by Johanna Osborne

The big night finally came and all the stars stepped out at the 2014 Academy Awards held at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday (March 2) in Hollywood. Literally an explosion of all things beautiful and fabulous, this is one time when everyone wants to impress and us eager armchair viewers soak up every sparkly morsel. With some of the most stunning gowns in history being debuted on this red carpet, there is always the chance of a blunder, an attempt to wow that instead ends up falling a little flat (Gwyneth Paltrow knows what we are talking about!). But overall this is one time where you can be guaranteed sequins, silk, couture and style like never before, an unmissable event that radiates energy and excitement. Just think of all the time and effort that goes into such an event, the grooming and preening alone takes days, even weeks of preparation – hats off ladies and gents! And not even a little rain could put a damper on things, 2014 is officially the year of the red carpet umbrella as stars shielded their expensive gowns and elaborate hairdos from the elements. And even though we are miles away from the grand ole US of A, we felt we were there – eagerly watching and waiting, ready to bring you our favourite gowns of the 2014 Academy Awards! There was an unmistakable trend towards neutral blush tones, sparkly vintage style gowns and some pops of colour in emerald and red, not to mention deep plunging necklines a-plenty. Have a look at our faves… did we miss anyone?

Guiliana Rancic looks amazing in a Paolo Sebastian dress, Forevermark diamonds, Sergio Rossi shoes, and Judith Leiber clutch. So polished and chic. And not to mention more than a smidge bridal!

Kelly Osbourne in a cream Badgley Mischka gown with an emerald beaded overlay, gold drop earrings by Solange Azagury, and a perfectly-suited matching gold clutch comes up trumps this year. From the neck down anyway, the hair not so much to our taste.

Embellished, sparkling dresses are order of the day. And Maria Menounos does not disappoint. Backless gown with milk maid braids also adds a little raciness to an otherwise innocent look. We love all of this!

Louise Roe wearing a Pronovias dress and Chopard jewellery at the 2014 Oscars. We love the colour!

 
Dios mío Sofia! Wearing a Roberto Cavalli dress, Brian Atwood shoes, and a Rodo clutch this Colombian goddess can do no wrong!

Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o not only took home the coveted Golden Award, she also topped the fashion stakes in her ah-may-zing Prada gown!

OMG – these two never disappoint! You can almost feel the energy around them crackling! Brad in Tom Ford tux while Angelina chose a sparkly neutral-toned Ellie Saab dress, and accessorized with a Ferragamo clutch and Robert Procop Jewels.

In her best post-Nori look so far, Kim finally steps out in colour (rather than the neutral palette Kanye has her sticking to) and we LOVE the red with her raven hair. Stunning.

Moments before taking away the BEST ACTOR crown, here is Mr McConaughey and his gorgeous wife. Matthew is wearing a Dolce&Gabbana tuxedo, Christian Louboutin shoes, and Chopard watch. Camila is rocking a Gabriela Cadena gown, Charlotte Olympia shoes, and Lorraine Schwartz jewels. Divine couple! Nearly – but not quite – as good as Brangelina.

If I were going to the Oscars, this is the dress I’d pick. Julie Delpy looks lovely in a beautiful Jenny Packham dress, Chopard jewels, and Jimmy Choo shoes.

In keeping with the trend, Best Actress Oscar winner Cate Blanchett sporting the “nude” colour du jour, looks stunning in an Armani creation.

 
That woman just never ages and always looks amazing! We adore Goldie’s Versace gown – so simple and stylish.

These two have always liked to ride the wave of cutting edge fashion, and with Karl Lagerfeld as her bestie, it’s little wonder that Diane chose something a little sheer, a little chic and a lot sexy for this special event. It’s Valentino of course and Joshua is wearing Berluti.

Only months after giving birth Jenna Dewan looks amazing in Reem Acra, on the arm of her popular hubby Channing Tatum.

Like mother like daughter, Kate Hudson is no stranger to best dressed lists. We just love her ueber-sexy retro glam look supplied by Atelier Versace dress and Neil Lane jewels.

Jennifer Garner is ombre perfection in her silver tulle tiered fringe gown with micro bugle and bead embroidery by Oscar de la Renta. Hard to believe this mother of 3 is 41 years old!

