Links for a Life Well Lived-01/28

 The weekend couldn't have come soon enough!

Physical exhaustion after the extended holiday marathon, horribly grey and cold days this week and of course the realization that there are still at least 2 months left of winter and you can imagine the state I was in this afternoon.

Truth be told, I had even forgotten that it was Friday (not quite sure what day I thought it was for most of the afternoon!)

That was, until my husband came in after work with his 'end of the week' bouquet of fresh flowers for yours truly! Yes my friends, for the last 10 years my adorable significant other has never let a Friday go by without greeting the weekend, and me, with a shot of flowery delight.
One sniff of the charming posies and I shook off the January blahs in an instant!

Three cheers for the weekend!!

Planning my Sunday morning breakfast around these Lemon Poppy Seed Donuts ~ The Novice Chef

Wise words from the one and only Ines de la Fressange ~ Into The Gloss

Treat your Super Bowlers with these football brownies ~ The Party Dress

The ABC's of going 'au naturale' ~ Mrs. Lilien

A peek into Jennifer Aniston's new Bel Air home! ~ Hooked on Houses

The Lovely Ones: Charlene, Princess of Monaco

(Charlene Lynette Wittstock)

Did you know....

1. She was born on January 25, 1978 in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

2. She was a member of the women's 4x100 medley South African swim team at the 2000 Summer Olympics.

3. She married the reigning Prince Albert of Monaco on July 1, 2011 and became Her Serene Highness The Princess of Monaco, a title last held by her late mother-in-law, Princess Grace.

4. In 2011, she became the global ambassador for the Special Olympics.
5. She was named on Vanity Fair's Best Dressed List in 2011.

Chic this Week: Best in Show for January 15-21, 2012

Who is your choice for best dressed?

Don't forget to scroll below and vote!

Viola Davis

In Herve L. Leroux

At 2012 Producers Guild Awards in Beverly Hills, California

Kate Bosworth

In Antonio Berardi

(pumps by Casadei, clutch by JewelMint)

At 'Black Rock' premiere at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah

Charlize Theron

In Stella McCartney
(clutch by Bottega Veneta)

At the BAFTA Annual Awards Season Tea Party in Beverly Hills, California

Jessica Alba

In Chanel

(jewellery by Chanel)

At the Chanel “Numeros Prives” exhibition opening night at Wynn Las Vegas in Las Vegas, Nevada

Kyra Sedgwick

In Reed Krakoff

(clutch and sandals by Reed Krakoff)

At the 'Man On A Ledge' premiere in NYC, New York

Ali Larter

In Valentino
(peep-toes by Christian Louboutin)

At W Magazine's 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards Celebration in Los Angeles, California

Ellie Kemper

In Martin Kemp

At the 2012 Producers Guild Awards in Beverly Hills, California

Michelle Williams

In Victoria Beckham

At the BAFTA Annual Awards Season Tea Party In Beverly Hills, California

Emmy Rossum
In Georges Hobeika
(pumps by Salvatore Ferragamo, earrings by Chopard)
At W Magazine's 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards Celebration in Los Angeles, California

The Lovely Ones: Ines de la Fressange

Inès Marie Lætitia Églantine Isaelle de Seignard de La Fressange

Did you know...

1. She is best friends with Princess Caroline of Monaco

2. In the 1980's she was muse to Karl Lagerfeld

3. Grew up in an 18th century mill outside of Paris

4. Is of French and Argentinian descent

5. Was named to Vanity Fair's International Best Dressed List (Hall of Fame) in 1998

In the Charming Kitchen: Paula Deen's Southern Deviled Eggs

Today's post was already scheduled for this week but was updated yesterday to include a little personal rant that hopefully you won't mind too much!

Why in the world has everyone pounced on Paula Deen all of a sudden?? Fans and detractors alike have torn into the southern lady like bees on honey and I am not sure why. Is it because we didn't know that all those foods Ms. Deen is famous for might not be the meals to base an entire diet on? Or is it that we have mistaken her for our doctors and our self-regulating instincts instead of who she is, a chef and an entertainer.
As an occasional viewer of her program, I am almost positive that she never once uttered the words 'eat like this morning, noon and night and you will be as healthy as a horse and live forever'. I have heard it said that 'she is on television and therefore is a role model for the people who watch her and emulate her, she is basically killing her viewers with her recipes'. Funny though that we seem to have so much less to say about the Snooki's, the Housewives of Whatever County and the rest of that ilk, who are also on television and their damaging roles in shaping our society but let's lash out at the lady who slips some extra butter into her biscuits.
No my friends, if we have anyone to blame for what befalls our health and well-being, it is ourselves and no one else. I believe that the key to good health and a life well lived, especially when we are talking culinary delights, is very simple- everything in balance and moderation. Let's take ownership and responsibility of our own bodies and stop blaming everyone else for what happens to us.

Okay I'm done, personal rant over.

Below is one of my go-to recipes for any get-together and they are definitely on tap for a little cocktail party I have planned for the weekend.

