Why I love Christmas

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I truly BELIEVE in the “Spirit” of Christmas – that’s right! It used to be ~~all~~ about the excitement of getting presents under the tree and the anticipation the night before of waking up the next morning to find what ~~gifts~~ traces Santa left….like cookie crumbs on the plate. As kids you don’t have to rush around madly looking for the latest gadget or toy…your job is to receive. The complacency of getting. Wasn’t that nice?

Of course if Santa got the WRONG toy, doll or game you’d make a big stink about it – didn’t he get my list? What is wrong with SANTA?

Now we’re ~~somewhat~~ all grown up and it’s our turn to do the gifting. Not an easy task with so much pressure from media, store windows, etc. …..well it’s everywhere on the street. How did this significant holiday get so out of control?

Do we ever stop to think that maybe we put the pressure on ourselves! Maybe we don’t have to follow set rules and can keep it more simple. That’s not to say gift giving is off entirely – most definitely NOT….I still have a wish list but it’s gotten smaller. And giving as it turns out can be a very pleasurable and meaningful thing to do. Some ideas…

What about offering something to the parents of children who cannot afford to buy presents for them? Don’t be a Grinch! Toys, books, clothes, games, you name it – this is the time to be charitable.

The magic of Christmas for me now is the warm feeling that this time of the year (minus the cold) brings where people show their appreciation by getting together for some good cheer and neighbors have open houses when they otherwise would not.

Seems like most of us are in a good frame of mind.

But what about the homeless?. How about donating blankets, food and clothing to the homeless or a woman’s shelter? How about adopting a loving pet from the humane society or even fostering an orphaned elephant (but not at home) for only $50.00 Find out more at:

http://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/asp/fostering.asp

AND what if this ONE day of the year could instead be ALL days of the year where everyone is in a good mood, nice & obliging and open houses abound. Wouldn’t THAT be nice!

…speaking of store windows here are some shots from window shopping on 4th Ave.

well maybe not my dessert. This is Moule

xmas7

You can window shop on the inside too right? Meuse

Yup...that's right but try to keep it quiet. — Yup…that’s right but try to keep it quiet.

FUN

INtrigue INsider – Sparkle Plenty with Festive Fabulousness

For SHOW STOPPING GLAMOROUS EYES…….

MicaBella Mineral Shimmer Shadows — **MicaBella Mineral Shimmer** **Shadows** – LOVE THEM!

If you really want your eyes to sparkle this Christmas then you need to be wearing the right eye make up. The ‘Three Ls’ make up the basic stages of eye make up application- Lids, Liner, Lashes– and you need to be sure your make up bag has the perfect product for each stage if you want to make the best of your peepers.

Lids

The eye lids are where it’s at for color. There are so many gorgeous shades out there at the moment- but that means it’ can be so tempting to go wild and pick the brightest, most glittery tone you can find but nothing screams drag queen more than over the top eyes. The truth is you should pick colors that sort your natural coloring and base all your eye looks around that. You should start with a lid primer to help eye makeup adhere and last for hours. MicaBella makes an amazing primer for lids. The best eye make up styles are made of three color tones on the lid. Firstly a very light base color to create a shimmer should be applied between the lashes and the brow. A grey/silver or beige/gold shade usually works best.

Next to add color. You will need a main color for the whole lid and then a darker tone of the same color for the crease and corner of the lid if you want to emphasize your eyes and make them the main feature of your face. Experimenting with colors you like is the best way to learn what suits you best but check out the colors we think work best:

Blue Eyes : The natural color of blue eyes shines brightest when surrounded by warm natural colors. Using light brown tones with a pretty pink shade always works well.
Green Eyes : Dark brown or mocha shades are great for a natural earthy daytime look while purple tones contrast well with green eyes to create more drama.
Hazel Eyes : The different colored flecks in hazel eyes allow you to highlight the different tones depending on your mood. Try using a green shadow with a hint of gold alongside a pale yellow or lighter green to pick out the different tones within the brown of your eyes.

