Fashion Style Bloggers and Enthusiasts!

Follow Me to Charleston, SC!  Follow or Join the Hop!

Disclosure:  Charleston Bigelow Tea Style was inspired by an all expense paid trip via a contest that I won from Bigelow Tea for writing “Around Grandma’s Table“.  I was uncompensated by Bigelow for this post but some of the content does come from that trip.  Also, this Verizon Voices Fashionista Style Hop  is presented in conjunction with my participation in the Verizon Voices Style program and  I have been provided with a wireless device and six months of service in exchange for my honest opinions about the product.  Stop by every Tuesday for all the fashion fun!  

On a recent visit to Charleston, I wore this ladylike Eshakti style.

CAN YOU HANDLE ALL THIS BLONDENESS?  The Chief Blonde hangs out in a Tea Field with Bigelow Tea President, Cindi Biglow and fellow Woman over 45!  The Chief Blonde is wearing an Eshakti Dress ($89), Dr. Scholl’s wedge sandals ($69), Jewel’s for Hope Bracelet (c/o).  Unless noted all Charleston Bigelow Tea Style photos  taken with Samsung Galaxy Camera , 16MP, Optical 21x. 23MM Zoom Lens!  One of my favorite aspects of this camera is that you can take video AND take pictures at the same time!  

Lovely Charleston, Lovely Southern Style 1st Photo: The Chief Blonde enjoys a brief respite on the porch of the Charleston Tea Plantation.  2nd photo: Walt and The Chief Blonde enjoying the sunny Charleston weather.  3rd Photo: The Chief Blonde munching on  tea delicacies by “Sugar Bakery”. Photos Courtesy of Olsonography

Getting Giddy with Bigelow Tea in Charleston, SC 1st Photo: The Chief Blonde receiving  Bigelow Tea education! 2nd Photo: Walt and the Chief Blonde enjoying the Charleston Tea Plantation.  Large Photo: The Chief Blonde is excited to check out all the wonder of the Charleston Tea Plantation. Photos 1& 2 Courtesy of Olsonography  Large Photo: Taken with Samsung Galaxy Camera (c/o Verizon).  Another feature I love about this camera is that it will has a “Best Shot” feature.  You take 6 shots simultaneously and choose the best one.  

TIME FOR AN AWKWARD STRETCH WITH CBIAS!  While visiting the Charleston Tea Plantation with Bigelow Tea and Collective Bias.  Bloggers and Staffers alike took time for an awkward stretch. Left to right: Natalie Zanatta, Collective Bias co-founder and COO Amy Callahan, Brandie and David Valenzuela, (front) Whitney Lett, (Back) Kim Janocko, Shelley Zurek (the Chief Blonde), and Walt Zurek . Photo courtesy of Olsonography

The Chief Blonde Remarks: While visiting Charleston with Bigelow Tea, the main day was spent on tea education and Charleston history at the historic Palmer Home Bed and Breakfast followed by a trip to the Charleston Tea Plantation.  We ended the day with  magnificent open air barbecue with the Bigelows (of Bigelow tea)!  Be sure to follow along with details on the whole trip, the Bigelow’s, and my newest fascination with tea on our new Tea Series! 

Don’t forget to link up every week to the Verizon Voices Fashionista Style Hop!

Join Us Every Tuesday!

Katy from Modly Chic  and Still Blonde after all these YEARS (that’s ME) will be hosting the Verizon Voices Fashionista Style Hop on our blogs.  Every Tuesday, you can link up your latest style post right on Still Blonde after all these YEARS!  The following week, the hop will be on Katy’s blog, Modly Chic. 

Need a reminder?  Sign up here for a weekly reminder that we will send out to you via email on Monday so that you don’t forget to post on Tuesday!  Subscribe to our Verizon Voices Fashionista Style Weekly Reminder

Check out all the Stylists or add your own!

See all of our Verizon Voices Style Posts

Still Blonde After All These Years

Do You Believe in Magic?

