Summer always seems to put everybody in a festive mood. With the days getting longer, warmer and brighter, there’s no denying that summer is the perfect time for spending time with family and friends outdoors. As e verybody tucks away their heavy boots and coats for next year and brings out sun dresses, shorts, tank tops and light tee shirts, it’s that time of the year again when entertaining means taking out the grill and serving icy cold drinks that’ll beat the heat on those balmy nights perfect for staying up late and staring at the stars.

Throwing the perfect summer barbecue allows you to be extra creative with how you will entertain your guests. Make the drinks you’re going to serve the star of your bash by serving delicious cocktails that would keep your guests coming back for more. Think juicy summer fruits that would amp your cocktails not only in taste but also in color, special iced teas, and don’t forget the classic daiquiris, margaritas, and punches.

But just because you’re going to serve extra tasty beverages doesn’t mean they have to have the extra calories as well. You can keep your drinks at the low end of the calorie scale too without it being bland as plain ice cold water.

Plus, you can make your drinks even better by making them look special. After all, we eat, and in this case, drink with our eyes first. You can prettify your drinks to make them look even more appetizing for your guests. Play up bright and happy summer colors and incorporate them in your drinks. Shades of red in your drink will make them stand out—think cosmopolitans, sangria punches, and champagne cocktails infused with red fruits. Yellows and blues in your drinks will also add that extra touch of fun. Blueberry cocktails and special mint infused lemonades would be very refreshing on a warm evening get together.

Forget red solo cups. While it might be tempting to get a stack of these cups for your summer barbecue, they’re a bit on the boring side and they’re not special enough for your pumped up summer barbecue. Serve your drinks on special cocktail glasses, flutes, and other pretty cups that will show off just how tempting your cocktails are. You can use clear glasses or even frosted glass cups. If you prefer to make your drinks in big batches, bring out pretty glass pitchers.

No cocktail drink is complete without garnishes. Making your drinks look pretty relies on how you present them and garnishes serve this purpose. Rim your cocktail glasses with sugar by dipping the lip in some lemon or lime juice and then dipping it in some granulated sugar. You can also do this with salt if your drinks are tequila based.

You can also use citrus slices. Cut up an orange, a lemon, or a lime and let a slice hang by the lip of your cocktail glass. You can also put citrus slices and even wedges in pitchers of your drinks. This will also work with other fruits especially if your cocktails are fruit juice-based. Put in chunks or slices of the fruit you used for contrast in texture. Plus that burst of fruity goodness adds to the flavor of your drinks.

Herbs like mint can add more oomph to your cocktail drinks. Don’t just settle for infusing your drinks with these. Put in a few leaves in your pitchers and cups for that extra dose of minty freshness.

Ice is a staple for summer barbecues because let’s face it, the days and even the nights during this season can get a tad too warm. Ice will keep your drinks cool and refreshing. But don’t just stick to plain and boring ice cubes. Infuse your ice with mint and other herbs as well as with fruits. You can also add a few chunks of fruit in your ice before freezing it to make it prettier. You can also freeze fruit juices and even your cocktails so that your drinks will not taste watered-down when the ice melts.

Olives in cocktail sticks are a classic garnish for cocktails but you can also use sticks of hard fruit and even vegetables if your drinks are vegetable juice-based. Don’t forget those cute umbrellas too!

The ultimate test for cocktail drinks, however, is its taste. You can make your drinks look pretty but if they don’t taste good, it absolutely defeats its purpose. Since refreshments are the star of summer barbecues, making your drinks taste delicious is a must.

Cocktail lovers would argue that drinks are not complete without alcohol. The buzz from having a cocktail send tingles down anybody’s spine and makes a barbecue bash a lot more fun. But alcoholic cocktails sometimes have tons of calories because of all the sugar in it that make the drinker guilty for drinking them.

However, there are cocktails that are low on calories that’ll reduce that guilt. Here are some recipes for low calorie alcohol-based drinks that will get your guests hooked:

Sangria Sparkler

This Spanish drink is best served with friends. The blood oranges make it more vibrant and delicious tasting as well.

750-milliliter bottle dry red wine
1 cup light orange juice
1/4 cup brandy or cognac
1/4 cup orange liqueur
2 tablespoons sugar
2 medium oranges, sliced
2 cups club soda, chilled
Crushed ice and/or orange peel curls (optional)

In a large pitcher, combine wine, orange juice, brandy, orange liqueur, sugar, and orange slices. Chill at least 2 hours. Add club soda before serving. Serve over crushed ice and/or with orange peel curls if desired.

