That's right, Zac Efron.  We challenge you to defy his newly-acceptable hotness!  He turned 21 recently, so he is absolutely fair game. That may seem scary to some, but it IS Halloween after all.

We recently heard someone say "Oh he's too pretty."  Nonsense!  There's no such thing!  Have you even seen the trailers for "High School Musical 3"?  His biceps are completely pumped and he's all sweaty, and he occasionally makes intense-angry faces.  You know, with his piercing blue eyes and chiseled cheekbones.

Here, he's doing that sexy Chace Crawford thing, where he combs all of his hair forward.  

Photo: popularbiographies.wordpress

Men with receding hairlines, please do not try this at home.  It has an entirely different effect.  And now, for those skeptics who think Zac couldn't possibly be lustworthy, I give you the Rolling Stone cover: 

Photo: rolling stone

HAPPY HALLOWEEN & HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND, FROM THE GOLIGHTLY GIRLS!

We're all feeling this stupid recession, but that is no reason to scrap the girlfriend getaway altogether.  What we advocate is a good old-fashioned slumber party with your girlfriends!

(Ed. apologies for the Victoria's Secret models as the pajama party girlfriends.  We just really loved all the different jammies!)

We won't call it a "staycation", because that is a made-up word.  And we didn't make it up.  Has anyone else noticed that spell-check recommends "starvation" in place of "staycation"?  Coincidence?  We think not.

So, rather than starving yourselves with a girlfriend getaway embargo, go ahead and indulge in a full-on, pull-out-all-the-stops slumber party. 

Remember when times were simpler?  When you didn't have kids, a mortgage, health insurance payments?  When the most important thing you had to worry about was whether or not your family knew where you kept your diary hidden?  Let's go back to that time, shall we?  Make sure everyone checks their cell phones, iPhones, Blackberrys, and Treos at the door.

WHEN:  Pick a Saturday night - we are all too tired on Fridays from the work-week - and pick a "volunteer" to host the party.  Said volunteer should be whichever friend has the best house or condo.  We're thinking hot tub, giant plasma TV, fully loaded fridge.

DRESS:  Pajamas are mandatory, and you can even hold a "best PJs" contest.  Don't hold back; fuzzy slippers, sleeping mask, etc.

MOVIES:  You can go old school with the entertainment and rent movies you watched when you were a kid ("Grease", "Sixteen Candles") , OR get a taste of today's tween insanity and test out High School Musicals 1 & 2 or anything Hannah Montana related.

GAMES:  Who still has a Ouija board?  Bring it.  Magic 8 ball, Simon, Light-as-a-feather-stiff-as-a-board,"Cootie Catcher", (known in more sophisticated circles as origami fortune teller):

EATS:  You should make snacks that you would normally avoid: 

Puppy Chow:

9    cups Corn Chex®, Rice Chex®, Wheat Chex® or Chocolate Chex® cereal (or combination)
1    cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2    cup peanut butter
1/4    cup butter or margarine
1    teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2    cups powdered sugar
Tips
Substitution
Peanut butter and chocolate are a favorite flavor combo, but peanut butter lovers can substitute peanut butter chips for the chocolate chips to intensify that flavor.
Preparation Directions
1.    Into large bowl, measure cereal; set aside.
2.    In 1-quart microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter uncovered on High 1 minute; stir. Microwave about 30 seconds longer or until mixture can be stirred smooth. Stir in vanilla. Pour mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated. Pour into 2-gallon resealable food-storage plastic bag.
3.    Add powdered sugar. Seal bag; shake until well coated. Spread on waxed paper to cool. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.
High Altitude (3500-6500 ft): No change.

Remember to give yourself a free pass for anything consumed at the slumber party.  Guilt is for grown-ups.   Enjoy yourselves, and your girlfriends, and just for one night really remember what it was like to be young and responsibility free!

*To really add to the authenticity of the slumber party, you may hire an older woman to sit in another room and periodically yell out "You kids keep it down!"  Pay her a little extra to clean up after everyone the next morning.

It's Halloween week, and the movie box office blockbusters are typically supposed to be horror films.  Not this week.  "High School Musical 3" beat out all of the fright-fests with it's peppy musical numbers and freshly-scrubbed teen stars.  Enter Vanessa Hudgens.

Little Gabriella - so grown up!  Long gone are the controversial nude photos.  Well, probably not that long gone, as anyone could just find them somewhere on the internet, but we'd rather focus on moving forward and being positive!  And properly accessorizing!  Lookit the perfect travel ensemble, just lookit: comfy jeans, cute boots, smart jacket, sassy scarf - all in neutral colors, so they'd match with anything.

Photo:  Bauer/Griffin

And if we know anything about that little neon tag, Ms. Hudgens' suitcase is marked "Heavy", and we hope that means "lots of shoes".

