THE GAL PALS OF BRAVO'S 'QUEER EYE FOR THE STRAIGHT GIRL' GIVE CUPID A HELPING HAND WITH VALENTINE'S DAY 'HIP' TIPS

THE GAL PALS OF BRAVO'S 'QUEER EYE FOR THE STRAIGHT GIRL' GIVE CUPID A HELPING HAND WITH VALENTINE'S DAY 'HIP' TIPS

'Queer Eye for the Straight Girl' Airs Wednesday Nights at 10:00-11:00 p.m. ET

BURBANK � February 3, 2005 � Cupid is getting some extra help from the cast of Bravo's "Queer Eye for the Straight Girl" for this upcoming Valentine's Day. Here are some "hip tips" from the Gal Pals to "make-better" that special day:

THE LOOK:

"Rule number one: a desperate face is never in style," says Robbie Laughlin, "The Look" expert on being dateless on Valentine's Day. Instead, he urges single girls to spend the "dreaded" day with friends and loved ones � and look great doing it.

"Do not fall victim to theme dressing! Unless you're six, you shouldn't be wearing pink and red hearts," says Laughlin. "Be a big girl and dress up your usual dressed down jeans with a '40s style pump, form-fitting vintage tee, and shrunken blazer or jacket. Also, use a light foundation for overall coverage and couple pale pink lips and cheeks with light grays or browns around the eyes."

But what should the committed girl wear? "It's 100 percent silk or bust when it comes to lingerie," said Laughlin. "Avoid anything synthetic or brassy in color. Choosing something simple, yet elegant in champagne or light pink is a win. If you must go with black or red, make sure it's one solid color. And save the marabou feathers for Halloween!"

THE LIFE:

All dressed up, what's a girl to do without a date? "Avoid the ritual ex-boyfriend bonfire by pulling out photos and videos from your last girls' night out. Not only will they make you laugh, but it's a great way to celebrate the relationships you do have, even if they aren't romantic," adds Danny Teeson, "The Life" guru on the series.

Teeson suggests hosting a pre-party with bite-size goodies and cocktails. "Canap�s are a great option; they're tasty, easy to make and not overwhelming when cooking for a big group. I recommend Parmesan stuffed dates wrapped in bacon. They're rich and delicious, and I would make three per person." He also recommends skipping dessert in favor of drinks to cut down on carbohydrates, adding: "Let's face it, we single gals will be drinking one or two extra."

If you're in a relationship and plan to cook for your partner, says Teeson, "stay away from heavy carbs and multiple food groups. Nothing is worse than the Thanksgiving Day bloat," cautions Teeson. "Cook something simple that you can leave to simmer in case you get distracted, such as chicken and rice cooking slowly in a crock pot. This dish can be served with any green vegetable such as green beans or spinach, but avoid asparagus -- it can be bad for gas!"

For drinks, Teeson says, "Nurse only one or two glasses of champagne or white wine. Avoid red wine, as it will stain your teeth, or a hearty martini. There is nothing like a sloppy roll around in the sheets to turn your partner off."

THE LOCALE:

Damon Pease, "The Locale" expert who specializes in interior design and event planning, offers another tip for single girls spending Valentine's Day with friends: "Make a slide show for you and your guests. Start by hitting the thrift or camera stores for a slide projector. Next gather up 30 to 40 of your funniest, most memorable or most embarrassing pictures of you and your friends and have them converted into slides. Remember, you'll need the negatives. Most camera stores provide this service. A blank white wall can serve as your screen, and don't forget the music!"

Pease then recommends heading out and hitting an old haunt for a nostalgic night on the town. "While it may not be the hippest spot, visiting a place that reminds you of good times with your friends will make for a less tragic and more memorable Valentine's Day."

For the committed girl entertaining at home, Pease suggests making lavender the overall color scheme instead of traditional red and pink. "Plum and violet hues create just as sexy a look and give off a great light that's flattering and not as severe. Keep the color scheme consistent throughout the rooms, as this will make a nice transition from the living room to the bedroom."

Another idea is to have colored votives (available at www.westelm.com) and a variety of unscented pillar candles on hand to help set the mood. Candles are available at Target and Genwax.com (http://candles.genwax.com). Be sure to buy 8-10 hour votives to make the mood last longer.

"You might also consider replacing all of your white light bulbs in the bedroom with amber ones," says Pease. "These are available at hardware stores or lighting stores like Lamps Plus."

THE LADY:

Above all else, "Valentine's Day should serve as a reminder to love yourself," says Honey Labrador, "The Lady" and the Gal Pal in the know when it comes to what women want. "So much of a woman's time is spent taking care of others. Pamper yourself and take time to indulge. Whether it's going to a spa, going out to lunch with girlfriends or for me, going to a basketball game, remember that you are your own best Valentine."

"Queer Eye for the Straight Girl" airs Wednesday nights at 10:00-11:00 p.m. ET on Bravo.

Parmesan Stuffed Dates:

One bag of pitted dates

Parmesan

Extra thinly sliced bacon (one slice per date)

1. Cut a hefty wedge of Parmesan large enough to fill the center of the date.

2. Slice date along one side creating a small pocket.

3. Stuff cheese inside and wrap date around, covering cheese as much as possible.

4. Wrap one slice of bacon around stuffed date and secure with a cocktail stick through the center.

5. Bake at 375 degrees for around 10 minutes or until bacon is nicely browned.

Chicken and Rice:

4-6 skinless boneless chicken breasts

1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup

6 large mushrooms, chopped and peeled

1/2 cup of water

3/4 cup uncooked rice

1 1/2 cups broth made with chicken bouillon dissolved in equal parts water and white wine

Mix all ingredients in a crock pot (or similar slow cooker) covering the chicken breasts evenly. Cover and cook on low heat for six hours or until chicken is cooked and rice is tender.

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