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Müller™ Yogurt Comes to the U.S.

You may have noticed a new yogurt in your grocery aisle. Muller Quaker Dairy, a joint venture between PepsiCo, Inc. and the Theo Müller Group, has introduced Europe’s beloved Müller™ yogurt to the U.S. Still at large a family business, Müller Dairy, which was founded in 1896 by German dairy farmer Ludwig Müller is run by his grandson, Theo Müller, who manages the business in several countries.

Launching in both the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region I ventured to the grocery store to try all three yogurt forms; Müller™ FrütUp™, a parfait-style yogurt with a light, airy fruit mousse available in six flavors), Müller™ Corner™, a two-chamber cup that includes creamy yogurt in one half and a separate mix-ins like fruit, caramelized almonds, and chocolate in the other, as well as Müller™ Greek Corner™, a creamier Greek-style version of the Müller Corner which is available in four flavors.

I recognize that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but I have been struggling

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Maria Sharapova launches Sugarpova at Henri Bendel

Today, I joined #1 tennis superstar, Maria Sharpova at Henri Bendel’s for the  launch of her new gummy line, Sugarpova. Yup, I’m talking candy — and a whole lot of it — 13 different bags to be exact in fun, fashionably shapes and colors including:

Regular Gummies
1 Chic: High Heels, Purses, Sunglasses
2 Flirty: Lips
3 Silly: Worms
4 Sassy: Lemons, Bananas, Strawberries, Cherries, Grapes
5 Splashy: Aquatic Life
6 Cheeky: Bears

Sour Gummies
7 Flirty: Lips, Hearts, Stars
8 Silly: Worms
9 Sassy: Lemons, Bananas, Strawberries, Cherries, Grapes
10 Spooky: Spiders
11 Smitten: Rainbow strips

And also…
12 Sporty: Tennis Gum Balls
13 Quirky: Licorice Revolvers

“Creating Sugarpova has been an exciting labor of love,” says Sharapova. “My tennis and business schedules keep me traveling worldwide, and I confess to having a sweet tooth that knows what it wants! When I didn’t find it in the marketplace, I decided to create the type of candy that girls like me crave.”

{What’s in the bags… fun shaped gummies}

{The women of the hour! Maria greeting fans earlier today}

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5 Things you probably didn’t know about Popcorn, Indiana

I consider myself a healthy eater but with constantly being on the road (or rather on the go), I’ve become a grab-and-snack-aholic. Fortunately, chips and popcorn have come a long way since the Doritos and Smartfood days and thanks to Popcorn, Indiana consumers have a more healthier alternative to their junk food equivalents without sacrificing nutrition or flavor.

So when I received an invite to sample the new collection of flavors launching this year, how could I resist? 5 things learned from the experience (that you probably didn’t know either):

1. Popcorn, Indiana is a real city (in Indiana)

2. Popcorn, Indiana is not founded in it’s namesake but in New Jersey

3. Popcorn, Indiana’s classic, handcrafted popcorn and Kettlecorn use 100% natural ingredients and are gluten-free, contain zero trans fat, are made from non-GMO corn, and contain whole grains.

3. The Bacon Ranch Popcorn is actually vegetarian

4. This month they’ve launched the  first ready-to-eat Movie Theater popcorn that comes in a microwave safe bag (you literally just put the popcorn bag in the microwave).

5. Launching in October, Indiana, Popcorn is introducing 4 new dessert-worthy flavors: Dark Fudge Peppermint Kettlecorn, Chocolate Peanut Butter Kettlecorn, Almond Biscotti Caramel Popcorn, and Roasted Peanut Caramel.

Considering each year, over 16 billion quarts of popcorn are popped and consumed by the American public, Popcorn, Indiana makes for the perfect affordable gourmet option, that spans

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Dinner at NYC’s NoMad Hotel

For anyone that follows me on twitter or insta.gram, you may have saw the course by course play of my dinner at NoMad last night! Located on the ground floor of the NoMad Hotel in NYC’s Midtown, the fancy shmancy hot-spot restaurant is divided into five rooms, the Bar area and Library which has a limited food menu and are great choices for a drink date. And then the highly coveted full dining rooms, The Parlour, Atrium and Fireplace (which is more so used for private dining events). Each room has it’s own elegant and unique feel and decore based on it’s title.

