PHOTOS: Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2015

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The annual Victoria's Secret Fashion Show aired last night on CBS... or as I like to call it, the Victoria's Secret soft-porn fashion show, which wouldn't be too far of a stretch considering when the company first launched, select stores came with an adult toy section, hence, Victoria's "secret."

While I don't care much for the underwear line, I do love and appreciate the extravagant wings, costuming and accessories, all the feathers, bling, shoes and the overall themes. And the fact they opened to show with Pat Benatar's Heartbreaker scored big points [with me]. Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner were crowd pleasers of course. They looked fabulous. I believe it was Victoria's Secret president who said the show has become more than a fashion show, it's entertainment. Enjoy the slideshow!

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Holidays at The Shops Buckhead Atlanta

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It's one of the most beautiful properties in the city with its impeccable landscaping, fine dining and upscale shopping. And now, as they embrace the holidays with twinkle lights and festive showroom windows, The Shops Buckhead Atlanta is beyond stunning - holiday spirit perfection! 

Last week, The Shops Buckhead Atlanta hosted a blogger mixer and shopping tour that was absolutely fabulous. We were greeted with champagne and chocolates by Planet Blue, Scoop NYC, Alice + Olivia, Brunello Cucinelli, La Perla, Christian Louboutin, Bella Bag, Jonathan Adler and Les Copains. As we strolled through [and shopped a little, of course] it was wonderfully clear that the holiday season was among us. Beautiful clothing and accessories, friendly associates and a sale or two, made for a perfect evening. 

When the shopping adventure came to an end, the party didn't stop. [Everyone] made their way to Gypsy Kitchen for a cocktail reception, tapas and mingling.

Thank you, The Shops Buckhead Atlanta, for hosting such a delightful evening. The take-away: You too can experience this... valet, shop and dine. And for the most visual bang, do it at dusk.

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Photos & Recap: The 8th Annual Reindog Parade at the Atlanta Botanical Garden

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Two hundred doggies took the opportunity to visit the Atlanta Botanical Garden for the one time, every year, our tail-wagging' friends are allowed admission onto the grounds. This could only mean one thing - the Reindog Parade! For the third year in a row, I was thrilled and overjoyed to be one of the judges of this puppy-lovin event. There are five categories: Best Adult -Dogs older than 18 months; Best Puppy -Dogs under 18 months; Best Botanical - Dress up in a plant themed costume, such as a flower, Christmas tree, poinsettia, and mistletoe; Best Dog Pack - Two or more dogs walking across the stage together; Best Dog-Owner Dress-a-Like - Dog and owner dressed similarly. And then there's a category for those pups that don't want to compete but just show off their striking good looks and charming personality. They take to the stage as well and pose for the audience and judges.

Victoria Stilwell of It's Me Or The Dog on Animal Planet co-emceed with CNN's Holly Firfer, who can moonlight as a comedienne because she's so funny. The judges: Rodney Ho, Blogger and Columnist, AJC, Kimberly Lacy, Co-Host of HGTV’s Curb Appeal (The Block) and Lifestyle Expert, John Lemley, Host of City Café on 1690/WMLB-AM, yours truly, E. Vincent Martinez and Angie Woods of Atlanta Dog Whisperer, U.S. Canine are each given one category to judge and choose 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners. This is no easy task - In my opinion, they are all winners. After each category has been chosen, the judges deliberate and choose a "Best in Show." This year's winner went to a sweet doggie who searched (and found) a missing boy! For real... this dog had no search training... appropriately, her mom dressed her as an angel, wings and halo included! I was given the Best Dog -Owner Dress-a-Like category to judge and I must say that the contenders really went full force, making it difficult to choose, but I did. [My] winner went to a black German Shepherd named Maho and her Nightmare Before Christmas parents. Very well done guys! 

Happy Holidays to all!

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Holiday Music: "Come On December" by Patty Smyth

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holiday music patty smyth

If you love the 80s and you love Christmas music, then Come on December is for you. Okay, it's not very 80s but its artist, Patty Smyth is and this album is terrific. I put my Christmas tree up and decorated my home with Come on December in replay!

After helping define the 1980s new wave aesthetic with her band Scandal, singer-songwriter and performer, Patty Smyth, continued her triumphant run throughout the 1990s, writing and performing chart-topping and award-winning singles. But since 1999's greatest hits package, Patty hasn't issued any albums. Just in time for the holiday season, Patty is gifting her fans with her first release in 16 years.  

The album puts Patty's signature pristine and emotive vocals front and center within this cozy, elegant, acoustic pop-rock collection of cherished standards and spirited originals. Patty's eloquent, signature sense of phrasing and melody make this album both a holiday classic and unmistakably a Patty Smyth record. On Come On December, she sings defining modern versions of "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas," "The Christmas Song," "Do You Hear What I Hear," and "Auld Lang Syne." Her newly minted originals, "Come On December," "Walk With Me" and "Broken" exquisitely conjure up feelings of instant nostalgia and heartwarming emotionality brought on by the cherished canon of holiday music. In conjunction with the album, Patty launched a PledgeMusic campaign that ran from Friday, Oct. 23rd thru Thursday, November 19th.  One hundred percent of the money from the campaign benefitted Headstrong Project, a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide cost-free, stigma-free, and bureaucracy-free mental healthcare to post-911, and Iraq and Afghanistan combat veterans. Come On December is available on Patty's online store and digital stores (via Tunecore).

You can also get your copy on Amazon. Just click the link below. (Buy 2, one to keep, one to give!)

