Innholdsfortegnelse for January 2015 i ELLE

THE MONTH IN CULTURE! Mark Wahlberg goes old-school gangsta in The Gambler as a professor with a gambling problem (Jessica Lange plays his mother). He lost 61 pounds for the role but said the greater challenge was being believable as a teacher (he got his high school diploma only in 2013). "Forget losing the weight." Thursday, January 1 Sunday, January 4 Anyone for tea? Downton Abbey's fifth season premieres. Tuesday, January 6 Blogger and former binger Andie Mitchell spins an original take on weighty issues in her memoir, It Was Me All Along, and I'll Have What She's Having collects ELLE contributor Rebecca Harrington's zany adventures in celeb-diet test drives. (She's still starving.) Sunday, January 11 Pour a glass of red and buckle up: Tina and Amy 2.0 helm the…

Hollywood & ELLE For ELLE's annual Women in Hollywood Issue (November 2014), we honored Elizabeth Banks, Annette Bening, Tina Fey, Jennifer Garner, Jessica Lange, Zoe Saldana, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, and Brie Larson for their spectacular contributions. ELLE readers share our love: "I read through the Women in Hollywood pieces and was inspired. So much strength, intelligence, morality, and beauty—gasp, why are we still surprised to see those coexisting? Your readers are less surprised, because you have been making the point very well for a long time." —Sue Mahany, e-mail "And now, a succession of divas, courtesy of the fine folks at ELLE magazine. Just try and pick your favorite." —Tom+Lorenzo "Gorgeous and powerful." —Stephanie Webber of Usmagazine.com CHOICE WORDS Nearly one in three American women will have an abortion by age…

Tiffany & Co. design director Francesca Amfitheatrof—seventh in the storied American jewelry house's 177-year history—joins a long tradition of industry legends including collaborators Jean Schlumberger and Paloma Picasso. The art-deco-inspired Tiffany Masterpieces collection, which Amfitheatrof oversaw, pays homage to the firm's roots with a dazzlingly fresh take on 1920s design: gleaming black lacquer topped with a generous sprinkling of diamonds, gemstone tassel necklaces, and cocktail rings with rows of cabochon stones—just the thing for modern-day Daisy Buchanans. Diamond stud earrings; pink sapphire, diamond, lacquer, and rose gold ring; lacquer, pearl, diamond, and white gold ring; sapphire, diamond, and white gold ring, all, TIFFANY & CO., prices on request, call 800-843-3269. Denim jacket, PAIGE, $239, collection at Saks Fifth Avenue stores nationwide. For details, see Shopping Guide…

PARIS Alexander Lewis' opposite-day fashion calendar—the young designer shows his main collections during the ever-developing midseasons—proves a worthy alternative with his spring/summer 2015 capsule, which expounds upon resort 2015's vibrant Palm Springs–inspired, ladylike separates with the help of painter Celia Hempton. alexanderlewis.eu LONDON Award-winning illustrator Jason Brooks, whose stylish drawings have become London Fashion Week staples, releases London Sketchbook (Laurence King Publishing), a follow-up to his lauded Paris iteration, featuring romantic imagery of the city's iconic landmarks and neighborhoods. laurenceking.com NEW YORK Reed Krakoff imparts his It Bag–making touch to RK40, a riff on his highly coveted Boxer, with clean belt detailing and practicality in three smart sizes, taking its name from the address of the designer's new Flatiron headquarters. reedkrakoff.com BERGEN, NORWAY Budding Scandi eyewear brand Kaibosh partners…

Cropped cotton shirt, VEDA, $176, visit thisisveda.com Poplin shirt, KENZO, $435, collection at openingceremony.us Cotton shirt, TRADEMARK, $248, visit trade-mark.com Maintain structure with a clean, architectural top, and counter a shortened hemline with chunky heels. Wool trousers, GOLDEN GOOSE DELUXE BRAND, $622, visit goldengoosedeluxebrand.com Satin trousers, TIBI, $475, visit tibi.com Crepe trousers, ELIE TAHARI, $248, at Elie Tahari boutiques nationwide Cotton and leather sandal, NICHOLAS KIRKWOOD, $925, visit nicholaskirkwood.com Leather sandal, SERGIO ROSSI, $695, collection at net-a-porter.com Leather and metal-detail sandal, MICHAEL KORS, $950, at select Michael Kors stores nationwide CLEAN & SIMPLE As seen at Christophe Lemaire SHOPS Silhouettes…

