~The Knot page for Meredith and Derek on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’

ABC has created a faux wedding site through theknot.com for the impending nuptials between “Grey’s Anatomy” characters Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) and Derek “McDreamy” Shepard (Patrick Dempsey), according to the New York Post.

~I Call It Art

~How to Dress Like ...Sophia Loren

By Isabel Prontes, eHow Editor
Sophia Loren is the most famous Italian actress of the decades past, most notably the 1950s and 1960s. Her smoldering presence and style are what defines her as a temptress and icon. Here are a few ways to get her irresistible fashion and look.

Instructions
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Things You’ll Need:

* Short skirts and dresses
* Halter dresses
* Gloves

Step1
Wear outfits that reveal your cleavage. Sophia Loren is an extremely curvaceous woman and isn't afraid to show it. She understands that her cleavage is an accessory and makes it a point to show it off in almost every outfit. Whether bustiers or low-cut dresses, she works them all in her ensembles.
Step2
Wear halter dresses. Loren's spirit is sensual, yet with a playful and girlishly feminine undertone. Halter dresses are a great way to combine both elements of her personality into one delightfully appealing outfit. Make sure your halter dresses are long and flared.
Step3
Add a lot of red to your wardrobe. Loren is known for having a feisty Mediterranean sizzle, and wearing a lot of crimson red certainly enhances that aspect of her persona. Warm, bright red tones give everyone the impression that you are lively, down to earth, yet sexy and appealing at the same time.
Step4
Wear gloves. Loren is a sexy vixen-like creature, but also has a lot of elegant facets to her style. Long gloves, sometimes past the elbows, are often a part of her signature style. The gloves can be anywhere from wrist-length to past your elbows. Usually, her gloves were either stark white or jet black.
Step5
Show off your legs. Loren had perfectly shaped, mile-long legs and wasn't afraid to show them off. If you are going to attempt to dress like one of the sultriest sirens in cinematic history, you cannot be afraid to show off your gams. Ultra short mini-skirts and dresses were very often part of Loren's outfits

~How to Dress Like ...Jackie Onassis

By Kat , eHow Editor

Former First Lady Jackie Onassis was one of the biggest fashion icons in history. With an air of ladylike formality and youthful grace, Jackie Onassis's style still draws the inspiration of women. Her marriage with former Pres. John F. Kennedy produced one of the biggest power couples in the history of politics. When her husband became president, she brought an era of high-style and glamor into the White House with the help of famed courtiers, including Oleg Cassini. Her good taste was influenced by her blue-blood upbringing and a distinct admiration for French couture. She remained strong during and after the assassination of her husband. When she mourned him, she wore Valentino. She wore the designer again when she married wealthy shipping magnate, Aristotle Onassis. After his death, she still continued on to be the epitome of class. After Jackie O's death, her impact lives on.

Instructions
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Things You’ll Need:

* Shift Dress
* Pearls
* White Gloves
* Simple Pea Coats with Big Buttons
* Matching Pill Box Hat
* Formal Gown
* Oversized Jackie-O Sunglasses
* Black Turtleneck
* "Jackie" Handbag
* Cartier Tank Watch

Instructions
Step1
Get inspiration from iconic Jackie Kennedy during her years at the White House. Before she was Jackie Onassis, she was Jackie Bouvier, the debutante, and later, Mrs. Jackie Kennedy, the first-wife fashion icon. She wore shift dresses, pearls on occasion, white gloves, simple pea coats with big buttons, and matching pill box hats.
Step2
Get a slender floor-length gown. For formal state-dinner events, Onassis would be garbed in magnificent floor-length gowns created by Valentino and Givenchy. She would wear elegant elbow-length gloves. Designer Oleg Cassini described her as the "geometric goddess." Despite her love for French designers, she largely depended on American-born Cassini. He designed a reported 300 outfits for the First Lady.
Step3
Get the casual Jackie Onassis look. When choosing tops, look at round or bateau necklines. She also preferred black turtlenecks.
Step4
Get oversized Jackie O-style sunglasses. You know you're a fashion icon when your name is used to describe a certain style. Jackie O-style sunglasses are glamorous and ooze effortless wealth.
Step5
Another accessory with Jackie Onassis as its namesake is the Gucci "Jackie" bag. Gucci sold a record 6,000 pieces of the "G-G" version alone when it was relaunched in 1999. If it's out of your budget, find a well-constructed lookalike.
Step6
Get a timepiece that resembles Onassis' Cartier tank watch. It is reported that she always wore a Cartier tank watch.
Step7
Choose your materials well. If you're going to consider fabrics, Jackie draped herself in cashmere and silk satin. Fine clothing material doesn't just emanate wealth, it also promotes the longevity of your clothes. Lesson learned, also learn to treat your clothes according to fabric.

