Color Me Styled - Oscar Red Carpet Roundup

Jennifer Lawrence in Christian Dior at the Oscar Ceremony and Calvin Klein for the Vanity Fair after party
(image via Fab Sugar)

My favorite look of the whole night is Jennifer Lawrence's Vanity Fair party dress! It is the perfect outfit for the Golden Gal. She does look stunning in her Christian Dior gown and I love the texture of the fabric. 

My favorite Oscar red carpet look was Samantha Barks in Valentino. It was the perfect balance of sultry and classic. Her hair and makeup were done perfectly to compliment it as well.

Samantha Barks in Valentino (image here)

My final favorite was Amy Adams in Oscar de la Renta. The dove grey color was perfect for her. It didn't wash her out or over power her porcelain skin. It was a lot of dress but Amy carried it perfectly!

Amy Adams in Oscar de la Renta (image here)

For a few honorable mentions I'd like to give credit to Reese Witherspoon in Louis Vuitton, Jennifer Garner in Gucci and Emmanuelle Riva in Lanvin.

Reese, Jen and Emmanuelle (images via Huffington Post)

I liked a lot of other dresses but was in general underwhelmed to be honest. I think stars tried to combine old holywood glamour and the edgier fashions of late (cut outs for example) and it just ended with a hodgepodge effect on me.  I won't even spend time on the major misses of the night except to mention them. Anne, Salma and Zoe. I think the idea was there it was just poorly executed. Anne was washed out, boxy and chilly. Salma was overpowered and also kind of boxy. Zoe should have picked one element; less is more.

Color Me Styled - Nellcote & CBN Oscar Party

Pearls were the crowd favorite for last night's outfit!

I have a confession to make. I am a bad blogger!

Let me explain.

Last night I attended my first ever Oscar party at Nellcote with the Chicago Blogger Network. I had intended to tweet and post and have a lot of pictures taken and didn't do much of that at all. So last night when I went to create my posts about the party I realized I didn't have any pictures of me in my final outfit! And that I hadn't posted much while at the event either.

But, my redemption lies in the fact that I wasn't tweeting and status updating because I was actually speaking with other bloggers! It was a lovely evening of getting to know these darling girls. There should be a few candid shots floating around and I'll post them to Facebook when I come across them.

Also, in defense of me not tweeting about the red carpet, did everyone notice E!'s lack of full body shots? We all kept trying to see what the stars were wearing and had to settle with panned shots to try and get the whole picture.

I stayed later at the party than I planned to so I didn't get to round up all my red carpet picks. I'm working on it now and will have the post up tomorrow but let me just say that I am more in love with Jennifer Lawrence than ever.

Color Me Styled - Lemongrass French 75s

After a couple of French 75s I thought the Picture was in focus...

This little drink packs quite the punch but it is so delicious that you don't realize what you're doing to yourself! My advice... make them at home on a Sunday. They're perfect for a brunch or for a Red Carpet party!

Lemongrass French 75

Ingredients

Lemongrass Simple Syrup

 - Lemongrass stalks (3-4)

 - 1 cup sugar

 - 1 cup water

The Drink

 - 1 oz Gin (I highly recommend Hendrick's)

 - 1 oz Lemongrass Simple Syrup

 - Ice

 - Champagne

Process

Lemongrass Simple Syrup

Cut the lemongrass into 1 inch pieces and bruise them with the side of your knife (like smashing garlic). If you haven't worked with lemongrass before you're in for a treat... it smells wonderful. 

Combine the lemongrass pieces, sugar and water into a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Stir until sugar is dissolved and then simmer over low heat until it is a syrup consistency. 

The Drink

Put a handfull of ice in a drink shaker and measure and pour in gin and syrup. Shake quickly then pour into a glass and top with champagne.

Cheers!

Color Me Styled - Orange Carpet Glamour

Orange Carpet Glamour by ebdaily


The Academy Awards are on Sunday and I am going to my first ever, official, Oscar Party complete with an orange carpet, cocktails and swag bags! 

I'm beyond excited.

The party is at Nellcote on Randolph street which is about to celebrate it's first birthday and I am proud to say Danny and I were there opening week! It is a swanky space, modeled after a French chateau in a Rolling Stones video, complete with chandeliers, marble floors and pillars and the prettiest bathroom I've ever used.

