Fashion: Swimsuit Shopping Can Be Fun? (Using a Personal Stylist)

If you're like me, then shopping for swimsuits and trying on bathing suit after bathing suit and scrutinizing how you look in a full length mirror with bad lighting is about as much as getting a root canal.

With a Hawaii trip coming up within less than a month, I was in desperate need of a swimsuit intervention. I like to shop, but I've always avoided swimsuit shopping because the whole process can be so demoralizing. I've always left the store with a so-so swimsuit that I overpaid for and with my self-esteem left behind on the dressing room floor.

But, not yesterday! Using a personal stylist made all the difference. I've never used a personal stylist for help before, but I thought to myself that if there was ever a time to ask for help then swimsuit shopping was it.

I called ahead earlier in the week and made an appointment, and the stylist asked me my size, my favorite colors and in general the look that I was going for.

When I got to my appointment, a dressing room was full of swimsuit options. We immediately weeded out the ones that didn't appeal to me and we went from there.

The stylist had honest feedback about which styles worked for me and which ones didn't. The best part was that she dug through all the racks (including the sales racks) and brought me all the options already picked through for my right size and color. All I had to do was try everything on and let her know if I felt fabulous or not.

I left the store with 5 swimsuits, 2 cover-ups and a pair of sandals...and my self-esteem still intact. She showed me how to mix and match everything to get more looks and even brought up a tailor to make sure everything fit perfectly. Who knew that swimsuits could be tailored??

After only a few hours in the dressing room, I left with a swimsuit wardrobe fit for a celebrity.

Here are a few tips I learned about how and when to use a personal stylist:

• It's best to use a personal stylist when you're updating your wardrobe with multiple pieces
• Have a designated budget in mind
• Be clear on what you like and what you want to avoid, but be open to new ideas
• Be clear on patterns or colors that appeal to you
• Try everything on even if at first it doesn't seem like it will work
• Be a fit fanatic, don't buy anything that can't be tailored to fit you perfectly

Next time you're dreading to shop for something particular, try a personal stylist, it can make all the difference!

Food (Vegan/ Vegetarian): Indian (Bengali Style) Tofu with Green Beans and Potatoes

Now that I'm into the eighth month of my 2011 resolution to really learn how to cook, I decided it was time to tackle Indian cooking. Plus, I've been wrestling with the idea of becoming a vegetarian/ vegan and Indian food is a great healthy option for vegetarians, but indian cooking can be quite labor intensive, time consuming and complex. I've been fearful of Indian cooking for a long time, if the spices are not mixed properly and added at the right times, the dish can quickly turn into a disaster. Oh, and did I mention, also a fire hazard. Needless to say, up until now I've shied away from it.

Earlier in the year, when I tackled Julia Child's Beef Bourguignon and Coq Au Vin, I learned about the French concept of "mise en place" meaning "everything in its place". This essentially means that when tackling difficult recipes or combining complex food flavorings, it's best to have all the ingredients washed, cut, measured, and separated into piles or cups before even starting. 

After giving it some thought, I realized that this French phrase could help me with Indian cooking. Now, true Indian cooks, like my mother and my grand-mother, do exactly the opposite of "mise en place". Their definition of measuring means a pinch here and a handful there. I new that as a novice to Indian cooking, this "indian style" of measuring would not work for me. So, I bought some small prep bowls and measured out all the spices and washed and cut all the ingredients before hand and found that this concept really works. In Indian cooking, most of the time, the spices have to be added quickly and at the right time, and if you're concerned about measuring and cooking at the same time, then there is much more room for error.

Using this French concept I created a recipe for Bengali Style Tofu with Green Beans and Potatoes. It's a relatively easy recipe and a great option as a side dish with rice and dal or even as a main dish for vegetarians and even vegans. Plus, it's healthy and delicious too!

