Christmas and The New Year's may be behind us, but winter is very much still ahead of us.
Don't you just love travelling at wintertime in lovely nordic places or perhaps some tropical paradise?
Let's stick with winter tours for the time being.
Come join me in St. Petersburg
and hear the music...
Frozen Neva River with The Hermitage in the background, courtesy of Jeannie Pearman
Right or Rude’s Jeannie Pearman takes us through a memorable New Year’s Eve in the storied Russian city.
“When we lived in London, my husband Dick and I always read the travel ads in the Sunday Daily Telegraph. There were trips on the Concorde to exotic places. For younger readers the Concorde, operated by British Airways and Air France, offered supersonic air travel. It broke the sound barrier with ‘sonic booms.’ It wasn’t as luxurious as you might imagine. The seats were two and two, four across and not that large. But it went to wonderful places in a hurry.
“An employee for Concorde chartered the plane when it was otherwise grounded and took groups to unusual places. For my father’s 70th birthday we took Mother and Daddy to Cairo for the day. We started the royal treatment before we boarded the plane. We rented a white Rolls-Royce to pick them up at 6 AM. We whisked them to Heathrow and then it was off to the pyramids for the day with a ride on camels and a quick trip to the museum in Cairo. Whew!
“The trip was such a success that, in 1996, when Dick read about a New Year’s Eve Ball in St. Petersburg we thought, ‘Why not?’ We asked a couple of our friends to join us and each family brought their children so we were 32 strong. I wanted to get everyone in the mood, so the night before our trip I invited our ‘comrades’ to our flat in Ennismore Gardens for borscht, chicken Kiev and moussaka. We had an enormous Christmas tree on which I hung Russian ornaments. Everyone took one home when they left as a memento of the evening. We were all so excited we could hardly sleep.
“We boarded the Concorde in the morning, the ladies all bundled up in Russian sable coats. Well, we did want to feel at home. After a day of sightseeing, seeing The Hermitage, going to the Pavlovsk Palace by sleigh (the home Catherine the Great built for her son, Paul and his wife, Maria Feodorovna) and seeing St. Ignatius (even more dramatic than St. Peter’s or Notre Dame), we prepared for the New Year’s Eve Ball at Taurida Palace!
“When we arrived, we walked through a gorgeous oval-shaped front hall to get into the ballroom. We were greeted by eight-foot ice domes, each filled with a different flavored vodka. Skol! After filling our fluted glasses with bitter lemon vodka, we walked into what looked like heaven… twinkling candlelit crystal chandeliers sparkling above tables set with silver cloths and candelabras.
“Strolling violinists played as we wandered around the elegant ballroom, looking at the other guests. Men were in black tie or tails, of course. The women radiant in velvet or satin evening dresses and were covered with jewels. Young ballet dancers — straight from the Mariinsky — were pirouetting in and out among the guests. Even Cossack dancers sprang merrily among them.
What a night. I will never forget the year we went ‘Russian off’ for New Year’s Eve!” — Jeannie
Opera singers from the Mariinsky Theatre performing at Taurida Palace, December 1996, courtesy of Jeannie Pearman
Martha Stewart is one of my favorite ladies out there. I love her style, her attitude and, needless to say, her pioneering work, and yes, that includes branding yourself!
I love her photo from NYT. Takes time and Money to keep polished, but most of all it takes the willingness and the effort. And Ms. Stewart is poised and beautiful.
It turns out that the Bedford, N.Y., bathroom cabinet of Martha Stewart, 72, is as well stocked as its gardening shed. The many products help prime Ms. Stewart for on-air appearances like her show, “Martha Stewart’s Cooking School,” which began airing its third season on PBS last week.
