A Foodie's "Diet": 5 Power Packed Lunch Options

Last week I had posted a breakfast menu for foodies that will help you eat healthier and stay on track when trying to lose weight. Here are some options for lunch that are healthy, hearty and full of great ingredients.

I try to eat a salad for lunch everyday. It's the only time that I can get my daily veggie servings in without compromise. You will see mainly salad options on the lunch menu but obviously you can substitute for other options as well. The key is to be prepared and plan ahead.

5 Lunch Options

Berry Salad with Grilled Chicken: organic baby spinach and mixed greens salad mix, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, toasted walnuts, shredded grilled chicken topped with a homemade raspberry vinegarette.

Tuna Salad: 1 can of tuna, chopped white onion, peas, capers (optional) salt & pepper to taste, squeeze of lemon. Mix all together in a bowl and let sit overnight so the flavors can meld. Add to mixed greens and top with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

Toasted Spicy Garbanzo Beans over Brown Rice: In a skillet heat olive oil. Add yellow onion and jalepeno. Add garbanzo beans and saute until they begin to brown. Add to brown rice and top with soy sauce (optional).

Peach and Walnut Salad: Mixed greens and Spinach as the base, Grilled or raw peaches sliced on top, toasted walnuts, chopped jicima and topped with a homemade peach vinaigrette.

Sweet Red Pepper Tomato Sauce over Pasta: Whole Wheat noodles (recommended Trader Joes organic), Saute yellow onions, red peppers and mushrooms in a pan. Add 8-9 large ripe juicy red tomatoes roughly chopped. Squeeze some over the pan for juice. Bring to a boil and let cook for 20 minutes stirring often. Add mixture to a food processor and blend to make a puree. Serve over noodles and top with fresh basil.

***Should you want additional ideas or need specifics on any of the above, please feel free to email me at sugarlipslifestyletips@gmail.com

Emmy Hair: Fall Hair Trends

The Emmy's are always a great watch for not only fashion but hairstyles as well. There were numerous updos that had height on the top with loose soft curls. Many were pinned back with a wet look as well. The style were glamorous and perfectly matched with their beautiful dresses.

This fall the hairstyles are loose and seemingly careless. Textured waves and loosely bunched buns were seen all over the red carpet. Tight braids and fish braids. Short pixie cuts and slick smooth styles.

If you color your hair, the colors of the season are red hair like Joan from Mad Men and white blonde.

Here are some great sights to read up more on the Fall Trends:

FASHIONISING
Fall 2010 images
The Fashionable House Wife

Sunday Supper: Labor Day Recipes-Barbecue Ribs and Sweet Corn Succotash

Labor Day is just around the corner and a  weekend full of barbecue have always been a staple in this household. Give us a reason to grill meat and we will give you a reason to celebrate. This Labor Day we have fall off the bone ribs with a Sweet corn succotash. I may even whip up some corn bread for fun and sweet apple pie for dessert. Don't dare me.

What you will need
as many racks of baby back ribs as you can handle
a nice spicy BBQ sauce such as Woody's. YUM.

For the Rub
salt & pepper
onion powder
garlic powder
paprika
chili powder
red pepper flakes
brown sugar

For the Succotash
bacon
red onions (dice)
red pepper (dice)
butter (dice)
portobella mushroom (dice)
serrano pepper (mince)
garlic clove (mince)

Wine Pairing: Syrah

What to Do
To get a fall off the bone rib, you will need to cook them at a very low heat for a minimum of four hours. If you can slow roast them for 6-8, you will be in business. So with that being said, get cookin'.

Create your rub by combining equal parts of the above spices (to taste) and spreading equally over both sides of the rack. wrap in foil and place on a baking sheet. Put in the oven at 275 degrees. In the last 15- 20 minutes of your cook time, remove foil and brush on BBQ sauce. Close oven and let ribs cook for remaining time uncovered.

While the ribs are finishing up, in a large sauce pan, cook a piece of bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon from the pan and set aside. On medium high heat, add the corn, red bell peppers, and red onion to the bacon grease cook until the corn is soft. Approximately 2 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons of butter and saute the vegetables for about 10 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium and add the minced Serrano pepper and garlic. Stir for a minute or two. Add the portobella mushroom and cook for another 7 minutes. Turn the heat off and add the chopped up bacon. Salt and pepper to taste. Serve with your amazing, to die for ribs and you will be the hit of the party. Literally.

Happy Labor Day from our pad to yours.

Cynnie

"My Name is Kimberlee, and I am a Denim-a-holic." My Skinny Jean Pick of the Week

For years now, I have been forced to succumb to my denim-aholic-ism. Glorious washes, tricked out back pockets, and ankle openings ranging from 10”-slicker-than-a-tight-roll to Woodstock worthy bell-bottom. Love, love, love them. It seems that each time I attempt the challenge of downsizing my 27 pair collection; I find that when I remove one pair 2 new pair somehow replace them as I sleep.

Addiction to denim, however, is only one component to my psychological puzzle. The deeper issue here is actually that I am obsessed with finding my soul-mate denim fit. You know what I’m talking about, those jeans that exist in some undisclosed remote location on the planet and are comfortable, trendy, perfect length in heels, roll up easily for flats, make your thighs look thin, make your butt look great, and create no…I repeat…NO muffin top roll-over. Oh, and did I mention that my body tends to change shape at least twice a year? I have a smaller middle and fuller lower half, square hips, and a very short waist. If I indulgently gain 5 pounds over the holidays, never fail, I go up a full size. If I so much as look at a cheeseburger sideways, my tummy will leak out over the waistband. I don’t recall anything being this complicated in my 20’s, or before my 2 children, but I am doing my very best to properly dress this imperfect moving target.

On a mission for fall to hit on a criteria meeting pair of jeans in the trend hitting skinny cut style, I have been blindly foraging through a whirlwind of denim as of late. What I found overall was that, tried and true, the good old Gap 1969 does it again with their Always Skinny low-rise denim. I love that the fabric has just enough stretch to allow me some shape changing comfort, yet enough grip to hold my body in place. The deep dark saturated color of the thigh slimming denim does not fade if washed inside out religiously, and the rise is low without being “ultra” low eliminating the muffin top potential. I love that the ankle opening of the Always Skinny is narrow, but yet leaves just enough wiggle allowing me to scrunch them up over the top of my hot fall booties just as easily as I can slip them into the shaft of my smokin’ over the knee boots. I could not ask for a more perfect pair of jeans for my body type. Price Tag? $69.00. Paid? $48 using my 30% off Give and Get coupon, while donating 5% to charity. Value to my collection? Priceless.


****Sugarlips Tip: With all Gap denim, you MUST try it on before buying. Their denim tends to loosen up while you are wearing them, almost a full size. When you try them on, pick a pair that is really tight…but not painful. If they are loosely comfortable, you will hate them in an hour. If they are really tight, they will loosen up just enough to be perfect. Not sure why, but this is true with ALL Gap denim. I wear a 4 or 6 with most designers, but at the Gap I am always a 2 or a 4 depending on the cut and oddly – the wash.

A couple of pair that I loved, but did not love me back were:


The Rocker Jean in Clean Slate (gray) from Victoria’s Secret. Love the design! TONS of stretch, great detail at the super slim ankle opening, and very on-trend. Definitely meant for someone with height though, and a longer waist. The rise was too long for me, and combined with the stretch made for way too much material in the tummy area and made them look too big. If you have a longer waist, these are perfect…and gray is soo hot for fall!

Converse One Star Low Rise Skinny Jean in Dark Blue Denim from Target. Deep dark wash, cool pockets, great length and very little stretch creating a great form. I found that these seem to be cut for someone whose body is more uniformly proportioned, or who has thinner legs and a fuller midsection. They were very slim on my legs, yet the waist was entirely too large to fit me. Great price at only $35!

The September Issue: 2010 Fall Fashion Forecast

It's no surprise that the September Issue is the most anticipated release of the year for me. I love fall fashion and everything about the season. The endless sea of black and outwear options for my cool morning commute. The smell of the crisp cool air as it permeates my lungs. The sound that the leaves make as they crunch under my new knee high boots. A warm latte to invigorate my senses making me more aware of the well coordinated outfits of the season. Fall is in the air.

As I perused the September issues for this seasons trends, I found myself daydreaming of my new closet consisting of cashmere, prints, animal skins, leather and jackets of all kinds. Layers and layers of clothes and a complete season of bliss.

Here are some of the trends for fall 2010. Keep your eye out for options in the market that will give you the look without the designer price tag. Piperlime has great jackets this year; you will find furs, leather, military style and much more. LuLu's has great boots, Melie Bianco has great bags.

2010 Fall Forecast: Trends To Look For
Outerwear: Capes, Military, Leather and Fur. Burberry has a nice line up this year.
Shoes: Thigh-high boots, clogs and boots with the fur...I am also seeing 2 inch heels.
Leather: Leather pant, leather jackets, leather boots. I love leather pants!
Animal Print: I am seeing animal print from Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo.
Dresses with full skirts: Click here to see Louis Vuitton's  2010 Fall Fashion Show with a show of longer, full skirts and their fall handbag collection.
High waists and wide legs: See Salvatore Ferragamo Fall RTW line and this look from Chloe
Cut out clothing: I am seeing cut out pants, shirts and dresses
Braces and straps: on boots, clothing and handbags
Sequins: on clothing and handbags
Sheer material

Click here for a great video with a recap from Sytlelist.com

A "Diet" for Foodies: Breakfast Options to Eat Your Way to a Slimmer Healthier You

Recently I have created some menu options for some coworkers to help them create a healthier menu while still losing weight. No, I am not a nutritionist nor am I a rail thin model. I am a foodie that tries to remain conscious of what I consume. Here are a few breakfast options that I shared with them. Remember that I AM NOT A DOCTOR. Use common sense and consult your Dietitian or Doc before starting any program. I caution you to be careful with the eggs...make sure you buy them from a local organic farmer until the salmonella scare is over.

The key to any weight loss system is moderation and control of your food. Know where it comes from and how it's prepared by making it yourself. Cheers to a a love for food. Email with any questions at sugarlipslifestyletips@gmail.com

Breakfast  Options for a Healthier Happier YOU!!

1) Whole wheat English muffin topped with a poached egg sprinkled with kosher salt and freshly cracked pepper. Serve with fresh blueberries, strawberries and blackberries.

2) Whole grain Oatmeal (recommended Quaker) topped with toasted chopped walnuts (equivalent to 1-1.5 whole) and fresh berries; raspberries, blueberries, blackberries. If you must have a sweetener, use 1 T. PURE maple syrup.

3) Homemade Smoothie: Banana, peach, cranberry juice, apple juice, orange juice, raspberries and flaxseed meal.

4) 1 piece of whole wheat toast with nut butter, sliced bananas, 1 T. honey (optional)

5) Greek Yogurt (recommended Fage) topped with 2 T. Granola and fresh berries

• Weekend Breakfast Delights Delights:
  
• 2 egg white omelet tossed with spinach, onions, and mushrooms OR serve with refried beans and top with fresh salsa, a small amount of monterey jack cheese and 3 avocado slices.
  
• Breakfast Pizza: this is great for a crowd. Click here for the recipe.
  

