Slice Rants & Raves

Didn't Jennifer Lopez wow you during her body-baring performance at the 2011 American Music Awards this weekend? And seeing how she's just come off of a widely-publicized divorce, all eyes were on her to begin with. A few weeks ago, J.Lo apparently became overly-emotional during a performance, which resulted in her breaking down and crying on stage. But this time, she seemingly used her emotion for the better—putting her energy into an electric, encore-emphasizing performance. How motivating!

Though we don’t have a stage as public as she does, many of us become a better version of ourselves following the demise of a serious relationship. As time passes and we come to grips with the situation, we're able to re-establish who we are as an individual. We're able to break free of what held us back and ultimately be ourselves.

In relationships, we often concern ourselves with ensuring our other half is happy and put their happiness before our own. In order to be a "great girlfriend" we let go of the things that make us feel whole like maintaining our workout schedules, friendships, and work.  

Sometimes we'll even restrict ourselves from things that we like just so we won't disappoint our other half. For example, it was rumoured that Marc Anthony was controlling to the point of not allowing his wife to wear provocative clothing. His heavy-handedness was reportedly part of the reason for the failure of the marriage. When Jennifer stripped down to barely nothing, singing her heart out and not missing a beat, she exuded a confidence and sense of freedom.

What's the lesson learned here? Don't limit your unique (and possibly deterring) behaviour in order to please another. You can’t really live if you’re solely living for others. As long as you are healthy, safe and aren't breaking any laws, just be you.

I know that following a breakup—even if it was a long time coming—we sometimes convince ourselves that it’s better to be back in that relationship, as we think back to the good times and the comfort those good times provided. However, if you were stifling your true self, there's no reason to get nostalgic about a time when you were a caged bird.

Worrying what others might think, worrying about judgments and living for others, holds you back from the beauty that is 1) trusting yourself and 2) the willingness to figure things out for yourself. Break free, for once, for all, (and most importantly) for you.

Jen Kirsch is a relationship expert, columnist and blogger. For quick tips and tricks follow her on Twitter @BlondeBronzed. Read her posts every Tuesday on Slice.ca.

More from Jen:

• The Hardest Part of Breaking Up Is Getting Back Your Stuff
  
• It's Time to Start Doing Your Own Dirty Work
  
• What's a Singleton to Do When the Invite Says +1?
  
• Relationships 101: Listen When He Speaks
  
• Are They Or Aren't They Still Together?
  
• 8 Relationship Warning Signs
• How to Get Over Losing "The One"

 Photo credit: PRPhotos.com

**SPOLIER ALERT** If you haven't seen the episode yet, I suggest you do before watching my vlog

Hello again Drop Dead Diva fans, here is my vlog recap of Season 3 of Drop Dead Diva on Episode 10! As per usual, I give a little recap on the happenings of the latest episode along with personal interjections of my opinions on fashion, guest stars, "likes" and other noteworthy moments.

STAR SIGHTING! Patti Stanger from Millionaire Matchmaker guest stars in this episode and is fabulous! And something CRAZY happens between Stacy and Fred!

Enjoy and share your thoughts on Episode 10 with me in the comments below!

Related

• Watch Full Episodes of Drop Dead Diva
• Drop Dead Diva Season 3 Previous Vlog Recaps
• Follow and join us in diva convo on our Drop Dead Diva Twitter account @DropDeadDivaCan

**SPOLIER ALERT** If you haven't seen the episode yet, I suggest you do before watching my vlog

Hello again Drop Dead Diva fans, here is my vlog recap of Season 3 of Drop Dead Diva on Episode 6! As per usual, I give a little recap on the happenings of the latest episode along with personal interjections of my opinions on fashion, guest stars, "likes" and other noteworthy moments.

This episode, we have a hot star sighting!

Related

• Drop Dead Diva Season 3 Previous Vlog Recaps
• Season 2 Blog Recaps of DDD on Showcase.ca
• Follow and join us in diva convo on our Drop Dead Diva Twitter account @DropDeadDivaCan

Typing away, I can't help but admire my nails. Typically, I go polish-less with my nails trimmed right to the tip of my finger. But not lately.

You see, I was lucky enough to be pampered at LUX Spa's new downtown location and now my hands look and feel great! This minimalist mani/pedi retreat is mere steps away from Toronto's Eaton Centre, making it a natural choice for a pre, or post shopping treat.

The lovely ladies at Lux were so gentle and friendly it is no wonder they were Voted Canada's Best Mani and Pedi. And with a wide range of services from a basic polish change to exclusive packages (like rescue me-LUX - a series of treatments for clients who require extra care) your greatest challenge will be choosing the right shade.

Speaking of choosing, with dozens of colour selections I happily perused the shelves selecting and re-selecting to my hearts desire. In the end, I'm happy to report that my pedi colour garnered several compliments... if only it were peep toe season!

And here's an insider tip:

Upgrade your services on a Tuesday to a hydra-LUX special and save $20 on an ultra soothing paraffin treatment. Your hands and feet will thank you.

Written By: Joy D'Souza 

As you are planning your wedding, you may discover that it is not always going to be a smooth ride. Other than budget issues, a big wedding problem are people who try to take over your wedding. Some may not realize that they are being controlling or difficult, so try to see where they are coming from and think about how you will handle the situation, while keeping your cool.

Who are these people?

Miss Know-it-All
Your sister-in-law who thinks you look horrible in white or tells you that she knows better than you when it comes to planning your registry. Before you let her plan your honeymoon too, the next time she crosses the line, stay calm and change the subject. Distract her by assigning her specific tasks to keep her busy but still very involved. Let her finish assembling the favours, pay and confirm final orders with vendors, or pick up wedding items.

The Picky Bridesmaid
She’s really a very good friend, but when it comes to her dress, she’s got you pulling your hair out. Listen to her reasons for not liking the dresses you have in mind. Maybe it is the colour, the style which may not flatter her body type, or maybe it is an expense she cannot afford at that time. Whatever the reason is, you need to ensure your wedding party is comfortable and happy. They have to be in the dress the entire day and if they are happy, they will be better bridesmaids to you and be of more help on your big day. Compromising with dresses she has in mind will also give you some leverage when you become HER bridesmaid!

The Guest Who Invites Everyone
You invited a guest who is spreading the word to everyone and inviting everybody she sees. Believe it or not, this happens. I had a guest at my own wedding go up to people and talk about how she is sure they will receive their invitation soon enough! You have to stop this person in their tracks and explain to them that you are having a very intimate wedding with just your family and closest friends. With that said, he/she will feel very honored to have been considered someone dear to you.

The Over-Eager Guest
Your mother-in-law has a friend who makes cakes (which you know by experience, are not very good) and she insists on making your wedding cake or your sister-in-law has decided she will make your wedding favours.

Although it is very nice to have friends and family offer help, when it comes from nowhere, it can be more stress than help.  You do not want to insult anyone and have your ideas on what you will be doing for your wedding, so, when you feel that someone’s eagerness is a little bit more than you need, make sure you tell them how grateful you are, but you are doing great and everything is in place, but if anything at all comes up, she will be the first person you call.

“My Kids or Nothing” Guest
Many couples opt to have a wedding without children present. Guests, however, still RSVP sometimes with their children included, even if the invitation did not read, “and Family”.  Sometimes, these guests may be family members and decline to come if their kids are not invited as well. Since you want and need these people there, offer to hire a babysitter and set up a private area with toys, games and comfortable large pillows, should the reception run too late for the little ones. Who knows, maybe they may even offer to help pay for the cost, seeing how accommodating you are. However, even if they don’t, it’s a small price to pay for avoiding all the drama that may arise.

Blog written by Rita Wong, Rita Wong Events
http://www.ritawongevents.com

Bustle
LG Toronto Fashion Week is a pretty female-dominated world so it’s always refreshing to get to sit back, relax, and watch the male models, err... menswear collections. The husband and wife duo behind Bustle, Shawn Hewson and Ruth Promislow, never met a theme they didn’t like and this year they were inspired by the yachting life. Female models in bathing suits drank real Dom Perignon on a fake sailboat as male models walked down the runway in nautical-inspired clothes. The palette ranged from vivid violets, salmons, teals and blues to a paler palette of washed out hues.

While the styling was relaxed, the tailoring wasn’t and the boys wore sharp must-buy blazers in eye-catching colours and prints paired with striped tees and button-up shirts. Aviator sunglasses by Josephson Opticians and vintage Tretorn sneakers completed the high-seas look.

Vawk
Sunny Fong has come a long way since he won the second season of Project Runway Canada and for his Resort and Spring 2012 collections, titled “Insectica”, the former film school student took inspiration from the wings of butterflies. The Resort collection included billowy black and orange eveningwear dresses that were accented with elaborate leather laser cut bustiers, belts and breastplates.

For his Spring collection, Fong expanded on his insect inspiration with a collection of flowing dresses in muted earth tones, exquisitely tailored blazers and vests with grey and gold peplums, and swimsuits with large, revealing cutouts. Décolleté revealing dresses featured square notches rather than the familiar deep V and high slits were framed in gold. Striped sheer fabric (which has been a recurring trend throughout LGFW) was used as see through panels that showed enough without showing too much. Brown and greige tie-dye dresses, vests and skirts added a relaxed look to the otherwise sophisticated designs.

The collection was quite ambitious and while all of his attempts at innovation didn’t always work (including a slit that revealed a little too much and tiered maxi dress with sheer circles that looked chaotic rather than intricate) it’s nice to see a fashion designer straying from the beaten path and taking risks.

Septembre Anderson is a passionate journalist, blogger and fashion enthusiast who lives, works and shops in Toronto, ON. Her work has appeared on FASHIONMagazine.com, FILLERMagazine.com, HuffingtonPost.ca, and in Sway magazine. Read her posts every Wednesday on Slice.ca.

More From Septembre:

• LG Toronto Fashion Week: Pink Tartan and Joe Fresh, Spring 2012
  
• LG Toronto Fashion Week: Lucian Matis, Spring 2012
  
• Slice.ca's Primer to LG Toronto Fashion Week
  
• Topshop Opens in Canada
• 5 Fall Makeup Trends to Try Now
• Where to Shop for Style On a Budget
  

In this episode we have everything from ghosts to lasers. There’s never a dull moment with the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills after all.

We open with the realization that the ladies are spending an evening getting their faces and body worked on by Paul, Adrienne’s plastic surgeon husband.
Taylor gets her face filled out – true story.

“I have a genetically thin face, it doesn’t matter how much I eat, it’s not going to go to my face.”

Kyle wants to have her muffin top lasered and then Kim shows up for some lip injections.

During her little one-on-one with Paul, it’s revealed that Kim is on a cocktail of several prescription drugs. Paul – in what seems like the most caring and responsible act by anyone on this show ever – suggests that she might want to speak to her doctor about the medications she’s taking. He points out that she looks “sedated.”

Amen Paul.

Episode Highlights...

Kim gets mad at Kyle for acting like her mom. Again. Kyle gets huffy about it. Again.

Lisa and Taylor share some awkward moments. Lisa is allegedly spreading rumours that Taylor has no friends. Dear kids: grow up.

Kyle throws a séance party and invites – gasp – Brandi. Everyone manages to be civil AND talk to ghosts at the same time. Lisa’s grandmother apparently says hello, as does Adrienne’s dad. Kyle learns that she was Kim’s mom in a past life.

Kim finally tells Kyle that she has a boyfriend AND that she’s moving in with the guy. Kyle reacts by… crying. I have no idea why that is an appropriate reaction but… there you have it.

And thus concludes another busy and nutty installment of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. It sounds like we have a lot to look forward to next time, including a run-in with Kyle and Kim’s new man. Can’t wait!

Watch episode 10 in our video centre now!

Stephanie McGrath is a writer whose work has appeared on the Huffington Post, in the Toronto Sun, on CBC's Definitely Not the Opera and... lots of other stuff. She loves TV and anything to do with pop culture, even though she studied some philosophy and other important things in university.

