Ben Fordham and his wedding ring: the debate for and against wearing one

Did you see this morning's segment of 'Girls On The Grill' on the 'Today' show about why some men don't wear a wedding ring?

Earlier in the show, Karl Stefanovic had intro-ed the topic by cheekily asking newly-married Ben Fordham, "Why don't you wear a wedding ring?"

Clearly it was a lead-in to the debate which was to ensue, but I was a little aghast at Ben's initial comments.

"You know what, when you wear a wedding ring, you get targeted by other women I've been told."

"Yeah that's true Fordo," chimed in Karl.

"And Jodie [Ben's wife] bought that?", adds Lisa cheekily.

Continues Ben: "[Camerman Timmy Hawkins told me that]... when you get the ring on your finger there are some women out there who are deviants, and they're married as well, and they go, 'Oh, hang on a moment, there's an easy target - he won't talk'."

After I picked my jaw up off the floor, I recall that I'd wondered about Fordo's wedding ring a few weeks ago, too.

Watching the Today Show in New York on a Monday, the weekend papers had shown a photo of Ben Fordham on his wedding day to (Channel 7) reporter Jodie Speers, and there was Ben, sans wedding ring.

Gorgeous couple Ben Fordham and his wife Jodie Speers on their wedding day

I remember thinking, 'Really? But you just got married!' At least wait a few months before you declare you don't want to wear your wedding ring anymore/you've put on weight and your fingers are fatter/you can't wear it everyday while working as you're scared you'll scratch it/dirty it/lose it.

Later, when Ben was grilled about it all, he had more to share on the topic.

Said Ben: "When you enter into a relationship, you enter with honesty; so be honest with your partner and say, 'Hey, in all honesty I don't feel comfortable wearing jewellery, I never have in my life - can you work with that?'"

Asks Georgie Gardner - making reference to Ben's earlier comment on women targeting married men - : "Can we talk about this theory of yours that when you wear a wedding ring you're a target for women."

Ben replies with reference to his mate again, who claims that "married women target blokes who have a ring on."

Interjects Lisa: "If women come up to you, and they test you, you've got to be able to pass that test."

Both blokes wave off any suggestions of 'testing' being of any relevance.

Adds Karl: "At some point or another, somewhere into your marriage, you women become like predators, seeking other blokes. You can't get enough of it from other blokes. But why don't you just start 'predator-ing' your husband? Pursue your husband, not us."

Says Lisa: "You know what it says? It says to the world, 'I am married to the love of my life.'"

In closing, Karl looks deadpan at the cameras and declares: "Jewellery is materialistic. Marriage is of the heart."

I have written on this topic before, namely, about Prince William's intention to not wear his wedding ring: http://josiesjuice.blogspot.com/2011/04/prince-william-wont-wear-his-wedding.html

Many of my social media pals replied, with varying points of view, all completely valid.

For me? I find nothing sexier, more committed, more lovely than seeing my husband wear his wedding ring every day. He never, ever takes it off. I adore that.

Does that make him more loving and committed than other married men I know who are unequivocally devoted to their wives, and may not necessarily wear their wedding ring? Absolutely not.

Does it make me feel happy and loved? Yep, sure does. I wear mine every time I leave the house and feel kinda naked if I happen to forget it, which rarely happens.

I swear, years ago, a year into our marriage, I'd forgotten to wear it and I saw an ex-boyfriend on my way to work. I felt discombobulated and wished I'd had it on so I could show him the finger. The middle one.

That's the thing about a wedding band or an engagement ring - it says your 'taken'. Now, I am not suggesting that without one you are more likely to have random sex with strangers, or feel any less 'spoken for.' For me, it just feels comfy and right. And I don't think a piece of jewellery will make my husband or I less likely to stray if we really wanted to. As I said, for me, it just fits.

Thoughts? Share!

The One That Got Away - do you have one?

The one that got away - do you have one of those?

The one you secretly wish you'd married, the one you dated and loved and imagined a life with, then... kaput. Finished.

And your lives carried on, and you married other people... but you never, ever forgot them.

Or are you someone's 'one who got away', the one they pined for, before they eventually gave you up, had to let you go...

