Nicole Kidman, Stunning at Cannes

The Festival De Cannes wraps up today. It ran from May 16-27 2012. The stunning city in the French Riviera not only plays host to the film festival, but is a playground for the world's biggest stars. I have not covered it thus far because it is covered so well by others. Be sure you check out Tom & Lorenzo's blog (one of my favs), they have some great coverage of the red carpet looks. Today, I decided to show you how Nicole Kidman done us proud. She may be a native Aussie, but she now calls Middle Tennessee home. If you have seen her around, then you already know how chic she looks no matter what she is wearing. Check out these two looks from her week in Cannes.

Not much to say here! She looks Chic and Sophisticated. This new hair color also looks superb on her. Don't we all wish we stepped off a plane looking this great.

Mrs. Kidman-Urban hit the red carpet in one of her best looks in a minute. The Lanvin gown is stunning on her. The color is perfect for her skin tone. The top of the gown is really interesting and the back lends the sexiness to it. Of course, all of the Cartier jewelry sure helps, too. Thanks, Nicole, for making us here in Nashville proud to call you one of us, yet again!


 Casual Photos: DLM Press/PacificCoastNews.com
 RC Photos: Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images

Oscar de le Renta Resort 2013

I tend to favor Oscar designs over many other designers, mostly because they are chic and wearable. His 2013 Resort line is no different. You will find black and whites, reds, blues, greens, and golds. The fabric patterns range from abstract florals to gingham. So lets get started.

The first pants are fabulous. The entire look, a bit matchy for me. I would style it a tad differently, add some color in the bangle and clutch. Granted with a print like that, it limits the type of woman who can wear it. But if you are heading to just the right evening event near Charleston you could totally do this look. The second dress is adorable. It leans towards looking young but I think a hip lady in her 30s could still pull this off. The shorts are cute, as a suit it makes it a bit tougher to pull off. Especially here in the south. I think the shorts with a different blouse could really take you anywhere, even a nice casual look. I heart the next look, a lot. It is sophisticated and classic. Need a new look for the office, then this is a look to replicate. It is also easy to add color and personality with this suit. The last takes a special woman to wear. You have to be bold, a risk taker. I like the look but it is not for everyone.

The first dress is cute. It is a lovely shade of blue, but not really an inspired look. If it were not an Oscar dress, I could see a many of high school girls choosing it for a school dance. I love this next look. If not for the plunging neckline, this could be an anywhere dress. The neckline makes it an evening only look. The "Dorothy-esque" gingham dress is actually cute. It also appears young to me. Both of the last two looks are just, "eh" for me.

The fabric in the first look is great! I love the reds and abstract floral. I do not love the top, but the crop pants are great. They can be dressed up or down and that is always a perk. The four dresses are all cute. The center one being my favorite, but that is more because of the fabric than the cut. In still photos it is hard to tell, but the next to last one seems to be more formal than the others. (I missed the live steam :() These four dresses also have a silhouette that would flatter many different women.

The greens stood out to me most. Green is my favorite color, but not usually in women's fashion. Again in the first look I do not like the whole look together but the coat is superb. As is the crop pant. I think as a whole look it gets a bit bulky. The second and fourth looks are chic. I love them both. The first of those may be to much print all at once for some ladies, if that is the case go for the other. The floral dress in the center is adorable. Any age and most shapes could wear this, sans that necklace. This is for any spring or summer event that is less than formal. This last coat is stunning. I love the floral, the colors and the cut. I have already decided one of my fabulous red headed friends needs this stat.

Now it is time for the sparkle portion of the show. The first dress is a hot lil number. If you wanna be a show stopper at a cocktail hour then pull out one of these. The fabric in the second look must be left over from the fall collection but I do still like it. I love the sweater with skirt combo. I have seen it from several designers. This may be the best I have seen it done though. Then we get the beautiful Cinderella dress, which in the south is also called the Taylor Swift dress. The grecian dress is pretty and appropriate for many formal events you might be attending this summer.