The Spring/Summer 2012 edition of LG Toronto Fashion Week is just around the corner and it’s time for me to dust off my stilettos and head out to the chiffon trenches. But before I hit the tents to check out upcoming styles and trends, I’ll give you the who, what and wear of Fashion Week. From newbies to veterans (and the VIPs, too), Slice.ca has got your style watch covered.

NEWCOMERS

Designers Chloé and Parris Gordon

Chloé Comme Parris
Sibling design duo Chloé and Parris Gordon of Chloé Comme Parris are up-and-coming Canadian designers to watch. While Chloé takes care of the romantically-edgy designs, younger sister Parris is in charge of the accessories. Last season the sister’s christened a new erogenous zone—the hip—and dazzled with icicle-like necklaces and buckles galore. I can’t wait to see how the sisters have evolved this season.

Designer Sarah Stevenson [Photo credit: Kalynn Friesen]

Sarah Stevenson
Clothing and textile designer Sarah Stevenson has found herself in great company. Her graphic prints have been compared to those of Erdem, Proenza Schouler and Prada and have been praised throughout the Canadian fashion industry. Though she only has three LGFW seasons under her belt, she has shown growth and promise each season.

Designer Golnaz Ashtiani 

Ashtiani
Golnaz Ashtiani has endured purification through fire. As the winner of the Toronto Fashion Incubator’s 2011 New Labels competition—Ashtiani received $10,000 and a spread in Flare magazine—she has endured six months of competition and critique and has come out on top. For her Spring 2012 collection expect unique designs and strong silhouettes.

VETERANS

Designer David Dixon

David Dixon
Last season, Canadian design veteran David Dixon celebrated his sweet 16 (16 years in the tough Canadian design scene that is) with a career retrospective of his many successful looks. Known for his elegant clothes, Dixon is a go-to designer for women looking for uber-feminine evening wear.

Denis Gagnon
Womenswear designer Denis Gagnon is a Canadian fashion gem. Gagnon is known for his couture-like designs and avant garde aesthetic and his collections never disappoint. Last season, he proved fringe was king with has rock and roll clothes. We can only imagine what he plans to wow us with this year.

Pink Tartan
Kimberley Newport-Mimran is the creative mind behind womenswear label Pink Tartan. Her Canadian prepster designs have garnered a lot of attention on both sides of the border and can be found at top luxury retailers like Holt Renfrew, The Bay, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdale's. Does her name sound familiar? It should: Newport-Mimran is one half of Canadian design royalty and is married to Mr. Joe Fresh himself, Joseph Mimran.

Bustle Clothing
Design duos are a dime a dozen in the fashion industry, but a fashion label founded by two lawyers? One in a million. That’s the story for Shawn Hewson and Ruth Promislow of menswear label Bustle Clothing. The husband and wife duo (and former legal beagles) are behind the Canadian sportswear label that features an unmistakable tailored edge. Expect an interesting runway show and standout collection as Hewson and Promislow often design their collections around a theme.

FRONT ROW VIPs

FASHION magazine Editor-in-Chief, Bernadette Morra [Photo Credit: Vanessa Heins]

The Editors
Canada’s top three fashion magazines (Flare, FASHION and Elle Canada) are always well-represented at LG Fashion Week. Stylish editor-in-chiefs Lisa Tant, Bernadette Morra and Noreen Flanagan are front row mainstays as are their editors Sarah Casselman, Liz Cabral, Susie Sheffman, Mosha Lundstrom-Halbert et al. Former Flare EIC and current Zoomer Magazine head honcho, Suzanne Boyd, is another mainstay as is Toronto Star style writer Derick Chetty, National Post fashion writer Nathalie Atkinson, and the inimitable Jeanne Beker.

Flare magazine Editor-in-Chief, Lisa Tant

Toronto Star style writer, Derick Chetty

The Bloggers
Canada’s blog scene is always evolving and growing but two bloggers stand out: the veteran Anita Clarke of I Want I Got and the newbie, Spiro Mandylor of It’s All Style to Me. Look for expert LGFW coverage from both of these blogger darlings.

I Want I Got blogger, Anita Clarke [photo credit: Paul Baik]

It's All Style to Me blogger, Spiro Mandylor

The Celebs
The front row would not be complete without celebrities, socialites and boldfaced names. Front row regulars include event planner Ainsley Kerr (a Canadian fashion scene fairy godmother who regularly wears Canadian designs) and the beautiful Canadian R&B songstress Keshia Chante.

Event planner Ainsley Kerr

Canadian R&B singer Keshia Chante

Septembre Anderson is a passionate journalist, blogger and fashion enthusiast who lives, works and shops in Toronto, ON. Her work has appeared on FASHIONMagazine.com, FILLERMagazine.com, HuffingtonPost.ca, and in Sway magazine. Read her posts every Wednesday on Slice.ca.

More From Septembre:

• Topshop Opens in Canada
• 5 Fall Makeup Trends to Try Now
• Where to Shop for Style On a Budget
  

We receive some of the most out there products here at Slice.ca (I will not go into detail about the "lady-friendly" buzzing devices that are pitched on the regular), but to be honest, we love hearing about them all.

This new product came across my desk and I've been meaning to share since it's kind of a cute idea (and might make a good stocking stuffer if you're still hunting... shame on you if you are, Christmas is this weekend you know).

It's called Lampe Berger Easy Scent Car Diffuser. You might be familiar with Lampe Berger; they're known for their fancy home air freshening products, but this one is for the car, or as my French friends would say la voiture.

In this kit you will get the diffuser itself, plus 3 scents infused with essential oils to try: Anti Travel Sickness (sniffing the box right now... smells like... not a darn thing... which is actually a good I guess), Anti Tobacco (I detect a very light scent, but not sure how to describe it, sort of like what I imagine Catherine Deneuve smells like--slightly flowery) and Holiday Mood (which smells like Catherine Deneuve on a hot date--a little more aggressive). This sounds all lovely to me and definitely beats those tired pine-scented thingies people hang in their car windshields (those things actually give me a headache... ugh).

There you have it. This can all be yours to try in your voiture or the voiture of your amis or your petit ami... wow, look at me, usually I can only string together French sentences when I'm drinking wine!

How to Win
I have one Lampe Berger Easy Scent Car Diffuser to give away to one lucky Slice fan. Email webmaster@slice.ca with the answer to the following question: What is the name of the Catherine Deneuve film that won the 1967 Golden Lion award at the Venice Film Festival? Yep, THAT'S the question.

Read the rules and regs here. Good luck!

One of the hottest looks this Fall is the dramatic eye with false lashes. It was everywhere on the runways this Fall and if you want the look, but don't want the fuss, you can try L'Oreal Paris's new Voluminous False Fiber Lashes Mascara, which hits the stores in Canada this month.

I've been using it for a month and it goes on a lot cleaner than my other mascaras and provides greater definition of my lashes while extending them quite a bit. Apparently, this product features rayon and nylon, which make the lash fiber longer and bolder. The application wand is also angled so you can apply across the entire length of the lashes. Who knew that would make a difference? Well, apparently, the pros! Eddie Malter, the official makeup artist for L'Oreal Paris in Canada, says he's been bending mascara wands backstage at fashion shows for years to get the look he wanted. There, all the work is done and all you need to do is look fabulous!

We've got five available to be won to the first five people who answer the following question correctly: who is L'Oreal Paris's official makeup artist in Canada? Send your answer to giveaways@slice.ca after reading our Rules and Regs. Good luck!   

Ah, bliss, it’s the dawn of a new episode of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and the heavily-highlighted ladies are worth staying in for.

Here are the Highlights
The ex of Eddie Cibrian (who is best known as "The guy LeAnn Rimes left her first husband for"), arrives on the scene. Her presence makes everyone freak out cause she’s 1) Hot and 2) She hangs out with Cedric, Lisa’s infamous freeloader.

Camille continues to be bummed that Frasier – I mean Kelsey Grammer – is happily shacked up with another lady (however, she's not so bummed that she can’t spend a lot of time shopping for wetsuits for her annual sojourn to Hawaii).

Kim is … either naturally loopy or indulging in something that makes her sort speak in disjointed sentences as she attends a Sacramento Kings game with Adrienne.

Adrienne is stressed about taking the Kings away from Sacramento… but I’m pretty sure flying to the game in a private jet takes some of the pain away.

Kyle is throwing a Lollipop fundraiser for children with cancer. People come, but not before she spends about an hour worrying they won’t come.

Lisa is... rich? Did you hear? And snobby. She also has an accent, which apparently makes her just a bit better than all the rest. She also wants to expand her restaurant.

What We Learned This Week
How to Raise Money: “When you’re putting together a charity party, it’s nice to have rich friends,” – Kyle.

Footwear Rules: Don’t wear stilettos with a broken leg.

Tune in next week when the ladies will be sure to get up to their usual, melodramatic tricks all over again. 

Watch episodes 3 and 4 in our video centre now! 

Stephanie McGrath is a writer whose work has appeared on the Huffington Post, in the Toronto Sun, on CBC's Definitely Not the Opera and... lots of other stuff. She loves TV and anything to do with pop culture, even though she studied some philosophy and other important things in university.

The runways are fantastical places full of over-the-top designs, but how does a regular woman incorporate these daring looks into her own life? Look no further than my fall trends roundup that will break down the fall runway trends for real world ladies (with real world budgets).

Textured Fabrics
Fur, and feathers, and leather—oh my! The fall collections of Pink Tartan, Calvin Klein, Rudsak and Gucci were heavy on extremely textured materials. Whether faux or real, tap into the dramatically luxurious trend with fun fur collars, python bags, and feather earrings.

Avon Leather and Ponté Blazer, $149.99

Danier Object Attaché Case, $149

Geometric Prints
For some this trend may conjure up memories of high school geometry class, but graphic geometrics are anything but dusty and boring. From polka dots to stripes and graphic grids to abstract shapes, geometric prints add a little excitement to office separates. If you’re bold, try mixing prints for an exciting look or take the minimalist route and pair a bold printed skirt with a solid-coloured blouse.

Jacob Simply Dotty Blouse, $59

Joe Fresh Rugby-Stripe Dress, $39

H&M Patterned Skirt, $49.95

Back to the Future: The '60s and '70s
Designers took it back—way back—this season by revisiting the standout trends of the '60s and '70s. The reinterpretations of the two eras were starkly in contrast as designers went for micro mod minis, and flowing wide-leg, flared trousers. To execute either of these trends (without looking like an extra in a period piece), opt for a single article of throwback fashion, whether it be T-strap pumps and A-line skirts, or platform heels and knee-high boots that were made for walking!

 

Zara Palazzo Trousers, $79.90

Esprit Skirt, $69.50

Florals
Bouquets may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about autumn, but fall florals (from painterly blooms to oversized blossoms), were all over the runways this season. For the brave, a nipped-waist dress with a more-is-more floral print and a sharp blazer, and for the subdued style maven, choose shoes, a handbag. or accessories in a pretty print.

J. Crew Winsome Dress, $126.99

Forever 21 Floral Wedges, $31.80

H&M floral skirt, $69.95

Bold Colours
The grey days of fall and winter are the perfect time to revive the bright, bold colours of spring and summer. While colour-blocking is still going strong, colour combos in electric hues (we saw some of them at Lucian Matis’ Spring 2012 show last week) are a new twist on the ongoing trend. If you dare, try the season’s hottest colour matchup: bright pink and blood red.

Aldo brushed leather platform heels, $90

Mango plain front mini skirt, $44.90

Septembre Anderson is a passionate journalist, blogger and fashion enthusiast who lives, works and shops in Toronto, ON. Her work has appeared on FASHIONMagazine.com, FILLERMagazine.com, HuffingtonPost.ca, and in Sway magazine. Read her posts every Wednesday on Slice.ca.

More From Septembre:

• LG Toronto Fashion Week: Lucian Matis, Spring 2012
  
• Slice.ca's Primer to LG Toronto Fashion Week
  
• Topshop Opens in Canada
• 5 Fall Makeup Trends to Try Now
• Where to Shop for Style On a Budget
  

Today marks the opening of one of fall’s major prestige pictures, the political drama The Ides of March. I am not only excited to see it because it actually looks good (although I’ll be DAMNED if I can figure out what’s going on in the trailer), but because it features a veritable Ponderosa buffet of actors I like.

