MOI XOXO

There are a TON of carry your groceries and farmer’s market veggie bags on the market now. Going Green is the THANG! I multi task as much as possible so finding a shopping / travel tote that doesn’t advertise where I purchased it is high on my list. Before you pick your next summer tote consider getting the Feed Bag, a stylish but sturdy tote bag designed by Lauren Bush, the UN World Food Program’s Honorary Spokesperson. Here is a new way of helping feed poor school children around the world while creating greater awareness of global hunger. Purchasing the bag which is expensive compared to the $3.00 verson at Trader Joe’s or the $7.00 verson at Whole Foods, but The Feed Bag will feed a child at school for an entire academic year. Turns out Lauren Bush a Princeton grad, model, and award-winning vegetarian (who knew famousveggies.com gave out awards?) is more than a sometime handbag designer with an (in)famous uncle. Bravo Lauren!

Moi xoxo

I am going back to the basics of culinary school, Eggs 101. It’s the simplest dish but often the hardest to master. High in protein it is my food of choice for my busy mornings with toast or seasoned lightly with pepper alongside a cup of steaming coffee! Using my cooking school method plus a few choice add-ins, I can teach you how to turn eggs into oeufs!

~Start with a basic recipe: 5 eggs, 1 1/2 tbsp butter, and salt and pepper to taste. Combine all into a saucepan and turn heat to medium high. Beat with a whisk, stirring constantly. The mixture should get a little lumpy, but it shouldn’t stick to the bottom. If it does, remove from the stove and continue to whisk before returning pan to the heat.

~Don’t overcook! When the mixture becomes creamy with small curds, it’s done! Scrambled eggs should be soft enough to eat with a spoon.

~Dress them up with cooked, chopped asparagus or diced tomato and basil. If your having eggs for dinner, add smoked salmon and diced cream cheese, garnished with fresh chives. Or just cook eggs plain, then top with a dollop of creme fraiche or sour cream and a spoonful of caviar. I love to serve that to evening guests because they don’t realize how yummy eggs paired with caviar is, so I tell them after they have asked for the recipe. Old standbys such as deli meat, cheese, and dried herbs can take your scramble to a new level.

Eggscellent!

Moi xoxo

Slim Aarons was very particular. Everything had to be perfect down to the flowers. There were lots of yellow accents in the house, and Slim brought them out to the pool. He wanted his ladies to dress Palm Springs casual, so he he asked Nelda Linsk, wife of art dealer Joseph Linsk to wear a yellow cover-up, long pants, and midriff top. It took Slim hours to take the photo. The sun had to be just perfect. Two months before he died, Slim called Nelda and asked, “Why is this photo so famous?” Nelda replied, “Slim, because I am in it.” I grew up admiring my grandmother who’s style and personality reminded me of Nelda who frequented Slim Aarons desert images. My grandmother was polished but had that relaxed, California vibe. My fondest memories were of her watching me as I tried to swim in her pool but would rather sit next to her and play with her bracelet she left next to her ice tea glass. Slim’s photographs were the smiting image of my grandparents Palm Springs home which is why my vacation of choice was and still is to get away to the desert. I look forward to the images of my grand babies running around my summer home pool and run to me for hugs. Of course with moi, I keep my diamonds around my wrist!

Moi xoxo

A sexy alternative to the one-piece swimming costume, the bikini forever changed the way women relate to their bodies. Founded by Frenchman Louis Reard, he declared it as smaller than the world’s smallest bathing suit. The bikini has become a symbol of female sensuality and liberation and Spring 2008 marks the occasion of its sixtieth anniversary. The Bikini Book by Kelly Killoren Bensimon and French art publisher Assouline, celebrates the bikini with a spirited look at its highlights and history. It’s a juicy four hundred page collection praising the Hollywood pinups of the 50s; Bond girls Ursula Andress and Halle Berry rising up from the sea; the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, Brigitte Bardot all topless and poolside in St. Tropez; the itsy bitsy teeny weeny styles of the 60s; the monokini, tankini, bandini, and v-kini; the strappy and the sporty; the sexy and the outrageous. But whether iconic or ordinary, scandalous or social, every image of the bikini in this book is about beauty.

