Have yourself a festive dessert

This is what Amanda of Fake GINGER calls Cheater’s Fudge. It’s so easy and turns out delicious every time. You just melt chocolate with some sweetened condensed milk and then fold in your choice of add-ins.

Cookies & Cream Fudge


Ingredients

18 ounces white baking chocolate
1 (14-ounce) can of sweetened condensed milk
3 cups Oreo cookies, chopped


Directions

• Line an 8 x 8 inch pan with parchment paper.
• Put white baking chocolate and sweetened condensed milk in a saucepan over low heat and stir frequently until chocolate is completely melted. Stir in Oreo cookies.
• Pour mixture into the prepared pan. Refrigerate for 2 hours or until set.
• Slice and bring to room temperature before serving.

Backstage : Givenchy F/W 2010

 

Some of the vampy looks from backstage at the Givenchy F/W 2010 show.

[Source : Who What Wear]

The Year's Best Red Lips

Taylor Swift: Blond Hair/Fair Skin

WHY IT WORKS
"Taylor Swift is going for a major glam look. By pairing bright cherry red lipstick with gloss on top, and black winged liner, she really completes a polished look," said makeup artist Rachel Goodwin, who works with January Jones, Rose Byrne and Lea Michele among others.

Sienna Miller: Blond Hair/Medium Skin

WHY IT WORKS
"Sienna Miller's brick red lip has no hard edges and looks almost like a stain with a fresh balm on top. Wearing brick red in a sheer texture gives it a natural ease. If you're new to reds, going with a stain like this is the easiest transition," Goodwin said.

Beyonce: Blond Hair/Dark Skin

WHY IT WORKS
"Some people think that red lipstick won't look good on darker skin tones, but red is meant to be noticed. On warm skin like Beyonce's, adding a cooler tone of lipstick makes the color jump off your skin. She went for a creamy texture. They're much friendlier than matte textures," said Goodwin.

Julianne Moore: Red Hair/Fair Skin

WHY IT WORKS
"Julianne Moore is wearing a true tomato red, which many women are afraid of. The warmth of the color contrasts so nicely with her cool skin tone. Plus, the creamy texture has a really youthful effect," says Goodwin.

Julianna Margulies: Dark Hair/Fair Skin

WHY IT WORKS
"Light skin and dark hair with a red lip makes a great, sexy statement," Goodwin said of Julianna Margulies's look, "I especially love the cool, wine sort of shade she chose."

 

 

Salma Hayek-Pinault: Dark Hair/Medium Skin

WHY IT WORKS
"Salma Hayek is playing up that classic look, but with an orange-based red that makes it more modern. Since her skin is very warm, the color looks really seamless," said Goodwin.

Taraji P. Henson: Dark Skin/Dark Hair

WHY IT WORKS
"Taraji P. Henson has on a matte, true red," Goodwin said, "There is something so classic and timeless about this shade that it honestly would look good on every skintone."

[Source : InStyle]

Marie Claire's 10 Best Dressed of the Week

It's been a fashion-filled week, but which stars topped Marie Claire's best dressed list?

Anne Hathaway at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo

She's been busy promoting new movie Love & Other Drugs, but Anne Hathaway took time out of her schedule to present the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Norway. And boy, did she wow! The actress stole the show in a dramatic J. Mendel gown, with thigh-high slit detailing.

Rachel Bilson at the Spike TV Video Game Awards in LA

How adorable is Rachel Bilson's Christian Dior dress? We love the pretty cornflower hue, feminine detailing and delicate ruffles. Nude heels and soft waved tresses proved the perfect finishing touches.

Jessica Alba at the Little Fockers film premiere in New York

It's been a good year in the style stakes for the gorgeous Jessica Alba and she didn't disappoint when walking the red carpet for latest flick, Little Fockers. Her feathered Valentino Couture dress is simply divine and she got every element just right, from the Christian Louboutin platform sandals to her new sleek bob.

Reese Witherspoon at the How Do You Know film premiere in LA

Reese Witherspoon scored her best dressed moment at the premiere of her new flick, How Do You Know, in LA. The starlet worked her Zac Posen strapless dress with aplomb, leaving her signature blonde locks loose and acessorising with some towering black heels.

Emily Blunt at The Hollywood Style Awards

Emily Blunt proved the power of a perfect LBD, oozing elegance in her polka dot frock with ornate neckline.

Dannii Minogue at the X Factor live final

Oh Dannii, you really are spoiling us! Bagging our X Factor best dressed crown for 2010, Dannii Minogue has scored fashion hit after hit in 2010 and didn't disappoint come the final weekend, in a breathtaking J'Aton Couture tiered gown. Ms Minogue, we salute you!

