Monday, February 28, 2011

Natalie, Sandra, and Penelope, Oh My!

Happy Oscar Monday!  There is nothing better than a good awards show to get all of the stars together looking fabulous (or not-so-fabulous).  Of course, who really watches the actual awards show?!  Especially this year - Anne Hathaway and James Franco were virtually unbearable.  Franco looked like he had just finished a three-day bender, and Anne's costume changes couldn't keep me focused enough to ignore her terribly lame performance.

Luckily, the pre-Oscars red carpet didn't let me down!  It seemed like red, purple, and sparkly nudes were the trends this year.  I'm always a fan of a stunning red gown, and these luxurious ladies were show-stoppers. My favorite gown of the evening was Anne Hathaway's red carpet gown.  The floral appliqué train really put this gown over the edge for me, and I'm disappointed that she only wore it on the red carpet.  Jennifer Hudson was the only star in orange, which I love - and she looks great with her new figure.  Sandra Bullock always looks classy and fabulous, so I wouldn't expect anything less from last year's Best Actress winner.

Sandra in a scarlet Vera Wang gown; Anne in a vintage Valentino Haute Couture gown; and Jennifer in a tangerine Atelier Versace gown
The Black Swan stars looked stunning in purple.  Mila Kunis has got to be the hottest star right now, and she looked completely breath-taking on the red carpet.  There are so many things to love about her gown - the plunging lace neckline, the cute ribbon waist, and let's not forget the sexy peekaboo detailing.  Natalie Portman's growing baby bump couldn't have looked better.  Her off-the-shoulder gown really complimented her beautiful pregnancy glow, and I was excited that she won Best Actress.

Mila in a lavender Elie Saab Haute Couture gown, and Natalie in a violet Rodarte gown with Swarovski crystal beading
Usually I'm not a fan of nude gowns - I prefer a bold, vivacious color - but some of the stars really pulled off the nude look last night.  Halle Berry looked radiant in her strapless crystal-encrusted gown, but my favorite part was the ruffled train.  Gwyneth Paltrow looked super sleek with her stick-straight hair and her metallic gown.  And this one is a shocker to me, but check out Celine Dion!  She just had twins, and she looked flawless on the red carpet. 


Halle in a nude Marchesa figure-hugging gown; Gwyn in a fluid Calvin Klein Collection column; and Celine in an ivory long-sleeved Giorgio Armani Privé gown
You can never go wrong with the classic Hollywood look.  All of the ladies below hit my idea of classic Hollywood to a T.  And Penelope Cruz?  Just weeks after having a baby?  She is some freak of nature.  Let's just all agree that Javier Bardem is one lucky SOB. 

Camila Alves in a plunging black Kaufman Franco gown; Reese Witherspoon in a chic black-and-white Giorgio Armani Privé gown; Penelope in a plunging L'Wren Scott red gown with sequined flame accents; and Helen Mirren in a metallic Vivienne Westwood Couture gown
Now it's time for the dreaded worst-dressed stars.  Unfortunately, I did not enjoy the red carpet looks below.  Cate Blanchett's elaborately beaded lilac Givenchy Haute Couture gown was stunning - from the waist down.  I'm not a fan of the yellow beading or the design at her bust.  Scarlett Johansson looked like a hot mess in her burgundy lace Dolce & Gabbana gown.  What is with the hair and makeup?  Maybe she was hanging out with James Franco before the show.  Nicole Kidman's embellished white Dior Haute Couture gown was simply hideous.  I'm not sure why a pale redhead would choose a white gown, and quite frankly, I'm not sure why anyone would choose that gown.  I'm usually one for sparkles, but Amy Adams' glittering purple L'Wren Scott cap-sleeved gown just didn't do it for me.  If the neckline was plunging like Camila's gown, then I would definitely be on board. 

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Happy Birthday, Laura!


Last night, we went to Baltimore to celebrate my good friend from law school, Laura's, 30th birthday!  And what better way to celebrate a birthday than with red velvet cupcakes and vodka cocktails.  My cocktail of choice was a blueberry pomegranate martini - delish!  Unfortunately, two of our other good friends from law school couldn't make it to the party, but that didn't stop the birthday girl from having a blast!  She had so much fun at her party that she went to bed when we left for the bar.  I guess that's what happens when you reach your 30's!  :)

The birthday girl!  Doesn't look a day over 29 to me!

Completely unrelated but equally as fabulous, please check out this ah-mazing Limited blazer that I purchased yesterday at Ross for only $12.99!  Who's ready for spring?!


Friday, February 25, 2011

Fashion Friday: Rain, Rain, Go Away?


Generally, I get really mellow on rainy days.  I avoid the outdoors, and my preferred activity is watching a chick flick on the couch, wrapped in a fleece blanket, with a nap in my near future.  But as I laid in bed last night listening to the rain fall heavy on our roof, I remembered that there are some really great things about a rainy day.  Most importantly, it's not snow!  We have had some crazy weather here in the last week:  70 degrees last Friday, 8 inches of snow Monday night, and now, it is finally warm enough to RAIN!

