5 Minute Crafts Magazine - January/February 2022 by Lawrence Ambrocio

RINGIN' THE NEW YEAR

OUR ULTIMATE CHAMPAGNE CAKE Page 36

Jan/Feb 2022 $5.99 (Canada) $3.99 (US)

HAVE FUN WITH PLAYING SNOW

jan/feb 2022

CONTENTS

"First you take a drink, then the drink takes a drink, then the drink takes you." -F. Scott Fitzgerald

JAN/FEB 2022

CONTENTS

style

home

TRENDIEST NAILS OF 2022 A manicure and pedicure can either elevate your look or totally ruin it. To avoid this and regret your chosen combination of colors, it’s good to know whether it’s okay to use different colors for your fingernails and toenails.

FIND THE RIGHT SIZE Picking out a bed is not something you should rush, as it’s the place where we spend our entire nights after hard days at work.

WHO NOSE? In 2011, scientists did research about the different types of noses found in Europe and Israel. Based on their findings, a 14-type nose classification system became popular on social media channels.

SHEET CARE Ironing sheets doesn’t have to be long and annoying. The right approach and a few simple tricks can help you considerably speed up the process.

health

WHAT WE'RE EATING It might seem that’s it’s impossible to chew food incorrectly. However, there is the right way to do it even for an everyday action like this.

features

living

departments

KEEP CALM & LOVE TOGETHER It’s always great to see when our partner or relative goes out of their way just to put a smile on our face.

FUN WITH SNOW If you’re living somewhere where the winter doesn’t come with a lot of snow and your children are constantly asking when you’ll make a snowman together, then it’s good to know how to make artificial snow, which is both an indoor treat and sensory play for anyone.

EDITOR'S LETTER

food

CHEERS TO 2022! A textured icing effect is an easy way to achieve a bakeryworthy cake.

LOVE IS SWEET You can prepare a heartshaped Valentine’s Day Cake with ease. To do so, you need just an hour or 2 of your time, and you don’t even have to bake it if you’re not up to it.

JAN/FEB 2022

TRICKS & TIPS

CHILL & DRAW COVER PHOTO PHOTOGRAPHY, JODI PUDGE. FOOD STYLING, ASHLEY DENTON. PROP STYLING, JENNIFER EVAN

JES WATSON Editor In-Chief

FOOD DIRECTOR Annabelle Waugh FASHION & BEAUTY DIRECTOR Julia McEwen HOME & GARDEN DIRECTOR Brett Walther MANAGING EDITOR Day Helesic TEST KITCHEN SENIOR FOOD SPECIALIST Irene Fong FOOD SPECIALISTS Jennifer Bartoli, Amanda Barnier ARTICLES EDITOR, FOOD Gilean Watts INTERN Jessica Bronstein ART CONSULTING DESIGN DIRECTOR Brendan Fisher ACTING ART DIRECTOR June F. Anderson SENIOR ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR Henrietta Poon CONTRIBUTING ART DIRECTORS Lisa de Nikolits, Leanne Gilbert FEATURES HEALTH EDITOR Kate Daley CONTRIBUTING HEALTH EDITOR Tralee Pearce SPECIAL PROJECTS EDITOR Jill Buchner ASSOCIATE EDITOR, FASHION & BEAUTY Andrea Karr CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Jacqueline Kovacs

COPY & OPERATIONS EDITORIAL OPERATIONS & ASSISTANT BUSINESS MANAGER Olga Goncalves Costa COPY EDITOR Stephanie Zolis CONTRIBUTING COPY EDITORS Ruth Hanley, Debbie Madsen Villamere ASSISTANT EDITOR Teresa Sousa INTERNS William Dixon, Thalia Gamage, Natalie Wong

EDITORIAL DEPUTY EDITOR Jessica Pollack SENIOR EDITORS Ariel Brewster, Sadiya Dendar, Simone Olivero CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Claire Gagne ASSISTANT EDITOR Kevin John Siazon COPY EDITOR Kelly Jones PROOFREADER Janet Morassutti INTERNS Emily McDonald, Arisa Valyear

ART CONTRIBUTING DESIGNER Colleen Nicholson IN-HOUSE PHOTOGRAPHERS Carmen Cheung, Erik Putz

