A gorgeous business card case is a must when networking your heart out. And a sleek and chic one, isn’t just a conversation starter, (“Hey, where’d you get  that?” ) it’s also a surefire symbol that says, “Hey, I’m awesome. You know why? I pay attention to detail and have great taste.”  Which is why when I saw Roztayger’s beautiful, smooth, compact, and classic card holders by Abitax, I said to myself, “I just have to have one.”

They’re timeless, modern, and chic… and you can slide it open and hand your card out with two fingers. So suave, I tell yah.

Want one for yourself? Like Roztayger on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roztayger or sign up for Roztayger’s newsletter: http://roztayger.com/signup! We’ll pick a winner on February 16. You’ll get this gorgeous teal one just in time to show it off for spring. It may even inspire  a whole new wardrobe color addition. Teal for spring? Love!

Hurry! It’s valued at $32… You could wrap up your lovely business cards in it for free. Deadline to enter is February 15, 5PM PST!

Image from the Roztayger website.

From Karen of http://Makeupandbeautyblog.com

Just because they’re fun. It’s late. I’m bored. And I can! hehehe

MBB 20 Questions Thursday (LATE NIGHT EDITION!)

1) Sour or sweet?

Sweet!

2) Coffee or tea?

Both!

3) What you wore on your lips today?

MAC’s Ladyblush

4) Names of your pets?

None right now. If I did, he’d be a Dachsund named Ferguson.

5) Something you’d like to accomplish in 2013?

Learn how to cook steak. Master the French omelet. Get better at EVERYTHING.

6) Something that makes you smile?

My son. Every time.

7) What are your nicknames?

Mira? I have special nicknames with special people.

8) Yes or no: ranch with your pizza?

Hell no.

9) Yes or no: dudes with mustaches?

Kinda, sorta, totally depends on the dude.

10) Three things in your makeup bag right now?

Ready foundation in Medium, an Eco Tools Stippling brush, and Urban Decay Baked bronzer.

11) Do you like wearing heels?

Have we met? Duh.

12) Your childhood BFF?

Samantha Cristobal. She lives in Barcelona now.

13) Did you have braces?

Nope.

14) Someone you used to have a crush on?

Eminem.

15) What’s on your nails?

OPI for Sephora’s Leotard Optional

16) Something on your desk?

A silver skull.

17) Someone you miss?

I’ll never tell.

18) A person you met on the internet who’s now your friend in real life?

I work in social media… that’s kinda one of the perks of the job.

19) Craziest thing you’ve ever done with your hair?

Cut it like Cameron Diaz in Something About Marry. I looked like a little Asian man.

20) Something that you love about yourself?

I oftem pride myself in my ridiculousness. Though sometimes I worry that I may be getting too old for it… meh.

Who knew that getting Bipolar could be a good thing. Maximus Clark’s Bipolar soft-hold styling cream is luscious salon-luxuriousness right in the comfort of your own bathroom.n Delivering a soft hold alongside a stay on style this cream is perfect for a blow out, rocking some overnight heatless curls, or just to tame those flyaways. Simply slather on Bipolar to wet hair and the sweet, yet utterly sassy fragrance only concludes that it quite possibly could be the  go-to hair product for every gal. Plus, the names are pretty rocking, in both a socialite, and tongue-in-cheek kinda way. My obsession for low-maintenance, high delivery, hair products is only growing and Bipolar is the most recent addition. Can’t wait to try the rest.  

Stiffed, Bipolar, O.M.G., Trust Fund, Rehab, Envy and Max ranging in prices from $20- $35. All products are paraben and sulfate free. Find them hear: http://www.maximusclark.com/

Gorgeous, fashionable, amazing

… and have a hot (rockstar?) husband like Jamie Hince of The Kills. 

Happy 39th Birthday. Kate! Stop being so cool. Actually, no. Don’t stop. Rock on.

So, what is $39.99, has ceramic plates, tourmaline ionic technology, heats up to 420 degrees… and has vibrating plates? The Revlon Style Expert 1″ Vibrating Straightener!  I was pretty skepticle  about it, too. Like, what’s vibrating plates going to do to help straighten hair? Apparently, it’s faster more precise straightening.

Revlon’s latest straightener makes sense. As it vibrates, it actually helps to grip hair better and create a stiffer straight. Since half the battle of straightening hair is ensuring that the iron itself is positioned properly and straightened correctly  (or you’ll get those weird bumps) the vibrating feels like it helps to tug at the hair so that  you do not rush and you get that perfect straight from root to tip. Nice results with no weird edges.

