Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Write a Fashion Police Caption for Ali Larter
Think you have what it takes to be an Us Top Cop?
Write a snippy one-liner for this photo of actress Ali Larter, who attended the premiere of Bachelorette on Aug. 23 in Los Angeles. If you want your joke to appear in a copy of Us Weekly, please leave your full name in your comment.
Via: Write a Fashion Police Caption for Ali Larter
Rebecca Taylor, Scotch & Soda, and Minnie Mouse Storm the British Fashion Scene
This year, it seems like the world is having a massive love affair with London, which means that it’s becoming even more of a sought-after fashion destination with legions of foreign fashion retailers wanting to internationalise into the British market. Let’s take a look at the latest faces which are set to grace our shores.
Rebecca Taylor’s designs focus on modern femininity, and of course, her most famous fan in the UK just so happens to be the Duchess of Cambridge. As is often the case with whatever Kate wears, as soon as Rebecca Taylor’s designs were pictured on her, almost every British fashionista wanted to buy the brand. (It’s her blue tweed skirt suit we’re talking about, below.) There is now such a demand for Taylor’s designs in the UK that she’s announced her first store is on its way. Although the date and location are yet to be confirmed, we’re guessing it’ll be before the end of the year.
This week, it was announced that the Dutch brand Scotch & Soda are also planning to expand into the UK and the US this fall. It’s been reported that they have already acquired two stores in London’s Westbourne Grove area of Notting Hill, where one will be dedicated to womenswear and the other to menswear.
Okay, so she’s not exactly a fashion designer herself, but Disney is collaborating with several London based fashion designers to launch a Minnie Mouse Must-Haves fashion collection this coming London Fashion Week. The main fashion designers taking part in the project are Giles Deacon, Michael van der Ham, and Richard Nicoll, with jewellery designers featuring Tatty Devine and Husam el Odeh.
Disney has also announced that they are teaming up with the flamboyant Meadham Kirchoff who will unveil a Minnie Mouse-inspired catwalk show. We hear that the overall aim of the Minnie Mouse revival is to cement her iconic look of bows and dots. So if you visit London soon and see everybody channeling Minnie Mouse, now you’ll understand why.
Images: WENN.com, Nikki Nelson/ WENN
Via: Rebecca Taylor, Scotch & Soda, and Minnie Mouse Storm the British Fashion Scene
John Galliano stripped of Legion of Honour following anti-Semitic abuse conviction
After being photographed lunching at the Paris Ritz with Anna Wintour during Haute Couture Fashion Week, it seemed things might finally be on the up for disgraced fashion designer John Galliano.
However WWD report that following his conviction for hurling anti-Semitic abuse at a woman outside a Paris café in February 2011, Galliano has been stripped of his Legion of Honour Award by French President, François Hollande.
READ: John Galliano found guilty of anti-Semitic abuse
The Gibraltar-born British fashion designer, who was ousted from creative director roles at both Christian Dior and his eponymous label following his arrest, was decorated as a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour at the Elysée Palace in 2010. The award is traditionally given for services to France, with other decorated fashion luminaries numbering Hubert de Givenchy, Yves Saint Laurent, Azzedine Alaïa, Franca Sozzani, Marc Jacobs and Anna Wintour.
All the latest on the John Galliano scandal
With rumours circling that he is poised to make a make a comeback in the ever-forgiving fashion world, Galliano will no doubt be dismayed that talk of the ugly incident - which the designer attributed to work-related stress - has flared-up again.
Separately, it is believed that Galliano has lodged an employee/employer dispute claim for over €15 million (£11.9 million) at the Conseil des Prud'hommes, with a Paris hearing scheduled for February 4, 2013.
Via: John Galliano stripped of Legion of Honour following anti-Semitic abuse conviction
10 Incredibly Gorgeous Transforming Wedding Dresses from 2013 Bridal Collections
Wedding dresses that give you two looks for the price of one aren't easy to find. But there are a few drool-worthy gems to remember from the 2013 bridal catwalks!
Here are ten of our favs from Monique Lhuillier, Rosa Clara, Hayley Paige, Reem Acra, and more! Check them out, then share your thoughts in the comment section below!
Which convertible wedding gown do you love most? Click Pin It on your favorite dress images!
Via: 10 Incredibly Gorgeous Transforming Wedding Dresses from 2013 Bridal Collections
Best Bet: Dieppa Restrepo Cali Oxfords
Classic menswear-style laceups and monkstraps are a big fall trend but if you prefer your footwear a bit more girly, consider these patent Dieppa Restrepo oxfords. The rich gold-and-black pattern is a subtle nod to the opulent brocade detailing that filled the runways. Pair with cropped trousers or a short hemline to better show off the shine.
Dieppa Restrepo Cali Oxfords, $254 at Totokaelo
Via: Best Bet: Dieppa Restrepo Cali Oxfords
Murad Anti-Aging Product Spotlight: Intensive Wrinkle Reducer for Eyes
Murad Intensive Wrinkle Reducer for Eyes is one of the eye treatments featured in the Murad Age Reform® skin care line for Genetic Aging. Why is this anti-wrinkle eye treatment so powerful and able to combat crow's feet and under-eye wrinkles so dramatically? In this anti-aging product spotlight, we'll tell you everything that you need to know about this advanced eye wrinkle treatment.
