The Queen of Style

Open for US & UK Readers: Win the BubbleBum Inflatable Car Booster Seat

A reader from the US and a reader from the UK will win the BubbleBum Inflatable Car Booster Seat for their little ones.
 -PJ Gach
If you’ve ever traveled with kids, you know you must lug a lot of unwieldy stuff like booster seats. Irish mom-of-two, Grainne Kelly, was exhausted from dragging big, annoying booster seats around when she traveled with her kiddos. Kelly came up with a better idea and invented Bubble Bum.

BubbleBum is the easiest booster seat to take with you when you’re traveling. It weighs less than a pound, easily inflates and deflates in seconds. It helps kiddos (ages 4-ll) seat up straight, can prevent seat belt abdominal injury in the event of a crash, and is comfortable. Oh, and it can easily be stored in a tote or a backpack. The air-filled design provides extra comfort and utilizes memory foam technology to help create stability and structural integrity in the seat with side positioners to correctly position the lap belt. The cool factor makes kids more likely to want to use a booster seat. And they can be used comfortably in a three across seat.

It meets and exceeds all Europe and U.S. safety regulations, even in the deflated state. Bubble Bum has won 20 design, innovation and safety awards including  IIHS Best Bet award 6 years in a row.

BubbleBum can be used for daily car pools (school runs), long trips out of town, around town, use it with taxi/Uber/Lyft rides or car rentals. Read the FAQs on how to correctly use the Bubble Bum booster seat.

BubbleBum conducted research where they asked 1014 people whether they had ever knowingly carried a child in a car without the correct seat; 54% (548) answered that they had. This would seem to suggest that more needs to be done to raise awareness of the dangers faced by children when traveling, and how car-seats can provide life-saving protection in the event of a crash.

One US and one UK reader (that’s two winners) will each win one Bubble Bum booster seat. A single Bubble Bum booster seat cost $30.

How to win:

1. Like The Queen of Style on Facebook(You can use this click through to get to the Facebook page…look for where it says, “like the page” and then click “Like.”)

JUST LIKING THE PHOTO DOESN’T COUNT. YOU MUST LIKE THE PAGE

2. ON THE QUEEN OF STYLE FACEBOOK PAGEONLY WHERE THE CONTEST IS LISTED UNDER THE PHOTOAnswer this question: What do you love about February? Is it that we’re getting closer to spring? Is it Valentine’s Day? Is it hat you like months that start with the letter “F?” Is it your birthday month? Don't forget to add whether you live in the US or the UK,

3.Sign up for  TQoS newsletter

If you leave a comment here under this article, and not on the Facebook page, you haven’t entered the contest.

The contest will run today, Wednesday, January 31, 2018, and run through to Thursday, February 15, 2018. The two winners will be announced on Facebook on February 19, 2018.  They have 24 hours to reply to the winning notification posted on The Queen of Style Facebook page. If they do not reply/respond within the stated 24 hours, a new winner will be picked.

And now the fine print:

Contestants must live either in the continental United States or the UK, and be 18+ years old or older. Contestants who have won a prize from The Queen of Style in the last 90 days are not eligible to win.

The prize will be sent out by the PR firm. Good luck!

A Ginger Grows in Brooklyn--Handcrafted Ginger Beer Is Here

Brooklyn Crafted Ginger Beer adds a little somethin’ something to cocktails. 
- Lincoln C. Chinnery III
                                               _{Photo courtesy of Brooklyn Crafted}

Brooklyn Crafted Ginger Beer-  Brooklyn has found another food item to artistinalize and this time it’s Ginger. Ginger beer’s basic ingredients are prepared ginger spice, yeast, and sugar perfectly combined through the process of fermentation.

Ginger beer is a versatile beverage that works in an assortment of cocktails. The makers of Brooklyn Crafted Ginger Beer worked with that idea and took things a few steps further. Instead of pumping out an average Ginger Product they researched and developed a few flavorful twists. Starting with Traditional they moved on to Mango, Lemon Lime and Early Grey in 7 oz. glass bottles.

Read Sunny Days Call for Sangria

Additionally, they have a Sugar Free expression that is Extra Spicy and a non-spicy Sugar Free flavor. With all of their expressions you will notice something you don’t get with other Ginger beers – real bits of real Ginger. It’s a refreshing twist to the process and bottling of the product - allowing it to stand out from the sea of Ginger beers out there

When most people think Ginger Beer the first cocktail that comes to mind is The Moscow Mule. The Mule is an excellent, refreshing drink that anyone can make.

Moscow Mule

_{Photo courtesy of Brooklyn Crafted}

Ingredients: 
4 oz. of Brooklyn Crafted Ginger Beer – Lemon Lime flavor
1 1/2 oz. of Vodka – I suggest a premium Vodka. (Tito’s ALB or Grey Goose) 
Preparation: Combine Vodka and Ginger Beer in a copper mug or highball glass filled with ice. Stir gently and garnish with a lime slice. 
Served: On the rocks; poured over ice. 
Drinkware: Copper mug or highball glass. 
Standard garnish: Lime slice. 
Using the Lemon Lime Ginger Beer eliminates the use of Lime juice while maintaining the citrus element needed for the cocktail.

If Vodka is not your favorite Spirit, there are other options.

Dark 'n' Stormy (or The Safe Harbor)

_{Photo courtesy of Lincoln C. Chinnery III}

Ingredients: 
3 oz. of Ginger Beer (Traditional or Earl Grey) 
Couple dashes of bitters (Fee Brothers or Scrappy Bitters) 
2 oz. Dark Rum (Cockspur 12-year, Mount Gay Black Barrel or Goslings) 
In a highball glass filled with ice, add Dark Rum and top with Ginger beer. 
Garnish with Preparation: lime wedge. 
Served: On the rocks; poured over ice. 
Standard garnish: Lime wedge. 
Drinkware: Highball glass.

The Dark ‘n’ Stormy is a classy cocktail that never fails to impress guests and satisfy thirsts.

Lastly, if Rum or Vodka doesn’t give you a thrill there is always beer. The Shandy is a beer-based cocktail that never fails to delight and refresh. There are a few variations – Some bartenders use lemonade, Ginger Ale or Apple Juice. For this version we can keep things simple.

Shandy

_{Photo courtesy of Lincoln C. Chinnery III}

Ingredients: 
1 bottle Ginger beer (Lemon Lime or Mango) 
1 bottle Wheat beer (Upland Brewing Co. Wheat Ale or 21st Amendment Hell) 
2 Lime wedges 
2 Pint glasses, chilled 
Preparation: Combine equal parts Ginger beer and Wheat beer in each glass. Garnish each with a lime wedge.

Finding other uses for Brooklyn Crafted Ginger Beer is always a few clicks away. Beyond cocktails, any of their flavors will spice up a grilled Chicken or Pork dish. And yes, you can just buy a 6 pack and enjoy it on a hot summer day. You can find them on Amazon, TalDepot, or Jet.com – a 12 pack will run you $35.00 and most Key Foods locations with a retail price of $1.49 per bottle. Visit their site and use their location finder to see who carries Brooklyn Crafted near you—You can enjoy the beverage in the States and Canada.

As someone who enjoys drinking cocktails and making them for friends, it’s nice to find a Ginger Beer that isn’t too spicy but still has a good kick to it. I used the four flavors in the different drinks that I listed. Each one was delicious taste adventure. If you love to kick things up a notch I suggest purchasing the Extra Spicy versions of Brooklyn Crafted Ginger Beer.

