You survived the weekend, now what are you going to do? I’m going to Disney

A lot about me people can learn from looking at my mother. I’ve learned how to apply natural looking makeup from her, how to dress with class (when I want to), & how to pack in less than 30 min for an impromptu vacation. That being said, I’m coming to you from the road on route to Orlando, Fl–home of the Disney World parks, Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure. Never one to ditch & not write, I’ll still be working on both Do It Like A Woman & I’m a Marilyn–though both will have a more fantastical flair.

To start it off, a Disney-Mean Girl meme. You go Glen Coco!

It’s all in your GENES or Jeans?

 

We’ve all tried to fit into our mother’s vintage jeans, but could the reason behind our style obsession, be her actual, genes? That is what fashion professionals are arguing: the existence of a particular gene, a style gene, otherwise known as our “cool factor”. And, when does this factor begin to show? No, its not linked to your first training bra. It’s actually more likely to be linked to your big girl pants–as the gene is thought to present itself as early as toddler-hood. So, instead of laughing at the kids who show up to school in their bedazzled Superman cape or Michael Jackson-inspired fedora, maybe you should be looking at their parents for style direction or at least, taking notes from these early fashionistas.

For more information: http://runway.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/06/11/children-show-their-style-gene/

Look Hot in your White Hot!

Look Hot in your White Hot!.

via Do It Like A Woman.

No Rebel, No Cause: That’s “Cool”

Photo: James Dean

…That’s by definition, “cool”. But, you may want to check with James Dean and Marlon Brando because what we now regard as “cool” is not what the word was previously associated with. “Cool” which once described men & women (but, mostly men) as emotionally controlled, rebellious, tough and detached, has now taken on a whole new “friendlier” meaning. In the survey results of 1,000 participants, researchers from the University of Rochester found that respondents associated a persons ‘cool’ factor to traits like likeability, friendliness, attractiveness, confidence & success. Today, “cool” is a much friendlier word, has less association with rebelliousness, and has all but lost it’s bad boy appeal of the 1960s-70’s. In fact, the psychologists behind this etymological change even associated the word with a synonym of “warm” or “warmth”  (i’ll leave the “hot & cold” jokes & puns at that!)

http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/researchers-definition-cool-word-a-rebel-friendly-article-1.1093566#ixzz1xc6dTh3f

Ba-na-na Bread.

I’ve craved a lot of things in my life. Bread was never one of them. But, when you are no longer able to eat anything that contains gluten, it becomes something you “can’t have” & we all can attest to the power that something holds when you “can’t have” it…you just want it more & more & more. It becomes an obsession. My obsession came to a low point.  A point which hit rock bottom when I was found “just hanging out” in the bread section at our local Whole Foods–it was bad. (& yes, I know there are gluten free breads I can buy at Whole Foods, but that’s like offering me a bottle of Martini & Rossi Prosecco when there’s a Veuve Clicquot available.) So, instead, I took to the kitchen. Lesson 18786 learned of being gluten free: when you start craving bread like you would sex–its time to get your booty in the kitchen.

Now, this bread was something I would always make before I went g-free (luckily, the recipe came with g-free & vegan suggestions!)

Strawberry Banana Bread: (with gluten-free & vegan suggestions)

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup pure cane sugar
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 3 teaspoons cinnamon
• 2 bananas (mash one, slice the other into thin slices)
• 1/4 cup canola oil (vegetable oil)
• 1 egg white beaten
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup strawberries (diced)

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350F and prepare a 9×5 inch loaf pan by lining it with foil and coating with cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugars, baking soda, cinnamon & stir to combine. Mash 1 banana with a fork and slice the other banana into thin discs. Add the mashed banana to the dry ingredients and stir. Add the oil, beaten egg white, vanilla and stir until just combined.  Fold in 3/4 cup of strawberries into the batter & pour the batter into the prepared pan. Top the batter with the rest of the strawberries and the other banana slices by pressing them into the surface of the batter. Bake for 4 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow the bread to cool before removing it from the pan. Slice and serve as is or add butter, cream cheese, jelly, or whatever you want!

