Saturday, December 24, 2011

Sopa de frutas with Jose

Refreshing sweet soups make a perfect ending to a meal. Make this recipe your own by adding your favorite seasonal berries and your favorite ice cream.

Serves 4

2 pounds frozen blueberries
2 pounds frozen raspberries
2 pounds frozen strawberries
¼ cup sugar
1/2 cup fresh blueberries
1/2 cup fresh raspberries
1/2 cup fresh strawberries, quartered
¼ cup fresh mint leaves
1 pint vanilla ice cream


Combine the frozen fruit and sugar in a double boiler set over lightly simmering water and cover. Slowly cook the fruit until all the juices are released and the fruit has cooked down to a syrup-like consistency, about 2 hours. Pour the fruit into a fine mesh strainer set over a bowl. Place the strainer and bowl in the refrigerator and let the fruit drain overnight. Spoon the remaining fruit solids into a square of cheesecloth and squeeze out any remaining liquid into the bowl. Discard the solids.


Divide the chilled fruit soup between four serving bowls, garnish each bowl with fresh blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, mint leaves and a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Via Made In Spain

Katy Perry on Her Vampiric Beauty Secret, Favorite Beauty Ritual, and Celeb Twin Zooey Deschanel


What is your favorite beauty ritual? “I love, love, love—if I have an extra-long amount of time—to get lash extensions. They look like you’re wearing a strip every single day.”

Is there any beauty task you're lazy about? "Shaving. It’s not that I don’t shave—it’s that I don’t like to. People are telling me to laser; everyone on the tour has gone."

What's your latest beauty obsession? "I will never get a regular manicure again if I don't have to because the gels are just an amazing invention. A regular one lasts two or three days; with the gels you can bang your hands against anything. And those Sally Hansen Salon Effects strips are genius. All of my dancers are using them—amazing designs."

You're very fair-skinned. Do you wear a powerful sunscreen? "No, actually. My makeup has sunscreen in it, but really, when I'm touring I am indoors a lot during the day, like a vampire."

What products do you always travel with? "Caudalie Beauty Elixir. It's a hydrating spray, and on the plane it's really helpful. I've always sworn by the Lip Salvation scrub by Ole Henriksen. I definitely like to start with fresh lips before putting on lipstick. And I use Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil to take my makeup off after the show."

And what makeup is that? "I've been wearing Sephora Nano Lips liner in a fuchsia. It's the best color for my skin tone. Another thing I love right now is wearing lilac shadow with blue mascara—the shadow is Dior in the Misty Mauve set and the mascara is Yves Saint Laurent."

Is Zooey Deschanel your secret twin? Everyone seems to think so. "I do think we have some similar features. There should be The Shining 2 so that we can be the creepy twins."

You met at some point. Did you talk about the dopplegänger thing? "Yes, that was an easy ice breaker. I'm glad the similarities are with her rather than with someone else—she’s a good actress."

Via Allure

Prada Candy





Ancillaries


Ingredients



Candy is excessive

The pure indulgence and enjoyment of Prada Candy lies in its excess. Prada Candy is a fragrance with a novel olfactory balance combining exceptionally high-quality ingredients in excessive proportions. Magnified by White Musks, noble Benzoin comes together with a modern Caramel accord to give the fragrance a unique signature.

Boy Meets Girls-Andrej Pejic



The model of the moment is gorgeous, leggy and pillow lipped. Oh and he's a man, can we handle that?

Via Fashion Magazine

Friday, December 23, 2011

15 Creative Alternatives to Coffee


Green Tea
Can't make it through the morning without your daily java? Try brewing some green tea, which has slightly less caffeine than a cup of Joe but enough to give you a boost without any of the coffee jitters. The refreshing drink is also packed with health benefits, says Nadine Taylor, registered dietitian and author of Green Tea: The Natural Secret to a Healthier Life. “Catechins are powerful antioxidants and potent disease fighters that are found primarily in green tea,” she says. .


Nutty Smoothies
Nuts, which are high in protein and fiber, make a healthy afternoon snack, but they're also nourishing whipped into a smoothie. According to certified nutritionist Angela Pifer, smoothies made using ingredients like cashew milk, protein powder, and nut butter help elevate your blood sugar levels. “A 3 p.m. slump is not innate to us,” Pifer says. “Since food gives us energy, it’s more of a problem with our blood sugar dropping.”.


Licorice Tea
Even if you didn’t like licorice candy as a child, you’ll appreciate the benefits of sweet, spicy licorice tea. The bold-tasting brew is actually caffeine-free, but supports overburdened adrenal glands, which are organs that respond to stress. “Licorice is an adrenal tonic and increases energy. It adds a pleasant taste to tea blends and can also be taken in tincture form,” explain Dr. Linda B. White and Steven Foster, authors of The Herbal Drugstore.




Wheatgrass Juice
This natural energizer is known as a liquid shot of essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. Some people don’t mind the taste and others do, but all agree that wheatgrass is one of the most nourishing juices. “Because of its easy digestibility and rapid assimilation, it’s a natural energy supplement, whether alone or added to a protein-type supplement drink,” says Gloria Gilbère, doctor of natural health.