Watch Katy Perry's new clip of the same name.

Released a few days ago and already garnering over 8 million hits, it's a song - and theme - which truly resonates. Although in Katy's case, it has a tragic twist.

Watch:

Evelyn Lauder dies - her legacy lives on forever

The stalwart of breast cancer awareness - Evelyn H. Lauder, Senior Corporate Vice President and Head of Fragrance Development Worldwide - has died from complications of non-genetic ovarian cancer at the age of 75, in New York City.

Survived by husband Leonard A. Lauder, Chairman Emeritus of the Estée Lauder Companies; son William, Executive Chairman of the Estée Lauder Companies; son Gary, Managing Director of Lauder Partners LLC, and his wife Laura, General Partner of Lauder Partners; and five grandchildren, this woman changed the face - and colour - of charity forever.

“My mother carried the torch of our Company heritage and the values that were passed to her by my grandmother, Mrs. Estée Lauder,” said William Lauder. “My mother and father were life partners as well as business partners. They nurtured the culture and growth of the Estée Lauder Companies, and as we grew, my mother was our creative compass and pillar of strength. Together my family and the Company celebrate the beautiful person she was.”

Speaking for the company, President and Chief Executive Officer Fabrizio Freda said, “Evelyn embodied the heart and soul of the Estée Lauder Companies. She was one of the pivotal architects of our vision, values, and culture. She was dynamic, creative, smart, endearingly warm, generous, and incredibly gifted at connecting with people. Her enthusiasm was contagious.”

Evelyn Lauder certainly led an incredible life and is a remarkable American success story. Born in Vienna, Austria, her parents fled from Europe with her during the Nazi occupation, eventually settling in New York City. The story goes that she was asleep when the ship bringing them to the United States arrived in New York Harbor, her mother woke her up to see the Statue of Liberty. Evelyn Lauder would remember, and be inspired by, that symbol of hope for the rest of her life.

Later, after receiving her degree, she was a public school teacher in New York City for several years. As a 'college freshman', she had been introduced to Leonard A. Lauder, the older son of Estée and Joseph Lauder, owners of a small family cosmetics company, and they married in 1959. That same year she joined the family business.

She had many roles, including: New Product Director and Marketing Director. Thanks to her teaching background she created the company’s brand training programs. She also measured colour standards in makeup, sold products in stores, and made numerous personal appearances.

When the Company began creative work on what became Clinique in 1968, Evelyn thought of the name Clinique and became the first to wear the now ubiquitous Clinique white lab coat after she was named the brand’s first Training Director.

In 1989, Evelyn assumed the role of Senior Corporate Vice President and Head of Fragrance Development Worldwide. She led the development of the company’s most globally successful fragrances, including the best-selling Beautiful and Pleasures.

Evelyn's philanthropy in New York City was renowned. She served on the Board of Overseers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and on the boards of the Central Park Conservancy and the Evelyn and Leonard Lauder Foundation. Many other charities also benefited from her guidance and renowned generosity, including nonprofits devoted to health and human services, education and inner-city schools, the environment, women’s causes, and the arts.

Evelyn Lauder was perhaps best known to the public for her work in bringing global awareness to women’s health, a passion that stemmed from a personal experience with early stage breast cancer. In 1992, she co-created the Pink Ribbon, now recognised as the worldwide symbol of breast health, and launched the Estée Lauder Companies Breast Cancer Awareness (BCA) Campaign (www.bcacampaign.com). Each year, the BCA Campaign raises funds through its brands, employees, and retail partners around the world to help support breast cancer research. Mrs. Lauder founded The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) in 1993 to provide crucial funds to breast cancer medical and scientific researchers around the world. BCRF (www.bcrfcure.org) has raised more than $350 million and supports 186 researchers globally.

“Each October, it is extraordinary to see the absolute dedication of our employees around the world to the BCA Campaign. Evelyn’s mission became our mission; her passion became our passion. She inspired all of us, and we will continue to move forward with her vision to rid the world of breast cancer,” said Mr. Freda.

Today, Estée Lauder Companies Inc. is one of the world's leading manufacturers and marketers of quality skin care, makeup, fragrance, and hair care products. The company's products are sold in over 150 countries and territories under the following brand names: Estée Lauder, Aramis, Clinique, Prescriptives, Lab Series, Origins, M•A•C, Bobbi Brown, Tommy Hilfiger, Kiton, La Mer, Donna Karan, Aveda, Jo Malone, Bumble and bumble, Darphin, Michael Kors, American Beauty, Flirt!, GoodSkin™ Labs, Grassroots™ Research Labs, Sean John, Missoni, Tom Ford, Coach, Ojon, Smashbox, and Ermenegildo Zegna.

Rest in peace to an incredible woman who changed the face of charity - and beauty - forever.

Shop Til You Drop - Kim Kardashian, December 2011

One thing is certain: Kim Kardashian shifts units.

Will she continue her reign as the woman who most gets us to buy, follow, and like for reasons even we can't explain?

Or is her time up?

Time will tell.

In meantime, it is highly likely the December issue of Australia's Shop Til You Drop will sell... lots.

Over the whole clan yet? If E! programming peeps have their way: hopefully not yet.

Here is the just-released preview vid of the Kardashian clan's Kim & Kourtney Do New York, to screen here shortly:

Breaking Dawn and Ellen Degeneres

According to Ellen Degeneres, she is one of the main reasons people will be lining up to see the new Twilight flick - out this week in Australia - Breaking Dawn.

So good for a chuckle. Nobody does cute like Ellen...

Watch:

Keratinology by Sunsilk pop-up salon. Plus, WIN the entire Keratinology by Sunsilk range!

Fresh from my appointment at the Keratinology by Sunsilk pop up salon at Parramatta I feel revived, alive, and bouncy and full of volume.

Well, my hair does!

Which does things to you... every gal knows that.

Have amazing hair, and get a sudden boost of confidence. It's a proven, scientific fact.

Okay, so nobody in lab coats can actually confirm that, but the sisterhood gets it.

The pop up salon is taking bookings for its last two days at Parramatta - Monday and Tuesday next week.

Call 0426 293 611 to make a booking and for $20 you get:

- a wash and treatment with the new Keratinology by Sunsilk range

- treatment using products from the new Keratinology by Sunsilk range

- a glass of champers

- a sensational blow-dry

- a copy of the latest marie claire

- a goodie bag choc-full of Keratinology by Sunsilk products

I was treated to all this by my fab stylist David (he has worked Young Divas and looked after Jessica Mauboy for her Beyonce support act tour) and LOVED it. This man is a serious scalp massager, people... I was so very relaxed.

The Parramatta, Sydney location is:

Parramatta (In front of Parramatta Town Hall) 182 Church St, Parramatta.

And one lucky Josie's Juice reader can win the entire product range as pictured above, valued at around $100.

The win, drop me an email at josiegags@optusnet.com.au and simply tell me why your hair needs some lovin' this summer! Hop to it...

Victoria's Secret 2011 Parade

The yearly extravaganza that is the Victoria's Secret show came to town today - well, to NYC - and as expected it was beyond spectacular.

Held at Kips Bay - a neighbourhood in Manhattan - the 16th annual show featured - the usual gorgeous suspects (Australia's Miranda Kerr who wore the coveted multimillion diamond-encrusted bra, plus Alessandra Ambrosio, Doutzen Kroes and Chanel Iman), as well as some newbies including Australia's Shanina Shaik (see: http://josiesjuice.blogspot.com/2011/11/victorias-secret-shanina-shaik-is.html)

The entire spectacle closed with performances by Jay-Z, Kanye West, Nicki Minaj, and Maroon 5.

The parade costs $10 million to stage, is watched by 9 million people around the world, and comes from a company that earns $5 billion dollars a year. Oh yes. Billion. Five of them. A year.

The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show airs in the US on November 29 and will screen on Australian pay TV soon after. It's always repeated on Channel Ten on Christmas Eve.

Read more here: http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/victoria-secret-models-strut-stuff-16th-annual-fashion-show-armory-article-1.975447#ixzz1dIMRYjZ2

Photos: courtesy NY Daily News.

For more, see: http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/fashion/2011-victoria-secret-fashion-show-gallery-1.975493