The right brush is really important and you can go nuts trying to decide which one is the best to use for bronzer, blush, concealer, etc. So to make it easy and affordable we turn to Sonia Kashuk to help us out with Five Easy Pieces to choose from:
Limited Edition KNOCK-OUT Twelve-Piece Brush SetI love the empowering wording on each of these brushes – makes makeuping more fun
All the brushes you need for less than the cost of your fancy eyeshadow Palette. – $40
EARTH Six-Piece Brush Set
Based on her love of color and the subtlety of the season, Sonia designed a must-have brush set for fall with mossy green handles, mustard yellow ferrules, and pale mauve bristles. This set includes a domed powder brush, flat top synthetic brush, precision concealer brush, blending eye brush, angled liner brush and smudge brush. – $22.99
BRUSH COUTURE: Air-Brushed Skin Five-Piece Set
All the tools you need to powder, swirl, blend, and buff your way to a flawless complexion. Outfitted in a chic digital floral pattern on this must-have set is the perfect addition to any makeup bag and includes a buffing brush, angled foundation brush, angled contour brush, angled concealer brush and long powder brush. – $19.99
EXOTIC ARTISAN Twelve-Piece Brush Set
Inspired by her travels in India, Sonia created this refined brush set with wooden handles and plush ivory bristles. This set includes a dense powder brush, tapered powder brush, small powder brush, pointed foundation brush, flat top contour brush, large eye brush, shader brush, blending brush, domed eye brush, precision pencil brush, angled eyeliner brush and brow comb. – $39.99
DOUBLE DUTY – perfect for traveling
Each brush takes on twice the application! This set contains a powder/duo fiber brush, foundation/concealer brush, eye shadow/crease brush, eyebrow comb/angled eye brush and case. – $23.79
A CAPE packs a lot of punch into your overall wardrobe any time of the year. Especially the super soft and flattering graphic black + white cape found in the Zoe Report (asin Rachel Zoe) Fall Box of Style.
worn with leather Gatsby wrap belt with tassles- also in the Box of Style
The good news is that every body type can wear one which makes it impressively versatile. The styling possibilities are endless. Wear it as a shawl, a scarf or even belted at the waist. There are No rules! Perfect to travel with and use as a cover on the plane or dress it up for evening. There is no bad news.
A few more styling ideas:
Style tip: Stave off the fall chill in style like Hallie, who classically drapes her cape over a luxe top.
Style tip: Put a unique twist on the cape à la Alison, who wears it as a cozy yet chic scarf.
Style tip: Fashion meets function. Make like Marina and cinch your cape at the waist with the B-low The Belt wrap belt.
Style tip: Take a cue from Ashley and add some edge to the ultra-luxe cape by pairing it with the B-low The Belt wrap belt worn as an of-the-moment choker.
Style tip: Play up the flirty vibe as Emily does, by teaming the cape with a satin slip dress and a statement-making hat.
Source: Zoe Report Fall Box of Style – Donni Charm Exclusive Wonder Cape.
The perfect pairing! It’s all about convenience at…
I mean really; what could be better than shopping and eating? And gone are the days of grabbing some french fries with gravy at a department store counter when you felt a bit faint or overwhelmed by too many buying decisions. Has anyone else ever done this before?
But when the shopping gets to be too much Vancouverites can tough it out at the new Holts Café located conveniently inside our elegant Holt Renfrew department store. Vancouver now joins the Toronto Bloor Street location and Yorkdale Mall, Edmonton and Montreal stores in offering an ideal setting for everything from a business lunch to a mid-afternoon shopping break.
We have a shopping concierge too – to point you in the right direction (as if you need to be told where to go).
The café offers friendly service and menus filled with culinary delights. They also have a fine brunch and High Tea (always a favourite). Catering services are also available at all locations. I think pretty much they have it all. One-stop shopping…and eating.
737 Dunsmuir Street (downtown at Pacific Centre Mall)
AFTERNOON TEA:
SUNDAY TO TUESDAY, 1 TO 5PM
By the glass or bottle: champagne, wine and other beverages.
I’ve always been health conscious but in the past several months even more so. Not totally hardcore but definitely more mindful of what I cook and how, and cutting out everything that is not good. I’m actually loving it. I enjoy cooking in general but now the intent is to make food rich in nutritional value while maintaining overall taste & creativity.