In addition to star/director/co-writer George Clooney, it features Ryan Gosling, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Giamatti, and Jeffrey Wright.* These are actors (particularly Clooney) that I’d follow blindly into the most terrible movie. For example, if word came out that George Clooney was starring in and directing a shot-for-shot remake of Mac and Me, I’d be there opening day in a bear suit.

But make no mistake, this is not a 'man crush.'

The man crush concept has become popular as of late. These are supposedly men for whom it’s allowed for other men to openly express affection towards. They are typically more masculine, funnier and more talented than the winsome Taylor Lautner’s of the world.

The idea that men can feel comfortable saying that they enjoy seeing Jon Hamm in a movie or TV show is supposed to represent a step forward for men; now free to praise a fellow man without fear of appearing ‘gay.’ But to me, it feels like a step backwards.

When men of previous generations said they liked seeing movies starring Clark Gable or John Wayne or Clint Eastwood, they meant just that: they liked watching them. They found those stars charming or suave or badass or somehow otherwise compelling.

If someone in 1974 said that they really wanted to see Charles Bronson in Death Wish, did anyone accuse that person of being gay? Absolutely not. Because Charles Bronson was an ugly man. Seriously. I don’t want to speak ill of the dead, but Charles Bronson’s face looked like an abandoned quarry.

This brings up a tricky point: attractiveness. Listen, nobody is denying that George Clooney is an attractive man. He’s pretty much reached pan-gender, pan-generational consensus on this. Israelis and Palestinians will agree on nothing except how rakishly handsome Clooney looked on the poster for The American.

However, attractiveness isn’t enough. You’ll find very few men who’d say they liked Ryan Gosling in his teen idol Notebook days, but once he got a few gritty ‘Junkie Teachers,’ ‘Terrible Drunken Husbands,’ and ‘Brooding, Occasionally Horrifically Violent Getaway Drivers’ under his belt, he had us. If these were true crushes, no man would be excited to see Phillip Seymour Hoffman show up in the credits. But I am, because he’s consistently great.

But, do not get me started on Paul Rudd. Yikes. That right there, is a man crush.

*You should really check out Jeffrey Wright's IMDb bio, by the way. The very funny comedian Paul F. Tompkins has pointed out that it sounds as if Mr. Wright has written it himself: “Quite possibly the most underrated and underexposed actor of his caliber and generation...” It just gets better from there!

Paul Beer is a Toronto writer, actor and comedian. You can follow him on twitter @pauldanielbeer. Read his posts every Friday on Slice.ca.

They say the worst thing to do after a breakup is to communicate with your ex. However, if they still have a handful of your belongings it becomes confusing as to how you should go about getting them back.

Do you contact him and have him leave them for you at his concierge?
 
Do you have a friend do your dirty work for you and collect your stuff?
 
Do you wait until some time has passed and you have moved on before you even make mention of your trinkets?

Do you make no mention of him even having your things so you can use that as excuse to contact him down the road?
 
It isn’t an enviable position to be in, but you have a few choices to make:
 
If he has your stuff...
Send him an email with a list of all your items that he has in his possession, and if you recall where you left said items, indicate that too to make it easy for him to put everything together. Request that he contact you once he has found everything so you can get everything at once without having to message back and forth each time he finds something else lurking around his car or apartment. At that point, you can decide if you want to grab them, or have a friend do it for you.
 
If you have his stuff...
Put all his items together and send him an email offering him the opportunity to pick it up at his leisure. Avoid giving him a timeline or being a b*tch about it. Tell him to email you when he is able to swing by and let him know you will leave it for him in your mailbox, at the concierge, or somewhere safe where neither of you need to see each other or interact. You may think you’re over him but once you see him again you may have questions you want answered, or may be overcome by emotion. Avoid this by making the pickup nothing more than a business transaction; one that works on his timing. The high road is always the best one to take.
 
If you both have each other's stuff...
If you want to avoid going to his place, I say give him the opportunity to pick up his stuff and you can request he leaves yours, too. If he then says you have to come to him to get your stuff, check in with yourself. The best advice I ever received from someone older and wiser is to let go of the idea of getting back your stuff, and accept that these belongings are replaceable. To just replace your DVD series or running shoes is a small price to pay—a much more reasonable price than the stress of back and forth communications, and trying to figure out and analyze everything he says during these interactions.
 
This will likely be your last course of interaction with one another. No matter what went on in the relationship, it’s best to be amicable and get your belongings back and return his in a way that you can look back at with grace, rather than embarrassment. If he tells you he can’t find your belongings, or refuses to give them back to you (without offering to replace them) realize that says more about his character than yours, and still offer back his items in a friendly way.

Jen Kirsch is a relationship expert, columnist and blogger. For quick tips and tricks follow her on Twitter @BlondeBronzed. Read her posts every Tuesday on Slice.ca.

More from Jen:

• It's Time to Start Doing Your Own Dirty Work
  
• What's a Singleton to Do When the Invite Says +1?
  
• Relationships 101: Listen When He Speaks
  
• Are They Or Aren't They Still Together?
  
• 8 Relationship Warning Signs
• How to Get Over Losing "The One"
  

**SPOLIER ALERT** If you haven't seen the episode yet, I suggest you do before watching my vlog

Hello again Drop Dead Diva fans, here is my vlog recap of Season 3 of Drop Dead Diva on Episode 5! As per usual, I give a little recap on the happenings of the latest episode along with personal interjections of my opinions on fashion, guest stars, "likes" and other noteworthy moments.

This episode, Grayson kissed Kim?!? I give my thoughts on that in the vlog.

And don't forget to share your thoughts with me in the comments below!

Related

• Drop Dead Diva Season 3 Previous Vlog Recaps
• Season 2 Blog Recaps of DDD on Showcase.ca
• Follow and join us in diva convo on our Drop Dead Diva Twitter account @DropDeadDivaCan

When you're feeling the financial pinch, you can find yourself looking just about anywhere for the solution to your problems.

Perhaps you've walked by a "Cash for Gold" storefront, or seen a late-night commercial featuring an enthusiastic fella bellowing about how much you could get for your old, broken gold. And if you happen to have a stash of old jewelry hanging around the house, you've probably wondered at one time or another, "How much could I get for it?"

But it's one thing to wonder how much Aunt Margaret's antique gold earrings might fetch you; it's quite another to actually do it -- is it worth it?

Robb Engen doesn't think so. He runs Boomer & Echo, a popular personal finance blog based in Alberta, and his view is that you're unlikely to get what your gold is worth at a cash-for-gold operation. Engen is particularly dubious about the gold-selling kiosks you might encounter at your local mall.

"They're just setting up shop in the mall and tearing down and going somewhere else," he says. "It's like the PT Barnum circus coming to town to take your money and then off they go."

You may regret parting with your valuables down the road, says Engen, especially if you're only getting a few dollars for your efforts. "Someone I knew went to one of those, she had some really old rings and a necklace, her grandma had passed away. These were 24 carot gold and she was offered, like, 200 bucks," he says. "If it's something really sentimental and that's all you're really going to be offered... I just don't see the value."

As Engen points out, people imagine it will be like an episode of Antiques Roadshow: you clean out your attic, find some dusty old necklace and end up selling your treasure for thousands. In reality, like pawn shops, gold-buying stores are looking to buy low so they can sell your gold for a profit.

"If you have no sentimental attachment and you just want to get rid of it, sure, go ahead," says Engen. "But don't do it just because you're in a financial bind."

If you do decide to unload some unwanted gold, there are ways to protect yourself from getting swindled. This wikihow page offers step-by-step instructions to determine how much gold you have and what the going rate is.

But if selling your valuables seem like the only way out of crippling debt, know that there are ways to deal with your financial problems and still hold on to treasured family heirlooms.

Written by Shelley White

In every new relationship there are possible warning signs. You know the ones, girls. The ones you try ever so hard to make excuses for. The ones where your instincts tell you something is up, but you don’t say anything. You don’t want to rock the boat after all. You’re hoping that down the road things will be different. You’re telling yourself that “once the weekend comes,” or you guys “go up to the cottage,” or take off on “that great trip” you’ve been planning, things will be just fine.

Stop making excuses. Look at the clear, red flags right in front of your face. For this, you can thank me later.

If your partner is doing one (or more of) the following, it’s time to reevaluate him and your relationship:

He reaches for his iPad before he reaches for you in the morning, or checks his emails in bed before saying good morning to you
This is a clear sign that you come second. His instincts don’t even tell him to have physical contact with you before his electronics, and the outside world.

His phone is never charged
This is a sign that he won’t be there to depend on if and when you need him. A man who cares about you and your needs will always do his best to make himself available to you. If he doesn’t make the effort to plug his phone in each day and doesn’t reach out to you from a landline at work, this shows that he cares more about himself than you.

He doesn’t give you reassurance when you need it most
If you are feeling insecure about something and confide that in him, and he tells you you’re being crazy (ahem, name-calling!) instead of reassuring you, it shows he doesn’t care (or understand) your feelings. The guy that overlooks your needs won’t ever be able to fulfill them, because he hasn’t processed your concerns and has written them off instead.

He wakes up early so decides to head into the office, but then doesn’t come home any earlier—he still stays late at work
This shows you he’d rather spend his free time working than with you. A guy who wants to be with you will use his free time focusing his energy and efforts with you, not without you.

You ask to see his phone (a sign you don’t trust him to begin with) and he refuses to show it to you
When a man is in a committed relationship, his main focus should be his partner’s emotional well-being. If you are concerned, and just seeing his phone will help you get over these concerns, he should be willing to show it to you with open arms.

You upload posts or photos onto his Facebook page and he deletes them
A partner shouldn’t find the need to hide you from his page. Ever heard the term “I’m so happy I want to scream it from the top of a mountain?” The guy who is with you, that uses Facebook for things other than work, should be proud to have your comments and wit on his page, as it is a reflection of him.

Instead of answering your queries or concerns, he gets defensive
A partner who has nothing to hide is more likely to indulge in effective communication as opposed to shutting you down, stonewalling you, or getting defensive.

He tells you everything you want to hear during a talk—then doesn’t follow through on anything
Actions speak louder than words. Yes it’s nice to hear him say exactly what you were hoping he would (especially since confrontation is a bitch and the conversation could’ve gone either way), but when he shows you time and time again that he isn’t listening, don’t get caught up in his words.

The fact of the matter is this: when things aren’t right, the signs are usually right in front of our very eyes. But, because these signs don’t match the image we have of our partner, and who we think we are as a couple, we almost block ourselves from seeing clear truths.

But, as we defend our partner’s behaviour with the hope that they will change, we are actually showing them that they can continue to do these things. Early on in relationships, you train people how to treat you.

So, if something feels off, or if your instincts tell you something is wrong, trust yourself. Listen to your friends, get an outsider’s opinion, and be realistic about your relationship. 

Though it feels great to be in a partnership—and the idea of separating may seem impossible—it’s important to reevaluate your wants and needs, and not settle for anything less. 

Hello Drop Dead Diva fans, here is my 12th vlog recap of Season 3! I can't believe we're almost at the finale! One more episode to go!

As per usual, I give a little recap on the happenings of the latest episode along with personal interjections of my opinions on fashion, guest stars, "likes" and other noteworthy moments. **SPOLIER ALERT** If you haven't seen the episode yet, I suggest you do before watching my vlog!

Enjoy and share your thoughts on Episode 12 with me in the comments below!

Related

• Watch Full Episodes of Drop Dead Diva
• Drop Dead Diva Season 3 Previous Vlog Recaps
• Follow and join us in diva convo on our Drop Dead Diva Twitter account @DropDeadDivaCan

Office Christmas parties are difficult events to dress for. Sure, you want to look stylish and fashion forward, but you don’t want to commit an "office party fashion faux pas" (here's a quick tip: avoid super-short hemlines, and kitschy accessories... at... all... COSTS).

Take some style cues from model, businesswoman and Project Runway host Heidi Klum who wore a classically-chic yet office-appropriate outfit (with just the right amount of excitement) for the unveiling of Wildlife by Heidi Klum, her new jewellery line for QVC.

