Lifestyle Blog - CA

Stay Committed to Your Resolutions: The Best Places to Find Help

AOL Staff — 2009-12-31T04:00:00+00:00

Committing to New Year's resolutions is easy. It's staying committed that's hard. Sometimes all that's needed, however, is a little help -- whether that's a daily reminder of why you're doing it, or something to renew your excitement in the cause. To that end, we've collected the best books, websites and other tools that will keep you motivated in the coming months -- some of them from unexpected places. Check out our suggestions for almost every resolution below.

Save Money / Manage Debt
The writer of the Million Dollar Journey blog wants to be worth a million dollars by the time he's 35, and he's happy to take you along for the ride, with advice on investing, taxes, which bank to use, and more. If you're worried about his financial cred at such a young age, don't be: This blog is a favourite of journalists from the Financial Times, the Globe and Mail, and more.

If you're not quite at the million dollar stage and are still trying to get into the black, practical everyday cost-cutting support is available from wisebread.com (tagline: Living Large on a Small Budget). Recent posts have good advice on peddling back to good credit, activities that are good alternatives to shopping, six strategies for paying down debt, and living cheaply for the long term.

Go Back to School
If your resolution this year is to get more education and you're not necessarily concerned about the piece of paper (in other words, it's more about personal growth for you than advancing your career), Academic Earth is a goldmine of academic awesomeness. Featuring free videotaped lectures on a variety of subjects from processors at Yale, Stanford and Harvard - sometimes entire courses - Academic Earth is part of an initiative by top universities to allow open access to information. The first beneficiary? You.

Lose Weight / Get Fit
Get over your stigma: The Wii home workout is a cheap and effective way to lose weight and get in shape. For those who prefer more of a sweat than Wii Fit offers, competitor EA Sports Active More Workouts gives you six weeks worth of routines that make Nintendo's version look like a walk in the park. (Probably because one of the new Wii Fit Plus exercises is walking in the park.) This is a true gym-style workout, and can be grueling at times. Extra exercises focus on abs (sorely lacking in the original), stretching, and more.

For those who are more worried about keeping track of the nutritional side of things, the iPhone app FoodIQ 3.0 taps into a database of thousands of supermarket or meal items to track your calorie, fat, fibre, nutrients etc. Includes lots of charts and customizable options to keep you motivated.

Get a Better Job
Johnathan Fields' book Career Renegade: How to Make a Great Living Doing What You Love isn't exactly about finding a new job - it's about building your own career. The difference between Fields and a hundred other Secret Of My Success types is that Fields promises never to ignore the money while pushing you to do what you love. Still, this is for entrepreneurs and risk-takers, not for those looking for a step up in their current company. Keep that in mind before buying this book.

Cook More
There are two essentials for people who want to cook more at home: Mark Bittman's simple-as-it-gets How To Cook Everything (released last year in a completely revised 10th Anniversary Edition) and Thomas Keller's Ad Hoc at Home. Keller is the only American chef to be awarded Michelin stars in two restaurants simultaneously, which speaks to the sophistication of his style, but here he turns his attention to home cooking, and collects an array of family-style recipes bursting with flavour. An instant classic.

Quit Smoking
So simple it's brilliant: The Quitter iPhone app asks you how much you smoked and when you quit, then calculates how much money you've saved so far. Watching that dollar figure rise is a great motivator to keep from lighting up again.

Reduce Stress / Do Something Meaningful
Leo Babauta has one basic rule: Simplify your life until you're focusing on the essential. It's not a new idea, but his no-nonsense approach, pragmatic as opposed to new-agey, sets him apart from the pack. Visit his blog or buy his book (The Power of Less: The Fine Art of Limiting Yourself to the Essential... in Business and in Life) for clear, practical suggestions that'll have you wanting more (of less).

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Gorgonzola and White Bean Crostini With Honey

ASSOCIATED PRESS — 2009-12-31T03:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Food & Recipes, Entertaining

If the holidays have you scrambling for party-worthy grub, consider crostini (Italian for bread with stuff piled on it).

The beauty of crostini is that the components often can be prepared ahead of time. The bread, for example, can be sliced, drizzled with olive oil and toasted up to a day in advance. Just let the slices cool completely and store them in an airtight container until needed.

With the bread out of the way, all you need to do is sort out what to put on it. You can go the easy route and smear some soft goat cheese over each slice, then sprinkle them with fresh thyme leaves and drizzle them with honey.

Or you could top each with a folded slice of prosciutto and a sliver of Parmesan cheese. Pop them in a 300 Fahrenheit (150 Celsius) oven for 5 minutes, or until just warmed through (but don't let the cheese melt).
Sweet and savory work well, too. Try a smear of cream cheese topped with pepper jelly and thinly sliced scallion. Or substitute a bit of smoked salmon for the jelly for a bagel and lox treatment.This recipe for crostini topped with mashed white beans, Gorgonzola and honey is easily done ahead. Toast the bread as directed above. Prepare the beans as directed, then let them cool, cover tightly and refrigerate up to a day. Before serving, reheat the beans in a saucepan over low (you may need to add a tablespoon or so of water), then assemble.
___

J.M. Hirsch's Gorgonzola and White Bean Crostini With Honey
Start to finish: 25 minutes
Makes 30 crostini

18-inch (45-centimeter) baguette, cut into 30 slices
1/4 cup (60 milliliters), plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
14-ounce (400-gram) can cannellini beans, drained
Salt and ground black pepper, to taste
5 1/2-ounce (160 ml) block Gorgonzola cheese, crumbled
1/4 cup (60 milliliters) honey

Heat the oven to 350 Fahrenheit (175 Celsius). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Arrange the bread slices on the prepared baking sheet. Brush or drizzle the bread with 1/4 cup of the olive oil. Toast for 5 to 10 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp.
Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan over medium-high, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the garlic and saute for about 30 seconds. Add the beans and season with salt and pepper. Cook until the beans are very soft, 10 to 15 minutes.
Use a potato masher to smash the bean. Set aside.
Once the bread is toasted, spoon a bit of the mashed beans over each slice. Top with Gorgonzola, and finish with a drizzle of honey.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Matte Makeup Gets Its Turn as a Trend

ASSOCIATED PRESS — 2009-12-31T02:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Fun & Entertainment

Though 2010 New Year's style is all about sequin sparkle, when it comes makeup, it's no longer time to shine.

Top makeup artists say that matte makeup is an evolving beauty trend that should be good news for people of all skin types and tones. Matte doesn't necessarily mean flat - instead think of it as sheer or satiny - and it definitely tones down any dewiness or sparkle.

"I think it's going to be a matte world pretty soon," says Avon's global color creative director Jillian Dempsey.

For this look, which can have a retro vibe, play up the eyes, she suggests. "I think this is the look that works best: matte skin with a little bit of a lined eye, some eye-shadow contrast and maybe some minimal black-brown, soft-lash look."

If you like a darker, vampier look, add a red or purple lip. A more moderate look is a smoky eye and nude matte lip. But, Dempsey warns, the matte skin will ramp up the effect of a heavily made up eye or lip exponentially.There's also a risk of a matte foundation looking cakey or a lip looking chalky, so moisturizer or lip balm always comes first.But don't let that scare you off, says Kayleen McAdams, celebrity makeup artist for Dior.

"Most people can wear this trend - it's harder for people to do dewy than matte because if you have oily skin, dewy is too much," she says. "Just be taking care of your skin."

Start off with an oil-free moisturizer and dab on with your finger a lip balm for a smooth surface. Then, McAdams says, try a lipstick that doesn't bleed.

There have been a lot of improvements in color-cosmetics texture, Dempsey adds, so the products should both look good and feel good. To ease into a matte appearance, especially on the lips, she suggests using a stain or lip liner.

Since shine highlights imperfections, Dempsey thinks once people get used to using matte they'll grow to love it. "This is the secret to hiding a big pimple on your face: You match the color of a powder to the face, press the powder and help it disappear."

Still, Jean Ford, co-founder of Benefit Cosmetics, says you shouldn't be too literal when it comes to matte in your beauty routine.

"A matte complexion does not mean layering on a heavy base," Ford says. "We all have areas that need spot concealing and require fuller coverage, but not the entirety of the face. Wearing a heavy-solid color all over the skin, makes the complexion look lifeless and dull rather than youthful and fresh."

Benefit partner Jane Ford says a velvety, creamlike powder achieves the right balance. It will "glide over the skin effortlessly and appear as if you have not lifted a finger to your skin."

Oh, and that very tanned, took-a-lot-of-effort bronzed look? Forget it.

