Candace Rose

Interview: Swimwear Tips with Brittany & Heather of Curvy Girl Guide

With summer officially less than a month away, Heather Spohr and Brittany Gibbons of Curvy Girl Guide stopped by to share their favorite swimwear for curvy girls alike and advice on how to lose that cover-up forever! 

  Brittany Gibbons & Heather Spohr of Curvy Girl Guide

Candace Rose: Can you tell us about National Swimsuit Confidence Week?

Heather Spohr: "National Swimsuit Confidence Week is a partnership between CurvyGirlGuide.com and Lands' End and the whole movement is really meant to inspire women to feel confident in their swimsuits. It's time for us to take off those cover-ups and go out there and have fun this summer."

Brittany Gibbons: "Absolutely on CurvyGirlGuide.com we actually have 21 of our writers showing off confidence and Lands' End swimsuits for all the world to see and we brought 4 of them with us today."

CR: How can we take part?

BG: "You can take part by checking out the Lands' End facebook page, it has a lot of information about the movement as well as submit your own pictures, your own swimsuit confidence that you find. If you go to the facebook page you're going to see pictures of Jen here.

 

Jen of Curvy Girl Guide

Jen's actually got a problem that a lot of women have and that's that she's a different size on top than she is on the bottom, so she's wearing separates - it's a bright, bold color on top which really draws the eye up. It's got ruching across the tummy which hides any insecurity that you may have as well as drawstrings on the sides so you can really customize the suit."

 

Danielle of Curvy Girl Guide

HS: "Next we have Danielle. Danielle is wearing a Grecian One Piece and the great thing about this swimsuit is that it has all over slimming, so she actually appears a size smaller, and who doesn't want that in a bathing suit, am I right? The great thing about the straps is that they are wide and they offer a lot of support for her breasts and the beautiful neckline draws the eyes upward and frames her face beautifully. And she's got this gorgeous jewel tone which is a huge trend for the summer."

CR: How do we know what works best for our body type?

HS: The great thing about Lands' End is that they have fit guides on their websites, so you can go on there, they tell you how to measure yourself to figure out what sizes you'll be and then if you want to extra help you can either call in and they have a fit person on the phone with you or you can deal with them over IM on your computer, so you're guaranteed to find the perfect suit for you."

 

Emily of Curvy Girl Guide

BG: "And it's really easy because one thing Lands' End offers is a lot of separates- like Emily here is actually wearing separates. It looks like one piece but it's not. It's the new ruffle top and it's got this really neat fun, flirty detail at the bottom, but then it also has the ruching on the tummy to hide the insecurity there as well, has adjustable straps and an underwire, so this a really supportive bathing suit and it's adorable. It's like the little black dress of swimwear."

 

Grace of Curvy Girl Guide
 

HS: "And then finally we have Grace who is wearing the Swimdress and this is a huge new trend. It's one piece and the flirty length lets her go from beach to boardwalk in nothing flat. It is another gorgeous jewel tone and this teal is amazing. It makes her eyes pop and these jewel tones look good on any complexion. She's also got a gorgeous neckline that really makes her face just stand out and scream swimsuit confidence."

CR: Do you have any additional information you'd like to share?

BG: "If you're looking for more tips on confidence you can check out CurvyGirlGuide.com. All of our writers there are in swimsuits, you can also get more information of the movement on the Lands' End facebook page and you can find all of these swimsuits at LandsEnd.com."

Interview: Summer Party Ideas with TV Personality Sissy Biggers

With Memorial day a few days away, television personality, Sissy Biggers was kind enough to share her favorite tips for planning the perfect summer party, ideas on what to serve your guests and how to win a trip on Celebrity Cruise line's new ship, Silhouette!

 

  Sissy Biggers
 

Candace Rose: With summer fast approaching and the weather heating up, do you have any suggestions for prepping for an outdoor party?

Sissy Biggers: "Well, the first thing you want to prep, Candace, is your serving wear because it's going to travel now from the kitchen out to the barbecue or maybe it's going to the beach or the campsite and it's a good time to check your supply of good quality shatter resistant plastic ware because that means it's lightweight and can travel and now there are so many elegant and pretty designs. And of course most plastics are recyclable or reusable, so that means you're a sustainable hostess and your guests appreciate that. If you go to Plasticsmakeitpossible.com, you can find out other ways to integrate plastics into your life and it gives you a chance of winning some of these pretty pieces." 

CR: Everybody loves a summer barbecue, do you have any tips?

SB: "I've got the hot dog tip for you, first of all we consume some 7 billion during the summer season, Candace, that means your guests will be enjoying maybe 1, 2 or 3 per person, maybe more but at that point we stop counting, don't we as host and hostess? But while they're enjoying that many hot dogs give them what they want, a good quality 100% beef hot dog. Ball Park franks has their new new deli style beef franks, this is the one to look for. It has no artificial flavor or color and no added MSG. It means it's a good quality, they call it the 'New York Tradition,' so great flavor as a compliment to all of your condiments. Be sure and put out a whole variety of condiments and for other grilling ideas for Ball Park become a fan on Facebook.com/BallParkFranks - get tips and a chance to win their summer sweepstakes for some really great grilling party party around the 4th of July."

 

Candace Rose Screenshot - Ball Park Franks

CR: Do you have any tips on making the perfect drink?

SB: "Oh the perfect drink, well the drink that I'm actually thinking of right now would be on the high seas because that's another thing that I really wanted to share with you, Candace, is that you can now grill a board ship, Celebrity Cruise line is launching their newest ship, The Silhouette, will be sailing the Mediterranean and the Holy Land twelve days beginning in July to the end of October. All of these beautiful ports of call and while you're aboard the guests can do an interactive lawn club grilling party. That means the top deck overlooking a lawn at the lawn club - a real grass lawn that you can brush up on your grilling skills with the master chefs aboard the Silhouette and then enjoy these incredible ports of call. Check out CelebrityCruises.com for that and then lastly, Candace, a quick tip on Asian inspired flavors at your next barbecue because you know our palates now we're so adventurous, the world's gotten so small when it comes to food and Thai Kitchen is the place you can find all those wonderful exotic and authentic Asian flavors. This is the 'Red Sweet Chili,' 'Pineapple Chili,' 'Spicy Thai Mangos,' (shown below) they've got wonderful sauteed dipping sauces to make a simple chicken skewer into a really great grilling experience. So check out ThaiKitchen.com for all their really fun ideas."

