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Pronounce it Like a Pro: "PEE-no NWAHR"

Proposed Wines:
Rex Goliath Pinot Noir $9.49
Lush and velvety, this pinot noir wine will allow you to savor a red berry perfume with a touch of cinnamon spice, wrapped in a blanket of subtle French oak.

Pepperwood Grove Pinot Noir $7.01
This wine's nose has notes of rose water and cherry preserves. Delicate, it starts with fresh strawberry, Bing cherry and finishes with rich plum, light clove and earthy tones.

Pronounce it Like a Pro: "ZIN-fan-dell"
Profile of Flavors: Heartier and deeper, its flavors include: raspberry, blackberry, cherry, plums, raisins, spice and black pepper all wrapped around various intensities of oak. Balances many traditional side dishes.
Perfect Pairings: Zinfandel pairs well with red or white meat, fish tacos, spicy dishes, or burgers.

Proposed Wines:
Rancho Zabaco Dancing Bull Zinfandel $7.99
Fully dry, with some overripe raisin skins and bitter tannins, and enough black currant, coffee, black licorice and plum flavors to satisfy alongside your meal.

Beaulieu Vineyard Zinfandel Coastal Estates $10.87
Aromas reveal strong, black cherry and fresh raspberry accents, with just a hint of anise. It's generously fruity with sappy berry flavors and black pepper to finish. Beaulieu is juicy, well-balanced, and bright.

Pronounce it Like a Pro: "see-RAH" / "shih-RAZ"
Profile of Flavors: Rich round flavors are: black cherry, blackberry, plum, bell pepper, black pepper, clove, licorice, dark chocolate and smoked meat. The peppery notes will accent a flavorful helping of stuffing as well as both the white and dark turkey meats.
Perfect Pairings: It's also deliciously delightful with ham, lamb, pasta with tomato sauce, pizza, and barbecue foods.

Proposed Wines:
Yellow Tail The Reserve Shiraz $9.89
The Reserve Shiraz reveals aromas of ripe cherries, blackberries, chocolate and mocha with spicy notes. It is medium-bodied and has a soft oak.

D'Arenberg Footbolt Shiraz $14.99
The Shiraz exhibits aromas of Satsuma plums, cherries and cranberries with dried floral herbs, spice, and chocolate. Red fruit, plums and blueberries with licorice and spice among cedar oak make this palate expressive.

Pronounce it Like a Pro: "BOE-zjoh-lay nu-VOE"
Profile of Flavors: A light and fruity red wine, it goes very well with turkey and all of the fixings. Flavors of strawberry and raspberry dominate along with a grape appeal.
Perfect Pairings: This wine is certainly food-friendly. It works well with both light and dark meats, herbs, and many other flavors that are a part of Thanksgiving festivities. This wine will also pair well with grilled or roasted meats, many types of pastas, salads, and cheeses. Serve it chilled!

Proposed Wines:
Domaine de la Madone Beaujolais Nouveau $9.99
Fruity and opulent, with more power and body than the average Beaujolais. Domaine Madone's grapes are harvested at the peak of their maturity.

Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau $9.99
Red fruit and flowery aromas make this wine a pleasure to drink. Light on the palate, yet, refined. An enjoyable freshness to add to your seasonal meals.

Pronounce it Like a Pro: "SO-vin-yawn BLAHNK"

Profile of Flavors: Typically light to medium-bodied, this crisp and refreshing white wine offers a range of earthy flavors from veggie, grass, hay and mineral tones to citrus and tropical flavor mixes, making it a prime companion for turkey and herb stuffings.
Perfect Pairings: Like Pinot Noir, this wine is very food-friendly. It is great for appetizers like veggie dips; for foods with garlic or Italian seasonings in creamy sauces; for salads like Greek, Caesar or Garden. It's also a good choice for Thai dishes, fish and sushi, and poultry--of course!

Proposed Wines:

St. Supery Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley $19.95
Starting with ruby grapefruit, nectarine and a shaded aromatic minerality, the palate is bright with lime juice, honeydew melon, and pineapple.

Vina Los Vacos Sauvignon Blanc, $8.98
Boxwood and the exotic fruits pineapple and lime, along with minerality and lean elegance, hint at an extraordinary terroir from Chilean foothills.

Pronounce it Like a Pro: "vee-yohn-YAY"
Profile of Flavors: This white wine contains low levels of acidity and is typically characterized by light floral flavors often surrounded by delicate touches of peaches and pears. Aromatic varietals with an abundance of fruit, such as this one, pairs well with turkey.