Quinoa Tabouli Salad
I’ve taken several cooking classes/demonstrations to see what the nutrition experts recommend as a preventative to getting sick. Inspire Healthoffers services to enhance quality of life, health and well-being of people living with cancer and their families. I am usually the only non-cancerous person in the class, being there as a support. These people are trying to do the best they can through nutrition (as in you are what you eat) to promote longer life and aid in treatment of radiation/chemo by adding flavour and digestible probiotics to delicious, healthy meals. It can be a challenge but it’s well worth it. In the following weeks I can share some of the recipes with you. For now, these posted photos are only of some of what I’ve made.
Chicken Bone Broth with VegetablesThai Beet SoupLentil Curry
Back to the Health Show:
It’s a two day consumer event for the health conscious individual. It offers a diverse array of options to explore all under one roof for an entire weekend of shopping and education.
A great place to be if you’re looking for the latest products and services on the market, just beginning your journey of achieving a healthier lifestyle or have specific health issues that you need help with.
There are experts on hand to answer your questions to do with anything from nutritional supplements to alternative therapies to fitness trends to food products.
You will meet the people who know what it takes to create a loving home through the discovery of the best new products on the market that will inspire every room in your home to be clean and green, fresh and organized, harmonious and functional.
Surround yourself with the dreamers and the doers, the believers and thinkers.
Where? The Vancouver Convention Centre – November 5th (10:00am – 6:00pm) + November 6th (11:00am – 5:00pm).
But before I go I’m making a breakfast pizza which looks like this:
Black Bean Veggie Burger (sans bun here) with a delicious Miso Tahini DressingSpaghetti with fresh & sundried tomatoes, garlic, parmesan & parsley. Secret is in the herbs, spices & good Italian truffle oil.
But the 80-20 rule still applies. The other night I made a restaurant quality AAA rib-eye with thinly sliced baked russet potatoes + beets drizzled with olive oil that came out nice and crispy and kale. Lots more on my list…..
Our society embraces the TGIF catchphrase…well at least those who work full time do. On Monday, Friday seems a long way away, and then Sunday shows up way too soon. Most working people are doing what they do to make a living and really don’t enjoy their jobs – or they have horrible bosses (even more horrible than the movie). That’s the down side of working. People who enjoy what they do – even they look forward to Friday. Friday is just another word for Freedom…for a little while. Because the next day you get to let loose, wake up late, get together with friends you’re too busy or tired to see during the week, do housework or do nothing. Any way you look at it – Friday is the most popular day of the week.
So I’ve been thinking about what inspires us to make little changes. Those of us who get to experience four seasons should embrace the beauty of that. Summer is easy, we get lazy and don’t want to do very much (at least that’s how I feel) because it’s too too short. But then we have Fall and it gives us an opportunity to get a little more serious about making changes. We have to adapt to cooler temperature and begin to hibernate. Neighbours you see out and about during the summer seem to disappear. It can feel cold and unfriendly. But the things I now embrace about Fall may sound a little superficial but that’s okay. I like to change up my wardrobe, make comfort food which includes lots of soup, have dinner parties, visit a gallery, settle in earlier and watch something good on TV, read more, take a class, learn something new and work a bit harder on some personal matters. It’s mostly positive. Winter is winter focusing on holiday stuff…oh, and maybe a warmer getaway & Spring is great because you know Summer is around the corner and then there’s all the cleaning & stuff. What? It’s a good excuse to clean your place. Like the Chinese New Year. Out with the old, in with the new!
And around we go… I always loved Merry-go-rounds. And a dirty martini on the side!
Do you ever wonder how we develop a so-called Style?
Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty in Bonnie & Clyde – makes me want to rob a bank!
What does having style really mean? Does it start from childhood or develop later in life? How much does our upbringing have to do with it, from our parents first dressing us to peer pressure and beyond? Do we dress in a way that shows rebellion, sophistication, trendiness? Do we dress to impress? How much of what we see in magazines /the internet influence us? Does having a style come naturally or does one work at it? How much time do you spend thinking about what to wear every day or evening? Do you just get up, get dressed and go, or spend serious thought time planning how you want to appear each day? Or do you wear a uniform? Do you think that spending a lot of money on an item makes you look better? Is wearing vintage cool or just a better word to use instead of saying you shopped second hand. Do you dress for yourself or for someone else? Does your dress style carry over to other areas….like for instance basic lifestyle choices in art, food, décor and beyond?