 

Celebrity Silhouette - Celebrity Cruises

 

Thai Kitchen

CR: Where can we go for more information?

SB: "You can go to News2Know.com."

Interview: Dr. Hafiza Khan on Ventricular Arrhythmia

I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Hafiza Khan, Electrophysiologist at The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano in Plano, Texas to discuss ventricular arrhythmias which affects millions (of all ages) and can lead to sudden cardiac death if left untreated. 

Dr. Hafiza Khan - Image via Arrythmia Management
  

 

Candace Rose: What are ventricular arrhythmias and what makes them so dangerous?

Dr. Hafiza Khan: "Ventricular arrhythmias are abnormal erratic and rapid heartbeats that come from the bottom of the heart and in extreme conditions they can lead to something called sudden cardiac death."

CR: What are some of the symptoms?

HK: "So, some people feel palpitations, irregular beats and skipped beats, other patients may black out or faint but unfortunately for many patients the first symptom is catastrophic and it is the sudden cardiac death event, there's no pain or anything that proceeds it. So, the key is to prevent sudden cardiac death by screening patients who are at high risk for it and implanting a device called a defibrillator."

CR: Who is at high risk and does it affect people at any age?

HK: "Yes, it can affect anybody. So when you hear of young student athletes who drop dead on the playing field, in those kids it's typically a genetic condition that they've inherited but in adults and especially older adults it's usually because some heart damage has happened- either a heart attack or an enlargement of the heart or heart failure."

CR: Can it be treated?

HK: "Yes, so in milder conditions we use medications but for patients who have heart damage or who are at risk for sudden cardiac death as I mentioned, we install these units called defibrillators and the unit goes underneath the skin with wires to the heart and it gives an electrical impulse to reset the heart if the patient were to experience a lethal arrhythmia."

CR: Why is a Protecta portfolio such a medical breakthrough?

HK: "Sure, well we've had defibrillators now for 30 years and they are 98% effective in saving peoples lives but unfortunately 20% of patients will have the defibrillator fire or shock a patient when it doesn't need to because it's been fooled by something in the environment or the patient exercising, so the Protecta has a sense of 6 smart shock technology features that allows it to distinguish between a lethal event where it needs to fire and a non-lethal event where it doesn't need to. So the key is it is accurate in saving someones life and yet it's not going to go off at the wrong time, so it gives patients confidence to lead their lives to the fullest."

 

Protecta - Image via DMCCVI

 

CR: Do you have any additional information you'd like to share?

HK: "Well, for people who want more information about sudden cardiac death I would refer them to the American Heart Association website and if you want more information about the Protecta then I would go to the website of the manufacturer which is Medtronic."

 

Interview: Celebrity Stylist, Jeni Elizabeth Spring To Summer Fashion Tips

I recently had THE best time chatting with celebrity stylist, Jeni Elizabeth who has worked with the likes of Carrie Underwood, Victoria Beckham, Marissa Wiokur, Paris Hilton and is currently with the cast of MTV’s Jersey Shore. As a must have in the style industry, it was an honor to speak with her and learn what life is like on one of the biggest reality sets in the history of tv!

 

 Celebrity Stylist, Jeni Elizabeth  

 

    Jeni graduated from the University of Miami with a degree in Communication/Journalism and later moved to New York City to study Fashion Merchandising at FIT where she landed a “great job at Henri Bendel working with A-List celebs on a day to day basis.” Jeni ran the women’s department for five years before to moving to Los Angeles to work as an independent stylist. She credits Michael Palladino whom she worked under at Henri Bendel for inspiring her new found career in styling. Jeni also credits her sister, Karri, Supervising Producer at the Bachelor/Bachelorette for inspiring and helping her along the way.

 

Celebrity Stylist, Jeni Elizabeth

    While working with Sally Ann Salsano, creator of the Jersey Shore, Jeni was called at the end of the second season to fly in for a Press Shoot. She had a great time with the cast but had “no idea” that the show would be such a phenomenon! Jeni shared (much to my surprise) “that the cast was found on myspace.” The cast left this month for Italy to shoot new episodes, most likely airing in July or August. 

 

  Jersey Shore Cast - Image Courtesy of MTV.COM
 

    When asked what trends she’s coveting for spring and summer, Jeni stated that she’s loving “bright colors, lightweight military jackets, ballerina flats, platform wedges, Stella McCartney slouchy simple cargo pants and wide leg jeans - with her favorite denim brands being AG and J Brand.” As for handbags, it’s all about the “tall totes- Balenciaga and the Fendi overnight bag.” For accessories you can’t go wrong with “statement rings, big colored rings.” She loves the “simple white look, lace dresses, longer hems, great beaded belt stacks, cuffed bracelets, barrettes and pops of color on white.” 

 

White Lace Dress

Laundry by Shelli Segal - Lace Sheath Dress (Optic White) - Nordstrom

 

Lightweight Military Jacket

Smythe - 'Cadet' Jacket (Blue Black) - Nordstrom

 

Wide Leg Jeans

J Brand - 'Bette' Wide Leg Stretch Jeans (Wonderama Wash) - Nordstrom

 

Cuffed Bracelet

Kendra Scott - 'Celeste' Leaf Wrap Stone Cuff Bracelet (Turquoise) - Nordstrom

Candace Rose's Much Coveted Reva Flats 
Tory Burch - 'Reva' Ballerina Flat (Black) - Nordstrom

Platform Wedges
Jimmy Choo - 'Phoenix' Espadrille Sandal (Black Patent) - Nordstrom

 

Balenciaga Tote

Balenciaga - Ligne Papier A4 (Black) - Balenciaga

    As a mutual lover of sweatpants, Jeni loves dressing them up with J.Crew and Banana Republic scarves - “wrap it up and it dresses you up.” She’s also a huge fan of jumpsuits, especially BCBG with flip flops or heels and pairs Jersey Shore star, Jenni JWow in them frequently. One of her favorite accessories are bear paw boots and has even gotten Snooki hooked on them. When asked what her least favorite trend is, Jeni stated “vests. I’ve never put someone in a vest.”

