MAD FETE! PARTY LIKE IT'S 1960!

Like the rest of the world I LOVE MAD MEN! The decadent and salacious show is so addictive that I want to party like it's 1960. From the fashion, decor and more there is so much kitschy 60's inspiration to draw from. Here are a few elements I want to incorporate into my MAD MEN Fete ~ 

A '60s-themed  party wouldn't be complete without snacks for guests to munch on (I plan to have episodes of the show and 60's videos play on a projector as we mingle) . For me I want to keep it simple with popular appetizers from the era like deviled eggs, Swedish meatballs and a meat and cheese tray. Now we all know a good party it's all about the drink!  Cocktails from the time period were no joke, and it's just as important to have the right glasses and bar set up. A bar cart is perfect, but I don't have one handy, so I will decorate a quick fix bar and adorn with vintage decor. I'll be nice and  add a punch bowl to the table the guests who won't be drinking, and be sure not to  forget the ice bucket, shaker and stirrers. Highball and martini glasses are a must!  

PHOTOGRAPH BY ROMULO YANES HANDMADE “NEPTUNE” OLD FASHIONED GLASS BY STEUBEN
Graphics | HAUTE & SEXY


For the cocktails (the most important element of the fete!) I want to step it up a notch, with the ultimate '60s-style libation with a modern twist. What is it you ask? My friends it is the DISTRITO FEDERAL - it's a libation from the era that is a play off a Black Russian but better! It's near perfection with the perfect combo of rum and brandy - lucky for you all I have found it and thanks to Haitian Rhum and E&J XO Brandy. The brandy really makes the drinks and we all know - The Drapers and Sterlings enjoyed their liquor in style - with E&J you have just that. Since I am in a celebratory mood here's the recipe. And remember folks drink responsibly! 

DRINK OF CHOICE: DISTRITO FEDERAL

Into a cocktail shaker half filled with ice pour 1 jigger golden rum and 1/2 jigger each of E&J XO Brandy and coffee liqueur. Shake the mixture vigorously and strain it into an Old Fashioned glass filled with cracked ice.

 E&J XO Brandy was provided by BzzAgent via   E&J XO Brandy .  The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of   E&J XO Brandy  .

Watch It!

The ubiquity of the one-device-includes-all smart phone has killed the very concept (or need) for a watch - or did it? There is a timeless (pun intended) necessitate of wearing an exquisitely made watch that can not be outdone by an android! For us it's all about the very top of the top - the echelon of timepieces and when we want to invest in a piece that will not talk back to us (no thanks, Siri) but speak to our very soul we look no further then  BOB'S  ROLEX WATCH COLLECTION - the online marketplace where you can buy or sell your watches with ease and no hassle at all. Choose from an array of lavish Rolex Watches that will adorn any and every outfit -  these modern classics are an investment that will just appreciate in time. Now if you are a smartphone fanatic and the appeal of a watch today may now lie more in it being an eye-coaxing accessory than a necessary time tool - fine, I won't chastise you but for those iPhone lovers a luxe Rolex Watch will save you from taking a cursory glance at your cell during a business meeting or hot date (which is considered bad form ladies & gents!). And with Mother's and Father's day just around the corner why not treat your dear mum or pop to a festive Rolex Watches for all those years of giving you TLC! Now the next time you decided to wait on line outside for twelve hours for the latest smartphone remember that you can invest in a timepiece that will surely surpass said phone for years to come and with BOB'S WATCHES it's just a tweet away.  

To learn more about BOB'S WATCHES log on to www.bobswatches.com

Article sponsored by Bob's Watches

Neutrogena® Cosmetics : The Girl, The Make Up & The Endless Possibilities

If you are like me you are readily excited for the spring/summer seasons to begin. The fall/winter seasons I was very dark and mysterious with deep berry on my lips and jeweled tone eyeshadow to liven up my face during the cold months. Well friends I am here to share that I am over this look and can't wait to try something new and that I shall thanks to Neutrogena® Cosmetics. For spring I envision luscious lashes, sheer gloss lips and barely there lids all the while looking as fresh as the flowers that are blooming! 

From Left to Right:Neutrogena® Healthy Lengths Mascara, Neutrogena® MoistureSmooth Color Sticks, Neutrogena® Crease Proof Eye Shadows

What I absolutely adore about Neutrogena® Cosmetics is that it's wallet friendly, highly pigmented and lasts through out the day. Also it's formulated to work on even the sensitive of skins so you don't have to worry about any possible reactions to the product (and being a beauty aficionado I have had my fair share of beauty mishaps that has left me with some grisly allergic reactions - you are in the clear with Neutrogena® Cosmetics!). 

Above you will find my springtime look. It's easy, fast and with Neutrogena® Cosmetics it is effortless! With the Neutrogena® Crease Proof Eye Shadows the color is rich and opaque, yet won't crease—ever. The applicator is also great too you literally swipe and blend - it's amazing! This waterproof formula is soft enough to smudge, but once it sets, it never wanders. With my lashes it's all about the Neutrogena® Healthy Lengths Mascara. The mascara makes us appear genetically blessed in the eyelash department. The bristles lengthen, thicken, and define, with no spider-like effects. Last but not least Neutrogena® MoistureSmooth Color Sticks is the tops with it comes to moisturizing lip coverage. It may look like a chubby pencil, but it's as creamy and moisturizing as a regular lipstick. The sheer hues is shimmer-free, subtle, and sophisticated (above I used a lipliner as a primer because I wanted a bit more color but it is amazing on it's own). 

From Left to Right: Neutrogena® Crease Proof Eye Shadows, Neutrogena® Healthy Lengths Mascara, Neutrogena® MoistureSmooth Color Sticks, Neutrogena® Crease Proof Eye Shadows

 Neutrogena® Cosmetics  was provided by BzzAgent via  Neutrogena® Cosmetics .  The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of  Neutrogena® Cosmetics  .

