Featured Reader

Check out our latest The Chic Life Featured ReaderLys!

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Name: Lys

If you have a blog, what’s the name/URL?: Cooking In Stilettos / www.cookinginstilettos.org

Where You’re From: I am a Philly gal through and through.

Why do you read The Chic Life?: I adore The Chic Life – the great photos, candid discussion and great recipes – everything has such a positive tone and it’s refreshing. Plus, the gal that runs it is quite the fashionista.

Favorite Exercise or Exercise Routine: I’d have to say lately it’s been taking my adorable Sous Chef aka Wiggy for a walk. I have so many different hats that free time is really limited and no day is the same. Therefore, making sure I’m at a class on time is seriously difficult. Thank god for WiiFit!

Favorite Thing to Eat for either Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner: pick one or do all: The ultimate comfort food for me is Arroz Con Pollo. No matter how bad my day is, I can pretty much make it from memory. I first had it about 15 years ago and my friend Milly made a killer version of it for a picnic in New York. I was obsessed with learning how to make it myself and now I can without even a recipe. Not bad for an Irish gal.

GuinnessBraisedShortRibs-Final.jpg

Second to that is Chef Stuart O’Keefe’s Guinness Braised Short Ribs that will be featured on Cooking In Stilettos shortly *edited by Diana to add that the post is up! click to view*

Hobbies or Hidden Talents: Does shopping qualify as a hobby and finding the best cash back options for shopping online qualify as a talent? I also enjoy traveling, perusing cookbooks (and I have quite a bit now *sigh*) and making a really good Egyptian martini.

Favorite Plate/Bowl: Actually, I don’t have a favorite plate or bowl, my absolute FAVORITE is a pitcher.

FavoritePieces.jpg

I lusted after a Simon Pearce Woodbury pitcher for forever – and, after much stalking on eBay and various cash back sites, I got it for a decent price and it’s my pride and joy. Second to that is my Vietri Aqua coffee mug.

Favorite Quote: I actually have a few but the one that really hits me references cooking, however I think it can also apply to one’s life: “Cooking is like love. It should be entered into with abandon or not at all.” Harriet van Horne.

Best Advice You Ever Received: “Don’t put it out there” coupled with “Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff.” Long story short – my friend Rissa called me one day and talked to me about this book, “The Secret.” Normally I’d just start to zone at the mention of books like this, however, when Rissa speaks, I listen. That gal is wise. So, I got a copy of it and it started to make sense – if you “put out” negative, you get negative – i.e. focusing on bills, lack of finances, etc. However, when you have a positive mind frame, you will start to see positive, i.e. less traffic, good parking spaces. I’ve learned to be grateful for what I have and to not sweat the small stuff.

What Makes Your Life Chic?: This might sound strange but a positive attitude makes my life chic. I tend to look for the best in life and give that as well – what’s the phrase “Reap what you sow?” So, a positive attitude coupled with my killer Louboutins and I’m ready to seize the day ;)

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photos courtesy Cooking i Stilettos

Thank you so much Lys for being our latest and greatest The Chic Life featured reader! That is a gorgeous pitcher! :)

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Ok, ok…it’s Saturday. But, with being so busy last week working, workout out, and traveling for work, I haven’t had much time! Sorry! Without further adieu…our latest featured reader…

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Name: Jessica

FFR-JessicaAndy

(Andy and Jessica)

If you have a blog, what’s the name/URL?

Johnstone’s Vin Blanc

Where You’re From

North Carolina (grew up in Kentucky and Ohio)

Why do you read The Chic Life?

I started reading your blog through Kath’s and since then have had the privilege to meet you a couple of times. I find your ideas both fresh and inspiring and I enjoy reading snippets of your daily life.

Favorite Exercise or Exercise Routine

I exercise every week day morning before work for 30 minutes/5 days a week on an elliptical machine. 

Favorite Thing to Eat for either Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner

FFRJessica-Bfast

Breakfast: Yogurt with Fruit and Granola (or Wheat Berries)
http://johnstonesvinblanc.blogspot.com/2009/05/veggie-meatloaf-with-checca-sauce.html
FFRJessica-Lunch

Lunch: Some type of soup or sandwich – (you can pull a photo from each of these posts and hyperlink the words to the recipes if you’d like)
Some of my most recently favorites
A delicious Butternut Squash and Apple Soup http://johnstonesvinblanc.blogspot.com/2010/04/slow-cooker-butternut-squash-and-apple.html
A warm and cheesy Monte Cristo Sandwich (swap with your favorite sandwich toppers) http://johnstonesvinblanc.blogspot.com/2009/02/monte-cristo-sandwiches.html
A refreshing Quinoa Salad http://johnstonesvinblanc.blogspot.com/2010/03/quinoa-black-bean-salad.html
FFRJessica-Dinner

