Sonoma Sustenance

A major perk of having a fabulous mother with mad cooking skills is that she's in the "In Club" at Williams-Sonoma. Meaning she works there, for their nice discount - and that discount treats you nicely.

When my mother came to Chicago about a week ago, we, of course, took a trip to Williams-Sonoma at 900 North Michigan Shops, because "Chicago has things that the Cleveland store doesn't have." Which is true, I guess.

We picked up two holiday-themed chocolate goodies:

1. Peppermint Baked Brownie Mix - A+++ This stuff was delicious. Not only does it come with a peppermint candy topping, but the actual brownie mix itself is infused with peppermint. Just add butter and eggs to their packaged mix, fold together gently, and bake for about 30 minutes. My shotty oven required me to bake them a bit longer than 30 minutes.

These brownies came out thick and gooey, boyfriend was so upset that I was making them for my co-workers and not him (don't worry, I did leave him a few).  They were a hit with my co-workers. At $16.95 per box,  yes, these are the most expensive brownies I have ever baked/eaten, but hey, it's the holidays. And they are SO GOOD.

2. Williams-Sonoma Hot Chocolate Mix - A+ Finally! REAL hot chocolate. This isn't a cocoa powder, the container holds real flecks of chocolate that you melt with milk on the stove. This hot chocolate is so creamy and thick, one cup will definitely fill you up. Make a cup for your boyfriend so he doesn't try to steal yours. Careful, the calorie count is pretty high, and this stuff is addicting.

There is also a peppermint hot chocolate flavor, but the bulk of the peppermint taste is lost after boiling with water. I'd stick with the classic flavor.

At almost $20/jar, still an expensive investment in hot chocolate, but what do you expect from Williams-Sonoma?



*If you buy the hot chocolate, you MUST ALSO BUY the Williams-Sonoma homemade marshmallows.  They come in two sizes (the minis are plenty) and are shaped like giant cubes, not  the look or consistency of your typical Jewel-Osco marshmallow, but they melt so perfectly in a cup of hot chocolate, creating a creamy, marshmallowy layer of perfection. Both the classic marshmallow and the peppermint marshmallow are great.
 

Is it snowing? Nope.

An awkward conversation to have, dandruff is.
Everyone has  a little bit of it, and we all go through serious attacks every once in a while.

I hate to admit, but lately I've had horrible bouts of the flakes, intermittently escalating to full blown traumatic experiences. And I feel like I've tried everything.


Failed Attempts
The Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse didn't work for me. It just left me feeling self-conscious of how I smelled.

I forked over a wad of cash for Aveda's Scalp Benefits Balancing Shampoo and Conditioner.  It smells good, but was a total waste of money in my fight against the flakes. 8.5 fl oz. cost me $15.50 each, and spending $30+ on some conditioner and shampoo that didn't work makes me feel silly. Plus, the shampoo tangles your hair, I felt the need to glob on the conditioner. This gets a C- from me.

The standard Head and Shoulders is always hit or miss for me. If I use it excessively, it will eventually fix my dandruff. But this last time, I found myself in a blizzard and couldn't get out.

My Salvation
I resorted to a special scalp product, used it twice, and BOOM. Like Harry Potter apparating out of Alaska, my dandruff disappeared. The secret weapon: Lush Superbalm

I went into Lush intending to buy their Snake Oil scalp treatment bar, but was told it was being discontinued, and figured I'd just buy the Superbalm. It has a MUCH better smell than the Snake Oil bar.

This product contains coconut oil, chamomile blue oil, and even lavender to give it a nice scent. It curse dandruff with the help of a naturally derived salicylic acid. This felt soothing on my scalp.

You take a small amount of the product - but even if you use too much, you won't stay greasy - and rub it into your scalp. I recommend you take your time to part your hair several times and rub the balm into your scalp - avoid rubbing it on top of or into your hair, you really want it on the scalp.  Leave it on for 20 minutes (though longer doesn't hurt), then wash it out in the shower.

It's been three weeks, and dandruff hasn't returned. This product really worked for me.

And since I prefer using all natural products, I'm really glad it's Lush.  I don't think $19.95 is too expensive for a dandruff product that solves all of your problems.

Have any of you tried the new Superbalm? What are your thoughts? Any other recommendations (natural or not) to get rid of a torrential downpour of dandruff?

Bang Boom

So I did it....I got bangs.

I feel like Spock.  

Bangs are one of those mistakes that every girl needs to make. Like getting so drunk you vomit in your friend's kitchen sink. Or wearing an outfit that should have just stayed in your imagination.

On a happier note, I picked up a new nail polish to brighten my mood. "Instant Hot" by Essie. I've been way into the lighter nails lately, soft pinks, off-whites. Perhaps it's a maturity/professionalism thing. I really like this color. It's basically white with a bit of sparkle in it.

What's the biggest fashion crime you're guilty of?

