OSCAR 2010 FASHION WRAP-UP

Honestly, I was a little pre-occupied yesterday with Anderson's arrival to focus too much on the Oscar attire for 2010 (although I did watch the awards).  Also, I didn't really hate any outfit (except for Barbara Streisand's, which is to be expected). Here is my wrap-up.  I'm sorry if i missed anyone.

Best (Top 3):

 

Elizabeth Banks (in Versace) who I often associate with quirky and casual, blew me away this year, winning my choice for best dressed.  I did not even recognize her when she walked out onstage to present.  I thought her updo with the thin sparkly headband as well as her peach toned make-up really completed the ensemble. (Photo Credit: Unknown, found on myfashionlife.com).

 

Bullock's Marchesa gown was perfect for this year (or any year's) Oscar night.  I thought her simple accessories and hair really allowed the attention to focus on her and how beautiful she looked in the gown.  But her best accessory by the end of the night was her Golden Statue and her perfect acceptance speech. (Photo Credit: Getty Images).

  

Cameron Diaz in Oscar de la Renta and bold wavy side-swept hair looked amazing.  I though the look was much more traditional than what she normally goes for and I thought it suited her well. Like Sandra Bullock, she too was rock'n the red lips adding a bold statement to a softer gown. (Photo Credit: Unknown, found on myfashionlife.com).

Wost (Bottom 3):

 

Zoe Saldana in Givenchy was a BIG miss for me.  I thought the top of the dress and the color was too reminiscent of my prom and the bottom of the dress looked like the colored lettuce/cabbage leafs that they use for decoration around the city. Her platform shoes didn't help her cause any either (I am not a fan of platform shoes unless you are up on stage with a stripper pole). (Photo Credit: Unknown, found on myfashionlife.com).

   

I have no idea what Charlize Theron (or Christian Dior for that matter) was thinking.  Yes girl... we know that you have boobs and we know where they are located! (Photo Credit: Unknown, found on myfashionlife.com).

 

Not that we expect anything fashionably stunning from Barbara Streisand, who wore a custom made Randolph Duke tuxedo dress last night that was so awful that no one online even wanted to post pictures of it.  I guess it was more forgettable than awful.  Regardless, at least the two worst dress mentions above took a chance.  Barbara, congratulations. The Oscar for worst dressed goes to you! (Photo credit: unknown, found on fashionrules.com).

Undecided:

 

JLo, wearing Armani Prive, had me going back and forth.  At first, I liked the dress on the red carpet.  Yes, it is different from her normal style, but I have no problems with a girl wanting a little variety.  Let her show her softer side.  However, onstage, and especially next to the oh too similar dress that Amanda Seyfried wore, I no longer liked the ensemble.  My dislike was mostly to the way the material looked under all of the lights.  It was too Project Runway unconventional materials-like for me. (Photo Credit: Unknown, found on myfashionlife.com).

 

Miley Cyrus wore a Jenny Packham beaded dress that at first look I did not like.  But I really think that my initial distaste was about how poorly poised she was in the dress.  I don't think you should wear strapless gowns if you have bad posture.  I'd have to say that now when I look back, I like the dress.(Photo credit: USA Today).

Men's Fashion:

 

Best: Let's face it, unless you make a major fashion faux pas, it's hard to go wrong with the classic tuxedo.  And Ryan Reynolds went classic (single-breasted, black tuxedo with a grosgrain peak-lapel, white pique front shirt with onyx and yellow gold cuff-links and studs, black grosgrain cummerbund and bow-tie, and black patent leather lace-up evening shoes, all by Tom Ford). But what makes Ryan Reynolds best dressed male this year is his improved (not that it was bad before) physique he has acquired while he preps for his role in the Green Lantern. (Photo credit: Rick Rowell / ABC).

