Counting down to 2012...

As we're counting down the remaining hours of 2011 and, clearly, won't be facing the end of the world, I just wanted to wish you a night to remember and in a good way, wishes fulfilled, dreams come true and even bigger new ones to charge you in the New Year, health, luck and success in all you do, and many reasons to smile and enjoy that journey called "life". And don't forget the old saying that a man loses his senses after four drinks and a woman loses hers after four kisses. Make this first step, anything is possible in a night like this. Embrace your own power, the waxing Moon, and the magic of the moment. Cheers!

Movies?

Is there a virus on the web these days or is it only in the theatres? I found myself incapable of finding anything worth watching. That's past "Hugo". The World Wide Web seems to be infected by a bug dragging it back in time, about five years ago at least, preaching about "The Holiday" and "Love, Actually". True, that was the time when Jude Law was not bearded and I definitely preferred him that way, and Colin Firth was not singing ABBA and I definitely preferred him that way as well. But it was a looooong time ago. I confess I'm also infected as I watch "Pride and Prejudice" (BBC only!) each holiday season but it would be great if I could have a different season with plenty of beautiful movies to watch. Ah, but no.

"Sherlock Holmes: Game Of Shadows" anyone? Speaking of Mr. Law, one excellent representative of my favorite male zodiac sign, when is he finally going to shave? I'll add this to my wish list too. Anyhow, Robert Downey Jr. is one of my most favorite actors of all times, a remarkably talented man, although after his role as Charlie Chaplin I avoid watching the mish-mash he's been in as it ruins my impression, but he still has it, the devil, even in a pseudo Sherlock Holmes movie! And this is definitely a pseudo one. The first left me puzzled what to think about it, the second is definitely better in terms of everyone knowing what they're doing and definitely worse in terms of idea, plot, connections... and left me even more puzzled. If that was the idea, well done. If there won't be a third one - not so well done. Not even sure I'd see a third one but looking back, if Mr. Director succeeds putting together the plot/connections of the first with the confidence of the second, while limiting the appearance of any marginal female characters to a smile and a gesture here and there, the third one would achieve something.

Which doesn't change the fact there's nothing nice to watch now.

P.S. Please, enough of the Downey/Law relationship already. Enough! It's all over the place. Cheesy.

Silent night? Ah, no.

I had the most unusual Christmas night ever. It wasn't silent, though I hope it still was holly. The thing is I met Christmas at exactly midnight facing a crazy south wind... On my terrace, I was standing under the dark new moon sky, my hair flying in all directions, the air carrying the aroma of southern lands instead of snow, the leaves dancing insane and swirling, the feeling pushing and screaming "change"! All my rituals disappeared in the intensity of the moment, in the extreme power of nature that brought this totally unexpected guest on my terrace - the south wind. Powerful, yet gentle like the fingers of a lover on an intimate night. And I abandoned all my plans for wishing and magic, surrendering to the wave that washed away all past. Still, I had such terrible nightmares last night, the worst in years, probably. Like my child being badly, terrifyingly hurt to the ridiculous sight of my favorite volleyball player showing up with totally blond hair. I woke up in the middle of this crazy night sweating and freezing at the same time. Of course, immediately turned on the positive thinking and all mind tools I possess to create different thoughts, i.e. reality but... I bet this night I'll remember for long... It felt like Pluto... frozen flame. Bomb. Explosion. And then cold.

And Merry Christmas to you all, of course! Hopefully you had a calm and truly enjoyable magical night!

Hum hum hum...

Bridget Jones on my mind, obviously. LOL Hum hum hum... Had the worst day this month, glad it's passing. If you have a Saturn square Moon transit anytime soon trust me - for all the gold in the world don't, I mean don't!, get in any kind of discussions with any older women in your vicinity. Ever. It'll spare you a lot of negativism. Too bad I didn't listen.