Klum wore a white blouse from Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen’s clothing line, The Row, with a patterned Balenciaga pencil skirt and Christian Louboutin “Maggie” heels. She accessorized the look with a black belt and jewellery from her collection.

To get this classic look for less (her Louboutins alone cost $995!) try my budget-friendly suggestions below:

White Oxford shirt from Jacob ($50), a leopard print skirt from Zara ($46), cap-toe pumps from Mango ($120) and the Tippy belt from Roots ($78). To add a festive touch, checkout our 25 Holiday Accessories That Glimmer, Glitter, Shimmer and Shine guide.

Septembre Anderson is a passionate journalist, blogger and fashion enthusiast who lives, works and shops in Toronto, ON. Her work has appeared on FASHIONMagazine.com, FILLERMagazine.com, HuffingtonPost.ca, and in Sway magazine. Read her posts every Wednesday on Slice.ca. 

A few years ago I found myself at an engagement party right after breaking up with someone. I was with a close guy friend and his wife when the parents of the bride-to-be came over to chat and quickly assumed I was my friend's wife. Awkward.

It’s always fun getting invitations to these kinds of events, especially when it's in celebration of one of your closest friends, but what happens when you’re not currently coupled up?

One of two things usually transpire: you’re either invited alone (cue violins), or you’re invited with an unnamed ‘plus one’ to choose at your discretion (cue Jaws theme song). 

Many of us feel alone in this situation. When you're invited to an engagement, a wedding, or the like, you suddenly think of all your friends who are in long-term, serious relationships and marriages. The idea of attending an event alone comes with a We vs. Me mentality.

And, it’s not that you even mind going alone—you'll be surrounded by close friends and good company after all—but what really gets to us is that third-wheel feeling. That feeling that you are tagging along or dependent on other friends who are there with their partners. There's that anticipation that at any moment, the couple might leave, go have a dance, or just want to have their own moments with fellow likeminded couples.

On the other hand, you may think the easiest solution is to just invite someone else, a ‘filler’ if you will, but then you are limiting yourself. This likely isn’t a person your friends are close to. You'll have to combat questions about your status with this person. And, it won’t be as easy getting in on conversations as you play babysitter to your arm candy. Plus, it'll cost you: you'll be gifting on behalf of two, instead of just one. 

Sure, inviting a plus one seems like an easy fix, but I want you to know that navigating alone comes with a great feeling of empowerment and doesn’t hold you back in any way. We often define ourselves based on our relationships, but now is your opportunity to be your fun, confident self and give your social skills more credit.

Here's How to Fly Solo
Arrange to go with another couple, and maybe even have a drink with them before you all head to the function. Going with people you’re familiar with will make you feel much more comfortable, and will warm you up so you don’t need to walk in alone, deer-in-headlights style as you look for a familiar face. 

But, after arrival, be sure to give the couple time to do their own thing. Socialize with other friends, be open to conversations with some people who also seem to be lingering alone, and flirt with the bartender (it may sound sleazy, but they are pros at it and it will help you gear up in case someone catches your eye—I’ll raise a glass to a boost of confidence!) .

We often lose focus of the actual event as we get lost in our own insecurities about what we’ll do and how we’ll get by solo, but looking back you’ll be more proud that you were able to hold your own.

Unless, of course, you are actually seeing someone, in which case an event with all your friends in attendance (and a dress code to boot) is the perfect debut! But, we'll save that one for another blog post...

Jen Kirsch is a relationship expert, columnist and blogger. For quick tips and tricks follow her on Twitter @BlondeBronzed. Read her posts every Tuesday on Slice.ca.

More from Jen:

• Relationships 101: Listen When He Speaks
  
• Are They Or Aren't They Still Together?
  
• 8 Relationship Warning Signs
• How to Get Over Losing "The One"
  

You are planning the layout for your wedding reception and you can’t decide whether you would like to sit at a sweetheart table or a head table?

What is the difference between the two?

A sweetheart table is a table set just for 2, the bride and groom.

A head table is a table of honor. It can be a straight table facing out into the guests or a regular round or square table, just like the other guest tables, but sitting at this table are the honorary guests, such as wedding party or family members. Traditionally, the entire wedding party including parents of the bride and groom would sit at this table. However, today, not only can you switch it up and just have parents or just have the wedding party at the head table, but some couples also include significant others of the wedding party members to be included. I have had clients include wives and husbands of the Maid-of-Honor and Best Man, and also just close friends as well. Even grandparents have sat at the head table, so it is really up to the bride and groom to decide who is special to them, and they want to honor.

Those who opt for a sweetheart table may choose this so the bride and groom are the main focus and will be easier to approach, as there is no one else around them.

Some choose a head table so the special guests are honored and some couples do not want to be put on display, as it would be, if they chose a sweetheart table.

There are pros and cons of each option. So, if you are struggling with the choice of going with a table for 2 or for a head table, these following points may help you decide.

The Sweetheart Table: PROS
A sweetheart table allows you to just be with your new wife husband and not have to worry about chatting with everyone else.  This may be a good time for you to reflect on how amazing the day has been so far and how happy you are.
This allows for the alone time that you will appreciate, as the wedding day will indeed be a hectic one.

Another pro is that this allows your wedding party to sit with their dates and not have to be separated.  Sometimes, when the wedding party are seated apart from their dates, they leave their seats empty at the head table, as they leave to be with their dates and friends.

Mostly, as mentioned, this allows you and your new husband or wife to be the center of attention.  It is your day to shine!

The Sweetheart Table: CONS
Some do not want to be the center of attention.
They have to be aware of everything they do as all eyes are on this special table.
Guests will be staring at you as you eat and this may be uncomfortable.

This also limits the opportunity to talk to your guests, wedding party and families and if you have a big wedding, you will need as much time to talk to everyone as you can.

The Head Table: PROS
At a head table, with the bride and groom sitting at the center and the wedding party and family on the sides, this allows for more time with these honored people. This is important, especially if members of your wedding party are from out of town.

If you are shy, then you will not be the center of attention and feel scrutinized.

On your happy day, you have the opportunity to talk to people and share in the joy.

The Head Table: CONS
It may be tricky to decide who sits at the head table.
Some members of your family may feel slighted if they are not chosen to sit at the honorary head table.

As with the sweetheart table, bridal party members may also be upset that they are not sitting with their dates, unless you include them as well, but this can make a gigantic head table.

A head table also doesn’t allow you alone time with your new spouse.

As you can see, there are advantages and challenges to both options.
What works for one couple may not work for another.

Ask yourself how you feel about the points above and this should help you decide if you will be going for a sweetheart table or head table.

Written by Rita Wong, Rita Wong Events http://www.ritawongevents.com/

Rita Wong is a wedding and events planner and owner of Rita Wong Events. Based in Montreal, Rita also plans many weddings every year for brides living in Toronto and abroad. She is a dedicated follower of new trends and her goal is to give each bride a wedding that is fresh, unique, and a personal reflection of who they are. She now shares her professional insights with slice.ca.

Read all of Rita's blogs on slice.ca! 

Related Reading:

• We've got more great wedding articles and tools in the slice.ca Wedding Guide 

It’s time to spread the holiday cheer and hit the party circuit! I’ve got you covered with 20 stylish, affordable party-ready picks. From glittering minis in luxurious brocade to LBDs (and LWDs, too), Slice.ca has got everything you’ll need to impress this season.

All That Glitters
The holidays are the perfect time to step out of character and wear something that shimmers and shines. Try sequins, satin or metallic brocade to leave just the right impression.

Moon Brocade Dress, The Bay, $47.40

Breeyn McCarney Blue Sequin Crossover Dress, Ukamaku, $200

BB Dakota Jacquard Sleeveless Dress, Urban Outfitters, $110

Zebra Pattern Sequin Tunic, Dynamite, $40

All Black Everything
The little black dress has endured for decades because of it's simple, classic and so very easy to wear. Throw one on with some dazzling accessories and you’re ready to dance the night away.

Here are a few to try:

• Mona Moda Maxi Dress, French Connection $88 
• Talula Veronica Dress, Aritzia, $85
• Beaded Dolman-Sleeve Dress, Old Navy, $37
• Halter Neck Dress, Zara, $100

Borrowed From The Boys
Tuxedo dressing is all the rage this fall and winter season. Bring the runway’s hottest trend to the holiday party circuit and embellish your luxe blazer with a mistletoe lapel pin.

 Tuxedo-Style Blazer, H&M, $70

Straight Leg Trousers, Mango, $50

Two more that rock:

• Wing-Collared Blazer, Zara, $139
• The Gap Perfect Shirt, The Gap, $18

In Living Colour
Eye-catching colours aren’t just for the sun, surf and sand. Make a statement in a brightly-hued dress and give the office party crowd a run for their money.

A few to try:

• Retro-Style Dress, Mango, $99.90
• Top Shop Sleeveless Skater Dress, The Bay, $84
• Ruffled Satin Dress, The Gap, $37
• Ponté Knit Dress, Jacob, $99

LWD (Little White Dress)
The little black dress has been reigning supreme since Coco Chanel popularized it back in the 1920s, but the wardrobe classic’s lesser-known sister is ready to shine. Why not sport a winter white number this holiday season to stand out from the crowd? Sounds downright festive to me!

Septembre Anderson is a passionate journalist, blogger and fashion enthusiast who lives, works and shops in Toronto, ON. Her work has appeared on FASHIONMagazine.com, FILLERMagazine.com, HuffingtonPost.ca, and in Sway magazine. Read her posts every Wednesday on Slice.ca.

More From Septembre:

• LG Toronto Fashion Week: Pink Tartan and Joe Fresh, Spring 2012
  
• LG Toronto Fashion Week: Lucian Matis, Spring 2012
  
• Slice.ca's Primer to LG Toronto Fashion Week
  
• Topshop Opens in Canada
• 5 Fall Makeup Trends to Try Now
• Where to Shop for Style On a Budget
  

For those living under a rock, Demi Moore announced her divorce from Ashton Kutcher a couple weeks ago, but, interestingly enough, still hasn't changed her @mrskutcher Twitter handle (which, technically speaking, is a rather easy change to make). And though this seems odd to many—since they've both un-followed each another on the social network—it doesn’t seem odd to me at all.

Un-following has to do with taking care of yourself. When you follow an ex, you are constantly being alerted of their whereabouts, what they're up to, what's on their mind, and who they're talking to. Removing them from our social networks has more to do with us and our state, taking care of what we need to move forward and not be reminded of this person who we once loved.
 
However, to change your Twitter name is to change your identity and for the past 6 years (and 4, 910 tweets since she’s had the account), Demi has identified herself as Kutcher’s other half—his wife.

Choosing @mrskutcher as her handle in of itself was a statement. When you decide to include your other half when representing yourself on social networks, you further ingrain the importance of that person as part of your  life. You're showing off that you are their partner because they often define much of who you are.

When someone makes a change on social networks in regards to their relationship status, it reflects what they're going through during the breakup. Demi's Twitter handle is not just a name, but instead signifies one of the last things she has to hold on to.

For those of us who have been through a breakup in the digital age, we know that removing that smiling picture of us and our ex from our profile, or updating our relationship status is not an easy feat, and the same goes for Twitter names.

Many people need to take time on their own to come to terms with the split before making the change; before logging on to their account to see that change presented to themselves, and the world at large.

Sometimes we're hoping that maybe things will work out and we'll get back together with our partner. Why mess with our online social networks and bring all of our connections into the loop instead of waiting it out?
 
Resisting the urge to update is about acceptance; an inevitable step that comes when dealing with a breakup and one that will come in due time. If you’re stuck in a similar (albeit less public) situation, trust your gut. Take the time you need to heal. Don’t focus on what you think is expected of you. Then when you're ready, rip that Band-Aid off! Trust me, the idea of updating is much worse than actually doing it.

Jen Kirsch is a relationship expert, columnist and blogger. For quick tips and tricks follow her on Twitter @BlondeBronzed. Read her posts every Tuesday on Slice.ca.

More from Jen:

• Take A Page from J.Lo And Get Your Groove Back!
  