When Will Gluck, director of Annie, this Christmas' modern-day retelling of the 1982 film adaptation of the 1977 Broadway musical, embarked on finding She Who Would Embody the Streetwise Orphan, he didn't know Louisiana native Quvenzhané Wallis was what he needed. What he did know he needed: "someone close to Annie's actual age, 11; someone plucky, smart, and on the hustle; and someone 50 percent hardened and 50 percent endlessly generous with their heart—two things that don't often go together." Enter the little girl who gave one of the most stirring dramatic performances by a child in recent memory, in 2012's Beasts of the Southern Wild, and who, at age nine, became the youngest nominee for Best Actress in Academy Awards history. She was almost 10. She could sing. She…

Welcome to a healthier, happier, more beautiful you. From how to get glowing skin (in just 60 seconds!) to the secret foods that will help you reach 100, our guide to making this year your Best Year Ever BEST YEAR EVER! FIRST LIGHT Spring forward into the next 12 months with a radiant complexion. To get Frida Gustavsson's neutral-but-sophisticated look, try Eye Studio Brow Drama Sculpting Brow Mascara, Face Studio Master Hi-Light Light-Boosting Blush in Coral, and Color Sensational Color Elixir lip color in Glistening Amber. All, MAYBELLINE NEW YORK. SHINE ON A high-beam gleam can still be low-key. Set off rosy blush with a touch of sheen on the cheekbones, then add burnished lids and tone-on-tone lips for polished perfection. Try Face Studio Master Hi-Light Light-Boosting Blush in Pink…

I have a problem with commitment. Over the past decade, I've jumped from workout to workout, switching to any new program promising a lean, strong form. For a few years, I ran daily. Then for another year, I did Spinning classes four days a week. Switched to kickboxing. Then six months at barre classes. When SoulCycle came along, it was back to the bike. I was technically fit. But despite my dedication to each method—working out three, four, five days a week—I didn't see much change in my appearance. Until I accidentally discovered "functional fitness," a workout philosophy that first became popular in the early aughts. Its biggest fans traditionally have been athletes and old people. It doesn't focus on how muscles look but rather on how they perform. And…

1 Find a smart alternative to a vase for your foyer "The fluorescent glow of the Lucite reminds me of a Tracey Emin piece. There's something really current about it—it pops and it's fun because it's different from everything else you'd have in the entryway and you get to see it every day."—Lilly Bunn, interior designer Acrylic bowl, ALEXANDRA VON FURSTENBERG, $400, at Maison 24, NYC 2 Dress up your living room as you would an outfit—with a necklace "I can't stand any room where everything is new. Everyone loves those [Coveteur-style] vignette shots of people's jewelry collections; it's kind of a take on that. You can use them in all these different applications—I've got one on top of a box in my living room; I love them around a…

HUSBANDS UBER ALLES DEAR E. JEAN: I've felt self-conscious about my nose since I was a little girl. It's hard for me to even take pictures without feeling I should hide it. I have an appointment for a rhinoplasty, but when I mentioned this—in a light, offhand manner—my husband was absolutely against it. How should I prepare him for the surgery? I'm afraid when I come home with stitches he'll look at me differently. —Shamefaced MISS FACED, MY LUV: Say to him: "Darling, you married the wrong girl. You should have married Cleopatra. That woman had a nose like a coatrack, and half the rulers of the world were wild for her." At this point, give him a kiss. "You rule my world. I love you so much that even…

Feather bolero, price on request, knit Lurex top, $1,090, gabardine pants, $890, rabbit felt hat, $990, silk scarf, $325, leather belt, $655, python, leather, and crystal-embellished sandals, $1,995, all, SAINT LAURENT BY HEDI SLIMANE, at Saint Laurent, NYC. Stretch-nylon fishnet tights, FOGAL, $26. For details, see Shopping Guide. Satin vest, price on request, calfskin and woven-elastic ankle boots, $1,800, all, DIOR, at Dior boutiques nationwide. Silk-embroidered trench coat, silk dress, viscose bra, briefs, all, prices on request, alligator and satin flats, $4,850, all, BALENCIAGA, similar styles at Balenciaga, NYC. For details, see Shopping Guide. Quilted velvet jacket, velvet pants, calfskin handbag, leather ankle boots, all, LOUIS VUITTON, prices on request, at select Louis Vuitton stores nationwide. Filigree-embellished lace dress, $5,000, silk camisole, $298, filigree-embellished ceramic belt, $2,350, all, DOLCE &…