~Wine Tasting Board Game

Winerd wine tasting board game
Show off just how much of a wine connoisseur you are by playing this Winerd trivia game with your friends. $34 at Calliope.

~Pink Lemonade Scones

Photography by Mark Roper
Ingredients
* (2 cups) self-raising flour, sifted
* (1/4 cup) caster sugar
* (1/2 cup) thick cream
* (1/2 cup)pink lemonade
* (2 tbs) milk
Method

1. Preheat the oven to 375F. Lightly grease a baking tray.
2. Place the flour, sugar and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large bowl. Add the cream and lemonade and mix to form a soft dough. Turn out onto a lightly floured workbench and knead lightly until combined. Press the dough with your hands to a thickness of about 2cm. Use a 6cm round cutter to cut out 8 scones, place on baking tray and brush the tops with some milk. Bake for 10-15 minutes until lightly browned. Serve warm with your favorite jam.

delicious. - June 2003, Page 113

~Eiffel Tower as your office

www.toureiffel.fr Espace emploi Jobs
So the Eiffel Tower is hiring cashiers to work the gift shops for 16 euros an hour(about $20 dollars) 40 hours a week. Hmmm brush up on my French & pack up the cats....tempting. lol

You can find out all sorts of fun things on the Eiffel Tower web site.Including jobs :)

http://www.tour-eiffel.fr/teiffel/uk/

~Mark and Vanessa's house

Beside the fact that Juno is a great movie the sets were amazing! I especially love Mark and Vanessa's house.
Production designer Steve Saklad designed Mark and Vanessa's house with the assumption that "Vanessa has probably read every home magazine and tried to copy what's in them as best she could."

~Tevo/DVR Alert!

Some Great & rare showing of these movie jems this month on TCM!
Apr 21, 01:45AM
The Stage Door (1937)
Most of Stage Door’s action takes place in a New York theater-district boarding house for aspiring young actresses. Day after day the young women head out on auditions and come home wearily to their ersatz sorority house to chat and joke about their unlucky breaks or to get all dolled up for a night out on the town with the potential sugar daddies who are always sniffing around.


Apr 22, 11:15AM
Bell Book and Candle(1959)
Greenwich Village witch Gillian Holroyd (Kim Novak), a free spirit with a penchant for going barefoot, has been unlucky in love and restless in life. She admires from afar her neighbor, publisher Shep Henderson (James Stewart), who one day walks into her gallery of primitive art to use the telephone.


Apr 23, 12:00AM
The Long, Long Trailer (1954)
Nicky Collini and his fiancé Tacy, buy (despite Nicky's extreme reluctance and dire predictions), a large trailer home , so that they can save money that would otherwise be spent on a house, and also be able to travel around the USA to civil engineering projects that Nicky is employed on.


Apr 25, 08:00PM
Funny Girl(1968)
Plot is based on the life and career of Broadway and film star and comedienne Fanny Brice and her stormy relationship with entrepreneur and gambler Nicky Arnstein

~The Wedding Date Something Blue

While having a lazy Sunday,I found myself watching The Wedding Date on tv. I was struck by the shade of blue that runs through out the movie. Here are some of my finds to go along with the movie.


Benjamin Moore 757 California Breeze

Heys USA Satyr 6 Piece Luggage Set

~Paper Peonies

Close

http://www.marthastewart.com/article/paper-peonies

From:

Tools and Materials
20-pound recycled paper (20 sheets)
Blender
Silpat
Cookie sheet
Sponge
Rolling pin
Paper Peonies template
Acrylic paint (magenta and green)
Paintbrush
Acrylic varnish
Pearlizing medium
Plastic bag
Thin paper
Scissors
Glue gun
Cable wire
Floral tape

Paper Peonies How-To
1. Rip 20 sheets of 20-pound recycled paper into strips.

