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April 2012 Archives

In the Mirror

Nine Hot Lip Looks

By Charlotte on April 30, 2012 6:13 AM | Read More

Feel like your pout could use a pick-me-up? Think color. Orange (it is the color of the year) and pink are some of the hottest shades for spring and summer. Other fun hues making lip news include red (it's not just for winter anymore), natural tones and even purple.

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Catching Up With..

Catching Up With...Kathy Smith

By Bob on April 27, 2012 2:27 AM | Read More

If you look up the word "energetic" in an online dictionary, you're likely to pull up a photo of Kathy Smith. This Utah Boomer is a fitness expert and single mother of two with an unlimited supply of drive and a spirited attitude that's taking her places. As you'll see, the outdoors are among her many loves so we felt lucky when we caught her just as she was heading out to hike her favorite mountain trail...

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DVDelicious

The Iron Lady

By Bob on April 26, 2012 2:37 AM | Read More

It's easy to see why Meryl Streep was awarded an Oscar for her performance in The Iron Lady. She's absolutely dead-on brilliant in her portrayal of British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and the story is ripped-from-the-headlines real.

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Guest Room

The Millionaire Makeover on a Shoestring

By Charlotte on April 25, 2012 6:42 AM | Read More

By Vicky Oliver

 

It's relatively easy for anyone under 20 to look like a million bucks. The skin is resilient and strong. The hair naturally complements the skin without resorting to highlights and lowlights. And even pounds don't conform to hips as readily. As George Bernard Shaw once observed, "Youth is wasted on the young."

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Daily Distraction

Just My Type...

By Bob on April 24, 2012 2:01 AM | Read More

The guy who wrote this sign has a 5-year plan...but I hear he's still working on the font.

Fortune 500 Company-500.jpg

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Don't Try This At Home

The Thrill of the Grille

By Bob on April 23, 2012 5:00 AM | Read More

Capital Grille Exterior-344.jpgI found myself with a dilemma the other day.

 

Charlotte's birthday was coming up and I was trying to think of somewhere to take her for a celebratory dinner.

 

You know the deal. Nice atmosphere. Some wine. Great entrées. Terrific desserts. Some place where you don't give your order to a clown's head.

 

I mean, c'mon. Any woman who can put up with me for three decades, raise a great son, run a business and survive breast cancer deserves a lot more than a large order of curly fries and a 25% discount coupon to Banana Republic.

 

That's when I saw the light email. The Capital Grille sent me a story on its Annual Artist Series Wine Event. It sounded like a pretty cool deal. For the past three years, the restaurant has been featuring an exclusive, limited allocation wine decorated with a unique piece of original artwork as its label. With each bottle sold, they donate $25 to Share Our Strength -- a charity dedicated to ending childhood hunger in America.

 

Artist Series Wine - 300.jpgIt didn't take long for the wine lover in me to figure out this was a great idea. The next thing I know, we're pulling up to the lovely Capital Grille, Dallas (located on the east side of the Crescent Hotel). Before I could say, "We have a 7:30 reservation," our server Minh Ho was uncorking a bottle of the Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon and pouring a glass.

 

The Capital Grille Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon is hand-crafted at Napa's Freemark Abbey Winery by Ted Edwards, in collaboration with Capital Grille's Master Sommelier, George Miliotes. The bottle's unique label was chosen from national submissions for a design contest and features the winning painting, Complexity, by artist Julie Agee. 

 

The label was beautiful, but how would the wine taste?

 

It's a full-bodied cabernet and I found the inky-colored wine to be packed with ripe fruit, dark chocolate and cinnamon aromas. On the palate, the aromatics morphed into classic briar, black pepper and notes of vanilla and oak. Superb!

 

Since Minh was on a roll with the wine selection, I asked him for recommendations for the entire meal. He didn't disappoint:

 

 

 


It's a chocolate-lover's dream

 

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Shape Up, Skinnygirl Style ... Free

By Charlotte on April 20, 2012 6:15 AM | Read More

Bethenny Skinnygirl_product outline 450.jpgSeeing swimsuits on the horizon, Bob and I have teamed up with reality tv star and author Bethenny Frankel to help Boomer Babes get in shape.

The star of Bravo's Bethenny Getting Married? and New York Times bestselling author of Naturally Thin, The Skinnygirl Dish and A Place of Yes began making exercise DVDs because she's always asked how she stays so slim. And she's joined us to give away a summer-rific prize package (an almost $60 value) designed to help you unleash your "skinnygirl."

Bethenny believes in simple, realistic exercises that fit your lifestyle. Her down-to-earth approach can work no matter your size, shape or fitness level. As she says, you're a true "skinnygirl" when you feel healthy so it's important to trust yourself, enjoy and make her workouts your own.

