Black (and white) to basics.

Nothing gray about it.

Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder's concept of "ebony and ivory" has stepped off sheet music and into haute couture fall collections everywhere. Last February, renown designers like Chanel, Marc Jacobs, Moschino and Versace fashioned their waify models in the traditional yin and yang color palette when they debuted their fall creations to hungry fashionistas. As we surrender summer and take the first steps into Autumn (in high-heeled ankle booties, of course), this sophisticated trend is popping up everywhere, namely on trendy risk-taker Evan Rachel Wood. While promoting her latest film, The Ides of March, at the Venice Film Festival last weekend, Wood wore several crossword-colored combos. Polished, avant-garde and retro yet modern, she certainly was the toast of Venice.

Sleeveless Tops by Lafayette 148 New York
Pumps by Joan & David

Get the look: Miranda Kerr's angelic glow

Eyeliner by Smashbox
Mascara by M·A·C

Miranda Kerr floated down the runway on the tails of a pink-blush confection last week at the Liverpool Fashion Fest Autumn/Winter 2011 in Mexico City.


The soft Grecian draping was surely a feast for the eyes, but it was Miranda's luminous look that truly lit up the stage.


What’s the recipe to the Victoria's Secret Supermodel's radiant glow?


The origin of her luster is, well, genetics, sorry girls. No doubt the Australian beauty can also attribute her beam to her completely organic lifestyle, the coconut oil she consumes daily, the joy of being a new mom and wife, and the magic of makeup. Here's where we step in.


Miranda’s dewy skin allows her best features—gorgeous cheekbones, plump lips, porcelain skin and baby blues to make a statement all on their own. Pale perfection in a nutshell. We'll show you how to get the look.
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Step-by-step guide:
(Click on product pictures above for details.)


1. After priming and concealing, use a large kabuki-style brush to apply a mineral powder foundation (try Laura Mercier's Mineral Powders) in a circular motion. Continue buffing until you reach your desired coverage.


2. Contour cheekbones with a natural bronzer (try "Hoola" by Benefit), starting from the hairline and sweeping forward. Lightly dust the whole face with a kiss of bronze.


3. Dab a bit of coral or berry-hued cream blush (try Ulta's Extreme Wear Mousse Blush in "Berry Glow") on the apples of your cheeks for a pop of color.


4. Use Mac's Cream Color Base in"Fawntastic" to add that glow and highlight all of your features. This is the trick! Apply a bit to your fingertips and tap along the top of the cheekbones and down the bridge of the nose, along the brow bone, and over the eyelids. Watch your face come alive.


Okay, so now you've got a glowing, incandescent base. To complete Miranda's makeup look, continue with the following steps:


5. Work a gray/brown shade (try "Smog" or "Darkhorse" from the Naked Palette by Urban Decay) into the crease of the eyelid and a hint along the lower lash line.


6. Finely line top eyelid with a black liquid eyeliner and brush (try Smashbox's "Girls on Film Eyeliner").


7. Finish eyes with your go-to mascara (try Pro Lash by Mac).


8. Get her sweet, sexy pout with a coral-red lipstick (try Revlon's Super Lustrous Lipcolor in "Fire & Ice").

Let's talk threads—Emmys to highlight outstanding outfitters

And the Emmy for "Lead Actor in a Comedy Series" goes to....


Not to say this and other similar categories aren't of the utmost importance because they are. However, before we can even look at the acting, directing and writing, we as an audience are drawn to the presentation—the set design, makeup, hair and, most importantly, wardrobe. With innovation and energy nearly busting this envelope open pre show, let's take a closer look at the creative geniuses nominated for their costume work on a series.


Don't forget to weigh in with the poll at the bottom.


1. Mad Men

(Episode: "The Beautiful Girls")

Mad Men's costume designer Janie Bryant has made the public croon for the retro style of the 1960s for four seasons now. The cast always looks nothing short of sharp, polished right down to the last pleat, pearl and glove. It certainly makes for a vibrant slice of life, showing viewers the colors, patterns, textures and combinations of the romanticized era. The public fascination with the show's costumes has pushed Bryant to partner with Banana Republic and create a 65-piece Mad Men-inspired clothing collection. We are salivating and waiting with baited breath for the return of the show in 2012 so we can get re-inspired, fashion-wise, that is.


2. Boardwalk Empire

(Episode: "Anastasia")

HBO's series Boardwalk Empire is making waves in the Emmy pool, or at least the pool betting that Mad Men has the costume race sewn up. Before you re-fit your closet with everything 60s, indulge yourself in the flavor of the roaring 20s. BE's costume designer John Dunn operates a well-oiled machine, something he refers to as "department store-worthy." This series is set in the 1920s in Prohibition era Atlantic City, so the look is over-the-top with shawls, hats, tailored suits, extravagantly-beaded dresses, handmade fishnets and sparkling accessories. It is decadent to say the least. Dunn extensively researched the period for months, so the look is just that—well-thought out with no detail spared.

