A Well-Stocked Bar

My parents rarely touched alcohol, but had a cabinet stocked with wine and spirits, including Danziger Goldwasser (a strong herbal tonic with tiny flakes of 22k gold).  These were pulled out on special occasions to offer hospitality to dinner guests.  If we ate a fancy meal as a family, we didn't serve alcohol, but always wanted to have something available for company.

And just to show how much a person is a product of her upbringing, I've carried on the same practice.  In my cabinet sits a bottle of Italian red wine, Moet & Chandon Champagne (a gift), Maker's Mark Kentucky bourbon, Mount Gay Barbados rum, Frangelico liqueur, Chambord liqueur and a bottle of Moosehead beer that's been in the refrigerator for years.  Since I seldom drink, isn't it interesting how much of a chip off the old block I am? How about you?


As it turns out, my family is not alone.  Several magazines have stressed the importance of keeping wine and some basics on hand, just in case visitors drop in.  Cosmopolitan says, it's a tell tale sign that someone has moved past his or her college years into adulthood.  And according to Vanity Fair, a Well-Stocked Bar should include:

Rose's lime juice	horseradish
Triple sec	cocktail olives
club soda	cocktail onions
tonic	lemons and limes
tomato juice	stirrers, shakers and strainers
Angostura bitters
grenadine

In reality, there are no rules to stocking a bar.  It depends on you and your guests; and whether you like mixed drinks.  Personally, I'd rather eat than drink.  Give me sharp cheddar cheese, hummus, crackers and a single glass of red wine, and I'm satisfied.

But for adults with other tastes, here are some Bar Tips, courtesy of Goodhousekeeping [condensed]:

*Chill cocktail and beer glasses ahead of time.

*Handle glasses by the stem to avoid warming the contents.

*Add carbonated beverages at the last minute, even to punches.

*Avoid spills, by not filling glasses to the brim.

*Keep towels handy; making drinks can be messy.

*Don't overserve.

*And never allow an inebriated guest to drive.

Bottoms Up!


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Glow With Natural Skin Care

An average person uses 10 personal care products each morning.  That's a lot of chemicals.

Your skin is a barrier that acts like a sponge.  As time goes on, I've learned a few lessons about lotions, potions and beauty products.  More and more, I prefer natural skin care that is free of parabens, phthalates and other chemicals you are better off without.  But regardless of how beneficial a beauty regiment is, if it's crazy expensive, what good is it to you?  So I'm always on the lookout for outstanding personal care products that won't break the bank.  Fortunately, there are green-minded companies who get it right at reasonable prices.  Here are two, available at Whole Foods and in drugstores:

 J.R. Watkins prides itself on being “America's original natural apothecary” company.  Since 1868, Walkins has used the finest natural ingredients in its diverse lines of skin care, home cleaners, and pain relief liniments.  That's 142 years of remedies and skin care, listing natural ingredients that my grandmother would recognize like aloe vera, green tea and shea butter.  And recently Walkins launched new face care products, including a cleansing cream, exfoliator, and day and night creams.  Plus they offer your best weapon against aging skin -- a natural sun screen.  Costs: $3.49 - $13.99.

Kiss My Face, another company committed to caring for your skin “the way nature intended” has a complete skin care system called, Potent and Pure, that is free of synthetic preservatives, additives, chemicals and artificial fragrances.  It uses the highest quality and most effective ingredients in nature, such as sunflower seed oil, basil extract and hibiscus  flowers, to name a few.  You'll find everything you need to fight blemishes, dryness, oiliness and aging.  Their other moisturizers and personal care toiletries are "obsessively natural" too.  Costs: $1.29 - $23.00.

Both companies combine beneficial botanicals and natural emollients, which really work.  You get fresh and clean scents.  Between them, discover creams and ointments formulated with vitamins, minerals and herbs for all your skin care needs.  And you''ll like the prices.  Healthy green ingredients that leave some green in your wallet.

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Celebrate The 4th Of July With The Everly Brothers

The Everly Brothers, London's Royal Albert Hall

On this glorious 4th of July weekend -- in addition to appreciating living in a free, democratic country -- I hope you're with family and friends, enjoying a good barbecue and listening to plenty of great music to soothe the soul.  I know I am.  I even baked a rare lemon cake, that required 5 plump lemons and is prepared with a lemon soaking sauce and glaze.  I use the word “rare” because I'm not really the baker in my family.

And while I pull out some CDs, I want to give special thanks to my fellow Everly Brothers fans for all the terrific music and mementos you continually share with me.  For others who don't know, Don and Phil are still alive and kicking down in Tennessee, but happily retired these days.  

