Oscar red carpet clutches to swoon over

Can’t wait to tune in and watch all that red carpet glamour about to take over Hollywood this Sunday night?

If it’s not the designer dresses or bedazzled jewels the A-list ladies are modeling for the cameras, it’s their elegant clutches. Those mini must-have purses filled with personal items like gum, lipstick and who knows what else are just as thoughtfully chosen by the star’s stylists as the rest of their ensemble.

One new accessories brand just getting into the mix is Swoon Luxe, a Los Angeles-based luxury collection of handbags, clutches, wallets, backpacks and leather cuffs made from the finest exotic skins including crocodile, snakeskins, lizard and ostrich.

What makes this collection so unique is its “Confessions of a Shopaholic” similarity; the line was created and designed by financial analyst, Helena Reich.

As a young girl, Helena’s parents surrounded her with music and art. When she wasn’t practicing the piano and cello, she would escape into a fantasy world of fashion as she spent hours in her room sketching paper dolls and purses.

In college, Helena studied finance and pursued a career in financial valuation where she consulted with major corporations in mergers & acquisitions and other valuation driven transactions. However, her true love for fashion was always there waiting in the wings. She finally hooked up with executive design consultant Heehyun Park and created Swoon Luxe.

All of Swoon Luxe’s handbags and accessories are hand-crafted by artisans who have dedicated their entire life to the craft. Finding the most skillful artisans in every corner of the world is a painstakingly difficult process. The crocodile bags are made by artisans who only specialize in working with crocodile skins. The ostrich and python skin pieces are hand crafted by craftsmen who specialize in those skins.

In the world of “the wild”, the quality of skins is the foremost concern. The qualities and material costs between a Nile Crocodile (Crocodylus Niloticus) and a Caiman (Crocodilus Fuscus) differ significantly. Nile Crocodiles, along with Australian Saltwater Crocodiles (Porosus Crocodile), are considered the most luxurious and prestigious crocodile skins in the world. Swoon Luxe only purchases the highest rated Nile Crocodile skins that are farm-raised in our pursuit of conserving “the wild”. Their skins are supplied by prestigious leather tanneries located in Singapore, South Africa and Italy.

In fact, the crocodile skins used by Swoon Luxe are imported from a leather & tannery that also provides the skins to the most prestigious and exclusive fashion house in the world.

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Cheap Hotels in Canada-Canada Cheap Hotels

Cheap Canada hotels are well designed and equipped to ensure that the business as well as leisure travelers prefer to stay and enjoy their trip to Canada. Notwithstanding, cheap hotels in Canada offer special rooms for physically challenged people so that there are no problems for such people. In addition to providing excellent accommodation facilities, cheap hotels in Canada offer ideal ambience and high standard of hospitality.

Tourists traveling to Canada can opt from plenty of options in terms of accommodation facilities in the country. Accommodation facilities in Canada are considered one of the best in North America; whereas cheap hotels in Canada are comfortable, these hotels are affordable at the same time. The high standard services offered by various hotels in Canada ensure that travelers have an unforgettable holiday experience in Canada.

Cheap hotels in Canada are known for their higher standard of hospitality and perfect ambience. Canada cheap hotels provide a friendly ambience to travelers so that they can enjoy the travel and revisit Canada. Hotels in Canada hire professionals who help in the delivery of seamless services in hospitality and accommodation. Notwithstanding, cheap hotels in Canada provide advance reservations for room bookings and many of them are opened for online booking.

Room facilities are available round the clock in Canada. Cheap hotels in Canada offer excellent range of accommodation services to travelers who flock in large numbers to various cities. Additionally, cheap hotels in Canada have well-furnished rooms. In addition to well-furnished rooms, cheap hotels in Canada have Big screen TV’s, Video’s and Stereo CD’s – a full enjoyment package. All the rooms in Canada cheap hotels are fitted with air conditioners so that there is no complain.

Some Major Cheap Hotels in Canada

Cheap hotels in Canada possess facilities such as microwave, stove, dishwasher, and large refrigerator with icemaker, waste-disposal and a wide variety of utensils amongst others. Weather condition in Canada is conducive for travel and tourism. Ice skating is a popular sport during winters in Canada. As Canada has an extensive coastline on its north, east, and west, there are some beautiful beaches which attract travelers from around the world.