Lincoln C. Chinnery III is a freelance Cocktail Journalist, Bar Reviewer, Whiskey Enthusiast, Gin Lover, Bourbon Drinker, and Eater for fine dinners. Lincoln welcomes

questions and comments via email at CocktailJournalist@gmail.com

Celebrate National Sangria Day in Style

We tested some popular wine products so you’ll know what to drink tonight during National Sangria Day.
-Dawn Allcot
   _{Credit:happy_lark} 

Did you know December 20 is National Sangria Day? Maybe the pressure of holiday shopping is driving us all to drink. And if you’re going to imbibe on a Wednesday night a light and fruity sangria is a fun way to do it.

Easy Homemade Sangria for the Wine Win There is nothing like homemade sangria to quench your thirst and evoke a nice buzz. I like to make mine with a Barefoot Merlot or Pinot Noir. Do not spend a lot for your sangria wine. But do make sure it’s a wine you would enjoy by itself. The wine makes all the difference.

Read 8 Holiday Cocktails to Light up Your Party 

For my easy sangria recipe, I mix Sprite and, believe it or not, Juicy Juice Red Berry Blend. Add some strawberries, apples, cranberries, oranges, or blueberries, and you’ve got a party in a glass. You can also add other spirits, like Vodka or schnapps, to add some flavor and kick. Not a Sangria Do-It-Yourselfer? T

There are so many great bottled sangrias available today, you can get away with twisting open any one of these great wine products, adding your own fruit, and creating a crowd pleaser. I made the sacrifice to test three of them. You know, so you all could be prepared tonight.

Sangria Favorites for National Sangria Day

This is by no means a comprehensive list. And we didn’t even touch on white sangria. But you can’t go wrong with any of these brands to help you celebrate National Sangria Day.

Lolailo Sangria – Readily available at supermarkets and wholesale clubs, Lolailo Sangria has been my family’s go-to for years. Friends used to rave about my sister’s sangria and one day, she shared her secret with me. “I just open the bottle and add apples,” she said. Super-sweet and fruity, this sangria also tastes great with added spirits (such as vodka or brandy), soft drinks, or both. You can use Sprite/7-Up, ginger ale, or even seltzer if you’d like to reduce calories and create a drink that isn’t so sweet. Add fruit or drink it straight.

Yago Sangria – Yago Sangria is another top choice and a family favorite. It comes in sizes up to a 3L bottle, with a fun and colorful design. Slightly lighter and fruitier than Lolailo, Yago is also great to mix with alcohols or soft drinks of your choice. Every party host seems to have their own spin on sangria, and Yago is easy to personalize.

Fun Wine Red Sangria – Are you looking for sangria that tastes absolutely perfect right out of the bottle? Fun Wine Red Sangria is lightly carbonated, which means you don’t have to cut the alcohol content, dilute the taste, or increase the calorie count by adding soda. As with the other sangrias, you could add vodka or brandy to intensify the flavor and the alcohol content. But Fun Wine makes the first bottled sangria I’ve sipped and said, “This needs… nothing.” Garnish with some berries or apples. Or not. You can crack open this sangria in front of guests and be proud. Especially since the new bottle design sports images from graffiti artist Miquel Parades. Drink the sangria and then save the bottle to commemorate your Sangria Day celebration.

What’s Your Favorite Sangria Recipe? Do you prefer bottled sangria or do you like making your own? Share your own recipes in the comments if you’d like. Disclaimer: Fun Wine supplied our writer with a variety of low-alcohol wine-based beverages to review and enjoy.

Dawn Allcot is a full-time freelance writer, editor, and social media consultant specializing in parenting, personal finance, business, and luxury technology. She has written for hundreds of brands and publications over her editorial career, and is the founder of Allcot Media, a boutique content marketing firm. A Long Island-based mom-of-two, Dawn’s hobbies include shopping, wine, and “all things geek.”

10 Perfect Engagement Gifts to Get Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

Prince Harry and Meghan's wedding is this coming May. Now's the time to pick up their engagement gift; check out our guide.
-Jordanna Stephen, The Fashionisette
   Courtesy of YouTube

The Queen of Style (EDIT: She means me, um, PJ…and yes, I am) and I are obsessed with the Royal Wedding Couple of the moment, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. While I am sure my invite to the shower and wedding might get lost in the mail, a commoner can still pick out engagement gifts right? And look how cute they are together!
   _{Courtesy of YouTube}
 

Read: Have You Entered the Holiday Giveaway Yet?

So, what do you get the couple who has it all…or can get it all? Here are my top 10 picks for engagement gifts (in no particular order) that I would love to gift my favorite royal couple:

1. Glass photo box in rose gold, $45 (La Rousse Shoppe). Display photos without the traditional picture frame in heirloom glass photo boxes. It can hold up to 110 photos. It’s better than a one-photo only picture frame, and prettier than any photo album. They can hold all the photo memories from their special day onward in this nostalgic glass box.
You could add the Perfume Drive, $26 (La Rousse Shoppe), to the gift. The metal-topped (gold or silver) USB drive can hold lots of photos!  The 4G drive has room for many memories to come.  

2. Romantic Getaway Gift Set, $774.50 (Knack Shop) When your officially part of the “family firm,” a royal couple has tons of responsibilities. It can be hard to grab a romantic moment. This gift set makes it easier to create that romantic getaway feeling, while not leaving your house, or in the case of Harry and Meghan, palace.  The gift set includes hand-selected treats for all the senses, including spa robes and slippers, a pretty candle for ambiance, velvety jasmine body oil and coconut milk bath soak, plus caramels, champagne, and glasses for two. There’s also a little something extra to really get in the mood, and let’s just say it is pretty special. You’ll have to click the link to find out.

3.Scratch Map Deluxe, $32 - $48 (Uncommon Goods), I love the idea of keeping track where you have traveled, and this is a creative way to do just that. We know they’ve traveled a lot before they married, and they’ll be on the road after the wedding too. They can hang this map on the wall and scratch off the places they’ve traveled to. It’s fun for them and they can show their guests (and future spawn) where they’ve been. It’s also filled with colorful geography factoids. The map comes in two sizes, Standard ($32) and Large ($48). Obviously, I would be gifting them the large size.
4. Dom Perignon Brut Vintage 1996, $849.99, (Dan Murphy’s),What couple wouldn’t want a bottle of Dom Perignon to celebrate the occasion? It’s the most iconic of all champagnes. And this 1996 vintage bottle offers the taste of white peach, candied lemons, vanilla, praline, and white pepper.
5. Godinger Traveling Champagne Glasses, Set of 4, $118, (Neiman Marcus), If you’re gifting champagne, you have to give them glasses to pour it in. I love these traveler champagne glasses. They feature 4 iconic buildings: Chrysler Building, Eiffel Tower, Big Ben, and Empire State Building. Champagne glasses can kinda look the same, and these really stood out to me.
6.Nanopresso, $79.90, (Wacaco.com), If they’re coffee or espresso drinkers, then they will love this. They can be their own on-the-go barista with a Nanopresso. This super light, portable, and small espresso maker is a great travel companion for when you need a perk-me-up. It comes with everything you need, and a cute carrying case too.
7. Cheval d’Orient gift box of 6 tea cups, $2,190 (Hermès) and matching Tea & Coffee Pot, $1325, (Hermès), The English love a good cup of tea, so let’s all chip in and get Prince Harry and Meghan this tea service. I loved this Hermès set…well it is Hermès…but also because of the equestrian design. The English do love polo, and all things horsey. So, I thought this would be the perfect home tea service for them. It comes with 6 porcelain tea cups. But you also must throw in the matching tea & coffee pot as well. You know, so it looks like a really good gift. (EDIT NOTE: Jordanna has great taste, I suddenly need this tea service for myself….GRRR, thanks, Jordanna!).
8. Dream Wedding Gift Box, $279, (Tinggly.com),You can buy the royal couple (or a couple in your life) a travel experience gift. In this case, you can boost the honeymoon or any trip the couple takes by gifting them this Dream Wedding Gift Box. The couple can choose one of hundreds of the world's best experiences, hand-picked by team Tinggly. Available in nearly 100 countries; Tinggly experiences are easy to book and valid for up to two years. They can choose Volcano exploring in Hawaii, or a spa day in Bali, or an evening dinner cruise in Australia. You buy the gift box, the couple picks their experience for their destination, and you treated them to it.

