Chic Galleria

Blueberry Pie With A Twist

2009-07-03T04:37:00Z

This past weekend marked my husband's forty-second birthday. Yes, that is right, I have to be spectacular two weekends in a row, since his birthday falls one week after Father's Day.

I don't know if you find yourself in this situation in a year's time, but I dread having to come up with two fantabulous ideas so close together.

For Father's Day, my son and I purchased a pond system to go in our garden, complete with fish, frogs, water lilies and lots of heavy rocks. The one thing it did not include was.... The labor. After this project my husband was glad Father's Day only comes around once a year! The next weekend was of course, the birthday, and I decided to knock his socks off southern style. We had a few of his buddies over and their wives for a down-home southern meal. I spoiled everyone rotten with a four course meal. Our guests left fat and happy. My husband even commented that he wished his birthday came along more than once a year.

Just in time for July 4th weekend, I am sharing my desert recipe.

Blueberry Pie with a Twist

Ingredients:

3 to 4 cups of fresh blueberries

7 tablespoons corn starch

3 tablespoons water

2 tablespoons margarita mix (you can use lemon juice)

A 9" pie crust

2/3 sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

¼ teaspoon all spice

Always wash your berries and make sure all the stems and unwanted moldy or mushy berries are discarded.

Next, in a bowl mix all dry ingredients including the cinnamon and all spice.

Mix in the liquids.

Pour the berries into ready-made pie shell and pour the mixture over the top.

Crumb Topping:

¼ cup sugar

½ cup flour

¼ cup butter

For the crumb topping mix all ingredients together. I like to soften my butter, because it speeds the mixing process up. I tend to cook like I drive-FAST. Sprinkle over the top of the pie.

Cook the pie for 1 hour and 375 degrees.

Check your pie often and if the edges are turning too brown cover with aluminum foil.

Enjoy! The best ever Blueberry Pie with a Twist.

Oh and don't forget the Vanilla Ice Cream!

So, perhaps you will understand why my husband actually wants more than one birthday a year.

Here Comes the Bride!

2009-07-03T04:28:00Z

What to get the bride for a shower or wedding gift? Finally the answer to that age old question, Vintage Suzani Tapestry of course! Made in central Asia, it was tradition to give this fabric as a bridal gift as a wish for unending happiness and a celebration of life and all its possibilities. Sounds like a plan to me, but unfortunately, life and marriage doesn't always work out that way!

Now you can purchase furniture that is upholstered in Vintage Suzani and maybe if you sit on it long enough it will bring you unending happiness. Hey it's worth a try. But happiness doesn't come cheap, it will cost you five figures if you want to buy that kind of happiness!

I hope you're sitting down, $10,695!

Beautiful tapestry, but at that price no one is sitting on my Suzani!

I thought this was the price of the chaise and it was just the pillow!

Reminds me of the Jetsons

It's not Suzani, but they are hand hooked! Available at HudsonGoods.com

What's In Your Closet?

2009-07-03T04:01:00Z

Do you have lots of clothing in your closet, but feel you have nothing to wear? Most of my
clients answer "yes" to this question. Each and everyone one of us from CEO's to stay at home parents have been faced with this dilemma. Yet, most people rarely take the time out to find what's required in order to have a well balanced wardrobe. Your wardrobe should work for
you. It should always create a "put together" look for you effortlessly while giving you an
attitude of ease and confidence all at the same time. If yours doesn't do this for you, chances
are you've probably had some frustrating 'last minute' shopping experiences while trying to
find something appropriate for a certain occasion.

Ninety percent of what people first notice about you is your clothing and grooming! Think
about it, how many times have you "sized up" how someone is groomed and put together?
Clothing and grooming is not only important for first impressions, but also because if affects
everything else about you. It will actually have an impact on your body language and gestures. How many times have you gotten a new outfit, haircut, makeover (you get the idea) and can actually feel a shift in how you carry yourself? All of a sudden you may feel yourself smiling more, feeling confident, and striding (or for some strutting) differently; it's incredible how it affects us!

So in order to make sure we have this positive impact on ourselves on a regular basis it's
important we take time to build our wardrobe appropriately.

The next step is to audit, plan and shop. Take a peak in your closet and take the following
actions steps:

1) You want to remove everything that is not in the correct size. Things that are kept for the possibility of a size increase or decrease should be stored in another area as they are not being currently used.

2) Remove everything worn out.

3) Remove everything outdated. If you look outdated, it is assumed your job skills are also.

4) Remove everything not worn in a year. Don't keep things "just in case", if you do, pack them away in a separate area.

5) Remove everything that does not feel great when worn; remember, if you don't feel good, it will show on you!

6) Remove everything that does not enhance the image. If you aren't sure what works for you and what doesn't, hire a professional to tell you.

Now that you know what you have in your closet and can plan for things you need, the biggest questions now is, "what do I spend"?

Believe it or not, the suggested annual clothing investment for all clothing items (including
inner wear, outerwear, and accessories) is 5-10% of the gross annual salary or 5-10% of what
you desire to be your income(if you plan on moving up in your job). You don't want to be
walking into a job situation wearing a $199 suit when the lifestyle requires something much
higher.

