Sunday Morning Smiles

July 25th, 2007 by Aly Walansky

There’s few parts of the day that I value more than my morning cereal and coffee.

(Well, not combined, but you know… )

That combo is kicked up a notch by the right dose of early morning entertainment, and while weekdays, such joy is usually limited to the opportunity to mascara both eyes as I run out the door, Sunday mornings are more about lazy sippage. And, so, we love the new A&E Private Sessions, a Sunday morning breakfast show featuring live performances and intimate interviews from top musicians like the Goo Goo Dolls, Blues Traveler, Toby Keith and Meat Loaf.

This weekly one-hour series hosted by Lynn Hoffman premiered this past weekend and the next episode, on July 29th, will feature the Goo Goo Dolls. We love rock with our breakfast (and our dinner, and our cocktails, but that’s another story). And we are pretty sure most of you reading this feel the same way, so we’ve teamed up with the A&E Private Sessions people to give away a special prize to a reader of this column.

To win, tell us what artist(s) you would most like to see on a future episode of the series, and why. Our favorite entry will win a

Posted in Events, Style and fashion | 5 Comments »

Bedside Treasures

July 23rd, 2007 by Aly Walansky

We are finally done flipping for the flip video (winners will be notified via email today) - and it’s time for another week of fun.

(Please note, fun is stated sarcastically. Today is it raining toads, and I am hiding my mop of hair under a headband that suspiciously resembles a hair net.)

However, one can have fun without leaving the house. Said enjoyment can even be had alone. (Indeed, it is less complicated that way.) And, that said, I present you with our latest special contest!

From our good friends at The Pleasure Chest (the same fine people who last month invited me to the Bryant Park hotel for spicy nuts), the Bedside Lockbox is pretty much everything you’d ever need for your bedroom pleasure chest, in one box.

The Pleasure Chest Bedside Box includes:

Kama Sutra For Him/Her Book, Little I Mints, Jr. Pocket Rocket, Colt Vibrating Cockring, Vigel 2g tube, Decision Dice, Entangle Ties, Red Light Body Candle, Catching Zzz’s Blindfold, Bubble Bath, Handcuffs, Pleasure Chest Intimate Touch Lube, and 2 XXX Pleasure Chest Condoms, beautifully concealed in a Pleasure Chest tin with their signature legs logo on it.

This set goes for $135 retail (and is worth well more if you add up those items individually) but The Pleasure Chest is so eager to help us have more fun (sad) rainy days that they are giving away THREE sets for free!

This is a perfect gift, but also great to have in your own collection (says the girl who currently has her own glistening in a specially designed spot of discretion). How do you win? Well, check out the “ingredients” above (more info on each is searchable on The Pleasure Chest’s web site) - and tell me which ones you are most eager to try out. Love thy self or give your mate a special treat. It’s the season of giving. Deadline is Wednesday at 8 p.m.
That said, I’m going to go back to reading Harry Potter.

Posted in Sexy stuff | 5 Comments »

Race Against Time.

July 22nd, 2007 by Aly Walansky

Yesterday, at about 2:26 P.M., I entered the Park Slope branch of B&N to purchase my copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
Since, I have ignored my phone, emails, and IMs, in a silent, furious pursuit to finish the book before anyone ruins it for me.

I am almost there, and so far, my (literary) virtue is intact…may your prayers remain with me.

Posted in News, Social/Friends | No Comments »

Best (of the worst) Pickup Lines

July 21st, 2007 by Aly Walansky

This is a really humorous list of pickup lines. If you want to know how NOT to get lucky, read these. Of course, it’s all in the delivery, I suppose.

read more

Posted in Cool Sites | 1 Comment »

Spice Up Your Life

July 20th, 2007 by Aly Walansky

My friends at Latina Magazine maintain that salsa is the perfect complement to just about anything. Their August issue contains recipes that add bold new flavors to your recipes - pico de gallo, tomatillo, fire-roasted, chipotle, or tangy mango - making it a great opportunity to get “saucy”!

