SICKA THAN AVERAGE

Cameron Diaz Sparkles In Oscar De La Renta At 2010 Oscars

Image courtesy of Just Jared

With her fun-loving sense of style, Cameron Diaz rarely misses a beat on the red carpet — and last night was no exception. You could practically hear a collective gasp as Diaz sauntered down the red carpet at the 82nd Annual Academy Awards wearing a strapless Oscar De La Renta gown in a muted greige (grayish beige hue) featuring encrusted golden beads and sequins throughout the bodice and the layered, floor-length skirt. I love the optical effect created by the distribution of embellishments along the dress. Notice how most of the chunkier beads are arranged along the fitted bodice and how, as our gaze moves downward, these seem to disperse and we start seeing more small, disc-shaped pailletes — which, in turn, blend in with the fabric's natural sheen and yet sparkle delightfully as the light captures the skirt in motion. This is a perfect example of how to take a simple, age-old silhouette and turn it into something spectacular.

With all that sparkle, Diaz needed to shy away from big, bold, statement-making jewelry, and so she instead went for a more classic look with white gold hoop earrings and  rings from Cartier.

Diaz not only chose the right dress, but she also complemented the piece perfectly with her choice of hair style and makeup. Like many of her fellow stars, she wore her hair parted to one side, with soft, romantic waves caressing her shoulder and adding a playful youthfulness to the overall look. She also opted for a very minimal makeup look, but added a pop of color with her sultry red pout, a nod to old Hollywood glamour.

Talk about getting your shine on!

Sandra Bullock A Silver Screen Vision In Marchesa On Her Golden Night

Images courtesy of Just Jared

As predicted by most avid film buffs (and by the general public), the lovely Sandra Bullock won one of the top honors at the 82nd Annual Academy Awards, winning the Best Actress statue for her performance in The Blind Side. In her speech, one of the most genuine and moving of the evening, she raved about the talent of her fellow nominees (and made a quirky joke about Meryl Strep being her lover, which added some humor to the emotionally-charged moment) and, on a more serious note, thanked all the mothers out there who took care of children "no matter where they came from." Not only was I thrilled that Bullock won, but I was overjoyed that she had chosen such a gorgeous number for the evening — after all, this moment will not only be indelible in her own memory banks, but will be recorded in the annals of film history for generations to come.

I'll admit I was a bit scared to see what Bullock would wear on the red carpet given her fashion missteps at the SAG Awards an the Golden Globes, but there was no need for concern. Her gown wasn't just a pretty number -- it was astounding and easily one of the evening's best looks. Bullock wore a silver beaded Marchesa column gown with an embroidered illusion lace bodice. Not only was the dress meticulously crafted, but the silhouette is classic and elegant — from the small, mermaid-like train that flows off of Bullock's body like liquid metal to the way the lace embroidery saunters across her waist and down one hip in a slant that slims the silhouette. The dainty cap sleeves and the rounded neckline also add a coquettish vibe to the design. Paired with a simple pair of diamond earrings and a jeweled clutch, this Marchesa gown is worthy of its own award.

Jennifer Lopez Is White Hot At The 2010 Oscars

Images courtesy of Just Jared

Only someone with as much taste and confidence as Jennifer Lopez can roll up on a red carpet and, at age 40 with two children under her belt, outshine all the childless twenty-somethings in sight. This is what Hollywood glamour is made of, my friends! Her luminous white Giorgio Armani Privé gown accentuates her famously curvaceous figure, and how the sheen and mother of pearl color accentuate her sunkissed skin and dewy complexion. From a design standpoint, I love the simplicity of the details (the curved fold along the top of the strapless bodice and cascading fabric along the side of the floor-length skirt) the which manage to speak volumes without relying on any gimmicks. Notice how the edges of the dress are always rounded, which adds to the femininity and the soft, ethereal quality of the overall design.And of course, with such a vision of a gown, it was necessary to keep the accessories and jewelry fairly simple, so La Lopez opted for domed button earrings and her blinged-out wedding band.

