Okay, technically avocados are a fruitbut most people treat them more like a veggie which is unfair considering how versatile they are.
I just ate avocados from Mexico for breakfast, lunch and dinner! Granted as much as I love avocados, that doesn’t usually happen. It’s just that on Sunday I spend part of the afternoon at the Northwest Culinary Academy of Vancouver for the second Avo Showdown Event with chefs who prepared amazingly creative dishes using avocados from Mexico. It inspired me to incorporate avocados into more dishes. You should have seen what these chefs came up with and how delicious everything tasted with 10 savoury concoctions and 7 desserts. Avocado toast is so 2015!
It was difficult for the judges to decide on a first place winner (the winning prize was a trip for two to Club Med Cancun) but the Cannoli where the pastry chef substituted avocado in place of ricotta cheese was the outstanding #1 winner.
Justin Darnes from Drinks Undressed demonstrated a unique cocktail using smoked avocado and banana infused Cachaca (sugarcane liquour) and passion fruit. He garnished it with cinnamon dusted banana & avocado coins. Divine! Chef Jonathan Kinney from the academy demonstrated an elegant layered parfait with granola, yogurt and fresh fruit in a wineglass (or sundae dish) topped with sliced avocado and toasted coconut. Simple but amazing. And that’s the thing – it is so simple!
Since I am not in favour of wasting food I try to combine leftovers in my fridge into some kind of edible substance, and I like being creative so…..
I did not enter but I think my original Avocado/Tofu Ceviche recipe is a winner. Next year!
Breakfast:
I make my own homemade granola so using what was in my fridge I just layered it into a margarita glass with yogurt, sliced mango, blackberries and sliced (a little riper than I like) Mexican avocados. It worked together extremely well and tasted great.
Lunch:
Tuna Avocado Salad on Hearts of RomaineFor the dressing I mixed a small amount of mayo and ripe avocados – creamy and perfect! A healthy alternative to mayonnaise. Chopped cucumber, green onion, cilantro & red pepper were mixed in the bowl along with the albacore tuna and avocado chunks. Hearts of Romaine are a healthy alternative to bread.
Dinner:
MexiGreek Salad for starters – a chopped salad of not overly-ripe Mexican avocados, sweet onion, grape tomatoes, cilantro, cucumber and feta cheese (black olives; optional). Dressing: lemon olive oil, S+P.
My skin is already looking so much better. Now I’m not sure if it’s on account of the La Mer Concentrate I’ve been using combined with my own skincare, or the avocados. or all of the above.
The Winners
Do you have an original simple recipe using Mexican avocados that you’d like to share?
Vancouver Opera’s Company Premiere of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Tony Award winning smash hit EVITA will open at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre on April 30th.
Few women in history have had the allure of Eva Perón, She once said “My biggest fear in life is to be forgotten.” Her legend lives on….
A very brief bio because the musical will explain everything in about 2 hours and 45 minutes including a short intermission:
*Don’t cry for me Argentina
Maria Eva Duarte de Perón was born out of wedlock on May 7, 1919, in Los Toldos, Argentina. Eva (commonly known as Evita), left school when she was 16 and went to Buenos Aires in the 1930s to pursue her dream of becoming a star. She had reasonable success as an actress before marrying Juan Perón in 1945, who became president of Argentina the following year. Eva Perón used her position as first lady to fight for women’s suffrage and improving the lives of the poor, and became a legendary figure in Argentine politics. She died in 1952.
I’m really looking forward to this musical especially having been to Buenos Aires and since visiting the mausoleum of Evita in La Recoleta Cemetary. It is most definitely one of the most amazing cemeteries I’ve ever seen.
Tickets are selling out for the VO’s brand new full-scale production taking place at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre with only 6 performances, from April 30th – May 8, 2016. It has won 7 Tony Awards.
La Recoleta Cemetary – CNN listed it as one of the 10 most beautiful cemeteries in the world.
VO’s Evita will star three seasoned Broadway stars with international followings.
Ramin Karimloo will star as Che. Mr. Karimloo has played both Jean Valjean (Les Misérables) on Broadway and The Phantom (Phantom of the Opera) in London’s West End. He was personally selected by Andrew Lloyd Webber to star in the London World Premiere of the Phantom sequel, Love Never Dies. This will be his first appearance as Che.
Caroline Bowman will play Evita, a role she has also played in the Broadway revival and on tour in the United States. She also starred in the Broadway productions of Wicked (as Elphaba) and in Kinky Boots.
