The Blog Entourage

Size Does Matter & Here Is How to Spot A Big One!

2012-03-02T13:40:00.001-05:00

credit: fotosearch via gettyimages

Does size really matter? A question that deserves to be answered. The more important question is can you really tell how big a man's penis is judging by his shoe size? The answer is no, but there is apparently a fool-proof way of finding out whether a man is well-endowed...I mean, aside from reaching down there or using a tape measure.

On the Today Show with Kathy Lee and Hoda they went over popular sex myths. In the way of penis size, you can be rest assured that a man has a larger-than-average size penis if his ring finger is longer than his index finger. It has to do with how much testosterone he was exposed to in the womb. This stands to reason that you could also look for clues like a full head of hair, a deep voice and other things that indicate they have higher levels of testosterone.

But beware, a big dick does in fact make way for...well, a dick. The more testosterone a man has, the more likely he is to lean towards aggression, or as I like to call it male PMS (preMANstrual syndrome)--you know, that time of the month when men get cranky and bitchy if they don't get their way about something. Or when they're so tired that all they want to do is lay around all day playing video games instead of having sex or taking you out to dinner.

So unfortunately it would seem that we can't have our ~~big penis~~ cake and eat it too. If you want a laid-back, sweet and sensitive man, beware that you might get an average or smaller sized penis with the deal. My suggestion is you find a sensitive man and invest in a good vibrator. Oh I can imagine the spam I'm going to get with this post!

Inspirations by Patty Sherry: Do You Give Too Much?

2012-03-02T10:39:00.000-05:00

by Patty Sherry, 3/2/2012

This goes out to all the "givers" out there. When you say yes when you really mean NO, I have learned that you truly have NOTHING to give. It makes you resentful. It makes you spread guilt. It is a disservice to you and the other.

I enjoy being a giver....but I must be willing to give to myself.

You can find more inspiration from Patty Sherry on her blog Share Your Love Story.

Crazed Fan & Weekend Warrior Blog Hop

2012-03-02T09:59:00.000-05:00

Hey, guys! Thanks so much for stopping by the hop again! If everyone can quickly share the hop on your Facebook fanpages, I bet we can make it to 100 entries again! New faces means more exposure. And with all the GFC changes going on, this week we're suggesting that you focus on following eachother on Facebook and/or Twitter instead of GFC, and if you're up to it yet, start adding people to your Google circles. I know, it's infuriating! But I have a feeling Google Circle and Google hangouts is going to rival FB in the future. It's worth the hastle to jump on board...one day Google will rule the world.

Well, I'm excited to tell you that I'm heading out to the city (Washington DC) tomorrow for a long day of sightseeing and picture taking followed by a girls night out. I'll bring you guys back lots of great pics! I hope you have a great weekend too. Now on with the hop.

1. Enter you main blog link in the linky list below.

2. Grab both hop codes/badges below and put them in a new post.

3. Please follow The Blog Entourage and Mom's Bookshelf & More if you'd like (if you already do, please follow on Twitter, Facebook, etc.)

DO NOT use copy and paste comments of "please follow me" on other blogs! If they like you, they'll follow back. And when you do leave comments, take the time to read the post you are commenting on. Imagine if someone happens to post about the death of a loved one, and a reader leaves a comment that says, "Hope you'll follow my blog!". NOT COOL! I think it's perfectly fine to leave your blog link with a signature or let them know you're a new follower, but it should be after a comment that let's the blogger know you actually read something on their blog.

This hop has become a great way for us all to boost readers and comments. So hop around, enjoy some blog reading and leave some sweet comments, and please tweet the hop if you have a second. Thanks so much, everyone!

Product Review: Earth Grown Crayons

2012-03-01T14:02:00.001-05:00

by Christina Williams

ECO SOY CRAYONS Tree Frog -Set of 8, $8.00

It's important for me to buy toxic-free products for my home and for my family. Several major crayon brands have been proven to contain asbestos, some above trace levels. This is alarming considering young children tend to put crayons in their mouths.

