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A Once Homeless Mom Of Autistic Daughter Shows Us What It Means To Never Give Up

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What does a 42-year-old mother of four do when she loses her job and ends up in a homeless shelter? Not to mention that her youngest daughter has special needs and must be in stable surroundings or her well-being could be in danger.

She does not give up. She strives to to maintain stability even though her life, at the moment, is turned upside down. She keeps her hope and her head up and continues to do everything she can to take care of her family and make the best of a devastating situation. She is Adelina Mateo and this GLAM4GOOD post and video honors her incredible hard work, heart and dedication to her daughter Jazel.

Adelina lost her job due to downsizing and was forced to move into a Brooklyn shelter with her family when she could no longer afford to pay rent. Her daughter Jazel, who is 16, has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Jazel displays significant speech and language difficulties, struggles with expressing and regulating her emotions and suffers from significant unpredictable mood swings that can result in emotional outbursts. A predictable and routine environment is critical for a child like Jazel because any sudden change or uncertain situation can create anxiety that affects her well being. It is imperative that Adelina provide a secure environment for her daughter, but how do you do that in a homeless shelter? It's not easy, but that is just what Adelina Mateo accomplished.

My friends at Birch Family Services, the organization that nominated Adelina for a GLAM4GOOD day of recognition, tell me Adelina represents the strength and determination of Birch parents and parents of children with autism or developmental disabilities. Adelina's daughter Jazel goes to school at Birch, which is an incredible organization that provides education, habilitation, and residential services to people with developmental disabilities. Birch also helps families overcome the lifelong obstacles they face in raising children with special needs. "In the face of adversity, Adelina worked tirelessly to make sure her family was cared for and that Jazel continued to thrive," says Katie Joyner, Deputy Director of Development for Birch. "Adelina has spent most of her time thinking about her family and very little time focused on herself. A GLAM4GOOD day of attention will make her feel special and appreciated and allow her to take the time to celebrate the wonderful things she has accomplished for her family. Parents of children with special needs can often feel undervalued--experiences like GLAM4GOOD are an incredible way to remind them of the impact of all that they do for their children and also acknowledge their dedication to helping their child succeed in the face of obstacles."

After almost a year in the shelter and a tremendous amount of hard work, Adelina is back on her feet, grateful for the help and support she and her family received and also excited to be living in a new home. I decided that there was no better place to GLAM4GOOD and celebrate Adelina and Jazel than in the home Adelina and her family have worked so hard to establish, so my team and I headed to Brooklyn.

To kick off our GLAM4GOOD day, my friends at Lane Bryant, the most recognized name for fashionable plus-size clothing, gave Adelina and Jazel an incredible shopping spree. Adelina found some gorgeous outfits for her new job and Jazel picked out some fun, fashion-forward looks as well. Suave Professionals generously stocked Adelina's new home with a year's supply of hair care products and gave Adelina and Jazel new hair cuts and styling tips. My good friend, talented celebrity make up artist Susan Houser, treated Jazel and Adelina to a makeup session and got them ready for a party we hosted in their honor.

On our GLAM4GOOD day together, I asked Adelina what it is like to be a mother of a child with special needs. "One the hardest things," Adelina says, "is dealing with how people look at your child and always assuring them there is nothing wrong and they are safe to interact with her." Adelina also told me that she has to be aware of what is going on with her daughter and who her daughter is interacting with, requiring her constant vigilance. Adelina wants other women out there who are dealing with a special needs child to reach out for help. "We need to acknowledge first, that there is a problem with our child," says Adelina. "There is help for these children and for parents and siblings as well so that everyone can work together as a team. There is no reason to ever give up on your child's future."

I asked Adelina what was the best part of our GLAM4GOOD experience, and she told me that although she felt like a "Queen For A Day", it was the way GLAM4GOOD affected her daughter that was most special for her. "Before Jazel knew she was beautiful but was not taking care of herself enough. Now she is taking care of her hygiene better, dressing up and wanting to look good. Its given her attitude a beautiful lift up."

For the GLAM4GOOD team, it was an honor to give Adelina the recognition she deserves, to feel her happiness and watch Jazel thrive and express a tremendous amount of joy while being pampered too. We hope that this beautiful video of our day together will help shine a light on organizations like Birch Family Services so that families with special needs children know that there is help and support available. Please watch the video of our day and read the important, informative tips that Birch Family Services has given to GLAM4GOOD to share with parents everywhere.






1. BE PATIENT: Focus on the tasks at hand--therapies, academics, or activities that will help your child make gains. While it will take time, and there will be setbacks, you will see progress and greater independence over time. It's natural to focus on the future and the kind of person your child will be at 10, 15, 25, etc., but focusing on the present and your child's progress will allow you to appreciate their accomplishment more and fear the future less.

2. PICK YOUR BATTLES: If today isn't the day to have your child clean up their toys or brush their own hair, let it go. If the toys stay on the floor a bit longer or you child's hair looks messy, it's ok. Know when to insist and when to let your child be a child. Choose the battles worth fighting and you and your child will avoid unnecessary stress.

3. TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF, YOUR RELATIONSHIPS AND OTHER CHILDREN: Parents tend to put their children and family members' needs before their own, but if your needs aren't met you can't take care of others. Always take time for yourself--whether it's getting in some exercise, meeting friends for dinner, or running errands--make sure your physical, mental, and emotional needs are met and then you'll be better prepared to care for your loved ones. Having a child with autism often places stress on the other children in the household, so be sure to make time for your other children, giving them their own special moments with you.

4. FOCUS ON YOUR CHILD'S ABILITIES: Children on the spectrum are not broken or wrong, just different. Autism is a different processing system and children on the spectrum have their own distinct strengths. Focus on your child's abilities, not their deficits, and put your effort into helping your child reach their full potential. You will be amazed what they can accomplish in a supportive environment.



Photographs shot by Sioux Nesi
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Kate Middleton's Best Faces From The Royal Couple's Trip To New York City

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Time flies when you're having fun -- and when you're keeping up with Prince William and Kate Middleton's three-day-trip to New York City.

Between galas, touring the city and even a run-in with our very own version of royalty known as the Carter-Knowles family, Kate and Will had a pretty busy, albeit too short trip to the Big Apple. And while we spent many a day gushing over the duchess' always impressive maternity style, there's something else that caught our attention over the past few days -- the range of emotion in her facial expressions.

