POSTED by
 
Carrie Pacini
 
 
 
 

Delicious Banana Bread | October 19, 2010

I know there are tons of banana bread recipes out there but this is my favorite. It is so good with coffee in the morning or in the evening with tea. The kids love to find it in their lunch box or having it as a snack after school. Next time you have some over ripe bananas try this recipe out. I usually never make the topping and just make the banana bread mixture but if you want to try it out I have it for you below.

Delicious Banana Bread

Servings: 8

Ingredients:

1 cup of butter
1/4 cup sugar
4 teaspoons of vanilla extract
2 … Read More »


 

POSTED by
 
Nadia Murdock
 
 
 
 

LOFT Event In Honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month | October 18, 2010

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, LOFT hosted an in-store shopping event this past Tuesday evening in our Times Square store.  During the event we celebrated the collaboration with three of our favorite jewelry designers – Anna Sheffield, Kara Ross and Robin Renzi of Me&Ro, who created limited edition jewelry pieces to benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation®.

Guests enjoyed a live DJ, cocktails, photo station and sweet treats, while mingling with the designers. Actress Kelsey Chow, star of Disney XD Series’ Pair of Kings, was there to show her support for the cause. For the occasion, Kelsey wore LOFT’s flirty statement-making rosette … Read More »


 

POSTED by
 
Karlicia Lewis
 
 
 
 

Dancing with Drama: Stop Getting Into The Ring | October 18, 2010

It doesn’t matter how hard we try, sometimes it seems inevitable that drama will occur, whether it’s originated from our feelings or our exes’ feelings towards us. Just when you think you finally have control over your emotions, and can look past all the immature efforts your ex makes to try to get to you, all it takes is the wrong phrase or behavior to put you back at square one. Then boom, the drama begins.

It may seem obvious, but many don’t realize that your ex, especially if it’s a long term one, has been the closest to you at some point … Read More »


 

POSTED by
 
Beth Anderson
 
 
 
 

LypSyl Intense Protection A Must-Have Product | October 18, 2010

Every once in awhile I find a product that becomes an “absolutely must-have in my possession at all times” item.  I discovered Intense Protection Lypmoisturizer by LypSyl and it has become one of these items.  I have never had great luck when it comes to lip products.  In fact, I basically shy away from them.  Countless times I have tired a new lipstick, lip balm or gloss and suddenly I looked like I’d taken a tire pump to my lips.  I have the most sensitive lips on the planet!  They crack, peel, swell, itch….and become just plain unattractive.  I was … Read More »


 

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Editor
 
 
 
 

Oven Beef Stew | October 18, 2010

This recipe may take a while to cook, but it doesn’’t require any attention once it’s in the oven. This is a good dish to make on a Saturday afternoon and then have the leftovers during the week.

Oven Beef Stew

by Brenda Ponichtera

Ingredients:

2 pounds round steak, cut into cubes
3/4 cup chopped onion
1 stalk celery, sliced
2 medium potatoes, not peeled, cubed (14 ounces)
2 carrots, sliced
2 tablespoons tapioca
2 tablespoons dried parsley
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 bay leaf
1 1/2 cups tomato juice*
1 cup water

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Mix all ingredients in a 4-quart Dutch … Read More »


 

POSTED by
 
Dawn Del Russo
 
 
 
 

Edible Beauty Accessory | October 15, 2010

I (and the rest of the world) want gorgeous skin, hair, and nails and have tried ever product under the sun to get it.  Dr. Michelle Yagoda may have the answer with an edible beauty accessory called BeautyScoop.  It’s all-natural, vegetable-based formula, (love that) know to provide key building blocks to boosts the body’s own regenerative power to enhance soft supple skin, add shine to hair, and grow strong nails. I chatted with Dr. Michelle Yagoda to get the REAL beauty scoop.

How did you come up with BeautyScoop?

As a plastic surgeon, I realized that beauty was not defined … Read More »


 

POSTED by
 
Beth Newman
 
 
 
 

Girls’ Games | October 15, 2010

A friend of mine who manages an all-female staff recently shared soap-opera-worthy stories from her office:  betrayals, lies, unfairness, whining, underhandedness, and such.  “Well, when you’re dealing with women,” she said, “you’re bound to have drama.”

Excuse me?