Be classic or current in what you purchase and remember that you get what you pay for.
The bottom line is your clothing should make you shine in all situations while being appropriate at the same time. Remember, your clothing is there to work for you...not the other way around.

Nourish Your Child's Skin with Taslie Skin Care Products

2009-07-02T04:29:00Z

Frustrated by low-quality skin care products that didn't deliver what they promised, Tami Main recently created Taslie Skin Care Ltd., a line of natural skin care products that are truthfully advertised and safe for children.

"When my daughter was born, I was constantly on the lookout for natural products that actually did what the label stated," the Vancouver resident explains. "We went through many 'natural' bubble baths that didn't bubble and over-fragranced shampoos. I also discovered that many companies do not list all ingredients in addition to making untrue claims. I wanted to create products that are fabulous, did what the label stated, and--most importantly--that could be used on my own daughter."

"I am very keen on the environment, so the ingredients and packaging are of the upmost importance," Tami says. "All of our products use recyclable plastics, recycled paper stock, and labels. We are in the process of testing the recyclable plastics to incorporate an additive which will biodegrade within one to five years in a landfill."

"Our dispensing pumps are designed by Taplast and use sustainable dispensing pumps and closures that have no steel springs, which make them completely recyclable," she continues. "Our products contain no sodium laureth sulphates, lanolin, parabens and synthetic colors, or fragrances. You would be surprised to know that some of the 'natural' products available out there do actually contain fragrances and other undesirable ingredients. We do not."

Right now Taslie Skin Care offers Head to Toe Body Wash, Moisturizing Lotion, and Natural Goats Milk Soap. "We have two more products in production and more to come--a Natural Lip & Face Balm with an addition of SPF 15 and a Natural Bum Spray for cleansing and calming little bums after diaper changes," says Tami. "All of our packaging is environmentally friendly but are also designed so that they are fun and geared towards children."

All Taslie products are made in Canada and are not tested on animals. Visit www.taslie.com to view all products and get the detailed scoop on all of their ingredients.

Oven Fried Chicken

2009-07-02T04:01:00Z

I'm avoiding the word "fried" around my household due to all the unpleasant things that word could do to my hips. Not actually the word "fried", but combining food, frying and my hips...not a good equation. My daughter recently came up with this wonderful recipe for Oven Fried Chicken. The word "fried" is definitely in the title of this recipe, but I promise there is NO oil involved.

1 1/4 cups buttermilk
1/2 teaspoon pepper
6 chicken breasts
1/2 cup unseasoned breadcrumbs
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup flour
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon pepper
2 teaspoons dried thyme
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Juice of 1 lemon
4 tablespoons butter, melted

Marinate the chicken in the buttermilk and 1/2 teaspoon pepper for at least 3 hours or up to a day. When ready to cook the chicken, preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

Mix the breadcrumbs with the Parmesan, flour, salt, pepper, thyme, garlic powder, paprika and cayenne.

Place a wire rack over a cookie sheet to bake the chicken on. Remove chicken from the buttermilk, shaking off excess. Dredge in breadcrumb mixture and set on rack.

Pour melted butter and lemon juice over the chicken and bake until crisp and brown. About 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the thickness of the chicken. To check for doneness, either cut into the thickest part or use a thermometer to check for a temperature of 180 degrees.

10 Simple Tricks to Rocket Launch Your Metabolism

2009-07-01T04:42:00Z

Tired of walking around with those extra pounds on your body?

For many women, a slow metabolism is part of the problem when they try to lose weight.

You may have tried many diets, personal trainers, and all kinds of exercise videos. However, with these simple tricks to rocket launch your metabolism you'll finally lose those pounds, feel better and look great.

Frequent, Small Meals

Some people eat 1-2 big meals each day. This can elevate your leptin levels and put your body in starvation mode.

Not good.

Eating every couple hours is a great way to rev your metabolism. Just be sure to eat healthy foods and don't overeat. Eat enough so your stomach feels comfortably full.

The Japanese have a great expression the describes this: they call this feeling, Hara Hachi Bu or eat until you are 80% full.

Green Tea

Green tea has been proven to help give metabolism a boost. Drinking three of more cups of this tea each day can definitely give your body that extra boost it needs to help you lose weight. There are other great health benefits to drinking this tea as well.

N.E.A.T.

There is a concept known as Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis or NEAT.

It turns out that most of the calories you burn during the day have nothing to do with exercise. It's the activity that is non exercise related that burns the most fat. So every single time you move your body, every twitch of every muscle requires energy. And the people who move the most all day long will have a higher "NEAT".

How do you get your NEAT higher?

Don't be a couch potato. If you are not physically active, your metabolism will be slow. Just walking further to the store can give your NEAT a boost. Running up the stairs can get your metabolism going.

Weight Training

Weight training is one of the best ways that you can give your metabolism a boost. When you do weight training, you develop muscle. The muscle you build will burn more calories. This increases your metabolism, even when you are resting, helping your body to lose weight.

Interval Strength Training

Aerobic exercise is ok for burning calories but it isn't the metabolism rocket launcher that strength training is.

If you use this type of exercise with interval training, you can double your calorie burn. Find a qualified personal trainer to learn how to do this correctly.

Consume Protein with Each Meal

Protein is important for boosting metabolism. Choose lean proteins, such as white fish, lean chicken, or even egg whites.

