Throughout the planning and visit to Disney World, I learned some tricks that I would like to share with you!

1. If you are able to plan your Disney vacation months in advance, make sure to call or visit the Disney website to make your reservations for popular attractions 180 days from the start of your visit. Example: I called 180 days in advance and was able to get my dinner reservations for Be Our Guest at my requested time.

2. When making your hotel or restaurant reservations, make sure to tell your Disney Operator if you are celebrating any specials occasions. Plus, at any Disney Restaurant (price packages available), a special birthday celebration can be arranged for your prince or princess.

4. If traveling by plane and staying at a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel, take advantage of the Disney Magical Express (free service) to get you from the airport to your hotel and reverse. Plus, Disney will take care of your luggage; and it will be waiting for you in your hotel room.

5. Disney Meal Plans – Typically, you save 15%. We chose not to get one since we don’t eat large breakfasts and we wanted alcoholic drinks for dinner. No real savings for my family. Warning: Cinderella’s Royal Table takes two meal tickets per person. (My favorite meal was at San Angel at the Mexico Pavilion in Epcot.)

6. Everyday a different Disney Theme Parks opens early at 8 a.m. Get up, throw a hat on and get there. There are less lines for some of the most popular rides. Example: At Disney Studios, the Toy Story line wait is normally 2 hours. We waited 25 minutes.

7. This is my favorite tip for vacationers. Get up early and do the parks. Then around 11:30 am/Noon eat lunch either at the parks or at your hotel; and then relax by taking a nap or swimming at the pool. Around 4 p.m., arrive at the parks again and enjoy your evening. At 3 or 4 p.m., when we were entering the parks, lots of people were leaving. Again, we were able to ride popular attractions fast and then enjoyed dinner. Plus, if you stay at a Disney Resort Hotel, the extra relaxation will enable you to enjoy park extended hours.

8. Buy ponchos and don’t be afraid of the rain! We had heavy downpours for a few days, but that didn’t stop us. The lines for rides and character visits were short. As long as your clothes stay dry, the rain doesn’t matter. Example: At Epcot, we rode Nemo’s Adventure and participated in Crush’s Q&A without the hours of waiting.

9. Participate in the Disney Subculture: http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2012/07/sorcerers-of-the-magic-kingdom-trading-card-game-coming-to-walt-disney-world-resort/   Receive free trading cards and map at the Firehouse in the Magic Kingdom. Go to locations in the park and watch movies relating to your cards. People were trading and wanting very special cards that were only available during Halloween and Christmas celebrations.

10. Finally, while at the Magic Kindgom, head to Adventure Land and enjoy a Dole Whip.

If you are planning a Walt Disney World vacation, I hope my tips helped with your itinerary. Disney is truly a magical place that brings out the kid in all of us.

Happy Vacationing!

1. The Floppy

2. The Cowboy

3. The Fedora

Also, when working out, you may need a sweatband. These are the best and great prices:

https://www.facebook.com/3CCreations

Pools open in 12 days. Be prepared and have a wonderful and safe summer!

These brownies are heavenly and very rich. Follow this link for the recipe: http://www.alliescleanplateclub.com/2012/02/pretzel-brownies.html

1. Bake crushed pretzels mixed with butter and sugar.

2. Pour brownie mix on top of pretzel crust and bake.

3. Make homemade buttercream icing and spread over cool brownies.

4. Garnish with pretzels and enjoy!

Angela had a lifetime interest in weather. She decided to attend Western Illinois University; and received a Bachelor Degree in Geography specializing in Meteorology. After graduation, this Midwest girl uprooted her life; and began her career at KTVA CBS 11 in Anchorage, Alaska. Then two years later, she returned to St. Louis advancing her career in a larger television market.

Angela can also be heard on the radio (550 KTRS) giving weather forecasts. She regularly speaks at schools, businesses, and often emcees charity events and trivia nights across the St. Louis area. Plus, she is known to take on important news assignments.

Since Angela works in front of the camera, I wanted to know how she stays fit and trendy!

1. How do you keep fit? Biggest temptation…Carbs?

“I have to work out regularly. I love food; and have a passion for cooking, so regular exercise in a MUST. I have never been “skinny” and was a plump teenager, but when I decided to pursue a career in television I knew I needed to make a change. I run, take cardio classes, and/or do weight training every week day. Taking long walks with my husband and dog also help. My biggest temptation: sweets! I love ice cream.”

2. Favor designer?
“Despite what a lot of people think, not everyone is television makes a lot of money. So I don’t wear much of anything with a designer name. I will say that I do like the MICHAEL Michael Kors and Alfani lines at Macy’s. I do have certain stores that are my favorite for work attire. Macy’s is one, but I also love The Limited. My secret shop is Dressbarn. I used to think this was a store that only ‘moms’ shopped at, but I find great pieces for great prices there. Their dresses are adorable and most are just $40.”

3. Favorite trends for Spring/Summer 2013?
“I think my favorite trend for spring is the return of color, especially teal and tangerine. I like the mint trend too, but since I work in front of a green screen I can’t wear that on the air. I have not gotten into the colored pants trend since my legs often don’t show on the air. I tend to focus more on my tops with more classic, basic slacks or skirts.”

4. Does the camera really add 10 pounds?
“The camera can add ten pounds if the lighting is bad. Strong, flat light directed straight at a person flatten the features by killing shadows. That makes you look heavier. In theory, your lightning should be better than that in the news studio. I don’t wear a lot of stripes or tight patterns just to be safe.”

5. Advice for keeping on trend and staying within a budget?
“Don’t be afraid to shop all over. Perhaps you by a staple piece at a more expensive store, but pick up a few on-trend pieces at Target or Kohls. My on-air clothes are from many different stores. Also, don’t feel the pressure to “be on trend” with everything. Just like with food, all things in moderation. Sometimes, a current trend just doesn’t work on you or isn’t right for your job.”

