So my grand idea to survive the holidays as a single woman … (wait for it…) take full advantage of the situation and always have plenty mistletoe on hand…ya know, just in case some tall dark and handsome friend of the family who’s been secretly pining away for you for years happens to show up at your aunt’s Christmas party because he heard you were newly available. Yes, I still believe in Santa! 

So that lead me to thinking – what makes this little plant so ….aphrodisiatic? (yes, I made up that word). (And please keep in mind that this is one of those posts written after about three glasses of Zin, so please bear with me…(after all – how else do you propose I get through the holidays in one piece?)

What are the origins of the mistletoe? Why have generations of us either been trapped or ensnared others to succumb to our own physical affections because of a little plant? Either willingly or begrudgingly? Where did it all start? And could we perhaps extend this tradition throughout the year with say….daisies or roses, or shrubberies (if you’re a Monty Python fan) any common garden variety plant would work, really – anything you may conveniently hang and dry in your homes. I mean, a girl should be kissed regularly regardless of the season!

But sadly, ‘tis not the case. And ‘tis the season for this little plant (which, is actually a parasite – ironic and somehow fitting, isn’t it?). And so, without further ado, for your edification and education – and just because I’ve been celebrating a bit too much at the office Christmas party – here are there origins of the mistletoe tradition – spreading mononucleosis the world over.

Merry Christmas, my dear, dear readers. And a big mistletoe kiss to all, and to all a good night.

Frankly,

KISSING UNDER THE MISTLETOE

Nowadays, mistletoe is commonly used as a Christmas decoration, though allusions to mistletoe as a Christmas green were rare into the eighteenth century. Viscum album is used in Europe whereas Phoradendron serotinum is used in North America. According to a custom of Christmas cheer, any two people who meet under a hanging of mistletoe are obliged to kiss. The custom is British rather than Scandinavian in origin.

According to custom, the mistletoe must not touch the ground between its cutting and its removal as the last of Christmas greens at Candlemas; mistletoe might remain hung through the year, often to preserve the house from lightning or fire, until it was replaced the following Christmas Eve.The tradition has spread throughout the English-speaking world but is largely unknown in the rest of Europe. The appearance and nature of the fruit's content (viscin) is very similar or suggestive of human semen and this has strengthened its pagan connections.

Using the mistletoe to kiss under has even become incorporated into various holiday songs. The 1943 song I'll Be Home for Christmas tells the story of a lonely traveler looking forward to coming home and seeing, among other things, mistletoe. The Mistletoe is mentioned in the song "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire" ("The Christmas Song"), made famous by Nat King Cole, and written by Mel Torme. The song "A Holly Jolly Christmas" sung by Burl Ives, and used for the TV special "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer", features the line, "Ho Ho, the Mistletoe", and the line, "Kiss her once for me". In 1961 singer Aretha Franklin released a Christmas song called Kissin' by the Mistletoe. In 1971 singer Lynn Anderson recorded the song Mr. Mistletoe on her holiday album The Christmas Album. The song talks about an elf who hangs mistletoe in homes so that people can "steal a kiss from someone that they know". In 2001 Barbra Streisand released the song It Must Have Been the Mistletoe.

IN CULTURE AND MYTHOLOGY

Mistletoe figured prominently in Norse mythology: the god Baldur was killed with a weapon made of mistletoe. Mistletoe bears fruit at the time of the Winter Solstice, the birth of the new year, and may have been used in solstitial rites in Druidic Britain.

In Celtic mythology and in Druid rituals, it was considered an antidote to poison, but it is now known that the fruits of many mistletoes are poisonous if ingested, as they contain viscotoxins.

A Christian tradition says that mistletoe was once a tree, and furnished the wood of the Cross. After the Crucifixion, the plant shriveled and became dwarfed to a parasitic vine.

In Romanian traditions, mistletoe (vâsc in Romanian) is considered a source of good fortune. The medical and the supposed magical properties of the plant are still used, especially in rural areas.

Mistletoe has sometimes been nicknamed the vampire plant because it can probe beneath the tree bark to drain water and minerals, enabling it to survive during a drought. William Shakespeare gives it an unflattering reference in Titus Andronicus, Act II, Scene I: "Overcome with moss and baleful mistletoe".

Mistletoe is the state floral emblem for the State of Oklahoma. The state did not have an official flower, leaving the Mistletoe as the assumed state flower until the Oklahoma Rose was designated as such in 2004.

