Lifestyle Blog Archives | My Life on and off the Guest List

Labotica True Nature Masks by Leaders Cosmetics

August 22, 2019/0 Comments/in Beauty, Health and Wellness, Lifestyle, Skincare /by Glasgow Skinner

We recently read an article about a study from the World Health Organization that found microplastics in drinking water. Another article that found microplastics in the air and in raindrops. As you can imagine, a buildup of microplastics in our system can be detrimental to our bodies. So, of course, we must be a bit more discerning about what we put in and on our bodies. Since skincare products are absorbed into the skin, we started paying more attention to beauty products. We were recently introduced to the Labotica True Nature masks by Leaders Cosmetics, a range of environmentally-friendly, hypoallergenic sheet masks made with natural organic ingredients.

Every formulation of Leaders Cosmetics’ Korean sheet masks is developed by a group of 15 leading dermatologists; their goal is to provide pure, natural and effective skincare. Leaders Cosmetics empower women to take care of themselves from the inside out. Their skincare products and formulations work in just 20 minutes of “me time”; and we all know how important self-care is. The Labotica True Nature masks boast four skin-loving sheet masks, each geared toward resolving a skin issue.

Labotica True Nature Brightening Mask – Perfect for those looking for a visibly brighter skin tone. The Rosa Damascena Flower Extract helps provide excellent brightening and moisturizing effects to brighten the skin tone.
Use this mask to brighten dull and tired skin, get rid of uneven skin tone, and fade dark spots. It deeply hydrates your skin and smoothes rough dry skin, leaving it dewy and supple.

Labotica True Nature Moisturizing Mask – Coconut Fruit Extract has an excellent moisturizing effect. It makes your skin feel soft and moisturized by providing an abundant amount of moisture. It’s excellent for those looking to resolve issues with rough, dry skin and signs of aging. The superbly Moisturizing sheet mask intensely moisturizes and soothes skin, provides essential nutrients, and promotes oil-moisture balance.

Labotica True Nature Revitalizing Mask – Looking to revitalize and nourish your skin? The Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract in the Revitalizing sheet mask provides excellent effects to improve skin resilience for healthier skin. It helps with loss of firmness and elasticity and dull, tired skin. It improves visible lines and wrinkles, deeply hydrates skin, leaves skin firm and smooth, and stops premature aging.

Labotica True Nature Pore Clearing Mask – This is our hero sheet mask. If you’re like us and looking to soothe and purify your pores, the Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract in this mask has excellent effects of tightening pores and soothing skin, leaving you with a smoother skin texture. It’s great for the treatment of acne, enlarged pores, and the appearance of scars. It refines and tightens pores, balances oiliness, and soothes troubled and irritated skin.

The Labotica True Nature masks retail for $3.00 each and $27.00 for a pack of 10. You can also purchase the Tencel Mask Kit, which includes one of each of the four sheet masks and an adorable Cat Ear Headband.

Aculief Wearable Acupressure: All-Natural Headache and Tension Relief

August 18, 2019/0 Comments/in Health and Wellness, Lifestyle, Product Reviews /by Glasgow Skinner

A quick question to our fellow migraine sufferers? What do you use for relief? Do you rely on medication, Botox, Acupuncture, Acupressure, or some other form? Everyone who suffers from this sometimes unbearable pains has their go-to steps for relief. For us, it involves migraine medication (sometimes over-the-counter), coconut water for electrolytes, and a very cool, dark place. Our migraines get really bad, so we are always open to options for relief (except for Botox, no poison for us). We were recently introduced to an alternative form of migraine relief, the award-winning, Doctor approved Aculief wearable acupressure device.

The Aculief wearable device works by providing pressure to the LI4 acupressure point on your hand for all-natural headache relief. Applied pressure to the LI4 has been used for thousands of years. It provides natural headache and tension relief, as well as promote your body’s natural energy. Applying pressure with the Aculief to the LI4 on your non-dominant hand utilizes your body’s natural endorphins.

It works fast for drug-free headache and migraine relief, in addition to tension and stress relief. Plus it allows you to maintain consistent pressure on the LI4 acupressure point without exhausting your fingers. For those who are not sure where the LI4 acupressure point on your hand is located, check out the below video. It highlights how, and where, to accurately place the Aculief device.

