Fab Friday: Faux Fur Season

Good Morning, Mochas!

Thanks God it’s Fabulous Friday!  It’s hard not to feel great about the day when your week is basically done.  I have to admit though, that the current weather does take some of the wind out of my sails.  I mean, this morning I saw the weatherman say that typically we are in the 40’s right now but for whatever reason, this week we are stuck in the teens.  Arrgghh!  40 degrees sounds downright tropical right now!

But instead of bemoaning the situation, I have a crazy suggestion.  Now is the perfect time to buy fur – faux fur!  There are three great reasons: 1) It’s the end of winter season and you can find great deals on some really amazing looking faux pieces; 2) It’s a great time to use those end of season savings to buy a gorgeous look that you can rock through the next winter; and, 3) because faux fur is usually lighter than a real fur, you can still wear it comfortably through early spring.  Faux furs make great transitional pieces, they can add a dramatic punch to your wardrobe, and they allow you to step outside your fashion comfort zone without too much of an investment.

Now when I say faux fur, I am not speaking solely about full-length coats and jackets.  Think fun oversized hats, neck wraps or shawls, gloves, vests, etc.  It can make just as much of a statement when worn as an accent piece.  And remember, faux fur can be worn as casually or formally as you like.  Throw on your fur jacket with a pair of skinny jeans, white T and some heels, and strut your stuff!  And finally, when searching for your perfect faux piece, look for items that don’t shed easily.  If trying on in person, run your hands over it in both directions several times to see how much “fur” it looses, and wear a dark, solid colored shirt to check for transfer.  Also, if shopping online, read the reviews!  Buyer comments are an online shoppers best friend.

 

This winter may last forever, but that’s ok.  We can choose to have fun with the season and not let it get the best of us.  Yes its 15 degrees outside when it should be 40.  So what!  Use the cold weather as an excuse to have some fashion fun and show these frozen temps who’s really ice cold!

Stay Fabulous, Ladies!

MML,

Otise

This post is courtesy of Mocha Otise

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Wellness: Chicken Soup for the Soul

Happy Wednesday Mochas!!

I know the weather is not letting up. It's cold and all the ice on the ground just makes it feel like it's colder! I have something that will cheer you up, make you feel better if you're sick, or if you just feel like you want some hot home cooking! Being married to a Jamaican, I have become accustomed to making and enjoying soups. It has become our weekend ritual and makes the house smell warm and lovely! 

Here is a chicken soup that is simple and easy to create! 

Chicken Soup Recipe:

In a large pot pour in 1/4 cup olive oil or vegetable oil. 

Sauté chopped 1/2 onion, 1/2 green bellpepper, 1/2 cup garlic, 1/2 bag baby carrots, and 3 stalks of celery. Season veggies with 4 nice sprinkles of lawrys seasoning salt, black pepper, onion powder and cumin. Stir occasionally for about 15 minutes until cooked.

Add water to fill pot 3/4 to the top. Add Jamaican grace chicken soup seasoning packet (can be found in Jamaican section at stop n shop for $1.09) Stir. Bring to boil.

Add 2 peeled and chopped white potatoes and 1 sweet potato. Boil.

In a separate medium bowl, mix @1cup flour, sprinkled salt and water to moisten the flour. Kneed flour to make dumpling balls...drop balls in soup. Your mini can help with this part! Erin loves rolling the dough into little balls with her hands! 

Chop and peel skin off store bought, pre-cooked, plain, all natural, rotisserie chicken breasts (saves time and costs $5-$8). Add to soup. (Eat or give hubby the other chicken parts with another meal!)

Chop 1 cup organic spinach. Add to soup with 4 drops of Tabasco hot sauce!!

Cover with lid. Stir occasionally. Let everything simmer for about 45 minutes. 

For more chicken soup and stew recipes check out marthastewart.com and search 25 chicken soup recipes.

If you have a recipe you would like to share, please feel free to upload it to our "Recipes" file on the yahoo groups list serve!!

Be Well. Enjoy! 

This blog post is courtesy of Mocha Tiffany K.

For more Wellness Topics click HERE.

For more recipes, click HERE.

Cooking - 30 Second Brownie

30 Second Brownie!

This little brownie is just a bit of sweetness.  Perfect for dessert or a little midnight snack.  This recipe is so easy that there's really not much to say.  I'll let the pictures do the talking!

Gather dry ingredients

Carob chips are optional (and delicious)

All mixed up

Spray jar to prevent sticking

Ready to bake

cook for 30 seconds

Done!



One more thing!

Ready to eat!

Yum!

30 Second Brownie

2 Tablespoons flour

1 Tablespoon sugar

2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 carob (or chocolate) chips (optional)

Pinch salt

2 tablespoons milk  (non-dairy milk is fine)

1 teaspoon oil (canola or coconut)

Drop of vanilla extract

Spray a coffee cup or ramekin with vegetable cooking spray.  In the cup combine the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt until no lumps remain.  Stir in the milk, oil, and vanilla until smooth.  Stir in chips (optional)

Bake in the microwave on high for 30 seconds.  You may need to add 5 more seconds (maybe 5 more after that, depending on your microwave)… but don’t be tempted to overcook or it will be rubbery!

 It should be moist on the bottom and will continue cooking as it sets.

Serve with chocolate sauce…a sprinkle of powdered sugar…whipped cream or eat plain as a brownie.

This post is courtesy of Mocha Kathy.

For more recipes, CLICK here!

Wellness - Red Lip Fit

Happy Wednesday!!

So, here's a little wellness inspiration while you are getting fit for Spring....wear RED lipstick!! You may thinks it sounds crazy, but believe or not, red lips are not just for special occasions or going out. Red lips have evolved to be more casually modern! Red lips can be dressed up or all the way down! And our many different shades of brown serve as the perfect compliment to a red lip. 

Don't you just love Tracee Ellis Ross and her new sitcom "Blackish?" I'm loving her workout regimen: a clean bare face with a bright red lip! She calls it #RedLipFit!!

"I love working out in lipstick. It gives me a pop when I look in mirror, makes me feel spicy and pretty while I'm sweating. And it doesn't move no matter how much I sweat!" Tracee Ellis Ross.

She is wearing a matte red, which is my absolute favorite, MAC's Ruby Woo, $16. 

Check out her interview on you tube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjJXVR9UGVA&sns=em

Feel confident while you work out! Feel sassy, be fun, do it for YOU! Give yourself that POP when you glance in the mirror at home or at the gym! 

See you this Saturday at our Moms Only Spa & Fitness event! Slide on your red lipstick and let's get RedLipFit!  

Recently several of the Mochas got together at a local gym to get #RedLipFit.  Here are our pictures from the event!

This blog post is courtesy of Mocha Tiffany.

For more Wellness tips click HERE!

Reduce/Reuse/Recycle: Pajama Pants from Bed Sheets!

Pajama Pants from Sheets

A couple of years ago making pajama pants from a pillowcase was all the rage on Pinterest.  I LOVED the idea and used several old pillowcases to make pants for my son.

He's taller now and a pillow case won't work.  I've updated that old idea and now I'm making him pj's from sheets!

The beauty of this project is that you can start with almost any sheet.  I'll post tips for choosing the best sheet at the end of this blog entry.

Standard Twin Size  Flat Sheet

This sewing project is fast and easy.  Experienced sewers can complete this project in less than 30 minutes.

For this project you will need:

1 Twin Size Flat Sheet (Makes 2-4 pairs of pants depending on size)
Thread
3/4" elastic
1 large safety pin
scissors
1 pair of pants (this will be your pattern)
A large flat work surface would be great.  You could use the floor
Marker (optional)
Pins (options)

FIND PANTS FOR A PATTERN

First identify a pair of pants that currently fit well.  My son is a size 10 slim.  I used a pair of his jeans.

Sewing Tip: Use pants that currently fit and are comfortable.

Jeans to use a a pattern

Fold the sheet in half.  Now fold the pants in half with the legs together.

Fold the pants in half with the legs together

Lay the folded pants on the folded sheet.

CUTTING OUT THE PANTS:

Lay the pants on the folded sheet.

Leave space around all sides of the pants

Make sure there is space around all sides on the pants.  You don't want the pants on the edge of the sheet.

IMPORTANT TIP:  The top of the pants should be square.  In the picture below, the pants go in at the waist.  Cut the fabric square as pictured.

Cut square at the waist.

Trace around the pants leaving at least 1" around all sides.  OR, cut around the pants leaving at least 1" around all sides.  (I didn't trace, I just cut).  If you're a beginning, trace an outline of the pants, then cut the fabric.

IMPORTANT TIP:  If you plan to hem the pants leave 2-3" at the bottom for hemming.

Cut extra length if you want to hem the pants

Cut 4 pant pieces that look like this.

You'll need 4 pieces that look like this.

SEWING THE PANTS

Take the first 2 pant pieces and sew the long sides together (as pictured).    Then sew the short sides together.

Sew the long sides together.
Then sew the short sides together.

Repeat this step on the 2 remaining pant pieces.

Now turn the pants right side out.  The completed pieces should look like this.

2 sewn pant legs

Sewing tip:  I only have sons and they DESTROY all things!  To make sure that my seams are extra strong I double or triple sew all seams in their clothes.  This is an optional step, but it may well save sewing repairs later.  

I sew each seam twice and then do a zigzag stitch on the edge.  

Triple Sewn Seam

Now it's time to sew the crotch seam.

With the right sides out, pin and sew the 2 legs together.  Make sure to match up the inseams.  Even if you don't double or triple sew all of seams, the inseam (crotch seam) should ALWAYS be double sewn.

Double sew the crotch seam

CREATING THE WAISTBAND

To reduce fraying, zigzag stitch the top edge of the waistband.

Turn the pants inside out and fold down the waist band.  Make sure the fold is large enough to accommodate the elastic.

