Choose Happiness

1) This awesome transparent clutch DIY on honestlyWTF.

2) The Wisdom of Kevin Gnapoor

3) Karl Lagerfeld steepin' in your tea. Via Donkey.

4) THESE SHOES ZOMG ZOMG ZOMG

5) Javier Bardem:

No Country for Old Men,

Penelope Cruz's baby daddy,

spanish accent.

6) The magnificent fact that the sun rises every morning,

bringing light back into the world once again

7) Fancy dinners with a handsome blonde boy.

What's been awesome about YOUR week?

-B & C

Style Necessities: Neutral Pumps

I'm a shoe fiend. It's genetic. Crazy patterns, badass sneakers, boots, I love finding a unique pair and knowing I'll feel sassy rockin' them. Recently, though, I've begun to appreciate a closet "staple" for the footsies other than my blown-out black flats:

Neutral Pumps. You guys, I seriously believe that everyone needs to have a pair. They're classy, endlessly versatile and the best part is, "neutral" includes any and all shades that might compliment your skin tone. Another huge plus is that by wearing a "skin tone" heel, they'll elongate your legs. They will look miles long. Fo realz.

(Keepin' it classy, sophisticated, and stylish. Thrifted Target bow-tie blouse, Michael Kors skirt ($6 at The Rack, seriously), thrifted belt, dusty pink stacked heel pumps)

Por ejemplo:

Steve Madden "Beestow"- $59.96

Madden Girl "Halliee"- $49.95

Jessica Simpson- $68.95

F21 Classic Medium Heels- $20.80

What pair of heels do you find you turn to most often? Do you think you could forgive the neutral pump's secretary stigma and give them a go?

-B

P.S. Best weekend in Seattle. I got off the light rail at Benaroya Hall, grabbed a tasty-ass latte, and smiled all the way down the street. And then I fell asleep on my boyfriend about 20 minutes after our joyous reunion... my flight left at 6 a.m., okay?!?? ^.^

Oscar Jewelry Hall of Fame

It's Oscar Week, and to get the jewelry juices flowing I've collected what I (humbly) think are some of the best Oscar jewelry moments for your gawking pleasure.

As with any list, I'm sure I've missed many of your favorites - so be sure to weigh in with your rants and raves. And no - Bjork's "egg" didn't make the cut.

So...without further ado...


#10 Beyonce

Beyonce was the belle of the ball at the 2005 Oscars in these huge diamond danglers - a trend I think we'll see again on the carpet this year.

#9 Hilary Swank

I really loved the delicacy of Hilary Swank's diamond necklace at the 2000 Oscars - a $250,000 Asprey & Garrard stunner.  This year's Golden Globes copied the sentiment with a bevy of beauties sporting delicate neckwear in lacey silhouettes.

#8 Cher

Any Oscar Top Ten List has to include Cher, right? I'm going with her black Bob Mackie shoulder duster look from 1986 - but there are oh so many others to choose from. Where's the Oscar nod for Burlesque, people?

#7 Nicole Kidman

2011 nominee, Nicole Kidman, has many Oscar triumphs, but I'm going with these yellow gold Indian dream catcher earrings that she paired with that history-making absynthe green Dior dress from 1995. Tom who?

#6 Amy Adams

2009 was a bang-up year for Oscar jewelry, and Amy Adams 'almost' won the night with this gemstone bib necklace from Fred Leighton (see #2 for the night's big jewelry winner).

#5 Michelle Williams

This 19th century diamond necklace from Fred Leighton was the perfect complement to one of my all-time favorite Oscar gowns - the tangerine dream from Vera Wang on Michelle Williams back in 2006. I can't WAIT to see what she'll be wearing this year!

#4 Gwenyth Paltrow

Before she was prancing around with muppets in pink feather dusters, Gwennie made Oscar fashion history in that pale pink Ralph Lauren piece of perfection and a gorgeous 40-carat, $160,000 diamond necklace - given to her by her parents. And the world's G-Pal love/hate relationship was born...


#3 Keira Knightley

Talk about making a statement. This vintage Bulgari collar necklace on Keira Knightley spawned an entire look-alike industry back in 2006. And with good reason, right?

#2 Angelina Jolie

Yeah. Of course. Those emeralds. I couldn't come up with enough adjectives back in 2009 to describe them. They still make my salivary glands go into overdrive.

#1 Elizabeth Taylor

What would we jewelry hounds do without Dame Liz? No one has been able to top her 1970 Oscar jewelry jaw-dropper from Cartier - a 69-carat teardrop rock aptly named the Taylor-Burton diamond that perfectly complemented her dress(!) - an Edith Head creation designed to match her friggin eyes!


Big, deep breath....

Said Ms. Taylor about her little bauble,

"Originally, I wore the diamond as a ring, but even for me it was too big, so we had Cartier design a necklace. I'm still sick that I sold it some years later."