Ralph Lauren is, first and foremost, a luxury brand built on old-school visual storytelling. In its advertising campaigns, the $15 billion global lifestyle empire, founded 48 years ago by a dreamer from the Bronx, has put forward its eponymous chairman and CEO's singular—and cinematic—vision of the American aristocratic ideal via lavish multipage narrative sequences depicting, for example, families sailing off the coast of New England or horseback riding out West. Over the past decade, Ralph Lauren has led the way in digital innovation as well, being the first among its peers to promote e-commerce and sell on mobile platforms—all the while engaging with new customers through such technical wizardry as QR-code-enabled, Minority Report–style shopping experiences. So perhaps it should come as no great surprise when, after signing a multipage nondisclosure…

FOX's The O.C. burned fast and bright. The teenage soap opera lasted only four seasons on TV but somehow remains seared in our memory as the perfect bit of escapist, prime-time entertainment. Ben McKenzie, 36, starred as Ryan Atwood, that show's resident bad boy—a mysterious, brooding kid from the wrong side of town, whose leather jackets drove the rich girls wild. McKenzie's own backstory is decidedly less formulaic: After studying economics and foreign affairs at the University of Virginia, the Austin-born McKenzie took a sharp right turn to acting. He waited tables. He worked as a telemarketer. Money was so tight he shared a bunk bed in his first New York City apartment. Still, he never had a problem meeting women. Here, McKenzie—who is back on TV as an early…

Alexandra Jamieson grew up a self-professed "sugar addict" in a family helmed by an organic gardener. "I did everything in my power to get sugar, which we rarely had in the house," she says. At seven, she realized the church down the street gave out snacks to kids in the congregation. "I started going to Sunday school to drink the Kool-Aid." By 25, her chocolate-and-cheeseburger diet had caught up with her: 30 pounds heavier and suffering from daily migraines and depression, she finally took a trip to a holistic health counselor who immediately cut all processed foods from her diet. She dropped the weight, the migraines, the depression, and her old life. Jamieson enrolled in culinary school and went on to build a successful career as a vegan chef and…

MARIA SHRIVER Journalist and activist Agenda: "I could never pick [just one]. It's like asking which is your favorite child. Social-justice issues—why one out of three women in America ends up on the brink of poverty. The lack of communication in politics. Gender equality—women seeing their own power and men seeing their own compassion. Intellectual disabilities and finding a cure for Alzheimer's disease." Mission: "What I try to do through my journalism and my work is inform and inspire people to be architects of change in their own lives." MELINDA GATES Cochair and trustee, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Agenda: "Systematically confronting gender inequalities wherever they exist. Women and girls are one of the world's biggest assets when it comes to building a healthier, more prosperous future. It's the right…

1. White gold, diamond, and mother-of-pearl watch on satin strap, CHANEL WATCH, price on request, at Chanel Fine Jewelry boutiques nationwide. 2. Rose gold, mother-of-pearl, lacquer, and diamond watch on alligator strap, VAN CLEEF & ARPELS, price on request, at Van Cleef & Arpels, NYC. 3. White gold, diamond, and mother-of-pearl watch on alligator strap, AUDEMARS PIGUET, price on request, call 888-214-6858. 4. Rose gold and lacquer watch on alligator strap, CHOPARD, price on request, visit us. chopard.com. 5. White gold, diamond, and emerald watch on satin strap, BULGARI, price on request, call 800-BULGARI. 6. Pink gold and diamond watch on satin strap, DIOR TIMEPIECES, price on request, at Dior, NYC. 7. White gold and diamond watch on alligator strap, HARRY WINSTON, price on request, at Harry Winston boutiques nationwide…

