You know my motto: Everyone can cook gourmet!
This video walks you through the steps of caramelizing onions so you can see exactly how easy it is … and how they transform through the process. Enjoy!
BY CATHERINE CASSIDY
You probably love the show “What Not to Wear” and it’s so obvious why: through the fashion follies of others you get to learn how to dress better and interpret the trends for yourself.
However, I have one issue with the show’s approach to style for it’s guests: they’re a little harsh on the closet cleansing process and sometimes don’t accommodate the guests preferences very well.
I personally think that they throw away a lot of items with great potential. I know it’s partly for dramatic effect, but it’s SO much more fun to get creative with what you already have BEFORE supplementing with new items. You’d really be surprised at how much you really DO have in your closet!
What’s more, my style advice is never about the trends. Trends should be a source of inspiration, not your personal style file. Trends are a way to make us feel like we need to be out shopping the trends to update our look. It’s to keep the fashion industry alive, not to make sure we all look fabulous all the time.
For instance, a slew of starlets have been spotted in short shorts with their pockets peeping out. It’s not cute, it’s disheveled (though I know disheveled is the look they’re going for, but WHY??).
Or, how about these tye-dye looks? Aside for the look on the far right which is nicely toned down, they’re too much. For a rockstar or a performance, OK; on the street, not so OK.
Anyway, trends are cyclical. What’s in style now is really a reinterpretation of what was in style 20 years ago.
Basically, what it comes down to is that you need to wear what feels good for YOU. You can take elements of the trends, but interpret it for yourself and your lifestyle needs.
A few current trends that do have staying power in your wardrobe:
SHINE
There are so many options for buying into this trend and so many of them are actually pretty very reasonably priced. I also love how it’s so easy to use these pieces to be all out glitzy for a night out or played down for just a bit of playfulness when layered with a wardrobe basic.
For instance, I really love this H&M option for it’s price and it’s easy wearability. Why not add a blazer over it or even a cardigan with a belt at the waist? While you might want bare legs with some cool heels for evening, the shape of this is perfect when paired with slim jeans (and the blazer!).
Otherwise, this cami from Jcrew can easily go from day to night. Why not even throw a loose fitting, sheer tee over it?
STRUCTURED & SHIFT DRESSES
Thank you, Mad Men, for bringing back the shift dress in full force. Structure in tailoring and fit is big for fall, and a shift dress is the most versatile way to buy into this style. Not only are shift dresses feminine and flattering, yet professional, they are also so easily styled into multiple outfits. Add a blazer, a sweater, a belt or all of the above and you instantly have 5 looks from 1 dress!
DRAPING
Again, feminine and flattering! Draping looks so sophisticated and styled while it can also gracefully hide any part of your figure you’re not as comfortable with. The ruching of this Cynthia Steffe top hides a tummy (so indulge in that decadent meal with your date!). Plus, it can be worn to the office or out because it’s both conservative and playful.
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- H & M Sparkle Dress
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- David Meister loves a woman’s body!
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- Banana Republic offers great shapes and colors at reasonable prices.
Now it’s time to get excited for Fall Fashion! Stay tuned for more updates on the trends and interpreting them for yourself.
Of course I got so excited about cooking and serving, I forgot to take a picture! It was gobbled up and the meat was perfect in a salad the next day.
For this recipe, the spice rub creates fabulous flavor complimented by the simple deliciousness of fresh homemade salsa and guacamole. Serve with corn or flour tortillas, as preferred. Enjoy!
TRI TIP
INGREDIENTS
One 1 1/2 – 2 1/2 pound tri tip (Trader Joe’s is a great resource!)
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp chili powder
2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp brown sugar
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 clove garlic, minced (or 1 tsp bottled minced garlic)
1 shallot, minced
One 1 1/2 – 2 1/2 pound tri tip (Trader Joe’s is a great resource!)
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp chili powder
2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp brown sugar
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 clove garlic, minced (or 1 tsp bottled minced garlic)
1 shallot, minced
Combine ingredients from cumin to shallot. Rub all over meat and allow to rest at least 30 minutes at room temperature or up to 24 hours in the fridge (wrapped in plastic).
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Spray an oven proof grill pan with non-stick olive oil. Heat to medium-high. Sear each side of the meat until brown – about 5-8 minutes.
Transfer to oven to cook for an additional 20-25 minutes. Internal temperature should be 135 degrees. Allow to rest 5-10 minutes, then slice against the grain.
** While Tri Tip is cooking, prepare the salsa and guacamole.
SALSA
INGREDIENTS
2 large tomatoes, diced
1/2 small white onion, finely diced
cilantro leaved, roughly chopped, to taste
1 serrano chile, seeds removed, finely chopped
lime juice
salt
Combine the ingredients from tomatoes through chile in a bowl. Season with lime and salt to taste.
