Jen's Blog of Random Thoughts

A Luxe Luncheon and Cooking Demo with Giada De Laurentiis

2012-02-20T13:22:00.000-08:00

We’ve made everything from carrot and zucchini mini muffins, egg and garlic crostini, peppermint cookie sandwiches, Spanish-inspired mac & cheese, and a hazelnut crunch cake we sometimes still dream about. All delicious, and all a blast to try! You may notice that half of our cooking excursions involve recipes by one very charismatic celebrity chef – Giada De Laurentiis.

Well, we were lucky enough to have an extra-special cooking session with Giada herself in New York! Foodie editors joined Giada for a step-by-step cooking demonstration on mastering an easy, healthy, gourmet meal – linguine with sundried tomatoes, olives and lemon. Not only did editors get a hands-on cooking lesson from a pro, they got to taste her gastronomic genius. Not a bad workday.

“It’s a very simple dish that I think is a great weeknight meal for anybody,” said the Italian-born chef. “You can top it with pretty much any protein you want: grilled shrimp, steak, fish, chicken or salmon.”

It was delicious, and tasted even better knowing that Giada cooked it for us. We were in foodie heaven. Of course, all the pastas and sauces she used were from her collection – Giada De Laurentiis for Target.

Her entire line helps families make authentic Italian meals every night, without all the fuss. Just last year, her traditional tomato basil pasta sauce was rated the best celeb-chef pasta by Consumer Reports magazine! We love the dipping oils and vinaigrettes, but her cookware has a special place in our hearts (and kitchens).

After whipping up a scrumptious meal, Giada shared a few of her favorite kitchen staples.

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Giada’s Top Kitchen Essentials

1. “A great knife. I love my Mezzaluna Knife because it’s a slicer and chopper all in one. It’s stylish and light enough for a woman but cool enough for a guy, so everyone can use it. The sharp blade allows you to finely chop all of your fresh ingredients by rocking the blade back and forth.”

2. “My parmesan-garlic vinaigrette is a favorite of mine. I love it! You can use all the vinaigrettes in so many different ways. You can toss it with pasta, use it as dipping oil, or drizzle it over a baked potato. That’s how versatile all vinaigrettes are.”

3. “Coarse Hand Grater: these are fantastic to use for anything – from cheese, chopped liver, lemon zest or zesting of any kind!”

4. “Dutch Oven – it’s so beautiful you can put it right on the table. The design and color makes it look great in the kitchen, even if you don’t have anywhere to store it.”

5. “Of course, measuring cups and mixing bowls are essential pieces for any recipe. A quality set made of stainless steel can both make a great present.”

6. “And another kitchen staple is definitely my pasta scoop which lets you serve up pasta, rice or veggies right from the pot, while reserving enough water to complete your recipe. I always tell people to save some water, and a lot of people forget – this makes it easy. The best part is that it’s super easy to clean.”

Click through the gallery below of the event:

Disclosure: I did not receive any products nor was paid for this post. I was provided info and access to images and recipe from the PR firm to share. Thanks to A Bullseye View. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.

{WINNER} "Discover Your Winter Cocktail Blog App" Giveaway Promotion

2012-02-20T10:24:00.000-08:00

Announcement: The lucky WINNER for the "Discover Your Winter Cocktail Blog App" Giveaway Promotion that ended February 20, 2012 is..... (drum roll, please).

Congratulations to Ricki911 (#22)

Prizes:
* Crate & Barrel Gift Card
* Hendrick's Gin Golf Umbrella

I have sent you an email. You have 48 hours to respond. Thanks everyone for participating in my giveaway contests.

BeeSavy Heat Up Your Valentine’s Day Winner Announced!

2012-02-19T21:24:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to Cathy from Surrey, British Columbia! She was the winner of the Amazon Kindle Fire Tablet in our Heat Up Your Valentine’s Day Giveaway. We will be announcing our next giveaway very soon right here so please check back often!

If you’re not using BeeSavy yet for all of your online shopping, you’re missing out on valuable cash back. Even better, BeeSavy is the only cash back site that lets you actually earn money every time your friends shop online! Start earning money today by signing up at BeeSavy.com.

Get the Look: Chrissy Teigen on Grammy Red Carpet

2012-02-16T19:14:00.000-08:00

Chrissy Teigen Glows on the Grammy Red Carpet
Get Her Look with Makeup Artist Amy Hollier

Song of the Year went to Adele; Best New Artist was awarded to Bon Iver and the latest award from music’s biggest night goes to Chrissy Teigen for Best Makeup. The Sports Illustrated model and soon to be Mrs. John Legend, shined at the Grammy’s with her radiant glowing skin and effortless smokey eyes. Her makeup artist Amy Hollier is here to give the step-by-step for recreating this “Best Dressed” celebs’ award-winning look.

“Chrissy’s look is ethereal and subtly sexy,” says Amy. “It’s a look you can easily recreate and wear all year round.” And here’s how!

It’s In the Eyes:

Step 1: First prime the entire eye area with Laura Mercier Eye Basics in “Wheat." Then softly blend Chanel Illusion D’ombre eyeshadow in “Illusoire” over the lids with your finger.

Step 2: To create Chrissy’s shimmery grey smokey eye, use the two darkest shades from Chanel’s Quadra Eyeshadow Palette “Enigma” on the lids. Use the lightest color in the palette to highlight the brow bone and inner corners of the eyes.

Step 3: Follow up with Diorshow Waterproof black mascara.

Step 4: Finish the eyes by painting a thin line along the lashline with Make Up For Ever’s Aqua Eyes liner in black. Under the lower lashes smudge in Chanel’s Long-Lasting Eyeliner in “Marine”.

Grammy Glow:

Step 1: Prime the skin with Mac Strobe Liquid Lotion followed by Dior’s Forever Foundation for flawless coverage.

Step 2: To brighten the eyes, use Lancome Effacernes Undereye Concealer. Finish the skin with a light dusting of Laura Mercier’s translucent setting powder.

Step 3: To add some color, swirl Tarte Amazonian clay 12-hour blush in “Amused” and “Flush” to the apples of the cheeks. Highlight all the high points on the face with Lorac TANtalizer Baked Bronzer.

Step 4: Lastly to give those gams a golden glow, apply Lorac TANtalizer Body Bronzing Luminizer.

For the Lips: Simply add a touch of Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss in Negligee Pink 256.

About Amy Hollier

An effortless and natural breath of fresh air comes from artist Amy Hollier. A versatile artist in the industry known for creating ethereal beauty, her list of specialties includes makeup artist, hair stylist, eyebrow shaping, lash tinting, airbrush tanning and beauty education. Donning a client list that includes Julia Roberts, Minnie Driver, Molly Sims and Denise Richards, Amy is highly sought after for editorial shoots, commercials, special events and red carpets. Amy is represented by Jed Root Los Angeles. Visit www.amyhollier.com for more information.

Canfo Natural Supplement Products Review

2012-02-15T14:57:00.000-08:00

Indulge yourself in ways to feel sexy inside and out; give an extra push at the gym or buy a new perfume or dress that will turn heads. Go ahead and treat yourself to a spa day or do some self-pampering at home with an all-natural supplement like BeautifyMe from Canfo Natural Products.

I was given the opportunity to test their products and was provided samples for the FlushMe and BeautifyMe supplements.

About Canfo:
Canfo Natural Products, blending state-of-the-art science and eco-friendly manufacturing processes with proven, centuries-old formulas, offers a line of 100% natural herbal supplements that enhance your state of well-being. Canfo products are comprised of the finest quality, pesticide-free, wild-crafted, hand-picked herbs. All the products are safe, fast acting, effective, and time-tested herbal formulas. Canfo believes in products that are non-GMO, organic, vegan and gluten-free.

Flushme - Detoxify, feel clean, light and energetic.
I first tried the FlushMe 2-Day Quick Cleanse Formula (12 capsules). Following the instructions, I took 3 capsules friday night, 3 capsules Saturday morning, 3 capsules Saturday night, and 3 capsules Sunday morning. It is best taken after a meal. I didn't feel any difference though. Because each person is unique, you may react differently.

BeautifyMe
The secret beautifying formula for women that improves the look of skin, nails, and hair, which are often the most obvious reflection of the body’s condition. When the body and more specifically, when a woman's reproductive system is deprived of nutrients, hair often appears less full and vibrant; nails have bumps and ridges and are even brittle; skin becomes drier and more prone to inflammation. BeautifyMe™ works to replenish and enhance the reproductive system and its ability to absorb and maintain nutrients.

The tablets are quite large for me, so I had to cut it in half to be able to swallow them. I remember my mother made me these Chinese herbal drinks that contains some of these ingredients. It tasted quite bitter. I think that these pill-form herbal supplements are very convenient now.

Disclosure: I received samples of FlushMe and BeautifyMe in exchange for a review of this post. I was also provided info from the PR firm to share. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.

Amber Lancaster at OK! Magazine's Pre Grammy Party

2012-02-15T11:11:00.000-08:00

Sexy Starlet Amber Lancaster glowed, wearing Charles Albert Jewelry on the Red Carpet at OK! Magazine's pre-grammy bash on February 10, 2012.

HOLLYWOOD, CA: Rising young star, Amber Lancaster, looked ultra chic on last night's red carpet topping off her look with gold cuffs by famed jewelry designer, Charles Albert. This is not the first time the gorgeous actress has chosen to accessorize her look with Charles Albert's designs, Amber and her stylist are longtime fans of the brand and love working their bold, unique designs whenever possible!

She wore two Charles Albert Alchemia Solid Cuffs ($60.00 each).

ABOUT THE DESIGNER:

Why settle for average when you can be extraordinary? That whole idea and philosophy truly exemplifies the energy and idea behind the Charles Albert brand! Charles Albert believes this philosophy shines through every piece and helps create unique, one-of-a-kind designs that everyone can wear. Known for their high quality, well-made line of magnificent fine sterling silver and gold jewelry. Their team spends a great deal of time and effort seeking out new and unusual stones from around the world & beyond. Charles Albert truly is art inspired by nature that is fun and exciting to wear!

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Dana Wilkey also walked the Red Carpet at the party, looking georgeous in THE MESH HOOP earrings in silver by POPARAZZI ($65.00).

Disclosure: I did not receive any products nor was paid for this post. I was provided info from the PR firm to share. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.

iO Beauty's New Launch on QVC {FREE Beauty Booster Giveaway}

2012-02-15T10:05:00.000-08:00

On February 17, 2012, QVC unveils a new way to boost your beauty inside and out: io BEAUTY, a synchronized topical and ingestible skincare regimen designed to deliver comprehensive beauty benefits. Developed by renowned beauty expert Sue Devitt and leading nutritionist Tanya Zuckerbrot — top experts in outer and inner beauty, respectively — io BEAUTY launching on QVC, bringing a new dimension to the multi-channel retailer’s renowned range of beauty offerings.

{The Giveaway}

One (1) lucky reader will have a chance to win a FREE Beauty Booster. To participate, you will have to tune in to watch iO Beauty's debut on QVC (10PM on the Lisa Robertson Show) and ANSWER the following 5 questions on the blog comment below. You must answer all questions correctly to be in the random draw. Chosen winner will be selected via Random.org and is open to US & Canadian residents (Entries close on February 18, 2012 at 11:59pm EST). Winner will have 48 hours to respond to claim their prize.

Questions:

1. What does I/O stand for?

2. For topical application to the skin, what other IO Beauty product would you mix the booster with?

3. What type of special “delivery system” is used in IO Beauty?

4. What are 2 of the active ingredients (any 2)?

5. How many ORAC units (the scientific measure of anitoxidants) does the IO Beauty Booster deliver?

Please answer the all of the above questions in one comment. Don't forget to leave your email so I can contact you if you win.

Disclosure: I did not receive any products nor was paid for this post. I was provided info from the PR firm to share. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.

Happy Valentine's Day

2012-02-14T21:42:00.001-08:00

Hope everyone had a nice Valentine's. Valentine's Rose from my Hubby...

Cellure Stem Cell Skin Care Review

2012-02-14T19:58:00.000-08:00

Aging and skin damage are often talked about, but rarely understood. Age and imperfections are not s inevitable as once thought. Elastic skin itself is problems appear to be reversed and surface function recoded to help get visible results.

TRUTH: A wrinkle or imperfection is like a scar or wound. It is the body's physiological response to injury.

HOW CELLURE WORKS: The Cellure system marries skin’s normal functions to dispatch powerful growth factors and proteins from our exclusively formulated Lipotein™. They naturally seek out damaged areas to help repair skin and restart its own inherent regeneration. As a cut seals or a burn heals, so is age un-wound.

I was given the opportunity to try out the sampler starter kit on myself. I tested out all of the 6 products. A little bit goes a long way and the mini samples lasted me about 3 days. After examining my skin from the first day, I did noticed only minimal changes with my skin's elasticity. It's gentle that it doesn't irritate my sensitive skin. I like how it is non-greasy too. The main area I wanted to concentrate on is more around the eyes. I always tend to look sleepy with dark circles. The Cellure Rework helped a little. I can't really tell much since I only used it for short time, but I am sure using the products (following the 5-step regimen) over a longer period of time will dramatically increase my appearance. I tried taking before and after pictures, but lighting was bad and couldn't see the details. Well I tried!

CELLURE offers a comprehensive, insight-driven approach to the complex factors of skin aging and correction. One that taps into medically created insights to help skin look and feel better. Anti-aging, counter-damage or post-blemish... Cellure visibly and remarkably advances skin's radiance, clarity, firmness and overall tone.

Steps to making aging obsolete:

1. RESTART: Skin cleanser (am/pm)
A powerful cleanser designed to effectively dissolve makeup while keeping skin amazingly soft and supple leaving only a refreshed canvas ideally prepared to receive treatment benefits. It gently cleans all the impurities from skin.

2. RECODE: Balancing toner (am/pm)
A fine toner mist hydrates skin, balances the surface and refines pores while it prepares skin for ideal moisture absorption. It also provides the skin a fresh, clean feel.

3. REGENERATE: Serum booster (am/pm)
Loaded with antioxidants, this serum is a highly potent does of these newly discovered benefits. It contains one of Cellure's highest concentrations of stem cell extract.

4. REWORK: Eye treatment (am/pm)
Noticeably tightens skin around the eye area and improves the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and overall texture. It is idea for day or night, even under makeup.

5. REBUILD: day cream (with SPF15)
It interrupts the short-circuits of cell degradation and dryness to counter signs of aging at the source, while fighting UV and free radical damage all day. It acts as an ideal makeup primer, creating and retaining a perfected finish. It's non greasy nor sticky and delivers a high concentration of stem cell proteins and ingredients with visible benefits.

Disclosure: I received single use samples in exchange for a review of this post. I was also provided info from the PR firm to share. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.

National Random Acts of Kindness Week Sweepstakes

2012-02-13T20:07:00.000-08:00

Master Lock will be celebrating National Random Acts of Kindness Week (Feb. 13 – 19). And throughout the week, we’ll be spreading a little kindness by surprising people in six different cities (starting in San Francisco, CA) with free 1534D Password locks. Master Lock will share a bit of kindness by distributing free gym locks at area workout centers to inspire gym-goers to stick to their New Year’s fitness resolutions. Research shows that by February, 36 percent of people have abandoned their resolutions, and by April, that total increases to 54 percent. Everyone can get in on the fun by entering here for a chance to win daily prizes!

Visit Master Lock's Facebook Fan Page and become a fan. Enter now through February 19 to win gift cards and more! Prizes in clude Visa gift cards and 1534D Password Lock to encourage you to stick to your New Year's fitness goals, and keep your items safely stored while at the gym.

Prizes:
* One (1) grand prize include 1534D Password lock and a $100 Visa gift card
* Seven (7) first prizes of 1534D Password lock and a $25 Visa gift card

Disclosure: I did not receive any products nor was paid for this post. I was provided info from the PR firm to share. No other compensation was given.

Get Cooking: 5 Social Sites For Chefs, Amateur Cooks, and Foodies

2012-02-13T19:51:00.000-08:00

Whenever I'm looking for food ideas, I always go online and search for recipes. A few of the sites listed below are my favorite places to go to.

Social media has helped foodies everywhere cultivate their passion for fine delicacies and good home cooking in a whole new way. Whether you like cooking, eating, or just ogling an immaculately prepared gourmet meal, social media allows us to swap our favorite recipes, gain invaluable entertaining tips from likeminded foodies, and celebrate the things we eat to nourish our bodies. (It’s also a real lifesaver for those of us who have a knack for burning a pot of water!) So forget microwave meals and over-priced pre-prepared dishes: channel your inner culinary connoisseur with these five great social sites for foodies:

1.) Gojee: Let the oohing and ahhing commence. Gojee is a foodie’s dream manifest. The site features dozens of gorgeous, magazine-quality photos of swoon-worthy meals—from exotic Thai dishes to the sexiest bowl of spaghetti and meatballs you’ve ever seen. And they don’t stop there: Gojee has awe-inspiring images and easy-to-master recipes for top shelf cocktails, hors d’oeurves, pasta, salads, and more. Plus, you can tell the site what’s in your cupboard and it’ll suggest recipes for dishes you can make without an undesirable trip to the market. Oh, and don’t forget to tweet, like or circle your favorite dish to loop your friends into your kitchen.

2.) AllRecipes: Want to know why I know All Recipes is a true testament to the power of social media? Because my grandmother swears by it (and she’s not one for fads!) You merely have to mention the site to get her started on the best and worst dishes she’s tried, those she can’t wait to fix, and the strange, but delectable mainstay dishes she’s adopted from the site. This user-generated recipe site lets you customize your recipes for large parties, allows users to pose recipe alterations, and sports a successful rating system (my grandmother won’t make anything “without at least 4 stars.”). And the site’s seriously steeped in social media: just check out All Recipes TV and their Fresh Bites Blog.

3.) Epicurious: This site is a true food devotional. Whether you’re looking for recipes, cooking articles, menus, or food guides, you’re likely to find a slew of delectable insight via this foodie site. Recipes are culled from first class epicurean spots like Bon Appetit and Gourmet, world-class chefs and cooking hobbyists. Plus, the site has multiple social media features, including smartphone and tablet apps, the ‘Epi-log blog,’ and tons of member forums.

4.) MyRecipes.com: Who doesn’t get a pang of hunger when flipping through an issue of Southern Living, Food&Wine, Coastal Living, or Sunset magazine? Well those gorgeously prepared dishes are now all in one place, thanks to MyRecipes.com. This recipe sharing social site allows food-lovers to stay connected via all the major social networks, boasts easy-to-follow cooking videos, and has one seriously informative blog with endless cooking ideas. MyRecipes also has a ton of health-conscious options to get that New Year’s resolution back on track.

5.) WeAreChefs.com: After all this social media cooking, you might be a virtuoso in the kitchen by now. So it’s time to move up the ranks. We Are Chefs is a social site brought to you by the American Culinary Federation. The site serves as a directory and online network for professional chefs. It features invite-only groups, professional chef blogs, and a way for master cooks to trade insider tips. You’ll also find instructional videos, and photos of edible masterpieces.

Disclosure: I did not receive any products nor was paid for this post. I was provided info from the PR firm to share and given permission to post the above content on my blog. No other compensation was given.

Fake Bake Self-Tanning Products {Review}

2012-02-13T11:08:00.000-08:00

Have you ever wanted that nice tanned look without spending a fortune at tanning salons? I was recently introduced to Fake Bake where you can get an instant tanned look using their self-tanning lotions or mousse. I've tried other brands before and they always make my skin look orange, so that's why I never buy them again. With Fake Bake, I was happy with the natural color it gave. I was given the opportunity to try the Beyond Bronze Self-Tanning Mousse, Beyond Bronze Airbrush Aerosol spray, Beyond Bronze Self-Tanning Lotion and the Luxurious Golden Bronze Flawless Self-Tan Liquid. These products are all pareben free.

It’s a completely washable temporary tan for face and body with no tanning actives but it still delivers the signature Fake Bake golden glow!

Beyond Bronze Self-Tanning Mousse
Beyond Bronze Self-Tanning Mousse is a fast drying and easy to apply. This light mousse is perfect for all skin types. The color lasts all day without wearing off. The instructions say to wear gloves. I wouldn't want to get my hands too messy and sticky. Let it dry before going to bed. A small amount of the guide color may rinse off when showering in the morning but the tan will remain. If it does go on your sheets, it's easily washes off.

Beyond Bronze Airbrush
Beyond Bronze Airbrush Self-Tanner is the easiest way to achieve a tan. The ´show where it goes´ cosmetic color guide assists you in applying a flawless tan and gives your skin an instant golden color without blocking pores. I always have to remember to shake the can before applying. The tan color still remains on the skin for few days, which is great.

Beyond Bronze Self-Tan Lotion
The self-tanning lotion contains a new formula by Fake Bake. It has the new patent pending technology that promotes a beautiful, dark, long-lasting tan. The rich brown color guide ensures a smooth and streak-free application. Exfoliate to remove dead skin cells before using the tanning lotion. This will give a smooth finish. To get a longer lasting tanned look for the next ay, apply the night before.

Luxurious Golden Bronze Flawless Self-Tan Liquid
This new Flawless Self-Tanning Liquid contains a fast-drying & non-sticky formula. It comes with a professional mitt for you to smooth the tanning liquid smoothly onto your skin and promotes a flawless golden bronze tan. It is suitable for all skin types. The dual function cosmetic bronzer assists in making the application even easier (shows-where-it-goes) providing an instant golden tan. This luxurious liquid uses a unique, naturally derived tanning formula (DHA & Erythrulose) to create a longer lasting tan. The cosmetic cuide color shows where the tan has been applied so you can easily see. I like the nice tropical scent (kinda like coconut). It still streaks, but not a lot. It eventually evens out.

Disclosure: I received the above mentioned products from the PR Firm/Company in exchange of my review for this post. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.

{WINNER} Master Lock 5400D Key Storage Lock Giveaway

2012-02-12T15:55:00.000-08:00

Announcement: The lucky WINNER for the Master Lock 5400D Key Storage Lock Giveaway that ended February 4, 2012 is..... (drum roll, please).

Congratulations to serena debolt (#457)

I have sent you an email. You have 48 hours to respond. Thanks everyone for participating in my giveaway contests.

Cellure Stem Cell Skin Care Valentine’s Day Giveaway

2012-02-08T15:42:00.000-08:00

In honor of Valentine’s Day, Cellure is sponsoring a romantic-inspired giveaway on their Facebook Fan Page. One lucky winner will receive the popular REWORK Eye Treatment, a luxurious cream that noticeably tightens skin around the eye area and improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Sheer and light, it’s easy to wear day or night, even under makeup – a $90 value!

Simply click on the link below and share your story:
http://on.fb.me/zbLLRn

Disclosure: I did not receive any products nor was paid for this post. I was provided info from the PR firm to share. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.

Discover Your Winter Cocktail Blog App + A GIVEAWAY

2012-02-08T13:30:00.000-08:00

In celebration of the winter season, Robb Report presents the Discover Your Winter Cocktail Blog App.

Featured in the App:

* Discover Your Winter Cocktail!
* Little Known Cocktail Facts!
* Four Classic Cocktails With a Winter Twist!

Here are a few cool Valentine’s Day Themed Cocktails Recipes you can try:

Berry Sweetheart

Ingredients:

2 oz red cranberry juice

2 oz apple juice
1 oz honey
maraschino cherry for garnish
1 ½ oz Stolichnaya vodka

Preparation: Fill a highball glass with ice cubes. Add the juices and honey to a mixing glass. Stir the ingredients with a bar spoon. Pour the contents of the mixing glass into the highball glass. Garnish with a maraschino cherry.

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Agave Kiss

Ingredients:

2 oz Milagro Tequila
1 oz white creme de cacao
1 oz double cream
1/2 oz Chambord liqueur
white chocolate flakes for rimming
fresh raspberries for garnish

Preparation: In a cocktail shaker with ice, add tequila, white crème de cacao, double cream and Chambord. Shake for 15 seconds. Pour into a chilled cocktail glass, rimmed with white chocolate, add a spear of fresh raspberries, and serve.

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Cherub’s Cup

Ingredients:

1 part elderflower liqueur
2 parts Stolichnaya vodka or Hendricks Gin
3/4 part fresh lemon juice
1/4 shot simple syrup
1 part muddled strawberry
top with sparkling wine
strawberry for garnish

Preparation: Shake and strain over fresh rocks in a collins glass. Top with champagne. Garnish with a strawberry.

{The Giveaway}

One (1) lucky reader will have a chance to win a $20 Crate & Barrel Gift Card and Golf Umbrella. Chosen winner will be selected via Random.org through Rafflecopter and is open to US & Canadian residents (ends February 20, 2012 at 11:59pm EST). Winner will have 48 hours to respond to claim their prize. Mandatory entry is required to unlock the additional optional entries.

{Please wait while Rafflecopter entry form loads...}

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I did not receive any products nor was paid for this post. I was provided info from the PR firm to share. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.

Addiction NV Cosmetics {Review}

2012-02-07T16:07:00.000-08:00

Remember, Valentine's Day is just around the corner. If you still haven't had a chance to check out my post on the Stay Connected Clutch Gift Set, you can find it in my post here.

I had the opportunity to try out some of the products from Addiction NV Cosmetics. I think so far one of the best cosmetics I've used. The fragrance is not too overpowering nor does it have a funny taste with the lip colors. It comes in beautiful sparkly colors. The products have either a light pleasant scent or not scented at all. Addiction NV uses high-quality ingredients and never tested on animals. I received the following to try: WannaBe FakeIt Multi-purpose Bronzer, reHAB Mineral Souffle & Concealer Duo, reHAB Mineral Hi-Fi Concealer, Lip Habit Lip Glossifier, and True Commitment Dual Lip Stain & Gloss.

WannaBe Fake It 'Til You Make It!' Bronzer: a multi-purpose powder that is a one-shade-fits-all super fusion of blush and bronzer that instantly leaves skin looking fresh, warm, and flawless.

This light-weight makeup bronzer can give a nice glow to my face. I use it mainly for my cheeks and as a blush. It's the perfect skin enhancer.

reHAB Mineral Souffle & Concealer Duo - Bright Young Thing: The ultimate 2-in-1 product that adjusts to varying skin tones and shades to accentuate the skin's natural glow. It's dual packaged with a moisturizing tinted yellow-based concealer housed in the flip top cap and a multi-purpose mineral souffle (used as a bronzer, blush, eyeshadow and lip color) concealed in the twist off lower chamber.

With this dynamic concealer & souffle, you can say good-by to bad skin and eliminate dark circles under the eyes instantly! The whipped mousse formula dries to powder for smooth, silky finish. It also comes with a tiny mirror just underneath the cap, which is very convenient especially when you need to re-apply on-the-go. You can wear the concealer alone under makeup or used as a great eye primer.

The souffle bronzer dries to powder as you blend giving a nice smooth airbrush finish. Just a little bit is enough. I used it as an eyeshadow and it works great!

reHAB Balance Mineral Hi-Fi Concealer: A one-size-fits-all concealer for any and every cover-up need. The silky formula allows easy application anywhere on the face and not only as a concealer, but as a primer or even under lip gloss to creat a clean slate for a lighter lip. It reduces redness while it calms, covers and recreates the look of healthier skin.

reHAB BALANCE moisturizes to avoid the dry, cakey look so common in the concealer world and to assist in ease of application.

Lip Habit Lip Glossifier: Long-lasting, committed, luscious lips that are kiss-proof, food-proof, drink-proof, smudge-proof that delivers vibrant color and shine all the time.

No more on-the-go touch-ups to worry about and no more embarrassing transferable, unexplainable lip color stains where you don't want them. These are actually my favorite lip gloss so far. It comes in 3 combo shades to choose from: Rendezvous (Matt Red/Pink Shimmer Gloss), Summer Lovin' (Matte Orange/Gold Shimmer Gloss), and Spring Fling (Bronze Shimmer/Clear Shimmer Gloss).

Lip Habit Lip Glossifier: Filled with nourishing vitamins and a refreshing infusion of spearmint extract to tingle lips and freshen breath with a jolt of minty-bliss. Pomegranate Butter provides powerful antioxidant benefits, fighting free radicals that can damage, dry and crack damage and age the lips. These glosses also includes plenty of antioxidant superstar Vitamin E to moisturize. Unlike the average petroleum products, active ingredient spearmint locks in moisture without drying lips overtime.

Check out the new 2012 Addiction NV Cosmetics Catalog. You can download the PDF free.

Disclosure: I received the above mentioned products from the PR Firm/Company in exchange of my review for this post. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.

Pucker up this Valentine's Day with Burt's Bees Lip Balm

2012-02-06T20:55:00.000-08:00

If you’re whispering sweet nothings this Valentine’s Day, why not have soft, sweet lips to deliver the message? Pucker up with an assortment of naturally nourishing and deliciously flavored lip balms from Burt’s Bees. All 100% natural, Burt’s Bees lip balms leave lips feeling smooth, soft and irresistibly tasty. You can choose from a range of delightful natural flavors and benefits – all sheer, all natural!

It comes in the follow flavors/scents and you can get these for $2.99 each:
Burt’s Bees® Beeswax Lip Balm
Burt’s Bees® Honey Lip Balm
Burt’s Bees® Nourishing Lip Balm with Mango Butter
NEW Burt’s Bees® Refreshing Lip Balm with Pink Grapefruit
Burt’s Bees® Replenishing Lip Balm with Pomegranate Oil
Burt’s Bees® Rejuvenating Lip Balm with Açaí Berry

You can find these lip balms at www.burtsbees.com and at select national grocery, drug, and mass retailers nationwide.

And, to really get in the Valentine’s Day mood, why not write a haiku. Join Burt’s Bees on Facebook form February 7th - 14th to write your own musing – on yout love affair with lip balm, the beauty of nature, and your favorite natural ingredients. Log on to the Burt’s Bees facebook page to read today’s Haikus and write your own!

Disclosure: I did not receive any products nor was paid for this post. I was provided info from the PR firm to share. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.

Valentine's Day "I Heart..." T-Shirts From Favorite TV Shows

2012-02-06T19:44:00.000-08:00

The HBO Shop currently has a Valentine's Day special with selections from your favorite TV shows including True Blood, Entourage, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Easbound & Down and Sex & the City. T-Shirts retail for $24.99 at www.hbo.com/store

Here are just a few...

Show your undying love for Bill Compton in the True Blood Women's 'I Heart Bill' T-Shirt. A good man is hard to find, and if you live in Bon Temps, he might be 173 years old. Luckily, though, Bill Compton's charms haven't aged a bit. Made from 100% cotton for a soft hand and comfortable fit, this shirt let's you wear your heart on your proverbial sleeve. ''I [heart] Bill Compton'' as well as the True Blood logo adorn the front of the True Blood Women's 'I Heart Bill' T-Shirt.

Eric Northam is hot, and he can now be the object of your affection in the True Blood I Heart Eric Women's V-Neck T-Shirt. It features a bold, large-print "I [heart] Eric" right across the chest, and looks super amazing. Order yours and satiate your hunger in the True Blood I Heart Eric Women's V-Neck T-Shirt.

If you love Fangtasia as much as we do, you need to find yourself in the True Blood I Heart Fangtasia Women's Scoop Neck T-Shirt. It features a bold, large-print "I [heart] Fangtasia" right across the chest, and looks super hot. Show your love for the best vampire bar in the South in the cotton-blend True Blood I Heart Fangtasia Women's Scoop Neck T-Shirt.

Disclosure: I did not receive any products nor was paid for this post. I was provided info from the PR firm to share. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.

Recipe: Warm Mulled Wine

2012-02-05T19:46:00.000-08:00

In the Kitchen: Warm Mulled Wine by Marcus Samuelsson

Before temperatures heat up for spring, cuddle up inside and stay warm with a big mug of mixed spiced wine. Celeb chef Marcus Samuelsson’s recipe mixes together fragrant spices with an unexpected zest of ginger and orange peel. This recipe is not for the liquor faint of heart – Marcus adds vodka to the typically wine-only recipe.

Get ready for a full sensory experience – the wine not only tastes delicious, it will fill up your kitchen with a cozy, cabin smell.

What You’ll Need
1 piece star anise
2 cinnamon sticks, broken into pieces
8 whole cloves
4 cardamom pods
1 small piece ginger, peeled (1 tablespoon of the piece grated)
1 orange (half of the orange slice, half grated for zest)
1/2 cup vodka
2 1/2 cups dry red wine
2 1/2 cups ruby port or Madeira
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup blanched whole almonds
1/2 cup dark raisins

What You’ll Do

STEP 1: Crush the cinnamon and cardamom using a mortar and pestle (or put them on a cutting board and crush them with the bottom of a heavy pot). Put them in a small glass jar and add the ginger, orange zest, cloves, and vodka. Let stand for 24 hours.

2. Strain the vodka through a fine sieve into a large saucepan; discard the spices. Add the red wine, port or Madeira, sugar, almonds, raisins, and star anise, and heat over medium heat just until bubbles start to form around the edges.

3. Serve the wine hot in mugs, with a few almonds and raisins in each glass; keep any remaining wine warm over very low heat until ready to serve – do not let boil!

Disclosure: I did not receive any products nor was paid for this post. I was provided info and access to images and recipe from the PR firm to share. Thanks to A Bullseye View. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.

{WINNER} Stopain Topical Pain Relief Giveaway

2012-02-04T19:33:00.000-08:00

Announcement: The lucky WINNER for the Stopain Topical Pain Relief Giveaway that ended January 28, 2012 is..... (drum roll, please).

Congratulations to Teri Tarrant (#88)

I have sent you an email. You have 48 hours to respond. Thanks everyone for participating in my giveaway contests.

Tips for Finding a Date Before Valentine’s Day

2012-02-03T17:08:00.000-08:00

In her book DIRTY MINDS: How Our Brains Influence Love, Sex, and Relationships (Free Press hardcover; January 3, 2012; $25.00), acclaimed science writer Kayt Sukel delves into the latest neuroscientific research concerning love and sex (even getting her brain scanned while having an orgasm) to explain what “chemistry” really means for the way we approach our relationships.

Here is Kayt’s 9 Tips for Finding a Date Before Valentine’s Day:

1. Drop the list. We all have them—that list of must-have attributes we are looking for in our partners. Now, I’m not suggesting that you settle for Mr. Good Enough just to have someone to go out with on Valentine’s Day. But it’s important to note that research into the neurobiology of attraction has found that individuals are often most attracted to—and most compatible with—folks who don’t match that idealized inventory of qualities. By dropping that list, you may open up your dating pool to include some great new candidates.

2. Up your oxytocin…naturally. It seems like you can’t pick up a women’s magazine without hearing about the many magnificent properties of oxytocin, a.k.a. the cuddle chemical. This neuropeptide works in your brain to promote trust, attraction, comfort and bonding. So, yes, it’s a good thing for attracting (and being receptive) to a new person. But while you can find oxytocin for sale on the Internet, you are better off upping your oxytocin in a more organic fashion. Before you head out for the evening, hug your friends, cuddle your dog or get a massage to up those endogenous chemicals.

3. Don’t overdo the fragrance. Our medicine cabinets are full of fragranced deodorants, shampoos, perfumes, hair gels and other cosmetic items. Our natural body odor plays an important role in interpersonal attraction—and by dousing yourself with Axe body spray, you may be inadvertently thwarting your body’s best chemosensory signals and turning off the folks you want to turn on.

4. Be comfortable. When you are out on the prowl, you want to look your best. But, often, we do ourselves up into a state of discomfort between tight clothes, crazy shoes and too many cosmetic items. It may seem counter-intuitive but doing yourself up like a peacock may repel more potential dates than it attracts because you spend more time fidgeting than being able to relax and enjoy yourself.

5. Get off the pill. It may be a staple in the single girl’s medicine cabinet but the birth control pill makes significant changes to a woman’s hormonal profile. In studies, men find women on the pill to be less attractive—and women who are on it are less receptive to new men. Staying away from the contraceptives may help speed up the process of finding a date.

6. Avoid the set-up. Your besties may know that you hate cherries in your cocktails and all about your secret love for Katy Perry. But as attraction is a very personal thing, they aren’t going to know who you will really click with. They may think they do but they are wrong. While meeting a friend of a friend in a group setting is a way to let everyone feel more comfortable, avoid set-ups at all costs. They are bound to disappoint.