Bengali Style Tofu with Green Beans and Potatoes

(4 Persons)

Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons of vegetable oil
• 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard powder
• 1 teaspoon black mustard seeds
• 1/3 teaspoon turmeric
• 2 large garlic cloves, peeled and sliced
• 2 dry red chili pods, broken into bits  (mildly spicy), add more chili pods for additional spice
• 1 package of extra firm tofu, cubed
• 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed and left whole
• 4 small red potatoes, cubed
• 1/4 cup water
• 3/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste

Directions:

1. Measure out the spices and place them right next to the stove top in separate piles or cups.
2. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. When it is hot, add the tofu and saute for about 5 minutes.
3. Remove the tofu from the pan and let it rest on a plate lined with a sheet of paper towel.
4. Heat the additional 2 tablespoons of oil in the skillet over medium-high heat. When it is hot, add the mustard seeds. Keep a pot lid handy, as the seeds may splatter and fly all over. When the splattering subsides, add the turmeric, garlic, and chili pieces and fry until the garlic turns light golden (about 30 seconds).
5. Add the beans and potatoes. Let the vegetables sizzle undisturbed for one minute. Fry the vegetables, by turning them, for about 5 minutes. Add about 1/4 cup of water along with salt and the mustard powder and mix well.
6. Add the tofu back into the skillet and mix well.
7. Reduce the heat to low or medium-low and cook covered, until the vegetables are thoroughly cooked (about 20 minutes).
8. Uncover and continue cooking, turning and tossing the vegetables until they look dry and glazed (3-4 minutes).
9. Enjoy!

Serve with Rice and Dal.

Bengali Style Tofu with Green Beans and Potatoes





Food: Salmon Pasta Salad

I made this recipe for dinner last night and it was easy, healthy and delicious. The best part is that it can be eaten either cold or at room temperature and so it's perfect for a weeknight meal on a hot summer day. It would also be a great option for a picnic lunch.

Salmon Pasta Salad

(Serves 4)

Ingredients:

• 4 ounces of pasta
• 1 pound of salmon fillets, skinned, pin bones removed
• 4 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
• 2 cucumbers, cut into cubes
• 4 green onions, cut diagonally
• 3 tablespoons wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup thin soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon asian chile sauce
• 2 tablespoons dark sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons peanut oil
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• zest of half an orange
• 1/4 cup minced ginger
• 1/4 cup cilantro 

Directions:

1. Cook the pasta according to package directions, drain in a colander, rinse with cold water and drain thoroughly. 
2. Broil salmon for 15-20 minutes. Allow the salmon to cool and break into small pieces. 
3. In a large bowl, combine the pasta, salmon, tomatoes, cucumber, and green onions and toss well. 
4. For the dressing, in a small bowl, combine the vinegar, soy sauce, chile sauce, sesame oil, peanut oil, sugar, orange zest, ginger and cilantro and mix well. 
5. Pour the dressing over the pasta and toss to evenly combine. 
6. Enjoy!

Salmon Pasta Salad

Food: Margherita with Grilled Chicken Paninis

I love panini sandwiches and I always knew they were easy to make. But, I never tried to make them at home because I thought I needed a panini grill, and another expensive kitchen gadget just wasn't in my budget nor did I have the storage space.

Initially, I tried to use my cast iron griddle to make panini sandwiches by flipping them over and searing both sides, but my paninis always fell apart. Then I saw Mario Batali's Grill Press and it seemed like the solution I was looking for. It was inexpensive, $20 rather than the $200 I'd have to spend for a panini grill, it was small and easy to store, and could be used with the cast iron griddle that I already own.

Mario Batali's Red Grill Press and Cast Iron Griddle

I made Margherita with Grilled Chicken Panini Sandwiches last night and they turned out beautifully. It's super easy, quick, healthy and delicious!