Fold pants to create a waist band

I like a top and bottom seam on a waistband.  That is a matter of personal preference.  Make sure to leave an opening to install the elastic.

Leave an opening for the elastic.

Measure elastic around the child's waist.  Clip a large safety pin to 1 end of the elastic and thread it through.

Thread the elastic through

After you thread the elastic through the waistband sew the ends of the elastic together.

Stitch the elastic together.

Sew the opening closed.

HEMMING THE PANTS

I have a dirty little secret.  I don't really hem pajamas unless I really have to.  Instead I just do a zigzag stitch around the bottom edges of the pants.  Depending on the fabric I might zigzag over the edge 2-3 times.

Double zigzag edge instead of a hem

THAT'S IT!  You're all done!

Brand New Pants!!!!

My son LOVES these pants!

He's a long lean kid.  1 Twin size flat sheet makes 3 pairs of pants!!!

PRO TIPS:
How to choose the right sheets

*  If you're using an old sheet, make sure that it's not too worn.  Flat sheets tend not to get too worn out.  Fitted sheets are usually worn in the middle.

*  If you're buying a new sheet try and feel the fabric before you buy.  The silkier the fabric the better.  My son likes brushed cotton.

*  Don't use thin sheets.  Thin sheets are cheaper to buy but they rip and/or get worn out quickly.  It's worth it to spend a little more if you're buying new.

Click HERE for more Sewing Tutorials from Kathy.

This post is courtesy of Mocha Kathy W.

Click HERE for more Crafty ideas from the Mocha Moms.

Fab Friday: Stay Fabulous!

Good afternoon, Mochas!

Once again Friday has found us!  I'm going to keep it brief this week. Instead of giving you tips for how to be fabulous, I want to remind you this Valentines Day weekend that you ARE fabulous!  Regardless of whether you have a super weekend planned or nothing special at all, whether you will be "boo'd up" or spending it alone, whether you are giving gifts or receiving them, remember that you are an amazing woman!  You have accomplished much and are closer to your dream life than you know. So today the only tip I have for you is to have fun being your fabulous self! And stay that way!

MML,

Otise

This post is courtesy of Mocha Otise

For more Fab Friday posts, click HERE!

Wellness: Love Languages

Happy Wednesday Mochas! 

Valentines Day is a couple days away and we're all about spreading the love!! Don't be mistaken, Valentines Day is not just about couples. It can be whatever you choose it to be! I believe it's a reminder to GIVE and RECEIVE lots of love!! To yourself, your significant other, your children, your family, friends and coworkers! 

I'm learning that it's healthy to recognize my "love language." The way in which I express and accept expressions of love. This book is still on my list of reads, "The 5 Love Languages," by Gary D. Chapman. Some of you may have read it or already know of it. Challenge yourself this week to tune in to your love language and the love languages of the people around you. Love is a significant part of living well! 

Go to www.5lovelanguages.com and take the quiz! Here are my results. My primary love language was QUALITY TIME! 

Quality Time**
In the vernacular of Quality Time, nothing says, "I love you," like full, undivided attention. Being there for this type of person is critical, but really being there – with the TV off, fork and knife down, and all chores and tasks on standby – makes your significant other feel truly special and loved. Distractions, postponed dates, or the failure to listen can be especially hurtful. Quality Time also means sharing quality conversation and quality activities.

Acts of Service**
Can vacuuming the floors really be an expression of love? Absolutely! Anything you do to ease the burden of responsibilities weighing on an "Acts of Service" person will speak volumes. The words he or she most want to hear: "Let me do that for you." Laziness, broken commitments, and making more work for them tell speakers of this language their feelings don't matter. Finding ways to serve speaks volumes to the recipient of these acts.

Words of Affirmation**
Actions don't always speak louder than words. If this is your love language, unsolicited compliments mean the world to you. Hearing the words, "I love you," are important – hearing the reasons behind that love sends your spirits skyward. Insults can leave you shattered and are not easily forgotten. Kind, encouraging, and positive words are truly life-giving.

Physical Touch**

This language isn't all about the bedroom. A person whose primary language is Physical Touch is, not surprisingly, very touchy. Hugs, pats on the back, holding hands, and thoughtful touches on the arm, shoulder, or face – they can all be ways to show excitement, concern, care, and love. Physical presence and accessibility are crucial, while neglect or abuse can be unforgivable and destructive. Physical touch fosters a sense of security and belonging in any relationship.

Receiving Gifts**
Don't mistake this love language for materialism; the receiver of gifts thrives on the love, thoughtfulness, and effort behind the gift. If you speak this language, the perfect gift or gesture shows that you are known, you are cared for, and you are prized above whatever was sacrificed to bring the gift to you. A missed birthday, anniversary, or a hasty, thoughtless gift would be disastrous – so would the absence of everyday gestures. Gifts are visual representations of love and are treasured greatly.

Have a lovely week and Valentines Day weekend! Xoxo,

Tiffany K.

For more Wellness Topics, Click HERE!