Eat Breakfast

The body has gone without food for some time and you need to get your metabolism moving. When you eat breakfast, it gets it moving fast. Just make sure that you eat foods that are healthy.

Water

Water is an incredibly important nutrient that many people neglect.

Carry a large bottle of water with you and sip from it all day long. Drink at least 64 ounces of water everyday.

Sleep

When your body doesn't get the sleep it needs, your entire body, including your metabolism, can be thrown off. You actually burn calories while sleeping. Sleep in a dark, quiet room and make sure you to get at least 8 hours of sleep so you keep your metabolism and life on track.

Limit Stress

When you have a lot of stress in your life, cortisol, which is a steroid, is released into the body. It can slow down your metabolism. Prevent this from happening by taking planned daily, weekly, monthly and even quarterly breaks where you completely disconnect from work.

These are some of the best ways that you can rocket launch your metabolism to help you lose weight.

Remember, don't just do some of these tricks, do them all for best results.

I promise that you'll feel better and look amazing.

Macaroni and Cheese

2009-06-30T04:01:00Z

Mac N Cheese is the staple around my house and basically the only thing my daughter truly likes to eat. At Chef Camp this summer, she was able to make this wonderful dish from scratch. Not sure if she would like it as well as frozen Stouffer's or Kraft in a box, I casually asked her opinion. "Mom," you have to hear the true teenager tone in her voice.... "Stuff is always better when I make it myself."

Enjoy!

16 ounces elbow macaroni (cooked according to package directions)
1/2 cup butter
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup four
3 1/2 cups milk
1 lb. Velveeta cheese, cut into cubes
Breadcrumbs

Preheat the broiler on LOW in the oven. In a pan, cook butter, salt, pepper and flour and stir until smooth. Remove from heat and add milk, return to heat and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and add cheese, stir until melted. Pour over cooked macaroni noodles and stir to combine. Pour cheesy macaroni into an oven safe dish and top with breadcrumbs. Broil in oven on middle rack until golden and crisp.

Flamingo Fred Kidnapped

2009-06-29T04:04:14Z

Fred had been a familiar face over the past 4 years to the campers at Vogel State Park in Blairsville Georgia. For at least two times a year, he would stand proudly at the mouth of the campsite with his fellow camp mates, a plastic skunk named Stinky and a lit up palm tree, no name given. Just like his friend the palm, Fred was a light up flamingo whose wings would flap and his head bow as he lit up the dark nights of June thru October. All the campers, young and old, that would pass Fred greeted him warmly and with a smile. Everyone loved Fred.

Then tragedy struck. Early in the morning of June 24th, 2009, one of Fred's proud owners awoke around 3:40 am, to answer the call of nature, and was shocked to find Fred was missing. The beautiful pink glow was missing in the dark night and the place where Fred had been perched was empty. Fred had been kidnapped.   Anger, sadness and rage filled the owner, but he knew there was nothing more that could have been done until first light.

For the rest of the morning, the owner tossed and turned worrying about his devoted friend and hoping that in the morning Fred would be found.   As others in the camper awoke, that darn call of nature, he had to proclaim the bad news---Fred had been kidnapped. Sadness filled the camper--all pledging that at first light, Fred would be found.

As morning broke, word of Fred's kidnapping had spread.   Fellow campers that walked by the campsite would question "Where is Fred"? As they were given the news, their faces reflected feelings of shock, anger and sadness.

I took it upon myself to begin a search and rescue mission for Fred.   I put on my flip flops, placed on my hat, and filled up my coffee mug ready to seek out my missing friend and prosecute his captors. I decided my appearance was low key enough, but added a touch of seriousness by putting on my martial arts T-shirt. You mess with my flamingo, you mess with me.

As I walked thru the campground, I spread the news of Fred's kidnapping and asked all to remain on high alert. When I checked back at base camp, Fred was still nowhere to be found. I started out on my second mission--target---teenagers. There are approximately 100 of them camping here---perfect suspects for kidnapping and practical jokes--but we were not laughing. This was Fred!

As I scouted their area it became clear. If they had committed this offense, Fred was no longer in their possession. He has been dumped. I returned to camp to proclaim my conclusion. As I got closer, the Park Ranger passed me in a pickup truck...hummm I wondered. As I walked into our site, I saw another Ranger and was called over by my father. He exclaimed "FRED HAS BEEN FOUND". He had been saved from the jaws of the garbage truck.

Apparently Fred had first been located by the Ranger in the volleyball pit. Then a fellow camper saw Fred had been picked up and placed in the garbage truck and notified us immediately. Again the park Ranger was called and Fred was rescued.   He was quickly returned to us, and there was much rejoicing--YEA!

As we were joyously reunited with Fred, we could see that he was not quite himself. After further examination, it was discovered that many of Fred's lights were no longer shinning; he had been broken. We are determined to help Fred recover from this tragedy and are truly grateful to our camping neighbor who kept hope alive and discovered Fred, and to the park superintendent David Foot, who replied to our thanks with stating "we just try to protect our wildlife".

Cell Phones: The New Form of Rude?

2009-06-29T04:01:00Z

Technology is constantly growing and changing. People nowadays are expecting instant gratification and reply to their desires and questions. When smart phones first came onto the scene, we all knew; this was the answer we were looking for: a way to get more done, in less time.

Every meeting, networking event, or lecture I give; these phones are present. But, as a society are we now too dependent on our blackberry's? Although they assist us in becoming incredibly efficient, they are also becoming the new "faux pas" with etiquette and credibility in our business and personal lives. Do you know when you're snubbing someone?

At a lunch and learn I was giving recently, I was embarrassed to see that almost everyone in the room sat down at the table and immediately place their phones beside them. This is also common in dining situations, both for personal and business purposes. Most people have their phones on the table. Now, let's think about this: What does that say to the person you're with? What does that say to the presenter your listening too? If you have your
phone on the table, you are now letting everyone in the room know that they are a second priority to you. Why?

Because, the second your phone rings, flashes, beeps, or vibrates your attention will be diverted to it. The people surrounding you will no longer have your full and undivided attention. Sound like a great way to do business or grow relationships?

Almost every client I deal with, I have to sit down and speak with them about cell phone etiquette. Talking or typing on your phone has become so common while simultaneously conversing with someone in front of you that, most don't even think that they are being rude!

A recent CEO I was working with said to me that he'll dismiss anyone that pulls out their phone while speaking with him; including business deals!

So how do we get around this common faux pas and save our credibility? If you are in a personal or business situation, first off, keep you phone out of sight. I recommend having it on vibrate. If you are expecting a really important call, let those surrounding you know this. This way, when the call comes through, you won't be perceived as rude. Make sure that you also excuse yourself when on a phone call. There is nothing worse than someone trying to "hush" the people around them because they are on a call.

Although technology is fantastic remember: face to face interactions come first. Everything else is second.

Fashion Executive Launches New Company

2009-06-29T04:01:00Z

The worldwide economic downturn has forced many companies to reevaluate the way they do business. For the retail sector this is especially true. As retail brands scramble to keep afloat, a new company is entering the scene with a business model that will eliminate inflated MSRPs and offer trend-right fashions priced to sell. Former President of Calvin Klein Jeans, Joseph Purritano announced today the formation of Serenity Apparel. The start-up is slated to produce a Junior's casual lifestyle collection entitled, Anthem Denim.

Serenity Apparel will work with both domestic and international manufacturers, balancing needed import costs with faster domestic production channels to meet the needs of a fast-paced Junior's marketplace. The company's first brand, Anthem Denim, will be focused on presenting active-wear, denim and fashion tops for girls ages 13 to 24. Suggested retail prices for this lifestyle brand will range from $24.50 to $59.50. Purritano is planning a holiday launch of this new collection.

Known to fashion insiders as the man with the "Midas Touch," Purritano has tapped Felicia Thornton as senior vice president of planning and operations. Thornton, a veteran senior buyer with a Junior retailing background at May Company and Macy's, will support Purritano's vision of exceeding consumers' expectations on price and perceived value. She will work to identify "must have" items, work with Purritano to tailor the offering based on size and complexion of door, and create a product that is priced to sell. Thornton notes, "We're going back to basics. We have identified the right product niche; we've narrowed into the big ideas, and are keeping our focus on speed, relevancy of offering and the price to value relationship. The key will be working smarter, and partnering with the retailers to work backwards from their varied point of sale needs."

Purritano has retained New York based boutique Morse Code PR (www.MorseCodePR.com) to service the national public relations rollout of the freshman brand along with Cincinnati based Wymore and Associates (www.wymore.com) who will handle the website design for the label. Both traditional and innovative marketing communications methods will be utilized to leverage the brand including social networking.

Having generated millions of dollars at retail for noteworthy brands including Calvin Klein, XOXO, Baby Phat, FUBU and Zena, Purritano now looks to recreate that success under his own steam. "Serenity Apparel will grow its volume one door and relationship at a time. The company believes in quality over quantity and will work tirelessly to provide speed to market" notes Purritano. He continues, "History confirms that there is a sweet spot for every classification that increases turn. Serenity will offer clothes to the consumer at the correct MSRP from day one."

Taking Action Part One

2009-06-29T04:01:00Z

Today was a great day! It started off with some interval training at 6:45 AM on a beautiful path behind the old penitentiary that leads up to Table Rock. The scenery was majestic and as we got further along and took a look back over the Treasure Valley the sun was just rising over the hills casting a beautiful bright glow over everything we could see.

What a fantastic way to start every day!

The most powerful part of the morning was simply not hitting the snooze button on my day off and getting past the first 10 minutes when your mind wrestles with the fact that it is very early and your bed is very comfortable. To actually get up and do something, in this case something phenomenal for mind, body and spirit, is powerful indeed.

What is on my mind right now? The fact that it is way too easy to just put things off. The crazy part that we all know too well; it takes action to counteract procrastination , if taken it will both empower us & improve our day.

With this in mind I am going to overcome 'Me'. I seem to be my biggest obstacle when it comes to taking action, taking initiative and doing things that will do nothing but improve my quality of life or my families as well.

Has anyone out there ever had these thoughts or just me?

So, over the next few articles I will share with you how I am doing with many aspects that I think all people struggle with. Firstly, regular fitness training, like 3 to 5 times per week. Secondly, eating habits, all of them. I have committed to myself, my wife and family to get back in great shape. Not just for a few weeks or the summer but as a life style. I will have to get extreme to do this but I know in my heart that this is the time to do it; RIGHT NOW! Regardless of all that life throws at me.

All of this falls in line with a life full of order! This is not so easy when we are barraged by worldly challenges. I'm OK with that because ultimately none of us know how long we have so we should maximize each day.

Stay tuned... If you are currently embarking on an endeavor along these lines please comment back and let me know. The more people we can be accountable to the better.

Stop Sitting Around & Take Action Today!

Top 10 How to Play the Fashion Game

2009-06-29T04:01:00Z

1.   Don't Number Crunch - You can find a great piece of clothing at any price; it doesn't have to have a designer price tag to look good. How you put pieces together is the real trick.

2.   Have Confidence- A little poise goes along way, if you feel fabulous, you will look fabulous.

3.   No Matchy-Matchy- Your shoes, bags, and belts don't have to match each other, trying mixing it up black and brown work wonders together when done right.

4.   Just Say No to Panty Hose- unless they are a great pair of opaque tights, the nude panty hose have to go, try wearing a bronzer over freshly shaved legs to get an up to date look, and please do not wear them with open toe shoes!

5.   Mix and Match- Try adding different textures leather with soft cottons, floral prints with stripes, stay in the same color hue and you will pull it off perfectly.

6.   Strut Your Stuff- Tailor your clothing to fit your shape, don't' just let pieces hang miscellaneously, have them work with your body not against it.

7.   Do White- Whites, creams, beiges are luxurious colors that can be worked into a wardrobe all year round, try white straight leg pants with brown boots in cooler months for a chic look.

8.   Take Care of Your Wear- If you are meticulous with your clothing it will show, there are care instruction tags for a reason.

9.   Splurge on a Bag- A handbag is the best place to put a little extra cash; it is a piece used every day, and deserves a little more attention.

10.   Complete the Look- If you have an amazing dress on or just a basic T and Denim, don't forget to finish the look, accessorize, including your hair, a touch of mascara, gloss, and a manicure.

10 Photo Tips To Help You Take Better Photos!

2009-06-27T04:41:00Z

1. Look critically at other's photos that you like and try to copy their style.

Ask yourself:

How far away were they when taking the shot?-What is intriguing about the photo? The subject, whole composition, lighting? How is the composition created? Why do I like the photo?

2. Sometimes you need to get on your knees.

Do you always snap photos on your feet? A better photo might be achieved if you change YOUR position!

3. Consider the 'law of thirds'.

When looking through the viewfinder, set up your shot in thirds (we'll talk about this at length later)

4. Consider your lighting.

I have found that early morning and late afternoon provide the best natural light. Consider sunrises, sunsets, and puffy clouds to be excellent props. Humid afternoons and hazy days do not produce clear shots.

5. Get closer!

Don't be afraid to experiment with distance. Photos can be very interesting when you get up close and personal and change your perspective.

6.Tell a story.

Consider your photo as a means of communication. Make it as interesting as possible and hopefully cultivate an emotional response. A photo can 'speak' to you, and that's a great shot.

7. Consider an assistant named Photoshop (or something similar... I use a cheap version called Photo Impact).

This can help you make good photos GREAT! It is a good way to enhance your photos in a zillion different ways. Photoshop is not a miracle worker, however... you must still strive to take good photos.

8. Understand your camera inside and out.

Read the manual and play around with all of your settings. You won't break anything.

There is no better way to learn all of your cameras capabilities than to fiddle with it. You must be very familiar with your camera and comfortable with it to take good photos. When adjusting your settings is second nature to you, you can focus on getting that great shot!

9. Stop taking posed photos!

They are fake and boring!! In order to do this, you must have your camera with you and ready at all times!

Meaning: take it with your everywhere! You never know what great shots you might catch unexpectedly! Catch people in conversation rather than cheesing for the camera, considering expressions and remember you're telling a story...

10. Practice, practice, practice!

In the age of digital photography, it is easier than ever to review your work and separate the good from the bad (just hit delete!)

Don't be afraid to snap zillions of photos and remember that you can ruthlessly delete the bad ones later!

Practice makes perfect! The key is to take lots and lots of photos (and just keep the good ones!)

I hope this helps to get you thinking more critically about the photos you take. I receive emails and comments all of the time about my photos and everyone wants to know my secrets. I really have none!

I have had absolutely NO formal training in photography and all that I have learned has come from the very 10 tips that I just shared with you. I have my camera with me ALL of the time and I take millions and millions of photos. There are no magic tricks, just lots and lots of practice.

Trans Fats Truths and Information

2009-06-26T16:51:07Z

You've likely heard the buzz; it's a negative buzz, but a buzz nonetheless, about trans fats and how they mess with your health. Did you know that New York City banned trans-fats from being served in restaurant foods and is giving the businesses a year to comply? I'm sure this has you wondering, what exactly are trans-fats and why are they so bad for us?

Trans fats are normally formed when fluid oils are changed into solid fats by the addition of hydrogen. This is known as the hydrogenation process. Restaurants benefit in that trans-fat keeps longer. It is also commonly used in deep-frying, as it can remain stable in high temperatures.

Why are trans fats harmful? According to the U.S Food and Drug Administration there is a direct, proven relationship between diets high in trans fat content and LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels and, therefore, an increased risk of coronary heart disease - a leading cause of death in the US.