Aculief has helped provide headache and migraine relief for nearly 20,000 people. Founded by Jon Doogan, the Aculief Wearable Acupressure device is available in three colors; the above green, teal and black. You can purchase a single at $24.99, a 2-pack for $34.99, and a 6-pack for $90.00 on www.aculief.com; the multipacks are perfect to gift or share with family and friends who might be fellow headache and migraine sufferers.

Could this all-natural, headache, migraine, and stress relief device help you find relief? Will you be adding this alternation

Sparkling Ice #WhatTheFlavorSweeps Mystery Flavor

Sparkling Ice Reveals New #WhatTheFlavorSweeps Mystery Flavor

August 17, 2019/0 Comments/in Drinks and Beverages, Health and Wellness, Lifestyle, Nutrition /by Glasgow Skinner

It was only two months ago that Sparkling Ice once again challenged our taste buds to guess their newest mystery flavor. Well, the mystery flavor reveal is finally here. Do you think you guessed correctly? After months of speculation, Sparkling Ice has finally revealed the limited-edition #WhatTheFlavorSweeps mystery flavor is…….. MANGO GUAVA!

Over 403.2K people submitted guesses for as part of this second Sparkling Ice #WhatTheFlavorSweeps mystery flavor contest. For those who guessed correctly, they’ve entered a spectacular contest where one lucky grand prize winner will receive a 7-day Caribbean Cruise from Holland America. With over 500 additional winners receiving fun tropical prizes perfect for summer.

Sparkling Ice actually recently added the tropical and exotically sweet Guava flavor as a stand-alone flavor and we think making the Mango Guava flavor the second mystery flavor is a great way to introduce this delicious fruit to their vast lineup of zero-calorie, zero sugar beverages made with antioxidants and vitamins.

All fans who guessed the flavor correctly were entered for a chance to win the grand prize. Sadly we only got half the answer correctly, so we’re not in the running to win anything. What about you dear readers, did any of you guess the mystery flavor correctly and the possibility to win the 7-day Caribbean Cruise from Holland America? For those looking to turn their favorite flavors into a great cocktail or mocktail, Sparkling Ice offers delicious recipes. Check out a great mystery flavor cocktail below:

Sparkling Ice Mystery Colada

1 bottle Sparkling Ice Mystery Flavor
1 can coconut milk
Grenadine
Coconut flavored rum (optional)
Blender
Maraschino cherries, for garnish
Place ice in a blender with coconut milk. Blend until smooth. Fill a glass halfway with blended coconut milk mixture. Add 1-2 ounces coconut rum (if using). Top with Sparkling Ice Mystery Flavor, add a splash of grenadine and stir. Garnish with a cherry.

The Sparkling Ice Mango Guava flavor will be available for a limited time at local grocery stores while supplies last.

Do Self-Care Differently: Affordable Vibrators From A Breakout Company

August 14, 2019/0 Comments/in Health and Wellness, Lifestyle, Technology /by Contributing Writer

The past few years have seen a strong emphasis on the importance of self-care for your overall wellbeing. Many ladies, in particular, have adopted mantras of taking care of themselves before being able to take care of others and saying no when people expect them to be superwoman. While the stereotypical image of self-care is face masks for your skin, delicious food for your body, and plenty of me-time for your mind, there is another sector of wellness self-care can cover: sexual pleasure.

The sex toy industry has been blossoming in the same years that self-care has come into focus. There are plenty of companies with high-end luxury devices promising consumers endless pleasure on their own or with a partner. These promises, however, often come with a high price tag.

That’s where PlusOne from Clio comes into the picture. PlusOne is the self-proclaimed first line of sexual wellness devices that are high-quality, affordable, and available for purchase at major retailers across the United States. Clio, a small company that started out making products for grooming and nail care, wants the world of sexual wellness to be accessible to everyone. Women and men at any income level can bring a PlusOne product into their bedroom, but what exactly do these devices look like and how do they really tie into self-care?

What do PlusOne products give you?

