Nancy Valentino’s Café Mocha

I’ve come up with a Café Mocha that is 100% better than the Starbucks version! Don’t get me wrong–I love Starbucks but I don’t love their fancy prices. A girl has got to save her money for things like clothes, shoes and makeup.

One of the best investments I’ve ever made was getting an espresso maker. You could try making lattes & cappuccinos sans the espresso maker but in my opinion, it tastes more authentic using the machine.

My espresso maker was only $65–think about this…if you are an avid drinker of Starbucks espresso beverages, think about how many visits you make there a year–it adds up. This machine pays for itself after 15 lattes.

Here is my version of the Café Mocha:

Until recently, I didn’t realize that the term “mocha” stood for a method in which to prepare a cappuccino or latte. It’s merely adding chocolate to the drink.  I didn’t know but many coffee houses prepare it either way.  I made mine cappuccino style because I love the bold flavor of espresso. I feel that it pairs nicely with the chocolate.

To Begin, I used equal parts cocoa powder & hot water to make a rue.

Add a sweetener if desired. Pour the sauce in your mug.

Next, I brewed my espresso. I used Carte Nior coffee. It’s a bold French coffee that I absolutely adore.

Pour the espresso and all it’s beautiful foamy goodness into the chocolate sauce.
Steam your milk & be sure to froth approximately half of it.
It will double in size…
Pour the milk into the mug then top with foam
Add a sprinkle of cocoa powder to garnish
…and some whipped cream!

Fin.

My Secret to a Fabulous & Frothy Cup of Coffee

 

What you’ll need:
-Your favorite brew of coffee
-Your favorite non-dairy creamer
-A Milk Frother
-Cinnamon (optional)


***All products mentioned in this video were purchased personally by myself, unless otherwise stated.  I am in no way affiliated or sponsored by the makers of these products***

All Things Art Deco

With it being a new year, I thought it would be fun to share some of
my home decor DIY projects with you. Since the holidays ended, I have
been giving my house a little facelift. I think it’s key to switch
furniture around (if possible) and add some new pieces to your home.
Today I’ll be focusing on some art deco inspired patterns that I’ve
implemented into my bedroom & living room.

I adore Art Deco–I really do. It’s very reminiscent of all things
symbolizing the silent film era.

Both my home decor style & fashion sense represent a unique mix of
vintage & modern.

My bedroom has a strong 1920′s style to it. When I look around, I see
vintage fashion, Old Hollywood & subtle patterns of art deco.

My dream would be to have a whole wall wallpapered with a strong/ bold art deco pattern but that’s a little unrealistic for now. Until then, these DIY framed art deco patterns make a perfect statment in my bedroom.

(I have three of these hanging in the bedroom but the lighting was too horrid to fit them all in..)

The color red/ scarlet plays more than just a color–it’s very symbolic of 1920′s and what was happening in terns of women’s lib, beauty & makeup.

In my living room, I have accents of moss/ earthy green and off
white-almost bone. Lots of flowers to give it a female touch. Like the
bedroom, I added some fabulous art deco prints I found that almost
match my mossy green accent wall! I used gold frames that have a
tarnished look to them and I think it makes the art deco pattern pop.

Total cost for something I hold near and dear to me? $6.00–gotta love that!


Yours Truly is The Figure Friendly Foodie!

Hi Friends!

I’ve started a website dedicated to all things figure friendly food-complete with forums to discuss weight loss, recipes and more! Our first video as the FFF is (what else?) Figure Friendly Pumpkin Spice Latte WITH Whipped Cream!

This is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time–I was always afraid to but your kind & encouraging comments finally gave me the courage to do this. I really hope you enjoy all that the site has to offer. We have an e cook book in the works too! More than anything, I hope you can gain inspiration if you’re in the process of your own weight loss journey!

xo-

Nancy

Pre-Wedding Anniversary Adventures

“Gratitude changes the pangs of memory into a tranquil joy”

Operation 7.15 is quickly approaching! We’re at this point where there’s not much to do but wait until we get our moving truck (which is a few days away!) We kept busy today–we went for a long drive & did a little pre anniversary shopping.

While Hubby was in Wawa, I played the role of the shallow vixen. Exhibit A. ;)

On the way to the mall, we stopped by our new home and I snapped this quick piccy. So peaceful and serene! This will officially be MY view come 7.15. I can’t wait…the days of dark, dank, doom will be a distant memory.