*Remember that any eye color looks great with smoky eye make up. Celebrity make up artist Lisa Eldridge has some top tips on achieving a sultry smoky look: Sexy Smoky Eyes Made Simple

Liner

Eye liner is probably one of the most common things that people struggle with when it comes to beauty. The hassle of getting your lines straight and even and avoiding smudging can make it all too tempting to give this stage a miss but it really is essential in defining the shape of your eyes.
The secret to perfect eye liner is all about choosing the right product for you. There are three main types of eye liner to choose from:
Kohl Pencils: are best for beginners (above). They glide on easy and can be blended and smudged without much effort. However this does mean they may smudge where you don’t want them too after a few too many vodkas.
Liquid Liners : last the longest and create the most drama but you need a steady hand to apply the liquid and it’s not so easy to remove if you make mistakes.
Felt Pen Liners : are a cross between the first two they are easy to apply like a pencil without going blunt and have the liquid smoothness. They can also be more difficult to correct when you have a little slip up however. *Black eye liner may look too severe for those with blonde hair and fair skin so try using a brown or grey shade to soften the look.

Lashes

Lovely lashes are the finishing touch to any gorgeous eye look. The longer and thicker you can get your lashes the more glamorous they will look. Stars like Kate Moss and Gisele Bundchen love to flutter false eye lashes on the red carpet and it’s now easy enough to get the Hollywood lash look at home. Celebrity lash designer (yes that is a real job) Christina Smith tells us the best way to apply false lashes:

Top Tips for Lovely Lashes

If you don’t fancy the hassle of all that cutting and sticking there’s always the good old traditional curlers and mascara method. The best eye lash curlers are usually the most basic ones. Some people find that heated curlers make their lashes stay shaped for longer but usually a good squeeze with a standard pair is just as good. I still swear by Shu Uemura but Chanel’s precision curler is excellent too. Note: I can go without wearing mascara but cannot do without my eyelash curler.

There are some great mascaras on the market at the minute that can lengthen, thicken, strengthen, separate and even make your lashes grow.

Waterproof mascara is essential if you’re off to a hot and sweaty club or plan on crying when watching the new film “Les Miserables.” Right now my favorite waterproof mascara is “Christian Dior Show” Mascara in cobalt blue. It’s just a really great mascara which builds the lashes up and can be intense. Otherwise I choose MicaBella’s black dramatic lengthening & thickening mascara. Oh, nothing the holidays to glamorize our looks….

All MicaBella products available online at http://intrigueimports.com

MicaBella Mineral Makeup on Pinterest at http://pinterest.com/intrigueimports/

FUN

Christmas décor – trees & traditions around the globe

xmaslights December 25^th takes on a unique local flavor depending on where you find yourself on that day. In some places Christmas falls on a different day entirely. Have a very Merry Christmas wherever you live and whatever day you end up celebrating!

A look around…….

santa fe 2 Christmas in Santa Fe – I’ve experienced & loved it!
Visit the historic Santa Fe Plaza on any chilly, clear evening from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day, and you will find silvery lights strung on every tree, sparkling against the gray winter dusk. The farolitos, luminous brown paper bags of candles and sand, are lit by hand each night, to flicker on the rooftops of the surrounding adobes. The City has a hushed, reverent quality at this time of year, regardless of the number of locals and tourists who partake of the numerous holiday festivities.

