Mother’s Day is May 12th. Yes, that’s in two days. Because we’re all procrastinators (just hold my hand, it’s OK), here are some suggestions of gifts you can get your lovely mama:

Sonia Kashuk Native Beauty Brush Set, $17

I always say makeup brushes are the best gifts. It’s one of those things we don’t think to invest in, but trust me, everyone needs a good set. Your brushes make all the difference in how your makeup looks. I love these bright brushes from Sonia Kashuk that come in a chic raffia tribal case. Plus it’s a travel set, that easily fits in a bag or clutch. Perfect for moms who are constantly on-the-go. The set includes a Synthetic Domed Powder Brush, Eye Shadow Brush, Angled Fluffy Eye Shadow Brush and Synthetic Pointed Eyeliner/Lip Brush with full size brush heads.

Lancôme Trésor In Love Hearts Set, $61

A gorgeous scent, Tresor in Love, packaged with a mascara that will give your mama Kim Kardashian-lashes — no really, her makeup artist used Lancome Doll Lashes Mascara on Kardashian for her wedding day.


Vitamix 5200 blender, $450

I know. It’s $450, but it’s the Rolls-Royce of blenders. This blends everything and anything, and has a 7-year warranty. When my mom discovered this, she would call me every single day to tell me to get the same thing just based on how many healthy drinks she can make from this one alone. This 5200 is the standard, but they have a bunch more options on their website. If you guys read my post earlier today, this green smoothie is ONE of them. Bonus: You will easily secure your spot as ‘favorite child’ after this one.

DDF Revolve 400X, $99 for the kit

She probably doesn’t have time to get facials, much less setting up a microderm appointment. Here’s a much less intimidating option: DDF’s Revolve 400X Micro-Polishing System. It’s dubbed to be just as good as professional treatments and at a fraction of the cost. It’s a spa day at home, ya’ll!

Sonia Kashuk Beauty organizers in Floral and Yarn, $25 each

Another great find at Target: these organizers are beautiful on it’s own or filled with Mom’s favorite beauty goodies!

Laura Mercier La Petite Patisserie Eau Gourmande Fragrance Coffret, $45


These gorgeous scents from Laura Mercier are limited edition and includes includes three travel-friendly scents in Vanille, Fresh Fig and Almond Coconut Milk. Scents to compliment any type, and can even be layered for a lovely unique scent that your mother can claim for her own. Gift wrap optional — did you check out the pretty box it comes in??

French’s Flavor Infusers, $1 each

One of the many great things Robert Verdi has taught me is that it’s really the sentiment that matters most in the gift, and it’s also very easy to package affordable, useful items in a pretty way. I’d take items, like these $1 Flavor Infusers from French’s, and package them in a pretty basket along with other items (tissues, scented hand soap, homemade cookies, etc). These are 10-minute flavor marinades that doesn’t require refrigeration, and because it has a pointy tip, you can infuse it right into your meat and let it sit for only 10 minutes before it’s ready to be cooked. Saving mom time? Isn’t that the greatest gift of all?

What gift are you getting your mom this year?

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Shy
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I’m forever trying to find great smoothie and juice recipes in an attempt to eat a little better and rectify my snacking ways. I even got a juicer last December and still have not used it. I’m almost intimidated by it, I don’t know why. It makes no sense because they really are the easiest things you can put together in the kitchen, but I haven’t gotten around to experimenting yet. I’m currently visiting my brother and his family in Michigan, and the other night, he made the most delicious smoothie for me. It reminded me a lot of the smoothies you can get at Blue Dog (one of my favorite healthy joints in the city). He told me he actually stole the recipe from our cousin, Sabeen…so we can all thank her for this tasty and nutritious treat . My brother made it again for me so I can share it with you all here:

BREAKFAST SMOOTHIE INGREDIENTS:
1 1/2 cups green grapes (note: make sure you get green grapes — you can use red grapes too, but it will taste a little more tart)
1/2 orange
1 banana
1 slice Pineapple
1 handful fresh spinach
5-6 mint leaves
1 cup ice
Run on High for 35-40 seconds

Total side note, but my family is completely obsessed with the Vitamix blender. It’s a little pricey, but so worth it. I’ll write about it again in my Mother’s Day Gift Guide .

Try it and let me know what you think . Do any of you have any other tips/recipes for healthy smoothies or juices? Share in the comments! I’m always looking for more!

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I’m ashamed to admit that it’s been a while since I’ve tried a new place for brunch in the city. Usually, I’ve been sticking to the most convenient options for me (Eatery in Midtown), or the no-fail ones (Cafe Mogador in the East Village). It’s so nice to break out of that routine though, and upon the suggestion of my friend Sadia, we found another gem: Spoon. Spoon is the name of the family-owned restaurant, but they also have a takeout storefront they refer to as Tbsp (so cute).

The space is so cozy and feels like you’re eating in a country house (perhaps the point — owner Melissa Chmelar credits her mother’s country cooking as inspiration for most of the dishes). The farm-to-table concept results in really fresh, really delicious plates with seasonal organic produce delivered daily from upstate NY. We didn’t get to try too much of their sweet options (even though they sounded amazing — cinnamon brioche french toast!), but the eggs made all different ways were insanely good.

