Contest: Olive Garden Offers Guests Once-in-a-Lifetime Trip to Italy

Italian food lovers have the chance to win a trip to Culinary Institute of Tuscany


ORLANDO, Fla. (April 1, 2010) — Now through May 9, 2010, Olive Garden is offering Italian food lovers a chance to win a culinary tour of Italy and an insider's look at Olive Garden's Culinary Institute of Tuscany. The sweepstakes, co-sponsored by Olive Garden and Colavita® Extra Virgin Olive Oil, will reward:

- Four grand-prize winners with an eight-day guided trip for two to explore and discover the sights, sounds and tastes of Italian culture.

- 500 first prize winners will be awarded a $25 Olive Garden gift card.

For more than a decade, Olive Garden's Culinary Institute of Tuscany has served as a training ground for Olive Garden's chefs and restaurant managers. Located in a restored 11th-century village in the Chianti region, the Institute is where Olive Garden's chefs learn the secrets of great Italian foods – like how to combine fresh ingredients to create authentic meals they can share and enjoy with family and friends.

"At Olive Garden, we're committed to bringing our guests the great food and hospitality of Italy every time they join us," said Tim Rea, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Olive Garden. "Since the Culinary Institute of Tuscany opened 10 years ago, we've been able to more uniquely share that Italian experience, offering our sweepstakes winners a flavorful excursion to Italy and taking them beyond their neighborhood restaurant to where we gather our inspiration – the kitchens and marketplaces of Tuscany."

Highlights of the grand-prize trip include:

• Learning the essentials of authentic Italian cooking from master Italian Chefs Paolo Lafata and Romano Neri the Culinary Institute of Tuscany;

• Experiencing the local culture and cuisines of Rome, Florence, San Gimignano and Riserva di Fizzano, near Castellina in Chianti; and

• Exploring the Rocca delle Macie Winery to learn about the process of Italian wine-making through a wine tasting and pairings class.

Guests can enter to win at www.olivegardentriptoitaly.com. The sweepstakes accepts entries from March 15, 2010 through Sunday, May 9, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

About Olive Garden:

Olive Garden is the leading restaurant in the Italian dining segment with 715 restaurants, more than 87,000 employees and $3.3 billion in annual sales. Olive Garden is a division of Darden Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE: DRI), the world's largest company-owned and operated full-service restaurant company. For more information, visit Olive Garden's Web site at www.olivegarden.com.

Spa Find: Two Stress Reducing Massage Treatments for the Girl on the Go

Stressed out, two affordable massage treatments from The Spa at Mohonk Mountain House (mohonk.com) will help you relax and ease the tension. The treatments are: Stress-Buster Back Therapy and Heavenly Head and Shoulders. These treatments will have you wondering how you ever felt so stressed all without blowing your budget (got to love that).

Where:
1000 Mountain Rest Road
New Paltz, NY 12561

To book spa services:
Call: 877-877-2664
E-mail: spa@mohonk.com


What: Stress-Buster Back Therapy, 25 minutes for $70.00

The service includes the blending techniques of a Swedish massage, acupressure, and stretching that will relieve the tension and ease your sore muscles. Also, included is a soothing herbal hot pack that is applied to the upper and lower back.


What: Heavenly Head and Shoulders, 25 minutes for $70.00

This treatment includes a massage for the face, head, shoulders, and neck that will soothed stressed muscles and relieves sinus congestion, TMJ (jaw) pain and headaches. You also have your choice of blended aroma-essential oils to compliment your treatment.

Skylight One Hanson Hosts 'It's All About Brooklyn!' to Officially Launch the Taste of Brooklyn's High-End Potential Industry

Event to Showcase Select Brooklyn Small Businesses and Introduce a Beautiful, Historic Venue to the Community

BROOKLYN, N.Y., Jan. 20 -- The Skylight Group will officially introduce its new high-end Brooklyn venue to the New York special events industry at a launch party this Thursday, January 21st. "It's All About Brooklyn!" will feature hors d'oeuvres, drinks and desserts from many local vendors to show traditionally Manhattan-focused event planners the current caliber of the borough's offerings against the backdrop of one of its historical masterpieces. The 15,000 square-foot venue is located on the ground floor of One Hanson Place, a beautifully refurbished residential tower that for years was the iconic and historic Williamsburg Bank Building.

