Year: 2011

inspiration: haute couture 2011

I love an ensemble of haute couture fashion, it doesn’t even matter that I don’t plan to wear any of them. It’s just the perfect visual as well as mental escape I needed this week  to feel inspired. But wouldn’t it be nice to just indulge in one of these outfits just for the heck of it 🙂 Anyway, breath deep, find your inspiration and escape to it, even if it’s for a few moments from your hectic day. Have a great weekend!

eiffel tower in home decor

Oh what I would give to have a place with a view of the real Eiffel Tower (above photo) but since I haven’t figured out a way to do just that, I decided to include photos of  decorating ideas which may just help.  Let me know what you think?

healthy eating: salmon tacos

I must admit, I cannot resist Mexican food, although some of the California gourmet variations are not the true sense of the cuisine.  But either way, I do appreciate all the attempts to spin off from the original Mexican style taco and embrace them in my own home. With that said, I have found this really interesting Salmon taco recipe here which  I have added to my list of healthy meals for the family. Hope you like it. Santa Fe Salsa 1 can(s) (11 ounce) mexi corn, drained 1 cup(s) cherry tomatoes, halved or quartered 1/2 cup(s) black beans, rinced, drained 1/2 cup(s) shredded carrots 1/2 cup(s) green chile salsa 1/4 cup(s) diced red onion 2 tablespoon(s) chopped fresh cilantro Salmon 2  (about 1 1/2 pounds) salmon steaks, 1-inch thick 1 tablespoon(s) jalapeno and lime flavored olive oil, or any favorite flavored or plain olive oil 1/4 teaspoon(s) salt 1/4 teaspoon(s) pepper 8  taco shells Shredded romaine or iceberg lettuce for garnish Directions In a medium bowl, combine the salsa ingredients; set aside. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Brush oil over salmon steaks; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook salmon in skillet 3 to …

inspiration: cafe de flore – paris, france

After a long week, I needed some inspirational photos to help escape “mentally” at least from the every day norms. My favorite place to hang out – Cafe De Flore in Paris (of course), France. I have a strange appreciation for cafe photos and here are some of my favorites Cafe de Flore to share with you. Have a great weekend and remember think happy thoughts no matter how hard life can be. 🙂 {photos: courtesy google search cafe de flore – various artists}

healthy cooking: filet mignon with roquefort

Who doesn’t love a great piece of steak, except the non-meat eaters of course. I love steak and if it were up to me, I could eat one every day. But in trying to keep a balance with my healthy eating and cooking goal, I only eat steak once a month and it has to be a filet mignon. I am however, particular about the cut and often times would go to a specialty meat and poultry shop to purchase just the right cut and size. With that said, I have found a great filet mignon recipe (not that I really ever need a  recipe to prepare the steak)  here and have actually served it up by itself – without a side dish on occasion and then with the spinach sautéed with lemon and garlic and a wonderful french Cabernet Sauvignon. I am not going to recommend the wine because to each his/her own on that one. Anyway, enjoy the recipe and let me know how it turned out for you. Ingredients U.S. Metric Conversion …

the do’s of bangs for the woman over 40

I have always appreciated bangs and have supported one myself for years. Believe me I tried without one and it didn’t work on me. So, I am glad to see them back again for 2011 because now I can actually say I am current on a fashion trend. Since I gear most of my fashion topics to the women over 40, I decided to research the do’s and don’ts of supporting a bang and I found out from here what works and doesn’t. By the way the feature photo of Jill Zarin (top) is my favorite pick of hairstyle  and color I want to see on myself in 2011.

spring 2011 collection of pencil skirts for the woman over 40

As I said before, women over 40 should stay away from mini skirts no matter how sexy their legs are and opt for pencil skirts instead to bring out their sex appeal. Believe me when I say this, a pencil skirt, with an appropriate blouse or top, can be the staple for most any outfit, from business attire to a semi formal evening get together and I am glad to see a large selection of them here to choose from. Here are some of my favorite suggestions:

inspirational women over 40: elle mcpherson

I just realized I haven’t paid homage to an inspirational celebrity in a long while and for that I have decided to add Elle McPherson to my list of celebrity women over 40, who I have grown to admire over the years. In her case, not only because of her ability to maintain an amazing body at 48,  but also because of her drive to become a successful businesswoman, designing lingerie for the woman of any age. Macpherson is a European Ambassador for RED, an initiative set up by Bono and Bobby Shriver to raise money and awareness for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and to help eradicate AIDS for women and children in Africa. She is also an ambassador for UNICEF. In her native Australia, she is an ambassador for the Smile Foundation, which helps the families of children with rare diseases and organizes government research grants She has also modelled for charitable causes including fundraising for 2007 British flood victims, wounded veterans, and child welfare group Absolute Return for Kids. (per Wiki) For more on Elle McPherson please click here and …