GUACAMOLE
INGREDIENTS
2 large ripe avocados
1/4 cup white onion, finely diced
2 plum tomatoes, diced
lime juice
tabasco sauce
Combine avocados, onion and tomatoes. Season with lime juice and tabasco to taste.
Allow your friends and family to assemble their gourmet tacos and ENJOY!
Piggy backing off last week’s article (pun slightly intended), I asked Cindy Kamm of Details etc. to share how quick and easy it really can be to get financially organized. Enjoy!
 BY CINDY KAMM
Whether you’re looking to set up a financial organizing system or just need to update the one you have in place, now is the perfect time to commit to this goal. I think we would all agree that the current economy has been a little bit of a blessing in disguise. In the last year we’ve all been given a rude awakening into how our economy works and how fragile it can be. It is up to each of us to personally manage our finances and set up systems we can easily maintain. Whether you’re a small business owner or simply want to get your personal finances organized, you don’t need an elaborate system to get the job done. You just need to choose a system that works for you and commit to using it. The Basics
As with any system it only works if you use it. Set aside time each day or week to file your paperwork and/or update your online system. Once a year clean out old files and shred any documents that contain account numbers, your social security number and any other data that could be used in identity theft. Create new files as you need them and incorporate them into your existing system. Having a simple and functional financial organizing system hasso many benefits, including: keeping to a budget, setting goals for future expenditures as well as savings goals, avoiding nasty bank fees and planning for financial security. Don’t delay, get financially organized today!
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BY CATHERINE CASSIDY
I’ve never been one to waste. ‘Waste not, want not’ was a common phrase I’d hear growing up. So, I’d clean my plate at dinner, enjoyed leftovers at any meal, saved my money for trips abroad instead of knick-knacks from the department store, etc. This has absolutely carried over to my wardrobe. I rarely buy something I don’t love. I know exactly what I need to update my wardrobe. And, when I buy something new, I have my wardrobe inventoried in my head through which I sort to brainstorm an outfit (and a reason to buy). (Yes, this is why I’m good at what I do for you!) Of course, this carries over to my accessories. I’ve mentioned before that buying a few key accessories is the best budget-friendly way to update your wardrobe (and complete your look). Whether you have a lot of costume jewelry or a lot of fine jewelry (or both), if you’re not wearing it your wasting money. The number one reason you don’t wear it? You can’t see it! So, you forget you have it! Solution: Incorporate your fabulous jewelry into the decor of your bedroom. For your necklaces, try a vintage coat rack. Or, simply nail small nails scattered along your wall and hang your colorful necklaces.
Now, just wait for all the compliments to come! |
For your bracelets and rings, try a cake stand. Or, if you don’t want as much height, you could even use a leather/colored valet.
A Book Review
BY CATHERINE CASSIDY
Like most things that are marketed as ’secrets’ this book share secrets that are really just reminders of things that we already know.
Of course, this is a lot of the reason why two heads will always be better than one – sometimes you need a little nudge to get you moving in the right direction.
Especially when that nudge is so thoroughly outlined and researched with poignant quotes galore!
In reading through the Secrets of Six Figure Women, I found myself nodding my head in agreement. However, there were a few things that really stuck out to me, so I’ll share the highlights here:
Successful High Earners vs. Hard Driven High Earners
Successful High Earners work passionately, sensibly and are purpose driven while striving for balance. They believe working hard doesn’t mean working all the time. They “think in terms of trade-offs, not sacrifices to find a workable equilibrium.”
Hard Driven High Earners are “superwomen on steroids” for whom working is an addiction and completely money driven. They are much more likely to burn out and eventually have to review their purpose and refocus their efforts.
Placing Value on our Skills
You and I both know it, we’re guilty of prioritizing others needs in front of our own. We’re natural caregivers. This is an amazing trait and the most significant difference between men and women. What Six Figure Women realize is that “we have to learn to take care of ourselves first, and not feel guilty” instead of feeling guilty whenever they do something for themselves. As one woman put it, “I had to learn to value myself before I could give to others.”
A key problem for under-earners (the term coined for those not making six or seven figures) was that the money was always secondary. Ironically, this doesn’t change for Six Figure Women. What does change is the value and understanding these women have about money. What they realize is that the more money they make, the more they can give. More importantly, they realize that they are worth this money that they are making. So, they actually give themselves opportunities to make the income they deserve.
