Happy 2011!

Happy new year! Can you believe it's 2011? I hope you all had a great holiday.

I had so much champagne, I'm addicted - ok, so this isn't much of a surprise but I tried blanc de blancs champagne for the first time and fell in love! 100% chardonnay (made with one grape, not with the usual three) and it is so light and refreshing. I will be trying all blanc de blancs that I can get my hands on! At the top of my list is this one by Ruinart...

We entertained a lot in our new home. I was very pleased that we got to use our new fine bone china - yes, I have spent the last two months buying plates! I never thought it could be fun but I've discovered that I can get quite excited about this. I have yet to buy these (for soup / pasta): they cost about 50 EUR / 45 GBP / 70 USD each (ouch!) and I need at least eight...

I also cooked quite a bit and it went well, thank goodness! There is always something nerve-wracking about cooking for guests... what if it goes wrong?! But when it's a success, it is very satisfying. I've decided I want to cook more, so I am looking forward to working my way through the new Jamie Oliver cookbook, 30-Minute Meals! Love the layout, it makes sense to me! Here is a random example.

Oh, I found a brand new NARS blush (deep throat) that I'd bought back in September! Still in its packaging and completely untouched. I think this is the ultimate proof that I have too much make-up...

And how many of you are thinking of dieting / detoxing? I've already bought my new fitness DVD (not yet opened. Soon, I swear).

Happy 2011!

Happy new year! Can you believe it's 2011? I hope you all had a great holiday.

I had so much champagne, I'm addicted - ok, so this isn't much of a surprise but I tried blanc de blancs champagne for the first time and fell in love! 100% chardonnay (made with one grape, not with the usual three) and it is so light and refreshing. I will be trying all blanc de blancs that I can get my hands on! At the top of my list is this one by Ruinart...

We entertained a lot in our new home. I was very pleased that we got to use our new fine bone china - yes, I have spent the last two months buying plates! I never thought it could be fun but I've discovered that I can get quite excited about this. I have yet to buy these (for soup / pasta): they cost about 50 EUR / 45 GBP / 70 USD each (ouch!) and I need at least eight...

I also cooked quite a bit and it went well, thank goodness! There is always something nerve-wracking about cooking for guests... what if it goes wrong?! But when it's a success, it is very satisfying. I've decided I want to cook more, so I am looking forward to working my way through the new Jamie Oliver cookbook, 30-Minute Meals! Love the layout, it makes sense to me! Here is a random example.

Oh, I found a brand new NARS blush (deep throat) that I'd bought back in September! Still in its packaging and completely untouched. I think this is the ultimate proof that I have too much make-up...

And how many of you are thinking of dieting / detoxing? I've already bought my new fitness DVD (not yet opened. Soon, I swear).

Power Plate challenge!

Ten minutes, twice a week, of standing or sitting on a machine that vibrates. That's all you need to do and you will be fit in no time. Doesn't that sound like a dream? Well, it does to me because I hate going to the gym and as much as I love yoga, I find that it does nothing for the figure.

I have been wanting to try the Power Plate for at least a year and a half now. I was always put off by how expensive it was, though. So imagine my joy when I found a studio that is offering four weeks (twice a week) at a really reasonable price and I (along with a friend) have signed up for it!

There are plenty of celebrities (Claudia Schiffer, Elle MacPherson, Gemma Arterton) and other famous people (Serena Williams, national sports / Olympic teams) who use it. See the list of high profile users here.

Have you ever tried it?

Power Plate challenge!

Ten minutes, twice a week, of standing or sitting on a machine that vibrates. That's all you need to do and you will be fit in no time. Doesn't that sound like a dream? Well, it does to me because I hate going to the gym and as much as I love yoga, I find that it does nothing for the figure.

I have been wanting to try the Power Plate for at least a year and a half now. I was always put off by how expensive it was, though. So imagine my joy when I found a studio that is offering four weeks (twice a week) at a really reasonable price and I (along with a friend) have signed up for it!

There are plenty of celebrities (Claudia Schiffer, Elle MacPherson, Gemma Arterton) and other famous people (Serena Williams, national sports / Olympic teams) who use it. See the list of high profile users here.

Have you ever tried it?

Shake off that Holiday Flab

Shake off that holiday flab. The holidays are right around the corner and although Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years are only one day they seem to cause us to gain the most weight. There are many alternatives to just pushing your festive meal away from you and you can go into the New Year looking better than ever.



Working out does not have to be dreadful. The days of running on a treadmill for countless hours are over. There are many fun alternatives to getting rid of that mid-section flab. Many different aerobic dance classes can help you burn 400-450 calories an hour.

If you are in the Chicago land area try one of these fun dance classes:
Go-go dancing: Monday’s $12 per class or $60 for a 10-class card.
Flamenco Arts Center, 3755 N. Western Ave.; 773-868-4130
Belly dancing: Saturday’s starting in January; 19 weeks for $285.
Chicago Multi-cultural Dance Center, 47 W. Polk St.; 312-461-0030
Hip-hop: On going throughout the week: $14 per class. Lou Conte Dance Studio, 1147 W. Jackson Blvd.; 312-850-9766
Hydro Dance Party: Various days/times; $100-$150 per month for membership. Equinox Fitness, 900 N. Michigan Ave.; 312-254-2500