Colosseum Christmas xmas colosseum

In Italy, Christmas decorations may traditionally be put up on the 8th of December, a national holiday. Depending on the region, Christmas gifts might be given on Christmas Eve, or on Christmas Day. Decorations are taken down on the 6th of January and in some areas, female puppets are burned to signal, along with the end of Christmas, the end of the old year and beginning of the new. Photo: Jakob Montrasio

Parisian Christmas xmaseiffeltower

Unlike the tradition of hanging socks by the fireplace, many French children will put shoes out for Father Christmas to put presents into. Photo: Her Own Journey

xmaschocolates Paris Parisienne Chocolates – always the best!

eTHIOPIAN cHRISTMAS

Christmas is widely and seriously observed in Ethiopia by its Orthodox Christian majority. As the country follows a calendar based on traditional Coptic calendars (which denote the current year as 2003 like the Julian calendar), Ethiopians will celebrate Christmas on January 7th. Photo: Richard Stupart

Brazil Christmas

Brazilian Christmas follows similar traditions to Northern Europe and America. Some cities, such as Curitaba, will have decoration contests where judges will inspect interior and exterior decorations of competing houses to proclaim the most beautiful.. Photo by Denise Mayumi

German Christmas

In some parts of Germany, St. Nicholas will come and visit children on St. Nicholas’ Day, giving out sweets. Sometimes he will be accompanied by his servant Ruprecht, dressed in dark clothes and occasionally with a devil’s tongue.

I've stollen a recipe from the Germans - YUM! — I’ve stollen a recipe from the Germans – YUM!

Ruprecht carries a stick, in theory to punish naughty children. Nowadays, he mostly hangs around looking scary and reminding German kids to behave ahead of Christmas. Photo: Marius Kallhardt

IndiaN Christmas

In India, Santas sleigh and reindeer are often replaced by a horse and cart. Although Christians only make up about 3% of the country’ population, Christianity has a long history in India, allegedly founded by the Apostle Thomas himself. Photo: Meanest Indian

Russian Christmas

Christmas in Russia is actually celebrated on the 7th of January like it is in Ethiopia. The Russian Orthodox Church still operates according to the Julian calendar, which runs 13 days behind the Gregorian calendar of the rest of the world. As a result, Christmas gets bumped back almost a fortnight until after the New Year. Photo: Dmitry Boyarin

Australian Christmas

While Christmas traditions in Australia are very similar to the UK, Canada and other Commonwealth countries, it is less well known that the country is responsible for starting the tradition of Carols by Candlelight. The practice began in 1938 after Norman Banks, a radio announcer with Melbourne station 3KZ saw a woman singing Away in a Manger by candlelight and had the idea to organise a large candle-lit singalong. Photo: Ctd 2005

JapanESE Christmas

Christmas in Japan is both popular and secular. Christmas is not a national holiday in the country, though gift giving is popular. Its first Christmas was held way back in 1552 by Jesuit priests in Yamaguchi Prefecture. Photo: mendhak

Scandinavian Christmas

In Scandinavia, the Julbock or ‘Yule Goat’ is the traditional bringer of gifts at Christmas time. Large versions of the goat are frequently put up in towns and villages over the festive season, while in older traditions, smaller-sized versions of the animal made of straw or wood would be snuck into people’s houses as a prank. Houses finding goats in them had to pass them on by pranking others. Photo: Seppo Laine

xmaspenguin

Vancouver Christmas – anything goes!

Here comes Santa - my style! Reindeers can be unreliable these days. — Here comes Santa – my style! Reindeers can be unreliable these days.

I didn't really mean that Rudolph! — I didn’t really mean that Rudolph!

FUN

Scene in the City – t’was the week before Christmas….

and ALL was not still…..cause there was still shopping to do and stockings to fill.

Things you need and lots you don’t.

If you haven’t completed your list then here are some ideas from HOMEWERX on Davie.

I’m sure you can find at least one nice item in here for that naughty person.

For the person who as everything - a wine sock monkey? — For the person who has everything – a wine sock monkey?

To keep things simple they sell cards and they do giftwrap.

hot tea & cool music — **hot** tea & **cool** music

Maple Syrup - Oui oui! — Maple Syrup – Oui, oui!

Macaroons

Mirror, Mirror....it's all about YOU! — Mirror, Mirror….it’s all about YOU!