"We're moving away from bronze and tan, toward more porcelain or at least a pure look," says McAdams.

Dempsey agrees it is time for a new beauty routine. "The big bronze Gisele (Bundchen), we've been there done that. This is a new land of matte lips that hasn't surfaced in a while," she says. "I think people are wanting to change and this is definitely a change and a trend that's been knocking at the door for a while."

And, she adds, the beauty of makeup is, that trying something new is easy, inexpensive and easily removable.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Is It Okay for Kids to Sip Bubbly on New Year's Eve?

ASSOCIATED PRESS — 2009-12-30T15:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Entertaining

Should parents let their teenagers have champagne at home on New Year's Eve?

One argument says no, it sends the wrong message that underage drinking is okay. The other side argues that a ceremonial glass of champagne at home with family encourages moderation and makes a forbidden activity less tantalizing.

Either way, statistics show that no matter what parents do at home and despite the legal drinking ages, most teens have tried alcohol by age 18.

Seventy-five per cent of high school students have tried alcohol at least once, according to the most recent Youth Risk Behavior Survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nearly 45 per cent had at least one drink in the 30 days before the survey and 26 per cent had five or more in a sitting during the same period.John Lieberman, director of operations for Visions Adolescent Treatment Centres in Malibu and Brentwood, Calif., is firmly opposed to the notion that introducing children to alcohol at home makes them less likely to abuse it later on.

"The studies show that the earlier someone has their first experience with drugs or alcohol or R-rated movies or sex, the earlier somebody does that, the more apt they are to have an addiction or a problem or consequences as a result of that behaviour," Lieberman said.

He said the notion that "if we do this at home, my child will be able to handle it better" is mistaken.

"I have yet to hear a kid say, 'I was 25 years old when I took my first drink, because my parents didn't let me drink, and then I became an alcoholic,'" he said. "At an older age, when someone does decide to drink, their brain is at a different place than when they were 15 or 16. A 15-year-old doesn't have the same grasp of potential consequences."

In Europe, the legal drinking age in many countries is 16 or 17. But attitudes there are changing. Last summer, the official drinking age in wine-loving France was raised from 16 to 18, partly because of increases in teen binge-drinking and alcohol-induced hospitalizations.

Jeffrey Wolfsberg, head of Jeffrey Wolfsberg & Associates, which offers seminars to students and parents on drug and alcohol use and prevention, acknowledged that in some ethnic cultures, drinking wine is a regular part of family meals and holiday celebrations and children are often permitted a sip.

But Wolfsberg said it's the unique context of such gatherings that sends kids a carefully calibrated message.

"Alcohol is there but it's not centre stage," he said. "That's the value we pass on to the kids - it's not so much whether you do or don't drink. It's that it's not necessary to have a lot to drink and that the fun we have in our family is not related to alcohol usage."

Wolfsberg, whose extended family is Greek, said that in cultures where wine is part of a celebration, drunkenness tends to be strongly disapproved of, too, so kids also get the message that excessive drinking is bad and that "drinking more is not better."

Wolfsberg said that while most parents don't think their kids are going to shoot heroin or take crystal meth, they do expect that at some point their children will consume alcohol "and we want them to be somewhat responsible about that, especially as they become seniors in high school and go off to college.

"But when we look at who struggles with alcohol-related problems in college, it's not the kids who go off with no drinking experience. It's the kids who have established drinking patterns in high school," he said.

He said that teenage drinkers are often surrounded by "enablers" - friends who drive them home when they're drunk, parents and schools that let them off the hook when they blow off responsibilities. "When those heavy drinkers hit college, they lose those protective walls," Wolfsberg said.

In contrast, "the kids who've gone through high school with no relationship with alcohol, they are not the ones who are at risk in college."

So in Wolfsberg's opinion, should parents allow teens a sip of bubbly on New Year's Eve or not?

"Both approaches are fine," he said, "because it's not so much what's being done - it's the meaning that matters the most."

In his house, kids get sparkling cider on New Year's Eve, but "it's not a morality issue. We just don't think it's a healthy thing, and it is against the law." (Laws on allowing teenagers to consume alcohol in private settings vary).

"As a drug educator, I don't present alcohol as right or wrong, good or bad," he added. "I say, 'This is a beverage. How do you want this in your life, or not in your life?' Because there are risks for teenagers that are just enormous."

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Brownies: A Perfect, Healthier New Year's Treat

ASSOCIATED PRESS — 2009-12-30T11:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Food & Recipes, Entertaining

So maybe you can have your New Year's resolutions and your cake, too. This brownie recipe from Alicia Silverstone's 'The Kind Diet' -- a beautifully photographed ode to healthier eating -- is whole grain and vegan, but tastes decadent.

If you buy raw walnuts, toast them by spreading them on a baking sheet. Place them in a 350 F oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the nuts are lightly browned and fragrant. Stir the nuts once or twice as they toast.
COFFEE FUDGE BROWNIES
Start to finish: 2 1/2 hours (20 minutes active)
Servings: 12

For the brownies:

3/4 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
3/4 cup brown rice flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups maple sugar
3/4 cup soy/rice milk blend (or any nondairy milk)
3/4 cup brewed decaf coffee
1/2 cup canola oil
1/2 cup walnuts, toasted and chopped

For the glaze:

1 1/2 cups grain-sweetened, nondairy chocolate or carob chips
1/2 cup Earth Balance (or other vegan) butter

Heat the oven to 325 F. Coat an 8- or 9-inch-square baking pan with oil or cooking spray.
In a large bowl, sift together both flours, the cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Stir in the maple sugar.
In a separate bowl, stir together the milk, coffee and oil. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, and stir to mix well. Stir in the walnuts, then pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted at the center comes out clean.
Place the pan on a wire rack to cool completely.
Once the brownies have cooled, prepare the glaze. In a small saucepan bring about 1 inch of water to a boil. Set a stainless steel bowl over it. Add the chocolate chips and butter to the bowl and stir until melted and smooth.
Pour the warm glaze over the entire pan of brownies, smoothing it over the surface. Chill until the glaze has set, about 1 hour.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Ring in the New Year in 2010's Best Style Trends

AOL Staff — 2009-12-28T03:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Photos & Galleries, Holiday Survival

Boxing Day sales are in full swing, and undoubtedly there are more than a few shoppers out there on the hunt for a brand-new outfit to ring in the New Year. But often a flashy outfit for the night's festivities is only good for, well, flashy celebrations. Is it worth it to spend the cash for just one night?

People often say that the way you start the year sets the tone for the rest of the year, and it's easy to apply this concept to your personal style and create a look that will last well past midnight and into 2010. Next year's trends and colours are already on the racks - keep them in mind with the help of our gallery and the search for an outfit will be much simplified. You'll stand out against all the revellers whose style will be so 2009 when midnight strikes.

http://xml.channel.aol.com/xmlpublisher/fetch.v2.xml?option=expand_relative_urls&dataUrlNodes=uiConfig,feedConfig,entry&id=805988&pid=805987&uts=1262004970

http://cdn.channel.aol.com/cs_feed_v1_6/csfeedwrapper.swf

Style Trends for 2010

In the Club - Women
The Trends: Barbie doll look, shine
The Colour: Turquoise
To stand out in a dance floor of little black outfits this New Year's, opt for some colour and flash. The sequins and shine that were a staple of fall fashions remain prominent in the New York spring 2010 collections, and the L.A. Times says the trend isn't going to fade anytime soon. Soothing, gorgeous turquoise has been named one of the hot colours for the year ahead in the Pantone Fashion Colour report for spring, and has a welcome tropical feel in the dead of winter.

Dovima is devine, flickr.com, jcbonbon, flickr.com

Christian Charisius, Reuters

New Years Eve Style Ideas

Dovima is devine, flickr.com, jcbonbon, flickr.com

The Romantic Date - Women
The Trends: One-shoulder, wavy, flowing hair
The Colour: Red, red, red
If you plan to ring in the new year with your beloved, add some romantic touches to your outfit with a few key 2010 trends. An exposed shoulder goes a long way, and one-shoulder dresses (shown here on Rachael Ray) have made a comeback and were popular both with the celebrities and on the runway at the 2010 collections. Look for this trend to emerge in swimwear and bridal gowns as well. And we all know that red is the colour of love, but a ripe tomato tone is also the hot hue for next spring. Pair these trends with sexy wavy hair (shown here on Carmen Electra), and get ready for some enthusiastic midnight kissing.

