pink rickshaw

best of 2008: slumdog millionaire

"It is written." -Slumdog Millionaire

What is Slumdog Millionaire?
A) A new rapper
B) A lovable cartoon character
C) The spin-off to Who Wants to be a Millionaire?
D) A critically acclaimed film by Danny Boyle that you should watch as soon as possible.

When you live in Texas like the PR gals, you hear about buzzed about films like Slumdog Millionaire, and patiently wait until it makes its way to an indie film theater down south. In the meantime, the expectations build and anticipation grows as friends in NYC and LA see it and critics rave. Then when the movie does make it to a theater near you, you have such incredibly high expectations, it is sure to be a let down. I can happily say, that was not the case with Boyle's masterpiece. The film is everything it is promised to be by the amazing critics' reviews and media frenzy--a must see emotional rags to riches fairy tale that leaves you inspired and awed.

The film follows Jamal (British actor Dev Patel) from his childhood in a Mumbai slum to the hotseat of the Indian version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire. How he gets there is a wonderfully woven story of chance and suffering with superb acting and a gritty portrayal of Mumbai. It is interesting to see Mumbai without the glitz and glamour usually presented by Bollywood and it is especially eerie in light of the recent attacks. But at the heart of Slumdog Millionaire are two important things: persistance--illustrated with the childhood journey of Jamal and his hardheaded cynic brother Salim (adult role played by Madhur Mittal) and love--a la the despair filled love story of Jamal and Latika (played as an adult by Indian actress Frieda Pinto). The cast is supported by the arrogant host of the popular Millionaire game show, Prem, played by Bollywood veteran Anil Kapoor and the detective interrogating Jamal, acted beautifully by Irrfan Khan (A Mighty Heart, The Namesake).

However, the performances that will probably make the most lasting impression (they certainly did on me) are the three child actors that play the young Jamal, Salim and Latika. Two of the three young actors actually grew up in the slums and spoke no English. After the film was shot, Boyle enrolled them in school and promised them a "tidy sum of money" for after graduation.

I could go on about the film forever but you've already figured out the answer is D. So, stop reading. Get to the theater. Watch this film. If it is playing near you, you'll be glad you did.

PR rating: A manicured thumbs up. We thought this was one of the best films we have seen in a long time. The buzz should not be taken lightly--we're keeping our fingers crossed this wonderful movie walks away with an Oscar.

image source: Slumdog Millionaire still, Fox Searchlight Pictures

-SD

whatcha got cookin'?

“Well done Bridge, four hours of careful cooking and a feast of blue soup, omelette and marmalade. I think that deserves a toast, don't you? To Bridget, who cannot cook, but who we love..”-Tom, Bridget Jones’s Diary

 

No one would dream of comparing you to Rachel Ray or Giada. You are not even close. When you once declared that you were trying a new Martha Stewart recipe, all of your girlfriends snickered. Despite your best attempts, you are a walking kitchen disaster (WKD).

Unfortunately, this time of year is particularly challenging (and stressful) for those who simply are not blessed with kitchen grace. Whether you need to whip up some grandma-worthy samosas, or will host a fabulous holiday turkey dinner, you are in dire need of help. Before you throw in the kitchen towel, admit defeat and commit the fraudulent act of ordering take-out while pretending it’s yours, take control of the situation with these steps:

1) Clean out the shoe boxes from your oven – this is no longer appropriate shoe storage.
2) Get yourself a fabulous apron – if you want to be great in the kitchen you have got to start thinking and looking the part.
3) Toss the technique cookbooks and seek professional help.

Reading a cookbook may offer great recipes and guidance, but if you need help with kitchen fundamentals consider signing up for a cooking class. Most local community colleges offer cooking classes that are stress-free and highly educational. College Board  is a great tool for finding local community colleges in your area. For those WKDs who prefer to pick and choose one class topic at a time, high end grocery stores such as Central Market, Market Street, and Whole Foods all offer cooking classes in 2-3 hour sessions at their store locations. Also, as an added bonus, many of these stores offer seasonally relevant classes such as yummy holiday dessert baking. If you're looking for more one-on-one  instruction in the privacy of your own kitchen, many cities offer private cooking lessons like Home Cooking New York in NYC. Get a group of WKDs together for a lesson and make it a cooking party.

