Feeding your dog organ meat, as opposed to muscle meat, is a treat, not a balanced meal, says Dr. Jessica Taylor, vice president of veterinary medicine at Petfolk Veterinary and Urgent Care, which has locations in Florida, Georgia and North Carolina.
Organ meat for dogs typically includes chicken, duck and turkey liver, heart and gizzards, but encompasses other internal organs and entrails from larger farm animals, such as cattle and sheep.
Is organ meat safe for dogs?
Dr. Taylor says that organ meat is high in vitamins dogs need like iron, vitamins C and E, as well as protein, which benefits active dogs who participate in dog sports or exercise and play throughout the day. But too much of these nutrients can also cause problems like obesity, so give your dog organ meat as a food additive (for example, mixed in with kibble) instead of a complete meal.
Chicken gizzards are a tough muscle from a bird’s digestive tract, which can present a choking hazard, says Dr. Taylor. Cut chicken gizzards and other tough organ meat into small pieces before feeding it to your dog.
Raw organ meat vs. cooked organ meat for dogs
Dr. Taylor does not recommend feeding any dog raw organ meat, due to the increased health risks from bacteria, which can cause vomiting, diarrhea and even death in both humans and dogs. Although cooking removes some of the nutrients, Dr. Taylor says it’s the safest option.
Feed organ meat to dogs occasionally like once a month, says Dr. Taylor. How much organ meat you feed your dog will depend on your dog’s size and health, so ask your veterinarian before including this type of meant into your pup’s diet, she adds.
Organ meat alone is not a balanced diet. Feed your dog chicken liver and other organ meat as a dog food additive, not a complete meal. A balanced pet food diet ensures your dog is getting proper nutrients.
Final note: Organ meat for dogs a great treat that utilizes your leftovers if you’re cooking a whole chicken for your family, but should be seen as just that, a treat.
Danish designer Helle Mardahl has unveiled The Sensory Society, a 3 Days of Design exhibition that takes cues from Wes Anderson‘s film The Grand Budapest Hotel.
Mardahl filled an entire Copenhagen apartment with her colourful glass objects, creating installations that include a playful bar and a grand dressing table.
The Sensory Society includes a grand dressing table filled with glass objects
The exhibition showcases new additions to the designer’s glassware range, called the Candy Collection, including hand-blown pendant lamps, characterful wine glasses and Mardahl’s take on “the perfect bowl”.
The aim was to create an exhibition that appeals to all of the senses.
Tiered shelves allow hundreds of candy-coloured glass objects to be displayed
“We’ve transformed this old, amazing apartment into a world of imagination, mystique and humour,” Mardahl said.
“Inspired by the amazing Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel, I implemented colours from our newest addition to the Candy Collection, such as grapefruit, blue jelly, champagne and spearmint. Absolutely yummy!”
Glass pendants are on show in the red-painted lobby
Mardahl first launched her Copenhagen-based studio in 2017, after “falling in love” with glass. Her pieces typically have a candy-like aesthetic, with rich colours and round shapes.
The designs are all hand-made by artisans mostly based in Denmark.
“The process of creating the glass is magical,” said Mardahl.
“It’s hot, it’s sweaty, it’s absolutely perfect. It is truly a love story between the glass and the artisan.”
A bar showcases tableware objects at different heights
When you arrive at The Sensory Society, the first room you encounter is a lobby where almost every surface is red, creating a bold backdrop to glass pendants hanging down from the ceiling.
In the bar area, glass tableware objects – including the popular Bon Bon cake stand – are displayed at different heights, while wine glasses are hung around a cylindrical column.
Wine glasses take centre stage in a turquoise-painted room
A grand dressing table is finished in pale shades of lilac, pink and blue. It incorporates tiered shelving, supporting hundreds of glass vessels.
There is also a turquoise-coloured room where the new wine glasses take centre stage.
The glasses form part of a range of tableware objects by Mardahl. Photo is by Amy Frearson
Small details throughout the apartment are also made from glass, including drawer handles and orbs fixed to the sides of the chairs.
“It’s a candy world of flavours and colours, a universe that simulates your senses and feelings,” added Mardahl.
CNN obtained a transcript of a recording of Donald Trump talking about a classified document he kept after leaving the White House.
“Secret. This is secret information. Look, look at this. This was done by the military and given to me.”
Trump was discussing a classified Pentagon document about attacking Iran, per CNN.
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CNN on Friday reported that it has a transcript of a recording of former President Donald Trump in 2021 discussing a secret military document that he’d kept after leaving office. “Secret. This is secret information. Look, look at this,” Trump actually said on the recording. “This was done by the military and given to me.”
Trump was discussing a classified Pentagon document about attacking Iran, according to CNN.
Based on the transcript, Trump may have kept the document and shown it to an associate as a sort of insurance policy against anyone who might cross or criticize him. In this case, the antagonist was Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley, whose concerns about Trump attacking Iran had just been revealed in a New Yorker story.
“Well, with Milley – uh, let me see that, I’ll show you an example. He said that I wanted to attack Iran. Isn’t that amazing? I have a big pile of papers, this thing just came up. Look. This was him,” Trump said, according to the transcript. “They presented me this – this is off the record, but – they presented me this. This was him. This was the Defense Department and him. We looked at some. This was him. This wasn’t done by me, this was him.”
Trump was indicted by the Department of Justice Thursday night on seven counts related to his mishandling of classified documents. It’s his second time being indicted this year. Both facing federal charges and being indicted twice are historic firsts for a former president.
While you may not be familiar with lymphatic massage, you have probably read about one of the most popular ways it’s done: with a gua sha tool. This, and other forms of lymphatic drainage massage, are getting a lot of play these days — and for good reason! These specialized drainage massages focus on the lymphatic system, a part of the immune system responsible for removing waste and toxins from tissues in the body. Since it serves an important role in overall health, it’s important to keep it moving. A targeted drainage massage can help keep the lymphatic system operating as it should. Let’s do a deep dive and then explore different lymphatic massages you can do at home to get your own lymphatic system flowing.
