Have a Glamourous Weekend

Andronis Luxury Resort, OIA, Santorini                  image : Glamour Begins At Home

No matter where the steps lead you, 

may your weekend be filled with fun and Glamour.

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.

Red Carpet GLAMOUR

Tonight the Golden Globe awards were being presented at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles. 

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association's annual Golden Globe Awards has enabled the non-profit organization to donate more than 12 Million dollars over seventeen years to entertainment related charities.

The awards..........the nominations.......... the winners........... the red carpet. 

The red carpet pre-shows are as much of a fan fare as the awards. In addition to recognizing the talent of many actors, directors, writers, producers in television and film.....there is the fashion.

Here are my awards for red carpet fashion from the Golden Globes 2012.

Jessica Alba                    getty

My number one pick is this beautiful dress that Jessica Alba wore. Jessica was a vision of elegance in a mauve chiffon gown with seed beading and a soft drape trane. 

Julie Bowen     

Julie Bowen in a soft blush tone organza gown by Reem Acra. There were three actresses on the red carpet who wore fashions by Reem Acra. This old Hollywood style gown would be my choice.

Jessica Chastain                     reuters

Actress Jessica Chastain wore this white Givenchy gown with delicate pearl beading around the neckline and throughout the soft flow of the gown. Jessica was elegant and sophisticated.

Maria Menounos                      getty

Not many women could wear this colour of gown and look so stunning, but Maria Menounos presents a picture of beauty and confidence in this electrifying yellow bead gown. The lines of the dress are perfectly simple and gorgeous all at the same time.

Morena Baccarin                                        getty

The award for pure fresh beauty should go to Morena Baccarin. She is seductively beautiful with a million watt smile and sparkling eyes..... and I seriously want hair like hers. 

She is gorgeous and Glamourous!

Octavia Spencer                           getty

Best Supporting Actress award went to Octavia Spencer for her role in The Help. I literally clapped my hands when she won, if you haven't seen this movie you must.

Octavia walked the red carpet in her mauve ruched chiffon gown and flashed her 4 inch heeled silver Louboutin shoes. She wore the look of confidence and soft beauty.

Viola Davis                                       getty

Best Actress Nominee Voila Davis {The Help}, who always dazzles with her incredible smile, took the wattage up several degrees last night when she wore this beautiful one shoulder ruby chiffon gown. 

Helen Mirren                                    getty

Dame Helen Mirren looks beautiful in this navy gown with crystal belt and matching evening bag. Helen is glowing and always makes fashion choices that compliment her incredibly fit and toned body.

Nicole Richie                               reuters

 Nicole Richie looks stunning in this silver body hugging gown by Julien Macdonald. Her long hair was creatively styled partially up but left to flow over her shoulders {styled by Sauve hair professionals}.

Charlize Theron in DIOR

Charlize Theron was one of many actresses who wore a soft blush colour. The plunging neckline {or lack there of} was highlighted with an equally dramatic front slit and soft chiffon oversized bow.

Nicole Kidman                                getty

Stepping on the red carpet wearing the trend of a pale and soft pallet was Nicole Kidman. Ms. Kidman's Versace gown is a soft silver grey adorned with gold beading. 

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt               reuters

This is one of the rare images of Angelina smiling at tonight's award red carpet walk. With her hair pulled back severely and for the most part a very solemn look, it distracted from Angelina's beautiful gown. The white satin Versace gown is highlighted with just a touch of red, and it was perfectly fitted to her very tiny frame. 

The gown is in a classic style and fabric, and is true red carpet Glamour.

Sarah Hyland

And then there is the moment that no actress ever wants to have to face. Sarah Hyland, who is probably a size 0, had the zipper break on her vintage Dolce and Gabbana gown. Just as the young actress from Modern Family stepped on to the red carpet she felt her dress suddenly 'burst' and start to slip off of her tiny body. She retained her dignity and was escorted to the back of the carpet area where crew sewed her gown closed.

She carried on with red carpet interviews and laughed about the whole thing. 

Sarah Hyland in Vintage Dolce and Gabbana

This is just the beginning of the red carpet season ~ let the Glamour begin. 

Blog Anniversary

Just one year ago I decided to try my hand at blogging. It has been so much fun. I love exploring for a new idea to write about, and the opportunity to post my own pictures {which encourages me to take more}.

Thank You to everyone who has stopped by to wander through the posts and to read my blog. Blogging is a wonderful community and the rewards have been many.