We all love show stopping formal wear. If we are all honest, we really are there waiting on these gowns. All five of these gowns are stunning. The green one is for a specific body type and even that body type will be wearing her spanx. If you liked the grecian dress but did not think you could pull off the gold, here you have it in red. The gingham surprisingly works better in full length for me. Somehow Oscar made it look formal, when I usually on think of gingham as a tablecloth. The black and white may be my favorite of the gowns. Much like the green gown, the black and white one is not for everyone. Another successful collection by the fantastic Oscar de le Renta. There were a lot of looks featured, so I did not get into as much detail as I normally would have wanted. Remember, you can always study these looks and head out shopping to find ways to come up with similar looks. Go have fun, that is what fashion is all about. Photos from: Oscar de le Renta Facebook https://www.facebook.com/oscardelarenta

It is simple: This is Royalty

I have very little to say here. Catherine Middleton Mountbatten-Windsor sure knows how to dress. This actually may be her best look to date. I will allow exceptions for her wedding day. I do wish she would wear a tiara from time to time just to remind us she is a Princess married to the heir apparent (ok well should be since Charles should Abdicate) Jenny Packham dresses seem to be her go to and why not? They seem to suit her perfectly. So enjoy!

KY Derby meets Nashville

In 1875 an estimated 10,000 watched the first Kentucky Derby on May 17, the opening day of the meet. This year a record 165,307 people were in attendance with millions watching from home. "I'll Have Another" took home the roses after a come from behind push to pass "Bodemeister.

 Being from Kentucky and having the privilege of attending the Derby four times, I tend to get Derby Fever. I love the idea of it all. The most exciting 2 minutes in sports gives me chills. Then of course there is the fashion. Which I am going to touch base on.

 Both female and male attendees pull out all of the stops when selecting their Kentucky Derby apparel. There are no rules when it comes to Derby dressing but you do want to feel like part of the steep history of both the sport and the crowd. Ladies typically wear pastel-colored frilly dresses or bold separates that coordinate with their Derby headwear and accessories. Almost everyone is aware of the "hat tradition." Gentlemen opt for seersucker suits, light-colored sport coats and the occasional plaid jacket. Guys, when in doubt, a navy sports coat with pressed khakis or dress slacks, a light-colored shirt and flashy tie (long or bow) is perfectly acceptable!
The lovely ladies above give a fine example of dressing for the Kentucky Derby.

I am now living in Nashville, TN and of course still wanted to be part of The Kentucky Derby. I hosted a Derby Party at my house. I asked all my guests to please come dressed in their finest. I wanted them to also feel like they were actually at Churchill Downs. My friends did not disappoint.

My friend Erica Miller won Best Dressed. She wore the lovely ivory dress, pumps, beautiful earrings and her wonderful Fascinator. Sam Bradley came adorning this magnificent hat that she created herself. Roses and even a cardinal were included. She won Best Hat with second place no where nearby. She also wore this beautiful chocolate polka dot dress with a red peep toe heel. Classy and very Derby were both of these ladies.

Here I am hanging with the winners! Everyone looked fantastic though and I thank each of them for being in the spirit of things. I am already looking forward to the first Saturday in May 2013.

Met Gala 2012-Karolina Kurkova in Rachel Zoe

We are going to travel north of the Mason-Dixon today. I am doing this because this look is so Fabulous it must be talked about. Karolina Kirkova completely melted the lashes off everyone else on the red carpet last night. That is saying a lot because it was one of the best dressed red carpets I have seen in a minute.  Rachel Zoe's gold stunner, def puts the once stylist, reality star into the same game as a "real" designer. I have been pretty critical of her up to this point but this looks shuts me down. So this write up is pretty short, just admire this beauty.























Photos by: Getty

Creole Veggies & Rice

Occasionally, I try to forgo meat in my meals. I say occasionally which means rarely. Being southern for the most part means that you have a meat with sides at dinner. As I try to expand my culinary skills one meal at a time, I am always trying (sometimes failing) to be healthier as well. Again, not a very southern thing to do in the kitchen. Last night, I decided to go with a rice dish. I picked around the Internet collecting what looked like the tastiest recipes. Then as I tend to do, I made up one of my own out of these. It was very tasty. I will say, if I could have added sausage it would have been even better.

Here is what you need:
 2 tsp vegetable oil
1 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
1 cup diced onion
1/2 cup celery, finely chopped
1 cup carrots, finely chopped
1 cup red bell pepper, diced
1 cup green bell pepper, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups rice (I use instant because it is easy)
2 tsp Creole seasoning
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Here is what you do:
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the black pepper, crushed red pepper, onion, celery, carrots, peppers and garlic and sautee until tender, about 6 to 8 minutes. Set aside.

Cook the rice according to package directions, adding the creole seasoning. When the rice is done, stir in the vegetables and parsley. Serve immediately.

Complete

Yes, it is that easy. Like I mentioned before, I will definitely add sausage or chicken to it next time I make it.