Perfect Pairings: With floral aromas, sweet-seeming fruit flavors, and rich textures, Viognier is made to complement bold or exotic dishes. It also goes well with cheeses and nuts. Other favorite pairings include: curries, Caribbean dishes, scallops, lobster, crab, and shrimp.

Proposed Wines:
Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc Viognier California $9.95
This Viognier flaunts lush aromas of ruby grapefruit, pear, lychee and melon, with a delicate touch of spicy, white florals. These are offered-up alongside a supple texture.

Bridlewood Viognier Reserve Central Coast $14.95
This Viognier has a lovely bouquet of honeysuckle and mandarin orange, accompanied by aromas of honeydew melon, buttered biscuit, and mango. The flavors are a blend of pineapple, apricot, grapefruit, and rich honey.

Pronounce it Like a Pro: "REES-ling"
Profile of Flavors: Riesling wines can be highly aromatic with pear, peach, and apple at the forefront mixed, with delicate floral undertones, and rich honey and spice on the nose. Rieslings echo the pear, peach and apple along with citrus and tropical flavors on the palate.
Perfect Pairings: A versatile wine, Riesling will accommodate a whole host of challenging flavors and spice profiles. From appetizers to desserts, pork, poultry or shellfish, and virtually anything in between. It can handle the spice and zest of Asian, Mexican and even Moroccan dishes.

Proposed Wines:
Fetzer Riesling Valley Oaks $8.77
The flavor profile of this authentic German Riesling boasts abundant apple, pear, and peach combinations with an enticing semi-sweet finish.

Leitz Dragonstone Reisling $13.49
Zesty lime, peach, pink grapefruit, and red currant ally themselves to cinnamon spice, salts, and wet stones, and finish with simultaneous penetration and delicacy.


Pronounce it Like a Pro: "ga-VERTZ-trah-MEE-ner"
Profile of Flavors: This white wine may present itself as dry or sweet, depending on the style. Flavors include: honey, pumpkin spice, cinnamon, apricot, pear, and rose.
Perfect Pairings: These wines tend to pair well with Asian dishes or zestier meal options like BBQ or chicken wings. The flavor and aromas typically include: rose, pear, citrus, spice and mineral. It has a zest that allows it to pair nicely with spicier side dishes, but it also to pairs well with a variety of desserts.



Proposed Wines:
Fetzer Gewurztraminer Valley Oaks $7.99
Delicate fruit flavors like apricot, peach, green apple and a touch of residual sugar--complemented by forward floral aromas and added richness from Muscat--are this wine's hallmarks.

Chateau St. Jean Gewurztraminer $13.99
Orange blossoms, ripe grapefruit, and lychee aromas leap from its nose. A medium-bodied entry fills the palate with flavors of jasmine, orange zest, and cantaloupe and leads into a clean, creamy, and long finish.

You May Also Like: More Red Wines | More White Wines | Wine Glasses | Wine Books

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Plus Size Coats

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Kids down coats can range in price from over $150 to under $100. Regardless of the price, a good down coat is a must-have for active little ones during the colder months. Of course, kids can be very hard on their coats, wearing them to the playground, on the bus, in the snow and beyond, so it is important to shop smart when buying one. Check out our picks for the best kids down coats.

Kids Down Coats are a must if you live in an area that gets cold. While some kids coats can totally break the bank, some are more affordable. We picked 4 coats that we thought would be great this winter.

$plurge

The Girls Down Coat by Patagonia is lightweight and warm for cold-weather protection. Perfect coat for an older child who wants to look stylish but stay warm. At $175, this kids down coat isn't cheap but if you buy a size up your child may be able to get to winter wears out of it. Shop now: Girls Down Coat by Patagonia

$teal

What a great bargain for a warm down jacket. L.L.Bean's Ultrawarm Coat is designed to tackle tough winter weather. It is water proof and has a removable hood with zip-off faux fur trim. Down coats under $100 can be hard to find, so at $89, this one is really a steal. Shop now: L.L.Bean's Ultrawarm Coat for Girls

$plurge

The North Face is known for making warm coats, but at over $100 they are definitely on the pricey side. If you have been shopping for a boys down jacket, you may want to consider The North Face. The Vorlage Down Jacket is waterproof, down-insulated and can keep even the most active boy warm during cold, icy conditions. At $199, it isn't cheap but it is hard to put a price tag on warmth. If your boy has a younger sibling who he can pass this coat down to in a few years, I say go for it. Shop now: The North Face Boys Vorlage Down Jacket