Makeup artist Matthew Vanleeuwen, working for NARS Cosmetics, created the soft, dewy makeup that took Jennifer Lopez's look to heavenly heights. To make her complexion radiant, Vanleeuwen used the NARS Orgasm Illuminator, the Enchanted Cream Blush (a new release for Summer 2010), and the Desire Blush (a coquettish pink), keeping the cheekbones high and using the Enchanted Cream Blush mainly as a a highlighter along that area. On Lopez's lids, he applied the Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base (also a new release for Summer 2010), as well as the Brousse Duo Eyeshadow (a sable brown and blackened violet combination) and D. Gorgeous Single Eyeshadow (a pale lilac hue), and he finished the eye look off with a few coats of Larger Than Life Volumizing Mascara. For a soft pretty pout, he applied NARS Cruising Lipstick (a semi-matte nude pink shade) and the Sweet Dreams Lip Gloss (a sheer pink with a golden shimmer).

Talk about a sweet dream of a look!

 

Curioser and Curioser "Alice In Wonderland" Beauty and Style

With only two days remaining until the opening of Tim Burton's big screen adaptation of Lewis Carroll's classic Alice's Adventures in Wonderland tale, everyone isn't just ready to fall down the rabbit hole — they're itching to jump in it! If you've got white rabbits, hungry caterpillars, and mad hatters on the brain, you'll appreciate these pieces, which give a nod to these beloved characters and their loopy world. From necklaces and nail lacquers produced in a limited-run to coincide with the film's release to beauty goodies that will remind you of these iconic characters, here's a peek through our very own looking glass.

Tom Binns for Disney Couture Alice in Wonderland Necklace, $1000. Available at select Macy's stores.

Kudos to Disney Couture for enlisting designer Tom Binns to designs its bold, statement-making collection of Alice in Wonderland-themed jewelry. Binns' punk-meets-couture aesthetic, combined with the vivid colors and the breadth of imagery found in the classic tale, make for a blissful style marriage. The pieces range from $50 to $1,000 and are available at various retailers (depending on the style in question). The necklace pictured above, with its bulbous, candy apple-red heart charms, interwoven gunmetal-colored chain strands, and safety pin accents, makes me  feel like playing croquet and shouting "Off with her head!" in  a silly cartoon voice.

OPI Alice in Wonderland Nail Lacquers, $6.75 each or $9.35 for Mini Nail Lacquer Pack. Available at Amazon.com

Nail polish fiends have been swooning over this limited-edition collection by O.P.I, which features four storybook-read shades (all with very clever, pun-based names): Off With Her Head, a creamy red pepper color that has a hint of orange; Mad As Hatter, a multi-colored glitter polish with silver, purple, and green tones; Absolutely Alice, an ultra glittery, cobalt blue blue shade; and Thanks So Muchness!, a raspberry sorbet red with a metallic finish.

Junk Food "Alice in Wonderland Teacup" T-Shirt, $36. Visit TeeShirtsRock.com

We all know how much Alice enjoyed that tea party! Celebrate one of the film's classic scenes with this heather gray Junk Food t-shirt, which features an image of Alice dipping some tea and holding a saucer while wearing her classic ensemble: a baby blue, puff-sleeved dress with rounded white lapels and a white white apron detail.

NYX Cosmetics Glitter Mania Jumbo Pencil, $3 each. Visit NonPareilBoutique.com

Whether it's captured an animated Disney movie or a goth-flavored Tim Burton extravaganza, there's no denying that Wonderland is a magical yet psychotropic universe, with colors so bright and objects so sharp that they practically perform a sensory attack on the beholder (and yet one that you actually enjoy!). Add a bit of that hallucinogenic, otherworldly feel with NYX's Glitter Mania Jumbo Pencils, which are available in a bevy of colors including: Euphoria, a peachy pink; Kiwi, a lime green with an iridescent acid yellow tint; Chakra, an '80s-esque hot pink; and Peridot, a deep emerald green. Unlike loose glitters, these allow for mess-free, precise application, which makes them all the more lovable.

Here are some swatches of the following shades (from top to bottom): Euphoria, Chakra, Kiwi, and Peridot.

 

Urban Decay Alice in Wonderland Book of Shadows, $50. Available at select Sephora locations. Visit UrbanDecay.com so you'll be notified when a new shipment arrives!

Urban Decay's latest masterpiece has been selling out faster than Jay-Z concert tickets. In fact, the first bath of Alice in Wonderland Book of Shadows palettes sold out in a matter of hours! Fortunately, Urban Decay has been rolling out more shipments so eager fans can still get a hold of this one-of-a-kind collection (just make sure to visit the Urban Decay site listed above and leave your e-mail addy, so they can contact you as soon as they have some in stock). The AIW Book of Shadows features 16 eye shadows that feature more of a goth Victorian edge, in keeping with Burton's interpretation of Carroll's world. Plus, the box itself is a wonderful keepsake as it features artwork designed by Burton himself — we're talking illustrations all along the mirror and, best of all, pop-up art along the inner fold, with towering giant mushrooms and Alice's dainty figure all sprouting up in 3D grandeur.

