:: Unphotogenic Finds ::

This dress is the equivalent of The One with the Engagement Pictures. Much like Chandler’s smile, it looks great until a camera is pointed at it.

But really – this was an incredible Anthropology-sale-rack find for a whopping $20 a few weeks ago. I was in such shock that I ran around the store asking each of my new best friend’s in the dressing room area if they could find something wrong with it. A hole? A torn thread? A sensor that someone tried to pull off and it became saturated with ink?

Nothing. So it came home with me!

The accordion skirt and free flowing top half work so beautifully together and I have received a number of compliments. Plus, the colors work perfectly for any season – a must when you are a budget buyer! What do you wear that doesn’t photograph well?!   

Dress // Anthropologie

Booties // H&M

Bracelet // Tory Burch

Necklace // Kendra Scott

The Oscars

I know I’ve said it before – but I’m just not that into awards shows. As someone who can barely sit through a movie, awards shows tend to test my patience (plus, once I’ve seen all the incredible styling there is st see – I’m done!).

That being said, I was really impressed with several moments from last night’s Oscar’s. Let’s begin with Reese Witherspoon – she promoted the #askhermore campaign, which essentially makes all my worlds collide. While I love seeing what styles the stars are wearing, I have no idea why it is necessary to ONLY ask them about “who” and “what” they are wearing. Reese also posted several example questions of what reporters could ask to learn more about actress’s thoughts about their work, aspirations, and proudest moments. Thanks to The Representation Project for ensuring our women are given the respect they deserve for their craft.

She was not the only celebrity to ensure women were receiving the positive attention they deserve. Props to Patricia Arquette for calling out that dreadful “mani-cam” that E! luckily didn’t have space for on the red carpet this year. The Boyhood star said she was “too busy working on an ecological sanitation project” to get her nails done for the awards show. Yeah girl – preach!

The fashion-loving, women’s and gender studies-learning, journalistic-soul in me is just simply over the moon.

And can we take a moment to touch on what my Facebook newsfeed is blowing up over? Lady Gaga gave Carrie Underwood (and dare I say it – Julie Andrews? No. Let’s not go there.) a run for her money on a birch lined, symphony-filled stage as she hit ev’ry single high note in her tribute to “The Sound of Music.”

Love her music, think she’s a total nut, but holy cow – the girl is talented. Top off her talented performance with that incredible full-skirted white Azzedine Alaïa gown. Just breathtaking.

Of course I can’t stop there, because there were several favorite dresses from last night. I was shocked to see an absence of pant-suits or capes, but I suppose my favorite trends can’t come back for every awards show.

A favorite, texture-filled gown (although God only knows how the girl sat down) was Lupita N’yongo in a fully pearl encrusted Calvin Klein. As someone who has worn liquid beading, I can bet this puppy weighed roughly 20 pounds. She pulled it off like a champ – I’ve yet to see her in anything I didn’t like!

Emma Stone wowed in a chartreuse, long-sleeved Elie Saab. With her skin tone and red hair, it was a winner. Cate Blanchett had, in my opinion, the most incredible statement necklace by Tiffany’s and selected a much simpler dress by John Galliano for Maison Margiela. Jennifer Lopez wore an amazing Haute Couture Elie Saab gown which not only complemented her skin tone, but matched it perfectly. Jennifer Aniston stunned in a fully beaded Versace, and Reese Witherspoon – that Tom Ford gown was impeccable.

But my favorite after-party look was worn by Mindy Kaling in a custom Savador Perez. The girl doesn’t do basic black very often, but when she does, she does it perfectly.

While I’m not the biggest awards show fan, I’m marrying a former theatre-kid who was recalling the days of watching the awards shows with his buddies. Of course, I’m not one to turn down the opportunity to host a party, so next year should be filled with many, many awards show watch-parties!

Oscars

:: Light as a Feather ::

Over the break, Taylor talked me into seeing “A Christmas Carol.” I’m not sure if it’s the ghosts or the grumpiness, but I’ve never been much of a fan. However, we had a great lunch plus wine (at noon!),  so I was totally game.

Yeaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh.

We left our fabulous, warm lunch at Savor – complete with amazing people watching from inside the fully glass-encased building. Then the cold air slapped me right in the face! The day turned out to be colder than a polar bear’s toe nails, but that couldn’t stop me from donning my new favorite feathered friend.

Remember when I said I didn’t like “A Christmas Carol?” Believe it or not – I was wrong! Dallas Theater Center puts on one heck of a show and made “A Christmas Carol” really fun. The show was only two hours total so there was no intermission (bonus!), and I love a good theatre in the round! Aside from the fight I almost got in at the entry (whoops),  it was a looooovely experience!

 

Top // Anthropologie

Pants // J. Crew

Shoes // Sole Society

Jacket // Sheinside

Bag // Nordstrom

:: 2014 ::

Cheers to a new year and thanks for following along!

pcskirt1

 


:: Palm Trees + Eighty Degrees ::

More than a year ago, Taylor’s mom sent me a photo of a dress that she immediately knew was right up my alley.

The white sleeveless dress from Zara boasted the brightest, multi-colored palm trees scattered across it. Without a Zara in Oklahoma, and knowing their sizes can run a bit funky, I let my neon dream go.

Until I just so happened to stumble upon it on Sheinside, and ordered it for a whopping $28! At that price, I could order three and it wouldn’t be the same amount as the one from Zara. Needless to say, it came in and I loved it.

Moral of the story: If you don’t mind waiting 2-3 weeks, can measure yourself in centimeters, and understand fabrics well enough to know what will and will not look cheap/be see through, you can always order from a rando website in Hong Kong.

 

Dress // Sheinside

Shoes // Sole Society

Necklace // Similar at J.Crew Factory