$teal

Kids Down Coats for $29.99? Yes! you read correctly. If your little man needs a warm coat and you, like most of us, are watching the pennies, this is the perfect down coat for your kid. This down coat is designed to tackle the cold winter weather, and is made with a polyester microfiber quilted fabric, featuring a water resistant finish, toasty duck down insulation, two pockets, a zip front and elastic cuffs for comfort! And all of that for under $30! Shop now: Boys Mammoth Down Winter Jacket

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You May Also Like:

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The Adidas company, based in Germany, is the biggest manufacturer of sporting apparel in Europe. Begun in 1924, the sporting goods conglomerate designs and manufactures a wide variety of athletic clothing and equipment ranging from, among other things, shoes to tennis rackets to soccer balls.

In 1924, Adolf (Adi) Dassler began making sports shoes in his mother's kitchen. In 1936, prior to the Olympics in Germany, Dassler persuaded Jesse Owens, the premier American sprinter, to use the shoes that Dassler had made. Four gold medals later, the shoe company was an instant success.

And the name? Derived from "Adi" and "Das". Clever.

I think the most prominent Adidas product I see is a pair of their sandals -- they are everywhere. Their triple stripe, a company logo, is recognizable all over the world. I've seen these guys in Africa, the Caribbean, Vietnam. The shoes are sturdily built, comfortable, and long-lasting. The sandals are available in a horizon of colors and styles; I like this version, shown at the right.

Tennis gear; Adidas has it. From rackets to shoes to shorts and shirts, you'll find pretty much whatever color and style that suits you. Their Response racket, with a graphite frame and 100 square inch head, is built for intermediate to advanced players; at left.

Golf bags are a staple of the Adidas sporting goods line. A golfing friend of mine is most impressed with his AG Tour Stand bag -- dividers, a double carry strap, and a rain hood all make for an efficiently-designed bag that is easy to handle. Shown at right.

The lady golfer will appreciate the engineering that went into the Adidas Tour360 ladies golf shoe. It's low-profile base helps increase stability and balance. Shown left, it is available in a variety of colors.

Basketball -- Adidas is the outfitter for NBA basketball teams, with clothing ranging from game shirts and shorts to warmups, commemorative championship tees to team hats.

For soccer fans, Adidas can provide you with soccer balls, shirts and shorts, shin guards, and shoes. Their soccer cleats, the TRX FG model, has a thinner lace cover to allow a better feel for ball contact during inclement weather. Good thinking.

The soccer balls from Adidas are colorful, well-made, and long-lasting; a big plus for backyard or street play. I like this one, the Finale 9, with its hand-stitched cover.

Adidas sporting equipment and apparel. Well-designed, durable, and reasonably priced -- what's not to like? A great present for you or your significant other, or the kids. Christmas is just around the corner.

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1. The Flat Boot

• Deb Shops ($29.99)
• Crocs ($59.99)
• Guess ($99.90)
• Minnetonka ($97.50)
• UGG ($112)
  

2. The Bootie

Everyone's got a crush on the low-cut boot. They come with an undeniable flirty factor. Show off your legs or trendy tights! See the styles below or browse all Booties»

• Deb Shops ($20)
• Fossil ($138)
• Miss Sixty ($189.95)
• Steve Madden ($150)
• C. Russe ($30)

3. The Riding Boot

We all know that fashion is never practical. People wear UGGs even before it's actually cold. Celebs wear sunglasses inside. The same goes for riding boots. Just because you're not riding a horse or a motorcycle, doesn't mean you can't partake in this trend. Look equestrian chic with a plain leather riding boot or edgy glam with a buckled, studded boot. Whichever you choose, you'll be in style. See the styles pictured here below (from left to right) or browse all Riding Boots»

• Frye ($199.99)
• Fossil ($198)
• J. Crew ($120)
• Mossimo ($39.99)
• Unisa ($99.95)
  

4. The Cowboy Boot

We nod our (cowboy) hats to the Americana boot. This western wear staple has come and gone and now it's back! Celebs are wearing them with jeans, dresses.... everything! Mosey on down! See the styles below or browse all Cowboy Boots»

• Deb Shops ($39.99)
• Double-H ($189.99)
• Oak Tree ($62.99)
• Frye ($347.95)
• C. Albert ($39.99)

  

