FUN – Page 59 – Girl Who Would be KING on Life, Style and INSPIRATION.

In the Beauty Cabinet – I like to travel with STILA!

What’s your Palette?

Product Review – STILA travel makeup palettes

How handy are these stylish and practical little makeup cases? Each booklet contains an assortment of eye shadow shades that double as eye liner plus a convertible cheek/lip color.

Are you Lovely in London, Trendsetting in Tokyo, Vibrant in Vancouver (this one must be new), Ravishing on Rodeo Drive , Pretty in Paris or *Rockin in Rio?

*What it is:
A festive and fun collectible palette featuring five diverse eye shadows with both neutral and vibrant shades to create a variety of looks for day or night. Also included are a Convertible Color lip and cheek cream and a how-to face chart.

What it does:
Inspired by the colorful culture, beautiful beaches, and endless fun, this mirrored palette features a mixture of Rio-centric eye shadow shades that can be applied wet or dry, paired with an exclusive shade of Stila’s iconic Convertible Color for lips and cheeks to complete your look. An instructional face chart created by a Stila pro artist guides you to a resplendent look in only minutes. Or mix and match to create your own unique beauty looks.

As for me, I’m just “Fabulous in Fiji” – even though I’ve never yet been to Fiji.

Now what type are YOU?

I love the look of each illustration on every thin little casing – which open and close like a book.

This very thin “smashbox” eye palette is no longer available but as you can see, I’ve made use of almost all the eye color shades while travelling. I can’t believe how long they’ve lasted for such a tiny case.

Who says you have to replace all your makeup every 3 months? Probably the makeup companies.

I believe that if you keep your stash tidy & clean you can make them last for at least ~~5 years~~ 3 more months.

FUN

style & substance – WILD on Fashion

trending now – animal instincts

I thought we’d never tire of animal prints – and I’m right. We never tire of animal prints, especially leopard. I’m so relieved because otherwise I’d have to throw away half my wardrobe. Okay, maybe not half but a significant portion. While wearing head to toe animal is not so cool, a little bit will go a long way.

A leopard print scarf, shoes (a favorite) or belt remains classic.

Have a peek at “on the RUNway 2013” – what is old is new again….although it never went away.

For instance: my mom had an amazing leopard print/mesh one-piece bathing suit and I wore a leopard print bikini at 3 yrs. of age to give you an example. Some things just stick.

Bring out your inner “Dolce & Gabbana” “with some of these looks:

Rhianna wearing a blush bra - sold out! — Rhianna wears a leopard bra from **blush** in ELLE – sold out!

I was going to buy this D&G bronzer before I realized that the print would disappear soon after using it. — I wanted to buy this D&G **bronzer** before I realized that the print would disappear soon after using it.

Dolce & Gabbana shift dress with leopard lining.

For the babes: babyfashionmagazine.com — For the babes: babyfashionmagazine.co

For more on the theme check out my favorite street photographer:

If you’re thinking about leopard print:

http://www.thesartorialist.com/photos/if-youre-thinking-about-leopard-print/

FUN

Simply Satisfying – Super Summer Salad

Quinoa, Arugula, Tomatoes, Cucumber & Mango – Spicy Citrus Dressing

Have you ever used quinoa in a salad? If not, try this one. The combination of crunchy, soft, sweet & tart works really well here. This is a healthy AND delicious summer salad. It has a fresh flavor and the dressing has a sweet/sharp taste.

First rinse & drain 1 cup of quinoa. In a medium pot, bring 2 cups of water *(I prefer using chicken or veggie broth for added flavor), the quinoa, 1 tsp. extra virgin olive oil & a pinch of kosher salt to a boil. Cook like rice (ratio is 2-1) – reduce heat to low, cover and simmer until liquid is absorbed and quinoa is tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. Uncover, fluff with a fork, transfer to a plate or bowl, and set aside to let cool.

In a large bowl toss together – arugula, halved cherry tomatoes, ½ english cucumber, halved lengthwise and sliced, ½ small red onion, very thinly sliced & 1 diced mango. Add a bit of the dressing (1/4 cup or more).