John Cudia will play Perón. Mr. Cudia is the first and only performer to have played the roles of The Phantom and Jean Valjean on Broadway. Equally at home on opera, theatre and concert stages, Mr.Cudia is a lyric tenor who has also sung Alfredo in La traviata with Lyric Opera of the North.
“I have one thing that counts, and that is my heart;it burns in my soul, it aches in my flesh, and it ignites my nerves: that is my love for the people and Peron.” – Evita
She will not be forgotten
*Don’t Cry for me Argentina is a song composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber with lyrics by Tim Rice. It was first recorded by Julie Covington on the 1976 concept album Evita, and was later included in the 1978 stage musical of the same name. It appeared at the opening and near the end of the show, initially as the spirit of the dead Eva exhorting the people of Argentina not to mourn her, and finally during Eva’s speech from the balcony of Casa Rosada.
It’s very seldom that I spend a ton of money on a single skincare/makeup product. It’s not that I haven’t done it before but I’m simplifying so many areas of my life right now and skincare is amongst them. Add to that the fact that I make my own natural products.
In the exceedingly competitive beauty market it all comes down to what works for you and what you can afford to spend. If money is not an issue and you believe an expensive product will work better then by all means go for it. Sometimes the simpler the better but I won’t knock anything before trying it. And contrary to the naysayers, some of the more pricey products are superior and seem to work more effectively.
I’ve received various products to test out and blog about and even though I’m under no obligation to do so, I like to share my favourites. Which brings me to the most recent one from La Mer. It’s called The Concentrate or; the Miracle Worker (after all it has a trademarked miracle broth secret ingredient). I’ve been using it for only two weeks and it seems to have smoothed out a rough patch on an area of my face created by an allergy to something. I love the soothing texture and how evenly it spreads and helps hydrate.
Here’s the thing. In the short time span I’ve been using it, it appears to be a first-rate product but I would look around before I shell out several hundred dollars for a tiny bottle. Can I pay $320 for 1 oz of this so-called miracle product? The answer is yes. Do I want to? The answer is no. Will I? It’s possible only if it works. The high prices on many skincare and makeup products are beginning to put me off. I’m questioning where to draw the line on spending. Do you feel the same way?
Here is what the company has to say:
THE CONCENTRATE
A saviour of skin, the Concentrate complements skin’s natural healing process with the restorative power of the sea. Designed to soothe visible irritation and redness caused by cosmetic procedures such as chemical peels, microdermabrasion and laser treatments, it is infused with a dose of highly concentrated Miracle Broth™, the heart of La Mer’s profound powers of transformation. Irritation appears soothed and dry, fragile skin made strong for a radiant renewal.
Thoroughly massage onto affected area at least twice per day. For optimal results, follow with your *Crème de la Mer moisturizer. *another several hundred dollars.
Your thoughts on the cost of beauty and where do we draw the line?
“Wide brimmed and narrow, some tall, some not, some fancy, some colorful, some plaid, some plain. She doted on changing hats at every opportunity. When she met the Prince, she was wearing one hat, when he asked her for a stroll, she excused herself, shortly to return wearing another, equally flattering.” – William Goldman, The Princess Bride (loved that movie).Hats are radical; only people that wear hats understand that. Philip Treacy (Irish milliner/designer based in London).
“Take off your hat,” the Girl King said to the Mad Hatter.
“It isn’t mine,” said the Hatter.
“Stolen!” the King exclaimed, turning to the jury, who instantly made a memorandum of the fact.
“I keep them to sell,” the Hatter added as an explanation; “I’ve none of my own. I’m a hatter.” – Lewis Carroll, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass The Wide Brimmed Stetson, a Personal Style Favourite (last 4 photos)
The lady and the tart. It began with a bunch of Pink Ladies. They looked so fine – I decided to put them to good use.
the ladies (cut in quarters) are caramelizing with the help of a turkey baster (not in recipe).
I like to challenge myself in general and many times it involves cooking. When things get too comfortable I like to switch it up and expand my repertoire to make meals more unexpected and interesting. I love trying new things and just when I think I’ve tried them all I find another recipe to inspire me.
like this one
For desserts I have my standards that I know work out but pie crust pastry at the best of times is always challenging to get it just right especially if you prefer using butter over lard or Crisco (as per Martha Stewart and moi).
For Easter I made dinner for eight and decided to attempt a new dessert. It was going to be elegant and impressive. According to the recipe it was supposed to be shockingly simple to make, and it was shocking all right but in a messy, hard to assemble kind of way.