Life…..Style

at 1053 Davie Street in Vancouver

604.682.2204

Website: http://www.homewerx.ca Inside 2

Inside 1

FUN

AWay with Words – healthy words of wisdom

“Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity.” ~John F. Kennedy

apple for blog “Just because you’re not sick doesn’t mean you’re healthy” ~Author Unknown

“Life expectancy would grow by leaps and bounds if green vegetables smelled as good as bacon.” ~Doug Larson

“If you can’t pronounce it, don’t eat it” ~Common sense

“In order to change we must be sick and tired of being sick and tired.” ~Author Unknown

“Health is like money, we never have a true idea of its value until we lose it.” ~Josh Billings

“Time And health are two precious assets that we don’t recognize and appreciate until they have been depleted.” ~Denis Waitley

Health + LifeStyle

MACA me feel good!

maca Growing high up in the Andes of Bolivia and Peru is a hearty root vegetable that has been cultivated since pre-Incan times. It goes by the name “Maca” (Lepidium meyenii). It is revered in the ancient Incan culture for its many medicinal purposes. According to folk belief, it is a plant known for its legendary ability to deliver energy and mental clarity, and enhance sex drives in Peruvians for more than 2,000 years. Why should they have ALL the benefits?

So why wasn’t I made aware of this before traveling to both Bolivia and Peru? I had to find out about this powerful superfood at of all places the recent Vancouver Health Show. I was feeling somewhat sluggish so sampled a small amount given to me in a tiny paper cup. Right after drinking it I immediately felt a nice energy rush but without the jolt of caffeine. Intriguing! I wanted to find out more so I’m reading the book “The power of Maca” by Lorrie Ingram who does a wonderful job in unlocking the magic of this ancient wonder.

In chapter nine she talks about the healing benefits of Maca – a nutrient beneficial for both males and females.

For Women: Maca can enhance libido, increase aphrodisiac activity, increase energy, stamina and endurance, increase sexual stimulation, assist to overcome depression and chronic fatigue, improve the immune system, increase general well-being, help fight menopausal symptoms, decrease stress and anxiety, reduce hot flashes, improve hormonal balance, and it may improve sleep patterns. Maca is an adjunct to hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) and is also known to correct menstrual irregularity and pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) issues, enhance fertility, improve concentration and state of mind. IS THAT ALL?

For Men: can help to enhance libido, increase aphrodisiac activity, increase energy, stamina and endurance, assist to overcome depression and chronic fatigue, improve the immune system, and increase general well being. Maca can assist with increasing testosterone levels, and aid in erectile dysfunction. Maca assists with building muscle mass and is therefore a safe and effective alternative to steroids. My advice is that ALL men should take it.

Maca is also known to increase DHEA in most males and females. It is a potent antioxidant that fights aging and provides cellular protection. And last, but most definitely not least, Maca is known to provide significant rebuilding of bone density in individuals with osteoporosis. And I say…what’s not to love?

Okay you’ve got me! How many of us suffer from at least one of the symptoms listed? To know that there’s a natural, nutrient rich, healthy food that you can safely add to your diet to improve your system AND assist you in feeling great is the best thing going!

Ultimate “Maca Energy” liquid extract from Preferred Nutrition available at link below:

http://www.pno.ca/preferred-nutrition-products/item/brad-king/macapunch-liquid-extract.html

Don’t miss this interview from Voice America’s “Transforming Health” with host Brad King about the powers of Maca. It will give you all the information you need to know at link below.

http://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/65644/peruvian-superfoods-what-you-need-to-know

Book “The Power of Maca” available at Amazon.ca

FUN

Personal Post – The beauty of bowls

Just like apples and oranges you can’t compare bowls… but they sure look nice with apples and oranges in them.

or ice cream

mahogany from Durban, S.A.

Scallop glass from Italy

hand painted ceramic from Israel & local artists.

From Gabriola Island, British Columbia

wood oblong from Kenya

From local “Clayzone” ceramics artist Beth Aline. I won this one – lucky me.

