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Lori McNally
 
 
 
 

Love Vegas | February 12, 2010

A great idea for a chocolate themed getaway for Valentine’s Day is to head to Las Vegas and go to the Ethel M Chocolate Factory and Cactus Gardens. Located only fifteen minutes away from the Vegas Strip, this place is heaven-on-earth for chocolate lovers.Get to see how chocolate is made, sample all different kinds of sweet treats, wander through their beautiful cactus gardens, and do it all for free! (Except for whatever chocolate you eat.)

Ethel M Chocolate Factory’s Cactus Gardens is 3-acres big. So grab your honey, head to Vegas, check out their chocolate … Read More »


 

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Beth Anderson
 
 
 
 

Product Review: CoverGirl Outlast Lipstain | February 11, 2010

“The CoverGirl Outlast Lipstain pen looks like a magic marker, but went on my lips like watercolor paint.”

As a Lucky Magazine Alpha Shopper, I have the privilege of working with Conde Nast Publications.  Recently, Lucky’s Beauty Merchandising Expert sent me a new product by CoverGirl called Outlast Lipstain. The CoverGirl website describes Outlast Lipstain as “The water-based colorants of Outlast Lipstain give lips a beautiful, lightweight flush of color that won’t come off, lasting for hours without the heavy look or feel of an ordinary lipstick. Its pen-like precision applicator makes it easy to define your lips-just draw on color … Read More »


 

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Editor
 
 
 
 

We Interupt This Date | February 11, 2010

L.C. Evans knew when she was eight-years-old that she wanted to be a writer. She grew up in a small Florida town where she read every book in the children’s library at least three times before she was in third grade. Then she started writing her own stories. She now lives in North Carolina with her husband Bob and their three Chihuahuas. Though L.C. is the author of many published mystery stories and children’s stories, she has also published four novels. We Interrupt This Date is her most recent. Written in 2008 and published in 2009, the idea for the … Read More »


 

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Phuong Le
 
 
 
 

Tropical Fruit Salad with Moroccan Mint Green Tea Dressing | February 11, 2010

Benefits of Mint

* Mint is also said and in many cases proven to:

* Relieve symptoms of indigestion, heartburn and irritable bowel syndrome by relaxing the muscles in and around the intestine.
* Act as a powerful antioxidant, protecting the body against the formation of cancerous cells.
* Inhibit the growth of many different types of bacteria and fungus.
* Ease and unblock the breathing and respiratory passages and airways.
* Relieves the symptoms of colds and flu.
* Mint can help with nasal allergies.
* It can relieve congestion, head colds and headaches.
* Act as a mild sedative and has calming properties.
* Relieve minor aches and … Read More »


 

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Editor
 
 
 
 

Book Giveaway: Sonnets For Sinners | February 11, 2010

THE SONG OF SIN: A delicious romp in the grove of forbidden love

“Poets confirm what cynical psychologists say: there’s one person we’re destined to love, and if we ever meet that paramour, we’re done for,” writes author and poet John Wareham as he leads us on a delightfully delirious journey of lovers grasped in the clutch of stolen passion in SONNETS FOR SINNERS: Everything One Needs to Know About Illicit Love.

The sonnets in this tiny tome include entries from Shakespeare, Yeats and Edna St. Vincent Millay to Prince Charles, Lady Diana and Elizabeth Edwards and now includes … Read More »


 

POSTED by
 
Michelle Lehman
 
 
 
 

When Does Make-Up Get Bad? | February 11, 2010

Okay…since we exposed ourselves about styling products now would be a perfect time to go over our make-up. We all have a pile of makeup in our drawer that we ‘sometimes’ use, just like the styling products!

Cosmetics do have a shelf life, however, and chances are that blue eye shadow you bought in the 80’s has long expired. Here is a quick guide on the shelf lives of typical beauty products. Keep in mind if you bought any cosmetics with an SPF in them please read the expiration date on the bottom of the bottle.

· Cream & gel cleansers 1 … Read More »


 

POSTED by
 
Lori McNally
 
 
 
 

Chocolate School | February 11, 2010

Yes, at first glace the thought of going back to “SCHOOL” might make you sick, but this is Chocolate School my jet setters! I’m talking about the Vermont Chocolate School located in Burlington, Vermont. You and your honey can jet set to this beautiful city and take a chocolate making class of two together this Valentine’s Day.You will learn the most important aspects of chocolate making (“totally “hands-on”), in a class that is only you, your loved one, and the instructor. The best part about it is, you will learn chocolate making skills that you can bring home with you. … Read More »


 

POSTED by
 
Lauri Rottmayer
 
 
 
 

Drunken Heart | February 11, 2010

I think I’ve been pretty clear about how I don’t make things that come in boxes. There’s something so preservative-y about it all. It makes my taste buds scream and not in a good way. The one exception to this is brownies. I love the plain, simple brownie mixes that you add 2 eggs, 1/2 cup of water and 1/4 cup of oil to, mix, bake in an 8 inch pan and 35 minutes later, have heaven.

