Attention Alice in Wonderland Fans

I’ve been a fan of the book for years – since I read it as a child. To see the movie in such splendor and amazing color is a real treat. I know there are some real die-hard fans out there, especially with the A-list actors cast into Tim Burton’s movie! Those fans are in for a little surprise from Girlz Lyfe!

Fan-Tastic Alice in Wonderland Accessories

Whether you prefer the leering grin of the Cheshire cat or the sweet smile of Alice, the saucy attitude of the Queen of Hearts or the eccentric Mad Hatter – you’re going to love the new items available.

Totes – Check out the new tote bags, with beautiful metal studded details on the straps and featuring full-color scenes from the movie. The totes are 14” X 14.5” – so they’re the perfect size for all the necessities you have to carry on a daily basis.

Plus, they’re a great way to pay tribute to your favorite character from the movie! If you have a special occasion coming up and need a great gift for an Alice fan, look no further!

Lunchboxes – If you’d rather have something you can take to school or work (or even the perfect collectible to put on a shelf in your home), the lunch boxes are great. These are collectible items that will only gain in popularity over time. These boxes also feature full-color scenes from the movie, with embossed detail and your favorite characters.

Hinge Wallets – The hinge wallets are the perfect accessory to go with your matching tote, or to carry alone and hold your cash! They’re a great way to show off your fabulous sense of style and love of the movie.

What I love most about these is that they’re solid on the outside, so they’re durable and not likely to wear out quickly. Plus, the inside has spots for credit cards, IDs and anything else you’d normally carry in a wallet.

There are a few other great Alice in Wonderland accessories at the shop so if you’re a fan, swing by and pick up something special for yourself today.

Oscar Winners and the Results of our Picks

Last night, the 82^nd annual Academy awards took place, making some actors, directors, writers and others very happy as they received some well-deserved recognition for their work. Last week, Girlz Lyfe predicted a few different winners for you and it’s time to see how our predictions turned out…



Best Picture: There were so many fabulous movies nominated – all deserving of Oscars, but The Hurt Locker took the prize. I personally think the cast and crew of this movie won so many awards last night that they were running out of people to thank – but it was well-deserved!



Actor in a Leading Role: We were right when we said Jeff Bridges was likely to take this one, and he did. With a great speech that thanked his colleagues, fellow cast members and the director – he wrapped it up with a wonderful tribute to his wife and daughters.



Actress in a Leading Role: As predicted, Sandra Bullock won the award. In her usual graceful and funny manner, the actress mentioned the other four nominees, including her ‘lover,’ Meryl Streep. She also ended on a very heartfelt and tearful thank you to someone very important to her – her own mother.



Actor in a Supporting Role: Christoph Waltz was a graceful and fun winner of this award, and really deserved it. He was up against some tough competition and it was fun to watch him gain recognition for his hard work.



Best Supporting Actress: Mo’Nique for her role in Precious. With a beautiful acceptance speech, Mo’Nique thanked her husband for his support and for his encouragement to not ‘do what’s popular, but to do what’s right.’ We predicted this one correctly – yay!



Hey – 3 out of 5 – not so bad! Here’s a quick wrap-up of the other Oscar winners from last night.

Art Direction – Avatar
Cinematography – Avatar
Best Animated Feature – Up
Directing – Kathryn Bigelow – first ever female director to win! Girl power!
Film Editing – The Hurt Locker
Makeup – Star Trek
Costume Design – The Young Victoria
Music – Original Score – Up
Music – Original Song – Crazy Heart

Congratulations to all the very talented artists who worked so hard to get where they are today. It just goes to show you that following your dreams really can pay off!



Image Credits: CBS.com, blogs.telegraph.co.uk

Girlz Lyfe Oscar Predictions 2010

2009 was a year full of fabulous movies. This Sunday, some of the finest directors, writers and actors that took part in those movies will be recognized with prestigious Oscar awards – and we have some predictions for you. Let us know in the comments whether you agree or disagree – and what your favorite 2009 movies were!

Best Picture:

While The Blindside was a fantastic telling of Michael Oher’s childhood and adoption by the Tuohy family, I have to say that I think Avatar is going to take this award. With amazing graphics and fantastic actors – I’d say this movie is going home with an Oscar for best picture.

Actor in a Leading Role:

This one is so difficult – Morgan Freeman is an amazing actor and certainly deserves an Oscar for his performance in Invictus, but I’d say the winner is going to be Jeff Bridges for his role in Crazy Heart. It’s a never-before seen side of Jeff that really pulled at the heart strings.

Actor in a Supporting Role:

Matt Damon. *Swoon* It would be absolutely fabulous if he took home the Oscar, and aside from his smoking hot good looks – he actually can act! However, I can’t get over Stanley Tucci’s performance as the murderer in The Lovely Bones. It was chilling, and I think he’ll take the prize.

Actress in a Leading Role:

I’m going with Sandra Bullock with this one for The Blind Side all the way. This is so different from Sandra’s usual performances – and she was outstanding in her role as Luann Tuohy. Of course, the favorite would be Meryl Streep from Julie and Julia, but I think Sandra’s ready for her first ever Oscar win.

Actress in a Supporting Role:

Twilight star Anna Kendrick got to show off a more serious acting ability in Up In the Air, but my money is on Mo’Nique for her performance in Precious. One word – wow. Absolutely believable and she deserves recognition for bringing that role to life.

Of course, a ton more awards will go out for various categories, including best sound editing, best directing, best writing, etc. But our concern is with the celebrities above and which will earn the rights to brag about their gleaming Oscar. What are your opinions?

Dancing with the Stars 2010 Lineup

Well, many of you are heartbroken that the Bachelor is over – and whether or not you’re happy with his choice, it seems he’s fallen for the beautiful Vienna.

Don’t get too down in the dumps as you prepare to wait for next season, because the Dancing with the Stars 2010 lineup has just been announced.

Something tells me the show’s going to be very interesting this season…












Pamela Anderson – Wow! Pamela has been stirring quite a few different pots, including diving into the fashion scene with a new eco-friendly line, but we’re all about to see how well she can shake her tail feathers.












Evan Lysacek – As an Olympic gold medalist, this figure skater is no stranger to dancing. He will prove to be an interesting addition to this year’s lineup.












Shannon Doherty – From teenage drama queen on 90210 to heart-attack-inducing host of Scare Tactics and a slew of gigs in between, Shannon has proven that she’s multi-talented. Let’s see if dancing is included in her list of abilities!












Nicole Scherzinger – Again, no stranger to dance, this Pussycat Doll should have no problem with the hours of training.












Jake Pavelka – So, some people can make a career from reality television.












Buzz Aldrin – I wonder if he’ll do the moonwalk. Ok, that was corny.













Chad Ochocinco – There may not be anyone to tackle, but this big guy is no stranger to strenuous training and physical stamina. Let’s see if he can keep a rhythm.












Aiden Turner – ‘All My Children’ hottie Aiden Turner is likely to be the favorite among the girlies. One quick turn of the hips might mean it’s all over for the rest of the guys!











Niecy Nash – From Reno 911 to Clean House to Dancing with the Stars. This woman undoubtedly has talent, but can she wiggle her way to the win?











Erin Andrews – Sportscaster Erin Andrews may be the favorite for the men this year, but only because she’d be more recognizable to them. She will definitely have competition from Nash, Scherzinger, and Anderson.











Kate Gosselin – Perhaps the most shocking will be Kate’s appearance on the show. You can pretty much bet that anyone she partners with will be doing the dance moves she prefers, though!


Well, that’s it – a very interesting lineup, no doubt. It’ll be great to see how these guys and gals compete and what they bring to the dance floor.

Photos by:
*Nicole Scherzinger - Gavin Bond
*Kate Gosselin - Nigel Parry/CPI
*Jake Pavelka - ABC Network
*Erin Andrews - Larissa Underwood
*Chad Ochocinco - ABC Network
*Buzz Aldrin - StarBuzz LLC
*Aiden Turner - ABC Network
*Evan Lysacek - ABC Network
*Niecy Nash - The Style Network
*Pamela Anderson - Isaiah Mays
*Shannon Doughtery - Kurt Iswarienko

The Power of the Tote: Fashion Meets Eco-Consciousness

A tote bag is certainly more than just a bag that holds your cell phone, lipstick and other necessities. It can be the fashion accessory that pulls your entire outfit together and a great way to make a statement.

There are so many different kinds of totes – different colors, prints, and styles. But a tote is even more important than that. It can help reduce waste and protect the environment.

The Facts about Plastic Grocery Bags:

Across the world, about 1 million plastic bags are used every minute.
Plastic bags that end up in lakes, rivers and oceans are responsible for more than 100,000 deaths of sea turtles and other marine mammals that mistake them for food.
Plastic bags made from high-density polyethylene (the most common type) will be in landfills for 1,000 years.
About 1 million sea birds and land mammals die each year by mistaking plastic bags for food.
Plastic bags are easily carried by the wind to natural habitats and waterways.

These are some pretty frightening facts. Creating the plastic bags also consumes a lot of energy and pollutes the air. So, how can tote bags help? That’s easy. Take an empty tote bag or two when you go shopping rather than relying on the plastic bags available at stores. There are some other great ways that tote bags can be used to reduce waste in regards to plastic bags and paper products.

Use tote bags as an attractive ‘wrapping’ for gifts. Use a safety pin to close the bag if it has no closure, and then attach a fabric bow. Not only does the recipient get the great gift inside, but a cute new tote as well!
When sending a fragile or breakable gift, wrap it in a soft tote bag rather than using shredded paper or bubble wrap. Another bonus gift!
When a tote bag gets old, rather than throwing it away, place it in your car to collect trash and empty it regularly. Voila – you can keep your vehicle clean and reduce waste.

Girls have known for years that the tote is mighty powerful – the statistics above just prove it! Do your part for the environment and embrace a beautiful, humorous, colorful or elegant tote bag today.

Happy Pancake Day!

Ah…pancakes. Warm, fluffy and dripping with rich syrup – they’re the perfect breakfast comfort food, aren’t they? In a perfect world, there would be a day dedicated to celebrating these sweet additions to the breakfast table, and everyone would get their own free stack of pancakes.


Oh wait – there is!

Today is National Pancake Day at IHOP, and every guest receives a free short stack (3) of pancakes. IHOP only asks that you consider donating to local children’s hospitals through the Children’s Miracle Network or other local charities. Now that’s a fabulous deal – free food and a reminder to help out the organizations that take care of our little guys and gals!

In honor of Pancake Day – here are 10 great things you can add to your pancakes that will take them from simply delicious to ‘mmmmmmm.’

1.Spread a thin layer of peanut butter on your pancakes before adding the syrup. This adds a delicious flavor to your pancakes – and hey, some bonus protein.
2.Add fresh fruit to your pancakes – strawberries, blueberries, or anything else you love. Just slice them up and mix them right in the batter! Healthy and nutritious.
3.Skip the syrup and have your pancakes with a side of apple butter. This breakfast is hardy and so good!
4.Make bun-sized pancakes and place sausage between two of them. With a tiny bit of syrup, you’ve got a meal on the go.
5.Make breakfast fun for the kids with bite-sized pancakes and a choice of ‘dipping sauces.’ You can use syrup, fruit preserves or honey.
6.Thin out your pancake batter so that it’s quite runny, and pour a thin layer in your pan. Let it set up before flipping and voila – you have ‘crepes.’ These guys can be used to wrap anything – chicken and hollandaise sauce, mushrooms and cheese, vegetables or whatever else you’d like.
7.Use extracts and flavorings to experiment with your pancakes. A tablespoon of vanilla in the batter, a bit of orange rind, anything you want! Wake up those taste buds.
8.Add nuts! Chopped pecans, peanuts, almonds – this is a great way to add some additional nutrition and make your meal more interesting.
9.Forget the syrup and add a small scoop of vanilla ice cream to the top of your pancake stack. Who says ice cream isn’t for breakfast?
10.Use a bit of flavored coffee syrup in the pancake batter for a more delicious pancake. There’s hazelnut, pecan praline, chocolate – and many other flavored syrups.

There you have it. Enjoy Pancake Day and don’t forget a nice tall glass of cold milk!

Image Credit: www.interact.stltoday.com

P.S. Check out our favorite pancakes available at Girlz Lyfe.

Book Review: Dear John

In honor of the movie, I decided to go ahead and check out Nicholas Sparks’ book, Dear John. I’ve read several of his books, although I have to admit that most of the time, I enjoy the movies more. Since I haven’t seen the movie Dear John yet, I haven’t been influenced, so this is a pure review of the book and not a comparison of the movie.

The book is told from John’s point of view, which is characteristic of Nicholas Sparks. I noticed right off that although we start out learning about John’s history and that of his coin-collecting, meticulous father, it’s interesting. I followed along without being bored at all.

The book really picks up in pace when John meets Savannah. The two hit it off right away and the love story is charming. It’s more realistic than some of the usual flowery, fairytale romances. Maybe I’m just cynical, but after the first day or two into the relationship, it seems like things are going really fast and there’s not enough detail in the book. When John tells Savannah he loves her, you don’t really feel like it’s logical or that he even could so quickly. Had there been more detail, it’s possible that it would have been more believable.

John has to return to Germany, where he is stationed, so the two write back and forth. The letters are sweet and it’s charming to see the two so dedicated to each other. Savannah has also alerted John to the possibility of his father having a condition, which could explain his strange ways and the patterns of his life – ultimately urging John to have a better relationship with his father.

After 9/11, John signs on for two more years in the army, which puts a serious strain on the relationship. I don’t want to spoil the book or the movie, so I’ll say that there are some serious trials and tribulations that happen from here on out. Savannah has opened John’s eyes to the world and he sees things he has never seen before – considers people and feelings in ways he never has before.

Overall, the book is light and a fun read. There isn’t a lot of detail to the characters and it only took me a day to read, but I enjoyed it. I’m now looking forward to determining whether I like the book or the movie better – I’ll let you know! I’d give the book a 6 out of a possible 10.

5 Ways to Dress Up a Simple Ponytail

Ponytails are so easy to do, especially for girls with medium to long hair. You can skip the straightening, curling, and all the other styling chores and save a lot of time. But a regular ponytail can become really boring really fast. Below are 5 great ways to dress up a simple pony tail so your hairstyle is still easy but looks sophisticated and cute!

1. To the Side - Make a low ponytail to one side, just above and behind your ear. Let the hair fall elegantly down the shoulder and sweep your bangs to the side. This one is a little sloppy, but only requires a quick spray to keep in place and it’s really cute.

2. Flirty Ponytail - Use a barette to pull your bangs or the hair in the bang area straight back. Give that a quick spray so it will stay, and then make a ponytail at the base of your neck. This one looks more elegant, but it only takes a few more seconds so you’re still out the door in a hurry!

3. Red Carpet Ponytail - Spritz your hair before pulling it up, and make the ponytail super loose. This looks great with hair that is curly or wavy with lots of body. Then, in the front, use a cute headband – preferably one with a comb on the underside so it pulls the bang area back and secures it. This can be elegant or casual and is really cute.

4. Spanish Flair – Pull the hair back tightly so that it’s smooth when you secure the ponytail. Then, pin an oversized flower to the side of the ponytail. This is a really pretty look that is perfect for a summer dress or jeans and a frilly top.

5. Messy and Cute Ponytail – For this one, pull the ponytail back and leave it loose so that the hair isn’t secured too tightly, but so that it will stay. You may want to spray it a bit too. Using bobby pins, pull portions of the ponytail up, twist them and then secure with the bobby pins to make a messy but flirtatious look!

Ponytails are youthful, fun, fast and they’re great for showing off your favorite pair of earrings! Enjoy the ideas above for your next ponytail day.

Image 1: Holly Brisley/Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images
Image 2: Racheal Taylor/Glenn Harris/PR Photos