Style Icons Karl Lagerfeld, Coco Chanel, Diana Vreeland & Yves Saint Laurent.
Just questions to start a conversation. It can get complicated because it’s personal and what works for someone and how they can carry off a certain look might not work at all for someone else. Real style cannot be taught but it can be innate and/or developed over time (think Princess Diana & Kate Middleton). Money and Stylists certainly help but these women already had a keen sense of it to begin with.
Catherine Deneuve in a head turning LBD
Probably some of my favourite role models (icons) would be the likes of Audrey Hepburn (I mean who else could make cropped pants & flat shoes look so chic?), Grace Kelly, Lauren Hutton, Jackie O, Coco Chanel, Catherine Deneuve & Kate Moss. I love the polished looks from Palm Beach society women to Michelle Obama. I can go from simple Chic to Princess Chic. No, but really; my favourite look is classic, comfortable but individual and never boring (although sometimes….). Accessories and fabric have become more important but I tend to appreciate anyone’s (regardless of age, socialincome or gender) overall style if it’s unique to them and flattering. I think herein lies the true meaning of “Style” – not copying someone else but interpreting a style your own way and putting your own signature on it. Your own personal style. Real style transcends the ages.
STYLE – they all have (had) it! Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen (of the ROW) Grace Kelly & Iris Apfel
So thought I’d share some thoughts from famous designers/people who have words to say about life + style. Maybe we can understand how they choose to evolve their brands a little better by interpreting what they believe the customer (us) wants.
Designer Philip Lim
His seamstress mom was salt of the earth and could make anything with her hands. His dad was a professional poker player ( I don’t know why but I found this quite intriguing). He grew up in conservative Orange Country and his dad used to pick him up from school in a pimp mobile when other kids were getting picked up in station wagons, etc. But he was successful at poker and it was what he wanted to do so………..we can judge. We tend to judge.
On what he loves most about making clothes…
“What I love the most about making clothes is that clothes are the most powerful expression of self. Because no matter where you come from, no matter how you got there, no matter where you are, you put on the right clothes, you can be anything you want. In a world where people judge, let’s admit, judge all you want, because I got it! Not me, but it’s true, when you wear something beautiful, judge me, look at me, at least you’re looking at me. It’s true.”
Designer Derek Lam (His New-York based ready-to-wear label enjoys a loyal following of downtown types)
“I try to capture what the customer is excited by, what she is intrigued to travel toward, and make that my approach to designing.”
Designer Marc Jacobs
Real fashion is something you don’t need, it’s something you want.” He can’t really say what makes his fashion work. “It’s all about creative choice.” “Sometimes the design team inspires me and brings in things they’re interested in. I think, Oh, I’d like to use this. Other times I don’t know what I want. It’s a magpie aesthetic: If something is hideous, that’s interesting. It’s kind of the same sensibility that Andy Warhol had. He was interested in everything and soaked up what he saw like a sponge.”
Designer Carolina Herrera
“Glamour is beyond beauty and beyond age. It’s like sex appeal.” “Fashion is magical, a fantasy. It’s madness, and it doesn’t last. It’s changing all the time.”
Jane Birkin – actress, singer, muse. Namesake of the popular Hermès Birkin bag.
