Last Minute Gifts

Yesterday I had to venture to the mall to exchange a gift...It was frightful.There were so many people there, no parking, long lines and it got me thinking about a couple of things 1) Am I glad to have all my shopping done so I don't have to come back here 2) what would I do if I forgot a present for someone?
I put together a couple of ideas for easy DIY that you don't have to step foot in the mall to do.
First for a holiday dinner Easy Chic Chicken Liver Pate

From Bon Appétit

Ingredients

3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature, divided
4 bacon slices, chopped
1 1/2 cups chopped onion
1 garlic clove, minced
12 oz chicken livers, trimmed
1 large Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored, cut into 1/4- to 1/3-inch cubes (about 1 1/3 cups)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh marjoram*
2 hard-boiled eggs, peeled, quartered
2 tablespoons dry Sherry, bourbon, or Cognac
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
Fresh parsley sprig
Rye bread slices, toasted or crackers, for serving

Directions

1. Melt 1/4 cup butter in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add bacon and sauté until translucent, about 3 minutes.
2. Add onion and sauté until pale golden, about 5 minutes.
3. Add garlic and stir 1 minute.
4. Add chicken livers, apple, and marjoram; sauté until livers are no longer pink inside and apple is soft, about 8 minutes.
5. Transfer warm liver mixture to processor. Add hard-boiled eggs, Sherry, and salt; puree until almost smooth.
6. Transfer mixture to fine to medium sieve set over large bowl. Using sturdy rubber spatula, press mixture through sieve into bowl.
7. Mix in remaining 1/2 cup butter. Season pâté to taste with freshly ground pepper. Transfer to small serving bowl. Garnish pâté with parsley and serve with toasted rye bread or crackers.

Makes about 2 cups.

Make ahead: Can be made 4 days ahead. Cover and chill. Place in empty Mason Jar and decorate.

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For those of us who are afraid of the kitchen you can place a mixture of chocolate covered berries in a Mason jar and decorate or you can layer Cocoa powder and Marshmallows for a hot Chocolate mix in a jar.Personalized presents are a cheap and easy way to show someone you care!

Glamour From The Inside Out

I have been crazy busy this week, Tomorrow night I am hosting a shopping party at the amazing boutique Lotta here in Los Angeles lottanyc.com The proceeds from the shopping party will benefit the Down Town Union  Mission in Los Angeles .The Mission helps the homeless by providing food and services.
The party itself should be very glamorous.There will be press there , H 'orderves and Champagne I will be wearing a 1920's inspired floor length tie dyed dress! It should be a truly amazing Holiday Party. All that being said hands down the best part is that I will be helping people less fortunate then myself, by doing something that I love.
Helping others makes you feel better then the best haircut or most amazing boots. When you feel good about yourself it will shine through!

Winter Hair Color

Winter is almost upon us although I realize some places are so cold that it has felt like Winter for Months now.
Winter much like Summer is a great time for a little change of hair color. Unlike Summer when stylist got lighter with hair, Winter it is wise to go a little Darker/Richer. The reason being that in the Summer we tend to get more sun, lighter hair really brings out a tan. Lighter hair does the opposite in the Winter it makes your face seem more pale and tends to wash people out. Easy way to figure out if your hair color is washing you out is to consider if you are wearing more makeup now then a few months ago...We tend to over compensate with makeup when we feel washed out.
For Blondes I suggest getting some darker highlights instead of an all over color. That way you can transition back when Summer approaches, and your hair won't get fried.
For Brunettes an all over temporary color (last 6 to 8 weeks) in a rich color with copper or chestnut undertones will work best. Garnier makes a great at home temporary hair color.

DIY lip plumper!!!

Ok this one is for the truly adventurous! A good friend of mine is a makeup artist she also is very into organic foods and makeup and she swears by this simple recipe for homemade organic lip plumper.
The first ingredient is Cinnamon leaf essential oil , you can find it at almost any natural food store.
Almond or Coconut oil is the next ingredient you can also get those at the natural food store.
Lastly a vitamin E capsule Any grocery store or Pharmacy carries vitamin E just make sure you get the oily kind not solid.
So after you got all your goodies grab a small bowl...add 5 or 6 drops off the cinnamon oil , 6 tablespoons of almond/coconut oil finally empty 1 capsule of the vitamin E into the bowl. Mix well in the bowl then transfer to a little container...I used an old Carmex jar cleaned out.
Before your next night out put a TINY amount on a q-tip and apply to lips...It will tingle but you will notice the difference immediately.

