Traveling girlfriends get hungry, and when we get hungry we get cranky.  Stock that mini-bar!  But instead of candy bars, potato chips, and sodas, try some snacks that won't kill your diet, or baffle your digestive system.

Our Top 10 Healthy Mini-Bar Stockers:

1)  Water - hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!  You know you're going to be imbibing, so make sure to balance the drinks with water.  If you forget to do this, you will need twice as much the next morning.  

2)  Fruit - dried or not, it's as close to candy as possible, yet still contains nutritional value.  If you need to, we give you permission to consider wine a fruit.

3)  Cherry tomatoes - they're so cute and juicy, and have you heard all that good stuff about lycopene?

4)  Baby carrots - another cute snack option, they're also crunchy, and they have beta carotene.  Is this starting to sound like science class?

5)  Plain pretzels - most mini-bars include overly salted or oddly-flavored versions of our friend, the pretzel, but the original is the best healthy option. We wish we could recommend those giant, smooshy pretzels as a healthy snack option, but they're just not.  Sorry. 

6)  Hummus -this is so much better than those artificially flavored chip dips.  Have you read the ingredients on those?  Yikes.  Hummus is creamy, garlicky, and the perfect dip for #s 3, 4, and 5.

7)  Salsa - dipping snacks in goo is second-nature to Americans (see #6).  We can't NOT do it.  Salsa is fat free and zesty, and we LOVE saying "zesty".

8)  Nuts - almonds, cashews, peanuts, macadamia nuts - keep an eye on the salted versions, but it's all protein, which satiates the hunger.  These are perfect for when your dinner reservations aren't for another hour and a half, but you're starving.  STARVING!  Who makes dinner reservations for 10:30PM?!

9)  Pita chips - a fantastic substitute for potato chips, and they're even more satisfying because they're thicker and very, very crunchy.  Bring these in the safari van, just keep the crunching to a minimum so as not to frighten the cheetah.

10)  Low fat string cheese - who doesn't love string cheese?  No one, that's who.  It reminds us of when we were little, plus it's cheese that is convenient to eat, even if you're running out the door on the way to go hot air ballooning.

Girlfriend getaways should be happy things that we all look forward to.  We don't want to associate them with weight gain, so snack smart, and save the calories for those Margaritas.

As of September 22, it was officially Fall.  You may not have felt it, depending on where you live, but Fall is here and it's getting chilly.  We're going to need some cashmere.

Cashmere should really be seen as more of a necessity than a luxury.  It is the warmest sweater fabric (according to experts it is 8x warmer than sheep's wool), and oh-so-soft.  Well, it's oh-so-soft if you buy the right cashmere.  Follow along:

High quality cashmere

1 - feels very soft and lightweight

2 - has longer fibers than those of the lower quality

3 - is not susceptible to pilling (like the lower quality)

4 - travels well, and does not wrinkle

5 - is long-lasting; it will actually become softer with age

Ideally you will want the label to read "100% cashmere".

You may hear people say the greater the ply, the better, but high-end makers, such as cashmere icon Loro Piana, pull off lightweight, one-ply pieces with high-quality yarn and good construction.  As long as we're name-dropping, a few other brands known for their quality cashmere:  White+Warren, TSE, Burberry, Ermenegildo Zegna.

A few ways to appreciate cashmere are...

In the form of a basic, turtleneck:

James Perse Cashmere Turtleneck Sweater - $385 at Net-A-Porter

as a flouncy-sleeved tee:

Ports 1961 Cashmere Tee - $395 at Vivre

as a chunky, cable-knit cardigan:

Design History - $298 at Bluefly

or as a gorgeous, rich jewel tone:

Autumn Cashmere Tie-Front Dolman Cardigan - $192 at Bluefly

We feel toastier already.  But just for extra warmth, pass the hot chocolate.

"Dancy" is just fun to say, and Hugh Dancy is just fun to look at.  This British actor has starred in several solid films, but is probably better-known for his relationship with Claire Danes.

The one film of his I've seen, repeatedly (and I'm only slightly embarrassed to admit this), is "Ella Enchanted", where he plays Prince Charmant.

 Photo:  yahoomovies

And with that sexy, wavy hair and his dreamy bedroom eyes, I just want to cast some spell on him that will render him helpless and shirtless in a bed somewhere...

 Photo: photobucket.com

Thaaaaaat's right, Hugh, just sleeeeeeeeeeep.