Canada is considered a leading producer of dairy products. Additionally, because of its vast size, Canada has more lakes than any other country, containing much of the world’s fresh water. Fresh-water glaciers in the Canadian Rockies and the Coast Mountains make it one the loveliest place to live in. Being an advanced industrial nation, research plays a key role for economic development of Canada. Additionally, Canada’s high-quality scientific and technological development is renowned throughout the world.

A number of tourist destinations in Canada including of Barrie, Collingwood, Hamilton, Huntsville, Kitchener, London, Mississauga, Niagara Falls, Ottawa, Owen Sound, Sarnia, Toronto, Windsor, etc. have a number of cheap hotels. Known for offering extensive range of standard accommodation facilities, cheap hotels in Canada are ranked for hygiene and hospitality. Notwithstanding, cheap hotels in Canada not only provide attractive and accommodation stay, the stay is pleasing and economic.

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Dr. Oz: Fenugreek fights diabetes; eat fat-burning snacks for weight loss

If you’re concerned about diabetes, you know that blood sugar spikes can be serious. On his Feb. 21 talk show, Dr. Mehmet Oz revealed how fenugreek can stabilize blood sugar and fight diabetes. Plus: Discover new Oz-approved fat-burning snacks to accelerate your weight loss.

Fenugreek slows down your body’s digestion of carbohydrates while decreasing the absorption of glucose. As a result, it can help to control your blood sugar while battling diabetes, says Dr. Oz.

How to use: Add the seeds as a spice to meals. It’s particularly good in vegetable dishes or soups. Dr. Oz recommends one tablespoon a day.

Where to find: Look in the grocery store or online, such as Starwest Botanicals Organic Fenugreek Seed.

Also featured on the same episode, Dr. Oz dished up his new weight loss discoveries: Snacks that actually boost your body’s ability to burn fat.

Dr. Oz recommends:

  • Use figs as snacks to reduce your hunger and burn fat faster. Tip: Look for brands without added sugar and chemicals, such as Indus Organic Turkish Jumbo Dried Figs (click for details).
  • Licorice root blocks an enzyme that plays a role in fat accumulation and helps control cravings. You can also find it in tea form, such as Yogi Egyptian Licorice Tea.
  • Protein-packed pistachios help you stay full, reducing your cravings. Tip: If you have a problem with portion control, look for mini bags, such as 130-calorie bags of Wonderful Pistachios.
  • Hydrating watermelon supports your metabolism. Try one cup in a smoothie to lose weight more easily.
  • High in polyunsaturated fats, pine nuts make your body burn calories faster. Dr. Oz suggests two tablespoons three times a week. Look for pine nuts in health food stores or online, such as Good Sense Pine nuts.
  • Make snacks that use beans, which have soluble fiber and reduce fattening inflammation. Try the recipe below as an example.

Midnight Brownies

This recipe was created by Kim, a guest of “The Dr. Oz Show” who lost more than 200 pounds. The secret ingredient: black beans. Kim authored a book about how she lost the weight: “Finally Thin!: How I Lost More Than 200 Pounds and Kept Them Off–and How You Can, Too” (click for details).

Ingredients

  • 1 (15 oz.) can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1/2 cup agave syrup
  • 1/2 cup self-rising flour
  • 1/2 cup egg whites
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
  • 2 tbsp vanilla
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 6 tbsp mini semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly spray a 8×8 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. In a food processor, mix all brownie ingredients (except chips) together. Chop on high, until smooth. Clean off sides and blend for another 20 seconds. Add the chips and stir well. Spread into the 8×8 baking dish. Bake for 20 minutes, until toothpick comes out clean. Cool for about 1 hour at room temperature.

Frosting
Ingredients

  • 6 oz. fat-free cream cheese
  • 1/4 cup agave syrup
  • 2 tbsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsp semisweet mini chocolate chips, melted

Directions

With a whisk attachment on an electric beater, blend all ingredients until light and fluffy. Spread evenly over the top of the cooled brownies. In a microwave safe bowl, melt the 2 tbsp of chips with a 2-second spray of nonstick cooking oil. Using a spoon, swirl the chocolate on top. Allow it to set in the refrigerator for 20 minutes. Serve and enjoy.

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