Now, I’d like to do something fun and a little less formal for my engagement photos and through my many searches and conversations with friends, I have found myself taking a liking for vintage make-up.

A gorgeous red lip with a sultry cat-eye, yes that’s the look I want. I’d like to go for a cross between Grace Kelly and Dita Von Teese, two very stunning ladies who have always inspired me.

So my darlings, what do you think?

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The lovely Zooey chats with the magazine about her signature hair style, her new “it girl” status and on heartbreak. She recently  divorced from Death Cab For Cutie frontman Ben Gibbard. But despite the ups and downs, Zooey has managed to keep a positive attitude.

Check out some excerpts from her interview with Allure:

On her signature hair style:
“I’m bangs and eyes,” she says. “It’s who I am. There have been periods when I’ve grown my bangs out, but I always cut them back, so it’s like, why go through the trouble?”

On being more like New Girl character Jess than most of the other characters she’s played:
“Because I have brown hair and a low voice, I would get cast as dry, sarcastic, ironic people, which I can do, but it’s not my sense of humor. I’m a very positive person. I get excited easily, and I like to jump around.”

On protecting herself from online gossip and mean comments:
“I can’t go on Gawker. I actually think the writing is really funny, but there is a chance that somebody is undercutting me.”
On being feminine:
“If you feel like dressing like a girl, there’s nothing wrong with that. I don’t know why femininity should be associated with weakness. Women should be free to express who they are without thinking, I need to act like a man,or I need to tone it down to be successful. That’s a very good way to keep women down.”

On not being obsessed with her weight:
“Some people around me, they’re like 89 pounds. I’m not going to say I’m a big girl. I’m a very small person, but I’m a healthy weight. That might be a little weird for Hollywood.”

On dealing with heartache:
“I’d probably just go get out of my house. If I’m sad, I listen to happy music.”

On finding irony in the label “It” girl:
“‘It’ girl is supposed to be something that only lasts a certain amount of time. They keep calling me an ‘It’ girl, and at this point it makes me laugh, because they’ve done that so many times: ‘You’re it’; ‘you’re not it.’ What is ‘it’?”

Very gorgeous, Zooey Deschanel sports red lipstick and her signature bangs hairstyle. Photographed by Norman Jean Roy.

Isn’t she lovely?

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Now, I don’t endorse going on an insane juice cleanse. That’s just cruel to your body. I do however, believe that a healthy life style can be achieved by anyone and it starts with healthy eating, so please do not go on a juice cleanse. There is a healthier and safer option.

I’ve recently discover the “Bon Appétit’s 2012 Food Lover’s Cleanse“. It’s a two-week healthy cooking challenge. I love the fact that this challenge provides you with a shopping list and some great meal ideas (including desserts).

Cleanse or no cleanse. These food ideas are delicious.

Here are some of my favourites:

Breakfast

Ten-Grain Hot Cereal

Lunch

Leftover Cider-Glazed Chicken Breasts

 Dinner

Baked Coconut Tofu with Quick-Pickled Napa Cabbage

Snack

Pumpkin Smoothie

 Dessert

Dark Chocolate and Tangerines

For recipe details and more ideas, check out Bon Appétit’s 2012 Food Lover’s Cleanse

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Source: Fashion Gone Rogue

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Here are my 12 wishes for you as we enter 2012:

1. Dream a little dream. Devote this year to making your dreams come true. The time is now, don’t wait until it’s too late to follow your heart.

2. Put a smile on your face. May this year bring you happiness. Smile, even when you’re feeling blue. Smile. Trust me, you’ll feel so much better. And laugh, as loud as you can and as much as you can.

3. Live your life. Life is divine chaos. Embrace it.

4. Get by with a little help from your friends. Don’t wait for a favour or for a birthday to hang out. Spend time with your friends regularly. Talk to your friends. Sure small talk is fine, but don’t shy away from talking to your closets friends about what’s on your mind. Rely on your friends and make sure they can rely on you.

5. Never stop learning. This year, take a class on something of interest. Sign up for a lesson. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

6. Forgive yourself. It’s as simple as that. Life’s too short to dwell on the past.

7. Keep calm and carry on. This year…Don’t stress. Don’t get bent out of shape. Just relax. Everything will work out fine. You’ll see.