Calories: 100

Sugar Free Margarita

This is another one of those sugar laden drinks that spell trouble. There are 16 grams of sugar in an average margarita but this sugar-free version is different:

1 jigger (1.5 oz) tequila
2 Tablespoons (1 oz) lime juice – bottled more convenient, fresh tastes a lot better
1/4 cup (4 Tablespoons) water
1/4 teaspoon orange extract
1 Tablespoon’s worth artificial sweetener (I like to use liquid, carb-free types)
Ice – small handful
Margarita salt or kosher salt
Wet the rim of the glass and dip into a small plate of salt.

Combine all ingredients. You can either serve it over ice (in Mexico I’ve usually been served it this way, but I can’t say I’ve had extensive experience), or strained into the glass, or blended in a blender.

Calories: 128

Bloody Mary Cocktail

Bloody Maries are perfect low calorie cocktails because its carbohydrate content is reduced:

1 jigger (1.5 oz or 3 tablespoons) vodka (nutritional analysis uses 80 proof)
6 oz tomato juice (or see note)
1 teaspoon lemon juice (fresh preferred)
1/8 teaspoon celery salt
2 to 3 drops hot sauce such as Tabasco
2 to 3 drops Worcestershire sauce
Dash pepper (fresh ground preferred)
Dash horseradish (optional)
Possible garnishes: lemon wedge, celery stalk

In a tallish glass, mix vodka, tomato juice, and lemon juice. Mix in the flavorings, adjusting to taste. Add ice cubes, and garnish with a celery stalk and/or lemon wedge (additional half a gram of carb each).

Calories: 129

But in any party, there are those who don’t drink alcoholic beverages. After all, there might be kids present and you don’t want them running around with a buzz, do you? Here are some non-alcoholic cocktail recipes that are also low in calories:

Berry Lemonade

Add a sweet twist to the classic lemonade with berries to make it more colorful and refreshing:

8 cups cold water
2 cups sugar
3 cup fresh lemon juice
3 strip lemon peel
1 cupraspberries
1 cup blackberries
Ice cubes
Seltzer or club soda

Prepare sugar syrup: In 4-quart saucepan, heat 4 cups water with sugar and lemon peel to boiling over high heat, stirring occasionally. Cover saucepan and boil 3 minutes. Remove saucepan from heat.

Meanwhile, in food processor, pulse berries until pureed. Pour into medium-mesh sieve set over large bowl and press berry mixture with back of spoon to remove seeds; discard seeds.

Remove peel from syrup; stir syrup into berry puree with lemon juice and remaining 4 cups water. Pour into large pitcher with tight-fitting lid. Cover and refrigerate until cold, at least 3 hours or up to 2 days. Serve over ice. Add seltzer to taste; garnish with berries and lemon slices.

Calories: 150

Lemon-Orange Fiz

This pretty and very refreshing drink will surprise you with the number of calories it has:

2 cup(s) orange seltzer
2 tablespoon(s) frozen lemonade
1 tablespoon(s) lemon juice
Lemon wedge, for garnish
Ice cubes

Combine seltzer, lemonade, lemon juice and vodka, if using. Rub rim of 2 glasses with lemon wedge and dip in sugar. Fill glasses with ice and top with the seltzer mixture.

Calories: 2

Sparkling Cran Razzy

This is another pretty drink that packs flavor but not calories. Freeze whole raspberries and cranberries for added flavor and texture:

1/2 cup fresh or frozen raspberries for garnish
2 cups cranberry-raspberry juice
2 cup seltzer
2 tablespoons lime juice, plus 4 wedges for garnish

If using fresh raspberries, freeze them in a single layer for about 1 hour (or overnight) before proceeding with Step 2.

Combine cranberry-raspberry juice, seltzer, and lime juice in a pitcher. Divide among 4 ice-filled glasses. Garnish with frozen raspberries and lime wedges.

Calories: 65

With the health craze going on, you might want to serve healthy and delicious drinks instead. Perhaps the healthiest of all drinks is tea but you don’t have to settle for ordinary iced teas. You can also serve healthy fruit smoothies. These drinks are definitely low in calories and are just as refreshing as regular cocktails. Here are some recipes:

Honey Lemon Tea

This Chinese recipe will not only refresh your guests but will also keep them healthy:

1/4 cup dried chrysanthemums
3 lemon slices
4 cups boiling water
Honey to taste

Place chrysanthemums and lemon in a glass or ceramic pot. Add boiling water. Cover with a lid and let steep for 5 minutes. Stir in honey. Refrigerate until cold, about 3 1/2 hours. (It’s not necessary to strain the tea.)

