Favorites of 2010

This will be my last post of 2010 and I thought I'd recap all of my favorite memories, fashion trends, trips and moments of the past year.  Wishing everyone lots of happiness in 2011!

 Amazing snack bars

 My favorite show on TV

Who doesn't love Sandy??

 

Core Power Yoga is my new favorite workout

 The Ray Ban Cats are my new go-to shades

 Cocktail Dresses by Adam

Boots at National Jean Co.

Stir (Fry) Crazy

Sometimes you want a nice, warm meal at the end of the day but you also don't feel like spending hours in the kitchen.  My savior is Stir Fry.  It is quick, healthy and always very tasty!  You can add as many veggies as you like or make some rice as a filler.  Below is my take on Chicken Stir Fry:

 

Start with boneless, skinless chicken breast and cut into cubes.  I prefer Purdue pre-packaged Italian seasoned chicken for some added flavor.

Add chicken to wok with vegetable oil at a high heat.

While the chicken is cooking chop vegetables of your choice.  I forgot water chestnuts, carrots and baby bok choy but you get the idea!

Once the chicken is almost cooked through add the copped veggies and stir constantly.

The easy part about stir fry is the abundant options of ready-to-go sauces.  I prefer Kikkoman!

Add the stir fry sauce and turn down the heat to simmer for a few minutes. And Voila!  Dinner is served!

Extra Cash, Anyone?

Is anyone else feeling strapped for cash now that the holidays are winding down?  I know I am always looking to make an extra buck here and there and Focus Groups/Market Research can be the best way to make fast cash.  Here are some of my go-to sources:

• http://paidfocusgroup.net 

• http://findfocusgroups.com/ 

These sites offer links to Research Studies in your nearby cities or Nationwide.  Try to apply often and to as many as possible to increase your chances of getting picked!

Home for the Holidays

I have a 7AM flight tomorrow morning to spend the holidays with my parents in Florida.  I struggled a bit with what to pack considering I am going from snowy, 20-degree weather to upper-60's and sunshine.  Again, the key is layers, scarves and a similar color scheme.  Airport style can be tricky but I have put together an idea below for the holiday traveler.

Airport Style

Leggings by Gap
Boots by Audrey Brooke

Color Me Bronze

I have an affinity for looking tan, er a slight shade of tan, and I couldn't do it alone.  My partner in crime is L'Oreal Sublime Bronze and I swear by it.  Over the years I have tried EVERY single self-tanning product that was written up, recommended and the rest gave me a streaky, orange look that is unflattering to say the least.  L'Oreal is colored so you can see where you are putting it and it also has a bit of sparkle for those special nights out.  My routine usually happens on a Friday morning to ensure a tan in my weekend wear:

1. I take a shower and use body scrub to slough off the dead skin and do a thorough shave.  
2. After I have toweled off I begin to apply the tanner.  You MUST make sure to rub it in!  
3. When you are finished self-tanning (this is the most important step) use a heavy cream lotion, I use Cetaphil in the tub, to mix in on the elbows, ankles, knees and anywhere you may have streaked.  
4. Once that is done make sure to wash your hands with soap and water.  Eight hours later you are sun-kissed and fresh-faced!  I like to take a shower to rinse off the tanner smell before going out.

Available at your nearest drugstore for $10.79

Available at your nearest drugstore for $11.49 

 

Home Decor Wish List

My Mom is an Interior Decorator and a mighty talented one at that.  She can take a blank space, something not even built yet, and make it into a home.  I wish I had her knack for decorating but at least I can copy her style!   One thing I love as an accent piece and has been on my Christmas wish list are two silver Chinese garden stools.  They add cool flair to any room and can be used as an end table, coffee table (2 of them) or simply as decor.  Below are a variety of colors and ideas of how to use them.

Make Me Up Before you Go-Go

It is the start of a cold, long week but I was treated to a "personal day" yesterday and did some Mother/Daughter shopping around the city. My friends and I were recently talking about how we feel like we need some makeup help because our skin has changed with age. On my day off I visited the Nars counter at Barneys and had the most amazing makeup artist. She understood that I was looking for some everyday makeup and application help and gave me some amazing tips.  The first thing she told me was that my under eye area was very dry and dabbed some nourishing cream to absorb before applying anything.  I was told to use this in the morning and at night.  Then she taught me a trick that makes your makeup look flawless...apply the Nars Palm Beach bronzing stick to your cheeks and then smooth around to give a nice warm glow.  After this you apply your cover up and then bronzer or blush on top.  Such a dream!  I walked away with some great products and an everyday, minimal and fresh face.

Nars Medium Foundation

Like a kid in a candy shop!

Nars Palm Beach Bronzing Stick

Spare Me...

Have you ever been in a car accident, fender bender, or had a flat tire?  Well if you own a car you should carry a AAA Card and ALWAYS have a spare tire handy.  I (well my boyfriend and I) learned the hard way this weekend when we were driving on the highway in a sleeting storm at night when our tire blew out.  I was informed that we did not have a spare because his was stolen not once, but twice and they are an expensive purchase.  As the owner of the car, my boyfriend also told me he did not have a AAA Card.  Strike two.  I was already late for a family party and now we were stuck on the side of the highway...you can imagine the hysteria ensuing as my Dad also recommend I flag a taxi down in the pouring rain and ditch my boyfriend so I could make it to the party.  We were eventually towed and fortunate enough to be close to a Pep Boys where a saint named Juan repaired the tire in no time.  Moral of the story is to be a prepared driver, especially in the Winter months!

 Hanging out in the tow truck sitting 3 deep...oh and there was a police escort back onto the highway.

Apres Chic

Sometimes it's hard to figure out what to wear when it's 10 degrees below zero but then again it's an excuse to wear fur! The nice thing about fur is you can buy an inexpensive piece almost anywhere these days and it adds an extra tough of glam to any outfit. I love the looks below for day and night to get you through the cold winter months.

Apres Chic by cc1184 featuring a fur coat

Another shopping Platform

My good friend Shannon has an impeccable sense of style, always classy yet trendy and polished. It's no surprise that she is the one who told me about a new fashion website today, www.boutiques.com. Here you can find celebrity and designer picks ranging from clothes, shoes, bags to jewelry. It breaks items down into category, style, color and price to make your shopping easier. You can even create your own "boutique" as well which I plan on getting started as soon as possible! Take a look and tell me what you think.

Merry Christmas

This past weekend I got in the holiday spirit and decorated the tree!  It was my first "non-family" tree and I'm pretty proud of it!

Host Gifts

Happy Friday! As we slowly approach the weekend I know many of you have holiday parties to attend over the coming weeks. Rather than bring the standard bottle of wine or champagne, I've made a list of some other creative gifts to bring to your host. Have a great weekend.

Seasonal Decor by Gump's
Soap by Jo Malone

Clockwise from top left: Personalized napkins, Jo Malone Candle, Stationary or Thank You Cards, Personalized Soaps, Wine Coasters, 2010 Ornament and Engrave-able Picture Frames

Silver Belles

With all of the holiday parties between now and the New Year, it can be hard to find the perfect outfit. Silver is a great neutral for the winter and you can pair it with black tights and a black jacket or blazer which should always be in your closet.  Below are some outfit ideas for your next holiday fete!

Black Dresses by Calvin Klein
Boots by Charles by Charles David

Leather Jackets by Helmut Lang
Platforms by Dolce Vita