MARKETING SERVICES & CREATIVE SOLUTIONS General Sales Manager CAROLINE K. BRETON Creative Brand Director LAURA DENTON CONTENT DIRECTOR Kim Alison Fraser MANAGING EDITOR Renée Sylvestre-Williams MANAGER, STRATEGY AND IDEATION Stevie Gorrie STRATEGISTS Sarah Drake, Jessica Lee, Marcela Perez ART DIRECTORS Susan Jackson, Suzanne LaCorte, Peter Robertson JUNIOR COPY WRITER Victoria DiPlacibo SENIOR DIRECTOR, CLIENT DELIVERY Stefany Pierce CAMPAIGN MANAGERS Melissa Carmichael, Ivan McBurney, Rob Stephenson, Inga Terzopoulos

PRODUCTION PRODUCTION TEAM LEAD Carol Zephyrine RESEARCH SENIOR RESEARCH ANALYST Eva Chau MARKETING , COMMUNICATIONS & EVENTS SENIOR DIRECTOR Tracy Finkelstein MANAGER Silvana Sciortino SENIOR SPECIALIST Erin Quinn SPECIALISTS Carlie McGhee, Summer Varty, Alyson Young SENIOR DESIGNER Colin Elliott CONSUMER MARKETING GROUP VICE-PRESIDENT, CONSUMER MARKETING Christopher Purcell GROUP CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Doris Chan PRODUCT MARKETING MANAGERS Yen Duong, Amanda Stone DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER Jason Patterson DIRECTOR, NEWSSTAND SALES Pat Strangis

BUSINESS BUSINESS MANAGER Nancy Baker DIGITAL SOLUTIONS GROUP GENERAL MANAGER, NATIONAL PORTALS Ray Ostor

PRODUCTION PRODUCTION MANAGER Pat Danaher DIGITAL COLOUR SPECIALIST Nicole Duplantis (on leave), Katarina Marinic

ST. JOSEPH COMMUNICATIONS CHAIRMAN + CEO Tony Gagliano VICE-CHAIRMAN John Gagliano PRESIDENT & PUBLISHER, SJC MEDIA Ken Hunt SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENT, REVENUE Lynn Chambers VICE-PRESIDENT, CONTENT & CREATIVE Maryam Sanati MANAGING DIRECTOR, CONSUMER REVENUE Allan Yue MANAGING DIRECTOR, RESEARCH & CONSUMER INSIGHTS Clarence Poirier MANAGING DIRECTOR, MARKETING Nadine Silverthorne DIRECTOR, CUSTOMER SUCCESS Terry Smith DIRECTOR, PRODUCTION Maria Mendes MANAGING DIRECTOR, Branded Content Sasha Emmons HEAD OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Jason Maghanoy DIRECTOR, MARKETING SPONSORSHIPS Jessika Fink

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5 Minute Crafts is published by St. Joseph Communications, 15 Benton Road, Toronto M6M 3G2. Montreal office: 249, rue Saint-Jacques, Bureau 201, Montréal H2Y 1M6. Vancouver advertising office: 180 West 2nd Avenue, Vancouver V5Y 3T9. Contents copyright 2022 by St. Joseph Communications; may not be reprinted without written permission. Article proposals and manuscripts must be accompanied by self-addressed envelopes and sufficient postage; otherwise they will not be returned or acknowledged. While the publishers will take all reasonable care, they will not be responsible for the loss of any manuscript, drawing or photograph. ISSN 0009-1995. Single copy price: $4.99 + tax. Full subscription prices: Canada, 1 year (10 issues), $15 + tax. In U.S., 1 year, $45; foreign countries, $75. Indexed in the Canadian Periodical Index. Printed in Canada by St. Joseph Communications, Print. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada. 5 Minute Crafts receives unsolicited materials (including letters to the editor, press releases, promotional items and images) from time to time. 5 Minute Crafts, its affiliates and assignees may use, reproduce, publish, republish, distribute, store and archive such unsolicited submissions in whole or in part in any form or medium whatsoever, without compensation of any sort. This statement does not apply to materials and/or pitches submitted by freelance writers, photographers or illustrators in accordance with known industry practices.

