FUN – Page 34 – Girl Who Would be KING on Life, Style and INSPIRATION.

style & substance: Summer INspiration – Head Scarves

Useful

What should I do with all my lovely silk
scarves? I wear them quite often.

How about a great WEEKEND LOOK and fashionably casual way to wear
them – on the head!

Afterall it serves the same purpose as a headband but looks much more chic.

Especially great on windy days if you’re driving a convertible (like Tippi Hendren in Psycho), or on a boat, riding a bike where you don’t need a helmet, running errands or happen to be Jennifer Lopez or Sophia Loren.

I don't think I can get away with this exactly the same way - as SHE could. — I don’t think I can get away with this exactly the same way as Grace Kelly.

Oh, and let’s not forget about the days that our hair needs washing or our roots show.

**In cold weather it keeps your head warm in a very cool way.**

come on, we know what you're really trying to cover up. — come on, we know what you’re really trying to cover up.

this might have been Jean Shrimpton's weekend look — this might have been **Jean Shrimpton**‘s weekend look

Rough up your hair by spraying a little dry shampoo first and then put on a bold lipstick before heading out the

door.

I love, love, these looks!

too chic for words

Nothing wrong with conjuring up a little old world movie star glamour. I wonder if Marilyn or Elizabeth wore them to cover up their roots?

I think you get the picture?

Check out our Style Inspiration board on Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/intrigueimports/style-inspiration-a-passion-for-fashion/

FUN

simply satisfying – healthy two bite brownie delights

I was looking for a guilt free brownie recipe when one literally fell into my lap when I was sitting at a coffee shop.

Two women attending the CHFA (Canadian Health Food Association) walked by and handed me this recipe. It sounded too healthy to be good…but it so happens to be not only healthy but easy to make (no baking involved) and tastes very yummy. This formula makes for a tiny amount – one dozen two-bite (or one big mouthful) brownies that look more like large size truffles. I would double the recipe next time. They freeze well too. Enjoy!

¾ cup walnuts

7 medjool dates, pitted

¼ cup cacao powder (I used unsweetened)

½ tsp. vanilla bean powder (I like Cook’s – there’s no preservatives)

Pinch of salt

1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper (optional)

Garnish: ¼ cup *shredded coconut

Process walnuts until fine. Add remaining ingredients and process until smooth. Form into small balls with your hands and toss or roll in shredded coconut. *(I bought a bag of unsweetened coconut flakes from the market and just shredded them in the food processor. The less sugar the better.

I put them into tiny muffin tins that hold 12 and popped them into the freezer for about 5 minutes so they weren’t too soft.

Don’t let the small size fool you. They are somewhat satiating and you don’t want to eat too many at once. Each one (although healthy for a sweet treat) is about 95 calories.

The RAW Foundation Culinary Arts Institute is Canada’s leading raw food culinary school, home of The Raw Food Education Experts TM; located in the heart of Vancouver BC, Canada. We are devoted to educating on the benefits of a plant-based lifestyle, inspiring and empowering foodies, home & professional chefs, health enthusiasts & healthcare professionals around the world; to prepare delicious, raw meals with ease and successfully share this passion with others, growing profitable businesses, make a positive impact, transform lives, doing what they love.

http://rawfoodfoundation.org/

FUN

MOTHERS are worth Celebrating

After all, we would be nothing without them!

“I know enough to know that no woman should ever marry a man who hated his mother.” ― Martha Gelhorn, Selected Letters

They give you good advice:

“I was dating a transvestite, and my mother said, ‘Marry him. You’ll double your wardrobe.'” – Joan Rivers

Men are what their mothers made them – Ralph Waldo Emersom

my mom – Elva (Cookie) Anderson – Miss You Much!

XoXo

FUN

Health MATTERS – it doesn’t hurt to get a little support

I’ve been taking a veggie capsule called “BioSil” for almost a year which claims to promote healthy hair, skin & nails among other things (like bones & joints) and overall I have noticed an improvement especially in my hair and nail growth. BioSil is the only thing I can attribute this to.

I realize that this is beginning to sound like a testimonial more than a product review. There is an active ingredient in the capsule that helps to generate collagen (collagen accounts for around 30% of the protein content of the human body) which diminishes significantly as we age. In simple terms, collagen is considered to be the “glue” that holds the body together. Even so, I wasn’t actively looking for this, just noticed it on the vitamin shelf of a health food store and it looked worth giving a try. Now I’m almost through my third bottle and will continue to take this supplement – because I’m crazy for keeping the glue together.

This from Preferred nutrition:

Molecular biologists have pinpointed the key structural protein integrally involved in creating smooth skin, thick strong hair, and strong nails. It’s your body’s beauty protein, collagen. Collagen is an essential building block of your body, making up 70% of your skin and 30% of your bones. During youth, you have a rich abundance of collagen, which arranges itself into a resilient and flexible “tight mesh” matrix . This “ideal” collagen condition prevents wrinkles from forming, gives skin elasticity and helps create thick and strong hair. But over the years, collagen diminishes and undergoes other changes.

