Slice Top 10 Trends

Want to add a little star power to your dinner table? Grab a knife and fork, and dig into the latest Tinseltown trend – celebrity cookbooks. Forget eating disorders, and starvation diets, Hollywood’s worked up an appetite for home cooked goodies. Get an inside look at the meals they make for their loved ones, and recreate them for yourself. Mixed in with all the delish recipes are exclusive photos, and anecdotes about family life in the celebrity fast lane. Hungry to learn more? Feast upon Slice’s buffet of the top celebrity cookbooks. Bon appétit!

1. Eva Longoria – Eva’s Kitchen: Cooking with Love for Family and Friends
Kiss the desperate housewife goodbye and say hello to the talented cook! Eva serves up authentic Mexican fare, Longoria family favourites such as tacos, tortilla soup, and enchiladas. As a bonus, she shares her best-loved international dishes, including Hungarian Paprika Chicken and Normandy Shrimp. Best of all, Eva shows that cooking succulent meals doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming.

2. Gwyneth Paltrow – My Father’s Daughter: Delicious, Easy Recipes Celebrating Family and Togetherness
Oscar® winning actress, singer, and now cookbook author, Ms. Paltrow has crafted her own batch of family-friendly recipes. Fancy trying Chicken Milanese, spiced apple crumb muffins, or seafood paella? Gwyneth’s ideas for healthy, yummy meals will have your friends and family clamouring for second helpings. Just one question remains: is there anything Gwyneth can’t do?

3. Trisha Yearwood – Home Cooking with Trisha Yearwood: Stories and Recipes to Share with Family and Friends
As half of country music’s power couple (Trisha’s married to Garth Brooks) it’s hardly surprising that Yearwood’s cookbook focuses on traditional southern cuisine. Marrying the favourites of her own family with those of her famous hubby, Trisha offers mouth-watering comfort foods (mac and cheese, hot corn dip, potato skins) guaranteed to garner smiles around the most picky of dinner tables.

4. Bethenny Frankel – The Skinnygirl Dish: Easy Recipes for Your Naturally Thin Life
Bethenny is no cookbook wannabe. A graduate of Manhattan’s National Gourmet Institute for Health and Culinary Arts, this Real Housewife is the real deal. And now she wants to teach you how to serve up lip-smacking favourites that are low in calories but big on taste. Breakfast, lunch, supper, and special occasion dining all get the Bethenny treatment.

5. Sophie Dahl – Miss Dahl’s Voluptuous Delights: Recipes for Every Season, Mood and Appetite
Seriously? A model that not only eats, but cooks? Luckily for us, this runway starlet has a healthy relationship with food and we get to benefit! Sophie Dahl’s book of flavourful delights proves that eating right is always in fashion. In celebration of nature’s nourishing gifts, Sophie organizes her recipes by season: hearty soups for winter, refreshing salads for summer and she always leaves room for dessert. Now that’s a model eating plan we can all embrace.

6. Maya Angelou – Great Food, All Day Long: Cook Splendidly, Eat Smart
If you’ve struggled with food choices, and weight issues, Maya Angelou’s inspiring take on dining could be for you. Forget counting calories and skipping certain foods, Maya’s key to healthy eating is portion control. By enjoying several delicious mini-meals through the day, she discovered renewed energy while those stubborn, hard-to-lose pounds slipped away. Her recipes don’t skimp on taste either: roasted chicken, Santa Fe chili, and buttermilk biscuits all make the grade.

7. Amy Sedaris – I Like You. Hospitality Under the Influence
If you prefer your meals with a side order of laughs, Amy Sedaris should be at the top of your menu. Chock-full of hilarious entertaining ideas and wacky (yet yummy!) recipes, I Like You is for the hostess who doesn’t take herself too seriously. Case in point, where else can you find recipes for a Rum Punch Dazzler cocktail, Yogurt Spa-ghetti, or Crying Mushrooms in Phyllo?

