She wasn't nominated for a Golden Globe, but a stunning Jennifer Aniston definitely took home the award for sexiest appearance at the Jan. 17 ceremony. Wearing a black Valentino gown with a mile-high slit on the side, the screen siren took a page out of her rival Angelina Jolie's style book. And while Angelina and Brad Pitt decided not to attend the awards, their absence actually inspired Jen. "Jennifer decided to go for black and sexy for the awards only when she discovered that Angelina wasn't attending," an insider tells Life & Style. "An earlier choice had been a white asymmetrical Stella McCartney, since she didn't want to go head-to-head with Angelina and her trademark black."

Jen, 40, has been proudly showing off some killer curves -- while Angelina, 34, has looked worn out and nearly skeletal. Unlike Angelina, Jen has taken a balanced approach to maintaining -- and even improving -- her figure. Jen has done away with a regimented diet to maintain her fat-free form and is enjoying her food. "Jennifer was happy to emphasize her curves in direct contrast to Angie's skeletal look," says the insider.

Just three days before she poured her curves into a Valentino gown, Jen and five friends met at the Sunset Tower Hotel in LA, where they indulged in $30 flutes of Veuve Clicquot champagne, small plates and then a meal. "Jen joked that she didn't want to look like a blimp on Sunday," an eyewitness tells Life & Style. But as a devout yoga fan, Jen can certainly afford to take in a few more carbs. "She's been putting extra yoga hours in but has also upped her carb intake to create an altogether curvier look," says the insider.

For more on Jen and how she maintains her fabulous figure, pick up the latest issue of Life & Style, on newsstands now!