Blog Note:  The Top 10 Magic Videos  magic has been brought to you through a Fashoinista Event Opportunity

Check out these Magical Videos and see if you can catch the Magic! (For those on Email…come over to the blog to see the MAGIC!)

Now That’s Talent!

Ahh..the Magic of Dream and Dance

Our Favorite Magician

Or is this our favorite Magician?

Well Do Ya Believe?

What Happens When the Magic Ends?

Dogs Can be Magic

Ellen Knows about Magic

Johnny Carson as the Amazing Carnac

And Finally, for Some Candy Magic –Kinder Egg Style

Still Blonde After All These Years

 Does your Dishwasher need some extra Help?

This review of Cascade Platinum is a result of a campaign I participated in on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Cascade . I received a product sample to facilitate my review and a promotional item as a thank you for participating.

At just $.26/load, who doesn’t want dishwashing benefits like Cascade Platinum is offering?

I currently use Cascade Gel.  It works just fine, I am super happy with the product.  I never buy anything else, Cascade works that well.  So when I was asked to try Cascade Platinum, my question was…how much better could it be?   I currently have a 14 year old dishwasher.  As I have no money desire to replace it anytime soon, I do baby the old girl. I probably over rinse my dishes and take a lot of extra time, hot water, and effort in doing so.

Cascade Platinum had the following advantages that caught my eye:

• Powers away tough, 24 hour stuck-on food
•  Eliminates the need to pre-wash dishes
•  Helps maintain the look of new machines and helps prevent additional hard-water build-up
• Delivers exceptional dishware shine
• Costs $0.26/load

Wow, those benefits along with that low price per load seems pretty great!

Putting Cascade Platinum to the Test

 The Chief Blonde Remarks: I used Cascade Platinum for a week and noticed a definite improvement in the shine of my dishes. I greatly reduced the amount of time that I spent pre-washing dishes. Truthfully, unless there was huge hunks of food, I just loaded the dishes right in to the dishwasher no matter how long they had been sitting on the counter. My dishwasher certainly looked lovely whenever I emptied the dishes.  Cascade Platinum delivered on all it’s promises. The one change I would suggest is to improve the fragrance, it’s very overwhelming. I would have a fabulous after picture of the Dishwasher above but alas, all my pictures were blurry. Trust me, Cascade Platinum is the uber-pinnacle of dishwasher cleaning weapons!

Gene Simmons says “Cascade Platinum handles it all”

Gail Simmons, Top Chef judge and editor of Food+Wine magazine, talks in the video below about why presentation and prepartion are both equally important in the beautiful pictures of food today and introduces the benefits of Cascade Platinum to that process!  Watch this video:

Get Social with Cascade to learn all the details on Cascade Platinum

• Cascade Website
• Cascade Facebook page

 Win a Platinum Kitchen! Enter the Cascade “My Platinum” Contest

Hurry over to the Cascade “My Platinum” Instagram contest !  One winner each week will win a Whirlpool dishwasher.  The Grand Prize winner will win a Platinum Kitchen Makeover.

• The theme for this week is My Platinum Clink (Entry: 6/17-­‐6/23) Show them how you serve up creative concoctions in sparkling glasses.
• The theme for next week is My Platinum Table (Entry Period: 6/24-­‐6/30) Show them your sparkling tablescape for your most special celebrations!

 PSSSTTT…That’s my entry for this week!  Beat that!

Still Blonde After All These Years

 Tips For Summer Sun, Eyes and Caring for Your Contact Lenses

Blog Note: I wrote this 10 tips– Protecting your eyes from UV Rays + Daily Contact Routine review while participating in an influencer campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of HealthyWomen and VISTAKON® Division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. and received a promotional item from Mom Central to thank me for taking the time to participate.

The Chief Blonde, pale by nature, always protects her skin from the sun.  However, an umbrella, sunglasses,  wide-brimmed hat and for some UV blocking contacts* is the best sun protection for your eyes.

