Spring 2011 Beauty Trend Report: What I Love

I love the colors of Spring 2011. With all of the bright gorgeous corals, pinks, and purples, we are bound to look fabulous in a paper box they are so fabulous. I love Google. I enter a product that I want and it tells me who is selling it, where and how much. Can I marry Google? Click on each of the pictures to find retailers. Here are a few of my favorites!

TREND REPORT SUMMARY

• Coral Coral Coral. "Slow for Cone Zone" Orange lips. Get yourself some.

• Purples, lavenders and shades of magenta eyeshadow have been seen on the runway and in the magazines. 

• Neon: Whoa. This is a trend that I Don't know if I can get used to. Neon eyeshadow...

• Eyeshadow in jeweled earth tones: I am also seeing grays that have hints of purple and shimmery lavender. Heavily lined eyes with smokey shadow is everywhere.

 LIPS

Not sure which color you like best? Try them all! Smashbox offers all of the spring colors in sample sizes perfect to carry in your clutch or wristlette at the club. It could even fit into a very small pocket. And it has SPF 15. LOVE! My staple in my handbag this season is BOUNDLESS and for good reason.

Slow for the cone zone! Coral coral coral is all the rage. Check out Revlon's Orange Flip for some fun. Add one of your Smashbox lip glosses and you will look like you just stepped off the runway! NARS also makes great shades. Check out First Bite and Casablanca.

Not into the cone zone? No problem! Try Chanel's Rouge Allure lipstick in Croquete.



NAILS
I love NYLON magazine. Their trend reports are always on time and always on target. They featured POP Nail Glam in neon blue (pictured right). My favorite? Sally Hanson's Diamond Strength No Chip Nail Color in Sunrise, Sunset. It has a nice coral color with a gold shimmer.

EYES

Smokey eyes shadow sets from the 2011 collections of NARS and CHANEL. My fave? Sephora's Baked Moonshadow Trio.

Zansus Photo Shoot

Sushanta Bhandarker and Naz Saeed, Founders of Zansus Purses, came by today for a photo shoot of their Spring and Summer collection. They are Artists and Interior Designers by trade who are eco-friendly and bound to make this world a better place one purse at a time. I can't wait to see the photos!

Using remnants and scraps left over from previous interior design jobs, they have hand crafted clutches, hand bags, totes and my new favorite, Pursangles. They use both bright and neutral colors marrying them together to make a chic "green" bag.

What I Wore
I had four different outfits for the shoot. It was important to me to maintain my signature classic look but also try something that I wouldn't necessarily wear for just any event. I discovered the perfect piece in my closet that would maintain elegance yet it was a bit unexpected.

Three years ago, my Grandma had given me a beautiful ivory colored vintage dress that she wore to cocktail parties and other events when she was my age. Sushanta accessorized it with two gorgeous necklaces that she carefully created with gorgeous rust colored stones from her ArtnCreation - "Jewelry With Attitude" line.

I have never modeled before so this was a new experience. I was so tense and had a hard time remembering to relax but Naz and Sushanta quickly put me at ease and made me laugh for almost the whole shoot. We had such a great time. I will upload the photos as soon as I get them. In the meantime, check out what these women are doing to make the world a greener place.

Empowering World Change

Zansus Purses

Sunday Supper: Grilled Lamb Shanks with Mint Mojo and Pappardelle Pasta with Kale and Mushrooms

Simplicity at it's best. Lamb can be intimidating for some but this is such an easy dish to prepare and even easier to enjoy. The shanks are simply seared on a high heat grill for 3 minutes a side and the pasta can be a stand alone dish or a side as it was here. It can be ready in 20 minutes with a 10 minute prep time. This dish is high in folic acid and various greens can be substituted in it such as spinach or chard. It would be best to make the mojo and the salad dressing first; both of these can be made a day in advance if that is easier.

What you will need:
2-3 Lamb shanks per person
2 packages of pappardelle pasta (pictured on right)
1 bunch of kale
1 bunch broccolili
1 package of cremini mushrooms
ricotta cheese
1/2 c. white wine (optional)
sea salt & pepper
parsley
1 package of mint
1 parsley bunch
1 lemon plus zest (zest is optional)
3 cloves garlic
olive oil
Freshly tossed salad with Patrick's Famous Dressing (Recipe Below)
Mixed greens
1 avocado
1 tomato

Patrick's Famous Dressing:
Canola Oil
Grey Poupon Mustard
1 t. balsamic 1t. red wine vinegar
salt & pepper
splash of water

What to Do
If you are using an outdoor grill, fire up your coals so that your grill is really hot when it comes time to grill the shanks.

