Stardust, a readers delight.

Go, and catch a falling star,

Get with child a mandrake root,

Tell me where all past years are,

Or who cleft the devil's foot, 

Teach me to hear mermaids singing,

Or to keep of envy's stinging,

And find

What Wind

Serves to advance and honest mind.

- John Donne 

"Stardust" By Neil Gaiman is an imagery rich, prose written, novel. The story begins in late April of 1839; when John William Draper had first photographed the moon. The Story begins from the perspective of Dunstan Thorn. Dunstan is a young man, madly in love, who lives in the city of Wall, ( human city on the boarder of Faerie). The town is named and protected by a large wall, which is guarded at all times to prevent the people of Wall from leaving. Only once a year when the market comes to town, are the residents of wall free to roam. 

Dunstan is 18 when the story begins.  He has just finished a shift as the wall guard, when he meets a vagabond in need of lodging. The vagabond pays Dunstan in gold, and in a promise of his hearts desire. Dunstan does not think twice about his hearts desire as he wonders the market in search of a gift for his love, Daisy. He finds a glass charm and makes an exchange with a Violette eyed slave girl. 

9 months later, an infant is pushed through the opening of wall. He sleeps in a cradle and is accompanied by a card introducing him as Tristan Thorn.

The Story begins again as Tristan Thorn comes of age and begins to compete for his hearts desire. Tristan is infatuated with a young lady by the name Victoria Foster. In lust Tristan Thorn promises to fetch for Victoria a star they witnessed fall. Tristan embarks on a journey deep into Faerie: a journey of discovery, surprise, magic, and destiny. 

I was unavoidably detained by this novel. The story is beautifully written with characters so full of charisma. In a quest to quench one's heart desire the self discovery can illuminate the disparity between the minds desire and the hearts. Stardust is a tale of love, loneliness, courage, and patience. It is a wonderful read, that will steal your heart and question your mind.   

Jingle Free Arms

Every woman has a different body; and that is essentially what makes us all beautiful. The trick to sex appeal is working with "what we've got." I'm 5'4, and no matter how many leg lifts that I perform I will never have the uber lean, lengthy and sculpted legs of Gwyneth. Instead I can achieve perfect legs, and perfect arms in perfect proportion to my body. 

My arms are my point of contention. I find them exceeding frustrating to tone, with out bulking. Historically, pre-TAM, I would be on the verge of self congratulations when at the last minute my state of victory would be defeated by a mini-armpit muffin top poking out from a strapless look.  

I like to use light weight and my own body weight to tone. In this mini- arm workout, all you will need in a chair. Follow along, and be sure to extend the energy from you arm as best you can. If you need more of a challenge, put on 1-3 lbs wrist weight on each arm. 

Versace for H&M

In order to get student tickets to a Gonzaga Basketball game, one must wait in line. This often means pitching a tent and manning the fort. I mostly can't be bothered to camp outside for standing room tickets. However if i were in London this week, I would happily camp outside the London Regent Street H&M store as rumors circulate that, Donatella Versace, HERSELF, will be making an appearance at the Regent Street H&M Store tomorrow to officially launch her collaboration with H&M to the masses. 

Donatell Versace rarely makes public appearances outside of the protective shield of either Hollywood or of Fashion runways. So for regular admires of the designer genius this could be a once in a life time opportunity to meet and greet the creative mind behind some of the most stunning fashion advancements of our era. 

Versace for H&M opens Thursday Nov. 17th in the UK; and November 19th in Canada and the US. H&M is expecting shopper chaos and commotion for the opening day. To combat the war of green eyed cash loaded shoppers H&M will be handing out bracelets with time sensitive shopping allowances. There is no limit on purchases however shoppers only have fifteen minutes to make purchase decisions.

The Versace collaboration is teasing fashion freaks with its promise of authentic and imitable Versace glamour at budget friendly prices. The line boasts a mix of prints, silhouettes, and jaw dropping statement pieces. 

The Versace for H&M runway show

Hide Your Eyes

I want, I want, I want. Think how incognito I will be. Totally invisible behind Tom Ford Nikita shades. My nine lives are a secret. My persona invisible. Oh, how I love hiding in plain site. 