 

 


 

You could win a body-toning gift set from Bethenny Frankel, bestselling author of Naturally Thin, The Skinnygirl Dish and A Place of Yes. This almost $60-value includes:

 

·        Body by Bethenny DVD

·        Skinnygirl Workout DVD

·        Skinnygirl Smoothing & Firming Body Lotion

·        Skinnygirl Margarita Bath Collection

 

Click "Read More" for details on how to enter. Contest ends May 3!

 



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Taking Off

A Perfect Day at the JW Marriott Hill Country Resort & Spa

By Bob on April 19, 2012 6:25 AM | Read More

Charlotte and I recently visited the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa and had a wonderful time. I mean, c'mon, what's not to like?

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Don't Try This At Home

Deep in the Heart of Text Us

By Bob on April 19, 2012 5:43 AM | Read More

When we were down at the ranch, Charlotte and I climbed to the top (thank you 4-wheel drive) of our "mountain". It's about 1,200 feet tall (you were expecting the Rockies?) and I have unoffically named it "Charlotte Mountain". You won't find this name on any USGS map, but my theory is that if you own a mountain you get to call it pretty much anything you want. So, that's what I did.

View from the Mountain-650.jpgCharlotte likes Charlotte Mountain for two reasons.  

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Here's the Dish

Baking Basics and Beyond

By Charlotte on April 18, 2012 6:49 AM | Read More

Bob and I have a weakness for homemade cookies, cakes and cobblers. So we've really been enjoying Pat Sinclair's Baking Basics and Beyond, Second Edition (Agate Surrey; December  2011).  

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Don't Try This At Home

Typical Texas

By Bob on April 17, 2012 5:18 AM | Read More

There's a rite of spring Texans hold dear...taking the "official" bluebonnet picture. Every year about this time, the county roads (and even Interstates) are clogged with people taking photos of their kids, wives, husbands, grandkids and even pets surrounded by a sea of the beautiful blue flowers.

Ranch Bluebonnets-650.jpg

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Daily Distraction

Redneck Curlers

By Bob on April 17, 2012 1:55 AM | Read More

You MIGHT be a Redneck if...

Redneck curlers-500.jpg

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In the Mirror

A DIY Treat for Feet

By Charlotte on April 16, 2012 6:39 AM | Read More

With strawberries coming back in season, I'm looking for more and more uses for my favorite fruit. Sure, they're utterly delicious in everything from salsas to muffins and jams. But who knew they could also be fantastic for your feet?

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Catching Up With..

Catching Up With...Andrea Metcalf

By Bob on April 13, 2012 5:04 AM | Read More

There are plenty of Boomers on the move, and then there's Andrea Metcalf. She's an author, fitness expert, reality TV star, social media spokesperson, producer of women's conferences and single mother of three college kids.

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DVDelicious

I Don't Know How She Does It

By Bob on April 12, 2012 4:26 AM | Read More

I Don't Know How She Does It is a lighter-than-air romantic comedy that answers the age-old question: whatever happened to Carrie on Sex and the City? Answer: she moved to Boston, had two kids, became an investment analyst, married a hapless architect and made this predictable, but oh-so-watchable movie.

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Guest Room

6 Ways to Find Meaning When Caring for Your Parents

By Bob on April 11, 2012 6:20 AM | Read More

By Janet Edmunson, M.Ed.

 

When our parents start to age, our time and effort can revolve around making sure their physical care needs are met. That can make it hard to look for and find meaning in the experience. But this is where the magic lies.

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Daily Distraction

Express Lane for People Who Can't Count

By Bob on April 10, 2012 1:46 AM | Read More

I hear this lane is very popular with toddlers...

Express Lane for Idiots-425.jpg

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Don't Try This At Home

Hanging Out in the Texas Hill Country

By Bob on April 9, 2012 4:28 AM | Read More

A few days ago, the folks at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa asked if we'd like to come down to the Hill Country and check them out. It was an easy decision. We've had a love affair with the Texas Hill Country since the 70s when we were young and stupid newlyweds living in Aggieland (OK, Charlotte was young and I was...well, are you a frequent reader of The Brief, or just visiting?).  

JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa - Front - 650.jpg

So, we hopped in the SUV, cranked up The Best of Robert Earl Keen and headed south on HWY 281 down past the ranch to the Marriott Resort. It's located about 20 minutes north of downtown San Antonio on 600 of the prettiest acres in the entire Hill Country. 

 

We don't need much hand-holding. So, our hosts set us up with some dinner reservations, made Charlotte an appointment at their world-class Lantana Spa (she'll tell you about that later) and invited us to see what the resort has to offer. Sounds easy, right? Not so fast.