The Heart Truth, flickr.com, AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana

Dinner With Family and Friends - Women
The Trends: Pulled-back hair, leather jackets
The Colours: Violet, yellow, khaki
Dining with family and friends for a NYE meal means you can keep things simple and comfortable but still have fun dressing up. Neutral beige or khaki gets a lift when paired with a vibrant, satiny violet, and both will have currency into spring 2010, according to InStyle magazine and the Pantone Colour Trend report. Sleek, pulled-back hair was all over the runways in New York; wear it low at the neck for an elegant, modern look. A leather jacket is a stylish way to keep out the cold, and will carry you through the new year - spring's versions will boast bright colours.

AP Photo/Stuart Ramson, AP Photo/H & M

Outdoor Celebration - Women
The Trends: Military style, feather accessories
The Colour: Charcoal
Those ladies who are willing to brave the cold to ring in the new year at an outdoor celebration should be armed with the right gear to face the wintry conditions. If you loved the free-wheeling, hippie look of this summer and year past, brace yourself, because military is the new bohemian. Military jackets were seen on the runways at Marc Jacob - choose one as the focus of your outfit and pair with feminine accents, such as a feathered hair band, to balance out the strong lines of the military cut.

carbonated, flickr.com, Neukoln Blackout

City Celebration - Women
The Trends: Military, Over-the-knee Boots
The Colours: Olive Green, Black
If you intend to usher in 2010 with thousands of your fellow city-mates, show off your urban style with a fitted jacket and the hottest footwear trend this winter - over-the-knee boots. You'll get coverage for your legs as you celebrate outdoors, and footwear that will take you through to the warmer weather. A structured updo will help keep things in place if things get windy.

Jef Harris, flickr.com, ldhren, flickr.com

House Party - Women
The Trend: Girly, flowing fabrics
The Colour: Deep orange
House parties these days can range from lavish to 'kegger', but whatever the vibe, one always wants to make an impression. Orange is big this season and will continue to appear on the streets and runways next year as well. Opt for orange in a long flowing blouse, paired with a black or silver high-waisted skirt. Although Michelle Williams sported this easy chignon at the 2006 Oscars, this hair style is going to be big in the New Year, so get your practice in now. Put all of this together and you have a stunning, elegant outfit to carry you into the New Year.

AP Photo/Kathy Willens, prettyinprint, flickr.com

At Home - Women
The Trends: Ripped denim, chunky knits
Even if you plan to stay in this new year's, you can still incorporate some of next year's trends into your 'comfy clothes.' Ripped denim is part of a 'deconstructed' look that figured prominently in several 2010 collections, and it has already trickled down to mainstream brand lines. Try a lighter colour jean to keep current. Stay cozy with a chunky knit sweater on top and you're ready to watch the Big Apple drop from the comfort of your couch.

photog boy, flickr.com, SwanDiamondRose, flickr.com

Romantic Date - Men
The Trend: Structured double-breasted
The Colour: Navy, Black
If it's a New Year's for two this year, impress the lady with a more polished look. Double-breasted is an elegant, structured alternative to the regular blazer. Neutrals like black and gray will ensure your blazer has more life beyond New Year's Day. Try pairing stripes with stripes or mixing patterns to give the solid pattern of the blazer a boost.

contraquien, flickr.com, AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews

House Party - Men
The Trends: Blazers, Ripped Denim
The Colours: Gray
Alright gentlemen, let's up the ante at your local New Year's Party and do New Year's in style with a nice suit jacket, yes? Try a grey suit jacket to start. Opt for a dark wash jean with a bit of ripped detailing - just to let everyone know you're polished but still ready to party.

AP Photo/Thomas Kienzle, AP Photo/Antonio Calanni

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Wacky New Year Specs Live on in 2010, Despite 1

ASSOCIATED PRESS — 2009-12-27T09:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Fun & Entertainment

The decade's end was supposed to finish off those wacky, year-shaped glasses favored by the reveling seas on New Years Eve in Times Square and around the world. Gone would be the convenient loops of the 1990s and the double-zero good times of the '00s.

Where was the 1 going to go? Doubters said it couldn't be done.

Well, turns out the 2010-shaped specs ain't half bad. Accommodating the 1 while making sure people can see out of the things has resulted in some semblance of symmetry, as goofy glasses go.

Some designs sport an elevated 1 that rests atop the nose bridge. Others squeeze the problematic peephole inside the dastardly digit that will be with us in the No. 3 spot for quite some time. Still other versions piggyback the entire year above two big circles used for seeing.

"The 2010 glasses are a WIN. Not only because some upstarts made these glasses when other people said they couldn't, but also because we're more than happy to say good riddance to 2009 and welcome 2010," said Ben Huh, who founded the popular Failblog.org and recently showed off the new-decade shades on his latest venture: Epic Win for the Win (EpicWinFTW.com).

One company is trying an exclamation point to offset the dangly 2, with brightly colored LED lighting that blinks, glow-in-the-dark and glittery glasses that distract from the lack of balance. A traditional eyeglass bridge separates the first two digits from the second two on many.

"What you'll see on New Year's Eve is a lot of different styles from various overseas manufacturers who have taken different approaches to the double-zero problem," said Marybeth Smith, who sells novelty eyewear at Shadesoffun.com. "These are party glasses. You wear them for 10 minutes or 20 minutes and you're done. Looking like a fool is the idea."

The tradition of wearing the year on your face can be traced to Richard Sclafani Sr. and Peter Cicero, a couple of Seattle musicians who took out a patent for a glow-in-the-dark version of the glasses after coming up with the idea over beers one night in January 1990. They called their creations Glow-Year Glasses and got them out in time for New Year's 1991. The well-lubricated throng in Times Square loved them, with the tops of the 9s used for seeing. The partners also marketed the glasses to schools for happy graduates.

Everyone from David Letterman to Dick Clark and The New York Times took note, though few people knew Sclafani and Cicero by name. The new millennium offered the grace of plentiful zeros and a whole new reason to party large, but the '00s also brought competition.

"The first 10 years we made them we were pretty much the only ones and it was profitable," Sclafani said. "We sold about half a million in 2000, then after that there were just so many knockoffs."

In addition to far cheaper overseas versions siphoning profits, the World Trade Center terror attacks in 2001 had hotels, casinos and other large customers canceling New Year's parties, Sclafani said. So the partners called it quits with their 2009 glasses, choosing not to take on the added expense of a new mold to create a version for 2010 and beyond.

Over 19 years, Sclafani said he and Cicero made roughly $150,000 after expenses on sales of about 1.2 million. They had to dump thousands of unsold glasses after 2000. It would have cost up to $20,000 for a new mold for 2010, depending on the size and quality, he said.

"There was nothing on their faces before that," Sclafani said of his spot in the annals of party novelties. "It was just hats and noisemakers. It was the idea that you could wear the year on your face and look right through it. Now there are tiaras and all kinds of things with the year on it, but back then there wasn't."

Sclafani doesn't love most of the new eyeglass designs, but on another level he's happy.

"I'm glad it's continuing, sure," he said. "But they're pretty poor. They're really thin."

When Sclafani and Cicero left the biz, pop culturistas weren't sure if the tradition would survive - or if it should, considering the off-kilter nature of the new decade. Some, like Lenora Epstein at the style site Thefrisky.com, still aren't convinced.

"You'd think maybe that double-zero lens trend would just die out and become a bygone marker of the '00s," she wrote. "But, apparently, no one's ready to let go ..."

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Smart Spending: 7 Ways to Use Gift Cards Wisely

AOL STAFF, with files from Associated Press — 2009-12-26T03:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Holiday Survival

Expecting a stash of gift cards for the holidays? Better use them wisely.

That's become a little easier, since retailers have eliminated expiration dates and fees that sap the cards' value over time.

Even so, about $5 billion, or about 6 per cent, of what consumers spend on gift cards this year won't be used, including what's lost to fees, according to TowerGroup. That's down from a high of 10 per cent in 2007, said Brian Riley, research director at the financial-services consulting firm.

It's easy to waste those nifty pieces of plastic. You might forget about them by sticking them in a sock drawer, or you might not spend the full amount. But in this tough economy, every penny counts.

"You should treat it like cash and have it be a contribution to something you really need or want," said Laura Gurski, partner in the retail practice of consultant A.T. Kearney.

Here's how experts advise wringing out the full value of cards you receive:
1. KEEP IT SAFE. Expert say that as soon as you get a gift card, put it in a safe place. That means stashing it in an envelope reserved just for gift cards. Some say to just put them in your wallet along with the credit cards.

