Chick Lit Plus by Samantha March

Chick Lit Plus

Celebrity gossip, articles on fashion, health, fitness, and beauty.

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Taste and Savor Cookbook by Nancy Waldeck
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Taste and Savor Cookbook by Nancy Waldeck

Chef Nancy Waldeck offered to send me Taste and Savor, her cookbook that features fabulous healthy recipes along with wine pairings to complement the meals. If you follow my blog, you probably already know that I am no master in the kitchen- I need all the help I can get! So I have been so fortunate that people are now sending me their cookbooks. Taste and Savor is one of the most unique cookbooks that I have looked through. The recipes are healthy, and more importantly- it doesn’t take a chef to re-create them. As a beginning wino, I loved the idea that Nancy told which wines would work for certain dishes, and gave a background on different wines. Not only did I find some great recipes, but I also learned a lot from reading the pages. I think the cover is beautiful, and the cookbook is light and easy to carry around if you would want to take it to the grocery store with you. Or it looks beautiful in the kitchen, waiting to be used. Another great idea in Taste and Savor is the bonus Get Creative ideas. I would definitely recommend this cookbook to everyone, whether you are a beginner in the kitchen or more advanced.
[Rating: 4]

February 26, 2011
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Alyssa Milano Pregnant
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Alyssa Milano Pregnant

Add another celebrity to the bump watch! Actress Alyssa Milano is pregnant, People.com has confirmed. This will be the first child for the Who’s The Boss and Charmed alum, who is due in the early fall. Milano, 38, married husband Dave Bugliari, 32, in August 2009. Bugliari works as an agent at the Creative Artists Agency.

February 22, 2011
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My Water Woes
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My Water Woes

I’m sure we’ve all heard that we need to drink eight glasses of water a day. Many celebrities boast that their camel like habits gives them great skin and trim waistlines. And doctors say that drinking water can reduce hunger, help us be more productive, and helps with digestion. All great reasons to drink eight glasses of water a day right?
So last week, I decided to keep count of how much water I consume each day. I usually only drink water at work, I rarely buy juice or soda, and have more water again in the evenings with my workouts. I was sure I drank at least eight glasses, if not more. I placed a check mark on my post-it each time another glass was consumed. On my first day of recording, I had only drunk three glasses! I had a glass in the morning with breakfast, another with lunch, and another during my afternoon break. I didn’t have any at home. So the next day, I tried to pay attention, and keep my water bottle filled at all times. I still only drank five glasses that day. I was shocked- I thought my water consumption was much higher. In order to start reaching eight glasses a day, I filled my water bottle right when I came to work, before I even started my computer. Each time my glass became empty, I would fill it again. I also started cutting back on my soda consumption, because I would substitute them with water. It became a game to me, making sure I could check off each glass each day. Now, I am much more aware of much water I drink. I challenge you to try to get to eight glasses a day as well. Start by seeing what you consume in an average day, and find ways to add in more. That may mean cutting back on your coffee drinks or sugary juices, but will only benefit you in other places. Good luck!

February 21, 2011
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New Chip Love: Pita
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New Chip Love: Pita

I have an unhealthy obsession with Doritos. Or really, any kind of chip. But once I started buying two family size bags of Doritos a week, I knew I had a problem. I tried to cut out chips completely, but that wasn’t satisfying me. So instead, I decided to try a healthier chip. I found Stacy’s Naked Pita Chips in the healthy food aisle at my grocery store, and decided to give them a try. I bought them to go along with the spinach dip that I had also bought, but I found that I liked these bare chips by themselves as well. Stacy’s carries a line of pita and bagel chips, all that can be eaten plain or with dips and salsas. I went to Stacy’s website and found their philosophy, which boasts about their natural pita chips and offering a basic, uncluttered snack that still tastes delicious. The chips are thicker and crunchier than most chips, and I find myself not mindlessly munching on them like I would with Doritos. I eat a handful, and then I feel that my crunch and salt craving has passed. Since I started buying the pita chips, my Doritos consumption has plummeted. There are many different flavors offered by Stacy’s and I would recommend you to give them a try. The pita chips and spinach dip have become a big hit at my work potlucks!