The shades offered are: Underland, a blackened eggplant purple; Alice, a cobalt blue similar to UD's Jinx shade; Oraculum, which has a coppery bronze Half Baked-ish feel; Queen, a red-violet shade (it resembles the "Fishnet" shade, but it's deeper and has more deep raspberry tones mixed in); Chessur, a copper-meets-rose-gold hue; White Rabbit, a snowy white with a greenish undertone; Wonderland, a light, tarnished bronze hue with acid green tones; Curioser, a lilac color that resembles UD's Ecstasy shade; Muchness, a punchy peachy color; Mushroom, an earthy black-brown with purple undertones; Midnight Tea Party, a pale antique gold hue that resembles Midnight Cowboy Rides Agai ; Vorpal, a deep steely color, similar to their Gunmetal shade; Absolem, a dark forest green; Drink Me, Eat Me, a pink shade with antique rose tones; Mad Hatter, a shimmering dirt brown color; and Jabberwocky, a deep asphalt black similar to the line's Perversion shade.  The set also includes a trave-sized tube of Urban Decay's best-selling Eyeshadow Primer Potion, and two 24/7 Eye Pencils Glide-On Eye Pencils in Flipside (a deep turquoise) and Zero (a deep black hue).

NARS Roman Holiday Velvet Matte Lip Pencil, $24. Visit Sephora.com

Want your lips to exude that girlish innocence and playful spirit we associate with Alice? Then check out NARS' Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Roman Holiday, a carnation pink hue that's sophisticated but fresh and youthful.

Here's what the shade looks like on the skin:

TOUS Mirror Earrings, $199. Visit Tous.com

Part of TOUS' Mirror collection, these burnished sterling silver drop earrings have that vintage quality that reminds you of the White Rabbit's beloved pocket watch in the animated Disney version of Alice in Wonderland. And that bow detail on the top? It screams Alice!

Milani Runway Eyes Fashion Shadows in Beauty in Blues, $7.99. Available at mass food and drug retailers. Visit Walgreens.com

As soon as you hear the name "Alice," you're likely to picture her sweet baby blue blouse dress, with its puffed sleeves and full, flirty skirt, and maybe even the slightly darker blue ribbon she wore around her golden locks and tied into a precious ribbon. This new Milani eyeshadow palette, with its gradient range of blues, would make little Alice's eyes sparkle with curiosity and delight.

Here's what the shades look like on the skin, starting with the deepest shade (pictured at top) and working towards the lightest shade (pictured at bottom):

Tom Binns for Disney Couture Alice in Wonderland Tea Party Charm Chandelier Earrings, $60. Visit Bloomingdales.com

Here's a perfect example of a more affordable design from the Tom Binns for Disney Couture Alice in Wonderland collection. These chandelier earrings feature goldtone metal chain strands of varying lengths with a cupcake charm at the very top. Yummy, right?

The Extras Glitter Bow Barrette, $8. Visit Karmaloop.com

No Alice in Wonderland ensemble would be complete without the requisite hair bow. This glitter bow barrette gives Alice's choice accessory a funky twist. Sure, it's pink instead of Alice's Blue, and it has a bit of a disco vibe to it, but Wonderland has always been a place that welcomes new interpretations, right?

Alice Charmed Link Bib Necklace, $15. Visit ShoptheLook.net

This silver-toned metal bib necklace, with its slightly interlocking loops and its whimsical rabbit, heart, and "A" charms, fuses together whimsical Wonderland motifs with a more hard-edged medieval armor-esque attitude.

Black Opal Dual Lip Gloss in Screen Gems, $5.99. Available at mass chain food and drug retailers.

This dual-ended lip gloss from Black Opal conjures up images of the Cheshire Cat's groovy striped fur. One end features a deep Tyrian purple, like the color favored by Byzantine emperors, while the other end features a psychedelic magenta-violet shade. Both hues pack plenty of shimmer, giving them this cool, holographic effect.

