Style Maniac

Let's Hear It For The Girls

2012-02-02T06:52:00.027-05:00

Artist. Entrepreneur. Designer. Writer. Lover. Mother. Wife. Friend. Cheerleader. Rebel. From Cleopatra to Lilly Pulitzer, Dorothy Parker to Tina Turner. For all the things we are, and all the things we can be. This month, Let's Hear It For The Girls.

G is for GIRLFRIEND ... and GRANDMOTHER ... and in this case, both. That's my Grandma Jean, second from left, with her girlfriends. If you've been reading this blog for awhile you'll know she was also mine, and a style icon as well. I look at this photo of all the young girls, on the cusp of their lives and wonder what happened next. Who were they? What would they become? Along these lines, we'll be playing a bit of an alphabet game this month, sharing with each other what it means to be a woman from A to Z. What -- or who -- does 'G' represent to you?

Blog Birthday

2012-01-31T19:29:00.005-05:00

She dreamed of a world of oh so pretty things

Pink gilded with gold,

All sparkly and bright.

Paired with stories and style

books music art parties food fashion decor

love laughter more.

And then she made it happen.

And best of all,

You came to read it.

Style Maniac turned three this month and I thank each and every one of you for making that possible. Your visits, comments, conversation bring the stories told here to life, and as a writer there is nothing better. Merci, mes amis, for sharing this journey ... there are many more delicious things to come.

Cake by Christine Marvin/Market Of Choice photographed by Erich McVey, as seen on Style Me Pretty. First spied on Lina Widiasana /Pinterest.

3 Cooking Secrets from Chef Joey Campanaro

2012-01-30T10:46:00.002-05:00

Through the restaurant window: Chef Joey Campanaro cooking behind the bar at Village Belle.

Mmmm, can you smell the sizzle of that Mortadella & Tomme de Savoie sandwich? To learn how to make Joey Campanaro's gourmet yet super simple version of a Baloney & Cheese sandwich, watch the premiere episode of Chef Secrets for Home Cooks on yesterday's post, or visit the new Style Maniac YouTube Channel. Each episode of the series will bring you an easy and delicious recipe, plus a few tips, tricks and techniques from top chefs to try in your own kitchen. Here's what I learned from Joey Campanaro, chef at Market Table, The Little Owl, and Village Belle restaurants.

3 Cooking Secrets from Chef Joey Campanaro

Ingredient quality makes all the difference. Don't get me wrong: when fried, grocery store baloney and cheese can be pretty good. But use a high quality Mortadella and Tomme de Savoie and you enter another realm.
Joey calls it "saving flavor," I call it "less pans=less clean up, yay!" Either way, the result is the same: by toasting the bread in the same pan he cooked the meat in, all that yummy flavor is absorbed, enhancing the entire dish.
Chef trick: To quickly melt cheese, toss an ice cube in the pan, then quickly cover for just a few seconds. This little magic trick of Joey's is now a staple in our kitchen.

Photo by Doreen Creede. For more info on Joey Campanaro, Village Belle and the Chef Secrets for Home Cooks series visit here.

Chef Joey Campanaro Cooks His Version of Baloney & Cheese (Chef Secrets for Home Cooks: Episode 1)

2012-01-29T09:34:00.002-05:00

Fried baloney with Gulden's mustard on Wonderbread: as a kid, a sandwich didn't get much better than that. As an adult, too, I couldn't imagine how it could be improved upon. Until one evening at Village Belle, a favorite Italian restaurant just yards away from our home, a sizzle and smell behind the bar caught my attention. There, in a small pan on a tiny portable stove Chef Joey Campanaro was cooking up his version of a Baloney & Cheese sandwich, using Mortadella & Tomme de Savoie plus a few simple yet deliciously effective chef tricks. The sandwich still had only four ingredients -- meat, cheese, bread, mustard -- and took only 3 minutes to make, but tasted out of this world. Crusty, caramelized, oozy and utterly delicious. The next time Joey came to town, I came with my camera and Episode 1 of the new video series Chef Secrets for Home Cooks came to be. I hope you enjoy it, and learn as much as I did.