The Dressing: Begin making the dressing by adding the GP mustard to a medium sized bowl. Slowly whisk in the canola oil a little bit at a time so that it doesn't break the mustard. Continue drizzling this in slowly until it is smooth in texture and it no longer tastes overly mustardy. Add a splash of red wine vinegar and balsamic vinegar to the mix and whisk to combine. Add a splash of water, whisk again and refrigerate.

The Mojo can be made in minutes in a food processor. This is a twist on a traditional mojo as we did not use cumin however; cumin goes really well with lamb and would taste amazing. Add equal parts (approx. 1 c. each) mint and parsley 2 t. fresh lemon juice, 1-2 garlic cloves to the processor. Close the top and choose your setting to chop. While it's on, slowly drizzle 1/4c. olive oil through the feed tube and allow to blend for a few seconds then stop. This can be refrigerated until ready to use if made the day before or stand at room temperature until ready to serve.

Prep Time: After you have completed your mojo and your dressing, the prep work begins. This dish does not take long to make and will be ready quickly so a well prepared work station is key. Begin by placing with two cutting boards out, one for the meat and one for the vegetables. Unwrap your lamb shanks and sprinkle with salt & pepper on each side. Remove your ricotta cheese from the container and place in a bowl. Zest your lemon then juice and set aside. Add zest to the ricotta; stir to combine. Prepare your stove top by placing 1 6 qt. deep saute pan near your water bath. Fill 2 stock pots half full with water and set on the back burners and turn heat to high on one. Have a colander near the sink. Rinse your vegetables well. Roughly chop your kale and broccolini; set aside. Slice your mushrooms into thick pieces set aside in a separate bowl. Mince 1 garlic clove and set near the greens and mushrooms. You will need an ice bath for the greens so put two ice cube trays worth of ice in a large bowl. Add water to cover the ice and leave 2 inches of space from the fill line to the rim of the bowl and set next to the stove along with a long handled tongs. Cut the tomatoes and avocado for the salad and place in the refrigerator until time to serve.

Let's Get Cooking: Pour 1-2 T. olive oil into the deep saute pan and turn to medium-low heat then add 3 cloves of minced garlic. Once the water in your stock pot has come to a boil, begin by blanching the greens in the boiling water for about 1-2 minutes. Turn the heat on to high for the second stock pot and remove the pappardelle from it's packaging. Remove greens from the pot with a long handled tongs and place in the ice bath and allow to rest for a minute or two. Drain as much of the water from the bowl as you can, gently squeezing out any excess then set near the stove. Turn the heat up to medium high on your saute pan. Meanwhile, drop your pasta into the water and allow to cook until aldente approximately 7-10 minutes. If you are using an indoor grill, turn it on to high heat. Once your saute pan comes to temp, add the sliced mushrooms and continue to stir allowing the mushrooms to brown on each side. Slowly pour in your wine; stir to combine. Add the blanched greens to the mushroom mix and stir then reduce heat to medium. Place lamb chops on the grill evenly spaced and cook for three minutes on each side. Drain your pasta reserving 1/2 c. of the pasta water for the sauce. Add noodles to the greens and mushrooms in the saute pan and toss. Stir in the reserved pasta water into the ricotta cheese then add to the pan. Remove shanks from the grill and allow to rest on a large cutting board. Toss salad with dressing. Plate and serve.

What to Drink: The Wine Pairing
As we celebrate another beautiful milestone in our lives, we toasted with 2005 Schweiger Spring Mountain Cabernet and a 2007 Paul Hobbs Kick Hill Vineyard Syrah. The Cabernet will need to be decanted an hour to 2 hours.

***Please note that the photos used in today's post are stock photos. I was too busy enjoying the moment rather than documenting it so I improvised.

Spring Break is Around The Corner: Accessories Check List

Spring travel is upon us and here is a great check list to make sure that you are prepared.