Beyond every door there is a world of possibilities.

image : GB@H

The Changing Seasons

We begin a season change and move from the heat of the summer to the comfort of fall. As I read blogs from around the world, I am reminded that for some of my blog friends they are just getting started with a warmer season.

With the promise of an Indian Summer and above seasonal temperatures for September, we will begin to put the patio furniture away in a month. My friends in Australia are just starting to breath in the spring air and get excited about the summer season ahead of them.
So here is a salute to summer .......... in Canada we wave goodbye ............. and in Australia they wave in the season with a warm welcome.

Dining on the patio.... spring, summer or fall.

Sit protected under a lanai.

Dining in a soft tent.

 

I love dining by the waters edge and enjoying the sound of the waves.

From early spring to fall, the life guards are on duty. GB@H

GB@H

And then there is PARIS, where it does not matter what the season is..... it is always a pretty night for a stroll.

GB@H

Enjoy the beauty and GLAMOUR of the seasons.

The Art of T.P.

Ok, I haven't lost my mind............yet; but with a title like that you might think so. The Art of T.P. (toilet paper) ?!

It makes sense that people who work with specific products all day find 'creative' outlets for the use.
I worked for a major Canadian newspaper a dozen years ago and at our first anniversary party there was a model wearing a gown made from our newspapers. A creative Canadian designer (who's name now eludes me)  constructed a gown that featured a long ruffled skirt complete with ruffled panties and bustier, all made from newspaper. The skirt of the gown opened in the front to reveal the shapely legs of the model who wore the ruffled panties underneath. It certainly had the attention of our notorious newspaper mogul leader.

One of my pet-peeves or simple curiosity of 'why do they do that' is, housekeepers or hotel service who turn the corners of the bathroom tissue under in a little triangle on the roll. Why? Certainly it is not to show that the edge is not touched.........it took considerably more touching and effort to turn the edge.

 Finally turning the edge under and making rosettes of bathroom tissue has made sense.

The cleaver people at Cashmere Bathroom Tissue brand have taken the creation of tissue fashions to a new level. This fall 15 top Canadian designers will construct a dress (and accessories) out of Cashmere pink toilet paper in support of breast cancer research. The exhibit will be unvieled September 28th at the Art Gallery of Ontario. The bathroom tissue fashion collection  will remain on view for all of October during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, where it will move to The Bay in Toronto.

It's all for a great cause................ one pink paper square at a time.

Thank You to Cashmere Bathroom Tissue brand

for supporting this important cause.

images from Cashmere Collection 2009

All Dressed UP

I'm not shy to admit that I am a girlie girl. I love pretty things, bling and romantic style...... crystal chandeliers make me smile.

Even as a young girl I had a dressing table. I shared a room with my Sister for many years and then when we each got our own room I tested my decor flair out for the first time. The room was pale yellow with flower wallpaper, white sheer drapes, and a ruffled bedspread (yesh, just using the word 'bedspread' shows my age).

I love girlie glam spaces

I love having my girlie space to store my jewellery and put on my makeup. And when my Daughter was a little girl I bought her a kidney shaped dressing table and sewed the table cover, upholstered the chair and made balloon drapes all to match. It was the trend at the time to have it all match, now I would use five different patterns that speak to one another.

I had also bought a half moon dressing table and made a cover for it for my room. The kidney shaped table later was transformed for my bedroom and I made a new cover in white sheer ruffles. Both tables are currently tucked away in storage waiting like us for our new home. The styles are classic and will always work so they are worth storing away.


On the wish list of things that are a must for the 'house-to-be' that Richard and I are currently searching for; is a dressing room. Not a big'ol walk-in closet, a room to properly store clothes, shoes, handbags and jewellery. A soft and bright place with great mirrors to get dressed in. Here is a bit of inspiration that has helped the wish list along.

The white cabinets and furniture is highlighted even further by the custom cupboards and elegant detailed trim and mirrors. The refinished wood floors bring out the beauty of the room. It is so glamourous.

I love the Barbara Barry dressing table, it is timeless styling.

Traditional Home

Eva Longoria

Eva Longoria has combined elements of open and closed cabinets in her dressing room. Clothes tucked away behind doors are protected from fiber and dust, but open clothes racks help remind us of all the pretty things we have to wear.

Any small room can be transformed into a dressing room with built-in cabinets or stand alone wardrobe units. I love the mirrors on the ones shown above (Paul Schulman Design).