7. Don’t discount a friend. While you shouldn’t rely on your friends’ taste in the opposite sex, you may find some previously undiscovered gems in your current social circle. Neuroscientific research has demonstrated three separate yet overlapping systems for love—which means someone who was in the friend category can transform into something more with just a slight change of mindset.

8. Meet more people. You are never going to meet someone new if you go to all the same places with all the same people all the time. Love may only require you meeting a few more people! Go out to new places. Try new things. Take a class. Go out for coffee with that online dating person even if you aren’t 100% sure about it. Just meet more people and increase your odds for finding a Valentine.

9. Don’t overthink it. When it comes to dating, we’re our own worst enemies. We have these elegantly designed biological love systems that drive us to connect with others—but they can be easily overridden by our pesky frontal lobes. Go out. Have fun. Don’t overanalyze yourself or your situation. Do that and that Valentine will show up before you know it.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kayt Sukel earned a BS in cognitive psychology from Carnegie Mellon University and an MS in engineering psychology from the Georgia Institute of Technology. She is a passionate traveler and science writer, and her work has appeared in the Atlantic Monthly, the New Scientist, USA Today, The Washington Post, Islands, Parenting, The Bark, American Baby, and the AARP Bulletin. She is a partner at the award-winning family travel website Travel Savvy Mom (www.travelsavvymom.com) and is also a frequent contributor to the Dana Foundation’s many science publications (www.dana.org).

A video about DIRTY MINDS, and much of her work, can be found on her website, kaytsukel.typepad.com, including stories about of-of-body experiences, computer models of schizophrenia, and exotic travel with young children. She lives outside Houston and frequently overshares on Twitter as @kaytsukel.

Disclosure: I did not receive any products nor was paid for this post. I was provided info from the PR firm to share. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.

Sundance Film Festival

2012-02-03T16:27:00.000-08:00

Stars of the closing night film at Sundance, The Words, gathered at The Montage Deer Valley this past Friday to celebrate the film. The Words, which has an A-list cast that includes Bradley Cooper, Zoe Saldana and Dennis Quaid, has been sold to CBS films after its successful premiere at Sundance drew strong interest from prospective buyers. All three stars toasted the pick-up of the film with a delicious Russian Standard Vodka signature cocktail at the after party last Friday night. Also, a source at the party says that they saw Zoe Saldana and Bradley Cooper canoodling by the fireplace during the party.

Bradley Cooper, Director Brian Klugman, Lee Sternthal and Ben Barnes

Dennis Quaid and Kimberly Quaid

Here's a recipe for you of the Park City Panache:

Ingredients
1.5 oz Russian Standard Vodka
splash of lemon juice
2 oz pomegranate Juice
mint leaf or a lemon twist

The Frog Whisperer: A Three-Step Approach to Finding Lasting Love

2012-02-03T15:11:00.000-08:00

Finding Mr. Right

Tips For Finding A Valentine

Both women and men are waiting longer and longer to get married for the first time, according to the Census Bureau, and fewer women are having babies before their 40th birthdays, the Centers for Disease Control reports. Interestingly, more and more women are having babies well into their 40s. Could it be that it has become more difficult for couples to connect romantically?

“Women are likely to be more independent and professionally successful than they were a generation or two ago, and that’s wonderful, but it can come with baggage,” says Jane Atkinson, author of The Frog Whisperer: A Three-Step Approach to Finding Lasting Love (www.frogwhisperer.com). “We’re less likely to think about the energy we’re putting out to others, particularly the opposite sex, and that energy has a lot to do with how people react to us.”

Atkinson says finding Mr. or Ms. Right requires taking your eyes off of work and focusing on yourself more. What can you do to become the person you would want to date? She offers some tips for finding “the one.”

• Figure out what you’re looking for. Have you thought hard about what kind of person you’re looking for? One trick is to visualize your perfect day. Are you at the beach? Traveling? Is the man with you quiet or chatty? Is the woman serious or funny? Does he want children? Does she go to church? This will help you identify the characteristics and values of your Mr. or Ms. Right so you can recognize them when he or she comes along.

• Get happy in your own head. Once again, it’s all about attraction. Putting out positive, confident energy will attract the same. Besides, it’s never a good idea to rely on other people to make us happy. If you need to recover from old hurts, lose weight or find a job, take care of that business first.

• Think you’re ready? Test yourself with this quick quiz.

1. Are you happy with yourself? (Or are you miserable because you’ve put on 50 pounds since your divorce?)
2. Are you looking for someone to rescue you or take care of you? (If you answer “yes” to this one, you may not be ready.)
3. Is there room in your life for a relationship? (Or do you have three kids and work a 60-hour week?)
4. Has enough time passed since your last relationship? (Or are you still wounded?)

• Now, get yourself fabulous. Rather than, “Why can’t I find a good man?” ask yourself, “Who do I need to become to attract the man (or woman) who is perfect for me?” It’s not about changing you; it’s about being your best you. Part of that is your mojo – your self-esteem. If your mojo is slipping, you’ll attract control freaks, players and jerks. Pump it up with a makeover, a workout, a sincere inventory of your attributes.

• Get out there! Put on your sexy jeans get yourself out the door. Where to start looking? If you enjoy working with your hands, volunteer for a Habitat for Humanity project. If you’ve always wanted to learn Italian, take a class. If you love to do yoga, check out a new studio (ladies, you’ll find a surprising number of guys there.) Perhaps you find a new church or take a class on Buddhism. The list of meeting spots for singles is a long one: bookstores, dance clubs, supper clubs, book clubs, gyms, golf courses, rowing clubs, dog parks.

Atkinson’s tips come from real-life experience. At 40, she realized she’d been kissing a lot of frogs and found not one prince. She applied the model she developed for her business, tweaked it and came up with “Frog Whisperer” – and a prince of a husband.

ABOUT JANE ATKINSON

Jane Atkinson is the author of The Frog Whisperer: A 3-Step Approach to Finding Lasting Love and The Frog Whisperer Journal as well as a Positive Practice audio CD to help women (and men) get mentally ready for meeting their perfect mate. She lives in London, Ontario, with her husband of four years, John.

Disclosure: I did not receive any products nor was paid for this post. I was provided info from the PR firm to share. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.

CW's New Breakout Star & Beauty Expert

2012-02-02T16:33:00.000-08:00

“If music has Simon Cowell and food has Gordon Ramsay, then modeling has PAUL FISHER”

Celebrated super-agent/modeling industry veteran Paul Fisher, who has launched the careers of Naomi Campbell, Carol Alt and Carrie Otis amongst countless of other supermodels can now seen on his HIT new CW show “Remodeled” (Wednesday’s @ 9pm/CW). “Remodeled” premiered to rave reviews and brings together hundreds of small agencies around the world in a new venture called The Network. The Network gives Paul the leverage to change the industry from the inside out where he has two missions: to make sure agents in small towns no longer get taken advantage of and to empower models to take control of their careers and lead healthier lives. Fisher found that the small, local agencies find the stars and then the NYC agencies snap them up and screw the local agencies. With The Network, Fisher aims to fix this and in the process create the largest agency in the world, all while “Remodeled’s” cameras follow him as he visits struggling Network companies across the US.

THE NETWORK OVERVIEW

Extreme thinness is out. Fashion writers, celebrities, and public health advocates worldwide are beginning to speak out against the destructive ideal that has dominated the beauty industry for decades. The Network promotes this blossoming new ideal of using “the average-size woman” as models. Until now, there has been no collective, industry-wide effort to transform how the modeling business identifies and promotes top talent. There has been no one vehicle for unifying the major players so that their concerns – and more importantly, their solutions – can be heard and implemented. The Network, headed by Paul Fisher, is bringing together major modeling agencies, cosmetics companies, designers, and industry insiders form around the world with one purpose: to transform how beauty is defined and marketed worldwide.

PAUL FISHER

Paul Fisher has created more stars than any other agent in the history of the modeling industry. Paul started an agency in his studio apartment with a $10,000 investment from his grandfather and built one of the most powerful modeling agencies in the world who’s client list was a who’s-who in the fashion industry. Paul has represented such clients as Naomi Campbell, Carole Alt, Carre Otis, Stephanie Seymour, Kimora Lee Simmons, Brooke Burke, Nicky Hilton, Eva Horizigova and hundreds of other famous names. Over the past quarter-century, Fisher’s world-renowned clients have graced thousands of magazine covers, headlined shows for every major fashion house in the world, been nominated for an Academy Award and currently serve as the First Lady of a European country.

For more info and video clips on the CW’s “Remodeled” visit www.cwtv.com/shows/remodeled.

Banish Signs of Aging with an IO Beauty Cocktail

2012-02-02T14:39:00.000-08:00

Banish signs of aging by treating yourself with an Ingestible Beauty Cocktail! The iO Beauty Booster’s unique apply/digest technology allows the iO Beauty regimen to treat, protect and rejuvenate both topically and internally.

This technology harness’ the power of the high-performance ingredients found in the regimen’s topical and ingestible formulas to deliver healthy, younger-looking skin. The regimen’s key component is a blend of biodynamic Wild Australian Blackberry, Goji Berry, Mangosteen, Açai and Equis AV. Just a few drops of the exclusive blend of minerals and 3,200 ORAC units of antioxidants provide comprehensive protection and revitalizing benefits from the inside out.

The IO Treatment Concentrate is an advanced anti-aging treatment featuring aquatic marine collagen, Ridulisse C and potent antioxidants designed to protect and revitalize skin. Works instantly to improve the look of lines and wrinkles for a contoured, more youthful appearance. Just two droplets of the IO Beauty Booster into two pumps of the Treatment Concentrate, creates a powerful serum grade treatment that will take years off your appearance.

WHERE TO BUY
shopiobeauty.com, QVC.COM (starting February 17th!)

Codeveloper, Tanya Zuckerbrot is the official dietician of the Miss Universe Organization! She is a registered dietician and the creator of The F-Factor Diet, an innovative nutritional program she founded in 1999.

Disclosure: I did not receive any products nor was paid for this post. I was provided info from the PR firm to share. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.

Valentine’s Day Dessert Recipes for Your Sweetie & You

2012-02-02T14:17:00.000-08:00

Anna Zoitas definitely has a flair for fulfilling people’s palates with unusual culinary delights. Here she offers up a number of absolutely exquisite mouth-watering and soul satisfying recipes for Valentine’s Day all accented with one of more of her amazing creations in The Artisanal Kitchen.

Cinnamon Poached Pears with Apple Caramel, Pecans and Crystallized Ginger

Description:. An aromatic, flavorful and light dessert.

Ingredients: pears, apple juice, pecans, dried cranberries, crystallized ginger, salt

Recipe:
6 pears
1 qt. apple juice

garnish:
¼ c pecans
¼ c dried cranberries
¼ c The Artisanal Kitchen Crystallized ginger

DIRECTIONS
Pour the apple juice (poaching liquid) into a large pot and bring to a simmer.

Peal, halve and scoop out the core or the pears, try to leave the stems intact. Place the pear halves in the poaching liquid for 30 minutes, or until toothpick tender.

While the poached pears are cooling, take about 1 cup of the poaching liquid and pour into a sauté pan. Over medium-high flame, reduce for about 10 minutes, whisking sporadically. Liquid should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.

Once pears are cooled, plate two halves per container, one half cut side down and the other cut side up. Drizzle reduced poaching liquid into pear well and lightly over both halves. Sprinkle pecans, cranberries, and crystallized ginger, chopped if you’d like. Optional: garnish with a sprig of mint as well.

Olive oil and Lemon Curd Cake

Description: Rich and moist with fruitful hints of savory olive oil.

Ingredients: Flour, eggs, olive oil, sugar, heavy cream, lemon curd, greek yoghurt, fresh orange juice, fresh lemon juice, butter, lemon zest, baking powder, salt.

Recipe:
1 ½ cups Flour
3 large Eggs
½ cup Three Olives Olive Oil
1 cup sugar
½ cup heavy cream
½ cup lemon curd
½ cup Greek yoghurt
2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
½ stick butter
2 teaspoon lemon zest
2 tea spoons baking powder
Pinch of Artisanal Kitchen Pacific Ocean Salt

DIRECTIONS

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Melt butter, set aside. Cream sugar, eggs and butter for about 3 minutes. Add dry ingredients in sections, do not over mix. Incorporate the rest of the ingredients.

Pour batter into parchment lined and olive oiled baking dish. Bake for 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

“Just Right” Banana Crisps-Chocolate-Fruit Jumbles

How do you Jum-Ble?

These deliciously-fun, crunchy, chunky bursting with fruit sweets combine classic favorites that are sure to delight children of all ages, up to 101. Serve in paper muffin pan cups or eat with your fingers and a big glass of milk.

Ingredients:
½ cup semisweet baking chocolate
1 cup Artisanal Banana Crisps (or you can use sweet-n-tart mango, pineapple or coconut flavors)
¼ cup mixed dried fruits, like raisins, cherries or cranberries
¼ cup roasted salted peanuts, coarsely chopped

DIRECTIONS

Melt the chocolate in a covered double boiler over low heat, stirring occasionally until smooth, or microwave in a non-metallic bowl until melted. Stir until smooth. Remove from heat and gently mix in Artisanal Banana Crisps, dried fruits and peanuts.

Drop by tablespoonful’s into mounds on cookie sheet lined with wax paper. Refrigerate until set. Makes about 10 clusters. Store in an airtight container.

“Addictively Delicious” Coconut-Ginger Crisps, Toffee-Like Cookies

The best cookies you may ever experience. These thin, crunchy, chewy Artisanal Coconut-Ginger Crisps cookies have a toffee-like flavor from the slightly-caramelized sugar and butter that are “addictively delicious.” Incredibly easy to make in only one saucepan.

Ingredients:
¼ cup butter (1/2 stick)
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon maple syrup
½ teaspoon baking soda
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup Coconut Crisps
¼ cup Artisanal Kitchen crystallized ginger, chopped

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350° F. Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper.

In a medium saucepan, melt butter with sugar and maple syrup over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat; stir in baking soda. Stir in flour just until smooth; stir in Artisanal Coconut Crisps and crystallized ginger.

Drop batter by heaping teaspoons onto prepared cookie sheets, 2 inches apart. Bake 10 to 14 minutes, 1 cookie sheet at a time, until cookies are a light, golden brown.

Cool cookies on parchment on wire racks. Makes about 1 ½ dozen cookies. Store in an airtight container.

Disclosure: I did not receive any products nor was paid for this post. I was provided info from the PR firm to share. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.

Prepping for Super Bowl XLVI

2012-02-01T15:44:00.000-08:00

Super Bowl excitement is hitting fever-pitch this week for both New York Giants and New England Patriots fans who hope their team hoists the Vince Lombardi Trophy at the end of Super Bowl XLVI. The game, held in Indianapolis on Feb. 5, will pit two of the nation’s best quarterbacks – Eli Manning and Tom Brady – against each other.

For football fans, the game is eerily similar to the 2008 Super Bowl, the last time the two teams met in the postseason championship. That’s when the wild-card Giants led by a then-struggling Manning defeated the heavily favored Patriots, 17-14.

But, you don’t have to be a history buff or a football junkie to enjoy the Super Bowl. For most people, Super Bowl Sunday is a time to gather with family and friends, play a myriad of Super Bowl games, watch the latest TV commercials, and eat tasty snacks.

Check out our Super Bowl Viewing Guide, so you can watch the game in style and toss out a few football facts to wow partygoers.

_____________________________________________________

THE GAME:

The Giants, this year’s NFC Champions, defeated the San Francisco 49ers, 20-17, in overtime to claim a place in the Super Bowl. The game, an intense back-and-forth competition in less-than-ideal conditions, came down to a field goal. The Patriots defeated the Baltimore Ravens 23-20 to reach the championship game. With eleven seconds remaining in the game, a missed field goal prevented the game from going into overtime.

“That was a tremendous football game for those that really enjoy football in its very basic element,” Giants coach Tom Coughlin told reporters after the game. “At times it’s very difficult to contain yourself. We’ve played an awful lot of superior football teams this year and down the stretch that certainly has helped.”

Tom Brady promised Patriots fans that the team would display a much-improved performance on Super Bowl Sunday. “Our defense saved us [today],” Brady said during the post-game ceremony. “And I’m going to try and go out and do a better job in a couple of weeks, but I’m proud of this team. We’re going to go out and kick some butt in a couple weeks.”

_____________________________________________________

HOW TO WATCH IT:

This year’s Super Bowl will be streamed online for the first time in history. That’s right – you can watch from virtually anywhere! But the couch is the most comfortable spot. No cable? No problem. Catch every second of the big game in high definition on Internet-capable TVs like Sony’s 46” LED Google TV and Philips’ 40” LED Wifi IPTV. Update your Facebook and Twitter status and chat with friends while you watch the game on the same screen.

Wish you could hear what’s going on in the huddle? Maximize the sound with VIZIO’s Home Theater Soundbar for advanced audio with more natural sound.

_____________________________________________________

THE LOCALE:

The Super Bowl is always played on a neutral field. This year’s game will be held in Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium.

_____________________________________________________

PROJECTED OUTCOME:

Although the Giants won (24-20) when the teams played against each other earlier this year and claimed the title in 2008, the Patriots are still favored to win the Vince Lombardi Trophy by a three-point spread.

Disclosure: I did not receive any products nor was paid for this post. I was provided info from the PR firm to share. Thanks to A Bullseye View. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.

Before the Big Game with Ray Anderson: An NFL Executive Takes on the Super Bowl

2012-02-01T15:35:00.000-08:00

Over lunch at the National Football League offices in New York City, we sat down with NFL executive vice president of football operations Ray Anderson to talk about the big game.

Before joining the NFL, the California-native was the Atlanta Falcons vice president and a former agent representing coaches and players, including Tony Dungy and Brian Billick.

Now, Anderson is responsible for cracking down on dangerous plays and overseeing rules, fines and officiating for the league. Here’s his take on the current state of football.

First off, who are you routing for – the Giants or Patriots?
Ray Anderson: [Laughs] Publicly, I love all 32 of our NFL teams.

Ha! Well said. After seeing so many Super Bowls as an executive, do you still get excited for the game?
RA: I don’t think it could ever get old. When you’re interacting with the owners, GMs, coaches, players, scouts and all the people in-stadium on a regular basis, you understand and appreciate all the commitment, time and passion that goes into it.

