Oscars Wrap-Up

Best Metallic:  Jennifer Garner in Oscar de la Renta

Best Asymmetry:  Camila McConaughey in Gabriela Cadena

Best Nude:  Cate Blanchett in Armani

Best Baby Bump:  Olivia Wilde in Valentino

Best Necklace and Best Black:  Charlize Theron in Dior

Best Blue:  Lupita Nyong'o in Prada

Golden Girls

Shall we get this blog going again with a little fashion talk?  Red carpet season is back!  I haven't seen most of the movies/shows that won the Golden Globes this year, but who cares?  It's about the fashion.  And about Tina and Amy, who killed it.  Again.  This year I'm picking my faves in categories.  And the winners are...

Best Metallic:  Kate Beckinsale in Zuhair Murad

Best "Different" Look:  Julia Roberts in Dolce & Gabbana

Best Asymmetry:  Amy Poehler in Stella McCartney
Honorable Mention:  Michelle Dockery in Oscar de la Renta

Best Pop of Color:  Margot Robbie in Gucci

Best Necklace:  Jessica Chastain in Bvlgari

Best Baby Bump:  Olivia Wilde in Gucci

Best Black:  Cate Blanchett in Giorgio Armani
Honorable Mention:  Julianna Margulies in Andrew Gn

Best Red:  Lupita Nyong'O in Ralph Lauren

Nailed It, Part 5: Polka Dots

Wow, it's been almost a year since my last nail post!  Polka dots seem so summery to me, but painting them all over all my nails takes more patience than I possess.  So lately my favorite trend is minimalistic polka dots.  If you are using the brush that came with the polish (as I do) rather than specialty nail brushes, then I don't recommend painting the dots with OPI.  Essie and Zoya have smaller brushes that work great for dots, while OPI's are designed more for complete nail coverage.

[Zoya Wednesday (I think)  + Buffy]

Nailed It, Part 2: Magnetic Polish

I finally bought this stuff after talking about it for months.  It seems that British company nails inc. is the pioneer in magnetic polish - they started with a wave pattern and just released a fishnet pattern.  The color options aren't super summery, but the good thing is that they're mostly neutral.  You can get away with not looking too outlandish but still having a little something fun going on.  


Upon sitting down to start this project, I must admit that I was pretty nervous since R and I had disastrous results when we tried crackle nail polish.  This was SO much easier.  The polish has a great consistency and shine, and the brush is just the right size.  I did one nail at a time, putting one semi-thick coat of polish and then holding the magnet on top for about 5 seconds.  The cap of the bottle has a flat magnet on it, with a little ledge that you can rest on your finger to avoid getting too close to your nail.  Your nails immediately look texturized since the magnet attracts iron particles in the polish, and once they're dry they're all set.  Here, see for yourself.

[nails inc. Spitalfield Fishnet Magnetic Polish]

It's only been a day, so we'll see how they hold up.  So far so good though, and my coworkers definitely loved them!

Nailed It, Part 1: The New French Manicure

R and I are both obsessed with our nails, constantly experimenting with them, and thought it'd be fun to share some opinions/tips.  I love, love the fact that so many new trends are coming about.  To me, having a great manicure (whether done at home or in a salon) has many benefits.  For one, if you need to dress pretty demurely for work, your nails are a "safe" way to show off your personal style.  Two, they're a good conversation starter.  Three, if you're like me and can't make decisions or commitments, you're in luck because neither of those is really required!  Anything goes, and you don't have to worry about what size you wear. :)


On to the "new" French manicures.  I can't really advise on how to get a nice, straight tip because I just freehand it.  There are a few different options:

1.  Clear nails with colored tips.  This was my first venture, so I didn't use a super bold color.  It's a great way to ease into it or to use a color that you feel is too overwhelming on your full nail.

[OPI natural nail strengthener + some slightly sparkly OPI magenta that I can't remember]

2.  Light nails with dark tips.  Once again, subtle because it's the same color family, but it's something different.  The opposite would also look great.

[OPI Do You Lilac It? + Chanel Paradoxal]

3.  Colorblocked.  Oh, the possibilities are endless.  Pink + orange, blue + yellow, purple + teal, color + metallic...I'm obsessed with this YSL photo and would love to try it.

4.  The reverse.  I have yet to find the patience to attempt this, but I think it looks amaze.  Any of the combinations mentioned above would work.

 

Red Carpet Finale

Awards season is over, which means less opportunities for me to see George* in a tux and in interviews. Le sigh. Here are my fashion picks.

Emma Stone in Giambattista Valli. I know people are saying she stole Nicole Kidman's look, but I like Emma's better.

Rose Byrne in Vivienne Westwood. Such a great back.

Jessica Chastain in Alexander McQueen. I love the detail and flowy bottom and her hair.

Sarah Hyland in Alberta Ferretti. Very sweet.