Another Option: shown in stages with apples cut into slices & pre-packaged crust.
I should have realized this beforehand because anything that requires flipping over I usually end up flipping out over. My omelettes usually turn out to be fancy looking scrambles (or scramblets as I like to call them). They might taste good but they’re not your typical perfect looking omelette. Still working on it. My pan is usually to blame. The lip is too deep or something like that. But perhaps, just saying…maybe I’m not a natural born flipper. What made me think it would be different for an apple tart? This was a French Tarte Tatin (maybe I just liked the name) – a show-stopping dessert baked in a cast iron pan (I’m a big fan of cast iron like Dustin Hoffman’s character in Meet the Fockers). I liked the photo and the fact that you don’t have to par-bake the crust. Traditionally it’s made with puff pastry but making puff pastry from scratch takes a long time. Never say “should have” but –should have used puff.
when it came out of the oven – not supposed to look perfect – only taste so.
END RESULT
dessert reconstructed – but delicious nonetheless (very important!) – apple pie in a bowl.
By some miracle I managed to turn this flop into a fabulous dessert with some quick thinking. No one even knew it wasn’t supposed to turn out this way. The original recipe is below (with some added comments) but here’s what happened. At the start everything looked great and even taking it out of the oven it looked almost perfect and smelled amazing. Should have left it in the pan. But no; had to flip it over onto a wood cutting board….that’s when it fell apart. So instead of crying I was a big girl about it. Scooped it into individual little round bowls that could be put back into the oven just before serving. Topped with a scoop each French vanilla & whipped cream, a chocolate wafer on top...Pffff. Everyone said it was delicious even the crust. And I forgot to drizzle dulce de leche over the ice cream.
Tarte Tatin
Makes *one 9-inch tart
*Ideally, but remember if it falls apart, you have another option. Or, just serve it straight from the pan if you suspect it may fall apart. Let me know how it works out for you – but don’t tell me it worked out perfectly.
PASTRY:
1 cup salted butter, very cold, cut into small cubes
2 cups all purpose flour
ice water
TART:
1/2 cup salted butter
3/4 cup white sugar (I recommend fine organic cane)
4 – 5 (I used 6) large baking apples, peeled, cored, and cut into quarters*
1/4 cup Calvados or Cognac (optional). I didn’t have either so substituted with a little less over-proof rum (brought home from my Appleton Rum factory tour in Jamaica & still potent as ever). This helps to caramelize the apples but you can try omitting it entirely.
Apples: Honeycrisp, Ambrosia, or Pink Lady are good options
First, make the pastry. On a clean, flat surface, combine the butter and flour, tossing the butter through the flour to coat on all sides. Using a rolling pin, roll the butter into thin strips, using a pastry scraper or the back of a large knife to lift any stuck bits from the surface or the rolling pin. Keep doing this until all the butter is in long strips.
Add a few tablespoons of water and then lift and fold the mixture using a pastry scraper or back of a knife. Continue adding water, a few tablespoons at a time, lifting and folding the mixture to incorporate each addition until the dough just starts to come together.
Use your hands to flatten the dough, then fold it over itself. Do this until the dough is a cohesive mass, but is still very pliable. You don’t want to overwork it. UsefulTip:use parchment paper to help you.
On a well-floured surface roll the dough to the size of your cast iron pan. Transfer the dough to a parchment-lined baking sheet, and refrigerate.
Next, assemble the tart. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
In a medium cast iron pan over medium-high heat, melt the butter and sprinkle the sugar evenly over top. Place the apple quarters in concentric circles around the pan, flat side down. Pour the Calvados or Cognac over top, if using, and let the apples slowly caramelize. When the liquid around the apples turns medium brown, remove the pan from the heat. This should take about 20 minutes. Useful Tip: use a turkey baster to help baste liquid over apples.
Remove the dough from the refrigerator and place it on top of the apples. Immediately place in the oven and bake for about 30 minutes, or until the pastry has browned nicely.
Let it sit for at least 10 minutes (or up to 30), and then put a board or plate on top of the pan. Carefully flip the whole thing over; the tart should pop out quite easily (ha, ha). If an apple or two sticks to the pan, use a fork to put it in its rightful place.
Serve immediately, or wait a few hours (or even a day) and warm gently in the oven before serving.
From practicality to provocation, one of our most everyday objects tends to attract interest, debate and sometimes controversy.
Every fashion maven knows there is an art to well-made undies. And for those of us who appreciate them a new exhibit (CN Traveler Magazine calls it one of the ten best fashion exhibits) at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London from 16 April 2016 – 12 March 2017.
This exhibition will address the practicalities of underwear and its role in the fashionable wardrobe whilst highlighting its sensual, sexual appeal. The exhibition will explore dress reformers and designers who argued for the beauty of the natural body, as well as entrepreneurs, inventors and innovators who have played a critical role in the development of increasingly more effective and *comfortable underwear.
jesus fernandez lingerie – the line I represented and sold in Canada after meeting my match in a Buenos Aires shoppe window
Undressed:
A Brief History of Underwear will display more than 200 examples of men’s and women’s underwear from about 1750 to the present day. In particular, it will investigate how underwear design combines the practical and personal with the sensory and fashionable, in the process both protecting and enhancing the body. The exhibition will map developments in underwear design and explore the ways in which fashion designers have transformed underwear into outerwear.Curating an exhibition is a process built on collaboration, between conservators, researchers, designers and other specialists.
The exhibition, Undressed: A Brief History of Underwear, will be on display at the V&A from 16th April 2016 to 12th March 2017. V&A Museum: Cromwell Rd, London SW7 2RL, United Kingdom
Sponsored by Agent Provocateur and Revlon – two brands who aim to celebrate and empower women.
Agent Provocateuris delighted to partner with the V&A to be the leading lingerie sponsor for the Undressed Exhibition. Founded in 1994 Agent Provocateur’s unique brand image is renowned for being provocative while empowering women.
Revlon: With over 80 years’ experience revolutionizing the beauty industry and allowing women to express their most glamorous selves, Revlon are thrilled to be a sponsor of the exhibition Undressed: A Brief History of Underwear.
A word from an undergarment connoisseur know-it-all:*Like most women I love a “no show” so I say hurrah for the invisible comfortable seamless pretty and practical (no VPL) every day wear brands like Commando and Cosabella . Then there’s all the others………….let’s face it, G-strings and some bustiers are not the most comfortable undergarments. But like high heels they make you feel sexier and in my opinion, necessary options to the fashionable woman’s wardrobe.
I think the best day of the year to ask someone to marry you is April 1st!
because if she/he accepts and you get cold feet, you always have an out – after all, it’s April Fools!
Things to love about APRIL
For starters the Spring bouquets. Friends brought these over last Sunday.
It brings us that much closer to SUMMER.
My sisters birthday is in April (infact she was born on an Easter Sunday).
We can always put more SPRING in our step as things begin to lighten up.
In April everything seems to come to life again, birds have a lot to say, animals are in heat and some people too.
After Easter we get a long break from major holidays and can relax more.
Everything is in bloom or starting to bloom and looking much prettier.
I think the quote below (unlike mine above) from Shakespeare pretty much sums it all up:
“April hath put a spirit of youth in everything” – William Shakespeare, Sonnets.
Youth and Spirit are two of the most uplifting words in the English language. I hope things are looking cheery and brighter for everyone. At least for me, that’s the promise of Springtime.
When transitioning into Spring I begin to obsess about making changes to my wardrobe bit by bit. Spring cleaning on a whole other level.
Photo: d. king
I start to put away my heavy sweaters, wool clothing and switch my hefty luxury cotton bathrobe for a lighter waffle cotton, but not before making sure everything is stored away clean. Which brings me to some products to help in the process.
I am one who takes care of her belongings in every possible sense. I’ve been using Wolford wash for delicates like good nylons (namely Wolford) and undies for ages and Mrs. Meyers Lemon Verbena concentrated laundry detergent which is gentle on fabrics as well as the earth. I take all of that into consideration as a lifestyle choice. Also I prefer natural clean products with a delicate scent.
Which brings me to something that recently caught my eye when I walked into Hill’s Dry Goods Clothing Store on 4th (in Vancouver). Aside from noticing the obvious clothing labels I discovered a new cleaning product for clothing. It’s called The Laundress. I looked into the product further and thought I’d share some tips from the people over there that might help benefit you when springing into Spring:
FRESHEN FAIR WEATHER FAVORITES POST-STORAGE:
Our spring wardrobes are in full bloom with this much welcomed warm weather, but are they really ready to be worn? If your garments were in storage throughout the winter, chances are they’ll need a bit of freshening up! Here’s how to rejuvenate your pieces:
Be on team “steam” Steaming has MANY benefits and we love treating stored garments to a quick session before adding them back to our daily outfit rotation. The process removes wrinkles and kills most germs and bacteria, which helps eliminate odours. Add a capful of The Laundress Ironing Water, scented in our Classic scent, to steamer’s water tank for fragrance.