• The Hardest Part of Breaking Up Is Getting Back Your Stuff
  
• It's Time to Start Doing Your Own Dirty Work
  
• What's a Singleton to Do When the Invite Says +1?
  
• Relationships 101: Listen When He Speaks
  
• Are They Or Aren't They Still Together?
  
• 8 Relationship Warning Signs
• How to Get Over Losing "The One"

 Photo credit: PRPhotos.com

We all do it: read articles and watch TV shows about the perfect relationship and, in turn, the perfect man. You know, the man who woes us, wines us and dines us—the answer to our prayers. It's easy to get caught up in this idea of the perfect person who will be a resource to our happiness. However, the truth is we hold the keys to our own happiness.

Don't fall prey to the idea of a guy who will make you complete. When you finally meet the one who lands the lucky role of your other half, don't expect him to right your wrongs and give you a hand. We sometimes seem so adverse to taking care of ourselves, yet it’s ever so empowering to do so.  
In a day an age where "like breeds like" (ie. we attract a mate based on what we put out), it’s important to take care of yourself. A woman who can get by on her own, take care of herself, and doesn’t ‘need’ a man will in turn attract a healthier partner, creating a relationship with a central focus on partnership and not on need.

Stop Waiting, Start Doing
Buy a cute journal and write a wish list of things you want to accomplish. Whether it’s something as simple as getting a meeting with a mentor, or going in to fight a parking ticket, compose this list of things you are putting off in hopes that your partner will help you and then devise a plan to accomplish them on your own. Many of us wait to cross off to-dos from our ever-growing list, yet the longer we wait the more anxiety we are building up. Stop waiting and start doing.

Don't Be a Dependent
Just because your boyfriend is web-savvy, it doesn't mean he should build your website. Just because your man's friend painted in university, it doesn't mean you should put off painting your room for three months until he's available. Just because your fiancée is the better cook, it doesn't mean you should starve waiting for him to get home from work. These are all things you can do on your own.  Waiting on someone else puts pressure on them. They feel like you need them, a trait which makes most men run. Yes, it would be great to have their help, but being completely dependent on them will make you also feel like you need them, which means if they don’t pull through you’ll feel let down.  Take the necessary steps to care for yourself and do these things on your own. Your relationship should be a bonus to your fabulous, fulfilling life, not something that makes your life.

Avoid the Mommy/Daddy Complex
Your partner is not your parent (and you are not theirs). Just because he owns a killer apartment, you shouldn't be crashing there night-in and night-out without contributing to his monthly fees, groceries or internet/cable costs. If you spend upwards of five nights a week there, have a conversation with him about how you can contribute financially so you can be an equal partner. This also means he shouldn’t be caring for you: cooking, cleaning, paying for all your dates, always driving you places, etc. Relationships work best when the power of balance is equal. One of you shouldn’t be the giver; the other the taker. You should have a healthy balance of giving and taking.

Stop pushing your wants and needs aside hoping that your partner will take care of them for you. The best gift a partner could give (other than their love and commitment) is the gift of letting you be an independent, grown woman. Once you are able to harness into your resources and do things on your own, you will be able to be part of a fulfilling relationship where you don’t look at your partner as a person to solve your issues, but one to support the issues you find yourself in.

Jen Kirsch is a relationship expert, columnist and blogger. For quick tips and tricks follow her on Twitter @BlondeBronzed. Read her posts every Tuesday on Slice.ca.

More from Jen:

• Are They Or Aren't They Still Together?
  
• 8 Relationship Warning Signs
• How to Get Over Losing "The One"
  

Romance is always in the Hollywood air. Here are our favourite hookups from 2011:

5. Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds 
This past year, Blake called it quits with heartthrob Leo DiCaprio, and Ryan’s divorce to Scarlett Johansson was finalized. It was hard to feel bad for the two actors though, when they found each other and created the sexiest, blondest Hollywood couple going. They became friends while shooting The Green Lantern and soon, romance followed.

4. Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez
When it comes to boys that make the girls go crazy, you don’t get much bigger than The Biebs. But, unfortunately for screaming fans everywhere, Justin confirmed his relationship with Selena Gomez in early 2011. Since then, they have been seen getting cozy at awards shows, vacationing together, and spending time with each other’s families. These two are adorable.

3. George Clooney and Stacey Kiebler
Did this come as a shock to anyone else? Usually Clooney goes after unknowns—waitresses, small-time actresses—but this time he has fallen for a WWE wrestler. Yes, she is a beautiful woman, but something about these two still seems a bit off. He is 18 years her senior... but they seem truly happy. Perhaps thinking outside the box will finally lead George to the altar.

2. Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux
The world has been waiting for Jen to find the right guy, ever since her breakup with Brad Pitt. After several high-profile relationships (Vince Vaughn, John Mayer), it seems like Jennifer may have actually found the one in Justin Theroux, a theatre and film actor. Rumour has it that Justin will be spending some time with the Aniston family over the 2011 holiday season, indicating that things are definitely getting serious.

1. Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield
These two youngsters are bound to be Hollywood’s next power couple. She is the star of the uber-successful films Crazy, Stupid Love and The Help, and he is the next Spiderman (she plays his leading lady). With talent like this, in a couple that appears to be smart, savvy and solid to the earth, there is no telling how powerful they could become.

Written by Amy Bielby

With Christmas just around the corner, I thought it would be fun to speculate how some of our favourite Slice personalities will be spending the holiday. Please note that this is entirely empty speculation and not based on actual research. Like all of my blog posts...

Tim Gunn, Project Runway
Gesturing to his aunts’ Christmas dickie and murmuring, "This worries me."

Abby Lee Miller, Dance Moms
Berating the sugar plum fairies dancing in her head.

Cast of The Real Housewives of Atlanta
Drinking, screaming, dropping new Christmas tracks.

Cast of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
Drinking, screaming, putting a Rudolf nose on the grill of a Rolls Royce Phantom.

Cast of The Real Housewives of New Jersey
Drinking, screaming, getting disrespected, eating massive meals, kicking one another.

Patti Stanger, Millionaire Matchmaker
Telling Santa that she does not care how many toys he has, he needs to grow up and be a man and get Mrs. Claus Patti’s 1-800-FLOWERS bouquet.

Gail Vaz-Oxlade, Princess, Til’ Debt Do Us Part
Following the opening of each gift, Gail glares at the giver and demands to know how much it costs.

Renee Graziano, Mob Wives
What’s with the questions? Don’t worry about it.

Happy Holidays, everyone!

P.S. Am I the only one dearly hoping that Gail just snaps one day and buys a tangerine-coloured Lamborghini?

More From Paul:

• Ladies, Please Stop Laughing at Our Unfunny Jokes
  
• Paul Beer's Holiday Gift Guide: What to Buy Your Man this Season
• Don't Call It a Man Crush
  
• Is Your Man Addicted to Slice? Well, He's Not Alone

Well hello ladies, I want to thank you for entertaining us during the holiday season. I guess for Christmas this year, you got me a big nasty tea party fight. Thanks!

There’s so much cattiness this week the ladies practically needed a litter box. So I’ll give you the highlights in bullet points. There was simply too much to break it down into detail!

Kim & Kyle
Kim introduces Kyle to her boyfriend “Ken.” It’s awkward. It’s also obvious Kyle is never, ever going to want to be BFFs with Ken, or go on a double date or anything.

“I think that went well,” Ken says of his Kyle introduction.

Dear Ken: that’s completely the wrong interpretation of what went down. Totally wrong. So very, very wrong.

“I think that went good,” he adds.

Sigh. No Ken, no.

The Drama Begins….
…With some sort of ladies-in-business awards ceremony, as Taylor has been nominated. It seems as though lovely Taylor has invited everyone BUT Lisa to this little shindig. Kyle spills the beans to Lisa over the phone.

And why didn’t Taylor invite our favourite Brit?

Because she’s a “backhanded compliment wrapped up in sarcasm,” or something.

This is not going to go well.

The Tea Party from Hell
Lisa has a tea party with many pink flowers, pink food and cute little sandwiches. She invites everyone – including Taylor – because, “I’m going to invite Taylor, I’m going to rise above it.”

Side note: oh, this tea party is so very pretty. I’d like to have one, with 100% less fighting.

It gets awkward. Lisa asks aggressively about not being invited to Taylor’s event. Taylor cries. It’s embarrassing. She tries to get Camille involved, who makes a “do NOT involve me in this” face.

There is a long, convoluted “what is a friend” kind of discussion. It’s weird.

In Conclusion
Most inappropriate place for a meltdown: afternoon tea party.

Best Quote: “Lisa, you are your own screen saver on your iPad,” – Taylor trying to prove that Lisa is egotistical.

On the plus side, nobody threw tea at anybody.

Stephanie McGrath is a writer whose work has appeared on the Huffington Post, in the Toronto Sun, on CBC's Definitely Not the Opera and... lots of other stuff. She loves TV and anything to do with pop culture, even though she studied some philosophy and other important things in university.

So we begin where we left off – with the worst tea party in the world. The ladies continue to do battle over she said/she said. The eye of the storm is Taylor and Lisa and then – sort of out of nowhere – Camille turns the tables.

The former Mrs. Frasier gets all huffy, accuses Taylor of maybe not being 100% transparent and then says lots of things I’m sure Taylor didn’t want said on TV. Then she storms off. Wowzas. It’s seriously awkward.

There is much dissecting of the tea party events afterwards, including a lunch with Camille, Kyle and Adrienne. Camille says she’s texted Taylor to apologize, but that doesn’t seem to be working. (Camille also has chicken fingers for lunch, ‘cause I guess she’s 12?).

And now… on to a birthday party for a 5-year-old complete with pony rides, bouncy houses, a mechanical bull and some dude from American Idol.

The Most Over-the-Top Birthday Ever
And here, my friends, is a crazy breakdown of this nutty party for Taylor’s daughter Kennedy:

American Idol Who?
American Idol’s Ace Young shows up and nobody knows who he is!  “I don’t know him … but I’m excited,” says Kyle.

Gifts
There are a lot, including life-size teddy bears AND a real horse! Seriously! The kid got a horse!

Cattiness
The ladies discuss the fiasco of the tea party. Taylor and Camille are officially on the outs. Adrienne is cranky because Lisa and her daughter Pandora are staying at the Planet Hollywood Casino in Vegas for Pandora’s bachelorette party instead of her casino. Brandi tries to apologize to Kim for the Games Night nightmare a few episodes back. Kim will have none of it.

Most Hilarious Moment
Kennedy ignores American Idol guy and the song he wrote just for her. She actually looks embarrassed on his behalf when he starts crooning. Then she pouts.

Best Quote
“It’s the only person I know who has lips bigger than mine,” Taylor talking to Kennedy’s new horse (I hope she knows a horse is not a person).

Watch episode 12 in our video centre now!

Stephanie McGrath is a writer whose work has appeared on the Huffington Post, in the Toronto Sun, on CBC's Definitely Not the Opera and... lots of other stuff. She loves TV and anything to do with pop culture, even though she studied some philosophy and other important things in university.

Happy new year Slice.ca! Over the holiday season I took to the Slice social networks to find out what fashion resolutions you all had planned for 2012. Your answers were great. Check them out below:

Didn't make my round-up this time? Tell me below in the comments section: what is your fashion resolution for 2012?

Septembre Anderson is a passionate journalist, blogger and fashion enthusiast who lives, works and shops in Toronto, ON. Her work has appeared on FASHIONMagazine.com, FILLERMagazine.com, HuffingtonPost.ca, and in Sway magazine. Read her posts every Wednesday on Slice.ca. 

More From Septembre:

• 25 Holiday Accessories That Glimmer, Glitter, Shimmer and Shine
  
• 20 Holiday-Ready Style Picks
  
• LG Toronto Fashion Week: Pink Tartan and Joe Fresh, Spring 2012
  
• LG Toronto Fashion Week: Lucian Matis, Spring 2012
  
• Slice.ca's Primer to LG Toronto Fashion Week
  
• Topshop Opens in Canada
• 5 Fall Makeup Trends to Try Now
• Where to Shop for Style On a Budget

As we say goodbye to 2011, we also say goodbye to some “meant-to-be” couples that just couldn’t make it work. Here are our top seven breakups of the year:

7. Chaz Bono and Jennifer Elia
Controversial and loveable, Chaz won the world over when he competed on Dancing with the Stars this year. However, when this relationship began, both Chaz and Jennifer were female. Now that Chaz is a male, does the breakup come as a surprise to anyone?