What Is The Lymphatic System?
The lymphatic system is a network of vessels, nodes and ducts that pass through almost all bodily tissues. Its main function is to speed up the process of removing certain toxins and waste from the body. It does this by draining excess fluid that builds up in tissue, filtering out foreign bodies and transporting the fluid back into the bloodstream. As fluid moves through lymphatic vessels, it passes through lymph nodes that contain high concentrations of lymphocytes (types of white blood cells), which attack pathogens like bacteria, viruses and fungi.
The system allows the circulation of a fluid called lymph through the body in a similar way to blood. It plays a key role in fighting disease and in overall health. An excess in fluid buildup can lead to issues that can make us feel uncomfortable, run down and even sick. The lymph system also helps absorb dietary fat and fat-soluble vitamins. With so many functions, it’s clear that a functioning lymphatic system is important to our overall health!
Why Do We Need Lymphatic Massage?
As mentioned, lymphatic fluid passes through the body like blood. However, unlike blood, which is circulated through the body with the help of a pump (the heart), the lymphatic system has no “pump.” It relies on pressure, muscle contractions, and one-way valves to squeeze fluid through a network of vessels. As mindbodygreen explains, “muscle contraction [plus] diet, exercise and physical manipulation are all required for the system to function normally.” That’s where lymphatic massage comes in.
Since the body often needs a little help to get the system moving, massage is a gentle way to alleviate some of the uncomfortable buildup and even dangerous issues that are associated with a slow or malfunctioning lymphatic system. Stagnant lymph flow leads to waste and toxin buildup, weakening immunity and leading to a wide variety of health issues including fluid retention, respiratory issues, sinus infections, swollen glands, eczema and colds.
To find out more, follow along as we explore simple techniques known to help stimulate the lymph system, which can be performed at home with a few simple tools.
Do I Need Lymphatic Drainage?
Because a slow lymph system can cause fluid retention, a telltale sign that there is an issue is puffiness in the face. Whether it’s fuller cheeks or undereye bags, the extra fluid can affect the way you look and feel. Giving yourself a gentle massage at home is a relaxing way to address the symptoms and may provide benefits beyond just reducing swelling in the face. “A stagnant lymphatic system can cause acne, breakouts, even full dry skin,” celebrity facialistJoanna Vargas says. “As the lymphatic system accumulates more and more waste, it can result in inflammation (and all acne stems from inflammation of some kind). So by flushing out that waste and encouraging flow, you can keep the skin from becoming congested.” With these potential benefits in mind, let’s get started:
Massage For Facial Lymphatic Drainage
Step 1
Apply 3-4 drops of facial oil to add slip to the area. This will prevent the fingers from tugging. Two oils that work well for this type of massage are the Facial Recovery Oil and the Camellia Glow Solid Face Oil. If you choose to use a gua sha tool for lymphatic drainage, follow the instructions here or here.
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Step 2
Begin by placing two fingers (pointer and middle) about an inch out from the center of your neck and apply gentle pressure. Lift the chin to help with the draining. Draw 5-10 tiny circles in the area with fingers moving forward. Next, move the fingers up towards the top of the jaw where it meets the ear and repeat 5-10 tiny circles or downward strokes in that little nook. Then move the two fingers on each side down to the top of the collarbones and repeat small circles. These are the areas where the lymph fluid flows, so stimulating them will help the drainage.
Step 3
Bring your two fingers to the top of the cheeks and repeat 5-10 circles. Move up to the cheekbones (under the eyes) and repeat 5-10 circles. Next, go just underneath the eyebrows, 5-10 circles. Finally, place three fingers (pointer, middle and ring) vertically on each side of the middle of the forehead and gently complete small circles every inch across the forehead until you reach your temples.
Step 4
The most important last step is to swipe your fingers down towards your neck and collarbones 5-10 times to get the fluid to flow down to where it can be drained, as lymph fluid empties into the bloodstream via the subclavian veins at the base of the neck.
When you’re done, leave the oil on for maximum benefits and drink plenty of fluids! Well-hydrated tissue helps move out waste.
Watch as our Lead Skin Care Trainer, Natalie Pergar, walks you through this routine.
Body Massage For Lymphatic Drainage With Dry Brush
Much like the face, the body can show signs of a sluggish lymphatic system through water retention, puffiness and even worsened cellulite. Different types of massages can help get the system going. One of the main techniques uses light rhythmic movements to stimulate the lymphatic system without pressing on any vessels. This movement allows lymph fluid to flow through nodes and tissues beneath the skin surface. It prevents fluid retention by gently stretching the skin in the direction of lymph flow.
While this type of massage is best left to a professional, dry brushing is a simple, quick and effective way to perform a type of lymphatic massage at home.
What Is Dry Brushing?
Dry brushing is another body care technique that gets the lymphatic system flowing. Derived from Ayurvedic medicine, this technique has been around for centuries. It is a natural detoxification practice that gently flushes out toxins without disturbing the body’s balance and can help you feel energetic and revitalized. Most dry brushes are made of a wood base with natural fiber bristles. They can have long handles or just a strap that wraps over the hand for easy gripping. The bristles are generally quite firm but because you’ll only be applying gentle pressure, they shouldn’t feel rough against your skin. However, they will perform a gentle skin exfoliation, which is a nice bonus.
For best lymphatic drainage results, dry brushing should be done on bare skin. Also, consider dry brushing in the shower (without any water running) to effortlessly eliminate sloughed-off dead skin down the drain.
Step 1
As the name suggests, dry brushing is done dry – meaning a dry brush (without any oil or lotion) placed directly on clean, dry skin.