Who is Murad Intensive Wrinkle Reducer for Eyes Right For?
If you've begun to show fine lines and wrinkles around your eyes such as crow's feet or under-eye wrinkles, then this powerful eye treatment is an excellent way to visibly diminish wrinkles while also improving the firmness around your eyes overall. Murad Intensive Wrinkle Reducer for Eyes is designed to fight eye wrinkles that have begun to form and need to be stopped before they become deeper or more prominent. Why do eyes need special care? The skin around your eyes is thinner and weaker than the rest of your face. It also doesn't produce its own moisture like the rest of your skin does, and it's less likely to have had proper sun protection during the course of your life. All of these factors combine to make the area around your eyes the most likely spot for you to develop (and to need to combat) lines and wrinkles.
How Does Murad Intensive Wrinkle Reducer Work to Firm and Smooth Eyes?
Murad Intensive Wrinkle Reducer for Eyes uses Murad's Durian Cell Reform™, which is an exclusive formulation that enhances the penetration of the anti-aging ingredients in this eye cream. Many eye creams sit on the surface of your skin, and the active ingredients that are designed to hydrate and improve collagen strength penetrate only slightly. Durian Cell Reform ensures that the UGL Complex (an anti-aging ingredient to increase collagen for firmer skin) and Hyaluronic microspheres (developed to increase skin's ability to hold water, keeping the eye area firm and smooth) penetrate as deeply as possible. This means that your results last longer. If you end up missing a few days of application, you won't immediately see your wrinkles reform as you will with many eye wrinkle creams that only treat and hydrate the skin around the eyes near the surface.
How Do You Use Murad Intensive Wrinkle Reducer for Eyes?
After you've cleansed and toned your skin, simply apply a small amount of Murad Intensive Wrinkle Reducer for Eyes beneath your eyes (including where you may be seeing crow's feet) and along your brow bone. Because this eye cream includes a Retinol derivative, it's often best to limit usage to once per day. Murad Intensive Wrinkle Reducer for Eyes may not absorb into your skin immediately. Be sure to give the Durian Cell Reform technology a few seconds to work and for the product to absorb naturally into your skin!
Be sure when applying to dab and pat your eye treatment on. Rubbing and stretching the skin around your eyes can lead to even more wrinkles and fine lines!
What Are Customers Saying?
Below are some reviews from the Murad.com website. To see all of the unedited customer reviews of Murad Intensive Wrinkle Reducer for Eyes, visit Murad.com.
"This product is great; I have been using it now for about a year-and-a-half and will probably use it forever cuz I love it so much. It definitely makes a difference in my crow's feet and fine wrinkles under the eye. It makes the area around my eyes very smooth and I love the feel and look. You will notice it working!" dmax, Ohio
"I was very hesitant to try any of the products, since I was tired of spending money on products that just did not do anything for my problem. I have fine lines around my eyes with a few deep lines in the inner corner of my eyes due to squinting. I finally decided to try the Intensive Wrinkle Reducer for the eyes and see if this product would work for me…. Well, its only been a week and a half and I am AMAZED at the reults! The fine lines are diminishing and the deep lines are less noticeable! No more bags under my eyes!! I can’t wait to see what my skin will look like after 30 days… 
YAY! My co-worker noticed the difference after only two days! I truly recommend this product. It is worth every penny ladies! You will not regret the purchase!" LuckyDoll, California
"The single best eye cream I’ve ever used to combat lite crowsfeet and fine lines….just when you think Murad can’t get any better…it does!! Already using Resurgence line, which is amazing enough, for close to a year now. How excellent and changed my skin is now!! Then, this eye cream came out, this is amazing…little bit goes a long way, so don’t let the price deter you…will last a long time….thanks Dr. Murad, for creating products for sensitive skin, too, such as Resurgence, and for not testing on animals….you are AMAZING!!!!" Lori42i, Pennsylvania
"I adore this eye cream. The only problem with it is that is pricey, and now I cannot go without it. My husband has asked me what I do to keep my skin looking so young, and I fessed up to using this cream. It makes a huge difference by decreasing fine lines and wrinkles. Now, if I go without it for two weeks, there is a visible difference in my skin, and it’s not for the better! Like I said, I can’t go without it. The skin around my eyes is very sensitive, too, but I found that this cream is one of the few that doesn’t irritate it or make my eyes water. Love it!" EllieC, Massachusetts
Via: Murad Anti-Aging Product Spotlight: Intensive Wrinkle Reducer for Eyes
Russell Brand and Geri Halliwell are dating. No honestly, its true.
We’re pretty sure this may be one of the signs of the apocalypse - according to reports Geri Halliwell and Russell Brand are getting it on.
It’s said the two have become a “serious” item after hitting it off at the Olympics closing ceremony a few weeks ago. Only in the celeb world could a two week long dalliance be counted as “serious” eh?
Anyway, the two have been on a string of dates including a cosy family day out with Geri’s daughter this weekend to Hampton Court Palace. A source close to the two said:
“Things are getting very serious between them — they’re a proper couple now. They had met several times in the past, but really got to know each other during the Olympics.