In a popular myth, confusing Mistletoe and the Holly 'holy' Tree, the most sacred tree of the Druids, it is said that Mistletoe was cut with a gold sickle and it lost its power if it fell and touched the ground. The confusion arises from both plants being green all year and both having colorful fruits as well as sharing similar history concerning the winter months.

I have a love/hate relationship with my breasts – and really, what woman doesn’t?

If they’re too small, you wear falsies or padding – if you’re sporting DD’s you sometimes curse the day you were born a woman as you try to find button up shirts that don’t gap, sports bras that actually allow you to run sans pain and under wire that doesn’t poke you in the chest. And while the perks include, unlimited attention and the occasional drink, they might lead to conversations ending in such phrases as “umm…my face is up HERE”, “they’re not going to talk back, you know” or my personal favorite – “you won’t be meeting them later, so you can stop talking to them now.”

But love them or hate them, large or small – we (women) have them and throughout history, both men and women have implemented “uplifting” ideas in support of “the girls”.  So I’m going to ‘snap to it’ and provide you with a cup full of tidbits about the history of the modern-day over-the-shoulder bolder holder – that turned 100 last week**

A SNAPPY HISTORY

2500 BC Back in 2500 B.C., warrior Minoan women on the Greek isle of Crete began wearing a bra-resembling garment, shoving their bare breasts upward and exposed their naked breasts from their clothing!

2000 BC The Corset can be traced back to about 2000 BC. It was open at the front to the waist, leaving the breasts uncovered. Small strips of leather round the waist were used to curve round the outline of the breasts.

450BC-285AD The Greeks wore a bodice tied above the breasts, leaving the breasts naked. The wearing of corsets was prohibited so they used "the Apodesme" which was a small band of material wrapped round the breast, largely for functional reasons - to prevent the breasts moving when walking. The Roman women adopted the apodesme as worn by the Greeks, but the name was changed to "mamillare", "fascia" etc. Young women wore the fascia to prevent the growth of their breasts whilst the mamillare was used to conceal a very large breast.

4th Century AD The Chemise first appeared in the 4th century, was made of linen and looked like a tunic. The Chemise was gathered into a round or square neckline. It was frequently embroidered and finished with a frill. At that time they usually had long sleeves and were finished with wrist ruffles.

In France women wore the "Bandeau" after Caesar's conquest of Gaul. In the 12th century women wore the "basquine" which was a sort of corset in rigid fabric surrounding the waist. About a century later the gourgandine (hussy) or bodice is worn on top of a corset.

 13th Century AD In the 13th century, women were wearing short bodices that flattened the breasts. Full skirts were attached to raised waistlines to emphasize the stomach. To further emphasize a slender torso, garments had long full sleeves. The purpose was to draw the eye down and away from the breasts. In the 13th century one can read for the first time, in a corsetry shop window, reference to products that - "contain the larger one, supports the weak, gathers the floppy".

14th Century AD Breasts were de-emphasized even further in the 14th century by straight tubular bodices that completely flattened the breasts. Wide full skirts and high ruffled collars drew attention away from the breasts. In the 14th century the belt was worn to support the bust but was not widely worn as it was outlawed in certain parts of France. An edict of Strasbourg dated 1370 states - "no woman will support the bust by the disposition of a blouse or by tightened dress". Under Charles VII the bust is dressed in a triangular drape and by a tight gauze. The corset was worn very tightly and damage was caused to the wearer.

1550s AD In the 1550's women subjected themselves to the torture of whalebone and steel rod corsets. The steel corset is attributed to the wife of King Henri II of France, Catherine de Médicis, who banned "thick waists" at court attendances. The corset was designed to be worn tightly, requiring a lot of effort to fasten. It could reduce the waist to less than ten inches, permanently altering the waist size. The corset then became dominant undergarment (in various designs) of support and restraint for the next 350 years.

15th Century AD The 15th century saw breasts becoming a focal point. Bodices and stiffened stays covered and flattened the lower part of the breasts and nipples, whilst pushing up the upper breast. This created cleavage and gave the appearance of high and rounded breasts.

16th Century AD During the Renaissance Period, women stuffed the chest portions of their undergarments with silk pouches and hankies, binding them in place as well as could be expected to create an alluring bustline. Since there was nothing much to hold the pouches exactly where they should have been, there was a tendency for them to shift into laughable positions.