Siberian Ginseng Tea
Siberian ginseng tea gets its kick from the slightly bitter ginseng root, but if you can’t down the brew on its own, sweeten it with a dollop of honey. The herbal drink is supposed to stimulate your concentration, according to White and Foster. “This favorite, tried-and-true fatigue-buster is safe for long-term use in most people.'


Reishi Mushroom Tea
You've devoured mushrooms enfolded in tasty omelets or sprinkled atop your favorite pastas, but if you’re looking for a unique coffee alternative, try mushrooms in the form of tea. A staple in traditional Chinese medicine, the soft, flat reishi mushroom makes for one invigorating (and healthy) libation. White and Foster recommend combining 1/3 ounce of chopped or powdered reishi mushroom with 3 cups of water, then bringing the tea to a boil and simmering for 30 minutes before drinking in doses.


Chai
Native to India, this soothing beverage is commonly made with rich black tea, milk, and a variety of spices, like cinnamon, ginger, or cardamom. A steaming hot mug of chai tea will help you get over an afternoon hump. An added bonus? Though you're automatically cutting your caffeine intake by drinking chai, the tea’s smooth, creamy flavor tricks your mind into thinking that it’s coffee!


Carob Powder
If a post-lunch slump has you running to the nearest Starbucks for an espresso shot, you may want to think about keeping a stash of caffeine-free carob powder in your desk drawer. Similar to cocoa, naturally sweet carob powder tastes just as yummy mixed with warm milk and a touch of honey, and prevents you from experiencing a nasty energy crash later on.


Lemon Water
Creamy coffee drinks offer an instant jolt of energy, but you may find yourself feeling sluggish as the caffeine wears off later in the afternoon. Sometimes, it’s the simple things that will stimulate your senses. “I find that the best waker-upper is water with lemon zest and lemon juice,” says Lisa Rinna, television host and author of Rinnavation: Getting Your Best Life Ever. She suggests adding the juice of half a lemon and a teaspoon of freshly grated zest to your H2O.


Pomegranate Juice
Sweet and tangy, pure pomegranate juice is a delicious energy booster and easily incorporated into other beverage recipes. Sip the juice on its own, or blend it with other fruit juices or in a smoothie. “Pomegranate juice is full of antioxidants and energizers,” Rinna says. For a tasty pick-me-up, Rinna’s super energy drink recipe calls for a fusion of pomegranate juice, soy milk, a banana, spirulina, berries, and yogurt.


Green Smoothies
Introduce more greens into your diet with a fresh veggie and fruit smoothie. Experiment with different combinations of your favorites, like spinach, kale, mango, blueberries, and bananas, then put your blender to work. A chilled smoothie in the morning is a quick way to wake up! “Some people get a quick energy lift from nutrient-rich green drinks containing blue-green algae, spirulina, chlorella, or barley greens,” White and Foster say.


Schizandra Tea
The name may be difficult to pronounce, but schizandra herbal tea is an easy replacement for your daily java fix. Brimming with health benefits, the tea is brewed from schizandra berries, which are native to East Asia and popularly used in traditional Chinese medicine. “It has a subtle calming effect, improves sleep, balances blood sugar, is good for the liver, and may increase memory,” White and Foster say.


Flaxseed Shake
Adding flaxseeds and flaxseed oil to a morning shake will have you up and running in the a.m. For an icy beverage both high in fiber and energy, blend flaxseeds with yogurt, soy milk, ice, and the frozen fruit of your choice. Subtly nutty flaxseeds also add a deliciously satisfying crunch to any smoothie.


Prune Juice
With sugar and cream stirred in, coffee is one enticing morning treat. But next time you reach for your thermos, fill it with prune juice! The thick, crisp juice helps regulate the proper level of electrolytes in your body, which in turn leads to increased stamina, according to Staci Nix, author of Williams’ Basic Nutrition and Diet Therapy. If the flavor of prune juice is overpowering, try diluting it with water or apple juice for a thinner blend.


Peppermint Tea
Perk up with peppermint tea! As well as freshening your breath and calming your stomach after a meal, the cooling sensation of this minty drink is an instant revitalizer. “[Peppermint stimulates] the same nerve that’s activated when you revive someone with smelling salts,” says Alan Hirsch, director of the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation.

Via Shape.com

Are You Addicted to Diet Soda?

5 easy ways to banish your bad habit—and improve your health in the process.


1.Get your fizz on elsewhere. It tastes good. We get it. With its bubbly fizz and sweet flavor, soda makes for one lip-smacking beverage. But you can trick your mind—and taste buds—into thinking the same thing about a number of different drinks such as sparkling water or naturally carbonated, sugar-free fruit beverages. Keri M. Gans, a New York-based nutrition consultant and American Dietetic Association spokesperson, offers a refreshing alternative. "Drink some seltzer with a splash of juice for a little flavoring." Adding chopped-up fruit such as lime or watermelon to water will also boost flavor in a perfectly healthy way.