SKIN CARE
I get up a couple hours before I’m supposed to leave in the morning and I’ll put on a mask. I like the Yon-Ka Gommage 305 or the Susan Ciminelli Hydrating Gel Mask right now. Or I’ll use the collagen mask from Mario Badescu or the Chanel Correction Lift, a firming mask, which works great for me. I’ll do this about five days a week and I don’t repeat the same mask two days in a row. I’ve always done this — well, basically since I discovered masks. I have to wear makeup for photo shoots, television and appearances, so I have to make sure my face is extremely clean in the morning. Then I shower and I wash it all off.
I slather myself with serums. First, it’s a toning lotion. Right now it’s either the Yon-Ka Lotion or a more specific spray, like the rose spray from Mario Badescu. I spray my whole face and body and then its Susan Ciminelli Marine Lotion from head to toe. I use the same products on my body as I use on my face. I don’t think there’s really any difference between the two, so the more moisturizers and serums you use, the better off you are. Then I might use a vitamin B or SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic serum. I’ll also put on Clé de Peau or SkinCeuticals moisturizer. With all of these serums, I find I don’t have to put on an eye cream, although my facialist insists I put one on. Sometimes, I will and the Clé de Peau is good or Caudalie has one — it’s the fancy one from their high-end line — and it’s very good, too. At the end, before any makeup, I use SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense. If I’m not going to use foundation, I’ll use the tinted version, or if I use foundation, it’ll be the white one. Otherwise, I do my best to stay out of the sun. That’s very important. I do a lot of outdoor activity like gardening and I try to cover up and do SPF. Actually, I just bought a new sun hat that goes over your riding helmet. It’s pretty ugly, but it Works.
If I’m traveling that day, I’ll be sure to have my Yon-Ka Lotion with me, which is a spray. On a recent plane ride to L.A., I sprayed myself five times. It’s hydrating, so I don’t look like a prune after flying.
I never go to bed with makeup on. First, I steam my face with a hot washcloth and then I use the AmorePacific or Shu Uemura cleansing oils. Johnson’s baby oil works really well, too. I use those as cleansers and they’re also excellent makeup removers. I like oil because it keeps my skin very moist, and it works for me. I don’t get clogged pores.
MAKEUP
I was told years ago by my daughter, Alexis, that I shouldn’t leave the house without makeup on. You’ll pay for it if you don’t because somebody will be there with a camera snapping away and you’ll look awful or just plain. I put on a light foundation, usually the AmorePacific tube called the Moisture Bound Tinted Moisturizer or the Clé de Peau Refining Fluid Foundation. I really like the YSL Touche Éclat Radiant Touch stick, which is fairly new I think. Then it’s Bobbi Brown bronzer. For mascara, I use Clinique High Impact mascara or I just got a new one from Givenchy. It has three little balls almost — it’s very cute. I got it from a makeup artist at John Barrett, when she did my eyes for the ballet. It’s a little short mascara but it makes your eyelashes look elongated. Also, I’ve used Latisse and it’s really helped. People should try that. It really works. I use a gloss on my lips. I use Buxom — I like the Samantha color — or a little bit of a lip pencil. I stick with nude colors, and maybe at night I’ll wear red and it’ll really stand out.
FRAGRANCE
I’ve been wearing Fracas since I was 19. I’ll put fragrance on three times a day. I’m thankful every day that they haven’t altered their formula. Although, I did just discover a new one by Hermès called Jour d’Hermès. It’s lovely.
HAIR
I use different shampoos. For me it’s like with skin care: I try to use a variety. I have to wash my hair almost every day because I have to have it done for pictures and stuff. Frédéric Fekkai Ageless shampoo and conditioner and Shu Uemura, the green line, are my two favorites. For styling, I don’t like a lot of mousse. I do use Sally Hershberger’s Texture Blast, which is like a hair spray, but just at the roots. I have really good hair and I don’t like to plaster it.
Parvin at John Barrett has been my colorist forever. She’s the blond expert. I think she’s the busiest colorist in New York. I like her because she does it in an hour so you don’t have to spend all day sitting there.