Adding Color To Your Wardrobe

Adding color to your wardrobe can be challenging. We tend to get in a rut and have most of our palettes within threes shades of each other as in black, white and gray. I call this the safe zone. We tend to stick with only a few safe colors and typically don't stray. Here are a few tips for adding color to your wardrobe:

1) Accessorize with color: whether you add a flower to your hair or pin it to your shirt, it will add depth. Necklaces, bracelets, scarves and belts are an option too.

2) Handbags and shoes of course! If you have a monochromatic look, add some color with a bright shoe or handbag.

3) Buy separates in a solid color. For example, layer with a colored tee, cardigan or skirt.
Apply these tips and you can double your current wardrobe!

Sunday Supper: Bone In Ribeyes Grilled to Perfection with Bacon Bleu Cheese Fig Salad

In preparation for Labor Day, we are grilling American style with big bold flavors and great tasting steak. We are some charcoal lovin' fools and look forward to meat over an open flame. Next weekend we are grilling ribs so get excited for a serious Labor Day flavor fest.

****Sugar Tip: When choosing your steaks, look for cuts that are marbled throughout the piece.

What you will need
Nicely marbled bone-in Ribeyes
Salt & pepper
Baby spinach mix
Baby greens mix
Ripe fresh figs
Soft Bleu cheese crumbles (recommend Point Reyes)
Bacon slices
Shallots
Walnut pieces
Olive oil
Balsamic vinegar
Honey


What to do:
Prep your grill: light your charcoal and let it blaze for 45 minutes. When the charcoal is no longer flaming, spread hot coals evenly to develop a consistent surface heat avoiding hot spots.
While your grill is heating, take your steaks out and allow for them to come to room temp. Do not season your steaks until 10 minutes before throwing them on the grill. Steaks are porous and the salt will draw out the moisture drying out your beautiful slab.

 Make your warm bacon dressing first so flavors can meld. Begin by frying up a couple slices of bacon. Set cooked bacon aside on a paper towel. Do not discard grease. Mince your shallot and add to the bacon grease in your skillet and sweat for about 2 minutes over medium high heat stirring occasionally. In a small bowl, combine equal parts olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Add soft bleu cheese crumbles and a tablespoon of honey; combine. Remove shallots from bacon grease with a fork and add to dressing. Add a touch of bacon grease too. The heat from both will heat your honey and warm your dressing.

Simply season your steaks with salt & pepper and grill your steaks to the preferred temperature. Meanwhile, toast your walnut pieces on the stove top for about 1-2 minutes on medium high heat. In large bowl, combine the spinach and mixed greens,bleu cheese crumb les, chopped bacon pieces, fresh figs cut into quarters. Add toasted walnuts to your bacon dressing and coat before adding to the salad. Drizzle dressing with walnuts all over and toss the salad.
By this time the steaks should be a nice medium-medium rare. Pull steaks from the grill. Plate salad and steaks. Serve.

We paired this with a 2005 Hagen Heights cab. Decant and enjoy!

Back To School 101: Our expert got a lesson...from her daughter!

Shopping for school clothes this year with my 15 year old daughter this year taught me a tremendously humbling lesson:  I have a fantastic eye for fashion and posses an outstanding talent for styling the perfect outfit for anyone…EXCEPT my daughter.  With her very own voice and statements to make to the world, she was off on her own choosing fabulous piece after fabulous piece without even a whisper of advice from her fashionista Mommy.  What was overwhelming to me in the end, was that after the smoke had cleared she had brought home a pile of great new pieces and a handful that are truly absolute MUST HAVE’s for the back to school crowd this fall. 

The greatest elements to be found in the next generation’s wardrobe this fall are packed full of nods to the ‘90s with pops of neon color, skinny leg denim, short faux leather jackets, drapey tops and tees, and rocked out mixes of pattern.  Easy and adorable, the comfort is cleverly concealed in the style.

Crinkled Moto Jacket by Xhilaration, found at Target 

This jacket is a steal at $34.99.  The crinkle finish to the faux leather has a semi-distressed look which ups its cool factor about 100 degrees.  The jacket hits at the waist, and worn zipped or unzipped, it adds the perfect finish to sleeveless and short sleeve looks for the fall. 

Grade:  A+

Cinched Zip-Frint Jacket, found at Old Navy 

The best military style jacket you are going to find anywhere in this price range!  At $39.50, this jacket is a must have for back to school.  The deep dark green is perfectly neutral, making it an easy choice to toughen up any outfit while baring its slightly feminine edge found in the cinched waist.  Gold tone hardware and a stand up collar add a rock star finish. 

Grade: A+

Funky Tunes Licensed Tee in Black, found at Target

Covered in shimmering sequins, this racerback top is a STEAL at $12.99.  The graphic image is subtly shaded in neutral tones of gray and brown set on a backdrop of creamy ivory.  The cut is loose, and the hem line hangs long.  This top was MADE to be paired with a skinny jean or legging, and accented with a fantastic jacket.  Buy every color!!

Grade: A+

Corrie by Vans, found at JCPenney 

High top tennies have jumped back onto the scene, in more colors than a bag of Skittles. This pair by Vans, adds a feminine flair to its punch of neon pink by setting the scene in a black and white houndstooth base.  They are really flexible, and have all the quality and durability we expect from traditional Vans. Very comfortable, very cute, love these for back to school!

Grade:  A+

I am quite proud that I have raised my daughter to have developed such a unique voice, and to have the confidence to use it. 

Happy Back to School 2010!

K & J

Tips For Accessorizing: Get the Look!

Sometimes those on the Vogue's "Best Dressed" list aren't my favorite choices but it's all a matter of opinion right? Well, here's mine.

Accessories can make or break an outfit. Too many  can take over and too few can take away compromising your entire look. Sometimes I love to layer my pieces creating a chaotic scene where the jewelry is the focal point.  Other times I like to stick to the classic pieces that subtly say "she's a classic beauty". So where do you start?

You start with the outfit. What is it you are trying to communicate? For example, you have an event such as a wedding, a fund raiser, a date, drinks with the girls etc. What is the message that you want a complete stranger to get by just looking at you? When you walk into the room and the attention is on you, what is the initial impression? Now, take that to the next level. What do your accessories say about you?

TIPS
If you have big earrings don't wear a big necklace and vice versa.
Layering is absolutely acceptable. Bangles, rings, necklaces. The more the merrier.
Less is more. When headed to a formal affair, choose classic pieces and be very selective. Pearls, diamonds, or gemstones. 
Scarves are fun to wrap, wear, double as a coat, tie onto a handbag, or use as a belt. They are very versatile and add a pop of color to any outfit.

Investments: Pieces to invest in for long term wear.
Invest on one designer handbag that you can wear season after season.
Invest in a nice watch.

Invest in a classic pair of round cut diamond earrings.  Buy these from a reputable jeweler and try to choose a color and clarity between I and D for brilliance. Picture on left from Tiffany & Co.


***Before you read the next section please note! Be aware of counterfeit designer pieces. Buy only from the official website or a reputable retail location such as Neiman Marcus, Barneys, Nordstrom or designer boutique.  Do not support counterfeit products. ***

Can't afford designer? Get The look for a percent of the price.

Watch: Of course Cartier Tank FranÇaiseis my favorite pick. In gold of course. Can I afford it? No, not today but non the less it is my classic pick. A comaprable choice would be the Citizen Eco Drive Watch from Macys.
Photo from Macys.com.

Handbag: When it comes to handbags, we wear them out. They carry everything and go everywhere which means they carry a disgusting amount of germs. It's good to switch them out and rotate your collection. You can find numerous bags in the market that will give you the look you are going for without the designer price like this tote from Target.

Designer: Kate Spade Knightsbridge MaryAnne $495 on left from www.katespade.com  Photo from Kate Spade website.

Comparable look: Target Merona Croco Work Tote $29.99. photo on right from www.target.com

Kimberlees' Pick of the Week: Just Throw it In The Bag!

Just throw it in the bag!

When I was about five years old, I remember one of my first annual school supply shopping trips for the start of my 1^st grade school year.  The absolute most important thing on my little mind? Which backpack I would choose.  Crayons, scissors, glue sticks?  Yeah yeah Mom, just throw them in the bag.  Let me just stand here and stare at this wall of glorious backpacks in various shapes and sizes with sparkly embellishments and shiny zippers carefully and strategically placed to make each one appear just a little more fantastic than the last.  That year, after an hour and a half decision making process, I went home with a backpack in the shape of a panda bear complete with google eyes, a shiny plastic nose and a felt tongue.  I loved that backpack into shreds of thread and a broken zipper.  Some things in life never change.

As I am enthusiastically combing through fall’s lineup of handbags coming to surface, I am feeling like a five year old again ogling a wall of shiny backpacks.  So many sizes, shapes, colors and embellishments I start to contemplate taking out a second mortgage on the house so that I can have every one of them.

Must…(pant pant)…be buried…(pant pant)...next to Rachel Zoe in a mountain of handbags! 

(Photo: Harper’s Bazaar, Rachel Roy’s “I Die” Photo Shoot)

Ok, reality check.  Clearly, owning every one of these fabulous “everything holders” is not an option.  Instead, I’ve decided that I’m limiting myself to the best three bags for me.  One neutral-ish color from the black family, one neutral-ish color from the brown family, and one that is dripping with rich anti-neutral color from the deep sultry hues that are bursting on the scene with the new season.

Selecting the perfect bag requires the right combination of style, color, design, and detail.  The most important element, is always going to be design.  What size and shape is the most conducive for your lifestyle and the way you USE your bag day to day?  I myself, am the mother of a teenager and a 3 year old.  I use my bag for EVERYTHING.  Paperwork, Ipods, toy  tractors, you name it it’s in there.  My mantra has become “just throw it in the bag” and thankfully due to wise selection, it all seems to fit.  Right after design (large, with a shoulder strap), I head for color, then style, then detail. 

Large bag with a shoulder strap, in a neutral-ish tone from the black family, really liking the hobo style, and a sprinkle of on-trend detail please and thank you!

Ask, and you shall receive.  My first bag for the coming fall season, is a Melie Bianco hobo bag in Pewter, with multiple zippers and fringy tassles.  While fringe has been commonly used as a finishing detail over the years, this fall you will see fringed bags hitting the runways with full force.  The size is large enough to comfortably fit my kiss lock wallet, planner, makeup bag, cell phone, keys, 2 cans of diet coke, sunglasses, and still have room for whatever oddities find their way to being thrown in the bag.  Because this bag seems to be sheer perfection on my must have list, it will likely be my every day go-to choice.  Love it!

I found my bag at a fabulous little boutique by the name of Luxe Boutique; one of Jacyn's favorite in L.A..  Fabulous service, great selection, love this shop!  Because quantities can be limited with a boutique, you can also find this bag direct from Melie Bianco 

But wait, the fun doesn’t stop there!  Being the multi-tasker that I am, during my shopping escapade for bag number 1, I managed to discover bag number two as well.  Another Melie Bianco find, the convertible clutch design has been talked about endlessly by designers and stylists everywhere and now, it has found its way into my arms.  The convertible clutch can be used as a tall bag with detachable shoulder strap, or folded down and kiss locked for a clean and sleek slightly oversized clutch.  How clever!  Loving this idea, I absolutely had to check it out when I saw an amazing punch of teal in the Melie Bianco Teal Convertible Clutch.  Goldtone hardware, and an eyecatching design that I adore about MB’s line.  Sensational for every purpose from a night out to a day of shopping.  Perfect size options, amazing color, a definite must buy!