Lonny

Then again..... you may be fortunate enough to have built-ins with the charm of these unique old doors. Finish it all of in style with an ornate full length mirror that has a few degrees of character.

via oliveaux

A well organized and pretty dressing room will make you feel Glamourous every day.

GLAMOUROUS Ruffles

I have this is filed under 

'I don't know where I would wear this Gorgeous over-the-top GLAMOUROUS gown ..... but I WANT IT'.

the body comes with it right?

Enough said........ enjoy!

from the House of Valentino.

Girlie Glam

Every room should have certain amount of sparkle in it; and whether that element is the simplicity of glass or the luxurious look crystal or mirror it will inject a light and airy aspect. When it comes to the intimate space of a girls dressing table or private dressing room it is GLAM all the way; so layer the crystal and mirror and hang up the 'no boys allowed' sign.

Actress Marcia Cross, who plays Bree Van de Kamp on Desperate Housewives, brings the GLAM with her while she is on set. Marcia's on-set trailer..... yes, her trailer, is a luxurious combination of rich fabrics and sparkly finishes.

 

The delicious combination of chocolate and aqua was created by designer David Brian Sanders who refers to the dressing trailer as a 'chocolate kiss'. Brown velvet roman shades trimmed in aqua set the colour pallet; the 21x30 foot space is kept light with the infusion of white or aqua fabric upholstered pieces and an abundance of mirrors.The highlight of the room is the mirror dressing table that reflects the beauty of the room itself.

The colour combination of chocolate and aqua offers a serene oasis to relax and revamp.  The combination is enhanced further with the finishing touches of fresh flowers, crystal lamps, and the right amount of tufted upholstery.

 

Add a little GLAMOUR to your space and breath in the luxury.

all images :: traditionalhome.com

Glamour Girl

She is Glamourous......one of the most sought after girls in the world...... she is forever youthful ........ demure, fun, pretty and well.......... just perfect.

Since 1959, Barbara 'Barbie' Millicent Roberts has been the source of fun and imagination for millions of girls. Barbie, as her fans love to call her, has made herself at home in 150 countries.

 

When Barbie made her debut at the American International Toy Fair in New York on March 9, 1959 (which is her official birthday), no one could have predicted that 52 years later she would be the most popular girl of all time. 

Blond, brunette, red head; it didn't matter what Barbie did she has remained the 'it girl' of all time. With a figure that is frankly unbelievable, Barbie was accused at times of giving young girls an unrealistic image about their bodies.
If she was a 'real living doll' Barbie would stand at the long lean height of 5'9", 110 pounds, 36 inch chest, 18 inch waist and 33 inch hips. In 1997 Barbie threw the diet out the window and was suddenly appearing with a slightly wider waist - in my eyes proof that she was a real girl.

 

Barbie has a wardrobe that could easily be described as the envy of any woman. Shoes, boots, handbags, bathing suits, many bridal gowns and a bevy of evening gowns. Barbie has had a showroom size garage to house all of her cars and campers. Be kind to animals ......she took it to heart; with a collection of dogs, cats, horses, a lion cub, zebra and even a panda.

Barbie's makeup has changed over the years to reflect the trends and she has the smoothest, most flawless skin..... not a sag or wrinkle in sight.

 

Even with this much attention, the level of notoriety did not go to Barbie's head.  She had an open mind and felt there was room for everyone to be friends. One of Barbie's good friends - Julia (a replication of 'Julia' played by Diahann Carroll in a popular television series at the time) was a nurse and she came onto the scene in 1969. 

When Julia came on the scene, I was fortunate to receive one of the dolls which I still have today. My talking Barbie; who spouts sayings like 'Let's go shopping', is still snuggled in my Barbie case along with Julia, a collection of Barbie wigs and original fashions.

Ken, Barbie's guy friend, came on to the scene in 1959 and their friendship blossomed into a steady relationship. Barbie & Ken.......... were defined as a couple. 

Even with the abundance of attention around the world and the growing demands for "Barbie"; she didn't let it go to her head.

American businesswoman and creator of Barbie, Ruth Handler, could not have known back in 1959 the volume of entertainment and pleasure her new little Glamour Girl would bring the young girls around the world.

Barbie has a pilots license, has been a flight attendant, a Nascar driver and traveled around the world hundreds of times.

What did we all learn from Barbie...... I think that she has helped most girls to understanding  that nothing can hold you back in life if you just Dare to Live Your Dream.