Worst: Robert Downey, Jr.  I realize that some of the men (if there are any men who read this blog) might be saying, "What? He looks cool."  Well guys, no.  No he does not.  He looks ridiculous and inappropriately dressed for the occasion. I can't believe his wife Susan Downey, who looks amazing (not every woman can wear horizontal stripes), did not have anything to say about his ensemble. The only part of his attire that I could find a designer taking credit for was his Lanvin and Oliver Peoples Sheldrake glasses with custom blue lenses. (Photo credit: Merritt/Getty).

INTRODUCING ANDERSON (ANDY)

There is a new "man" in my life these days.  His name is Andy and he is my newly adopted Min Pin.  He is three years old, 8lbs and utterly adorable.  I adopted him from a rescue group called Eve's Sanctuary who rescues dogs from Kill Shelters throughout the country and brings them to New York. I believe they specialize in Min Pins and similar dogs.

Getting a dog was an idea that I toyed with and saw myself doing for a while.  I expected to take the plunge within the next 6months - 1year.  I had also pictured a man (specifically my ex) in my life when I envisioned this happening.  Someone to help me care for my (or our) dog.  But things do not always work out as you planned.

I was just browsing through petfinder when I saw Andy and felt that I had to meet him.  Not only did I like Andy, but I really liked his foster family and place that I was adopting him from.  They were so trustworthy, helpful, and responsive.  They allowed me to spend time with Andy before he moved in with me so that we could bond more.  I think that Andy remembered me from these visits because when he moved in, he took to me very quickly (although he also knew that I was the one with the food). I also felt that no matter when I got a dog, it would be scary.  It's a big change.  The reason I felt that I was ready was because I was willing to make these changes.  I wanted to  give Andy a good home and I also felt like he was a good fit for me.

I won't lie.  I am very nervous about this new endeavor (in case you couldn't tell already).  It is scary to bring a dog into your life. You can only plan so much for one, especially if you are a type A planner like myself. Being a single woman, I know that this is going to be an adjustment and a lot of work.  Work that I am willing to do and excited to take on, but work nonetheless.

I tried to find books online about single dog owners and adjusting yourself to a dog, something to validate my fears and help me figure out what to expect.  I could only find one, The Complete Single's Guide to Being a Dog Owner by Betsy Rosenfeld. Consequently, I am trying to keep a journal of my year with Andy to potentially submit for publication later on. There are a lot of books out there about how to adjust the dog to his/her new life, but the changes are not just challenging for a dog, they are challenging for an owner. People need to have their concerns validated so that they do not become overwhelming.

MORE BACHELOR MADNESS!

Thank you to Andrea for sharing this new Bachelor video game with me!  We have to get our hands on one.  All you cyber ladies... you're go'in down!

NEW MSN HOMEPAGE

I am actually intrigued by the new MSN homepage.  A lot of it reminds me of my MAC.  And I love that I can update my Facebook and Twitter from the homepage.  Basically, it streamlines everything so you don't have to have 25 windows open at once, slowing down your computer.

Check it out here.

HOW TO MAKE SURE YOU DON'T GET FILTERED OUT OF THE RUNNING

Raise your hand if you have applied for a job online through a company's website? Raise your hand if you actually believe that your resume made it into the hands of a real live person? The truth is, many companies are using automated systems to electronically filter job applicants. While it saves the company time, it may not be beneficial to them finding the best person for the job and it certainly is not beneficial for you if you get filtered out of the running based solely on the lack of key words on your resume.

Here is some advice to help you make it through the filtering process and back into the land of the living.

ALICE IN WONDERLAND - REVIEW

Tonight I had the pleasure, thanks to my friend Michael, of seeing a pre-screening of Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland on IMAX 3-D.

I have known about this film for what seems like forever (at least 6-12months) and have been anxiously awaiting its release!  Let me just say... it was perfect.

Most people don't realize that Alice in Wonderland is a dark and twisted tale.  In fact, after seeing this movie, I would not be surprised if Tim Burton is Lewis Carroll's reincarnate.  There is no one who could tell the story like Tim Burton - except, of course, for Lewis Carroll himself. I was actually surprised that the film was as tame as it was.  With Tim Burton, it had the potential to spiral out of control with illusions and, for lack of a better word, craziness.  However, Burton kept his vision right on point the entire time.

