Monday, January 30, 2012

SAG Awards Red Carpet Picks & Monday Morning Shopping

The Screen Actors Guild Awards were held last night in Los Angeles and the red carpet was nearly bi-polar.  My pick for best couple was Diane Lane and Josh Brolin.  She looked stunning in this blue David Meister gown and together they looked relaxed and happy to be in each other's company.  My usual faves, Brad and Angie made me swoon when he continued his habit of walking around to her side of the car to open her door.  But I felt that her Jenny Packman dress was not as show stopping as the Versace dress had been at the Golden Globes.  Brad can do no wrong and he wore his Balenciaga tux very well.

Emma Stone is quickly turning into my muse for red carpet dressing.  I loved her Lanvin gown at the Golden Globes, but she looked incredible decked in Alexander McQueen from head to toe.  The clutch was just the right touch of edgy and I definitely want!  She's my pick for best dressed.  I almost died when I saw Emily Blunt.  I loved, LOVED the brilliant shade of green.  She's another one that I adore and she didn't miss a beat in this Oscar de la Renta creation.

Finally, Rose Byrne.  I know some will not like it, but I LOVED her embroidered white Elie Saab jumpsuit and I appreciated that she embraced it down to the hair.  This look could have gone horribly wrong with an updo or cascading curls, but she nailed it with the chic bob.
I almost choked when Guiliana and Kelly were going on and on about how hard it would be to pick the worst dressed.  How about Busy Phillips? Why would it be okay to wear a muu muu to the red carpet? WHY? She failed.
Closely behind Busy were Shailene Woodley in that horrid L'Wren Scott floral nightmare and Lea Michelle in a Versace gown that she could not control.  If you have to keep adjusting your dress to show off your expansive legs, your dress doesn't fit! And get a freakin' hair dresser! This didn't look romantic or flowy, it looked like you couldn't find your hair brush.
I debated about Viola Davis because she looked stunning on the red carpet in her goddess gown by Marchessa.  She was almost a best dressed pick for me.  Then, she won and this happened during her acceptance speech.  She was one sob away from a wardrobe malfunction and that knocked her off my best dressed list.  The dress should have looked as fabulous on stage as it did on the red carpet.  
I can't wait to watch Fashion Police tonight and see if anyone else agrees with me.  In other news, IFB is one week away and I have no idea what I am going to wear.  I scored a pair of Citizens of Humanity wax coated jeans on Gilt a couple of weeks ago for $70.  I am thinking of wearing those with my newest purple cashmere hoodie and faux fur vest, but I think I am tired of my black boots.  I am thinking of trying to find these booties before my trip, but I know that $300 is not reasonable when you are in between jobs.  Telling Mr. Fantastic that I saved $120 off retail is not going to go over well when our bank account is missing $300. :(
I'll keep you posted if I find them anywhere else on sale.  Let me know if you have any other ideas.

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Past Perfect: Sunday Brunch

I wore this outfit for brunch a couple of weeks ago and ended up not posting it back then. I thought I should post it today since I have loads of photos to edit of my sister's fabric workshop this weekend.

Sweater: American Eagle Outfitters
Scarf: Target
Jeans: Levi’s
Boots: Uggs
Trench: Vertigo
Handbag: Balenciaga Classic First
Watch: Hello Kitty (gift from Mr. Fantastic)
Bracelets: DIY and Cruise Ship Purchase

My hair was is doing crazy things lately and I can't ever cope.  If I am ready to wear it very sleek and straight, one side will not stop curling.  If I am scrunching it, hoping it will give me nice curls, the same side that was curly before now wants to be stick straight.  This photo shows my hair straight up top and somewhat wavy on the bottom. :/
The watch is a gift that my husband brought me.  I gave up watches years ago because it was annoying to have a tan line on my arm and I always carry my phone, which has the time.  I'd been talking about getting a watch for a few months and he found this one in China during a business trip.  My sister is obsessed with Hello Kitty and he bought it for her.  Then he remembered I'd been wanting a watch so he grabbed a second one for me.  I don't know if he was trying to be funny, but I actually love it and I wear it more often than I care to admit.
This weekend, we actually had terrific weather, but a couple of weeks ago, there was no way to tear me away from my Uggs!  I don't care if people call them "fuggs", I don't care if everyone points and laughs.  I laugh too from the comfort of my warm shearling as I watch them in their open toed "booties" that make them look cold!  Maybe, I'm not meant to ever be "fashionable," maybe I can just look nice from time to time. 
Well, I hope everyone had a great weekend! I'm off to watch the remainder of the red carpet at the SAG Awards!