9. Letterpress Vow Journals. Set of 2 $26, (QuinnLuu shop-Etsy),We have all seen the royal wedding with Prince William and Duchess Catherine, so we know there won’t be any personal vows exchanged. But that doesn’t mean they can’t still write them. These journals are keepsakes of everything they vow to be to each other filled with love that can be shared over time.
10.His and Hers Pajamas, $268-$298 (Sleepy Jones), I love his and her pajama sets. And this design is perfect! Something about it feels royal. For her, it’s the silk Marina pajama shirt and pants. Each are sold separately. The silk Marina shirt is $288 and matching pants are $268. For him, it’s the silk Marcel pajama pant, $278, and matching silk Henry pajama shirt, $298. Made of fine silk twill, these sets are just the right amount of style and comfort for those days off when they just want to lounge.

"The Fashionisette, created by Jordanna Stephen, is a 30something single black female addicted to retail with a goodwill budget who loves food, laughter, her DVR, and her shoe babies." Visit her site! 

Home Product Review: Bump It Off--It Replaces Every Cleaning Gadget in the House

Can one product, Bump It Off, clean everything in your home…and pick up pet hair too?
-Arlene Frooman
I recently received my own Bump It Off from the Goddess of Gadgets. The packaging explains that Bump It Off is a “reusable silicone sleeve that has endless cleaning applications.”

• It’s dishwasher safe
• Antibacterial
• Resists stains and odors
• It’s available in 1 Ct, 2 Ct or 4 Ct. packages in a wide array of colors.
  

Second, we’ve established my dog is a really, really, hairy creature. There is dog hair everywhere. Her hair is close to blond and my car upholstery is black. The hair has been too fine to respond to my battery operated portable vacuum. Does nothing. Well, the Bump It Off took care of that issue. One small miracle. Five stars, here!!! Yes. It really gets pet hair off furniture and upholstery.

So, I washed it in the dishwasher before I tackled the pots and pans. I’m not one much for using “elbow grease.” I don’t think I should, but I go through sponges like crazy. I hate wiping the counter down with mildew. That’s neither clean nor sanitary, and I don’t buy into the whole “the microwave and vinegar kills bacteria” deal. It doesn’t. I like cast iron, which in itself is a challenge. You don’t soak it, and you should not clean it with soap. So, I tried the Bump It Off with Kosher Coarse salt. Wow, that was easy. No bacteria, mildew and a clean pan. I’m sold.

Test Number three was the stain challenge. Per usual the chocolate syrup ended up on my shirt. Just about every day. My go to is usually Oxyclean and Dawn liquid dish soap with water. It kind of works. I decided to try out Bump It Off on the stain. No effort, no sweat, and the stain was completely and totally gone. Really relieved! I had figured this out when the barbeque got on the sofa. It works. It was also, 98% effective on the dried “gravy” they serve on certain types of tacos in Texas. This is probably a buzzword for something heavily laden with grease and people eating taco while driving is probably mostly a regional issue. I don’t advise it.

You can also use the Bump It Off to exfoliate or clean excess powder off your make-up brushes.

Bump It Off has been featured in numerous magazines and including “Southern Living”, “Woman”s World”, “The Bark”. “Cristina Mella, Latina Living”, “Animal Radio”, “Fashion Maniac,” and “The Cleveland Daily Banner.” Bump It Off silicone sleeves may be purchased directly online for $9.99, from the Goddess of Gadgets. It really is the closest thing to a perfect cleaning product. I just want more.

Pumpkin Pie Martinis and 5 More Thanksgiving Cocktails

A great cocktail completes a meal. This Thanksgiving, try a Holiday Train, Orange Blossom Cinnamon, or another holiday-themed cocktail. 
-PJ Gach

Thanksgiving is just a day away. You’ve got the turkey, stuffing and pies. But, do you have Thanksgiving cocktails? Celebrate the day with the Black Friday Cocktail or an Apple Cider Cava-Tini. Cocktails complement you cooking, look festive, taste wonderful and can even help you avoid those awkward family questions.

Read How to Shop on Black Friday

Read on for these Thanksgiving cocktails. There’s one so easy, you could do it blind folded!

Fall Punch

Ingredients: 
1/2 cup apple cider 
1 cups hard cider 
1 cup Sparkling Ice Crisp Apple 
1/4 cup bourbon 
1/4 cup lemon juice 
Cinnamon sticks, for garnish 
Cinnamon sugar rim, for garnish 
Directions:
Rim the glass with a lemon and dip into cinnamon sugar, set to the side. Combine ciders, bourbon, Sparkling Ice Crisp Apple, and lemon juice in a pitcher- stir to combine. Fill glasses with ice, then punch. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and serve.

Black Friday Cocktail

Ingredients:
3 oz. Cherry juice 
Frexinet Sweet Cuvée Cava 
Black cherries 
Directions: 
Pour the cherry juice in a glass, and top off with Freixenet’s Sweet Cuvée Cava. Garnish with black cherries.

Pumpkin Pie Martini and more cocktail recipes up after the jump.

Product Review: HandsOnGloves –Best Product for Pet Grooming!

Have a dog or cat that sheds when she sleeps? Can’t deal with pet hair all over the place? Say hello to HandsOnGloves.
-Arlene Frooman
   Photo courtesy of Pinterest

I recently received* a pair of HandsOnGloves that are a dog owner and pet groomer’s best friend. After reading the information on them, I don’t know what exactly I expected to get, but these gloves look both serious and substantial. They are made of shiny black plastic with raised nodules that remove the excess hair while massaging your dog. They can also be used on cats, horses, well, any animal that sheds!

Read Tell Wrinkles Buh-Bye  With This Giveaway--Enter Today
   Courtesy of Pinterest

First, I need to establish that my dog is a corgi. Corgis are very trendy right now. Disney’s latest film is about the Queen’s corgis. I’ve had my corgi for close to ten years. I love mischievous dogs and I admit I was intrigued by the Queen’s brood, but I am not the Queen. I’m more of a princess. The Queen didn’t warn me that corgis go zero days without shedding.  Unfortunately, I don’t have the Queen’s staff and I can use all the help I can get.

 

I immediately tried on my gloves which was very timely, as I simultaneously spotted a large wad of corgi hair lying on the floor. HandsonGloves fit well. As I mentioned earlier, they are made with shiny black plastic that has raised nodules on the palm side with a comfortable breathable fabric covering the rest of your hand.  The nodules are on both the fingers and the palms of your hand. They can be used on your pet either wet or dry. I can gently massage Marnie wearing these gloves. Massaging her gently distributes her natural oils and promotes a healthy coat. The dog that previously made a beeline for under the bed whenever she spotted a brush, just thinks that I am petting her. I’m happy. The dog’s happy. And everything isn’t covered with a layer of thick corgi hair. Totally satisfied and totally amazed.

HandsOnGloves can be used to groom dogs, cats, horses, any pet that sheds. Hands On Gloves For Dogs- were SuperZoo’s the winner of the 2017 Best Grooming Product.

Read: Would You Label Your Dog?