Photo: Courtesy of The official Saint Laurent Twitter page / @YSL
For years her look oscillated between jeans with a white shirt tied at the waist and a mini dress paired with thigh-high boots. Funnily enough her omnipresent accessory was a wicker basket which became her calling card. That is until her then boyfriend, the director Jacques Doillon ran over it with his car…on purpose. He said “It’s terrible for you to be known for your object.” But good fortune struck again in 1981, when, while rushing for a flight, she spilled the entire contents of her replacement pouch in front of Hermes chairman Jean-Louis Dumas. They started chatting and she said “You should do the Kelly bag, but three times bigger and not shut it.” He was intrigued, so she drew on one of those vomit bags and said “Can you make it for me?” The rest, as they say, is history. Thirty-five years later, the Birkin bag is still one of the most in-demand accessories in the world. And in case you were wondering, the namesake of the Birkin bag only owns one. All the others were put up for sale for Amnesty International, and Anno’s Africa about 10 years ago. Her influence extends well beyond the fashion realm. Yet the industry is always watching, trying to capture her effortless joie de vivre and spirit into its own collections. You’d be hard pressed to find a style blog (ahem, ahem) that doesn’t feature her as its all-time favourite poster girl. This past March she appeared in Saint Laurent’s Spring 2016 ads shot in stark black-and-white wearing a white button down shirt and a black le smoking blazer.
Kate Middleton, Sienna Miller, Jackie O & Madonna – Individuals who have (had) a look and set trends.
Where the gang make their getaway:
Designers pack their bags for resort, staging runway shows that span the globe in some of the world’s most picturesque and Instagram (very important) friendly locations. At Louis Vuitton, Nicolas Ghesquière opted for a futuristic backdrop, Oscar Niemeyer’s Niterói Contemporary Art Museum, which is perched on a cliff overlooking the bay in Rio de Janeiro. The U.K. got a double dose of fashion with Dior and Gucci. Dior’s guests partied at the London pop-up pub the Lady Dior and the following day boarded the chartered Dior Express train for the show at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire. Archival looks from Christian Dior’s famous presentation there, held in 1954, as well as of the 1958 outing by Dior’s successor Yves Saint Laurent, were on display. Gucci’s Alessandro Michele brought his punk-Victoriana collection to a church: Westminster Abbey, filling the front row with starlets including Elle Fanning and Kate Mara. (resort by Lauren McCarthy for Bazaar Magazine).
Why? For more style inspiration! Because they must keep things alive, cool and hot at the same time. Because maybe we haven’t seen it ALL before.
With travelling and depending where, we gather fresh and different ideas about the way people dress. We love to find unique items where people will ask “where did you get that?” All in the name of Fashion…which goes a long way towards helping us improve our Style so things never become Boring. Does that make sense?
I know I haven’t really answered any questions here….because there are no set answers. It’s just fun to think about and play around with. It’s why we love to dress up once in a while, it’s a chance to show a different side of ourselves… a grown up side, a naughty side, a business side, a crazy side. Aside from all that,
Halloween and Thanksgiving have rekindled my interest for pumpkins…or squash – since they belong to the same family.
Nothing says “Autumn Bounty” quite as charmingly as some bright and cheerful pumpkins and gourds. When it comes to varieties of squash the ones I’m most familiar with are the ones readily sold in most supermarkets like acorn, butternut and spaghetti. I love making butternut squash soup and have baked with other kinds. But now that Fall is in full swing let’s have a look at some other intriguing varieties found at your local farmers’ market, roadside stand, or grocery store and check out the incredible range of options available. They also come with an amazing list of *health benefits. But if you don’t want to eat them they make really nice table displays. These are just a few for example:
Moonshine
Who says pumpkins have to be orange?White pumpkins show up well outdoors at night, making the mid-sized Moonshine pumpkin perfect for painting or displaying as-is. Also look for tiny white pumpkins such as Snowball or the giant white Polar Bear pumpkin, which can be as large as 65 pounds.
Fairytale
Also known as the Musque de Provence, this French heirloom is straight out of Grimm’s illustrations. The squat, deeply grooved fruit run 8-15 pounds and will keep for many months at room temperature. These pumpkins have deep orange, moderately sweet flesh. Also look for Long Island Cheese, which is less deeply creased and slightly smaller, and a mini version called Autumn Crown that runs just a few pounds.
Green Goblin
This Italian heirloom (also known as Marina di Chioggia) can grow up to 10 pounds. Its knobby green skin hides rich, sweet, yellow-orange flesh that is perfect for pies when you get tired of looking at it. A similar option is Black Futsu, an equally knobby but slightly smaller, black-green heirloom pumpkin from Japan that slowly turns gold after harvest. Black Futsu features firm flesh with a flavor reminiscent of chestnuts or hazelnuts.