Grade:  A+

We are quick-thinking individuals, and can talk our ways out of just about anything.  Babysitting your neighbor's twin boys? Ohhh shoot, you'll be out of town.  Driving your boss to the airport?  Darnit, you've got to babysit your neighbor's twin boys.  See what we did there?

You shouldn't need to create excuses to avoid a girlfriend getaway, and yet here we are.  The Top 10 Excuses For Not Taking A Girlfriend Getaway.  We've heard them all.

1)  I can't take the time off - are you sure?  Have you asked nicely?  And when we say "nicely" we mean you have to say "Pretty please, with sugar on top?"

2)  I can't afford it - ring-ring...oh, is that your iPhone?

3)  I don't have any girlfriends - now this just makes us sad.  If you do not currently have any girlfriends, make an effort to rustle some up.  Start with the Oprah website - there are myriad discussion groups there.

4)  I can't leave my kids - this is an occasionally legitimate excuse, but more often than not it's separation anxiety.  Yours, not theirs.

5)  I have to wash my hair - oh wait, this was Marcia from an episode of "Brady Bunch", sorry.

6)  I'm rearranging my sock drawer - we're not asking you out for a second date, after taking you out to dinner at McDonald's; we're offering a girlfriend getaway.

7)  I wouldn't know where to go - here are a few suggestions.

8)  I wouldn't know what to pack - here are a few suggestions.

9)  It's just not the right time - try a different watch.

10)  I can't remember the question - take your meds and call us in the morning.

I'm going on a girlfriend getaway and I'm going to bringggggggg...a hat.  Always bring a hat.  They are of perfect packable size, and offer a multitude of solutions to various travel conundrums. 

Hats are perfect for hiding bedhead from an overnight flight; or hiding frizzed out hair if you didn't know you needed an electrical converter for your hairdryer or flatiron; or if you didn't know you needed a DIFFERENT electrical converter for Europe and the UK.  There are many fashionable options to help you avoid the dreaded baseball cap.  Also known as the American tourist giveaway.  You're fancier than that!

Beret - vive la France!  Berets are chic, lightweight and add a bit of sass to your ensemble.  Pair with matching scarf and gloves and VOILA!  Sitting at an outdoor cafe, sipping capuccino is optional (although very much recommended).

Newsboy - a slightly more casual option, the newsboy cap fits snugly on the head and offers a slight brim to keep the sun out of your eyes.  Extra!  Extra!  Read all about the savvy girlfriend in the hip accessory!

Fedora - usually reserved for Film Noir gumshoes in the 1930s, the fedora has made a fashion-comeback in recent years.  We've seen them on everyone from Cameron Diaz to Sienna Miller, and they look to be a universally flattering option.  Accompanying trenchcoat not required.

Cap - very jaunty, and just a snap away from the newsboy, the standard cap tops off many different looks.  You can dress this up or down.

Bucket -the bucket offers the most coverage, if you're looking for a hair-disaster coverup.  It also creates a bit of a shadow over the eyes, so if you're attempting an incognito look, the bucket is your hat.  Beware it also creates a sort of odd echo when you're speaking.  Just let the hat do all your talking for you.  

Cloche - a throwback to the 1920s, the cloche hat is the most feminine of the hat options.  It will also create the most severe hat-head, as it fits very close to the scalp.  That's okay, it's pretty enough to leave on indoors.  Call it a look!

Hats are woefully underused in American wardrobes.  They are fabulous and fun and a great way to wake up your wardrobe.  They should always be a staple when traveling.  Seriously, why waste all that time doing your hair?  Your time would be much better spent sitting at a cafe, taking in the sights, touring the ruins, and visiting museums.  Or shopping for more hats!

Adorable, British, delicious, and soon-to-be available.  You know, 'cause it's entirely possible that we'll just be browsing through the freezer section at Trader Joe's, and Guy Ritchie will be standing there, in front of the tiramisu, looking like he needs someone to share dessert with.

Photo: criticsrant.com

The shirtless photo is not as flattering as it could be, but we still wouldn't kick him out of bed for eating crackers.  Or for making "Swept Away".

Photo:ifitandhealthy.com

HAPPY FRIDAY & HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND, FROM THE GOLIGHTLY GIRLS!

...and other things your closet might be saying right now.

You didn't manage that "Spring Cleaning" you kept talking about, and Summer came and went, as did your motivation to clear out the old clothes.  Before the Holiday Season brings you all sorts of new sweaters and party dresses to stuff into your closet, give it a break and purge a bit. 

You know the drill:

Anything you haven't worn in the last year should go.  Or something like that.

I seem to get stuck on things that "are great to sleep in", or "would be great for an 80s theme party!" or "but what if I have to go to a hoe-down?"

You should certainly keep a bag/container for costumes, but the wigs, Mardi Gras beads, cutoff overalls, and rubber bracelets should not be sharing space with your day-to-day ensembles.  It makes your normal clothes uneasy.

In my daydreamy fantasies, my closet looks like this:

In reality, my closet is the size of one of Mary Kate Olsen's purses, and is positively bursting with hangers and improperly folded shirts, that dutifully roll out onto my head the moment I open the closet door.