Open up the neck area first. It helps to stimulate the sympathetic area of your lymphatic system – moving the fluids that run naturally through your body. When dry brushing, use wide, circular, clockwise motions. Always move towards the heart. Strokes at the neck will move down the body. Do 10 strokes on the right side and then repeat on the left. Remember, the goal is to gently stimulate the lymphatic pathways right under the skin.
Step 2
There are lymph nodes in the armpits, so that is an area that shouldn’t be missed. Begin by brushing under the arm and down the back of it (from armpit to elbow), again moving across the chest towards the heart. Complete about 10 light strokes in each area.
Step 3
Next up, your hands and lower your arms. Start at the ends of the fingers and lightly brush up the arm towards the heart. Repeat 10 times on each surface of the arm, including the inside of the wrist up to the elbow.
Step 4
Lightly brush the abdomen area. Draw circles both clockwise and counter-clockwise around the belly button and then brush from the lower stomach up towards the chest in light, vertical strokes.
Step 5
Now on to legs. If possible, place the leg you’re working on up on a bench or stool so that you can easily reach down without hunching over. Start with the top of the foot and gently brush 10 strokes up. Follow this with 10 strokes on the calf, both front and back, spending extra time right behind the knee, to stimulate those lymph nodes. Also brush around the knee cap where fluid can get stuck. Repeat on the other leg. And then do the same for the thigh area and the buttocks.
When you’re done, your skin will be smooth and exfoliated, but may feel slightly dry. The best way to end the dry brushing session is with a quick shower (bonus points if you can tolerate 30 seconds of cold water at the end, as the shock of cold causes your lymph vessels to contract, forcing your lymphatic system to pump lymph fluids throughout your body). After the shower, dry off and apply Stone Crop Contouring Body Cream to help hydrate the skin post dry brushing session.
Watch our Lead Skin Care Trainer, Natalie Pergar, demonstrate the dry brushing technique that you can do at home.
Now that you know the benefits of lymphatic drainage, try some of these techniques at home!
Today we have many options on the dog food market. So, how do you decide on a healthy, good dog food for your pup? Here are four things to keep in mind.
Opt for the best-quality ingredients. Dr. Gary Richter, founder of Ultimate Pet Nutrition, says, “Optimal nutrition comes from a balanced, fresh, whole food diet.” In order to create that type of diet for your dog, Dr. Richter recommends, “following a balanced recipe or purchasing a commercially prepared, fresh food diet — cooked, raw or freeze-dried are all fine.”
Factor in your dog’s activity level and weight. Richter advises, “There aren’t really different nutritional profiles specific to breed; although, activity does play a role. More active dogs will need more food/calories than less active dogs.” So, if you have a more athletic dog, they will require more calories, but if they slow down due to medical issues or age, you may need to reduce their caloric intake.
Studies prove that dogs kept at a healthy body condition live up to 2.5 years longer than overweight dogs. For overweight dogs, therapeutic weight loss diets contain less than 260 calories per cup compared to maintenance diets that range from 325 to 500 calories per cup.
Narrow your options by your dog’s age. Dog food is formulated for your dog’s stage of life. Puppies, for example, need a higher percentage of protein to make up their diet. They should not eat food formulated for adult dogs. Senior dogs, on the other hand, may be more prone to medical conditions that affect dietary needs and their reduced activity level will also mean that they’ll need reduced calories in their food. VCA Animal Hospitals advises reducing senior dogs’ calorie intake by 20 to 30 %. Ask your veterinarian for further recommendations. They may also recommend additional vitamins and supplements for seniors to maintain good health.
Talk to your veterinarian about your dog’s medical needs. An appropriate diet can actually improve your dog’s condition in many cases. Dr. Richter says, “Almost any chronic condition in dogs (organ disease, allergies, GI upset, etc.) all can be improved/supported with a fresh diet formulated for that specific condition.”
For example, when it comes to dental issues such as gingivitis, Dr. Richter again recommends fresh, whole foods. This can also help with allergies as “fresh diets will have fewer carbohydrate fillers than kibble,” he says. Dogs with diabetes benefit from a low-fat diet that is high in insoluble fiber. Dogs with skin conditions may require more Omega-3 fatty acids, and studies from nonprofit Ketopet, which studies dog diets and cancer, suggest that canines suffering from certain forms of cancer may benefit from a ketogenic diet.
Your dog’s ideal diet may change over time. Dog breed may have an effect on these factors, but that doesn’t mean every dog of a certain breed should have the same diet. Watch for food sensitivities or allergies. If your dog has a poor reaction to certain foods or seems to have chronic gastrointestinal issues, you may need to try an elimination diet with the help of your veterinarian to find out which foods are causing your pet’s distress.
Your dog is an individual with particular dietary needs, and you may not be able to get all the answers you’re looking for from one article. The best thing to do is to consult a certified nutritionist, your veterinarian or a professional pet care specialist who is familiar with your specific dog. You may choose to buy prepared food for your dog or prepare it yourself, but always follow a nutritionist approved recipe, and make sure to choose dog-safe foods.
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You can use points from Marriott credit cards to stay at the family-friendly JW Marriott Grande Lakes in Orlando.
Marriott
Four Marriott credit cards are offering elevated welcome bonuses for a limited time. They’re among the best we’ve ever seen.
You can earn up to 200,000 Marriott points, but to unlock the most points you’ll need to stay six nights at Marriott Bonvoy properties.
These are good offers if you have paid stays coming up at Marriott hotels anyway.
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If Marriott is your hotel chain of choice, you have a great opportunity to stock up on points for future award stays. Four Marriott credit cards from American Express and Chase are offering up to 200,000 points for a limited time, and these offers have a unique twist that’s extra valuable for folks who have paid Marriott stays coming up.
