My Favourite Oscar Style

So many perfect Oscar dresses have walked the red carpet in the recent years but these four stood out to me.  Fashion-forward, unique and award-winning in their own right.

I cannot wait until this Sunday!  I'm thrilled to actually be in Hollywood for Oscar week... 

Above:  (2006) Michelle Williams in Vera Wang.  My favourite Red Carpet look EVER. 

Above:  (2008)  Marion Cotillard in scallop detailed, mermaid-style Jean-Paul Gaultier.

Above:  (2011) Cate Blanchett in beautifully detailed and intricate Givenchy Couture.

Above:  (2012) Gwyneth Paltrow in the most stylish caped Tom Ford gown. 


Trend: Canary Yellow

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Here comes the sun... Ok, kindof!   We all knew Canary Yellow was going to be a big and bright SS’13 fashion trend after DKNY tickled us with their NYC Cab hues and then more delicate tones soon followed in the Zac Posen, Jenny Packham and Carolina Herrera spring runways.  On last week’s freezing, snowy EE BAFTA's red carpet, Marion Cotillard (in Christian Dior) and Rising Star nominee Andrea Riseborough (in Vivienne Westwood) bravely led the way, both looking stunning in their LYD (Long Yellow Dresses!)   
Lemon, Canary, Mustard… Get ready for the highstreet to flood with an array of glorious sunshine shades – just add some simple jewellery and pouty red lips... 

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Above:  To emulate the feathery Bridget Bardot or Girl-Of-The-Moment Lena Dunham (at this month's Grammy Awards):  Rag & Bone Knitted Ribbed Dress - RRP. £195.00, Nars Nail Polish in Amchoor (designed by Thankoon Panichgul of Thankoon) - RRP. £14.50, Whistles Structured Tee - RRP. £75.00, Topshop Mustard Brocade Cutout Dress - RRP. £59.00.

Musical Moment: Haim ('Forever')

I Wish We All Could Be Californian Girls... like Haim.

As I’m currently in LA I feel it both right and proper for my next Musical Moment to come from, Haim.  Influenced by 80’s pop and early 90’s R&B, these Californian sisters, Este, Alana and Danielle Haim, are about to be HUGE.  I love this song.  It reminds me of Gloria Estefan's '‘the rhythm is gonna get you,” and makes you want to dance around your bedroom.  A seeerious girl anthem.  

 

"Forever I see you and me, forever I'll try for you and I,
No I never believed in their insight, just another good reason to get it right..."

HAWT: Rihanna in Azzedine Alaia at The Grammys

Hawt = A late 1940's and early 1950's acronym for "Having A Wonderful Time."
Now the word is used on the internet as slang for something reeeeally hot.

The 2013 Grammy Award for Best Dressed on the night, without a shadow of a doubt, went to Rhianna! How incredibly glamourous did she look in this beautiful custom-made Azzedine Alaia dress, accessorised with Neil Lane jewelery, Manolo Blahnik heels and a bright red pout? Dazzling and show-stopping. A red HAWT Valentine’s Day tribute.

Debit Buy: Bianca Jones Lotus Flower Necklace

I love this elegant 18ct Gold Vermeil Lotus Flower Necklace (above) designed by award-winning, London-based jeweller Bianca Jones. Inspired by peaceful love, the Lotus Flower signifies purity and beauty.  Delivered to you in a vintage style envelope with a hand-tied ribbon, this is the perfect present for a loved one… or yourself.  But preferably yourself.

RRP. £64.00
 
Bianca Jones' Cards (left) designed and printed by hand in collaboration with the illustrator Tessa Dunlop, are also seriously worth stocking up on. THEY’RE Ace.
 
RRP. £1.60

Bruce Paltrow's World Famous Pancakes

Pancake Day... My favourite Day!

Bruce Paltrow's World-Famous Pancakes

Recipe from 'My Father’s Daughter: Delicious, Easy Recipes Celebrating Family & Togetherness' by Gwyneth Paltrow

INGREDIENTS (serves 6)

1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons sugar
1 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
3 eggs (preferably organic)
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly, plus 1/2 tsp per batch to grease pan
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
About 1/2 cup whole milk
Maple syrup

Combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a bowl. Whisk eggs, 3 tbsp butter and buttermilk in another bowl. Whisk wet ingredients into dry ingredients until just combined. Cover batter and let rest overnight in the refrigerator. Heat a large greased griddle or large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add milk to batter until it reaches desired consistency; the more milk, the thinner and more delicate the pancakes. Working in batches of three pancakes, spoon batter onto griddle or skillet. Cook until surface of pancake is covered with bubbles, for 2 to 3 minutes. Flip and cook the other side until golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Drizzle warmed maple syrup over pancakes; serve. Yum!

Valentines Day Gift Guide 2013 - For Him

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

Valentines Day Gift Guide 2013

Above (Clockwise) L-R:  Topshop Iris Print Dress - RRP. £42.00, Rosie for Autograph Rose Bra and Brazilian Knickers - RRP. £22.50 & £12.50,  REN Moroccan Rose Bath Oil at ASOS - RRP. £30.00,  Fabulous Frocks at Waterstones - RRP. £14.99 £13.49, Miu Miu Sunglasses - RRP. £225.00,  Harvey Nichols Valentines Hamper - RRP. £70.00

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Cara and Kate's Love Cover-Off

LOVE magazine issue 9 has treated us to two cover options, one featuring a ‘cleaned up’ Kate Moss and the other featuring a ‘scrubbed up’ Cara Delevigne.  Provacatively photographed by Mert & Marcus and styled by Katie Grand, both ladies look stunning.  Which cover is your favourite?  Mine is Kate’s... No, wait… It’s Cara’s… Kate’s… Cara’s…
 
Below:  To celebrate her LOVE cover, a masked Cara Delevigne recorded this hypnotic video showing her lip-syncing to my most favourite guilty pleasure, Shania Twain’s 'That Don’t Impress Me Much’  whilst stroking a little grey kitten.  I just love this girl.  Simples.