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EDITOR'S NOTE

Good Things to Start T

heSoul Publishing continues to grow at an incredible pace!! We are proud to announce another amazing milestone -- we’ve hired more than 1,000 new teammates in 2021 accelerating our global talent by +60% over the last year. The accomplishment further exemplifies TheSoul’s position as one of the industry’s fastest growing digital companies. First and foremost, we’d like to welcome each of them to the team. They work in various departments, and sit all around the globe -- just standard procedure for a worldwide content creator that’s been pioneering remote work for the last five years. And don’t expect the growth to slow down in 2022! We’re actively hiring and you can join us on our journey by visiting our career page to see a wide range of open positions. TheSoul Publishing continues to showcase engaging and positive video content by tapping into crave-worthy consumer trends including cutting-edge 3D technology, stop motion, live-action, music videos, inspirational craft projects, and vibrant animation. Thank you to our 1 billion+ followers for continuing to support our fun content and to our newcomers all around the world for helping to bring TheSoul to the next level.

JES WATSON Editor In-Chief

JAN/FEB 2022

style

TRENDIEST NAILS OF 2022

A manicure and pedicure can either elevate your look or totally ruin it. To avoid this and regret your chosen combination of colors, it’s good to know whether it’s okay to use different colors for your fingernails and toenails.

JAN/FEB 2022

STYLE The evolution of nail varnish

The first nail polish appeared in China and dates back to 3000 BCE. At the time, egg whites, gelatin, beeswax, vegetable oil, and gum arabic were used for production. And even in ancient times, women painted their nails not only on their hands but also on their feet. In Turkey, women in harems painted their toenails with henna, sending a message to the sultan this way. In Egypt, henna was also used to give nails a reddish tint. Later, the nails were polished with oils and special pastes to make them shine. The first industrially produced nail polish was clear. Then they launched shades of pink, coral, red, and peach. By the end of the twentieth century, the range expanded to colors such as black and dark purple. And in 1995, Chanel popularized reddishblack nail polish. Around the same time, beauty salons began to offer pedicure services where toenails were painted with the same varnish that was used for the fingernails. Over time, it became possible to add embellishments, like crystals or stickers, to manicures and pedicures. The first woman who used different colors in a manicure was Christina Fitzgerald, a nail artist and the founder of the brand of the same name. She painted her ring and middle fingers with a varnish that was different in color from the varnish on the nails of her other finger, thus showing that there are no boundaries in the world of manicures.

Health and beauty

Manicures and pedicures aren’t just about beauty, but also health. Most often, we think about only what color nail polish to choose. However, these procedures, performed by a professional technician, have a beneficial effect on our health. The prevention of fungal infections Ingrown toenail treatment Cleaning from contamination Treatment of cracks and broken nail plates Improvement of blood circulation

What colors are most trendy

Fashion trends change every year, and the popular color palette changes with it. Each year, Pantone chooses a color of the year. In 2021, 2 colors were chosen: Illuminating Yellow Ultimate Gray Also, the trendiest colors of Autumn/Winter 2021/2022 were named: Brisk Blue Illuminating Yellow Rich Green Vivid Fuchsia Gentle Pink Warm Sundried Clay Vigorous Red Blue-based Purple Midtone Blue Herbal Brown Velvety White Ultimate Gray Blonde Beige Olive Green The trendiest colors of the coming Spring/Summer 2022 became: Pastel Blue Powdery Pink Fuchsia Sky Blue Bright Yellow Cool Blue Mocha Bright Purple Heated Red Snow White Sandy Beige Basil Pale Gray Deep Gray Violet with red undertones was named the main color of 2022. If you want to follow the trends, you can choose these colors for your next manicure and pedicure.

Nail polish color combinations

What approaches to pairing mani-pedi colors there are Should you stick to the rule about mani-pedi matching colors? This question is a real dilemma because even the leading nail artists disagree. A manicure and pedicure of the same color are considered a classic option by nail artists like Madeline Poole (a world-famous nail artist) and Naomi Yasuda (the nail artist to Lady Gaga, Madonna, and Kelly Osbourne). After all, classics never become outdated, and if you want to make your looks more modern, you can add some nail design. Kimmie Kyees (the nail artist to Rihanna, Katy Perry, and Kate Mara), Shonshon Ragui (OPI educator and trainer in India), and Jenna Hipp (a Hollywood nail artist) prefer to use different colors for manicures and pedicures. In their opinion, pairing varnishes of different colors on the hands and feet is very modern because there is a huge variety of colors and you shouldn’t stick to just one. You can also combine a French manicure and colored pedicure or combine different shades from the same color scheme. It’s not necessary to match your tips and toenails. However, if you want to, then why not?

