Talk of Alabama Lifestyle Segment – NYE 2016 Beauty Products and Personal Glam Squad Techniques

I was invited to visit Talk of Alabama and share New Year’s Eve beauty products and personal glam squad techniques.  This segment featured at-home beauty essentials to achieve a professional look for everyone – not just red carpet celebrities.

The products I presented on ABC 33/40 included EcoTools Makeup Brushes, SensatioNail Pro LED Lamp, Sally Hansen Gel Polish, Hard Candy Nail Polish, Hard Candy Eyeshadow Collection, Vanity Planet Tame Flat Iron, Spa Sonic Skin Care System, and Whamisa Real Kelp Sheet Mask.

Here’s the breakdown:

FACE

Spa Sonic

Whamisa Real Kelp Sheet Mask

EcoTools Makeup Brushes

Hard Candy Eyeshadow Collection

NAILS

Hard Candy Nail Polish

SensatioNail Pro LED Lamp

Sally Hansen Gel Polish

HAIR

Vanity Planet Tame Flat Iron

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE SEGMENT:  TALK OF ALABAMA

Should You Design An Engagement Ring From Scratch?

One of the first things to think about when you’ve decided to propose is, do you want to purchase a store-bought ring or have the freedom to design your own? Many jewelers offer both options but it can be hard to decide whether the convenience, quality warranty and being able to see the finished product is better. As on the other hand, you could have the chance to choose a ring that suits your bride to be’s personality, matches your budget and has been flawlessly manufactured. Remember, an engagement ring is a paramount piece of jewelry as it symbolizes the promise the two of you are making to each other and needs to be worthy of that commitment.

Featured photo from People.com

It’ll Be Truly Unique

The last thing you want is your excited fiancé to show off her ring only to be told ‘yeah that style’s nice’ or worse see someone wearing pretty much the same ring as her. Even though there are lots of different designs, it’s entirely possible that sooner or later she may run into someone who has been proposed with the same ring style from the same store. If your future wife has very individual style and tastes  it may be better to pick out your own ring. That way the diamonds, setting and even band color will be different as you’ll be able to incorporate more details. Another way to set her ring apart from the crowd is weave in personal elements, such as engraving, colored stones and a ring box with her name or birth date on.

You’ll Be Able To Control Your Budget

Engagement rings come in a range of price points so by purchasing all the elements of the ring separately you’ll be able to prioritize what’s important to you. If you want a larger diamond you may be able to choose a slightly less precious metal for the band; a smaller setting may give you more room on the band if you’re selecting a pave style. A diamond that is only slightly more colored than another one may vary hugely when it comes to price. Look for loose diamonds for sale that are categorized as I to J as these are good quality, medium priced gems as well as those that weigh between one and two karats for large singular diamonds, such as solitaires, and 0.50 and one karat for three stone styles.

Greater Sentimental Value

Designing a ring is a process that involves quite a few people including yourself, the salesperson, shop designer, gem dealer and the craftsmen that creates setting and band. It isn’t a cheap nor a quick option and so it requires an awful lot of thought and preparation, multiple phone calls or meetings and a lot of trust in your chosen jeweler.

Your fiancé will appreciate the amount of love, time and effort that went into her ring and will be genuinely touched by all your hard work. Remember, engagement rings are designed to be worn for a lifetime alongside wedding or even eternity rings. So if you’ve created one custom piece then you may have to create another for the jewellery to look right together.  David Alan is a master jeweler who works with you to take your vision and create one-of-a-kind custom pieces that you and your partner will love.

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Rita Ora Take-Over Rimmel Snapchat Channel TODAY

Rimmel London ambassador Rita Ora is getting to grips with using the new Snapchat Spectacles in preparation for giving a unique behind-the-scenes sneak-peek at her new Rimmel London advertising campaign – FROM HER EXCLUSIVE VIEW-POINT.

