Wow there were some fantastic dresses at this year’s Oscars and what a variety!  There were a lot of fairy tale ball gowns on display, but also some shorter cocktail styles, vintage and “goddess” dresses.   As usual some celebrities were spot on and others didn’t fare so well.   I will start with the winner of Best Actress, Kate Winslet.   She certainly deserved the award and she is such a beautiful woman, she looks pretty good in most things but I was disappointed to see her in black. . . . again!  Not only was the dress unflattering in colour, it was also not great in style for Kate.   I have seen her looking so much better, what a pity she was so ill advised on such a momentous occasion.     Marion Cottilard opted for the ball gown with little success.   Her dress was over large and black, and although it made her waist look tiny, she look as though she was wearing a tight corset and this was compounded by the expression on her face suggesting  that she could barely breath!  In contrast Penelope Cruz really did look fabulous in her cream, lacy number whose only downside was that it did look a bit like a wedding dress.   However Penelope somehow carried it off and she did look lovely.   Beyonce Knowles has a lovely curvy figure and the dress she wore should have suited her but somehow it didn’t quite work.   The fabric was too heavy and the pattern too big, thus giving her the appearance of greater width than she really is.   A more fluid fabric and a smaller pattern would have made all the difference.   Freida Pinto looked gorgeous in her dress (although I think she would have been better in a “warmer” blue).   She was right on trend with the asymmetric neckline and the combination of beading and the fluidity of the dress suggested a mix of western and eastern styles which was so appropriate.   Marisa Tomei looked fantastic in the shapely white dress she was wearing; I just think she could have gone for some colour to really accentuate her colouring.   White is a colour that Marisa can wear but how much better she could have looked if her dress had been a clear red, purple or turquoise.    Her natural colouring needs some strength of colour to really flatter her beauty.   The shape was elegant yet showy and displayed her slim and shapely figure to great effect.     I would give her first prize.

There are a lot of different wine refrigerators in a variety of different styles on the market today and few have the quality of a Bosch. The explosion/expansion of the wine industry over the past years has directly led to large advances in home wine refrigeration and this is a good thing for any wine enthusiast. If you are serious about wine then you should be serious about proper storage. A Bosch wine refrigerator is expensive and the expense is only justified (in my opinion) if you have money to burn or wine worth storing. If you don’t meet those criteria I would suggest you look at more inexpensive solutions So, what kind of wine refrigerator should you get? Here I will focus on the Bosch and what you can expect from it. Before you buy consider:Pros:1. Compressor, evaporator, electronic controls and independent temperature control in two components. These are must have components for proper wine storage. 2. Gorgeous. Tall and sleek. I know the stainless steel variety is very popular right now, but I prefer the classy elegance of the custom panel. 3. Large wine storage 70-98 bottles depending on the model. 4. Removable roller shelves, display shelf, and a UV protected glass door. The only real essential here is the UV protection-very important for proper storage and care. 5. Almost silent. It won’t keep you up at night. Cons:1. Few options – either you get the 18″ wide model with 70-bottle capacity or the 24″ wide modular cooler capable of taking 98 bottles. They do not offer a lot in terms of customization and fit. It is what it is and you would have to find a home for it. 2. Price: $3500-4000. 3. The stainless model can be extremely difficult to find due to its current popularity. Be prepared to hunt and wait. 4. Height: at 84 inches tall, it’s a basket ball player. This is somewhat offset by it’s very sleek design. 5. Weight: at 280-300lbs it is heavy. Yes you can move it, but at that weight how often are you going to want to. Find a home for it and leave it. If you would like to see some specifications, photos, real world measurements, a complete list of features or purchasing information visit my Bosch Wine Refrigertor page for tips.