Calories: 21

Mint Tisane

Nothing beats mint for its refreshing qualities. Enjoy mint tea with this recipe:

1 bunch fresh mint
1 bunch fresh lemon verbena (optional)
3 cups (up to 6 cups) boiling water
Sugar (optional), to taste

Place 1 bunch mint and 1 bunch lemon verbena (including stems) in teapot. Pour in boiling water and allow to steep for about 5 minutes. Add sugar, if desired. Serve in small Moroccan or other clear tea glasses.

Calories: 5.7

Hawaiian Smoothie

This fruit smoothie has all the fiber you need to get you going. Plus it’s refreshing and is low on calories as well:

1 cup chopped fresh pineapple
1/2 cup chopped peeled papaya
1/4 cup guava nectar
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 teaspoon grenadine
1/2 cup(s) ice

Place ingredients in the order listed in a blender. Pulse three times to chop the fruit, and then blend until smooth. Serve immediately.

Calories: 81

Summer barbecues are a great way to celebrate occasions or to just spend time with your family and friends. Have fun entertaining your guests, be creative with your food and decorations and serve the best summer cocktails that not only look but also taste amazing without worrying about calories. Happy summer!

When your children first sprout some teeth to take care of, it is the parents that have to take full responsibility for the care since the babies are too young. Somewhere along the way, your little ones will want to start helping brush their teeth. This is great and should be encouraged. You want the child to build his ability and dexterity as he practices but you still want to watch and follow up with a good brush of your own because it is so important.

When kids first decide they want to help brush their teeth, they are usually very inefficient and ineffective. As a parent, practice patience and encourage their effort. Let them try and tell them what they did well. It is also good to give constructive feedback- “I think you did a great job brushing your teeth. We just need to do it a little longer and make sure you get the ones in the back.”

Eventually, after watching your child brush their teeth and inspecting the results, you feel comfortable letting them brush and floss themselves. Trusting your child is important for their self esteem and for your relationship. However, don’t just assume they can do such an important task all by themselves without a little follow up. Check up on your child every once in a while.

Sometimes, just pop into the bathroom and check on the progress. Sometimes, inspect their teeth afterwards to make sure they are getting their teeth really clean. Sometimes, just check verbally. Varying your follow up techniques will keep them guessing and keep it from becoming a nagging thing or habit that you devalue.

Don’t forget to tell you kids how proud you are of the job they are doing! Positive reinforcement is not only a great motivator but also a great esteem builder.

Guest post by Scarlet of Family Focus Blog. Her family blog reports on parenting, family fun, going green, family food, family travel and giveaways!

We are all trying to find ways to make the most of the time we have with our children but after hearing that I felt like I needed to pass on the things that I’ve learned to do with my kids that helps me to solely focus on them when we are together and really make the most of our quality time. For example my husband’s birthday was on Saint Paddy’s Day so I got the kids involved right away to help make it special for them and for my husband. To make it extra special we decided to celebrate his birthday all week.

First I took my kids to Color Me Mine which is a paint-your-own-pottery store. We wanted tocreate something that would hold a precious moment in time for Jason ( my husband). What’s cuter at this age then those adorable hands and fingers? So the kids pressed their little hands in paint and our thoughtful gift was created. They couldn’t wait to pick it up and wrap it for his party! Next, we decided that we would hit the mountain slopes for some skiing and snow ball fights! One of the things we love most about living in CA is that you can be at the beach and then the mountains in just 2 hours or less! The ride up provided us with magical conversations and of course we had of fair share of mishaps, but that’s what makes it a family road trip. It was so much fun to head up to the snow and just spend the day together laughing and enjoying each other! Every day brings new growth, new milestones, and new wonderment. I find that the challenges of our adult lives sometimes get in the way and it can prevent us from fully enjoying and appreciating the delicate nuances of childhood. Not everyday will be perfect with our kids, but I have learned to fully enjoy those great day together even more and when it’s a rough day that’s okay we are all learning along the way how to juggle life.

After a great day at the snow we decided to decorate the Breakfast room together as my husband had done this for my birthday the kids LOVE it especially my daughter. So we made beautiful flower arrangements together laid out candles and the kids worked on hand made clovers, we blew up lots of green balloons and then of course made daddy’s favorite dinner and the pot of Gold Cake was everyone’s favorite!

