Adult Beverage of the Month: the St. Paddy-tini

In honor of St. Paddy's day I created a little Celtic Cocktail to enjoy before, during, or after your St. Patrick's day festivities.  It could also be the hair-of-the-dog for the morning after....

It's a twist on an Irish Coffee:

Jameson's (or any Irish Whiskey), Baileys, and some coffee (I made mine from my beloved Nespresso maker).  You can also top it with some lightly whipped cream.

3 oz. Coffee

1 1/2 oz. Jameson's

1 oz. Baileys

Fill shaker with ice.  Add ingredients.  Shake well and pour into martini glass.  I frothed some vanilla flavored almond milk to top it with, but you can add ready-made whipped cream, whip some up yourself, or leave it out completely.

Not too sweet, bitter, or strong.

Happy St. Pat's Day!!

Oscar Fashion Awards 2012

Time to show my favorite dresses of the evening--along with some honorable--and not so honorable--mentions.

All photos from Style.com.

10. Viola Davis in Vera Wang

It's actually not my favorite dress--I wish the top detail was more like the unique detail of the skirt--but I loved how gorgeous she looked with the color of the dress, color and cut of her hair and the diamond cuff, earrings and bag. 

9. Natalie Portman in Vintage Dior

Sweetly understated but still beautiful in a subtle polka dot.

8. Emma Stone in Giambattista Valli

Perhaps too much of a nod to Nicole Kidman's Balenciaga but stunning none the less.

7. Berenice Bejo in Elie Saab

Love the 40's vibe--not to mention the seafoam green with her red tresses.

6. Rose Byrne in Vivienne Westwood

Love her hair with the dress--and I'm such a fan of Vivienne Westwood's exquisite draping.

5. Michelle Williams in Louis Vuitton

This dress and her styling is a perfect mix of the past and present--and we'll be seeing a lot more of the peplum skirt.

4. Milla Jovovich in Elie Saab

Stunning face, stunning dress.

3. Gwyneth Paltrow in Tom Ford

To be able to pull off a cape on the red carpet, it has to be perfect.  And it is.

My next 2 choices were very close.  The tie breaker was who wore my favorite designer:

2. Octavia Spencer in Tadashi Shoji

This dress just took my breath away.  As did Octavia.

1. Jessica Chastain in Alexander McQueen

Black and gold can be tough to pull off on the red carpet, but Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen created the perfect Goddess Gown.  Jessica's fiery hair was the perfect accessory.

Now for the honorable mentions.

The "Yes, it's a Beautiful World, But Your Voice Makes it Even More Beautiful" Award

Esperanza Spaulding (no credit given to who's dress it is).  The simplicity, the cut, the color--love!

The "It's Ok from the Front but Stunning From the Back" Award

Sandra Bullock in Marchesa

The "Who Knew They Were Sisters? (But I Love Their Dresses)" Award

Kate Mara in Jack Guisso and Rooney Mara in Givenchy Haute Couture

The "I Think Your Act is Tired but Love How You 'Ashed' Ryan Seacrest" Award

Sacha Baron Cohen.

The "Love How You Updated the Music at the Oscars" or how about just "Yummy" Award

Pharrel Williams in Lanvin.

The "Leg That Was More Desperate for Attention than the Actress it Belonged To" Award

Angelina Jolie in Atellier Versace.

As always, I love to hear your comments and your favorites!

Venice Carnevale Masks

In honor of Carnevale di Venezia, I'm posting photos I took in a shop while visiting Venice.  It was lushly decorated and slightly haunting.  The shop owner was nice enough to allow me to take pictures--and unfortunately I can't find the card with the name and info of the store!

The last 2 photos are street shots in Venice.

Fat Tuesday just snuck up on me.  I wanted to post an "Adult Beverage of the Month" special for the day with some beautiful stirrers my friends brought me from New Orleans....I'll just have to do that with a special Lenten version of the Drink of the Month!

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!