For cuts, I’m not fussy. I’ve been to Kevin at Frédéric Fekkai in the Mark. I’ve gotten my hair cut twice at Sally Hershberger recently, and they’re fabulous, too. There are so many fantastic haircutters in the city. Everybody’s hair looks much better than it used to.
Otherwise, Daisy Schwartzberg does my daily makeup and styling. Kevin from Fekkai will do styling for photo shoots, and Katsu from John Barrett does my blowout. They’re all good.
SERVICES
I’ve been going to Mario Badescu for 45 years for facials. I try to go at least once a month. For brows, Julia Haaland at John Barrett does them when I get my hair done. Luda, also at John Barrett — where else in New York can you get everything done at once? — does my nails almost exclusively. And she’s the best massager in the world. I stand, walk and hike and I still have good feet, and I thank her for that.
FITNESS AND DIET
Exercise is a necessary part of the day. I went to the gym this morning. I have a really great trainer in the city. We’ve worked together for at least eight years. Or I do yoga with James Murphy. I like to spin, but I don’t have enough time to do it. I also have a green juice that I drink every single morning. It’s very important. You can be the most beautiful person on earth, and if you don’t have a fitness or diet routine, you won’t be beautiful.
As read in The NY Times,
with Thanks
for the interesting article on one of my favorite TV and home personalities.
Haga Slott is the residence of Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, Prince Consort Daniel and their almost two year old daughter, Princess Estelle.
Haga Palace was built in 1802 according to a design by architect Carl Christoffer Gjörwell, who was commissioned by Gustav IV Adolf. Gjörwell had already worked at Haga during the time of Gustav III, as an assistant to the King's favourite architect, Louis Jean Desprez. The new palace was erected just north of Gustav III's Pavilion, and was eventually named the Queen's Pavilion. The building was intended as more of a home than a building for official purposes, and almost resembles a large villa. Haga Palace has been used as a home for several members of the Bernadotte family over the years. In the 1930s the palace was modernised for Gustaf Adolf and Princess Sibylla, which resulted in a contemporary, functional home. The family grew, and many Swedes followed the lives of the young Haga princesses with great interest.
After standing empty for a long period, Gustaf VI Adolf granted use of the palace to the Swedish government for foreign guests. In 2009, the government transferred the right of disposal back to H.M. The King, in order to prepare a home for The Crown Princess Couple.
Since the autumn of 2010, the Crown Princess Couple live at Haga Palace.
Fra Angelico and Filippo Lippi: Adoration of the Magi. National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC via
The New Year of 2014 is almost upon us, so here is a preview of the important astrological events that will occur during the year. I’ve designed it as a reference, so you might want to print it to keep for the year.
Retrogrades These are the editing phases, which are the times to regroup
Venus December 22nd, 2013 – January 31st, 2014
Mercury February 6th – February 28th, June 7th – June 30th, October 4th – October 25th.
Eclipses Times of change, especially when they connect to your individual chart
April 15th Total eclipse of the Moon
April 29th Annular eclipse of the Sun
October 8th Total eclipse of the Moon
October 15th Partial eclipse of the Sun
Major Meteor Showers
January 4th Quadrantids 25 meteors per hour
August 12th and 13th Perseids 40 meteors per hour
October 8th Draconids 25 meteors per hour
December 13th Geminids 85 meteors per hour
Visible Planets Morning
Mercury February 22 – April 18, June 29 – August 1, May 4 – June 10, October 23 - November 22
Venus January 17 – September 17
Mars January 1 – April 8
Jupiter January 1 – January 5, Aug 8 – Dec 31
Saturn January 1 – May 10, December 6 – Dec 31 Evening
Mercury January 13 – February 9, May 4 – June 10, August 18 – October 11, December 25 – December 31
Venus January 1 – January 5, December 5 – December 31
Mars April 8 – December 31
Jupiter January 5 – July 11
Saturn May 10 – November 1
Planetary Alignments
January 31st Jupiter opposes Pluto. Expansion.
