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Monthly Archives: February 2020

Amazon February Best Sellers

I promised in the new year that I would do a monthly post of all of the Amazon best sellers. I went through all of my stats and here is the list for February….After seeing all the products I have to say this is one of my favorite lists so far…There is a huge assortment of products from beauty to home to electronics….Def something for everyone!!!!

This charger has been the biggest hit…everyone who orders it raves about it

Hands down the BEST spot remover!!!!

And the BEST hostess/birthday gift!

This rug is so chic and I hear it is better in person..def on my to order one day list!!!!

This bag is the cutest, perfect for all your sunny holidays and you will use it all summer long AND under $20!!!!!

These storage baskets were so popular!!!

The Best Selling Book…all month!!

Not so much a best seller yet but my sister ordered these and they are beautiful in person…just like Hermes!

The cover-up that I wore on my girl’s trip has been selling like crazy. The black is already sold out but I ordered the turquoise when I got home and I just ordered the white….its such a good price and the quality is amazing!!!

This was on another blogger’s bestseller list, my friend The zhush…A few sprays of this and your shower turns into a spa!!!

Lastly here are the earrings that I wore to every event in December and I got soo many compliments and questions where they were from…I found them again…FINALLY!!!!

Your Virus Questions Answered

A couple of days ago, I asked my readers on Instagram to send me their questions about the outbreak. I sent it to my GP team at Columbia Presbyterian here in NYC and got all the answers for you….

Will wearing a face mask prevent us from getting the virus?

The CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory illnesses, including the virus. You should only wear a mask if a healthcare professional recommends it or if you are showing symptoms. This is to protect others from the risk of getting infected.

I received a package from China. Could I get sick from touching the box or the item that I ordered?

There is still a lot that is unknown about the newly emerged virus and how it spreads. In general, because of poor survivability of these viruses on surfaces, there is likely very low risk of spread from products or packaging that are shipped over a period of days or weeks at ambient temperatures. Viruses are generally thought to be spread most often by respiratory droplets. Currently, there is no evidence to support transmission associated with imported goods and there have not been any cases in the United States associated with imported goods.

Is handwashing enough?

In addition to handwashing you should:

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

Stay home when you are sick.

Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

In regards to Handwashing:

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

Should we be buying anything to have on hand in case it gets bad?

If an outbreak occurs, people may be asked to stay home to slow the spread of illness. It’s advisable to think through what you need to have in the house if that happened.

Think about what you need on hand if you have to stay home for a couple of weeks, especially food and medications. However, there is no urgency in stocking up. If you’re at the store and you’re shopping, you can buy a couple of extra items just in case.

Can we travel domestically? And what should we do to take precautions on a plane?

Yes, you can travel domestically. Doctors say if you wash frequently and use disinfectant wipes on a plane, you improve your chances of staying germ-free. Airline AC systems use HEPA filters to filter out almost all airborne germs and particles before the air comes out of your ceiling vent. The air coming out of your vent is cleaner than the air around your seat. You should leave the vent on during your flight.

Should we be really nervous?

The risk remains low in the US. People should live their lives normally and go about their normal activities. Most importantly don’t panic; this isn’t a crisis yet.

What symptoms should we look out for?

Symptoms include fever and cough or difficulty breathing, and people can incubate the virus for as long as 14 days before showing symptoms. 

Lastly for up to the minute information please check the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) website.

Just A Few Things for Spring Break

Just about a month ago, I went with my high school friends to celebrate our 50th birthday’s in Miami. I wanted some fun outfits for sitting on the beach and for going out to dinner at night. I was asked if I could share some of the things I wore because a lot of our readers are going to warm destinations for spring break…Here is a pretty good round-up of some of the things that I packed!!!

I wore this with white jeans!!!!

I had been looking for a great leopard suit…for a while…

 

I knew I wanted a sequin dress for going out at night..this was my favorite…

And a sequin blouse for white jeans as well…

Image result for english factory puffed sequin blouse

This was one of the bags that I brought…

 

And these earrings which are on major sale…

 
 
 
 
 
 

I wore these earrings with pretty much every outfit

If you are looking for a cute flowy dress, (it also comes in leopard)..this is it!!!

I did not see these Jimmy Choo’s in time for my trip..but I wished I had!!!

I also love these Ancient Greek sandals

And these Espadrilles from one of my favorite brands!!!

Home Goods Re-Cap

It has sure been a while since I have done a Home Goods Re-Cap for you. I went to the Port Chester location over the weekend and they were sooo filled up with furniture and accessories. I urge you to go and take a look for yourself. I really did not end up buying anything for myself because we are getting into Spring Break mode here shortly. But I think I will make a trip back later in March with a wishlist..in the meanwhile….here is one of my most requested posts…ENJOY and HAPPY HUNTING!!!!!

If you are going away…these are the cutest beach bags:

I love these nesting tables!!!

These lamps would look great on a console table…

I found these chic Lillian August side tables!

I love the print on this chair and ottoman:

A close up of the print…

This long bench is incredible….

A close up of this fabric too:

This artwork caught my eye for sure!!!

My dogs LOVE these beds….

How cool are these honeycomb candles and rattan candle holders?….

