Stuffed

Thanksgiving Leftover Panini

Like you're not still in a food coma from yesterday

Ingredients:

• 2 thick slices day old bread (or 1 loaf), such as ciabatta
• Cold gelatinous gravy
• Turkey breast, sliced
• Turkey stuffing
• Cranberry dressing
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 3 sage leaves, chopped fine
• Butter, softened

Directions:

Spread one slice of bread with a thin layer of cold gravy. Layer the sandwich with slices of turkey, stuffing, more gravy and cranberry dressing, to taste. Season with salt and pepper and top with chopped sage leaves. Spread a thick layer of cranberry dressing on the other slice of bread.

Butter each side of the sandwich on the outside, then toast on a preheated sandwich grill or in a cast iron skillet, pressing the firmly on each side golden brown.

Image from foodnetwork.com

Giving Thanks

We have so much to be thankful for this year: family, friends, health.

I for one am thankful for our friends who keep us posting for you -- YOU! -- and of course I am very thankful for you. Chances are if you're reading this now, you're a rather regular visitor, and we love love love the opportunity you give us to grow and play and celebrate. For this I'm thankful.

Now that we've all eaten a little too much and are falling into tryptophan-induced comas, remember what Marcie said in "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving:"

"But Thanksgiving is more than eating, Chuck. You heard what Linus was saying out there. Those early Pilgrims were thankful for what had happened to them, and we should be thankful, too. We should just be thankful for being together. I think that's what they mean by 'Thanksgiving,' Charlie Brown."

Images from imbd.com

Gold Digger

You were always a bit starry-eyed.

Luckily, golden eyeliner has the cosmetic power to make you the little starlet. Applied correctly and with the right pair of shoes, and you're the shining star of any party for the holidays.

Urban Decay boasts little pots of gold in Smog, Honey, or Lucky easily under $20. Try Showgirls from NARS's liquid liner collection that'll cost you a little more, but is worth for the lash-thickening effect and cream base for control and longevity.

Because the liquid liner comes in a bottle rather like ink, the capacity for a dramatic finishing touch relies on your steady hand and patient application. But don't worry, a few little tricks will keep it clean like a shooting star, rather than a meteor shower.

Forget the continuous line with liquid eyeliner. It is easier to paint small dashes along the lash line, gently adding a stroke every 3-4 millimeters, and then connect them afterward. If you want a thicker line than this initial thin one, build it up gradually. Start at the middle of the lash line and draw towards the outer corner. You can extend the line slightly past the outer corner of your eyelid. Add a little mascara.

And you're golden.

Images from amazon.com and bellasugar.com

Caped Crusaders

Sure you played house with your Barbies. But you were never below stealing your brother's comics (on the pretext of making paper dolls...) and they quickly became your new BFFs. The Monarch of Motion, the Golden Avenger, the Wallcrawler. You were always had a thing for the Metropolis Marvel, anyway. And you and the Blonde Bombshell? Peas in a pod.

But those coordinating costumes aren't just for the Dynamic Duo anymore. Capes are the perfect way to bundle up this winter season, and they come in every shape, size, color, and fabric.

Holy fashion wonders, Batman!

Fendi goes fur with this caplet, but if you're looking to avoid the $7,400 price tag, Forever21 have fabulous finds. MaxStudio has a gorgeous army tan cape, perfect for layering sleeves and sweaters underneath.

This unique take on winter coats translate from LA to NYC without needing a telephone booth. While different cuts boast swinging hemlines with wide sleeves, other exnay the sleeves and offer a couple of slits in the trapeze silhouette instead. And never fear! Forgiving forms are here! Capes are absolutely perfect for every body type, proving even further that this fashion trend truly has superpowers.

So take that Human Whirlwind, Emerald Crusader, and Boy Wonder.

Images from shopstyle.com

Sugar Rush

What's made of sugar, helps you burns calories, and is a cross between Perez Hilton and Shape magazine?

The answer is FitSugar.com, a branch of the Sugar bloggosphere. The blog caters to everything you need for a "healthy happy you."

Entries range from celeb sightings at their home gyms, to exercise pointers, to foods worth splurging calories on. Check out their article "8 Ways to Start Your Week Off Right" to keep from falling off the healthy wagon. They offer low-cal recipes for high-cal treats (like pumpkin-carrot bars with cream cheese frosting--sign me up!) and include the benefits of such indulgences (Vitamin A and guilt-free calorie count). The website brings you unique workout regimes (trampolines, anyone?) and the latest technologies in exercise equipment. Polls, gift ideas, and celebrity fitness tips keep FitSugar interactive and fresh; the perfect site for both hardcore gym junkies and those who believe eating food in front of the fridge doesn't count.

Hasn't fulfilled your web-browsing cravings yet? Check out sister sites PopSugar.com and FabSugar.com: the network of Sugar-y sites expands into fashion and celeb gossip without needing extra-stretchy pants. Make room for dessert, because this is definitely one sweet treat you won't want to pass up.

Get you sugar rush here FitSugar.com

Images from fitsugar.com and happyhomemaker.com

Bromance

I am not below stealing t-shirts from my boyfriend. But sometimes that one borrowed t-shirt turns into a soft button down or two. Or three. And then a cardigan. And before you know it, "His and Hers" takes on a whole new meaning.


Why are boys clothes so appealing? Well, they're warm and soft and baggy for one. Maybe they smell like your Mr. Man. But at the end of the day, they are the comfiest damn thing in your closet.

Thank goodness this winter season is granting girls with the gift of men. Unisex styles are popping up all over the place. From over-sized organics to fleeces in gender-neutral colors, it's time to fall in love with boys all over again. Take a page out of Cameron Diaz's book a la "Charlie's Angels" and rock those tightie whities with your regular sleep shirt. Bundle up with a flannel, skinny jeans, and sleek boots (just because you're dressing like a boy doesn't mean you should get sloppy like one). Take an over-sized button down from your boyfriend or brother, roll up the sleeves, and belt it: insta-shirt dress. Baggy sweaters and cardigans look great with leggings and flats--and feel great too.

Try American Apparel, notorious for their unisex styles in everything from shorts and shirts, to cardigans and underwear. Urban Outfitters is the place to go for flannels (in women's and men's sections--I'd nab at least one in each, the cut is different so you can add some variety and shape to the trend). Even Forever 21's Heritage for Men have great sweaters that ladies can steal.

So when boy meets girl, girl needs to try to restrain from tearing that buttery soft top off his back.

Images from Forever21.com, urbanoutfitters.com, americanapparel.com

Midas Touch

You like to keep things shiny, shimmery, and sparkly. The proof: your bedazzled cell phone cover last winter (didn't we stop bedazzling in, like, the 90's?).

All's fair in arts and crafts, but when those rhinestones start to peel off one by one, it's time to invest in a new gilded fetish.

LaROCCA Skincare is your solution for satiating your glitzy obsession. Infused with 24-k colloidal gold, it boasts the healing properties of Asclepius and the appeal of Midas. The multi-active lip shield balm fights off germs while keeping your pout pretty (a major plus in these germ-ridden times). Several power-healing forces are at work here:

Amazonian immune-boosting camu camu (said to ward off herpes) meets Brazilian cha de burge mangosteen abstract and is said to work antimicrobial, antifungal, and antiviral magic. You'll get an alphabet of vitamins from the sea buckthorn. Moisture-enhancing hyaluronic acid and healing l-arginine come into play in the rich formula as well. Like all the products in the LaROCCA line, the lip balm contains colloidal gold, known to promote electron transfer with the metal ions naturally found in the skin to stimulate cell turnover along with anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties.

Basically, it's a beauty product fit for a king.

Or a princess of pizazz.

Check out the Studio City-based skincare line at laroccaskincare.com

Images from laroccaskincare.com

Eat Your Heart Out

What's cookin' good lookin'? Here are some of my favorite (and super easy) fall recipes. Grab your boyfriend, roommate, or the little kid down the street you babysit and try these traditional treats out for size.

Candied Carmel Apples
The season just got a whole lot sweeter.
Ingredients:

• Butter or margarine for greasing
  
• 5 apples
  
• 14 oz. of caramel candies (1 package)
• 1 teaspoon water
• 1/2 cup of crushed nuts or candies

Directions:

Line a cookie sheet with wax paper, and grease with a dab of butter or margarine. Wash the apples in a colander and dry them with a kitchen towel. If they have stems, you may need to help remove them. Insert a craft stick into each apple. Unwrap the caramel candies and add them to a microwave-safe bowl. Measure out the water and add that to the candies.

