Yesterday I received an email from a reader in Chicago. She said that she has a bunch of upcoming zoom conferences and social calls….and wanted some tips on something new to wear (that would be within her budget) and asked for some help on how she should set up her zoom “scene”. I partnered with Belk, a fun Florida Department store, to bring you some under $30 fashion finds. Their signature brands are really great looking and take a queue from some of the more expensive lines…I love the striped sweater highlighted below, it reminds me of the NY popular fashion brand La Ligne. I also included a few pairs of statement earrings. They are a must since earrings really pop in a video conference. Right now most items are 35% off with the code AMAZINGSAVINGS. As for creating the Zoom scene, I found a few tips for you! Please keep the emails and messages coming. I am trying to cover a lot of fun topics to keep everyone entertained for the next many weeks and I love all the interesting questions, and requests that you send to me!!!! Bon Weekend!!!
Click the images below for more product information!!!
Here are some tips for elevating your Zoom background or “scene” as I like to call it!!!
Set up your computer in front of the window so your face gets natural light, which is the most flattering type of light.”
You can improve your appearance and look airbrushed. Just click the “enhance my appearance” button under video options.
Use laptops/computers over phone/tablets. It allows for better control of viewing and accessing chat features.
Mute mics and only unmute when you are speaking; it eliminates some of the screen jumping that is triggered by sound/noise.
Surround yourself with things that inspire you: a decorative piece, a Himalayan salt lamp, or burn a candle.
Place Lamps At Both Sides Of Your Desk, if you are seated at a desk.
Clean your space. Do not show clutter. Think about your background. A nice piece of artwork or your fireplace and mantle would work nicely. Basically something interesting to look at.
Add a decorative object to the background, like a vase of flowers.
A book shelf makes for an interesting and eye catching backdrop.
Have nice accessories, a pretty mug (my friend, Melissa, used these recently) or glass. Use a decorative pen or notebook, if you need one during the meeting.
I know, I know..everyone is complaining about being stuck inside and all the non-stop eating but requests are still coming in for baking recipes!! My friend Paula made this for her family this week and served it with ice cream. She said almost the entire thing went in one night. Thankfully she forwarded the recipe to me and I knew I had to share it. Don’t worry..next week I have a Weight Watchers recipe all set up for you!!!! Bon Appetit!!!
- 1 cup all-purpose flour, spooned into measuring cup and leveled-off
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar, plus more for sprinkling over cake
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons dark rum
- 2 baking apples, peeled, cored and cut into 1/2-inch cubes (I like Honeycrisp, Fuji or Granny Smith) (3-1/2 – 4 cups chopped)
- Confectioners’ sugar (optional), for decorating cake
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-inch springform or regular cake pan with butter or nonstick cooking spray. If using a regular cake pan, line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper and grease again.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt.
- Using a handheld mixer with beaters or a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well and scraping down the sides of the bowl after each addition. Beat in the vanilla and rum. Don’t worry if the batter looks grainy at this point; that’s okay. Add the flour mixture and mix on low speed until just combined. Using a rubber spatula, fold in the chopped apples.
- Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and even the top. Sprinkle evenly with 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar. Bake for about 40 minutes, or until the cake is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool on a rack. Run a blunt knife around the edges of the cake. If using a springform pan, remove the sides. If using a regular cake pan, carefully invert the cake onto the rack, remove the parchment paper, then gently flip the cake over and place right-side-up on a platter. Using a fine sieve, dust with Confectioners’ sugar (if using). Cake can be served warm or room temperature, plain or with lightly sweetened whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
- Freezer Friendly Instructions: The cake can be frozen for up to 3 months. After it is completely cooled, cover it tightly with aluminum foil or freezer wrap. Thaw overnight on the countertop before serving.
adapted from once upon a chef
One thing that I love about all this at home time is that I really get a chance to catch up with my friends who are usually too busy for me during the week!!!!!!!!!!! My dear dear and one of my oldest friends Leeann is one person I am ecstatic that I can actually get her on the phone during the day!! I kid you not, it is probably easier to get in touch with the president than Leeann at work…soooo yesterday we were discussing one of our favorite topics, The Tiger King. In between Leeann telling me that in her lifetime, she never had a desire to pet a baby tiger (which might be the best line of this entire 2 + month quarantine!!!), she asked me if my hands are raw from all the washing. Actually, because of this dry skin fix my hands are in great shape despite the fact that I am washing them constantly. It’s really easy and really fun to make.
2/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup olive oil or coconut oil
10-20 drops lavender essential oil (optional)
1/2 pint mason jar, or other glass container
Combine sugar, olive oil and lavender essential oil in a mason jar. Stir well to combine. Add more oil, if necessary.
To Use:
Use a spoon or other clean device to take a couple tablespoons of the diy hand scrub out of the container. Gently massage into hands for 1 minute. Rinse with warm water.
