Ask the Etiquette Expert: Holiday Office Gift Giving Q & A's

December 2, 2013, 8:49 am

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1. Who gets a gift at the office?
Traditionally, an employer may thank his or her employees for their dedication with a holiday "bonus." Today, budget cuts and a struggling economy have had an impact on the types of gifts many employers give out during the holidays. Some companies now offer alternatives such as a day off, a gift certificate to a restaurant or a holiday turkey or ham.

Employees shouldn't feel obligated to give their boss an elaborate gift. Ask around to see if there will be an office "pool" where everyone who is interested pitches in a small amount of money and a designated person buys an "office" gift for the boss. Or, as an alternative, bring a box of your famous fudge for the boss, and another box for the entire office to enjoy.

Colleagues can draw names, select and donate to a charity, or skip the gift giving process all together.


2. If there is an office gift exchange, what are some safe options for a boss, a colleague, and a client?

The Boss:

• Cookies, muffins, home baked goods


• A joint gift from the entire staff, such as tickets to a local theatre performance, sports tickets, or golf towels


• A handwritten note thanking him or her for a great year


• A box of fruit from your backyard fruit tree


• Anything small and non-personal

A Colleague:

• A gift card to a local coffee shop


• A travel coffee mug for their morning commute, with a small bag of gourmet coffee or tea


• An iTunes gift card


• A scarf or umbrella


• A colorful computer mouse or bright ear buds


• Creative desk supplies


• An insulated lunch carrier


• An eco-friendly grocery bag, purchased from their favorite store


• A jar of nuts, seeds or specialty candy in a pretty jar for their desk

Your Clients:

• A box of seasonal fruit, delivered monthly for a year


• A donation to a charity in his or her name


• A bottle (or case) of wine


• A moderately priced writing pen (not too expensive but nice)


• Nothing with your business logo


• All of the above should be accompanied with a holiday card and handwritten note.


• Do not use a business card as a gift card to your client.

3. Is a gift card a suitable holiday gift for the office?

Generally a gift card would be great, but pulling out a piece of plastic at the office gift exchange is a little boring. If you do give a gift card, wrap it creatively, or put it in something that is interesting and can be used as a conversation starter like a tin of coffee from a local coffee shop, with the gift card attached to a coffee scoop.

4. I want to give a gift to a few close colleagues, but not the entire staff. What should I do?

Exchange gifts away from the office to ensure that other people's feelings will not be bruised. Go to lunch or meet for a quick drink after work for a cup of holiday cheer, exchanging gifts at a separate location so no one will feel left out.

5. If I receive a gift from a coworker that I don't like, or cannot use, can I ask for the receipt to return or exchange it?

Unless you are very good friends with your coworker, and feel fairly certain he or she won't feel offended, I suggest you skip asking for the receipt. It's not worth the risk of hurting their feelings or coming across as insensitive, especially if it is a relatively inexpensive gift such as a candle or holiday CD. Instead, place it safely in your re-gift closet and wait for the right person to give it to, who you know will appreciate it. Tell them honestly you received it as a gift and you know it's their favorite scent, or choice of music.

For more etiquette tips, visit my blog, connect with me here on The Huffington Post, follow me on Pinterest, and "Like" me on Facebook at Protocol School of Texas.

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Don't Think Outside the Box; Think Outside the Universe

December 2, 2013, 8:57 am

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More than half of all startups fail within five years. And it is a well-known fact that failure is constant in entrepreneurship. The fashion business is highly competitive; so how do women's clothing designers Kirk Pickersgill and Stephen Wong of the fashion label Greta Constantine ensure success? "Think global but always act like a startup." Their company got off the ground in 2006 and can be found in far-flung locales such as Dubai, Paris, London, Moscow and Madrid.




Minutes before their latest show, I talked with them about the perils and opportunities of entrepreneurship. Though Greta Constantine has passed that milestone, the partners are ever mindful that their enterprise is an extension of their own passion, creativity, and hard work.

Their advice to would-be entrepreneurs? "Don't think outside the box; think outside the universe."

"You have to have passion and you have to be willing to wear a lot of hats," they add.

Business Design Entrepreneurship from Seed9 on Vimeo.

The Most '90s Things Britney Spears Ever Wore

December 2, 2013, 9:04 am

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For many of us,* the '90s didn't start until Britney Spears' debut album "...Baby One More Time" hit the shelves at Tower Records in 1999.

While that may be an exaggeration for some, Brit made quite the style impact during the last year of the decade, capturing the zeitgeist in some quintessential fashions. In honor of the singer's 32nd birthday today (Dec. 2), we're taking a look back at some of Britney's most awesomely '90s looks.

*We really loved Britney back in the day -- mainly because we wanted to wear all of these things, too.

