Oscar Style Review

I want Mila Kunis's dress. That color is so amazing and the detailing was awesome. Of course it was Elie Saab. Me likey. Her hair and makeup are also so spot on. Good job!! Best dressed for sure.

Interesting - Mandy Moore, I love our dress, but it is too much like something I have seen before on Anne Hathaway a year or so ago. Pretty, but safe. I totally guessed it was Monique Lhuillier, score! So was her performance dress. It is a Fall 2010 bridal dress dyed blue.

Michelle Williams, so pretty, elegant, ethereal and simple. Such an improvement from the Golden Globes (that awful Valentino dress). She so reminds me of a younger Mia Farrow. I think she wins for best makeup by showing off the Spring trend of a clean, dewy face.

Amy Adams, hm, not so much. Love the color, don't love the cut with the hair. That necklace also doesn't work at all. Who is her stylist?? Why are people putting her on the best dressed list? What that high neckline her hair should also be up. No no no. (I do love the color on her though).

Jennifer Hudson, a va voom.With that new body, red was the right choice for her, but I just don't like the way her boobs look. They are hanging out and look like a different color than her skin. So odd. Also,  that half up-do pony tail thing is a no-no from the back. Bravo for color choice, and bravo for losing weight, but not quite there. BTW, the dress was Versace. Who would have thought?

Cate Blanchett?! Wow, so daring. Love the color and the hair. Very ballsy to do something so avant garde to the Oscars. Bravo!! This was Givenchy. Check out the back as well.

ScarJo. Love the color and the dress! Thank goodness to see her in color again. SO SO much better than the flesh toned dress she wore to the Globes. Thoughts on the short cropped do? I am leaning toward not liking it. It looks to messy and not appropriate for this occasion.

Marisa Tomei, oh hell no. That dress looks like someone in a college (or high school) fashion class made it, yet it is vintage. That makes sense. It just seems ill fitting and a blah color. I am all for vintage glamor, but this falls way short.

Gwyneth Paltrow. Love this dress and her look. Calvin Klein, classic Gwyneth dress. So perfect for her.

So overall trends this red carpet season?
1) Red
2) Lace
3) Metallic colors
4) Simple makeup and nude lips
5) Simple, sleek hair

Oscar Review - Bad, very very bad

So I thought the Oscars were awful last night. I generally look forward to Oscar night and all the fashion, but I was very let down this year. Anne Hathaway and James Franco were awkward and totally boring. Was it just me, or was James Franco stoned? I think so.

I thought that all of their jokes bombed and you could hear the awkward silence in the audience. Also, what was that musical number by Anne? It was so random and seemed out of place.

I am sorry, but I don't think a "younger" audience felt connected to that at all. There was no chemistry, no fun relevant jokes, no nothing.

Three thumbs DOWN!

Buh Bye

Well, I may no longer be bored at work as I quit yesterday...tear. Moving to a new agency! Stay tuned!

Restaurant Review - Nicola

Chris and I went to Nicola last night on a whim. It is right next to the house, so we figured we would give it a try. I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars. Really cool space, lots of room, but the food was just ok. We started with the Fritto Misto (fried platter) which had 2 shrimp, some calamari and fried veggies. It was pretty good, but not spectacular. I had the special Sea Bass, which was semi bland, but hit the spot (I have a cold), and Chris got a ravioli with veal.

We had lovely service, and loved the decor but there was nothing new or inventive about the place. Those three dishes plus 3 glasses of wine also cost us about $100. Eh, probably won't go back.

Please watch this version of Born This Way

Thanks Maggie for sending me this YouTube to brighten up my day!

Restaurant Review - Five Guys

So I just stuffed my face at Five Guys for lunch with a coworker up here in Frisco. I have to say, not that great. The menu is really simple, and you can add all the traditional toppings you want for no fee. I really enjoyed my burger - it had a thin patty and great bread. But the fries....no good. They were think, bland and soggy. I think the fries are almost (just almost) as important as the burger, and these were severely lacking. So if you are not a fry person and just want a burger, this is your place!!

I guess I will be sticking to Village Burger Bar from now on!

