| Life and Style |
Are You Ready For A Change? |
| When was the last time you changed your hair, your routine, learned
a new language, or made new friend? I hope one thing on this list
brought a smile to your face and made you think - yes! |
Spring is the time of new beginnings; when was the last time you
had one? When was the last time really connected with something new?
Or, someone new?
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| When was the last time you lingered over a lovely breakfast in bed? |
Photo by: Natalie Chiu
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| More and more friends complain about bosses and colleagues who fire
off non-essential emails during evenings and weekends. They worry
about not responding immediately. I hear frequently about companies
asking employees to participate in non-paid after-hours training and
workshops. It places unwarranted stress not only on family, but on
everyone trying to have a full and balanced life. |
| And even those who don’t face excessive demands in the workplace
seem to be infected by the “hurry up and get no-place fast mentality”.
How many people these days want to admit to a leisurely breakfast
in bed - even on the weekend? Or, to a Sunday dedicated to a leisurely
brunch and reading a good novel. |
| Have you fallen into this trap? Is all your time allotted to work,
errands, and other “productive activities”? Do you have
time to read, to dream, or just to putter? Is there something you
want to learn or explore? It doesn’t matter how old you are.
The creative process and time to explore it keeps you vital. |
| There us so much more to life than rushing around and getting things
done, or getting ahead. Don’t get me wrong; meaningful, enjoyable
work and a functioning, clean household is enhancing too. But where
has the balance gone? Why are so many people stressed and unable to
really enjoy life day to day? |
Life can be so short, so why should we do with out the richness
that comes through the simple choices we make? The friends we see,
meals we serve, books we read, films we watch, and the things we take
time to learn all enhance our lives.
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Photo by: Karin Pacione
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| Studies of happiness have shown that it is half genetic and half
how you look at life. Those who spend time with friends, family and
have lots of interests are the happiest, whether they rich or poor,
according to Dr. Martin P. Seligman, author
of Authentic Happiness. He also found that
happy people march to their own drummer and worry little about “keeping
up with the Jones’s.” |
| People I enjoy and respect most today are doing just that - even
with busy careers. Some of my friends have left busy offices or practices
to reinvent themselves professionally. Others have gotten a new pet,
taken up painting, or expanded in some new way for the pure joy of
change and challenge. New studies on happiness show those who have
the chance to help others and continue to study are the happiest.
It could explain why my friend - a successful women artist with a
foundation to help young artists - is one of sunniest people I know. |
| A few other women I admire are mothers of young children- many also
work. The challenge they have is to use their creativity to find time
to spend with family in friends. |
| I hope younger friends pursue creative endeavours and personal passions,
even as they climb the career ladder. The result will be more meaning
and richness in their lives. |
| So darling, ask yourself: ‘do you need a change?’ Is
it time for lunch with old friends? Or, to learn Italian? Maybe you
just need a long morning in bed with Jane Austen or Tolstoy. Think
about it, dream about it. Life’s too short to rush all the time. |
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Star Stylist Francky L’Official
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| Beauty |
The Big Bangs Theory |
| You must have noticed the new “celebrity fringe element”
sporting their sexy new do’s with cute bangs. Have you wondered
whether you should try the trend, or whether it would just make you
look naf? |
| Star stylist Francky L’Official of Salon
a’ Deux on Madison Avenue in New
York took time to give DolceDolce readers the low-down
on this hot new look. |
| DD: Why are bangs such at hot trend now? |
| Francky: In fashion, 80’s throwbacks and
mod Factory Girl clothes are hot right now. Bangs were a huge part
of the trend back then and they’re just as popular in their
comeback! |
| Bangs are also huge because they are fun, flirty and can take years
off your face. So many stars are sporting bangs right now because
they are also a great way to transition hair from the cold weather
into summer, as they portray a more relaxed look. |
| DD: How does a woman choose the best type of bangs for the
shape of her face? |
| Francky: For round faces, brow skimming bangs are
a great way to make your face look thinner. If you have an oval face,
go with long layered bangs that are a bit thicker in texture. For
square faces and a more angular jaw structure, it’s best to
try a long, side-swept bang to soften the face and take attention
away from a strong jaw line. |
| DD: Can bangs make you your face look thinner? |
| Francky: Bangs can absolutely make the face appear
thinner, especially if they are layered and cut a bit longer on the
sides, so as to add dimension to a full face. |
| DD: Can the right bangs draw attention to your eyes? |
| Francky: For sure. Keep them long and straight,
falling just below the eyebrow. |
| DD: Who shouldn’t have bangs? |
Francky: Anyone with cowlicks in their hairline
should not cut bangs. No matter how much product or what kind of tools
you use to try to manipulate your bangs, if you have cowlicks they’re
never going to go the way you want them to!
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Reese Witherspoon Fabulous Bangs!
