Best Picks Christmas Gift Guide

Who says you can't buy a hug? UGGs are the closest thing to a warm hug for your feet! Here's their Rylan Slipper 1871 in chocolate. Skip all that other stuff. This is what us women really want for Christmas!

I remember when UGGs were made in Australia and stood for "ugly". That is just not the case these days. With so many styles, some with heels and smooth leather or fabric, UGG Boots have come a long way.

They have become so popular that you can even see them being worn in summer with shorts! Now that may be a fashion faux pas to some but like it or not, UGGs are here to stay.

One of the things they have going for them is sturdy construction and double sided fleece lining for extra support and loft.
Also if you're going to spend $200 + for footwear, purchase your UGGs from an authorized shoe dealer such as The Walking Company, Nordstroms or Lord & Taylor. You are more likely to encounter fakes online but Zappos is a good choice for Internet purchases and of course you can go directly to UGG Australia Online. UGGs run in whole sizes only so if you are a size 7 1/2 to 8, get a size 7. The leather stretches and will mold nicely to your foot. UGGs are made to be worn without socks so that should help with the initial snugness of the boot.

Women's Bailey Button Triplet Model 1873
The UGG Bailey Button Triplet Model 1873 is an update to their Classic Tall with wooden UGG® logo buttons and elastic band closures. The women's UGG® Bailey Button Triplet can either be worn up or cuffed down adding a little variety depending on your style. All boots in our Classic Bailey Collection feature a soft foam insole covered with genuine sheepskin and have a molded EVA light and flexible outsole.

What I like about this style is that it is a fashionable departure from what you're used to seeing in an UGG. The wide array of colors and the flexibility of being able to cuff them comfortably are additional reasons to consider these. Some customers have said that the leather on these newer Bailey Buttons is thinner and less dense than the Classic Talls. I suggest that you try them on and compare them for yourself before making your purchase. According to the UGG website, these run big. Order a full size down, i.e. get a 7 if you normally wear a size 8. I would also recommend investing in a Care Kit as shown in the photo. It contains suede boot cleaner, protective spray and a little brush. You can use it to revive your old UGGs and protect the new!


How to Avoid Counterfeit UGGs

"Every authentic UGG® Australia product beginning with the Fall 2010 season will come with two-layers of security: contained in a reflective security label and/or security sticker, allowing you to instantly authenticate genuine UGG® products." - UGG Australia Website

These new holographic security stickers are on both the shoebox and the tags. You can also look at the soles. Next to the UGG logo you'll see a small TM or trademark initials stamped. That mark is absent on fake UGGs. Another tip - off is the price. If it is too low to be true, it probably isn't a genuine UGG Boot. The UGG website link above has a way to check to see if web stores are authorized UGG dealers. Nearly all of the "low priced" UGG websites failed the test!

Lord & Taylor's Holiday Fashion + Makeup

Holiday Fashion combined with the hottest cosmetic colors and trends for the 2010 season came together at Lord & Taylor, Freehold Raceway Mall, New Jersey. The show stopper was this lovely model for Christian Dior in a gold lame' strapless evening gown. The evening purse is actually a full palette eyes & lips makeup set with mirror. The Dior ‘Minaudiere’ is what the French call small, ornamental clutch bags.

Lovely Mistress of Ceremonies, Jaime Brown, kept the show moving with fashion tips, fantastic raffles and make-up savvy. Each attendee enjoyed a buffet of bagels, pastries, fruit and coffee. They also received a schwag bag of facial spa certificates, beauty and makeup product samples from Lord & Taylor's cosmetics department.

Model wearing pieces from the Free People Collection with the massive gift with purchase being offered by Lancome this holiday season. One of the best buys because with a $35 purchase, you get to pick the FREE 8 piece set you want. Total value is up to $110! This Holiday 2010 Glam More Gift is going on until November 28th 2010 so I recommend that you jump on this one. I did!

Here is a little black dress that goes...perfect for the Holidays utilizing a few ideas from the fashion show. This ExOfficio Go-To 3/4 Sleeve Dress is so comfortable because it's engineered with Dri-release fabric. It even has a secret invisible zippered pocket for your theatre ticket, credit card or lip gloss. Get on a plane, arrive at your in-laws looking fabulous! No ironing needed. We dressed it up with this natural animal fur ring that has a Velcro clasp. You'll want something soft and warm like this next to your skin this winter!

It's a wrap! Just another look for our Exoffico 3/4 Sleeve Dress from their Go-To Collection. This Joolay Ruffled Natural Brown Rabbit Fur Scarf is so soft and warm, it can be worn in a number of ways. Comes in white and gray but I took THIS one home! Warm, toasty and perfect for traveling to that office party or family affair when showing too much skin is just too much. Make-up by Melissa, artist for Bobbi Brown, Lord & Taylor. Right now, Bobbi has a Beauty Rules tote bag and deluxe sized samples with any $75 purchase while supplies last. Also, check out their SUPER VIP event on December 7th 2010 with BB's elite make-up artist, Ricky Gurtman.

Don't forget our Healthy Holiday Give-Away with a stainless steel Half Twist Polar Bottle, a set of Author Signed copies of The Secret of Staying Young and The New Woman's Herbal & Nutritional Guide, Totally Calcium and Topricin Soothing Homeopathic Creams! Deadline is MIDNIGHT December 10th, 2010 so enter NOW!

Seasonal Seafood: The World is Your Oyster

One of my quick and easy favorites using fresh seafood from the season!  On the left are Sewansecott Oysters and on the right steamed shrimp & ramen noodles.

Along with the falling leaves and nip in the fall air, my mind naturally turns to oysters and shrimp this time of year. They are both indispensable for party trays, recipes and hors dourves. Oyster stuffing is a fantastic addition to your Thanksgiving Turkey if you've never tried it.  I simply prepare a simple savory sage stuffing and add lightly steamed oysters before stuffing the bird. Oysters have been a part of Christmas celebrations long before Victorian times.  The ones we eat are salt water Hog Island Bay grown Sewansecotts harvested by H. M. Terry & Co. We have both their super fresh clams and oysters delivered to our door each month they're in season (courtesy of our super generous Joe Y!).
Shrimp can likewise be added to a pot of steamed vegetables and ramen noodles as shown here for an oriental-inspired dish.

Either way, these delicious treats from the sea are loaded with protein, calcium, iodine and other good for you nutrients. Oysters are great and quite accessible this time of year into the New Year while large and jumbo shrimp can be purchased fresh or frozen.

One of our Oyster Buckets filled with fresh, delicious Sewansecotts!

Here's how to get going starting with how to open a live oyster for oysters on the half shell:


I usually start at the back hinge of the oyster using a flat, short oyster knife. You can wear thick cotton work gloves if you are doing a lot for a party or hold your oyster in a towel as shown here.

Insert the oyster knife in as far as possible into the hinge space and rock up and down. It should pop open from that point. I usually give the knife a little twist as well to expand the space.




After opening the oyster from the rear hinge, bring the oyster knife around and free it from the heavy muscle attaching it to the shell.

I usually flip the oyster over so it rests in the larger part of the shell hollow so it can hold the most "liqueur" for serving. You can even put two or three oysters in one large shell.

Some people like their raw oysters straight up but those in the lead photo have been topped with a dash of Mc.ILHenny Co. Tabasco Pepper Sauce. You can also use fresh lemon juice but whatever you do, keep it light so that the delicate flavor of the oyster can shine through. You can get more step by step instructions on how to open and serve an oyster at: About.com Gourmet Food

Oysters Rockefeller, one of my all time favorites!

Shrimp is wonderful as an addition to Spanish Paella or served in a shrimp cocktail. When I attended the Ice Theatre of New York's Benefit Gala, the cocktail reception had waiters serving cold steamed jumbo shrimp. If you want to make your own shrimp cocktails, just purchase a good cocktail sauce that contains horseradish. They are always a major hit! Very easy to prepare, just don't overcook them. Steam just until they are no longer translucent but white and opaque in the center and pink on the outside. If you are using frozen, precooked shrimp, add them at the very end of your cooking process so they will just thaw through and not cook any further.

You can do this! These are two hits that are on the gourmet trays of the most posh holiday parties. Get cracking now and when Thanksgiving and Christmas roll around, you will be SO ready to entertain.

Healthy Holiday Give-Away!

Here's to your health & comfort with our Healthy Holiday Give-Away gift basket! 1 US winner will receive: Author-signed copies of The Secret of Staying Young AND The New Woman's Herbal & Nutritional Guide by Dr. Marie J. Miczak, A Stainless Steel Half Twist Polar Bottle, Totally Calcium Powder Packs, Topricin Body & Foot Pain Relief Creams.

Simply send an email to drmiczak@yahoo.com with Healthy Holiday Give-Away in the subject line before MIDNIGHT, December 10th, 2010. One winner will be chosen and announced on December 2nd, 2010! Winner may choose one of the styles of stainless steel water bottles shown here. Sorry, wicker picnic hamper not included in this give-away.