Friday, January 27, 2012

Late Nights at The Dallas Museum of Art: Jean Paul Gaultier

The Dallas Museum of Art hosted it's monthly Late Nights program last Friday.  The theme for January was of course, Jean Paul Gualtier.  I am seriously in love with all things Gaultier lately!  This was by far, the BEST Late Nights program that I've ever attended.  I made Morgan go with me and we ran into Lys of Luxurylyst at the event.

Dress: Connected Apparel
Shoes: BCBGMaxAzria
Rings: Wedding Set and T+J Designs
Bracelets: Kenneth Cole (here in Silver) and Marc Jacobs
Earrings: no label

Distractions: 1)My gold purse fell apart as I was changing things over. It died and will not be seen on my blog again. 2) I twisted my ankle the night before and couldn't walk in heels to save myself. I went with leopard print flats. 3) I took off my fabulous ring to wash my hands (it's not real gold and I didn't want to get it wet and turn my finger green) and I left it in the bathroom! Of course, when I tried to look again, it was gone:(  Luckily, the cost is not earth shattering and ladies over at T+J Designs have them on sale right now. I will just have to go and buy a new one.  Some lucky chick in Dallas has a great new statement ring.
The Museum had an incredible members salon where we could go and relax in between exhibits.  The first photo was taken in these amazing $8,000 chairs.  I don't think I will ever sit in another chair as expensive again, so I had to take advantage of the situation.  This one above was in there as well and yes, all pillows, chairs, rugs, everything is a Gaultier design.
While we were in the members salon, we got to meet Chris America and her Bling Divas dancers as they prepared to perform their tribute to Madonna on the main stage.  They were all very sweet and let us photograph them before they headed down to the stage.  They put on an amazing show!
Finally, we attended the Fear and Clothing lecture with Cintra Wilson, who is an author and contributor to the New York Times.  She was unbelievably funny and spot on.  I seriously think I have a small girl crush on her.  I was amazed at how much advertising changes based on current events in our world.  She definitely gave me a lot to think about and I am really looking forward to buying her upcoming book, also titled Fear and Clothing.

It was a great, great evening and a fabulous time was had by all.  I am going back tomorrow as my sister will be in town to take the Fabric Manipulation workshop with Project Runway contestant Shirin Askari.
All photos were taken with my iPhone because genius me left the memory card for my SLR at home.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Rain and Fashion Choices



Sorry for the lack of posts this week, my duties as a “sometimes” mom called me away.  And the weather has been uncooperative to say the least.  If I wanted to say more, I would say, “The bucketful’s of water falling from the sky have thwarted any outfit posts I may have had in mind.” 
This is what I’ve been wearing since Tuesday.  You can see the original post here. It’s been this or my pajamas.  Thank goodness I bought new ones last month!  The point is that you've already seen this.

I am contemplating several outfits for the upcoming weeks.  Does anyone know what “festive attire” actually means?  The hubby and I are going to the Gaultier After Dark Soiree at the Dallas Museum of Art next week and I have no idea what to wear.  I’ve recently fallen in love with this outfit from the Shopbop Lookbook and I am contemplating recreating it for this event.  Is that festive? Is it formal? I don’t want to be formal, but I want to be festive…why can’t they just use normal words everyone knows? Do you mean “Black-Tie” or “cocktail” or “business dress”?  What does “festive” mean!?!?

Also, IFB.  It’s going to be cold in New York in February.  I’d like to look nice, but I would prefer to be warm.  Can I wear jeans?  It doesn’t look like anyone wears slacks, but I am not wearing a miniskirt!   What am I going to wear the other two days I am there? So many decisions!

Monday, January 23, 2012

Breakfast at Tiffany's

I mentioned before that our wine club decided to continue meeting this year.  I am so grateful that we did because I really feel that women who have a strong support system of other women have a greater mental health than those who do not.

