A Belated Glee Fan

I know I am completely late to the party, but I am obsessed with Glee! I just discovered it two weeks ago when the Madonna episode aired. I had heard from many people that it was such a good show, but never got around to watching it. Then, as if by serendipity, I caught my first glimpse of this incredible show when they did the now famous Madonna episode. I watched as the talented cast belted out the songs I sang countless times during my childhood and adolescence. “Like A Virgin”, “Open Your Heart”, “Vogue”, “Like A Prayer”…they sang all of my favorites with the exception of “Into the Groove”, and I sang along as I watched, my heart full of, well, glee.

I ordered the first season on Amazon that same night and finished the first season this weekend. The characters are so charming, even Sue Sylvester, the most likeable villain in recent memory. I love her quips about Will Schuester’s hair. He is so talented! I am surprised he wasn’t discovered earlier. I also happen to adore Mercedes and Kurt. This show is wonderfully refreshing. The cast is undoubtedly talented and it is so fun to watch.

Another favorite character is the adorable guidance counselor, Emma Pilsbury. I love her 1960s-inspired outfits and find her quirky, obsessive personality rather charming. Sure, her looks sometimes border granny-chic territory, but wasn’t she a darling bride in her Jackie Kennedy-inspired gown? I am totally rooting for her to work things out with Will! Are you a fan of Miss Pilsbury’s?

 

{I love this necklace.}

{While mustard yellow isn’t usually my go-to color, I do love her pretty J.Crew Mary Janes. They may have been part of what sold me on the show in the pilot.}

{Emma in a Milly sweater with Telephone Brooch, bearing witness to a battle of the crazies.}

{So cute!}

{Her style combination of Mad Men meets J.Crew with a twist of Granny’s closet is so endearing.}

Are there any other “Gleeks” out there?

Glee airs Tuesday nights at 9/8 central on Fox.

The Met Costume Gala Honors the American Woman

{Francisco Costa with the beautiful Zoe Saldaña and Diane Kruger, both in Calvin Klein Collection}

The Metropolitan Museum’s Costume Institute held its annual benefit and gala last night. This year, the theme was American Woman: Fashioning A National Identity. As usual, the A-list stars were out in full force and most of them rocked the red carpet. These are some of my favorite looks of the evening.

{Jessica Alba in Sophie Theallet for Gap (who knew!)}

{Brooke Shields in Michael Kors}

{Sienna Miller in Emilio Pucci}

{Gisele Bundchen in Alexander Wang with husband Tom Brady in Tom Ford}

{If anyone could rock this look, it’s Alexa Chung in 3.1 Phillip Lim. I sort of love this look. Thoughts?}

{Camilla Belle in a beautiful red gown by Jason Wu}

{Sarah Jessica Parker in Halston Heritage, which she has been collaborating on. Isn’t the color gorgeous on her?}

{Gwen Stefani with hubby, Gavin Rossdale in a L.A.M.B. gown of her own design. She looks edgy, yet feminine and thoroughly modern.}

{Emma Watson wearing Burberry with designer, Christopher Bailey… there isn’t anything American about this, but she looks fantastic!}

{In my next life, I’d like to look like Bar Rafaeli, who wore Rag & Bone to the Gala last night.}

{Kristen Bell in Diane Von Furstenberg}

{Anne Hathaway looked amazing in this nude Valentino confection. She always hits it out of the park.}

{The Ultimate Glamourpuss: Jennifer Lopez looked stunning in Zuhair Murad.}

{Hugh Dancy and Claire Danes, both in Burberry}

{I die! Rachel Zoe in Marc Jacobs

I must say, the fit and color look fantastic on her, but is the gown velvet? Is it acceptable to wear a velvet gown in May?}

Who was your favorite of the evening? Of the looks I have featured in this post, who got it right and who didn’t in your opinion?

Image Credit: Style.com

10 Things I Can’t Live Without: April of Kaars Koker

The super-talented April Pride Allison, interior designer and founder of KaarsKoker (a line of fabulous candle sleeve covers) will be sharing her “10 Things” list with us today. She was very diligent and sent her list to me a while ago since she just recently had welcomed her second son into the world. I love that her list is composed of guilty pleasures and things that make life a little more manageable. After all, that is what living la dolce vita is all about!

As I write this, I am 4 short weeks from welcoming my second child- another son- to our crazy life. This has me hyper aware of the imminent loss of all the guilty pleasures I lost and regained since the birth of my first son, James, 3 years ago. So this list is really all about me- meaning we should all assume the importance of family, friends, ice cream and laptop in my personal and professional life, which are very much blurred.

