Love You, Sugar

Think back to one of the best first dates of your life.

There was a click. A spark. Something just kinda fantasmic that started at your front door and ran straight through a two-hour dinner at that Mediterranean place. Things seemed just right. You tossed your handwritten list of "5 Things to Talk About on a Date" in the bathroom. In fact, you tore it into little bitty pieces. Because this person was so dang easy to be yourself with.

Maybe you were blown away by the commonalities of your upbringings, or families (you each have mischievous, hilarious uncles?). Perhaps it was the fact that you both believe it criminal to eat more than once at a McDonald's when in Paris? A common love for music and dogs? You may have even, without a single second-thought, shared your food or wine ("Here, you have to try some of this!") on that first adventure together. Perhaps you soon found yourself wondering where in the frick-a-doodle-doo this person has been all your life. And it wasn't the wine doing the thinking. You just kind of knew the preciousness of the person across the table from you.

A truly great dessert, I will propose, bears similar markings of chemistry and "fit."

That sweet thing should finish your sentences with every bite. Make an average day more than slightly divine. Wash away your cares and hit your reset button for full on happiness. Hello, sunshine. Tempt me with your goodness.

And you've earned that kind of love. Think (but only for a moment) of the losers, the psychos, the dry cake and cookies you've endured, all in the name of "being nice."

Please allow me to introduce you to your new Dessert Dates with Destiny: Miles and Gianna. They know only how to please you. It is the very reason for their existence.

Miles of Chocolate.

Looks like a brownie, but is SO MUCH MORE. Packaged in the most nondescript manner possible (Saran-Wrap and a deli-white label featuring weight and price), one bite of this chocolate madness made my date's eyes roll back into his head. Miles of Chocolate packages their little wonders in brownie-size portions and is absolutely indescribable in it's richness, moistness, scrumptiousness! MoC is a little Austin company that sells it's slices of heaven at Central Market and Whole Foods (in the latter, in the refrigerated dessert section). Once my date regained full consciousness, and was well into his second and third bites of MoC, he uttered, "I questioned the $4.00-ness of it, but not anymore." Then he sighed, deeply and audibly. Enough said?

www.milesofchocolate.com

Gianna's Frosted Sugar Cookies.

I love a good sugar cookie. But let's be honest, so many disappoint in that they are dry as the desert, too crumbly or flat out chemical-tasting. Just a let-down for the calories.

Imagine my delight in discovering Gianna's Frosted Sugar Cookies - MOIST, PERFECT, with amazing icing. They positively melt in your mouth. I have never, ever seen someone eat just one.

They are even adorably packaged and perfect for a little 'thinking of you' or thank-you gift.

For a guy, consider the frog cookies or Frankenstein fingers. Both are dipped in chocolate! Hurray!

For the girly-girl, choose from sugar cookie daisies, sassy bumblebees - you name it!

Find Gianna's Frosted Sugar Cookies at your local Whole Foods in the baked goods section, or order online at www.giannas.com.

If you're not a sugar cookie freak, be sure to check out Gianna's other handmade, natural-ingredients-only varieties of cookie fabulousness. From the classics like peanut butter and oatmeal raisin, to wedding cookies and apricot or raspberry-filled cream cheese delights, she has got it going on!

www.giannas.com

Love,

Melinda

Photo Credit: Gianna's

Great Food; Great Hairstyle: The Holy Grail

Ladies,

Please - try to think of something better than:

1.) A scrumptious meal with your significant other or bff that is easy on the wallet and luxurious like crazy.

2.) A new hairdo that looks FABULOUS, takes less than 1 minute from start to finish and doesn't require a new styling appliance.

Thought of anything that soundly trumps these two?

A free trainer, perhaps?

No. That still requires work. Sweat. And coordinated clothing at the gym.

A new man?

No, that also dictates a certain amount of effort. You know it.

Sucking in your stomach in movies. Pretending that you prefer spicy wings to chicken salad laden with grapes and walnuts. Exhausting.

To my mind, it's hard to top magnificent food on the cheapsie and a swank hairstyle that's fast and easy!

And I found both for you last night in one of our country's most reliable bastions of upscale comfort: Houston's restaurant.

Note #1: Should you, sweet soul, not live near a Houston's, please consider the following dining counsel for a fave resto near you. And remember, it's not that you want your experience to be diminished in the current economy, you just want a more clever, cost-effective way of doing it.