8. Alicia Silverstone – The Kind Diet: A Simple Guide to Feeling Great, Losing Weight, and Saving the Planet
Embarking on a new eating plan based on vegetarian meals can be challenging but actress Alicia Silverstone cuts the wheat from the chaff. Her book explains many advantages to living a meat and dairy-free lifestyle. Ideal for new vegan recruits, her recipes include chocolate peanut butter cups, cornbread, burritos, and mixed berry cheesecake. Who knew that turning veggie was so fulfilling!

9. Teresa Giudice – Skinny Italian: Eat It and Enjoy It
What would you choose? A dishy Italian feast or fitting into your skinny jeans? New Jersey’s feisty Real Housewife says choose both! Eat heartily and keep your fashion sense, too. Teresa indulges in pizza, pasta, and decadent sauces—Italian meals that will fill you up without packing on the pounds. Her secret? Giudice relies on flavour-rich spices and raw ingredients holding Italian cooking true to its nutritious roots. Forget the table, you’ll flip over Teresa’s recipes instead.

10. Sheryl Crow – If It Makes You Healthy: More than 100 Delicious Recipes Inspired by the Seasons
After her cancer diagnosis, rocker Sheryl Crow decided to overhaul her eating habits. Her recent cookbook is the fruit of her efforts. With guidance from personal chef Chuck White, Sheryl presents over 100 recipes based on fresh, seasonal items. With invaluable food tips from Crow’s nutritionist and meals for vegans and meat eaters, there’s something healthy and delicious for every taste.

Written by: Jackie Middleton

Please check out Jackie’s blog at www.losethatgirl.com.

If you thought Mom was tough to shop for, Dad’s got to be even more of a puzzle. What do you get the man who helped raised you, who taught you how to ride a bike, or helped with homework, and who apparently “doesn’t want anything”? There are many things Dad wants—he just doesn’t know it yet. Now you do!

1. Cookbook and a tasty meal: Sons and daughters can build in some bonding time over Ryan D’Agostino’s Eat Like a Man:The Only Cookbook a Man Will Ever Need ($22.44). Pick out your favourite recipes and take to the kitchen together, then welcome the family to join you for a home-cooked meal.

2. Grilling apron and BBQ tool set: Dad will love having a new cookbook to add to his repertoire, especially when you throw in a manly grilling apron and BBQ tool set ($39.99).

3. GreenShag Alpha Mint custom cufflinks: Dad will melt for these GreenShag Alpha Mint custom cufflinks made from homemade artwork ($280). The kids will love painting and designing their own images just as much as Dad will love wearing them on his sleeve. Simply mail (or scan, if outside the GTA) your child’s creation to Greenshag, where the image will be sized down to fit on the cufflink.

4. The new Kobo Touch: Is there anything Dad doesn’t know? He’s an open book of general knowledge so keep the fountain flowing with the new Kobo Touch from Chapters ($139, plus free shipping). This super-light e-reader features navigation by touch and can hold 30K of books. This is perfect for the tech-savvy, travelling dad who, despite being the strongest man you know, probably doesn’t want to accommodate a stack of books on his trip.

5. A magazine subscription: If Dad prefers the feel of a freshly pressed page, surprise him with the gift that keeps on giving: a one-year magazine subscription. Food-loving dads salivate for Savour Magazine ($13.86) while businessmen peruse Profit or MoneySense. Science and nature lovers bask in the adventure of Explore Magazine ($24 plus tax), relax with Cottage Life ($29.75) or comb through Canadian Gardening ($24.95) with their green thumbs. If Dad loves the open road, he’ll enjoy The Driver Magazine ($23.99) while it’s easy enough to tell who cheers for The Hockey News ($52.95). You can order the subscription to many magazines online, save a substantial amount, and benefit a school by ordering through QSP.ca.