• Sunglasses: Protect your eyes with polarized lenses
• Interchangeable jewelry sets: Layer necklaces and bangles with versatile earrings that match numerous outfits. Pack bangles that are flexible so they are easier to travel with.
• Beach Bag: It is always helpful to pack a small canvas bag to carry to the beach to keep sand out of your handbag.
• Swimsuit wrap/Sarong: This can be doubled as a skirt, a cover up or a shall.
• An evening clutch
• A wide-brimmed hat: To protect your scalp, hair color and face.

And most importantly, don't forget your Sunscreen. It is your best asset!

Related Articles
Double Duty Must Haves: Five Beauty Products You Can't Travel Without
Tips To Accessorize: Earrings and Handbags

Tummy Tuck? No, It's Just My New Leggings: Kimberlee's Pick of The Week

As you may have guessed, I love to shop.  It’s more than a need, it’s more than a hobby, it’s become a way of life for me.  I eat, sleep and breathe fashionable finds and have no loss of dignity when running to score an amazing deal at 5am in my pajamas.  That being said, I find myself more and more particular about the price and quality of my purchases and will return something in a heartbeat if it so much as looks at me funny.  What tends to win my heart time and time again, is a retailer that offers me a fashionable service to accompany my shopping experience.  And better yet, an amazing line of products at a steal of a price.

Rapidly moving toward Mother of All Sample Sale status, Ideeli is a force to be reckoned with in the age of the fashionable service.  Endorsed by Oprah herself (you will find her smile on the O Shop of Oprah recommended products), Ideeli boasts over 3 million members and counting, offering exclusive members only shopping experiences in apparel, accessories, home, beauty, travel and kids. Events feature designer labels from the well known to the up and coming, and offer discounts of up to 80% off of the retail price. Smashing!  Joining Ideeli’s member circle is easy and free, the shopping experience is extremely user friendly, well laid out, enticing, and product options are aplenty.  On any given day, there seem to be about 5 – 10 sales active in each category, and prices range from “Designer Label at a Target price” to “Some people pay less than that in rent.”  Certainly variety is never in shortage.  Ordering is simple, products are always the quality you would hope for, and their customer service is wonderful.  My first purchase took approximately 3 weeks to be shipped, but I was well aware of that before making the purchase.  The anticipated shipping dates for each sale are conveniently displayed on each item when added to your shopping cart.  Some products take longer than others to be shipped out, be sure to check the shipping expectations before placing your order. 

My latest purchase from Ideeli’s designer racks, was workout gear.  Never having been much of an exercise buff, and recently having taken on Dustin Maher’s Got Core and Buns & Guns, I decided I was ready to give the uniform a try.  After having done a bit of market research, I discovered that Marika was a must buy in the world of work out gear with glowing reviews by other women like myself.  When I happened upon the Marika sale on Ideeli, I decided now was the time to nab these pieces for a test run.  I purchased the Magic Tummy Control Legging, which offers a light control through the core area of the tummy, but are extremely comfortable with very little restriction.  Retailing for $35, I purchased mine on Ideeli for $18.  The top I selected is the Weekend tank, and I love that the built in support is comfortable and breathable.  The wicking feature is new to me, and I appreciate it so much more than I ever thought that I would.  Retailing for $42, I purchased mine on Ideeli for $18.

I wish I could direct you straight to the Marika sale, but due to the short life span of each sample sale on Ideeli, it is no longer available.  There are, however, dozens of other amazing deals like these to be found lurking within their shopping racks. Here is a personal invitation to join Ideeli:  http://www.ideeli.com/invite/misskimberlee

Another amazing Fashionable Service, thank you Ideeli!

All Vintage Everything! Shopping with Fashion Designer Sarah Liller

Tuesday night was an fun filled night with models, fashion, wine, vintage, make-up and feather extensions just to name of few. I had a chance to get up close and personal with Fashion Designer Sarah Liller, while sipping wine and thumbing through hangers of beautiful vintage pieces at the All Vintage Everything event.

If you don't already know Sarah Liller, you will want to get to know her and soon. She may be new to San Francisco, but not to design. She is a graduate of Parsons and one of the future faces of fashion. Her style is feminine rocker chic and shows both sides of a girl's personality. Intricate soft lace with bold open shoulders, sheer drape and piecework that is for the bad ass in you. She rocks a mean runway; I invite you to take a look... I fell in love with her line and I know you will too.

