Category Archives: Shop

Zoya goes neutral — and green

Posted on by
Reply

Zoya is known for bringing style to our fingertips with high-quality, professional-grade nail lacquers. The only rub is it isn’t always easy to indulge in fashion-forward colors in an office that calls for more subdued, conservative hues.

image004So what’s a corporate fashionista to do?

Enter Zoya’s Godiva PixieDust, a neutral that is cool and exciting. Godiva is a textured, matte nude polish that you can wear as semi-sheer single coat or opaque full coverage in just two coats, depending on your mood. No base coat. No top coat. Dries quickly. You can even make your own custom shade by blending a few drops of another PixieDust color.

I like Zoya because it’s easy to apply, doesn’t smell like chemicals and lasts a long time, a big plus for a writer who spends a lot of time at the keyboard. An added benefit: tiny dings in matte, pale polish are far less apparent than in deep, saturated colors in high-gloss finishes.

For pointers on achieving a flawless finish, watch Zoya’s video on how to apply PixieDust. Expect to pay $8 a bottle.

So what about those polishes you have had hanging around for what seems like eons? Check out the Earth Day Zoya Nail Polish Exchange, April 19-26.  Get rid of old nail polish that may not be BIG5FREE (Free of Formaldehyde, Formaldehyde Resin, Toluene, DBP and Camphor) and exchange it for greener, toxin-free Zoya polishes for $4 a bottle, plus shipping and handling. Zoya will properly dispose of your old polish.

Here’s how it works:

  1. Go to www.zoya.com and pick out the polishes you want and add them to your shopping cart. You must select a minimum of six bottles and no more than 24 bottles. If you own a salon, it’s a minimum of 12 bottles and a max of 48. (The offer is not good on PixieDust shades.)
  2. Apply the code (copy and paste for best results): ZOYAEARTH2013
  3. Wait for your new polish to arrive in the mail

Happy feet in Barefooters

Posted on by
Reply

0Going barefoot is an everyday pleasure. Until stepping on a rock, a pin or an errant Barbie shoe shatters your bliss.

Barefooters are an anatomically engineered shoe designed to feel great. These very casual, somewhat industrial looking looking pull-ons are made in Italy from shock- absorbing, extremely flexible and antimicrobial CorksiLite™, an all-natural blend of cork and silicone. You can even see tiny flecks of brown cork interspersed with the colorful silicone.

So what does that mean? Breathable comfort. No more blisters. And, uh, your feet won’t get sweaty and stinky.

imagesBarefooters’ unique Oooaaahs™ insoles are nicely padded with reflexology pods, which gently massage the pressure points of weary feet while you walk. Barefooters makes shoes for men and women, lots of colors, full range of sizes.

Don’t worry if they get muddy while you are gardening or hiking. Like your feet, Barefooters are washable. In fact, the shoes are easier to wash than your feet because you can toss them in the washing machine. Or just spritz them with the hose while you are rinsing off your real tootsies.

You can find Barefooters in stores in the northern United States and Canada or online at  such footwear purveyors as Footsmart, Shoebuy and Planetshoes. MSRP is $99 a pair but you can find discounts that vary by retailer.

 

Dive into Planet Ocean on Blu-Ray

Posted on by
Reply

As a Jersey girl, I grew up thinking the ocean was downa Shore, the biggest pool you ever saw, a wet and tangy tangle of seaweed, shells and gentle waves just waiting to be jumped.

imagesIn truth, oceans are deep and mystical creatures. You can explore the seas on Planet Ocean, a compelling documentary that takes you on an unprecedented journey into the least known regions of the earth. It’s  available on Blu-Ray and DVD from Universal Studios Home Entertainment.

Directed by acclaimed photographer, filmmaker and environmentalist Yann Arthus-Bertrand, the maker of Home, and narrated by actor Josh Duhamel (Transformers, Life As We Know It), Planet Ocean invites viewers to swim the globe with breathtaking aerial views and underwater imagery in extreme geographical conditions.

In other words, leave your water wings behind and dive in. In 93 brief minutes, you will get a deluge of insights on this most precious earthly resource.

You can buy Planet Ocean at Amazon, Target, Kmart, Best Buy and other retailers. Prices start at less than $13.

