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Obama Bows In Japan To Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

2009-11-15T07:36:21Z

In a scene that will likely be replayed on Sunday's political talk shows, President Obama bowed deeply to the Emperor and Empress of Japan on Saturday. The president's kowtow to the royal couple came on the second day of his Asian tour and before a private lunch with the pair in Tokyo.

An unnamed, senior Obama administration official told Politico Saturday that the president was observing protocol, saying, "I think that those who try to politicize those things are just way, way, way off base." During his speech in Tokyo, President Obama reaffirmed the United State's alliance with Japan and called himself America's first Pacific President.

In April, the president was criticized by the National Republican Senatorial Committee for bowing to Saudi King Abdullah at a G-20 meeting. Press Secretary Robert Gibbs declined to call Obama's gesture to Abdullah a bow, instead saying Obama "bent over" to shake hands with the king.

Anticipating drama, the Los Angeles Times wrote a blog entry Saturday about the bow. The LA Times detailed former Vice President Dick Cheney's (non-bow) handshake with the Japanese emperor and pointed to the "comedic" drama surrounding former Presdient Clinton's bow to Akihito.

WATCH:

PHOTOS:

Dana Joy Altman: Real Food Rehab: Homemade Tzatziki

2009-11-14T19:45:11Z

The journal from my trip to the Greek Islands many years ago reads a little like Cheech and Chong's, How I Spent My Summer Vacation. Day after day, it went a little something like this:

"Woke up. Went to the cafe for breakfast. Ate Greek yogurt, fruit and honey. Drank coffee, very black. Went to the beach. Swam in the sea. Went to the cafe for lunch. Ate Greek salad, tzatziki and grilled fish. Played Ouzo-soaked backgammon on the pier until near blind. Went to the cafe for dinner. Ate Greek salad, tzatziki and grilled lamb. Drank a bottle of Retsina. Shook it hard at the disco. Passed out at 3 am."

I never wanted for lack of anything in Greece. The daily repetition of meals suited me just fine. The food was as local, fresh and simple as one could ask for.

It's remarkable how those meals influenced the way I cook today. In fact, one of the classic comfort staples in my home is tzatziki. You know, it's not just for Gyros anymore. I'll put it aside almost any protein - fish, chicken, lamb or beef. I'll do a composed salad of sliced and chopped vegetables such as cucumbers, radishes, celery, beets, green beans, favas, fennel and radicchio - dress it in red wine vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper, add little mounds of feta and olives on the side and finish it with an over-sized dollop of tzatziki. I've also been known to dunk pretzels or really good kettle chips in it, crack a bottle of beer and call it a meal. Sometimes it just hits the spot.

This recipe was given to me by my friend and chef, Mark Graham, in Seattle, Washington. It has since been adapted for my very garlicky, lemony and full fat preferences. Feel free to cut back on any of those to suit your tastes.

Tzatziki

One large tub whole milk yogurt - I use Greek yogurt like the Fage brand which is extra thick and requires no straining. If you use a traditional 32oz. yogurt, such as Stonyfield Farm you need to strain it for at least a few hours through cheesecloth or through a fine mesh sieve with a bowl underneath in the fridge.

3 to 4 pickling cucumbers halved, seeded and thinly sliced. You can use a mandoline, a vegetable peeler, a Cuisinart with the slicing blade or hell, just use a knife if you can get super thin half moons, that's fine. You can use the larger, more watery cukes but you have to squeeze the water out of them after you've sliced them: wrap them in a cotton dishtowel and squeeze like mad over the sink. If you omit this step they will give off a lot of water and make your tzatziki thin and tasteless.

salt and pepper to taste
juice and zest of one medium sized lemon
3 to 4 cloves garlic, pressed
heaping piles of finely chopped fresh basil and mint to taste

Mix all ingredients in a non-reactive bowl and let sit in fridge to chill until flavors meld.

This is excerpted from the blog Real Food Rehab.

1950s Fashionista: Mamie Eisenhower's Mid-Century Mode (PHOTOS)

2009-11-14T16:23:05Z

Before Michelle Obama's belts and brooches and Jackie Kennedy's pearls and pillbox hats, another style-setter called the White House home: Mamie Eisenhower. As Dwight's wife, Mamie was first lady from 1953 to 1961, overseeing nearly a decade of short bangs, flowers, clutches, lace and perfectly perched hats. Today, on the anniversary of her birthday (she would be 113), we take a look back at Mamie's mid-century mode:

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Michelle Obama Stricken With A Cold, Wears Sunny J. Crew Ensemble (PHOTOS)

2009-11-13T22:42:58Z

Michelle Obama has a cold. On Friday afternoon, the first lady began her remarks on the difficulties older women face in today's health insurance market by saying "First of all, forgive me -- I've got children, and now I have a cold. It goes along with the territory."

Despite feeling a little under the weather, the first lady wore a cheerful J. Crew ensemble with her favorite new belt and what's become her signature updo. The belt was last seen on November 3rd, when she launched a mentoring program for girls.

Scroll down for the first lady's remarks below.

FULL REMARKS:

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the First Lady

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

For Immediate Release November 13, 2009

REMARKS BY THE FIRST LADY

ON HEALTH INSURANCE REFORM AND OLDER WOMEN

East Room

3:12 P.M. EST

MRS. OBAMA: Thank you, everybody. Thank you so much. First of all, forgive me -- I've got children, and now I have a cold. (Laughter.) It goes along with the territory.

Let me begin by first thanking Tina Tchen, who's doing an outstanding job as Director of the Office of Public Engagement by opening up this White House to the American people and organizing events like this one today. She's just been a terrific asset and a dear friend -- and let's give her a round of applause. (Applause.)

And I also want to commend Nancy-Ann for her extraordinary leadership on health care -- health insurance reform. I know my husband, who is traveling abroad right now, would agree with me when I say that without her, we wouldn't have come this far, and because of her, we're going to get the job done. So we are grateful to you, Nancy-Ann. (Applause.)

And of course, I want to thank all the women who are here today. This is a wonderful, lively group -- I heard you all giggling earlier today. (Laughter.)

But I also want to thank the women who spoke today -- to Kelly and Fran and Judy -- for sharing their stories. What they've been through isn't easy, and I'm grateful that they have been brave enough and open enough to share their stories with all of us. It takes a lot of courage.

These stories touch our hearts. They spark in us just a fundamental sense of unfairness. But the sad truth is none of these stories are unique. These kinds of stories are being told in city after city, town after town, all across America. They're being told by women who lost their coverage when their husband lost a job, or their husband passed away. They're being told by women who aren't getting regular checkups because it's simply too expensive. They're being told my women living on fixed incomes who can't afford the prescription drugs that they need.

All of these stories reflect the fundamental reality -- and that is, women are among those struggling most under the status quo, the way things are. And women are among those who will benefit most from health insurance reform because the truth is that women, we have a special relationship with our health care system. In a lot of families that's true because we are the health care system in so many ways. (Laughter.)

Eight in 10 mothers say they're the ones responsible for choosing their children's doctors, taking them to appointments, and managing the follow-up care. And over 10 percent of all women are now caring for a sick or elderly relative.

Our entire lives as women, we are asked to bear much of the responsibility for our family's health and well-being. And yet, we often face special challenges when it comes to our own health insurance. Part of it has to do with the fact that women are more likely than men to do part-time work or to work in a small business -- in jobs that are less likely to offer the kind of insurance that you really need. In fact, over half of all women in this country don't have the option of getting insurance through the workplace at all.

But even women who do have insurance face inequities under the status quo. Because women make less than 80 cents for every dollar their male coworkers make, it's more difficult for them to pay their premiums -- especially when studies show that they're paying far more than men for the same coverage.

And I don't think anyone here will be surprised to learn that a recent study found that one-third of all women have either used up savings, taken on debt, or given up basic necessities just to pay their medical bills. And as many of you know firsthand, these kinds of problems -- the problems of coverage and cost -- only grow worse when you get older, making quality, affordable coverage harder to come by just -- as we've seen today and heard today -- just when you need it the most.

In the individual market, people in their early 60s are more than twice as likely to be denied coverage than people in their late 30s. Older women are more likely than men to face a chronic illness, but they're less likely to be able to afford the cost of treating that illness. And in recent years, studies have shown that women over the age of 65 spend about 17 percent of their income on health care. And that's just not right.

Our mothers and grandmothers, they have taken care of us all their lives; they've made the sacrifices that it takes to get us where we need to be. And we have an obligation to make sure that we're taking care of them. It's as simple as that. America has a responsibility to give all seniors the golden years they deserve and the secure, dignified retirement that they worked so hard to achieve. (Applause.)

And that's exactly what health insurance reform is going to help us do in this country.

Now, I can tell you -- I can't tell, actually, what the bill that will ultimately land across my husband's desk will look like -- none of us can. But I can tell you just a few important ways that the insurance system will be impacted.

For starters -- and this is very important -- your insurance will not change unless you want it to change. So if things are great for you, you're fine. (Laughter.) It will, however, become more stable and more secure, no matter what your situation is. There will be a cap on how much you can be charged in out-of-pocket expenses in a year or in a lifetime. So there will be a cap. It will be against the law for insurance companies to deny you coverage for preexisting conditions. (Applause.) And that change alone will help us end the discrimination women face in our health care system. And also, insurance companies will be required to cover, at no extra cost, routine checkups and preventive care.

And I'd like to speak just a moment about what reform will mean for seniors, in particular.

There's been a lot of misinformation on this topic so I want to be clear -- Nancy-Ann mentioned this: Not a dime of the Medicare Trust Fund will be used to pay for reform. Health insurance reform will not endanger Medicare; it will make Medicare more stable and secure. (Applause.) By eliminating wasteful subsidies to private insurance and cracking down on fraud and abuse throughout the system, this administration believes that we can bring down premiums for all our seniors and extend the life of the Medicare Trust Fund.

My husband believes that Medicare is a sacred part of America's social safety net, and it's a safety net that he will protect -- he will protect with health insurance reform. And I know that many seniors on Medicare are also concerned about the cost of prescription drugs; we've heard about it here.

Right now, millions of seniors face huge out-of-pocket costs when their spending on drugs falls within a coverage gap. My husband is committed to closing that gap, which will save some seniors, as you've heard, thousands of dollars on medications and make prescription drugs more affordable for millions of older Americans. (Applause.)

So what we're talking about -- affordable prescription drugs for Americans who need them; Medicare that's protected today and tomorrow; stability and security for Americans who have insurance; quality, affordable coverage for Americans who don't. That's what reform will mean for older women, for seniors, and for all Americans.

So that's why I believe in this so strongly. That's why I believe in this so strongly.

But in the end, I'm not here just as a First Lady. That's not why I'm doing this. I am here because I'm a daughter. I'm here because I have an extraordinary mother who is 72 years old -- young. (Laughter and applause.) And I know there are countless women in this country who have loved ones who feel the same way about them as I do about my mother.

And when all is said and done, part of why I believe so strongly in reforming our health care system is because of the difference it will make for these women who gave us life -- so simple -- these women who raised us, these women who supported us through the years. They deserve better than the status quo. They deserve a health care system that heals them and lifts them up.

And that's what my husband is committed to doing, to building that kind of system in the weeks and months to come.

So thank you all. Thank you for sharing your stories. Thank you all for your hard work and dedication, for listening, for being a part -- and let's get to work. Thank you so much. (Applause.)

Hetrick-Martin Institute Gala: Cory Booker, Veronica Webb, Lance Bass And More! (PHOTOS, VIDEO)

2009-11-13T22:03:13Z

Newark Mayor Cory Booker joked that he had a huge "man crush" on his New York City counterpart as he presented Mayor Bloomberg with the Emery Award at the Hetrick-Martin Institute gala on Wednesday night. But while Booker spoke of his man crush on-stage, he sat off-stage with his rumored female crush, model Veronica Webb. (Webb recently denied any romantic relationship.)

Kimora Lee Simmons hosted the celebration of Hetrick-Martin's 30th anniversary and tribute to gay rights activist Harvey Milk. According to its mission statement, HMI, home of New York's Harvey Milk High School, "believes all young people, regardless of sexual orientation or identity, deserve a safe and supportive environment in which to achieve their full potential. Hetrick-Martin creates this environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth between the ages of 12 and 21 and their families." The Emery Awards "honor individuals and corporations that exemplify Hetrick-Martin's mission of providing a safe and supportive environment for all young people - regardless of their sexual orientation or identity - as well as those who have demonstrated outstanding leadership within our community."

The evening's other Emery Award recipient was Dr. Joyce Hunter, co-founder of the Harvey Milk High School. Other attendees included Lance Bass, "Milk" screenwriter Dustin Lance Black, Councl Speaker Christine Quinn, Harvey Milk's nephew Stuart Milk, actors Cheyenne Jackson, Heather Matarazzo, Victor Garber, and B.D. Wong.

See photos and video below.

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Cheryl Carlesimo: Why Is Thanksgiving the King of Food Holidays?

2009-11-13T21:43:01Z

Why is Thanksgiving the King of all the food holidays? Is it the turkey? I don't think so. We all like a good bird just fine, but seriously, it's not what we think and talk about as our favorite part of the meal for the rest of the year. Is it the stuffing? Now there is the stuff that food dreams are made of. There are many of us who believe that, in fact, the Thanksgiving feast is all about the stuffing.

I know that in my family, I have to make three stuffings. My grandmother's potato and bread stuffing with bacon which looks like dark mashed potatoes, which every one of my nine brothers and sisters eats several plates of, swimming in gravy. Then I make bread stuffing with chestnuts and sausage for my husband, and a wild rice stuffing for my mother because if you have ten children you are the queen, and that's just all there is to it.

Some people think it's all about the sides: their favorite leek and onion casserole, cranberry orange relish, or brussels sprouts with pancetta. And then there are the dessert lovers who live for the pumpkin mousse and the bourbon pecan pie. But honestly, I think that the reason Thanksgiving is the reigning food holiday is because we all get together as a family and devote the day to sitting down and eating together. We think about the meal for weeks ahead of time. We plan for it. We prepare. We cook, and most importantly, we all sit down and eat together.

Our families may not be traditional. Our families may be small and quiet, or large and highly dysfunctional; or a combination of all of the previous attributes. It doesn't matter. Our families may be the people we choose to be our families, but on Thanksgiving Day, it's all about how food has brought us together. And that's what makes it the food holiday above all others.

And just in case I got your mouth watering when I mentioned my grandmother's mashed potato and bread stuffing with bacon, here you go. It graced the Thanksgiving tables of my my Irish grandmother in Pennsylvania and is still being served to her many great grandchildren today You don't have to tell your cardiologist about this if you only make it once a year. Enjoy!

Mama's Turkey Stuffing

Ingredients

5 lbs. of large Idaho potatoes

1 lb. Bacon (good quality)

2 medium sized onions (each about the size of a baseball)

1 loaf of bread stuffing

1 stick of butter

2 Cups of milk

Salt to taste

Pepper to taste

1 Tablespoon of Bell's poultry seasoning

1 Teaspoon Celery salt

1 Teaspoon Sage

Preparation:

Peel the potatoes and cut each potato into thirds. Put the cut up potatoes into a large, wide pot. Cover the potatoes with water and add about one heaping tablespoon of salt. Cover the potatoes and bring to a slow boil, (i.e., turn the heat down somewhat as soon as it starts to boil). It will usually take thirty-five to forty-five minutes to cook the potatoes. You can test the potatoes for doneness by sticking a fork into them. They should not be hard when you stick the fork in but they should also not be breaking apart in the pot. As soon as they are done, turn the heat off and drain the water from the pot.

While the potatoes are on the stove boiling, you should cook the bacon and the onions. Take a large, deep frying pan with a non-stick surface and cook the bacon on low heat until it is lightly browned. Remove and drain on paper towels. While the bacon is cooking, you need to dice up the two onions. Cook the onions in the bacon grease until they are translucent. Put the bacon, onions, bacon grease and 1 cup of milk into a blender and blend them all together.

After the potatoes are cooked and drained, add one stick of butter, 2 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of pepper, one tablespoon of Bell's Poultry Seasoning, 1 tsp celery salt, 1 teaspoon sage and about one cup of milk and hand mash the potatoes. (With seasonings, as you know, you can always add more but you can't really reverse it if you added too much.)

Cut the crust off one loaf of stuffing bread. Then, take a bowl of water and dip a handful of bread into it and then squeeze out the excess water. (Be sure not to squeeze the wet bread too hard or it will knot up into balls.) Brush the bread with your hand across the grating screen into the potatoes. Do the entire loaf of bread that way. Then add the blender full of bacon and onions and milk on top of the bread and potatoes, and hand mash the whole mixture together again. Then take an electric hand mixer and beat the whole pot on high speed until the mixture is fairly smooth and not lumpy. You should taste it periodically to see if you have enough flavoring in it. You might need to add a little more poultry seasoning or a little more salt or pepper, depending on the taste. Once it is thoroughly beaten, you then simply transfer it to a large casserole dish or two smaller casserole dishes.

Pre-heat the oven to 350 °F. Add drippings from the bottom of the turkey pan to the casserole dish(s). You need to make holes so that the drippings can go down into the stuffing as opposed to laying on top of the stuffing. Then cook the stuffing for about one hour. Do not cover the stuffing when it is cooking.

This recipe and many other family favorites are available on DishandDine.com. And the Holiday Recipe Challenge is underway! Join the fun and submit your family's favorite recipe for this week's challenge: Stuffing! Your recipe could be featured on DishandDine's Today's Hot Dish next Monday!

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Yomi Abiola: Yves Saint Laurent's Final Sale

2009-11-13T20:30:28Z

Two beautifully sculpted guards stood outside the doors of Christie's auction house yesterday, armed with stanchions and a counter, ready to receive the crowd that would be arriving at part two of the Yves Saint Laurent sale, featuring his furniture and home furnishings from his weekend home in Deauville situated in the Basse-Normandie region of France.

But at 11.30 a.m. on the first day that was open to the public, the guards had only counted a meager 73 people. The preview had been open for two and a half hours. This was a far cry from the first sale in February, where according to the English newspaper, The Independent, a staggering 33,000 visitors cued for entry over the weekend.

Despite the light drizzle of people, Jonathan Rendell, Deputy Chairman of Christie's America, is still optimistic that the sale will draw some sort of crowd. "This sale is different from the first sale - the first one was the great collection, this one is about weekend living. It's about fun. I hope to see at least 5,000 people," said Rendell.

The public preview will go on until the 16th of November. The organizers of the auction are optimistic that most of Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé (his partner) belongings will be sold, if not for sentimental reasons, then for the simple reason that the items are "cheap as chips," as Rendell boasts. "These are not great works of art, these are home furnishings. "We have priced these pieces according to what the market can bear, we have not added any celebrity factor," he explained.

But amongst the potential buyers milling around, it may be sentiment that coerces them to buy. Thierry Blanchard, a real estate and antiques dealer living in Paris, was at the first Yves Saint Laurent Sale. "This sale is less glamorous, but more emotional, I will certainly try to buy," he remarks.

Among the general public there are a few connoisseurs that know what to look for. Patrick Hourcade was one such person. He described the collection as "a puzzle of sentimental feelings." To the untrained eye, the collection is most certainly a riddle that ranges from saucepans to kitsch ornamental pieces, to tattered sofas and salt a pepper shakers -- but Hourcade, like many of the potential buyers, makes sense of it all. "The imperfection of some of the pieces is part of the game that Yves and Pierre wanted to create. You feel much more alive with this collection than the first one. You can imagine people lying on the sofa by the fire, waiting for a great dinner." And it is perhaps this image of Yves Saint Laurent that people want to buy and take home to own forever.

Gina Pell: DUMBO: The New Soho

2009-11-13T19:43:18Z

Last weekend, my sister Lily (who writes the fashion news on Splendora) and I had the pleasure of strolling around DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge) Brooklyn, and we arrived at the conclusion that DUMBO is what Soho was in the 80s--the new new thing--filled with chic, artsy trendsetters who seem unaware of our bruised economy. The shops were bustling with these hipsters and we, too, did our part in stimulating the financial system. Here are Lily & Gina's 5 Favorite DUMBO Shops:

1. POWERHOUSE BOOKS - I'm already a bookstore fanatic so the aptly named Powerhouse Books on Main Street took my bibliophilia to another level. They have an ultra cool built-in arena to showcase exhibitions and performances in all areas of art--photography, design, fashion, pop culture, advertising, music, dance, film and television. I felt a rush when I caught a glimpse of Marc Jacobs' set-up materials for the next exhibit. See past events in the Powerhouse Books Arena here.

2. BLUEBERI - The latest Beri from Suewayne Brown, owner of Redberi in Prospect Heights, Blueberi boasts a well-edited collection for the city sophisticate. They carry my Euro faves like Anglomania Vivienne Westwood and Sonia by Sonia Rykiel as well as exceptional local designers like Sweet William. They're on 143A Front Street near Pearl.

3. NOS SHOES - Owner Racquel Nosworthy is a kindred spirit who loves sexy shoes but also likes to mix it up with a little funky edge. She carries the not so obvious brands like Pour la Victoire, Corso Como and Matiko. Nos is located at 68 Jay Street between Front & Water.

4. ZOE - The latest from the runway can be found in this luxurious 3,500 sq. ft boutique stocked with Lanvin, Matthew Williamson, Rag & Bone and other Splendora favorites. We spied pieces here that aren't even available in Manhattan! Zoe is on Washington Street near Front but you can also shop online.

5. POMME- Here's a sweet boutique for the kids with treasures from all over the globe. Pomme carries exquisite toys, clothes and home decor. We poked around here and picked up a few last minute baby shower gifts. Pomme is also on Washington Street (but near York) and you can shop online here too.

You can learn more about our new favorite neighborhood on the DUMBO NYC Website.

Kate Moss's Motto? 'Nothing Tastes As Good As Skinny Feels'

2009-11-13T17:27:38Z

At age 35, Kate Moss has a lengthy list of accomplishments to her name: supermodel, designer, perfume-maker, hair-care-product-creator, singer and mother. So what kinds of sayings does she remember in order to achieve success?

"There are loads," Moss told WWD. "There's 'Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels.' That's one of them." But at least she showed a hint of humanity, adding, "You try and remember, but it never works."

Moss also talked about her mentors, namely her trusted friends who tell her "Oh no, Kate, that's not a good look." But she knows that beauty comes from the inside:

"It sounds really corny, but I think that if you're beautiful inside, it shows on the outside for sure. You can be a pretty face, but if you're not a nice person, it just doesn't work. I'm not traditionally a beauty, but apparently people think I'm all right. If you're a nice person, it definitely helps."

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Dino e Lucia: Sasha, Malia Wear French Label For Family Portrait (PHOTOS)

2009-11-13T17:13:48Z

Oh la la! Since the White House released the official Obama family photograph by Annie Leibovitz last month, we've been wondering who was responsible for the first daughters' dresses. And now we have an answer: Parisian boutique Dino e Lucia. Described as "boho chic," practical and original, the brand has offerings for both boys and girls between ages 4 and 14. Prices range from $100 to $350. Guess we know where the Obama girls went shopping while in Paris this summer!

Sasha's dress is prominently featured on Dino e Lucia's site.

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Daphne Guinness Dares To Wear 10-Inch Stilettos (PHOTO, POLL)

2009-11-13T17:08:06Z

In her new video, Lady Gaga dances in what we considered unwearable 10-inch stilettos by Alexander McQueen. But now another fashion-forward woman has dared to wear them: Daphne Guinness. On Thursday night the socialite and Marc Jacobs co-hosted a party for NARS 15X15 in New York.

Take a closer look at the couture collector's outfit and tell us what you think of the footwear.

Photo by Patrick McMullan

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'Man-gagement' Rings Let Ladies Put A Ring On It (VIDEO, POLL)

2009-11-13T16:14:57Z

This just in from the Beyonce Bible of Wisdom: If you like it, then you should put a ring on it. And many formerly-single, almost-married ladies are taking her sentiments to heart with "man-gagement" rings--the equivalent of an engagement ring, but for the future groom. ABC's Nightline followed one couple as they tried to settle on a hunk of metal. Jarrett Gabel, the husband-to-be joked, "It's not fair that she gets diamonds. I should get at least one."

However, man-gagement rings are really an emerging trend in terms of boy bling. "All the girls want everyone to know that their guy is taken, and there's no better way than to see a ring on his finger," the jeweler in the video explains. And Jennifer Hudson recently spent $15,000 on a ring for her boyfriend. The bands are made from macho-man materials like steel, rubber and cobalt, which will be the perfect accessory to match the diaper bag you'll be carrying in a few years.

WATCH:

What do you think?

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ScientificMatch.com Uses DNA Samples To Make Perfect Couple

2009-11-13T16:03:33Z

NEW YORK — Looking for love? Try leaning in for a ... cheek swab.

A couple of genetic testing companies are promising to match couples based on the DNA testing, touting the benefits of biological compatibility.

The companies claim that a better biological match will mean better sex, less cheating, longer-lasting love and perhaps even healthier children.

"How many dating services can you think of where they can suggest you might have better children?" said Eric Holzle, founder of ScientificMatch.com, one of the first online dating sites to use DNA.

Holzle wouldn't reveal membership numbers, but GenePartner, a Swiss company that works with matchmakers and dating sites, has tested more than 1,000 people, according to chief scientific officer Tamara Brown. Some were already coupled and took the test out of curiosity.

The GenePartner Test is $99, and will be offered at the dating site sense2love.com when it relaunches next month.

The idea is that people tend to be attracted to those who have immune system genes that are dissimilar from their own.

Biologists say the HLA genes of the immune system – which are responsible for recognizing and marking foreign cells such as viruses so other parts of the immune system can attack them – also determine body odor "fingerprints." And people tend to be attracted to the natural body odors of those who have different HLA genes from their own.

In one study, Swiss biologist Claus Wedekind found that women who were not taking hormonal contraception preferred the natural scent of men whose immune systems were the most different from theirs.

But don't put too much faith in this, experts said.

Dr. Rocio Moran, medical director of the General Genetics Clinic at the Cleveland Clinic, called the idea "ridiculous," and said the science of attraction is too complex to look at only a few genes.

"They are just trying to make a buck," she said. "That if it's genetic, it must be real science."

When a random sample of married people was studied, their immune systems were not that different, said Patrick Markey, associate professor of psychology at Villanova. And he notes that hundreds of studies have shown the importance of personality and physical appearance in choosing a mate.

For some, factors such as whether the person smokes, is fat or wants children will override biological compatibility, said Helen Fisher, a biological anthropologist and author of "Why Him? Why Her?" She believes genes play a role but said it's only one part of the puzzle.

Rachel Herz, author of "The Scent of Desire," who teaches olfaction and human behavior at Brown, believes the science is legit but thinks prospective matches should swap T-shirts and sniff.

"Above all physical factors – for example, how he looks – and social factors, how guys smell is more important than anything else," she said.

Holzle was not able to point to any success stories. He said his site tends to attract people who are concerned about privacy and has not done a good job tracking members once they leave. GenePartner did not respond to a request to speak to its customers.

But Chris Moyer, 57, a computer programmer in Reading, Pa., said she would be willing to try it. She has used four or five online dating sites.

"When eHarmony failed, I just gave up," she said. "Nothing has worked, and I'm curious to see how this would work."

Singles who sign up for ScientificMatch.com get a welcome box in the mail containing a skin cells-swab kit. The person mails the kit to the lab, with results in approximately two weeks, then uploads a profile and photos and takes a personal values test. The site also conducts a background check.

Matches are generated based on the DNA, values and preferences.

But Holzle didn't have any success stories to share. In fact, he is planning to phase out the dating part of the site he started in 2007 to market the tests directly to matchmakers and couples. He promises a refund of the $995 lifetime membership.

