I will admit that I’m not much of a baker. I have dreams of whipping up moist cakes and sugary-sweet homemade icing (wearing four-inch heels and a stylish wrap dress no less), but the reality is over-baked sweets and store-bought frosting. Time is precious, and I just can’t spend every weekend perfecting the red velvet cupcake or my favorite—the frosted sugar cookie! Thankfully, I discovered a new kitchen gadet that will make my store-bought treats look and taste just as good as home baked!

The Kuhn Rikon frosting pen is a clever little tool that lets you dress up store-bought and home-baked goodies like a professional. The pen gives you precise control as you write, border and create shapes on your cakes, cupcakes and cookies! Great for kids and adults, the pen has two speeds three to five tips, and two to three refillable frosting cartridges, depending on which SHOP.COM store you purchase it from. What I love about it is that you just write with it like you would a pen, and the frosting comes out smoothly and easily. That means fewer mistakes and less wasted frosting! I plan on using this handy gadget for customized Valentine’s Day cupcakes. I’ll draw little hearts or fun little sayings on each like those conversation heart candies!

I’ll probably use it with a simple can of Duncan Hines or Betty Crocker frosting, but feel free to mix up your very own. The pen uses two AA batteries. Just hand wash the unit when you’re done!

Growing up, Valentine’s Day always seemed like the day girls waited around for boys to make the first move. In elementary school we’d decorate empty tissue boxes with romantic pictures clipped from the pages of YM and Seventeen. Using a glue stick, we’d paste up images of women in floaty dresses and red high heels, tubes of pink lipstick and the words “LOVE” and “BOYFRIEND.” Those decorated boxes would sit on our school desks all day just waiting to be filled with secret love messages.

In middle school, it was all about the dance. I’d shop at 5-7-9 for some satin or lace dress in red or pink. Gussied up in Bonnie Bell chapstick, my friends and I would wait near the bleachers until some “cool” boys would ask us to dance. We were waiting a long time.

I’m all grown up now, and I realize that Valentine’s Day isn’t about waiting around for your date to make the first move. It’s nice to find a silly, romantic gift to share with your loved one. For my husband, I’m thinking about these secret message collar stays. This set of 12 stays come with six each of two sizes, 2-1/2″ and 2-3/4″. They say cute things like “You’re so handsome,” “You make me laugh,” and “You keep me warm.” Bonus: they come all wrapped up in a black leather carrying case lined with red faux suede. Oo la la!

I have to admit, I’ve always kinda neglected my brows.  It all probably started in eighth grade, when Lori, a stonewashed, jean-jacket wearing bad girl, happened to be staring at my face. “You know,” she said in a silky tone as if she were exhaling a cigarette. “You’ll never have to pluck your eyebrows. They are perfect the way they are.” And with that, she slinked away, most likely planning to do something dentention-worthy. So I took her advice (she must have been on to something, I was sure of it) and never put a tweezer to my brows throughout high school, college and most of my 20s. Later on, I was lucky enought to be a beauty editor and have consults with top brow specialists like Eliza Petrescu,  who actually confirmed what bad girl Lori already knew: My natural brows were pretty thin, slightly arched and never looked overgrown or unruly. Thanks to Lori and her wisdom, I’ve been spared hours of plucking torture and saved lots of cash from said torture over the years.

But lately, my brows have been looking rather sparse. As you age, brows thin out naturally, and my having already been thin, look as if they needed some serious plumping. So while I’ve been experimenting with different brow tools and colors, I noticed a happy accident: The more I fill in and accentuate my brows, the wider awake I look, sort of a makeup version of the brow lift. I’m now a big brow person, applying color and keeping the line looking plush, every morning.

My favorite brow kit is this goodie from Chanel. It comes with a tiny grooming brush to shape out brows (always brush upwards and away from the browbone, to give brows a boost and defined line).  The trio of shades let you customize the perfect match to your own brows and they actually stay put without any smudging or caking (typical of some brow pencils). And if you need to pluck a stray hair now and then (even I sometimes have to do this), it comes with a handy pair or tweezers too.

I also love this Revlon Brow Specialist kit. At $8.99 it’s a total steal, and includes a tweezer and three stencils to guide you towards the perfect brow shape. You fill in the color with pencil and finish with the styling gel which holds your beautiful revamped brow in place.

It’s the first day of February and by now most of our New Year’s resolutions are like the ghost of Christmas Past. For those of us who made a resolution to lose weight, it might be hard to stay motivated as the year moves on. So what’s a girl to do? Pick up one of these great new diet plans that make it easy to drops those LBs.

Superhero Foods.

Faster than a speeding bullet. More powerful than a locomotive. Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. Superman? Almost. Turns out, antioxidants found in red wine or dark chocolate are just as powerful. The O2 Diet: The Cutting Edge Antioxidant-Based Program That Will Make You Healthy, Thin, and Beautiful by Keri Glassman, MS, RD, CDN is the  most down-to-earth eating plan I’ve seen in years. Instead of counting calories, carbs or fat, you focus on delicious, nutritious bites that rev your metabolism and fight aging. The diet is based on the ORAC scale, which measures how well a food protects against free radicals, the bad guys behind aging, many forms of cancer and heart disease. By choosing ORAC-packed foods like green tea, artichokes and strawberries, you could naturally shed unwanted pounds and take years off your face. Oh, and you’ll feel smarter and have loads more energy, too.