"Let the sun shine in" wasn't the official theme of the spring collections, but it could have been. The shows in New York, London, Milan, and Paris were a tribute to the indulgent excesses of the '70s, an era that saw the Me Generation transformed by black-light posters and psychedelic prints (not to mention the psychedelics themselves), romantic courtly dress, florals, military-inspired sportswear, desert-safari dressing, caftans, tunics in pale neutrals and white, and, of course, denim. There are seasons when fashion can sometimes waft on disparate latitudes, but for spring/summer 2015, the collective consciousness seemed squarely focused on the Age of Aquarius. Nicolas Ghesquière swung into the spirit with his very expensive, streetwear-inspired separates for Vuitton, where multicolor eel-skin skirts and leggings and velvet prints served up a downtown vibe…

Foiled-canvas vest, REED KRAKOFF, $890, visit reedkrakoff.com. Cotton shirt, TORY BURCH, $195, collection at Neiman Marcus stores nationwide Cashmere vest, J.CREW, $128, visit jcrew.com. Hand-painted velvet jacquard shirt, ROCHAS, price on request, similar styles at rochas.com Acrylic and nylon vest, LANDS' END, $38, visit landsend.com. Silk shirt, PIAMITA, $354, visit piamita.com Staying buttoned-up on top balances volume on the bottom, while a spike mule lends sexy edge. Stretch-cotton and nylon skirt, ALICE + OLIVIA BY STACEY BENDET, $385, visit aliceandolivia.com Snakeskin mule, PAUL ANDREW, $795, collection at shopbop.com Foiled-lace skirt, REBECCA TAYLOR, $550, at Rebecca Taylor boutiques nationwide Wool-blend skirt, H&M, $60, visit hm.com Suede and glitter mule, KATE SPADE NEW YORK, $328, visit katespade.com Suede and calfskin mule, RUPERT SANDERSON, $795, collection at stylebop.com SHE'S A LADY As seen…

The first of the many indignities that Alzheimer's disease visits upon us is, to borrow from Carl Sandburg, a fog that comes in on little cat feet. Did something slip your mind—or did your mind just slip? Did you simply fail to summon a memory—or did you suffer memory loss? At the outset of the drama Still Alice, at a swanky restaurant to celebrate her fiftieth birthday, Alice Howland (Julianne Moore), a prominent linguistics professor at Columbia University, is with her husband, John (Alec Baldwin), who's also an academic star, and two of their three sparklingly alive grown children. A glitch in her memory during conversation goes unnoticed by all—except Howland herself. Soon after, in the midst of giving a TED-quality guest lecture on the West Coast, Howland suddenly can't…

"Acid is not a four-letter word," insists New York City dermatologist Dennis Gross, MD. But this was not always the case. Before Gross created his DIY two-step anti-aging Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel in 2002, dropping acid outside the derm's office was still considered risky. But Gross's gentle formulation makes it virtually impossible to abuse the high-potency ingredients found in his products. Next up: a foolproof face wash and mask hybrid that changes color when skin has been sufficiently scrubbed. "I'm a huge believer that you have to do homework in addition to in-office treatments," he says. In the U.S., we sometimes think of cleanser as the least important step because it's washed down the drain. Why is face wash important? Your whole anti-aging regimen starts with cleansing. For ingredients…

BEST YEAR EVER! TONE DEF "It's my new personal trainer," says one European editor about SISLEY Cellulinov Intensive Anti-Cellulite Body Care, an essential-oil-powered serum that delivers visible results. LIGHT SOURCE LA PRAIRIE Cellular Swiss Ice Crystal Dry Oil erases wrinkles and "amps up radiance" with a blend of algae and alpine botanicals. PROTECT AND SERVE "Sun protection that is finally sexy," CLARINS Sunscreen Care Oil Spray SPF 30 fights free radicals while it protects hair and skin from sun, salt water, and chlorine. BODY BUILDER A combination of dry shampoo and texture spray, KÉRASTASE V.I.P. Volume In Powder "fakes the effect of back-combing, without the damage." FAST COMPANY A miraculous quick fix, LA MER The Lifting and Firming Mask instantly plumps skin and feels "shockingly good." HEAVEN SCENT The soft…