JAN/FEB 2022

To make the choice of colors for your mani-pedi a bit easier, we suggest a few options of how you can combine different colors: Pick different shades of the same color: for example, a combination of chocolate, mocha, and light beige, or shades of green. Pick combinations of colors of nature, like blue and yellow, orange and white, or red and green. You can rely on the opinions of Pantone and combine colors that they deemed trendy, like yellow and gray, yellow and purple, red and powdery pink, and cool blue and snow white. You can also use similar design elements in your manicures and pedicures.

STYLE

WHO NOSE?

In 2011, scientists did research about the different types of noses found in Europe and Israel. Based on their findings, a 14-type nose classification system became popular on social media channels. While not complete, it still gives us an idea of some of the nose types that you’ll likely find out there if you’re visiting Europe and the Mediterranean

JAN/FEB 2022

Nubian nose

Greek nose

Roman nose

Snub nose

Bulbous nose

Hawk nose

Fleshy nose

Turned-up nose

Bumpy nose

Small nose

This type of nose is easily identifiable because of its longer bridge and wide base. It’s most commonly found in those of African descent, but not exclusively. Example: Singer Beyoncé has what is considered a classic Nubian nose.

A dramatic arched shape that also has a protruding bridge. This nose type is named this way because it resembles the curved beak of a hawk. Example: Adrien Brody has a typical hawk hose.

This is also sometimes known as the straight nose. It’s defined by its remarkably straight bridge and it’s typically free of any curves or humps. Example: Actress Jennifer Aniston or the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton have this type of nose.

This one of the most common type of noses out there. It’s often large, with a rounder bridge and lots of extra skin. Example: Albert Einstein had a fleshy nose.

A Roman nose is basically one that has a prominent bridge which makes it appear slightly bent or curved. Example: Actor Ryan Gosling has a Roman nose.

Also known as the “celestial” type, this nose has a slight up-swoop at the tip. Example: Carey Mulligan has this type of nose.

People with this type often have a small, stubby, and slightly upturned nose. Example: Emma Stone has a snub nose.

This is often thought of as a natural looking nose. Although straight and generally skinny, it has a small bump in the bridge. Example: People say Owen Wilson has a bumpy nose.

A bulbous nose has a more or less large mass or swelling on the lower half. This type of nose is commonly found in men. Example: Actor Leo McKern is a good example of a bulbous nose.

As the name suggests, this is simply a small and dainty nose. While it isn’t very turned-up, it does slope gently upward at the tip, exposing the nostrils. Example: Elizabeth Taylor is one of the many celebrities that has this type of nose.

home FIND THE RIGHT SIZE Picking out a bed is not something you should rush, as it’s the place where we spend our entire nights after hard days at work. Therefore, you should take into account many details, including the size of your bedroom and your budget, before making a purchase.

JAN/FEB 2022

HOME How to choose the right size

The size of your bedroom determines the size of your bed. It’s impractical to buy something that will be too big for the bedroom. It’s necessary for there to be enough free space for other furniture, not just for you to move around in. 💡 If your bedroom is very small, a king-size bed won’t fit there in any way. A murphy bed or sofa bed will be a better option. Bed sizes may vary from country to country, and the same applies to different manufacturers: Single bed — 38.5 × 74.5 inches Double bed — 53.5 × 74.5 inches Queen-size bed — 60 × 79.5 inches King-size bed — 76 × 79.5 inches

The materials a bed can be made from

Pine: This softwood is available in many unusual designs and a wide range of colors. Oak: Since oak is hardwood, bed frames made from it are generally strong and durable. Metal: There are literally hundreds of designs on the market in every color imaginable, from traditional to ultramodern. Leather: Such beds are popular for their attractive look and comfort. Different kinds of leather can be used, including faux leather. The color range is also quite versatile. Upholstery: Back in style, upholstered bed frames combine stunning looks with warm, soft finishes. With the help of this material, you can complement any bedroom design.

