Author Archive
Gourmet Marinades & Sauces: My Lazy Gourmet Recipes!
Wednesday, August 17th, 2011
I grew up in a family that believed in exactly 2 ways to flavor chicken: salt and pepper. Har har. Actually, there was ONE marinade my Mom got hooked on using when we grilled chicken breasts, and that was Italian Salad Dressing. Which is basic and good, but eventually kind of boring. So, as you can tell, I didn’t grow up with tons of variety in marinades or moderating the flavors of meat all that much – but I’m kind of a lazy foodie. What that means is that I love fancy, new food things but I’m not really pro-active about creating it. I found a nice short-cut in some marinades and sauces by Tavern Direct Gourmet Marinades.
These are gourmet marinades, which means I don’t have to mix a lot of stuff or do a ton of stuff to get a heightened taste experience.
Tavern Direct is big into philanthropy. For every product you purchase on TavernDirect.com, a donation is made to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
They sent me three items to review. Let’s get to the nitty gritty, okay?
... Read More
Pretty Little Liars Bedrooms – Hanna’s Design Style is Modern Femme
Monday, August 15th, 2011
Hanna Marin (Ashley Benson) has a great bedroom on Pretty Little Liars. Of all the Pretty Little Liars bedrooms, Hanna’s as the last to ever appear. We waited a long time but it was worth that wait.
Hanna uses lots of white, glass, violet and yellows in her room. To copy her room you’ll want to use lots of picture frames, incorporate girly details like butterflies, and have pops of color in the room.
CHECK OUT: Hanna’s Bedroom on Pretty Little Liars (Pictures) and Aria’s Room on Pretty Little LiarsHere’s some of the items from the room above:
Pretty Little Liars Bedroom Design Ideas for Hanna Marin:From L-R:
KRISTALLER ... Read More
Minka Kelly Jewelry Style: Copy the Looks
Friday, August 12th, 2011
Minka Kelly’s style is about to get on your radar as this former Friday Night Lights actress has taken a leading role in Charlie’s Angels. This show looks all kinds of cheesy and crazy and I suspect it might get canceled. But, who knows! It might be awesome and fun and be on for years. Either way, it gave me the perfect excuse to check out what Kelly’s been wearing these days and I noticed she’s got a few really amazing pieces of jewelry in her rotation. So, without further adieu (and lots more of me pretending I’m French) here are three Minka Kelly jewelry pieces that I think you guys might love.
Large Flat Heart Pendant Necklace $62.00 From neckcharms.com, HERE
Sterling Silver Angel Wing Pendant Necklace $22.00 From Artfire.com, HERE
... Read More
Is 5 Hour Energy Safe? My Troubling Review of the Silent Side Effects
Monday, August 8th, 2011
As I’m not a big fan of coffee, I thought I’d found a miracle in 5 Hour Energy. It’s a small bottle, comes in yummy berry flavors, and when I took it – it worked. Minutes after taking half the bottle, I could feel a difference. That’s the good news. Now, the bad news isn’t just that the tiny bottles go for about $2.00/pop (outrageous) but it’s the safety concerns that you should worry about. My 5 Hour Energy Review would be glowing (only 4 calories, no sugar, hours of energy!) if not for this one major flaw. The active ingredient kills brain cells. Every time you’re taking this drink, you’re agreeing to kill off more of your brain cells. Now, that is terrifying to me.
5 Hour Energy has the active ingredient of phenylketonurics aka phenylalanine.
Even when I researched this online I found a lot of stuff that said people shouldn’t worry about the phenylalanine in their diet sodas and energy drinks. But that’s not the truth. Unless you aren’t concerned about BRAIN CELL DEATH! Phenylalanine is a neurotoxin and it excites your neurons so much that they give you what feels like energy until they die. Nice, huh?
I truly wish this wasn’t just too good to be true. Especially since people say it might even help depression sin ... Read More
Tasty Giveaway! Gluten free Dairy free gift baskets? Try Divvies!
Monday, August 1st, 2011
This Divvies “Smorg” box is a smorgasboard of vegan (dairy free, egg free, nut free and some items are also gluten free) goodies! Don’t you want it? I know you do! I love when I get to connect you guys with great products via knowledge AND a generous giveaway.
Don’t you want this goody bag delivered to your door?
Contents: chocolate caramel popcorn; caramel popcorn; Divvine Chocolate BingGo bar; peppermint & chocolate BingGo bar; super stars gummy candies; blue rock candy; and five two-packs of chocolate chip cookies.
