Oscars Red Carpet Round-Up

I won't even go into the trainwreck that was the Oscars last night.  Let's just talk about the pretty clothes.  There wasn't a lot of high drama or risk taking on the red carpet, but there were some lovely, lovely gowns that deserve to be shown off (and some less than lovely gowns).

Anne Hathaway in Valentino, Natalie Portman in Rodarte: From the neck up--yes.  Gorgeous.  But that dress makes her looks like she has weird growths on the bottom half of her body, and that is generally not a good thing.  Also the material just looks cheap, no?  Natalie Portman, on the other hand, looks absolutely radiant.  I like that she went with something simple and flattering, but not boring, and that color is wonderful on her.

Givenchy Haute Couture, Versace: Now, Anne wore like 15 gowns throughout the ceremony as one of the main hosts.  Some of them were prettier than others.  For instance, this white Givenchy looks odd on her.  The way it hits her hips is not flattering, and while I like the concept of the dress I don't think it works for her body at all.  Look how much smaller she looks in this gorgeous Versace that she wore later in the show.  I love this dress.  It's venue appropriate and flattering but it's still a little edgy and sassy. 

Mila Kunis in Elie Saab, Michelle Williams in Chanel: Mila has my favorite dress of the night.  The pale lilac is very flattering, as is the cut of the dress, but what really makes it is all that deconstructed lace paneling.  I'm sure it's over a nude base layer, otherwise that would be a little too scandalous, but it manages to walk that line between sexy and elegant so, so well.  As for Michelle Williams, I really wanted to like this, but it feels so boring and sad.  Also not fancy enough for the event, no?  And it's not very flattering.  Girl needs a new stylist because clearly she's gorgeous and doesn't deserve to be stuck in such duds of gowns (see her Golden Globes dress)

Hailee Steinfeld in Marchesa, Jennifer Lawrence in Calvin Klein: What I really love about Hailee's ensemble is that it's age appropriate.  She's not showing a ton of skin for a young teen, but she still looks cute and fun, plus she manages to pull off an awkward skirt length and a top knot very well.  Props to her.  I like the simple makeup and styling against the full volume of the skirt.  Well played.  Jennifer Lawrence made a risky choice going with such a simple dress, but I think she pulled it off.  Dresses like this really make your body the center of attention, and when you have a body like she does you can definitely work it out.  I wish there was a little more bling, but overall she looks fantastic.

Amy Adams in L'Wren Scott, Jennifer Hudson in Versace: Is it just me or do these two girls look much thinner than normal.  Amy Adams practically disappears here!  The dress is a pretty color and the shape is relatively flattering, but I wish she'd traded the necklace for a statement cuff or some earrings, because that neckline looks pretty busy.  Now, Jennifer Hudson's body looks AMAZING, but that dress...it's like a bad '80s prom dress.  The color is lovely, but it's doing some very odd things to her chest, and the skirt is swallowing her whole.

Cate Blanchett in Givenchy Couture, Scarlett Johansson in Dolce & Gabbana: I have mixed feelings about this dress on Cate Blanchett.  On the one hand I like it because she can pull it off and it's on-trend, and on the other hand it feels a bit awkward.  But it's Cate Blanchett, so she gets a pass.  ScarJo, on the other hand...I really wanted to like this.  But I can't.  I like the shape on her, but the fabric reminds me of the carpet in a run-down Victorian brothel in Paris.  Maybe a different color?  Also what on earth is going on with her eyeshadow?  Ayayay.

Reese Witherspoon in Armani, Penelope Cruz in L'Wren Scott: What makes me dislike this look on Reese is that we all know how well she can do the Oscars red carpet (see that little yellow Nina Ricci dress from a few years ago).  This just feels muted and a little aging on her.  The black/white combo reminds me of a cocktail waiter, and it all just feels a little flat.  I want there to be more jewelry, more sparkle, more something.  Penelope Cruz, on the other hand, is working it for having just had a baby literally weeks ago.  That dress is very flattering, the embellishment is both sassy and event appropriate, and she and Javier are just SO CUTE.  I hope I look that good after just having a baby.  Yikes.

Hillary Swank in Gucci, Halle Berry in Marchesa: I love one of these and hate the other.  Guess which is which.  They both have similar mermaid shapes and muted color palettes, but the difference here is in the detailing the skirt.  The feathers on Hillary Swank's Gucci just elegantly appear out of nowhere and then take the skirt for a gorgeous Black Swin spin, whereas the tulle on Halle Berry's Marchesa looks like it was randomly stapled on.  Hm.