There were so many great fabric throw pillows..and plenty of pairs!

I just fell in love with these Frida mugs and serving plate…how great to have your girlfriends over for coffee?

Here are the coolest cocktail glasses…perfect to spruce up your bar cart….

Everyone needs these celebration glasses…

My girls love these makeup organizers…this rose gold color was much better in person (trust me)!

I’m not a huge fan of faux plants but something about the shape and container of this one..I’m sad that I left it there!!!

Book Club Monday

Sorry for the delay in posts last week..I changed my blog host site and it took me a few days to get everything switched over. I am hoping this new format will make it easier for me to bring you all the latest and greatest in Family, Fashion & Fun!!!!

This week’s Book Club choice is A Lady In Waiting: My Extraordinary Life Behind the Crown by Anne Glenconner. A friend from San Francisco was reading it over the holidays and I was instantly intrigued. Here is the story:

An extraordinary memoir of drama, tragedy, and royal secrets by Anne Glenconner–a close member of the royal circle and lady-in-waiting to Princess Margaret. As seen on Netflix’s The Crown.Anne Glenconner has been at the center of the royal circle from childhood, when she met and befriended the future Queen Elizabeth II and her sister, the Princess Margaret. Though the firstborn child of the 5th Earl of Leicester, who controlled one of the largest estates in England, as a daughter she was deemed “the greatest disappointment” and unable to inherit. Since then she has needed all her resilience to survive court life with her sense of humor intact. A unique witness to landmark moments in royal history, Maid of Honor at Queen Elizabeth’s coronation, and a lady in waiting to Princess Margaret until her death in 2002, Anne’s life has encompassed extraordinary drama and tragedy. In Lady in Waiting, she will share many intimate royal stories from her time as Princess Margaret’s closest confidante as well as her own battle for survival: her broken-off first engagement on the basis of her “mad blood”; her 54-year marriage to the volatile, unfaithful Colin Tennant, Lord Glenconner, who left his fortune to a former servant; the death in adulthood of two of her sons; a third son she nursed back from a six-month coma following a horrific motorcycle accident. Through it all, Anne has carried on, traveling the world with the royal family, including visiting the White House, and developing the Caribbean island of Mustique as a safe harbor for the rich and famous-hosting Mick Jagger, David Bowie, Raquel Welch, and many other politicians, aristocrats, and celebrities. 

With unprecedented insight into the royal family, Lady in Waiting is a witty, candid, dramatic, at times heart-breaking personal story capturing life in a golden cage for a woman with no inheritance. – amazon.com

For more information or to purchase this book, click the image below!!!

Healthy “Junk” for the Anti-Health Nut

Whether you’re trying to lose weight, have recently gone gluten free or vegan, or just want to make more of an effort to be healthy, there are some great recipes out there to start you off. There’s no shortage of recipes, tips and tricks for foodies of all types.

Photo Credit: Raizza Vendena

Finding it hard to clean up your diet? Worried about how to satisfy your sweet tooth? There are many indulgent, delicious recipes out there that will totally fool you into thinking you’re having something sinful. Many of these recipes have the benefit of being both gluten free and vegan, and chock full of ingredients that will give you the nutrients you’re going for without tasting awful. Seriously, they are delicious!!!

One great recipe that we see all the time in different variations is the avocado brownie recipe. Gluten-free (and vegan if you use non-dairy chocolate chips), this recipe produces a light, fudgy and sweet brownie that tastes just like the real thing, but with added nutrition. It’s full of good fats, protein and fiber and less sugar than it’s regular counterpart, so you can feel good about having a second one. Variations exist, some with ingredients like black beans or matcha, but for our money, the original is the best.

Craving wings but you’ve sworn off meat? Or just sworn off junk food in general? These days, almost any food you can dream up has a cauliflower counterpart, and wings are no exception (no really, it’s true). Try cauliflower wings baked OR fried, in your favorite dipping sauce, and see for yourself why everyone is going nuts for these veggie-filled treats. They are also easily adapted to vegan by omitting eggs in the batter, and gluten free by using your favorite gf flour blend.

Craving chips or crisps but trying to abstain from all that fat and grease? It’s easy to make your own versions at home. Simply thinly slice potatoes or sweet potatoes, brush with a small amount of olive oil, sprinkle with sea salt, pepper and whatever other seasonings you fancy, and bake at high heat for about twenty minutes, turning them over once to allow both sides to crisp. You can also make your own healthier versions of tortilla chips this way, by cutting corn tortillas into triangles, brushing with oil, sprinkling with salt and other spices, and baking in the oven until crisp. This method not only helps reduce the fat and grease in your snack but allows for portion control, too – only make as many as you need. 

For another sweet treat, try making your own dairy free “ice cream”. Those old bananas that have brown spots? Chop them up into chunks, and throw them in the freezer. When they’re fully frozen, pop them in the blender with a little honey and if you like, some cocoa powder, vanilla or other mix-ins and favors you like. Voila; instant frozen dessert. 

These are just a few great ideas for how to indulge in healthier, veggie-and-fruit-packed versions of your favorite junk foods. But trust us, there are scores of other amazing recipes out there. Turn off a new leaf and give one a try today!