Sonoma Wine Country – Fearless Fabulous You Retreat

unnamed-27

Are you a type A personality, aka a woman that puts business, family and obligations first while neglecting you? Today’s the day to invest in yourself. It’s time to recharge your mental batteries, restore your energy and reset your life intentions with Melanie Young. She too once cared for everyone but herself and has great lessons to share. Young dedicated time to re-frame her life and today she is successful wellness coach, author of Fearless Fabulous You! Lessons on Living Life on Your Terms, and host of the inspiring national iHeart Radio Show for women, Fearless Fabulous You! Are you ready to experience a relaxing, heartfelt and sumptuous getaway at Sea Ranch Lodge, a sublime escape tucked away on the Sonoma Coast, in California’s wine country. Trip dates are May 18-22.

Here’s what’s included:

4 nights/5 days accommodations (taxes and gratuities), meals, wine tastings, ground transportation
Arrive Wednesday / Depart Sunday
Daily hikes to recharge your spirit
Daily meditations and breathing exercises to calm and restore
Re-energize with healthy meals and recipes to take home and share with others
Unique wine tastings/dinners with local vintners specially selected for this retreat
Inspiring workshops plus private 1:1 coaching sessions with Young to reset your life intentions
Reflect with time for yourself to nurture your spirit

The retreat is priced at $2,586 or double occupancy and $3,227 for single occupancy with the early bird special. This special expires April 15, 2016.

This retreat is presented by Retreats Unlimited. To make a reservation or review this itinerary in detail click here Retreats Unlimited or call 312-961-3280. Join Retreats Unlimited on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for upcoming retreat announcements, promotions and discount offers.

485495_8_y

About Melanie Young: Young knows how to face challenges with grit, grace and wit and re-frame them to make things happen for the better. She a motivational muse for anyone who feels stuck and who wants to reignite their personal or professional brand. She is a living example of turning stumbling blocks into stepping stones. After surviving breast cancer, she wrote her first book, Getting Things Off My Chest: A Survivor’s Guide to Staying Fearless & Fabulous in the Face of Breast Cancer to help newly diagnosed women stay focused and make smarter choices about caring for their well-being during and after treatment. This book received both the 2014 International Book Award and USA Best Book Award for Cancer Health topics. Young’s second book, Fearless Fabulous You! – Lessons on Living Life on Your Terms is filled with inspirational insights to recharge your spirit and revalue your self-worth. Website and blog: www.melanieyoung.com

About Sea Ranch Lodge: A small, secluded property on Northern California’s rugged Sonoma Coast, Sea Ranch Lodge is a serene destination that embraces the beauty and bounty of nature in myriad expressions. A getaway here features nature untamed – ocean vistas, pristine bluffs, dramatic landscapes, abundant wildlife – with miles of hiking trails to enjoy it just steps from your door. This sublime natural setting melds with efforts to live lightly on the land. We respect an ethos of sustainability in lodging, dining, activities, service and more.

Dryel At-Home Dry Cleaner – News and Bloggers

I’m happy to share that Style + Life + Fashion’s featured on the updated Dryel website.  Knowing (and sharing) good laundry tips can be essential to every fashion lover’s wardrobe.

closer2

Personally, using Dryel products are handy for my delicate clothing items that require extra care.  I also use the Dryel system for blazers or sweaters that I’ve purchased at a consignment shop for an awesome price.

Why spend money on dry-cleaning when I can purchase an effective cleaning system from the store?  Click on the photo to read more:

FullSizeRender-87
Click Here

Woodbridge Wines – March Madness Entertaining

For any viewing party, Woodbridge Cabernet Sauvignon-infused Sausage Balls are sure to be a slam dunk – especially when served alongside Woodbridge Merlot Chili. WPaired with Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, you’ll please every palate.

Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi is also a choice your listeners can feel good about. Every March, Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi partners with The V Foundation, helping find a cure for cancer by generating awareness and broad-based support for research. Over the past five years, Woodbridge has helped to raise more than $1 million for the V Foundation and will continue to work towards ensuring a better future for generations to come.

image001-11

Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Sausage Balls
Prep + Cook Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 30-40 sausage balls

Ingredients:
Sausage Balls
· Wood1 cup cornmeal

· 8 ounce block of sharp cheddar cheese, grated

· 1/2 tsp kosher salt

· 2 tbsp chopped thyme leaves

· 1-pound ground spicy sausage (or mild if you prefer)

· 3 oz cream cheese

Cabernet Honey Mustard
· 2/3 cup brown sugar

· 1/2 cup whole grain Dijon mustard

· 1 cup of Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon

· 2 fresh thyme sprigs

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350º. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, then spray parchment paper with cooking spray.

2. In a large bowl, stir cornmeal, cheddar cheese, salt and thyme together.

3. In a separate bowl, combine sausage and cream cheese with your hands.

4. Add sausage mixture to cornmeal mixture and combine the two. Your dough will be dry and crumbly, and somewhat difficult to combine. Form 1-ounce balls and place on baking sheet one inch apart.

5. Bake at 350º for 20 minutes.

6. While the sausage balls are baking, make your Cabernet Honey Mustard.

7. Add all Cabernet Honey Mustard ingredients to a medium saucepan, bring to medium heat. Stirring often, cook for 20-25 minutes or until sauce has reduced by about half. Remove thyme sprigs, and serve in a bowl alongside sausage balls.

8. Enjoy sausage balls hot or at room temperature, serving with Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon.

*Entertaining Tip: These sausage balls are great at room temperature, making them the perfect tailgating food. Let the balls cool completely, and then pack them between paper towels in a storage container to transport them to the game.

image002-4

Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Merlot Chili
Yield: 8-10 servings

Ingredients:
· 1 tbsp olive oil

· 3 large cloves garlic, chopped finely

· 1 large jalapeno, chopped finely (remove seeds or omit completely if you don’t like spicy chili)

· 1 large yellow onion, chopped

· ½ pound hot Italian sausage, removed from casing

· 2 pounds ground 80% lean ground beef

· 1 tbsp salt

· 1 tbsp pepper

· 1 tsp cumin

· ½ tsp cayenne pepper

· 2 bell peppers, chopped

· 1 28 oz. can of whole tomatoes

· 1 15 oz. can whole kernel corn

· 1 15 oz. can reduced sodium red kidney beans

· 1 15 oz. can low sodium black beans

· 1 cup Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Merlot

Directions:
1. Heat olive oil over medium heat. Add next three ingredients and stir to coat with oil. Add lid and let the onions sweat for 3 minutes.

2. Add meat and all spices and stir frequently until all meat is browned and cooked through, about 10 minutes. This will release a lot of moisture, so continue cooking until most of the moisture evaporates. You may have to ladle some out.

3. Using your hands, crush the canned tomatoes over the pot. Add the entire can this way. Add the remaining canned goods.

4. Lastly, add the Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Merlot. Simmer with the lid on for at least 30 minutes, but up to two hours. (Like all chili, this is best reheated and served the next day, making it a perfect dish for weeknight meals or easy entertaining!)

5. Serve with your favorite chili toppings like sour cream, shredded cheese, chopped green onions, chopped jalapeno, tortilla chips or corn bread.

*Entertaining Tip: Make chili up to three days before serving. Reheat individual portions in microwave-proof mugs, or store in the pot that you cooked it in and simply reheat the entire pot.

Diono Products – Fox 45 Morning News Segment

I had the opportunity to showcase products from the Diono car seat brand on Fox 45 News WBFF Baltimore. This was a great segment because I’m a mom and having an organized car can be a lifesaver!

Every parent should know about this company because they have amazing products!  The three items I discussed where Radian RXT Car Seat, Travel Pal, and Stow n Go.  As you can see from the photo, parents are able to store toys, food items, and travel buddies for their little ones.

I had a lot of fun and hope that I helped to make someone’s family travel easier.  Visit Diono.com to view more of their products!

Sparkling Ice Cocktails and Cupcakes – Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day

Today is St. Patrick’s Day and I wanted to share some refreshing cocktails (and a tasty green cupcake recipe) from Sparkling Ice – a great tasting, lightly carbonated, zero-calorie beverage which combines sparkling water, fruit juice, vitamins, antioxidants, and BOLD natural flavors.

unnamed-25

Ingredients

1 ounce vodka
1 1/2 ounces Sour Apple Pucker
1 1/2 ounces Sparkling Ice Crisp Apple
2 cups of ice
Apple wedges for garnish (optional)
Instructions

1.Fill a martini shaker with ice.

