June 15, 2010

Man v Food! Man v Food! Man v Food! Yes! It's finally time for season 3, and Adam's back with a vengeance for vittles! Woo hoo!!

What's Man v Food, you ask? Only the coolest, funnest show on TV, that's what! Adam Richman is our host, and he travels the country sampling the biggest and most fabulous, crazy food you can imagine. Oh yeah, and he gets down with the wildest food challenges ever! This show is normally on the Travel Channel, so viewers at home should tune in to see this amazing show. If any homeowners don't have access to that channel, it might be worth finding a new TV package. For example, to learn more about Dish TV Packages click here. Hopefully, more people will be able to watch Adam take on even bigger challenges!

Why should you watch Man v Food?

• Adam Richman is adorable! He's cute, he's funny, he can eat like a son-of-a-gun, and he has great hair! Yes, we have a little crush on him!

• You get to see unbelievable food, without traveling all over the ding dang country yourself, and you can eat it all vicariously through Adam without indigestion or weight gain!

• It's just plain great TV! How fun is it to watch a guy try to beat the Big Texan challenge in Amarillo (season 1)? That would be a 72 ounce steak with a salad, potato and roll. In one hour. In that challenge between Man versus Food, Man definitely won!

Where do you find Man v Food? On the Travel Channel; new episodes begin Wednesday June 16 at 9 pm E/P and 8 pm C. Be there, and set your DVRs!

~BigSis

June 12, 2010

“Each day's is a gift, and not a given right.”

I love these lyrics; and this has been on my mind a lot lately so I wanted to share it here today, in case there's someone that hasn't heard this song.

I want to live each and every day by these words!

~LilSis

June 10, 2010

Since our next SPCA Bake Sale is only 6 months away, I better get myself busy building a repertoire of vegan recipes!  I'm almost 6 months into “eating vegan”, but I'm not a big sweets eater so I haven't done much baking.

After my coworker K-to-the-T brought these awesome Chocolate Chunk Oatmeal Coconut Cookies to the office the other day though, I knew this was a recipe I had to adapt asap!  They were scrumptious, and reminded me of a Cowboy Cookie I used to make.  She had made a few tweaks of her own to the original Epicurious recipe, and I tweaked it even more.  Voila and ta da!  Here's my first adapted cookie recipe, sans eggs and dairy products!

Oatmeal Coconut Chocolate Chip Vegan Cookies

Adapted from K-to-the-T and Epicurious

1 stick (1/2 cup) Earth Balance, softened
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 tablespoon ground flax seeds
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1 cup + 2 tablespoons old-fashioned oats
3/4 cup sweetened flaked coconut
1/2 cup semisweet vegan chocolate chips
1/2 cup walnuts, toasted and chopped

~BigSis

June 8, 2010

I love those pale pink colors that BigSis just shared with us from the new OPI Pink Collection. I have a hard time keeping polish on my fingernails, so if I wear anything at all, it's always a clear or a very pale pink polish.

I may go bare or ultra sheer on my fingernails, but not on my toes!  I get bored really quickly with the same colors on my toes so I'm always trying something new; from blues, greens, yellows, bright oranges to very dark purples.

I also couldn't find the Essie Resort Collection at my local Ulta and I was in a funk on Friday and really wanted something to cheer me up.  I popped into my neighborhood nail salon and asked her what she had that was new and blue.

OPI Ogre-The-Top Blue

I absolutely fell in love with the OPI Ogre-The-Top Blue shade from the minute I saw it and I knew that I wanted to try it.

I was even happier when I got home to discover that it matches my new swimsuit perfectly!

Funny… I couldn't have even done that if I had tried. 🙂

I really liked the color with the pink strappy sandals that I wore to my Girl's Night Out on Friday night.

But I love the color even more worn with my white Franco Sarto bejeweled sandals.

Is it just me or doesn't a good pedicure just cheer you up a little bit?

~LilSis

June 5, 2010

I zipped up to Ulta the other day to look for the Essie Resort Collection nail polishes that LilSis told us about. Guess what?  Gone!  Bummer.

I did find another fun collection though, and surprise surprise…it's my favorite color: pink.  OPI Pink!