Alexander McQueen would be proud – his legacy lives on. There’s something about a brunette in deep navy that simply spells old school glam and Sandra Bullock is no exception.

Looking like an Oscar’s statue come to life is Australia’s own Miranda Kerr. How beautiful can one girl be? Orlando, you let your goddess get away!

Evan Rachel Wood looks stunning in an emerald Elie Saab gown. Wow! Charlotte Olympia shoes, Judith Leiber bag, and Neil Lane jewels complete the flawless look.

Last but not least – that skin, that fabric = perfection! Gabrielle Union, you look divine!

by Johanna Osborne

 

Nothing is more exciting than planning your wedding, but simultaneously the excitement sometimes – just sometimes – gives way to unwanted anxiety and stress. Hey, it’s normal, but to combat some of the niggly worries that plague even the most on-to-it and organised bride, we thought we’d piece together a list of our favourite wedding advice; some dos and don’ts to see you on your way to happily ever after!

 
1. On your wedding day, soak up all the love, joy and bliss! Take a moment to breathe, sneak away just the two of you, pinch each other, look into each other’s eyes, make each other remember this very moment, hold on to it and really savour it. A quiet shared moment taken to reflect and take it all in on your wedding day is simply worth gold. You will always remember it, we guarantee it!

2. Enjoy the planning. Take your time and don’t rush. The more time you have, the more like you will feel informed and not pressured into making decisions. Involve your guy, he might be more into it than you think! Whatever you do, don’t panic. Millions of people get married every day all around the world. Someone planned these weddings and they are all beautiful. Yours will be one of them, only more amazing of course.

3. First look – it’s becoming more and more popular. Why? It takes the pressure out of doing the photos quickly after the ceremony, and it’s a beautiful sacred time for the two of you to see each other, capture it in private- before the masses devour you with their eyes! The images we have seen from first look ceremonies are always divine, we highly recommend looking into this as an option.

4. Don’t get too caught up in making everything perfect. Sometimes the best moments are the unplanned ones, the spur of the moment hiccups -from a broken dress train to a smashed glass. Who cares? It photographs beautifully, genuine emotion and surprise, and as long as the groom is by your side what could possibly be so bad? Don’t take things too seriously and worry too much, the universe knows if you are relaxed and will send good things your way. Let. Your. Worries. Go.

5. Share something special, unique and personal with your guests. The more you involve them in your love story, the more invested and emotional they will be during – and after – the big day! It could be a brief story of how you first met written on the order of service, it could be a slideshow of your romance over the years during the ceremony or at the reception, it could be a special “thing” you both share, perhaps a love of cinema and everyone gets a film reel as a keepsake? Whatever it is, don’t be afraid to show the essence of “you” on your big day, your guests will love you for it!

6. Whilst every aspect of a wedding is important, in order to allot your budget to the right places, choose what is most important to you and focus on that. It might be food, it might be flowers, it might be music… they are all important. But if there is one thing we can share from experience, we would advise that you should not scrimp on photos, as they will be the thing you will have forever. Your photos will be on your walls and are your one memento of the day that you can physically hold and look at over and over again. And the same goes for your wedding bands, these have to stand the test of time, so make ’em good uns!

7. Hire a wedding planner. They are the experts for a reason! Wedding planners can help you make a list, check it twice and be an immense source of advice, inspiration and guidance in the lead up to your big day, and even more importantly – the key that holds it all together when it counts most. Coordination, time planning and knowing all the tricks of the trade; there are few things and people that wedding planners don’t know. If your stress levels and sanity are important to you, then this is one investment that will pay off tenfold.

8. Don’t fight – with anyone! Wedding planning can be full on (hence our advice above) but don’t lose sight of why you are doing this. You are getting married to the love of your life, so it should be a happy and exciting process. A celebration of love! All too often brides get a bit too wound up and end up lashing out at their grooms to be, mothers or friends. Our advice: forewarned is forearmed. Whatever you do, don’t upset anyone by your side, they are all there because they want to make this the best day of your life. Instead head out for a mani-pedi, a massage, a run or a swim, your head will be much clearer once you’ve let off some steam.