2. Boil ripped paper in 5 quarts water; let cool.

3. In a blender, pulse to reduce to a paper pulp.

4. Place 3 cups pulp onto Silpat-lined cookie sheet; spread out.

5. Use sponge to soak up excess water. Let dry for a couple of hours.

6. Flatten with rolling pin. Let dry for one day.

7. Download and print template.

8. Cut 50 petals for each peony: 10 small, 20 medium, and 20 large.

9. Make mixture of 2 cups water, 1 teaspoon magenta acrylic paint, 1/3 cup acrylic varnish, and 1 teaspoon pearlizing medium.

10. Dip petals into paint mixture. Dry overnight on cookie sheets lined with a plastic bag.

11. Curl and wrinkle petal edges.

12. Make a pistil by cutting a 3/4-inch-by-8 1/2-inch strip of thin paper. Fold lengthwise. On the fold, make 1/4 inch cuts, approximately every 1/4 inch. Roll to resemble a paper decoration for a "lamb chop" end. Secure with glue gun.

13. Make a 1/2-inch diameter wad of pulp with a point (shaped like an acorn); let dry.

14. Take dried wad and glue (using glue gun) to uncut end of "lamb chop," pointy side down. Flare ends.

15. Assemble a flower. Using a glue gun, glue five small petals overlapping, surrounding the wad. Glue another layer of small petals. Repeat process for medium, then large petals, working in layers, until you have a full peony.

16. For stems, use the glue gun to glue the end of a length of thick electric cable wire to the base of the flower and wrap, then wrap in floral tape. Paint stems green with acrylic paint.

~Zazzle- Dazzle 'Em

Check out Zazzle’s new Wedding Center! Now you can find everything from wedding save-the-date cards and magnets to wedding invitations and wedding postage ideas, to bachelorette t-shirts all in one place! Get started now at the Zazzle Wedding Center and get everything you need for your big day.





http://www.zazzle.com/create

~Easter Candy Leftovers

Hoppy Easter: Cakespy's Suggestions for Utilizing Easter Candy Leftovers


Easter Day. A time for family, celebration, tradition...and candy. Oh, so much pastel candy.

But if you're anything like us, by noon the eggs have all been hunted, easter baskets have been doled out, and most of the good stuff (like the Cadbury Creme Eggs) is long gone. This is the moment of truth--is it time to break the ears off of that pristine chocolate bunny? Or should you bide your time by nibbling on the filler candy (you know, the Peeps, the jellybeans, those strange Brach's treats--all those candies the ones that look great in the basket but that few actually like to eat)? Luckily, we're going to make it easy on you this year by providing several ideas on how to make the most of that filler candy--treats so tasty, you might just forget all about that bunny (unless that is, it's tricked out like this):


Easter TrifleEaster Trifle
Idea 1: Easter Leftover Trifle.We assembled an impromptu trifle, using layers of muffin-crumbs (hot cross bun crumbs or cookie crumbs would work beautifully as well, we think), cake frosting, jellybeans and robin's eggs, topping it off with a happy Peep garnish. The result was crunchy, chewy, gooey, soft, tender, and amazingly sweet--all at once. Straddling the line between candy nirvana and instant heart attack, this concoction is surely a keeper.

Peeps S'moresJust out of the microwave
Idea 2: Peeps S'mores. Everyone loves putting Peeps in the microwave for entertainment (right?), but why not end up with something delicious for all that time and energy? We assembled the classic s'more ingredients substituting a pink rabbit peep for marshmallow, and popped the sweet stack in the microwave for 30 seconds. Once Mr. Peep had de-flated into a gooey marshmallowey mass, we enjoyed a sweet treat indeed; the sugar coating on the peep lent a wonderfully satisfying, slightly gritty texture to the finished product. (Cakespy Note: It was only today, after completing our own Peep S'more project that we learned there's a whole book dedicated to messing with Peeps! While it saddens us that we didn't think of it first, we are so happy this book exists.)

Cereal TreatsEaster Cereal
Idea 3: DIY Sweet Cereal. Many cereals are thinly masked breakfast-candy anyway, so why not pair your Easter candy to a vaguely healthy cereal for added flavor and delight? We added some of those strange Brach's candies (shaped like chicks and bunnies, though they look sort of evil to us) to a bowl of heart-healthy Corn Flakes, and lo and behold, we instantly had something on par with Alpha-Bits with marshmallows or Lucky Charms. The colors that remained in the milk after eating were simply incredible.