The closet purge should not be attempted solo.  Recruit a friend.  Or my mom.  Any slight hesitation, or pause, when she's holding an item out for the vote, and it is thrown in the "not yours anymore" pile.

What to do with the "not yours anymore" pile?  Several options:

1) Consignment shop

2) Goodwill

3) Dress for Success (if your "not yours anymore" pile includes successful clothing)

4) Other various charities, many of whom will stop by your place and pick up the "not yours anymore" pile, so that you may feel lazy and charitable all at the same time.

Your closet will thank you. 

Madonna is an icon.  Her career has spanned 3 decades, thus far, and her style is ever-changing.  She's gone from the Material Girl phase to the Dominatrix phase to the Cowgirl phase to the Retro-70s phase.

I am ready for whatever phase this is, to be finished: 

Photo:  Tom Vickers Splash News

If this is an attempt to slip through the airport, unnoticed, we can forgive her a little.  A LITTLE. 

However, Madonna is one of the most monumentally recognizable people on the planet, and a slouchy hat and unflattering masculine sunglasses are not enough of a disguise.

Everything else she is wearing seems to belong to her soon-to-be-ex husband (wait for Friday's post), so there may be more of a story here.   

Stop putting "sexy" or "naughty" in front of any occupation and calling it a Halloween costume. If you must go with the sexy-angle, do Marilyn Monroe or Jessica Rabbit.  "Sexy toll-booth operator" is just not right.

In one of the other "Top 10 Women's Halloween Costumes" lists, there were four that began with "sexy", and two with "naughty".  Here are our picks that do not require either of those adjectives.

1)  Rosie the Riveter - we love the retro look, and Rosie is a cultural icon signifying strong, capable women.  Plus it's a cute costume, and you don't have to do your hair.

2)  Trophy Wife - a great tongue-in-cheek costume, where you will need to do your hair.

3)  Anything with an Afro - if you haven't worn an Afro wig (or an actual Afro), you haven't lived.  Those are FUN to shake around, plus you can hide candy in it!  Foxy Cleopatra, Angela Davis, whomever.  Build the costume around the Afro.

4)  Wonder Woman - you don't have to put "sexy Wonder Woman" because that is implied.

5)  Joan of Arc - another strong female role model-ish type.  Wearing that heavy chainmail costume will be an extra workout, and carrying a sword is just good defensive strategy in case someone tries to steal your candy.

6)  Cruella deVil - or any other Disney villain.  The kooky hair and crazy makeup do require a bit of work.

7)  Leather Tuscadero - if you have no idea who this is, please use Google to educate yourself.  Leather Tuscadero is a "Happy Days" icon!

8)  Mary Katherine Gallagher - if you must wear the Catholic school uniform, at least funny it up a bit.

9)  Carmen Miranda - with her flouncy flamenco costume and her headdress made of fruit, this is a colorful - not to mention tasty - option.

10)Marie Antoinette - the infamous fashionable dauphine  You can do either with head:

Or without:

Whatever you do, celebrate responsibly and don't overdo it on the Reeses Peanut Butter Cups.  You'll still want to be your sexy, naughty self when the festivities are over.

Americans are notorious for schlepping around various vacation destinations clad in khakis, polo shirts, Nikes and baseball hats - making it appear as if we are all employees of a TGIFridays-type establishment.  While it's always important to maintain your personal sense of style, it's also a good idea to try to assimilate to the particular country or region in which you'll be traveling.  Here are a few examples:

NEPAL, PERU, OTHER POPULAR TREKKING DESTINATIONS - makeup will do you no favors on the hiking trails.  While trekking in the Annapurna or Andes range, if you are wearing makeup you will look like a clown next to all the adrenaline-created rosy-cheeks of other travelers.  If you're feeling vain, wear your sunglasses in the photos.

LONDON - The Brits are fabulous at playing Dress-Up.  Take one look at all the men in their savvy pinstripe suits, with rich purple ties, and you'll be shouting "God Save The Queen!"  British women tend to take more fashion risks, and don't feel like they need to follow trends as closely as their American counterparts.  This means you can try out some funkier looks: hot pants, tights and suede booties?  Why not?  You're on vacation!

PRETTY MUCH ALL OF EUROPE - blending in requires little more than scarves and a cute pair of flats.  Those two items alone, would render even the polo shirt/khakis ensemble more palatable.

THAILAND - leave those bulky cargo shorts at home and get thee a sarong!  Not only is it a chic beach coverup, it doubles as a souvenir.  Many of the temples that you'll want to visit also require long pants or long skirts, and your ankle-length sarong will work.

Pack a light suitcase, and put "local shopping" on your list of things to do in the first few days of the trip.  When you arrive, take note of what the cool kids are wearing.  There are few things more fun than having a friend at home compliment you on an item of clothing, when you can respond "Yeah, I got it in Portugal".