Oh Miley

So I heard on the radio today that Billy Ray Cyrus has an interview in GQ discussing Miley. It is pretty interesting as he says he is concerned for her.

It seems like she has no good guidance at this point, she keeps getting tattoos, pole dances, makes horrible outfit choices, and gets caught smoking saliva. If she keeps going down this route, I am scared she will end up like Brittany. I understand trying to shed this Disney image, but Disney made you millions and made you who you are. You don't need to act all cool and get tattoos to prove you are independent.

Anguish and Anger in Anguilla

So last night in Bachelor land finds us in Anguilla. The first date started out with Emily. I am sorry, but that was awkward. Emily obviously doesn't seem to have a connection with Brad at all. I think he has this need to protect and take care of her, but their conversations and interactions seemed strained. I can understand Emily's hesitation in introducing her daughter to Brad, that is a huge step that shouldn't be taken lightly (and she probably hasn't introduced her to a lot of guys). Scenes from next week make it look like things don't go so well on that end...

So next up with Brad was Shawntal. I have to say, I don't think Shawntal is that cute, but the date seemed very natural, relaxed and normal. I really think it went well.

And Britt....how are you a food writer? Your bones stick out! Please eat something. I loved how when they were on the boat, they showed her pushing around her food for a long long time before she took a bite. Hmm. That was also a very awkward date. Obviously no feelings there for either of them. So buh bye Britt.

And the group date. I love how Ashley & Chantal took their tops off and Michelle refused and went with the full on make out. Hilarious. That is what you get for showing your boobs to the world! The "oh poor me" thing that Ashley is doing is getting super annoying. Be confident in yourself and quit complaining. And same to you too, Chantal. Brad isn't that great, if you haven't realized that yet.

I have to say, I was shocked that he gave Ashley the rose on the group date. Not sure why he did that?? After he gave her the rose, I think you could tell that Michelle was going home. The crazy wasn't cute anymore.

Anyways, I am excited for hometown dates. Those are always interesting. I love seeing the crazy families (dead animals in the freezer anyone??).

Restaurant Review - Alma

I happened in to Alma, a new restaurant on Henderson, with some friends on Saturday night. It occupies the old Cuba Libre spot, and is still by the same owner, Tristan Simon (think the Porch, Fireside Pies, Victor Tangos). Alma is a more traditional, or regional/interior, Mexican food place. It reminds me a little of Hugo's in Houston.

We started out at the bar with two cocktails. I had the Pisco Punch, which had Hibiscus infused Pisco, St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur, House–made Pineapple Syrup, Fresh Lime Juice, Fresh Pineapple Juice. My friend got the Alma Verde, which had Blanco Tequila, Fresh Lime Juice, Crème of Coconut, Cilantro, Serrano Pepper. Both drinks were extremely yummy and inventive. Below is a pic of the Alma Verde (thanks Carrie)!

We then headed to our table and started with the Oysters. These were kind of boring, definitely pass on these. We also split the guacamole (yummmm) and the tauquitos. Both were great for sharing. 

For the main dish, I split the scallops. These were so amazing. They came in a semi spicy sauce with adobo peppers, corn and pork belly. The scallops were perfectly cooked and completely unique. Our friends split the chicken tacos, which they also devoured. The tortillas are homemade in house.

I really liked the ambiance of this place. They have a small bar downstairs, but the upstairs boasts a huge comfy bar and roaring fire. I predict that this place will blow up in the coming weeks, so go soon to avoid a wait!!

P.S. I found this link to the menu! 

Maybe I do like Gwyneth ??

I go back and forth between liking Gwyneth and disliking Gwyneth. Like = Shakespeare in Love, Hate = Goop. I think I am in like again after her performance with Cee Lo Green last night. It takes a lot of balls to get up there and sing in front of the Grammy audience (and us critics at home). Now, I am not saying she has the best voice every, I am merely applauding her for her overall performance. I also loved those Louboutins she was wearing...

If you haven't seen the performance, do check it out:
http://perezhilton.com/2011-02-14-cee-lo-and-gwyneth-and-the-muppets-grammy-performance

Oh no she didn't....

So here are a few of my LEAST favorite outfits from last night. Feel free to disagree.