What is your favorite part about the Super Bowl?
RA: The competition. I want to see the best teams match-up against each other.

How do you want people to remember this year’s game?
RA: I hope people think of it as an amazing Super Bowl following a tumultuous off-season. Despite some gloomy prognostications, this season has ended up being one of the most exciting seasons – and hopefully Super Bowls – ever.

Do you have a favorite Super Bowl memory?
RA: When the Giants came back after David Tyree’s helmet catch, and beat the Patriots with a pass in the end zone to [Plaxico] Burress in Super Bowl XLII. There was the excitement of knowing that the game wasn’t really over, because Tom Brady had the ball with time left on the clock. I thought the ending was tremendous. I was standing on the field near the end zone with Ron Hill, my good buddy and vice president of football operations. When the Giants broke the huddle, Ron said, “They are throwing over here to Burress!” And literally, it happened ten feet in front of us.

How are officials selected for the Super Bowl?
RA: We grade every individual official and crew on every play of every game each week. We keep report cards and the officials are held accountable. At the end of the year, we rank 17 crews and referees. The top three ranked will be in the conference championship games or the Super Bowl.

Have the calls on violent hits been more consistent this season?
More so – that’s been an emphasis. That doesn’t mean all of those hits are finable, but we’re certainly seeing more consistency in terms of the calling, enforcement and discipline.

How will technology affect the future of football?
RA: One of the biggest challenges we have is continuing to integrate technology to improve the game. Some football traditionalists are scared of what might come, but it’s coming.

What is the biggest change you’ve seen in the game over the past decade?
RA: The speed, impact and overall athleticism have been elevated. The athletes are so much better – and certainly bigger – than ever before. We have a more violent game with hits that can potentially have long-term effects, and that’s concerning.

Do you see any further changes in the game for safety?
RA: We’re always going to see how we can make the game safer. We feel pretty good about where we are now, but we can still do more.

Is it hard to maintain friendships with players or coaches when you have to fine them?
I’ve fined some of my best friends in the business over the years.

Do you have any funny stories about fining a friend?
RA: Soon after I started this job, Brian Billick used profane language against one of our officials and it was caught on camera. It didn’t take a brain surgeon to read his lips. [Laughs] When I called to let him know that I had a problem with his behavior, I asked about the family, how his daughters were and how he was doing. And then I said, “Well, that’s the good news. The bad news is I’m fining you $25,000.” He took it very well and swore the next time he came to New York that I would be taking him to dinner and he would be picking out the wine, which did occur. He wrote about it in his recent book.

Did you always want to work for the NFL?
RA: I never in my wildest dreams thought that I’d be working for the NFL. When I was an agent, I told myself that if an opportunity to work for a club came along, I would seize it. Minorities, particularly African Americans, had not had those types of opportunities, so I wanted to be one of the first. When Arthur Blank joined the Falcons and reached out to me, it was clear that I was finally going to get that chance. And during my time at the Falcons, I got to know now-commissioner Roger Goodell, who sought me out to interview for the EVP position. I never thought I’d be lucky enough to be where I am.

Disclosure: I did not receive any products nor was paid for this post. I was provided info from the PR firm to share. Thanks to A Bullseye View. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.

Super Bowl City Recipes

2012-02-01T15:20:00.000-08:00

Championship Cook-off: 4 Super Bowl City Recipes

On Feb. 5, millions of Americans will plop down on couches or bar stools for a day of football, friends and food. For some, Super Bowl XLVI will be all about the déjà vu matchup between coach Tom Coughlin and the New York Giants and coach Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots.

Others only watch for the elaborate TV commercials and halftime show. And if you’re like us, the Super Bowl is an excuse to eat. Don’t get us wrong – we love a game of pigskin, but we love to pig out more.

So, New York or New England – who will win? On the field, we’ll have to wait till Sunday. But off the field, we can kickoff right now. We rounded up the best recipes from the two Super Bowl cities for a game day championship cook-off. Hold the napkins – we’re not afraid to get a little food on our face for the sake of football!

Check out four game day recipes from the Super Bowl cities

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Boston Baked Beans by Durgin-Park Restaurant

Serving: 1/2 gallon

This long-standing Boston spot is famous for its Boston Baked Bean. Durgin-Park Head Chef Albert Savage wants the whole world to taste their original Yankee fare – the recipe is listed right on the restaurant website!

“The chief difference between Yankee cooking and most other kinds of cooking is that we make our food taste like what it’s supposed to be,” says Albert, head chef for the past 35 years.

What You’ll Need:
2-quart bean pot
2/3 cup molasses
2 pounds beans (California pea beans or York State beans)
4 teaspoons salt
1 pound salt pork
½ teaspoon pepper
8 tablespoons sugar
1 medium-sized onion

What You’ll Do:

1. Soak beans overnight. In the morning parboil them for ten minutes with a teaspoon of baking soda. Then run cold water through the beans in a colander or strainer.

2. Dice rind of salt pork in inch squares, cut in half. Put half on bottom of bean pot with whole onion. Put beans in pot. Put the rest of the pork on top.

3. Mix other ingredients with hot water. Pour over beans. Put in 300-degree oven for six hours. This will make ten full portions.

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New England Best Lobster Dip
Makes 4-6 Servings

Who says football players can’t cook? In 2004, New England Patriots football players and cheerleaders shared the team’s favorite recipe on Good Morning America.

What You’ll Need:
2 cups cooked lobster, finely chopped
1 cup celery, finely chopped
1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon white pepper
1/4 cup chopped parsley or 1/4 cup chopped cilantro

What You’ll Do:

1. Combine first seven ingredients in a medium bowl, stirring well.

2. Sprinkle with parsley or cilantro if desired.

3. Serve with crackers, pita chips, or raw veggies.

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Hot Diggity Dog by Food Network Magazine

You can’t walk more than ten feet in New York without smelling the alluring scent of hot dogs wafting from a nearby pushcart or stand. Try this no hassle – and incredibly delicious – recipe courtesy of Food Network Magazine.

What You’ll Need:
Hot dogs and hot dug buns
Pickled jalapenos, sliced
Jalapeno jack cheese, shredded

What You’ll Do:

1. Grill hot dogs, to taste

2. Grill buns, till lightly golden

3. Serve grilled dogs in grilled buns and top with shredded jalapeno, jack cheese and sliced pickled jalapenos

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Apple Pie by Mario Batali
Makes 8 servings

Pie photo via Flickr

Legendary New York Chef Mario Batali is an icon of the Big Apple’s culinary scene. So after you’ve stuffed yourself with hot dogs and lobster dip, serve up something sweet for the Super Bowl.

What You’ll Need:

For the Crust
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup lard

For the Filling
3 lbs. Macoun apples, quartered, peeled, and sliced (about 6–7 cups)
2 small lemons, zested and juiced
3 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 cup sugar (plus 2 tbs. to sprinkle over the pie)
2 tablespoons maple syrup
3 tablespoons butter, cut into 1/4-inch cubes

What You’ll Do:

1. Preheat oven to 375°. In a bowl, mix the flour and salt, and cut in the lard with a pastry blender until pea-size pieces are formed. Sprinkle with 1/4-cup ice water while mixing with a fork until moist.

2. Form the dough into a ball. On a lightly floured surface, cut the dough in half and roll out into two 10-inch disks.

3. Fold one disk in half and place in 9-inch pie pan. Unfold the pastry and line the pan, pressing the dough into the edges.

Filling

1. Toss apples with lemon juice, zest, and flour. In a small bowl, mix the cinnamon and sugar.

2. Layer the apples in the pastry, sprinkling each layer with sugar and cinnamon. Drizzle the top layer of apples with maple syrup, and dot with butter.

3. Cover with remaining pastry crust, crimping the edges. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of sugar over the crust, and make four slashes in the top. Place on bottom rack of the oven, and bake for 40 to 60 minutes until the top is golden. Serve warm with crème fraîche or sour cream.

Disclosure: I did not receive any products nor was paid for this post. I was provided info from the PR firm to share. Thanks to A Bullseye View. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.

Shop and Dine while Giving Back at GoodShop.com

2012-02-01T14:34:00.000-08:00

With love in the air, GoodShop and GoodDining have joined together to create the perfect Valentine’s Day: Users of these sites can buy gifts, use money saving coupons, and dine out---all while supporting their favorite charity or school.

Lovebirds are turning to GoodShop.com to get coupons, deals, and free shipping offers on flowers, chocolate, teddy bears and hundreds of other gifts that say "I love you." GoodShop works with more than 2,600 stores including Amazon, 1-800-FLOWERS, Shutterfly, Victoria’s Secret, Build-A-Bear Workshop, jcpenney, and Godiva among others to donate up to 30% of every purchase to the favorite cause of the shopper’s choice. Plus, GoodShop now has over 100,000 money saving coupons so charity supporters can save money and give back this Valentine’s Day.

Here are some sample coupons to take advantage of:

· 1-800-FLOWERS – Save 15% on your Valentine's purchase (+8% donation)

· Shutterfly – Give a photo book of memories to someone special and save up to 25% (+4% donation)

· Godiva – $10 off orders over $60 (+3% donation)

· Victoria’s Secret - Get $15 off $100, $30 off $150 & $75 off $250 orders (+2% donation)

GoodDining is a new approach to philanthropy that enables ‘giving back,’ 365 days a year, simply by dining out. Take your special someone to one of the participating 10,000 restaurants nationwide and your Valentine’s Day dinner will donate up to 6% of the total bill to the cause of your choice. Restaurants include well-known brands like Romano’s Macaroni Grill, Black Angus, Lucky Strike, and thousands of other local favorites. Dining out while giving back to your favorite charity is the perfect way to impress your date and make this Valentine’s Day truly special.

Internet users have found GoodShop and GoodDining to be a compelling idea. Beth Elson, a lawyer in Chicago, uses GoodShop and GoodDining to support the Best Friends Animal Society which runs the nation's largest sanctuary for abused and abandoned animals. “This seems too good to be true but it’s not! I feel fantastic knowing that when I dine out and buy gifts this Valentine’s Day, a portion of the money I spend will go directly to helping animals who need our help. And, I’ve found amazing coupons on GoodShop as well – it’s a no-brainer to use this site!”

The GoodShop and GoodDining team is revolutionizing online philanthropy so that no one is denied the opportunity to support the causes most important to them, especially during tough economic times. “We are dedicated to empowering people to change the world through simple everyday actions” said Scott Garell, CEO of GoodSearch. “By shopping at GoodShop and dining out at a GoodDining restaurant, Valentines now have a simple and easy way to donate to their favorite cause while celebrating their love. The end result is more books for schools, research for cures, pets adopted, homeless fed, oceans cleaned, and other important work accomplished by these non-profits.”

About GoodSearch

Headquartered in San Francisco, CA, GoodSearch empowers people to change the world through simple everyday actions that raise money for causes people care most about. Launched in 2005, the service currently includes GoodSearch, a Yahoo-powered search engine and GoodShop, an online shopping and coupon portal which works with more than 2,600 top merchants including jcpenny, Lands' End, Staples, and HP, and GoodDining. To date, GoodSearch has donated more than $8.4 million to over 104,000 charities and schools designated by its users.

Disclosure: I did not receive any products nor was paid for this post. I was provided info from the PR firm to share. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.

Smart Meal SNX: The All Natural Balanced Meal

2012-02-01T10:37:00.000-08:00

I recently had the opportunity to try the new, fruits & vegetables protein individual meal packs. I received the Natural Mixed Berry flavor. These are perfect for mealtime, snack time, or anytime. If you are a busy mom or individual like me, the Smart-Meal SNX fruit & vegetable meal replacement pack is great for on-the-go. We don't always take the time to eat nutritional foods, so this is really great for us. I really like the fruity taste and that it is low in sugar. It offers an exciting new way to easily get the goodness of fruits and vegetables every day. For me, I think it tastes better chilled (like a dessert).

Often, people with special dietary requirements have difficulty consuming protein because they cannot tolerate the taste, the volume, the protein allergens, or the protein structure. You can consume up to 2 containers of Smart-Meals SNX as part of your regular dietary needs.

Nutri-SNX is a delicious tasting and nutritious combo meal replacement pack that includes one Fruitmania drink and one ProGel serving containing a well balanced mix of protein, fruits and vegetables. Together they offer 3 vegetables, 3 fruit servings , a serving of Fiber, 25 grams of easy to digest Protein and all the vitamins and minerals that comes along with it. The pack is ready-to-eat and even has a spoon included for you.

Fruitmania is a new and exciting way to easily get the goodness of a full complement of fruits and vegetables in a ready-to-drink “single shot” beverage. Fruitmania provides 5 full servings of fruits and vegetables in a single serving of less than 3 fluid ounces. Each serving contains 2 full servings of fruit and 3 full servings of vegetables as well as 5 grams of dietary fiber (20% of the recommended daily allowance). Fruitmania is heat and cold stable. all natural, fat free, gluten free, cholesterol free, lactose free, preservative free, and contains less than 100 calories per serving.

Pro-Gel is a protein-fortified gelatin snack. This on-the-go treat provides 25 grams of protein (50% of the recommended daily allowance), 5 grams of fiber (20% of the daily recommend allowance), and one full serving of fruit in each 6-ounce, ready to eat cup. Pro- Gel is heat-stable and cold-stable, so it maintains its gel strength in the fridge and on the go. Pro-Gel is fat free, sugar free, preservative free, cholesterol free, and only 130 calories.

Features & Benefits:
- no artificial coloring
- no artificial sweeteners
- no preservatives
- cholesterol free
- dairy/lactose free
- fat free
- no saturated or trans fat
- no aspartame
- heat/cold stable
- low in sodium
- stimulant free
- yeast, wheat and gluten free

Disclosure: I received a sample pack of the Smart Meal SNX in exchange for this review. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.

Missi Pyle at the 64th Annual Directors Guild Awards

2012-02-01T10:28:00.000-08:00

Missi Pyle, star of The Artist, looked ravishing in a 20s inspired dress by bridal couture designer, Claire Pettibone at the 64th Annual DGAs.
The film has been in the spotlight thus far this awards season, won the award at the DGAs for 'Outstanding Directorial Achievement in a Feature Film'!

Missi Pyle donned a 20s Inspired Dress by Bridal designer, Claire Pettibone

ABOUT THE DESIGNER:
Claire Pettibone specializes in ethereal dresses with a playful, vintage look; truly for a bohemian girl who wants to stand apart from the crowd. Claire’s romantic and ultra feminine line incorporates jeweled eyelet lace, silk floral appliques and detailed European trimmings. The designer has taken her love of vintage style and created couture pieces for the true romantic at heart.

Disclosure: I did not receive any products nor was paid for this post. I was provided info from the PR firm to share. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.

Take a Walk Down the Aisle with Duri Cosmetics

2012-01-31T23:38:00.000-08:00

Whether in the spotlight as the Bride, on the sidelines as a member of the Wedding Party or just a well-manicured guest—planning the perfect 20 (mani & pedi) is a beauty must that should top every bride's checklist. From BRIDESMAID-inspired bachelorette parties and themed bridal showers to the exchange of rings, tossing (and catching) of the bouquet and the most picture-perfect honeymoon – it's a hands-on experience. Selecting the right shade and shape is as much a personal choice as picking out the perfect gown! Duri Cosmetics offers a host of options to meet any Bridezilla's exacting standards—from classic french and creamy pearls to brilliant brights that nail the special day.

"We are seeing more and more brides go from a natural nail for her walk down the aisle to a dramatic pop of color to accent her reception change out dress," says Faina Ritz, creator of Duri Cosmetics and the visionaire behind Duri's A Perfect Match Collection. "Brides can start with a light shade like Wedding Vows (pretty pale pink) and then apply a coat of a deeper color like Runaway Bride (cranberry red) after the wedding for a whole new look at the reception!"

As for bridesmaid manicures, Ritz suggests going outside the box and avoid matching color choices. If the bridesmaids are wearing a neutral color dress, they don't have to wear a neutral polish. Allow the look to "pop" with a richer color polish such as Happily Ever After (bright classic pink) and vice versa for bright color gowns (pale them down with a pale).

For bachelorette parties, Ritz suggests going a little crazy with fun, loud hues like Bachelorette Party (a fun orangy-red) and Girl Power (shimmery magenta) - perfect shades for the ultimate girls' night out.

Whether a warm weather event or winter wedding – once the band starts to play, those stilettos will come off, so don't forget the lower 10. Use a bright, but classic shade like Every Day Is A Valentine (sheer red) to give your toes a little kick! And for the classic bride, remix the French Pedicure with Lily Of The Valley (sophisticated light pink).

A Perfect Match collection includes 12 vow inspired hues…

I Do - a shimmery white for french manicure; Wedding Vows - a pretty pale pink; Bridal Bells - a clear, glossy bright pink; Lily Of The Valley - a sophisticated light pink; Daddy's Girl - a sheer baby pink; Champagne bubbles - a shimmery pearl; Hawaiian Honeymoon - a tropical peachy pink; Bachelorette Party - a fun orangy-red; Happily Ever After - a bright classic pink; Girl Power - shimmery magenta; Every Day Is A Valentine - a sheer red; Runaway Bride - a cranberry red.

And for the perfect Bridal Party gift, mix 'n match three hues to create a collection of polishes for bridesmaids to remember the big day by (i.e. chose colors that match the wedding theme from the dresses down to the flowers).

All Duri nail products are completely safe, environmentally-friendly and free from DBP, TOLUENE and FORMALDEHYDE.

Make Duri Cosmetics your editorials' perfect match! All Duri Cosmetics products are available nationwide at salons, spas and specialty stores, as well as online at www.duri.com. Individual bottles retail for only $5 each and Custom Gift Sets retail for $15.

Duri Cosmetics is only available for shipping within the U.S.

Disclosure: I did not receive any products nor was paid for this post. I was provided info from the PR firm to share. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.

