TALL Blonde's Favorite Things : FASHION : FUN : TRENDS

Buy yours here <click this link>

I could no help myself and post this. If you are a wearer of Crocs, perhaps your loved ones will give these KFC/Croc collaboration to you as a Stocking Stuffer. $3 proceeds go towards Kentucky Fried Chicken employees higher education scholarships.

Get 'em, then forget 'em <click link here>

50 Years Worth

50 years of flip flops, can you dig it?

Old Navy has you covered available in all white, all black and metallic silver and bronze.

One size only, perfect for you pedicure business owners.

Check it out, then decide which one <click here>

Sunless Tan

Both tanning lotions are made by Jergens.

Their Award-Winning formula does not color you like a Spring carrot.

Which one should you try?

The one on the left in a tube is the classic entry. Slap it on liberally at night before bed, let dry and wake up looking like summer. The one on the right in a bottle is easier to apply and leaves a baby oil sheen. Both come in a light or dark version so go with the dark and get a jump start.

It is also a much healthier alternative to hours of baking in the sun or money spent in tanning booths.

NOTE: Works best on legs that are not freshly shaved, and you will need to moisturize as this can be a bit drying to the affected skin.

Freshman 15

Photo: Johns Hopkins Medicine

It has been difficult, binge eating, access to quality food, no desire to cook, food delivered.

I have been hearing the phrase "Covid 15" and this is just a re-write of the "Freshman 15" or in the 1970's it was called the "Secretary Spread" of the hips.

Most of us know what is right and what is wrong dietarily speaking. Below are 7 steps as helpful reminders to get back on track. If all 7 items are put into play, you potentially could lose 10 pounds in one week, lest you cheat. Then the process will take longer and likely you are going to give up. Post reminders on whatever calendar system you use to remind you to stay on track. Personal commitments are always easier when teamed up with friends for support and progress. Make it fun and each agree to putting $20 in a bucket towards the winner of this 7-day challenge. The weather is warming up and those shorts are waiting for you to visit them again.

1. Eat zero or almost zero carbs (bread, pasta, rice, sugar, alcohol) more lean proteins.

2. Eat whole foods and avoid processed junk food and fats. No bacon, yo.

3. Reduce your overall daily calorie intake.

4. Lift weights and try high intensity interval training.

5. Be active, run up stairs, run up/down your hallway (don't wake the downstairs neighbor).

6. Intermittent fasting is another simple way to reduce weight quickly (no eating after 6pm).

7. Reduce water retention, drink coffee. reduce gluten, reduce lactose.

Good luck, I am rooting for you!

Farm Girl Tea

My Northern Italian-born farm girl mother taught me this beverage secret from the very remote farm she was born and raised, Gemona del Friuli. Summertime fast approaches and soon cherries will be aplenty. Save your cherry stems, allow them to dry (just a couple days) and use them to make a light delicate tea. My family is on high alert at home not to throw these away.

REVIEW: You will need about 20 stems for 4 oz. of very hot water to brew for 2 minutes. The flavor can be compared to Chrysanthemum tea.

Enjoy!

Go online and order for quick pick up

TALL Blonde Bottoms Up
TALL Blonde Stories - ARCHIVE

California Mille 2020

The annual California Mille atop San Francisco's Nob Hill was scheduled for this weekend but unfortunately cancelled due to Covid-19 pandemic.
TALLBlonde made a 5 minute video back in 2012 of the entire field that day. Enjoy the amateur video and make plans to visit these most glorious of vehicles on the planet next year.

You Tube VIDEO: https://youtu.be/zrYQCeimWNI

TALLBlonde Article Reprint: https://tallblondestories.blogspot.com/2020/01/california-antique-car-race.html

Inner Girl Scout

During times like these my inner Girl Scout is activated. At the age of 8 and 9 I was taught skills:
Respect
Self Reliance
Ingenuity
Problem Solve
Independence
Common Sense
Compassion
Selflessness
Overcome Obstacles
Overcome Adversity
Humanity
Humility
Please share if you were a Girl Scout.
@GirlScoutUSA

#StayHome

BRILLIANT.