Spoon quinoa over arugula salad, drizzle with a bit more dressing & sprinkle with chopped cilantro. Serve. Add more dressing as desired.

*TIP – for quinoa broth I use 2 cups of water and add 2 tsp. of organic “better than bouillon” reduced sodium chicken base or concentrated vegetable base. Either will give it loads of flavor. Available at whole foods or your local health food store.

Spicy Citrus Dressing

¾ freshly squeezed orange juice (from 2 or 3 oranges)

3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

3 Tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice (from 1 lemon)

1 ½ Tbsp. freshly squeezed lime juice (from 1 lime)

1 tsp. honey

1 tsp. red wine vinegar

1 clove of garlic, very finely chopped

1 small jalapeño, seeded & very finely chopped (if you don’t have jalapeño you can use a little cayenne)

½ tsp. ancho chile powder (optional)

½ tsp. kosher salt

freshly ground black pepper

In a medium bowl, whisk together all ingredients until well combined. Makes about 1 ¼ cups. Pour into a glass container & shake. You’ll have enough dressing leftover for another salad. You can also use it as a marinade for chicken or fish.

A great barbeque or pot luck salad

FUN

Funny French Quotes

French women will dress to take out the garbage (you never know….)

“Boy, those French! They have a different word for everything.” ― Steve Martin

“He showed the words “chocolate cake” to a group of Americans and recorded their word associations. “Guilt” was the top response. If that strikes you as unexceptional, consider the response of French eaters to the same prompt: “celebration.”
― Michael Pollan, In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto

“La vie c’est comme la bicyclette : quand on arrête de pédaler on tombe.”
― Albert Einstein

“Life is like a bicycle, when you stop pedaling you fall.”

FUN

B Well – with bread, champagne, chocolate and romance

à la française – the TOP 5 Beauty Secrets of French Women

Mireille Guilliano, author of “French Women Don’t Get Fat” has another book: “French Women Don’t Get Facelifts: Ageing with Attitude.“

This book covers everything from skincare secrets and fashion tips to the role of relationships and the importance of relaxation. The path to ageing elegantly lies in lifestyle choices and attitude adjustments rather than botox and collagen fillers. After all, while American, Brazilian and Chinese woman lead global cosmetics surgery figures, French women don’t even make the Top Ten.

Her book, French Women Don’t Get Fat: The Secret of Eating for Pleasure, in which she recommends bread, champagne, chocolate and romance as key ingredients to a balanced diet and lifestyle, captured the imagination of an overweight world tired of yo-yo diets and became a runaway best seller around the world, hitting the top of the best seller charts in many countries, including the USA, where it was number 1 on The New York Times Bestseller list. It has been translated into 37 languages. She followed it up with another best-seller, French Women for all Seasons: A Year of Secrets, Recipes and Pleasure.

Many of my friends were astonished that I disclosed the coveted gastronomy and lifestyle secrets of French women in my books. They’d probably be stunned to find out that I’m willing to share our beauty secrets as well! But here they are—the five beauty secrets that French women swear by:

Secret #1: French women know that hydration is the key to good skin and good hair. I strongly recommend drinking a glass of water before going to bed and first thing in the morning. Water is the French women’s secret weapon—for skin and beauty, for health (flushing toxins) and for weight control (don’t snack when you think you are hungry, your body is really thirsty).

Secret #2: French women appreciate that good circulation makes one glow. French women are not afraid of using cold water in the shower to get one’s circulation going. It is certainly part of my routine. The opening then closing of the pores with hot then cold water, the shock to the nervous system and wake-up call to the brain of a cold shower, and the rigorous towel wiping after a cold finish to a shower bring blood and color to one’s skin.

Secret #3: French women are taught and know grandma’s beauty rituals work. My Mother taught me, for example, to clean my face thoroughly every night before going to bed and to apply a mask periodically (her fifteen minute version included cucumber slices over the eyes and a crushed strawberry-honey mix for the face); and she taught me to rinse my hair with cold water with an added tablespoon or vinegar or lemon juice for added shine before moisturizing.