Nicole Scherzinger Spotted Wearing Studded BodyRock Razorback Tank

2012-01-31T21:11:00.000-08:00

Singer and Former Pussycat Dolls Member, Nicole Scherzinger struts through LAX Airport in style wearing a studded BodyRock razorback tank paired with preppy plaid skinnies. Although BodyRock is known for its fashionable workout attire, Nicole shows how the line can easily be transformed from functional gym clothes to an on-trend travel outfit. Kelly Dooley, the designer of BodyRock, has always been inspired by strong confidant females who own their bodies. Maybe that is why Giuliana Rancic, the Kardashian crew and X-factor Judges Paula Abdul & Nicole Scherzinger can’t seem to get enough of the brand!

About BodyRock
Born and raised in the heat of Southern California, CEO and designer of BodyRock, Kelly Dooley, has always had the knack for being active. In March 2009, Kelly was tired of trying to find the perfect sports bra that was functional and stylish. From her frustrations, she created BodyRock – an innovative line of active wear that successfully blends fitness and fashion together in a practical way. The inventive line of active wear is constructed for stylish women who don't want to sacrifice fashion for fitness. BodyRock is ideal for women who want their gym clothes to be ultra chic and wearable in the everyday world. With the summer months quickly approaching, BodyRock is not afraid to use bold pops of color, floral prints, and fun layering pieces for the active fashionista.

The designs feature fitted four-way stretch crops with chic cargo pockets, studded lycra-blend sports bras, ruched metallic spandex, and fashion forward athletic biker jackets. Not only are they fashionable, but functional as well with built-in Ipod pockets, zippered compartments, and tagless labels for that added extra comfort. BodyRock is produced with the highest quality spandex and nylon, Swarovski crystals and studs, and is manufactured in New York City – a proud American producer! BodyRock captures that effortlessly cool downtown vibe with uptown notes of luxury and style, letting you go from workout to dinner with ease.

BodyRock features bras that are not only aesthetically pleasing, but also purposeful for every woman. Kelly feels grateful to be able to create a collection that encourages and prides women to feel positive, comfortable, sexy, and stylish when they are active and on the go. Each piece in the collection is designed and named after an empowered woman from cancer survivors to Greek goddesses. The line is more then just clothing for yoganistas and triathlon babes, it was made with soul. Designer Kelly Dooley says “Bodyrockers are those women who walk into a room and electrify it with their confidence. Be that woman.”

Disclosure: I did not receive any products nor was paid for this post. I was provided info from the PR firm to share. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.

NV Cosmetics: Hungry Eyes on the Hunger Games

2012-01-30T15:53:00.000-08:00

GAME ON! THE ODDS ARE EVER IN YOUR FAVOR!!!

Introducing Hungry Eyes - 20 New Tributes To Keep An Eye On!

The first installment of the breathtaking trilogy The Hunger Games premieres March 23rd with Actress Jennifer Lawrence starring as bow-and-arrow slinging heroine Katniss Everdeen. "The people of 'the Capital' pride themselves in unique beauty with a keen eye toward cutting makeup trends and going outside the boundaries," says Noel Sweeny, creator of the Addiction NV Cosmetics line. "From 'the Capital's' style icon Effie Trinket's pink-rimmed eyes and blue pouted lips to leading-lady Katniss Everdeen's clean, yet powerful makeup overhaul -- eyes played a leading character role".

Just in time to satisfy the crowd’s appetite and un-satiable hunger for both beauty and killer instincts -- is a provocative eye shadow collection from Addiction NV Cosmetics – Hungry Eyes!

Addiction NV’s Hungry Eyes Alluring Eye Shadow Pans play tribute to the games with 20 provocative, triple pigmented, velvety, ultra-fine powders for shadowing, creating depth, highlighting and lining eyes. Incredibly long-wearing, amazingly blend-able, Hungry Eyes can be used wet or dry to control color intensity and keep all eyes on the prize. Game On!

Hungry Eyes Individual Shadow Pans (Retail $10) can be mixed and matched and carried in a dual Eye Shadow Palette ($8) designed with “magnetizing” power to allow easy color change-outs and the ultimate in customization while holding pans snugly in place.

The Hungry Eyes shadow hues are aptly named to woo the crowd: Tantalize (Matte Black), Seduce (Matte Cream), Coax (Champagne Shimmer), Entice (Gold Shimmer), Lure (Rusty Orange Shimmer), Trance (Matte Light Silver), Enamor (Matte Beige), Charm (Bronze Shimmer), Ogle (Matte Navy), Allure (Matte Burgundy), Tempt (Pink Shimmer), Tease (Matte Dark Green), Siren (Mauve Brown Shimmer), Linger (Bright Teal Shimmer), Vixen (Light Green Shimmer), Enchant (Light Teal Shimmer), Magnetize (Light Green Shimmer), Bewitch (Hot Pink Shimmer), Hook (Bright Orange Shimmer) and Captivate (Bright Turquoise Shimmer).

Disclosure: I did not receive any products nor was paid for this post. I was provided info from the PR firm to share. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.

Luke James Joins Estelle on BET Music Matters "The All of Me Tour"

2012-01-30T15:42:00.000-08:00

This February, N.A.R.S. Records / Mercury Records / Island Def Jam recording artist Luke James will join Estelle on the BET Music Matters "The All of Me Tour" in preparation for his highly anticipated debut solo album, Made To Love. In a much-lauded performance at the BET Honors taping on January 14th in Washington, DC, Luke James brought the room—including First Lady Michelle Obama—enthusiastically to their feet with a crowd-raising performance of his single “I Want You.” BET Honors airs February 13, 2012 at 9P/8C on BET Networks. In addition to the Spring 2012 release of Made To Love, Luke James will take to the stage in his hometown of New Orleans as a part of the 2012 ESSENCE Music Festival this July.

Having charmed critics during his opening gig on Robin Thicke’s “Love After War” tour and with the release of his #LUKE pre-album and online video teasers, Luke James is excited to join the “American Boy” singer on the BET Music Matters "The All of Me Tour." While opening for Estelle, Luke James looks forward to showcasing his dynamic stage presence, arresting falsetto and overall talent to music fans from coast to coast.

Prior to the release of his debut solo album, the much buzzed-about artist has already headlined events like Give Back Hollywood / VH1 Save The Music Foundation’s Pre MTV VMA benefit and gained a celebrity following that includes Kelly Rowland, Michelle Williams, and none other than Beyoncé, who selected him for a featured role in her “Run the World” video, and Melanie Fiona, who featured him as her boyfriend in her “4 A.M.” music video. Luke James is also the co-writer of Chris Brown’s “Crawl” and has penned songs for Justin Bieber (“That Should Be Me”), Michael Bolton, and Britney Spears (“Kill The Lights”), among others.

To download #LUKE for FREE on Facebook, please visit: http://www.facebook.com/whoislukejames

For more information about Luke James, his pre-album #LUKE, and his upcoming debut solo album Made To Love, visit http://www.simonesmallspr.net/clients/lukejames/BIO.html, http://www.whoislukejames.com and follow @whoislukejames on Twitter.

UPCOMING 2012 TOUR DATES:
Thursday, February 2, 2012 - Cleveland, OH House of Blues
Friday, February 3, 2012 - Chicago, IL Double Door
Saturday, February 4, 2012 - Cincinnati, OH Mixx Lounge
Monday, February 6, 2012 - Kansas City, MO The Riot Room
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 - San Diego, CA Anthology
Thursday, February 9, 2012 - Los Angeles, CA Key Club
Monday, February 13, 2012 - Dallas, TX House of Blues
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 - New Orleans, LA The Howlin’ Wolf
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 - Houston, TX House of Blues
Thursday, February 16, 2012 - Austin, TX Antones
Saturday, February 18, 2012 - Birmingham, AL Old Car Heaven
Monday, February 20, 2012 - Atlanta, GA Center Stage
Thursday, February 23, 2012 - Boston, MA Regatta Bar (2 shows)
Sunday, February 26, 2012 - Baltimore, MD Sound Stage
Tuesday, February 28, 2012 - New York, NY Irving Plaza
Thursday, March 1, 2012 - Wilmington, DE World Café Live
Saturday, March 3, 2012 - Nashville, TN Indulge Nightclub
Monday, March 5, 2012 - Philadelphia, PA World Café Life

Disclosure: I did not receive any products nor was paid for this post. I was provided info from the PR firm to share. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.

Sunday Afternoon at Aberdeen Mall

2012-01-29T22:53:00.000-08:00

We (my Hubby, little Brandon, and I) spent the afternoon at Aberdeen Mall and had lunch at the food court upstairs. There was a new food place just opened and we noticed this massive line up. "Wow," I thought, "what these people go through for Japanese food!" Kinda crazy because there's lots of Japanese food places in the area nearby. I took a snapshot...

Anyway, we weren't going there and we were already hungry. We went to one of our favorite place (Teppan Kitchen) just next to the new one. I love the flavor of the sauce. It's called "garlic butter soy". I gotta try making that at home one day.

{WINNER} Oscillo & Children's Chestal Giveaway

2012-01-27T10:14:00.000-08:00

Announcement: The lucky WINNER for the Oscillo & Children's Chestal Giveaway that ended January 23, 2012 is..... (drum roll, please).

{EDIT} A new winner had been re-drawn as there was no response from the original winner.

Congratulations to Helen Lemon (#91)

I have sent you an email. You have 48 hours to respond. Thanks everyone for participating in my giveaway contests.

Book Review & Giveaway: Lose Weight Without Dieting or Working Out

2012-01-26T17:47:00.000-08:00

For those of us who want to lose weight...
Eat and drink diet foods or not? Yes or no?
That is the question!

These days it’s hard to figure out what’s safe to eat or drink diet foods without counting calories, starving yourself, giving up your favorite foods, or eating bland packaged foods.

Want to lose weight without counting calories, starving yourself, giving up your favorite foods, or eating bland packaged foods? Would you like to look and feel younger and healthier than you have in years without diets and exercise? If you’ve answered yes to these questions, this book is for you! JJ Smith’s revolutionary system teaches proven methods for permanent weight loss that anyone can follow, no matter her size, income level, or educational level. And the end result is a healthy, sexy, slim body.

JJ’s breakthrough weight-loss solution can help you shed pounds fast by detoxifying the body, balancing your hormones, and speeding up your metabolism. You’ll learn which foods help you stay slim and which foods cause you to get fat. If you have been on a roller-coaster ride of weight loss, you will finally be able to get off, lose weight, and stay slim for life!

WHAT I THINK OF THE BOOK?
First of all, I would like to thank JJ Smith for the opportunity to share my views about her new book where she tells all about her tips and advices on how to lose weight with natural ways and eating natural foods. It's true with some of the false advertising with certain foods. Always read the labels and nutritional facts. I really enjoyed reading the section where she talks about good carbs and bad carbs.

The more nutritional food we eat, the better our body will function. I'm sure most of you already know about that. JJ goes in detail and explains about what types of food that is good for you and what types of food that are unhealthy. For example: Citrus fruits aid the body in flushing out toxins and jumpstarting the digestive tract with enzymatic processes. Sometimes there are things that you probably didn't even know and makes you wonder.

In her new book, you will learn how to...
• Detoxify the body for fast weight loss
• Drop pounds and inches fast, without grueling workouts or starvation
• Lose up to 15 pounds in the first three weeks
• Shed unwanted fat by eating foods you love, including carbs
• Get rid of stubborn belly fat
• Trigger your 6 fat-burning hormones to lose weight effortlessly
• Eat foods that give you glowing, radiant skin
• Eat so you feel energetic and alive every day
• Get physically active without exercising

In her new book Lose Weight Without Dieting or Working Out, Nutritionist and certified weight loss expert JJ Smith says you have to be really careful when shopping at the grocery store.

Why? Diet foods can make you fat.

“Many products,” she says, “are allowed to use the word ‘diet’, because they have some reduced amount of sugar or fat. But unless you look really carefully at all the ingredients, you won’t be able to identify all the hidden ones that can contribute to weight gain.”

She’s come up with a quick list of the reasons why anyone who is trying to slim down needs to avoid certain diet foods:

Sugar-free baked goods

Read the labels carefully! They can have the same or even more fat than the original recipes! You may also be fooled into eating so many because they were labeled as “diet” that you exceed your daily goals without even realizing it. Try graham crackers instead. They have less sugar than other cookies and very little fat, about 2 grams per serving.

Fat-free dressings

Most fat-free dressings are really higher in sugar, which basically just defeats the whole purpose of eating a fat free food. Read the label carefully. Select a reduced fat dressing that contains olive or canola oil that has 2 to 4 grams of fat per serving.

Diet Sodas

Contain artificial sweeteners that can cause health problems and have no nutritional value. When the body finds nothing recognizable as nutrition, it continues to crave something nutritional, which increases cravings and appetite. They can create food cravings for sweets. Drink water or green tea instead of diet soda.

Fruit Snacks

Don’t be fooled by packaging claims that say it is ‘made with real fruit or fruit juices’! They are packed with added sugars and artificial ingredients that have little or no nutritional value. Read the label and see the grams of sugars and the amount of carbohydrates and fat. Eat real fruit instead, which is rich in fiber, phytonutrients, and cancer fighting anti-oxidants!

High-protein Diet Bars (Power Bars) and Shakes

When the body receives a protein or power bar, it tries to break down the sugar and chemicals in it, but when they cannot be fully digested by the body, the excess ends up being stored in the body as fat. This excess can actually produce a weight gain instead of a weight loss. It’s better to eat a vegetable like avocado, which is healthier and high in protein.

Artificial Sweeteners

Those little yellow, pink and blue packages – the ‘sugar substitutes’ may have zero calories, but don’t be fooled. They increase appetite by sending false signals to the brain that sweet food is on the way, and when it never arrives, the brain never gives the signal that you are satisfied causing cravings for sweets. There’s research that shows that aspartame in particular, stimulates the release of insulin, which tells the body to store fat! Bottom line – they actually contribute to weight gain.

“The best alternative,” JJ says, “is to limit or avoid these foods! Drink more water and eat more fresh fruits and vegetables. You’ll feel better, lose more weight, and enjoy what you eat more too.”

Discover Secrets to a Slimmer, Sexier, and Healthier You!

BUY IT
The book is available for purchase (in hard copy or electronic format) at
Amazon.com or Barnes&Noble.

WIN IT
One (1) lucky reader will have a chance to win a copy of Lose Weight Without Dieting or Working Out by JJ Smith. Chosen winner will be selected via Random.org through Rafflecopter and is open to US & Canadian residents (ends February 26, 2012 at 11:59pm EST). Winner will have 48 hours to respond to claim their prize. Mandatory entry is required to unlock the additional optional entries.

{Please wait while Rafflecopter entry form loads...}

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received a copy of JJ Smith's new book "Lose Weight Without Dieting or Working Out" in exchange for my review. The opinions expressed in my review are my own personal and honest thoughts. No other compensation was given.

Make-Up Designory’s Squeezable Tube Mascara

2012-01-25T17:27:00.000-08:00

Most women have a love-hate relationship with mascara. They love that it transforms their appearance but hate that it clumps and flakes lashes. Fall in love with the right Mascara from Make-Up Designory (MUD), world-renowned professional make-up school and its new cosmetics line.

This award-winning pigment-rich mascara provides even coverage lush with fibers to maximize and lengthen lashes for super-volumizing results. Available in a black cream and volumizing formula, MUD’s Mascara comes in a pewter gray squeezable tube that lessens waste.

MUD’s Mascara is less likely to dry out or spoil. The squeezable tube is perfect for a professional make-up artist and heaven-sent for at-home use.

Mascara myth number one: Pumping the mascara wand in-and-out the tube will catch more cream on the wand for an even application. Truth: Pumping the mascara wand actually fills tube with air and dries out mascara, ruining the product. That’s why the tube is a beauty-blessing.

Tip: For thicker lashes apply 1-2 layers and glide brush from inner to outer corner of bottom lashes. The full-bristled brush allows for a smooth and easy application control for individual users, whether creating a subtle daytime look or glamorous evening eyes. Use MUD Make-up Remover Towelettes to gently wipe away.

MUD takes it a step further with an innovative outer packaging that tells the consumer how to correctly use the product with illustrations and symbols rather than words. MUD’s Mascara has a suggested retail price of $14 for a .40 ounce tube and is available at select MUD shops and boutique locations or www.mudshop.com.

About Make-Up Designory (MUD):

Make-Up Designory is a private post secondary institution that provides training every year to hundreds of students from around the world to work in fashion, film, and television. Specialties include beauty make-up artistry, hairstyling, portfolio development, character make-up, and special make-up effects. The school has two locations, one in Los Angeles (founded in 1997) and one in New York. In addition, the school has its own cosmetics line, that range from $8 - $26, with retailers and distributors in the US, United Kingdom, Spain, Turkey, Japan, Australia, West Africa, Mexico, Guam, and the Dominican Republic.

Disclosure: I did not receive any products nor was paid for this post. I was provided info from the PR firm to share. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.

Penguin Books Canada Launches Razorbill Online Community

2012-01-25T17:19:00.000-08:00

PENGUIN CANADA’S NEW YOUNG-ADULT FICTION BRAND COMES TO LIFE ONLINE

Razorbill.ca connects literature’s hottest category with its most enthusiastic audience

Penguin Canada, a leader in young-adult fiction, launched Razorbill.ca, an online destination for the community, conversations and enthusiasm of today's expanding young-adult fiction audiences. Razorbill.ca gives young adults a forum to engage with contemporary authors and like-minded peers.

“Razorbill is a foundation for a lasting love of reading, a place to share fictional crushes, challenge villainous deeds, and visit the past, present and future, taking on the real issues of the day,” said Lynne Missen, Penguin’s Publishing Director for Young Readers.

Razorbill.ca is all about creating a unique experience for book enthusiasts. With exclusive access, members will be exposed to anticipated titles before they launch, be invited to live chats with critically acclaimed authors including Joseph Boyden, Hiromi Goto, Charles de Lint and Carrie Mac but most importantly, be part of an evolving community and conversation.

As recently reported in the Los Angeles Times, “Young adult continues to be the literary world's fastest-growing genre” with middle grade fiction also experiencing a renaissance, thanks in large measure to Harry Potter and the Twilight saga, which have ushered in an era of more adults reading young adult fiction than ever before. Further, the traditional demographic boundaries of the category have widened so extremely they are almost irrelevant.

“Young adult fiction hits a unique sweet spot,” says Missen, “offering authentic entertainment for both teens and adults, as well as the opportunity to engage on real-life issues like bullying, suicide, love and relationships and mistakes.”

