Oscar Fashion Winners

Academy Award winner Anne Hathaway

The red carpet parade at the Oscar's tonight was filled with talented actresses in beautiful gowns. Jennifer Lawrence in a blush Dior gown that trailed on behind her forever. Amy Adam's wore an Oscar de la Renta gown that featured a massive multi layered skirt. Helen Hunt wore a royal blue gown that retailer H & M created for her. Rounding out her Oscar worthy look Miss Hunt wore $700,000 in bling from jeweler Martin Katz. No one would have know that the Oscar gown Helen wore was from the fashion accessible line that we all shop at.

Rather than fill this post with fashions from the red carpet I prefer to share with you my favourite Oscar fashion..........worn by Anne Hathaway.

 

Anne Hathaway wears a petal pink Prada gown that features a daring strap back. I love her look because with her hair short, the lines of the gown, the string of Tiffany diamonds draped down her back and that warm mega watt smile, Anne reminded me of Audrey Hepburn. She looked elegant and demure.

There was chatter on the net and twitter about the front of her dress, in particular that people thought that her nipples were protruding. Here's what I think {for what it is worth} - this is a satin dress with darts on the bodice to create contouring at the bust - for anyone who sews knows that it brings the stiffer fabric to a slight point. Yesh! I would hope people would take away much more from such a pretty look.

Anne looked stunning and after seeing her performance in Les Miserable, I'm happy that she took home the Oscar. 

Congratulations to all the nominee's and winners. 

There are so many great movies in theater's right now; if you haven't seen the nominated films I encourage you to take them in.

My Lucky Penny

My Granddaughter discovered several coins in the entry hall table and brought them to me announcing 'Grandma, look at my lucky penny'. When you are two and a half years old all coins are the same. So the dime, nickel and quarter were automatically labeled 'lucky penny'. I realized that with the phasing out of the Canadian penny my Granddaughter will not have the one cent piece as part of her life.

Canada's Economic Action Plan announced that the one cent copper penny costs 1.6 cents to produce. And although the penny will be taken out of circulation it will retain its value indefinitely.

CanadianCoin.com - The Penny made with 58,923 penny's.

When my Granddaughter is learning basic math and discovering the function of counting back change, there will now be rules or standards attached that we have never experienced before.
Rounding. Symmetrical Rounding according to the Canadian Government. That is what the exercise of adjustment is being referred to. Round it UP, round it DOWN?  Possibly there will be a few arguments over which way it should go.

So what do we do with all these copper coins? The various shades and degree of shine have brought some ingenious people to utilize the penny in unique ways.

Copper Penny backsplash via HGTV roomzaar.com

If gluing every penny one at a time seems excessive, you can use mosaic tile backing to prepare the coins for easier application to various surfaces.

via reno210

Grouting and sealing penny's to be used in a shower may prove to be a difficult project....... It's hard to believe that the shower base is made with penny's - it does look striking.

via pinterest

Materia Penny Copper Medussa Atlas Floor

According to ancient Greeks, copper coins protected against evil and attract love. Finding a lucky copper coin means you are being protected from any evil energy and you can use it as a lucky charm. 

You could use your penny's to have a couture dress made. This one is by Raymond Waters Couture.

An 'up-cycled re-purposed coin bracelet'  via etsy

Sporting various shades of copper coins Renee Gruszecki creates jewellery honouring the copper coins and sells vintage coins. Coin Coin Designs & Co.

I like the idea of Kya always having a 'lucky penny'. I think we will sort through our coin jar and pick out some penny's of different years, various colours and even a few with some dirt, paint or markings on them. Together we will have fun gluing the coins in a display.

After all, everyone should have a framed lucky penny masterpiece.

via doodlecraft.blog

{This lucky penny frame is made with U.S. penny's .............. which are slated to be retired as well.}

Hugs & Kisses

Sending you warm hugs

and sweet thoughts.

Happy Valentine’s Day.

Beauty in an unspoiled landscape

A few weeks ago I received an email blast from Architectural Digest, within one of the lead stories was an image that caught my attention and that took me on a journey to the Umbrian hillsides. It is there that the breathtaking estates of Castello di Reschio offer pure beauty in the Italian countryside.

Castello di Reschio - the stone faced fireplace, sofa's and hinge winged table were all designed by Architect Benedikt Bolza, son of Count Antonio Bolza.

Castello di Reschio is a 2,700 acre estate that features a 12th Century castle and 40 once derelict farmhouses. Count Antonio  Bolza, a Hungarian exile, bought one acre of land on the edge of the property back in 1984, but it wasn't until ten years later that he purchased the remaining estate. The transformation of the broken stone buildings began and unused properties started to emerge as stunning masterpieces. Today the family run estate and business has created spectacular properties surrounded by the beauty of the Umbrian countryside.

Double-height master bath with heated copper towel racks and travertine wash stands was designed by Benedikt.

Rebuilding each home is a family affair that Benedikt, who is also the Estate Director, takes to heart. The Bolza family works with a team of over 100 builders and craftsmen to design, re-construct and manage the houses and gardens for their clients.

The villas are outfitted with classic features such as limestone floors, stone fireplaces, raw oak wood tables, wall sconces and generous waterfall shower heads. Mixed in the charm of true Italian style are features of convenience that offer the standard of luxury that their clients are accustomed to - heated floors, media rooms, tennis courts, a spa and gym.

No where else can you float in your infinity pool and gaze out over the green countryside that promises to capture your heart and steal you back in time. This is where old has been restored and new sits back quietly drinking in the beauty of an unspoiled landscape.



Enjoy a tour of some of the beautiful properties of Castello di Reschio and the heavenly countryside that surrounds the centuries old stone buildings.

For details visit Castello di Reschio

Castello di Reschio - Roci.

Noci - The 17th century restored farmhouse can be rented for $1,500 to $2,500 per night.

One of the tranquil bedrooms of Noci villa at Castello de Reschio.

Barcelino Villa can be rented for $1,100 to $1,400 per night.

This one bedroom cottage features a private pool, outdoor kitchen and spa bath.

Belvedere at Castello di Reschio

Belvedere Villa

Belvedere Villa

Stunning stone work at Belvedere.

Mosaic tile floor and timber line roof in the main bath at Belvedere.

Palazzo at Castello di Reschio

Stone and tile provide old world charm to the billiard room at Palazzo.

Tennis courts overlooking the hillside of Umbria - Palazzo Villa.

The candles are lit in the dining room at San Paolo Villa

Amenities of a modern bath are framed by centuries old stone at San Paolo.

San Paolo Villa at Castello di Reschio

Pack your bags ......... the doors are open at Castello de Reschio.

images via Italian Villas and Castello di Reschio