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

Walking is one of the best ways to get to know a city, and no one understands this more than Chronicle books.  They offer a whimsical, splashy "City Walks" series.

Rather than a bulky guide book, the "City Walks" series are an informational deck of cards for each featured city.  We love cards!

"Each card in the deck outlines a self-guided walking adventure, with a detailed map on the front and information on the back filled with insider tips." 

This way you can pick a card, any card, tuck it in your pocket or purse, and get to exploring.  Even though we are, technically, grown-ups, we really loved the "City Walks with Kids" guides, because the illustrations and maps were more fun.

See how the little dude is skipping along South Something-Street?  The words are too fuzzy and we can't tell exactly where he is, but you'd be able to see it on the actual guide.

I have no idea why all guide books don't do this.  Just because we're adults, doesn't mean we can't appreciate a fun, carousel scene with helpful numbered landmarks.

And the flip side of the card, with the helpful information:

The standard guides include: Toronto, Los Angeles, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Boston, Chicago, London, Paris, Rome, San Francisco, and Washington D.C.

Check them out at Chronicle Books.

The perpetually impeccably-dressed Charlize!  We could just look at photos of her all day long.  She has fantastic style, and isn't afraid to push boundaries with fashion.

She is also not afraid to push the boundaries of foot comfort, while airport-schlepping in these pointy-toe stilettos - bless her heart!  

Photo:Whittle/SplashNews

Other than the shoes, I would absolutely wear this while traveling:  stretchy, cute skinny jeans, tunic-length top (although I would get chocolate on the white within 3 minutes of buckling my seatbelt), sassy military jacket, and fun carry-on bags.  Smashing, I say.

NOOOOOOO!  The alarm didn't go off.  You haven't finished packing, and still need to drop off the keys with the dog-sitter, get to the airport, find parking...GAAAAAAAH!

Photo:  ProCorbis

This is a likely scenario on Travel Day, so try to prepare as much as possible beforehand:

1)  Plot your travel ensemble in advance:  slip-on, flat shoes for quick security-line (no buckles, laces, zippers, etc) and airport sprinting, stretch denim jeans for comfort, tank top, cardigan sweater, and easy jacket (again no complicated buckles or difficult buttons).  We'd recommend velcro-everything if it wasn't so unattractive.

2)  Print your boarding pass the night before.  This way you will not have to wait in the winding line in front of the counter, and if you have no checked luggage, you can go straight to your gate.  RUN FORREST, RUN!

3)  Get cash the night before: airport machines are occasionally "out of funds", or have enormously long lines.

4)  Accessorize afterward:  Put your watch, belt, and clanky earrings in a side pocket of your purse until after you get through security - this will save you a few seconds, and when you're late, every second counts.  You can actually pull these things off and tuck them in your purse while in line.

5)  Keep your ID and boarding pass handy:  in a pocket, rather tucked into your wallet or daily planner.  You'll need to show it to security, and again, seconds count.

6)  Exercise savvy line tactics:  Pick the security line with solo business travelers, with small bags.  Avoid getting stuck behind families, who will struggle a bit more getting everything together and on the conveyor belt, and might inadvertently put their newborn through the scanner.

7)  3 oz On Top:  Throw the 3 oz Ziploc baggie into your purse, on top, so you can just pull it out and plop it in the small tray.  Once you get through security, you can pack it properly into your carry-on bag.

8)  Go directly to gate:  After making it through security, hopefully with your dignity intact, go directly to your gate.  Do not pass GO, do not collect $200 (unless it's just laying on the floor in front of you), do not stop at any of the shops you see en route.  It is crucial to find your gate first, as it may be much further away that you think.  You do not want to be sipping on your Starbucks triple espresso, perusing the airport map, when you discover you need to take a tram past 3 other terminals, then walk 4 miles to get to your gate.

9)  Use the moving walkways.  The "standers" should be standing to the right side, so you can keep your brisk pace on the left side, and get a little extra distance thanks to the walkway.

And if all else fails

10)  Run Forrest.  Run.

It has been TOO too long since we've had a really good awards/gown show.  The Emmys last night cured our sartorial itch with many safe-but-gorgeous looks, and a few quirky surprises.

Our unofficial winner of the night was Brooke Shields in Badgley Mischka:

Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty

Embellishment on the bodice, ruffles on the skirt, and a splashy-fabulous fuschia color.  WINNER!  She looks gorgeous.