How to choose the bed type

You can opt for an ordinary model with a frame and mattress. In this case, the mattress will be located either on a solid base (for example, on wooden slats), or a spring base. A bed can also have a headboard and footboard. Additionally, some decorative elements can be used, like a canopy. There are other bed types that can suit you better, as you can explore in the following options. The divan bed consists of 2 parts: a base and a mattress. It’s usually placed on casters for easy maneuverability. It may also contain storage drawers. Sofa beds are very popular, and many people prefer them over modern frame beds. It’s an excellent value for your money that offers a wide variety of extra features. A Murphy bed has one main difference: that it’s stored vertically, either pressed against a wall or placed in a closet. It’s worth handling with extreme caution so that it doesn’t accidentally fall off its hinges. You should also be careful not to get yourself locked up after the structure is upright. An ottoman bed is ideal for those looking for extra storage space. With the help of a gas-hydraulic system, the storage space can be accessed by lifting the mattress from the side or bottom, revealing a larger compartment within the bed. An adjustable bed is most often used in hospitals but can also be used at home. Thanks to the built-in hinges, the bed can take different positions. The adjustments include lifting the upper body and lower limbs independently of each other. You can also adjust the height or tilt the bed. There are double models with separate mattresses so that everyone can adjust their part to their liking. A bunk bed has a second frame that’s stacked on top of the first, allowing 2 beds to occupy the space, which is normally required for only one. This is a good option for bedrooms with several children, where free space is especially important. A loft bed is also considered a bunk bed that has only a top bunk. A free space underneath can be occupied by drawers, a cabinet, or a work area. This bed allows for the optimization of space in a small bedroom. 💡 Beds can also be temporary, such as an inflatable mattress or folding camp cot. There are models that have neither a mattress nor a frame, such as a hammock.

JAN/FEB 2022

HOME

SHEET CARE

Ironing sheets doesn’t have to be long and annoying. The right approach and a few simple tricks can help you considerably speed up the process.

JAN/FEB 2022

HOME

Note: Regarding the fabric type, check its label. 3 dots allow you to iron at a high temperature and use steam. 2 dots call for medium temperature and gentle pressure. One dot means that you can iron at a low temperature while avoiding steam. Finally, X means that you shouldn’t iron the material to avoid risking damage.

1. Preparing the sheets and the iron

2. Ironing

Consider following these steps to prepare sheets for ironing after washing them: 1. Take the sheet out of the dryer before it dries completely. With a damp (not wet) sheet, you’ll have an easier time smoothing creases. 2. Heat up your iron on the steam setting, but don’t make it very hot for your type of fabric to avoid scorching it once you start ironing (see the note below). If you are unsure about whether the temperature is right when you start ironing, think about ironing a small section first. 3. Fold the sheet lengthwise into rectangles (quarters). If you have fitted sheets, tuck elastic corners into one another and secure them over the ironing board. 4. Have starch spray at hand if your steam iron doesn’t have a spraying function because it will come in handy later.

The recommended ironing procedure after folding the top sheet crosswise into 4 layers is: 1. Lay the sheet flat. 2. Smooth out approximately 1 square foot of the sheet at a time from one end to the other. 3. When you’re done with a 1 square foot section, start working on another while it’s still folded and continue until you finish the whole quarter of the sheet. Then you’re done. Note: If the sheet dries during ironing, spray it with starch, which gives the sheet a nice feel when you finish smoothing it.

JAN/FEB 2022

health

WHAT WE'RE EATING It might seem that’s it’s impossible to chew food incorrectly. However, there is the right way to do it even for an everyday action like this.

JAN/FEB 2022

HEALTH The purpose of chewing food

Chewing is the first step in digestion. Saliva secretes enzymes that help break down foods and help absorb nutrients. The better the food is chewed, the less the esophagus is loaded. The correct way of chewing solves several tasks: Decreases snack intake Dissolves food Promotes better absorption of nutrients Promotes the production of extra saliva, which mineralizes the teeth and reduces the likelihood of tooth decay Scientific fact: it requires about 20-25 minutes to inform the brain that the body is not hungry. That’s why long chewing helps to avoid overeating. According to a study, when people increased their number of chews up to 40 times, their food intake decreased by 11.9%. Also, chewing food until the lumps are gone helps the body burn a few more calories. Namely, energy consumption increases by 10 calories when 300 calories of food is consumed. The value seems small, but a total of about 1,000 calories can be burned in a month just through more thorough chewing.

Experiment

You can conduct this experiment yourself when eating. You’ll need: food and cutlery Boiled rice was used in this experiment. 1 tbsp of it was placed into the mouth and it was chewed several times. Results: Up to 5 times: rice partially retains its consistency, about 50–70% of the grains remained intact or almost intact. From 5 to 15 times: the consistency becomes similar to mashed potatoes, most of the grains are chewed, occasionally encounter small pieces. From 15 to 20 times: rice gradually melts in the mouth, no big pieces are left. From 20 to 32 times: the grains are almost completely dissolved by the 32nd chewing cycle, making the food take on a watery consistency.