 Top 10 tips for protecting your eyes from UV rays this summer

1. Wear  a wide-brimmed hat.  (Remember though hats only protect for UV rays from above! )

2.  Wear UV-blocking sunglasses (Label should read 99%  UV ray blockage)

3. Consider your sunglass shape choice carefully.  Lenses should be large and wraparound like this:

4. Consider the sunglass lense color.  Darker is better.

5.  For some, wear UV-blocking contacts.* UV-blocking contacts are great when you may not have some of the other sunblocking aids handy. *Although UV-blocking contact lenses are beneficial in helping to protect against harmful UV rays entering into the eye, long-term clinical studies have not been done to show that they directly reduce the risk of any specific eye disease or condition. That is why they should always be worn in conjunction with high-quality UV-blocking sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat.

6. Use an umbrella, cabana or shelter when laying by the pool or on the beach

7. Be aware–Eyes get the  the highest ultraviolet radiation exposures in the morning and mid-afternoon, because the brow is not protecting them.

8. Combine methods of eye-protection for best UV-blockage

9. Why protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful UV rays? ?  A number of studies have shown sun exposure may increase your chances of developing eye problems, such as cataracts, later in life.

10. Consult your eye care professional for eye protection tips.  For example, your eye care professional can advise about contact lenses that offer the highest levels of UV protection.

 The Chief Blonde Remarks: I love the tips about UV blocking contacts and combining the methods for ultimate protection.  I must admit I hate wearing sunglasses and often forget my hat on a daily basis, but I always wear my contacts.  If I can get better about combining of  UV-blocking methods, I think I my eyes will get a great deal more protection this summer.  As a mother of four, I can pass this advice on to my children as well. For more information, on eye health visit HealthyWomen.org “Eye Health Center”

Basic Daily Contact Routine

 The Chief Blonde Remarks: In our family 4 of the 6 family members wear contacts. I have always worn contacts out of vanity. I hate my thick heavy glasses.  My two oldest sons choose contacts for sport reasons. My third son choose them for appearance and convenience.  But do each of us take care of  and wear our lenses properly? I would say a resounding NO! My eldest son frequently fell asleep in his, my second son would never remember to change his and my third son would do things like put them in his mouth to rewet them!  GAHHH!  I think the most difficult rule for all of us to remember on a daily basis was to clean them properly not just drop them in the solution at night.

Here’s a great routine to follow for proper lens wear and care from Healthywomen.org. I think the “wear” tip that I will try to get everyone on board with this summer is that contact lens and water don’t mix!  Did you realize you shouldn’t wear your lenses while swimming or in a hot tub?  I sure didn’t and I know my kids don’t know that either. The contact lens “care” tip that my family will be embracing is to clean your lens case properly. After removing contacts, empty the case of all solution and clean it by rinsing and rubbing it in an approved solution. Then wipe the case with a lint-free tissue and turn both caps and case upside down to let them air dry.  I don’t do a good job of that at ALL!

What will you be doing this summer for your eyes?

Still Blonde After All These Years

Laughing Vixen Lounge– Baubles for the Modern Vixen

Blog Note: I was contacted by Laughing Vixen Lounge who owns a delightful Etsy Shop  to conduct this review and giveaway.  I was given a promotional item. Opinions are all mine baby! 

Laughing Vixen Lounge “You Make My Heart Flutter” Charm Bracelet ($50)

The Chief Blonde Remarks: This Laughing Vixen Lounge Giveaway  is part of the  Year Of You^TM Giveaway Hop hosted by Planet Weidknecht. The Grand Prize Sponsor is providing the Grand Prize: $2000 in Karina Dresses, awarded as a dress a month for a year! Grand Prize Entry Form located at www.weidknecht.com.  Once you have entered our giveaway, head to the Linky at the bottom to enter to win prizes at every blog listed below. Each blogger will be hosting a giveaway worth at least $25. All giveaways are geared towards a BEAUTIFUL YOU!

The Laughing Vixen Lounge has Zombies and Vintage Ladies!