The multitalented singer-songwriter-actor today announced on her social media accounts that she will be taking-over the Rimmel London Snapchat Channel on December 20, 2016. Fans will get an extraordinary backstage insight into Rita’s new photoshoot for Rimmel London, all thanks to the innovative use of Snapchat Spectacles. Throughout the day, Rita will be wearing the sought-after sunglasses, which have a built-in camera to record 10 second videos that are directly uploaded to Snapchat.

For the FIRST TIME for a beauty brand, Rimmel London will be able to show exactly what it’s like to be a celebrity on the set of a shoot with footage taken from Rita’s perspective. Rita will record and upload Snapchat videos whilst she’s talking to her glam squad, getting her hair and make-up done, and even whilst she’s being shot by the photographer. Beauty and music lovers will get an unprecedented A-lister look at all the behind-the-scenes action, different angles of the set, the people involved and what it’s like to be on the other side of the camera.

Thanks to Rimmel, Rita is one of the very few to get her hands on a fun pair of stylish Snapchat Spectacles. Made by Snap Inc, these wearable camera-glasses are available in random locations across the US.

Rita Ora will be streaming her behind-the-scenes videos on Rimmel London Snapchat (Rimmel_London) today, December 20, 2016.

Santa Spreads Holiday Cheer in UAB’s NICU, Continuing Care Nursery

Infants in the University of Alabama at Birmingham Women and Infants Center had a special visitor Monday, Dec. 11, and Tuesday, Dec. 12. Santa Claus visited with babies and their families in the UAB Regional Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Continuing Care Nursery. As Santa peeked in on these newborns and checked his list, families gathered to celebrate the holidays and take special photos with him.

About UAB
Known for its innovative and interdisciplinary approach to education at both the graduate and undergraduate levels, the University of Alabama at Birmingham is an internationally renowned research university and academic medical center and the state of Alabama’s largest employer, with some 23,000 employees and an economic impact exceeding $5 billion annually on the state. The five pillars of UAB’s mission deliver knowledge that will change your world: the education of students, who are exposed to multidisciplinary learning and a new world of diversity; research, the creation of new knowledge; patient care, the outcome of ‘bench-to-bedside’ translational knowledge; service to the community at home and around the globe, from free clinics in local neighborhoods to the transformational experience of the arts; and the economic development of Birmingham and Alabama. Learn more at www.uab.edu.

FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/uab.edu TEXT: www.uab.edu/news TWEETS: www.twitter.com/uabnews VIDEO: www.youtube.com/uabnews

Celebrate the 12 Days of Cava this Holiday Season with Freixenet

It’s always a grand idea to pop some bubbly during the most festive time of the year. Grab a case of Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut (SRP $12) and celebrate Freixenet’s 12 Days of Cava this holiday season! At just $12 a bottle, Freixenet Cava allows you to invite all your friends and keep the celebration going longer. Freixenet Cava is delightful when served on its own, mixed in cocktails, and added into holiday recipes. Follow Freixenet’s 12 Days of Cava plan to ensure a jolly celebration with your friends all season long:

DAY 1: Personalize Your Present

 Need a last minute Holiday party hostess gift? Don’t panic – a bottle of Freixenet Cava is all you need. The matte black bottle is the perfect canvas for a personalized message. Grab a gold pen and turn the bottle into a unique gift that everyone can enjoy.

DAY 2: The Sparkling Maple Leaf
In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine 1 oz whisky, 1 oz maple syrup, and 1/2 oz lime juice. Shake and strain the mixture into a glass. Top off with 3 oz Brut Cava.

DAY 3: Brie + Cava Fondue
Rub 1 whole clove garlic in a saucepan. Add 1 c Extra Dry Cava and 1 tbsp cornstarch over low heat. Do not boil. Add 2 c Brie cheese in portions while slowly increasing the heat, (do not let boil). When cheese has melted, add 2 tbsp kirsch (fruit brandy), 1 tsp lemon juice, and a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg, cinnamon and brown sugar. Serve in a fondue pot with your favorite choice of fruit and bread for dipping.