Here’s what you can earn:
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after spending $6,000 in purchases on the card within the first six months and earn 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you stay 6 eligible paid nights at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy through 1/31/24 (offer ends 8/9/23) ($650 annual fee)
Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card: 125,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after spending $5,000 in purchases on your new card within the first six months and earn 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you stay 6 eligible paid nights at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy through 1/31/24 (offer ends 8/9/2023) ($250 annual fee)
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card : 75,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months of account opening plus 50,000 bonus points after you stay 6 eligible paid nights at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® through 1/31/24 ($95 annual fee)
Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card : 50,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months of account opening plus 50,000 bonus points after you stay 6 eligible paid nights at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® through 1/31/24 ($0 annual fee)
While we’ve seen a few higher offers in the past, these come pretty close — but only if you can unlock the full bonus by staying six eligible paid nights at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels by January 31, 2024.
Here’s what to know about each card to help you decide if it’s worth applying for a new Marriott credit card.
We’re focused here on the rewards and perks that come with each card. These cards won’t be worth it if you’re paying interest or late fees. When using a credit card, it’s important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay.
Marriott Credit Card Offers: Earn up to 200,000 Points
Two of these cards (the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card and Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card) are from American Express, and two (the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card and Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card) are issued by Chase.
These offers are only available for a limited time, but have slightly different end dates. The American Express Marriott card offers end on August 9, 2023, but on the Chase Marriott cards, the end date is August 10, 2023. Be sure to apply before those dates if you’re interested in any of these offers.
There are some rules to keep in mind if you plan to take advantage of the six-night stay requirement to earn the full bonus on any of these cards:
The earning period for the six nights is from your card open date until January 31, 2024, and you’ll automatically registered in this 50,000-point promotional offer
Eligible paid nights include all paid stays, including pre-paid stays and bookings paid with Marriott eGiftCards that are booked using the eligible cardmember’s Marriott Bonvoy account
Award nights including Cash + Points awards, free night awards, or a points redemption don’t qualify, nor do stays booked through third-party online retailers and travel agencies, or stays at Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott Executive Apartments, and owner-occupied weeks at Marriott Vacation Club, Marriott Grand Residence Club, Sheraton Vacation Club, Westin Vacation Club, The Ritz-Carlton Club, St. Regis Residence Club, and Luxury Collection Residence Club
Only one room at one property per night will count toward the promotional offer
The six eligible paid nights don’t need to be part of the same stay; they can be achieved over multiple stays
You’ll receive the 50,000 bonus points in your Marriott Bonvoy account up to 12 weeks after the sixth eligible paid night is completed
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant: Earn up to 200,000 points
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
4.3/5
Intro offer
150,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after spending $6,000 in purchases on the card within the first six months and earn 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you stay 6 eligible paid nights at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy through 1/31/24 (offer ends 8/9/23)
Rewards
Earn 6 Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy™ program. Earn 3 points at Worldwide Restaurants and on flights booked directly with airlines. Earn 2 points on all other eligible purchases.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
4.3/5
Intro offer
150,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after spending $6,000 in purchases on the card within the first six months and earn 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you stay 6 eligible paid nights at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy through 1/31/24 (offer ends 8/9/23)
Rewards
Earn 6 Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy™ program. Earn 3 points at Worldwide Restaurants and on flights booked directly with airlines. Earn 2 points on all other eligible purchases.
On American Express’s website
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
On American Express’s website
Details
Rewards
Earn 6 Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy™ program. Earn 3 points at Worldwide Restaurants and on flights booked directly with airlines. Earn 2 points on all other eligible purchases.
Intro offer
150,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after spending $6,000 in purchases on the card within the first six months and earn 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you stay 6 eligible paid nights at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy through 1/31/24 (offer ends 8/9/23)
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
20.74% – 29.74% Variable
Pros & Cons
Annual statement credits can save you money on Marriott stays
You get a free reward night each year after your renewal month
High annual fee
Other cards are more rewarding for earning points on your spending
Highlights
Earn 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, earn 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you stay 6 eligible paid nights at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy through 1/31/24. Offer ends 8/9/2023.
$300 Brilliant Dining Credit: Each Card renewal year, get up to $300 in statement credits per calendar year (up to $25 per month) for eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide.
With Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, you can receive room upgrades, including enhanced views or suites, when available at select properties and booked with a Qualifying Rate.
Earn 6 Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® program. 3 points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines. 2 points on all other eligible purchases.
Marriott Brilliant Free Night Award: Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
Each calendar year after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases made on their Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, Card Members are eligible to select an Earned Choice Award benefit. You can only earn one Earned Choice Award per calendar year. See https://www.choice-benefit.marriott.com/brilliant for Award options.
$100 Luxury Property Credit: Enjoy your stay. Receive up to a $100 property credit for qualifying charges at The Ritz-Carlton® or St. Regis® when you book direct using a special rate for a two-night minimum stay using your Card.
Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®: Receive either a statement credit every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry ($100) or a statement credit every 4.5 years after you apply for a five-year membership for TSA PreCheck® (up to $85 through a TSA PreCheck official enrollment provider) and pay the application fee with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
Each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card you can receive 25 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy® Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy® member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express. Terms apply.
Enroll in Priority Pass(™) Select, which offers unlimited access to over 1,200 lounges in over 130 countries, regardless of which carrier or class you are flying. This allows you to relax before or between flights. You can enjoy snacks, drinks, and internet access in a quiet, comfortable location.
No Foreign Transaction Fees on international purchases.
You can be reimbursed for your costs to repair or replace your damaged or Stolen cell phone for a maximum of $800 per claim with a limit of 2 approved claims per 12-month period when your cell phone line is listed on a wireless bill and the prior month’s wireless bill was paid by an Eligible Card Account. A $50 deductible will apply to each approved claim. Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company. Additional terms and conditions apply.
$650 Annual Fee.
Terms Apply.
