Fashion Police

I consider myself a trained professional at red carpet gawking. I've gotten quite good at camouflaging the eye brow raises or jaw dropping that comes from an attending celebrity showing up looking either amazing or like a complete train wreck. The red carpet arrivals at the Academy Awards (aka the Gay Olympics) are the apex of awards season which means this blog - like about 500,000 others - are all hell-bent on declaring the good vs the bad...

THE GOOD.

Cate Blanchett in Givenchy Couture.

Cate is so perfectly fashion forward that she NEVER disappoints. The color, the beading, the pilgrim sleeves, her perfect cheekbones...sigh. Dying over this dress.

Hilary Swank in Gucci Premiere.

I'm a sucker for a train, especially a feathered train. This dress is gorgeous, but I just wish she had worn a little more makeup or a little more jewelry. A little more something.

Halle Berry in Marchesa.

My jaw literally dropped when I saw this. She is wearing the HELL out of this dress.

Celine Dion in Armani Prive.

I never thought I'd actually type the words, "Celine Dion looks stunning." But wow, she looks amazing, especially after having twins like 5 minutes ago.

Mila Kunis in Elie Saab.

This dress is perfect. PERFECT. Holy shit.

Melissa Leo in Marc Bouwer.

I didn't love this at first - it seemed like a doily laid over some gold foil. But during her acceptance speech (which was adorably heartwarming especially because of that F-bomb) you could see it up close and it looked fantastically intricate.

Anne Hathaway in Oscar de la Renta.

Not only was this dress the best of her 8 changes, but it looked like a hell of a lot of fun to wear. It was perfectly Tina Turner-esque. Her hosting on the other hand? Yikes. She was like Lea Michele on Dexatrim.

THE BAD.

Natalie Portman in Rodarte.

How many times do I have to say it? Step 1: Call Heidi Klum. Step 2: Ask her what she would wear if she were pregnant. Step 3: Wear the goddamn dress.

Reese Witherspoon in Armani Prive.

She looks like a poor-man's Julia Roberts circa the Erin Brockovich Oscar year.

Marisa Tomei in Charles James.

This woman has too stunning of a body to be wearing a dress that makes her look bloated. And all of that tulle....ugh. I hope she's using to her advantage and hiding some really comfortable shoes under there. Even that dreamboat behind her in violet is wondering WTF she was thinking.

Michelle Williams in Oscar de la Renta.

She looks so washed out. She's pretty, like a tiny little pixie, but she looks all one color. Was that the point? I guess they all can't be yellow Vera Wangs...

Jennifer Lawrence in Calvin Klein.

She remembers that she's at the Oscars right? That this a really big moment for her and THE BIGGEST AWARD SHOW IN THE WORLD? She needs to fire her stylist for directly copying Scarlett Johansson at the Golden Globes a few years back.

Cashmere and Eyeliner

I fall head over heels in love with things on a daily basis. The images below have been on my desktop acting like a moodboard of sorts lately. February was an absolutely crazy month (full of some of amazing events) and I'm looking forward to getting my life back. Eagerly awaiting a calm and romantic springtime...

The Tom Ford Temple of Luxe

I have been very fortunate to work (and produce) some pretty badass events. From fashion shows, to award shows, to movie premieres there has been no shortage of glam....or so I thought. Thursday night's opening of Tom Ford's flagship boutique on Rodeo Drive is hands down the most FABULOUS event I have ever worked or attended. There are no words to describe the levels of gorgeousness that walked the carpet. And I don't even get me started on the boutique itself, it's all marble and black lacquer with varying shades of gray. I wanted to move in.

The first floor consists of menswear, tuxedos, and the perfumery (BTW I'm obsessed with Lavender Palm). And in addition to being able to check out the new digs (and my first encounter with Tom), everyone got a sneak peek of the new women's collection on the second floor. Boutiques like this almost make me want to leave my fantastically fun job to become some stodgy investment banker. At least then I could afford to be a Tom Ford shopper...

These little dumplings were "security."

I would wear this everyday of my life.

Tom Ford. There are just no words.

Roger Berman, Rachel Zoe, and Baby Berman. I want to look that hot pregnant.

Milla Jovovich.

Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson.

Kristin Davis.

Bradley Cooper.

Ginnifer Goodwin showed off her new 'do. All I can say is, thank God she has a gorgeous face.

Colin Firth.

Suzanne Somers. She is proof that the ThighMaster works.

Eva Longoria.

Valentino.

Any photos not my own are courtesy of Wire Image.

If The Shoe Fits...

Anytime I come to LA, I get SERIOUS shoe envy. Let's face it, LA girls don't have to deal with walking blocks and blocks in their Loubs, trudging up disgusting subway stairs, and the snow and sludge us New Yorkers have been faced with. These girls hop in their car and at the most, their shoe-commute consists from the 7 steps from the valet to the door. It's brilliant. Reason #482 why I can't wait to live here.

On that note, last night on the Global Green red carpet, a girl had the HOTTEST Charlotte Olympia pumps on. I am officially obsessed with this brand. I love that all of her shoes have a huge platform in the foot box, it makes 5-inch heels moderately manageable and insanely sexy.

London It-Girl Charlotte Olympia Dellal launched her footwear label in 2006. She's half Brazilian, half-English, and claims that her statement-making pumps are all inspired by the 1940's. If everyone had shoes like this in the '40s, I want to travel back in time...