The U.S. FDA reminds us that consumers can know if a food contains trans fat by looking at the ingredient list on the food label. If the ingredient list includes the words "shortening," "partially hydrogenated vegetable oil" or "hydrogenated vegetable oil," the food contains trans fat. Because ingredients are listed in descending order of predominance, smaller amounts are present when the ingredient is close to the end of the list.

Check out this list of the top ten trans fat foods from webmd.com and get a real education about just what you are eating on a daily basis!

The Top 10 "Trans Fat" Foods:
1. Spreads. Margarine, for example, contains both trans fats and saturated fats, both of which can lead to heart disease. Other non-butter spreads and shortening also contain large amounts of trans fat and saturated fat.

2. Packaged Foods. Favorites such as cake mixes and Bisquick contain generally have several grams of trans fat per serving.

3. Soups. For example, ramen noodles and soup cups contain very high levels of trans fat.

4. Fast Food. Those beloved french fries and other crunchy foods are deep-fried in partially hydrogenated oil.

5. Frozen Food. From frozen pies to pot pies to breaded fish sticks, frozen foods generally contain trans fat. Even if the label says the product is low-fat, it can contain trans fat.

6. Baked Goods. Commercially baked products contain more trans fats than any other foods. Examples include doughnuts, cookies and cakes.

7. Chips and Crackers. That crispy texture comes from shortening. Even reduced fat brands may contain trans fat.

8. Breakfast Food. Cereals and energy bars often contain trans fats, even if the labels claim to be "healthy."

9. Cookies and Candy. Check the labels for the fat content. For example, a chocolate bar probably will contain more trans fat than gummy bears.

10. Toppings and Dips. Flavored coffees, nondairy creamers, whipped toppings, gravy mixes and salad dressings typically contain trans fat.

Knowledge is power and knowing what not to eat is half the battle when we are consciously trying to look out for our health and well being. Being conscious of which foods contain trans fats can help you to eliminate or decrease your intake. I love doughnuts, candy and French fries just as much as you do but now when I put those things in my mouth I can't say I'm not aware of what the consequences might be. Luckily I am a big fan of gummy bears too!

Get Advice From Insiders On Beauty Social Network

2009-06-26T04:02:00Z

Beautystat.com has the solution for making your beauty dollar go further.

At last, a smart beauty social network site with no hidden agendas where users can trade secrets, reviews and interact with industry insiders. The final word on beauty products that deliver what they promise is now just a mouse click away. Beautystat is a social network made up of real women who share the goal of maintaining youthful, healthy and more beautiful skin. It is a forum where members can chat, exchange advice, blog and compare product results with other members having similar skin concerns. Analysis of the community statistics shows a broad representation of ethnicities, age groups, and interestingly, a growing number of male participants. "Beautystat's social network structure is conducive to members freely exchanging ideas without fear of being scrutinized. This is unlike many beauty forums online which predominantly feature women's beauty and skincare concerns, and can sometimes be limited in the cross section they address." Enthuses CEO and founder, and 20 year beauty industry veteran, Ron Robinson.

Ron has recently joined Allure Magazine's beauty advisory panel. In this role, he will provide his expert opinion and review of the latest beauty products and technologies. Ron Robinson launched BEAUTYSTAT.com after 20 years as a scientist and developer of many successful cosmetics and anti-aging skincare products for leading beauty companies, including Estee Lauder, Clinique, Lancome, Revlon and Avon.

In his product development tenure, Ron learned first hand that, despite the vast range of products marketed, not all women find the right product for their skin. Extensive market research and literally thousands of conversations taught him that these women were especially skeptical of exaggerated product claims, and were paradoxically overwhelmed by the number of product choices. He learned that ultimately, many of these women eventually found products that really worked by getting recommendations from friends and family members with similar skin types and conditions.In creating BEAUTYSTAT.com, Ron saw an opportunity to establish a network where women could get this type of advice from just such trusted sources. The site enables women to benefit from the successes--and the disappointments--of others, allowing them to make informed decisions about their beauty purchases.

In light of the current economic climate, Beautystat also helps people make educated choices on how and where to invest their beauty dollar. "Nearly 40% of women who responded to a recent market research study indicated they were dissatisfied with the performance of their skin care treatment products," says Ron Robinson. "Advice from peers and beauty industry insiders, is provided on a wide range of products that cater to different budgets and helps navigate through the marketing hype," states Ron.

"Common complaints reported in a recent beauty survey are that there are too many confusing choices and hype from the typical marketing efforts," says Ron.

Membership in Beautystat the site user to complete a questionnaire about personal skin issues and asks him/her to rate satisfaction with the beauty products used. This information is entered into ProductPool, Beautysat's exclusive database that enables members to receive product recommendations tailored to their needs. Beautystat does not support bias or favoritism toward any beauty company, product or tip. It simply reports on what works. Members can access podcasts, video interviews and blogs from other product users, key industry personnel and celebrities. "The integration of new media into the forum provides expert makeup and skincare application guidance, and provides current information on trends in the industry and on the street, which can often be overlooked in traditional media," highlights Ron Robinson.

