This ultra-flattering warm blonde, seen on the likes of Gigi Hadid, is “an ashy golden beige,” according to Stephanie Brown, Master Colorist at IGK Salon Soho in New York City.
Inky Black
You don’t need to dye your hair purple to make a dramatic statement this winter. Long, black hair like Kim Kardashian’s stands out, yet looks natural with all skin tones.
Red Velvet
Sure, this one seems only attainable of you already have red hair, but fun fact: Julianne Hough’s natural hair color is actually blonde. With the right colorist—please, never try to get red hair at home; you’ll almost always end up with some peachy-pink disaster—you can try a single-process copper hue for winter that won’t be at risk of fading in the summer sun.
Icy Platinum
Have you ever seen a sassier winter bob? That’s a no. If you’re already rocking a platinum or buttery blonde, make sure to add a crisp ice blonde balayage.
Blended Balayage
There is nothing we love more than a seamless, blended balayage. It’s just so satisfying don’t you agree?
Mulled Wine
It’s finally the time of year for mulled wine, that sweet, warming winter adult beverage made of boxed red wine, brandy, oranges, and a handful of the most delicious spices you can find.
Golden Brunette
This balayage lob is dreamy with a mixture of caramel highlights and vanilla tips. The shoulder-length bob makes color easy to maintain and the touch of blonde framing her face and toward the ends is perfect for anyone looking for a golden brown hair color on the brighter side of life.
‘Bad Guy’ Roots
Billie Eilish’s signature look may be daring, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be trending.
Photos by Getty Images
Article By: Bazaar and Halie Lesavage and Lindy Segal
Tea therapy, the deliberate use of tea and its active compounds to support physical and mental health, has been practiced for thousands of years, and modern science is now catching up to what ancient healers already knew.
Green tea drinkers show lower rates of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality. L-theanine, found in virtually every true tea, produces a state of calm alertness that no pharmaceutical has managed to replicate. What looks like a simple cup of hot water is, chemically, something far more interesting.
Tea gurus know the secrets of tea as therapy. They share this infographic with us:
How many times have you promised yourself that you were going to start growing your own vegetables or plant some nice flowers only to get distracted and let it fall by the wayside?
Well, here’s 10 simple Garden Ideas that you can literally start today – and because most of the ideas use materials that you can find around the house you won’t even have to spend much money.
You are literally 1 pack of seeds away from growing your own food, how exciting is that!
1 Trellis for Pumpkins
If you like fresh pumpkin pie, then you’ll want to grow your very own pumpkins in your back yard.
Pumpkins love climbing so if you want to save ground space then why not try and build a trellis like the one pictured. You will need to keep an eye on the vines to keep them on the trellis.
Trellis pumpkins – in my opinion – taste nicer and are more evenly sized and don’t suffer from the blemishes and pale bottom that ground grown pumpkins suffer from.
2 Recycled Herb Garden
Growing your own herb garden doesn’t have to be a chore or expensive!
Use old wooden boxes – like the wine crates pictured to the right – and simply fill with soil before sewing your favorite herb seeds.
It’s also a good idea to keep the crates raised as it keeps pets away whilst making it easier to water and pick them when ripe.
3 Grow Seedlings in Eggshells
To get your herb garden growing you may want to start off by growing the seedlings indoors (especially in colder weather).
Eggshells are the perfect container to do this – not only is it ecologically sound, but the carton sits perfectly on a windowsill where it will benefit from warm sunlight.
The shells are also full of nutrients which will benefit the plants long term (and make a far better growing material than plastics).
4 DIY Herb Markers
Once you get going with all your herbs, you’ll need to stay organized – so gather up a few stones and paint on the different herb names beside each plant.
Not only is this a practical solution for your plant growing but also adds beautiful decoration to your garden – and only takes a few minutes to do!
5 Recycled Garden Lighting
Another great way to recycle your rubbish into something really cool. Here’s how to make these “Garden Lanterns.”
1) Remove any paper from the tin
2) Fill the tin with water and place in your freezer – until frozen solid
3) Get a nail and hammer and drive the nail into the tin – make whatever designs you’d like!
4) Let the water melt – then pour it out
5) Put it in your garden then add some tea lights – and hey presto you’ve got some awesome garden lanterns!
6 Recycled Garden Planter
If you have old furniture lying about then why not put it to use in your garden.
Again, the only cost here is the topsoil and packets of seeds – and instantly you’ll add an amazing focal point to your outdoor area.
If you don’t have any old furniture, then keep an eye out at flea markets and secondhand shops – and you could pick up something really funky or retro for your garden!
7 Sunflower Garden House
Sunflowers are really easy to grow and can grow to mammoth sizes giving your garden brilliant, shaded areas – which are perfect for relaxing and reading books under.
To grow really big sunflowers, plant them in a good potting soil and add some liquid fertilizer every other week. Sunflowers (as the name suggests!) love sun – so wait until it’s warm before planting.
You can harvest the seeds yourself or let the birds have their fill and enjoy the extra wildlife that will be coming to your garden!
8 Hanging Garden Table
If you have an old pallet or door, you could make a hanging table – obviously a large tree with strong branches is a prerequisite!
This idea is not as hard as it looks – simply drill the holes into the wood in which the rope will fit through and suspend the rope in the tree.
It will take a while to get the balance right – but once you do that, you’ll have a really romantic spot to enjoy lazy summer days!
9 Pallet Vertical Garden
Another great thing you can do with pallets is create a vertical herb garden.
For this project, you’ll need obviously need a pallet (try your local hardware stores – they usually have a pile of damaged ones they no longer want)
You’ll also need potting soil, bulbs or seedlings, a small roll of landscape fabric, a staple gun, staples, and sandpaper.
1) Sand the pallet to get rid of any splinters
2) Staple the landscape fabric on to one side of the pallet – ensuring that the bottom end is covered also – to prevent the soil coming out
3) Add your soil and then plant your bulbs and seeds
That’s it – your very own vertical pallet garden!
10 Kids Watering Can
This idea is so simple it probably doesn’t need any instructions!
But all you have to do is heat a needle and prick a few holes in a plastic container then draw some pretty flowers on the outside.
Children will love watering the flowers with this and it’s a great way to get them involved in gardening and getting them away from the TV for a few minutes at least!
Different methods claim to cure everything from insomnia to wrinkles. But can you really get results?
Everyone is turning toward the light these days: Red-light body sessions have become spa-menu fixtures, and LED gadgets promise to fix everything from insomnia to wrinkles. “We’re only scratching the surface of what light can do,” says Shadab Rahman, Ph.D., an instructor of sleep medicine at Harvard Medical School.
Here’s what you can expect from a few trending treatments.
Bright-Light Box to Boost Mood
WHAT IT IS: A lamp that emits rays that mimic sunlight; sitting close to it for 20 to 30 minutes in the morning is said to boost mood, increase focus, and fight irritability in people with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
WHAT WE KNOW: About one in five people experiences a mood dip in winter, and light boxes are the go-to antidote. “The light targets the cause: a disturbance in circadian rhythm tied to the change in sunlight and darkness,” explains Michael Terman, Ph.D., of the Center for Environmental Therapeutics. One study showed light therapy to be as effective as antidepressants in treating SAD, with fewer side effects.
SHOULD YOU TRY IT? Yes, but if your blues are mild, try sunlight (free!) first. “Taking breaks outside or at the window can make you feel more alert and focused and improve your mood,” says Rahman.
WHAT IT IS: Special LED lightbulbs that are said to help battle insomnia by regulating your circadian rhythm; blue-emitting bulbs perk you up during the day, while blue-depleted bulbs help you sleep at night.