America Ferrera wins our "Okay, if you MUST wear black" award, in a vintage gown:

Photo:  Frazer Harrison/Getty

Honestly, wearing black to these events is a bit of a cop-out, but this dress IS vintage and has an interesting style and a unique extra-long tea-length hem.  She sasses it up a bit with perfect makeup and a beautiful chunky necklace.  Well played, America.

Our winner in the "Pretty-pretty princess" category, Ms. Marcia Cross, wearing Elie Saab (like 80% of the other attendees):

Photo:  Jason Merritt/Filmmagic

She looks even better than Amy Adams in "Enchanted", and part of me wants to plant her in my garden.  I mean, if I had a garden, and the desire to plant things.  I am slightly concerned about the pronounced sternum I'm seeing, although so many of these actresses claim "stress", that I'll give her a week or two to eat a few sandwiches.

In the "This dress would be fantastic if we could remove one thing" category (our blog, our categories), the stunning Vanessa Williams in Kevan Hall:

Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty

If we could just un-velcro that strip of dimoniques from the dress, it would be SO pretty.  They are too distracting, and take away from the drama of the floral print. They are also competing, unsuccessfully, with Williams' megawatt smile.

And now, for the quirky. 

The unflappable Kyra Sedgwick has such an insanely fit body, that she can really get away with wearing just about anything.  JUST about anything:

Photo: Chris Pizzillo/AP

While Kyra was sashaying down the red carpet, and posing politely for photos, a giant Swarovsky-sequined phoenix came and landed directly at second base.  Her body still looks ridiculously amazing.

And a rousing "GO GIRL!" to our girl Christina Applegate, who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, and underwent a double mastectomy, at the age of 36.  That is a lot to go through, and we're so glad to see her looking healthy and smashingly beautiful in Reem Acra.

Photo: Mathew Imaging/Wire Images

P.S.  "Samantha Who?" rocks.  We're looking forward to the Fall Season!

I used to watch the show "Brothers & Sisters", and really enjoyed Dave Annable as the sexy, reckless youngest sibling in the Walker family.  But then they got into the character's drug addiction and made him look sickly, and all strung out, and it just messed with the fantasizing.

Doesn't this look better than a sickly pallor and sunken cheeks?

Photo:  boston.com

So now we arrive at the requisite shirtless, beefcake photo, and Dave is really more of an intellectual hunk than an actual beefcake.  I'm sure there is a more flattering shirtless look for him - I just couldn't locate it.

Photo: isolaforumer

I want him to stand up straighter.  The way he's slouching kind of makes his chest look like a little face, with his bellybutton poised to say something like "well helleeeeeew there".  Why don't we just post a photo of him wearing soaking wet clothing, with his adorable bulldog in the background.  How about that?

Photo: dailyeyecandy.com

Works for me!  SURF'S UP!

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

Hotels, resorts and airlines don't seem to be faring any better than we are during these "trying times".  The upside of this is radical travel discounting!  Hooray!

Travel writer Christopher Elliott reviews the current phenomenon:

"The price of a real vacation is now a bargain. A steal, actually.

Why? A lot of Americans skipped their summer getaway, forcing nervous rental companies, hotels and restaurants to slash prices. We had our reasons for staying home, of course. Record high gas prices, a soft economy and air travel woes made us miss the expensive out-of-town vacation.

So between now and the holidays -- the traditional off-season for a lot of vacation hotspots -- here's your chance to make up for lost time. The deals will be good. Really good.

Call it the staycation effect.

Consider that Florida is in a deep recession, weighed down by declining real estate values and rising unemployment. In Orlando, hotel rates are expected to go into freefall, as properties get desperate to fill rooms.

Ditto for Las Vegas, which is seeing its lowest hotel rates in five years, according to a recent survey. Among the bargains: $60 a night at the Monte Carlo, $103 a night at Loews Lake Las Vegas and $199 a night at the Wynn.

But there are other reasons why you should book a vacation now, in the waning days of summer. Reasons that go beyond the bargain you'll probably find..."

Click HERE to read the rest of the story.

Calling all Vine Vixens! This is your last opportunity to reserve your space for Kestrel Vintners' Harvest Party, Winemaker's Dinner, Luncheon and 'Day in the Vineyard'.

Saturday - Sunday, September 20-21
285.00 per person - all inclusive - or

80.00 per person - Winemaker's Dinner Only
30.00 per person - Luncheon and 'Day in the Vineyard' Only

To reserve your space, call Leah at 509-786-2675.

For full details click HERE.