Check out this swatch:

 

Sephora by OPI "It's Bouquet With Me" Nail Lacquer, $9. Visit Sephora.com

Part of the new Sephora by O.P.I "Modern Flowers" collection of nail lacquers, It's Bouquet With Me features the type of purple Ziggy Stardust-inspired and confetti-like effect that would make the Cheshire Cat smile. The shade consists of a clear base with a violet tinge, and tons of purple and lilac glitter atop it. What's interesting about this nail lacquer is that the glitter is deposited on the nail very gradually, so you can have it be as Studio 54-ready as you want. The picture below shows what the color looks like after 4 coats (and I easily could've kept on layering more on top, as it was nowhere near thick or clumpy).

Tom Binns for Disney Couture Keyhole Ring, $49.95. Visit DisneyStore.com

This adjustable keyhole-shaped ring will pique anybody's curiosity, especially since it lets us in on a shadowy, gloomy landscape with luscious blush pink roses adding a hint of color to the scenery.

Junk Food Alice Chases the White Rabbit T-shirt, $25.95. Visit MyTeeSpot.com

I love how the illustration on this Junk Food T-shirt has a slightly surreal feel to it, with the lines being a bit blurred and there being a pink halo surrounding Alice's figure.

Alice in Wonderland Card Suite Bangle, $12. Visit ShoptheLook.net

To coincide with the blockbuster's release, costume jewelry site Shop The Look unveiled a small collection of affordable pieces inspired by the film without referencing specific characters in an overt manner. This particular bangle, for example, features black spades, red clovers, red hearts, and other playing card suits which, while in keeping with the Queen of Hearts' kingdom, also transcend it.

 

Uniqlo x Disney Alice in Wonderland Tunic, $15.50. Available at Uniqlo stores.

This soft purple tee, with its empire waistline cut and slightly puffed sleeves, suggests a girlish innocence, while the printed illustration pays homage to some of the most beloved AIW characters: from the Cheshire Cat to the White Rabbit and Tweedledee and Tweedledum.

 

NYX Cosmetics Single Eyeshadows in Morocco, White Pearl, and Maui, $5 each. Visit NYXCosmetics.com

By now, you know I love me some NYX Cosmetics -- their makeup is extremely affordable, the textures are silky, and the colors are potent and diverse. Check out these three shades, which capture the Alice in Wonderland spirit perfectly: from the shimmering, sinister purple of the Morocco shade, to the pearlescent ivory of White Pearl and the teal-infused, tropical-flavored Maui.

Check out swatches of (from top to bottom) Morocco, White Pearl, and Maui:

Tom Binns for Disney Couture Alice in Wonderland Red Queen Earrings, $100. Available at select Macy's stores and at Karmaloop.com

If the bib necklace pictures at top feels a bit too daring or over-the-top for your taste, then I'd suggest checking out the Red Queen earrings, which feature the same materials but are worked into an edgy yet slightly more subdued design.

Robindira Unsworth Looking Glass Disc Pendant, $225. Visit Robindira.com

Forget "mirror, mirror on the wall" -- it's all about the looking glass right now. This Robindira Unsworth 1/4-inch brushed sterling silver disc pendant features a slightly domed shape and a pearly finish, and it's framed with 22k gold vermeil around the disc's periphery.

Tom Binns for Disney Alice in Wonderland Queen Necklace, $200. Available at Karmaloop.com

The staggered metal chain strands and bulbous black heart pendant give this necklace a cascading effect, like the hearts are trickling down in a fluid motion. Picture wearing this with a simple black dress -- you'll be a heart-wearing heartbreaker!

 

May The Force Be With You -- Adidas Originals' Star Wars Collection

 

I'll admit: I'm not one of those people who can recite every memorable quote from the original Star Wars trilogy. Granted, the first Star Wars flick came out before I was even born, and I was only a year old when The Empire Strikes Back hit movie theaters. Still, we watched the original Star Wars trilogy enough times for me to develop a fondness for the characters and their galactic dealings. Like most '80s babies, I tried to rock the Princess Leia 'do (the braided, coiled buns covering each ear like oversize earmuffs), a style I would never even think about toying with now — well, unless I was trying to avoid jury duty Liz Lemon style (by pretending to be a loony, Princess Leia wannabe). My dad, meanwhile, suffered through many a Chewbacca joke (he's uncannily hairy, which made him an easy mark for all of us wiseass types). Like any family coming up in the '80s, then, we were heavily influenced by the Star Wars phenomenon. And while the Star Wars prequels (starring Natalie Portman, Hayden Christensen and Sam Jackson) also created a frenzy, I could never quite muster the same type of enthusiasm for those films. For me, there was nothing like the original three.