How to chew food correctly

Here are a couple of simple pieces of advice that can help you learn to chew food correctly: The food should fit in the spoon or fork well and it should not be falling off the sides. Chew food with your jaws rotating slightly, with the mouth closed, and with your tongue helping to move the food. Don’t hurry, chew slowly. You can count to 32 with every new bite you put in your mouth. However, since it’s not very convenient, you can simply make sure that the food in your mouth has lost its shape and has taken on a watery consistency. Try not to drink too much liquid until you swallow the chewed food. Drinks can mix the enzymes released to break down food, thereby slowing down the digestion process.

JAN/FEB 2022

January/February 29

JAN/FEB 2022

KEEP CALM & LOVE TOGETHER It’s always great to see when our partner or relative goes out of their way just to put a smile on our face. Often celebrities go the extra mile too to surprise their loved ones. And even if some of their gestures might seem over-the-top or extravagant, we cannot help but admire the lengths they go to.

JAN/FEB 2022

John Stamos hired a Disney animator for his proposal. Both John Stamos and his wife, Caitlin, are great fans of Disneyland and have taken many trips there. So it comes as no surprise that John had a Disney-themed proposal. He even hired a famous animator to draw a cute illustration of them.

Russell Wilson rented out an art museum for a date with Ciara. Russell’s wife wanted to visit an exhibition at the Seattle Art Museum, so he decided to rent out the whole place just for the 2 of them. And this sweet photo is there to prove that they had a wonderful time.

Alexis Ohanian reassured Serena Williams in a very special way. Alexis Ohanian always loves to spoil Serena Williams, revealing in an iconic Instagram post that he once took her to Venice when “she wanted Italian for dinner.” It looks like Alexis had another adorable gesture up his sleeve. He put up billboards wishing Serena good luck the first time she went back to play tennis after giving birth to their daughter, Olympia.

JAN/FEB 2022

Anna Faris bought Chris Pratt a tractor.

Mariah Carey is always glad to have a girl’s night in with her daughter.

In an interview with E! News, Anna Faris revealed that Chris Pratt got her a new diamond ring. As delightful as the gesture is, it’s not that unexpected coming from a celebrity couple. But Anna decided to one-up Chris by buying him a tractor. Sadly, the interview cuts off at that point, although we would have liked to find out more about the slightly weird choice for a gift.

Mariah Carey, like all moms, would go to any lengths to make her daughter happy. As early as January 3, 2021, they already had their first girls’ night of the year. The cute night in included matching PJs and watching Mean Girls, of course.

Justin Bieber shut down a whole stadium for a date night with Selena Gomez.

Justin Bieber is no stranger when it comes to grand romantic gestures. A few years ago he wrote and posted a poem about his wife Hailey. And when he was dating Selena Gomez he took her on a date in an empty stadium where they ate steak and watched Titanic all alone.

JAN/FEB 2022

Joe Manganiello learned Spanish to propose to Sofia Vergara. Joe Manganiello learned Spanish to propose to Sofia Vergara in her native language. The American actor said he was nervous, not because he was afraid Sofia would say no, but because he had memorized a whole speech in Spanish and wanted everything to be perfect.

Johnny Depp bought a French vineyard for Vanessa Paradis. Although the couple are no longer together, Johnny made the extravagant gesture back in 2007 to celebrate the release of Vanessa Paradis’ new album.

Ashton Kutcher filled a whole fridge with food in case Mila Kunis got a pregnancy craving. Ashton Kutcher made sure that his significant other’s pregnancy cravings didn’t go unanswered, and stocked up one fridge full of weird food. Mila Kunis revealed that her favorite snack during this time was Sauerkraut.

Seal had an igloo built to propose to Heidi Klum. Seal proposed to Heidi Klum during a trip to Canada. He had a whole igloo built from scratch in the mountains, complete with food, drink, candles, and of course, rose petals.

JAN/FEB 2022

Angelina Jolie bought a 200-year-old tree for Brad Pitt. Angelina Jolie spent almost $20,000 on a Valentine’s Day gift for Brad Pitt. She bought him a 200-year-old olive tree that the 2 later installed at their house in France.