 

Leopard Print Scarf (Camel Brown) - J.CREW

  BEARPAW Classic Boots - Bearpaw.com 

    She just wrapped “Nail Files” for the TV Guide Network where she met Debbie Gibson and Candace Cameron Bure and recently began work on “Love Handles” for Lifetime.

 

Nail Files - TV GUIDE

    Jeni feels it’s important to “be yourself. I’m not a matchy-match girl. I love to have fun with style, fun with color. Furry boots with denim shorts.” She loves being around those who are “bubbly, fun and loud” and that “at the end of the day my job is rewarding, I get to assist people to feel better about who they are. I never put clients in something they don’t feel comfortable in. It’s important to have fun with it.” 

 

 

Interview: Optometrist Dr. Michael Rosenblatt

I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Michael Rosenblatt, Board Director for the American Optometric Society to discuss the importance of regular eye exams, new innovations in contact lenses and much more!

 

 

Candace Rose: Many people believe that they don't need to schedule an eye exam if they aren't having problems with their vision. How are important are regular eye exams and how often should we be having them?

Dr. Michael Rosenblatt: "Regular eye exams are very, very important. Many people obviously look and they feel just because they can see clearly that their eyes are healthy and that's where the problem begins. Our eye exam on an annual basis begins with a vision check but we also do a comprehensive internal eye health evaluation and we're looking for problems say from Glaucoma and Cataracts but we are then looking for medical problems say from Diabetes or even High Blood Pressure." 

CR: At what age should children start going in for regular eye exams? 

MR: "Well, there is a special program for children from the ages of 6 months to 12 months of age, that's when they should have their first eye screening. You can actually go onto InfantSee.org and find a doctor that participates in that program."

 

InfantSEE: A Public Health Program for Infants - InfantSEE.org

 

CR: What are some common mistakes contact lens wearers make and what should be doing to correct this?

MR: "Well, contact lenses actually are very safe and easy today. There are some things that you can do to obviously make your lens wearer more comfortable and have the ability to wear lenses for long into the future. You want to do three things; and that is before you ever put a contact lens in or take a lens out you want to make sure that you are washing your hands. That's one of the easiest ways to reduce the risk of infection. The other is as you wear your contact lenses make sure that you're replacing your lens as your doctor recommends. Many, many patients certainly try to extend the life of a contact lens but it only leads to other problems later. One way to help people remember is an easy electronic reminder tool called ACUMINDER.com. Any contact lens wearer can sign up for that service. And then if you're going to use a lens a second time or more you want to make sure that you're cleaning that lens and disinfecting that lens properly. You want to make sure that you are using fresh solution every day, that you're using a full solution that case every night, that you're cleaning and emptying that solution every morning in that case, so your case can stay clean and dry. For some that may sound like that's too much for contact lens wearers, so the fastest way is currently growing in terms of contact lenses that are single use, daily disposable contact lenses. We happen to use in our practice 1- Day Acuvue Moist and we feel it is the ultimate in both health and convenience."

 

Acuminder.com

CR: With summer rapidly approaching how can parents protect their children's eyes from the suns harmful rays?

MR: "It's very, very important we protect our children's eyes, currently only about 39% of our children even wear sunglasses when they're outdoors and they get significantly more exposure than you and I. They're playing sports, they're outside more often, they have larger pupils, their eyes are clear and wearing sunglasses is important but it's not the only thing. I actually instruct my patients to wear sunglasses that are large, that wrap around their face. Make sure they are wearing a hat that has a brim so that it's blocking the light from above and you can even add to that with contact lenses today. Today's contact lenses like the Acuvue Oasys lens is a lens that protects your eyes from 90% UVA and 99% UVB so in situations where you can't even perhaps wear that hat or those sunglasses like those again, those kids that are outside playing sports, at least they can get protection in contact lenses."

CR: Do you have any advice for those of us who spend hours in front of the computer screen and our trusty handheld devices?

MR: "Oh absolutely, you know that's become the new problem for us with our patients, that's one of their biggest complaints and we find that of course if you're sitting at a desk at a computer you want to make sure the computer is far enough away - 24 inches away. You don't want it too close, you don't want it too far. You want to make sure it's lower than your eye level, so you're looking slightly down at it and you want to make sure that it's straight in front of you. But the big thing, the one thing that I stress most is to remember this simple rule 'the 20/20/20 rule.' What you want to do is for every 20 minutes of electronic device use, you want to take 20 seconds to look 20 feet away. The idea there being is you want to make sure you're keeping your focusing system relaxed, you're keeping it flexible and that reduces the fatigue and the strain."

CR: Where can we go for more information?

MR: "Well, first go to your eye doctor. I mean everyone I'm sure, or most everyone needs to have that annual comprehensive eye exam, they should be able to answer all those questions for you and again for those contact lens wearers who have trouble remembering when to replace their lenses visit Acuminder.com

Interview: Tara Kraft Editor-in-Chief of Shape Magazine Shares Sunless Beauty Tips for Summer

With May being Skin Cancer Awareness month, Tara Kraft Editor-in-Chief of Shape magazine was kind enough to join me and share her favorite beauty tips for staying stylish and safe for summer. 

 

Tara Kraft, Editor-in-Chief of Shape 

 

Candace Rose: Do you have any tips on staying stylish and safe this summer?

