Yummy Recipes for Holiday Leftovers & Ideas for What to do w/ all those Candy Canes

Now that the holiday feasts are over many of you probably have a fridge full of leftovers. If you're like me you can only eat turkey & dressing for so long. Here are a few ways to turn yesterday's meal into a new delicious dish:

Leftover Turkey becomes Turkey Mornay
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Ingredients:

* 1 (16-ounce) jar four cheese Alfredo sauce
* 1 cup shredded Gruyere or Swiss cheese
* 2-3 cups sliced cooked turkey or chicken
* 5 English muffins, split with fork and toasted
* 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
* 1 Tbsp. torn fresh basil leaves or 1/2 tsp. dried basil leaves
* 1/2 cup chopped grape tomatoes

Preparation:
Place Alfredo sauce in medium saucepan. Stir in Gruyere or Swiss cheese. Cook over low heat until cheese melts, stirring frequently. Then add the turkey or chicken slices and spoon sauce over them; heat gently until sauce begins to bubble, stirring frequently.

Preheat broiler. Place the English muffins on a broiler pan and spoon the turkey slices and cheese sauce over each. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Broil 4-6" from heat source until the sauce bubbles and brown spots appear.

In small bowl combine chopped tomatoes and basil. Spoon this mixture over the hot sandwiches and serve immediately. Serves 6-8


Leftover Cranberry sauce becomes Cranberry Meatballs
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients:

* 48 frozen cooked meatballs
* 1/2 cup cranberry sauce
* 1/4 cup orange juice
* 2 Tbsp. sugar
* 1 Tbsp. finely minced ginger root
* 1/8 tsp. white pepper

Preparation:
Bake the meatballs according to package directions until well heated. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, combine cranberry sauce, orange juice, brown sugar, gingerroot, and pepper. Cook over medium heat about 5 minutes until bubbly. Add meatballs to sauce and stir. Serve with toothpicks. Serves 8-10

Use all of your leftovers to make a pie
Ingredients:

* Anything leftovers you'd like to add (turkey, potatoes, veggies, etc.)

Other ingredients:

* Puff pastry (Frozen or make your own if preferred)
* Chicken gravy (made from granules is fine)
* 1 Egg beaten

Preparation:

Cut up your leftovers into bite-sized pieces and mix together. Make up some chicken gravy and add to the mix to make a sufficiently moist mix. Find a suitable pie dish or casserole dish and transfer your leftover mix into it. Roll out the pastry and place it on the top of the dish after brushing the rim with the egg mixture, sealing well. Make 3 slits in the middle of the pastry to allow the steam to disperse whilst cooking and brush the top with the egg mix. Cook in a preheated oven at 375 degrees for 30 minutes or until the pastry is cooked and golden brown.

If you wish you can freeze the pie before cooking to save it for a later date but make sure you use a suitable pie dish that you can freeze and defrost before cooking.



Now what to do about all those candy canes! Try the following recipes:

Triple Chocolate Candy Cane Kisses

4 3-oz. chocolate bars, 2 semisweet, 1 milk & 1 white chocolate
1/2 c Crushed candy canes

Melt the 3 kinds of chocolate in 3 separate bowls. Stir half of the crushed candy into the semisweet chocolate. Reserve a bit for sprinkling; stir the remainder into the milk and white chocolates. Drop teaspoons of the semisweet onto a parchment-lined tray. Top with 1 dollop each of the milk and white chocolates. Sprinkle with crushed candy. Let harden.
Compliments of Just Chocolate Recipes

Or create your own rich coffee mix...
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients:

* 1 cup powdered non dairy creamer
* 1-1/3 cups sugar
* 1 cup instant coffee granules
* 1/2 cup cocoa powder
* 2 candy canes

Preparation:
Place all ingredients in bowl of blender or food processor. Process until well blended and particles are fine. Store in tightly covered container in a cool dry place. To use, dissolve 1-2 Tbsp. of mix in 1 cup boiling water or to taste.

More ideas for candy canes:

# Use candy canes as stirring sticks for hot beverages.
# Add crushed candy canes to vanilla frosting and make cookie sandwiches with purchased cookies or graham crackers.
# Add crushed candy canes to Rice Krispy treats.
# Melt some purchased white almond bark and add crushed candy cane pieces. Pour onto waxed paper and chill for instant Candy Cane Bark.
# Sprinkle crushed candy canes on top of iced cupakes or on top of ice cream sundaes.
# Layer ice cream and hot fudge sauce with crushed candy canes and top with whipped cream for a peppermint twist treat.

"Sex And The City 2" Trailer!!!

Urbanistas, it's the most we've been waiting for since 5.08. Here's the first trailer for "Sex & the City 2." Get your best cosmo glasses ready now b/c on 5.28.10 when "SATC 2" hits theaters. For the love of all things SJP, start planning your haute wardrobe ensembles for the occasion NOW.

D.I.Y.D. (Do-It-Your-D*mn-Self) Holiday gift ideas

This holiday season we're all coming up with creative gift ideas that won't break the piggy bank. Step #10 in the Urban Heiress Plan for "urban addict" recovery is the simply D.I.Y.D. bka "Do It Your D*mn Self." The premise of this concept is to use your talents & resources instead of paying for overpriced goods/services. We often forget or overlook the many gifts we can give people that won't cost you much (if at all), but will be cherished for a lifetime. Here are a few ideas just in time for the holidays:

**Babysitting services - Who wouldn't want an offer for you to watch their rugrats FREE of charge? Priceless gift that won't cost you anything except your time.