All in all my husband had an amazing birthday and my kids and I had some special moments. It doesn’t matter if it’s a special occasion or a rainy day there are always ways to create a special moment below are some great things that you can add into your family’s routine that will help you focus more on the kids and at the same time bring the family unit together so everyone benefits.

Parenting is certainly not easy, but it’s like they say anything that is worth having and that turns out GREAT take’s time, care, and love to grow. As parents we put time into our kinds, but I’m learning that we also learn a lot about who we are, it’s a beautiful thing!

1.Parenting Meditation
This is a great way to take some time out when you are under stress take a few deep breathes and concentrate on what you want for your kids that day or maybe that moment. Think about them and try to understand them decide to be with them fully in the moment and you will see that it’s easier to handle difficult situations as they arise. You will also feel more connected to them and enjoy your time together when you take a moment out to think about it and meditate on what you want.

2.Take Pajama walks in the evening
If the weather permits once and a while you can all take a stroll before bed together down the street or even around the block. Sometimes creating a new routine is just what you need as well as what they need. Bedtime rituals are not always easy and kids LOVE getting outside especially at night. Take a slow walk with them chances are you will see bunnies and some cool little critters running around. My kids tend to open up and you can have really cool conversations. Since we have dogs this is a great way to walk the dog and instill the responsibility into your kids that they need when having a pet.

3.Create Dinner theme’s throughout the week the family can look forward too!
This is such a great idea because it will help you stay on top of what’s for dinner and your kids will having something fun to look forward to each week together that they can get involved in! I like to create a menu for the week and the way I do it is seasonally try to take advantage of what’s fresh each season. We like to hit the local farmers markets on Saturday morning’s. I want my kids to have a well-rounded palate trying new things not getting stuck in the chicken or mac and cheese mode forever! I like to make them feel a part of the entire process from the shopping to putting things away to cooking they want to help and it teaches them early on to have a love for cooking real food and family togetherness.

4.Home Improvements
Okay, this one is for the dad’s it seems like my “Honey Do List” never seems to end! It could be a pluming issue, broken toy, or possibly a car issue but I have learned if there is something broken my kids want to be a part of helping to fix it (especially my son). So I say, “let them help.” Now this is most defiantly a time for more patience because it will take twice as long with lots of questions along the way. But it’s the perfect time to talk with them share the experience and have them learn something new through you!

5.Play their Games
This one is so important because you only have so much time with your kids alone when they are not at school on a play date or at an activity to play with them. Now my kids are at the stage where they think “hide and go seek” is the best game in the world. I don’t love playing “hind and go seek,’ but I love seeing them happy. I try and get my husband involved as much as possible, because he like to pretend to be the monster which they go nuts for. It can be hard to break away from work, shopping, laundry, or whatever is on the list, but good old fashion playtime is essential. After all since we made the choice to have kids we have to take the time to engage with them even if it takes away from other things that seem more important. Your kids will thank you later on and remember what kind of mom or dad you were. This is a gift you are giving them just think of it that way. Plus there will be a day that they stop asking, because their friends are more important at the time so enjoy it while you can.

6. Movie nights
I love this tradition! You can serve frozen yogurt, homemade breads, or healthy homemade cookies, and popcorn. My goal is always to create our own magical movie night for the entire family. Get in your PJ’s and grab your favorite blanket and snuggle up together!

When I was a young girl there weren’t a lot of great memories that I had of my parents. Now that I can create my family the way I want to I really try to make it as magical as possible. It’s not always easy and I am so far from perfect, but that’s okay. My kids need to see me mess up too and learn that we all make mistakes. Most importantly, they also need to see me try and that’s what this blog is all about not being the perfect parent just doing your best! Here’s to you and your family creating magical memories together!

Xoxo
Tara Brooke

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When I was a little girl growing up I overheard my dad innocently make a comment about a women’s body, she was on a TV commercial for a popular gym. Needless to say she had a beautiful figure and I knew that my dad thought so by his commenting on it. In fact, the impression he gave stayed with me and at the early age of 7 I was forming an idea about what was beautiful. The years that followed I was body conscious and that focus followed me all through my school years into my 20’s.

Once I got into modeling a lot had changed for the better in my life. As a young girl I came from humble means and I knew modeling was a way to change my life. I also loved doing it and it became my passion. Starting working at a young age I developed a hard work ethic and self-discipline. I became a “student” of the body and was very interested in how to best take care of it instead of taking it for granted.

Now when I see all of these super rail-thin celebrity’s I realize looking back at my pictures I had in my early 20’s I was the same size. At the time I didn’t realize that I had fallen into some unhealthy habits. It can happen very easily and I just want young girls to know that you can really shape and tone your body through fitness and hard work. To reach your goals be realistic if you are 5’2 you’re not going to have the legs of a women that’s 5’10, but you can still have amazing legs! Try not to constantly compare yourself to others. This can be difficult in a society that takes great pride on comparison’s and who wore it best. It’s difficult for young women to compete with what they see on TV and read in the magazines. It’s something as a mother I worry about.

What I want all women to know and what I will continue to tell my daughter as she grows up is “you can only be the BEST version of YOU!” When I was in my 20’s I like to call them the “lost years” because even though I was happy in my marriage I had to overcome some things. I was walking away from my modeling career even though I was on the verge of some very exciting opportunities. The truth is that I really did have to choose at the time between my husband, our new life, and my life in LA as a model. I wanted to make the best decision for “us” not just “me” and that meant saying good bye to some things I really wanted. Looking back I am THRILLED at my decisions, but while I was going through it I felt a bit “lost.” My husband owned a family business and there were absolutely some challenges about me “fitting” into his world. We had made the decision to put our love and marriage first and it all worked out for the best!

Life can and will throw you some curve balls you just need to stay grounded and have a good idea of what’s important to you and let your gut guide you!

Most women that you talk to will agree that for the most part the 20’s are difficult. After all, you are just starting to figure things out and there are lots of bumps along the way and lessons are learned.

Now I am in my 30’s I can tell you that life gets better every day! It is up to you to choose to be happy. You can’t put your happiness on being thin or put it on the person that you are with. Happiness has to be found in who you are not how you judge yourself when you look in the mirror. What you are doing today to make yourself better? The truth of not having happiness will always show up in a person’s life. We each have to choose happiness and take steps every day to protect and nurture it in our lives.

Self-confidence is earned and anyone can have it if they are willing to do the work and that work is a lifelong process that never stops. I encourage you today to rethink how you view yourself maybe you need to cut yourself a little slack and not be so hard on yourself. If you need to lose weight make it a goal. I don’t care how many times you have failed before it doesn’t matter, try again!

Get on a program that can help you attain your goals and help you get healthy! I want you to be the best version of you. You can enjoy and admire models and celebrity’s but remember that everyone has to work at it to look great. I personally love sevenpoint2.com they have incredible products that are organic, gluten free and allergen free but they taste incredible!

Learning to love yourself will reap incredible rewards that you can pass onto your children and you will see how wonderful it feels to have self confidence in you. No one will reach perfection and thank goodness, because once you get there it’s all downhill you have to make changes constantly in the natural and be thinking positive things about yourself and your circumstances. Lastly, remember that this life we are in is a marathon not a quick race so be kind to your body take care of it, nourish it, feed your soul, and love who you are there is only one like YOU!

I found just a few modeling pictures and although they do carry found memories they are nothing like the memories I am making with these two!

Now since my kids are only 4 they certainly don’t understand what this cause represents and what the issue of sexual abuse is all about, but it opens the door at least for me to discuss what’s “okay” and what’s “not okay” when it comes to people touching you. These are such serious issues that we are hearing all over the news from grade school to college. Children and teens need to know that they can come to us no matter what and tell us what’s going on without feeling shame and embarrassment.

I want my kids to know that I am here for them no matter what. They can tell me anything at any time! It was an amazing time for a great cause and the car ride back home provided an excellent time for the discussions that they need to know and be aware of!

Hi Ladies,

With summer 90 days away I want to encourage you to get moving today! Walking up hills at a fast pace is really the perfect exercise. Not only does it burn calories but you can clear your mind and release the daily stress. If you want to make it harder, throw in some light hand weights and add in some lunges on the way up.

The best part is its free, all you need to do is start today!

To Your Health

Tara Brooke

Today is my husband and I’s 14th wedding anniversary

This morning when I woke up I had this beautiful feeling come over me of love and gratitude. You see my life growing up I wasn’t always a happy life, instead life provided me with lessons that would challenge me. In fact, at the tender age of 7 I had to decide to either “sink or swim.”

