Katherine Chloé Cahoon

From cooking with Jencen, I’ve been inspired to get creative and search out fun recipes. Everyone always says, “Get your beauty rest.” But how about eating your beauty foods? They are the ones that leave your body strong and healthy. This spinach-based smoothie is scientifically proven to increase bone health and decrease the risk of high blood pressure—but it doesn’t have a vegetable vibe at all. That’s because these veggies are cloaked in a minty taste and a texture that tricks you into thinking you’re indulging in ice cream. Sneaky but delicious!

The green color screams, “It’s almost St. Patrick’s Day,” making it perfect for an Irish-lovin’ get-together.

Shopping List for Two: 1) two cups frozen spinach, 2) two cups frozen bananas, 3) three tbs. cacao nibs, 4) two tbs. packed, fresh mint leaves, 5) ¼ cup raw cashews 6) two cups original-variety rice milk, 6) ½ cup coconut water, 7) one tsp. vanilla extract, 8) ¼ tsp. chlorella powder, and 9) two small packets of organic sweetener. I chose Stevia.

A taste-intensifying tip is to avoid over-blending. This slushy treat is best when you can see the cacao chunks.

I always wear a red cocktail dress for a romp in the snow. Don’t you?! Actually, I was on my way to an event when I drove past the park and spotted this family of snowmen. They were too irresistible to whiz by.

And who could overlook this rascal? You can tell from his expression that he’s a mischievous character;)

My snow ensemble is a T by Tadashi off-the-shoulder bandage dress paired with Nordstrom’s exclusive bangles.

If you’re embarking on a warm spring break vacay, these chilly pics should get you excited for your trip!

Most college students only have four opportunities to experience spring break, so here’s a tip to help you SPRING over pitfalls and have an enviable vacay.

This picture was taken my freshman year at Vanderbilt on a trip to New Orleans by our dance/cheer team. It was our first away-game, and our coach had arranged to take us there a day before the football team arrived so we would have 24 hours to enjoy the city—on Halloween weekend!

As we boarded the bus a little after midnight, an upperclassman whispered to me, “Most of the girls will talk the entire way there, but rest up.” I pulled out my pillow and blanket and dozed off before the driver even turned on his engine. When the bus pulled up to our hotel the next morning, my friend and I were ready for adventure while the rest were ready to bond with their hotel beds. We went shopping and café-hopping. We even got into sneak peek performances by musicians who would be playing that evening. When the sun set the others were just waking up. We all headed out to dance the night away but they had missed half the fun. You’ll experience the same phenomenon on spring break, so make sure you have the oomph to experience everything.

When most people think of spring break, their minds flash to exotic sunsets, colorful drinks, and dancing. Without booking a reservation at a hot resort, college students can get all that while making a difference in people’s lives. A week isn’t too short to help make dreams come true. Through programs like Alternative Spring Break, students can travel, participate in service projects, and enjoy the company of friends.

One of my girlfriends said that a spring break service trip to Guatemala was one of her best college memories. Her group was assigned to help build a house for an impoverished family. They were so elated that they treated her like a visiting celebrity and showered her with hugs.

After a long day of hard work, she and her college friends would return home and party on their rooftop. Since they didn’t have electricity – or any modern conveniences – they created their own music a cappella-style, and danced.

My friend described this as the ideal spring break vacay at night, and an incredible experience of helping people by day.

Calling all you vacationers… From traveling so much for work, I’ve learned that streamlining my packing is critical. Otherwise, my suitcase becomes so heavy that it drags me around! Plan your wardrobe from the feet up. Base your clothes on a few pairs of shoes. And follow with makeup. MAC has compact products for the global gal.

They have travel-sized items like makeup remover and face cream. And then there’s Prep + Prime Lip, which keeps your lipstick looking vibrant all day…or night. When I met Fatima (above) – New York Fashion Week celebrity artist – she described it as, “Velcro for your lipstick.”

There is also a plethora of on-the-go products by Bobbi Brown, Cargo Cosmetics, and NARS. The above video shows you how to plan your travel makeup no matter what you like best. Have fun vacationers!

I’ve been invited to several college campuses to talk about the study abroad experiences of friends in my book, The Single Girl’s Guide to Meeting European Men. Each time, girls tell me that they feel like they have to act a particular way to attract the men they desire. Not so, darlings! Putting on a false persona to try and please any man is a good way to sell yourself short, and keep from finding the right man.

Every Monday for the past month, I’ve featured an appealing bachelor. I love them all, but each one is markedly different…right down to his preferences in women. Jencen, the chef, is most attracted to a girl when she is all done up, perfume included. Billy, the baseball player, likes a woman best when she rolls out of bed with no makeup. Austin, our badass businessman, is taken by ladies who are genuinely nice, even to people they don’t like. Rusty, the Olympic recruitment coach, is attracted to a girl with loads of confidence. He finds it hot when she can laugh out loud at something she finds funny even if no one else gets the joke.

