Mindy Weiss and Wedding Paper Divas get you married in style

Getting her start in the industry working at a stationery store, Mindy Weiss has always had a passion for paper. As a style partner for Wedding Paper Divas and a go-to wedding trends expert, Mindy has also designed an exquisite new bridal stationery collection that is striking, yet affordable, and appeals to a broad range of styles.

For her collection, Mindy combined years of experience in the wedding industry with her style and creativity to draw inspiration from all facets of life including fashion, art, nature and her forecasted trends for the year. From brilliant color blocking to delicate lace details, the collection features nine designs in a variety of bold and beautiful themes.

“I designed this stationery collection for Wedding Paper Divas to be versatile and elegant enough to match a wide variety of wedding themes and motifs,” said Mindy. “I can’t wait to help couples personalize these designs and add their own flair.”

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• Simple Allure – Color blocking is modernized and this time it’s all about full-bodied, jewel-toned colors.
• Modern Splendor – Inspired by watercolors, there is magic in the carefree flow of darks and lights, creating a vibrant yet peaceful ambiance.
• Floral Trellis – Emulating Chinoiserie’s whimsical style and Asian influences, the design adds a worldly and dignified statement.
• Lasting Lace – This design pays homage to the classic fairytale love story and all things romantic – and what says romance more than lace?
• Natural Lattice – “Let Love Live,” says Mindy, who believes elements of nature and green living walls will be the focus of many wedding celebrations this season.

 Not limited strictly to invitations, the suites also feature save the date cards, response cards, enclosure cards, thank you cards and more. Mindy’s bridal stationery collection is completely customizable, and available at www.weddingpaperdivas.com/mindyweiss

Wine Wednesday: Wine-Braised Pork with Chestnuts and Sweet Potatoes

Legendary chef Jacques Pépin sears pork shoulder to make a terrific crust, then braises it slowly with stock, wine, chestnuts and sweet potatoes until it’s meltingly tender.

 

1. One 4-pound boneless pork shoulder
2. 2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
3. Pepper
4. 1 onion, finely chopped
5. 5 garlic cloves, crushed
6. 3 cups chicken stock or low-sodium broth
7. 1/2 cup dry white wine
8. 5 parsley sprigs, plus chopped parsley for garnish
9. 3 thyme sprigs

• 1 1/2 pounds sweet potatoes (about 3 medium), peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces
• 1 pound vacuum-packed roasted peeled chestnuts (3 cups)

Season the pork with the 2 teaspoons of salt and 1 teaspoon of pepper. Heat a large cast-iron casserole over moderately high heat. Add the pork, fat side down, and add 1/2 cup of water. Cook until all 
of the water has evaporated, about 5 minutes. Continue to cook over moderate heat until the pork is golden brown, about 8 minutes. Flip the pork and cook, turning occasionally, until browned all over, about 5 minutes longer.

Add the onion and garlic to the casserole and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly golden, about 5 minutes. Add the stock, wine and parsley and thyme sprigs and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook over low heat, turning once, until the pork is just tender, 2 1/2 hours. Add the sweet potatoes and chestnuts, cover and cook until the pork and sweet potatoes are very tender, 30 minutes.

Transfer the pork to a cutting board and let rest for 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the sweet potatoes and chestnuts to a platter. Strain the jus into a bowl and degrease with a spoon; season with salt and pepper.

Slice the pork and arrange it on top of the vegetables. Garnish with parsley and serve with the jus.

Make Ahead The braised pork can be refrigerated overnight and reheated before serving.

Suggested Pairing

Medium-bodied Côtes du Rhône is rich enough to go with this pork and has enough fruit to go with sweet potatoes.

 

Wine Wednesday: Spicy Korean Grilled Pork

Pounding slices of pork tenderizes the meat, making it thin enough to take on the flavor of the marinade and allowing it to cook fast enough to stay moist.

1. 1 cup Chinese fermented black beans (5 ounces); see Note
2. 1 head of garlic, cloves peeled and coarsely chopped
3. One 4-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and coarsely chopped
4. 1/2 cup Korean chile paste (gochujang); see Note
5. 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
6. 1/4 cup soy sauce
7. 3 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
8. 3/4 cup light brown sugar
9. One 3-pound trimmed boneless pork shoulder roast, cut crosswise into twelve 1/4-inch-thick slices

• Vegetable oil, for brushing

Put the fermented black beans in a bowl and cover with water. Let stand for 15 minutes. Drain and coarsely chop the beans.

In a food processor, combine the black beans, garlic and ginger and pulse until finely chopped. Add the chile paste, vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil and sugar and blend well.

On a work surface, pound the pork slices 1/8 inch thick. Lay one-fourth of the pork slices in a large, shallow dish and coat with one-fourth of the black bean marinade. Repeat with the remaining pork and marinade for three more layers. Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.

Light a grill or preheat a grill pan. Remove the pork from the marinade, leaving just a thin coating on the meat. Brush the pork with oil and grill over moderate heat, turning every 2 minutes, until nicely charred and cooked through, about 6 minutes.

Chinese fermented black beans and gochujang are available at Asian markets and from amazon.com. Or substitute an equal amount of Chinese black bean sauce or any kind of Asian chile paste.

Serve With

Vegetables or chilled noodles.