The original bank hall serves as the main event space for Skylight One Hanson. The venue features original details including intricate marble floors, carved teller stations and an impressive 40-foot mosaic of New York as a Dutch colony. It also boasts a vaulted 63-foot ceiling with images of the zodiac in the night sky. On Thursday, party guests will be given a sneak peek into the original bank vault, which provides a modern art deco contrast to the Romanesque space above, and will also be available for events. The inner workings of the vault's jaw-dropping 36-ton doors will be beautifully lit by L & M Sound and Light to enable the NYC event industry to discover a new use for this historic underground space.

The event will showcase some of Brooklyn's finest local businesses, including:

•Great Performances, the exclusive caterer for the Brooklyn Academy of Music, which sits adjacent to Skylight One Hanson and is best known for crafting food and beverage menus that celebrate the borough's distinctive flavor

•Stinky BKLYN, a European-style cheese shop with a serious Brooklyn edge located just a mile from One Hanson

•Wine Cellar Sorbets, purveyors that cater to the sweet tooth

•Brooklyn Brewery, which started with a stand on the streets of NYC, and is now one of the 40 largest breweries in the country

•Cakeman Raven, one of Brooklyn's most cherished bakeries, will provide a custom-designed cake that Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz will cut towards the end of the event.


"Skylight One Hanson offers a beautiful event space in Brooklyn's most iconic architectural landmark. Plus, it's conveniently located for guests arriving from the 'outer borough' of Manhattan – and I guarantee that once they see all that Brooklyn has to offer, some of them won't be going back!" joked Markowitz, President of the Brooklyn Borough.

"There is a real demand for special event venues located within architectural monuments both in Manhattan and in Brooklyn," said Jennifer Blumin, President of the Skylight Group. "The space's historical ties to the community make Skylight One Hanson the ideal setting to bring New York's event industry together with the best of Brooklyn's local vendors."


About One Hanson

One Hanson, also known as the Williamsburg Savings Bank is a true Brooklyn icon. This historic landmark, known for its four sided clock, has been reborn into 179 luxury residences, most with views of New York Harbor, and the Brooklyn and Manhattan skyline. One Hanson Place is located at the center of four vibrant neighborhoods and is surrounded by many of Brooklyn's rich cultural institutions such as The Brooklyn Academy of Music, The Brooklyn Museum and The Brooklyn Botanic Gardens. Building amenities include Luxury Attache's concierge services, a Sky Lounge, a fitness center, a children's playroom and a high floor common terrace. One Hanson brings Manhattan luxury and lifestyle to Brooklyn. For more information, visit www.onehanson.com.

To schedule a viewing of the luxury residences located above Skylight One Hanson, or for more information about the property, please call: (718) 233-6600 or email: info@onehanson.com.


About Skylight Group

The Skylight Group is a Manhattan-based event space management firm that specializes in re-conceiving spaces and converting them for high-end event use. With a portfolio that includes Skylight Soho and Skylight West in Manhattan and Skylight One Hanson in Brooklyn, the Skylight Group is known for providing full service and an extensive network of resources to its discerning clients, who include Ralph Lauren, the Whitney Museum, Vogue and Google. Managing every part of the process from inception and construction to long-term operations and marketing, The Skylight Group hosts several hundred events per year, which run the gamut from fashion shows and gala dinners to weddings and photo shoots. www.skylightnyc.com

Women Safety Tips: Public Transportation

Whether you're one of the new recruits or a regular user of public transportation you want to make sure you're safe while riding. With more and more people choosing to ride public transportation be it from downsizing to trying to save the environment it's important to include being safe apart of the daily routine.

To encourage you to stay safe I have provided 13 Public Transportation Safety Tips:

Bus/Train:

1. When riding the subway, choose one that has passengers (not too over crowded) over one that is nearly empty. Because that nearly empty one might look great for thinking but it might make you an easier target for thieves. If at all possible take a sit near the driver.

