Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Splurge vs. Steal: DRY SHAMPOO

Touted as a water and timesaving way to stay quote-unquote gorgeous on the go, these wildly popular shampoo substitutes allow the busiest exec to head straight from the bedroom to the boardroom without a pesky shower in between.

Americans love to shampoo. We lather up an average of 4.59 times a week, twice as much as Italians and Spaniards, according to shampoo-maker Procter & Gamble. But that's way too often, say hair stylists and dermatologists. Daily washing, they say, strips the hair of beneficial oil (called sebum) and can damage our locks. An alternative between washes: Dry Shampoo, the convenient, quick fresher-uper for your hair! No water or blow dryer required. Although there are a wide variety of dry shampoos on the market - ranging from the very affordable to the very expensive - all spray-style dry shampoos are essentially a starchy mixture containing a basic set of ingredients used to clean the hair when it is not possible or practical to use water and traditional shampoos; on camping trips - after sports - when ill - any time you can't (or don't want to use) water. The idea behind dry shampoo is to absorb and remove excess oil from hair follicles to refresh, revive, and rejuvenate the hair in a matter of minutes. It thoroughly and effectively soaks up oil, removes product buildup, and boosts volume.

The market for dry shampoos, which are sold in both spray-on and powdered formulas, has exploded over the past few years. Name a high-end hair-care brand; Frederic Fekkai, Bumble and Bumble, Oscar Blandi, Rene Futerer; and the chances are good that a revolutionary new dry-shampoo product is one of the top-selling items in the company's inventory. Their average price hovers around $20 for about 3 ounces - not exactly a bargain. Two very recognizable dry shampoos are Bumble and Bumble Hair Powder and Oscar Blandi's Pronto Dry Shampoo. Although the Bumble and Bumble offers a line specific for each hair color (black, brown, blonde and red), it will run you around $40. Allure magazine's favorite, Oscar Blandi, is a less expensive option but it will still set you back $11-19 per bottle. As an inexpensive alternative, people started using baby powder to achieve the same effect. Unfortunately baby powder does not give you the same volume as the actual dry shampoo. I also do not recommend it as it leaves the hair looking gray and you walk around smelling like a baby's bootay all day long.
So what do I recommend? In my opinion, no need to pay extra $$$ for brand recognition. You need to pick yourself up some Pssssst Dry Shampoo, a STEAL, costing you only $7.00 at most any drugstore. In the December 2010 issue of Lucky magazine, Psssssst Dry Shampoo was named one of the Top 10 Best Beauty products of the past decade. When Psssssst was relaunched, they claimed their hair got "1,000 times better looking - bigger, cleaner and with more texture." With a circa 1970's logo, you can't miss it on the shelf. I even saw a travel size of Psssssst at Bed Bath and Beyond last week.

How to use it: Shake can well. Hold can 6" to 8" from hair. Lift sections of hair and lightly but generously spray scalp and roots of each section. Fluff. Wait a few minutes, then brush hair well. Style hair as desired. Voila! Fabulosity achieved.

Monday, May 9, 2011

Decorating: CANDLES

I personally have a love/hate relationship with candles. HGTV is notorious for making you think they need to be on every window sill and table centerpiece. I do agree they are an inexpensive way to accessorize a home but c'mon - how many candles does one house really need? I'll admit though, I fall victim to the candle craze. I've got a house-full of candles that have never even been lit. Mainly because I'm scared sh*tless of fire. Let me take you down memory lane...

Three years ago, I was back visiting my hometown. Staying at my parents and putting the final touches on the house as I waited for my girlfriends to arrive for a night of purse shopping. As I greeted the first guests at the door, I looked down the hallway and saw flames of fire shooting out of the bathroom threshold and a 2 ft. cloud of black smoke billowing throughout the upstairs. Without any hello, I run outside in a panic yelling "FIRE, FIRE!!!!!" My father, who at the time, was just pulling out of the driveway yanked his car in park, ran like a bat out of hell into the garage, grabbed a fire extinguisher and not knowing exactly what was on fire, stepped one foot in the house and started spraying water EVERYWHERE!!! He proceeded to the bathroom and within seconds, the fire was contained. Everything in the bathroom however - ruined. By this time, many more girls had shown up at the door greeted by a puddle of water at their feet and a host (me) that was a trainwreck. Luckily the purses were untouched and so the party went on.

As the girls shopped, I investigated how on earth this could have happened. Come to find out, I had lit two small votive candles on the vanity that sat on both sides of a synthetic flower arrangement. Although the greenery of the arrangement was a good 6-12 inches higher than the wick, the heat was enough to set the arrangement on fire. Once engulfed in flames, it fell over igniting the shower curtain up in flames which then spread to the towels and within seconds destroyed everything in site....

