Gentleman Collars

To the guys,

We spend a lot time looking for a suit that fits perfectly. But this isn’t as simple as making sure you can button it up. A key element in any suit is the collar you choose. This seemingly minor piece to the larger outfit is important in framing the man’s face and accentuating the overall style of the suit.

The collar should be a play on your personal style. This may be a conservative, vintage, original, or a modern look.

To help you to find your perfect collar, here is a “guide” which I hope will transform you as a shirt expert.

- Collars can be categorized as:

• Standing or stand-up, fitting up around the neck and not lying on the shoulders.
• Turnover, standing around the neck and then folded or rolled over.
• Flat or falling, lying flat on the shoulders

Work Out Your Arms, Ballet Style

Spring will be here in a blink of an eye and you know you’ll want to wear those shoulder less blouses and strapless tops. Everyone always talk about workouts for a toned belly, but we always overlook our arms! Toned arms can really make a difference in appearance and it doesn’t take a lot of effort to get them either. Without leaving your home, you can easily dedicate time to a short ten minute routine to work out those arm muscles. To add a little fun, these exercises also incorporate ballet moves. Click on the link below and start on this simple routine today. You can count me in!

Click here to see the workout!

Decorate with Eco-friendly Decals

The start of a new year is the perfect time to reorganize your room and start afresh with a new or different perspective! As I am doing some redecorating of my own, I came across this funky brand called Hu2. It is a France based design company that has a knack for creating offbeat wall decals. Hu2 is a friend of the environment and this message is definitely ingrained in their fun wall decals. Materials used for the wall stickers are made from 100% recyclable PVC free adhesives. Check out some of their work!

A humorous reminder to turn off the lights when leaving the room!

a little bit of help to organize all those recyclable items

Sustainable habit reminder!

A little motivation to keep the house clean. Don’t forge the corners!

Aside from being all serious about the environment…

Smart Pet Furniture

Having a cat can make your house pretty messy with all the scattered scratchers and toys. Many pet furniture will compromise the look and feel you originally desired for your home. Thankfully, these creative minds have come up with some pretty neat alternatives to bland colored pet furniture and ordinary pet beds.

Pet furniture by Akemi Tanaka

This perch looks sleek and modern, which would fit perfectly into your home (by your window or anywhere on the wall). Installation only require two holes to be drilled. Easy and simple! Cat perch by Akemi Tanaka.

Pet furniture by pEi Sleeping Pod

This is the pEi sleeping pod. It’s big enough for cat weighing up to 18 pounds and toy dogs up to 16 pounds. It also comes in a range of color from pink to cream. What I love about it is the design! The shape is pleasing to the eye and it’s definitely a perfect fit for a modern home.

Pet furniture by Cat Crib

The Cat Crib! A perch and bed, all in one. It also saves you a ton of space! You can attach it underneath your chair or table. It’s also affordable in comparison to many other pet furniture.

A Healthy Energy Boost

Tired of that 2:30pm feeling? Don’t want to drink another cup of coffee or one of those 5-hour energy drinks? Here are some ways to wake up and help you through the rest of the day!

Grab a healthy snack

Feeling tired? Grab a glass of water and some fruits or veggies!

First things first: drink a glass of water. This will boost your energy and keep you from dehydration, in turn, keeping you from feeling tired. When choosing foods, remember that carbs give a quick pick-me-up, protein keeps energy up, and fat helps the energy last. Fruits and veggies, peanut butter on a whole-wheat cracker, or some yogurt with a handful of nuts are all great food choices.  When choosing a carb, whole grains are a good source of energy and will last longer than the initial and quickly-fleetly burst of energy that comes from sweet food.

**Fun fact: apples wake you up just as much as coffee!

Pump Those Arms!

Exercise and movement can help wake the body up when feeling drowsy

Increasing physical activity increases energy and gets the blood pumping and the body warmed up. It helps to get your mind off whatever your working on and the change in scenery can help give you a new perspective on what’s going on and help re-energize you. The key is to breath a little harder and move the muscles.

**Good mini-works: power walking, stairs, jump rope, and squats

Get some Zzz’s

Power naps can help give you the energy you need to get through the rest of your day

Too much on your mind and a lack of sleep is definitely not a good combination! Aim for 6-8 hours of sleep per night (most adults need 7 hours) to ensure your body gets the rest it needs. Power naps up to 60 minutes are also a good way to get an extra boost of energy during the day. Whatever you do, when you wake up, don’t hit the snooze button! If your body falls back into a deep sleep, you will be even more tired the second (and third, and fourth, …) time you wake up!

Stress less

A smile really can make the world brighter … and give you more energy!

