Covert to b&w with Photoshop B&W adjustment layer, using the Red filter setting to smooth skin tones.
PWL to brighten eye whites and white vignette.
Sharpen a duplicate layer and reveal just the iris
Gaussian blur another duplicate layer and reveal the blanket and background.
Spot healing tool on the original layer to clean up a few minor specks.


forum discussion: http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1006&message=32151248
original image by Mark Dobossy: