fun. I've had it done to me once and it wasn't fun. Usually my break-ups are amicable and mutually agreed upon. Or they're a result of some indiscretion - cheating, lying, he was married and lied about it, the list goes on - so there was no need for a "nice" break-up. But when you want to break-up, is there really a "nice" way to do it?

Some people chicken out and try to act like a jerk so that the person they want to break up with breaks up with them first. Or they play some kind of game instead of being upfront so they won't appear to be the bad guy. Did any of you see "Breakin All The Rules" with Jamie Foxx, Gabrielle Union and Morris Chestnut? Check it out:



Let's take a poll:

What do you think is the worst breakup line?

"It's not you, it's me"
"I'm just not ready for a relationship"
"You're too good for me, you deserve someone better"

Although I don't advise people to play games or diss someone via text, I will say if you're going to do it, do it right! LOL!! For my lady friends out there, if you're too afraid to break up with him because he might stalk you or choke you out, I advise you simply drive him away. If you want to rid yourself of Mr. Wrong, here are some suggestions:

Best Way #1. Always end arguments by turning some deeply private secret he's confided to you...against him. Then add, "Screw you, you slobbering half-wit!" (my friend that broke up with her guy HATES it when men cry) LOL!!

2. Don't mince words. If he asks, reply, "Why, yes, dear, now that I look at it, your penis is the smallest I've ever seen in my life."

3. Call him repeatedly.

4. If he doesn't call back, email him. If he doesn't return your email, fax him a funny little joke. If he still doesn't call, drop by his office and surprise him with a "cute" card. If he's not at his office, drive to his house, wait for him at his front door and, when he arrives, tell him he can do anything he wants with you because you can't live without him.

5. Ask him once a week, "So, where do we stand?" Or, if you prefer a more dramatic scrotum-tightener, ask, "So, where do we stand as a couple?"

6. Be the first woman in recorded history to actually tell a man exactly how many dudes you've slept with. If it's not a big number, make up a big number

7. Make him watch The Color Purple with you over and over...especially the part where Celie is going to slash Mr.'s throat with a razor :-)

8. Fixate on the future. Focus on his taking you to the Bahamas for Valentine's Day. If he doesn't take you, tell him he is the worst boyfriend EVER!

9. Always cry after sex. Better yet, cry DURING sex. :-)

10. Criticize his mother.

11. Borrow $2,300 from him.

12. Ask him about his "personal feelings concerning the relationship" while he's watching the final two minutes of the seventh game of the NBA championship series. If he doesn't hear you, snap off the TV and throw the remote out the window.

13. He'll refuse to speak to you after you've hurled the remote out the window, but so what? This is an excellent opportunity to confront him about his "fear of being inferior."

14. Do you own an old pair of baggy maroon sweatpants with holes in them? Wear them. Every night.

15. Blind yourself to his faults. (Of course, if you happen to see a fault by mistake, immediately point it out to him.)

16. Say sweetly, "Either your idiot dog goes...or I go."

17. Withhold sex for two weeks.

18. Don't pay back the $2,300.

19. Nag.Nag.Nag.Nag.Nag.

20. Wear his favorite shirt without asking and spill Cherry Coke on it while driving his new Lexus, which you accidentally crash into the car in front of you at a stop light.

21. Reassure him that all men, have, uh, difficulties in the sack, but not to worry -- you've discussed his problem with his friends, and they all think it's hilarious.

22. Tell him oral sex makes you gag - except when he does it :-) LMAO!

23. Festering resentment. Try it.

24. Never tell him he makes you happy. Never say that sometimes you're so proud to be with him you want to weep for joy.

25. Never cook anything for him.

26. Refer to his car as "a piece of shit."

27. Don't let him miss you. (i.e., spend every moment with/near/on/under/over him -- particularly those blessed moments when you feel bloated and you're on your period)

28. Let him miss you too much. Rarely come home from the office until after 10:30pm.

29. Keep yourself informed about his activities. Call around to his friends and check up on him. When he walks in the door, sniff him over like you're a pit bull looking for a Big Mac.

30. Make him take the quizzes in ladies' magazines.

31. Explain that if primal man could learn to walk upright in a mere two million years, a moron like him can walk to take out the garbage :)

32. Rarely be in a playful mood.

33. Never have your wallet with you.

34. When you bump into an ex in the street while out with your man, throw your arms around the ex's neck, squeeze your body to him really tight and say, "Oh, My God! Oh, My God! Hi!!!"

35. If he's experiencing career difficulties (especially in this economy), gently point out that if he loses this job, he'll probably never get another one.

