Alisha Spencer: Jewelry & Accessories Editor

Above: Cathy Waterman

Above: Stormie

Above: Gabrielle Sanchez

Above: Mark Davis

Since an entire  day devoted to love is in the horizon, I wanted to share a few of my favorite pieces that remind me of romance. Hearts can be a little overrated when it comes to Valentines jewels, so instead I chose the gems above because they give me a warm and fuzzy feeling just looking at them without a heavy heart!

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Hahahahaha one of the funniest SuperBowl commercials I have ever seen! Kim Kardashian has been replaced by French Bull dog!!  Move over Kim…. Hello French!

Let the count down begin…. Happy Super Bowl 2012!

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Feeling Puffy and Fluffy?

Let’s flush some excess water from our cells…. Research from Connecticut’s University of Bridgeport suggests that adding two simple things to our diets for two weeks daily, can help us flush 6 pounds of trapped water weight.

Two cups of chamomile tea and one cup of sliced cucumbers daily is all it takes to feel lighter, brighter and de-puffed. Easy, breezy…. fluids be gone!

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Miss Beau Dunn and Santa Barbara Magazine!! Miss Beau is on the cover of the “Best Of 2012″ Santa Barbara Magazine issue. Does it get any better than this? I think not…..

www.santabarbaramagazine.com

http://sbmag.com/2012/02/behind-the-scenes-best-of-2012-cover-shoot/

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GIFT SUGGESTIONS

Let’s get this party started boys and girls. Valentine’s Day is right around the corner…. Let’s not get caught with our pants down!

DEBAUVE & GALLAIS

Valentine’s Day Love Letter

$23.00

HOORSENBUHS

Rose Gold & Diamond Quad-Link Ring

$5,700.00

FREDS AT BARNEYS NEW YORK

Chocolate Jar

$66.00

JENNA LEIGH

Lace Hipster

$60.00

FORNASETTI

Labbra Candle

$165.00

THE FRENCH FARM

Dark Chocolate and Praline Fondue

$28.00

MINOR OBSESSIONS

Pink Sapphire Drop Large Hoop Earrings

$710.00

DEBAUVE & GALLAIS

Tin Heart Assortment

$55.00

ED FLOWER

Italian Blood Orange Candle

$34.00

HAPPY ALMOST VALENTINE’S DAY…..

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You want to eat something that digests slowly and will not cause insulin surges.  Basically, PROTEIN! If you find yourself starving in the evening after dinner, reach for a snack that’s about 100-150 calories with lots of protein and little or no sugar.  Low Fat String Cheese would be a winner, a small piece of chicken, an egg, or deli turkey meat.  If you have a sweet craving, try adding some fruit with that protein! Doesn’t an ounce or two of goat cheese with a few blackberries sound delish?

Happy Snacking!

Dana

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It’s hip to be beet! The vegetable of champions!

And I’m not talking about the Beets from Dre… I’m talkin about the veggie that’s getting to the top of the menu! Beets are becoming the cool kid in town and for some really good reasons. Not only are beets a great boost to our physical well being and a wonderful source of iron, they have been shown to be an immunity booster and guard against cancer. Beets are one of those overlooked vegetables that once you realize all it beholds, you will cultivate a new appreciation and yes, maybe even love for them!

Beets protect against heart disease, colon cancer (they are of great assistance in pooing)…. gall bladder and liver strengthener… they contain folic acid, vitamins A, C and niacin, magnesium, loads of iron and phosphorus …. Zero trans fat and zero saturated fat. Betacyanin, the pigment that gives beets their red color is what is responsible for fighting cancer.

Next time you see beets at the top of the menu…. go ahead and order…. You will be doing your body a great service!!

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According to a study in the “Archives of Internal Medicine”…… Women who drank two to three cups of coffee a day were 15% less likely to develop depression, than those who drank one or less cups…..

Now we can have our coffee and happiness too!

Happy Monday My Beautiful Peeps!!

DRINK COFFEE!!

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MARNI AND H&M!

And now…. another amazing marriage made in heaven! YAY!!! Marni is teaming up with H&M! Designed by Italian label founder Consuelo Castiglioni, this print happy collection is just about as beautiful as it gets….. with statement accessories that could make a grown man cry!

And here’s the best part…. part of Marni’s collaberation with H&M is based on a special unisex T-shirt that will raise funds for the Red Cross/Japan. 25% Of the sales from the Tee will be donated to the Japan Earthquake relief. Have your Tee and donate too!

March/2012

www.hm.com/us/

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Need to get to sleep and tired of tossing and turning? According to British researchers, the most relaxing song in the world is “Weightless” by “Marconi Union. The eight minute guitar, piano and low tune mix supposedly triggers a trance like state that lowers anxiety by 65% and lowers the pulse rate by 35%. Making this song the most effective song ever tested for relaxing and actually falling asleep.

Check it out for yourself and let us know if indeed this song helps you fall asleep or just relaxes to the point of bliss…..

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Is it better to grab an Energy Drink or a cup of coffee when you need that kick start?

If asked to choose, I would always recommend coffee!  Coffee can give you a natural boost for a few or zero calories.  Coffee Beans have disease fighting antioxidants, and can natural help with digestion.  Energy drinks, on the other hand, are often loaded with artificial sweeteners or sugar.  Most people tend to drink energy drinks faster than coffee causing them to consume too much caffeine at once.  Too much caffeine can lead to increased anxiety and jitters, and who needs that!   Next time you need a pick-me-up, pick yourself up a coffee, not a Red Bull!