"Don't leave them sitting on a desk," said Dudley Blossom, chairman of the marketing department at LIM College, a fashion college in Manhattan.

2. MAXIMIZE THE VALUE. Buy discounted merchandise when redeeming a gift card. Shoppers wanting to take advantage of post-Christmas discounts should do so between Saturday and Jan. 2.

That's because stores won't be swimming in holiday leftovers through February, because they came into the holidays with lean inventories.

"You'll find the peak" of inventory right after Christmas, Riley said.

You also should look for any special discounts from retailers like J.C. Penney specifically for gift-card users.

3. USE IT ALL UP. Riley says it's better to spend beyond the value of the gift card because that will ensure that you used all of it.

Many shoppers don't redeem gift cards to their full value - but $3 on a gift card is $3 that's not coming out of your own pocket.

4.STRATEGIZE: USE ON NECESSITIES. Want to buy that winter coat but couldn't afford it? Use the gift card toward the big purchase.

Gift cards may be free money, but experts say you shouldn't just buy anything, particularly in the difficult economy.

"You have to plan what you want to use it for," Blossom said.

Gurski said customers getting an all-purpose card such as an American Express gift card should use it on necessities such as groceries.

5. EXCHANGE WITH FRIENDS. Don't like that particular store? Then get together with friends and swap cards.

You can even do it online. CardHub.com, a leading credit card comparison Web site, just launched a gift card application for Facebook.

Its main feature is the Gift Card Wish List, which let users pick favorite stores so friends know what gift cards they'd like.

But it also has a gift card exchange, which lets friends post cards they want to buy or sell at a discount.

6. SELL OR SWAP CARDS WITH STRANGERS. Card-bearing customers can turn to sites like Plasticjungle.com or Swapagift.com to exchange gift cards or even donate them to charity.

But there is a price. At Plasticjungle.com, customers can sell the card for cash and get up to 90 percent of the balance. (There's a minimum gift card value of $25). Customers can no longer list their cards on the site for direct swapping and must sell them directly to the company.

7. REGIFTING. If you receive a card as a gift before the holidays, regifting is always an option.

You can also use the card to buy a holiday present for someone on your list.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Warning: Absurdly Cute Holiday Animals Ahead

AOL Staff — 2009-12-25T03:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Fun & Entertainment

Cute animals have been a web favourite for a while now, but 2009 was a particularly good year for fluff of the fluffy variety. This year there was so much cute that we started classifying it. Whole new genres of cute popped up, from Cute Things Falling Asleep to Cute Things in Casts. Still, we prefer a simpler version, something that harkens back to more innocent times. So here is our stocking stuffer to you: Dozens of images of the cutest holiday kittens, puppies, koalas, pandas, bunnies and more that you can imagine. Enjoy!

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Movies to Watch Over the Holidays

AOL Staff — 2009-12-25T02:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Fun & Entertainment

The holidays are a time for family, goodwill and some of the best that Hollywood has to offer. So why not get out of that hot holiday kitchen; out of those never-ending boxing day sale lines and into a movie theatre -- or your living room.

This season boasts a slate of buzzworthy big-screen flicks: from the family-friendly (Alvin and the Chipmunks) to the musical (Nine); to Oscar Contenders (The Lovely Bones) and romantic comedies (It's Complicated), there's something for everyone. Guy Ritchie's fiercely anticipated 'Sherlock Holmes;' and the 'Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus,' starring the late Heath Ledger, both open Dec. 25 -- perfect for a post-dinner outing. There's also a great mix of new DVD releases, so you can enjoy the best of season in the comfort of your own home.

http://xml.channel.aol.com/xmlpublisher/fetch.v2.xml?option=expand_relative_urls&dataUrlNodes=uiConfig,feedConfig,entry&id=805197&pid=805196&uts=1261692133

http://cdn.channel.aol.com/cs_feed_v1_6/csfeedwrapper.swf

December 2009 Movie and DVD Releases

It's Complicated
Theatrical Release: December 25th, 2009

Starring Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin, this romantic comedy is creating quite the hype for itself. After almost ten years of divorce, Jane, successful business owner, and Jake, now married to a much younger woman, come together at their son's graduation. When the former couple goes out for an innocent dinner, they land themselves in a scandalous affair. Between Jake's young wife and an architect with the hots for Jane, things get complicated.

AP Photo/Peter Kramer/Universal

Christian Charisius, Reuters

December 2009 Movie and DVD Releases

AP Photo/Peter Kramer/Universal

The Lovely Bones
Theatrical Release: December 25th, 2009

Starring Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz, Stanley Tucci, Susan Sarandon and directed by Peter Jackson, The Lovely Bones is a dramatic thriller about a young murder victim watching over her family, and even her killer, from heaven. She is faced with the decision to help her family heal, or to get even with her killer.

moviefone.com/Dream Works

Nine
Theatrical Release: December 25th, 2009

Nine, the dramatic musical starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Marion Cotillard, Nicole Kidman and Penélope Cruz, shows the audience the trials and tribulations of trying to balance a great number of demanding women, and personal crisis in the life of famous movie director, Guido Contini.

moviefone.com/Weinstein Company

Sherlock Holmes
Theatrical Release: December 25th, 2009

With a great cast of Jude Law, Mark Strong, Rachel McAdams, Robert Downey Jr., this interpretation of the classic Arthur Conan Doyle characters is an adventure you won't want to miss. The new Holmes, with fighting skills as good as his known intellectual ones, accompanied by the ever faithful Watson, embark on their last adventure, to bring down a new enemy, which brings up many new and exciting challenges for the dynamic duo.

moviefone.com/Warner Bros.

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
Theatrical Release: December 25th, 2009

With a star studded cast of Colin Farrell, Heath Ledger, Johnny Depp and Jude Law, this upcoming film, to be released on Christmas day, is said to be a great new mystery story. Doctor Parnassus, with an incredible gift of shaping peoples imaginations, has had a travelling show, giving his audience members a chance to choose a life of joy and wonder, or of gloom and darkness. He has done so for centuries after winning the gift of immortality in a bet with the devil. After meeting the love of his life, Doctor Parnassus comes face to face, once again, with the devil. In an effort to rid himself of his immortality, he throws away something very valuable to himself in the process.

Daniel Semper, flickr.com/Sony Pictures Classics

Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel
Theatrical Release: December 23, 2009

Featuring the voices of Justin Long and Zachary Levi, the furry trio embarks on their latest adventure: school. Filled with human students and a new group rival, the Chipettes, the Chipmunks sing their way through the movie, trying to reach their goal and win the Battle of the Bands.

AP Photo/20th Century Fox

District 9
DVD Release: December 22nd, 2009
Starring new up and comers David James, Jason Cope, Mandla Gaduka and Sharlto Copley this story revolves around the problems encountered in a fictional world, where aliens end up taking refuge within South Africa.

moviefone.com/Sony

500 Days of Summer
DVD Release: December 22nd, 2009

Starring Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, 500 Days of Summer is a romantic comedy that made a killing at the box office this summer. Tom, a hopeless romantic, driven by the notion of destiny and true love, meets and falls in love with Summer, who has the exact opposite views on romance. Despite their different views, Tom does not give up on Summer, and falls hopelessly in love with the idea of her.

AP Photo/Fox Searchlight, Chuck Zlotnick

Extract
DVD Release: December 22nd, 2009

With a packed cast of Jason Bateman, Ben Affleck, Clifton Collins Jr., Mila Kunis, Kristen Wiig and Dustin Milligan, this comedy is packed with laughs. This film shows us the life of Extract plant owner, Joel. Throughout the movie, Joel is forced to deal with numerous personal issues, including a very easily tempted, unfaithful wife, and work problems, including scheming employees and the decision whether to keep or sell the company.

AP Photo/Miramax Film Corp, Sam Urdank

It Might Get Louder
DVD Release: December 22nd, 2009

Following Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin, The Edge of U2 and Jack White of the White Stripes, this musical documentary gives us a look into the wonderful world of electric guitars. Bringing together artists from three different musical era's, this film shows the lives of theses three greats, their own personal playing style, and how they got to where they are today.

*hoodrat*, Flickr.com/Sony Classics

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Set the Holiday Mood With Free Christmas Music

AOL Staff — 2009-12-24T11:30:00+00:00

Filed under: Fun & Entertainment

There's plenty of things to love of about the 'most wonderful time of the year' -- the smells, the tastes, the warm feeling of being with friends and family -- but nothing sets the holiday mood quite like some good Christmas music. So before you dive into those presents under the tree, pop on these free albums and fill the air with the sweet sounds of the season.The Beach Boys - 'Christmas Harmonies'

Featuring holiday classics like 'Santa Claus is Coming to Town' and 'Frosty the Snowman,' lesser-known highlights like 'Santa's Beard' and 'The Man With All the Toys,' and the Beach Boys' inimitable take on 'Little Saint Nick,' this is the perfect playlist for those who like their Christmas with a side of 'surf's up.'