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As a move towards more healthier menu options, McDonald’s just launched their new, 250-calorie Egg White Delight McMuffin this week. To help celebrate the launch, the company enlisted 17-year-old gymnast and two-time Olympic gold-medalist Gabby Douglas — an appropriate “flipping” partner and longtime McD’s patron, interestingly enough.

I caught up with Douglas on the new partnership and some words on her climb to the top:

Beauty and the Feast: How did you decide to partner with McDonald’s?
Gabby Douglas: I’ve loved McDonald’s since I was little. I was always a big fan, especially now that they just came out with their Egg White Delight. For me, I’ve always loved egg whites — it’s a great source of protein and this just tastes so good.

BATF: Do you have a particular McD’s menu item that you’re partial to?
Douglas: I was always obsessed with their McFlurries! I still am. I mean ice cream and M&M’s – I’m in heaven! And to be honest, right after the Olympics, I went straight to McDonald’s and got an Egg McMuffin.

BATF: When you win the gold at 16, what’s next? You’re already at the top.
Douglas: One of my goals is definitely to go back and defend my title. Do it all over again. Just getting back into the gym. I start training again in May.

BATF: I read that you left home to start intensive training in Iowa. At what point did you know that this is what you’re meant to do?
Douglas: I knew since I was little that this was it. If you have a dream, that’s just what you have to do.

BATF: What advice would you give aspiring athletes?
Douglas: My advice is just fight for your dreams. I’m so honored and blessed to be in a position where I can help girls pursue their dreams and tell them to believe in themselves. If you do that and you have confidence in yourself, you can achieve anything.

BATF: What did you think the moment you realized you won?
Douglas: I just thought about all the hard work and dedication I put into the sport. It was all worth it and I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

BATF: What are some of the sacrifices you had to make to focus and be the best?
Douglas: If you want to be the best, it’s really going to cost you. You have to make some sacrifices for sure. For me, it was not going out with my friends, the movies, not going to prom, not being a regular teenage girl and having a boyfriend. One of the biggest sacrifices was moving away from my family. But in the end, it was all worth it.


BATF: I’m sure a lot of cool opportunities have been coming your way. What were some of them?
Douglas: Meeting my fans and the celebrities. The fans are awesome! They always say very kind words to me. Yesterday, I went undercover and flipped in Times Square as a surprise [to promote the launch of the new Egg White Delight McMuffin] It was so fun – no one was expecting it!

BATF: You mentioned celebrities – were there any who you were particularly thrilled about meeting?
Douglas: The cast of The Vampire Diaries! I love that show. Meeting Ian Somerhalder and Nina Dobrev was exciting — they were so sweet.

BATF: Part of my blog is beauty, so I wanted to ask: what’s the one product you can’t do without?
Douglas: Mascara. I cannot live without CoverGirl’s mascara!

The Egg White Delight McMuffin ($2.69) as well as the option of freshly grilled egg whites with white cheddar on any egg and cheese breakfast sandwiches are now available at McDonald’s nationwide. Thanks to Gabby Douglas for her time and McDonald’s for organize the interview!

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You know how Birchbox delivers monthly luxe beauty samples (of which you have the option of buying the full sized items on their site if you can’t live without)? Well, Love With Food is a similar idea only with food and a feel-good edge. You pay $10 a month to get a curated selection of gourmet bites, and for every box you get, a meal is donated to a hungry child. Totally brilliant.

If you realize that you devoured some of the snacks a little too fast, you can buy the full-sized versions on Love With Food’s website for a discounted price (and free shipping). There’s a new theme every month, so for example, this month’s was Classics with a Twist which included:

- Kids 50 Fruit & Veggie Juice – apple, carrot, and acerola berry juices with 50% less calories
- Ola! Foods Granola – oats, pure vanilla, and maple syrup
- Chocwasabi Chocolate Covered Wasabi
- Cosmos Creations Salted Caramel Baked Corn
- Revolution Tea Green Tea – an antioxidant-rich green tea with acai
- Mary’s Gone Crackers – organic, vegan, and gluten-free crunch snacks made with whole grains
- Wacky Apple Wild Berry Flat Fruit - Organic apple and blackberries mashed into fruit leather
- Emily’s Chocolates Dark Chocolate Orange Good Fortune Cookie, which provides you fortunes like so:

The more you purchase from their site and feedback you leave on items you’ve tasted, the more points you rack up towards free food. ALSO, if you’re feeling extra generous, you have the option to gift a friend with an 8-month subscription, and the same rule applies — for every box they get, a child in need also gets a meal donated. Wins all around.

Check them out at lovewithfood.com.

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Shy
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It’s delightful! It’s delicious! It’s de-lovely! (Has NO one here seen the Broadway Anything Goes? Because if you have, this song will be forever stuck in your head).

I digress.

So word on the street is Brooklyn Diner just unveiled their new spring menu options (read: I was emailed a press announcement about this and invited to check it out). My friend Mehreen came along to try some of them out…and she possibly ended up getting something from their regular menu, but at least one of us stuck to the task at hand.

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