I could not have said it better. This is temporary, the less you circulate the quicker we beat this thing. If no one came in contact with each other the virus dies. Get it now? Pass this link on

https://tallblondesfavs.blogspot.com/

Buster

Kentucky Fried Chicken’s newest summer offering is an extra crispy fried chicken tender sandwich wrapped in two vanilla glazed warm donuts. The chicken tender is enormous, you need to be a big mouth to take a bite out of this and a real gut buster. Donuts are freshly made to order. The donuts are not excessively sweet but the entire sandwich is excessively oily. A whopping 1,100 calories per the KFC website, that’s more than half the daily recommended calorie intake. So if you like chicken and waffles, this might be a perfect option when you have a craving but don’t want to go through the hassle of a full sit down restaurant.

Shop for a little HAPPY <click here>

She Said YES

Now that she said "YES", time to shop for a little sparkle from a bygone era and create your own lifelong joyous memories.

Design Your Brains Out <click here>

Made For Only You

Custom Chuck Taylor's designed by you.

An excellent gift, too.

Sideways

A little asymmetry in your life keeps you on your toes.
#TLLBLND

Grab a little summer fun <click link>

Seamless

S E A M L E S S !
That's all you need to know-

SHOP Seamless Undies here <click link>

Skin 360

Open APP,
Aim,
Snap!

Neutrogena and Johnson & Johnson have created an APP to customize your personal skin care. Download their 'Skin360' APP., take photos of three views of your face and SAVE. Their Skin360 Artificial Intelligence will walk you through a series of questions related to your daily skin care and your needs based on your photo findings and help recommend the products and methods of skin care that also fit your lifestyle and how much time you will realistically spend. Picture above is an actual snippet of TALL Blonde's AI conversation on Skin360)

Download Skin360 <click here>

Get Ready Now

It is a gray and gloomy day this January 30 but the glimmer of hope that summer is coming keeps me from escaping to a local dumpster and hibernating until May. Now is the time to shop for a small shred of slinky fabric to make us look and feel fabulous.

"MiracleSuit" claims they can cure almost all of your poolside insecurities when it comes to strutting your stuff. Not only will you look better, but the fit is more comfortable. No more fighting with falling straps and tugging bottoms.

#TLLBLND

Check Out MiracleSuit <click here>

Vin Chaud a la Canel

Vin Chaud a la Canel is what you drink when in Paris, translation: warm wine with cinnamon. In America we call this libation Mulled Wine. What a perfect cold weather warm up and you make it ahead to serve whenever the mood strikes.

1-28 oz. apple cider

1 orange, peel zesty skin with a vegetable peeler

3 cinnamon sticks

12 whole cloves

2Tbl. sugar

Rich red wine (Cabernet, Petit Syrah, Zinfandel)

Pour apple cider into a sauce pan that does not have a non-stick lining. Add all spices and orange zest. Heat on medium until liquid just begins to boil and remove from heat. When liquid is completely cooled pour all contents including spices and zest back into apple cider container and seal. Allow to steep for at least 24 hours, 48 hours is better.

When ready to drink heat 1part wine to 2 parts spiced apple cider and take that chill off.
The spiced cider is also brilliant to drink warm by itself.

Enjoy responsibly!

Find Your Favorite Pair <click here>

Post Holiday Self Gifting

Did Santa not get it quite right this past holiday season?

Find yourself a favorite pair of BearPaws and let your feet say ahhhh.

Bearpaw with 'NeverWet' technology

They are made in almost all the colors in a crayon box and even more styles. The interior is lined in real sheepskin, not the fake stuff so your toes don't sweat. They are made with BearPaw's NEVER WET technology keeping your feet dry and your shoes clean. You can find what you like and order them from HSN using their multi payment plan. Buy now, payoff later, no interest and prices are a great deal cheaper than those other guys!

Spring/Summer 2020 Fashion Colors

Spring Summer 2020 Pantone Colors

Spring / Summer 2020 fashion colors above, as organized in three separate collections by row. The first row are all the colors of the Caribbean, bright, fancy free and alive. Row two gives you freedom of a more "denim" palette with some color accents. Row three is more Autumn-like with rich stone fruits of plums and peaches and classic.
(notice the absence of BLACK)

Pick any of the three selections and have fun digging through your closet, or maybe go shopping!