The four core products from PlusOne are a vibrating bullet, a personal massager, a vibrating ring, and a dual vibrating massager. The vibrating bullet has already made waves in the industry and onto quite a few listicles because of its ease and price. At just $10, the vibrating bullet is a great introductory vibrator for anyone who hasn’t used or bought one before. It’s extremely quiet and very compact at just three inches long, but it is just as effective as its larger counterparts on the market.

The PlusOne vibrating ring is made for men to use or a man and his partner to use together in the bedroom for ultimate pleasure. When the CDC recommends 30 minutes of aerobic exercise for five days of the week, we’re much too quick to think of pain rather than pleasure, but this device can give you and your partner a fun workout for up to two hours. Also offering up to two hours of activity on a single charge, the PlusOne Dual Vibrating Massager is in the rabbit design that many sexual wellness devices use. This design allows for ultimate versatility while satisfying almost any desire on your own.

The PlusOne Personal Massager is a small vibrating wand and may not look as advanced as the dual massager or the ring, but its simple design is effective. No matter where you want to work out a kink in your body, this powerful massager is sure to activate the two to four million sweat glands in the average person’s body. Its multiuse design also makes it perfect for use with a partner, if that’s where your pleasure takes you.

All of their products have 10 different vibration settings and are waterproof, allowing you to enjoy your bubble bath all in the name of self-care. The products are all easy to clean and ultra-hygienic. While common plastics such as polyethylene — which fills our world at an annual global production of about 80 million tons — include small bits of petroleum, PlusOne products are made of smooth, body-safe silicone. With an incredibly soft exterior, you can rest assured that your body is safe while you get your pleasure.

How do you buy PlusOne devices?

If this is a form of self-care you can happily get into, you’re in luck. Clio started selling their adult products in about 4,300 Walmart stores across the country in October of last year. The only states in which you won’t find them on Walmart shelves are Virginia and Alabama, which have laws restricting the sale of sexual wellness devices.

Prior to PlusOne, Walmart already sold vibrators from Trojan, Durex, and Lifestyles. However, PlusOne products have a much more high-end design and the features mentioned above. These products represent a bigger dive into the world of sex toys for the nation’s largest retailer, which is planning to add four more PlusOne products to its inventory this August.

The move to shelves of popular retailers is a big one for vibrators. They started in mail-order catalogs about 45 years ago and have more recently had a comfortable home online. However, buying any products in person has become preferable for many consumers, as nearly 50% of Internet users in the U.S. said they were avoiding online activities due to privacy and security concerns in 2018. Now, the Internet-wary can find sex toys in small sex shops as well as big-box stores.

Major retailer Target has also been selling PlusOne products since this past spring. For a store famous for roping consumers into buying many more items than they intended to when they walked through the doors, adding affordable and high-quality vibrators makes sense. As over 50% of consumers say they will make additional purchases from a brand that uses premium retail packaging, PlusOne is certainly able to rope in wandering Target customers with its eye-catching multicolor package design. For those not afraid of purchasing goods on the Internet, PlusOne devices are also available on Amazon in the same bold packaging.

With all of these buying options and enticing features, you just may need to take a little time for yourself with a PlusOne product. Whether it’s your first vibrator or an addition to your current collection, you’re sure to love its easy aesthetic and powerful punch. After all, it’s self-care and you deserve to treat yourself.

Unwrap Your Beauty with Unwrapped Life Zero-Waste Hair Care

August 13, 2019/0 Comments/in Beauty, Haircare, Health and Wellness, Lifestyle, Product Reviews /by Glasgow Skinner

If you aren’t aware (and we really hope you are), we’re battling to save the planet from our garbage. It is said that the ocean contains over 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic; who knows what that number grows to when you calculate the plastic we have on land. While it’s great to have companies like 4ocean and The Ocean Cleanup that are actively cleaning our oceans and coastlines, our best solution would be to eliminate the use of plastic. If you counted the empty bottles of shampoo, conditioner, body wash, etc you throw away. What would your number be? What if you could eliminate your use of those plastic bottles and still enjoy fantastic hair care and beauty products!! With the beauty products from Unwrapped Life zero-waste hair care, you can.

