Diet Recipes

The key ingredient in this recipe is the Weight Watchers® Smoothie drink mix which is only available for purchase by Weight Watchers® members at most Weight Watchers® weight loss centers. The recipe uses the French Vanilla, but the Chocolate flavor would be an excellent substitute. The ice can be omitted, but I add it because it makes a thicker smoothie.. (and no the ice doesn’t water down the taste AT ALL!)

 Continue reading “Triple Vanilla Smoothie”

The key to this recipe is that cauliflower is used to thicken the stew base. Even IF you do not like cauliflower, I PROMISE you you will not taste it AT ALL in this stew. (Ask my hubby who was proven WRONG about this when I first made it..)

For Weight Watchers members: POINTS® Value:    3 Continue reading “Hearty Chicken Stew”

Tortuga Accessories

I was trained in Fashion Design at Parsons, where I received the first Marc Jacobs Gold Thimble Award. I have been designing handbags and leathergoods for other companies for 20 years. The Tortuga Accessories line started with the name Tortuga, which means ’sea turtle’ in Spanish. It seemed a perfect way to help the cause of saving the endangered sea turtles, and the environment in general, by building the brand with this name. (In addition, the Tortuga line got started from a desire to make original bags that I would carry myself, and also to work with some of my favorite people.

Tortuga uses cowhide, lamb, and pig leathers, never exotics. As much as possible I choose vegetable-tanned leathers without chrome. The Tortuga hardware is all original and designed by me. The lining I designed for use in all the bags is unique; it is made from 100% recycled water bottles woven into satin. The lining is printed with a photographic image of water, then indigo dotted swirls and tiny sea turtle logos swimming around. The overall effect when you open your bag is of looking into blue water and it makes you smile. The Tortuga target audience is the working woman looking for a bag that will take her to work and the weekend, is a bag that not all of her friends have, that is original but not screaming or boring, is well-made but doesn’t cost a fortune, is easy to wear rather than fussy, and won’t be out of fashion in 5 minutes. I am inspired by everything from the sculptural lines and proportions of cars to architecture to art to vintage hardware to the colors of nature.

Tortuga Accessories is striving to be as environmentally friendly as a leather handbag line can be; Designs are sent as email attachments, not print-outs. Business cards, paper, etc are from recycled paper or from ground rocks (yes they can make business cards from ground rocks - no trees!). The lining is made of 100% recycled water bottles. Designs are done from my home office (no gas wasted commuting). Travel is minimized so as little jet-fuel as possible is wasted. Part of the proceeds from the bags will be donated to environmental charities. Retailers can find Tortuga Accessories at Accessories That Matter in NYC

There hasn’t been a design nightmare story YET, but I’m sure there will be…every time a sample arrives and the curves are any different than exactly what I wanted it seems like a minor nightmare, but I’m sure all designers know that feeling - just revise it and move on. My greatest achievement in this process so far has just been getting started. It’s too easy to just keep a salary and not start your own line. It’s all worth it to be able to control your designs, your travel schedule, choose your colleagues, and spend more time with your family.

 Continue reading “your enviable louis vuitton handbags”

At the moment I am working on A/W 2010 COLLECTION which has a lot of suede and wool pleated frill detailing and the color palette is dark green/navy/gold and black. I am a very pleat addictive handbag designer, each handbag always has some kind of pleating or other fabric manipulation detail to it. My main inspiration is fabric manipulation and the Victorian era. I started making bags after I finished studying womenswear because I had worked for various handbag designers and I had decided this is the direction I want to go into. My bags always have a contemporary, fun and minimal feel to them even in cases when I have recycled them. I believe every handbag should be fun and have something special about it.
For me the most important thing is that the handbag has to feel sturdy and strong but at the same time be functional and look beautiful. The greatest achievement is when I recycle coats and other garments into bags because I always want it to still feel like I’ve added something to it and the outcome is always something of a surprise, and even with my line I’m always recycling belts for handles, pockets etc.
“A handbag has to be like a piece of art but still serve its purpose.” Continue reading “The classic forever–Louis vuitton bags”

Makes 4 servings Continue reading “Weight Watchers Crock Pot Sweet & Sour Chicken”

The metallic trend is still here. Personally, I do love the trend to a certain extent. I am not one for carrying a huge metallic bag around, it is just not my style. I opt to bring in metallics in clutches and evening bag, rather than everyday totes. I would, however, consider bringing a metallic bag into my everyday mix if it is fun and more of a bag deal that a bank breaker. The Botkier Sasha was one of our biggest giveaway hits, with well over 1,000 entries. I loved it in black leather and the pewter patent leather is slowly growing on me. The Botkier Large Sasha Duffle Tote has been jazzed up for spring in pewter patent leather and silver hardware which gives the perfect metallic in a great shape and a good price. There is the option of the long or short straps, which is a major plus. While this bag is more of a deal if you are looking for a metallic, I can not say that I will be buying it. I suppose the big bag metallics are just not for me; they are too much for my taste. I will stick to my small bags when opting for shiny metallics, but this may be an option for you. Buy through Net A Porter for $695. Continue reading “fantasitic lv handbags”

Italian Veggie Wrap Continue reading “Easy Veggie Wrap”

A healthy cold salad good for lunch or snack.. Continue reading “White Rabbit Salad”

* Turkey fillet pitta with side salad Continue reading “Turkey fillet pitta with side salad”

From the Coastal Living magazine September 2002 issue. Very easy and quick to prepare. Hard boil extra eggs for quick grab breakfasts. Yummy! Continue reading “Endive Arugula Salad”