Tara Kraft: "I have four very important tips! The most important one is to stay sun protected. You must use sunblock every single day from head to toe. One of my favorite sunblocks is SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50. It's weightless, it's chemical free, it's got broad-spectrum protection, it also enhances your skin tone and boosts your radiance. Now an extra tip when it comes to sun protection is to layer it with an antioxidant serum. SkinCeuticals happens to make one that's called C E Ferulic. I highly recommend using the two together and you should check out their new facebook page because they have launched a programed called Prevent. Protect. Get Checked. and all the proceeds benefit melanoma research. 

 

Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50 - SkinCeuticals

 

C E Ferulic - SkinCeuticals

 

Facebook SkinCeuticals 

CR: With summer fast approaching, many of us will be heading to the nail salon for manicures and pedicures. Are UV nail lamps safe?

TK: "You know, UV nail lamps - the amount of time that you're actually exposed to the UV light is not much longer than the three minutes of the sun exposure you get per day driving a car, so I wouldn't fret about it too much. At Shape magazine I believe that you should be wearing sunscreen from head to toe every single day, so as long as you wear sunscreen on your hands and on your feet you're fine, and that's something else I should make mention of - CND the company who is famous for shellac manicures has now launched Shellac Power Polish pedicures, so you can have toe polish which lasts all summer long. It'll be amazing and chip free. Also CND has this solar oil that I live that really moisturizes your cuticles and nails with vitamin e and jojoba, I highly recommend you check it out.

 

CND Solar Oil - CND

 

    But that's not the only thing that we think about during the summer, we think about our hair too, right? Well, Wella Professionals has just launched this new line of haircare. It's formulated to protect against the summer elements - shampoos, conditioners, treatments, styling products. This particular line that I have right here is the Brilliance collection. It's made specifically for color treated hair and I love it because as we know your color can fade during the summer. It can turn brassy, it can even turn a little green if you're blonde, so these products work to combat that, so head to Wella.com to find a salon near you to rush out and pick 'em up. And there's another beach bag essential I'd love to bring up and that would be Visine Summer Spectrum relief eye drops. They're the first and only eye drops targeted for summer time redness relief and eye irritation. A trio of lubricants is in the formula as well as a redness reliever and they really work to get the red out in seconds because if you think about it- chlorine, salt water, the sun and even the wind really make your eyes stingy and tingly during the summer."

 

Visine Summer Spectrum Relief - image courtesy of Daily Med

 

CR: What are the must have trends for summer in terms of beauty?

TK: "You need to cover up. Beauty in fashion, I think border a line. I would recommend some great sunglasses to shield those eyes. I always wear a lip gloss that has SPF 15 or higher in it for sure. I would definitely wear a sarong or a cover-up at all times when you're on the beach and not in the water."

CR: Do you have any additional information you'd like to share?

TK: "Well, I think that you should invest in a sunless tanner if you like the sunless glow. Use sunless tanner to get that, do not ever, ever sunbathe."

CR: Do you have any recommendations for a sunless tanner that doesn't make you orange?

TK: "Well, honestly today's formulas be it the ones you find in the drugstore or at stores like Sephora, they're all fantastic. It's been years since any sunless tanner has made a woman orange, so I really recommend trying anything that's new on the market because they do definitely work and beautifully."

 

Hampton Sun - Sunless Tanning Gel - Sephora

CR: Where can we go for more information?

TK: "You can go to LifeMinute.TV or Shapemagazine.com

 

Facebook - Shape Magazine

Interview: Parenting Expert Colleen Burns on How Families Can Spend Quality Time Outdoors

I recently had the chance to speak with parenting expert, Colleen Burns who shared great tips on how parents can get the kids excited about spending quality time outdoors! 

 

Parenting Expert & Media Personality, Colleen Burns

 

Candace Rose: With summer right around the corner, do you have any budget friendly outdoor activity ideas for moms?

Colleen Burns: Well, just getting outside is so important, get some fresh are and some exercise and those are completely free. Also a really inexpensive thing you can do with your children is to teach them something new, it fosters creativity and a sense of cooperation for them to learn something new, either teaching each other or learning from you. If you're looking for something to teach them, think about the stuff you used to do whether it's pogo sticking or hopscotch or red light/green light or flashlight tag - all inexpensive ways to enjoy the outdoors and to really kind of focus them on learning something new. You can also turn the tables and learn something from them as well, as long as it's not a video game- you know skateboarding, something like that. Remember you're in the moment, so turn off your cellphone and maybe have some water and snacks on hand so you don't have to end the fun too soon.

    There's a website Traillink.com and what it tells you is the trails and the paths and the parks in your community that you might not be aware of. It's definitely going to push you out there and get you to do something outdoors. It's really going to open doors to areas in your community you might not know about and also you can learn about geocaching there which you might have heard of? This is kind of a high tech treasure hunt again using a little technology. Technology can be a good thing as long as you're not plugged in completely, as long as you're not stuck in a dark room. You want to be outside, you want to be enjoying the outdoors and what I like about geocaching is you can be a part of a team with your family. I have five boys from 6 up to 16 and sometimes it's hard to bridge the gap between the oldest and the youngest, but when you can be on a team together kind of for the same goal, that can sometimes help with children, that everyone is enjoying the same thing."

 

Traillink.com

 

CR: Do you have any tips for preparing a spontaneity bag?