NEXT POST: Joey Campanaro's Chef Secrets

ABOUT THE CHEF: Joey Campanaro owns Village Belle with his brother, Chef Lou Campanaro. Joey can also be found at his New York restaurants Market Table and The Little Owl, where London's Observer declared his burger the world's best. He and his restaurants have been featured in Bon Appetit, The New York Times and on the CBS Saturday Early Show.

ABOUT THE RESTAURANT: Filmed on location at
Village Belle Restaurant
757 South Front Street
Philadelphia PA 19147
Phone: 215-551-2200
www.thevillagebelle.com.

ABOUT THE SERIES: "M&T" by Joey C is the first episode of Chef Secrets for Home Cooks, a new series from Style Maniac that brings the tips, tricks and techniques of top chefs into your kitchen. Watch the videos on the new Style Maniac YouTube channel, plus find out more on accompanying posts on this blog.

Special thanks to Chef/Owner Lou Campanaro and Managing Partner/wine guru Michael Romeo. Photos and video by Doreen and Kevin Creede.

Chef Secrets for Home Cooks: a new Style Maniac YouTube series

2012-01-26T16:26:00.005-05:00

How to cook artisanal pizza at home. French cooking techniques concentrated into a one pot meal. An ordinary baloney & cheese sandwich elevated into an extraordinary treat. The tips, tricks and techniques of professional chefs translated just for you, so your cooking tastes that much better. For nearly a year I have stood by fiery ovens and sizzling burners to suss out secrets from some very different chefs. The result is a new video series, Chef Secrets for Home Cooks, which premieres this week on the Style Maniac YouTube Channel.

If you've ever wondered what makes a restaurant dish taste so luscious, or why your meat never turns out with such a crackly crust; if you're someone (like me) who cooks because she has to not because she loves to; if you want recipes with minimal fuss and stellar results, then this is the series for you. The videos and accompanying blog posts will take the skills and knowledge pro chefs acquired from thousands of hours of training and translate them into simple things you can do in your own home kitchen to make the next meal you cook the yummiest ever.

NEXT POST: The premiere of Chef Secrets for Home Cooks featuring Chef Joey Campanaro, with embedded video and more details. Can't wait? Here's the link to Episode 1 on YouTube.

ABOVE: Scenes from upcoming episodes of Chef Secrets for Home Cooks. TOP ROW: Joey Campanaro of The Little Owl and Market Table in New York City and Village Belle in Philadelphia; Peter Woolsey of Bistrot La Minette in Philadelphia. MIDDLE ROW: Doreen Creede aka Style Maniac; Michael and Jason Brunetti of Pizzetteria Brunetti in Westhampton Beach NY. Photos and graphic design by Doreen Creede.

Let's DISH

2012-01-22T10:33:00.002-05:00

A visual feast, filled with tasty facts and mouth-watering photography, Dish: 813 Colorful, Wonderful Plates by House Beautiful features editor Shax Riegler shows how the most utilitarian of objects can be elevated into art and lead to the serious addiction known as "dish mania." Or as I refer to it, my china collection. The book has well-thought out design elements, with diagrams identifying plates on the cover and chapter openings; a quirky timeline of china history; and trivia tidbits such as the most enduring and popular patterns (Meissen's Blue Onion, in production since 1739; and Spode Christmas Tree, top request over the last 30 years by the 11 million customers of legendary china resource Replacements). Most of all it offers page after page of simply delectable dishes.

Dish: 813 Colorful Wonderful Plates by Shax Riegler, photographs by Robert Bean, published by Artisan.

