OMG Forever 21- a post by Jordan Sullivan

When I was a teenager, AOL had just launched, I still used a pay phone, bitch couldn’t be said on TV, and I had to communicate properly in full sentences to those around me. LOLs, jks, thx, and ATC (all that crap) didn’t exist yet. More importantly, teen pregnancy was for the most part unthinkable. Nowadays, it’s pretty thinkable and possibly acceptable. We got movies of kids getting knocked up, TV shows like 16 and Pregnant and now a maternity line called Love 21 launched by Forever 21. Lions, tigers, and babies, oh my!
You may or may not see it as a big deal, but when their customers are primarily girls under the age of 21, it raises an eyebrow. Especially since 3 of the 5 states where the clothing line launched, Texas, Arizona, and California, have high teen pregnancy rates. Alaska and Utah were among the others in the mix and as far as I know, Sarah Palin has no comment yet. Now it could just be a coincidence, or could it?

You can’t help but call into question their marketing strategy. On one end, it’s absolutely absurd if they are targeting teenage pregnancy, but on the other end, I don’t blame Forever 21 either. Let’s face it, there is a market for it as we’ve seen many young girls with bellies not stuffed with pillows, bowling balls or balloons. And dressing them up in Betty Sue outfits from Motherhood Maternity isn’t going to make them look like an adult. They still need to look cool when they get rushed to the delivery room and post their pictures on Facebook. I have to think, if I was 16 and pregnant, I would still want to have fashionable clothing options hip enough for my age group.

Either way, lines are being crossed. For over 20 years Forever 21 attracted teenage girls. There wasn’t a gradual shift to women in their mid-twenties or thirties. So do you think the company has a targeted marketing strategy towards teenage pregnancy or do you think they are aiming to break out of the niche under 21 market to appeal more so to women and offer a trendy, inexpensive line for mothers-to-be?

Food giveaway from Fab Find Foodie

Alouette Cheese Fun in the Sun Gourmet Summer Picnic Giveaway

7/12/2010 01:20:00 PM Posted by Fab Find Foodie

The distinctive flavors of Alouette Cheese are the result of our rich culinary heritage. From our humble origins in France, we’re proud that connoisseurs and consumers alike have made us America’s #1 Brand of Premium Spreadable Cheese.

We are a serious picnic-loving family.  As a matter of fact, my two girls love them so much that they insist of having one indoors at least once a week!  There's just something so relaxing about tossing a blanket on the ground underneath a tree and kicking back to enjoy the sounds of nature and a delicious snack.  It's something I've always loved to do, and now I've passed that love on to my daughters. 

To me, the ultimate picnic consists of a bottle of Merlot, an array of cheeses, some crackers or bread and fresh fruit.  It's super light and holds well outdoors.  Alouette Cheese has an extraordinary selection of gourmet cheeses and spreadable cheese products that make a delicious addition to any picnic!  I've been enjoying their cheeses for years, so you can imagine how excited I am to share some very exciting news with you!  To help your family have some serious fun in the sun, Alouette Cheese wants to provide one of you with everything you need to enjoy a gourmet picnic!!!  (Many picnics at that!!)

Deluxe Picnic Basket

The Deluxe Picnic Basket for Four (Valued at $100)
includes:

• Picnic Pack for 4, blue with black zippers and blue binding.
• Constructed with 600 denier nylon
• A large 48-can cooler with eat sealed, leak resistant liner has heavy duty trolley wheels and telescopic handles.
• A removable storage compartment
• Includes a place settings for four: plates, silverware settings, glasses, and cloth napkins.
• A cheese cutting board with a cheese knife
• A wine key
• Two utility compartments and adjustable shoulder straps.
• Five Alouette Cheese coupons good for any variety of cheese including Baby Brie, Spreadable and Crumbles (Valued at an additional $35)

A variety of Alouette Cheeses

I was beyond fortunate to receive this amazing deluxe summer picnic basket!!  I have to start by saying, my husband and I are the breed of people that love to eat gourmet/artisan cheese with crackers for dinner, so this was such a treat!

Alouette Baby Brie

Let me tell you about the Deluxe Picnic Basket first.  Without a doubt, excellent quality.  (It arrived in a Pottery Barn box!!!)  The cooler will hold a ton of beverages, plus whatever foods you want to bring along!  The place settings are in a detachable case that is located on the front of the basket.  I was so impressed with how sturdy all of the plates and silverware were!!  Even the napkins were made of soft material!  My favorite part, the pull-up handle and heavy duty wheels!  You'll appreciate this feature every time that cooler is full and you know you have to trek it across the park!  Just pop up the handle and go!

