The Martha Stewart Beauty Regimen: Fitness, Skin Care and Diet

For Martha Stewart, the secret is routine.

She is truly beautiful. 

Read the NYTimes article here.

I am the Editor of the 'Embassy of Ideas'. Please visit it here: http://www.pattifridayphotography.blogspot.com

Jack Dorsey on Twitter, Square and Kitchener-Waterloo

The desire to innovate is the key motivator for Jack Dorsey, co-founder of Twitter and CEO of new San Francisco-based venture Square.

The famously shy billionaire spends his time thinking about how to do the things we do better and more easily and shepherding the process to market.

 I am the Editor of the 'Embassy of Ideas'. Please visit it here: http://www.pattifridayphotography.blogspot.com

Lady Gaga is Fat

.....and other lies.

Love her.

I am the Editor of the 'Embassy of Ideas'. Please visit it here: http://www.pattifridayphotography.blogspot.com

Mariska Hargitay Best Dressed At 2010 Academy Awards

Mariska Hargitay. My girl crush. Olivia. Law and Order SVU. She is delightful. Not really the right word, but wow. I couldn't figure out her hair. Was it up in a pin-curl, a french roll, or was it short and wavy with a bit at the front longer? Aint' she sexy?

Oscar Sleepover & The 82 Year Slump Is Over

Oh my gosh. I can't believe it. I fell asleep during the Oscar's and missed the ending....that's the best part! These photos are my picks for stunning highlights. I just lost it when Steve and Alec did the 'sleeping in bed together' spoof. That was truly hysterical. Can't you relate? I also laughed uncontrollably when Ben Stiller did the fishing rod bit with his Avatar Pandoric tail!!! And finally, a woman wins 'best director'! The 82 year slump is over. Now little girls everywhere and women too.....all of us...any age...know that award is open to anyone. Cool. (I didn't see the Hurt Locker...I assumed it was super violent...bloody...was it?) So how do you feel about the winners or do you even care? Oh, and the most beautiful woman: hands down: Mariska Hargitay in black. Ooh la la.

Da Hood

In da hood that is. You've just got to go to Jan's post and read the ridiculousness of it all and for a special treat - indulge - give yourself the festive gift of belly laughter - you MUST watch the video she has there! So hilarious.

Martha Stewart's Daily Routine

Last night I relaxed and went through a box of magazine tear sheets. (do you ever do that?) A few of the pages revealed to me once more the 'extreme self-care' that Martha Stewart practices. It's no wonder she has the vitality and energy. I mean, just look at the woman!!! If you click on the image to enlarge it, you will see that her hair and skin glow and she looks so 'hot'. She is 68 years young!!! I really like how she has lightened her hair with frosty highlights. Here is a recap of her daily routine. (from Martha Stewart Living)

1. Skin Care: Morning and Night, cleanse, exfoliate, treat, moisturize, protect. She has been very open with her favorites and Yonka is the product she continues to rave about. This online shop is really great for 'quality' skin care - DermStore is your one stop shop for all your skin care and cosmetic needs. - you can purchase Yonka there.

2. Home Gym: aerobics, weights, stretching

3. Walking: daily walks and in particular, she loves hiking. (so does Arianna Huffington..she hikes daily too!)

4. Calendar: daily calendar is kept handy and ready on a clipboard - every day!

5. Water: water infused with fruits, cucumber and bottled

6. Morning Juice: 8 ounces of homemade 'green' 'fruit' juice

7. Hair Care: daily wash, condition, weekly glossing treatment

8. Exercise: pilates, yoga, weights

9. Teeth/Body Skincare: 2-3 times daily electric toothbrush, flossing, salt water rinse and mouthwash, moisturize skin.

10. Relaxation: read books on her Kindle, watch movies Netflex, cappuccino

So tell me. What is your daily 'extreme self-care' routine?

Photo Credit: DayLife/GettyImages

Sunday Morning

It's a weekend of thanks and I am sitting here all alone (don't worry, soon I will be surrounded) and rather enjoying the quiet room. I've been watching Fine Living on the telly, sipping hot Red Rose tea (yes, I've gone back to this brand), lounging in my dusty blue terry robe, grey men's socks smunching at my ankles, dog snoring at my feet, sunshine hitting the mirrors, fireplace crackling and warm, comforting oatmeal. I've been reading Eddie Ross and watching Sarah Richardson this morning (yes I can chew gum and walk at the same time) and the NY Times. I am so lucky. So thankful. (so selfish?) I hope you have a wonderful day. Hugs. LPxo

Nie Nie On Oprah Today

Stay tuned. Oprah called her 'Steph' as in BFF. How cool! When Stephanie Nielson started keeping an online journal about family vacations, changing seasons and the simple joys of motherhood, she was a 23-year-old mother of three. Four years, one child and hundreds of posts later, Stephanie has become a well-known mommy blogger with thousands of followers. Since the first post in 2005, Stephanie's uplifting, humorous stories have inspired people across the country. Now, fans of her blog, NieNie Dialogues, have one more reason to admire this devoted wife and mother of four. On August 16, 2008, Stephanie and her husband, Christian, were flying across Arizona when the small plane they were on crashed into the desert. It exploded on impact. Read more here. I am sobbing here watching this. How horrible that 'we' whine and complain about life. I want to be better, stronger; more grateful, happy, giving and gentle.