It’s a great iron for those on a budget and novices to the straightening method.

Available at Target. I think it’s on sale, too!

Let’s start this off by saying this is a “lazy girl’s” dish. I could chop garlic if I wanted to… but I don’t.

Shrimp is in season (I’m assuming) so it’s SUPER DUPER cheap right now. I stopped by my local Fresh and Easy and bought a lot of shrimp for about $4 which was, yah, a lot of shrimp. I’m also trying to be super healthy so this was definitely a good idea as I didn’t want anything heavy or boring. There’s also no carbs and all veggies…extra plus that it’s cheap! It cost me about $8  plus a $6.99 bottle of wine in total. I have shrimp leftover for some shrimp cocktail, tacos, or a sandwich later. I bought wine only because I want to make it feel fancy even if it’s just me.  (The winery “Lost Angel” was having a “tasting” in the store. But the wine is pretty delicious so it’s okay and it’s citrusy so it went very well with the dish.)

It’s funny how the simplest ingredients can  make the most satisfying meal. And the fact that it’s affordable, so easy, and super quick… Well, it’s no surprise that I do this often when I’m making dinner for myself. I do this with salmon, too.

HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED:

This recipe is COMPLETELY “by taste” measurements. You’re just gonna have to go with your gut when you’re seasoning. If you want it garlicky, more garlic. More salty, more salt, etc. I kinda put a palm full (or a lot) of garlic powder and a pinch or two of everything else. Also, I hate lemon on my seafood. So, if you want that, add it.

For the shrimp:

Olive Oil

Garlic Powder

Salt and Pepper

a teaspoon of butter

For the spinach and onion:

a teaspoon of water

a little olive oil

spinach – I use the pre-washed bag stuff. It lasts forever and I can eat it with pretty much anything. I also, of course, really like spinach.

onion – sliced thinly

You’ll need two saute pans to multi-task and get this done fast.

HERE’S WHAT TO DO:

Add olive oil to both of the pans.

Get your pans hot. And the oil, too.

In one pan:

Throw in the onions and sautee until transluscent and a little browned at the edges

Throw in spinach.

Add the teaspoon of water.

Cover until Spinach is tender.

Take it off the heat.

Mix everything nicely before serving.

In the other pan:

While pan is heating.

Combine peeled shrimp, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl and mix ingredients until shrimp is fully coated.

Throw it on the hot pan and cook until shrimp is orange/pink or whatever color it is when it’s fully cooked.

Not too long though because then it gets rubbery.

I actually cook shrimp by lining them up and flipping them over individually at the same time like flipping hamburgers.

Tedious, I know, but it ensures they’re all cooked even and not rubbery. I think it’s about 2-3 minutes per side. Not long at all! I’ll let you know if I find a better method.

Lastly, this is a little tricky.  Turn up the heat. when it’s nice and hot, throw the butter over them and sautee up/mix, and go all pretend pro on the shrimp and the pan, mixing the melted butter into them and getting your shrimp guys a little more “brown” for some tasty color. Even add a splash of wine at the same time you add the butter if you’re feeling crazy.

This should take like 30 seconds. So as fun as it is, you’ll totally mess up your shrimp if it takes longer.

Then, if you haven’t already. Open your wine.  Pour a glass.

TADA! You’re done.

Eat it, drink it, and enjoy this uber healthy meal!

“I MADE YOU” Is a new series on my  blog of things that I made. Stay tuned!

Guess who’s coming to breakfast…

From behind-the-scenes at Target:

“Target is partnering with Truman Capote’s “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” to spotlight the affordable, on-trend offerings that stock our beauty aisle. Long-standing exclusive beauty partners Sonia Kashuk and Umberto worked alongside the production’s Academy Award-winning costume designer Colleen Atwood to recreate the timeless Holly Golightly makeup and hair look, which was featured in the production artwork and will also be worn on-stage.Emilia Clarke, the 25-year-old “Game of Thrones” actress, plays Capote’s complicated heroine and vivacious party darling. She’ll trade in loin clothes and dragons for pearls and an elegant up-do. The brunette beauty certainly looks the part.”

A  classic look, legendary writer, and timeless movie… plus a cutie actress who was in a cool HBO series as a princess! These are every reason for a beauty blogging TVwatching junkie like me to get EXCITED!

