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According to the Chinese Lunar New Year--It's the YEAR OF THE RABBIT! Gong hay fat choy--wishing you a healthy, prosperous and happy new year. But what does that mean?

Well if you were born in 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, then it means that you are articulate, talented, and ambitious. You are virtuous, reserved, and have excellent taste. Rabbit people are admired, trusted, and are often financially lucky. They are fond of gossip but are tactful and generally kind. Rabbit people seldom lose their temper. They are clever at business and being conscientious, never back out of a contract. They would make good gamblers for they have the uncanny gift of choosing the right thing. However, they seldom gamble, as they are conservative and wise. They are most compatible with those born in the years of the Sheep, Pig, and Dog.

Famous rabbits include actress Angelina Jolie,

Actor Geoffrey Rush,

Apparently he prefers monkeys.

 and Prime Minister of Australia,  John Howard.  

Too bad there is no Year of the Kangaroo

According to the lunar horoscope, the rabbit is naturally happy and a homebody. So put up those feet and relax as it looks like it's going to be a good year for everybody. We just came off a pretty tough year-- The Year of the Tiger, so I think that this year will be a little more calm and relaxing. Maybe it's time to finish up those projects you started around the house and never got around to. Or maybe it's time to take that vacation to the Canary Islands that you have been planning now forever.

Oh and apparently, according to Chinese custom,  to truly honor the Year of the Rabbit, we should eat what rabbits eat. Jai, also known as Buddah's Delight, is a mild meatless monk's stew that brings good health and good fortune and typically features enough vegetables to feed a rabbit warren.

All of this got me thinking what animal am I according the the calendar, I was born in '80 and it turns out I am the...wait for it...Year of the Monkey!

Apparently people born int the Year of the Monkey ( 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004) are erratic geniuses of the cycle. Clever, skillful and flexible, they are remarkably inventive and original and can solve the most difficult problems with ease. There are few fields in which Monkey people wouldn't be successful but they have a disconcerting habit of being too agreeable. They want to do things now, and if they cannot get started immediately, they become discouraged and sometimes leave their projects. Although good at making decisions, they tend to look down on others. Having common sense, Monkey people are strong willed but their anger cools quickly. Monkey people have a deep desire for knowledge and have excellent memories. They are most compatible with Dragon and Rat. 

 SO WHAT SIGN ARE YOU?????? 

I can't wait to head over to Ping Pong Dim Sum  and celebrate the Year of the Rabbit! See you all there!

Besos xoxoxoxoxo, 

Vanessa 

Bringing you the best in Food, Fashion and Fun in the metro area!

Would You Rent-A-Friend?

We all need them, want them and hopefully have them in our lives. Yes I'm talking about friends. Who acts like the Joey or Rachel  from your group?  Or the cute, nerdy, loveable  Ross?

So no one told you life was gonna be this way
Your job's a joke, you're broke, you're love life's DOA. 

It's like you're always stuck in second gear, 

Well, it hasn't been your day, your week, your month, or even your year. 

But, I'll be there for you, when the rain starts to pour. 

I'll be there for you, like I've been there before. 

I'll be there for you, cause you're there for me too. 

Ahhh what a great friend song, it just makes you want to pick up that phone and call your best friend.

But what if you DON'T have a circle of friends to call or to go and hang with at Central Perk over lattes and muffins?

Friends come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. But if neither of that works out for you, then just rent one. Yes that is correct, you read right, you can actually RENT A FRIEND.  I was reading a magazine and came across the surprising article that gave in depth interviews of people who have  used the site. Completely intrigued and borderline shocked, I checked out the Website http://www.rentafriend.com/ 

Here's how it works. You type in your zip code and once you choose the location of where you are looking to find a new "Friend", you will instantly see available Friends that are located in that area. You can view their photos, read their profiles and see what they are interested in for free but you do have to register to become a member of RentAFriend.com by paying a small membership fee. Once you become a registered member, you can instantly contact all of the "Friends" on the site. The site makes sure to say over and over that it is strictly for platonic friendships and with cheesy photos like the one above, it does appear as though its being used for those intended purposes. 

So how much does renting a friend actually cost? Well apparently the standard rate is $10 the hour, but can be negotiated depending on the activity.  So a night at the Opera could  run you a little less hourly, considering the tickets are probably pretty pricy.

I know they say you shouldn't knock anything until you try it, but this is just so strange to me. I would rather just go solo before I have to pay somebody to hang out with me. What do you think? Leave me your comments below. Do you know anybody who has "rented" a buddy before? 

Besos Vanessa  xoxoxoxo

"Bringing you the best in food, fashion and fun in the metro area."


 Lets Connect!

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

DC ON HEELS and TOP RANK VINTAGE are proud to announce the winners of the Holiday Recipe Giveaway contest. There were so many tasty recipes to choose from. This contest  showcased what a multicultural and flavorful city we live in--from Filipino chicken stew to a Peruvian Pisco Sour, the flavor profiles came from all across the map. Winners will command their style in the European military inspired coats pictured below by Top Rank Vintage. 