So even though we have no idea what Kate was actually thinking or saying at any point during the trip, her face kind of says it all. Here are the 17 best faces she made in NYC.



* OK, this is kind of the expression we were expecting while meeting Beyoncé, but, to each her own.

5 Chic Ways to Dress Your Home With Your Favourite Fashion Accessories

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Founded in 2011, The Coveteur began as a passion project exploring the homes and closets of global celebrities and tastemakers. It is The Coveteur's beautifully curated and editorialized photography, with an emphasis on highly personalized style and the use of fashion trends as inspiration for all aspects of life that has defined its sought-after signature look.

From adding a little sparkle with your family heirlooms to decorating your space with the latest designer must-haves, for a quick home update, turn your cast-off accessories into a standout décor pieces with these five simple and chic ideas to dress your home inspired by The Coveteur.

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Photo courtesy Pinterest


Use Your Jewelry As Art

Add a little sparkle to your home by framing out your favourite jewelry pieces. By using a standard shadow box frame you can easily execute this look on your own. Choose either to group some of your favourite pieces together or use one standout piece like an oversized costume necklace to make a bold statement. This is the perfect way to show off and enjoy some of your beautiful family heirlooms that you would not normally be able to wear on a daily basis.

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Photo courtesy Pinterest


Frame Your Silk Scarves

Silk scarves are one of the more inexpensive things you can find in a vintage shop, it is easier then you'd expect to find a stunning designer print for less than $10. At one point in time silk scarves were the epitome of class and sophistication and you'll be blown away at the craftsmanship and artisanal talent that went into designing the artful prints. Invest in having the scarf dry-cleaned and professionally framed for the best results.

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Photo courtesy The Coveteur


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Photo courtesy The Coveteur


Kick Up Your Heels

Whoever said shoes were just for your feet was wrong. Steal some styling advice straight from the The Coveteur and use your favourite drool-worthy party shoes to decorate your space and add a little unexpected visual interest to your bookcases and displays. Focus on featuring one or two standout pairs to avoid your space looking like one large walk-in closet.

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Photo courtesy The Coveteur


Use Your Scarf as Throw or Runner

Everyone owns a great oversized pashmina or scarf, simply drape the scarf as you would a table runner or throw blanket and voila! This is a quick and affordable way to update your home décor in just seconds, perfect for dressing your home for guests without using conventional party décor.

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Photo courtesy The Coveteur


Use Display Trays To Create Vignettes

Use vintage-inspired trays and ashtrays to display your treasured accessories, creating personalized vignettes that would look perfect in any room of your home.

Lena Dunham On Her Alleged Sexual Assault: 'Survivors Have The Right To Tell Their Stories'

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In her new book Not That Kind Of Girl, Lena Dunham bravely wrote about a time in college when she was allegedly sexually assaulted by a former classmate. After receiving some harsh backlash from conservative media and readers -- which contributed to her publisher's decision to alter certain parts of the account in future editions of the book -- she's responded with a heartfelt essay.

On Dec. 9 Dunham's publisher Random House issued a statement that they will be changing the pseudonym used to describe her alleged rapist in the book because the name and description closely resemble a real man who attended college with Dunham. A few hours after the news broke, Dunham published an essay on Buzzfeed responding to her critics and speaking out about her experience coming forward as a sexual assault survivor.

"To be very clear, 'Barry' is a pseudonym, not the name of the man who assaulted me, and any resemblance to a person with this name is an unfortunate and surreal coincidence," Dunham wrote on Buzzfeed.

She admitted that she didn't think her story would be met with open arms since the discussion of sexual assault "is far more inflammatory and divisive than it should be," but Dunham hoped that readers would at least honor her privacy and not "attempt to reopen these wounds or deepen my trauma." Sadly, this was not the case.

"I have had my character and credibility questioned at every turn. I have been attacked online with violent and misogynistic language," Dunham wrote. "My work has been torn apart in an attempt to prove I am a liar, or worse, a deviant myself.. I have been made to feel, on multiple occasions, as though I am to blame for what happened."

Dunham described the reasons she didn't report the assault, writing, "I was afraid that no one would believe me." Similar to other sexual assault survivors, Dunham says was afraid to ask for help from a system and culture that so rarely supports victims of sexual violence:
I was afraid other potential partners would consider me damaged goods. I was afraid I was overreacting. I was afraid it was my fault. I was afraid he would be angry. Eight years later, I know just how classic these fears are. They are the reason that the majority of college women who are assaulted will never report it.


She reflected on her experience as a survivor and what she's learned about how our culture deals with the topic of sexual assault:
Since coming out as a survivor I have gone from an intellectual sense of the ways in which victims are doubted and debased to a bone-deep understanding of this reality. I hope to apply that understanding to art and advocacy. I am deeply grateful for the support I have received. I am deeply grateful that this dialogue is taking place. I am angry but I am not alone... Survivors have the right to tell their stories, to take back control after the ultimate loss of control. There is no right way to survive rape and there is no right way to be a victim.


Dunham closed the essay by explaining the simple way people can support survivors of sexual assault through their healing process. "You can help by never defining a survivor by what has been taken from her," she wrote. "You can help by saying I believe you."

Head over to Buzzfeed to read Dunham's full essay.

Watch Jenny Slate And Rosario Dawson Share The Perfect New Year's Kiss

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New York Times Magazine recruited 18 of the year's most notable starts to participate in its annual special, "Great Performers." This year's interactive features nine short films, directed by Elaine Constantine, about a single kiss. A masked Benedict Cumberbatch kisses Reese Witherspoon. Miles Teller makes out with Gugu Mbatha-Raw in a wedding dress. Shailene Woodley chastely pecks Jack O'Connell on the cheek, and Rosario Dawson shares a New Year's kiss with Jenny Slate (seen below).

"What is undeniable is that movies — Hollywood movies especially, but far from exclusively — made kissing more visible," A.O. Scott wrote in the New York Times. They established a glamorous iconography and an elegant choreography for an experience that, in real life, is frequently sloppy, clumsy and less than perfectly graceful." These moments, however, are graceful as hell.




