Here a couple of quick tip on getting your kitchen ready for the holidays. Its a good idea to have your kitchen organized especially if you are entertaining. This is a great time to clean out that plastic food storage cabinet.  Just locating all the lids and bowls will be a task!

Gather them all on the kitchen counter and start matching lids and containers. Set aside all of the plastic containers that you do not use or are missing lids.  Now place all storage container with lids back in your cabinet or drawer.  Use the containers you don’t want for ... Read More »]]>

Here a couple of quick tip on getting your kitchen ready for the holidays. Its a good idea to have your kitchen organized especially if you are entertaining. This is a great time to clean out that plastic food storage cabinet.  Just locating all the lids and bowls will be a task!

Gather them all on the kitchen counter and start matching lids and containers. Set aside all of the plastic containers that you do not use or are missing lids.  Now place all storage container with lids back in your cabinet or drawer.  Use the containers you don’t want for take home containers for leftovers for your guests. You don’t want your best plastic containers leaving for good and there is no need to purchase more for the holidays.

For the next two weeks you could have a “clean out” the refrigerator and freezer. Prepare your meals from what you already have at home. Buy only perishable groceries that you need such as milk, fruit and vegetables and use of what have already have in your pantry and refrigerator for dinner the next two weeks.  Not only will you being saving time at the grocery store you will be saving some money and I think we could all use a little extra money these days. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me cleartheclutter@cox.net

When choosing cosmetic ingredients you should always read the label, read the fine print for any side effects warning they may have. If you are unsure of what product you should choose, you can always check out the Environmental Working Group website on the internet before purchasing any sort of cosmetic product. Many product packages are designed to make you believe that the product is gentle and safe to use on any type of skin, when in fact it may contain ingredients that are irritating to the skin and ... Read More »]]>

To read more about a great safe cosmetic line, go to www.christopherdrummond.com.

When choosing cosmetic ingredients you should always read the label, read the fine print for any side effects warning they may have. If you are unsure of what product you should choose, you can always check out the Environmental Working Group website on the internet before purchasing any sort of cosmetic product. Many product packages are designed to make you believe that the product is gentle and safe to use on any type of skin, when in fact it may contain ingredients that are irritating to the skin and may actually cause allergic reactions.

You should avoid products containing such ingredients as parabens, amines, and talc. Parabens are endocrine disrupters which mean they disturb the hormone balance in your body and can cause allergic reactions and may even be related to breast cancer tumors. Amiens are chemicals that can combine with nitrosating which is known to cause cancer. Some commonly used cosmetics that contain Amiens are Cocamide MEA, DEA, TEA, and sodium hydroxymethylglycinate. Talc which is commonly found in baby power and makeup such as blushes, face powder, and liquid foundation, can be dangerous to health if it contains asbestiform fibers, which can cause cancer.

Other products to be avoided are products containing Coal Tar, Aluminum and Sodium Lauryl Sulphate. Coal Tar, which is the synthetic colors used in lipsticks and shampoos should be avoided because these chemicals have been known to cause headaches, nausea, allergies, cancer and skin disorders among other things. Yellow #10 is a perfect example of a synthetic color. Aluminum is found in many products such as eye shadow, eye liner and mascara and is a neurotoxin that is known to damage the heart and lungs and can also cause infertility and Alzheimers disease. Sodium Lauryl Sulphate is found in skin creams and toothpastes and this helps the product to make its lather. This toxic ingredient makes the skin dry and can also combine with other ingredients to create toxic compounds.

When making a choice of what products to choose, look for products that are labeled environmentally friendly, because these products are made through natural processes, using natural ingredients and without harmful chemicals. Also be very careful when choosing soaps, because there are many poor quality soaps out there on the market that contain ingredients that can strip the skin of its natural moisture shield which can break down the bodys immune system leaving the skin dry and thereby causing the skin to age more rapidly.

When choosing cosmetic ingredients you should always read the label, read the fine print for any side effects warning they may have. If you are unsure of what product you should choose, you can always check out the Environmental Working Group website on the internet before purchasing any sort of cosmetic product. Many product packages are designed to make you believe that the product is gentle and safe to use on any type of skin, when in fact it may contain ingredients that are irritating to the skin and may actually cause allergic reactions.

You should avoid products containing such ingredients as parabens, amines, and talc. Parabens are endocrine disrupters which mean they disturb the hormone balance in your body and can cause allergic reactions and may even be related to breast cancer tumors. Amiens are chemicals that can combine with nitrosating which is known to cause cancer. Some commonly used cosmetics that contain Amiens are Cocamide MEA, DEA, TEA, and sodium hydroxymethylglycinate. Talc which is commonly found in baby power and makeup such as blushes, face powder, and liquid foundation, can be dangerous to health if it contains asbestiform fibers, which can cause cancer.

Other products to be avoided are products containing Coal Tar, Aluminum and Sodium Lauryl Sulphate. Coal Tar, which is the synthetic colors used in lipsticks and shampoos should be avoided because these chemicals have been known to cause headaches, nausea, allergies, cancer and skin disorders among other things. Yellow #10 is a perfect example of a synthetic color. Aluminum is found in many products such as eye shadow, eye liner and mascara and is a neurotoxin that is known to damage the heart and lungs and can also cause infertility and Alzheimers disease. Sodium Lauryl Sulphate is found in skin cr�mes and toothpastes and this helps the product to make its lather. This toxic ingredient makes the skin dry and can also combine with other ingredients to create toxic compounds.

When making a choice of what products to choose, look for products that are labeled environmentally friendly, because these products are made through natural processes, using natural ingredients and without harmful chemicals. Also be very careful when choosing soaps, because there are many poor quality soaps out there on the market that contain ingredients that can strip the skin of its natural moisture shield which can break down the bodys immune system leaving the skin dry and thereby causing the skin to age more rapidly.

Photo Credit © Branislav Ostojic | Dreamstime.com

Well, the taffeta torture is over, here is a trend that is coming up the pipelines! Many have seen the most popular ladies chick flick last ... Read More »]]>

For years and years, brides have been picking out bridesmaid dresses that they think are beautiful, glamorous, and just what they’ve ‘always wanted’ standing beside them on their special day. But, Lets be honest – we have all seen a bridesmaid dress that we would rather forget. It seems that it is almost a curse to be a bridesmaid. The dress you are going to be made to wear is will be far from flattering.

Well, the taffeta torture is over, here is a trend that is coming up the pipelines! Many have seen the most popular ladies chick flick last year, ‘Sex and the City’. In this, Carrie Bradshaw (or her fabulous stylists behind the scenes) created a wedding trend that would make the friends of the bride happy!

So what is this fabulous trend?

Mismatching bridesmaid dresses.

The power to pick the bridesmaid dresses was slightly altered when the trend for the bride to pick the colour and the bridesmaid to pick the style was started. Why not continue down that line and let the bridesmaid’s team up and pick a dress that flatters them in both colour and style? We all know that periwinkle and rose water pink does not look good on everyone. Colours are important, and not just important to your decorating theme. If you are looking for someone to help you pick out the right shapes and colours for your bridesmaids, you can always consult an image consultant. It would be a great party idea to invite all your bridesmaids over and have a colour analysis done. This could also be the opportune time to invite your girlfriends to be a part of your bridal party!  Christie Ressel, who is a personal style coach and International image consultant, helps women learn about styles that works specifically for their body types. Not only this, but she’ll show you what colours will make you glow (very important for your big day!). Check out her website at http://www.personalpowerimage.com/services for more details.

It may seem a little scary to have all your bridesmaids in different colours and in different styles of dresses. But, the pictures that will come out of this will be amazing – trust me, and not only will your ladies look gorgeous, but they will feel fabulous. It allows you to become that much more creative with your decorations and has the ability to make everyone look almost as fabulous as you in your wedding dress!

Have fun!

“We are excited to be able to give away such a wonderful product, a product I personally use,” says Chic Galleria owner Beth Anderson. “I know our readers will be thrilled at the opportunity to win one for themselves.”

ProSilk has become a respected pioneer in the professional hair care area with techie tools ranging from the far infrared dryers to tourmaline crystal – ... Read More »]]>

Chic Galleria is partnering with ProSilk to give one lucky Chic Galleria reader a ProSilk Pink Ceramic flat iron. This is the same flat iron that Chic Galleria owner, Beth Anderson, uses to style her own gorgeous locks!

“We are excited to be able to give away such a wonderful product, a product I personally use,” says Chic Galleria owner Beth Anderson. “I know our readers will be thrilled at the opportunity to win one for themselves.”

ProSilk has become a respected pioneer in the professional hair care area with techie tools ranging from the far infrared dryers to tourmaline crystal – ceramic flat iron technologies. Creating products for salons, stylists, and you, ProSilk products are sold all over America and are available through the website www.prosilkprod.com.

To enter the contest, email your bad hair day photo along with a short description of how your bad hair days will be solved with the ProSilk Pink Ceramic flat iron. The winner of the contest will have their entry photo and story published in Chic Galleria!  The winner will receive the Prosilk Pink Ceramic flat iron, Hemperor with Natureshea, ProSilk hair clips and (2)Hoss Sauce Exotic Shimmering Moisturizer. The winner will be announced along with their photo on November 23, 2009.