Additional Reading
Read our review
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is the best choice for folks who stay with Marriott a lot — if you’re just an occasional traveler, you’ll likely do better with other Marriott cards. Because it’s a premium credit card, it’s got a hefty $650 annual fee.
The impressive welcome bonus of 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after spending $6,000 in purchases on the card within the first six months and earn 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you stay 6 eligible paid nights at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy through 1/31/24 (offer ends 8/9/23) is worth around $1,400 according to Insider’s estimate of Marriott points value. Plus, the card earns Marriott points in some great categories:
6 points per dollar at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels (this is in addition to up to 10x points for being a Marriott Bonvoy member and up to 2.5x points for having Gold elite status from the card)
3x points on dining at US restaurants (including takeout and delivery)
3x points on flights purchased directly from airlines
2 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases
Although the card’s annual fee is high, it’s quite easy to offset that cost by maximizing the card’s vast range of benefits. These include:
125,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after spending $5,000 in purchases on your new card within the first six months and earn 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you stay 6 eligible paid nights at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy through 1/31/24 (offer ends 8/9/2023)
Rewards
Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy Points on purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Earn 4X Marriott Bonvoy Points on up to $15,000 in combined purchases per year at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. Earn 2X Marriott Bonvoy Points on all other eligible purchases.
Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card
3.4/5
Intro offer
125,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after spending $5,000 in purchases on your new card within the first six months and earn 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you stay 6 eligible paid nights at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy through 1/31/24 (offer ends 8/9/2023)
Rewards
Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy Points on purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Earn 4X Marriott Bonvoy Points on up to $15,000 in combined purchases per year at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. Earn 2X Marriott Bonvoy Points on all other eligible purchases.
On American Express’s website
Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card
On American Express’s website
Details
Rewards
Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy Points on purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Earn 4X Marriott Bonvoy Points on up to $15,000 in combined purchases per year at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. Earn 2X Marriott Bonvoy Points on all other eligible purchases.
Intro offer
125,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after spending $5,000 in purchases on your new card within the first six months and earn 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you stay 6 eligible paid nights at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy through 1/31/24 (offer ends 8/9/2023)
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
20.74% – 29.74% Variable
Pros & Cons
Substantial welcome offer and 4x bonus points on dining worldwide and U.S. supermarkets
Automatic Marriott Gold elite status (room upgrades and late checkout when available, bonus points on stays)
Earn 1,000 bonus Marriott points per stay
High annual fee
No free night award after your account anniversary; must spend $15,000 in a year to earn
4x points capped at $15,000 in combined purchases on dining and U.S. supermarkets
Highlights
Earn 125,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, earn 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you stay 6 eligible paid nights at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy through 1/31/24. Offer ends 8/9/2023.
Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy® points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy.
Earn 4X points at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on up to $15,000 in combined purchases at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets per calendar year, then 2X points).
Earn 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
1K Bonus Points Per Stay: Earn 1,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points per paid eligible stay booked directly with Marriott for properties participating in Marriott Bonvoy.
With complimentary Gold Elites status, earn up to 2.5X points from Marriott Bonvoy® on eligible hotel purchases with the 25% Bonus Points on stays benefit.
Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Free Night Award: Earn 1 Free Night Award after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Bevy(TM) Card in a calendar year. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at a participating hotel. Certain hotels have resort fees.
15 Elite Night Credits: Each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy Bevy(™) American Express Card® you can receive 15 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy® Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express. Terms apply.
Plan It® is a payment option that lets you split up purchases of $100 or more into equal monthly installments with a fixed fee. Plus, you’ll still earn rewards the way you usually do.
$250 Annual Fee.
Terms apply.
Additional Reading
Read our review
The $250-annual-fee Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card is one of the newest additions to Marriott’s card lineup. It’s offering 125,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after spending $5,000 in purchases on your new card within the first six months and earn 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you stay 6 eligible paid nights at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy through 1/31/24 (offer ends 8/9/2023), which is worth around $1,225 in stays based on Insider’s points and miles valuations.
Most recently, it was offering 85,000 points after meeting minimum spending requirements, so this offer is a definite improvement. That said, the card’s $250 annual fee might be offputting for some, especially considering the card doesn’t come with an automatic award night on each anniversary like the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card and Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card.
That said, if you want to earn Marriott points quickly from your everyday spending, this card is a solid option. Cardholders earn 6x points on hotel purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy locations, 4x at restaurants globally and at U.S. supermarkets on the first $15,000 in combined purchases per year (then 2x), and 2 points per dollar on everything else.
You’ll also get substantial benefits from this card, including:
Automatic Marriott Bonvoy Gold elite status
1,000 points per eligible stay
15 elite night credits each calendar year
Free night award at hotels that cost up to 50,000 points after spending $15,000 in a calendar year
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless: Earn up to 125,000 points
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
4.4/5
Intro offer
75,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months of account opening plus 50,000 bonus points after you stay 6 eligible paid nights at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® through 1/31/24
Rewards
Earn up to 17X points on purchases at over 7,000 hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Earn 3X points on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining. Earn 2X points on all other purchases.
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
4.4/5
Intro offer
75,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months of account opening plus 50,000 bonus points after you stay 6 eligible paid nights at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® through 1/31/24
Rewards
Earn up to 17X points on purchases at over 7,000 hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Earn 3X points on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining. Earn 2X points on all other purchases.
Read our complete card review
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
Read our complete card review
If you want to earn Marriott points on your everyday spending, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card is a great option with a reasonable annual fee and a generous welcome bonus offer. It comes with good benefits, including a free night award each card anniversary and elite status credits for meeting spending thresholds.
Details
Rewards
Earn up to 17X points on purchases at over 7,000 hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Earn 3X points on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining. Earn 2X points on all other purchases.
