02.05.2013
Inspired By: Chocolate


If I have one true love on this planet, it may very well be chocolate.  In fact, I’m craving it right now (and trying to fight it off!). UGH.  I may actually make a trip down to my apartment building’s vending machine since I just read some really cool info from Dr. Murad.  According to the skin expert, “before there was medicine, there was food.  And before there was food, there was chocolate!”  It’s all about moderation, accoring to the Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine at UCLA and founder of Murad Skincare.  Chocolate invokes the feelings of comfort, romance and happiness. It’s given as gifts for major holidays and is an ancient delicacy that was exclusive to the upper class.  Here are a few chocolate myths…sign me UP.  There’s a Twix bar downstairs with my name on it…

  • Contrary to what you grew up thinking, chocolate does NOT cause breakouts
  • Chocolate contains flavonoids, which act as antioxidants and protect the body from aging caused by free radicals
  • Chocolate is a slight mood elevator, as it contains phenyl ethylamine
  • The carbohydrates in chocolate raise serotonin levels in the brain, resulting in a sense of well-being
  • Cacao contains antibacterial properties that fight tooth decay


Too Faced Milk Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzing Powder with Real Cocoa:
 I just adore this bronzer.  Not only does it smell delicious, but it also give me a great shade of bronze that’s not orange or too fake looking.

LUSH Chocolate Whipstick: I usually end up licking this off about two minutes after applying.  If you could bottle up chocolate in a little pot, this would be IT.

Demeter Chocolate Chip Cookie Cologne Spray: Demeter has the most amazing scents so it’s not very surprising that they have a chocolate chip cookie fragrance.  I mean…if you’re hungry, spray this.

Philip B. Chocolate Milk Body Wash & Bubble Bath: Like we learned above, chocolate has a lot of benefits for your skin, so why not use it as a body wash?

The Body Shop Cocoa Butter Body Scrub: I love me a good body scrub and guys, this IS a good body scrub.  It exfoliates but doesn’t leave your skin dry or rough.  Plus, the smell is an obvious bonus.

11.29.2011
Holiday Gift Guide: The Perfect Hostess Gifts

Holiday parties can always bring a lot of pressure…what to wear, what to eat (or not eat) and what to bring as a sentimental thank you to the host of the evening.  Guys, I’ve been to a LOT of parties, and these three options are absolutely the BEST gifts any hostess could receive.

Vosges Dark Chocoate Truffle Collection : I discovered Vosges chocolate while working at a PR agency in NYC that always gifted editors with the special amazingness that IS their chocolate.  I adore this gift set because, let’s face it, 9 pieces is just the right amount.  It won’t make you gain 5lbs. but it’s still enough to curb your craving.  Plus, all of their chocolates are exotic and not your basic milk variety.

LATHER 12 Soaps-a-Sudsing: Celebrate the 12 days of Christmas with 12 different (amazing) soap fragrances.  Like I’ve said before, I’m not a huge fan of bar soap but these are one of the few exceptions to my rule.  I’m loving the versatility and especially into the “wild mint” soap.

Diptyque Boxed Set of Mini Candles: I bought this mini set for myself back in New York (pre-recession) when I decided that I basically needed to love Diptyque candles.  Truth be told, I was right…and this mini collection is the absolute perfect way to introduce a newbie to the line since these are pretty much the best scents, according to me anyway.  It may appear pricey but these candles LAST, people.  Totally worth it.

08.03.2011
Raspberry Rockets: A Healthy and Delish Snack!

I came across this great healthy snack idea that’s not only low calorie (and tastes delish) but also looks super cute at a party.  As Saucy, the blogger, says it’s so simple, it’s silly. And since dark chocolate and raspberries is probably one of my favorite combos ever, I actually have fun stuffing the raspberries with the chocolate chips.  And, naturally, I eat half of them while stuffing.

Thanks to Saucy for posting this great snack idea!

02.14.2011
Peppermint TEAquila cocktail

So I recently attended a gifting suite where I met the two ladies who run their family’s business, Valencia Tequila, which I love and adore.  Unfortunately the gifting suite was during January (aka Sober January) and so I couldn’t taste the tequila while I was there but the owners were nice enough to send me a bottle to try once my cleanse ended…and boy, was it worth the wait.  I tried the family-owned tequila’s amazing Peppermint TEAquila recipe, which I’m sharing with you below because it is a MUST-TRY, amazing cocktail that I am now obsessed with.

  • 4 oz. Moroccan Peppermint tea
  • Marquez de Valencia tequila
  • Agave nectar
  • Serve over ice
  • Add dark chocolate shavings for garnish

02.02.2010
LUSH Cupcake face mask

So I’ve never really been a girl that uses face masks…that is, until I wandered into the LUSH store at the 3rd street promenade in Santa Monica.  As most of you know, I’m very familiar with LUSH (and love it) but since there products are so fresh, there are some that I simly haven’t been able to try.  I heard about the LUSH Cupcake face mask ($7.95 at LUSH stores nationwide) about a year ago and immediately went to sniff out the situation, no pun intended.  I’m a sucker for anything that smells like food, especially chocolate, and believe me, this SMELLS good enough to eat. Initially I was a little scared to try this mask since it specifically says “for oily and teenage skin,” either of which, I am not.  I actually have very dry skin…but I just couldn’t resist the chocoate smell and cupcake-like texture.  Whatever…I’ll just load up on moisturizer after, right?  Well let me tell you…this mask does what it says- within minutes, the oil was litrerally sucked out of my skin- which is a good thing if you are an oily teenager.  I left the mask on for the minimum time (5 minutes) and it washed off very nicely with warm water…I have to say, even though Cupcake isn’t right for my skin type, I’d use it again.  Yum.

 

12.29.2009
New Year’s Eve Hostess Gift: Champagne Truffles from Teuscher Beverly Hills

So along with everyone else in the world, I’ve decided to try and get in shape this January as part of the “new, healthy Jamie” plan 2010.  We’ll see how it goes…but for now, I’m pretty obsessed with my latest guilty find- Champagne Truffles from Teuscher Beverly Hills.  Each chocolate is a delicate truffle blend of fresh cream, butter and chocolate with a champagne (um, Dom Perignon, btw) cream center surrounded by a dark chocolate ganache, enrobed in milk chocolate and dusted with sugar.  It’s pretty much heaven in your mouth.  I stumbled upon Teuscher Beverly Hills when I attended an event on Rodeo Drive a few weeks back and I could literally smell the chocolate from down the street…I was being called in.  It was fate.  These truffles also happen to make the perfect hostess gift for any New Year’s Eve party…or just for you.  Mine are for me and I have no intention of sharing!

12.29.2009
New Year’s Eve Hostess Gift: Champagne Truffles from Teuscher Beverly Hills

So along with everyone else in the world, I’ve decided to try and get in shape this January as part of the “new, healthy Jamie” plan 2010.  We’ll see how it goes…but for now, I’m pretty obsessed with my latest guilty find- Champagne Truffles from Teuscher Beverly Hills.  Each chocolate is a delicate truffle blend of fresh cream, butter and chocolate with a champagne (um, Dom Perignon, btw) cream center surrounded by a dark chocolate ganache, enrobed in milk chocolate and dusted with sugar.  It’s pretty much heaven in your mouth.  I stumbled upon Teuscher Beverly Hills when I attended an event on Rodeo Drive a few weeks back and I could literally smell the chocolate from down the street…I was being called in.  It was fate.  These truffles also happen to make the perfect hostess gift for any New Year’s Eve party…or just for you.  Mine are for me and I have no intention of sharing!