Oscar Round-Up 2011: The Good & The Not So Good

First things first: I had so much fun tweeting live during the show with all of you! It makes our version of the Super Bowl 10 times better when you can chat with your girlfriends about every last detail. K can never keep up, so he was just grateful he didn't have to comment on hair, makeup, skin care, and gowns- ha!

So it seems as if every oh-la-la moment at the Academy Awards were met with an oh-no-no-NO moment. Let's start with the good:

Halle Berry looked fit and whimsical in Marchesca:

Natalie Portman was glowing in her plum Rodarte gown:
Jennifer Lawrence rocked it out in a simple Calvin Klein form-fitting dress:

Michelle Williams was chic in Chanel:

And now the not-so-good...

Marisa Tomei in a 1950 couture Charles James dress from Lily et Cie:

ScarJo, my girl, what happened? She's stunning, but this Dolce & Gabanna lace get up is not:

Nicole Kidman was anything but couture in this Dior gown:

Cate Blanchett is a timeless beauty, but her Givenchy Haute Couture dress didn't work:

There were a few in-between looks, in my opinion. I wouldn't put these gowns on the 'best' list, but they were far from being bad!

I liked Amy Adams' emerald green Cartier bauble better than her hign-necked, clingy L'Wren Scott gown:

Mila Kunis looked pretty in lavender lace by Elie Saab:

Reese Witherspoon in Giorgio Armani (and possibly a Bump-It in that pony). Her entire look reminded me of Julia Roberts' when she won in 2001 for Erin Brockovich:

Gwyneth Paltrow was sleek in Calvin Klein:

I'm obsessed with Celine Dion, so of course I thought she looked gorgeous in Armani Prive:

[Images via here, here]

Okay, after looking at Gwyneth's dress again I'm thinking she may need to be moved toward 'the not-so-good' category. She was going to the Oscar's - she shouldn't have dressed like one.

I am dying to know your thoughts!

Taylor Swift's Beverly Hills Home

You can see Marilyn Monroe's Brentwood, CA home here & Keri Russell's Brooklyn brownstone here & LeAnn Rimes' Franklin, TN estate.

Taylor Swift
location: Beverly Hills, CA
price: $.3.97m (recently purchased)

First up is Taylor Swift's Beverly Hills, CA home, which she recently purchased for $3.97m. The 2,281 sq. ft Cape Cod-style home was built in 1941, and sits on a 1.34 acre lot. With 4-bedrooms and 4-bathrooms, the main house reflects Swift's country style with it's warm furnishings and simple elegance, while the 1-bedroom, 1-bathroom guest house features a full sized kitchen and dining area.

photos via Zillow.com

Greenwich Village Dream

If only to live in a loft like this...

[photos here]

The Perfect Gift Tags

More often than not I end up writing the name of my gift recipient with marker on their package after absentmindedly forgetting a gift tag, which is why I adore these options from Cox & Cox. I'd imagine they would be simple enough to make as well with Photoshop or a program similar! Here's to a week ahead... PS. My apologies for not beginning the CSN giveaway. There was some confusion on both ends, so we had to postpone. However, a fabulous giveaway is coming your way soon!

In need of...

I feel as if the weekend (every weekend, not just this one in particular) is in need of it's own anthem. A theme song, if you will. An official kick-off tune that prances in a make-believe manner above our heads as we walk out those dreaded doors on Friday evening and enter into 48 hours of unadulterated, lazy bliss. While I think of a theme song suitable for such occasion, I'd love for you to think about this: a $100 CSN gift card coming your way on Monday. The ultra modern and chic CSN stores have everything from Le Creuset cookware to adjustable bar stools and anything your heart desires in between. It's truly a shopper's paradise!

Wishing you a fabulous weekend :)

[photo here]

Another Day, Another Post...

...about bookshelves, nonetheless. I'm nothing if not generous- hehe. While I'm sure you'll see more riveting posts today (in fact, I'm sure of it) I had to do a post about shelving for my own reference in the months to come. We are currently trying to figure out which spaces in our home can house some sort of bookshelves because we are kinda sorta bookworms and have a ton, so I've been searching like crazy for inspiration photos of the like.