Pico de gallo

  • Mexican medley of chiles, onions and tomatoes
  • Most often served with a side of tortilla chips 

 

Ingredients:

1          lb ripe red tomatoes, finely diced (with juice)

½         cup finely diced white onion

½         cup seeded, finely diced cucumber

3          tbsp chopped cilantro

4          serrano chiles, seeded and very finely diced

1 ½      tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice

2          cloves garlic, minced

½         tsp Salt, plus more to taste

 

Preparation:

In medium, non-reactive bowl, stir together all ingredients to combine. 

Adjust seasonings to taste. 

Let stand about 30 minutes before serving. 

Serve with tortilla chips or use in any recipe that calls for fresh salsa. 

(Makes about 2/12 cups)

 

Tomatillo salsa (Salsa Verde)

  • Made with small, green tart tomatoes native to Mexico and Central America called tomatillos
  • Pour  over prepared pork

 

Ingredients:

2          lb tomatillos

2          garlic cloves

4          serrano chiles

4          oz yellow onions, chopped

2          oz cilantro

½         cup water

            Kosher salt, to taste

            Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

 

Preparation:

In pot, combine all ingredients and bring to a simmer. 

Cook sauce 15 minutes. 

In blender, puree sauce and season to taste. 

(Makes 8 cups)

 

Fire-roasted salsa

  • For deeper, smokier-flavored salsa, take the time to roast the tomatoes first before pureeing them into a sauce 
  • Great as a dip or as an accent over red meat

 

Ingredients:

1 ½      lb roma tomatoes, divided

¼         cup olive oil

½         yellow onion

3          garlic cloves

10        oz diced tomatoes

2          tbsp chipotle sauce

1          tsp brown sugar, plus more to taste

2          tsp red wine vinegar

            Juice from 3 limes

            Kosher salt, to taste

1          tbsp fresh cilantro

 

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 375. 

On sheet pans, place 1 lb tomatoes and roast in oven until skins have cracked and tomatoes are cooked through. 

Grill remaining ½ lb tomatoes until skins are black. 

In large bowl, combine roasted and grilled tomatoes. 

In large sauté pan, add oil and sauté onion and garlic until translucent and cooked through. 

Into bowl with tomatoes, add onions and garlic and remaining ingredients. 

In blender, puree salsa until well combined. 

Season with additional salt and brown sugar, to taste. 

(Makes 4 servings)

 

Chipotle tomato salsa

  • Chipotle peppers are smoked and dried jalapeno chiles
  • Serve this one with sautéed veggies, such as napales

 

Ingredients:

3               lb roma tomatoes

3          garlic cloves

2          arbol chiles

½         oz New Mexico chiles

2          tsp kosher salt

2          tsp white vinegar

3          oz. yellow onions, diced

¼         oz cilantro, chopped

2          tbsp chipotle sauce

 

Preparation:

In pot, boil 6 cups water, tomatoes, garlic, arbol chiles and New Mexico chiles for 20 minutes, then drain. 

In blender, place boiled ingredients and puree. 

Transfer to bowl, add remaining ingredients and mix by hand. 

Taste and adjust for seasoning. 

(Makes 6 cups)

 

Mango Salsa

  • Sweet, spicy and completely refreshing
  • Best used as a topping on grilled fish

 

Ingredients:

2          tbsp chopped cilantro

2          tbsp plus 1 tsp chopped fresh mint

2 ½      tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice, plus more to taste

½         tsp salt, plus more to taste

2          ripe mangoes, cored, peeled and cut into ¼ - inch dice

1/4      cup finely diced red onion

1              jalapeno chiles, seeded and very finely diced (add more or leave      seeds in for more heat)

 

Preparation:

In large, no reactive bowl, stir together cilantro, mint, lime juice and salt. 

