Monday, February 27, 2012

Farewell Awards Season 2012

I don't know if it's because it's a Monday, I'm recovering from a cold, or I wore myself out with excessive posts about awards season


But I'm feeling kind of an Oscars letdown. Don't get me wrong, I was thrilled when The Artist won and I was surprised and genuinely happy for Meryl. But it just seemed that the show didn't have much to offer. Same with the fashion! Here were a few of my bright spots on an overall dull red carpet:

Giuliana Rancic- usually I think she looks a little too severe, a little too structural. This was lovely.

Michelle Williams- I love the ruffles and the frills and the color. She looked generally happy and comfortable in this!

Kate Mara- so much better than her sister. Can she move her arm in that sling? Oh well, too pretty to care.

Ellie Kemper- I just LOVE Ellie as Erin on the Office and I just LOVE this sparkly gown, blunt bangs, red hair combo.


Cameron Diaz- This dress is fun and flirty while still showing off those guns.

My favorite of the night

Rose Bryne- again! I love the sequins, the back is to die for, her makeup is stunning. I sincerely hope she appears in at least one nominated film next year- her red carpet choices are too good to go to waste!

You know I literally just typed two paragraphs about I can't stand Angelina Jolie and how I hated her dumb pose with her leg out and then I realized I didn't really want to blog about that and I deleted it.

But it was pretty stupid. What I do want to blog about is how I just love Jean Dujardin SO much. Everytime he accepts an award in broken English or has to have his interview questions translated to him I feel like he is George Valetin struggling with the decline of his stardom and I just want to buy all his possessions for him and keep them in a big room in my house until he discovers them and I have to chase him down and then tap dance with him!!!

I'd really like Rose Byrne and Jean to be in some sort of wonderful French tap dance movie with sequined costumes. Oscars 2013 preview, you read it here first.

Friday, February 24, 2012

Strike a Pose

In honor of Oscars weekend I'd like to take you on a tour of my favorite Oscar dresses. Although I know this is a very limited view, I began by literally just googling any dresses that I remembered, so what you see here are my most memorable Oscar dresses of the past 10 years!

Michelle Williams in 2006. A vibrant dress and lipstick. She was with Heath and they just seemed to happy and in love. She makes it look easy.


Halle Berry in 2002. Who doesn't remember this dress? Or Halle's body? A true red carpet moment.

I don't know if I actually love this dress that much or I was just so happy to see Julia Roberts win an Oscar in 2001. At the time she was the biggest movie star in the world- she just had to win!
I'm going to tell you a little story about Jessica Biel on the red carpet in 2007. First, this dress is stunning. I love the raspberry color and the cut and the little belt. Belted dresses were everywhere after this! Anyways, at an after Oscars party, Justin Timberlake started chatting up Jessica. His recent ex, Cameron Diaz was there and after a few too many glasses of champagne she made her way up to the flirting couple. "What are you doing?!" she yelled, "What, is this your new girlfriend!?" Yikes. Fortunately her bestie, Drew Barrymore, was there to drag her away-probably so she could drunkenly cry in the bathroom. It's really a sad story but its also kind of makes everything so real. I'm pretty sure I saw a scene like this go down at the Sigma Nu house my freshman year in college. Celebs- they're just like us! Anyways, here's the dress that started it all.


Um, remember when Jennifer Lopez was married to Chris Judd? Yeah, me neither, but I do remember this dress from 2002. Everyone thought her hair was too big, but I thought every detail was perfect.

Well, we all remember Bennifer in 2003 but it still seems hard to believe. What exactly did they have in common? I love love love this mint green vintage gown. I think J-Lo might be the most beautiful women in the world- with the worst relationship history of course.

Renee Zellweger has short no nonsense hair and minimal makeup but still manages to stand out- and sparkle!- on the red carpet in 2008.

As stunning as this dress is, it seems like we've seen many similar to this in the past few years. However Penelope Cruz deserves the credit for starting it all in 2009.

Here are my two favorites from last year- I adore Reese Witherspoon with the high pony and emerald earrings.

And Mila Kunis looks sexy and demure- I love the lace and lavender.

What are some of your Oscar red carpet favorites? I can't wait to see what everyone wears on Sunday!!

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Tuesdays with Nora- Julie & Julia

Here's a recipe for you:

Start with a Nora Ephron screenplay

Add in 2 talented, versatile, insanely likable actresses (Meryl Streep and Amy Adams)

Mix with 3 wonderful supporting roles (Stanley Tucci as Paul Child, Chris Messina as Eric and a pre- Sue Sylvester Jane Lynch as Dorothy!)