Margherita with Grilled Chicken Paninis

(Makes 2 sandwiches)

Ingredients:

• 2 slices of fresh mozzarella cheese
• 4 slices of thick bread
• salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 chicken breast
• 6 large fresh basil leaves
• 1 large tomato (6 tomato slices)
• olive oil for seasoning

Directions:

1. Preheat the cast iron griddle pan and the grill press over medium heat.
2. Season both sides of the chicken breast with salt, pepper and olive oil. 
3. When the griddle is hot, sear both sides of the chicken breast until cooked all the way through (about 5 minutes on each side). 
4. Let the cooked chicken breast rest for about 5 minutes and then cut into diagonal slices. 
5. Place 1 slice of mozzarella cheese atop 1 bread slice, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Top with 3 basil leaves, and 3 tomato slices. Sprinkle with more salt and pepper and top with 2 slices of chicken breast, and then top with the second bread slice. Brush both sides of the sandwich with olive oil. 
6. Grill the sandwich until the bread is golden brown and the cheese melts, pressing down with the grill press, about 4 minutes. Transfer the sandwich to a plate and serve. 
7. Enjoy!

Margherita with Grilled Chicken Panini

Fashion: On The Go Manicure/ Pedicure

Have you ever looked down at your hands or feet and realized that you're in desperate need of a manicure/ pedicure but you just don't have the time to sit and literally wait for paint to dry? Well, this happens to me pretty regularly. 

So when I heard of an instant manicure/ pedicure solution I knew I had to try it. Beauty enthusiasts  have been raving about Sally Hansen's Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips. However, I'm not usually a fan of nail art, at the salon it's too expensive and I certainly don't have enough skill to do it myself at home and so I was a little skeptical. 

Sally Hansen Salon Effects in "Frock Star"

When I opened the box and saw nail stickers, I was ready for a refund. But, I tried to keep an open mind and still give them a try... and I'm glad I did. Within 20 minutes I had a new pedicure and never had to leave the couch. 

The nail stickers are quite easy to put on, shape very well to your natural nail and last for about two weeks. The best part... no drying time! Here's a little hint: to make them last longer, put on a clear coat of polish on top.

I wasn't adventurous enough to try nail art on my hands and so I thought I'd try them on my feet first. I tried "Frock Star" and I love it, my feet are ready for a night out. Now, what to do about that manicure?

Pedicure in "Frock Star"

Fashion: Cruelty-Free Drugstore Makeup Brands

I think most women like to browse the makeup aisles at their local drugstore, and I'm definitely no exception. Although most of the times I don't actually need anything, but sometimes a $1.99 lipgloss is exactly the little pick me up that I've been looking for.

Since I like to browse the drugstore beauty aisles so much, I thought I'd do some research and figure out which drugstore makeup brands are free of animal testing.

Through my research I realized that sadly only two of the major cosmetics companies are animal cruelty-free, Revlon and Almay. Revlon and Almay have proven to PETA that they perform no animal testing on either their ingredients or on their finished products.

Sadly, many of the cosmetic companies claim their products to be cruelty-free because they don't perform animal testing on their finished products, however, many of the companies still perform horrific animal testing for their ingredients.

The following drugstore cosmetics companies are certified to be cruelty-free for both their finished products and ingredients according to PETA: Revlon, Almay, Physician's Formula and e.l.f Cosmetics (can be found at Target).

So from now on when I'm browsing the beauty aisles at my local drugstore, I can still get a little pick me up and remain true to my conscience.

Fashion: Espadrille Wedges...the one shoe that every girl needs for the summer

Anyone who knows me well knows that I LOVE designer shoes, they're beautiful and in most cases even quite comfortable. I'm always on the look out for a great pair of shoes and if I had to pick only one pair for the summer, they would have to be espadrille wedges. Wedges are stable, easy to walk in, and give you height without having to walk around on your tip-toes. For vertically challenged girls, like myself, wedges are an absolute must in your closet.

Espadrille wedges are everywhere this season, they come in a variety of colors and heel heights, but my favorite has to be Jimmy Choo's "Polar" Espadrille Wedge Slingbacks. I love that it comes in nude patent leather which blends into your feet and basically makes your legs look about 4 inches longer.

Try on a pair of espadrille wedges and see how you like them, I think you'll love them as much as I do!

Jimmy Choo "Polar" Espadrille Wedge Slingbacks