GIVEAWAY PRIZE: One winner will receive the Divvies “Smorg” box with popcorn, chocolates, cookies and candy. $45.00
- Giveaway ends on August 14, 2011
MANDATORY FIRST ENTRY: Visit my Divvies Review and leave a comment (more than five words) on that post. Then leave a comment here tell ... Read More
Divvies Review: Dairy Free Cupcakes Delivery, Anyone? Vegan Cookies, Vegan Popcorn…
Monday, August 1st, 2011
I want to talk to you guys about a company called Divvies. This is the place to bookmark if you need dairy free, nut free, egg free cupcakes, cookies, popcorn and even gluten free candy. Not only do they offer it, they’ll deliver it. Not only will it be delivered, it’s got the cutest, functional backpacking ever! And not only does it arrive beautifully, it’s the taste that will assure that you love Divvies. And because I know how tough it can be to find the right dairy free/egg free/ nut free items I want to assure you that my opinions listed here are 100% honest. (I liked everything I tried except for the sour star gummies.)
Divvies Cupcake Review: I reviewed a dozen of their chocolate cupcakes with chocolate frosting. It comes in a box that transforms into a easy carrying case for the frosted cupcakes. The cupcakes come ready, but with the frosting in a re-sealable container that you apply yourself. There’s also sprinkles. I liked the super moist chocolate cupcakes, and the rich chocolate frosting. However, together I think it’s too chocolatley, and would recommend you make one of your options vanilla. need a egg free dairy free nut free cupcake? Then you won’t find anything better than what Divvie ... Read More
Olivia Palermo Style: Her Can’t Miss Purple Pumps
Monday, July 25th, 2011
If Carrie Bradshaw and Charlotte York had to design a shoe together, this would be it.
Olivia Palermo was in attendance at Stephane Rolland Haute Couture Fall 2011/ 2012 show in Paris Fashion Week. She looked pretty in a floral Zara dress and her Lulu Frost statement necklace and feathered bag, but the piece that really caught my attention were the fun-but-still-understated ruffled purple Charlotte Olympia “Paloma” platforms.
These are just…perfect. They have little extras that make them special, but they’re not too wild. They’re high fashion. I love the details of the ruffles and this royal purple color with great shine, and the contrast piping with the platform, and even the bottom of the soles. They’re feminine-meets-glamorous.
Olivia Palermo 2011 Style showcases mixing florals with metals.
I think this calls for a CLOSER look at more of what Charlotte Olympia shoes can offer us:
Long Capes for Women: Become a Stylish Superhero
Friday, July 22nd, 2011
Looks like capes are on the horizon! Now, just like jackets, these pieces can be pretty pricey. The four I am spotlighting are especially on the pricey end because they are high end, long capes for women. By long capes I don’t mean something that a wizard would wear (although Harry Potter was more than decent) but something that’s dramatic and warmer for the winter months. I know, I’m totally ahead of myself and it’s not even fall yet – but it never hurts to get inspiration ahead of time!
Capes for WomenClockwise from top right
Stella Mccartney Geometric Knit Cape $1,275 From kirnazabete.com, HERE
Chloe Tweed Cape $1,795.00 From Saks Fifth Avenue, HERE
DSQUARED – WOOL FELT CAPE COAT $1,285 From luisaviaroma.com, ... Read More
Pretty Little Liars Inspired Jewelry: Stylish Friendship Bracelets
Monday, July 18th, 2011
On Pretty Little Liars, the fab four all had matching friendship bracelets given to them by Alison. I love the idea of rekindling this type of jewelry, although for anyone 16+ you probably want something a little more stylish than what they had. Even now, the girls wouldn’t want to wear those bracelets, but would favor something a little more fashionable.
Friendship bracelets have a matching vibe, but they can also vary in color, charms, and all sorts of ways to make each unique for all of your friends. It just depends on how matchy-matchy you and your gang are. Below our four stylish friendship bracelets you might like.
Stylish Friendship Braclets – Pretty Little Liars Inspired JewelryClockwise from top right
Ettika Rhinestone Purple Friendship Bracelet Ettika $40 From maxandchloe.com, HERE
G by GUESS Braided Friendship Bracelet, GREEN $17 From gbyguess.com, HERE
... Read MoreLeather Purses with Ruffles that offer Good Style
Friday, July 15th, 2011
In the hunt for leather purses with ruffles, I encountered a lot of annoyances. There were bright, neon colors that no one would wear, shotty construction that made the bag look floppy, cheesy embellishments that looked tacky… I mean, it’s not a pretty picture. You have to be selective!
Not only is leather a great material for purses, but the toughnes of the leather as it contrasts with something so feminine like ruffles is a great juxtaposition. And good style boils down to having a balance of two different things: hard – meet soft! When they said opposites attract, maybe they didn’t mean for people but for the world of fashion.
Sometimes ruffles are like a cascading waterfall, sometimes they’re a quirky addition to an otherwise standard purse (giving it wings, so to speak) and sometimes they’re squiggly back and forth and badly placed. It’s up to you to find the one that works for you. I’ve found for that I really liked. The first is a classic, everyday purse. The second is super feminine. The third is part preppy and part glamorous. The fourth is hip and sleek and dare I say…sexy?
Ruffled Leather PursesM by Marc Bouwer Faux Leather Handbag with Ruffle Detail $62.86 QVC, ... Read More