5. The Winter Boot

• Crocs ($34.99)
• Crocs ($69.99)
• C. Russe ($45)
• Skechers ($69.95)
• North Face ($135)

6. The Platform

This summer's shoe, the platform heel, is here to stay, just updated for the cold weather. The height in the toe area is said to offset the height of the heel and as platform wearers, we agree! The styles we chose here are super wearable. We threw in a pair of bright blue platforms too. Hey we couldn't not pay tribute to the 1970's disco era that brought about this trend! We love it. See the styles below or browse all Platform Boots»



• Nine West ($199.95)
• J. Simpson ($100)
• NEEDY ($24.99)
• Avenue ($44.90)
• Dollhouse ($55)







7. The Glam Boot


When looking for glam boots, we channeled such stylistas as Rihanna, Hilary Duff, Rachel Bilson and Mary J. who all have an edge when it comes to their looks. We'd die to look like any of them! The glam boot is not plain nor bare. It's a boot that is dressed up to the tee in hardware, animal skin, studs, chains ... you name it. See the styles pictured here below (from left to right) or browse all Glam Boots»



• Dolce Vita ($200)
• Bellini ($49.90)
• C. Russe ($40)
• Rocawear ($94.99)
• Rocawear ($66.99)


8. The Wedge

What's to love about wedges? They raise you up without any additional discomfort. These will have a steady rotation in your cool-weather wardrobe. See the styles below or browse all Wedge Boots»




• Star Ling ($79.95)
• Nine West ($178.90)
• Soda ($24)
• Volatile ($39.99)
• Newport News ($59)
  

9. The Over the Knee

• Metrostyle ($59.99)
• Dollhouse ($85.95)
• C. Laundry ($100)
• E. Angiolini ($120)
• Lucky Brand ($239)

10. The Classic Boot


We couldn't leave out the timeless and versatile black boot. To us, this is what the classic boot embodies. You can pair it with anything and everything! Every girl needs a go-to black boot in her closet. See the styles below or browse all Classic Boots»




• Ruby & Bloom ($80)
• Nine West ($68.28)
• BCBG ($108.99)
• BP. ($69.95)
• Anne Klein ($118.90)

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Engraved jewelry

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For Holiday Cookies

Cake Essentials

Holiday Dinner

Set the Table

For the Holiday Party

Plan ahead, before the day of the party, make sure you have enough serving dishes and flatware. Surprise your guests with a chocolate fountain for a holiday party to remember. No cooking required! Just fill with chocolate, and set out strawberries, marshmallows, shortbread cookies, pretzels and other tasty treats for dipping.

Serving Bowls | Napkins | Serving Flatware | Chocolate Fountain | Chafing Dishes

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Coming Soon To A Movie Theater Near You!

If you grew up in the '80s like me, then you'll probably remember The Berenstain Bears books. You know the whole game: Papa, Mama, Sister and Brother. The story lines were great as well as the animations. Some of you might even remember the cartoon series that debuted in the late '70's and early '80's.

My family had a slew of The Berenstain Bears books in our house. So naturally, I was psyched when I found out that it's going to become a movie. Shawn Levy (from 'Night at the Museum') is set to direct the 'Narnia' feature.

The Berenstain Bears books were created by Stan and Jan Berenstain in 1962. The popular series followed the lives of the the lovable bear family in Bear Country. It also taught kids different values such as sharing, compassion and kindness. There are about 250 different book titles.

So, what are your favorite The Berenstain Bears books? Let's take a trip down memory lane with a few of my favorites...

From top to bottom: No Girls Allowed | New Baby | Go To School |
Old Hat, New Hat | Go On Vacation

See All Berenstain Bears Books

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From the editors at Netscape

Although getting an annual flu shot is the best way to stay healthy during flu season, there are other ways you can protect yourself and your family.

First, how are infections spread? The Mayo Clinic explains the four-step process. For you to get sick, all four steps must occur. If the chain is broken at any point, you won't get sick.

1. A germ, such as a virus, bacterium, fungus or parasite, must be present.

2. The germ must have a place to live and multiply, such as inside a person, animal, plant, food, soil or water.

3. The germ requires a susceptible host (that would be you), who does not have resistance or immunity to the germ.

4. Finally, the germ needs a way to enter the host. Different germs may require different routes, including direct contact (touching or kissing); indirect contact (food, water, feces, bandages); or droplets from a cough or sneeze.

