My Red Carpet Favorites!

Oscar Sunday is one of my favorite days of the entire year. I make the same joke every year - "THIS IS MY SUPERBOWL!" and completely crack myself up. We had a party at our house and almost 20 people came - it was a packed house! Between running around after the puppy (who was SO well behaved!) and arranging cheese platters, I barely got a chance to look at the red carpet :( thank god for websites putting up pictures with all the details!

Honestly, barely anyone blew me away this year. I don't understand why people don't take more risks. I know they're my favorite colors, but where was the hot pink? Where was the turquoise? Bright colors photograph beautifully on the carpet and in an age where everyone plays it safe, wearing a bright bold color in the right silhouette gets you SO much attention and accolades. I would have paid money to see someone in a bold fuschia or teal. 

But anyway - here's who I did like, in reverse order! My top five starts off with Gwyneth Paltrow in Ralph & Russo (photo via EOnline). I actually don't even LIKE Gwyneth, but I like a girl who takes a risk in a classy way (not in the Naomi Watts way - wtf was that glitter sports bra situation?). The color looked beautiful on her skin and I am personally always a fan of a one-shoulder, plus there's no large flower pouf situation I can't get on board with!

Next up - Anna Faris in Zuhair Murad (photo via Just Jared). What can I say? I'm a creature of habit and I love me a princess sparkle ballgown. This dress looks great because the proportions are right - the top is formfitting but not too tight and the length flows, but isn't too long. I would have liked a different hairstyle (and hair color for that matter) but she does look beautiful. And she's married to Chris Pratt so she WINS AT LIFE. #prattprattpratt

The night's big winner was Julianne Moore who is just a goddamn stunning national treasure, isn't she? In my next life I will have her gorgeous skin and her beautiful gorgeous red hair. TRUE STORY: One time I sat behind her on a plane to NYC and one single strand of her gorgeous hair peeked through the seats AND I TOUCHED IT. Yes I'm crazy. Anyway - I dream of being able to say "Oh, this dress? It's custom Chanel. By Karl." I love the shimmery white simplicity paired with the whimsical little sequined flowers. Just beautiful. (Photo via Us Weekly.)

Second place for Best Dressed of the Evening goes to Rosamund Pike in Givenchy (Photo by Us Weekly). Do we think she wore red to signify that terrifying scene in Gone Girl?! Whatever her reasoning - girlfriend looked ON POINT. I loved her structured scarlet lace column - especially the top - paired with a more casual, pulled back bun. A great lesson in balances! Also - extra points go towards her simple, elegant strappy heel in the EXACT same color as the gown #perfectaccessorizing. Truly, this woman is beautiful and talented and the dress reflects that.

Okay - my choice for the night's big winner? J.LO, YALL!!!! One glimpse of that gorgeous, iridescent, beaded, sparkly Elie Saab ballgown and it was all over for me (Photo via InStyle). I loved the juxtaposition of the slightly sexier top with the more traditional poufy bottom - stunning. I also liked her very simple, elegant ponytail - a little more fun than a bun, but still understated enough so as not to take attention away from the gown. And may I remind you all that the woman is FORTY FIVE YEARS OLD?! God has truly blessed her. Or she is drinking the blood of virgins. One of those things. 

So there ya have it! Very excited to watch Fashion Police tonight and see who else people loved. Who did you think nailed it tonight? And who failed miserably? I would love to hear! 

V-Day Treats

With a cute new puppy and a cute new husband I am just full of love these days :) Valentine's Day is just a few days away and I am looking forward to celebrating! This is our first V-Day as a married couple and I can't wait to see what Ram has up his sleeve.

There is something really nice about a day dedicated to celebrating love - no matter who you are or who you love! I made this little roundup of things that have caught my eye lately... feel free to send it onto your Valentine for ideas - hint hint! And if you are still looking for a the perfect gift for someone - your mom, your sister, your BFF - you're gonna love this list. Plus, the best part is they're ALL under $75! 

ONE: I happen to LOVE patterned tights - nothing is cuter with a cocktail dress! I own polka dots and leopard print, but I'm thinking a pair of tights with hearts could make my Valentine's Day ensemble even cuter. Only $18!

TWO: A day-planner may seem to be a strange gift, but I own this Moleskine planner and I LOVE MINE. If you have a friend who is always scatter-brained, buy her one of these - they're 30% off right now, making them $12! My planner keeps me organized and I love how slim and light it is - I can throw it in any bag and be good to go!

THREE: "I Freaking Love You." Enough said! This mug is $13 and would make me laugh every time I used it.

FOUR: I am obsessed with these colors of these tassel bracelets - I want every single one! For $26, you could get someone a couple of them... magenta, coral, and tangerine would make a great V-Day stack! 

FIVE: These stacking heart bowls ($36) were actually on my Hanukkah wish-list... I would love to display all my bracelets and jewels in them on my dresser. I'm partial to pink, of course, but they also come in navy and a beautiful pale blue.

SIX: I love anything with a lipstick print. This little makeup bag is only $20 - stuff it with your favorite nail polishes and lipglosses and you've got a fabulous gift.

SEVEN: I am a huge fan of giving pictures frames as gifts - it's something everyone loves and can use in their homes, and it's even cuter if you take the time to print out a photo of you and the recipient and slip it into the frame. We actually registered for a few of these Michael Aram heart frames ($69) and put wedding photos in them - they're all around our house and I just love the fun, bold heart design.

EIGHT: In my opinion, Kendra Scott makes the best colorful earrings out there - I have like a dozen pairs. Every season, she comes out with new colors and new shapes - I have these drop earrings ($55) in turquoise but I'm thinking the magenta may need to join my collection!

NINE: Know any newlyweds? This Mr. & Mrs. dishtowel duo ($42 for two) would be the cutest gift for their first V-Day!