Sprinkle in some lovely shots of Paris in the 1950's

Blend in lots and lots of butter

Direct by Nora Ephron

And you end up with Julie & Julia the most recent Nora hit- and Oscar nominee!

About a week ago I was describing my "favorite movies" criteria to someone and explaining that, while there are some wonderful movies that I have only watched once, for me to really, really fall in love with a movie- I have to watch it again and again. It needs to be a movie that I see in theaters, and then rent as soon as possible. That I DVR when I see it is premiering on tv, and turn on when doing homework, or folding laundry or cooking dinner. These are the movies that achieve a coveted spot on my "favorites" list and Julie & Julia fits the bill.

I mostly love this movie because overall, its such a happy movie to watch! Yes Julia and Julie face some challenges in the writing process but you know its going to end up okay in the end. They're both married to really nice guys and they have good friends. They're both so adorable in their own quirky ways. And the food looks delicious!

In honor of Julie & Julia, I thought I'd post a CFC first- a recipe. Although I thoroughly enjoy the food I make for myself, I wouldn't consider my cooking popular. (Baked tofu and steamed kale anyone?) However, this recipe is a tried and true crowd pleaser. I refer to it as "Christmas Toffee" because I always make it for friends and family during the holidays. But you can make it anytime!

Ingredients:

1 cup brown sugar

1 pkg choc chips

1 cup butter- Julia would be proud

a sleeve of saltine crackers

chopped nuts - totally optional
your favorite chick flick playing in the background

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cover cookie sheet with a lip with foil OR use a disposable foil cookie sheet like me. Wasteful but easy clean up! Line the pan with saltine crackers in a single layer.



On stove, melt butter and brown sugar.Bring to a full boil and cook 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Don't get all caught up in whatever cute moment you just have to watch in the movie. Press pause and focus on the task at hand- this cannot cook longer than 3 minutes!

Remove and pour over crackers. Bake for 4-5 minutes. You want the saltines to be very, very lightly browned.

Sprinkle chocolate chips on top.
Leave until melted and spread out. Sprinkle nuts on top.


Refrigerate overnight. Break into pieces. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.


I totally meant to take a picture of the bite size pieces but I took them to work and they disappeared! I promise you the salty, sugary, buttery, chewy, crunchy combo is AMAZING.


As Julia would say . . .




Bon appetit!



Sunday, February 19, 2012

The Vow Review


The Vow is everything you could ask for in a chick flick tearjerker that is released in time for Valentine's Day. Rachel McAdams is impossibly gorgeous yet appropriately relatable. Channing Tatum is all earnest looks of love and fierce embraces. Chicago seems like a snowy, dreamy, romantic city. I adored the pop/love song soundtrack. And the clothes were super cute!

Actually, I was a bit surprised at how realistic The Vow was. I expected these grand declarations and over the top efforts on Channing Tatum's part but actually it was a really sweet and at times, really sad, story of a couple torn apart by a tragic accident. To be honest, I was a bit distracted thinking "What if that happened to me?" If I woke up tomorrow and couldn't remember the last five years, what would I think of my life now? Its pretty crazy to ponder, huh?

On a stylistic note, The Vow was really lovely. Rachel McAdams goes from adorably artsy art student, to the preppy sorority law student she once was, to a complete half back situation- and of course she's darling the whole time. Channing Tatum actually sports a a great hipster wardrobe and I must say he's the beefiest hipster I've ever seen. I'm not complaining- I've seen far too many guys in staw fedoras and plaid shirts who could easily wear my jeans- and probably are! There's a few moments where Channing appears without clothing and that's nice too ifyaknowwhatImean. They also have a sweet apartment that I'm positive was decorated solely from Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie.


Here's what I wore out last night, inspired by Rachel's cute florals and side braid.







With The Vow, what you see is what you get. And along those lines, if I woke up tomorrow and Channing Tatum told me he had been my husband for the past 5 years . . . I wouldn't question him.

The Vow, rated "PG-13," drama, starring Rachel McAdams and Channing Tatum, "B-"

Friday, February 17, 2012

Weekend Rentals- 2/17/12

TGIF! Is it just me or are weeks in a short month like February particularly long? Does anyone have any fun plans for the weekend? If you're thinking of renting a movie, I'm continuing on with a look back at recent Oscar nominees and winners, this Friday from 2009:

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button- Now if you've already seen this once... I'm not sure if its necessary to see it again. It's kind of exhausting to sit through an entire lifetime- backwards. But if you haven't seen it, it really is great.