Intro offer
75,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months of account opening plus 50,000 bonus points after you stay 6 eligible paid nights at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® through 1/31/24
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
20.99% – 27.99% Variable
Editor’s Rating
4.4/5
Our editor’s ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available.
Show more
Pros & Cons
Annual free night reward for hotels that cost up to 35,000 points can be worth more than annual fee
The only lucrative bonus category is participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels
Upgrading to Gold status requires spending $35,000 on the card in an account year
Highlights
The information related to the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card has been collected by Business Insider and has not been reviewed by the issuer.
Upon account opening, card members can earn 75,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after using their new card to spend $3,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months plus they can earn 50,000 bonus points after they stay 6 eligible paid nights at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® through 1/31/24.
Earn up to 17X points on purchases at over 7,000 hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®.
Earn 3X points on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining.
Earn 2X points on all other purchases.
15 Elite Night Credits annually and 1 Elite Night Credit towards Elite Status for every $5,000 you spend.
Receive 1 Free Night Award worth up to 35,000 points every account anniversary.
Automatic Silver Elite Status each year, and path to Gold Status when you spend $35,000 on purchases each calendar year.
No foreign transaction fees.
Additional Reading
Read our review
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card is Marriott’s mid-tier card, with a $95 annual fee. The offer to earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months of account opening plus 50,000 bonus points after you stay 6 eligible paid nights at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® through 1/31/24 is good (worth around $875 in stays). But past offers to earn three or even five free night awards (worth up to 50,000 points each) after meeting minimum spending requirements were potentially more valuable.
This is the overall best Marriott card for most travelers. Cardholders receive a valuable array of benefits, the most notable of which is a free night certificate worth up to 35,000 points each card anniversary. That perk alone is more than enough to justify paying the annual fee.
It also comes with impressive travel and shopping perks, including:
15 elite night credits each calendar year
One elite night credit for every $5,000 spent on the card
$10 per month in Gopuff credits through December 31, 2023
No foreign transaction fees
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card is also a good pick if you want to earn Marriott points on your everyday spending, because it earns 6x bonus points on eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels (on top of what you’d normally earn from your stay), 3x points at grocery stores, gas stations, and on dining (on up to $6,000 in combined purchases per year), and 2x points on all other eligible purchases.
50,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months of account opening plus 50,000 bonus points after you stay 6 eligible paid nights at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® through 1/31/24
Rewards
Earn up to 14X total points per $1 spent at over 7,000 hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Earn 2X points for every $1 spent on other travel purchases (from airfare to taxis and trains). Earn 1X point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card
3.6/5
Intro offer
50,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months of account opening plus 50,000 bonus points after you stay 6 eligible paid nights at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® through 1/31/24
Rewards
Earn up to 14X total points per $1 spent at over 7,000 hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Earn 2X points for every $1 spent on other travel purchases (from airfare to taxis and trains). Earn 1X point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
Read our complete card review
Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card
Read our complete card review
The Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card comes with an increased limited-time welcome bonus and good perks for a no-annual-fee card, but unless paying an annual fee is a dealbreaker for you, other Marriott cards — like the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card , Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, or Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card — are a better deal.
Details
Rewards
Earn up to 14X total points per $1 spent at over 7,000 hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Earn 2X points for every $1 spent on other travel purchases (from airfare to taxis and trains). Earn 1X point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
Intro offer
50,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months of account opening plus 50,000 bonus points after you stay 6 eligible paid nights at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® through 1/31/24
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
20.99% – 27.99% Variable
Editor’s Rating
3.6/5
Our editor’s ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available.
Show more
Pros & Cons
No annual fee
Cardholders get 15 elite night credits toward status
Only offers strong rewards for Marriott purchases
Highlights
The information related to the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card has been collected by Business Insider and has not been reviewed by the issuer.
Upon account opening, card members can earn 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after using their new card to spend $1,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months plus they can earn 50,000 bonus points after they stay 6 eligible paid nights at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® through 1/31/24.
Pay no annual fee with the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card from Chase®!
Earn up to 14X total points per $1 spent at over 7,000 hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® with the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Card.
2X points for every $1 spent on other travel purchases (from airfare to taxis and trains).
1X point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
Receive 15 Elite Night Credits annually, qualifying you for Silver Elite Status. Restrictions apply.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
Earn unlimited Marriott Bonvoy® points and get Free Night Stays faster.
Additional Reading
Read our review
The Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card charges a $0 annual fee, so as you might expect, it comes with fewer benefits than other Marriott cards. Right now it’s offering 50,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months of account opening plus 50,000 bonus points after you stay 6 eligible paid nights at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® through 1/31/24. That’s worth about $700 in stays according to our valuations.
Most casual travelers will do better opening the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card, but if you don’t care about extra frills (or are totally opposed to paying an annual fee), the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card isn’t bad for a no-annual-fee travel credit card.
Normally, the card offers 30,000 points after meeting minimum spending requirements, so this new bonus is more than double the usual offer if you can meet the six-night stay requirement. You won’t get a free anniversary night or as many travel perks, and the card only earns 3x points at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels (on top of what you’d already earn from a stay), 2x points on other eligible travel purchases, and 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases.
As for benefits, cardholders receive a handful of travel protections and other perks, including:
15 elite night credits each calendar year (enough for Silver elite status)
Lost luggage reimbursement
Baggage delay reimbursement
Trip delay reimbursement
Purchase protection
Visa Signature concierge
Complimentary one-year DoorDash DashPass membership (activate by December 31, 2024)
$10 per month in Gopuff credits through December 31, 2023
As you grow older, your face naturally begins creasing into your most common expressions. At Eminence Organic Skin Care, our goal is to live and age beautifully and naturally. Hopefully, laugh lines dominate and show off a lifetime of joy, but for many people,forehead wrinkles and their appearance of worry and stress develop as well. If you find your face naturally settling into an expression of permanent anxiety, you may want to consider ways to “fight the frown.” Here are five natural ways that can unknit those brows and help you age gracefully:
How To Get Rid Of Forehead Wrinkles: 1. Acupuncture
You may be dodging botox but that doesn’t mean you need to avoid the all-natural needles used for acupuncture. According to Stylecaster, the prick of acupuncture needles tones the facial muscles, leading to fewer lines and wrinkles. Besides its positive effect on muscle tone, acupuncture also apparently stimulates the production of collagen and elastin, resulting in less prominent forehead wrinkles and more youthful-looking skin.