I was also pleased that the movie was not a re-make of Alice in Wonderland, something I was aware of well before the movie's release. Instead, it is the continuation (definitely not completion) of the story. What happens to Alice when she grows up?  Was Wonderland real?  If so, what happened to Wonderland? This movie answers those questions.

The scenery reminded me much of Willy Wonka in the sense that it was dark and playful at the same time. Even the vibrant colors of the Mad Hatter and the Flowers appeared depressed in their own way. The Red Queen's red resembled the colors of hell more than a vibrant red (as it was with the Disney animation). The only real light (literal light, that is) in the movie was in the scenes of the White Queen.

The costumes (by Colleen Atwood) and make-up were also magnificent. Alice's clothes did not grow and shrink with her.  She had to have new ones made for every size (Her costumes have inspired a beautiful line of dresses by Sue Wong).  The Mad Hatter and March Hair were as disheveled and crazy as ever.  The Red Queen was appropriately dressed in red structured gowns, reminiscent of the Tudors. All structured, angular, and confining. The White Queen was of course the opposite.  Floating along in her white whimsical gown. My favorite "costumes" were that of the deck of cards.  All decked out in red armor they were a much more believable army for the Red Queen than the traditionally drawn heart suited cards. 

The characters were also well developed.  At first I was bothered by the fact that so many of the characters were missing - the Duchess, the Mock Turtle, the King of Hearts, etc.  In the end it worked well and allowed the characters that were still in Wonderland to become perhaps better developed than in previous versions.  However, the white rabbit and caterpillar could have played more of a role in the film.  What we did see was that the White Queen is not as pure as she seems, and, although not in the least bit mean, when given the chance she will let down her perfect facade and show a glimpse of normalcy. Likewise, the Red Queen was not as evil as she appears.  She struggles with the desire to be loved vs. the need to be feared as well as her self-consciousness over her large head and being an outcast. Predictably, as we have seen in the other movies, is the Cheshire Cat's sleekness, the Caterpillar's Intelligence, and Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dumb's brotherly banter. The Mad Hatter plays a much larger role in this film than in previous versions.  His character's madness is suddenly justified by his loneliness and sadness, so intelligently conveyed by Johnny Depp. Perhaps the most surprising character to appear is the Door Mouse who, in this version, is a female.  Also, contrary to previous versions where the character is merely a cameo, in Burton's Alice she struggles to prove her strength hidden among her small stature (hmmm that sounds like me...).  Finally, there is Alice. We learn much more about her in this story.  We learn of her family and her closeness with her father. Her struggle between doing what is expected and pushing boundaries. Accepting that perhaps madness is just having the courage to push boundaries.

I would have preferred if Tim Burton had not followed traditional suite of combining the Red Queen character with the Queen of Hearts.  Lewis Carroll did not write them as one and the same, despite the fact that they are often portrayed that way.  The Red Queen is a chess piece and not necessarily an antagonistic character in the stories besides the fact that she is on the opposing chess team as Alice. The Queen of Hearts is the one with the card Army and the one who shouts "Off with their heads!"  Despite having the traits and make-up to resemble the Queen of Hearts, Burton's villain of choice is called the Red Queen.

Of course what are characters without actors to accurately portray them?  For the most part, I think everyone was spot on and gave some of the best performances of their careers. Although I think I would have preferred a different Alice. Mia Wasikowska was a little too timid for my liking. When she returned from Wonderland, I would have liked to see her stronger and changed. She seemed like the same girl as before she left London, just reciting braver lines.  I never saw her change throughout the story. Other than that, no complaints. 

Finally, the CGI.  This film made the best use of 3-D computer graphics than any other I have seen to date (yes, even Avatar).  Some movies make a big show of their 3-D capabilities right away and then the grandeur tapers off.  Alice did not treat this feature as a show, but rather displayed it as if it was always a part of the story.  Every aspect of the movie was surprisingly normal... normal if you were actually in Wonderland that is.  It's hard to explain unless you have seen it. 