CB: "Spontaneity bags is kind of a phrase I coined because it's something I found out the hard way. Moms end up packing their schedules so tightly sometimes, that when a window opens up of time unexpectedly it almost takes that much time just to get the kids ready and out the door, so you have an hour and it's like wait a minute, by the time we're ready to go now we have something else planned. So a spontaneity bag is a great way, you can keep this by the door or in the car and it has all of those things you know you'll need if you want to go enjoy the outdoors - so sunscreen, bug spray, maybe band-aids and pain relievers (just in case), some antibacterial wipes, you also want to make sure you have fun stuff, frisbees and jump ropes and balls and bubbles but then also some water, plenty of water and then some shelf safe snacks. Shelf safe snacks are a great idea, especially if you can find some without preservatives. Lance sandwich crackers are a great option because they don't have preservatives but they do have protein. Another good thing to have as your energy is slagging in the afternoon is real cheese, real protein - keeps your kids even keeled up through dinner, that's important. And your spontaneity bags can be themed however you enjoy spending time outdoors. So if you know you're going to head for the beach, most of the time you keep your swimsuits and your goggles and your water toys and your towels in there or if you like to go make campfires and grill hot dogs and have marshmallows, put that kind of thing in the bag, certainly can't have hot dogs in there but you can have your marshmallows and your hot dog buns and your skewers, a blanket to sit on but that way when you have a little bit of time you can grab your bag and go."

 

  Spontaneity Bag

 

CR: Do you have any additional tips or information you'd like to share?

CB: "Sure. You can get more tips from me and watch some videos on some ways to enjoy your time with your children this spring at MomsLoveLance.com. There's also a chance to win a spontaneity bag there." 

Interview: Renowned Physician & Author, Dr. Claire Wheeler Shares Health Tips for Women

I recently had the pleasure of speaking with renowned physician and author, Dr. Claire Wheeler to discuss National Women's health week, the importance of eating right, reducing stress and how vital proper dental care is to our overall health. 

 

Dr. Claire Wheeler

 

Candace Rose: What is National Women's Health Week all about?

Dr. Claire Wheeler: "Women's National Health Week is all about making sure that women are aware and activated to take good care of their health. It's a time to check in and make sure you're eating well, that you're getting regular exercise, that you're trying to avoid bad habits and also keeping up with the screening and checkups that we all need to have as we progress through our lives."

CR: Do you have any tips for reducing stress in our lives?

CW: "I have many tips for reducing stress, I actually wrote a book about it but my number one tip is to practice good nutrition and really make sure that you know what you are putting into your body. And that's why I want to tell you about Crystal Light Pure on behalf of Kraft Foods. What I like about this product is that it's naturally sweetened with sugar and another sweetener Truvia that comes from the Stevia plant. I think most people know that natural sweeteners come from plants, fruits and vegetables and this is no exception. Another nice thing about Crystal Light Pure is that it's only 15 calories per 8 oz. serving there are 5 great flavors to choose from."

 

Crystal Light Pure - Amazon.com

 

CR: What can we do to reverse our negative habits?

CW: "I think one of the best ways to reverse a negative habit is to try to replace it with a positive habit and for instance don't let things go by the wayside, like your basic dental health, which many, many people do. They don't take the time to brush and floss twice a day like they should and I think that it's interesting that many people are not aware that dental decay and gum disease are strongly linked to heart disease like heart attacks, strokes and even diabetes later in life. I think it's really important for women to be aware of that, especially if you're thinking of straightening your teeth. We used to have the only option was metal braces which are hard to maintain and don't really look that great but anyone can use Invisalign for pretty much any tooth straightening process, even really complex ones. What I like about Invisalign in addition to the fact that they look better is that they come out and you take them out everyday, so you can eat what you want but most importantly from a health perspective is that you can get your gums really well flossed and your teeth really clean every single day."

 

Invisalign - Invisalign.com

CR: What about family planning? 

CW: "Well, that's a huge issue for a lot of women. Most of us at some point in time want to plan a healthy pregnancy and want to conceive a child. That can be stressful for a lot of people, partly because we don't know our bodies well enough. So, I think the first step towards a healthy baby is to get to know your own body as well as you can and use really good tools for managing how you are doing. So, the First Response Digital Ovulation tool is something I really like. It's unique among all the other ovulation tools because it is based on a woman's own unique cycle and not on an arbitrary average, so you get to know your own self and you get a very precise idea about when is the best time to try to conceive."

 

First Response Digital Ovulation Tool - First Response 

 

CR: Do you have any additional information or tips you'd like to share with us?

CW: "I think that stress management is not this grim undertaking that you have to add to your already busy life. Stress management is more about embracing and enjoying all the good things that life has to offer and remembering to let go of the things that we don't really have any control over. You can go to website WomensHealth.gov and get all kinds of great information."

On My List Wednesday

We have been experiencing the strangest weather here in Northern California for it being mid May! From rain and hail in the valley to snow in the Sierras, you wouldn't think that summer was a month away. Oh well, I can't say it hasn't been nice to cozy up in my Uggs and a sweatshirt! Hope you're having a relaxing day!

 

As always here are my favorite fashion + style items of the week :)

 

Alice + Olivia - Lana One Shoulder Drape Top (Purple) - Shopbop

Milly - Stephanie Ruffle Dress (Flamingo) - Shopbop

 

ONE by Seneca Rising - Penny Lane Tunic (Chestnut) - Shopbop

 

Joe's Jeans - High Rise Wide Leg Jeans (Leah) - Shopbop

 

Hudson - Flap Pocket Flare Jeans - Shopbop

 

B-Low The Belt - Jerry Leopard Belt - Shopbop

I remember when these sweats were impossible to find online! Still want them!

FREECITY Sweatpants (White) - Shopbop

 

Marc by Marc Jacobs - Classic Q Francesca Tote - Shopbop

 

Club Monaco - Paillette Cluster Earrings (Silver) - Shopbop

 

 I have had Jonathan Adler's Aztec Diamond patterned case on my iPhone since last summer and I still love it! I'd never tire of this umbrella either!!! 

Jonathan Adler - Aztec Diamond Umbrella (Aztec Diamond = Yellow, Lavender, Gray, White) - Shopbop

 

Celebrity Interview: America's Got Talent Winner, Michael Grimm

As many Americans, last summer I was glued to the set on Tuesday nights to both watch and listen to soulful crooner, Michael Grimm not only inspire us with his beautiful voice but the touching story of being raised by his grandparents and the challenges he experienced along the way. Last week I had the pleasure of speaking with Grimm to discuss how life has changed since winning America's Got Talent and his new self-titled album which is debuting today. 

