Five Star Product of the Week

Okay, I admit it. I am a shampoo fanatic. With baby fine hair and proudly in my 40's, I can't get away with using just ANY shampoo! I have spent way too many hard earned dollars over the years trying to find a shampoo that not only gives my hair body and volume, but leaves it healthy and shiny too! My verdict is that this isn't an easy job! If you are one of those people that buy fancy shmancy brands that ring up at $35 dollars a bottle, you very well may have already found the miracle shampoo. But being the thrifty shopper that I am, I can't bring myself to pay that much for something that I rinse down the drain.

To complicate matters even more, I stopped using soaps and shampoos containing sodium laurel sulfate about a year ago. (Why? I decided that bathing in harsh chemicals couldn't be good for me! I have noticed that both my skin and hair don't seem to dry out like before.) The pool of shampoos without SLS is still fairly small so it is even more challenging than before to find something that cleans your hair while not damaging it!

If you have read my blog on a regular basis, you will remember that I once recommended Organix Coconut Shampoo for a reasonably priced sulfate free shampoo. Well, I have found one that I love way more for so many more reasons! Read on...

First of all, this sulfate free shampoo actually makes a silky lather (not many sulfate free products can make this claim...trust me!). According to the label, this shampoo is designed for color treated hair. I don't usually color my hair, but the fact it was sulfate free led me to give it a try. I loved the way my hair rinsed clean and didn't feel dry or coarse. In fact, I almost skipped the conditioner altogether since my hair felt so soft after one shampoo. Okay, it felt silky and smelled great while washing, but more importantly, what did it do to my hair? I have to say that my hair had more bounce and body than it has had in years. In fact, it almost looked liked I had used a curling iron and then combed it out...now that's volume you can write about. I couldn't believe how soft my hair felt. And just between you and me, I kept touching it all day yesterday and admiring the shine in the mirror.

Bottom line, Loreal's EverPure Sulfate Free Volume Shampoo is totally worth $5.99 and has solved my hair problems for now. I can mark this one off my list and move on to solving how to lose 10 pounds in one week or finding the perfect shade of makeup that makes me look 10 years younger. Stay tuned...

WHAT'S FOR DINNER?

Tawnya's Texas Chicken Chili

I don't know about you, but what's for dinner is often determined by what's in the pantry! After lots of grilling this summer, the cooler weather definitely had me craving soup or chili! So, after surveying the pantry, I decided that chicken chili was what was for dinner tonight!

Here is how I made my version of Texas Chicken Chili:

1 can of Bush's chili beans

2 cans of black beans, drained

1 can Rotel tomatoes

1/2 can of chicken broth

3-4 cooked and cubed chicken breasts

3 large minced garlic cloves

1/2-1 red or white onion, chopped

1 jalapeno, minced

3-4 heaping tbsp. chili powder

2 teaspoons of cumin powder

1/4 cup of minced Cilantro sprigs

3 healthy dashes of Worcestershire sauce

2 tbsp. of honey mustard

grated cheddar cheese

sour cream

sliced avocado

Saute garlic, onion and jalapeno in olive oil. Add beans, tomatoes and chicken broth. Bring to boil and return to simmer. Add chicken and stir well. Add chili powder, cumin, dashes of Worcestershire sauce and honey mustard. Stir well and simmer covered for approx. 15-20 minutes. Add minced cilantro.

Top with cheese, sour cream and sliced avocado. Serve with fresh cornbread or tortillas chips.

Enjoy with family and friends!

RAIN BOOTS OR RAINBOW BOOTS?

After a very long drought, we have finally had some real rain here in central Texas. It had been so long that I had forgotten what it felt like to pop up an umbrella in the wind or soak my shoes in a mud puddle. The rain also reminded me of how much I love the amazing rain boots that you see splashing around town. You can't beat their price (so cheap that you could even make a case for getting a pair in every color under the rainbow!).

If you are in the market for some new rain boots for the soggy months ahead, you have to check out the selection on Target.com. Right now if you buy one pair (only $25), you get the second for 50% off! And, if you spend $50, you get free shipping! Did you know that they sell warm liners for rain boots? There really is just NO excuse for the boring black boots of the past!

Here are few of my favorites...Allison Floral


Tan Leopard


Zahar Pink



Sasha Bias Madras

Black and Silver Zebra

Pinky Plaid

SPRING AHEAD TO 2010 FASHION

It may seem a little early to think about next spring's wardrobe, but the Spring 2010 Fashion Show was this past week in NYC. I love all the muted metallics, rich blues and bright whites. And, very tickled to see that ruffles and femininity are still here to stay for at least one more season!

Cynthia Rowley...fun & flirty as always

Erin Wasson

David Tlale

Nicole Miller

Adam

Lacoste

Christian Siriano (winner from Project Runway!) & one of my favorites on the Spring runway