Taking advice from the "OH SO CLEVER," celebrity incognito attire. 

Nov.14-20, Horoscope

Here is your weekly Georgia Nicols forecast, for November 14-20

Scorpio:

This unusual burst of energy due to Mars in Virgo for eight months (maybe longer in your chart) will impact your relationships with friends and, in particular, groups. In the next year, you're going to find out you're a Dynamo! People in group situations will look to you for leadership. You will direct their activities, energize the group and busily delegate. Because of you things will happen! Similarly, you'll also be gung ho about going after your dreams and wishes for the future. You'll be unusually energized about attaining your goals. The downside is you might use the energy of Mars to be too pushy with others. Be careful of this because you are a powerful sign.

Sagittarus:

You have a great opportunity to use this energy of Mars, perhaps until the winter of 2012. In fact, it's a rare opportunity! Why? Because Mars will arouse your ambition as never before. It will energize your motivation to succeed. You will work super hard, with a specific focus in mind to achieve what you want. It's like you have a rocket strapped to your back. You'll go places! The only disadvantage is you will easily be overbearing with bosses and threaten people in authority. Naturally, this will get you nowhere and will only create obstacles for you. So use this precious energy but be smart about it. Capice?

Capricorn:

An exciting nine months ahead! (Perhaps longer.)This sustained blast of energy from Mars will make you travel more than ever before. It will also energize you to accomplish a lot in higher education. (Great for anyone who has to finish a thesis in grad school.) It will also give you tons of energy for publishing, the media, medicine and the law. You'll be shocked at how much you will accomplish and how strong these areas will suddenly become in your life in the next year. You'll be out there flying your colours! Resist the urge to make others agree with you politically and religiously. (Because you will be tempted to do this.) Just lighten up.

Aquarius:

To say your gonads are in overdrive for the next year is putting it mildly. You're definitely going to be hot to trot! Sex will become a fixation for some of you right up until next winter. (Gasp. Buy sexy underwear.) Actually, Mars will make you feel passionate about many aspects of your life simply because Mars will hugely increase and enhance your passions! However, Mars will also make you more of a fighter when it comes to defending your own interests with inheritances, shared property, insurance matters, taxes and debt. Remind yourself to be fair and accommodating. (Mars is a strong ego planet.)

Pisces:

Perhaps more than any other sign, you face the greatest challenge with this very unusual sojourn of Mars in one sign for the next eight months. I say this because Mars is going to oppose you. Whenever Mars opposes you (generally only for seven weeks every two years) it heightens the potential for conflict with partners and close friends. But hey - this doesn't have to happen! Mars does tend to make you feel easily annoyed with others and ready to call them on something even if they're not aware of what they're doing. Admittedly, it can attract aggressive people to you as well. So it's a tough call who is actually starting the argument. Your best bet is to consider this an opportunity to demonstrate grace under pressure and learn more about how to relate to partners and good friends.

Taurus:

Dear Taurus. While this unusual duration of Mars in one sign causes havoc in the lives of some, for you, it's your chance to kick back, relax and have a great time! Since you love your creature comforts (good food, good wine, good sex and a nice place to live) this is great news! From now until the autumn of 2012, enjoy vacations, appreciate the arts (musical performances, movies, dance and the theatre) and immerse yourself in the thrill of sports. Playful activities with children will also be big on your agenda. And let us not forget love affairs and romance! Just remember that Mars is energy. Use it to enjoy these areas or waste it fighting about them. Your call.

Gemini:

It's important to remember Mars is pure energy. You can use it to fight or to work. Like a hammer, it can kill someone or build a house. It's important to remember this distinction and be aware of how to use this burst of energy that hypes you until the autumn of 2012. (Make it work for you.) I say this because Mars will activate your home and family life. This means you can use this energy to renovate, repair and fix up where you live. Or do special things for family members to please and delight them. Or you can use this energy to fight with everyone at home. What's it going be? (Gee, that's a no-brainer.)

Cancer:

Some signs have an easier choice of how to use the energy of Mars. Unfortunately, you're not one of them. Mars will make all your communications with others more direct, lively and aggressive. ("I say what I mean and I mean what I say.") The positive use of this energy is to channel it into vibrant, dynamic communications in sales, marketing, writing, teaching, acting and driving for a living. The negative use of this will be to quarrel with siblings, neighbours and daily contacts. Don't be pushy and overbearing in your communications. This influence lasts until the autumn of 2012. You can majorly win or lose miserably.