This collection includes 4 pale pink colors that are all different.  Here are the colors and OPI's description of the shades:

Isn't That Precious:  A precociously pretty light pink.

Pink A Doodle:  Oodles of shimmery pale pink.

I Think In Pink:  And I think I love this pop of pink!

It's A Girl:  And she adores this baby pink!

I'm wearing 3 coats of all 4 colors in order, starting with Isn't It Precious on my index finger and ending with It's A Girl on my pinky.  Please forgive my sloppy polish application; I was clearly in a big hurry!  😀

I use mostly Essie polishes, but I was pleased with these OPI polishes.  They dried quickly, with great shine (without a top coat) and no bubbles.

I liked most of the colors, but Pink A Doodle was pretty streaky and I didn't see much of the advertised shimmer.  I Think In Pink was a little more pink than the other shades; even a bit too much pink for me when it comes to fingers (toes are another story!).  If I had to choose a favorite, it would probably be It's A Girl, since it was still a bit sheer and pretty neutral without being too pinky.

If you can't find this kit of 4 mini polishes, look for the colors individually in regular size bottles.  So tell us, have you found any fun new polish colors for this summer?

~BigSis

June 4, 2010

I know it's a week late, but tonight I'm going to see the Sex and the City 2 movie and I'm so excited, I can barely stand it!

There was so much going on with everyone last week that it was impossible for us girls to get together for the premier, so tonight, we're doing a Girl's Night Out “Dinner and a Movie”.

Not that I could ever afford any of these, but I can't wait to see all the fabulous shoes they wear in this movie! How about these pumps that SJP has on in this photo to the left. Oh, how I'd love to be wearing a pear of these Christian Louboutin Glitter Pumps to the party tonight! They're only $595.00. 🙂

Sarah Jessica Parker's Carrie Bradshaw was seen wearing these Brian Atwood Studded Pumps in NYC on September 4th!

They retail for $800.00.

WOW!

I think I love this Christian Dior Newspaper print dress as much as the shoes!

Aren't these Christian Louboutin Lace Booties spectacular?

I read on US Magazine's site that these shoes were over $3300, but I saw them selling on one site for $1249.00. What a bargain, right?

This next pair just might be my favorite so far. Another from Christian Louboutin, these gorgeous studded Studio 120 peep-toe pumps can be your for $1895.00. I think I'd feel like Cinderella in these pumps!

I sure wish I could go out and buy a new pair of gorgeous heels for my Girls Night Out, but since that's highly unlikely, maybe I'll at least treat myself to a pedicure before the party!

Have a great weekend!

~LilSis

June 1, 2010

Hope everyone had a relaxing, enjoyable Memorial Day weekend!

We had beautiful weather all weekend so we spent the majority of our time outside. We love being out in the sun but are never without our sunscreen. Here in California, we have to wear sunscreen year round and since HayHay surfs just about every day and SirHoney has a long history of skin cancer, we are always on the lookout for the best of the best when it comes to sunscreen.

One of my friends was just telling me about this recent article in Consumer Reports Magazine where they run down their top Top Four Sunscreens.

They tested twelve products and found four to be slightly better than the rest. The top four include Up & Up's Sport Continuous SPF 30, Walgreens' Sport Continuous SPF 50, Banana Boat's Sport Performance Continuous SPF 30, and Aveeno's Continuous Protection SPF 50.

I've been pretty loyal to my Neutrogena sunscreen sprays, but maybe it's time for a change.

I've never even heard of Up & Up but I will definitely be giving that one a try, as well as the Walgreens' Sport since they made the top two.  My guys have tried the Banana Boat Sport and they didn't like it because it ran into their eyes.

We still use these types of sprays for the rest of the body, but we've finally found the perfect sunblock for HayHay's face that's made by Vertra that doesn't sting or run into his eyes while surfing or golfing for hours. I'll be talking more about that product in an upcoming post.

Later this week, BigSis and I will be doing our own rundown of our Top Ten favorite essential Summer products.

~LilSis

May 31, 2010

On this Memorial Day, we take a moment to remember the service men and women who have given their lives defending our country and protecting our freedom.  We thank you.