Stress is one of the most energy-sucking problems we face in life. If you are constantly mentally and physically exhausted and anxious, your body will suffer, causing your energy levels to be too low. Find healthy ways to de-stress, such as taking a nap, doing something you enjoy, exercising, and maintaining a positive attitude. The more you can relax and enjoy life, the more energy you will have as a result of the low stress levels.

Framing and Printing Art for Your Home

How you choose to decorate your home should be a reflection of your style and taste. Whether you opt for english cottage or sharp modernist trends, one staple every home should have is framed art and personal pictures. Recently we helped one client add this special touch to her living room, framing three of her favorite pieces of art and printing several smaller pictures from her wedding day. If your looking to start a similar project in your own home, consider American Frame. They offer do-it-yourself framing kits that allow you to customize your frame selection and matting preferences, while avoiding the high costs of most framing galleries. Think “Ikea furniture assembly meets the art world”. The result looked clean and professional, below are snapshots of the different pieces we put together wrapped up and ready to go. To print wedding pictures we opted for a canvas gallery wrap. The grainy canvas creates an almost 3 dimensional appearance while the gallery wrap (the prints are stretched and wrapped around all the edges of wooden board) reminds you of what you would see in a museum and require no framing. Have the bigger art pieces all framed in a standard silver metal and printed in black and white created a theme that tied the room together. Coupled with the smaller wedding prints that provided the pop of color to brighten the home, the overall look was warm and clean.

  

Get Back to Human with Hu Kitchen

If you are a big fan of vegetables and healthy eating, then you will be a fan of Hu Kitchen. A new comer in town, located by the Flatiron district, Hu Kitchen is definitely commanding the attention of all who love to eat (healthily and happily). With a philosophy of “get back to human”, this trendy restaurant is focused on bringing their customers organic meals with fresh vegetables as their main ingredients. The menu is full of GMO-free (GMO: genetically modified organism) and 99% gluten-free food! Menu can be seen here: http://hukitchen.com/HuMenu.pdf

Food bar
Photo courtesy of http://ny.eater.com/tags/hu-kitchen

I had the chance to experience some of Hu Kitchen’s innovative meals when attending their pre-opening tasting event back in September. The interior design immediately grabs your attention. The place is modern and urban with its black and reflective flooring, but also organic with its wooden furnishings. The smoothie/drink bar is the first destination on your left once you enter and the food bar is located further down the front and along the right in the back. Seating area is on the second floor and the colorful chair legs create a fun atmosphere for dining. The foods are not only creatively assembled, but also leave you feeling refreshed after a meal. I ordered the Lemon Recharge from the juice bar and the added touch of ginger and cayenne pepper really left an impression. If you love something spicy and tingy with your lunch order, then this is the drink for you!

Sweet potato mash with cashew creamed spinach and nuts
Photo courtesy of Yelp.com http://bit.ly/V3hZQv

Hu Kitchen is located on 5th Avenue, between 13th and 14th Street. http://hukitchen.com

Shellac Nail Polish

I love to be pampered and a good mani/pedi is a great way to do it! But it’s so frustrating 2 days later when my $25 manicure is already chipping. However, thanks to technology, this is no longer a problem!

Introduced in 2010, Shellac nail polish lasts, on average, for 2 weeks without chipping. These gel manicures are part of the replacement trend for acrylics, which cause weakening in nails. This is a more “nail-friendly” solution, as the process only includes thin coats of polish on the natural nail and drying time under a UV lamp between every coat, but resulting in a near-zero dry time. Because this trend caught on so quickly, salons have expanded their color selection and many now offer just about every color in the rainbow and many different designs. The major downfall for this process is the extensive removal process, involving soaking the nail in acetone for about 15 minutes.

The process for the manicure is as follows (from the CND website, the founders of the original Shellac polish):

Shellac Nail Polish

1. 1 thin layer of shellac base coat
2. 10 seconds of curing in a UV lamp
3. 1 thin layer of shellac color coat
4. 2 minutes of curing in a UV lamp
5. 2nd layer of shellac color coat
6. 2 minutes of curing in a UV lamp
7. 1 thin layer of shellac top coat
8. 2 final minutes of curing in a UV lamp
9. Wipe nails done with 99% isopropyl alcohol
10. Apply solar oil to nails

The average cost of a manicure is $30-$40, but remember, you won’t need to go back for at least another 2 weeks to get your nails redone! Nail companies, such as OPI and Sally Hansen have created at-home sets, including gel color(s), a base coat, a top coat, a UV light, manicuring tools, and some with removal tools. These kits can rang from $30 to $175, depending on how comprehensive they are.