Hence my fear of fire. Just like water, fire will always win.

So back to candles. If you're looking for some creative ways to decorate with candles outside of the traditional hurricane holder and candlestick, I thought these were fun, inexpensive display ideas:

Create a candle centerpiece to light up your wedding (or your dinner table) by using cake stands as platforms for votive and pillar candles in assorted sizes.

If you find yourself with a mismatched collection―or without bubbly―flip thick-walled Champagne flutes upside down to create a beautiful grouping of candle stands for a shelf or a mantel. Use heavy wineglasses for table centerpieces, as the wider mouths will provide more stability to withstand bumping.

Sunday, May 8, 2011

SWEET SUNDAY

Between church friends and Mom's Club members, we have been so fortunate and blessed to have such special people in our lives that have volunteered to bring us meals since Lance was born. This has been a tremendous help over the last four weeks. And I still have three weeks to go! This is something I could get seriously used to...in my next life. This past week my neighbor brought over these tasty little desserts that sounded easy-peasy and perfect for the kid's on a hot summer day!

~Ice Cream Pudding~

Ingredients:
1 (3.4 ounce) package instant pudding mix, any flavor
1 cup cold milk
2 cups softened ice cream, any flavor
Fresh fruit

*If you're looking to make this ultra low fat, substitute the above ingredients with fat free/sugar free pudding, fat free milk and frozen yogurt.

Directions:
In a mixing bowl, beat pudding mix and milk on low for 1 minute.
Fold in ice cream until smooth.
Spoon into dishes.
Chill for at least 1 hour.
Garnish with fruit if desired.

I hope this ends your weekend on a sweet note! And HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! xo

Friday, May 6, 2011

FANCY FRIDAY

After three straight days to the pool this week and temperatures in the high 80's/low 90's, there's no denying that "summa summa summa-time" is just around the corner. In my mind, summer is the best time of the year. Everyone always has a little more spring in their step and a smile on the face when the sun is shining. Hence why I live in beautiful, sunny Californ-i-a.

So with pool/beach time on the horizon, it's time I add yet another bathing suit (or three) to my collection. And what better place to find one than my old faithful - Victoria's Secret. As I clicked on the VS website last night, I was happy to see that they currently have a Swim Sale going on until this Sunday, May 8th. Score. What did not make me happy was the brutally honest realization that my body is light years away from looking this good in a swimsuit. Thanks Victoria for the slap in the face.

As I went deeper into the pages of ooh'ing and ahh'ing over beautiful bodies...I mean cute suits...I realized I was going to tailspin into a depression (ok not really but for lack of a better term) if I wasn't careful. It was at that moment, Chase pulled me away from the computer. As I sat helping him put on his shoes, I had a much needed heart-to-heart with myself.

The conversation went something like this:

"Hailey, STOP IT. Stop comparing. Stop breaking yourself apart. Stop. You're 31 years old, have had 2 kids, don't have the time, money, nanny, cook and/or trainer to look this good so gosh darnit, buy a suit that you like and wear it with confidence."

So with that, it's beach or bust regardless of what this body looks like!

See any suits that tickle your fancy?? Hurry up - sale ends Sunday! And if you buy by today, May 6th by 11:59 PM EST, you can get a free pair of flip flops. Enter code VSFLIPOUT at checkout.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

CHEERS: Skinny Margarita

Viva el Cinco de Mayo - translation; "Hooray, it's the 5th of May!!" and if you ask me, time for a cocktail. In honor of this festive day, it's only fitting to have a Mexican drink; aka - a MARGARITA.

Most margarita recipes however call for sweet and sour or margarita mix, both of which contain large amounts of sugar and calories. Depending on the size and mix used, one margarita can set you back 300-800+ calories. Talk about sabotaging a day's worth of healthy eating.

The alternative: The Skinny Margarita

To make a Skinny on the rocks, add ice to a lowball glass. Then add 2 oz. (a two-count) of white tequila, the juice of four lime wedges and a splash of Triple Sec, Grand Marnier or Cointreau. It's that easy!

Is it 5:00 o'clock yet?? Cheers!!!

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

FASHION 101: Capri Pants

As I was swapping out the pregnancy clothes and organizing my closet the other day, I realized that I have a crazy amount of capri (mid-calf) pants. Which got me thinking; are capri pants even still in style??? After some research on some credible fashion websites, the answer is YES! Phew.

For the past few years the go-to pant has been the skinny jean and cigarette-leg pant, but as far as fashion trends in 2011 go there are some new alternatives. PRAISE GOD! The revival of 70s fashion puts bell bottoms and flared pants high on the list of styles to invest in, yet it goes without saying that a wide leg isn't for everyone. So if you're looking for an alternative to both the skinny pant and the wide legged interpretation, particularly one that works better with flat shoes as flares often don't, then they claim the capri pant is one you'll want to embrace as we move into the summer months.

