Guilty Pleasures Monday – Jason Taylor

He can play football and he can dance! What more can you ask? Well, he’s damn sexy as well!

Today’s Guilty Pleasure is Jason Taylor and if you like today’s picture, you can get it for your desktop at Jason’s site by clicking here.

Jason plays for the Miami Dolphins although there’s a lot of conjecture on ESPN and other sports networks as to whether he’ll be back with the Dolphins this year. Regardless, we’re lucky to be seeing him on Dancing with the Stars. Here’s a widget for you so you can keep track of Jason and what’s up on Dancing with the Stars.


Fun Friday – Dancing with the . . .

Caridad and Big John at the Ellora's Cave party at RTThis Fun Friday is all about dancing! That’s me and Big John, tripping the light fantastic at the Ellora’s Cave party at RT. Well, at least I’m trying to dance since unfortunately, I’m a Cuban who can’t shake her booty. I can just about keep the rhythm of the beat and maybe do a little move now and then.

I guess that’s why I secretly have watched Dancing with the Stars off and on. I really admire people who can dance. My mom and dad could really dance and as a kid I’d sit on the stairs and watch them during a party when I should have been in bed. They were so graceful and enjoyed it so much.

How about you? Can you shake your booty or move your groove thing (that is about dancing, right? Vertical dancing, correct?)Don’t know what kind of dancing you do?

Well then, check out this very funny take on the Evolution of Dance from Judson Laipply! Watch and try to think about how many of these evolutionary phases you’ve danced through in your life.

Thoughtful Thursday – On Politicians . . .

Clip courtesy of Microsoft Word Clip ArtPolitics. Lately it’s everywhere you go, unavoidable and unappealing.

Why unappealing? There’s an old joke about lawyers that sums up my feelings lately about politics and politicians and it goes like this:

Question: When do you know politicians are lying?
Answer: When their lips are moving.

Let me make it clear I’m not talking about any politician in general, but rather, the species as a whole and may I point out that there are probably lots of exceptions within the species. But for now . . .

Wouldn’t it be refreshing if our politicians gave us their real opinions, even if they knew they’d be unpopular? Or took a hard stand on something they believed in rather than looking at the polls to see what to do? Wouldn’t it be nice if they actually did something for a change instead of just trying to grandstand one another or win points for either party instead of working for the people?

What would I want them to do? Maybe finally start addressing the following problems which are tops on my list. Are they tops on your list?

  • 1. “It’s the economy, stupid!” People are hurting all over the country and you’re spending millions and millions on campaign ads! Imagine what good you could do if you spent that money elsewhere!
  • 2. Oil prices! 🙁 Don’t you think it’s time to tap U.S. oil reserves and develop new energy platforms?
  • 3. National Security. Stop dismantling the laws that were working and take action against companies and individuals who reveal secrets that are necessary for National security.
  • 4. Health Care. No need to say more on this one. We all get sick and want to get better.
  • 5. The Mortgage Crisis. When you decide what to do, just make sure you don’t take the money from those people who’ve been paying their mortgages regularly.
  • Some ideas to consider on this Thoughtful Thursday since we’ve still got a lot of campaigning to survive!

    Wicked Wednesday – A Return To South Beach

    Click Here for more info on SOUTH BEACH CHICAS CATCH THEIR MANThe weather here is finally starting to warm, reminding me of Spring Break nights in South Beach, before the heat and humidity of a Miami summer make it unpleasant.

    With such thoughts running through my brain (and me wanting to ask my boss if I can sit outside and work!), I figured it was time for a quick trip back to South Beach.

    This little excerpt is about Virginia and Pablo, Sylvia’s parents who are in the throes of their own romance during the course of the SOUTH BEACH CHICAS CATCH THEIR MAN novel. The original version contained a lot more background about their early romance, but it was just too much to include. I am very thankful, however, that my editors loved the idea of showing a vital fortysomething woman coming to grips with a lost love.

    These scene is in SOUTH BEACH CHICAS CATCH THEIR MAN and I hope you enjoy it!

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    The night progressed leisurely, with the two of them talking, mostly about the villa and the renovations, and sharing the delicious meal and of course, Pablo’s wine. She was almost sorry when Pablo took away the dishes for the dessert, since she hated for the interlude to end.

    “This has been lovely,” she said, fiddling with her napkin as it sat on the tabletop.

    He covered her hand with his. “Who says the night is over?”