My group started in the Bar, where I ordered a “Paris is Burning”, which combines gin with mezcal, St. Germain, pineapple and bitters. The time and care the bartenders take into preparing their drinks does not go unnoticed. It was delicious… I had three.

We then walked around the different spaces before being seated seated in the Parlor room…

Ordering time! The menu is divided by Snacks, Appetizers, Entrees, and Dessert — and naturally we needed to order from every list (in order). Starting with Snacks menu we opted for the Radishes, which are butter-dipped with flour de sel and melt in your mouth!

Then onto the Appetizers where we ordered the Radicchio salad with apples, basil & mozzarella, Snow Peas chiffonade with pancetta (on the side since I’m a peskatarian), and Egg poached with asparagus, quinoa & parmesan. The Snow peas we’re exceptional! They were finely cut into almost a chopped salad form and unbelievable refreshing in the light lemon dressing. The Egg was on

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Taraji P. Henson and Adrienne Bailon celebrate first anniversary of Courvoisier Rosé at NYC’s TOY

On Thursday night, Taraji P. Henson, Adrienne Bailon, Jennifer Williams, Kat Deluna (and the Pretty Connected team!) celebrated the first anniversary of Courvoisier Rosé at NYC hot spot, TOY in the Meatpacking District. 

The bartenders served up refreshing Courvoisier Rosé cocktails while guests enjoyed h’orderves by Chef Doron Wong and music spun by DJ Brooklyn Dawn. Courvoisier Rosé is delicious! And certainly a summery, refreshing approach to cognac that is crafted with a blend of Courvoisier and premium French red wine grapes. And at 18% Alc/Vol, in comparison to it’s 40% Courvoisier original counterpart, it goes down easier and tastes closer to a Rosé then cognac.

Somehow when the cupcakes came out and the celebration kicked off, I was cornered in the back of the bar, while the celebs of the evening we’re surrounded by cameraman. And as a result I woke up to a swarm of the first two images picked up all over the internet with my face piercing out of the back ground.

{Taraji P. Henson celebrates first anniversary of Courvoisier Rosé — see me in the background?}

{Adrienne Bailon, Jennifer Williams, Kat Deluna cheers Courvoisier Rosé with cupcakes! — what about now, see me now? }

Since I was hanging out next to Adrienne Bailon, I couldn’t resist asking the Cheetah Girl who her outfit was by. She was so sweet, and excused herself to go have her friend check her tag and came back up to me to report it’s an ALC onesie — so cute! Love the back on it!

And on my first day of rocking my Modify watch (I literally got it in the mail that morning), I ran into the brands token marketing guy and could not resist an impromptu Modify Watches represent photo!

Modify watches, Courvoisier Rosé, awkwardly showing up in the background of photos on multiple celebrity sites… what more can a girl ask for out of a night? In the words of Busta Rhymes, P. Diddy, and Pharrell, Pass the Courvoisier…

 

Starbucks Launches Refreshers! Try it for free July 13th from 12-3pm (+ Tweet to win a $25 giftcard)

This giveaway has now ended

Last night I went to a summer soiree hosted by Starbucks in celebration of the national launch of their NEW Refreshers beverage. This product is B-A-N-A-N-A-S! (Figuratively not literally.)  It actually come in two flavors, Very Berry Hibiscus (my preferred flavor) and Cool lime and despite tasting closer to refreshing flavored lemonade type beverage, it’s actually coffee. Naturally caffeinated from green coffee extract (which offers about 1/4th of the amount of caffeine as regular coffee), Starbucks Refreshers combines real fruit juice to make this the perfect afternoon-pick-me-up. They have 100 calories and contains 50% of your daily value of Vitamin C. Prices start at $2.90 for a Tall size (12 fl oz.).

TRY IT FOR FREE! Starbucks is hosting an in-store promotion on Friday, July 13, where customers can stop by any Starbucks location and enjoy a complimentary tall Refreshers beverage from 12-3 p.m.