So, like any George Lucas devotee, I was pretty excited to hear Adidas Originals was launching a new Star Wars-themed collection of apparel and footwear. Sure, I wasn't polishing my fake light saber or reaching for some C-3PO-shaped Pez dispenser, but I did smile sheepishly over the news. Unfortunately for my petite self, the collection consists mainly of men's sneakers and clothes, so there's nothing that would fit my small feet (or my frame, for that matter). But if you're a fellow sneakerhead, and you have large enough feet to rock men's sneakers, consider adding some of these kicks to your collection.

My absolute favorite kicks in the collection are the Adidas Originals Star Wars Famous Scenes Micropacers, pictured second from top, which features silver uppers that shimmer in the light for an outer space feel. The left sneaker features an image of Chewbacca along the toebox, while the right features Han Solo standing in front of Obi-Wan Kenobi along the toebox. Along the side panel of the left sneaker, you'll spot an image of the iconic light saber fight between Darth Vader and Obi-Wan. The outsole, meanwhile, features blue, white, and red strips of color arranged to look like light saber beams. These kicks are available in women's sizes (check out FlightClubNY.com), so that's the icing on my Millenium Falcon cupcake. The Micropacer kicks are, of course, the most limited release out of the bunch, so cop them now before they vanish to a galaxy far, far away.

Adidas Originals Star Wars Superstar Darth Vader Track Top, $100; Adidas Originals Star Wars Micropacer Famous Scenes Sneakers, $200; Adidas Originals Storm Trooper Superskate Mid Sneakers, $100; and Adidas Originals ZX 8000 Darth Vader Sneakers, $150. Available at Adidas Originals stores and at ShopAdidas.com
 

Bring On The Funk With Miss Wit's Zaire 74 Vintage Tees

If you're a digging-in-the-crates, respect-your-elders, do-your-research music lover, then you've probably heard of the Zaire '74 Festival, during which some of the era's most accomplished and renowned soul, salsa, blues, funk, and Afro-pop musicians performed alongside the hottest acts in Africa, staging a dynamic three-day concert in Kinshasa, Zaire. James Brown, Celia Cruz, Bill Withers, and B.B. King were among those headlining the event. To many, the concert was profoundly symbolic — it demonstrated how music can bring about unity within the entire African diaspora, and it stood as black music's answer to Woodstock. The mythology surrounding the 'Zaire 74 festival has lived on for over 35 years and, next month, documentary filmmaker Jeffrey Levy-Hint will be sharing the magic with audiences through the DVD release of his documentary, Soul Power, which incorporates archival footage from the historic event.

Just weeks before the DVD release of Soul Power (which ships on February 6th), Miss Wit has unveiled her unique line of film-centered apparel, which features the original, official "Zaire '74" artwork created exclusively for the festival. In fact, when you check out the Soul Power documentary, you're bound to see performers and band member sporting T-shirts emblazoned with the 'Zaire 74 design. I love the vintage t-shirt pictured above, which features the classic Zaire '74 artwork along the front and the Soul Power logo along the back. The tee fabric was treated to give it a weathered, vintage look, with distressed details along the seams. An organic cotton version, manufactured using wind-powered energy sources, is also available, along with an embroidered cap, and value packages including a shirt and the Soul Power DVD itself.

Let your soul glow, chicas!

Miss Wit's Zaire '74 Soul Power The Vintage Tee, $38. Visit MissWit.net

Zoe Saldana And Rose Byrne Go For Soft, Wavy Hair At The 2010 Golden Globes

 

One of the most prominent hair trends at this year's Golden Globe Awards was soft, romantic, slightly messy waves. Both Avatar star Zoe Saldana and Damages co-star Rose Byrne opted for similar 'dos, parting their hair to the side and donning soft, natural-looking waves. It was also a look favored by Emily Blunt (whose look I broke down for you yesterday), Fergie, and Penelope Cruz, among other stars. I was fascinated as I watched these looks on the red carpet — particularly since these romantic, ultra feminine hairstyles were also prevalent in some of the Spring/Summer 2010 runway shows in New York City (the Alice + Olivia SS10 show, for example, comes to mind). I predict we'll be seeing way more of this look as spring comes into bloom.

