How to Get Soft Natural Curls

So the 80’s passed with the curly perms.  Then came the straightening period.  Now it seems that natural, soft, wavy curls are all over the models.  OK – they are NOT natural.  They are styled and you too can have them with a little patience and a curling iron.  It seems the key to having a more natural looking curl whle using a curling iron, is to wrap the hair around the barrel rather than to clamp and roll the hair.  Check out the video for full instructions.  If you are used to wearing your hair straight try adding a soft wave for a fun and flirty holiday look.

Great Gift for anyone who Grills, why Go Outback tonight?

Your grilling friends will be impressed.  No need for going to a restaurant for steak.  Spice it up the way you want, or individually for each guest.  Add a grill charm so the steaks don’t get mixed up OR to show the “chef” how to cook it.

Grill Charms are dime-sized solid stainless steel charms that are placed in your food BEFORE grilling. The serrated stem holds the Grill Charm securely in place while flipping, moving and grilling like you normally do. You Grill Charm your food prior to cooking to distinguish spices and flavors, steak temperatures, or to avoid health or allergy issues.

Grill Charms can make a great host or hostess gifts when going to those holiday parties.  Also, for any office parties where you play the Thieving Secret Santa gift exchange, Grill Charms are perfect for anyone who owns a grill!  And of course, as a stocking stuffer, it’s the perfect size.

Grill Charms are available for $19.95 and come in 4 different collections – Steak Collection, rare, medium rare, etc. Spicy collection, mild, medium, spicy, etc. Charmed Life collection fun personalized collection. Pink Collection with the proceeds going toward finding a cure for breast cancer.

Be charming, give grill charms this year.  Go to www.grillcharms.com

You won’t find this one at the bookstore because YOU are the Star

Did you ever think you and your sweetie could star in a romance novel?  Are you too spicy for that or too mild?  yournovel.com will let you choose between a mild or wild version of romance and, starting at about $50, create a personal virtual fantasy for you and your sweetie beloved.

Yournovel.com’s founders Kathy M. Newbern and J.S. Fletcher, who form the husband/wife writing team Fletcher Newbern, have been penning the novels since they met and fell in love in 1992. Each book is personalized throughout with more than 25 details about the starring couple crafted from an online questionnaire, including names, hometown, places of work, eye and hair color, best friends, favorite perfume, cologne and music, affectionate nicknames for one another, and how long they’ve been a couple. There’s even the option of adding the starring couple’s photo to the book cover, and novels come in paperback or hardback.

One romance? I want the series! I want to laze on the Caribbean beaches, gaze into my beloved’s eyes over a fine glass of Barbera di Asti in Rome and take the Alaskan cruise, all without leaving our bedroom. Think of the fun we’d have – not only in the location of our choice, but reading about our wild encounters with pirates on the high seas! What’s your fantasy? Here’s your chance! A bodice-ripper? They have that!

What a very fun gift this would be for both of you.  Hurry there are only 17 days to Christmas!

Holiday Jello Mold Recipes

Strawberry Banana Mold

2-3oz. boxes of strawberry or strawberry banana gelatin

1-10 oz. container of frozen strawberries

2 bananas cut into slices on a bias

Over 2 packages of gelatin pour 2 cups boiling water – stir to dissove.  Add berries to gelatin.  Let them thaw a little or just break them up with a fork.  Add one cup COLD water.  Add bananas.  Stir and place in bowl or mold.  Refrigerate til firm.

If you would like a topping, you can use the recipe below with strawberries and or bananas on the top.

Cranberry Mold

6 oz. raspberry jello

2 cups boiling water

8 oz. can crushed pineapple

1 can whole cranberry sauce

1/2 cup port or sherry

For topping:

8 oz. brick of cream cheese

8 oz. whipped cream

1/3 cup cran raisins

Pour 2 cups boiling water over raspberry jello.  Add pineapple and whole cran sauce- broken up by fork. Stir in the port.  Place in bowl or mold and refigerate until firm.

Add topping once jello is firm.  Whip the cream cheese and whipped cream together and spread over top.  Sprinkle cran raisins over it.