This getup, by Loree Rodkin, on Eva Longoria looks awful. She has a super cute figure that is all covered up by yards of fabric. I also wasn't a fan of the high ponytail. I much prefer her look at the Golden Globes. People.com has this outfit as one of the best...um not so much.

A picture is worth a thousand words here...or just one: Ew.

Ok Selma, I know you are pregnant but that is NO excuse to dial it in. This looks like those Theory dresses, but in a long version, that they sell every year that are one size fits all. The color is so drab.

And lastly, Miley. Oh boy. I like the idea of the sequin animal print, but this looks ill-fitted and lose. Is it me, or has she gained some major LBS? I also don't like all the bangles, but I am not in to the rocker fashion look. I like her hair though, does that count?

My Nephew!!

My beautiful, chubby, nephew Daniel Sedghi Davis was welcomed in to the world on Friday. I get to meet him this weekend, so expect many more pictures. Check out those cheeks!

Loved Rihanna's Grammy dress

Ok call me crazy, but I love loved Rihanna's dress for the Grammy's last night. I loved that the silhouette was so classic, but it was see-through and racy - which is perfect for Rihanna. I also loved her cute red bob.

Underwhelmed by Gaga

So I was intrigued by Lady Gaga coming in to the show in an egg, and was expecting big things. Unfortunately, I thought the performance was severely lacking. Not only does the song bear a striking resemblance to Madonna's Express Yourself, the song is just so boring. It isn't anything new or exciting.

The dance moves were boring and the performance wasn't as cool as any of the other one's I had seen. Her performances used to be more like performance art, but this was blah.

Here is the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kB_FTr2_M8E

I am becoming an Aunt today!!

Say your prayers that Baby Davis makes it safely in to this world :)

Mmmmm Chocolate

Every year my Dad sends me a big box of Woodhouse Chocolates. These are the best chocolates I have ever had and I have already had two today. Woodhouse is located in St. Helena in Napa Valley, CA and they were kind enough to do my wedding favors for me.

Their chocolates make great gifts for loved ones, bosses or for hostess gifts. I usually order several and have them shipped to me to save on costs. They deliver to anywhere.

The ones from my Dad are the special Valentine's Day ones. YUMM.

Super Bowl ad rankings are in!

So AdAge released the ratings of most liked ad and most recalled ads today. I wasn't that surprised that the favorite ad was the Little Darth Vader ad, and also wasn't surprised that people didn't recall what brand it was for. I had to look it up to see that it was for Volkswagen.

Doritos had some the highest ratings for recall (meaning that people liked the commercial and also were able to quickly connect the ad with the brand - this is what advertisers look at the most).

Anyways, check out the list and see if you agree. All in all, I wasn't that impressed with the ads this year. I remember being glued to the TV when I was younger to watch the ads, but I continue to be unimpressed. Oh well, maybe next year!

Does Brad have a girl back home???

US Magazine is reporting that Brad proposed to a local Austin girl, they dated on and off for 8 years, before he left to shoot the show this summer. Say it isn't so Brad.....although nothing would surprise me at this point. Come on ABC, after this and the arrest scandal, you need to do some more digging on your contestants.

Quick and easy chili

My friend shared this chili recipe with me recently, and I am obsessed. I actually made it last night to take over to a friend who just had a baby. It is super healthy (about 300 calories per serving) and produces 4 servings. Yummy!!

• 12  ounces  95%-lean ground beef
• 1  medium  onion, chopped (1/2 cup)
• 1  medium  green sweet pepper, chopped (3/4 cup)
• 2  cloves  garlic, minced
• 1  15-ounce can  no-salt added black beans, rinsed and drained or 1 3/4 cups cooked black beans
• 1  14.5-ounce can  no-salt-added diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1  cup  frozen whole kernel corn
• 1  8-ounce can  no-salt-added tomato sauce
• 1  tablespoon  canned chipotle chile peppers in adobo sauce, finely chopped
• 2  teaspoons  chili powder
• 1  teaspoon  dried oregano, crushed
• 1  teaspoon  ground cumin
• 1/4  teaspoon  black pepper
•     Light sour cream, chopped avocado, shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese, and/or lightly crushed baked tortilla chips (optional)

Directions

In a 4-quart Dutch oven cook ground beef, onion, sweet pepper, and garlic until meat is brown and onion is tender; drain fat. Stir in beans, diced tomatoes, corn, tomato sauce, chile peppers, chili powder, oregano, cumin, and black pepper. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
If desired, serve with sour cream, avocado, shredded cheese, and/or tortilla chips.

