All posts filed under: inspiration

healthy cooking: filet mignon with roquefort

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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 …

spring 2011 collection of pencil skirts for the woman over 40

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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

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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 …

inspiration: dreamy bedroom decor

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Everyone needs a bit of inspiration, mental therapy I call it,  to keep going,  Being stuck in a rut is sometimes depressing and no matter how much you think you have it under control, life dictates otherwise. So for those challenging moments and agravating days I have decided to include (on a weekly basis) some inspirational  photos which help me feel good when I am having a bad day. Mind you this doens’t replace my daily walks and medidation, it is just a quick pick me up when I feel ****. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the photos and no matter what find time for yourself every weekend and do whatever it takes to make you feel good about yourself. Have a great weekend!

fashion: my favorite spring 2011 handbags

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One of my weaknesses is handbags, the other are shoes but handbags I tend to shop for every chance I get more so than shoes or maybe equal, can’t keep up anymore. That doesn’t mean I own a hundred of them, I just like shopping for them. But this year, it seems the bags are even more “dreamer” (for lack of a better word) than the years past.  Or maybe the color red is enticing me, again I can’t keep up. Can you sense the excitement in my tone? Anyway, I have included below my top ten picks for Spring/Summer 2011 (believe me there are more but I had to stop somewhere). Let me know what you think?

boutique hotel pick – il sogno di giulietta – verona, italy

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Keeping in line with the  Valentine’s Day theme and also with my Italy obsession  for 2011, I decided to include a boutique luxury hotel, (which I recommend by the way),  located in the heart of Verona, Italy. In case there are a handful of people who are wondering  what Verona has to do with Valentine’s Day theme, well I am here to tell you that Verona is not only one of the most romantic cities in the world, but it is also the hometown of Juliet, from Romeo and Juliet  (just in case I wasn’t clear enough). Of course their story goes without saying, but just in case I need to clarify, it is the most famous love story ever told  by William Shakespeare and many tourist go to Verona just to pay homage to that fact. What’s so interesting is that this particular property shares a courtyard with Juliet’s  house. In fact, it has a view of  the famous balcony where Romeo expressed his undying love and devotion to Juliet. The hotel is called  Il …

valentine’s day romance – suggestion 4 – dinner and a movie

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Now, I saved the best for last, well at least from where I am sitting. Dinner and a movie suggestion for a romantic evening at home is ideal in every sense of the word, if done right. This suggestions would be best if, those with children, are able to find a sitter away from home and if one partner can surprise the other with it. Rent a couple of the movies I have suggested above or others that you think are in line with a love story/romantic theme. Contact your local purveyor of fine foods or a restaurant to order a steak or seafood dinner for two.  I prefer  Dean and DeLuca’s Valentine’s Day Meal  from their menu here . They also carry a large selection of champagne as well as  sparkling wine or wines in general so it makes the planning easier. Organize the living room or family room (wherever the television is) for the setting. Setting up the center coffee table with candles, flowers and fine china is ideal place to eat, while …

valentine’s day romance suggestion 1 – flowers

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I really feel bad for everyone who gets caught up in the Valentine’s day madness. I mean, in my opinion, the true sense of romance should be ongoing and sometimes even when a person least expects it. That’s what makes it special and more personal. I guess that is why I appreciate birthdays and wedding anniversaries more. But for all those people who get a kick out of planning for Valentine’s Day, I have decided to dedicate this entire week for some of my  suggestions to take into account, while frantically searching for gifts and “interesting” things to do for/or with your loved one. Take note, these suggestions also work for birthday and anniversary celebrations as well. So here we go with suggestion 1. Every one loves getting flowers, unless of course they are allergic to them, but whether you believe it or not, most woman “over 40” are okay with just getting flowers on Valentine’s Day. So, this year instead of giving the usual boring bouquet of over priced red roses (yawn) why don’t …

all things tuscany, italia

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Earlier this year, I can actually start saying that now since we are in February, I had stated that I normally pick a country to vacation in and end up writing everything about it until I drive myself and my readers (probably) crazy. Well except for one of my good friends here, I know she doesn’t  get sick of Italy or all things Italian no matter what. So here’s to my friend and to Italy (cross fingers and hope I can go there this year), I have included photos of Tuscany to hold me over until I can make my vacation plans into a reality.   Have a great weekend everyone!

spring 2011 fashion trends – designer versace

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It seems the Spring 2011 fashion inspiration comes from the 60’s, nothing wrong with that in my opinion, the 60’s had some of the most memorable fashion trends in history and for sure should have a come back. In line with the trend, Versace has come up with some of the most beautiful styles for the Spring/Summer 2011 collection. Ah, to be young again. Anyway the slideshow is a collection of styles I wish I could wear this year  but since I can’t, I hope to see the youth embrace the choices this coming Spring/Summer. Let me know what you think? Did you enjoy the 60’s fashion and are you glad it’s back.