2. Eminence Organics Hibiscus Instant Line Filler
In two minutes or less, the Eminence Organics Hibiscus Instant Line Filler smooths and plumps the look of fine lines and wrinkles. Formulated with botanical peptides and ice wine actives that increase elasticity and tighten the skin, this all-natural filler immediately minimizes the look of lines. With its innovative curved tip applicator, it can literally smooth away the look of wrinkles on your forehead.
3. Surgical Tape
That’s right, taping your face when you sleep could actually physically prevent the muscles in your face from tensing into an expression of stress. Strategically placed, surgical tape or facial patches can hamper your night-time face scrunching, smoothing out your skin into a flawless look that may last even during a tape-free daytime. Since lines are often due to the repetitive actions of your facial muscles, halting overnight frowning gives new meaning to the term “beauty sleep”!
4. Exfoliation
One way to bring on more youthful-looking skin is chemical exfoliation. Because acids penetrate deeper than physical granules, a chemical peel offers a more glowy and even complexion. The Firm Skin Acai Exfoliating Peel removes the dull surface layers of dead skin cells to reveal the new, younger skin beneath. This gentle peel also deeply hydrates and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
5. Serums And Overnight Masks
Our Product Support Team recommends applying a serum and a mask to keep your skin looking firm and glowing. The Bamboo Firming Fluid contains a Natural Retinol Alternative so that look of elasticity in the skin is improved. The formula contains coconut water, bamboo and coconut oil that moisturize and restore the skin’s moisture barrier.
You can also apply the Strawberry Rhubarb Hyaluronic Serum which helps your skin appear smooth and silky. A unique Botanical Hyaluronic Acid Complex preserves moisture in the skin with a blend of multi-weight hyaluronic acid and marshmallow root.
As an overnight treatment option, consider the luxurious Bamboo Age Corrective Masque. Argan oil contains antioxidants to soften and moisturize the skin’s appearance, as well as shea butter that moisturizes because it is high in triglycerides and fatty acids.
Share your thoughts and beauty tips with us in the comments below and join the conversation on social media.
On the last Saturday in May, as the sun set over the azure waters of the French Riviera, the Croisette would have worn a deserted look, as tourists, media and celebrities packed their backpacks or Louis Vuitton luggage, as the case may be, and bade farewell to the 76th Cannes Film Festival, held every year at the resort city that hugs a neat curve of France’s south-east Mediterranean coastline. The red carpet, mottled with stiletto jabs, would have been rolled up, denuding the renovated Palais des Festivals building of the pomp and grandeur it had sported since May 16.
But as life plods back to normal, the kaleidoscope of images generated during that fortnight remains embedded in our consciousness, making us, in fact, view celebrity life refracted through the camera’s lens. More so with the delicious prospect of stumbling onto the quotidian which, thanks to the histrionics on the ’gram, then often gets transformed and metastasised into cringe-worthy content.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, in a Sophie Couture gown, crafted with aluminium paillettes.
So, while Aishwarya Rai Bachchan might have returned to Mumbai to a somewhat regular shooting routine, we are still overwhelmed by her appearance in an oversized, shimmery, silver, hooded creation that was cinched at the waist by an equally oversized black bow. Her winged eyeliner and red lips were also ubiquitous on every media feed where her “hoodie” couture popped up, and still does. The trolls had a field day, describing her in various ways: from a samosa to a paratha rolled up in aluminium foil.
Regretting that I had extended my daily Instagram limit beyond 15 minutes to dissect the couture at Cannes, I felt a sense of personal disruption by the negative reviews. Those hazel blue-green eyes had mesmerised me and other baby boomers, right from her modelling days, when Prahlad Kakar cast her in the Lehar Pepsi ad film, as the unforgettable Sanjana, circa 1993. (Lehar was added as a sop to the anti-foreign lobby, in order to Indianise the label). Having spotted her cool and unaffected irreverence, I knew she was made for bigger and better things.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, in a green sequinned midi by Valentino.
This is her 21st year at Cannes — no small feat at age 49 — when some of the debutantes who comprised the Indian contingent were twenty-somethings. Age is no deterrent to this veteran, and Rai Bachchan displayed a seemingly unrehearsed ease and nonchalance as she appeared for the premiere of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. The Miss World charm and gloss of 1994, just one year after the ad film was aired, was still well in place. Yet, neither her sequinned Christmas-green cape-sleeved Valentino midi that she donned at one of the L’Oréal-hosted events, nor the Sophie Couture gown crafted with aluminium paillettes drew encomiums with the fashion police, a privilege that Rai Bachchan has rarely experienced through two decades of her red-carpet appearances at Cannes. Her fans moan and groan at this fact, though hardly discouraged from withdrawing the label “Queen of Hearts”. After all, they say, she still has the face that could launch a thousand ships.
Today, those benchmarks of who is actually “fair and lovely” have thankfully changed. The doe-eyed, sinuous and sultry Sobhita Dhulipala, for one, has been grabbing her share of the limelight for a while now, and dazzled as a speaker on diversity at the India Today Conclave South 2023 recently. However, I get the sense that Ms. Rai’s sartorial follies now, and those of the past, have begun to hurt our collective pride. For the giggly, Jai Hind and Ruparel college graduate, who had after all, graced the cover of Time magazine in 2003, and had gone on to become the poster girl of the country — fuelling its soft power — keeps tripping up and falling short of another global win. So, do we now feel a displaced sense of self-worth?