Salmon ceviche from Shuraku restaurant

FUN

INtrigue INsider – Keeping FIT

Shopping online for a bra can be an ordeal. YET there are several lingerie websites that do incredibly well selling online. One of my competitors Her Room is one of them. The problem is you see something you want but you’re not sure of the fit. Then to make matters more confusing there’s the European & South American brands where size becomes a guessing game & you just hope for the best.

This from the Vancouver Sun - ad ad for Dianne's Lingerie where they do bra fittings. — This from the Vancouver Sun – ad for “**Dianes Lingerie**” where they offer bra fittings.

Intrigue Imports features two distinctive brands of lingerie. The beautiful blush line from Montreal in basic North American sizing so if you normally wear a size 36B then you would purchase the same size and there should be no problem – you can consult the blush sizing chart on our website just to make sure.

SI01B-chica - Copy Then we have the lovely jesus fernandez couture collection from Buenos Aires available in French sizing only. Again, you can consult the jf sizing chart to find out what your equivalent North American size would be. It might take a bit longer but I assure you it’s worth the extra trouble.

Tomima Edmark founded HerRoom selling lingerie online since 1998 and gets what women are looking for – at least when it comes to underwear. She started her business with entrepreneurial instinct and exhaustive research – learning from consumers, design teams and manufacturers. She probably knows more than she wants to about the complex engineering that goes into designing lingerie and about the unique relationships our bodies have with the lingerie we wear. fit-tomima Tomima’s Bra Fitting Tip: “You’re a smart person. Since you’ll be wearing the bras, you’re better off taking a few minutes to understand what a perfect fitting bra should look and feel like, and recognize the signs if your bra is the wrong size for you.”

HOW TO MEASURE AND FIT A BRA IN THREE EASY STEPS.. Note: if you receive this blog via e-mail and the numbers come out in a jumbled mess please click on this link to my blog at https://intrigueimports.wordpress.com

STEP 1: Measure for Band size:

Keeping the measuring tape parallel with the ground, measure around your bra directly under your bust after expelling all air from your lungs – you want this measurement to be as small as possible. Round all fractional measurements to the nearest whole number. Look below the measurement to find your correct band size.

Measurement: 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38

Band size: 30, 32, 32, 32, 34, 34, 34, 36, 36, 36, 38, 38

After a 38 band size, the band size should be the closest higher even number to your actual measurement So, 41.5″ is a 42 band. A 41″ measurement is a 42 band.

STEP 2: Measure for Cup size:

Standing straight, with your arms at your side, measure at the fullest part of your bust (while wearing a non-padded bra) making sure the measuring tape is parallel with the ground and not binding. Round all fractional measurements to the nearest whole number.

STEP 3: *Calculate your bra size:

Subtract your band measurement (step 1) from your cup measurement (step 2). Generally, for each inch in difference, the cup goes up by one size. See the cup size conversion chart below.

Example:
Step 1: 34″ under measurement = 36″ band size
Step 2: 39″ over measurement
Step 3: 39″ – 36″ = 3″ or C Cup Size
Your Size is probably a 36C

The cup size calculation starts falling apart at 4 inches larger than your band size, and if you have droopy or pendulous breasts, your measurement will not be accurate.

If The Differtence Is:	Your Standard Cup Size Is:
0″ to 1/2″ (1.3cm)	AA
1/2″- 1″ (2.6 cm)	A
2″ (5.1 cm)	B
3″ (7.6 cm)	C
3″ (7.6 cm)	C
4″ (10.2 cm)	D
5″ (12.7 cm)	DD * or E *
6″ (15.2 cm)	DDD * or F *
7″ (17.8 cm)	G *
8″ (20.3 cm)	H *
9″ (22.9 cm)	I *
10″ (25.4 cm)	J *

*Important Note: this measuring system tends to become less accurate as the cup sizes go above a D. Additionally, some manufacturers name larger cup sizes differently.

http://intrigueimports.com

http://herroom.com

Art & Culture

décor & design – The Doors Part Two

Take a step back in time… Zanzibar Doors

STONE TOWN is the old city and cultural heart of Zanzibar where little has changed in the last 200 years.