I wanted to make a Valentine but it’s a pretty busy time of year for me so I opted for a Drunken Heart.  It’s … Read More »


 

POSTED by
 
Lori McNally
 
 
 
 

Chocolate Themed Getaway for V-Day | February 10, 2010

Valentine’s Day is around the corner, and you know how I feel about flowers, lingerie, or chocolate…SAVE YOUR MONEY, and instead jet set somewhere with your honey. This upcoming weekend happens to be unique because it’s Valentine’s Day on Sunday and President’s Day (holiday/day off from work for some) on Monday. If this is going to be a long weekend for you and your loved one, then this is your chance to plan a great little getaway and I can help you.

I will be posting a few different Chocolate Themed Getaways for this weekend … Read More »


 

POSTED by
 
Michelle Lehman
 
 
 
 

Organizing Winter Gear | February 10, 2010

I thought today would be a great time to make a quick inventory of what you may need for next winter season.  I don’t know about your house, but almost every hat, glove and pair of boots are drying out in my laundry room from sledding this weekend.  Since the kids (most of the kids) are at school today, why not take a moment and go through your winter gear.

It seems as though my boys feet grow by leaps and bounds every season.  If you had to smoosh a couple of feet into boots this weekend or if some gloves … Read More »


 

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Editor
 
 
 
 

FIGHTING BREAST CANCER THROUGH ART | February 10, 2010

Art For A Cure Slated to Merge Culture with Charitable Giving

On Sunday, February 21, 2010, following the Race for the Cure, art lovers will converge at Hope & Anchor for ART FOR A CURE, an evening of culture, food and giving. The charity event, open to the public, was conceived and produced by El Paso resident Kerstin Klingstedt and will include live and silent auctions, light fare, door prizes, swag bags and friendly company. On-air radio personality Steve Kaplowitz of KROD-AM is the confirmed emcee of the evening. The event takes place from 4pm-7pm at Hope & Anchor, … Read More »


 

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Editor
 
 
 
 

3 Tips for Choosing Quality Produce in the Winter | February 10, 2010

By Mary Ann Esposito, Author of Ciao Italia Five-Ingredient Favorites: Quick and Delicious Recipes from an Italian Kitchen

Ah winter! Fun in the snow making snow angels with the kids, ice skating and snowshoeing. If only all that joy and satisfaction could be found at your local grocery store come January. And unless you live in warmer climes, most of us along with warding off colds, the flu, and grouchiness at the thought of a looming long winter, are at a loss as to what to buy and eat when the choices are almost as bleak as the weather.

Sure, … Read More »


 

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Editor
 
 
 
 

Intentionality and Food | February 10, 2010

By Annemarie Colbin, Ph.D., Author of The Whole-Food Guide to Strong Bones: A Holistic Approach

“Made with love” is an ingredient I have often seen on home-made packaged cookies and other home-made foods in health food stores. It always seems like a sweet and nice thing to say, but without real meaning, a friendly, new-agey kind of sentiment. Turns out it’s quite real, and measurable.

Let me set the context for this column for you. At this time, I am the president of a small non-profit organization called Friends of the Institute of Noetic Sciences (FIONS). The organization it sprang … Read More »


 

POSTED by
 
Christie Ressel
 
 
 
 

Wartime Glamour | February 10, 2010

I love runway shows – they are like art in motion for me. When I watch them, it’s like I’ve been sucked into another world for just a moment. The lights, the music, and the beautiful garments put me in awe – and emotional reactions to some of the shows have taken place.

I’ve been creeping WWD lately and have been sneaking a peak at some of the designers pre-fall 2010 collections. I must say – I have been drooling appropriately. However, one I’m particularly taken with is the Christian Dior collection.

John Galliano is a designer that can do … Read More »


 

POSTED by
 
Lori McNally
 
 
 
 

Perfect Bag for Jet Setter/Environmentalist | February 9, 2010

When I jet set, I always seem to have a lot to carry with me on the plane. I like to bring my Travel-U pillow, my N-A-P travel blanket and eye mask, book/magazines, i-pod, snacks…you get the idea! Well, I have not only found a great bag to take it all with me in, but the bag is also very Environmentally Friendly. Meet the Maggie Bags!!! They are bags made out of seat belts that were rejected by the manufacturer. I didn’t know this, but every year, MILLIONS of yards of seat belt webbing are turned down for the slightest … Read More »