A freebie for you

Linda Miller always has loved makeup and fashion, especially shoes and handbags. She admits to owning more lipsticks and glosses than many makeup artists, but she's not giving up a single tube.

When she got the opportunity to move from assistant business editor to fashion editor, it was a no-brainer. The job included shopping. Since then, she's covered Fashion Week in New York and the apparel markets in Los Angeles and Dallas. She has interviewed Isaac Mizrahi, Oscar de la Renta, Nicole Miller, Carmen Marc Valvo, Bobbi Brown, Trish McEvoy and dozens of other well-knowns in the fashion and beauty industries.

A business writer asked Linda why she wanted to switch from writing "real news" to "fluff." Fashion writing isn't just about trends and hemlines. We all wear clothes. Our clothes say a lot about who we are, and sometimes who we want to be, and she finds that interesting. Fashion isn't going to change the world, but Linda knows a great bag, stunning pair of shoes or knockout outfit will make you feel better.

That's what she keeps reminding her husband, David, when she comes home with another pair of new shoes. He consoles himself by saying at least Stephanie, their fashion-loving daughter, is now married and paying for her own shoes.

He knows Stephanie doesn't always pay, but just saying it out loud makes him feel better.