Images via nymag.com.

End of Week Ramble

I don't know about all of you girls, but this week has been difficult, to say the least.  To the point where when my phone today I almost burst into tears on the subway (the ultimate in pathetic.  It's a phone.  For crying out loud--pun intended).  Oh, and on that note, should I get an iPhone or another Blackberry?  I'm so torn.


So the level of what I can handle writing about today is pretty things that I want.  Nothing revolutionary, but I think we all need a little end of week pick-me-up.


Rebecca Minkoff Navajo Studs Flame Satchel, $425 at shopbop.com, Ray-Ban Vagabond Sunglasses, $145 at shopbop.com: I realize that this bag is mildly tasteless and will be completely out of fashion in like 6 months.  But I really want it.  I like the studs, I like the print, I even like the tassels.  The clean, structured shape balances out all that drama nicely, and the shoulder strap is really convenient.  How Jackie-O fabulous are those sunglasses?  I love the elongated, cat-eye shape and the retro simplicity of the tortoiseshell frame.  The shape would be flattering on a variety of faces, and they're just so...cool.

Mary Green Sleeping Beauty Eye Mask, $25 at shopbop.com, Alice + Olivia Tie-Dye Silk-Georgette Dress, $295 at net-a-porter.com: I need one of these.  So badly.  I can sleep through basically anything, but it's so hard to fall asleep when one of your roommates is cramming late for a test and has a bunch of lights on (just a hypothetical situation).  I want a glam, cute solution to having to bury my face under a pillow, and this is it.  The pale pink is adorable, but the black gives it a nice edge, and the 'sleeping beauty' thing is so sweet.  Also confidence boosting in the early morning.  For the longest time I thought this dress was plaid.  Which was really cute.  But the fact that it's tie-dye that doesn't look overly hippie-tastic or granola-y is kind of awesome.  It's like minimalist, abstract tie-dye, and that works so well with the simple cut of the dress.

Images via shopbop.com, net-a-porter.com.

Today's Wants

So I was a fail blogger yesterday.  I was in the middle of writing a theory paper about transnational migration theory and then I went to sleep and completely forgot about blogging.  Fail.  But today I'm on top of it!  Here are my wants:


Pottery Barn Faux Fur Throw: Okay, so this isn't for sale anymore, but a friend of mine has it and I WANT IT.  It's a plush, suede-like material on one side and then on the other side it's a fluffy faux fur.  It's so warm and cozy, but it looks so glam and fabulous.  I want to snuggle with it.  I've tried to steal it from my friend, but she's not having it.

See by Chloe Yate Clutch, $95 at endless.com: This is so cute.  I just want to hug it.  I'm not really a clutch person, but this one is so cute and well-priced that it needs to be mine.  The shape and hue are very practical and easy to wear, but the bow adds an adorable girly twist, and then the metal takes it to a rock and roll glam sort of place.

 

Ginger + Liz Polish in Reality Bites, Swagger, and Prima Donna, all $12 at gingerandliz.com: All of the Ginger + Liz polishes are vegan and eco-friendly (yay!) and they come in the coolest colors.  No but like really.  Best colors ever.  Reality Bites is cream polish in a coral with tangerine highlights.  I love this color because it's a fun, bright, springy color but it's not glaring like a neon.  Swagger is a metallic rose gold.  I LOVE metallic polishes.  Love.  The usual gold ones are cute, but the pink twist with this one makes it so much more interesting and so much younger and more flattering.  Prima Donna is a metallic pink with lavender undertones.  I want this.  I want this a lot.  It's such a cool color!  The pinky purple is all cute and girly, and then you throw in the metallic twist and BAM it's all high fashion and quirky chic.

Images from pbteen.com, endless.com, gingerandliz.com.

Pretty Pretty

This reminds me of how much I want to see that new Red Riding Hood movie.  Which is a LOT.  As I love Amanda Seyfried because she is a fellow natural blonde with a freakishly large chest, so I relate to her.  Yay!


But the real point of this is that she looks fab here, and I love her hair texture.  I think matte/messy is going to be my new hair goal.  My hair's natural state is shiny and polished.  I know it's annoying of me to say, but I seriously wish it would be messier.  I love messy hair.  I'm going to (eventually) try this Redken treatment that I've heard really good things about and see what happens.

Image via designscene.net.

How To: Chicify Hand-Me-Down Furniture

The one downside to living off campus next year/this summer is that I have to be a big girl and buy/find furniture, kitchen utensils, all that grown-up stuff I've never really had to worry about before.  There's no way I'm going to be able to shell out and get all my furniture at cute stores like West Elm, etc, so I've been thinking about how to spruce up hand-me-down and cheap vintage furniture to make it more fun.  Here's what I've come up with so far:
Vintage Dresser, $195 at etsy.com, Anthropologie Bauble Knob, $8 at anthropologie.com: Step 1: buy decently priced cute vintage furniture.  This is just an example.  Love the giant mirror for doing makeup in the morning though.  Step 2.  Buy adorable drawer pulls from Anthropologie.  Most of them are under $10, they come in a wide variety of colors and shapes, and they're just really, really cute.

RustOleum Painter's Touch Spray Paint: Step 3: spray paint vintage furniture shiny black.  This hides all the imperfections and gives it a modern, edgy vibe that works well with cutesy, vintage shapes.  Add the drawer pulls, and you're done!  It's a great combination of modern and vintage, fashion-forward and feminine, and it's cheap and easy.

Images via etsy.com, anthropologie.com, rustoleum.com.

Mila Kunis in March W

I had mixed feelings about Black Swan as a movie, but Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis were FANTASTIC.  Also annoyingly gorgeous, as Mila Kunis is in this month's issue of W.  Clearly the spread had some Black Swan influences (hello, lace/tulle/black feathers), and while the clothes are lovely, I'm having serious hair and eye makeup envy here.  I really like the texture of her hair.  This is a serious hair crush, kids.

Images via justjared.buzznet.com.

My Precious

There's this Anthropologie dress I've been stalking down for months.  I wanted it in October, it wasn't on sale, I couldn't justify the $180 or so price tag, so I crept around the Anthropologie website for months, waiting for it to go on sale.  And then it disappeared off the website and I thought all hope was lost (so dramatic, I know).

Then on a random shopping trip last week, I wandered into Anthropologie and BAM.  My dress, on sale for half off, in my size.  I couldn't not buy it, right?  I absolutely love it.  It's an a-line cut with a fitted waist, sweetheart neckline, a tan and white striped fabric with a blue print and a cute little waist tie.  There are two things that really get me about this dress.  The first is that the quality is very high.  The fabric is thick and sturdy, there are large fabric allowances in all the seams, the skirt has multiple layers so it actually flares out like a real a-line, just little things like that that make me feel like I got my money's worth.  The second is that the fit is really, really flattering if you have a silhouette like mine--very, very hourglassy.  I wish it was a bit smaller through the waist, but it actually fits my chest, which never happens, so I'm not complaining.

Here I'm wearing it with my Frye Carmen Short boots, which are sadly at the cobbler now getting new heels.  I don't really have a lot of occasions to wear this dress now in Boston, but just looking at it reminds me of spring and makes me so happy.  It's part country western, part retro '50s, and just really fun.

Zoya Blair

I got my last Zoya polish in the mail today.  Finally.  The last little straggler was Kelly, which Zoya calls a rich grey with soft purple and blue undertones.  That description is spot on.  To me it's a lovely murky grey with hints of periwinkle, and definitely the next polish I do my nails with.  At moment, I'm wearing Zoya Blair (the red polish on the right).

Zoya calls Blair a cool blackened red with purple undertones.  My pics are terrible.  Here's a much better one.  This polish...well frankly, this polish is the shit.  In the sun it looks black around the edges, but the middle is this bright, firey and shimmery red.  It really reminds me of Blair from Gossip Girl in that it's dark enough to be fashion forward, but it is a vampy, do not mess with me or I will mess you up kind of color.  It's certainly a cool red, but it still works with my skin tone.  It applied wonderfully and was opaque with two coats.  It's a pain to photograph, but this is my new signature polish.  It's like Zoya picked it straight out of my brain.

Awkward Chic rating: A+++++.  LOVE.  No criticisms on the formula, and this may be my favorite polish color of all time.

Outfit of the Day

It hit 50 degrees today.  Woohoo!  So that means sundresses.  Yup.  I wore a sundress in 50 degree weather and felt nice and warm.  I hate what the east coast has done to me.  I apologize for my failtastic photographic skills, but the main point of this outfit was that the boots and the dress look really cute together.  I added the trench/blazer to balance out all the western girliness.

