I love everything that Memorial Day is about! It’s a time to remember those who passed on before us – those who fought so hard to protect this nation we love so much. And… if we’re lucky, we get to spend it with our families, friends and loved ones. We spend Memorial Day in Santa Fe each year, and this is a tradition we always look forward to. This one long weekend is always the official start to summer in my house!

Wether you spend the holiday in the backyard, by the pool, at the lake or at the beach, here are a few simple ways to host a memorable Memorial Day Backyard Barbecue to kickoff your summer and remember those we’ve lost by spending time with those we love.

Bring On The Flavor With Burgers. Burgers are anything but boring. So get that grill goin’! With a few simple variations of the classic burger, you can turn a humdrum backyard barbecue into a tasty adventure! In the mood for a little Mediterranean flair? Try my Take Me To Morocco burgers! Wanting a burger with an Italian accent? Try my Easy Caprese burger – said with an Italian accent, it’s even more fun! If spicy is more your speed, try my Rajin’ Cajun burger for a little creole flavor. And if you’re a southerner, what’s more southern than pimento cheese and bacon? Try my Headin’ South burgers to experience this taste-of-home explosion!

Making A Burger Bar. Set up your burger bar in the order in which you build a burger, naturally. Start with the grill and then work out from there. I recommend having 1 to 2 grill masters max so there’s more organization and less confusion. On a table, first have a selection of buns – white, wheat and maybe some rye bread for a variation of flavor. Personally, I like my buns toasted so either toast them ahead (if desired) or have a toaster nearby. Next, provide a choice selection of cheeses such as Cheddar, Swiss, Mozzarella and Pepper jack slices – as well as unconventional cheeses that pair excellently with burgers – such as blue cheese, goat cheese or feta. Then for the veggie fixins’ plate, be sure to include tomato (red or green), sliced dill pickles, red onion, sweet onion and various types of lettuce, spinach and greens. Also, throw a few taste bud curveballs in there like jalapenos, sweet pickles, Frenchfried onions, pepper slices, olives or even pineapple slices! As for condiments and sauces, set out the traditional ketchup, mustard and mayo as well as the alternately delightful BBQ sauce, steak sauce, salsa and tzatziki (a traditional Greek yogurt and cucumber sauce).

On The Side. For your burger sides, you can’t go wrong with coleslaw and/or potato salad for a classic all-American feel. For hot sides, French fries, onion rings, macaroni and cheese, baked beans and fried green tomatoes are no-brainers. Serve with ranch or blue cheese dressing and you’ll be hearing lots of Mmmmmms from your loved ones.

Sip Away. Memorial Day is often hot so try cooling off with a refreshing beverage! And what could be more refreshing than an Arnold Palmer! Popular on the west coast – and named after the legendary golfer, this refreshing combination of iced tea and lemonade is sure to quench the thirstiest of thirsts. Garnish with a mint sprig, strawberry slice or orange slice for a festive flair!

 Honor Your Heroes. Remember those heroes you’ve lost by placing lovely, framed photos of your family heroes on the table. Family photos are always nice touches that bring people together and create conversation. If you have framed medals from your heroic family members, those are lovely to include, as well.

More than anything, ENJOY YOURSELF! On a day when we are remembering those we have lost, it’s even more important to be in the moment, be grateful for the moment and enjoy those you are with. Enjoy your family, friends and memories and know that you’re creating another magical memory at this very moment.

Charlie is the “Grill Master” at my house, so I surprised him with a Grand Grill Daddy cleaning brush.

For the recipes mentioned above, buy my book, SEDUCTIVE TABLES FOR TWO!

There is a new show on Bravo that is out called “Newlyweds The First Year” that is so much fun to watch, and tomorrow on The Moll Anderson Show (XM Satellite 246, 5 EST/ 2 PST)  I have the pleasure of bringing on Tina and her husband Tarz to the show. Tina is an Indian International Pop star and Tarz owns his own web company and they share what it is like being newlyweds, but with cameras! Summer is right around the corner and one of my favorite parts of summer is all the fun blockbuster movies! Today we have my good friend Tara Hitchcock to give us the skinny on all the movies we should sit back and watch with a tub of popcorn; hold the butter please. Producer Susannah and I dish on some articles “5 Dates To Drive Your Man Wild” Come on ladies it’s not always about us. Take him on a fab date that he will love! Do you have a crush that just doesn’t seem to get it that you are in to him? This next article is for you,“How to Get Your Crush to See You as a Sexual Being” but remember there is always more than one fish in the sea! Dawn McCoy from Beauty Frosting is here to give us some more fabulous tips on cosmetics in our Beauty Beat! The Gracie Awards are next week I can‘t wait to tell you all about it! My hot pick song of the week is by Zedd featuring Foxes called “Clarity”. I get into an ask Moll and if you need advice you can write into me to at askmoll.com.

Tina Sugandh & Tarz Ludwigsen

Tara Hitchcock

 

Song of the Week: Clarity by Zedd featuring Foxes

 

LOVE THIS! Anastasia Perfect Brow Pencil ($23)

LOVE IT NOW BECAUSE: Perfect brows step up the beauty!

Ask most makeup artists and they’ll tell you – when it comes to beauty maintenance - brow care is key! Brows frame the face so their shape, shade and definition are pivotal in helping us be our prettiest. And ask most women and they’ll say one of their VIP beauty products is their eyebrow pencil of choice.

If you’re not among those who have already found your brow pencil soulmate, perhaps I can offer a little matchmaking assistance. I have been in love with the Anastasia Perfect Brow Pencil for a while now. Available in six natural shades (I opt for Dark Brown), you’re destined to find your brow soulmate!

Anastasia, the Queen of Brows herself, designed this pencil to apply and blend color seamlessly into the brow to achieve a brow look so natural it looks like your own. With its multi-tasking, velvety-smooth brow pencil on one end and a built-in brow brush on the other, this is the perfect mate for anyone who wants to frame their face with naturally fuller-looking brows.

Just like finding your one true companion in life, finding your perfect brow mate can change your life! So get ready to see some raised eyebrows  when you walk into a room with your seductive new brows!

I use my Anastasia Perfect Brow Pencil to fill in my brows and finish off my look each day.

Looking from the outside in at other people, our curiosity often causes us to ask, “How did they get there? How did they make their dreams come true? How are they so happy?” It’s not only normal to ask these questions but healthy for us to do so. And the answers we find may be the very things that inspire us to become our personal best.

Here are a few of my tips on how to find something that you can enjoy doing the rest of your life…in other words, Moll’s Guide on How To Find The Right Career For You.

Add some variety. In life – as with all things – variety is crucial. By trying our hand at a variety of skills and talents, we are almost certain to find one that inspires us or – at the very least – one that makes life a little more enjoyable. That’s why your parents urge you to take a variety of classes in college. They know that this is the only time where your main job is to be a sponge – a sponge soaking in all the classes and experiences you can make time for. Through listening, watching, learning, trying, enjoying, succeeding and – yes, even – failing, we find the things and people that bring joy into our lives. Speaking of which…

Find your joy. I know, I know. Easier said than done. I guess the better advice is to be open to finding your joy. Step outside your comfort zone. Say yes to trying something new rather than spouting off a nervous, kneejerk reaction of saying no. Trust your instincts, but know that sometimes stepping off the sidelines of the comfort zone can lead you to finding yourself in a Super Bowl-sized field of joy. Once you find what delights you, do everything in your power to get paid for that joy. Sometimes, it may not come the exact way you picture it so be open to finding you joy in whatever form it may come.