To keep gluten free, use gluten free flour. (Bob’s Red Mill All Purpose Gluten Free Flour is a good alternative)
To keep vegan, replace the egg white with a chia/flax, egg replacer, or add extra banana or applesauce.

 

 

 

Have you ever been called a “Walking Hangover”? Well, now you can REALLY live up to that title with some Fermented Fashion.

“Red or White?” is the question most associated with wine pickings or pairings not “stilettos or boots”?” But, now thanks to researchers at The University of Western Australia, you may be pairing your favorite Louboutins with your vino. In what can certainly can be classified as non-boring eco-wear, this dress made up of fermented red wine is sure to have you in high spirits. Even better than the stench of wine that accompanies this dress is the fact that this piece of formal wear is available in either red (red wine) or white/translucent (white wine/beer)–because, you know, a girl has gotta have options!

That dirty little secret that no one is talking about…

via Girls, HBO

Unless you are or always have been a fitness junkie or are one of those genetically blessed women (bitches!)–by now, you should know what I’m talking about…chaffing. No one likes talking about. And, it is as uncomfortable in conversation as it is to experience in real life. That is why, I was surprised to hear it mentioned last week on HBO’s new series, Girls. Now, whatever your feelings are towards the show, there’s no denying that they bring up a lot of issues that most of us keep hush-hush about. The chaffing issue is one of them. But ladies, there’s no need to endure the summer months in jeans. Bring those sun dresses, shorts, and skirts out: you can achieve your greatest, highest, thigh dreams & avoid the chaff with these moves via Livestrong. No more suffering in silence!

The Exercises You Can Do To Strengthen Your Inner Thigh Muscles.

Your breakfast could be revealing A LOT more than that slip you are wearing right now…

 

It is Sunday morning & it appears that sex is on the table (not literally!). BUT, according to The Gloss what you choose to eat for breakfast this morning could say a lot about your activities last night. In their post, “What your Breakfast Says About Last Night’s Sex,” they provide a slideshow of 33 meals with accompanying sexual descriptions from the lurid to the just plain boring.  So, whether your sex was on fire or lukewarm: check out the slideshow (you know you want to) & see if they are on to something…Hopefully, you’re eating french toast & not eggs over easy.

 

(just for fun)

Things you can learn from a 9 year old: Keep Calm.

Sometimes you can learn the BIGGEST lessons from the smaller of packages, like a 9 year old boy…

Photo via LBA Photography.

My brother LOVES teaching me lessons. He follows me around when I’m at my parent’s house explaining to me, “This is what boys like….they like working out, pokemon, and sports. They don’t like being teased, getting GIANT hugs, or being around tattle-tales (so, according to him, all girls).” He’s very opinionated.

The other day I entered the house visibly upset & while unleashing my problems on my mother in the kitchen. My brother looked at me & began to hurry about grabbing crayons & papers from the drawers, exiting & re-entering the pantry, and opening & closing the refrigerator. Being that the Earth was currently rotating around me & my problems, I paid no attention to what he was doing. That was until he sat down next to me on the barstool & put a picture of a red panda he had drawn in front of me. The red panda is the animal that he has decided is my favorite. In all actuality, I don’t have a favorite animal, but I amuse the animal aficionado in him & play along.

AND, it didnt stop there, he continued to calm the hysteria by handing me a bottle of water & a gluten-free granola bar (he even remembered I was a g-f gal). You’d have to have a heart of stone to stay upset after that.

So, the next time that you are feeling stressed, Keep Calm & follow the wisdom of a 9 yr old: grab some water, a snack, & look at a photo of your “favorite” animal or something else that makes you happy.

Given his solid advice here, maybe I should listening up when he tells me what guys like & don’t like: he could be imparting great relationship tips.