 Cocktail recipe winners will stay warm and cozy in this winter army hat. 

Lorenzo Sevilla of Washington D.C. will be sporting his new coat thanks to his winning chicken stew recipe.

Ginataang Manok is a chicken stew simmered in coconut milk and spices. Yum! One of the most favorite Filipino ingredients is coconut milk, or known to all the locals as "Gata" or "Ginataan." See we're not only going to be eating and trying out a new recipe, but we're learning all about the Filipino culture and language as well. It's a win win situation. 

Ingredients: 

3-4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into strips or cubes



1 Tbsp crushed ginger 



1 Tbsp crushed garlic



1 Tbsp fish sauce (patis)



1 Tbsp fresh ginger, julienned

1 small onion, sliced very thin

1 stalk lemongrass, chopped or 1/2 tsp dried

1/4 tsp crushed red pepper



1 can coconut milk



1/2 each red and green bell peppers, sliced into strips

Coarse ground salt.

Method:

1. Wash and pat dry chicken thighs; rub with crushed garlic, crushed ginger and patis. Let stand in refrigerator for about an hour.

2. Heat 1-2 Tbsp of canola oil in a wok or large sautée pan at medium-high heat. Sautée onions and julienned ginger until soft and fragrant. Do not let it get too browned.

3. Add chicken and cook on med-high to high heat until thoroughly done and meat is nicely browned. Add lemongrass and crushed red pepper and stir-fry for 1 minute.

4. Add coconut milk and bell peppers and gently simmer, covered, on low-med heat for about 10 minutes. If you prefer a thicker consistency, simmer uncovered to reduce coconut milk.

5. Salt to taste and serve over steamed rice.


Karima Puche of Burke, Virginia is our women's coat winner. Her fried chicken and onion recipe uses special spices like rosemary, curry and paprika to vamp up her pollo.

Fried Chicken with Onions

Ingredients:-

Cooking Oil

3 medium sized Onions (cooking Onions)

1 Chicken (cut in 8 pieces without skin)

2 Garlic cloves

Spices:- Rosemary, Curry, Paprika & Salt (to taste)

2 cups of cold Water

Tomato paste

Method:-

• Peel onions, then chop.
• Cut Chicken pieces into “eatable portions”, remove white colored fat then wash & remove slimy guts.
• Place pot on fire, pour some Oil. Allow Oil to heat. Add Onions into pot then stir from time to time until golden in color.
• Add Chicken into pot then stir to mix.
•  Chop Garlic, add to pot then stir to mix.
•  Add half a small spoon of Rosemary into pot (by crushing & grinding using hand), half a small spoon of Curry, 1 full table spoon of Paprika & 1 small spoon of Salt (to taste). Stir to mix.
• Increase fire, add 2 cups of cold Water into pot, stir then cover & wait until boiling point. Reduce fire then cook for 40 minutes.
• Add 1 spoon of Tomato paste then stir until boiling point
•  Serve hot. Goes nicely with Rice (optional).          

 COCKTAIL RECIPE WINNERS:

Cheers to Lauren DeSantis of Capital Cooking who shared with us one of her favorite winter cocktail recipes  appropriately titled 7 Swans A Swimming. 

Ingredients:

1 shot 360 Chocolate Vodka

1/2 shot DiSaronno Amaretto

1 shot Bailey's Irish Cream

1 shot cream

Preparation:

Combine all of the liquors in a shaker full of ice. Strain liquor into martini glass.  It's that simple and it's that good! 

Our final winner is Marcella Villanueva of Washington, D.C. who sent us a tasty Peruvian Pisco Sour recipe. 

The pisco sour cocktail, invented in Peru around 1900, uses a pico (Peruvian grape brandy) that has a bit of bite to it---to create the balance in this creamy, flavorful frothy lime flavored drink.  

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup (2 oz.) pisco
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• 1 teaspoon pasteurized egg whites

Preparation:

In a blender, whirl 3 ice cubes, pisco, sugar, fresh lime juice, and egg whites. Whirl until you no longer hear the ice cracking against the side of the blender and serve straight up in a martini glass with a dash of aromatic bitters and a wedge of lime. 

Congrats to all of our winners and Happy Holidays from DC on HEELS. 

That's all from DC ON HEELS "Bringing you the best in food, fashion and fun in the metro area."

   Besos xoxoxo Vanessa

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Our Feliz Navidad Mexican Dance and Beauty Buzz Review

Feliz Navidad Y Prospero Ano from DC ON HEELS! 

Vanessa & Markette xoxoxo

BEAUTY BUZZ REVIEW
OK hope you had a good laugh. And now on to more serious matters... Want a pout like this without the pain of botox or breaking the bank?

(I'm sure you can guess which celeb this pout belongs to.)

Let's see if this product is all it's cracked up to be (no pun intended) with my "Beauty Buzz" Review.