 

  Michael Grimm on set

 

Candace Rose: How has your life changed since winning America's Got Talent? By the way, my mom and I are huge fans and we voted every week for you!

Michael Grimm: "Well, tell her thank you and thank you very much, I appreciate it."

CR: Legendary singer, Bill Medley of The Righteous Brothers surprised you on stage a few days ago and dubbed you the best singer of the century and best singer in the world, how does that make you feel?

MG: "Coming from him, it means everything. He has been not only an inspiration and an idol growing up, listening to him but I got to know him the past few years and he's really been a great mentor and a real dear friend of mine."

 

Michael Grimm & Bill Medley embracing on stage in Las Vegas - Las Vegas Sun

CR: We were all touched by your grandparents, how they supported your career since an early age and how they devastatingly lost their home in Hurricane Katrina. How amazed were they by you donating your winnings to build them a home and of course for winning America's Got Talent?

MG: "Well, I've always told my grandparents I was going to go out one day, when I was a little boy. See they raised me and I would tell them when I was a little boy that I would buy them a house one day when I became a celebrity [laughing]. And you know when I went on the show I just figured, I'm going to keep to my promise if I win that money and there's no better time than now that they need it because they lost their home in Katrina and so many others down there. So I'm just glad that I got to hook them up with a wonderful house and it should be built here next month."

CR: What can your fans expect on your new album? 

MG: "Oh wow; well they can expect what they're used to a little bit- that is the soulful music that's on here and I was raised on country, there's a little touch of country music on here. I'm doing a duet with Travis Tritt, so a little Travis and a little rock and roll, doing a duet also with Anne Wilson, so I'm very proud of this album. I collaborated it with Don Woods and I couldn't ask for a better album in the end. This is something I've always been waiting on."

 

Michael Grimm album debuting May 17, 2011 - Amazon.com

CR: What was it like collaborating with country superstar, Travis Tritt?

MG: "It was an experience of a lifetime. I grew up listening to Travis. Like I said I grew up on country music and just getting to meet him alone and then getting to sing a song with him...it's surreal."

CR: When will your album be released and where can your fans purchase it?

MG: "It will be all over the internet and in stores - Target, Walmart, iTunes. You can even get it through my website MichaelGrimmMusic.com. I think I have a facebook?"

CR: You do, I became a fan last night!

MG: "Cool! It'll be out there and I just hope people will go and take a listen to it."

CR: Absolutely. Do you have any additional information you'd like to share with your fans?

MG: "I just want to thank them all for voting me through and thank you, America and thanks to America's Got Talent and I just really hope everybody enjoys the album. I hope I get a second time around for another one here!"

CR: I have a feeling you will! Well, thank you very much, Michael, it was great speaking with you. Best of luck with the new album.

MG: "It's my pleasure, thank you, Candace."

 

Interview: Summer Family Fun with Positive Parenting Solutions, Amy McCready

Looking for fun family activities with the family without breaking the bank? Amy McCready, Founder of Positive Parenting Solutions and frequent contributor to The TODAY Show, Rachael Ray, MSNBC, Fox & Friends, ABC News and Sirius XM Radio has all the answers on spending quality time this summer on a budget, the Nestle Share of Joy of Reading program and more!

  Parenting Expert, Amy McCready

 

Candace Rose: With summer break only a few short weeks away, how can parents prepare for a fun summer without the chaos?

Amy McCready: "Well, Candace, just because kids are on summer break we don't want to let our household routines take a vacation, so it's really important to keep kids on a set schedule during the summer. Using bedtimes as an example- summer bedtimes can be a little bit later than during the school year but we don't want them to be up too late and the bedtimes should be consistent each night. So having that set routine in place just ensures that everybody knows what to expect. It's good for kids and it's really good for mom's in terms of saving their sanity."

CR: How about mealtime? Do you have any tips on getting the family together in one place to eat?

AM: "Well, I don't know about you but in my family, kids seem to be running in every direction so it's few and far between that we're actually all together, so I really love easy on the go snacks and one of the ones that I especially love is the fruit smoothies and slow churned shakes from Dreyer's or Edy's depending on where you live. The reason these are so great is because they're so easy, you don't need a blender, there's no mess, all you do is is add 1/3 cup of milk and stir it up. The smoothies are made from real fruit and if you use skim milk they're fat free. The shakes are 1/3 less calorie and half the fat of regular shakes, so it's really a great, easy option for your kids that they'll love. It comes in eight flavors and if you go to IceCream.com you can find out all about the flavors and where you can buy them in your area." 

 

Edy's/Dreyer's Slow Fruit Smoothies

CR: What are some affordable activities that families can participate in together?

AM: "Well, there's so many things depending on what's available in your community. Even just going to the park as a family and throwing a frisbee around is a great idea. I think it's just getting out of the house and doing something together is really, really fun. The more you can schedule those family activities you're going to love it and so will your kids. Of course when you're on the go every mom knows she needs to have snacks available, so try to remember to pack some of your kids favorites like their Nestle favorites - Nestle Crunch, Butterfingers, Baby Ruth or Wonka. When you buy those products you can actually give back at the same time. Nestle Share the Joy of Reading Program ensures that low income children all over the country have access to books and we know from reading is fundamental, the children's largest literacy organization in the country, they tell us that kids can lose up to two months worth of their reading achievement over the summer. We really want to keep reading an important part of the summer routine and if you look for packages with the Nestle Share the Joy of Reading program logo on it and go to CelebrationCorner.com/RIF you can learn a lot more about that."

 

Nestle Share the Joy of Reading Logo

  Nestle Share the Joy of Reading Program 

CR: Do you have any additional information you'd like to share?