Let's Talk Reality

Every Tuesday night I teach BodyPump Express (30 min. bodypump class) and CXWorx (a 30 minute core strengthening class). Both classes are AMAZING and created by Les Mills. If you know you need to add some weight training to your workout routine but are totally clueless when it comes to those crazy machines and can't motivate yourself to pick up more than a 3lbs weight, BodyPump is the class for you! It's a pre-choreographed resistance training class based on a barbell, and it's the BEST way to ensure that you're working all those muscles that matter - quads, glutes, biceps, triceps, even the often forgotten chest and back muscles.

CXWorx is a somewhat new exercise program and it rocks you to the core - literally! It's a half hour focusing on your abs, obliques, hip flexors, back muscles, and glutes - all the muscles that really make up your core and help you stand up tall. If your gym offers this class, drop everything and go now. Not only will it give you awesome ab definition, but it can even build up the strength that will help fix lower back pain.

But on to the important stuff...

Tuesday night after class is devoted to catching up with my BFF, Tivo. What was on tonight:
1. Semi-Finale of The Voice
2. Finale of Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition

 As someone who works in the television industry, I appreciate the purpose of each of these shows. But as a viewer...

Serious watcher

OMG Team Terry! There's such a place for a real classic rocker to come back into the limelight. I'm also a fan of Cassidy Pope, I can see her being a real pop star. And Nicholas, well you can't help but smile when you hear a sharp "hey naw!" And I love his long red hair. Big sigh of relief that Trevin Hunt was the one to head home. Thank gawd! Don't hate, he's a GREAT singer, phenomenal natural talent as we all can see. But he's SO boring. His voice is dynamic, but that's about it. I don't want to watch him stand on stage and sing. I want to see a performance. Something he didn't really give.
I know I'll be happy with whoever wins The Voice now, though I secretly was rooting for Dez the whole time. This world could use another Backstreet Boy.

Ellie loves Abby Lee too!

All I have to say about Abby's Ultimate Dance Competion (I'm watching on TiVo as we speak) is ASIA BETTER NOT WIN. Or else I'm boycotting Lifetime. I've got a strong suspicion that those network execs are weighing in on that show to keep the little fireball around. But I don't like her. I don't like her dancing, she's so obviously not up to par with ANY of the other girls on the series. And I don't like the little person that I see. A six-year-old who isn't afraid to say she's going to hurt everyone if she doesn't win, who says she's going to win the show and rename it "Asia's Ultimate Dance Competition," COME ON. Mother needs to do some damage control ASAP before that toddler grows up into a mean girl. Go Madison and Brianna. Both seem like such sweet girls. I'll be happy for either.

I really would hate to boycott Lifetime. Fingers are crossed.

What's your favorite competition show and why?

TJ's Heaven - Gingerbread Molasses Cookie Dough

I discovered this ready-to-bake cookie dough at Trader Joe's just one month ago, and I've already baked three packages. Trader Joe's Gingerbread Molasses Cookie Dough is easily the best ready-to-go cookie dough I've tasted. And it's just as good cooked as it is raw! The test of a good cookie.

Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees F, break the dough apart and roll it in the included sugar crystals. Bake for 15 minutes. These come out of the oven pretty fluffy, but quickly deflate. Still, they're a chewy bunch. 

 Little Ellie waiting for me to drop a piece of dough

Stock up on these when you find them at your local Trader Joe's, as they don't stay on the shelves very long.

TJ's should definitely come out with a full line of ready-to-bake doughs. Don't you think? Chocolate chip, peanut butter - that would be a huge hit! Mmmm... I need another cookie.

Mom's Weekend

J. Crew Majesty Peacoat in deep violet

This weekend, my mom decided to come to town - the perfect excuse to try new restaurants and explore new stores.

I met her downtown (she found her way from Midway on the El all by herself! I'm so proud of her :) ) and where's the first place we went? J.Crew! Not necessarily new, but I did buy a new coat that was much needed - and was on sale for 30% off! Thanks, J. Crew!

We considered getting tickets for "Potted Potter" (a Harry Potter spoof play now playing at the Broadway Playhouse), but the only tickets left weren't in great seats, so she bought me and boyfriend a pair of tickets for a later date as a Christmas present. This play received an A+ review from the Tribune, so I'm stoked!

We hoped to make your way over to the Merchandise Mart for One of a Kind Show - this is a giant craft show and sale in Chicago from December 6-9. The majority of Merchandise Mart is usually closed to the public, consisting of high-end designer workspaces and showrooms, but for this weekend, the building is opened up for these designers, and other artists to come in and display their creations. Unfortunately I had to head home to teach a BodyPump class at 3pm, so we stopped for a sandwich at Grahamwich and then went back to my apartment. We'll definitely be stopping by One of a Kind Show tomorrow.

Every heard of Grahamwich? It's delicious. Upscale sandwiches and salads at a typical Chicago lunch price by MasterChef Graham Elliot. And it's not too far from my office.

I'll have to add Graham Elliot and GEB (Elliot's other restaurants) to my list of places to visit.