**Cleaning services - Once again, who wouldn't want an offer for you to tidy up their home/office, mow their lawn or even wash their car? That's better than anything you can buy at Macy's.

**Make a CD mix/Write a song - Give your loved one the gift of music by creating a CD with your very own special mix of songs that you dedicate to him/her. Or go a step further & write/record a musical selection for them. Best Buy won't have this in stock!

**Cooking/baking - Gift your loved ones a home-cooked or bake them their fave dessert, confection, bread, etc. Their tummies will love you for life.

**Arts & Crafts - Use your talents to create a masterpiece for your loved one. Whether you knit, sew, painting, sculpt or some other skill, you can make a one-of-kind gift that your loved one will cherish for years to come.

Holiday Shoppers Beware: COMING SOON to a bank near you, "CARD," Opens nationwide on 2.21.10

Some still aren't aware of the major implications of the credit card reform that is happening in February 2010. In May '09, President Obama signed legislation (aka the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility & Disclosure Act) to prevent credit card companies from continuing their shady behavior (raising interest rates, closing accounts w/o warning, decreasing credit limits BELOW existing balances & so on). Some of the pluses of the legislation are as follows:

• Restricts retroactive rate increases. Card issuers cannot raise the rate on your existing balance unless you are more than 60 days late on your account. They can only raise your rate on new purchases going forward. (If you are more than 60 days late, issuers are required to revert to the lower rate after you make six months of on-time payments.)

• Provides more advance notice of rate hikes. Card issuers must notify consumers of changes at least 45 days in advance. (This one has already gone into effect.)

• Increases time to pay bills. Card issuers must mail out statements at least 21 days before the due date. They must also consider a payment made before 5 p.m. Eastern on the due date as on-time. Payments due on a day when the issuer is closed for business (for example, a weekend or holiday) cannot be subject to late fees.

• Applies payments to high interest rate balances first. Many consumers’ accounts have different rates for different transactions. For ex. if you transferred a balance from an old card at a low interest rate but have since made new purchases at the regular interest rate with the new card. Under the new law, credit card companies must apply payments in excess of the monthly minimum toward the highest interest rate portion of the balance first.

• Eliminates universal default. If you’re late with a payment to another company, issuers can no longer raise your rate.

• Requires an opt-in for over-limit fees. Issuers must obtain a consumer’s permission to process a transaction that would put his or her account over its limit.

• Restricts college credit. Consumers under age 18 cannot receive credit, unless they are emancipated under state law or are designated as a secondary cardholder to a parent or legal guardian’s account. College-age applicants’ account limits will be limited to 20% of their annual income or $500, whichever is greater.
source



If any of this is confusing to you then guess what??? You shouldn't be using a credit card!!! WHY would you buy something w/o knowing the price? That's exactly what you're doing if you use a credit card to purchase something w/o understanding how your credit card company is going to bill you for it. THINK TWICE BEFORE YOU SWIPE!

Especially since the credit card companies are coming back swingin! They're not taking this laying down. Many credit card issuers are strategically coming up with new ways to get around these new laws and still keep their grubby hands deep in your Louis Vuitton wallet.

Exhibit A: The 79.9% APR credit card....Yes, you read it right - 79.99999% interest on a credit card! Beware if you get a credit card offer in the mail from First Premier Bank for this debt-trap. Just to give you an idea of the implications. If you had a $300 balance on this card you would pay $20 per month in interest. Now multiply 20 times 12. I don't think I need to spell it out any further. It's absolute thievery. The saddest part is that First Premier is targeting people who already have bad credit b/c those are the ones who most rely on it & are likely to incur the most finance charges. *shaking my head* source



Please, please for the love of Gucci think twice before making all of those ridiculous holiday gift purchases for people you probably barely like or won't even be speaking to this time next year. Also, make sure that before 2.21.10 you take the time to find out exactly what changes your creditors are making to their terms for your own sake. For more on what CARD means for you personally CLICK HERE. And remember commandment #3 - if you can't afford to pay cash then you don't need to buy it!

Jetsetting on a Budget

Making last minute holiday travel plans? Before you book that vacay check out THIS WEBSITE for amazing travel deals all over the globe.

A Blow Job that Lasts for 4 Months???

No not that kind (shame on you)...I'm talking about the latest craze known as the Brazilian blowout. Hollywood is all abuzz over this latest smoothing hair treatment which supposedly improves the health of your hair. According to the innovators of this popular beauty splurge, the Brazilian blowout incorporates the use of a proprietary based Keratin formulation that actually improves the condition of the hair by creating a protective protein layer around the hair shaft to eliminate frizz and smooth the cuticle.

Peep these before & after pics to see the results:





Could this be the answer to my lifelong prayers?! I've had my hopes up before only to be let down time & time again. First there was the Hawaiian Silky in the 90s, then the Japanese straighten in the early '00s, now this. But hey, I'll try it. Imagine if George Washington Carver had given up after having found just one use for the peanut. I digress...more of the proof in the pudding:





For more on how this works CLICK HERE to watch the magic happen or visit the OFFICIAL WEBSITE.

