Wiki how to...

Wired tells you how to convert your DVD to Blu-ray.

Birthday Bash...

I'm the odd man out, my birthday falls in September, my four other siblings (one missing from this pic)...all have back to back birthdays except on leap year! As they are all married with children now, celebrations can be challenging to finagle. This year, Saturday rules!
Here is a birthday party plan with a few creative devices...

Saturday morning:
Hot chocolate, mimosas & homemade glazed donuts at the country club paddle courts.
Mixed doubles paddle tennis tourney. (Teams dress in a theme & bundled - it may snow...)
Winners take home the prize!

Later, warming up by the fire we'll spend the afternoon at my parents home. As a request of one of my brothers we will be watching old childhood movies taken years ago and looking at old pictures. My mother segmented our pictures years ago into our own individual piles from baby pictures to college graduation and every awkward stage in between...

Saturday evening:
Set up a casual buffet style dinner with decorations, plates...

On the menu...
Oysters with Champagne-Vinegar Mignonette
Spinach Salad with Warm Apple Cider and Bacon Dressing
Steak with Shallot Merlot Sauce
Spiced Butter glazed carrots
Honey Butter French Bread
Fudgy Chocolate Birthday Cake

And don't forget to blow out the candles!

Mini Oscar Talk...

There is alot of buzzing and betting as the ballots are sealed in Tinseltown, just 4 days before the Oscar's. Who will win Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor?

Some say "No Country for Old Men" will walk away with Best Director and Best Picture. The screenplay adapted from Cormac McCarthy’s novel, “No Country” centers on three men in a crime thriller. It's a tough call though, "Juno," the quirky indie-teen-pregnancy film had heart and brains along with savvy wit, humor and in my opinion, the best soundtrack since "Garden State."

My votes; Jason Reitman as Best Director for "Juno," Javier Bardem deservedly for the Best Supporting Actor in "No Counrty", Ellen Page for Best Actress in "Juno." For Best Supporting Actress I'm stumped, I didn't get to see the performances...and it's a toss up for best original screenplay, but Diablo Cody could take it away for lovable story of "Juno."

"As far as boyfriends go, Paulie Bleeker is totally boss. He is the cheese to my macaroni."

Love that!

Award winning skin...

Allure's 2007 Best of Beauty's master list is a one stop shop. Think of all the times you have wondered: What is the best cleansing face wash? And how do I decrease the puffiness around my eyes? With a long list of treatments and products for face to body, I especially loved their 'best of skin' beauty list.

Also, don't miss out on the Salon & Spa directory. Flower facials and Clarifying clay masks are just the lift your skin needs after winter months.

Choo choo...

All aboard! I am loving these Iowa Glossy Leather Sandals by Jimmy Choo and the AlexSuede and watersnake handbag. They can take you anywhere...

Hide away and play...

From island hopping in Nicaragua, to climbing volcanoes in Indonesia to trekking in Tibet. Last years Trips that topped Outside Magazine's list are not for the faint and high maintenance. They are giant frontiers that circle the globe, and range from moderate to challenging and price anywhere from $1,995-$13,160. Oufitted by expert adventure companies, these expeditions are once in a lifetime trips that will be unforgettable.

Yummy Vegetarian Quesadillas...

1 1/3 cups 1/2-inch cubes peeled Yukon Gold potatoes (about 2 medium)

2 teaspoons chili powder

1 1/3 cups (packed) coarsely grated hot pepper Monterey Jack cheese (5 to 6 ounces)

1 1/3 cups jarred salsa verde (tomatillo salsa)

4 2/3 cups coarsely chopped stemmed mustard greens (from 1 bunch), divided

4 8-inch-diameter wheat tortillas

3 ounces chilled fresh goat cheese, coarsely crumbled

Prep...

Place baking sheet in oven and preheat to 275°F. Steam potatoes until tender, about 8 minutes. Place in large bowl; sprinkle with salt, pepper, and chili powder. Toss to coat. Cool potatoes 15 minutes. Mix in Jack cheese. Meanwhile, blend salsa and 2/3 cup (packed) greens in mini processor until greens are finely chopped.Arrange tortillas on work surface. Divide remaining greens between bottom half of each. Top greens with potato mixture, then goat cheese and 2 tablespoons salsa mixture for each. Fold plain tortilla halves over filling, pressing to compact. Brush with olive oil.

Heat large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Place 2 quesadillas, oiled side down, in skillet. Brush tops with oil. Cook until quesadillas are brown, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to sheet in oven to keep warm. Repeat with remaining 2 quesadillas.
Cut each quesadilla into 3 or 4 wedges. Serve with remaining salsa.

Bangles & Charms...

J.Crew jewels have been a dream lately! Colorful and fun - these cuffs, bangles and charms are perfect accessories for spring and summer ensembles.

Anchor charm bracelet
Cabochon-wrapped enamel bangle
Classic gold bangle
Stone mosaic cuff bracelet

Safari style...

West Elm has new organic animal print bath mats in safari, snow leopard and giraffe with shower curtains and bath towels to match! Now you can deck out your bathroom as your own animal kingdom. Accessorizing is easy with their bamboo and metal bath hardware.

Wine tasting at home...

Wine country is a little far for me these days, and so is my favorite local wine bar. But, why not have a wine tasting party at home? My Wine's Direct has a tasting party kit complete with six wines, a fun how-to guide, 22 tasting mats, and 6 bottle wrappers. A fun theme for your next dinner party!

Bronzed...

Feeling winter white? In the middle of February we all could use a sunkissed facelift, and that's easy to oblige. Sephora's best bronzer's in my book:

Guerlain Terracotta

Passport Heat Bronzing Trio

Sugar Tropic Tan

Chic Shoes...

Sandals are not only for the beach, they're getting sexy for the season and are anything but understated. Styled with a sundress, pencil skirt or for an evening out in the city, these fab 5 are my fav!

Chloe Basketweave flat sandals

Jimmy Choo Lumiere Patent sandals

Lanvin High-heeled sandals

Loeffler Randall Vachetta D-Ring sandals

Pedro Garcia Denise platform sandals