Gwyneth Paltrow at the Country Strong Premiere

Gwyneth Paltrow graced the LA premiere of her new movie, Country Strong, walking the red carpet in a minimalist Emilio Pucci white maxi. But her simple dress had a little surprise in store - side on,  the starlet dared-to-bare, revealing a flesh-flashing panel with criss-cross lacing, which reached all the way up her side and back. We have just one word - wowza!

Leighton Meester at the Country Strong Premiere

The lovely Leighton Meester called on Christian Dior for her Country Strong styling, choosing a gorgeously girly ruffled minidress, which she teamed with towering tangerine heels.

Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh at The Sun Military Awards

Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh enjoyed a Girls Aloud night out, and promptly nabbed the crown as the evening's most glamorous duo. While Nicola indulged her wild fashion side in a leopard print dress and gilt gold sandals, Kimberley went sophisticated in a black lace number.

Cheryl Cole and Simon Cowell

For her X factor final look of the series, Cheryl Cole pulled out all the stops in a jaw-dropping J. Mendel scarlet fishtail dress, which she teamed with a slicked-back high ponytail and De Grisogono diamond and ruby earrings. Definitely of our favourite Cheryl style moments of the entire season.

 [Source : MarieClaire.co.uk]

Taylor Momsen for John Galliano's Fragrance

Ad Campaign: John Galliano "Parlez moi d’amour" Fragrance
Model: Taylor Momsen
Photography: Unknown
Website: www.johngalliano.com

Madonna and John are both infatuated by Ms Taylor Momsen and undoubtedly she's always the one to stir up the already repetative episodes of Gossip Girl, just in case you missed it she is the face of  John Galliano "Parlez moi d’amour" Fragrance.

[Source : Design Scene]

Stylish Stage Queens

CLEOINSPIRATION

It takes more than a great voice to notch up a great performance. The perfect cocktail for a memorable show needs a splash of style pizzazz, a dash of the outrageous and that all-important twist of creativity. From vintage chic and girly glam to quirky 'n' cool to the plain insane, we've selected the pop stars who truly know how to light up the stage. 

Roisin Murphy
Songstress Roisin Murphy is known for her avant-garde approach to fashion. The edgy Irish redhead is a firm fixture in the front row during fashion weeks and constantly snapped with the world's top designers. But a tutu-inspired blazer? A little too futuristic, perhaps. 

 Taylor Swift
Bringing glamour to country music circuit, angelic Taylor dresses for her performances as others would for the red carpet. No heel is too high or dress to glitzy for this one.

 Florence Welsh 

Florence has the (very) rare ability to make almost anything look, well, pretty damn stylish. Let's face it, not many of us can get away with rocking our grandmother's wedding dress on stage.

 Rihanna 

Remember the days when Rhi-Rhi's wardrobe only consisted of cropped tops, baggy jeans and high tops? Well she's come in leaps and bound on the fashion front since her early days. Sure she's had her fair share of dubious looks (remember the Prince quiff phase) but we love her feisty approach to changing her look.

Taylor Momsen 

Okay, so Taylor's look isn't one of our favourites when it comes to style. But you have to give it to the girl, she makes every day a Halloween dress-up and that takes, er, a grim determination. What happened to the sugar and spice look of Jenny Humphreys? Dead and buried it seems!

 Lily Allen 

With prom dresses and trainers safely stashed away, Lily has transformed her stage look from irksome to inspiring. So much so, she's metamorphosised into the butterfly that is Karl Lagerfeld's Chanel muse. Not only can Lily rock lingerie as "real" clothes but she makes face paints seem do-able for a night out. Dangerous.

 Sarah Blasko
Queen of vintage chic, Sarah makes brogues as elegant on the red carpet as a pair of teetering heels. She may have a penchant for black but her outfits are always far from dull!

 Lady Gaga
Gaga by name and gaga by nature, well, if her outfits are anything to go by, that is. Her outrageous but insanely creative get-ups have made her a household name. Who needs Balenciaga when you can wear the butcher's best cuts to a party?

 Christina Aguilera
Oh, Xtina and her eye-catching attire. From those chaps to plunging necklines, it seems less is often more for this star. While we may not want to mimic many of her looks (tangerine skin anyone?) but she gets points for her 24/7 approach to grooming.

Paloma Faith
Who dresses for the Notting Hill Carnival 365 days of the year? Yep, you got it, the quirky Brit Paloma Faith. We can pretty much guarantee this girl doesn't own a pair of jeans or Converse sneakers but with a wardrobe that must resemble a fancy dress shop, who cares!

[Source : CLEO Australia]

Tis' the season to be jolly

The perfect holiday treat. A no fuss yet simply tasty recipe for all you sweet tooths from  

Honest Vanilla.