*For the record, I thought Stacey Keibler looked great on all the red carpets, but I refuse to list her in my picks out of pure envy.

Grammy's Hits and Misses - According to R

N and I decided to watch the Grammy's together while making what was supposed to be a fantastic meal.  The mean did not work out as planned, but the Grammy's did.  I also think they should have had Mercedes from Glee do a tribute to Whitney Houston, rather than that $2 hack Jennifer Hudson who can't stop talking about her weight loss.  Besides, did she even know any music by Whitney Houston (this is a dig about her not knowing what Sex and the City was about until she heard of the movie).


Anyway, onto the dresses.


Some hits:


Always a HIT, Ladies Love some Cool James

Julianne...why are you so pretty.

I love the gold in this dress...

And this one...

Some misses:


Oh, Fergie...

Oh, Nikki - I don't understand you either.

Katie, I know you and Russel Brand just broke up and you're blue, but that's no excuse to not wear a bra in a see thru dress.

I don't even know who you are...

Robyn...I expect better.

Red Carpet #2

My picks from the SAG Awards, in no particular order...

Viola Davis in Marchesa. A little too much cleavage in IMO, but otherwise beautiful. I love the Grecian feel and the choice of white.

Emma Stone in Alexander McQueen. I'm not normally drawn to tea-length for some reason, but I think this is adorable.

Naya Rivera in Naeem Khan. Sparkly and elegant.

'Tis the Season...

...awards season, that is! I'm embarrassingly excited that this year I could stay up for all of the Golden Globes AND the post-show interviews since I'm on the west coast.

Sooo, here are my faves from this year's red carpet:

Debra Messing in Monique Lhuillier. Classic.

Nicole Richie in Julien Macdonald. Surprising!

Paula Patton in Monique Lhuillier. I don't even know who this woman is, but I love the color she wore.
Kate Beckinsale in Roberto Cavalli. Gorgeous.

And my disappointments:

Lea Michele in Marchesa. Is Glee going to the ice capades?

Jessica Biel in Elie Saab. Oh my. This might have worked for Helen Mirren (who looked great btw), but not Jessica. I hope this isn't a sneak preview of her wedding dress.

My New Favorite Pencil Skirt

My job requires a fair amount of dress up (which I love).  I rarely wear jeans outside of a Friday, and about 3-5 times a month I'm in a suit.  The thing I've been searching for is that "perfect pencil skirt."  I started to even doubt that it existed, and that all pencil skirts were to make curvy girls with short torsos like me feel like a moo cow.  


I tried Victoria Secret's, who's skirt was up by my armpits.  I have one I got at Nordstrom Rack, which is "fine" but after 2 years is starting to look old.  I can't fit into my old one from Express since Mother Nature gifted me hips (enough about that rant).  I even had one from Old Navy that was what I considered perfect, that is no longer due to Mother Nature.


So on Black Friday, I was searching for G$'s jacket he liked at Banana Republic, and I came across a "Stretch Pencil Skirt," and on a whim (and because it was an additional 40% off) I ordered it.


I'm wearing it now right before I jet off to a client meeting, and I can't tell you how much I love it and that it doesn't wrinkle!


So - once again, you are welcome :)  My only wish is that it comes in multiple different colors.

Splish Splash

Ah, spring. This is the time of year when I'm ecstatic that a few 85ºF days are thrown my way and that pretty things are blooming. Then that nagging voice in the back of my head says "You do know that after months of hiding under big sweaters and indulging your inner fat kid, you now have to wear a bathing suit in public? And you've become uber pale, so there's no base tan to give you that faux-lean look?"

Have no fear. The geniuses in fashion have finally come up with some super sexy ways to be comfortable. Granted, these suits are probably only practical for lying in the sun and having someone serve you drinks, but look how pretty they are! You can change into something sportier when it's time to get in the water.

Badgley Mischka BM11. This style is so unique. The color is great, and I like the detail on the strap.

La Blanca by Rod Beattie One Piece Bandeau. The rouching on this one seems nice and subtle. Plus, it won't cause weird tan lines up top!

Jantzen Heritage Ruffled Bikini. This would be good for those who can wear bikinis but want more butt coverage without a really obvious skirt. The top actually looks surprisingly supportive too.

Magicsuit Goddess Convertible One Shoulder. I'm always drawn to Grecian styles and mustard. It's convertible into a bandeau too!

Victoria's Secret Plunge Tankini. This looks like the swim version of a classic LBD.

All I need now is a great beach and a hot cabana boy!

The Final Hurrah

I sadly missed the red carpet because I was in flight and missed the end of the awards because I'm old and pseudo-narcoleptic, but I did see most of the show and all the outfit recaps. Here are some lovelies.

Halle Berry in Marchesa

Gwyneth Paltrow in Calvin Klein

Helen Mirren in Vivienne Westwood

Natalie Portman in Rodarte

Camila Alves in Kaufman Franco