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.
A gallery assistant poses with “Beautiful, Hallo, Space-Boy Painting” by Damien Hurst during the press preview of the “Bowie/Collector” auction at Sotheby’s. Leon Neal/Getty Images
“Art has always been for me a stable nourishment,” said David Bowie.
On the occasion of Sotheby’s historic three-part sale of the legendary artist’s personal collection, his close friend and fellow musician Bono offers an appreciation. Plus, a sampling of Bowie’s own insightful words on the artists he admired and a selection of the works with which he lived.
BONO, SEPTEMBER 2016 said: David understood the power of the image better than any musician who ever lived. He spent his life creating images, some of which he tried to occupy or personify, some of which he hung from his music and some his music hung from. He knew that in his time, more than any other era, ideas often arrived as pictures and that the world was being shaped by photography, cinematography and, even still, painting.
A painting by John Virtue called ‘Landscape No. 87’, part of the Bowie Collection on display at Sotheby’s. AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth
BOWIE ON ART AND ARTISTS:
DAVID BOWIE was not just a collector of art, but also an informed authority on the subject. He was close to countless living artists and maintained conversations with them throughout his life. In 1994 he was invited to join the editorial board of Modern Paintersmagazine, to which he contributed in-depth interviews with the likes of Tracey Emin, Balthus and Damien Hirst, a review of the first-ever Johannesburg Biennale in 1995 and a response to the life and work of Jean-Michel Basquiat. Below is a selection of Bowie’s astute and deeply personal observations, first published in Modern Paintersand The New York Timeson the art and artists that fascinated and inspired him.
ON BALTHUS
Bowie suggested to the editors of Modern Painters that he might be able to secure an interview with the reclusive Balthus. Both men were living in Switzerland at the time and had met at a gallery opening for Balthus’s wife, Setsuko. One afternoon in the summer of 1994, Bowie drove to a mountain chalet in Rossinière to meet the painter, whose works of “timeless, serene, but disturbed sculptural claustrophobia” he greatly admired. Their conversation as well as Bowie’s introductory text are extraordinary. Sitting at lunch with the artist and Setsuko, he observed: “Balthus puts down his knife and fork and, staring at some far off point, says quietly: ‘I awoke very early this morning. I went to my studio and started work. It would not come…. and I gazed at my painting then the small things around me and I felt such a tremendous…sense of awe.’” His voice dies away, leaving “a misty trail of remembrances, glories and maybe disappointments,” Bowie continued. “Locked in silence, we three sit, Balthus, Setsuko and I. The tragedy and chaos of the twentieth century rushes through the memory of its last Legendary Painter.”
ON MARCEL DUCHAMP
“Sometimes I wish that I could put myself in Duchamp’s place to feel what he felt when he put those things on show and said: ‘I wonder if they’ll go for this. I wonder what’s going to happen tomorrow morning,’ ’’ he said to Kimmelman in The New York Times. “I would understand that attitude perfectly, because the most interesting thing for an artist is to pick through the debris of a culture.”
ON DAMIEN HIRST
A painting produced collaboratively by Damien Hirst and David Bowie called ‘Beautiful, halo, space-boy painting’ 1995, part of the Bowie Collection on display at Sotheby’s auction rooms. The painting is estimated at 250,000-350,000 pounds (318,000- 445,000 US dollars). AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth
Hirst was one of only a handful of high-profile contemporary artists for whom Bowie publicly expressed his admiration, interviewing him for Modern Painters in 1995. “He’s different. I think his work is extremely emotional, subjective, very tied up with his own personal fears – his fear of death is very strong – and I find his pieces moving and not at all flippant,” Bowie told Michael Kimmelman in an extensive 1998 interview in The New York Times.
ON JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT
A painting by Jean-Michel Basquiat called “Air Power’ 1984, estimated at 2.5-3.5 million pounds (3.18- 4.45 million US dollars), part of the Bowie Collection. AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth
“I feel the very moment of his brush or crayon touching the canvas,” wrote Bowie of Basquiat in a 1996 issue of Modern Painters. “There is a burning immediacy to his ever-evaporating decisions that fires the imagination ten or fifteen years on, as freshly molten as the day they were poured onto the canvas.” Bowie acquired Basquiat’s Air Power in 1997, the year after he played Andy Warhol to Jeffrey Wright’s Basquiat in Julian Schnabel’s 1996 biopic of the artist.
ON FRANK AUERBACH
“I find his kind of bas-relief way of painting extraordinary,” said Bowie of Auerbach in the 1998 New York Times interview with Kimmelman. “Sometimes I’m not really sure if I’m dealing with sculpture or painting.” Auerbach’s work provoked strong reactions: “It will give spiritual weight to my angst. Some mornings I’ll look at it and go, ‘Oh, God, yeah! I know!’ But that same painting, on a different day, can produce in me an incredible feeling of the triumph of trying to express myself as an artist. I can look at it and say: ‘My God, yeah! I want to sound like that looks.’”