[photos here, here, here, here]

Casual Sophistication: Interior Portraits

Since receiving a Kindle for Christmas, I have- sadly- neglected one of my favorite pastimes: browsing bookstores. Determined not to let technology overtake yet another simple pleasure, I spent the better part of Sunday afternoon enthralled in a variety books at a local bookstore, and it was glorious. One of my favorite finds was Victoria Hagan: Interior Portraits featuring the sophisticated and urban yet casual and comfortable styling of interior designer, Victoria Hagan. I was in awe of her work. Truly stunning.

Fringe-themed Summer Fiesta

On Saturday it was 80 degrees and gorgeous in LA, definitely not weather one would expect in the middle of winter, even by Southern California standards. The large dose of sun mixed with a day at the beach had me wishing for summer and all of it's outdoor components, which is why I immediately fell in love with this fringe-themed fiesta designed by Ashley Meaders. Swooning.

Barefoot Contessa's Neutral & Earthy Barn

Confession: I am obsessed with Ina Garten (aka Barefoot Contessa). Along with her recipes, television show, and books, I adore her beautifully decorated estate in East Hampton, NY. Designed by architect Frank Greenwald, the barn- which sits just yards away from her main home and is complete with a kitchen and guest quarters- was inspired by Ina's love for the simple yet rustic style buildings found in Belgium's countryside. Interior designer Robert Stillin finished the barn's look by using materials like stone, linen, leather, and wood; creating a neutral and earthy haven.

[photos via House Beautiful]

Wishing you a Valentine's day filled with warmth and love.

Looking Forward to...

Wishing you a fabulous weekend.

PS. Recipe for the blueberry lemon zest pancakes is below. As always, they're gluten/dairy -free :)

In a bowl, mix together:
1 c. rice flour
1/3 c. potato starch (not potato flour!)
3 tablespoons tapioca flour
1 tablespoon sugar
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon xanthan gum
½ teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 ½ cups coconut milk (or any milk sub)
3 tablespoons canola oil

Add in:
1 c. blueberries (fresh or thawed)
½ tablespoon lemon zest

- Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium high heat. Spoon batter onto skillet and cook until bubbles begin to form. Flip, and continue cooking until golden brown on bottom. Serve immediately with condiments of your choice.

Note: I make a huge batch of these and then freeze the remaining cakes in freezer bags. They are the perfect on-the-go breakfast! No need to let thaw- just take them directly from the freezer to the microwave for 1 min.

DIY: Paper Flowers

Admittedly, I'm one of those not-so-crafty-wannabe-crafter types. While I love doing them, they're not really my forte. But since the selection of flowers at Farmer's Market has been non-existent as of late, I decided to try my hand at these Martha Stewart paper flowers to spruce things up around here. I must say, they're truly mistake proof, so don't be afraid to give them a try. I'd imagine they would make a great addition to any Valentine's Day present.

step one: Draw a spiral circle the width of a 4x4 piece of paper (about 6 lines deep) step two: Cut along the lines step three: Starting at the out end, begin rolling tightly towards the center, following the curves of your circle step four: Using a tiny dot of glue, or a piece of double-sided tape, secure the center of the flower

They say it's Valentine's Day

I cannot believe Valentine's Day has arrived. Since I didn't have many decorations to suit the Hallmark holiday, I decided to venture out last night for a few things to decorate our fireplace mantle and entryway table. What I found shocked me: shelves completely void of all things Valentine and instead filled to the brim with Easter decor. Oy vey. It's nearly impossible to keep up! Thankfully, the internet is always up for a little celebration of love, so here are some of my fave things I found to mark the special day:


1. J.Crew striped and solid tees 2. J.Crew belts, scarf, bag, flats 3. ban.do heart shoe clips, gold bow shoe clips 4. ban.do pom pom flowers 5. "I love you" card, "Love Bug" card, "Lurve" print, "Be Mine" card

Operation Organization: Wrapping Paper

My affinity towards wrapping paper and it's oodles of pretty companions (i.e. gift tags, ribbons, bows, etc.) shows no boundaries; I love it all. While I have no issue collecting my favorite prints, I do seem to be organizationally challenged when it comes to storing them in a neat and orderly manner. I finally came up with a simple yet functional (win-win!) solution to keeping all of my miscellaneous wrapping scraps in one place, and all it required was some extra twine lying around from the holidays.

-Happy to finally put my John Derian for Target Moth Bin to good use-

*Update* to answer a few email questions:
The pink/gold and creme/silver damask paper, along with the polka dot printed roll are all from Paper Source.

