Risky business at the Golden Globes

Finally there are some daring dresses making it back onto the red carpet!

I mean, sure - a large number of ladies seemed to wear some variation of cream to 2012 Golden Globes but there were also some major risks taken. And for the most part they paid off.

Here are what I thought were the most notable outfits on the night:

Most dramatic - Evan Rachel Wood

Source: www.fashiontrendseeker.com

This dress just blows my mind. I adore the colour, the feathers, the mixed textures, the neckline - it is all just so fabulous. It is a really exciting dress and not many would be able to pull it off. But Evan does. I would have preferred it if she still copper-coloured hair because that would have looked electric next to the colour of the dress and her pale skin. And her makeup could be more vampy.

But the dress makes up for all of that IMO.

Most striking - Claire Danes

Source: www.glamour.com

So Claire is looking just as pretty as she did back in her "My So Called Life"/ "Romeo+Juliet" days. Hooray! This black and white J Mendel dress is just to die for. It reminds me of something that Cate Blanchett might wear. And, unlike Evan, her hair and makeup compliments it perfectly.

Possibly my favourite.

Most disappointing - Michelle Williams

Source: www.poshposh.com

Aw - this makes me sad. Because I so love Michelle Williams and she can look so amazing in the right dress. It is just that this isn't the right one for her. Or possibly anyone. Michelle looks kind of frumpy in this - not like her usual, pretty, elfin self. And I am not a fan off the headband either.

But at least her face is pretty. And you know, she won. So that probably doesn't suck.

Most awe-inspiring - Helen Mirren

Source: www.hollywoodreporter.com

Maybe Michelle should have asked Helen Mirren for tips - Helen looked far fresher in navy than Michelle did even though she would be almost twice her age. 


Shazam!


Boldest colour - Paula Patton

Source: www.washingtonpost.com

It was a toss up between Paula's gorgeous yellow number and Natalie Portman's fuchsia gown. I think I chose Paula's because I can't personally wear yellow so it always amazes me when someone else can look so good in it. Plus, Paula is just so beautiful and smiled so much on the red carpet that it was hard not to love her.

Oh, and her clutch was killer too!

Most effortlessly cool - Tilda Swinton

Source: www.celebuzz.com

Tilda can always be relied on to keep the red carpet interesting. She always takes risks and always rocks it. This is a particularly gorgeous outfit on her - the colour plays up on icy colouring and the style really accentuates her tall, lean figure. Her hair and accessories are also perfectly calculated risks that top it all off.

Stunning.

Most dragqueen-esque - Lea Michelle

Source: www.celebuzz.com

I really love Lea Michelle. And I normally like what she wears. But this is all just too much at once and it kind of freaks me out. Yes it is bold and daring, but the metallic fabric, embellished bodice and heavy makeup just drown Lea, making her look like an ageing diva who belongs on stage at the "The Imperial" rather than the red carpet at the Globes.

But snaps for trying, Kitten. And it is still better than playing safe by wearing something in cream.

Most consistent (and the dress I would most like to steal) - Rooney Mara

Source: www.style.bistro.com

This dress is soooooooo pretty. It is perfect for her. And, I would argue, would be perfect for me! Some have criticised her for being too boring with her choices but I am thinking she just knows what looks amazing on her and is sticking with it.

So yes - this isn't a big risk for her but she looks great, so who cares?

Best makeup - Emma Stone

Source: www.weheartit.com

Emma's smokey eyes are just sexy as hell. As is the subtle thigh-high split in her dress and plunging neckline. She is definitely my favourite ranga (redhead for those not from Australia) of the moment.

Speaking of which, I would never have thought that this was a good colour choice for a redhead but it looks great on her somehow. Crazy.

Coolest nail art - Zooey Deschanel 

Source: www.style.mtv.com

Zooey wore a really interesting lime-green and black Prada number. Not sure what my feelings are towards it but what I do know is that her nails were adorbs! Each one was adorned with its own little tuxedo painted onto it. Super, super, super cute. Which is what we have come to expect from Zooey, who may possibly exceed the legal limit for cuteness in one person.