I also found this fabulous little bag at Luxe Boutique.  Because quantities can be limited with a boutique, you can also find a similar bag direct from Melie Bianco.

***Please note, as of this morning both bags above are sold out with Luxe Boutique; however, she has the bronze version of the convertible clutch in stock. You can find the hobo bag on Melie Bianco's website.

The Image Issue Results! Issues Addressed This Week

Thank you to everyone who commented on my post a couple of weeks ago regarding your biggest image issue. If we were able to create a personal stylist, we would right? This week is back to school for most so let's begin our lessons. Each day I will address each of the issues below. Get your papers and your pencils to take note!

Nikki: accessories
Emily: Fashion and choosing the right clothing
Teresa: dressing for her body type and adding color to her wardrobe
Kim: make-up
Angela: Coordinating outfits and adding color to her wardrobe
Kristina: Dressing for her body type and learning to layer

Sunday Supper: Savory Pork with Sweet and Spicy Peaches

The peaches have been amazing this season. We have been making everything with them including this gem! You can grill the peaches or prepare them on the stove top. For a bonus, you can make peach pie for dessert. For this recipe, I used yellow peaches but you can use whatever kind you prefer.

What you will need
thick cut pork chops
olive oil
salt & pepper
1/4 c. red wine
ripe yummy yellow peaches
red chili flakes
brown sugar
veggies for sides



What to do
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Add 2 Tablespoons of olive oil to a large skillet on the stove top over medium high heat and allow for it to heat up for approx. 2 minutes. Meanwhile, season the pork chops on both sides with salt & pepper. Carefully add the pork chops to the pan for a nice sizzle. Pan searing the pork in a large skillet on the stove top will create a nicely seasoned crust. Sear each side for about 3 minutes. Put the skillet in oven and bake for 15 minutes.
Wash and slice peaches removing their skins. On the stove top, add one tablespoon of butter, 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, 1 tsp. red chili flakes (or to taste) to a small skillet pan. Heat up over medium to medium low heat to infuse the flavors. Add the sliced peaches and toss. Allow for the peaches to cook for about two minutes and reduce heat to a simmer. Prepare your selected vegetable sides. Carefully remove the skillet from the oven removing chops to a clean wooden cutting board. Allow to rest for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, add 1/4 cup red wine to the pork jus in the skillet and reduce over medium high heat. Plate pork and veggies. Top pork with the red wine reduction and peaches.
Enjoy!

Introducing UNIQLO: Cute Clothes and a Great Price

I love H&M and Zara and now I have a new love...UNIQLO. A Japanese company with a flagship store located in NYC's SOHO shopping district and rumored to be opening a store in San Francisco's Union Square. L.A. is pisssssed but I'm excited.

STYLE: With a variety of pieces in the collection, they offer casual clothes at a very affordable price. Sundresses, skinny jeans, skirts, suit separates, shorts, jackets and more. Shorts and tank tops for $10.90, oxford shirts for $19.90 and blouses for $29.90. Jeans are sweetly priced at $39.90! Italian leather belts for $19.90...this is a dream! Check out their Early Fall Campaign and 2010 Style Book.

FITNESS: UNIQLO  and Toray Industries developed an "innerwear" line designed to keep moisture off of your skin to help prevent chills and is dry to the touch.

Their website is user friendly bringing you the latest news as well as style. You can sort your search by new arrivals, category or color. You can also create a list of all your your favorite choices. You can select multiple categories at a time and choose the desired size for the pictures. It is a fun and interactive page. Check them out!
http://www.uniqlo.com/us/

Sunday Supper: Slow Roasted Carnitas Tacos with Fresh Salsa and Avocado

There is nothing like a little pork to get your day off to a great start! Head to your favorite butcher and ask for some pork butt to slow roast carnitas and you won't be disappointed. This might be the simplest Sunday Supper yet. And yes, there is a bite out of my taco. I couldn't wait.

What You Need
Ripe juicy tomatoes
fresh cilantro
red onion
jalapeno
avocado
corn tortillas
pork butt
Salt& Pepper

What to do:
Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Season the pork but to taste with salt & Pepper on all sides. Wrap in tinfoil and place on a baking sheet. Slow roast in the oven for about 4 hours. Prepare the salsa in advance for best flavor. Dice up the tomatoes, red onion, cilantro and some jalapeno to taste. Stir in a bowl and sprinkle with salt. Refrigerate until time to serve.  Remove the pork from the oven and allow to rest for 10 minutes.  Meanwhile, heat the tortillas in the oven for about 2 minutes. Plate and serve. Enjoy!

Cleaning with Lemon: A safe and effective way to brighten up your home

Looking for a quick and easy way to remove stains, odors and keep your home smelling fresh? Here are a few great ways to use lemon to clean up your home:

• slice a lemon in half and grind up in the disposal
• remove stains on the countertop or sink by spraying with lemon juice and let sit. Scrub away stain with baking soda and a sponge.
• remove odors or strong flavors such as onion and garlic from your cutting board by rubbing half of a lemon on the wood. Allow to soak for 10-15 minutes and rinse.
• Use 1/2 c. lemon juice and 1 gallon of hot water to brighten your white clothes. Instead of a bleach, soak clothing in this mixture for brighter whites.

Shimmer Kimmer's Pick of the Week: These boots were made for walkin'!

