Review: Davidson's Organics Teas

Just when I thought that I my love affair with tea could get any worst, I came across Davidson's Organics Teas. The company has been around for 38 years, and prior to coming across them online, I hadn't heard of them. But their specially blended organic teas from India are yummy, and I drink them every morning for breakfast. Below are my favorite Davidson flavors:

Decaffeinated English Breakfast Tea, $2.95

Tropical Green Tea, $2.95

White Peach Tea, $2.95

Wild Strawberry Tea, $2.95

Snapped: Sonia Rykiel New Madison Avenue Boutique

Sally Hansen for DKNY

THE INSPIRATION

“When I think of DKNY, I think of the cool inspiration of the 90's, the color palette of black, gray, white, neutrals, and strong graphic shapes. I knew the nails needed to feel equally sharp. The girls each have their own personality, a variety of hair styles and thus, a variety of nail styles as well. Using two colors, Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Dark Hue-mor, a deep navy and Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Commander in Chic, a muddy gray-purple, we created four different nail looks which will be randomly applied to the girls backstage. Every girl will have a unique combination of flare.” – Madeline Poole, Sally Hansen Global Color Ambassador

Commander in Chic and Dark Hue-mor are part of Sally Hansen’s award-winning Complete Salon Manicure collection that infuses trend-setting shades with an expert-quality formula to deliver salon-caliber results. Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure delivers seven salon manicure steps in one bottle. Chip-resistant strength joins gel-quality shine. Runway-ready color meets nourishing benefits. Plus, with a built-in base and top coat, it’s all you need to achieve a professional manicure at home.

THE MANICURIST

Sally Hansen Global Color Ambassador Madeline Poole is a nail artist working in New York and LA. Trained as a painter, Madeline discovered the world of on-set manicuring, immediately recognizing that it was a culmination of all of her talent, interests and expertise. Her unique ability to craft innovative nail designs, impeccable execution, and emphasis on skin care has made her one of the most sought after names in the beauty industry. As part of her collaboration with Sally Hansen, Madeline helps set the artistic direction for a new generation of modern nail looks and collections globally with her fashion-forward vision.

Get The Look: Derek Lam Show

·         Part the hair a bit off center or how the hair naturally falls

·         To prep the hair, add 2-3 pumps of PHYTO Professional Intense Volume Mousse with fingers to create texture. Blow dry withBaBylissPRO® Rapido throughout hair

·         Straighten the front of the hair with BaBylissPRO® Nano Titanium™ 1” Ultra-Thin Flatiron and leave the bottom half of the hair undone for more texture to work with

·         Then, for the long hair, create a low knotted twisted bun and tie with an elastic band. For shorter hair, it will naturally fall

·         Spray all over hair with PHYTO Phytolaque Soie Finishing Spray for light hold finish

·         Finish with PHYTO Phytokeratine Extreme Exceptional Cream for fly aways

Get The Look: Tori Kelly at the Grammy's

THE LOOK: A modern interpretation of old Hollywood style

INSPIRATION: Celebrity hairstylist Nikki Providence was inspired by Kelly's one shoulder green dress.  "I wanted to let her natural texture shine through a classic pincurl set,” she said.

How To Get The Look:

• Nikki started with clean wet hair, and prepped the roots with John Frieda Frizz Ease® Curl Reviver Mousse and sprayed 12 sprays of the John Frieda Frizz Ease® Go Curlier™ Heat-Activated Spray throughout the hair.
• Then she used a wide-tooth comb to shape the front and sides into sculpted waves, clipping each section into position.
• She twisted the remainder of the hair in 2-inch sections and dried her with a diffuser before taking the clips out.
• Nikki used her hands to smooth and sculpt the final shape, applying a thin coat of John Frieda Frizz Ease® Secret Weapon® Touch-Up Crème on her hands to make sure her fingers glided over the hair for a final touch of smoothness.
• Then she used a 3/4 inch curling iron to touch up any areas that needed extra hold or curl.
• She finished off the look with John Frieda Frizz Ease® KeraFLEX™ Flexible Hold Hairspray.

