2012 Academy Awards: Best and "Worst"

The Oscars deliver easily the most drool-inducing fashion of the year. And every year, it's difficult enough for me to pick Best Dressed, let alone Worst. There really are no bad dresses at the Oscars these days, it's mostly just great dresses on the wrong people.

In any case, let's get to the drooling, shall we?

Emma Stone is easily one of my fashion favorites - she's such an elegant risk taker and really hit it out of the park last night with this vibrant Giambattista Valli gown. Jessica Chastain made it to many people's Best Dressed lists with this patterned Alexander McQueen creation. I really don't think Ellie Kemper got enough credit for this stunning and shimmery Armani Prive garment. Rooney Mara's lacy white Givenchy was so delicate and just the epitome of feminine. Viola Davis stepped out in an emerald green Vera Wang gown that accented her bod in all the right ways.

Meryl Streep was so glamorous in this gilded Lanvin frock. As soon as I saw Michelle Williams in this coral peplum dress by Louis Vuitton, I was in love. Some may not agree, but I was digging Sandy Bullock's Marchesa colorblock creation! The top was a bit slouchy, however the dramatic draped back made up for it. Natalie Portman went with classic polka dots in vintage Dior. Gwyneth was a HUGE hit in this bright white Tom Ford creation. Everyone, myself included, was going gonzo over this cape!

And now for the mis-hits of the evening...

Anna Faris looks like she put on a sequined reject from the Liza Minnelli collection. Believe it or not, I'm not about to complain over J. Lo's cleavage (I think most people forgot about the infamous green Grammy dress circa 2000). Overall I was in love with the plunging Zuhair Murad frock with the exception of one detail, the arm cut-outs. They weren't necessary to me and the cuts make her arms seem bigger than they are, which is never flattering. The shape of Stacy Keibler's dress was amazing, but I could gag over the color. That shade of gold makes it seem straight out of a bad 80s prom. Ordinarily, I love Shailene Woodley's fashion choices, and I do adore her Valentino gown but it would look better on someone twice her age. The dress is beautiful, and on someone as young as Shailene it just ages her. I like the caramel-colored strapless number Kristen Wiig chose, it just leaves something to be desired - a big piece of jewelry, a sparkly belt...something! Many people loved Angelina's black velvet Atelier Versace number, I, on the other hand, thought it was just too safe for her. The dress itself is wonderful, and for the Oscars it makes me yawn a little bit.

Who were your Oscars favorites? Who was on your Worst Dressed list?

Style Report: 'Pretty Little Liars: Ctrl A'

I've been in love with Hanna's gold Chanel earrings for quite a few episodes now. Every time I see them, I try to think of a way for a normal girl, like myself, to get my paws on them!

If you love that Chanel too, try these.

 

Vintage Chanel Gold Dangle Earrings, eBay, Buy it Now $199

And if you're in love with Hanna's Tory Burch red tweed jacket...

Tory Burch Kington Boucle Tweed Jacket, $262.50, Tory Burch

Maya had some 70s-inspired fashion going on this evening as well, and I'm diggin' it!

Here's a similar faux-fur lined vest, at a very reasonable price I might add!

Sanctuary Clothing Faux-Sherpa Vest, $77, Dillard's

What did you think of the fashion in this episode? Anything you love that I didn't find?

2012 Grammys Fashion: The Glam, The Blah, and The Gaga

The Grammys don't have the best reputation when it comes to style, but there were quite a few winners last night (I mean, besides Adele)! And as usual, some seemed to have forgotten that there are cameras at the Grammys.

And the Best Dressed awards go to...

I struggle with Julianne Hough's fashion sense sometimes, but she knocked it out the park with a simple and chic Kaufman Franco design with criss-cross detail. Katy Perry donned a pale blue Elie Saab gown to match her blue locks. Taylor Swift sparkled in a gilded Zuhair Murad design. Gwyneth Paltrow kept it classic in a black Stella McCartney dress with dramatic cut-outs. Kelly Osbourne dazzled in a gold one-shoulder Tony Ward number (on a totally different note, she makes me want purple hair!). Kelly Rowland's Alberta Ferretti gown was absolutely dreamy - so delicate and feminine!

Rihanna sported a scandalous black backless Armani dress with a deep V. Lady Antebellum's Hillary Scott was sultry in a strapless purple ombre Monique Lhuillier, complete with a thigh-high slit. Alicia Keys had a geometric theme going on in her structured Alexandre Vauthier dress with a bold statement necklace. Carrie Underwood was a stunner in a bright white beaded Gomez-Gracia gown. Some may not agree, but I adored Adele's second dress way more than her floor-length red carpet number. She channeled 60s vintage in her black polka dotted design as she took the stage to perform "Rolling in the Deep."

And now, the blah...

Fergie managed to pull off a fashion oxymoron - she was covered from the neck down, but was still successful in showing off her underwear. Robyn was a bit of a train wreck - the skirt of her high-low ensemble looks too tight and too short in the front. Her shoes do bring me a little bit of joy because they remind me of the Spice Girls craze of 1998. I can't tell if LaurieAnn Gibson was going for dominatrix or patent leather superhero in that red and black disaster.

And for the Gaga portion of the evening (surprisingly, more than just Gaga are in this category)...

