My dear dear friend and grand restaurateur Dame Marisa May, along with her special guest, famed Chef Odette Fada, created a LIVE fun short informal cooking Zoom event with La Marca Prosecco for an Italian Style celebration of Women’s Day, (Festa Delle Donne in Italy) Monday, March 8th at 5:30 PM EST. This online event benefits Les Dames D’Escoffier NY & International organization of professional women restaurateurs, women chefs, women food writers & women in wine/fine beverage, whose mission is to advance and support aspiring woman in the food, beverage and hospitality industries, in which she is a member.
This live zoom event is luckily open to everyone!🤗🌟🤩🌼💛Learn how to make the traditional delicious “Italian Torta Mimosa”, a creamy lemon-citrus cake for Women’s Day!🍰
The bright yellow Italian mimosa flower is the symbol of Women’s Day in Italy! So yellow is the theme. Try wearing a touch of yellow on Monday, March 8th.
Let’s all celebrate International Women’s Day together!! Click on link for more details:
Tickets are $25.00 and available through the link above on Eventbrite!🤩🌟💛🌼🤗 The proceeds raised go directly to the Les Dames D’Escoffier New York Scholarship Fund to help aspiring FEMALE, restauranteurs, chefs, sommeliers, and food writers make their dreams come true in the restaurant- hospitality -food & fine beverage world.
Hope you can join us on Zoom on Monday March 8th at 5:30PM EST!
For more information on Marisa and to learn more about her exclusive special Cooking & Culinary Trips to Italy and her San Domenico NY Events & Catering business. Click HERE.
On Instagram stories I did a swipe up for some designer sunglasses for much less. It was so crazy popular. I received so many messages asking for all the links again. It got me thinking that I need to do more “For Less” columns. Whenever we discuss anything about sunglasses everyone always comments how expensive they have become. And it really is so true. So when you splurge on a great pair and lose them, it is devastating. Years ago a friend led me to Nordstrom Rack and Saks Off Fifth. They always have the best and newest styles of designer sunglasses for much much less than the department store prices. Whenever I visit my mom we always take a ride to her Nordstrom Rack and I stock up on a couple of pairs. A couple of years ago, I tried on the coolest Linda Farrow sunglasses (if you do not know her brand yet, it is uber uber cool). I decided on another pair instead and have regretted it ever since!!! I have pulled together some great styles from Saks Off Fifth with price tags way below what they originally retailed for…Who does not need another pair of chic sunglasses? Summer is right around the corner!!!!
Saint Laurent Oval Sunglasses were $350 NOW $150
Chloe Oversized Sunglasses were $420 NOW $99.99
Tom Ford Round Sunglasses were $355 NOW $159.99
Prada Square Sunglasses were $340 NOW $129.99
Fendi Oversized Square Sunglasses were $320 now $129.99
Chloe Cat Eye Sunglasses were $430 NOW $109.99
Dior Square Sunglasses were $355 NOW $149.99
Salvatore Ferragamo Round Sunglasses (these are the ones that Jackie O wore) were $236 NOW $99.00
Tom Ford Mirrored Butterfly Sunglasses were $420 NOW $159.99
Miu Miu Cat Eye Sunglasses were $388 NOW $104.99
There was some debate a few weeks ago whether the side part is out and thanks to the GLODEN GLOBES, it is BACK!!! In case you were worried. There were many stars on the virtual “red carpet” this year sporting their side parts. Soooooo sorry Tik Tok, the side part is here to stay!!!!
There are many ways that you can improve your home whether it’s a fresh coat of paint or some beautiful new artwork. With the help of arts and crafts tutorials, there are many decorative items that you can make to beautify your home. To give you plenty of DIY ideas and other options, check out these four neat apps.
1 . Craftgawker
If you’re looking for some excellent crafts ideas then you’ll just love the craftgawker app. Here there are thousands of DIY projects, including the work of top craft bloggers across the globe. It’s simple to use, once you’ve found a project you like simply click the photo and you can learn how to make it. A few of the key features include:
Looking to customize your bookshelf? Want to make a cute table runner? Craftgawker offers plenty of project ideas to help you decorate your home.
