“Manic Monday” – Organizing Your Meals

Well, I had a super busy week last week so I was unable to post to this blog at all last week.  I’m determined to make this week better so please be patient with me.    Thank all of you for reading.

Organizing Your Meals

How often do you find yourself running around like a mad woman trying to figure out what to cook for dinner?  We all lead busy lives so the least we have to worry about the better, right?!  Well, I have a few ways to make planning your family meals a little easier.  Let me know if I leave anything out! 

Begin by carving out a few minutes once a week to plan a week’s worth of meals.  You may flip through a magazine or take out an old cookbook you haven’t used in years. 

Compile a master grocery list of items you frequently purchase.  This should be on made on a computer so you can print the list out each week.  Be sure to leave a couple of blank lines for items that you may need that aren’t frequently purchased.  You should also organize the list according to the layout of your grocery store.  That way you won’t remember you need bananas when you have made it all the way down to the meat and bread aisle. 

Each morning lay out the necessities for the meal.  For instance, if you are planning to make lasagna you can go ahead and layout the noodles, a mixing bowl, measuring cup, etc.  The more you can do ahead of time,the easier it will be when you start to prepare the meal. 

I actually have a cousin who plans her meals a YEAR ahead of time!!  While this is difficult for some, it works easily for her.  It took her a while to compile a database of around 300 meals, but she started by entering every recipe that she loved into a word document when she ran across one.  She would also frequently get recipes from the web and copy and paste them into a word document.  Now all she has to do is print each weeks meal plan off!  No stress and no guess! 

If you have any great ideas for organizing your meals, recipes, or grocery lists please let me know!  I am always looking for new ideas.

Have a great day!

Erin Sharplin Love

www.panachebyerin.com

“Fashionable Friday” – What colors are in for Fall/Winter 2009?

Every season designers set the tone for what is IN and what is OUT in fashion and that means that everything, right down to the color of each piece, is analyzed and studied by every single person that’s in the field of fashion.  Well with this “Fashionable Friday” post, I am going to give you a sneak peek into what colors you should be gravitating towards this fall and winter.

According to the Pantone Institute, the company who is THE authority when it comes to colors, the color trends for fall and winter of this year are different from recent fall color trends.  For instance, usually when you think of fall you think of dark colors and more subdued colors.  That is definitely not the case this year.  Check out the swatches above.  Now, go check out your closet to see what colors you need to add to your wardrobe. 

Have fun!

Erin Sharplin Love

www.panachebyerin.com

“Topsy-Turvy” Thursday – Great clothing websites!

I LOVE Lucky Magazine!  That’s all I have to say!  I love to shop online because it is convenient and I don’t have a lot of time to get out and shop like I used to, but I don’t want to spend alot of money at online stores like Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus  Luckily, Lucky Magazine did some research to fnd the best clothing websites with items for $100 or less.  Here are a few of my faves:

lulu.com

endless.com

modcloth.com

mandee.com

mangoshop.com

Happy Shopping!  Don’t say I didn’t warn you!

Erin Sharplin Love

www.panachebyerin.com

“Wedding Wednesday” – Signature Drinks

There is a great trend in bar service for weddings that both saves money and adds a bit of fun and whimsy to your event…it’s the signature drink!   Having a signature drink will save you money because you won’t feel obligated to provide an open bar to your guests.  Instead you can limit the bar to wine, beer, and your signature drink.  Here are a few of my favorite ideas for signature drinks:

Now the fun part of having a signature drink is naming it!  Be sure to change the names of the drinks below to fit with the theme of your wedding.

The Mango Bellini

• 1 part mango juice
• 2 parts Champagne
• 1 slice of mango

Fill champagne flute one-third full with mango juice. Top with champagne. Stir gently and garnish with a slice of mango.

 

Apple Martini

• 1 part vodka
• 1 part Sour Apple schnapps
• 1 part apple juice

Pour all ingredients into a shaker.  Shake well and strain into a martini glass

 

Blackjack Margarita

• 1 1/2 oz tequila
• 1/2 oz triple sec
• 1/2 oz Chambord
• 4 oz lime juice (or Sour Mix)

Fill glass with ice. Add with Tequila, Triple Sec, and Chambord. Then add the Lime juice or sour mix. Shake. Garnish with a lime wedge and serve

Mmmm.  This is making me thirsty!!  I think I’m off for a margarita!! 

 

Erin Sharplin Love

www.panachebyerin.com

“Terrible Tuesday” – Buffet Etiquette

There are tons of different functions that require us to stand in line for a buffet instead of having a served meal.  For instance, most weddings and fundraisers offer buffets out of convenience rather than a sit down meal.  Unfortunately, not everyone knows how to behave in a buffet line.  To ensure you are not one of them, read below.