Keep your cool with tilt

Posted on by
Reply

There’s a downside to the glorious spring weather embracing the East Coast, which has millions dashing to decks, patios and balconies.

M.aspxHow to keep the dip chilled?

Hopefully, you are prepared with tilt, with a lower-case T, a decidedly cool stainless steel ball that you can drop in dips, salads and drinks to maintain their cool, without ice.

This handy, low-tech gadget comes from Soiree Home, the enterprising folks who invented what has quickly become an iconic, pour-through device to decant wine.

tilt is flavorless (so as not to corrupt your hummus) and reusable, at the ready in your freezer, where it demands little more space than an ice cube. Or store it on the counter in the enclosed silicon stand and chill four to six hours before use. (MSRP: $34.99 for a set of two or $17.99 for a singleton.)

You can buy one large shiny orb or a pair of chillers. Each comes with a handy hook for retrieving the devices when the party’s over. Clean up is easy. Wash with soap and water until the next use.

From Spain, two great value reds

Posted on by
Reply

When I’m looking for reds that suit both my sensibility and my budget, I often turn to wines imported from Spain, birthplace of food-friendly wines that also are focused on style.
VinaZaco_Temp_NV_HRTwo noteworthy wines in the coveted $15 or less category come from Bodegas Bilbainas, the largest estate in the Rioja Alta, where traditional character blends with modern production techniques. Both are 100 percent Tempranillo. Think fruit. Color. The best of the grape.

Vina Zaco 2010 is lively and assertive, yet its scents of violets and fresh feel make it a good match for grilled chicken and veggies, as well as the meats from the barbecue that we usually serve with reds on a soft summer night. Because it isn’t overly heavy, tempranillo is a great match with small bites, your very own tapas hour.  Wine Spectator loved this offering, awarding it 90 points. You will enjoy it, too.

Vina Pomal Crianza 2009 is more traditional, yet is still simpatico with a wide range of dishes from cheeses to grilled fish. Expect an aromatic bouquet of black cherry, licorice and vanilla. The winemaker suggests serving at 60 degrees Fahrenheit. For optimum flavor, pop it in the fridge an hour before uncorking. Honest! No need to decant. Pour and enjoy.

 

Easter chocolates by Norman Love

Posted on by
Reply

Here’s hoping the Easter bunny brings you a basketful of exquisite chocolates from Norman Love Confections (NLC). The high-end candy maker is offering eight limited-edition treats through March 30, all in the shape of eggs.

2013 easter_10pc_P9209852_rt smallCaramel Crunch has a surprise inside, crunchy, dark pearls of chocolate.  Creamy Peanut Butter is a polka -dotted confection of velvety peanut butter ganache in a milk chocolate shell.

For the butterscotch lover, there’s a silky butterscotch ganache made from slow-cooked brown sugar and butter. The clincher: a layer of creamy white chocolate. Other temptations include Vanilla Pudding, Coconut Almond, Mint Chocolate Cookie, Lemon Drop and Strawberry Shortcake.

Easter collections are packaged in a variety of pretty gift boxes. Choices range from a five-piece sampler priced at  $13.25 to a 50-piece candy bonanza priced at $95, plus shipping. Chocolate bunnies also are available for the traditionalist.

If you don’t hop to it in time to indulge in Easter treats, don’t despair. Norman Love offers and expansive line of chocolates and truffles suitable for weddings, gifts and every day indulgence.

 

Travalo, the travel atomizer

Posted on by
1

34144517Just because air travel stinks these days doesn’t mean you shouldn’t smell fabulous when you’re on the road.

Consider a high-tech atomizer, Travalo Touch. Made of sleek but durable aluminum, Travalo Touch is a 5 mL refillable fragrance wand with rollerball technology.

No worries about having your favorite perfume yanked at security. TSA-approved, Travalo Touch is a portable fragrance wand. Its spill-free Genie-S pump system allows you to fill the atomizer before you head to the airport. The cylinder holds 50 roll-on applications of your favorite scent.

You can gauge the level of perfume through a clear window. The cylinder is available in black, pink or silver and slides easily into an evening bag or jacket pocket. Expect to pay about $20.

