Rocking the Red Carpet

Natalie Portman in Christian Dior.  Sheer Perfection from head to toe. 

This evening, I put the kids to bed early, made a chocolate chip banana bread and some decaf cappuccino, and settled onto my couch to tune into the Emmy's Fashion Police.  Admittedly, I never make it through the live red carpet coverage of these award shows so I always count on Joan and her crew to bring me up to speed on the latest and greatest.  How disappointed was I when their best dressed nominees were Heidi Klum in that Vegas style Versace and Christina Hendricks in a boring, black Christian Soriano gown?  At that point, I decided to take matters into my own hands and scroll through Sunday evening's looks myself.  An hour later, after pouring over gown after gown, I was extremely disheartened.  Nothing jumped out at me....that is, until I spotted Natalie Portman in this exquisite color blocked dress by Christian Dior at the New York City Ballet's fall gala.  It got me thinking....does Natalie ever really get it wrong?  She knows what looks good on her body, she's not afraid to take a risk, and she always carries herself like a lady.  Here's a look back at Natalie's best red carpet moments.  What are some of your favorites?

In vintage Chanel at the 2006 Golden Globes.

In Lanvin at the 2005 Academy Awards.

In Rodarte at the 2009 Academy Awards.

In Azzaro at the 2011 SAG awards.

In Lanvin at the 2012 Golden Globes.

In Dior at the 2013 Academy Awards.

Cozy Cashmere

Cashmere Sweater: Aqua for Bloomingdale's (similar here)/ V-neck Tee: Old Navy/ Scarf: Nordstrom Juniors (similar here)/ Pants: Karen Kane/ Flats: Ivanka Trump (similar here)/ Bag: Ferragamo (similar here)/ Sunglasses: Michael Kors (similar here)

There are definitely some things that are worth splurging on (we're talking fashion here, of course).  In my humble opinion, here is a must have list: a well constructed dress coat, a one piece bathing suit that fits like a glove, a pair of jeans that can segue from day to night (no rips or tears please), a leather satchel in a neutral color, a crisp white button down (ideally a fresh one each season), black cigarette pants, a comfortable pair of ballet flats, a lined trench coat (black or beige), a black cocktail dress, black pumps and last but certainly not least, a good cashmere sweater.  Cashmere is elegant, functional and timeless.  It takes you from season to season and from year to year.  I purchased this cardigan a few years back when I was pregnant with my fourth child.  I wanted something easy to slip on over a tank or a tee, something lightweight and not bulky, a piece that I could wear to the park or out to dinner.  I had been eyeing it for weeks before I finally took the plunge and I must say, I never looked back.  Let's just put it this way...if my house were on fire, I'd grab my children and husband and this cashmere sweater exactly in this order.  I take it with me on every trip, throw it over my shoulders whenever I'm chilly (pretty much all the time), and leave it in my coat closet for easy access on my way out the door.  It is so versatile that it accompanied me to the hospital when my son was born and I used it as a wrap for a September wedding last year.  I guess you could say I'm crazy for cashmere.

Quick Marinara Sauce

Sometimes, the best meals require the fewest ingredients and this is certainly the case with Giada's marinara sauce.  I'm a bit of a sauce snob, I'll admit.  Growing up, our next door neighbors were from Naples and their mother made the most scrumptious "gravy" I have ever tasted.  I can still remember the smells wafting out of their kitchen on a Sunday afternoon and hoping that I would be invited over for dinner.  Being from Irish descent, I was fascinated by the traditional Sunday meal which consisted of several courses:  anti pasta, pasta with sauce, a meat and vegetable, and salad which followed the main course.  To this day, no other sauce comes close and  I was always too intimidated to attempt it myself.   So, for years I had been buying the eight dollar jars made by Mario Batali, Emeril and Lydia.  That is, until I discovered Giada's  more affordable line of sauces at Target.  They are delicious (my favorite is the vegetable marinara) and great for those nights when you want to keep dinner to two pots and ten minutes.  However, when you want your kitchen to smell warm and inviting and you don't mind chopping up some onions and garlic and firing up the blender, this is a no fuss, straightforward recipe that will become part of your weekly meal rotation.  I usually make extra and freeze it in one or two cup portions.  It's especially tasty on homemade pizza or as a dipping sauce for bread sticks.  Buon Appetito!

