Spotted

{photos via FGR}

I've never really been a huge fan of polka dots. Something about them is just a tad too precious for me. But I love the way they look in this shoot. Polka dots are a major upcoming trend for fall, and I can dig them if they're styled in this edgy way. Plus, it doesn't hurt that I have a major girl-crush on Emma Stone.

By the way, happy official first day of summer! What are you doing on the longest day of the year?

P.S. I was dying to show you what I wore yesterday, but I didn't get out of work until after dark. Hopefully I can make it happen today!

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Met Ball

A few of my favorites from the biggest night in red carpet fashion. 

 Hailee Steinfelt (in Stella McCartney) can apparently do no wrong; Diane Kruger in Jason Wu is total glamour; Ginnifer Goodwin is stunning in an emerald gown by Topshop Unique; Mary Kate Olsen brightens up in vintage Givenchy; Sarah Jessica Parker rocks McQueen, natch; Zoe Saldana in a fun, yellow Calvin Klein. 

Lady in Gray

{images via Fashion Gone Rogue}

Michelle Williams is one of my favorite leading ladies, and she's a constant source of fashion and beauty inspiration (if only I could rock that hair!). Since I've been watching Brokeback Mountain on repeat for a term paper, I've been seeing a lot of her lately. I love these cool, monochromatic photos, especially because it seems like lately all I've seen on blogs and editorials are pastels, brights, and neons. 

Red Carpet Queens: Oscars Edition

After all the fashion fabulousness that ensued at the Golden Globes, I had been on the edge of my seat waiting to see what sartorial delights the Oscars would bring. But, to be frank, I was very underwhelmed. I didn't feel that spark, that fashion-star quality, from the red carpet in the way I usually do. Everything was just a little...lackluster. That said, I did have my favorite looks of the night.

Mila Kunis looked divine in Elie Saab. I love that she went for this sweet lavender color on a night typically reserved for gowns in gem-tone hues, sparkles, or black. This gown is pure romance--it balances sweet and sexy perfectly.

Hailee Steinfelt has been on-point this entire awards season; I've loved her look at every show. She manages to stay age-appropriate at all times--something very few young starlets have mastered. Hailee worked together with the Marchesa designers to create this Cinderella-esque confection. My one complaint? The headband. 

Florence Welch stood out on the red carpet, donning this statement-making Valentino Haute Couture gown. Although she tends to go for this type of look at many of her public appearances, it works for her.

My thoughts on Anne Hathaway's fashion choices from the night are very conflicted. I loved her in this this vintage Valentino Haute Couture gown from 2002; however, I did feel it was too safe, especially after her unforgettable Armani gown at the Golden Globes.

More importantly, her eight (!) outfit changes throughout her hosting duties really gave fashion followers something to talk about...and that something, for the most part, was not good. Anne is usually someone I can count on to look impeccable (given the fact that she's styled by Rachel Zoe), but on Sunday night, her looks failed to impress. While some were just plain boring (too many strapless gowns!), others were simply disastrous. 

The night finished with Anne in this bejeweled, turtleneck Tom Ford number. It may not be the most dazzling dress of all time, but for the first time in the entire Oscar presentation, I was surprised and intrigued by a gown, and that, in my opinion, is worth something. Anne pulls off this eccentric look in the graceful and elegant way I'm not sure anyone else could.

Red Carpet Queens: Golden Globes Edition

I usually find awards show fashion to be, well, boring. Of course, there are always beautiful dresses and elegant tuxes. But each year, I always find myself thinking that so-and-so's dress reminds me of one a few years back.

The Golden Globes last night was different. I was fully entertained by the variety of dresses that walked the red carpet. Even if I didn't love every single dress, I found myself finding things I liked and appreciated about many of them. 

And then there were the standouts, the dresses that made my jaw drop, those that I have not been able to get out of my head since.

Anne Hathaway in Armani Prive

Love (lust, obsession) at first sight. My personal favorite from last night. I thought it was an impeccable, though not surprising, styling decision by Rachel Zoe. Anne's Golden Globes dress from last year (also Armani Prive) is one of my favorite red carpet dresses of all time, and this daring gown just got added to that list.

Emma Stone in Calvin Klein

I was so pleasantly surprised by the originality of this crewneck dress. I love the simplicity of it and the peachy color. The one thing that could have improved this look? Emma's previously fiery red hair. 

January Jones in Versace

It was no surprise that January wore Versace, as she's the current face of the fashion house. But this dress was a risk; she's been put on as many Worst Dressed lists as she has Best Dressed. I personally think she looks stunning. Her demure, Veronica Lake-esque hair perfectly balances out the sexiness of the cleavage and cutouts, and her lip color was cleverly matched to the dress for a monochromatically chic aesthetic. The tassled column skirt gives the look an elegant, fun, flapper-ish feeling. On anyone else, I may not have loved this look, but January Jones's classic features are the perfect match for this unabashedly sexy dress.