Anyhow, New Moon in Capricorn on its way, just in time for Christmas. Did you make your wish list? Did you collect all the pictures for your treasure map or wishing board or whatever you use to visualize your dreams? If not, you still have time to start on Christmas or anytime next week before the New Year's. And make it big! Jupiter is turning direct, use the power and ride the wave. Better ignore all those grumpy Plutons and Uranuses. LOL

I've recently realized, quite unexpectedly, that my affection for a certain Capricorn holds on... Strong. Considering my usual lack of seriousness and need of change, that is impressive. I think I may put him on the wish list after all. Hum hum hum...

It's that time of the year again...

You know - parties, glamour, sparkling wine, getting a bit drunk and dancing on the street at midnight... That time of the year. :) Not exactly Christmas, I mean more New Year's. Christmas is still cheesy, sweet and carol singing kind of day, New Year gets crazier with the time and facing 2012 one can not avoid wondering how crazy people can get thinking this may be their last New Year ever. LOL I don't believe the end of the world will come anytime soon, so I focused on evening gowns instead. It's not a secret I'm totally Dior addicted but it seems I should start saying I was Dior addicted.

The 2012 is certainly going to be a year to remember, being a Water (Black) Dragon year, with or without the Mayan calendar and its so inappropriate ending. The Dragon we are talking about is not the fire breathing dragon we know. This one is a sophisticated creature with very special upbringing and arrogant but perfectly polished manners. He doesn't take "no" for an answer (you shouldn't either) nor does he care what we actually say (you should). He is a hunter, jewels lover, and - an aesthete. So are you this year or so I hope. He makes magic. You? Learn if you don't know. He offers keys to locked doors. You are advised to look through the keyhole and see if that's your dream on the other side. If it is, then you may very weel have the opportunity to get a key.

Being a Water Dragon, this most favorite Chinese mystical creature adds to his natural green (colour of element Wood), the black and deep or sea blue of the nurturing, forever flowing water. And drama. Lots of drama, secrecy, playful, theatrical behaviour, daring, acting, crossing and bringing down barriers - that's the Dragon's nature. And that's where I fall in love with Dior again. The former Dior. The real one.

My choices for the New Year's from the last 2011 collection of Dior that I consider Dior:

Make it black or grey or blue, but make it dramatic! Choose your best jewels and the brighter, the better. Never go for lower quality in a Dragon year - prefer to not wear jewels than to wear cheap ones. Add colour through stones - the Dragon likes the colours and the rainbows. Opt for chameleon nail polish, sparkling decorations on your dress, and, of course, precious stones if you have any. Mystic topaz would also please the Dragon with it's rainbow appearance. Be an aesthete, challenge your taste but keep it elegant. Dare to make a memorable appearance but trust the proven classic instead of the border kitsch.

Speaking of which, I get where I'm caught in a not-so-good mood... Namely: http://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/autumn-winter-2011/couture/christian-dior/full-length-photos Dior... Reading the comments below I thought of Christian Dior himself, discussed by one person there and, of course, this person missed the fact that at the time of Dior, designers were not turned into gold-making machines which were expected to not have any human traits or needs. This is also an incredibly average collection which is totally killing me. After the bankruptcy of Lacroix, Dior remained my only harbour in the fashion world. Now, if that's what they're going to produce from now on, then I'll sew myself. Of the whole collection, there is only one dress I'd call "unmistakably Dior" - the clown one (but please no collars!). Everything else is... a bit of this, a bit of that, a bit of structure, a bit of mix, a bit of pattern and the final result is a bit of nothing. Just a comparison: http://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/autumn-winter-2010/couture/christian-dior . Elegance, line (s), and drama - these are the three words I relate to Dior, however they may sound together. There are very few people who can make an elegant, simple piece daring and dramatic without producing a pure kitsch. This man is not among them, with all my respect.

Nor is Raf Simons for that matter! Please, each time I see a picture of the man I try very hard to imagine him closing a Dior show and... behold, I can't. Yes, he can make good clothes. Yes, he knows lines. Yes, his pieces resemble grandma's curtains quite often. Yes, he is usually dressed like... oh my! No, he doesn't tell stories. No, he doesn't add drama. No, it's not Dior and I wouldn't wear it. Let the man be where he feels fine and bring back the devil.