5:05 pm- We met up at Loft 1513 to chat with Larissa Verdussen and Yugala Priti prior to the show. I was wearing one of Yugala's gorgeous silk dresses from her Priti line to the show and I needed to be fitted. Models were filing in one at a time for the fitting for the upcoming Charity Fashion Show on April 7th. The 2011 Designer List had been announced and Larissa is showing her RAG-DOll line and Sarah and I have a seat to the show. We sipped our wine and chatted amongst the chaos of the fitting. It was the kind of chaos that calms you knowing that you are part of something greater.

6:58pm-We caught the J and headed over to the Sub-Mission Gallery for the All Vintage Everything event. Co-hosted by SF Indie Fashion and DNA (designers + artists), they invited local vintage dealers such as:

• Retrofit Republic
• Hummingbird Vintage
• Goodbye Heart
• Bayside Boutique
• Apocalypse Vintage

My favorite selection was from Goodbye Heart. They had beautiful leather, tweed and faux fur jackets and vests that were an absolute must have. Retrofit Republic offered some fantastic vintage shoes, gorgeous dresses and other wares. Bayside Boutique had a serious selection of Betty Draper worthy night gowns and lingerie. We stopped by and tried on a few pairs of sunglasses and had a moment of nostalgia thinking of how cool we once were on our banana seat bikes...

8:08pm-We took a break from shopping to visit Make-up artist, Nikol Elaine and got a lesson in eyeshadow just before participating in the FEATHER EXTENSIONS!!! No, this is not some mid-eighties white-trash look, it is an updated version of subtle spunk. Individual long, beautiful feathers that resemble highlights, are placed near your scalp and then temporarily affixed using a tiny metal clamp. You can wear them for up to a month, wash them like hair and have them easily removed at any time. If you choose to remove them yourself, just use a needle nose pliers to pinch the clamp the opposite way, gently remove feathers one by one and then slide the tiny clamp down your tresses. Simple and sexy!

Sunday Supper: Pan Seared Swordfish with Edamame Succotash

Sufferin' succotash! This is a twist on a traditional succotash by substituting edamame instead of lima beans. You can make it as spicy or as mild as you'd like. A pan seared swordfish  with a touch of bright lemon brings out the flavors of this dish. This can be ready in about 20 minutes.

What You Will Need
Swordfish fillet (4-5 oz. per person)
1-2 eggs
seasoned breadcrumbs
lemon
basil
shelled edemame
diced tomato
corn
diced yellow or red onion
Salt & Pepper
broccoli (optional)

What to Do
Begin with the succotash by adding a dollop of olive oil to a sauce pan over medium high heat. Add your diced onion and saute for 2 minutes. Prepare your swordfish by rinsing and patting it dry with a paper towel. Trim out the blood line.
***Sugar Tip: When choosing your fish, seek out a piece where the blood line is bright red. Fish with gray bloodlines are no longer as fresh.

B wanted thinner pieces of swordfish to prevent the fish from drying out so he sliced the fillet in half lengthwise. That is optional but the cook times below reflect that decision. Add the edemame and corn to the succotash and stir. Turn heat down to medium low. Prepare your skillet by drizzling olive oil in the pan and turning the heat to medium high. Dip fish in the whisked egg then dredge through the bread crumbs on both sides. Place fish in the heated skillet and allow to cook for 5 minutes on each side. Drizzle with lemon juice while cooking being careful not to disrupt the breading. If you choose to add steamed broccoli, begin steaming when you drop the fish.

Finish off succotash by adding the diced tomatoes and slivered basil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Stir and reduce heat to a simmer until ready to serve. We paired this dish with a great white wine: 2009 Pouilly-Fuisse from France. You can find it for under $20 at K&L.

Parents Listen Up- Strict New Guidlines For Child Saftey Seats

Do you have children under 13 years of age? This article applies to you. The American Academy of Pediatrics spoke person, Dr. Alana Levine, made an appearance on the Today Show this morning with the new car seat guidelines. I have linked this to the Today Show website for more information; an overview is below.

You can help prevent abdominal and spine injuries to your children by following the recommendations below.

Infant Seat:

• Rear facing 

• 5-35lbs. or 32 inches

Convertible Seat:

• Your child should be FACING the rear within the limit of the seat until 2 years of age. 

Booster Seat:

• Your child should be in the booster until they are 4'9" which is between the ages of 8-12 years of age. They have to sit all the way back into the seat with legs bent and seat belt over the thighs and chest.