AM: "Well, the one thing that we should also talk about is our kids teeth because in the summer is when a lot of kids get their braces, so if you have kids who are busy going to camp or on vacation Invisalign Teen otherwise known as clear braces is a great option. Our kids love them just because they're lightweight, they're easy and comfortable to wear but parents love them because you don't have all those emergency visits to the Orthodontist when brackets break or wires come loose. It's a really great option, they cost about the same as traditional braces and they're also covered under Dental programs that have orthodontic benefits. So a lot of great options for parents during the busy summer season to save everybody's sanity."

CR: Where can we go for more information? 

AM: "For more information on any of these things we've talked about, you can go to News2Know.com."

Interview: Beauty Tips & Olay Like Mom. Like Daughter Contest with National Beauty Expert, Rebekah George

 I recently had the opportunity of speaking with Beauty and Lifestyle Expert, Rebekah George, who many of you have seen on The Today Show, Good Morning America and The Doctors (to name a few), to discuss beauty, Skin Cancer Awareness Month and Olay's fabulous "Like Mom. Like Daughter." contest to win a makeover and photo shoot in New York City!

 

Beauty & Lifestyle Expert, Rebekah George - RebekahGeorge.com

 

Candace Rose: Was there a certain point in your life when you began viewing your mom as a friend?

Rebekah George: "You know there was. For me it was really early on in my life, in my early teen years - I would race home from school and I always wanted to tell my mom everything that happened to me, whether it was - I broke up with a boy or I got the part in the school play; good or bad she was the person I wanted to share it with more than even any of my girlfriends. I realized it very early on in my life, I think it comes at different times for women, sometimes girls grow up and they weren't really close with their mom's and then they have a child of their own and it teaches them that they become friends with their mom's. I think everyone has a different experience and they are all unique and you can actually share your story at Olay's facebook page contest that they call 'Like Mom. Like Daughter. You can log onto their facebook fan page Facebook.com/Olay share your story of when you became friends with your mom, that moment you realized your mom was more than your mom but also your friend. You can do that now through the end of the month and then you'll be eligible to win a makeover with your mom and a photo shoot here in New York City, so quite exciting!

 

Like Mom. Like Daughter. Contest - Facebook.com/Olay

CR: What are some of the things people wish they'd listened to their mothers the most about?

RG: "You know the biggest thing I hear from women is 'I should have listened to my mom when it comes to wearing sunscreen. So many women regret not listening to their mom and that advice because years and years later they really regret all those times they wen to the beach and they didn't wear sunscreen and they fried their skin. So I hear that all the time from women, 'I should have listened to my mom when it comes to wearing sunscreen but the good news is the damage may be done but you can do things to reverse it, so don't fret."

 

CR: Do you have any beauty and life advice?

RG: "I have a few tricks up my sleeve, one of my favorite tricks is - this might come as a big surprise to you but I'm a big believer in learning to do it yourself. I think that every woman should learn to do her own makeup, do her own manicure, cut your own bangs because we all have times when we're sort of stuck in a pinch whether you're running out to a wedding and you realize you didn't get your nails done or your nails just chipped or you just don't have the time or you just don't have the money, it's really important to be independent when it comes to your beauty routine and learning to do these things by yourself because let's face it we're not celebrities, we can't have a glam squad with us constantly, that's my dream but it's not a reality right now so I think it's really important to learn to do things yourself. So you're probably wondering well, how can I do that? Whenever I go to an appointment I always ask a million questions and I sort of study how they are cutting my hair or blowing out my hair and I take mental notes and then I go home and you just practice. Practice over and over again until you get it right."

CR: Do you have any additional information you'd like to share?

RG: "It's May, and it's starting to get warmer, it's Skin Cancer Awareness month - I really want to reinforce the message about wearing sunscreen. It's so important to not only keep your skin looking good but also to prevent skin cancer and one way that I remember to apply my SPF is I put it everywhere, not just on my body, I put it in every single handbag I have, I put it in my medicine cabinet, I put a bottle in my car, so when you see it you remember to apply it, so it's important to remember to have a sunscreen wherever you tend to to, whichever handbag you're carrying that day, remember to reapply it."

 

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month - SkinCancer.Org

CR: Where can we go for more information?

RG: "For the contest you can check out Facebook.com/Olay."

Interview: Everything You Need To Know About Tablet PC's with Marc Silverstein

Are you in the market for a new tablet PC, but need help with choosing the right one for you? TV host and media personality, Marc Silverstein is here with all the answers to help make your purchase a little easier for you.

 

Marc Silverstein - MyFoodu.com

Candace Rose: What is the future of tablet PC's?

Marc Silverstein: "I think the future is now. I think these are selling off the shelves right now. We've got millions selling, what is 54 million this year? That's triple last year, and 108 million next year. There's just so much to sort out and I'm going to help you do it and I'm going to do it using the Blackberry PlayBook which is just out, it's professional grade, it really is the benchmark when you're talking about tablets." 

  Blackberry PlayBook - Blackberry.com

 

CR: You mentioned that sales are expected to triple this year, and that possibly more next year; do you think we'll see prices drop at all in the near future?

MS: "I'm not an expert on that, but I think your guess is probably a good one but price is certainly a factor but so many other things factor into this and one of the things you really think about is when you look at a tablet, it's that it's smaller; and it's lighter than a laptop, right. A lot of these tablets are 10 inches. The Playbook ultra-portable is 7 inches, it's less than a pound, it's made to fit right into your pocket or bag or a purse. You take it right with you, kind of like it's an eReader; oh wait it is an eReader, so that's something of factor that you want to look for too."

CR: What are the pros and cons?

MS: "The pros and the cons is a good question- one of the things about surfing the web, this is critical. You want a tablet that's able to get to the entire web and not all tablets can see the entire web. There are millions of sites that use what's called flash. We've all heard about flash, it's used in videos and games and many websites. Well, as I said not all tablets can process it. The iPad 2 can't. I want to be able to get to every site, I want a tablet that can do the same thing."

CR: Are consumers primarily using tablets for personal use or work as well?

