Happy Memorial Day

In Honor of Our Soldiers, Past and Present.

Last-Minute Mother's Day Gift Suggestions

You knew Mother's Day was coming but somehow you ended up waiting until the last minute to get mom a gift. To give you some ideas, I've provided a few suggestions to help you celebrate:-- If your mom is the Sporty type: buy her a couple of tickets to her favorite baseball team. Let her know you will take her out for a pre or post game meal to go along with the gift.-- If your mom loves Flowers:

Cinco de Mayo Margarita Recipes

Enjoy Cinco de Mayo with the classic Margarita or if you're looking for something a little more chilled after a busy day of work try the frozen Margarita. The DIY type of girl here are two amazing and easy recipes from Cocktail Times (cocktailtimes.com).MargaritaIngredients:- 2 oz silver tequila- juice of half lime- 1 oz orange curacao (or Cointreau)Garnish: lime wedgeRim: saltDirections:1. Mix

Happy Easter

How Was Your St. Patrick's Day?

I didn't go all out like some people (I wonder how they're feeling this morning), I just went out to dinner with a few friends and had an Irish inspired meal of corned beef, cabbage, other veggies and a dessert. The only drink that I had was a candy green apple martini. Wasn't really looking to drink all night. I saw a lot of people falling all night that's for sure. It wasn't just the 20-

My Life: Volunteering and Fundraising

Sorry about the lack of posts, I was experiencing some technical difficulties and wasn't able to post anything.So, what have I been up to. Let see for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, I made time to volunteer at a senior center and in the evening I attended a speaker on African-American Artists from past to present at the museum.A wonderful way that we can embrace Dr. King's philosophy is to

Holiday Time = Good Cause PR

How was your Thanksgiving? I really enjoyed it. Spent time with my family and enjoyed the all the great food. Thanksgiving really makes me reflect on all the good people in my life.This is also the time of year where you read numerous articles and see various news segments on how people are helping those in need. I saw one early this morning about a toy donation program in Los Angeles that let

APPLE CIDER PUNCH & MULLED APPLE CIDER!!

APPLE CIDER PUNCH

My granddaughter served this at her son’s baptismal party…It is so good and thought you might want to try it for the holidays!

INGREDIENTS:
1 gallon apple cider
1 12 oz can frozen cranberry-raspberry juice (Welch)
3-5 cinnamon sticks
12-15 whole cloves
1 teaspoon lemon juice

DIRECTIONS:
Tie up cinnamon sticks and whole cloves in cheesecloth & remove when done
Bring to boil, lower heat and simmer 20 minutes.
Serve hot or cold.

MULLED APPLE CIDER

Have you ever been enticed at a party by a wonderfully smelling mulled cider that tasted delicious. Well now using this recipe you can make your own Mulled Apple Cider!

To spice up one quart of apple cider, use one stick of cinnamon, about twenty whole black peppercorns, 3 whole cloves, and 2 tablespoons brown sugar. In addition to these four ingredients, prepare some zest from a citrus fruit. Use the zest from half a lemon, lime, or lemon-sized orange for each quart of apple cider. If you're using medium lemons, use about a third of the zest. Large oranges - use a quarter of the zest per quart of juice.

Select a pot or pan large enough to hold all the apple cider. Toast the cinnamon, cloves, and peppercorns to bring out their distinct flavors and aromas. Do this by simply heating your pan over medium heat with the spices in the pan. Toss the spices in the pan occasionally to prevent burning. The spices should become very fragrant within a minute or two.

Pour the apple cider into the pan and bring to a boil over high heat. When the apple cider gets warm, stir in the brown sugar so it fully dissolves.

Once the apple cider is boiling, reduce the heat so it just simmers (small bubbles form and rise to the top in a steady rhythm, but not at a furious rate). Add the citrus zest at this time. Don't add the zest earlier because you don't want the brief hard boil to break up the zest to the point where you will have difficulty straining it.

Maintain the simmer for thirty minutes. Do this with the lid off because it's easier for me to keep it at a constant simmer this way.

Pour the mulled juice/cider through a fine mesh strainer and into the container of your choice. If your cider has a great deal of particulate matter, you may want to place a cheesecloth or coffee filter in your strainer to filter out the fine particles. Serve hot.