When Billy is smitten with a girl, he’s in no rush to push the physical realm, whereas Rusty doesn’t mind going full force… You wouldn’t want to wear a shoe on a long trip that doesn’t fit your foot, so why work hard to win a man who doesn’t fit you? The right relationship is for the long-haul.

Who already has her gown for an Oscar-viewing soirée? I do! At our get-together we’re going cocktail attire, and this gown fits all the criteria. Sits comfortably? Check! Popping a seam while watching the show doesn’t count as being the life of the party:)

Moves easily in close quarters? Check! Lets you comfortably lift your glass to join in a toast? Check! Keeps you cool when conditions get heated with guests vying for their favorite nominees? Check! Danceable, so you can join in the fun during the broadcast’s musical numbers? Check!

Outfit details… Cobalt chiffon Caché dress, Kwiat diamond bracelet – splurge (similar), Charter Club clear glass bangle – scrimp (similar), Kate Spade chandelier earrings (similar), J. Furmani crystal clutch (similar), Christian Louboutin pump – splurge (similar), and Forever 21 silver pump – scrimp (similar).

Since this Sunday is the Academy Awards, for Travel Thursday, I’m showing you my favorite LA haunts. This is land of the stars, so when you have an LA getaway, why not vacay like one?

Montage. Introducing hotel heaven. Even if you can’t book a room, sipping a drink in the lounge will make you feel like royalty with its stunning flower arrangements, beautiful décor, and romantic live music.

Once when I was in town, my cousin met me at Montage. She wanted her husband to take our pic there, so we got pose-happy playing around in the lobby. Then her husband announced, “There’s Sean Penn, Leonardo DiCaprio and Orlando Bloom.”

Thinking that he was joking, my cousin responded, “Yeah right,” and went right back to posing and picture-taking. But then we heard some men behind us chuckling and turned around to see the famous trio watching us! Montage is a celebrity watering hole, so watch out!!

Millions of Milkshakes. I have not kept my love for this place a secret. And in a star-studded city, you can’t feel much closer to celebrities than by enjoying their custom-made milkshakes in a West Hollywood hole-in-the-wall where they have served those creations themselves!

Shareen Vintage. I discovered this gem during one Grammy’s weekend when a friend of mine – who’s a singer and was in town for the event – introduced me to it. This place is vintage utopia. From seeing Lana Del Rey draped in Shareen, you know it’s also a star-favorite. If you’re wearing a piece you bought there and someone asks, “Is that new?” we all know the answer—“I sure hope not!”

If you’d like to throw an Oscar-viewing party that will shine like the stars, here are some ideas.

Walk the Red Carpet. Run a red carpet up to your front door and snap pics of guests as they enter in style. You can buy red carpet runners at party stores for under $8, or go to a fabric store and buy a swath of thick red flannel cut to the size you need.

Get Your Game On. Let your guests feel like they’re in on the action, instead of just experiencing it vicariously. Playing an Oscar game can do this. Give each guest a sheet containing all the awards and nominees, have them mark each of their top choices, and check them against the Academy winners as the show unfolds. You could even have prizes. Sweetniks sells the ultimate game prize…Oscar lollipops hand-painted with golden shimmer.

Make Me an Offer…You might even pass out faux million-dollar bills and let your guests place wagers on who will be the winners. After all, every film Hollywood makes is a multimillion-dollar wager! But this game can’t break you bank. Here’s a company now selling million-dollar bills for only 10 cents each!

When I met Serge Normant – the hair god who styles celebrities like Blake Lively, Julia Roberts and Sarah Jessica Parker – I had to know how he always makes them look like they just shot a shampoo commercial. He took me through the four magical steps.

Pre-Shower Prep. Styling your hair begins before you enter the shower. The elixir that gives hair super-shine and softness is Serge’s Meta Morphosis Hair Repair Treatment. Once a week, apply this to dry hair 30 minutes before shampooing.

Bring on the Volume. Towel-dry your hair and spray in some Meta Lush Volumizer, holding the bottle about 10 inches from your head. Then either blow or air-dry your hair. Next round brush medium-sized chunks.

Curl Craze. Magazines are bombarded with ladies sporting bodacious curls that appear effortless. To get this natural look – versus uniform barrel curls – use a curling iron on every other strand of hair.

Spritz and Go. Spritz in some Meta Sheer Dry Oil Finishing Spray for shine, and hold the look with Meta Luxe Hair Spray.

Now you’re ready to dazzle your way through the day!

This guy may look buttoned-down and he is a successful businessman, but he’s also a total daredevil and outdoor sports buff. Just to give you a sample, Austin has whitewater-rafted down Class 5 rapids in only a life jacket and hiked Mount Whitney – the highest summit in the contiguous US – in only a day. You’ve heard of heli-skiing, well, he’s upped the adrenaline by heli-jumping!

Since this is Meeting Men Monday, Austin stepped away from the office and his extreme outdoor escapades to chat about dating.

The Mysteries of the Female Mind. What I love most about Austin is his sense of humor. When asked about his knowledge of women, his response was a paradox. “I think I understand girls pretty well…yet I’m still single.”

True Love. For Austin, love has many facets. As he explained, “If I see a beautiful girl and want to be with her, I like to believe it’s love at first sight—but in reality, to make a relationship work there has to be more than physical attraction.”

Throw in the Fear. On the subject of beauty, this guy – who is obviously courageous – says he becomes gripped with fear when he sees a woman he wants who “is ridiculously attractive and knows it.”

The Golden Rule of Dating. Our elementary school teachers had it right when they taught us to treat others like we want them to treat us. As Austin says, “I’m attracted to girls who are confident, but at the same time nice—even to people they don’t care to be around.”

In honor of our USA Olympians, for Fashion Friday, I’m pouring on patriotic colors.

In theory, Theory is a great way to go. My dress and jacket are both by this brand.

The dress stuns solo and is a great twirler…so even if you’re not an Olympic figure skater, you can spin in style.

For a pop of cobalt, I chose jewelry by Kenda Scott, who has burst onto the designing scene.

And every fashionable female knows you can’t go wrong with a pair of Christian Louboutin heels.

Here’s where to find this patriotic look from head to toe: Kendra Scott cobalt necklace and bracelet, Theory jacket and dress, Christian Louboutin heels, and cobalt clutch (similar).

A Last Word on the Olympics. We have three more days to enjoy them and we’re proud of all our athletes—but I am especially impressed with how two of them handled difficult situations. Shaun White was expected to remain king of the snowboard halfpipe, but crashed. Commentators blamed the notoriously poor conditions, but Shaun warmly congratulated the winner and didn’t make an excuse.

Figure-skater Jeremy Abbott fell during his short program, hit the wall, and laid on the ice in agony. As he cautiously stood up – in so much pain, that he was sure he couldn’t go on – he heard the cheering crowd and thought, “I’m finishing this program… I don’t care what happens…I’m not giving up this moment.” He turned in a beautiful performance.

Most of us could never become our nation’s most-decorated alpine skier like Bode Miller, dominate women’s Olympic snowboarding slopestyle like Jamie Anderson, or win the first US Olympic gold in ice dancing like Charlie White and Meryl Davis—and after yesterday’s stunt, we all know I couldn’t:) But everyone can enjoy getting fit.

These girls got into character for a Fire and Ice event hosted by Rizzmic. Melain and Cory, the babes to the right of me, created this up-and-coming dance-fitness sensation which is catching on like wildFIRE. As they explain, Rizzmic is “a torch to your metabolism” which “seamlessly blends fitness with truly stylized dance, hitting each big craze on the map, from disco and country to hip hop and jazz.” Anyone can pick up the moves, and instructors are being certified from the west coast to the east.

Apparently, the Olympic broadcast needs this disclaimer. After watching the awe-provoking lifts done by the figure skating pairs, I decided to try a few of those moves myself. I was certain that I was taking all necessary precautions by attempting the wimpy starter version…aka partner-less, on a mat. What could go wrong when the legit athletes were several feet in the air, soaring above their partners’ heads over hard ice, while wearing ice skates, no less? And after training with Rusty, I thought I was up for this challenge.

My first attempt was doable.

So then I got a bit gutsier.

You can see the outcome…flat on the floor, 100% wiped-out. In the future, I think I’ll leave these moves up to the actual competitors:)

Oh well, who needs a partner when you have Lucy as a workout buddy? I’m referring to the awesome apparel line. Here I’m wearing her top and headband.

Yes, I’m talking about our US figure skating darlings, Gracie Gold and Ashley Wagner, both of whom have been national champions. When I say that they’re triple threats, I’m not just talking about their killer triple jumps. These girls are both radiant and personable as well. It’s no wonder that COVERGIRL has teamed up with them.

Recently, I read an article about revered ice queen, Kristi Yamaguchi, who credited another skating legend, Dorothy Hamill, for her success. Kristi explained that when she was a little girl, she “had a Dorothy Hamill doll—with the red dress and the medal.” That doll “would come to the rink with me,” Kristi said. “And sit on the rails.” When Kristi won her Olympic gold medal, the real Dorothy was there with her.

Now young girls – and, frankly, anyone – can look to our current Olympic competitors for inspiration. As Kristi wisely explained, “Before success, you’re going to have failures.” Both Gracie and Ashley have been preparing for the Olympics since they were tots and this is the first time either of them has qualified. No matter what happens during the competition, that, alone, is a monumental success. So when you see these beautiful, feminine-looking girls wearing their national colors on their fingernails, realize that they’re tough as nails, or they wouldn’t be where they are today.