Wednesday, February 29, 2012

These are a few of my favorite things......

TELEVISION

Rosie and Sophie Grace

just watch these two little girls-you will smile from ear to ear.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odhUPMYXpX4

It's a Brad Brad World

This show is my dirty little pleasure. I am obsessed with Gary Janetti, Brad Goresky's partner of 10 years. In the season finale, Gary plans an Anniversary Party with a special surprise for Brad. It is hysterical and touching all at the same time. I think I am the female version of Gary!

http://www.wetpaint.com/network/video/watch-its-a-brad-brad-world-season-finale-with-les-miserables-flash-mob-video


CLOTHING

Erin by Erin Featherstone

A designer I had not heard of , but she has an amazing spring summer collection.
Some pieces can be seen at Bloomies and Neiman's
https://www.erinfetherston.com/

Kate Spade

I love her black/white floral collection of skirts and dresses paired with splashes of hot pink accents. Neon purses too!

Ivanka Trump

Not only has this entrepreneur created a fabulous jewelry line, and then shoes; but now she has come out with a sensational line of clothing and purses. The clothes are really fabulous and reasonably priced.  At Lord and Taylor.

JEWELRY

Gucci

Everything old is new again! Check out the Horsebit Collection- 18k pink gold necklaces and bracelets. stunning...

Movado

Not usually a fan, but I am loving their rosegold stainless steel watch with crystal set dot. Very cool looking.

Miguel Ases

Digging the 14k gold filled opalite and crystal earrings! Perfect for all the white dresses being shown for summer.

PURSES

Vince Camuto-there is a royal blue clutch that is awesome.

Kate Spade-all her neons are adorable and great for spring/summer.

Diane Von Furstenberg-check out he neon yellow clutch for $295.

SCARFS

Jason Wu-his entire line at Target is innovative and pretty. But the scarfs, which are available, are such lovely prints and soft colors. Perfect for the summer months.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE FRIENDS

In the past several years, my husband and I have gone through lots of good times, some bad times, and a multitude of stresses. Without revealing what the subject matter of these times were about, I wanted to take a minute to let you know how much I value the people in my life. More specifically, my friends. I am a pretty independent lady. I love to be alone. I could spend days at a time reading a book in a room and never leaving.  I could probably go forever without making a phone call to the outside world. My best friend is my husband. Without question, he is the most extraordinary person in my life. (Sorry, my beautiful girls: I adore you both more than you can possibly imagine, but I always know he's the one person who's got my back every minute of every day).
   And now, I need and want to give a shout out to the others in my life.  From college until now, I have amassed an amazing group of friends. Seriously, I am overly blessed in this arena. Usually, one does not find out who their friends are until illness happens. Yet, during one of the happiest times of my life, while planning my youngest daughter's upcoming wedding, I have come to realize how fortunate I am. Yes, this is an exciting and happy time, but it has also been filled with financial budgets and emotional stresses as well.  I wouldn't have the time or the words to acknowledge each and everyone of you that have been there for me on a daily basis not only for the last year, but for the last 30 years.  You must know who you are. Whether it's lunch at the diner, or the daily 5pm call during while we're making dinner, or saving the world under "the trees", or the offers to help me or to transport my family when life is a little too hectic for all of us, or the friday night drink and dinner(mostly drink!), or the planning and giving of my daughter's bridal shower,  or listening on a daily basis to the 900th detail I need to obsess about so it will be absolutely perfect for my exquisite bride's wedding day, or  just sitting with me by a Palm Beach Pool until 2 am and discussing what we still don't know about each other........I know you are ALWAYS there.
   You  make my heart swell. The love I feel for all of you cannot be expressed. I feel incredibly blessed to have each and everyone of you in my life.  Most importantly, you make me feel loved from my head to my toes. And that is exactly the definition of what a friend does: they make you feel loved all the time, no matter what. I thank you and love you from the bottom of my heart. 
                                       One b
     

Monday, February 27, 2012

WHITE IS THE NEW BLACK

Ok-So I think I performed pretty well. Five out of Seven isn't too bad. I admit Best Director could have gone either way and the Artist's director was the winner, not Scorsese for Hugo.
But, Meryl Streep for best actress? Come on-that threw everyone a curve-even Meryl. So that was a legitimate mistake because I really did believe Viola Davis was going to win.
Now for the fashion:

BEST DRESSED:

GWYNETH PALTROW: in white Tom Ford cap sleeve dress and cape. Smashing. Beautiful diamond
                                          cuff.