It is a place of winding alleys, bustling bazaars, mosques and grand Arab houses whose original owners vied with each other over the extravagance of their dwellings. This is particularly reflected in the brass-studded, carved, wooden doors – there are more than 500 different examples of this handiwork. Here are a few:

We really enjoyed spending hours wandering through the fascinating labyrinth of narrow streets and alleyways. We could have spent days.

Stone Town was recently and deservedly declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO..

visit PINteresting places at: http://pinterest.com/intrigueimports/

It’s also the birthplace of the incredibly talented lead singer of Queen, Freddie Mercury. For anyone wanting to make a Mercury pilgrimage, two good places to start are the Zanzibar Gallery, with a gold plaque on the outside to memorialize Mercury, and the popular Mercury’s restaurant. More at: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/tanzania/zanzibar

Zanzibar Door 3

Food + Drink

the Best Bolognese

If you’re in the mood for a classic tomato, wine and meat sauce then this is the ONE with a slight twist of course. The original recipe is from Bologna.

It’s simmered slowly in a big pot and deliciously tossed with noodles of your choice. I switched up the original ½ lb. (250g) of lean ground beef and ¼ lb. (125g) each ground veal and ground pork using all hot Italian sausage. If you wish to stick to the original by all means do so but substituting some or all the meat with the sausage was absolutely wonderful & warming for this time of year. It got ravenous reviews from our group. Buen Appetito!

¾ cup (180 ml) olive oil

2 ounces (60 g) pancetta, coarsely chopped

1 lb. best quality hot Italian sausage – casings removed

3 cloves of garlic, minced

1 large onion, finely chopped

2 small carrots, finely chopped

2 stalks of celery, finely chopped

One 28 ounces (840 ml) crushed canned Italian Plum Tomatoes

2 cups (500 ml) dry red wine or 4 cups – two for you!

*1 tsp (5 ml) hot red chilli flakes (optional if using only the hot Italian sausage)

½ tsp. (2.5 ml) nutmeg

¼ cup (60 ml) coarsely chopped fresh Italian flat leaf parsley

2 tsp (10 ml) dried oregano

3 Tbsp (45 ml) coarsely chopped fresh rosemary

1 piece Parmesan cheese rind, about 3 inches square (for flavour)

2 tsp (10 ml) brown sugar

Sea salt and ground pepper, to taste

*I also add 21 vegetable seasoning salute (or a variation of) and Bay Leaf.

2 pounds (1 kg) of fresh or packaged pasta of your liking will be good to serve 6 people for dinner with a side salad.

Heat ¼ cup (60 ml) of the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the pancetta and sauté for 1 minute.

If using ground meats, gradually add them and cook breaking up any large chunks, just until browned, about 5 minutes. Remove meat with a slotted spoon to a wired mesh sieve to drain any excess fat.

**OR; remove casings from sausage (about 4) and cook with a little olive oil breaking up pieces in skillet until cooked through & no longer pink. Set aside.

In a dutch oven preferably or solid pot heat the remaining olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and sauté until golden, about 3 minutes. Add the chopped onions, carrots and celery and cook until the onions are translucent. Stir in the drained meat or *sausage, tomatoes, wine, red chilli flakes, nutmeg, Italian parsley, oregano & rosemary. Stir and bring to a simmer. Add the Parmesan rind and brown sugar and season to taste. Simmer slowly over low heat, uncovered, about 1 ½ hours, stirring occasionally. Remove rind. bolognese in pot

Bring salted water to a boil and cook pasta until just tender to the bite, al dente stage. Reserve a little liquid from cooking water and drain the pasta in a colander.

If making this as main course for 6 people, add the drained pasta to the sauce and mix well, adding a bit of the pasta cooking water if needed to coat the pasta evenly. Cover and cook for one minute. Serve immediately with freshly grated Parmesan cheese & a little flat leaf parsley for garnish. Very Important: Don’t forget the vino – it makes everything taste better. Salute!