| Mind Candy |
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| Holidays are a time for mild indulgences of mind, body, and soul.
What's more wonderful than stealing away with a good book, nibbling
something delectable and sipping champagne or a lovely glass of claret?
Reading takes us away and let's our minds play. |
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| My mind-candy for a cozy winter's solstice: Marie
Antoinette, Queen of Fashion - What Marie Antoinette Wore to the Revolution
by Caroline Webber. While Sophia Coppola's film Marie Antoinette
-- depicting the teen-queen as a party-girl run amok who brought down
the Bourbon monarchy -- may have been panned, any self-respecting
fashionista has got to love Marie A. She was luxe and over the top-
- and lost her head over a complex political situation. Many feel
she was simply the cherry that toppled the sundae of the French court
that was more unstable than whipped cream before she even made the
scene. Ms. Webber explores the fashion and politics of the ribbons,
the silks, the shoes and all the divine wretched excess that was Marie's
ruin. An afternoon with Marie A. and a box of bonbons is how I'll
postpone my own ruin amid the holiday sales. |
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Image: Swank Films |
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| Jackie Kennedy is an enduring figure of mystery and charm for many.
Her style, flair, and legacy influence fashion and culture to this
day. What makes a legend and forges an icon? |
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| French Minister of Culture Andre Malraux, recently the subject of
a biography by Oliver Todd, was said to have been a great influence
on the Queen of Camelot. She openly admired and consulted him on several of her projects, including her landmark redecoration
of the White House. He even allowed the precious Mona Lisa to tour
America for the first time-- at Jackie's behest. |
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| Malraux himself is a compelling figure: war hero, resistance fighter,
linguist, author, man of culture and politics. He was so widely-admired
in the post-war world that Malraux societies sprung up allover in the world. |
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| What I found most startling was the resemblance of his wife Franoise
to Jackie. I cannot wait to read more about the man from France who
influenced this most noteworthy American woman. |
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Image: Jacqueline Kennedy from
Toni Frissell Collection (Library of Congress) |
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| Delightfully Decadent DVD's |
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| Sophia Coppola's Marie Antoinette is
flawed, not unlike its titled character, a bit silly and way too long.
But, oh, the dainty, delicate shoes! The acres of petit fours! It's
eye candy, a veritable feast of fashion set to a fabulous sound track.
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Dangerous Beauty is an older film movie.
Set in 16th century Venice, it's a more enthralling tale of
a beautiful courtesan who takes on the church and society... A stunningly
beautiful film set in the time of Casanova.
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| Bell, Book, and Candle is not a classic
Christmas movie but it does include a lulu of a holiday scene. The
film inspired the TV series Bewitched. If
you haven't seen it but you have enjoyed Bewitched
-- you should devour this witchy classic, with Jimmy Stewart and Kim
Novak. Romantic, dazzling, witty, and non-fattening a person
can do worse. |
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| How to look Fabulous Fast |
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| You cooked, ate, drank, wrapped, and ran through the first part
of the holidays. Now, do you look and feel just a bit frazzed, fizzled,
bloated? No -- well lucky you. For the rest of you -- my fellow-mortal
beauties -- here are few quick tips to have you looking fabulous before
2007. |
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| Recently beauty editors have been spreading the doctrine of RED
-- and I don't mean politics! There's a rumour that that
there is a red lipstick for everyone if they would just look.
Maybe. But is it the best look for everyone? Maybe not. We do love
a vampy red mouth. Some of the best are Revlon's iconic Cherries in the Snow
and Fire and Ice. Chanel has New
York Red and Shanghai Red not mention Red Dream. We love a
good gloss. Chanel's Glossimers feature
several deep but sheer reds, We also adore Napoleon Perdis
Lip Lacquer for super shine. |
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| The perfect holiday look is elusive with so much advice out there.
So I decided to ask Napoleon Perdis, make-up artist to the likes of
Teri Hatcher, Paula Abdul, and Hilary Duff, for advice on the perfect
holiday make-up. I know he can be trusted for advice that leaves women
looking pretty and seductive, but never too painted. Here is what
he had to say: |
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| A strong red lip without any gloss evokes passion and a sense of
holiday. Apply a lip liner after the lipstick to further define
the lip and create a boundary for the lipstick. Go for
a darker lip liner, such as my Napoleon Perdis Lip Liner
in Sand. |
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| To choose bold holiday colors for lips and eyes, women should set
up play time to experiment with colors and determine which ones make
them feel empowered and boost their mood. I don't believe
in the myth that certain colors only work with certain skin tones.