HONORABLE MENTIONS FOR BEST DRESSED:

CAMERON DIAZ: Strapless Gucci white dress (too much nips though) and HOT body. face looks
                                weirdly filled.
VIOLA DAVIS     : emerald Vera Wang looked stunning with her coloring.The earrings  by Lorraine Schwartz were two different earrings combined to create a gorgeous dangling drop effect.


ALL AROUND "JUST LOOKED GOOD":

JESSICA CHASTAIN: loved the Mcqueen gown. Few could pull that print off. And the $2 million
                                      Harry Winston yellow diamonds didn't hurt her look either. Loved her hair
                                      as well.
LESLIE MANN:            Jud Apatow's wife was wearing a fabulous fitting navy Roberto Cavelli dress
                                       Her sleek pulled back pony tail emphasized her gorgeous skin and earrings.
OCTAVIA SPENCER:  another who looked awesome in white. The Tadashi Soshi dress flattered her
                                       figure and was the right choice.  Great Speech, too!

WORST DRESSED:

JENNIFER LOPEZ:      she looked like jenny from the block. very cheezy. bad choice. Lorraine
                                      Schwartz earrings were beautiful though.

SHALLENE WOODLEY:   I thought she was a mormon sister wife in Valentino Couture. The dress,
                                             was not age appropriate. She makes poor choices at all award shows.

STACY KEIBLER:        Clooney's gal pal didn't do it for me. Many loved this gold Marchesa gown.
                                       I wasn't feeling it....she looks like arm candy.

ROONEY MARA:       another woman in white. This Givency Couture didn't work for me. And I don't
                                     care for the bangs. Dress too revealing for skinny girl.


BEST DRESSED MALE:

SEAN COMBS:            looked like he just stepped out of GQ.
TOM CRUISE AND BRAD PITT:  were both pretty easy on the eyes too.


BEST SPEECH

Meryl Streep:            she looked the best she has looked in the past 3 award shows. Loved that she
                                  acknowledged her husband first. AND, I loved she was equally 
                                  thrilled her makeup guy of 30 years won an oscar for The Iron Lady.
                                  She is a class act.................
                

Friday, February 24, 2012

Debie's Oscar Predictions

I can't wait for the Oscars! I love the movies as much as I love to eat and breathe! I have seen most of the movies and want to get in my predictions before Sunday night. Here they are.

BEST PICTURE

The Artist. This should be the winner. But The Help was very good and it is politically correct and relevant so it could beat The Artist. Still, I believe The Artist is the clear winner.

BEST DIRECTOR

Hugo.  This was the most amazing 3D film ever made. I know this is a bold statement-but, seriously it is awesome. Life changing for me-REALLY. That being said, I bet The Artist's director, Michel Hazanavicius, will win. Scorsese so deserves it though for a super charming story.

BEST ACTOR
Jean Dujardin in The Artist. He was mesmerizing. Deserves it over whiny, cuckolded Clooney!

BEST ACTRESS

Michelle Williams in My Week with Marilyn. This performance is haunting. I firmly believe she should win the award. But again, with the Civil Rights theme and its importance, Viola Davis, who too, had an outstanding performance, will probably take the Oscar.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Christopher Plummer in The Beginners. Hands down-no competition. This is the guy. Long overdue. Go see this movie. He rocks!