Paris, Just Say Oui

This year I have talked to numerous folks telling me they want Paris to be their next vacation destination. TALLBlondes' article below was originally published December 2011 and due to popular demand for travel advice it deserves a reprint.

______________________________________________________

My birthday was November 5th, and my amazing husband Sean secretly spent 4 months planning a surprise trip for the two of us to Paris, France. It was a tough secret to keep and in 4 months he talked to so many of our friends doing research that nearly everyone we know knew about it but me. Even a few of my office-mates were in on it; good job Rob and Carol. I need to also thank Greg and Arnaud for their great suggestions and info. I thought I would share some of our highlights and tips.

Wednesday, November 9
Departed SFO Air France flight #83 bound for Charles deGaulle airport in Paris. Long, l-o-n-g flight non-stop about 9 1/2 hours. Dinner and breakfast served on the plane, watched the film "The Help", my pick for movie of the year because it is both funny and intense. However 9 hours feels like an entire day and night. Landed Thursday morning 11:10am. Weather bright and about 60 degrees. TIP: Do not reserve a hotel, instead rent an apartment (click for video) at nearly half the cost. It is often someone's personal vacation home and well appointed with all amenities:. www.parisattitude.com (click). Our 200-year old apartment in the village of St. Germain des Pres (6th District) took up 3 floors: 2 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, full kitchen, two creaking spiral staircases between all floors, WI-FI, laundry, and a roof terrace that seats 7 for dinner and cute as heck!

Thursday, November 10
Walked around our new neighborhood to get our bearings two blocks from the Seine River (Rive Gauche) and across from Musee du Louvre and picked up our tickets purchased in advance online for all the sights Sean cleverly planned well in advance. Metro (subway train) passes, open-top bus tour of city landmarks, Chateau de Versailles, train to Versailles, boat ride on River Seine by day or night. This is really the best way to buy tickets gaining priority entry at the gate, no long lines. They are usually "good any day" passes relieving you of a strict itinerary: ParisInfo.com (click). For our first dinner we purchased and brought home a whole Poulet Roti and Pommes de Terre, (roasted chicken and herb roasted baby potatoes) sold on a rolling cart. We also took the advice of our friend Alexandre to have a glass of warm spiced red wine with cinnamon at bistro "La Palette", a 101-year old city landmark

1 Minute Cake

Click image above for detailed recipe

1-minute cake for one.

Use regular boxed cake mix of your favorite flavor and a little water. This recipe was adapted to make a small cake will allowance to add ice cream to melt over the warm cake

3 Tbls. boxed cake mix

2 Tbls. water*

Mix in a microwavable 16 oz. mug or ramekin, microwave on HIGH for 1 minute. Drop a scoop of ice cream over the top after baking and enjoy it melting over the warm cake and still room for whipped cream. To make a full mug-size cake for one, increase measurements to second recipe below.

4 Tbls. boxed cake mix

3 Tbls. water*

*Use milk instead of water for extra richness.

#TLLBLND

HOW-TO Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LrC__aV-Ng

Be your Best Design <click link here>

New Again

Miriam Kali-rai modelling Zara*

What was done, can come back and be better. "Off-the-Shoulder" in women's fashion was never supposed to look like what was handed down from your older sister that she wore in college and by the way she is now 37 years old. Off-the-Shoulder was always designed to be subtle, more like a "peek" into femininity.

Zara Fall/Winter 2019 collection has done it right. Lightweight, slightly fitted design using tucks at the waist and shoulder and Batwing sleeves to complete the 1940's look. Fantastic with a pencil skirt by day and your best black dressy jeans and heeled sandals by night.

*Cuff bangle by Alexis Bittar.

Hip To Be Square

Fall/Winter 2019 is "Hip To Be Square" in these square-toed boots.
Your toes will breathe again...ahhhhh.

