CELEB FASHION

I found that the SAG awards were lackluster in the fashion department, although there were a few women who got it right. Lots of beautiful, vibrant red gowns as well as dresses with cut-outs. I also couldn't resist throwing in a few photos of fabulous celebrity fashion off the red carpet.

Kyra Sedgewick in Emilio Pucci

Michelle Williams in Valentino

Amber Heard in Zac Posen

Diane Kruger in Chanel

Obsessed with this dress! Cameron Diaz in Valentino.

THE EASIEST, BEST SALMON RECIPE

I'm back! I took a little break from blogging due to lack of motivation and a busy work schedule. After dinner last night though, I had to post this recipe.

Whenever I watch Barefoot Contessa, if my husband's in the room, he'll always crack a joke about her soft, breathy voice. "She's talking about food, not sex." While she may not be as excited as Guy Fierreti, her recipes come out great every single time. This is the easiest, most delicious salmon recipe. Paired with a simple salad and Gwyneth's healthy fried rice, it's a perfect weeknight dinner. I make it all the time and it never fails.

step 1

step 2

Yum!

Source: Panko-Crusted Salmon, Barefoot Contessa How Easy Is That?

Ingredients

⅔ cup panko (Japanese dried bread flakes)

2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

1 teaspoon lemon zest

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

2 tablespoons good olive oil

4 (6- to 8-ounce) salmon fillets, skin on

2 tablespoons Dijon

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Lemon wedges, for serving

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

In a small bowl, mix together the panko, parsley, lemon zest, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper. Drizzle with the olive oil and stir until the crumbs are evenly coated. Set aside.

Place the salmon fillets, skin side down, on a board. Generously brush the top of the fillets with mustard and then sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Press the panko mixture thickly on top of the mustard on each salmon fillet. The mustard will help the panko adhere.

Heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat in a 12-inch cast-iron skillet or large heavy, ovenproof pan. When the oil is very hot, add the salmon fillets, skin side down, and sear for 3 to 4 minutes, without turning, to brown the skin.

Transfer the pan to the hot oven for 5 to 7 minutes until the salmon is almost cooked and the panko is browned. Remove from the oven, cover with aluminum foil, and allow to rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Serve the salmon hot or at room temperature with lemon wedges.

2012 GOLDEN GLOBES RECAP

I seriously live for award shows. And the Golden Globes is always the best one. The fashion is spectacular, the show moves quickly, and I love the old Hollywood feel. So let's talk the best part- what everyone was wearing!

HITS
Claire Danes in J. Mendel. Does she ever mess it up? I think she looks fresh and fabulous every year.

Julianna Margulies in Naeem Khan. While the style of this dress is nothing new, the color is lovely and I adore the unexpected pop of color with her dazzling green earrings.

Nicole Kidman in Versace. I love that she takes fashion risks and this one works. Not many women could pull this off, but she looks beautiful and her figure is just insane.

Charlize Theron in Dior Couture. I know some people are not going to get this, but I think she looks stunning and so high fashion. I would have maybe ditched the headband, though.

MISSES
Amanda Peet in Marc Jacobs. Oh Amanda, you are so gorgeous but this dress does nothing for you.

Sarah Michelle Gellar in Monique Lhuillier. As my friend Ryan would say, this look is tragic.

Jessica Biel in Elie Saab. She is such a knockout and this dress is Helen Mirren's. What happened? 

 

Madonna in Reem Acra. Madonna is my favorite celebrity in the world but this dress, necklace, the whole thing, is just awful.

Piper Perabo. Two words. Hot mess.

Emma Stone in Lanvin. She usually dresses so well, but this color and style do not flatter her. The look is a bit goth and too harsh for a young girl.

Michelle Williams in Jason Wu. I typically adore everything she wears, but her dress ages her. Yet, she had the best speech (I know it's not fashion-related, but almost made me cry).

BEST JEWELS
Julianne Moore's emerald tassel earrings

Freida Pinto's gold Chopard necklace

 Julianna Marguiles' green statement earrings

CELEBS WHO DON'T AGE
Rob Lowe

Elle MacPherson in Zac Posen

REGARDLESS OF WHAT THEY ARE WEARING, JUST SO DAMN PRETTY


Kate Beckinsale in Roberto Cavalli

George Clooney

Salma Hayek in Gucci

AND FINALLY, CUTEST NAILS. Yes, nails.
Zooey Deschanel

MONDAY MAKEUP TRICK

Another makeup trick to create standout eyes. Swipe Cargo EyeLighter or any white eyeshadow above your lid, just under your outer eyebrow. Then dab the EyeLighter or shadow on the inner corner of your eyes and on the outer corner of your eyes. Use your finger to blend in. The white shade will brighten your eyes and make them really pop.

Photo credit

NEW YEARS

How to throw a New Years Eve party for 34 people while working full-time:

1. Plan ahead.

2. Delegate friends to bring things.

3. Have a drink before everyone arrives.

I've spent the last few days baking and decorating. Rather than serve dinner, I decided to do only appetizers and desserts. That's what everyone likes best anyways, right? Plenty to drink, lots of food, good friends, and a few rounds of Left, Right, Center = A fabulous New Years Eve! Happy 2012!

MAKE... PEANUT BUTTER BALLS (cue shwetty ball jokes)

My friend Lindsay's grandmother used to send these to her in December every year of college. The tin would arrive and Lindsay and her roommates (myself included) would demolish these by the end of the day. This year I'm making them for the first time for my New Years Eve party, but I'm making the Oreo cookie version.

