Follow

No, the above title is not a joke, nor a rhetorical question–the seemingly unrelated person, place and thing actually all come together in DreamWorks latest animated film, “Turbo“.

Last night the new 3D flick that tells the delightful tale of a snail named Turbo (voice by Ryan Reynolds) gifted with super-speed and dreams of winning the Indy 500, premiered at the Lincoln Square Loews.

So who came out to cheer on Turbo at his big New York City debut? Naturally, the whole star-studded cast which besides Blake Lively’s better half, includes Paul Giamatti, Ken Jeong, Michelle Rodriguez and more!

Oh also some of Nascar’s best racers just happened to come out too… and it turns out the pros were just as impressed by the story of the little snail who could as we are.

Indy 500 winner himself, Tony Kanaan called the big screen portrayal of racing life the “real thing”. If the animated adaption is realistic enough for the guy who lived it, then it looks like DreamWorks created another cinematic masterpiece! We can’t wait to experience Turbo when it hits theaters July 17th!

Follow

SELF Magazine‘s latest Best Of list is serving up the best healthy food options on the market, and no better time than bikini season to really pay attention to the You Are What You Eat, So Eat Healthy motto. Eat healthy, feel healthy, look healthy… well, yeah!

Options like Thomas’ Whole Wheat English Muffins, Whole Food’s Organic Whole Wheat pastas and Cliff Crunch granola bars got you covered in the fuel department, and just one glance at their tasty top picks reminds us: healthy no longer means sacrifice! Cheese? Check. Organic Light String Cheese isn’t just the real thing, it’s also versatile — make it a snack, or use it in your recipes. And taste? It’s all there — Healthy Choice Top Chef manages to serve up Chicken & Potatoes with Peach BBQ Sauce.

The only thing you’re missing with any reader’s choice here — guilt. For a one-stop munch-a-thon, head to Whole Foods Market and get shopping!

Follow

Beauty routines mean beauty products, and when we’re talking head to toe, that adds up… fast. We’re all more than entitled to a splurge here and there, but as responsible gals, we also like to keep the bank account in check. So how to keep up with the upkeep in-between? Easy — smooth skin on those pins and a polished nail.

Schick Hydro Silk Razor uses five blades for the closest shave imaginable, hydration included. And once you’re smooth, go for firm too. c.Booth makes an antioxidant rich firming lotion that’s natural, non-greasy, and all sorts of honey-almondy — exactly what your freshly shaved pins deserve. Sounds like you’ll be feeling almost like a Bond girl…. In fact, go with that!

OPI‘s new Bond Girl Collection works all the best nail trends (texturized, shimmery and sand finishes) in all the right shades (coral, gold, purple, turquoise, pink and silver!) It’s no ordinary polish, but it’s an instant makeover — you’ll look finished, feel confident, and maybe even forget about that “new treatment” you “must try!”

Follow

We were so down with one of our favorite NYC gals, Cyndi Lauper, taking the Best Original Score for Kinky Boots at the 67th annual Tony Awards that we almost forgot to check out what anyone was wearing! And really, who could when it seemed like the star of the night was an accessory — the statement earring.

Big, bold and intricate designs seemed the lady’s choice at the Neil Patrick Harris hosted event, starting with Cyndi herself (just look at those artful contraptions!)

From Bernadette Peters and her on-trend emeralds to Sigourney Weaver’s equally hip gold geometrics, all lobes seemed in the know on the carpet. Nominee Carrie Coon (Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?) rocked a super elegant gold and crystal pair that made us start to think… Who’s afraid of the drop earring? We might not be after watching these lovelies show us how it’s done!

Follow

Ah, the outside entertain… True mark of the summer season. We’re not talking your regular picnic table gathering, though. We’re talking bringing out the style. All the way out. Susan Feldman of One Kings Lane gave the LifeMinute crew some solid (and patterned!) tips…

www.LifeMinute.tv

Get Prepped!
Preppy prepped, in fact! Colors and patterns are summer ready, so make them your mainstay. Snag some containers and stock em with sunscreen, sunglasses and towels for a quick grab as you and your guests are head out the door and into the fun.

Not just any towels, mind you. Spruce it up with brand new beach-y numbers designed to wow. One Kings Lane collab’ed with names you love, like Nanette Lepore, Tracy Reese and Rebecca Minkoff, for eye-popping, charity-supporting signature beach towels that truly up the layabout!

Brighten Up The Details!
Continue the bright pattern trend into the outside with throw pillows and ditch the paper plates in flavor of shiny melamine tableware. It’s a durable alternative, and a bold hue-n-pattern mix-n-match looks fab across the table.

Chill in Comfort!
A cabana beach chair is going to give you a lounge like no standard folding chair can! Feel resort-y in any outdoor space, color match with your other essentials to round out the look, and hey! you know that kicking back on one is going to work all sorts of St. Tropez glam with an elegant sun hat…

Follow

You’re already thinking about your hair, aren’t you? Oh, us too, ladies. Us too. Warm weather is when we want to look hot as can be, and with a few minor adjustments…. we can, we totally can.

So about that hair…. Keep your locks tamed and smooth, humidity be darned! John Frieda’s Frizz-Ease Hair Serum protects and strengthens while keeping those strands on the sleek, and there’s a formula for every hair type — that means yours!

Next up… Sweat-clogged pores. Face it, not a good look. A simple switch up to your summer routine can keep your skin polished and clear, no irritation required. Bioré® Acne Clearing Scrub goes all micro on the grime with Superfine Alumina Crystals that clear you up in just two days, and prevents debris from settling in for a future breakout.

Now, we all know seasonal allergies can undo every kind of perfect you put in place. So how to keep that face all bright when pollen puts up a fight? Puffs Ultra Soft and Strong tissues and a bold lip. Odd couple, right? Puffs will soothe the eye and nose waterworks without scratching your surface (40% more cushioned than the usual tissue!), and a lip pop cheers your mood and keeps you feeling finished.

The best part? All of these hot-hot essentials are always on hand at your local drugstore and easy on the pocket!

Follow

Overcast much? Sure is here in NYC. But the sun stops for no cloud, my friends! It’s always our job to be smart about sun protection. But really… SPF, UVA, UVB, sunscreen, sunblock… what’s what?!? We admit — it can sound like a complicated business. Thing is, it’s not. And NYC dermatologist Dr. Doris Day was kind enough to break it all down for us, so we can break it all down for you…

What to know? “Not all sunscreens are created equal.” Why use a product that meets FDA standards when you could use one that exceeds them? That’s Neutrogena’s Helioplex ® Technology. Their latest beach defense sunscreen has an SPF 30 lotion & SPF 70 sunscreen, with protection against UVA and UVB rays.

AOP Translation: Neutrogena’s Helioplex ® Technology is the best protection from premature aging and skin cancer, period.

How to use it? Apply… and reapply. Every two hours (more often if you take a dip or break some sweat). An ounce covers a whole body. So if you and three friends spend a day outside, at the end of the day, that bottle should be empty. Do the math.

AOP Translation: Reapply.

When to retreat? Midday, the sun is strongest. Hit the shade, wear a hat, get yourself some brand new sunnies for those peepers. UV rays can damage your eyes, too.

AOP Translation: Make it fun! We don’t need an excuse to get all fashionable with our melanoma protection, so when Dr. Day pointed us to The Eye Browser.com, we went for it! Upload your smiling, sun-screened face, then virtually browse and try on the latest sunglass styles ahead of your shopping trip!

Dr. Day’s Translation: Look for UVA and UVB protection– tint doesn’t count!

AOP Translation: Thank you, Dr. Day!

Follow

Ladies, you know we gotta get our social on, amirite? When better than Memorial Day weekend to start thinking about hosting summertime soirees that go down in Instagramable history! It’s a simple recipe…

A Cheers!-y Cocktail
Refreshing, puuurdy to look at, and no blender required! Bacardi Classic Cocktails just unleashed a scrumptious sipper — guilt-free 95 calorie Light Strawberry Daiquiri that’s ready to pour right over tall glass of ice. Snazz it up with some lime wedges and starfruit… Viola! Instant yum that looks as good as it tastes!

A No-Fuss App
Wheat Thins Lime. Genius. All the crunch and 100% whole grain of the original, but these little limited editions are infused with lime. I don’t have to tell you that a dash of lime zest is THE flavor that’s going to matchy-match with just about any summer cocktail… Guests can snap up a handful and get to socializing!

Grill-able Gourmets
Who turns down waffle fries and onion rings? Exactly. Alexia gourmet frozen sides are an easy, seasoned (sea salt, pepper, garlic, onion!) way to tide guests over pre-burger. Roll out some tin foil and pop em right on your grill!

LifeMinute.tv

Table Matters
Keep it pretty, girls! Give your table some color and dimension — flowers, cones, tiered platters.

Follow

It is just a typically Monday morning, grabbing a much needed coffee, begrudgingly shuffling down the streets of New York to work… oh and hanging with Glee star JANE LYNCH!

Yes that’s right, the actress/comedian just so happened to be in Times Square (poster board presentation intact) to spread the message of the “virtue” of a morning meal as well as sharing belVita Breakfast Biscuits (more affectionately dubbed by the celeb “these babies”) to passersby like myself.

And it turns out “These babies” are super tasty and that Jane is nothing like her constantly conniving, berating and straight up EVIL Glee character, Sue Sylvester. The new Broadway star now appearing in Annie as Miss Hannigan (once again the antagonist) is actually as sweet as can be, smiling non-stop, snapping pics with fans and of course being ABSOLUTELY hysterical! “We love you, Miss Hannigan”, Sue, Jane, whatever!

Follow

Ritzy Bryan, vocalist and guitarist for Welsh alt-rock group The Joy Formidable, told us that she and her band-mates might fear one thing… That’s “the fear of things just being kind of bland…”

Well, Ritzy, fear not! The Joy Formidable are anything but bland. Look at the facts: Ritzy and bassist Rhydian started as school mates. From North Wales to London to Portland, Maine, JF keep all over the map. Their latest full-length, Wolf’s Law, is named for a scientific theory addressing the body’s adaptation to bone stress (brainy mouthful, indeed!). Despite the rock edge to their sound, Ritzy swears by “pumping” 80s dance music. And newest member (and Zappa enthusiast) Matthew James Thomas joined on drums by answering an ad that was not a call for a drummer.

And above all of it, their focus is “the merit, the soul and the songwriting.” Which is more than reason to catch them performing those songs they wrote “in a little cabin in the woods” as they embark on a major Summer Festival tour. (Hey, local readers… Catch them here in the states come September!)