8. Family first. This year, spend time with those you love. I believe that our families are our greatest blessings. Let’s cherish them always.

9. The sound of music. You’d be surprise on how powerful music really is. This year, whether you’re in a good mood or bad mood, make sure you have a song that documents it perfectly. Songs can bring up old memories or create new ones. Why not start compiling the soundtrack to your life?

10. Dance like no one’s watching. Stop hiding in the corner. This year, be the life of the party.

11. Peace, love and good health. Have these three and you’ll never be poor.

12. Always be thankful. Like last year, I’m thankful for getting to learn more and more about each and every one of you through your blogs. The posts that you all write are not only teaching me more about you, your interests and your creativity, but they have also inspired me. They have inspired me to blog more and to connect and build more friendships. This year, be thankful for what you have. Be thankful for those around you. Be thankful for everything. Don’t worry about what you don’t have…what you don’t have you don’t need it now.

I leave with my song of the day.

Beautiful Day – U2

Happy New Year and All the Best!

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TOOLS: water based pomade, 2 clear elastic ponytail holders, a comb or teasing brush, bobby pins.

1. Flip your head over and put a little bit of pomade at the root. I like to do this because it makes the hair easier to braid by giving a little bit of soft/flexible hold. Braids are less likely to slip out when you use this.
2. With your head still flipped, braid from the base of your neck going up to the crown area. Stop where you want the bun to start.
3. When you reach your stopping point with the braid, tie the 3 braid pieces off with a clear elastic.
4. You should still be upside down at this point. Now gather all of your hair into a high ponytail. Flip right-side-up and make sure it’s centered, then tie it off with your other clear elastic.
5. Tease the hair with a comb or a teasing brush.
6. Pin it into a classic bun shape. If you need help with this last step, click here. You could also top this off with the “Fun Bun” if you’d rather. (Last but never least, a light veil of hairspray is optional!)

Source: The Beauty Department

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Riley is a opinioned little girl who clearly does not buy into the gender divide of girls solely playing with princesses and boys solely playing with superheroes.

I’m impressed. Listen to what she has to say.

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Kim Kardashian

It would only be appropriate to start off with the queen of reality tv, Kim Kardashian.  I loved this look on her. Her green dress with a nude belt and tan lace-up Giuseppe Zanotti ankle-booties was just flawless.

I just couldn’t resist! I loved this wedding dress so much. It’s actually one of my favourites, next to mine, my mom’s and Grace Kelly’s. This dress is perfection.

To all my lovely fellow bloggers,

I can only wish that you all have a happy and safe holiday season. May you spend it surrounded with those you love. May you look forward to seeing your family and your friends. It’s that time of year again where we can enjoy one another’s company. Let us be thankful for all that we have.
I’m so glad to have gotten to know each and everyone of you. With each post that you write, I’ve gotten to know you all a little better. Thank you all for your continued support. You are all truly amazing and have giving me the motivation to make this blog better with each post that I write.
May your new year be filled with love, laughter, friends, family, health and prosperity. May your 2012 be your best year yet.
Love and peace all around.

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With the chilly months among us, warm weather getaways are a welcomed escape. So take a break from your scarves and gloves and daydream with me.

Yes, I’m dreaming of California…yet again!

Carmel, California

Achieve relaxation in simplicity. Carmel, California offers travellers a world of natural beauty. Carmel, situated in the Monterey Peninsula, provides breath-taking scenery and a world of art. Many of the towns most recognized mayors were poets and actors, including Clint Eastwood, who was mayor from 1986 to 1988.

Explore Pebble Beach and enjoy coastline views at Big Sur or for the wine connoisseur, go wine tasting at the many vineyards, such as Chateau Julien.

In Carmel, you won’t be the only one basking in all that the town has to offer, the town is known for being dog friendly, many hotels admit guest with dogs.

The town also has a number of unusual laws, including a law on high heels. The law requires anyone wearing heels higher than two inches to obtain a permit due to tripping accidents caused by irregular pavements.

Strange right? And not very fashion friendly. The good thing is that it’s not actually enforced.

Where will you travel to this winter?