Chic Clicks

2012-01-21T11:24:00.000-05:00

Curled up in bed with a warm laptop beside me -- that's how I do a lot of my online searching and shopping. Often my first stop is ShopStyle, a website that lets you compare hundreds of looks, then click through to purchase from an individual store. When I noticed they had an ad network, one that offers a clean design and tailoring of content to complement this blog's topics, I thought it would be a great fit. So I'm testing out some ads, which you'll find under "Chic Clicks" in the sidebar, plus a search bar at the footer, all labeled "ShopStyle." These work on a pay-per-click basis, so simply by clicking on them to browse you support Style Maniac. Every little click helps, and I thank you. Have fun shopping!

PLEASE NOTE: While I may select search parameters, the products that appear in the ShopStyle ads are generated by the ShopSense network and sold by individual stores, which bear all responsibility for orders, shipping, sales and product. Should you decide to make a purchase, please shop with your usual care.

Photo via Angel Barnes

Punjammies & Princesses

2012-01-19T08:23:00.003-05:00

These pretty pajamas caught my eye while scrolling through my Tumblr feed. What they represent is even more beautiful. Part of the International Princess Project, Punjammies are crafted in India by women rescued, released or escaped from forced prostitution. Proceeds from the sale of the garments provide fair trade wages, savings accounts, emotional and medical support, and ultimately a way for the women to support themselves and begin a new life, one in which they recognize their worth not as a commodity but as a person, not as a slave ... but as a princess.

Made from Indian sari fabrics, Punjammies run about $35 and can be purchased through the online store of the International Princess Project.

First spied on Teardrops On White Roses

MOVIE COCKTAIL: Blood & Sand for the Golden Globes

2012-01-14T17:33:00.003-05:00

When cocktail magician Catherine of Philly's aKitchen Restaurant crafted me a "Blood and Sand" one chilly evening I thought it a new creation. Turns out it has quite a history. The drink was named for the 1922 Rudolph Valentino movie, Blood and Sand, a tragic bullfighter tale with a long list of credits. Based on the novel by Vicento Blasco Ibáñez, Blood and Sand inspired an entire genre of bullfighting fiction and four films: first a 1916 Spanish version; next the Valentino; then a 1941 Technicolor remake starring Tyrone Powers and Rita Hayworth; and finally (so far) a 1989 version with ... Sharon Stone. Combine that star power with the drink's rich amber glow and it seems the perfect cocktail for a home viewing of the Golden Globes (Sunday 1/15/12), perhaps savored with a buttery bowl of popcorn and a redhot fire as a cold wind rattles the windows and sequined stars slither across the screen.

I can't vouch for the movie, but the smoky, just slightly sweet mix of ingredients has made "Blood and Sand" my new favorite cocktail. This recipe comes from The Bar Guide by Williams-Sonoma and is surprisingly easy to make. Just be sure to use fresh squeezed orange juice and quality cherry brandy, such as Heering Cherry Liquer -- it makes a difference.

Blood-And-Sand
2 fl. oz blended Scotch whisky
2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
1 tablespoon cherry brandy [Heering]
1 tablespoon sweet vermouth

Pour ingredients into a shaker two-thirds full of ice cubes. Shake well. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Top photo via 213 Nightlife. (color enhanced by Style Maniac)

Deck of Art

2012-01-11T10:48:00.001-05:00

Take something ordinary: a deck of cards. Think of it in a new way: as a mini gallery of art. The result: a simple way to add a touch of style and delight to your world. Not to mention the simple joy of gathering round a table, live and in person, laughing and talking with family and friends. This pack from Black Rock Collective offers original and diverse designs from 36 different artists for your playing ... and viewing ... pleasure.

Cozy & Bright

2012-01-07T06:56:00.061-05:00

Cozy rooms to brighten a dark winter's day ... a comfy modern take on cottage chic.

CREDITS: My Paradissi / Victoria Pearson in House Beautiful /
Liz Pierce loft from New Country Style by Vicki Ingham (Style Maniac archives) / Theaestate.com

The Comforts Of Home

2012-01-05T06:45:00.012-05:00

Pajamas and pancakes; lazy mornings and late brunches; cozy rooms and card games; reading in bed snuggled up beside the one you love. This January, hibernate (in style) with these Comforts Of Home.