WHAT WE KNOW: Many studies have shown that nighttime exposure to blue light (from phones, computers, and regular lightbulbs) suppresses melatonin, the hormone needed to trigger sleep. Other studies have found that exposure to blue light during the day improves alertness.
SHOULD YOU TRY IT? Sure. “We need our day-night contrast to be dramatic.
one way is to use blue-enriched light on your desk during the day and blue-depleted lights wherever you relax for two hours before bed,” says Rahman.
WHAT IT IS: Beds, masks, and handheld wands that emit red light claim to plump skin and reduce fine lines.
WHAT WE KNOW: A 2013 study showed that light treatments could help reduce wrinkles. “Red light has anti-inflammatory effects and increases collagen production, tightening skin and improving texture and tone,” says Angela Lamb, M.D., a dermatologist at New York City’s Mount Sinai Hospital.
SHOULD YOU TRY IT? Only if you can spend a lot and keep your expectations in check. “These treatments do offer modest improvement, especially when combined with anti-aging creams that include retinol, hydroxy acids, or antioxidants like vitamin C,” says Joshua Zeichner, M.D., Mount Sinai’s director of research in dermatology.
BRANDS: LightStim for Wrinkles, $250; Dr. Dennis Gross, DRx SpectraLite FaceWare Pro, $435
By Sharlene Breakey
This article originally appeared in the November 2019 issue of Prevention.
Not celebrating the holidays here in the U.S.? No worries. How about some writing exercises to challenge you beginning with, “Your Favorite Clothing”. You can e-mail your work to me or not. Up to you. This is a fun exercise, not drudgery, so have some fun.
Christmas is nearly thumping at the entryway. The trees have been trimmed; the mantle has been enhanced, and the Christmas menu has been chosen. However, shouldn’t something be said about the front entryway? How might you leave the front entryway unfilled? All things considered; it is the principal thing that your visitors will see while going to the gathering.
There are a great deal of Christmas entryway brightening thoughts for each home. Whatever subject or style you have at home, there are a few incredible Christmas entryway enlivening thoughts for you. There’s generally a wreath or some sort of Christmas stylistic theme holding tight the entryways. Truth be told, Christmas wreaths alone come in different kinds. You’ll be astounded at what number of Christmas improvements are out there for your entryway. Let’s take a look at these great ideas.
Below, you will find step-by-step detailed instructions with photos. For the full recipe card in condensed form, scroll down to the bottom of this post.
Step 1: The Aspic
The first thing to make is the aspic, or meat gelatin, which will create the soup in the soup dumplings.
You’ll make a pork soup with bones and skin (don’t freak out at this! The Chinese—as well as all of the world’s great food cultures—have learned to utilize every part of an animal and leave nothing behind to waste!), which will help you create a smooth, firm aspic once chilled.
You can use the skin from a skin-on pork shoulder and buy pork neck bones or ham bones. If they’re not readily available in your local market, ask the butcher.
½ lb pork skin (225g), cut into 1-inch strips
1 lb (450g) pork neck bones (you want neck bones that still have meat on them!)
water
2 slices ginger
1 scallion, cut into 3 pieces
1 tablespoon shaoxing wine
In a small pot, add the pork skin and pork bones and cover with cold water. Bring to a rolling boil, and immediately drain and rinse off the bones and the skin. This gets rid of any impurities.
Rinse out the pot and put everything back in. Add 4 cups (950 ml) of water along with the ginger, scallion and wine. Bring the pot to a boil and then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 2 hours.
After 2 hours, turn off the heat, allow the soup to cool, and strain the liquid into a bowl. As to the leftovers in the pot, you can discard them or go the Chinese route, which would be to drizzle some light soy sauce over everything and start grazing).
Once the liquid is completely cooled, cover and refrigerate overnight.
This is what you’ll have the next day. Meat jello!
Step 2: The Dough
1 cup all-purpose flour (130g)
6 tablespoons warm water (90 ml)
In a mixing bowl, add the flour and warm water 1 tablespoon at a time. Work and knead the dough for 15-20 minutes. The dough should be very soft and smooth. Cover with a cloth and let it rest for 30 minutes.
