FATHERS AND DAUGHTERS

My dad would be turning 98 this Sunday. He was smart, kind, funny and very social. His two daughters were his everything. My sister and I adored him, and so did everyone who knew him. I still meet people regularly who tell me what a fabulous dentist he was, and what a great guy he was. When I am at my best, I am my father's daughter. I inherited his curiosity, his enjoyment for meeting people, his love of partying, music and dancing; and his fondness for movies, candy, jewelry, and everything New York City. Unfortunately, I didn't inherit his golf swing! I always had my dad wrapped around my finger. I knew if my mom said no, I could later approach my dad and ultimately he would give in to my request. (A little girl giggles when she is denied ice cream, because she knows daddy will get her some later!) They say "the greatest thing a Father can do for a daughter is to love their Mother" (Elaine S. Dalton). And boy, did my dad love my mom. Theirs was a true love affair for over 70 years. As a first hand witness to their passion, my Dad became the standard against what I looked for in a man and how I judged them. He shaped what I looked for in a relationships in the future, whether platonic or romantic. Fast forward to 1977 when I married the man that I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with, and who I was confident would be the most excellent role model to my future children. In 1980 and 1983, I gave birth to my beautiful DAUGHTERS. To moms; daughters are the most precious of treasures and the objects of our never ending love. They are also the cause of many nights of sleeplessness! Bea Arthur said, "It's not easy being a mother. If it were, fathers would do it!" We are the rule enforcers, the task masters, the planners, the worriers, the healers, the organizers(nothing is really lost until your mom can't find it), and we are their FOREVER FRIEND. I was the "bank where they deposited all their hurts and worries"(Talmage) and I realized that I had fears I never knew existed. I often ponder if my grown daughters really appreciate me and I hope that now that they, too are Moms, they have a true understanding that life and motherhood is complex and doesn't come with a manual-we are all doing the best we can. And, most of all, I hope I taught them that their minds are the most beautiful part of them. A Father shares a very different and special bond with his daughter(s). Any man can be a father but it takes someone very special to be a dad. In the case of my girls, their dad can do no wrong. He walks on water. They continue to humor him and laugh at his silly jokes! And, to a father who is growing older, nothing is dearer than a daughter or her smile. Part of a father's job isn't just to teach his daughter how to be a lady, but to teach her how a lady should be treated. Daughters also learn morals, trust, self worth, self esteem, and empathy from their dads. A loving, gentle father will leave his imprint on his daughter for the rest of her life. My husband continues to be a life mentor, a hero, and a protector to my girls. "He has always provided me a safe place to land and a hard place from which to launch"(Chelsea Clinton about her Dad). His care and protection will continue to be a pillar of strength throughout their lives. What's most interesting is that both my girls chose wonderful husbands who are also exemplary caring, involved and loving fathers, just like their own dad.Parenthood is complicated. Moms and Dads need to be united in their values. You want to connect with and protect your child, but at the same time teach them independence, resilence, morals, manners, and kindness. You want them to grow and prosper and reach great heights in their personal and professional lives. Yet, no matter how old our daughters get, they'll always be our babies who we still want to coddle. It's a delicate balance like walking on a tight rope. "GROWN DON'T MEAN NOTHING TO A MOTHER(FATHER). A CHILD IS A CHILD. THEY JUST GET BIGGER, OLDER, BUT GROWN? WHAT'S THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN? IN MY HEART IT DON'T MEAN A THING." TONI MORRISON HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY-WE MISS YOU. PEACE OUT-ONE B