So that is it from me - feel free to disagree or suggest your own favourites in the comments! 

The spoils of shopping - day four

So not an outfit today (I was wearing a new pair of jeans that I bought in the States but that is hardly worthy of a photo!) - instead I thought I would show you all an amazing piece of jewellery that I picked up at a market in Chelsea that I wore to work today.

It is a little handmade silver skull cuff that neatly fits around the top of my ear (no piercing required).

I got incredibly excited when I found this because, while I love the idea of wearing statement earrings with my short hair, I can't wear them because my ears just never took to being pierced. It was like they would never heal or something.

Anyway, this provides the perfect solution.

The designer, the adorable and talented Jade Chiu, makes a range of gorgeous jewellery and other accessories - check them out here on her website or Facebook page.

All of the pieces that she had at the market I went to were beautifully crafted and her designs are unique - a little surreal and very, very pretty. Honestly, I could have bought so many pieces from her. In fact I kind of wish I did now that I am back home.

Hmmm - I wonder if she posts to Australia...

The spoils of shopping - day three

Hmm - so today was still a good day but I wasn't feeling so fab about my outfit.

Mostly this was because I had an outfit in mind but the pants that I wanted to wear with my new shirt hadn't been ironed (no big shock here) and they were just waaay too wrinkled to wear to work - although I did admittedly consider it for a little while.

So the skirt I wore with it was not really thought through and I was a bit grumpy with it all day.

Anyway - the shirt! So, again this is from AllSaints (told you I went nuts there).

You may have noticed from previous posts that I am not really one for wearing business shirts to work - even though it is probably what a lot of people would expect someone to wear in in my profession. Well this shirt is about as close as I am likely to get to wearing one.

I like it because a) it is sleeveless; b) it is black; c) it is kind of baggy but still smart looking; and d) it looks good not being fully tucked in because it is long at the back.

The material feels really nice too and, while you can't really see it in this photo, it has tuxedo shirt detailing on the front.

The other new thing that I am wearing is the silver, spiky cuff. I bought this from a stall on the street in Soho in NYC for like $15. It is made of plastic so it is really light and, even though it looks pretty tough, it can't really be used as a weapon. That said, I haven't tested this yet - it might hurt more than I think!

So that is day three. Hope you had a happy Wednesday!

**update** I just noticed how pink my little knees are in this photo - WTH? This is why I wear opaques all the time you guys!!!! My knees are just weird.

The spoils of shopping - day two

I had an awesome day at work today.

And I am putting it all down to the fact that I was wearing one of my new dresses and a new pair of kick-ass shoes:

The dress is another groovy little number from AllSaints. It was on sale too. Yay! 

(In fact, I just noticed that there are even further reductions on some of the lines at AllSaints - available online and they deliver to Australia - woot!)

The wedges are from Urban Outfitters. (So is the fluro-pink nail polish.) 

I don't think they were on sale but I loved them and, most importantly, they aren't made of leather! This is super important because, when I started down the vegan path last year I decided that I wouldn't buy anymore leather goods. No more leather shoes, handbags, belts, jackets, skirts - nothing. And you have no idea how hard it is to find good quality, cute shoes that haven't been made out of leather (even shoes that are made of some other material like canvas or satin will sometimes have a leather lining or sole - sooooo frustrating). 

These little guys are adorbs, well-made and no creatures were hurt to make them. What could be more lovely?

(BTW - in case you are curious, I decided not to throw out any of the leather stuff that I already owned when I decided to become vegan. I will just repair or replace things with non-leather items as I need to. I know some people will be all outraged by this or whatever but I am cool with my decision - at least for now anyway.)

Will no doubt be posting again tomorrow - if for no other reason than to ensure that it is another awesome day! 

The spoils of shopping - day one.

First day back at work today. Sigh!

The only thing putting a little pep in my step this morning was the fact that I would get to brag about my holiday lots and show off a pretty new outfit.

And as promised, I took a photo - so I get to show it off to even more people! Yay!!!

