FABLife CO-HOST AND LIFESTYLE EXPERT SHARES NEW HOLIDAY TRENDS

Lauren Makk has spent a lifetime perfecting her “Affordable Luxury” signature approach to design. That’s why the popular television host, interior design professional, home and Lifestylist, has been featured on numerous television series, including TLC’s “Trading Spaces” and “Drill Team” for A&E, and was a regular host on the nationally syndicated show, FABLife.   

Just in time for the holidays, Makk will share some timely holiday hacks to help you survive and enjoy the season!  Of course, a Life Hack is one of those chic new millennial sayings that have become ingrained in our language. It means “a strategy or technique adopted to manage one's time and daily activities in a more efficient way,” which makes perfect sense during the holiday season when we’re all trying to fit more in our busy lives. With that in mind, the holiday party season is here! Lauren will share some unique and interesting trips and tricks to help your audience avoid letting holiday entertaining stress them out.  

HACK THAT WILL IMPRESS AND SAVE TIME
If you’re short on time I say leave it up the Holiday Experts at Boston Market. New this year they’re offering a Thanksgiving Home Delivery program.  It’s the perfect solution for anyone who wants to spend less time stressing in the kitchen or picking up food and more time with friends and family. Choose from five, fully-prepared and pre-cooked meal options to feed up to twelve and have it shipped to you directly before Thanksgiving. All orders must be placed online by November 19, and they will ship frozen, so all you have to do is thaw and heat and your meal will be ready in 2-3 hours.  Place your order @BostonMarket.com while supplies last! For more information, visit www.BostonMarket.com

HACKS FOR MAKING SOMETHING SPECIAL FOR THE HOLIDAYS
A holiday hack that I love when baking is to use Stevia In The Raw Bakers Bag. It allows me to cut calories by replacing half of the sugar with this zero calorie sweetener derived from the stevia plant.  It measures cup for cup with sugar so no conversion is needed – so easy!   A recommended tip is to only swap out half the sugar the recipe calls for to achieve proper browning, rising and caramelizing. Visit Intheraw.com to check out a bunch of reduced sugar baking ideas for the holidays like this delicious Chocolate Peppermint Truffle Tart. For more information, visit www.InTheRaw.com

ANY HOLIDAY HACKS FOR BEVERAGES
I love serving a holiday punch. It’s an easy way to stay within budget while impressing your guests. This season I’ve teamed up with Smirnoff vodka, the world’s favorite vodka.  Its quality has stood the test of time and it doesn’t break the bank…so perfect for holiday entertaining!  This year I’m serving a Kissed Caramel Mule Punch. Combine Smirnoff Kissed Caramel, Ginger Beer, Apple Cider and Simple Syrup into a punch bowl. Rim copper mugs with caramel sauce. Pour over ice in the copper mug. Make it Instagram-worthy by garnishing individual servings with an apple slice. But remember, always drink responsibly. For more information, visit www.Smirnoff.com

Caramel Apple Mule Punch Cocktail (serves 12):

Ingredients:

• 1.5 Cups of SMIRNOFF Kissed Caramel
• 3 Cups Ginger Beer
• 3 Cups Apple Cider
• Splash of Simple Syrup
• Apple Slice & Caramel Sauce for Garnish

Instructions: Combine SMIRNOFF Kissed Caramel, Ginger Beer, Apple Cider and Simple Syrup into a punch bowl. Rim copper mugs with caramel sauce. Pour over ice in copper mug. Top with sliced apple for garnish.

WHAT IS ONE HACK THAT PEOPLE MAY OVERLOOK DURING THE HOLIDAYS
One hack that people typically overlook during the holidays is keeping the bathroom smelling fresh. Well, don’t fret because V.I.Poo to the rescue. V.I.Poo is pre-poo spray that traps nasty smells where they belong, in the bowl, leaving a pleasant scent behind. It’s also the perfect stocking stuffer sure to elicit a few laughs and probably some silent appreciation. For more information, visit www.airwick.us/vipoo