2. Make It Yourself- DIY Crafts App
Make It Yourself is another great app for DIY craft ideas. Whether you want to make decorations, simple homeware, or upcycled furniture items, this app has plenty to inspire you. There are lots of simple crafts decorations you can make for your home whether it’s decorative vases, bunting, cushion covers, or wall hangings. If you’ve got a knack for crafting and you want some extra ideas to motivate you, you won’t be disappointed. For plenty of easy DIY ideas, this is the app you need!
3. Hutch
Hutch is an app that uses 3D tech to help you make virtual adjustments to your rooms. All you have to do is browse through the Hutch catalog, and pick out the homeware that you like. With the help of VR, you can test out different objects, styles, and designs, (before you choose to buy anything). Play around with colors, and create the virtual home of your dreams. All products are to scale, and the app has a simple interface that is easy to use.
4. Saatchi Art
Want to improve the interior design of your home? What you need is some beautiful artwork. Saatchi has plenty of gorgeous pieces, whether you’re looking for photography, paintings, sculptures, or screen prints. Plenty of new artists sell on here, so you can find some very unique and affordable things. Saatchi Art also has a VR setting, so you can test out different pieces of artwork in your home. Don’t forget to set the filters according to your style and budget.
Improving your home:
Once you’ve spruced up the inside of your home, it’s time to get outside and look at boosting your curb appeal! There are plenty of ways you can enhance the exterior of your home all you need to do is get creative. Whether it’s improving your yard, a new driveway, or even graffiti removal, there are plenty of options. Improving your house both inside and out is a fantastic way to enhance your lifestyle and make the most of your home.
I have seen so many people on Instagram making this simple Feta & Tomato Baked Pasta recipe, featured on TikTok, all over the world. It has become so popular that Finland ran out of feta cheese. The ENTIRE COUNTRY ran out!!!! The prep time is only a few minutes and within less than an hour you have a pretty good family meal. I have not made it yet but my friend blogger, Lemon Stripes made it yesterday and totally inspired me. Plus I read that it is totally worth the hype. Here you go, let me know in the comments below if you make it.
Baked Tomato and Feta Pasta:
(adapted from www.lemonstripes.com & The Washington Post)
Ingredients:
–2 pints (17 1/2 ounces / 500 grams) cherry or grape tomatoes
4 cloves garlic
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
Kosher salt
1 block Greek feta cheese
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Freshly ground black pepper
12 ounces medium-length dried pasta, such as campanelle, rigatoni or rotini
Fresh basil leaves, for serving
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400F.
2. Place tomatoes and garlic in a baking pan and toss with 1/4 cup of olive oil and sea salt.
3. Place the block of feta in the middle of the tomatoes and top the whole thing with crushed red pepper flakes, parsley, oregano, and black pepper.
4. Bake for 40 minutes or until the feta is slightly browned and the tomatoes are totally blistered.
5. Meanwhile, cook pasta according to box instructions. Be sure to save 1 cup of the pasta water before you drain it!
6. Mix up the tomatoes, feta, and garlic with a fork (I also broke up the garlic with a garlic press) to form a sauce.
7. Stir the pasta into the sauce and add pasta water, a little at a time, as needed.
8. Top with torn basil and serve.
9. Enjoy!
I am so happy to introduce you to my newest blog sponsor, the aroma design studio, ScentFluence. ScentFluence has a library of delicious custom-designed scents for your home or business or any other space that you choose. They have cool air diffusers, room sprays, and candles that will spark your senses. There are two ways to shop with Scent Fluence. You can visit their flagship studio at 22 Harwood Court in Scarsdale or on their new website www.Scentfluence.com.
Here is their beautiful shop in Scarsdale. They have the entire scent library in-store and are happy to provide samples of any fragrance to match your own space.
Here is only one part of the scent library!!
Lavender Sage is one of the most popular scents and one that I am planning on using for my own bedroom, it is supposed to help you sleep!!!!
Here is one of the adorable plug in diffusers with the mint focus oil
ScentFluence can wrap their products for any gifting occasion…
Here are the plug in diffusers. I want one for every room.
The Sea Salt Sage fragrance has become so popular.
Here is another diffuser with some of the best-selling oils, Amber Woods, By The Fire, Moroccan Mint Tea, and Deep Blue.
There is a guide to help you choose which scent to try:
ScentFluence provides signature scents for many fabulous destinations including the Auberge Resorts, Baccarat Hotels, and the 1 Hotels: