Giveaway happening over on Examiner

Y'all I have been privileged to offer a giveaway over on my examiner site.  Click the link and enter to win the new innovative Clearasil PerfectaWash before it hits store shelves!

Mas Tacos Por Favor!

I usually come up with a witty title for a blog post, but the place I am about to tell you about it the nail on the head.  Mas Tacos Por Favor is exactly what you will be saying once you finish your meal.  During finals week, I headed over the river and through the hood to East Nashville with a girlfriend of mine.  She happens to be from SoCal, so she knows a thing or two about authentic, delicious Mexican food.  She was fed up with what Nashvillians will accept as “Mexican” and I had heard rave reviews of this place.  In order to fuel up to finish our tech workshop we waiting on line for a good 20 minutes in what can only be described as a well maintained shack.  Thanks to Scoutmob we got one taco for free as an added bonus which was the initial draw.  You order from the counter which has the days menu written around it.  As we were waiting more and more items were being crossed off the board.  I was told the fried avocado tacos and the tortilla soup was out of this world. Well apparently they avocado tacos are not offered during “brunch” but the tortilla soup was unlike any soup I have ever had.  It is not your traditional tortilla soup.  It has a clear broth with wonderful fresh ingredients from chicken to avocado and of course tortilla strips.  But the flavors blend so well together but are still very distinct.  I am getting all Top Chef on y’all but what I should be saying is get the soup when you go.  This hearty winter soup packed a small price tag of only $5.  My soup was followed by fresh, local tacos that only rang up for $3 each (minus the free one).  The combinations are eclectic but not wired and there is an option for everyone.  It changes variety, but I had a breakfast and a fish taco and both were a pow of flavor.  Mas Tacos also has a food truck, so you can follow them around if you are not near East Nasty, but trust me it is worth the drive, the wait for these tacos.  I sure will be back.  Soon!

Marni Many

They are at it again.  Not even letting themselves cool off after the epic Versace for H&M do they announce their next collaboration.  The latest designer collab for H&M will be with the Italian design house of Marni, hitting stores in March of 2012.  Known for their boheminanesque designs Marni is the master of print and patterns.  The collection will be available both online and in over 250 stores, for both the ladies and the fellas.  It will feature both their iconic clothing and accessories.  Like all the past designer collabs not need to invest your life savings in one shirt; this stuff will be affordable.  Looking back on her favorite pieces founder Consuelo Castiglioni wanted to create a true Marni wardrobe by using their signature fabrics and prints. Like the higher priced versions it will have the classic juxtaposition of prints and colors, mixing modern tribal with Bauhaus graphic and adding sporty utilitarian elements, which gives it that classic Marni touch.  This collection will not follow the trends, but rather set them.   

Ladies, be prepared for vivid colors mixed with bold prints.  You may be drawn to the simple color block patterns that scream Marni or the African inspired prionts.  Sillouettes are going to be in the Marni staple from full pleated skirts, dresses, cropped pants to jacquard knits.  Top the look off with jewelry, shoes, bags and scarves.  Boys, the prints will be more subtle for you, but it will be 100% classic Italian quality.  The Marni for H&M collaboration is the perfect way to start your spring wardrobe out on the right foot.  Since Nashville does not have an H&M (COME ON!),  March 8th, I will be glued to my computer adding the whole collection to my cart.  Hopefully, this won't be another Missoni for Target crash down situation. 

West Egg is Over Scrambled

So I am visiting the bestie in Atlanta this weekend and we wanted to chow down on Southern food.  Sure I can get it in Nashville, but I do not get out much.  Being a grad student is time consuming.  So we first try JCT, 2 hour wait.  Since my stomach was about to eat itself we made a reszzie for a different night and moved on to West Egg which was just down the street.  Well let’s say this place was promising.  I looked at the menu and nothing pushed 15 bucks.  This budget queen was happy as a clam.  Then we sit down and everyone is so excited to order their Southern favorites.  Then the waiter is chipper to take our order and kindly tells the party they are out of a good portion of items on the menu.  No soup, no chicken and dumplings, no this and no that.  Since half the menu is basically wiped out we start to get creative with what we would like to order.  Since we have the world’s largest Deviled Egg fan at the table we think maybe we could scarf down some of those while we rethink our order.  Those pesky eggs are served on a platter with other Southern delicacy we just could not get behind.  Thinking the waiter would be accommodating, we asked if it were possible to just order those eggs, but he just could not.  The pathetic excuse we got, the computer can’t key in a special request.  We ordered what we could; the food was tasty.  We moved on to dessert. The banana pudding was outstanding and the red velvet cake was how it’s supposed to taste.  I do not understand the red velvet cake, but I do understand the rest of the world loves it.  Being adventurous we also ordered the Coca Cola cupcake to honor our meal in the ATL.  Well someone else must have gotten the cupcake because our table was served a brick disguised as a cute little dessert.  So the moral of this story is, West Egg needs to keep their eggs on the stove just a tad longer; no one likes runny scrambled eggs. 

