Am I REALLY a “hair product junkie”?

May 8, 2012 By 4 Comments

My hair stylist and friend Shanelle told me that I was a hair product junkie this past weekend. I SO am not. Background: Shanelle won a basket of Kerastese hair products at a Women’s Day event at our church on Saturday. Since she was the one who had actually donated the gift, she was kind enough to let another winner be chosen. Jokingly, I asked her why didn’t she just give me the basket that she won. That’s when she accused me of being a hair product junkie. As if!

To prove my innocence, I told her that I was going to write down all of my hair products. (We were talking about the actual stuff that you put on your hair…not blow dryers, curling irons and such. I don’t have a lot of those because I really don’t enjoy doing hair ANYWAY.)  When, I pulled everything out, it only came up to 17 products and 3 of the 17 were gifts from Shanelle! That’s not a lot…is it? Is it? Here they are…

(The ones marked with an “*” are items that I have received over time to review for the blog.)

1.  Aussie 3 minute miracle deeeeep conditioner. I use this for my final comb-out when I wash my hair in the shower. My hair stylist doesn’t especially love the ingredients, but I haven’t found anything else that makes my comb-outs as painless. I’m definitely keeping this. Plus, it’s really inexpensive!

2. *Aveda smooth infusion Style-Prep Smoother: I received this in a gift bag at an Aveda event last year. To my pleasant surprise, I really like it. It smells nice and works really well when I’m trying to keep my hair flat/straight on a humid day.

3. – 4. Fekkai Advanced Essential Shea Shea Butter Shampoo and Conditioner: They are pricey, but I had a gift certificate when I purchased them. They work very well, but I’m still on the fence regarding whether or not I’ll re-purchase them when I run out.

5. Infusium 23 leave-in treatment. I used a watered down version of this as a leave-in conditioner in the past, because the Dominican hairdressers that I used to frequent always used it. I haven’t used it lately on myself, but I use the watered down version on my sons’ hair.

6. Kerastase Resistance Ciment Thermique Vita-Ciment Topseal. Shanelle gave this to me! It protects my hair from heat, so I only use it when I blow-dry my hair after washing it.

7. *Loreal Paris Elnett Satin (purse sized hair spray).  I only use this in a pinch… if my hair is flying all over the place on a windy day.

8. *Mama Mio O Mega Body Oil.  Although it’s a body oil geared towards moms, I use it for hot oil treatments. Love it!

9. Mixed Chicks hair silk: I use a drop or two of this on a daily basis to give my hair a little moisture and a little shine…without being heavy and weighing my hair down.

10. *Nexxus Maxximum Super Hold Styling and Finishing Mist. I don’t like “hard” hair, but I use this primarily to keep my bangs in place.

11. – 12. *Ouidad 12 Minute Deep Treatment Intensive Repair and Moisture Lock Leave-In Conditioner.  Ouidad is mainly for curly hair but I love their conditioners. They smell SO good and leave my hair feeling healthy. While the weather is warm, I will primarily be washing my hair and letting it air dry. When I do that, I use the Moisture Lock. It makes my hair soft when it dries. (I can barely stand dealing with hair dryers and flat irons when it’s cool inside…forget about when it’s hot!)

13. Optimum Care Anti-Breakage Therapy Featherlight Hairdress. I only use this on my edges/around my hairline. (I wear my hair in ponytails a lot and it can tend to stress those areas of my hair.)

14. – 15. Pantene Pro-V Relaxed & Natural Intensive Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner. This set works well on my relaxed hair that tends to be dry.

16. – 17. 2 Sebastian Penetraitts. Shanelle gave these 2 deep conditioners to me too! (We tend to give each other gifts when she comes over and does my hair.)