In my search for safe, eco-friendly crayons I came across Earth Grown Crayons on Etsy. I immediately new I had to get some for my daughters. These crayons are all-natural, eco friendly and biodegradable. You have to be careful ordering "eco-friendly" crayons on Etsy. Sometimes they are simply store-bought crayons melted down and recycled. That's a great way to recycle, but those crayons are still toxic. Earth Grown Crayons are hand made from natural soy wax and nontoxic mineral pigments. The packaging is also eco-friendly, something that has also become very important whenever I am making purchases.

What I love most about Earth Grown Crayons is they come in all kinds of shapes like hearts, stars, animal shapes and more. You can purchase them in small packs or boxed sets for everyday use, stocking stuffers or basket fillers. Their Woodland Bunnies would be perfect in an Easter basket.

My daughters loved using the crayons. The small size and wider shape made them very easy to hold and color with. They also last longer than commercial crayons. I was curious to see how the color spread on paper since the Earth Grown Crayons contain different kinds of wax and pigment than commercial brands. I was impressed with how smooth and rich the color was on paper. Most of all my girls had a ton of fun coloring with little frog-shaped crayons.

Earth Grown Crayons are affordable considering they are all-natural and eco-friendly, and the shipping is typically under $5.00. Some items are too small for children under three due to choking hazard, so check with the individual product descriptions before ordering.

Click here to shop Earth Grown Crayons.

Link of the Week: Fresh and Fruity : Healthy Fruit Snacks for Kids and Adults! | Mommy's Little Monsters

2012-02-28T18:11:00.001-05:00

Congrats to Mommy's Little Monsters for winning Link of the Week! The winning link is about why store-bought fruit snacks are unhealthy along with a recipe for healthier homemade fruit snacks. You can find the recipe here:
Fresh and Fruity : Healthy Fruit Snacks for Kids and Adults! Mommy's Little Monsters

For a chance to win next week, simply share a link to your latest blog post on our Facebook Wall.

Red Carpet Fashion: Best Dressed Oscars 2012

2012-02-26T23:12:00.003-05:00

posted by Christina Williams, 2/26/2012

Fashion at the 2012 Oscars paid homage to the latest trend in interesting silhouettes, from the peplum on Tina Fey's gown to JLo's sleeve cut-outs. There were a few ethereal gowns, seen on Kristen Wig and Rooney Mara. But for the most part, the leading ladies of Hollywood stuck with traditional high-glam gowns with beading, sequins and trailing skirts. Here are my top picks.

Angelina Jolie in a black velvet Atelier Versace gown.

credit: gettyimages

Octavia Spencer winner for Best Supporting Actress in "The Help".

credit: gettyimages

Rose Byrne of "Bridesmaids" in Vivienne Westwood

via Steve Granitz/WireImage

Oscar-nominated actress Jessica Chastain of "The Help" in Alexander McQueen.

via Jason Merritt/Gettyimages

Emma Stone nominated for "The Help" in Giambatista Valli.

via Jason Merritt/Gettyimages

Michelle Williams of "My Week With Marilyn" in Louis Vuitton.

via gettyimages

Red Carpet Fashion: 2012 Golden Globes

Red Carpet Fashion: Best Dressed of Oscars Past

Red Carpet Fashion: Power Couples At The 2012 Oscars

2012-02-26T21:52:00.006-05:00

posted by Christina Williams, 2/26/2012

Two power couples owned the Red Carpet at the 2012 Oscars tonight. Stacy Keibler shined on George Clooney's arm, and as usual Angelina Jolie held her own next to Brad Pitt.