Children under the age of 13 can not sit in the front seat.

Saving For Retirement? A Creative Way to Invest More

Finding it hard to save for retirement? Are you just making ends meet and can't afford to put more aside? I am in the same boat. I live paycheck to paycheck and hardly get by on what I make. So, when I received an email from my investment company, DWS Investments, that I thought I would share it with you. 

PLEASE NOTE: Keep in mind that I am NOT a financial adviser NOR am I giving financial advice. I am simply providing you with an example that may or may not be fitting for your individual situation. It's just another creative way to help save for your retirement fund without causing you extra strain or take away from your current take home pay.

As you all are well aware, we are all in the midst of tax season and tax breaks can work to our advantage. According to DWS Investments, the bill that was passed by Congress in the end of 2010, gives Americans a 2% reduction on the deduction of Social Security from their paychecks for one year. Let's do the math:

Annual Salary: $35,000
Age: 35
2% of your annual salary is $700


That's $700 that you didn't have last year because it was being taken out for the Social Security deduction. That may not seem like a lot of money, but if invested properly it could be. If you are intimidated by finances, go to their resource center on their website for more information.

Fashion Friday With Kimberlee!! Thakoon For Target: GO International Designer Collective

A woman scorned, is a woman scarred…unless of course the said scorner releases an amazing collection of dresses that the said woman simply MUST get her hands on. And then all is forgiven and there is once again peace in the land.

Having fallen head over heels in love with my Tucker for Target purchases in 2010, I was confident that this whole designer collaborative effort was hands down the greatest idea in the history of affordable fashion. Taking well known designers, and pieces that
are completely affordable but still embody everything cool we love about the designer, and then making them available at my local Target...what on earth could be better than that?


...And then along came William Rast for Target, and Dolce Vita for Target, and I was heartbroken. The William Rast collection of denim was painfully improperly sized and the feeling of cheapness was out of control. Nothing about them flattered, and they were nothing at all like the original line, I had to return everything. Dolce Vita’s sandals which I purchased 2 months later were the same scenario. At this point, I tell myself that I am done with Target’s collaboration designs; I can find far better items to purchase elsewhere in the world. And then, just like that, they released the Go International Designer Collective line. And here I sit, covered in Target price tag crumbs and heavenly hues with labels screaming Thakoon, Rodarte, and Proenza Schouler. Blissful.

This collection is not to be missed, if you have a local Target I strongly urge you to stop by and try on a few styles to choose your favorites. Each dress in the collection is being re-released from a former collaboration line between the designers and Target within the past five years. Designers include: Luella Bartley, Tara Jarmon, Paul & Joe, Behnaz Sarafpour, Proenza Schouler, Libertine, Alice Temperley, Erin Fetherston, Jovovich-Hawk, Rogan, Richard Chai, Jonathan Saunders, Thakoon, Tracy Feith, Rodarte, Zac Posen and Tucker. Each of the 34 dresses in the collection is under $50, and worth every red cent. The fabrics are amazingly light and summery, varying from airy cotton to polyester, and the details are just divine.

Kimberlee’s Pick:

Thakoon for Target Colorblock Shift Dress, $39.99

Target and I have reconciled our differences in the way of designer collaborations; I am
once again as giddy as a school girl over the release of these collections.

Love, love, love.

xoxox

Fashion mash-Up: How To Start A Business In Fashion Recap SFFAMA

Many of my people couldn't attend tonight's event due to schedule conflicts so I told them I would take note. Which, I must admit, it was nice being the only "Blogger" there because everyone wants to say hello in hopes of a write up. But alas, I will leave that to the professionals...Mira, Lexter Marcus, Kara, this is for you....

With the exception of the Pretzel Crisps, tonight's event was very different than any of the other Owen Geronimo / SFFAMA productions. The panel was small and specialized and the audience was large and diverse. Each speaker had an area of specialty and knew it well. They had some overlapping experience but all in all, they specialized in the legal, manufacturing and the back bone of the business side. 

The creative minds that sprinkled the room were fantastic. They were all bright eyed and eager to learn from the panel and came prepared with questions. Some of the designers were new to the industry or recently graduated while others were veterans. ***Speaking of veterans, I would like to take a moment and recognize Charlie Ansanelli for being an advocate for our local designers. He is the driving force behind Treasure Island Flea opening Memorial Day Weekend. If you don't know, now you know. Check out their page and follow this guy on Twitter....he only has 2 followers. Pump Him Up!


