Nov 21, 2014

Chris Hemsworth - What to Look for in a Man

Photo:  People Magazine 2014
Today: this face on magazine stands around the world.  Despite the Twitter chatter that other stars should have received the title, in my book Chris Hemsworth is the "Sexiest Man Alive."

He's even sexier in person.  I had a chance to meet Chris last Oscar season at a screening for his film, Rush, hosted by the Directors Guild.  The PR team emphatically stated Chris would not be signing autographs or taking photos.

I happened to be in one of the front rows and before his handlers could whisk him off stage, Chris was taking selfies with us and signing pictures. Thor up close - sexy? Um, speechless. 
Photo:  People Magazine 2014
Besides the fact that he's hot, Chris seems to have qualities that would make for an ideal mate.  He's married but if you're looking for more than a Tinder hook-up, here are five traits I saw in Chris that would make any guy the sexiest man alive:

1.  He's humble about his looks.  
Chris honestly didn't seem to notice or care how hot he is.  Maybe it's the scruff or the tousled hair or the not-too-shredded muscles - but he doesn't seem like one of those guys who spends half his time at the gym or in front of a mirror.  That translates into knowing you'll get his attention, whether in the bedroom or the boardroom.

2.  He's gracious.
Chris could have walked off the stage shielded by his handlers but you could tell he wanted to be gracious to the audience.  I'm sure he hates getting mobbed by fans but he seems to accept it as part of the cost of fame.  He doesn't seem to let the adoration get to his ego.  A gracious guy is one who makes others feel significant instead of insisting the spotlight always be on him.

3.  He can laugh at himself.
Chris laughed often during the Q&A and it was easy to feel happy and upbeat listening to him.  Ever been with a guy where you're always afraid you'll say the wrong thing and set him off? No one's worth that much work. A sense of humor goes a long way during stormy times.

4.  He's authentic.
Chris didn't seem to be worried about protecting an image.  He's doesn't act like Thor in real life; he has soft spots.  The guy who never appears weak? The mystery may seem alluring initially but you'll eventually find yourself pounding on the wall he's built around his heart. A truly sexy man doesn't need a false version of himself to attract others.

5.  He honors his wife and family.
Chris probably gets hit on constantly but I loved how he honored his wife even when she wasn't around. He didn't try to come across as a stud. He wasn't ashamed of the ring on his finger.  A man who honors those around him? Sexy times 100.

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Nov 17, 2014

From Weddings to Weight Loss - What Solange Shows Us

Photo:  Vogue
Before she whipped Jay Z, I had never paid much attention to Solange Knowles. Now, of course, the world knows not to mess with BeyoncĂ©'s little sister. 

And now, with her unconventional white wedding in Vogue, she's the star of her own beautiful, blazing moment.  

Solange thrashed the wedding rule book: the bike ride to the ceremony, the guests in white, the caped gown - showing us all that sometimes the best way to rock your life is by defying everything you've been taught. 

Speaking of vows...In a few weeks, we'll be inundated with ads from the billion-dollar diet industry seeking our dollars to help with our New Year's resolutions.  It might be time to take a page from Solange's playbook and say:  Screw your rules.

From weddings to weight loss, sometimes you have to be the game-changer.

Ditching the rules - and the scale - helped me lose 50 pounds after failing horribly with traditional dieting methods.  If common diets have left you starving, fatter than ever and burned out, why not take a note from Solange?  Forget the formulas. Do it your way.   

Below are some articles and blog posts I've written with unconventional ideas for weight loss:

Throw Away Your Scale to Lose Weight for Life

When Fat Is Not Beautiful two-part blog series

Detox the Emotions Keeping You Unhealthy

You can bet when it's my time for nuptials, I'm following Solange's lead and re-writing the story there, too.  Congrats to the couple!  
Photo:  Vogue

 
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Nov 15, 2014

Before She Broke the Internet

Photo:  Paper Magazine 2014
Before she tried to break the Internet, we broke secrets of Kim Kardashian's flawless looks. 

Kim has featured some of her favorite places in my Santa Monica neighborhood on her reality show.  I was astonished when I ran into her that she is quite gorgeous and even more petite than me, except her booty!

During a recent season of Keeping Up with the Kardashians, I interviewed celebrity beauty expert Dana Waldie about treatments and products stars like Kim use to get their red carpet looks.  

Check out the links below for tips on everything from choosing makeup to help you get that celebrity glow to determining the best facial treatment for your skin type. 

Keeping Up with the Kardashians beauty series:

Part 1:  Look younger without injections

Part 2:  What it's like working on a TV set

Part 3:  Expert tips for a flawless face

Part 4:  How to get the best facial for you

Is there really any value in Kim's full frontal strip show for Paper magazine?   True beauty isn't measured by the junk in your trunk but by the light of a soul set ablaze.  Still, no harm in stealing a few A-list beauty secrets.


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Nov 10, 2014

Veteran's Day Salute

Photo:  Forgotten New York
Honoring our veterans for protecting our country; especially my dad, who would do it all over again if the military would let him.
 
When we were kids, we used to love marching around the house in my dad's Army boots. He'd come home and leave them at the door, not bothering to polish them yet - knowing my brother and I would end up clomping around the living room practicing our salutes.
 
His boots were heavy and black and shiny - perfect, really.  Somehow they represented courage and honor and dedication that we had yet to grown into.
 
I knew my dad and 'his men' (he taught us to address soldiers by rank) did brave and important things for our country.  But when he took off those boots at the door, that was when he did the job he loved most - being a dad.
 
To all who serve, thank you.

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