Oscar nominee George Clooney of "The Descendants" and "The Ides of March" with girlfriend Stacy Keibler at the 2012 Oscars.

credit: Jason Merritt/Getty

Brad Pitt nominated for Best Actor in "Moneyball"

with wife Angelina Jolie in Versace at the 2012 Oscars.

credit: Jason Merritt/Getty

More Red Carpet Fashion:

Red Carpet Fashion: 2012 Golden Globes

Red Carpet Fashion: Best Dressed of Oscars Past

Red Carpet Fashion: Best Dressed of Oscars Past

2012-02-26T18:47:00.001-05:00

posted by Christina Williams, 2/26/2012

Are you guys ready for the Oscars?? Some call it the superbowl of fashion. It is the biggest awards show for movies, during which the stars break out the biggest and most glamorous gowns. I'll be watching tonight with a scary yogurt mask on my face while I paint my toenails. I'm excited to see what the female nominees will be wearing. Here are a few of my favorites from Oscars in the past. Sorry, Halle Berry, your famous dress is not on my personal list. And Julia Roberts, you are an all-time favorite, but that vintage Valentino wasn't a favorite for me. That's okay, you're both on much more important sites anyway.

Angelina Jolie, 2004 Oscars

credit: Frazer via Getty

Michelle Williams 2006 Oscars

credit: KMazur via Wire Image

Penelope Cruz 2007 Oscars

via Getty Images

Nicole Kidman 2007 Oscars

credit: Frazer Harrison via Getty Images

Sandra Bullock 2010 Oscars

Credit: Alberto E Rodriguez via Getty Images

Anna Paquin 2010 Oscars

Credit: Kyle Rover via Startraksphoto

Lea Michelle 2011 Oscars

Credit: Jason Merritt via Getty Images

Anne Hathaway 2011 Oscars

Credit: Ethan Miller via Getty Images

Pic of the Week: Smithsonian Natural History Museum

2012-02-26T18:06:00.000-05:00

photo by Christina Williams

The lobby of the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History in D.C.

Crazed Fan & Weekend Warrior Blog Hop

2012-02-24T07:00:00.002-05:00

Happy weekend, bloggers! I have another insane weekend planned so let's just get straight down to business....

1. Enter you main blog link in the linky list below.

2. Grab both hop codes/badges below and put them in a new post.

Transform Your Home with Easy Wall Art

2012-02-23T16:57:00.001-05:00

posted by Christina Williams, February 23, 2012

My favorite new trend in wall treatments is removable wall art. Decorative wall stickers have been around for a long time. I remember having giant animal stickers on my wall when I was a kid (I'm not going to say how many years ago that was). Though the trend died down for some time, I'm happy to say it's back in full force.

Dorm rooms and apartments can be tough to decorate. Space is often limited and the walls are always white. Wall Stickers add a lot of color and design without taking up any space. You can usually paint in a rental, but then you have to paint it back whenever you move out. That's money out the window each time you paint. I love how wall stickers are removable and reusable. And they're not just for kid's rooms anymore. How great is this Birds on a Wire Wall Decal (pictured below). It really adds a lot to this space without having to paint an entire wall or spend hundreds of dollars on artwork.

Wall stickers are also great in children's rooms. If you have kids you know that you have to rearrange their rooms often, whenever they grow out of furniture and need a larger dresser or bed or whenever brothers and sisters transition in or out of sharing a room. It can be frustrating trying to make pieces of art work in a space with a new layout. Wall stickers are such a quick and easy fix to fill up a big empty wall.

My favorite is a giant tree. It seems to be the most popular on most wall-art sites. They're so whimsical and fun. I've been wanting to get my daughter one for a long time. I also love the chandelier wall stickers.

Of course you can find them in all different sizes and shapes like border art, photo frame stickers, and clusters of shapes like butterflies or stars. You can even get a Christmas Tree Wall Sticker. How's that for saving space!

Phrases and inspirational quotes have also become popular in wall decals, but you can also use alphabet decals to label things in your home. Did you know you can order wall decals in any word or phrase you want? It's perfect for personalizing your home. For example you could order your child's name and place it over their bed. You could also custom order a word like "EAT" very large and in a bright color to use as pop art in your kitchen.

Alphabet decals aren't just for walls either. Label your child's toy boxes, crafts, clothing etc. with letter stickers or use them in a space like your pantry. If you want something more versatile you can even get Chalkboard Walll Stickers.

