Golden Globes Red Carpet

I'm a sucker for awards season red carpet watching.  I look forward to being a couch critic for the next couple of months.

So, here's my top ten as well as some honorable mentions.  Feel free to leave your comments on your favorites/least favorites or your own honorable mentions.

All pictures from Style.com

Best-Dressed Countdown

10. Sarah Michelle Geller in Monique Lhuillier

Seriously bold choice.  I'm a print and pattern person, so I love the hand-dyed affect.

9.  Freida Pinto in Prada

The beautiful Freida.  I saw a close-up of the fabric and it is gorgeous.  I love the belt detail, simple cut, and then there's that incredible necklace by Chopard.

8. Morena Baccarin in Georges Chakra

Queen V.  Loved her in Firefly too....The contrasting side panel takes the beautiful black dress to the next level.

7.  Rooney Mara in Nina Ricci

Love the edginess she brings in her ensemble.

6. Nicole Kidman in Versace

Always a stunner.  Her fiery hair matches her metal detailing.

5.  Zooey Deschanel in Prada

She has such a unique style.  The dress is beautiful enough, but the not-exactly-matching green clutch makes it interesting.

4.  Angelina Jolie in Atelier Versace

She would have been higher on my list if a.) I actually liked her or b.) her skeletal frame didn't make her look about 50 (she's 36!).  That said, this dress is breathtaking, not to mention her fashion accessory holding her hand (her clutch is nice, too).

3.  Tilda Swinton in Haider Ackermann

Tilda is one of those amazing style icons and risk takers.  This risk paid off.

2.  Evan Rachel Wood in Gucci Premiere

I wasn't blown away by this dress until I saw the detail--scales that go into feathers.

1.  Charlize Theron in Dior

Goddess....

And now, for the honorable mentions....

The "Kick-Ass Eagle Belt" Award

Emma Stone in Lanvan....I want one.

The "I May Be Full Of Myself and My Face Doesn't Move But I Can Sure Rock This Dress" Award

Madonna in Reem Acra and Andrea Riseborough in Vivienne Westwood (my fave!).  A little wink and a nod to her 80's days with the glove and the cross.

The "Stunning Laser Cut Detail" Award

Dianna Agron in Giles.  This would have made my best-dressed, but I didn't love the skirt layers.

The "Eff Nude--I'm Going Bold and Owning it" Award

Paula Patton in Monique Lhuillier.  I love all the nude colors too, but this was colorful and refreshing.

The "My Favorite Body Part is My Heart" Award

Such a great answer to a stupid question asked by a ditsy reporter.

The "Watch Out Don Draper" Award

So suave....And perhaps the best line of the night:  "I'm Sorry...I'm French".  I look forward to seeing you in a few more awards shows....

The "I Dyed My Hair To Match My Dress"  AKA the "Worst-Dressed" Award

Kelly Osbourne in Zac Posen.  I love Zac, but I don't like the shoulders and her hair really ruins it.

See you at the Oscars!

The "George Clooney" AKA: Nespresso Machine

I was so excited to get my Nespresso machine this week--or as I affectionately call it, the "George Clooney" (He endorses it--even more reason to love him).  A friend made me a cappuccino from her Nespresso machine and it was love at first try.  After spending almost 2 weeks in Italy, I knew my old coffee maker just wasn't gonna cut it anymore.  I devised this plan to make sure my husband had lots of good espresso and cappuccino while in Italy, then I made him some intentionally really bad coffee when we returned in hope he would get the hint and buy me the machine.  It took a while, but it worked!  :)

Not only is it a beautiful piece, it is so intuitively and efficiently designed.  Making espresso takes about 20 seconds and cappuccino about a minute.  Super easy and clean-up is a breeze.

Shiny, pretty--and Ferrari red.  This is the model that also has a milk steamer/frother.

Self Portrait.

The colorful coffee capsules.

Alessi espresso glass and creamer.  We were given a set for our wedding in 1993--it's almost vintage!

I can just smell it!

An afternoon shot.

Or if you prefer a capuccino, froth the milk.

Wake up and smell the cappuccino.

Ok, so I have yet to master the pretty designs you can make with the milk--gotta go to barista school!

Doodle Art Posters

Way back when....in the late 70's/early 80's I was obsessed with Doodle Art.  I begged my parents to buy me these big posters that came in tubes sold with vibrantly colored markers of intricately drawn images that I would spend hours coloring in till my hands hurt.  Of course I never finished them!  I was drawn not only to the slightly abstract flow of the black on white line drawing, but to the endless possibilities of color placement and combinations.

The company was started in 1972 with the poster "Ecology" and now they have over 90 different designs.  Here are a few that have been colored in by some dedicated artist....All photos from Flickr.

"Ecology" 1972

"Mythology" 1973

"Butterflies" 1973

"Sunken Treasure" 1973

"Jungle" 1974

"The Sea" 1983

"Dragon Fantasy" 1983

"Flowers" 1986

"Kaleidoscope" 1988

"Threatened Species" 1991

"Great Barrier Reef" 1992

"Bugs N' Birds" 1996

"Fairy Tales" 1996

"Aquarium"  (Not sure when this is from, but I think it's the most recent.

If you're interested in buying posters to start your doodling, you can buy them online at DoodleArt.  They are also selling them on Amazon.

Counting My Blessings

I was thinking about posting some of my goals [resolutions] for 2012.  As I was contemplating what I would share, I was thinking about how truly blessed I am.  I am surrounded by so much love and I love what I do.  Instead of posting what I would like to accomplish/change/achieve/acquire in 2012, I'm sharing 10 of my many, many blessings.

1. Husband

AKA: best friend, funny man, fellow foodie and amazing chef.

 2. Family

It got a little smaller last year, but that brought us together.

3. Friends

AKA: extended family...people I can enjoy food, cocktails, and great conversation with and know they'll be there in a heartbeat if I ask.  No matter how long it's been since we've seen each other, we just pick up right where we left off.

4. The Kitties

AKA: The Tuxedo Collection.  Poe, Marky and Mandu.  Our kids.

5.  Living in Sunny California

Still....everyday on my drive to work I give thanks for this one.  Until I run into traffic and start swearing.  :)

6.  Job That I Love

I really do.  It was difficult to find a picture to represent my job--as I want to keep my blog separate from work--so this is a shot I took at one of the trade shows (Magic) that I go to twice a year.  This was a display of some fashion trends--a couple years old now.

7. House

Not just the beautiful new back yard--but the entire house!

8. Car

I live in LA--I spend so much time in my car, I BETTER enjoy my ride!  I gave up my beloved Mini Coop this year for this bad boy.  Love it!

9. Opportunity for Travel

I went to Italy this past year for work, but added vacation on and went to Venice.

10. The Hope and Possibilities that 2012 will bring.

I look forward to continue to count my blessings throughout 2012.

Happy New Year!