Secret #4: French women navigate the health benefits and risks of the sun. Apart from a Riviera-bronze fixation in the 1960s and 1970s, French women are not sun-worshipping lizards. *(see link for my self tanner recommendation below). Today they are much more likely to apply their tan from a tube or bottle than from a month at St. Tropez. They are careful to wear sunscreens and look for appropriate SPF in their beauty emollients. And while they are likely to sit in the shade to protect their skin, they are equally likely to be out and about in the sun, enjoying its light and benefits, by walking or doing some light sports or movement as part of their weekly routine.

Secret #5: French women know one can go far with a great haircut, a bottle of champagne and a divine perfume. Nothing more needs to be said about this one!

Internationally best-selling author Mireille Guiliano (Meer-ray Julie-ano) was a long time spokesperson for Champagne Veuve Clicquot and former President and CEO of Clicquot, Inc. (LVMH). Recognized as “an ambassador of France and its art of living,” by the French daily Le Figaro, USA Today further dubbed her “the high priestess of French lady wisdom.”

(my product review on St. Tropez Bronzing Mousse): https://intrigueimports.wordpress.com/2013/05/17/the-art-of-faking-it/

We North American women are not totally outdone by the French. We have some tricks up our sleeves too. Check out…..

From last week: If you missed Brad King’s interview with Kathy Hartford, the author of Fit, Fun and Fabulous at Any Age here’s the link on “Transforming Health” at Voice America.com:

Click: http://www.livinggorgeous.com/

FUN

Entre Nous – I’m brushing up on my FRENCH

I’ve decided to brush up on my French and found a few books to help:

I always wanted a dog named FiFi - a little French Poodles — I always wanted a little French Poodle named FiFi.

FUN

Drugstore Diva – ScandalEYES

P.R. – Scandal Eyes from Rimmel

I really like easy eye pencils. Fat or thin, high-end to low, I don’t care as long as they work well.

Recently I purchased the ones shown here from Rimmel for about $5 each – all three cost less than the price of one that I’ve bought from places like Sephora. Nice range of colours too.

This eyeliner is extremely soft so it goes on nicely and stays put for hours. I would recommend using the white to rim the inside of your lower lashes for a bright-eyed look, the golden/beige for the lids to open up the eye and the vibrant blue on the upper lids very close to the lashline to make your whites look whiter. What I’m finding out is that maybe I need more sleep but in the meantime these help.

Have you tried them? What else would you recommend?

FUN

On the RUNway – Love LACE

Some things never fade from fashion – one of them is lovely lace.

It’s such a fabulous fabric that wearing even just a hint makes women feel more feminine. You can take lace anywhere, from the bedroom to the boardroom . It’s just how you wear it. Wearing a lace camisole to the office is only appropriate if it’s underneath a blazer or cardigan obviously. All white lace – too bridal. Sometimes a lacy garter nobody sees is nice too…for the right situation.

Take a look at recent trends & adapt them to your own style:

Used as both accent and the main attraction, lace was spotted all over the Spring/Summer 2013 runways.

Just Cavalli - ELLE — Just Cavalli – ELLE

Lace Nails from The Kit. I'll pass on this one. — Lace Nails from The Kit.
I’ll pass on this one.

Lace Dresses – WHY WE LOVE THEM
Lace dresses are often either conservative or coquettish, but these strike a lovely balance. Think Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (can’t you see her in the green one?), not the Queen Mother. Playful colors counter the naughtiness of the lace, creating a sexy attitude that’s anything but stodgy.

HOW TO WEAR THEM
You have to be careful here—lace can get cheap-looking quickly. Choose high-quality material, and pair vibrant hues with shoes in the same color family or in a metallic. Wear hair loose to keep the overall look easy- going and fun.

Photo: (left to right) Vera Wang, Burberry Prorsum, Alberta Ferretti, Roberto Cavalli. Taken from InStyle.com.

I may wear vintage lace but lace will never get old for me.

FUN

One Pan Pasta – for the lazy gourmet

Here’s something you might not have thought of before but not only does it work – it works surprisingly WELL. One-Pan Pasta! (not to be confused with first cooking the spaghetti & tossing it in a pan of already made sauce a la Sopranos. Are you kidding? No need to over work yourself.