*The gloves were given to me by the PR firm

Arlene Frooman is a Texas-based writer. Marnie, her Corgi has been known to occasionally boss her around.

The Cutest ID Tags for Your Dog: Bad Tags Tag

Want something that really shows off your dog’s personality? Add a Bad Tags Tag to their collar.
-Arlene Frooman

I received my Bad Tags Tag is in the mail today.  I chose the “Cute but Psycho” one.  Most of my friends would agree to that. It’s true. Marnie is a Corgi cross. She is a beautiful animal. She is a Rescue and yes, she’s a bit weird. She was one of those animals that faced the wall in the shelter, and wouldn’t look at you. I had to carry her out. She resisted getting into the car with my other dog. She was very peculiar the first month I brought her home. I received several unsolicited trophies.  

Read Oh Yum, Coffee Cocktails!

She escaped once through the dog door and found herself in the front yard frantic that she wasn’t free. I thought with a loving home, Marnie would change. It’s been a long journey, over 10 years, but she is my baby. She is still terrified and trembles a lot. She is a barker at everyone, but me. She is selective about who might pet her. Of course, I will never know what happened to her, but I love her fiercely. She loves going on walks and she loves the dog park or doggie daycare.

My point is Marnie is a special dog to me and she continues to enrich my life every day. She came from a kill shelter. And if not for me, well, she wouldn’t be here today to bring me all this joy. She’s a one-person dog, but she is my dog. I am her person. There are thousands of dogs out there in need of a loving home. Including those recently misplaced by the floods or wildfires, especially big dogs who are loving animals given a loving home. They will always be grateful.
 Bad Tag Tags are quirky tags that identify your dog. They are waterproof and with permanent writing. It’s a family owned and operated business.  A percentage of the profits are donated back to Rescues. Bad tag Tags offers 68 different tags including:

• Attention Whore
• Don’t Give a Woof
• I have to Pee Again
• If You Can Read This Run
• Master of Disaster
• Rub My Belly for Good Luck (St. Patrick’s Day)
• Official Turkey Taster
  There are tags for mature dogs, rescue and special needs dogs, unicorn dog tags, boy dogs, girl dogs, breed specific and more.

They are available for $14.00 direct from their site, or check them out on Etsy. My dog really is “Cute but Psycho.” Please Give a Woof and Adopt!

Arlene Frooman is a Texas-based writer. Marnie, her Corgi has been known to occasionally boss her around.

Photos of Marnie, courtesy of Arlene Frooman. Photos of Bad Tags courtesy of Bad Tag Tags.

Women Need to Stop Blocking Each Other

Fed up with sexual predators, and people who hold you back? You're not alone.
-PJ Gach
Since the Harvey Weinstein sex scandal broke in the news, almost every day we hear about a man in a power position getting fired. After years of sexual misconduct and numerous news stories about his alleged abuse, photographer Terry Richardson was finally kicked to the curb.  Amazon exec Roy Price was recently fired due to harassment allegations. Think about how long it took to take these men down. How many years of whispered stories, and in the case of Richardson, printed and verified news articles before a company took action. Think about the Bill Cosby case; over the years, countless women spoke about his predatory behaviour. Those women were knocked down by the press and members of their own sex. It wasn't until a male comedian made a joke during his standup routine, that the issue wasn't taken seriously. A man had to make a joke about being raped so that women could get justice. Re-read that line. And again. That's sad. Doesn't that make you angry? I hope it does.

Stop Sexual Harassment
Okay, you're asking yourself how do you stop men from trying to hump you like a dog.  The first step is simple: When a woman states that she's been inappropriately touched, groped, raped, what have you--listen. Don't discount what she says. Don't ignore it. Don't tear her down. One of the reasons why Weinstein and Cosby got away with for so long, is that if a woman said anything, other women jumped on her. Going forward, if a woman states something happened. STOP THE SNARK.  Stand up with her, don't tear her down.

How to Get That Promotion
Recent studies have shown that men and women start working on the same level playing field.  But somehow, women fall behind. True, there are more men in C-Suites then there are women. Some women do get into the C-Suite. In fact, population-wise, there are more women than men in the world. So, why do women hold less power? How about stop the in-fighting, interoffice gossip and tearing each other down instead of building each other up. It won't fix anything immediately, but if you stop sabotaging your co-workers, supervisors, underlings, you might acquire a strong power base.

No, I'm not blaming the victim here. But we, as women, love to jump in and destroy another woman's career. Why? Because someone doesn't like someone. Amplify that a thousand times, and you have women doing anything they can to block another woman from succeeding. This has got to stop.

Seriously, stop beating each other up. Life is not a dated Archie's comic. Good things don't happen to Betty if she beats the shit out of Veronica.
Women need to stop sabotaging/vag blocking/destroying other women when they:
(a) run for public office
(b) start or run their own business
(c) work together in a group
(d) post any photos or mention anything nice online
(e) make friends or network
(f) have kids
(g) don't have kids
(h) live the way they want to live

If we as women, want to see change, if we want to succeed, we need to get out of each other's way. If a woman says she was abused, we need to believe her. If a woman is having a wonderful time, we shouldn't tear her down on social media because she is doing that. If a woman is sleeping with many people, who are we to call her names?  If a woman doesn't like sex, it's non of our business.

We can write and moan about how shitty the world is all day long.  We must lift each other up. By deed, not just by word.  Actions speak louder than words.

Photo credit: Candice Sabatini

Matcha! Matcha! Matcha! Recipes for Drinks and More!

Matcha cookies, matcha donuts, matcha drinks, matcha recipes.
-PJ Gach
     Photo courtesy of Terra's Kitchen

More and more people are drinking Matcha every day.  It's supposed to give you lots of enegry, and not give you caffeine-induced shakes. Matcha's loade with antioxidants, and is also supposed to speed your metabolism. What's not to love. Me, I just like saying the name, "Matcha." It sounds like fun.  

Read Enter the Hair Chalk Giveaway!

Anyway.....here are some warm matcha recipes that'll stave off chilly weather, like a Matcha Latte or Matcha Donuts. I think I just gained 5 pounds writing that line. Below are the recipes.

Matcha Marshmallow S'Mores
Courtesy of Carrington Farms 

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon Carrington Farms Matcha Tea Powder
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup light corn syrup
pinch of salt
6 tablespoons water, divided use
2 1/2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin powder
3/4 cup powdered sugar
Directions:

Line a 9x5" loaf pan with parchment paper, and spray cooking spray on top of the parchment paper, heavily.
In a medium sauce pan, stir together the granulated sugar, corn syrup, salt, and 3 tablespoons of the water. Turn the heat to high and bring to a boil without stirring.
Meanwhile, heat about a 1/2 cup of water in a small saucepan or tea kettle. Sprinkle the matcha in the bottom of a small bowl, and pour 2 tablespoons of the near-boiling water on top. Whisk vigorously to dissolve the tea.
Add the remaining 3 tablespoons of water to a large bowl and sprinkle the gelatin on top. Let sit for a few minutes without stirring.
Slowly begin to pour it into the gelatin mixture while constantly beating with a hand mixer. Take this step slowly.
Beat the mixture for a full 8-10 minutes.
Beat in the Matcha-water mixture until combined.
Spread the mixture into the loaf pan.
Let the mixture set uncovered for at least 3 hours.
When ready to cut, sprinkle the powdered sugar on a work surface. Dump the marshmallows out on the surface, and slice while dipping the knife in powdered sugar between cuts. Roll the entire marshmallow in the powdered sugar.
Store the marshmallows in an air-tight container at room temperature.
To make smores, place between two graham crackers, add chocolate and melt.

Matcha donuts and Matcha Latte recipes up next!