Crop tops





...with scrunchies





Lace-up leather pants



Colored glasses





Bucket hats



Crimped hair



Chokers



Wide-legged khakis



...oh, and khaki shorts



...and Tommy Hilfiger clothing in general







See Brit's full evolution:



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Cyber Monday Means Let Your Fingers Do the Walking, Not Your Feet

December 2, 2013, 9:50 am

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How to keep your party shoes on during the holidays and not switch to flats!

Fashion footwear may be on your cyber list of things to buy today, there are many great deals too choose from but once the purchase is done and the partying begins, how do you keep your party shoes on?

"Bad Foot Genes" are the reasons why foot problems occur. Yes, "blame it on Mom and Dad." Arch supports can counteract the predisposition of developing foot problems when wearing fashion footwear and allow you to keep your party shoes on throughout the holidays. They reduce the triggering mechanism to foot pain, bunion pain, joint pain, heel spur pain and arch pain when shopping, dancing and partying this holiday season. Arch supports also will prevent abnormal foot pronation, arch cramps and muscle spasms in the foot from occurring because they support as well as stabilize the joints in the mid-foot (mid-tarsal joint) and hind foot (subtalar joint) from collapsing. The majority of shoe wear worn today has very little arch support built into the construction of their shoes. Therefore, feet can take a beating.

Flat feet are very common and are a byproduct of "Bad Foot Genes" it is present at birth and one does not acquire or catch this type of foot problem from someone else. If you are born with flat feet they can haunt you for a lifetime. When the foot hits the ground everything changes, mainly the arch of your foot will collapse. This collapsing is known as abnormal pronation, a three plane motion that causes the flattening of the foot to the ground. Instant arches®, orthotics or other over the counter arch supports can help prevent foot problems in children and adults by slowing down abnormal pronation. They will help eliminate the development of low back pain and many other orthopedic lower extremity aches and pains.

Why are arch supports so important for your feet when wearing shoes?

No matter what type of foot problem you may have, when you place arch supports in your party shoes, open or closed shoe styles, sandals, high heels, walking, tennis or running shoes your foot will automatically become more supported, comfortable and improve the wear pattern of your shoes.

All shoes will eventually brake down and force you to take them to the shoe repair shop. The most common shoe repair on a shoe is the heel counter, secondly is the sole of the shoe. Normally, when shoes ware down it is at the outside aspect of the heel, the heel wares down because the instability of the joints in the foot and muscle imbalances in the arch of the foot. During the normal walking cycle your foot hits the ground in an inverted position and then proceeds to collapse towards the ground. When the shoe hits the ground the ware pattern travels towards the ball of the foot and eventually out under the toes. The degree of collapsing that occurs as the shoe approaches the ground will first wear down the outside edge, then the sole and finally the toe area of the shoe. The friction and scuffing of the sole of the shoe due to rough walking or exercises surfaces such as pavement, asphalt or tile floors is the reason why the heel and outer sole of the shoe wears out.

Without proper arch support, regardless of style, there is a greater tendency for the outer sole of the shoe to wear out. This could lead to soft tissue injuries in the foot and lower legs from repetitive overuse activities of wearing unsupported and worn out shoes. Shin splints, metatarsalgia (ball of the foot pain) and plantar fasciitis are some of the different types of soft tissue injuries that can occur.

Plantar fasciitis

Fascia is a specialized connective tissue that protects, separates structures and keeps them in place. Plantar fasciitis is a stain or partial rupture of the plantar fascia ligament that originates in the heel bone and inserts into the ball of the foot. The cause of injury to this ligament is repetitive over stretching due to repetitive movements of the foot flattening out or arch collapse. Using an arch support will prevent the collapse of the arch and reduce the probability of plantar fasciitis from developing.

Metatarsalgia

Burning pain in the ball of the foot due to repetitive continues micro trauma to the metatarsal heads. The trauma can cause metatarsal head bursitis and or periostitis. Commonly found when women wear high heels and have a long metatarsal bone. Predominately found plantar to the second and third metatarsal bones because those metatarsals are often times longer than the 1st, 4th and 5th metatarsals. The downward pitch of a high heeled shoe forces the metatarsal bones downward towards the floor surface of the shoe in the toe box. Most fashion footwear does not have adequate support in the arch area of the shoe or cushioning in the toe box. The metatarsal bones become inflamed and very painful. The addition of an arch support in a high heel shoe will reduce the impact load on the ball of the foot and spread out the weight distribution among the metatarsal heads.

Shin Splints

Problems of the fascia in the lower leg brought on by repetitive activity causing pain. It is frequently associated with flat feet or arch collapse. The flattening of the arch overpowers the muscles in the lower leg causing muscle imbalances and abnormally stretches the muscle attachments to the lower leg bone. Wearing arch supports to prevent the arch from flattening will reduce the chance of occurrence of shin splints.