Photo via Mademoiselle Rose/Pinterest; source: Emily / The Berry.com

Stepping Into 2012

2012-01-03T10:50:00.004-05:00

So we step into a new year, resolutions in tow: Spend money, exercise less, mess up the house ... ha! just kidding! Reverse those. But actually this year I've bypassed the usual suspects and pinpointed some very specific goals. I'll let you know how that plan turns out as 2012 unfolds ....

Do you or don't you? Share your thoughts on New Year's Resolutions in the comments below.

"Blue Room, Fano" by Betsy Bart

A Simply Joyous Christmas

2011-12-24T06:24:00.002-05:00

Wishing each of you a holiday filled with light and love.
Merry Christmas.

Taking some vacation time. See you all around New Year's. Photo via Sunsurfer.

Sunshine for the Winter Solstice

2011-12-22T06:22:00.002-05:00

Amongst the deluge of catalogs, Christmas cards, bills, flyers, coupons in the mail this month came this image advertising "East of the Sun," an exhibit of oil and acrylic paintings by Jean Plough. A perfect ray of sunshine for the darkest day of the year.

"Sky Garland" by Jean Plough on view at Twenty-Two Gallery through January 8, 2012.

Bette Midler: Sweet Advice from a Sassy Diva

2011-12-20T15:20:00.003-05:00

A sassy performance: that's what you'd expect from showbiz diva Bette Midler. That's what I expected when I accepted a blogstress invite from the social media team at Virtua Woman healthcare system to see The Divine Miss M speak at Virtua's 7th Annual Symposium last month. And sassy she was, delighting the crowd with tales of the audition that finally clinched the Johnny Carson show (she tore her dress getting out of the cab, her manager did nothing to help hide her "ass hanging out," and left her so pissed off she sang with a fierceness that got her the gig); winking at affairs with famous men (including Bob Dylan, it seems); defining the arc of an actress in Hollywood (ingenue, mother, grandmother, corpse); and even singing a snippet of a song for us, despite being hired only as a keynote speaker.

Here's what I didn't expect: Smart tips on health -- being mindful of what you put into your body ("Eat real food, the stuff around the perimeter of the grocery store. Don't eat anything advertised on TV." ) and how you treat it ("Move every day. Sweat"). A tiny woman, her own best advertisement for such advice, chic in a black dress and boots, slim and fabulous at 65. A deep connection to nature, from her Hawaiian roots to her current New York Restoration Project. Most of all I didn't expect the sweet advice Bette Midler left us all with, the best way to improve your health and the thing she wishes for all women: "Stop beating yourself up."

Such a simple thought and yet a good one to be reminded of. In the crazy rush of the holiday season, here's a gift we don't have to shop for, one we can give ourselves for free: a break from regret, perfection, coulda-woulda-shoulda, if only. That's a sentiment I'm tucking into my sequin stocking this year. Thank you, Bette.

Image via Bette Midler's Twitter.

Just The Trimmings

2011-12-16T06:56:00.021-05:00

This Christmas, for the first time ever in our house we did not put up a live indoor tree. In past years I've had as many as three, each decorated to match the room. Instead, this year, due to a busy travel schedule, I decided to place my glitter green Grinch, furry white and sparkly ruby tabletop trees around the house; fill a silver wine cooler on the dining room table with little gleaming red disco balls; hang just a few favorite ornaments by the phone in the kitchen; and create a Charlie Brown Christmas Tree outside from a dead fuchsia tree spraypainted white and festooned with shiny balls by my niece (before and after Instagram pics here). Just after my evening of decorating, I discovered I wasn't the only one with this idea. Over at The Decorista Ashlina did the same--see her DIY post for more ideas on how to use trimmings to brighten up your home for the holidays, whether or not you have a tree.

Photo via Kimmi on Pinterest.

Easy Chic

2011-12-14T06:42:00.018-05:00

Furry vest + Suede leggings + Burst of neon yellow + A touch of glittery glam in that sequin purse = exactly the look I'm in the mood for this season. Easy, comfy, yet chic enough to wear to a holiday happening.

Rachel Roy vest + Hue leggings + ASOS sweater + Zara purse = mixed together (and modeled) brilliantly by Erika Marie of Fashion Chalet. Discovered on The Glitter Guide's Tumblr

THE GIFT OF BOOKS: Blogs To Books Stories plus Presents for 3 Participants

2011-12-12T06:42:00.025-05:00

When I conjured up Blogs To Books, I wasn't sure what the reaction would be to this project encouraging random acts of reading and celebrating the love bloggers (and blog readers) have of books. The emotion and thought that went into particpants' choices truly warmed my heart. Sincere thanks to each of you who took time to select the perfect book to surprise a friend, relative, colleague, customer with -- and then write to tell us about it.

Your choices have all been highlighted in a "Style Maniac Blogs To Books" display at Books & Books Westhampton Beach, a wonderful independent bookstore and our partner in this project. Individual "shelf talkers' throughout the store also credit each blogger (or blog reader) with her selection.

To continue the gift of books, I asked Books & Books' co-owner Denise Berthiaume to choose 3 participants who will receive a book from her store. Read on to see who won a gorgeous coffee table cookbook, and to find out more about each Blogs To Books selection. (For full stories see the Comments section on the original Blogs to Books post.)

Note: Many of these titles would make wonderful holiday gifts, so where available I've linked to Books & Books Westhampton Beach website.

Mary Ann (Classic • Casual • Home) chose Barefoot Contessa Family Style for her daughter because, "When I was her age ... my sister had the warm tradition of inviting anyone who was available to her apartment for a Sunday night potluck dinner .... My hope is that Alie and her friends will feel the sense of family, like Teresa created for us, with a home cooked meal in the Big City." Mary Ann then added her own twist, hosting a giveaway for the cookbook on her blog.

Lee Romano Sequeira (Madness Mom & Me) gave Cesar Millan's Dog Whisperer book to a friend in need of puppy training advice.

Susan C gifted Garthe Stein's Art of Racing in the Rain to a colleague who had two dogs pass away the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, a decade apart.

Tina (The Enchanted Home) chose Beautiful Boy: A Father's Journey Through His Son's Addiction for a friend who had gone through a similar devastating story of a bright, athletic, ivy league bound, kid who becomes a drug addict. A wrenching tale by David Sheff.

Andrea gave Rasputin's Legacy, a book by Troy Carnes that weaves fictional and historical figures into a story about the Russian Front during World War II, to her father, a history major and to a good friend.

The Road From Coorain, Jill Ker Conway's autobiography, is the book I (Style Maniac) gave a friend who helped me immensely this year. I felt she'd connect with Conway's journey from the Australian Outback, where learning and reading were precious gifts, to college president.

Susan P (Glossing Over It) selected The Paris Wife, the story of Ernest and Hadley Hemingway and the Lost Generation in 1920s Paris by Paula McLain, for her mother. "the person who instilled an appreciation of art and other creative endeavors in me."

Cassidy surprised a customer at the toy shop she manages with Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen. Cassidy's boss then gifted her the addictve best-seller The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.

Wonderful choices. Thank you!

And now for the 3 participants who will take home a book of their own. Savoring the Hamptons: Discovering the Food and Wine of Long Island's East End by Silvia Lehrer, with a forward by Alan Alda, combines four of our favorite things: food, travel, beaches and a local connection. As with the titles above, it's one I'd love to have on my own bookshelf. Here's who will have it on hers:
      Susan C
      Susan P from Glossing Over It
      Tina from The Enchanted Home

I will email each of you for your address. Books & Books will mail the title to you directly. Enjoy!