3. The Borgias

(Episode: "Lucrezia's Wedding")

Gabriella Pescucci, costume designer for Showtime's hit The Borgias, says she draws her inspirations from period paintings. It was from such works that she was able to learn the finite details of how people dressed in such a far-off era. Set in 1492, the show centers around the politics of the Vatican and the rise of the Borgia family. Many of the costumes were rented from outlets in Rome where they still make uniforms for the Vatican. She was challenged to find antique fabrics and turned to factories in Northern Italy, Sicily and London. Pescucci's creations are highly ornate, complex and grandiose, with rich color palettes encompassing orange, red and gold. They leave you wanting to go back to the day to wear a corset.


4. Game of Thrones

(Episode: "The Pointy End")

Costume designer Michele Clapton scoured R.R. Martin's fantasy novel to get the lay of the mythical land and find inspiration for costuming. When inventing a theme and concept, she wanted to ensure the clothes would accurately reflect the characters' culture and lifestyles. What made this difficult was the fact that the series was not set in a specific time period or country. She was essentially starting from scratch. Clapton's job required and continues to demand that she be resourceful, research and draw information from other early peoples like the Vikings, Native American Indians, Moguls and Scots. Perhaps her work does not get enough credit because she's compared to vibrant retro styles of the 20s and the 60s.


5. Glee

(Episode: "New York")

Glee's costume designer Lou Eyrich is proud of her "New York" episode. She says the blocks of color and energy from shooting in a new city are what made it a memorable experience. However, it wasn't all play and no work. Eyrich told Deadline magazine "...we had just one day to dress, fit and alter everything and get it boxed up by midnight and sent overnight to New York. So it was one of the most challenging episodes. And we pulled it off." The cast's look is fun, happy and youthful, consistent with the feel-good feeling that Glee emits. Take note of Lea Michele's Mary Tyler Moore-inspired look: a bright-striped vintage jacket, yellow shoes and cinnamon-colored tights topped off with a beret. Eyrich's work also included outfits for three different show choirs! Wow! What a job.




And the winner goes to....


John Dunn, "Anastasia," Boardwalk Empire. Tune in and you'll see why.

• Mad Men- "The Beautiful Girls" (0 votes)
• Boardwalk Empire- "Anastasia" (0 votes)
• The Borgias- "Lucrezia's Wedding" (0 votes)
• Game of Thrones- "The Pointy End" (0 votes)
• Glee- "New York" (0 votes)

The garden runneth over: must-have recipes for September's bounty.

The light is changing, and the air feels fresh. Indian summer gives us glimpses of fall.

What do you get when the final days of summer meet the first lazy days of September? Harvest. Crops are plentiful and at the peak of their ripeness. These must-have recipes make use of mother nature's gift of abundant produce. You can savor their goodness as we transition into Autumn and perhaps even store some up for the winter.

Bouquets of Basil

Sure bottled pesto is easy, but does it taste as good as its fresh alternative? No. Take advantage of those fragrant green bundles and make a boat load of this crowd pleaser to freeze and use all year round! MIx it with any variety of pasta and garnish with pine nuts and parmesan cheese, spoon it over grilled fish or chicken, combine it with sour cream to serve alongside pita chips, or use it as the base of a pizza. The possibilities are endless, and delicious nonetheless.

Fresh Basil Pesto

Ingredients:

2 cups packed fresh basil leaves

2 cloves garlic

1/4 cup pine nuts

2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

1/2 cup freshly grated Pecorino cheese

Directions:

• Combine the basil, garlic and pine nuts in a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped. Add 1/2 cup of the oil and process until fully incorporated and smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
• If using immediately, add all the remaining oil and pulse until smooth. Transfer the pesto to a large serving bowl and mix in the cheese.
• If freezing, transfer to an air-tight container and drizzle remaining oil over the top. Freeze for up to three months. Thaw and stir in cheese.

(Recipe courtesy of Food Network)
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Got Zucchini?

Even if the rest of the garden fails miserably, zucchini always seem to mass produce. What is it about this particular member of the squash family? They sometimes grow two feet long and six inches wide. What do you do with these prolific monsters? Here's a great recipe that will put these babies to good use and satisfy your sweet tooth at the same time. This makes for a perfect Friday office treat or a last-minute gift tied up with a bow. Take it away Paula.

Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread

Ingredients:

3 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon baking soda

3 eggs

2 cups white sugar

1 cup vegetable oil

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 cups grated zucchini

1 cup chopped pecans

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1 tablespoon orange zest

Whipped cream, for serving

Zucchini ribbons, for serving

Directions

• Preheat oven at 350 degrees F. Grease (2) 9 by 5-inch loaf pans.
• Sift together flour, baking powder, salt, spices and baking soda.
• In a large bowl, beat eggs until light and fluffy. Add sugar, and continue beating until well blended. Stir in oil, vanilla, zucchini, pecans, chocolate chips and orange zest. Stir in sifted ingredients. Pour into prepared loaf pans.
• Bake for 50 minutes, or until a skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean. Remove loaves from pans and cool. Chill before slicing. Serve with whipped cream and ribbons of zucchini.