For years, scientists searched for a method that would give the human body the ability to regenerate its own collagen. But it took the discovery of BioSil’s™ patented choline-stabilized orthosilicic acid (ch-OSA®), the active ingredient in BioSil™, to make genuine collagen regeneration a reality.

BioSil™ “turns on” the body’s actual collagen-generating cells, known as fibroblasts. Because BioSil™ works through your body’s natural pathways, the collagen it generates has your own DNA fingerprint. BioSil™ has been tested in rigorous double-blind placebo controlled trials which have consistently shown its safety and effectiveness for collagen regeneration and improved appearance of skin, hair and nails.

In one study, 50 women with sun damaged skin took BioSil™ or a placebo tablet for 20 weeks. At the end of the trial, women taking BioSil™ showed significant improvements in skin smoothness and strength, and in nail and hair strength.³ In yet another study, BioSil™ supplementation for nine months increased hair thickness, elasticity and strength in women with fine hair.⁴

Collagen: Generate It – Don’t Eat It

It’s important to note that BioSil™ is not made out of collagen. Instead it triggers the body to generate its own collagen. There’s a big difference. When you ingest collagen, the human body breaks it down and uses it as food. By contrast, BioSil’s™ patented ch-OSA complex is absorbed by the body, where it acts to promote the production of collagen, boosting your body’s collagen levels, and slowing the loss of this essential building block that occurs with age. As a result, BioSil™ provides superior support for stronger, healthier and thicker hair; stronger nails; fewer fine lines and wrinkles and denser and more flexible bones.

Have you tried it?

FUN

Beauty biz – because we’re worth it!

Once in a while an amazing hair product grabs my attention.

So far I find this hair product from L’Oréal Paris Absolue-tly amazing . It could be the best and easiest hair coloring kit ever invented. It met all the requirements. Easy to apply, non-messy (a real plus) with little to no odor. But the BEST THING about it – drumroll…..it’s reusable! The formulas are preserved in airtight tubes so you can stash the device away and re-use it as needed.

click to enlarge

Hair products for the most part seem to escape my interest so I concentrate on reviewing makeup and skincare products. It’s not that I don’t like them or need them but my routine is relatively unfussy and I don’t like to use much product – my hair is fine so too much product will weigh it down. Whenever I ‘m at my hairdresser she ends up putting mousse, then a color enhancer, then a little Moroccan oil (I love that oil) and then ruins it all by using hairspray. I keep saying “no” (I do not like hairspray overload) but she does it anyway. It looks great for one day and then it will take some effort on my part to get it to looking like I just left the hairdresser. And I hate to put a lot of effort into my hair. Maybe I should care more but I don’t want to spend a lot of time fussing. I haven’t been to a hairdresser to color or highlight my hair in a long time preferring to do it at home. I found a few easy root touch up kits and even a highlighting one. The drawbacks are that they tend to get messy (I have a white sink & tub) and there’s always waste.

This new hair dye from L’Oréal has been selling in Europe for quite some time so we’re really lucky the company finally decided to send it this way.

Here is what the company says:

L’Oréal Preference Mousse Absolue is the first automatic and re-usable hair color that’s, dare we say, quite the revolutionary product. After 10 years in the making, L’Oreal Paris has devised a canister with dual chambers that seamlessly combines the color dyes and color developer together at the push of a button.

See, I told you! Have you tried it?

FUN

simply satisfying – Almond Date Bars

These addictive energy bars are easy to make, easy to store and really easy to eat!

1 cup whole raw almonds
1 cup pitted dates (unsweetened) – about 12
1 cup raisins (unsweetened & *unsulphured). *No preservatives.
2 Tbsp. sunflower seeds
1 Tbsp. flax seeds (I buy the kind already ground with blueberries)
1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Put all ingredients into a food processor and pulse until ingredients form into a ball (the dates hold everything together, so if you need, add more). Pour the mix onto parchment paper & pat down with your hands. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours. Cut into squares, wrap in parchment paper and store in your refrigerator. You can freeze them too.

Tip #1: Cut a small piece of parchment paper to help pat the mixture down with. This will prevent mix from sticking to your hands.

TIP #2: Medjool dates are the best. You can try different combinations like cranberries instead of raisins, or a combo of half sour cherries & half raisins. Experiment.

TIP #3: The whole recipe is rounded out to a total of 2000 calories (It’s actually a bit less) so let’s say you cut the bars into 10 equal size pieces it works out to about 200 calories per bar. Not bad considering how rich & filling they are.

Enjoy!

Check out my food board on Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/intrigueimports/foodsavour-taste-flavor-relish-palate-enjoyment/

FUN

Words – the difference between school and life

In school you’re taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you’re given a test that teaches you a lesson.

If you have learned to disagree without being disagreeable, then you have discovered the secret to getting along – whether it be business, family relations or life itself – Bernard Meltzer

A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked.

FUN

Health MATTERS – packaging claims and misdemeanours

Are grocery labels too promising?

You can hardly grocery shop without being bombarded by products promising you more vitamins, more fiber, more nutrients, more everything. Almost half of all new items that make their way to store shelves carry at least one health claim on their packaging. Below is a listing of reality-check lingo so you know exactly what you’re getting from your favourite foods.

