What it may lack in size, it certainly doesn't lack in attitude.

One of South Florida's newest publications is trying to reach out to readers where they live.

''We wanted to tap into real life, real-life situations and what is going on in people's minds and lives,'' said Debbie Alexander of Pembroke Pines, editor in chief of the new Lipstick Chroniclez.

The glossy publication coming out every two months debuted earlier this year, offering a local blend of style, fashion, mind, body and health and romance.

One of the more eyebrow-raising sections in the magazine is about relationships.

When it comes to affairs of the heart, in Lipstick Chroniclez, not much is off-limits.

''It's a little like the Sex and the City of South Florida,'' said Alexander, a single mother of two.

For each edition, she pens a direct and upfront column about sex and relationships.

With no formal journalism training, she writes straight from the gut, tackling subjects like cheating hearts, booty calls or friends with benefits, and the games people play -- things people don't necessarily want to talk about, but do like to hear about, she said.

''Being a single mother of two kids, I wanted to do something that stood out and actually made a difference for other people,'' she said.

It's a theory Alexander began working on a year ago. She wanted to create a website designed primarily around stories of life and love, her own and those of the people around her.

POTENTIAL

She approached graphic designer Justin Bordeaux, whose wife, Stephanie, taught dance to Alexander's daughter. She asked him to design a logo and banner, but he saw the potential for more.

'He said, `There is way more to this than stories. This is a publication,' '' Alexander said.

Under Bordeaux's design guidance, they created a pocket-sized magazine that is easy to carry or tuck into a purse.

The idea is for readers to be able to use it as a guide for everything hot or happening in the community.

''We want it to be a resource of empowerment and inspiration and entertainment,'' said Bordeaux, publisher of Lipstick.

Breaking into a crowded market, they wanted to come up with a stand-out name. They settled on Lipstick because Alexander knew she wanted to tap into stories about women and relationships. And a twist on the spelling of ''chronicles'' told potential readers their stories were fun and cutting-edge, she said.

`TRENDY, UNIQUE'

''We wanted something very trendy and unique because there are so many magazines out there,'' she said.

Although the publication originally was aimed at women, Alexander said they've found men taking an interest, too.

In addition to regular features on local business and artists, they are thinking of adding a column that presents a man's point of view on relationships, too.

''Everyone else is thinking these things, now we want people to start talking about it,'' Bordeaux said.

Their readership is 15,000 to 20,000, both female and male, Alexander said, adding that they've received positive feedback from audiences ranging in age from mid-20s to mid-50s.

On the magazine's advertising revenue, Alexander said: ``It's not something we can just say is a given denominator. Our packages vary for our clients as we supply other services for them, such as brand development, graphic design, Web development and marketing.

''We just don't see ourselves as another magazine and advertisement resource, we push to give more in regards to a customer's needs. We are a full-service magazine and design house,'' she said.

For now, the curious can pick up a copy of the free magazine in a number of Broward cities.

For information about the publication, including where you can find one or have one mailed to you, visit www.lip stickchroniclez.com.

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