And you know what rain means?  An opportunity to wear my navy raincoat, pink and white polka-dot rain boots, and carry my shoe-covered umbrella (Megan, can you believe it hasn't busted yet?!).  So to kick off my first of many "Fashion Fridays," here is some awesome rain gear that I think would be perfect for your spring collection!


Splash around in these ’70s-inspired polka-dot boots from Target


More expensive taste?  Try Kate Spade's Riley Red Daisy Rain Boot
 

Looking for something less flashy?  Try these black herringbone boots from Target


Nothing says Spring like this marigold trench by Tulle

This Betsy Johnson metallic raincoat has a crinoline skirt for extra flair

Get compliments on the street by wearing this hot pink belted trench from Old Navy

Carry this sweet double-ruffled umbrella that is sure to match all of your other rain gear
And don't forget about your pooch - she needs to stay dry and fashionable, just like you!
    

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Chicken Rollatini


One of the best parts of being a newlywed is using the new items from your wedding registry.  In fact, I have invited people over to our house for the sole purpose of making hors d'oeuvres and displaying them on our new, white, rectangular serving platter.  Our favorite wedding gift for the kitchen is our leave-in digital meat thermometer (thanks, Megan and Tom!).  You stick the thermometer into the center of the meat, set the digital screen for the type of meat it is, and when your dinner hits that desired temperature - VIOALA!  Your dinner is cooked to perfection, and you didn't have to spend any time opening the oven, cutting the meat in half to make sure it's cooked, etc.  I highly recommend this item for everyone who loves a good piece of meat (that's what she said).  And for all you engaged ladies, I would definitely add this to your registry. 

Last night for dinner, Kris and I tried something new - chicken rollatini with a side of creamed spinach.  Before I post the recipe, I should be honest and tell you that I'm not someone who you would call Susie Homemaker.  Truth be told, Kris is the chef of the family, and it's probably better for everyone if I stick to grilled cheese and baked ziti.  But I can assure you, this meal came out quite tasty.  Also, it's only appropriate that my first "official" post as a blogger be about food because I LOVE FOOD.  Especially when it's covered in cheese. 



INGREDIENTS:
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
4 teaspoons butter
3 oz. thinly sliced prosciutto
8 oz. sliced mozzarella cheese
1/3 cup white wine
1/4 cup olive oil
minced garlic
black pepper
toothpicks

DIRECTIONS:
1.  Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
2.  Pound chicken breasts flat, and lay them on a working surface.
3.  Coat both sides of the chicken breasts with parmesan cheese.
4.  Place a pinch of minced garlic, 1 teaspoon butter, and black pepper on each breast.
5.  Cover each breast with one slice of prosciutto and one slice of mozzarella cheese.
6.  Roll up each breast, and secure with toothpicks.
7.  In a 13x9 inch baking dish, combine white wine and olive oil.  Place chicken rolls in dish.
8.  Bake for 30 minutes, or set your new digital meat thermometer, and wait for the BEEP!

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Welcome!


If you know me, you are probably thinking, "is she really going to start a blog?"  Well, the answer is YES. 

I have been in a little bit of a rut lately.  Not that I have been unhappy, just...lazy.  I haven't been eating right or taking care of my body; I haven't been shopping since Christmas; and I'm just overall B-O-R-E-D with myself.  Mainly, I blame my job.  There are many perks to my job that I will surely miss (and regret complaining about): government holidays and hours, decent pay, plenty of vacation time, and almost complete independence in managing my workload.  But there is one thing that is lacking that makes a great job so important - a challenge.  Everyone loves a good challenge.  And for those of us who went to law school - well, we like downright pain and punishment.  During my first year here, I was engaged and completely happy to spend my entire day planning my wedding.  But after my wedding was over, and there was nothing left to plan, I discovered just how uneventful my daily routine had become.

In order to bring some purpose or meaning back into my daily routine, I am going to blog.  I have to credit my best friend, Kelly, for giving me this idea.  She currently has a photo blog, where she documents each day by taking a picture.  Since she began her blog sometime last year, I noticed that my reliance on her daily posts began to grow, to the point where if she does not post a picture for a few days, I am severely disappointed.  Maybe it's because we live in different places, so by seeing her pictures, I feel more connected to her daily life.  Or maybe it's just because I have nothing better to do than get addicted to someone else's blog.  Either way, thanks. 

I should warn you that I know nothing about blogging.  I have never followed someone else's written blog.  In fact, I googled "how to blog" before even creating this.  Apparently I'm supposed to have a "theme."  So I picked cupcakes and vodka.  It's not so much of a theme, but more of a tone that I am setting for the future posts in this blog.  This blog is going to be my daily dose of fun, which is a necessary step in getting me out of this rut. 

ENJOY!
xoxo, T