Link of the Week: Adele’s Grammy’s Makeup «

2012-02-20T19:49:00.002-05:00

Congrats to The Gloss Girls for winning Link of the Week on our Facebook page this week! They will get free blog syndication for a week as well as a link on our homepage to their post and a permanent link to their blog via this post.

In their winning post they show you how to achieve Adele's high-glam make-up look. Visit their post and show some love: Adele’s Grammy’s Makeup «

For a chance to win next week, stop by often to share your own posts on The Blog Entourage Facebook Wall.

Natural Beauty: Moisturize & Condition with Olive Oil

2012-02-20T13:12:00.001-05:00

posted by Christina Williams, February 20, 2012

photo by Fuse via gettyimages

I keep two bottles of olive oil-one in my kitchen cupboard and one under my bathroom sink. It works great as an all-natural, hypo-allergenic skin moisturizer. I love to apply it to my body straight out of the shower. Oils help to moisterize the skin better than lotions because they penetrate deeper into the skin, and they also acts as a skin protectant, holding moisture in. I don't however apply it to my face, to avoid getting more acne breakouts.

I suggest you use extra-light olive oil to avoid smelling like an olive bar. You can also mix it with citrus juice or essential oils to add a scent. You can also add Vitamin E oil for better moisture.

If you prefer all-natural beauty products, you know that pre-packaged natural skin care can get expensive, costing an average of $20.00 to $40.00 a bottle. However a medium bottle of olive oil can cost as little as four dollars, and since a little goes a long way, it also lasts much longer than lotions and creams.

Olive oil is also a great all-natural moisturizer for hair. I use it in my hair as both a deep-conditioning treatment as well as a leave-in conditioner. It helps to naturally moisturize, smooth split ends and tame frizz.

To use as a deep conditioner, apply generously to hair from scalp to ends and let soak in for at least thrity minutes. Be sure to wrap hair up in a towel or tie it up in a bun. You don't want oil-soaked hair touching your neck as it can cause an acne flare up. After it has had time to soak in, shampoo your hair as usual.

To use it as a leave-in conditioner and defrizzer, place a tiny amount (start with half a dime-size amount) and rub it all over your palms. Apply lightly and evenly to hair, avoiding the roots, and brush through hair. Style as usual.

Product Review: Ginger Chi Exfoliating Bar & Moisturizing Oil

2012-02-20T12:04:00.001-05:00

posted by Christina Williams

Honey Apricot Exfoliating Bar with Shea

photo via Ginger Chi

Ginger Chi's exfoliating bar is just one of the products I had the pleasure of sampling, and I think it was my favorite. It is honestly hard to pick a favorite from Ginger Chi, but this was by far the most effortless product and also had the biggest impact.

The soap bar is made with exfoliating almond meal, organic ginger, raw honey, Vitamin E, and the oils of coconut, sweet almond, jojoba, shea and cocoa butter. The almond meal scrubs off dead, dry skin while the other ingredients nourish and moisturize.

Like most of you, my skin gets very dry during the winter. My legs especially get dry because I simply don't take the time to moisturize them everyday like I do in the summertime. It just doesn't cross my mind as much whenever I'm wearing pants everyday instead of sun dresses.

When I started using the soap, I assumed it would moisturize a bit and in the least, get my skin clean. After I used it a few times, I noticed a dramatic difference in my skin. I focused on my legs when using the soap, still skipping on lotion or cream everyday. Even without using cream and solely using the exfoliating bar, my legs and even my knees became soft and smooth as if I had just applied a cream. It is currently on sale at 30% OFF, so you can order one for just $3.50 a bar. For something all-natural and as luxurious as this bar is, the price is incredible!

If you have trouble with dry skin and especially if you need to use natural skin products, I cannot stress enough how much I recommend you give this soap a try. It is currently on sale at 30% OFF, so you can order one for just $3.50 a bar. For something all-natural and as luxurious as this bar is, the price is incredible!

After I tested the soap exclusively for a few weeks, I incorporated Ginger Chi's Ginger Juniper Replenishing Body Oil (pictured right). It is made without any parabans, petroleum mineral oil or artificial color. It is made of a blend of nourishing oils like Sweet Almond Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Coconut Oil and Vitamin E. These oils are very nourishing, and the great thing about moisturizing with oils is that they penetrate deeper into the skin than lotion can.

I've even used this in my hair as a deep conditioner before shampooing, and it works wonders on my dry hair and split ends!

Another great thing about this oil is it lasts a long time, because a little bit goes a long way. It is scented with Ginger, Frankincense, Geranium plus Juniper Berry, Lemongrass & Lavender. I think the scent is perfect-not too strong but just strong enough.

However, if you have oily skin and are prone to acne on your neck, chest and back; I do suggest that you only use this on your legs and arms or at least test in on a small area of your chest or neck to make sure it doesn't cause you to have an acne flare up.

The body oil is also 30% OFF. Click here for more info or to place your order.

Overall I was also very impressed with the product packaging. All of the liquid products come in beautiful glass bottles with professional labels. And the dispensers are all tailored to make each individual product easy to apply. This is something I'd buy again for myself and would also be happy to give as a gift.

You can find other great natural skin care products in Ginger Chi's Etsy Shop. If you would like more information on the company or traditional Chinese health, you can check out www.gingerchi.com and the Ginger Chi blog.

*I was not monetarily compensated for this review. I was provided a sample for review purposes. All expressed opinions are solely my own.

Pic of The Week: Franklin Mountains in El Paso, TX

2012-02-18T17:56:00.000-05:00

photo by Christina Williams

Hiking the Franklin Mountains in El Paso, TX. (Click the photo to see it enlarged.)

Crazed Fan & Weekend Warrior Blog Hop

2012-02-17T11:08:00.001-05:00

Happy weekend, bloggers! I have a pretty pink tea party to plan for my toddler's birthday this weekend, so let's get down to business!

1. Enter you main blog link in the linky list below.

2. Grab both hop codes/badges below and put them in a new post.

NY Fashion Week 2012: Tommy Hilfiger's British Invasion

2012-02-16T12:55:00.007-05:00

posted by Christina Williams, February 16, 2012

Upon browsing Tommy Hilfiger's Fall 2012 collection that hit the runway during Fashion Week in New York this week, I couldn't help but notice the obvious theme of riding boots, peacoats, plaid and hats that are reminiscent of English riding helmuts or perhaps bobby hats. This is a bit adventurous for the traditional all-American designer. Though it is in essence very American of him to turn to our pre-revolution rulers for inspiration.

I'm happy to say it is in no way a cheesy, literal representation of the Brits, but rather a fox-hunt and tea-and-shortbread kind of look. Obviously the helmuts are just for show.
(all photos via Tommy Hilfiger, 2012 Fall Collection)

What do you think of these looks? Personally, I'm suddenly craving tea and excessive amounts of brown leather (not that I would eat the leather...you know what I mean). In fact, I think I may speak exclusively in my worst English accent for the rest of the day. Cheers!

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The Dos & Don'ts of Online Dating

2012-02-13T21:03:00.002-05:00

posted by Christina Williams, February 13, 2012

Stephan Hoerold via gettyimages

Do use a casual and current picture that was taken in a natural setting and that was taken in-the-moment.
Don't use a professional photo for your profile picture. It may come across as misleading, and even worse, may cause a date to be disappointed when they meet you in person.

Do include a full-body shot. Head shots can sometimes be very deceiving in regards to a person's weight.
Don't include a full-body shot that is too revealing. If you are looking for a meaningful relationship, the last thing you want to do is attract the wrong kind of attention by showing too much skin.

Do keep your standards in reality.
Don't think of online dating as an a la carte menu. No one person is going to possess every single quality you want.

Do have a specific idea of what you want. You should have some non-negotiables in mind, like must be family oriented, must love to travel, must have strong values.
Don't make your non-negotiable list too long. Limit yourself to five or less.