Dress: MICHAEL Michael Kors
Necklace: Richelieu (vintage/gift from my MIL)
Earrings: no label/eBay
Bracelets: Givenchy and Thrifted
Shoes: Manolo Blahnik Sedaraby

I was finally able to wear the vintage Richelieu necklace that my mother in law gave me for my birthday. I bought the matching cluster pearl earrings on eBay for $4!  I paired both with my LBD and black heels.
The wine for January was Champagne and since it was my turn to host, I went with a Breakfast at Tiffany's theme.  I was overwhelmed by how actively my girls jumped in! Everyone pulled out their little black dresses and best pearls to ring in the new Wine Club Year.
We did some major damage and our recycling bin was FULL by the end of the night!  Good thing, the city picked up our recycling two days later!

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Sunday Comics: Videos

I've gotten a couple of questions regarding the use of photoshop for my photos and if I look like my photos in real life (is that a compliment or an insult, BTW?)  I want to say yes, I do! For full disclosure, I will admit that I have been known to airbrush my skin (arms and legs) and my undereye circles from time to time.  But, I honestly don't believe anyone wants to be distracted by cellulite or scars when you are looking at my outfit posts.
Sweater: Proenza Schouler for Target (old)
Top: Gap
Jeans: Vince
Shoes: Manolo Blahnik Pruneta
Bracelets: T+J Designs, DIY, and Marc Jacobs
Earrings: Blue Nile
Necklace: Old
Sunglasses: Ray-Ban
That said, I DO edit my photos! If there is a photo where my tummy looks flatter than the other photos, I will definitely choose that one over the others.  If my eyes are half-way closed in pictures, I won't use those.  I just think that you should put your best face forward.  I edit ALL my photos before I put them on Facebook, but I think that is just a courteous thing to do.  Why would anyone post unflattering photos of themselves or their friends on a public forum? If your friends post unflattering photos of you, are they really your friends?  All my friends love my photo albums and they have never objected to any photos I've posted and mine usually end up as profile photos for most of my friends.  It's because I EDIT!
Fotoshop by Adobé from Jesse Rosten on Vimeo.

So a friend sent me the link to this video and I died laughing.  Who needs surgery when you can get the newest secret beauty tool!


The last video is one that was sent to me in response to last week's video about Sh*t Girls Say.  This one is Sh*t Fashion Girls Say.  I saw a couple of bloggers tweeting this one as well and it's funny except that I am no where near a size 2 or 0 (or 00Petite!)  I love the line about earmarking something in case he's feeling "spendy." My husband would immediately take the magazine out of my hands and find the nearest trash can!
We went out to brunch today and I wore this because it's comfortable and I can eat while wearing it.  Plus, it's the weekend.
Have a great Sunday!

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Is it St. Patrick's Day, yet?

I felt a little green this week. I know it's not St. Patrick's Day, but a girl can dream.  Plus, St. Patrick's Day is only 6 weeks away, so I need to start preparing now.

Top: Sienna Rose
Jacket: Wilson’s Leather
Scarf: really old
Skirt: French Connection via Ideeli (Referral Link)
Tights: Hue
Boots: MIA via Ideeli
Necklace: Monet
Earrings: Blue Nile

My sister laughs because I always say that it's my favorite holiday, but hear me out.  You get to spend the whole day drinking green beer and pretending you're Irish. AND, it's not a family holiday so no one is offended if you spend the day with your friends. Finally, it's not a gift giving holiday so you get to skip the anxiety of buying and exchanging presents!  How can you not just LOVE St. Patrick's Day?
In any case, I recently bought some colored tights, but I don't really know if I am supposed to color coordinate them or contrast them.  Does anyone have any ideas? Do you wear colored tights with similar colors or not?
It has been a beautiful week here and I wore this to run errands yesterday morning before I headed to the museum last night for the Late Nights at Dallas Museum of Art.  I know I am ridiculous, that was my FOURTH visit to the exhibit! I have two more as my beautiful sister is flying up here next week to attend the Fashion Workshop with Project Runway contestant, Shirin Askari.  Then, Mr. Fantastic agreed to attend the Gaultier After Dark event on February 3 with me.  I convinced him by telling him that I'd left him alone for my FIVE other visits and I really wanted this to be one of our date nights.
Gaultier photo by Mike Stone for the Dallas Museum of Art via Facebook