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Monday, March 5, 2012

My Favorite Red Carpet Looks

2012's Academy Awards

My Favorite Looks of the Evening

The Academy Awards' red carpet never disappoints fashion lovers such as myself. Stars strut like peacocks in gorgeous couture gowns, dripping with millions of dollars worth of jewels. For a moment, you dream about what it must feel like to walk in those Jimmy Choos, having all eyes on you. I know I do. How about you?

Here are some pictures of my favorite looks of the evening. I also included the designers who are responsible for the beautiful dresses and accessories. Who was your favorite of the night?

· Milla Jovovich makes a stunning entrance wearing a white beaded one-shoulder Elie Saab Haute Couture Gown, Jacob & Co. jewelry, and an Edie Parker clutch.

· Stacy Keiber was mesmerizing in a metallic gold strapless Marchesa Haute Couture Gown with a gathered rose detail on the hip. Shoes: Rene Caovilla, Bag: Judith Leiber, Jewelry: Lorraine Schwartz .

· Giuliana Rancic looks classy and elegant wearing a Tony Ward Spring 2012 Couture dress Jacob and Co. jewelry. This breast cancer fighter has never looked better.

Lastly, there is one that I still haven't made up my mind about. Although Angelina Jolie looked amazing there is something "strange" about the poses with her right leg. It throws the whole look off for me. It seems that I am not the only one who noticed the leg. Her right leg now has its own Twitter account. @AngiesRightLeg

· Angelina Jolie wore black velvet Atelier Versace Haute Couture Velvet Gown; with $2.5 million worth of Neil Lane diamonds. Shoes: Salvatore Ferragamo Peep-Toe Pumps.

I would love to hear your thoughts.

Friday, March 2, 2012

I Love Hot Chocolate!

When I drink a cup of coco, I am magically transformed back into my childhood. Drinking hot chocolate following an exhausting day of sledding or ice skating. Cheeks rosy, fingers and toes stiff and cold, and freezing and sweating simultaneously. I waited all winter for days like this, snow days.

This winter, although it hasn't snowed much, I'm still drinking plenty of hot chocolate. Here are a list of items to add to Hot Chocolate to make it even more fabulous. Feel free to share any ideas that you have.

Picture found on Pinterest

Start with a cup for your favorite Hot Chocolate* then add:

Frozen Hot Chocolate: Add Ice and Hot Chocolate to a blender and mix (on high speed) to the consistency of a frozen daiquiri. Pour into a giant goblet and top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.

Hot Chocolate Float: Top Hot Chocolate with Ice Cream. Flavors such as Vanilla, Chocolate, Coffee, Mint Chocolate Chip, Fudge Brownie are fantastic but really any flavor do.

Mint Hot Chocolate: Float add sprig of fresh mint and use any Mint flavored Ice Cream. Or use a Candy Cane to stir your Hot Chocolate.

Hot Chocolate Sundae: Top Hot Chocolate with Ice Cream then add your favorite Sundae Toppings. Hot Fudge, Raspberry Sauce, Butterscotch, Peanut Butter, Strawberry Syrup, Caramel, Marshmallow Cream, Whip Cream, Cool Whip, Sprinkles, Candy Pieces, Cookies, Brownies...

More Chocolate: Stir in or top your Hot Chocolate with even more Chocolate. Such as Chocolate Chips, Chocolate Shavings, Chocolate Sprinkles, Chocolate Sauces, Chocolate Candy, Chocolate Milk, Nutella, Dark Chocolate, White Chocolate

Milks and Creamers: Whole, Skim, Soy, Steamed, Heavy Cream, Half & Half, Malted Milk Powder.

Flavored Dairy Creamers such as French Vanilla, Cafe Latte, Peppermint, Mocha, Crème Brulee , Hazelnut, Coconut Cream...(found next to the milk at the grocery store)

Coffee and Espresso: Instant or fresh brewed. Play with the ratio between the Hot Chocolate and Coffee.

Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate: Steamed milk, Mocha Sauce, Toffee Nut and Vanilla Syrups, topped with sweetened Whipped Cream, Caramel Sauce and a mixture of Turbinado Sugar and Sea Salt. (recipe taken from Starbucks)

Mexican Hot Chocolate: Mix Hot Chocolate with a pinch of ground Chipotle Chili Pepper and a pinch of Ground Cinnamon. Top with Whipped Cream and sprinkle with a little Chipotle Chili Pepper and Ground Cinnamon.

Also Try: Nutmeg, Vanilla, Ground Chili Pepper, Cayenne Pepper, Brown Sugar, Mable Syrup, Toasted Marshmallows (broil Marshmallows in the broiler (30 seconds) or campfire until they are golden brown.)

Alcohol:

Cinnamon, Butterscotch, and Peppermint Schnapps, Kahlua, Bourbon, Vodka, Flavored Vodka such as Whip Cream flavored Vodka, Whisky, Brandy, Baileys...

Sandra Lee: Semi Homemade

Frozen Hot Chocolate Martini

Ingredients

Makes: 4 servings

4 (1-ounce) envelopes hot cocoa mix, divided use

3 cups milk

3/4 cup vanilla vodka

¼ cup Mini marshmallows, for garnish

Directions

Empty 1 envelope hot cocoa mix onto a saucer. Put some water onto another saucer. Dip the rims of 4 martini glasses into the water and shake off any excess. Dip them in the hot cocoa mix. (Save the remainder for garnish.)

In a blender, combine remaining hot cocoa mix, milk, vodka and 6 cups ice and blend until smooth. Divide the mixture among the prepared glasses and garnish with the marshmallows and remaining cocoa mixture.

Best Ever Hot Chocolate

Sandra Lee: Semi Homemade

Ingredients

Makes: 2 drinks

1 cup half-and-half

1⁄4 cup milk chocolate chips

1⁄4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

11⁄2 ounces vanilla flavored vodka, Smirnoff

Directions

In a saucepan, combine half-and-half, chocolate chips, and cinnamon. Heat over medium heat for 5 minutes or until chocolate is melted, stirring frequently. (Do not boil.) Pour into mugs.Stir in vodka.

*Any variety of Hot Chocolate including store bought powered mixes and homemade varieties. Adjusting the original Hot Chocolate recipe may be necessary when adding additional liquid to your beverage.

I had a great time experimenting with Hot Chocolate. There are so many different ways to personalize it to your own taste. Have fun!

Final Tips

The larger the mug, the more "toppings" you can add to your Hot Chocolate.

Powered Hot Chocolate Mixes can be brewed in your automatic drip coffee maker. Usually one envelop of Hot Chocolate = one cup water. Refer back to the package for exact ratio. Great idea for holiday parties or larger families.

Please Drink Responsibly

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

I have a much better appreciation of Dr. Seuss ' s collection as an adult. I love reading and laughing with my own child, as I know that my parents did with me. Dr. Seuss was incredibly witty and wise. It is amazing to see how lines out of children's books have a much bigger meaning in the real world.

I hope that you enjoy reading these quotes.

Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.

--Dr. Seuss

Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened.

--Dr. Seuss

And will you succeed? Yes indeed, yes indeed! Ninety-eight and three-quarters percent guaranteed.

-- Dr. Seuss

A person's a person, no matter how small.

-- Dr. Seuss

You can get help from teachers, but you are going to have to learn a lot by yourself, sitting alone in a room.

-- Dr. Seuss

You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. You are the guy who'll decide where to go.

-- Dr. Seuss

You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.

-- Dr. Seuss

Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the things you can think up if only you try!

-- Dr. Seuss

Today is gone. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one.

-- Dr. Seuss

Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So... get on your way.

-- Dr. Seuss

Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.

-- Dr. Seuss

The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.

-- Dr. Seuss

If you never did you should. These things are fun and fun is good.

-- Dr. Seuss

From there to here, from here to there, funny things are everywhere.

-- Dr. Seuss

I have heard there are troubles of more than one kind. Some come from ahead and some come from behind. But I've bought a big bat. I'm all ready you see. Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!

-- Dr. Seuss