36. If you went to a better college than he did, never let him forget it.

37. After going out four times, instruct your children to call him Daddy. LOL!!

38. If you earn more money than he does, make sure you boost his ego by letting him pay for absolutely everything.

39. (From Liz) Tell him you worship the devil. LMAO!!

40. Wrap your whole life around him :-)

Okay, okay...I jest :-) That's not what you should do. I know breaking someone's heart is the last thing you want to do, but sometimes you just gotta do it for the sanity of you and your partner. You are playing with emotions that are often powerful and unpredictable. It’s likely that your boyfriend/girlfriend may have stronger emotions for you than vice versa. One thing is certain though, your life won’t be happy again until you get it over with once and for all. The thought of breaking someone's heart can be a daunting one, but if you respect the person, you should do what's right and let them go for their own sake.

The key is to do it amicably and maturely, and without the need to ‘stick the knife in’. It’s about damage limitation to both of you, but you have a duty to do and you must be firm about it. In your ‘speech’ to your partner, talk about the benefits to you both and how if it isn’t working for you then it is just not fair to them. Keep your language uncomplicated but supportive.

The worst thing you can do is buckle once you have said it and agree to give it another go. You know when it isn’t right, so why try to keep the pain going? Now my friend has to break up with her man AGAIN :-)

Don’t also make the mistake of ‘blame-finding’, and pointing the finger at specific circumstances that have brought you to your decision. It gets messy and you both walk away hating the other. It is very likely you can remain great friends.

Never break up with someone without being face to face with them. I’m talking about avoiding cowardly behavior like breaking up on: email, text, or via a friend. It’s just so unfair to the other person because they are left with questions and ideas that only you can answer – and it’s only fair that you answer them face to face.

In terms of where to do it, try to find a mutual ground or on their turf, somewhere that they will get comfort from.

I think there is an art to dumping someone with dignity. Unfortunately, I don't know what that art is, so I looked up these guidelines online to share with you since I am far from an expert. These nine time-tested guidelines will help you through the messy business of ending a relationship (the correct way) LOL!

1. Make up your mind.

So many women announce the split and do the exhaustive post-mortem with their friends, only to confess to reconciliation several days later. By this time we've all heard about the man's horrible body odor and weird relationship with his mother and other intimate, personal details we'd really rather not have to know about at all. In some cases this sort of flip-flopping takes place repeatedly, for years on end. Spare your friends, at least: don't announce it's over until you're absolutely sure.

2. Don't be silent.

Sometimes women simply stop returning a man's calls, figuring that this signals her lack of interest. He might think your phone has broken, although this is highly unlikely and he will assume you're not interested. However, it is a timid thing to avoid the phone. You should be able to speak to someone you dated and even went to bed with. Ignoring the incessant ring of the phone can also be more nerve-wracking and bothersome than just answering it and explaining to him that it's over. And, ultimately, it is just plain bad manners to blank out another person.

3. Be clear.

Some people favor vague lines such as 'I need some space,' and 'I need to be alone for a bit' when finishing a relationship. You might think that drawing out the end over time is a gentle way of letting him down. Instead, you'll be creating a more unpleasant and painful end. Don't give him hope. Be blunt. It's kinder.

4. Do your own dirty work.

Don't try to force him to break up with you by becoming bitchy and unreasonable. Many women unhappy in their relationships start inventing absurd jealousies and complaints in an effort to push their boyfriend away. You may think this tactic lets you off the hook. In fact, it's cowardly. It draws out the inevitable, and creates bad vibes between you. Take responsibility for your dissatisfaction. This goes for men too...don't be a jerk just to make her break up with you.

5. Stage the break-up carefully.

As far as location goes, restaurants and other public places are tricky because there's a slim chance he'll shout or, worse, cry - both of which will be highly embarrassing. If you do choose a restaurant it should be one that's in a central location. Also, make sure to look your worst. Wear an unflattering dress, a bit of that sickly sweet perfume he hates, and top it all off with a touch of green face powder.

6. Cry.

As you tell him that, wonderful as he is, it simply isn't working, try to muster up a few tears. His ego needs all the help it can get.

7. Offer a reason.

You need not give the dumpee the real reason for losing him - the mediocre sex; his whistling nose; his idiot friends - but you do need to offer a reason that's plausible. If all else fails, tell him that it's clear he's not happy, and he deserves to be with someone who can make him happy. This will confuse him, since he might well have been happy until you became dissatisfied. But it's the sort of thing he can repeat to himself when it's over: I wasn't happy. And that will help him to justify the break-up.