To prevent the flu, you want to break this four-step chain of infection. Here are some proven ways to do that:

o. Practice good personal hygiene, treating all body substances as if they could be infectious.

o. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and hot water for at least 20 seconds before and after preparing or eating food, before or after changing a diaper, after using the bathroom, after touching garbage, an animal or animal waste, and after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose.

o. Use liquid soap, since bar soap can become a haven for bacteria. Shop liquid soap:

o. When you're out and can't wash your hands, use a hand sanitizer. Be sure to spread it over your entire hand, including between your fingers and around the fingernails, since germs can get trapped there. Keep rubbing your hands until they are dry. Shop hand sanitizer:

o. If you prefer not to shake hands with people, don't. Instead, touch the other person's arm with the back of your hand. If you're at a party and you both have glasses in your hands, clink your glasses as a greeting.

o. When you're in a restaurant, make sure the menu does not touch your utensils or bread plate since menus tend to be covered in germs. Once you have ordered your food and returned the menu to the server, either use a hand sanitizer at the table or go to the restroom and wash your hands. Don't unwrap your utensils or open your straw until after you have cleaned your hands. Also, once you have cleaned your hands, do be careful picking up the little drink and dessert table tents, as well as the table condiments.

o. Once a week, use Clorox wipes to clean the household doorknobs, light switches and all the handles and knobs in the kitchen. Shop Clorox wipes:

o. Change the air conditioning and heating filters with the seasons to throw away those circulating particles. Shop air filters:

o. Don't share bathroom hand towels, toothpaste, makeup and brushes with anyone. Change the bathroom hand towels daily. Shop hand towels:

o. Don't sleep with someone who is sick. If your spouse gets the flu, you should sleep in the guest room or on a couch to avoid being exposed to nighttime coughing and mucous. If possible, wash the sheets and pillowcases daily when someone is sick. Also, keep the temperature in the house cooler than normal because germs die in cool temperatures. (That's why hospitals are so cold.)

o. Put the family's toothbrushes in the dishwasher once a week to kill germs. Shop toothbrush sanitizers:

o. When you visit a doctor's office or other public waiting room, bring your own reading material. Avoid touching the magazines or children's books in the waiting room. Shop magazines and books:

o. Carry your own pen to fill out forms and sign receipts. Shop writing pens:

(Source: The Mayo Clinic)

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Car floor mats -- not a very glamorous subject, but important to your vehicle safety, and a good way to help keep the interior of your vehicle clean. There's more to it than you might think.

After the jump, some things I know about car floor mats.

First off, safety. Some years ago, the car I owned had floor mats that interfered with the bottom of the accelerator pedal. As I was cruising down the the Interstate, I shifted my foot for comfort, and the mat pushed the bottom of the pedal forward, jamming it pretty close to wide open, and I was off to the races.

It took me several seconds to figure out what was going on and what to do. I reached down and yanked the mat from under the pedal and all was well, although it took a few minutes for my heart to slow down.

My fix was easy; others have not been so lucky. Moral of the story? Get floor mats that are specifically made for your vehicle, not something you found at a garage sale.

The best, and safest, floor mats are those that are engineered for a particular vehicle, are built so they don't slip underfoot, won't crack, curl out of shape,or degrade in color, and are resistant to chemicals -- gas, oil, road salts, etc.

Weathertech is one of the leading manufacturers of floor mats -- I like the design and fit of this mat, made for a Honda, but you can find one built for your vehicle. The mats are built to trap dirt, road salt, and water, have a non-stick finish to make for easy cleanup, and have a 10 year warranty (with some exclusions, of course). Mat is shown right.

I also think highly of the mats that Weathertech makes for trucks -- this one, at left, is for a Dodge -- with a raised outer lip to keep water and dirt from leaking out onto the carpet, and deep interior channels.

For a unique appearance, take a gander at the offerings of Intro-Tech. They have a diamond plate design (shown right) built on a tri-layer design consisting of a heavy duty vinyl base, a chrome foil intermediate layer, topped with a clear vinyl cover to protect against scratches. Underside nibs help keep the mat from moving around; a lifetime warranty completes the package.

You can get a unique appearance in floor mats, with a logo mat -- shown left, from Tru Berber -- or, if you want to go a little crazy, order up a set of handcrafted sheepskin mats (at right) from Royce Leather. 4-6 weeks delivery unless you own a Rolls Royce, then they're available off the shelf. Nice.

Floor mats -- you don't give them much thought, but they help keep your vehicle's interior clean, and may help keep you safe. A nice gift for you or a family member.

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