We all had quite a bit to learn and each of us left feeling inspired. There are quite a few promising individuals out there that I can't wait to see blossom. 

So... Points Of Note From Tonight: 

• Have a 30 Second self promotion ready to share at a moments notice.
• Pay for a lawyer to review your contracts  and an accountant to do your books. It's worth it. Plus, in the end it is cheaper than losing your house.
  
• There are 5 key pieces to getting started: 

1. Tax Registration Certificate / Business License (sfgov.org)
   
2. Sellers permit for wholesale purchase
3. Definition of your legal entity (sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC or Corp)
4. Insurance
5. Fictitious name statement
   

• If you need business advice of any sort, call Gwendolyn Wright.  
• If you think that you know what you are doing, call Gwendolyn Wright. 
• If you think that you and your BFF are going to go into business together and will live happily ever after, call Gwendolyn Wright.  
• If you haven't seen The Social Network, watch it and then call Gwendolyn Wright so she can advise you on how to divorce your BFF when it ain't all roses. 
• It would behoove you to check in with Gwendolyn Wright and listen to what she has to say. 

Key Contacts and Great Resources:
Two people that Gwendolyn shared are Janet Lees of SFmade.org and Martha Yanez in City Hall at the Office of Small Business.
Paula has a Fashion business bootcamp that she offered up to help any of us.

People I met tonight that made an impression on me:

• Sarah Liller: Straight Outta NYC, this designer is a newcomer to SF but has a great sense of style and will do really well here. Her collections are HOT. She is seeking buyers,  info on local manufacturers and fabric availability. Check out her page: www.sarahliller.com

• Rebekah Peterkin of Lwanga Designs- super sweet and shy. She is genuine and dabbles in fair trade. Check out her wares here. 

• I have to admit that I am REALLY excited and semi-bitter that I didn't come up with this concept myself...Check out one of Brad's companies: The Walk Street Movement Yes, please. I want a sweet, soft pair of Walksoftz slippers after a night of shaking my tail feather on the dance floor in 6 inch heels. As he says...dance hard, walk soft.
  

Hashtags from tonight's event: #SFFAMA, #fashionmashup

How To Start A Business In Fashion: SFFAMA Mash-Up Tonight!

 Tonight! I hope to see you all there.

From 6-8pm at Pigment Cosmetics

Learn from the industry's best including:

Gwendolyn Wright: Founder of The Wright Consultants
Brad Carrick: Founder of Solz Shoes
Paula Mattisonsierra: Founder of P. Mattison Consulting

For tickets: Click Here.

No More Skinny Jeans Unless it's a Cigarette: Pants For Spring 2011

I have decided that skinny jeans never make me look or feel skinny in fact they make me feel stuffed.  As in stuffed into a pant that was never meant to fit. Stuffed like a turkey, stuffed like an over sized teddy bear. No, I am not a super model and yes, I realize that skinny jeans are for the super skinny folk but I need a style that fits me even on my slightly under perfect feeling days. I found some great options for your spring 2011 wardrobe that will lighten up the look and the feel.

No More Superheros: A Perspective From a 3 Year Old

I have always assumed that children liked superheros and idolized their powers, however; this morning I got a lesson from a 3 year old that I will never forget. I was standing in line waiting for a coffee and a buzz began about a superhero. In my half awake state, I smiled at the little boy amidst the crowd assuming he was enjoying this elementary conversation when he had made the comment "No more superheros". Confused, I inquired further and he told me this:

• They don't look like us
• They have special powers that we don't
• I can be a hero without having a power

Well said young man. Maybe I read into this far deeper than I should have but it inspired me to think further.  What message are we really sending to our kids about being a hero? What makes a person a hero? Do they need to wear some bright colored spandex and shoot lightning from their finger tips? Clearly not. Rather impressed by his response, I left with a coffee in hand wanting to become my own hero in my own way immediately. I can be a hero by practicing patience, exercising kindness, or lifting a spirit. I hope he inspires you to become your own hero too. Have a great day!

Under Construction!

Sugar Lips Lifestyle Tips is under going a change. In the meantime, please use our Blogger account for the same information on all of your favorite topics: Fashion Beauty, Health, Wellness and Personal Development.