8. If you do lie, lie well.

'This hurts me more than it hurts you,' is disingenuous, because it never does. 'It's not you, it's me,' is far more credible, especially when followed by either of two statements: 'I want to get married, give up my job, and have a dozen babies' (if he's a free spirit), or 'I don't feel like I've slept with enough men in my life to settle down with one.' (if he's traditional). No need to initiate a break-up then - he'll head for the hills.

9. Avoid break-up sex.

That one last night of passion, 'for old time's sake,' might seem pretty tempting, but don't give in: it will only confuse him. The next morning, whilst you're retrieving your cosmetics from his bathroom cabinet, he'll assume you've changed your mind and are off preparing breakfast. Trust me, it's messy.

If you follow the above nine points you may manage to achieve that rarity: a civilized break-up. You and your ex might even move into a pleasant post-relationship friendship. But if, despite your best efforts, the remote begins to fly...duck! LOL!!

-b

TGIF!!

Cadillac Records comes out today! I've been looking forward to seeing this film - not because of Beyonce, but because of Jeffrey Wright. I think he is one of the best, most underrated actors out there. He can play anyone.

Sony Pictures: In this tale of sex, violence, race, and rock and roll in 1950s Chicago, "Cadillac Records" follows the exciting but turbulent lives of some of America's musical legends, including Muddy Waters, Leonard Chess, Little Walter, Howlin' Wolf, Etta James and Chuck Berry.



The cast is great and the soundtrack should be awesome! I'm going to try to check it out between all of Rene's parties this weekend :-)

Let's keep it light today since it's Friday. Speaking of Friday, some of my favorite movie quotes come from that joint - CLASSIC! Here are a few:

Smokey: You got to be a stupid motherf*cker to get fired on your day off!

Smokey: [to big worm on the phone] Yeah, I got your money. And I don't appreciate you sendin' your punk-ass, busta-ass, jerri curl wearin'-ass friends down here to shoot at me and my homies. They'd like to got dealt with.

Big Worm: First of all, don't be callin' here like you some straight up G, cause I'll cut ya balls off and hand 'em to ya, patna. I had to warn you too many times about my money, Smokey. You see, it's the principal. There's principalities in the whole thing.

Smokey: Remember it, write it down, take a picture, I don't give a fuuuuck!

wait...why am I typing these out? Why not just SHOW you :-)





And the best one!



Tell me your favorite movie quotes - let's see if we can guess the movie :-)

Have a great weekend!

-b

Hey everyone!

It's Random Thoughts Thursday!

I've been wanting to post a clip or two from the show Martin for a while now, but I have no real reason to other than I think it's funny. But since it's Random Thoughts Thursday, now I don't need a reason! LOL!!

(for The Fury and Pranny)





- I've never been in a fight with a girl...or a boy for that matter.
- I had my first kiss when I was 12 - Troy Moore - and he ran away from me down the street after he kissed me....and he was singing :-) LOL!!
- I want to make another vanilla bean cheesecake.
- I think the term "flat-leaver" is hilarious :-) I'd never heard that term before I moved to NY.
- People who block the doors on the subway because they want to stand by the doors and don't move in so other people can get on annoy the hell out of me.
- I gained 5 lbs over the last couple weeks and I'm not happy about that. So Liz, it's me and you girl!
- Where's Dre Lew? :-)
- I had the best time with Amanda the other night - we went to see Role Models and it was hysterical!

Danny: "Pick us up in 2 hours
Ronnie: "F*ck you, Miss Daisy!"

He was a bad ass lil kid!

Okay, I'll leave my random thoughts there....I'm sure I'll have more as the day goes on. The question of the day is one that I got from listening to the radio this morning. Make sure you answer it in the comments :-)

If you saw your friend's significant other cheating on him/her - would you tell? Would you want to be told?

Have a great Thursday!

-b

Happy Hump Day!

So this morning, Leesa emails Amanda, Sandee and I pictures of her favorite boo - T.I. She and Sandee are absolutely in love with him. Amanda and I....not so much :-)

Before I get into it - Leesa and Sandee - this is for you :-)



Now, don't get me wrong, I like T.I. I think he's talented. I like his music. He's cute. But could he get it? No. Why? He's so LITTLE! He's just tiny to me :-)

(no pun intended) :-)

I've dated men shorter than me before, but T.I. just looks like a kid to me. I know he's a grown man, but that's not what I see when I look at him. I don't know what it is, but he just doesn't do it for me. I feel like I'd break him or something :-)

I'm sure we all have something that we always look for in the opposite sex - eyes, lips, smile, complexion, height, hair, personality, etc. But just as we have our "likes," we have our "dislikes" as well. Some of us could never date anyone shorter than we are, or who have jacked up teeth, or who smoke, or who have tattoos. Whatever it is, we all have something we wouldn't like in the opposite sex to the point where we would never even consider getting with them.