Therefore, as soon as you have a chance, go see this movie.  It is NOT too be missed.  

DELICIOUSLY DELECTABLE!

Remember that avocado & strawberry salad paired with lemon chicken that I recommended for the beginner chefs on Valentine's day? Well I actually made it two nights ago and it was a big hit! It really could not have been simpler.  The most difficult part was timing so that the avocado salad was finished just about the time my company arrived.  If you make it too soon, it will turn brown.

I did make a couple of revisions to the recipes.  They are as follows:
- For the chicken,
    - instead of grilling the chicken, I baked it.  This helped it absorb more of the lemon flavor.  First I let the  
      chicken sit in the fresh lemon juice for about 15-20min. Then I sauteed the chicken with oregano, salt, and
      pepper to taste, added the lemon rinds left over from the freshly squeezed juice and half of a fresh
      lemon, covered the pan with foil and placed it in the oven.  I think it took about 20min on
      350-400degrees to finish baking.
- For the honey/lemon drizzle on the salad,
    - use less oil and more honey. I did it to taste, so I don't have exact amounts.

 

To keep with the light taste of the whole meal, I topped it off with an individual chocolate mousse cake for desert (purchased from Whole Foods). 

JEWELRY

I rarely post about jewelry and accessories because I don't wear them often.  I'm just not good at coordinating them and for some reason, never feel the same inner justification in my purchase as I do when I buy a really cute new dress. 

However, today, the Kris Nations/Jewelmak Ideeli sale really caught my eye.

 

This Kris Nations Gold Wildflower necklace ($29) and matching earrings ($34)  made me feel as if I could match them with anything.  Despite their intricate design, they are surprisingly simplistic.  More textured than busy.

 

This silver stargazer necklace ($29) is so delicate. I could easily see it worn for a casual wedding (by guest or bride).

Lastly, this aquamarine teardrop necklace ($145) seems like it would add some beautiful color and sparkle to a black dress.

DIY

tI couldn't agree more with everyone's obsession over the Christian Louboutin's petal heels.  But like everyone else (mostly everyone else), I cannot splurge on them.  Luckily, Style Obsession (one of my new obsessions) has shared a do-it-yourself (DIY) idea to make your own.

You will need:

- A pair of strappy heels to act as a base (these will need some sort of t-strap up the middle to use to attach the petals).
- Matching chiffon from a fabric store.
- Fabric Glue

Instructions:

- Fold the fabric in half.
- Cut petal shapes on the fold to give you dual sided petals
- Style Obsession suggests tying the petals to the straps of the shoes, but I think using a little fabric glue to
   hold in place is also advisable.

Your results will be adorable!  But don't take my word for it, see for yourself!

 

                           *Photo Credit: Style Obsession                                                *Photo Credit: Christian Louboutin

PRODUCT REVIEW - JAN MARINI EYELASH CONDITIONER

I have always been told that I have beautiful eyes (although no one has quite been able to settle on what color exactly they are - sort of a bluish, grayish, greenish, even purplish in some lights). One thing I can't stand though are my lashes. They are too short. And even though I have the most amazing mascara in the world, I often resort to falsies (even in my new headline photos) because I never feel that they are flirty enough.

So you can imagine my excitement when, through my television set, Brooke Shields told me that I too could have beautiful long lashes! I started researching lash growth serums and found that the best reviews come from ones that did not require prescriptions. One of the top three was Jan Marini's Eyelash Conditioner. Although the consensus seemed to be that her old serum was superior to the new one, I decided to give it a shot.

Here are my before shots (sorry for the close-up):

I have been using the product for less than a week now and here is my first review.  So far, I don't see a change (but I didn't expect to since every version of this product notes that it will take up to 6-8 weeks to see results). It is extremely easy to apply and does not irritate my eyes or skin at all.

I will continue to post my review and updates, along with pictures of my progress, so stay tuned!

*Full disclosure: Jan Marini generously provided me with a free sample of the eyelash conditioner.  All reviews, however, reflect my honest opinions.