MS: "You've got the full spectrum of everything but in terms of entertainment this is a real game changer. In terms of the way we view and interact with our media, let's talk about games. I've got a great game - EA has Need For Speed Undercover. This is where I get to drive these world class cars like a Porsche Carrera GT. What's really cool is the tablet is the steering wheel, you don't need any controllers or buttons, you're able to access the features by your gestures with your swipes and you get these incredible visuals and sweeping camera angles. Normally on a pc, laptop or a computer that would tax the power but it's not a problem with the playbook. In fact it's preloaded on the playbook."

 

 

 

CR: What makes tablets so much fun? What can they do?

MS: I've got a good example for you here, this is the perfect example - you can use the playbook to watch high definition movies on your big screen or as I like to say, the biggest screen. I have connected the little playbook with a giant 73 inch Mitsubishi (they make the largest tvs on the market) just need an HDMI cable, I get a beautiful picture and I'm able to change what I'm looking at on the playbook while still watching the original movie on the big screen. This isn't a like apps running in the background, I'm doing two things at once here, I am multitasking."

 

HDMI Cable - Shopping.Yahoo.com

 

CR: Have consumers made the choice for better portability?

MS: "Absolutely, as you can see the numbers are going through the roof. Here's something else that's really interesting, if you have a blackberry smartphone you can use the playbook as an extension of your screen. You can wireless pair the two up, so that way you can securely access your email and your calendar and your address book on the bigger screen and enjoy it on the bigger screen. To sum all this up- you're asking that great question there, you're looking for something that plays flash, see all the web, it's ultra-portable and it gives you great entertainment."

CR: Where can we go for more information?

MS: "Blackberry.com/playbook."

Interview: Going Green On A Budget with Eco-Expert Sophie Uliano of Gorgeously Green

Thinking of going green but lack the willpower? Little changes can make a huge impact such as using recyclable pet products and buying in bulk, according to Eco-Expert, Sophie Uliano of Gorgeously Green, whom I spoke with recently on becoming eco-friendly on a budget. 

 

Sophie Uliano 

 

Candace Rose: Do you have any tips for those looking to go green?

Sophie Uliano: "I do, I have some tips this morning. These are easy tips, no big deal, won't compromise on cost or convenience. So, one of the tips I have is pets. If you're a pet lover, particularly a cat lover, I highly recommend that you look for this new cat litter which is called The World's Best Cat Litter, now why it's called the world's best cat litter is because it's the only cat litter in the world that's all natural, it's made out of whole corn kernels and these corn kernels provide this unbelievable odor control, they're fast clumping, long lasting and the really great thing is that you can flush them. They're flushable, so keeps it out of the landfill, so that's a really good tip to look for an eco-friendly cat litter and you can actually go to givelitter.com and they will donate. You can vote for free and they will donate cat littler to local animal shelters which is lovely.

 

The World's Best Cat Litter - World'sBestCatLitter.com

 

GiveLitter.com

 

    Another tip this morning is recycling plastic, so ziploc bags, conveniences that most of us can't give up, Ziploc bags are now recyclable, so you find a local participating outlet that would be your local grocery store that has an existing recycle bin for their plastic grocery bags. You can put your used Ziploc bags into those bins, no problem. The incentive is that recyclers have teamed up with recycle banks. You go to recyclebanks.com, pledge to recycle your Ziploc bags and you will get rewards for that for all sorts of goodies, so that's a really great tip. 

 

Ziploc - Storage 40 Count - Amazon.com

 

    Equally important is recycled fiber products, so the amazing thing is if every household in America switched to recycled fiber products for just one month we would save over 2 million trees from being cut down, however 1/3 of Americans are reluctant to do it because they don't necessarily like the feel and the look of these recycled products, so I have a 'hybrid' recycled fiber product by Scott Naturals. Now why it's 'hybrid' is that it combines the green benefits of the recycled fibers but has exactly the same quality as a traditional paper product. That comes in the towels, and the toilet rolls, and the napkins, and the moist flushable wipes, so again with all of these tips you can still have your convenience, it's not going to cost you more and yet you're taking steps in the right direction to be a little more eco-friendly."

CR: Are there any other places inside the home you can look to, to cut down on waste?

SU: "You can cut down on waste with packaging. You really want to think of your packaging, so when you go to the grocery store buy in bulk; see if you can find a grocery store or a health food store that has bulk bins that will considerably cut down on packaging. Pretty much everything you buy try and buy it in bulk whether it's laundry detergent or whatever it might be, the bigger container the better because you really are cutting back and another tip for cutting back on waste is maybe this year start thinking about composting. It's very, very easy to do and it's so satisfying to think that all of your food scraps can go into making this wonderful fertilizer for your yard, so that's a tip I would give to everybody to start this year.

 

Compost - HowToCompost.org

 

        For lots more tips along these lines, do visit me at GorgeouslyGreen.com because there's lots of how to videos and tips and all sorts of things that I show you there. If you want to learn more about these particular products you can go to News2Know.com."

On My List Wednesday

Happy Wednesday! I'm loving everything bright and turquoise this week! How about you?! What are you coveting for summer?

 

Jack and Ginger - Faux Wrap Crepe de Chine Dress  (Blue/Green Multi) - Nordstrom

 

Love, love, love, love, love (a million times over) this beautiful teal dress! 

Komarov - Jersey Sheath Dress - Nordstrom

 

Juicy Couture - Shadow Dot Dress (Angel) - Nordstrom

Love this bikini, especially in one of my absolute favorite color combos of turquoise and brown!

Lisa Marie Fernandez - The Color-Block triangle bikini - Net-A-Porter

 

Alex Monroe - 22- karat gold-plated feather earrings - Net-A-Porter

 

Ippolita - Turquoise, Diamond & 18K Gold Earrings - Saks.com

 

Ippolita - Bronze Turquoise & 18K Cascade Earrings - Saks.com

 

Elie Tahari - Crisscross Espadrille Sandals - Saks.com

 

House of Harlow 1960 - Caged Wedge Sandals - Saks.com