6. Comedy tickets: Take Dad out to a comedy club or buy him tickets to an upcoming show. Yuk Yuk’s has a fun summer lined up with comedic appearances all around the country. Live in Ontario or planning a visit? Tim Allen ($56.60-$66.90 for tickets) performs at Casino Rama June 17 and 18, making a fun early Father’s Day present.

7. Kodak Gallery photo book: Warm Dad’s heart with a Kodak Gallery photo book ($6.99‒$69.99) or collection of your childhood videos.

8. A Lululemon workout shirt: He claims to “mean it this time” when he says he’ll eat better and exercise, but you know the drill. Buy Dad a one-month or one-year gym membership to motivate him. Further entice him with Lululemon’s metal vent tech II short-sleeved shirt ($64) or Under Armour apparel.

9. A haircut: Treat Dad to a haircut! Chances are he won’t see this as a “treat” so much as a necessity of life, but at least it will be free! Promising to grab a bite afterwards will give him something to look forward to.

10. Netflix subscription: Missing Dad this Father’s Day? Send him a gift card to his favourite restaurant or grant him a one-month to twelve-month subscription to Netflix ($7.99-$95.88). Spsst, Mom will love the gift, too—no commercials for Dad to flip through!

Dad’s happiest knowing everyone around him is, too, but these Father’s Day gifts are sure to stretch his grin from ear to ear until it rises into the eyes of the father who loves you more than anything. Happy Father’s Day!

Written by: Marisa Baratta

Finding the perfect location for your wedding is often a challenging part in planning but with so many options around Canada and across the map, possibilities are endless. Whether you want to stay in Downtown Toronto or say “I do” on the Mediterranean coastline, a summer wedding is a beautiful setting. Discover different venues around the globe that can be the perfect place to start your lives together.

Parkwood Gardens, Oshawa, Ontario (www.parkwoodestate.com)
Located in Oshawa, Ontario the Parkwood Esate remains one of the last grand estates still standing and is also a hidden gem. With interior design from the 1920s and 30s, this estate is an excellent backdrop for a classic themed cocktail party. With grand gardens and fountains, this venue will surely whisk you away to a different time.

Why it’s perfect: The outdoor gardens resemble a classic French landscape and is a perfect setting for the couple who love a little history and grandeur.

Nestleton Waters Inn, Bowmanville, Ontario (www.nestletonwatersinn.com)
Located one hour outside of Toronto, the Nestleton Waters Inn provides a great escape for a wedding outside the city. With the option to rent rooms for the whole guest list or take transportation up the day of the wedding, this venue caters to any couple. With a tented outdoor area overlooking a fountain, your guests will be wowed by the scenery.

Why we love it: The inn resembles a regular family home with an upscale feel so if you’re the type of couple that wants to keep things simple but elegant, this is a great option. Say your vows in the outdoor garden and feel as if you’re at home in your own backyard.

Ancaster Mill, Ancaster, Ontario (www.ancastermill.com)
Located in Ancaster, Ontario, the Ancaster Mill is the perfect venue for the couple who don't want to commit to a fully outdoor wedding. With five different rooms to choose from—most with floor-to-ceiling windows—this venue is a great option for a summer wedding indoors. After dinner, your guests can wander the grounds to take in the beautiful landscape and warm summer breeze.

Why it’s perfect: For the couple that can’t decide on an outdoor ceremony, this is the perfect location. With vow ceremonies offered both indoors and out, you can decide whether a church or garden ceremony is right for you.

Graydon Hall Manor, Toronto, Ontario (www.graydonhall.com)
Built in 1936, Graydon Hall Manor offers luxurious gardens and indoor spaces that will compliment any summer wedding. Once through the gates, say goodbye to the busy city life and step into the English countryside. Host your event in the main dining room or on their terrace overlooking the gardens.

Why it’s perfect: This venue is great for that couple that wants a little more pizzazz and grandeur for their wedding and since it’s steps outside of the city, it’s still close to home. It's a beautiful backdrop for a romantic and sophisticated summer wedding.

Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens, Nova Scotia (www.historicgardens.com)
The Historic Gardens located in Nova Scotia are a gardening enthusiasts dream. Spanning 17 acres, the options are endless when it comes time to choose a ceremony location. If you have a smaller guest list, on-site catering can be used for an intimate wedding in the garden.

For the guests: If you have flower lovers attending your wedding, the venue will provide all guests with roaming privileges. This means they're free to walk around and explore the scenery both during the event and are welcome to come the day after the wedding.

Medicean Villa, Florence, Italy (www.exclusiveitalyweddings.com)
If a destination wedding was what you had in mind, look no further than Florence, Italy. Only a 15-minute drive from the city lies the Medicean Villa, a 15th-century monastery rich in culture and architecture—and the façade was painted by Michelangelo himself! Sitting atop a hill and potentially one of the most romantic places in the world, this villa is available by room or can be rented to house all guests for a destination wedding.

Why it’s perfect: For an outside-the-box destination wedding, the Medicean Villa is rich in history and culture. For the couple who wants to enjoy or explore Italian roots with their family in tow, this is the perfect backdrop for a wedding away from home.

Magic Yacht Charters, Richmond, British Columbia (www.magicyachtcharters.com)
Take your wedding to sea on a yacht at the Westin Bayshore Resort in Vancouver. This out-of-the-box wedding venue is a great option for an intimate ceremony and perfect for a warm summer evening. Start the day by exchanging vows on the bow of the boat and later sail away for a night full of fun, food, and dancing.

Why it’s perfect: Spending a night out at sea will set the tone for a romantic and elegant wedding. If you’re the type of couple that likes to wow your guests, this is the way to do it. Your guests will not only enjoy the evening's festivities but get to sail away underneath the night sky.

Poets Cove Resort and Spa, Pender Island, British Columbia (www.poetscove.com)
Nestled in Bedwell Harbour on Pender Island in British Columbia , Poets Cove is a perfect hideaway for the couple that wants to elope or is a great place to host a large wedding. The villas and cottages allow this location to be a great weekend wedding getaway if the wedding isn’t local.

Why we love it: Planning on having an intimate wedding? This venue offers multiple locations around the grounds to exchange vows. Choose an oceanfront location or a ceremony at the marina docks where the summer breeze will be a perfect addition to your special day.

Fraser River Lodge, Agassiz, British Columbia (www.fraserriverlodge.com)
An hour outside of Vancouver and known as a fishing and wilderness resort, the Fraser River Lodge is the perfect getaway venue. Set amongst an open field and lake, this venue speaks "serenity" and is perfect for a weekend-long wedding celebration with family and friends.

Why it’s perfect: The lodge offers both indoor and outdoor space that overlook the mountains. If you’re not keen on having an outdoor wedding, the view through the picturesque windows is still breathtaking.

Family Home
If a venue is not for you, keep things simple and sentimental by holding your wedding in your families home or in someone’s backyard. A childhood backyard or family cottage can be the most beautiful setting for your nuptials and mean more than any venue. If your guest list is on the smaller side, this option is a great way to keep things sentimental and local.

Why we love it: Why not get married in the place it all began and enjoy the memories that family has to offer? A wedding doesn’t have to be at an upscale venue to have charm and sophistication, so keep things elegant and old school with a simple backyard ceremony. For more tips, read HGTV.ca's How to Host a Backyard Wedding.

Written by: Paula Cilia

Related Reading:

On slice.ca: Check out the slice.ca Wedding Guide for videos, articles, quizzes and more! 

On Foodnetwork.ca: Don't miss all the great menu ideas and planners on Foodnetwork.ca

On HGTV.ca: DIYs and Party Planners on all things weddings!