No Bake Blueberry Cheesecake

Ingredients

• 1 cup cream cheese
• 1 cup digestive biscuit
• ½ cup butter, melted
• ½ cup heavy cream, whipped
• ¼ cup castor sugar
• 1 tbs lemon juice, freshly squeezed 

Adapted from Closet Cooking and JoannaJane

Directions

• Blend (or grind with the back of a large wooden spoon) digestive biscuit to fine crumbs and mix it with melted butter.
• Press the biscuit base into a 6 inch cake tin and let it chill in the fridge
• Whip heavy cream to soft peak and set aside.
• Use a hand mixer to stir in cream cheese, sugar and lemon juice until well blended.

• Remove bowl from mixer and fold in whipped heavy cream using a spatula.

• Pour cream mixture on top of the biscuit base and spread it evenly.

• Leave it to set in the fridge for 3-4 hours until the top is set. Piece of cake, literally!

Happy Holidays!

 

[Image Source : jeanne WINTERS]

Adorn your ears

REFINERY29's stunning selection of earrings that read like a hit-list of the best trends

Tough Earrings

 

Above, clockwise from left: ASOS Spike Earring, ASOS; Bevel NYC Vucub-Came Earrings, Bevel NYC; Nicole Miller Runway Rock Earring, eDressMe; Daisy Knights Silver Skull Earring, Net-a-Porter; Rachel Rachel Roy Pyramid Stud Earrings, Rachel Roy.

Nature Inspired Earrings

Above, clockwise from left: Low Luv X Erin Wasson Shark's Tooth Earrings, Forward by Revolve; Campise Feather Earrings, Ron Herman; Fallon Garden Leaf Chandelier Earrings, Charm & Chain; Alex Monroe Crow Feather Earring, Farfetch.

Opulent Earrings

Above, clockwise from left: Charlotte Russe Rhinestone Earrings, Charlotte Russe; Lizzie Fortunato Daytime Escape Earrings, TenOver6; Alexis Bittar Gem Earring, AlexisBittar; Dannijo Finley Earrings, Charm & Chain; Shine Rhinestone Ball Cluster Clip-Ons, Charm & Chain; Betsey Johnson Rhinestone Drop Earrings, Dillard's.

Geometric Earrings

Above, clockwise from bottom left: By Boe Women's Post Earrings, 80s Purple; Dream Collective Crystal Mountain Earrings, Creatures of Comfort; Bing Bang by Anna Sheffield Cheroke Geometric Earrings, Barneys New York; House of Harlow Triangle Drop Earrings, Shopbop; In God We Trust Hammered Bar Studs, Boutiques.

 

 

[Source : REFINERY29]

Spring 2011 RTW » John Galliano

By Jessica Kerwin Jenkins

John Galliano’s spring show was epic, just like the worldly and mysterious muse who inspired him this season. In the late 1920s, Maria Lani enthralled Paris’s painters from Mogdiliani to Matisse to Soutine, posing for each under the pretext that she would use their work to make a horror film about a painting come to life. Then, without warning, she sold off all her canvases and ran away to America. On Sunday evening, however, Lani herself came to life, appearing once more, stepping out of the mist and onto Galliano’s runway wearing an organza-and-lace trench coat. Galliano’s ode to Lani was evocative, pretty, and full of fabulous clothes. But her arrival was also timely.

While mesmerized by this strange muse and her exploits, the designer managed to fall into step with some of the season’s biggest trends, each executed in a purely Galliano manner. First, there were his wonderful trench coats, in organza, for example, done up with lace panels or cut short and cropped. His rendition of fashion’s new voluminous silhouettes translated into a glazed snakeskin car coat, swaggering trousers printed with colorful butterflies, or a canvas baseball jacket worn over a filmy wisp of a dress. While there was a certain nostalgia about it all, these were not costumes. He sent out clothes that had loads of personality—an appealingly eccentric one—but that were modern and wearable, too. In tiered ruffles, one of the collection’s main themes, he did fluttering short skirts and angelic lace dresses, along with a handsome black jacket banded with gold embroidery. There were silken kimonos worn as coats, and mix-and-match florals in red and aqua blue. Basically, Galliano’s runway was a fashion Shangri-la.

And that was all before the sun went down. A finale of evening gowns, mostly in gossamer white and embroidered with silver, were breathtaking. All week the talk has been about how fashion has moved on from red-carpet dressing. That may be true, but these were the kinds of gowns that women dream about, once-in-a-lifetime dresses, no matter what the fashion of the times. Lani would have loved them. In fact, she would have worn one to her next sitting.

[Photos : Marcio Madeira; Source : VOGUE.COM]