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| DD: Which celebrities have the best bangs and why? |
| Francky: Reese Witherspoon’s
are gorgeous. They’re fun and flirty, not too thick and they
slim her heart-shaped face. Nicole Richie’s
long side swept bangs are also gorgeous because she has a very small
face and the bangs elongate it a bit. |
| DD: How often should bangs be trimmed? |
| Francky: Bangs should be trimmed once a month. |
| DD: Is it a bad idea trim your own bangs? |
| Francky: Yes, only because if you make a mistake,
you’ll have to live with it until your hair grows back. Many
salons can trim your bangs in just a few minutes. |
| DD: Any product recommendations for fabulous bangs? |
| Francky: Depends on the hair type. If your hair
is dry, a drop of shine serum works great to keep fly-always at bay.
However, skip the serum if your hair is oily; it will only weigh your
bangs down. |
There you have it darlings tips from the best if you decide to flirt
with a sexy fringe.
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Want to Preview A New
Do? |
| We tried the free trial of www.visualmusic.com
using Hair Pro 2006 to play with new styles. Not
exactly like looking in a mirror but diverting. |
| DolceDolce Tip: If you are contemplating bangs,
ask your stylist his or her trimming policy. My last stylist was horrified
at the thought of women trimming their own bangs at home. He offered
free bang trims - subject to time availability. A tip was appreciated,
but the cost was marginal and the results were fab. It never hurts
to find out the cost of upkeep before you commit to a new look. |
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| Not registered yet to receive DolceDolce’s free weekly email
newsletter? Help us grow; sign-up
today, and forward
to your friends. Because life should be sweet. |
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| Fashion |
Beat the Bathing Suit Blues - Shop
Early |
Everyone knows that finding the perfect bathing suit isn’t
easy. It takes time, so start early. B’eautique resort wear
is original and gorgeous, but not that easy to find. It’s currently
at Ritz Carlton Hotels and Nordstrom. We’ll be bringing you
more of our favourite bathing beauty finds in future issues.
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Beauty |
The Awful Truth about Orange Peel
Skin |
Cellulite is an ugly problem, especially as summer approaches with
its skin-baring fashions. Cellulite is nothing more than fat that
has escaped through little tears in the dermis, causing a less-than-smooth
appearance of the skin. Liposuction makes it worse.
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What can you do? Diet. The thinner you are and the less water you
retain the smoother your skin will look. But - alas - thin people
have cellulite, too.
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| Costly injections are said to burn fat, but avoid them. They are
dangerous, even when a doctor does them. Just ask your own doctor.
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There is a costly mechanical massage treatment said to reduce cellulite.
It’s approved by the government, but it’s pricey and the
effects are temporary at best. I say save your cash! If you have real
money to spend, the newer treatments with Fraxel Lasers
and thermage have more science behind them, but they are serious money
and medicine.
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So, what to do besides diet and exercise which will help any body
part look better? Try massaging yourself daily with an anti-cellulite
product. It is a not miracle cure, but your skin will look better.
Two products we like are Seeds of Change,
a light aromatherapy gel from Amarin Aromatherapy
in Isreal, www.amarin.us
. Also worth trying is Olay Smoothing Concentrate.
It combines caffeine and ginseng and also has an addictive scent.
The key with massage is to be vigilant, and to realize the problem
is more in your mind than in the eye of the beholder.
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Your Dazzling Smile |
Have you tried the new Oral B Vitality Precision Clean Toothbrush.
It is a line of fabulous, small, light-weight rechargeable, inexpensive,
and top-quality electric toothbrushes. They are clinically proven
to remove up to two times more plaque than manual brushes. They are
so inexpensive, you can buy them for the whole family. Crest
Pro-Health toothpaste protects against gum disease,
tooth decay, sensitivity - and whitens. It also tastes fabulous and
makes your breath smell gorgeous. This is great product.
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There has been increasing evidence linking gum disease to heart
disease and other health problems. Take care of your teeth and gums,
and smile for many years.
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| Food |
Something a Little Greek |
| We used to eat in small Greek fish restaurants on Montreal’s
Park Avenue. One of my favourites made shrimp this way. |
| 1 pound of large shrimp, cleaned and deveined, |
| 1 small onion, chopped |
| 2 tbsp. fresh dill chopped |
| 1 lg. clove garlic chopped |
| 1 lemon zested (use a micro plane) |
| ½ cup of feta crumbled |
| ½ cup of light, unoaked, white wine. |
| Place the onion and garlic in a cold pan with oil and sauté
to soften, but not brown. Raise heat and add lightly salted shrimp.
As the shrimp begin to go opaque, add 2 tbsp of the lemon zest, the
white wine and the dill. Add cracked pepper. Do not overcook the shrimp
they will be done quickly, in 5 to 6 minutes. Top with cheese and
broil under hot broiler to melt cheese. This may be done in the pan
or by placing the shrimp and sauce in two little casseroles and then
topping. |
This very fresh and piquant. Serve with rice or orzo and a green.
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| So darlings, I leave you to a week that I hope will be filled with
possibilities - and time for a few dreams. I pray that in getting
ready for summer we can all eat sensibly and exercise - and then remember
to see ourselves as the lovely women we are. I hope we do not pick
and tear at ourselves for small faults. Because life should be sweet. |
| So darling DolceDolce readers dream, do, and please
save a few minutes for me. Sign-up
for the free DolceDolce email newsletter if you haven’t already
- we are free - and forward
us to a friend. Maybe she wants bangs! |
| Until next week. |
| Gracey Hitchcock |
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