Dress Up Ideas For New Years

One of the biggest nights of the year is right around the corner and with what we've all experienced this year either personally or watched via  the national news, a little celebrating is desperately needed.  But then, do we need an excuse for dressing up?  Nah!

There are times though we do get into a funk about what to wear.  So, if you're going out with your girl friends, attending a house party or going somewhere special with the man in your life, here are a few great fashion ideas.

Even though wearing something brand new feels good, there is a dress that is timeless, classic and we all generally have one in our closets ... the little black dress.  Switch it up with fab accessories like shiny gold/silver jewelry, classy pair of heels, chic clutch bag and a sassy hairstyle to finish the look.

Ahhh.  There is no other style that screams party than "Sparkles & Sequins" ladies.  You can dress up a pair of black jeans with a sequin top, add a little shimmer to a humdrum skirt with sequined hosiery, put a little snap into your step with a pair of shimmering platform pumps or simply go all out in a sequin dress.

Do you have a Black Tie event to go to?   "Black tie" doesn’t necessarily and always mean you have to wear a black dress. If you’ve got a fancy fete on your New Year’s Eve agenda, take a tip from Lea Michele and opt for a pretty pale dress. It’ll set you apart from the sea of black dresses, getting you noticed in a good way. 

Decadent Carrot Cake

Most of us generally serve the traditional pies over the holidays and even though Carrot Cake is a popular item, many stay away from it because it's high in fat and calories.  I found a recipe you won't feel guilty about using some great substitutions and it's just as delicious.

Ingredients:

Cake

• 20-ounce can crushed pineapple
• 2 cups whole-wheat pastry flour, (see Ingredient Note)
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 3 large eggs
• 1-1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup nonfat buttermilk, (see Tip)
• 1/2 cup canola oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups grated carrots, (4-6 medium)
• 1/4 cup unsweetened flaked coconut
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, toasted (see Tip)

Frosting

• 12 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese softened
• 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar, sifted
• 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons coconut chips to sprinkle on top if you like

Preparation:

To prepare cake: Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with cooking spray.

Drain pineapple in a sieve set over a bowl, pressing on the solids. Reserve the drained pineapple and 1/4 cup of the juice.

Whisk flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Whisk eggs, sugar, buttermilk, oil, vanilla and the 1/4 cup pineapple juice in a large bowl until blended. Stir in pineapple, carrots and 1/4 cup coconut. Add the dry ingredients and mix with a rubber spatula just until blended. Stir in the nuts. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan, spreading evenly.

Bake the cake until the top springs back when touched lightly and a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes. Let cool completely on a wire rack.

To prepare frosting & finish cake: Beat cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar and vanilla in a mixing bowl with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Spread the frosting over the cooled cake. Sprinkle with toasted coconut.

No buttermilk? You can use buttermilk powder prepared according to package directions. Or make “sour milk”: mix 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup milk. Whole-wheat pastry flour is lower in protein than regular whole-wheat flour which has less gluten-forming potential, making it a better choice for tender baked goods.

Scrumptious Honey Oat Bread

Thanks to my friends over at Lifescript.com here's a bread recipe you might want to consider baking up this holiday season because it's not only different but, quick to prepare, sweet, moist and nutritional.

Ingredients
2 tablespoons plus 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats, or quick-cooking (not instant) oats, divided
1-1/3 cups whole-wheat flour, or white whole-wheat flour
1 cup all-purpose flour
2-1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1-1/4 teaspoons salt
8 ounces (scant 1 cup) nonfat or low-fat plain yogurt
1 large egg
1/4 cup canola oil
1/4 cup clover honey, or other mild honey
3/4 cup nonfat or low-fat milk

Preparation
1. Position rack in middle of oven; preheat to 375°F. Generously coat a 9”x 5” (or similar size) loaf pan with cooking spray. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon oats in the pan. Tip the pan back and forth to coat the sides and bottom with oats.

2. Thoroughly stir together whole-wheat flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. Using a fork, beat the remaining 1 cup oats, yogurt, egg, oil and honey in a medium bowl until well blended. Stir in milk. Gently stir the yogurt mixture into the flour mixture just until thoroughly incorporated but not over-mixed (excess mixing can cause toughening). Immediately scrape the batter into the pan, spreading evenly to the edges. Sprinkle the remaining 1 tablespoon oats over the top.

3. Bake the loaf until well browned on top and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 40-50 minutes. (It’s normal for the top to crack.) Let stand in the pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Run a table knife around and under the loaf to loosen it and turn it out onto the rack. Let cool until barely warm, about 45 minutes.