So how to get these looks? Let's start with Zoe Saldana. Celebrity stylist Mara Roszak tended to the Dominican damsel's hair. To get the look, Roszak suggests applying TRESemme 24 Hour Body Foaming Mousse to damp hair, then parting it to the side and blowdrying it with a round brush. Next, she suggests spraying a soft hold hairspray, like TRESemme's 24 Hour Body Finishing Spray, all over the head and curling the hair using a 1" barrel curling iron, working diligently through 1" sections. Once each section has been curled, Roszak suggests pinning the twisted sections to the scalp. Next, let the pin curls set for 10 minutes and brush the hair gently to maintain but soften the shape. Next, apply a tad of TRESemme Anti-Frizz Secret Smoothing Creme to tame fly-aways and keep frizz at bay. Lastly, tuck the hair on one side (the side where the part is located) behind the ear and mist some TRESemme Frizz Shield Finishing Spray all over the head. Voila! It's Pandora-worthy perfection.

Next, let's talk about Miss Rose Byrne. I gotta say I really wanted to direct Rose Byrne to the nearest bread factory since she looked downright emaciated at the awards show (Zoe looked uncannily thin, too, but she's always been rail thin so I was less concerned with her itty bitty figure than I was with Rose's rapidly disappearing body). But while I thought she was too skinny to really fill out her dress, I did appreciate the gentle allure of her hairstyle. I love how the hair at the top of the head is straight and how it then starts undulating and forming soft waves right around eye level. It's such a romantic look! 

As previously reported, it was John Frieda's International Creative Consultant, Harry Josh, who worked on Rose's hair for the evening. To achieve this look, Josh began by applying John Frieda's Luxurious Volume Bountiful Body Mousse to Rose's wet, sectioned hair. He then blowdryed the hair using a round brush. Next, he curled her hair with a small curling iron, making sure to point the styling tool down. After curling each section of hair, he brushed the hair softly, creating the desired wavy look. He finished off the look by spraying John Frieda's Luxurious Volume All Out Hold Hairspray on Rose's head to give her style the lift and hold to make it through the evening. 

So there you have it! Keep an eye out for this look —me thinks it'll be one of the dominant hair trends of the upcoming season!

Golden Globe Awards 2010 — Red Carpet Hits

The Golden Globe Awards were full of surprises -- some great, some not. On the fashion front, there were serious offenses, such as Golden Globe winner Julianna Marguiles' hideous dress, which included a wine-colored bodice featuring an asymmetrical cut-out for a Judy-Jetson-does-Dancing-With-The-Stars effect. Yuck. And the ladies of Mad Men went seriously, well, mad, donning an array of fugly, ruffled, teal and peach gowns that looked like something out of a bad quinceañera party. But it wasn't all eye sores and missteps. There were also some gorgeous gowns — from Halle Berry's form-fitting black dress, which accentuated every curve of her statuesque body, to Marion Cotillard's stunning emerald green gown, which featured an up-to-there slit. As usual, bold style maven Chloe Sevigny (who won for her role as Nicolette Grant in HBO's Big Love) upped the drama with a taupe-colored strapless gown featuring tiers of ruffles along the sides of the body and the bust line. It was the type of dress most women could never pull off — but that daring approach to dress is exactly what has made Sevigny a fashion darling. As far as accessories, I was drooling over Courteney Cox's teardrop-shaped earrings, which added the right amount of edge to her simple black gown.

On the beauty front, Marion Cotillard was again among my favorites, with her fresh, dewy complexion and the touch of green shadow on her eyes. Christina Aguilera was also a pleasant surprise, sporting an adorable, face-framing bob that looked demure and sophisticated.

Here's a look at some of the night's highlights:

Photo via Celebrity-Gossip.net

Unlike in previous years, where she's opted for gowns with intricately beaded bodices and full skirts (like her many Elie Saab numbers), this year Halle Berry kept it simple — and scored a homerun while doing so. As soon as she hit the red carpet, jaws dropped. I love the dainty cap sleeves, the slightly mermaid-like skirt, and the plunging neckline, which is incredibly sexy without being trashy (like Mariah Carey's dress, which left zero to the imagination). It's simple, chic, and shows off Halle's figure — which, as you can see, is at its peak.