Apartment Therapy

Looking for inspiration for your next interior design project? Check out Apartment Therapy. The trendy website offers decor pages for any desired style (modern, eclectic, traditional, warm, glamorous, organic, etc.), strategies for approaching small apartment spaces, green-living and budget-friendly decorating alternatives,  and plenty of do-it-yourself projects. Our favorite page of the site though, has to to be the virtual tours. Apartment Therapy features actual homes of interior design enthusiasts from across the nation. The tours show how others have creatively shown off innovative designs in their own homes. Find and follow your favorite home owner or pick and choose favorite pieces from many tours. There’s no shortage of inspiration on this site. You can search tours of family friendly homes or chic modern apartments, the combinations of styles are as unique as the featured owners. Search by style or by room, this site will jump-start ideas for your next project!

Yummy Apple Recipes

So … you just went apple picking, but what do you do with all these apples? Fear not! Below are some great recipes for everyone in the family!

Apple Muffins

Apple Strudel Muffins

Ingredients

Muffins

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/4 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 1/2 cups chopped apples

Topping

• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon butter

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a 12 cup muffin pan.

In a medium bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

In a large bowl, beat together butter, sugar and eggs until smooth. Mix in vanilla. Stir in apples, and gradually blend in the flour mixture. Spoon the mixture into the prepared muffin pan.

In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, flour and cinnamon. Cut in butter until mixture is like coarse crumbs. Sprinkle over tops of mixture in muffin pan.

Bake 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean. Allow to sit 5 minutes before removing muffins from pan. Cool on a wire rack.

Apple Butter

Apple Butter is a great edition to English muffins or various meat dishes

Ingredients

• 5 1/2 pounds apples – peeled, cored and finely chopped
• 4 cups white sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Place the apples in a slow cooker. In a medium bowl, mix the sugar, cinnamon, cloves and salt. Pour the mixture over the apples in the slow cooker and mix well.

Cover and cook on high 1 hour.

Reduce heat to low and cook 9 to 11 hours, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is thickened and dark brown.

Uncover and continue cooking on low 1 hour. Stir with a whisk, if desired, to increase smoothness.

Spoon the mixture into sterile containers, cover and refrigerate or freeze.

Roasted Apple & Cheddar Salad

The Roasted Apple & Cheddar Salad is a great edition to lunch or dinner

Ingredients

Dressing

• 3 tablespoons red-wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons apple juice
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• Freshly ground pepper, to taste

Roasted Apples & Salad

• 2 apples, preferably Fuji, peeled and cut into wedges
• 2 teaspoons plus 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 4 sprigs fresh thyme, or 1/4 teaspoon dried
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
• 3 cups baby spinach, or torn spinach leaves
• 3 cups torn Boston lettuce
• 3 cups torn curly endive
• 2/3 cup grated sharp Cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 400°F.

To prepare dressing: Whisk vinegar, apple juice, 1 tablespoon oil, honey, mustard, salt and pepper in a small bowl.

To roast apples and prepare salad: Toss apples with 2 teaspoons oil and thyme in a medium bowl; spread evenly on a baking sheet. Roast, turning once or twice, until the apples are soft and golden, 25 to 30 minutes. Discard fresh thyme, if using. Let cool.

While the apples are roasting, toast walnuts in a small baking pan until fragrant, about 5 minutes. Let cool.

Just before serving, combine spinach, lettuce and endive in a large bowl; toss gently to mix. Divide the greens among 6 plates, drizzle with dressing and top with cheese, roasted apples and walnuts. Serve immediately.

Caramel Apples

Caramel apples are the perfect way to end a fall day!

Ingredients:

• 4 ripe apples
• 4 wooden skewers
• 14 ounces (1 bag) soft caramel candy
• 2 tbsp water

Optional – add chocolate and a topping after the first layer of caramel

• 10 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 2 tbsp shortening
• 2 cups your choice chopped candy bars, chocolate, or nuts

Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with aluminum foil and spraying the foil with nonstick cooking spray.

Wash and dry the apples carefully. Remove the stems, and stick the skewers firmly in the stem ends.

Place the unwrapped caramels and the water in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 1 minute, then stir, then microwave for and additional minute or until completely melted. The caramel should be smooth and liquid by the end.

Hold an apple by the skewer and dip it in the caramel, tilting the bowl at an angle and rotating the apple to cover it completely with a smooth, even layer. Bring it out of the caramel and twirl it upside down to remove excess, then set it on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining apples.

Place the caramel-covered apples in the refrigerator to set for at least 30 minutes.

If you are adding the chocolate and topping…

Combine the chocolate and the shortening in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave until melted, stirring every 45 seconds.

Dip the caramel-covered apple in the chocolate. If necessary, spoon some chocolate over the top to ensure the apple is completely covered with chocolate. While the chocolate is still wet, dip the bottom half in the chopped candy bars and roll until the bottom half is covered. Place back on the baking sheet and repeat with remaining apples.

Chill apples in refrigerator until completely set, about 45 minutes. Always store apples in the refrigerator.