Chanel, Dior, Prada, Bottega Veneta, Fendi: Spring 2014 Campaigns Leak to the ...

The Spring 2014 campaigns are here, kind of. Last night, ahead of all the official online releases, tFS Forum member Northern Star (perfect handle) scanned and shared several major Spring 2014 campaigns from his Feburary Issue of Tatler. Notable ads were from Bottega Veneta, Chanel, Dior, Fendi, Giorgio Armani and Prada*.

So much fashion, so much spring. For a second, you might forget how cold it is outside:

*I reached out to Prada to confirm the full campaign cast but received an out-of-office auto-reply. As expected, European-based luxury houses enjoy luxurious, European holiday vacations.

'Modern Family's' Ariel Winter thanks sister for taking her in

Ariel Winter has reflected on 2013 with quite a bit of nostalgia.

The 15-year-old 'Modern Family' actress shared several holiday posts thanking her friends and family for their support during her 'wonderful' year.

Ariel, full name Ariel Winter Workman, spent quite a bit of 2012 embroiled in courtroom drama with her mother, Chrisoula Workman, who allegedly abused her physically and emotionally. A custody deal in December 2012 determined that Winter would continue to live with her adult sister Shanelle Gray and temporarily put Glenn Workman, her father, in charge of her finances, L.A. Now reported. Chrisoula Workman was stripped of custody in October 2012.

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Since then, and throughout 2013, things seemingly improved for the actress, who plays bookworm Alex Dunphy on the award-winning ABC comedy.

The actress posted a photo collage and thank-you note to the Grays on Instagram on Christmas Day.

'I would just like to say... I am so lucky to be a part of this amazing family. It's been about a year and a half and at the same time, been the best year and a half of my life,' she wrote.

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'I love them more than I could ever describe and they've shown me more love than I ever thought was possible. They've each given me something incredible to carry with me for the rest of my life. They've taught me how to love unconditionally, how to give, how to forgive, how to find strength, how to comfort others, how to love myself, and how to be a young woman.'

Ariel continued to gush about her two nieces; the example that Shanelle, her 'best friend,' has set for her; and how her brother-in-law, David, has been 'the best father figure' to her.

Read the note in its entirety below.

On New Year's Eve, the actress also posted a video collage of her year in social media.

'Happy New Year's Eve everyone! I found a loooot of photos to put into my flip gram for you,' she wrote. 'Goodbye 2013! You were wonderful. Here's to 2014! #newyearseve #flipagram #family #friends #love #happiness'

Even though she caught the flu from her sister in 2014, a little illness didn't dampen her spirits.

Ariel's Christmas message:

'Merry Christmas <3 The Grays! I would just like to say... I am so lucky to be a part of this amazing family. It's been about a year and a half and at the same time, been the best year and a half of my life. I love them more than I could ever describe and they've shown me more love than I ever thought was possible. They've each given me something incredible to carry with me for the rest of my life. They've taught me how to love unconditionally, how to give, how to forgive, how to find strength, how to comfort others, how to love myself, and how to be a young woman. My sister is my best friend and one day I can only pray to have a family like the one she has created. I hope to be even half of the incredible person she is. She's done so many amazing things with her life and I will always look up to my big sister. I can't thank them enough and hopefully one day I can do something to show them how grateful I am. My nieces are the lights of my life, my sister is my better half, and my brother in law has been the best father figure you could ever ask for. He's the best dad and I couldn't be happier we all have him. Thank you for all you've done for me guys, and for always being there. I'll be here for anything, anytime, forever (we also live together...so just knock on my door anytime). I love you with all my heart. So here's to the rest of my life with my spectacular family! Merry Christmas everyone. Please be thankful for the amazing people and things you have in your life this year. I know I am. @shanelle_gray @davidbarrygray' ALSO: 'Top Chef' judge Gail Simmons welcomes baby girl Ricky Martin splits with boyfriend Carlos Gonzalez Abella 'Big Bang Theory' star Kaley Cuoco marries Ryan Sweeting on NYE Follow Ministry of Gossip @LATcelebs.

Concerts, events, restaurant openings ahead for the coming year

Concerts, events, restaurant openings ahead for the coming year

By Lorena Sanchez

lsanchez@lcsun-news.com @lsanchez865 on Twitter

Posted: 01/02/2014 12:10:56 PM MST

2014 is looking to be a great year, already. There are some great acts coming to New Mexico and El Paso and some new restaurants coming and residents get to reap the rewards. Here are just a few things to look forward to this year:

ONE DIRECTION HITS THE BORDERLAND

One Direction gained fame after finishing third in the hit British televised singing competition 'The X Factor.' The five young men made a huge impression on millions of fans and rose to fame quickly after the show ended. According to the official One Direction website, the group has hit it big since debuting in 2010 with their debut album, 'Up All Night,' reaching No. 1 in 15 countries and topping the UK charts at No. 1 with their single, 'What Makes You Beautiful.' They are the first group to debut at No. 1 in USA with a debut album and have sold out concerts around the world. The group hits the borderland for a stop on their 'Where We Are Tour 2014' Sept. 19 at the Sun Bowl Stadium, in El Paso. The show will begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are on sale now and range in price from $60 to $100 plus fees.

COUNTRY KICKOFF TO 2014

2013 welcomed a slew of top and up-and-coming country artists to the area. It looks like 2014 will be no exception. Kicking off 2014 are two country concerts at the Inn of the Mountain Gods. Gary Allen is scheduled to perform at 8 p.m. Feb. 17 and Chris Young will perform at 8 p.m. Jan. 19. Tickets for both shows are available now. Graham Central Station welcomed several up-and-coming country acts to Las Cruces in 2013 and looks to keep on bringing the talent with performances from Wade Bowen and Randy Rogers Jan. 25 as they make a stop on their 'Hold My Beer and Watch This 2014 Tour.'

Construction on Whiskey Dick's is moving along. The location, off East Union Avenue is another promising sign that Las Cruces can reign in the country fans. Whiskey Dick's is a country nightclub serving as another venue for promising country talent, drinks and a great night out.

AND THEN THERE'S THE COUNTRY MUSIC FEST

The Charlie Daniels Band and Cassadee Pope will headline Las Cruces' second annual Country Music Festival. The event is scheduled for April 24-27, 2014 on Main Street.

Pope returns to Las Cruces after opening in October for Rascal Flatts and The Band Perry. The Charlie Daniels band has more than 50 years of experience in country music.

The four-day country music fest will include live music, songwriters workshop, artist meet and greets, contests, a brunch and fashion show featuring acoustic performances by featured artists and more. A weekend pass for the event, which includes access to all concerts, the song-writer's workshop and brunch, is $55 per person with a discount for service men and women and their families. Day passes are $20 per person each day. This year's festival will be held in conjunction with the New Mexico State University Inter-Collegiate Rodeo. Visit lccountryfest.com, for more information.

WARPED TOUR 2014

Although young fans in Las Cruces are still feeling the sting of not being able welcome the 2014 Vans Warped Tour to the area next year, all hope is not lost. The tour is still set to make a New Mexico stop, just a little further north. Only a three-hour trip away, Warped Tour 2014 will stop in Albuquerque on June 17 at the Isleta Amphitheater. Gates open at 11 a.m. Air Dubai, For Today, Saves The Day, Tear Out The Heart, The Ghost Inside and others will perform on the tour. More acts will be announced in the coming days.

JEFF DUNHAM RETURNS TO LAS CRUCES

Comedian Jeff Dunham returns to the Pan Am, bringing with him a much needed does of laughter. Dunham is set to perform at 7:30 p.m. March 13. Tickets are available now through all Ticketmaster outlets.

To make his return that much sweeter, Dunham recently partnered with the New Mexico Lottery upon learning that the proceeds benefit college scholarships in the state.

THERE'S A LOT OF NEW DINING OPTIONS COMING

Rounding out our list of things to come in 2014, are a few restaurants to look forward to trying.

K-BOB'S Steakhouse is slated to open in 2014. With construction already far along on its location off South Valley Drive, residents have one more dining option to look forward to. K-BOB's menu includes appetizers, salads, steaks, burgers, seafood, homestyle favorites, local favorites and more.

Five Guys burgers and Fries is also set to open in 2014. Although the menu may seem simple, serving up burgers, sandwiches, fries and hot dogs, 'custom' is a great way to describe this dining experience. Five Guys will be located off Telshor Boulevard.

The Sun-News is also hearing rumblings of several more restaurants preparing for a 2014 debut including a second Jimmy John's and Sweet Cece's locations. There is also a second The Game Sports Bar and Grill planned for the coming year. More than five years after opening near the University, The Game 2 has already found its sweet spot off US Highway 70 and will feature a rooftop dining and events.

Wing Daddy's Sauce House, offering over-the-top burgers, wings, ribs and more, is also slated to open in 2014.

Follow me on Twitter at @lsanchez865, and 'Like' Pulse on Facebook at facebook.com/lascrucespulse.

Colorado's fledgling pot shops face new normal

Photo by Brennan Linsley

Photo by Brennan Linsley

- Associated Press

DENVER (AP) - The second day of the nation's first fully legal marijuana industry was just a bit less frenzied than the first. Rather than hundred-deep lines outside the limited number of licensed retail shops, the queues held several dozen.