Kylie Jenner surprised Travis Scott in an adorable way. Kylie Jenner had a sweet surprise for her partner Travis Scott on Father’s Day. Together with her daughter Stormi, Kylie decorated everything in blue, including balloons, flowers, cookies, and adorable photos of Stormi and her dad.

JAN/FEB 2022

food

CHEERS TO 2022!

This elegant six-layer Champagne cake is an extraspecial indulgence that makes a stunning addition to any celebration—including New Year. A textured icing effect is an easy way to achieve a bakeryworthy cake.

JAN/FEB 2022

FOOD

The Ultimate Special Champagne Layer Cake

1½ cups butter, softened 2¼ cups granulated sugar 4 eggs 1 tbsp vanilla 4⅔ cups all-purpose flour 4 tsp baking powder 2¼ cups dry Champagne or sparkling wine, room temperature 1 batch Champagne Butter Icing (see recipe, right) red or pink paste food colouring ivory paste food colouring 1 batch Meringue Kisses (see recipe, right) 1. Grease three 9-inch (1.5 L) round cake pans; line bottoms with parchment paper. Set aside. In large bowl, beat butter with sugar until fluffy. Beat in eggs, 1 at a time. Beat in vanilla. In separate bowl, whisk flour with baking powder; stir into butter mixture, alternating with 2 cups of the Champagne, making 2 additions of each, until smooth. Scrape into prepared cake pans. 2. Bake in 350°F (180°C) oven until cake tester inserted in centres comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool in pans for 10 minutes. Invert onto racks; let cool completely. Peel off parchment paper. 3. While cakes are cooling, remove 3¾ cups of the icing to separate bowl; using red food colouring, tint pale pink. Using ivory food colouring, tint remaining icing to desired shade. 4. Cut each cake in half horizontally to make 6 layers. Place 1 bottom layer, cut side up, on cake plate; slide strips of waxed paper between edge of cake and plate (to keep plate clean). Brush all over with scant 1 tbsp of the remaining Champagne. Spread ¾ cup of the pink icing over cut side; top with second layer, cut side down. Brush second layer all over with scant 1 tbsp of the remaining Champagne. Spread ¾ cup of the remaining pink icing over top. Repeat with remaining cake layers, Champagne and pink icing, leaving top of stack bare. 5. Using large offset palette knife, spread thin layer of the ivory icing all over cake to seal in crumbs; refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes. 6. Using palette knife, spread icing all over cake, smoothing side and top. Place cake plate on cake turntable or lazy Susan; while rotating cake in 1 direction and using steady motion, run flat tip of small palette knife along side of cake, parallel to turntable, gradually moving knife higher to create concentric ridges. Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour. (Make-ahead: Refrigerate for up to 4 hours.) Arrange Meringue Kisses on top

Champagne Butter Icing 3 cups butter, softened 12 cups icing sugar ¾ cup dry Champagne or sparkling wine, room temperature 1. In large bowl, beat butter until fluffy. Beat in icing sugar, 1 cup at a time, until smooth. Gradually beat in Champagne, scraping down side of bowl, until fluffy and smooth, about 2 minutes.

Meringue Kisses

2 egg whites ¼ tsp cream of tartar ½ cup granulated sugar ivory paste food colouring 1. In large bowl, beat egg whites with cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Adding 1 tbsp at a time, beat in 6 tbsp of the sugar; continue to beat until stiff peaks form. Fold in remaining sugar. 2. Using food colouring, tint mixture to desired shade of ivory. 3. Spoon 1 bowl of the mixture into piping bag fitted with ½-inch (1 cm) plain tip. Pipe mixture into 1- to 2-inch (2.5 to 5 cm) peaked mounds, 1 inch (2.5 cm) apart, onto parchment paper–lined rimless baking sheet. Spoon remaining meringue into piping bag fitted with ½-inch (1 cm) star tip. Pipe mixture into 1- to 2-inch (2.5 to 5 cm) peaked mounds, 1 inch (2.5 cm) apart, onto separate baking sheet. 4. Bake in top and bottom thirds of 200°F (100°C) oven, switching and rotating sheets halfway through, until crisp and no longer shiny, 1½ to 2 hours. Let cool in oven for 1 hour. Remove from oven; let cool completely on pans.

JAN/FEB 2022

FOOD

LOVE IS SWEET

You can prepare a heart-shaped Valentine’s Day Cake with ease. To do so, you need just an hour or 2 of your time, and you don’t even have to bake it if you’re not up to it.

