Divas, we’ve all been there: you’re out on the town in a gorgeous pair of hot-out-of-the-box heels and lo and behold they start rubbing the wrong way.  No one wants to spend the evening ooo-ing and ouch-ing, those grimaces are SO unbecoming.  Fear not, your instant savior is right in your purse!  If your shoes are a non-sensitive material (read: NOT for suede!) just rub a dab of lipgloss or balm (colorless, of course) on the problem spot throughout the evening and you’ll be blister free!  The way to be, of course.

Tomorrow is National Senior Citizens Day, Divas, and though you may not currently fall into the category of discounted movie tickets and bridge clubs, it is all the more reason to celebrate.  You’re young!  Ask guests to come over in their frumpiest house coats and bejeweled sweaters and after several rounds of Old Fashioneds and Toddys, take off your Grandma garb and hit the town is minis and stilettos!  Ahh, to be a Social Diva, and to be young.

Mom wasn’t kidding when she said a glass of milk will help you get to sleep at night.  Dairy products contain tryptophan, a sleep-promoting amino acid also found in poultry, bananas, oats and honey.  The perfect late night snack to help you get to sleep would be a bowl of cold cereal (one low in sugar content) with milk, cheese and crackers, or a bowl of yogurt and granola.  Keep the portions small, anything too filling or heavy will not settle will and ultimately be unhelpful.  Sleep is a beauty’s best friend, aim for 7-8 hours per night and tack on a few extra hours if you’ve skimped out the night before.  See you in the morning, Diva!

What more of an excuse do you need to throw a party other than being happy?? This is a great excuse to use all the party decorations (even the ones from Hanukkah and the Fourth of July!) you have amassed in your years as Diva hostess and mix together goodie bags with any and all left over party favors.  Keep it simple at the bar, select a few varieties of beer, wine and alcohol and leave out a few mixers. For a party like this, you can have a lot fo guests or only a few, but take the opportunity to introduce some friends that haven’t met yet.  After a fete like this, everyone will be admitting they’re happy!

Refreshing, and perfect for summer! (Makes 1)

• 1 cup ice, plus more for serving
• 1/2 cup Lillet Blanc
• 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) gin
• 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
• 1/4 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves, plus sprigs for garnish
• Splash of tonic water
• 1 cucumber spear, for garnish
• 1 cinnamon stick, for garnish

Put ice, Lillet, gin, orange juice, and basil in a cocktail shaker; shake well. Fill a glass with ice; strain mixture into glass. Add tonic water. Garnish with cucumber spear, cinnamon stick, and basil sprigs.

If posing alone, use the classic over-the-shoulder turn.  Stand still and twist to the left, angling your head over your shoulder, with your chin down (not too far down–you don’t want a double chin). To top it all off, place your left hand on your hip so that your arm points away from your body.  This pose makes celebs look lean and complements a lovely dress at the same time.  If executed properly, the photogs will think you are the next up-and-coming-starlet–hey, a Diva can dream, can’t she?  Practice, practice, practice this pose in front of a mirror, and have a Diva friend take digitals to ensure you have the pose down pat.

When throwing a party at your posh pad, it’s usually a good idea to employ one of your pals to be the Official Party Photographer.  Make sure you ask someone who is good with a camera (i.e. doesn’t have a reputation for cutting off people’s heads), and have them snap away at all the fun happenings.  If no one in your posse really fits the bill, you could always hire a pro — your own personal paparazzo!

Divas, did you know that the first week of August is National Simplify Your Life Week?  What better way to simplify than cleaning out your closet to make room for Fall fashions?  (Ok, ok, so maybe that isn’t what they meant by “simplify.”)

Sort the items in your closet into three piles.  First, clothes that you love and wear; second, clothes that you don’t wear but are in good condition and can be passed on to the Goodwill or Salvation Army; third, clothes that you’ve worn to within an inch of their life that need to meet a quick end in the trash.

Next, toss out all the disfigured/broken hangars and if necessary, buy new ones (wood varieties are easiest on your clothes).  Organize by item (ie pants, shirts, skirts, dresses), and within those categories organize by color.

Now you can take inventory on all the must-haves you are missing for fall, make a list, and shop efficiently!

This wine-based punch can be served hot or cold and is fantastic after a long day at the beach.  Our recipe serves eight, so whether you’re on the porch or inside in front of a feel-good movie, get cozy!

Ingredients:

• 2 bottles Pinot Grigio
• 1 cup brandy
• 4 cups Goya passion fruit nectar
• 1 cup sugar
• 4 sliced plums
• Plums for garnish

In a saucepan over medium heat, stir together 2 bottles Pinot Grigio, 1 cup brandy, 4 cups Goya passion fruit nectar and 1 cup sugar. Stir until sugar dissolves. Add 4 sliced plums. Serve hot or cold from a punch bowl. Garnish with plum slices, and ENJOY!

Looking to freshen up your personal library without actually spending any money on books?  Host a Cocktail Party For Literacy and invite each guest to bring a paper grocery bag full of books they loved but are willing to pass on.  If you do the same and invite five guests, that is a world of literary possibilities for nothing more than the cost of cocktails!

NOTE:  Make sure someone volunteers to be in charge of all the books no one wants to take home.  These should go to a donation center or be re-sold at a used bookstore.  Waste not, want not!