 

1  Be Patient!  That is the number one rule of buffet etiquette.  Don’t stand behind someone with your hand on your hip or mumbling and breathing hard.  It’s just uncalled for.

2.  Never cut in line!  The food will be replenished if it happens to get low or run out. 

3.  Use the Serving Utensils – Never use your fingers to sift through the chicken strips, for instance, to find the exact piece you want.  If there are no serving utensils provided, either ask someone for some or if you MUST use your fingers ONLY touch the ONE piece of food that you place on your plate.

4.  Save the eating part until you make it to your seat.  Although I know the food looks and smells great, please hold off on nibbling until you get to your table.

Now next time you find yourself standing neck to neck in a buffet line you will know just how to act…and react! 

Erin Sharplin Love

www.panachebyerin.com

“Fashionable Friday” – How often do you change hairstyles?

Let’s face it.  Our hair is very important to us, so too much change too fast can be extremely scary!  That’s why some of us stay with the same hairstyle for so long.  I do have to admit that I’ve pretty much had the same hairstyle for around 5 years.  I change the color a tad and add layers every now and then, but that’s pretty much it.  To tell you the truth, it scares me to make too much of a change because I like to look my best at all times.  BUT!  There definitely comes a time when enough is enough and a change is due.  My time is coming. 

This is me now.  Stay tuned to see me later!! 

I would love to hear about how often you change your hairstyle and what your inspiration is behind each hairstyle.  So please comment! 

Erin Sharplin Love

www.panachebyerin.com

“Topsy-Turvy Thursday” – My Top 3 Favorite Magazines

I love to read, but for some reason my favorite things to read are mostly magazines!  I do read a few pages in a “self-help” book of choice every night, though.  I remember when I could read an entire Mary Higgins Clark book in one day.  What happened to those days?  Now I just like reading things that I feel make a difference in my life…in my knowledge.  Oh well, maybe one day I’ll again enjoy a good ‘ol murder mystery.  Until then here are my favorite magazines:

Lucky Magazine has tons of inspiration for outfits and tons of great advice for the best blogs and shopping sites!  I recommend this magazine to all of my clients.

Natural Health Magazine is sort of a one stop shop for everything that interests me.  There are articles on pets, beauty, green living, fashion, etc.!  It is filled with great tips and resources. 

Whenever I run across this magazine in my stack I immediately get excited.  I love the heartwarming stories in this magazine, but that’s not all it has to offer.  You’ll find easy do-it-yourself recipes for doggie treats, new and interesting pet products, and a doggie fashion spread.  I sort of got inspiration from this magazine for Panache Magazine. 

Speaking of…I can’t leave out my magazine!  Panache Magazine!! 

Panache Magazine is a magazine devoted to providing you with quick and easy to read articles about fashion trends, green living, pets, health, fitness, organizing, manners, and tons more topics!  I love writing and I am so thankful that people like reading my writing. 

Erin Sharplin Love

www.panachebyerin.com

“Terrible Tuesday” – Just for Guys: How to be a Gentleman

Has the art of being a gentleman passed us by?  It seems to me that with each passing year, men get less gentlemanly when they should actually be getting more gentlemanly.  These days everyone is in a hurry or they don’t pay attention to anything, or anyone, except their Blackberry.  On the other hand, some men tend to think that not holding a door or not paying for dinner will make the woman feel as their equal (you know…the whole feminism thing), but, while that may be so, men will realize that those women just turn out to be friends and/or acquaintances instead of lovers and wives.  Men…it’s time to bring chivalry back!  I promise you’ll feel better about yourself and you will gain the attention of many women.  No doubt!

Follow these SIMPLE tips and you’ll be well on your way to becoming a gentleman:

1.  Hold doors open – even car doors! 

2.  Pay for meals…even if you were the one who was asked out!  ‘

3.  Allow the woman to do everything first, unless she asks you to do otherwise. 

4.  Never flirt or conversate too long with another woman while you are on a date!

5.  Talk about common interests…not your interests only. 

6.  Send her flowers…just because!

7.  Do something romantic every now and then. 

8.  Be nice to animals and other people!  Nothing is as unattractive as someone who is rude and/or who mistreats or dislikes animals.  That is purely my opinion,but I am positive other women would agree.

9.  Remove your hat at the dinner table.

10. Give up your seat for the elderly and women.

11.  Dress appropriately

Above are all very simple things that you, as men, can do to maintain or improve your reputation as a gentleman.  Please let me know if you have any questions or comments.

Erin Sharplin Love

www.panachebyerin.com