Chardonnay or Cabernet, I do.

Weddings are a cause for celebration.  Wine is also a cause for celebration.  Good wine?  Great celebration. 

Essence Wine Glass, Hive Modern

A few years ago Mark and I went to Southern California (LA, Santa Monica, Santa Barbara, Palm Springs, San Diego) and then the following spring we went to Northern California (San Francisco, Napa Valley, Sonoma).  I loved them both, but I looooved Sonoma.  I liked it's little sister-ness to Napa, and the slower, refined, agrarian pace compared to the hustle and saturation of LA.  When we went throughout the vineyards I would see the natural scenery and note, this would be good for a wedding. (Yes, I'm weird like that, I often walk around noting what "venues" would be good for a wedding.)

I loved the airy nature, the open vistas, the fragrant smells wherever you went, and the high quality of food, everywhere.  Last night we went out with friends who just returned from San Francisco/Napa region and thus the stories from their trip, and the memories of ours became the inspiration for today's Wednesday Wedding Inspiration Board.

Wine for a Wedding by dailybatch featuring silk evening gown

A few details I love from this inspiration board: that dress!, I unfortunately can't determine the designer (I know, bad blogger) but it allows for good inspiration, I love the string lights, the chocolate wedding cakes and the macarons from Yountville must-see Bouchon Bakery.

Cheers to Napa!

Are You Ready for Football?

The other day I mentioned that something I love about fall is the start of the football season.  Growing up in Florida, and more specifically with my parents it is difficult to escape football fever.  

Football has been a part of family life since the beginning, I was born on a Monday, before the kick off of a Dolphins/Jets game. In high school I went to every single University of Miami home game, spring practice, fan day, etc with my mom.  The running joke is that my dad declines going because my mom is just that intense.  

We've stood in the rain, amongst drunks, amidst the chaos, rattle and decay that was the Orange Bowl, stood in the 4th quarter, shaken when the canons erupt for touchdown after touchdown, and have cried with the stellar victories and crushing defeats.

I love football, a good sports movie, and sports montage in my book, is the best.  I keep my loyalties to three teams, the Miami Hurricanes, Miami Dolphins and my husband's fantasy team.  It's the best way to spend an afternoon in the fall.   

Editing the Red Carpet

The 62nd Emmy Awards are now just a faint memory and now exists for the Fashion police and blogosphere to criticize and joke about.  Here's my attempt to tackle the Red Carpet's best, worst, and just-off looks, all images via the Huffington Post.

Back in Black

Black for formal wear is so classic so it is always interesting to see how celebrities and their stylists keep it ineresting.  I think some fared better than others.

Rarely do I not swoon for Marchesa, but Heidi's dress feels just a little small, and a little extra short.  I wish she would have given herself an extra in every direction.  Mindy Kaling is a very petite lady and I feel her bad-ass ballerina is overpowering her, without the ruffle at the top, I feel like she'd be wearing the dress and not the other way around.

 Kelly Osbourne looks glamorous and still very comfortable in black.  The fit on the bodice is gorgeous and the skirt is beautiful.  Julia Louis Dreyfus is in the winner's category simply because she continues to look radiant, healthy, and the dress fits gorgeously.

Fashion that Makes You Gleeful

The trend color of the night: Navy.  The best dressed in navy, Jayma Mays and Lea Michelle.  I like the relaxed tresses, and I love Lea's jewels, but when in the fit category I give the win to Jayma Mays all the way. 

 Jenna Ushkowitz seemed to fly low on the fashion police's radar, but I loved this look.  She looks young, which she is, and still trendy and current.  I don't love the mix of accessories, and would have preferred all gold - but otherwise she looks fabulous.  Okay, this pains me.  Naya Rivera is beautiful.  This dress' color is beautiful.  But, it is too over the top, too much skirt, too much hair, too much drama.

Can We Edit This?

I wish both Dianna Agron and Keri Russell's dress had been shorter.  Agron's at a tea length would be more Audrey/Grace and less Scarlett O'Hara.  Keri is very much modern Baby (Dirty Dancing), I just wish it was shorter, and fit better at the bodice, it looks about a size too large.

Things I loved

Emily and John, Kevin and Kyra, Stephanie Carter, Susan Sarandon and Eva Amurri.  I love the sweetness of the newlyweds, the jewels and color of the long marrieds, the glitter of Jennifer Carter, and the mother-daughter love of the ageless Sarandon/Amurri.

Things I am feeling Ehhh About

Maria Menounos dress feels like a poor man's Sandra Bullock's Marchesa.  Lauren Graham is a beautiful woman, this dress does nothing for her and is more matronly than it needs to be.  January Jones reminds me of Anne Hathaway when she was everyone's fashion muse, edgy and overdone, it is just not believable for me.  Christina Hendricks in Zac Posen, I wish she would have lost the feathers, it feels like one detail too many.

Who Shouldn't Have Been Invited:

I feel like there are no words.  This is neither a Mad Men Costume Contest, and I assume Stephanie Pratt's house wasn't on fire, so I cannot understand why she is not wearing bottoms. 

Winner of the Red Carpet Game:
I didn't care for Claire Dane's speech, but I loved the honey hair, makeup and glittering gown. This was a dress I would want, and would wear, even if it was just while sitting on the couch while watching the Emmy Awards next year.

Thoughts from the Red Carpet

I have always loved Awards Shows and tonight I wanted to share my moment by moment thoughts of the show, here goes!

Pre-Emmy Wish List and red carpet thoughts:

I hope a woman besides Tina Fey wins. I know she is talented but I would love to see a new girl win, show earnest emotion and joy.

Has Glenn Close never aged? P.s. Love the earrings and the matching daughter gown.

Holy Cow! Kelly Osbourne is skinny.  Ryan Seacrest has also just pointed this out. I wish he wouldn't make these obvious body comments.

Love how the Glee kids are enjoying this show and event, and how Arty's celeb crush is Sally Field.

Best surprise details, Eva Longoria's anything but basic black evening gown.

Sofia Vergara is wearing gorgeous jewels and has dream come true hair, but the dress feels a little prommy.

January Jones, is this dress a joke? Pass.

Christina Hendricks, I wish she had committed to more of a vibrant shade of that color and lost the feathers, and I really wish Ryan had refrained from the cheap shot about her breasts.

Okay, also Julia Louis Dreyfus has also not aged.  Also, it is adorable that she is getting choked up about taking her son to college.

Julianna Margulies and I have the same hairdo tonight. She's on the red carpet and I am sitting on the couch.

Kyra Sedgwick always looks so blissful on the red carpet and I looove the color.

John Krasinski's tie is bit petite, no?

How did I miss all of the Losties???? Are they still hanging out at the churchon the???

Wait! Look who it is - Dr. Jack Shepard on the red carpet, says he is looking for LOST closure. Aren't we all looking for LOST closure?

Favorite jewels

Claire Danes' ring

Anna Pacquin's bracelets

Heidi Klum's necklace

Mindy Kaling's earrings

Jane Krakowski's earrings

Favorite hair

Kim Kardashian, she looks glamorous, but I pass on the makeup and the dress

Diana Agron, her hair, gown and styling is young and modern Grace Kelly

Notes the red carpet was filled with high glamour, the makeup was simple and clean and the celebs seemed to indulge Ryan and Giuliana's inane banter really well!

Time for the show!