Cinderella
I challenge you to look at this French heirloom without imagining tiny carriage wheels and a fairy godmother. This deep scarlet-orange pumpkin, which is also called Rouge Vif d’Etampes, runs 10-15 pounds and its dense, moderately sweet flesh makes great pie. Also look for a similarly shaped pure white version called Valenciano, a slate blue/dark green variety called Jarrahdale, and, if you’re really lucky, Bliss, a dark green variety with golden speckles and spots.
Hooligan
No room for a full-size pumpkin? Try this lovely little mini pumpkin. Also look for Casperita, a pure white mini variety; Autumn Crown, a flattened tan-colored mini pumpkin; Munchkin, a classic orange mini pumpkin variety; and Sweet Dumpling, a white mini variety with green stripes. These mini pumpkins make delightful tealight holders. Or, bake them up—they’re just as tasty as acorn squash.
Turks Turban
This classic French heirloom is often called a gourd, but it’s actually a delicious nutty-flavored pumpkin. Turks Turban, a.k.a. Turks Cap, can be stuffed and baked whole, making a great vegetarian/vegan alternative for a festive main dish with the right stuffing.
Speckled Swan Gourd
These unique, birdlike gourds are worth seeking out. Like all gourds, Speckled Swan doesn’t contain edible flesh when ripe, but with a little care, you can cure the hard shell and keep it for many seasons. Look for Bottle or Birdhouse gourds, which have a similar shape but are white or pale green.
Snake Gourd
Depending on how they were grown, these striking gourds can resemble caveman clubs or sinuous coiled serpents. Immature fruit up to about 2 feet long can be eaten like summer squash (if you can pierce the skin with your fingernail, it’s likely tender enough to eat). As Snake Gourds ripen, their flesh disappears, leaving behind only seeds and a hard shell. Also look for Dipper gourds, which look similar but have a rounded bulge at the tip.
Who knew?
*Health Benefits: incredibly rich in vital antioxidants and vitamins, they contain a rich source of minerals like copper, calcium, potassium and phosphorus. Pumpkin seeds indeed are an excellent source of dietary fiber and mono-unsaturated fatty acids, which are good for heart health. In addition, the seeds are concentrated sources of protein, minerals and health-benefiting vitamins.
As you can see my biased preferences lean towards two specific breeds; but they’re all pretty darn cute.
Ruby, an Australian Shepherd-mix proudly struts her alter ego as Donald Trump at the Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade. Jason DeCrow/Invision for Purina Beggin’/AP ImagesMichelle Guillen and her shih tzu Jojo wear a Pope and a nun costume as they participate in the annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade. AP Photo/Mary AltafferEric Launder in a piano costume and his Pomeranian Simon in a Liberace costume in New York. AP Photo/Mary AltafferA child holds a dog dressed in a spider costume during the Cats and Dogs Halloween costume competition in Manila. NOEL CELIS/AFP/Getty ImagesBella Luna, a Pomeranian, is dressed as a chef at a Halloween costume parade in Long Beach, Calif. ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty ImagesDaschund-Terrier mix Robin, dressed as a ‘Mailman‘ in Old Town Pasadena. FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty ImagesYorkshire Terrier Chester, dressed as a ‘Mariachi‘ in Pasadena, Calif. FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images
Remember Halloween is for fun. Dress up, be whoever you want to be, but be careful and don’t make trouble.
Glamorous products to help make you a better version of yourself
That’s what I think of Chanel beauty. It’s not that I believe because the logo says “Chanel” that they are necessarily better than anything else on the market….however I’m loving these two products that happen to be under the label “Chanel”. Aside from how nicely they apply, wearability and comfort let’s just admit that the packaging is pretty elegant. And sometimes that counts for a lot. Especially with something you tend to wear every day. And with the Chanel name you can expect nothing but the best.
Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Powder SPF 15
Chanel Les Beiges Powder is a compact setting powder that is designed to give your complexion a sheer, healthy, glow without looking too bronzy or unnatural. Released in Fall 2013, it is part of Chanel’s permanent collection. It boasts SPF15++, though, as with any makeup product with sun protection claims, you would have to use an unreal amount of this product to achieve the amount of protection claimed. A bonus factor is that the half-moon brush that comes encased is made with all natural bristles and you can actually use it. I suggest choosing a slightly more intense shade than your normal skin tone for a sun-kissed effect.
