Christmas Tip

It’s 5 days before Christmas and still no tree. Well I have the perfect solution.
Create your own tree….out of simple boxes.

All you need are boxes, wired ribbon and cool wrapping paper. Just that simple. All for a $10-$15 dollars. Do not pay for our boxes unless you have to.

Wrap and stack. How simple is that? You don’t have to worry about buying tons of ornament and lights, or cleaning up millions of pine needles, or even worst getting stuck. And most of all everything is recyclable. Christmas is now saved!

Meeting David Tutera from My Fair Wedding

On a Thursday December 1, I met one of my idols, David Tutera — celebrity wedding planner and star of WE tv’s MY FAIR WEDDING – hosted an intimate dinner with local Chicago press at Devon Seafood Grill. Tutera was in town promoting the fifth season of his popular show, in which he gives everyday brides the wedding makeover of their dreams. We dined on scallops and salmon, while previewing an upcoming episode. All Attendees were given a DVD copy of the best of MFW — Weddings WE Love: My Fair Wedding with David Tutera – and a rhinestone pin from Bridal Collection by David Tutera. To cap off the night, one lucky guest – NBC Chicago’s Pam Oliver – walked away with a diamond watch from David’s jewelry line at Sears. “I have the greatest job in the world,” said Tutera during the post-screening Q&A. “I get to be a part of the happiest day of people’s lives.”

…..And he made me happy that day. He has such a warm spirit, very down to earth. David and his work has been such an inspiration to me and it was such an honor to meet him. That night was my confirmation that I am 100% on the right track.

MY FAIR WEDDING with DAVID TUTERA airs Sunday nights at 9/8c on WE tv! Visit the show at http://www.wetv.com/shows/my-fair-wedding.

Click To view video from that night

Holiday Fun

Who doesn’t love a good game, especially with your family? Let’s add some good ole fashion fun back to our homes. No need to pull out any board games. In the land of iPhones and iPads I found some great games that can be played with the entire family during this holiday season.

Family Fued and The Price is Right. Both are FREE! or $4.99.

These games will bring back so many memories. Who doesn’t remember watching these games with a bowl of cereal or snack screaming at the top of of our lungs the answers at the television? The free version is just as good as the upgrade. The $4.99 version allows you to create avatars and customize your game. But who needs all of that? That is for people with a little more time on their hands. My suggestion is to get the free version and call it a day.

Reverse Charades FREE!

If you love to see your family clowning around, then this game is perfect. Instead of one person acting out for the team, everyone on the team acts out for other teams, and it’s fast paced. Great game to get the active after all that eating.

FindIt 2 $1.99

This is a game of difference. You are given several mirrored pictures and you have to guess what is different in each. Definitely a great game the family can play as a team but make sure everyone has their glasses on. Your eyes will get tired.

And for the kids, Where’s Waldo in Hollywood. $2.99. One of the most popular difference games out there. Same rules apply for the FindIt game but certainly more kid-friendly.

All of these games can be found at the Apple App Store. Download and let the games begin!

Flavor In My Ear Vol. 2

I like different Sh#t.

I can’t pretend to like music that everyone else like. I’ve checked out on mainstream music. While driving, I have the urge to reach through the radio, take the artist’s album, ball it up, and throw it back in their face.

I realized early on that most people think the music I dig is weird. But who cares!The artists I listen to don’t fit into neosoul (which was just R&B anyway, right?), hip hop, rock or any other neat category. It’s what I’m listening to while I’m cooking, creating a haute design layout or hosting a great dinner party with close friends and family.

These artists are innovative. We share a kindred spirit.

So here is the Flavor In My Ear right now.. Vol 2

KING : The Story EP                     Released March 1, 2011

Such a cute, fun little EP. These three talented young ladies really stole my heart with this project. They quickly have become an overnight sensation to all underground music lovers and fellow musicians. I heard my neighbor playing this EP on replay for days straight and I wasn’t even mad at her. This EP only contains 3 songs but each song has been made to perfection, and I don’t usually say that for most musical projects. Each song is well written and executed just right. You can tell these are real musicians. The second song on the EP, Supernatural, has a great Steve Wonder vibe to it. Great chord progressions and a build up that will leave you feeling magical by the end of the song. An all girl group writing great material and singing their asses off. Yippy! I can’t wait to hear more from these ladies. GET MUSIC

EMILY KING : SEVEN EP            Release July 12, 2011

This EP literally snuck up on me. I had no clue about this EP until my husband introduced it onto the house IPod. I was pleasantly surprised. I thoroughly enjoyed all 7 tracks of it. The best cut on the album is Georgia. A timeless song, it made me instantly ask “Who is this girl and why haven’t I heard of her yet”? Her breathy, soft voice lay perfectly over each track. This album is perfect for a drive through the country side or cooking a good meal paired with a fabulous wine. Not overly produced, mixed, and mastered just right.  Beautiful lyrics. Just good, genre less music. I needed that. Thank You Emily! GIMMIE MUSIC

Muhsinah: GONE EP – FREE DOWNLOAD!

My girl Muhsinah is back with a new EP titled Gone. She went a totally different direction with this project. Some tracks may sound a little mainstream (like something from the Gossip Girl soundtrack) but I still dug it. This could be the EP that crosses her. Good for her if that’s what she wants. What is cool about this EP is that 3 songs have alternate versions. Kinda cool. It wasn’t until I looked at the titles and realized that I kept hearing the same hooks repeating on certain songs. DOWN to 1 and STOP are the best songs on the EP. Genius. Talk about getting amped up! Great work out music. When I hear these two songs I just want to sprint. The guitar rift on STOP is just delightful. Killed it. Overall I’m pleased. I didn’t expect any less from her. I’m just happy to finally hear something new from her. I don’t like to see any of my favorite artists away for too long. DOWNLOAD

Little Dragon: Ritual Union       Released July 25, 2011

Little Dragon, what are thinking when you write these cuts? Genius.

I expect nothing but greatness from this group. Once again they showed up and showed out on their third album. That’s what they do. They make good music. They had me from the first track ,titled Ritual Union. Refreshing and new. When they drop a new album, time stops for me. Tracks like Crystalfilm and When I Go Out literally stole my heart and soul. Even though it doesn’t compare to there first self titled album, it’s still great. If you’re not familiar with Little Dragon you can get this album and still really enjoy it, especially if you like good quality music.

Also they are awesome live. When this band comes to your city, please go and see them. It could easily be one of the best shows you will see that year. RELEASE THE DRAGON

THUNDERCAT: The Golden Age of Apocalypse                                     Released Aug 2011

Thunder, thunder, thundercat Hoooooo!

That damn THUNDERCAT made the hell out of this album. This is the album that made me want to write this post. I was inspired. I saw bright colors and tasted sweetness on my taste buds. I kept hearing his name being mentioned amongst my industry friends so I found him and that was all she wrote.

I put on my Cheetara outfit on and rode this THUNDERCAT wave. Let’s fight. I got your back. This album is soooo flipping fun. Co-produced by Flying Lotus, who I dig totally, this album is a music lovers dream. You can taste how organic this album is, like tasting earth from a vegetable coming from the ground. On certain tracks such as For Love I Come I could tell this brotha played bass from the arrangement. It’s mostly instrumental with very little singing. I respect that. The songs are pretty short. For the best experience just turn it on, don’t look at the time and enjoy. This album will be my theme music for this fall. Had to throw on the Cheetara outfit and everything! Yep, I grew whiskers and a tail listening to THUNDERCAT. Trust me just this one time, you are going to love it. NEED MUSIC NOW

Ok…now take the time to listen to these artists and leave a comment on the blog about what you think. Was I right or wrong? I want to know.

Ciao till the next hot album.

Erika AKA ErockaJ

Summer Sweets of 2011

Summer began yesterday at 12:16pm and I am so excited.  I am already planning out what will be my favorite spots to sooth my sweet tooth this summer.  Like to hear it, here it goes…

1. The Churro Factory 2214 S. Wolcott, Chicago, IL 60608 in Pilsen. Mon-Fri 8am-8pm, Sat-Sun 10am-6pm. This has to be one of the most dangerous sweet shops in Chicago. Hot churros and funnel cakes made fresh everyday… all day…unreal. They have special fillings each day and my favorite is the Nutella on Tuesdays. Can you say Yum! www.churrofactory.com

2. Jimmy Jams Sweet Potato Pies 1844 W. 95th St, Chicago, IL 60643 in Beverly. Mon-Sat 10am-7pm. All I can say is Sweet Potato Cupcakes! So rich.. so fabulous. just right.  The name itself sounds interesting but once you taste it..Hooked. Amazing!

3. Zberry Frozen Yogurt 1368 1/2 E. 53rd St, Chicago, IL 60615 in Hyde Park. Mon-Thu 11am-9pm, Fri-Sat 11am-10pm. I am in love with this place. It is my guilty pleasure. Sweet and tasty frozen yogurt, great topping, and .45 an ounce price brings me in this place at least once a week. It’s good for you and it tastes soooo good. The cake batter flavor is out of sight. It’s the perfect base to add any toppings. Give it a swirl.. you’ll be happy you did. www.myzberry.com

Celebrate Earth Hour

I have a go-go gadget house. I have all types of appliances and gadgets everywhere ready for me to use. And do we use them.

But I am a really big fan of Earth Hour which will be held this year on March 26, 2011, which is tomorrow from 8:30-9:30pm. Earth Hour which I try my best to make my personal earth day, really helps me to reflect on how we can live our lives more green. How we can for at least one hour, take time to reflect on her, Mother Earth.

 

It’s amazing to reflect on how only over 20 years ago we didn’t have computers in every home, everyone didn’t have cellphones embedded to their ears and Ipods in their hands. Life was much simpler. We either stayed home and waited patiently or anxiously for a phone call or to come home to hear that awesome message on our answering machines or voicemail which was high tech back then.

I sometimes wish we could hit a rewind button and go back to those days but I can’t. All I can do is look back on those memories and try to find a way in this modern day and  technology to make things simpler again. And I found it. TURN IT OFF. Turn off the phone, TV, Computer and anything that can get your attention.  Don’t have it on if you are not using it.  Give yourself a break and unplug out of the matrix.

Here are some ideas on how to celebrate Earth Hour.

Take a bath by candlelight.

Go outside and look at the moon and stars. Get some fresh air.

Talk to your husband, wife, kids, who ever is in your house by candlelight. Tell stories, reminisce, or play games. Have drinks and snacks. But make sure you prepare your snacks prior to earth hour you need to use electricity.

Pray or Meditate by candlelight.

Whatever you do.. do it by candlelight. The earth will be glad you took some quality time out for her.

To learn more about earth hour visit. www.earthhour.org

 

Szechwan Chicken

Happy Chinese New Year! This is the year of the rabbit and to celebrate I wanted to share with you one of my favorite recipes, Szechwan Chicken. I guarantee this will be hot, flavorful, and yummy!

Szechwan Chicken

3lbs of boneless chicken breast

1 green pepper

2 cloves of garlic

1 tablespoon of ginger (can substitute ginger powder)

2 tablespoon of hoisin sauce

3 tablespoon of szechwan chili sauce

2 teaspoon of soy sauce

1 teaspoon of sesame oil

2 dried red chilies

1-2oz of non salted cashews.

2 tablespoon of stir fry oil or vegetable oil.

Black Pepper to taste

Add the 2 dried red chilies to a bowl of cold water. You want to hydrate for 10 minutes before you cut them. Cut to small size.

Cut the green peppers to a medium size. You do not want them to be cut finely. Dice the garlic and fresh ginger finely and place to the side.

Chop the chicken breast into small bite size pieces. Add black pepper to the chicken.

Once your wok is nice and hot, add in 1 tablespoon of oil and the chicken breast. Cook for 7 minutes or until the chicken turns pale. Take the chicken out and place into a bowl and set aside. Don’t turn off the stove.

Add in the other tablespoon of oil, garlic, ginger, green peppers, chilies, and cashews to the wok. Add more black pepper if you want. Stir continuously for 3 minutes and add the chicken back in.  Stir for 5 minutes or so.  Add in the soy, sesame oil, hoisin, and schezwan chili sauces into the mix and let it heat for 2 minutes.

Serve immediately. Serves 4