Pink Elephants on Parade

Ingredients:

    * 1 part white cranberry juice

    * 1 part berry vodka

    * 1/2 part raspberry liqueur (Chambord)

    * 1/2 part Limoncello

Mix all ingredients in a shaker full of ice. Shake well and pour into chilled martini glasses.

Don’t own a shaker? Pick up the Accoutrements Pink Elephant Cocktail Shaker from Amazon.com and get your party started!

The Best Spiked Eggnog

    * 4 parts eggnog (we like Hood Lite)

    * 1 part spiced rum (we like Captain Morgan’s)

Mix eggnog and rum in a glass, top with whipped cream and sprinkle with nutmeg.

For those extra cold days, heat the eggnog before adding the rum-

Not that’s a holiday spirit!

Fashionable Reading, Blow by Blow

The loss of fashion legend Alexander McQueen was an enormous tragedy, but one of the biggest tragedies of his life was the suicide of his muse Isabella Blow in 2007. Now her biography, Isabella Blow: A Life in Fashion by Lauren Goldstein Crowe gives a look back on her life, her passion, and the spark she created that made her a fashion icon.

 

For those who don’t know, Isabella was the key muse for milliner Philip Treacy and designer Alexander McQueen. Great minds could not help but be attracted to her electricity and verve and she prompted them to create their best work. She was eager to wear shocking things long before Lady Gaga, and maintained a wicked sense of humor right up until her passing.

Valentino says of the book, “To tell the story—the times, the impact, the inspiration, the misery, the dreams, the fantasy, the allure of Isabella—you would think you’d need 100 writers; but Lauren Goldstein Crowe has been able to tell us all this in one very good book.”

Isabella Blow: A Life in Fashion is available at Amazon.com

Va-Va-Vinyl

Who doesn’t love a little nod to the past? Vintage posters in our kitchens, vintage dresses in our closets but nothing can take you back quite like a little bit of vinyl. That’s right, vinyl records. The needle drops and sound crackles out of your speakers and it just takes you away. Now I wasn’t from the time when vinyl was king but it doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy a little throwback now and then. When I left home, I took my dad’s collection of original records and his stereo. Now, nothing can get me to groove like Tower of Power or dance like Michael Jackson. Yes, the original Thriller album was part of his collection!

What’s even better is that so many places still sell old records, and for amazing prices too! Goodwill is always the best place to find some forgotten treasures but you can also check out places like Gimme Gimme Records in New York City or Repo Records in Philadelphia. Stores like Best Buy actually sell new record players but you can find some great pieces up on Ebay too.

Throw a record on while you’re cooking dinner or dance off some stress before crashing in front of the TV. Maybe your man will even dance it out with you! No matter what sound is flowing, that vintage vibe will get you every time!

HOT APPLE RUM CIDER

2 qts. unsweetened apple cider

2 tbsp. lemon juice

1 tbsp. caramel

2 sticks cinnamon

1 1/2 tsp. whole cloves

1 1/4 c. dark rum or brandy

Combine ingredients in a large saucepan; cook over medium heat until thoroughly heated, stirring frequently. Reduce heat; simmer 15 minutes. Remove and discard cinnamon sticks and cloves, using a slotted spoon. Stir in rum. Cook over medium heat until thoroughly heated (do not boil). Pour into mugs.

 

Top with whipped cream and garnish with cinnamon, nutmeg or drizzle with caramel.

*Don’t forget the cider doughnuts*

A-Muse-ing Collection

What will I be doing over the holiday breaks? Well I plan to be glued to the screen watching one of my favorite style icons in 7, yes 7, of her amazing movies, of course! If you don’t own it by now, you need to put the Audrey Hepburn Couture Muse Collection on the top of your wish list. 

The Audrey Hepburn Couture Muse Collection- Available at Amazon.com

 Titles included in this limited edition gift set are:

    * Breakfast at Tiffany’s

    * Sabrina

    * War and Peace

    * Roman Holiday

    * Paris When it Sizzles

    * My Fair Lady

    * Funny Face 

This incredible DVD compilation not only houses her most beloved films in a unique collector’s package but for the fashionista in you, comes with 10 designer cards highlighting some of the greatest fashion moments in her career. It is simply a must have!

Protein Packs a Punch

Surely you remember my October article about my new obsession- Boxing!  But what’s the best way to enhance any workout and get you over the plateau? Protein my friends, protein!

Now if you’re like most women, you’re thinking ‘yeah okay if I want to be the size of a moose I’ll drink that stuff’ but not true! Protein is a great way to revitalize your muscles after a tough workout and we all know that if you increase the muscle, you decrease the fat.

Try these 2 easy recipes:

·      Summer is Sweet Shake: Blend vanilla flavored whey protein powder (found at your area GNC). with ice, skim milk, and a little Hershey’s Syrup Lite and you have a calorie conscious chocolate milkshake! 

·      Baby It’s Cold (Running) Outside: Skip the ice and blend vanilla whey protein with apple juice. Don’t even bother making it unless you are going to top it off with some cinnamon-

Mmmmmmmm- protein perfection!

Cheers!