But beyond the space there is a delicious menu of homemade pastas with flour milled on site, perfectly cooked meats and fish and desserts that beg you to order seconds. All while polishing off kitchen cocktails that are mixed up in the back. 

Nellcote is the perfect spot for a ladies night out or a double date or an Oscar Party! 

I plan to wear the dress above. It is the 'Sport' Silky Maxi from Leith and it has a draping feature on the back that really excites me. I'll strut my stuff in gold pointy toe pumps. Depending on where the dress falls I might gather the skirt to one side to create a slit effect that isn't too risque. 

The other bloggers and I at the party will be tweeting and posting about our favorite gowns during the E Red Carpet coverage. Since I have a tendency to play with my hair when it is down I will be swooping it up into a top knot to keep it out of my hands. Then my makeup will be natural like HRH Kate's. 

I may not end up winning best dressed but I'll feel confident and like myself. I had thought to wear capri pants with a blouse but decided that would be too casual. If the new black dress doesn't fit I'll wear a LBD I already own or a little pink dress I have worn to other cocktail parties. 

If I could get my hands on the cash to purchase the Lulu Guinness Kiss Clutch I'd probably keep it under my pillow so I was always near to it! Instead I'll use one of my many reliable purses to pack my lip stick, camera and extra phone charger.

Since I have not seen one of the movies nominated, I'm looking forward to meeting other Chicago Bloggers at the party. I've got a whole stack of business cards ready to distribute and hope to take a lot of pictures!

Color Me Bonita - Dame Mirren's New Hue

Helen Mirren at the 2013 BAFTA Awards (image via Style Frizz)

Both the Grammy's and the BAFTA Awards took place over the weekend and there were big style winners at both events. I'm gathering my favorites (hint: cut outs) for a post later this week.

But what caught my eye as I scrolled through red carpet shots from both events was Dame Helen Mirren's new pink hue! 

Color Me Crazy because I love it! 

She says she was inspired by a America's Next Top Model winner Sophie Sumner and debuted her new look at the BAFTA awards. Mirren twirled for the cameras showing off her dove grey Nicholas Oakwell gown. Her look was finalized with bright pink lip stick and pink nails but none of it was over the top.

The color shows off the 67 year old's beauty, confidence and youthful spirit. Part of me hopes that I'm cool enough to dye my hair pink when I am her age! 

Color Me Trendy - A-List A Game

Jennifer Lawrence stuns at the Oscar Luncheon (image)

Color me excited for gowns, jewels and hair dos at the Oscars in a couple weeks. But the bar has been set incredibly high as star after star nailed it for the official photo and luncheon.

Runway to Red Carpet (image via RCFA)

Our favorite? J.Law of course. The one and only RZ is her stylist and per usual each outfit has flattered the starlet letting her wonderful personality shine through. Sorry was that too much? I just adore her.

Image via Mail Online

Other leading ladies who brought their A List game... Jessica Chastain, Naomi Watts and Amy Adams! I am digging the florals and lace they wore.

NY Fashion Week starts on Thursday so keep your eyes peeled for gowns that'll walk the runway one week and the red carpet the next.

Color Me Styled - Golden Globe Fashion Faves

The Golden Globes are probably my favorite award show. One they also honor TV and that is the media I consume most (unless social networks count). Plus I was super excited to see Tina and Amy host the night and they were hilarious and I only wish I could have seen them more. 

Michelle Dockery in Alexandre Vauthier | Kate Hudson in Alexander McQueen | Emily Blunt in Michael Kors

Michelle, Kate and Emily rocked 3 of my favorites of the night. Each gown is feminine and flattering with just the right amount of skin. The high collars on Kate and Emily's dresses perfectly balance the low neckline and waist cut outs. Also, two thumbs up for Emily's pop of color earrings! The lace on Michelle's dress is demure and you don't realize that it comes down to the empire waistline. (JLo could take a hint from these ladies... or here... hint: stop wearing doilies, you're 43)

Amy Poehler in Stella McCartney | Isla Fisher in Reem Acra | Kristen Wiig in Michael Kors

Amy Isla and Kristen were also favorites of mine. Amy is rockin the menswear look with the jacket and diamonds. Isla is a sea of sparkles and the side swept hair is the perfect understated style for the flashy dress. Kristen is getting some flack for her Michael Kors choice but I love the unexpected cut out. The black dress is simple and perfect for the funny gal who presented with Will Farrell.

