Since I have a whole house of blank walls and fabulous spaces to play with, I've decided to share my newly remodeled rooms on HGTV's Rate My Space! I'm anxious to know what other people think and what I can learn from the HGTV community. Take a peek:  Rate My Space - Guest Chambre

UNLOCKED Art Show

Call me the queen of late notices, but its better to be late than belated, no?


I'm thrilled to be participating in a stirring art opening event with 4 other amazing artists tomorrow, June 4th called "UNLOCKED". The event doubles as a graduation bash for my beautiful and spirited (and now officially "educated") gal pal, Emily Burgess, and is being held at the Rococo Theatre in Lincoln, NE from 7-9pm. This will be my debut photography exhibit entitled "Overexposed". If you're in the area, please swing by to enjoy some art, some jazz, some cocktails and some amazing company.


The official invitation:


On Saturday, June 4th enjoy the artwork and photography of emerging artists as each of their visions are UNLOCKED throughout the Orchestra level of the Rococo Theatre. Also enjoy the sounds of jazz from the North Star Jazz Band and drink specials from 7-9 p.m.

Curated by Emily Burgess and featuring the artwork of local artists:

Kelli Dornbos
Sara Hollcroft
Nicole Shulde
Michelle Stuhr

Winter Skin Miracle Cure - Argan Oil

I'm always on the hunt for the latest, most fabulous, healthy (and more recently, organic) beauty products out there. In the last couple years I've heard more and more about the benefit of using natural oils such as argan, squalene, and even olive oil on your face, body, cuticles and hair! Of course I had to try these out because an oil is just oil and therefore I know what I'm putting on my face (and also what is seeping into my body through my skin) if I steer clear from department moisturizers.

I've been using squalene oil on my face for about 2 years now with mixed results. For the most part, it is a fantastic, moisturizing oil that typically doesn't cause clogged poors. However, it seems...well....heavy and I can only use it at night as it causes my foundation (NARS is the only way to go, by the way) to slide off.

Last week I purchased Josie Maran's 100% Argan Oil from Sephora. For about $48 you get a 1.7fl oz recycled glass bottle full of 100% organic liquid gold magic! Argan oil is rich in Vitamin E and essential fatty acids and is even safe for baby's skin. It glides on so easily and soaks into the skin quickly while giving you that dewy look that we all strive to get. My foundation has never looked so good! In fact, I went 4 days this week with only the Argan oil and foundation on --  if you know me you know this is WAY out of my norm.  My skin was glowing, free of zits and very moisturized in the dead of winter. Like I said - miracle in a bottle.

So, the moral of the story is TRY THESE OILS! You just don't know what you're putting on your skin if you can't pronounce the ingredients. Josie Maran has a whole line of cosmetics with argan oil as the primary ingredient (www.josiemarancosmetics.com). And f you don't like buying your facial products from a model, then search "argan oil" on facebook or google where you'll find several other argan oil distributors. Go explore and happy shopping!!!

Rosemary Mustard Chicken

I am on a mission to eat healthy - time constraints and all, as I'm sure many of you are. So here is an EASY chicken marinade recipe (suitable for all you South Beach Phase 1 people too!) that I just have to share. Tomorrow's menu is stuffed banana peppers with caprese salad.......

Rosemary Mustard Chicken
8 chicken breasts (or two pounds chicken breast tenders - use the leftovers for salad!)

MARINADE:
1/2 cup Dijon (I use spicy) mustard
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 whole lemons)
2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
3 tsp minced fresh garlic (I use an entire bulb)
3 tbsp/T minced fresh rosemary
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp celery seed
*I also add a touch of balsamic vinegar

Instructions:
Make slits lengthwise (without cutting all the way through) in the chicken to allow the marinade to soak in. Put marinade and chicken in a zip-lock bag for 6+ hours (this can sit in the bag up to 48 hours). Either grill over medium heat about 10 minutes for tenders/25 minutes for whole breasts. OR bake in the oven on 375 for 10-20 minutes.

Serve with a salad of spinach, sliced bell peppers (orange are my favorite), safflower oil, and dashes of paprika, salt and pepper.

Rent vs Buy in the City of Sin

Our decision to move to Las Vegas was made months ago while the snow was still falling. In anticipation, we've been both virtually and physically house hunting. We've found the "perfect" home several times - alas, they were not meant to be. Thankfully, our realtors are patient and kind and never tire of our yapping about our "musts" of a Vodoo room and perfect pool oasis. We've long since gathered our belongings, crammed them on a truck, sold our precious little home (that we'd dumped money and love into to make super cute AND that had been in my fiance's family for years), and moved to a little one bedroom apartment in a complex infested with dogs and ants. Stack a new engagement and a new job for the mister on top of that and you get a stressed out 30-something couple looking for wide-open floorplans.

Here we are at the helm of July pushing closer and closer to our September move deadline without a home in sight, though its not for lack of trying. The economy is topsy-turvey which means prices are down, interest rates are down, and foreclosures are up. Good for us. Then consider those people who can no longer afford their homes for these same reasons....those people who are in such dire straights that they're snatching up appliances and flooring and outlets and copper piping for Goddess' sake! And the banks who can't decide what a "fair" market value is. Taxes are down, does that mean they'll go up? Do we buy because the interest rates are <5%? Do we negotiate the "perfect" home for months on end with a bank? Will prices go up in 3-5 years so we can sell for profit? These are the questions and issues we're dealing with.

Recently, there's a break in the clouds, a light at the end of the tunnel, a clairvoyant vision :: what about renting? Craigslist please be our friend! So far we learned are that 95% of the people on craigslist are (nicely put) scammers. Also, that a rental home, with a pool, that will allow our 130lb, 10-year-old Mastiff child to live with us are far and few between. BUT a rental means no upkeep, no taxes, and no ball and chain if the going gets tough. It also means a slightly higher, albeit fixed, price tag.

In mid-July we'll revisit Vegas for our 4th house hunting expedition. To gamble or not to gamble, that is the question.

CHERRY CAIPIROSKA || My perfect cocktail

I've been on the hunt for my "perfect cocktail" for months now - something not too sweet, not too salty, not too strong :), yet smooth, refreshing, crisp and low cal. Ladies and Gents, the Cherry Caipiroska is it! Black cherries are DELICIOUS this time of year and the Amaretto, Raspberry Belvedere and lime are its tongue-dazzling complements. Cheers!

CHERRY CAIPIROSKA

50ml/ 2 oz (one shot) Belvedere Black Raspberry
4 fresh cherries
25ml/ ¾ oz (half shot) lemon juice - or try lime or diet squirt for a fizzy treat!
Dash Amaretto liqueur Muddle cherries. Add the rest of the ingredients, and shake with cubed ice. Strain into a rocks glass filled with crushed ice. Stir and re-top with crushed ice. Garnish with a fresh cherry.

Find other fabulous cocktail recipes here: www.belvederevodka.com - thanks Chelsea Handler!!!