As I look back at my wedding pictures I am reminded of the leap of faith we took not knowing each other for very long and actually only dating for about a month, that’s right, you heard me right one month. We became an item in January when I was just about to turn 23 years old and on the eve of Valentine’s Day (not even a month later) he popped the question and I of course said “YES”! And if you thought that was quick imagine a black tie wedding at the Ritz Carleton just two weeks later. You can actually pull off a dream wedding that fast with the right help. I’m still grateful for everyone that helped make our day special!

I am sharing this with you for two reason’s the first is that no matter what challenges you were raised with or born into you can overcome obstacles at any age and have your dreams come true! Finding “the man of my dreams” is a perfect example. Even though, life was hard during my childhood and teen years I always had hope.

My greatest piece of advice is to never give up HOPE on LOVE. It’s out there for each and every one of us. Don’t listen to the skeptics and if you have tried and tried with love and still haven’t found Prince Charming keep trying, keep hoping. Love will find you and it’s your job to be aware of it once it arrives.

I just came back from my beautiful cousins wedding and the advice that I gave her after 14 years of marriage and two kids later was above all things put your marriage first! Make time for each other, share your thoughts, your passions, your dreams, and be honest. Have amazing SEX and always carve out time for it no matter what!

Lastly, never stop celebrating your love. One of the my favorite ways to do this is by being grateful daily for all the little things in my relationship. And by all the little things I mean, Jason pouring me coffee in the mornings, taking out the trash, and watching the kids so I can take a relaxing shower/ bubble bath… the little things really mean the world on a day-to-day basis. It’s a nice habit that helps me celebrate my marriage!

As the years of my marriage have gone by we have grown our relationship from a seedling to a beautiful tall tree with deep roots. Our marriage can withstand the “stormy weather” life sometimes presents, because the roots grown with love are always there grounding us.

My wish for you is that you will celebrate the love you have now and if you are still waiting for Prince Charming start dreaming NOW again of your fairytale and never let anyone take that dream away from you.

Love,
Tara

My number one choice for the night was Angelina Jolie in that amazing black Versace gown she looked absolutely stunning! When she hit that stage she owned the night and she knew it. As a side note I will say that I thought she was too thin and I would have loved to see more meat on her bones. While she is absolutely beautiful I feel that it sends the wrong message to young women. You can be thin and in great shape but being healthy and strong is the most important thing.

My next pick is Gwyneth Paltrow. She looked gorgeous in white hot Tom Ford, it literally made me say, “wow” out loud. I’m in love with her gown and feel it really made a statement on the red carpet. Her gown had a cape which cascaded down to the floor. Gwyneth has such an amazing sense of style and I usually love what she shows up in especially lately. She has the ability to do minimalist, fresh, classic, and chic just perfectly!

Next for me was Cameron Diaz she looked fit, healthy and her body was jaw dropping. I love how the Gucci dress hugged her frame to absolute perfection. Well done, Cameron!

The next dress I loved was one of my favorite models and action stars, Milla Jovich. Her classic beauty always shines and wearing that stunning Elie Saab gown made her look like the ultimate Hollywood leading lady. Everything about her look at the Oscar’s worked!

When Jessica Chastain hit the red carpet in that glamorous Alexander McQueen dress I thought the gold and black was perfect. The dress seemed to embody what the Oscars are all about. What an amazing young actress she is her performance in The Help was wonderful and I’m excited to see what she does next. I think she is a stunning Red head!

Sweet and lovely is what came to mind when Michelle Williams stepped onto the red carpet in her coral colored Louis Vuitton gown. She has such a delicate and soft beauty about her I thought it was the perfect choice for her and totally different than anything else I saw that evening.

I have to say that I was disappointed that my next pick for best dressed of the night Viola Davis was not presented with an Oscar! What an amazing performance she gave in The Help and I love how she showed up on the red carpet looking like a Siren in the gorgeous green Vera Wang.

Now my last three picks are Maria Menounos in the sea foam green dress by Maria Lucia Hohan. I thought it was goddess like and extremely feminine in fact that would be a dress I would wear if I ever attended the show.

Next, was new comer Ellie Kemper who was breathtaking in her totally unique Armani Prive’ she looked flawless!

Last but not least is the beautiful Stacy Kiebler she caught my attention in that stunning off the shoulder dress by Marchesa. She looked amazing and actually looked like an Oscar herself perfect for her handsome leading man George Clooney.

I hope you had as much fun as I did watching these beauties walk the red carpet and grace the stage! There is always inspiration we can draw by viewing fashion in this way. Till next year!

Enjoy,

Tara Brooke