Still, some matchmaking services are willing to incorporate the test to help frustrated clients.

Anju Rupal, founder of sense2love.com, a Switzerland-based matchmaking site for English speakers, including members in the U.S., is partnering with GenePartner. Members are not required to take the test to sign up, but are encouraged to do so to whittle down the number of potential matches.

"A woman wants to date, settle down and have children. Guys don't want to waste time," she said. "Our aim is to do the best possible match in the shortest amount of time."

Refinery29.com: The 10 Hardest Working Designers In Fashion

2009-11-13T15:18:11Z

Given the current economic climate, we couldn't help but feel this latest Fashion Week was overcast with a chance of showers. Yet, when clouds form and belts tighten, it becomes even easier to see which designers can genuinely innovate no matter how scant their resources, and which clothiers are just smoke and mirrors held up by money. Creating short films to showcase collections, traveling to remote Indian villages for fresh inspiration, opening new boutiques in a time when others are closing flagships—fashion's best entrepreneurs are using extraordinary effort and ingenuity to grow their brands in the face of a shrinking economy. Take a few lessons from our top ten of the hardest working designers in fashion—because, when times get tough, the best get even tougher.

Diane Von Furstenberg

Call her fashion's version of a Wonder Woman (a comparison she openly encourages). This unofficial cultural hostess of the Meatpacking District, CFDA President-Elect, and CFDA Lifetime Achievement Award winner isn't resting on her laurels, but continuing to expand her brand's clothes, accessories, shoes, bags, cosmetics, and swimwear (sold in 56 countries) at a pace that would kill a vigorous go-getter half her age.

Above, from left: Diane Von Furstenberg, image via Clutch; Diane von Furstenberg fall '09, image via Style.com; Diane von Furstenberg spring '10, image via Style.com.

Samantha Pleet

Don't be fooled by her cutie-pie appearance. This hungry Brooklyn-based designer has branched out in just about every way possible. She blogs, creates films for each collection, collaborates with Urban Outfitters on her "Rapscallion" line, designs clothes for bands like Au Revoir Simone, produces a men's line, Patrick Pleet, and tries to do it all in the most environmentally-conscious way possible. Look forward to her upcoming a book of paper dolls for Dossier Journal and a new collection of hats and accessories for next season.

Above, from left: Samantha Pleet, image via Fashion Copious; Samantha Pleet spring '09, image via Samantha Pleet.

Lisa Mayock and Sophie Buhai of Vena Cava

These CFDA runners-up have been running the style circuit like champs in recent seasons. Drawing inspiration from near (Woodstock, NY) and far (India), the duo tap obscure history, African tribal prints, and a touch of contemporary tongue-and-cheek wit to create a brand of ineffable and surprising depth. Who else would ever think of cross pollinating Ancient Egyptian themes and punk styles or pairing silk with beaded safety pins? Their recent collaborations with Gap and Via Spiga helped them gain worldwide recognition, and let's not forget that their blog—VivaVenaCava—is a hoot.

Click over to Refinery29 to read the rest of the article.

Una LaMarche: Project Runway Finale Recap Part One

2009-11-13T15:07:12Z

Yes, the season is almost over, but the finale is cruelly a two-parter, so we've got to power through. Don't worry, I have visual aids and Jello shots. Are you ready? Let's finish what we started.

Previously on: The Getty Center was a crappy fashion muse that led Christopher to dress his model up like an algae-covered rock. Then again, he finally got auf'ed so maybe we should be thankful. Irina and Althea shunned one another so of course both made it to the Final Three (the producers hope, I assume, for fistfight on the Bryant Park runway). Gordana's lovely--if rather vaginal--gown sadly got her sent home and the increasingly rundown Carol Hannah rounded out the winners.

Here they are, the final three:

Heidi tells them that they have to create a 12-piece collection to show at Bryant Park and that they get $9,000 for materials.

Tim comes out on the runway. He says that he is more proud of them than he can adequately express. Oh Tim--that's what hand gestures are for! He reminds them that he'll soon be riding Tim Gunn's Rock of Love bus around the country to check in on their work. Heidi wishes them luck, and then she and Tim get a little humpy in silhouette as they exit. Very sadly, the Lifetime website has no photos of this.

Althea interviews that there is still tension between her and Irina, and that she can forgive but she won't forget. She's totally going to beat Irina with an olive branch. Meanwhile, Irina thinks that the other two are intimidated by her. "They're expecting me to take the big guns to Bryant Park," she says. "But I'm bringing the tank! I've got the whole army." Suddenly I see her riding a missile, laughing maniacally, like at the end of Dr. Strangelove. Shudder.

We flash forward a few weeks. Tim is on the road to scenic Huntington, Long Island, where Carol Hannah has recently relocated (from South Carolina) to work on her collection. It's a bleak, snowy landscape, of course, because this season was filmed during the last Ice Age.

They should totally have Tim take over the Publisher's Clearinghouse check delivery. How excited would you be?

Carol Hannah shows Tim her half-finished collection, which includes an interesting violet dress with a poufy, ballet-inspired skirt. Tim likes it, but balks when CH tries to add a sparkly belt.

The inspiration for her collection was a nighttime visit to Duke's campus, so she's constructed her entire collection out of Budweiser labels. I kid, I kid.

In addition to the cupcake dress, she's made a few gowns, some shorts, jackets with an evening flair...

But Tim does not like the capelet she's made. He thinks it ages the long dress.

Tim's "The Thinker" pose is so hard to read.

But in this case, I think his viscera is definitely saying uh-oh. I like the dress, but capes can be a bit matronly.

Carol Hannah also shows Tim a silk tank embellished with the ropey details she used in the Getty challenge. Apparently she's finally made some pants to go with it.

"I swear, Tim, I really did make pants."

After the critique (Tim seemed mostly impressed), Carol Hannah announces that her family is in town and that they are going to treat Tim to a a traditional Southern meal. And in the South, everybody helps to cook said meal. Which means...

Tim in an apron! A floral apron! With a bow! Making biscuits! OMG cuteness overload.

(After Broadway produces my idea for a Western-inspired musical about Tim's life called Annie Get Your Gunn, I think he should do a cooking show called Project Popovers. Watch your back, Paula Deen!)

During dinner, Carol Hannah and her family reminisce, and we get to see l'il CH:

Those glasses! That vest! She's almost as awkward as I was.

Tim is clearly moved, because after dinner, Tim and Carol Hannah reenact the snow scene from Love Story.

Tim: Love means never having to say 'Make it work.'
Carol Hannah: You don't say that anymore.
Tim: Duhvsies, because I love you.

And then Tim bids our heroine adieu to travel to the far away land of Upper East Side and pay a visit to the villain Mean-a Irina.

"Oh, hi, Tim, come on in. I was just in the middle of stitching some voodoo dolls and securing a patent for sweaters!"

I think the editors are telling us something when one of the first things we see in Irina's apartment is her dog's ass.

(At least, I think that's the ass. Not very princess-like.)

Tim contemplates the collection, which is full of knits and furs, unsurprisingly. (If you look behind him you can see more of her sketches.) The inspiration is actually Coney Island, which we only really see in a screen-printed tee shirt depicting the boardwalk.

Irina has hand-knit the sweaters, and I do really like the patterns she's doing. There's a fur vest that Tim takes issue with ("It looks like a sisal rug!") but overall he's encouraging. Afterwards, Irina is upset that her review wasn't all positive.

Then it's off to dinner at Twenty One, the Shabayeva family's favorite restaurant (and a place the New York Times calls "imperturbable and impervious," much like Irina herself.) Ties are no longer required at lunch, but bitches are on the menu for dinner!

Tim's face is stretched into a grotesque mask of forced merriment.

That subtitle, by the way, is spoken by Irina's mother. Her parents are pretty cute. Spolier alert: her dad is Antonio Banderas! And judging from this photo, the Shabayevas emigrated to the US circa 1908:

Maybe they're vampires! Anyway, somehow Tim escapes, and before we know it he's on the road to Dayton, OH to see Althea.

To get to her apartment, Tim has to take a freight elevator and actually exclaims "Egads!" I love Tim.

"Oh my God, it's Ed McMahon!"

Althea says that she's happy he's here because she's been stuck in a bubble and needs an outside opinion. She tells Tim that her collection is inspired by sci-fi movie women. She's made pants, knits, and this long coat, which Tim isn't overly fond of:

We see a shot of this gown. I like the color, though the bodice is obviously unfinished. Tim's overall critique is that Althea shouldn't lose sight of who she is and that she needs to edit, edit edit.

They walk in the snow to Althea's parents' house...

...but it's not nearly as romantic as his snow frolic with Carol Hannah. It's for the best, since we find out Althea has a BF named Stuart.

I don't know what's happening in the above photo, but I love how blank Althea looks and how concerned/annoyed Tim looks. It's like he's thinking, "Just get the fucking words out, blondie!"

In her defense, Althea has been generally confused from a young age:

She's just distracted by bright lights.

The visits are over, but a few days later, we see Tim call Irina. "We have an issue," he says. Apparently the Coney Island images Irina was working with are trademarked and she can't use them. Irina is understandably freaked out. She says she's been busting her ass for a long time and now she has to redo the look. My husband Jeff does the Nelson laugh from The Simpsons, reveling in her misfortune.

Flash forward 10 days. Finally we're back in New York, where this show belongs. Althea is is the first to arrive at the Grand Hyatt. Then Irina arrives, and the meeting is awwwwwkward.

It reminds me of last Halloween when my friend Amy's daughter Erin went as Annie and had a run-in with another Annie in Greenpoint.

We thought there was going to be a rumble, but the promise of candy finally sent them on their separate ways.

Anyway, Althea interviews that she lost a bit of respect for Irina when she accused Althea of copying her droopy sweater. Irina asks "Is Carol here?" Althea says no, and they stare at their nails. Tumbleweeds blow by.

Althea tells us that she doesn't trust Irina any farther than she can throw her (TRY! TRY! How far can you throw her?! Sorry, I'm instigating) and is not letting her guard down. Irina admits that she distanced herself from the other designers but that she still likes them all.

Carol Hannah still hasn't arrived by nightfall and the others worry that something's happened. Right on cue, Tim knocks on the door to tell Althea and Irina that CH is sick and that it's contagious, so she couldn't make it on time. In other news, there's champagne in the room accompanied by a note from Heidi. Tim and the girls toast to fashion week, and Irina says that she feels bad for Carol Hannah while she laughs. Althea interviews that getting sick during the final challenge is the worst thing she can think of happening. Later, drunk, Irina tells Althea that they'll either end up best friends or worst enemies.

The next morning they settle into their new workroom digs:

Althea notes that blue is a calming color. She and Irina awkwardly start working. Seriously, this whole finale could have been one episode if they edited out all of the footage of Althea and Irina being awkward around each other. But finally the tension is broken by the arrival of Carol Hannah!

"Are we allowed to hug you?" Irina asks. "I wouldn't," Carol Hannah croaks. She does kind of look like death, and not even the warmed-over kind. More like freezer-burned death. Carol Hannah interviews that Althea and Irina were probably secretly pissed that she showed up.

Tim comes to check in on them. First up is Althea. Tim says that she's done a lot of work, but thinks a sparkly jacket looks matronly.

Is he calling Liza Minnelli a matron?

Tim thinks parts of Althea's collection are older-looking and parts are youthful, i.e. they don't look like they're for the same client. "This is borderline Hilary Clinton," he says of one jacket. Jeff translates this Tim-speak as "You should just kill yourself."

Next up is Carol H1N1-annah. Tim asks, "How are you feeling? Comme ci comme ca?" and Carol Hannah looks like she's going to vomit. Tim gives CH a critique similar to the one he gave Althea: that her collection is uneven and doesn't seem to be all for the same woman. They discuss a simple gold sheath--Carol Hannah contemplates getting rid of it but Tim thinks that among all of her more embellished pieces that simple is good. Althea interviews that she's not intimidated by Carol Hannah's work.

All of a sudden, Tim spots a giant cockroach!

Oh, nope, that's just Irina's collection. Why the stinkface, Tim?

He doesn't like the lack of color, first of all. Too much black. He doesn't seem impressed by the new silkscreened tee-shirts. He also doesn't like her leather pants, which he says look like chaps. Finally, Irina's big statement gown needs a lot of work.

Althea listens, relishing the smack-down. That dress she's working on looks kind of Malvin-esque--which is to say, egg-sling-y--right now but I think it will be pretty once it's finished.

Then there's a whole segment on model casting which is uneventful. No fighting or hair-pulling. Once it's over, Delia Deetz and Otho stop by for a tour!

Seriously, Nina, what is that jacket? It reminds me of Balenciaga's aboriginal football uniforms from a few seasons ago. Anyway, she and MK are here to sit and drop some knowledge on the final three.

MK tells them to pay attention to the order in which they send their looks down the runway. It should be like taking the audience on a ride, he says--"down, up, down, up." And I know he's referring to the energy of the looks, but suddenly my thoughts turn sexual and I have to go and burn my mind's eye out with lye. Nina says, rather pointedly (ahem, Irina) that they need to think about color, and getting editorial coverage. MK assures them that self-doubt is part of design process, and says that he tweaks and edits down to the last minute. The basic gist of the whole pow-wow is, "Don't suck." Got it, designers? Got it. Moving on.

Irina interviews that she disagrees with Nina about having an all-black collection. "Color doesn't fit in with what Ilm doing," she says. Is this Mean-a Irina's death knell? You can ignore Tim's advice honey, but you do not fuck with Nina Garcia, Fashion Director of ~~Elle~~ Marie Claire magazine. ("I wonder if next year it'll be even more down-market," Jeff says. "Like, Czech Cosmo.")

It's three days to the Bryant Park show, and Carol Hannah says she's tired and is running out of adrenaline. Althea is feeling super stressed about the fittings.

Tim comes in and tells the ladies that he's sending in their models, and wants to underscore that the most important thing they need to do is to decide which look their "muse" model will be wearing, as that look will be going in front of the judges during the final panel.

Irina outfits her model in an Aspen-y look...

While Althea tries a leather jacket on her model, who seems to think she has replaced a certain someone who is very close to my heart.

Do not take Bitchface's face in vain, girl!

Tim and Heidi come back with a surprise. They have to create a final look!

Um, duh. Have they never watched the show? This is about as surprising as Kors wearing a black turtleneck. To their credit, Althea, Irinia, and Carol Hannah don't pretend to be shocked. They just look tired and beaten down. Amen, girls. We are all with you on that. Heidi adds that their muse model will be casting a model to wear the 13th look. Right, because you have to give the Models of the Runway something to do this week. Can that show please die? I need to watch 30 minutes of models casting other models like I need another season of Breaking Bonaduce, okay?

A secondary surprise that is also not really a surprise seeing as it's happened every other season is that the finalists will have help in the form of...

Jordan Knight from NKOTB, Rosanna Arquette, and the eldest Hanson! The velvet bag will determine who gets to pick first.

Althea gets dibs and chooses Logan, and Carol Hannah makes a sad face. (P.S. I love how they've given so much screen time this season to a romance that is not even happening.) Irina is next and chooses Gordana. "Come to mama!" she cries. Carol Hannah gets Christopher, but it's OK because they're buddies.

Heidi peaces out and Tim escorts the designers to the REAL Mood, noting that "we're walking to Mood. We're using out feet. This is New York." Althea envisions some sort of jacket for her final look, while Carol Hannah feels she needs a "wow" gown. Gordana interviews that she wants to give Irina confidence. (Oh, I don't think she's missing that, G.)

Back at the workroom, CH immediately gets to work on her 13th look, which is something flowy and blue...

While Chris gets to work on a bedskirt. Typical.

We see bits and pieces of the other designers working, but not much because the real action is back at the hotel later on, where Carol Hannah retches into the toilet. "I want to crawl into a corner and die!" she says. And that, my friends, is where Finale Part One leaves off. Wanting to crawl into a corner, vomit, and die.

Next week it's all over, for reals. Althea and Irina keep fighting about copying each other! Carol Hannah cries in Christopher's arms! Heidi wears a hot pink suit! Tim says "This is crazy!" CAN YOU STAND IT? Lifetime's website has a countdown clock to the finale (as of this writing, 6 days, 8 hours, 27 minutes and 28 seconds) and I know they're trying to build suspense but at this point I feel like that clock is just mocking us: "It's not over yet, suckers!"

I'm going to go ahead and say Carol Hannah will win it all. She's gotten the best edit throughout the season, plus Tim had the best response to her collection and now she has an 11th hour obstacle to overcome. My official prediction: CH for the win, Irina second runner up, Althea the first one out. Thoughts?

I'll see you next week for the final farewell to Season 6. Thanks, from the bottom of my black little heart, for sticking with me and keeping me going!

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