The 85th Annual Academy Awards Ceremony was somewhat lackluster in terms of big upsets or surprises -Daniel Day Lewis, Jennifer Lawrence, Anne Hathaway, and Argo were all expected to win some of the night's biggest awards- and the opening seemed a bit distasteful -I'm 18 and even though I laughed at some of MacFarlane's jokes I did agree that they weren't quite suited for the Oscars, and you can imagine how the older demographics took the whole "actresses and their boobs" song- BUT the starlets did dazzle in their stunning gowns, perhaps a silver lining to some of the night's more awkward moments.

Three years after foot surgery and I still can't force my feet into the beautiful Prada 5" heels that patiently wait in their shoebox. High heels were my nemesis pre-surgery, but now they are even more disastrous. And to be honest, at 5'8" I don't really need the extra height.

Still, I do feel somewhat left out when shoe designers everywhere are obsessing over fun stilettos and heels that I cannot possibly wear.

So imagine my delight when discovering that fashion designers were taking a new-found interest in flats and smaller heels- shoes that may be, dare I say, both practical AND stylish.

Everyone from Marc Jacobs to Miuccia Prada was dishing up high-impact shoes without the teetering high heels of seasons past. And lucky for you and me, designers of all price points are offering up low heels for spring. Take your pick!

Because my invitation to Marc Jacob's Fall 2013 Presentation got lost in the mail (hahah get it that was funny) I settled for pulling up style.com's live stream of the show, which frankly was probably better than actually being there because, um, Anna Wintour can't eat pita chips and paint her nails in the front row like I can. But seriously, there was no better way to spend this Valentine's Day afternoon than watching my one true love -fashion, duh. But let's get to the show.

Anna wishes she had it this good

So while waiting for the show to start, my initial thoughts were as follows: circles. Circle of Life. Lion King. I'm sorry, you can't show a huge orange-yellow sun ever since that movie without me thinking "Nants ingonyama bagithi baba" and I'm pretty sure everyone else was thinking it too.

But as the crowd quieted and the music started up (and Elton John was nowhere to be heard) I realized -with some disappointment, as a Lion King-inspired collection by Marc would be a sight to see- that this was not a collection based in the African Savanna. Instead it was a rather punk rock feel, as it often is with Marc, with the models all sporting spiky black pixie cuts and thick eyeliner.

However, it didn't seem like Marc's "Girl" was a wild punk rocker out on the town. Rather, it was as if a former groupie had decided to change her ways, start a new life and become a secretary or something tame and calm, only to revert back to her ways one night. Or the jaded girl finally waking up and recognizing that something needed to change in her life. You see, the models wavered between decently-modest pencil skirts and oversized button-down shirts and sweaters covering their otherwise bare bodies. Others still walked in oversize coats that seemed modest enough, until you noticed that they were clutching their bags close to their bodies and the second they removed their hands the coat would come completely undone.

Lily McMenamy (almost) bares it all

Perhaps the most jarring moment of the show was when model Lily McMenamy strutted out with just a pair of high-waisted pin-stripe shorts, heels, and fishnet gloves covering her bare upper body. As with all the models, she starred only at the path before her, looking slightly afraid and slightly bored, but with a strong sense of purpose in her walk and in her expression.

That was the moment in which it became clear to me:

walk of shame. 

the morning after.

waking up.

This was the show. This was why there was a giant sun presiding over the runway. It's the girl waking up after a night of possibly regrettable decisions, feeling like maybe she had made some bad choices, but accepting her actions and owning them.

It was a strong and empowering statement, the woman who made sometimes bad choices but who lived and who really did own her actions. It's the Marc Jacobs Girl, and she's someone I wouldn't mind being.

The modest Marc Jacobs girl

The morning after- undone, oversized, and open

The evening looks- glamorous, with plenty of sparkle and starlet-style furs

Elizabeth and James FALL 2013

Marc by Marc Jacobs FALL 2013

Milly FALL 2013

So while patrolling modcloth I came across a most beautiful dress that I could not resist writing about. As someone who is constantly looking for new dresses (alright, let's face it, I'm always looking for new everything) I just about swooned when I saw this beauty.

Not only is it a flattering style that could be worn in a number of occasions, but this dress gets bonus points for being school spirited! The cardinal-and-gold color combination is hard to find outside of Harry Potter costumes -hence the reason I have my own Gryfindor scarf for football games- or the USC bookstore, and the outfits are usually limited to T-shirts and sweatshirts. I love that this dress is a fashionable way to show off my collegiate colors!

For the sake of school spirit, I might have to ship this baby to the dorm. :)

Jenni Kayne Fall 2013

Jason Wu Fall 2013

Rebecca Minkoff Fall 2013

Creatures of the Wind Fall 2013

Tanya Taylor Fall 2013

Timo Weiland Fall 2013

images from style.com

The weather is finally warming up (at least it is here in Los Angeles) and it's time to pull out the primary colors, bold prints, and floral motifs!