While I appreciate the changing seasons, I’m always sad to see summer go and don’t give in without a fight. When the temperature first dips, I desperately grasp at whatever I can still hold on to from warmer days, continuing to wear dresses without tights and short-sleeved tops. Of course, when I step outside, I’m freezing. By November’s end I’ve given up on my whimsical idea of an endless summer and bundle up, making sure to wear pants with long socks beneath, boots and a coat.
But weightless clothes aren’t the only things to leave when icy weather arrives. Hard-earned honey tans often fade faster than a car
ride to Grandma’s, leaving your face completely devoid of color. Nothing bronzer can’t fix! Key for keeping a sun-kissed glow throughout winter, bronzer adds instant warmth without looking fake.
Use with foundation or alone, dust bronzer on forehead, cheekbones, and on your nose, blending well to soften color. Mineralogie’s Pressed Mineral Bronzer’s matte effect works for day wear, at work or in class. Bare Escentuals’ bareMinerals’ Precious Diamond Body Minerals is a loose shimmer powder infused with real diamonds; it’s subtle champagne-colored sparkles perfect for bubbly-filled holiday parties. And for the set that prefer a cream base, Estee Lauder’s Bronze Goddess Luminous Liquid Bronzer blends smoothly into skin without streaking or leaving orange tones. They’ll all let you radiate warmth all winter long. –Melissa Dudum-Maya
Movie studios generally split the year into two seasons: summer and winter. You’ll often find some of the year’s biggest releases slated for that magic window between Halloween and Christmas. Here’s some holiday fare – some traditional, some not-so – that’s already playing theaters near you:
“Disney’s A Christmas Carol.” (PG) Like “Hamlet” and Jello-O, there is always room for one more interpretation of Charles Dickens’ classic. It seems like everyone has tackled one of the most famous tales of redemption at one time or another – Alistair Sim, Albert Finney, Patrick Stewart, Mr. Magoo, the Muppets, the list goes on and on. Add Jim Carrey to the list. What makes this version unique is that it’s the first one done entirely in motion-capture animation. Carrey not only voices miserly Ebenezer Scrooge but all three spirits as well. Directed by Robert Zemeckis (“Back to the Future,” “Forrest Gump”).
“Fantastic Mr. Fox.” (PG) Wes Anderson, who gave us such quirky classics as “Rushmore” and “The Royal Tenenbaums,” steps into the world of animation for the first time with this adaptation of Roald Dahl’s beloved story. Although the movie itself mixes several forms of animation, it uses good old fashion stop motion—an artform lost in this CGI-world. Anderson also skipped the comforts of a recording studio, instead choosing to direct his actors outdoors. Featuring George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Bill Murray and Jason Schwartzman.
“The Twilight Saga: New Moon.” (PG-13) Once again, “Twilight” madness is sweeping the country. It’s not just a hit with tween girls, but with their moms as well. The second cinematic adaptation raked in a bloodsucking $140.7 million in its opening weekend, making it the third biggest opening in movie history. I’m surprised that the cameras haven’t started rolling on the next installment “Eclipse” like yesterday. Stars Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart.
“The Blind Side.” (PG-13) The holiday movie months are also the time when the studios tend to trot out what they perceive to be their Oscar contenders. Sandra Bullock stars in the true story of NFL defensive tackle Michael Oher, who was shuttled around from foster home to foster home and as a result, slipped through the cracks of the education system. Bullock plays the woman who brings Oher into her family, helps him get his grades up, and helps him become one of the most heavily recruited football prospects in the country. Country singer Tim McGraw plays Bullock’s husband and Quinton Aaron is Oher.
“The Princess and the Frog.” Disney’s latest animated musical (currently in special previews in New York and LA) finally breaks a barrier – Tiana, the film’s lead, is the studio’s first African-American princess. This tale doesn’t take place in a far away land, but rather in the French Quarter of New Orleans. “Princess and the Frog” also marks Disney’s return to traditional hand-drawn animation (although backgrounds and visual effects were done digitally). Anika Noni Rose plays Disney’s newest princess and co-stars with John Goodman and the all-mighty Oprah.
I’m not a big Black Friday shopper (I usually hold out for Cyber Monday and the more civilized idea of shopping from the comfort of my couch—preferably in my pajamas), but there were some fantastic deals out there I wish I could have snagged—like the $79 Blu-Rays and the $3 movies at Target.
It looks like the retailers weren’t disappointed with the turnout—but the question is, were you disappointed with the bargains out there?
So spill: Where’d you go and when? And what was your best deal that you snagged? —Lisa Milbrand
Thanksgiving is here and with it comes many traditions: turkey, parades, football and my favorite, the classic Thanksgiving Day episode of “WKRP in Cincinnati.” The episode is not only the funniest Thanksgiving-themed episode of a sitcom ever (although “Slapsgiving” from “How I Met Your Mother” comes close), it is quite possibly the single-funniest half-hour of television ever produced (despite the fact that TV Guide once had it at a criminally low #40). Originally aired on Halloween of 1978, the plot is simple: “Big Guy” Arthur Carlson (Gordon Jump) has a brilliant idea for a station promotion. He won’t tell anyone what he has in mind, only that it’ll take “complete cooperation, absolute secrecy and twenty live turkeys.” What follows has to be seen – and heard, in the case of Les Nessman’s (Richard Sanders) recreation of Herbert Morrison’s reporting during the Hindenburg disaster – to be believed. The payoff in the closing minutes is quite possibly the greatest punchline in the history of sitcoms.
According to the book “America’s Favorite Radio Station” by Michael B. Kassel, Jump says that the character of station manager Carlson was based upon a man legendary in the radio industry for his, shall we say, “unique ideas.” According to Jump and other sources, not only did this unnamed inspiration stage an actual turkey drop in Dallas, but also staged another promotion where he invited listeners to a department store window to watch “dancing ducks.” Oh, the ducks did dance, all right – but only because they were placed on hot plates. I’m guessing this guy wasn’t a member of PETA.
You can watch the full episode below, courtesy of Hulu.com. So grab a turkey leg, clear a half-hour and enjoy. –Ron Motta
With retailers cutting back on inventory this holiday season, it is very likely that the “good” gifts will be gone very quickly. What are the good gifts you ask? Steve Greenberg, the innovation Insider has some answers:
While I appreciate the changing seasons, I’m always sad to see summer go and don’t give in without a fight. When the temperature first dips, I desperately grasp at whatever I can still hold on to from warmer days, continuing to wear dresses without tights and short-sleeved tops. Of course, when I step outside, I’m freezing. By November’s end I’ve given up on my whimsical idea of an endless summer and bundle up, making sure to wear pants with long socks beneath, boots and a coat.