Plushy Feely Corp. has just released Kimochis {www.kimochis.com} … Toys with Feelings Inside. Awarded the Creative Child Magazine 2009 Seal of Excellence and Best Vacation Products by Dr. Toy.

Are you ... Read More »]]>

Kimochis is a truly dynamic and innovative brand that is growing as we speak. A brand run by mom entrepreneurs! With an already strong following, even celebrities like Angelina Jolie, Gwen Stefani and Jennifer Garner can’t resist, Kimochis was officially launched only months ago, and already Plushy Feely Corp. has been approached by key influential clients and interests both here and abroad. It is a brand and idea that will be huge.

Plushy Feely Corp. has just released Kimochis {www.kimochis.com} … Toys with Feelings Inside. Awarded the Creative Child Magazine 2009 Seal of Excellence and Best Vacation Products by Dr. Toy.

Are you a Kimochi Cloud? A Kimochi Bug or Kimochi Huggtopus?

Kimochi (KEY.MO.CHEE) means “feeling” in Japanese and each 13 inch Kimochis character comes with 3 plush “feelings” and a how-to- Feel Guide with tips for parents on connecting with their kids during emotional moments. Feelings can be messy…Kimochis can help!

Kimochi’s goal is to create compelling stories and loveable characters that will build confidence and self-esteem in our children and serve to strengthen parent-child connections. The toys are for everyone and help with parent-child connections: children with autism to a child who wants to play, the adorable characters help children express their feelings more easily. Younger children can use Kimochis to learn to identify feelings while older children can use the Kimochi to work through communication challenges…

The stuffed toys are revolutionary in that they’re not just stuffed toys. Kimochis is helping kids learn to express their emotions in POSITIVE ways, in hopes of possibly helping to prevent future tragedies. They are meant to teach children and parents how to interact with eachother and express themselves, developing their emotional intelligence with the Kimochis Feel Guide book – teaching  parents on connecting with their kids during emotional moments. The bag of emotions (happy, sad, grumpy) allows the child to relate and easily express their emotions to their friends, parents , teachers – holding an emotion and describing what they’re feeling and why. I’ve seen Teacher – Student Interaction with the emotion packs and it’s truly quite remarkable to see how kids are able to communicate freely and openly.

Now is the right time to invest in the emotional intelligence of our children. With Kimochi, all children and adults can relate to them and it opens the opportunity for communication and education.

What parent isn’t aware of tantrums, back-talk, and the emotional roller coaster of growing a family? Studies (like the ones sited in the attachment) show that staying connected with kids during emotional moments (instead of running to the laundry room) can have HUGE payoff in their long term development. Using Kimochis™ before emotional moments as a way of role-playing challenging experiences ahead of time AND during emotional moments as a way of diffusing the chaos, is a FUN and SIMPLE way to bridge the emotional gap.[ Attached, is a list of Case Studies and Research underscoring the importance of social and emotional learning and the parent-child connection.]

Nina Rappaport-Rowan, Kimochis Founder and mompreneur, was struck with the horrible Columbine High School Incident, thinking how could something like this have happened? It made her dig deep and question why. What is missing? What are we not doing right with our children that they can be so disconnect and so self destructive? This very thing was the inspiration that drove Nina to create the Kimochis. The goal is to get parents and kids talking to each other. Creating original children’s products and animated family entertainment, the company wants to create compelling stories and loveable characters that will build confidence and self-esteem in our children and serve to strengthen parent-child connections.

Nina was the perfect person to launch such an idea! She is a leader in the field of animation. Producer of the 1998 Academy Award winning Best Animated Short Film, Bunny, Nina is known for her expert knowledge of computer animation and her skill in developing teams that can tackle innovative and complex CG projects. She is primarily know as a Producer in the family entertainment industry overseeing children’s books, animated feature films and animated TV projects. She has other amazing moms on the Kimochi team, helping build the brand.

Nina and her team are reaching out to kids and families in hospital situations, for social workers, adoption and special needs. Kimochis is a toy for everyone with the added benefits!

It is an amazing time for ‘feelings’. The idea that parents are becoming more aware of what is important during these difficult times, refocusing, reshifting and reprioritizing, promoting a stronger connection between parent and child.

Check out the adorable new Kimochi – Cat – available this month! {www.kimochis.com}

Chic Galleria and Kimochi is excited to be giving away a Cloud character to 1 lucky Chic Galleria reader.  Just leave a comment on this article and answer this question, “What is Cloud’s favorite color?” You will probably have to visit the website to find the answer! The winner will be chosen at random from those who leave a comment and the winner will be announced November 16, 2009. www.kimochis.com