1 SHE'S GOT THE POWAH! She thought hers was the weaker sex, until…By Cathi Hanauer I was 21, he was 35. That's the first thing. He was divorced—a long-ago starter marriage—and he'd slept with a beautiful married woman I vaguely knew, the wife in one of those perfect-seeming families. I was speechless when, in a moment of juicy indiscretion, he confided this. Just one of those things where we were talking, I was asking him questions, and he confessed. And yet, he—I'll call him "N."—wanted me. How was that possible? He played sax and piano and basketball (all well), was lanky and broad shouldered, drove a pickup. Smoked the occasional cigarette that—I'm sorry, but—made his mouth taste grown-up and a little dirty in a way I loved, the opposite of…

"I still love [fashion]. I'll see someone originally and exquisitely dressed and my jaw will drop. I love the expression of it, the beautiful fabrics and the finery of couture," says perennial Hollywood darling (and vintage-clothing devotee) Nicole Kidman, who relishes her ability to transform, whether she's playing the role of wife and mother or captivating audiences on-screen. Equally mesmerizing are the spring/summer 2015 collections, from which we've assembled a highlight reel of New York, Milan, and Paris, setting the stage for the upcoming fashion season. Talk about a tough act to follow. Suede dress, $3,900, leather handbag, $1,550, both, FENDI, at Fendi, NYC. Felt hat with lace veil, MAISON MICHEL, $856. Patent leather flats, SAINT LAURENT BY HEDI SLIMANE, $675. For details, see Shopping Guide.…

It is ironic that Oscar de la Renta loathed the word pretty, when his defining achievement was creating dresses that were witty, flirtatious expressions of femininity. His design philosophy was simple: "Women are born free, and I think that they should stay that way." Born and raised in the Dominican Republic, he trained with Balenciaga in the 1950s, then under Antonio del Castillo at Lanvin in Paris, before, on the advice of Diana Vreeland, moving to New York to work for Elizabeth Arden in 1963. Two years later he launched his own line—and changed fashion forever. Over the ensuing five decades, he received every major honor in fashion, including two Cotys and the CFDA's Founder's Award (presented in 2013 by Hillary Rodham Clinton, a dear friend). But it was his…

COVERS Washed-silk coat, $6,600, stretch-cotton knit top, $1,250, silk shorts, $1,550, woven nylon ankle boots, $1,800 by Dior, at Dior boutiques nationwide, call 800-929-DIOR. Gold and diamond earring by Hirotaka, $640 (for pair), visit hiro-taka.com. Satin dress by Calvin Klein Collection, $638, at Calvin Klein Collection (NYC). Diamond and white gold necklace by De Beers, price on request, visit debeers.com. TRENDS AND ACCESSORIES PAGE 38: Earrings by Kismet by Milka, visit fragments.com. Sweatshirt by Marc Jacobs, at Marc Jacobs stores nationwide. PAGE 39: Coat by Jason Wu, $5,395, visit jasonwustudio.com. PAGE 40: Earrings, $53,500, rings, $30,000–$45,000, by Tiffany & Co., call 800-843-3269. PAGE 41: Backpack by Gucci, at select Gucci stores nationwide. PAGE 42: Watch by Chanel Watch, $43,000, call 800-550-0005. Watch by Van Cleef & Arpels, call 877-VAN-CLEEF or…

The Real Scandal Last November, I had the distinct honor of receiving the Marylou Luther Award for Fashion Journalism from the Accessories Council, which was given to me by one of my all-time favorite people, the brilliant and charismatic Bally CEO Frédéric de Narp. If you don't know Frédéric, just know there's a reason he's often referred to as the James Bond of fashion. And if you don't know Marylou Luther, google her witty and insightful syndicated fashion columns for Cleveland's Plain Dealer. Also that night, Kerry Washington and Scandal costume designer Lyn Paolo received the ACE Influencer Award for the chic nuance with which Kerry's character on the ABC television series, Olivia Pope, moves through the world. Her clothes and accessories are carefully considered and built to convey the…

Rose gold and black diamond earrings, KISMET BY MILKA, $733 each, at Fragments, NYC Perspex clutch, KOTUR, $750, visit koturltd.com. Stretch-viscose crepe dress, DIESEL BLACK GOLD, $795, similar styles at Diesel Black Gold, NYC Embellished wool-blend sweatshirt, MARC JACOBS, $1,100, visit marcjacobs.com SAINT LAURENT TOMMY HILFIGER DIESEL BLACK GOLD Suede ankle boot, HILFIGER COLLECTION, $690, at Tommy Hilfiger, NYC FASHION Trends Want more? Check out 15 must-have star-adorned jewels at ELLE.com/counting-stars.…