Neil Diamond - 'A Cherry Cherry Christmas'

The holiday season just wouldn't be complete without Neil Diamond offering his take on tunes like 'Jingle Bell Rock' and 'White Christmas.' But if that isn't enough, check out Diamond's version of Adam Sandler's 'Chanukah Song.'

Frank Sinatra - 'Christmas with Sinatra and Friends'

If Ol' Blue Eyes is more your cup of tea, take a listen to this collection of Christmas song featuring Ray Charles, Tony Bennett and more. Includes 'The Little Drummer Boy' and 'Baby it's Cold Outside.'

Phil Spector - 'A Christmas Gift for You'

Spector may be spending the holidays in the slammer, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy these classics from the Ronettes, the Crystals and more, complete with Spector's trademark "Wall of Sound."

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

How to Accommodate a Vegetarian At Christmas

Jessica de Melo — 2009-12-24T03:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Food & Recipes

Dinner parties go hand in hand with the holidays, but if you're not a vegetarian, the thought of cooking for (or eating with) someone who won't touch meat or meat products can seem pretty daunting. Being the only vegetarian at the table can get awkward too; nobody wants to be a bother. It's especially bad when that brazen house-guest to your right won't drop the jokes about how tofu looks like play dough and how carrots feel pain.

As host, it's important to realize that vegetarianism is a personal choice, so don't take offense when your veggie visitor declines the minced meat and turkey. If your guestlist is mostly meat-friendly, don't feel obligated to make a meatless version of every single dish -- a couple veggie-centric plates should suffice. And often, simply tweaking traditional fare can give your guest more variety -- like using vegetable stock, olive oil and soy milk as preparatory substitutes in things like gravy and mashed potatoes. The meat-eaters won't even notice, promise.

One should also be mindful of the fact that all vegetarians are different: for some, dietary restrictions range from cutting out all animal-based proteins to any/all animal products (think honey, dairy, eggs). Either way, check in with your guests ahead of time to make sure you've got them covered. The recipes below from Laura K. Lawless' Veggie Table and the Girl Interrupted Eating blog are a surefire way to fill a veggie's belly. They'll appreciate the effort.

-------------
Appetizer: The Veggie Table's Bell Pepper Soup
Makes 4 medium servings; 3 large.

You'll need:

4 large bell peppers (preferably red and orange), seeded and diced
1 small onion, chopped
1 potato, chopped
¼ cup of olive oil
Pinch of salt (to taste)
1 tsp. red pepper flakes
1½-2 cups of vegetable stock
Optional: 1 tbsp. crème fraîche or sour cream

Directions:

In a saucepan, heat the olive oil; add and sauté the onion for 3 to 4 minutes.
Add all ingredients except the stock and bring to a simmer
Cover, reduce heat, and simmer. Stir occasionally until the peppers are tender. This should take about an hour.
Pour half of the soup into a blender and purée; then do the same for the other half. Meanwhile, put the stock in the small saucepan and bring to a simmer (Option: if you want a smoother soup, you can strain it at this point).
Return the soup to the saucepan, stir in the stock, taste and season.
Serve hot or cold, and top with your choice of crème fraîche or sour cream. Chives make a nice garnish.

-------------
Main Course: Stuffed Squash (courtesy girlinterruptedeating.wordpress.com)

You'll need:

1 medium squash (preferably butternut)
1 tsp. of butter
1 large leek, finely chopped
1 clove of garlic, finely chopped
100 g. of wholemeal breadcrumbs
4 tbsp of cheddar cheese grated (can use vegan soy option)
4 tbsp of parsley, finely chopped
1 tbsp of wholegrain mustard

Directions:

Cut the squash in half, hollow/scrape out the seeds and place in the oven for 35 minutes at 200 C.
Meanwhile sauté the leeks and garlic until soft; mix with the cheese, mustard breadcrumbs & parsley together.
Fill the squash cavity with the stuffing and return to the oven for 10 minutes until golden brown and toasted (Option: you can leave it in longer depending on how crispy you like it).

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Make Your Own Festive Floral Arrangements

ASSOCIATED PRESS — 2009-12-23T16:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Gift Guides, Decorating

Looking for a unique, one-of-a-kind centrepiece to spruce up your holiday table? A lovely arrangement to dress your mantlepiece; or beautifully showcase your Christmas spirit and creativity? Then these three do-it-yourself floral arrangements, from the imaginarium of Trish O'Sullivan are for you.Project One:
Floral ornament balls

Supplies:

24 to 36 green, white or red carnations or mums
Holiday greens for bedding
3-inch or 4½-inch Oasis-style spheres

Directions:
Clean all leaves and cut the stems on an angle. Let the flowers drink in a bucket of room temperature water for three hours. If using carnations, let them drink overnight for full bloom. Store in a cool place.
Soak oasis spheres one hour in cool water.

Cut stems 1½ inch long and start inserting them into the sphere, from its top, working toward the bottom.
Submerge the completed flower ornament in cool water for 30 seconds and drain for 15 minutes. Place it on a small glass plate and nestle in a bed of holiday greens and pine branches. For extra interest, place other holiday ornaments among the branches.
___

Project Two:
Blossoms floating in short rectangle glass vases, with bottoms lined with recycled cellophane

Supplies:

Three glass vases, 8 inches long by 4 inches wide and 4 inches high
Cymbidium orchids or roses

Directions:

Cut the flower stems on an angle. Let the flowers drink in a bucket of room-temperature water for three hours.

Collect clear cellophane from grocery packaging, or buy a new roll. Wash recycled cellophane and cut off any writing on packaging. Crinkle recycled cellophane or cut new cellophane to desired length, and insert into clean glass containers until one-quarter full from bottom.

Cover with cool water 1 inch over the top of the cellophane. Wipe the glass containers dry on the inside above the cellophane.

Cut flower stems ½-inch long and place gently on top of cellophane. Place one flower in the first container, two flowers in the second and three flowers in the third, or all containers with the same number of flowers.

Place in the center of the table or down the middle on a holiday-inspired runner or table linen, nestled in a bed of holiday greens and pine cones.

___

Project Three:
Stainless or aluminum containers filled with roses

Supplies:

Three containers in shape of your choice
Roses, preferably burgundy (Black Baccarat, Black Magic, Hocus Pocus or Forever Young), green (Green Tea or Super Green) or white (Avalanche or Polo)

Directions:

Cut roses on an angle and allow them to drink in a bucket of room-temperature water for three hours in a cool location.

Fill containers ¾ full with cool water.

Cut the roses so the bottom outer petals will rest on the lip of the containers.

Place three glass candlesticks with white candles at different lengths in the center of the table. Arrange greenery (Ming fern branches recommended) around the candles. Nestle the rose-filled containers around the candles, surrounded by the greens, sprinkle with rose petals and candy canes.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Save Your Pennies With Do-Ahead Hors d'Oeuvres

ASSOCIATED PRESS — 2009-12-23T14:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Food & Recipes, Entertaining

Homemade hors d'oeuvres beat out-of-the-box frozen any day. And while your guests are sure to appreciate the personal touch, it's the savings to your entertaining budget that will have you smiling.

On average, frozen party nibbles cost between $5 and $7 per dozen. This recipe for baked new potato halves topped with roast beef and horseradish cream can be prepared in about 30 minutes for about $2.50 per dozen.

For convenience, the potatoes can be baked a few hours ahead so you can quickly reheat them and assemble the hors d'oeuvres as needed. If you like, use sliced pastrami, corned beef or even deli sliced roast turkey instead of the roast beef.

New Potatoes with Roast Beef and Horseradish Cream

Start to finish: 35 minutes (15 minutes active)
Servings: 60

30 very small red potatoes, halved lengthwise
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Salt, to taste
Ground black pepper, to taste
3/4 cup reduced-fat sour cream
1/4 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise
3 tablespoons well-drained ground horseradish
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/2 pound thinly sliced deli roast beef, coarsely chopped
2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon

1. Place a rack in the lower third of the oven. Heat the oven to 425 F. Brush 2 baking sheets with oil.
2. Place the potato halves on the baking sheets, cut side down. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake for 15 minutes, or until well-browned on the underside and tender at the center. The potatoes can be prepared up to 2 hours ahead. Let cool to room temperature and cover with plastic wrap.
3. Meanwhile, in a bowl, stir together the sour cream, mayonnaise, horseradish and mustard.
4. To assemble, reheat as many potatoes as you want to serve at one time, in the oven or microwave. Top each potato with about 1/2 teaspoon of horseradish cream and 1 teaspoon of chopped roast beef. Sprinkle with tarragon. Serve warm.

Nutrition information per serving (values are rounded to the nearest whole number): 77 calories; 11 calories from fat; 1 g fat (0 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 4 mg cholesterol; 14 g carbohydrate; 3 g protein; 1 g fiber; 46 mg sodium.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Healthy, Tasty Turkey - The Secret Is in the Sauce

ASSOCIATED PRESS — 2009-12-23T12:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Food & Recipes

The trouble with light entrees is that low-fat proteins generally are at the heart of the dish. While this is great for your health, it often is wanting in flavour. How to make it work? The secret can be in the sauce.

As long as you don't go crazy with the butter and cream, sauces can be a stealthy healthy tool for adding tons of flavour and moisture.

There are several ways to make a sauce that is both flavourful and low in calories and fat.

When you cook a chicken breast, steak, pork chop and most other lean proteins in a saute pan, you generally end up with some browned, caramelized bits called fond stuck to the bottom of the pan.

That fond can be turned into a flavourful sauce. Just remove the meat from the pan, return the pan to the heat, add some liquid, then use a wooden spoon to scrape the bottom. The resulting sauce can be seasoned, then simmered down until thickened.

This process - called deglazing - can be done with wine, broth or even water. If you like, before you deglaze you also can brown some aromatics, such as chopped shallots or onions, in the pan to add even more flavour.

Another route to a flavourful, low-fat sauce is to use fresh or dried fruit simmered with broth, vinegar or both.

This fresh cherry sauce is sweet, yet savory, and can turn simple sauteed turkey cutlets or chicken breasts into an entree worthy of holiday-season company. Fresh sweet cherries from Chile can be found in grocers most of the winter, but frozen cherries work fine, too.

Sauteed Turkey Breast with Fresh Cherry Sauce

Start to finish: 45 minutes (20 minutes active)
Servings: 4

2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1/3 cup chopped shallots
1 pound fresh cherries, pitted and halved (about 2 cups)
6 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
6 tablespoons reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 pound turkey cutlets

1. In a medium saucepan over medium-high, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil. Add the shallots and cook, stirring often, until they are soft and beginning to color, about 4 minutes.
2. Add the cherries, balsamic vinegar and chicken broth, then bring to a boil. Reduce the heat so that the mixture maintains a vigorous simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is reduced by about half, about 25 minutes.
3. Stir in the mustard and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt. Cook for 5 minutes more. Remove from the heat and set aside.
4. In a shallow dish, combine the flour, the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and the pepper. Coat both sides of the turkey cutlets with the flour mixture.
5. In a large nonstick skillet over medium-high, heat the remaining tablespoon of oil. Add the cutlets and cook until lightly browned on both sides and no longer pink at the center, about 2 minutes per side. Serve the cutlets topped with cherry sauce.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Turkey Recipes Guaranteed to Please

AOL Staff — 2009-12-22T13:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Turkey Anyone?, Holiday Survival

For something that's such a big deal, turkey is really one of the simplest things to cook. But without the right direction, it can also be remarkably easy to mess up. If not properly timed or prepared, white meat can come out dry; stuffing, whether cooked inside the bird or out, may either be too moist or not moist enough. The solutions (brining, partially cooking the turkey breast-down) are easy to handle if you just have the right instructions. So we've collected recipes to help you make this year's bird the best ever. Each one is either by a chef at the top of their game (Nigella Lawson, Martha Stewart) or guaranteed to please as rated by literally hundreds of users on AllRecipes.com.

Nigella Lawson's Spiced and Super-Juicy Roast Turkey
Nigella Lawson takes an old classic and makes it fresh in this slightly more sophisticated take on the old standby. Her version includes star anise, ginger and maple syrup; it is also brined to keep the meat juicy.

Curtis Stone's Roast Turkey with Fennel and Sausage Stuffing
This video, shot for AOL in time for American Thanksgiving, shows Australian celeb chef Curtis Stone preparing his bird, which promises to be especially rich in flavour; recipes for every step of the way are included.

Martha Stewart's Brined and Roasted Turkey
This recipe takes the traditional salt-and-water brine and ups the ante by adding wine, fennel, coriander, mustard, and a host of other seasonings. Martha Stewart suggests cooking the porcini, chestnut and sausage stuffing inside the bird, but using a cheesecloth for easy removal.

Jamie Oliver's "Best Roast Turkey"
This recipe may just win the award for the most creative solution to dry white meat: Jamie Oliver recommends padding stuffing between the breast meat and skin, increasing the thickness so they take longer to cook. Another innovative idea? Wrapping rosemary springs in pancetta and stabbing them into the thighs. Yum!

Mark Bittman's 45-Minute Turkey
Bittman is a genius at simplifying recipes. Still, it's almost impossible to imagine roasting an entire turkey in 45 minutes. The secret? Cutting out the backbone and flattening the bird.

All Recipes' Homestyle Turkey, the Michigander Way
A more traditional preparation, this recipe yields no surprises. But sometimes simple is best. Almost 1000 people have reviewed this recipe on AllRecipes.com, and the consensus is a five-star classic.

All Recipes' Perfect Turkey
Guarantee yourself one of the juiciest turkeys ever by both brining and flipping the bird as you cook it, so the juices run down into the breast before getting locked in.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Last-Minute Holiday Home Spruces

AOL Staff — 2009-12-20T12:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Decorating

The presents are wrapped, the turkey's been purchased and the tree is decorated. All that's left are some last minute details and your home is set for the holidays. You don't have to spend a lot to bring some festive cheer into your space. Check out our quick and easy ideas to spruce up your home.

http://xml.channel.aol.com/xmlpublisher/fetch.v2.xml?option=expand_relative_urls&dataUrlNodes=uiConfig,feedConfig,entry&id=803165&pid=803164&uts=1261328256

http://cdn.channel.aol.com/cs_feed_v1_6/csfeedwrapper.swf

Last Minute Holiday Home Spruces

By Jeanne Benedict

Make a Winter Display Using Sticks and Salt for Snow

Create a beautiful winterscape by adding salt, to resemble snow, into clear glass containers and inserting sticks. Place the display on a fireplace mantle or ledge with overhead lighting to bring out the shadows on the top surface of the salt.

Celebrations.com

Christian Charisius, Reuters

Last Minute Holiday Home Spruces

Celebrations.com

By Jeanne Benedict

Dangle Bells on Knobs

Hang bells in offbeat places like cabinet knobs and hallway doorknobs to add a fun musical touch throughout your home.

Celebrations.com

By Jeanne Benedict

Float Tea Lights in Red and Green Water

Arrange a set of identical drinking glasses along your dining table. Fill the glasses with water and use red and green food coloring to tint the water. Float tea lights in the water for a festive display.

Celebrations.com

By Jeanne Benedict

Group Gifts as a Centerpiece

In a pinch for a holiday centerpiece? Wrap a few gifts and arrange them on the table, similar to how stores merchandise items in windows or on counters, to create a quick and easy display.

Celebrations.com

By Jeanne Benedict

Create a Festive Aroma

Dust off your fondue pot and create a festive aroma in the living room by adding water, spices and cut fruit into the pot over a low flame. Make it decorative by using mini crab apples, cinnamon sticks, and clove-studded Clementine Mandarins.

Celebrations.com

By Jeanne Benedict

Adorn Candles with Ornaments or Jewelry

One of the simplest ways to accent a pillar candle is by inserting a straight pin into its side and hanging an ornament on the pin using the hook or a ribbon. Or you can dangle an earring from the pin as well. Place the candle on a large decorative plate, such as a gold charger, and surround the base with mini ornaments.

Celebrations.com

By Jeanne Benedict

Accent Home Décor with Bows

A simple organza bow can perk up chair backs, a lamp base or many tabletop home décor items. Use a wide ribbon like the one in our photo for a grand accent or multiple layers of ribbons for a similar effect.

Celebrations.com

By Jeanne Benedict

Give Hand Towels a Seasonal Touch

Don't forget about the powder room! Layer complementary color hand towels on your bathroom counter and fold over the top edge to resemble a Christmas stocking. Attach a seasonal accent such as wired pinecones or a bow using a safety pin.