Books & Books Westhampton Beach is located at 130 Main Street, Westhampton Beach, New York 11978 Phone: 631.998.3260 / Website: www.booksandbookswhb.com

Photos courtesy Denise Berthiaume / Books & Books WHB

You're A Sweet One, Mr. Grinch

2011-12-10T13:07:00.001-05:00

Though I prefer french fries to dessert, this sweet treat completely delights me. It captures all the kooky joy of my favorite holiday movie, How The Grinch Stole Christmas. Watching that Dr. Seuss tale kicks off the Christmas season in our house. What's on screen at yours?

I wish I knew the original source for this amazing Grinch cake, spied on Janet Courrege's Pinterest.

Making Spirits Bright

2011-12-06T18:00:00.004-05:00

Step 1 of my Christmas Traditions: stack the stereo with favorite holiday CDs. When Dean Martin's crooning you a Christmas tune life instantly turns merry and bright.

Simple Sassy Sweet Holiday Treats

2011-12-03T07:15:00.000-05:00

In past Decembers on Style Maniac I've bedecked the blog in red, or delighted in a sequin-spattered, peacock-feathered glittery gold celebration. This holiday season I'm in the mood for simple and sweet holiday treats ... with maybe a dash of sass thrown in for a laugh. Bright, fun, easy, uncomplicated. Like this photo, where a hot pink tree adorned only with white lights makes a bold happy statement with a minimum of fuss. How about you? What kind of holiday are you in the mood for this year?

Image via My Paradissi

SPONSOR STORY: The Love & Chemistry Behind Budhi Teencare

2011-12-02T06:48:00.011-05:00

It took me a long while to accept sponsors for Style Maniac. I wanted to make sure that any links appearing on this site would be of interest to you, my loyal readers, and something I myself would click on. So it was a true delight when Monique Richards, co-founder of Budhi Teencare contacted me about becoming a Stylish Sponsor. Immediately I liked the mission of Monique and her partner Charlene Short, to offer teens a positive, healthy option for skin and haircare. Over the last few months of corresponding with this team of models turned moms turned entrepreneurs I have found out more about the story behind the bottle, a mix of maternal love, friendship and chemistry I thought you'd all enjoy.

THE BUDHI TEAM: Monique Richards & Charlene Short

STYLE MANIAC: Tell us a little bit about your backgrounds, and how you became friends.
CHARLENE SHORT: I worked for 15 years in the fashion industry as a model doing editorial, advertising and commercials. [see one of her Vogue shots here.]

MONIQUE RICHARDS: I also modeled during my University days, but eventually moved into the field of fine arts. We knew each other socially and became good friends before we became business partners.

How did the idea of Budhi Teencare come about?
CHAR: The inspiration for Budhi came about after I took my son to see a pediatric dermatologist over my concern for his acne and eczema. The dermatologist’s first question was: "What skin and hair care products does he use?" Feeling like a proud mommy, I told her he’d been using an organic skin and hair care line, after having tried name brand acne lines that were too harsh on his skin. The doctor told me that just because a product is organic or natural doesn't mean it's better for your skin. It turned out my son was having an allergic reaction to the plant oils in the natural products because he has hay fever! His skin had become so inflamed from the acne and allergies his skin pigment was beginning to change.

The doctor put him on an antibiotic to help his acne and told us to go buy a simple fragrance-free cleanser and sulfate-free shampoo. After using this simple skin care routine the pigment in his skin came back and his acne became more manageable with just a few break-outs here and there.

The products we found were fine, but the products seemed so boring and uninspired! These "hospital type" products also contained some chemicals that were questionable as to their safety. So the thinking was: "Why is there not a cool-looking, unisex, skincare line for teens that combines the best ingredients that science and nature have to offer?"

After a lot more brainstorming, Budhi was born.

It's one thing to think of an idea for a product and quite another to found a company. What made you take the leap?
CHAR: It was scary but we took the leap because we knew there had to be a better solution! As moms of four teens and one pre-teen, we were constantly trying to find products that would be gentle, safe and effective at fighting acne. Every parent who has had a miserable kid suffering from acne and break-outs knows what we're talking about. You're desperate to help them. We wanted a top quality product line that we ourselves would buy, but couldn't find.

