2014 Grammy's Fashion Sharps ##

 Sara Bareilles in Blumarine 'fringed flowers tulle hi how dress' (buy)

Music's biggest night was filled with lots of highs and lows, which is precisely what I'll say about my new favorite style: the hi/lo dresses. I think these dresses really take away the formality of a gown, but for a night full of music and dancing-- it's a fantastic choice.  If you wanna show some gorgeous legs and can't wait until spring, hi/lo dresses are the way to go! My other fashion smashers of the night wore gold, which is the color I'm obsessed with right now, and neutral feminine gowns.  I also like  lots of tulle, embroidery, metallics, and rich texture.  The night's hi/low is quite appropriate with my selection of angelic light/soft tulle gowns to contrast the heavy-textured gold metallics to keep you grounded.

Get The Look: Sandra Bullock's 2014 SAG Awards

Sandra Bullock // Lanvin dress // Jimmy Choo shoes

All dresses by Lanvin

Clutches by various designers

(click image to view/buy)

Refreshing Fashion at 71st Golden Globe Awards

Not a lot of people get excited about award shows, but I do. The best part of it is of course the red-carpet pre-show fashion.  Watching how celebs wear their dress on TV gives me a better idea which ones I really like verses just seeing them in 2-D photos. So, that being said, I have watched the show in its entirety on Sunday night and here's what I've got to say....

The best looks at the golden awards belong to ladies who took fashion risks (Emma Watson who wore Christian Dior tunic with pants), reflected their personality-- the retro girl  (Zooey Deschanel), and a few who sizzled on the red carpet by avoiding conventional styles like  fishtail, mermaid, and revealing plunging-neckline and side-boobish gowns.

Vibrant hues like red and bright orange were among the most popular colors--worn by several stars, but I loved Lupita Nyong'o's Ralph Lauren get-up the best. She looked fabulous in that red hot cape dress even with minimal jewelry and make-up. I'm actually pleased to see Taylor Swift traded in her usual red carpet colors of white and gold for a surprisingly beautiful pomegranate and black Carolina Herrera gown. I could not believe Sandra Bullock's age because she absolutely lost years in Prabal Gurung's fantastic age-modifying simple and youthful gown.

With the beautiful California weather of 70 degrees in the winter, these ladies are making Spring seem closer than it is for the rest us who are still ugging around in our winter boots.

Lupita Nyong'o // Ralph Lauren

Previously, in 2012 Gwyneth Paltrow caused quite a stir at the Oscars wearing her all white Tom Ford cape dress creation.  At the MET ball last year, Stella McCartney's cape-style donned by Cameron Diaz was nothing short of amazing. Although capes are cool and theatrical, they have been featured on both best and worst-dressed list. I think Katy Perry's  Naeem Khan's cape dress looked great on her at the 2013 UNICEF snowflake ball, especially with the long straight black hair giving a more sultry and sexy vixen vibe.

Cameron Diaz (Stella McCartney)//Gwyneth Paltrow (Tom Ford)// Katy Perry (Naeem Khan)

Shop:

 Naeem Khan's Deep-V-neck Beaded-Bodice Gown

Stella McCartney "Embroidered Cape"

2013 Emmy's Finest Fashion

I don't watch the Emmy's religiously every year, but I have watched many over the years. I have got to say that this year's Emmy fashion is one of the very best. It had such a great mix of colors,details, and silhouettes. Imagine a party where your guests are made up of brides, fairytale princesses, walking mermaids, Cinderellas, and then there's everybody else.  Sounds like a great mix of people, right? Well, at least their gowns were the light of the party! Will the lady in pink stand up please??

Zac Posen //Calvin Klein//J Mendel//?//Donna Karan
click image to enlarge

The Pretty Kind of Orange

The pretty kind of orange is not the kind one can get from eating too much carrots, tanning-beds,  having bronze skin from diabetes, or iron overload (hemochromatosis).  A pretty orange is like a radiant natural healthy sun-kiss glow

Sunday Pinspiration #3: The style of Leelee Sobieski

I consider Leelee Sobieski  a rising star in terms of her style this month.  She is the inspiration behind today's post because of her versatile looks. She could go from glamazon to sporty-chic and in-between without losing my attention.  I will be watching out for her forth coming red-carpet appearances and I know she won't be playing it safe. Keep me guessing, Leelee.

