Libation Alert - Gin and Your Complexion

With the exception of a long night (or evening or lunch break) of passionate lovemaking, nothing will put that rosy glow on your skin like a shot of good quality gin. It is the opinion of our expert drinkers that gin is about to make a grand comeback, once the inhabitants of Peopleland realize that vodka is nothing but H2O enhanced. Recently, we held a gin tasting at our editorial offices and fell madly in love with Hendrick's Gin. Distilled in Ayrshire, Scotland by William Grant & Sons Ltd, Hendrick's infuses its witches' brew with- get ready! - rose petals and cucumbers, ingredients that all first rate esthéticiens know will yield a refreshed visage in less than 30 minutes time. Beauty and cocktails- who knew? Although we enjoyed drinking it neat (straight is word we keep at a distance here at DOLLDOM), we also enjoyed some unusual cocktails, two of which we could not resist sharing with you:

B a r b i e
(it's pink!)

Ingredients
2 oz. Hendrick’s Gin
¾ oz. Rhubarb Puree
½ oz. Vanilla Syrup
½ oz. Gooseberry Syrup
Preparation
Shake and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a gooseberry.

Ingredients
1 oz Hendrick's Gin
1/2 Cucumber simple syrup
Rosé champagne
(To make cucumber simple syrup, blend 1 cucumber and 4 oz simple syrup)
Preparation
Pour ingredients in order above into a champagne flute.
Stir gently before garnishing with the
cucumber garnish of your choosing.

For more recipes, visit Hendrick's Gin

Nude Heads - The Ultimate Act of Minimalism

It's a choice made by those who wish to break free from the slavery of hair styling. We agree that for those with exquisite features, it can be quite sexy. On the other hand, this look does require certain measures to keep the wearer from looking mean or too severely punk.
Men will benefit from daily moisturizing as well as from lavish applications of 70 SPF sunscreen. Shiseido makes one in SPF 55, less than the recommended protection but with such a superb shade of turquoise, the bottle dissolved our resolve to über-protect. Stylish fashion choices, like the imposing peacoat shown above left, are perhaps more necessary to keep the intentionally bald male from looking excessively uninterested in the sartorial trend.
Likewise, the female N.H. will be more attentive to her eyes, giving them extra attention with velvety lashes and dramatically precise lining. Crystal shine on lips is an ultra-glam gesture. As for what she wears, anything - from a little black dress to a tweed pant suit -will make heads turn as she struts her stuff down the street.

The Future of Fashion (Dolls) Is Handmade

Really. We all desire the unique. More and more these days, doll companies seem to be producing the raw material that gets reshaped, redressed, repainted, and restyled into unique visions. Vive la différence, don't you think? Lucky are those who can count on visionaries like Liz Cole and Yatabazah to provide the ultimate in doll luxe for living the Life Deluxe.
The original Beauty and Glamour fashion look by Liz Cole for Retros.
Liz Cole for Retros

Handmade human and mohair wigs by Yatabazah
Yatabazah
Handmade resin Persia dolls by Darrell Wallace
Darrell Wallace

Give-Your-Body-A-Break Jewelry Displays

As much as you may love all your jewelry, it is impossible to wear it all on a daily basis, unless you play dress-up or have a very full social schedule.
One way to enjoy it is by displaying your baubles in artful arrangements in your boudoir or salon. Mdvanii, for example, deposits her bracelets - including her signature cuffs- in antique santos' hands found at her favorite marché aux puces.
Our homes, ourselves.
The most famous flea market in Paris is the one at Porte de Clignancourt, named Les Puces de Saint-Ouen, but referred to by its devotés as Les Puces (The Fleas).
Flea Market Hours: Saturday - Monday
Every Saturday from 8h30 to 18h30
Every Sunday from 10h to 18h30
Every Monday from de 10h30 to 17h30

Vintage Finds

A vintage sweater, preferably dead stock, is indeed a treasure of a find. Paired with BillyBoy*s knit shorts, this moss green Ken sweater, like its wearer, will get plenty of action this coming fall. Come winter, it will still be a great piece for layering under a heavy coat.
The question is where to find the loot before the moths do! The fashionable never leave a stone unturned - from Etsy to e-Bay to (can you believe?) actual real-time shopping at retro boutiques. This focused attitude will bear a rich harvest of cozy woolens.