Doesn’t this place look lovely? And I can confirm that it’s actually just as incredible in real life too… Yes, I’m happy to report that I’m currently in Barbados on a press trip covering The Holder’s Festival. Pretty awesome, no? Just wanted to share a few photos I snapped earlier today while touring the gorgeous Coral Reef Club. It’s fab-u-lous. Stay tuned for more…  I can’t wait to share all my exotic experiences. Until then, feel free to  live vicariously through me. Just think sunny thoughts. xo

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We’re all “Irish” on St. Patrick’s Day. We wouldn’t be surprised if you spotted folks sporting hand-drawn shamrocks on their cheeks and sporting green streaks in their hair. Some cities like Chicago go all out and dye the entire Chicago River green just to mark the big day! But the Irish didn’t always look so kindly on donning the color green. Irish folklore considered the color unlucky as it was the favorite shade of the Good People – leprechauns. Those who wore too much of the color – especially children – could be stolen away. Some cynics may tell you there are no such things as leprechauns, but there are those who beg to differ. True believers will swear that if you take a stroll along a quiet country lane in Ireland, you can actually hear the mischievous leprechauns giggling by the side of the road.

Want to learn more about St. Patty’s Day myths, facts, and celebrations around the world?  Click HERE and have a Happy St. Patty’s Day!

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I’ve never been a big beer drinker but these frothy cupcakes sure do look delicious… In celebration of St. Patty’s Day, Hostess With the Mostess is featuring a few recipes for fun and festive cupcakes. I’d rather reach for one of these tasty treats than a pint of foamy green liquid… Ick. Check out the Irish-inspired ideas HERE.

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We’re not as artistic as we’d have you believe. But now thanks to Wall Pops we’re able to get a little crafty with our home decor. And it’s so simple. All you have to do is peel and stick, and voila you’ve got a pretty pattern adorning your wall. The easy-to-use do-it-yourself wall art can be moved and removed multiple times until you’ve created the desired design. They’re cheap, chic, and super fun for any room… They’re poppin’ up all over the place.

Damask Design

Twiggy Design

Carnivale Design

Twister Stripe Design

Bali Design

Espirit Design

Kitchen Habitat Dry-Erase Calendar Design

Prices range from approximately $12 for a pack of four decorative dots to $29.99 for a wall art kit. To see more designs and find a store near your that sells Wall Pops, go HERE.

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Okay. So granted the New York forecast is looking pretty grim for the weekend. (A flood watch? Really?!?) Nevertheless, I’m keeping my freshly polished toes crossed that the weather will defy the odds, and this delicious taste of spring will continue on for a few more blissful days… Make that months.

We’ll see! I was hoping to join the NYC Cupcake Crawl this Sunday… Once you’ve reached my age, you swap out “BAR” crawls for “BAkeRy” crawls. (A sugar hangover beats the alternative.) It starts at 11 a.m. (AKA brunch time!) at Cupcake Café in Chelsea. This was the first official cupcake shop to open in Manhattan, and it pretty much started a dessert revolution. Next the tasty tour moves on to Aunt Butchie’s, where participants can bite into an original Cookie Dough cupcake. Third stop is at Billy’s Bakery – where the frosting is like sugar that’s been whipped into heaven. And finally, the trip ends at Amy’s Bread in Chelsea Market.

The absolute best part is that crawlers (yes, by the time they’ve eaten a fourth cupcake, they will literally be crawling) can remain guilt-free despite the caloric splurge. The $5 suggested ticket price will be donated to Food Bank for New York. And a good deed deserves a reward. Or four. Cupcake purchases at each stop are optional.

If you want to join the tour, look for the guide with the red baseball cap that says “Walking Tours Manhattan” on Sunday, March 14 at 11 a.m. at Cupcake Café (18 W. 18th Street)… Oh, and bring an umbrella!

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Do you know what this big and bright item is? I’ll give you a hint…Japanese fashion designer Kenzo Takada exercised his right to give this piece of equipment a major makeover. (I know, I’m really bad at the hint game.) It’s a Power Plate, the vibrating training machine that’s supposed to help you get fit and fab super-duper fast.