Must have little Leather Jackets

Leather was never my thing--I disliked to see it, feel it, or wear it all of my life....until 2 years ago.  I was "influenced" and little by little I acquired a taste for it.  Leather has been getting a lot of attention lately, and it has gone under my radar--I want to own one or 2 or 3. They look so good in colors or black and white.

Sunday Pinspiration & quotes #2

SIMPLICITY


Charles Mingus – “Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that’s creativity.”

Charlize Theron

Henry Wadsworth – “In character, in manner, in style, in all things, the supreme excellence is simplicity.”

Who wore what at 2012 Coachella

CLICK TO ENLARGE IMAGES!

How to wear white like a pro

As much as I love white, it's definitely difficult to wear all white without looking plain-Jane/beachy/bridal.  There's an array of textures, symmetry, and silhouettes  to pay attention to.  You can mix and match them to minimize the flatness due to uniformity.  Also, your favorite accessories: shoes, bags, hats, sunnies, belts will get the attention they deserve with a white outfit. The most important thing tho--don't stain your whites! I'd carry a bleach pen in my purse just in case ;) By the way, have you seen what Taylor Swift wore to the CMA? She made a great choice--a perfect ethereal white gown with gold details. I heart it. See it at bottom of post.

Fratelli Rossetti’s Milano Shoes

Fratelli Rossetti’s Milano Colored Oxford Shoes
(source)

Mirror Mirror Movie Costume Designs

Sharing with you some breathtaking costume designs for the movie, Mirror Mirror, featuring Julia Roberts and Lilly Collins.  The colors, details, and shape are so overwhelming-- in a good way.

My Top Pick for Fall : BALENCIAGA Street Lux Dominates

I'm so happy about the weather as of late--no more heat waves! As some of us getting ready to leave summer behind, what's next?  Are you looking forward to all-you-can't-really-afford  fall trends? Will you be deciding what will survive through next season and what won't? To be honest, I was already FALL-ing in love with Balenciaga's fall collection at first sight back in May!  Others that I had me at first sight too were Prada, Marc Jacobs,  Versace, and Givenchy.  But Nicholas Gesquiere's futuristic and stoic Balenciaga Fall'11 RTW collection is my #1 pick.  I have a taste for designs with the cool factor nestled in luxury.

With a plethora of patterns to come next season, Balenciaga's iris-floral (also seen with Givenchy) print dress is more interesting than most  floral prints I've seen thus far.  Miu Mui, Versace, and Givenchy are also on the bandwagon with the floral trend this Fall, but the iris floral print is the winner for me.  I think it's very much refreshing come Fall.

W Magazine Sept'11: Kristen Stewart glowed in retro glam

What caught my attention about W Magazine's September cover are cat-eye (new bedroom eyes?) makeup and voluminous hair.  Does she remind you of somebody? The Amy Winehouse style is getting  a boost in the limelight, which I think is a great way to show the world her positive influence.  I wouldn't have recognized Kristen Stewart in the first 3 photos. The black and white photo with her wearing a leather jacket doesn't even look anything like her. Overall, I do like these retro looks on her.

 Max Mara mohair and wool sweater

Return to innocence in white

Honestly, I have no idea what color is the "IT" color this summer.  I think the whole color wheel is in. If you play darts, chances of you hitting it is 99% even if blind-folded.  I feel like I just transported myself back to elementary school mentally by talking about my favorite color.   "What is your favorite color?" is such a basic question when you are curious enough to ask, but it hasn't been the easiest question for me to answer.  Sometimes I'm afraid my hesitation makes the person asking feel like I'm so complicated or just a scattered brain!  It has been 20+ years, and my answer hasn't changed, "I like all colors, but if you make me pick one...", it would be the color that this entire post is dedicated to.