(Recipe courtesy of Paula Deen, Food Network)

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Sweet Summer Corn

It is bounding over the bins at the end-of-summer farmer's markets and grocery store produce departments. Corn is literally coming out of everyone's ears. Southern Harvest Salsa highlights the sweet flavorful kernels in a savory mixture with other garden delights. What makes this one different, however, is the addition of hearty black beans and omission of tomatoes used in traditional salsas. Paired with chips, it makes for a perfect tailgater before a football game or appetizer for a barbecue.

Southern Harvest Salsa

(Adapted from The Pampered Chef's recipe for Southern-Style Salsa)

Ingredients:

3-4 ears fresh corn

1 small green bell pepper

1 small red bell pepper

1 fresh jalapeño pepper, seeded and chopped

2 green onion with tops

3/4 cup fresh cilantro

1 garlic clove

1 can (15 oz.) black beans, drained and rinsed

1/3 cup Italian salad dressing

1/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce

Large corn chips or tortilla chips

Directions:

• Cut off tip of ears of corn, creating a flat base. Hold corn by husk end and stand upright on cutting board. Remove kernels from the corn with a knife (or try the Pampered Chef's Kernal Cutter). Chop bell peppers and jalapeño pepper. Slice green onion.
• Combine corn, bell peppers, jalapeño pepper, green onion garlic, black beans, dressing and hot pepper sauce in a medium bowl; mix gently. 
• Refrigerate 1-2 hours to allow flavors to blend. Serve with chips and enjoy!

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You Can Actually Eat Pumpkin?

The answer is YES. Believe it or not, pumpkins serve a purpose beyond the realm of Halloween jack-o-lanterns and activities. It's nutritious, scrumptious and goes perfectly with the spiced candles burning on your counter top. Every fall when September begins, the itch for comfort food grows, and we can't help but scratch it. Pumpkin bars will remind you of all-things-good (football games and crunching leaves) at this time of year. They are simply the best, the ultimate treat, and will always bring family together.

Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients:

Bars

4 eggs

1 2/3 cups granulated sugar

1 cup vegetable oil

1 3/4 cups fresh pumpkin flesh (boiled and pureed)

2 cups sifted all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

Frosting

1 8-oz. package cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup butter, softened

2 cups sifted powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

• Preheat over to 350 degrees F.
• Combine eggs, sugar, oil and pumpkin. Mix with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. 
• Stir together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and baking soda. Add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture and mix on low speed until thoroughly combined, and batter is smooth.
• Spread the batter into a greased 13 by 10-inch baking pan. 
• Bake for 30 minutes. Let cool completely before frosting. Cut into bars.

To make the icing: combine cream cheese and butter in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until smooth. Add the sugar and mix at a low speed until combined. Stir in vanilla. Spread over cooled pumpkin bars.

Don't let your smartphone outsmart you.

So you finally caved, bought a smartphone and joined this cyber space completely. Welcome to the real world. But not so fast...With every perk, there’s a price to pay. With every pro, there’s a con. In some ways, what is propelling us into the future, may be holding us back. One study has shown that some people whip out their smartphones nearly 200 times a day. It’s not uncommon for a 17-year-old to log as many as 22,000 text messages per month. Technology is a beautiful thing. Let’s face it, we all feel like big cheeses when we pull out a sleek device.


No one is about to give up their link to the social world, but don't find yourself trapped by the apps. You may want to weigh the following pros and cons in order to be smart with your smartphone:


+ You love your smartphone because it makes your life easier. You've got everything you need at your fingertips.
- Not so much...It makes life more difficult. The screen can crack. The battery dies. It drops an important call. What do you do when all the information you need is sleeping until further notice? You're screwed.
+ You love your smartphone because you can retrieve and send email messages.
- Not so much...You can never leave your work at the office. It follows you everywhere. You can be contacted day and night. The dividing line between work and home life suddenly blurs. Can you ever detach yourself fully?
+You love your smartphone because it entertains you. Maybe you're in class, in a waiting room, or feeling awkward while dining party of one.
- Not so much...It distracts you from important tasks and realities, and offends people in restaurants and other public settings.
+You love your smartphone because it takes pictures.
-Not so much...Photos are no substitute for being fully present in the moment that you wish to remember.
+You love your smartphone because it gives you directions with a built-in GPS.
-Not so much...You miss out on the joy of getting lost and stumbling upon the unexpected. Live a little!
+You love your smartphone because it acts as an iPod.
-Not so much...The music masks the sounds of real life. Sirens, birds chirping, children laughing and people going about their business.
+You love your smartphone because it enables and sustains relationships.
-Not so much...It can break relationships. Did you really want your friend to hear you say she's a gold-digging diva when you accidentally pocket dialed her?
+You love your smartphone because it connects you to everyone and everything. You can blab into oblivion.
-Not so much...It actually can disconnect you from overall communication because words can get lost in translation without gestures, facial expressions and nuances of back and forth conversation.
+You love your smartphone because it saves you time.
-Not so much...It wastes an eternity of time.
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In case you live under a rock and need some guidance to steer you away from smartphone faux paws, here's some food for thought, courtesy of cellphones.org:

Via: Cell Phones