17th Century AD Whilst men had worn washable underwear since ancient times, it was not until the 17th century that drawers were worn by women in France and Italy but it was the early 1800's before they arrived in England "drawers" comes from a lower body undergarment that could be "drawn on". Drawers were often made up as two separate legs only attached at the waist. Crotch-less drawers were a practicality since they were worn under the corset and chemise. The legs finished just below the knee or at mid-calf and were finished either plain or fancy.

1820s A "corset mecanique" was actually invented in the 1820s which allowed women to squeeze into their corsets with the help of pulleys, without having to use the servants. Corsets at the time were made of whalebone, steel or buckram.

1850s US patents registered for first known bra-like devices.

Corsets fall out of style for about 10 years.

1860s Corsets come back in fashion with a vengeance. Severe corset "training" is common which reduces waists to such unhealthy levels that ribs and internal organs become deformed. Controversy over corseting health risks ensues.

1867 The "Thompson Patent Glove-Fitting Corset" of 1867 had a spring latch and snaps at the front, as well as the traditional hooks. The corset was designed to prevent it opening accidentally! The latter years of the 19th Century began to see challenges to the traditional views of the ideal woman, and the painful and unhealthy undergarments that they were expected to wear

1875 In 1875, manufacturers George Frost and George Phelps patented an undergarment called the "Union Under-Flannel". Unlike a corset, it had no bones, eyelets or laces and required no pulleys and was made from wool fabrics. Susan Taylor Convese made improvements to this design.

1877 Combinations, consisting of a chemise and pantaloons were invented about 1877. These were often made in red flannels and were crotch-less for convenience.

 1889 Corset-maker Herminie Cadolle invents a bra-like garment called "Bien-être" ('Well-Being'.) Resembling a "Victorian bikini", its main differentiating feature from regular corsets is that the breasts are supported by the shoulders rather than squeezed up from below with traditional corset designs. Although marketed as a health aid beginning in 1889 in a Paris department store ad, the item does not gain widespread notice.

1893 Marie Tucek patents the "Breast Supporter". The garment includes separate pockets for each breast, shoulder straps that passed over the shoulders and fastened with hook and eye closures, making it the earliest known design to be similar to modern-day bras.

 1907 Vogue magazine first uses the term "brassiere", which comes from the old French word for 'upper arm'. Before this, bra-like devices were known by another French term "soutien-gorge" (literally, "throat support" or "breast support".)

 1912 The term "brassiere" first appears in the Oxford English Dictionary.

 1913 Dissatisfied with the idea of having to wear a heavy corset underneath a new sheer evening gown she just bought for a social event, socialite Mary Phelps Jacob of New York and her maid, Marie, devised a backless bra made from two handkerchiefs, some ribbon and cord. Amazingly she started getting orders for it that very night.

1914 After considerable interest from friends, Mary Phelps Jacob applies for a patent (under the business name "Caresse Crosby") on November 3 for her "Backless Brassiere" design, which is basically the same garment that she previously improvised. This "brassiere" was very lightweight, soft, and separated the breasts naturally. Unlike Marie Tucek's 1893 design, Jacob's garment did not have cups to support the breasts, but flattened them instead. Jacob markets the "Backless Brassiere" garment until she tires of the business and sells the patent to Warner Brothers Corset Company in Bridgeport, Connecticut, for $1,500. Warner's reportedly made over 15 million dollars over the next 30 years from the patent.

1914-1918 World War I forces women into the work-force. Many women begin working in factories and wearing uniforms, making the use of daily corset wear a problem.

 1917 The U.S. War Industries Board requests women to stop buying corsets to reduce the consumption of metal. Sources say up to 28,000 tons of metal was conserved through this effort - "enough to build two battleships."

1920s The bra gained popularity and began to be used more commonly during the 1920s. This was the era of the "flappers", and the flat-chested boyish look was all the rage. Warner introduces a tight, chest-flattening bra, that was designed to flatten the breasts, rather than support them.

1928 Ida Rosenthal, a Russian immigrant, and her husband William went into business as the Maidenform Company in the 1920's as a protest against the notorious flat-chested flapper girls of the Roaring 20's. Ida is responsible for the creation of bust size categories (cup sizes) and developed bras for every stage of life - puberty to maturity.

Late 1920s By the end of the 1920s corsetry companies began to manufacture brassieres that were boned and stitched into different cup sizes.

1930s It wasn't until the 1930s that shape started to become acceptable again, and the "bra" (a shortened form of the word "brassiere") changed from flattening the breasts, to holding them.

