Favorite Thing #64 - Pottery Barn Contrast Tufted Quilt

I bought this favorite thing recently when we bought our new house. We got new bedding from Pottery Barn (thank you Uncle Tony for the gift card) and I decided to get this tufted quilt to put at the foot of the bed. It is by far one of the most comfortable blankents EVER. Its super soft, fluffy, and snuggable. Also its warm enough that some nights I will just sleep with it. There are bright, multi-colored tufts that are sure to go with any bedding. Right now this blanket is on sale for $99 for a twin size. I have a twin size right now on our queen bed and it works great.

Favorite Thing #63 - Sushi Damo

Sushi Damo is a new favorite of my husband and I since we moved to Rockville, MD (I apologize for the readers that don't live in the DC area). I was never a huge fan of sushi until we ate here a few weeks ago. Now I find myself craving it!! We went there again Saturday night for my birthday with a bunch of friends and had a great time. It's located in the Rockville Town Square (very convenient to our new house). They have your traditional rolls - Philadelphia, California, Spicy Tuna, etc. They also have some AMAZING speciality rolls. So far we recommend the Rockville Roll and the Blue Ocean. And of course start your meal off with some edamame!

Favorite Thing #62 - Schmitt Sohne Blue Riesling

This favorite thing is another favorite spring/summer wine - Schmitt Sohne Blue Riesling and has been a favorite of mine since college. My dad actually introduced me to this wine and since then I have a bottle in my house at all times. It's perfect for spring/summer because its light and fruity but I love it so much that I drink it year round. It's affordable as well (under $10 a bottle). I'm not that technical with wine (but its one of my goals to learn) and don't know how to specifically describe the wine so I will let their website to that -

"This medium bodied Riesling has peach and fine apple aromas, a firm and fruity palate, and crisp acidity that results in a well balanced, easy to drink wine. It is perfect as an aperitif or to complement a wide array of foods from pork and ham to fish and poultry."

Product Review - Bath and Body Works - Instant Radiance Gradual Tan Body Lotion

If you read Favorite Thing #47 post you will remember that I bought the Bath and Body Works Instant Radiance Gradual Tan Body Lotion. I got it in my favorite scent - Japanese Cherry Blossom - and it appears its no longer available. :(

Well the reviews are in and I LOVE IT!!!! I have been using it for a little over a month now and must say its the best gradual tanning lotion I have tried. When I started using it, I already had a base tan (from my trip to FL) so it kept my base tan and even gave me a little extra color. What I love about this product is that there is NO HINT OF ORANGE!! I have been constantly using it on my legs to try and give it color since its the one part of my body that loses its color - thanks to shaving - and my legs are looking bronzed and have a nice glow to them. And a perk to this tanning lotion is that it has a great scent and lasts all day.

Just a disclaimer - I do have olive skin tone so I don't know how this product would work if you have fair/pale skin.

Below is one of the reviews on the site from ShopaholicD about using this product:

"If you're like me and don't have a lot of time to lay out at the beach and soak up the sun, then you will love this product as much as I did. Put it on in the morning and it gives you an instant glowing look, then by night you look like you've been at the beach all day! I'm usually a little skeptical on self-tanners because even the ones that claim to have a nice fragrance end up smelling like body-odor and chemicals within a couple hours. NOT THIS ONE!! I smelled so good all day I could not believe it!. Even my coworkers kept asking what perfume I was wearing. It doesn't leave you looking orange either, it just perfected my skin tone and made my legs looks really smooth and sleek. I'll never use any other sunless tan product other than this again!"

Gift Idea Friday - Elsa Peretti Cross Pendant

Since today is my birthday I thought I would share with you one of my favorite gifts that I received from my husband - Elsa Peretti Cross Pendant from Tiffany's. I love this necklace because it is simple and classic. It's a " inimitable interpretation of the iconic form." I wear this almost every day and goes with everything! Whether I'm wearing a dress or suit to work or just going to dinner or the movies. It's timeless and I see it as a piece that I will pass along to my future daughters. And if the price keeps going up like it has over the past few years....it will be worth a fortune!!

Favorite Thing #61 - Chili Lime Rub w/ Sea Salt from Williams-Sonoma

I absolutely LOVE this seasoning rub - Chili Lime Rub with Sea Salt. My husband (grill master) has used this rub on beer can chicken (two week's ago gift idea) and just on grilled chicken breasts. After I bought it, I was nervous because I thought it might be over poweringly spicy but its not at all. Its the perfect blend of sweet and salty and just gives chicken that extra flavor. Try it with your next beer can chicken or just add some to spice up your chicken breast. It's not cheap (I bought it with a gift car) - $9.00 for 3 oz. And that amount lasted for two beer can chickens and three large chicken breasts.

Here's Williams-Sonoma's description of the rub:

From Latin America to the South Pacific, the pairing of lime and chili is a classic flavor combination. Our rub is a mingling of carefully selected spices – New Mexican chilies, California cilantro, Turkish cumin, paprika and more – plus sea salt and tart lime. The blend gives all types of meats a gentle heat and mouthwatering appeal. Before grilling, panfrying or roasting, sprinkle the rub liberally on chicken, pork, beef and seafood. 3 oz. A Williams-Sonoma exclusive.

Favorite Thing #60 - Me Jana Restaurant

Unfortunately this favorite thing will only be applicable to those that live in the DC area (particularly Arlington, VA) because its one of my favorite lunchtime spots - Me Jana Restaurant. This is a new Lebanesse restaurant in this area and it is soooo amazing!!! My friend Chandra and I probably have lunch here at least three times a month!! And I always get the same thing - Grilled Chicken Salad. It's the perfect size, the chicken is marinated in some amazing spices and the vinaigrette on the salad is amazingly light - a nice blend of olive oil and citrus flavors. Other great items on the menu that I have tried and enjoyed are the rosemary french fries, shawarma sandwich and the Moroccan tea.