Living in the Midwest, this time of year means that summer will soon be transitioning from sunshine and blue skies, to an entirely new and inspirational color palette lending an air of warmth to everything we love with the arrival of autumn.  The slightly brisk evenings, the rustle of leaves as they drift to the ground blanketing the grass with yellows and reds, and the eagerly anticipated reappearance of stylishly broken in boots drenched in rich rustic earth tones paired with…absolutely everything.  The mere thought of resurrecting these classically cool favorites from the depths of my closet for the coming season makes me ready to pack in my sundresses and bid summer adieu.  Ok, maybe not yet, but it sincerely lessens the brunt of the dreadfully painful idea of (gulp) snow in the forecast.

The transition to autumn is typically all about great neutral tones, and deep sultry hues.  My favorites for 2010 come in buttery cognac browns and sleek grays, or deliciously deep burnt yellows and oranges.  Winter will surely bring back everyone’s favorite go-to blacks with all the fury of a hurricane, but for fall let’s take cues from Mother Nature and revel in the colors of the season.

Set out to add the perfect new treasures to my display of trophies from shopping trips gone by, I am scouring the scene in search of the first pair of boots I will purchase for my fall 2010 collection.  My methodical approach is to start by purchasing two pair of boots in different neutral shades, which are both equally comfortable and versatile enough to be used daily.  Once I have the basics worked into the rotation, I can later begin to seek out the stilettos and sky high platforms I love so much.

Happening upon the Cognac Strap Knee High Boots from a magnificent little boutique by the name of Ruche, at only $44.99 I think I have found a keeper.  They meet every requirement on my list: 

• Richly rustic neutral cognac tone
  
• “Faux” distressed leather that looks FAR from “cheap”
  
• Mid-ish height heel that is extremely comfortable
  
• A wide enough shaft to tuck in a skinny jean or pant and not cut off circulation to my toes
  
• A subtle buckle detail that adds a teeny bit of pop to a basic boot
  

They look fantastic with everything from my American Rag dark denim jeggings, to my ultra hot Victoria’s Secret sequin mini dress.  Another first place trophy for my display case, what more could a girl ask for? 

****Sugar Tip: Because Ruche does tend to sell out quickly of hot items due to high demand, their website has a great feature that will allow you to see when fabulous pieces come back into stock.  Brilliant!****

Because the race to the finish line for first choice was practically a photo finish, I have taken the liberty of putting together a list of honorable mentions, some of which will likely work their way into my collection at a later point this season. 

(photo by shopruche.com)

Restricted “Marine” in Olive  left

(Photo by Victoria’s Secret)

Studded Slouch Boot  right

(Photo by Victoria’s Secret)

Colin Stuart Vintage Mid-heel Boot  Left

(Photo by Piperlime.com)

Blowfish Hadiyah Right

(Photo by Piperlime.com)

Naughty Monkey Detective  left

(Photo by Piperlime.com)

Steve Madden Criskros  right

The New School Is In Session: Leather Look For Chilly Nights

Put away your pencils and your papers the old school ways are no longer. This is the new school with lessons that one can only observe and experience. Recently I have been taking a different type of class taught by a very close friend. I have been studying art of networking and the social dynamics of various groups. My first lesson was a fashion lesson, which is always my favorite kind!

Lesson Number One: Always have a HOT leather jacket accessible because SF is COLD. Easy enough, right? So I started scouring the internet searching for real leather, faux leather and all hot jackets in between and here are my favorite two!  

Guess Metalic Faux Leather Scuba Jacket
I found this one on the Nordstrom website. Super cute, well fitted and a cool price tag of $98.00! What a steal! I especially like the high neck because it keeps those cool winds out while giving you a long, lean sexy look.

Wearing Your Leather Jacket
Pair your leather with a dress or skirt for maximum femininity. I also will wear it with jeans for a day of shopping. I tend to choose the faux leather for the shopping day because it is lighter to carry if you take it off. Don't forget to protect your real leather with a spray or a treatment of some sort to protect it from the rain and snow.

Ruffle-Trimmed Tiered Leather Jacket
Now this one I think is just mean! In a good way of course. Fierce, sexy, semi-tough but still feminine. $218 from Victoria's Secret.

Want To Reduce Belly Fat? Good Carb Bad Carb and How to Shred Pounds

With all of these fad diets and web promos claiming to help you shred pounds in days, how do you know what really works? The reality of it is, none of them work and they often make you fatter. It's changing a few things at a time; small changes that you can make everyday that will show big results.

It's as easy as this:
Stop eating white flour, white sugar, and white rice and you will lose belly fat. 

Tried and true. You will notice a big difference within 4 weeks and you will feel more energetic.

Bad Carbs: Absorb quickly spiking your blood sugar making you feel "hungry" sooner.

White Rice
White Flour
White Sugar (I also cut out brown sugar)

Good Carbs: Absorb slowly into your system and provide fiber.
Whole Grains (whole wheat, whole oatmeal - not instant or quick oats, brown rice, quinoa)
Vegetables
Fruit (raw fruit not canned)
Legumes

So you need a sweetener? DO NOT USE FAKE SUGAR PACKETS! Use Sugar In The Raw. I know, I know, it doesn't melt as fast in your coffee and really doesn't dissolve in iced tea. I have a solution. You can make simple syrup out of it and keep it on hand when you need it. All it is is equal parts sugar to water. Boil water on the stove top, turn off the heat and stir in the sugar. continue to stir until it dissolves. Let it cool and put in a container. Refrigerate. 

Sugar alternatives: 100% pure maple syrup or honey

Email me if you have any questions: sugarlipslifestyletips@gmail.com

Finally! A Natural Skin Care Solution With Visible Results

When Kim told me that she was using olive oil as make up remover, I started researching oil based and natural cleansers. I had decided to change skin care products in an attempt to reduce the number of toxic and harsh ingredients in my self care products while trying to find an affordable option.

When your skin is dehydrated, fine lines are more noticeable, your skin can appear to be dull and break outs can occur. When you don't drink enough water, toxins are not properly flushed out and can seek exit through the skin. When you strip your skin of essential oils from harsh detergent-like products, your skin has to work harder to restore the essential oils.