February 19, 2011
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Jessica Alba Pregnant
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Jessica Alba Pregnant

Jessica Alba is gearing up for baby number 2! The actress, 29, announced via Facebook today that she and husband Cash Warren are expecting. Her post read: “I thought I’d drop by to let you all in on some exciting news – Honor is going to be a Big Sister! Cash and I are thrilled and wanted to share the news directly with you so you didn’t hear about it somewhere else. I appreciated all of the love and support you all gave me during my first pregnancy and will definitely appreciate it again this time around. Have a great day!” Jessica and Cash married in 2008 and had daughter Honor Marie a month later, in June.

February 16, 2011
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Debut Authors & Novels- February/March 2011
Chick Lit Review

Debut Authors & Novels- February/March 2011

Debut Authors & Novels February/March 2011

Title: Faking It
Author: Lotte Daley
Available: February 17th
Synopsis: It’s not you, it’s me. That’s the cowardly text message that Katie receives from Jack, her actor boyfriend of three years, when he dumps her. And things go from bad to worse when photos of Jack canoodling with a famous size-zero actress are splashed across every gossip magazine and tabloid soon after. Just how much humiliation can a girl take? With the paparazzi camped out on her doorstep, Katie decides to preserve what’s left of her dignity. So she agrees to become her PR colleagues’ next project. They will make her over (hair, teeth, clothes, Botox, boobs – the works) and turn her into an instant celebrity in order to win back her ex and show the world that an ordinary girl can rival a beautiful bimbo. But will a new life in the limelight be everything Katie dreamt of? Can she make it in the cut-throat world of the beautiful, rich and famous? Is Jack worth all the hassle or is there someone else out there who might love Katie just the way she is?

Title: What You Don’t Know
Author: Lizzie Enfield
Available: February 2011
Synopsis: You’ve been together for fifteen years. You’ve got two gorgeous kids and a great career. All the boxes are ticked. You wouldn’t be tempted by a plain, slightly balding man called Graham…Would you? When Graham Parks walks into Helen Collins’ life, the last thing she expects is to fall for him. He’s nothing like her handsome, successful husband, Alex. But fifteen years is a long time and Helen can’t help wondering what it would be like to sleep with someone else. Has Alex secretly been thinking the same thing? As harmless flirtation develops into something far more complicated, Helen’s perfect world begins to look shaky. It’s exciting, alluring, all-consuming. But is it worth the risk?

Title: Born Under A Lucky Moon
Author: Dana Precious
Available: February 8th
Synopsis: Born Under a Lucky Moon is the tale of two very important (but distant) years in the lives of Jeannie Thompson and her (embarrassing, crazy) colorful family members to whom “things” just seem to happen. From the Great Lakes of Michigan to Los Angeles and back again, it is a story of surprise marriages, a renegade granny, a sprinkler system cursed by the gods, and myriad other factors Jeannie blames for her full-tilt, out-of-control existence. But it’s also about good surprises—like an unexpected proposal that might just open Jeannie’s eyes to her real place among the people she loves most in the world . . . the same ones she ran far away from to begin with.

Title: Save As Draft
Author: Cavanaugh Lee
Available: February 1st
Synopsis: Sent: Monday, February 14, 2011
From: Izabell
To: Reader
Subject: Save as Draft
Are we Facebook friends yet? I’m the wactress (waitress/actress) turned lawyer who lives her life online. (Don’t we all these days?)
Anyway, I’ve got this problem. . . . There’s this guy. His name’s Peter. He’s my best friend and co-worker, and we just started dating, which is potentially a huge mistake. But, that’s not all. There’s this other guy, Marty. I met him on eHarm, and he ran with the bulls in Spain. I can’t get him off my mind. What a mess. I’d love your advice if you can take a second out of your crazy, high-tech life. Shoot me an e-mail. Or text me. Or BB messenger me.
And friend me if you haven’t already! You can find me on Facebook under Save as Draft.
Izabell

Title: Cougars
Author: Claire Irvin
Available: March 2011
Synopsis: Caroline Walker has it all. At 42, her immaculate looks and toned body are of a woman half her age. She’s a successful entrepreneur, and juggles her career with domestic bliss: wife of City trading sensation Les Walker, and mother to their teenage daughter Rachel. But when Caroline learns that Les has been having an affair, her perfect world falls apart. Caroline is suddenly single – something she hasn’t been in a very long time. With the help of Maryanne, her outgoing and ex-Hollywood starlet friend, Caroline’s life is transformed into a glamorous social whirl as she discovers her missing 20s. And the young men she should have been dating then, too … But is Caroline ready to put the past behind her? And can true love really strike twice.