Claim: with Omega-3s

Truth: don’t get too excited as heart-healthy omega-3s get top billing on everything from peanut butter to milk and breads. Some products contain only 32 milligrams of the healthy fat per serving – one tenth the amount in a half ounce of salmon. You’re better off following the American Heart Association’s guidelines, which recommend eating at least two weekly servings (3.5 ounces cooked) of fatty fish like salmon or trout to get the most omega-3s in your diet.

Claim: Good source of Antioxidants

Truth: Packaged foods need to contain only 10 percent of your daily intake of antioxidants, like vitamin A, C, and E, to be considered a “good source,” according to the Food and Drug Aministration. Instead, consume a full spectrum of antioxidants from natural sources like fruits and vegetables. One small carrot, for example, provides more than twice the amount of Vitamin A than a full serving of one antioxidant-enriched cereal does. Aim for four servings of fresh fruits and five servings of veggies per day – the more colourful they are, the higher the antioxidant levels.

Claim: High in Fiber

Truth: Some loaves of bread, energy bars, and even waffles can deliver up to 35 percent of your daily fiber requirement per serving, but much of the added fiber can be man-made or extracted from plants. And while studies have shown that a high-fiber diet may reduce the risk of heart disease, the research applies to naturally occurring fiber. To meet your daily needs, stick to natural sources like bran, oats, berries, and broccoli.

Claim: Made with Whole Grains

Truth: Crackers, breads, and cereals that carry this promise must offer some whole grains (higher in fiber, vitamins, and minerals than their refined counterparts), but companies aren’t obligated to disclose the actual amount, and there’s no required minimum. In fact, one popular brand of “whole-wheat” crackers contains a measly five grams of whole grains per serving – 1/16 of your recommended daily intake. Avoid confusion in the bread aisle by choosing foods that say they’re “100 percent whole grain” – that label ensures that the product contains no refined flours.

Source: Johannah Sakimura for “O”

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beauty biz – Supersize me!

Some things are just better bigger – this is one of them. Product Review:

I’m in bliss…literally. Being a huge fan of luxurious body butters and body lotions by bliss you can imagine my delight at finding a super sized version in vanilla and bergamot – two of my favourite scents.

Already familiar with their original lemon sage (which gained a huge following as it was the #1 body cream for over a decade and used to be available only at Bliss spa locations) this was a delightful purchase from Nordstrom’s. It’s completely moisturizing with a very familiar & pleasant fragrance(this aromatic moisture mix has amber, lemon, bergamot, myrrh and musk, putting the ‘thrilla’ back in vanilla) which means it can be used in place of a light fragrance. Made without parabens. I found that mixing this with a little bit of lavender lotion creates a signature scent.

Available in Canada at: http://www.canadabeautysupply.ca/bliss-super-sized-vanilla-bergamot-body-butter-moisture-cream-14-ounce/

Price: $51.00 for 14 oz.

beauty board on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/intrigueimports/beauty-products-i-cant-live-without/

Have you tried them?

FUN

style now – into Africa

Trending Now or you could say “finally” as it only takes a matter of time for what has

Bustier - Emilio Pucci S/S 2014 — Bustier – Emilio Pucci S/S 2014

been in fashion somewhere in the world for centuries to make its way over to this hemisphere.

On this side of the globe Masai and other African fabrics are having a fashion moment, but maybe it will last longer than a Paris or New York Minute.

More Emilio Pucci S/S — **Emilio Pucci Spring/Summer 2014**

Last week I posted about wearing beads and shells in “going global” but this is different. Summer weather always brings out a certain amount of shell and beaded belongings but mostly in shoes and other accessories. I bought a t-shirt with a shelled collar that was not the norm a few years ago. But now the Spring/Summer runways were featuring traditional “Masai” fashion incorporated into daily wear like dresses, skirts, jackets and even a bustier as seen at on the Emilio Pucci S/S runway (photo above). And why not? Not only is it fun and colorful, but it has a rich history behind it. So along with fringe, art prints and florals, the shows featured Masai embellished beading for all kinds of clothing along with other African prints.

I bought several pairs of these leather/beaded sandals in Tanzania – all one of a kind.

Some History: The Masai have been creating bead jewelry for a long time, well before their first contact with Europeans. Beadwork has been an important part of Masai culture for many years. The women set aside time every day to meet and work on beaded jewelry which includes colorful necklaces, bracelets, and pendants. It is considered the duty of every Masai women to learn the jewelry making craft. All the tribes beadwork is made by the women but is worn by both women and men. The jewelry they create is not only beautiful but also has important cultural significance. The beadwork an individual wears will signify their age and social status. Generally individuals of high social standing will wear more colorful and intricate jewelry. Beads also serve as an important source of income for the Masai. Tourist visiting the Masai regions in Kenya and northern Tanzania will find many beautiful pieces for sale that make great gifts for both women and men.

These are a few examples of how beading was incorporated into the shows. Keep in mind these are obviously over the top. I can’t see anyone in my city dressing this way unless they put beading on fleece. I would carry the clutch bag, wear a wide beaded belt, sandals and some beading here and there on clothing but certainly not all together and not to excess.