At the Start

There’s a tiny restaurant in the Puglia region of Italy where the chef places dried pasta in a skillet with water, tomatoes, onion, garlic, herbs and a glug of extra virgin olive oil.

Then he cooks everything together and it has become their house dish ever since.

I had to try it out myself because it seemed way too simple and I wasn’t sure how everything would turn out. So…

After laying out enough linguine for two people in a skillet, I added about 1 ½ cups of water – enough to just cover the pasta since there was no actual recipe. I added the above ingredients but instead of putting in fresh tomatoes I just used a can of peeled plum tomatoes with the juice. Also a bit of tomato paste as I thought there was a bit too much water at first, a sprinkling of hot pepper flakes & a squeeze of lemon.

Once the water had boiled away we were left with perfectly al dente pasta in a creamy sauce that coated every strand & tasted like something you would find in a restaurant in the tiny village of Puglia.

This is the perfect glamping dish, or for times when you don’t have too much time or just for those that love pasta (like me) and are always looking for new ways to cook it.

Tell me if you’ve tried this before.

FUN

Seen in the city – All that JAZZ & more

Vancouver is on sensory overload. It’s like Feast or Famine – where do you go when there’s so much happening in one day? This past weekend alone was alive with the sound of music and the aromas of all kinds of cuisine and street shopping. I tried to take in as much as I could with the help of a friend & managed to do exactly that.

Friday kicked off the 28th Annual TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival. The festival brings us 11 days of pure musical enjoyment with 1800 musicians, featuring up to 300 concerts at over 35 venues – many of them free. What a treat.

Friday I went to Pat’s Pub (attached to the Patricia Hotel – definitely not a 5 star) for the first time to hear Hugh Fraser (pianist, trombonist and composer) and his jazz band. They were great, the food was really good too & inexpensive. I didn’t like the location, but once inside you forget all about the hookers standing outside, especially when the music starts. Some history on the place:

Established in 1914 The Patricia Café (its original name) was run by Will Bowman and was one of Vancouver’s jazz hotspots at the time. Pat’s Pub is thick with jazz history; some of the musicians who played at the Patricia Café at the time were influential in the transition between ragtime and jazz piano styles. Most notably is Ferdinand “Jelly Roll” Morton who at the age of 28 made Vancouver his home during August 1919 thru to January 1921. During his time in Vancouver “Jelly Roll” Morton performed in the Patricia Café as well as roomed in the Patricia Hotel. To this day the Pub’s original wood floor exists as a reminder of its history.

On Saturday – I loved the sound stages that were set up at Robson Square for the first time. My friend and I sat on the steps of the Vancouver Art Gallery while listening to wonderful Jennifer Scott’s Brasileira band and then following that, a most amazing fiddle player by the name of Kytami. Then we wandered over to another stage set up behind the gallery for a little bit of big band jazz. Good times.

Sunday was a bit dreary weather wise so we opted for some shopping on South Granville which had a weekend long sidewalk sale & then up to West Broadway for Greek Festival.

It’s all Greek to me: The yearly Vancouver Greek Fest took place on West Broadway between MacDonald and Blenheim from 11am to 9pm which included musical and dance acts and other various activities and presentations showcasing Hellenic culture, Greek tourism, and Greeks (and non Greeks) in Vancouver. Of course there were several food tents with delicious Greek food, and refreshments. Many local merchants were set up on the street as well.

Then….

For the Foodie or at least the Food Cart fans: Food Cart Fest started on Sunday, June 23 and will take place every Sunday from 12 p.m.-6 p.m. until September 22. Over 20 of Vancouver’s top Food Carts is complemented by community markets, live music and DJs, craft food vendors, kids activities, and lots more.

This year they will be operating out of a new location on 215 West 1st Avenue (on the south-east side of the Cambie Street Bridge). The site is next to the Seawall and a short walk from the Canada Line’s Olympic Village Station, the Aquabus’ Spyglass Place Dock, and major bus routes along Broadway, Cambie, Main, West 2nd Avenue. In short, it’s a much more convenient location. Admission is $2. Children 13 and under get in free.

So what’s happening in your part of town?

Category: FUN