#MeandJohn

#FrizzFreeHairGoals

Facebook/Instagram/Twitter: JohnFriedaUS

Snapped: Pepsi's #TheRecipe Brunch at Superbowl 50

Terrence J and Angela Simmons 

This past weekend, Pepsi kicked off Black History Month with #TheRecipe, a month long celebration in partnership with the NFL highlighting players, celebrities and local champions for their achievements on and off the field. Terrence J, Angela Simmons served as hosts for the brunch with a live performance from Miguel and DJ D-Nice on the 1s and 2s.  Special guests in attendance included T.I., DJ Envy, Legendary Damon and Karen Civil.  Guests were also able to go online and take #TheRecipe quiz and share their personalized recipe cards on social media.  Go to www.pepsi.com/therecipe for your own recipe card and for a chance to win prizes including tickets to Super Bowl LI in 2017.  Please feel free to share with your readers.

Who: Miguel, Terrence J, Angela Simmons, DJ D-Nice, Karen Civil, DJ Envy, Zoey Dollaz, Legendary Damon

What: #TheRecipe Brunch by Pepsi | www.pepsi.com/therecipe

When: February 6, 2016

Where: 1300 on Fillmore, San Francisco, CA 

 

Miguel

Daren and Karen Civil 

DJ D-Nice 

DJ Envy and TI

Terrence J and crowd

Valentine's Day Sips

Valentine's Day is right around the corner again, and many of you are going to stress yourselves out, looking for gifts for a loved one as you did last year. However, this year, your V-Day celebration can be just as simple as sharing a cocktail, made with SMIRNOFF Peppermint Twist, with your Valentine. See recipes below. 

 Pink Love Potion

Ingredients:

·         1 oz. Godiva Milk Chocolate Liqueur

·          1 oz. SMIRNOFF Peppermint Twist

·         1 oz. strawberry nectar

·         0.5 oz. milk

·         1 piece strawberry

In a shaker with ice, add Godiva Chocolate, SMIRNOFF Peppermint Twist, strawberry nectar and milk. Shake and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a strawberry.

Raspberry Kiss

Ingredients:

·         2 oz. Baileys Original Irish Cream Liqueur

·         1.5 oz. SMIRNOFF Peppermint Twist

·         Fresh raspberries

 Place 4 – 5 raspberries at the bottom of a rocks glass. Lightly muddle fruit. Fill glass with crushed ice. Pour Baileys and SMIRNOFF Peppermint Twist over ice. Garnish with remaining raspberries.

Peppermint Truffletini

Ingredients:

·         1 oz. Godiva Milk Chocolate Liqueur

·         0.5 oz. Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur

·         0.5 oz. SMIRNOFF Peppermint Twist

·         1 Godiva Milk Chocolate Truffle

 Add Godiva Milk Chocolate Liqueur, Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur and SMIRNOFF Peppermint Twist. Shake with ice and strain into a pre-chilled martini glass. Garnish with truffle.

DIY Try: DIY Chocolate Coconut Sugar Hand Scrub from Celebrity Manicurist and Owner of As U Wish Nail Salon, Skyy Hadley

This sweet and tasty scrub is perfect to revive dry hands and feet! The cocoa in this scrub is rich in antioxidants which are very beneficial to your skin. Skin is very absorbent and will draw the antioxidants from the cocoa, helping to battle free radical damage that makes it look dehydrated and dull.    

Ingredients:

1 cup loosely packed brown sugar
1/2 cup coconut oil (in solid form)
1/3 cup almond oil
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
a few drops of coconut extract or essential oil

Directions:

Add all ingredients together in a large bowl and mix until combined. Make sure to mix enough so there are no chunks remaining. To use the scrub, simply rub it all over your hands and feet and let sit for about 5 minutes. Rinse it off using warm water and follow up with a hydrating moisturizer such as Josie Maran’s Whipped Argan Oil Intensive Hand Cream! 

 Also always apply a cuticle oil to keep nails looking fresh. I like to use Lauren B.’s Nail and Cuticle Balm because it’s so easy to use and doesn’t leave my nails oily!