“People thought Russell was joking at the time, when he said he had a crush on Geri all over again, but it was true. They just clicked — they have so much in common.”
We don’t even want to hazard a guess what nymphomaniac Russell Brand has in common with Geri Halliwell, but let’s just say the comedian has always been vocal about his attraction to the former Spice Girl. In fact just earlier this month he said:
“I’ve got Spice Girls mania all over again now. It’s like going back to 1996.
“I’ve got a massive crush on Geri Halliwell too, so everything in the world was as it should be.”
What, before the apocalypse? Just those horsemen to wait for now.
Via: Russell Brand and Geri Halliwell are dating. No honestly, its true.
Acquired Taste Learn To Love Cilantro
There are some things, it seems, the People (you know, with a capital P) will never agree upon. Bowties: Charming accessory for the well-dressed man, or cheesy hipster attire? Al Gore: Environmental activist and former vice-president, or shape-shifting reptilian humanoid? Cilantro: Magical flavor enhancer, or soapy-tasting, gag-inducing destroyer of tacos, bahn mi, and all other potentially delicious dishes?
If you're firmly rooted in the latter camp (on the cilantro front, that is), it's time to give the humble leaf of the coriander plant another shot. I know, I know, if you're a full-fledged cilantro-hater you'd probably rather be run down by a passing Mack truck than down a dish of the stuff, but trust me on this one—it can actually be kind of … well, delicious.
The explanation is all in the chemistry. Those offensive soapy flavors are produced by substances called aldehydes, explains Harold McGee, and research suggests that crushing the leaves—like, say, in a pesto?—allows enzymes to work their magic and make those retch-inducing aldehydes less pungent.
I was willing to give it a shot. I pick cilantro out of sandwiches and salads, avoid cilantro-packed guacamole, and slurp around it in pho—in other words, I'm a tried-and-true cilantro-phobe. But this cilantro pesto from Jeffrey Saad? I'd eat it by the spoonful. The olive oil and the cotija temper the strength of the cilantro, the pumpkin seeds add a nice crunch, and slathered on a hot ear of corn, it may just be the perfect summer meal—even for a cilantro-hater.
My intrepid bunch of taste testers repurposed the stuff to top pulled pork and found it to be a winner. If you don’t have good sweet corn, use it to punch up your carnitas, spoon it over shrimp skewers, or spread it on tilapia with a squeeze of lime. Or (because why the hell not?) just grab a spoon.
Grilled Corn with Cilantro Pesto
Recipe by Jeffrey Saad, chef and host of United Tastes of America
What you’ll need:
8 ears corn
2 cups cilantro, washed, large stems removed
¾ cup canola oil, plus ½ Tbsp
½ cup cotija cheese, grated, plus more for topping
2 tsp garlic, chopped
¼ cup shelled pumpkin seeds
1 tsp chile powder
¼ tsp kosher salt
How to make it:
1. Preheat the oven to 450°F. Toss the pumpkin seeds, ½ Tbsp canola oil, chile powder, and salt in a small bowl and stir to combine. Spread the seeds on a cookie sheet and roast for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2. In a food processor, combine the cilantro, canola oil, roasted pumpkin seeds, cotija cheese, and garlic. Pulse until evenly combined but still chunky. Add salt to taste.
3. Peel the corn and place on a hot grill. Cook for ten minutes, turning every two minutes to ensure even cooking.
4. Using a pastry brush, liberally slather pesto on each ear of corn. Top with additional cotija. Serves 8.
Via: Acquired Taste Learn To Love Cilantro
FDA Approves New Once-a-Day HIV Pill
MONDAY, Aug. 27 (HealthDay News) -- A new pill to treat HIV infection that combines four medicines and only has to be taken once a day was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Monday.
Stribild, which will be marketed by maker Gilead Sciences, contains the HIV drugs elvitegravir, cobicistat, emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. It will be prescribed to people who have never been treated for HIV infection, the agency said in a statement.
Two of the drugs, elvitegravir and cobicistat, are new, the FDA noted. Elvitegravir interferes with one of the enzymes that HIV needs to multiply, while cobicistat inhibits an enzyme that metabolizes certain HIV drugs and so prolongs the effect of elvitegravir. The combination of emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate is already marketed as Truvada, and they work in concert to block another enzyme that HIV needs to replicate.
"Through continued research and drug development, treatment for those infected with HIV has evolved from multi-pill regimens to single-pill regimens," Dr. Edward Cox, director of the Office of Antimicrobial Products in FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, said in the agency statement. "New combination HIV drugs like Stribild help simplify treatment regimens."
Earlier this year, the agency approved the first over-the-counter rapid HIV test for home use and gave its blessing to the first drug to be used to prevent HIV infection when used together with safe sex practices.
Two clinical trials found between 88 percent and 90 percent of patients treated with Stribild had an undetectable amount of HIV in their blood after 48 weeks of treatment, the FDA said.
The drug will carry a boxed warning that says it can cause a build-up of lactic acid in the blood and severe liver problems, both of which can be fatal. In the clinical trials, common side effects included nausea and diarrhea. Serious side effects include new or worsening kidney problems, decreased bone mineral density, fat redistribution and changes in the immune system, the FDA said.