What's New?
I am redesigning the page to be an online resource for you that is easy to navigate by topic and has additional goodies such as

• Deals and Steals
• Kimberlee's Corner
• Cyn in the City
• Videos
• and more!

Thank you for  your patience and I look forward to  releasing the new look soon!
Jacyn

Sunday Supper: Daylight Savings Duck with a Madera Reduction

Duck may seem intimidating but it is quite easy to make. It's a simple pan sear and a reduction sauce. EASY. We enjoyed it with classic Yukon Gold mashers and Blue Lake green beans. It was simple yet had layers of flavor throughout the dish. Pair this with a Pinot Noir and you have yourself a restaurant style dish at home.

What you need
1 duck breast per person (typically available at you local butcher or they can order it for you)
1 shallot diced finely
1/2 bottle madera
1/2 bottle of port
2 c mushroom broth
Butter
Hawaiian Sea Salt or any other sea salt
Black pepper
Green beans

What to Do
The reduction will take the longest so start that first. In a medium sauce pan, put a Tbs. of butter and saute finely diced shallots. After a minute or so, combine the port, madera, broth to the shallots and bring to a boil on medium high heat. Continue to boil for 30-45 minutes until it reduces into a syrup.   Peel and cut potatoes into quarters, add to a large pot with enough water to cover them and turn heat to high. Add salt & pepper to your reduction towards the end and another tablespoon or two of butter.   The green beans are just a very simple preparation, boil for 7 minutes, blanch in an ice bath then set aside.  Just before plating the duck give the beans a quick 2 minute saute with butter and sprinkle a lil' sea salt, Bingo, game on.

In a large Skillet, pan sear the duck breast fat side down on medium-high heat with 1 tablespoon of butter for about 10 minutes.  Think of the duck skin/fat as bacon, in the sense that you really want to get it nice and crispy, this is your flavor so you definitely want to treat it right.  After beautifully searing the skin flip the duck and get down with the other side.  It should only take another 3-4 minutes on the "flip side" as you Mos Def-initely want the Daffy to remain a splendid medium rare.  Ah yeah, this keeps it nice and moist considering there is nothing worse than a dry duck.  Let it rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing to avoid all the delicious flavors from running out.

By now the potatoes are done so you'll want to drain them and add 3 tablespoons of butter and a 1/4 cup of milk.  Smash, stir, beat until you have the consistency that you all know and love, more butter, maybe, more milk your choice, then salt and pepper.

Now it's game time, plate the beans, taters, and duck. Then finish it off with a drizzle of the port reduction and finishing salt and you have winner, winner duck dinner.

I Want to Be a Princess: Kimberlee's Pick of the Week

When I grow up, I want to be a princess.  I want to feel as if I could whisk myself away with the breeze like a handful of glitter and appear to float as I walk through the courtyard of my castle.  I want all eyes to be on me as I emerge from my massive custom built closet dressed to the nines and feeling like a goddess.  A girl must have her princess dreams…unless, of course you are Kate Middleton, in which case once you marry a prince I think you have to find a new dream.

In the reality of my little world, I may never be able to fulfill my lofty goal of reaching princess status unless my affliction with princess syndrome counts?

PRINCESS SYNDROME DEFINITION:
To want what I want 
right-now-at-this-very-minute-
don’t-you-dare-make-me-wait-
or-I-will-probably-cry, LOUD.  

With my tiara in tow, I cannot possibly think of a more feminine, breezy, princess like fabric to drape myself in than a sheer, soft, lighter than air silk for my 2011 spring wardrobe.  I would live in it if I could. Silk can bring the feeling and attitude of being a princess into my closet effortlessly…and right now.  Minus the handful of glitter. Which leads me to my two absolutely heavenly picks of the week, each in its own right are worthy of the closets of any self respecting princess, I must say.

A Shade of Blue That Screams Royalty

This royal blue electrifying top is perfect for layering over neutral colored tank, under an amazing biker, dinner jacket, or on its own with a great pair of bright white jeans and pumps in a brilliantly bold complementary hue.

Brought to life by the designers of Fumblin’ Foe with artistically broken layers of ruffle and lighter than air sheer silk.  The drape of the top hangs lightly landing at the hip, and marries a trendy creative flair with rock star color and the elements of a fairy princess.  Blissful. 