Here's a behind-the-scenes look at the videos, and you can see all nine clips over at the New York Times.

Pump Up Your Style: Fashion By Bravo

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(The fashionable cast of Vanderpump Rules, Image provided by Bravo TV)


I am a fashion lover and as I discussed with Bravo TV's Stassi Schroeder of Vanderpump Rules, I am intent on keeping to a limited budget. The ongoing question is how to do this without breaking the bank. I will be the first to admit that I am among countless Americans who have shunned their credit cards and are taking painstaking efforts to use only cash. So many of us are in this position, but remain closetted. Well, I for one am coming out. I have some expensive looking items, but they are either gifts, consignment store purchases or from long ago when I was a richer girl (single, living in NYC, before the "dot com bomb" and later, kids and the associated expenses of having a family. Up next in our lives: orthodontics).

This may be a reason why I like Vanderpump Rules, which would seem like a show that I as a 40-year-old would never relate to because it chronicles the shenanigans of mainly 20-somethings. Unlike those Real Housewives, with Vanderpump, we are shown a world where people have to work as servers and may dress fashionably, but make no bones about essentially living paycheck to paycheck. (Of course, we have to wonder how they might be profiting from "reality" in the long run and then there are those spin-off clothing lines cast members are launching.)

Stassi, who worked as a server in Lisa Vanderpump's restaurants for years, totally gets the thrifty thing. She says she receives the most compliments on the least expensive items she wears. In a phone conversation, she advises me as a busy mom to have a "uniform" (i.e. a white t-shirt and skinny jeans) and match it up with different accessories, such as statement necklaces, bold scarves or Stassi's favorite recommendation: a cobalt bag:

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(Photo courtesy of up and coming fashion blogger, the beautiful and savings-savvy Michelle Blashka aka Shoppinggal)


Shoppinggal links to other great, economical finds on Le Hoarder and since she is a Vanderpump viewer herself, she has an eye out for the type of style that viewers would be interested in (and more).

I decided that it might help folks like me out to make some suggestions about spicing up one's attire despite a constraining budget. For the sheer lighthearted fun of it, I've culled together some tips based on some shows currently on Bravo and through Michelle's blog. Don't go shopping for new items if you can pull together what is currently in your closet. (Note to Stassi, check out Shoppinggal!)

It's All About the Basic:
Now that you see her, you know there is actually nothing basic or ordinary about Stassi, but she is able to refresh her own look via accessories that draw the eye. She could wear the same black dress every Monday and we'd never notice the pattern.

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(Courtesy of Bravo TV)


...Or Is It All About the Bold?...
Shoppinggal starts with one bold statement piece and works the more basic offerings around it. Apparently, blondes have more fun and it's certainly seasonally appropriate to add some red -- wait, what's that? It's actually "bright neon orange" -- to winter wardrobes.
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(All photos with permission of Michelle Blashka, AKA Shoppinggal)



No Boohoo to This Black and Blue
In high school, my very confident fashion-forward friend Inga wore a lot of navy with black and I often wondered if she "matched." Remember that term, "matching?" (Admittedly, I'm being hyperbolic, but "matchy matchy" is not a tease-worthy term without merit). My kids tell me that matching is passe and my son recently had a friend come over who was dressed in mismatched plaid. A few years ago, black and navy and a more royal blue-like shade of navy started making appearances on runways. I tried the trend myself with a jewel necked blue dress, black cardigan and black tights that I wore to numerous events and I received many compliments on the look. Now that hint of blue that peeks out of a gray or black suit from a man's tie is a flirtatious way to approach this style. David Parnes from Million Dollar Listing LA pulls that off looking low-key cool (plus, check out the snazzy shoes that bring a bit more color to the whole ensemble):

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(Bravo TV)


A Crown Fit for a Princess
Stassi's friends on Vanderpump Rules have referred to her in past seasons as "Princess Stassi" and three months ago, she posted a jeweled headpiece of her own craftsmanship on Instagram. Handbands are a great way for girls to incorporate "jewelry," brighten up hair in need of highlights and also pair with glasses and a bun for the sexy librarian look. Here's a trick for hair so thick (like mine): Instead of pulling all hair back in the headband, trap enough strands underneath to make the mane appear less full looking.

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(Photo given with full permission by Stassi Schroeder's publicist)


The chic chignon look also works well with a headband like these from Deepa Gurnani (all beautifully handcrafted by the Indian designer):


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(Photo courtesy of Deepa Gurnani)



Nene Leekes, another Bravolebrity, wore a thick jeweled Deepa Gurnani headband at her wedding. Nene still wears statement headbands on The Real Housewives of Atlanta, but not quite as blingy as her wedding headpiece.

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(Photo Courtesy of Bravo TV)


Personal confession: I own a Pottery Barn treasure chest filled with beautiful headbands and it also consists of three of the intricate Deepa Gurnani styles (I also have a Deepa Gurnani clutch bracelet). Jay Lakhani, who is the owner and designer alongside his wife Deepa Gurnani says:

Each season, Deepa and I do intense trend research and zero in on a direction we will pursue. We start sourcing our raw materials from all over the world and start conceptualizing our key pieces. We travel to India every six weeks to get inspired and be extremely hands on with the embroidery process. Since every piece is hand made, we need to reinvent ourselves each season.


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Leaders of the Band, Jay Lakhani and Deepa Gurnani, pictured above (photo provided by Melissa Rappaport).


For Winter's "Layered Look," a Better Sweater
You may not know this if you watch the social scheming on Vanderpump Rules, but playboy Jax Taylor works really hard in a professional capacity. In addition to mixing drinks, he has a clothing and accessories partnership with XCalibur Shoes and reportedly, is very committed to the brand. Due to the weather in sunny California, we don't get to see as much of the layered look on some of our Bravo shows as we do on the runway, but here, Jax models his own sweater and with this link, we see it's not just for guys:

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(Photo courtesy of Bravo TV)


Nailing It
There is a lot that I can say about this picture. For instance, Lisa Edelstein (who I love!) wears a lot of white, not unlike Kerry Washington on Scandal, and white is the new black in terms of new discoveries on its streamlining/slimming of the appearance quality. However, I must point out Janeane Garofalo's nails. Dark hues give a certain polish to nails, so if you've saved your "Wicked" by Essie, you can still use it this winter.

