The Golden Globes Disected

What a task to filter through all the gowns and photos from Sunday's Golden Globes.

My favorite thing about this year's show may just be the rain. In a sea of umbrellas protecting the celebrities and their borrowed couture, the wet conditions opened up a chance for Hollywood men to display some old fashioned charm. And in my charm school, Joshua Jackson gets an A+ . Look how dapper he is. Look how cute they are. He seems genuinely happy to stand back and expose himself to the unfriendly conditions while keeping Ms. Kruger nice and dry.

Aside from the impressive show of manners, let's talk trends. Nude and light pink dresses ruled the evening. This look is very tricky to pull of, but when done correctly is a total show stopper.

Nicole Kidman sets the bar high in this silk gown. I love when her hair is back to her natural shade of red, which helps to complete her all around look for the evening.

Jennifer Morrison's rendition of the neutral dress is perhaps toward the other end of the spectrum. Not only does the shade wash out her complexion, but the material reminds me of torn up tan pantyhose. Love the red lipstick and her finished coif though.

There's really not much to be said of Cher here. She appears to be the very definition of her own style, if not a slightly muted version.

Her presenting partner, on the other hand, did well in this baby pink gown. The color looks great on her and the variation of texture gives this dress enough detail to keep it interesting. Well done Xtina.

Since I couldn't make it to the evening's festivities, I gave my boyfriend George Clooney the go ahead to bring his "public" girlfriend, Elisabette Canalis to the Globes. Though I'm not a huge fan of the midriff cutouts, they're a bit too complex and distracting, she wears the dress well and looks quite lovely.

The intricate pleats in the bodice of Maggie Gyllenhaal's light pink gown is more my preference. They add detail without becoming the focus of the dress.

And finally wrapping up our neutral collection, Drew Barrymore chose an A-symmetrical number.

She looks amazing. The dress drapes well on her, the color is great, and I love the beading detail... I also just love her! She seems so happy to be there, as if it's not her millionth time walking the red carpet.

Kisses right back at you Drew.

Onto trend #2: Shoulder pads. I hate to love and love to hate this look. I do own a pair of shoulder pads myself, which come out on special occasions. In the case of both leading ladies who chose to wear them, they pulled it off fabulously.

I was obsessed with Anna Paquin's look. From the shoulder pads to the beads and sequins, she looks like a golden goddess here. She was really heading for front runner of best dressed of the night,

until I noticed her entire ensemble in a different photo and saw these:

Why the gladiator shoes?! The look is very Christian Dior circa SATC The Movie. While I applaud the fashion risk, it deters from the classic look she should have gone for. A strappy heel in gold or even a simple black shoe would have been a much better choice.

This leaves me to "award" Sofia Vergara as best dressed of the evening. She is so polished. Every detail flows with her overall look from her hair to her makeup and of course the gorgeous dress. I'm pretty obsessed with this gown. I might even love the back more than the front. Sofia wears it so well. She worked the train like a pro on the red carpet.

In keeping with the looks that I loved, Lea Michele did exactly what I would do if I were attending my first award show: Wear the biggest, fanciest, most intricate dress I could find. This gown practically took up the entire stage when Glee won its award. Although it may be more suited for the Oscars (and she is a television actress), it's a far better thing to be over dressed than under dressed. I think she looks lovely, managing to look classic and timeless... a feat not often achieved by new starlets.

Not even the weather can rain on this parade.

And speaking of fresh faces, Anna Kendrick really stepped it up and did Twilight proud. Not only did she costar with my boyfriend George this year in Up in the Air but she looked flawless on the red carpet. Take note Kristen Stewart, no Chuck Taylors here. Maybe if Edward saw her now, he'd reconsider his choice to be with Bella.

I know that many fashion experts disagree, but there is something about January Jones' look that I love. It's a new spin on a classic. I'm a fan of the unexpected headband and A-symmetrical shoulder. She sort of looks like a Barbie doll (in a good sense of course).

I half expected Jane Lynch to wear a bedazzled Adidas warm-up suit. Her choice was both refreshing and feminine. The color is unexpected but works very well for her. A nice change from her usual look as Sue Sylvester.

I've always had a thing for Ginnifer Goodwin. I imagine in another world we are great friends, staying up late, sharing secrets and braiding each other's hair. She, of course, would be the nice, sweet one finding the good in all people, while I'd be the snarky sarcastic friend with a cloud over my head.

For example, had she come to me one day and said, "I'm thinking of cutting my hair quite short." I would have responded that no one, other than Victoria Beckham, can pull of that haircut, and she doesn't want to risk looking like a boy.

On second thought, perhaps it's a good thing we do not know each other, because surprisingly, her hair is quite amazing and is possibly my favorite part of her whole look.

So there we have it, the trends and my favorite looks of the 67th Golden Globes. More to come on the looks and dresses I wish would have stayed home.

Youth is Wasted on the Young

Dear Brad Pitt,

Last night I rented your latest blockbuster, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. While I'll never complain about seeing you on screen, I regret to say the movie itself was a huge disappointment. Furthermore, I would greatly appreciate those three hours of my life back. Not only was this movie incredibly dull, the story, aside from a few Forrest Gump-esque vignettes, was completely predictable.

I won't go into the fact that the concept of this story was arguably my own... I have been talking about the idea of people aging backwards far longer than the script was in existence... what's done is done. More importantly, the majority of the make-up was pretty creepy, why your character was aging in reverse was never addressed (it couldn't have been from the backwards clock, it died a year before BB did, why didn't this character ever think to go to a doctor?), and what the Academy saw in this film that was Oscar worthy is completely beyond me. This movie was more acclaimed than Gran Torrino??

Please go back to doing what you do best, adopting kids with Angie, making Jen miserable, and filming Ocean's movies with my love, George Clooney.

Sincerely,

Carina

The Big Show: Oscars Reviewed

While I'm watching the President's Address to Congress, I thought I would multi-task and review Sunday night's spectacle we like the call the Oscars.

Instead of reviewing some good and bad, I thought I would hand out awards of my own.

Best Dressed: Marisa Tomei. I know everyone is giving this honor to Anne Hathaway. She looked nice, don't get me wrong, but Marisa literally took my breath away. The pleats! The silver! The intricacy! The pleats! I love love love!

Honorable Mention: Freida Pinto. How unique is her dress? One shoulder styles are huge right now, and she is naturally so beautiful. She didn't leave me breathless, but I am loving her look!



Best Continuous Portrayal of a Movie Character/ Steamiest Man on the Red Carpet: Robert Pattison. Let me see, pale skin, slight hint of under eye tiredness, and oh so handsome? I smell a conspiracy. Perhaps ol' Patti really is a vampire. In which case, he has permission to bite me anytime.

Best Effort of a Great Dress, but forgot to Finish the Look: Jessica Biel. Love the dress and the oversized bow. The skirt is a bit awkwardly narrow, and the black shoes (not pictured) I question, but mostly I have an issue with the hair. Did the hairspray go flat? Did she decide to skip her salon appt for some snuggle time with JT (in which case, she is completely off the hook). It's the Oscars! Spring for an updo, please.

Most Overrated: Brangelina (did anyone see the cold shoulder they gave to Ryan? NOBODY should diss the Seacrest). I am so over both of them. And glad Jennifer showed up looking quite lovely, and somehow talked John Mayer into shaving for the occasion. As a couple they looked much better. Angelina's dress is especially bothersome. It's blah and underwhelming. a black chiffon gown, something a high school senior could wear to prom. You're losing your edge Angie.

Most Graceful: Kate Winslet. I was hoping she would give the speech her son suggested ("Mum, just say, thank you everybody"). This woman is so elegant. I think I am such a fan because aside from her amazing talent, she is real and relatable, with just a bit more poise than I could ever hope for.


Most Surprising to Impress Me/ Cutest Couple: Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens. It looks like someone finally got Zac to lay off the self tanner a bit. And how cute was their musical number together?

Celeb Presenter I am SOOOO over: Miley Cyrus. What was she even doing there? And she actually said she hoped to return next year after her new movie came out because it goes much deeper than the show ever did. Errrr.... Your character Hannah Montana decides not to wear her wig for an hour an a half. Unless the tween population takes over the Academy somehow, Miley, that will NEVER NEVER warrant an Oscar nod. I'm not a fan of the dress either.

Best Badly Dressed (I have to get around to this somehow): Tilda Swinton could once again win this one, except that she is very verbal about her not wearing makeup and all around look. For that, I am letting her off the hook this time.

However, these two don't get off so lucky - Sofia Loren and Philip Seymore Hoffman.

There are no words for this angel cake monstrosity. Moving on....

Philip: Is a shower out of the question? A beanie? It's LA! It's not even cold outside. I also understand that tanning is so passe, but we pale people have to compensate somehow. My suggestion, talk to Zac.

And finally, the Most Missed Celeb not at the Oscars, my love George.

He was off meeting with President Obama and Vice President Biden about the crisis situation in Darfur, hoping to make this a priority in their plan for international aid.

When asked how he felt after his most recent return from Chad, he humbly responded by saying he could not comment on "his experience" when the crisis was so much bigger.

Sigh

And one more thing

I couldn’t let this go… but I really feel the ladies of GoFugYourself did the subject justice.

Oscar Fug Carpet: Intern George's Date (Sorry, George)
Being the employers of one of the country's sauciest bachelors and smoothest-sailing dreamboats, we understand Sarah Larson's pain: All eyes are on her because George brought a date, she's the only one of his string of brunette-bots that he's brought to something like this, the magazines are screaming that she's the lucky girl who'll get him to commit again, and she knows we're all wondering why Clooney is making out with a girl who once ate a scorpion on Fear Factor.

But dating Intern George has its plus side -- you know, one or two -- and that is the fact that designers were probably throwing gowns at her by the dozen in an effort to woo her into their camp for the Oscars. She must have had an entire room at the villa full of options, and she picked this:

I did find one additional tidbit to add to the story. Apparently Miss Larson is from Kent, WA. Next time maybe George should go arm candy hunting in the larger/ classier Washington cities… Renton perhaps?

Ah Ha! moment

Despite my very best efforts, I just can't get motivated to compose my Red Carpet recap... It'll be there soon I promise!

Instead, I'm having a little venting moment about the oversight I seemed to have had in not working for the man anymore. I never get to leave my work at the office. It consumes me day and night, when I'm on the phone, brushing my teeth, shopping, and most annoyingly when I'm sleeping!

Today was unfortunately less productive than I had hoped in terms of a few projects I'm currently focused on. One of those is the effort to create a hybrid bead show with a new name, new image and new focus. Initially it seemed like a dream to be able to have this sort of creative freedom. Instead, it's been my non-writer's writer's block.

Until about 10 minutes ago.

Understand that I have spent the last five straight hours staring at fonts (again) only to switch it up with stock photos and illustrations (again), and still come up with no inspiration.

Then the light bulb came on (no really... the idea was seriously that instant!) I had a concept for the style, simplicity, and look I've tried so hard to define this entire week. I now have about five mock up ideas to present to "the bosses" tomorrow.

Maybe this means a good night's sleep sans bizarre pregnancy, falling off a cliff, and the dreaded naked at school dreams.

To tide everyone over for one more day until the dress critiques come out (why I think anyone is on the edge of their seats about it, I'm not really sure)

I'll leave you once again with George :)

and my recollection yesterday that I made the goal last year to be one of those Oscar girls (the ones that give the award to the winners and then get to hug them). I hear they're heavy... statues, not the actors. I plan to do a lot of bicep curls to prep for next year's tryouts.

Oh Oscar!

First let me say how happy I am that the Oscar's did not fall prey to the Writer's Strike. Aside from the saved advertising dollars, support to all the designers who outfitted the attendees, and the fact that this was the 80th anniversary of the Oscars (I'm big on round numbers), I am most glad this award show proceeded as scheduled for the ability to see all the emotion and romance people in the industry feel for their craft.

Having flirted with the artistic paths of fashion and writing, I can only hope that in my quest for a "true" career, I can settle on something that makes me as happy (and let's face it, allows me to dress as glamorous) as those who attended and won Oscars tonight. At the very least, I can say I've been inspired to work more on writing short stories, that elusive novel, and begin my efforts to get some projects published.

On a lighter note, I just have to voice my confusion on tonight's highly honored No Country for Old Men. When I walked out of the movie theatre after seeing this film, the first thing I said to Nick was "I NEVER want to watch that movie again" This was immediately followed by my blaming him for not giving me a more complete plot synopsis before agreeing to see the movie.

The cinematography is great, the acting supurb, but the story in my opinion wanders. The plot was hard to follow in that I never felt it had real direction. Obviously super important people at the Academy think otherwise, and who am I to really argue? I simply think honors for Best Screenplay, Director, and Movie were more deserved by other nominees like Juno, Michael Clayton, or Atonement.

Please return tomorrow for a full Red Carpet critique and review, including why I think a cocktail waitress/ Fear Factor participant had no place playing arm candy to my George Clooney.