Let It Rain Barrels

Posted on by
1

CR_Rotary_Rain_Barrel-026_web-191x300On March 22, World Water Day, Wilmington will be awash in conservation as 18 hand-painted rain barrels will begin to appear at businesses all over the city. The barrels  will be auctioned off on Earth Day, Saturday, April 20, at 6:30 p.m. at the Chase Center to raise money to help improve access to clean water in Third World countries. Tickets to the event are $50. To learn more, visit Let It Rain Barrels.

Caesar Rodney Rotary Club is sponsoring the project as part of its work to raise awareness of water as a vital natural resource. The group is raising money to fund clean-water projects overseas through its partnership with University of Delaware’s Engineers without Borders Chapter. The rotary also wants to educate homeowners and businesses on the time-honored and low-tech way to conserve water and save money by capturing water in a rain barrel. 

CR_Rotary_Rain_Barrel-047_web-191x300Rain barrels have been around forever and continue to make sense. By gathering water that would otherwise run off into the ground or a storm sewer you can keep your garden happy on the hottest day — without turning a faucet.

In addition to Delaware artists, schools and other organizations are creating a deluge of inspiration, including Cab Calloway School of the Arts and Urban Promise, which is dedicated to helping kids and young adults reach their full potential through Christian principals.

Think of the rain barrels as functional art — and a reminder of a precious resource.

                                                                                  

Broken Shed Vodka is whey cool

Posted on by
Reply

bottle_2011_0-98x300Two guys in a tumbledown shack have lots of time to think. And, odds are they can really use a drink.

In a dinged-up shed on a mountain in New Zealand, two Yanks from Connecticut dreamed up a New Zealand vodka. The aptly named Broken Shed is distilled four times. It’s gluten-free, additive-free and naturally smooth. No sugar, either.

The creamy notes come from whey, which the Broken Shed folks refer to as “milk honey.” The result is an inviting vodka that is round, rather than sharp, with no cloying sweetness.

Whey to go, guys.

Expect to pay about $30 for a 750 ml bottle. Broken Shed is currently available in New York, Connecticut and online purveyors.

0You could tuck a bottle of Broken Shed in the freezer and enjoy with ice and a lemon twist. The makers suggest a classic cocktail to get us through ‘til spring.

In the 1960s, the Old Fashioned cocktail was in vogue. My grandparents traveled with their own blend, delighting hosts who would add ice and an orange slice. Typically made using bourbon or whiskey, Broken Shed has put their own spin on this timeless temptation.

 

Here’s a whey-cool recipe:

Old Fashioned

3 oz Broken Shed vodka

3 dash bitters

1 sugar cube

Zest of lemon/orange/grapefruit

Garnish- flamed or not

In glass, add sugar cube with bitters and few slices of zest, add 3 oz vodka and 4 cubes ice. Stir for 10-15 seconds.

Garnish and serve to copious thanks.

 

Boom Boom! Explodes with kindness

Posted on by
Reply

Handbag_BB_1_0Boom Boom! Revolution’s acts of kindness cards and lifestyle products are a sure shot for folks who enjoy making nice.

Now, you can literally carry the Boom Boom! message of environmental responsibility with you. The company has partnered with eco-friendly and upscale portable tote company, RunRunRun to design the latest addition to its kindness collection: the exclusive Boom Boom! Italia Tote.

handbag_foldedThink of it as the Mother Teresa of reusable shopping bags. It’s a foldable travel tote that’s compact, stylish and practical. (MSRP: $12.99)

The embossed snap on the outside reads “The Uprising of Guerilla Goodness” and the interior message, printed on leather, says: “Measure your life by what you give, not what you receive.” http://boomboomcards.com/italia-tote

You also can play it forward with Boom Boom! Cards acts of kindness cards kits, available in Original, Teen, Green, and Family Decks. Each contains 26 cards with an act of guerilla goodness for users to spread good vibes throughout their communities.

From there, users can engage with the Boom Boom! community at boomboomcards.com  by posting kindness stories, photos and videos, and following their cards (each has a unique ID) on the Boom Boom! map to see how their acts of kindness create a positive ripple effect.

Not nice enough for you? To keep the goodness flowing, users can register their cards at boomboomcards.com and donate 10% of the purchase price directly to the charity of their choice.