6. Kobe Bryant and Vanessa Bryant
“Irreconcilable differences” is the reason for the divorce. Seems like a nice way of saying “Kobe, you publicly humiliated me with your affair/sexual assault charges in 2003 and now I am finally smartening up.” Plus, there are rumours that Kobe has been seeing Kim Kardashian’s gal pal Carla DiBello. Ever hear that saying, “Fool me once…”?

5. Kat Von D and Jesse James
After it was revealed that Jesse James cheated on sweetheart Sandra Bullock with numerous women, you would think he’d have trouble finding a date. But Kat von D was willing to overlook his troubled past and even agreed to marry him—probably not the smartest move. Seems that Jesse’s love for the ladies hadn’t subsided and the couple broke up not once, but twice this year. Um, Kat, we told you so?

4. Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony
With swirling rumours of Marc’s infidelity and rage issues, J-Lo and that guy she was married to for seven years, decided to call it quits. Now Jennifer Lopez is free to show off her rocking bod on awards shows and hook up with hot, young, back-up dancers.

3. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver
Twenty-five years of wedded bliss was no match for an affair and secret love child. When Maria discovered the Governator’s indiscretions, she quickly put an end to their relationship. Sadly for Arnold, he will not be back.

2. Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries
This breakup caused the most buzz this year, however, there is a reason it is not the number-one on our list. There is a chance that this union was really a sham, with no love involved on Kim’s part. Kris has claimed ‘fraud’ on his annulment request. Therefore, while this split was the most talked about, it was, in part, not a ‘real’ breakup.

1. Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher
This is one couple that seemed truly happy. Conquering an age difference and competing careers, Demi and Ashton really did seem to be made for each other. But again, extramarital relations crept into the relationship, putting an end to one of our favourite, and hottest, Hollywood marriages.

Written by Amy Bielby

This year, skip the grand resolutions and opt for a simple, healthy, active lifestyle. Set small goals you can tackle and achieve one by one throughout the year. Follow these tips to set yourself up for a success!

Set mini-goals
Skip the big, vague goals and target mini-goals: small, specific goals that will lead to positive changes and even create new habits. Rather than say you want to get stronger, choose 1 or 2 specifics things you want to improve such as, "I want to work my way up to 16 toe-pushups in 10 weeks."

Commit to an event
A set date and event will help you focus on your goal. You can register for a 5K run in the spring. You’ve got enough time to train if you start now. Then you can try a 10K run in the fall. To make it even more fun, rally some friends to join you.

Keep it real
Take a look at your lifestyle. How much time do you really have to go to the gym every week? Is it realistic to say 5 days a week? Be honest. If it’s not, you’ll just set yourself up to fail. Keep it real and you will succeed. 

Forgive, forget and move forward
If you miss a workout because you just aren’t up for it, or you’re sick, or you had to work late, don’t worry about it; just get back on track right away.

Schedule your workout
Make it part of your weekly routine. Choose the days and times that work with your regular schedule and lifestyle. If your work schedule changes weekly, then plan your workout schedule to be weekly, too. Once you have it figured out, add it to your calendar—with reminders on! This will keep you on schedule and will organize your workout, work and home times.

Mix things up
Variety will keep challenging your body in new and different ways and will prevent your mind from getting bored. Change your workout routine; mix and match cardio, strength and flexibility. Try new classes and activities to help you find what you love most.

Last but not least, get some friends to workout with you. It can be more fun to go together, you can spot each other, challenge and motivate one another and even engage in some friendly competition. You can encourage one another to go to the gym. Best of all you can celebrate your successes together!

What are you fitness goals for 2012?

Katya Mohsen is a fitness trainer and consultant who is passionate about active living. Follow her online at: http://fitness.katyamohsen.com

I have a confession to make: I am a fashion hoarder. When I was in university I had some amazing clothes and accessories that I threw away as soon as they were deemed “unstylish.” Years later, I am still mourning the loss of those now chic pieces.

To remedy that, I now keep everything just in case I might want to wear it a decade down the road (or that I might fit into those too-small jeans or too-short dresses again). As a result, my closet is a cluttered, jumbled mess and I risk being buried in a handbag avalanche every single time I open those doors (FYI: it has totally happened before).

If you’re like me, and many women are, then it’s time to give your wardrobe a much-needed overhaul and reclaim that closet space because, hey, spring is on it’s way and you’ll need the room for all the ladylike lace and flirty floral warm-weather dresses.

Below I break down how to overhaul your wardrobe, with the help of international image consultant and owner of Personal Power Image Consulting Christie Ressel, in four easy steps: keep, alter, throwaway/donate and fill in the blanks.

To start, take stock of your wardrobe. It’s time to start sorting! Go through your wardrobe and sort your clothes into three piles: keep, alter, throwaway/donate.

Keep
Keep all of your wardrobe basics, all the articles of clothing that make for a functional day-to-day wardrobe, as well as any items that you absolutely love (visit Slice.ca later this month for my comprehensive list of must-have wardrobe essentials).

“Just because you may be “bored” of an item doesn’t mean you should toss it,” says Ressel. “Oftentimes, it just takes a fresh pair of eyes to see how many amazing outfits you can make from what’s already in your closet!”

Alter
Alter anything that looks out-of-date. “Items that you purchased in another era, or that look dated but are still in good condition, can often be altered slightly to make them look new again,” says Ressel. “For example, boxy or long blazers from the Eighties or Nineties can be shortened and altered to fit your body better.”

Throw Away/Donate
Throw away or donate anything that looks tattered, worn or old as well as items that you just don’t like (I’m sure I’m not the only one who bought something that I wasn't sure of and then ended up hating it). Don’t let items that you feel ‘meh’ about take up valuable closet real estate.

Fill in the Blanks
Now that your closet is organized it’s time to stock up on any wardrobe basics that you may be missing.

“Create a list of any items or gap you feel need filling in your wardrobe. This way, you’ll have a plan when you shop next time and can avoid impulse buys that may not work for you,” says Ressel.

Make sure to only buy pieces that go with the clothes you already own and make you feel confident. 

What are you fashion resolutions for 2012 Slice fans?

Septembre Anderson is a passionate journalist, blogger and fashion enthusiast who lives, works and shops in Toronto, ON. Her work has appeared on FASHIONMagazine.com, FILLERMagazine.com, HuffingtonPost.ca, and in Sway magazine. Read her posts every Wednesday on Slice.ca. 

• 2012 Fashion Resolutions from the Slice Community
  
• 25 Holiday Accessories That Glimmer, Glitter, Shimmer and Shine
  
• 20 Holiday-Ready Style Picks
  
• LG Toronto Fashion Week: Pink Tartan and Joe Fresh, Spring 2012
  
• LG Toronto Fashion Week: Lucian Matis, Spring 2012
  
• Slice.ca's Primer to LG Toronto Fashion Week
  
• Topshop Opens in Canada
• 5 Fall Makeup Trends to Try Now
• Where to Shop for Style On a Budget
  

New season, new host, new judges...Project Runway is back and this time, we've got All Stars! You know what that means? More drama, more talent and more amazing clothes. Each week I'll be recapping the episode and -- very exciting -- offering exit interviews with the eliminated designer! Haven't you always wanted to know how they really feel? SPOILER ALERT -- find out below who we've got up first. Let's get started, shall we?

New host Angela Lindvall is gorgeous (though what was up with that gold sack she wore for her first appearance?) and I've always been a fan. I've never heard her speak, however, and I hope that her nervous tone and overly dramatic facial expressions will improve as the season wears on. Don't get me wrong, I love AngieL and I'm happy she's the new host, but man does she ever stick out as a first-timer! Also, they couldn't give her a catchphrase exit line like Auf Wiedersehen?

The returning designers are a good mix from all seasons, some of whom I don't know. My faves? Austin (season 1), Kara (season 2) and Anthony (season 7) -- he's the king of one-liners! When they popped champagne he sassed, "Y'all know I'm from the projects, I thought you were shooting!" Welcome back, friend.

The challenge was the usual Unconventional Challenge -- the designers had to make a garment inspired by their earlier runway outfit with $100 worth of stuff from the .99 Store. I don't always like these types of challenges. I'd rather see the designers work with more traditional materials to create something wearable, but this time around there were several designers who, to quote new judge Issac Mizrahi to challenge winner Rami, "made the elements [their] bitch." Hi Issac!

Georgina Chapman of Marchesa rounds out the judges' roster and Joanna Coles, Editor-In-Chief of Marie Claire, attempts to fill Tim Gunn's wingtips as mentor. I liked her and I look forward to seeing more of cool Coles, don't you?

Season 4's Sweet P and Elisa found themselves in the bottom two and rightfully so when you compared their garments to the others. Elisa Jimenez was eliminated and we've got her Exit Interview on why she returned, how she felt about her garment and who she's rooting for now.

Slice: Why did you decide to return to Project Runway?

Elisa: It was a very pivotal time in my own work and I had been putting out in to the world that I wanted something huge and intense. It was the same day I did the meditation with my 15-year old daughter, who is my #1 advisor, when I first received the call for All Stars.

Slice: How did it feel different the second time around?

Elisa: I wasn't really present the first time, season 4. I was a bit timid about being verbal that I believe in American production, artisans, handiwork, etc. I've had a very blessed career for over 17 years. I feel responsible that I should be a positive voice for the industry and a a good role model. I didn't hold back, that part of it felt good. The most fun part was the people, getting to meet my colleagues and other designers. They're all so talented.

Slice: What did you think of the new judges' criticisms of your garment?

Elisa:  I stand by the design I did. What I was really proud of is the first dress. I agree [with guest judge Ken Downing of Neiman Marcus] that you shouldn't have to explain your work, it was a good example and a good lesson. But I wouldn't have changed a thing. I'm going to use those little short for my spring collection, I'm crushing on them.  I truly respect Mr. Mizrahi, to have his dialouge meant a great deal because I admire his work.

Slice: Whose garment did you love and who are you rooting for now?

Elisa:  I'm rooting for Austin. He's this incredible example of a very intelligent, well-read, historically-based talented young man and that's so rare. He's like one of the pioneers from season 1, I think. I definitely loved Austin's garment. I have a huge crush on him anyway. The great thing about Project Runway and All Stars is that I genuinely like collaborating with creatives. I was thoroughly impressed by the camp I was in -- there wasn't anything that was like, hideous.  I would wear Rami's suit -- I think I'd look really cute in Rami's suit.  Kara's was really cute, too.

There you have it -- what did you think of the premiere and who will we be eliminated next week? Let's chat in the comments!

Watch Episode 1 Now

Are you thinking about attending a group exercise class for the first time ever, or maybe after a long time? Are you slightly nervous about taking your first step into the exercise studio? Here are some tips to help get you there:

Arrive 10-15 Minutes Early
Give yourself time to familiarize yourself with the facilities and equipment, and to speak to the instructor and other participants before class. Be sure to find out if you need to sign up for any classes or get a class pass to secure a spot. Classes requiring equipment, like indoor cycling, have limited space and can fill up quickly.

Hello My Name is Newbie
Meet your instructor. We don't bite, I promise! We help you get started and share tips and options. Then find a spot at the front so you can see and can be seen by your instructor.

Remember: Everyone's Had a First Class at Some Point
That’s right! They’ve all been in your running shoes at least once and they will welcome you. Don't be shy and don’t worry about moving left instead of right or being one count behind; it's completely normal. Keep in mind that it's not a competition, just work at your level and have fun.

Third Time’s a Charm
Try a class at least 3 times before deciding if it’s right for you or not. Your first class may be a little bumpy: you'll be focused on following and processing a lot of new information. Your second class will feel a lot smoother, you'll know what to expect and will react more quickly. By the third class, it'll start to come naturally and you'll have a great, fun workout!