Unwrapped Life founder Hayley McKenzie and her best friend/co-founder Arden Teasdale decided to find ways to cut single-use plastic out of their lives. After trying out other brands and noticing a gap in solid hair bars for all hair lengths and types, they decided to formulate their own; ones that would work amazingly well on all hair types. The result is soft, manageable healthy hair for 100% great hair days.

These shampoo and conditioner bars are specifically formulated for certain hair types and concerns. They work wonders without stripping the hair of natural oils.

The Balancer hair bars not only normalizes hair follicle activity, but it also promotes stronger hair by amping up collagen production and providing nutrition to your roots.
The Detoxifier hair bars cleanse and tone with the power of activated charcoal. Moisturizing and conditioning properties of soothing aloe vera, apricot seed, and hemp seed oil, leave your hair smooth and hydrated.
The Fixer hair bars reduce scalp inflammation, neutralizes free radical damage and oxidative stress, all while blocking DHT to help prevent hair loss. You are left with hair that is stronger and more resilient.
The Hydrator bars works to treat scalp ailments, including dryness, eczema, psoriasis, and rashes; plus we all know that a healthy scalp equals healthy hair. The Hydrator bars are especially wonderful for curly and kinky hair.
The Stimulator bars boasts ingredients that soak up oils, toxic substances, and impurities from your scalp and hair; these ingredients also stimulate the scalp by bringing fresh blood to damaged skin cells, revitalizing your hair.

The Unwrapped Life solid hair bars provide 50-75 washes with proper care and storage. They replace 2-3 16oz bottles of traditional liquid product! They all feature 100% essential oils, are vegan, cruelty-free, color-safe, and can be used with extensions. Your hair will look good, while you’re doing good.

If you love the idea of using earth-friendly, low-waste, and plastic-free beauty products, try Unwrapped Life’s other products. We know you’ll love their sugar scrubs and reusable organic bamboo rounds.

The Perfect Summer Soirée: Frescobaldi Toscana Alìe Rosé

August 9, 2019/0 Comments/in Alcohol, Drinks and Beverages, Events, Lifestyle /by Glasgow Skinner

We can’t believe we’re already hearing about summer’s end but with a month left, it is inevitable. Thankfully there was and is plenty to remind us about the greatness of the warmer season. We were part of the lucky few who had the opportunity to enjoy the superbly elegant Alìe Rosé with Frescobaldi Toscana estates and Brand Ambassador and Winemaker, Livia le Divelec. It was love at first sip for us of this bright, fresh rose. We were immediately enchanted by the sensuality and intoxicating personality of this intriguing pale pink rose.

Frescobaldi Toscana boasts six wine estates which feature various varietals. Today we focus on Tenuta Ammiraglia Magliano, the Toscana by the Sea. This wine territory is warmed by the sun and mitigated by the sea and is home to the Frescobaldi Toscana Alìe Rosé.

The Frescobaldi Toscana Alìe Rosé, an elegant rosé with a pale pink hue and subtle ruby highlights. It is a stylish, beautifully-balanced blend of Syrah and Vermentino. These varieties express their finest qualities when grown near the sea. Alìe boasts scents of white flowers, wild strawberries, and citrus peel, combined with a hint of earthy minerality; all typical of this growing area. With its delicate structure and lengthy, complex finish, Alìe Rosé makes an enchanting aperitif wine and a great meal companion.

In fact, Alìe Rosé was perfectly paired with the amazing dishes served at the event’s location, The Polynesian at The Pod Hotel 42. The richly flavored Tiki-inspired foods were paired wonderfully with Alìe. The flavors highlighted the fruity notes, intoxicating Mediterranean aromas, and deliciously refreshing bouquet of this mellow rose.

What makes the Alìe Rosé stand out against other rose wines? Several factors actually. It’s proximity to the sea, vineyard cultivation typical of white varieties and a production process off the skins for the Syrah variety all give life to Alìe. The sharp and unmistakable bouquet floods the senses with intoxicating aromas that meld with the fragrances of fresh and ripe fruit. September peach bursts forth, followed by floral notes with subtle scents of rose.

