Go Glam or go Home!

So tonight as I sat sipping a nice big glass of red wine* and tuned into the Golden Globes, I couldn't help but think that this years dresses were really beautiful.  Nothing was totally hideous (Tilda Swinton is always excused because her acting makes up for it...) and most of the ladies put in a solid effort.
*(note, award shows offer a diet exemption to drink wine)

 I won't go into a full-on snarky yet overly detailed analysis of my top fashion winners and losers (I'll leave that for the serious fashion bloggers), and instead I'll share my fave few. Simple enough!

{Ok, so before you go all whoa; why the brainy teen from Modern Family?? It's because Ariel Winter looked absolutely adorable and yet totally age appropriate. Love the shoes, the rich shade of purple and the demure yet glam hair.}
If the skirt could be modified towards less ruffle and more of a fitted style I'd wear it in a heartbeat! 

{Elle Macpherson looks like a bit of a frilly confection here but she pulls it off like almost no one else can. Her hair and the flare on her dress are the size of Texas. Big and bold...super glam, no!?}

{Jessica Alba was perfection in Gucci, the powdery purple of dress doesn't really come through in this pic but it looked amazing on TV, most definitely my favorite gown of the night.}

{My honorable mention goes to the always amazing Sofia Vergara, her sapphire blue Vera Wang was a super bold mermaid silhouette but as always she worked it and then some. Gorgeous without too much cleavage.}

There you have it, short but sweet. A simple round-up of what caught my eye at the Golden Globes.
Who were your favorite stars of the night?

Mashed potatoes and iPhones....

Happy December dolls! Can you believe Christmas is only 24 days away? 

 Since I decided to be "on the ball" this year and start my Christmas shopping early (as in September) I really don't have many more things to buy. This has left me with time to enjoy all the stuff I'm diggin' right now...the little things that make my day a bit better. 

This time of year I am obsessed with Glade's scented candles. The apple cinnamon scent is heaven on earth. What could smell better than baked apple pie? -sweet, spicy, delicious. Hea-ven.

Well hallelujah, Mama has finally entered the modern age and got herself an iPhone 4S. Needless to say I'm completely addicted. I did love my good ol' Crackberry but it was time to upgrade...and Siri is just plain awesomeness.

3 words. Lobster Mashed Potatoes. Yeah they're that good. I thought nothing could top lobster mac n' cheese but this could be a contender. 

Butter? check.

Garlic? check.

Boursin cheese? check.

Lobster? check check check.

Roaaaar. I am completely in love with infinite leopard print scarves. A great scarf can elevate any outfit, even jeans and a t-shirt. Not a day goes by where I don't throw on a cozy scarf and head out the door. 

Dark(er) lips. Ok, so it's taken me forever to come around to this but I'm finally feeling comfortable moving away from nude lips.  A bolder red or mauve lip is perfect for this time of year and I'm not sure why I shied away from this so much in the past. I suppose I was afraid of an overdone look since I like a bolder (smokey) eye. Well not anymore, bring on the colour!

This list of faves could have gone on for days but I had to narrow it down...there are only so many hours in a day to read blogs, am I right?
What are your December loves? Share the good stuff with us! 

Ryan+Rosie= muy caliente

Sweet Baby Jesus, could there be 2 more hotter people than Ryan Reynolds and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley? 

 Put them together in a slow-mo Euro style ad for Marks and Spencer's new Autograph clothing line and you've got a recipe for over the top rediculous-hotness.

I can't help but chuckle at Ryan's smoldering/I'm-sexy-and-I know-it look throughout the whole video, he'll always be Van Wilder to me.

 It should be illegal for two people to be this pretty. 

It's just not fair.

"Can't Have" List For Fall...

Let's keep this brief and to the point...here's the stuff I want right now but am holding back on. Mama's saving her pennies for bigger things that include two fabulous vacations in 2012 celebrating 2 super-big-deal occasions (my birthday and anniversary).  So I'll still share the items I'm coveting though I doubt I'll be dropping any dough-ray-me on them anytime soon...sigh.

{Tory Birch Aaden Riding Boot- I'm nuts about tall riding boots}

{Classic Chanel 2.55 flap bag.

Love. this. bag.} 

{Tory Burch Glazed Leather Logo Clutch- classic and goes with everything}



{Halston Heritage "Studio 54" dress. Looks way cuter in person, sparkly and perfect for going out}


Not spending money is the opposite of fun but what's more worth while, a trip to New York or a Chanel bag?

BCBG lovin'...

So we knew that the colder fall weather would show up around these parts (Calgary) eventually. We've been spoiled by amazing summer-like temps this September but all good things must come to an end.  Our winters are crazy long here and I savoured every last minute of sunshine while I could butttt since the temperature is dropping I'm finally in the fall shopping mood. The only good thing about cold weather is fabulous fall clothes.

 I was in BCBG the other day and fell in love with just about everything....

Leopard print, bandage skirts, cognac colour riding boots and leather coats with sheepskin lining -these are all classic, wearable pieces and you can't go wrong with.

I'll never get tired of leopard...in fact there's no such thing as too much leopard.  Disagree if you want but you're wrong.

It seems like there aren't major changes in the trends for fall/winter this year...which is fine by me cuz I'm loving the status quo...

What are your fall wardrobe staples? 

Quick Mall Haul....

Being that today was Kid #1's last day of school I decided to hit the mall while he was still at kindergarten and shop with only one urchin child by my side. Trying on clothes with a 2 year old is an exercise in futility but I really wanted to grab a few things before holidays start and our days get really busy. Plus the summer sales are so great right now that you'd be crazy not to shop...

Layered Chiffon top from OId Navy- $8.99
 Stripped tank from Old Navy- $5.00

More Michael Kors...

 From The Bay -Michael Kors Runway with Glitz chronograph watch in gold.  I decided to just go ahead and grab it. It's big, heavy and flashy. Love it.

V-Neck Dolman blouse and Navy Chiffon Tiered Tank- Suzy Shier

From Sephora- Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation. Time to see if its $42.00 price is worth all the hype. I'm pretty much looking for perfection in a bottle with full coverage. Is this too much to ask?

Living Proof -Full Thickening Cream. Best product for thin/fine hair ever. Period. 

And a gift for my mother-in-law who I'm visiting in 3 weeks time, her fave Clinique products- Dramatically different moisturizing lotion and Repairwear Laser Focus Wrinkle and UV Damage Corrector

Wanting on Wednesday...

I thought I'd share my latest list of "wants" with you all. They can be classified in different categories, stuff I dream of, stuff I might get my grabby hands on someday and stuff that shall be mine.

Let's start with the attainable items then work up to the not getting this anytime soon...

Michael Kors watch in gold.
A lot of people are loving rose gold right now but I'm still a fan of traditional yellow gold. I'd of course stack it with a mountain of bangles and other bracelets. Perfect with a tan.

Bobby Brown "beach" perfume. Honestly I've heard so many rave reviews about it's fresh, summery, beachy smell and it sounds perfect for summer.

House of Harlow 1960 Black resin triangle necklace. From NicRic's jewelry line, this piece has been around for a few years now and I honestly didn't like it at first but now I need it badly...yeah I'm late to the party.

Bottega Veneta BV93S Wayfarer Sunglasses. The perfect blend of the classic wayfarer frame shape but with larger lenses. 

Oh look, it's Kim K. again.....

Rick Owens Leather Biker Jacket. So this has become a star-staple but I love love love the flared collar and cropped styling....

Alexander Mcqueen clutch and knuckleduster style clutch.  These are fun and funky and I want one (still)...
I defo think that they're worth the price as they've become an instant classic.

So what's on your wish list currently? Is it pie in the sky or could you buy it tomorrow if you wanted?

images via google, alexander mcqeen

Dress Dilemma,,,

In July we're off to sunny, hot and financially floundering Greece.  I'm beyond looking forward to our annual summer in the sun. Mama needs a tan and a holiday beyond badly. We're a part of some special events while there including the baptism of our good friends daughter.  We're going to be her God-parents and for Greeks this is a super HUGE deal because God-parents (Koumbari) are like family forever.

Greek baptisms are a major production. A big event in a child's life that is celebrated with the same enthusiam as a wedding. Hundreds of guests and huge reception-dinner after parties are completely standard. Many people spare no expense and hire professional photographers, have lavish dinners, live music and bring in entertainers or clowns to keep the kids occupied so the adults can drink and dance the night away. It's a good time.

{after a baptism outside the church- balloons for the kids to take home}

{at a friends baptism in 2006}

{at the after party}

{At our boys 2009 outdoor baptism reception}

{My son's God-Mother and my sister-in-law at the reception}

But as the God-Mother (Nona) what am I going to wear?  A lot of the women in Greece are as fabulous as they are glamourous and I need to look great while still dressing appropriately for the church. I'm torn between 3 dresses that I have and honestly none of them really excite me.  My practical side says don't go too crazy and  that I should wear something sensible that will look good in photos 20 years from now. 

I'll pair the black dresses with black patent heels and the pink and grey dress with nude heels. And of course I'll accessorize (heavily) and have on enough makeup to pass for a drag queen for it to last all day in the heat. 

Which dress would you choose or should I go for something completely different? 

Help a sister out...I'm totally open to suggestions!