Extend Your Look with Extensions

April 21, 2011April 21, 2011Leave a comment

Are you feeling like you want to do something a little edgy, daring, or CRAZY with your style? Sometime I get this itch to go out and do something Lady Gaga-ish or Rihanna inspired! But working in a professional environment does make that tough! I always envy hair stylists because they can do such fun things with their style and it only helps their career and image. However, all of us have a wild side and can be more daring in the weekends go right back to business woman/student/mom/normal during the week. Ever notice how celebrities will have a super short haircut and then the next day have long locks? Or they will have brown hair and have red-hot highlights the next day? The secret is…. extensions! extensions do not have to be permanent.. that is the fun part. They can clip in from fun pony tails, long locks, or even bangs! (see Kim Kardashian’s clip-in bangs below.)

Extension Recommendations:

Sally’s Beauty Supply: Remy Clip-in Human Hair Extensions $84.99 per 14″ track.
Hairdo by Jessica Simpson: Ranges $20-$80 for each extension (bangs, pony tails, long, tracks, etc.)

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Death by Chocolate

April 20, 2011April 20, 2011Leave a comment

Ok, so I know I usually post healthy recipes but Easter is coming up and you have to bring a dessert that everyone will like- kids, adults, grandmas, grandpas… everyone is a chocolate lover! Death by Chocolate is always a dessert that will fly quickly with no doggy bags to take home. This dessert also looks awesome too because it has gooey layers of deliciousness! You will need a deep glass dish in order to really give it the mouth-watering appeal.

And no… there really is no low-calorie version for this one but it is worth every calorie!

Ingredients

1 package brownie mix
2 packages instant chocolate pudding mix
1 package frozen whipped topping, thawed
3 bars chocolate covered English toffee

Directions

Prepare brownies according to package directions. Let cool.
Mix pudding according to package directions.
In a glass punch bowl, layer in the following order: 1/2 of the brownie, crumbled; 1/2 of the pudding; 1 toffee bar, crushed; 1/2 of the whipped topping.
Repeat layers in the same order. Save the last toffee bar to crumble and sprinkle on top before serving.
Refrigerate and serve!

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Spaghetti Squash Recipe

April 19, 2011Leave a comment

One of my favorite healthy meals is spaghetti squash! It gives you the satisfaction and fullness of a huge pasta dinner but at about a fourth of the calories and virtually NO carbs!

Spaghetti Squash

1 spaghetti squash, halved lengthwise and seeded
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups chopped tomatoes
3/4 cup fresh mozzarella
3 tablespoons sliced black olives
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a baking sheet.
Place spaghetti squash cut sides down on the prepared baking sheet, and bake 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a sharp knife can be inserted with little resistance. Remove squash from oven and let cool.
Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Saute onion in oil until tender. Add garlic, and saute for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, and cook only until tomatoes are warm.
Use a large spoon to scoop the stringy pulp from the squash, and place in a medium bowl. Toss with the sauteed vegetables, mozzarella, olives, and basil. Enjoy guilt-free!

What to buy with Your Tax Return

April 18, 2011April 18, 2011Leave a comment

So, as all of you know, today is the last day to file your taxes. Although my refund isn’t huge (and I am supposed to be putting it directly into the wedding budgets), we all look forward to a little extra cash from our tax returns. Have you all decided what you are going to splurge on? Please share! Just in case you are not sure how you want to spend the dough, here are a couple suggestions!

1. Apple Ipad 2: The ipad handy in every situation. With hundres of thousands of apps and cute ipad covers, the Ipad 2 is a must purchase! I am looking forward to one for myself which will be extra convenient for pictures and blogging. xoxo.

: Ipad 2, Apple Inc.

2. Michael Korrs Straw Handbag: A straw handbag is the perfect bag for outdoor activities such as boating, going to the beach, and having a picnic. They are super cute with any outfit too!

: Michael Korrs Straw Handbag

3. Ray Ban sunglasses: Ray Bans are a classic and will never go out of style so they are a great investment if you have some extra cash. Plus they come in so many fun shapes and shades, there will definitely be a pair to fit your style.

Ray Ban sunglasses

4. Keurig Coffeemaker: These are the absolute best. Especially if you are on the go and everyone you live with likes different coffee/tea flavors. This way when someone comes over you can offer them a variety of different flavors of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate and it is so convenient. I have wanted one of these for over a year! There are a couple different models so based on your budget I am sure you can find one!

Keurig Coffee Machine

5. Women’s Golf Clubs: Golf season has officially begun and its a sport that I have never truly tried. I have been to the driving range but never on a real golf course. I really think it would be fun to learn and benefit my career since I do work in marketing and pr. Any golfers out there? I am contemplating learning the basics this summer and need some advice on which golf clubs to get. Have any of you purchased golf clubs? Please share! 🙂

Golf Clubs

Polish & American Easter Traditions

April 17, 2011April 17, 20111 Comment

Easter is one of my favorite holidays because I am Polish and Easter is just as big as Christmas in my family. Easter also signifies life and the beginning of spring in New England. Although the weather as been pretty inconsistent here in CT, I want to wear a cute colorful Easter dress with beautiful pastel colors. Just do not forget your cardigan because it may be chilly! Coloring eggs, delicious east candy and treats are all part of the fun for this happy holiday.

Below are some American traditions but I have to share the Polish Easter basket with all of you. The Polish Easter basket is a huge tradition in Polish Catholic families. Families put this Easter basket together on Holy Saturday, dress their children up to tee and cannot eat the food until it is blessed by the priest. This is called “Swieconka” (Blessing of the Baskets. There is no Easter bunny in Poland- the lamb represents the lamb of God.

Recipe of the Polish Easter Basket (This is what my family does but it can vary based on tradition)

Lamb– Represents the lamb of God. This is usually in a butter mold or in a chocolate form.

Babka (Easter Bread) – A round or long loaf topped with a cross or a fish, symbolic of Jesus, who is the Bread of Life.

Jajka (Eggs) and Pisanki (decorated with symbols of Easter, of life, of prosperity) – Indicates new life and Christ’s Resurrection from the tomb.

Kielbasa (Sausage) – A sausage product, symbolic of God’s favor and generosity.

Colorful Ribbons and Sprigs of Greenery – are attached to the basket as signs of joy and new life in the season of spring and in celebration of the Resurrection.

Linen Cover – drawn over the top of the basket which is ready for the priest’s visit to the home or the trip to church where it is joined with the baskets of others to await the blessing. The food is then set aside and enjoyed on Easter Sunday.