Robins Egg Malted Milkshake
Idea 4: Robin's Egg Malted Milkshake. Malted milkshakes are great, duh--so why not make your own using malt-flavored Robin's Egg Candies? We grabbed a hearty handful of the pastel treats and blended it with a few ice cubes and some soy milk; the result was a nostalgia-inducing, soda-shop worthy treat. Garnished with the last Peep in our 4-pack, it was pretty cute too.


Peep wants Treats!
Idea 5: If all else fails? Well, they say a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down--why not load up a heaping spoonful of frosting and jam it full of as many easter candies as you can? You might gross out people in your immediate vicinity, but hey--you've got to follow your own Easter bliss. Just don't forget to share with Peep!

Hoppy--er, Happy Easter!

~Jelly Bean Leftovers

By Kimberly Lainson

Don't know what to do with all those jelly beans left over from Easter? Well writer Kimberly Lainson does! Here is her recipe for jelly bean biscotti!

Biscotti is an Italian cookie
The name means "twice-baked/cooked." This has been my favorite type of cookie since I was very little! Please read through instructions completely before starting and have all your ingredients ready - it mixes up very quickly!

Ingredients:
13 oz. bag of jelly beans (can be more or less)
3 cups flour - all purpose
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
4 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/4 cup sanding sugar (can be more or less or left out completely)
Parchment paper (optional - but makes it much easier to remove cookies and clean up is easy!)

Note: I took out the black jelly beans because the boys don't like them!

Directions:
Biscotti Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a medium bowl or electric mixer bowl - add the butter and sugar and cream them together on medium speed until light and fluffy (about two minutes). Add one egg and beat to incorporate, add second egg and incorporate then add third egg and incorporate. The fourth egg is used later.

Beat in the vanilla then add the baking powder, salt and flour, beating on low speed until fully incorporated - you do not want to mix too long. Notice that the dough is very soft and sticky.

Biscotti Using a spatula, scrape the dough out of the bowl onto a floured surface. Put flour on your hands and sprinkle flour on top of the dough. Then cut the dough in half. I use my hand like a karate chop down the center. Next take one half and roll lightly back and forth making a rope - pick it up and place it on a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Don't be worried if the dough is so soft it bends when you pick it up. Once you place it on the parchment paper you can shape it a little more. Do the same with the second half.

Biscotti Flatten them out on top a little with your palm. Next beat one egg in a bowl and using a brush - brush them all over to coat them evenly.

Biscotti Now sprinkle with sanding sugar (optional)

Then place in your preheated oven for about 25 minutes or until they are slightly golden brown.

Biscotti When done - remove them from the oven. Let them cool for about 10 to 20 minutes or until they are cool enough for you to handle.

Biscotti Place them on a breadboard and slice them like shown in the photo - crosswise on the diagonal into about 3/4 inch slices.

Biscotti Put them back on the cookie sheet (inside up) and bake for another 10 to12 minutes until the edges are turning slightly brown. Remove from the oven and transfer to wire rack to cool. Enjoy!

~Mini Cadbury Creme Egg Muffins

- by Mariko
These are muffins with mini Cadbury Creme Eggs baked in the centers! I have to say it is totally ingenious to use a muffin recipe. After all, Cadbury Creme Eggs are about as sweet and sugary as you can get, so the pairing of the sweet candy eggs with a nice vanilla muffin is ideal. If you want to make something extra special this Easter, I bet this would be an awesome treat!

Cadbury Creme Egg Muffins

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1/3 cup butter, melted and cooled
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup milk
12 mini Cadbury Creme Eggs

Preheat oven to 350F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together sugar, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla until smooth. Whisk in milk.

Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir until just combined and no streaks of flour remain. Evenly distribute muffin batter into prepared pan. Place 1 mini Cadbury Creme Egg in the center of each muffin. You can use a small knife to pull a bit of batter over the top of the muffin, if you like.

Bake for 14-16 minutes, until the top of the muffin springs back when lightly pressed and the edges are a light gold.
Cool on a wire rack before slicing.

~Thank You Easter Bunny

~The Symbolic Meaning of Flowers

By Darlene Zagata
People throughout various cultures and lands have been drawn to the beauty and fragrance of flowers. From ancient times until today, flowers have been used for adornment and to express intimate feelings. Flowers speak in ways that touch the human heart. In fact, flowers have a language of their own.