OSCARS 2023

Finally, an Oscar show worthy of the anticipation! Let's start with Jimmy Kimmel's opening Top Gun parody sequence and follow up monologue. He crushed it! Although he was supposed to leave out allof the Will Smith "slap" jokes, he ignored the directors commands and just went for it throughout the evening. He was terrific. Pitch Perfect! The winners speeches were interesting and heartfelt; especially Ke Huy Quan's, Jamie Lee Curtis's, Michelle Yeoh's, Ruth Carter's and John Travolta's. Maybe they should've spaced the supporting actor and actress awards with a song in between to add more interest following the first 15 minutes. Now for the fashion-my favorite part of this night is always the red carpet. So much to discuss! BEST DRESSED WOMEN 1)Monica Barbaro-She looked stunning in her Elie Saab light blue and dark maroon gown. The Top Gun actess showed a tasteful but generous amount of her braless chest. Her hair, makeup and Harry Winston jewels - just exquisite. 2)Mindy Kalan-In her haute couture Vera Wang gown with boning, she was a vision. Her body looked great, and the gown fit perfectly. Notice she switched her outfit to the same exact gown in black when she presented. The white gown was much prettier against her skin. 3)Carra Delevingne-I really have no idea who this woman is or why she was there, but she looked very pretty. For me, Ellie Saab was the winning designer last night. This red gown was gorgeous. And, that Cartier choker necklace was the perfect accessory. She worked it as only a fashion model can. 4)Kerry Condon-The Banshee actress deserved the best supporting actress award (in my opinion). She wowed us in her well fitted yellow versace gown and her loose wavy hair and red lip. I loved how she pulled this look off. One of my favorites. 5)Ana de Armas-The "Blonde" actress looked sensational in this Louis Vuitton gown. The scoop neckline and rhinestone embellishments saluted the Marilyn Monroe style. The scalloped petals at the hem of the dress were beautiful. I loved her simple long flowing hair-a big trend of the evening. HONORABLE MENTIONS - BEST DRESSED WOMEN Dana Gurira-Donning a sleek sculpted black dress and a towering hair style, she rocked it. Nicole Kidman-Wearing Armani Prive (as she very often does), she looked beyond beautiful. Although the gown wasn't my cup of tea, she can do no wrong. Always looks great. Loved the easy effortless hair andthat she wasn't overly botoxed last night! Emily Blunt-elegant simple dress and hair. WORST DRESSED WOMEN Hong Chau-She wore a custom pink sleeveless Prada dress. The mandarin collar and black train didn't do it for me. But she was awesome in The Whale! Michelle Williams-Just didn't love the Chanel Couture dress and her Mia Farrow haircut; or her severe red lip. She looked matronly to me...And I wasn't a fan of her acting in The Fableman's. Elizabeth Banks-I hated this Vivienne Westwood gown. It fitted her horribly. It was overpowering and unflattering. Her stylist should be fired for causing her to trip in this too long, excessive fabric costume. Terrible. Halle Berry-Usually, I love her looks. Last night, I didn't love the Tamara Ralph gown with rose gold glittering trim and a high slit. Also, didn't dig the hair style. Jessica Chastain-A lot of people liked her look. But I wasn't one of them. The silver Gucci dress with black train was a bit much. Nor did I like the Gucci emerald wreath necklace. She looked like a cartoon character. Sandra Oh-Orange batwing dress and messy hair-UH OH!! HONORABLE MENTIONS-WORST DRESSED WOMEN Elisabeth Olsen-Black Givency wet look. Can't pinpoint why, but just eh for me. Jennifer Connelly-Everyone loved this Louis Vuitton gown. Hmmm, The structured rhinestone panel. Hair slicked and no earring. No pop! BEST DRESSED MEN Austin Butler-Looked fabulous in his YSL Tuxedo with exagerated shoulder and heeled shoes. Channeling the Elvis look. Miles Teller-He looked hot. A traditional tuxedo and his beautiful wife...perfection- both of them. Harrison Ford-Aging agrees with Ford. He looks fabulous and if you haven't watched him in Shrinking, RUN DON'T WALK. HIS BEST ACTING EVER. Paul Mescal- He was wearing a cool Gucci flare pant, a white jacket and shirt with a red rose in his lapel. Very Stylish. Nailed it. Haven't seen Aftersun but he is supposed to be phenomenal in it. WORST DRESSED MEN Dwayne Johnson-I love this guy! But I reallllly disliked the Dolce and Gabana pastel pink satin jacket. BEST BODIES Janelle Monae-Wasn't thrilled with the custom Vera Wang dress. But that body just doesn't quit.... Angela Bassett-A sore loser caught on camera. BUT, she's 64 and STILL has a magnificent body. COSMETIC OBSERVATIONS Eva Longaria-Looks like she had a brand new face lift. She looked perfect and years younger. Flawless. Andie MacDowell-Loved her pulled back grey hair and her ivory skin. Apparently, L'oreal moisturizer works. She's lovely. Jennifer Connelly-She needs something. To me, she looks old and tired eventhough she has no wrinkles. Sigorney Weaver-Also looking tired, and in need of some filler. BEST JEWELRY (MY FAVORITE CATEGORY) Sofia Carson-On the red carpet, she wore a Chopard Emerald and Diamond necklace that was beyond spectacular. 122.49 carats of emeralds and 92.57 carats of diamonds. For some reason she changed for her performance of Applause and noone got to see those gems after she walked the Red Carpet. Michelle Yeoh-A Fabulous pear shaped diamond ring on her right hand. I did not like her diamond earrings and matching headpiece. One of them needed to go. Lady Gaga-Tiffany platinum and diamond necklace. We're talking MAJOR. Michael B. Jordan- Two super cool bird on a rock brooches on his lapel. One was a 32 carat pink manganite surrounded by diamonds and pink sapphire. The other was a 58 carat green tourmaline surrounded by diamonds and pink sapphire. I need these for my blazers. Good Looking guy. Emily Blunt-Great hanging pink chandelier Chopard earrings. Florence Pugh-Pink tourmaline and diamond earrings and platinum and diamond necklace. Not my vibe but pretty-too punk and trendy. From Tiffany. Hailey Bailey-Fabulous eternity diamond necklace by De Beers. And a large oval drop attached to the center. Just like a princess. Cara Delevingne-Bulgari triple strand diamond choker. OMG. Diamond Bracelet and Emerald ring were also amazing. Didn't need "matching earrings" to the neckalace. A simpler stud earring would've been nice. Cate Blanchett-A style icon. Chic drop diamond earrings by Louis Vuitton. Zoe Saldana-She wore an elegant Cartier necklace, which I loved. I didn't care for the earrings, and her dress needed to be fitted better on the chest. It detracted from the necklace. Deepika Padukone-One of my favorite pieces of the night. It was a Cartier eternity diamond necklace with a beautiful pear shaped yellow diamond drop. Be still my heart! It was a fun night, with a sensational host, wonderful speeches, gorgeous gowns and eye popping jewelry. Until next year... PEACE OUT-ONE B