This means speaking up when a raise, higher hourly or a promotion is deserved. More often than not, these women got what they asked for. And, if they didn’t, they realized they had a choice to make – accept the lower pay or find a way to get more elsewhere.
Setting the Intention
Setting an intention to make a certain income was a recurring them as well. The most important aspect of this was the determination to reach their ultimate goal. This required a lot of inner work for these women – letting go of what was holding them back (whether naysayers, toxic relationships, unfulfilling jobs, etc) and moving on. More than just the intention, was the PURPOSE. This purpose let to higher fulfilment and required them to get in the game to WIN, not just working not to lose. Quite a different perspective!
Seeking Support
Setting an intention to make six or seven figures is no small feat for anyone – male or female. Support becomes a huge factor in success as these women stretched themselves beyond what they’d every imagined. Do you think they were a bit out of their comfort zone? To step into their power, they found support through their friends and family (and let go of those who weren’t supportive. They also found support through TRUE BELIEVERS and WAY SHOWERS. I though this was an incredibly interesting distinction outside of general support.
TRUE BELIEVERS constantly tell you ‘you can do it! go for it!’ while WAY SHOWERS have been down the route you’re about to travel and show you the way. “They inspire us to set our intention high and stick to it when our faith falls short.”
So, if you’re not a Six Figure Woman yet … why not? I know you can. And if you are, are you considering the jump to being a Seven Figure Woman now?
To your abundance!
I know I have no right to complain about the heat since I live in gloriously humidity-free Los Angeles, but it still makes it really hard to get motivated to wear my hair down during the day. Especially a curly mane like mine!
For years (like, 20+) my Aunt has been doing the cutest things with her hair, specifically with variations on the french braid. In the last few years my cousins and I have been taking a cue from her.
Now, it turns out Jessica Simpson knows my Aunt’s secret, too!
I absolutely love this look for an ultra feminine variation on a ponytail that helps you beat the heat … in STYLE!
If you know how to do a simple French braid, you can quickly master this style. You’ll be seeing me around with it!
To YOUR styled life!
Ana Caban asked me to cleanse and revamp her closet to be featured on her site www.labuenalife.com.
I thought you, too, would like to get a glimpse into the process and the final results. Ana has a colorful and fun personality, so you can see that we incorporated that into her new outfits. The result? Sophisticated and pulled-together and FUN!
Here I am making Ratatouille for a dinner party. Such an easy recipe packed full of colorful vegetables!
If you didn’t catch it, I’m actually tripling this recipe!
Ingredients:
1 onion, sliced thin
2 garlic cloves, minced
5 tablespoons olive oil
a 3/4-pound eggplant, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (about 3 cups)
1 small zucchini, scrubbed, quartered lengthwise, and cut into thin slices
1 red bell pepper, chopped
3/4 pound small ripe tomatoes, chopped coarse (about 1 1/4 cups)
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano, crumbled
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme, crumbled
1/8 teaspoon ground coriander
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, sliced thinly
In a large skillet cook the onion and the garlic in 2 tablespoons of the oil over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened.
Add the remaining 3 tablespoons oil and heat it over moderately high heat until it is hot but not smoking. Add the eggplant and cook the mixture, stirring occasionally, for 8 minutes, or until the eggplant is softened,
Stir in the zucchini and the bell pepper and cook the mixture over the moderate heat, stirring occasionally for 12 minutes.
Stir in the tomatoes and cook the mixture, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 7 minutes or until the veggies are tender.
Stir in the oregano, the thyme, the coriander, the salt, and pepper to taste and cook the mixture, stirring, for 1 minute.
Stir in the basil and combine the mixture well.
The ratatouille may be made 1 day in advance, kept covered and chilled, and reheated before serving.
Bon appétit!
Celebrate how fabulous you are!
2 hours of my dedicated attention to one specific element of your wardrobe where you need help.
Your Image is your BRAND.
What do you need the most help with? What would make you feel even more confident about yourself and your value?
Two hours could focus on:
Closet Cleansing
Purge what isn’t YOU anymore
Professional Image
Project the sophisticated and feminine business woman you are (and attract the best clients for you/get that promotion you deserve)
Dating Image
Project the sexy, smart and confident woman your are (and attract the right guy to you)
Special Event
Work from your existing wardrobe to create stunning outfits for your upcoming special events
Personal Shopping
When you know what you need in your wardrobe, but simply don’t have the time to shop/find the best deals/know the best designers
What’s more, I specialize in working with what you already have.
Most women don’t actually need to go out and buy new clothes, they’ve already got a great assortment. What you really need is someone with the skill to pull together your assortment for you. Imagine waking up and knowing what amazing outfit you want to wear! What freedom!
