[Look of the Week] Oscar Edition

Oh, Oscar night...when millions of dollars of gowns and jewels are on display for all us plebes to see, and they might talk about a movie or two. The whole affair is considered by some to be overly extravagant and pointless, but I, for one, thoroughly enjoy seeing what tricks these celebs pull out of their sartorial bags on what is arguably one of the biggest nights in fashion. Here are my favorites of the night.

Jessica Chastain

 
She looked like a straight up Hollywood movie star. This Armani Privé fit her like the best glove in the whole world. And the red lipstick was the cherry on top. Had she gone with a nude lip, or any other color lip for that matter, the whole look would have been bland. Kudos to you Chastain, for being a total bombshell.


Naomi Watts

What I love about this, and Chastain too, is that she is bringing the whole package. Everything about the way she looks is about as good as it gets for a human. Nothing is detracting from anything else; the hair, the dress, the makeup, and the jewelry are working together in perfect harmony. This dress is also Armani Privé, and Ms. Watts and Mr. Armani reportedly spent months collaborating on it. It paid off big time.


Stacy Keibler

Never did I think I would be putting Stacy Keibler on my Best Dressed list. But damn if girlfriend didn't BRING IT in this Naheem Khan gown. I had to show the back too, because it's just too fabulous not to.


Zoe Saldana
 

I love that Zoe takes risks. This Alexis Mabille dress could have been a disaster, but the ombré layering on the train and the flowery bodice are somehow working together to make it beautifully eye-catching. I maybe could have done without the belt and also changed her shoes, but she is pulling it off.


Nina Dobrev
 

And here we continue the trend of very little color. Nina didn't attend the Oscars ceremony, but I had to include this photo of her (also in Naheem Khan) at Elton John's after party. I adore a bold pattern on a fancy gown so this struck a cord with me. Her simple pony, smokey eye, and minimalistic jewels allow the gown to really shine.

Sidenote: As I was combing through all the red carpet photos from that night, I realized all my favorite gowns were essentially the same shape: nipped in at the natural waist, narrow at the knees, slight flare at the bottom. This is not an accident. This shape is so versatile, and, dare I say, the most flattering of any dress shape to a woman's natural curves. My #1 rule of dressing has always been and will most likely always be: cinch the waist. You won't regret it.

Lest we forget...

...men's fashion exists too! I know I dedicate most of my posts on this blog to the ladies of fashion, but sometimes I am so taken with a street style photo of a gentleman's style that I am brought back to reality. Most often, the person bringing me back is photographer Scott Schuman of The Sartorialist. His photography makes me understand that a man's style can be just as enigmatic and interesting to the eye at as a woman's. This time, this photo was the culprit.

 The layering is stellar. The tailor of his pants is perfectamundo. The pop of red. The beanie. And if I were his girlfriend I would steal that sweater and wear it every day. 

[Look of the Week]

She's baaaaack! Kate Middleton stepped out this past week, finally officially revealing her "bump." While I do find it insane that people are so obsessed with this "bump watch" (Did I even just write that??), it is very nice to see her out and about again since she was so sick. And she brought it. That wrap dress is so flattering, and not that she isn't always glowing, but doesn't it seem like there might be a little extra pep in her step?

dress by MaxMara

Do I wish she were wearing more exciting shoes? Yes. But beggars can't be choosers.

Shameless

I'm not above this so OH MY GOD HOW ADORABLE IS THIS??







I'm such a sucker for a cute animal.

Comfy Cozy

I am longing for spring just as much as the next person these days, but that doesn't mean I don't still love to be bundled up at home under a blanket, drinking hot chocolate. And I would like to be doing so in any one of these spaces.

image via freshome.com

image via atlantahomesmag.com

image via tumblr

image via tumblr

image via Pinterest

I know that last one isn't a "room" per se, but don't you just want to run inside and warm up?

[Look of the Week]

This past week was New York Fashion Week for the Fall/Winter 2013 collections. And like every Fashion Week, I spent it with my computer/phone glued to my lap/hands, wishing I could be there to experience it. One day.*

So this week's Look of the Week is not just one look. I just couldn't choose one, but the theme is coats. Wonderful, luxurious, colorful, embellished, perfectly structured, wear-them-with-anything coats courtesy of J.Crew Collection.

This. Is. Fabulous. The entire collection was inspire by the designer's trip to Marrakech, and this piece best represents that. I think I love this so much because it's a chameleon coat. There are so many colors in it that you could pretty much wear it with anything, dressed up or down.

Chameleon coat #2. This pattern needs to be made into a wallpaper and put in my bathroom.

Chameleon coat #3. This coat is so ladylike. The crystal embellishments ramp up the neutral color in the best possible way, and you don't have to be dressed up to wear it.

I couldn't resist sharing these last two looks because, well, just look at them. To see this collection in it's entirety, go here.

The J.Crew collection was obviously my favorite of the week, but here are a few of the others that stood out**:

1. Donna Karen | The best use of jersey knit I have ever seen. This collection rivaled J.Crew as my favorite.
2. Jenny Packham | Her collections top my list each and every fashion week. The dusty mauves, peaches, and inky blues are very boudoir chic.
3. Kate Spade | So girly and fun. I loved that this collection was full of cheeky pieces mixed with elegant shapes and luxe textures.
4. Nanette Lapore | Two words: iridescent accessories.

* Did you know that you can volunteer at NYFW? It's on the top of my bucket list.
** I realized after writing this post that my favorite collections (save J.Crew) are all from female designers. I guess no one knows how to dress a woman like another woman.

All images courtesy of style.com. 

A World of Wallpaper

I am obviously not the first person to say this, but wallpaper is back in a huge way. There are so many beautiful patterns and textures nowadays that, were I actually decorating a home, I just don't know how the hell I would choose. Here are a few of my favorites:

Bailey McCarthy of Peppermint Bliss is responsible for these first three feats of wallpaper magic. She is the queen of using a wallpaper you might not ever think to be chic (like this yellow floral) and just working it.

Contemporary Powder Room design by Miami Interior Designer B.Design

image via desire to inspire

image via Design*Sponge

A bathroom is such a good place to start out with wallpaper. You really do get the most impact for the least amount of money. Plus the smaller space allows you to be maybe be more daring with your choice.

Eclectic Home Office design by New York Architect Dufner Heighes Inc

And I just had to include this one because it's SO dreamy. I think I'm most attracted to wallpapers with organic, nature-driven themes (hence the vines, trees, coral, koi fish). They're just more soothing to the eye. I'll just have to be careful though because one day every inch of my house may be covered in wallpaper.

Would that really be so bad?