Academy Awards

My favorite Sunday of the year. It's the Superbowl, World Series, and Stanley Cup all rolled into one. OSCAR NIGHT! The Oscars were a couple days ago, but I'm still glowing from their aftermath. The glitz, the glamour, the films. I can't get enough.

I was so excited to see Anne Hathaway (one of my favs!) and James Franco host this year. I didn't know what to expect but I was holding out hope that they'd surprise us all and be amazing. I shouldn't have held my breath. I think the highlight of their hosting was Franco hulking out in a full Gentlemen Prefer Blondes get-up. Sadly it only lasted approximately 7 seconds.

All that aside, I thought the show was great. Most of the actors and films I was rooting for won and I got to drink a lot of wine with my friends. Good night, no? All that's left is to share my (not so) expert opinion on this year's Oscar fashion.
Confession: I am not a fan of Scarlett Johansson. I think she's completely overrated as an actress and Ryan Reynolds (swoon!) can do a lot better. So is it bad that when I saw her show up on the red carpet wearing...that, I omitted a tiny squeal of glee because I thought she looked so horrible?

God. Damn. The woman is going to be 66 years old. SIXTY SIX! She is practically flawless. Maybe it's something about a Vivienne Westwood gown and the way it drapes over a woman's curves, but I can only hope that when I get to be her age I am half as sophisticated, and sexy, as she is.

Yikes.
That is all.
Hi, Marissa. While you look amazing for your age, you are 47. And it is not the prom.

Even to people that know me very well, my obsession with Celine Dion makes little sense.
(Unless you're James. Then you'd understand because you share the obsession.)
She is like a strange, gorgeous French Canadian alien that came down to grace us with her presence. When I heard she'd be singing at the Academy Awards I was ecstatic. Then she showed up in this dress by Giorgio Armani Prive and I died. How beautiful!
I usually love Amy Adams red carpet choices. This is no different, I think the dress is absolutely stunning, but the styling is way, way off. I read that her Cartier jewelry is worth over $1.25 million, but it's just too much. Hair up and some more simple stud earrings and this look would have been a top contender.

I just about died when I saw Cate Blanchett walk onto the red carpet. And I mean that in the best possible way. People either loved or hated this Givenchy Couture dress, and I'm happy to say I am wholeheartedly in the first group. I think Cate looks unbelievable.

I can't say I'm really feeling this look, Annie. I love that you embrace your pale skin and dark hair (I embrace mine, too!), but this just makes you look washed out and tired. And the dress, I know it's vintage Valentino, but I think you could have done better. Luckily you made up for it during the broadcast. Honestly, out of all your looks, this was my favorite:
Lanvin tuxedo and sparkling Brian Atwood heels? Yes, please.

And finally, my pick for best dressed of the evening...
Mila Kunis is lovely and sexy as all hell in Elie Saab Haute Couture.
It's kind of not fair that some people are that good looking.

P.S. Thank you Perez for all of the photos!

Style Inspiration: Audrey Hepburn in "Charade"

I know, I know - Audrey is a style icon in her own right. She always has, and probably always will, have a huge influence on me when it comes to fashion. However I recently watched the movie Charade for the first time (thanks for the recommendation, Fina!) and Oh. My. Goodness.

The movie itself was fantastic - great plot, fast paced and slick, and the witty banter between Hepburn and Grant is perfection. But the clothes. The clothes! In the opening credits they proudly proclaim that Ms. Hepburn's clothing was styled and provided entirely by Givenchy, so I knew it would be good. But seriously?
Let's just take a look, shall we?

That yellow coat? I die.

I need to go shopping.

Scrivi a Giulietta

I just finished watching the movie Letters to Juliet.

It was a little uneven. Amanda Seyfried is not a very good actress, but Vanessa Regrave was just stunning. And I found myself caring far more about her character's love story than I did for the supposed female lead's. I'd give the movie itself... I don't know... a B? But I LOVE the idea behind the movie. The idea of throwing caution to the wind and taking a second chance, no matter what. The idea that true love does not fade. And I love, of course, that it was set in Italy. I loved hearing the bits of dialogue in Italian and the beautiful Italian countryside. For me, it made the movie seem a little like a fairytale (which it kind of was).

I've actually been to Verona. This was years ago, before I had a digital camera, when I did an exchange program in high school. My host family took me to Verona for the afternoon, and while we didn't do much sight-seeing they did take me to La Casa di Giulietta. It was pretty crowded when I was there, and I wasn't able to get up to the balcony myself, but it really is just as amazing in real life. A narrow, damp archway opens into a sunny brick courtyard. The walls are lined with graffiti and love notes in every langauge. And in the far corner stands a bronze statue of Juliet. You'll notice that while most of the statue is bright and shiny, both of her breasts are dull and matte. For good luck in love, you must grab her breasts and you'll see many people taking pictures doing just that.