Eat all day and still lose weight!

Go ahead. Ruin your appetite on snacks. Because if you want to be more energetic, feel younger, and lose weight, you have to eat more. That is the advice from Keri Glassman’s other wonderbook and the basis for the program you’ll find in The Snack Factor Diet. Glassman reveals how snacking helps you keep your metabolism revved, maintain high energy levels, slow the aging process, put an end to hunger-related mood swings and eliminate sugar cravings.

This proven, groundbreaking diet includes an easy-to-follow menu plan and hundreds of intensely satisfying snacks for every craving like Sweet Chocolate Pudding, Banana Peanut “Ice Cream”, Salty Pizzettes or Prosciutto Wraps. You won’t feel like you’re on a diet at all.

 

Skinnygirl Dish

Bethenny Frankel, star of Bravo’s The Real Housewives of New York City, presents a healthful, no-nonsense approach to eating and cooking. Comparing food to a wardrobe, she advises readers to know what classics to have on hand. Then, she adds, accessorize with items like pine nuts or sun-dried tomatoes. Frankel’s book is divided in three parts: the first (The Skinny) explains her methods and philosophy; the second includes recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks; and the third part offers tips for holidays and special occasions. Frankel teaches how to think like a chef, urging readers to use the ingredients they have in their own kitchens. In fact, the 60 recipes presented become more than 1,000 with the substitution charts Frankel provides.

Eat Right for Your Type
The gold standard when it comes to diet books and a weight-loss approach that actually makes sense. Noted doctor and author Peter D’Adamo reveals the individualized diet solution that works best for each individual. His research shows that one’s blood type reflects his or her internal chemistry, and he offers diet and exercise plans for each type.

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Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching and whether or not you revel in this day of love or decry it as a conspiracy by Hallmark, it’s still a great excuse to jazz up your wardrobe with a cute red dress. Don’t be shy! Red dresses are flattering on virtually everyone, regardless of skin color, hair color, body shape or size. They simply make.a.statement.  So “gather ye rosebuds while ye may” and add one of these fun and totally affordable red dresses to your cocktail dress  repertoire.

Ok, you may be balking at the $400+ price tag but this is a Vera Wang dress on sale that is originally $1200! Not to mention it’s made from pure silk and has gorgeous jeweled detailing on the shoulder. Totally worth it and you’ll WOW them on Feb 14th, whether you’re at a romantic dinner or a SAD (Singles Appreciation Day) party!

Have you shopped at New York and Company lately? I am blown away by their styles and prices. Right now they’re having a huge 60% off clearance sale and I found tons of dresses — like the one above –as low as $16!

There’s no shortage of gorgeous designer red dresses on sale too. I found both this Calvin Klein wrap dress and this BCBGMAXAZRIA dress on sale right now for around $100 each, what a steal!

I just discovered this new site called ChicStar. It’s a site that allows you to create your own fashions and others can vote on your designs. And they sell really cool, unique clothing too, very vintagey, rockabilly inspired clothing. I found this adorable 50s style pencil dress in PLUS SIZE!! I love it! AND it’s only $34.95…not bad at all.

Do you have a red hot dress to share that you’re coveting? Please share with us!

Wednesday night I had the pleasure of attending the star-studded launch of celebrity makeup artist Scott Barnes’ new book, “About Face“.

Even if you’ve never heard of Scott Barnes, you’ve seen his work; he’s a whiz at making up the faces of Jennifer Lopez, Gwyneth Paltrow, Mariska Hargitay, and Destiny’s Child singer Kelly Rowland for red carpet events and magazine spreads. He’s most famous for giving JLO her signature glow: a monochromatic look of bronzed skin and pale lips. That “lit from within” look spawned a makeup line and signature product, Body Bling, a tinted moisturizer that transforms pale skin into sun-kissed gorgeousness.

I made my way down to NYC’s Meatpacking District to Provocateur, a new club in the Hotel Gansevoort, and immediately was greeted by red carpet excitement. Countess LuAnn de Lesseps from NYC Real Housewives fame stepped out first, and then throughout the next hour, Judith Light from Ugly Betty,  Cheyenne Jackson from Third Rock, Kelly Rowland, Kat DeLuna, and finally Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony. What a scene inside–the club has a permanent catwalk installed in the center of the room with banquettes facing it along the perimeters. Outrageous made up models dress in black catsuits danced to mixes of Jennifer Lopez’s new single, “Louboutins” and Lady Gaga tunes, with images from Scott’s work projected on a big screen in the background.

