Recently I was hired to be a guest speaker in Farmington, Connecticut, to talk about my signature style of creating casual luxury. I was joined by Lisa, my candle line business partner, and we were off to meet the ladies and enjoy a meal with them; my presentation was for after dinner. We left Westport around 5:00pm and as the sun set I noticed how difficult it was getting for me to read the street signs. Recently I also noticed I was having some difficulties reading the text on my iPhone. “Oh no!” I yell to Lisa, “It’s happening!” “What?” she replied. “My eyes are going, and it feels as if it happened overnight!” Turning 40 this year I had been told, “Just wait: once you’ve hit forty you’ll be needing readers,” but driving glasses—what gives?
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Tanning beds could be headed for tigher regulations.  The F-D-A plans to hold a public hearing in late march to review the growing evidence linking UV radiation and skin cancer.

The agency is considering stricter regulations, including limits on u-v exposure from sun lamps and stronger warning labels.

While I am pretty much a sun-block person, I can appreciate the summer glow look with spray tans.

I do worry about looking oily or “fake.

Luckily, Anne from Parents TV found some alternative tanning methods –including great spray tans — to help us get in the warmer weather spirit. -L

With the Winter Olympic games just around the corner it’s hard not to reminisce about my former skating career. Just like millions of Americans, I too, have been glued to the television watching my fellow skaters compete to capture a place on the 2010 Olympic Team in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

My excitement has motivated me to skate quit a bit lately, and so much so that I have introduced my skating lifts and exercises off-ice—to my local gym. That said, my dear friend Geri Zatcoff (a nutrition expert) has been dubbed my new off-ice partner, and I began introducing a series of moves and lifts to her over the last couple of weeks. This week she was not exactly confident to be lifted, but with several weeks of stretching and mini lifts behind us, we left it to fate and up she went. Success! Although I leave you with this warning: just as the small print on your review mirror reads “objects may appear closer than they appear,” her small print could well say “remember: object may appear lighter than one crazy person might estimate.” Meaning my fault, not hers: my skating partners routinely had weights hovering near the 100 lb mark—a typical size for the sport, and my friend is definitely not big—in fact, extremely fit and slim—but still not what I remembered.

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Finally we have started to wind down from the flurry of holiday time. Back to a normal pace at work, back to trying to eat healthy…(no more candy canes please!)  I need to get on board with that “You Can Do It” program. I am all about losing inches and winning prizes!

I was excited to find out Masi Oka was on the Better show. I LOVE “Heroes”…such a fun show. I am pretty sure most my friends think that’s dorky. 

I can’t wait for next week’s Better show. I can’t believe someone went a whole year on the advice of Oprah! And I really can’t wait to see the behind the scenes of that new show, “Worst Cooks in America.” It is hilarious! — L

New Year’s Eve has always been a time for us to reflect upon the past and look to the future. (All while dressed in our best from head to toe—as my friend Lori’s shoes clearly demonstrate!) A new year brings new opportunities, new challenges and most importantly changes. Not as in changing our mind set to write 2010 rather than 2009, deeper than that. Take the idea of a New Year’s resolution—a commitment to a project or reforming a habit, often a lifestyle change that is generally interpreted as advantageous. Although the name comes from commitments that normally go into effect on New Year’s Day, truth be told, I wonder why should we wait for December 31?
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Stick to your new year’s resolution — here’s how.

Calories count when making that New Years Resolution to live healthier. Try these easy tips:

1. Take your weight and add a zero to the end. That’s approximately how many calories you need to consume to maintain your weight.

2. To lose one pound you’ll need to create a calorie deficit of 3,500 calories.

3. Limit your fat intake to 30% of your overall total calorie intake.

4. Don’t worry about calories coming from foods without labels: fruits, vegetables, meats, etc.

5. Learn how to read the nutrition labels. Pay attention to the serving size and total calories. Opt for foods with nutrient values high in fiber and protein to increase metabolism.

Andrea Metcalf, Better’s Fitness Expert

Stress can deplete your energy and diminish your healthy resolution results. Try these quick exercises to reduce stress and feel better.

1. Take a deep breathing break. Try concentrating on your breathing for 2 minutes. Inhaling and exhaling slowly and bringing the breath down into your belly. This will help tone your lower abs if you concentrate on pulling your belly button deep into your spine on the exhaled breathes.

2. Simple neck stretches to the side and front corners can relieve built up tension from paying bills or sitting at your computer. Relax your shoulders and lean your head to each side holding the stretch for 10-30 seconds.

3. Take a walk. While doing your grocery shopping, take a few extra laps around the store. You don’t need a gym to get in some regular exercise. Multi-task by pushing that cart stock full of fruits, vegetables, exercise videos and gear around the store next time you shop. Wear a pedometer to track your steps and try for 2,000 steps each time you shop to get in a full mile walk.

Andrea Metcalf, Better’s Fitness Expert

Last Wednesday my executive producer notified me that I would be interviewing Jo Jo Starbuck on Friday at the Rockefeller Center skating rink in New York City. Many of you will remember Jo Jo with her partner Kenneth Shelley, as a three-time United States pair skating champion (1970-1972) and two-time Olympian (1968 and 1972). Imagine how happy I was—thinking to myself “Me, Mar Jennings, former regional and sectional figure skating champion and, yes, once a pair skater on the ice, skating with and interviewing Jo Jo Starbuck!”

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Taking my scooter around town gets everyone’s attention; one, because it’s red and two, because the license plate reads “MAR TV.” Everyone wants to know about the mileage and I am happy to talk about why I love this form of transportation. Several people have told me I’ve convinced them to buy their own. Read more

Just met up with Julie Mulligan (Lifestyle Expert for 1-800 Flowers)–who I think is the “floral fashionista” of our time…she shed so much light on the importance of flower color and scents–and how they affect your moods.

Sure, most women (myself included) can be cheered up in an instant with ANY flowers, but why not request what’s truly best for YOU? For example, are you always having to make decisions and need clarity? Need to sharpen your memory and concentration skills? Need a “pick me up” from the dull weather? Or how about a flower that helps shield anxieties? You’ve got to check out the show Monday, June 22nd for some VERY interesting answers. And – you get to hear Julie’s fabulous “Baw-ston accent”  (which we all love)!