Do keep in mind your life on a daily basis when listing your hobbies and interests.
Don't list skiing, skydiving and snorkling as your hobbies if you've done those things only once on a vacation you took five years ago. The goal is to find someone who has similar interests on a day-to-day basis.

Do take your time getting to know someone before meeting them in person.
Don't rush into a first date. And always put safety first by meeting in a public place and not divulging too much personal information up front.

Above all, make sure you pick the right dating sight for you. Most sites charge a monthly fee, so you want to make sure you're getting the best value for your money. You'll find a comparison of the best dating sites on Consumer-Rankings.com. They list the top five dating sites of 2012 and compare them in several different ways. Each site is given an overall rating, summary, description of existing membership and a detailed summary. If you are looking for someone special but find yourself too busy to get out and meet people, it's worth trying an online dating site. Just make sure you choose the site that is right for you.

Link of the Week: Speak of the Devil: The Dead of Winter

2012-02-13T20:27:00.000-05:00

Congrats to William Kendall for winning Link of the Week. There were a ton of great links this week, but since I'm hoping and praying for a blizzard, this post is fitting. Lots of funny pics as usual. Enjoy!
Visit his winning post and spread the comment love: Speak of the Devil: The Dead of Winter

Go Green In One Simple Step

2012-02-13T19:39:00.001-05:00

posted by Christina Williams, February 5th, 2012

How many of you had the new year's resolution to go green this year? It was certainly a priority for me, though I admit I've slacked in that area. If you've failed to implement new eco-friendly practices into your routine, don't give up on your resolution. Just like with all resolutions, you can easily achieve your goals if you make a specific plan and take small steps to reach your goal.

Simply start with one or two practical changes, like giving up bottled water and buying a water filter or using reusable shopping bags. These are both easy and inexpensive ways to go green. In fact, you'll actually save money using filtered water.

You may feel that cost is holding you back from being eco-friendly, but in most cases it can save you money. Reducing your carbon footprint by cutting back on the amount of energy and resources you use is a great way to go green without having to make major changes in your life. One of the simplest ways is to change out all of your florescent light bulbs to energy-saving light bulbs. At LYCO you can choose from regular energy saving light bulbs, spiral halogen bulbs and LED bulbs in a lot of different sizes.

I know some of you who are into DIY and interior design may not want the spiral bulbs in open sockets like pocket lights, or you may be wondering if you can get energy-efficient bulbs to fit chandeliers. If you've been torn between wanting to use energy-efficient bulbs but not liking the spiral bulbs, you can get them in so many different sizes and shapes like Globe bulbs, traditional bulbs, candle bulbs and small led bulbs that work great with modern track lighting.

A lot of people shy away from energy-saving light bulbs when they realize how much more expensive they are than traditional bulbs, but energy saving bulbs ultimately save you money two different ways. They last up to fifteen times longer, and because they use up a lot less energy, you'll lower your carbon footprint and your electric bill. In fact, if you switch out fifteen bulbs in your home, you'll save about $50.00 a year.

It is so much more cost-effective and energy-efficient that the US and EU will soon be phasing out of traditional incandescent bulbs and exclusively selling energy saving bulbs. It is a change we'll all have to make eventually.

Just be sure to dispose of your bulbs properly when they do go out. CFL bulbs have mercury inside and are therefore subject to disposal guidelines depending on your area's rules. Halogen bulbs aren't recyclable so they simply need to be thrown away.

It's easy to get overwhlemed with a resolution like becomming more eco-friendly, but by breaking it down into small measurable tasks, it becomes a piece of cake. Once you make one easy change, like switching out your light bulbs, you'll start gaining confidence and will quickly be on your way to making more eco-friendly choices.

Web Hosting Deals by The Frugal Dad

2012-02-10T15:23:00.001-05:00

Move over mommy-budget bloggers and all you coupon ladies! There is a frugal, manly blogger who has been featured by the likes of Fast Company, Mashable, Business Week and The New York Times to name a few. Having worked at a call center for credit cards and bank cards, and having racked up his own debt in the past, the Frugal Dad has a passion for helping families learn how to build wealth by saving money and making smarter financial decisions.