So, when the next culinary challenge comes your way, don’t go hiding under your covers praying for a miracle. Step up to the plate and get yourself some mad kitchen skills. Because while your friends and family may always love you – they really don’t love your cooking.

image source: littlebird.ie

-RW

nov super six

"January, February, March, April, May
I see you cryin'. but girl, I can't stay
I'll be gone till November, I'll be gone till November
And give a kiss to my mother"
-Gone Till November, Wyclef Jean

We officially nominate November as the best month ever. Presented by the (e)M in November, here are six things that make us happy this month:

 

1) Turkey for me and turkey for you...
M is for mmm mmm good. There is probably no other month that is synonymous with delicious food like November. We're already craving our favorites, like this pumpkin pie.

2) Party wear
M is for Metallics. Shiny is  definitely in for fall and winter and is perfect for a festive look for the holiday party season. Try a look like this Fairground metallic puff skirt but keep the look balanced by pairing it with a simple or retro tee so you don't blind your fellow party-goers.

    

3) This guy
M is for my new president and yours.

   

4) Bargain beauty
M is for Mascara. Yes, with recent economic fears,everyone needs to tighten their fashionable belts, but it does not mean your make-up has to suffer. While PR hands down votes Trish McEvoy's High-Volume Mascara as the best mascara, CoverGirl LashBlast mascara comes in a very close second as a great beauty find. And with a $8 price tag, its good on your eyelashes and wallet.

5) Helping the hungry
M is for Making small miracles.There is probably no better time than now to help those in need by volunteering or donating to your local food bank. The Feeding America website helps you find a food bank that serves your local community. Donate non-perishable food items (remember everyone likes whole canned corn better than creamed canned corn), donate your time by volunteering or donate funds to Feeding America through their Fill a Bowl, Feed America program. As little as a $1 donation provides 32 bowls of food to those in need. That's a lot of corn.

6) a Sticky and Sweet concert
M is for Madonna. The magnificent M's Sticky and Sweet tour stopped in Houston this month (her first concert in Texas since 1990) and she proved why she is the world's most famous performer. She's fifty, fabulous and still larger than life with her amazing physique and energetic dance moves. The crowd (and PR) went crazy for her songs old (Vogue, La Isla Bonita, Borderline) and new (The Beat Goes On and She's Not Me) and especially crazy for her elaborate video duets with Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears (LA audiences were treated to guest appearances by both pop stars). The tour wraps up with concerts in Philadelphia, Miami, Mexico and Brazil.

Have a suggestion for the super six? Post it in the comments or email us at [email protected].

image source: pie: marthastewart.com; Fairground metallic puff skirt: pixiemarket.com; Barack Obama: Rolling Stone magazine July 2008 cover; Covergirl Lashblast mascara: covergirl.com; feedingamerica.org; madonna.com

- SD/RW

top chef mania

"If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen."-Unknown

Top Chef fans have been anxiously waiting to hear the beautiful Padma Lakshmi issue her next round of commands to "pack your knives and go" all fall. Luckily, Top Chef season five is officially here, with the premiere episode airing Wednesday night on Bravo. The gals of PR just happen to be the ultimate Top Chef junkies and tuned in for the first episode, in what looks to be an exciting and dramatic season.

The episode initiated the contestants into the grueling series with a quick-fire challenge consisting of some pretty frantic apple peeling, where one chef was sent home on apple skills alone. As a lover of all exotic foods, I adored the elimination challenge, which had contestants pitted against each other in the creation of a dish of a specific cuisine. We are keeping our fingers crossed for Radhika Desai, a Chicago native, who recently sat down with Metromix to discuss the show in Totally Rad! Unfortunately, a lackluster showing in the quick-fire apple nightmare means that she is going to have to step it up in future episodes. It is still early, but arrogant Stefan looks like he may have the skills to back up the attitude. Finally, we were perplexed by Carla (who seems to be slightly crazy). When she mentioned that she lets the "spirits guide her", I knew we were in for an exciting season. Stay tuned to Top Chef season five and let us know who you think is slated to be the next Top Chef winner.

image source: bravotv.com

-RW 

trend: super high heels

"A cause may be inconvenient , but it's magnificent. It's like champagne or high heels, and one must be prepared to suffer for it."-Arnold Bennett

 

high heel (noun) footwear that raises the heel of the wearer's foot significantly higher than the toes. According to Jimmy Choo and Gucci, a low heel is considered less than 2.5 inches, a medium heel is between 2.5 and 3.5 inches and anything over that is considered a high heel.  A high heel tends to give the aesthetic illusion of longer, slender and more toned legs.