Brad, what??

Um, did anyone know that Brad Womack's real last name is Pickelsimer? Wow, no wonder ABC exec's made him change it.

Bye Bye Jackie!!!

So I have to say, I am sad that Jackie went home. I think now that she is gone, I have realized that she was my favorite. Why? Because she seemed normal.

Just when I thought that Chantal O was redeeming herself (by not crying), she goes and tells Brad she is falling in love with him. Oh Chantal, isn't it a little early for that? You have had 2 one-on-one dates and have probably know each other for less than a month.

Michelle keeps getting crazier. I swear that I saw a commercial on Lifetime for a new movie and she is an actor in it, so is clearly using the "crazy" to show her versatility as an actor. She has the "bitch please" look down, the "stink eye", the "I'm so cute and lovable", the "I am so sexy", the "I am a caring mother", I mean she really has it all. She goes from normal to bat crazy in a matter of seconds. I love to see what shenanigans she will pull next week.

And Miss Alli. You were LONG overdue to go home. There was obviously no connection, and never was going to be, how did you think there was? Brad had spent no time with you, so you must be kidding if you thought you were in the running against the other girls. That date was just awkward. I felt so bad when she told Brad "I feel more comfortable with you than I have felt with anyone." Once again, seriously diluted.

Anyways, I was sad to see Jackie go but onward and off to Anguilla!!

Super Bowl Ads

About to watch all the ads that I missed yesterday! Here is a link if you are bored at work.

http://adage.com/superbowl/article?article_id=148677

More snow!!!!!

So it won't stop! We got several inches of snow last night, and unlike Tuesday, it is pretty snow! Here are a few cute pics of the snow.

Super Bowl Ads

So since I don't really care about the teams playing in the Super Bowl on Sunday, I will choose to focus on the ads. Make sure to keep your eyes peeled for these:


BEST BUY: Odd couple Justin Bieber and Ozzy Osbourne will star in the electronics seller's Super Bowl debut in the third quarter that promotes a new program where Best Buy will buy back electronics when customers decide to upgrade. The ad's still under wraps, but pairing the teen idol and the prince of darkness certainly fires the imagination.

AUDI: One of at least nine automakers advertising during the Super Bowl, Audi's ad during the first break after kickoff is targeted at younger buyers. It shows people escaping from a posh prison to illustrate the difference between "old luxury" and Audi.

CAREERBUILDER.COM: The mocking office chimps that show why viewers might want to look for a new job return in a third-quarter ad.

GODADDY.COM: Promotes the .co alternative to the .com Web domain in an ad that shows celebrity fitness trainer Jillian Michaels and racecar driver Danica Patrick seemingly naked and directs viewers to its Web site to see the ending.
  PEPSI: PepsiCo teamed with Eminem on a first quarter stop-motion animated spot that uses a puppet with Eminem's likeness to promote Lipton Brisk. Also has three ads each for its Pepsi MAX and Doritos, all created by fans.

SNICKERS: Comedians Roseanne Barr and Richard Lewis star in a second-quarter ad. It's an encore to last year's hit commercial that saw Betty White take a vicious tackle on a football field.

E-TRADE: The online investing site brings back the popular talking babies it introduced in 2008 in a third-quarter ad.
  ANHEUSER-BUSCH: The brewer will promote an imported brand, Stella Artois, for the first time on the Super Bowl. That ad stars actor Oscar-winning actor Adrien Brody as a 1960s jazz club singer. (If you're looking forward to Bud Light's legendary humor, it has three commercials coming, too, which it has teased on Facebook.)

SKECHERS: Kim Kardashian "will break someone's heart," the shoe maker says, in an ad for toning shoes near the two-minute warning.