In addition to the gorgeous bracelet that I was able to review in the top picture above, you can find gorgeous pendants:

Laughing Vixen Lounge Art Deco Pendant ( $12 )

and Zombie Jewelry:

Laughing Vixen features Zombie Jewelry including this pendant of Brains & Flesh ($32)

and don’t forget these hilarious vintage inspired pill boxes/compacts:

Funny Vintage Ladies Compact – Opinion ($15)

Aren’t her pieces FAB and AFFORDABLE?  You can see how great the piece she gave to me goes with my outfit!

The Chief Blonde is wearing Laughing Vixen Lounge “You Make My Heart Flutter” charm bracelet ($50), Cobb Hill Sandals ($125) c/0, Dana Buchman skirt (Kohl’s) , black  jacket (Liz Claiborne), pink shirt by The Gap,  gold greek key hoop earrings. 

CAN’T WAIT TO WIN IT?

Buy pendants, bracelets, Zombie jewelry, and Compact Mirrors/Pill Boxes at the Laughing Vixen Lounge Etsy Shop.

THE GIVEAWAY

Giveaway runs June 15-July 15, 2013 Ends 11:59 PM EST

THE PRIZE

One Winner will take receive their choice of  jewelry up to $50 from the Laughing Vixen Lounge Etsy Shop.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Keep Hoping to all the Other Giveaways Listed below and make sure to enter for the Grand Prize!

Still Blonde After All These Years

Better Health Starts with Better Digestion

I was contacted by Ultimate Flora to make you aware of their product line, the benefits of high potency probiotic supplements and to conduct this giveaway.  I was given a promotional item.  

Ultimate Flora is a line of high-potency probiotic supplements. Their formulas provide daily targeted support to enhance digestion and regularity, and balance intestinal and urogenital flora. Each Ultimate Flora capsule is delayed release, so the probiotics inside can survive harsh stomach acids, and be delivered to your intestines where they will benefit you most. Visit the full Ultimate Flora product line.

The Chief Blonde Remarks: The Ultimate FLora High Potency Probiotic +$100 Amazon GIveaway is part of the  Year Of You^TMGiveaway Hop hosted by Planet Weidknecht. The Grand Prize Sponsor is providing the Grand Prize: $2000 in Karina Dresses, awarded as a dress a month for a year! Grand Prize Entry Form located at www.weidknecht.com.  Once you have entered our giveaway, head to the Linky at the bottom to enter to win prizes at every blog listed below. Each blogger will be hosting a giveaway worth at least $25. All giveaways are geared towards a BEAUTIFUL YOU!

 Why Take High Potency Probiotics?

What Is Ultimate Flora?

Ultimate Flora High Potency Probiotic Suppplements were developed by ReNew Life.  Ultimate Flora are natural high-potency probiotic supplements formulated to help replenish good bacteria in your digestive tract. When taken daily, Ultimate Flora probiotics can help promote a healthy digestive system, restore regularity, and promote immune health. According to Ultimate Flora their products advantages include:

• High culture count – far greater than competitors Culturelle, Align, & Trubiotics
• 10 beneficial probiotic strains in every dose including Bifidobacteria (bowel health, gut immunity, and toxin elimination) and Lactobacilli (optimal nutrient absorption, intestinal defenses, and digestion)
• Unique delayed release system helps with maximum absorption
• Potency guarantee (active cultures)
• Vegan, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free and free of artificial ingredients

Can’t Wait to Win it?  Where can I buy Ultimate Flora?

Available at: Walgreens, Albertsons, CVS, Kroger, Whole Foods, Vitamin Shoppe, Rite Aid, and Walmart. Head here to see the  Full list .

Get a coupon for Ultimate Flora High Potency Probiotic Supplements

Go to Ultimate Flora Website for a coupon!  Visit their Facebook and Twitter for more information.

THE GIVEAWAY

Giveaway runs June 15-July 15, 2013 Ends 11:59 PM EST

THE PRIZE

One Winner will take home  a one month trial of Ultimate Flora and a $100 Amazon gift card

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Keep Hoping to all the Other Giveaways Listed below and make sure to enter for the Grand Prize!