A few weeks ago, I was on vacation traveling across time zones and using various skin care products dehydrating my skin. In addition, I was eating ingredients that I would normally avoid, drank my fare share of beer and was not drinking enough water. The result?  My skin was an absolute zoo. I broke out on my cheeks, chin and forehead and my whole face hurt. I had to come up with a solution and fast.

I found the following two products and decided to try the more affordable choice first to see how it went then invest in the latter. I started using Burt's Bees Orange Essence Facial Cleanser and within three days, I noticed a significant difference in my skin tone, moisture balance and it completely calmed my breakouts that were still healing from my vacation. My skin looks supple, uniform and smooth; I am loving the results and it smells really good! The only possible downfall is that there is lanolin in it and some people are sensitive to that so if you are you may want to try an alternate cleanser from their line or the following product. I bought it at Target for $9.99 but you can buy it directly from the Burt's Bees website for $8.00. Click on the link above.

I also want to try Bobbi Brown's Cleansing Oil. It has olive and jojoba oils as well as Ginger Root extract that is a calming agent. This product you massage on dry skin whereas the above product you massage on skin that has been dampened with a splash of water. It is a higher price point but has received great results at $38. Here's the link with more info: Bobbi Brown's Cleansing Oil.

Photos from Burt's Bees and Bobbi Brown's websites.

Thank you for your support! Celebrating 200 Facebook Fans!

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all of your love and support. Sugar Lips Lifestyle Tips was created in November of 2009 to help women all over the world one tip at a time. I hope that you all have been enjoying our posts and tips. We truly appreciate your readership and love each one of you!

                                            All Our Sugar,

                                         Cyn and Kimberlee

Cyn in Sin City

Kimmy Ultra Icy Hot!!

Benefits of Buffing Your Skin

photo from The Body Shop Website

While I was on vacation, my sister gave me a facial and was teaching me everything about skin that I could get out of her in an hour. She also was teaching me about various products, ingredients and tools that I could use at home.

She gave me a set of body buffing gloves as a gift and I love them. It helps increase circulation and removes dead skin cells leaving your skin fresh and soft. I use them every other day but they are ok to use everyday if you wanted to. They are simple to care for as well. Just toss them in with your towels or whites and wash them on the hot cycle. I recommend that you wash them once or twice a week to prevent bacterial growth. You can buy them just about anywhere body care products are sold such as Target, Bath & Body Works, or The Body Shop.

Kimberlees' Pick of the Week: Nodding to the 90's - Jeggings and Jean Jackets

MooOOOOoooM!  Do you know where my walkman is?

If you can actually hear yourself having screamed this statement through perfectly cotton candy glossed lips, you can probably vividly recall constructing sky scraping mall bangs, or rimming your eyelids with black liner after being carefully melted with a Bic cigarette lighter, or performing Fame worthy moves much like those by Marisa Tomei in Untamed heart…rolling and contorting on your bed while sucking in your stomach with every abdominal muscle in your body just to zip up your liquid tight jeans.  Well ladies, I bid a  warm welcome back to at least one of those fantastic looks snatched right out of the early 1990’s, with the undeniably hot trend now known as “jeggings.”

As is typically true with a style that is reminiscent of generations gone by, the jegging has taken everything we LOVED about the look of the ultra tight jean and improved upon the components we did not.  The jegging has cleverly combined the slick tight yet ultra stretchy traits of the legging with the unmistakable look of denim.  BRILLIANT!  How on earth did this genius solution escape the minds of the early 90’s?  I suppose we were too busy trying to get our bangs to stand 2” higher than the next girl’s.

The pair I currently want to eat, sleep, and be buried in are American Rag Denim Leggings in dark denim.  I purchased these from Macy’s online after doing a bit of research and discovering that this pair seemed to hit a high note with more than one jegging wearer.  When I made my purchase, they were on sale in both dark denim and black shades, for $9.99 a pair.  What a steal!  Sadly, they are no longer available from Macy’s online (it seems I was not the only fashionista on a mission to find the perfect jegging), but if you can find them anywhere else…buy them in every color they have.
What I adore about them, and what I strongly encourage you to look for in whichever pair you choose for yourself, is that they are made from a look-a-like denim fabric that is heavy enough to retain its shape.  (Sugarlips Tip: When testing the shape retention potential of ANY stretchy denim jean, poke one layer of the material with your finger and see how quickly it bounces back.  If it holds the dent, it will likely loose shape quickly with wear.  ALSO…don’t dry stretchy denim in the dryer.  EVER.)  They are a full 31” inseam, and come complete with back pockets.  They slip effortlessly into boots, and seductively scrunch over my stilettos.  These are hot, hot, HOT!

My one and only WARNING is that the waistband is full on elastic, no closure or structure to hold them snug to your hips which can cause them to occasionally slip a bit with movement requiring a reposition every now and again.  That being said, however, I have owned much more expensive pants that have slipped in much worse ways than these do.

Another must-buy for 2010 that has been resurrected from the MC Hammer era is the modernized jean jacket.  Formerly seen on the back of every girl from NYC to El Paso, covered in witty quotable buttons and friendship pins, the revamped jean jacket is the perfect transition piece for the upcoming fall season.  The universally perfect look for this fall should hit at the natural waist, to not only accentuate your curves but to allow your breezy summer tops to remain center stage when you cover your shoulders.  I am a big fan of what Levi’s has done with their Cropped Denim jacket.  At first sight it looks identical to a jacket I wore every day in junior high…but in reality, it is light weight with a hint of stretch and has a fantastic curve to the cut that is slightly higher in the back creating a rounder back view which is ultra flattering.  The darker shade of denim with the whiskery fade is a perfectly fresh yet broken in look that works as a neutral to ground any look.