See, that’s not too bad. It’s not like I use all of those products at once. I only use 4 products on days when I wash my hair (shampoo, conditioner or treatment, Aussie and leave-in conditioner OR thermal treatment) and 2 – 3 on a daily basis (hairdress for edges, Mixed Chicks for moisture/shine and hair spray when needed).  I’m not going to buy any more hair products until I’m finished with the ones that I currently have though. (That’s why I asked Shanelle to get me some coconut oil for my birthday. I hear that it’s nice and light…great to use for wash and wear spring/summer hair.) Okay, so maybe I do have a slight problem…

What do you think? Do I have a lot of hair products or is this normal? (Agree with me! :-) )

Filed Under: My Life

Macy’s “Thank-A-Mom” Movement Giveaway
(Jones New York Pashmina)

May 7, 2012 By 28 Comments

Congrats to the winner, Betsy.


When a marketing agency reached out to me on behalf of Macy’s “Thank-A-Mom” Movement, I quickly agreed to help spread the word. Basically, Macy’s has partnered with five charities in honor of mothers. Macy’s will donate $3 to one of the charities for each FREE Mother’s Day e-card that is sent. (The sender gets to choose the charity that their e-card will benefit.) All of the charities are great, but I picked Reading is Fundamental (RIF) as my preferred charity. I was gifted a love of books from my mom and have passed that on to my kids. We are “book people” and RIF is the nation’s largest nonprofit children’s literacy organization.

As if donating “free” money to charity were not enough of a reason to support this campaign, Macy’s is also giving one of you the chance to win a Jones New York pashmina. To enter to win (U.S. residents only), simply let me know in the “Comments” section below which “Thank-a-Mom” Movement charity you support of the following:

-        American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women® movement

-        Futures Without Violence

-        Make-A-Wish Foundation®

-        National Park Foundation

-        Reading Is Fundamental

I will pick a winner on Mother’s Day (May 13th) at noon. Good luck!

{FYI: M80 contacted me on behalf of Macy’s and will be providing 2 pashminas – 1 for a reader and 1 for a “mom-like” figure in my life. (I already have my own mom’s gift picked out!)}

Filed Under: Giveaways, Giveaways & Special Offers, Mother's Day 2012 Tagged With:

Mother’s Day Giveaway: 2 mark. Easy Going Maxi Dresses

May 4, 2012 By 10 Comments

Congrats to the winner: Yeny

I’ll admit upfront that I was tempted to keep one of these Easy Going Maxi Dresses from mark.’s Hamptons Luxe line that their PR agency sent over. Then, I thought about how nice it would be for one of you to not only win a special gift for yourself but to also win one for your mom or the “mom-like” figure in your life. So, the winner will get both. Combining two spring/summer trends (zebra prints and maxis), the dresses ($35 retail value each) will fit in equally well in the Hamptons or running errands around town. Did I mention how comfortable the fabric is to the touch? Note to self: walk away from the dresses Kim… :-)

To win the two medium sized dresses, simply tell me what gift you would give your mom/the “mom-like” figure in your life if there were no obstacles (time/energy/financial) in the “Comments” section below. For an additional entry, please do one or more of the following for my new “baby”, “Mom in the City” (and leave a comment indicating that you did so):

-Follow Mom in the City on Twitter
-Sign up for Mom in the City’s FREE weekday email updates

I will pick a random winner on Wednesday, May 9th at noon. Good luck!

Filed Under: Gift Ideas, Giveaways, Giveaways & Special Offers, Mother's Day 2012

Cinco de Mayo Recipes from Two Food Network Mexican Chefs
(Chef Marcela Valladolid and Chef Aarón Sanchez)

May 4, 2012 By Leave a Comment

One of my “life menu” items was to meet and eat food prepared by 10+ Food Network chefs. I’m currently up to #12 (yes!) and I’m going to “up” the number to 20. In honor of Cinco de Mayo, I’m sharing the recipes and videos from the two Mexican Food Network chefs (Marcela Valladolid and Aarón Sanchez) whom I have met. Both chefs were warm, engaging and talented…much like my “in real life” Mexican friends…



Tequila Lime Shrimp
(Courtesy of Chef Marcela Valladolid for Sauza Tequila)

Ingredients:
• 1 pound large shrimp in shell (21 to 25 per pound), peeled and deveined
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 2 teaspoons Salt
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons Butter
• 1/4 cup Sauza Blanco Tequila
• 1/4 cup green onions
• 3/4 cup crema or sour cream

Directions:
1.Toss shrimp with salt, green onions, lime juice, kosher salt and 3/4 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper.