Now onto the divine Alouette Cheese.  As I said earlier, I've been a fan of their cheeses for years!  I love how diverse the spreadable cheese products are.  You can slather some on something as simple as a celery stick, or add them to your pasta dish for a burst of creamy, fresh flavors!  And the Brie?  My goodness....it's sensational.  It's been a favorite on many picnics (and dinners!!) over the years, and will continue to be for many more!

A place setting, cheese board and knife, wine glass and opener...and of course, some Alouette Cheese!

I will leave you with a little glimpse of a recipe available on the Alouette Cheese website:

Savory Garlic Bruschetta

Alouette Garlic Bruschetta Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 pkg. (6.5 oz.) Alouette Garlic & Herbs, or Alouette Savory Vegetable, or Alouette Peppercorn Parmesan Spreadable Cheese
• 12 slices of French bread (¼ inch thick)
• 1 ¼ cups fresh tomatoes, chopped and seeded
• ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• ¼ cup fresh, chopped parsley or basil

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 400º F.
• Spread 1 tbsp. of Alouette Spreadable Cheese on each slice of bread.
• Top each slice with 1½ tbsp. of chopped tomatoes and 1 tsp. of Parmesan cheese.
• Place bruschetta on a cookie sheet and bake for 5-6 minutes.
• Garnish with parsley or basil and serve as an appetizer.

Spinach Artichoke Bruschetta: follow above recipe using one 6.5 oz. package of Alouette Spinach Artichoke Spreadable Cheese, and substituting tomatoes with 1¼ cups diced red bell peppers.

HOW TO CONNECT

Website. Facebook. Twitter. 
Alouette Cheese Wine & Cheese Pairing.  Fun Slow Down & Savour Idea's.
You can find Alouette in the dairy or deli cheese sections of your grocery store.

WIN

One lucky winner will receive the same amazing Deluxe Summer Picnic Basket & Alouette Cheese that I reviewed!  (Valued at $135!!) 

TO ENTER

Mandatory Entry:  Visit Alouette Cheese and tell me which recipe you think sounds the tastiest, or the one you'll make if you win!!

Extra Entries:

(One extra entry each)

-"Like" Alouette Cheese on Facebook.

-Follow Alouette Cheese on Twitter.

-Sign Up for Alouette Cheese Emails. (On the top right of the page,  a green box says Email Sign-Up)

-Follow FFF publicly on Google Friend.

-Follow FFF on NetworkedBlogs.

-Subscribe to FFF via email.

-Follow FFF on Twitter.

-"Like" FFF on Facebook.

-Tweet this giveaway. (Once Daily) Feel free to copy/paste:

RT Enter to WIN a Deluxe Summer Picnic Basket & Alouette Cheese-Valued at $135! @FabFindFoodie http://tinyurl.com/2ekfywe @Alouettecheese

-Blog about this giveaway

-Grab my button

-Add me to your Blogroll

Each entry must be left in a separate comment. Please leave your email in at least one entry, unless your profile is set to public. View a full list of rules here.  (Remember, if you are not following my blog publicly, I will not be able to view your email address in your profile.)

This Giveaway Ends on Monday, July 26th, 2010 at 11:00 pm CST.  Open to U.S. Residents only.  All entries stamped after the cut-off time will be deleted.  Winner will be contacted by email, then has 48 hours to respond.

 

 

Disclosure: I received the mentioned prize for reviewing purposes. No monetary compensation was received or offered. All opinions expressed are my honest thoughts on this product.

Read more: http://www.fabfindfoodie.com/2010/07/alouette-cheese-fun-in-sun-gourmet.html#ixzz0ucr4MsTc
Under Creative Commons License: Attribution

YouTube stars (Rachael Ray Show)

All info is from The Rachael Ray Show. (First section) (second section)

YouTube has opened the door for anyone with a camera and a computer to become the star of their own TV show. Rachael meets a few of these Internet celebrities who have used YouTube to give advice on fashion, makeup, budget shopping and even express their opinion on carpenter jeans! Check them out by clicking on their names below:

William "Ask a Gay Man" Sledd
"Ask Adrienne" Nelson
Rob and Corinne from ThreadBanger
Madeline "How to Girl" Merced

Programming note: Voting has ended! Tune in Wednesday, July 16 to see which one of these stars is the winner!
=============

Their online videos made these people Internet sensations, so Rachael checks in with a few of your favorite viral video YouTube stars to see what they're up to today!

"Chocolate Rain" singer. In 2007, Tay Zonday won the music prize at the YouTube Awards for his deep-voiced jazz-inspired tune for the popular video that changed his life. "I was literally Joe Schmo, a graduate student making music in my living room and all of a sudden these doors opened up," he tells Rach. "The entertainment industry started contacting me and it's been a wild ride ever since." Tay has been hired as a voice artist and has continued to produce independent music on YouTube. "My last song on YouTube is called 'Baby I'm Not.'"


 

"Leave Britney Alone!" When the tabloids were going after Britney Spears on a daily basis, she found a supporter on YouTube when Chris Crocker posted his teary-eyed plea for folks to give the pop star a break. But his allegiances have changed since that video. "I'm actually not a fan anymore - she didn't even send me a fruit basket, a thank you or nothing," he admits, adding, "My new obsession is Lady Gaga!" Chris also has a song on iTunes titled, "Mind in the Gutter." Click here to download the song!


 
Huge Nintendo 64 Christmas Surprise. People loved watching the video of a young brother and sister screaming "yes!" and pounding on their gift with joy when they opened a brand new Nintendo video game system on Christmas morning. Why was that so exciting? "We never expected to get it!" says now-20-year-old Brandon. They sold the Nintendo on eBay a few years ago, so Rachael surprises him and his sister with a replacement! Their reaction is much calmer this time around. Check out their original home video here! For some of their tv appearances check this out!

Here is the segment on youtube stars from Rachael Ray Show!

AVOID THE #1 DIET MISTAKE!

Added to Articles on Wed 01/06/2010

Losing weight isn't about not eating. It's about regularly eating foods that are filling and rich in nutrients. All too often, those seeking to lose weight practice deprivation diets. When you don't eat enough, your metabolism slows and your body senses deprivation and starts and emergency storage of the calories you do consume.

What are Dr. Oz's tips for avoiding the deprivation diet? EAT! Eat every 3-4 hours and eat healthy foods like those below.

Breakfast
Your body needs fuel to start the day, and when it's deprived of food for longer than 12 hours, your metabolic rate can lower by 40%.

A high-fiber cereal with a banana for potassium and 1% (or soy) milk is a good start. Or you can make Dr. Oz's Magical Breakfast Blaster, a power-packed breakfast you can take on the go.

Lunch
Try 3 ounces of lean meat, like turkey on whole grain bread. A hummus spread will add lots of fiber, protein and flavor. Include a piece of fruit as a natural sugar boost.

Dinner
The equation for a healthy dinner is 1/3 lean protein, 1/3 fiber or carbs and the rest should be vegetables. Try 4 oz. of salmon, rice and veggies!

Snack throughout the day on nuts, fruit and yogurt.

Recipe of the Day

Blueberry Cream Cheese Crumb Bars

This is a guest post from Thibeault's Table.

I went looking for something to  bake using  Blueberries and found a very appealing picture of a Blueberry Crumb Bar on The Homebased Mom's blog. 

Adapted the recipe slightly to use up a package of Philly cream cheese. 

Blueberry Cream Cheese Crumb Bars
==================================
Adapted from: http://www.yourhomebasedmom.com/blueberry-crumb-bars

1 cup white sugar
1 tsp. baking powder

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup cold butter (2 sticks)
1 egg
1/4 tsp. salt
Zest and juice of one lemon
4 C. fresh blueberries
1/2 cup white sugar
4 tsp. cornstarch

4 ounces cream cheese

1/4 cup sugar

1 egg

Vanilla

Preheat the oven to 375 F. Grease a 9×13 inch pan.

In a medium bowl, stir together 1 cup sugar, 3 cups flour, and baking powder. Mix in salt and lemon zest. Use a fork or pastry cutter to blend in the butter and egg. Dough will be crumbly. Pat half of dough into the prepared pan.

In another bowl, stir together the sugar, cornstarch and lemon juice. Gently mix in the blueberries. Sprinkle the blueberry mixture evenly over the crust.

Cream the cream cheese with sugar. Add beaten egg and vanilla. Stir well to combine. Drop by tablespoon over the blueberries.

Crumble remaining dough over the top.
Bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until top is slightly brown. Cool completely before cutting into squares.