History

Flowers have been of special interest even in ancient times. They were thought to have healing properties and could affect the emotions. Certain flowers, such as the lotus, were considered sacred. The violet was the sacred flower of the Greek god, Ares. Flowers featured prominently in myth and legend. It is believed that the Greeks were the first to develop the language of flowers, assigning special meanings to the various flowers. Flowers were even associated with certain people and events in Biblical times. The lily, which represents chastity, is associated with the virgin Mary, as is the rose.

Significance

Flowers are often associated with spring and rebirth. They represent renewal, youth and beauty. Flowers are also symbolic of the eternal cycle of life and death. Flowers are associated with numerous occasions and events. Flowers are given on birthdays, anniversaries and holidays. They are used to celebrate joyous occasions such as weddings and also to express sympathy during sad events such as funerals. The use of flowers in events such as these signify the symbolism of flowers in the cycle of life and death.

Features

The symbolism of flowers is often determined both by color and type. When sending flowers based on symbolism, it is often easiest to choose them by color, since the list of symbolic meanings for each different type of flower can be somewhat lengthy. Generally, white is symbolic of purity and innocence. Red represents passion and love. Pink also symbolizes love as well as happiness, beauty and friendship. Yellow is associated with purity, truth and intellect whereas orange is symbolic of warmth, creativity and growth. Green also represents growth as well as hope, renewal and fertility. Blue is a symbol of peace, tranquility and healing while purple represents devotion, faith, nobility and spirituality.

Benefits

Certain flowers, such as roses, are well known for their symbolic meaning. People often give roses to express feelings of love. Flowers that have well known symbolism are often used in gift giving, get well wishes and a variety of other situations. These flowers include roses, carnations, daisies, forget-me-nots, tulips, lilacs, lillies, marigolds, orchids, zinnias and sunflowers among others. The red rose is best known for representing love, while the other colors have various symbolic meanings. Like roses, the symbolism of tulips and carnations are most often determined by their color.

Identification

Here is a listing of the most common symbolism associated with the most commonly used flowers:

Blue violet symbolizes faithfulness
Daisy symbolizes beauty and innocence
Apple blossom symbolizes hope and good fortune
Bluebell symbolizes constancy
Ivy symbolizes eternal fidelity
Mimosa symbolizes secret love
Magnolia symbolizes perseverance
Lily symbolizes majesty
Lily of the Valley symbolizes the return of happiness
Cala Lily symbolizes splendid beauty
Bellflower symbolizes gratitude
Forget-Me-Not symbolizes true love and remembrance
Marigold symbolizes affection
Orange blossom symbolizes marriage
Myrtle symbolizes love and remembrance
Baby's Breath symbolizes innocence and a pure heart
Gardenia symbolizes loveliness and untold love
Holly symbolizes domestic happiness
Orchid symbolized beauty
Sunflower symbolizes pure love
Zinnia symbolizes affection and remembrance
Iris symbolizes hope, faith, wisdom and friendship
Lilac symbolizes love particularly first love
White lilac symbolizes youthful innocence
Orchid symbolizes rare beauty
Honeysuckle symbolizes happiness
Peony symbolizes happy marriage and compassion

Types

Here are some meanings for certain flowers based on color:

Red rose is a symbol of love and passion
White rose is a symbol of purity and innocence
Pink rose is a symbol of love and happiness
Yellow rose is a symbol of infidelity
Red tulip is a symbol of perfect love
White tulip is a symbol of forgiveness
Yellow tulip is a symbol of cheerful thoughts
Purple tulip is a symbol of royalty
Red carnation symbolizes deep love and affection
White carnation symbolizes pure love and good fortune
Pink carnation symbolizes a mother's undying love
Pink hyacinth symbolizes playfulness
Purple hyacinth symbolizes sorrow
Red hyacinth symbolizes love and happiness
White hyacinth symbolizes loveliness and sorrow
Yellow hyacinth symbolizes jealousy

Considerations

People often choose flowers based on their appearance, while remaining oblivious to their symbolic meaning. While it is perfectly fine to pick flowers on their visual appeal and/or fragrant aroma it can be helpful to become familiar with their symbolic meaning so that the language of flowers can be considered when choosing particular flowers. Knowing the symbolic meaning of a loved one's favorite flower can make it even more special for both of you.