Blog Posts by JustLuxe

While visiting Chateau Ste Michelle, we were fortunate to have Culinary Director, John Sarich, lead a tour of the Chateau. After discovering all this wonderful winery has to offer, we enjoyed a wine pairing, prepared especially for our International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association group.

John feels fortunate he has access to world-class wines and fresh foods and says, "Not only do we have an outstanding variety of ingredients from the land and sea, we also have exceptional wines from Washington's Columbia Valley , where long summer days and crisp autumn nights produce ideal conditions for well balanced wines."

In addition to his wine and food tastings, John offers cooking classes, wine dinners, and special events. He is proud to say, "I present training seminars and classes for wine and food professionals and aficionados around the world."

John started in 1976 as a wine guide, when Chateau Ste Michelle first opened. After his enthusiasm for wine and food skyrocketed, he was

Put your fork down. Back away from the wine glass. If there were ever a time to indulge in chocolate, it would be now. US News and World Report just published some info that even your cardiologist would approve of. Seven independent studies involving 114,000 people demonstrated that those who ate chocolate at least once a week lowered their risk of heart disease by 37 percent, their risk of diabetes by 31 percent, and their risk of stroke by 29 percent, compared to those who ate little or no chocolate at all. Even more encouraging, the researchers found no distinction between dark or milk chocolate varieties.

Encouraging findings like these don't hit the stands (or the plate, for that matter) often. As such, I've made it my conviction to better my health and embark on a chocolate crusade. Here are my latest findings of intriguing chocolates now available, to all our hearts' desires.


Bacon Bliss
Katrina Markoff, founder of Vosges Chocolates, enraptured the world's taste buds with her

The 2011 Emmy Awards honored television's brightest stars, but trophies weren't the only things they took home to revel in their glory. As most of you know, with awards season comes an abundance of gratis gifts, ranging from fashion and beauty items and entertainment access to upscale liquor and travel accommodations.

As JustLuxe's Sr. Fashion & Beauty Correspondent, I felt it was my duty to make the rounds this weekend to scope out the celebrity swag situation.

The HP TouchSmart Gift Lounge
Located backstage at The Nokia Theater, the HP TouchSmart Gift Lounge was extremely convenient to all of the main festivities and drew the likes of Jane Lynch, Adrian Grenier, John Stamos, Charlie Sheen, Jerry Ferrera, Kerry Washington, Rashida Jones and Christina Hendricks, just to name a few.


Not one to get too caught up with the formality of the evening, Lynch relaxed from hosting the show by playing a mean game of Angry Birds for charity in between segments, while Lea Michele popped by the I

Buy it, tag it, use it - toss it!

How old is your makeup? Do you hang onto discontinued colors even though they are far past their prime? Makeup applies better and stays on longer when it is still good, not to mention that keeping it clean and current reduces the chance of infection.

• Foundation and Concealing Liquids: Two years. Exposure to oxygen breaks down the compounds, so toss it sooner if discolorization occurs or if it begins to separate.
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• Eye Shadow, Face Powders and Powder Blush: Two years. Get rid of it when powders begin to crumble or become overly shiny.
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• Cream Blush: Two years. If product becomes overly oily or discolored, you can probably blame bacteria (if you apply with your hand).
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• Mascara: Three months. Every time you apply mascara, you are transferring bacteria from your eye to the wand, back to the eye. Mascara should be the makeup you replace most often. If your mascara becomes dry, clumpy, or sticky, head to

Kanye West's rollercoaster career has faced condescending critics and adoring fans alike, but up to this point he has concentrated his efforts mostly on the music industry. On October 1, he will add another chapter to his resume when he debuts his first womenswear line at Paris Fashion Week 2012.

The details around the spring/summer 2012 collection have been kept clandestine, and all we have at this point is a confirmation from Harper's Bazaar that it will be presented. Despite the secrecy, anticipation is at a fever pitch across the fashion world while everyone wonders what West will debut with.

Kanye West once before dipped his toes into the world of fashion, when he designed a sneaker for Louis Vuitton in 2009, but so far has offered no hints as to what his womenswear look will be. One thing that can be easily inferred, however, is that the show will aim for the innovatively grandiose style that is seen throughout his body of musical work.

During his arduous comeback from the