What are your likes and dislikes in the opposite sex? What kind of man or woman could you absolutely NEVER date? Do you have a type?

For me - if a man has a warm smile, a wonderful set of teeth, friendly eyes and a great sense of humor - I'm hooked. I say I love tall men, but I never seem to date them. There's a difference I think between what we like or would prefer, and who we actually always end up dating :-)

Do you feel you date your type? Or do you dare to date outside your comfort zone?

I don't really have a "type" but maybe I'll try to be daring in 2009 and step out of my comfort zone. So Leesa and Sandee...watch out! I may steal T.I.'s lil ass away from you! LOL!!

Have a great day!

-b

What's crackalackin peoples!?

Apparently I'm late with my blog today :-) But hey, better late than never right? I know Keefe will have something to say since he claims he can't begin working until I post my blog...so with that said...let me get to it!

Now...I'm running the risk of sounding like the Giants hater that you all THINK I am, but...your boy...Plaxico Burress. Da hell?

I'm sure you've all heard by now that Plaxico Burress accidentally shot himself in the leg while out at a night club. He turned himself in yesterday to faces charges of illegal gun possession. He could face a minimum, mandatory sentence of 3 years in jail. Here is what New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg had to say about the incident.



My question is - what was Plaxico thinking?

Actually, I have a few questions.

Why was he even allowed in the club with a gun? Why didn't the hospital report it? What role did Antonio Pierce play - did he really try to conceal the weapon? Why not just have bodyguards follow you everywhere instead of carrying a gun? If you insist on carrying a gun, why not register the gun?

Makes no sense.

I mean, I get that athletes are targets. I understand that if you make $35 million dollars a year, someone may try to rob you. I know that athletes can be victims too - they may be big in stature, but they're not supermen. And no matter how big you are, if someone has a gun, then your size doesn't matter. I do feel that they need to be able to protect themselves. Last night on the news, Tiki Barber said that he felt the need to have protection at all times, which is why he hired bodyguards to protect him when he went out. The NFL’s official advice: "In some circumstances, such as for sport or protection, you may legally possess a firearm or other weapon. However, we strongly recommend that you not do so." The league advocates passive behavior when confronted by a criminal. This is what Karl Malone has to say:




That night, Plaxico Burress not only could have really hurt himself, he could have hurt someone else. That's why I don't understand why they allowed him to pass through security with a loaded gun. Just as Jason Williams accidentally shot and killed his limo driver, so could Burress have accidentally killed someone. Why not leave it in the car and have bodyguards escort you in? Is that somehow less manly? Less macho? Is it a "man" thing?

An article I read said well over 50 percent of NFL players are estimated to own guns. The article described an incident where early in the morning on Jan. 21, Corey Fuller, the 5-foot, 10-inch, 210-pound defensive back for the Baltimore Ravens, was confronted by two armed robbers outside his Tallahassee house. One robber chased Fuller into his house where his wife and children were sleeping, but Fuller was able to grab a gun and fire at the attackers, who then ran away.

Greg Anthony, a 6-foot, 176-pound guard for 12 years in the NBA, carried a registered gun during part of his career. He said, "More and more people approach you, and you just never know what somebody is capable of doing...players see carrying as a deterrent."

Well-known coaches, such as Barry Switzer and Bobby Knight, have also carried guns.

Trust me, I do understand that high profile, wealthy athletes are sometimes victims of violent crimes - as was the case with Sean Taylor of the Redskins.

Houston Astros outfielder Luke Scott carries a Glock. His gun, however, is registered. Protect yourself - just be smart about it.

With high profile basketball players including Allen Iverson, Charles Barkley and Scottie Pippen having been arrested for illegal gun possession – as well as football players such as Alonzo Spellman and Damien Robinson – the issue of professional athletes and guns is often in the news, and the case with Plaxico Burress brings the topic back to the forefront.

The NFL has gone so far as to conduct annual seminars for their athletes on firearms, stressing the risks to children of guns and the risks of having a gun in a car. The teams have forbidden players from having guns with them at stadiums or while traveling on League-related business, but this leaves players who obey the rules as sitting ducks before or after games.

Indeed, the players who violate the rules are probably doing their teammates a favor because they at least create some uncertainty in criminals’ minds about whether a player can protect himself. Yet, the league’s sanctions make players reluctant to talk about defensive gun uses.

It'll be interesting to see how the Giants handle Plaxico Burress. He isn't due back in court until March to address the criminal charges, so maybe the league won't make any real decisions about him until then. I doubt he'll be playing any time soon.

(doubt that helps the Eagles any this weekend) :-)

It's a sad situation. I'm sure he meant no harm. But professional athletes have to be smarter than that. They can't simply break the law and think they'll get away with it. Just like they're not supermen against a criminal with a gun, they're also not supermen immune to the law. Just ask Michael Vick.

-b

Happy Cyber Monday everyone!

I hope you all had a blessed, peaceful, restful Thanksgiving. I did! Well, I rested as much as possible while visiting with my family - including 2 very rambunctious nephews! Those boys don't sit still unless they're asleep - but I love it! I miss them already!

Their energy is most apparent in the mall - Yikes! Yes, I did it - I shopped Black Friday. And I normally don't...or at least I try not to. I'm not a shopaholic. I don't frequent malls unless I have something specific to buy. The only store you might say I'm hooked on is Target - and that's because it's usually one stop shopping for me. But shopping just to be shopping? No...I don't do that. And I REALLY don't do CROWDED. But I braved the after Thanksgiving shopping weekend with ease - even if my nephews did terrorize everyone in all the stores :-)

I am shopping for kids this year and that's it. And the only thing I have to say to all my friends is, "STOP HAVING ALL THESE DANG KIDS!" LOL!! I have 2 nephews, a Godson, and my two best friends have 5 children between them - one of which has a birthday the week before Christmas.

Considering we're not getting our annual holiday bonus this year at A&E, I have to shop smarter. I think knowing I'd have less money to play with gave me the courage to brave the crowds on Black Friday in order to find a deal. I got most of my shopping done, but I still have a few things left to get - which I will be doing today on Cyber Monday. Just in case any of you are interested, here are some tips for shopping online today:

Use CyberMonday.com and dealio.com to stay on top of all of the Cyber Monday deals across the web, including information about free shipping offers and coupons.

If you plan to shop at a particular retailer, be sure to sign up for their e-newsletter - It's a good way to stay abreast of special deals and promotions, and a great way to score special subscriber-only coupons.

Shop at Sites that Offer Free Shipping
Many, but not all, stores offer free shipping on Cyber Monday; so spend some time looking for those free shipping deals. Don’t see free shipping offered on the site that you're on? Then, check a competitor's site.

Seek Out Coupon Codes
Head to currentcodes.com, retailmenot.com or one of the many other sites dedicated to finding and posting coupon codes. You may just find a deal – free shipping, free merchandise, a percent off your order – to sweeten the pot.

Bonus Tip: Bookmark Retailmenot.com. Then, the next time you're shopping online, just click on the link, and it'll display all of the coupons for the site that you're on – now that's bargain shopping made easy!

Order through a Rewards Site
Access a store's website through a rewards site, and you'll earn points or even cash for your efforts. Some rewards sites worth checking out: Upromise, MyPoints, FatWallet and Ebates.

Compare Prices
Before you place an order, use a price comparison website like pricegrabber.com to make sure you're getting the best deal.

Use a shopping search engine that pulls data from a wide variety of stores and vendors. Search engines like froogle.com and shopzilla.com give you results from tens of thousands of online stores and let you find the lowest price. If your search engine keeps coming back with the same seven or eight results, you know it's only listing stores and companies who pay to be listed.

Buy electronics now. Wait to buy clothing. The hottest electronic items sell out and manufacturers just can't make enough to get back on the shelves before the holidays. But if you're looking to buy clothing, wait. It will continue to be marked down the closer we get to the holidays, and you don't have to worry about it selling out. In general, industry experts say retailers are going to make markdowns earlier than last season because they hope to get shoppers buying before they get hit with their first big winter heating bill.

Finally - print out all receipts and be careful with your credit card information. If you're shopping online at work, don't leave printed out receipts in the printer and make sure you're using a secure site.

I hope those tips help - Happy Shopping!

-b

Oh wait!! Here's an update on Liz! I think I gained like 5 lbs over the long weekend. And to make matters worse, my sister packed up all the food that was left over and gave it to me to take home - including half of one of the vanilla bean cheesecakes I made! So if anyone wants to come over for dinner, feel free! Go Liz!