Yesterday I had the opportunity to co-host with Kelly Ripa on Live! With Kelly to talk about family, the holidays, tweeting and more. Kelly Ripa is such a positive person and is a great example of a woman juggling being a mother and a career successfully. Check out the clip below if you weren’t able to catch the episode and let me know what you think!

Hey everyone!

The holidays are coming up quick, which is why I’m trying to get the bulk of my Christmas shopping out of the way now. Here are some ideas for the little ones in your life if you’re looking for some inspiration.


Spiketus Rex Half Pack
$46, madpax.com

The Robot Book
$15, barnesandnoble.com

Discovery Kids Color Me Play Castle
$15, jcpenney.com

Snowball & Brick Maker Set
$25, eddiebauer.com

Connectagons Creative Building Set
$25, hearthsong.com

Lately, I’ve been noticing there have been some discussions on technology, toddlers and how much is too much. We’re all so plugged in, but is that a good thing or is it doing more harm to instill these same habits in our children? Recently, a video went viral that shows a toddler playing with a magazine the same way she would with an iPad, showing how more kids today are learning through electronics.


But some parents may feel hesitant about devices like iPads, in the same way TV was criticized as being an electronic babysitter. Do you think electronics are being overused, missing out on human interaction, or do you think things like iPads are good learning supplements?

Share your thoughts! Do your kids use gadgets to learn?

Asked: As an actor, making an impression is key. What tips do you have for networking in social situations?

I've never been the type to ever "work a room".  It's not me and the idea of it makes me uncomfortable.

I am a proponent of being yourself, being confident and sincere.

When I'm in a situation where I have to meet important people, I always try and stay relaxed. I'm sure to give solid handshakes and make eye contact. I never want to appear over-eager or shifty.  We all get nervous but it always helps to take a deep breath, listen and be in the moment.

What’s your strategy for making a good first impression? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Asked: I know you have a few tattoos, but can you tell us how many and what they mean?

I think I have ten tattoos. I always end up forgetting a couple. Pretty sure it's ten.  I won't tell the meanings of all of them because a few are personal, but my first one was on my right shoulder. Almost fifteen years ago I was working in Japan so I got the Japanese character for 'Hope'. This was before Japanese characters were so played out. I struggle with getting it covered, but it marks a very specific time in my life.

Throughout the years I've gotten other symbols in Arabic and Egyptian ranging from “Abundance” and “Eternal Life” to “Peace” and “Patience.”

I'm drawn to simple but pretty shapes so as to stand out on my dark skin.  Obviously I'm hoping that inking a certain symbol on my skin will somehow lend itself to me becoming closer to whatever that symbol means.  I've always been attracted to symbols.

My last tattoo was my son's name on my forearm. I received it on his first birthday.  Big block letters spell out: WALK.  This one's my favorite.  

Asked: What's on your night stand and what's your before bed ritual?

I have a picture of Dee and myself from when we were in Rent as well as some eye drops, lip balm and a bunch of scripts on my nightstand. I actually need to clean it. It's a bit too cluttered. 
My before bed ritual usually consists of a glass of wine, going over my lines for the next day's work, and a bit of TV.

Asked: Taye, how do you manage your cologne situation?

I'm a huge supporter of smelling right. Though I'm constantly looking for new and fresh fragrances, I sadly still use the same two that I've been using for about 15 years. 

Damn, I'm old. 


I go in between musk oil and sandalwood. I keep it simple and switch it up for the season: Warm and cold. I use the heavier oil (musk) during the colder seasons and save the lighter of the two (sandalwood) for warm weather. 
I've tried to change but nothing rivals these scents for me. I also have to admit that I enjoy the fact that I've had the same scent for so long that people recognize me by the way I smell.

Try:

• Jovan Musk Cologne
• The Art of Shaving Sandalwood Cologne

Have a question you’d like answered? Post it in the comments below for Taye to read.

Always hearing about how people just love the weather in L.A.: Surfing, hiking, cycling. I know there's a trend in people getting outdoors to work out -- but I can't be bothered.

I much prefer the air-conditioned convenience of a gym. Don't have to worry about stepping in dog waste or running out of water in the hot sun or inhaling the fresh stench of animal urine while on some 'hike'. Always an endless supply of clean towels, weights and machines.

Love the great outdoors. Play tennis, enjoy swimming and most other outdoor sports, but when it comes to my workout, get me inside.

What's your perfect workout environment? Let Taye know in the comments below.

There are lots of ways to keep cool during the summer, but few are as satisfying as a cold, refreshing drink. While beer may be the go-to drink for picnics, a party or event can be made more memorable with a cocktail.

Even if it doesn't suit everyone's tastes, offering up an alternative to the usual cooler full of beers is something worth considering when throwing a party.

What drinks have you tried that have had success? A lot of times during the summer you want something simple, that's easy to prepare. While a complicated cocktail might impress your friends, chances are they'll appreciate something like a spiked lemonade, that can be easily served out of a pitcher more.

If you have a cocktail recipe, share it below. The best ones will be put together in a future post. If you're looking for some ideas, check out these recipes.

If you're going to put the time into a workout, you want to get the maximum benefit from it. Diet and routine are important, but it turns out so is the time of day you excercise. There's been a bit of research on the subject and this is what they've found:

Late afternoon is the best time to work out. It turns out your strength and endurance peak in the late afternoon. An additional benefit is that you're less prone to injury at that time of day.

Morning exercise has its benefits as well. It turns out people who exercise in the early hours are more consistent than those who work out later in the day.

What time works best for you? Let me know in the comments below.