By wearing arch supports in your shoes there is a much greater chance of not developing these problems and reducing shoe wear and tear. Now that is how to keep your party shoes on during the holidays and not switch to flats!

10 Questions About Facelifts

December 2, 2013, 10:10 am

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According to the American Society of Plastic Surgery, minimally invasive facial rejuvenation procedures such as Botox and dermal fillers continue to be among the most requested procedures in the country -- greatly outnumbering the number of requested surgical procedures like facelifts.

However, this year's ASPS statistics point to popularity resurgence in facelifts' popularity. More than 125,000 facelifts were performed last year, an increase of six percent over 2011 figures.

Facelifts remain popular for good reason. The results can be powerful and last far longer -- years vs. months -- than those achieved with minimally invasive procedures. If you are contemplating a facelift procedure, here are answers to some of the questions I hear most often about the surgery.

1. Who is a good candidate for a facelift?
There is no set age or profile for those who should consider a facelift. Facelifts can and should be individualized, taking into account factors including age, body type and size.

2. What kind of facelift is best?
The vast array of facelift techniques can be bewildering: deep plane, high SMAS, short scar, skin only, MACS lift, SMASectomy and the list goes on. But how different are they, really? At this year's Cutting Edge Aesthetic Surgery Symposium 2013 in New York City, expert surgeons will explore the question "Are most facelifting techniques just a variation on one basic theme? Is it the technique or the surgeon?"

In my professional opinion, it is more important to find the right surgeon than decide for yourself the right surgical technique. If you like the results of facelifts done by a certain surgeon, regardless of his or her technique, then you are on the road to obtaining the results you want.

My goal with facelifts is to make patients look younger and more refreshed by shifting more of the facial tissue than just superficial layers, which can create the "pulled" or obviously "lifted" look.

3. How long does the surgery take, and what is the recovery time?
Time will depend upon the extent of the procedure. For some patients, mini-facelifts can be done in under two hours. Standard facelifts usually take three to four hours and may take up to six when combined with eyelid or brow surgery. Since a facelift is by definition a relatively superficial operation (no bones are broken), a longer surgery has little detriment to the patient.

Patients' recovery times differ, but in general, noticeable swelling will go down within 10 to 14 days. My patients often return to work in two weeks. To be sure you'll be at your best for special occasions, schedule surgery a month before the event.

4. How will I look different?
Most patients report looking refreshed. A good facelift make patients look younger rather than "different" or "operated on." The best facelifts look natural -- as if nothing has been done beyond rest and relaxation.

The best way to make sure you will still look like yourself is to choose your surgeon carefully. Those who are afraid of not looking like themselves will want to choose a plastic surgeon carefully. Which brings me to the next question...

5. What should I look for in a plastic surgeon?
Many of us have seen facelifts gone wrong -- the results might cause the patients to look perpetually surprised (eyebrows raised too high on the face) or their eyes are round and hollow following excess skin and neck fat removal. Other bad results include uneven or overdone necks, pixie ears or lower eyelids that merge unnaturally with overly flat and windswept cheeks.

How can you avoid these outcomes? Look carefully at a variety of patient examples from the surgeon you are considering. Look at their websites but also ask for additional photos of patients who have received facelifts so that you can be confident that you and your surgeon have the same understanding of how much will really change.

As with any procedure, ensure that a surgeon is certified by accredited medical boards such as the American Board of Plastic Surgery. These surgeons will go through lengthy and specific training, examinations and requirements for recertification to avoid complications and make cosmetic surgery safe. All members of both the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery must be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery to be considered for membership.

6. What are the risks?
Facelifts are safe if performed by a well-trained physician competent in evaluation, judgment and surgical technique. Like any surgery, facelift procedures carry some risks. Infection is possible but rarely occurs because of the face's abundant blood supply. Bleeding in the postoperative period may result in hematomas, which can require returns to the operating room to evacuate.

Healing is usually uneventful unless a patient is a smoker, and nerve damage is usually temporary. The incidence of these risks relate closely to the surgeon's skills. However, these remain small but real risks even in the best surgeon's operating room.

7. I want to lose a few pounds. Should I wait to have my facelift?
Ideally, a patient should be in the best health and shape possible before any surgery. Patients should not smoke or abuse drugs or alcohol.

It's normal to want to be at your best when considering this type of procedure, but if it is just a few pounds, it will not make that much of a difference in results.

For more than a few pounds, I advise waiting until you feel comfortable and healthy with your weight before seeing a plastic surgeon. He or she will be able to review your health and consult you on what will be the safest and most effective option for your body type and build.