    As he twined his fingers with hers, he stood and she went with him, following him to the lower landing of the patio near the water. She realized there was a small boombox on the side railing of the veranda.

    Pablo detoured by there only long enough to turn it on and adjust the volume until the low melodious tones of the music drifted through the night. With an impatient tug on her hand, he led her to the center of the landing.

    Virginia stumbled a bit on one of the slabs, but Pablo caught her in his arms.

    “I must have that fixed,” he said as he wrapped his arms around her waist and brought her close.

    “Yes, of course. Fix it,” she replied, although she was grateful for the floor’s rather timely intervention since left to her own devices, she would definitely not be pressed to his hard body and that would have truly been a shame.

    She laid her head against his chest and swayed with him to the nearly indistinct sounds of the music. The low bass beats carried through the night air, slightly louder. Or maybe it was the beat of her heart. Of his. Low and steady. Close against her breast.

    He moved one hand up and placed it in the middle of her back. His skin hot. The roughness of it enticing.

    She picked up her head and met his gaze. His eyes seemed an even darker green in the dim light, but his smile was brilliant as he asked, “Are you having a nice time?”

    With a nod, she said, “Very nice. There’s only one thing that might make it even nicer.”

    His smile broadened and he dipped his head until his lips were only an inch from hers. “De verdad? And what would that be?”

    She raised herself on tiptoe, eliminating that final inch of distance. With a whisper against his lips, she said, “This.”

    The kiss began innocently enough, with the simple meeting of their lips. Followed by another kiss and then another until they were straining toward each other, hungry for more.

    “Maybe it’s time we went somewhere — ”

    “More private?” she said and without missing a beat, snagged his hand and led him back toward the limo, where Pablo asked the driver to take them for a ride around town.

    He helped her into the back seat, slipped in beside her and immediately put up the privacy screen. After, he reached for her and eased her onto his lap where once again, they resumed the kiss.

    Virginia opened her mouth to his, accepted the thrust of his tongue. He tasted like his wine and the sweet berries they had shared for dessert. In between kisses, she said, “Sylvia warned me about this.”

    “Really? But who kissed who first, amorcito?” he teased and worked his way to the edge of her mouth and then down to the crook of her neck and shoulder.

    She held his head to her, shuddered as he sucked there and then soothed the spot with a kiss. “That feels good.”

    “Hmm. I’d like to feel that, too,” he confessed and with clumsy fingers, she undid his tie and shirt collar, bent her head and sucked on him.

    His skin was salty. Undeniably masculine. The muscles of his upper shoulder firm. She bit down and he groaned, slipped his hand to the middle of her back and urged her closer.

    But the only way to accomplish that was to straddle his legs, which she did, bringing the hard length of his erection to nestle between her legs.

    She paused at the pressure of him there and looked down at him. “You do have protection, don’t you? I promised Sylvia I’d be responsible.”

    Pablo chuckled and laid his hands at her waist, keeping her hips immobile. “I’ve heard it said that children get in the way of romance. I just never thought it would happen quite like this.”

    Virginia laughed and cradled his face in her hands. “Is this a romance or are we two sad, old people grasping at our youth?”

    The mirth on Pablo’s face softened, but didn’t completely recede. With care and patience, he slipped his hand beneath the edge of her dress. Slowly moved upward until he was cupping her naked breast in his hand. Her nipple beaded immediately and he smiled at that.

    “Old? I’ve always heard that a woman in her forties is at her prime sexual peak.” As if to emphasize his point, he grasped the tip of her nipple and gently caressed it, drawing a gasp from her.

    “It seems that may be right,” he said . . .

    Copyright 2007 Caridad Pineiro Scordato, www.caridad.com

    Tuesday Tip – Making Chocolate Count!

    Image courtesy of Microsoft Word Clip artOkay, it’s a tough job, but someone’s got to do it! Reuters is reporting that researchers in the United Kingdom “will explore whether compounds called flavonoids found in chocolate and other foods can reduce the risk of heart disease for menopausal women with type 2 diabetes. . .”

    In order to conduct the studies, they need volunteers. I suspect they may find themselves with a waiting list of volunteers.

    Actually, not eating the chocolate is one of the hardest things about my diet/lifestyle change. I love chocolate. Actually, who doesn’t love chocolate (although come to think of it, my daughter doesn’t like chocolate!).

    So what can you do to make the chocolate count?

    Well, according to some, dark chocolate can help lower high blood pressure.

    Dark chocolate contains flavonoids which are anti-oxidants and can protect against free radicals which can cause heart disease. These flavonoids are present in red wine, tea, all kinds of berries, nuts and other fruits and vegetables. The flavonoids in chocolate are called flavonols and they help build nitric oxide in your body.

    What does nitric oxide do? Some studies suggest that this compound helps keep blood flowing and prevents platelets from sticking together to cause clots, leading to a healthier heart.

    A CNN report indicated that chocolate can also improve your skin, boost memory and attention span by increasing blood flow to the brain! Not to mention that dark chocolate has been linked to reducing bad cholesterol!

    So, have a bit of chocolate (the darker the better), but remember that chocolate has lots of fat and usually sugar so moderation is key. I found some organic sugar free dark chocolate that only had about 200 calories per serving and was pretty tasty. The serving size on that bar was 9 squares of chocolate which was more than I needed for the typical craving, so I was able to keep calorie/fat down by eating less of it each time.

    The Hershey’s Sugar Free chocolates are pretty good as well and according to their nutrition facts, a 16 gram bar has 80 calories (35 from fat).

    Also try Almond M&Ms, which have 200 calories per serving (100 fat calories however). The Almond M&M’s have the added benefit of the almonds which are also high in antioxidants.

    Want to share your love of chocolate? Check out Virtual Chocolate, on online website totally dedicated to what else — chocolate!

    Hope this Tuesday Tip helps with your chocolate cravings!
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    Guilty Pleasure Monday – Jesse L. Martin

    Seems apropo to bring you Jesse L. Martin this Monday since last week was Martin’s final episode on the long-running Law & Order show. Always elegant and professional, Martin’s presence on the show helped soothe the loss of Jerry Orbach. Martin and Orbach were perfect together and both will be sorely missed.

    As for whether Martin is hot . . . Well, I always thought he was a totally sexy man and so did many of my friends! There’s just something so silently sensual about his look and the way he moves . . .

    Besides being a hottie, Martin is an accomplished actor who has been on numerous shows and was also one of the original cast members of the popular Broadway show RENT. He reprised his role in the recently released film version of that show.

    Here’s a clip from that final show courtesy of the NBC website!


    Fashion Friday – Must Have Denim Jackets

    We’ve been teased with a bit of spring weather in New York and like most office denizens, we can’t wait to head out once the weather gets nice. I work with my sis and one of our favorite places to go for a picnic lunch is the Tudor City Greens which are about two blocks from our office.

    The Tudor City Greens are these beautiful little parks and playgrounds tucked one story above 42nd Street. Quiet and serene, they’re a great place to get away from the noisy bustle of Midtown Manhattan. Another little known fact, there’s a bridge across 42nd Street that joins the two Tudor City Greens parks and if you stand smack in the middle of that bridge, you can see the East River and Long Island on one side and to the west, the Palisades and New Jersey. As far as I know, it’s the only spot on Manhattan Island where you can see from one side of the island to the other.

    Of course, what do you wear when that Spring tease of weather emerges and you need a jacket in the morning and night? After seeing all the women out on the streets of New York in the past few days, the answer to this fashion question is clear — a denim jacket!

    So, today’s Fashion Friday is about denim jackets!

    Now, I’m inherently frugal (translation cheap) and for me the best buys on denim are generally at Old Navy, especially toward the end of season when they are busy slashing prices. But even when they are not on sale, it’s tough to get a better deal.

    Here’s what Old Navy is offering this season:

    Click here for more info on OLD NAVY Denim Jacket Click here for more info on OLD NAVY Plus Size Denim Jacket

    The jacket on the left is your traditional slightly distressed denim jacket while the one on the right is Old Navy’s Plus Size version. Both are nice and fairly affordable so you can add them to your collection. Best thing is, get a classically-styled jacket and it only gets better with age as the denim fades and softens with wear (dare we say how sexy men look in a nicely aged denim jacket that hugs those broad shoulders and lean waists?)

    You can pair a denim jacket with dress pants and a nice top for a slightly casual look or of course, with jeans and a simple top for a totally casual look. Just make sure the denim on the jacket doesn’t clash with the denim in the pants. The color and texture of the denim should be close.

    You may also find sometimes that too much denim doesn’t work, making you look way too big. Depending on your body type, opt for a darker color to slim down problem areas and leave the denim for your better half.

    Hope today’s Fashion Friday tip helped!

    Have a great weekend.