With rubber spatula, fold in remaining ingredients. 

Adjust salt and lime juice to taste. 

Let stand about 30 minutes before serving. 

Serve with tortilla chips or on gripped fish. 

(Makes about 2 ½ cups)

 

Posted in Food | No Comments »

Sex and the Generational Gap

July 19th, 2007 by Aly Walansky

My dear friend Allie and I often pass the doldrum hours of the work day gabbing on google chat (wild children that we are). As we chat, myriad topics pass our screens - the funny, the bizarre, and often, the inane to anyone but us.

Today, I related a fun story to her of a conversation I had with my mother this morning. My mom, a loyal Alytude reader, expressed excitement at the quality of entries for my OhMiBod. “It’s so sweet, how all those girls use their love of music to pass the time when they miss their boy friends.”

I pause. “Mommy, what do you think the OhMiBod is?”

Adorably, (innocently?) she thought it was a thigh strap to hold your iPod in place so it could accompany you in your journeys as you listen. Exercising? Walking? Doing laundry? Your music, and, in effect, your love…it can travel with you. Wholesome and lovely.

Imagine the chagrin when I told her the truth behind their heartfelt verses, and what their desire was, in actuality, for. “Oh.”

The generational gap is a fun treat of changing meaning that knows no time boundaries. In my youth, my grandmother expressed distaste for daytime soaps because of all of the “oral sex” - we later figured out she meant kissing with (gasp!)  tongue rather than oral penetration of another kind. And Allie today related a story to me of her friend’s mom, who would sing along with “I Touch Myself”… wistfully sighing of the innocence of love, not knowing she was actually versing a tribute to a good old-fashioned self-shag.

Moms of the world, you are how we get through our days. Or at least, giggling about you, is.

Posted in Sexy stuff | 2 Comments »

You’ll Flip for This…

July 18th, 2007 by Aly Walansky

The other night, I chose an event that was important to me and my friends to test out my newest, coolest gadget: The Flip Video.

The Flip Video lets you forget tapes, chargers, and all the other messy doo-dads normally attached to camcorders. I brought it along with me, and as I left the house, I simply slipped it into my (compact and stylish) purse, and was on my way. The set-up? Well, you just press record.

Dummy-proof and so conveniently adorable, the Flip Video is a handheld pocket-sized camcorder with one-touch recording and digital zoom. My favorite part is the USB arm - plug it into any computer (mac OR pc) and you can upload directly to YouTube, or email/share videos. You can also utilize a TV cable to watch it on TV instantly, or edit the footage to create movies or still photos.

The videos from the other night? Superb. I am in love with this product. So in love that I want to share it with one of you. And so, Pure Digital has been kind enough to offer to give away one 30-minute Flip Video camcorder to a lucky reader.

One grand prize winner will receive a Flip Video, and three runners-up will receive Pure Digital’s one-time-use camcorders. (The world’s first one-time-use digital video camcorder! Using just three simple buttons, you can capture up to 20 minutes of digital quality video and sound. Return the camcorder to an authorized Pure Digital Retailer for DVD processing and share the fun instantly.)

To enter, please leave me a comment telling me how you plan to use your Flip Video if you win. Remember, as always, creativity wins! Deadline for all entries is Monday, July 23rd at noon.

Posted in Cool Toys | 14 Comments »

Sun-Kissed

July 18th, 2007 by Aly Walansky

I have a T-shirt emblazoned with the words “Pale Is the New Tan”. Porcelain-skinned as I am, this message provides me with a feeling of hope. Perhaps my good friends may have that summer glow, but I have … a blank slate. Hot.
Yeah, whatever. Being pale can suck. For those of us who wish to at least pretend the rays of summer have kissed our cheeks (and not left them ghastly and cold), there are some great bronzers out there. Some of my favorites:

From Benefit, Benefit 10 lets you bronze and highlight in one sweep! This is a split-pan bronzer and highlighter from one of my favorite companies, it provides a sexy duo of satiny pink and bronze powder, making it a sort of one-stop shop when you are on the go.

Glominerals’ gloBronze sunlight also gives you a golden hue, but with a bit of shimmer, making it great for day or night. These cosmetics are lightweight and mineral-based, so your skin will thank you as well.

Therapy Systems’ Sun Rays SPF 20 is a great product year-round. It contains very important sun protection, but also a hint of color to perk up even the saddest of skins. Pair it up with their Champagne Platinum Glo or All-Over Face Color for the ultimate look.

Take 5 Cosmetics’ tinted moisterizer is a product I swear by year-round, so when it comes to summer, I really wanted to stay in the family. Enter Tanning Powder Bronzers. If it’s hard for you to find that bronze glow that is natural while still substantial, this is your bronzer. We also love Take 5’s shimmer tints (so much so that it was our prom night tint of choice this spring!).

Do you know of a great bronzer I have yet to check out? Please drop me a note and let me know!

Posted in Beauty, Style and fashion | No Comments »

Weeknight Warrior? AM Makeover Tips

July 17th, 2007 by Aly Walansky

Fun cannot be reserved for weekends, alone. Sometimes, on a “school” night, we need to go out, have a cocktail, and spend quality time relaxing and having a good time. Of course, we know that that means for work the next morning…

As I myself had a weeknight late night of rock ‘n’ roll fun last night, it seems a good time to check out a new Harris survey that was recently conducted for ROHTO eye drops, about the weeknight partying habits of young Americans. The survey, which polled U.S. adults ages 18 to 29, found that:

- Almost one-quarter (24 percent) of young Americans stay out late on weeknights.
- One-quarter (25 percent) have gone to work with a hangover (41 percent of those who are currently employed full time or self-employed). One in five (21 percent) have gone to class with a hangover.
- More than one in three respondents (36 percent) indicated they rarely get enough sleep.
- One in ten respondents indicated they use eye drops to get rid of redness on the morning after a late night out.

No one has to know you are red-eyed and hungover though. Here are some “AM Makeover” tips from celebrity makeup artist Nick Barose:

Unload your “bags”: Barose advises reducing under-eye bags first, so you don’t have to wear as much makeup. “I apply an eye mask and have my clients leave it on while they’re getting their hair done to eliminate puffiness,” says Barose.
“Whiten” Up: “You can use makeup to mask a variety of problems, but if the eyes themselves are red and bloodshot, there is no way to hide that,” says Barose. “I swear by ROHTO eye drops. They’re different because they not only remove the redness, but also have a cooling ‘kick’ to them that refresh and soothe the eyes, making you look like you had eight hours of sleep, even if you’ve had none.”
“Lighten” Up: Concealers can cover a multitude of sins. Barose recommends a liquid concealer that is not oily or drying. “Do not apply concealer under the eyes with your fingers, because it can get clumpy,” says Barose. “I like to use a light-reflective concealer with a brush-on applicator that’s more precise.”
Skip the Shimmer: Barose advises avoiding shimmery eye shadows, which can make eyes look more tired. “Opt for matte, taupe or khaki brown shades to help counteract redness,” says Barose. “Avoid browns with red undertones.”
Lash Out!: To wake up eyes even more, Barose recommends mascara on the top lashes only. “Extra mascara on upper lashes also helps open up the eyes,” says Barose. “I prefer to use curling or lengthening formulas as opposed to high volume mascara, which could cast a shadow under the eyes. I try to avoid mascara along the lower lash line, especially when someone is tired.”

Posted in Beauty, Cool Toys, Health/Diet | No Comments »

The long and short of it

July 16th, 2007 by Aly Walansky

What will YOUR legs be wearing this summer? Check out my guide to summer shorts, on sheknows.com:

http://sheknows.com/about/look/8332.htm 

Posted in Style and fashion | No Comments »

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