Hair Soft As Clouds

I do not know why I did not immediatly post this here.  Last night I let my Examiner readers in on my new favorite hair treatment.  Its amazeballs, and is so affordable.  What is it you ask?  Well it is Pantene’s Professional Level Damage Ampoules and it will only run you 8 bucks from your local drug store. Pantene offers two Ampoules one for Medium-Thick hair and another for Curly Hair.  After shampooing take one ampoule and apply it to your hair.  In just five minutes time hair will never look better.  Pantene uses a potent amino-polymer formula to work fast by structurally reinforcing and helping to repair hair along its weakest spots.  Do I know what an amino-polymer formula is?  Absolutley not, but do I like what it does?  Hell yes!  The professional level formula smooths the hair cuticle, protecting it from micro-fractures and breakage.  Dry hair is strengthened and is no able to withhold damage and breakage.  When hair dries it is soft and light as a cloud.  Color looks rich and shine is restored.   Unlike other deep conditioning treatments, hair is not oily within eight hours of use.  Even after stroking your new healthy hair it will stay clean. It feeds hair the nutrients it so desperately needs.  After use hair is much more manageable which is what every busy woman so desperately needs.    The benefits of the Ampoules last; days after using the treatment hair will still feel soft. Trust me get to the Duane Reade, Target, CVS and buy these ampoule.  I accept almost anything in the form of thank yous. 

Image via Pantene

Spare Me One

So if you follow me on twitter you will see I am no longer Living the Life...on a budget in New York City. I've taken the mantra to a new extreme as a poor grad student down in Nashville, TN. However, when I was up in NYC trying to live that life I always wanted to get together with friends and hit up the bowling alley. Like everything in NYC bowling was redonkulously expensive, as in $24 for one round. No thanks.  Take a trip off the island and head to Astoria for some king pin action at Astoria Bowl.  They have some amazing specials that go on throughout the whole week.  On Sundays from ten in the morning to one in the afternoon, you can bowl for just a buck.  That is less than a subway ride, a dirty water dog, or a pack of gum.  Then at night $1 games resume from nine until midnight.  Looking for midweek action?  Tuesday and Thursday nights, the Astoria Bowl has the same buck special from 9 until 12.  There is also a practice special, which you need to all ahead before showing up.  You can get 2 hours of bowling for $10 based on availability.  Celebrate your birthday at Astoria Bowl and if you are with a group of 10 or more, those fun bowling shoes are on the house.  Bowling is a great alternative when you do not want to participate in your standard evening fare.  Change it up and send one down the alley.  Also on your way back pick up a gyro at BZ Grill, you won't be disappointed.

Image via Jonathan Keelty

Glow From The Outside In

Every New York woman should have a make up set in her beauty arsenal.  When time is of the essence it is the easiest thing to grab because it has all the essentials.  For example, tarte’s  Glow Your Way To Gorgeous 8-pc Maracuja & Clay Collection available through QVC is a great investment at under $55.  If you were to individually purchase the contents of the kit it would set you back almost $200.  It is an eight piece collection to help ladies keep that glow throughout the summer without having to worry that her make up will melt off in this New York summer heat.  The high quality ingredients of the Amazonian clay and pure maracuia oil aid in that rejuvenated and re-energized inner glow.  To use effectively start with the Maracuja Creaseless Concealer which comes in three shades.  With the blush brush that is included swipe on the Amazonian Clay blush for a hint of shimmer.  For the eyes there is a cream shadow that is to be used with the included brush to pat the cream on, and then intensify the eye with the SmolderEYES Amazonian Clay Liner for a smoky effect.  Add the finishing touch with the Lights, Camera, Lashes! Mascara, which is a favorite among beauty addicts because you get voluminous lashes.  A beautiful blush toned, shimmery LipSurgence Natural Lip Luster is included which puts the final touch on the whole look from the kit.  This complete kit is perfect kit to grab if a last minute trip to the Hamptons is in order, you will be set to jet off.