The young-adult fiction category now includes some of the world’s most popular names and authors. In the past year alone, writers including John Grisham, Kathy Reichs and Harlan Coben have crossed the genre line to write critically acclaimed books for young readers. Razorbill titles include Jay Asher’s 13 Reasons Why, John Green’s The Fault in our Starsand Playground, by 50 Cent. The first Canadian title to be published by Razorbill will be Hiromi Goto's Darkest Light, on-sale January 31st.

“The category is extremely diverse, concludes Missen. “There is quite literally a young adult fiction book for every reader.”

About Razorbill (www.razorbill.ca)

Razorbill is an imprint dedicated to publishing the very best in young adult writing, showcasing both Canadian and international talent. Razorbill.ca is an online virtual community bringing together a wide range of readers, writers and reviewers of YA fiction.

You can connect with them on Facebook: facebook.com/razorbillca and Twitter: Razorbill Books @RazorbillCA

About Penguin (www.penguin.ca)

Penguin Canada, founded in 1974, is one of the country’s leading publishers of fiction and non-fiction, publishing an award-winning list of Canadian authors including Joseph Boyden, Randy Bachman, Adrienne Clarkson, Will Ferguson, Guy Gavriel Kay, Margaret MacMillan, Stuart McLean, Craig Oliver and John Ralston Saul. Penguin Group (www.penguin.com), one of the world’s largest English-language trade book publishers, has established divisions and key market positions in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, India, China, South Africa, New Zealand and Ireland. The Penguin Group is part of Pearson, the international media company.

Disclosure: I did not receive any products nor was paid for this post. I was provided info from the PR firm to share. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.

Celebrity Eyebrow King DAMONE ROBERTS: New Face of the THELOOKBAG

2012-01-25T16:35:00.000-08:00

THELOOKBAG is the newest high-end, luxury beauty sample kit customized by beauty expert Damone Roberts, the undisputed “Eyebrow King” to the hottest A-list Hollywood starlets. For only $10 a month, Damone tailors each LOOKBAG for THELOOKBAG.COM subscribers in an attractive, hand-packaged box of five deluxe, re-sealable beauty samples from established brands to prestigious foreign products such as O.N.E Skincare, Rain Cosmetics, Kim Vo and Yarok hair care delivered to your doorstep. This makes it easy for the beauty obsessed to test drive the latest and greatest beauty samples on the market: if the subscriber likes what they try and wishes to purchase the full-size product, they can do so at a 20% discount at THELOOKBAG.COM.

THELOOKBAG aims to take beauty to another level by letting members choose between a monthly, quarterly or yearly subscription plan. Subscribers will fill out a brief beauty Q&A so each product in their bag is specifically customized to fit their needs. THELOOKBAG is then shipped out free to members within the first two weeks of every month.

Damone has revolutionized the beauty industry with his own artistry and personally crafted eyebrow products. Known for sculpting the perfect arches for a plethora of A-listers that includes Madonna, Beyonce, Gwyneth Paltrow, Megan Fox, Rihanna, Alicia Keys, and Britney Spears; Damone can now add expert spokesperson to his resume, as the new face of THELOOKBAG.COM, a fabulous, affordable and convenient new luxury sample club.He has been featured on many television shows including Oprah, MSNBC, The View, BET, Access Hollywood, Good Morning America, CNN and TLC’s national hit television show “10 Years Younger”. Damone has also been a regular contributing beauty editor for Oprah.com.

Oprah - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Af5f9UHl614
The View - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUbGoBrUy_E
TLC ’10 Years Younger’ - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkaZog69ZhA
Access Hollywood - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_fvhObEjhw

Founded by E! Entertainment creator Alan Mruvka, THELOOKBAG.COM is a celebrity driven online store, which allows consumers to view products through video content, read reviews and expert opinion and shop through celebrity partnered unique online stores with exclusive celebrity product lines.

Disclosure: I did not receive any products nor was paid for this post. I was provided info from the PR firm to share. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.

Boxing Movie "The Challenger" to be Filmed at Times Union Center

2012-01-25T11:06:00.000-08:00

Albany, NY - Times Union Center officials are pleased to announce that Wishing Well Pictures has chosen the arena to film scenes for their upcoming boxing film "The Challenger". Filming will begin on Saturday, February 4, 2012 at the KO at the TU Boxing event. Boxing fans in attendance for the event, whose main event features Joe "The Future" Hanks (18-0, 12KO's) vs. Rafeal "The Cuban-Cajun Giant" Pedro (21-9-1, 15KO's), will be asked to stay for filming to be extra's in the movie.

Times Union Center General Manager Bob Belber is thrilled to not only have the ability to offer the venue for filming, but to be able to tie it in to the return of championship boxing at the arena. "Now that the Times Union Center has become a New York State Qualified Film Production Facility, we're thrilled to start utilizing the arena for movie productions. In addition to benefiting the arena, adding this dimension to our event calendar will also have a positive effect on the downtown Albany economy. Since filming is being tied into the KO at the TU, we will not only be bringing championship boxing back as a live event, but on the silver screen as well."

Joe DeGuardia of Star Boxing is "pleased that his fights on February 4th will be a part of this movie." DeGuardia has had previous experience with other movie companies. "...our fighter, Anthony Tarver was Rocky's nemesis Mason Dixon in the last Rocky movie (Rocky Balboa), and I remember when they filmed the fight scenes in Las Vegas. The fans loved the experience and many were ecstatic when they saw themselves in the movie. Fans in Albany can now have that same experience February 4th at the Times Union Center."

"We are excited that Albany County will once again be the site of filming. This activity generates economic vibrancy and literally puts Albany on the map and in the spotlight for many film companies for future projects," said Michele Vennard, President/CEO of the Albany County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Inc.

"The Challenger" is an inspirational boxing drama about family and fate. In order to save the life that he knows, "Bronx Boy" Jaden Miller must turn to the one thing he's always run from, fighting. In every fight on his way to the title, Jaden Miller is "The Challenger."

Smallville's JUSTIN HARTLEY and Listen to Your Heart's KENT MORAN star as the boxers and will be filming part of the film's final fight for the Light Heavyweight Title directly following Star Boxing's bouts that night.

Writer/Director and lead actor KENT MORAN says "Everyone in Albany has been a pleasure to work with and we are very excited to film at the Times Union Center. It should be a fun filled and exciting night. We hope to put on a good show after the real show. A big thanks to the Times Union Center, SMG, and Star Boxing.

"The Challenger" is still casting, more news and updates to come. The film production can be followed on Facebook.com/TheChallengerMovie Dan McCoy, Albany County Executive says, "I am extremely pleased that writer/director Kent Moran has chosen to film key scenes from his movie "The Challenger" at the Times Union Center. This is a great opportunity to showcase what I believe to be one of the finest venues for sports and entertainment in the Northeast. What is doubly exciting is that the filming will be done the same evening as boxing returns to the TU with defending IBA heavyweight Champion Joe Hanks fighting Rafeal Pedro. This is the beginning of a great year of sports and entertainment at the Times Union Center, and we certainly welcome the actors, producers and crew of "The Challenger" to Albany County".

Tickets for the KO at the TU are on sale now at the Times Union Center Box Office, select Wal-Mart Music Centers, 1-800-745-3000 and www.timesunioncenter-albany.com and www.starboxing.com. Tickets for the KO at the TU will guarantee you a seat for the fights and the filming.

{WINNER} Tilvee Age-Defying Creme Giveaway

2012-01-25T10:25:00.000-08:00

The announcement: The lucky WINNER for the Tilvee Argan and Sea Buckthorn Age-Defying Creme Giveaway that ended January 22, 2012 is..... (drum roll, please).

Congratulations to Rondah Stepp (#17)

I have sent you an email. You have 48 hours to respond. Thanks everyone for participating in my giveaway contests.

Valentine's Gift Guide: True Commitment Dual Lip Stains and Glosses

2012-01-24T19:12:00.000-08:00

There is no guarantee he'll commit this Valentine's Day, but Addiction NV Cosmetics provides true beauty commitment with their Stay Connected Clutch Gift Set.

Loaded with three shades of their new True Commitment Dual Lip Stain and Gloss, this "clutch" gift provides the ultimate staying power for keeping those lips kissable, while making sure he sticks around too!

Introducing the Stay Connected Clutch ($75) - the ultimate must-have beauty accessory for the serious beautista to take with her everywhere. This compact black woven zip case features a matte silver wrist
chain, a built-in cell phone holder, a credit card/ID compartment, a mirror and all three brand-new True Commitment Dual Lip Stains and Glosses.

True Commitment delivers long-lasting, committed, luscious lips that are kiss-proof, food-proof, drink-proof, smudge-proof and deliver what all women crave... long-lasting, vibrant color and shine all the time. Each one is committed to sexy pouts that are so sexy, so polished and so moisturizing that wearers will feel as good as they look. No more on-the-go touch-ups to worry about. No more embarrassing, transferable, unexplainable tell-tale lip color stains where there shouldn't be – only confident color and shine.

Addiction NV Cosmetics is fully committed, offering three eye- catching combos to choose from:

Rendezvous - Matte Red/Pink Shimmer Gloss
Summer Lovin' - Matte Orange/Gold Shimmer Gloss
Spring Fling - Bronze Shimmer/Clear Shimmer Gloss

Disclosure: I did not receive any products nor was paid for this post. I was provided info from the PR firm to share. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.

Menu, Photos & recipe from Giada De Laurentiis at InStyle's GG After Party

2012-01-23T14:27:00.000-08:00

Giada De Laurentiis Cooks for Hollywood’s Elite at InStyle’s Golden Globe Awards Party

While nominated actors, directors, writers, producers and musicians were on stage accepting their awards at Sunday’s Golden Globes, celeb chef Giada De Laurentiis was backstage supervising the award-winning dishes.

At InStyle’s Golden Globe after party at the Beverly Hilton Hotel – one of the biggest soirees in Los Angeles – Giada’s mouthwatering menu was the main event.

Didn’t snag an exclusive invite? Don’t fret – you might not be able to rub elbows with the stars, but you can eat like them!

Below, Giada shares a recipe for one of the night’s four appetizers. Her pick? Crispy and cheesy mini eggplant Parmesan. That’s not all – Giada also captured all the dinner party details in photos!

Browse through her photo diary below,

read on for the mini eggplant parmesan recipe

and visit Giada’s website for all her Golden Globe recipes.

Mini Eggplant Parmesan
Makes 4 to 6 servings

Giada’s notes: Seems like a lot of oil, but it has to be deep enough to come half-way up the sides of the slices, hence the medium skillet instead of a large one. That way the entire coating will be golden after the eggplant is cooked on both sides. Use a slotted spatula to transfer the fried eggplant so excess oil will drain and the crust will remain intact.

What You’ll Need

For the sauce
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 shallot, minced
1 large garlic clove, minced
1 cup jarred marinara, such as GDL Tomato Basil
¼ cup finely chopped fresh basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/8 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
¼ teaspoon (or more) balsamic vinegar
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

For the eggplant
½ cup all purpose flour
2 large egg whites
1 cup panko (Japanese bread crumbs)
2 Japanese eggplants, sliced ¼-inch-thick, each cut on slight diagonal
⅔ cup olive oil (not necessarily extra-virgin)
½ cup (packed) coarsely grated whole-milk mozzarella cheese
½ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
Small fresh basil leaves (garnish)

What You’ll Do

Sauce
1. Place the oil in a heavy medium saucepan. Add the shallot and garlic to the saucepan. Stir over medium heat until very fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the tomato sauce, basil, oregano, and crushed red pepper.

2. Simmer the sauce until flavors blend and the sauce thickens slightly, stirring often, about 5 minutes. Mix in the vinegar, salt, and pepper, then more vinegar if desired. Puree sauce in blender. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Cool, cover, and chill.)

Eggplant

3. Place flour and panko in medium bowls. Whisk egg whites in a third medium bowl until broken up and very frothy. Dip each eggplant slice in flour, then egg white, then panko to coat completely. Arrange eggplant on paper towels. (Can be made 2 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.)

4. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Heat the oil in a heavy medium skillet over medium-high heat for 2 to 3 minutes until hot (the surface will appear to be shimmering). Add half of eggplant. Cook until deep golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes per side (or more if needed).

5. Carefully (so the crispy crust does not break) transfer the eggplant to a paper towel lined plate. Fry the remaining eggplant. (Can be made 1 hour ahead. Let stand at room temperature.)

6. Toss cheeses in a small bowl until well blended. Spread 1 generous teaspoon of sauce on each eggplant slice. Top each with a rounded teaspoon of cheese mixture; spread out to cover and press lightly to adhere. Transfer the eggplant slices to a rimmed baking sheet.

7. Bake until the cheese mixture melts and the eggplant is heated through and crisp, about 12 minutes. Transfer the mini eggplant Parmesans to a platter. Garnish each with 2 small basil leaves. Let stand 2 to 3 minutes to cool a bit and serve!

Disclosure: I did not receive any products nor was paid for this post. I was provided info from the PR firm to share. Thanks to A Bullseye View. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.

Beauty Essentials to Keep Glam at the Gym

2012-01-23T13:38:00.000-08:00

Gym Chic Beauty Essentials

Look fresh and flirty before, during and after working up a sweat with these gym bag beauty essentials. In order to stay “gym-chic”, make sure to pack the following beauty products next time you hit the treadmill.

Enhance Natural Beauty

Miracle Skin Transformer SPF20 Face is a multi-functional tinted skin enhancer that will leave skin looking natural and flawless. Whether you’re eyeing that buff trainer or simply want to look renewed after a hard workout, this enhancer is just what you need.

Hydrate, prime, enhance, control shine and protect skin in one long-lasting, one-step application leaving skin smooth, luminous and airbrushed in seconds. Available in 7 shades.

$48 / Available at Sephora stores nationwide, Bergdorf Goodman NY and online via www.sephora.com and www.miracleskintransformer.com

Don’t Stress the Sweat

DNA Renewal Foaming Cleanser is a gentle, non-irritating foaming formula with mild exfoliation to thoroughly remove surface impurities, revealing clean, vibrant skin. Prior to leaving the gym, wash away sweat to reveal a fresh, clean, rejuvenated complexion.

$28 / Available online via www.dnaegfrenewal.com

Balance, Hydrate and Refine

RECODE Balancing Toner hydrates skin, balances the surface and refines pores with a fine mist, preparing skin for ideal moisture absorption. Regenerate tired cells to reveal dewy, supple and luminous skin. Chamomile, antiseptic and aloe help calm and soothe irritation and help bind in hydration.

$65 / Available at Cellure’s flagship store in SoHo, New York and online via www.cellureskincare.com

Reduce Redness

emerginC d-red daytime emulsion is a special active formula with key vitamins and plant extracts to help soothe, calm and strengthen red, sensitive skin. This serum helps to rapidly diminish redness and improve the appearance of broken capillaries which is quite essential after a long, rigorous work out.

$69.50 / Available at leading spas nationwide and online via www.emerginC.com

Disclosure: I did not receive any products nor was paid for this post. I was provided info from the PR firm to share. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.

Is the Romance of Traveling Gone?

2012-01-23T11:09:00.000-08:00

Is the Romance of Traveling Gone?

Not to World Explorer and Author Henry Biernacki

Expensive air fares for cramped planes, irritating baggage fees and exhaustingly long security lines – traveling isn’t what it used to be in that bygone era when boarding a plane for exotic destinations held the imagination. But world traveler and writer Henry Biernacki says travel doesn’t have to be a trauma – it just depends on how you approach the journey.

For Biernacki, a luxury airline captain who has explored the world on meager means and reaped a lifetime of experience, it truly is about the journey as much as the destination. Biernacki is the author of the recently released novel No More Heroes (www.theglobalhenry.com), which explores the inner journey of a young man who finds deeper joy in life, spiritual growth and love as he crosses borders.

“Travel allows people to live with intensity, follow their interests and enjoy the fleeting moments of each passing day spent with people they care about,” says Biernacki. “People are genuinely attracted to unknown parts and far off countries. Who cares about being lost? That is where you find the best experiences.”

Biernacki has been traveling with his rucksack since he was 17 and boarded a Greyhound bus for a journey from Colorado to Mexico. In 1997, he traveled around the world, sleeping in the streets and living amongst the humblest people, spending a scant $3,700 to circle the globe. On that journey, though, he experienced one of the most significant moments of his life: meeting Mother Teresa just three days before her death.

He has traveled to 120 countries, including such difficult locales as North Korea, never staying in anything more luxurious than a guest house and carrying only a small rucksack and a few plastic zipper bags as luggage.

Surprisingly, it is Biernacki’s profession that gives him such an unusual perspective on travel: He’s an airline captain for Virgin America Airlines, an airline most travelers associate with the height of luxury.

His novel explores the inner journey of Niklas, a man searching for deeper meaning in his life when a series of unexpected friendships sends him to an exotic and difficult destination. The novel has been praised for its rich detail and sensitive exploration of the innately human need to connect with others, no matter where they happen to be.

“Traveling makes people adapt to new situations and open their minds to new cultures and people in a way that can’t be achieved by staying with what is familiar,” Biernacki said. “It is because it’s uncomfortable, unusual and there are strange sights and new foods you’ve never seen before that it opens up your mind and your soul to others.”

So with holiday travel, vacation or business, Biernacki advises travelers to enjoy the unexpected. Doing that allows them to enjoy the journey and the destination equally.

About Henry Biernacki

Henry Biernacki has traveled to more than 120 countries and continues to travel as a pilot for Virgin American Airlines. A four-sport letterman in high school and a two-sport letterman in college, Biernacki holds a Bachelor of Arts in romance languages and international affairs. He lived in France, Germany, Taiwan, the West Indies and Mexico before settling in his current home in San Jose, California.

Disclosure: I did not receive any products nor was paid for this post. I was provided info from the PR firm to share. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.

