Tattoo Artist, Kat Von D is now dating Jesse James, AP Photo

Just as actress Sandra Bullock, 46, finalized her adoption of baby Louis, her cheating  ex-hubby Jesse James “officially” confirmed his romance with LA Ink star Kat Von D.  Jesse James and Kat Von D (her real name is Katherine Von Drachenberg) have been spotted in various places, including Las Vegas, but only went official on Thursday at the opening of Von D’s Wonderland Gallery in West Hollywood, according to E! News.

On her budding romance with bad boy Jesse James, Kat Von D, 28, had this to say:

“Jesse is only my ninth boyfriend.  I don’t hang out with anybody unless I am in love.”

Hmmm, the ink on the divorce papers is hardly dry and considering James’ past cheating, can he stay the course on this one

Although Jesse James seems to have a love of tattooed women, only time will tell if Kat Von D is the woman to change his  ”bad boy” habits   And as for his ex-wife Sandra Bullock, she appears to be doing just fine with the new “man” in her life – baby Louis

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Princess Diana as she should be remembered, AP Photo

The 13th anniversary of British princess, Diana, Princess of Wales, just passed on August 31, 2010.  So, it was perhaps an “inappropriate” and “insensitive” time for a certain Chinese lingerie company to launch its range of “Princess Diana” lingerie.  Not only that, but huge advertising billboards are leading the advertising campaign for Princess Diana lingerie across the country – featuring a Princess Diana look-alike in nothing more than, well, lingerie (aka as bra and knickers in the UK).

Princess Diana lingerie is being promoted by Jealousy International with a sales line of “Feel the Romance of British Royalty.”  The memory of the late Princess Diana lives on in the hearts and minds of millions of people around the world – but this is perhaps not the lasting legacy that Diana would have liked to leave.

According to the report in the UK’s Daily Mail newspaper, there is no official word or statement been issued by Clarence House or other Royal family representatives on the matter.  But one would have to assume that perhaps the Queen is not amused

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The video below shows images of the Princess Diana Lingerie.

Emmeline Pankhurst, a British Suffragette, Fought Hard for Women's Rights, wikimedia commons

Four years ago, I moved from the United Kingdom to the United States.  Through experience and observation, I have learned many things about the differences between the two countries.  One of these things, is the difference in the way women are treated – through law and through society.  Although women’s rights have advanced considerably in the last century, American women are still falling behind in certain areas, in comparison to their European sisters.

For example, many European countries grant several weeks of  full paid maternity leave to women after the birth of  a baby; although American women are, under federal law, entitled to time off, not every employer grants paid maternity leave.  In addition, maternity healthcare is taken for granted in places such as the UK.  In the United States, many women cannot afford health insurance for maternity care (and in some cases it is excluded, as a “pre-existing” condition) meaning that both the health of mom and baby are at risk.

Although a recent survey indicated that 20 percent of wives now outearn their husbands, and more women than before are receiving an undergraduate education, the majority of women are still picking up the child care and the responsibility of running a home, tasks that they have done for centuries, without the added responsibilities.  And many women are doing the same job as men – and receiving less pay.  Women are also potentially more open to sexual abuse and harassment in the workplace – and society.

England has had several queens and a female prime minister; the United States has never had a female president.  There have been strong women in politics in other roles – for example Eleanor Roosevelt – but American women have still yet to make a statement in their “own right.”

How women are still viewed socially may have a lot to do with the way things are in America; a lot of men still hold onto the “traditional” view of a woman.  However, it should be noted that in many non-Western cultures women are considered the “most important” members of the community, in order to keep things going  

I do believe that, in certain areas, American women have come a long way in the last century – but its been fought for every step of the way – and there is still some fighting to do   These are just my observations and are not necessarily the viewpoint of many women – but it is based on my personal experiences on both sides of the “pond”

On a lighter note, perhaps, its worth remembering this quote:

“Behind every successful man there is a (wise) woman.” ~Unknown~

"Harry Potter" Author JK Rowling, AP Photo

Author J.K. Rowling may have made plenty of money from penning the Harry Potter series of books, but she has given away one tenth of her earnings since she became famous, according to a report in the UK’s Daily Mail.  However, she has just made her largest single donation of approximately $15.4 million (10 million UK pounds) to a new research center for multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis is a disease close to J.K. Rowling’s heart; her mother, Anne Rowling, (whom the new center will be named after) died at the age of 45 from multiple sclerosis – before J.K. Rowling became famous for the Harry Potter books.  J.K. Rowling, in her official biography, is quoted as saying:

“I think most people believe deep down that their mothers are indestructible; it was a terrible shock to hear that she had an incurable disease.”

Anne Rowling died at the age of 45; the new MS research center is located at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland and will be named The Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic.

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Is she or isn't she pregnant? Mariah Carey, wikimedia commons

Singer Mariah Carey, 4o, has still not confirmed a rumored pregnancy – despite stepping out in a “maternity style” dress last week. In a similar fashion to actress and singer, Jennifer Hudson who gave birth last year, Mariah Carey has not confirmed one way or the other if a baby is on the way – even though it appears to the rest of the world that she is expecting a child.  So, is the reason Hollywood “moms” are staying “mum” due to privacy issues?  After all, if Mariah was not a star, would the media be the least bit interested in her pregnancy?