Dress: Anthropologie, Jacket: Alexander Wang for Gap, Boots: Frye, Belt: Vintage.

Zoya Edtya and Blair

It happened.  My 3 Free Facebook promo Zoya polishes came in the mail (WOOHOO!).  Well two of them came, the third (Kelly) comes tomorrow.  For those of you that don't know, Zoya is a great, eco-friendly polish company that had a get 3 free polishes deal where you just paid for shipping a while back.  Mine were all backordered, but they're finally here!


So my first two are Edtya and Blair. Zoya describes Edyta as a complex mixture of gold, olive, blue-green and smokey grey with a sparkling metallic finish.  You can actually see all of those in the bottle, which is impressive.  This polish is along the same lines as Zoya Valerie, in that it's very, VERY thickly packed with fine glitter.  Blair is described as a cool blackened red with subtle hints of purple and metallic shimmer.  I'd say that's pretty spot on.  I love that it reminds me of Blair from Gossip Girl and it's such a me color--vampy but not so dark that it comes across as black.  It's similar to OPI's Royal Rajah Ruby, which I also have, but while RRR reads as dark and then red on the nails, Blair is most emphatically a red that then registers as vampy.  It other words: it's HOT.  Zoya polishes are usually $7 at zoya.com.

Definitely click on these to make them bigger.  I did my nails with Edyta first because it's such a weird color.  I mean weird in a good way, though.  The thing with me and polish is that I don't like crazy, weird colors.  I usually stay within the range of pink/red/purple/color/navy.  No bright greens or yellows or blues here.  So a green polish is a little crazy for me.  The reason I got this is that it fills the gap in my polish collection of the vampy color that's also offbeat and a little edgy.  Edyta is extremely easy to apply, you could get away with one coat but I like to do two.  It is hard to remove since it's a glitter, but it sparkles like fire in the sunshine, it's fabulous.  The color on my nails reads as a greyed down olive green with hints of gold and mint green shimmer.  It's kind of a badass army green.  I love it.  It flatters my skin tone, it's quirky but not actually weird, and it's wearing really well compared to Zoyas I've had in the past (probably the stubbornness of the glitter).

Awkward Chic rating: A+.  I mean, it was free, the color and application are great, and it's insanely glittery.  I have no complaints. 

How To: Rock a Fur Stole

The lovely Joeybunny asked me to do a post on how to wear a fur stole, which was ironically coincidental as literally when she asked me I was standing in front of my closet staring at a fur stole I've never managed to wear out.  First off, I have to say as a vegetarian I'm not a huge fan of the fur industry, but since this was inherited I feel like if no one wears it then the animal died for no reason (just my opinion).


So I feel like when you wear a fur stole you need to either go one of 2 directions: either go full out and wear it with a cocktail dress and heels like it was intended, or do the rock and roll glam thing and wear it with jeans and a tee.  As a college student, option B is a heck of a lot more practical, so that's what I went with.


Here I'm wearing an ASTARS tee, 7 For All Mankind Gwenevere jeans, Frye Carmen Short Boots, a vintage fur stole, and Tiffany's jewelry.  I'm also wearing a big Forever 21 necklace with an elephant face on it but for some reason it got swallowed up by the fur.

So my logic behind this outfit (yes, sadly, there was logic) was that you don't want to fight with the fur.  Clearly it's going to be the star of the outfit.  I'm not a flashy person when it comes to clothes (wearing a fur stole on campus is pretty over the top for where I go to school) so I kept the shirt in a neutral color.  I like the juxtaposition between the casual shirt and the glam stole, but they also go so well together because they drape so nicely.  I did dark jeans really because they're more flattering and because I think dark denim is a little more rock and roll than light, no?  And then I did the boots, which are terribly hard to see, my bad, because they add a casual edge to the outfit but they're sassy enough to stand up to the fur stole and not let it completely take over the outfit.  One of the things you have to accept in this situation is that you're not going to get a practical outfit out of this.  Short sleeves and fur?  Ridiculous, but cool looking in a devil-may-care sort of way.  You could probably do a long sleeved shirt here, but I don't actually own any--I have crazy neuroses about things touching my wrists--and I tried layered it over a leather jacket, but that was just too much.


What do you girls think?  Would you rock a fur stole during the day time?