2. Heat butter in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium-high heat until foam subsides, then sauté shrimp, turning, until pink and just cooked through, 3 to 5 minutes.

3. Reduce heat and add Sauza blanco, then increase heat to medium-high.

4. Tilt skillet over gas burner to ignite tequila (or ignite with a long match; use caution, as flames may shoot up high). Cook, shaking skillet gently once or twice, until flames subside.

5. Remove from heat and stir in crema. Serve sprinkled with chili powder.


Slow Roasted Chipotle Chicken
(Courtesy of Chef Aarón Sanchez and Sierra Mist Natural)

Ingredients:
• 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 1 large white onion, thinly sliced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 chipotle peppers in adobo, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 12oz can Sierra Mist Natural
• 1 15oz. can fire roasted diced tomatoes, with their juice
• Salt to taste

Directions:
1. Put the chicken in the bottom of a 4- or 6- quart slow cooker and scatter on the onions, garlic, chipotle and cumin. Pour the tomatoes and Sierra Mist Natural over all and cover.

2. Cook on high for 4 to 5 hours or low for 7 to 8 hrs.

3. To serve, mound the chicken into warm flour tortillas and top with shredded lettuce and queso fresco.

Filed Under: Food & Recipes, Holiday & Party Ideas Tagged With:

4 Margarita Recipes to Celebrate Cinco de Mayo

May 4, 2012 By Leave a Comment

As I looked through my emails, I realized that I have attended several events that were sponsored by Sauza Tequila over the years. I always walk away with a delicious margarita cocktail recipe. In honor of Cinco de Mayo, I am sharing my top four margarita recipes below…

 


Marga-Regis! (Kiwi Margarita)
(In honor of Regis Philbin’s Retirement/Courtesy of Sauza Tequila)

Ingredients:
Kiwi, peeled and sliced, estimating three ¼ inch slices per cocktail, reserving 1 for garnish
4 parts Sauza® Tequila
1 part simple syrup
1 part fresh lemon juice
1 part sparkling wine

Directions:
In a shaker, muddle kiwi. Add next three ingredients. Shake and pour over fresh ice. Top with sparkling wine and garnish with a slice of kiwi.

 


The Style Icon
(Courtesy of Sauza Tequila in honor of Project Runway’s classic style icon and host, Tim Gunn)

Ingredients:
7.5 oz. Sauza® Gold Tequila
4.5 oz. DeKuyper® Triple Sec
24 oz. Margarita Mix
Lime or Orange Wedge for garnish

Directions:
Combine ingredients without ice and shake vigorously. Pour the mixture into your fiercest margarita glass over ice, garnish and enjoy.

 


The Red, White, & Sauza Blue Margarita
(Courtesy of Cathy Riva for Sauza Tequila)

Ingredients:
1 ½ parts of Sauza Blue® Silver Tequila
2 parts cranberry/ raspberry juice
8 mint leaves for garnish
1 part lemon-lime soda

Directions:
Combine all ingredients except mint leaves in a pitcher. Serve each glass with 2 mint leaves. Serve cold or iced.


Cadillac Rio Margarita
(Courtesy of Cathy Riva for Sauza Tequila)

Ingredients:
2 parts Sauza Blue Silver Tequila
1 part JDK & Sons O3 Premium Orange Liqueur
1 part lime juice
½ part agave nectar

Directions:
Shake all of the ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled margarita glass. Garnish with an orange on the rim.

 

Filed Under: Food & Recipes, Holiday & Party Ideas Tagged With: