"Makeup should empower you", answers James Boehmer, NARS Director of Global Artistry, when asked his thoughts on colour theory. If not, why are you wearing it?

There are no real rules. "You shouldn't spend your life waiting to find THE perfect lipstick for your skin tone, THE perfect eyeshadow", he adds. Wear what you love, and it will be the perfect choice. He did emphasize - blending and layering are musts, though.

I was pretty shocked to be getting these kinds of answers from a top beauty artist, in an industry built on must-do's and must not's. But I can't tell you how happy I was. 

FINALLY. Twenty minutes in a hotel room with James literally changed the way I think about makeup. 

Of all of the countless beauty interviews I've ever done, the answers always follow a common theme. They either want to incorporate the "IT" colour of the moment into the palette to stay on-trend, they want to push new technology that will "CHANGE YOUR FACE", or teach you how to do and wear a classic smokey-eye (or equivalent) everyday.

I have to admit, I'm fully guilty of it myself. I essentially wear the same makeup every day. I found what works for me, and I almost never take into consideration how it works with my outfit or state of mind. But those are things, Boehmer feels, that you should embrace.

The new Spring palette from NARS looks like one big celebration of that fact. It's all high-saturation impact.

The big product stars of the day:

The new NARS concealer (in stores March 2013). Its silky texture promises to not bury itself into fine lines, and instead glides on top. A seamless blend with your base. It's an incredible product that I've already added into my routine. 

Orange, blue, and green eyeshadow? Yes please. 

Frosty gold eye pencil. Yum.

And the brightest of gold stars goes to the new pressed finishing powder. It's a photoshoot must-have. It doesn't cause a white cast under flashes, it doesn't change the colour of the makeup underneath. It's a proper, smart finishing powder, that will lock your look in for hours.

You may not recognize me the next time you see me, but it'll be for the best ;)

xo Holland

For years, we've watched  Anna & Kristina shop, cook and experiment on their three popular TV shows (The Shopping Bags, Anna & Kristina's Grocery Bags, Anna & Kristina's Beauty Call).

With their trademark relatability, humour and easy-going nature (no catfights or hair pulling here!), they've earned the love of a lot of women around the globe - us included. We were thrilled to have them share their favourites restaurants in Canada, from Vancouver to St. John's. 

Vancouver:

La Buca - Tucked away in the quiet Vancouver neighbourhood of Arbutus Ridge, this tiny restaurant is always packed and the food always mouth-watering.  Chef Andre Durbak serves up hearty Italian cuisine, full of bold flavours and rich sauces. Try the papardelle with a ragu of sausage, mushrooms and truffles or the roast heritage chicken. This is comfort food meets fine dining. 4025 MacDonald St., Vancouver, 604-730-6988, http://www.labuca.ca

Bacchus Lounge - The perfect place to let a rainy afternoon or evening slip away, this dark panelled and velvet room is like a warm hug.  It also serves up some of the best pizza in the city, with a super thin crust and a few, high quality toppings.  We love the Fungi (mushrooms and goat cheese) and the Rustica (pepperoni).Try to snag a table by the cozy fireplace. Bacchus remains a Vancouver institution and you'll find us here on a regular
basis! 845 Hornby St., Vancouver, 604-689-7777, www.wedgewoodhotel.com

Toronto:

Patria - This Spanish tapas hot spot is probably our favourite restaurant in the country right now. Tucked away on King West it's a fun place to go for a night out with pals. Great decor. The drunken goat cheese and fresh sardines are two to-die-for dishes. We recommend throwing caution to the wind and allowing your server to choose your menu.  You won't be disappointed.  Be sure to pop in to Weslodge next door for drinks afterwards. 478 King St. W., Toronto, 416-367-0505, http://patriatoronto.com

Calgary:

Model Milk - casual, bustling and original, Calgary was dying for an eatery like this one.  Popular with the hipsters the fare is yummy, plentiful and doesn't try too hard.  Perfect if you're in the mood for a burger or fish tacos. 308 17th Ave. SW, Calgary, 403-265-7343, www.modelmilk.ca

St. John's:

Raymond's Restaurant - Chef Jeremy Charles is considered one of Canada's rising culinary stars. His restaurant, located in an old bank building downtown, serves modern Newfoundland cuisine with an emphasis on fresh local ingredients like moose and cod. We were fortunate to attend a gala dinner there and both the food and the presentation were outstanding. 95 Water St., St. John's, 709-579-5800, www.raymondsrestaurant.com

Trinity, Newfoundland:

Two Whales Coffee Shop - While we were shooting in the small, picturesque town of Trinity this summer, we found the best coffee and lunch items at this quaint, laid back coffee shop. Try one of their delicious daily soups or sandwiches made with homemade bread. There is also a substantial dessert selection, some of it even gluten free. Main St., Port Rexton, www.facebook.com

See more on all things Anna and Kristina at www.annaandkristina.com

Quebec native Guillaume Simoneau has made Caroline Annandale his muse. As the 2012 recipient of the Portfolio Reviews Exhibition Award, his work has not gone unnoticed, and now, neither has Caroline. 

In a solo exhibition at the CONTACT Gallery on Spadina Avenue (on until March 3), insiders were privy to some of her inner workings. Simoneau documents a young girl's emotional journey as her enlistment in the army bleeds into the rest of her life. And this was no quick shoot: Simoneau followed Caroline through her journey from age 18 to 25. He traces her love life, her eventual deployment to Iraq, and her return.

I believe Simoneau was trying to see war from another side. He wanted to get right in there, and see how its proximity affected one young life. Instead of explosions, there are text messages. Empty car seats sit next to single roses. Combined, the pictures seem bittersweet, and hugely nostalgic. 

The perfect place to spend a post-brunch Sunday.

xo Holland

Photos featured above: 

Canadian Marine jacket, Kennesaw, Georgia, 2008, c-print, 24x30 from Love and War series.

Wearing army uniform for me, Kennesaw, Georgia, 2008, c-print, 24x24 from Love and War series.

January is one of the saddest months. Toronto is getting colder by the day, car batteries are failing, bank accounts are throbbing after a Christmas workout, and you're probably at your heaviest weight for the year.

The remedy? Get thee to The Happy Show.

If you have never been to the Design Exchange before (like I hadn't), then you are in for a wonderful surprise. Shauna Levy, the new President of the Design Exchange, has christened her arrival with a real winner. The exhibit, held in the DX on Bay St, is given plenty of room to stretch its legs, enabling you to actually interact with it. 

Graphic design genius Stefan (pronounced sh-tef-ahn, and featured above) Sagmeister explores happiness in all of its forms. He attempts to quantify it, and find out where you get your most bang for your buck. 

Among the hundreds of inspirational writings (drawn from his journal over the years), are, he admits, cherry-picked facts on a path to happiness. If you feel you glean the most happiness from money, he corrects you! In the U.S, your financial happiness caps at $80,000 a year. You are no happier with 80 million. 

For him, the biggest surprises were exercise, and love. The payoff you receives from both is huge. 

Although it's arguably pretty tough to prove or disprove any of this, it's more of a study in human nature. Some truths transcend personal experience, but almost all are born from them. Sagmeister gives you access to his own life, in an attempt to guide you along your own.

It's wonderful, refreshing, and feels like the most honest thing I've seen in a long time. 

If you have 15 bucks, you have until March 3rd to have your third eye opened. 

They served hotdogs at the opening night reception, because Stefan knows nothing makes people happier. HA! Gotta love him..

xo Holland

Photos by Katherine Holland

When Cadillac invited us to test-drive their new sport sedans—in Florida—we folded up our umbrellas, put away the parkas, and hightailed it to the airport.
 
After a quick morning bike ride through the boho town of Key West, we traded two wheels in for four.

 
They handed us the keys to our Caddy (although the ignition is keyless, natch) and we were off. Our ride was the new ATS Sports Sedan (in “opulent blue metallic”) all the better to take in the cool blues of the keys as we drove the two hours to the Ismoralda islands.

We couldn’t resist stopping along the way at retro beach towns for photo ops and plates of the local Key prawns and Rock crab claws. Really, we were just testing the ultrasonic sensors and cameras on the front and rear when we parked.

 
The ride was so smooth it almost felt like we were sitting on a sofa watching a documentary about Key West. And that was just fine with us.  

 
When Key Largo popped up on the GPS we couldn’t resist singing the Sade lyrics (Coast to Coast, LA to Key Largo) and having the radio volume automatically increase when we accelerated – how cool is that?

 
Our destination, Cheeca Lodge (once owned by Coca-Cola magnate Carl Navare), is where George Bush Senior launched his bone fish tournament in 1994.

Our Cadillac motorcade awaits in the valet, so after a morning run and quick tennis game, it time to put the peddle to the metal. While it was tempting to veer over the centre line just to feel the seat vibrate, we stuck to the road for our two-hour drive to Miami. Over the seven-mile bridge and far away, the Delano Hotel was calling our name.

 
Et voila! Our cool white Philippe Stark designed room and the scene-y pool (where bikini tops are optional).

We never saw Kelly, but this had us wondering…

But the real celebrity on this trip was the car: Valets would fight over who got to park it, and onlookers circled around it at every stop. We handed our keys back and got on the plane, and back to reality.

—Sarah Bancroft

Cooking shows have officially joined the ranks of comfort TV (along with crime procedurals, anything to do with redecorating or real estate and Seinfeld reruns).

Recipe to Riches covers the high-pressure basics: amateur chefs being asked to create favourite home their recipe en masse, a formidable judges' table and a giant prize ($250K to be exact).

And I had another reason to watch: every Tuesday, I was sent the week's winner - much to the delight of my office mates. It was 8 weeks of Honey Cheese Pastries, Chipotle Chili Bites, Dulce de Leche Brownies, Smoky Korean Meatballs, Golden Toffee Nut Gems and Montreal Deli Dip.

We've chatted wtih a few of the R2R contestants for an inside look at the cooking show experience. (PS: Read below to find out who won the whole shebang.)

Jason (Honey Cheese Pastry)

Congratulations on making it so far in the competition. How are you feeling about your Recipe to Riches experience?

I feel awesome about my Recipe to Riches experience! I did what I initially set out to do, and that was to win my category. We needed the money badly and it has helped us out a great deal. I met some great people along the way, and am now proud to call my fellow competitors my friends.

Tracey (Dulce de Leche Brownies)

Being on TV can be daunting - how did you cope with the hectic schedule and pressure?
I had a great support network in my friends, family and co-workers. I basically had one friend on speed dial for the late night OMG moments, one on text and my family often got phone calls ::laughing:: I was incredibly lucky that my manager, my director and my deputy minister were all incredibly supportive of what I was doing. Also, once I was able to talk about being a contestant it made things sooo much easier.
I guess I just took it one day at a time, called on my 'life lines' and tried to find an hour or two a day just for me to relax, rewind and remind myself why I wanted to do this in the first place .

Cathy (Montreal Deli Dip)

Now that R2R is over, what's next for your recipe book?
I will continue to work on my recipe book and hope to have something put together by mid to late next year......I am excited about my future and the confidence this show has given me to go after my dreams.

And the winner is...

Ricky (Butter Chicken Lasagna)

Congratulations on making it so far in the competition. How are you feeling about your Recipe to Riches experience?
Mostly overwhelmed! Not by the experience but by the amount of support and love coming my way. Canada chose this regular Brampton guy who has a great love for food and the culinary world and for that I am so grateful. This will be a once in a lifetime experience and I am just trying to remember each detail and absorb all the amazing things happening!