9. Remember that the reception is just a party. Keep things simple. You don’t need 20 bridesmaids, a 6 course meal, 4 dress changes and a 12 piece band. You do need to make it nice, and so that it reflects you. Put yourself in the shoes of the guest. What makes a wedding good/bad and what things do you remember from previous weddings you’ve been to? Take that advice on board and use it to your advantage.

10. Get a photocatcher! Before your guests leave the party try to get them to hand over their digital cameras (for just a moment) to a designated person who will then upload the photos they have taken to a laptop. Even if you do have a fabulous photographer on hand, the guest photos are always special and this way you have them right away. Alternatively you could place disposable or even polaroid cameras on the tables and document the guest festivity that way. It’s a great idea!

by Johanna Osborne

Just like when you let yourself dream, the internet is alive with imagery that is sometimes too beautiful to imagine (obviously I’m talking about the pretty sites only). We have once again trawled the world wide web high and low to find some of our favourite ideas and sparkling inspiration to share with you. Sometimes all it takes is one small item, a simple colour or a humble idea to ignite the rest and set the course of your wedding on fire … it’s about letting your mind wander, daring to dream, being bold and not afraid of going big (or small), different and a little creative. Once you start the rest will follow- and before you know it you can say ‘Ola’ to your wedding concept! This is your day, it should be your way. Let it reflect you and let it be wonderful! From sparklers to tents, from boho gowns to bridesmaids gifts, from beer bars to naked cakes… it’s all here! Remember few things are impossible nowadays – you can have what you want, you really can!

Sources: Pinterest, Wedding Chicks, Wedding Bee, Love my Way, One Fine Day

by Johanna Osborne

Say what you will, love it or loathe it, Valentine’s Day comes once a year, every year, despite the fact that most men wish they could wear blinkers and block it out altogether. Yes, it’s commercial and a bit cheesy, but it is a day to remind someone you love them, and since we are totally in love with love, we applaud this notion with all of our hearts. So will you jump on board the love wagon with us, wave the flag high and indulge in a little schamltzy lovey doveyness, just for this week, oh pretty please?!

Naturally we’ve been fishing in the pool of love, and here are a few ideas that tickle our fancy. But before we begin let’s soak in the gorgeousness of Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting as Romeo and Juliet. There have a look. Ahhhh. Sigh. L’amour, ain’t it grand? Ok, now you can read on little Cupids!

A treasure hunt!
Who doesn’t love these? Use your relationship and past experiences together as a theme and you can go as big and elaborate as you like. Place clues where you have a history together, and use questions that will lead your sweetheart to new locations with the promise of a gift or reward at each. Clues like “Go to where we first me” or “Have a seat at the bar where we first kissed”. At each special place leave another clue as well as a sweet treat (heart shaped chocolate perhaps?) to continue to inspire the way. The pot of gold at the end of the search? You of course, arms open and ready to pucker up! Perhaps at your favourite restaurant, such as divine Dockside or the equally stunning Whitehouse or make a night of it at these amazing hotels: The Wellesley, The Bolton Hotel or The Amora.

Go shopping and enjoy it together!
Shopping is likely to be one of your lady love’s favorite activities, but perhaps not the fiance’s. However, together this could be made super fun. New things to see and touch, and of course some precious couple time – it’s a win-win really! Choose your own earrings, necklace or ring, and perhaps he can help pick new lingerie… now that ought to keep even the most begrudging customer cool and happy.
As a bonus, why not kickstart the day by surprising each other with a little something you picked out or made? A framed photo of you both, some chocolates or a special piece of jewellery? Our favourite shops to hit up this Valentine’s Day are Hanne Andersen, Tory & Ko and Alison Blain.

Rent a limo
You may not have rented a limo since your high school ball. And let us tell you, they are bigger and better than they were back then – gone are the days of the stretched out dungers! There’s a reason that you rented one all the way back then. It was fun and a sure-fire way to impress your friends, and of course potential lover. Well gals and guys, take a cue out of Mr Big’s book – he always picked up Carrie in the most unexpected places and was always the picture of cool as he rolled up in his too cool for school limo and said “Hey kid”, champagne flute in hand. Boys, arrange for the chauffeur to pull up to her work when she has finished her day, then invite her in for a whirlwind ride. Who do you call? Well The Limo Club of course!

Do something together
Book some lessons at a dance club. Salsa or other sexy dances will get the two of you hot and heavy once you start perfecting your steps. If dancing’s not your thing, try a cooking or language class, now that could be fun! A french class perhaps? Before long you will just have to jet off to gay Paris to test out your new found language skills or perhaps French Poynesia? Bora Bora is nice this time of the year we hear! Book your exciting travel with Air NZ for exceptional service and value.

Pandora’s box
Only you know what makes you special and unique as a couple. And only you have these sacred memories of your time together. Bring them back to life by creating a special keepsake box of all your moments together. Fill it with photos spanning the time of your relationship, movie ticket stumps, brochures/cards/wrappers of things you have seen and tasted together, old love notes, cards, memories and anecdotes. Get creative and it can be the best walk down memory lane ever! And you will end up with a box you will never part with and be proud to show your grandchildren.

Getaway
There is nothing like taking a wee trip as a couple – and a surprise getaway is nothing short of romantic. Who doesn’t want to be whisked away to a remote location and be forced to relax, unwind, drink bubbles and eat glorious food. Again, if it’s adventure you seek, contact Air NZ for all you need to get up, up and away!

Beauty and style
2 of our favourite things – Antipodes beauty products and For Every Minute sumptuous sleepwear are 2 absolutely guaranteed ways to make your lady love feel treasured, valued and totally pampered. Nothing beats feeling beautiful and comfortable all at the same time!

 
Get creative
Write something for your lover. It could be a poem, it could be a story. A tale recounting the way you met, the way you make each other feel and the hopes you have for your future. Take your heart from your sleeve and put it on paper, you will wow him/her!

And there we have it, nothing short of romantic and lovely. Enjoy and savour your love and celebrate your relationship. Others hope and pray for what you already have… so make sure no matter what you do, that you show your lover how grateful you are to have them. And if grand gestures aren’t your thing, a simple brekkie in bed, some handpicked flowers or a love note tucked in his/her purse/bag could be all it takes to send a few butterflies fluttering. Enjoy!

“When love is not madness, it is not love.”– Pedro Calderon de la Barca
“Grow old with me! The best is yet to be”. – Robert Browning
“Anyone can be passionate, but it takes real lovers to be silly.” – Rose Franken

by Johanna Osborne

Today I’m going to talk about something I don’t often talk about. At least not to people I don’t know. It’s the often discussed and thrashed out topic of weight. And don’t worry I’m not about to say something irritating like that I can eat whatever I want and not gain an ounce.

When I was a teenager I had a boyfriend who liked his girls to be thin, and he was pretty vocal about any that weren’t. Needless to say he wasn’t great for my self esteem, and even though I was far from “fat” I felt self conscious about my body shape and weight. At 18 years old it wasn’t a great way to feel and it took me quite some time to shake that. I look back at photos of myself back then and I could slap the boy – I was tiny, toned and terrific, and yet I felt like Hulk Hogan. If only I could time warp back to those days, I would certainly do a few things differently! And kicking him to the curb would be top of the list.

I think most women feel unhappy about their body at some point in their lives, which is a huge shame. We need to be proud of our bodies, our curves, and our so called flaws. They are all part of what makes us unique. And if someone loves you, they will love you regardless. Isn’t it funny, it takes so much to make you feel good about yourself, but hardly anything at all to undo all the good work with one stupid comment or remark. And whilst women are often each other’s worst critics, some thoughtless men can do more harm than they realise with one ignorant remark. Ironically it’s often those with big bellies and bald heads that are the first to dish out the criticisms. What you say about others says a lot about you!

What have I learnt? That majority of the most beautiful girls are not size 6, and that being slim is great but should not rule your world. When I met my now husband I was pretty thin, and one of the first things he said was “you’re too skinny, let’s eat something” and so our love affair began – with each other and also with food. We ditched the clubs and the bubbles and had more fun than ever before. We took a culinary tour of delicious delights, some rather fancy (crayfish at Quayside) others not so (KFC quater pack on the beach anyone?). Picnics, on the beach, giant ice creams in the Gold Lounge, lollies at midnight… those were some of the happiest days of my life. I had found someone who loved me for me and made me feel so good! He brought out the best in me – the boost in my confidence and overall happiness was priceless. Stephen injected a second life into me and that is just one of the many reasons I fell head over heels in love with him.