 

The San Antonio Hill Country Resort is the largest JW Marriott Resort in the world, with 1,002 guest rooms and 85 suites. This place is TEXAS BIG and has a LOT to offer...with two TPC golf courses, seven restaurant and lounge options, a six-acre water experience, nature preserve, hiking & biking trails...and more. It's been named one of Travel + Leisure's 500 Best Hotels in the World two years in a row and it's easy to see why.

 

Our Insider Tips are just after the jump. But, before we get to them I'm going to let the resort's Paige Singleton and Stefanie Falknor give you their recommendations.

  

 

 


 

Any Place with 85 Tequilas Gets My Vote Every Time

 

 

Enhanced by Zemanta

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I See a Way to Win Some Great Looking Reading Glasses!

By Bob on April 6, 2012 6:07 AM | Read More

Readers - 450.jpg

I'll admit that my eyes have seen better days.

 

It almost seems that when I hit 50 they started losing their grip on anything smaller than a circus elephant. These days, if I want to read something - a restaurant menu, clothing tag, ransom note - anything worth reading, I need my reading glasses.

 

I have several pair stashed around the house within easy grabbing distance. The only problem (which Charlotte will happily tell you) is that none of my reading glasses are what you might call stylish. That is until now.

 

Thanks to Cinzia Designs I now have some great-looking readers that give me a little style - instead of making me look like I'm auditioning for the remake of Mr. Magoo.

 

They've got hundreds of fashion forward reading glasses, sunglasses, cases and other lifestyle accessories for an updated look. In addition to looking great - they also work great because they have the right vision correction for just about anyone.

 


We're giving away 1 FREE pair of great-looking Cinzia Designs reading glasses (up to $100 retail value) to one lucky Boomer Brief reader.

 

Click "Read More" for details on how to enter. Contest ends April 19!

 


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Dust Jacket

God, If You're Not Up There I'm...

By Bob on April 5, 2012 6:25 AM | Read More

Darrell Hammond's, God, If You're Not Up There I'm..., is the kind of behind-the-scenes tell-all that you've never read before. Sure, it's funny - Hammond was a featured cast member on Saturday Night Live for 14 seasons - but, be warned. This is biting wit (emphasis on the biting) and Hammond's sharp tongue slices through a 288-page memoir that's impossible to put down.

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Don't Try This At Home

Check Out Our Pad(s)

By Bob on April 5, 2012 5:53 AM | Read More

water lillies-650.jpgI found these water lillies floating in a pond at the lovely Belingrath Gardens. It's a 65-acre estate located just outside of Mobile, Alabama.

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Here's the Dish

Crowd-Pleasin' Buttermilk Biscuits and Jam

By Charlotte on April 4, 2012 6:27 AM | Read More

Want a dish sure to please even the pickiest eater this Easter?  You've gotta try Cibolo Moon's fresh-baked Buttermilk Biscuits.

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Daily Distraction

Bull Shipper

By Bob on April 3, 2012 5:42 AM | Read More

That's the biggest load of bull-ship I've ever seen...
Bull Shipper-500.jpg

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Don't Try This At Home

Butterflyway

By Bob on April 3, 2012 5:35 AM | Read More

Butterfly-650.jpgWe planted some of these purple butterfly bushes down at the beach in Gulf Shores. The plants love the sand and sound of surf almost as much as we do.  

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In the Mirror

Four Paths to Happy Feet

By Charlotte on April 2, 2012 6:00 AM | Read More

Spring spells time to show off your feet. So I've been packing away the comfy Uggs and riding boots of winter while pining for fancy flip flops (make mine leopard gladiators from Tar-jay, Dahling), color-blocked sandals and sky-high, ankle-strap wedges that put the focus on my feet.

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Go
Red Thong Strong: Girlfriends Little Secrets to Smoothing Lifes Panty Lines
Guest Room

Diabetes-Friendly Chicken Burrito Bowl

ChickenBurritoBowlEverydayDiabetes 600.jpg

By Laura Cipullo and Lisa Mikus, authors of Everyday Diabetes Meals
Image credit: Colin Erricson

Prepare your own Mexican quick fix with this Chipotle-inspired bowl. Carbs are moderated by filling the bowl with beans, extra veggies and chicken. No need for rice, since the beans count as carbs.

Tips:

If you love tomatoes, increase the quantity to 1/2 cup, but note that the carbohydrates will also increase.

If preparing this recipe for one person, cut all of the ingredients in half. Or simply prepare the full recipe up to the end of step 2 and store leftover chicken and vegetable-bean mixture in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the microwave on High for 1 to 2 minutes, or until heated through, and continue with step 3.

Health Bite: The iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, copper and zinc in black beans help to keep bones strong and healthy.

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Playing Favorites

Windy City

It's been almost 18 years since Alison Krauss gave us a solo album, but the wait is over with Windy City. The release (her fifth solo studio album) features ten covers of classic songs (and some bonus tracks) she picked with producer Buddy Cannon.

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