The golden rule in weight loss is pretty simple: take in fewer calories than you expend in exercise.   However, as any dieter will tell you, it’s far from easy. Americans spend billions of dollars a year on weight loss supplements, exercise programs and other diet aids-and still we can’t seem to win the battle of the bulge-even when we get desperate enough to try risky surgery or fad diets. Recently a new product has come to light that may help people trying to lose weight stay on the healthy end of the spectrum:  Resveratrol Select, which is unlike many diet supplements in that it uses a combination of natural and herbal ingredients designed to help the body stay healthy while losing weight. How? By mimicking certain aspects of the Mediterranean diet. Studies have shown that part of America’s war with weight lies in the uniquely modern American combination of stressful lifestyle and fast-food consumption, and that the Mediterranean diet and lifestyle seem to be more conducive to healthier weight levels and longevity. In fact, much as been made on the news in recent months of the purported “French Paradox,” (how the French eat a high-fat diet, enjoy rich desserts, drink wine and still have better cardiovascular health than the rest of us). One of the biggest differences between the American and French diet seems to be the wine consumption, and red wine (a staple on most Mediterranean tables) contains one of nature’s most powerful antioxidants, resveratrol, which is a key ingredient in Resveratrol Select. In addition to wine, resveratrol is also found in grape skins, blueberries, cranberries and other plants, and recent animal and in vitro studies indicate that it can have a positive effect on helping to maintain healthy cholesterol levels, supporting insulin health and optimizing metabolic and immune pathways that protect cells and improve mitochondrial function. One capsule of Resveratrol Select includes as much resveratrol as 200 glasses of wine-without the added calories that alcohol can add to the waistline.   But consuming resveratrol alone isn’t enough to help with weight loss-so the manufacturers of Resveratrol Select also added a different type of antioxidant, Green Tea Extract (EGCG), which could make a big difference. Over time, green tea consumption helps increase metabolism, burn fat and reduce fat storage due to its caffeine and L-theanin content, which can be pivotal in helping to maintain energy for exercise. Resveratrol Select combines these two powerful antioxidants with yet another energy boosting ingredient, Chromium, a niacin-based mineral that plays an important role in how the body uses insulin to burn sugars, carbohydrates, fats, and proteins for energy. Although relatively new to the market, Resveratrol Select seems to be making a big splash, and many people are taking advantage of the free trial offer to see how well the product works for them. The trial offer also includes two bonus tools to help with weight loss: an e-book with over 70 weight loss tips, and a weight loss visualization audio.   Of course, consuming fewer calories while burning more is the most efficient form of weight loss, and it’s always a good idea to inform your doctor before taking a weight loss supplement, but this new combination herbal supplement is worth a look for those concerned about maintaining good health while losing weight. For more information on Resveratrol Select’s free trial offer and bonus materials, visit  www. Lose-Dress-Sizes. com.

Glastonbury Festival has been and gone for this year but there are other music festivals being held around the country.   If you have been lucky enough to attend Glastonbury you will have noticed that just about anything goes with regard to style and fashion.    Deciding what to wear is not always easy but following the tips below will go along way to ensuring your comfort whatever the weather.  I)  Pack Light: It is usually quite a walk from either your car or then nearest public transport stop and you will have to carry your tent.  II) Fabric:  The washing facilities will be minimal so take clothes that have “staying power” and do not show the dirt, you may be wearing them all weekend.   You also don’t want to take clothes that need specialist cleaning when you get home; mud could feature heavily and certainly the Somerset “red” mud is hard to shift.   Reading Festival may not be quite so muddy but you may regret wearing pale colours.  III) Wellies: There are lots of different brightly coloured wellies for sale, so pick a pair that are in a colour that suits you, they may be covered in mud by the end of the weekend but at least you know they suit you!  IV) Layers: Light layers mean you can get exactly the right coverage to be comfortable and believe me, you need as much comfort as you can muster.  V) Raincoat:  Whatever the weather forecast might be, take wet weather gear.   The weather can be very changeable.    A waterproof in your best colour will flatter you even if it rains. Why not be a bit experimental?  There will be a vast number of people dressed in an array of different fashions.   Now is your chance to try a new style.  

The last time you looked in the mirror what did you see?   Did you see mountains of rock hard muscle that looked as if it was about to rip through your shirt?   Did you feel as though if you were to walk down the street 10 minutes later that ladies would literally stop in their tracks to take a look at you?   If your answer is no then read on as Iâ??ve got some red hot tips for you to get on the path to building muscle.   1) Make a commitment! Many people like the idea of having bulging muscles but how many actually make the commitment to doing the work necessary to getting there? Once you lock your mind in on a goal and then commit to achieving it nothing can stop you.   2) Diet. If you want muscle then youâ??ve got to say goodbye to the evil junk food. It really is that simple. You can train for hours on end but if youâ??re eating junk food then all that time in the gym goes to waste. Eat the right foods and you will get the right body.   3) Mix things up. Going through the same training exercises day after day, week after week will eventually lead to your muscles going into a comfort zone which will stunt muscle growth. Mixing things up will shock your muscles into growing faster.   Believe me, by just making a few simple adjustments you will be well on your way to looking in the mirror and seeing those ripped muscles staring back at you.

RED STEEL STAGE 2-2-3

This E3 trailer reveals a blend of gun-play and Samurai sword action in a wild west setting for the Wii sequel developed by Ubisoft Paris and published by Ubisoft.

For more on Red Steel 2, go here. . .

Another graphical comparison of two games with a cartoonish look. The two games this time are red steel 2 on wii and borderlands on the hd consoles. Vids are taken from gametrailers and created by . . .

Red Steel 2 at the Eurogamer Expo.

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Chris Scantleberry raps with Ubisoft Paris producer Bruno Giley against spooky backlighting.