It’s available in 7 luminous shades: N°10, N°20, N°30, N°40, N°50, N°60, and N°70. Interestingly, the official Chanel website only offers six shades – N°10, N°20, N°25, N°30, N°40, and N°50. However, Nordstrom carries all 7 shades, as will most department store Chanel counters you visit in person.
Chanel Rouge Coco Stylo:
There’s a new lipstick formula from Chanel called Rouge Coco Stylo (stylo means pen in French and when you look at the photo you’ll see why this name is perfect) which comes in a slim twist-up tube that’s described as having “the intensity of a lipstick, the shine of a lip gloss and comfort of a lip balm.” It truly is a three-in-one kind of lipstick. The texture is great, the colour is beautiful and it is relatively long-wearing. I have #214 – Message which is a vibrant berry shade for Fall. It is sophisticated and above all, moisturizing which is very important to me right now.
I’m in a soup making mood and that explains my pure of heartiness. Blame it on the weather, flu season or just craving a warm bowl of healthy goodness. In any case in the last week alone I’ve made homemade Miso Soup, Sweet Potato & Lentil, Bone Broth and last night for the first time, Thai Beet Soup. What I look for is nutritional value, tastiness, uniqueness and lastly (it is soup) presentation. I think this one falls into all those categories. It was delicious. The beets make this a colourful and liver supporting meal. The beautiful Thai flavours are also full of antioxidants. See bottom for health benefits of select ingredients. If you make it, I’d love your feedback.
THAI BEET SOUP
Ingredients
5 medium beets – peel if not organic and chop into bite size pieces
1 stalk *lemongrass, discard outer dry leaves and mince the bottom (1/3 of stalk)
2 cups (500 ml) coconut milk
1 Tbsp. tamari (or low sodium soy sauce if you don’t have tamari)
1 tsp. raw honey
2 limes, juiced
½ tsp. unrefined salt (try Himalayan)
¼ cup cilantro for garnish (or try fresh dill)
Directions
Preheat oven to 350F. Place beets in baking dish and cover the bottom of the dish with ½ inch of water (to prevent from drying out). Cover and bake until tender – approx. 45 minutes or until a fork can easily be inserted into middle.
Once beets are ready, melt coconut oil in large pot over medium heat.
Add shallots and garlic, cook for 3 minutes, stirring frequently.
For the remainder of the lemongrass that is inedible (outer leaves and upper portion), you can bruise/pound them with a mortar to release the oils and add to the soup whole for extra flavour. Of course remove them when soup is done.
Add the beets and the rest of the ingredients, except for the cilantro or dill if using. Simmer until heated through.
Serve in bowls and garnish with cilantro or dill. You can add a dollop of yogurt if you like to make it more like a borscht.
If you prefer a pureed soup, you can use an immersion blender to blend until smooth. Just remove the bruised lemongrass first.
*Lemongrass can be substituted for lemon zest (zest of ½ lemon = 1 stalk of lemongrass).
Nutritional Value of Select Ingredients
Beets: The beetroot is an excellent source of folic acid, and a great source of fibre, manganese and potassium. It is an excellent tonic for the liver, has anti-cancer properties, increases bowel function and decreases cholesterol levels. The greens are even higher in nutritional value than the roots; they are rich in calcium, iron, and vitamins A and C.
Garlic: Garlic is touted as a “cure-all” due to its many uses in medicine. It has a beneficial effect on heart disease, cancer, and infectious diseases. It decreases cholesterol levels, detoxifies the body, stimulates the immune system, and the list goes on and on. It’s more beneficial if you smash it or at least chop it beforehand to let the oxygen get to it and let it sit for at least 10 minutes before using.
Ginger: This root is an excellent remedy for nausea, morning sickness, upset stomach, indigestion, vomiting, motion sickness, and cramps. It helps to lower blood pressure, reduce fever, prevent internal blood clots, etc. Who ever knew that something so medicinal could be so tasty!
I love the empowering wording on each of these brushes – makes makeuping more fun
As you can see my biased preferences lean towards two specific breeds; but they’re all pretty darn cute.
Girl Who Would be KING on Life, Style and INSPIRATION. 
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