Note #2: The menu I'm about to reveal is all about sharing, and the portions are huge. Sharing food with a friend or family member is fun. With a date, it's super sweet, as long as YOU suggest the sharing of each plate! Be sure to tell your man you think it's romantic - what HE will see as romantic is your unspoken compassion for the fact that his bonus was unjustifiably deferred to 2015. Or maybe you'd just prefer he save his cash for your outstanding diamond Christmas present, rather than 20% gratuity on something you'll digest by 11pm. According to a trusted male source, a woman who doesn't spend her man's money willy-nilly-style is considered smart and desirable. So kiss the man and suggest you share this meal of luxury I'm about to share with you!

Ready?

Appetizer: Smoked Salmon.

Really, it should be called something sexier. It's wildly sumptuous.

Your server will bring you a tremendous filet of deee-lish, perfectly smoked salmon, along with marvelous toasted crisps and creamy fresh tartar sauce for just $14. The portion is entree-sized. You will be slightly full already when finished. But pace yourself, because…

Entree: Traditional Salad, add Grilled Chicken, request Champagne Vinaigrette dressing.

This salad includes crispy bacon, tomatoes, sweet corn, perfect croutons and a HUGE slab of toasted cheese bread. Then they layer on what seems like two generous chicken breasts, sliced and delicious. You know how some salads seem chintzy and girly and punishing in their austerity? This one is NOT. It's fabulous. Man-friendly, even. And it, too, is just $14. You are now considerably full. But there's always room for…

Dessert: Apple Walnut Cobbler.

This thing would feed three linebackers, easily. And yet it's only $8. A ginormous, piping-hot apple cobbler bejeweled with yummy candied walnuts and incredible vanilla ice cream on top. You'll want to pass out when it arrives, and you can, because the check will be a breeze. Seriously. Just $36 for the whole meal. You could still add a glass of Cabernet (love Houston's generous pours!), some coffee, and be out the door for under $50.

Do you love me?

Wait - you should love what's next even more!

It's...

Chanel runway-worthy hair in less than 60 seconds.

Backstory: after dinner, I stopped into the ladies room to powder my nose. Next to me at the vanity was Caroline, a Houston's team member. She wore a super chic updo. Very French-cool-looking. It was a huge bun with style. I had to, had to ask her how she did it. And she kindly obliged, telling me it was the easiest thing ever. I did not believe this until she demonstrated. She even permitted my request to take photos of the updo assembly process!

First, I must tell you that Caroline, like me, has fine hair. It's not easy to make fine hair look thick and luxurious. A LOT of product and praying and perfect weather must all work together for fine hair to appear thick. Girls with hair like mine are always on the lookout for a style that makes their locks scream va-va-voom. This vigilance explains how I found myself in the Houston's ladies bathroom, taking step-by-step photos of a hairstyle that requires a running sock and two hairbands. Thank goodness for patient Caroline! Talk about going above and beyond in maintaining Houston's stellar customer service reputation!

Following are the easy-peasy steps, with photos. Many thanks to our lovely model and kindest teacher, Caroline!

1.) Start with hair in a ponytail.

2.) Take a running sock from your drawer. Cut hole in toe.

3.) Roll up running sock into itself, making a sock 'band' for your ponytail.

4.) Place sock band on top of existing ponytail holder.

5.) Splay hair over the sock band.

6.) Take another (normal) hair band and put into place over splayed hair, creating a bun shape.

7.) Twist loose hair around the band, making a nice, clean bun.

That's it! The bun will have even shape and make your hair appear super full. It looks slightly loose-cool yet tailored.

Gracias and kudos to the Houston's store manager on Beltline Road, in Addison, Texas who developed this sweet technique for chic!

Love,

Melinda

P.S.

"Like" this blog on Facebook to receive your daily dose of Super Much Love!

Photo Credit (statue of St. Peter holding key to heaven): Getty Images

Coasting Requires Genius

God bless the great creatives.

The people for whom "boring" or "tacky" just won't do - not in ANY area of their lives. From socks to cars to business cards, they just don't let weak design or "less than" in the door to roost.

I always want to know what they are up to.

I'm particularly enamored with creatives who design things that perform marvelously AND sweeten life a bit. Think of the good folks at OXO, developing tools for the kitchen that are incredible improvements on the implements our grandmothers used.

Examples:

- The pizza cutter that won't scar your cookie sheets and is child-safe, yet can still tackle your Chicago deep-dish delight.

- The apple slicer that perfectly cuts and de-cores an apple in less than a second, producing eight exactly even, bite-ready slices…the thing lasts for years, needs no sharpening, is a breeze to wash and is about $12! Superbo!