GET SOCIAL! Starbucks want’s to hear from you. If you’re on twitter, tweet them @Starbucks using the hashtag #StarbucksRefreshers and let them know what you think! Additionally,  Starbucks launched VIA Refreshers! At less than 40 calories (and still packed with Vitamin C), VIA bringing the instant coffee experience of Starbucks Refreshers to your home. Perfect for on the go, Starbucks VIA Refreshers come in the same flavors, Very Berry Hibiscus and Cool Lime and are available in a five-pack for $5.95.

WIN IT! We’re giving away a $25 gift card to Starbucks + Starbucks VIA Refreshers in both flavors + 3-pack of the Ready-to-drink Starbucks Refreshers cans (that launched in stores earlier this year). To enter, tweet us @PrettyConnected using the hashtag #StarbucksRefreshers on why you’d like the win OR tweet: Want to win @Starbucks $25 Gift Card + NEW #StarbucksRefreshers? RT & follow @PrettyConnected for ur chance to win! http://bit.ly/PR0k1Q

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Oh my GOODNESS…

Oh my GOODNESS, is right! As some of you know, as of last NYFW season I began working with the supermodel/philanthropist, Elettra Wiedemann on her 4-day fashion week pop-up restaurant concept, GOODNESS, which was founded on the principles of providing a wide audience, affordable, locally sourced food, by a rotating line-up of celebrity chefs.

After such an amazing response in September, Elettra brought GOODNESS back for the Fall 2012 NYFW season. Hosted by CIRCA and The Daily Front Row, GOODNESS was housed at the Robert on the 9th floor of the Museum of Arts and Design from February 11 – 14th, and featured an amazing line-up of rotating chefs which included: Mario Batali of Babbo, Leo Forneas of ROBERT, Alain Allegretti of La Promenade des Anglais and Julian Medina of Toloache. And to add to the excitement, GOODNESS earned the CFDA’s Health Initiative Stamp of Approval.

Mario Batali and Elettra Wiedemann.
Leo Forneas' drool-worthy scallops

We also took over the 7th floor of the museum to create the GOODNESS Lounge by Renaissance Hotels. Designed as a comfortable “living room” space for guests to relax and recharge. The GOODNESS Lounge by Renaissance Hotels also featured a touch-up station by Lancôme and massages by Equinox. CIRCA, the world’s leading global buyer of fine jewelry, showcased their collection of recycled, sustainable luxury jewelry in the lounge. As you may remember (I posted about the competition!), GOODNESS partnered with Talenthouse to choose a winning resident DJ for the lounge. Our winner, DJ Travisty was a gem and kept the beats going and the lounge popping.

Day 1 was a blur! Mario Batali was in the kitchen and naturally we we’re booked the entire day. We also had a little kick-off party to toast Elettra and the chefs. We were joined by Elettra’s mother, Isabella Rossellini, as well as fashion friends, Monique Pean, Michelle Harper, Laura Brown, Mickey Boardman, Lorenzo Martone, and Jon Emperson aka Lypsinka.

Isabella Rossellini and Elettra Wiedemann.
Lauren Remington Platt, Elettra Wiedemann, Michelle Harper.
Robert Verdi and Simon Doonan filming at GOODNESS

After that we cruised through the next 3 days, welcoming guests, coordinating interviews and trying everything we could possibly could on the menu. I’m so lucky to work with the most amazing team that made going to work everyday so fun and be apart of such an innovative concept.

GO team GOODNESS!

You haven’t heard the last of GOODNESS… aside from a return in future New York Fashion Weeks, expect appearances in Paris, London, Doha and Miami.

Photo Credit: Abe Shaw (minus the tragic looking ones I took)

Mark your calendar: Elettra Wiedemann’s GOODNESS pop-up restaurant returns for NYFW

Mark your calendars and start making your reservations! From February 11th – 14th, Elettra Wiedemann’s GOODNESS pop-up restaurant returns to New York Fashion Week.

