Sunday, October 27, 2013

Tips for Halloween Costume Selection

Guest Blogger: Sharon Nuanes, Mrs. Colorado 1981 and Costume Designer

A few things to think are the following: Where is it going to be ( inside or outside, outside with the kids that fur rabbit costume will keep you warm), is there a theme at the event (Storm Troopers don't belong at the Renaissance), how long will I be in it (is it hot, claustrophobic, my niece wore a gunny sack over her head, creeped me out ), what will I be doing (can't dance in rubber duck feet, can't sit well in a Tin Man costume ), how can you eat or drink (it's no fun sticking a straw under a Darth Vader mask for your husband that doesn't want to break character), and you don't want to frighten little children (taking off your head when your cookie monster).



Once you've decided think about the total costume from head to toe. Think about shoes or foot covers. When I dressed in a rabbit suit for a preschool party a little girl cam up to me and said, "I know who you are your Heather's mom". I asked her how she knew. She said, "your wearing Heather's mom's shoes. Think about your head covering, does your costume fit through the door, will people be stepping on your costume if it extends out, do you want to wear make-up or a mask, do you have props to carry or keep track of (canes, chains, purse, staff, etc), do you have a pocket for your keys, money, id ( I try to put a hidden pocket in all my costumes just for keys), little details add a lot (period jewelry, gloves, hats).




Getting a costume early is great for adults because you can add to it as you see accessories. Kids are fickle they change their minds too quickly to buy too far ahead.

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Mrs. Ohio America Photos

Ever wonder what it feels like to be a superstar? Book a photo shoot with the fabulous Rick Martinez of Studio RM, and you will find out! I have had so much fun with every photo shoot I have ever done with Rick. But, this one was even more special because I got to wear this sparkly crown and banner! These are just a few of the many amazing shots Rick was able to capture. I LOVE being Mrs. Ohio America!! Enjoy the pictures...and just think...next year, this could be YOU!! :)

Hugs! 

Teri
 






Glitter Sparkle Shine

Guest Blogger Amy Nugent, owner of Crown Chic Boutique and Mrs. Colorado 1998

Here’s a few ways to incorporate Decorative Crowns into your next crown chic affair!

One of our customers used our Large Metal Decorative Crown (DC448) for centerpieces for her “Queen For A Day” bash!  The Decorative Crowns were covered with silver glitter, adorned with an elegant array of pink flowers and embellished with rhinestone and pearl buttons. These gorgeous crown centerpieces were used as table décor and also as crown party favors for guests to take home and enjoy!


She used our Fleur de Lys Crown ( MH7906W) spray painted with gold glitter and used these in the larger floral entry display tucked into a fabulous floral arrangement of pink and white. Iridescent confetti and beads were sprinkled around the entry table to set the tone for her royal court of friends! 



 Tables were first draped with silver metallic tablecloths. Then each placesetting was layered with silver and cream placemats, gold dinnerware and flatware, pink linen napkins, pearls, sparkling crystal stemware, and a crown party favor, of course! Gold and cream crown placecards greeted each guest at the table and a pink boa was draped across the back of each chair. Each guest certainly felt like a Chic Queen that day! 



Monday, October 7, 2013

Comfort Foods Made Healthy - 3 Super Simple Tips

By Guest Blog Contributor: Paula Stephens,  Mrs. Colorado 1995

Fall is the perfect season to surround ourselves with comfort foods. They warm our hearts and make our souls giggle with delight…Then our hips & thighs roar in laughter when you try to slip into that favorite little black dress for the annual Holiday Party. It’s not fair! So here are a few little yummy tricks and treats that will make your heart & soul happy and that little black dress fit like summer.
We are biologically wired to hunker down in the winter and be attracted for heavy warm foods that help us survive the long hard winter (read: store fat) and fight off the wooly mammoth (think Manny from Ice Age). The problem is, we no longer need this biological que to store fat. You can’t change your biology, so work with it and give it what it wants. No, not Mac & Cheese! Give it warm inviting flavors like Cinnamon, creamy goodness in fat-free greek yogurt and thick pumpkin.
On Sunday I whip I a big batch of this Fruit Dip, put it into small individual containers. That and a fresh Colorado apple from the farmers market and my tummy is as happy as my hips! The greek yogurt has the protein to keep you full and the pumpkin pie spice gives you that warm fuzzy feeling. If you want the nutritional info head over to the blog post on my website.




Another one of my favorite way to trick Mother Nature is by increasing the nutrient value of the foods I love. When your body is getting all the nutrients it needs (ie: vitamins, minerals etc) it is less likely to send you the signal to eat. Hunger signals are not just about your bodies need for calories, it is also how your body signals you it is lacking nutrients. Enter – Pumpkin! A super food with a crazy amount of antioxidants – I serving gives you 200% of your daily Vit.
Once a week I will cook up a master batch of Pumpkin Oatmeal that serves as a quick & uber nutritious breakfast for the fam all week.  It’s like eating pumpkin pie for breakfast, and it turbo charges your inner super-hero into action all morning. The entire recipe and nutrition highlights are here.


The last problem with comfort foods is that we tend to eat them in HUGE quantities (again read: store fat = biology). However, if we eat richly flavorful foods smaller amounts usually hit the spot. Take the picture below for example. Super simple – Fresh Figs, quartered and stuffed with goat cheese and roasted for 10 minutes at 425. Drizzle with Honey Balsamic. BAM! Rich flavors that explode in your mouth. And yes I did eat the entire plate of them. But at less than 300 calories it tastes better, has more nutrients and way less calories than anything on the Cheesecake Factory menu.

So here’s your take-aways.
1.       Add warm spices like cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice to healthy choices to warm them up.
2.       Use nutrient dense foods (think naturally orange & red foods) to satisfy your biology.
3.       Increase the flavor factor to WOW your tastebuds.

Last thought – All the suggestions I made here are super simple. I have a rule that I never pass on anything that isn’t as nutritious as it is delicious and simple. Now you go rock this fall season by embracing your biology, eating smart with the rich flavors of the season!