But simply holding a fabric swatch of a given shade up to one's
skin can help women determine what complements their coloring. For
further proof of what works, take a photo with a digital camera and
have a look at it! |
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| This holiday season, the look for dramatic eye makeup is all about
a gel eyeliner, like my Napoleon Perdis China Doll Eyeliner,
applied to the under eye area. Use an angled brush to accentuate the lower lash line and achieve a very northern European drama. Compliment
the liner with my Napoleon Perdis Peep Show Mascara
in Madame Curl Curl for strong lashes with a flirtatious curl. Finish
off the look with a periwinkle shadow, like my Napoleon
Perdis Color Disc on the mobile lid. |
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Image: Chanel |
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| Chanel's Holiday look is light and bright,
with ephemeral gold and silver to glides lips, eyes, and nails. The
eye shadows Duo in Etoile and
Soleil will give your eye sparkle, while Cristalle
Gloss in Sucre Souffle shimmer
your lips and nails softly. Special pigments in the product give your
face soft luminous look, but not a harsh metallic glare. It's so pretty
and a definite option if you find red too much. |
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| Don't forget your teeth. Lipstick -- especially reds and high-gloss
finishes -- will highlight less than pearly whites. Don't despair
or ditch your favourite red wine. |
| Crest Premium Whitestrips can give you
whiter teeth after only 3 days. How fabulous is that? |
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| Whatever you do, don't have a cosmetic procedure during the busy
holiday season. Even in the gentlest and most professional hands dermabrassion,
peels, and injections can leave you raw and bruised. Wait till after
party season to indulge in these professional treats. In the meantime,
you can freshen up tired skin at home in a flash. Olay's
Thermal Contour and Lift at Home kit is warm, delicious,
and will leave you soft and glowing in minutes. Decleor Triple
Action Gel Mask ( www.decleor.com
) is a spa treatment you can do at home. It can make you look refreshed
in just 20 minutes. Try it. |
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| If your nails are so frail you want to sit on your hands to hide
them, try Trind Nail brightener. This new
product line from Amsterdam leaves your nails strong, white, shiny,
and healthy. The cast of Desperate Housewives
use it and look at the work out those actresses give their nails.
There are 13 products in the range to give you the perfect 10. www.trind.ca
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| Going out after a long day and feeling kind of floppy? Believe it
or not, try doing 10 to 20 minutes of fairly vigorous exercise, something
that use muscles and pumps your blood. This is not a trick to make
you exercise. Many celebrities do it before red carpet events. The
exercise wakes up your muscles and everything tightens up (a bit)
and you look better. It works. |
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| Pretty As a Picture |
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| Digital cameras have changed everything about family snapshots,
and it's wonderful. Now, everyone is a budding Richard Avedon
-- or may be not. If you find yourself deleting too many shots, then
you may be missing the moment. Our staff photographer and full-time
family chronicler Karin Pacione has put together a few tips on how
to take better pictures at your next party or gathering. |
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| KARIN'S TIPS |
- Don't take pictures from too far away; waist up is more
flattering.
- Candids can be fun, but it's boring to photograph people
talking in a circle. Instead, be ready to shoot your guests hello greetings or goodbye hugs.
- Think about some pictures you would like to take ahead of time.
- Don't forget to get a group picture; it's worth
the effort and everyone will treasure the memory afterwards.
- Try getting some instant cameras and ask the children (age appropriate)
to take some pictures. You might be surprised at their perspective.
- Take some pictures outside with everyone bundled up.
- Don't shoot into the sun or light. Make sure the light
source is behind you or at the side.
- If it's a very sunny day, try to find some shade for both
you and the subject. Less harsh shadows, no squinting.
- When shooting more that three people, instead of standing in
a row, try staggering your subjects. Some standing, sitting or
leaning against something.
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Image: Karin Pacione |
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| Tips from the Editor |
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| As an editor, I have to confess I prefer to be behind the camera.
It took me years to learn how to be photographed. Here are my tips
from working with some of the best: |
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- Relax and enjoy it. Pictures are memories and you will look
better if you don't fight it.
- Keep your neck and head up. Don't slump.
- If you really hate your weight, get behind someone seated and
be photographed over the top of the chair -- just head and shoulders.
- Look in the mirror to see how wide to smile. All smiles are
great in person but some don't translate. They can squish
your face, close your eyes etc. Look and learn. Relax and enjoy.
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Image: Karin Pacione |
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| Relax and be good to yourself and have a healthful, easy meal with
our roasted butternut squash soup. It roasts, you relax. |
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| DolceDolce Butternut
Squash Soup |
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| 6 cups of cut and peeled butternut squash. Frozen is fabulous |
| 2 large yellow onions, cut into sections |
| 5-6 cloves of peeled garlic (it roasts, so it is mild) |
| Optional: 1 red pepper, seeded and in pieces |
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| Place the vegetables in a baking pan that will just hold them in
a single layer. |
| Coat everything lightly in olive oil. Add salt (kosher is best)
and pepper. Also add 1 tsp. cumin, 1 tsp. curry powder (any brand)
and 1 tsp. dried chili flakes. Toss well. Those who prefer very spicy
food may double spices. I do. |
| Roast at 325 f/160c for 1½ to 2 hours. Check for tenderness,
as ovens vary widely. The vegetables should be fork tender and smell
delicious. |
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| Transfer to a pot with all juices and add 1-and-a-half large tetrapacks
of chicken broth, approximately 6 cups. Use home-made, if you have
it. Add the broth 2 cups at a time, as you blend with a stick blender
to a creamy consistency. Add 1-2 tbsp. of maple syrup. Correct seasoning,
adding more salt and blending carefully. A food processor can also
be used. |
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| Serve hot, topped with pomegranate seeds; so pretty and healthy.
Add a salad topped with a little leftover chicken, cheese, or a few
nuts and you have a nice light and easy dinner. |
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| If you are entertaining try our latest fusion fascination, a Dolce-Mei.
This tangy east-west cocktail combines lychee and pomegranate in a
martini with a twist |
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| Dolce-Mei |
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| For 2 martinis, place in shaker over ice: |
| 5 oz. pomegranate juice |
| 3 oz. vodka |
| 2 oz Soho Lychee Liquor |
| Shake, pour, garnish with fresh lychee. Enjoy. |
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| So whether you plan to see in the New Year in big way at posh affair,
or more quietly in your own little abode we hope you have a sweet
beginning for a fabulous 2007. Thanks for letting us into your life.
In this little way we look forward to the New Year and more Dolce-Dolce.
We hope you do, too. Please have a wonderful New Year and help us
share the sweetness. |
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La Senza |
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