DAY 4: Grab a bottle of Freixenet Cava and decorate the bottle with holiday stickers! Give to a coworker or friend to enjoy with you after work.

DAY 5: Candy Cane Cava-tail
Fill 1/3 of a flute with White Crème de Cocoa and the rest with chilled Sweet Cuvée Cava. Garnish with a whole candy cane.

DAY 6: Add Cava in cake balls!

DAY 7: Pomegranate Cava Punch
In a large bowl, stir together 1 juiced lemon, 1 c Old Orchard pomegranate juice, 1/3 c pomegranate seeds, 1 c orange liqueur and 2 c Brut Cava. Add twists from lemon peel and rosemary sprigs for garnish.

DAY 8: Cava Ginger Hot Toddy
In a small mug, combine 2 oz brewed gingerbread tea, 1/2 tsp molasses, 1 tsp raw sugar, and top off with Extra Dry Cava. Garnish with a lemon slice and cinnamon stick

DAY 9: Marshmallows fluffed with Cava.

DAY 10: The Ginger Swing
Purée 1 ripe pear in a food processor, set aside. Combine 1/2 c water, 1/2 c sugar and 4 inch piece of fresh ginger, quartered in a small pan. Bring to a boil and stir until sugar is dissolved. Cover, turn the heat off and let sit for 30 minutes. Remove ginger pieces, pour the syrup into the pear purée, stir, cover and refrigerate until cold. Once cold, spoon 2 tbsp of mixture into a flute, top off with Brut Cava.

DAY 11: The Evergreen Twist
Bring 1/2 c sugar, 1 1/2 c water, and 1/4 c juniper berries to a simmer in a pot, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat; let cool completely. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve; discard solids. Refrigerate 1 hour. Combine 3 tbsp juniper syrup with 1/2 cup Freixenet Cava to a glass. Garnish with a pine sprig; serve immediately.

DAY 12: Cava Wonderland
Prepare rims by combining 1/4 c coconut flakes, 2 tbsp granulated sugar, and one scraped vanilla bean. Coat the rim of a glass with lemon juice to make the sugar mixture stick. Pour 2 oz coconut juice blend or coconut puréed nectar into bottom of glass. Fill with Extra Dry Cava and stir to mix.

DAY 13: Grab a bottle of Freixenet Cava and a few friends and toast to 2017! Add some black and gold decorations, a fun playlist and sip Cava all night long while re-living the most hilarious moments of 2016.

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About Freixenet:

Freixenet (pronounced “fresh-eh-net”), best known for their iconic Black Bottle, was first introduced to the world in 1914. It is a family-owned winery based just outside of Barcelona. Under the leadership of the Ferrer family, the Freixenet Group is the global leader of sparkling wines made in the traditional method, and the pursuit of quality has been the family’s priority for more than a century.

Painting and Tips to Reduce Holiday Stress

Tis’ the season to be jolly!  Last weekend, I decided to take a break from the holiday busyness and visit Painting With a Twist art studio.

The purpose behind the class was to celebrate my mom’s birthday.  We had a great time and made plans to register for more events.

Aside from the celebration, one aspect to remember is that painting has therapeutic properties.  Some of the benefits include memory strength, stress relief, and emotional growth.

Painting a one-of-a-kind picture was the perfect bonding activity and awesome way to meet new friends!

I am not the best painter but with guidance I can create a masterpiece!

I also want to share a few additional tips to reduce stress during the holiday season:

  • Make holiday decor during the off-season to eliminate a hectic schedule.
  • Create a food menu and prep/freeze holiday dishes.
  • Visit your local grocery store or warehouse club for prepared dishes (example, Assorted Pinwheel Wraps, Rotisserie Chicken Enchiladas, or Ciabatta Sandwich Party Tray.)
  • Play upbeat holiday music to get everyone in the spirit.
  • Allow enough time to wrap gifts not excluding co-workers and care providers.
  • Include low-impact exercise into your weekly routine.

