Your mom thinks the holiday season is all about food, and your mate sees the season brimming with gift boxes and bows. But these holiday spirits come on the rocks — shaken not stirred! Food is yummy, but fashionable drinks are both festive and merry. There’s a reason they call it a cup of cheer. While you are gearing up for kissing under the mistletoe or getting your jingle bell rock on, these holiday cocktails will keep you in the spirits, literally.

Whether you like it or not, you will most probably be pulled from the happy confines of your apartment in the coming weeks to be “sociable.” Office holiday parties, requisite family dinners, gift-obligatory dates, and parties with your buds will take over your winter months. Tip the scales in your favor by maintaining your holiday buzz. (Responsibly, of course. Nothing says depressing like being the smelly drunk dude at Christmas dinner).

If you are headed to one of those “nice” parties (i.e.: you are not wearing sneakers) a good bottle of choice may be Dubonnet Rouge. This aperitif is the sort of thing you’d see in 007′s hand. Created from the fruity wines of Roussillon in France and Napa Valley, and its ruby red color and spicy aroma can’t help but add holiday flair to a party. And if you are uncorking at a party for two, try mixing a Dubonnet Mistletoe Kiss:

1 oz. Dubonnet Rouge
1/2 oz. Sour Apple Schnapps
1 oz. Apple Cider
1/2 oz. Sour Mix

Shake with cracked ice, strain into cocktail glass, garnish with a slice of apple

While a festive aperitif may warm up your holiday, if you want a nostalgically jolly twist on some traditional winter favorites, Starbucks Liqueurs and DeKuyper cordials can mate into the perfect dessert-friendly concoctions. Think along the lines of the chocolate milk of your youth, with a twist.

1 oz. Starbucks Coffee Liqueur
1 oz. Starbucks Cream Liqueur
¼ oz. DeKuyper Peppermint Schnapps

Shake and strain into martini glass. Garnish with sprig of mint.

You can’t heat up your holiday party without a Hot Toddy. There are several ways to make it, and some are more appetizing than others, but if you want to experience it at its best, go for Bulleit Bourbon. With its unique high rye recipe and distinctive character, your toddy will be the talk of the crowd.

1 ½ oz. Bulleit Bourbon
1 oz. honey
1/3 oz. lemon juice
3 oz. hot water

Warm the honey and lemon juice for about half a minute and then to add hot water and the bourbon. Enjoy!

Mixing dessert and your drink is always exciting, and mixing up ways to do it adds to the fun. Agavero’s Tequila is powerful blend of select 100% Blue Agave Añejo and Reposado tequilas, making it ideal for everything from body shots to toasting. If you want a great spin on a traditional favorite, a holiday must-try is Mexican coffee.

1 oz. Agavero Tequila
Cup of fresh brewed coffee
Dollop of fresh cream

If you have a special moment to toast this year (um”¦perhaps New Years Eve rings a bell?) you may want to impress your woman (or your Aunt Sally) with your impressive wine collection. Ballatore Bubbly cocktails are made with sparkling wine, but contain a unique twist that will keep the conversion flowing long after the cork has been deployed. Try the Spiced Pear Tart-tini:

1 ¼ oz. pear liqueur
Splash brandy
1 oz. pear nectar
Splash lemon juice
1 oz. Ballatore Gran Spumante
1 pear
2 tbsp cinnamon
1 tbsp white sugar

To prep the martini glass, mix together the cinnamon and sugar in a plate, rub a lemon wedge around the rim of the glass and then dip it in the cinnamon-sugar mix until well coated. Thinly slice the pear and place the slice in the rimmed martini glass. In a mixing glass, combine the pear liqueur, pear nectar, brandy, and lemon juice with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into the prepped martini glass. Top off with Ballatore Gran Spumante and serve.

Lets be real though, while wine and cocktails obviously have their place this season, we still need to be true to ourselves. And for many of us, a fruity mix in a flashy glass just ain’t going to cut it, no matter how jolly we may be feeling this time of year. We (and by we I mean those of the species blessed with chest hair and an obsession with the Playboy channel) want beer.

Black Dog Ale is an English-style amber ale that embodies the taste and smell of the season. Its distinctive aroma and color will warm you while the sweetness of the malt will help you chill out after a long frustrating day of holiday shopping ““ the decidedly unjolly part of holiday hoopla.

Never underestimate the power of multi-tasking. While any of these driks are great for mixing up your dates and parties, the bottles themselves make great gifts. So share the love — buy enough to go around!

Here’s a toast to a great holiday season for you and yours!

*Oh and our legal department requires us to tell you to drink in moderation, blah blah blah, pregnant women shouldn’t drink (and anyone stupid enough to drink while pregnant shouldn’t be allowed to have a kid) and don’t drink and drive-that’s what cabs are for.

ShaveNaked Complete Shaving System
There’s a bit of a double standard in the world of grooming. Women are always expected to be smooth everywhere. Men feel they can be a little more lax. Guys, take it from a lady “¦ you’ll get a lot more action from us with a smooth course. ShaveNaked, a new all-natural shaving and skin care system for men, uses natural botanicals such as aloe vera gel and green tea to help your skin prepare for, ease and recover from your shaving routine. Also part of the line is, ShaveNaked Scrub, a twice-a-week natural exfoliant that deep cleanses and helps avoid those unattractive red razor bumps. Use this as part of your daily shaving routine, or to smooth a shaved scalp. Let your girlfriends feel free to borrow it. All natural and full of natural ingredients, it’s good for their skin as well!

For More Information, visit www.shavenaked.com
Shave Naked Complete Shaving System: 39.95

Tortuga Rum
Known worldwide for their Caribbean rum cakes, Tortuga Rums of the Cayman Islands is now available in the US for the first time. Varieties include Tortuga Gold Rum, Light Rum, Coconut Rum, Spiced Rum, and Banana Rum. A unique aged oak barrel process gives these rums a deeply mellow flavor, making it one of the most enjoyable premium rums you can buy.

For More Information visit www.tortugarums.com
Tortuga Rum Cake Sampler (6 cakes): $31.95
750 ml. bottle of Tortuga Gold Rum: 12.99 + 6.95 shipping (available at www.crownwineandspirits.com)
Socko Energy Drink
Socko Energy Drink is different than any other energy drink you may find on your store shelves. A dare-I-say health revolution in liquid energy, its active ingredients include Caffeine, Taurine, Guarana, Yerba Mate, Horny Goat Weed, Ginseng, B6, and B12. Twice as a big a can as Red Bull and other traditional energy drinks you may be used to; its fruity flavor and super-fuel ingredients will keep you going without fearing what you are doing to your body. Try also as a turbo cocktail of Socko and vodka ““ it’s the yin-yang of healthy choices and a great buzz for your body.

For More Information visit www.sockoenergy.com
A case of 24 16-oz cans of Socko Energy Drink: $43.95

Derring Do Fragrance
Derring Do is derived from an Old English term meaning a mix of chivalry and bravery ““ an image connoting literary rogues the likes of Lancelot and Arthur. Darkly romantic in name, the scent is befitting, with scents of fresh rain, magnolia and musk. Derring Do is part of the new Ineke line of fragrances and will launch this Fall ““ a refreshingly elegant scent for the modern man, and the women who want to get close to him.

Available exclusively at www.ineke.com, Fred Segal, and Bergdorf Goodman
2.5 fl oz bottle of Derring Do: $78

When Oprah declares a product to be the #1 super food, the world takes notice. Recently, Oprah revealed what us nature-loving foodies have known for quite some time ““ açai berries rock. An antioxidant and omega fat rich berry that grows wild on palm trees in the Brazilian Amazon rain forest, it is considered to be one of the healthiest foods in the world. (Yes, it even kicks the butt of the pomegranate.)

It helps that it’s delicious. An admitted Starbucks junkie, I was a slave to my caffeine buzz”¦until now. Why load myself up with sugar and caffeine, when I can have my Naked Juice?

