The plan for this column was supposed to be the top 10 holiday films, but instead I was beat to the punch by this fabulous, thoughtful email from Bobbi Brown (makeup artist)'s mailing list. It's Bobbi's Christmas wish list! How exciting. I thought it would be her favorite blush and mascara, but instead it's full of these gems...

1. Spread beauty
2. Do what you love
3. Love what you do
4. Keep it simple
5. Laugh out loud
6. Go with the flow
7. Be real
8. Focus on the positive
9. Do your best
10. Just breathe

It has it's own Oprahlike haze of pseudowisdom about it, doesn't it? I especially love the flip-floppiness of points 2 and 3, but here is what I always wonder--if you don't do what you love, do you have to love what you do? And how do you spread beauty? Does it come in a jar? Is it like a ham glaze? Is laughing silently allowed? How about being fake? Or sitting at your desk at work, just breathing?

The general originality of the list makes me think perhaps someone gave her an early Christmas present: An Optimist's Book of Shallow Cliches. Maybe we should all make affirmation flash cards and read them calmly to ourselves on the way to Pilates, or while drinking 3 gallons of magnetized water, or soaking in an endangered rose petal bath, or whatever else celebrities recommend you do because it works so well for them.

This time of year seems to bring out the advice giver in all celebrities. Apparently the fact that they're photogenic and have lots of free time makes them an expert on living a happy life as well. Or it could be the money and its tranquilizing effect on all their nutty relatives, ergo, happy holidays.

Nah.

Bobbi's Resolution #1 - Stick to makeup.