Title: The Hating Game
Author: Talli Roland
Available: March 2011
Synopsis: When man-eater Mattie Johns agrees to star on a dating game show to save her ailing recruitment business, she’s confident she’ll sail through to the end without letting down the perma-guard she’s perfected from years of her love ’em and leave ’em dating strategy.
After all, what can go wrong with dating a few losers and hanging out long enough to pick up a juicy £200,000 prize? Plenty, Mattie discovers, when it’s revealed that the contestants are four of her very unhappy exes.
Can Mattie confront her past to get the prize money she so desperately needs, or will her exes finally wreak their long-awaited revenge? And what about the ambitious TV producer whose career depends on stopping her from making it to the end.

February 13, 2011
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Ashlee Simpson-Wentz Files for Divorce
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Ashlee Simpson-Wentz Files for Divorce

While her sister’s romance heats up, Ashlee Simpson’s has hit the ice. The singer filed for divorce from her husband of two and half years, Pete Wentz. People.com released this joint statement from the couple, “After careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to file for divorce. We remain friends and deeply committed and loving parents to our son Bronx, whose happiness and well-being remains our No. 1 priority. We ask that everyone honor our privacy as we navigate this next phase of our lives.”
Simpson, 26, cited “irreconcilable differences” on documents filed with the L.A. Superior Court on Tuesday, and is seeking spousal support. She is also seeking full primary physical custody of their 2-year-old son, Bronx, with visitation for Wentz, and dropping the hyphenated Wentz from her last name. The youngest Simpson daughter married Wentz, now 31, in May 2008 and welcomed Bronx in November.

February 10, 2011
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Double Delicious Cookbook by Jessica Seinfeld
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Double Delicious Cookbook by Jessica Seinfeld

I am no culinary genius. Not by a long shot. When I am looking for a recipe (which isn’t often) I’m googling “fast, easy, few ingredients” in the search engine. My life is extremely hectic and I don’t have a lot of time to spend grocery shopping and cooking meals. When I received the new cookbook from Jessica Seinfeld called Double Delicious! I promised myself to try at least two recipes. The front of the cookbook claimed simple recipes for complicated lives, and healthy recipes on top of that. I try my best to incorporate healthy whenever I can- whole grain noodles here, reduced fat butter there- so I thought this cookbook could possibly turn into my best friend.
No luck. I can’t even find one recipe that I would cook. They all have at least ten ingredients, which to me, is frightening. The steps are complicated, and there weren’t a lot of recipes that I was excited about attempting to make. Plus, many of them needed a vegetable puree. Do you know how long it takes to make a vegetable puree? I did after I looked it up. These recipes are not simple. I didn’t attempt making any of them so I’m not sure on the taste of any of the dishes. But if you are looking for a cookbook with fast and simple recipes, I would not add Double Delicious! to your list.
Rating: 3

February 8, 2011
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Too Faced Lash Injection Mascara Review
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Too Faced Lash Injection Mascara Review

I am a big fan of Too Faced Cosmetics, and a mascara junkie, so why wouldn’t I try TF and see what they offered? I chose to try their Lash Injection Mascara, which boasts to make your lashes longer and fuller. The description said the 3D formula builds tubes around the lashes, which I have heard of in other mascaras and had good luck with them. And I thought this mascara worked wonders! I could easily see longer and thicker lashes, and the tubes are easily removed with water or makeup remover. The brush is huge, but I didn’t have any problems getting all my lashes. The odd part- I thought this mascara even smelled good! Has anyone else tried this and thought it had a pleasant odor? All around, I loved this product and would definitely recommend everyone to give it a try. Even if you’re looking for just length or just volume, this mascara will do it all.
Rating: 4.5

January 23, 2011
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