Moi xoxo

For those bored with terry cloth and less than glamourous beach proof fabrics, Savannah based designer Stephanie Lindley created James Gunn. This is a line of stylish but functional ultra suede accessories and clothing named after her thirteen-year-old son. The soft, luxurious fashions are stain resistant and machine washable, ideal for withstanding spilled ice cream and sunblock which is what I experience when my son and I relax by the sea. Other seaside necessaities such as shoulder bags for $110, beach towels with ultra sude trim for $140, sandals for $62, and cotton hats for $56, come in ten colors such as azune, espressso, and cantaloupe. Lindley’s collections for men, children, babies, and the home line make it easy to color-coordinate with my family beach trips!

Moi xoxo

Dinner in Orange County isn’t called “The California Rivera” for nothing, largely due to its impressive list of restaurants. If your going to do steak, you do steak at Bistango by Chef Javier Montoya. The key to his renowned steaks is in the cut. His favorite is the New York cut about two inches thick. I have been dining at this restaurant for over eleven years so the Ghoukassian family owners were kind enough to let me take a peak as my dish was being prepared.

~ Prepping is key! According to Chef Motoya let the steak get to room temperature. Preheat the grill or a heavy skillet if your using a stove over high heat. Brush steak with olive oil and only season with sea salt and fresh pepper.

~ Sear and cook the steak to medium rate which is a warm and pink center. Let steak sit for about ten minutes before serving. Brush the top with melted butter and sprinkle with more sea salt.

Enjoy like moi with salad, garlic roasted potatoes, and chocolate souffle for dessert!

Moi xoxo

If only Hawaii were closer, Candice Morales just might be a commuter. “I’m a little island-obsessed” admits the peripatetic makeup artist and hair stylist. The words “bronzer” and “glow” comes out of her mouth 365 days out of the year so of course tropical resorts enter her mind quite often! Candice Morales knows a thing or two about make up and hair styling as this OC based celebrity racks up car and frequent flier miles jetting off to LA and NY for cosmetic and hair shoots. She even gets to act out her resort obsession by hopping off to her favorite island destination of Kauai and Honolulu complete with her own cabana, to relax after attending to demanding models! I got her to stop and answer a few questions for me on her beauty products of choice and what she likes to do to relax.

Moi:I think I know you pretty well to say to come between you and your makeup is like don’t touch a black man’s radio station! You probably love your makeup and hair products more than you like small children! Thanks to you I am in love with my Physicians Formula Summer Eclipse Bronzing Powder compact. This amazing bi-colored bronzer combines the perfect blend of pearlescent gold and warm bronze to create a warm and vibrant bronzed complexion all year long without the harmful effects of the sun. How did you come across Physicians Formula makeup and the Summer Eclipse powder?
CM: Well I am always looking for products that have great STAYING POWER as well as good for your skin! I’ve used everything from MAC to Dior *word to the wise* MAC is a great powder for photo shoots but not for daily wear as it clogs the pores. I came across the Summer Eclipse Powder at Rite Aid and thought why not it looks nice and I have always been a big tester of brands. So in doing this, I found a great powder and bronzer combined. No matter what time of the year this powder gives the face a nice hint of color and staying power that I need. I especially love using it when I take pictures, it gives me the GLOW I need without looking caked on. Make up should enhance your beauty not cover it! I use this powder right after I apply my foundation and for those hot summer days when I don’t want to wear too much makeup. I apply a light moisturizer or a tinted one by either Neutrogena or MAC as both reflect light to give that dewy look. Then apply the powder to set the makeup. I also keep one in my purse for personal touchups

Enough make up, I want to be nosey:

Moi: What’s your favorite off-duty activity?
CM: My hammock and a good magazine! If you only knew how many I had! Moi understands!

Moi: Of course I understand, I have as many magazines! So what’s the last book you read?
CM: Skinny Bitch which is a great book on what to eat and what not. Also Face Forward from my favorite makeup artist of all time Kevyn Aucoin. I find his book is great to try out new and different looks

Moi: What’s in heavy rotation on your Ipod?
CM: Prince, JayZ, Jlo, AliciaKeys, Janet and Michael Jackson, Bob Marley - if you saw my ITouch I have over 4,000 songs, everything from - hiphop/r&b/reggea/jazz/classic rock/rap.. I got it all!

Moi: Favorite getaway spot?
CM: Fiji, Paris, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Brazil. For local travel I like to venture to AZ, Vegas, and NYC

Moi: What’s your favorite store in the world?

CM: Target - How addicting is this store!! For high fashion finds I do Saks, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and Barney’s. For quality and budget friendly finds, I venture to H&M, Forever 21 and Asian boutiques found in the strip malls for those little select pieces.

Moi: What is your favorite work of art?
CM: I can’t say I have a favorite but I do favor Herb Ritts photography

Moi: What did you eat for breakfast this morning?
CM: Egg white and roma tomatoes omelet from Panini’s

Moi: What’s your dream job (other than your current occupation)?
CM: When I was younger a model but I am only 5′0!

Moi: Tea or coffee?

CM: I prefer tea to be exact, Starbucks black tea sweetened on ice otherwise known as honey ice tea mama drink! I’ve gotten everyone hooked! Depending on the occasion, I love a good Vanilla Latte or Cinnamon Chai!

Moi: When are you happiest?
CM: I would say NYC at Christmas shopping or with my loved ones in Puerto Rico and my new favorite is on Moi’s couch chit chatting and being gals!

Moi xoxo

Mascara is the number one item you ask any female and she will answer she cannot part with it. She can have a complete bare face even on her way for a swim or lay out at the beach and she will still reach for mascara to complete the look. Since mascara should be discarded and replaced every three months, that makes it easy for me to test a variety of brands from drugstore finds to department store staples. A lot of tubes come and go in my vanity table but there is only one that has a permanent fix in there and no it is not Maybelline’s Great Lash mascara. My choice is often overlooked as it doesn’t get heavy press but the die hard NARS fan knows its a classic. Nars cosmetics are at the top of the beauty industry food chain. Top makeup artists choose Nars makeup and it’s a favorite among fashion magazine beauty editors, in the makeup bags of many Hollywood starlets, and the fashion world’s top models. If that kind of status doesn’t carry a little weight, I don’t know what does. Nars cosmetics are not simply a short term “hot beauty product”. It has staying power as a favored product line beyond trend, because it has delivered fabulous results in the most scrutinizing beauty circles. This mascara doesn’t have a fancy name and doesn’t tell what it does. It’s simply called Mascara by Nars Cosmetics. Comes in Black Orchid which is the inkiest black you will come across and Bamboo Brown for fair skinned ladies. I have both regular and waterproof formula for rainy and beach activity days. One swipe and your lashes are transformed into long and lush versions of false eyelash extensions. Zero smudges, flakes, clumps, and washes away at the end of the day with no tugging. Enough said!

Available at department stores $23.00

Moi xoxo

You might not know the name, but there is a better than good chance you have dined on one of textile designer, Sandy Chilewich’s woven vinyl place mats as her designs have become quite popular, turning up in new restaurants and interior design shops across the country. These place mats are as practical as they are pretty. They are also taking the world of table top by storm. Sandy doesn’t follow trends and follows her own instincts which is why she is the trend setter she is. The mats look amazing, but I am equally thrilled that they are as tough as vinyl and they clean up with the swipe of a sponge which is good for the planet. Easy care equals green and guilt free when no washing or dry cleaning is involved. They also offer timeless style. These mats work with almost any design style you can think of, from cozy classic to polished modern to bohemian chic. Best part is I know they are going to look as good in ten years as they do now!

Moi xoxo

Americans have been wearing the German brand Hugo Boss for more than 100 years. As one of the most beloved brands in Europe it is experiencing tremendous growth in the states. Hugo Boss clothing stores are found in major shopping centers within the United States but what some people don’t know is their intimate wear is unisex for gender equality! So whether your a business professional male to a stud butch woman, Hugo Boss will offer quality underwear, casual tees, and socks in comfortable cuts and simple styles for easy integration into your lifestyle. Their exclusive use of German cotton blends give Hugo Boss garments the smooth shaping and breathable comfort that’s perfect for year round wear. I find the best deals on Hugo Boss undergarments at Macy’s and if you have the patience to sift through bins, you will find past season styles at your local Marshall’s.

Moi xoxo