I am in love. Naked Juice’s Rainforest Açai blends açai berries with apple, mango, banana and pineapple; it tastes like a totally naughty smoothie, but is all-natural (duh! Naked!) and is as heart-healthily mouth-watering. Honorable yum-factor mention also to Frutzzo Pomegranate Açai’s organic juice blend of pomegranates, açai, and pear. Just as with Naked, it has no added sugars or preservatives, and is a delicious way to trick your body into wellness.

I realized though, in my attempt to embrace my new yummy berry friend, it was important to find it in areas other than just juice. (Ladies, we cannot live on juice alone!) In my search, I lucked into finding cereal, gelato, and a dessert tea!

Canada’s Vitasi Products recently launched their Açai Amazon Berry Granola, made with exotic ingredients like the açai, banana chips and coconut. Tasters get their fiber and from whole oats and flaxseed. I for one am a long-time lover of the Kashi cereal lines, and this is the first product I tasted that can rival its natural sweetness. (Vitasi does this in their granola by including candied ginger.) If you aren’t a breakfast person you can also nosh on granola as a snack, or mix it in a bowl with a scoop of Belizza Açai Gelato. (Warning though, at that point, you may be so buzzed; you won’t sleep for a week!)

So, sit back, brew a pot of Celestial Seasonings Green Tea, infused with tropical açai berries, and relax. Take care of your body, and it will take care of you.

For the last few years, I’ve joined with good friends to complete the annual Breast Cancer walk. As a result, October has great significance for me, and marks a time to not only reflect upon the issue of breast cancer, but to raise funds and awareness for more research as well.

This month’s issue of BeautyNewsLA takes a special look at companies that do their part for charity, and I feel truly honored to mention them here.

These pink ribbon lounge socks by Karen Neuburger are so unbelievably lush and comfy that you may want to stock up and wear them all winter long. And, the more you stock up, the better you’ll feel. ThinkHer.com is selling these socks as part of their “pink ribbon” section, and 10% of the proceeds from the sale of all of these items goes to the USC/Comprehensive Cancer Center for breast cancer research. www.thinkher.com

A metro mama appreciates luxury and comfort, and she’s also a connoisseur of the unique and special. The cute must-have bag we found this month is the Bootie Bag. A portion of the proceeds of Bootie Bags goes to Juvenile Diabetes research, and more than $30,000 has been raised by the company to date. These bags are precious; created from the seat pants of gently recycled jeans, each is completely handmade. We’re hooked ““ we always love a hot new style, but one that supports an important cause at the same time is simply icing on the cake. Check out the latest Bootie Bag styles at www.bootiebags.com.

Metro moms take note: Shirley of Hollywood has a special Halloween line that is sexy and just a little naughty while being fun and festive. A portion of this lauded lingerie store’s proceeds go to the Ronald McDonald House and Sylvan Learning Center, as well as other children’s charities. So whether you have a secret yearning to channel L’il Bo Peep or to be a flamenco dancer, you’ll find something to express yourself here. Visit www.shirleyofhollywood.com.

Supporting companies such as these is a great start to a better, healthier world for our children.

Perhaps the best part of the changing seasons is an excuse to update your look with some hot new colors and styles. This fall some of the hottest names in cosmetics have sizzling new lines that will keep you smoldering “¦ even as the autumn chill sets in.

As a very fair skinned blonde, it’s often hard for me to find colors that will keep me looking vibrant despite my light pigment. I’ve had rampant success with two separate amazing eye liners: Afterglow’s Powder Eyeliner in Midnight Blue and Kryolan’s Cake Eyeliner in Green. Both colors work beautifully to enhance the color, energy, and even shape of my eyes with a blazingly intense look that works both day and night. I also love applying my liners with the Kryolan Flat Brush, which is made of synthetic Japanese fibers. Absorbing only as much cosmetic as you need, the brush allows great control when applying liner with striking precision and detail.

Color! Autumn is all about earth and life and growth, and Bare Escentuals’ id BareMinerals Wearable Eye Kit in Meet the Greens reflects that. Light Green, Medium Green, and Dark Green are fab to mix up and wear altogether, or on their own, working as either a subtle or striking look.

Afterglow also has some really fun shades for fall. Another all natural, mineral-based company, you can wear their cosmetics with pretty much no worries of allergic reaction while also staying on longer. Go demure with the softly shimmering pink of Cosmopolitan or wild with the jewel green Emerald. One more must-try is Emani Cosmetics’ Smoke Out, a dazzling luminous blue that is perfect for capturing your inner party girl.

The best thing about creating a new look for fall is you have the right to continually tweak it. Try a new shadow, mix up a few shades, be the wild gal you are. It’s only a brush stroke away “¦

You can find the cosmetics featured in this article at the following sites: www.afterglowcosmetics.com, www.kryolan.com, www.emani.com, and www.bareminerals.com

I’m having a bad day “¦ like a really bad day. My demonic computer and its equally evil paramour, broadband have decided to drive me insane. I sort of just want to jump out a window.

What I really need is some de-stressing, however the last thing I want to do is pay salon prices for my mani and pedi. The answer is an at-home solution that gives professional results with less pain in my pocket.

I do a great deal of walking in flip flops, so my feet need an extra dose of pampering before I even get started worrying about polished pink toes. I start off with Nailtini’s awesome Coco Loco Smoothie sugar scrub. It uses exfoliating sugar granules, moisturizing coconut milk, and nut oils to slough away rough, icky skin, leaving behind only silky smoothness. I follow that up with good heel butter”” my new favorite is an offering by the Essencia Aromatics skincare collection. Packed with botanical butters like shea and mango as well as essential oils, your dry heels (and feet) will feel better than ever after the first application.

The ideal one-stop (at-home) shop just may be the Artemis Woman Paraffin Nail Salon. Smooth, buff, and even dry your nails with this mega set that includes a heated paraffin drip, cuticle cream, and nail dryer. It’s basically everything you need, from soup to nuts (or file to dry “¦) in a box.

If you are like me and have problems keeping your cuticles at bay, Carolyn of New York’s Cuticle Oil is a must-try coat for your pre-polishing. It comes in a selection of flavors, but I’ve grown partial to the citrus”¦it just makes your hands smell of summer all day long! I’m pretty sure it’s helping my nails grow as well, because I’ve noticed a definite strengthening and growth since I started using it. This oil contains Vitamin C, which can help protect your cuticles from environmental damage and also help tissue repair.

My problem with nail color is I tend to want a new color every few days. It’s hard to find hot shades that both complement your wardrobe and your personality without coming off too loud or tacky. (Or worse, boring.) With Fall comes great shades from some of our favorite companies, including Dashing Diva’s frosty new Watermelon Pop, Lippmann Collection’s shimmering red Since I Fell for You, and all-natural Jessica Cosmetics’ That’s Amore line ““ including the red-hot Passionate Kisses and Midday Rendezvous, a hot dark mauve. OPI’s fun new I Don’t Do Dishes line is well worth checking out too.

The only top coat I ever use on my nails is Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat. We all know that the worst thing on earth (beside demonic computers”¦) is to put the time and effort into your nails, and then end up with ugly chips a few hours later. Seche Vite’s top coat makes nail polish stay fresh and glossy longer “¦ the final nail in the salon coffin.

I must confess, I am a girl. A girlie girl, at that. Thus, me writing for Male Perspectives is, on first view, rather funny. (However, let it be noted, I have an appreciation for men”¦and playthings”¦I mean toys”¦) So, allow me to share with you my perspective, on the male perspective, of the snazziest new gadgets this fall.

The slim and sexy Nintendo DS Lite is about two-thirds the size of the DS. Even though the unit is somewhat smaller than its daddy, the graphics are completely crisp and clear, causing the myriad colors to leap off the screen, bright and potent. (And you can adjust the brightness too!) Closing the case midway through a game will put the unit into sleep mode and will allow you to start right back up after opening. The DS Lite is already available on store shelves, and is perfect for traveling “¦ or lounging around at home in your boxers with a beer. (See? Male perspective! I’ve got you covered.) Some of the coolest video games are going to be coming out this holiday season for the DS Lite – like Madden Football 2007 and Super Mario Brothers DS. Pack this in your backpack and stay entertained the entire commute ““ and throughout the day. (We are talking epic battery power here, as well!)

Meizu, Meizu, can you hear me? Renounce thy iPod and refuse thou Zen, for our love is true. Meizu is a brand-new import from Japan that will kick the arse of all its predecessors. One of the hottest parts of this baby will be the $199 price for the 4GB version compared to $249 for the 4GB Nano. With 4GB of memory, a 2.4-inch screen, a microphone plug for voice recording, FM support, USB support,MP3/WAV/OGG/WMA for audio and Xvid for video, you’ll be declaring your oath of love as well. Never underestimate the coolness of being the first person to discover the new gadget, as well. White ear buds and ITunes may be sooo 2005.

Come on big boy, come and get your treat. You know you want it”¦

For More Information:
www.nintendo.com/systemsds
http://en.meizu.com/product_m6.asp

After surviving a long, cold winter, summer sun can feel positively luminous. Its warmth improves your mood and your energy. However, glorious as they may feel, these rays can also be incredibly damaging and it is extremely important to have the right tools at your disposal during this potentially dangerous time of year.

We’ve fallen in love with some great products by Bare Escentuals dedicated to maintaining healthy, radiant skin from dawn till dusk. Because all their products are created from crushed bare minerals, this is one of the purest products you can hope for ““ there’s even a product perfect for freshly washed, “˜ready to sleep’ skin.

RareMineralsâ„¢ Skin Revival Treatment is a mineral-based time release nighttime treatment made of all organic vitamins, minerals, and plant extracts. Used regularly, it will increase the hydration in your skin, make your flesh feel softer and shinier, and help with firmness.

Also by Bare Escentuals, “bareVitamins face skin rev-er upper” made my complexion feel radiant and smoother after the very first application. Use it alone, or under your regular moisturizer and foundation in order to even out the application of makeup, and your skin tone. I matched it up with the accompanying bareMinerals foundation (which includes SPF 15 sunscreen), and was getting compliments on how healthy and glowing my skin looked all day long.

I was always the blonde little girl who felt paler than jasmine among my bronzed friends. It wasn’t even a matter of not wanting to risk sun exposure; I simply don’t have the ability to tan. (In fact, a few years ago, I vacationed in Cozumel and returned from there a dusky rose). But the inability to tan shouldn’t stop us from getting some semblance of sun-burnt color. “bareMinerals Faux Tan All-Over Face Color” helps in spades.

The best tan may just be the one you can get without ever leaving your pajamas. With this all-over face color, you will have the hue of a Brazilian tan year-round if you want it, no matter how fair you are. Plus, like everything else in the Bare Escentuals line, it’s all-natural.

Bare Escentuals products can be purchased at www.bareescentuals.com, Sephora, and major department stores nationwide.

Being a blue-eyed blonde is not all it’s cracked up to be. Besides the tanning impossibility and frequently looking washed out, it’s nearly impossible to find cosmetics with the right ingredients and coloring to complement our fair (and often sensitive) skin.

After years of toiling from one makeup counter to the next with no relief in sight, I have found a new best friend in Alchemy of Colour Mineral Cosmetics.

In the summer months, my skin tends to fall prey to redness and irritation. Alchemy of Colour’s Flawless Finishing Powder and Angel Veil Setting Powder””both created from pure crushed minerals and botanical sources””calmed my skin and provided ultimate coverage. As the ingredients are entirely organic, my skin felt silky-smooth and light.

The Radiance Bronzer was another great find. Very often during the summer, I look pale in comparison to the people around me””it’s hard not to with porcelain skin that repels the sun! This unbelievable bronzer gave my skin a sun-kissed hue and””most importantly””a natural hue. It looked like a legitimate tan!