8. How long will the effects of a facelift last vs. fillers?

Fillers are temporary solutions for adding volume to deflated tissues. So-called "liquid facelifts," whereby large amounts of fillers were injected to eliminate soft tissue redundancies, were in vogue until it became clear that the result was too often a swollen, bloated appearance. Patients did not look younger -- just different.

Real facelift results will last for years, though the longevity depends on several factors including skin quality, significant weight changes and environmental factors such as excessive sun exposure.

Note that while fillers are not interchangeable with facelifts, they certainly can be complementary. The aging face can usually benefit from both treatment modalities to maintain a youthful, full look without reinventing fundamental facial appearance.

9. I've been considering another procedure (rhinoplasty, fillers, etc.). Should I do the procedure in conjunction with my facelift? If not, how should I prioritize?

It will depend upon the patient, but the most common procedure done with facelifts is eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty). In fact, these procedures are performed together more often than not.

When adding more procedures such as rhinoplasty (nose reshaping), the patient should understand that the additional procedure will add a bit more discomfort and perhaps lengthen recovery time. The well-trained plastic surgeon will arrive at a surgical menu that is safe and appropriate for each patient, and the best course of action is to consult with your surgeon to see what he or she recommends.

10. What is the difference between facelifts, upper and lower facelifts, mini-lifts, and neck lifts?

When plastic surgeons discuss facelifts among ourselves, we're referring to a procedure that has an impact on the cheeks, jowl and neck. It requires incisions placed in front of and behind the ear.

A neck lift addresses neck skin redundancy or deformity, and involves an incision behind the ear and usually beneath the chin.

Mini-lifts are usually done for patients who have relatively minor concerns about their cheeks and jowl. They are often done to refresh a face that has had a facelift before.

Upper and lower facelifts are usually scheduled together and are another way of saying "facelift."

'Glasses For Noah' Facebook Page Shows A 4-Year-Old That His Glasses Are Cool After All

December 2, 2013, 10:14 am

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Four-year-old Noah Fisher loves superheroes, but he didn't feel like one in his new glasses.

Mom Lindsey Fisher told USA Today that when she told Noah to put his glasses on, he started crying. "I finally got him to tell me while he was crying and he said people would laugh at him," the South Carolina mom said.

But Linsdey knew she could show him that glasses were cool. She sought help from a community others have turned to for social back-up before: Facebook.

"Our sweet 4-year old, Noah, just got glasses and is having a hard time adjusting. Let's show him just how cool glasses really are!" she wrote in the About section on a Facebook page she created called "Glasses for Noah". And show him people did. According to ABC News, the page quickly gained likes and now has over 30,000 fans. Photos of people wearing glasses and warm messages haven't stopped pouring in.

Post by Glasses for Noah.

Post by Glasses for Noah.

Even dogs showed their support!

Post by Glasses for Noah.

Noah and his family went on the TODAY show and shared some of his favorite photos, including this one of the Hulk:



Although Mom was the mastermind behind the online glasses rally, she was beside herself seeing how many people were giving Noah confidence.

"It was very humbling to see how the community took time out of their day to post a picture of themselves for a little boy that half of them don't even know," she told USA Today.

As for Noah, he is starting to warm up to his glasses. Thanks to his mom -- and a little help from her (Facebook) friends.

Post by Glasses for Noah.

Hat tip: MSN Now

Kim Kardashian's Rules On How To Take The Perfect Selfie

December 2, 2013, 10:37 am

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If you want as many Twitter followers as Kim Kardashian (almost 19,000,000 to be exact), then you need to learn how to take the perfect selfie. And Kim K is here to show you how.

The 33-year-old reality star and her BFF Brittny Gastineau gave Extra TV a tutorial and shared their rules on how to snap a great selfie. And it was all caught on camera.

How to take a perfect selfie... http://t.co/Uih2wHPNpi

— Kim Kardashian (@KimKardashian) December 2, 2013

"You always need [your phone] to be a little bit higher than lower ... and know your angle," Kardashian explains in the video. "Know the lighting," Brittny adds. "And know duck face," Kardashian insists, "I love that because it gives you cheekbones."

So, to sum it up:

Rule #1: Hold your phone high for the picture.

Rule #2: Know your angle.

Rule #3: Know your lighting.

Rule #4: Work that duck face!

For more of Kim and Brittny's selfie lesson, watch the video above.

11 Gift Ideas For Women That Are Better Than Candles And Bath Salts

December 2, 2013, 10:43 am

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Finding a gift for the important women in your life can be hard, no matter how well you know them. But this year, instead of plying them with the candles, bath salts and strange aromatherapy oils that have become default presents for women, we recommend buying her something fun, unique and fragrance-free. Here are our picks:

1. "A Woman's Place Is In The House And The Senate" tank, $23.99, from Wicked Clothes.



2. "Bad Ass" tote bag, $26-32, from Etsy.