Pursue your joy every day. Once you find what you enjoy doing, set some specific goals and make a clear plan of what you can do to pursue your joy every day. Two pieces of advice given across the board when it comes to pursuing your dreams – no matter what they are: 1) Do one thing every day for your craft and 2) Do one thing every day that scares you. They might be one and the same. But once you find your joy, challenge yourself daily, take risks and see what you find out – not only about your passions – but also about yourself.

I meant for this to be a guide for the graduates out there; the ones who have their futures and endless possibilities ahead of them, the ones who may have made questionable choices at times but have learned invaluable lessons from them, the ones who are leaving behind one chapter only to say hello to a new one. Hmmm. So, actually, this advice is not just for graduates, but for all of us. As the old George Eliot quote goes, “It’s never too late to be what you might have been”. Truer words have never been spoken.

Happy Mother’s Day to all of you wonderful mothers out there. We have a great show for you tomorrow on The Moll Anderson Show (XM Satellite 246, 5 EST/ 2 PST) filled with Mother’s Day advice and gift guides. Well, I don’t know a mother who doesn’t love getting jewelry, and my special guest today has diamonds a plenty! “Jeweler to the Stars” and hailed as one of the industry’s finest, Jaqueline Nerguizian joins me today to dish about all her amazing pieces. She even has diamond shoes! I don’t know a mom who isn’t a bit stressed out or one who doesn’t need a little more sleep. Homeopath and herbalist Sara Chana joins us again for some amazing tips on how to be less moody and also calm your nerves. Producer Susannah and I get into some great gift ideas with the Top 10 Mother’s Day Gifts. We’ve both decided sweet treats do not make our list but there are some great ideas in the article! How about taking care of mom today? Plan something on your own; don’t make her decide what to do. We have another article that will make this easy for you, Celebrating Mother’s Day in a Unique Way! Dawn McCoy from Beauty Frosting is here to give us some fabulous Mother’s Day ideas for our Beauty Beat! My hot pick song of the week is by Ariana Grande featuring Mac Miller “The Way” I love this song it reminds me of early days of Mariah Carey.  Don’t forget to write into me each week to get all your troubling questions answered at askmoll.com.

Have a wonderful Mother’s Day!

Song of the Week: "The Way" by Ariana Grande featuring Mac Miller

LOVE THIS! TanTowel Tanning Towlettes (from $27)

LOVE IT NOW BECAUSE: Self-tanning without the sun is SEXY!!

We all know that the baking-in-the-sun of our yester years is not the way to go anymore. But while we may know this, studies show that we all tend to think we look better with a bronzy glow. Why? Because a tan makes us feel sun-kissed, slimmer and SEXIER!! That’s why – just in time for swimsuit season – TanTowel Tanning Towlettes are my Seductive Beauty Pick of The Week this week!

Giving me the ability to glow & go, TanTowel is my secret to instant tanning in a flash! TanTowel’s revolutionary 3-in-1 self-tanner allows you to exfoliate, tan and moisturize all at once. So how does it work? Each TanTowel is infused with a clear-tanning formula which works with the proteins and amino acids in your skin to produce a sexy sunless tan in just a few hours. Plus, the convenient towlettes allow you to tote them in your bag for when you need a bit of natural-looking, even color with no streaks and no fuss on the go.

Whether I’m planning a trip to the beach or just want a little instant pick-me-up with a bronze glow, TanTowel is my fast option for fabulous, sun-kissed, seductive skin!

I used a TanTowel before my photo shoot knowing I had to wear this dress. You never want to look orange when wearing orange, and I knew I could count on a tanning towelette to give me a quick and easy bronze glow.

So you wanna be a hero for this Mother’s Day, you say? You wanna do something different that delights her as much as she delights you on a daily basis? Well, while flowers and a card are a nice thought, let’s trying stepping it up a bit this Mother’s Day! Here is my Mother’s Day Gift-Giving guide that is sure to delight your Mom on this special day.