Gaga had us scratching our heads in this Versace number complete with golden sceptor and face netting. The next person, you probably haven't heard of (unless you're hip to Russian pop singers, that is) but today she's probably high on the Google scale - Sasha Gradiva. I actually think Sasha's blush pink gown would've been stunning on it's own, but she went the extra mile and added that Terminator accessory. Nicki Minaj didn't have any crazy sceptors or arm guns, but she did show up with a stranger accessory - a "priest." Which made total sense when she reenacted The Exorcist on stage.

What did you think of last night's Grammys fashion? Who were your favorites and flops?

 

Weekend Outfit Inspiration: Neon

Neon is everywhere for Spring, and I've got to admit that I just can't get enough of it! I'm always looking for some inspiration on incorporating a little brightness into an outfit. It's also Valentine's weekend, so it's the perfect excuse to slip in some pink!

Here are 5 outfit ideas to include neon with a bit of V-day cuteness added. And all these outfits will get you brightened up for about $100 (some MUCH less).

Weekend + Valentine's by fashionistaerin featuring destroyed skinny jeans

How do you guys feel about neons for Spring? What will you be wearing for V-day?

One Dress, Two Outfits for Two Seasons (BOTH for Under $135)

Now that it's February we're embarking on transitional fashion territory. It's still too chilly for open-toed shoes and mini skirts, but with a bit of strategic layering you can start to bring  a little spring into your wardrobe.

Here's one Forever21 coral dress two ways - one layered look to wear now and a hot summer ensemble for later. The best part? You're not over spending for anything, and you can incorporate pieces you already have to create even more outfits!

 


What do you think of these outfits? How would you mix it up?

Jewelry to Obsess Over (and Won't Bust the Budget!)

These days, it's hard to come by handmade jewelry that looks expensive but won't break the bank. Let me introduce you to a new jewelry designer who feels exactly the same way - Monica Maurer of Monica Ann Designs.

Monica's a self-taught jewelry designer currently residing in Atlanta. She began making her own jewelry after she asked a local artisan to create a custom piece for her, and was quoted $60. To a young student, that's like forking over your dinner money for the next two weeks. So Monica took matters into her own hands and now produces a line of high-quality, handmade jewelry at extremely reasonable prices.

As a designer, Monica says, her goal is to provide gorgeous, affordable jewelry for all types of women.

Many of her pieces involve showcasing gorgeous stones, like these.

Layla Earrings in Green Onyx, $23

Layla Earrings in Alice Blue, $23

Others feature intricate metal work.

Gold Wild Orchid Necklace, $31


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Kaci Earrings in Silver, $22



And if you don't see a piece that fits you to a "T?" Monica will custom design it for you!

For more of her fabulous designs, check out Monica's Etsy store!

What do you think of these designs? Are you into the stone jewelry trend?

Style Report: 2012 SAG Awards Fashion Recap

Awards season is perhaps fashion's happiest (and most ferocious) time of year, and the 18th Annual SAG Awards were no exception. We witnessed some fierce frocks in spring-y hues (which we're secretly longing for!), then there were others that could only be described as head-tilting.

Lea Michele is always a favorite - she has a rockin' body and loves going out on fashion limbs. She definitely shines here in a daringly high-slit Atelier Versace gown! Zoe Saldana is always on my Best Dressed lists because she can do no wrong with me - always classy, always fabulous. Such is the case here with Zoe's crystal studded Givenchy haute couture. Notice the tiny daggers on the collar? Gorgeous. I'm a sucker for fuchsia, and I'm adoring Dianna Agron's v-neck Carolina Herrera dress. The dress is so striking, it does all the talking! Jane Krakowski went for classic black in her Antonio Berardi design, and the twist of the peek-a-boo bodice was provocative yet understated. I just can't get enough of Regina King in that lavender tiered Alberta Ferreti number! The color is stunning on her, and it's totally unexpected that she would go with such a soft look.

Viola Davis is working it in this Grecian Marchesa gown! It's got just enough glitz to stand out without being over-the-top, which I can appreciate. Who can say anything bad about Sofia Vergara? Seriously with that bod, I'd wear nothing but form-fitting dresses too! Of course, she's the epitomy of beauty in this raspberry hued Marchesa dress. Emily Blunt took the biggest color risk in a jade Oscar de la Renta frock that's as elegant as it is bright. Rose Byrne did a modern twist on the go-to gown and wore a 70s-inspired sparkly Elie Saab jumpsuit. Comfortable and chic - I can get on board with that! Emma Stone is posh and mod in head-to-toe Alexander McQueen (jealous, because I would DIE to wear HTT McQueen).

And now for the head-tilting part of the SAGs...

I really want to love Emilia Clarke's Chanel dress, but I can't help but feel like there's too much going on. Between the feather-looking skirt and elaborate neckline, that bears nothing interesting, I'm just lost. I don't know what Busy Philips was thinking when she dressed herself in that tie-dye horror of a dress. It's really something you'd see walking on the beach in the summertime, not on the red carpet at a big awards show. I actually love the Ramona Keveza gown Kaley Cuoco's wearing...I just don't love it on her. I feel like she looks uncomfortable, and it's not accessorized well which makes it look as though she picked it out 15 minutes before Prom. I like the direction Amber Riley was going in with this Badgley Mischka, but what is with that ginormous bow on her boobs? It serves no purpose except to call attention to an area that already gets attention, fail.

Who were your SAG Awards fashion favorites? Any "head-tilters" I missed?