Relationships. They’re tricky, no? Last year, I was thrown into the world of a million kinds of relationships. Work, friendships, dating – Relationships that I had no idea could even exist. I encountered and observed so many situations on the subject. Relationships where people were perpetrators, victims, instigators, and involuntary creators of both positive and negative actions and reactions… and I learned one thing.

It’s all up to you.

The moment you open your eyes and realize that you have nothing to lose, the moment you accept that change can be good, that there really is nothing and no one to be afraid of, and that people will always, always, have something bad (and hopefully good) to say  -  the relationships that you make, the feelings you feel, and the people that come and go in your life, are all just that… People. Some more awesome than others. Some that you want to go and some that you want to stay. But in the end, it’s you that makes the decision to allow those things that you like and don’t like to happen in these relationships.

I made a resolution to myself this year. A quiet one but I thought I would share it anyway. Keep the people that I don’t want to live without (because they make me happy, because they inspire me, because they’re special to me in some way) and

Weed out anyone that makes me feel like shit.

The ones that matter will make time for you.  And the ones that don’t matter can perhaps get a second chance later. While the ones that don’t have time (Which happens. Understandable. I’m guilty of this.) will always resurface at the right time and it will feel like you picked up right where you left off.

If you involuntarily run into people that you hate often, ignore them, or avoid them. If you must talk, whatever happens, let it go. They can’t bug you if you don’t let them. This is a personal work in progress.*

Oh! And don’t feel guilty. It’s a waste of time. People get over things quickly anyway and if they hold a grudge then that’s their problem. Not yours.

Life is too short for the little things to get in the way of the big things that really matter.

Now go forth and make yourself some amazing relationships. And by amazing, I mean awesomely incredible. And by relationships, I mean non-slutty ones, too.

I’ve never been a fan of humdrum socks. I often wear Men’s dress socks. Why? They come in dark neutral colors that matches everything and they always have some cute pattern on them which makes for a little fashion fun.  The goofier the sock, the crazier the pattern, the happier I am. I call them “happy socks” and I always make it a point to wear them.

Argoz socks definitely fit the criteria for my happy socks collection. Afterall, who doesn’t love a good Argyle print? They are, as their website states,  ”scientifically engineered to deliver 74% more awesome” and have cool seasonal and classic collections made for both men and women. Plus, they are made of the highest quality of imported cotton, for a comfy, stretchy, luxe fit. You can instantly turn your business  or casual look into a fun fashion and color experiment with a pair from these guys!  The best part? They are based in the SOMA district, San Francisco. Bay Area represent!

Start setting your own Argyle trend or pick that signature pattern that’s perfect for you at  http://argoz.com.

Don’t lie. When you’re a parent of a 6-10 year old you’ve, at least once, let your kid play on that computer, watch TV, or stay on that video game consul for a few ridiculously long hours. After all, we’re in that day and age where the interwebs and digital devices reign as supreme “activity” creators for everyone. Unfortunately, it’s brain numbing, body neglecting, yet incredibly entertaining activity that even we, as parents, are guilty of subjecting ourselves to. We all know that obesity is an epidemic! The truth is, this generation of children today will never really know what actual, first-hand physical activity is unless we show them as motivators and as examples.

So what can meld the convenience and allure of the digital world and physical activity for our kids together? This is where LiveExercise.com steps in so fabulously. It’s called “Playtime.” A weekly half-hour exercise series designed to get kids moving in the comfort of their own home, and at any convenient time, since it’s available online and on Roku.

As someone who thinks physical activity is important (though not as always as committed as I would like to be) and who is an avid physical activity supporter for my own 8 year old son (a karate, jiu jitsu, and baseball master) I was excited to be introduced to the idea of Playtime by a friend. I watched the premier video and truly thought that the concept, founded by CEO and LiveExercise.com founder and father of three Blake Kassel, was a great idea. Especially, after my recent experience with John (my son) during winter break. School was out, Karate and Jiu Jitsu was closed due to the holidays, and it was too cold outside for him to play. He was on the Ipad playing Minecraft… A LOT. Sad face.

Playtime is split into two shows for different ages, Playtime Rookies is for ages 6-9 and Playtime Pros is for 9 and up. The first 2 shows will also be released on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/bodylastics. Right now, the shows are hosted and led by Aaron Stapleton, an experienced children’s gymnastics instructor and veteran in children’s health and fitness but they are looking to add a few cool kids to future episode. Which I think would be really cool. It’s definitely something to look forward to. I can’t wait to see how it evolves to teach the value of exercise and really capture the attention of young children. Be sure to check it out!