Advantages of being the worst-dressed

"With the number of people I ignore, I'm lucky I work at all in this town."-HBC 

Helena Bonham Carter is my fashion idol.  I admit that I will never have enough courage and confidence to dress myself like she does.  When glamour is not your thing, she is a great a example  of how you can still have fun with fashion in  a way that makes you original, strong, and independent. If you can make "bad fashion" your signature style, you've got it made! I'd award you the "courageous one" award for overcoming the fear of being different.

Celebs wrapped in galaxies

I hadn't seen any pictures of  the galaxy prints on anyone when i was putting together my galactic adventure post last week.  Let me tell you, now it just feels more real seeing them on celebrities.  These prints don't seem like they're millions of light years away anymore even though i still can't touch them.  Who do you think wore it best?

1. The Andromeda

Carey Mulligan

Thor + Science + Fashion = A Stylish Galactic Adventure

This post is dedicated to Thor, my new divine crush from the movie, THOR. I fell in love with this movie and the Thor character.  He is the reason behind my interest in latest galaxy trend by Christopher Kane Resort 2011 and real galaxy readings and photos on National Geographic. Only if grade school was this fun! I did major homework  to prove that the science of fashion does exist!

1.  CIGAR GALAXY: red cloud composed of hydrocarbon dust similar to car exhaust; central plane in blue and white.

Would Lady Gaga Swap Meat Dress for Weedrobe?

[Contemporary Comparative Fashion: a focus on meaning and purpose]

Camellia Countessa is a wearable garment made entirely from leaves, branches and flowers. The design is based on the French Pannier (basket) dress, which where originally constructed from Willow branches

Here is Nicole Dextra's wearable Weedrobe Collection for the summer [models wear them and interact with people in crowded market places and fashion shows to promote eco-awareness]

The bustier is made with Wild Rose (invasive), Willow (grown in her back yard) and Dogwood (native plant). The skirt is made from Ivy (invasive) woven with beads made from Japanese Knotweed (invasive)

ECO-MAN suit made from Laurel, Magnolia and Yucca leaves

Savoy Cabbage, Rediccio, Red Cabbage and White Cabbage

crab apples with a flounce made of Kale

Laurel leaves, Ligularia Dentata leaves, Rosehips and various leaves

Prom warrior dress from Yucca plants

This breastplate is open and festooned with Roses; a symbol of true brave heart. Made from Forsythia branches, Rose Hips, Roses and Hemp thread.

Laurel and Magnolia leaves with the collar, cuffs, ruffle and bustle constructed from Hydrangea flowers

Photos: nicoledextras.com

For those who crave floral patterns this season, wouldn't it be so cool to wear real floral dresses?  Would Lady Gaga be impressed with these? I know I am. I firmly believe that art exists everywhere, in infinite forms, but the best ones come from those who love what they do.  For instance, many bloggers blog for the love of blogging even when it does not come with fame or fortune.  In a recent interview of Lady Gaga by UK personality Stephen Fry, Lady Gaga said, "It's honestly true that money means nothing to me." I wonder what means everything to her. What do you think? (read interview)

Free as Bird, Light as a Feather: Fly with Givenchy Couture

I know The Met Gala was so last week, and everyone has moved on with their blogs. The media and the world are yawning over it now. The best and worst dress lists have been determined by critics and bloggers alike.  I wasn't sure which was my favorite until this week. How i know which one left a long impression on me...it's the time factor. If  I am still thinking about the dress, probably subconsciously, then i know it's the one. 

When i saw Liv Tyler wearing Givenchy's bird-like creation at the Met, I loved the concept and the detailing of the dress and that it was worn perfectly for the occasion.  Givency's designer, Ricardo Tisci, definitely found Japan an inspiration for this Spring Couture collection.

This photo doesn't give us all the amazing details of the dress, nonetheless it reminds us to keep Japan in our prayers and our heart.  I am a fan of amazing details and themes.  I've been in love with nature themes since I discovered McQueen.  This season, I'm so in love with Givenchy's Japanese-inpired crane-like creations.  I would feel like a bird wearing  these amazing couture dresses. It's a lot like music, poetry, great writings, this kind of fashion transcends and gives the wearer a  superhuman or not human at all feeling. That's great fashion to me! [I used "amazing" 3x now, that's how mesmerized I am]