As some of you may remember from last fashion week, I worked with the glamorous and wonderful supermodel Elettra Wiedemann on her full service Fashion Week pop-up restaurant, GOODNESS. Well I’m excited to report that for this New York Fashion Week season, GOODNESS returns with an all new line up of prominent chefs including Mario Batali, Leo Forneas, Alain Allegretti and Julian Medina.

Open for lunch only from 11am-3pm on February 11th through the 14th, this years GOODNESS will be held at the Robert, located on the top of the Museum of Art and Design. And if you’ve never been to the Robert for dinner or drinks, you need to! Besides having a very stylish interior, the view is to die for! Set on the 9th floor of the Museum, it has ceiling tall windows that overlooks Columbus Circle and Central Park.

Do I have you convinced yet? Sponsored by The Daily Front Row and CIRCA, we’re pleased to announce that this years GOODNESS has earned the CFDA’s Health Initiative Stamp of Approval. Here’s the line-up:

  • Saturday, Feb 11th – Mario Batali of Babbo
  • Sunday, Feb 12th – Leo Forneas of ROBERT
  • Monday, Feb 13th – Alain Allegretti of La Promenade des Anglais
  • Tuesday, Feb 14th – Julian Medina of Toloache

Menu: A la carte or Prix fixe menu ($35)

Reservations are now being accepted at goodnesspopup.com

Also for the first time, Goodness is proud to present the GOODNESS Lounge by Renaissance Hotels on the 7th floor of the Museum of Arts and Design (two floors below the pop-up restaurant). Designed as a comfortable “living room” and wi-fi lounge for editors and fashion week goers to relax and recharge, the GOODNESS Lounge by Renaissance Hotels will feature a touch-up station from beauty sponsor Lancôme. CIRCA, the world’s leading global buyer of fine jewelry, will also showcase their collection of recycled, sustainable luxury jewelry in the lounge, offering attendees access to their collection of antique and contemporary collectible gems. GOODNESS also partnered with Talenthouse and DJ Zen Freeman to choose a resident DJ, and are pleased to announce the winner of our DJ competition, DJ Travisty, who will provide a soothing soundtrack of lounge music and modern remixes for the lounge.

Fresh and Veuve Clicquot team up to create “Clicquot in the Snow Beauty Survival Kit”

Break out the bubbly, Veuve Clicquot has partnered with skincare brand, Fresh to create a limited-edition “Clicquot in the Snow Beauty Survival Kit.” Geared to keep snow bunnies hydrated, the beauty survival kit features Fresh’s most nourishing products (including the Citron de Vigne scent which was originally inspired by Veuve Clicuor champagne), the kit includes:

  • Citron de Vigne Eau de Parfum Rollerball is a purse-friendly fragrance perfect for travel and slope-side pick-me-ups with a Veuve Cliquot inspired sparkling citrus aroma.
  • Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15 blends real sugar, a natural humectant, with meadowfoam and black currant seed oils to hydrate, soften, and protect your lips while you ski.
  • Soy Face Cleanser To-Go is an extra-gentle formula for all skin types that whisks away impurities after an active day outdoors without stripping the skin of essential moisture.
  • Crème Ancienne, the ultimate anti-aging face cream, is proven to provide long-lasting hydration that will stand up to high winds and low temperatures on the mountain.
  • Seaberry Restorative Body Cream To-Go is an ultra-nourishing, omega-rich treatment designed to calm and relieve irritation—making it ideal for post-ski pampering.
  • Brown Sugar Hand Cream provides up to six hours of supreme moisture for seriously dehydrated hands, so they stay silky soft and smooth underneath your gloves.

Housed in a chic, black cosmetic case that reads “Clicquot in the Snow” and adorned with snowflakes, the collection is affordably priced at $60 ($106 value). So lets face it, you don’t need to hit the slopes to appreciate the great assortment and value of the set.

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Holiday Gift Guide: What to Get Him

Lets face it, men can be impossible to shop for. Which is why I’m kicking off my holiday gift guides with what to get him this holiday season!

1. Jo Malone Holiday Sets – Jo Malone has a medley of holiday gifts mixing their amazing colognes, candles and bath oils at all different price points and sizes. Featured above is the Jo Malone Pure Pleasure Collection ($240) which includes 100ml Cologne, 200ml Bath Oil, and Home candle in your choice of fragrance, perfect for any sophisticated male on your list and available on jomalone.com. If you need a fragrance recommendation, I’m partial to the Lime Basil and Mandarin Cologne for men.