Sally Hansen Thin Lip Collagen Boost. 

Most of America minus Angelina Jolie aren't born with an overly plump pout, therefore we are forced to test, buy and decide for ourselves which products really do what they say they will. This weeks test product is Sally Hansen's Thin Lip Collagen Boost. This 44 oz tube claims to deliver the following: Noticeably fuller lips. Volumizing formula increases lip fullness. Instantly lips appear smoother and younger-looking. With collagen, soybean oil & vitamins. 

You Have: Thin lips. 

You Want: Defined, plumper, smoother lips. 

How it works: Collagen increased lip volume, contour and definition. Soybean oil and vitamins reveal healthy-looking lips. With continued use, lips look sensational. The look of fine lines and wrinkles is dramatically reduced. You'll Get: Fuller, more youthful lips without surgery. Dermatologist tested. Irritants free. Made in U.S.A.

Vanessa tests it out for you. 

Vanessa's Two Cents: The soybean oil is certainly soothing and leaves your lips feeling very moisturized.  I also liked that  it had no strange minty or tingly sensation that other lip boosters can contain. Nothing in this product seems to cause any sort of irritation in any way shape or form. But my question is where's the boost?

I'm not sure if the collagen boost is even noticeable. It certainly doesn't have the instant results that a collagen injection would have (I can only imagine--I'm certainly not willing to try--at least yet.) So in my opinion, this product is more of a psychological booster then a lip one. Would I buy it as a clear lip gloss to have soft moisturized soothed lips? Yes. Would I buy it to try and get a  Jolie pout? No. I'm just not feeling it. After repeated use through out the day my lips still appear to look the same. Yes they feel softer and healthier but I don't think I'm sporting that plump pout this product promises.
Price: Under $10. You still get quite a lot of bang for your buck. 

Hmm what do you think... not sure my pout is that boosted? 

Pucker Up xoxoxo

 Still keeps me smiling and moisturized though.

I would rate this product  3 out of 5 heels*

That's all from DC ON HEELS "Bringing you the best in food, fashion and fun in the metro area."

   Besos xoxoxo Vanessa

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TBD Recap and the "It" cocktail dress of the season

If ya' missed us Monday live with Morris on TBD, then don't sweat it-- catch up now. This week we chose our "Hot Heel" of the week from sponsor ShoeDazzle, tell you the best places to go for the holiday's on one tank of gas, discuss the newly opened National Pinball Museum AND it's the "Buff Body of the Week"--check out the biceps on this hottie!

TBD RECAP:



THE "IT" COCKTAIL DRESSES OF THE SEASON
It's the holiday's which means ONE thing for any fashion forward girl here in The District. SHOPPING! DING DING that's right--with so much on our mind and a laundry list of  to do's this season, it doesn't need to be stressful. If you want effortless sophistication and are looking for the "it" cocktail dress  of the season to dazzle in at all your  holiday parties -- then look no further I  now introduce you to Zophiaonline.com. This online boutique is the answer to finding that perfect dress. Over the weekend I had the opportunity to meet  with Executive Designer Betsy Garcete and enter her world of pure uber fashion and elegance.

Executive Designer , Betsy Garcete of Zophia Online Boutique

A talented local designer, born and bred here in  Washington, D.C., (though she is of Uruguayan and Paraguayan decent) Garcete's cocktail dresses are the epitome of effortless sophistication with a strong retro feel and a 1940's silhouette. Think Bette Davis, Lauren Bacall and Marilyn Monroe. Want to look like these movie mavens? Then step into any of Garcete's signature red zipper lined cocktail dresses. Each dress has a unique name and storyline inspired by a woman in Garcete's life; and she must know a lot of beautiful and bold women, because all  her signature pieces are full of vibrant and  daring colors and patterns. Which includes one of my favorites; the black and gold leopard- inspired dress called the "Marielena." But the strongest and most inspiring woman in Garcete's life is her beloved grandmother Sofia, who was the first person to expose her to sewing and alterations. And so millions and millions of needles and threads later with a healthy combination of  blood sweat and tears--Garcete's vision of Zophia was born. (Garcete changed the S in the name to a Z to add a little flair.) And flair this designer has combined with creativity, a keen eye, talent and passion which clearly is shown in her custom made dresses. 

Model wearing  Zophia signature cocktail dress

Sequined leopard print signature dress by Zophia.

The "Marielena"

The Fall collection 

I couldn't wait to get my hands on this one!

 I literally fell in love with this hot red number 

So many dresses to choose from.

The scoop neck back is to die for! 

Assistant Designer Kendra McCullough pictured with model.

The Glam Squad--Fashion Marketing Coordinator JC McCray, Executive Designer Betsy Garcete, and Assistant Designer Kendra McCullough  pictured.

JC McCray talks details with us about Garcete's gorgeous threads. 

That's all from DC ON HEELS "Bringing you the best in food, fashion and fun in the metro area."

   Besos xoxoxo Vanessa

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