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Still Blonde After All These Years

Tea Tasting?  What’s That?

Blog Note: How to Tea Taste, Tea Tasting with Cindi Bigelow was inspired by an all expense paid trip via a contest that I won from Bigelow Tea for writing “Around Grandma’s Table“.  I was uncompensated for this post but some of the content does come from that trip.  

Cindi Bigelow, President of Bigelow Tea gives “Tea Tasting” instructions. Photo Courtesy of Olsonography

The Chief Blonde Remarks: The Tea Chest Giveaway is part of the “Keep Cool in the Sun Event” hosted by the Blogging Mamas Network. Once you have entered this giveaway,  keep hopping to all the other giveaways on the linky at the bottom!   Be sure to enter to win the GRAND PRIZES  too!

Cindi Bigelow explains How to Taste Tea in this video

12 Steps of tea tasting

1. Provide enough spoons so each participant can have two per kind of tea
2. Taste one kind of tea (green or black or herbal) at a time
3. Fill tea cups (5 is a good number) with various brands of one kind of tea. One brand per cup.
4. Be careful that tea is not to hot.  Like Goldilocks, the temperature needs to be “Just Right”
5. Take a spoon in each hand
6. Choose one spoon to be your “dipping spoon”
7. Choose the other spoon to be your “tasting spoon”
8. Dip the dipping spoon into a cup, take a spoonful of tea,  pour the tea into your tasting spoon
9. From your tasting spoon, slurp the tea into your mouth such that it sprays all over the inside of your mouth
10. Be careful not to choke from slurping too enthusiastically
11. Move on to the other cups of tea
12. Do NOT MIX your spoons!

The Chief Blonde gives tea tasting a try in this video below

Psst==>Watch for the Chief Blonde’s funny face at the end! Also, there is no sound.

THE GIVEAWAY

June 11-25th 11:59 PM EST, 18 and older US ONLY

THE PRIZE

You can win this lovely tea chest from Bigelow Tea valued at $55!

Bigelow Tea Chest filled to the BRIM with Bigelow Teas valued at $55 from Bigelow’s Gift Shop

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Keep hopping to all the other blogs and be sure to enter to win 2 $300+ Summer Fun Grand Prizes:

According to Jenny, So Easy Being Green, the Blogging Mamas Network, and the Keeping Cool in the Sun participating bloggers are not responsible for sponsors who do not fulfill prize obligations

This is article is the first in a multi-part tea series, STAY TUNED!

Still Blonde After All These Years

Fashion Enthusiasts and Style Bloggers!

Check our Weekly Style! Follow or Join the Hop!

Disclosure:  This Verizon Voices Fashionista Style Hop  is presented in conjunction with my participation in the Verizon Voices Style program and  I have been provided with a wireless device and six months of service in exchange for my honest opinions about the product.  Stop by every Tuesday for all the Fashion Fun! 

Join Us Every Tuesday!

Katy from Modly Chic  and Still Blonde after all these YEARS (that’s ME) will be hosting the Verizon Voices Fashionista Style Hop on our blogs.  Starting in the first week of June on Tuesday, June 4th and every Tuesday thereafter, you can link up your latest style post right on Still Blonde after all these YEARS!  The following week, the hop will be on Katy’s blog, Modly Chic. 

Something for Readers and Bloggers!

Many of the Verizon Voices Style Bloggers will be joining us here along with other style bloggers who wish to  join us too in showing off their great style.  As a reader, you will enjoy hopping through these different style posts to see eveyone’s spin on the latest styles!

 Verizon Voices Style Bloggers

Check out my latest style pictures

All Fashion Photos in the Collage  taken with Samsung Galaxy Camera , 16MP, Optical 21x. 23MM Zoom Lens!  Share photos and video with friends or to social media over 4G LTE with this smart camera. 

Don’t forget to link up every week!