 1930s Warner produces the first popular all-elastic bra, which shows off a woman's curves.

1930s It was 1932 before its shape was modified to accentuate the depth of cup. It was greatly improved by the fashion designer, Paul Poiret who even suggested that it be worn next to the skin.

1930s The "sweater-girl" look, portrayed by actress Lana Turner during the 1930s, was the next fashion development, pointed rigid bras that maintained their shape. This was followed by "falsies". These were pads worn inside the bra that were designed to enhance the fullness of the bust. These evolved into the push-up bra, stiffened cups supported by under-wiring.

1935 Warner's creates the cup sizing system (A to D), which becomes the system commonly used by all manufacturers throughout the world.

1941-1945 Common fabric materials (cotton, rubber, silk and steel) are in short supply, so manufacturers turn to synthetic fabrics.

1946 The first bikini swimwear is introduced in Paris.

1950's It was thus that during the 1950s the shape had become most exaggerated. Strapless bras also became popular at this time because of the fashion for off-the-shoulder outfits.

1960's The 1960s saw the women's liberation movement denouncing bras as a symbol of conformity and servitude and encouraging bra burning rallies. The Hippie and free-love movement would see the bra abandoned altogether, resulting in the braless look.

1960's A return to the need for support saw the bra re-emerge after this era. Developments in manufacturing and technology since the 1960s, such as lycra, have seen the materials for bras become increasingly lightweight, durable and elastic.

** All information provided courtesy of the Hot Gossip Bra Shop.

While I'm thrilled with the singling out of the beautiful silver and small screen redheaded mavens out in Tinsel Town - I must admit, I am a bit shocked by some OBVIOUS omissions in this list!

While there's no denying that Dr. Addison Sheppard (aka Kate Walsh) should sit atop the rankings, I offer the following alternative placements with the original article following below. What do you think, men? Kathy Griffin in favor of Julia Roberts!?!? Um....NO.

Scarlett's list for the title of Hollywood's Hottest Redheads:

1. Kate Walsh (no argument here)
2. Li-Lo (obvious choice)
3. Julia Roberts (H-E-L-L-O!)
4. Julianne Moore
5. Nicole Kidman (the oft-blonde will always be a true strawberry in our hearts)
6. Debra Messing
7. Marcia Cross
8. Melinda Clarke (the OC would NOT have been the same without this fiery-haired temptress we all know and love)
9. Alicia Witt (you may have seen her in the Sopranos, Two Weeks Notice, or Vanilla Sky)
10. And last, but CERTAINLY not least - Molly Ringwald circa 1989

Actress Kate Walsh has topped a poll of ‘Hollywood’s Hottest Redheads’.

The poll was conducted by entertainment magazine In Touch Weekly. Walsh, a natural blonde, admits that flame-haired women definitely have more fun than their fair-headed or brunette counterparts.

"When I was blonde, they treated me like a girly girl. As a redhead, it was a little more sassy," Contactmusic quoted her, as telling the mag.

Coming in second on the list was Lindsay Lohan, followed by Oscar-winner Nicole Kidman in third place. The top five was rounded off by Debra Messing and Geri Halliwell, who came in fourth and fifth place respectively.

The list for the top ten ‘Hollywood’s Hottest Redheads’, as per In Touch Weekly is:

The events and tragedy in unfolding Virginia over the past few days have left me with a loss for words. So many people have written so eloquently on the subjects of friendship, loss, violence and blame and so I will not attempt to duplicate their poignant words.

This event affected me, as it did so many others, having spent a great deal of time in Blacksburg and on the Virginia Tech campus. Thinking about pre gaming in the loft adorned rooms across from the football stadium at the age of 18…..It certainly shined a harsh halogen bulb of cruelty, reality and mortality on my adolescent memories. I can only imagine what it did to the current residents of West AJ.  

But as I suppose is the case with most tragedies, we are tempted to take stock in our own lives, thank the heavens for the blessings bestowed upon us and pray for those suffering.

And so I shall.

P.S. If I have to hear ANYTHING MORE about warmer temperatures coming out of Al Gore's pompous, chubby face......

Dear Cohen Family and OC Friends:

It was with a heavy heart that I said goodbye as you left my living room for the last time Thursday night. I have so much to say to you all and I feel so connected to each and every one of you. Please permit me to say goodbye to each of you in my own way. Yes, we cultivate and encourage a very healthy and active fantasy life here at TSL.

For the past 4 years, since the summer of 2003, and I remember that summer because I was undergoing surgery and radiation treatments for cancer, you came into my life. I must admit, I was first introduced to you by a beautiful 25 year old, resembling you, Ryan Atwood – but more of in a preppy, Luke-eque, water-polo player kind of way. I mocked him for leaving happy hour early on Wednesday evenings to spend it with the Newport Group. So naturally I needed to see what all the fuss was about as well as supplying the opportunity for easy discussion about our new mutual friends. But ya’ll surprised me. And I found myself more eager to spend time with you than him, which turned out to be one of the best decisions I could have made.

And when I entered the hospital, you were there to whisk me away to someplace sunny and beautiful. I had Seth to make me laugh and Marisa, lovely Marisa to remind me that I didn’t really have it THAT bad because I had so many people aroud that still loved me.

Sandy & Kirsten – if I ever have redheaded rugrats I want to be parents just like you. Young, beautiful, human, funny, understanding, trendy and compassionate.

Seth: You would have been just my type in high school. Nerdy, smart, sarcastic, eclectic, funny, artistic and a tad spastic in that ‘I’ve made one too many trips to Starbucks’ kind of way. I’m so proud of the way you’ve grown up and come into your own before our eyes. I look on you as I do my own little brother, as you remind me of him soooo much. You’ve had your growing pains, its true, but its all worked out, you’re the better man for it, and in the end…you got the girl.

Summer: Once seemingly the blaze cheerleader, you were, I think pushed by Seth to discover who you really are not dumb…just shallow! And really, who can’t respect that?? You, Summer Roberts are a sarcastic, bitchy, dry, funny, sensitive gal and I know, while we may never be able to share the joy of raiding each other’s closets, I know we will be friends forever.

Marisa “Coop” Cooper – may you rest in peace. You taught us all to count calories (and your ribs) as well as the valuable lesson of – no matter how bad things get, they can always get worse. You strong strong gal. Hardened by life and parental dysfunctionality.  We have missed you terribly and we know that in the end, Newport could no longer survive without you in it. Fear not, we shall meet again in that great big Keds commercial in the sky.

Taylor: Oh Taylor. How many times did I watch you with your ‘To Do’ lists, entourage of romantic yet-not-quite-right trysts and your endless ability to speak so quickly and for so long without stopping or even taking a breath (the Russian found out to his own detriment on Monday night, that I also possess this ability)…and then there was that flashback to second grade, with your coke bottle glasses, your hair in pigtails, wanting desperately to be accepted by the in-crowd. Sigh. Taylor – you have only to dye your hair ala Julie Cooper, grow a few inches (and a few cup sizes) and we’d be twins. Though for my sake, and the sake of those routinely in my company, I do hope I have mellowed out in the past few years making the connection a little less than blatantly obvious.

Ryan: Ryan (girly, dreamy smile comes over face)…..mmmm……Ryan Atwood. You satiated my bad-boy desires every week and sometimes more on DVDs. Your wife beaters showing off those gorgeous arms, that illusive smirk, your brooding, pensive nature. In fact, all of my bad boy crushes (note I said crushes, not relationships) over the past 4 years have actually BEEN about 5’9 with short blonde hair and beautiful blue eyes!  Huh. This is a pattern that I’ve never quite detected before…I believe this is the moment that therapists refer to as “the breakthrough”.

And last…but CERTAINLY NOT the least….Julie.

Julie Cooper: You put it best when you said ‘this town is only big enough for ONE manipulative bitch!’. And that, my dear…is you. My redheaded, socialite role model. In a fantasy world, you are my big sister and I want to grow up to be just like YOU, but without the lying…and the cheating…and the marrying for money (well…we can leave that on the list). But with the strength, and the survival instinct, which is not to be trumped by the FASHION instinct (see! Marrying for money has its perks!) and the general air of fabulousness. I was proud of you, sis. Yes, proud of you for choosing to find yourself over having a man in your life. Bravo, Red. Bravo! You always land on your feet – and wear expensive footwear when you do!

Goodbye, my friends. Goodbye to the colorful world of Newport Beach. As I look around, shake my head and realize that I am left with none but the doctors at Seattle Grey’s to try and distract me, from my somewhat colorless (at present) east coast life.

And I shiver, crawl back under my electric blanket, and dream myself back beside the infinity pool.

Yours Always,