Celebrations.com

By Jeanne Benedict

Contrast Colored Glass with Complementary Ornaments for a Simple Centerpiece

Rather than piling ornaments into a glass vase or bowl, think about the holiday platters and vessels in your cabinets. Red glass cakestands or bowls are an ideal base for trendy green ornaments. Keep balls on the plate by using glue dots or double-stick tape.

Celebrations.com

By Jeanne Benedict

Hang a Christmas Stocking on the Front Door

Didn't have a chance to pick up a fresh evergreen wreath for the front door? Hang a Christmas stocking on your front door to greet guests with a holiday flair. Use sticky tack on doors that you don't want to poke a hole into with a tack.

Celebrations.com

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Holiday Shoppers Using More Cash Than Credit

ASSOCIATED PRESS — 2009-12-18T17:30:00+00:00

Shoppers are doing all they can to keep their credit cards in their wallets this holiday season.

They're paying with cash, direct debits from bank accounts, taking advantage of free financing and even cashing in frequent flier miles.

A desire to stick to a budget and to avoid interest rates that have risen sharply have helped drive a marked shift away from credit cards. Banks have also reduced the amount of credit they're making available, even to low-risk clients.

"Consumers are looking for discipline in their spending levels that they can achieve from using cash," said Bryan Eshelman, managing director in the retail practice of consultant AlixPartners, whose recent survey of shoppers revealed their top concern was eliminating personal debt.

Often, the switch to cash or debit cards means lower costs for stores, though merchants miss out on getting data on their customers' shopping habits from credit card transactions.

Layaway and other payment methods increase costs, but they can be offset by new opportunities to grab sales from customers who would otherwise not able to buy.

Bill Hampel, chief economist at the Credit Union National Association, describes the consumer switch as "seminal."

"People are trying a lot of new behavior in how they're spending and how they are paying for it in response to a very scary economy," he added.

Some new habits, particularly using more cash, will likely linger, with unemployment expected to remain high for several years and credit lines less generous.

Among the ways payment methods are shifting:

Cash and its Cousins

Credit cards accounted for 60 percent of transactions at malls operated by Taubman Centers so far this holiday season, down from 70 percent last year, according to an internal survey.

Earlier this year, U.S. debit payment volume exceeded that of credit for the first time, Visa Inc. reported.

PayPal, an online payment service owned by eBay Inc. that lets shoppers pay directly from their bank accounts in addition to traditional credit, saw its active accounts surge 20 percent in its latest quarter compared with a year ago.

A report from the Federal Reserve issued Dec. 7 showed how Americans borrowed less for a record ninth straight month in October.

Alternative Payments

Stores have responded by promoting alternative ways to pay and offers that defer payment for several months.

Sears and Kmart are now offering store card holders who spend just $99 or more a chance to borrow at no cost for six months. A year ago, shoppers had to spend at least $199.

Others are prominently touting Bill Me Later, which offers free financing, usually for 90 days. Gourmet food purveyor Harry & David put the Bill Me Later logo on the front of its holiday catalog. If the purchase is not paid off on time, customers get charged 19.99 percent interest that accrues over that time.

Merchants pay fees for Bill Me Later and PayPal, which take anywhere from a 1.9 percent to 2.9 percent cut. That's slightly lower than credit cards interchange fees, which range from about 2 percent to 3.5 percent, according to Curtis Arnold, founder of CardRatings.com, a credit education site.

Forrester Research estimates that PayPal and similar payment services, which is any method that's not just typing in one's credit or debit card, now represent 11 percent of total online payments.

Layaway, which lets shoppers pay over time interest-free while the store holds onto the item, also has made a comeback. This payment method had its roots in the Great Depression but became passe in the past two decades with the rise of credit cards.

In the tough economy, layaway is booming at stores like discounter Fred's Inc., which saw it increase sixfold in the latest quarter. But it's also shedding its image as a tool for the poor.

Layaway allows shoppers to pay over time, interest free, and pick up their goods when they're paid in full.

Shoe seller Foot Locker Inc. has big signs promoting free layaway on storefront windows.

http://xml.channel.aol.com/xmlpublisher/fetch.v2.xml?option=expand_relative_urls&dataUrlNodes=uiConfig,feedConfig,entry&id=792736&pid=792735&uts=1261165327

http://cdn.channel.aol.com/cs_feed_v1_6/csfeedwrapper.swf

10 Sure-Fire Gifts for Her (All Under $20!)

Sound of Music 40th Anniversary Widescreen - $12.99
Because if she doesn't already own this, she wants it. There are three magical things that hold universal appeal for women: John Cusack, horses, and this movie. The 40th Anniversary edition was released in 2005, but there's never been a better time to buy it: Amazon.ca has it on sale for $12.99. (Compare with $28.99 at Chapters Indigo.)
Buy here.

Christian Charisius, Reuters

10 Sure-Fire Gifts for Her (All Under $20!)

750 ml Otterbottle - $16.99
Otterbottle merges beautiful design with environmentally friendly BPA-free water bottles, so she can be stylish and conscious all at once. Plus, the company's Canadian.
Buy here.

Trimmings Pony - $16.54
Sequins and glitter are big this season; if she's got a ponytail, she'll sparkle by wrapping it in this beautiful garland from Anthropologie.
Buy here.

Body Shop Merry Cranberry Organic Bath & Shower Gel - $13.00
With the cleansing properties of coconut oil, the moisturizing properties of organic honey, and the fragrance of cranberry, this seasonal shower gel is sure to please.
Buy here.

Virginiasin's Porcelain Ice Cream Cone - $18.00 U.S.
If you're wondering why someone would want a cone made out of porcelain - doesn't porcelain get really cold? - you're not being imaginative enough. Here's a suggestion, courtesy of Outblush.com: Fill it with something else, like wrapped chocolates or lingerie.
Buy here.

Eating Well, Living Well - $17.99
On the heels of their bestselling Cooking With Foods That Fight Cancer, Doctors Richard Béliveau and Denis Gingras are back. This time they take a broader approach, looking at how foods cause obesity, diabetes, and a range of other diseases, with plenty of examples that show you how easy and enjoyable it can be to eat healthy.
Buy here.

Glade's Pomegranate and Cranberry Scented Reed Diffuser - $9.99
Glade's new Pomegranate and Cranberry is a seasonal scent available as a traditional candle or via scented reed (no lighting required). Also available in Currents & Acai or Sheer White Cotton (reminiscent of freshly laundered linens) scents.

Korres Abyssinia Oil Volumizing Mascara - $20 U.S.
Korres mascara gets rave reviews from its users; the brush's microbristles are designed to maximize the amount of mascara that stays on the lashes.
Buy here.

Vancouver 2010 Olympic Mittens - $10.00
Help her show her Canadian pride with these Torchbearer mittens by the Hudson's Bay Company.
Buy here.

Nourishtea - $7.99 - 13.99
Nourishtea's healthy, delicious teas are available in white, green, blue, red, matcha and herbal varieties.
Buy here.

Toys R Us, whose customers hadn't requested layaway in the past, has seen interest spike and has come around to a different way of thinking. It's paying off.

The nation's largest toystore chain unveiled layaway this fall for big items like bikes and video game consoles. It says customers were largely parents who wanted to be able to pay over time and those who were looking for a place to store their gifts.

"In our case, layaway had more to do with convenience and peace of mind," company spokeswoman Kathleen Waugh said. She added there was no stigma attached to the service - if it means customers can get the right toy for their child.

Getting Creative

Customers such as Loretta Prencipe, a freelance marketing professional, are getting creative. In Christmas seasons past, the Alexandria., Va., resident and her husband had charged hundreds of dollars on two credit cards. This year, she used cash for most purchases, while trading in 13,000 frequent-flyer miles from United Airlines to buy a $100 gift card from a restaurant - she plans to also use the miles to buy several $25 gift cards from Barnes & Noble.

"We are trying to make smarter decisions with our money," said the mother of two teenage daughters.

Sergio Pinon, founder and chief marketing officer at e-layaway.com, which offers online layaway for about 1,000 merchants, has seen his business quadruple from last Christmas. He had expected it to double.

Even more interesting, he said, is that customers started setting aside money for gift cards for themselves starting this past summer as a way to budget their overall holiday spending. That has resulted in the average value of single gift cards rising to $100 from $25 a year ago.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Take the Work Out of Holiday Breakfast With Stratta

ASSOCIATED PRESS — 2009-12-18T15:00:00+00:00

When dreams of sugarplums have morphed into a living room floor littered with wrapping paper and toys, the last thing you want to do is pull away from the holiday fun to get breakfast on the table. A do-ahead recipe lets you have it both ways.