Gold, crystal quartz, and pavé diamond ring, KIMBERLY MCDONALD, price on request, at Kimberly McDonald, L.A. Opal, rose gold, and pavé diamond necklace, IRENE NEUWIRTH, price on request, collection at Marissa Collections, Naples, FL Rose gold, ruby, rhodolite, and amethyst earrings, FERNANDO JORGE, price on request, collection at barneys.com Sapphire, spinel, iolite, and gold earrings, MELISSA JOY MANNING, $4,240, at Melissa Joy Manning, NYC Malachite, gold, and pavé diamond ring, JACQUIE AICHE, $1,425, call 310-550-7529 1. KIMBERLY MCDONALD: "Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in the earth's crust. Scientist Marcel Vogel believes that the crystals are able to receive and send human thoughts and emotions. This is why we call quartz the Conductor." 2. IRENE NEUWIRTH: "Opals are supposed to incite creativity and inspiration, and I've always loved them…

Fashion may continually change, but no matter the season, year, or millennium, we're constantly told that our daily dressing routine should resemble a balancing act, pairing garments that complement one another's proportions and flatter our bodies. Easier said than done. But with that in mind, we've deconstructed spring's new silhouettes—cropped wide-leg trousers, full-volume knee-length skirts, and sexy high-waisted pants—piece by beautiful piece. And in the spirit of exploration, we discover new territory. Case in point: new erogenous-zone cutouts from Phoebe Philo's spring/summer 2015 collection for Céline, shown here. Finding balance has never been more fun—or stylish. Silk and polyamide top, price on request, wool-blend trousers, $1,300, porcelain pendant necklace, $520, calfskin handbag, $2,350, all, CéLINE, at Céline, NYC. For details, see Shopping Guide SHOPS Silhouettes…

Silk T-shirt, EQUIPMENT, $178, visit equipmentfr.com Cotton T-shirt, H&M, $13, visit hm.com Printed-jersey T-shirt, PROENZA SCHOULER, $245, at Proenza Schouler, NYC Stretch-cotton jeans, FOREVER 21, $25, at select Forever 21 stores nationwide Faux-leather pants, H&M, $50, visit hm.com Stretch-cotton jeans, DIESEL, $228, visit shop.diesel.com A graphic T-shirt keeps things sporty, while a sexy strappy sandal shows just enough skin. Suede and satin sandal, SERGIO ROSSI, $995, at Sergio Rossi, Las Vegas Stretch-leather sandal, GUESS, $120, at Guess stores nationwide Leather sandal, CHARLINE DE LUCA, $795, collection at shoescribe.com GREASED LIGHTNING As seen at Givenchy SHOPS Silhouettes…

MEMOIR]: Almost Grown Left Coast bohemian force of nature Michelle Tea turns her outsider moxie to the task of finally settling down (sort of) By Lisa Shea In four gutsy previous memoirs, Michelle Tea has built a fervent cult following by writing about her blue-collar Boston-area background, her teen goth years, her stint working in the sex industry, and the ups and downs of her bisexual love life. Her latest memoir, How to Grow Up (Plume), once again seduces with the candor and immediacy that readers of her earlier works (she has also produced a novel, a book of poems, and a young adult fantasy series) will find familiarly bracing and affirming. A literary maverick and jill-of-all-trades, Tea runs City Lights Books' Sister Spit imprint; is creator and editor of…

You name it—Rebecca Newell has tried it: Carb Cycling, the Ketogenic Diet, the 21-Day Sugar Detox, Dr. Oz's 3-Day Detox Cleanse (13 times), the Alkaline Diet, Intermittent Fasting, and something she called the "small food" diet, when for 30 days she tried (and failed) to give up any food smaller than a quarter. For 15 years, though, before she found herself changing diets as if they were socks, the 41-year-old college administrator had followed one plan: the low-fat diet. She chose big bowls of pasta over steak, had a pantry full of low-fat salad dressings, and steered well clear of avocados. (She even tried a gummy-bear diet; her husband would drive her to the movie theater to indulge in the pick-and-mix no-fat candy.) And it worked—sort of: Newell, who is…

Time Machine L'Oréal Paris Age Perfect Cell Renewal Golden Serum keeps skin looking glowy and fresh by promoting cell turnover and guarding against free radicals. Plum Crazy We love spritzing Plum by Mary Greenwell—with lively fruit top notes and a warm musk base—to brighten the darkest days of the year. Party Supply Get ready for the ball to drop with Givenchy Le Prisme Visage Color Confetti Face Powder, which adds a luminous finish to cheekbones and comes in a funfetti-esque compact. Emerald City Inspired by the hazy color palette of the acclaimed '70s film The Garden of the Finzi-Continis, Giorgio Armani makeup artist Linda Cantello created 12 shades of soft but bright Eye Tints (shown here in 4). Life Aquatic Packed with multicolor glitter, Sephora Collection Colorful Duo Reflects in…

At New York's New Museum, Miranda July, in a knit rainbow vest dress over a pink button-down, mauve tights, and gray suede platforms, steps onstage. The hyperproductive hyphenate artist—known as, in no particular order, a multimedia performer, filmmaker, sculptor, short-story writer, essayist, and actress—looks a bit like a Technicolor Mary Poppins. "I don't believe there is some utopic place where everyone is connecting perfectly," she tells the sold-out crowd of 200. "Not even at Burning Man. In all of my work, people are usually doing pretty bad jobs of it, and that's the lovely part, all the effort they're putting in. Which to me is reassuring to remember: that that could be enough." During the next hour, July, 40, demonstrates her new messaging app, Somebody; plays a clip of her…

At 47, Nicole Kidman has been world famous for more than half her life. That kind of renown—which began with her 1990 marriage to Tom Cruise, but which has continued on unabated in the dozen-plus years since that union's dissolution, due to her own artistic successes—places the Hawaii-born, Australia-reared actress in a very peculiar position: Despite the fact that she describes herself as "not, you know, a huge extrovert," a veritable planetful of people, fans and nonfans alike, are familiar with the details of her biography. As a result, they presume to know her. Yet, according to Kidman's close friend Sheryl Crow, the public perception of the star—though not exactly incorrect—isn't the full picture. "I think that she has been very poised throughout her public life, and sometimes people will…

Linen, cotton, and elastane shirtdress, $2,595, lambskin and plastic belt, $350, calfskin bracelets, $495 each, all, DONNA KARAN NEW YORK, at Donna Karan New York boutiques nationwide. Organic cotton tank, ALTERNATIVE, $40. Silver necklace, DAVID YURMAN, $780. Wood and brass cuff, PILAR OLAVERRI, $390. Silver linked bangle, $1,800, silver and gold linked rings, $710 each, all, SPINELLI KILCOLLIN. Lambskin handbag, DELPHINE DELAFON, $1,300. Cotton cape, $690, shirt, $290, both, HILFIGER COLLECTION, similar styles at Tommy Hilfiger, NYC. Gold-plated metal bracelet, VIRZI+DE LUCA, $300. Brass ring, PILAR OLAVERRI, $320. Linen and leather handbag, TORY BURCH, $495. For details, see Shopping Guide. Wool twill top, $895, shorts, price on request, both, VERA WANG COLLECTION, at Vera Wang, NYC. Lambskin and plastic belt, DONNA KARAN NEW YORK, $350. Black titanium, stone, and onyx…

Don't feel singled out: All signs will struggle mightily with the 4th's vexing, tempestuous full moon. Lucky for us, a restorative new moon on the 20th—and a spate of lucky days encircling it—will restart the New Year with celebratory fireworks CAPRICORN THIS MONTH FOR CAPRICORN: (DEC 22–JAN 19) You could begin 2015 with a bang, since the 4th's full moon might detonate an emotional confrontation. It's possible that your significant other will air a long-harbored resentment or that swift changes could upend your living situation or family dynamic. No doubt single Capricorns will fare better. Regardless, all will feel the romantic glow around the 13th, when Venus in your fifth house of romance will receive lovely beams from surprise-a-minute Uranus. Early January could be costly as you catch up…