2.Pour in the vodka, sour apple pucker and juice into shaker.

3.Stir ingredients

4.Garnish with an apple wedge

unnamed-26

Ingredients

Cake

1 box of white cake mix
12 oz of room temperate Sparkling Ice Lemon Lime
Icing

1 can of vanilla icing
4 drops of green food dye
Instructions

1.Preheat your oven to 350°

2.Line muffin pan with liners.

3.In a medium bowl combine your Sparkling Ice and cake mix, stirring with a whisk until most of the lumps are gone.

4.Fill each liner ½-2/3 full of batter.

5.Bake for 18-20 minutes until cupcakes are springy and toothpicks comes out clean.

6.Let cool completely before frosting.

Alabama Gulf Coast Convention Joins Food Sport

107ef0bfb8cb160193ef6df692d9b0ee_400x400

Alabama Gulf Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau, known across the country as Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism (www.orangebeach.com), has signed as the 2016 title sponsor of the World Food Championships (www.WorldFoodChampionships.com), making Orange Beach, Alabama the Official Host Site of this year’s ultimate food fight.

The arrangement ensures the Gulf Shores & Orange Beach area capitalizes on the energy, excitement and economic impact of an anticipated 1,200 chefs, home cooks and competition teams who will compete for World Food Championships’ $350,000 prize purse and its industry-leading $100,000 grand prize.

The event, which last year attracted competitors from 45 states and 17 countries, will take place Nov. 9-15 at The Wharf (www.alwharf.com), a resort destination with a full-service marina, retail, dining and entertainment options anchored by a multi-use event center and a 10,000-seat amphitheater.

“Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism and our Sports Commission are excited to step into the arena of competitive food sport with the World Food Championships coming to our beach destination,” says Vice President of Sales Beth Gendler. “Sports has truly diversified our destination, and this event helps us diversify even further.

“One of the focuses of the sports commission is to build shoulder season business, and the World Food Championships will be a very impactful event in both room nights and number of people visiting our community during the fall shoulder season,” Gendler said. “It is our pleasure to welcome these national and international food competitors to the Alabama Gulf Coast this November.”

All told, World Food Championships is expected to bring an estimated $2 million in direct local spending as it draws thousands of foodies and Food Sport enthusiasts to the Alabama Gulf coast, elevating hotel and vacation rental bookings, restaurant spending and other community revenue metrics that come with such signature events.

The deal also connects Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism with World Food Championships’ universe of marketing assets, including national media exposure which eclipsed 794 million impressions last year, as reported by independent media monitoring service BurrellesLuce.

The World Food Championships has experienced rapid growth since its creation in 2012 as the richest and largest Food Sport competition in the world. From a 30% annualized growth in competitors, to its second TV series scheduled to air summer 2016 on Destination America, the WFC has evolved into a year-long quest for thousands of competitors and foodies, as well as a marketing platform for innovative companies.

Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism welcomes more than 5.7 million individuals to the Alabama Gulf Coast each year for family reunions, vacations, meetings and sporting events. Marked by its sugar-white sand beaches, deep-sea fishing and countless family attractions, the Orange Beach and Gulf Shores area is one of the world’s leading beach destinations, annually attracting more than 5 million visitors. Centrally located along the Gulf Coast, and a short drive from airports in Pensacola, Fla. and Mobile, Ala., Orange Beach’s lodging properties are ideal for beach-side access or inland retreats that are both convenient and affordable. A spectrum of local dining, upscale shopping, fishing, golf, nature and adventure-based excursions also contribute to a spectacular vacation, holiday or leisure experience.

The bulk of these Orange Beach-based food fights will occur in Kenmore Kitchen Arena, the largest outdoor kitchen in the world, measuring a full city block at 7,800-square feet. The competition space features $250,000 worth of Kenmore branded stoves, cooktops, countertops and cookware – enough for 50 chefs to cook simultaneously. An additional $100,000 worth of professional grills from Bull Outdoor Products affords open-flame grilling.