Spritz to achieve the ultimate “clean laundry” smell Banish musty odours and freshen garments by spritzing one of our fabric sprays – Fabric Fresh Classic is perfect for this task! It’s scented in a unique blend of lily of the valley, jasmine, sweet musk and sandalwood with a touch of citrus. Added bonus: it’s allergen-free so it’s appropriate for even the most sensitive of noses.
“Yikes” moment? Here’s how to conquer yellowing…
On Cotton, Linen & Durable Synthetics
Treating very yellowed items Presoak the item in a basin of hot water mixed with 1 capful of The Laundress All-Purpose Bleach Alternative. Then wash as normal.
Treating moderately yellowed items Add 2 capfuls of The Laundress All-Purpose Bleach Alternativeto a wash load (without detergent). Then wash again (using detergent) as normal.
Treating mildly yellowed items Add 2 capfuls of The Laundress All-Purpose Bleach Alternativeto the wash load along with detergent.
On Silks and Delicate Synthetics
Treating very or moderately yellowed items Presoak the item in a basin of tepid/lukewarm water mixed with ¼ cup white vinegar. We use The Laundress Scented Vinegar. Then wash as normal. For extra stain fighting when treating synthetics, add 1 capful of The Laundress All-Purpose Bleach Alternative to the basin of warm water. Do not use on silk or wool.
Treating mildly yellowed items Add ¼ cup of white vinegar to the wash load or handwashing basin along with detergent. Wash as normal.
The Laundress Product of Perfection Even if everything looks clean, your nose can sense when things are going sour. Spray stubborn smells away with our nontoxic formula that freshens items by eliminating odor-causing organisms. It’s free of allergens and skin-irritating sodium phosphate typically associated with fabric fresheners.
TRANSITION FROM WINTER TO SPRING WITH THESE TIPS:
We love our winter woolies and wish to keep wearing them for months (and years) to come! That’s why we at The Laundress take storing, both long term and short term, seriously.
Improper storage can result in the deterioration and yellowing of fabrics or prompt the growth of mold and mildew. As we can’t imagine our sweaters enduring discoloration and more (and know that you can’t either!), we’ve perfected the art of prepping and packing away seasonal wardrobes. Learn the start to finish process and the products we recommend for best results!
Wash garments before storing long term Washing before storing prevents mystery stains from appearing over time – even if no stains are visible we recommend including these pieces in your laundry load! Perfume, body products, body oil, food, and dirt can show up after some time and they are much harder to remove. Storing clothes clean also decreases the likelihood of a bug or moth attack.
When washing woolens and down, we suggest using The Laundress Wool & Cashmere Shampoo. For cotton, linen, and durable synthetics, The Laundress Signature Detergent is ideal. Always wash items that are starched before storing – moths love starch!
Pack items in a breathable, cotton bag When storing wool, cashmere, and all fabrics to be stored folded, it is best to pack in a breathable fabric, such as cotton or linen, with a zip closure. We opt against plastic bins as this material can cause textiles to discolor over time. The Laundress Large Zip Storage & Laundry Bag and All-Purpose Storage Bag will work to protect the fabric’s integrity by shielding dust and critters. Did you know that moths can’t eat through cotton?
Delicate pieces and those prone to wrinkling are best stored folded with acid-free tissue. This practice is ideal for long term storage. Do not hang knits, silks, or synthetics as this will alter the pieces’ shape.
Fur, leather, and outerwear are best stored hung. Improper storage of such pieces can result in their drying out which causes the loss of natural oils. We recommend. The Laundress Hanging Storage & Garment Bag – it fits up to 6 jackets – over traditional, plastic garment bags as they can cause yellowing and prompt mold growth.
Store in rooms that are clean, cool, dark, and dry Avoid storing in attics or basements as humid areas are optimal environments for moth breeding, mold, and mildew. Areas that experience extreme temperatures or direct sunlight are not ideal as both will lead to the deterioration of fabrics. It is best opt for rooms that are clean, cool, dark, and dry.
Prepare for silverfish, moth, and bug issues before they happen Take preventative measures against critters by storing clothing with The Laundress Cedar Drawer Sheet or Lavender Pouch. Both cedar and lavender are scents that naturally repel bugs and moths. Spritzing garments with The Laundress Wool & Cashmere Spray, our nontoxic, allergen-free fabric spray, is helpful as well! Avoid using moth balls as they are toxic, deadly, and have a noxious odour (which is nearly impossible to remove). We do not recommend cedar blocks/chips as their oil can transfer to fabric and create stains.
