She did it again!

I had posted about Gwyneth Paltrow a while back when she had done a really sexy photo shoot for Vanity Fair. Back then, she had inspired me, as a mother of two, she looked incredible. Now with this shoot for Harper's Bazaar, I am in awe. I love this dark gothic look on her! And that's it, after baby # 2, my aim will be to look like that by the age of 39 as well. I have time so don't laugh!!

For details of the amazing fashion and for the article, click here.

Images: Harper's Bazaar

What I fancy this week

Since my body is morphing in ways I'd rather not get into (6 weeks to go!), I can only covet accessories these days. Here are a few of my latest cravings.


1. Proenza Schouler small leather satchel. Perfect for everyday use. The color is neutral enough and also different enough. 

2. Vionnet gold plated, crystal and perspex cuff. A little bling never hurts.

3. Camilla Skovgaard Tongue Stiletto Booties. Hot! (I would probably have to wait until I pop to be able to enjoy these, but it's a craving OK!)

3. Alexander Wang Diego Bucket Bag in Citrus OR Granite. I'll just have both. Seriously, how perfect are these bags? Both colors got me really excited - they work through all the seasons and can make any outfit ooze with laid back cool. 

4. A Peace Treaty Kota Bangle. This bangle is made from discarded camel bone so when you are in that earthy summery mood this fits right in!

5. Jil Sander Tubular Sandals in Rosellina. I think I would totally abuse these!

Images: Net-a-porter, Matches, Shopbop.com, Histoire, Shopbop.com, 

SAG Awards 2012 Fashion

There were a lot of looks that I really loved at the SAGs and I'm happy to see black gowns back in play. As always, here are the red carpet looks that struck a chord with me. 

Amber Heard in Zac Posen. Love the cutouts, love the simplicity, love the hair. She just looks really cool.   

Zoe Saldana in Givency Haute Couture. What is that? Seriously. There are sharp spikes on the neck line and sleeves which look so odd with the material and color, then there's all that bejewled action around the waist. And little jewels lining the whole thing. That poor girl!

Michelle Williams in Valentino.  Again, a dress that's totally her and she looks really pretty.  I'm not sure about the shoes though, they do seem quite heavy. 

Emma Stone in Alexander McQueen.  The reason she looks so good is because you can tell she loves fashion and actually has a good time dressing up.  

Rose Byrne in Elie Saab. She rocks.

Kristen Wiig in Balenciaga.  Kristen: "This dress is such a snooze fest. Let me whip out a choker from the 90's that works perfectly with the halter neckline and grab my mother's clutch and I'm all set." Rigghhtt.

Angelina Jolie in Jenny Packham.  She's back to black and she looks absolutely stunning.  Her jewelry was really cool too, but I'd rather post this shot with her best accessory.

Sofia Vergara in Marchesa.  Yes, yes stunning as usual.  Nothing unexpected here. 

Lea Michele in Atelier Versace.  I really liked this.  The pale gray is perfect for a dress that otherwise screams for attention.  She looks very feminine and sexy. 

Natalie Portman in Giambattista Valli.  I love this.  It's so simple and still so stylish.  I wouldn't mind having those earrings too.  I was going to say maybe the hair and makeup could've been more dramatic, but nope, she looks perfect.

Images: Glamour

Wanna discover new cookbooks?

I love love love cookbooks.  I have a small collection that I am quite proud of, and one of my favorite things to do when I have some time to myself is to go to a bookstore and flip through new cookbooks that inspire me and get my mouth watering.  (On that note, for anyone who enjoys doing that and happens to be in London, you MUST check out Books for Cooks in Notting Hill, yes a whole shop of just cookbooks! Heaven!!) 


So back to my point. I've discovered the very cool Tournament of Cookbooks created by Food52. This is apparently the third year where 16 of the most popular cookbooks (of 2011) compete against each other for the sought after piglet award. The books are judged by 17 of the top food writers and chefs around, who really share their thoughts on the look and feel of the books, how the books inspire them as well as the success rate of some recipes they personally try.  There is a total of 5 rounds which gradually narrows down the competition to a winner.  Not only do you get amazing insights into these stunning books, but you also get insights into these food personalities that are judging the books.   

You can check out all the action here. I'm off to amazon to make a few orders now ;)

2012 Golden Globes

I love Awards season.  I get to sit in front of my TV and/or computer and just judge all the celebrities walking the red carpet (usually I comment out loud like someone is actually listening).  So here are the looks that stood out to me.

Angelina Jolie in Atelier Versace. Of course she looked stunning, and the dress was quite unique in terms of its color combination and structure, but she just looked so stiff walking the red carpet.  Relax Angie!

Nicole Kidman in Versace. I actually really like this gown. Love the embellishment and the cut is super flattering, that even Nicole looks sexy.

Michelle Williams in Jason Wu. She is so cute, and she definitely has a unqiue, quirky and demure style so I guess this works for her. Sort of.

Rooney Mara in Nina Ricci. She's the girl of the moment.  She not only knows how to pick the right pieces for the red carpet but she pulls off the whole effortless cool thing.  

Emma Stone in Lanvin. I really liked this look. The color combination is unexpected and it just works, and I'm loving the funky details with the shoulders and the belt.  

Lea Michele in Marchesa. Maybe it's because her features can already make her look a little drag queenish that I just feel this dress was the wrong choice. It's just a bit show-girly-manly if that makes sense.

Salma Hayek in Gucci. Wow. Definitely one of the serious hits of the night.

Zooey Deschanel in Prada. What was she thinking? Pixel-like design? Bad idea. Neon green? Come on! Weird wig-like hair do? Now she's just laughing. Right?

Claire Danes in J. Mendel. She looked so great in this.  It's sexy and smart, and the back is fabulous too. (I also want to add that I'm so happy she won Best Actress for her role in Homeland, she rocks and the show does too!)

Amanda Peet in Marc Jacobs. This looks like a really really bad Bridal Barbie dress made in human size.

Natalie Portman in Lanvin. This was very dissapointing. And confusing! What is holding the side of the dress that way?!

Sarah Michelle Gellar in Monique Lhuillier. This is hurting my eyes. Make it stop. Now.

Jessica Alba in Gucci. While she can look good in just about anything, I found this dress to be so dull. It looks like something a mother of the bride would wear. And the clutch is just upsetting me.

Images: E Online, MarieClaire, 

I do to hair dos!

One of the things I can say I like about myself, appearance-wise is my hair.  It's quite thick and has a nice natural wave to it.  (We are ignoring the fact that I am already getting a few grey hairs! eeeeek!!)  The problem that I have is that I SUCK at styling it.  I can make it look great when it's down, whether wavy or straight.  But that's about it.  I don't have any creativity, skill or patience when it comes to using pins, elastic bands or anything else.  So for 2012, I've decided to collect photos of hair styles I love, simple dos that I should be able to manage at home, and put them all together here for those days when I want something other than a granny bun.  Some will definitely require some practice, yes I'm that bad.

Images: Flare, Via A paper preposal, Via Pinterest, Red Carpet Fashion Awards, Refinery29,