2. Find a caffeine substitute. It's late afternoon and you've lost your pep. You're craving caffeine. Your first instinct is to race to the vending machine for a carbonated diet drink. But rather than sip on something laced with hard-to-pronounce artificial sweeteners, explore other energizing options. And creamy, sugary coffee drinks won't cut it. Turn to green tea, fruit smoothies, or a variety of other healthy creative alternatives to power through the afternoon

3. Change your attitude! It's normal to believe that gulping down a can of diet soda, instead of regular soda, will shave calories off your daily intake, but that kind of mentality will get you in trouble. After observing the association between diet drinks and weight gain, Richard Mattes, a nutrition scientist at Purdue University, says that most diet-soda drinkers assume they're allowed to indulge in more calories. "That's not a fault of the product itself, but it's how people chose to use it," he tells The Los Angeles Times. "Simply adding [diet soda] to the diet does not promote weight gain or weight loss."

4. Hydrate with H20. Though diet soda doesn't cause dehydration, those who habitually guzzle it down tend to use it as a replacement for plain old H20. Try to keep a refillable water bottle handy at all times and take a long swig before you drink anything else. "Water is probably your best bet to stay hydrated," says Katherine Zeratsky, a Mayo Clinic nutritionist. "It's calorie-free, caffeine-free, inexpensive, and readily available."

5. Don't quit cold turkey! If you're a diet soda lover, it won't be easy to swear off the pop right away. And that's okay! Wean yourself off slowly and be prepared for withdrawal symptoms. It will get easier over time. In fact, you may soon find that you prefer other, healthier drinks.

Via Shape.com

Yves Saint Laurent Opium New Ad Staring Emily Blunt


Discover the myth of OPIUM reinvented.
A perfume of an outrageous and evocative name, Opium is a gate open on a fantasy world, a trip to the unknown, to an extraordinary elsewhere, mysterious, full of sensations and emotions.

It glorifies mystery, voluptuousness and modernity of the item.

FRAGRANCE

A fruity and aromatic opening, a flowery, voluptuous character, a rich and spicy oriental structure for this deep, intense and deliciously sensuous version.
Mandarin – Carnation – Jasmine – Vanilla

A Rose Ain't A Rose Ain't A Rose

Five artists subvert—and celebrate—the most clichéd of subjects

Aurel Schmidt’s Four Loko1, 2011 (left), and Diet Coke, 2010.
Courtesy of the artist
December 2011

Shepard Fairey, Obey Rose Girl, 2008.
Courtesy of the artist
December 2011

Kenny Scharf, Ola, 2005.
Courtesy of the artist
December 2011


Francesco Clemente, White Rose, Red Earth, 2010.
Courtesy of the artist
December 2011


Ross Bleckner, Time and Meditation (The Leaves and the Birds), 2008.
Courtesy of the artist
December 2011

Via W Magazine

Art In Fashion



Downton has taken his model from the deep freeze where she was caught in the middle of a Tango routine and before she's had a chance to thaw out, he's rendered in two dimensions her statuesque pose. Her strapless and backless Valentino red dress reflect perfectly everyman's dream of sophisticated glamour and feminine allure.

You can buy this at Vogue

Prada Spring/Summer 2012 Jewellery













Thursday, December 22, 2011

Stay at Eskimo-Tel @Igloo Village Kakslauttanen

Hotel Kakslauttanen is located in the Saariselkä fell area amidst beautiful Lapland scenery in the vicinity if Urho Kekkonen National Park in Finland. In winter they offer a possibility to stay overnight in a traditional snow igloo or a unique futuristic glass igloo, where you can admire the northern lights in a normal room temperature under the glass ceiling. Igloo Village is also home to snow chapel and an ice bar both built every winter. Igloo Village is open every year from December/January and until the end of April.




Snow Igloo

Imagine yourself sleeping completely surrounded by snow. The silence is enchanting and lights inside the ice cast mysterious shadows on the snow walls. The breathtaking atmosphere lulls you into a deep, comfortable sleep in your warm down sleeping bag. The temperature inside the snow igloo stays always between -3°C and -6°C. Besides a warm down sleeping bag (rated extreme temperature is -32°C), you'll be provided with woollen socks and a hood, so that you will never feel cold. That's a promise!



Glass Igloo
Glass igloo provides an one of a kind opportunity to admire the northern lights and millions of stars of the crystal clear Lapp sky in a comfortable room temperature. Based on a groundbreaking idea and years of research and development, glass igloos are a marvel of modern technology. Built from a special thermal glass the temperature inside the igloo always stays at a normal level. It also prevents the glass from not getting white frosted, hence keeping the view clear even when the temperature outside drops to under -30°C. Every igloo is equipped with a toilet and luxury beds. On every evening a hot sauna and a refreshing ice hole are waiting for you.


More information http://www.kakslauttanen.fi/en/
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