Product Review - Laura Mercier 'Chocolate Truffle Soufflé' Body Crème

Recently I bought a few Laura Mercier products and I received a free gift bag with several trial items in it. One of these items was the Chocolate Truffle Soufflé Body Crème. I was looking forward to using this product because there are several Laura Mercier products that I love. Unfortunately I was very disappointed in this product. I really like the consistency of the cream. It was thick enough that I felt it really moisturized my skin BUT I smelled like chocolate the rest of the day! Had the scent been a nice floral scent I would have loved it because it really did last well into the day. I wouldn't waste the $55 for 12oz of this lotion that will make you smell like a Hershey bar all day.

Here's a description of the product from Nordstrom's website:

"Chocolate Truffle Soufflé Body Crème is an ultra-rich whipped soufflé crème scented with a blend of the finest extracts. Use day or night for luxurious moisture protection without being heavy or greasy. Chocolate Truffle is a decadent treat blending top notes of almond with creamy espresso and a hint of Frangelico. The chocolate scent is warmed with a blend of vanilla, sweet maple and honey topped off with rose and heliotrope for added sophistication."

Favorite Thing #59 - Allan Scott Sauvignon Blanc

I came about this wine while browsing this wine shop near my house FineWine.com. I have been on a Sauvignon Blanc kick and this particular one was on special so I thought I would try it. And well it was love at first sip. This is a great summer wine - very light and fruity.

This was ranked #52 on Wine Spectator's Top 100 of 2005!! "Lively, fragrant and surprisingly ripe in flavor, balancing its tart structure with generous guava, grapefruit and nectarine aromas and flavors, which persist beautifully on the long, open-textured finish."

Gift Idea Friday - Beer Can Chicken Holder

With Father's Day around the corner I thought today's gift idea would be something you could give that special man - Beer Can Chicken Holder. This grilling tool is the perfect gift for any grill master. My husband and I have given this to both our fathers and we have one ourselves. Its a super easy way to cook a tender whole chicken. Anthony Layser at Asylum For All Man Kind posted a video step by step on how to use it.

There are many different types of holders out there. The one that I have included above is from Amazon and it's only $9.00!!! Here are some details about the product:

• Wire rack cooks a 4-pound chicken upright by beer can method
• Stainless-steel; safe for charcoal grills, gas grills, and ovens
• Circular wire base rests securely on wire grills
• Uses any 12-ounce can of beer or soda for moisture
• Instructions included; dishwasher-safe; measures 7 by 5 inches

Check out Single Guys Kitchen, What's on Tap, and Tastespotting for some other great Beer Can Chicken Recipes. And stay tuned next week for a blog post on my favorite beer can chicken seasoning.

Favorite Thing #58 - Sopapilla Cheesecake

I made this favorite dessert for the first time over the weekend and it instantly because a favorite - Sopapilla Cheesecake! This is the most amazingly delicious dessert ever and there isn't even chocolate in it. It's a super quick and easy dessert. There is definitely nothing healthy in this recipe but definitely worth the calories. :)

Sopapilla Cheesecake Recipe

2 cans of crescent rolls

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon cinnamon

2 (8 oz.) packages cream cheese, softened

1 stick butter

Preheat oven to 350F. Press 1 can of crescent rolls into bottom of 9 X 13 inch pan. Mix cream cheese, 1 cup sugar and vanilla until creamy. Spread over rolls in pan. Cover with other can of rolls. Melt butter and stir in rest of sugar and cinnamon. Pour over top. Bake for 30 minutes. Can be served warm or room temperature.

Favorite Thing #57 - Love the One You're With by Emily Giffin

Like I said last week, I bought Emily Giffin's new book - Love the One You're With and I read it over the weekend well actually I read it in two days! I LOVED IT!!!! The book is another "chick lit fluff novel" about a woman who is married, but runs into an ex-lover. She has a moral dilemma because seeing him brings up the chemistry and passion they shared. The book illustrates her inner struggle of who to chose ex-lover or loving husband.

I really enjoyed the book. It wasn't as good as Something Borrowed OR Something Blue (which I think are really hard to top) but I thought it was better than Baby Proof. I really hope that this author starts coming out with a book each year!!

Here are some other bloggers who have the same love for Emily Giffin's books -

• Gemini Girls
• Just a Girl
• Blind as a Bat
  

Favorite Thing #56 - Laura Mercier Secret Brightener

This favorite thing came about thanks to my friend Lauren. She introduced me to this miracle makeup - Laura Mercier Secret Brightener. This Allure Best of Beauty Award Winner is really amazing. It instantly opens your eye area or brightens your face at the same time smoothing your skin. It reflects light away from darkness while boosting radiance. There are two different shades - Use Secret Brightener Pen #1 for fair to medium skin tones and use Secret Brightener Pen #2 for medium to tan and darker skin tones.

And there are two ways to use the product:

• To open the eye area & illuminate the cheek bone, apply Secret Brightener to the lower temple moving inward towards the apple of the cheek
• To lighten darkness or shadow apply Secret Brightener directly to the area of concern and its suggested to set with Secret Brightening Powder, when used around the eye. (I personally don't do this and in the two years that I have been using this product don't find a need).

This product can be found at a variety of places including Amazon, Nordstrom, Bloomingdales and anywhere the Laura Mercier makeup is sold. It's $30 which I know is cheap but it should last you about six months - at least that's how long a tube lasts for me.