As a woman who has always been a little worker bee, I found her proclamation absurd and highly offensive.  It’s a myth that women can’t get along in the workplace simply because they are women.  It’s a cop-out to merely chalk it up to ‘girls’ games’ rather than get to the root of the issue.  (The issue in this case seems to be lack … Read More »


 

POSTED by
 
Leslie Bogar
 
 
 
 

Mother of the Groom | October 15, 2010

My oldest son was married this past weekend. It’s so easy to say this now, but the year leading up to this celebration, even though well planned, literally flew by in one weekend. When I learned the news that this event would take place one year ago, I spent time researching the role of the mother of the groom. I’m sure books have been written that include this information (if you purchase one dealing with weddings), but I thought the internet search would be the fastest and most economical. Is there such a thing as economical when it comes to … Read More »


 

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Editor
 
 
 
 

Rainbow Stew | October 15, 2010

Becoming a vegetarian three years ago, with some family members who embrace ethical veganism while others are committed omnivores (meat eaters), meal planning became a serious challenge for Janet DeGras.  Thus was born the concept of Mosaic Meals: Bringing Vegans, Vegetarians, and Omnivores Together, a cookbook that can help families avoid conflict at the table, providing recipes and tips for how to include everyone without drawing attention to differences or leaving anyone to feel like an afterthought. Some of the content was created with the help of Janet’s daughter Katherine Kidd, and the illustrations and cover were done by daughter … Read More »


 

POSTED by
 
Kristel Gillies
 
 
 
 

The Life of a Singleton: The Dilemma of Take-Out | October 14, 2010

Part of the downfall of being single is eating out.  And by ‘eating out’ I actually mean ‘ordering in’, otherwise known as take-out.  It can pose quite the dilemma for someone who lives alone and it has literally been years since I’ve ordered Chinese food.

This isn’t to say it’s been years since I’ve actually had Chinese food (no, I’m not that deprived), it’s just been that long since I’ve ordered it in.  I miss the fun of bringing home a big brown, slightly grease-stained, paper bag that you rip in to (I mean, really, do they need so many staples?) … Read More »


 

POSTED by
 
Karlicia Lewis
 
 
 
 

Trend Report: Casual and Rugged Boots | October 14, 2010

As seen on so many different celebs this summer, casual and rugged boots seem to be very popular going into the Fall season this year. Temporarily gone are the days of glamorous, overly embellished boots with sky high heels. This season is all about being “comfy chic”, as far as boots are concerned.

The rugged boot look works in many different ways,and can be incorporated into many different outfits. Knee high and over the knee boots are also all the rage this season. These boots come in all lengths although you don’t have to rock them with a sky high heel this time … Read More »


 

POSTED by
 
Kristel Gillies
 
 
 
 

What’s in A Name: The Art of Naming Babies | October 14, 2010

Fall.  The season of colorful leaves, warm sweaters, pumpkin spice lattes and a plethora of new television shows.  Having been a fan of Arrested Development I recently tuned in to Will Arnett’s new show, Running Wilde, to find it narrated by a precocious child named Puddle.  That’s right, the name of the character is Puddle.   And while I find this to be a very endearing nickname I’m not entirely sure I enjoy it as a first name.  And, yes, I’m aware it’s a fictional character and most likely stems from the fact she was born and raised … Read More »


 

POSTED by
 
Lori McNally
 
 
 
 

Travel Favorites: Capri, Italy | October 14, 2010

Whether it’s a favorite restaurant, favorite hotel, or favorite site to see, I want to start documenting some of Jet Set Smart’s “favorites” for our destinations. I’m kicking it off with Capri, Italy- an island off the southern coast of Italy near Naples. It’s one of the most spectacular islands I have ever been to! Some of my favorites include:

WHERE TO EAT:
Da Paolino Restaurant: This restaurant is a beautiful dinner spot and really represents what Capri is about to me…lemons! In fact, the tables are set within their beautiful lemon … Read More »


 

POSTED by
 
Kimberley Clayton Blaine
 
 
 
 

Mommy Sing-A-Long | October 13, 2010

Kimberley Clayton Blaine is a national parenting expert and a licensed Family and Child Therapist who specializes in working with children ages newborn to six years old.  Kimberley is the founder and executive producer of a grassroots webshow, called www.TheGoToMom.TV.  Kimberley’s new book comes out this fall, The Go-To Mom’s Parenting Guide to Emotion Coaching Young Kids.”

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Editor
 
 
 
 

Love vs. Fear: Motivators for Change | October 13, 2010

By John Edward, Author of Infinite Quest: Develop Your Psychic Intuition to Take Charge of Your Life

During these turbulent times there appears to be a greater polarity than ever before between two major energetic forces. Although you might assume at first that I am talking about Good vs. Evil, but the two motivating forces that I believe drives us are much more complex: Fear and Love. In my new book, Infinite Quest, I discuss “The Fear Principle” and “The Love Principle” at length in the hope that I can assist those who want to grow spiritually how to change the … Read More »