To learn more about the WFC and its qualifying events, tournament-style process or consumer experiences, visit www.worldfoodchampionships.com.

To learn more about Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, visit www.orangebeach.com

To learn more about The Wharf, visit www.alwharf.com.

# # #

About the World Food Championships:
The World Food Championships (www.WorldFoodChampionships.com) features hundreds of competitors seeking food fame and fortune. The fifth annual event, scheduled for Nov. 9-15, 2016 at The Wharf in Orange Beach, Alabama, invites the champions from the biggest and best food competitions around the world into a single highstakes culinary showdown for hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and prizes. Follow World Food Championships on Twitter (@WorldFoodChamp), and Facebook and Instagram (@WorldFoodChampionships).

About Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism:
Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism serves as the official destination marketing organization for the cities of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach in addition to the unincorporated area of Fort Morgan. To learn more about the whole different state of discovery on Alabama’s 32 miles of white-sand beaches, visit either www.GulfShores.com or www.OrangeBeach.com. This convention and visitors bureau is an accredited Destination Marketing Organization (2012-2016). Follow Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism on Twitter (@AlabamaBeaches), Instagram (@GulfShoresOrangeBeach) and Facebook (@AlabamaGulfCoast).

Glow Bio Cleanse – Healthier Lifestyle

Introduce yourself to fruits and veggies you never knew existed with the bountiful menu at Glow Bio! From Acai to Goji and everything in between, Glow Bio offers a lineup of beauty food rich smoothies and juices that will keep you satisfied AND taste good – all carefully curated by nutritionist and New York Times bestselling author, Kimberly Snyder!

For an added bonus, many of your favorite smoothies are found in a number of the Glow Bio Cleanses. These help rebuild your digestive system and help you achieve sustainable results by getting on track to a healthier lifestyle! With three options to select, durations ranging from 1 to 5 days, each cleanse consists of four unique components:

1) The world famous and fiber-filled Glowing Green Smoothie to start and end your day with.

2) Cold-Pressed Juices enhanced with probiotics to aid digestion.

3) Powerful benefit-driven boosters.

4) A specific order of consumption to maximize the nutritional benefits and get your body back to harmony.

Cleanse-PackageFINAL-300x185
All of which help to achieve renewed energy, a more svelte and toned physique and glowing, radiant skin!

Spring Break Beauty Survival Kit

Spring Break plans right around the corner? Pack up your bags and get ready to head out with the ultimate beauty survival kit! We’ve got you covered from head to toe (and everything in between) with the warm weather essentials you need for skin that’s soft, smooth and glowing all vacation long.

image003-4

1) KORRES Yoghurt Nourishing Fluid Veil Face Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30: Have fun in the sun with this ultra-sheer yet nourishing fluid that provides daily broad-spectrum UV coverage while wearing beautifully under makeup. This ultra-lightweight fluid instantly disappears into skin providing broad-spectrum UV protection and deep nourishment. Yogurt, rich in skin-repairing proteins, helps keep skin nourished and protected from the sun’s harmful rays while a blend of rice and camapu extract offers deep hydration and calming properties to soothe skin during sun exposure. Provitamin B5 helps reduce inflammation and supports natural cell regeneration while jojoba oil seals in moisture—leaving skin soft and smooth. ($35; Sephora.com)

2) Lavanila Laboratories The Healthy Roller-Ball Fragrance Collection: Travel Friendly. Purse Friendly. Skin Friendly. This is the perfect for fragrance on the go. Their collection of all-natural fragrances is luxurious and addictive. Each fragrance starts with a warm base of Madagascar vanilla and layers on a unique blend of pure essential oils for an exquisite expression of nature that capture a mood, a memory or a moment in time. Hailed as the World’s First Healthy Fragrance, organic sugar cane alcohol is infused with skin saving antioxidants for a modern twist on the classic art of perfumery. ($19; Lavanila.com)