There are several different cuts to the capri pant in 2011:

•Pants that are cropped only ever so slightly, to sit just above the ankle.
•More traditional capri pants cut three-quarter, though in 2011 you'll see more cut just below the calf than ones that are mid-calf.
•Slim-cut pants that are rolled up to sit above the ankle (a great alternative if you want to give a fresh take to some of your skinnies rather than invest in specifically cropped pairs).

Ways to Wear in 2011:

Take the old and make it into something new. Last year’s Betty Draper style of the 50s is still trendy today. Pair your capri pants with flats or kitten heels. Pair it with a bow tie top for that ladylike feel. Throw out an outfit that is simple and clean for a sophisticated look.

The punk look is still massive this year. Pair your skinny capris with leather jackets for that punk/biker look. Add some metallic accessories with studs for a more grunge look. The key to this look is using leather fabric.

The minimalist style (my favorite) is still one of the major trends to watch out for. Try to go minimalist by wearing a slim fit capris in dark tones and pair it with clean style blouses or sharp shoulder jackets.

Like any piece of clothing there are rules to finding the right capri pant that fits your body type. Click here to read about the 4 rules on how to rock the capri pant!

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Worst "FREE" Foods

If you're looking to lose a few pounds before the summer, this is a must read. While I do agree that if you eat healthy all week, you should treat yourself on the weekend, I do not support the theory of a cheat DAY. Why bust your butt all week to blow (and gain it all back) on the weekends?? Problem is that a lot of the time you don't realize you are "blowing" it. The weekend hits and you're ready for a glass of wine. Or three. You meet friends out at a restaurant. You then mindlessly devour the basket of chips during coversation. You've had a stressful week so you resort to the "bottomless" option on the menu because "you deserve it." And at the end of the day, you've consumed more calories than you did all week. Without even knowing it.

According to "Eat This, Not That," research reveals that some of the worst dietary sins aren’t ordered at all. They just come to your table for free! Plenty of mischievous food peddlers are happy to give you free food - food that’s certain to fatten you up plenty, if not land you in a big black cauldron. Whether it’s “bottomless” buckets or “endless” entrees or the breadsticks and salad at Olive Garden, freebies almost always consist of high-fat, high-carbohydrate munchies that won’t fill you up. After all, the restaurant wants you to buy more food - but will fill you out.

Here are some "free" examples that I would highly recommend shoving to the other side of the table, before you create a dietary fairy tale of your own:

WORST "FREE" RESTAURANT FOOD #6: Fazoli’s Garlic Breadsticks
1 breadstick
150 calories
7 g fat (1.5 g saturated)
290 mg sodium
20 g carbohydrates

These free, unlimited breadsticks are a signature part of the Fazoli’s dining experience. Folks seem to love ’em: Googling “Fazoli’s breadsticks recipe” returns more than 3,000 results. And at only 150 calories each, how bad could they be? Well, each breadstick is the caloric equivalent of more than 7 Hershey’s Special Dark Chocolate Kisses. Eating one is a sensible indulgence—but try to eat just one!

WORST "FREE" RESTAURANT FOOD #5: Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits
1 biscuit
150 calories
8 g fat (2.5 g saturated fat)
350 mg sodium
16 g carbohydrates

These Red Lobster staples come free with any entrée—and you can have as many as you want. Red Lobster’s website boasts of serving “almost 1.1 million” Cheddar Bay Biscuits every day. Add two of them to your Parrot Isle Jumbo Coconut Shrimp and your already-sizeable meal (880 calories) balloons to the caloric equivalent of more than a half-dozen Krispie Kreme glazed donuts! That said, keep far from Cheddar Bay, and Red Lobster is actually a nutritional safe harbor: Its menu is consistently one of the best in the country among chain restaurants.

WORST "FREE" RESTAURANT FOOD #4: Ruby Tuesday Endless Fries
396 calories
18 g fat
1,389 mg sodium
50 g carbohydrates

If you order a burger at Ruby Tuesday, you automatically get fries on the side—with infinite refills. A bargain, right? Sure, for your tailor: He’ll be making a lot of extra dough letting out your pants. A single side of the chain's fries has more calories than a McDonald’s cheeseburger! That means every time you ask for a refill, you’re getting an additional visit from Mayor McCheese. And Ruby Tuesday doesn’t report saturated fat levels—a warning flag for those who like to know what, exactly, they’re putting in their bodies.