A panel of dermatologists and skincare experts offer their advice on affordable products and treatments. "Being a seasoned veteran in the beauty industry and supported by a team of esteemed doctors and aestheticians allows people to access professional guidance and education unavailable outside the spa or doctor's office," states Ron Robinson. Seasonal hot items and industry "Buzz" are staple features on the site. Beautystat's goal is to provide a complete resource on all things pertinent to beauty. Additional Site Features

• Members can connect with others from all over the country who give honest opinions on beauty products that have worked (or not!) for them.
• Members can stay informed on why others are feeling beautiful with the Twitter-like feature called "Right Now".
• Members can get information on beauty product discounts and special promotions.
• Members can purchase many of their product recommendations from retailers that are linked to the site.
• Members can win gift certificates to beauty retailers and free product samples by inviting friends and answering survey questions in the site's "Voting Booth".

Not only does Beautystat service the public, the site also enriches and directly speaks to the industry by offering unbiased market research and consumer input into product development. "Beautystat gives the consumers the power to express their needs, concerns and in some cases, encourage companies to revive discontinued products," expresses Ron.

Ron has joined forces with seasoned beauty writer and editor Charu Suri, who joins as Editor-in-Chief. Charu brings several years of beauty journalism experience to the site and is also Editor of the nationwide drugstore glossy, Reinventing Beauty. She is a frequent contributor to major magazines and is Editor-in-Chief of her blog, Butterflydiary.com.

"Sometimes you need a little beauty help and Beautystat has the answers you're looking for. This new beauty community is tailored to give you the best product recommendations, specific to your needs. In this economy, more of us are being careful not to waste money on products we're not sure of." Enthuses beauty blogger Toma of Makeup Masala.

The Beautystat VIP program is another really great incentive. This loyalty program affords members to score beauty prizes like makeovers at Chanel and Estee Lauder, and win beauty goody bags filled with some of the hottest new items in the beauty hemisphere. "These prizes mimic the experience of beauty editors, such as myself, and allow members to experience a day in the life of a beauty editor," says Charu Suri, Editor in Chief of Beautystat.com. "From the response to the giveaways we host on our parent site, members jump at these opportunities and always provide immediate feedback," adds Charu.

Log on to Facebook and Twitter join the fun at Beautystat. Click to change the way you think about beauty.

Visit www.BeautyStat.com. New York, New York

Discover New Products on BarefootMommies.com

2009-06-25T04:18:00Z

BarefootMommies.com, run by Angela Roy and Krissy Carr, is a bright, friendly blog for mothers. The blog spotlights great finds in jewelry, toys, crafts, and more; it also sponsors regular giveaways for its readers.

"I made this blog (BarefootMommy at the time) in November 2008," explains Krissy. "I met Angela through Etsy; I was asking her if she'd like to do a giveaway on BarefootMommy. Of course she said yes, and our personalities just hit it off. Since then, she's been my partner in crime and I don't know where I'd be if I didn't have her. Sure wouldn't have a great blog, I know that. She is one of my best friends and I love her tons!"

Angela adds, "Barefoot Mommies has grown from just the two of us to a whopping 12 reviewers and five guest speakers. We have worked with so many great companies on our run. We branched our social media into Facebook, Myspace,YouTube, and Twitter, and those were the best desicions we've made. Our reviewers are the hardest set of people i have ever met. We stay up all night writing back and forth about great products. Our reviewers are moms, single ladies, even some high schoolers. We believe that everyone has a point of view, and so should our reviewers."

"We mainly market to moms and women in general," she continues. "We understand they are the prime shoppers in the household, and making the majority of the shopping decisions. What Barefoot Mommies does not endorse are any items not family friendly, or are religious or political in nature. We prefer to stay away from subjects or products that would offend anyone or tarnish our name."

Check out BarefootMommies.com for the latest fun products and e-mail Media@BarefootMommies.com if you would like to be featured on the blog.

Scentsy: A Safe Solution for Aromatic Atmosphere

2009-06-25T04:01:00Z

If you are a candle lover but don't light them as often as you should because you tend to forget about them or maybe you have small children around, Scentsy products are perfect for you.

Scentsy candles give you the warm glow and aromatic atmosphere you desire all without the potential fire hazard because they are...wait for it...wickless! Yes, wickless candles!

Scentsy is making great strides to "move away from the smoky, sooty candles of today to safe, healthy, fun and creative ways to bring the scents that make us happy into our lives." They offer high quality fragrances that are warmed in warmers or by low voltage light bulbs instead of burning with a flame. Due to the high volume of homes that are destroyed by burning candles each year, Scentsy's mission and passion is to offer a better, safer, and more cost effective alternatives. Wickless is a better to go!

Independent Scentsy consultant, Angela Tippets, has been with the company for a little over two years has a great passion for this company not just because she sells the products but she understands the true value of going wickless.

"A little over five years ago, on Christmas Eve, we had a close call with tea light candles. I 'kicked my wick' from that point on. While working in a kindergarten classroom, the teacher introduced me to Scentsy, a company that has been dedicated to candle safety for five years. I couldn't believe that you could have all the beautiful aroma, with NO FLAME, NO SOOT, and NO WAX BUILD UP! I caught the 'Scentsy Spirit' bug, and have been sharing it ever since!"

