Grammys 2014

I absolutely love awards show season.  Especially now that Facebook and Twitter are a part of our daily lives, it is even more fun to post and chat with friends (and frenemies) in real time about the show.  The Grammys are, of course, among the most colorful of the awards shows and the red carpet fashion is without a doubt the most entertaining.  This is because musicians are the quirkiest of artists and you never, ever know what they are going to turn up in on that red carpet.

The show was pretty good – nothing we’ll be talking about in 20 years but entertaining enough- but my favorite performances were Lorde’s “Royals”- my favorite song right now; and Carol King with Sarah Bareilles.  I always enjoy the old school/new school collaborations.  This year’s red carpet, however, was pretty boring!  That dress code CBS imposed last year must still be in effect!  There were some questionable ensembles.  Pharrell’s Smokey the Bear hat had its own twitter account before the show was over and Arby’s asked him for their hat back!  He replied to them asking if they were trying to start a “roast beef”!  Too funny!  I love that guy!  Even though there were still more risks than we generally see at the Oscars, Globes, or Emmys; they really didn’t work well (or horribly) enough to even mention.

I did, however, pick a few celebs that I thought looked classically pretty so I’d like to celebrate them here!

Ciara and her baby bump were adorable in Emilio Pucci

photo courtesy of huffingtonpost.com

Taylor Swift was cute in her “mother of the bride” Gucci.  I know – that was border line shade, but really!  That dress could have easily been a mistake!

photo courtesy of huffingtonpost.com

Miranda Lambert in Pamella Roland      

photo courtesy of huffingtonpost.com

Amber Rose is in Naeem Khan!  She has never made my best dressed list before!  The first time I saw her last night I immediately liked her photo.  Then, I just as quickly crossed her off the list when I figured out it was her!  After watching Wendy Williams, I put Amber back on my list because of why Wendy chose her!  Wendy Williams chose Amber as one of her favorites because she had the good sense to cover up those tattoos!  Now, I am not anti-ink but I do believe they can mess up a red carpet look and should be covered when you’re dressing up.  Great decision, Amber!  You looked very elegant last night!

photo courtesy of huffingtonpost.com 

My other two favorites didn't hit the red carpet and it was tough to find photos or even who they were wearing.  I guess the squeaky wheels are the ones who get the most attention even if they aren’t the most deserving even in the entertainment business.  (That wasn’t shade either!  I promise! *wink*)

Queen Latifah looked good.  I think the gown was Carmen Marc Volvo but I cannot confirm!  Finding photos of this girl was impossible!

Also, Julia Roberts looked hot in what I believe was on an Elie Saab runway recently.  I honestly thought she was pretty but I will go ahead and admit she is one of my favorite celebrities and would make my lists in a potato sack!

Golden Globes 2014

There was a little awards show Sunday night. Maybe you've heard about it? The Golden Globes were, of course Sunday and I have been studying the Red Carpet like there's going to be a test but I think I finally picked my favorite looks!

Anyone who knows me knows I love beautiful clothes and accessories but I prefer looks and silhouettes that are simple and clean.  To quote Annette Bening in the movie, "The Women"; "There is a difference between an outfit and a get up!"  I totally agree.  It saddens me when an outfit is wearing a person.  As usual, there were risks - some that worked; some epic fails; and one that I'm still on the fence about!  Kaley Cuoco's dress was definitely a risk and I really want to like it, but something is missing.  I haven't figured out what just yet, though.

My favorite dresses actually didn't even hit the Red Carpet.  Lara Spencer of Good Morning America wore a sleek and elegant gown that had no label and she got in a thrift or consignment store for $150!  Also, I really liked Amy Poehler's halter dress that she donned for the opening monologue and fell in love when I figured out it was green! I wish I could find a good picture of both of those!

Check out my favorite looks below. There's a ton!

Sandra Bullock in Prabal Gurung: this was a risk and some didn't like it, but she made this work!

I really liked that several dresses had sleeves.  Here is Julia Roberts channeling her inner Carolina Herrera with a piece made for her by Dolce and Gabbana. (Am I the only one that always misspells this since "The Devil Wears Prada"?)

Sofia Vergara in Zac Posen: because what's a best dressed list without her?

Lupita Nyong'o in Ralph Lauren - that cape is everything! (That blue dress behind her is cute...)

Olivia Wilde in Gucci - I can't stop looking at this one.

Amy Poehler in Stella McCartney - love that little cut out!

Naomi Watts in Tom Ford; someone was wearing a very similar dress; way to outshine them, girl!

Reese Witherspoon in Calvin Klein (she's my friend in my head!)

"Ms. Golden Globe" Sosie Bacon

Emma Watson in Dior - those are pants under there! Risk that worked and may show up quite a bit in the Paris couture shows!

Michelle Dockery in Oscar de la Renta; you can never go wrong with Oscar!

Sarah Hyland in Geoges Hobieka Couture

Kate Beckinsale in Zuhair Murad - I love a great gunmetal gown!

Maria Menounos in BCBG Max Azria; another one I can look at for hours.

GUCCI MUSEO

Buon Anno, Bellas!

I had the awesome opportunity to start 2014 in beautiful Italy!  We took a tour that literally tried to show us the whole country in 9 days!  It was amazing, thrilling, exciting, and exhausting all at once!

Of course, I was all "a Twitter" and checking in everywhere on Foursquare but as I reviewed my Instagrams when I returned, I posted only 6 times regarding my vacation and 3 of those posts were about the Gucci Museo in beautiful Florence!  I think I may be a little bit obsessed. I definitely can't wait to visit Italy again, and I would not object at all to another trip to Gucci Museo...

I don't know why I didn't know this place existed; but guys, when I saw it, I literally squealed with delight and immediately started trying to figure out how to ditch my tour group for just a bit to go for a visit!

Mission accomplished!  I skipped a trip to a leather store and went exploring!  The ground floor was dedicated to travel.  There were displays of vintage luggage and a Gucci trimmed Cadillac!  The story is there of Guccio Gucci working as a lift boy at the Savoy Hotel in London and being fascinated by the elegance of the guests.  He returned to his home in Florence and opened a workshop making travelware and other accessories.

On the 1st floor (the ground floor is 0 in Italy), there is a display commemorating the Flora theme that began when Rodolfo Gucci created a scarf for Princess Grace of Monaco in 1966.  Around the corner from there is the handbag exhibit complete with horsebits, bamboo, and the "Jackie-O".  The back was the evening wear exhibit with dresses worn on recent red carpets.

On the 2nd and final floor is the loafer exhibit and the story of Aldo Gucci, son of Guccio, included footwear in the family business in 1953. Around the corner from this was the lifestyle display: picnic sets, table lamps, glassware, and games.  Then there was the logomania exhibit with the logo story including the introduction of Guccissima leather.

Photos could not be taken so these came from Gucci's website. Honestly, I was so busy looking and reading that I almost forgot about photos! (I was trying to read the Italian...)

I am immeasurably grateful for my "Italian Intermezzo"  I can't wait to go back again!  Here's hoping your new year started as fabulously or even more fabulously than mine!

Buon Anno di Italia!