Canucks Show Their Stuff at the Superskills Competition

2012-01-22T21:58:00.000-08:00

Earlier this afternoon, our family (hubby, little Brandon, and I) attended the Canucks Superskills event at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, BC. It was Brandon's first time watching Canucks live. We had the chance to see the team showcase their skills and agility as they go head to head in these various challenges:

- Accuracy Shooting Challenge
- Breakaway Relay
- Puck Control Relay
- Fastest Skater Contest
- Hardest Shot
- Power Play

Canucks were divided into Team Blue and Team White. Team Blue won with the most points of 14-10. Winners were:

- Keith Ballard in the Fastest Skater presented by Grimms with 13.440 seconds
- Sami Salo in the Hardest Shot presented by CFKF with 102.7 MPH
- Alex Burrows in the Shooting Accuracy presented by BCIT with 4 out of 4 targets

Here's a recap of the event. Photographs taken at Rogers Arena during the Canucks for Kids Fund Superskills Competition. I took like over 20 photos, but here are just some.

Kelly Rowland Wears a One-Of-A-Kind Christina Makowsky Design at the 2012 BET Awards

2012-01-21T21:33:00.000-08:00

On January 14, 2012, Kelly Rowland (American singer, songwriter, actress, and television personality) owned the stage at the 2012 BET Honors in a one-of-a-kind Christina Makowsky gold mini. Kelly serenaded the crowd with her rendition of Mariah Carey’s “Fantasy” as a tribute to the American legend. Christina Makowsky’s luxury pieces are coveted by many such as Nicole Scherzinger, Paula Abdul and dancer Cheryl Burke.

Kelly wore a ‘24K Tweed Dress’ with frayed black & gold crepe ($2650) by luxury designer Christina Makowsky during The BET Honors 2012 Awards at The Warner Theatre in Washington, D.C.

About CHRISTINA MAKOWSKY
With a design degree from FIT, and 28 years dressing the most elegant VIP women (as the owner of successful luxury boutique chain Georgina, which introduced brands such as Aalia, Balenciaga, Gaultier & Valentino to her clients), Christina Makowsky became inspired to design her OWN luxury brand. The Christina Makowsky LUXURY brand mantra encompasses integrity and exclusivity, therefore garments are never mass produced and are created and marketed in limited quantities. Christina Makowsky is constantly featured in top national, regional, and weekly magazines such as Elle Magazine, InStyle, GenLux, InTouch, and Newsday, just to name a few. She's been worn by top celebrities such as Nicole Scherzinger, Paula Abdul, Selena Gomez, Cheryl Burke, Lisa Vanderpump, Stacy Keibler and more.

Christina Makowsky is an intelligent, iconic collection of timeless fashion pieces which any well-dressed woman needs in her wardrobe. The brand is committed to providing the highest quality pieces, made from the finest fabrics, with enduring workmanship and with impeccable attention to every detail on each piece (for example: hand-frayed silk chiffon edging, which adds "edge" to the spot-on-tailoring of her jackets).

To ensure the continued exclusivity of her line, consumers can only purchase the line at www.ChristinaMakowsky.com or via private order at her traveling pop-up stores in the USA and Europe. This limited access has only served to fuel the consumer demand for this US-made luxury line. Christina's demand and exposure initially began to accelerate when Lisa Vanderpump, Kyle Richards and friends visited her NYC studio for custom-made creations for an event (and this aired on Real Housewives of Beverly Hills).

Christina Makowsky's philanthropic values are reflected in the fact that she often gives a percentage of proceeds from her trunk shows and other endeavors to various US charitable causes and foundations. In addition to designing her own luxury collection, Christina uses her fashion expertise as the creative director for Beverly Hills Lifestyle Magazine. The publication celebrates all things elegant, opulent, and chic.

Disclosure: I did not receive any products nor was paid for this post. I was provided info from the PR firm to share. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.

Free BeeSavy Tips & Tricks!

2012-01-21T16:41:00.000-08:00

Free BeeSavy Tips & Tricks!

Are you one of the thousands of people already saving and earning with BeeSavy? If not, click here to join for free now! Once you've joined, BeeSavy wants to make sure that you are getting the most out of their free shopping site. To help new users get started, they are holding FREE training sessions this week! The sessions should last about 30 mins each and each class is the same so there is no neeed to attend more than once. Topics to be covered include how to shop with BeeSavy and tips for growing your referral cash back as quickly and easily as possible. Each session is limited to 100 people so be sure to register as soon as possible!

Webinar Schedule:

Tuesday January 24th 7:00PM-7:30PM EST: Resister Here

Tuesday January 24th 9:00PM-9:30PM EST: Resister Here

Thursday January 26th 7:00PM-7:30PM EST: Resister Here

Thursday January 26th 9:00PM-9:30PM EST: Resister Here

Scents and Colors to Match Cupid’s Love Palette

2012-01-20T15:59:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day Gift Guide
Tattooed by Inky and Jordin Sparks "Because of You" Fragrance

When love comes knocking on February 14th, every girl wants to look, feel and smell her best – especially when the intoxicating scents of chocolate and roses are already wafting through the air. Treat yourself to a selection of sweet, sassy, fruity, and flirty body sprays and perfumes that would make any cherub blush.

Tattooed by Inky (A Mi Amor) – Flaunt your love and all its mixed emotions – passion and romance, sometimes tears, then delirious joy. Love can make you weak in the knees, but somehow makes you stronger. A Mi Amor vividly captures all that you feel with a complex blend of white florals, vanilla and amber. $5.99 at Target Stores

Tattooed by Inky (Sudden Freedom) – You’re ready to fly at a moment’s notice, looking for new adventures, without a care in the world. Confident, vibrant and independent, you reach for the stars and inspire others to do the same. A fresh and feminine bouquet of aquatic florals, pink jasmine and warm rosewood – innately captures your charismatic spirit and style. $5.99 at Target Stores

Jordin Sparks “Because of You” Fragrance – A sheer, floral - oriented fragrance, it opens with a bright burst of citrus and a dangerous hint of blond woods. The overall effect is young, stylish, and eminently wearable - a daring edge of spunk and sassiness that captures the essence of Jordin Sparks. $17.95 at K-Mart, Wal-Mart and Sears Stores

Disclosure: I did not receive any products nor was paid for this post. I was provided info from the PR firm to share. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.

$50 Friday Giveaway (One Day Only)

2012-01-20T15:35:00.000-08:00

Everyone loves cash, right? How would you like a chance to win $50 EVERY FRIDAY? Well, I am very excited that I have joined with an amazing group of bloggers to offer you a WEEKLY cash giveaway! Cool, yes?

This giveaway is only OPENED TODAY, FRIDAY! Follow all the blogs in the entry form for your chance to win $50 cash!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Apps Genius’ “Snookify Me!” Featured On GreatApps.com

2012-01-20T13:21:00.000-08:00

Appsgenius.com, a company that develops, markets, publishes and distributes social games and software applications is now featuring their newest application, “Snookify Me!” by Nicole “snooki Polizzi” on GreatApps.com.

The app allows users to “Snookify” pictures of themselves and their friends and post them to Facebook walls, email, or upload to a “Snooki” Gallery that allows other users to rate their “Snookify Me!” created pictures. Users of the app can choose from Snooki’s different hairstyles including Snooki’s famous “poof,” various clothing apparel, stylish sunglasses, flashy jewelry, and even tan themselves to look like the most popular of Jersey Shore’s cast members.

The “Snookify Me!” app costs only $1.99 to download and is available on Google’s Android Market, Apple’s iTunes and is now profiled on the GreatApps.com homepage.

Features:
• Wear some of the most famous Snooki outfits including her animal prints
• Get a tan without in seconds without a sweat
• Works with photos taken with your device camera or from your photo gallery
• Save results to your photo gallery
• Share with your friends via email or Facebook
• View and rate other submissions
• Upload images to the built in Snooki Gallery and allow others to rate them using the special Pickle rating system

About GreatApps.com

GreatApps.com is a media company that focuses on app marketing and consumer use of apps. GreatApps.com offers a platform to showcase apps to people who may never have thought to search for it. To provide the best user experience and to preserve individuality, the GreatApps.com platform only allows up to 15 new apps to be displayed daily. GreatApps.com has a national marketing reach that goes well beyond what an individual could typically achieve on their own. GreatApps.com fills the biggest void in the mobile space which is app marketing.

About Apps Genius Corp

Apps Genius Corp (www.appsgenius.com) develops, markets, publishes and distributes social games and software applications that consumers can use on a variety of platforms. The platforms include social networks, wireless devices such as cellular phones and smartphones including the Apple iPhone™ and standalone websites. The Company’s Celebrity Entertainment Division focuses on leveraging the fan base of noted celebrities to build apps and games around their personas. The first title in this division, ‘Snookify Me!, was created for Nicole ‘Snooki’ Polizzi of the reality TV show Jersey Shore. Additionally, the Company has released several applications including ‘Bed Bug Alert,’ an informational tool for the Apple iPhone™, ‘My Mad Millions,’ a game application for Facebook™, ‘Slap a Friend,’ a game application for the Apple iPhone™, ‘Bruisers,’ a game application for Facebook™, and ‘Crazy Dream’ Application for Facebook™. Apps Genius Corp’s goal is to develop and publish new titles on a recurring basis that are based on the same property and gaming platform. Examples of this franchise approach are ‘My Mad Millions’ and ‘Rock The House,’ currently under development, which both utilize the same underlying platform. A core focus of the Company’s Social Gaming and Mobile Application development is to allow users and players to reach across different networks into a virtual application or gaming environment such as Facebook, MySpace, iPhone and Android and be able to play games and use applications from all users no matter what environment they are using the application in.

Disclosure: I did not receive any products nor was paid for this post. I was provided info from the PR firm to share. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.

Healthy Weight Week with Original SoupMan & Shrimp Burgers

2012-01-20T13:09:00.000-08:00

It's Healthy Weight Week and I had been introduced to two great meals:
1. hot, comforting soup from The Original SoupMan
2. new, healthyburger alternative - The "Original" Shrimp Burger

The innovative Shrimp Burger will soon be available in groceries (starting along the east coast) and with only 160 calories, this high-protein, low-fat burger will fill you up and satisfy your cravings without expanding your waist line. Produced by CBS Foods, Inc., the burger was created by Shawn “Chef Big Shake” Davis as a burger alternative for his daughter who wanted a healthy meat alternative. Each burger has about 23 grams of protein, no sugar and only 3 grams of fat. They are made with all natural ingredients, packed with domestic shrimp and are offered in several flavors, including: Jalapeño, Cajun, Teriyaki and Chesapeake.

If its comfort from the cold you want, don’t reach for high-calorie dishes like pastas and casseroles- instead try warming up with hearty vegetables and flavorful broth. The SoupMan makes it easy to warm your body and soul with soup that tastes homemade and won’t add unwanted pounds. With calories as low as 180 and selections like Broccoli & Cheese, Chicken Vegetable, Italian Style Wedding, Seafood Bisque, and Tomato Basil, all your comfort cravings will be satisfied.

Disclosure: I did not receive any products nor was paid for this post. I was provided info from the PR firm to share. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.

Sweet Gifts for Your Valentine

2012-01-20T12:53:00.000-08:00

Still thinking about what to get for your special someone this Valentine's Day? Why not get him or her something sweet. Here's a Valentine's gift guide I want to share.

For the sweetest gift you can give your loved one, Cookie Panache offers delicious treats from handmade, highly decorated and designed sugar cookies, chocolatey brownies and blondies, as well as a variety of cookies with flavors that include Mocha Madness, Triple Chocolate Bites and Amaretti Crisp. Created and handmade by the Cookie Panache team, a designer is also able to customize gifts, as they can turn your ideas and images into baked goods, specially made for your significant other.

Sweet & Seductive

Seduce your loved one with this sweet collection of heart-shaped Brownies & Blondies, Cocoa Cookies and hand decorated Sugar Cookies.

Collection Contains:
6 Hand Decorated Sugar Cookies (2 Hearts, 2 Doves, 1 X&O)
2 Heart-Shaped Blondies
2 Heart-Shaped Brownies
4 Cocoa Cookies

Big Love Assortment Personalized

Customize our ultimate Valentine's Day collection! Includes two large heart shaped sugar cookies personalized with your loved one's name.

Collection Contains:
2 Personalized Hand Decorated Hearts
2 Hand Decorated Hearts
4 X&Os
2 Doves
2 Love Birds
2 Roses
2 Swans
3 Small Hearts
3 Small Doves

Sweethearts

The classic candies with a sophisticated twist; each cookie is lovingly inscribed with a sweet Valentine's day message.

Collection Contains:
20 Hand Decorated Sugar Cookie Hearts

About Cookie Panache

Founded in 2008 by renowned New York catering company, Between the Bread, Cookie Panache is devoted to making delicious classic and exotic treats that are always baked fresh to order - without chemical additives or preservatives - and can be shipped to customers nationwide. The company’s hand-decorated, sophisticated and indulgent cookies can be custom designed for specific needs and special events. Cookie Panache also offers a wide variety of baked goods for any occasion that can be ordered in individual flavors or as part of unique gift packages.

Disclosure: I did not receive any products nor was paid for this post. I was provided info from the PR firm to share. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.

FREE Tax Software for Canadians

2012-01-19T14:44:00.000-08:00

It's tax season again! We've been doing our own taxes every year with StudioTax. It's the best FREE tax software I've used so far (for the past 5 years) and I haven't encountered any problems. You can download your copy of the StudioTax 2011 from their website and follow instructions that is provided.

You can download directly here: StudioTax2011Install.zip

You can file up to a maximum of 20 returns at no extra charge. Remember, The income tax deadline for the 2011 tax return is April 30, 2012.

Free Blogger Sign-Up: Visalus 90 Day Challenge $100 & Balance Kit

2012-01-19T14:22:00.000-08:00

ViSalus is committed to championing Life, Health and Prosperity around the world – supporting people to achieve whatever personal victories they set their mind to.

Bloggers would you like to participate in a Giveaway for $100 and a Visalus Balance Kit to gain fans for your Facebook page for FREE? By promoting this event and then posting the Giveaway you will receive one Facebook Rafflecopter entry per blog you participate with. All you need to do in order to participate is promote the FREE event letting your fellow bloggers know about it so they will sign up and we can all benefit from our combined influence. All bloggers are welcome to participate. There is no minimum stats or maximum amount of bloggers allowed.

Bloggers are invited to sign up free to promote their Facebook page. You will be asked to help spread the word in order to make this event a HUGE success and convince our sponsor to do it again next month! More information will be available to those who join the Facebook group http://www.facebook.com/groups/145806042202287/. Feel free to check out our sponsor's website http://drinkyourselfskinny.bodybyvi.com/.

The Giveaway will run from 1/24 at 12:01am and runs through 2/7 at 11:59pm that is a full 2 weeks to promote your Facebook page! All Bloggers will be eligible to win the prize so make sure you enter to win.

Please fill out this form if you would like to participate.

All information about the Giveaway including information about the post itself and the Rafflecopter code will be posted in the Facebook group so we don’t have to worry about lost emails or emails sent to your spam folder.

Wordless Wednesday: Snowy Day

2012-01-18T20:25:00.000-08:00

It's been snowing in Vancouver for a few days now. Today, it snowed some more. It's not the worst I've seen, but still bad for the drivers.

Kendra Wilkinson Sparkles in a White Dress by Designer Christiane King

2012-01-18T19:05:00.000-08:00

Reality TV personality, Kendra Wilkinson, looked stunning on last night's red carpet at NBC's After Party for The Golden Globes dressed in a white, flirty frock by designer, Christiane King. Kendra has been stepping it up with her fashion choices lately, dropping her tomboy duds for a designer wardrobe and gearing up to become one of Hollywood's newest fashionistas. This sequin mini was just the piece to keep Kendra on track to her new trendsetting reputation!

Kendra Wilkinson attends NBC's 69th Annual Golden Globes After Party at the Beverly Hills Hotel wearing The "Marilyn" dress by designer, Christiane King (www.christianeking.com), retails at $445.00.

WHEN: January 15, 2012

WHERE: NBC's After Party at The Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA

About CHRISTIANE KING

Christiane King designs striking dresses inspired by her love of nature and close ties to her hometown of Cote d’Ivoire. With her Ivorian background playing an integral role in all of her designs, her artful details, modern and timeless silhouettes, and organic designs have gained her much love and admiration from a celebrity following, including Teri Hatcher, Shaun Robinson, Ashley Tisdale, Chelsea Hightower, and Lisa Raye to name a few. As nature stands as her purest form of inspiration, from Christiane’s mermaid gowns to mini-cocktail dresses all have a touch of organic floral embellishments that boldly define her style. Christiane takes the allure of nature and blends that essence in all of her designs to make every woman feel delicate and pristine.

Disclosure: I did not receive any products nor was paid for this post. I was provided info from the PR firm to share. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.

Missi Pyle Shines on the Red Carpet at the 69th Annual Golden Globes

2012-01-18T11:06:00.000-08:00

Missi Pyle (star of the Golden Globe best picture winner 'The Artist') poses with cast mates in the press room for winning the the Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy award for 'The Artist' tonight at The Golden Globes. Missi, stars as Constance in the award winning silent movie-- which has been generating lots of Hollywood press these past few weeks. She looked absolutely stunning wearing an olive green strapless dress by designer Junko Yoshioka.

Missi Pyle attended The 69th Annual Golden Globes and accepted the award for best picture for her role in 'The Artist' wearing an Olive green strapless gown with gold overlay and bow by designer Junko Yoshioka (www.junkoyoshioka.com)

WHERE: The Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA for The 69th Annual Golden Globes

WHEN: January 15, 2012

About JUNKO YOSHIOKA:

Junko Yoshioka redefines wedding glamour with her stunning collection of lavish contemporary gowns that stray from traditional bridal standards. Junko Yoshioka studied fashion design at one of the most prestigious schools in Japan. Her signature elegant and modern designs are often embellished with avant garde materials such as wools and leathers. The juxtaposition of unlikely fabrics with elegant silk and satin makes for an unexpected and beautiful pairing.

Junko’s inventive design sense was highly revered by some of Italy’s top fashion houses to create her “neo-classic” RTW looks for the European market. Junko Yoshioka’s feminine silhouettes in bridal and evening wear can be found at Saks Fifth Avenue, Mark Ingram Bridal Atelier and at the Junko Yoshioka exclusive bridal boutique in Manhattan.

Disclosure: I did not receive any products nor was paid for this post. I was provided info from the PR firm to share. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.

