It's Thursday already!

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'Can you see it? That's Friday right there!'

This week is movin along fast!

Everyone is getting ready for New Years Eve!  Are you?  Lots of great party tips, recipe ideas, drink ideas, shopping tips to find the perfect dress and more below :)

PRIZES:

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Listen at 1:15 today for your chance to win Run of Engagement Tickets to Les Miserables!

LIFESTYLE FUN:

The story of Prickly Pete :)

Jean Mann intends to provide a loving home for Prickly Pete, who made headlines when he was rushed to an Arizona Humane Society hospital for cactus injuries last week.

Arizona Humane Society

No one stepped forward to claim Prickly Pete after the unlucky cat received emergency medical attention for cactus injuries. But Pete’s luck turned around when a Sun City, Ariz., woman adopted him Wednesday.
“I fell in love with him the minute I saw him,” Jean Mann, the cat’s new owner, told the Daily News.
 
Mann, 72, thought Pete was adorable as soon as she saw his yellow eyes and orange and white markings.
 
“He’s beautiful and loving,” she said. “We were lucky that he was there waiting for us.”
 
Mann, a retired nurse’s assistant, visited the Arizona Humane Society with her son and 8-year-old granddaughter to buy the child a kitten for Christmas. She did not expect to get a cat for herself, but when she heard Pete’s sad story, she knew that she wanted to give him a loving home.
 
“It’s really sad,” Mann said. “I can’t imagine that he survived, and he’s such a nice kitty.”
 
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Courtesy of the Arizona Humane Society

The friendly feline got trapped by a cactus and a fence before Arizona Humane Society’s Emergency Animal Medical Technicians showed up to help.

Just last week, Pete was recovering at the society’s Second Chance Animal Hospital from an unfortunate incident that left cactus spines in his eyelids, muzzle, face, and body. Pete will be safe with Mann partly because she shares his dislike for cacti.
 
“Even if he was to go outside, there will be no cactus. We only have grass and trees,” she said. “And he won’t be alone, because he’s got a brother and a sister.”
 
His new siblings are Mann’s Maltese dogs, with whom Pete already gets along.
 
Mann is thrilled about the energy Pete has brought to the household. Her husband passed away in June, and the home has not been the same without him. She said that she and her dogs miss him tremendously.
 
“We’re kind of bored around here,” Mann said. “We’re ready for a new person in our life.”
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Courtesy of the Arizona Humane Society

It took two hours to remove all of the cactus spines.

Pete is not skittish in his new home. He has spent almost the entire time by Mann’s side.
 
“The minute I sit down, Prickly Pete is right there. He likes to sit on the chair with me,” she said. “He’s gonna get a lot of loving.”


Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/cactus-stung-kitty-proud-new-owner-article-1.1227881#ixzz2GI2nXMa1

Did you know? Strange and interesting facts!

More interesting 'did you know' facts HERE

New Year's Eve dresses to ring in 2013 -- all for under $100!

A toast to starting off the new year with affordable, chic fashion!

LEFT: Dress by bar III, $74 at macys.com. Headband, $26 at asos.com. Collar, $25 at H&M, 540 Fifth Ave., (212) 489-0390.

Waltz in a Name" dress, $89 at lulus.com. Earromgs. $34 at bebe.com. Belt, $25 at Express, 7 W. 34th St. (212) 629-6838. Bracelet, $25 at express.com. Shoes by GoMax, $48 at lulus.com.

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LEFT: Dress, $100 at zara.com; Headband, $18 at shopbando.com; Earrings, $8, gloves, $30, both at H&M, 640 Fifth Ave., 212-489-0390; “Hurricane” sandals, $79 at asos.com.

“Perennial Party” dress, $46.50 at lulus.com; Tiara, $16.50 at claires.com; Earrings by Rebecca Minkoff, $68 at bloomingdales.com; Belt, $8, at Joe Fresh, 110 5th Ave., 212-366-0960.

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LEFT:  Dress, $72 at pixiemarket.com; Earrings, $13 at H&M, 540 Fifth Ave., (212) 489-0390. Cuff, $42 at bebe.com.

'Boutique Milly' dress, $70 at boohoo.com. Hair clip $15, earrings, $28 at C. Wonder, 10 Columbus Circle, (212) 823-6300. "Harlette" sandals by Sam Edelman, $100 at piperlime.com.

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 LEFT: Sequin “Good, Gleam Fun” dress by Glamorous, $80 at modcloth.com. Earrings, $8.50 at claires.com. Bracelets, $17 each at target.com Stockings by House of Holland for Pretty Polly, $35 at classicshapewear.com. Shoes by Rosette, $34 at gojane.com

Zig zag dress by Ark & Co., $89 at piperlime.com. Headphones by BCBG, $68 at BCBGMAXAZRIA, 424 5th Ave., (212) 730-0273. Bracelets, $14 each at dorothyperkins.com.

Photographer: Julia Xanthos
Fashion Editor: Raakhee Mirchandani
Stylist: Jessica King
Hair: Angel Mendez for Drybar, thedrybar.com
Makeup: Shenelle Lovings Mays
Model: Rossy/Wilhelmina
Fashion Assistant: Tracy Brock
Shot on location at the Electric Room at the Dream Downtown, 335 W. 16th St., 212-229-2559.
Visit dreamdowntown.com for more information.

HOLLYWOOD DIRT:

I have to say...this does make me happy!  LOL!

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Matt Lauer is "freaked out" that people -- and lots of them -- have been screaming at him on the streets of Manhattan, calling him names and blaming him for the demise of Ann Curry.

Network sources tell TMZ ... Matt is "miserable" over what he believes are hateful and unfair tirades.  Matt says the harassment is constant, with people screaming things like "You're a bad guy,"and "You got Ann fired.  Does that make you happy?" 

Matt is telling people at NBC there have also been lots of sarcastic comments about his $25 million salary.  He feels "abused," insisting Ann's firing is not his fault.  But, as TMZ first reported, Matt made it clear when he re-signed -- he didn't want Ann in the picture.

One network source says, "It's driving him crazy.  He's so unhappy."

As for Matt's future at "Today," it's secure by default.  Aside from the fact that he has a contract, our network sources say NBC honchos are stuck.  They have no one who can step in and stop the bleeding.  As for Willie Geist, the new, 9 AM "Today" host, one very connected source says the sentiment is, "He's not ready.  He's not there yet."