Please check out live CBS coverage of El Mundo (including Lisa) at:  http://www.cbs.com/shows/grammys/video/?play=true&pid=Qf6M0lVZbQOf1lAwugsKEq8_jxq5Rogu

You can also purchase El Mundo “The Kingdoms of Castille” on iTunes.

As  you know cupcakes are all the rage and everytime  you turn around there’s another shop popping up on a corner or someone selling some special recipe out of a foodtruck that you can only locate if you have Twitter.   But even with the plethora of choices not all cupcakes are…well…created the same  (yes I’m a C.C. – Cupcake Connoisseur…just ask my love handles) but my friends let me tell you, I have found the best ones in Oakland made by Eurydice at James & the Giant Cupcake (Yes, her name is Eurydice and she really, really is as cool as her name.)

Some of you might have already tasted her insanely good creations but for those who haven’t you’ve got to go try at least one at her new shop in the Golden Triangle located off of San Pablo.  My recommendation is her signature:  Sea Salt and Carmel.  O.M.G.  Salty, sweet, chocolaty goodness at its best.

JAMES & the Giant Cupcake

Wednesday-Saturday 10:30 – 6:30

Sunday 10:30 – 5:30

6326 San Pablo Ave, Oakland, CA

I know this is late and if I was a TRUE blogger I’d have had a post up the moment the credits rolled about the Golden Globes. But guess what? I was tired and to be really truthful I just wasn’t WOWED.  There wasn’t one lady that made me look at her and say “I wish I had THAT dress.”  This year just didn’t do it for me (the movies weren’t that great either if you want me to be completely honest.)  But I’m hoping the SAG’s get my juices flowing.

My Favorite:  Sophia Vergara in Vera Wang.  She was my closest WOW.  I love that she’s a curvy girl, I loved the color of the dress and I loved the detail Ms. Wang put into it.  That’s mermaid styling at it’s best and she looked A-Mazing.

#2: Charlize Thereon in Dior just because she really did look like a goddess.  The cut showed off everything that’s great about her body (legs, arms…) and it was just so feminine. I could have done without the headband though.  Note Ladies: That nude/soft pink color she was wearing IS NOT EASY TO PULL OFF.  A lot of my customers love the nudes and unless you’re will to put in the work on the make-up and tanning…don’t do it.  It can wash you out!

#3:  Octavia Spencer in Tadashi Shoji.  Loved the soft lilac, love the bling and love the ruching!  Listen to me: if you’re curvy a little stretch and a little ruching hugs where you need hugging, shapes where you need shaping and basically shows off all that’s great about your body.

Eh… Award:  Angelia Jolie in Atelier Versace.  I like you better in jewel tones Ms. Jolie. You looked a little Cruella de Ville to me mama.

My Sigh Award…: Meryl Streep in cowboy chic? Seriously I know she could give a darn but it kills me that such a beautiful, talented woman can’t get it together on Red Carpet.  She has access to BEST hair, styling, fashion and yet she still looks like she just threw it together an hour before the limo picked her up.  Meryl… Come to DRESS we can help! Or at least call Helen Mirren’s stylist!

Last but not least… HATED IT:  Piper Pearbo wearing Olivier Theyskens.  That’s a lot of dress for such a petite woman and the color made her look a little uh…ill.  Of all the dresses out there this was the one that did it for you?  Really?

I’ve been really lucky to meet some incredible women and business owners since I opened my shop and I always like to pass on a great new shop/concept if I can.

Today it’s all about Emerald City Gowns a new bridal consignment shop located in Berkeley and opened by Emilie Hofmann a wonderful woman I had the pleasure of meeting last summer.  Inspired by her best friend’s struggle to find a bridal consignment shop locally she decided that she needed to open one for other brides in the Bay Area looking for the same option.  She has a beautiful selection and it’s a fabulous option for those brides who don’t want to spend a fortune on a wedding dress.

By appointment only Emerald City Gowns in located in North Berkeley, near the Fourth Street  Shopping District:

1475 San Pablo Ave.  Berkeley, CA 94702

Ok everyone…need your help!

It’s that time of year for the Best of Oakland nominations and DRESS needs your votes!  You’ll have to create an account (I know, I know…!) but you’re able to nominate all YOUR favorite businesses in the Food, Drink, Goods and Services (that’s us), Lifestyle, Kids and Pets categories.   Here’s your chance to tell everyone about all your great finds in Oakland like DRESS!

So please, please, please vote for us  online at OaklandMagazine.com by March 2, 2012.  Our category is Goods and Services – Best Women’s Boutique.

And don’t forget to tell your friends!!!

Thanks!

JG