Tomorrow is our 7th wedding anniversary! They say that the traditional wedding gift for year 7 is wood or copper, I chose glitz & sophistication! My husband bought me Love, Chloe EDP. Originally I wanted Chanel No. 5 Eau Premier, but I smelled Love, Chloe and I instantly fell in love with the delicateness of this beautiful fragrance. I’m a huge fan of the original Chloe fragrance and this newer version definitely does not disappoint! Another great item I picked up was the Makeup Forever Artistry Favorites deluxe sampler! I have never tried MUFE but I’ve had my eye on the brand for quite some time! I’ll have to blog more in detail and give my thoughts on this deluxe kit!

In addition to the fragrance, I also stopped by the Chanel counter and bought the glossimer in Futile.  I’m a Chanel junkie, ’nuff said.

On the way home, we picked up some homemade Blueberry & Strawberry Jam from a local hotspot! Despite the intense heat, it was a fabulous day!

Tomorrow I plan to do a FOTD wearing my new Chanel gloss!

Hope you all are doing well! xo

Outfit, Makeup & Hair of the Day


Spring is just a mere 7 days away! Today I decided to bust out of the new short sleeved cardie’s from my Spring wardrobe. It’s comfortable, casual & yet–you can glam it up at the same time. What really made me fall in love with this cardie were the princess puffed sleeves. I pair it with a cream colored lacy cami, jeans & tan knee high boots. I kept the jewelry somewhat simple. I adore the emerald cut faux sapphire lever back earrings! I only wish I had a pair in white.

 

For hair, I’ve been obsessed with the side swept updo! It’s chic and takes NO time at all–it’s very simple to do! Gotta love looks that are simplistic and glam at the same time. I threw in a little golden colored embellished barrette–to give it that “little something”.
For makeup, I kept the eyes a golden walnut color–smokey, of course! I can’t tell you how much I’ve been diggin’ loose pearl eye shadow from NYX and pigments in general. I found MAC’s Jardin Aires pigment paired nicely with NYX’s Walnut Pearl. I finished it off with a little of NARS Mekong. I kept the lips very soft & simple-MAC’s Underage lipglass & a little of Bonne Bell’s Sugar Crystals to soften out that opaqueness in the lipglass.
Overall-I’d say it was a fab makeup, outfit & hair day! We took a drive to a place we’d never been before and LOOK! It’s a Waffle House! I thought they only had these down South?! And look at the horse & buggy!!! Because that’s something you see everyday! ;)

It Finally Has Happened!

After five years of modeling, finally, one of my photos is being used nation-wide!  One of my Facebook friends sent me a message yesterday to let me know that she saw my photo on a portable pet bed at Bed Bath & Beyond and JCPenney.  I had no idea, so I just had to go into my local Bed Bath & Beyond to see it for myself.  I couldn’t resist, so I had to buy one!

My First Trip to NYC!

Yesterday was one of the best days I’ve ever had because it was my very first time visiting New York City!!!! It was so much fun and honestly, I don’t even know where to begin…it was that fabulous!

We drive in town which enabled us to visit the sites that we wanted to see-5th, 6th & 7th, Park Ave & Madison Ave as well…I was in fashion heaven….I also got to see the the infamous place that Audrey Hepburn actually stood when she did “Breakfast At Tiffany’s”!!

I just fell in love with all the buildings on the Upper East Side! It’s such a different lifestyle than what I’m used to & I live in a major city! lol

I can’t wait to go back-SOON!!

Things I’m Currently Loving

Low Maintenance Hair-

While I love curly & wavy hair, keeping my hair in its natural state (straight) is so much healthier. Lately I’ve been rocking ponytails, side buns-pretty much anything low maintenance chic.

Golden Smokey Eyes-

Perfect for the summer. I may do a video on this look.

Loose Racerback Tees-

I love to wear them with either skinny jeans or shorts.  Either way, they are versatile, comfortable and so cute.

Senseo Pods-

A very dear friend of mine who lives in France was very sweet enough to send me some Senseo Pods. Senseo is not as popular as it used to be here in the States. When I do find Senseo at my store, it’s usually just the boring Medium Roast regular coffee. Over in France, my friend has access to MANY different varieties of the coffee. My favorites have to be the Café Choco, Cappuccino & Vienna…so, so GOOD!

Oversized Post Earrings-

Sometimes  dangle earrings make an outfit look a little fancier than I’d like it to be. Oversized Post earrings can make an outfit look “put together” without making it fancy.

Night Cream-

I never really saw the importance of this until recently.  It’s just as important to mosturiszer at night as it is during the day.

L’Occitane Products-

I have received lots of wonderful products from my dear friend. She has opened me up to the wonderful experience this is, L’Occitane. I will be doing  a separate post on all the wonderful items in the near future.

Hummus-

I just adore Hummus-any flavor…it’s just amazing with garlic pitas.