In response to my recent request for top ten list ideas, I received some of the following: artists/works of art, pet peeves, cities I want to visit, sexy women over 40, song lyrics, places to meet friends, among many others. I will try to implement a list for each category provided in the weeks to come. But today, I thought I'd start with one of my favorite subjects: sexy women. As I believe strong and sexy go hand in hand, my list includes those women who are not only beautiful physical specimens, but also smart, independent, generous and kind. Reviewing my list, I realize that my choices all possess an unexplainable quality that transcends physical beauty. A certain mystique surrounds her, that je ne se quois. She has IT. And she's over 40. 10. Shohreh Aghdashloo. 56 years. When I first saw Shohreh in "The House of Sand and Fog," I was captivated. Even in a role which required her to play a housewife repressed by the mores and religious beliefs of her Middle Eastern homeland, she exuded kindness, independence, strength and sensuality. Her voice is like the deep purr of some non-existent exotic wild cat that never found its way on the arc. The lilt of her accent reminds one of romantic stories involving Persian princesses in a time long forgotten in today's world. Her talent allows her to introduce such complexity even to the most minor of supporting characters, all the while radiating an unidentifiable charm that instantly entices. 9. Cindy Crawford. 42 yrs. O course a professional model is always going to be beautiful. And the world's top supermodel of all time is no exception. What makes Cindy so special is her down-to-earth attitude and her altruistic heart. Having lost her brother to leukemia, Cindy donates time and money to the cause among dozens of others. Despite her wondrous beauty and unselfish righteousness, she still knows how to laugh and have a good time. 8. Fanny Ardant. 59 years. I love this woman. Most outside of France have no idea who she is, but she is the equivalent of America's Meryl Streep...but alluring and sexy. Her beauty is rare and unusual, yet undeniable. With age comes an intrepid sense of self confidence. She's a solitary figure, shrouded in mystery, independent and apologizes for nothing. 7. Ashley Judd. 40 years.

Ashley's beauty is insane. Her intelligence is intimidating. And her selflessness is inimitable. I can barely understand the words coming out of her gorgeous mouth as she speaks of the countless causes that she holds dear to her heart. 6. Lisa Edelstein. 42 years.

Lisa has always been known for her quirky humor. But with her role on "House," people are finally recognizing her as a talent to be reckoned with. Like all the women on this list, Lisa is a total package: smart, sexy, and talented. Her smile makes me smile. She's just so darn likable. A unique beauty herself, she has the ability to recognize the beauty in those who are a bit odd, or outside of the norm, which is all the more reason to love her. 5. Jennifer Beals. 44 years. It's The Beals. She's the lead actress on a ground-breaking television show. She's a mom. She sings. She participates in triathlons. She's a Yale grad. And she gets better with age. What's more, through her work with The Matthew Shepard Foundation, she has raised awareness about the dangers of hate crimes against homosexuals. The Beals makes this world a better place bit by bit. 4. Monica Bellucci. 44 years.

Oh. My. God. I just....I don't even know what to say. A picture's worth a thousand words. 3. Selma Hayek. 42 years. I don't even know where to begin. There are so many reasons to love Salma. Apart from the fact that she is a bombshell (a term she first thought meant that she was so horrible that she would explode into a million pieces), she single-handedly changed Hollywood's attitude toward Latina actresses in just 13 years. Yes, at first it was hard to accept her talent as an actress as we were so focused on her other bountiful assets. But she reached out and slapped us across the face and said, "Hey! Eyes up here. Listen to me." And we did. And we are so fortunate that we did. Because she has a lot to say and she says it splendidly. 2. Jodie Foster. 45 years. Jodie is the longest standing entry on Lo's list. For the past 16 years, almost everyone I encounter claims that I bear an uncanny resemblance to this woman. That's enough to make me love her right there. But what cannot be ignored is that she is by far one of the best (if not the best) actresses in the world. She has a respect for her craft but doesn't take herself too seriously. She's a magna cum laude Yale grad but she doesn't lord her brilliance over you. She has me rolling with that throaty alto as she spews stories about dressing up for Halloween and hording all the candy. And she's just fucking cool. 1. Mariska Hargitay. 44 years.

Mariska tops the list for so many little reasons. They are little and may seem silly, but how do you choose a number one among such a list. Mariska isn't afraid to make an ass of herself. She often repeats a gangsta rap about herself composed by Ice T and it's truly goofy. Mariska's tough detective on "Law and Order: SVU" contrasts with own character. In life she is witty, sentimental, peaceful and connected. But she has the strength and talent to play the strong yet vulnerable Olivia Benson. Among her many wonderful qualities, she has a love and concern for humanity, lending her time to her very own organization, The Joyful Heart Foundation, among dozens of sexual assault and child abuse organizations.