The Urban Heiress Returns to Yahoo!'s "omg! The 411"

Howdy urbanistas! Thank you for checking out last week's episode. Because of your support you'll be happy to know that last week's episode received the MOST views the show has ever had!!! Let's keep it going...check me out below on this week's episode & help set a new viewership record:

Urban Heiress on Yahoo's "The 411"

Howdy urbanistas! Check out your very own Urban Heiress on this week's episode of Yahoo's entertainment news show "The 411." I hope it brings the LOLs. I make my debut at the 3:11 mark.

These Shoes Were NOT Made for Walking

The father of the now signature red-heeled shoe Christian Louboutin collaborated with champagne-maker Piper Heidsieck to create “Le Rituel” which is a crystal flute in the shape of a stiletto that accompanies a bottle of bubbly in a box that sells for $500. Believe it or not, but this concept has historical significane. Louboutin says he was inspired by Russian tourists in 19th-century Paris, who would drink vodka out of ballerina slippers to celebrate a ballerina's performance. You learn something new every day. Who knew? So for all of you showstoppers who'll be popping bottles on NYE, here's a sure way to ring in 2010 on a HAUTE note.



SOURCE

Rent the Runway

First I told you about Borrow a Dress Couture and now there's another option for all of you fashionistas. Instead of wasting a few hundred bucks on a party dress that you probably won't wear after this holiday season you can literally rent the best in A-list fashion from Rent the Runway in just 3 easy steps:

1. LOVE - Browse through a large selection of A-list designers and find a dress or two that you love.

2. WEAR - Schedule a delivery date, and your dress will appear on your doorstep. Next-day and even same-day delivery (if you live in NYC) is available, for last-minute wardrobe crises. They will also send you a second, back-up size—just to be safe.

3. RETURN - Put your dress in the provided handy pre-paid packaging and drop in the nearest mailbox (RTR takes care of the dry cleaning!).

It's easy breezy...To sign up CLICK HERE!

Holiday Shopping: The Warehouse Sale

Howdy urbanistas! Soooo November came & went but I'm promise I'm back on a consistent basis now. Hiatus is o-v-e-r. I've been traveling a lot. In the past week I hit up Miami, Grand Cayman, Nashville & now L.A. During my travels I have come across several frantic shoppers who are having problems finding economical but fab gifts for this holiday season. No fear, the Urban Heiress is here! I'll share some of my tips with you in the next coming weeks as we countdown to the BIG day.

My first tip is to check out sample/warehouse sales in your area. You can always find a good deal on designer duds. One of my fave is THE WAREHOUSE SALE. This discount shopping experience pops up in every major U.S. city with slashed prices on some of today's hautest styles in denim & more. TWS has several upcoming events just in time for the holidays. To check out what's happening in your city CLICK HERE.

Make Your Closet Work & Save Money

Our fave "Queer Eye" shared tips on making the most of your wardrobe. I found this segment very informative. For once, there are NEW tips that can be easily achieved. Click the following link to check out the clip:

Make Your Closet Work & Save Money

Chi-town Vintage Sale

Ch-ch-check it out...

For all of my RHOA Fans: Team Kim!...Or Not

Either way, this is hilarious...

Urbanista Files #103: Up to Your Knees in Style

So this fall's hautest trend is over-the-knee boots. Before now you may have only associated this look with "ladies of the night" like the immortalized Vivian Ward (Pretty Woman), but this fall this style is a MUST-HAVE. Here are some tips on what to keep in mind when shopping for your perfect pair so no one will mistake you for Diamond from the "Players Club":

*Instead of opting for a stiletto heel, go for a chunky or wedge heel. Or go with a flat boot which is a guaranteed fashion "do."



*Avoid pairing the boots with a short skirt/dress or Daisy Dukes. For a clean, chic look rock your boots with a nice pair of leggings or skinny jeans (I prefer leggings b/c there's no tucking war) & a tunic/long cardigan.



*If you're more of a dress girl then try a loose-fitting dress that hits more than an inch but less than three inches above your boots.



*To sex up your look add fun accessories like some bling or an edgy jacket/blazer.



To find great deals on boots check out... PIPERLIME AND VICTORIA'S SECRET.

Now go forth and WERK them boots! I'll see you on the runway of life.

Source

Free and the City: Chicago Screening of "Black Dynamite"

Howdy! For all my Chicago urbanistas, check out this free screening of the film Black Dynamite which will be released in theaters everywhere this Friday. I saw the film at the Black Harvest Film Fest a couple of months ago & surprisingly enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would. The all-star cast will keep you laughing & staring at leading man Michael Jai White is an added bonus. To sign up for the screening CLICK HERE. Peep the movie trailer below:

Urbanista Files #102: Chelsea Handler Does Rachel Zoe

For all my fellow Rachel Zoe fans you'll totally "DIE" when you check out this hysterical spoof the Chelsea Lately crew did of THE stylist-to-the-stars...It's CLASSIC.

DIY: Michael Jackson Halloween Costume

Peep the vid above for THREADBANGER & hook up your very own homage to MJ for Thriller night instead of wasting up to $100 on some cheesy, tacky costume :-)

Lucky Spandex

I'M BAAAAACK!! After an involuntary hiatus thanks to the insane demands of my "day job." Anywho, I've missed you urbanistas & urbanistos. I have lots of great things planned for the future of this blog so stay tuned...