Great Fitting Clothes

Every notice how celebrities look amazing in almost everything they wear? The secret is not diet, exercise or a pair of Spanx although those things don't hurt.The real secret is a good tailor. Every body is different if you line up six women who are a size 4 and have them try on the same dress each one would fit differently . If you fall in love with something while out shopping that may not fit quit right  you can still buy it and make it fit you, just  keep in mind a few things :
Where are the seams? Side and Back seams are the easiest to get tailored. You can let them out up to a half inch and take them in as much as you need.
What kind of material is it? Spandex is notoriously hard to stitch although it can be done it might not come off as seamless ( pun intended) as other material. Clothes with sequin and beading can be very tricky to tailor and may be better left alone.
Can this be made to fit? Pants that are too long or too short can easily be made perfect for you. Most blazers can be taken in and let out in the back to fit you. Pencil skirts can be taken up, down, let in and also out  a tiny bit.
Bust areas that are too big can be taken in..Bust areas that are too small you may be out of luck.
Next time you shop remember you can make clothes perfect for you!

Easy ways to make eyes look less sleepy

Lots of holiday parties, late nights, glasses of wine, fighting holiday shoppers for great boots! Whatever the case may be Tis the season of sleep deprivation, I believe the eyes give away how much we may or may not be sleeping I found some reeeaaaally easy ways to make you eyes look wide awake.
First invest in a Navy Blue or Purple Mascara they reflect light better then brown or black and will make your eyes sparkle.
White eyeliner in the rim of your lower lashes will reduce the appearance of red eyes.
use a eye cream with caffeine in it.The caffeine will cause the skin around your eyes to temporarily tighten.
Before you apply your make up boil a bag of green tea let cool and apply to your eyes! Green tea bags has a de puffing effect and will sooth tired eyes

Ouch Winter skin

I live in Southern California and we have been unusually cold with 40 mph gusts from the Santa Anas all of which means my skin is dry itchy and flaky!!!Not a good look. My first thought was ex foliate the heck out of myself but that is just about the worst thing you could do because it just further  irritates already irritated skin. During the Winter it is important to change your beauty routine, switch to Dermatologist recommended  cleanser for sensitive skin  like Cetaphil  which has no perfumes or dyes in it. Also you will probably need to apply moisturizer more often through out the day. I mix my moisturizer  in with my foundation it just makes it go on more smoothly. If you can live without powder do it! Powder sits on dry skin making it look really lifeless. If you can not live without powder try a cream powder foundation like 29 vintage brand it has cream in it , Your skin will glow.

perfect fabric for the holiday season

Between Thanks Giving ,Holiday parties , and New Years we are officially in the party season. Figuring out what to wear can be a real pain, unlike Spring or Summer Sun dresses and Camis are not a go to option, give velvet a try. Velvet is usually inexpensive but looks rich you can wear velvet in a variety of ways,jackets, dresses, pants.Velvet is hands down one of the sexiest fabrics because it feels so lush.
Black velvet is very dramatic so make sure you go minimal on the jewelry and makeup you don't want to look like Elvira. I love burgundy velvet it is very romantic in the way red is to wear but less in your face. Forrest green and Navy are both look amazing in velvet. Lace is a great complement to velvet, in a blouse under a velvet jacket or a lace legging under a velvet dress.

Not your Grandmothers Thanksgiving

 I am going to my In laws for Thanksgiving and it is a potluck style Thanksgiving which got me thinking about tried and true recipes and some easy ways to re tool them.
Corn bread is a great traditional side but in terms of show stopping dish it is a little lack luster. Keeping nearly identical ingredients you can have a Corn Souffle..sounds glamorous right? The recipe could not be simpler

Ingredients

• 2 (15.25 ounce) cans whole kernel corn
• 2 (15 ounce) cans creamed corn
• 4 tablespoons white sugar
• 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 4 tablespoons milk
• 4 eggs

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Combine the corn, creamed corn, sugar, flour, milk and eggs. Mix well. Pour the mixture into a souffle dish.
3. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