Find Your Match
Enjoy a sampling of instructors; each one has a different coaching style. Look for instructors you connect with. The ones you have the most fun with, who motivate you when things get tough and who leave you wanting more. Finding the right match can make a huge difference in your workout.

Use all these tips together for best results. Dress comfortably, wear appropriate footwear, and have fun!

Share your first experience and tips below.

Katya Mohsen is a fitness trainer and consultant who is passionate about active living. Follow her online at: http://fitness.katyamohsen.com

Are you deeply in debt?

If you're woefully nodding your head right now, you know that it's not a pleasant feeling. Being mired in debt is stressful, frustrating and sometimes downright scary. Fortunately, you're on the right track—the first step to shedding your financial woes is admitting you've got a problem.

Type "How to Get Out of Debt" into Google, and you'll discover that everyone's got some advice to share, from blogs to credit counselling services to banks. Here are some of the most effective ways to deal with your debt debacle and switch to the path of financial fitness:

1. Assess Your Situation
Before you can decide on a plan of action, you need to figure out where you're at. Have a sit-down with your bills and record exactly how much you owe, the minimum monthly payments and the interest rate for each debt. Here's a handy-dandy chart on Oprah's website to give you an idea of how you should format your debt chart.

2. Put Your Credit Cards on Ice... Literally
For most of us, credit cards are the gateway drug to deepening debt. If you are in financial trouble, stop using them. Immediately. Cut up that pesky plastic, leaving only one card for emergencies. And if you really want to remove the temptation, freeze your card in a block of ice. The hassle of defrosting your card may give you enough time to reconsider using it.

3. Sell Your Assets... Maybe
If you have assets that you can do without (like a second car or a boat or a country home for example), consider selling them to free up some cash to service your debt. But since most of us don't have extra property or luxury vehicles to part with, you may have to take a long, hard look at the assets you take for granted. If you need a car to get to work, selling it won't necessarily make sense. But if you could be taking transit and saving a bundle, it might be time to visit Auto Trader.

4. Create an Emergency Fund
If you're deeply in debt, odds are you have absolutely nothing in savings. And that means you have very little ability to deal with the money-sucking curveballs that life sometimes can throw your way. Before tackling your debt aggressively, personal finance guru Dave Ramsey suggests you accumulate $1,000 cash as an emergency fund. This way, you'll have a buffer in case of a job loss or surprise car repair.

5. Set Up a Budget
Curb your spendthrift ways by tracking your daily spending (maybe you don't need that cheese danish before work or those gossip mags in the grocery aisle). You can use David Bach's Latte Factor template (once again, care of Oprah's site), to discover where you are wasting cash on frivolous items. Once you've figured out what's necessary and unnecessary, set up a budget to govern your daily spending.

6. Stop Spending
Now that you have a budget, stick to it. It's easier said than done, but it's at the core of financial recovery. Obviously, you still want to have a life, so don't put yourself on bread and water. Maintain expenditures that are good for your health (like a gym membership or fresh fruits and veggies), but take fancy new duds or fine dining off the table.

7. Snowball Your Debt Payments
You might think that you should be paying off the debts with the highest interest rates first. Not a bad idea, but personal finance guru Dave Ramsey has a different approach. He advocates "snowballing" your debt repayment: Attack the lowest debt first, and pay that one aggressively (while keeping up your minimum payment on the other debts). Once the first debt has been eliminated, take the money you were using to pay it off and throw it at the next-larger debt until it is paid off, and so on. "Paying the little debts off first gives you quick feedback, and you are more likely to stay with the plan," says Ramsey.

8. Seek Help if You Need It
If these steps just seem too overwhelming, you may need the help of your friendly local credit counselling service. Perhaps you would benefit from consolidating your debts, or maybe you need help dealing with creditors who have been on your tail (check next week's post for more on how to find the best debt resources).

9. Get an Extra Job
While you don't want to drive yourself to the point of exhaustion, consider taking on a part-time job to amp up your debt repayment. Or pick up a few extra shifts at your current gig. It doesn't have to be a permanent situation, but it could give you the extra revenue you need to dig out of the hole you're in. Besides, you can't spend like a madwoman while you're on the job, right?

Written by Shelley White

I was getting ready to go to an event a few weeks ago and was looking for a top to go with a gorgeous African print skirt I have when realized that I don’t own a single, solitary blouse. In my (successful) attempt to amass a colourful, fun, adventurous wardrobe I forgot about the basics.

In place of black trousers, I had Kelly green ones; instead of a classic trench, I had a cape-style one; and where a go-with-anything little black dress should have been, were dresses in coral, pink and bright floral prints.

While my closet is stuffed to the rafters with clothes, I neglected wardrobe essentials; the basic building blocks of style.

I am Septembre Anderson. And I am currently the not-so-proud owner of a closet full of nothing.

Well, what exactly are wardrobe essentials? They are clothes, shoes and accessories that make up the basic foundation of your wardrobe. They make getting dressed in the morning that much easier because they are classic, trend-proof, mix and matchable staples that go with everything. Below are 16 must-have wardrobe essentials.

Septembre Anderson is a passionate journalist, blogger and fashion enthusiast who lives, works and shops in Toronto, ON. Her work has appeared on FASHIONMagazine.com, FILLERMagazine.com, HuffingtonPost.ca, and in Sway magazine. Read her posts every Wednesday on Slice.ca. 

• How to Overhaul Your Wardrobe In the New Year, For a New You
  
• 2012 Fashion Resolutions from the Slice Community
  
• 25 Holiday Accessories That Glimmer, Glitter, Shimmer and Shine
  
• 20 Holiday-Ready Style Picks
  
• LG Toronto Fashion Week: Pink Tartan and Joe Fresh, Spring 2012
  
• LG Toronto Fashion Week: Lucian Matis, Spring 2012
  
• Slice.ca's Primer to LG Toronto Fashion Week
  
• Topshop Opens in Canada
• 5 Fall Makeup Trends to Try Now
• Where to Shop for Style On a Budget

Gladys was going for ‘subtle sophistication’ and the honeymoon to Bora Bora says she achieved it! Here’s how to get your own sophistication at any price!

VENUE
Gladys was all about urban chic! Her church was in the heart of downtown, and her reception venue was in the top of an office building. The trouble with these venues is the transportation and parking! Your guests don’t want to ride the subway in their finery, and you don’t want people to miss your wedding because they are looking for parking. Here’s some ways to get around that!

Splurge: Get taxi chits for all your guests. Not only does this mean they will get dropped off right at the door, it also means they don’t have to worry about parking. This is also an excellent way to make double sure that no one tries to drive home after indulging in the open bar.

Save: Rent a big bus for your guests! You’ll save money by not paying for each individual guest, but they’ll still be riding in style! It’s an easy way to move your guests from ceremony to reception. As for getting home, approach a local taxi company and ask them for a bunch of their business cards. Make sure to leave these on each table - your guests can foot the bill, but at least you’ll facilitate them getting a ride home.

FOOD
Gladys’ food looked delicious and hopefully your guests won’t be as critical as picky Taylor! One thing that really threw the bride judges off was the mystery lamb burger. Besides making sure your wait staff are well informed (which is always a fantastic idea), there’s other ways to make sure your guests don’t get any surprises!

Splurge: Options are your best bet here! If you’re doing sliders, offer a lamb, a beef and a chicken. That way, people can pick what they want. For your mains, offer plenty of options, so if a guest doesn’t like something they can choose the alternate and still be satisfied!

Save: If your budget doesn’t allow you to go for options, your best bet is to stick with the classics. There’s a better chance that everyone will find something they like if you stick to the good old favourites. If you’re doing sliders, just offer a beef option; for your mains play it safe with chicken. These choices don’t have to be boring, as long as they are impeccably cooked your guests will be sated.

DRESS
Gladys was going for a light 1940’s theme to her wedding, you could see this in her bridesmaids’ pencil skirt dresses and her own mermaid gown.

Splurge: When shopping, search for a vintage-looking gown. In this case, Gladys had a mermaid gown with a ruffled bottom. If you love a dress but it's ruffle free, you can always ask the boutique if they know a good seamstress who could add ruffles. Just think about what fabric you want: taffeta, organza and chiffon are a good fabric, as they will hold a ruffle but still move!

Save: If you want a vintage style, like the 1940’s mermaid look, the internet will be your best friend! It can cost much less, leaving you some leftover cash to get alterations done - always something to keep in mind when buying second hand. Also, head to your local vintage stores and let them know what you are looking for, they can keep an eye on new stock to see if your dream dress shows up!

OVERALL
Gladys’ subtle elegance could really be seen in her décor: the all-white colour scheme, the high centrepieces, the soft candlelight.

Splurge: Gladys had all white bouquets in tall vases as her centrepieces. Ask your florist for a beautiful combination of gardenias, white roses, chrysanthemums, dahlias or clematis. All beautiful, all white! Or, opt for a potted orchid - nothing says elegance like a beautiful orchid. Ask if your venue/decorator has candelabras, or invest in some beautiful glass ones. Fill them with tea lights, and you’re all set!

Save: Hydrangeas are your very best friend here, you may have spotted some in Gladys’ centrepieces! Hydrangeas are an amazing way to add volume, and at a great price too. You can throw in a few more expensive blossoms, which will really pop! As opposed to pricey candelabras, invest in some inexpensive glass candle holders from the dollar store, go for cubes in various sizes. When clustered together, these can look just as elegant as a candelabra, at a fraction of the price!

Written by Four Weddings Canada

VIDEO: Watch the full episode from Episode 5 of Four Weddings Canada here!

If Kim’s elegantly romantic wedding pulled on your heartstrings, here’s a rundown to help you re-create your own:

CEREMONY
A warm, outdoor fall wedding has a promise of whimsy to begin with – and Kim went that little bit further by hosting it at a vineyard. She added to mother nature’s beauty with live music and took full advantage of her venue with a wine tasting for her guests before moving to her reception venue.

Splurge: Ask your winery if they offer guided wine tastings - this is a great way to kill some time for your guests. Also, splurge on live musicians, a nice string trio, perhaps? Even one man with a guitar can make some beautiful music!

Steal: Your guests will be in an area with a lot of open space, so think of fun things for them to do. Maybe bring a frisbee, organize an old school game of Capture The Flag - it will bring out the kid in everyone! Just make sure you check with the venue first, so you don’t trample the grapes!

RECEPTION VENUE
While some may find this a fairly conservative choice – our winning bride proved that details can make any space extraordinary. While the venue itself offered a unique starlit ceiling, the DIY additions were what really made Kim’s wedding stand out. Dramatic damask tablecloths draped cocktail tables, seat-covers were pinned back with rhinestone brooches, menus were lit up on the tables, and even the place card settings were made by the bride and her maids alike – from corks directly from the ceremony vineyard. And just in case dinner and cake weren’t enough – a midnight table and candy buffet added extra treats for guests to eat!

Splurge: Opt for extras!  Personalized place card settings, napkin holders, menus – the works!  Many venues, florists, or wedding planners can suggest sets or packages that offer pre-done and coordinated magical details. 

Steal: Do it yourself! Your craft store is a great source for finding materials for items you make yourself, adding that personal touch. This can also help ensure you fit the budget of your choice.  Even the candy bar is a DIY treasure chest – buy candy in bulk, and containers from the dollar store.

DRESS
Kim looked amazing in her mermaid gown, complete with romantic ruffles and sweetheart neckline. She kept the rest subtle – with her hair mostly down in romantic waves, and minimalistic jewelry.

Splurge: Treat yourself to getting your hair and make-up done. Kim was a radiant bride, and getting a stylist will let you kick back and relax while you get the movie star treatment!

Steal: Enlist the help of friends and bridesmaids to do your hair and make-up. Everyone has that one girlfriend who is a whiz with a curling iron, and any girl with a steady hand can learn to apply false eyelashes. Just make sure you all have plenty of practice runs before the big day!

OVERALL
Kim’s wedding was an elegant affair – with wine purples, sleek black, and touches of damask and diamond sparkle.  It played in beautifully with her vineyard ceremony – maintaining an ambient air of romance that will be sure to warm the memories of any sentimental sort for years to come. Here’s an inspiration board to help spark your creativity!

Written by Four Weddings Canada

VIDEO: Watch the full episode from Episode 4 of Four Weddings Canada here!

Busy Phillipps tapped into the all-seventies everything trend when she hit up the People's Choice Awards 2012 Nominations Press Conference
in Beverly Hills, California wearing a dragon green Marc By Marc Jacobs Michaela silk dress with a *** bow that she cinched with a chocolate brown belt. The actress accessorized the look with a pair of cognac leather knee-high boots and a gold pendant necklace.

This midi dress is the perfect option for ladies who would like to wear a dress during the winter without risking frostbite.

If you’d like to get this comfortably flowing 70s look without the sticker shock (the Marc by Marc Jacobs dress costs $503!), try these affordable options:

• Miss Selfridge Midi dress, $66
• Topshop at the Bay 70s leather high leg boot, $90
• Brave Leather Maeron belt, $85
• H&M necklace, $7

Septembre Anderson is a passionate journalist, blogger and fashion enthusiast who lives, works and shops in Toronto, ON. Her work has appeared on FASHIONMagazine.com, FILLERMagazine.com, HuffingtonPost.ca, and in Sway magazine. Read her posts every Wednesday on Slice.ca. 

• How to Overhaul Your Wardrobe In the New Year, For a New You
  
• 2012 Fashion Resolutions from the Slice Community
  
• 25 Holiday Accessories That Glimmer, Glitter, Shimmer and Shine
  
• 20 Holiday-Ready Style Picks
  
• LG Toronto Fashion Week: Pink Tartan and Joe Fresh, Spring 2012
  
• LG Toronto Fashion Week: Lucian Matis, Spring 2012
  
• Slice.ca's Primer to LG Toronto Fashion Week
  
• Topshop Opens in Canada
• 5 Fall Makeup Trends to Try Now
• Where to Shop for Style On a Budget

Jessica’s multi-cultural affair came out on top of a very tough competition! Here’s a closer look at her wedding day to help you create a winning wedding of your own!

Ceremony
Jessica’s two ceremony wedding was certainly unique - it's a great way to incorporate both you and your fiance’s cultures. Jessica started with a traditional Hindu ceremony, which included beautiful mendhi, a gorgeous saari and even a groom on horseback. The bride then had a costume change into a traditional western gown, for a Western ceremony which incorporated elements of her Jewish background. Mazel Tov!
Splurge: Have two ceremonies, one which reflects both you and your fiance’s cultural heritage. Just make sure the ceremonies are short and sweet to avoid your guests sitting for hours. You can also follow Jessica’s example, and incorporate a traditional dress - who doesn’t love a costume change! And the best part is you know even the trickiest of in-laws will be appeased.
Save: Stick to one ceremony, but incorporate elements of both cultures. Smash the glass under a Mandip, or incorporate traditional cultural vows into your own. You’ll still keep those in-laws happy, and save a little bit of dough by only having one ceremony.

Venue
Jessica was married at a beautiful golf course, which served double duty as a ceremony and reception site. The weather was gorgeous, and the bride took full advantage of this with her outdoor ceremony. But, she was smart enough to provide shelter from the sun under a tent, and had big fans cooling her guests.
Splurge: Invest in a tent or canopy for your ceremony site. No matter how short and sweet your ceremony is, guests will feel the burn if left outside! Also, make sure to provide electric fans to cool the guests, just make sure the noise doesn’t interfere with people hearing the ceremony.
Save: If you can’t afford the canopy, hand fans are a great and cheap way to cool your guests. You can go DIY and make your own. A great idea is to print your wedding program right onto the fans, so they do double duty! Also, booking one venue is a fantastic way to cut down costs, and also makes things easier for your guests. It’s a one stop shop!

Dress
Jessica’s gorgeous wedding dress had a sweetheart neckline, fitted to just below the waist (we would say ‘just past the butt’ but that’s not very lady like!) with an explosion of ruffles. It was elegant, softly romantic and fit her perefectly! She also had a beautiful side swept up-do with blingy earrings and bracelet.
Splurge: Go for broke with a beautiful mermaid style gown! Ruffles are super hot right now, so you’ll be sure to find one. Don’t forget tailoring! Jessica’s dress fit her like a glove, so make sure to spend the extra on getting the right fit. Don’t forget the bling! Jessica added sparkle with her crystal drop earrings, crystal bracelet and hair accessory.
Save: Rental is going to be your best friend here! There are several boutiques all over Canada that offer wedding dress rental. Let them know you’re looking for a mermaid style dress with sweetheart neck and a ruffled bottom. You can also rent accessories, everything from bracelets to earrings to tiaras so you’ll be blingy to the max while still feeling thrifty.

Overall
Jessica’s wedding featured a beautiful purple, silver and white colour scheme. The amazing thing about these colours is that while being romantic and sultry, they transition easily from a summer to a winter wedding.

Written by Four Weddings Canada

VIDEO: Watch the full episode from Episode 3 of Four Weddings Canada here!

Related

• Recreate The Winning Wedding: Sabrina
• Recreate The Winning Wedding: Chantal
• Four Weddings Canada Microsite

Congratulations! You are freshly engaged and ready to dive right into the wedding planning. Don’t let your excitement make you overlook some important "must do's." Here are some things to consider:

Informing family and friends

Before you change your status to ‘Engaged’ on Facebook and send a tweet about the big news, think about how your mom or best friend would feel if they had to hear about your engagement at the same time as the rest of the world. Plan private opportunities to share the big announcement with the ones you love.

Set a Budget

You may not know what everything costs, but you should have a good idea of what you can afford in planning your wedding. Setting a budget from the start will keep you on track and keep you from spending beyond what you have budgeted. Talk to your groom-to-be and decide what are the most important things that matter to you. If great music and entertainment is a big for you, then you may want to spend more on the DJ or band and save somewhere else, like flowers, for example. You don’t have to be precise to the dollar and cents, but set a range as some items, such as catering, which will be determined when your guest list is confirmed.

Start Your Guest List

This should be one of the first things you do, as this will determine a lot of the choices you will make when you refine your budget and select a venue. A guest list of 50 will require a much different venue than for a guest list of 250.  This preliminary guest list is of course, not set in stone, but at least it will give you a good starting point in setting an estimate. You will have plenty of time to tweak this list later.

Set a Date for the Big Day

Setting a date also affects the budget and determines many factors as well. Having a wedding in the Summer offers you outside venues and other options than a Winter wedding may. Some flowers are more expensive in one season than the other and if you love flowers, this may be important to consider. Having your wedding during a long weekend may be more expensive and may run the risk of having guests that will be out of town.  Other things to keep in mind are the weekend of daylight saving time changes, which may confuse people and major sports events, like Super Bowl and March Madness, which may keep some guests glued to a TV at home.

Lock Down a Venue FAST!

Once the date is set and you have a good idea of how many guests you will have, book your venue.  If it is a long weekend, do it quick!  Sometimes venues have their weekends all booked up – up to a year in advance, especially in the summer months and holiday weekends. During your venue search, make sure you ask what the venue provides and does not, if you can bring in outside caterers (if necessary), if there is a Plan B for rain (if it is an outdoor venue) and other important concerns.

Book your Photographer

Like venues, photographers book up really quickly. Once you have done your research and found someone you like and fits in your budget, book the date with him ASAP!

Consider Hiring a Planner

There is a LOT that goes into planning a wedding. You may benefit from having a planner by acquiring their knowledge of how the industry works, getting inside scoop on who are the best and reputable suppliers to go to, help sorting through long and detailed contracts, and best of all, getting their industry discounts. A planner has seen many weddings and can prevent you from making wedding planning mistakes and also offer creative ideas, and deal with family drama as well. Having a planner, even just for the day-of, frees you up from working on your wedding day and allows you to enjoy your day, which will go by quickly… so enjoy every little second of it and let a planner help you do so.

Find Your Dress

For some brides, this is the most important thing in planning their big day. Feeling their most beautiful will make a bride’s day and keep her smiling all day and all night long. There are definitely thousands of choices, which may make the task quite daunting, so start small. Think about the mood of your wedding day. Think about what flatters your figure. Try on a few dresses and ask for help. Sometimes, you may be suggested a dress you would never choose yourself, but when you try it on, it may just be the very dress you will choose for your big day.

Despite all there is to do in planning your wedding, have fun with it.  It is going to one of the most special days of your life, so enjoy, but be wise.

Written by Rita Wong, Rita Wong Events http://www.ritawongevents.com/

Rita Wong is a wedding and events planner and owner of Rita Wong Events. Based in Montreal, Rita also plans many weddings every year for brides living in Toronto and abroad. She is a dedicated follower of new trends and her goal is to give each bride a wedding that is fresh, unique, and a personal reflection of who they are. She now shares her professional insights with slice.ca.

Related:

• Read all of Rita's blogs on slice.ca! 
• We've got more great wedding articles and tools in the slice.ca Wedding Guide

When I’m pressed for time and don’t know what to wear I always reach for one of my trusty little black dresses (check out our 20 Holiday-Ready Style Picks guide for some chic options). Unfortunately, so do the majority of women.

To avoid looking like a carbon copy in yet another LBD (and to get multiple wears out of one stunning dress), opt for showstopping accessories that glimmer, glitter, shimmer and shine. From ladylike pearls on dainty earrings to edgy chains on black lacquer cuffs, these accessories will have you standing out in the holiday crowd!

Septembre Anderson is a passionate journalist, blogger and fashion enthusiast who lives, works and shops in Toronto, ON. Her work has appeared on FASHIONMagazine.com, FILLERMagazine.com, HuffingtonPost.ca, and in Sway magazine. Read her posts every Wednesday on Slice.ca. 

Dear Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,

I think you should hire me as your spunky sidekick. No, I’m not botoxed, or rich, or married to someone who lives in Beverly Hills, and I’m definitely not a housewife.  But, I could… I don’t know, maybe carry your sunscreen when it seems too heavy. It’s not that I’m into the crazy drama, it’s just that your vacation spots look niiiiiiiiiice and I’d like to enjoy the FatBurger burger stand you bring to your backyard bashes. Those fries look good.

And now, down to business:

This week we are exposed to the second half of Kyle’s White Party and the first half of Mauricio’s bday party in Hawaii (sidenote: good lord he’s a handsome man).

White Party
Kyle is weepy about kicking Russell and Taylor out of her bash, due to Russell’s litigious email to Camille.

Taylor and Russell have an incredibly awkward limo ride home.

Someone is wearing a beige cardigan to Kyle’s White Party! The horror!

There’s a FatBurger stand at the party (which I mentioned earlier). Paul is very excited about the fries.

Kim and Ken are… bleeeeeeeeech. All over each other. Blech. It’s embarrassing. Kim is oblivious to the fact they look ridiculous. “We take over the floor!” she says proudly. Yes honey, but not in a good way.

Hawaii
Everyone goes to Hawaii for Mauricio’s birthday party. Everyone but Russell and Taylor, who are uninvited of course.

Kim misses her flight because her license is expired, she can’t find her keys and she can’t find her passport… or something along those lines.

Brandi is afraid of flying and so she overdoes it on the cocktails and Xanax and slurs her way through the flight. “I used to roofie myself. It was awesome. I wish I could still do that but it’s against the law,” she says.

Everyone arrives at the Four Seasons and it’s gorgeous. I want to go there. I’d like to live there.

Drunken Brandi hangs off Lisa’s Ken who is epically pleased about the attention.

“Bloody hell, I’m going to have to put out tonight,” sighs Lisa.

The next morning everyone hangs out at the pool and beach. Brandi has the smallest bikini in the world and an undeniably awesome body. It makes me sad I just ate a bunch of Cheesies.

Bam! The most dramatic moment of the episode arrives! Lisa and Kyle take a call from Taylor who has phoned to say she and Russell are done… for good. He’s moving out and she’s happy about it.

Next week we get more Hawaii and more Kim drama. Can’t wait!

*Highlight of the week: Brandi apparently says Kim’s Ken looks like a “drunken bull mastiff.” No, I don’t know what it means but still, heh.

Watch Episode 17 in our video centre now!