Dinner: Something comforting such as Roasted Chicken Sausage, Sweet Potatoes, and Figs http://johnstonesvinblanc.blogspot.com/2009/11/roasted-chicken-sausage-sweet-potatoes.html along with a Green Smoothie http://johnstonesvinblanc.blogspot.com/2010/04/beautiful-day.html

Hobbies or Hidden Talents

I love to cook (thus my blog), spend time with my hubby and friends, watch University of Kentucky basketball and football, take walks with my two beagles Finley and Wilson,(pull a doggie photo from here) http://johnstonesvinblanc.blogspot.com/2008/05/few-doggie-moments_26.html, and read blogs and books.

Favorite Plate/Bowl

FFRJessica-Bowl

http://johnstonesvinblanc.blogspot.com/2009/05/homemade-cranberry-granola.html

Favorite Quote

I enjoy uplifting and positive phrases – one of my current favorites with the gorgeous spring weather we’ve been having is this, “Don’t just be a spectator to the weather today. "Be there" for the sun on your face, wind in your hair, or rain on your skin.” themindfulist.com

Best Advice You Ever Received

Be the breath of fresh air that brightens someone else’s day.

What Makes Your Life Chic?

Taking time to take some deep breathes and center myself each and everyday. I also regularly take time to meditate, attend yoga classes, and treat myself to massage and acupuncture appointments.

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Thanks Jessica for being one of my featured readers! :)

Click here to check out some other featured readers.

And, if you’d like to be a featured reader, be sure to join my Facebook page – that’s where I’ll be recruiting! ;)

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Featured Reader Friday: Layla

by Diana on April 2, 2010

in Featured Reader

Hey guys! I’m kicking off a very exciting new post series here on The Chic Life – Featured Reader Friday!!! Every Friday (or every other Friday), I’m going to feature one of YOU here on The Chic Life blog! If you’re interested in being featured, make sure you’re a fan of my Facebook page - I’ll be gathering names there. ;)

Without further adieu…I now bring you our FIRST EVER featured reader!

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Name: Layla

joshandlayla.jpg

(Layla and her hubby Josh)

If you have a blog, what’s the name/URL?

I do, but I haven’t posted regularly, so it’s kind of boring! http://damnyoumuffintop.blogspot.com

Where You’re From

Originally from TN, currently in Atlanta, GA

Why do you read The Chic Life?

I can’t remember how I stumbled upon it, but I love reading The Chic Life! I use it for exercise inspiration, recipes, and I used Project Hydration as motivation to improve my water intake. I just really like the writing style, the pics (especially of Bailey!) and the upbeat, positive attitude that Diana has. I think she definitely puts a fun spin on eating right and exercising, instead of making it something that has to be done.

Favorite Exercise or Exercise Routine

I haven’t found my groove with exercise yet… I’m too all over the place at the moment. I am a fan of the 30 Day Shred DVD, and I love free weights. My husband and I are going to start running more regularly, and I’m joining a local boot camp that meets three days a week, which I’m really looking forward to.

Favorite Thing to Eat for either Breakfast, Lunch and/or Dinner

Breakfast: During the week, my favorite oat bowl! Sunday breakfasts with the husband are waffles made with Trader Joe’s pumpkin pancake and waffle mix, maple syrup, maple sausage and espresso. I love to snack on oranges, Larabars, sweet potato chips by Food Should Taste Good, chocolate Oikos, and I drink a LOT of coffee and loose tea. (And not enough water, ever! I do try, though.)

Hobbies or Hidden Talents

I love to read, both books and blogs! I’m a vintage shopper extraordinaire, and I love writing. Hidden talents…. I can touch my nose with my tongue, even though I think that’s more gross than talented, lol!

Describe Your Favorite Plate/Bowl

I eat the same oat bowl every day, I love it and can’t bring myself to try something new! In it – old fashioned oats, organic raisins, unsweetened shredded organic coconut, Bob’s Red Mill ground flax, and a tablespoon of almond butter. I only break from this on Sundays when my husband and I actually get to have breakfast together.

Favorite Quote

“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent” – Eleanor Roosevelt

Best Advice You Ever Received

Take a moment before every major decision and say “Will this change my life? Will I regret it?” If the answer is yes, you will regret it, then move on and don’t look back. Having no regrets is the key to a happy life.

What Makes Your Life Chic?

My healthy decisions, first and foremost.

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Thank you so much Layla for participating in my first ever Featured Reader Friday! And thanks to my Facebook friends for helping me come up with some of the questions. You guys rock!

Remember to check out my Facebook page if you’re interested in being featured. :)

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