No tears haircut

So I have had long hair since I was in the 8th grade. When I was in the 6th grade I got a bob and cried for no less than two weeks. Once my hair grew long again I was so scared to touch it that I have had the same hairstyle for over a decade.Even though my job was to give people Make Overs I refused to give one to myself. Until Yesterday!!! I recently quit smoking which I thought was a pretty big deal so in the spirit of life changing events I cut 5 inches of my mid back length hair bringing it up to my shoulders.
After talking to a friend who is a celebrity hair stylist in Beverly Hills I figured out a great way to preview a haircut. Find a celebrity, model or whom ever that you favor, ie face shape distance eyes to forehead and nose. Find a hair cut that person has that you want. It takes bringing in a picture to the next level. Most times when you hate your haircut it is because it was not right for your face shape. Like my childhood bob , I have a round face and chin length hair only accentuated it. Next time you get a haircut do a little research it will make all the difference.

Denim Denim Everywhere!!!!

Everyone loves a good pair of Jeans but they are far from the only way to wear denim. Bring a little spice into your wardrobe by incorporating these fun ways to denim.
Denim button down other wise known as a chambray shirt. Wear with black leggings and heels for a great date night look.
Denim purses are great because the instantly add a little funky element to whatever you are wearing.
Another must try is the denim blazer it is great for the office and can be transformed instantly into the perfect girls night out jacket.

5 minute or less make up touch up

Going out after work for dinner or drinks can be the highlight of a work day. If you only have a few minutes to touch up before you go out I have some helpful hints. The easiest tip is to put all the makeup you used in the morning onto your brushes so you don't have to lug your makeup bag around , you can just whip out your brushes and touch up anywhere. If your hair tends to get oily towards the end of the day bring along a dryer sheet from home rub it on the roots of your hair and watch the oil disappear, bonus your hair will smell great!

Got an extra 50 bucks? Treat yourself like a celebrity

Working in television and writing for magazines I  have had the oppurtunity to  test tons of beauty  products and treatments  and these are the best out there for under 50 bucks!!!

Gel Nails are a celebrity favorite whether you get a classic manicure like Lauren Conrad or opt for crazy glitter and patterns like  Rhianna.Starlettes love to have fun with their nails and now so can you.Gel nails are a monomer and polymer mix, which basically means they are hard like an acrylic nail but with no fake tip. Gel nails last up to a month and cost around 50 bucks and are a great way to give yourself a celebrity treatment.
Red carpet hair is always shiny and now your hair can be too. Glaze hair treatment penetrates the hairs shaft and makes it look glossy for up to two weeks. You can use it on color treated hair or virgin and the best part is you can do it at home yourself. There are great hair  glazes on the market from 10 dollars to 50 dollars some of my favorites are John Frieda's Lumina Color Glaze,which you can get at CVS Target, and other drugstores for around 10 dollars and Frederic Fekkai which is under 30 and is available at Sephora.
The last treatment for a diva on a budget is to get your eyebrows professionally shaped. The cost varies from 15 dollars to about 50. The greatest part of this treatment is after you get it done you can maintain it easily at home, so it is like the gift that keeps on giving.
These treatments are easy and relatively cheap ways to treat  yourself. Have fun, experiment!

Life.Styled.365

The Little Black Dress also loving referred to as the" LBD" is the number one must have in every womens closet. Easy to dress up or down always there when you need it, but what happens when you don't have a go to LBD?Or worse yet what if you don't even own a LBD.
As a celebrity stylist and host of a well known Make Over show I constantly help women pick out the perfect little black dress for their body type.
Step one is the most important, Figure out what part of your body you want to highlight. I.E arms ,Boobs , legs and then pick a dress accordingly. If you have great arms go with a cap sleeve or strappy dress, Adversely if your arms are your achillies heel go with a 3/4 length sleeve or a long sleeve option. For ladies with long legs any length will look flattering. If you have shorter legs and a longer torso your LBD should come either a few inches above or below the knee, knee length dresses will make your legs look shorter and no body wants that!
Step 2 for picking out the perfect LBD for you is fabric. Lycra cotton blend is the most versatile fabric. It is easy to pair with other fabrics to dress up or down. A good lycra blend dress can act as a pair of spanx sucking you in in all the right places and showing off the good bits.
Step 3 is the dress itself it is important to remember that sometimes the simpler the dress the more use you will get out of it. This season zippers , rhinestones , and embellishment are all in but are not the easiest to pair sweaters ,jackets , and leggings with so be ware!
At the end of the day the LBD should make you feel good and look fantastic so try on a million till you find the one.