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Octavia Spencer in The Help. Very deserving. BUT so were a bunch of the other actresses in this film and they weren't even nominated. For instance: Emma Stone, Jessica Chastain, Bryce Dallas Howard, Sissy Spacek, etc.

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

Midnight in Paris by Woody Allen.  This is one of his best.  Right up there with Annie Hall. He will win.

Monday, February 20, 2012

My Favorite Food Picks in New Jersey

As someone who eats out all the time, I wanted to share my favorite dishes, places, and food in my surrounding areas of Jersey.

BEST BURGER:  Don's is Back!! Next to the Community Theatre in Morristown. Pizza burger is yum!
                             Serenade: for a more upscale burger, sit at the bar at Serenade in Chatham. Super.

BEST HOT DOG: My favorite: Costco with the relish,onion, sauerkraut, and mustard. I eat two!!
                              Don's: always a delicious hot dog
                              Jimmy Buff's: For a real Italian dog with peppers,onions and potatoes and grease!
                                                     Rt. 10 West East Hanover

BEST STEAK:     Sammy's in Mendham. Still a favorite. Fun place to wait for your table and play
                              games and drink until your steak order is ready.
                              River Palm in Edgewater. Always good.
                              Roots in Summit. Although a good steak, I am not a fan of the ambience.

                             
BEST CHICKEN:  Belmont Tavern in Belleville. Their chicken savoy is beyond amazing. Your car
                               may not be there when you get back!

BEST PIZZA:        Star Tavern in Orange. Hands down, the best thin crust pizza anywhere in the world.
                               If you like pesto, try theirs!
                              Landmark Tavern: their bruschetta pizza gives Star a run for their money. It rocks!
                             
BEST GREEK:     Stamna in Bloomfield. Try their whole wheat pasta with feta and their giganti beans.

BEST FANCY
  ITALIAN       :    Lunello's in Little Falls.

BEST FUN
 ITALIAN        :    Queen Margarita in Nutley. BYO
                              La Sicilia in Belleville.  BYO  (really good pizza)
BEST VEAL
MEATBALLS :    American Bistro in Nutley.

BEST FROZEN
YOGURT        :    Cups in East Hanover. clean, many flavors, free samples.

BEST DRINK :    Julio's in West Orange. The food is really good too. But the drink is lots of bang for
                            the buck! Julio (the chef/owner) is the best host ever.
                            Nero's in Livingston.  Drinks are generous pour. Staff is amazing! Food consistently
                            good.

BEST APPLE
PIE                 :   Ritz diner in Livingston.

BEST DINER:   Tops in East Newark. I have been to lots of diners. None compare to this. open 24
                           hours.

BEST ICE
CREAM/
CANDY       :   Holsten's in Bloomfield. Last scene of Sopranos was shot here.

BEST
BAKERY     :   I haven't found any in my area. I like Shop Rite's baked goods, believe it or not!

BEST
FLAGEL      :  Livingston Bagel's whole wheat. Try it with their diet tuna-it's fabulous.

BEST
BAGEL       :  Bagels 4 U in Springfield on Morris Ave. Fresh, doughy,chewy......

BEST
SLOPPY
JOE             :  Nana's Deli in Livingston. great sour cream chicken too, and loads of wonderful deli.
                       known for their tuna, but it's too sweet for me!

BEST
CHINESE   :  Bill and Harry's in East Hanover. Rt. 10 East. no great chinese in jersey.

BEST
THAI         :   Thai Chef in Montclair.

BEST
NEWCOMERS:    Fin in Montclair.
                              La Cucina di Clemenza in Millburn.

BEST
RELIABLE
ITALIAN  :    Davinia in Caldwell. fresh food, nice staff, great owner/chef. BYO.


BEST CHEAP
FISH
DINNER:      Ritz diner. Includes soup, salad, veggie, potato. And the balsamic salmon with beans
                      and spinach is really awesome. my favorite fish in jersey.
                             



