And The Oscar Goes To...

Carolyn, the Magpie Pixie herself,

is celebrating her birthday today! And whoa. Does this lovely woman know how to throw a blowout gala!

Stop by to check it all out and to hop on links to other bloggers who will be celebrating with her!

Everyone who is anyone will be there...oh yeah, and I'll be there too.

Now most of you know how much I love the art of film. Okay, so I am absolutely gaga over the movies and have enjoyed watching the award shows since I was but a sprout! I adore the Oscars...the dresses, the hairstyles, the glitz, the glamor, the sheer unbridled excess of it all!

But to actually BE there, to walk the red carpet...this is truly a dream come true.

And now, thanks to Carolyn's generosity, I will be there! Whew! So much to do, so little time...where do I begin...

A dress...I need a dress. Hmmm...let's rummage through my closet...oof...what about...nah...too much cleavage shows...let's try...ooh. Too tight...aw...I hear Kate Winslett is wearing this one and I wouldn't want to show her up poor thing...sooo...whatcha think? How about this one? Understated, really expresses who I am...

Too much?? Okay...

What about this? Doesn't show too much skin...LOVE

the red...what d'ya think?

Sheesh are you people hard to please!

Ah...now THIS is it. I think it says,

"I am elegant and sophisticated but in a youthful and childish way...er...childlike way." That's the one...

What am I forgetting...uh...OH! Shoes! How about these sweet little numbers? Comfy and just made to bounce down that red carpet!

Now Carolyn requested that our dates all be "Toy Boys" but as most of you well know, my heart belongs to one Mr. Dennehy. Besides, he has been to so many of these award shebangs that

he is JUST the person I want to be with...yeah, that's the only reason...um...but Brian is who I pick to be my escort! Yup. He is it...my date. M.Y. D.A.T.E.

* Did I just get goosebunps?*

Yoo hoo...Brian?

Oh you silly man...put that weapon down...this will be fun! I promise...Brian! Put that gun DOWN! NOW!

Yes sweetie, I SEE that you have your own tuxes. Whole closets of them. After all, you HAVE done this type of gig a time or two. But I have chosen the most PERFECTO tux to compliment my dress. Heads will turn my handsome man...heads will turn!

See darlin? You will stand out in the crowd!!

Stop crying Brian! Puleeze! Just put it on!

You are making such a scene...

Now doesn't my date look tickled pink about all of this?? I can not wait to step down that red carpet with Brian on my arm...or...ME on HIS arm? Which ever...as long as I get to touch his arm. For your gift dear Carolyn, I wish to present you with an Oscar Gift Basket filled with just a few of those odds and ends that all award nominees and presenters receive. It is only fair that you receive one after all...it is YOUR big day!

Your treasures will include: • A Krups kitchen set. Not just a coffeemaker, either. This year's gift includes a toaster, an electric kettle and a year's supply of coffee and tea ($700) • A two-night stay at The Carlyle hotel in New York ($2,300) • A red leather case filled with Shu Uemura cosmetics, including mink eyelashes ($600) • A year's supply of Vonage broadband phone service ($500) • A three-night stay for two at Palmetto Bluff in South Carolina ($3,600) • A two-night stay for two at Bernardus Lodge in Carmel Valley (Calif.) wine country ($2,500) • A three-night stay for two (plus a "personal surf-butler") at St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort & Spa in Dana Point, Calif. ($5,900) • A dinner party at any Morton's, The Steakhouse ($1,500) • Kay Unger cashmere pajama bottoms ($500) • An assortment of Manni Oils' extra virgin olive oil ($540) • An unlimited day of services at Cornelia Day Resort, which just opened this month on Manhattan's Fifth Avenue ($3,500) • A three-night stay at San Ysidro Ranch, a popular celebrity honeymoon spot in Montecito, Calif. ($3,000)

And, as an added touch, I will add some of the swag from other Oscar years...goodies like:

-- Three-night stay at the Esperanza resort in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico ($3, 000) (Paul McCartney recently took advantage of the gift certificate he received in last year's package) or Rancho Valencia in Rancho Santa Fe (San Diego County) OSCARS 2003 -- SkinCeuticals skin care products: antioxidant serum, skin lightener and sunscreen lotion ($208) -- Dinner party at Morton's steakhouse ($1,500 gift certificate) and a set of six steak knives -- Two-night stay at the Fairmont Hotels & Resorts' Willow Stream spa (six locations) -- Gaiam's Organic Night's Sleep Bag ($475) including sheets, blanket and alarm clock -- Custom shirt from Oliveri Fashion ($100 to $300) -- Four-night stay at Rosewood's Badrutt's Palace Hotel in St. Moritz, Switzerland($1,500) -- Charles Worthington shampoo and conditioner made of champagne extract and truffle oil, with a diamond hair pin designed by Erikson Beamon ($2,000) -- Jean Patou Enjoy perfume, not yet available in stores ($85) -- Kiehl's Academy Collection of skin care products ($200) -- Beamer Phone Video Station -- Amy Reiley's Pocket Vineyard and Amy Reiley's Pocket Gourmet software for Palm OS devices and Pocket PCs -- Palm Pilot software -- KATA Eyewear by Blake Kuwahar Sesna sunglasses ($350) -- Danier Leather flask with two shot glasses ($28) -- Jay Strongwater mirror compacts with salamander or frog detail adorned with Swarovski jewels ($275-$325) -- "Handbags World According to Jess" book -- A.T. Cross Liquid Saffron Ion Pen -- SkyMeals gift certificate ($150) -- Sanyo 5300 Camera Phone with one year of free service from Sprint -- Sleep Number Bed by Select Comfort ($2,600 gift certificate) -- Cargo cosmetics in sterling silver gift box ($600) -- Nomination Composable Charm Bracelet made of stainless steel, 18-karat gold and precious stones -- Christofle Collection 3000 silver cocktail spoon -- Dooney & Bourke leather tassel bag -- Leather Accent Table from Thomasville Furniture Bogart Collection ($840) -- Revlon cosmetics Red Carpet Bag -- Trip to Kenya from Micato Safaris -- A.T. Cross Ion Pen with gel-ink ($25) -- Giorgio Armani cosmetics ($250)

Well, thank you so, so much Carolyn for letting me come along and experience the Oscars as only YOUR birthday party guests can do! It was

an experience to remember...and does anyone know where Brian went??

Happy Birthday Carolyn!

Love and Hugs,

Susie Q