The Everlys are in that first, iconic class of inductees into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, and their talent remains unmatched by the countless artists who followed and were influenced by them.  In their long careers, the Everly Brothers could sing just about any genre of music ... flawlessly ... from Rock And Roll, which they helped launch ... to country ... and rhythm and blues.  

They are fine songwriters also, and their later albums are every bit as good as their early hits.

I want to thank some English fans, as well as, AGJ for all your exceptional Everly Brothers videos, photos and fun trivia, including this delicious BBQ recipe from none other then Don Everly, himself.  Happy 4th of July weekend everyone!

Don Everly's Very Hot Barbecue Sauce with Smoked Spareribs

Ingredients:

2 cups apple cider vinegar

1 cup Worcestershire sauce

1 cup ketchup

1/4 cup minced yellow onion

One clove garlic pressed

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 tablespoon dry mustard

2 tablespoon Chili powder

Salt, freshly ground pepper to taste

5 pounds spareribs

Cayenne pepper

Directions:

Combine all ingredients except spareribs; mix well. Bring to boil, simmer slowly about one hour [or until sauce thickens]. Stir often to prevent burning. Set aside.

Put spareribs in large stock pot. Fill with water; cover and simmer for one hour.

Drain meat well on absorbent paper towel. Smoke over hickory chips and charcoal for about 45 minutes [or until rust-colored]. Add cayenne pepper to taste. To serve, cut spareribs in serving pieces. Dip in sauce and BEWARE. Serves 4-6

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Sacher-Torte, The Perfect Birthday Cake

Sacher-Torte from the Hotel Sacher, Vienna

My Mother is serious about the coffee and confections she serves.  They have to be great.  So over the years, only she made the coffee in our house.  And, I pity the fool who'd dare to bring a Hostess cupcake to the table.  When birthdays rolled around, you got an old world, European, torte cake -- with dark chocolate, ground nuts, jam, butter, cream ... and candles.  Mom is a good baker, so sometimes she made and decorated these layered cakes in her own kitchen.  At other times we ordered them from a fancy German/Viennese-inspired bakery.  They were always scrumptious and worth every calorie!  It's a birthday tradition I carry on to this day.

A Sacher-Torte consists of two dense layers of chocolate sponge cake, with a thin layer of apricot jam in the center and dark chocolate on the top and sides.  It is rich, but not too sweet.  Three special chocolates produced by three chocolatiers are used to make the chocolate icing.  First baked in 1832 by 16 year old Franz Sacher, the original recipe remains top secret.  But to bake one at home, try this recipe.




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Swimsuits, All New Styles

Lands' End, new styles and mix and match combinations

Whether you wear an itsy, bitsy, bikini, or rely on yards of spandex to minimize your imperfections, there's a suit created to flatter your figure.  This season Lands' End, along with other retailers, are swimming in possibilities, making it easier to find a cute suit that's perfect for your body type.  Choose a chic one piece, with all over control, to look a whole size smaller, or select targeted control -- bathing suit separates with slimming panels and push-up bras to give your figure a boost.  Then there's color, patterns and style.  Lands' End offers grecian, demi and halter body suits, plus new “ShapeWear” separates, which provide tummy control, make your legs look longer, or draw the eye up, away from the waist.  You can mix and match tops and bottoms for the most flattering look and fit.  I think Land's End has the best selection of designer quality suits for MEN and WOMEN.  Their entire line of beachwear is adorable, from coverups to water shoes, minus the designer price.  Summer accessories including over-sized towels and canvas snap totes are also available.  Search for sales and free shipping.

If you prefer a bathing suit with glitter and jewels, look no further than Newport News. Stylish stone-trimmed tankinis start at $19.

Looking for sexy and to show off your cleavage and curves?  Try Victoria's Secret Catalog.  Get a bright stripe twist bandeau bikini for just $29, or separates starting at $9.99 and up.

There's a suit for every age, body and budget.  The days are hot, but you can shop for comfort and style ... and look your best.  See you by the water, friends.

Bejeweled at Newport News

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Happy Father's Day, Some Fun Trivia

I love this picture by Norman Rockwell of a dear old dad sending his son off to college, probably the first in the family to go, and the boy's mom packed him a lunch for the train ride.

While listening to a sermon in her Methodist Church in 1909 about the newly recognized Mother's Day, Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington got the idea that there should also be an official day to honor fathers everywhere.  Her father had returned as a Civil War veteran to singlehandedly raise six children.  The first observance of Father's Day occurred the next year on June 13 in her hometown, but it took 63 years for the day to become a national holiday.  

In fact, at first the idea was met with laughter, scorn and satire.  While Mother's Day was greeted with enthusiasm, many felt creating a Father's Day was an attempt to fill up the calendar with mindless holidays.  