So what will the beautiful people bring us this year? Will Rachel Zoe go bannanas with Anne Hathaway's Oscar style? Will Nicole Kidman bring it or bore us?  Stay tuned...and check back later in the week for my Oscar jewelry predictions!

AWARDS SHOW MANIA: GRAMMYS

HAY so I know the Grammy's were a week ago,

but school has been beating me up.

What I love about the Grammy's is how totally strange everyone dresses.

They aren't trying to look red carpet ready, they are trying to attract attention,

and since Lady Gaga stepped onto the scene, things have been even more Buckwild.

Here we go!

Nicki Minaj

it appears that marie antoinette married frankenstein...

and got cast in the Broadway revival of Cats

Ricki Martin

What else would he wear but metallic silver pants?

Shake your bon bon baby.

Cyndi Lauper

aka Draco Malfoy's hooker grandma

Rihanna

so THIS is how one dresses up for Christmas Barbados...

Hayley Williams

proving once and for all that orange and pink do not go together...

how much does she look like one of Cher's cleaning appliances?

Justin Bieber

(in WHITE VELVET)

looks just like an adolescent Colonol Sanders

I want some chicken.

Katy Perry

going full glitterati mermaid:

in a sparkle bra and a shiny table cloth,

and with wings that make it look like she farted a cloud...

It feels like this was created by a 4 year old

Snooki

a toned down, more elegant version of her hair,

classy makeup,

and a sexy dress that still leaves her covered...

I'm impressed!

not crazy about the silly shoulders,

but I'll take what I can get

Selma Blair

Maybe I just love baby bellys,

but this Lanvin dress is beautiful and looks so comfortable

I'm not quite sure why she was at the Grammy's though...

Florence Welch

This is the most beautiful dress of the night.

Handcrafted Givenchy Haute Couture,

it is stunning and different-

just like Ms. Welch herself.

(click HERE for more information on this incredible couture collection)

Now I know you all wanna know my opinion, so here it is:

I'm so over Lady Gaga. Girl, you bore me.

I'm not even going to post a picture of you.

Its like, whatever you crazy costume doll-

Showing up at the awards show in a Land Before Time status egg,

tryna be all innovative...

Honey, its been done.

For anyone who ever watched Nickelodeon's All That

Li'l Embryo and Li'l Fetus were entertaining in incubation 14 years ago

"Yo yo yo yo EMBRYO!"

You want weird and shocking?

Check out THIS South African Group

I apologize for the delay-

THE OSCARS ARE IN A WEEK!!!!

<3

Claire

Oscar, Opulence and Oodles of Jewelry

Oscar de la Renta, Fall 2011 RTW

I've been hearing a lot of jewelry trend talk throughout New York Fashion Week about a return to 'opulence' for Fall 2011, but I had yet to see it with my own eyes.

Until the Oscar de la Renta show.

Oscar de la Renta, Fall 2011 RTW

FINALLY! Jewelry that isn't afraid of its own shadow.

Long, drop earrings in gemstone hues mixed with shoulder dusters styles that could head straight to the red carpet.

Oscar de la Renta, Fall 2011 RTW

Oscar de la Renta, Fall 2011 RTW

Mr. de la Renta loves himself a brooch, and the season's stand-out silhouette - bows - brought the sentiment to life beautifully for this collection.

Oscar de la Renta, Fall 2011 RTW

And then there's the classic beaded necklace for a little ring around the collar glam.

Oscar de la Renta, Fall 2011 RTW

But Oscar de la Renta isn't the only designer throwing caution and carats to the wind this season. Anna Sui is always game for some fun finger flavor.

Anna Sui, Fall 2011 RTW

Anna Sui, Fall 2011 RTW

Anna Sui, Fall 2011 RTW

Anna Sui, Fall 2011 RTW

And Proenza Shouler and Isaac Mizrahi both chose sculptural statment necklaces in black and white to accessorize their lines.

Proenza Schouler, Fall 2011 RTW

Proenza Schouler, Fall 2011 RTW

Isaac Mizrahi, Fall 2011 RTW

I think I'm having a Dorothy moment. The ho-hum days of prairie-wear and pearl strands from earlier shows have just transformed into a technicolor treasure chest of jewels that would make even Glinda blush.

Sure, there's no place like home. But there are no ruby slippers there either.

Choose Happiness

1) Baby wearing. And breaking down gender stereotypes

2) Handsome, talented musicians paying their respects to a legend.

3) Marine Biology

4) Twi-humor.

5) Fairytale Castles

6) I (Berit) am seeing this boy in less than 48 hours. !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Berit here, and I don't know about you guys but this has been a pretty hectic, shittastic week. So be nice to yourself- paint your nails, eat some chocolate, listen to some Cee-Lo Green, whatever cheers you up. Happy hump day!

Love love love!

-B & C