February 26th and April 20th Jupiter squares Uranus. Dramatic New Changes.
April 21st and December 15th Uranus squares Pluto. This transit will free us from limitations.
May 24th Jupiter trines Saturn. Compassion and caring for humanity.
September 25th Jupiter trines Uranus. Ease with beginning anew.
Chinese Year of the Wood Horse
The Chinese New Year starts on January 30th and has the Wood Horse as the animal for 2014.
Horse personality – High-spirited, friendly, lively, whimsical, impulsive, self-confident with a fast tempo.
Wood element brings logic and a sense of calm that is not normal for the excitable horse.
Year of adventure, action, excitement, romance and spontaneous decisions.
The Sun enters the sign of Capricorn on December 21st at 10:11 a.m., MST. Capricorn is an earth sign that is associated with the planet Saturn, who is the taskmaster of all the planets. Capricorn is the Executive because they are the astrological authority figure and know instinctively how to succeed. But there is a tradeoff . . . Capricorn is the workaholic of the Zodiac.
December 21st is the Winter Equinox, which welcomes a new season. In the northern hemisphere, this is the shortest day and the longest night of the year. It has always been celebrated as the time when the light returns to the world, since the days immediately get longer after December 21st.
Well, finally that strong Scorpio party has separated, but guess what? It rushed through fun Sagittarius and is now turning into a Capricorn party. In fact, the year of 2014 starts out with a New Moon in Capricorn, which occurs exactly on January 1st! Not only is there a New Moon, but there are also four other planets in the sign of Capricorn. What a great way to start out a new year with the powerful intention of Capricorn to get thing going right! This is a perfect year to make serious New Year’s resolutions, because they can actually get accomplished with this Capricorn party helping out
The biggest thing happening astrologically this month is that Venus is turning retrograde on December 22nd and doesn’t change to direct motion until January 31st. Venus, the planet of love and beauty, retrogrades approximately every 1 ½ years, and is the time to rethink our creativity, art or our love lives. Maybe go through your closet and give things away to make it more organized. I call retrograde the “editing phase,” so this is editing the Venus part of our lives. As Venus retrogrades, she moves part Mercury on January 7th. Often brilliant ideas surface at that time. Then, on January 11th, Venus joins with the Sun, which combines with a time of awareness about what we need to change to make us happier. Get a new hairstyle or buy some art you’ve been wanting. Bring new Venus activities into your life in mid-January.
Marvelous "Three Wise Men on a Boat" by artist James Christensen. via
Regarding the visible planets this month, we’ll see the last of Venus for a while. Venus is always retrograde for 40 days and then will emerge as the “Morning Star” in the predawn sky. It sure has been fabulous watching bright Venus after sunset for the last few months. Enjoy viewing Venus now, because she will disappear into the glow of the sun soon. But we have almost-as-bright Jupiter that is now rising after sunset in the eastern sky. Each night Jupiter will be higher in the sky and we’ll be able to watch it moving along the ecliptic in the sky for the next few months. For your viewing pleasure, be sure to watch the Moon joining bright Jupiter on January 14th and 15th.
So glad you landed here! The Happy Turtle is a place to reach for joy, wisdom and happiness.
I blog about my travels, art, fashion, books and my musings on living with style.
Enjoy your stay, and come back soon!
I am Irene, a journalist with a keen interest in women's issues; a writer early in the morning, a mother, most of the time, and a spiritual being forever. I have an academic background in the Classics. Ancient Greek thought is so Now!
In December 2020 I have started The Happy Turtle-Happiness, One Step at a Time, podcast. I encourage you to subscribe, and every Monday start the week with the best of Greek Mythology, with insights to help you awaken your power and start your week like an Amazon.
I am here to facilitate this journey.
Erosthe ke evdemonite!
Be healthy and have good fortune!
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