Now for my latest Urbanista tip...Just a little something, something to re-wet your whistle...

This fall spandex is everywhere. From leggings to miraculous Spanx it's hard to avoid this stretchy substance that can either be your curve-hugging BFF or your worst fashion faux paux. Here are some tips from LUCKY MAG to prevent spandex from losing shape:

1. Wash stretchy pieces like leggings or jeans in cold water, separately from other clothes.

2. When washing, add a 1/4 cup of vinegar to detergent for each spandex item - the vinegar helps spandex retain its elasticity.

3. Avoid using heat to dry anything containing spandex b/c heat weakens spandex fibers. Instead, air dry or tumble-dry on a cool setting.

Denim Therapy 101

Sometimes we pay top dollar to get a haute pair of jeans with holes in them, but when you don't discovering a hole in your designer denim may feel like someone just pinched you really hard - in your wallet. Well don't fret b/c DENIM THERAPY has the solution to your fashion disaster. Send your denim from anywhere in the world to these miracle workers & you'll be back in your fave pair of skinny jeans in no time. Don't get it twisted - this isn't your typical patchwork job from the local alterations shop. The Denim Therapy Company was created in 2006 with the goal to fix any hole, hem, or broken denim regardless of damage severity. An innovative jean repair system is used to restore your denim to good-as-new. And if you find out you're on "preggers watch" or "official preggers status" you can even have your denim altered to grow with you!

The estimated cost for repair is $7/inch + shipping which is a heck of a lot cheaper than buying a brand new pair of $200-$300 jeans. For more info on this fantastic service CLICK HERE

"The Devil" in the Flesh Kicks Off Urbanista Afternoons

Good day urbanistas & urbanistos! I must apologize for my "tardy to the party" behavior lately, however my plate is full & spilling over onto the table. I appreciate your patience but don't think I'm purposely neglected my duties.

For the longest I've had the idea to create a monthly event where my closest urbanistas & I get together for a little laughter, relaxation & fabulosity. Each month will feature a different activity that we can all do together while networking & getting some necessary TLC. This might be something you would enjoy replicating for yourself & your fab group of friends. For the kickoff I invited the ladies to join me for a showing of the critically-acclaimed documentary "The September Issue." If you *heart* any aspect of the fashion world and/or the world of magazine publishing this is a MUST SEE. Even if you don't have a clue about the "glamourous life" this film is still a candid & riveting look at how "high society" impacts big business and touches every facet of the modern world. The film chronicles style ICON Anna Wintour aka "The Devil (Who) Wears Prada" and her VOGUE team as they prep the Sept. '07 issue, which is the biggest-selling issue (to date) of the mag. Check movie listings in your area to check it out. *air kisses*

Fashion's Night Out 9.10.09

New York Fashion Week is kicking off with an A-list event spearheaded by fashion-Bible Vogue Mag in collaboration with NYC & Company, the City of New York, and the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) to combat the spirit of recession and re-ignite the "passion for fashion" in fashionistas turned recessionistas in NYC. According to the official website:

"Next only to finance, fashion is the second-largest sector of industry in New York City—the headquarters of more than 800 fashion companies employing 175,000 people and generating $10 billion in total wages. At City Hall’s May 20 press conference to announce Fashion’s Night Out, Vera Wang said, "To put it bluntly, if people don’t shop, people lose their jobs."

The first evening of New York Fashion Week, Fashion's Night Out will encompass festivities galore— from inventive window displays to model and celebrity appearances. Champagne may flow; hors d'oeuvres may be passed. Rumors of musical performances, downtown barbecues, shoe capsules, limited-edition rings, and sweepstakes abound. Apparently there will be makeovers, brow bars, and haircut stations at sundry spots, too."

Here's the scoop on the event: Every fashion retailer across the five NYC boroughs to keep their doors open until as late as 11 PM & offer creative, fun environments for shoppers. All the hautest names in fashion including designers, models & socialites will be out & about partaking in the festivities. All are welcome. No tickets/VIP invitations are required for attendance. Over 700 retailers and designers across New York City are confirmed participants so stop by your fave 2 or 3 stores/boutiques tomorrow night & be ready to hobnob with fashion's A-list!

For more on specific events CLICK HERE.

Only 7 Days Left for Barneys New York Warehouse Sale: Get up to 75% off!!!

Golly gee! If I didn't have my HS reunion this weekend I'd make a quick run to NYC. For all of you urbanistas in the tri-state area don't miss out on this fashion utopia. For more info...CLICK HERE!

1st Rented Birkin bags, Now You Can Borrow Couture for only $35!

After BAG, BORROW OR STEAL took off, I knew it was only a matter of time before someone came up with this FAB idea. Chi-town urbanistas, Bree and Teonna are the creative minds behind BORROW A DRESS COUTURE - a innovative service that allows fashionistas to rent high-end designer apparel for any special occasion. Inventory includes A-list designers such as Alexander McQueen, Herve Leger, Dolce and Gabbana, Marc Bouwer, Badgley Mischka, Marchesa, Vera Wang and many more.

how it works…

1. Choose any dress to wear that you love!
2. Lease or purchase your selected items! (lease term is for 3 days)
3. Return leased items and BADC will take care of the cleaning!