Place in the microwave and heat on high for about 3 minutes. Stop the microwave and stir the caramels every minute or so. While you hold the bowl (be sure to use oven mitts--some bowls get very hot!), stir with a wooden spoon or a spatula. Continue heating the caramels until they are completely melted and smooth.

Carefully remove the caramels from the microwave. Dip the apples into the caramel and hold them over the bowl to let the excess caramel drip away. Dip once or twice to coat the apples. If you like, you can also dip them into the nuts or candies. Set them on the buttered wax paper to cool.

Sweet & Salty Pumpkin Seeds
You'll end up wanting a pumpkin-patch worth.
Ingredients:

• 2 cups separated and dried pumpkin seeds (from your jack-o'-lantern!)
  
• 1/4 cup melted butter
  
• 2 tbsp. sugar
• 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. cumin
• 1/4 tsp. kosher salt

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a bowl, toss the seeds with the butter and either the savory or sweet seasonings. Spread the seeds evenly in one layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 25 minutes, stirring the seeds every few minutes. Remove from the oven and cool completely. Taste the seeds and re-season if desired.

Tips:
Choose sweet (sugar and cinnamon) or savory ingredients (cumin and salt), or try a sweet and salty mix.

Creepy Crawly Peanut Butter Spider Snacks
C'mon. We're all kids on Halloween.
Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup peanut butter
  
• 1/2 cup honey
  
• 1 cup non-fat powdered milk
• Graham crackers
• Raisins or currants
• Pretzel sticks

Directions:

In a mixing bowl, beat the peanut butter with the honey and the powdered milk. The mixture should form a dough. Place on your work space. Use three-quarters of the dough to make balls the size of walnuts. Form the remaining dough into smaller-sized balls. Lay out the graham crackers. Place a large ball and a small one on each graham cracker. Cut the raisins or currants in half and place them on the small ball for eyes. Break pretzel sticks into desired lengths, then push in four pretzel sticks on each side of the spider's body to make legs.

And don't worry. That award-winning homemade Halloween costume you're working on? You've got time.

Images and recipes from nickjr.com

Filled With Glee

Girls 6 @ Yahoo! Video

The last time you demonstrated your, ah, vocal talents, it was at the sixth grade talent show. And between the little puddle of "stage fright" you left back stage, and your voice cracking on that sharp C, your recent performances have been limited to serenading the shower head.

Divulge the diva within you with your new obsession: Glee.

The Wednesday night com-dram revolves around a high school Spanish teacher trying to restore the glee club to its former glory. With a born-breed-dead performer as the female lead, and a Troy-Bolton-like football player as the male lead (a la High School Musical), the drama unfolds among students and teachers alike.

Yet Glee is everything but Disney. The show has your standard, popular pro-abstinence cheerleaders, a crippled vocal wonder, a Goth girl with a stutter, a knocked-up cheer captain, and a horny best friend.

And don't forget the teachers and the love triangles between them: the glee club director with a wife faking pregnancy, an awkward-and-sweaty gym teach, a "whatever it takes to win" cheer coach, and an OCD guidance counselor that puts Adrien Monk to shame.

The club struggles with competition from within for solos, rivalry with the Cheerios, and the pressure of placing at nationals--will this band of misfit students make it, or break it?

Above is a clip from Episode 1.6. It'll have you scouring the Internet to see where you can find an adorable yellow sundress and silver slippers (I found one at Forever 21!!).

And possibly composing your next arrangement for the shower.

Sing along Wednesday, 9.8c on FOX.

Clip from vodpod.com. Images from fox.com

Think Blue

Even though the leaves are turning pretty shades of orange, red, and yellow, I'm still blue.

Dodger blue that is.

Sure, baseball is the summer past time, but just because the weather has cooled down doesn't mean my team spirit has. The Dodgers took the win with a 5-1 last night against the St. Louis Cardinals. A three-game sweep had the Dodgers clinching the best-of-five National League Division Series. Last night Padilla turned seven masterful innings; Ethier's two-run homer and Manny's three hits had fans in a craze. LA is set to play the winner of the Rockie-Phillies tournament starting this Thursday. With games like these, how could Dodger fever die down?

So come on, grab an over-sized hot dog, your mitt, your blue LA hat, and Think Blue.

Images from throwbackguy.com and mlb-tour-2008.com