According to Us magazine, Mariah Carey is staying mum about her pregnancy because she is “very superstitious.”  She has also acknowledged the “well wishes” of fans, after being spotted last week in Sao Paulo, Brazil in a Pea in a Pod Spaghetti Strap Halter Maternity Maxi Dress.  However, she may just stay mum about the whole issue until she has finally given birth   Unfortunately, not all stars in the spotlight, have this luxury.  Victoria’s Secret model Miranda Kerr recently confirmed she was pregnant - but when you earn a living modelling skimpy lingerie, it becomes a little bit harder to hide a pregnant belly from the watchful eyes of the media

Just as in “real” life, some women are more protective of their privacy than others – but when you are in the spotlight, your private life suddenly becomes less private….

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Ugg Australia has slippers, sneakers and accessories, as well as boots, copyright Sharon Falsetto, all rights reserved

Most women have heard about Ugg Australia’s sheepskin boots.  But did you know that Ugg Australia also carries a line of slippers, sneakers and fashion accessories, such as hats, gloves and scarves?  Ugg Australia extended their line of sheepskin boots – and added sheepskin to other products to make them inviting for the upcoming winter months!

Quality has always been the key to Ugg Australia, so although you may pay more initially for the product, it should end up lasting you a lot longer than a cheap pair of slippers or sneakers from the local shopping mall.

I purchased my first pair of Ugg boots last winter and its safe to say they are my favorite foot accessory for when the weather turns cold- here in northern Arizona it does actually snow, contrary to popular belief that we bask in sunshine and heat all year long!   I even wore them in the house, reluctant to take them off when I got home.  So, this year I’ll probably be investing in a pair of Ugg Australia slippers too – so that my feet are snuggly warm all winter long, wherever I am!

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The fashion industry promotes an image that many women cannot achieve, AP Photo

Dove’s Campaign for Real Beauty has been running since 2004, yet many young women still feel the pressure of media and advertising over what is considered “beautiful.”  Young women and young girls are extremely impressionable and are heavily influenced by the images surrounding them in magazines, books an on T.V.  If a young woman does not conform to what is considered “beautiful” by the fashion and beauty industry, she often feels excluded and “the odd one out.”

This can lead to considerable health problems later in life, such as drug and alcohol addiction, weight problems and in extreme cases, suicide.  The Dove Self-Esteem Fund is aiming to change some of this thinking by sponsoring self-esteem building workshops for young girls and women and educating moms and daughters through access to on line tools. 

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Tattoos on Women no longer have the same "shock" factor, Grisha Maslov, wikimedia commons

Love ‘em of hate ‘em, tattoos are a growing trend amongst today’s young women.  But it now appears that the older ladies are also jumping on the bandwagon.  Mimi Rosenthal has just got her third tattoo – at the grand old age of 101!

Although Mimi Rosenthal was not amused when she she saw her grand daughter’s tattoo some 17 years ago, she decided to get her own tattoo when she turned 99 years old.  She went simple, with a blue butterfly.  Then, when she turned 100 years old, she ventured a flower on her leg.  Now, at 101 year old, she has just had a sunflower tattooed on her arm.  According to some news reports, Mimi Rosenthal has said that her next tattoo will be more daring yet – perhaps on her derriere

Women get tattoos for many reasons and today it is more socially accepted to have a tattoo.  I guess I should be thinking about where to get my next one, now that Mimi Rosenthal has given all the naysayers something to think about!

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The Official Movie Poster for Avatar

Avatar (2009), the James Cameron epic that was years in the making, returns to cinemas in the United States – with the addition of some new scenes, totalling an extra 9 minutes to the movie.  Many thought that they would have to wait until at least 2014 to see Avatar again on the big screen, which is when Avatar 2 is expected to be released.  However Avatar (2009) returns to cinemas on Friday August 27, 2010 for those who can’t get enough of the science fiction movie.

The re-released Avatar promises more creatures and an “erotic” love scene, according to actor Stephen Lang, who plays Colonel Miles Quaritch, as he talked to the Today show about the re-release.

Avatar won three Academy awards and broke box office records on its initial release, becoming the highest grosssing film of all time in the United States and Canada, ironically snatching that title from Titanic (1997), another James Cameron epic movie.

Avatar fans get ready – this is chance to see once again an extraordinary movie on the big screen!

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Miranda Kerr is also found in the Spanish issue of Vogue, Vogue magazine

Miranda Kerr, who was not quite showing any baby bump yet after last week’s confirmation that she is expecting a baby early next year with new hubby Orlando Bloom, was one of five Victoria’s Secret Angels to star in an exclusive photo shoot for the September issue of Vogue magazine.  The five Victoria’s Secret models who feature in the photo shoot are Miranda Kerr, Chanel Iman, Doutzen Kroes, Alessandra Ambrosio and Adriana Lima.

The Vogue photo shoot of the Victoria’s Secret models took place at Catalina Beach Club on Long Island in New York and the photographer taking the photos was Peter Lindbergh.  According to the Victoria’s Secret girls “sexy” is achieved through “attitude” – and there was plenty of that going around!

Photographer Peter Lindbergh shot the photos in black and white to go along with Vogue’s style of “sophistication”.  Sophistication, sexy and attitude is displayed by some of the top Victoria’s Secret Angels and can be found in the September issue of Vogue on newsstands now.

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