                            



Friday, February 10, 2012

JCPENNY, HOSTESS & FIREBALLS

  In the past week, the CEO of JC Penney announced that Ellen Degeneres was their new spokesperson.    Apparently, this has been a controversial news story. The CEO is all over morning television            defending his choice. The fact that Ellen is gay has a group of insane "mothers" speaking out against this decision.  Who are these horrible people? Don't you feel sorry for their children? And heaven forbid, one of their children is gay and can't come out to his/her parents! These women are pushers of hate, intolerance and bullying.  And Hate begets Hate. I am proud the CEO stood up to these mothers and refused to back down on this decison. And by the way, in case you haven't noticed, Ellen is also the face for Covergirl. I don't recall anyone objecting to that at the time.So, why now?  Why this intense intolerance? I don't see this same group refusing to shop at KMart or Macy's because Martha Stewart is a felon.  The KKK didn't like the Civil Rights Act either-are we really going backwards to those horrific times?
      A few weeks ago I was saddened to hear that Hostess was filing again for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy. This is the second time in less than 10 years. Oh - to think my beloved Snoballs would be gone forever.....Imagine, never eating a Twinkie or Ho Ho again. The horror of it all.  But alas, they have found some funding to bide their time. One reason the company is in trouble is that last year 36% of Americans ate white bread, which is way down from 54% in 2000.  Today, 54% of Americans changed over to wheat bread, which is up from 43% in 2000.  We should all be stocking up on Twinkies. Twinkies have been tested and will stay unchanged in anyway for at least 30 years.  Seriously, their shelf life is that long with no mold growing. It is a phenomenon.
So go to the store and invest in your future and ensure theirs. You will love every bite-I promise.
      A few days ago Nello Ferrara, died at the age of 93. Ferrara candy company makes one million pounds of candy a day. Ferrara was the creator of the atomic fireball, lemonheads, jawbusters, boston baked beans and many other candies. The fireball was developed after WWII and lemonheads were developed by Ferrara's father because when Ferrara was born, his head was shaped like a lemon.
    In order for Ferrara to stay energized, he ate a fireball everyday! And he lived till the ripe old age of 93. Maybe we should all incorporate these delicious spicy balls into our daily diet. It couldn't hurt.....

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Fashion at SAG Awards

I don't know if anyone but me watched the SAG Awards, but in case you did see them and remember what people wore, here are my observations.

All Around First Place: Emma Stone. From her shoes to her amazing Alexander McQueen dress, and her beautiful clutch, plus perfect hair and jewelry: she was spectacular. Everything about her was just gorgeous.

Honorable Mention: Viola Davis. Her white Marchesa dress trimmed in Bronze was fabulous. Her body looked astounding and the dress fit her perfectly.

Julianne Margulies: Loved her custom Calvin Klein dove embroidered strapless dress accessorized with Mary Miller jewelry.

Excellent comeback after the Golden Globe Debacle: Michelle Williams: she must have changed her stylist because she was spot on in her Valentino gown, Roger Vivier sandals, Lanvin clutch, and Fred Leighton jewels. What a difference and award show makes!

Best Facelift: Jessica Lang

Best Earrings: Maya Rudolf:  wore Kimberly McDonald

Best Dress:   Regina King:  wore an awesome purple Albert Ferretti gown-stunning

Worst Dressed: Shailene Woodley:  in her hawaii themed L'Wren Scott gown-ugh!
2nd worst:         Kristen Wiig: ruined her gorgeous Balenciaga dress with the atrocious necklace.


Now for a very important heads up in fashion. This Sunday, Feb. 5, is not just Superbowl Sunday. This is the day Jason Wu premieres his Target Line. If this turnout is anything like Missoni's debut at Target, you need to get on line or drive to your local Target as soon as the doors open. His pieces are stunning and nothing exceeds 60 dollars. Run - do not walk! Really this line is far superior to Missoni's and you know how fast that sold out.

After your Target Shopping, Enjoy the Superbowl. GO GIANTS!