You can let the cider cool and then refrigerate for up to a week. Bring it back up to a simmer before serving.
Recipe from Cooking For Engineers

Decorating Your Home With Fragrance This Holiday Season

Edited by me, for the original press release click here.NEW YORK, Nov. 16 -- We've cocooned and vegged out. We've tried the couch potato method of traveling by "staycationing" instead of vacationing. We've turned the humble barbecue into a gourmet, built-in outdoor kitchen. The message from all of this? Home is where the heart is. And, this holiday season, Home is the place to be.When it comes

My Life: Bored with Extreme Shoes

Shoe shown: Report Signature Suede Lattice 'Percy' Platform Pumps $132.00 Bluefly.comAny one else really bored with the shoes that are currently out there. I can't wait for this "ugly" shoe trend to hurry up and go away. I like statement shoes but it's getting ridiculous with all the extra details (studs, extreme platforms, multiple straps and zippers, etc). It reminds me of when the big bag

Happy Halloween!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

5 Last Minute Halloween Costumes

by Style and Focus Lifestyle PRYou have no idea what costume to wear for Halloween. One thing is you don't want to spend a lot of money for one night. Here are a few suggestions to creating a costume at the last minute. No matter what you end up wearing I hope you have a Happy Halloween.1. Daphne or Velma from Scooby-Doo:These are two of the easiest to put together. For Daphne: Find a purple

Cinco de Mayo Happy Hour Drink: Cinco Herradura Cocktail

After work I'm meeting some friends for authentic Mexican food (we made reservations just to be on the safe side that we will get seated). But, before I get too busy to post here's a Cinco de Mayo cocktail from Cocktail Times. The Cinco Herradura seems like a fun drink and while everyone else is ordering Margaritas you can be a little different and order this little delight.Cinco Herradura

A Few Last Minute Easter Basket Suggestions

If you don't want to purchase a ready-made Easter basket there's always the option of making one yourself. They're relatively easy to make and you get to add your very own personal touches to the gift.What to include in a basket? Pretty much anything you want from Champagne and Chocolate for the Hopeless Romantic to a Jump Rope, Yoga Mat and few Health and Fitness Magazines for the Fitness

Easter Gift Suggestions

Easter has always been one of the sweetest holidays and signaled the beginning of spring to most (even though winter is still holding on with the lovely over night snow storm).Easter is a great way to surprise someone (be it your favorite niece, grandfather or your family pet) with a sweet treat. No need to go over budget their are ready made baskets from every price range found at almost every

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Valentine's Day Dresses Part Two

Ruffle Front Chiffon Dress$78.00Arden B.Bailey 44 'Maleficent' Dress$174.00NordstromTommy Bahama 'Island Bay' Dress$110.00NordstromPrinted Ruffle Chiffon Dress$78.00Arden B.BCBGMaxAzria One Shoulder Laser Cut Dress$238.00NordstromRuby Rox One Shoulder Mini Dress$68.00NordstromJuicy Couture Cascading Ruffles Chiffon Dress$188.00NordstromBCBGMaxAzria Strapeless Floral Silk Dress

Dateless on Valentine's Day? Six Ways to Have Fun!

Photo: Jordi Labandaby Annice BrooksStyle and Focus Lifestyle PRBeing single on Valentine's Day doesn't have the stigma it once had. You don't have to sit around feeling down. No way it's all about relaxing or getting out and doing something fun.1. Movie NightGather your single friends and head to the movies to see either a horror fest like "Friday the 13th" or a romantic comedy like "He's Just

Valentine's Day Dresses Part One

Valentine's Day gives you a perfect reason to go all out to look jaw-dropping gorgeous. You can't go wrong with The Dress being it figure hugging or draped in rich saturated colors or the classic Little Black Dress you can morph into the uber vixen with The Dress.Bailey 44 'Portia' Dress$185.00Urbanminx.comBlack Halo Rita Sheath Dress$370.00tobi.comRibbed Knit Dress$22.80Forever21Maggy London

Quotes from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr

~ Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.~ I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.~ Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'~ The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think