Cheers!

Dana

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THANK YOU!

Just a note of GRATITUDE…. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for coming back day after day, week after week and month after month. Our number of visits per day are climbing every single week saying to us…. you like it here. It is truly an honor to bring you.. our opinion, view and a little piece of our hearts and souls on a daily basis.

With love, joy and gratitude,

Laura, Alisha and Dana

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Y Water is vitamin water for kids, but it’s packed in more vitamins and minerals than most adult vitamin waters. Y water is organic, high in nutrients, and is low caloric — 40 calories per nine ounces. The drinks have 10 or 11 grams of sugar, so the Y waters probably don’t taste exactly like water….. But they taste pretty darn good!

I popped open a “Brain” last night and got a surprising burst of energy…. Not that jittery kind… But the kind that kept me motivated to get everything on my to do list done, before bed, in record time… But was able to fall right to sleep.

Need some quick energy? Pop a Y Water… Not just for kids!

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NEON for Spring…. It’s everywhere! Hop on this trend… Hunt and gather time! Stay on trend this Spring/Summer2012 with the brightest neons you can find….

The brighter…. The better!

Michael Kors-Poncho-effect cashmere sweater $1,195

Pierre Hardy Contrast leather-trimmed neoprene backpack $1,650

Victoria Secret Cotton tees $17.50

American Apparel Neon Nail Polish $6.00

Aurelie Biderman Mother-of-pearl star charm bracelet $120

Giambattista Valli Silk chiffon-trimmed tweed jacket $4,365

Seven For all ManKind Neon Jean $197.00

Jeffery Campbell Darian Sandal $164.00

Marc by Marc Jacobs Neon croc-effect leather shoulder bag $495

Victoria Secret Cotton Sweat Shirt $36.00

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The Chinese New Year is symbolized by a new animal zodiac, determined by a 12-year cycle. Last year was the Year of the Rabbit. But 2012 welcomes a more commanding beast — the Dragon.

Who is the Dragon?

The Dragon is anything but a formidable foe in Chinese culture. Unlike the demon that gets slayed in Western literature, the Dragon is a symbol of good fortune and intense power in Eastern culture. In Chinese tradition, the Dragon is regarded as a divine beast.

According to Sung dynasty manuscripts, the Dragon is described as having the “head of an ox or donkey, eyes of a shrimp, horns of a deer, body of a serpent covered with fish scales, and a feet of a phoenix,” and it usually clutches a pearl, meant to symbolize its supernatural powers.

May the year of The Dragon bring you light, love, peace and new beginnings….

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Alisha Spencer: Jewelry & Accessories Editor

Lisa Hoffman has come up with a clever way to smell pretty by wearing scented bangles. The recently launched Fragrance Bracelets have lattice like charms that can be filled with her collection of yummy fragrance beads. Not only are the scents divine, they are also eco-friendly.  There are five different choices including French Clary Sage, Madagascar Orchid, Tuscan Fig, Japanese Agarwood and Tunisian Neroli. It has been rumored that earrings with the same concept are in the works.

www.lisahoffmanbeauty.com

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THE CAMBRIDGE SATCHEL COMPANY

We worship at the Alter of The Cambridge Satchel Company! What’s not to love about these incredibly well designed and well built bags? Not-a-thing! Want to buy a bag and not have to take a loan out against your home? Wanna buy a bag and be able to eat for the next month? Tired of spending multi thousands of dollars for a bag that’s in for a season and out the next? Spend 150.00 and get one of the hottest bags of the season! Neons, metallics, yummy leathers…. The world is your satchel oyster!

www.cambridgesatchel.co.uk

P.S. Get your satchel and personalize too! The Cambridge Satchel Company offers embossing for a few pennies more! What a wonderful way to say, “I love me”.

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A couple of months ago while getting my nails done, I read a book review in People Magazine on “Dear Cary… My Life With Cary Grant” I was absolutely fascinated. Dyan Cannon’s candid memoir chronicling her life, love and child with the iconic Cary Grant…. Now this is where the story get’s fun….. Fast forward to a month ago…. I am getting my nails done and in walks Dyan Cannon….. I tell her I can’t wait to read her book and we start talking……

I was in the presence of a woman that was different. Ms. Dyan Cannon has an unearthly quality about her… A knowing. “Dear Cary” is an amazing story about an amazing woman’s life. Simply put…. A must read for every woman.

www.amazon.com

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Have you ever noticed that your stomach is flatter in the morning than it is at night? I know mine is. My stomach bloat can be up to 70% by evening….. Not too fun. What’s a night time bloated girl to do? De-bloat My Beautiful Peeps…. you heard me! De-Bloat!

Up to 70% of evening bloat can be caused by swallowing air. Now that’s a little food baby in my book…. The culprits…. All carbonated beverages, gum (especially sugarless), eating fast, gulping water… or any beverage for that matter, whipped cream, puffed cereals, mousses and any air filled food (yes those Cheetos count). Backing off on these foods during the day…. will help keep your bloat down at night.

P.S…. That crisp crunchy apple is getting that pop when you bite, from gas… 23% by weight. Avoid like the plague when trying to flatten your belly!

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Fat away?

Maybe… Many studies have found that people who sleep less than seven hours per night are more likely to be overweight or obese.  The lack of sleep creates an imbalance of hormones in the body that increase appetite. The best thing to do is try and get 8 hours of sleep per night, no more, no less.

Sweet Dreams!

Dana

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www.fallingwhistles.com

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