Still, there were so many pot shoppers that one retailer asked customers to come back Friday. Here's a look at the new normal in Colorado:

1. HOW MUCH FOR AN EIGHTH?

Colorado has no statewide pricing structure, and by midafternoon on the first day, one dispensary was charging $70 for one-eighth of an ounce of high-quality pot. Medical marijuana patients, who worried about being priced out of the market, just a day earlier paid as little as $25 for the same amount.

2. LAW ENFORCERS WATCHING

Authorities are watching whether consumers take marijuana to other states where the drug remains illegal. It's too soon to tell if that's happened yet but some law enforcement officials say it's inevitable. Neighboring Kansas, for example, plans to continue its use of bogus road signs such as 'Drug Check Ahead' and 'Drug Dogs in Use' along highways to make motorists think twice about bring drugs on the state's highways.

3. HOW MUCH MONEY FOR STATE?

Retail marijuana is being heavily taxed, with a 10 percent tax per sale and a 15 percent excise tax based on the average market rate of the drug. The state won't have the first round of receipts until late February but it seems clear demand is strong. A trade group Thursday said three of its retail members reported between 600 and 800 customers during the first day. Colorado has projected $67 million in annual marijuana tax revenue.

4. NOT JUST POT

The same 2012 ballot measure that legalized recreational marijuana in Colorado also permitted industrial hemp farming. The Colorado Department of Agriculture on Thursday released procedures for producers to register with the state and pay fees. Hemp is marijuana's non-intoxicating cousin. It can be used in foods, cosmetics and textiles. It remains illegal to grow under federal law.

5. WHERE NEXT?

Washington state voters also legalized recreational marijuana in 2012 and that state's market is due to open in a few months. Activists in Oregon and Alaska say they have enough signatures to put legalization measures on the ballot this year. Ballot measures may well crop up in other states from California to Massachusetts over the next few election cycles.

---

Associated Press writers Kristen Wyatt in Denver and Chris Clark in Kansas City, Mo., contributed to this report.

Fashion Week off? MNfashion goes on hiatus

Local fashion organization MNfashion has put the brakes indefinitely, announcing today that they would not be producing its signature events the Shows nor Voltage this spring.

According to the statement issued by MNfashion marketing director Katie Schutrop: 'Due to our quick growth as a non-profit organization run by all volunteers, MNfashion has come to a point where we have outgrown our current business practice. It is now important that we take a closer look at day-to-day operations so as to continue to serve retailers, emerging designers and established designers in the best way possible.'

If the signs were there, they came in the form of a truncated version of Voltage last spring, having been announced only two months in advance after a year-long hiatus following the departure of Voltage founder and producer Anna Lee (also the founder of MNfashion) in 2011. The organization came into the hands of a series of different executive directors in the years following including Emily Blanche, Amy Overson and current director Tara Murphy. But a strong showing of some of the Twin Cities' best designers last fall's Shows, including Christopher Straub, Lindsey Hopkins, Samantha Rei, Lisa Hackwith and Caroline Hayden, gave hope for MNfashion to continue its legacy.

As for whether Minneapolis-St. Paul Fashion Week itself will still take place this February, it apparently will be up to independent designers, shops and producers to make the week happen on their own.

[Photo by Rhea Pappas/MNfashion]

Barbara Bush remains hospitalized in Houston

(AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, File). FILE - In this Thursday, Aug. 22, 2013 file photo, former first lady Barbara Bush listens to a patient's question during a visit to the Barbara Bush Children's Hospital at Maine Medical Center in Portland, Maine.

(AP Photo/Houston Chronicle, James Nielsen). In this Dec. 23, 2013 photo, former first Lady Barbara Bush left, and former President George H.

(AP Photo/Houston Chronicle, James Nielsen). In this Dec. 23, 2013 photo, Former first Lady Barbara Bush looks on during a ceremony at President Bush's office in Houston.

Girl burns down home playing with fireworks

KHOU

A girl burned down her Texas home on New Year's Eve after playing with fireworks.

Rebecca Berrios, 10, left her family homeless for 2014 after she lit a Roman candle on her Conroe house porch.

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The firework ignited others. The blaze spread to a pile of yard sale items, which then engulfed the entire property.

'I lost everything, but not my faith. I got my faith,' Rebecca's father Marcos Berrios, who was doing mechanic work in the backyard when the blaze started, told KHOU.com.

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Neighbor Damien Alexander said he was walking by when he spotted the fire and ran over to tell Berrios.

'Within talking to him, it was a small fire,' he told the station. 'By the time we got the family out and I called 911 the whole porch was engulfed and the house was covered in black smoke.'

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Incredibly, the family-of-five and their five Chihuahuas all escaped unharmed.

But the entire three-bedroom building and two minivans parked outside were destroyed.

The family is now staying with relatives.