Want to throw an anti-Valentine’s brunch?

Instead of bringing dates, have your guests each bring the coffee they love to share with the group and have a comparative coffee cupping.

Valentine’s is all about the heart.

Serve lots of warm dishes to heat up the soul like Pineapple-Cajeta Empanadas.  But don’t go overboard ... Read More »]]>

Whether you’re looking to impress that special someone or planning on ditching the romance and hanging with friends, we have the perfect Valentine’s Day plans for you! Try something different in 2012 and gather your favorite couples or best friends as you host a Valentine’s Day brunch! Here are some tips:

Want to throw an anti-Valentine’s brunch?

Instead of bringing dates, have your guests each bring the coffee they love to share with the group and have a comparative coffee cupping.

Valentine’s is all about the heart.

Serve lots of warm dishes to heat up the soul like Pineapple-Cajeta Empanadas.  But don’t go overboard – make it potluck to avoid spending too much time in the kitchen!

Who says V-Day has to be only about red?

Accentuate your spread with color schemes that YOU love.

Need a cute cocktail to serve?

Whip up Cupid’s Kahlua Kiss:

2 parts Kahlúa
4 parts soda water
Ice
Maraschino Cherry

Pour Kahlúa into a highball glass filled with ice. Add soda water. Top it with a cherry and serve.

Cheers and have a lovely Valentine’s Day!

What are you doing for Valentine’s Day this year? We want to know!!

Now you can relive those earlier years of grandeur with this replica painting of the original steamboat Paris. Replacing traditional cloth canvas with reclaimed metal from old roof tins, this painting is truly unique. Hand painted oil brings this steamboat back to life with vibrant colors on textured metal. Left in their ... Read More »]]>

But you’re close. The French steamboat “Paris” left Le Havre, France, for it’s maiden voyage in 1921 for final destination New York. The ocean liner made it to New York but unfortunately, like the Titanic, it too met tragedy early in life and was destroyed by fire in 1939.

Now you can relive those earlier years of grandeur with this replica painting of the original steamboat Paris. Replacing traditional cloth canvas with reclaimed metal from old roof tins, this painting is truly unique. Hand painted oil brings this steamboat back to life with vibrant colors on textured metal. Left in their original condition, these old roof tins still have the nail holes to prove it and make each painting one of a kind. So if you’re afraid to take a cruise on the high seas, bring the cruise ship to you with one of a kind industrial wall art.

Life preservers not included!

Click HERE to view Industrial Wall Art at HudsonGoods.com.

Karl Miller is the owner of HudsonGoods.com and writer for HudsonGoodsBlog.com

This year H&M will debut a 30-second ad during the Super Bowl to launch the new DAVID BECKHAM Bodywear collection.  The stimulating spot marks both H&M and David Beckham’s inauguration into the Super Bowl advertising line-up.  H&M recently announced a long-term alliance with David Beckham, which kicks-off with the introduction of the nine-piece Bodywear collection on February 2, 2012 in 1,800 H&M stores worldwide.

H&M’s advertisements are all ... Read More »]]>

Watching the super bowl with my man is a must. I don’t care much for who wins but I have to admit the half time performance, commercials and new ads are my favorite part!

This year H&M will debut a 30-second ad during the Super Bowl to launch the new DAVID BECKHAM Bodywear collection.  The stimulating spot marks both H&M and David Beckham’s inauguration into the Super Bowl advertising line-up.  H&M recently announced a long-term alliance with David Beckham, which kicks-off with the introduction of the nine-piece Bodywear collection on February 2, 2012 in 1,800 H&M stores worldwide.

H&M’s advertisements are all produced in-house at the H&M headquarters in Sweden in cooperation with independent creative professionals. The David Beckham Bodywear commercial will have a prime position in the 2nd quarter of the game.

“We’re always looking for new ways to surprise and delight our customers, and we see this as a unique opportunity to reach millions of fans and H&M customers. David Beckham is a true style icon and one of the most decorated soccer players of all time,” says Steve Lubomski, Director of Marketing for H&M North America.  “We’re thrilled with this campaign and excited to captivate viewers’ attention during the Super Bowl, the biggest stage in the world to unveil our ad campaign.”

For more information on H&M’s partnership with David Beckham as well as more images from the print campaign, please visit www.dbcollaboration.hm.com

JUSTICE/VENGEANCE portrays the younger version of Scheider’s character, Joseph, who happens to be the only ... Read More »]]>

Introducing the newest British heartthrob and multi-talented actor/musician, Alexander Newton, star of upcoming thriller JUSTICE/VENGEANCE which is set for a Spring of 2012 release. Newton, who was dubbed “the next Robert Pattinson” by VOGUE UK and featured in a coveted spot in NYLON Magazine’s ‘55 Faces of the Future’ list in their Young Hollywood issue, is definitely one to watch. Newton stars as “Joseph” in JUSTICE/VENGEANCE opposite the late, great Roy Scheider in which he won ‘Best Young Actor’ at the Boston Film Festival for his performance.

JUSTICE/VENGEANCE portrays the younger version of Scheider’s character, Joseph, who happens to be the only survivor of his family’s massacre by members of the Nazi SS during World War II; flashbacks reveal the story of his escape, along with his teenage love for a heroic Polish girl played by Sarah Bolger.

In addition to acting, Newton is also producing his own electro pop, Coldplay-inspired album, set for release in early 2012. His first single “Lost in Forever,” which also accompanies the end credits to JUSTICE/VENGEANCE, is a romantic ghost story of relationships past and will be released on iTunes January 24^th. Alexander resides in Los Angeles, and in his spare time plays piano, guitar and is a table tennis fanatic.

1. When did you first start acting?

I first started acting at a very young age when my parents decided to cast me as a presenter in a TV show they were producing.

2. What is your favorite part of acting and what has been your favorite role?

My favorite part about acting is working with all the people on set; it’s so fulfilling to achieve something great alongside lots of great people. My favorite role so far was “Joseph” in JUSTICE/VENGEANCE, mainly because his character tells such an important story. 

3. How was the experience filming Justice/Vengeance?

It was a wonderful experience, I learned so much from all the people around me.

4. I hear you got to film with your dad. Did the experience bring you guys closer? 

It really did bring Dad and me closer, I loved every second on set with him, he’s such a great teacher and really, really genius director. All my life I’ve dreamed about watching him film his first feature length movie, and actually playing a role in it too was the icing on the cake.

5. What’s the next big project you have coming up?

Dad and I are prepping to film a trilogy right now. I’ve also just finished my first screenplay so we’ll see where that goes. 

6. Where do you see yourself in five years?

Talking to you again. 

7. What’s been the most exciting thing about your acting/music experience?

It’s all really exciting, but the finished product is great!

8. Who is your favorite actor that you look up to and would like to be like?

That’s a tough one, there are so many actors that I have a great deal of respect for, and I feel that to say any individual one just wouldn’t be fair. 

9. What has been your favorite part about living in the states? Do you get home sick a lot?

The great American people of course! I talk with my family all the time so I don’t really get home sick, it would be nice to have my mum fly over to LA though. 

10. Can you tell me two things that not many people know about you and that sets you apart from other actors your age?

I guess I’m really, really blessed to be in the situation I’m in regarding Dad being a director and wanting to work with me. That alone is really unique and special, and has a strong message to deliver to other people in the industry – that the time is now to start nurturing your children’s talents and if they are interested in the work you do – include them somehow.

I’ve always known that I would be in the entertainment industry working as an actor and a singer, I started writing short stage plays before I was a teen and by the age of 6 my Dad had already taught me to edit. I really understand the process of film-making and that’s where I can be useful to other directors & producers when they are looking for somebody that will go that extra mile for them. 

Kaitlin Vocker is the Style and Beauty Editor for Chic Galleria and loving every minute of it. She is a graduate of Louisiana Tech University with a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing. In her spare time, she runs her own blog www.secretivestyle.com! You can also follow her on twitter@secretivestyle or facebook

Melody is a music teacher by trade; voice and piano. In 1992, she was ... Read More »]]>

Owner of one of the largest music schools in New Jersey, Melody turned around an unprofitable, 24-7 business into one that smoothly runs on its own so she could open a seminar school for personal and professional development and created the ‘Time Millionaire’ system to help other entrepreneurs and working parents do exactly what she’s done. All that, and you can often find her at a coffee shop reading her favorite book or writing down another business plan, spending time with her daughter, or dating her husband.

Melody is a music teacher by trade; voice and piano. In 1992, she was 2 years out of college; Mason Gross School of the Arts with a Bachelor’s degree in Music. She was working in a Middle School as a general music teacher and choral director and working part time 2 nights a week at the music school she now owns. She noticed she was feeling like a dish mop after working a day at the public school. However, when she worked her night job at this music school, she felt energized and rejuvenated. And, so, when by the grace of God she didn’t make tenure at the public school, she went to grad school for music, and while getting her Master’s Degree at Westminster Choir College, she asked the owner’s wife from the music school if she could have a full time job with the school. The very next day, the owner called Melody into his guitar teaching studio. Turns out he wanted to sell the place. At the time, they had 116 students.

She talked it over with her husband and 6 months with lawyers later, the school was hers. She graduated from Westminster Choir College with a Masters in 1998. She swiftly learned that just because she could teach music it didn’t mean she knew squat about running a music school. It was trial by fire, and although she fell in love even more with the place, she also fell into the typical business owner trap of working 80 hours a week, trying to teach, do admin, and create the vision, all at once. After about 4 years of that, she finally reached out for help. And, so, by a miracle as she was crying over having to figure out the monthly payroll taxes once again, an adult piano student emerged from a studio. Turns out she was a business coach and she had her read Michael Gerber’s “The E-Myth Revisited.” Melody worked with her for 6 months and hired a book keeper and an office manager.  She was taking a steady paycheck and got pregnant. 9 months later, her company was systematized enough that Melody was able to take a 2 month maternity leave to be with her beautiful baby girl.

Today, she has a 2-location business that runs smoothly without her even being present, multiple business projects, and by combining all of her extensive training and real-life experiences, she has been teaching others to do the same, to be a Time Millionaire; she also has a seminar company that produces communication programs such as “How to Talk to Men” with business coach Karen Baker Blum.

On the home front, she is madly in love with her husband after 16 years of marriage. She has a precious 9 year old daughter, and she spends time with friends and family who totally light her up. She has officially given up complaining, whining, gossiping and drama. This alone has easily bought her 10-20 hours in her week! And, she’s been able to coach her staff and Time Millionaire clients to do the same. As for her staff at the music school, you can imagine the increased productivity that occurs with cutting back on just the gossiping! Oh, and yes, Melody teaches her clients about choice. She has a cleaning lady and a personal chef BUT she drives a used car she bought in cash and she lives in a modest home with a VERY affordable mortgage. She chooses to value time WAY more than material possessions, and the payoff is huge, as you can see. She advocates defining your highest desires and going with them. You cut back on things that don’t matter as much so you can enrich your life with the things that do – and that’s being a true Time Millionaire.

Melody Stevens is available for business mentoring and life coaching. Email melody@timemillionaireonline.com; 732-851-1616. Online course “5 Uncommon Ways to Complete Time Freedom” which includes a one-hour live strategy session is available at www.timemillionaireonline.com.