Fashion: Spring 2011 Nail Colors

Chanel has done it again. They kicked off the Spring 2011 nail color trends by debuting their Spring 2011 Nail Lacquer line with "Pearl Drop" (natural nude), "Black Pearl" (gun metal gray) and "Peche Nacree" (peachy pink).

For organic alternatives try Sparitual's "Water Lily" (natural nude), "Hypnotic" (gun metal gray) or "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" (peachy pink). 

Fashion Experts are also predicting blues (think Tiffany's box) and lavenders to be very popular for Spring 2011. These colors can be a little difficult to pull off, but if you're feeling adventurous try Sally Hansen's "Barracuda" (tiffany blue) or Estee Lauder's "Violet Diva" (lavender). 

They're all worth a try! 

Food: Make Time for Chai

Chai is the word for tea in many parts of the world. Chai from India is a spiced milk tea that has become increasingly popular throughout the world. The spices used vary from region to region and among households in India. You can certainly find commercially produced pre-mixed chai blends, but nothing tastes more refreshing and satisfying than a fresh cup of chai (and makes the house smell yummy!). Here is a recipe for easy to make Homemade Chai.

Homemade Chai

(Serves 2)

Ingredients:

• 2 green cardamom pods, lightly crushed
• 1/4 tsp. black peppercorns
• 2 cloves
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 1/2 inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
• 2 cups water
• 2 tbsp. sugar
• 2 bags of black tea (Assam or Darjeeling) 
• 3/4 cup milk or soy milk

Directions:

1. Bring spices, ginger, and water to a boil in a saucepan and reduce to a simmer until liquid becomes aromatic (approximately 15 minutes). Whisk in sugar, then add in tea bags and let steep off of heat for 3 minutes. 
2. Strain tea mixture through a fine strainer into a serving pot. 
3. Heat milk over medium heat until just simmering and then whisk until frothy. 
4. Pour into serving pot, stirring well to combine. Enjoy! 

Fashion: Natural/ Organic, Eco-Friendly and Cruelty-Free Luxurious Cosmetics

Many companies claim that their products are "natural" or "organic" or that they don't test on animals, but the truth is that this doesn't mean all of their products are "natural", "organic" and "cruelty-free." That's why it's important to always read the labels.

I've tested many beauty products through the years and sometimes the organic/ natural products just don't offer the same luxurious feel as the chemical products. After testing many organic/ natural products, I've found the following companies to not only offer beauty products that are "natural" or "organic" and "cruelty-free," but also offer biodegradable packaging. These products also have a luxurious feel and a beautiful range of cosmetic colors.

Aveda:
Aveda beauty products are a wonderful natural and cruelty-free line for overall skin care and hair care products. All of the products offered by Aveda are animal testing free, toxin free, paraben free, petrochemical free and only uses naturally derived ingredients (flower and plant essences). All of their products are packaged in responsible biodegradable and recycled packaging. Additionally, Aveda is one of the largest purchasers of organic ingredients in the personal care industry.

Josie Maran Cosmetics:
Josie Maran cosmetics is an all organic and cruelty-free line for luxury cosmetics. All of the products offered by Josie Maran are organic, cruelty-free, toxin free, paraben free, petrochemical free, and uses biodegradable and recycled packaging.

Gogo Instant Natural Volume Argan Mascara- with each purchase of this mascara, Josie Maran matches a mascara donation to a cancer patient or survivor from the City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Bear Naked Wipes- in support of the Natural Resources Defense Council's Polar Bear SOS initiative, a portion of the proceeds from every package of Bear Naked makeup remover wipes sold will go to protect these endangered animals.

Urban Decay Cosmetics:
All of Urban Decay cosmetics are made using 100% cruelty-free methods and even offer vegan products that are clearly labeled. The company has raised thousands of dollars for animal causes and has even been recognized by many major animal rights groups, such as PETA, for their efforts.

Hourglass Cosmetics:
As a sister company of Urban Decay cosmetics, Hourglass cosmetics offers an all organic line of cosmetics which is paraben-free, cruelty-free, toxin free and petrochemical free.

Sparitual Nailpolish:
Sparitual nailpolish is the only vegan nailpolish line currently available in the market. The company uses only organic ingredients with natural colors and plant essences and is free of synthetic dyes. All of the packaging is eco-friendly and all of their products are cruelty-free. Plus they offer as many colors as the chemical alternatives.

Food- Recipe for Beef Bourguignon

After watching "Julie and Julia" I was motivated to learn how to cook (like everyone else who has ever watched this movie). However, learning to cook by following Julia Child's recipes in "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" seems a bit like learning to swim by diving into the ocean. After practicing my cooking skills for weeks on easier recipes, I thought that I was ready for a challenge... Julia Child's most famous recipe, Beef Bourguignon. After a few trials, here is my version of a simpler and easier to follow recipe for Beef Bourguignon, enjoy!

Beef Bourguignon

(Serves 8-10: great for dinner parties)

Ingredients:

• 3 lb. Beef chuck-boneless and trimmed of excess fat
• Bacon-thick sliced and cut into 1/2 inch strips
• 1 large white onion, diced
• 2 cloves of garlic, diced
• 2 oz. flour
• 1/4 cup of tomato paste
• 2 1/2 cups of red wine
• 1 1/2 cups beef broth
• Sachet: 1 bay leaf, 1 sprig of thyme, 8 peppercorns (tied up by a small piece of cheesecloth)
• 8 oz. mushroom caps, chopped into quarters
• 8 oz. pearl onions, whole

Directions:

1. Cut the beef into 1 inch cubes
2. Cook the bacon strips in a dutch oven under medium heat until crispy, and then remove the bacon strips and save later for garnish
3. Heat the bacon fat until is starts to smoke and brown the beef on all sides (the outside of the beef should be a little charred)
4. Add the onion and cook until lightly brown
5. Add the garlic and cook for one minute more (be careful not to overcook, otherwise the garlic will become bitter)
6. Add the flour to thicken up the sauce and cook over high heat until slightly browned
7. Stir in tomato paste, wine and broth and bring to a boil and keep stirring until the sauce thickens
8. Add the sachet
9. Cover and place in the oven at 325 degrees for about 2 hours
10. Brown the mushrooms with 2 tablespoons of butter
11. Brown the onions with 2 tablespoons of butter (the mushrooms and onions should be browned separately)
12. After two hours when the meat is tender, remove the sachet and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper
13. Thicken up the sauce over high heat and stir in the reserved bacon, browned mushrooms and browned pearl onions. 

Serve over noodles.