Hello Darlings, Known for her incredibly successful young adult series — Harry Potter — J.K. Rowling is due to release on September 27 her first novel for adults. The Casual Vacancy is described as blackly comic, thought-provoking, and constantly surprising.

It is a big novel about a small town:

"When Barry Fairbrother dies unexpectedly in his early forties, the little town of Pagford is left in shock. Pagford is, seemingly, an English idyll, with a cobbled market square and an ancient abbey, but what lies behind the pretty facade is a town at war. Rich at war with poor, teenagers at war with their parents, wives at war with their husbands, teachers at war with their pupils…Pagford is not what it first seems. And the empty seat left by Barry on the parish council soon becomes the catalyst for the biggest war the town has yet seen. Who will triumph in an election fraught with passion, duplicity and unexpected revelations?

Hello Darlings,

I was shocked to find out that from 2000 to 2010, the number of people getting Botox in the U.S.A. increased by 584%! I am believer in the “do what makes you feel fabulous” approach to life, but the idea of having someone poke needles into my face is terrifying!

There are two types of aging: intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic aging is influenced by internal physiological factors, so all you can do is blame your parents for how you intrinsically age :) However the most visibly noticeable aging is extrinsic, which can be managed, prevented and postponed. Of all extrinsic causes including ultra-violet radiation, cigarette smoking, and air pollution, the most harmful on the skin is sun damage. For anyone who loves tanning, you probably should know that most of visible aging is 90% attributed to sun exposure!

Hello Darlings,

I am the type of woman who loves to shop - but is there really any other type? I browse my favorite online stores such as Shopbop, Bluefly and Revolve Clothing almost every day as if training for my own Olympic sport. I especially enjoy the change of seasons for sales and splurges, but mostly just love the thrill of the hunt.

"The quickest way to know a woman is to go shopping with her" is a famous quote by Marcelene Cox. I am paranoid with certain fabrics like polyester, and can't watch security tags being removed from delicate garments, so for sure I am a "paranoid shopper".

Hello Darlings,

Sparkles rule on the streets of Toronto this weekend as the annual Caribbean Carnival (formerly known as Caribana) takes place along the Lakeshore. The main event is the Grand Parade where it's estimated that 10,000 dancers wearing costumes - mostly bikinis adorned with sparkles, bright feathers and Caribbean-inspired regalia - dance to live Caribbean music.

With all the glitz and glamour of the costumes worn by the ladies in the parade, one sure can pick up a tip or two. To dance in the parade, a girl needs to know how to strut her stuff and be confident in a look that leaves only glitter to the imagination.

If you feel like checking out Caribbean Carnival, you still have a few days to prepare. Even if you're not in the parade, the carnival is a massive street party where many spectators also dress the part. And if crowds are not your style, why not still enjoy the glorious summer weather bringing our your inner diva at the beach or chambre à coucher - just be sure to have some of these ten items in your bag of tricks! And remember, cheeky is the way to go...