3. "Remember, You Have As Many Hours In A Day As Beyonce" printable, $4.99, from Etsy.



4. "I Am Only Pretending To Be Organized" pouch, $16.50, from Etsy.



5. The Most Of Nora Ephron, $22.99, from Amazon.



6. "Isn't It Amazing What Clever Girls Can Do" print, $10, from Etsy.



7. "Ok" iPhone 5/5s case, $25.99, from BlissfulCASE NY.



8. "The Kind Of Girl You Just Didn't Mess With" business card holder, $15, from Etsy.



9. The Book Of Jezebel, $16, from Amazon.



10. "I Like Big Books And I Cannot Lie" print, $10, from Etsy.



11. "There's Always Time For A Glass Of Wine" tea towel, $8.95, from Paper Source.

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26 Slogans That Frankly Make More Sense Than the Real Ones, Pt. 2

December 2, 2013, 10:49 am

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As a follow-up to my previous post, here are 26 more honest slogans that reveal what people really think of popular brands. Enjoy!

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honestslogans.com


2.

honestslogans.com


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honestslogans.com


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honestslogans.com


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honestslogans.com


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honestslogans.com


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honestslogans.com


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honestslogans.com


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honestslogans.com


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honestslogans.com


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honestslogans.com


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honestslogans.com


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honestslogans.com


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honestslogans.com


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honestslogans.com


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honestslogans.com


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honestslogans.com


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honestslogans.com


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honestslogans.com


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honestslogans.com


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honestslogans.com

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honestslogans.com


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honestslogans.com


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honestslogans.com


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honestslogans.com


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honestslogans.com

Prince George Named To 'Most Fascinating People Of The Year' List For 2013

December 2, 2013, 11:13 am

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Thanks to Barbara Walters, Prince George has just been named one of the "Most Fascinating People of the Year" for 2013.

We hear you scoffing, and we get it: He's just a baby. He's been alive for about four months and counting. He is, by all accounts, a pretty average infant, one who "wriggles around quite a lot" and "doesn't want to go to sleep that much."

And yet little Georgie has captivated the public's attention on a scale that's hard to deny. Here are nine reasons the newest prince of England fascinated the world in 2013.

1. As the first baby born to the Windsor/Spencer family since Princess Diana's death, George symbolized the beginning of a new era for the royal family. The years of Diana and Charles' turbulent marriage, not to mention the controversial involvement of Camilla Parker Bowles, brought a negative cloud over Buckingham Palace. But George's birth is the next step in the narrative that is the royal family's 21st century rebirth -- with popular Kate at the helm and an adorable baby in tow, things are looking up for the Windsors.

2. Millions of people tuned in, bought magazines and tracked the birth online. Have you already forgotten how many reporters and photographers camped outside the Lindo wing of St. Mary's Hospital in London waiting for Kate's arrival? CNN and MSNBC aired three full minutes of cannons going off in honor of George's birth, and newspapers worldwide ran the birth as their front page story with headlines like "IT'S A BOY!" "BOY OH BOY!" and "A PRINCE IS BORN!" The months-long frenzy around the baby's birth overtook the media.



3. Prince George's impending birth actually resulted in changes to England's royal succession laws. While Britain for centuries privileged male royal heirs over their female counterparts, according to the rules of male primogeniture, a change introduced in 2011 allowed the royal baby, whether it had been a boy or a girl, to succeed the throne.

4. Prince George's birth made Carole Middleton a grandmother, giving Kate's mother a bigger stake in the family than ever. Kate is famously close with her mother, a relationship that's inspired her to break royal tradition and spend the first few weeks after George's birth at her parents' home (instead of Kensington Palace). Despite her "commoner" status, Carole stands to be as involved with Georgie's life as any normal grandparent, which may come with unprecedented challenges.



5. The so-called "Duchess Effect," whereby any clothing touched by Kate Middleton turns to retail gold, was just as strong during her months of maternity wear. An ASOS maternity dress she wore while out shopping, an outfit of which there were barely any photos, nearly sold out in a week, and her Seraphine maternity dress old out in two hours. And thus Georgie opened up the Duchess Effect to a whole new demographic.

6. There is an actual Prince George Effect, too -- the aden + anais swaddling blanket he was wrapped in while leaving the hospital sold out shortly after his big debut.



7. Will and Kate becoming parents had made them seem even more approachable and "regular" than before. Remember Prince William carefully buckling George's carseat into the SUV outside the hospital and driving away himself, sans chauffeur? That sweet moment, seen around the world, really did make the royals seem "just like us."

8. Prince George's first portrait was yet another sign that Kate and Will are going to follow a different blueprint for royal parenting. The casual photos were relaxed, unfussy and shot right in Kate's childhood backyard -- even the family pup, Lupo, was in the photo.



