Let’s get one thing straight: Duchesses are not like you and me.  Oh, sure, they might walk among us in muddy wellies and go to the grocery store and drive beat-up cars (usually Land Rovers), but they have also been kissed by the fates and have hundreds of years of English history and lineage resting comfortably on their frail shoulders. 

Obviously, I have an appreciation for all things English, and am something of a royalist. (Hey, some collect stamps, I collect Marquesses and Earls!)  So, when I had the opportunity to interview cosmetics entrepreneur Jemma Kidd, Countess of Mornington and future Duchess of Wellington, I was all over it.  (Check out the interview here.)

Jemma, you see, might be from a fancy English aristo family (her sister is supermodel Jodie Kidd; her brother Jack is an international polo player; her father is a Baronet; her husband Arthur Wellesley, as we’ve already established, is the future Duke of Wellington), but she’s also worked herself to the bone for her tremendous professional success.  She has 3 popular cosmetics lines–including JK Jemma Kidd for Target–has written a book, opened a makeup academy in London, does makeup at fashion shows, is about to deliver twins…it’s exhausting just reading about it.  We’re impressed!

Jemma’s main line, Jemma Kidd Makeup School, is on sale right now for 40% – 60% off on The Fairest, which you can see here.  Below is the Midnight Jewels palette (normally $45, on sale for $18), which features a wet/dry black shadow/liner, bronze shadow, a shimmery powder, cream highlighter, peach lipgloss and a makeup applicator.  It’s party ready…and fit for a Duchess!

Speakeasy bars have been taking over Los Angeles (after re-originating in New York), and I couldn’t be happier.  There’s something so fabulous about sealing yourself off in a wood-paneled hideaway while savoring hair-raisingly stiff concoctions.  Twirl those pearls, pucker your glossy lips and flip that bob, baby, because you’ve been transported to another world–one where the dames are fierce and the men are as likely to kiss you as kill you.  Life may have its daily struggles, the economy might be crashing and war raging seemingly endlessly (ah, historical parallels), but at least you’re tippling the meanest sloe gin fizz this side of Chicago…

Old glamour goes hand-in-hand with the enjoyment of Prohibition-era cocktails: sure, you can wander in looking like a college sophomore, but where’s the sophistication or enjoyment in that? Make like 1929, spend a little quality time with the curling iron, paint Vamp on your nails, and darken your pout with MAC lipstick in Dubonnet.  We’re going drinking, darlings.

Roger Room (370 N. La Cienega Blvd.):  Hands down my favorite bar in Los Angeles.  Roger Room is what nightlife should be all about: delicious drinks, sexy ambiance, gracious doormen, and an intimate, playful atmosphere.   (Circus murals adorn the walls, and it’s “Roger” as in “yes.”)  The fact that I’m here 3 times a week either means I’m a complete alcoholic or this has simply become my living room.  I choose to go with the latter!  Check out the Old Sport (a frothy gin and cucumber delight) or the Thug (whiskey with honey liquor and habanero bitters), but do come early.  While there’s zero pretention here, it fills up quickly.

Bar Marmont (8221 W. Sunset Blvd.): A native Angeleno escorted me into Bar Marmont my first weekend in Hollywood, and I instantly fell in love.  Like Roger Room, it’s chic and seductive, with low-lighting, endless expanses of wood, old fashioned red decorations that always remind me of Moulin Rouge, and a ceiling absolutely covered in butterflies.  Carolyn Spence, formerly of the Spotted Pig, ensures the menu is no joke, drinks both innovative and classic are on offer (I always get the French Martini, except for when a VeeV and Ginger is calling my name), and on more than one occasion, I’ve been impressed by the eclectic DJ mix.  Want to spot Jason Segal, Christina Aguilera, Rosario Dawson, or an endless parade of CW-starlets and British pop icons?  Enjoy.  It hasn’t been an official “hot spot” for years, and yet you still can’t take a sip without tripping over an incognito celebrity on the DL.  Here, I once hung with the members of Take That, which is highly exciting–but only to those who were English teenagers during the 90’s.

The Hall at Palihouse (8465 Holloway Dr.): This is where Kristen Stewart and Rob Pattinson briefly holed up last year while trying to escape the paparazzi.  It’s exceedingly popular with Brits, especially on Sundays for the British Brunch, features a trippy mad-chic decor that resembles your eccentric uncle’s study, and specializes in straighforward (but strong!) champagne cocktails, as well as a vodka, lime and cucumber drink called the Writer’s Block.  Upstairs is a to-die-for SW3-inspired hotel/residence popular with actors and glamour-types, and the food–French brasserie cuisine–is damn good, too. Even better: this place still seems to be (mostly) a secret.