Photo courtesy of JustJared.com

Motherhood seems to agree with Christina Aguilera. The days of midriff-baring tops, nose rings, purple-streaked hair, and chaps are a thing of the past, as Xtina has transformed into an elegant, poised performer and yet she's still managed to maintain a bit of her edge. This peach-colored Versace gown strikes the perfect balance between pretty and futuristic with a metallic-trimmed bodice featuring peach leather inserts and a flirtatious chiffon skirt. And can we talk about how perfect that bob is for Christina? Loving it!

Image courtesy of JustJared.com

Nine star Marion Cotillard sparkled like a gem in this asymmetrical, emerald green dress by Christian Dior. From the luminosity of the stin fabric to the architectural, sculptural nature of the black piping along the bodice, the Grecian-inspired asymmetrical neckline, and the sky-rocketing slit, this is my idea of a show-stopping gown. I was also taken away by her makeup — from the dewiness of her complexion to the sultry cat eyes, which feature just a hint of emerald green. This was easily my favorite head-to-toe look of the evening.

Image courtesy of JustJared.com

As an avid Big Love viewer (don't ask me why I'm obsessed with a show about polygamy set in Utah because I just won't be able to answer that! lol), I was happy when Chloe Sevigny won an award for her role as the scheming Nicolette Grant. And, as a fellow New Yorker, I chuckled a bit when she barked at the guy who ripped her dress after she made her way on stage to accept her award (yes, we really do have that much attitude). But most of all, I loved how Sevigny waltzed down the red carpet in one of the evening's most audacious gown — a taupe-ish lilac Valentino gown with cascading ruffles outlining the sides of her body. Sure, it's a rather voluminous gown (and I'm sure it will be a controversial one among fashion mavens), but I thought she made it look like a dream, like she was floating on air.

Image courtesy of JustJared.com

I wasn't particularly amazed by Courteney Cox's dress — it was a simple, strapless black gown with a jeweled waistline — but I did do a double-take (and a triple take) when I saw her teardrop-shaped Ofira Schwartz black sapphire earrings. There were quite a few teardrop-shaped earrings throughout the evening, but these were the ones that made my heart skip a bit faster.

Kate Hudson Rocks Alexandre Birman At The "Nine" Premiere

I've always been fond of Kate Hudon's red carpet style. I remember gasping over the sparkling Atelier Versace dress she wore to the 2002 Golden Globe Awards: a long-sleeved gown with a plunging neckline that rivaled the one on the sheer green Versace dress J.Lo wore to the 2000 Grammy Awards. The next year, she impressed me again with the haute hippie strapless Valentino dress she wore to the Golden Globes. Granted, she's had her fair share of fashion misses, but that's because she loves fashion enough to take risks — and, well, that's the price of any gamble. Needless to say, I was curious to see what she'd be wearing to the NYC and LA premieres of Nine, the film adaptation of the Tony-winning musical of the same name, which stars Hudson alongside Daniel-Day Lewis, Penelope Cruz, Marion Cotillard, and Nicole Kidman.
And, at the NYC premiere, Goldie's little girl did not disappoint — showing off her stems in a long-sleeved, shimmering, beaded Chanel minidress, which she paired with a black-and-white diamond Chopard ring, Steven Russe earrings, and the black Alexandre Birman peeptoe pumps pictured above.

The exotic reptile heels feature a peep toe and a small platform with white snakeskin piping for a chic but understated look that manages to complement Hudson's ensemble without overdoing it — after all, when you're wearing such an intricate dress and one with such a dramatic twist (such as the long train), your shoes need to remain fairly simple or else you risk forcing a look that's entirely too busy and distracting. These classic Alexandre Birman shoes are extremely versatile — not to mention the perfect black heels for any LBD.

Lucky Kate got her hands on these early, as they're a part of Birman's pre-fall 2010 collection. Don't shoot the messenger, ladies — it's just one of those perks that comes with celebrity status. But not to worry — I'll keep you in the loop about these beauties, so you know when you, too, can get your hands on them and dress to the "nines."

Pop In These DVDs And Enjoy The Holidays!

Merry Christmas, my lovely STA readers! I know many of you are laying low today, enjoying some time with your loved ones (and maybe even rejoicing over whatever trinkets were in your stocking). If you feel like getting a DVD to watch, consider these great options — and happy holidays!

