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