Chilli Chilli Yum Yum Thanks To GOYA!

© 2009 Jan Galbraith

I don't know about the rest of you but this winter has been one of the coldest- so much so that I have been in the comfort of my home more then I would like which for many people that translate into weight gain which I can not afford (the impending Bikini season is upon us!). So while I am in my winter phrase I want to eat smart and eating smart my friends means the standard of my culinary delights: GOYA. From the yellow rice to the delish side dishes GOYA products are flavorful and does not compromise my waistline. So this winter I will shake off the final chill of winter with a hearty chicken chili surrounded by fiber filled treats that will not sacrifice my physique. 

GOYA^® 

While I am indoors hiding from the horrible winter season I am watching Bravo and indulging and being mindful of my consumption—there’s no better meal to cozy up with on a chilly winter evening than this sultry Chipotle Chicken Chili, fragrant with warm spices - the beans, cheddar cheese and sour cream truly divine! So without further adieu here's my recipe. 

Some ingrediants to my soon to be legendary Quick Chipotle Chicken Chili! 

QUICK CHIPOTLE CHICKEN CHILI 

INGREDIANTS

• 2 canned GOYA^®  whole chipotle chilies in adobo* or 2 dried whole chipotle chilies*
• 1 cup water, boiling hot if using the dried chilies
• 2 pounds fresh tomatillos (available at Hispanic markets and may supermarkets) or three 18-ounce cans GOYA^® whole tomatillos*, drained
• 2 large onions, chopped
• 8 garlic cloves
• 3 tablespoons GOYA^® olive oil
• 2 tablespoons ground cumin
• 4 pounds ground chicken
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried orégano, crumbled
• 2 teaspoons salt, or to taste
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• two 4-ounce cans GOYA^® mild green chilies, drained and chopped
• 1 tablespoon cornmeal
• a 15-ounce can (about 2 cups) GOYA^®  low sodium beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh coriander
• sour cream and cheddar cheese as an accompaniment if desired

PREPARATION

If using the canned chipotle chilies, in a blender purée them with the water and reserve the purée. If using dried chipotle chilies, stem and seed them wearing rubber gloves, in a small bowl let them soak in the boiling-hot water for 20 minutes, and in a blender purée the mixture, reserving the purée.

In a large heavy kettle cook the onions and 5 of the garlic cloves, minced, in the oil over moderate heat, stirring, until the onions are softened, add the cumin, and cook the mixture, stirring, for 30 seconds. Add the chicken and cook the mixture, stirring and breaking up the lumps, until the ground chicken is no longer pink. Add the reserved chipotle purée, the reserved tomatillo purée, the broth, the bay leaf, the orégano, and the salt and simmer the mixture, uncovered, adding more water if necessary to keep the chicken barely covered, for 1 hour. Stir in the bell pepper, the canned green chilies, and the cornmeal and simmer the mixture, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes. Stir in the white beans, the coriander, the remaining 2 garlic cloves, minced, and salt to taste, simmer the chili for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the beans are heated through, and discard the bay leaf. The chili may be frozen or made 3 days in advance, cooled, uncovered, and kept covered and chilled. Serve the chili with the sour cream and cheddar cheese.

The GOYA®  products  was provided by BzzAgent via GOYA®  .  The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of GOYA®  .

Quick Delish Fix With MorningStar Farms

I will be the first to admit I am not well versed in cooking so when I find products that are delisious, nutrious and wallet friendly too I am all over it! In comes MORNINGSTAR FARMS® - my go to brand for all things veggie! From the burgers to my all time fave Chik'n Nuggets the products packs on tons of flavor and satisfies my cravings. Since I am a small business owner I am on an ultra tight budget and the MORNINGSTAR FARMS® burgers are my daily lunch items that ensure I won't go out and waster hard earned $$ on needless food! I just throw it in the oven (I'm old-school - no microwave for me!) make a small salad on the side and voila! I get all I need and more - better yet these burgers (I particulary love the MORNINGSTAR FARMS® Asian Veggie Patties & the Chipotle Black Bean Burger) don’t try to hide their meatless nature and instead celebrate their grain-centric origins with wonderful texture and a hint finger-licking spice. Now I wish I had recipes to share but again I am gourmet-challenged - for some over the top yum-tastic recipes and ideas check out www.morningstarfarms.com! Your tummy will thank you ~ 

Photo Courtesy of Haute & Sexy

The MorningStar Farms® veggie burgers  was provided by BzzAgent via MorningStar Farms® .  The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of MorningStar Farms® .

All Hail (ASOS LPB)

Cleopatra

A Life

By Stacy Schiff

Little, Brown and Company

Cleopatra, the last Queen of Egypt - the one person on Earth who has stood apart from both men and woman.  Her legacy - a paradox  that encapsulated strength, cunning wit, beauty and pure unadulterated lust whose presence has outlived her contemporaries yet even still she remains an enigma yet to be solved. I first was enamored with the story of Cleopatra from reading the Margaret George tome The Memoirs of Cleopatra: A Novel - a riveting historical novel written in the 'vain' of Cleopatra's voice. That tome is a must have and a  great introduction to the world of Cleopatra - so richly detailed it quenched my thirst into learning more about this Queen who has been both glorified and vilified through the ages. In comes Cleopatra: A Life (Little, Brown and Company) by Pulitzer Prize Winner Stacy Schiff - a book that has been celebrated since it's 2010 release; a book that is on my short list of Cleopatra tomes to tackle. So mon petites, would you be interested in doing a book club with me with this book? Tweet me your thoughts and let's get the dialogue going.