For all of us fair, a cosmetic line is very often most valued based on its colors. My recommendation for the other fair-skinned blondes out there is to go for the Black Orchid or Teal liners. The Teal liner, a deep-sea lustrous green-blue color, made my eyes absolutely “pop”””perfect for a night out on the town. Black Orchard, which is a deep, dark plum color, was more of a daytime look, but just as striking. Created with a base of jojoba and natural waxes, the pencils apply with a gentle texture that stays on for hours.

Visit www.alchemistsapprentice.com to discover the entire Alchemy of Colour line ““ including their awesome glosses, shadows, and blushes. I feel as if I’ve achieved ultimate skin nirvana since discovering this line and I will never, ever stray again.

When I was a little girl, I’d dread the summer. I had curly hair, and during the cooler, dryer months, my mom would blow it out straight for me. However, as the heat and humidity came, she threw up her hands and apologetically handed over the headband. The battle was lost, and I knew I was destined to resemble a brillo pad for the next few months ““ the whole time running scared from every mirror in my wake.

Curls can be hot and sexy, but not when Madame Frizz Fest comes along. And while thermal reconditioning treatment worked out great for me, as the roots began to grow back in, I felt the familiar gnawing grow in my gut. I needed a solution. Praise the lord, a lot has changed! There are some great tools of the trade out there now for gals suffering a similar atmospheric injustice. No hats required.

Eager for a hot summer style? The first step to maintaining hair’s health (and moisture!) is a good shampoo and conditioner. We loved Activate’s Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner. Enriched with Activate’s salon-quality Hydro-Infusedâ„¢ Complex, these products are a blend of Cupuaçu Butter, Vitamin E, and a bunch of other powerful vitamins and minerals. Something about this concoction works ““ I just came in from 99-degree humidity weather”¦and am frizz-free! My hair already started to feel revitalized, shinier, and softer. Check out the entire Activate Beauty product line at www.activatebeauty.com ““ it’s surprisingly affordable as well!

After washing but before using any styling tools, it’s imperative to give your hair some moisture-rich coating. (You wear boots in the snow; why should your hair be different?) Again, Activate impressed us with their Straightening Cream ““ a powerful hydration preservant and humidity barrier. Fabulous results too from Garnier Fructis Style Shine Cream-Gel, which worked to maintain hold and style without feeling stiff or sticky. Garnier Fructis contains fruit microwaves, so your hair will also smell delicious ““ even when mixed with other products and heated tools! Honorable mention too, in this category, to Dove’s Smooth & Soft Anti-Frizz Cream/Weightless Moisturizer. For those days that your hair feels extra brittle and dry (or that you may be using extra heat on it) ““ this is a gem to add to the mix. It’s also great to use after styling to tame those annoying fly-aways.

As fabulous as a product is, the wrong heated tools can have our follicles standing on end”¦literally. The gadget is as important as the best of creams and gels, and there are many options out there. For those on a budget who want to get their hands on the new Hot Tools Tourmaline Hair Dryer #1043. It helps keep your hair shiny and healthy by generating far-infrared energy, which passes through the hair cuticle, drying hair from the inside. (That’s tech speak for it won’t scorch your locks!) The nano ions separate water into smaller droplets, increasing its moisture content and reducing the resulting frizz effect. If you are like me and have especially unruly roots, you may want to follow up with a good flat iron. Maxius’s MaxiGlideâ„¢ Hair Straightener is terrific. It contains 100 strategically placed detangling pins made out of ceramic that act as combs. Its steam-burst system will smooth out your hair and flatten it to pin-straight in less time than it takes you to call your local salon for an appointment. Both the Maxius MaxiGlide and the Hot Tools Tourmaline Hair Dryer are extremely affordable, and available at specialty beauty stores.

Spritz on a great finishing spray, such as Garnier Fructis’ Glossing Spray or Maxius’ The End, which puts a micro layer of virtually weightless protection on your hair, and you are good to go!

Time to throw away those hats.