(adapted from fountain avenue kitchen)
WOW….is my house feeling really bare…I usually pick up flowers and try to spruce up things around here from week to week..There really is nothing like fresh flowers around to keep your spirits up!! Even the $9.99 grocery store variety does the trick. I was walking the other day and noticed that there are so many beautiful and bright forsythia bushes popping up all over. I went home, grabbed my clippers and cut a few branches…I put them in a tall vase on my kitchen counter and Voila…What a difference!!!!! After almost a week, they are really holding up…Then I saw my uber-talented friend Stephanie post a photo of the ones she cut and arranged on her dining room table…andddddd a post was born. How fabulous do these simple arrangements look?
Here is my friend Stephanie’s Dining Room…ABSOLUTE PERFECTION…
Are you cooking a lot these days? Me too!! I decided to search Amazon for some new cookbooks and stumbled up Park Ave Potluck! It is a collection of recipes from some of New York’s Grande Dames of society.
Here is the description:
To benefit America’s leading center for the research and treatment of all types of cancer, here is a cookbook with a cause par excellence. The members of The Society of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center are some of the most celebrated party givers in New York City’s fundraising world. Now the ladies of the society have opened up their private recipe files to present foolproof dishes that will turn any event–whether a cocktail party for sixty or a comforting family meal–into the talk of the town. Edited by acclaimed food writer Florence Fabricant, Park Avenue Potluck is filled with such recipes as Cheddar Chutney Croustades, Baked Spinach Risotto, Cider Roasted Pork Tenderloin, and Bermuda Banana Bread Pudding. This unprecedented peek into the dining rooms of Gotham’s poshest addresses offers up advice on entertaining in true New York style. Among the boldface names contributing are Coco Kopelman, Muffie Potter Aston, Nicole Limbocker, Daisy Soros, Patsy Warner, Alexis Waller, and Katie Colgate. Humorous anecdotes, insider tidbits, and party-planning advice from these grand dames make this the season’s choicest invitation. – Amazon.com
I read in the reviews that the book is worth it just for the Chicken Cacciatore recipe. I’ll have to add that to my must-try list..For more information or to purchase this book, click HERE.
Boy this quarantine/social distancing is rough..I think I am on day 16 now since I flew home from Miami, (which is rough in itself!!!). I have to say my girls are really getting me through. They are so much fun and really incredible…They are making the best of a sad situation and are turning it into a real comedy show. Between online schoolwork and all types of lectures which are way over my head, crafts, impossible puzzles, face-timing with friends, cooking , baking, smoothie making AND a new King Charles Cavalier puppy…I am exhausted!!!! Ha!!! But honestly, it’s really hard… I miss my friends..I miss seeing them face to face. Having lunch or dinner or seeing a Broadway show or discussing a book, or Harry and Megan !!!!!!!.or places we should go, books we should read, recipes we should try, blogs we should write, products we should try. Life can be a very lonely place which is why I always say I get by with a little help from my friends!!! This stay at home time is also a way for me to focus on my business and my partnerships. Did you notice the blog overhaul?…I’ve been working on it for over a month now…BUT one huge aspect of my blog that I am finally getting around to is trying out new products.
Yesterday in the mail I received a sample of Color Street Nail Products. Color Street is inspired by New York, the City That Never Sleep’s non stop energy and color fusion. They offer a vast array of nail colors and design. I tried the samples and OMG!!!!! They were incredible sooo easy to put on…they look fabulous and last and last. The BEST PART is that most sets are $11-$13 for all 10 fingers AND they have Pedi’s too…..HOW PERFECT ARE THESE FOR THESE STAYING HOME DAYS? Or what about a set or two in the Easter basket of your daughter (they come in petite too), your teen, 20 something, your mom, your sister, all your besties…Trust me they are going to go out of their minds……they are that good!!! You can choose from solid colors, french manicures and many artsy styles which are sooo popular right now and very very $$$$ at the salon.
Product Benefits
Base, color, and top coats of high-quality liquid nail polish in each strip.
Results in a brilliant, salon-quality manicure in just minutes. No dry time, smudges, or streaks. Lasts up to 10 days.
100% real nail polish, not stickers. Flexible—can be gently stretched for a perfect fit.
How to put on Color Street:
- Remove clear cover color strip protector. Select the size nail polish strips that best fit your nails.
- Peel polish strip. Gently peel the nail polish strip from its backing by pulling on the silver tab.
- Remove tab & select end. …
- Apply to nail & gently stretch to fit. …
- Gently file excess.
Are you ready to try your own set? Here is a link to the NS Lifestyles Nail Bar Party… This link will take you to all the color and design offerings for fingers and toes. TRUST ME!! For the price…this is one of the best products I have tried in a while!!!