9. He's freakin' adorable.



SO fascinating:


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How To Fix Mascara Smudges (VIDEO)

December 2, 2013, 11:55 am

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Few situations are more annoying than when you've crafted the perfect, subtle smokey eye... only for it to be destroyed by pesky mascara smudges. Fortunately, you don't have to surrender your flawless eye makeup, since there are a couple of easy fixes.

Watch the Real Beauty video above to see Maggie Ford Danielson of Benefit Cosmetics show you her top tricks for fixing mascara smudges. And thank us the next time you don't have to redo a whole lid of eye makeup.

More beauty wisdom:



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Reese Witherspoon Cuts Hair Into Long Bob For Fresh New Look

December 2, 2013, 11:57 am

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Reese Witherspoon is the latest celebrity to get a fresh new 'do by going shorter this holiday season.

Witherspoon showed off her chic haircut this weekend when she stepped out Saturday, Nov. 30, in Santa Monica, Calif. The actress was photographed leaving a Whole Foods after grabbing some lettuce and almond nog, according to the photo agency that secured the snapshots. Her new bright blond style, which falls just above her collarbones, looked great paired with her green plaid button-down top.

This is the latest hair change-up for the 37-year-old, who went brunette back in March for her role in "The Good Lie." Her strands have been back to blond for some months now, and she still has her signature side bangs intact.

In November, Jennifer Aniston chopped six inches off her famous mane for a new look. Jennifer Lawrence also cropped her long locks in favor of a pixie cut last month and said she went short because her hair was "fried from being dyed too much."

How You Can Make A Face Mask Out Of Juice & Sugar -- Yes, Really (VIDEO)

December 2, 2013, 12:15 pm

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Sure, you can drink juice to reap the benefits for your skin. But what putting it directly on your face?

Sound strange? It shouldn't. Alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) masks have been known to smooth and brighten skin thanks to the natural acids found in fruits. Natural beauty expert Katey Denno stopped by our offices recently to show us just how to whip up an AHA mask using fresh apple, grape and lemon juices mixed with organic cane sugar.

This sweet concoction not only acts as an anti-aging agent by hydrating skin, but it also gently exfoliates and cleanses, leaving you with a more even, glowing complexion. Putting juice on your face doesn't sound like such a bizarre idea anymore, does it?

Watch the video above to see Katey demonstrate this easy, hydrating AHA mask. (And don't forget to check out her face mask made up of yogurt, honey and grapes.)

The more you know...



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The Kardashian Family Christmas Card 2013 Is Sort Of Bizarre

December 2, 2013, 12:26 pm

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Another holiday season, another Kardashian family Christmas card ... and 2013's is, well, over-the-top.

In the photo, shot by David LaChappelle, the ladies of the Kardashian-Jenner clan pose in a carnival-inspired room, which features neon lights, pop art, graffiti and mannequins. (Not to mention tabloids cover the already-trashed floor.) The picture presumably represents the media circus the family is constantly in.

family Christmas card 2013 pic.twitter.com/20Zg0TeCG8

— Kendall Jenner (@KendallJenner) December 2, 2013

All the women wear black as they take on their individual personas -- Kim rocks a revealing gown while Khloe and Kourtney pose with Mason and Penelope. Kris wears a leggy look and a head-piece as she sits next to Bruce Jenner, who's trapped in a glass tube labeled, "cashier." Kendall and Kylie look glamorous as they stand atop a mountain of magazines.



Noticeably absent from the holiday card are most of the Kardashian men, Rob Kardashian, Scott Disick, Lamar Odom and Kanye West, as well as Kimye's daughter, North West. (Although, there is a floating baby above Khloe's head.)

Princess Diana's Favorite Dress You've Never Seen Goes Up For Auction (PHOTOS)

December 3, 2013, 10:00 am

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Most of Princess Diana's iconic dresses are as fresh in our minds now as when when she first wore them, from that black velvet gown to her famous "revenge" dress.

But Di had a floor-length, princess-y number in her arsenal that we somehow happened to miss: her "Diaghilev" gown designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, which went up for auction at the Kerry Taylor Auction House in London today. The late royal wore this white taffeta confection, inspired by Diaghilev's Ballets Russes, to a number of events including a 1986 visit to the German Embassy, a performance at the Royal Opera House and the premiere of the James Bond film "The Living Daylights" in 1987.

"This dress was a real favorite of hers," Kerry Taylor told CNN. "It's the kind of dress that a little girl sitting down at school will draw when she's asked to draw a princess."

Indeed. The strapless gown, complete with gold sequins, crystals and pearl beading, seemed to be Diana's go-to "princess" dress. Luckily, the Emanuels designed the look with this in mind: The dress features removable sleeves and a matching headband, so Di could switch up the look as she pleased, adding a tiara or elbow-length gloves during different outings.