Keeping it Classic

Top: Kayce Hughes/ Blazer: Aqua for Bloomingdale's/ Jeans: Gap/ Bag: Ferragamo (similar here)/ Flats: Tory Burch/ Aviators: similar here

I love uniforms.  Perhaps it harkens back to my days in Catholic school but to me, uniforms are neat, uncomplicated and classic.  They never go out of style and they look polished and crisp.  Now that we're gradually transitioning to fall, I need to tweak my summer "uniform" of vintage tees and cut-offs to cropped jeans, easy, cotton three quarter sleeve tops and flats.  I like layering for cool mornings with blazers and scarves and shedding these accoutrements toward mid-day.  This look can also segue from day to night by swapping out flats for wedges or pumps and trading in this tote for an envelope clutch.  I am a true believer that less is really more.  Trends may come and go but I will always remain an eternal minimalist.

Chocolate Truffle Cakes

These chocolate truffle cakes are not for the faint-hearted.  They are rich, decadent and oh so satisfying.  There is probably a support group out there somewhere for chocolate addicts like myself and after eating these last night, I'm thinking I may have a serious problem.  Of course, I couldn't stop at just one.  I had to sample them first, then politely eat one with our dinner guests, and then once our friends left, I cut another in half and sank my teeth into one last bite.  And just to be really bad, I paired it with a scoop of mint chocolate chip ice cream.  I'd better dust off the baby jogger this week because I cannot even begin to contemplate the amount of calories I consumed.  If there was a dieter's prison, I would be doing twenty five to life...and I'd do it all over again.  Thanks Martha!

Orange Crush

Dress: Target (similar here)/ Sandals: Jack Rogers/ Bag: J.Crew/ Sunglasses: Michael Kors (similar here) 

I am sure not too many people in the New York metropolitan area are overjoyed at the prospect of a ninety degree day looming over them this week but personally I am loving it.  I am clinging onto these last days of summer for dear life.  I intend to wear open toed shoes, white jeans and my favorite straw bag as long as it's acceptable.  I also plan on running out to Sephora to purchase yet another bottle of my go to self tanner by St. Tropez.  Perhaps I am in denial that the nights are getting cooler, the days are getting shorter and there seems to be an endless supply of bagged apples and pottted mums.  I suppose I compromised somewhat by settling on three quarter sleeves and embracing a hue that implies fall's imminent arrival.  But I am stubbornly looking forward to enjoying some cold margaritas out on my deck this weekend.  Cheers!

Little Lace Dress

Dress: Karen Millen (similar here)/ Clutch: J.Crew (similar here)/ Pumps: Sam Edelman/ Sunglasses: Michael Kors (similar here)

One of my biggest regrets is giving away a lace top with a mandarin collar that I acquired from my days at Calypso.  It was a light grayish blue with delicate buttons and two slits on the sides.  It was one of a kind, a sample that never made its' way to production.  I remember wearing it to Coterie one year over a pair of black cigarette pants and receiving numerous compliments.  After I had my daughter and was purging my closets one day, I packed it away along with other "work" clothes that I thought were impractical for my new lifestyle.  Oh, how I wish I could turn back the clock.  Lace is timeless, elegant, feminine and chic.  It should never be cast aside like last season's news.  So, this past summer, as I was combing the racks at Bloomingdale's searching for the perfect rehearsal dinner dress, my daughter spotted this number by Karen Millen.  I love how this dress can segue from a date night to a wedding.  It is classic, versatile and comfortable.  As the summer is sadly coming to an end, I realize I may not be able to pair it with nude pumps and a straw clutch but I can couple it with black opaque tights, black patent pumps and a cropped velvet blazer.  Could it be possible that I'm already thinking about New Year's Eve?