We can't do a fast-forward on Spring ladies, but we can get a jump on our St. Patrick's Day sale.   Click here to go to Michelle Roy Designs Clover Collection at the SheSez Store for five versions of this fun, whimsical clover charm necklace at an unbeatable price.  Guaranteed to put a little spring in your step and who knows? You might also get a little luck to boot. On sale for 30-percent off now through March 18th. Enter coupon code:  30clover .

 

Leda's Gourmet Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies

 

You might remember the fantastic bakery on Ventura Blvd. in Sherman Oaks that closed last year.  It belonged to my friend Ledette Gambini, who I wrote about last week.  While Leda's was probably best known for it's cakes and cupcakes, my favorite treat there was the cookies.  Here is one of my favorites - the oatmeal cranberry cookies - which Ledette so graciously offered to share with SheSez.

Oscar Glam: Upswept Hair, strapless gowns and sparkly metallics

 

It was all about upswept hair-do's, strapless gowns in metallic-colored fabrics on this year's red carpet. Who had the most beautiful ensembles? Let's start with Jennifer Lopez, who's come a long way from double-stick-taping her boobs. This is a savvy woman is a bona fide red carpet expert. She proved it again in a light pink sparkly strapless gown.  It had an asymmetrical flap across the top and a dramatic train on the side and was perfectly punctuated with flattering upswept hair, diamond earrlngs and a demure matching bracelet. She looked smashing and she knew it. My friend Julie, however, thought it was too “fairy tale-ish”.  Five stars from me though.

Demi Moore showed off another feminine up do – with one piece of hair loosely hanging down.  Her soft peachy/nude dress was pretty but I could hardly pay attention.  She looked 20 in a good way.  It was frightening and inspiring (Oh God what do I gotta do to look like that?). There is only one other woman in her mid-forties I know who looks that young and she goes to a plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills named Dr. Raj (the guy who reportedly did Jennifer Aniston's nose thinning).  Demi must go to that guy.  I'm making it a priority to find out in 2010 what Demi is doing and how much it costs. Knew those investigative reporter skills would come in handy again one day.

Penelope Cruz was also ravishing in a burgundy strapless dress with asymmetrical top and a dramatic flare at the bottom.  She also sported an up do.   Like J-Lo, Penelope can do ultra glam and has the body to boot.  I would, however, just once like to see her in a mini or something for an unexpected twist.  

Sandra Bullock was also in my top five of the night in an elegant Marchesa form-fitting sparkly gold gown with a single cap sleeve.  The bodice was super sheer with gold appliqué in a delicate Asian inspired pattern.  Her bright red lips and side parted slicked back hair was a bit harsh though. Softer hair and and lips would have offset her slight frame instead of accentuating it. My husband, however, could not have disagreed with me more. He loved her look from head to toe - which quite frankly I think is a bit unsettling as he hates hot red lips on me.  Hmmmm.....

 

Forty-something & Following Dreams. The Ledette Gambini Story.

 
              Ledette in her organic, edible garden 

Ledette Gambini is a perfect example of the type of woman I had in mind when I started the SheSez feature Reinvent Yourself. She has had numerous careers and life changes in her 30’s and 40’s and she’s facing yet another challenge in the year 2010.

Here in L.A. many of you might think her name is Leda.  She owned the popular Leda’s Bakery on Ventura Blvd. in Sherman Oaks for four years – known for show-stopping presentation and exotic flavors like dulce de leche.  

  

 Ledette icing cake at Leda's and another creation below   

 But Leda’s closed down over a year ago – in the midst of a thriving business.  The move shocked Ledette’s friends and family and bummed out legions of loyal clients.  We’ll get to that decision in a minute – but first a little back-story on this cool woman.

Ledette went to Vanderbilt for under grad and then got an international MBA with a concentration in marketing and Russian.  She worked in a non-profit Russian hospital for a while and then “felt like I needed to get a real, traditional career. That’s what you did – right?  Went to college and did what was expected even though you weren’t passionate about it.”

Cut the Crunches

 

Crunches seem to be every woman’s go-to exercise to try to get her belly back. But no matter how many she does or how hard she tries the flat belly seems elusive. This mystery is usually chalked-up to stretched-out muscles, laziness (arrgh-never call a mom lazy), or just “the way it is” – i.e. the cost of having offspring or turning forty. But the culprit may lie in the very thing you’re doing to tone up - the crunch!

 

Brushing up on Skin Care

 

Have you ever wondered what the largest organ of your body is? Here's a hint: the organ is one of the most important for elimination of toxic wastes from your system. This organ is the SKIN!  So the relevance and importance of the skin goes beyond the things we women are always concerned about like pore size and wrinkles - keeping the skin healthy is key to keeping us healthy. Below are some tips for keeping the skin in tip top shape. 

SKIN NUTRITION

Skin problems are becoming ubiquitous. These problems always seem to flare up when you’re eating poorly (fast food, processed food, sugar, soda, etc.), not getting enough sleep or plenty of exercise in fresh air. The skin clears up when more dark leafy greens are added to your diet, which help cleanse and purify the skin. Increasing your intake of Vitamin C with citrus fruits, bell peppers, broccoli and cauliflower, will help to tighten the connective tissue of the skin. Additionally, the wonderful oils like raw nut butters, olive, flaxseed, and coconut, will keep the skin moist and pliable. Another important tip: avoid using soaps, cosmetics or lotions that are full of chemicals.

Tossing an Oscar Night Party? How to serve and observe

            Oscar Night: Finger Food Fare 

So you’re tossing an Oscar night "viewing" party at your house and you’re excited, but a bit bummed. Deep down you’d like to watch some of the show too – no matter how self-important or indulgent it is sure to be (I’m still rolling my eyeballs at Drew Barrymore’s Globes speech)!  You don't want to be the lame duck who can't chat couture best & worst with the girls the next morning - right? We’re here to show you how you can have your cake and eat it too. 

       Butternut Squash Soup in Demitasse Cups 

Instead of serving a buffet or sit-down dinner, why not serve finger food? When you hit the show's hour mark– right about when the Price Waterhouse accountants meander up to the stage -  jump out of your seat, grab your best girlfriend for some help, and bring out your food platters and scatter them all over the place. You'll be back on the couch before the next winner is thanking his agent's grandma's pool man. Here’s what I did last year and plan on doing - with a few variations -  this year:

Cut the Crunches

 

Crunches seem to be every woman’s go-to exercise to try to get her belly back. But no matter how many she does or how hard she tries the flat belly seems elusive. This mystery is usually chalked-up to stretched-out muscles, laziness (arrgh-never call a mom lazy), or just “the way it is” – i.e. the cost of having offspring or turning forty. But the culprit may lie in the very thing you’re doing to tone up - the crunch!

 

A Pasta Not To Pass Up

 

When my husband turned 40 he got fearful of getting a gut. He'd noticed a lot of his buddies were suddenly expanding and he didn't want to follow suit.  He decided to radically cut back on carbs.  That also meant a change for me - one I wouldn't exactly call welcome.  Pasta became limited to the occasional rainy or cold day when I rationalized that my grandfather's homemade red sauce simmering on the stove would take the chill off the house.  However, I've recently started serving pasta regularly again after getting turned on to a healthy, nutritious brand that'll keep my husband happy while keeping my Italian side fulfilled. 

 I was having lunch with a nutritionist, Karen Sherwood, at L.I.F.E.  (Live-In Fitness Enterprise)  in Marina del Ray and raised my eyebrows when their in-house cook brought in a pasta for our lunch.  I was surprised they'd be serving pasta at a facility aimed at fitness, weight-loss and health.  Karen told me it was a whole wheat pasta - a new brand made by Barilla. Whole grain pasta typically leaves me unsatisfied and when I've served it to the kids they've pushed their plates back and folded their little arms in a haughty stance as if to say, "Are you kiddin' me?" But this pasta was delicious!  

Pretty in Plum

              new Bellarina Lace scarf - in Plum 

I know several of you were bummed out when the Lace Bellarina scarf sold out in Light Orchid.  However, we just got in a new style of the Lace Bellarina in a gorgeous plum shade.  There are two tones of plum in the scarf - one lighter and one slightly darker.  And there are two elegantly cascading fabrics: a soft crochet-like lace fabric and and a sheer tulle-like fabric. (I'm doing my best Anna Wintour here ladies....bear with me)  Yet another fabric - a half inch lace trim runs the entire perimeter of the scarf.  Exquisite detail and superb craftsmanship. Wear it at night or in the day.  And speaking of daytime, as you can see below, it looks smashing with jeans!