6. Favorite/Worst parts of your job?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                “I love my job because I get to do what I love, talk about the weather. I enjoy getting to let my personality shine through. Working at a TV station, you also get to meet a lot of interesting people from local notables to well-known celebs. However, working in TV in the age of social media can be tough. Everyone is a critic and sometimes your presentation, your clothes, your hair, etc. is not someone’s ‘cup of tea’. The criticism can be tough to take sometimes. Also, my schedule can rough. I work weekend mornings regularly; and often fill in on the weekday morning show. Those early wake up calls can be difficult on a sleep pattern and your social life. Plus, putting makeup on at 2:00 a.m. is never much fun.”

I hope you have enjoyed getting to know a little about Angela and her style. She is an intelligent, beautiful and caring friend. It’s just hard to believe that we met over twenty years ago on our grade school’s softball fields, became close friends and had the honor of being in each other’s weddings. If you are in St. Louis, make sure to tune into Angela for the most up-to-date weather forecast!

This sequence begins with “The Model”. I would like to introduce you to my friend and sorority sister, Tara. Born in Clinton, Missouri, she is now a full-time model for print, TV and runway living in St. Petersburg, Florida. At 29, her dreams came true by winning a model search contest; and now she can be seen on the Home Shopping Network working for clients such as Queen Latifah, Twiggy and Scott-Vincent Borba, the runways of Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue and print ads for Dillards and Hilton Hotels.

Since Tara works in front of the camera, I wanted to know how she stays fit and trendy, plus her tips!

1. How do you stay fit?

(Before her modeling career skyrocketed, she earned a personal trainer certification through ISSA.)

“I think it’s important to remember that we are all different. My body may not respond to running exactly like yours would, or vice versa. Finding the fun in fitness has been the key to staying fit for me. I’m not hard on myself, but I have to move my body a little everyday to get the blood flowing. Healthy eating is a huge part of the way we look, so I allow myself to enjoy temptations from time to time, but I follow a very clean lifestyle. No drinking, no smoking, only eat REAL food, drink mostly water, move your body daily and have a regular sleep routine. It works.”

2. Favorite trends for Spring/Summer 2013?

“I absolutely adore using nail color to get into the mood of the season. Recently, I shot an editorial for a magazine’s Spring/Summer 2013 issue; and the makeup artist used OPI’s newest collection with fresh/beautiful colors ranging in coral pink to deep navy blue.”

3. Advice for keeping on trend and staying within a budget? 

“Nail polish is fairly cheap and easy to change, it’s a very simple way to update your look. Also, shop at the less expensive trendy stores like H&M or Zara to freshen up your closet. Mix those pieces with your current clothing items.You’ll be amazed at how many new looks can be created with your white dress shirt.”

And Finally, I had to ask….4. The Best & Worst Parts of the job?

“Best – My job allows me to feel free and creative. I never get bored or feel trapped. Worst – The lack of sleep. It can be hard to travel or work without sleep for days, and I mean DAYS!! It’s crazy but fashion is going on around us 24/7; and I’m there to help the clients get their product/services to the public, and it’s not always glamourous. But honestly, I wouldn’t change a thing…I love my job!”

I hope Tara has inspired you to get active and trendy! She’s an amazing woman…just can’t believe it’s been over a decade since our Mizzou days together. But we have not aged a day!

1. The Crust

2. The Filling

3. Design

4. Decorate

Enjoy!

Before: Mid-Length Bob

After: Sexy Siren – Pixie

Celebrities with the Pixie:

Ginnifer Goodwin

Carey Mulligan

So be bold at your next hair appointment! Try a new cut or color….

Ingredients:

3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, 3/4 cup olive oil, salt, pepper, 3 eggs, 2 cups milk, 2 tbsp Italian seasoning, 1-2 cups bread crumbs, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, sliced Mozzarella, marinara sauce.

Directions:

1. Remove chicken from package and place chicken on wax paper or cutting board. Pound chicken with a mallet to create thin chicken cutlets. Then add some salt and pepper to the cutlets.

2. In a container, create an egg wash mixing 3 eggs and 2 cups of milk. In a separate container, mix bread crumbs, Italian seasoning and grated Parmesan. Dip each chicken cutlet into the egg wash and then the breading. Coat well.

3. In a greased saute pan, warm the oil olive on medium heat. When ready, add the breaded cutlet; and saute on each side for 5 to 7 minutes until golden brown. Then remove cutlet and place on a paper towel to grain excess grease.

4. Preheat oven to 350°. On cookie sheet (place foil and grease), add the chicken cutlets and place a good helping of your favorite marinara sauce and 1-2 slices of Mozzarella cheese. Place in oven for 20 minutes or until is cheese well done (may require oven to be on broil for 5 minutes too!).

5. Remove from oven. To plate, add more warm marinara sauce and top with a cutlet. Then add some garlic/butter angel hair pasta…..and dinner is ready!

Enjoy!

My pick is the women’s chambray shirt from Gap ($49).

Here are 5 trendy looks created by one special shirt:

Chambray, Mint Green & Leopard

Chambray, White & Navy

Chambray, Black & White, Coral

Chambray, Green, Neon

Happy Shopping!

I am loving this trend of animal prints matched with bright colors; and it’s simple to get this look for less.

Leopard Shirt (I bought mine from Old Navy last summer) – Forever 21 Leopard Sleeveless Shirt $17.80

White Skinny Jeans – Kohls Simply Vera® $32.99

Seafoam Solid Cardigan – Kohls AB Studio $20.00

Nude Platform Sandals – Kohls Simple Vera® $49.99

Coral Necklace w/ earrings – Charming Charlie $13.00

Happy Shopping!