It took Lyndon Johnson to designate the third Sunday of June [in 1966] as the day to celebrate fathers in the United States.  And it wasn't signed into law until 1972 by then President Richard Nixon.  Wow, that is recent history!

Countries around the world celebrate Father's Day on different dates. Russia celebrates it on February 23, Sweden and Iceland in mid November, Australia on the first Sunday in September, and Germany on Ascension Day in May.  

It's traditional to wear a red rose to honor a living father and a white rose to remember one who is deceased.  And regardless of country or date, the best gift you can give your dad is your time.  So make Father's Day a great family day.  

For ideas on how to spend the day and to read a few thoughts about my father, click on the first link below.

Happy Father's Day, ♥Daddy♥ … wherever you are ... and to all fathers.

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Serendipity 3's Frrrozen Hot Chocolate Lite

Never deprive yourself of chocolate

New York City's Serendipity 3 is famous for serving big decadent desserts with rich toppings.  The portions are outrageous!  The cafe's a fun place to satisfy a sweet tooth for locals and tourists alike.  The Frrrozen Hot Chocolate, its signature drink, was featured on The Early Show and Oprah ... and extolled as something chocolate lovers must try before they die.  Well, that is a tall order ... but ... I think I've come up with a chocolaty and equally satisfying low-fat-low-calorie version that you can make at home.  My healthy shake is loaded with vitamins, minerals, and protein, the building blocks of the body.  And it's delicious!  I love smoothies and cold, slurpy drinks, especially on hot summer days.  My taste-alike drink definitely takes care of a chocolate craving.  It's so simple to prepare and costs a lot less too.

Here's my Frozen Hot Chocolate recipe:

1 envelope Carnation Dark Chocolate Instant Breakfast or 2 scoops of chocolate protein powder

10 oz skim milk

4 ice cubes

Add an extra teaspoon of real cocoa powder

Photos of Serendipity 3 taken by my friend Carolyn C.

Throw all the ingredients into a blender.  Blend for a few minutes until the ice is crushed, and the chocolate mixture is smooth.  Pour into a tall glass and serve.

Another of Carolyn's photos

You can top the Frozen Hot Chocolate with chocolate shavings, cocoa powder, and whipped cream if you like.  The extras are between you and your waistline.  Enjoy!

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Brilliant Must-Have Summer Accessories

The T-Rex, cute name ... no? (arrrh♥)

I can think of lots of summer essentials but will focus on three, inexpensive, ancillary ones. Once you discover their existence, you can't live without them:

1} FHI Heat T-Rex Hair Clips – These have a strange name and a stranger appearance, but they are the best hair clips I've ever used.  They are designed to hold any type, or amount of hair securely in place and release the hair easily.  You can hold your hair in sections, or pile it all in a bun on top of your head with one clip, regardless of whether your hair is thick and long, or short and fine.  It even holds hair in awkward positions while you blow dry it.  And the clip never snags, tears, becomes tangled, or damages your fragile locks.  Whoever invented these clips is a genius!  A two-pack costs $5.

2} KT Tape – It stands for “kinesiology therapeutic tape" and comes precut to treat muscle and joint soreness and injuries.  First used by Olympic athletes, KT Tape gives overworked limbs, muscles and tendons flexible support.  It allows movement while alleviating the pain and pressure.  Super light and strong, athletes use it to prevent further injuries and to heal faster.  I don't fully understand why -- but it works.  And compared to other treatment options, it's cheap at $12 for a 16-foot roll.

3} Flip flops – What's a summer without “air conditioned,” liberated feet? And so practical. Old Navy sells an assortment of styles and colors for both men and women, and they're not too loose or flimsy like some brands.  Regularly $3.50 - $5.00 each, and on promotion days pay $1 a pair.  So you can afford to buy every color.  Great to wear around the house and to protect your feet at the beach, a public pool or gym shower.  

Can you make a case for other clever, summer, must-haves? Sometimes it's the inexpensive little things that make life a little bit easier.


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Search Amazon.com for skin care

The most effective anti-aging product on the market today also prevents skin cancer and sunburns.  Can you guess what it is?  If you said, sunscreen, you're absolutely right.  And with summer fast approaching, you should apply a shot-glass portion (or 2 tablespoons) of it on your exposed skin every two hours throughout a sunny day.  Most of us don't reapply sunscreens as we should. And with so many brands available, which one should you choose?  Well believe it or not, it's not always the fancy, overpriced variety that offers the most protection.  Fortunately for consumers, two of the sunscreens rated best, are store brands and relatively inexpensive: 

Consumer Reports tested 12 sunscreens and found 4 to be superior.  The top performers all (1) provided great UVA and UVB protection, (2) were water-resistant and (3) met their SPF claims.  Other considerations included (4) smell and (5) greasiness.  The top 4 were judged to be pleasantly scented and left little residue on the skin.