Gilead, which is based in Foster City, Calif., must conduct more research to further determine the drug's safety in women and children, how resistance develops to Stribild and possible interactions with other drugs, the FDA said.
Via: FDA Approves New Once-a-Day HIV Pill
Video: Doctor Who's Matt Smith, Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill speak exclusively to heat
Here's a treat for all you Doctor Who fans out there.
heat recently had a chinwag with the Doctor - Matt Smith - and his good pals Amy and Rory Pond, played by Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill.
Here's what they had to say about the Pond's sad goodbye and the return of those dastardly daleks. Eek!
See this week's copy of heat for more on the return of Doctor Who.
Via: Video: Doctor Who's Matt Smith, Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill speak exclusively to heat
The Boyfriend Stylist Strikes Again! Kanye West Gives Kim Kardashian's Wardrobe A High-Fashion Makeover: VIDEO
When Kim Kardashian started dating Kanye West, we had our suspicions that the designer-turned-rapper was sprucing up his new lady's wardrobe. See the monochrome matchy-matchy outfits, the sophisticated Celine garb and pairs of Giuseppe Zanotti heels replacing those rainbow-bright bandage dresses and glitzy gems. And now we have video proof that Kanye actually IS dressing up his girlfriend.
A recent episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians, aired in the US this week, sees Kanye flaunting his fashwan know-how by purging Kim’s kloset. 'But babe, you gotta really clean out everything,' Mr West instructs. And so the 'ghetto' gear goes, a gazillion dollars worth of shoes are ditched while a shearling and patent leather Louis Vuitton bag doesn't stand a chance (to be fair, it is hideous). Is anyone else reminded of that Sex And The City episode when Carrie cleans out her closet to make space for Aiden's stuff? *shudders*
But, unlike Carrie, Kim has a designer boyfriend to replace her cast-offs with racks upon racks of KW-approved clobber. Oh, and there's a tailor to fit every garment to those Kardashian curves too. 'Kanye’s definitely inspired me to wanna like, be a little bit more of an individual,' Kim says. An individual who wears exactly what her boyfriend tells her to, appaz.
BTW: fret not about all those Louboutins ending up in bin bags - Kimmy K's reject pile is going straight to charity. Tweeting to her concerned followers, she said: 'The clothes I got rid of on tonight’s episode will be up on EBay next month for a charity auction! Going to Life Change Community Church.' Phewf for that.
We've seen the likes of Victoria Beckham giving David a man-over and we may or may not have banished an offending pair of velcro-fastened trainers from our boyfriend's feet, but what do you make of this new wave of boyfriend-stylists? We admit to being surprised when Jessica Biel revealed fiancé Justin Timberlake influences her fashion choices and we've already seen Kim seeking Kanye's approval on a previous episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians.
So check out the clip below and let us know your thoughts on Kanye reshaping Kim's style. Is he adorably helpful or too controlling? And would you let your partner choose your outfits for you or politely ignore the ‘input’?
Via: The Boyfriend Stylist Strikes Again! Kanye West Gives Kim Kardashian's Wardrobe A High-Fashion Makeover: VIDEO
Celebrity Beauty How To Video: The Off-Duty Top Knot As Seen On Nicole Richie, Lady Gaga and Jessica Biel
With celebrities rocking an ‘off-duty’ top knot of late, we thought it only right to give you the Grazia Beauty Desk guide to working the latest hair trend. Jessica Biel, Lady Gaga, Kim Kardashian and Nicole Richie (who also wore a matching bun with her daughter Harlow) have all sported an excellent variety of bun fun recently and with the catwalk (Louis Vuitton no less) packed full of different versions of the easiest ‘up-do’ this season, we thought we’d show you how to master the top knot in minutes.
Products
Label m Dry Shampoo
Tangle Teaser Aqua Splash
Goodys Hair Elastic
By Lauren Murdoch-Smith
Via: Celebrity Beauty How To Video: The Off-Duty Top Knot As Seen On Nicole Richie, Lady Gaga and Jessica Biel
Valentinos State of Grace
Once Valentino was legendary for its signature sinful red. From this day hence, after a particularly graceful and poised haute couture collection from the house, it shall be known for a mystical blue.
Inspired by the paintings of the Madonna by Giotto, Valentino's fall 2012 couture collection, shown Wednesday evening, July 4, in Paris had a saintly air, so prim was the fashion so demure the mood.
The floor-length evening dresses, the fluid extended capes, the pulled back hair made the models look almost devout, in this collection by design duo Pier Paolo Piccioli and Maria Grazia Chiuri.
"We wanted to give women a more sacred image, a message of universal respect," explained Piccioli in the crowded backstage of the Hotel de Rothschild, the Paris mansion where the show was staged.
Continuing the spiritual chic, a cape and robe came in a print featuring the Tree of Life; rich in leaves, flowers and pomegranates. Even by the exacting requirements for couture of impeccable handwork and sumptuous finish couture, this was demanding collection. One coat with micro pearl embroidering took three months work to sew.
In one memorable passage, a similar floral print was used in four looks: embroidered on a black tunic; as raised felt on a cocktail dress; in a long gown with cape and finally in a plisse gown, in a brilliant display of controlled workmanship and design.