A recent tip I heard is to never pay retail for anything. It is great advice, but I'll admit I don't always take the time to hunt down discounts before making a purchase. On Frugal Dad you'll find a full list of these frequent retail discounts like a Kitchenaid coupon code, Dirt Devil coupon code, Proflowers.com coupon code. Even better is how the Frugal Dad breaks these coupon codes down into categories like Food & Groceries, Home & Garden, Travel, Office Supplies and much more.

For all of my readers who are bloggers, you'll want to check out his section on discounts for hosting. Web hosting is something you will want to look into if you are blogging for more than just a hobby. If you use your blog to monetize with ads or to promote a product or book, you will want your own domain. I suggest you start with a domain right off the bat if you plan to take your blog or website to the next step in the future. Do not wait until you are already making money off your site to buy a domain. You could wind up losing valuable stats and subscribers that you worked so hard to gain. I know it's hard to spend money and especilly time on something that you aren't sure will pay off, but if it is your end goal, then start out as if it is a business. If you start out waiting for something to happen, guess what? It never will happen. You have to go by two simple rules-work hard and keep at it.

Web hosting also helps with branding. I've seen blogs that are titled one thing yet have a completely different URL, something like Brent's Health Tips under the web address bigguysfitnesstips.blogspot.com. This is counterproductive to your branding strategy. Say you make an impression on someone but they forget to bookmark your site. On top of that, let's say you aren't high in Google rankings at all yet. So this reader stumbled across your blog (let's call it All Vegan Recipes) and they really want to find your site again. If you have the domain allveganrecipes.com they will easily be able to find you again with a simple search. However if your URL is something obscure, guess what they'll find when they search for "all vegan recipes"? They'll find a ton of vegan recipes on other sites, and you'll have driven your reader straight to your competition all because you didn't want to spend $5 a month on web hosting.

On Frugal Dad, the listed web hosting deals are frequently updated and include deals as low as $3.88 a month.

Crazed Fan & Weekend Warrior Blog Hop

2012-02-10T12:15:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the hottest blog hop! If you're already following a blog, simply enjoy their newest post and leave them a kind word...build up some blog karma. While you're there, double check that you're also following eachother on Twitter, FB, etc.

Before you start hopping, stop by our Facebook page, give us a quick "Like" and join our weekend Pin Party! Scroll down to find the status update about it and simply leave a link in the comments to a post you would like pinned on pinterest! Then pin all of the other links in the comments so that they will pin you back! Pinterest is a great way to get extra blog traffic. Keep in mind that posts with great photos work best on pinterest, so pick a recipe, craft, fashion or DIY post if you can.

1. Enter you main blog link in the linky list below.

2. Grab both hop codes/badges below and put them in a new post. Hey, I'd rather be painting my toenails or watching The Vampire Diaries right now instead of typing up this post, so cut me some slack and seriously add both buttons to your newest post before you link up.

Five Flirty Looks

2012-02-09T19:41:00.004-05:00

posted by Christina Williams, February 9th, 2012

1. Breath of Fresh Air

Pleated Bib Dress, GAP, $69.95

Guys can't resist the sweet girl-next-door. This crisp white dress is casual but shows just enough leg. I love how versatile it is. You can dress it up with heels and statement jewelry or dress it down with flats. Add interest with a wide belt or a vest, and if it's chilly out, you can cover up with a fitted jacket or blazer. The white would look gorgeous with blue-green jewelry, which is a hot new trend for Spring.

2. Great Lengths

Mossimo Women's Convertible Maxi Skirt, Target, $24.99

Maxi skirts and dresses have made a major comeback this year, and it looks as if they're here to stay. There are maxi dresses with a lot of strong prints, but a solid-color skirt works best with most body heighths and firgures. To keep a long skirt looking feminine and young, pair it with flats and a fitted, sleeveless top. This blue skirt would look beautiful with a white camisole or tank. If you are daring enough to try the new color-blocking trend, you can pair it with a yellow or purple top. Add on elegant silver jewelry for an evening look.