Tippets says her best selling products are the deluxe warmers that use a 25-watt light bulb and the low temp, long-lasting candle bars. "My favorite experience is showing people the Scentsy System for the first time. The reaction is usually the same with the 'WOW' factor! Most people have not heard of Scentsy, so it is so much fun to introduce them."

Scentsy is not only a great product but it is also a fantastic work-from-home opportunity. With the economy being what it is today, a passionate budding entrepreneur can start an independant consultancy for less than $100.00! It is a very stable opportunity. With team members in many states, the company has a continued growth rate of over 350% with plans to expand into Canada in the near future.

For more information on how you can purchase Scentsy products or become an independant consultant, please contact Angela Tippets. Be sure to also visit her blog, Authentic Wickless Candles, for more Scent-sational tips on how to "kick your wick".

Artists Collaborate To Produce Unique Books

2009-06-25T04:01:00Z

There is rarely a time that I'm not carrying around a notebook. I'm the type of person who has to write things down as soon as they pop in my brain, or I risk the chance of losing them. Thus, I discovered Modofly and Jordan Pollard. I was immediately in notebook heaven! Jordan and I have chatted back and forth for over a year and it's great fun to finally be sharing his website with you.

Working hard to have dabbled in as much as possible in this short life, Jordan Pollard has attempted to master always taking on new experiences. With a sincere interest in learning, and a mind that tangents exponentially, Jordan has managed to study and practice architecture and design, work with wood and metal, start several businesses, and has talked to more people than names he can remember. He is deeply interested in free culture, open source anything, collaboration of all types, idea generators, and just about any kind of computer numerically controlled device. He longs to own many.

"Modofly started unofficially about 3-4 years ago when I started burning Moleskines that I was using at the time to differentiate them from other Moleskine books," says Jordan. "My background is in Architecture, so everyone I knew had one. After burning several for myself, people started asking me to burn books for them. This seemed like a great excuse to buy myself a laser cutter, so a friend and I dived head first into Modofly. We initially did our own artwork, and modified old woodcuts, but quickly realized that it would be much more exciting to work with artists and give them another medium to put their work on."

"Our goal is to inspire artists and users alike with the hope that they themselves will be continually fueled by the feedback loop that happens when people work together. We believe in empowering artists to expand ways in which they can get their name our and make a profit doing it, so enabling them to continue their creative process."

Jordan's favorite experience with this profession is breaking the stereotype that all artists are divas. "Everyone I work with is exceptionally nice and easy to deal with. Sure I come across the artists that think that they are the only people creating art, but for the most part people realize that the days of kings and barons are over, and that to make a living doing this, you have to work together. There is power in numbers, and so we try to work with that."

"At the end of last year, we retired our work with Moleskines. We found out that they had PVC in the covers, and this chemical component is not only bad environmentally, but especially bad to burn. It creates chemicals that are harmful for us to breathe while making them, and also makes hydrocloric acid, which was damaging to our machine. It was a HUGE blow to us. We really considered shutting Modofly down. What kept me going was realizing that we shouldn't just quit because a mega corporation refused to even acknowledge our existence, and our issues with their chemical makeup. Making a new, better book that represented our artists work, wasn't outsourced, was made of better materials, and stepped away from the Moleskine look was a form of pro-activism for us."

"Come check out our new books that are in full color! We also have the option to customize any book for the price of one of our regular books, which is a great feature for people wanting a one off gift that is unique. We will keep making our books better and better, and as people help support us, we will offer more unique paper types and different sizes."

Chic Galleria and Modofly are giving away a book to one lucky Chic Galleria reader. How do I win you ask? Just visit www.modofly.net and check out all the incredible artwork. Come back here and leave a comment. Which book design is your favorite? Bet you can't pick just one!

Ends June 29th midnight EST.

Congratulations Lisa~Winner!

Layered Spinach Salad

2009-06-24T04:22:00Z

I went to a picnic last weekend and there was a spinach salad that stole the show! It was deliciously different. I always need new recipes. I get sick of the same old recipes! Try this at your next get-together. They will love it!

1 package fresh spinach, washed and cut into shreds
1 10 ounce package frozen green peas, cooked and drained
5 to 6 sliced bacon, cooked, drained, and crumbled
2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
1 small green onion, chopped
1 8oz. carton sour cream
1 cup mayonnaise
Grated Parmesan cheese

In large salad bowl, place layers of spinach, peas, bacon, eggs, and onion. In small bowl, mix the sour cream and mayonnaise. Spread the dressing mixture over the top of the salad. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Refrigerate until ready to serve. Toss just before serving. You can also use a large casserole pan for easier portability.

Jack Mackenroth Joins In Silent Protest

2009-06-23T04:55:00Z

Chic Galleria loves to brag about our writers! Our own, fabulous, award-winning fashion designer and Project Runway star Jack Mackenroth recently took part in Adam Bouska's famed "NO H8" campaign, a silent photographic protest created in direct response to California's passage of Proposition 8, which banned gay marriage throughout the state.

Jack was just in Los Angeles filming a new, design-based TV pilot, which he is doing with his close friend Kevin Christiana. We can't wait to hear more about this!

OK...I've been sworn to secrecy.

On top of everything else, Jack is currently training for the Outgames 2009, scheduled to take place in Copenhagen in August.

www.jackmackenroth.com