TEN: This is one of those quirky little gifts that I would personally love to get. It's a "Love Letter Tray" from West Elm, currently on sale for $12 - for that price you could buy one for everyone you love! 

ELEVEN: This heart-printed duffel bag could not be any cuter. It's the perfect size for an overnight or weekend get-away! I happen to already have a little duffel with hearts, but if I didn't, I'd snap this up in one second flat. I was also really surprised by the price - I think $54 for a bag this big is super reasonable!

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I'm ALWAYS a girly girl, but Valentine's Day really brings it out of me.... pink, red, hearts, kisses, flowers, glitter... I love it all!!!

The SIXTH Annual White Elephant Party!

Worst blogger of the year award definitely goes to me. It has been exactly a month since the SIXTH Annual Post-Holiday White Elephant Party, and I have yet to post about it! 

If you're new around here, here's the basic rundown... for the past six years, each January, my friend Alexandra and I have thrown a party and asked our friends to bring the WORST gift they got over the holiday season to trade in a white Elephant game! We make delicious food, we drink, we snack, we nosh, we get competitive... it's a great time and we all look forward to it every year! (Check out our parties from past years - 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, and 2010!)

Me and Al. Hostesses with the mostest!

This year, because of our crazy schedules, we decided to break tradition (the last two years have been a Sunday brunch shindig) and throw a little wine & cheese party on a Friday night. Of course, I was not content to JUST stick to serving plain old cheese... so we also served veggies, dips, charcuterie, homemade crostini (feta and roasted tomato + goat cheese with proscuitto), and the big hit of the evening... SUSHI! I ordered a party tray from a fabulous little place I like and the whole platter was gone in less than ten minutes. 

I stocked my bar cart with wine and booze and put up my cute little drink stand - an engagement gift from my sis which I LOVE - and filled it with champagne, soda, sparkling juices, and more.

Here is the pile of gifts before the game got started. This year's haul included some crazy stuff - a Grumpy Cat stuffed animal, flavored liqueurs, an iPhone 6 Hobbit-themed cover, an amazing leopard ombre scarf that I actually really wanted, stinky candles, nail polish, Wild West-patterned kitchen towels, and a Snoopy-themed HOT DOG maker that yours truly ended up with :)

Goofing around during the game:

Three musketeers :)

I love this picture because everyone says I look exactly like my mom here and I agree:

More pals!

Every year, Alexandra and I take this picture with our friends from high school. We always say how much fun we have when we get together and it really only happens at this party every year, so we actually planned an outing for dinner and it's taking place tomorrow night! 

Another year, another fun White Elephant party! Can't wait for the SEVENTH annual shindig!

Meet TRUFFLE!!!!

We have some very exciting news in our household. Over the weekend, we welcomed a new member of the family! Everyone, please welcome TRUFFLE!!!

If you are not not melting at the sight of her, you have a heart of stone. Truffle is a cream French Bulldog! She is eight weeks old and she weighs six pounds. She is LITERALLY the smallest thing ever - do not let these photos deceive you! You can hold her in one hand. She is the length of my shoe!

Those of you who know me know that I have been talking about getting a Frenchie for YEARS. I liked to pretend that Rami was the reason why we hadn't just bought one already - it was far easier to fake-blame him than to actually admit that puppies take time, energy, and money... and up until now, we were not in the place to be able to handle one. But we're finally in a house and don't have to worry about a puppy messing up a rented apartment, and last month I actually got laid off (I don't think I mentioned that on the blog yet - don't worry, I'm fine) and figured while I have time on my hands to be at home/train a puppy, it was now or never! 

We started looking for Frenchie breeders when we came back from the honeymoon - I am a member of several French Bulldog groups on Facebook where breeders post pictures of their available puppies, and I read every post, waiting for just the right puppy to become available. (PS. Before I get scolded, I have also been a member of several Frenchie rescue groups for years - I waited and waited for a young Frenchie to become available in California, but none ever did. Our next dog very well may be a shelter dog!) 

Anyway - I emailed with lots of breeders, but none of them were the one. One day, two weeks ago, I randomly searched #availablefrenchies as a hashtag on Instagram, and lo and behold, stumbled on a husband & wife in Sacramento whose dog had delivered a little of SIX Frenchies in December! A couple of emails and a Facetime phone call (where I CRIED at the sight of the puppies like a real goddamn lunatic), she was ours! The breeders drove down from Sacramento and delivered our baby to our door on Super Bowl Sunday and just like that, we became dog parents!

I cannot tell a lie - I forgot that puppies were THIS MUCH WORK. I am exhausted! I have been running after this little booger all day long. The good news is she is truly a sweetheart - she is sooooo calm, very quiet, rarely barks or whines, and is a champion eater and sleeper, just like her parents :) The last two nights, she has slept in her crate for six hours without making a peep - when Ram wakes up for work, he feeds her and lets her go potty, and then puts her back in bed with me, where she sleeps for another 2-3 hours! Here she is this morning :)

Other facts about her: the vet gave her a good report and said she was in good health, and the vet technician nearly lost it when she saw her and said she was the cutest baby she ever saw. She is not at all potty-trained, and has been peeing ALL OVER our brand new wood floors like it's her job. Gonna have to work on that. And I was nervous to take her in the car, but she seemed to like it once I set her on the seat next to me in her bag.... I pet her while I drove and she actually fell asleep! Look at this face!

As I type this, she is sleeping next to me like a champion:

One look at her tiny face and I melt. She has only been ours for three days and we love her so much already it hurts. If you want to see more pictures of her as she grows, follow me on Instagram @queenjord... I have been posting lots of pictures (and so have my friends!), so check out her hashtag - #babytruff!