NEW LAUNCH Shadow Sticks – Merle Norman Cosmetics

A hot launch for fall/winter ’16, Merle Norman Shadow Sticks were JUST released in 10 gorgeous shades and make applying long-wearing shadow as easy as signing your name. The fun, easy-to-use stick is crease-resistant and designed for versatility. They’re perfect to use as your main shadow, a base or even a liner with a buildable formula designed to go from sheer to full-on color. They even have a special key ingredient, microspheres, which impart a silky texture while absorbing oil to keep lids sebum free.

No matter what color is trending this season from matte to shimmer, you’ll find what you need in Merle Norman Shadow Sticks.

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https://youtu.be/o9JUAmHtcPY

Great Wine Options For Your Holiday Table

Christmas and New Year’s is just around the corner and it is time to talk about food and wine pairings!

Buying wine for dinner can be a challenge but I have compiled a few delicious options to choose from:

Fernando Pighin & Figli: Pinot Grigio Friuli Grave 2015v (SRP: $17.99)

  • This wine is a great option to start off the evening and drink through dinner. The Old World Italian wine pairs perfectly with seafood, soft cheeses, vegetarian dishes and of course turkey. This medium-bodied Pinot Grigio has aromas of white fruit and minerality from the Friuli Grave terroir. It is produced without oak or malolactic to keep the grape’s freshness and bright acidity. This wine is light and refreshing, leaving room to taste the many dishes served during the holiday.

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Sequoia Grove Winery: Chardonnay 2014v (SRP: $27.99)

  • If guests love a delicious Chardonnay from Napa Valley, Sequoia Grove would be the perfect choice. This 100% food-friendly Chardonnay will pair well with most dishes, from appetizers to soups to main courses. It has aromas of pear, lychee, citrus zest, lightly toasted almonds, and fresh bread. The aroma and palate characteristics are derived from 10 months of oak aging in French oak barrels. Sequoia Grove’s well-integrated oak Chardonnay will refresh the palate and won’t overpower the delicious spices in the Thanksgiving dishes.

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Maison Louis Jadot Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2013v  (SRP: $19.99)

  • Louis Jadot’s affordable red Burgundy is a classic holiday wine pairing. It is a versatile wine that complements many meats and soft cheeses like Camembert and Brie. The 2013 vintage produced mature wines with intense aromas of red cherries, black blackberries, blackcurrants. Its well-integrated tannins are supported by a vibrant freshness in the finish.

 

Craggy Range Winery Te Muna Road Pinot Noir 2013v  (SRP: $44.99)

  • Craggy Range Winery produces beautiful deep brick red colored, single-vineyard Pinot Noirs from the Martinborough wine region of New Zealand. This New World wine has vibrant aromatics of red and black cherries, rose petal, sandalwood and wet earth. It is fruit forward with fine, dry tannins that provides a soft yet complex finish. This is another delicious wine option to serve throughout your holiday meal.

 

Thanksgiving Dinner Wine Pairing –

This year, I hosted Thanksgiving dinner and served a bottle of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.  To make our pairing more festive, I created a cheese platter to enhance the wine flavorings.

Salty – Assortment of Crackers

Protein – Prosciutto & Nuts

Flavor Enhancement – Sharp Cheddar Cheese

next time, I will add a variety of cheese, fruit, and olives 

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The in-home tasting was a fun opportunity for enthusiast to try new flavors and expand their palate!

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Hairdo Simply Straight Ponytail – Easy Hair Solution

Looking great during the holiday season can be exhausting!  There’s so many events to attend from office parties to charity functions.

The Hairdo Simply Straight Ponytail is the solution to our hair problems.  It’s an easy installation for an inexpensive price.  Here’s the breakdown:

  1. Put your hair in a pony or bun.
  2. Slip in comb and wrap around your pony or bun.
  3. Secure in place with hook and loop fastener.
  4. Wrap strip of hair around the base of your ponytail and secure strip with hairpins.

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I encourage anyone who’s seeking an easy go-to hairstyle to purchase from Ulta.com

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