the 85th Academy Awards Red Carpet

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.

My Fair Ladies

Many of the night's leading ladies chose creams, whites, and pale grays. 

Jennifer Lawrence won the Oscar for Best Actress in Dior Couture and looked stunning, despite having a little trouble getting up to the podium (and remember that next time, when Hugh Jackman races to help you up, you stay down and let him help you (: ) Jessica Chastain did her usual side-swept hair and glam gown, but we aren't complaining because girl looks fierce.

Anne Hathaway may have won best supporting actress, but the jury is still out on whether her Prada gown with side darts that appear to give her pokey nipples was a winning look. Frankly I preferred the Giorgio Armani dress she donned  for the "One Day More" performance by the Les Mis cast. 

Anne's on-screen daughter Amanda Seyfried stunned in Alexander McQueen, and Amy Adams looked absolutely flawless in a cascading Oscar de la Renta dress.

Colorful Creatures

But the night's leading ladies did not only appear in muted tones. Jennifer Aniston wore a gorgeous Valentino red gown, but I wish she had done something a little more glamorous with her hair. Reese Witherspoon looked lovely as always in a form-fitting Louis Vuitton dress and old Hollywood curls.

Jennifer Hudson was breathtaking in sequined Roberto Cavalli and took our breaths away with her Oscar-winning performance of "And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going" during the ceremony's tribute to movie musicals. And another Jennifer -Jennifer Garner- looked every bit the winner in a chic Gucci Premier gown with a ruffle train down the spine. I'm sure Ben would have been fine with just his wife in hand last night (though a little golden statue is pretty cool too).

Who were your favorites -and least favorites- of the night?

Staying Grounded

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!

NYFW FALL 2013: the circle of life

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

NYFW FALL 2013: too cool for school

Elizabeth and James FALL 2013

 I just want to be as cool as the Elizabeth and James kids are. I want the oversized coats paired with impossibly skinny trousers and the ironic penny loafers and the quilted leather bombers. I want to be this cool.

Marc by Marc Jacobs FALL 2013

Frankly I just love the hair and makeup of the Marc by Marc Jacobs girls. The clothes were pretty awesome too. Also, counting down the days until the circular purses hit the shelves. Those things are so great!

Milly FALL 2013

Milly was going for the cool urban girl vibe, but with so much sparkle that even a dorky prepster like me can fawn over. Also, I'm still not sick of the scuba/neoprene fad that has taken contemporary design by storm.

Lindsey Loves: Adorable Dress Edition!

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. :)

My Go-To Makeup Faves

clockwise from top: Smashbox "photo op" eyeshadow palette; Nars blush in "Taos"; Maybelline "Great Lash" mascara; Essie nail polishes in "Turquoise and Caicos" and "Ladylike"; Chanel Rouge Allure lipstick in "Velvet Lumir"; Bobbi Brown BB Cream; Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in "bourbon"

In the past few months I've really become invested in developing a regular beauty routine and learning new make-up and beauty techniques. Through experimenting with different products and testing out recommended makeup "miracle-workers" like BB Cream and "no-clump" mascara, I've come up with a few favorites that I suggest everyone keep in their essentials makeup bag. 

NYFW FALL 2013: day two

 More New York favorites debuted their FALL 2013 collections yesterday.

Jenni Kayne Fall 2013

 Jenni Kayne produced a lovely array of glamorous minimalist designs in opulent hues and fabrics -bright reds, glittering silvers, and oceanic blues- perfect for the hip, career-minded New Yorker twenty-something who needs to transition from day to night.

Jason Wu Fall 2013

Jason Wu has managed to keep us begging for more season after season, and FALL 2013 was no exception. The "Wu Girl" has an eye for the extravagant and glamorous, but there are pieces that appeal to every sort of style. My favorite pieces were the lace-printed trousers and the white feather dress.

Rebecca Minkoff Fall 2013

Rebecca Minkoff gave us many options for fall coats, which I'm sure appealed to those watching the show, as New York experienced some freezing temperatures on Friday. Minkoff has literally given us a coat for every occasion -going out, rain coats, Saturday shopping- you name the event, and Minkoff has given you a coat to go with it!

images from style.com

NYFW FALL 2013: day one

Fashion Week in New York kicked off yesterday with shows and presentations by Creatures of the Wind, Erin Fetherston, BCBG, and more. The standouts from day one, in my opinion, were Creatures of the Wind, Tanya Taylor, and Timo Weiland. 

Creatures of the Wind Fall 2013

Tanya Taylor Fall 2013

Timo Weiland Fall 2013

images from style.com

Lindsey Loves: Infinity Scarves

from top, clockwise: modcloth; River Island; American Apparel;  

American Eagle Outfitters; Vila; Topshop; Aqua; Botto Guiseppe

I think the infinity scarf has been gaining momentum for a while, but over winter break and just tonight while browsing the new arrivals on Anthropologie's website I noticed an abundance of amazing scarves. They come in a variety of textures and colors/prints, so there is a loop for literally everyone out there. 

And they are so cool! No more must we spend countless hours -okay, maybe only minutes, or seconds, but they add up!- readjusting and redoing our boring linear scarves. Just pop one of these babies over head and around your neck and you have a perfectly-bulky (but not too bulky) accessory! I highly recommend an infinity scarf to anyone who has ever been flustered by the constant undoing of a regular scarf. Knit ones work well for the cold, and linen scarves are perfect for spring and summer ensembles!

Great New Spring Clothes!

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!