Give Mom a Monthly or Seasonal Gift Delivered to her Doorstep. Mailbox beauty boxes are a new, thoughtful little service that takes the responsibility of picking the perfect presents off you and puts it in the hands of the professionals. Either seasonally or monthly (depending on the service you select), your mom will get an adorable assortment of products to try. Depending on your mom’s preferences, you can pick the perfect program for her. Birchbox offers a monthly beauty box -for $10/month – which features their pretty picks each month. If your mom is on the eco conscious side, the Earth-loving Eco-Emi gives her glamour she can feel good about for $15/month. New Beauty Magazine delivers their seasonal beauty & skincare picks every 3 months with their terrific TestTube for $29.95/per tube. And for a mom who wants to live like a celebrity, Giuliana Rancic’s FabFitFun VIP program sends out a seasonal box filled with their picks for the hottest seasonal items sent straight from the red carpet to Mom’s front door 4 times a year.

Favorites Are Fun. Does Mom have a wine she adores? Buy her a case of her favorite wine at your neighborhood wine store or discount liquor store like BevMo. If that’s outside your budget, buy her a bottle of her favorite wine and a nice wine opener such as the convenient one from CorkPops. The cork pops right off – thanks to a CO2 cartridge – which also makes it great for arthritis sufferers. If Mom is more of a tea-lover, buy her an antique teapot or teacup with saucer and a box of her favorite tea. If you’re unsure about which tea she prefers, you can’t go wrong with English Breakfast, Earl Grey, Darjeeling or comforting Chamomile. And if you want to be extra thoughtful (and, of course, you do), include a box of sugar cubes or fresh lemons in your tea basket for Mom.

Spa Day At A Steal. Every Mom can use a spa day! Subscribe to YipIt.com (even if only for a few days) and find the best deals for discounted spa services and salons. This site features all daily deal sites such as Lifebooker, Groupon, Living Social and Bloomspot in one convenient place. Give her a gorgeous gift that looks like a spa splurge when only you know it was really a spa steal!

Frame A Favorite Memory. If your budget is on the low side, it doesn’t mean you can’t give Mom something she will always cherish. I know this from personal experience. One of my most cherished gifts I ever received was from my thoughtful son, Michael and my lovely daughter-in-law, Aphrodite. It’s a photo of Michael and me when Michael was a little boy housed in a beautiful frame. Every time I look at it in my bathroom cabinet, it makes my heart fill with joy and brings a smile to my face. Many beautiful frames can be found at TJ Maxx, Marshall’s, HomeGoods, Cost Plus World Market or Target for under $10. Copy or print out a favorite photo at your drugstore photo lab of choice and you’ll give your mom a gift she’ll always cherish.

Whether your budget is big or small, it really IS the thought that counts when it comes to Mother’s Day. If you’re gifting from the heart and being thoughtful when it comes to your mother’s favorite things and memories, you really can’t go wrong in ensuring a memorable Mother’s Day for your marvelous mom.

LOVE THIS! NEUTROGENA REFRESHING RAINBATH SHOWER AND BATH GEL ($7.99 – $26.99)
LOVE IT NOW BECAUSE: Soft, clean skin is SEDUCTIVE skin!

What’s more seductive than soft, clean skin right out of the shower? Not much. But finding a shower gel that cleans and conditions without leaving you with an overpowering scent is no small feat. That’s why I’m a big fan of this drugstore deal!

Neutrogena Refreshing Rainbath Shower and Bath Gel is a staple in my shower. I love it so much that I not only keep it in our shower but in our guest baths, as well! What’s more welcoming than your favorite bath products to make your guests feel at home? With its energizing blend of spices, fruits and herbs, it provides a fresh, eye-opening burst that wakes up the sleepiest of sleepyheads!

Its rich, conditioning lather leaves your skin irresistibly hydrated, nourished and clean. Soooo clean you might just wanna get dirty again! While you can pick it up at your local drugstore, I also love picking up the large 32-ounce size at Sam’s Club. It lasts a long time and I get more bathing bang for my buck!