Being on TV can be daunting - how did you cope with the hectic schedule and pressure?
Because of my work in the Punjabi media and my schedule as a photographer, I am used to working under tons of pressure. Sacrificing sleep to pursue some of my biggest dreams has been well worth it! A lot has to also go to my wife and my family for being there to support me and keep me grounded and the pressure off!

Now that R2R is over, what's next for your recipe book?
Creating recipes has been a hobby of mine for a very long time. I have books FILLED with recipes so I would love to continue sharing them with Canada and take them on a culinary adventure, exploring all the flavours our nation has to offer. I am also currently working on a YouTube series with some friends and of course discovering Good Eats on my blog Ricks Good Eats!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Express Canada for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Holiday work party, Christmas Eve at the in-laws, Boxing Day brunch with friends, New Year's Eve under a disco ball — every social engagement requires one thing: a stellar outfit!

Express Canada at Eaton Centre is stocked with pretty things that set the tone for the season. We perused the Express holiday catalog and made our wish list: an on-trend red dress, a patterned shift dress and a pair of sparkly flats. 

First up, this amazing, two-layer chiffon dress. Not only is it flattering and comfortable, but it hides all manner of holiday sin (think: pilfering the fresh-baked sugar cookies). Red is hot, hot, hot this season - I've styled with lots of wrist action and a teardrop turquoise necklace. 

Dresses are the epitomy of the no-fuss uniform. We love this black shift dress with contrasting patterns - pair it with a blazer for a tailored look, or go edgy with a leather jacket. Day-to-night is key at this time of year - who has time for an outfit change? Slip on some leggings and ankle boots and you've got an outfit that easily outruns the clock.

And shoes. Oh how we love you, shoes. And heels are no longer a must for dressing up: fancy flats abound! These on-trend sparkly wonders are gold, pointed, and adorned with a sleek black bow. Perfect for cocktails parties (with nary a chair in sight) and dancing the night away on New Year's Eve. That's right, you don't need to countdown to 2013 with a glass of bubbly in one hand and your heels in the other. 

And if you are lookign to spread the fashion love, check out the gift guide (there's only a few days left to pick the perfect gift!). From lipgloss to striped socks to metal-tipped slingbags, it's a veritable Santa's sack of goodies. Get thee to Express Eaton Centre, and you'll see what we're talking about.

What’s the secret force behind every woman’s busy schedule? Tea, of course. SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener, Minis presents a moment on the run with our VitaminDaily.com editors as they share their secret caffeine spots. Tea, yes. Break? Not today!
 

Sometimes Toronto feels like a concrete beehive. The closer to downtown you live, the denser it becomes. It hums, and vibrates with all of the artists sprawling, the keys being pushed, and the rumbling streetcar tracks. Normally I love it. I love feeling like part of something, and Toronto always feels like it's starving and pushing forward.

But every once and a while, I need a breather. I can't see anyone anymore. I loathe the sight of my computer, and I need to spend some time in my own head, away from all of the screaming messages. When this happens, I hide behind Palais Royale.

This beautiful little nook is buried in sand, covered in driftwood benches, and inhabited by some of the sweetest wee ducks. I grab a green tea, toss my phone, bury my feet, and watch these guys scramble for hotdog buns.

While I'm there I overhear kids riding bikes for the first time, smell bonfires just down the beach, and remember how important the slowness of life can be.
There is no better therapy.—Katherine Holland

Be sure to check out our contest and be entered to win a Sweet Escape Contest gift bag!

For a portable, no-calorie addition to any beverage, pack a SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener, Minis dispenser in your bag. One click = the sweetness of one teaspoon of sugar (but without any calories). With SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener, Minis tucked in our purse, nothing can break our stride.