This easy stratta (think oomphy quiche) is made by arranging ham and cheese sandwiches in a baking dish, then pouring a mixture of eggs, milk and cheese over them. Top everything with a bit more cheese, then put it in the oven and walk away.

The whole thing can be assembled in about 10 minutes. And even that can be done the night before. Like bread puddings and baked French toast, this stratta can be assembled and refrigerated the night before. Pop it into the oven while the presents are being unwrapped.

This recipe also is particularly versatile. If ham and cheddar aren't your thing, try turkey breast and Jack cheese, cooked bacon and cream cheese or thinly sliced cooked sausages and mozzarella.

Ham and Cheese Stratta:
Start to finish: 1 hour (10 minutes active)

Servings: 8
10 slices sandwich bread
3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
5 slices deli ham
5 slices deli cheddar cheese
6 eggs
1 cup milk
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
8-ounce package fresh mozzarella rolled with prosciutto

1. Heat the oven to 350 F. Coat a 13-by-9-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Use the bread, mustard, ham and cheese to make 5 sandwiches. Arrange the sandwiches in a single layer in the prepared baking dish. You may need to cut 1 of the sandwiches in half to get them to fit evenly. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, cream, salt, black pepper and Parmesan. Pour the mixture over the sandwiches, then press the bread gently with a fork to help them absorb the liquid.
4. Use a serrated knife to cut the roll of mozzarella and prosciutto into about 15 thin slices. Arrange the slices over the top of the stratta. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until set at the center and lightly browned at the edges. Let stand 10 minutes before slicing.

Nutrition information per serving (values are rounded to the nearest whole number): 490 calories; 280 calories from fat; 31 g fat (16 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 230 mg cholesterol; 23 g carbohydrate; 31 g protein; 0 g fiber; 1,399 mg sodium.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Gift Ideas For Your Favourite Foodie Who Has It All

ASSOCIATED PRESS — 2009-12-17T18:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Photos & Galleries, Gift Guides, Entertaining

Stymied by what to get the fussy foodie in your life?

Take this bit of advice - we all have more than enough aprons (kitschy, frilly, manly, profane and otherwise) that we don't wear; bottles of decorative vinegars consume valuable kitchen real estate and are so '90s; and with only two hands we can use only so many pot holders.

If you want to please a picky cook, look for gifts that solve problems and make work easier, or at least make it easier to love the work. Here are some suggestions that may make this year's holiday gift hunt a little less stressed.HOST GIFT

When headed to someone's house for dinner, anyone can bring a bottle of wine or bouquet of flowers. To make an impression, head to the grocer and get a stalk of Brussels sprouts, instead. A stalk of sprouts (usually 2 to 3 feet long) has a rustic beauty and is easily dressed up with a ribbon or a wrap of tissue paper. The stalks are in season, cost just a few dollars and your host gets to eat the sprouts the next day.

Sprouts not your thing? Form a large cone out of butcher's paper or heavy-duty wrapping paper. Fold and tape the bottom of the cone, then fill it with pecans and walnuts (in the shell). Top the nuts with a wedge of Parmesan cheese and a nut cracker.

STOCKING STUFFERS

For the foodie with a techie bent (and an iPhone or iTouch), consider getting an iTunes gift card. Sure, they can download some tunes to jam to while whipping up dinner, but there also are numerous apps that make cooking easier and more fun.

Spend some time searching iTunes and assemble a list of suggestions for your recipient. While there are the obvious food and wine pairing apps, and recipe and grocery list options galore, there also are handy programs such as Convert ($1.99) from Tap Tap Tap.

This graceful app lets you convert units of just about anything, from distance and dollars to weight and volume. No more guessing about how many fluid ounces are in a cup (eight) or how many teaspoons are in a pint (96).

Hispanic food is where it's at, but if you don't speak the language venturing beyond chain restaurant offerings can be intimidating. Which makes Lourdes Castro's new pocket-style dictionary, "Eat, Drink, Think in Spanish" (Ten Speed Press, $18.99) so helpful.

Like most translation dictionaries, Castro's is divided into English-Spanish and Spanish-English sections. It will have your foodie navigating Hispanic markets with ease.

UTILITY OVER BEAUTY

Like measuring cups and wooden spoons, no kitchen can have enough towels. Skip the decorative ones found at most homes stores; they are pricey and not all that absorbent. So-called flour sack towels, the variety used in many professional kitchens, are a better choice.

These thin but large cotton towels wipe clean and absorb well. They are available at a bargain price from many online retailers, including Amazon.com, which sells a 12-pack for $22.39.

Most home cooks don't have good knives. And those who do often don't take proper care of them, which includes regular sharpening. Do you favorite cook a favor and get a gift certificate for knife sharpening. (Some hardware shops and many online specialty stores offer this service. Prices vary widely, but can start as low as $4 per knife.)

Or give them a set of ultra-sharp knives that are beautifully balanced, hold their edge well and sport an unusually long but comfortable handle.

Prices vary by style of knife, but you can expect to pay between $100 and $200 for the larger chef-style knives.

FOR KIDS

This one may get me in trouble, but I'm a firm believer in involving children in the kitchen. And that includes giving them their own knives at a very young age (my son got a 5-inch chef's knife for his second birthday).

Teaching children how to safely use a knife can be easy. When my son first got his knife, he had to follow one simple rule - if one hand is on the knife, the other had to be at his side and off the cutting board. It made it virtually impossible for him to cut himself.

This approach doesn't initially teach proper knife skills (having one hand at your side doesn't allow for holding the food being cut), but it fosters confidence working with knives and food. Three years later, my son is a pro who can hold his food and cut at the same time.

If you are going to give a young child a knife, grip and length are important. I got my son the Rachel Ray Furi Gusto Grip Li'l Edgy 5-Inch Santoku Knife ($28.99 online), which has a brightly colored, sticky silicone grip. It's a good length and won't slip out of his hand.

Not ready to arm your toddler with a knife? There are plenty of working cooking sets and utensils marketed especially for children. Playful Inc.'s Playful Chef Kit, for example, includes a variety of kid-size tools, an apron and recipe cards colored coded to the tools.

The kits, available in two sizes, come in a backpack for storing the gear. The sell for about $37.99 online.

FOR BIG SPENDERS

Got a cook who simply must have the latest and greatest? Think they'd mind waiting until the day after Christmas?

Check out All-Clad's new line of stainless cookware. Called Stainless with d5 Technology (for the five layers of stainless steel and aluminum from which they are made), these heavy-duty pots and pans sport the usual solid All-Clad elegance.

Those five layers make for exceptionally even cooking. There was a noticeable improvement even over All-Clad's own earlier stainless steel cookware lines. The outer layer of steel also has been crafted to work with induction (magnetic) burners.

The pans are available from Williams-Sonoma Canada. Expect to pay about $800 for a 10-piece set. Individual pans start at $99.95. But in a decision that simply boggles the mind, they won't be available until Dec. 26.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Lifestyle Blog - CA

Stay Committed to Your Resolutions: The Best Places to Find Help

Gorgonzola and White Bean Crostini With Honey

Matte Makeup Gets Its Turn as a Trend

Is It Okay for Kids to Sip Bubbly on New Year's Eve?

Brownies: A Perfect, Healthier New Year's Treat

Ring in the New Year in 2010's Best Style Trends

New Years Eve Style Ideas

Wacky New Year Specs Live on in 2010, Despite 1

Smart Spending: 7 Ways to Use Gift Cards Wisely

Warning: Absurdly Cute Holiday Animals Ahead

Holiday Cuties

Movies to Watch Over the Holidays

December 2009 Movie and DVD Releases

Set the Holiday Mood With Free Christmas Music

How to Accommodate a Vegetarian At Christmas

Make Your Own Festive Floral Arrangements

Save Your Pennies With Do-Ahead Hors d'Oeuvres

Healthy, Tasty Turkey - The Secret Is in the Sauce

Turkey Recipes Guaranteed to Please

Last-Minute Holiday Home Spruces

Last Minute Holiday Home Spruces

Holiday Shoppers Using More Cash Than Credit

10 Most Over-Played Holiday Songs

10 Sure-Fire Gifts for Her (All Under $20!)

Take the Work Out of Holiday Breakfast With Stratta

Gift Ideas For Your Favourite Foodie Who Has It All

10 Most Over-Played Holiday Songs