JAN/FEB 2021

FOOD

Valentine’s Day Cake 3/4 ounce (20 grams) of vanilla instant pudding mix A cup (approx. 250 ml) of cold milk Confectioner’s sugar 8 ounces (200 grams) of frozen whipped topping A teaspoon or 2 of red food coloring 2 cakes — one square, the other round — approximately 26 cm (10 in) long in diameter (you can buy them in a store) Optional decorations, such as sprinkles and hearts 1. Unpack both cakes and set one aside. 2. Mark the center of each side of the cake. Using those points as a reference, measure 5 cm (2 in) from there to the left and right on horizontal sides or up and down on vertical sides. Repeat this step for all the sides of the cake. 3. Use a knife to connect the closest markings of the neighboring sides with a slightly curved line. Lastly, cut corners along the lines to get a round cake. 4. Combine cold milk, confectioner’s sugar, and the vanilla instant pudding mix in a bowl and beat until the mixture thickens to become velvety. 5. Add whipped topping and food coloring to the mix. 6. Stir for a few minutes until you mix everything well. 7. Cut the round cake in half. 8. Place the halves of the cut cake on 2 adjacent sides of the square cake to get a heart shape. 9. Coat the top and the sides of the Valentine’s Day Cake with the filling you prepared earlier. 10. Apply decorations any way you wish and enjoy the cake.

JAN/FEB 2021

living

JAN/FEB 2022

LIVING Way 1: using a diaper A diaper Scissors Water A large, deep container 1. Cut the diaper from the bottom. Once you see the white fluffy material inside the diaper, then carefully take it out and put it into the container. 2. Slowly pour water onto the white material that will get bigger and mushier as you add water. Note: The sodium polyacrylate polymer inside the diapers expands and grows bigger as soon as it comes into contact with water. 3. Use your hands and play with the fluffy white material. Now that your fake snow is ready, you can surely add some toys to the container to create a winter-like atmosphere.

Way 4: using cornstarch 1 bag of cornstarch (nearly 454 g ~16 oz) 1 cup of hair conditioner A large container 1. Add the ingredients of 1 bag of cornstarch, nearly 16 ounces, and 1 cup of conditioner together. Then mix them well. Also note that if your mixture is feeling sticky, you can go ahead and add more cornstarch. Or if it’s too dry, you can add more conditioner.

Way 2: using hair conditioner 2 1/2 cups of baking soda 1/2 a cup of white hair conditioner A large bowl 1. Mix the ingredients in the bowl and stir it until the baking soda is blended well with the hair conditioner. That’s it — your fake snow is ready! Tip: You can add more baking soda to have less wet fake snow. Note: It’s really handy that you can store your fake snow in an airtight container or zip lock bags for 5 days.

Way 5: using baking soda Baking soda Water A large bowl

Way 3: using shaving foam Shaving foam Baking soda A large container 1. Add 1 cup of baking soda and some shaving foam to the container, then mix them all together. Also, you can add more shaving cream until you eventually achieve the snow-like mixture. If you want more fake snow, go ahead and add more soda and foam to your container. Your fake snow is ready!

Way 6: using instant snow Instant snow Water 2 cups

1. Keep the baking soda in the freezer, either for one night or a couple of hours before the experiment according to your liking and how cold you want your fake snow to be. 2. Go ahead and mix 3-4 cups of baking soda with very cold water in the container. The amount of water can be decided according to your preferred snow consistency. More water turns the fake snow slushy, whereas powdery snow is achieved with less water. Tip: You can also add some salt if you want grainy, textured snow.

JAN/FEB 2022

1. Grab one of your mixing cups and add 1 teaspoon of instant snow into it. Then take the second cup and fill it up with nearly 2 oz (59 ml) of water at room temperature. Carefully and quickly pour the water into the instant snow powder. Your fluffy snow will form immediately, and you can now play with it! Note: Instant snow is reusable, meaning you can re-use it after drying it out completely.

TIPS & TRICKS

SPEAK ABOUT 2022

Welcoming a new year is a worldwide reason for celebration. While some people are excited about cooking a nice meal and preparing the perfect outfit for the occasion, others are willing to learn more about different languages and what to say during this grand event. If you’re one of the latter, you’ve come to the right place.

JAN/FEB 2022

CHILL & DRAW

JAN/FEB 2022