The Glow Your Way To Gorgeous 8-pc Maracuja & Clay Collection is only available on QVC.com, but Tarte cosmetics can be purchased at Sephora locations throughout New York. 

Image via QVC.com

Not Your Average Joe

Heading to the Hamptons in the summer you would expect to pay through the nose for everything. Example, tomatoes at the Amagansett Farmer's market were 5.99 a pound. Could they be THAT good?  Then on a sweltering morning after purchasing the above tomatoes (yes they were that good) my mom and I headed into East Hampton.  In the mood to just browse we walked into Joe Fresh.  With its white washed floors, sparsely merchandised racks, we were expecting just to browse.  I was floored by the price tag of what I expected to be expensive basics: a simple fold over skirt for less than 20, ribbed tanks for 8. These are Old Navy prices without the disgusting messy dressing room.  Everything is merchandised on the racks by color with various styles from flowy dresses to to chic eyelet button-downs.  Sizes run the gamut, and there is a style for everyone.  I just came out with a ribbed tank, but had that simple $20 dress come in any other color than grey I would probably be wearing it as I write this.  Nothing was over $70, and the lowest priced item were the $4 flip flops.  The company is Canadian based, and the East Hampton shop is just a pop up. Don't fret that you won't be able to catch the Jitney before Labor day, Joe Fresh is opening this fall in Manhattan.  There will be even more variety than what this little shop has.  In the mean time lose yourself in the the website before the shop opens.

image via Joe Fresh

Latest and Greatest Giveaway

Ladies and gents, I am so excited to tell you about the giveaway I am hosting over on my beauty column on Examiner.  Last month I attended the Clarisonic Evolution of Skin Care Event where I was reminded about what a break through the Clarisonic brush has been for washing our faces.  If you follow me on twitter, you know how obsessed I am with mine.  Since I have started using mine on a regular basis my skin is smoother, clearer, and overall more radiant.  The Clarisonic was created by the inventor who brought is the ever so popular Sonicare toothbrush, just like its predecessor the Clarisonic has been bringing professional skincare technology into the home since 1995.  There are many options from the classic to the travel ready Mia, they are so fashionable too that Sephora’s through New York sell a Jaguar Clarisonic.  The system uses 300 movements per second of a gentle sonic micro massage to deeply clean while lightly exfoliating. Makeup is removed, pores shrink, and skin tone improves in about 60 seconds a day.  It is so thorough that moisturizers and self tanners will work that more effectively.  The Clarisonic is a necessary luxury for beautiful skin.  After just a weeks use, your skin will thank you.  Guess what, I am giving away not one, but TWO Clarisonic Mias for you and a friend.  Head over to my article on Examiner and enter the contest.  All you have to do is tell me why your friend deserves a Clarisonic Mia.  Enter here and tell all your friends, she may surprise you as the lucky recipient.    

Dinner Tonight? Of Course I'm Hungry

Would you rather slave over a hot stove for a meal that lasts five minutes or have a leisurely meal in a restaurant.  Well cooking is more cost effective, but there are a million dinning deals out there.  There are group deals, codes that are texted to the phone, or even free redemption.  It is so hard to remember to print out the voucher, or find the text message in the mess that is your phone.  Then there is Dine Tonight, a new site that the savings are automatically taken off the bill when you arrive.  Head to their website and reserve a table for the place you will be dining at.  The restaurant will be notified that you will be dining there and when the bill comes the percentage of savings is reduced.  The savings are unlimited; the more hungry or "thirsty" you are the more is taken off the bill.  When you reserve a table you will know how much your tab will be reduced by.  Dining alone or with everyone of your twitter followers, the size of the group does not matter either.  If you choose the later, maybe you would want to warn the restaurant.  Love a place?  Come back for seconds, thirds and 100 more times because you can benefit the discount over and over again.  Now that you are hungry, figure out where you want to start chowing down and saving money. 

Image via austinevan