3. Hi's and Low's

Loveappella Hi-Low Dress, Piperlime, $59.00

The hi-low dress, otherwise known as the new mullet-skirt trend is all business in the front and party in the back. Heeeeyyyyy! You can find this trend with even longer hemlines in the back, perfect for creating a dramatic and romantic look but still being able to show off those legs. If it's still chilly in your part of the country, you can pair this with a cropped jacket. I love this trend because you can find it in any style to suit your taste, from pleated florals to sleek black to bright graphic prints.

4. Pretty In Polka Dots

Chandi and Lia Polka Dot Shirttail Blouse, Piperlime, $39.00

Polka Dots is a carry-over trend from last year, and I couldn't be more thrilled! I get so tired of florals in the Spring, it's nice to have another pattern in the mix. The trouble with polka dots is sometimes they can look too old-fashioned. The trick is to either go with classic navy and white polka dots in a fresh silhouette, or large modern dots on a classic silhouette. The shirt pictured above, paired with dark denim, is perfect for a casual, flirty look. Dress it up with drop earrings and some silver bangles. If you need to layer for warmth, you can go for one of two very different looks, with either a sleek blazer or a cozy cardigan.

5. Lacey Legs

Katy Lace Openwork Lace Pantyhose, Stockin Girl, $24.99

Patterned tights have been back in fashion for a while now. These sexy black stockings are an easy way to ease into the trend. It's also a great way to save money. You don't have to splurge on a new dress. Simply pair these with one of your little black dresses to breath new life into something you already have in your closet.

Which one is your favorite look for a romantic night out? Whichever one you choose, make sure you stick with my Hoochie-mamma Rule of One. It's simple, pick one asset only and show it off. For example your cleavage, legs or bum. But only choose one! If you show off two assets at a time, you run the risk of looking slutty. And if you show off three or more at a time, well then you're definitely going to look like a hoochie mamma!

Six Steps to Kissable Lips

2012-02-07T19:43:00.001-05:00

posted by Christina Williams, February 7, 2012

credit: Pando Hall via getty

It's Love Week on The Blog Enourage! Valentine's Day is officially one week away. It's time to make less-than-subtle hints to your man, and if your single-find something to do to keep your mind off being single.

This week The Blog Entourage is going to bring you posts on The Top 10 Romantic Date Movies, The Single Girl's Survival Guide to Valentine's Day, How to Spice Things Up, Five Flirty Fashion Looks, Valentine's Crafts for Kids and more.

I hope you enjoy the first post of Love Week! Whether you have someone to smooch or not, here are some easy ways to get more kissable lips.

1. Exfoliate. Just like with your skin, your lips should be exfoliated at least once a week before moisturizing. Use a dab of olive oil and sugar to gently scrub your lips then rub off with a damp towl. You can also use a toothbrush and petroleum jelly. If you're in a rush, you can also use just the damp towel.

2. Moisturize from the iside out. Avoid junk food and fill up on water.

3. Moisturize on a daily basis. Use unscented lip balm several times a day, especially before bedtime. Try to use lipbalms made with less preservatives and chemicals and go for ones made with beeswax and natural oils like coconut, almond or sunflower.

4. Plump your lips. If you weren't blessed with plump, full lips you can prime them with a collagen plumper. I wouldn't use this everyday as it isn't all-natural, but definitely swipe some on underneath your lipstick before a big date.

5. Don't cake on lipstick. Guys do not want to kiss that. Go for a lipstain or lip pencil and coat it with gloss or lip balm.

6. Pick normal colors. Seriously! I mean it. I don't care what is trendy. If you're going out with your girlfriends, wear whatever you want. But if you are going on a date, for the love of God, do not wear lipstick that is bright red, orange, bubblegum pink or glittery...especially not glittery!

Pic of the Week: Snow Day

2012-02-05T20:56:00.002-05:00

We finally got our first heavy snow here in MD! Unfortunately it melted the next day, but it was beautiful while it lasted!