VOLKSWAGEN: The automaker's trademark whimsy permeates an ad in which a Darth Vader-costumed boy tries using The Force on household objects and his father's Passat.

Water for Elephants

So if you haven't read Water for Elephants yet, YOU MUST! This is one of the better books I have read in the past few years.

I am curious to see the movie that is coming out soon. I am not completely sure I am in love with the casting decisions, but who knows... it could work out. Check out the movie poster! Hello R Patz!

I feel like every book that I have read that has been turned in to a movie has really sucked (hello, Eat Pray Love), so I am not holding my breath for this one.

Valentine's Day

So I am not the biggest Valentine's Day fan, especially since it is so hard to give guys gifts. Last year I took the hubby to Bob's Steakhouse here in Dallas and I plan on surprising him with another nice dinner out this year. Call it lazy, but I have about given up on giving gifts. I feel like he has everything he wants, and always returns what I have gotten him. Here are a few smaller gift ideas that he has actually liked in the past though.

Hidden Message Collar Stays from Red Envelope. These are so cute and say sweet little sayings like, Thinking of You, etc. I did the racy version :)

Cuff Links are also a great present. I love these Longhorn ones from Neiman Marcus (also find a cheaper version at Nordstrom's). Tiffany & Co also has the classic personalized initial ones. Can't go wrong with those!

If you want to do something together, a couples massage is always a great idea. The Crescent Spa here in Dallas has great rates on couples massages.

Also, cooking lessons are really fun (depending on the guy). Viking Cooking School on Knox and Central Market are both great places to go. They serve wine during the class as well. Central Market even has wine tasting courses, which is a great thing to do with friends too.

Anyways, hope this sparks some ideas for some of you!

PAO What?

So today I am researching chemicals and synthetic basestocks....what is that?? I don't even know. I think I would rather be bored than do this.

Beautiful in White

I was just flipping through some of the dresses from the SAG awards that I missed Sunday night. I have to say, this would make one beautiful wedding dress.

Betty in the snow

Just too cute I had to share!

Retro Ski Jackets

I think I mentioned before that the hubby's ski jacket is from 1991. We actually ran in to a woman in Deer Valley with the exact same jacket with opposite colors. This is just too funny.

Park City Skiing

So we got back from Park City late Sunday night, and we had such a blast. I have never been to Park City or Utah before so I wasn't sure what to expect.

Park city is a cute ski town that was built in the late 1800s. I love that it is an older mining town as it reminds me of where I grew up skiing, Telluride CO. There are 3 ski mountains surrounding Park City: Park City Mountain, Deer Valley & the Canyons. Deer Valley does not allow snow boarders so it is a great place to have a more relaxed skiing day. It is also great for beginners as there are many greens and scenic blue runs. Park City was also great, lots of wonderful blues and the guys enjoyed the blacks as well. My least favorite was the Canyons. Granted, we went on a busy Saturday but there were SO many snowboarders I thought they were going to cut me off or board over me. I would not go back to the Canyons, so not worth it.

Below is a picture of the boys on a double black at the Canyons. 

Another Tear-fest

Seriously stop crying on national TV girls!! It is unattractive and NOT a turn on for men, seriously. It cracks me up how each week Chantal O cries, yet asserts "I am a strong woman." Um, if you were a strong woman you would stop crying on every single episode.

I read a quote by Jennifer Aniston and she said she was so shocked at how these women on the bachelor cry and cry after being rejected by the bachelor after knowing him for less than a week or so. I could not agree more. And to get upset that he is spending time with other girls....have you not seen the show before?? I think that the girls shouldn't complain about this considering they all knew what they signed up for. Ridiculous.

I am not sure who is my favorite; in all honesty I am not sure any of them has a "lead" right now. He likes Shawntal, she is cute, but so young. He likes Emily, but she seems one dimensional. And Michelle is just plain crazy. I think he kept Alli this week just because he feels sorry for her and how she always complains about not being special.

Anyways, stay tuned for more drama and tears! Can't wait for next week!!

Snow Day!!

Our first snow day of the year! Betty is loving it, which is surprising. Here is a quick picture I took of our backyard. I am still in my PJs, so I haven't ventured outside yet.