Like most little girls, I would run around the house in my mother's heels just waiting for the day that I could wear my own. Be careful what you wish for, right? Now, like many women, I live in heels chanting the fashionista mantra: fashion over pain. So as we face higher taxes (for some...maybe?), higher airfare (definitely), higher heels naturally are all the rage. "High" has been redefined from three to four inches to five, six and even (gasp!) seven inches for fall and next spring. These are the highest heels to ever be sold on a commercial level. Not exactly your Momma's heels.

We must forewarn you that before you jump on this trend, there is a price for the heel appeal. The super sized heels are proving to be quite dangerous for some. At Prada's Spring/Summer 2009 show in September, two models fell trying to make their way down the runway in Miuccia Prada's platforms. Superstar Gwenyth Paltrow has been sporting six inch heels since April but keeps her bodyguard handy to keep her steady, as she teeters on her stilettos at junkets. In fact, 15th century Europe upper class women also wore extremely high platform shoes but had "a servant or chivalrous man to help them walk." Since some of our assistants may be on vacation (or non-existent), the results can be more disastrous than just a fall. According to podiatrists, elevating the heel more than three inches off the ground greatly increases the odds of suffering a sprained or broken ankle and back pain.

Besides the risk of injury, there is also the obvious discomfort factor. In fact, in order to make these super heels more wearable, some women are getting injections of cosmetic fillers like Juvaderm to plump up the balls of the feet.The effect lasts about six to nine months. A drugstore alternative is using Dr. Scholl's gel inserts (at about $12 it will definitely cost you less than collagen injections). So, now that we've given you the appropriate warning, why even bother with the mega heels? We have three words about this trend: they are hot.

 

If you dare to try the extreme heels, rest assured that you will not be the only one towering over everyone else. The super heel is a huge trend this fall and everyday women are buying the higher heels more so than predicted. Designers Christian Louboutin, Burberry Prorsum, Fendi and Missoni (all pictured above) have created five inch plus shoes (some with hidden platforms) in rich fall colors in a variety of heels and styles. According to the Houston Chronicle, "Louboutin says his six and seven inch heels are selling so well, he plans to introduce an eight inch platform next fall." More affordable versions can also be found at Steve Madden, Nine West and Aldo.  Don't look for the trend to disappear anytime soon. We saw the spring shows and the heels were extreme. The New York Times reports in Shoes from the Shows that the heels were "noteworthy for their architectures, soaring heights and fretwork." Sounds fabulous, right? Just remember, the hotter they are, the harder you will fall. Happy and safe super heel wearing.

image source: runway images: jezebel.com, nytimes.com; gwenyth paltrow: nydailynews.com; shoes: net-a-porter.com (clockwise: Burberry Prorsum ruched platform heels, Missoni suede platform pumps, Fendi suede and leather platforms, Christian Louboutin Eugene Satin pumps)

-SD

wine two: chardonnay

“Consuming wine in moderation daily will help people to die young as late as possible.” - Dr. Philip Norrie

I like to think of wines as great girlfriends. They all have enduring qualities that draw you to them, but each one is unique. For instance, the old vine Zinfandel is your super outgoing, don’t-take-crap-from anyone girlfriend. She’s someone you can always count on, but sometimes you have to prepare yourself for her boldness. Meanwhile, the Pinot Noir is the kind of friend that you love to be around. She is the ultimate cool kid, but while you almost always have a fabulous night with her, she can sometimes flake out and let you down. Out of all of your gal pals out there, your most loyal, happy and optimistic friend is the Chardonnay. She contains depth and intelligence, but is light and easy to be with – she is the essence of happiness. Through good times or bad, she is the girl you want by your side.