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Saturday in Spain | The Cockentrice

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JOIN COCKENTRICE FOR A 'SATURDAY IN SPAIN' HOSTED BY CHEESE EXPERT HANNAH THOMPSON & CHEF KEVIN OUZTS

Featuring Tasty Tapas-Style Bites, Cheese and Spanish Wine Pairings

Executive Chef Kevin Ouzts and his culinary team at The Cockentrice have joined together with cheese expert Hannah Thompson for an afternoon of Spanish wine tastings, tapas-style bites, cheese pairings, and more on Saturday, December 5, 2015 from 3 to 5 p.m. 

Featuring six wines from Spain by B&L Brands, The Cockentrice invites attendees to enjoy an array of Spanish wines paired and mouthwatering bites for just $45 a person, plus tax and gratuity. Reservations are available at  www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2465753.  For more information, please call The Cockentrice at (470) 428-2733 or visit www.thecockentrice.com. 

The Cockentrice: Krog Street Market 99 Krog Street NE Suite V Atlanta, GA 30307

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Holiday Party 101: Expert Stress-free Entertaining Tips

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zulily holiday party planning

’Tis the season for throwing elegant holiday get-togethers! Whether you’re planning a sit-down family dinner or a cocktail party for friends, sometimes hosting a holiday fête can feel more like a burden than a blessing.

That being said, online retailer zulily’s in-house trend expert, Claire Magruder, to give us her tried and true tips for hosting a simple, yet sophisticated holiday party this year. Read on for her tips:
 

zulily winter white

·        Set the Scene: Winter White parties are perfect for this time of year. Chunky and soft throws, white pillar candles, and shots of metallic confetti are great ways to add sparkle and shine to a party. Something as simple as stringing a line of pretty white lights across your mantle can also add to the festive mood!

·        Prep the Day Before: Prep your food and pre-batch your cocktails the day before so all you have to do is heat, plate and serve. Avoid the dreaded lines at the mall by purchasing all of your holiday party supplies on sites like zulily to get the best deals delivered right to your door.

·        Suit up! When tasked with hostess duties, a casual ensemble is your best bet. I love flowy, off-the-shoulder tunic tops paired with slim white trousers and a great heel.  It’s simple and sleek, and perfect for a busy hostess.

·        Keep it Light: In the end, it’s all about gathering friends and family together to celebrate the season.  So even if you experience a hiccup or two, just remind yourself to take it easy and enjoy the night!

At online retailer zulily, shoppers have something new to discover each morning including apparel & accessories, home décor, party supplies, gifts and more- all at the very best prices. Be sure to check back often on zulily.com or via their mobile app to get the best deals, for the whole family, this holiday season.

 

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BEARDOLOGY

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by Brian A. Hampton / DressLikeAgent.co

beardology chart

Along with the endless list of fall trends arising among men, there is one in particular that continues to resurface throughout history, proving to be more than a trend, but rather a true statement of one’s personal style, self-expression and character – The Beard. In the ancient world, the beard played a cultural role as a symbol of one’s wisdom, status, maturity, dignity or societal positioning. On the other hand, the beard has been thought of as symbolic of one’s insubordination to the law and would get you taxed. According to Alexander the Great, it should be removed to eliminate an easy and painful target for the enemy during battle.

Fast forward to modern culture, men all over the world are proudly sporting the beard simply to add a certain pizzazz to their overall look and style. Celebrities such as Bradley Cooper, Idris Elba, Hugh Jackman, Antonio Banderas, Taye Diggs, along with a bunch of NBA/NFL personalities, have all been seen bearded and dapper in major fashion shoots and red carpeted events. The point is, if you want to grow a beard or at least attempt it, go for it! Here are 5 things to keep in mind before taking the plunge that will prove useful:

1.     First of all, it’s important to mention that not everyone can grow a beard. The decision to join “the beardgang” must also be weighed based on genetics. The question as to whether your facial hair can grown in the direction of a beard is one that can only be determined through the course of time and patience. If it grows spotty and refuses to connect, then just be honest with yourself and in the words of Frozen’s Elsa, “Let it Go!”

2.     Be committed. It is recommended to allow a good 3 to 4 weeks to go without shaving when initially growing out your beard. This process can be grueling at first and you may even feel like giving up after the first week or two. The idea is to persevere in order to allow your follicles the appropriate time to come out. Resist the temptation to shape or trim your beard until you’ve allowed sufficient time for it to grow first.

3.     Invest in a quality beard clipper or razor. Since this is a major step in your facial hair journey, you want to be sure not to use a cheap product when trimming or shaping up your beard. Be sure to get one that offers various length controls and trim guards. Or, for the most precise beard shaping, just liberate yourself by letting your barber do it when you get your next cut. For me personally, it’s just less stressful. After all, the science behind shaping, trimming and lining your beard can end in disaster if not done right.  

4.     To maintain a healthy beard, its important to treat your beard like the rest of your hair. On occasion, be sure to exfoliate when washing your face as well as utilizing a shampoo or conditioning soap on the face, which will also condition the beard. The worse feeling is having an itchy beard due to dry, scaly skin. It is also recommended to invest in a bottle of beard oil to keep the beard looking shiny and to moisturize the skin underneath the beard. Additionally, it is ideal to comb or brush your beard frequently to train it to grow in the right direction and to adequately disperse the conditioning agent you use throughout the entire beard.

5.     Wear your beard boldly! After going through all of these steps, why not wear it with pride and honor? Dress up your new face with the right outfit and stun the crowd. If you feel good about it, make sure that you dress the part.