They carry sizes 0-18 & even MATERNITY!!! Rental prices start as low as $35. You'll never have to worry about wearing the same thing twice again!

For more info peep the vid above or CLICK HERE

Real Houswives Spin-off => Real Gay Men?? + Hollywood Househubbies Hit the Small Screen

Three posts in one day? Chile I'm setting a new record! But this info was just too juicy to sit on. If you're a die-hard fan of Bravo's Real Housewives franchise (Team Lisa & Nene over here!) then you will LOVE this...according to GAWKER.COM the creative minds behind the franchise are looking to produce a gay version of the TV hit. Gubbies (gay hubbies) + fabulosity + drama = MUST SEE TV!!! And for those of you who grew up watching "A Different World" like moi don't forget to set your DVR for the premiere of Househusbands of Hollywood this Sat.on FOX Reality channel to see Dwayne Wayne's BFF Ron (Darryl Bell) taking orders from his boo Tempestt Bledsoe aka Vanessa Huxtable. Or peep the 1st episode below:

Urbanista Files #101: The House built by Louis Vuitton

Today is one of those days...you know the ones when you ask the ? "What I am doing with my life?" I started feeling the anxiety creep up my spine as the four walls of my office (box) felt like they were closing in on me like in those action/adventure/thrillers. Anywho, to fight the urge to run out of the building screaming and pulling out my weave I started looking at my personal flix from my AWESOME vacay. Above is my snapshot of the flagship Louis Vuitton store located on fashion's most popular street in Paris, Avenue des Champs-Elysees. So many urbanistas and urbanistos spend there hard-earned pesos on ANYTHING that has the LV initials emblazoned across it from a wallet to a doggy-carrier. But how many of us know the story behind these two letters? Here's the lowdown so at least the next time you sacrifice an entire paycheck for LV swag you know exactly what you're buying into:

*It all started with the world-famous LV-initialed travel goods.

*In 1854, Louis Vuitton opened his first store in Paris, specializing in finely made trunks, hat boxes, and other luxury luggage for the well-traveled set.

*1885, first London store opens.

*By 1888, Vuitton introduced his signature brown and tan checked pattern after the original design was copied. And by 1896, the now iconic "LV" monogram made its debut.

*Also by 1896, Vuitton branched into women's handbag designs: the Speedy, the Steamer, the Pochette.

*The company didn’t venture into ready-to-wear until 1997 when New York designer Marc Jacobs joined the LV team. Jacobs collaborated w/ artists like Stephen Sprouse (LV graffiti bags) and Takashi Murakami.

*Today, the label encompasses ready-to-wear, watches, jewelry, beauty, home, and, of course, that signature luggage.

SOURCE

JetBlue's New "All-You-Can-Jet" Pass = The Golden Ticket

Howdy Urbanistas! For you jet-setting divas, this could be the answer to your prayers... JetBlue Airlines is kicking off their brand new ALL-YOU-CAN-JET PASS tomorrow! For a flat rate of $599 you can purchase a pass that will grant you unlimited travel for one month. Here's the scoop:

* $599 for a month of unlimited travel, any available seat
o Domestic taxes and fees included
o International and Puerto Rico taxes and fees not included
* On sale through Friday, August 21, 2009, or while supplies last
* Travel Dates: Tuesday, September 8, 2009 through Thursday, October 8, 2009
* Each flight must be booked no later than 11:59 p.m. MDT three days prior to the flight's scheduled departure.
* Nonrefundable/nontransferable/no name changes permitted
* Customers who already have a flight booked during the pass travel period can pay the difference to upgrade to the pass by calling 1-800-JETBLUE (538-2583), prompt 4.
* Each All-You-Can-Jet Pass is eligible for 35 TrueBlue points. Flights booked on the pass are not available for additional TrueBlue points.

Sounds perfect for the budding socialite or any of you who have some vacay time you need to use b4 the year ends. For more info and to purchase your pass CLICK HERE!

Barneys Giving Away Designer Denim!? (Well kinda)

Piggy-backing off of the growing recessionista trend of closet swapping, posh retailer BARNEYS is kicking off a "denim swap" at two store locations in Chi-town. Here's the scoop:

*Between now & Aug. 31st take your gently-worn jeans to either Barneys CO-OP (2209 Halsted) OR Barneys New York (15 E. Oak).

*In return, you will receive 20% off your choice of a new pair of designer denim including luxe brands Helmut Lang, Levi's Capitol, J Brand, Citizens of Humanity, 7 for All Mankind, Ever, Rag & Bone, Stella McCartney and more.

*Barneys will recycle your old jeans through One Percent for the Planet in a green initiative.

Oh but there's more...Don't fret urbanistas outside of Chicago, Barneys didn't forget about you! ALL Barneys New York locations are currently having their Designer Sale -- 70 percent off all summer merchandise. The sale is also offered online. Some haute finds include: A 3.1 Phillip Lim silk tank is $98, on sale from $150. Stella McCartney skinny jeans are $109, on sale from $325. For the men, a $198 pair of Citizens of Humanity denim is on sale for $79.73).

