As you might have already guessed, cooking is one of my absolute favorite pastimes! I love to be in my kitchen morning, noon and night. There’s just something extra special about preparing something that’s not only delicious, but beautiful too!

Giada de Laurentiis is one of my all-time favorite chefs. Her first cookbook, Everyday Italian, changed my life in the kitchen. Her cooking is simplistic and elegant and allows me to incorporate my homegrown herbs into the recipes as well (I love to use the thyme and basil that I grow in my garden!).

[Everyday Italian by Giada de Laurentiis]

I had the pleasure of meeting Giada at an event last year - she’s just as charming and bubbly in real life as she is on her Food Network show. I also met her adorable husband and saw sweet pictures of her daughter, Jade - the cutest baby ever!

Who inspires you in the kitchen?

Love,

What a whirlwind fashion week was this year! I just love being a part of the excitement backstage at the shows. Everyone is decked to the nines in the most spectacular clothing and there are always new to-die-for trends to checkout!

[Gorgeous earth tones at the Chado Ralph Rucci show]

The runways showed a return to classic earth tone hues for Fall 2010. The always sexy and sophisticated color black was everywhere. And so were the celebrities!

[A classic black ensemble at the Isaac Mizrahi show]

I saw Heidi Klum at the W Lounge. She’s such a beautiful and vivacious woman! I also got to meet Kelly Osbourne - she’s just so cute and bubbly!

Tons of celebs flocked to the Chado Ralph Rucci show. I’m not surprised that they love him as much as I do! He’s the most consistent artist and designer in the world. The hand-tailoring and simplicity of his designs ensures that you wear the clothes - they don’t wear you! I had a great time at his show in the company of Martha Stewart and Whoopi Goldberg.

I love going to fashion week - it’s the one thing I look forward to year-round. Not only am I inspired by the fabrics and colors, but by the amazing designers that never cease to astound me with their new collections!

Is there an event that you look forward to attending every year?

Love,

*Images taken from Style.com