2. After getting off the train or bus, notice if someone is following you or just going your way. If you suspect that you are being followed, don't continue walking to your destination (you don't want to let them know where you work or live) go into a store or any other nearby public space and wait to see if they pass by or not. If they continue to follow you, call the police immediately.

3. Stay alert and don't distract yourself by playing your MP3 player, texting or talking on your cell phone. You want to be aware of your surroundings.

4. Be sure to have the exact change or fare ready when the bus arrives. It will keep you from having to open your wallet or purse in public.

5. Know your bus or train schedule, to limit the amount of time spent standing around the terminal or bus stop. If possible go online to your city's Department of Transportation to print off the schedule.

6. If possible avoid isolated bus or train stops. You want to be able to see everything and everyone.

7. Don't doze off on a bus or become too engrossed in a book. It can make you an easy target.

8. Keep your purse, shopping bag, backpack, packages or other belongings in your lap, on your arm, or between your feet. Do not leave them on an empty seat.

9. Be Confident -- look, act and move as though you know where you're going and what you’re doing. This will prevent you from looking like an easy target and may help you avoid potential danger.

10. Watch out for pickpockets while in a bus or train terminal. Avoid carrying a wallet in your hip or easily accessible coat pocket. While, carrying a purse or handbag make sure you have a firm grip or secure it close to your body. Beware of people accidentally bumping into you at busy stations.

Taxi:

11. When taking a taxi, know the exact location and directions of where your going so you are not taking to the wrong location. Also to ensure your own safety, send a text message to a friend or family member letting them know the license plates, driver’s name, and identification number of the taxi driver.

12. Before you accept shortcuts, detours, and special stops, make sure you know where you are, where you were, and where it is you ultimately want to go. Know the route or general direction to your destination.

13. When you get to your destination, ask the driver to wait until you are safely inside or ask to be let out in a well-lit area where there are plenty of people.

One last thing don't let these tips frighten you into paranoia. These tips are to empower you to stay safe and not become a victim.

Sources: Style and Focus PR, about.com, Public Transportation Safety (cityofmobile.org), articlebase.com

Art & Culture: A Must See The Joffrey Ballet Winter Program in Chicago

Planning on taking a trip to Chicago this February or live in the Chicago area a Must See for you is the Joffrey Ballet - Winter Program. This majestic show will feature four amazing pieces (all for the prices of one ticket) and will run from Feb. 18th - March 1st. This will give you a chance to see something besides The Nutcracker and indulge your inner culture queen.

The performance pieces are:

Kettentanz
Choreography by Gerald Arpino
Music by Johann Strauss, Sr. and Johann Mayer

A beautiful interpretation of the music of Old Vienna filled with Viennese polkas, gallops and waltzes. Kettentanz was created by Gerald Arpino, co-founder of The Joffrey Ballet.

Mobile
Choreography by Tom Ruud
Music by Aram Kachaturian

This serene meditation was inspired by the mobiles of the famed artist Alexander Calder. The ballet consists of a trio in which a man balances two women in slowly evolving positions that depend on balance and equilibrium, much like a mobile does. A Joffrey Ballet Premiere.

Hand of Fate pas de deux (from Cotillon)
Choreography by George Balanchine
Music by Chabrier

Set in a haunted ballroom, this pas de deux from ballet icon George Balanchine’s Cotillon (1932), reveals the figure of fate as she visits a young girl’s cotillion. The atmospheric pas de deux pairs fate with a young cavalier and leaves the audience wondering what is real and what is fantasy. It shows Balanchine’s great choreographic abilities at a young age.

Le Sacre du Printemps (The Rite of Spring)
Choreography by Vaslav Nijinsky
Reconstructed and staged by Millicent Hodson
Music by Igor Stravinsky

The Rite of Spring stands as one of the most magnificent musical and dance masterpieces of the twentieth century. Choreographed by the legendary Vaslav Nijinsky, the piece caused riots in the streets when it was first staged. It disappeared only to reemerge due to the urging of Robert Joffrey and the painstaking research of Millicent Hodson and Kenneth Archur. It is not to be missed.