We’d love to visit the Tenuta Ammiraglia Magliano estate one day to personally experience the stunning beauty of the region and get first-hand knowledge of what makes this exquisite rose so delicious. For now, we have to settle for Brand Ambassador and Winemaker, Livia le Divelec’s extensive knowledge. Check out the My Life on and off the Guest List Facebook page for our interview with her.

The Original Colonel Popper Silicone Microwave Popcorn Popper

What’s Poppin’!: Colonel Popper Silicone Microwave Popcorn Popper

August 8, 2019/0 Comments/in Food, Health and Wellness, Nutrition, Snacks /by Glasgow Skinner

If you’ve ever purchased microwave popcorn then you’ve one or all of the following: lots of unpopped kernels, burnt popcorn, heat burns from trying to open the bag, and very oily hands. What if you can enjoy a great bowl of popcorn without the typical hassles microwave popcorn? Thanks to the original Colonel Popper Silicone Microwave Popcorn Popper, you absolutely can.

Whether you’re making popcorn at home or work or dorm room, the portable Colonel Popper Silicone Microwave Popcorn Popper is ideal for mess-free popcorn enjoyment. It is super durable, safe, and eco-friendly. After using it once, you’ll never want to make popcorn without a Colonel Popper again. Made from durable food-grade silicone, the 100% BPA Free, Colonel Popper passes the silicone pinch test. Say goodbye to those unhealthy microwave popcorn bags with harmful chemicals that burn easily. Enjoy popcorn your way for a fraction of the cost. That’s right, this budget-friendly, microwaveable bowl is easy on your wallet and your waist.

There are so many flavor possibilities with using this silicone microwave popcorn bowl. You can prepare popcorn with or without oil (choose olive, peanut, sunflower, or coconut oil); enjoy it plain or seasoned (did you know plain popcorn is only 31 calories?), sweet or savory, or recreate the good old movie theater popcorn taste. In fact, you can use any popcorn kernels you want! The Colonel Popper Silicone Microwave Popcorn Popper makes up to 14 cups of popcorn. Make enough for yourself or for large family or friend gatherings. Because it’s made from the highest grade silicone, you can reuse the dishwasher safe bowls over and over for years.

The silicone popcorn maker comes in eight colors; four classics (blue, gray, green, and red) and four transparent (Colonel Red, Fresh Mint, Glacier Blue, and Neon Green). We love that the transparent bowls allow you to see your popcorn popping. All the bowls boast convenient grab handles, so you won’t burn your fingertips removing your popcorn from your microwave oven. The collapsible popcorn popper stores away at merely 2″ so it frees up your counter and cupboard space. Treat yourself or a fellow popcorn lover to years of delicious, healthy popcorn for $14.97 on www.shopcolonelpopper.com.

Restaurant Review: Chef Terrance Brennan’s Côte Médi at Chefs Club NY

August 5, 2019/0 Comments/in Food, Lifestyle, Nutrition, Restaurant Reviews /by Glasgow Skinner

A little less than a year ago, we had the wonderful pleasure of experiencing an exquisite culinary journey when Fat Rice’s Chef Abraham Conlon participated in Chefs Club New York’s Chef-in-Residence series. We recently returned to Chefs Club New York to experience the amazing Mediterranean fare of Chef Terrance Brennan. This highly-accomplished chef, restaurateur, consultant, and entrepreneur has enjoyed a renowned 40-yr culinary career. During his Chef-in-Residence at Chefs Club New York, he brought a bit of his amazing menu comprising of new dishes and a few favorites from Picholine. Keep reading for our superb culinary experience of Chef Terrance Brennan’s Côte Médi at Chefs Club NY.

We didn’t know it yet, but we were in for a night of culinary divinity to remember. His three-month residency at Chefs Club NY will serve as a preview of his forthcoming seafood-forward concept celebrating the “Cuisine of the Sun,” inspired by his time spent in coastal France, Italy, and Spain.

We had the pleasure of seating at the special guests’ tables, right in front of Chef Terrance Brennan. Chef recommended and kept us informed on all the delicious dishes we enjoyed that night. Chef Terrance Brennan’s menu is perfect for a single or more as the menu features small plates that are meant to be shared amongst tables of friends. Our evening consisted of three amazing cocktails which we will highlight in a bit. While all three were delicious, the stars of the evening were the wonderful dishes. Let’s dive right in.

