INSPIRE. It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and we’re so proud that our own DivaGal, Dr. Janna Andrews, is making a difference. Last night, Janna hosted the first “Kicked It In Heels” at INC Lounge NYC inside Time Hotel. The classy event celebrated all women, especially young ones and those of color, who have beaten the disease. “People always ask me why did you go into oncology, and I tell them, it’s the most beautiful thing that you can see your patients live their lives and celebrate life and health,” Janna shared. “When I watch my patients go through their recovery, they reclaim their identity and femininity,” she says, explaining the night’s catchy theme. One of night’s biggest sponsors was Matthew Stroyman, owner of Arcturus real estate company, and his wife Jacqueline, a former classmate of Janna’s who also has close ties to battling the disease. “My father is chairman of the board of MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, and we’re extremely involved in the cause. Anyway I can help Janna, I will,” Jacqueline shared. The night included champagne cocktails, raffles and a silent auction to benefit The American Cancer Society and Young Survival Coalition. Of course, we loved Janna’s fabulous ensemble. “It’s a Halston dress and Prada shoes,” she shared. Diva-licious!

DRESS. If you have the body of a 20-something, then you’ll want to check out the line from Pamela Gonzales. The Colombian-born and 20-year-old designer is showcasing her newest collection in her first concept store in New York, Pamela Gonzales SoHo at SoHo Mews. The shop carries a small collection of contemporary emerging designers, mostly Latin American, where many of the hot designers are emerging from! Pamela’s collection is modern yet classic without being frou-frou. These are chic clothes with a little edge and a whole lot of skin!

SLIP. Summer is officially over, so we put away our gladiator style flats and slipped into the super comfy transitional shoe by Sanuk. Sanuk shoes have a suede leather upper, micro fiber cord-wrapped vamp, embossed fringe detail and fabric lining. Priced from $50 to $65, these get up and get around the city shoes are available at www.sanuk.com or at Zappos, Nordstrom and Dillard’s.

COVER. DivaGals, it’s getting cool out there! Stay warm and keep your style up with Hanes Legwear. We love the new opaque tights with the reinforced toe. We also love Hanes Silk Reflections Blackout Convert-A-Tight. These are leggings that with a little tuck turn into tights. Fashionable and recession-friendly? We definitely approve!

TASTE. Last week we attended an entertainment food editors’ holiday preview. That’s where we discovered Emmi Fondu Cheese, available at your local grocer or online. The lovely texture and rich taste got us thinking that it would make a nice enhancement to our traditional tuna casserole. Here is our recipe:

1 (12-oz.) package pasta (ziti, egg noodles or shells)
1 medium sized Leek
1/2 cup chopped red pepper
tablespoon fresh chopped parsley
1.5 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup Emmi Fondu Cheese
1 cup frozen green peas
2 (6-oz.) cans tuna, drained
2 (10.75-oz.) cans condensed cream of mushroom soup
1/2 (4.5-oz.) can sliced mushrooms

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook pasta in boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes, or until al dente; drain.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).

In frying pan saute washed and sliced leek add chopped red pepper. Saute vegetables until tender. Allow to cool.

In a large bowl, thoroughly mix noodles, sauteed leeks and red pepper, 1 cup cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup chopped Emmi Fondu Cheese, peas, tuna, soup and mushrooms.

Transfer to a 9 x 13-inch baking dish, and top with potato chip crumbs and 1/2 cup of remaining cheddar cheese.

Bake for 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until cheese is bubbly.

Serve with a green salad and garlic bread. Some say it’s optional, but because we are DivaGals, we serve with white wine. We recommend Shaw Vineyards  2006 dry Riesling .

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