Archive for December 22nd, 2009

Gift Guide: Sweet & Salty chocolate chip cookies.

December 22nd, 2009 by Ruth

chocolate_chip

If you’re looking to gift cookies, here’s a quick, easy and unique cookie recipe that my boyfriend and I are obsessed with. You’ll need: Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chunk Cookie Dough Bar, Hershey Kisses filled with caramel, and salt.

First, soften the cookie dough by rolling it in your hands. Then, carefully insert the Hershey Kiss into the dough and roll into a ball. Place them in the oven at 350F and if you like them a little soft and gooey (like me), take them out after nine minutes. As soon as you take them out of the oven, sprinkle them with a little salt. This way, the salt sticks and slightly sinks in, leaving your mouth bursting with sweet and salty flavors.

If you’re looking for a fabulous flaky salt, scoop up a box of Maldon Sea Salt. This salt is pure and has a distinctive ‘salty’ taste. Trust me, you’ll love it!

Last but not least, wrap your homemade cookies in cellophane and tie with a festive ribbon. Not only is your gift from the heart, but it is incredibly easy on the pocketbook.

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Posted in Chic Peas | 1 Comment »

Daily Diamond: Dr. Brandt rp3 eye triple peptide cream

December 22nd, 2009 by Catherine
Dr. Brandt r3p eye triple peptide cream, $80.00

Dr. Brandt r3p eye triple peptide cream, $80.00

Lately, my monogamous relationship with my favorite eye cream has taken a turn for the laziest. It’s not living up to its promises. It’s making me irritated. Literally. And it’s not doing the things it promises to do (brighten my dark circles, de-bloat my sleep-deprived eyes). Like any relationship, you sometimes have to shake things up a bit, which is why I’ve decided to try another from skincare guru Dr. Brandt. Having long admired his super effective products, I decided to give his rp3 eye triple peptide cream a try, in hopes of giving my ever-increasing-in-depth crows feet a one, two punch of triple peptide action. The peptides work to slow the aging process, while caffeine helps to replenish moisture (essential for my dry winter-affected skin) and reduce puffiness (key for anyone suffering from bloated face syndrome).

I headed to Sephora to give the product a try, and walked away with a pocket-sized sample of the cream. (Editor’s note: this is such a smart way to avoid spending money on products that may not work for you. If you see something in a magazine, blog, etc., make a note, and head to a local Sephora, BlueMercury, etc. to score a trial-sized sample of the product. If you don’t like it, there’s no guilt or waste for not using it.) So far, I’m very pleased with the results. The sample itself is super small, but I’ve used the cream twice a day since Friday and I’ve still got oodles of it left. The second I run out, I’ll let you know, but having to use so little of the product doesn’t make spending $80 seem so bad after all. A full jar will really last!

The cream itself is super thick, which may deter folks with already grease-prone skin from using it in the morning. We here at Chic Thrills wouldn’t want you running about town with raccoon eyes from a makeup meltdown. If you’re convinced you need an eye cream shakeup, however, try using this heavy cream at bedtime. Stay tuned for an update in 2 weeks! We’re hoping to say bye-bye bags and fine lines by then!

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Posted in Chic Appeal, Daily Diamond | 1 Comment »

Words to live by.

December 22nd, 2009 by Catherine
Keep Calm and Carry On Poster, $25.00

Keep Calm and Carry On Poster, $25.00

A dear friend of mine recently purchased a home with her boyfriend, and with great style already embedded in her DNA (her mom should have been an interior decorator; she manages to transform homes into serious showcases), she took to decorating her home with bright splashes of color (red for the kitchen, purple for the living room, etc.) and kitchsy artwork for her walls.

Hanging on a hallway wall was one piece in particular I fell in love with. Simple and straightforward, it read Keep Calm and Carry On in bold, white letters. Based on a British World War II poster, it looks charmingly modern and up-to-date against a seafoam green background. And at $25.00, it’s proof that artwork need not cost a fortune to drum up conversation. There are also other pieces to choose from, with sayings like It Is Better To Be Kind Than Right and You Are My Cup O’ Tea. Artwork and sweet reminders? Sounds like a match in affordable artwork heaven to me.

Oh, and if you want your soon-to-be-favorite-piece-of-art framed, the folks at Etsy will have you covered, too. The print is available for framing, at an additional cost, eliminating the hassle of framing it yourself.

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Posted in Chic Shack | 2 Comments »

Fair(isle) game.

December 22nd, 2009 by Catherine
American Eagle Fairisle Vest, $89.50

American Eagle Fairisle Vest, $89.50

I’m in serious love with this Fairisle Vest from American Eagle. With its stand up collar and extra-long length, you won’t just beat the cold with this super-chunky sweater vest, you’ll also look super stylish and sweetly retro, too. What I love most of all, however, is its versatility. A vest this neutral and cozy can be paired with most items that are likely already in your closet – long sleeve tees, leggings, jeans, trousers, even skirts and turtlenecks for a smarter approach to winter dressing.

And to make a sweet vest even sweeter, American Eagle is now offering 50% off one item, when you buy another. Oh, and even better – all orders over $100 gets $5 2-day shipping, just in time for Christmas. So if you’re in need of a little warmth for roasting chestnuts by an open fire (or whatever you choose to do this holiday season), make sure you’re doing it both in style and without spending a fortune.

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Posted in Chic Frills | No Comments »