WORST "FREE" RESTAURANT FOOD #3: On the Border Chips and Salsa
430 calories
22 g fat (4 g saturated)
52 g carbohydrates
460 mg sodium

Chips and salsa: Who could eat Mexican food without it? At On the Border, the answer should be you. This free starter has more calories than three White Castle sliders. That’s no way to start your meal anywhere, let alone at a restaurant where every single enchilada dish will cost you at least 1,000 calories. Good things come to those who wait: Eschewing the chips and sticking to your order will get you across this Border with less baggage around your midsection.

WORST "FREE" RESTAURANT FOOD #2: Denny's Unlimited Pancake Stack
Buttermilk Pancakes with Maple-Flavored Syrup (2 pancakes)
473 calories
4 g fat (0.5 g saturated)
1,196 mg sodium
103 g carbohydrates

They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day. They don't say, “Eat as much as humanly possible for breakfast.” And yet you’d think that’s what Denny’s has in mind with this deal. Just two buttermilk pancakes will cost you more calories than four full servings of Breyers Smooth & Dreamy Dark Chocolate Velvet ice cream—double or triple that, and you’ve ruined your diet for the day without paying a cent. The Denny’s press release announcing this promotion brags about the “value” they’re providing Americans: Not Americans who value their bodies!


THE #1 WORST "FREE" RESTAURANT FOOD: Olive Garden Bottomless Salad and Breadsticks
Garden-Fresh Salad (1 serving with dressing)
350 calories
26 g fat (4.5 g saturated)
1,930 mg sodium
22 g carbohydrates

Breadstick (1 with garlic butter spread)
150 calories
2 g fat (0 g saturated)
400 mg sodium
28 g carbohydrates

Olive Garden wins the battle of the fattening freebies by a mile. The minute you sit down, you’re staring at bowls of bottomless breadsticks and “garden” salad. Bottomless, however, doesn’t describe what you’ll look like if you spend too much time grazing in the Garden. Just one serving of each will give you 25 percent of your day’s caloric intake, before you’ve taken your first bite of your actual meal. But wait: Aren’t salads “healthy”? Not in this Garden: The free salad alone has almost a full day’s worth of sodium. Unfortunately, Olive Garden is far from the only restaurant that’s really a dietary minefield.

Monday, May 2, 2011

DEAL ALERT: Dyson vacuum's on SALE

In the market for a new vacuum? Although I'm a Oreck fan, I know many people that live and die by the Dyson. I thought you'd all like to know that today, and TODAY ONLY, under Target's DAILY DEALS, you can snag a Dyson on sale with FREE SHIPPING!! Check it out here, deal ends tonight at 11:59 PM.

Dyson DC14 All Floors Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner - originally $399.99, on sale for $319.99 plus free shipping.
Dyson DC21 Stowaway Bagless Canister Vacuum Cleaner - originally $499.99, on sale for $399.99 plus free shipping.

Show your TEACHER APPRECIATION

This week - May 2nd thru 6th - is Teacher Appreciation week. Although it's not expected, it is a nice gesture to shower teacher's with heartfelt gifts to show your gratitude for the contributions they make to learning and your child's development. With that being said, it's not too late to whip up something super cute. Stumped on what to give? Here are some simple ideas:

To spice up the card, add a $5-10 gift card to the local coffee shop

Sunday, May 1, 2011

SWEET SUNDAY

In celebration of Cinco de Mayo this week, here is a traditional Mexican dessert - Fried Ice Cream. Not thrilled about the "fried" part but I do love me some caramel. You can actually swap out the vanilla for any flavor that's appealing to you and omit the caramel sauce. This is also a hit for backyard BBQ's so don't forget about this recipe on a hot summer day.

~Caramel Fried Ice Cream~

Ingredients:
1 quart vanilla ice cream
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups flaked coconut, finely chopped
2 cups finely crushed cornflakes
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Caramel Sauce:
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter, cubed
1/2 cup evaporated milk
Oil for deep frying

Directions:
Using a 1/2-cup ice cream scoop, place eight scoops of ice cream on a baking sheet.
Cover and freeze for 2 hours or until firm.
In a bowl, combine whipping cream and vanilla. In another bowl, combine coconut, cornflakes and cinnamon.
Remove scoops of ice cream from freezer; wearing plastic gloves, shape the ice cream into balls.
Dip balls into cream mixture, then roll in coconut mixture, making sure to coat entire surface.
Place coated balls on a baking sheet.
Cover and freeze at least 3 hours or until firm.

For caramel sauce:
Heat sugar in a heavy saucepan over medium heat until partially melted and golden, stirring occasionally.
Add butter.
Gradually add milk, stirring constantly.
Cook and stir for 8 minutes or until sauce is thick and golden; keep warm.
Heat oil in an electric skillet or deep-fat fryer to 375°.
Fry ice cream balls until golden, about 30 seconds.
Drain on paper towels.
Serve immediately with caramel sauce.

Yield: 8 servings.