However, as much of the collection was made in chiffon plisse, hyper embroidered mousseline and frequently dissected with semi-sheer panels, it was never uptight, just highly feminine. Yet, besides the elegant embroidery and artful grace, the abiding memory of this show was the family of blue - azure, cerulean, navy and sapphire. Even the wooden catwalk was a washed-out indigo.
Via:
Valentinos State of Grace Valentinos State of Grace
For the Multi-Taskers, Clarins Launches New CreamThe Best Over 40 Foundation and How to Get Full Lips
Happy Monday and welcome to the Fashion Flash, our weekly update of the hottest over 40 fashion, beauty and health tips.
This week our host is Fit and Fabulous Over Forty.
Here are some of the topics we are discussing:
Via: The Best Over 40 Foundation and How to Get Full Lips
Jessica Hart Is the Face (and Body) of Mambo Goddess SS 2012
In what seems like only hours since she put her clothes back on after stripping down for Sass and Bide’s first lingerie campaign, Jessica Hart is showing of her insane figure once more as the face (and body) of Mambo SS 2013. The iconic Australian surf and street brand has named Hart as its 2012 “Goddess”, whipping her off to the Californian dessert with her friend and namesake Jessica Gomes to eat popsicles and ride around in shiny cars.
Hart is the latest in a string of in-demand models to be snagged by Mambo. Gomes took out the Goddess title in 2011, following such names as Jodhi Meares, Cheyenne Tozzi, and Erin McNaught. It’s a smart move for the brand, which has been around since 1984 and is as frequently associated with cheap mens cargo pants sold in Big W department stores as it is with gorgeous swimwear, ensuring they continue to keep it classy as well as accessible. That’s not too say that the Goddess line comes with a high-end price tag though, with all pieces falling between the $39.95 to $59.95 mark.
Mambo Goddess’ SS2012 campaign was brought into being by an all-star cast of Australian creatives including photographer Jason Ierace, stylist Imogene Barron and makeup artist Rae Morris. Soon after the campaign surfaced, the freshly cashed-up Jess was back in Melbourne taking her mum for a spin in a $340,000 Maserati Gran Turismo, but luckily her adorable smile means it is impossible to believe she’s anything but totally genuine.
Images via Chadwick Models and Mambo
Via: Jessica Hart Is the Face (and Body) of Mambo Goddess SS 2012
Sophia Bush Talks Politics On Twitter
Enjoying a relaxing afternoon out on the West Coast, Sophia Bush was spotted out in Beverly Hills, CA on Monday afternoon (August 27).
The 30-year-old "One Tree Hill" actress looked pretty in print as she sported floral skinny jeans, a black tank top and sunglasses while chatting on her phone.
In personal news, Miss Bush has never been quiet about her opinion on equal rights and today she spoke out on the Republicans stance on rape.
The brunette beauty wrote, "I am honestly nauseous b/c of all these Rep. men defending rape/rape pregnancy. Gents, YOU WILL NEVER KNOW WHAT IT MEANS. #BackOffMyUterus." Later adding, "Rape, sexual assault, any time a woman is harassed against her will -- it's ALL legitimate. And horrifying. How dare anyone say otherwise. "
Miss Bush had re-tweeted this post that started her rant: "BREAKING: Tom Smith, GOP Senate Candidate in Pennsylvania just said that pregnancy from rape is similar to "having a baby out of wedlock."
Enjoy the pictures of Sophia Bush running errands in Beverly Hills (August 27).
Via: Sophia Bush Talks Politics On Twitter
Monday, August 20, 2012
Jonathan Saunders Teams Up With a New E-Commerce Platform
In this day and age our entire lives are online — we socialize on Facebook and window-shop on Pinterest — so it’s only natural that we demand more from our fashion retailers. Not only do we want to shop online, but we also want to share these shopping experiences with friends, as if we were on a real brick and mortar shopping trip.
Luckily for us, the creation of the online platform Motilo has made our dreams a reality. Here, friends from different parts of the world can browse garments, create a style, and even purchase the items together. Could this genius idea get any better? Well, apparently it can. Today, it was exclusively revealed that Scottish born fashion designer Jonathan Saunders has teamed up with the platform, whereby we will not only be able to view live streams of his catwalk shows, but also be presented with the opportunity to pre-order selected items from the collection too. Join the virtual online queue now.
Images via WENN
London Fashion Week gets Digital
If we remember rightly, Motilo aren’t the only ones who have recognized our desire for a digital Fashion Week experience. Last Fashion Week, Topshop also created QR codes for customers to scan and watch behind the scenes footage. Plus, London Fashion Week itself has now got a digital section, with digital screenings taking place throughout London. Meaning that you don’t have to work directly within in the fashion industry to feel like you’re part of the action.
Discover Style Cloud
This week TFS also stumbled upon Style Cloud, an online wardrobe site. The platform allows you to photograph and upload pictures of your real life wardrobe, share them with friends, and get their advice about what you should wear. It’s definitely a must for those days when you really can’t afford a new outfit and can’t bring yourself to wear something which you’ve already worn a million times.
Via: Jonathan Saunders Teams Up With a New E-Commerce Platform
TOWIE preview: Listen to Gemma Collins and James Arg Argent sing together
Gemma Collins and James 'Arg' Argent have already admitted that they like to sing along to Peter Andre and Katie Prices' duets album A Whole New World.