Sara Ali Khan’s posts caught the whole Cannes scene from the beach to the India Pavilion, but she didn’t make us feel like we had been adopted by the bigwigs hobnobbing at Cannes. While Rai Bachchan somehow comes across as a Cannes insider, given that in 2003 when she was just 29, she was the first Indian actor, and one of the youngest actors, to be selected on the Cannes jury. If the festival bills itself as an event with a conscience, Rai Bachchan definitely missed photo ops along the years; like being seen riding in one of the official fleets of electric vehicles. Instead, she concentrated purely on what she could put out on the red carpet, purple lipstick included in her appearance in 2016. Her series of debacles of dress at Festival de Cannes thus put a dampener on our own aspirations that were embodied by her girl-next-door debut in the Pepsi ad.
The 1993 Lehar Pepsi ad, directed by Prahlad Kakar.
The unknown model and Raja Ravi Varma-esque classic beauty came to symbolise a certain enigma that her character, Sanjana, bestowed on the modern young woman, dressed in just a simple white shirt and trousers, thank you. “Sanju”, as she was referred to in the ad film, added to the mystery, as it was a play on gender — was this imminent Sanju, who was yet to appear on screen, male or female? Few seconds later, sporting red lips and rain-drenched hair, appeared Aishwarya Rai as Sanjana, oozing all the confidence of a new-age woman looking for a Pepsi, that iconic drink that is emblematic of a liberal West. Yet, the native ring of “Sanju” synced without dissonance as she boldly asked, “Got another Pepsi?” Overnight, the Sanjana sensation had captivated the country, as girls born that year became namesakes, with parents hoping that all of their yearnings for a progressive India would see fulfilment by dint of this new-age name. Suddenly, without her knowing it, Rai became the face of a liberalised India, and drinking Pepsi was just one of the new habits that this outward-looking generation would adopt.
Today, we are still looking for the Sanjana in Aishwarya. But, over the years, she has allowed her persona to be shaped by an ersatz Brand Aishwarya instead of the spontaneous, jeans-clad Sanju who was confident enough to want it all. We seek that Kakar-directed oomph, but we are subjected to subservience to the multinational label L’Oréal and its coterie of image makers and spin doctors. Maybe fashion is just not her thing, and she should surrender that territory to the likes of Deepika Padukone, Alia Bhatt and Sonam Kapoor Ahuja who however, are not idolised for beauty in the same way as Rai Bachchan is. They have a certain savoir faire and also personify different moulds of feminine appeal, each of which in its own way has changed the perception of what constitutes an Indian woman who is to be hero-worshipped.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, seen with daughter Aaradhya at Nice Airport ahead of the 76th Cannes Film Festival earlier this year.
Was Rai’s over-the-top gown a desperate attempt at surpassing these newly minted ambassadors of India’s soft power? Or maybe the gravitas post marriage, and all the inherited trappings of the Bachchan mantle sit heavily on her shoulders? Although, she has definitely carved her own individual niche of parenting, one that celebrates her career-driven celebrity motherhood to include and acclimatise her daughter, Aaradhya to the inevitable spotlight of being not just a Bachchan, but also the daughter of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. While this may have raised eyebrows among family and friends, she has received little public criticism, and has remained devoted to her choice.
But someone has to inform Rai Bachchan, or rather give her the good news, that with the distinction of being “statue-ised” at Madame Tussauds also comes the ongoing responsibility of finding more ways of paving the way for Generation Next, and next, and next. Was the beauty of Sanju’s enigma also an underlying hint at the multitude of aspirations bubbling underneath? Were the character and actor interchangeable in encapsulating a new vibe that captivated parents to name daughters, born in that year, Sanjana, asks author Sanjana Ramachandran, in her essay, aptly titled, The Namesakes. Is the trolling actually a backlash to her selling out?
Our national treasure, billed on Oprah Winfrey’s show as “the most beautiful woman in the world”, is no longer ours. Where are the rousing speeches to lift women out of their mundane diurnal duties? Maharani Gayatri Devi, another legendary beauty, often seen in Onassis-style dark glasses, was known for living life on her terms, and shunned the purdah system, an age-old convention for royalty. Rai Bachchan, a Padma Shri awardee in 2009, has vowed to donate those incredible eyes to the Eye Bank Association of India but we want to exploit her agency to the hilt during her lifetime. For one who speaks close to four Indian languages and has, according to latest reports, acted in about 48 films in five different languages, she is an appropriate candidate to advocate the advantages of our country’s immense diversity. Way back in 2003, she told Verve, “Language is not the issue, whether it means doing movies in Tamil, Bengali or Hindi…. Titles of Hollywood, Bollywood or Tollywood…it’s cinema, man — that’s what it really is for me.” In 2023, she’s definitely walking the talk with the release of Mani Ratnam’s much-acclaimed epic historical films, Ponniyin Selvan: I and II, based on a Tamil classic, where she plays Nandini, a Madurai-born, Pazhuvoor queen. Interestingly, her screen launch was also in the director’s Tamil political drama, Iruvar.
So, while still on the cusp of turning 50 on November 1, 2023, Rai Bachchan has to grab every opportunity to premiere the real, unmodified Ash — and if that does happen, we can all prepare for Season 2 of “Ash Unplugged”.
When the hot summer months hit, your dog enjoys a frozen treat as much as you. These pupsicles, popsicles for dogs, are a festive addition to your 4th of July celebrations.
Split the ingredients into 4 even layers. Put a layer of yogurt on bottom of cup, layer on some strawberries, add more yogurt, layer on blueberries and top off with more yogurt. The ingredients should fill your cup about ¼ of the way. Insert the chew stick into the middle of the cup. Freeze overnight.