Olivia Munn in Armani | Allison Williams in J.Mendel

Olivia Munn is, if you ask me, one of the prettiest ladies in hollywood and last night was no different. She embraced the geometric trend with the embellishments on the bodice of her Armani gown. She also worked in a bit of color and a belt just above her natural waist which makes her look a million years tall! And Allison Williams in J.Mendel wins my vote for black cut-away-structured dress. Katherine McPhee was stunning but the low cut AND the leg and the messy hair was just too much for my taste. Same goes for Eva Longoria and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley... we all know you're hot but leave some for the imagination!

Naomi Watts in Zac Prosen

Besides the little bit of wrinkling and where it doesn't quite fit her tiny arms Naomi Watts was gorgeous in this oxblood Zac Prosen gown. The little peep of skin at the neckline is just enough and the drama of the open back and added fabric at the skirt ups the drama level and perfectly suits the starlet.

Jennifer Lawrence in Dior Haute Couture | Zooey Deschanel in Oscar de la Renta

Ladies in Red. Jennifer Lawrence's Dior Haute Couture dress looks as if it was designed for her body.So I guess when you wear a dress like that you're confident enough to attend while battling the flu and then still throw down against Meryl Streep when you win! The slim bodice on Jennifer's dress and belted waist pulls down to her hips showing off her desirable figure without showing much of anything! Then the skirt is perfectly balanced to not overwhelm her. Same with Zooey's Oscar de la Renta gown. The sweetheart neckline and pearls are spot on for adorkable Z and again the skirt is full and feminine without drowning her.

Lucy Liu in Carolina Herrera | Jessica Alba in Oscar de la Renta

And finally, Lucy and Jessica made my "so close but so far" list. I love elements of their outfits but the look on the whole missed. Lucy's dress is very pretty and actually a decent choice for the Golden Globes (generally more casual than the Oscars) and the china blue is a beautiful color on her. I think her side swept fishtail braid is very pretty but it doesn't go with her floral printed ball gown. Side swept and minimum is the right choice but she should have chosen loose curls or a off center french twist. And Jessica is stunning in her Oscar de la Renta gown. The color is beautiful on her and especially paired with the coral lip and glamorous hair. But what on earth is that in her hand?! The color is right but feathers is very, very wrong. When she presented and didn't have her hampster with her I almost forgot my initial reaction when I saw her on the red carpet.

What did you think? I also loved Helen Mirren, Catherine Zeta Jones and Emily Deschanel. I love award season and I can't wait to see what the SAGs and the Oscars have in store. Also congrats to Ben Affleck on his wins and for having the best speech of the night. And locking down one of the prettiest wives in Hollywood... give it up for Jennifer Garner right?! 

Color Me Styled - Lady Heroes

Tina Fey & Amy Poehler (image via Golden Globes)

Sunday night these lady heroes of mine (and many others) will be hosting the 70th Golden Globe Awards. A classy award show where stars get to sit around and nosh and sip and see what the competition looks like close up for the Oscars. 

It might surprise you but I have not seen one movie on the list for any awards this year. The long running joke is that I get to see one movie a year in theaters and I usually use it in January to see one of the nominees. Typically what happens is the netflix queue is loaded with all of the nominees when they are released to DVD in another 6-9 months.

I will defer to Molly of A Foreign Land and her AcadeMolly selections and try to form my opinions based on the winners from the People's Choice Awards and the clips of the movies from the Globe and SAG awards.

Why do I watch all the award shows you might ask? Well the fashion for one. I love seeing what the stars' stylists choose for them and whether I agree with the selections. Should she have worn her hair up? Why oh why was yellow the right choice for this starlet?!

And this year, I'll be watching to see Tina Fey and Amy Poehler rock the house. I adore TIMY (pronounced tee-mee) and have ever since they started on SNL. To me good comedians are brilliant people with the killer combination of charm and silliness. And TIMY embody just that... with the added bonus of being awesome gals! I was delighted when I heard TIMY would be hosting and I can't wait for Sunday.