So here it is:

The dress is from Anthropologie which is a cute US chain store that sells gorgeous clothes and home decor (including amazing candles that smell just like cookies baking!). A lot of the stuff in there was super-girly and not really my kind of thing but I thought this dress would be good for work and, more importantly, really comfy. Also, I normally don't go for dresses that are this length because they usually make me look stumpy but I think this one looks ok. Maybe because it is so fitted.

The necklace is also a new buy from All Saints. All Saints is actually a UK label but we don't have it here in Australia and I love so many of their clothes and accessories. I think I went back and bought stuff from their at least 3 times and bought a whole bunch of things each time (30% off the entire store didn't hurt either - seriously, the US sales are unbelievable!).

The shoes are old though. They are oxford brogues but with a heel. I bought them for $30 in a clearance sale like 3 years ago - how cool is that? More amazingly, they are not black. I very nearly wore my standard, black heels but went crazy and put these on when I realised the colour kind of matches the stripes in the dress. Plus, I was feeling brave - it is a new year after all!

So there it is - day one.  But I have plenty more where that came from so stay tuned!!

Why can't I be you?

So I actually feel like I am settling on a style.

This is HUGE.

It is also very possible that it is just a phase. 

But let's pretend that I am getting more mature and that with this comes an understanding of what works for me and what should just be left to 16 year olds, models or those preppy, athletic girls that I so wanted to be when I was in high school.

This came to me today while I sorted out my wardrobe (so I could fit all my awesome new stuff from the States in there and also because it was a dump) and threw away a bunch of things that just really didn't suit me - even though I really wish some of them did. I noticed that what has remained in my wardrobe and the items that I have just added to it are starting to show signs of some kind of consistency. True to my obsession with Kate Lanphear, my clothes are now tending to be a bit edgier and sleeker. There is definitely a grown-up rock chick theme going on in there - even with my work clothes. 

I have also become mad for really soft, worn-in t-shirts. Plain, striped, band t-shirts - I want them ALL. I want to wear them ALL THE TIME. And I am starting to understand why sometimes a t-shirt is actually worth spending serious cash on (which, in my universe, is anything more than $30 or buying a t-shirt that isn't part of a 2-for-1 at General Pants).

And because it is a new year (and because, to be frank, Alexa Chung's cute dress and flat shoe combo is starting to bore me a little), I have new style icons to lead me through 2012 in the most stylish way possible and, hopefully, to continue down the path to a consistent style that is ME. 

So here is who is floating my sartorial boat at the moment:

1. Lykke Li

Source: www.planetill.com

Source: www.style.com

Source: www.oilthames.wordpress.com

I was already a huge fan of Lykke Li's music and now I have also become obsessed with her style. Her love of all things black, flowy dresses, boots and statement accessories makes me swoon. 

She is also one of only a few girls who make me want to grow my hair long. Like, really long. It will never happen, but she comes close to swaying me every time I see photos of her performing on stage with her gorgeous hair swing about her like a moody teenager.

Basically, I just want to BE her.

2. Zoe Kravitz

Source: www.handbag.com

Source: www.zimbio.com

Source: www.elleuk.com

I think everyone knew when Lisa Bonet and Lenny Kravitz blended their perfect genes that their offspring was going to be pretty darn cute. I mean seriously - how could you go wrong with these two?

Souce: www.alwaysontherun.net

Source: www.cinemadumeep.com

Still, genes don't necessarily give you great style (although money seems to help). 

Zoe has definitely turned into a total hottie. And she can throw together a seriously cute outfit. I am sure ma and pa are very proud.

3. Rooney Mara

Source: www.fashion.telegraph.co.uk

Source: www.movies.yahoo.com

Source: www.zimbio.com

Rooney Mara is currently working the movie premiere circuit at the moment for her first big role as Lisbeth Salander in "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo". And she looks like an absolute doll at every single event.