Without the fancy paint job, the Power Plate costs a hefty $4,500… but after it’s been primped, painted, and prettified, it goes for an even heftier $14,300. Ah, the price of beauty!

Source

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When it comes to dessert, I usually don’t understand the expression “too cute to eat.” If it’s made of chocolate, I’m gonna eat it. I don’t care how adorable it looks or how long it took to make. Sweets are  meant to be consumed and enjoyed. For example, chocolate bunnies… I maliciously go for the ears first. Marshmallow peeps? I just pop ‘em in my mouth in one merciless motion. There’s even a video of a two-year old me diving head first into a Cookie Monster cake. Tell me, who was the real monster? He had no chance.

But I just saw these little guys (Hi, little guys!) and my heart went pitter-patter. And this time it wasn’t the gooey inside or the delicate white-chocolate shell that had me swooning. It was – dare I blog it – the “awww” factor. These fudge brownie farm animals are just precious! I don’t know that I could pig out (get it?) on these itty-bitty baby bites without feeling guilty (and I’m not talking about my ever-failing diet). They really might be too cute to eat.

Gift Box Available at Williams-Sonoma, $29.50.

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I’m feeling pretty exhausted and out of it today. I think yesterday’s shopping spree took a lot out of me. (I know, I know… Poor Lauren.) In any event, I can’t wait to get home and cuddle up to my dog. A nap sounds delicious right about now. Just thought I’d share some sleepy (almost) 3 p.m. cuteness with you… xo.

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You know when just need something sweet, decadent, and warm? I had that craving last night. I wanted chocolate… But not just any chocolate. I didn’t want a bar or a kiss or even a brownie. It had to be fresh and ooey-gooey. It had to be “close-your-eyes” good. And that’s when I remembered a recipe I had received in my inbox a couple of days ago. I grabbed my BlackBerry, pulled up the ingredients list, and headed downstairs to the 24/7 market to buy the ingredients to make Baci Molten Lava Cake. It was sinful and heavenly… and so worth the effort. Taste for yourself.

1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
2 egg yolks
1 egg
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
2 teaspoons all purpose flour
2 Perugina Baci chocolate candies
Confectioners’ sugar, as garish, optional

-Butter two 3/4-cup ramekins or custard cups.
-With an electric hand mixer, beat the sugar and butter in a bowl until smooth and creamy.  Beat in the yolks, egg, cocoa powder, and flour until combined.
-Divide the batter between the two prepared ramekins. Press one Baci, nut side down, in the center of each ramekin. (If you like, at this point, you can refrigerate them for up to 24 hours before baking.)
-Preheat oven to 350°F.
-Bake the cakes uncovered until edges are firm, about 18 minutes.
-Cut around the cakes with a butter knife to loosen them, then turn out onto plates.
-Sprinkle with confectioners’ sugar, if using.

Recipe Courtesy Francine Segan for www.DolceItalia.com.

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OMG! OMG! OMG! I heart Liberty of London for Target! A few weeks ago I raved about the limited-edition designer collection, and how much I wanted – no, needed! – every floral, paisley, and pretty-in-pink piece. And today, my fantasy became a reality at the press preview for the Liberty of London pop-up shop in New York City.

I snagged so many glamorous and girlie goodies from teapots and dessert trays to pillows and bedspreads to lingerie and bikinis. My closet is now full of colorful cutesy frocks and my apartment is stocked with sweet-and-chic items for entertaining and everyday use.

But the pièce de résistance which will soon be hanging on my wall is this ridiculously fun retro-inspired bicycle. (Don’t worry, I’m moving to a place right by Central Park… so I will actually ride it too!)

Spring is in the air in NYC, so if you’re in the area check out the pop-up shop at 1095 Sixth Avenue, across from Bryant Park. It’s so lovely and charming. And there are fabulous finds for the whole family — including dainty little items for the kiddies and boxers, ties, and shirts for your man. (I find that buying at least one item for someone else decreases the guilt factor.) The pop-up shop is open today until 8 p.m., and Thursday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. But don’t worry if you’re not in Manhattan, Liberty of London for Target will be online and in stores on March 14. Trust me… It can’t be missed!

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