Suggested Pairing

Tannins in red wine can intensify the heat in chiles, so for this dish, look for a fruit-forward Grenache-based wine.

Best Buy has a wedding registry with your name on it.

With so many things to do before your big day, how about making life a little easier when it comes to your wedding registry? Did you know that Best Buy now has a wedding registry?!? I KNOW!!

I’m a real fan of Best Buy. It’s been a long time since a store has the latest products that fit my lifestyle and me. I have a feeling it’s the same for you. So when you and your partner start to build your registry, think about what you really need and your lifestyle. Best Buy really has the best selection of things you may need for you home and if you need help setting up your new device, the geek squad is always available. Now that’s service!

So why Best Buy? Look, do you really need another set of sheets or dishes? I didn’t think so. Giving your guests your registry from Best Buy will assure you that you get what you want and need to continue to build your home. You will also get the items you are truly excited to receive. That great new camera (to use on your honeymoon), perhaps that fitness tracker (to help keep you fitness goals on track) and my personal favorite Bluetooth speakers so you can play your favorite tunes on beach days or outdoors.

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One of the key benefits to this registry vs others is “group gifting”. This means your guests will spend what they want, and you’ll get what you want. There is free shipping, which is an added bonus so no gift, no matter how big or small will get to you AND there is NO minimum PURCHASE required. That’s a win-win for everyone.

So when you’re looking for the best in products, best in sales staff, the best for you, look no further than…Best Buy!

 

Disclaimer: The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free.

NYFW Beauty: Jay Manuel Beauty for Bibhu Mohapatra

The Inspiration

“It’s as though she stepped out of a painting from the 1920’s but there’s a hint of modernity.  She’s iconic, mysterious and a bit melancholy. Her mood is somber” – Jay Manuel

Team

Jay Manuel and Marla Belt for Jay Manuel Beauty

The Partnership

“I’m thrilled to collaborate with Bibhu Mohapatra and help realize his total vision for the woman of today. He’s a creative visionary whose use of architecture and ingenuity in his designs is not only a fresh but an innovative approach to his timeless and classic aesthetic.  His attention to geometric shapes, elevated patterns and colors schemes makes this partnership ideal for Jay Manuel Beauty.” – Jay Manuel

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Products Used:

Face

Jay Manuel Filter Finish Collection Skin Perfector Foundation, Luxe Powder, Bronzer in Sex on the Beach, Skin Face Lift in Platinum

Eyes

Jay Manuel Beauty Intense Color Eyeshadow Quad in Loud & Narcotic

Jay Manuel Beauty The Everything Pencil in Wicked; Mascara in Noir

Iman Cosmetics Perfect Eye Pencil in Jet Black

Lips

Jay Manuel Beauty The Ultimate Lip Gloss in Strip & Wet

Jay Manuel Beauty launches on HSN on March 26^th

Visit jaymanuelbeauty.com for more product information.

Wine Wednesday: Short Rib Stew

I got this from a chef in my neighborhood. I’ve tried it and OMG!! This is sooo rich and amazing.  What chef does the day after (if there is any left) he makes sliders. So…if you try this on Friday night…how about some sliders for the weekend football game?  Hmmmm.  Enjoy!

3 1/2 pounds boneless beef short ribs, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

2 cups dry red wine

3 cups veal or chicken stock

6 carrots, cut into 1/2-inch dice

1 1/2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch dice

3 medium parsnips, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch dice

1 large onion, cut into 1-inch dice

1/2 pound cremini mushrooms, quartered

1 tablespoon thyme leaves, chopped

8 sage leaves, coarsely chopped

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

 

In a large bowl, toss the short ribs with the flour. In a large enameled cast-iron casserole, heat the oil. Working in batches, cook the short ribs over moderately high heat until browned all over, about 6 minutes per batch. Discard the oil.

Return the meat and any juices to the casserole. Add the wine and boil until reduced by half, 8 minutes. Add the stock and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook over low heat until the meat is tender, 2 hours.

Skim any fat from the stew. Stir in the carrots, potatoes, parsnips, onion, mushrooms, thyme and sage. Cover and simmer over low heat until the vegetables are tender, about 35 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and serve.

Suggested Pairing

Juicy, berry-rich Shiraz. Southern French Reds. Chilean Cabernet Sauvigno or Sangiovese from Tuscany. With the Sliders – any wheat beer goes well.

Ken Paves says You Are Beautiful with his hair care collection

The Ken Paves You Are Beautiful Collection combines the latest hair care technologies, typically found only in salons, with natural, good-for-your-hair ingredients that allow women everywhere to celebrate and enhance their natural beauty. His unique vision and signature hairstyles incorporate innovative, confident and sexy designs that are translated into products that not only touch the hair, but the lives of the women who use the collection.Utilizing high quality ingredients, sophisticated scents and luxurious packaging, the You Are Beautiful collection provides consumers with high-performance, salon quality results. All You Are Beautiful products are formulated with a proprietary blend of 100% essential oils, ylang ylang, geranium, citrus and more. Because Ken cares deeply about the health of the hair itself, the line is made without sulfates, parabens, phthalates, neurotoxins, aluminum, glycols or synthetic fragrances and dyes. The luxurious range includes shampoos, conditioners and styling products for all hair types.

The collection ranges from $13-$19 and will be exclusively at Walmart and online at www.walmart.com.