Oscar Fashion

Award season gives us a lot to talk about, and our favorite subjects are the dresses. At the Oscars Sunday night, the stars put their best foot forward. I felt pretty neutral towards the dresses this year; no ones outfit particularly wowed or disgusted me. A few ladies did stick out in striking, perfect-for-award-show outfits. Here are my top 3 choices for best dressed at the Oscars: 1. Jessica Chastain: Although she didn't win for Best Actress, I thought Jessica Chastain's red hair and sparkling Armani Prive gown went together perfectly.

oscarsjc

2. Charlize Theron: Drop dead gorgeous in an all white gown from Dior Couture. Charlize Theron is just flawless all around, I loved her simple jewelry and super short hair!

oscarsct

3. Naomi Watts: Another stunning Armani Prive dress, I love the cut out detail. I think this was a perfect red carpet moment for her, sparkling and stunning!

oscars2

All images from: Yahoo

FIDM Update

fidmThis past weekend I had the privilege of taking a mini vacation with Ryan to sunny Los Angeles/Santa Clarita where our dear friends the Merrell's live. We left early Friday morning so that we were able to catch a tour of FIDM L.A. Can I just say that the initial feeling of walking onto the campus was SO peaceful, satisfying and exciting! Everywhere I turned there were guys and gals with incredible fashion sense and creativity. Granted, I was probably one of the oldest people there because most of the students are directly out of high school, but what does that matter...I'm coming into this with a great background and experience of business, marketing and communications...right? haha...won't lie..it intimidates me a tad.

After chowing down some tasty Quiznos, we started on a tour that has lead me to a big decision (I'll get to that later). We passed by classrooms with industry standard sewing machines, pattern tables and dress forms. It was incredible! Then we headed into what I can only some up as library bliss...Just imagine every fashion magazine past to current kept for inspiration. I'm talking from the very first issue of Vogue and Harper's Bazaar until now! They even have a historic preservation room where you can read these old issues...It's the largest fashion library on the west coast.

Every floor had window displays of sketches, furniture, dresses, etc. that students have created. They even had a famous Dior "New Look" dress recreated from the original pattern kept by one of the original dress makers sent by the fashion house of Dior! I think I was so in awe I forgot to take a picture, but it was incredible!

We moved on up to the fifth floor where we got to see more of product development and their creations...Here is where everything turned around for me...All of the designs were computer generated. Not super surprising, but when the student tour guide continued explaining more of what the major entailed my heart sank. I thought to myself, "There is hardly any creativity within this major." Basically, the curriculum focuses finding price points, textiles and what it takes to get a garment to sell.

After talking with the tour guide, my adivsor and some other students, Ryan and I both thought it was very clear that Product Development isn't what I'm really seeking. It's ultimately design. I think what has detoured me from pursuing it originally is my lack of sewing experience. The students explained, however, that no one in the classrooms has ever used a industry standard sewing machine, and therefore, everyone starts at sewing 101.

So, for the next five days (two have already passed), I'm praying about this decision to make sure this is really the right one. Now, you're probably wondering why I didn't realize this sooner...I'm not sure if it's because product development is the newest major at FIDM or because they simply haven't sat in the classes, but I feel like my adivsor simplified product development down to the thought that it's what people that have a business sense should do and fashion design is for someone that wants to be behind a sewing machine forever, but talking with students one on one brings everything into a new light.

I'll keep you posted as to what I finally decide, but please pray for clarity for Ryan and I. Also, Ryan and I have already booked a plane ticket to San Francisco to go visit that campus in order to figure out where we should concentrate our efforts on finding employment.

The New Look by Dior

I'm Lovin' It

victorias-secret-eyeshadowAs I was putting on my makeup yesterday, I had a thought that I should share my beauty routine and things that I'm lovin' right now. I'd love to hear about yours too! 1. Revlon Colorstay Overtime Lip color - I wrote a post about this earlier, and I'm still loving this lip product. Lasts forever! Just reapply clear gloss throughout the day. The colors I wear are Constantly Coral, Bare Maximum, Infinite Raspberry and Maximum Mauve.

2. L'Oreal Telescopic Clean Definition Mascara - I love the wand, I love the price, I love that it washes off with ease. I keep coming back to this mascara. I've worn Benefit, Max Factor, Chanel and Dior - all of the high ranking mascaras...This is still my favorite.

3. Nars Blush in Orgasm - The color name may be racey, but it sure is all it's cracked up to be. It's long lasting and works wonderfully with my skin tone. It's great for summer because it has flecks of gold in it.

4. Lorac Breakthrough Performance Foundation - This water-based formula is great for acne prone skin. It also has an SPF of 14 in it! I think it's definitely work the price. Lasts all day!

5. Benefit Bo-ing Concealer - I don't know why I didn't use this concealer before! It works so well with my skin tone.

6. Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil - I change up my eye liner a lot. I still love MAC eye liners, but I think I found a new favorite in Urban Decay. This liners go on like "butta." I currently wear Bourbon. I don't have a favorite liquid liner, but I'm satisfied with Revlon's Colorstay Liquid Liner in Blackest Black. If you have a favorite, let me know!

7. Victoria's Secret Radiant Shimmer Eye Palette - MAC has my all time favorite eye shadows. Their pigment is the best! However, I had a gift card to Victoria's Secret and this eye shadow palette caught my eye. I love these colors and the pigmentation is very good. I was pleasantly surprised! I've been wearing the gold and bronze colors for the past couple of days. They are perfect for summer.

narsblushurbandecayeyeliner

Oscar Looks

reader_bestactress_winsletkI definitely remember standing in front of the mirror giving an awards speech when I was younger. I think I did it a couple of times, actually. Once for best actress and the other for best costume designer. haha! Has anyone else done that out there? Anyway, the women looked amazing last night! Who were your favorites? Here were mine... Angelina Jolie - I love the simplicity of her Ellie Saab dress and green accents. I'm glad that she stayed true to her style, which most call boring. This is exquisite to me and though it is predictable because we no her style, it never fails!

angelinajolie

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anne Hathaway - Man, she just blew me away last night. There was so much joy exuding from her on top of wearing an amazing Armani Prive dress! Some are saying she's too pale to wear that color, but I just think she looks and feels comfortable and beautiful which says so much!

ange_anne_comp_gallery__600x400

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sarah Jessica Parker - I loved this Dior dress even though is was a bit too small for her and hair and makeup were a no go. The belt and bodice just make the dress. I couldn't tell, but apparently this dress is a pale green. Go figure...

sjp

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What are your thoughts? Who were you disappointed in? I was disappointed in the Versace dress that Marissa Tomei wore. Thought the detail was insane, you could see loads of puckering on the coreset. I didn't love Natalie Portman's dress very much. Kate Winslet and Amy Adams could have done better. Click to see images from last night.