Where:
Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University
50 East Congress Parkway
Chicago, IL 60605


Tickets:

Prices:
from $25.00 - $145.00

Single tickets on sale at Ticketmaster
Phone: 312-902-1500

Box Office:
Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University
50 E Congress Pkwy
Chicago, IL 60605
M–F 12:00 – 6:00pm

The Joffrey Ballet
Joffrey Tower
10 East Randolph Street
Chicago, IL 60601
M-F 12:00 - 6:00pm


Performance Dates and Times:
Wednesday, Feb. 18 - 7:30 PM
Friday, Feb. 20 - 7:30 PM
Saturday, Feb. 21 - 2:00 PM & 7:30 PM
Sunday, Feb. 22 - 2:00 PM
Friday, Feb. 27 - 7:30 PM
Saturday, Feb. 28 - 2:00 PM & 7:30 PM
Sunday, Mar. 1 - 2:00 PM

Tone and Tighten with Weekend Workouts in the Hamptons

Just in time for those jetting off early to the Hamptons for a little R & R, Women's Health Magazine is offering up spectacular weekend workouts this June in the Hamptons for those looking to get in shape and relax.

SFPR

WOMEN’S HEALTH MAGAZINE OPENS WH STUDIO IN THE HAMPTONS FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE

-- Free Workout Classes Every Weekend With Some of the Most In-Demand Yogis, Pilates Gurus, and Personal Training Pros in the World --

WHAT:
Women’s Health magazine opens its first-ever WH Studio in Southampton, NY for the weekends in June to help beachgoers tone and tighten just as the season is kicking into high gear by bringing elite instructors from all over the U.S. So take a class, replenish with some energy-boosting edibles and load up on summer style essentials at the WH Studio.
The line-up of world-class fitness instructors includes:

* Women’s Health Contributing Editor and DVD personality, Amy Dixon, is flying in from LA to help those summering in the Hamptons work their arms, booty, core and just about everything else. Dixon has trained such celebrities as Amy Smart, Jody Foster, and "Dancing with the Stars'" host Samantha Harris.

* Renowned in Asia for its superior programming and excellent teachers, Pure Yoga will host a weekend of classes. From Ashtanga to Vinyasa, Core Flow and more, visitors can experience yoga in its purest state.

* LA-based Zobha Circle of Grace member, Ashley Turner seeks to foster the grace that lives within us all. The acclaimed yoga/meditation instructor will do just that with classes to transform the body, mind, and spirit.

* Pilates powerhouse Brooke Siler is owner of the ever-popular re:AB® Pilates Studio in NYC and a best-selling author. She’ll guide classes designed to improve flexibility, strength, posture, and balance.

WHEN:
Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in June
Starting on Friday, June 6

Schedule:
Amy Dixon – June 6-8th
Pure Yoga – June 13-15th
Ashley Turner – June 20-22nd
Brooke Siler – June 27-29th

A full class schedule is available at womenshealthmag.com/studio

*Class sizes are limited, so call 1-800-305-4618 to reserve your spot.

Price/Fee:
FREE

WHERE:
5 Windmill Lane
(at Hill Street)
Southampton, NY 11968

WHO:
Women’s Health Magazine presents the WH Studio along with sponsors: Luna, MBT, and Zobha.

For more information regarding the WH Studio please log on to: womenshealthmag.com/studio

###

Women's Health Magazine

Women Safety Tips: Travel Tips Part 2

Staying safe while in the hotel and in your room (9 tips from Detective Kevin Coffey and 2 from me):


1. Request a room near the elevators and away from any renovation work. Have your key out when you leave the elevator.

2. You want to be far from emergency exits (which someone might pry open to avoid using the elevators), and on an upper floor away from catwalks and terraces.

3. The door should have double locks--one of which is a dead bolt--and a peephole. Bring along a security doorstop for extra protection.

4. Don't place "please make up this room" sign on door it signals to everyone that you're not there. Call housekeeping instead.

5. Conversely, the "do not disturb" sign can make the room seem occupied (especially handy if you leave expensive items inside).

6. Put expensive clothing on hangers under other garments. Robbers usually "shop" what they can see.

7. Lock valuables in the front-desk safe or room safe.

8. If your bag is stolen from the hotel, recruit management to search for it. Most hotel robberies are committed by the staff, and many properties, especially while vacation internationally, don't allow employees to leave with packages; thieves take the money and dump the rest.

9. Stand near the elevator buttons with your back to the wall; if threatened, push all the buttons at once with your back.

*10. Turn on your TV when you leave your room. It will make your room seem occupied.

*11. Take pictures of all your valuables as soon as you settle into your room with your digital camera, incase items are stolen you can show the pictures to the police and hotel security.

Women Safety Tips: Travel Safety Tips Part 1

With so many women traveling either for business or personal, being safe has become a number 1 concern. The following travel safety tips come from Detective Kevin Coffey website, plus two additional ones:

When Choosing a Hotel:

1. Smaller is smarter: you want the staff to be familiar with guests and with you. The smaller the lobby, the more noticeable the loiterers.

2. Aim for a well-trafficked street (neighborhood restaurants and late-night stores mean traffic, corporate offices mean darkness). Affluent residential areas tend to have more reliable transportation and fewer threatening street people.

3. If you're still concerned about the area, ask a female employee--not one in reservations--whether she walks around at night. (Call the restaurant, for instance.)

4. A reception and concierge desk near the entrance, and/or the elevators, is more likely to deter non-guest undesirables.

5. There should be privacy for guests checking in: no one should be able to overhear a name, room number, or other personal information.

6. Room numbers should be written on the key envelope, not mentioned aloud or inscribed on the key--this way, anyone finding your key won't have access to your room.

7. Look for a parking lot that is well lit and secure. Find out if there's valet parking . . . and if it will be available when you need it. Use it, even it costs a little bit more.

8. Does the hotel gym have an attendant? Being alone and semi-dressed in the basement is not good for your health.

9. The hotel should have sufficient staff to walk you to your room late at night. Inquire when you book and you'll get an idea of how woman-friendly the hotel is.

*10. Don't just book a hotel based on it's pictures and online brochure. Search around the internet to read the guest's experiences (but you can't always trust those either because they might be PR reps writing in).

*11. Before booking, call ahead to the hotel (luxury, chain, etc) to make sure they don't give out room numbers. You can also ask them about the safety of their hotel (are there security guards?, safety around and inside the hotel at night, etc) and if they don't want to answer then that's probably not the hotel you want to stay in.

Special Exhibit of Andy Warhol's Portaits of Ten Jewish Greats

What: The Jewish Museum's Special Exhibit of Warhol's Jews: Ten Portraits Reconsidered

This exhibition of Andy Warhol's ten "Jewish genius" paintings from 1980, presented 28 years after their initial showing at The Jewish Museum. Warhol’s iconic portraits attest to the lasting achievements and fame of these singular figures.

Andy Warhol's Ten Portraits of Jews of the Twentieth Century (1980) depict renowned luminaries of Jewish culture: Sarah Bernhardt, Louis Brandeis, Martin Buber, Albert Einstein, Sigmund Freud, George Gershwin, Franz Kafka, The Marx Brothers, Golda Meir and Gertrude Stein.

Warhol referred to this pantheon of great thinkers, politicians, performers, and writers as his "Jewish geniuses." Warhol's iconic portraits attest to the lasting achievements and fame of these singular figures. Originally published as a portfolio of silkscreen prints on paper, Warhol was so pleased with the commercial success of his Ten Portraits that he decided to create additional versions of the series as silkscreen paintings on canvas. The Jewish Museum initially showed three sets of paintings and an edition of prints in the fall of 1980. On view in this exhibition are one of the five complete sets of ten paintings, an edition of the final print portfolio, several sketches, a preparatory collage, and the photographs that Warhol used as source images, offering new insights into their development and historical context.

When: March 16, 2008 - August 03, 2008

Where:
The Jewish Museum
1109 Fifth Avenue at 92nd Street
New York, New York 10128
Phone: (212) 423-3200

Hours:
Sat - Wed 11:00 am - 5:45 pm
Thurs 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
Friday Closed
Special hours for Children's & Media Center exhibitons open Sun-Thurs

Price/Fee:
Adults: $12
Seniors/over 65: $10
Students: $7.50
Children under 12: Free
Jewish Museum Members: Free

Things to Do: Visit the Boston African-American National Historic Site

Looking for an educational trip for you or your family. Why not visit the Boston African-American National Historic Site. When I was younger my family and I took a vacation to Boston and visited the site. It was a great learning experience and plus it's a way for children to learn more than what's found in the text books.