If you want to scoop up the dress, be prepared to part with quite a bit of cash, as it's expected to go for a whopping $130,000 at auction. Hey, at least you know you could get at least three wears out of the thing.

Diana wearing the dress to the German Embassy:



Diana wearing the dress to the premiere of "James Bond":



More of Di's memorable style:


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8 Reasons I'll Never Meet Someone at the Gym

December 3, 2013, 10:49 am

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Whenever I move to a new city, one of the first things I'm attracted to is the idea of joining a gym. And it's usually for four important and strategic reasons:

#1. There is usually an unbelievable, impossible to turn down, must be some kind of catch (like you pay an additional 1$ per drop of sweat) deal to join a gym.

#2. Living on your own requires you to do Iron Man-type of tasks like flipping your own mattress once a year or opening a jar of Ragu, and you need muscles for that.

#3. It makes me all warm and fuzzy to get the chance to shimmy/shake/twist/drop it down low on a weekly basis and the only place to do that other than a fist-pumping club is in Zumba class.

And lonely little #4. I always think it could be a marvelous place to meet people.

"Jennifer, I couldn't be happier!"

She says as if I just told her that I'm giving up breathing in the foul smells of New York City for an adjoining mother-daughter condo in Boynton Beach, Fla. My mom's the first person I called when I entered my latest very serious, year-long, relationship with the gym across the street from my apartment. But before I'm convinced she's referring to how thrilled she must be that my body parts are going to form an alliance and stop hibernating idly on the couch, flexing only when I laugh out loud while binging on an entire season of Orange is the New Black, she says, "It'll be a great place for you to meet a nice guy. I'm going to mail you some new work out outfits tomorrow."

It took only three gym-going days for me to blindly step on a treadmill that was already running, dare I say it, at full speed. Immediately, I was catapulted off the track, tossed up into the air until my loyal friend gravity came to slap me on my bottom. There I was, with drool slipping out of my mouth, trying to answer questions from nervously frightened onlookers.

"Are you okay?" I blinked twice.

"Did she just fall off a treadmill?" I blinked once, and then I let out a sigh of embarrassment and confirmation that just as I was able to see the crowd of people around me, they could also see me.

If ever there was a time to be invisible, I thought, now would be really great.

Here are eight other reasons why I'll probably never meet a guy at the gym:

#1. Cartoons are what I enjoy watching on the TV attached to my cardio machine. It's the only safe alternative to chanting outrageous commentary back at an incompetent and overly biased nightly news broadcaster.

#2. Occasional naps. I do this routine called 600 abs where I lay down on the mat and do 600 crunches. By the second grueling set of 200, I am passed out as if it is kindergarten nap time, until someone almost drops an 8-pound medicine ball inches from my resting head.

#3. I sweat, a lot.

#4. I use the slow passing time on the elliptical machine to practice out loud some good-to-know phrases in Spanish -- but not from Rosetta Stone, from Pitbull.

#5. I like to juggle weights.

#6. I am getting sweaty just thinking about how sweaty I get at the gym.

#7. I come dressed to the gym like I just ransacked Goodwill or the clearance rack at an Old Navy store. None of those matchy, color coordinated workout outfits from Sports Authority for me! I wear a combination of the semi-clean clothes I find chilling from the entrance of my bedroom to the front door.

#8. Because just running on the treadmill can be quite the bore, I often bust out middle school dance moves like the Macarena, the Running Man, and the three-minute jig I put together to "Spice Up Your Life" for a Halloween talent show in the 7th grade.

The worst part about flying off the treadmill, at a gym you recently signed a yearlong membership at, that's located in the very heart of your New York City Neighborhood, isn't laying there motionless, trying to lift the junk in your trunk off the ground or coming to terms with the humiliation that a big portion of the guys surrounding you are giving you funny looks because they probably recognize you from JDate, or dare I say it, Tinder. It's going back a week later, on a Tuesday night, and having some put together stranger with just the right amount of sweat balls on their forehand, tap you on the shoulder while you're in the middle of contemplating how to lift yourself out of a squat and say:

"Excuse me: Aren't you the girl that took that epic dive off the treadmill last week?"

So Mom, maybe I will meet someone at the gym.

Some Big Stars Are Drooling Over Fashionista Tamu McPherson's Style, And We Are Too! (PHOTOS)

December 3, 2013, 11:21 am

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We're big fans of Tamu McPherson, the founder/photographer behind the street style website All The Pretty Birds and the former editor-in-chief of Grazia.it. Not only is she known for capturing the world's best-dressed citizens, but she's also one herself. One look at her Instagram feed and you'll see what we mean.