Fashion Designer Zac Posen Is Conquering Kitchens With his new Cookbook

luxury designer Zac Posen has conquered closets, now he's going to conquer kitchens?
-PJ Gach
Native New York, fashion designer and Project Runway judge Zac Posen has entered another realm; that of cookbook author. His tome, "Cooking with Zac: Recipes from Rustic to Refined," is out now.  Some may find it ironic that a fashion designer is creating sumptous dishes, as the general thought is dieting's the only way to get into half the latest trends.
Read New Giveaway: Add Color to Your Life!

Posen, grew up in a Soho loft and often watched his father cook. In the intro of Posen's book, he stated that as a kid, he wanted to be known as Zachary "The Baker" Posen, as he was obsessed with food. He told Food&Wine, "As a little boy, my mom would bake with me on the weekends—that was our time together. My first love of cooking definitely came from baking—as a teenager, I would bake incredibly elaborate, multi-step, sometimes multi-day cakes and desserts."

Having only looked online at the book, I can tell you that the photos are gorgeous.
And while there are the obligatory celeb chef blurbs touting its excellence, the critic to read is the online reviewer. If they hate it, they'll let you know. Emphatically.
Online reviewers are raving about the healthy recipes that taste good.

Photo credits 1, 2, 3

 

How to Send Aid and Help California's Fire Victims

Want to help your neighbors who are recovering from the fires that swept Napa and Sonoma, California? Here's How.
-PJ Gach

    GoFundMe

The fires that have swept through Napa and Sonoma counties in California have devestated families, destroyed towns and businesses. Many people have been left with whatever they could carry out of their homes---if that. 

If you'd like to donate food, clothing, time or money, here are organizations that have been assisting survivors.

Nappa Valley Community Foundation has a Fire Donation Page. If you want to send a donation to help the community, their mailing address is:  3299 Claremont Way, Suite 2, Napa, California, 94558. They ask to please writee “Napa Valley Community Disaster Relief Fund” in the memo line. If you would prefer to donate online or any other means, please visit their site.

Read How to Help the Survivors of Hurricane Maria

GoFundMe has an entire section set up under the umbrella term, "California Relief Fund." Go there and you can donate to zoos, business and families. Click here to view it all.

Live in the area? Vinters need volunteers. Fill out this form and get to work. Another way to help all the vinters--DRINK THEIR WINE! Purchasing a bottle of their wine does help them. And you can donate to food pantries in Napa County, Yuba County, and Sonoma County . Also in search of volunteers is the Volunteer Center of Sonoma County 

Animals in need are being looked after by  Wine Country Animal Lovers. Contact them to donate time, or money, or whatever you can spare. If you can foster a pet, please email Deassa@JamesonRescueRanch.org.

20 Adorable Dog Halloween Costumes

Comic book heroes, an homage to Madonna and one to coffee are some of the cute dog costumes for Halloween this year. 
-PJ Gach
Admit it, you’re not so thrilled about wearing a costume this Halloween, but the dressing your dog up in a Batman or Audrey Hepburn a la Breakfast at Tiffany’s kinda thrills you. This year, there’s lots of great costumes to choose from; Star Wars has tons—I’ve shortened the list to the top 5. And if your pooch hates the idea of a costume, try Yoda ears or Princess Leia buns instead.

There’s also costumes for DC and Marvel comic fans. Thor, Wonder Woman and more.

Read Yandy X Playboy Costume Collab--And, Yes! There Is A Smoking Jacket

Love you a unicorn? How about a light up unicorn dog costume? Or a mermaid or zombie one? There here! Take a look at this roundup and have fun.

Star Wars

1. Dog Princess Leia Star Wars bun headband, $2.99 (small), $6.94 (medium/large), Walmart 

2. Star Wars The Force Awakens BB-8 dog costume, $15.21 to $18.18, Walmart   

3. Star Wars At-At Imperial Walker dog costume, $22.50, Halloween Costumes     

4. Star Wars Darth Vader dog costume, $23.99, Target  
5. Rubies Costumes Yoda headpiece set, $6.29. Kmart

 Comic Book Heroes and Heroines

6. DC Comics Supergirl dog costume, $21.99, PetSmart 

7. Rubies Wonder Woman dog costume, $14.99, Target 
 8. DC Comics Batman dog costume, $23.99, PetSmart9. Morris Superman dog costume, $9.83, Kmart 

10. Marvel Thor dog costume, $5.97 (small) to $6.97 (large), PetSmart

Read 4 Cocktails To Salute Halloween

Fantasy

11. Hyde an Eek Boutique Mermaid dog costume, $9.99, Target    

12. California Costumes Peacock dog costume, $14.90, Chewy.com
13. Zack & Zoey Angel Wings harness, Large (other sizes available), $19.99, Entirely Pets  

14. Unicorn costume with light up hood, $28.54, Walmart     

15. Casual Canine glow in the dark skeleton zombie dog costume (large, other sizes available), $19.99, Entirely Pets 

16.  Sushi dog costume, $15.95, Trendy Halloween 

17. Barkfest at Tiffany’s dog costume, $16.50, Chewy.com  

18. Pop Queen dog costume, $23.99, Pet Costume Center  

19. Rubies Costume Company Pixie costume, $9.56, Chewy.com    

20. Rubie’s Costume Company Donut and Coffee costume, $12.40, Chewy.com

Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief: How You Can Help the Survivors

Nonprofits are sending aid, companies are donating profits—what you can do to help the survivors of Hurricane Maria.
-PJ Gach
   From United for Puerto Rico

My friend Albert’s grandparents live in Puerto Rico. Elderly, frail and they, unfortunately both have the beginnings of dementia. Since Hurricane Maria made landfall, they’ve been without power. No power equals no phone contact. Via a stateside family and friends phone tree, Albert found out that another family friend living in Puerto Rico, has been able to check in on the couple. Little else can be done for them right now.  Only 5% of the island has power. There is still flooding throughout the island, hospitals are down; in short it’s a mess.

Nonprofits, private individuals, small businesses and large corporations are sending aid and manpower to help the island’s citizens. Jennifer Lopez pledged to donate $1 million dollars to the relief effort. Mets pitcher Seth Lugo, actress Rosie Perez, Marc Antony, baseball player Alex Rodriguez, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, Dallas Mavericks player J.J. Barea, and comic book legend Stan Lee  are all coordinating efforts to raise money. Want to get involved and help your neighbor? Below is a list of nonprofits you can donate to, and another list of companies that will donate a portion of your sale to a nonprofit.

Nonprofits where you can donate or volunteer

The government of Puerto Rico created a power point presentation that lists all the different types of aid they need. It also lists emergency contact phone numbers and where you can directly donate to the government. United for Puerto Rico

Catholic Charities, Salvation Army and the American Red Cross are looking for donations and volunteers.  UMCOR would love it if you could create relief kits, click here for more information, and how else you can help them. UNICEF is taking donations, click here to donate. One America Appeal created by presidents Bush, Obama, Carter, Bush and Clinton are accepting donations. You can also donate to All Hands Volunteers, Direct Relief, and Go Fund Me Hurricane Maria Want to make sure that the charity you’re going to donate is a real one? Visit Charity Navigator, they have profiles on many nonprofits.

Brands and small businesses who are donating
Sassy Lips is donating 30% of sales of their lipsticks to GlobalGiving. They’ll be donating until October 20^th, so if you’re in the mood to buy a lippie, head on over to Sassy Lips.

Fox and Jane has salons in New York City, Colorado, and California. On Monday, October 9^th they are throwing a fundraiser from 1 to 8pm. 100% of the proceeds from all blowouts and haircuts will be donated to Unidos por Puerto Rico .United for Puerto Rico provides aid and support to those affected in Puerto Rico by the passage of Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria and is brought forth by the First Lady of Puerto Rico, Beatriz Rosselló

National Coffee Day Recipes: Alcoholic (Adult) and Healthy Drinks for You to Try

Who doesn’t love coffee! Here are coffee recipes to drink day and night. 
-PJ Gach
Coffee! You can’t live without it. It perks you up. It soothes you. It’s what you start your day with, and sometimes have a coffee-based cocktail at night.

Did you know that coffee plants are grown in over 70 countries around the world? That is a loooot of coffee!

Read Fabulous Colgate Giveaway! Two Winners! Enter Now!

To celebrate National Coffee Day, and since it is Friday, here’s a roundup of coffee drinks that can be your perfect happy hour companion. Oh yes, and there’s coffee smoothies and healthy coffee drinks too.

Coffee Stout Cocktail

Ingredients: 
3 ounces Sparkling Ice Classic Lemonade 
1 ounce vodka 
6 ounces coffee stout 
Lemon twist 
Directions: 
In an ice filled glass combine Sparkling Ice Classic Lemonade and vodka, stir to combine. Float with coffee stout and garnish with a lemon twist.

Kentucky Cold Brew
Created by Chef Newman Miller, Star Hill Provisions at Maker’s Mark Distillery 
 A refreshing take on a favorite: cold brew coffee with a Kentucky twist.

Ingredients: 
1 ½ parts Maker’s Mark® Bourbon 
¼ part Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate (Chef Newman uses Harden coffee, which is house roasted 15 miles from restaurant) 
Mexican Coke, as needed 
Lemon Peel, for garnish 
Directions: 
Build coffee and Maker’s Mark® Bourbon in a rocks or highball glass. Add ice and stir gently. Top with Mexican cola and finish with oil from a strip of lemon peel.

The Coffee’s Cherry

Ingredients: 
2 cups cold brew coffee 
½ cup Sparkling Ice Black Cherry 
Coconut milk 
Toasted marshmallow 
Directions: 
Combine cold brew coffee and Sparkling Ice Black Cherry and pour into two ice cube trays. Place into freezer until frozen. Fill a Collins glass with cubes and top with coconut milk, garnish with toasted marshmallow.

Mexican Café
Dress up your typical cup of Joe by adding some artisanal tequila to it. 

Ingredients: 
Mexican Cafe1 ½ parts Tres Agaves Blanco Tequila 
1 ¼ parts Illy canned sweetened coffee 
¼ part Coffee Herring 
Orange slice for garnish 
 Directions: 
Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice, shake and strain in to a glass coffee mug and garnish with an orange slice.

Read Tea Lovers, Try Out These Cocktails

Krups Espresso Smoothie

Ingredients: 
1/3 cup espresso 
1/2 banana 
1 oz. condensed milk 
1/2 cup plain yogurt 
1 tbsp maple syrup 
4 ice cubes 
Directions: 
Pour the espresso into your blender. Add the banana, the condensed milk, the yogurt, the maple syrup and the ice cubes. Mix for around 20 seconds. Serve immediately.

South African Sweetie
This enhanced mocha is enjoyed South African-style, with a dash of Marula fruit cream liqueur added to it.
Ingredients: 
1 standard cup of strong filter coffee 
1 part whipped cream 
4 marshmallows 
1 teaspoon brown sugar 
¾ part hot chocolate powder
Directions: 
Pour hot coffee in a large wine glass, add Amarula Cream Liqueur, followed by whipped cream, brown sugar and marshmallows. Sprinkle with hot chocolate powder and add an extra dash of Amarula Cream Liqueur if desired.

Krups Coconut Coffee

Ingredients: 
1/2 cup espresso 
1/4 cup coconut milk 
5 tsp coconut liqueur 
4 tsp rum made from sugar cane 
1 tsp light brown sugar 
5 ice cubes 
1 hollowed out coconut (to serve the drink) 
Directions: 
Pour the espresso into a bowl, add the light brown sugar and mix well to dissolve it. Allow to cool.

Pour into a shaker and add the coconut milk, coconut liqueur, rum and crushed ice cubes. Shake well for around 20 seconds. Serve in the hollowed-out coconut with two straws.

Prosecco Flavored Shakes? Thank You Shake Shack!

In honor of Will & Grace returning to TV, Shake Shack's creating prosecco flavored shakes. Oh yess!
-PJ Gach
Love Shake Shack? You'll love them even more when they roll out prosecco flavored shakes. They're rolling out on September 18th at two locations in New York City: Herald Square  (1333 Broadway) and the Upper West Side (366 Columbus Ave) , and two locations in Los Angeles: n LA, the shakes will be available at the Hollywood (6201 Hollywood Blvd) and West Hollywood (8520 Santa Monica Blvd) Shacks.They're in honor of the re-launching of Will & Grace. 

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Two shakes; one per duo. The “Will & Grace” shake is a cinnamon, marshmallow, frozen custard with fudge, topped off with whipped cream and cinnamon sugar. Not bad, right, but get this!  The "Jake & Karen" shake is made with strawberry frozen custard mixed with prosecco, topped with whipped cream, rainbow sprinkles, and "raspberry dust."  Wowza!

For every "Will & Grace" shake bought, Shake Shack will donate $2 to GLAAD, an organization which for the past 30 years, has been committed to making lasting change in support of the full acceptance of the LGBT community.

Fun fact: The Upper West Side Shake Shake is minutes away from Will & Grace's fictional home. Remember the shakes ($5.99 each) will only be available from Monday, September 18 through Sunday, October 1st.

Roasted Pumpkin and Apple Soup Recipe--Fall into an Autumnal Treat

Cooler weather means it's time to eat hearty soups. Roasted pumpkin and apples are the perfect mix.
-PJ Gach
Summer's gone, and autumn is briskly moving into the neighborhood. And when autumn shows up, so does pumpkin-flavored everything. Roasted Pumpkin and Apple soup is a tasty combination of pumpkin and fall's other yummy treat, apples. This recipe, courtesy of Kosher.com is vegetarian, gluten-free, and sugar free.  And it's easy to make.

Read  Superfood Side Dish You'll Love

Roasted Pumpkin and Apple Soup
Ingredients:

Pumpkin Puree:
3 (2 and 1/2-3-pound) pumpkins, quartered and seeded (equal to 5 and 1/3 cups cooked puree)
olive oil for drizzling
salt as needed
pepper as needed

Soup

2 Granny Smith apples (do not substitute with sweet apples)
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 carrots, sliced thickly
2 celery stalks, sliced thickly
6 shallots, roughly chopped
sea salt to taste
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon fresh sage, minced
1/2 teaspoon cardamom
3/4 teaspoon nutmeg
2 and 1/2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
8 cups water
1/2 cup apple cider
1 and 1/4 cup heavy cream

Directions:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Place pumpkin quarters on two baking sheets. Drizzle with oil and season with salt and pepper. Place pumpkins cut side down, on sheets. Roast, turning occasionally, about 45 minutes.
Let pumpkin cool. Scoop out flesh. Taste each pumpkin to make sure they are not bitter or tasteless. (It’s a good idea to always roast a bit more pumpkin, as there is always the chance of the occasional not-so-good pumpkin.)
Bake apples in a separate baking dish alongside pumpkin, until soft, about 30 minutes.
Heat oil in a large pot, over medium heat. Add carrots, celery and shallots, and season well with salt and pepper. Cook, covered, for seven minutes. Add garlic, sage, nutmeg, and cardamom, and cook for one more minute. Add pumpkin, apple, vinegar, and water. Bring to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes.
Using an immersion blender, blend until smooth. Stir in the apple cider. If too thick, stir in water, one tablespoon at a time. Cook for an additional minute or until warm. If you’d like it thicker, simmer for a few minutes, uncovered, to reduce. Stir-in or marble-in heavy cream.

Marine Park Coffee Now Open in Brooklyn

Marine Park's got a brand new coffee shop--Marine Park Coffee.
-PJ Gach
Jhonn Thomassen, a Marine Park resident would commute to his Manhattan corporate gig every day. On his commute, he realized there was a dearth of coffee shops in his hood. When he left his gig, he decided to do something about it. Marine Park Coffee was born.

Marine Park Coffee offers luscious locally roasted Americanos, Mochas, Lattes, Cappucinos, Chai Lattes, and other coffee-based drinks. Stop in for a fresh squeezed juice, hot or cold tea, pastries and more.

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“Marine Park as a neighborhood offers so much, and as a neighbor, I want to contribute to its culture and provide the community with not only something I love but fill a void—a community-centered café with great, quality coffee,” stated Thomassen in a press release.

Marine Park Coffee is at 3602-B Quentin Road, Brooklyn, NY 11234. They're open six days a week, with hours from 6 am to 4 pm Monday through Friday, and 8 am to 4 pm on Sundays.

To get directions, visit their site, and say hello on Facebook.

Chef Adrianne Calvo Shares Super Food Side Dish Recipe

Chef and cookbook author, Adrianne Calvo shares her amazing side dish recipe.Tomatoes, aside from bursting with flavor, are extremely good for you. They contain lycopene, the phytochemical overloaded with antioxidants. Chef Adrianne Calvo, owner of the famed Miami restaurant, Chef Adrianne’s Vineyard Restaurant and Wine Bar, created this incredibly tasty tomato side dish that's brings out the very best in them. And it's so easy to make.

This tomato super food side dish works marvelously well with grilled chicken, steak, or whole fish.

Read How You Can Help Hurricane Harvey's Survivors

Roasted Red and Green Tomato Casserole 
Serves: 4
Ingredients: 
2 red tomatoes, thinly sliced 
2 green tomatoes, thinly sliced 
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil 
1/4 white balsamic vinegar 
1/4 cup garlic, slivers 
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon parmesan cheese, grated 
1 small bunch thyme 
kosher salt, to taste 
1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 
Directions: 
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Pour olive oil in a casserole dish spreading evenly to coat it. Add garlic slivers, sprinkle with oregano, add the thyme, and add parmesan cheese. Then, press the slices of tomatoes onto the pan, arranging them evenly.  Drizzle with balsamic vinegar. Season to taste with kosher salt and sprinkle with crushed red pepper. You can add more parmesan cheese if desired. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until tomatoes begin to brown and deepen in color. Allow to rest for 15 minutes before slicing.

Chef Adrianne studied at Johnson & Wales University. She catered the Florida Marlins during the 2003 World Series. Calvo was the youngest chef who worked at the Miami Mandarin Oriental. She studied under famed chefs Thomas Keller and Cindy Pawlcyn in Napa Valley. In 2007, she opened her resto in Miami, Chef Adrianne’s Vineyard Restaurant and Wine Bar. 
Calvo has appeared on Chopped, and has written cook books, Maximum Flavor (2005); Chef Adrianne: Driven by Flavor Fueled by Fire (2008); #MaximumFlavorSocial (2014); and Play with Fire (2015).  
To learn more about Chef Adrianne, her restaurant, her nonprofit--Make It Count, please visit her site, or her Facebook page.

 

Have a Very Happy Labor Day!

How to Help the Human & Animal Victims of Hurricane Harvey

Hurricane Harvey battered Corpus Christi, is pouring down over Houston and moving through Texas.
-PJ Gach
On the phone with Arlene Frooman of Austin, Texas--I was checking in to see how she and Marnie the Wonder Korgi were holding up during Hurricane Harvey--she informed me that an animal shelter had to be abandoned due to rising waters. I felt helpless--no way I could go and help out. I'm sure that you feel the same way. Watching the news, seeing the damage and hoping that no one is badly hurt. A dog in Swinton, Texas was loose during the storm and was spotted carrying his bag of food with him.
Texans have been dealing with tornadoes, a hurricane, rain, wind, and flooding. And it's going to continue for a few more days.

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Volunteer

What can you do to help?Interested in volunteering with the Red Cross? Here's their sign up page. 

The Salvation Army is also sending volunteers to assist in the cleanup and to help families, sign up here to volunteer with them.

The San Antonio Wildlife Rescue Group will be taking care of animals in need--wounded strays and more. To volunteer or learn more about them, click here.

If you would like to donate blood, check with your local blood bank to see if your donation will be sent to Texas. If not, you could go ahead and donate any way;  it's nice to help your neighbor.

Donations

Food Banks throughout Texas will need donations. Contact your local food bank to see if they need food or volunteers. You can call the Central Texas Food Bank at 512-282-2111 to donate and more.

Austin Disaster Relief Network will be helping survivors of the hurricane with housing, gift cards and more. To donate, click here.

Driscoll Children's Hospital in Corpus Christi will need recovery help, to donate to the hospital click here. 

American Red Cross - To donate visit redcross.org, call 1- 800-RED CROSS or text the word HARVEY to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

Salvation Army - Donate by callingl 1-800-SAL-ARMY, go to the donate online or send your contribution, earmarked "Disaster Relief," to The Salvation Army, 10755 Burt St, Omaha, NE 68114.

Catholic Charities USA - Donated funds go to support recovery efforts, including direct assistance, rebuilding and health care services. You can donate here.  

Samaritan's Purse - Disaster relief units are headed towards the area, according to Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan's Purse. You can make donations towards their efforts here.

Global Giving, a crowdfunding community, is collecting donations for nonprofit organizations responding to the storm. To donate online, visit https://www.globalgiving.org/harvey. Donors can also text HARVEY to 80100 to donate $10 to GlobalGiving's Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund. Message and data rates may apply. Send a check by writing,"Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund" in the memo line and mailing it to GlobalGiving, 1110 Vermont Ave NW, Suite 550, Washington DC, 20005.

Save the Children - Emergency responders from this nonprofit are in Texas now. You can make a donation here.

Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Fund - Send Relief and Southern Baptist Disaster Relief teams are on site. You can make a donation here.

Texas Diaper Bank - Texas Diaper Bank is putting together disaster relief kits for families with young children. You can donate here.  

Pets

Shelters now understand that people won't evacuate and go to a shelter unless they can take their furbabies with them, so they're now allowed. Some shelters are experiencing flooding. Some shelters are overwhelmed with strays. If you can foster an animal, contact your local shelter.

Austin Pets Alive has been taking in animals from shelters who have been in Hurricane Harvey's direct path. They're going to need food, bedding and more. Interested in donating or volunteering? Click here.

San Antonio Wildlife rescue group is helping during the hurricane by taking in animals that need care, may be injured. If you spot an injured animal, call the group on their 24-hour hotline, 830-336-2725

SPCA of Texas - The SPCA is assisting with the care of pets uprooted by the storm, you can help them with a donation. 

Photo credits Twitter

How to Stay Safe During the Solar Eclipse

It’s more than not look at the sun—here are safety tips for dealing with the total eclipse. 
-PJ Gach
Today is the Solar Eclipse. The first one since 1979. You’ve probably heard that Bonnie Tyler will be singing “Total Eclipse of the Heart.” And you’ve probably heard not to look at the sun. And that it’s really, really spooky.

Here’s what a total eclipse is; it’s when the Earth passes through the moon’s shadow, blocking the sun’s light. A total solar eclipse is when the sun is completely blocked by the moon. This total solar eclipse will cross the United States from coast to coast. Most people in the United States will be able to see a partial total eclipse.  If you live on the “path of totality” you’ll be able to see the total solar eclipse. The actual path is about 70 miles wide. Space.com has a map of the “path of totality,” click here to view it.

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The eclipse starts at 10 am PT on the West Coast and ends around 3pm on the East Coast. And believe it or not, when it’s in your area, it will last around two minutes.

Want to want to watch what’s going on online? The Amateur Astronomers Association has a solar total eclipse countdown clock and a virtual map that will show its progress. Click here to see what’s going on.

Driving

AAA has released a list of driving safety tips.

• Drive safely.
• Don’t drive wearing eclipse sunglasses.
• Don’t dtop along the highway or interstate or park on the shoulder of the road
• Do keep headlights on – don’t rely on automatic headlights.
• Do NOT try to photograph or video the eclipse while driving.
• Do be mindful of pedestrians that many will be walking around with their eyes on the sky.
• Do prepare for extra congestion on the roads during the eclipse period, but also in the days before and after the eclipse as many travelers head to the totality zone.
• Do have your viewing location set and stay in place, avoiding travel during the eclipse.

Pets

• Pets don’t normally stare at the sun, so you don’t have to buy them protective goggles.
• However, if you do have a pet that’s sensitive to weather changes, keep them indoors and keep them calm.
• Best way to keep an anxious pet calm is to act calm around them.

People

• Only use special-purpose glasses to view the eclipse. Have a pair? Use this American Astronomical Society guidelines to make sure yours are up to par.
• Don’t look directly into the sun. Yes, you will permanently damage your eyes.
• Libraries across the country are giving away free eclipse glasses in conjunction with NASA, Google, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, and the Space Science Institute’s STAR_Net initiative. Many libraries are holding eclipse events, click here to see if your local library is holding one.
• Yes, you can go outside during the eclipse. Just don’t look at the sun. Yes, you will go blind.
  
  photo credits: 1-Pinterest, 2- PJ Gach

7 Cocktails to Celebrate National Watermelon Day

Thursday and cocktails; what a wonderful combo. When you add in some watermelon…wowow! 
-PJ Gach
Don’t you love a national day that has a tasty cocktail element. Today’s National Watermelon Day. Yes, you could gorge on a huge slice or three of the summery fruit, or you could drink a tasty watermelon-based cocktail. Since watermelons are soo good for you, and you’re adding more fruit to a cocktail, you’re getting lots and lots of healthy vitamin C. And since vodka and other spirits are water-based and contain minerals, then those cocktails are really health tonics!

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Here are 7 yummilicious watermelon-based cocktails to salute summer and National Watermelon Day!

Sparkling Watermelon Vodka Lemonade

Ingredients:
3 cups seedless watermelon pieces 
3 lemons, juiced 
½ cup vodka 
¼ cup fresh mint 
2 cups Sparkling Ice Classic Lemonade 
Directions: 
In a blender puree the watermelon pieces and lemon juice. Strain the mixture through a sieve into a pitcher. Add some of the mint, all of the vodka and the Sparkling Ice Classic Lemonade into the pitcher, then stir. Serve over ice and garnish with a mint sprig.

Reyka Spring Showers

Ingredients: 
1 ½ parts Reyka Vodka 
1 part Fresh watermelon Juice 
¾ part Fresh lemon juice 
¾ part Lavender syrup egg whites cucumber slices 
Directions: 
In shake #1, add egg whites. In shaker #2, muddle cucumber slices then add remaining ingredients. Combine shakers and dry shake. Add ice and wet shake. Serve strained into Coupe glass and garnish with lavender seeds on cucumber slices.

Read on for more cocktail recipes, like the Ruby Slipper, Watermelon Passion and the Sweet Sparkling Watermelon.

Float Naked Pool Floats Are Insanely Adorable....And Did We Mention Affordable!

When you see a Float Naked swim float, you wish there were pools everywhere!
-PJ Gach
Insanely cute, Float Naked pool accessories AKA pool floats are chic, cute and affordable. They're also loved by love Lea Michele, Shay Mitchell, Karolina Kurkov and other celebs. 

Read Rachel Roy's Sandals for Spring 18 are Intense!

Created by Cooper Waterman, a native Californian, Float Naked swim floats are pretty and practical. You can take them anywhere...well, I wouldn't recommend using them in your tub. If you have a gigantic tub, ignore me. Each float is $30, so you can buy prints that match your swimsuits!
The company is a proud supporter of  Surfrider and Oceana Foundations. Growing up near the ocean, Waterman understands what a precious resource it is and how important it is to protect it.

To view all the fab patterns, visit Float Naked online.

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IPA Review: Bear Republic's Fastback Racer Rounds the Turn and Delivers Full Flavor

Bear Republic Brewing Co.’s Fastback Racer IPA goes with everything you can pair it with!
-Dawn Allcot
India Pale Ales (IPAs), with a hoppy, bitter flavor and high alcohol content have been the beer of choice for trendy craft brew imbibers for more than a year now. Bear Republic Brewing Co. raises the stakes with the new Fastback Racer Double IPA —available in time for the Pocono 500, no less. Whether you’re looking for something to drink while watching fast cars making a bunch of left turns (75 million fans can’t be wrong, right?) or you just want a beer to complement Thai takeout, Fastback Racer is revved and ready.

What’s a Double IPA?

Double (sometimes called Imperial) IPAs feature more hops than regular IPAs, increasing the alcohol content and delivering a bitter taste. In general, Double IPAs can range in color from pale to (surprisingly) black. Fastback is on the lighter side with a golden hue—probably what most people think of in terms of looks, texture, and taste—when it comes to IPAs.

The folks at Beer Advocate tell us there really are no rules to defining a Double IPA, other than more hops and a higher malt profile, raising the Alcohol by Volume (ABV) past 7 percent. Fastback Racer accomplishes this with what Bear Republic calls “a chassis of Rye, Munich, and light caramel malts” along with Citra and Eukanot hops.

The Flavor Is In the Hops

Citra is a relatively new hop (developed in 2007) with a strong citrus and floral flavor, clearly evident in Fastback Racer after the first sip. The Eukanot hops add flavors of orange peel, lime, pine, melon, and berry. That’s a lot—but the flavors blend well to create a bitter yet smooth and extremely flavorful beer.

Be Ready to Drink

Double IPAs don’t play around. The flavor is strong and so is the buzz. Halfway through my first bottle, which I drank alongside leftover chicken chow mein and a generous portion of fried cheese wontons (yes, I may need the Queen of Style to take me shopping for new clothes if I continue this path…) I was feeling the effects of the 10.4% ABV. The takeaway? In spite of the beer’s name, don’t plan to race off after enjoying one. (Obviously, never drink and drive – but my point is that even one of these is quite powerful!) Give yourself plenty of time to sip and savor the hop-forward flavor.

Read Tea-Based Cocktails With A Kick

This beer is one to enjoy. The citrus flavor makes it extremely refreshing for spring and summer. After finishing my two sample bottles, generously provided by Bear Republic Brewing Company, I’m ready to pick up a six-pack to enjoy around the pool or during my next barbecue, perhaps with baby back ribs or pulled pork. And… now I’m hungry again!

Give us some ideas – when and where would you drink this Double IPA? What foods would you serve with it?

Dawn Allcot is a full-time freelance writer, editor, and social media consultant specializing in parenting, personal finance, business, and luxury technology. She has written for hundreds of brands and publications over her editorial career, and is the founder of Allcot Media, a boutique content marketing firm. A Long Island-based mom-of-two, Dawn’s hobbies include shopping, wine, and “all things geek.”