 

1) Kombucha is the true nectar of the gods. This tea created by a fermented mushroom is known for its liver detoxification qualities. Out here in Seattle, many people make their own rather than spend $3+ a bottle. I think the raw taste is ‘challenging’ so I go for the CK’s Citrus-flavored PREMADE. I have not been able to drink Kombucha during pregnancy and I can tell a difference in my skin, energy, etc. Yes, I miss champagne and loads of coffee but I REALLY miss (the results of) my daily Kombucha fix.

2) The color blue. I live in the land of taupe, mushroom, squirrel and olive. My house could be mistaken for an underwater cave compared to the Seattle palette starting with the blue front door (Ralph Lauren Polo Blue in stain). My kitchen cabinets and library built-in is Benjamin Moore Narragansett Green (paints out a dirty teal). In my living room, I have a teal sofa and in the kitchen a camelback sofa upholstered in navy leather. Turns out in a house of boys, a girl with a thing for blue works.

3) Hip hop (1993-present). If you’ve seen the movie The Wackness, the soundtrack (most of it) chronicles my first memories of hip hop (Notorious B.I.G., Tribe Called Quest – or simply Tribe) with the addition of Dr. Dre’s The Chronic (college tour 1993). Then I moved into Jay-Z (my son is not a fan) and I totally admit I now listen to Top 40, which is not as meaty but has its place. At nearly 34, I don’t see this guilty pleasure going anywhere even if I have to find time to listen out of the range of small ears.

 

4) Addiction TV. My husbands jokes that I am addicted to addiction. It started with Intervention years ago and my current time suck is Celebrity Rehab.

5) Skin products. This is my true addiction when in reality I should probably just drink more water. I love the brief moment when I buy a new lotion, serum or mask and I can virtually feel myself looking 26 again. I joke that this is the Year of the Needle but when the baby comes I can start back on topical Vitamin A so maybe I can delay another year. Did you see my skin get better for a second just at the thought of it?!?!?

6) Ketchum ID. This is being geographically precise as most folks know the area as Sun Valley. When at home in Seattle, I am not a weekend warrior always choosing to stay in the city but when we are in Ketchum it is all about hiking, (car) camping, skiing and the apres lifestyle. I feel most relaxed here.

7) Stumptown coffee is not my neighborhood and taking the time to drive, find parking and wait in line is what makes this a guilty pleasure although it is on the long way to my studio. Originally from Portland, OR, Stumptown opened its first Seattle locations less than 2 years ago and has moved into NYC most recently.

8) Google map application on iphone. I hate being late and I can plan my route before I leave the house. When I am in a new city I can check public transit routes or the best walking options. Would have solved many of Clark Griswald’s traveling mishaps…

9) The DREAMessentials sleep mask. This is my security blanket and I am not afraid to wear it on an airplane.

10) My network of other small business owners. I have somehow stumbled into a group of women who all own their own deal: day spa, online clothing boutique, bars/restaurants, clothing designer, jewelry designer, make-up manufacturer. As an entrepreneur who works alone, the challenges of managing your own IT, taxes, marketing and schlepping among many other very unglamorous tasks can be isolating and overwhelming. It just takes one phone call to any of these ladies to be reminded of the others while in various stages of business development are all passionately committed. Many of us like to joke, “What have we started?”

Gwyneth Paltrow Makes the Rounds

Gwyneth Paltrow has been making the rounds to promote her new movie, Iron Man 2 in which she stars with Robert Downey, Jr., Scarlett Johansson, and Mickey Rourke. Gwyneth is one of my personal style icons and would be my answer to the “If you could meet someone famous who would it be?” question. I admire her for her style, grace, her passion for her family, the arts, travel, food, and the Spanish culture. Needless to say, I am glad that we are getting to see a little more of her while she appears on talk shows and attends events to promote her new movie.

{I love the look Gwyneth wore to Good Morning America. The pretty chiffon blouse looks great paired with that fabulous leather jacket.}

{Gwyneth and good friend, Madonna attended the second annual Bent on Learning event in New York. Doesn’t Gwyneth look radiant?}

  {Gwyneth wore a look by Victoria Beckham to the event.}

{Gwyneth in Armani Privé at the premiere of Iron Man 2. What do you think of this look? Do you like the shorts? She does have great gams!}

{Gwyneth with Kate Hudson at the Chopard 150th Anniversary Gala}

 

Did you guys see Gwyneth rap on Jimmy Fallon’s show? She’s pretty good. Maybe she got some pointers from good friend, Jay-Z. This is hilarious!

This Week’s Quote

 

One of my favorite quotes yet.

This is Glamorous shares her “10 Things” list.

A fun game of  “This or That?” leads to a wonderful surprise.

A Fabulous Memo

 

Image Credit: Lonny Magazine