A St. Patrick’s Day Treat with See’s Candies

By: Finance Foodie and Anne Raso

What is St. Patrick’s Day without some gold (chocolate) coins? Our crowd-pleasing bet is always on See's Candies--and not because they have 93 years of experience, great packaging and delicious product that stays fresh for weeks, but they are a company with principals (For instance, they do not charge higher prices at their airport stores).

Lucky Nut and Chews Assortment

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2014, Part 2: Lounges & Parties!

By: Anne M. Raso

Wow, there are nothing like fashion week lounges and parties even if the dim economy has put the kibosh on companies who previously had events at past Fashion Weeks and had to pull the plug this time around. I started out the partying early by checking out hot food, clothing and accessories at the GBK Super Bowl Direct TVLounge at the Gansevoort Hotel. In the past, GBK did a Fashion Week Lounge but this time they opted for a Super Bowl-themed one because so many athletes were in town--and celebrities who flew in to watch the Super Bowl. I got to hang out with Charger Dwight Freeney as we both checked out every booth--and he seemed to have the same "sweet tooth" as we both devoured cupcakes from Cake That! In Manahawkin, NJ and SAAS Hot Sauce of Upper Montclair, NJ. As the smoke cleared from our ears and we took away bottles of both types of SAAS, we headed to the Promax table to check out the new Promax LS (Lower Sugar) Peanut Butter Cookie Dough bars--it's the latest flavor and it's gluten free!

IRC New Roots Popup

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2014, Part 1: What Looks Really Rocked The Runways?

By:Anne M. Raso

Any fashion journalist/blogger will tell you that Mercedes Benz Fashion Week is more than just overwhelming. It's like being in the center of a fashion hurricane. It's physically impossible to attend all the shows and many attendees are running to cabs or shuttles in front of Lincoln Center in order to make shows "off-campus" (the "second home" of Fashion Week this season was the studios at Pier 59, way down on the Hudson in the West 20s, so it was not a very quick "schlep")!

Daisy Fuentes and Models

A Sweet Valentine's Day to Remember with Sugartooth Tours NYC

By: Finance Foodie

What could be sweeter than spending the day with your Valentine and tasting a variety of New York City’'s finest decadent treats? This past V Day, the Mister and I did just that by partaking on Sugartooth Tours’ Valentine’'s Day tour. This annual 2.5 hour tour featured six tastings that started in the Chelsea neighborhood and covered 1.5 miles of walking, with yummy pit stops along the way. During this "couples crawl", we walked down the High Line, and ended in the West Village. In addition to scrumptious sweets, we also also learned a few tidbits and facts about Valentine’'s Day and its history. Here's a look at where we went!

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Valentine's Day Gift Guide Part 3: "Top 10" Picks for Him

By: Anne M. Raso

The FF team has selected "Nice 9" items that won’t empty your wallet when buying a V-Day gift for that special guy in your life! And to be perfectly honest, a couple of them are one’s that will very sneakily make YOUR life better, LOL!

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Valentine's Day Gift Guide Part 2: "Sexy 7" Picks For Her!

By Anne M. Raso

For those who are still on the New Year's Resolution Diet, Team FF selected "sexy 7" unique non-food items for the ladies that definitely won't be used on Valentine's Day and then tucked away! Guys, step up your game with items that showed you took time to select something she really wants, whether it be bling or footwear!

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Valentine's Day Gift Guide Part 1: "Terrific 3" For Foodies!

By: Finance Foodie

For those of you who have a special someone to share this upcoming Valentine's Day with, the dilemma of what to get your lady/lad becomes omnipresent.....right about now! Never fear, for the team at Finance Foodie has been taste testing products all January to prepare for this delicious holiday (also, we love any opportunity to eat). Below are our favorites to tickle every tastebud. And for those celebrating Single's Awareness Day - don't worry - these gifts are universally applicable - because hey there's no better excuse to celebrate the best person in the world...yourself!

Photo Courtesy: 1-800Baskets

A NY Giant Super Bowl Sunday at the Hudson Terrace

By: Finance Foodie

I’ll be the first to admit – even though I’m not a big football fan, Super Bowl Sunday is still a must. This year, instead of the usual bag o’ chips and beer on the couch, I classed it up and went all out to the Hudson Terrace Super Bowl rooftop party hosted by NY Giants' Justin Tuck.

“Loacker Love” Valentine’s Day Photo Contest

By: Finance Foodie, in collaboration with Loacker

Loacker is an international brand founded in Italy in 1925 and makes a variety of yummy European style cookies and treats. In honor of this upcoming Valentine’s Day, Loacker is running a Facebook contest (https://www.facebook.com/LoackerUSA) from February 3rd-16th where fans can to take creative photos that show their love for Loacker and then submit them via social media in order to become eligible for a grand prize drawing. Bascially, all you have to do is “Like” Loacker, then submit a picture that shows your true Loacker lovin’ with a brief caption and include the hashtag #LoackerLove and you’re eligible to win! Super easy right? Full contest details and to enter, please go here: http://bit.ly/1flLxFT

Although they’re big in Europe, their products are new to the US. So for more information on these delicious flavored-wafer and chocolate specialties and how you can get your hands on some, visit the Loacker online (http://www.loacker.com/usa/) and follow Loacker on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/loackerusa/) and Pinterest (http://www.pinterest.com/usa)

Photo: Loacker

J. Cole Headlines Don Julio Tequila Super Bowl XLVIII Weekend Celebration at Liquid Cellar

By: Finance Foodie

Last Friday night, I attended Don Julio Tequila's exclusive afterhours event celebrating Don Julio 1942 to kick off Super Bowl weekend. Music was curated throughout the night by superstars DJ Ruckus and DJ Politik and the "black tie - your way" attired guests sipped on specialty Don Julio cocktails.