Jane Iredale Skin Care Makeup: New Product Launch

2012-01-17T23:28:00.000-08:00

Jane Iredale, the president and founder of the company was the first to supply the aesthetics industry with a full-line of makeup based on minerals and the first to see the potential of offering physicians a makeup that was good for the skin. When she first introduced the line in 1994, it was the first full makeup line on the market to offer not just color enhancement, but also benefits to the skin. The products are based on micronized minerals and are made without talc and without chemical dyes or synthetic preservatives such as parabens and formaldehyde. As a result, jane iredale products are carried by destination spas, salons and medical clinics throughout the world.

Jane Iredale’s Skin Care Makeup combines the most up-to-date colors with skin-care benefits that conventional makeup’s can only envy. The most beautiful cosmetic you can wear is a healthy skin. That’s why everything that is developed by the jane iredale brand is a true extension of skin care. They are known for their four in one, SPF protection, fast, weightless, non-comedogenic, oil-free, and state-of-the-art products.

The spring launches include: Tantasia® Self Tanner and the NEW Feeling Alive collection that is available March 1, 2012.

Tantasia® Self Tanner: A moisturizing, natural bronzer and self-tanner for face and body. Features and benefits include:
· Bronzer provides instant, healthy-looking color
· Builds a gradual, natural looking tan within 3 days, for optimum control and customization
· Fresh citrus fragrance
· Streak-free formula
· Sensitivity tested for use on face and body
· Provides natural hydration to the skin

Rose Dawn Bronzer: A stunning new quad of shades ranging from pink to bronze tones adds a subtle sheen to your face and décolletage. Designed with versatility in mind, this palette can be used on eyes, cheeks or as an all over highlighter to brighten up any skin tone and instantly impart a natural radiance. Retails for: $48

Eye Gloss - Pink Silk and Aqua Silk: Add a pop of color to eyelids by smoothing on jane iredale Eye Gloss in one of two new sumptuous, silky shades for spring. These long-lasting, quick-drying liquid eye shadows won’t crease or smear and they are easy to apply, making them ideal for at home or on the go. The shimmering green-blue shade of Aqua Silk makes a stunning eyeliner. Retail Price: $15.50

Just Kissed® Lip Plumper – Rio and L.A.: Achieve full, kissable lips with Just Kissed Lip Plumpers. The unique formula contains time-released peptides to increase hydration and stimulate collagen synthesis. Essential oils of lemon and tangerine exfoliate the lips while shea butter, sunflower oil and avocado soften and hydrate. Choose from Rio, a rosy brown or L.A., a shimmering, subtle pink. Retails Price: $25

Lip Definer pencil in Pink: Enhance your natural lip color with this rose petal pink pencil. Lip Definer glides on smoothly to fill in and define your lips and provides a long-lasting base for any lipstick or gloss. Retails Price: $11

Disclosure: I did not receive any products nor was paid for this post. I was provided info from the PR firm to share. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.

Playing With Fire Kindle Giveaway

2012-01-17T08:00:00.000-08:00

Want to win a Kindle Fire? Now is your chance to win your very own! I have teamed up with other bloggers to give away a Kindle Fire ($199 value) to one lucky reader! This is a great tablet for browsing books & magazines, access to tons of popular apps, movies, TV shows, and music. The Kindle Fire tablet also comes WiFi enabled.

What if you don't win the Kindle Fire? We'll also give you a chance to win $20 PayPal cash!

WIN IT
One (1) lucky reader will have a chance to win their very own Kindle Fire. Chosen winner will be selected via Random.org through Rafflecopter and is open to US & Canadian residents (ends January 31, 2012 at 11:59pm EST).. Winner will have 48 hours to respond to claim their prize.

{Please wait while Rafflecopter entry form loads...}

a Rafflecopter giveaway

NOTE: If Kindle winner is a resident of Canada, they will receive an Amazon gift card for the value of a Kindle Fire.

Disclosure: I did not receive any products nor was paid for this post. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.

{WINNER} Sibu Beauty Facial Cleanser Giveaway

2012-01-16T17:10:00.000-08:00

Hope everyone had a great weekend! We had snow on the weekend and was the first snowfall this winter. Now for the announcement: The lucky WINNER for the Sibu Beauty Balancing Facial Cleanser Giveaway that ended January 10, 2012 is..... (drum roll, please).

Congratulations to Lori Galbraith (#175)

I have sent you an email. You have 48 hours to respond. Thanks everyone for participating in my giveaway contests.

New release of "Who is Luke James?" Video

2012-01-16T16:35:00.000-08:00

On the heels of the release of his #LUKE pre-album and being announced as a performer at the 2012 ESSENCE Music Festival in his hometown (July 6-8), N.A.R.S. / Mercury Records / Island Def Jam recording artist Luke James offers a deeper look into growing up in New Orleans and touches on his artistic inspirations with the latest installment of his "Who Is Luke James?" video series: http://youtu.be/S7z4GlrB67o.

Having already charmed critics from coast to coast and headlined events like Give Back Hollywood / VH1 Save The Music Foundation’s Pre MTV VMA benefit, Luke James recently wrapped his multi-city opening gig on Robin Thicke’s “Love After War” tour. The much buzzed-about artist's growing celebrity fan base includes Kelly Rowland, Michelle Williams, Estelle, and none other than Beyoncé, who selected him for a featured role in her “Run the World” video, and Melanie Fiona, who featured him as her boyfriend in her “4 A.M.” music video. Luke James is also the co-writer of Chris Brown’s “Crawl” and has penned songs for Justin Bieber (“That Should Be Me”), Michael Bolton, and Britney Spears (“Kill The Lights”), among others.

Check out the Facebook page to download #LUKE for FREE.

Disclosure: I did not receive any products nor was paid for this post. I was provided info from the PR firm to share. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.

Recipe: Onion Tartlet Appetizers

2012-01-16T09:49:00.000-08:00

How to make onion tartlet appetizers
with Lauren Chattman, Cookbook Author and Pastry Chef

Ingredients:
1 can (8 oz) refrigerated flakey dough sheet
1/3 cup shredded Gruyère cheese (about 1 1/2 oz) (alternate: 1/3 cup shredded Swiss cheese )
4 green onions, sliced (1/4 cup)
1 tablespoon diced pimientos (alternate: 1/4 cup chopped cooked bacon)
1 egg
3 tablespoons heavy cream

What you'll need:
Paring knife
12 cup mini muffin tin
Wire whisk

Instructions:
1) Heat oven to 375°F.

2) Unroll dough into 1 large rectangle. Cut dough into 12 squares.

3) Gently press squares into 12 ungreased mini muffin cups, shaping edges to form rims 1/4 inch high.

4) Spoon cheese evenly into dough-lined cups. Top each with onions and pimientos.

5) In small bowl, beat egg and whipping cream with wire whisk until blended. Spoon scant 1 tablespoon mixture into each cup.

6) Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until edges are golden brown and filling is set. Cool 5 minutes. Remove from muffin cups.

Here's a video on how to make the above mentioned
Onion Tartlet Appetizers.

Recipe: Thai Pizza Appetizers

2012-01-16T09:41:00.000-08:00

How to make Thai pizza appetizers
with Lauren Chattman, Cookbook Author and Pastry Chef

Ingredients:
2 cans (8 oz each) refrigerated crescent dinner rolls or 2 cans (8 oz each) refrigerated flaky dough sheet
1/2 cup chive-and-onion cream cheese spread (from 8-oz container)
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper (cayenne)
1/2 cup shredded carrot (about 1 small)
1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper (1/2 medium)
1/2 cup chopped seeded cucumber (1/2 small)
1/4 cup chopped salted peanuts
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

What you'll need:
1 ungreased pizza pan
Small mixing bowl

Instructions:
1) Heat oven to 375°F.

2) If using crescent rolls: Unroll both cans of dough; separate into 4 long rectangles. Place rectangles in ungreased 15x10x1-inch pan; press in bottom and up sides to form crust.

3) If using dough sheets: Unroll both cans of dough. Place rectangles in ungreased 15x10x1-inch pan; press in bottom and up sides to form crust.

4) Bake 13 to 17 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.

5) In small bowl, mix cream cheese spread, peanut butter, ginger and ground red pepper. Spread over cooled crust. Top with carrot, bell pepper, cucumber and peanuts.

6) Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate up to 2 hours before serving. Just before serving, sprinkle with cilantro. Cut into squares.

Here's a video on how to make the above mentioned
Thai Pizza Appetizers.

Heat Up Your Valentine’s Day: Kindle Fire Giveaway

2012-01-16T09:00:00.000-08:00

Jen's Blog of Random Thoughts have partnered with BeeSavy to bring you this awesome giveaway.

About BeeSavy: Save time and save money at the same time by shopping with BeeSavy. You'll get discounts on millions of products from many of the top online stores. Shop all your favorite online stores in one place. You can save on your purchases with coupons and they'll also give you cash back on your purchases. That's not all. When you refer friends you'll receive commission forever when they make a purchase (unlike the one-time commission that most other sites offer).

About the Prize: Kindle Fire
- full color 7" multi-touch display
- browse your favorite books & magazines
- access to tons of popular apps, movies, TV shows, and music
- WiFi enabled
- Free cloud storage for all your Amazon content
- Fast, powerful dual-core processor

WIN IT
One (1) lucky reader will have a chance to win a Kindle Fire. Chosen winner will be selected via Random.org through Rafflecopter and is open to US & Canadian residents (ends February 14, 2012 at 11:59pm EST).

Join BeeSavy as a member to get started, using my referral code jennieyuen.

{Please wait while Rafflecopter entry form loads...}

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I did not receive any products nor was paid for this post. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.

Bloggers Sign-up: Join me in the Upcoming Giveaway Event with BeeSavy

2012-01-14T11:48:00.000-08:00

BeeSavy is teaming up with bloggers in this giveaway to get their site going and refer more members. They are one of the best referral programs that provides cash back deals.

What's really great about them is that they pay you 40% commission on all of your referrals' cash back unlike the one-time referral credit with some of the other programs. BeeSavy even pay you 10% commission for all of the people your friends refer, up to seven levels! When you shop online through BeeSavy, they earn sales commission on anything you buy. Then they give you some of that commission as a cash back discount. There is a huge list of stores you can shop at.

About the event:

Promotion Name: Heat Up Your Valentine’s Day!
Contest Duration: January 18 - February 14
Prize: One Amazon Kindle Fire Tablet
Blogger Prize: The blogger with the most referrals will get $100 via PayPal. The most referrals includes your direct referrals as well as the referrals your readers get through seven levels! So you are encouraged to get readers referring people for you!

Join for free as a BeeSavy member to get started.
(You can use my jennieyuen as referral code.)

What to do after you've signed up:

1) This contest is open to all bloggers. If you want to participate, please send an email to rhoner(at)beesavy(dot)com and let him know you want to participate. He'll respond you with further details and include you in the $100 competition as well as know to expect entries from you at the completion of the contest.

2) You can use their pre-configured Rafflecopter widget or make your own if you want to take advantage of the option to add three (3) of your own entry choices. Their widget is available here: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/ZjIxNWMyNzliMTEwNTg3YTJkMDVhOTdkYTQ3NDcwOjI=/

If you choose to create your own widget, you must email your entries within 3 days of the contest ending and follow this format:

Name: Heat Up Your Valentine's Day!

Prize: One Amazon Kindle Fire (There will only be one prize for the entire contest, not one prize per blog)

Entry 1: (MANDATORY) Join BeeSavy! Sign up for a FREE BeeSavy account through my referral link (use your own referral link here)

Entry 2: “Like” BeeSavy on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/beesavy
Entry 3: “Follow” @beesavy on Twitter

Entry 4: Tweet about the giveaway: RT to #win a #Kindle Fire from @BeeSavy and @YourTwitterName #giveaway #sweepstakes
Entry 5: Entry method of your choice
Entry 6: Entry method of your choice
Entry 7: Entry method of your choice

Terms and Conditions: Open to US and Canada only. Canadian winners may have to pay the custom fees for products shipped from the United States. No purchase necessary. You must be 18+ to enter.

This contest is being hosted among multiple blogs and all entries will be collected within three (3) days from the contest end and one (1) winner will be selected from all of the entrants. Odds of winning are determined by the total number of eligible entries.

The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter three (3) days after the contest has ended and emailed. The winner will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This review and giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, or any other entity unless otherwise specified. BeeSavy.com reserves the right to obtain names and email addresses from this rafflecopter form, as well as the right to publicize the winner’s names and likenesses harvested.

If potential Grand Prize winner forfeits or does not claim the prize, prize will be re-awarded, in Sponsor’s sole discretion. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

Limited time offer: 33% Off Freeman Beauty Vita-K

2012-01-13T23:16:00.000-08:00

Freeman Beauty is offering the opportunity for a new look for the New Year at an extraordinary discount. Whether it’s crow’s feet, dark circles, spider veins or acne scars, Freeman Beauty is committed to helping resolve your primary skincare issue with a limited-time offer.

From January 22 to 25, 2012, Freeman Beauty is offering a coupon for 33% OFF any Vita-K Professional product (retail price: $14.99). Watch for the coupon in newspapers nationwide. Or, visit www.freemanbeauty.com and enter the discount code: VITAK33PR. The coupon is good until Dec. 31, 2012.

All products in the Vita-K Professional line are power-packed with the potent combination of ProVita-K Complex and anti-aging peptides (Matrixyl® 3000*) to give skin a youthful and radiant appearance.

Choose any product in the Vita K Professional line:
• Vita-K Professional Deep Facial Lines: Also contains Vitamin A that refines skin tone and helps fight free radical sun damage.
• Vita-K Professional Crow’s Feet: Also contains Hyaluronic Acid that attracts moisture and instantly plumps skin.
• Vita-K Professional Acne Scars: Also contains Silica that helps correct and recover skin layers, aiding in a dramatic reduction of the appearance of acne scars.
• Vita-K Professional Age Spots: Also contains Licorice Root Extract that gently diminishes age spots and evens out skin tone.
• Vita-K Professional Spider Veins: Also contains Vitamin C that minimizes the appearance of spider veins by aiding circulation and strengthening vein walls.
• Vita-K Professional Dark Circles: Also contains Mica that brings more light to shadowy under-eyes, dramatically reducing the appearance of dark circles.

Vita-K Professional products are available nationwide at mass merchandise stores, including Walmart, Walgreens, Rite Aid, T.J. Maxx and Ulta, or by visiting www.freemanbeauty.com.

Disclosure: I did not receive any products nor was paid for this post. I was provided info from the PR firm to share. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.

Recipe: HungryGirl's Tex-Mex Tuna Chopped Salad

2012-01-13T11:13:00.000-08:00

HungryGirl's Tex-Mex Tuna Chopped Salad

PER SERVING (entire recipe): 348 calories, 11g fat, 705mg sodium, 28g carbs, 13g fiber, 6g sugars, 39g protein

Ingredients:

4 cups chopped romaine lettuce
1/2 cup halved grape tomatoes
1 pouch Starkist Hickory Smoked Tuna Creations®
1/2 cup chopped jicama
1/4 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
1 oz. chopped avocado (about 1/4 avocado)

Optional: fat-free ranch dressing

Directions:

Place lettuce in a large bowl. Top with tomatoes, tuna, jicama, black beans, and avocado. If you like, drizzle with dressing and toss to coat. Enjoy!

MAKES 1 SERVING

Disclosure: I did not receive any products nor was paid for this post. I was provided info with images and recipe from the PR firm to share. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.

Recipe: HungryGirl's Too-Good Tuna 'n Apple Slaw

2012-01-13T11:09:00.000-08:00

HungryGirl's Too-Good Tuna 'n Apple Slaw

PER SERVING (entire recipe): 195 calories, 3.5g fat, 750mg sodium, 21g carbs, 7g fiber, 12g sugars, 22g protein

Ingredients:

2 cups dry broccoli cole slaw
1/3 cup chopped apple (about 1/2 apple)
One 2.6-oz. pouch Starkist Albacore White Tuna in Water
2 tbsp. low-fat sesame ginger dressing

Directions:

In a medium bowl, mix cole slaw, apple, and tuna. Top with dressing and toss to coat. Enjoy!

MAKES 1 SERVING

Disclosure: I did not receive any products nor was paid for this post. I was provided info with images and recipe from the PR firm to share. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.

Queen Latifa Wears Dashing Diva DesignFX Bling Appliqués

2012-01-13T10:54:00.000-08:00

Wednesday night’s Hollywood premiere of “Joyful Noise,” Queen Latifah made her way to New York City with co-star Dolly Parton for an appearance on the Today Show. Flashing her newly manicured nails, Queen Latifah was stunning from head-to-toe, wearing celebrity favorite Dashing Diva DesignFX Bling Appliqués on her fingers.

Celebrity manicurist Lisa Logan created the look for Queen Latifah’s nails, and in true Queen fashion she wore the head-turning, “Look, Don’t Touch” DesignFX Bling appliqué this morning featuring alternating black, gold with dashes of white and silver, this intricate design offers a custom look to the nails. Queen Latifah will also make an appearance on The Wendy William’s Show this morning donning the “Look, Don’t Touch” appliqué.

Dashing Diva DesignFX treatments are available in salons nationwide and start at $35 and up.

Here's the recap of the ladies' interview on the Today Show: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/45970557#45970557

Disclosure: I did not receive any products nor was paid for this post. I was provided info from the PR firm to share. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.

Juliette Lewis' Transformed Look for New TV Show

2012-01-11T19:32:00.000-08:00

Alizabeth Cochrane of Goodform Salon of Hollywood brought Juliette to life with the fiery transformation from brown to red. “I changed Juliette’s hair for her new role in the TV series, The Firm, co-starring Josh Lucas. We wanted to pop it as much as possible, inspired by fiery copper redheads. Almost cartoon, but leaving enough depth to be in a real life color.”

The series is a sequel to the 1991 best selling John Grisham novel, which was adapted into a cult classic film in 1993. Juliette’s new show is set 10 years after the book’s conclusion, and its reported that John Grisham oversaw the first couple episodes of filming to ensure he was content with the direction of the show’s development.

The most important portion of the above to mention is that the makeover was performed by Alizabeth Cochrane of Goodform Salon of Hollywood. Goodform’s varied clientele includes Kim Kardashian, Kloe Kardashian, Chloe Sevigny, Christina Ricci, Shia LaBeouf, and many more.

Juliette from February

Disclosure: I did not receive any products nor was paid for this post. I was provided info from the PR firm to share. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.