It's that time of year – time to transfer birthdays and anniversaries to your '09 calendar and start booking meetings in next year's planner.  But, which one will you choose?  There are so many not only functional, but beautiful options out.  Here are a few that caught my eye.

One fashion trend that seems to never really go out of style is the smoky eye. It was everywhere on the fall/winter runways this season and has transitioned right into Spring 2009, in softer browns and grays.

I do a very primitive version of the smoky eye when I get ready every morning, but somehow, it never looks quite as good as it does in the pages of Vogue. So I decided to take the plunge and head over to the M.A.C store at Green Hills Mall for a smoky eye tutorial. What I learned is that the smoky eye is a lot more complicated than it looks.

Heather Openshaw is from East Nashville.  Openshaw was spotted by the Her Nashville street team in a cardigan from Anthropologie, red tee from Ann Taylor Loft, full skirt from Ebay and black slouch boots from Aldo.  To complete her “gypsy style,” she wears a necklace that belonged to her friend’s grandmother and a bracelet to show support for St.

Prepare yourself, ladies. The latest look for Spring 2009 is leaving very little to the imagination. But it’s not your skin you’ll be showing off.

It’s your bones.

Yes, from Christian LaCroix to Givenchy, skeleton chic is all the rage on the runway right now. Ribcages, pelvic bones and spines are imprinted on dresses and blouses and influencing the cut and detail of the newest haute couture fashions.

Are you married?  Engaged?  How did your husband or husband-to-be pop the question? If you have a heart-warming or original or downright unheard of way that you were asked to marry,tell us about it. Your story may be featured in an upcoming issue.  

It’s not easy to feel good about yourself when your massage therapist tells you you’re the most knotted-up client she’s ever had.

“I was working on your back,” she said in befuddlement, “and I was feeling what felt like bones, in places where bones couldn’t be!”

Oh, God.

Whitney Ferré is about to fly to L.A. to promote her first book, The Artist Within: A Guide to Becoming Creatively Fit (Turner). Three of her four kids — ages 9, 7 and 5 — are enjoying a day off from school, watching TV in the den, when the Comcast guy shows up to fix an Internet problem, which requires unplugging the television.

Every woman has it. Her own style. And, Her Nashville is celebrating ALL women's senses of style.  Check out "Look of the Day," updated daily, Mon - Fri, under the "Online Only" tab. We showcase a local gal's style and give details on where she purchased her stylish goodies. You might even see someone you know! And, if you're in the 12South neighborhood on Tuesday, Nov.

The American Cancer Society announced that the Oct. 25 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk raised almost $600,000 for research funding and cure finding.  More than 15,000 took part in the five-mile walk.  Check out some pics from the event in the Her Nashville online photo gallery.

It’s one thing to be influenced by great literature … Hemingway, Austen, Twain … all have left their mark on American life.
 It’s something of a different matter for a journalist, a dog and a few good tantrums to turn newlyweds into poultry farmers. 
But that’s the tale of Marley and Me and the Lusk household.

In response to Her.Mentality in the October issue, Hope and Sage submitted their opinions on writer Robin Banks' advice for women.  Read Banks' original column here.

From Hope and Sage:

Perhaps you’ve heard, along with the rest of the world, that I’ve gotten an IUD.

If you live in Nashville’s Bellevue community, you probably already know about the fence. Bordering busy Old Harding Pike, it’s lined with campaign signs, promoting both Obama and McCain.

The fence belongs to husband and wife, Steve and Julie Gild, a sort of political Romeo and Juliet-- minus the murders and suicides, anyway. Steve comes from a family of die-hard Democrats, while Julie’s parents are about as Republican as it gets. Despite all this, they’ve been together now for more than 15 years.

Like millions of other women, you may have found yourself staring longingly at photos of Paris, Charlize and La Lohan, wishing your own skin had that same strange orange glow. Well, my friends, wish no longer.
   

Recently I took all four of my young children to the playground for an afternoon outing.  I came fully equipped with a bag of diapers, snacks, sippy cups, wipes and my favorite magazine.  A closet magazine addict (I can’t get enough of those scented, glossy pages), I hoped that the visit to the playground would allow me a few minutes’ reprieve to sit on the park bench and peruse the pages of the latest issue. 
   

Ground beans, purified hot water and pressure are all it takes to make a shot of espresso, but for Rachel Lehman, proprietress of Crema, the seemingly simple process is an art form.

“Where is your daughter going to preschool?”
    I’ve gotten this question hundreds of times, from pediatricians, friends, acquaintances, department store sales people, and even strangers at the drugstore. Each time, I answer with a certain degree of blushing and stammering.
    “Uh, well, Punky’s not in preschool. She’s staying home with me until kindergarten.”