Once past everyone’s entourage–there were a ton of security guards, handlers and scary looking bodyguards–I slinkered into a banquette, sipped on  Bombay cocktail called NY Easy (made with simple syrup, lemon juice, Bombay Sapphire and Club Soda), and took in the crowd. Fashionistas, magazine editors, photographers and NY’s glamazons,  roamed and from across the room, I spotted the dimiutive Christian Sirianno, past winner of Project Runway. While I didn’t get too close to JLO (her entourage was especially good at keeping her in a bubble) I could see that she looked gorgeous and glowing, of course, in a black strapless dress and four-inch Louboutins.

On the way out, I grabbed a goody bag (ok, my most favorite part of the evening. Who doesn’t love free stuff?) filled with Scott’s book, a full size tube of Body Bling,  makeup and spa gift certificates. As I went through the loot at the sushi bar next door–I was starving, and they didn’t serve one morsel of food, just heavy-duty cocktails– I determind one thing is for certain: Scott Barnes is a makeup artist in the the truest sense. His genius book gives you all his best tips and techniques, so that even if you’re makeup shy, you can look like a Hollywood star. I may not be stepping out on a red carpet anytime soon, but right now, I’m ready for my transformation.

Being a busy mom for whom every minute counts, the last thing I need to spend time on is my makeup. Now I’ve found a dream product that can help save time in front of the mirror. Stila’s all new One Step Makeup is a primer, foundation, concealer and powder all in product. Instead of 4 steps you just have one easy step! This skin-loving formula combines the benefits of four complexion-perfecting products with 100% natural mineral pigments to deliver one high performance, high definition, long wearing, luxurious formula. The medium coverage foundation is buildable and blendable and leaves skin looking flawless. One Step Makeup is energized with Stila’s Youth Revival Bio-available Mineral Complex - 15 ionically charged minerals that read and react to all your skins needs.  This little wonder not only shaves time off your routine, but it also diminishes the look of fine lines and wrinkles; minimizes pores; controls oil and hydrates and balances. It’s like a miracle in a bottle.

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Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. would have been 81 years old tomorrow were he still alive. While many of us may have a holiday on Monday to celebrate his life, few people know what to do to actually get in the spirit of the holiday to honor this great leader. Check online or your local paper for some great ways to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.  If  you don’t see any in your area, you can certainly make up your own! And don’t forget to check out the National Day of Service website at mlkday.gov.

Here are some ideas for celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday this year:

1. Watch a great documentary on Martin Luther King, Jr., the Civil Rights movement, or Black History. Personally, I like the A&E documentaries, and you can usually rent those from your local public library.

2. Say “no” to bad daytime TV with a Day of Service! Don’t stay home and vegetate — volunteer! The National Day of Service initiative has a great website dedicated to helping you find great activities to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and help your community. Go to mlkday.gov for more info!

3. Listen to his ingenious speeches. Few people have the power to move people with words the way Martin Luther King did. Listen to his famous speeches and feel the history captured in his words: The Great March to Freedom, The Great March on Washington, Free at Last, and others are great lessons in the power of eloquence to change history.

4. Throw a Southern style party! Rumor has it that Dr. King was a huge fan of pecan pie and Southern food in general. Get a great southern food cookbook like The All-New Southern Living Cookbook – it’s got virtually every Southern recipe you could ever dream of making!

Got any great ideas to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day? Please share!

While serveware was a big part of the presentation for the holiday season, now that the holidays are over, you can still serve your favorite dishes and treats in style all year long. Villeroy & Boch’s new Ethno Serveware offers an ultra modern way of serving up your culinary creations. This line is made of aluminum alloy material and is uniquely designed with a beautiful, artistic vibe.

Each of the pieces from this collection is made with a slanted, squared look which is fluid in appearance. The pieces are sleek in shape and modern in design and are a perfect presentation with any color or design of tableware.  An added feature of the Ethno Serveware is that it’s oven safe, up to 200 degrees  and is designed to retain heat with hot foods and keep cool foods chilled.  Now you can serve all your favorite dishes perfectly every time.

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With the new year off to a great start, it’s the right time to ditch the old, flaky-dry-crepey-look of 2009, and say hello to the fresh radiant layer of skin in 2010.

On Good Morning America today, a renowned doctor talked about the benefits of Tumeric–how sprinkling this antioxidant-rich spice on foods helps quell inflammation and and protect your body from harmful free radicals that may cause cancer.  Topical antioxidants, like vitamin c, berries, and green tea, fight free radicals that damage skin, and tumeric is one scientists have looked at too. But it’s been difficult to incorporate this zesty Indian spice in to skincare; its orange color, lack of water solubility and sharp aroma don’t mix well with an elegant face formula. Recently, though, the scientists at P&G (the mega-giant personal care products company) have found a way to do it, and put the potent Tumeric antioxidants in their DDF Advanced Protocol skincare products.

While the entire line works to firm, tone and renew aging skin, the one product I’m zero-ing in on right now, is the Advanced Micro-Exfoliation Cleanser. The main ingredient–Rice Bran Wax–gently scrubs away impurities and dead skin cells, leaving behind hydrating moisturizers, the protective Tumeric complex and a gorgeous glow. You get radiant skin, and nourishing ingredients all in just one wash. Fresh start to the decade, alright!