Meditation diet

According to the health website RealAge, people who meditate for 7 minutes or more per day are thinner than those who don't. In the study, the participants practiced recognizing, accepting and experiencing their cravings instead of trying to ignore or suppress them. By doing so, the participants did a better job of holding those cravings off.

Researchers think the mindfulness meditation method worked better than relying solely on willpower because "the practice helped minimize the frustration and obsessive preoccupation with food triggered by trying, often unsuccessfully, to suppress food cravings".

Check out the full article at RealAge.com

A coffee a day keeps a stroke at bay

You may have seen health headlines recently stating that coffee can actually lower a woman's risk of having a stroke. According to a study at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, which followed women aged 49 to 83  over an average of 10 years, those who drank more than one cup of coffee a day had a 22%-25% lowered risk of having a stroke, compared to women who drank less. The study even found that drinking little or no coffee was actually associated with a slight increase in stroke risk.

Of course, drinking it in moderation is essential. The study suggests around 2 cups a day is probably a good number. And remember to drink lots of water to stay hydrated. This comes as a relief for many coffee addicts (which includes myself) as in recent years its been said that coffee is dehydrating and not a good drink of choice. All you Starbucks fiends can rejoice and reach for that cup of joe again!

Check out the Time article here.

McQueen carries on

Its been more than a year since we lost the visionary and extraordinary Alexander McQueen, but with the show at this week's Paris Fashion Week, Sarah Burton proves she has no problem matching McQueen's talent and craftsmanship. 

"I was thinking about an ice queen. Someone strong and noble and romantically powerful" Sarah Burton said describing the Fall/Winter 2011 show at Paris Fashion Week. Though there have been a few shows and collections since Sarah took over the house of McQueen, everyone is still always scrambling for a word from the famously quiet designer. She did not disappoint with this ethereal yet slightly dominatrix-style collection. From hardware to ruffles, there was something for every taste.

Though you can still see so strongly the Alexander in her McQueen shows, Sarah brings a gentle femininity to every piece, visible through even the strongest silhouettes and architectural angles.

With her immaculate talent and keen eye, Sarah continues to prove she was always the only one for the job.

Yummy sides

So kind of random...but I thought I'd share some of my favourite tasty, healthy side dishes lately :)

Potatoes galore...

Mini potatoes with olive oil & spicy yam fries

Mmmm veggies

Cabbage, carrot & raisin salad - so good!

Channeling Yves Saint Laurent

Paris Fashion Week is closing and Stefano Pilati did not disappoint for YSL's Fall 2011 ready-to-wear show. Pilati did a major throwback to Mr. Saint Laurent with lots of black and white pantsuits, vibrant purples and blues, and amazing menswear inspirations.

Words cannot describe how I feel about this show. I need every single piece from this collection! I am once again enthralled with Stefano Pilati; he is utterly amazing. This is absolute fashion magic. Yves would be proud.

John Galliano: not joining the likes of Mel & Charlie

Unless you live under a rock, you've heard the endless news regarding Dior's creative director, John Galliano, who was videotaped in a Paris bar drunkenly making anti-semitic remarks and saying "I love Hitler." He has since been seriously scrutinized, fired from Dior and apparently checked into a rehab facility for alcohol abuse.

This is an extremely sad situation for the fashion world, seeing the amazingly talented Galliano leave the house of Dior on such bad terms after fourteen years.

If you watch the video below, you will hear the women he is talking to seem to be laughing, (guess they aren't too offended) as well as taunting and teasing him.

Obviously what he said was not right and very offensive to many people around the world, but a few people close to John have spoken out defending him and saying that they don't believe he really is racist or anti-Semitic, that he's just very extreme and always looking for attention. It seems it was a bad mix of too much alcohol, some rude and taunting people (what was their motive?) and his endless desire for attention and controversy.

Few people know that he actually has some Jewish heritage, which he was apparently always very open about with his friends. Its terrible that he's been fired for making a stupid mistake, when those really don't seem to be his opinions.

It's been rumoured that Alber Elbaz, Marc Jacobs, and many others will take his place at Dior but perhaps the most talked about is Riccardo Tisci of Givenchy. Will he take over the house of Dior, and if so, how will he approach it, and who will then take over at Givenchy? So many questions! Though Riccardo is beautifully talented and I know he will do wonderful things no matter where he is, we just can't seem to imagine Dior without Galliano.

Oscar fashion winners

The Oscars this year were definitely a nail-biter, with all the nominees being equally worthy of winning. The fashions didn't disappoint, as there were some sure winners on the red carpet!

Mila Kunis' lilac Elie Saab dress was TO DIE FOR!! This girl is sure rocking the red carpet this award season! She has turned up to all the shows as one of the best dressed. She's definitely the style star to watch!

Love love love the colour and drape of Best Actress winner Natalie Portman's Rodarte dress!

Another lilac stunner...Cate Blanchett wore Givenchy beautifully

Ok, can we talk about how amaaaazing Jennifer Hudson looks? I guess Weight Watchers it the way to go because she looks incredible!!! And that orange hue works great with her skin

Marisa Tomei looks stunning and very old-Hollywood glam in vintage Charles James

Presenter Anne Hathaway changed many times, but looked gorgeous in this grecian style Givenchy

Love the full skirt of Matthew McConaughey's other half Camila Alves and her Kaufman Franco dress

Lots of purple this year! Loving the beautiful lace on Scarlett Johansson's YSL gown

The After Parties...

Florence Welch in Valentino at Elton John's infamous after party. Looove this!

Even though she's a little young in my opinion to be attending such amazing and prestigious events and I find it completely unfair, I do love Emma Roberts' metallic Jenny Packham gown

Another young pop tart whom I find unworthy of attending, Selena Gomez in a gorgeous red Dolce & Gabbana number