After watching Letters to Juliet, I did a little research. I was only in Verona at Juliet's house for a few hours, and I was in awe of the amount of letters and tokens left there. I never thought about what would happen to them when the day was over. It turns out there actually is something called The Juliet Club. They answer all of the letters and notes left in Juliet's courtyard, giving advice and support, and maintaining the legend of Romeo & Juliet. How amazing is that?! One of the coolest parts is that you don't even have to visit Verona to have Juliet respond. You can simply write her at this address:

Club di Giulietta
via Galilei 3
37100 Verona, Italy

While I've never fully understood why you'd want to seek advice from a girl who ended up committing suicide (next to the body of her dead boyfriend), that's not going to stop me from writing. The English major nerd in me thinks this is one of the coolest ideas ever, and the unyielding romantic in me cannot resist it. In bocca al lupo. I'll let you know what she says!

SATC2

Yes. I was one of those girls. One of those girls who got dressed up and went out to dinner with my friends. Had cocktails and talked about how fabulous we are. And then went to the midnight showing of Sex & the City 2.

One: I love that poster. It's seriously great. So fierce. And combined with the tag line "Carrie On," it's genius as far as I'm concerned. As for the actual movie itself...well, read on.

To be honest, I only started watching the series within the last two years. I didn't see the first movie until months after it came out, but I love it. My roommates and I watch it pretty often and it never fails to entertain me. While everyone ends up happy in the end, the movie had some pretty serious undertones, as it dealt with infidelity, divorce, loneliness and heartbreak. I liked each of the character's story lines and seeing the way their characters grew and changed throughout the movie as they dealt with what was being thrown at them. And the clothes. I die. Even though we had to endure Jennifer Hudson's horrendous "acting", I think it's a great movie.

As for Sex and the City 2...literally nothing of importance happens and, most of the time, it's kind of nonsensical. That being said, I loved it just as much as the first movie. It was a campy, ridiculous, wonderful piece of fluff. No real substance, but that doesn't stop it from being a lot of fun. If you love the series and these characters, then you'll love this movie. Samantha was at her raunchy best and the new, fun Miranda was hysterical. Yes, Aiden and Carrie kiss, but never for one second do you actually believe there is any danger of Big breaking up with her. The man buys her a huge-ass diamond, for Christ's sake! (See? Nonsensical). The only thing negative I have to say - and it's not really a negative - is that these ladies are finally starting to show their age. I noticed it more when they tried to give the ladies dramatic makeup (namely Carrie and Samantha), because when they were wearing more natural makeup they looked so much better.

One of the friends I went with said that she's been hearing rumors about a third SATC movie. I will gladly pay and go to the midnight showing of that one, too! Every great group of characters needs a trilogy, right? Star Wars (ok, I know there are actually six, but work with me), Indiana Jones (I know...), The Matrix, LOTR... don't our girls deserve to become part of that special group?

Bon Apetit!

My friends and family used to be stunned by the number of movies I saw at the theatre. At one point I was going to the movies at least once a week and I saw all the new releases the minute they came out. But over the last year a serious lack of time and funds have prevented me from staying on top of my movie watching. Which is why I just this morning saw Julie & Julia. FINALLY! With my love of cooking (and blogging!) I cannot believe it took me this long to see this movie. And I seriously loved it.


I thought Amy Adams as Julie Powell was charming. A little whiney, but charming nonetheless. Meryl Streep. What else can you say but her name? She was fantastic, as always. While I know who Julia Child is, she was a little before my time, and Streep brought her to life with such vivacity and spirit that I couldn't help but love her. She made Julia real and accessible to me. And how great was Stanley Tucci as her husband? I absolutely loved their relationship. They were beyond adorable, and from what I've read Julia and Paul Child's relationship was really that wonderful. I think the whole Julie/Julia Project was such a great idea. I would love to do something like that! But I have a feeling it would get a little expensive. Also - best line of the movie - "These damn things are hotter than a stiff cock!" Hilarious!

But let's talk about the real star of the film - THE FOOD. I will not lie, I found myself salivating more than once while watching Julie & Julia. There's a scene towards the beginning of the movie where Julie and her husband are talking about her starting her own blog, and during the entire scene they are chowing down on the most incredible looking homemade bruschetta on piece of thick, crusty, toasted bread. I was dying. Also - that chocolate cake with the almonds? Gorgeous.

I was definitely inspired to do some serious cooking. Well...not today...I have no groceries, haha. But I have a TON of recipes that I've been meaning to make and after watching Julie & Julia I can't wait to get in the kitchen and get cooking. Bon Apetit!