The historic site features a 1.6 mile trail that individuals or families can follow to visit 14 pre-Civil War history structures of a free Black community during the 19th century. Some of the places included are: the George Middleton House, Abiel Smith School, The African Meeting House*, The Philips School and Robert Gould Shaw and the 54th Regiment.

* Please Note: The African Meeting House is currently closed for major restoration.

To learn more about the tour please click here for the official site. Self-guided tours can be conducted at any time, Monday through Sunday. However if you would like a ranger guided tour they are conducted as follows:

Summer Season (Memorial Day - Labor Day): Monday-Saturday: 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m.; for groups of 5 people or more, please call 24 hours in advance for reservations. Group Size Limit: 30 people

Winter Season (Labor Day - Memorial Day): Monday-Saturday: 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., by appointment only, and 2:00 p.m. tours are open to the public. Please call 24 hours in advance to schedule a tour. Group Size Limit: 30 people

Contact:
To reserve a spot for the tour please call 617-742-5415.

Price/Fee:
There are no fees associated with a visit to the Boston African-American National Historic Site. However, a donation may be given at the Visitor's Center for the Museum of African-American History or you can visit the website and make a donation.

Color, Style and Fun all at PBteen

As much as I love the basic home decor, I like to add colors and fun accessories. I found some of my most colorful home accessories from PBteen. Even though the target audience is teens, you don't have to be a teenager to shop there. It kind of gives me that flea market feel, although a rather mass merchandised flea market but never the less I can find fun and interesting accent pieces including furniture.
















Isabelle Iron Bed
$499.00 - $699.00













Roll-Up Checkers
$14.99 (sale)



















Bubble Dot Mirror Set
Set of five in either Blue/Green or Pink/Orange
$69.00 each



















Bahamas Carry-On Suitcase
$129.00 each



















Shellie Sofette
$599.00



















Perfume Bottles
Set of two
$17.99 (sale)



















Big Dot Bath Mat in Pink/Coral
$29.00
















PBteen Classic Sheet Set
$49.00 - $99.00















Classic Monogram Sign
$99.00 each















Cottage Smart Bedside Table
$299.00 each



















Versailles Chandelier
$199.00

My Life: In Arizona and a Recipe for a Strawberry Dessert

Sorry for the lack of posts for the last couple of days. I am in Arizona. I will return to my blog on Monday with new posts. I went to a restaurant the other day and had the most delectable Strawberry Mousse. This recipe from "The Silver Palate Cookbook" is quite close to the one I ordered. It could also make a nice dessert for Valentine's Day.

Strawberry Mousse
Serves: 8 - 10

Ingredients

2-1/2 pints strawberries, stemmed, washed, and drained
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon unflavored gelatin
6 tablespoons boiling water
2 egg yolks
2/3 cup sugar
2 tablespoons Cointreau
2 cups heavy cream, chilled
Additional whole strawberries, for garnish

Directions:

1. Combine the strawberries, lemon juice, and gelatin in a food processor. Purée until smooth. Carefully pour in the boiling water and process again, briefly. Let the mixture cool to room temperature.

2. Beat the egg yolks and sugar together until pale yellow and thick. Whisk in the Cointreau and beat for another minute. Pour the egg mixture into the top of a double boiler set over simmering water and stir until slightly thickened and hot to the touch. Cool to room temperature.

3. Combine the strawberry and egg mixtures and chill until just beginning to set.

4. Whip the cream to soft peaks and fold gently into the chilled mousse mixture. Spoon into 8 to 10 individual dessert glasses or a serving bowl. Chill for at least 4 hours. Garnish with the whole strawberries before serving.

The Hotel Hershey Celebrates Chocolate-Covered February

CHOCOLATE-COVERED FEBRUARY
Featuring over 300 events and activities!

Chocolate holds a special place in our hearts, and what better place to celebrate our love of the world’s favorite culinary delight than here in HERSHEY, THE SWEETEST PLACE ON EARTH!

Whether you come for the day or stay overnight for our exclusive chocolate activities at THE HOTEL HERSHEY and HERSHEY LODGE, you'll find there are many ways to enjoy chocolate during our fourth-annual, month-long celebration.

Below is a sample of Chocolate-Covered February favorites:

THE CHOCOLATE SPA

Indulge yourself in Everything Chocolate with our signature Chocolate Spa Sampler Package available exclusively during CHOCOLATE-COVERED FEBRUARY.

Chocolate Spa Sampler - $215
Approximately 2 hours. Available Monday - Thursday, Feb. 4 - 28, 2008

Package includes:

* WHIPPED COCOA BATH or Chocolate Hydrotherapy
* Chocolate Bean Polish or Chocolate Sugar Scrub
* 50-minute Cocoa Massage
* Lunch in the Spa Oasis

For your convenience, a 20% service charge will be added to your bill. No substitutions on spa services.

For more information visit TheChocolateSpa.com or call The Spa at 1-877-772-9988.

How to Indulge your Sweet Tooth: Visit Dylan's Candy Bar

It's no surprise that I have a sweet tooth, I'm always recommending a dessert recipe. I try to indulge it but in moderation. I adore all types of candy from gourmet chocolates to sweet and sour gummy candy.

A cute little shop that tames my sweet tooth is Dylan's Candy Bar. The store is loaded full of sweet treats which will appease almost any candy addict. More than just a store they have a private party room, so parents can host a special birthday party for their child (for more information call 1-866-9-DYLANS).

There are currently six stores open with two in Florida, one in Texas and the remainder in New York. But if you're unable to pop into one of these locations you can order items from the website.

Below are just a fraction of the treats available from Dylan's Candy Bar:
















Sour Patch Kids in Dylan's Candy Bar Paint Can
$13.00

















Dylan's Candy Bar Lunch Box Basket
$49.00

















Dylan's Candy Bar 18-Piece Truffle Box
$42.00












Dylan's Candy Bar Jelly Belly® Tackle Box
$19.99

















Dylan's Candy Bar Hot Chocolate Gift Basket
$39.00

















Chocolate Covered Oreo's® in Dylan's Candy Bar Paint Can
$13.00

















Dylan's Candy Bar Sweet Tooth
$35.00

















Dylan's Candy Bar Chocolate Overload Basket
$129.00











Dylan's Candy Bar Tackle Box
$19.99

















Australian Red Licorice in Dylan's Candy Bar Paint Can
$13.00

Tigo Gifts for unique gifts

Looking for some unique and original gifts for others or just for yourself, why not try Tigo Gifts. I'm a creative person and I like things that almost everyone doesn't have. They have chic suede gifts from art accessories, home decor, games, photo accessories and more. These gifts are sure to spark anyone's creative energy.

Below are just a small sample of items available from Tigo Gifts:













Passport Case
$20.00














Tied Scrapbook
9" x 12" hard bound book
containing 70 sheets of acid free paper
$35.00














Flask
7 oz. stainless steel
$25.00














Photo Album
Holds 160 4" x 6" pictures in PVC/acid free protective sleeves
$40.00














Colored Pencil Set
Contains 12 colored pencils,
a metal pencil sharpener and a spiral-bound artist quality paper
$35.00














Tied Journal
Hardbound journals containing 110 sheets of acid free paper
$30.00 (6" x 9")
$20.00 (4" x 6")














Hanging Frame
Holds three horizontal 4” x 6” photographs
$35.00














Compact Mirror
$15.00














Water Color Set
Contains a spiral-bound pad of water color paper,
three different size paint brushes and a palette of eight water colors
$35.00














Backgammon Set
Includes a hand-crafted 7" x 10" game board, miniature game pieces, dice, complete playing instructions and a suede pouch . All are contained within a transparent gift box. Available in vibrant or traditional color combinations.
$35.00














Comprehensive Art Set
Contains eight lead pencils of varying grades, 2 charcoal pencils (soft and hard), a ruler, metal pencil sharpener, white vinyl eraser and a spiral-bound pad of artist quality paper
$40.00














Christmas Stockings
18”h x 12”w (at the foot) x 8”w (at the top)
$30.00