Rooney has gone to extremes to get into the role, including getting numerous piercings about her person (but I am pretty sure the titular "Dragon Tattoo is a fake) and, as she will be playing Lisbeth in the sequels that are being made over the next few years, she is going to be rocking that black, angular hair style for quite some time. 

It has also been suggested that her current look- edgy, dark and monochomatic - is just an extension of her embodying the role and isn't actually true to her personal style.

Whatever - I am just going to enjoy watching her in all the pretty dresses and suits that she wears while she continues to play Lisbeth and continue dreaming that one day I might be able to afford them.

4. Erin Wasson

Source: www.bonaelamour.com

Source: www.refinery29.com

Source: www.thefash.com

Ah - the futility of trying to emulate the style of a ridiculously gorgeous, tall and willowy model that could make a muumuu dress look sexy (not Miu Miu people - I would like to think that even I could look pretty cute in Miu Miu!). 

Seriously, though, her body is killer. It makes me want to cry a little. Why can't my legs be that long? *pout*

Erin has been around for a while but I have noticed her recently because of her very cool jewellery line, "Low Luv" (you can buy it through ShopBop) and also because she is the current face of French label, Zadig & Voltaire. And I LOVE everything about Zadig & Voltaire.

She has a very laid-back rock chick feel about her when she is off-duty. And she always seems to wear very cool shoes. And while the outfits might not quite look the same on me, the shoes should still work, right?

5. Alice Glass

Source: www.favim.com

Source: www.favim.com

Source: www.bestfan.com

Alice Glass is one half of crazy electronic outfit, Crystal Castles. And she is fricking cool.

I adore her short, dark bob and she always has the best eyeliner going on. It would look stupid on anyone with less than perfect features, but luckily this isn't a problem for Alice. She is ridiculously gorgeous.

I also love the crazy tights and Converse combination that she seems to favour. It is a combo that I love to rock myself, but it never looks quite as cute on me as it does on her. 

Oh, and her music is really cool too.

Damn her!!!!

Too cold to be cute

So I am back from my holidays you guys! Three weeks of hanging out in Chicago, NYC and New Orleans. It was pretty sweet.

While it didn't snow while we were over there (no white Christmas for me - boo!), it sure as freak felt cold to me. And even though I had put lots of thought into what I was going to pack (as detailed in my previous post), once I got there I realised just how cold it actually was. I found it incredibly hard to look cute each day and was far more concerned in adding as many layers as possible so as not to freeze my butt off (even though it was a apparently a "mild" winter - pfft! Whatever!).

I have no idea how the natives do it. Some of them seem to be entirely impervious to the cold. Or perhaps it was just that their leather pants are so tight that their legs have lost all feeling.

I also noticed that there were an alarming number of fashionistas relying on real fur - be it coats, collars, scarves or fur-lined boots - to keep them all toasty and warm. It was gross. And now that fur isn't just reserved for luxury brands and now is often incorporated into the winter clothes sold by budget brands, a lot of these girls just looked like they had slaughtered their pet labradoodle and stitched it to their lapels. Ew.

Anyway, I had planned on maybe taking photos of my winter outfits and put them up here and blogging about them. But given that I only took one heavy coat and wore black leggings or jeans every day, I looked pretty much the same every day. So this kind of sums it up:

Impressive, no? (And the scarf is faux fur - natch.)

Probably my most awesome outfit (in my view anyway) was my Christmas day get-up which involved a cute little Christmas jumper (which you could never wear in Australia at Christmas cos it is just too damn hot!) and a furry Santa hat:

Yay!!!

Also, one thing I was able to do very successfully while I was in the US was to shop. I shopped like a crazy person and the cold did not slow me down. Hopefully, my spending frenzy was able to stimulate the US economy a little. I like to feel like I am helping out a little when visiting less-fortunate countries.

So, given that I wasn't able to show much of what I wore while on holiday, what I have decided to do is post a few of the new outfits that I wear throughout the next week or so. And I have bought so many pretty things - I just can't wait to share them all with y'all!

Also, I will need something to cheer me up as I come to grips with being back under the evil, unflattering fluorescent lighting of the office.

Oh yay.