Now – thanks to Sunday night's The Only Way Is Essex (ITV2, 10pm) – we actually get to see and more importantly hear them sing together.
As a little surprise, Arg takes Gemma to the the theatre they used to perform in as children. "Oh my god James I'm gonna sing so much better than you," Gemma teases.
Well, judge for yourselves heatworlders…
Via: TOWIE preview: Listen to Gemma Collins and James Arg Argent sing together
The Fashion Spot's 10 Best Articles of the Week
1. So Pinteresting: Inspiring Street Style to Beat the Summer Slump - Pinterest street style for inspiring ways to spice up your summer look.
2. Soft-Focus Beauty: Want a Less-Polished Look You Can Wear Every Day? - Smudges and stains are everything right now.
3. Five Times To Do a Miley Cyrus and Change Up Your Hair - Think this is the right time for a dramatic switcheroo?
4. The Glossies: All the September 2012 Covers We Loved and Hated - You know what this is: SEPTEMBER ISSUES.
5. The British Are Coming! Ted Baker Invades Fifth Avenue: The Cannon Canon - Inside Ted Baker's exquisite new Fifth Avenue store.
6. Copenhagen Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2013 Review - More than just a warm-up for the September shows.
7. Street Style Chronicles: Copenhagen Fashion Week Spring 2013 - So many good looks here.
8. J.Crew's Top 5 Summer-to-Fall Styling Lessons - Jenna Lyons' guide to getting dressed right now.
9. How to Act Like an Entitled Beauty Blogger - What it's like to be a paid beauty blogger.
10. Brit Supermodels and Spice Girls Rock the Olympics Closing Ceremony - Maybe the single best part of the Olympics?
Via: The Fashion Spot's 10 Best Articles of the Week
Nicki Minaj's strained vocal cords can't make it to V Festival...
Nicki Minaj has cancelled her appearance at this weekend’s V Festival due to ‘strained vocal cords’. Sad face.
V Festival reps released the following statement about her not turning up: “Miss Minaj's band and crew have all arrived in the UK ahead of the performance at the festival this weekend, however as the artist herself boarded her flight from New York on Friday 17th August, she felt unwell again."
According to Digital Spy the statement continued, "This is despite having thought she had overcome her vocal cord issues from earlier in the week. Having revisited her doctor she has now been advised to rest for a week, which unfortunately means that she is no longer able to perform at V Festival."
Festival organisers have decided to bump up LMFAO into Nicki’s slot and have wished her a “speedy recovery”.
Nicki had tweeted earlier in the week, "It's official, my voice is GONE!" after finishing a couple of gigs with Drake in New York City. It’s a shame she couldn’t get better in time for V, but the show must go on!
Nicki’s cancellation hasn’t dampened the spirits of the other performers – Check out our gallery of Tom Jones, LMFAO, Gossip, Ed Sheeran, Rita Ora and loads more stars on the stage at the festival.
Via: Nicki Minaj's strained vocal cords can't make it to V Festival...
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Happy Hour The Southside
For this week's Happy Hour, I’m harkening back to the drink that taught me to truly appreciate the flavor of spirits: the Southside.
Many years ago, I was a semi-regular at a private beach club as the guest of a friend (What’s up, Vince!). For the first time, I was privy to how the other half lives: The parking lot dotted with vintage Mercedes, people named Muffy and Scooter who looked like they'd popped out of a Polo ad. Guests with windswept hair lounged about and dined alfresco, attended by young men in white who scurried to set up their umbrellas and pull out their chairs. But what really impressed me about this rarefied environment was the bar—and, specifically, the Southside cocktail. I've always liked drinking, of course, but I didn’t always enjoy the taste. So when I sipped a properly balanced cocktail for the first time—one with fresh lemon juice and sugar and a hit of fresh mint that accompanied the flavor of the alcohol instead of masking it—a light went on. I finally understood the intrinsic appeal of spirits. And I’ve never looked back.
The Southside works with pretty much any base spirit. My first was with bourbon, but if you simply say “Southside” at the beach club, you'll get a rum drink. It was originally made with gin, and legend has it that the Southside was invented at the esteemed 21 Club in New York City; it is the signature cocktail of that establishment to this day, which could also explain why it's so popular with the country-club set.
A seedier version of the Southside's roots has it that Chicago gangsters (from the South Side) were looking to hide the taste of nasty Prohibition-era bathtub gin. But regardless of its origins, the Southside is a light, refreshing cocktail that's easy to make and just screams for sand and surf. And to make this week's Happy Hour truly special, I managed to track down veteran barkeep Roger Latter, the very same man who served me my first Southside all those years ago, for the recipe. Enjoy!
The Southside
(Recipe courtesy of Roger Latter)
What you'll need:
2 oz dark rum (Roger prefers Mount Gay rum, but any quality base spirit works fine)
1 oz fresh sour mix (Make a simple syrup by boiling 1/2 cup of water and stirring in 1/2 cup of sugar until it dissolves. Let it cool and combine with 1/2 cup lemon and 1/2 cup lime juice.)