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(Photo Credit: Carole Segal for Bravo)


Here, Stassi does a "matchy matchy" of nails to jacket, which gives a together look for the whole outfit. The contrasts between light and dark shown on and off the runway this season signify that we currently have a wide range of options across the nail color spectrum:

Topping It All Off
We've made quite a jump from the tips of our fingers to the top of our heads, I admit, but isn't fashion also about creative license? That said, I am a big fan of a great hat and there's no greater mad-hatter on Bravo than Cynthia Bailey of The Real Housewives of Atlanta. Fedoras made a big comeback in the past couple of years and are now being considered as "classic." A good one may never go out of style -- although I wouldn't compare it to a white button down shirt. (Of course, the fact that Cynthia is a gorgeous model helps her pull it off!)

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(Photo courtesy of Bravo TV)

8 Holiday Gifts Anyone With A Home Will Love

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It may be true that there's no place like home for the holidays, but we happen to think the adage rings true pretty much any time of year. And so, we asked 8 homemakers we love (read: designers and bloggers with impeccable taste) to share with us the things that they most look forward to unwrapping this holiday season, and cozying up next to long after that.

These are a few of their favorite things:

Petra Němcová Had To 'Sacrifice' Sexy Modeling Work To Be Taken Seriously As A Philanthropist

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Petra Němcová's Happy Hearts Fund has built 96 schools in natural disaster zones across the globe since its inception in 2005, but she couldn't be taken seriously as a philanthropist until she toned down her sexy image.

Despite Němcová's deep personal connection to her cause -- she was caught in the 2004 tsunami in Thailand, and her boyfriend was killed -- people assumed that because she is a supermodel, she would "disappear" after a year or two of work. The only way to remedy that was to "sacrifice" certain types of modeling, she told HuffPost Live on Wednesday.

"I stopped actually doing lots of Sports Illustrated work or anything sexy, and I stopped doing it for many, many years, just to show that I'm really committed and serious about what I'm doing with philanthropy," Němcová said.

She stopped short of explicitly agreeing with host Caroline Modarressy-Tehrani's assessment that a man wouldn't have to change his image to be a philanthropist, but she made it clear her beautiful body was an obstacle for the Happy Hearts Fund.

"If I speak at the United Nations and the same day somebody sees me in a bathing suit, people don't take you very seriously," she said. "So I wanted to show my commitment and took certain steps to do it, such as not doing sexy types of work. And then once we had results ... then I had something to prove, 'OK, I am serious, because together we have built X amount of schools.'"

Her efforts have certainly paid off. Happy Hearts Fund is set to open its 100th school by the end of 2014, and the organization even launched an official partnership with Sports Illustrated earlier this year.

Watch Petra Němcová's full HuffPost Live conversation here.

Sign up here for Live Today, HuffPost Live’s morning email that will let you know the newsmakers, celebrities and politicians joining us that day and give you the best clips from the day before!

Watch Shonda Rhimes' Totally Empowering Women In Entertainment Speech

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Shonda Rhimes received the Sherry Lansing Leadership Award at The Hollywood Reporter's Women in Entertainment breakfast on Wednesday, and in a speech that jumped from humility to Beyoncé, she inspired everyone from executives to stars to us teary-eyed reporters.

As the writer and producer of "Grey's Anatomy," "Scandal" and "How To Get Away With Murder," Rhimes told the room, "I haven't broken through any glass ceilings."

She continued and explained why:

This moment right here, me standing up here all brown with my boobs and my Thursday night of network television full of women of color, competitive women, strong women, women who own their bodies and whose lives revolve around their work instead of their men, women who are big dogs, that could only be happening right now.

Think about it.

Look around this room. It’s filled with women of all colors in Hollywood who are executives and heads of studios and VPs and show creators and directors. There are a lot of women in Hollywood in this room who have the game-changing ability to say yes or no to something.

15 years ago, that would not have been as true.


The rest of the speech, which is just as powerful, was posted by Rhimes to Medium. Head there to read it in full, or watch the complete version below:

Vegas Rolls Out Red Carpet for Celebrity Chef Affair

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Emeril Lagasse, Buddy Valastro, and Daniel Boulud hit the red carpet (photo courtesy of The Venetian Las Vegas).

What happens in Vegas probably won't "stay in Vegas" once the world catches wind of the city's recent food and entertainment achievement featuring three of the world's most popular culinary celebrities. This month, The Venetian Las Vegas rolled out the red carpet for acclaimed chefs, restauranteurs, and event co-hosts Emeril Lagasse, Daniel Boulud, and Buddy "The Cake Boss" Valastro and launched Ultimo: A Weekend of Excellence. Experiencing Ultimo is rather like being on the guest list of the most lavish party of the season, except that it lasts for an entire weekend and includes more "bet you can't top this" ideas than a Kardashian think tank. Thankfully, this Sin City venue was offering royal-inspired, not reality show-inspired, experiences.

Ultimo's champagne and caviar kick-off was followed by a stately dinner for 174 in the property's iconic Grand Colonnade. The menu, prepared under the direction of Lagasse, Boulud, and Valastro, was a seemingly non-stop journey into culinary perfection. From Boulud's wild pheasant torte and Lagasse's winter veal stew with luscious root vegetables and white truffles to Valastro's 10-tier royal wedding-like cake, the experience felt more like Versailles than Vegas. "It's a great celebration," said Lagasse, who also hosted the farewell truffle brunch at his acclaimed Delmonico Steakhouse.

Sebastien Silvestri, Ultimo creator and The Venetian/The Palazzo food and beverage V.P., oversaw a team of 20 planners, 70 chefs, 80 waitstaff and sommeliers, and 6 winemakers from all over the world to make "the ultimate Las Vegas weekend" happen. How did the extraordinarily lavish event come to be AND appear so seamless? "You've got to believe in your team," says Silvestri, who describes his team as "the best" and his chefs as "the best of the best."

Not surprisingly, the event included fascinating recreational opportunities that rivaled the three days of outstanding food options. Guests were treated to couture fashion moments, luxury race car driving opportunities, spa treatments, and even a "Cake Boss" encounter. Participants appeared to be sufficiently wowed including comedian and television host Loni Love who documented some of the highlights for an upcoming segment on Ellen (The Ellen Degeneres Show).

Still, it was the synergy of the celebrity chefs that served as the glue for this memorably unique Vegas weekend. "It's magic", said Boulud about Ultimo. "I'm very proud to participate in this very, very special event." Admitted Valastro about the culinary trio, "We all have a lot of respect for what we do, and I think when we come together and join forces, we're a force to be reckoned with."

Nancy Berk, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist, author, comic and entertainment analyst. The host of the showbiz podcast Whine At 9, Nancy digs a little deeper as she chats with fascinating celebrities and industry insiders. Her book College Bound and Gagged: How to Help Your Kid Get into a Great College Without Losing Your Savings, Your Relationship, or Your Mind can be seen in the feature film Admission starring Tina Fey and Paul Rudd.

Watch Shoppers Surprise Strangers With Gifts Of Their Choice In Joyful Holiday Ad

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Some of the magic of the holiday season comes from giving.

That's what this new ad from JC Penney -- "The Gift of Giving" -- aims to show by asking the department store's shoppers whether it's better to give or to receive. The chain gave customers in Illinois and Indiana the chance to surprise fellow shoppers by gifting them an item of their choice from the store for free.

The unsuspecting shoppers were overcome with emotion when total strangers offered to 'buy' them items ranging from a wedding ring to a pair of slippers. Watch the heartwarming video above and witness some moving shows of gratitude, making it clear that giving isn't just a nice thing to do -- it's also pretty darn rewarding.

H/T Adweek

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Beverly Johnson Says Bill Cosby Drugged Her In The 1980s

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Beverly Johnson is the latest woman to speak out against Bill Cosby.

The former supermodel, who was the first African-American woman to appear on the cover of American Vogue, wrote an essay for Vanity Fair that alleges Cosby drugged her at his home in the mid-1980s.

Johnson claims Cosby invited her to his brownstone in New York City under the pretense that she read for a part on "The Cosby Show." After dinner, Cosby allegedly pressured her to drink a cappuccino, despite her protests that drinking coffee so late in the day would keep her up at night.

"It’s nuts, I know, but it felt oddly inappropriate arguing with Bill Cosby so I took a few sips of the coffee just to appease him," Johnson wrote, adding that by the second sip of the cappuccino she knew she had been "drugged -- and "drugged good."

A brief argument ensued, and Johnson wrote she wasn't exactly sure what happened next.

"I recall his seething anger at my tirade and then him grabbing me by my left arm hard and yanking all 110 pounds of me down a bunch of stairs as my high heels clicked and clacked on every step," Johnson wrote.

According to Johnson, Cosby brusquely ushered her out the front door and hailed a taxi for the supermodel.

To read Beverly Johnson's essay, head over to Vanity Fair.

While Johnson did not expressly accuse the comedian of sexual assault, she is among the many women to have publicly disclosed similar stories of alleged wrongdoing by Cosby.

"I had to use my voice as a sister, mother, and grandmother, and as a woman who knows that, according to the C.D.C., nearly one in five women has been sexually assaulted at some time in her life, and that women of color face an even higher attack rate," Johnson wrote.

In recent weeks, NBC axed the pilot it had been developing with Cosby, Netflix announced it would postpone the launch of his comedy special and TV Land pulled all reruns of "The Cosby Show" from its schedule.

Additionally, Cosby's alma mater, the University of Massachusetts Amherst, asked him to step down as an honorary co-chairman of its $300 million fundraising campaign, and the Navy rescinded the title of Honorary Chief Petty Officer.

The Huffington Post has requested comment from Bill Cosby's rep and attorney; this post will be updated if and when a response is received.

The Ugliest Ugly Christmas Sweaters Of The Season

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This is one of the ugliest Christmas seasons in recent memories -- and that's the way some clothing retailers want it.

Sales of Christmas sweaters purposely designed to be ugly are looking pretty good at this point, according to the companies that make them.



However, daring fashionistas who want to push the style envelope may want to take the advice of Tricia Eichler, the director of merchandising at AllPosters.com, which sells T-shirts that look like ugly Christmas sweaters, but without the itch.

"If you really want to be a maverick of ugly Christmas sweaters, wear one for Christmas in July," she told HuffPost. "Now that’s true pioneering."












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Here Are the 8 Best Model Moments of the 2014 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

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With the Superbowl of the modeling world now behind us, we're officially going to have to wait 364 days until the next Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. In the meantime, we have decided to give out awards this year, to celebrate all the ladies we know and love so much. From the Best "I-Can't-Believe-She-Just-Had-A-Baby" Body to the Best Runway Smize, we have chosen our favorite VS moments and the girls who brought them to life! So take out the confetti and feather out your wings because here are your 2014 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show Award Winners!

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Although baby Myllena Mae is evidence enough, it's hard to believe that Doutzen Kroes gave birth only 4 months ago just by looking at her! Her killer abs and super toned limbs made this decision a no-brainer!

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It was the runway walk heard around the world! To open the final segment of the show, besties Karlie Kloss and Taylor Swift walked out hand-in-hand, smirking at one another as if to say, "Damn, we look good." And boy, did they ever!

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Brazilian stunner Izabel Goulart made quite the entrance during the Exotic Traveler segment, but it was her exit down the runway that really got our attention! Let's just say, we're all about that bass!

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There's a lot to love whenever Candice Swanepoel hits the runway, but this year, it was that devilish Angel smize that truly won our hearts. We dare any man to try to resist that!

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While each of this year's VS Rookies impressed in their own right, it was Brazilian beauty Daniela Braga who came out on top with a red hot performance in the Exotic Traveler segment. Paired with that adorable video of her casting session in which she samba danced for the VS execs, there was no doubt that Daniela was the rookie to beat!

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The Angel's wings are always an iconic part of the show, and something tells us that the fluffy pink pom-poms worn by Lily Aldridge will be remembered for years to come.

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No explanation needed here. Adriana Lima and Alessandra Ambrosio's entrance in the $2 million Dream Angels Fantasy Bras is a Victoria's Secret Fashion Show moment for the books!

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When the wings came off and the Angels slipped into their party dresses, our favorite sparkly frock was easily that worn by Behati Prinsloo! The shimmering LBD was our pick of the night and our winner of Best Post-Runway Look!

More on Modelinia.com:

It's Official: Kendall Jenner Won the Internet in 2014

The 2014 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show by the Numbers

Art Basel Miami: Mansion Hopping, Facials at the Ritz and Millions of Dollars Worth of Art Talk

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All I needed was a short weekend away from New York to conclude that Miami is definitely the city of vice. Besides conquering the skill of packing all my belongings in a small leather backpack, my first time in the tropical city went fantastic! From Mansion hopping to drinking to beach parties and discussing art and philosophy, below are some of the highlights from my Art Basel Miami Beach 2014 experience.

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An Artist Dinner With A Muse and Indian Jewelry Designer

Upon arriving to South Beach, I spent the earlier half of the night with a group of cool artists. Lana Gomez, an impressionistic painter working with mix media, invited me to a creative dinner at 1826 Restaurant on Collins Avenue. She was hosting "a night of luxury" alongside Arun Bohran, an eighth generation Indian jewelry designer and her husband Sebastian Mansicalco, Showtime's American stand-up comedian. The evening unfolded with a cocktail hour showcasing the latest jewelry from Arunashi's Marissa collection with models sashaying around the room dressed in green satin gowns, and concluded with an engaging 20-minute comedy act from Sebastian. There was also an exclusive viewing of Lana's most prized paintings hanging from the walls of the restaurant. Everyone from the staff to attendees were dressed in upscale-beachy attire, including Lana's mom, who was wearing a fabulous powder blue two piece halter top and bell-bottom-like stretch pants. I got to chat with Lana on what time of the day she gets the most inspiration (at night) and how long it takes her to complete a painting (it varies), and other fashionable small talk, like her obsession with Libertine. The stylish painter expressed that her work is related to the impressionist painting techniques, comparable to De Koenig and Frankenthaler, as she gets much of her creativity from nostalgic periods in her life. However, Lana notes that she has been painting with abstract curiosity before she even knew about the greats. Lana's authentic skill is very apparent in my favorite painting above entitled, I Can Show You The World, which emphasizes how her larger than life ideas are materialized.

Party Until You're Phoneless in Miami
The celebrations of Basel are very overwhelming. Soho House South Beach hosted a day party, followed by Hypebeast.com's turnup at the Mondrian Hotel South Beach featuring Mike Will Made It with special guest 2 Chainz, followed by Mr. Brainwash's parties at Cibu Wine Bar and at JR & Loren Ridinger's Casa De Suenos with Miley Cyrus, as well as mansion party after mansion party, not to mention three hour dinners at the Fontainebleau or the Delano or the Edition. It was literally exhausting and really hard to keep track, even though I made a schedule of events. At one point on Friday night, my friends and I decided to go to Club Mansion (which was also the VH1 + Scope After Party) when plans of going to see Paris Hilton DJ at Wall fell through. It started out as a good time, but it all went downhill when my friend's phone was stolen directly from her purse! And it didn't help that it was a full moon that night. What's even weirder is my other friend's phone got stolen at Liv the next night, right before some lady asked me for a condom. However, we all still managed to have a great time.

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Miley Cyrus and Mr. Brainwash at Haute Living presents Hublot Time Is Beautiful at the estate of JR and Loren Ridinger on December 5, 2014 in Miami, Florida
Photo Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images


The Cool Art I Want in My Living Room
Below is a picture of me taking a selfie in front of this Ken Borochov piece entitled Selfie that was hanging in the MORDEKAI booth at Scope, one of Basel's satellite fairs. Replacing my room light with this installation would put me in a good mood all the time.


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The Print I Bought From Lina Vicktor
This New York-based painter from London works with gold to create mix media, large scale collages of herself and other geometrical shapes in bright hues of blue, purple and red. While walking through the halls of Scope, I saw Lina giving an interview with The Times and I had to stop and stare at her. She is so poised and gives off an unearthly, majestic aura. Apparently, Lina use to work with Spike Lee with directing art videos, and she was commissioned by Billboard and LV for special projects, like paying homage to Wu Tang. When I found out she was signing small prints of her work for twenty bucks, I had to circle back to her booth to get me a piece of history in the making.

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My Second Wind Took Place at the Ritz Carlton

It would be blasphemous of me to take a nap with only a short amount of time in Miami, so I decided to get the new Winter Anti-Pollution Facial treatment currently being offered at the Ritz Carlton Spa in Miami. The treatment combats free radicals most harmful to the skin and creates a shield to protect it using Thalgo America products. My esthetician did the gentlest extractions my skin has ever felt, so much so that I fell asleep and woke up flawless. After the oxidizing treatment, my skin felt energized, silky and luminous. I found my second wind at the spa, freshening up and changing into the dress I bought on sale at this random boutique on Collins Avenue before my facial appointment. I wasn't the only one with this idea; there was some major primping going on in that spa, as their Moroccan Oil hair products, fancy lotions and floor to ceiling mirrors served as the perfect space to get ready for a long evening, not to mention bottomless champagne at my request.



Miami's Biggest Mansion Owner Has Lockers In His Bathrooms
The Dean Estate, owned by businessman and bachelor Bill Dean, has lockers in the pool area bathrooms so guests can conveniently party while their belongings are safely tucked away. I attended a party on Saturday night hosted by Haute Living Magazine and Swizz Beatz, featuring guests like Miami HEAT's Ray Allen and Alonzo Mourning. While this was one of the most exclusive parties I attended at Art Basel, I found it more interesting that there was another party going on inside the house while about hundred other guests were occupying the courtyard area of the property. They told us we are free to roam, but the yachts were off limits. No fun! This was the best place to people watch as there were so many different types of characters floating around, including people dressed as Burning Man aficionados, lawyers, socialites, basketball players and their cute wives and a 120- pound dog that had VIP access anywhere on the property.

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Swizz Beatz, Hannah Bronfman and Usain Bolt attend Haute Living 10 Year Anniversary Party on December 6, 2014 in Miami, Florida.
Photo Credit: Getty Images for Haute Living


The Art District Scene
Everyone I spoke with before my trip suggested a visit to the Wynnwood area in Miami's Art District. So it was not surprising that it also served as a protesting space on Friday night in light of the Eric Garner case. Aside from the protesting that shut down i-95 for hours, the street fair was one of the only Basel events that was actually free and open to the public and featured some up and coming artists' work at affordable prices for anyone who really wanted a Basel souvenir.


15 Teens To Watch Out For In 2015

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2014 was a great year for teens, with young people creating new social media trends, starting innovative businesses and making incredible art -- all while balancing the everyday stresses of being a teen.

As we head into 2015, plenty of up-and-comers are poised to surprise, entertain and inspire the world with their voices and their creativity. Here are 15 of our favorites:

1. The teen activists who have been protesting the Eric Garner and Michael Brown decisions

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Teens have been on the front lines of protests against grand jury decisions on the Michael Brown and Eric Garner cases. From New York to Colorado, hundreds of high school students have marched for justice. Expect them to stay vocal as we move into 2015.

2. Hailee Steinfeld, 18

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This teen got her impressive start as the world's toughest girl in the Coen brothers' "True Grit," but we suspect 2015 just might be her year. She's starring alongside Anna Kendrick and Rebel Wilson in the much-anticipated "Pitch Perfect 2," which will be out in May. She has several other films in the works, and recently nabbed a role in upcoming YA film, "The Statistical Probability of Love At First Sight."


3. Alexey, 17

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Alexey was a nominee for the 2014 International Children's Peace Prize for his amazing work on the front lines of the crusade for justice for LGBTIQ rights in Russia. He is one of the most important voices on "Children-404," an online community for Russian queer teens to share support and solidarity. When the founder of Children-404 came under attack for spreading "gay propaganda," Alexey formed a protest movement in response, and the case was closed after just a few days. Though he's been attacked twice during his activism, he continues to fight bravely.


4. Shawn Mendes, 16

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After rising to fame on YouTube, this musician's hit single "Life of the Party" debuted on the top 40 and with an upcoming tour with T-Swift, this 16-year old is set to take off into 2015 at lightning speed. Right now, he's hard at work on his debut album, due out sometime next year.


5. Brendan Jordan, 15

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The charming teen caught everybody's attention when he vogued behind newscasters reporting on the opening of a mall. The Internet went wild for him, appearances on the talk show circuit followed, and American Apparel just cast in him their latest ad. Of his newfound fame, he told The Huffington Post: "The biggest change, though, is that I can finally be heard. I strongly throw a message out there of equality, freedom, love, self-acceptance and absolutely no judgment."


6. "Unlocking The Truth" bandmates, Malcolm Brickhouse, 13, Jarad Dawkins, 12, Alec Atkins, 13




First discovered in 2012, the Brooklyn metal band is taking off at lightning speed, playing in huge national festivals like 2014's Warped Tour. Unlocking the Truth also became the youngest band to ever play at Coachella this year. After opening for bands like the Guns & Roses, the teens signed a 1.7 million dollar multi-album contract with Sony this past July.





7. Willow, 14, and Jaden Smith, 16

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The Smith kids have been in the public eye for quite some time, but this year they really started to stump/intrigue us with their kind of amazingly-weird interview with The New York Times. They got some Internet flack for it, but when Vice asked a bonafide philosopher to explain their comments, he called the Smiths "well-educated, if a little New Agey."

They're giving us plenty to talk about, but they're also making some great art: each recently dropped a new album. Jaden won some cred for his album, 'Cool Tapes Vol. 2,' and Willow's three-song EP, “3,” has generated some incredible feedback. Jaden claims he's got more music on deck, and we're pretty stoked to see what both Smiths have in store.


8. The teens of "The Arts Effect NYC"

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The teen girl theater troupe uses the power of theater to make change through projects like their play, "Slut." They've taken their work around the globe and designed a workshop for sexually exploited youth. Even with so much on their plate, they somehow found the time to respond awesomely to TIME's proposed feminist ban.


9. Zendaya, 18

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The singer and actress first rose to fame with a role on the Disney show "Shake It Up," and 2015 just might be her biggest year yet. She's returning to the small screen with upcoming TV show, "Undercover," which premiers in January and will also be releasing her second album.


10. Jules Spector, 14




The young feminist has been vocal about the potential of teens to change the world in the Internet age. She started the blog Teen Feminist, where she writes about a wide rane of feminist issues. She was also a featured speaker at the 2014 Women Moving Millions summit, and was one of the featured "loud women" role models, alongside Kim Gordon and Natasha Lyonne, honored by the feminist Internet learning startup, "School for Doodles."

11. Suman Mulumudi, 15

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The teen made waves in 2014 for his invention of the game-changing smartphone app, Steth IO, that turns your phone into a stethoscope and heart rate monitor. Now, he's working on improving Steth IO, developing new medical technology and acting as CEO of his startup, StratoScientific.

12. Becky G, 17

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It's been a big year for the YouTuber-turned-pop-star, with a popular music video, an AMA performance and a opening gig on Katy Perry's tour. She'll kick off 2015 with a performance on "Pitbull's New Year Revolution" broadcast, followed up by her eagerly-awaited debut album release early in the year.

13. Elle Fanning, 16

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It's been awhile since Elle Fanning was known as merely "Dakota's younger sister." This past year, Elle was nominated for a Teen Choice Award for her role in the hit, "Maleficent." Now, she's gearing up for an even busier 2015, with upcoming film releases for "Trumbo," costarring Breaking Bad's Brian Cranston and "Three Generations," in which she'll portray a transgender teen.

14. Zoey, 12

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Not yet a teen, but she will be in 2015! Zoey was one of four stars of Laverne Cox's recent documentary "Trans Teen," where she bravely put her life on screen to show America the strife that trans teens face. In the after-show, Zoey and her mom talked to Laverne Cox about the difficult Zoey's had in school, and what it's like to be young in a trans-phobic world.


15. Erik Finman, 16

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The Internet boy wonder turned a $1,000 check from his grandma into a $100,000 fortune by investing in Bitcoin back in 2012. He used the profits to fund his career as an entrepreneur and started Botangle, an online video tutoring service. Erik dropped out of high school and is now hard at work expanding his empire. He gave an epically inspirational speech at the 2014 TEDXTeen event in London, which you can check out below.