Enjoy!

Protecting Your Skin This Winter

Don’t know about you, but the thought of Jack Frost nipping at my nose, contending with frigid temps and snow drifts higher than my 5 foot frame does not make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.  

I wouldn’t say I was a “Humbug” about this changing season as there is nothing more beautiful than an untouched landscape of pristine, virgin snow that glitters like diamonds in the sunlight.  Winter does a heck of a number on our skin, however, and if not cared for properly, can cause some damaging effects.  Frigid air lacks humidity and dries up natural oils in your skin, causing it to lose its moisture.  Blustering winds can cause chafing windburn and indoor heating systems can prove a culprit as well. 

So what’s a girl to do?  Here are some tips on protecting your skin this winter.

•  Suppose to be doing this anyways – water – water – water – at least 8 glasses a day

• Use a soap for sensitive skin this time of year

• Wet clothes can irritate so, change right away from winter activities & exercising outdoors

• Use laundry detergents pure of perfumes and dyes

• Don’t soak/shower long in hot water

• Moisturize your skin while it’s still damp after bathing

• Use petroleum jelly on skin exposed to long periods of cold, wind and sun

• UV rays are just as strong so, protect your skin with at least an SPF 15

Happy Holidays From My Home To Yours

Best wishes for a happy, healthy and safe holiday season whether you are celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa in your homes with family and friends.  We so appreciate your visits and loyalty throughout the year and hope your journey will continue as we enter into 2012.

Have You Lost That Lovin' Feelin'

Do you need a homing device to relocate your sex drive?  Nearly one third of American women actually “aren’t in the mood” and proclaim a headache coming on to cover up their lost desire.  We all know menopause can be a major factor and generally strikes women around age 51.  However, it’s not an excuse.  What many women don’t release is that active sex stimulates blood flow to all the right areas and a topical cream will help relieve the dryness that sometimes occurs and makes having sex painful.  So, the more you have and cream up, the more you won’t be saying no and enjoying.

It’s amazing how many times stress is a leading cause for whatever ails you.  When it comes to sex … well, that too.  We all know we can multi task with one hand tied behind our task.  Asking your partner to share in some tasks like bathing the kids, throwing in a load of wash at night or helping with dinner, will give you both time for enjoying each other.

Taking contraceptives so you can play without the fear of getting pregnant ironically can lower testosterone levels enough to depress the desire.  Talk to your gynecologist about swapping brands. Birth control pills contain estrogen and various types of synthetic progesterone called progestin.  In some pills, the progestin behaves more like testosterone and can actually increase libido.

Keep a look out for the medications you may be popping.  Valium and Xanax can off kilter your sex drive while those taken for high blood pressure, migraines and antihistamines for colds and actually dry up the vagina. 

When it comes to sex or, the lack of, there’s always a reason around for what is ailing you to help you get back into the arms of the one you love.

Moves to Slim Down That Muffin Belly

Before I recommend an exercise video I've come across, I like to try it out myself to determine the true impact.  OMG !!!!  If you want great workouts for abs,  I hurt for three full days after doing these moves.  Not looking to scare you away but, if you want to strengthen your core and work those ABS, this will do it.  It's always good to switch it up ladies and why not go with something that really works.

Share A Christmas Wreath Design Blog Hop

Happy Holidays ladies!  This is my very first blog hop, "Whoo Hoo!"  So, I apologize in advance for any blunders the first of which I confess was figuring out the correct time stamp date on my digital camera. Ugh!  I wrestled with this I can't tell you how long and just gave up so ... onward to the fun part.  This Christmas Wreath Blog Hop is simple.  Share your wreath design instructions or just a photo of one you love to inspire and bring joy to someone's home for the holiday.  You don't need to follow 15 steps to participate just 3 easy ones.  (1) Become a Follower of The Girlz Korner via email or Google (2) grab my button and linky code below and post about the hop on your blog to share with others posting the instructions of a wreath you perhaps made yourself with a photo or just add a  photo of a wreath you love in your post.  (3) When you add your information below to join the blog hop, make sure the link you add is the one that goes directly to your post so our visitors will see your wreaths.

My wreath only cost me $25 to make mostly because I bought everything during an end of season sale at Michael's.  The pine cones I collected from Mother Nature and tipped the edges with gold paint from the craft store.  If you don't know how to make a bow like mine, just follow the instructions on this awesome link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70gvnlixO04

Hope you enjoy ~