T'is the season to be trendy, so here is your ultimate guide to the hottest in Holiday hair trends for 2011. From a classic hairstyle that keeps coming back year after year to must-have hair accessories you'll want to put on your wish list, this is your list to having fabulicious hair for the Ho-Ho-Holiday season! 

Every holiday season, one look keeps coming back. Classics never die and one of the hottest hair trends for Winter 2011–2012 will yet again be the Veronica Lake (pictured, left) waves. Set using hot rollers and then brushed out into beautiful cascading waves, the 1940s, old Hollywood glam look never goes out of style. Perfect for any formal holiday event, the luscious waves worn by today's celebs such as January Jones, Evan Rachel Wood, and Madonna is an ultimate holiday classic.

The holidays are all about modern glamour and the best way to achieve sophisticated elegance is to wear your hair in a classic chignon. The classic chignon, however, has been updated to be worn a little disheveled, and is more aptly called "the messy bun." Simply take your fingers and gently rub your hair to softly loosen some strands of hair once you've pinned your chignon into place. In this case, a little fuzz is all right as it gives the style a modern touch. Celebs like Sarah Jessica Parker and Mary Kate Olsen are well-known examples of this style.

Perhaps not a trend for everyone, but these days a little splash of bright semi-permanent colour is a fun way to add a little joy to your Holiday season. From Lauren Conrad to Lady Gaga, the latest trend in hair colour is to add a touch of pop colour to your otherwise boring shade. Whether you add yellow, pink, blue, or lavender, this trend is best worn by those who will carry it with confidence. Just ask Katy Perry who recently went all-over pink. The idea here is to take a little inspiration and do it with style.

Healthy, shiny hair is always in style and there is no better time than the holidays to take a little out of that holiday shopping budget and spend it on yourself! Hair treatments are great for those with colour-treated, highlighted, or damaged hair. Try Kerastase’s Chronologiste to help re-vitalize your weakened hair. Note: During those dry winter months, your hair requires moisturizing more than ever.

Another hot trend for hair this holiday season is VOLUME! Beehives reminiscent of Brigitte Bardot (pictured, left) are all the buzz and women are bringing volume back! Whether it's a big-time blowout or a teased-out beehive, volume is big (pardon the pun) all over again! Tips on teasing: Use a Mason Pearson brush to back brush sections of hair and gently smooth out your hair using the tip of the brush.

From chrome barrettes to dazzling gems, hair accessories including clips, bobby pins, and hair jewelry are all great ways to spice up Holiday hair this year--and the more ornate the better. When Kim Kardashian married Kris Humphries this past summer, she wore a diamond headpiece, which has inspired the trend in glittery hair accessories. Now, for the Holidays, glamorous glitz is all the rage!

Worn low, sleek ponytails are a great way to stay fashionable at Holiday events. Casual elegance equates super-chic style these days and the sleek, low-slung ponytail is the way to go. Try adding a light pomade or shine oil for added smoothness.

From fishtail braids to grungy side braids, braids are more popular than ever with celebs such as Fergie and Jessica Alba seen sporting the trend. Whether it's worn to one side or as a major accent in an updo, braids are smoking hot and right on trend. A perfectly elegant way to do Holiday events is to wear a side braid.

A hairdresser’s secret weapon, hot rollers are ideal to achieve many of today's contemporary styles. Whether it's for volume or soft waves, hot rollers are a great way to achieve bounce in your hair. More importantly, hot rollers aren't as hot as curling or flat irons and therefore won't cause damage by applying direct heat. That's always on trend!

If you're feeling as though 2012 is going to be your year, why not kick it off with a new makeover? Most people do well with a shoulder-length style and this hot hair length is totally now! With or without bangs, stars like Tyra Banks and Gwyneth Paltrow have all rocked the mid-length style. So who should stay away from shoulder-length? Only those with really thick bushy hair adverse to blowdrying and those with a shorter neck.

Written by: Jason Lee. Visit him at www.salonspotter.com.