So try it out for yourself and you tell me how seductive clean skin can be!

After a long day of working on an install in Santa Fe, a rain bath is the perfect refresher to help me relax.

The smaller size is one of the ways I help my guests feel a little more at home.

With Cinco de Mayo right around the corner, I’m feeling in the festive mood for a fiesta! Since Cinco de Mayo was originally a celebration of unexpected victory and freedom, I want you to keep that in mind when throwing an impromptu Cinco de Mayo dinner for “dos” (two, that is).

It can be as relaxed and simple as you would like and have time for. With just a few pieces of Mexican-influenced décor and a few traditional (and easy-to-prepare) Mexican dishes, you can have a victory in the kitchen and with your honey. Whether it be a picnic with a fiesta flair in the backyard or a few choice Fiestaware dishes on the dining table – with just a little forethought – your home can be transformed into a mini Mexican paradise.

Fiesta Fare. Concentrating on south-of-the-border-flavors such as roasted tomatoes, corn, black beans and pico de gallo, a regular Sunday night can be transformed into your personal Cinco de Mayo masterpiece! If you don’t have time to cook up fajitas or enchiladas, make it easy on yourself! Take on tacos! Grab some ground beef, taco shells, canned black beans and corn, cheese, salsa, sour cream, guacamole, lettuce and a few fresh tomatoes. Stick with traditional tacos or create a tasty taco salad by breaking up the shells. With just a little spice and imagination, you will create a fun fiesta for two in no time!

Chilled Beverages Balance The Spice. If you have the time, stir up a batch of margaritas for the ultimate celebratory south-of-the-border beverage. No time or ingredients to stir up a batch? Add a chilled white wine (such as Sauvignon Blanc) or serve with an ice cold cerveza (Mexican beer). Something as simple as a cold beverage can make you and your special someone feel like you’re on vacation on the seashores of magical Mexico!

Mexican Dessert. Traditional Mexican desserts are decadent and delicious! Challenge yourself by trying a new recipe for sopapillas, tres leches cake or flan as a special treat. Want the treat but don’t have the time? Take a chocolate cake mix, prepare as usual and add in a half-teaspoon of Mexican chili powder and a half-teaspoon of cinnamon for a molé-Inspired Mexican cake or cupcakes.

We all love a reason to celebrate and a fun holiday like Cinco de Mayo gives us a perfect opportunity for seduction without the stress! So spice it up with your hunka-burnin’-love with a Cinco de Mayo festive fiesta for two!

*For more tips on entertaining, grab a copy of my book, Seductive Tables For Two here!

Time to get your body into shape for those summer months ahead, and while we’re at it it’s time to update your closet. I have two great guests on The Moll Anderson Show (XM Satellite 246, 5 EST/ 2 PST) today to help with both!  Celebrity fitness trainer Simone De La Rue will whip us out of the winter blues and get us bikini ready.  The cardio queen gave us some great pointers and you can check out her workouts by visiting her customized videos at www.BodyBySimoneTV.com . After we tone our bodies, we are going to need some style help from stylist Laurie Graham. Laurie answers all our questions on what to spring for this season’s wardrobe. She also fills us in on the latest accessory trends. Producer Susannah and I found some great articles to go with my guests that will benefit you in more than one way. Check out 5 Workout Moves that will Make You Better at Heart-Pumping, Marathon Sex. We call this multi-tasking! And we also dish on 10 Must Have Pieces to Add toYour Spring Wardrobe. Any excuse to go shopping is a good one for me! I get an amazing beauty tip from Beauty Frosting’s Dawn McCoy. I also answer another one of your Ask Moll questions, this one from Jenny on how I got to be where I am today. Our Hot Pick song of the week will definitely get your body moving, it’s called Wings by Little Mix.  Remember to write into me each week at askmoll.com  See you next week!

Song of the Week: Wings by Little Mix