Because I was very suspicious from the beginning of all this Galliano fiasco, I'm happy to read things like this: http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/2011/06/22/john-galliano-trial-witness-on-court . And I'm truly sad to read this: http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/2011/06/20/john-galliano-arrested-in-paris-for-assault . Not because I'm a huge Galliano-the-person fan (I don't know him after all) but because to me the whole story is so stinky. I have criticized Galliano a number of times for his show off nature and his role playing going too far but I've never believed this pathetic racist story. And I'm sad  for all these genial men working in this industry who are barely living. McQueen anyone? Galliano has made it till now but how much longer? The pressure is such that living an even relatively normal life is impossible. The goose must lay golden eggs at hourly rate. These for Dior, these for Galliano (which is almost entirely owned by Dior too), these for private clients, these for... On, and on, and on... I was struck by that line about his friend sleeping at the end of his bed when he was so alone... It's like a nightmare sometimes, sounds like a psycho thriller, this is not a job, this is a man slaughter. And I do love this man's creations, I'm so eager to wear them, so obsessed with the incredible beauty of his mind, with the stories he's telling me, and I can't believe he can be so lost... Like always, beauty never makes anyone happy, very well experienced and learned.

That's how I started with choosing a New Year's dress and ended mourning for John Galliano... Wishing Dior get him back before they turn into a mass production. And wishing him a less dramatic life while even more drama and beauty in his work. And truly hoping he can make it through. May the mighty Dragon give him strength and faith. It's all about magic this year. I don't like his appearance but no living creature deserves to be treated like an ATM.

P.S. Totally agree with the comments regarding Natalie Portman. This woman, together with Scarlett Johansson, is at my top list of celebrities who must be made to keep quiet. It's vital.

P.P.S. If the two mentioned above are allowed freedom of speech (and their speech is often offensive to my natural intelligence), why isn't John Galliano allowed to do so? What if i say I can't stand Scarlett Johansson who is an endless source of such "brilliance" that I sometimes wonder is she is really conscious or just missed the last twelve years of school if ever went to one? Will I have to go to jail? Amazing how far we have gone. And very dangerous, I think. I, for one, insist on having my opinion and expressing it. Oh, and having lived in France, it's really pathetic the French court just realized what happens in French bars. What a surprise! Interesting, how happen that Jacques and Bernard are never sentenced for shouting many many things at many many tourists and customers in bars, um? I can even cite what I was called on a Provencal beach last year. But no, I didn't think of documenting it and running to the judge. How stupid of me, no?

Orange and bitter chocolate

I've switched to winter mode. LOL It means I watch holiday romantic movies, eat lots of liquor bonbons and skate regularly. That's to make up for the calories intake. LOL Part of the spirit is my favorite traditional Orange and Bitter Chocolate Cake. There is something about this combination of aromas that screams "Christmas!" to me. And it's about a happy Christmas. :)
Here it is:

Products:
  100g soft butter
  130 g whole milk yogurt
  100 g sugar
  2 eggs
  300g all purpose flour
  1 tbsp. baking powder
  juice and grated rind of 1 large orange
  100 g dark chocolate chips

 Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Prepare your cake form buttering the bottom and the walls. Mix the butter and the sugar well. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing continuously. Add the yogurt, the orange juice and rind and mix again.

Sift the flour with the baking powder and add in parts to the egg mixture. Lastly, add the chocolate chips.

Pour the mixture into the form. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Check if ready with a wooden stick, which you push deep into the the center of the cake - it should come out dry.

If you want to make it look more festive, sprinkle with icing sugar or cover with a mixture of melted dark chocolate and orange peels. But I prefer it as it is - it's aromatic and sweet enough. :)

Now, next on my list - what should I watch this season... And where to go for the holidays... Hm. I'm kind of thinking of Saint Petersburg. A beauty!

*Photo courtesy of http://stpetersburg-guide.com/