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Express Canada for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Express Eaton Centre opened with plenty of sartorial buzz - and plenty of pieces we want to see in our closet, from sequined party tops to chunky knits for winter to bangle bracelets we'll wear in jangly multiples. The store is big, sleek (we love the glass-enclosed mannequins) and decked out in its holiday best, from the decorated trees in the window to the sparkly glass bulbs hanging from the ceiling. So shiny and new... how could we resist? We didn't!

Because the Express holiday catalog had us in a very merry mood, we opted to take a few outfits home with us. We were so taken with this red peplum top (perfect for holiday cocktails!) that we'll be pairing it with a pair of dark skinnies from the Denim Bar for a fun and youthful look.

One of the season's hottest trends - lace - is simple to incoprorate with this feminine white shirt with black lace overlay. Pair it with something already in your closet; it goe well dressed up (like with a pencil skirt) or dressed down (boyfriend jeans). Throw it on, put the hair in a topknot and you are out the door in 5 minutes flat, ready for whatever the night brings.

We also fell in love with this form fitting, Aztec-print skirt. Paired with a white flowy top (we found that too!) and a slick pair of black ankle boots. Voila, day-to-night with nary an outfit change.

We also spied this colourblock shirt with an uneven hem (short in the front, longer in the back). White, copper, black; simple and chic. Another thing to add to the wish list.

We're also so taken with the red toggle coat with faux fur hood from the gift guide, we just don't know if we can wait for Santa to deliver it to us.

And speaking of a holiday wish list, Express wants to reward your creative pinning with a very fashionable prize, so be sure to follow the  Express Win Your Wishlist Pinterest contest. To enter, pin items from the gift guide or the Express Holiday boards for a chance to win one of five $500 Express gift cards! (Contest runs until December 14, 2012). 

Express Canada

I recently did a tour of Bayview Village so I could get a sense of what I could accomplish in a single day of Christmas shopping. I have to admit, this mall is totally ideal for that sort of thing. You have a Shoppers, LCBO, Loblaws, a dry cleaner, AND a Pusateri's for all of the house stuff, and then a ridiculous amount of gifting opportunities for everyone else. Con- pretty far from downtown.

What I'll be getting come holiday time? These 5 are a lock:

1.)  Ginger Liqueur, $59.95 (available at LCBO in limited quantities). Pop a little in your champagne glass and you'll never drink plain ol' champagne again. Excellent for a hostess gift.

2.) New Yorker Greeting Cards (available at Teatro Verde). Actually, ALL of their greeting cards would be nice. Bonus points for the card set for forgetful peeps like myself. "Oh- right, it's your Birthday- I mean Christmas- I mean Anniversary". Here ya go!

Note: Papyrus is also at Bayview, if you're fancy.

3.) Pusateri's is essentially a jungle of gift-giving, but my top two treats are gluten-free!

     a.) GoGo Quinoa's Chocolate Chip Quinoa cookies - they are the freaking best. Individually wrapped for kid-friendly, environmentally-unfriendly convenience.  Call ahead to guarentee availability, because they sell out fast.

     b.) Sweets from the Earth Caramel Pecan Bar: It tastes like Turtles, but it's egg, dairy, and gluten-free. I drove an extra 30 minutes away just to buy these yesterday. 'Nuff said. 

 4.) Restoration Hardware Apocalypse Kits: Actually, they're stocking stuffers, but they're also apocalypse kits. 

I bought these ones last year. I couldn't tell you why. But I am happy I did. I have my eye on the shortwave radio, and the astronaut pen this year. 

5.)  A Badass old-timey sled from Indigo. I'm more about the experience of Christmas, than anything else. Now that I have a 3-yr old, I spend most days in the kids section of Indigo, because they have some of the most fabulous children's toys. (And a play-area for the babes). I've already bought ALL of the Melissa and Doug toys, so I figure this sled is the next step. Oh- and it's on sale. Bombs awaaaaaaaaay!

xo Holland