Paisley Palette Explosion
The soft drape of this creatively detailed top is balanced with a drawstring at the waist for definition with a small cognac leather anchor at the collarbone.  From the playfully girly bohemian infused line of Storee, the femininity drips from its every stitch.  The details are divine, the fabric is heavenly, and it sings out spring-time like nothing I’ve collected thus far.  Definitely worthy of gliding through the palace courtyard in, and perfectly covetable by my royal subjects.  This top looks absolutely stunning with a great pair of broken in denim or a chino mini and knee high boots to highlight the leather accent.  

***Sugar Tips When Shopping for Silk:

• Look for breezy designs that float away from the body delicately. Choose bold colors, patterns and unique details to incorporate silk into your 2011 spring wardrobe. 
  
• As heavenly as they may feel to the touch, stay away from silk that comes in the form of boxy button ups, drab neutrals such as gray, sage green, dusty...anything. Also avoid pieces that are even remotely fitted; these styles and colors are rarely flattering on anyone. 

Perhaps I cannot actually BE a royal princess, but nobody said I couldn’t incorporate the element of one into my wardrobe so that I can FEEL like I could be one.  And because I want what I want when I want it, I’m off to fulfill my royal shopping desire.

Happy International Women's Day to All Of Our Fans!

Today we celebrate each other and the women who have come before us. These spectacular women helped paved the way and in turn, we are taking great strides to continue that tradition. Sugar Lips Lifestyle Tips was created with the intention of helping women across the world increase their confidence and well being one tip at a time. We strive to bring you balance by providing you with applicable and accessible information on topics such as beauty, health, wellness, personal development and the latest fashion trends. Today, we celebrate you.

To our fans and cherished readers, thank you for your continued love and support!

Your Assignment
*Take time to reflect on what makes you the powerful, beautiful passionate woman that you are. Look in the mirror and repeat it back to yourself, write it down or send it as a daily reminder in your email. *Celebrate the women in your life who have inspired you, guided you and helped you become who you are today. Send them a message, give them a call or write a little note expressing how they have influenced you and your appreciation for their efforts along the way.

Take Action, Get Inspired
Goldman Sachs celebrates their third year anniversary helping women all across the globe in 22 countries by increasing revenues, creating jobs and forming strategic partnerships. How can you become involved in your community to help other women? Share your story with us! Send your contributions to sugarlipslifestlyetips@gmail.com

From a Man's Perspective
Here is a list of 75 incredible women of the past and present put together by Esquire.

Find Events in Your Area
Go to the Events tab on the International Women's Day Website and select by country and location to find happenings in your area.

Best of List: Hawaii - Burgers, Coffee, Luau, Beaches, Mai Tais and More!

It is so great to be back in the Bay Area! It was hard to leave the Hawaiian Sun but I have a list for your next visit that you don't want to miss. Next time you travel to Kailua-Kona on the Big Island, make sure to visit these places. It is safe to say that we ate our way through the island.

Beach / Swim
Best Beach:
Makalawena: You have to take a really rough road and hike 20-30 minutes but it is so very worth it. Bring sneakers and lots of water. Be aware of the wild goats.

Fly
Best Airline
Hawaiian

Eat / Grinds / Food
Best Beach Front / Fine / Sustainable Dining
Four Seasons Pahu i 'a Hualalali (right)

Best Fish & Chips
Honokohau Harbor House

Best Burger
Annie's Island Fresh Burgers

Best Sushi (We were sad to see that Kazu was gone...)
Sushi Shiono

Best Ice Cream / Kona Coffee Float
Kope Lani


Drink

Best Mai Tai
Don's Mai Tai Bar at Royal Kona Resort

Best Pina Colada
The Ship Wrecked Bar at Kona Village (ask for Rusty and don't feed the birds)

Best Local Brew
Kona Brewing Company 

Best Kona Coffee
Blue Sky Estate Medium Roast  in Holualoa

Be Merry / Shopping

Best Farmer's Market
Kona Farmer's Market located off of Ali'i Drive

Best Place to buy fresh Fish
KTA Superstore Keauhou  (get there around 8:30-9 am for the freshest catch of the day) 

Best Gifts: 
Rare White Organic Honey from Volcano Island Honey
Macadamia Nuts
Hawaiian Sun Coconut Syrup