And Tamu's on point personal style isn't just inspiring us mere mortals -- her sartorial skills have also caught the eye of Tracee Ellis Ross. When you've got Diana Ross' daughter drooling over your swag, then you're doing something very, very right.

Recently, Tracee publicly proclaimed her love for all things Tamu after stumbling upon the style star's Instagram page one sleepless night. Ms. Ross was so inspired that she tried her hand at interpreting one of Tamu's looks consisting of a baggy sweater and skirt combo...

PHOTO:


Bravo, Tracee! We love it AND now we want to get in on fun. In fact we've rounded up 10 more of Tamu's awesome outfits that we'd love to recreate. What about you?

Winter floral


Pretty in pink


Summertime cool


Marvelous mini


Pop of color


Showstopper


Flower power


Lovin' the leather


Seriously stunning


Dreamy denim


Are you following these fab folks on Instagram?

Lululemon ‘Rubbing Thighs' Shop Window Triggers Anger

December 3, 2013, 11:31 am

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A Lululemon location in Bethesda, Maryland, has apologized for apparently using company CEO Chip Wilson’s gaffe about women’s “rubbing thighs” as part of its store promotion.

Twitter user Diana Russell on Monday posted a picture of a Lululemon storefront in the Bethesda Row shopping district, featuring a poem that read “Cups of chai, apple pies, rubbing thighs?”

@BethesdaRow Have you seen this? Ugh:-( For a variety of reasons, won't be shopping here and decidely NOT a size 10! pic.twitter.com/x4QA99rWtf

— Diana Russell (@russresearcher) December 2, 2013

Lululemon swiftly responded with an apology on its Twitter feed.

@MilaMimica1 We're deeply sorry, the display is being taken down. We celebrate that thighs rub together- ours do too.

— lululemon athletica (@lululemon) December 2, 2013

Seemingly by way of an explanation, the company added, “We celebrate that thighs rub together — ours do too."

Lululemon removed the sign Monday evening, the New York Daily News reported.

Lululemon founder Chip Wilson, one of Canada’s wealthiest people, ignited a firestorm of controversy last month when he appeared to blame his company's problems with too-sheer and pilling yoga pants to women’s “rubbing thighs.”

“The thing is that women will wear seatbelts that don’t work [with the pants], or they’ll wear a purse that doesn’t work, or quite frankly some women’s bodies just actually don’t work for it,” Wilson said in a Bloomberg TV interview in November.

“It’s really about the rubbing through the thighs, how much pressure is there over a period of time and how much they use it,” he added.

The comments prompted a petition calling on Wilson to apologize, and stop blaming the company’s quality problems on women’s bodies.

Wilson apologized for the comments several days after making them.

"I'm sad for the repercussions of my actions, I'm sad for the people of Lululemon who I care so much about that have really had to face the brunt of my actions," he said. "I take responsibility for all that has occurred, and the impact it has had on you."

Another Reason To Be Jealous Of Lorde's Hair: She Can Go 6 Weeks Without Washing It

December 3, 2013, 11:49 am

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Some might think that Lorde's greatest achievement to date is landing a number one single at the age of 16 -- don't even try to tell us that "Royals" isn't stuck in your head at this very moment. But we think we've uncovered an even greater accomplishment on the part of the teen pop idol: jealousy-inducing, low-key hair maintenance.

That's right, Lorde's envious curls aren't the result of hours of styling or even washing. In fact, in a recent interview with Marie Claire, the 17-year-old admitted:

"I can go, like, six weeks without washing my hair."

And you thought you couldn't be more envious of Lorde's extraordinary mane. We do have a few follow-up questions, though: Does she use dry shampoo? What about a dab of baby powder in her roots? Or is life simply that unfair that we're slaves to our oily locks while Lorde does so little to maintain such an epic head of hair?

See the results of Lorde's low-maintenance routine:







The full history of curly coifs:



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D.C. Metro Ad Thinks Ladies Just Want To Talk About Shoes

December 3, 2013, 12:10 pm

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Don't you just hate it when you try to chat with a friend about the transit system, but all her lady-brain can focus on is shoes?

The D.C. Metro understands your pain. Which is why they used this apparently relatable scenario on a poster for their Metro Forward campaign, prominently displayed at the Washington D.C. Metro Center subway station. Journalism student Lucy Westcott spotted the image on her daily commute:

Nice bit of early morning sexism on the DC Metro. Oh my god, shoes. @wmata @DCist pic.twitter.com/oxzIOC0aue

— Lucy Westcott (@lvzwestcott) December 3, 2013

A representative from the D.C. Metro told DCist: "The point of the ad is to get people talking about Metro's massive rebuilding effort by juxtaposing technical facts with a variety of light responses in conversation between friends."

We might have more to say about this if we weren't so busy deciding between heels and flats.