Need a reminder?  Sign up here for a weekly reminder that we will send out to you via email on Monday so that you don’t forget to post on Tuesday!  Subscribe to our Verizon Voices Fashionista Style Weekly Reminder

Check out all the Stylists or add your own!

See all of our Verizon Voices Style Posts

Still Blonde After All These Years

Whatever your Party…Shabby Apple has Your Dress

The Chief Blonde models Shabby Apple’s polka dot dress  ”Joyride” ($82) 

Going to a Summer Wedding?

How About a Summer Brunch?

 How about a Day at the Fair?

• The Chief Blonde Remarks:  The Shabby Apple Dress review and giveaway is part of MamaNYC  ”Super Dad” giveaway.  When you complete this giveaway, keep hopping to all the other giveaways.  As you can see Shabby Apple’s philosophy of clothing is a very feminine vintage feel!  Right up my ally wouldn’t you say?  I adore all the colors and understated elegance.  I have been a fan of Shabby Apple long before this dress review, last year we reviewed their Side Saddle Dress.  The styles speak for themselves with a look that is cross generational and looks great on many ages and sizes of women given the soft fun flirty tone.  I really adore the dress that I wore in the picture above,  Shabby Apple’s polka dot dress  ”Joyride” ($82) .  The dress has that timeless Jackie O appeal of the ’60s, with an updated pattern for today.  Highly recommend Shabby Apple for dresses.

Get Social with Shabby Apple

Visit Shabby Apple  at their website, Facebook and Twitter. 

Can’t Wait to Win it?

Buy it this polka dot dress at Shabby Apple.  Special discount coming tomrrow for 10% off!

THE GIVEAWAY

Giveaway is US ONLY.  Giveaway Ends June 11, 2013

THE PRIZE

One Winner will win a $75 Gift Certificate to Shabby Apple.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Keep Hopping to all the other Blogs in the Super Dad Giveway

Still Blonde After All These Years

Dumb Phone User gets Smart Camera!

Samsung Galaxy Camera Review

Disclosure:  This Samsung Galaxy Camera Review is provided in conjuction with my participation in the Verizon Voices Style program and  I have been provided with a wireless device and six months of service in exchange for my honest opinions about the product.

 Samsung Galaxy Camera Reveiw, 16MP, Optical 21x. 23MM Zoom Lens!  Capture great photos and video with this smart camera

How a Samsung Galaxy Camera helps you lose weight digitally!

I am a blogger, and blogging takes a lot of recording of your everyday environment. Especially when you are at a blogging event, you have to have access to a variety of modes of recording and data capture in order to accomplish your information task. I like to have a way to be connected to the internet, a way to video, a way to make phone calls and a way to capture pictures! In the past, that has involved a huge number of digital devices and a lot of extra weight to schlep around.

TRUE CONFESSION: I also am the mother of 4 college children and have not made the move towards a smart phone.

#LoserIKnow!  

As you may know, as a Verizon blogger, I received the new Samsung Galaxy camera, a smart camera that does virtually EVERYTHING a Samsung Galaxy III Phone does except make phone calls and the Samsung Camera takes far better pictures and video. Coupling my dumb phone with the Galaxy camera,  I have been able to eliminate 9 of the 11 items that I used to carry around.  (I no longer take my iPad and the charger, the iPad keyboard, my flip video, my camera and charger, the carry-all bag, a back-up battery and a car USB charger).

Watch the Video below to see how I eliminated 6 pounds of Digital Weight.

ALSO!!  Big Secret Revealed

Katy from Modly Chic  and I will be hosting the Verizon Voices Fashionista Style Hop on our blogs.  Starting in the first week of June on Tuesday, June 4th and every Tuesday thereafter, you can link up your latest style post right on Still Blonde after all these YEARS!  The following week, the hop will be on Katy’s blog, Modly Chic. 

Need a Reminder?  Sign up here for a weekly reminder that we will send out to you via email on Tuesday morning!

Subscribe to our Verizon Voices Fashionista Style Weekly Reminder

See all of our Verizon Voices Style Posts

Still Blonde After All These Years