3) PediSpa by Look Beauty Gentle Exfoliating Foot Mask: Show off sandal ready feet thanks to this non-traditional masque that contains a foot exfoliate plus treatment filled in a pair of wearable socks. Key ingredients like chamomile and natural botanical fruit extracts help control callus build-up for visibly smooth feet within two weeks. ($9.99 for one complete pair; Exclusively at Target Stores in the Foot Care Aisle and Target.com)

4) Bioré Baking Soda Pore Cleanser: Wash you face day and night for a complexion that glows all vacation long with this daily liquid cleanser that gives you a deep exfoliating clean without being rough on dry spots. Ideal for combination skin, this oil-free formula contains cleansing ingredients that excavate grime and oil from pores. At the same time, the formula gently smooths away dead cells. You end up with skin that’s fresh, silky-soft and luminous. ($7.99; Drug and mass merchants)

5) Ban Roll-On Deodorant: Don’t worry about embarrassing sweat while you’re in the sun! Traditional antiperspirant/deodorants merely mask odors and reduce odor-causing sweat in general, while Ban’s breakthrough technology specifically targets and virtually eliminates odor that other antiperspirant/deodorants may leave behind. Ban Roll-On Deodorant glides on easily with a formula that provides an outstanding 24 hours of invisible protection against odor wetness. ($4.99, Drug and Mass Retailers)

6) Curél Itch Defense Instant Soothing Moisturizing Spray: Instantly relieve dry, irritated skin with this non-medicated, moisturizing spray with cooling hydration. Uniquely soothing, this formula delivers a mix of light yet potent hydrators — including a proprietary ceramide complex, allantoin and panthenol — to ease parched, itchy skin right where you need it. The Proprietary Cooling Complex feels soothing like a cold compress, lending you instant relief. ($8.99; Drug and mass merchants)

Georgia Browns Fine Southern Cuisine – Lifestyle

I wanted to share a photo of my recent dining experience (actually a few weeks ago) while attending a social event in Washington D.C.  After a long night of walking in heels and re-applying lipstick, it was time to eat dinner!

IMG_2856
Smiles & Selfie
FullSizeRender-64
The Mansion on O Street
FullSizeRender-65
The Mansion on O Street

We decided to visit Georgia Browns and dine from their famous Southern menu.  I ordered the Grilled Atlantic Salmon and glass of wine.  We ended the evening with a Flourlesss Chocolate Torte which was delicious!

FullSizeRender-63

Georgia Browns is said to have a live jazz band and Sunday brunch.  If you’re in the area stop by their restaurant and indulge in the culinary tradition!

Vino 301 Wine Concierge – Wine Tour for Alzheimer’s Research

unnamed-17

Tour Ambassadors of Vino 301 Wine Concierge are raising their glasses to support of the Alzheimer’s Association with the sponsorship of a charitable wine tour to the Westminster Wine Region.

The event is scheduled for March 6, 2016 at 10:00 am, and will include tours to the Old Westminster Winery and Springfield Manor Winery. Many of the vineyards featured on the tour are grown in Bordeaux style. Lovers of Cabernet Franc, Pinot Grigio, or Vidal Blanc will especially relish this tantalizing treat.

According to statistics from the Alzheimer’s Association, there is an estimated 5.1 million people 65 years and older in the United States living with Alzheimer’s. Approximately 200,000 individuals below the age of 65 are afflicted with the disease.

Vino 301 Wine Concierge is the one of the latest sponsors to join forces with the organization in the fight against the disease. The company was asked to host the tour by a former tour guest, Ms. LeeAnn Charpentier, whose grandmother had the disease and died. LeeAnn wanted to do something to honor her grandmother’s memory and raise funds for Alzheimer’s research.

Discussing Vino 301 Wine Concierge’s response to Ms. Charpentier’s request, Managing Director of the company, Leslie Frelow said: “We thought it was a great idea and were eager to help. Ms Charpentier has been a tremendous supporter of Vino 301. We hope our contribution will further research for a cure for this debilitating disease.”

Fees for the tour cost $87 for wine tasters, and $37 for non-drinkers. Net profits will be donated to the Alzheimer’s Association. For further information or to register for the tour, visit: Alzheimer Charitable Wine Tour.

vino-301-wine-concierge
Photo from TripAdvisor