Public Enemies (Two-Disc Special Edition DVD), $21.49. Buy at Amazon.com

One of the year's greatest films (yes, I place it above Star Trek, Transformers 2, and all the other blockbuster sci-fi/action flicks), Public Enemies is an action-packed, thrilling ride and a semi-biopic (though it's not billed as such, many of the scenes were based on real-life footage). Johnny Depp delivers yet another brilliant performance as John Dillinger, the notorious bank robber who wrought havoc on the Chicago area in the years following the Great Depression. Directed by Michael Mann, the film includes some of Dillinger's most famous jobs (and even the jail breakouts he masterminded), but it goes beyond gun-slinging to capture the feel of that era.

Dillinger targeted the financial and governmental institutions that had brought on the most dire of financial conditions, with people across America losing their homes, their land, their jobs, and all their belongings as a result of the bank system's collapse. At a time when there was so much anger towards these institutions, then, Dillinger was seen as a hero of sorts — sure, he wasn't leading an uprising, but he was raising a giant middle finger to the system that had failed America's middle, working, and lower classes. During his bank-robbing sprees, he was aid to have told the customers inside the banks to put their money away, as he sought only the banks' money. The average person, then, didn't see him as any sort of villain — if anything, they cheered him on. Plus, Dillinger possessed a charisma and a charm that made him positively endearing. 

Michael Mann does a superb job, studying archival footage of John Dillinger (during press conferences after his capture and such), studying news articles from the era, and even shooting on location at the jail where Dillinger was held (even inside the cell where Dillinger had been locked up). Each of the film's players, particularly Christian Bale (who stars as the FBI agent who leads the Dillinger task force) and Marion Cotillard (who plays Dillinger's girlfriend Billie Frechette) seemed equally invested in accurately capturing the personality traits, the mannerisms, and the overall feel of their characters. And the showdown between the FBI agents and Dillinger's crew? Well, that alone is reason to watch.

Extract DVD, $17.99. Available at Amazon.com

Many critics have labeled this workplace comedy a return to the type of wry, clever humor that made director Mike Judge's Office Space a cult classic,  focusing on the banality of the workplace and the redundancy of our home/life routines — themes that prove relatable to almost any viewer. Jason Bateman plays Joel, a relatively affluent man who owns an extract company that fares well and is being courted by General Mills. It's a boring and uninspiring job, but hey, it pays the bills. His marriage is even more unremarkable since his wife seems to never be in the mood for any type of lovemaking Disgruntled and confused, he confides in his druggie, slacker, bartender best friend (played by Ben Affleck with surprising charm), who doles out some positively ludicrous advice.Things get even more complicated when a freak workplace accident threatens the company's financial buoyancy, and a sexy new temp (played by Mila Kunis) shows up at the extract plant and tempts Joel into considering an affair.

While it doesn't contain as many quotable moments as Office Space, Extract does hit some high notes, mainly thanks to Jason Bateman, who deftly captures the malaise of the average working stiff. 

Weeds Season Four DVD, $29.99. Available at Amazon.com

At the end of Season 3, our favorite pot-dealing suburban mom was forced to leave her old nabe, after the goons she hired for "protection" from a biker gang set fire to not only the bikers' pad, but the entire neighborhood. At the start of Season 4, then, Nancy Botwin (Mary-Louise Parker) is uprooting her family (older son Silas, younger son Shane, and brother-in-law Andy) and finally decides to head for her father-in-law's home, which is situated right by the border between California and Mexico). Once there, Nancy starts to work on a plan, teaming up with Guillermo (the same man who was responsible for torching her old nabe) and asking for a piece of the action. She soon becomes their designated smuggler (but she's bringing in more than pot, folks!) — and, after she earns Guillermo's trust, he sets her up to operate a maternity store (which is, of course, a complete front).

As Nancy starts to learn more about Guillermo and who his associates are, she realizes she's now part of an elaborate criminal network that literally stretches all the way to the top tiers of government in Mexico. Impetuous and impulsive, she starts asking too many questions, makes some very questionable decisions, and manages to incur the wrath of both her criminal association and the authorities.

Though entertaining, Season 4's plot lines prove rather outlandish and far-fetched, and we end up longing for the good old days when Nancy was setting up grow houses with Connor. Also, Nancy's personality and demeanor change this season, as the writers try to transform her into more of a badass, fearless female — and instead, wind up making her a caricature of her earlier self and one whose intentions and motivations we have a much harder time understanding.