Step 3: The Filling
1 pound (450g) ground pork (70% lean 30% fat)
2 tablespoons shaoxing wine
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
3/4 teaspoon sugar
3 teaspoons light soy sauce
3 tablespoons water
A pinch of ground white-pepper
1 tablespoon minced ginger
1 heaping cup of your aspic, diced into ½-inch pieces
Take your ground pork and put it in the food processor. Pulse for 30-60 seconds until the pork resembles paste. In a mixing bowl, add the pork and all the rest of the ingredients except the aspic.
Whip everything together thoroughly, for about 2 minutes. You want everything to be extremely well combined, and the pork should look like a light, airy paste. Gently fold in the diced aspic, and do not over-mix.
Cover and transfer the filling to the refrigerator until ready to make the dumplings. If you’re ready now, you can put it in the freezer for 15 minutes to allow it to firm up and make assembling the buns easier.
Step 4: Assembly
Lightly dust a clean work surface with flour and roll the dough into a long cylinder/cigar, about an inch in diameter. Cut the dough into small equal pieces weighing about 11 grams each (the dough chunks should be a size resembling that of gnocchi).
Roll out each piece into a round disc about 3 – 3 ¼ inches diameter. Keep everything under a damp cloth.
Prepare your bamboo steamer. You can line it with cheese cloth…
…napa cabbage leaves, or these lovely bamboo steamer discs, which can be found in some Chinese restaurant supply stores (if using these, you must brush the discs with oil first!).
When all that is prepared, take out the filling. You’ll be making each bun one at a time. Place about 1 tablespoon of filling in the middle of your dumpling skin. Pleat with as many folds as you can muster: 12-18 folds should do it.
Basically, as you fold, you’re constantly using your thumb to push the filling into the resulting little “bag” that you’re creating with the dough. For this one, you’re just making more folds.
Make sure the top is sealed. If the filling ever gets too wet or hard to handle, put it in the freezer for another 15 minutes and start again.
Place the buns in the lined steamer basket, about 1 1/2 – 2 inches apart.
Step 5: Steaming
In a metal steamer pot or wok, boil water. If using a wok, put the water at a level so that when you put the bamboo steamer into the wok, the water rises about ½ inch up the bottom of the bamboo base. You never want the water to touch the dumplings inside, though, so make sure not to fill it too high!
Make sure not to fill it too low either, because if all the water evaporates, you could end up burning your bamboo steamer.
Once the water is boiling, put the bamboo steamer in the wok or steamer pot, cover with the bamboo steamer lid, and steam over high heat for 8 minutes. Immediately remove the bamboo steamer from the pot and serve.
Step 6: Eating!
Ok, so there is definitely a proper way to enjoy these dumplings. Put away the soy sauce, because it has no place on the table right now. What you want is Chinese black vinegar.
Pour some out into a small, round dish or bowl, and top with some very thin matchsticks of ginger. You can also dilute the vinegar with a tiny splash of water to make the flavor a little more delicate.
Take out your two utensils—chopsticks and a Chinese soup spoon (a fork would just butcher these and the soup would dribble out all over the table. It would be a tragedy of Shakespearean proportions).
Carefully, slowly peel the xiaolongbao off of the steamer basket and dip it into the vinegar.
Gently transfer the dumpling to your soup spoon…
…and take a tiny bite out of the skin on the side of the soup dumpling to make a little hole. Proceed to slurp the soup out of the bun (Carefully. It’s HOT). Then, with a little more vinegar, finish the whole thing off in one bite.
Repeat as needed until all of the Shanghai Soup Dumplings are gone!
By the way, as if it could get any better, a side benefit of this soup dumpling is that it’s full of collagen from all that pork skin, which is a major skin-booster. Xiaolongbao are delicious AND can help you stay young!?! Come ON!