I’m off to the mall with my pack of Hubba Bubba to buy the new Madonna tape; I think my Mom found my walkman.

 photos from Macys and Levis websites.

Personal Stylist: What would you do to create the perfect stylist?

So I didn't have an internet connection on my laptop for most of my day today MAKING ME CRAZY! But the good news is, I had time on my hands to come up with new material. So I pose the question and want to hear from you...

If you could have your own personal stylist, what would that person do for you? What would they help you with?

Would it be your hair, your make-up?

Would it be helping you choose a wardrobe? clothing consultant (style, color, fit, etc), accessories?

Would it be skin care consultations, body care, how to do your eyebrows?

Would it be health, wellness, fitness, diet?

I want to hear from you!

Email me: sugarlipslifestyletips@gmail.com
or respond on Facebook: Cyn Sugar or www.sugarlipslifestyletips.com
Twitter: sugardollies

Brighter Whiter Smiles For a Portion of the Cost: Products Examined

I have recently had some serious dental work done and the bills have been high. Of course they always offer the teeth whitening system for a cool extra $200 but since I already shelled out $8K, I declined. I found some great alternatives that have proven themselves time and time again. If you are looking for a great budget friendly whitening options, you may have luck with these.

Winner and Why

• Crest 3D White Vivid toothpaste: It had a great fresh breath taste and whitened our teeth significantly.

Runner Up List

• Rembrandt: It whitens well but doesn't always give you afresh breath mouth.

• Baking Soda: Yes, an age old trick to remove stains. It tastes funny but works.

• Crest 7 day Whitestrips: Although these are annoying to do twice a day and taste funny, they gave me the best results. Be careful not to have them too far up on your gums though. It made my gums hurt when I brushed.

Losers and Why

• Colgate Total: Did not give me the fresh breath that I wanted.

• Crest Whitening Expressions: I did not see any significant change in color and the taste was ok but not great.

• Crest Whitening Toothpaste: It did not freshen my breath as well as a traditional toothpaste.

Aluminum Free Deodorant: Options For Your Family

There have been numerous studies on various ingredients in our everyday beauty products that have been flagged as harmful. Some have been linked to different types of cancers while others are a hormone disruptors linked to birth defects. Are these products harmful? Is there conclusive evidence? I guess the real question is do you want to take that chance and more so, do you want to take that chance with your children?
Today's topic was inspired by a third grade teacher who had commented on the growth of the kids in her classroom. The kids are bigger and hitting puberty years before we had as children and they have really strong body odors; enough to make her gag sometimes. Girls are beginning their menstruating cycle in third grade...Is this a result of the added hormones in their food? Is it the pesticides on their food? Possibly, I am not sure and that is another topic for another day. The point is, they are going to be using deodorant and other self care products soon. How do you choose?

Consider for a moment your teenage daughter. She is just getting to the point where she needs to choose a underarm deodorant. You want her to feel comfortable and confident yet be protected from known toxins. I started researching different Aluminum free options and found that they range in price from about $4.00 to over $20. Now, I am not going to pay $20 for a deodorant and I have a feeling my readers won't either. We are in a recession and money is tight so I found a few budget friendly options. Here are a few Aluminum free deodorant options for you and your family.

Tom's Of Maine makes Sticks and crystals for about $5.50. You can find them at select Target stores or on their website: www.tomsofmaine.com I tried the Apricot kind which smells amazing however, it made my skin breakout.

Alba Clear Enzyme Deodorant Stick in Aloe, Lavender or Tea Tree and priced around $6.00 www.albabotanica.com

The Healthy Deodorant by Lavanila Laboratories: This one is my favorite choice because it is free of other ingredients as well such as parabens, sulfates, phthalates, petro-chemicals and synthetic dyes. Sold at Sephora or on their website: www.lavanila.com.

Anthony Logistics for Men: You can find this for the man in your life at Sephora. It is $14.00 www.sephora.com

Adidas has a variety of Aluminum free options (Adidas Cotton Tech) but they are really hard to find. I believe that they may be discontinued. You can still find them online through Amazon etc. They are sold by independent sellers so the prices range from $7.50 a tube to $52.00 for a multi-pack. 

Dermalogica Environmental Control $20
www.dermalogica.com

photo from Sephora.com 

Sunday Supper: Christina's Breakfast Pizza

I LOVE this recipe. This is the last day of my ten day vacation and we are making the most of it. We spent the last three days in chilly Monterey, California enjoying the ocean view and hot coffee. My friend, Christina, is cooking up an old fave, the breakfast pizza for eight of us to devour before hitting the road. No this isn't last nights delivery served cold. This is an age old tradition of homemade pizza with rolled out dough, fresh ingredients topped with farm fresh eggs. Eggs you say? Yes, they really make this dish amazing. This is a great dish for a large crowd. It's easy to make and absolutely DELICIOUS!
What you will need
Dough (premade or homemade)
Mozzarella
Parmesan
Bacon
Eggs
Shallots
Parsley
Chives
Scallions
Salt & pepper

What to do
Preheat your oven to 500 degrees. Fry up your bacon to preferred crispness. Place on a paper towel to remove excess grease and set aside. Saute shallots in olive oil for 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside. Grease a sheet pan and roll out the dough onto it. Make fork holes to avoid the dough puffing up while baking. Sprinkle Mozzarella over the dough making sure to get it to the edge. Crumble bacon and spread evenly over the mozzarella. Shave Parm over the entire pizza. Crack eggs strategically so that each piece has one egg on top or so that each piece shares an egg. Put in the oven and bake for ten minutes. Top pizza with scallions, parsley, shallots and chives. Cut and serve.