They are:
Target's Up & Up Sport Continuous SPF 30. - It's a spray and costs $0.88 per ounce.
Walgreens' Sport Continuous SPF 50. - Also a spray.  Cost $1.33 per ounce.
Banana Boat Sport Performance Continuous SPF 30 - A spray. Cost $1.60 per ounce.
Aveeno Continuous Protection SPF 50 - A spray. Cost $2.00 an ounce.

Most dermatologists agree on the following:  Sunbathing is bad.  When you do go out, wear protective clothing and hats.  Buy sunscreens with an SPF of at least 30.  Get a formula that's water-resistant.  Consumer Reports says the ingredient avobenzone absorbs more UVA radiation than do alternatives like titanium dioxide.

And I'll add, make sure your sun protection smells and feels good to you so you will wear it.

Now for a confession:  Although doctors say a SPF 30 is best, I sometimes use SPF 15 because it's not as thick or greasy.  My favorite is Oil of Olay lotion for sensitive skin, with SPF 15 and UVA and UVB protection. I also like Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 30 and Walgreens Sensitive Skin Sunscreen Lotion SPF 70+. None of these made Consumer Reports' Top 4.

Here's my reasoning for using the SPF 15: If your skin will burn in 10 minutes in the afternoon sun without any sun protection, and you applied a sunscreen with an SPF 15, you have 15 x 10, or 150 minutes (2.5 hours) before you'll burn. This still seems like good coverage to me.

The Percentage of Protection from damaging UV rays that you get by increasing the SPF is:

SPF 15 = 93%

SPF 30 = 97%

SPF 50 = 98% – So this one isn't worth the extra money, but when you get value buy it.

So friends, SPF 30 rules. Listen to your doctor to be safe. Enjoy the easy, breezy, long days ahead.

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Style Your Shoes In Comfort

I'm not giving up my Dr. Scholl's insoles.  They're less than $2.00 a pair and give casual and closed toe shoes the extra cushion I sometimes need.  But occasionally a full insole makes my shoe too snug in the toe box, or can't be worn in sandals without showing.  Well for these times I have another solution -- Foot Petals.  I recommend two of the brand's foot accessories, when a Dr. Scholl's counterpart doesn't work: the Killer Kushionz, a thin nearly full insole that easily slides into high heels and the Tip Toes, or ball-of-foot cushions, which stop your feet from sliding forward.  Both have sticky tabs with adhesive backings and are invisible worn in open toe shoes.  I'm using the Killer Kushionz in 3-inch stilettos and the Tip Toes in flats to absorb shock and provide a little extra support.  They're more expensive than Dr. Scholl's products,  so you might forgo the pricy combination kits and buy just the shoe pads needed to resolve your foot discomfort.  However, they are pretty,  and your shoes will be stylish inside and out. Sold online and at Ricky's-Drug-and-Beauty stores in New York City. Average cost: $3.00 - $12.95 a piece.

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Bags For Every Budget

A great bag is timeless.  Ideally, it's both stylish and functional.  The right bag stays with you, holds your essentials and pulls together an outfit.  To be honest, I own fewer purses than any woman I know.  I admire women who match all their outfits with a slew of fabulous fashion statement bags, but my tendency is to use a favorite bag for just about everything until it falls apart.  I hate changing bags because I always leave something out that I need.  So when I do buy a new one, I have a tall order to fill.  My bag needs to be well made, durable, versatile, flattering and classic.  I look for the perfect size with lots of pockets to hold things.  I also like a sleek, slender and attractive shape.

Purses can be expensive.  So whether you're an under buyer like me -- looking for that one great, multi-purpose bag, or need some new arm candy for a swanky event you're attending, check out these cool sites.  You'll find a myriad of designers, a wide selection of styles and some amazing deals for under $100:

1) Nicole Lee – For fun unique bags with funky details.  Very fashion forward.  Click on “sample sale” for unbelievable reductions.

2) HSN – Choices galore on this site.  Look at the “sale” and “clearance” sections.

3) My Big Buddha – All vegan bags. A tremendous variety of styles, sizes and colors.  Reasonably priced.

4) Overstock.com – A large inventory of designer and quality merchandize at warehouse prices.  Terrific customer care too.  Low $2.99 shipping per order.

5) Zappos.com – They're not just for shoes anymore.  Renown for top customer service.  Free shipping both ways.

Browse and pick your bag at a price you want to spend.  Enjoy!

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