Not surprisingly, you are not alone in your love for Chardonnay. Chardonnay is the most popular of all wines produced. The wine is produced by the Chardonnay grape; a fruit originally native to the Burgundy region of France, but has since been transported all over the world. Ranging widely in its taste profile, the Chardonnay can unfortunately be difficult to pair with food. In order to properly pair a Chardonnay with food, it is important to understand the type of flavor profile your Chardonnay has. The Burgundy style of Chardonnay wines tend to be less oaky, with a light mineral presence. New world and particularly Californian wines have cultivated different techniques to impart more oaky, buttery notes than the original Burgundy Chardonnays. Of the different types of Chardonnay wines, most wine makers separate them into three categories: unoaked, moderately oaked, and lavishly oaked. The less oak influence on the wine the more fruity the wine is. As the oak influence is increased more buttery; creamy qualities take precedence in the wine.

PR’s favorite bargain Chardonnay pick is Santa Barbara County’s Meredian’s Chardonnay. This wine has tons of fruitiness –it is brimming with pineapple and citrus flavors. It is very lightly oaked (just to give the wine some balance) but the standout flavor of this wine is definitely the fruit. If you are looking to up the creaminess factor, Francis Ford Coppola offers the Diamond collection gold label Chardonnay which undergoes both oak and stainless steel fermentation. The result is a creamier wine that retains much of its apple and guava fruitiness but has a caramelized sugar finish. Still craving a bigger oak taste? Consider Robert Mondavi’s Private Reserve Chardonnay. This wine is aged 10 months sur lie in French oak barrels. The result is a big, bold wine with a huge buttery finish. Ultimately, Chardonnay grapes develop the most complex flavors when they are cooled by evening fog. Look for Chardonnay wines from the Santa Barbara or Russian River Valley area for the most sophisticated American Chardonnay flavors. For more Chardonnay options, check out Food and Wine Magazine contributor Ray Isle’s delicious list of great American bargain Chardonnay wines.

Once you have characterized your Chardonnay, you can start pairing it with foods for the ultimate tasting experience. Consider pineapple and goat cheese for unoaked, fruity chardonnays. A moderately oaked Chardonnay pairs well with Cheddar or Colby cheese, and also is recommended with Marcia Kiesel’s Fresh Corn Soufflé with Bacon and Comte’. A lavishly oaked Chardonnay should be paired with a stronger flavor such as a buttery salmon and caper dish or a smoky corn chowder.

Chardonnays are perfectly refreshing in the summer time and are great for pairing with the creamier dishes that start sprouting up over the fall and holiday season. Try exploring the different types of Chardonnays out there and let us know which type you heart the most. Whether you prefer the fruity or the buttery Chardonnay, this gal is ultimately a friend for life.

image source: soundsplanb.blogspot.com, foodandwine.com, realsimple.com

-RW

4 minutes: vote

"Bad politicians are sent to Washington by good people who don't vote."-William E. Simon

You've rocked the vote; cast your ballot early and have already decorated your home for an Obama (or McCain) victory party. To your surprise, however, some of your friends, may need that little extra push to get to the polls on election day.

Three subtle ways to remind your friends to vote this Tuesday:
1) The fashionable approach
Carry this patriotic vote tote (pictured above) or a Marc Jacobs "Time for a Change" t shirt. Say nothing, simply let your fashion do the talking.

2) The educational approach
In today's busy, stressful world, some say they simply cannot keep up with the issues and where different politicians stand. Don't let that be an excuse. Help a pal out and send them a voting guide so she can get up to speed on where each candidate stands on the issues at the city, state and national level elections. National Voter Guide makes it simple. A collaboration with hundreds of newspapers and television stations, the site lets you input your address and finds local voting guides that cover the exact ballot in your area.

3) The humorous approach

If all else fails, make them feel bad. Moveon.org has created a video you can personalize that traces the loss of a particular candidate to anyone you would like. Simply put in his or her name, and a mock newscast reports the results. Or send them a snarky e-card from BotherVoting.org. Funny, memorable and hopefully effective.

We're Pink Rickshaw and we approve this message.
Happy voting!

image source: H81 Patriotic vote tote, forever21.com

-SD