French-Manicure

If your station is on at a nail salon you've got yourself a captive audience. Whether it's the nail tech or customer, you've got women (and some men) who are sitting a long period of time waiting for their service, while their fingernails and toes get beautified, and during drying time. Nail salons also provide waxing and massages which offers more down time for them to listen.

Like countless others, my nail salon has the Food Network muted on a flat screen TV while New York's Lite FM plays from above. My appointment time usually has Ina Garten making something incredible scrumptious and Donna Summer's Bad Girls on at 3:15 on a Thursday afternoon. This is not background music as Rich Kaminsky can be heard crystal clear while my mani-pedi happens. Rich is a great jock who has a perfect mix of friendliness and knowledge on this air. He'll get you through that tough afternoon traffic on the BQE, give away a trip and tell of his participation in the New York City Marathon just like a good friend would... unless they've brought an iPod. Yet, most women don't, and every one of us inside that shop is listening to Lite FM because it was on when we arrived, it's being played loudly, it's not offensive and because we don't want to smudge or nick newly polished nails. Time spent listening is easily one hour plus per female.

Nail colors is a whole other column, but for the record my favorite and one it the best sellers is OPI's Midnight in Moscow, followed by Black Cherry Chutney. Gel nails are really big right now and it takes a good hour to get an acrylic fill. Women dig good looking clean and freshly polished nails.

She buzz words

• Harry Potter
• Horcrux
• Avada Kedavra
• Deathly Hallows

* "Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part One" opens in theaters today

Right now she could be

• Stannding in line for movie tickets
• Making a Treacle Tart
• Drinking some Butter Beer
• Cutting her hair "Hermonie" short

She could be a

• Movie usher
• Director
• Playwright
• Librarian

She's remarried

Step-moms have an added layer of challenges, from coordinating two families' schedules to finding ways to create new family traditions. At no time are the challenges more obvious than during the holidays. Is it possible to make everyone happy? Definitely not. For tips, she can visit www.thestepfamilylife.com - see especially, "Holiday Survival Guide".

She phone starter

If she has step-kids who live with their mom, does she include them in her holiday photo?

She's thinking...

U.S. soldiers and their families are in her thoughts, whether she knows someone personally affected or not.

She facts

Ninety-one percent of moms list cooking as their most important holiday priority. Five percent list beauty. (Source: Suave)

$24 billion was spent last year using online shopping. (Source: Good Housekeeping Magazine)

She's not so sure..

Popcorn may cause lung disease...

Diacetyl, a natural substance heated in a factory that gives microwave popcorn its buttery flavor, has been linked to a rare lung disease. Consumers can avoid the dangers of "Popcorn Lung" by making sure this ingredient is not in their microwave popcorn. Many companies are removing this substance, fast.

She vent!

"I'm spending more on a tank of gas than I can on presents!"

She's lovin

• Fibersure: makes it easy to add fiber to any meal-just mix it into anything and serve
• Country Crock's seasonal, limited- edition Deluxe Cinnamon Apples and Deluxe Homestyle Stuffing

She shot

Holiday portraits are very popular. She is document- ing her baby, her children, pets, and family. Profes- sional photo shops from JCPenney's to The Picture People are brimming with parents looking to capture the perfect picture of a precious child or the whole family for their holiday card.

She stuff

Three words: little, black, and, dress. She is preparing to party, and this does not necessarily require alcohol. She is purchasing or prepping the perfect dress with tasteful accessories and glimmering makeup. If she needs to secure a babysitter for any events taking place through the New Year, she is booking one now.

She surfs

She's shopping for a bargain by using these sites:

• www.SmartBargains.com
• www.Slickdeals.com
• www.ableshoppers.com

• Get more She Prep at www.ShePrep.com