Smoked Salmon Rillettes

What a way to begin! Our palette was thoroughly sated and awakened with this wonderfully salty, multi-textured opener. You could taste the freshness of every bite of the salmon; on its own, it was divine, but when mixed with the Wild American Caviar and scooped with the crisp, olive oil-soaked, bread? Pure perfection. Not a crumb was left in the bowl.

Live Sea Scallop Crudo in Shell

If there ever was a dish to remind you of the fresh seafood you can enjoy in the Mediterranean, this is it. It was amazingly fresh and my Santeria Sour cocktail (more on it below), added a nice peppery layer to the dish. I did stop drinking it to fully experience the natural flavors of the truffle salt (slight throat itch but so worth it). The scallops practically melted in my mouth.

COCKTAILS

The New Wave – I enjoyed this sweet citrusy cocktail with my first dish. The freshness of the Calamansi and sweetness of elderflower was a wonderful and sweet compliment to the saltiness of the Salmon Rillettes.

Santeria Sour – This is a wonderful kick of spice with a peppery finish that lingers a bit. Hence why I enjoyed it so much with the Live Sea Scallop Crudo in Shell. I liked the addition of jalapeno to enhance the tart taste of the tamarind and green chili vodka. These wonderful flavor kicks complimented the natural smokiness of the mezcal.

There’s a Beach in Queens – Our third cocktail tasted a lot more tropical than the other two. It boasts a subtle sweetness with the flavor of banana shining through.

Cucumber Gazpacho

I admit I wasn’t sure what to expect with this dish but my goodness, I left the bowl clean. The small melon balls were a wonderful surprise addition of subtle sweetness to the creaminess of this creamy cucumber dish. The crab added a nice level of salt for a wonderful combination of flavors.

Sea Urchin Fondue

Hope you are ready for this very fresh dish. I thank my Caribbean roots for already being familiar with eating sea urchin. I’m used to enjoying it roasted in its shell but I love Chef Brennan’s take. The contrast of the freshness of the raw sea urchin paired with the creamy, tapioca fondue and seafoam produced by plankton truly highlighted the essence of the Mediterranean diet.

Wild Striped Bass

The Chorizo Emulsion (sauce) and the black rice paella Socarrat (the caramelization of the bottom layer of paella) gave this dish a rustic element. I love anything made with black squid ink; it adds a natural saltiness, oiliness, and savory component to anything it’s added to. It gives the paella rice another layer of distinct flavor. The Striped Bass was perfect. I loved that it wasn’t prepared with too many seasonings, so its naturally mild flavor wasn’t overpowered.

Grilled Langoustines

If you’ve never experienced what it’s like to enjoy freshly-caught seafood that is perfectly seasoned, and roasted right on the beach in an open fire pit, this is the closest you’ll come to doing so. The superb garlic herb butter enhanced the grilled flavors of it, which although grilled, it tasted very much roasted. Amazingly delicious!

Squab Magret

I loved the variety of flavors in this dish. The Japanese turnips added a crisp fresh texture, almost like an unsweetened melon. The foie gras added another layer of savory flavor and creamy texture, the fig jam was the perfect addition with its seedy sweetness, and the tiny grapes added a refreshing crunchy texture.

DESSERT – Olive Oil Ice Cream

Last but certainly never least – dessert. The Olive Oil ice cream immediately jumped out off the dessert menu. It was an unexpected delight. I wasn’t sure what to expect but eating it was like a rollercoaster of various layers and textures. The smooth vanilla ice cream, sweet crunch from the candied fennel brittle, and the rich, nutty flavor of olive oil all came together to create a distinct, multilayered flavor profile I haven’t experienced before. I have had the please of enjoying olive oil in a cocktail but this was my first olive oil ice cream. It’s a great option for those who love savory and sweet.

Thus ends our culinary journey with Chef Terrance Brennan but hopefully the beginning of yours. You have until September 28th to partake in some or all of these sumptuous small plate meals. Chefs Club NY is located at 275 Mulberry Street. Book your reservation by calling 212-941-1100.

Posts