Whilst I’ve never had an eating disorder or ever been underweight (I think as a big portion loving German I just enjoy food too much to ever go without it for too long) I have certainly always been interested in the best way to eat to feel good, feel satisfied without the guilt afterwards. My dear brother who is a Doctor summed it up perfectly for me, if you want to eat as much as you like then you can’t go wrong with fruit and veggies. And I think that is the simplest, most fundamental “diet” rule ever. If you are like me and like to eat until you are full- not until you have finished your tiny hand sized plate of food- then this is a good one to follow. Eat as much as you like – no fruit or vegetable will ever make you fat, unless we are talking about a kg of potatoes fried in oil. Not to mention fruit and veggies make your skin glow, your hair shine and you energy levels soar. Yip, that’s the way to go in my humble opinion!

I personally never put a restriction on the amount of fruit I eat, starting each day with a giant fruit salad. I also make some pretty kick butt salads at night with avocado, capsicum, tomato, ham and almonds (roasted of course) a bit of feta cheese – all drizzled with olive oil and vinegar and maybe a few salad sprinkles (sesame and sunflower seeds) and Bob’s your uncle. Tasty and healthy!

I’m not diet expert nor am I a doctor, but I am someone who understands what it’s like to want to be slim and worry when you’ve given in to glorious junk food. But so what? You had a big indulgence? Carbs are good, treats are mandatory and joy is what makes the world go round. As long as you train yourself to reach for the good things instead of the bad 80% of the time, then you should be fine. And the big junk food blow outs are all the better for it – they are yummy and awesome, but somehow after you lay down on the couch in a sugar coma you realise why you don’t eat this way every day. Healthy eating is a lifestyle – and that is something you get through routine. Takes 3 times to make a habit, so try 3 days of clean eating and perhaps on your 4th the choices will be a little easier.

Too often when we think we are hungry all we need is a pick me up – a bottle of sparkling water, an iced tea or a glass of OJ. That’s sometimes all it takes, rather than those chocolate bars and chippies you think you might need at 4pm, when dinner is at 6pm and you will only spoil your appetite, only to get hungry again at 9pm and eat the wrong things (fast and easy!) so close to bed. Oh yes, meal times should be regulated like a child’s – don’t eat the nasties late, as they will cling to you in all the wrong places. And waking up with a full belly is not a good feeling, a food hangover is the worst! It’s best to eat early and let your body do its work when it still can. After all, when you get tired so does your metabolism, so how is your body supposed to process the food? I would recommend eating a nice big nutritious dinner as early as possible, no later than 7pm if you can manage. You will feel so much better waking up hungry the next day – and you can enjoy a big breakfast! Our bodies are truly little engines that need to be nurtured and loved. And starting a good cycle/routine is all it takes.

I will never give up my morning coffee, or the way I have it. Plunger, very strong with a big dollop of cream in it. It’s divine. And I have more than one cup. Coffee with cream, there is no other way – the European in me craves it. Nor will I ever stop ice cream, it’s my little slice of heaven. 3 scoops every time and not an ounce of guilt. Hot chocolate and chocolate in general will always be part of my staple diet. It seems I’m not alone, Coco Chanel visited Angelina of Paris daily for her hot chocolate fix, the thick sumptuous L’Africain – the stuff fantasies are made of – which you can only get at the likes of Scopa in Wellington on our little part of the world. To be honest, you don’t have to give anything up, just think about what you are having, and most importantly when – your instincts will do the rest. And who cares if you eat something bad at the wrong time. Tomorrow is a new day.

Moral of today’s story – take pride in your body, look after yourself and never ever let anyone make you feel bad. It is the duties of our boyfriends/fiances/husbands to make us feel good, love us and be our biggest supporters. Always.

“Your body hears everything your mind says.” Naomi Judd