Leo:


Usually, you have a pretty casual attitude about money. You see it as a way to express your rights. And you spend money even if you don't have it. To you money is energy to make things happen. This blast of energy from Mars (until the autumn of next year) hits you in the pocketbook. (Most curious.) It makes you much more focused on making money and boosting your earnings. This will be a positive use of this energy. However, it will also encourage you (tempt you, entice you), to blow your money big time! Be careful about diverting the powerful energy of Mars into foolishly wasting your money. (You know who you are.) Use Mars to improve your life, not drain it.

Virgo:

Lordy, Lordy! For the first time in your life, fiery Mars will make you PowerPoint on steroids! This will be like riding a rocket. If you know where you're going, you'll get there fast. If you slip off course, you're in serious trouble. (You get the picture.) Your personal energy field will cause you to work hard, party hard, express yourself energetically and get an enormous amount done. The dark side (oh yeah) is Mars can make you insufferably overbearing, bossy and in your face, ready to fight at a moment's notice. One manifestation is miserable and the other has wonderful possibilities for big accomplishments. Think about it.

Libra:

I'm looking at how this eight-months-blast of Mars affects each sign. But for Libra, it's tricky and hard to explain. That's because Mars will hide in a secret part of your chart, and by doing so, activate your unconscious impulses. It could make you become your own worst enemy by activating immature, petulant, childhood reactions when others press your buttons. (Yikes!) But hey - Mars is just energy. You can use this energy to penetrate what makes you tick. What are your self-defeating habits and patterns? What knee-jerk reactions do you invariably have that you later regret? Mars can be your own personal Sherlock Holmes. Scrutinize yourself for these answers.

Bakery Steezed Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies

A healthy cookie is somewhat of an oxymoron. Sugar, flour, sugar, oil, more sugar, and it is no surprise why the cookie monster is such an addict. Baking, is a fun lazy day endeavour, especially around the holidays when you are already a little overwhelmed with chaos. The beautiful thing about baking cookies is how easy it is to create vegan varieties of all time favourites, while substituting in somewhat healthier ingredients. 

Super Soft Bakery Steeze Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies

2/3 cup soften coconut butter, (or spread)

3/4 cup sucanat

1/2 cup maple syrup

1 tbsp vanilla extract

2 tbsp non dairy yogurt

2 1/2 cups whole wheat all purpose flour

1/4 ground flax meal

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1 tsp nutmeg

1 cup dark chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 375 F

Line 2 cookie trays with wax paper

In a large bowl cream together the coconut spread, sugar, maple syrup, vanilla and yogurt until it becomes a smooth texture. 

In a separate bowl combine together the flour, flax meal, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg. 

Slowly fold the flour into the sugar mixture, mix until smooth and thick. 

Add the chocolate chips, and mix well. 

The dough should be a sticky texture, and should flatten easily was spooned onto the cookie trays. 

Bake for 8-10 minutes. The cookies should still look slightly doughy when you take them out of the oven. Once they cool they will solidify into a soft/chewy texture. 

-Enjoy!

Perfect Brows

Strong brows are everywhere this season. From the runways to Hollywood, the muses and the masses agree that Strong Brows are more than a well groomed accessory. Strong Brows make a statement and can accentuate any face. 

Try these simple tips for at home perfect brows:

When tweezing to brow-fection, work on both brows at the same time, by frequently switching back and forth between plucks. By brow jumping you will be more likely to maintain brow balance. This will help prevent over plucking.

When filling in your brows with a dab of color, pick a shade that is the exact match of your arches. If you fill in your brows to light the look will be subtle, and wont make an impact. If you go to dark, the brows will look unnatural and super manly. Covergirl's brow and eye-maker pencils are a cheep buy to test out the look. 

Finally, for the finishing touches, remember to tame your brows. Do so by brushing your brows, using a clear brow gel to keep personality rich hairs in conformity. I like Anastasia Brow gel ($21), because you can choose a tint and it is conditioning for your eye-brows.