Darlings, Valentine’s Day is a week away, so whether you’re celebrating with or without a sweetheart, don’t forget to treat yourselves to something sweet! These picks are perfect for date night or girls night ~ and as far as who deserves your company ~ well that’s entirely up to you. So grab some bubbly and be irresistible!  xx

Parker Crepe Dress

They may seem like an odd couple, but today Americans and the French will rely on them to predict what’s in the cards for us this year. While Phil totters out to check his reflection and determine when winter ends on Groundhog Day ~ our Français friends will be flipping crêpes to mark the holiday La Chandeleur ~ hoping the fancy pancakes land perfectly in the pan so they can enjoy good luck for the rest of the year.

Will Phil see his shadow? Will those crêpes have a perfect landing in the pan? Groundhog Day and La Chandeleur are fun traditions, but I’m planning on a delicious year ~ regardless of weather or flip of the wrist.  So this morning I’ll enjoy my coffee with a bright & sunny frame of mind, look forward to a sweet year ahead, and hope to break out the Spring frocks soon!

Happy 2.1.12, lovelies! I am one smitten kitten for February 2012 and do you know why? Bonus day. What will you do with an extra 24 hours this month? It only comes around every 4 years, so make it count!

Sparkle.

Channel sparkle & sunshine and live in the limelight.

Sizzle.

Prrrr…… You’re a vixen and you know it ~ so show it, you little minx!

Fizz.

Do you have bubbly chilling in your fridge? If not, procure some prosecco or champagne tout de suite! You never know when you’ll have an impromptu visit or party ~ or simply need something to sip while nibbling the delish cupcakes or macarons you couldn’t resist.

Flirt.

When God made you, he was showing off. I may be Le Flirty McFlirterson, but I don’t say that to just anyone, ma chérie…

Now go bat those eyelashes, give someone a wink and a smile, and treat yourself to something sparkly & sweet!

Bonne February!

What made retailers like Oak NYC buy these bizarre britches?

That’s hot…not.

Good news ~ looks like the droopy denim is on its way out, not that it was ever “in”.  Oak has since slashed prices in half, most likely in an effort to purge the surplus in storehouses right now.

Until then, Hammertime.

Kyra Sedgwick sizzles in a red Pucci cutaway gown.

Jessica Chastain in custom Calvin Klein Collection azure silk crepe bustier dress, with $2.5 million in Harry Winston sparklers.

 Sofia Vergara is gorgeous in raspberry pink Marchesa.

 Julie Bowen is pretty in hot pink ~ Temperley dress, Martin Katz jewels, Christian Louboutin heels, and a Judith Leiber clutch.

 Octavia Spencer in an opal grey Tadashi Shoji gown with a draped front. Love the pretty piled-high bun!

 Julianna Margulies lets her hair down in a beautiful embroidered dove grey Calvin Klein gown and Marcy Miller earrings.

Michelle Williams in Valentino dress, Roger Vivier Cage sandals, Lanvin bag, and Fred Leighton jewels. Love her and love Valentino.

 Zoe Saldana is lovely as always in a delicate Givenchy Haute Couture dress, Guiseppe Zanotti shoes, Tiffany jewels and a Givenchy clutch.

 Rose Byrne in Elie Saab ~ love that she went against the grain and sported a sassy, sparkly jumpsuit with her new supercute bangs. J’adorbs!

Shaun Robinson in fetching & feminine fuchsia ~ one of my fave frocks of the evening!

Bonne nuit, mes chéris!

Accessories really can make (or break) an outfit!  Especially when the outfit is a formal floor-sweeping gown fit for a rawther fancy white tie affair, à la the Academy of Music’s 155th Anniversary Concert and Ball (invitation courtesy of my lovely sis!).

My frock was strapless so I opted for statement earrings sans necklace, and plenty of blingy bangles and a couple cocktail rings. Here was my selection of choices for sparkle & shine successories for the evening, lovelies…

So after some fizzy sips of this bubbly it became clear,

That I would choose these glittery chandeliers for my ears…

Then after the concert with Yannick & his Orchestra, Yo-Yo Ma, and Diana Krall ~ guests got their dance on when the chandelier was transformed to a disco ball.

A magical & musical evening was had by all!

 I could have danced, danced, danced… all night!

As the creator of the sprightly and spunky Peter Pan, James Barrie knew a thing or two about brightening up the lives of others. So did Sir Paul, little darlings, who sang about the sun bringing smiles to our faces in my fave ditty. Pantone appreciates the sartorial side of sunshine, naming Solar Power yellow as one of its colors for the Spring 2012 palette ~  and yours truly has been enamored of the happy hue, ever since I was une petite fille…

So say hello to yellow and take a peek at some stylish & sunny treats…

1.    John Lewis Peter Pan collar blouse (I love a Peter Pan collar!)

2.    Barney’s NY glittens

3.    Brian Atwood Ariane Espadrille wedge

4.    Casablanca lemon lanterns, Z Gallerie

5.    Crate & Barrel Zest Margarita glass

6.    Pillows by Chloe & Olive on Etsy

7.    Fornash Dotti Bangle

8.    Nike Half-Zip running top

9.    Juicy Couture sport watch

10.   Ada Collection leather sash belt, SMU

11.   Kate Spade Glossy Garden necklace

12.   Hanky Panky Low-Rise lace thong

13.   Kate Spade “Chit Chat” iPhone case ~ cute as all get out.

14.   Kate Spade Sweet Zinnia chandeliers

15.   Hunter Wellies

16.   Sperry sequin boat shoe

17.   Kate Spade sailor stripe scarf

18.   Kate Spade taxi mittens

19.   Fornash Gecko bangle

20.   Pop Phone by Native Union (c’est une genius!)

21.   Urban Outfitters Ziggy Chair

22.   Tory Burch Ella tote

23.   West Elm Modernist bowl

24.   Zara tiered dress

25.   Crate & Barrel  Zest pitcher

Happy weekend!

And cheers to my fave Aussie dish, Simon Baker. Le sigh…

“I didn’t grow up with money, but I grew up with a lot of space. All I did was surf. I was committed to the ocean. That’s one thing about Australians; we have the capacity to embrace life.” ~Simon Baker

Favorite Newman-isms:

“Why fool around with hamburger when you have steak at home?”

“If I ever feel like I`m doing something I`ve done before, I scrap it and start over again.”

“The embarrassing thing is that the salad  dressing is outgrossing my films.”

“If you don`t have enemies, you don`t have character.”