2. Club W Membership!  Club W is a member’s only (registration is free!) website that allows members to purchase wine from boutique wineries. You can also sign up for monthly wine deliveries curated by their experts and have them shipped to you ranging from 3 bottles ($40/month), 6 bottles ($70/month) or 12 bottles ($120/month). Sign up at clubw.com

3. Croton SSMN Industrial Watch ($450). Croton is notorious for high quality lifestyle watches that can be worn for every occasion. I’m partial to this stainless Steel beauty available on crotonportfolio.com

4. Injinji Performance Toesocks ($12) available on injinji.com. If he’s an athlete of any type, he needs to try Injini. It take a bit of getting used to wearing a 5 toe sock, but it prevents your toes from rubbing together and the the blister protection and moisture management, keeps your feet dry, cool and comfortable. And I swear my foot feel more supported and they create less friction when I run.

5. iPhone 4/42 Leather Touch Pong Case  ($59.99) available on pongresearch.com. Besides being a firm, cool case with a crackle blue/black leather-like finish, Pong™ cases additionally protects you, your phone and your signal. Pong is the ONLY solution proven by Federal Communications Commission (FCC) certified laboratories to protect users from cell phone radiation while not compromising phone performance and is proven to reduce SAR up to 95% below FCC limits (SAR stands for Specific Absorption Rate and measures the amount of radiation absorbed by a cell phone user’s body).

6. Ursa Major Big Kahuna Skincare Set ($72) includes a full-size Fantastic Face Wash (8 oz), Stellar Shave Cream (5.1 oz) and Essential Face Toner (8 oz). Known as “super natural skincare”, Ursa Major uses premium ingredients to create effective skin care products that you can feel good about putting on your skin. And the face wash is a new addition to the line and I’m in love with it. I recommend buying it for your boyfriend, so you can use it too. Plus, it comes awesomely gift-wrapped –see for yourself! Click the link, the set is available on UrsaMajorMen.com

7. MINIMERGENCY KIT FOR HIM Grooming & Personal Care Kit with 13 Essentials by Ms. and Mrs. ($12). Shoot me if this isn’t the cutest stocking stuffer ever. In this packaged tin (which gets extra points for having a mustache in it) contains: Lip Balm, Dental Floss, Breath Freshener, Stain Remover, Mending Kit, Safety Pin, Extra Buttons, Shoe Shine Towelette, Nail Clipper, Hand-Sanitizing Towelette, Deodorant Towelette, Adhesive Bandage, and Pain Reliever. It’s super handy and available on store.msandmrs.com

8. Old Spice holiday gift sets ($8.99). If your guy is manly like the Old Spice Man or just loves the commercials, here’s an affordable set that comes in three scents, Figi Scent, Red Zone’s Seagger and High Endurance Pure Sport and includes their Anti-Perspirant/Deodorant (3.25 oz), Body Wash (16 fl oz.), and Body Spray (4 oz.), a pouf. These sets are available at Walmart, Target, Drugstore.com. Visit their website to see the latest Old Spice Guy ad!

9. Men: 10 Essential Skills: the Professional’s Guide by Robert Valdes-Rodriguez (19.95)  available on rvrmenskills.com. If you’re man has ever wondered how to tie a tie (or bow tie), play poker, order wine or how to keep a girl happy (it gives great advice, we’re always right!), this handy dandy book is quite the gentleman’s guide. And it’s lightweight for being hardcover and gets straight to the point to make it an easy ready. It’s also great for women since a lot of these how-to’s I’ve always wanted to know how to do! Chapters include: 1. Tie a Tie (Bow Tie Included), 2.Swing a Golf Club 3. Play Poker 4. Light and Smoke a Cigar, 5. Drive a Stick Shift, 6. Propose a Toast, 7. Catch a Wave, 8. Order and Taste Wine, 9. Mix a James Bond Martini, 10. Keep the Girl.

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