Guest Blogger – Andrea Stewart

Editor’s Reverie

Andrea Stuart

There’s nothing like leaving behind the routine of your shoulder-hunching, time-crunching daily activities and relaxing into vacation, even if it is January.In 2009, my husband and I visited Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania—more specifically, Spring Church—to watch Super Bowl XLIII with family. I’m not much of a sports fan, but I am a fan of community. And Pittsburgh—as well as surrounding townships and villages—emanates a strong sense of pride. Black and gold draped the vendors’ tables that lined The Strip District as the Steelers’ Fight Song intrusively echoed in the near-glacial air. Walking the streets of Pittsburgh, I couldn’t help but feel at home among the ripened brick buildings, each with a story to tell.

The most fascinating aspect of visiting the City of Bridges—Allegheny County has more than 1,700 bridges, 720 of which are reportedly within Pittsburgh city limits—is the camaraderie. Never have I seen city folk come together so fluidly for no other reason than for good cheer.

Super Bowl XLIII held a special meaning for Pittsburghers this year as the Steelers earned their sixth Super Bowl championship. Headlines were painted in wit reading, “The Joy of Six,” and “Lords of the Rings.”

We spent the final hours of Super Bowl Sunday cozied-up in the Apollo Elks Lodge where I ran into old-timers like Regis, who had become increasingly aware of his mortality and now that he’d seen this “miracle” was making plans to finish his bucket list before time took the reins.

Slurs swirled the room in harmony as local lodge members celebrated the Steelers’ victory. “I’ll buy breakfast for anyone who shows up tomorrow morning,” yelled one member. Then, when the body-writhing tune of Dancing Queen came over the Elks’ speakers, I realized that I was in a rural town of Pittsburgh, where time has stopped and its residents simply don’t mind. My husband and I flew nearly 3,000 miles for this experience and we surely would not have encountered such esprit de corps at a Raiders riot…er…celebration.

Truthfully, Pittsburghers are not unlike residents here at home; maintaining hope through political and economic uncertainty, clinging to whatever elements each person has in common with another, holding onto the knowledge that humanity will persevere. I believe much of our nation is aware of this verity and should aspire to promote a sense of community, and in the end, we will emerge strong and proud. In the words of M. Scott Peck, author of The Road Less Traveled, “There can be no peace, and ultimately no life, without community.”

 

 

Beauty – Red Lips Are Back In Fashion

Who can wear red lipstick? According to InStyle.com any woman can wear red lips regardless of their complexion.  To prove their point, InStyle.com picked “This Year’s Best Red Lips” in which Beyoncé, Taylor Swift and Sienna Miller were highlighted.  It is simply a matter of finding the best shade of red for you.  How do you pick out the best red lipstick for you?  Make-up artist to the stars, Angela Levin says “try on some red lipstick and when you find one you like, that’s your color!”  Angela says red lips are nothing to be afraid of.  Red lips say “confidence”.  Many stars seem to agree with her, because we are seeing more celebs than ever wearing a bright red lip.  Angela’s favorite is Channel, but there are lots of shades to choose from.  Check out Elle Magazine’s 21 Shades of Red and find one just right for you.

Simply Vera @ Kohl’s

Designer Vera Wang, famous for her exquisite bridal fashions and Ready-to-Wear clothing line has created Simply Vera, a label of affordable luxury in association with Kohl’s department store.  Simply Vera offers a unique assortment of clothing, shoes, handbags, lingerie, sleepwear, accessories and bedding that are rich in style and easy on the pocketbook.  Kohl’s carries most of the Simply Vera line in its stores across the country.  The complete collection is available on-line or can be purchased through Kohl at one of their in-store kiosks.  Shopping the line at my local Kohl’s department store, I was pleasantly surprised with the high quality and the great prices.  As a result, two pairs of Wang’s shoes and a rhinestone studded pair of boots found their way into my shopping cart, along with a handbag, necklace, bracelet and a cool coatdress that can be worn with skirts or leggings.  I highly recommend lifeaccessories readers visit Kohl’s department store to take a look at Simply Vera or visit the website and shop online for the holidays!

Burlesque – The Movie

Like the poster says “It Takes A Legend To Make A Star”.  In the new movie Burlesque, legendary Diva Cher shows us how it’s done.  Cher stars opposite Christina Aguilera in the Sony blockbuster Burlesque, which opened worldwide on November 24, 2010.  The story is a simple one.  Small town girl comes to the big city and wants to become a singer.  What’s extraordinary about this film is the enormous talent of the two stars.  Cher, the ultimate Diva, has been belting out songs to adoring fans for years.  Beautiful, bold and stylish Cher set the standard for female stage performers and continues to entertain us with her ageless sex appeal.  Christina Aguilera has also proven herself to be a consummate performer, her songs rising to the top of the music charts for the last several years.

Reminiscent of Liza Minelli and Joel Grey in Cabaret, the music, choreography, dance numbers, costume changes and lingerie alone in the film Burlesque should be worth the price of admission.  This movie looks like there is something for everyone.  I for one can’t wait.