Lee Radziwill's Paris & NYC Apartments

Lee in the living room of her Paris apartment. Sofa by Christian Liaigre

I've long admired Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and the outstanding editorial career she had in her later years, but until recently I was completely unaware of her younger, yet equally as intriguing sister, Lee Radziwill. A former actress and public relations executive, Radziwill gained exposure in the 60s and 70s for her personal sense of style and the stunning interior spaces of her homes. In 2009, Elle Decor featured both her flat in Paris and Upper East Side apartment in NYC; each filled with a unique mix of books, antiques, and treasures from her travels.

Above: The drawing room in Paris displays a gallery wall of Indian watercolors given to her by the Duke of Beaufort; Radziwill designed the over sized daybed for her NYC sitting room; Her classic, antique filled living; The NYC library adorned in Le Manach toile

Gluten Free Vanilla Cupcake Recipe - Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Soy Free Desserts

Is it wrong that I only look forward to Super Bowl Sunday because of all the yummy food? I rarely remember who won the game, but you can bet your right pinky toe I'll be able to recite every dish at the party for months afterward. This year I'll be contributing in the form of these lovelies: gluten/dairy -free vanilla bean cupcakes adorned with "buttercream" frosting. Here's to hoping they'll still be around come game time (as of now, 2 are down for the count...aye yi yi).

Happy weekend :) Any fun plans and/or recipes for the Super Bowl?

Click below for recipe


Vanilla Bean Cupcakes

In a mixing bowl, whisk together:
2 c. all purpose gluten-free flour (I used 2 c. rice flour + 2/3 c. potato starch + 1/3 c. tapioca flour)
1 c. sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon xanthan gum
½ teaspoon salt

Add in:
2 eggs (or egg sub)
1 c. warm coconut milk (any type of milk)
1 tablespoon pure vanilla bean paste (or vanilla extract)
3 tablespoons light olive oil
1/4 teaspoon lemon juice

- Beat with a hand mixer until smooth, about 2 minutes.
-Divide batter evenly in 12 lined muffin cups.
- Bake for 22-25 minutes (until tops are lightly browned and a toothpick comes out clean)

"Buttercream" Frosting

In a stand mixer fitted w/ paddle attachment (or hand mixer) mix:
½ c. butter substitute at room temp (I used Earth Balance soy free)
4 c. powdered sugar
1/2 tablespoon pure vanilla bean paste (or vanilla extract)
Pinch of salt
Up to 1/4 cup water

-Slowly add in water until consistency is thick, smooth, and spreadable

Names to Know

SVP and Executive Editorial Director at Martha Stewart Living. (And I'm sure the envy of 99.9% design + lifestyle fanatics)

Seldom do we ever meet the brilliant minds behind a brand or creative piece we've grown to know and love. These are three people whose work I have admired for a long time, yet *embarrassingly* never knew who they were.

After an endless search for the perfect jeans, Stacey Bendet decided to design her own pair one day; thus creating fashion powerhouse alice + olivia.

Interior designer of instantly recognizable sets like It's Complicated, The Holiday, and Something's Gotta Give.


Brunch at Saks is now on Facebook . Twitter

Oh, sweet Clementine

I'm a teeny.tiny bit jealous of all the winter weather most of you are experiencing this week. While I will never complain about southern California weather, I must admit that deep within me is a wellie-wearing, sweater-crazed fiend just dying to emerge. With that said, I do hope you all are staying safe inside; perhaps cozied up and enjoying a hot cup of coffee or two. I thought I'd brighten things up around here with this fabulously delicious, spring inspired table setting.

[photos by Mary Swenson via]

Currently Loving...

I may or may not have sat down last night and watched a plethora few reality television shows over a 5 hour period. I was determined not to let my night fall completely by the wayside, so I did the most productive thing I could think of: browsed the internet while watching the shows. You know, to keep my levels of self-induced brain frying to a minimum. Oh lawdy, my life has seen better days. Six shows and who knows how many hook-ups, break-ups, and make-ups later, my mind was indeed mush, but thankfully I have these amazing finds to show for it!

1. Vintage Vespa's found on the amazing (new-to-me) website Pinterest 2. Tim Walker's brilliant photography 3. Simple & modern, yet chic & elegant spaces in Liz's house 4. These adorable prints from Cosas Minimas shop