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Host and Hostess Gifts: A Quick and Easy Guide

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Holiday time! Party time! Host and hostess gift time! Etiquette and tradition state you never want to arrive empty handed to a party, whether you've the recipient of the invitation, or a plus one. These gift suggestions, while meant for the rounds of parties that erupt during December, can apply all year round, as graciousness never goes out of season.

If you know the hostess and know she likes flowers, by all means bring a bouquet and include a vase. I pick up glass vases at thrift shops for a couple bucks each and have them on hand for when flowers arrive or to bring to friends with a bouquet. Arriving with a vase saves the hostess having to find a container for the blooms.

If the party-giver has green thumb, consider a houseplant. Spider plants, pothos, orchids and African violets are hardy and easy to maintain, as are rosemary plants, which serve a dual purpose of decoration and as herb for cooking and baking. (You might want to think twice about the ubiquitous holiday poinsettias; they die quickly unless replanted outside, and can be hazardous if your host has pets or children, as the leaves and flowers are poisonous).

Gourmet tea or coffee make a great host/ess gift. Trystero Coffee in Los Angeles offers small batch roastings of exotic coffees, while with a little forethought you can order personalized blends of fair trade and organic coffee from Deans Beans.

Personalized gifts can range from monogrammed coasters to a life-sized marshmallow sheet printed with an image (maybe your face!), but again these require some lead-time. If it's a sudden invitation or you're being brought along as a guest of a guest, you can grab a box of gourmet chocolates or macaroons at Laduree, or a bottle of wine (consider an interesting Sicilian or Basque wine for a unique take), or a sparking beverage like Champagne or Prosecco at a liquor store. Medea Vodka, a premium spirit with a programmable LED label with six celebratory messages already set up makes an novel and easily personalized gift. Pick up a bottle of lavender or rose floral elixir and you've made an exciting, memorable additional to your host or hostess' bar.

Koval Whiskey, made in Chicago, offers a variety of flavored liqueurs, including honey and chrysanthemum, ginger, caraway, orange blossom, rose hip and walnut which can be sipped alone or used to make cocktails.

California-based St George Spirits also makes a line of fruit brandies, but its their Absinthe Verte, the first legally made absinthe in the U.S., that makes a stand-out hospitality gift. (Drink responsibly!)

Thoughtful, simple and easy is the key for bringing a gift for your host or hostess and carries the feeling of hospitality forward beyond the winter season. Never arrive empty handed, and your calendar will always be full.

One Actress Made Our Best Dressed List THREE Times This Week

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We have a new record this week. An A-lister made the best-dressed list not once, not twice, but three times!

French actress and model Olga Kurylenko, who stars alongside Russell Crowe in the new film "The Water Diviner," killed it on a press tour for the movie. While most stars tend to get stuck wearing one silhouette or style of dress, Kurylenko had a lot of fun experimenting with color and texture with terrific results.

Check out our favorite outfits of the week and let us know if you agree with our picks.

Olga Kurylenko in Ralph & Russo Couture

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Now this is a show-stopping look. The sheer component of the gown could have easily been too risqué for the red carpet, but it works to draw attention to the beautiful embellishments on her dress. The detail-work around her waist puts the focus on her most narrow part, while the form-fitting silhouette highlights the actress' amazing figure.

Olga Kurylenko in Alessandra Rich

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This dress is kitschy in all the best ways. The faux-pocket details and the white belt are fun additions to this otherwise sleek, pale pink lace dress. Had these elements been on a less sophisticated gown, they would have looked tacky rather than fashion-forward.

Olga Kurylenko in Ralph Lauren Collection

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Winter white has never looked better. The beauty of this dress is all in the small details. Though the gown is very minimal, the fit is spectacular and the draping is perfection. The hem is also just the right length and the asymmetrical neckline adds visual interest. A+, Kurylenko.

Solange Knowles In Tata Naka

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Okay, we know, this is a lot of look, but Solange can totally pull it off. All the textures in her white outfit and the asymmetrical hemlines are trendy. Plus, the shoes make a loud statement, which is perfect for this fashionista.

Sofia Coppola in Valentino

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Subtle and understated are the name of the game with this ensemble -- which fit the director to a T. This dress is so figure-flattering with the snug bodice which floats away from her body at her hips. We also love the embellished collar -- it makes the outfit a little more exciting.

Slits Too High For Comfort And Matronly Silhouettes Made Our Worst Dressed List This Week

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This week, we saw a lot of outfits go wrong on the worst-dressed list.

Both Rita Ora and Jennifer Lopez wore slits that were too high for comfort, Felicity Jones sported an excessively voluminous skirt and Jena Malone picked an ensemble that aged her.

Check out our least favorite looks of the week and let us know which ones are your favorite.

Alyssa Milano

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Milano's outfit does not do her justice. Not only is the corset giving her an odd shape, but the length of the dress is all wrong-- it should be a few inches shorter, so it sits above the knee and makes her legs appear longer. Also, those bell sleeves have got to go.

Jena Malone

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This outfit is aging the young actress. The high-waisted, long skirt paired with that white blouse belongs on someone a couple of decades older.

Jennifer Lopez

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Nope, just nope. That slit is d.a.n.g.e.r.o.u.s. -- one wrong move and we have a wardrobe malfunction, and those gladiator sandals don't appear to fit, which is cheapening her entire look.

Felicity Jones

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Holy volume. That is one big skirt -- what is she hiding under there? While this dress could have been so pretty and feminine, it goes into costume territory because of the comical proportions.

Rita Ora

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Usually we let Rita Ora do her own thing, but this outfit needs a bit of commentary. Not only is that slit way too high (if you can even call it a slit, it looks more like a major rip), but her shoes cut her legs off at an awkward spot, making her look very short. We know you can do better than this, Ora.

How Much Do You Really Know About Poinsettias?

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So maybe they aren't as ubiquitous as the Christmas tree or have a song inspired by their name, but poinsettias are known the world over as a holiday season staple. If you think about it though, their fleeting appearance on front porches and garden center shelves makes them a rather mysterious plant. How much do we really know about poinsettias and their origins, after all?

For starters, pointsettias aren't highly poisonous (contrary to popular belief), and the part that we love the most about the plant -- its red leaves -- aren't actually considered flowers at all (the yellow center is).

Here are some more facts about poinsettias that will answer every question you never even knew you had:

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