Leighton Meester in Burberry Prorsum

This dress is definitely tough to pull off, but I think Leighton does so quite gracefully. I loved the romance of this dress, with its ethereal texture, ruched sleeves, and cinched waist. Sure, it may not be "red carpet" material, but that's my favorite part about the dress. And that little gold bag with the tassle? Too amazing for words.

Styled By Urban

While I don't usually love Lauren Conrad's style (or her line, for that matter), I found it refreshing that she attended a recent red carpet event in a Quail for Urban Outfitters dress.

Though the dress isn't completely outstanding, it's definitely cute and I do love the silhouette.

Proof that dressing well does not necessitate big bucks.

Hop on over to Urban to check out the dress here (it's even on sale!). 

Oscar Favorites

With the end of the decade coming faster than I can believe it, I decided to give special note to the Oscar dresses of the past ten years that have made the biggest impact on me. 

This is my favorite red carpet look of all time, not just the decade. I believe this was the moment when my obsession with the color mustard began, and her red lips pair perfectly with the bright gown. I absolutely love that Michelle's hair, makeup, and jewelry give the dress a vintage look, but the overall effect is pure modernity.  

I love how regal Reese Witherspoon looks in this vintage gem of a dress. The neckline is perfect, and the detailing is absolutely gorgeous. No one pulls off the princess look better than Reese.

I remember recalling how much I thought Anne Hathaway resembled a trophy when I saw her in this dress. It truly looks like it was made for her body. I love that her skin almost perfectly matches the cream beading on the dress--monochrome chic at its best. In my opinion, this is the most elegant look of the red carpet this decade.

This dress felt avant-garde against a sea of pretty, but very plain, gowns. Marion Cotillard made a huge statement in this gown, and it worked. I love every bit of this mermaid-y look, from the scales to the trumpet skirt. 

1. Michelle Williams at the 2006 Oscars in Vera Wang

2. Reese Witherspoon at the 2006 Oscars in vintage 1955 Christian Dior

3. Anne Hathaway at the 2009 Oscars in Giorgio Armani Prive

4. Marion Cotillard at the 2008 Oscars in Jean Paul Gaultlier

January Jones for Versace

As soon as I heard January Jones would be the new face of Versace, I was thrilled. She's obviously gorgeous, and having seen her on the red carpet in Versace a number of times now, I had no doubt she would kill the ad campaign.

Well, I didn't have to wait long at all to see the prints. Versace has just released a preview of their Spring 2011 accessories line.

images via Fashion Gone Rogue

The images are stunning. I love the way the black-and-white shots and 60's styling hearkens back to Mad Men.

If Miss Jones models bags this well, I can't wait to see what she looks like wearing some clothes.

Red Carpet Queen: Emma Watson

For the past few years I've had my eye on Emma Watson. Sorry all you Harry Potter fans, but Miss Watson's style is really the only thing keeping me interested in the film series at all. 

It's kind of amazing to think that the first time this woman appeared on our radar, she was playing the frizzy-haired, awkward, preteen Hermione. Now she's a polished, stylish starlet.

I loved her as the face of Burberry, and her red carpet outfits are always impressive. Her street style is also fabulous. And though it's taken me a little while to get used to, I think her new pixie haircut is great. 

Emma Watson at the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows world premiere

I don't think I would have liked this LBD on anyone besides Emma. The lacy minidress is just-right for her age; she looks fun but very sophisticated. Her hair also complements the flapper vibe of the dress perfectly. I love that she kept everything besides her dress to a minimum, otherwise the look would have been too overdone. 

These photos make me want to go out and buy a party dress, particularly a fun little black one like this.

Girl Crush of the Day

I recently stumbled upon this photo of Drew Barrymore at a publicity appearance in August, and I have since been unable to get this look out of my head. Even though the picture is from a couple of months ago, it perfectly captures what I'm dying for right now: relaxed glamour. Drew gets everything right here, even down to her cool, ombre-colored locks. I'm craving more sparkle in my life, like this stunning Richard Chai top, and I love the way it's paired with these easy yet incredibly stylish pants. Oh, and the YSL pumps are also amazing. I tend to forget about heels in the fall and winter because I always opt for boots, but they really are the perfect complement to the elegant feeling of the holiday season.

This outfit demonstrates an artful balance: it's feminine yet menswear-inspired, and is dressed-up casual at its best.

Things I must find: the perfect high-waisted pants, sophisticated sparkle, and outfit-making heels.

My Fair Lady

Feast your eyes on the stunning Anne Hathaway, cover girl of the November issue of Vogue. When I saw these pictures I nearly died.

She's so classically beautiful, and refreshingly real-looking. She reminds me of Old Hollywood (clearly channeling Audrey Hepburn). Or a princess. Or a combination of the two.

The photos...is it just me, or are they a bit of a departure for the magazine? The pictures are simple, and it is their simplicty that makes them so breathtaking. They, and Miss Hathaway, look effortless. Don't get me wrong, I'm a Vogue devotee forever and always, but the mag's shoot concepts are often complex, and sometimes result in the accidental obscuring of the model/celebrity and even the clothing. The minimalism of this shoot-- the colors, lighting, and styling--makes it a triumphant success. And the star, of course.

I am in awe.