If your closet has been attacked by critters, you’ll need to quarantine the scene.
Treat mold and mildew growth on garments If mold or mildew becomes an issue, worry not as such pieces can often be salvaged. The Laundress Stain Solution, Stain Brush, and Scented Vinegar are our go-to for mold removal.
Reorganize closets and drawers each season Clean drawers, closets, and clothes with each season to freshen items and ensure the absence of critters! Remove clothing and accessories from storage and launder as normal. While waiting on the wash cycles, vacuum and wipe down drawers. We use The Laundress Surface Cleaner and Lint-Free Cleaning Cloth to lift dust and lint. The Surface Cleaner is safe for all surfaces throughout your home, and is made with natural ingredients so it won’t harm fabrics!
Everyone knows I love a surprise just as much as the next gal.
Not a scary surprise like someone jumping at you from out of nowhere and gives you a mild heart attack – just a fun pleasant kind of surprise. So you can imagine how happy I was to receive a…………..
Mystery girly Gift Boxto celebrate Spring from the people over at the Zoe Report. The Zoe Report (if you don’t already know) is an online style destination curated by none other than designer, celebrity stylist, editor and all-around business woman extraordinaire, Rachel Zoe.
Of course I’m going to share with you all the goodies inside the beautifully wrapped box that everything came in. Even the tissue paper (above) is stylish. So adorably cute!
photo: d. king
First I should tell you that anyone can order (up to a limited amount as they sell out) the set (s) online although the Spring Box of Style (shown above) is now sold out. The boxes will cost anywhere from $100USD for a one-time only gift box or $350USD for an annual set for each season (that’s 4 boxes). What you get inside is worth more than what you would pay for everything retail. Everything is chicand useful and the retail value of the contents are revealed as prices and links to websites are provided. The box I received was valued at $344 USD (before taxes) not including a deluxe size sample of La Mer Skin Concentrate (I’ll review this later on the beauty post). You can also get additional discounts (anywhere from 15 to 30%) off further orders on most items for a limited time should you desire.
When I first heard about this I thought “what a fabulous, fun idea” and I knew that it would be geared to fashion forward “women in the know.” So now to share:
In Photo above:
I can now cross this one off my “bucket bag” list
“The Sidekick” Leather Bucket Bag designed and made in L.A. Gorgeous custom go-with-anything caramel leather with suede lining. The best thing is that it’s super light, just big enough to carry all essentials and I love that I can wear it cross-body (especially good for dog walking). Cross body is my latest obsession. I know I’ll get so much wear out of this simple bag all Spring/Summer long.
Jouer Crème Eyeshadow Crayon – sultry with a little shimmer, perfect for evening.
Delicate Pave and Stone Cuff gold plated bracelet by Jules Smith – chic enough to stand on its own or layer with other jewelry. In other words, simply perfect.
Chic pair of great sound headphones by LSTN Sound Co – Wembley Earbuds.
A hair saviour dry shampoo by Klorane – discovered by RZ in Paris during fashion week. The one she recommends as “the one.” Who am I to argue?
Something to blot that midday all day shine with – Hollywood oil blotting tissues for a photo-ready look.
And if that wasn’t enough, a deluxe size sample (luckily a little goes a very long way) of the very expensive but effective miracle broth known as La Mer Concentrate. Ooh la la
Obsessed already?
Summer Box of Style will be shipped out in June. To Order:
It was difficult for the judges to decide on a first place winner (the winning prize was a trip for two to Club Med Cancun) but the Cannoli where the pastry chef substituted avocado in place of ricotta cheese was the outstanding #1 winner. 
He garnished it with cinnamon dusted banana & avocado coins. Divine! Chef Jonathan Kinney from the academy demonstrated an elegant layered parfait with granola, yogurt and fresh fruit in a wineglass (or sundae dish) topped with sliced avocado and toasted coconut. Simple but amazing. And that’s the thing – it is so simple!
For the dressing I mixed a small amount of mayo and ripe avocados – creamy and perfect! A healthy alternative to mayonnaise. Chopped cucumber, green onion, cilantro & red pepper were mixed in the bowl along with the albacore tuna and avocado chunks. Hearts of Romaine are a healthy alternative to bread.
Girl Who Would be KING on Life, Style and INSPIRATION. 
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