CanWest Empire Crumbles

Canada's largest media empire is declared insolvent; restructuring of CanWest will lead to biggest sell-off of media assets in Canadian history. No one is safe. (Look at the Canwest brands/companies who have employees crossing their fingers and toes!) In addition to owning the Global Television Network (and the beloved HGTV and Food Network), Canwest is Canada's largest publisher of paid English language daily newspapers and owns, operates and/or holds substantial interests in conventional television, out-of-home advertising, specialty cable channels, and web sites in Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States. The only security 'out there' is business ownership. Small business ownership. (like HGTV Design Darling, Sarah Richardson) Home-based business ownership? This paradigm shift (all things leading and living on the Internet) is ferocious.

Joni & Kate Plus 8

French Design on TLC. Yes, it does exist! Some news is just so big it needs its own page and when HuffPost has a Liberty Post (a.k.a. Patti Friday) page, then I will know that I have made it. (the coverage they are getting is incredible...we feed the beast, we feed the beast, we feed the beast....) So My Dear Readers, Really. What is your take on this whole saga? I think they should call the new season 'Joni & Kate Plus 8' and have Joni decorate the house. TLC, just add an 'i' to 'jon' , hire that Texas charmer and everything will be o.k.!!! (no seriously, I'm not joking. it will get Kate's mind off Jon and the house will be a whole lot better for the 8 kids.)

David Letterman's Top 10 Sex List

Here are the Top 10 Reasons why you should have sex with David Letterman:

1. David provides a 'live' band on site. (instead of an iPod deck)

2. You don't have to work too hard to get him aroused. (His female guests do that.)

3. You'll feel like a 2 million dollar an hour call girl.

4. He only likes to make love in one spot. (the star on the floor)

5. You could end up under his desk during the taping of a show.

6. He isn't going to leave his wife. (bonus)

7. You'll never have a 'Late Night'. (You can go home to watch him in bed)

8. David 'pants' (worldwide) and Paul lights your cigarette when you are finished.

9. The ghost of Ed Sullivan is watching. (and you like that)

and the #1 reason why you should have sex with David Letterman is...

10.David will never ever ever reveal your name.

Please share with your readers and friends! (heck..just cut and paste it!)

Written by Patti Friday (a.k.a. Liberty Post) http://www.libertypostgallery.blogspot.com

The Great Food Revolution

Every student globally in Grade 7 and up should be required to watch and report on this Canadian documentary film about food. It is truly informative, jaw-dropping (oh my goodness..episode 3 will blow your mind...feeding NYC!!!..see below) and inspiring. It's time to get back to respecting our food source and the industries (including food stylists, photographers, magazine publishers and food network stars) involved in bringing food to our tables. It's about change, embracing the new...The Great Food Revolution series takes viewers on a gastronomic journey that explores how food has been transformed — from mere sustenance to the 21st century's magnificent obsession. Watch some clips here and try some of the recipes from the doc here. I was so impressed as well that the website had a boundless resource section of suggested reading and links to all the people featured! (Like The Goodman's who started in 1984 with 2.5 acres and sold at a farmer's market stand in California, to selling 59 Million bags of organic lettuce/week !!! Yes, I said 59 million!!!) How incredible! I want everyone I know to see this film.

Here are the 4 parts:



In Episode 1 of the The Great Food Revolution, find out how in just 30 years North American diners have gone from “Yuk! I’m not eating that!” to “Guess what I ate last night!”



In Episode 2 of The Great Food Revolution, follow the fierce competition in the food industry — a segment of the economy that debuted a staggering 18,000 new products last year.



In Episode 3 of The Great Food Revolution, see the incredible choreographed dance of supply and demand that feeds New York City's 24 million people every day. (Ideal for Urban Geography class.)



In Episode 4: Provocative, edgy and even surreal, the finale of The Great Food Revolution series ventures into the great unknown to see whether the future of food will be high-tech or "back to basics."



Duration: 4 x 45:00
Grade Level: 7-12, PS, AD



Subject Area/Category:
Health,
Food
Family Studies
Business and Economics

Geography
Social Sciences



Order a copy for your local school today or have a fundraising event to buy it!

Star Portraits

3 Artists. 1 Celebrity. 3 Distinct Portraits. Which one will be chosen? (Oh please click to enlarge the above images!) The Canadian series of Star Portraits brings us 13 half-hour shows introducing the Canadian audience to working artists and reintroducing them to some well-known Canadian personalities. As we watch the artists draw or paint their interpretation of the personalities, we learn a little more about both groups of people and the process of portraiture. Based on the hit BBC series that regularly engaged over five million prime-time UK viewers weekly, Star Portraits is an innovative program that combines the art of portraiture with celebrity biography. The 13 celebrities who took part have each selected a charity to be a recipient of proceeds raised during the Joyner/Waddington’s Canadian Fine Art Auction in December. In each episode we watch as three distinct portraits are produced; one is chosen by the celebrity, six will be selected by the Portrait Gallery of Canada and 20 are destined for the auction. The stories are intimate and personal as viewers get to know accomplished artists and learn more about some of their favorite celebrities. I watched the first episode tonight and it was so much better than reality tv.

Kanye + Taylor + Beyonce = Leno Ratings

Planned Jay Leno Ratings publicity stunt? Perhaps. More money for all of them. How do we know that they didn't all get together and plan the live surprising event! A giddy Swift was in the midst of her acceptance speech for Best Female Video when the often-mercurial West rushed onstage, grabbed her microphone and let loose an outburst on behalf of singer Beyonce Knowles, who had lost out in that category. But audiences who stayed tuned until the end (WATCH THIS!!!) of the broadcast were treated to a touching bookend: Knowles, the night's top winner - Best Video of the Year: "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It), invited Swift onstage and gave the teen singer her moment in the spotlight. Beyonce is such a class act. Well, Mr. Jay Primetime Leno.....I think this might help you tonight! (because Kanye West is your guest on your show preem) They are the masters. We are the puppets.

The Cupcake Girls

Think running a bakery is a piece of cake? Well, try out this recipe: Two best friends, one set of bickering parents, 50 young, unpredictable female employees and a team of franchisees with differing opinions. Stir in a healthy dose of high maintenance customers and a handful of miserable contractors, and you've got a day in the life of The Cupcake Girls.
A 13-episode docu-soap, The Cupcake Girls follows entrepreneurs and best friends Heather White and Lori Joyce on a deliciously dysfunctional and often hilarious journey to build a cupcake empire. Produced by Force Four Entertainment in association with W Network, the series started production this past June and will premiere in early 2010.

W Network is owned by Corus Entertainment Inc., a Canadian-based media and entertainment company. Corus is a market leader in specialty television and radio with additional assets in pay television, advertising services, television broadcasting, children's book publishing and children's animation. The company's multimedia entertainment brands include YTV, Treehouse, W Network, CosmoTV, VIVA, Movie Central, HBO Canada, Nelvana, Kids Can Press and radio stations including CKNW, CKOI and Q107. Corus creates engaging branded entertainment experiences for its audiences across multiple platforms. A publicly traded company, Corus is listed on the Toronto (CJR.B) and New York (CJR) exchanges. Experience Corus on the web at www.corusent.com.



Footnote: I used to work for Corus Ent. Yes, that's right. They wrote my paycheques. I love that company. I really do.

Canadian Gift and Tableware Association Gift Show

I'm going to the show this weekend! It has been a long, long, long time since I have been there so I am very excited. In fact, the last time I was there was when I had a booth at the show. I was the VP and Head Designer for Tincap & Tweed Ltd., a company my good friend Glenda and I started way back in the 80's. (I had mentioned it before here, remember?) I loved that time of my life. I was designing custom homes (I also owned Ivy Brook Homes Ltd. that built mostly lake homes) , creating home decorating accessories, travelling on buying trips, making exclusive rights deals with other companies (we represented CBK Ltd. and Claire Murray Rugs here in Canada) and wholesaling our goods to about 800 retailers across Canada. Claire Murray has a new book here. Many of my blogger friends and readers don't realize how heavily I was into design because I usually only talk about my 'art' life, but the inner core of me has always been in 2 places...my love, my passion photography...and design. After my bustling 'home design era' came to an end, (divorce)....no, I won't be talking any more about that!.....I moved into writing, styling and shooting home editorial and then became a design consultant/editor/photographer for Daphne Mitchell (of Port Perry Fame). And then.....I moved into television where I worked creatively developing scripts and shoots for commercials and local television programming - more about that later..I have some pics to share with you. (Oh how I loved producing TV...so fun! Here's a few of my friends I produced for here and here and here. I worked for a CBC affiliate) Well, now that you have the short version of my CV, I must tell you that I am hoping the spark will reignite into a burst of flames this weekend and that the show will inspire me to go back to my roots. Interior Decoration? Product Design? Blending Photography with Design and Words? I remain open to the messages that will find me! We'll see......back with photos soon. Thank you for visiting today. Big Hug. LP xo