The Varnish (118 E. 6th St.):  Okay, even people who know about The Varnish still can’t figure out where to find it!  Here’s the trick: enter Cole’s restaurant, ignore the diversionary Cole’s bar, walk to the back, and find the random door past the bathrooms that appears to lead nowhere.  Voila!  Inside, you’ll find a tiny gem of a space, only a couple of bartenders, and drinkers who mean serious business.  The menu itself features very few items, so your best bet is to clear your schedule for a few hours on a weeknight (this place is simply too small to sustain a weekend crowd), ask for a Bartender’s Choice, wait for them to painstakingly whip up something so beautiful and divine that you feel guilty drinking it…and then enjoy.

Lovies, I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  Mine was spent in Silverlake (ground zero for LA hipsters), in a gorgeous apartment with breathtaking views of the Reservoir and the Hollywood hills.  The thermostat also registered about 78 degrees, which might sound hellish to cold weather-lovers, but was an awesome reminder of why we live in Southern California!

Thanksgiving is always one of my favorite days of the year, and Turkey Day ‘09 was no exception, even though I still can’t zip up my jeans.  As November draws to a close, I’m still not entirely sure where this year zoomed off to, but I am more mindful than ever of all I have to be thankful for (the shortlist includes my dad, little brother and extended family; amazing friends; you loyal readers; my health; Taylor Lautner’s abs…you know, the usual suspects!)

With JolieNadine.com contributing editor Jamie Stone
A new decade is almost upon us, and I’m sure I’ll be doing a lot of reflecting very soon.  But for now, I’m just going to enjoy the holidays and try to make the most of December.  Happy Holidays and hugs to you all!

Contributing Editor Cologne Schmidt writes:

I have this weird obsession with 80’s supermodels. Actually, it used to be all supermodels in general—until I moved to Soho where, I swear, there must be some kind of supermodel dormitory down my street because they are always swarming my block. Not that I am complaining—they look awesome and their lifestyles intrigue me—but 80’s catwalk queens really spark my fascination. Once upon a time, back when supermodels ruled the world, gracing the covers of every major fashion magazine (prior to the TV and tabloid celebrity take-over), a striking and leggy Somali girl was discovered while attending University in Kenya. She spoke five languages.  And her name was Iman.

Fast-forward thirty-odd years, and Iman is now one of the most celebrated supermodels of all time, not to mention muse to high fashion designers such as Yves Saint Laurent.  I recently found myself sitting down with Iman in her office (conveniently down the street from mine) to discuss her new entrepreneurial venture—Global Chic. The stunning mom-of-two showed me her handbag, jewelry, clothing, and cosmetic lines—which are all to-die-for and surprisingly affordable! Inspired by her world travels and created for multi-purpose lifestyles like her own (business meetings, PTA, date-night, red carpet, TV, the usual)—all her items can be found on HSN.  Iman, with her awesome accent, is upbeat and driven, and I couldn’t help but smile when she would nonchalantly say ‘Oh, yes, David loves this…’ (she’s married to rock star legend David Bowie). (more…)

The discounts are flying fast and furious!  Here’s one from celeb facialist Kate Somerville, whose ExfoliKate is an insider fave and normally retails for $85.    Visit KateSomerville.com and use the Promo Code: Kate2009.  Cheers!

 When I was 20, I studied in Paris and spent 4 wine-soaked months watching Godard films, smoking Lucky Strikes, prowling the Latin Quarter and Marais at all hours, and covering myself in French makeup and perfume.  That’s probably why I have such a soft spot in my heart for Lancome now–it reminds me of those youthful, oh-so-glamorous times.

Last month, I had dinner with Lancome’s makeup artist Darais (who works on Ashley Greene from Twilight) and he gave me a sneak peek at their new La Collection Lollipop, a limited-edition set featuring Le Vernis nail polish and Color Fever gloss.  A percentage of the proceeds from each set (I’m in love with Ma Cherie Cherry!) is donated to the Lollipop Theater Network, which is a non-profit organization bringing movie magic to hospitalized children.  A few days ago, I attended an event in LA at Bellacures nail salon jointly sponsored by Lancome and Lollipop Theater Network (photo above of Jennie Garth, Darais and Jordana Brewster from the event!), and–keeping with my current red obsession–my nails are now a juicy cherry shade.  With the discount below, you can check out La Collection Lollipop for yourself; enjoy!