The fabulous four are back four years after their popular HBO show ended. Last night my co-worker and I got a sneak peek at the “Sex and the City” movie that hits theaters on May 30.

“Year after Year, twenty-something women come to New York City in search of the two L’s: labels and love. Twenty years ago I was one of them. Having gotten the knack for labels early… I concentrated on love.”
Carrie Bradshaw, opening line of the movie.

The movie opens with Carrie’s (Sarah Jessica Parker) sardonic wit as she begins to tell the story of what’s happened in her life as well as the lives of her best friends, Miranda Hobbs (Cynthia Nixon), Charlotte York (Kristin Davis) and Samantha Jones (Kim Catrell).

The theater at the Chase Park Plaza was filled with beautifully dressed women who were anxious about seeing the movie — myself included. One woman said she dressed up because, “This is the closet I’m going to get to a Hollywood premiere so why not make a night of it.”

Many women have come to think of the characters as their “gal pals. They consider them role models, especially women in their 30s and 40s and feel empowered by the strong female characters.

So is the 2 hour and 25 minute movie worth it? You bet it is. It’s like watching five new episodes all rolled into one and although there is a happy ending there is plenty of drama too. It’s also what makes it a great “chick flick” I don’t want to spoil it for anyone who plans to see it this weekend, but you will laugh, cry and be thrilled throughout the show.

What’s even better is there is a connection to the “Gateway to the West.” Carrie hires an assistant, Louise, who is from St. Louis; therefore she nicknames her “St. Louise.” Jennifer Hudson, of “American Idol” fame, plays the writer’s aide and does a fantastic job. She also “pitches” the BagBorrowandSteal.com site, which she says is the Netflix for handbags. The site offers memberships to rent designer purses. (I thought it was cool because I wrote about the site last year.)

Carrie is the effervescent writer and as always she weaves the stories of the women’s love interests (Mr. Big, Steve, Harry and Smith also resurrect their roles) friendship, family and fashion. Who could forget the fashion ? It’s what made many designers such as Manolo Blahnik and Christian Dior popular household names. (Although if you know fashion then you knew who they were anyway.)

The film does a great job at capturing the elements of the HBO show and leaves no unanswered questions. Well maybe just one — will there be another?

Do you have your stimulus check yet? I know many of you do and already made plans on how to spend it. However, if you haven’t is there any advertising that’s stimulated ideas about what you would want to do with your cash?

I read and article recently about women’s purchasing power and how advertisers and marketers continually leave us out of the loop when it comes to buying. Marti Barletta, CEO of a marketing consultant TrendSight Group, said advertisers may be aware that women are major spenders when it comes the small stuff — groceries, clothing and kids — but they are not fully aware that they make the final decisions in buying cars, consumer electronics and home improvements. She said marketers are worried that promoting products would mean making it pink, which would horrify men.

Advertising fails most women. Marketers make the assumption that households still consist of two parents and stereotypes mothers as the “soccer” or “stay-at-home” type.

In my house I have the buying power. I don’t fit a specific “type” other than I am a single working parent.
I am not illiterate to technology. I read directions and do research rather than making an impulse buy.

The majority of ads that do target women though do so with self-improvement messages. Think NutriSweet, Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, anti-wrinkle cream, bras that lift and lotions that fight flab. The message is repeated relentlessly that we are unattractive, unworthy or inadequate and we need these products make us better.

Barletta said the reality is that women between ages 50 and 75 are virtually ignored by marketers and are the “the healthiest, wealthiest, most educated, active and influential generation of women in history.”

I find Barletta’s word uplifting and inspiring. If advertisers reflected real women, rather than idolized images, then it would go a long way in helping to transform the way we are seen and how we see ourselves.

While watching the news recently a story caught my attention that I think is encouraging for young women — really for women of all ages.

A panel was discussing a 17-year-old British girl who will be a contestant in the Miss England pageant in July. Chloe Marshall is a size 16 and the first plus-size to girl to strut her stuff at the contest. The Miss England pageant is representative of all women because the winner is chosen in part by the public.

Chloe stands 5-feet 10-inches and weighs 176 pounds. She clearly stands out amongst the average pin-thin pageant girls and models and is proud of her curves. Chloe’s personality has a lot to do with her success. She is extremely confident and makes a great ambassador for teenagers.

Beauty does come in all sizes and its nice to see a young woman make it mainstream. Dove launched a campaign about “real women with real curves” several years ago that has become a huge success. It shows real woman of every shape and size who are not “photoshopped.”

The ads give a broader, healthier, more democratic view of beauty. Because I am woman with curves I appreciate seeing other women like me in the mainstream media. I also congratulate girls like Chloe who have the guts to be who they are and make no apologies about their dress size.

“No wire hangers…ever!”

Faye Dunaway shouted the infamous quote in the movie Mommie Dearest portraying what Hollywood mother? Hint: It definitely showed her Untamed (the first talkie in which the famous actress appeared in 1929.) OK, it’s Joan Crawford.

It’s amazing that on Mother’s Day I would remember such a flick. I think it changed the way I viewed my own mother – I realized that her yelling from time to time was nothing compared to the tyrant behavior of this starlet. This movie made me appreciate my mother. Not that I didn’t before, but I realize she was normal.

I was 12 years old when the film came out and on the verge of becoming a teenager who thought she knew everything. I was wrong in so many ways. Now that I’m 38 years old and the mother of a 14-year-old son, I see why mother lost it on occasion. I mean teenagers are meant to drive you insane. Aren’t they?

This movie was the first one to actually show a mother as something other than sweet and kind. Not all families were like Leave it to Beaver or the The Brady Bunch and although the movie changed the icon’s image forever, Crawford became real.

I think the public can relate to real. ( Just look at what’s happened to Brittney Spears today. ) We can see ourselves in them, more so than when they are only looked upon as pretty people. We can relate to their mistakes.

So go and give mom a big hug and kiss and tell her you love her. If you are not able too, why not watch a great movie about moms. Here are a few to get you started:

Terms of Endearment
Stella
Anywhere But Here

If there is one that you like, why not share it with the rest of the crowd. Happy Mother’s Day.

Just when you think its spring – BAM! – it feels like fall again.

OK, today I spent one of the things I enjoy doing most on my day off. Although it was a bit nippy, I went to yard sales with my mother. During the spring and summer we enjoy getting up early and trekking all around town to find the items people put out for purchase. We had a good time despite the chilly weather.

If you are one of those people who doesn’t like to look through things that others are discarding, then I feel sorry for you. (Besides saving money, it’s a great way to be green and recycle.) Plus you really can find some one-of-a-kind items.

This year my plan is to look for albums. Earlier this year I purchased a turntable that not only can I listen to my music, but I can convert the songs into iTunes.

I found a Foreigner album today for less than it would cost to purchase one song. I am on the lookout for anything 60s, 70s and early 80s. My son is a huge fan of classic rock so I guess that will be my mission this year.

Most recently I went through my mother’s old 45s and found a few that I remember her playing a lot when I was a kid. She really liked Carole King’s I Feel The Earth Move and Helen Reddy’s I Am Woman. I will always enjoy listening to someone who can not only play, but write great music.

My recent playlist includes tunes from Amy Winehouse, The Beatles, Gnarls Barkley, Steve Miller Band, Bon Jovi and Brad Paisley.

Tell me what’s on your play list.