Recently, when having a few friends over, I realized I owned a rather rag-tag assortment of coasters. A few of this, a few of that, but not a complete set of anything. I've moved about fifty times in the past 5 years, so perhaps ghost-coasters are to be expected. And so I went in search of the perfect beverage coaster. There are so many on the market - wood, stone, paper, rubber, glass - you can pretty much have your pick of style (from modern to traditional) and pricepoint. I wanted to find something crazy COOL (or, at the very least, non-dorky and tasteful) that WORKS.

Most coasters are either:

- Too cutesy: angels? I love 'em, but they are not a decor item. Please!

- Rough surface: absorbent, but can scratch your glasses

OR, my greatest peeve:

- Non-functional: smooth glass and wood coasters tend to be so slick that they adhere, with condensation, to the bottom of your beverage, ensuring a built-in party foul: shedding water everywhere when you raise your glass, followed by an awkward coaster crash to the ground.

In general, I have a real issue with a coaster that doesn't know it's place is on the TABLE, and not sticking to the bottom of my beverage when I walk around. Grrrrrr.

I need a coaster to do three things well:

- handle the water (either by absorbing or just holding) and keep tables dry

- release the beverage effortlessly

- look just as good as the magazines sitting next to it

After an extended search, I found what I now call Coaster Greatness.

And in this product lies something for everyone. Men. Women. Every style of decor (except Frenchy-French, perhaps). Every age group. Ready for it?

It's the Vintage Vinyl LP Record Coaster. They are the REAL centers of vinyl albums, culled mostly from the 50's to the 80's. They come in a set of six, and are a random mix of albums - mine included Cristopher Cross, The Little River Band and Diana Ross. The big fun is that you don't know what you'll receive in your assortment. Could be a long-time fave, or music that reminds you of someone you like. Either way, fun and fabulous!

The album coasters are laminated (to protect these babies from water damage) and arrive in a cute (and very gift-worthy) round case. They are the genius of designer Jeff Davis, with a company aptly named Vinylux. Only $18 a set, and handmade in Philadelphia. Available from great sources such as UncommonGoods.com, ModernArtisans.com, and, in limited quantities, on Amazon.com.

I can't imagine a more fun (and useful!) Christmas present or hosting gift. Coasters that keep your tables dry, won't stick to glasses, and are a fab conversation piece. Mmmm!

Bonus: they are infinitely green (hello, recycling!) and support creatives - both the ones who make the coasters, and, in a way, those who made the music! After a few minutes of gazing at your new LP coaster set, you might just find yourself inspired to download an MP3 or two from prom - no matter how long ago it was!

Cheers!

Love,

Melinda

Photo Credit: Amazon

Have Love Potion, Will Travel

We all like to smell nice.

Boys do (well, at least the post-18 version).

Girls, too (pretty much from the moment "pretty" becomes a known term in our noggins).

And, well, even our pets have their own idea of "good golly, get a whiff of THAT answer to my prayers."

Scent has recently even become FUN. And FUN-NY.

Witness my fave new Superhero: The Old Spice Man, circa 2010: aka, Isaiah Mustafa.

A MAN who smells great, drips diamonds from his hands, bakes cakes and can make me laugh from my belly? I'm sold.

And, another entry in the realm of deo cult followings...

Heard of Donna Karan's 'Cashmere Mist' deodorant?

I'll testify:

Amazingly effective and decidedly refined-smelling. And, at $18 a tube, it's at an admittedly indulgent price-point for pits.

But ladies, try the stuff.

I heard of it's supremacy several years ago from a friend who had read about Cashmere Mist and it's hyper-loyal fanbase in Vogue, or some such chic resource.

My friend is an athlete. Rocks at every sport.

I just can't stand to sweat.

She and I each scooped up a tube at Neiman-Marcus, feeling a bit foolish about what we were spending AND the need to enter the Hallowed Halls of Dallas Glamour (aka: NM) for…DEODORANT.

But just one week of Cashmere Mist had us converted.

I can now confidently double-dog dare you to try the product and tell me it's not worth more wallet than Secret.

CM smells amazing, yet not annoying. Not overly flowery or super-musked. Just wonderful, soft and luxurious. Kinda like…cashmere.

And - IT WORKS.

The current marketing frenzy for 'Clinical' formulations of deodorant seem to imply that by tossing a super-serious-strength deo into one's cart at Target, a trip to the dermatologist for a more expensive way to address wetness has been smartly averted.

Out of curiosity, I'm currently experimenting with the Clinical lines...albeit with a bit of timidity re: the chemicals.

Vanity seems to prevail over this Whole Foods devotee's love for Mother Earth on rather regular occasion, however. I will not switch to non-aluminum formulas, nor products that are deodorant-only and don't control sweat.

As such, I am perfectly willing to feel like a mouse in a scented cage in order to determine the effectiveness of these 'Clinical' formulations, sold in "believe me" lab coat-looking bottles. And, so far, so good.

Have you heard about medical spas shooting Botox into your armpits to slow the flow?

Ah, what we'll do for freshness and confidence in the boardroom and the…everywhere else.

My new favorite product in the smell category is a small, but powerful game-changer.

It's a travel-size atomizer.

It may not sound sexy, this atomizer, but it IS. Read on...after all, you once didn't know how good lime is for Mexican beer, or an orange slice in a Blue Moon brew. But I digress.

I like to have a little bitty bottle of perfume within easy reach at all times. A little spritz on the wrists and behind the ears can change a bad day to good and make absolutely anyone seem better groomed and more...interesting.

However, glass vials and 'travel size' perfume bottles do break, and the fun roller-ball gizmos will leak after a time of bouncing around in my handbag. Most of us have experienced our share of mishaps with portable perfumery/colognes leaking in purses, briefcases and suitcases. Like when your little brother's shredded duffel bag arrives from Colorado on carousel 9, terminal B at Christmas-time, and makes the whole place smell like Kanye West.

Recently, after pitching an old rollerball of yummy Origin's Ginger, I went in search for the ultimate product. I wanted a very small spray bottle that would fit easily in my purse/desk drawer/travel bag, was classy and understated (many on the market are icky and bedazzled), was within the volume limit for airline carry-on travel, would perform reliably, and, most importantly, WOULDN'T LEAK.

I researched for hours. Really.

I read lots and lots of reviews, and was surprised to find that the companies one would normally trust for a beauty item were bashed by consumers for their name-brand offerings (i.e., Sephora). No one had seemingly nailed the creation of an atomizer that fit the bill of small, gender-neutral, modern, easy-to-use, easy-to refill, non-leaking and almost indestructible.

And then I found it - the product that folks resoundingly LOVED.

The Travalo Travel Atomizer.

I found mine on the LuckyScent.com website. By the way - I like these folks. They sent free perfume samples with my order! Yes! Smart cats!

See link:

http://www.luckyscent.com/shop/section/1/item/49400/brand/Travalo/Travel_Atomizer.html

For guys, the Travalo atomizer is cool enough looking (see silver version) to throw in your car console, dop/travel kit, or office emergency supplies (with the breath mints, deo, shoe-polisher and Excedrin). After all, you never know when the new Director of Human Resources will appear to your eyes as the new Mrs. [insert your last name here]. Women linger on the thought of a man who smells terrific. Trust me.

For ladies, this atomizer also fits the bill in every way - it even features a small window to tell you how much perfume remains in the bottle, so you're not left in an empty-bottle lurch when you need a spritz on-the-go. That window is also handy when you're filling the bottle, which is so easy, by the way! Big bonus: you can use your current spray bottles to fill the Travalo - no need for a funnel and no mess. The atomizer is compact, fills in just seconds and holds 50 sprays! Y is for Yes!

The Travalo comes in three colors. I've now had my silver model for a few months, and it's performing flawlessly. Had to share! Would make a great gift for friends/family who travel a great deal…no more praying that airline travel doesn't break your new bottle of SuperMuchLove Eu de Toilette!

Love,

Melinda

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Madame Butterfly

Ok, friends.

We have a spotting of brilliance.

And, interestingly enough, it's in the hands of Lindsay Lohan's mama.

It's a pair of Louboutin heels - amazing, skyscraper, vamping-til-your-heart-stops, boy-loving, feet-killing-but-baby-I-don't-care, bow-adorned...HEELS, known as the Madame Butterfly Booties.

Lindsay wore them to trial yesterday - I'd call them a $1195 pair of "you can't make me cry again" stilettos.

I love that I love that I love that she wore these to see the judge. I didn't say it was smart. In fact, if that judge read those heels correctly, jail was the only appropriate response. Those shoes were flagrant, cocky and fabulous.

And when the judge sent Ms. Lohan directly to jail (Monopoly flash-backs, anyone?), Lindsay's mama took those red-soled crazies home. She was photographed holding the Louboutins in a clear plastic bag, making for the car.

It's stuff for the ages. I really, really hope these shots ends up in some kick-bootie (if you'll pardon the fashion pun) tribute to stardom and style at the Met one day. Not everything can be Jackie-O classy, and not everything should be! We all need some edge.

Now go buy something hot. It's Saturday. It's fall. Those tootsies of yours need to pay homage to fabulous YOU.

Love,

Melinda

Photo Credits: Getty and SplashNewsOnline.com