Do either of you have a chemistry background? If not, how did you approach the development part of actually mixing up the product to produce the results you want?
MONIQUE: No, neither of us has a chemistry background. However, we had a great concept and the desire to create something special. We worked very hard at finding a top notch and highly ethical manufacturing lab and then worked diligently for two years with the cosmetic chemist (here in the U.S.) to develop our custom formulations.

Your mission statement talks about kids using their heads to make responsible choices for the health of their body, and to look deeper beyond the surface of the skin. How can teens do that?
CHAR: Budhi is the Sanskrit word for Intellect. By asking kids to use their heads we are asking them to take responsibility for their health, to think about their bodies in a holistic way. Your skin is the bodies largest organ and it acts as a mirror to the health of your insides. So, just as not getting enough sleep = dark circles under your eyes; if you eat junk food your body will reflect that by gaining weight, acne break outs, generally feeling gross.

We also want kids to make the connection that what they put on their bodies can go into their bodies.(Think of prescription patches to deliver medicine.) All those yummy smelling pink sparkle body lotions or octane smelling body sprays are full of chemicals that have not been studied for long term exposure in humans.

By asking kids to take look beyond the surface of skin we are asking kids to not judge people based on looks. That’s hard in a culture that bombards us with images of "perfect" looking people 24/7. What kids don't know is that those images have been Photoshopped to death and celebrities have access to personal trainers, stylists, make-up and hair people. It's not real life. We all know how it feels to have acne breakouts and feel like people are only looking at that instead of the person inside. Acne can cause emotional scarring that can last a lifetime. When you look at someone, really look at the whole person not only the surface. See people as you would like to be seen.

I have to say my immediate reaction when I read about your product was--I'd love it for myself! Do you have any plans to expand the line to other age groups?
MONIQUE: Yes! This is definitely a goal of ours for the future. Many adults have expressed to us that they too love Budhi because our products are super gentle and never aggravate or dry out their own sensitive and changing skin -- and their own adult break-outs.

How would you each describe your personal style in beauty and fashion?
MONIQUE: We definitely have unique approaches to personal style. Char is more of a "downtown bohemian" girl, while I favor a more classic "uptown girl" look. I think we can all agree: the key to great personal style is to find what "works" for you: make choices that are complimentary to you, wear what pleases you and makes you happy ... this in turn will help you look and feel your best. And of course, a healthy, glowing complexion is always a great asset!

NOTE: Although Budhi advertises on this site, this profile was not guaranteed in the sponsor package, but is presented at my discretion, as with other non-advertising companies and products I've featured. For more on Budhi visit their website budhiskincare.com and Facebook Page.

A Happy Home

2011-11-22T10:57:00.000-05:00

My niece Kaitlin (then age 10) drew this picture of my home with the Doodle Buddy iPhone app and it may just be my favorite piece of art. She captured the bones of our contemporary city townhouse surprisingly well, but more than that she captured the colorful happy feeling inside. Guests often tell my husband and I that our home is the kind of place where they feel comfortable kicking off their shoes, curling up on the sofa amongst the giant furry pillows and feeling they could stay for hours, happy and at ease. I can't imagine a better compliment. As illustrator Tad Carpenter says so beautifully in his graphic quote: "What I love most about my home is who I share it with."

FAVORITE THINGS: A colorful happy home filled with family and friends. Here's hoping you share a loving, relaxing Thanksgiving with yours.

Crazy Chic Cocktail Rings

2011-11-16T16:22:00.001-05:00

Cocktail rings: definitely one of my favorite things.

Add one bold bauble to transform an outfit from simple to wow.

And you don't need a lot of money to do so. In my collection, above,

some pieces were once-in-a-lifetime purchases while others I snagged

for 10 bucks from a funky South Street boutiique. It's all about the mix.

FAVORITE THINGS: Cocktail rings.

Photo by Doreen Creede using Instagram.