Simple to make and perfect to serve while your guests are mingling, deviled eggs are just the touch of retro any soiree could use!

Paula Deen's Southern Deviled Eggs

7 large eggs, hard boiled and peeled

1/4 cup mayonnaise

1 1/2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish

1 teaspoon prepared mustard

Salt and pepper, for taste

Paprika, for garnishing

Sweet gherkin pickles sliced, for garnishing

Pimentos, for garnishing

Halve 7 eggs lengthwise. Remove yolks and place in a small bowl.

Mash yolks with a fork and stir in mayonnaise, pickle relish, and mustard. Add salt and pepper, to taste.

Fill egg whites evenly with yolk mixture. Garnish with paprika, pickles and pimentos. Store covered in refrigerator.

recipe via Paula Deen

What She Said.....Ida Scott Taylor

“Do not look back and grieve over the past, for it is gone;

and do not be troubled about the future, for it has yet to come. Live in the present, and make it so beautiful that it will be worth remembering.”

Ida Scott Taylor

Chic this Week: Best in Show for January 8-14, 2012

Who is your choice for best dressed this week?

Don't forget to scroll down and vote!

Emmy Rossum

In Ralph Lauren

(clutch and vintage jewellery by Ralph Lauren, strappy sandals by Jesilla)

At the 'Shameless' season 2 premiere in Los Angeles, California

Viola Davis
In Ports 1961
(clutch by Kara Ross, peep-toe pumps by Shana Davis, cuff by Alexis Bittar)
At the Golden Globes Week 2012 Kick Off party in

Michelle Williams
In Versace
At the InStyle Golden Globes event in Beverly Hills, California

Emily Blunt

In Marios Schwab

(clutch by Marchesa, jewellery by Dana Rebecca Designs, heels by Christian Louboutin)

At the 'Salmon Fishing In The Yemen' premiere at the Palm Springs International Film Festival in Palm Springs, California

Ginnifer Goodwin
In Roksanda Illincic
(heels by Jimmy Choo, earrings by Van Cleef & Arpels)
At the 2012 People's Choice Awards in Los Angeles, California

Charlize Theron

In Reed Krakoff
(strappy sandals by Christian Louboutin, clutch by Lanvin)

At the Palm Springs International Film Festival 'Indie Impact Award Brunch' in Palm Springs, California

Julie Bowen
In Naeem Khan
At the Audi And Martin Katz Kick Off Golden Globes Week 2012 in Hollywood, California

Jayma Mays
In Burberry Prorsum
(clutch by Ruthie Davis, strappy sandals by Burberry Prorsum)
At the 2012 Winter TCA Fox All Star Party

Claire Danes
In Donna Karan
(earrings by Pomellato)
At the 2012 AFI Awards in Los Angeles, California

Jennifer Morrison

In Bill Blass

At the TCA Winter Press Tour in Pasadena, California

The Lovely Ones: Sophia Loren

Sophia Loren

(Sofia Villani Scicolone)

Style at the 2012 Critics' Choice Awards

Who is your pick for best dressed at the 17th Annual Critics Choice Awards?

Berenice Bejo

In Elie Saab

Emma Stone

In Jason Wu

Elle Fanning

In Rodarte

Busy Phillips
In Antonio Berardi

 

Tilda Swinton

In Yves St. Laurent

Diane Kruger

In Prada

Jessica Chastain

In Balenciaga

Kirsten Dunst

In Christian Dior

Viola Davis

In Raoul

Shailene Woodley

In Calvin Klein

Evan Rachel Wood

In Valentino

(my personal favorite!)

Michelle Williams

In Chanel

Charlize Theron

In Azzedine Alaia

Melissa McCarthy

In David Meister

Elizabeth Olsen

In Pucci

Chloe Moretz

In Chanel

Let's Celebrate: A Belated National Hot Toddy Day!

Yesterday was National Hot Toddy Day and while we had every intention of celebrating the day with a proper post, Blogger had other ideas. As of Tuesday morning, all of the blogs images (and I mean ALL!) had disappeared and the posts that were scheduled for this week joined them in a virtual abyss.

We are hot on the trail of our images and while many have been restored, there is a slew of pics (over 1000 to go!) that we must replace. You can understand why we just couldn't bring ourselves to entertain such a fun celebration yesterday.

But today is another day and it must be started properly!

To celebrate a belated National Hot Toddy Day, brew up your favorite version of the hot toddy, which happens to originally hail from Scotland (via India) and toast the day!

There are a slew of variations to the original hot toddy recipe including those with tea, coffee, cocoa and cider but I can never get enough of this bourbon infused delight which never leaves my side when I need a little heat!

Let's mix up one of these lovelies and enjoy!

Kentucky Toddy

1-1/2 ounces Kentucky Bourbon

1 slice lemon

1 lump sugar

4 ounces boiling water

ground nutmeg

ground cloves

cinnamon stick

Combine bourbon, lemon, sugar and boiling water in a mug.

Sprinkle with nutmeg and cloves; stir with cinnamon stick.