8 to 10 fresh mint leaves
How to make it:
Combine ingredients in a shaker and shake vigorously so the mint bruises slightly. Pour and serve. Garnish with a lemon wedge.
Via: Happy Hour The Southside
Thursday, August 16, 2012
MacGyver Meals With Extreme Chefs Marsh Mokhtari
When I cook in the humble kitchen in my apartment—which has no dishwasher—I sometimes feel like I'm really roughing it. And for those of you whipping up dinner after dinner in a cramped bachelor pad, you may feel like there's only one thing standing between you and restaurant-quality chow: counter space.
On Extreme Chef, the Food Network competition show, some of America's most talented chefs are tasked with making four-star quality dishes amid a range of serious environmental and physical challenges, such as torrential downpours and hail storms. They don't even have the luxury of buying ingredients at a market—they dive for fish or locate ingredients on a treasure map.
And that was all just last season. Season 2 premieres tonight on Food Network at 10 p.m. Eastern, with a new format. Over the five-episode series, the same set of seven chefs will compete week after week until they're whittled down to one winner, who will take home $50,000.
Host Marsh Mokhtari says the chefs on the show have inspired him to upgrade his own culinary techniques and be more adventurous in the kitchen—from properly scoring the fat on a duck breast to preparing sea urchin himself.
The most eye-opening lesson he’s learned?
If you're not sure how to make something, try anyway. "Even if I don't know the right recipe to make a plum reduction for duck breast, I know it has plums in it," Mokhtari says. "I would assume there's a liquid, maybe a red wine—if I have port, I'll put that in—or cranberry juice." Put your own twist on it, and you might end up with a recipe that lasts a lifetime.
When Mokhtari was a child, he and his father tried sushi for the first time at a food court at Harrod's in London. They loved it—so they worked on a fish recipe that replicates the look of sushi, without seaweed, which they didn't have. The recipe, below:
Salmon Roulade
What you'll need:
1 6 oz salmon fillet, skin removed
1 4 oz fillet white fish, such as sea bass
2 Tbsp dill, chopped
1 Tbsp olive oil
2 shallots, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 cup heavy cream
Juice from 1 lemon
1 cup white wine
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Parchment paper
Butcher’s twine or string
How to make it:
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F. Place the salmon filet on a piece of parchment paper. Scatter the dill over the salmon and season with salt and pepper. Place the white fish filet in the center of the salmon filet lengthwise.
2. Roll the fish in the parchment so that it looks like a long sushi roll. Tie it off every 2 inches, as you would with a roast. Cut between the tie marks so that it looks like sushi pieces.
3. Place the rolls on a baking sheet and bake until both fish fillets are cooked through, about 35 minutes.
4. As the fish bakes, prepare the sauce. In a small pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the shallots and garlic and cook until golden, three to five minutes. Add the cream, lemon juice, and white wine. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Stir to combine.
5. Remove the fish from the oven, snip the strings, and remove the parchment paper. Plate the fish and drizzle with sauce. Makes 2 servings.
—photo of Mokhtari courtesy of the Food Network
Via: MacGyver Meals With Extreme Chefs Marsh Mokhtari
MacGyver Your Dinner With Extreme Chefs Marsh Mokhtari
When I cook in the humble kitchen in my apartment—which has no dishwasher—I sometimes feel like I'm really roughing it. And for those of you whipping up dinner after dinner in a cramped bachelor pad, you may feel like there's only one thing standing between you and restaurant-quality chow: counter space.
On Extreme Chef, the Food Network competition show, some of America's most talented chefs are tasked with making four-star quality dishes amid a range of serious environmental and physical challenges, such as torrential downpours and hail storms. They don't even have the luxury of buying ingredients at a market—they dive for fish or locate ingredients on a treasure map.
And that was all just last season. Season 2 premieres tonight on Food Network at 10 p.m. Eastern, with a new format. Over the five-episode series, the same set of seven chefs will compete week after week until they're whittled down to one winner, who will take home $50,000.
Host Marsh Mokhtari says the chefs on the show have inspired him to upgrade his own culinary techniques and be more adventurous in the kitchen—from properly scoring the fat on a duck breast to preparing sea urchin himself.
The most eye-opening lesson he’s learned?
If you're not sure how to make something, try anyway. "Even if I don't know the right recipe to make a plum reduction for duck breast, I know it has plums in it," Mokhtari says. "I would assume there's a liquid, maybe a red wine—if I have port, I'll put that in—or cranberry juice." Put your own twist on it, and you might end up with a recipe that lasts a lifetime.
When Mokhtari was a child, he and his father tried sushi for the first time at a food court at Harrod's in London. They loved it—so they worked on a fish recipe that replicates the look of sushi, without seaweed, which they didn't have. The recipe, below:
Salmon Roulade
What you'll need:
1 6 oz salmon fillet, skin removed
1 4 oz fillet white fish, such as sea bass
2 Tbsp dill, chopped
1 Tbsp olive oil
2 shallots, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 cup heavy cream
Juice from 1 lemon
1 cup white wine
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Parchment paper
Butcher’s twine or string
How to make it:
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F. Place the salmon filet on a piece of parchment paper. Scatter the dill over the salmon and season with salt and pepper. Place the white fish filet in the center of the salmon filet lengthwise.