We ask for God's blessings on the families who were left behind when their loved ones made the ultimate sacrifice.  We thank you.

We appreciate the service of all of our veterans who did make it back home; some physically injured and some emotionally wounded.  We thank you.

And we think of our military personnel who are unselfishly serving right now all around the world.  We thank you.

Tomorrow, we'll get back to work and our daily business, and we probably won't think of you in gratitude as often as we should.  Today though, we thank God for you all and lift up this prayer on your behalf.

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom, we think of how they have followed in the footsteps of your son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Please hold our service men and women in your strong arms. Cover them with your sheltering grace and presence as they stand in the gap for our protection.

We also remember the families of our troops, and ask for your unique blessings to fill their homes and your peace, provision and strength to fill their lives.

May the members of our armed forces be filled with courage to face each day and may they trust in the Lord's mighty power to accomplish each task. Let our military brothers and sisters feel our love and support.

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

~Memorial Day Prayer by Mary Fairchild

~BigSis

May 29, 2010

Spinach and Orzo Salad

Still need a quick and easy idea for a side salad to include in your Memorial Day menu?

This is the perfect salad to take to an outdoor cookout or to pack up individually for a nice Summer picnic.  Since there's no mayo in this herb vinaigrette-dressed pasta salad, it lasts up to two hours at room temperature and up to four hours on ice packs.

I just made this salad and am taking it tomorrow to serve at our Memorial Day cookout. It turned out awesome and I think it'll be even better tomorrow after the flavors have a chance to meld together overnight.

If you saw my Toasted Orzo soup recipe that I made recently, you know that I'm a huge fan of orzo pasta. And even though you could make this same recipe with different pasta noodles, the orzo was perfect in this salad. The only thing I changed in this recipe is that I used fresh basil instead of dried.

Spinach and Orzo Salad
(Sunset Magazine May 2010)

1 c. orzo pasta
3 T. each olive oil and red wine vinegar
1 tsp. fresh basil, roughly chopped
1/2 t. kosher salt
1/4 t. fresh ground pepper
1 qt. lightly packed baby spinach leaves, roughly chopped
1/4 c. slivered sun dried tomatoes packed in oil
12 pitted kalamata olives, sliced

Cook orzo according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together oil, vinegar, basil, salt, and pepper and reserve.

Drain pasta, rinse with water until cool and drain again. Add to bowl with dressing and gently mix in spinach, tomatoes, and olives to combine. Add more salt, if desired.

(Photo credit: Sunset Magazine, May 2010 issue)

~LilSis

May 28, 2010

If a product claimed to provide moisture, elasticity and firmness to your skin, as well as to reduce signs of fine lines and wrinkles, and then actually did that, what would you call it?  Would you call it fabulous?  I would call it a flippin' fantabulous miracle!

Well, I've found this product, and it's Borba Age Defying Concentrate/Acai Elastin Fiber Treatment Serum.  And yes, it does work!  I haven't had great luck lately with new mascara and eye cream, but I hit the jackpot with this Concentrate.

I recently made a quick trip to Dillards to replenish my supply of the Borba Firming Diamond Shimmer Contour/Guanabana Spandex Fiber Body Moisturizer that I use for cellulite treatment.  The salesperson mentioned to me that she loved the Borba line, especially the Age Defying Concentrate.  Lucky for me, the Contour cream came with a sample of the Concentrate, so I gave it a try and was shocked to find that it worked!  I saw some results immediately!  So you know I ran (fast) right right back to Dillards and bought myself a tube ($45 for 1.7 oz).  It's a pretty big tube for a decent price, I think.

The Concentrate has the consistency of a gel, and it goes on very smoothly and soaks in quickly.  I use one small drop morning and evening, and haven't had any breakouts or other adverse reactions to the product.

I've been using the Concentrate for a couple of weeks now, and I have definitely noticed that my “jowls” are a bit tighter.  I also have a saggy little pooch between the corners of my mouth and my chin, and it's a little firmer now.  It's still there for sure, but it isn't as droopy.

So far, I've used 4 Borba products – 3 for the body and 1 for the face – and I've loved every one of them.  What else can you do for me, Borba?  I'm sure I have some other trouble zones that you could work on!

~BigSis