Slumdog Millionaire- won Best Picture, totally deserved it

Changeling- creepy, mysterious, based on true events, Angelina wears cute 1930's hats

Doubt- One of those movies where you say "hmm not a lot happened but the acting was phenomenal!"

The Dark Knight- a fantastic blockbuster of a film, and obviously Heath's performance is legendary

The Duchess- this won for best costume design and Keira Knightly really is lovely

Have a great weekend!

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Royal Wrinkles

You know your mom is the best when, after complaining to her that you're going to need to get bangs because your wrinkles have gotten out of control, she sends you this pic in an email with the subject line: "Look at Kate's forehead!!"

If looking at pictures of the Duchess with her perfect blowout, receiving flowers from hundreds of admirers doesn't make you feel better about your aging skin, I don't know what will. But good effort, Mom!

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Party Like It's 1981

So a few weeks ago, we went out to see an 80's band and to celebrate my brother's 31st birthday. I thought I was extra clever by suggesting we play "who's older, this song or my brother" but then I realized not only was he older than every song played, so was I. Oops.


I wore something 80's inspired- graphic t, power blazer, and denim shorts (dare I say, jorts?) over tights. Inspired by what I can only imagine Julianne will be wearing in Rock of Ages and also by Nicole Richie who rocks the denim over tights and looks consistently wonderful.


Also, fun houndstooth nails, and black booties.






Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Tuesdays with Nora- Sleepless in Seattle

Here are 14 reasons why you should watch Sleepless in Seattle on February 14. Or any Tuesday. Or everyday.

1. Nora directed and wrote the screenplay. Her voice also makes a cameo as the voice of "Disappointed In Denver" on Marcia Fieldstone's radio show.

2. Annie Reed's gorgeous hair. My first memory of this movie - I was 9 when it was released- is my mom trying to style my hair into thick braids and twisty ponytails. Apparently, I've aspired to look like a movie character for quite some time.

3. Bill Pullman as Annie's dorky, sweet, allergy stricken fiance, Walter. You know immediately that they're not meant for each other.
I love that scene where she says

"Becky, I'm madly in love with Walter. He did the craziest thing the other night.What was that? Oh, it was so funny. We were hysterical. What was that? "

I once had a friend who talked about her boyfriend that way. I knew they were doomed.

4. Barbara Garrick as Victoria. She's so darn pushy and that damn laugh. How about when Annie sees Sam give his sister a big hug and thinks he's happy with Victoria?! Oh, I'm in such despair everytime I see it.

5. Tell me what was so special about your wife?

Well, how long is your program? Well, it was a million tiny little things that, when you added them all up, they meant we were supposed to be together... and I knew it. I knew it the very first time I touched her. It was like coming home... only to no home I'd ever known... I was just taking her hand to help her out of a car and I knew. It was like... magic.


6. The million little things that mean Sam and Annie are meant to be this time around. She responds in unison with Sam as they listen to Dr. Marcia. He sees her in the airport and wants to follow her. She peels an apple in one, long curly strip just like his late wife. You just know they're meant for each other.

7. Rosie O'Donnell as Annie's bff and coworker, Becky. What can I say, I love best friends who you work with.

8. Rob Reiner as Sam's bff (do guys say bff? shall I say buddy?) and coworker. Mostly, for this: exchange:
What is "tiramisu"?
You'll find out.
Well, what is it?
You'll see!
Some woman is gonna want me to do it to her and I'm not gonna know what it is!

9. The soundtrack is perfection! Especially Joe Cocker's version of Bye Bye Blackbird- the song Jonah's mom used to sing to him as a lullaby.


10. This movie is a love letter to romantic movies and the epitome of a CFC philosophy. Without the example set by Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr, we wouldn't be hoping, wishing, praying for Annie and Sam to find each other on top of the Empire State Building on Valentine's Day.

11. This scene might possibly be the best scene in the entire movie. This is what happens to me when I describe about any Nora Epfron movie, most Rachel McAdams movies, the Royal Wedding, and the occasional Justin Timberlake performance.


12. Meg Ryan as Annie Reed. Pretty, classy, a drinker of tea, and a woman who asks to be introduced to Jonah's teddy bear upon meeting him. She deserves to find the one and we know who it is!

13. It's Sam Baldwin of course! Still mourning his late wife, amusingly cynical about love but adorably nervous about dating again. A a great dad who needs to find love again but might miss out on his perfect match.

14. The last scene. You've waited the entire movie to see Sam and Annie meet and now they're leaving! Wait, what?!? How can this happen?
But then. . . "Shall we?" asks Sam. He reaches for Annie's hand. She takes it. Magic.