From 1–10 November, the collection will be exhibited at Sotheby’s New Bond Street galleries in London, giving fans, collectors, art lovers and experts a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to immerse themselves in the extraordinary range of objects that informed Bowie’s private world. British artists, including high profile painters and sculptors such as Frank Auerbach and Henry Moore, make up the heart of the collection, representing over 200 pieces in total.
A gallery assistant poses with “Chess Set” by Man Ray (est. £20,000-30,000) during the press preview of the “Bowie/Collector” auction at Sotheby’s. Leon Neal/Getty ImagesTechnicians prepare artworks from the Bowie Collection to go on display at Sotheby’s. AP Photo/Kirsty WigglesworthA photo of David Bowie on the auction labels of items during the press preview of the “Bowie/Collector” auction at Sotheby’s. Leon Neal/Getty Images
What a great memento for those who appreciate Art & Bowie.
I don’t know where I’m going from here but I promise it wont’ be boring– David Bowie
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!
Recently and straight from the source – oil that is! Moroccan Argan Oil from the Atlas Mountains. On a camel no less…
and took a Selfie to prove it
In recent years, an incredible oil from Morocco called Argan oil (Argania spinosa) has become such a hot commodity that a New York Times editorial termed it “liquid gold.”
“I love gold and I definitely love a beauty product with multiple purposes.”
Most women are familiar with the hot selling Moroccanoil haircare products that pioneered a new category in the beauty industry. You can hardly walk by a hair salon that doesn’t sell it. The products are infused with nourishing antioxidant-rich argan oil. Moroccanoil has grown into an iconic beauty brand in less than a decade.
I do not know what amount of argan oil is inside each of their products, but Argan Oil (extracted from the nuts of the fruits of the Argan tree) in general is an all around multi-use product with curative properties revered for centuries in Morocco, the only place where the Argan tree is naturally found . In the southern regions of the country, pure Argan oil is celebrated for everything from soothing skin redness to curing rheumatism and more.
Women preparing the Oil
You can use it on your skin, you hair, your nails and even cook with it (using a different variant of the oil my sister has informed me). See below.
I’ve been sourcing out healing oils from all over the world for the face oil used in my own skincare line. Many of which I’ve researched and found from my very own travels – for “Skin so Divine” and Argan was included in the mix. Before this I bought the Josie Maran Argan Oil at Sephora because it was the only one I could readily find that admits to being 100% pure. But at $60 for 1.7 oz/50 mL it can get quite costly. And that’s only for one oil. It’s the rarity of this Moroccan oil that makes it more expensive than most others.
Nuts from the fruit of the Argan Tree
For face it’s rich in vitamin E and essential fatty acids to deeply hydrate and nourish skin.
Traditional Uses of Morocco’s Golden Oil
Traditionally, Argan oil has been used topically to:
Protect against and heal skin infections
• Clear up acne
• Ease eczema
• Hasten recovery from chicken pox
• Heal cracks and burns
One of the Rarest and Most Unique Oils in the World
The Argan tree is known throughout the Berber state in Morocco as the “Tree of Life.” Pure Argan oil is made from the kernels of the nuts from argan trees.
Atlas MountainsThe Tree
Today, Argan trees grow exclusively in the semi-desert soil of the Arganeraie Biosphere Reserve. Due to this small and specific growing area, the trees are protected by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)—and pure Argan oil is one of the rarest in the world.
The pure Argan oil industry is almost as unique as the oil itself. All Argan sold today comes from cooperatives operated by Moroccan women (see bottom for more info.), and the cooperatives share profits among the local women of the Berber tribe. The money goes toward health care and education, as well as other good works. For example, Argan oil profits established an ecosystem reforestation project so that Argan can be sourced conscientiously and the supply will not run out.
Even more incredible is that revenues from pure Argan oil sales are reported to feed 10% of the Moroccan population.
Wonderful for Skin, Hair, and Nails…and the World
“Recent scientific studies have shown that the benefits of Argan oil has antimicrobial properties, and can be used in treating damaged skin and inflammation,” said Majda Alaoui Sosso, director of one of Morocco’s oil cooperatives.
This is in part due to Argan oil’s rich stores of essential fatty acids, or EFAs, which support the health and beauty of skin and hair (while also, when taken internally, boosting heart and brain health and regulating hormone levels and other critical functions).
Pure Argan oil is easily absorbed, and it regulates the pH balance of the skin, which in turn protects against sun exposure and other damage. It also reduces skin inflammation and thus helps control and reverse skin disorders such as eczema and psoriasis while also diminishing scars.
Pure Argan oil’s proven and observed benefits for hair, skin, and nails are extensive, and include, to name a few…
Dry Skin: Nourishes and moisturizes dry, scaly, flaky skin and protects against infection.
Oily Skin: Regulates sebum production to keep the skin’s natural oils at a healthy level. With regular use, the skin will no longer look or feel oily.
Irritated/Itchy Skin: Protects skin from allergens that may cause itchiness.
Acne: Controls overproduction of acne-causing sebum and soothes the inflammation brought about by acne; also prevents the ugly scars acne can leave behind.
Aging: Stimulates renewal of skin cells and boosts elasticity while smoothing wrinkles and lines.
Sun Damage Rich in antioxidants that protect cells from UV light.
Eczema and Psoriasis: Helps alleviate inflammatory symptoms associated with psoriasis. Also addresses immunity problems and allergies that trigger eczema symptoms.
Hair: Repairs damaged hair. Moisturizes instantly, and prevents split ends while restoring shine. Increases hair growth and helps control, cure, and prevent dry and itchy scalp.
Scalp: Keeps scalp healthy and well nourished. A few drops will protect against dandruff. Keeps the roots of the hair hydrated, protected, and well nourished.
Nails: Keeps nails strong and healthy and restores natural shine while easily resolving brittle nail problems.
I made up some little bottles of the pure oil to use on its own as well as combined it with the other essential oils which make up the Divine Facial Oil…which by the way, is simply divine.
Thank you LisaXOXOx 10(also for the authentic Moroccan Tagine which I love).
Photos: Lisa King
Another Selfie with a close friend. Step aside Kim!
IN THE KNOW: the tree + production for Argan Oil:
Argan trees live for about 15-200 years and grow up to be nearly 30 meters in height. Around the 30 or 50 year mark, the trees start producing fruit. The trees yield fruit once a year and one tree will usually yield 1 liter of Argan Oil. One liter of oil takes 10 to 12 hours of manual work to make!
The production of 100% organic Argan Oil is a complex, labor intensive process. The Argan fruit is harvested and the peel and the pulp are discarded. What is left is a hard-shelled, oval nut which is cracked by hand. The emerging kernels are ground into a paste from which oil is cold pressed. The freshly extracted oil may be left to sit for 2 to 3 weeks after which clear oil is poured into dark bottles and exported around the world.
This harvesting and cold pressing is done by local women from the Berber tribe of Morocco who are organized into co-operatives. Fair-trade Argan Oil provides Berber women with a stable source of income, financial independence and better opportunities for education, health and personal development.
More than two million people rely on Argan trees for economic sustenance and the Argan Oil trade has reformed the entire region by providing access to a stable income.
Culinary Argan Oil
The culinary variant of the oil is produced by roasting the nuts first and then grinding them to a sticky paste where the oil comes out of. By roasting the oil gently, it will get a deep nutty aroma and flavor. The oil is very good for the heart and brains as it boasts a healthy rich array of omega-3 fatty acids and 3 times more vitamin E than olive oil. It is also amazing for digestion and can be sprinkled on salads, grilled fish & meat stews to get a delicious nutty flavor. I have some of this too. UPS: cooking oil varieties.
Source (in part): underground health reporter, Lisa King & myself
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.
Now here’s a documentary for those who adore art, culture, music, fashion, politics, celebrity & larger than life celebratory, astonishing and horrendously shocking legendary moments in time.
Saying that Scottish photographer Harry Benson is a Zelig-like character who’s witnessed every major cultural and political event of the last 50 years is not an exaggeration. Here’s just a partial resumé of the man’s astounding life: he arrived in America with the Beatles in 1964 as a photographer for their American tour (he took the famous photo of the Beatles’ hotel room pillow fight); he has photographed every American president from Eisenhower to Obama; he was just a few feet away from Bobby Kennedy on the night Kennedy was assassinated; he was alongside Martin Luther King, Jr. on the Meredith march and attended his funeral; he was in the room when Nixon resigned; he was there when the Berlin Wall went up—and when it came down; and he has taken iconic fashion photos for the likes of Vanity Fair, Paris Match and a half-dozen other magazines.
Benson, now 86 and still working, certainly deserves the wonderful tribute offered here in Matthew Miele and Justin Bare’s fascinating portrait. Featuring testimonials from Sharon Stone, Alec Baldwin, Donald Trump, Piers Morgan, Dan Rather, James L. Brooks, Henry Kissinger, Ralph Lauren and Joe Namath among others, the film reveals that Benson is not only a globetrotting legend of the photography world but that he’s also a nice guy!
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.
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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