Style Crush: Giovanna Battaglia

Whenever I am need of a little extra style inspiration, Giovanna Battaglia is the first name that pops into my mind. I am always left in awe at the countless ways the Italian stunner puts her personal sartorial signature on every outfit she dons.
The fashion editor/stylist and couture set darling is the epitome of chic sophistication, continually striking just the right cord when mixing classic ladylike pieces with slightly quirky stand-out accessories in the way only Ms. Battaglia knows how.
And the shoes...oh the shoes...beyond fabulous!

What do you think of Giovanna Battaglia's style??

The Cocktail Hour: The Pama Kiss

I have never been a big fan of 'Wednesday', just a tad too long and tedious for my liking. I will do just about anything to add a little excitement to it which is why I thought we could all do with a little help to send it on its way!

This slightly tart beverage is a perfectly delicious way to bid adieu to the dreaded mid week hump! 

The Pama Kiss

1 1/2 oz. PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur

3/4 oz. sour apple vodka

1/2 oz. cranberry juice

Mix ingredients in martini shaker. Shake well. Serve on the rocks.

Garnish with sugar-dusted raspberries.

In Love With...Honeybee Collection's Madeleine Ring

I can never resist a pretty little finger bauble and this one from Honeybee Collection immediately caught my eye (it shares the same name as my daughter so I figure it was meant for me!). Turquoise happens to be one of my favorite colors and I have always been partial to the combination with green. Add a sprinkle of diamonds and you have got one gorgeous accessory that will bring a touch of glam to any outfit!

What do you think the chances are that this lovely will find its way into my husband's inbox?!

Find it here!



At The Table: Apple Brown Betty

Feeling the warm humid breeze coming through my open window tonight has me thinking "Autumn, where are you??"
Now don't get me wrong, I know full well that in a few weeks time, I will once again be pining for the warmth of the summer sun and complaining that it has gotten too cold too fast. But tonight as the last week of September creeps up on us, I am yearning for a touch of fall. A cool dry wind, a cozy sweater and a bit of apple goodness!

The Apple Brown Betty is one of my favorites, maybe because it's one of the easiest dishes to whip up in a flash. The heavenly scent of warm apples, brown sugar and cinnamon just so happens to be one of the most inviting smells to envelop your home, perfect to welcome guests (and Autumn!) into your delightful abode! 

Apple Brown Betty

4 cups coarse fresh bread crumbs

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted

4 Fuji apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced

1/3 cup brown sugar

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh ginger/1 teaspoon ground ginger

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

3 tablespoons dry sherry (optional)

Whipped cream for serving (optional)

Heat oven to 375° F. Lightly butter a 2-quart casserole or baking dish. Stir together bread crumbs and butter; set aside.

Combine apples, brown sugar, lemon juice, ginger, and cinnamon, mixing until well blended. To assemble brown betty, spread 1 cup of buttered bread crumbs in bottom of casserole; top with one third of apple mixture. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon sherry over apple layer, if desired.

Spread another cup bread crumbs and top with half of remaining apples and another tablespoon sherry. Make third layer of one cup of bread crumbs and top with remaining apples and sherry. Spread remaining bread crumbs on top of apples.

Cover with foil and bake 30 minutes; uncover and bake 30 minutes longer. Cool until warm and serve with whipped cream, if desired.

Recipe via Masstown Market

Chic this Week: Best in Show for September 18-24, 2011

As big fans of 'the dress', this was definitely our week! Frocks in any length imaginable were everywhere making it almost impossible for us to chose our favorite!

But now it's your turn, tell us who is your choice for best dressed?

Don't forget to scroll below and vote!

Sienna Miller

In Christian Dior

(jewellery by Christian Dior)

At the Moet & Chandon Etoile Award in London, England

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley

In Tom Ford

(fox fur clutch, patent pumps, pate de verre cuff and earrings by Tom Ford)

At the Tom Ford Dinner in London, England

Demi Moore

In Victoria Beckham

(python sandals by Alexandre Birman, clutch by Roger Vivier, earrings by Pomellato, necklace by Jack Vartanian, ring by Vhernier)

At the 3rd Annual Variety's Power of Women luncheon in Beverly Hills, California

Charlize Theron

In Chloe

(sandals by Christian Louboutin)

At the HTC product launch party in NYC, New York

Cate Blanchett

In Louis Vuitton

At Louis Vuitton store opening in Marina Bay Sands, Singapore

Helen Mirren

At 'The Debt' UK premiere in London, England

Christy Turlington

At the 'Every Woman Every Child' event in NYC, New York

Giovanna Battaglia

(bag by Gucci)

Attending Milan Fashion Week 2011

Princess Letizia of Spain

Attending audiences at Zarazuela Palace in Madrid, Spain

Sarah Jessica Parker

In Stella McCartney

(pumps by Manolo Blahnik, bag by Stella McCartney, jewellery by Fred Leighton)

At the New York City Ballet Gala Fund in NYC, New York

The Lovely Ones: Ali MacGraw

Elizabeth Alice (Ali) MacGraw

WORTH A PEEK...Ermanno Scervino S/S 2012

Truth be told, I don't spend nearly as much time as one would think on current fashion 'education'. I find the whole process of keeping up with all the shows and fashion weeks a bit of a snore, especially since most designers liken themselves to conceptual artists when it comes to the runway. What has happened to real haute couture, the kind of high fashion that made our stylish senses giddy with delight for real, not just because we think that is how we are supposed to react to all the runway foolery all in the name of being hip and current. I am just not interested in seeing models sashay down center stage in completely see-through dresses adorned with tweed patches, barbed wire and fur pelts finished off with headgear in the shape of carburetors and box-shaped construction boots with 6 inch heels. Those looks are just not for me (not quite sure who they are for) but I will tell you what is, the heavenly confections created by one Ermanno Scervino.

Take a peek at the delightful wonders Mr. Scervino showed Milan yesterday and tell me that you don't just fall in love with fashion again!



What She Said.....Ethel Kennedy

"For anyone to achieve something, he will have to show a little courage. You're only on this earth once. You must give it all you've got."

Ethel Skakel Kennedy

Style at the 2011 Emmy Awards

The chicest ladies of the small screen gave us plenty of fashionable eye candy to admire tonight at the 2011 Emmy Awards.

Who was your choice for best dressed at the Emmys?

Gwyneth Paltrow

In Pucci

Maria Bello

In Kaufmanfranco

Julianne Margulies

In Armani Prive

Julie Bowen

In Oscar de la Renta

Dianna Agron

In Roksanda Ilincic

Kate Winslet

In Elie Saab

Claire Danes

In Oscar de la Renta

Katie Holmes

In Calvin Klein

Evan Rachel Wood

In Elie Saab

Christina Hendricks

In Johanna Johnson

Kristen Wiig

In Zac Posen

Emily Blunt

In Elie Saab

Olivia Munn

In Carolina Herrera

Taraji P. Henson

In Blumarine

Sofia Vergara

In Vera Wang

Minka Kelly

In Christian Dior

Kaley Cuoco

In Romona Keveza

Nina Dobrev

In Donna Karan

Naya Rivera

In Lloyd Klein

Cobie Smulders

In Alberta Ferretti

Heidi Klum

In Christian Siriano

Elizabeth Moss

In Marchesa

Julia Stiles

In Georges Hobeika

Jayma Mays

In Zuhair Murad

Kerry Washington

In Zuhair Murad

Maria Menounos

In Emanuel Ungaro

Amy Poehler

In Peter Som

Christine Baranski

In Zac Posen

Rashida Jones

In Alberta Ferretti