Everything She Wants

I've lived in Brooklyn for a long time.  But today I felt like a true Brooklynite as I witnessed one of the most captivating and disturbing things I've seen in a long time -- the July 4th Nathan's Hot Dog Eating competition up close and a little too personal. Dynamic duo: Joey and Pepto /John Carluccio Shaking. Nearly choking. And doing a twitchy dance. Four-time champ Joey "Jaws" Chestnut chomped down 54 red-food-colored Nathan's dogs in ten-minutes, a far cry from the record-setting 68 dogs he devoured in 2009. Nevertheless, the revved up Coney Island crowd cheered him and his distant competitors (record-holder Sonja "Black Widow" Thomas and beauty salon owner Juliet Lee represented for female competitive eaters) on with our Pepto-Bismol thunder sticks. What better place to get reacquainted with the pink bismuth staple in your medicine cabinet? "When you have one too many, reach for Pepto," says Procter and Gamble external r...

Chances are you were gonna pop in Old Navy this weekend for the " Star Spangled Sale " and pick up that last minute tank top, bathing suit, or pair of flip-flops for whatever July 4th festivities you have on your agenda this weekend. Well, here's another reason to visit an Old Navy near you.  To celebrate the 2010 Independence Day holiday weekend and support our men and women in the military overseas, Old Navy has partnered with the all-volunteer program, Operation: Care and Comfort . The program has two initiatives.  The first is a donation drive at Old Navy stores across the nation. As an added incentive, customers who donate get 10 percent off their total purchase that day. Here's a list of what's needed: Underwear Undershirts T-shirts Socks Sunglasses Lip Balm Foot Powder Flip Flops Secondly, there's the " Buy One, Send One" deal on Old Navy's famous flag tees ($5).  That means for every tee purchased in-store July 1 - July...

I love ethnic prints and accessories and I've rocked a wrist full with colorful beaded bracelets from Kenya since high school.  This summer, tribal fashion is hot and you too can crank up your style wattage with African-and-African-inspired designs . You'll stand out from the crowd, and better yet, the designs featured here have a charitable benefit to an African country. A model in Deola Sagoe/IMG Deola Sagoe Deola Sagoe received the only standing ovation at the Arise Fashion Collective show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2010. Her bold, show-stopping F/W 2010 designs were inspired by East African Massai warriors and 18th century European military uniforms. The native of Nigeria supports her homeland financially and culturally by using authentic, hand-woven fabrics including Aso-Oke and Kente.  Her designs are also embellished with raffia, hand-beading and embroidery. "My thinking was that I could create demand for those fabrics, while incorpora...

Can you raise your hand if you're sure ?  Thanks to summer's brutal heat and humidity, I can't.  So I'm always willing to try a new deodorant and antiperspirant, and eagerly attended a press preview of the Body Shop's DeoDry in NYC's Tompkins Square Park. Cheryl Burke keeps cool with DeoDry. The deodorant promises 24-hour protection (I'll let you know), and who better to test drive it than "Dancing with the Stars" pro Cheryl Burke and a group of roller derby gals. Best of all, Deo-Dry is chemical free. Instead of aluminum salts, DeoDry is made with volcanic mineral and essential oils and comes in several refillable scents.  For a limited time,  the natural deodorant is on sale for $4! If you're in the Big Apple this weekend, you can score free samples from the Body Shop Roller Derby team. Here's the Body Shop DeoDry freebie schedule: Saturday (June 26) 11 a.m. - noon at 125th Street 1:45 p.m. - 3 p.m. at Madison and 85th ...

Now and again I like to revisit the YouTube video I did on clothing swaps. Besides the clip being my 15 minutes of broadcast journalism fame, I have a passion for swaps and recycling clothing and wares.  Hey, one girl's trash is another girl's treasure. Since my husband and I produced my video on FreeCycle 's Freemeet swap in New York City a few years ago, swap fever swept the nation.  So watch and let me know about any upcoming swaps or recycling events in your nabe. One upcoming event that's sure to be a swappin' good time is the D iva Eve Clothing Swap in New York City on June 22 at Stitch Bar & Lounge (247 W. 37th Street ).  Besides free, quality clothing and accessories, you'll score complimentary spa treats and drink specials.  Early bird tickets are $15 (general admission is $20), so act fast! Not in New York? Diva Eve could be coming to a city near you .

Our men, God love 'em , are special aren't they? Even though they don't always realize it, they deserve a little primping and pampering too. So here are Everything She Wants' last minute gift picks for Father's Day. Spanx for Men Let Spanx for Men conceal your dude or your Dad's spare tire. If he protests, point out the following benefits of the everyday cotton compression undershirt: firms the chest narrows the waistline flattens the stomach improves posture supports lower back improves appearance in clothing It took " Queer Eye for the Straight Guy " to inform most guys that taking care of their skin is about more than splashing on soap and water.  Like us, men need a daily skin care regimen and the the paraben-free  Cowshed Bullocks for Men line  is a good place to start.   The British skin care system is made from natural hemp seed oil for its soothing healing properties, and the Pocket Cow Bullocks travel sampler is the perfe...

Diamonds are a girl's best friend.  And Carol Brodie should know.  The former Global Director of Communications for jeweler-to-the-stars Harry Winston has bejeweled some of Hollywood's hottest leading ladies including Halle Berry and Gwyneth Paltrow. "Jewelry should make you feel good," she says, "And nothing feels like fine jewelry." Thanks to Brodie, now every woman can live the glamourous life and add a quality (non-costume jewelry) statement piece to her wardrobe. In June 2009 the "Queen of Diamonds" started her own brand, Rarities , sold exclusively on HSN and HSN.com .  The splurge-worthy fine jewelry collection features an eclectic assortment of precious and semi-precious gems inspired by sought after styles from around the world. Just in time for Rarities' June birthday, I chatted with the personable designer and got a sneak peek at her one-year anniversary collection which features a mix of spiritual talismans including evil ey...