Oscar Favorites

The show itself was meh, but at least there were pretty things to look at. These are my favorites of the evening, beginning with Cate Blanchett. I think her gown by Givenchy has been described as "weird" by others, but I am all about it and then some. Everything Cate wears is interesting, and I loved the the interior lines and detail work on her gown. Jennifer Hudson definitely won for best and most dramatic color - it's hard to imagine that bright citrus looking as good on anyone else. So pretty.

I thought Mila Kunis and Mandy Moore (girl crush!) were both stunning. Mila wore a dress from Elie Saab's latest collection, so my liking it was pretty much a given. Mandy, though, was a picture of elegance. Pale gold often washes women out on the red carpet, but she looked vibrant with that bright lipstick and simple, pulled-back hair. Go Mandy! Let's be friends.

Scarlett Johansson's dress was also pretty polarizing, but I think it really works for her. I like the wine-y, mulberry color and sheer lace neckline. People usually expect her to dress like a bombshell or how she did 6 years ago, but I rather like that she hasn't been going that route lately. Also, I want that hair. And finally, sweet Hailee Steinfeld. I loved her in True Grit and she has been an age-appropriate virtuosa on the red carpet so far. This dress is sweeter and a tad tamer than I expected, but she's showing off her shoes and having a great time so I wholeheartedly approve.

What were your favorites of the night?

Photographs via New York Magazine.

Monday Inspiration

Ministry of Silly Walks by Maddie Joyce.

Cake

A week that starts with cake should end with cake. Especially one covered with berry flowers and almond petals.

Photograph by Lisa Hubbard.

Spots

Incredible.

Original photographer/source unknown (anyone? anyone?), via The Steward.

Fall 2011: Erin Fetherston

Ghostly, seraphic looks from Erin Fetherston. The thick, platinum braid and phosphorescent styling makes the model look like a Greek statue come to life. But with really good shoes and arms.

Photographs via Style.com.

Ian Francis

I can't think of any other way to say this, so I'm just going to go ahead and put this out there: I am a little bit in love with the work of Ian Francis. Each piece looks like a scene from a science fiction novel I haven't read yet. The portrayals of an isolating technology-driven culture, gaseous landscapes, and utterly fantastical women are powerfully evocative. Francis' work is lurid and fun, yet ultimately sobering; a glance a the titles alone (see below) brings you crashing back down from the fantasy worlds that are depicted.

The potential loss of one's humanity -- and, to a certain extent, one's innate imagination -- when media and technology are made to provide all of our definitions for it is driven home in these pieces. His work, especially in its depictions of women, also reminds me of that of Frank Frazetta, only with a more abstract, sci-fi bent to it.

As of right now, I am wanting to take the first two home with me (oh my gosh, talk about fantasy), but that might change once I get a closer look. Turns out Francis has a show at the Joshua Liner Gallery up in March! Looks like a trip to Chelsea is in order...

Via My Modern Met.

From top to bottom: A Boy Returns Home Not Realizing How Much He's Changed; A Jellyfish Appears at the Window of a Hotel Bar; A Girl's Newfound Love for Technology Grows to Fill Her Whole World; A Strange Ghost Follows a Girl to the Edge of a River; Walking Down a Street a Person is Crushed by Light (all 2010)

Earbobs

Dannijo has got some show-stopping pieces.

Come On, Spring!

I am really looking forward to spending some time outdoors and not hating it.

Garden fantasy photographs from House to Home.

Lizzy Stewart

A happy accident led me to the work of Lizzy Stewart. I was originally looking for pictures of Scotland and came upon gorgeous photographs of Edinburgh on Stewart's Flickr page (worth a look of their own). Thankfully, her illustrations are also sprinkled throughout.

Initially soft and unassuming, Stewart's work can not help but draw the viewer in. Each piece connotes a further story behind what is shown: the pair of bears at the outskirts of a village; a group of men posing together for a commemorative shot; her series of "What I Wore Today" self portraits. All make me wonder about the events that led up to those particular renderings, and that Stewart's illustrations can elicit that "how did we get here?" moment is what makes her work so memorable. I also, of course, want to know what happened next (especially with the bears).

You can see more of Lizzy Stewart's work on her website and on Etsy.

Poodles and Cake

That's it. Isaac Mizrahi wins for having the best show ever. All future shows that do not feature puppies and iced confections will be deemed utterly boring. Well, unless it's really really good. Then I will consider overlooking this new requirement. Maybe.

More poodles and cake please!

Photographs via Elle.com.

Invitations

I came across the stationary company Minted through the neo-traditionalist and am just enchanted by their wedding invitations. The variety in design is incredible, from flowery and feminine to minimalist foxes (so great!). Those along with the nautical-themed options are probably my favorites - no surprise there though, right?

Bonus: the neo-traditionalist has an incredible giveaway for a $150 gift certificate to Minted going on right now, so be sure to throw your name into the ring!

Fall 2011: Lela Rose

I love the way Lela Rose has imagined fall in her new collection: varying saturations of steel and emerald, painterly prints, and a blend of structure and fluidity. There is nothing cloying in Rose's ultra feminine designs, but rather an underlying vein of flintiness that keeps things interesting.

Photographs via Style.com.

Uphill/Downhill

Some days just feel like this. Which way are you headed this morning?

24th Street Intersection by Wayne Thiebaud (1977)

Robots in Love

A sweet, nerdy print by Mengsel.

Fall 2011: Rebecca Minkoff

Ohh I'm excited - pictures from New York Fashion Week have started to roll in (er, were posted almost instantaneously and I didn't start mulling through them until the weekend). I love having a new crop of looks to lust over, and Rebecca Minkoff is definitely the show to start with for me.

Everything about her Fall 2011 collection is just plain cool. I like that it doesn't seem out of the realm of possibility, meaning that nearly all the designs look immediately wearable (not including the lace pants that show up about half way through the show. Sorry lace pants. I just don't have the courage to walk you off the runway). The wrap dress, cranberry shorts, and marbled sweaters would look right at home in my closet, and that real world sensibility is what makes Minkoff's latest effort a darn great one.

Photographs via Style.com.