2. Roll the fish in the parchment so that it looks like a long sushi roll. Tie it off every 2 inches, as you would with a roast. Cut between the tie marks so that it looks like sushi pieces.
3. Place the rolls on a baking sheet and bake until both fish fillets are cooked through, about 35 minutes.
4. As the fish bakes, prepare the sauce. In a small pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the shallots and garlic and cook until golden, three to five minutes. Add the cream, lemon juice, and white wine. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Stir to combine.
5. Remove the fish from the oven, snip the strings, and remove the parchment paper. Plate the fish and drizzle with sauce. Makes 2 servings.
—photo of Mokhtari courtesy of the Food Network
Via: MacGyver Your Dinner With Extreme Chefs Marsh Mokhtari
Host A Grilled Pizza Party
The best pizzas in the world come from the wood-fire grills of Naples. Disagree if you like, but Naples began perfecting its pie hundreds of years before Pizza Hut stuffed its first bloated crust. From the wisp of smoke captured in the cheese to the brittle crust running along the belly, Neapolitan pies are entirely unlike their US cousins.
For one thing, they’re lighter in carbohydrates and less saturated with grease, so they’re less likely to make you look like the kind of guy who eats too much delivery. But beyond that, they’re also endlessly versatile and loaded with rich, warm flavor. Whatever you want on your pie—be it lobster and Alfredo sauce or bacon and eggs—you can have it. And so long as you have a grill, you have everything you need to put a Neapolitan spin on your next pizza.
Or better yet, invite over some friends for a legitimate grown-up pizza party. The only trick is that you have to know people who like pizza. That shouldn’t be too tough. Then follow guidelines below.
Ask your guests to bring toppings
Tell every guest to bring one or two toppings. Assign roles if you have to: One friend brings cheese, one brings meat, one brings sauce, and so on. If one of your friends is a vegetarian, put him in charge of the vegetables. The more you have to work with, the more interesting your pies will be.
Think outside the pizza box
The options for the typical delivery pie is limited to a very predictable list of ingredients—sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms, etc. Those are fine options, but you should encourage your guests to dig deeper. Instead of shredded mozzarella, try the fresh stuff or soft goat cheese. Experiment with grilled Brussels sprouts or kale, or give your pie a savory punch with shaved prosciutto. Marinara makes a fine sauce, but try spiking it with bbq sauce or replacing it with fresh-grilled tomato slices.
Bring the dough
Aside from manning the grill and playing crowd control, this is your sole responsibility. For acquiring pizza dough, you have three options: 1. Make it from scratch (recipe below), 2. look for it at your supermarket, or 3. walk into any pizza joint and ask them to sell you some. Option 3 is perhaps the easiest and most reliable. If you’re going to need a big batch, be sure to call ahead of time. Tell them how many people you’re serving, and they’ll help you determine how much you need.
Create a pizza buffet
Begin by grilling the toppings need to be cooked—onions, peppers, uncured meats, etc. Then set all the toppings out on a table next to a bowl of sauce with a ladle in it. There should be enough for every guest to make one pie.
Build and grill your masterpiece
The stone method: If you don’t have a pizza stone, you might consider buying one. Actually you might buy a couple so that one can cool off the grill while the other cooks your pizza. Then pull off a ball of dough, and using a rolling pin or wine bottle, roll it out flat. Spread it over you pizza stone, rub it with sauce, sprinkle on the toppings, and place the stone directly on the hot grates of the grill. If you’re using charcoal, perfect. Your crust will taste almost like it was cooked over a campfire. If you’re using gas, you might consider adding a smoker box filled with wood chips. Close the lid and let it cook about 10 minutes, or until the crust is crisp and the cheese is melted.
The no-stone method: If you don’t have a pizza stone, here’s what you do. First, create warm and cool zones on your grilling surface by banking the coals to one side (if it’s a gas grill, simply turn one burner up and leave the other one low). After you’ve rolled the dough into a pie, rub it with olive oil and drop it on the hot part of the grill, directly over the coals. Let it cook for 30 seconds and then rotate it 45 degrees to create diamond-shaped grill marks. After 30 more seconds, flip the crust and move it to the cool part of the grill, away from the coals. Quickly top it however you like, close the grill, and let it cook for 2 or 3 minutes. Use tongs to rotate it 45 degrees and let it cook for another couple minutes. If you have a pizza peel, use it to slide the pizza off the grill. Now enjoy.
Homemade Pizza Dough
Recipe from Grill This, Not That! By Dave Zinczenko and Matt Goulding
You’ll Need:
1 cup hot water
1 Tbsp sugar or honey
1/2 tsp salt
1 envelope instant yeast
2 1/2 cups flour, plus more for kneading and rolling
How to make it:
1. Combine the water, sugar, and salt in a large bowl and sprinkle with yeast. Allow to sit for 10 minutes while the water activates the yeast.
2. Use a wooden spoon to stir in the flour. When the dough is no longer sticky, place on a cutting board, cover with more flour, and knead for 5 minutes, folding the dough over on itself and using the heel of your hand to push it into the cutting board.
3. Return the dough to the bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, and let it rise at room temperature for at least 90 minutes. It will keep, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Makes two 10-inch pies.
Via: Host A Grilled Pizza Party
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