Find HAPPY TOES Here <click link>

Year Of The Shoulder

This is the year of the shoulder, history always repeats its self especially with fashion. First the 1930's with sharp severe shoulder pads for men and women, then the 1970's with big hair and now 2019. I don't know if I am ready for big hair and tri-colored jelly bean colored eye shadow yet but I guarantee you TALLBlonde will have fun. You should too-
#TLLBLND

Houndstooth Jacket <click here>
Cropped Denim Jacket <click here>

See 'em - Like 'em - Where to Buy <click here>

Uni-Sex Neoprene

It is time to move on from your Allbirds and graduate to big boy and big girl pants with these great designed in the USA, made in Italy uni-sex neoprene IRI sneeks.Check out their kuhl high-top boots before winter sets in.

#TLLBLND

Luxury bags at COSTCO <click link here>

No Way, WAY!

Burberry

Coach

Prada

Jimmy Choo

Michael Kors

Tory Burch

Kate Spade

Marc Jacobs

Yves Saint Laurent

Are all handbags sold at COSTCO at discounted prices. No longer do you have to suffer snooty salespersons at stuffy retail luxury shops. Purchase online, pick up in-store and $ave! Revenge is sweet-

See - Like - Buy Now (Click link)

Stay White Jeans

Do you love your white jeans and hate them all at the same time because it is hard to keep them white? Target found what you need...STAY WHITE JEANS! See link below to purchase, they are also on SALE right now for $20.

#TLLBLND

Play

Here I go again. TALLBlonde has another footwear related post. I never knew I allegedly have a foot fetish, but here goes. TALLBlonde has had great fun and success with wearing embellished socks with high heel pumps. Fun, because shopping for interesting socks can be a scavenger hunt. Success, because I get great comments and thumbs up from random folks on the street that "get" what I am doing. Ankle socks with no cuff is really the silhouette that is most desirable to compliment the pump. Also if you can locate a design with one forward facing object is ideal; such as the teal colored example above, a cat playing the accordion. The teal in the sock almost identically matches the color of the shoe that many observers believe I am wearing an interesting ankle boot.

There is another unintended consequence that may ultimately drive you to trying this. Do you have a favorite pair of pumps you refuse to toss out but hate wearing them because they rub your foot raw, or worse create a blister? Blister no more!!

Get More

Silvian Heach is a Naples based fashion house started by two Italian fashion designers and a TALLBlonde well kept secret. #TLLBLND has been shopping here for over 13 years and says you really should take a look at what that they offer. You may not like everything, but you will find something you Love. Jeans, jackets, coats, dresses long and short, sweaters, shoes, bags. As the olde saying goes, "There is something for everyone". You will see much more design value than those big-box brands for very little money if you go looking for it at YOOX online!

Browse and Buy Silvian Heach <click link here>

But It Now HERE <click this link>

Truly Amazing

This crossbody bag is in the spotlight of what is so fashionable today. It cries out for that luxury fashion brand that is sought after by so many. Quilted velvet, ribbons, rhinestones, chains, pearls, bling-galore and it holds much more than just a cellphone and keys without being bulky, D 2.93" x H 8.58" x W 12.09".

Guess how much this will set you back ???

$64.00, yes really.

REVIEW of Beyond Meat

REVIEW: TALLBlonde had a LIVE taste test of #BeyondMeat plant-based Italian Sausage that recently IPO. It smelled like chorizo while cooking, as for the taste?? ... Check out my 2-minute You Tube video review and ask yourself if you will try it too?

Old Shoes, New Anklets

Here is a TALLBlonde DIY to update your favorite summer shoe and give it a new look with anklets you made yourself in minutes. At any craft store put together a collection of beads complimentary to the color of your shoe and select an equally complimentary colored string for this project. Be sure the bead hole will accommodate the width of the string when doubled.

(2) 60-inch strings

TALLBlonde used nylon, you can also use leather

Enough beads to measure the length of 7 to 8 inches

(this will be enough for two anklets)

Fold the length of one string in half and make a knot approx. 2-inches up. This will be your toe loop and keep the beads from sliding around. Begin to string half your beads with BOTH string ends at the opposite end of the toe loop. Make another simple knot after the last bead to keep them in place, and your done! If you selected a string that may unravel at the cut ends you may have to tie a knot to stop the unraveling.

To wear, slide the toe loop over the middle or second toe, whatever will center correctly over the top of your foot, lead string ends up to your ankle and wrap around ankle several times and tie a nice bow. There you have it-a new summer look that is easy, dressy one of a kind fabulous!