Plum Paloma Satin Pumps

Black Dolly Suede Platform Pumps

Silver Mercury Pumps

Gray Horse Tail Pumps

Plum/Hot Pink Maxine Sandals

Sold on Net-a-Porter and soon on Olympia's own e-commerce site. Each pair retails around $850 - it's a little steep but you can't put a price on happiness.

Lazy Sunday

This is my post-Fashion Week, pre-Oscar Week Sunday. I am aiming for laziest, most luxurious day possible. A manicure, a trip to Eataly, silly conversation, devastatingly handsome company, and homemade chicken saltimbocca is about all that I can handle. Enjoy the day loves!

This image courtesy of This is Glamourous.

Vena Cava's Beef Jerky

I've really gotten into cooking lately. It's hard to consistently make dinner in NYC - schedules are hectic and everything is so on-the-go all the time. But there is something very satisfying about cooking for the special people in your life and I'm starting to pick up some real skillz in the kitchen.

That being said, Milk & Mode is becoming one of my FAVORITE blogs. Not only does Carol Han have perfectly eclectic style photos, but she manages to throw down in the kitchen. This is no small feat in NYC, when apartment kitchens are generally the size of a Dallas girl's walk-in closet.

Today she (and Bon Appetit) posted a recipe that I just HAD to share....Vena Cava's Beef Jerky. There aren't many girls cooler than Sophie Buhai and Lisa Mayock of Vena Cava and I have a feeling their jerky is going to be life changing....

INGREDIENTS

For beef:

1 1/2 lbs of whatever frozen beef is on sale at the market (London Broil is great)

Fresh-ground black pepper

Crushed red pepper flakes

For marinade:

1 cup Worcestershire sauce

1/2 cup soy sauce

1/2 tablespoon brown sugar

3 tablespoons raw ginger juice

3 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 sprig rosemary, finely chopped

1 1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

1/2 half glass young, full bodied red wine

PREPARATION

Let the beef thaw. Once it softens, but is still firm and frozen at core, cut thinly with sharp knife. Set meat aside.

Mix all marinade ingredients in a large bowl. Place sliced beef in plastic bag. Pour mixture over the beef. The liquid mixture should cover the meat.

Drink rest of wine bottle.

Let meat marinate for two days in refrigerator, occasionally shaking the bag around.

Place beef on dehydrator trays. Season the meat with freshly crushed black pepper and red pepper flakes (if you want it spicy). Depending on the dehydrator, it could take 12-24 hours. Monitor for dryness. If you don't have a dehydrator, preheat oven to 170 degrees and place beef slices directly on the oven rack, so that they hang. Place aluminum foil at bottom of oven to catch drippings. Cook in the oven (slightly ajar) for seven hours.

This recipe is best executed while listening to to a fall 1970 Grateful Dead show.

Image and recipe courtesy of Milk & Mode.

Sleeping Around

Anyone who knows me, knows that I have an absolute hotel obsession. Some of the best restaurants, lounges, clubs, and taudry affairs all reside inside hotel walls. There's just something very decadent about the attention to detail and the ambient light - it creates a mood that not many bars or restaurants can compete with. Last night over wine, J.P. and I came up with the most brilliant idea. Hear me out...

One of the most fun parts about being young and traveling (in Europe especially) is staying in hostels - it's super affordable and you meet interesting people. BUT one of the most fun parts about being a little older and traveling is that you can afford gorgeous boutique hotels with specialized amenities. Why not blend the two? Why not stay in affordable, communal accommodations with fantastic interior design? And voila, my brill idea for a boutique hostel was born.

I want to create a hostel with the playfulness of The Standard Hotel, the secrecy of the Chateau Marmont, and the luxurious thread counts of the Mondrian. I think this might be amazing. My boutique hostel mood board has already started below with ideas from some of my fave hotels. Now I just hope that Andre Balazs doesn't steal this idea...

Crosby Street Hotel, New York

The Liberty Hotel, Boston

The Raleigh Hotel, Miami

The James Hotel, New York

Surf Lodge, Montauk

*Please note this is one of my favorite places on the planet.

La Mamounia, Morocco

Blinged Out Betsey

The Betsey Johnson FW11 show was debuted on Valentine's Day and was (as always) bright, energetic and ended with her cartwheeling down the runway and then challenging Patricia Field to a dance-off. I hope to be that badass when I'm 69. Seriously. In my fantasy life, she's my crazy aunt Betsey and she tells me stories about the Chelsea Hotel and then dresses me in Victorian Goth prom dresses.

Her collection was divided in half by "He Loves Me Not" and "He Loves Me." He Loves Me Not featured a lot of leopard print, plaid, and fabric flowers either worn around the neck or down the back of jackets. He Loves Me was a little more classic Betsey with lighter prints and much brighter colors. In all honesty, Betsey's not really my steeze but there is just something about it that is so whimsical, you can't not love it.

He Loves Me Not.

He Loves Me.

Niiiice extension.

Backstage after the show consisted of her celebrating with her own bedazzled bottle of Martini & Rossi. I don't think anyone on Earth doesn't like blinged out bubbly...

Betsey backstage with Jill Zaaaaaaarin.

Season after season, there is no one more youthful than Betz.