 

 

 

The Perfect Holiday Dinner

The Barefoot Contessa.  On her last show, Ina Garten, The Barefoot Contessa, cooked a sumptuous meal fit for a king in 30 minutes using easily accessible ingredients.  As usual, Ina was expecting a guest for dinner and wanted to prepare something delicious and impressive.  Her guest, a notable food blogger, arrived just in time to assist Ina with making the pasta.  Ina said that she doesn’t usually cook with guests present, but the time spent together with her guest in the kitchen allowed them to get to know each other and served as an invitation into Ina’s world.  Cooking with someone is a great way to make friends.  Plus, you get to sit down together when you are done and enjoy the fruits of your labor.  A good meal is truly a bonding experience.  It worked for Ina.  I’m sure it will work for you.  Try out the recipes below by clicking on the link below and tell lifeaccessories about your experience cooking with a friend.  Bon appetite!

Recipes For The Perfect Holiday Dinner

• Chicken with Goat Cheese and Sun-dried Tomatoes
• Tagliarelle with Truffle Butter
• Cognac Cream
• Roasted Parsnips and Carrots
• Red Berry Trifle

Victoria’s Secret Has Wings!

The Annual Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show aired on CBS, November 30, 2010.  This year the VS show year was more spectacular than ever, turning a fashion show into an almost Las Vegas style cabaret performance.  Sports themes and fantasy were incorporated into the world of lingerie adding an air of playfulness to the production.  Katy Perry joined the leggy models and entertained us, looking very much like one of the VS models singing her #1 hit songs “Firework” and a medly of her songs “Teenage Dream”, “Hot N Cold” and “California Gurls”.  International recording star Akon also performed a song dedicated to Angels.   VS also gave us a peek behind the scenes, showing the audience how the outfits are designed, how the production staff works with the models and how VS turns stunning beauties into Angels.  We learn through the eye of the camera lenses something about the personality of each Angel through comments made by their fellow Angels.  Models also elaborate on their feelings preparing for and appearing in a VS fashion show.  As a part of the audience this year’s show displays the teamwork achieved by the production staff, designers, musicians, technicians and models. Wing designers are highlighted showing how they utilize feathers, fur, glitter, lace and just about any material available to create works of art that complete the models transformation into a VS Angel.  After all, “you can’t be an Angel without wings.”  The show was an absolute success, a good time for all, breathtaking to watch and an event that anyone who enjoys seeing pretty girls having fun should never miss!

Click on the link below for VS Fashion Show Slideshow:

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Book of the Week

From The New York Times Best Sellers List

Week of December 12, 2010

Synopsis: MY PASSION FOR DESIGN, by Barbra Streisand. (Viking, $60.) A tour of the star’s recent homes includes her photographs of the rooms she has decorated and the art she has collected.

Release Date:  December 7, 2010

 

Barbara Streisand exposes yet another talent to the world.  She has mesmerized us all with her velvety vocals, made us laugh and cry in her cinematic triumphs and has been an involved and active citizen with her many special interests.  In her new book, My Passion For Design, Streisand invites us into her homes and shares her most personal treasures.  As a lover of art and design, I can’t wait to open a copy of this book and visit with Barbara.  I hope you will too.

 

Decorate For the Holidays With Martha Stewart

During the holidays, the Christmas tree becomes the center of home décor for many of us.  Martha Stewart, the Queen of Home Décor shares 35 different ways you can create a theme for your home during Christmas.  Martha Stewart’s Christmas Tree Decorating Ideas give us both traditional and non-traditional options for the tree.  Take a look at them all and tell Lifeaccessories which one is YOUR personal favorite.

Accessory of the Week

The fascinator has made a come-back!  Popular in the 1950’s and often worn by brides, the fascinator has become a “must have” accessory for ladies in the 21^st century.  Not quite a hat, the fascinator is usually made of a combination of feathers, flowers and sometimes lace.  Worn on the head, it adds a pop of color, is extremely chic, beautifully compliments a woman’s face and hairdo.  Future Princess Kate Middleton has been sporting fascinators at events in London and fashionable Celebs like Sarah Jessica Parker are also adding fascinators to their wardrobe.  Try one on for yourself.  Lifeaccessories would love to hear how adding a fascinator to your look grabs attention.  Click on link below to see fascinators slideshow.

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Louboutin’s Mesh Peep Toe Pump Voted Sexiest Shoe

Women LOVE their shoes.  I know I do.  Shoes are so important to me that when I put an out-fit together, I usually start with the perfect shoe and work my way up.  In celebration of the shoe, Footwear News (FN) honored French shoe designer, Christian Louboutin, on October 15, 2010 for being the winner of this year’s Sexiest Shoe Contest.  Louboutin’s trademarks “ruby red sole shoes” are favorites of Fashionistas around the world.  Nearly 8,000 online customers, with a retail price tag of $2,445 US, chose Louboutin’s Maralena Crystal-Covered Mesh Peep-Toe Pump as the winner.  The award was announced at Sax Fifth Avenue, New York with the designer in attendance to accept the award.  Runner’s up for the top award included Giuseppe Zanotti, Dolce & Gabbana and Jimmy Choo.