Here are the results and both recipes:

Recipe for Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls (makes around 54)
-2 cups rice krispies
-1/2 cup creamy or crunchy peanut butter
-1 cup sifted powdered sugar
-1/4 c. butter
-1 1/2 c. semi-sweet chocolate morsels

Directions

1. In large electric mixer bowl, beat peanut butter, butter, and powdered sugar on medium speed until thoroughly combined. Add rice krispies cereal, mixing thoroughly. Portion mixture, using rounded teaspoon. Shape into balls. Place each ball in paper cup. Refrigerate.

2. Melt chocolate morsels in small saucepan, over low heat, stirring constantly. Spoon 1 teaspoon melted chocolate over each peanut butter ball. Refrigerate until firm. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.

-source

Recipe for Oreo Balls (makes around 42)

-1 (16 oz.) package of Oreos

-1 (8 oz.) block of Philadelphia cream cheese

-2 (8 oz.) packages of Baker's semi-sweet baking white chocolate, melted

Directions

1. Crush 5 of the cookies to fine crumbs in food processor; reserve for later use. (Cookies can also be finely crushed in a resealable plastic bag using a rolling pin.) Crush remaining cookies to fine crumbs; place in medium bowl. Add cream cheese; mix until well blended. Roll cookie mixture into balls, about 1-inch in diameter.

2. Dip balls in chocolate; place on wax paper-covered baking sheet. (Any leftover chocolate can be stored at room temperature for another use.) Sprinkle with reserved cookie crumbs.

3. Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour. Store leftover truffles, covered, in refrigerator.

*How to Easily Dip Truffles

Place truffle ball in melted chocolate to coat; roll if necessary. Lift truffle from chocolate using 2 forks (this will allow excess chocolate to run off) before placing on wax paper.

-adapted from source

LOOKS OF "THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO"

After reading The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo about a month ago, I've been SO excited to see the David Fincher version of the movie. Yesterday I went to see it and was not disappointed. I might even have to see it again in the theaters because there's so much to take in. What was most amazing was the transformation of actress Rooney Mara in her role as Lisbeth Salander. She truly became the character and I forgot I was watching an actress.

To achieve the look of Salander, renowned makeup artist Pat McGrath used numerous makeup techniques, coming up with as many as 200 different versions of a smoky eye. CoverGirl Liquiline Blast in Black Fire and Brown Blaze were highlighted with CoverGirl Intense ShadowBlast in Brown Bling. McGrath then smudged in Dolce & Gabbana The Eyeshadow Quad in Volcano and CoverGirl Eye Enhancers 1-Kit Eyeshadow in Forever Fig. 

While promoting the film, Mara's red carpet looks haven't been too shabby either. 

From left to right; Givenchy Haute Couture dress, Roksanda pantsuit, Prabal Gurung dress and Christian Louboutin heels, Carven coat and Brian Atwood pumps, Rodarte for Opening Ceremony dress and Christian Louboutin Mary Jane wedges

I love the chic and classic look of Mara's face on the red carpet. She reminds me of Jennifer Connelly here.

Makeup used for Mara's flawless red-carpet face by her makeup artist, Kate Lee. 

Chanel Hydramax Serum, $82

Chanel Perfection Lumiere Flawless Fluid Makeup, $55

Kevyn Aucion The Creamy Glow in Tresbelle, $24

Chanel Brown Pencil in Noir Cendre, $29

Chanel Inimitable Waterproof Mascara, $30

Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet in La Somptueuse, $32

MONDAY MAKEUP TRICK

Mascara can really make your eyes stand out, but no-one wants clumping. I recently learned this trick and instantly noticed a difference. Take the mascara wand and as you brush your lashes from root to tip, wiggle the wand back and forth horizontally. You will have perfectly separated lashes.

I swear by Clinique Lash Doubling Mascara for everyday wear and Revitalash to grow your lashes at nighttime.

BUSY BAKER

For me, baking is somehow therapeutic. That's a good thing because I have a lot of cupcake and cookie making to do in preparation for the New Years Eve party I'm hosting. The guest list seems to keep growing and growing. On the topic of baking, here are the baking gadgets and decorating items I've got my eye on.

1. Sanding Sugar $5.50- $7.95 (can't wait to decorate chocolate dipped pretzels with this stuff)
2. Pink Petal Baking Cups $3.99 for 24 (just bought these for pretty cupcakes)
3. Chicago Metallic Cupcake Surprise Pan $19.95 (perfect for making stuffed cupcakes)
4. Red Silicone Nonstick Rolling Pin 12" $40 (this would make rolling dough much easier)
5. Air Bake Ultra Insulated 9x13 Covered Cake Pan $12.99 (practical pan at a great price point)
6. Cuisinart 4-cup Mini Food Processor $49.99 (I already own this, but I couldn't bake w/o it)
7. Baker's Edge Nonstick Edge Brownie Pan $34.95 (perfect edges on every brownie)

WRAP IT UP

Such a smart video. Watch this woman show 25 different ways to wear a scarf in under 5 minutes. I'm going to try out "the bunny ear."

A few of my favorite scarves below.

1. Alexander McQueen Red Flower Skull Silk Scarf (Swoon. Love this one.) $575
2. Madewell Swirl Paisley Scarf (This scarf is so versatile.) $52
3. Paula Bianco Wrap Scarf (I have this scarf in black and love it. Plus, it's very warm.) $83