The "SUITE" Life on Sale

Howdy urbanistas! While I was reading the Wall Street Journal (I'm trying to expand my reading beyond tabloids & fashion mags) I discovered two sweet deals:

1. If you're in L.A. then you can have a FAB stay-cation at A-list fave SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills. All of the suites are 50% off. For reservations CLICK HERE or call 866-716-8149 & mention rate code "SUITE."

2. Looking to run for the border?? You have a couple of options. TOURCRAFTERS.COM is offering a 5-day, 4-night package starting @ $425 to Rome, $389 to Florence & $432 to Venice. Heck I spent more than that to fly domestic last month! Anywho, the packages include airfare from NYC to your destination, hotel accommodations (w/ breakfast daily) & service charges + taxes for travel between Oct. 26, 2009 & Mar. 31, 2010.

FREE & the City (Chi-town): Flirty Girl Fitness Presents Beach Booty Beat

Wherever you live I'm sure you've seen the FLIRTY GIRL FITNESS commercials. FGF offers fun, sexy workouts such as lap dancing & "doggie style yoga". And if you live in the Chicago area you can experience FGF's "Beach Booty Beat" for FREE!!! every Saturday throughout the month of August. For more details regarding the class click the flyer above. Or to learn more about FGF peep the following vid:

Team CrackBerry: iPhones under Hacker Attack

Beware iPhone urbanistas! Infamous hacker Charlie Miller plans to expose a security glitch TODAY by hacking several iPhones. Miller claims Apple has ignored his warnings about the problem when he first contacted them six weeks ago. So to prove his point he's unleashing a text attack today. If you receive a text message of a square you are to power off immediately & DO NOT RESPOND! If you fall for the okey doke hackers will be able to control every feature of your phone including the ability to make calls, send text messages & access all stored info. Proceed with caution. You've been warned! For more info CLICK HERE. As for me, I'll stick w/ my bi-polar CrackBerry that ironically is at the center of conflict in of my life today. Happy sexting! ;-)

Ready for Your Close-up? "Sex & the City 2" Open Casting Call

For you urbanistas looking for your 15 mins/secs of fame our FAVE fashionistas are back & looking for some fab recruits for the SATC sequel. Peep the casting notice below. Hey, as my 4th grade teacher Ms. Walker used to always say, "you never know what you can do until you try!" Go ahead & put yourself out there! If I wasn't chained to my desk I'd be there:

Open casting call for union/non-union background performers for “Sex and The City 2″ to play international types (middle eastern, arabic, asian, european, british), professional soccer players, fashion models, urban club goers, gays and lesbians, celebrity types, upscale socialites.

Open casting call:

Date:
August 4, 2009
SAG: 10am-12:30pm
Non-union: 1:30pm-4:00pm

Address:
Metropolitan Pavilion
125 W 18th St.
New York, NY 10011

PROJECT: “SEX AND THE CITY 2”

CASTING CALL CATEGORY: FEATURE FILM EXTRAS

LOCATION: NEW YORK, NY

CONTACT: 125 W 18TH ST, NEW YORK, NY 10011

SOURCE

The Perils of Skinny Jeans

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Greetings urbanistas! Ok we've all been there - to get into the hautest pair of skinny jeans we'll do anything from hopping around our house, to laying on the bed while we shimmy around like a fish out of water, to enlisting help from a friend/boyfriend/whoever is around at the time. The vid above is a must-see for all self-proclaimed fashionistas. The TODAY SHOW exposed some of the very serious downsides to this fashion trend.

If you're having problems viewing the vid CLICK HERE.

5 Signs that You're Trying to Keep Up w/ the Hiltons (aka Living Beyond Your Means)

If we've learned anything from this economic crisis it's that a good majority of us have been overspending & not saving how we should. Research shows that in 2006 the U.S. savings average hit negative digits, which hadn't happened since the Great Depression! We all need a reality check. Yes urbanistas, it's true that we love fabulosity, but if we send ourselves to the poor house trying to achieve it then what's the point. Please take heed to the following signs of living beyond your means. If you fall prey to any of the following red flags consider this your friendly wake-up call:

Sign No. 1 - Your Credit Score is Below 600

Solutions:
* Pay down debt
* Satisfy any outstanding judgments
* Apply for and use fewer credit cards

Sign No. 2 - You are Saving Less Than 5%

Solution: Save 10% of each paycheck

Sign No. 3 - Your Credit Card Balances are Rising

Solution: Urban Heiress Commandment #3 --- USE CASH ONLY! If you never charge it then you'll never have a credit card bill for it. And if you don't have the cash to buy it then guess what...you can't afford. Pretty simple, right? But we all fall short of grace regarding this one (myself included).

Sign No. 4 - More Than 28% of Income Goes to Your House

Solution: MOVE!!! It might seem unfathomable at first BUT you'll thank yourself when you can sleep peacefully w/o worrying if your rent/mortgage check is going to bounce all over town.

Sign No. 5 - Your Bills are Spiraling Out of Control

Solution: Step #2 in the "Urban Addict Recovery Program" --- Trim the Fat! Eliminate ANYTHING that is not absolutely essential for you to live...e.g. Contrary to popular belief, cable TV is NOT a necessity for life! Read a book...it'll last you longer ;-)

I don't want you to end up like this guy:



SOURCE

Jilted Bride Kesha Nichols Takes a Lemon & Makes Lemonade

We all heard about NBA baller Richard Jefferson calling off his upcoming nuptials via e-mail. Now his ex-fiance has emerged from the nightmare by speaking with Diane Sawyer this AM in this interview. We can all learn a thing or two from her poise & positive attitude. You go girl!

Jimmy Choo + H&M = Fashion Coup

I heard about this during my brief "world tour" but forgot to report it then, but better late than never. A-list brand, JIMMY CHOO is teaming up with your fave "affordable chic" retailer H&M this fall to bring customers a limited-edition collection of "to die for" shoes and bags in select H&M stores. This fashion coup will commence November 14th in nearly 200 stores across the world. According to the official press release, "It is the first time that H&M is collaborating with an accessories brand, and to celebrate Jimmy Choo will extend its design vision for this collection to women’s clothing to complement the accessories." Additionally, there will be a men's collections of shoes, bags & accessories. For more, CLICK HERE.

Jazzy to the "Tee"

This month's issue of LUCKY MAG offers 3 helpful tips for staying jazzy to the tee:

1. A cheap way to dye a tee - Drop a handful of walnut shells in a pot of boiling water, then add your fave white tee. Let the combo soak for an hour & the outcome will be a trendy tea-stain effect tee.

2. To make a new tee feel more worn-in and less starchy, put the tee in the washer & dryer along with three small pieces of cement (about the size of your palm). Hit up your local Lowe's or Home Depot for the cement.

3. To get a stain out of a white tee, dampen the spot & rub it with baking soda. After it sits for a few minutes dab it with hydrogen peroxide. Lastly, throw it in the washing machine.

Anti-Aging Checklist

Here's a quick daily reference for Dr. Oz's anti-aging plan. I've posted copies on my fridge & in my office...



(Click on the image to make it bigger...thanks Maryanna!)

FREE & the City: Movies in the Park

Attention Chicago urbanistas...today marks the kick-off of "Movies in the Park." Everything from classics like Sunset Blvd. to blockbusters like The Dark Knight are being shown weekly from now until the fall for FREE in various park in the Chicago area! For more info please visit CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT WEBSITE and GRANT PARK MOVIES WEBSITE.

Not in Chicago? Don't fret, many park districts all over the U.S. offer similar programs. Please check with your local park district to find out.

10 Mins of Sun a Day Keeps the Doc Away...

I'm soooo tired of hearing my fellow urbanistas of color say that they avoid being in the sun like the plague b/c they fear they might "get too dark" or "don't like to sweat." The reality is that direct sunlight can improve your health & extend your life. The incomparable Dr. Oz shared the importance of getting 10 mins. of direct sunlight each day on Oprah. According to Dr. Oz, the sun is an excellent source of Vitamin D. And here's why Vitamin D is SO important...

"Vitamin D is critically important for preventing cancer and critically important for reducing heart problems. It's linked to multiple sclerosis, to juvenile diabetes. It's one of the best ways of reducing infection rates. It's got a ton of things that it does for you to make your immune system function the way you want it to function."
- Dr. Oz

If you can't get sunlight b/c you live in Alaska or have to survive bitter Chicago winters like myself then you can take 1,000 units of a Vitamin D supplement.


SOURCE

Step #5: Tea Baggin'

Urbanistas it's time to focus on the next step in the 12-Step Urban Addiction Recovery Program...tea baggin'. No it's not what you're thinking. Tea baggin' is a sweet little trick one of my L.A. actress friends taught me. It's very simple actually. The secret - keep a tea bag with you at ALL times! Sound strange? Well believe it or not this little tea bag can have a big impact & here's how:

1. Whenever you get the munchies or that late-afternoon hunger attack, whip out your tea bag for an instant treat that you won't feel guilty about later. Tea can curb hunger cravings, which can help keep you slim & trim. Tea is the 2nd most popular drink worldwide & has almost no calories at all (that is as long as you don't load in tons of sugar, honey or whatever else people are trying to pass off as natural sweetener). All you need is hot water & your trusty tea bag. Try different teas until you find one that you like. The leaves already have natural flavoring so there's no need to add to perfection.

2. At any restaurant of your choice, request a glass of hot water & BAM!...whip out your tea bag to avoid spending $5-$20 on a watered down cocktail or sugary soda you know you don't need. Next time you dine out take a look at your bill to see just how much your Diet Coke cost you. You probably could get a six-pack or two for that one glass you sipped had with your meal.

3. If you partied like it was 1999 last night, but it was only a Tuesday, then a cup of tea will get you back to running in your heels in no time! Caffeine is a natural component in tea, which is perfectly healthy when used in moderation.

4. The most beneficial factor is that tea baggin' can improve your health. Specifically, if you opt for green tea bags then you'll have a source of good antioxidants which will enhance your overall health by boosting your immune system, protecting your heart, fighting cancer cells & keeping your mind sharp & focused for life's daily challenges.

For more about the multi-goodness of tea, please CLICK HERE. From now on you can boldly & proudly say that you are a TEA BAGGER!

pUnkYfiSh!

Greetings Urbanistas!! Sorry I've been severely M.I.A. but I finally took a long overdue vacay from EVERYTHING but surprisingly my life has been 5x more hectic as an "aspiring socialite." Anywho, the last 3 weeks have taken me to London, Paris, NYC, L.A. & now H-town, TX. In the coming weeks I will share with you some of the hidden gems I've discovered along the way. My first offering is a fashion line, uniquely titled PUNKYFISH. While I was in London I stumbled upon the Notting Hill store on Portobello Rd. & now I'm absolutely IN LOVE with this line. It offers fun, funky pieces that are comfortable enough for every day wear but offer enough eccentricity to get a second look. To bring a little edge to your wardrobe this summer SHOP THIS BRAND ONLINE.

Pounds Only!!!

Wow! Urbanistas...I leave the country for a week & everything falls apart! Ed McMahon...Farrah Fawcett AND MICHAEL JACKSON!!! It's all too much for words. We just need to pray, pray & pray some more. And we need to be grateful for each millisecond we get. One thing certain in life is physical death & it's crucial to treat EACH day as a precious gift.

With that said, I've made the most of my vacay in Europe. Yesterday I took a day trip to Paris. I'm happy to report that I'm surviving off of the same initial money I converted. I began running low Wed. so I got an additional $150 BUT I still have plenty cash left AND I haven't swiped my credit card once! It's possible. Cash only!!! Even on vacay.

I'll post pics & some travel tips once I get back to the U.S. Pray for me & I'll pray for you! xoxoxo

From Across the Pond...

Howdy Urbanistas! My vacay has officially begun. My first stop is London. So far so good, except for a nasty attack of allergies from H-E-double hockey sticks! So I only converted $300 which equals 159£. Let's see how long I can make it last. One day & counting so far. I'll keep you posted.

Shoe Dazzling & Shopping for a Good Cause

During Kim K.'s most recent appearance on Chelsea Lately, Kim plugged her latest addition to her ever-expanding empire. Kimmy recently launched SHOE DAZZLE which is a personal shoe stylist service. Each month members of this service get to pick a new pair of shoes from 5 shoe choices personally selected for them by their very own shoe stylist AND the price tag for this luxury is only $39/month!!! If your shoe stylist fails to satisfy your shoe fetish one month then you have the option of skipping a month w/o a hassle.





On another note, Kim also posted on her official website that her BFF LaLa Vazquez is selling her 2006 Range Rover that was customized by her NBA-baller fiance Carmelo Anthony on eBay! No recessionistas...it's not what you think. LaLa is selling this pimped-out ride for a good cause. 5% of the final sale price for the SUV will benefit the US Doctors for Africa charity. To place your bid, CLICK HERE!

Keep the Change...

Hey there urbanistas! I'm counting down to my vacation, which is less than a week away. One way that I have been saving money to finance my jet-setting is by keeping a "big girl" piggy bank. For the past couple of months, each week I empty all the change out of my wallet & the bottom of my purse. I found an uber-chic container to stash my weekly bounty in & now that it's almost time to take off I'm ready to hit up COINSTAR. This is a no-brainer BUT how many of you do it! It's easy to turn loose change into CASH MONEEEY! It requires very little effort on your part. Then when vacay time comes you have an extra few bucks you didn't know you had. And here's another thought...the next time a penny/dime crosses your path, take 2 seconds to bend down & pick it up. You've probably stepped over $20 in pennies in the past year!

Kassim the Dream

New York City, check out this AMAZING film which chronicles the story of World Champion Boxer, Kassim "The Dream" Ouma - born in Uganda, kidnapped by the rebel army and trained to be a child soldier at the age of 6. The film will make it's theatrical debut @ NY's IFC theater TOMORROW! Daily showings are scheduled @ 8pm & 10pm for ONE WEEK ONLY! For more info, CLICK HERE.

Mid-week Pick me up: FREE ICED COFFEE!!!!!!

There's no such thing as a free lunch, but who cares when you can get FREE iced coffee!!! This Wednesday (tomorrow) get your daily dose of iced coffee from Au Bon Pain between 2pm-8pm. No coupon necessary...just show up!To find your nearest location GO HERE!

MUST SEE TV!!! 2NITE...T.G.I.F.

Tonight be sure to check out financial guru Mellody Hobson's special "UN-BROKE: What You Need to Know about Money." It's an unconventional look at the fundamentals of everyday finance with all the facts about credit cards, mortgages, stocks and bonds, investing and 401(k)'s, in a fresh new format combining information and humor. The one-hour special airs FRIDAY, MAY 29 (9:00-10:00 p.m., ET) on ABC. The special features Will Smith, Samuel L. Jackson, the Jonas Brothers, Christian Slater, Cedric the Entertainer, Seth Green, Sesame Workshop's Oscar the Grouch, Rosario Dawson and the E*Trade Babies, among others.

A Bit of Motivation for Bikini Season

Ok Urbanistas, bikini season is almost in full swing! If you're like me, you are trying to shed those final few pounds before braving the crowded beach/poolside in all your swimsuit glory. Many of us get too busy to hit the gym every single day. Peep the US WEEKLY vid below of Alison Sweeney giving workout tips you can do at home or even in your hotel room if you have vacay plans.



And to get those fierce abs check out the Self Mag ab workout vid below...



And if that's not motivation enough to get your mojo in gear then just ask yourself...


A. "What Would Mel B. Eat?"



B. "What Would the Kardashians Do?"


C. "What Would Jamie Pressly Say?"