Golden Globes Fashion

I'm sure everyone's dying to hear the fashion opinions of a blogger who usually writes about cooking fails, but bear with me: Awards shows are my crack.

In a previous life, my goal was to become an entertainment reporter and in preparation, I read Entertainment Weekly like it was the Bible from 1994 to 2009 (I only stopped getting it because someone -- cough, sean -- didn't renew my gift subscription). I've watched the Golden Globes and the Oscars every year since at least 3rd grade, so I have a freakish institutional memory for awards shows. Also, I have a weakness for movie stars, montages, acceptance speeches and lifetime achievement awards.

All of that combined means, you can expect some awards show blather from me. But enough of that babble, onto my fashion picks!

Best Dressed

Emily Blunt, in Dolce & Gabbana, looked ethereal and delicate and pretty. The dress looked like a tutu reinterpreted as a gown and I sighed when I saw it.

I love, love, love how sparkly Anna Paquin's Alexander McQueen gown is, but her teeth always drive me insane, as does her Southern accent on True Blood.

I was so happy to see Maggie Gyllenhaal in a dress (by Roland Mouret) that not only fit, but brightened up her face and made her look elegant. She has a tendency to look dumpy, but not last night.

Penelope Cruz's Armani Prive gown seemed to capture her perfectly: the black lace is a nod to her Spanish heritage and the hair and shape recalled Rita Hayworth in Gilda. Perfect.

My girl crush Marion Cotillard looked gorgeous in a green Christian Dior dress. I loved that color; very subtle, very sexy.

Sandra Bullock looked radiant in this subtly sexy gown by Bottega Venetta. I also love that she thanked her make-up artists!

On the Fence

I just wasn't sure about Drew Barrymore's Atelier Versace gown. I liked the color, I liked the sparkle, and I can even stand the ruffle on the shoulder. But the one on the side...hm. It looked like a sparkly growth.

I dislike Chloe Sevigny on principle, so it's hard for me to support anything she wears. But this Valentino dress had beautiful movement; I just wasn't sure about the ruffles coming from the top on both sides. She looks like a manta ray.

Most Improved

Tina Fey looked adorable in this 50s-style Zac Posen dress and I loved her shoes, too. She almost always wears some boring black sheath, so it was great to see her try a different shape, a pattern and something fun.

Sean exclaimed "She looks great!" with genuine surprise when Christina Aguilera appeared in this delicate-yet-futuristic Versace gown. She looks so classy and grown-up; in recent years, she had kind of devolved into caricature of herself.

Worst Dressed

Jennifer Westfeldt, designer unknown. This dress looked like it was cobbled together by someone hoping to hit all the trends in one dress: it's black! It has a dinner plate-sized ruffle/rosette! It has lace! It's a lot of look with not a lot of focus.

I can appreciate different and avant-garde, but I don't see any merit to Julianne Moore's Balenciaga dress. It looks dumpy and the color does nothing for her.

Glee's Jayma Mays is so cute and is from my region (SWVA represent!), but I just couldn't love this Badgley Mischka dress, which looks like the top of a bridesmaid's dress combined with a spiderweb.

Jennifer Aniston: C'MON. Does she look hot? Yes. Is this a beautiful dress? Yes. But she wears black to EVERY EVENT EVER. She's a gorgeous girl with a smoking body and doesn't look her age even remotely. Black makes her look like she's in mourning.

I want to be very clear: I LOVE Christina Hendricks. I think she's the definition of a knockout and I like the shape of the Christian Siriano dress. It's very Marilyn Monroe. But the color and something about the ruffles remind me more of 80s prom dresses or something out of Madonna's early 90s videos. It seemed almost costume. I just wasn't feeling the color at all.

So there you have it. Agree? Disagree? I'd love to hear your thoughts! Take it to the comments, ya'll.

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Visit http://themarblefaun.com and get to know Jerry Torre, who appeared in the original 1975 Documentary Grey Gardens.

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Board #458: Orchid & Silver

Board #458: Orchid & Silver

These days I seem to be drawn to lots of neutrals, white flowers, and subdued colors - I apologize to those of you looking for wild or unique color palettes! Today's inspiration board is mostly white and silvery grays - a minimalist palette that allows for more ornate details, like the millefeuille skirt, the ornate silver frames, and the whimsical calligraphy. Things that might seem over the top* in outrageous colors.

(*This is not to say that you can't have both a riotous color scheme and ornate details - it's just more difficult to do so tastefully.)

Mood: simply refined
Palette: winter white, silvery gray (with bits of chocolate torte and orchid leaf)

{click image to enlarge}

Top row from left: wallpaper table runner with potted orchids from Wedding Style Guide, potted trees from Martha Stewart via This is Glamorous, tiered mini dress from Martha Stewart Weddings
Row 2: gray invitation with calligraphy by Betsy Dunlap, monogrammed chocolate tortes from Martha Stewart Weddings
Row 3: chocolate truffles from Coco Delice, framed photos via Curious Sofa, Mindy Rice bouquet photo by Jose Villa, pocket flower from The Sartorialist

When you're trying to make every single element in your wedding totally original, you're more likely to end up going crazy with DIY projects, or to spend tons of money hiring professionals to personalize everything for you. And if you know this going in, and still want to do it, then go right ahead. For everyone else, focusing on just a few special details should help to save sanity, and maybe even some money. Since simplicity is currently my favorite wedding word, here are some of the doable special details I had in mind when creating today's inspiration board:

- Hire a calligrapher to create your invitation for you, then have them offset printed. They'll look both custom and tasteful, and they won't cost you an arm and a leg.
- Tables are dressed up with a wallpaper table runner (some good wallpaper sources here), and a row of potted orchids. Orchids can get pretty pricey, so look for a nursery near you and find out if you can get a deal for buying more than a few plants.
- Is it just me, or have boutonnieres become as big as corsages? Instead, how about plucking a single flower from your bridal bouquet, and tucking it in to your groom's buttonhole or pocket?
- Display parents' and grandparents' wedding photos in beautiful antique silver frames. It's a lovely, thoughtful touch (and less self-centered than a slideshow or photo display of the bride and groom).
- Instead of paying more for a wedding cake, purchase decadent chocolate tortes from a local bakery and personalize them with monogram stencils and cocoa powder. To continue the chocolate theme, place brioche molds filled with truffles on each table.

Update! I just came across phalaenopsis orchids on the IKEA website for as little as $13 each. They're not available for purchase through the site, but you might be able to find them at your nearest IKEA store.

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NY BRIDAL MARKET COVERAGE: Major Drama at St. Pucchi

NY BRIDAL MARKET COVERAGE: Major Drama at St. Pucchi

True to form, St. Pucchi had drama on top of drama walking down their runway. Not to mention the fact that it was their 25th Anniversary. So it was a celebration of pomp and circumstance that epitomize ballroom gowns as ballroom gowns were in Elizabethan times. Big full skirts and embellishment galore, St. Pucchi has the perfect dress for the bride that wants to make that grand entrance.

email your questions to: bridalwishlist@gmail.com & visit our sister site, the capitol fashionista (http://thecapitolfashionista.blogspot.com)

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Weekend Update: Picture Edition

Weekend Update: Picture Edition

If you follow me on twitter (MissSE06), you know that I've been a little sick lately. Just what I needed for my first week of work- what a bummer! Mr. SE and I are continuing our house hunt today, so I'm just going to do a quick post. Here's some things that have been tickling my fancy over the weekend.
Love this use of Wonderful Grafitti or Uppercase Living for a shower. This vase could also be incorpoated for a wedding ceremony/reception, and use after the wedding in your newlywed home. Inexpensive, but defintely makes an impact.{jonathon campbell photography}

This veil from David's Bridal is exactly what I'm looking for. Simple and timeless. The length is perfect. I'm planning on designing mine online (for less than $50 thankyouverymuch), but this is definitely an inspiration picture.

Love this bar setup from Cedarwood. For those of you who I haven't met in person, Cedarwood is where we'll be having our reception. I'll be sure to do a post on it sometime soon. Mr. SE and I love their covered pavillion and grounds. This bar is incredibly inviting, and I love all the pretty cup arrangements. Look at the Cedarwood blog for more eye candy.

This Alvina Valenta dress makes my heart melt. I haven't tried on dresses yet- I'm waiting until I can do it with my Mom and Dad. I love how the dress is so light and airy, but it has the lace detail on the train. On August days like today, I'm questioning whether I should debut the "bridal bikinni" at our reception. I can't imagine wearing a wedding dress this time of year! Should I assign a bridesmaid to hold a fan under me at all times? I think so.

What's currently inspiring you? Please share a link to something that is really driving your planning right now.

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Badgley Mischka Randee

Badgley Mischka Randee


I bought them. These babies have been on wedding blogs all over the country, and what's not to love? The color is beautiful, and the frills are so girly and fun. I decided to try a nude-peach"ish" heel with the rehearsal dinner dress from the below post. We'll see if they live up to the hype.

*On a site note- I think Zappos should start compensating me for all the endorsements I provide*

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Under the Tuscan Sun

Under the Tuscan Sun

Ariella Chezar and Meg Smith are such a talented pair, and it's so much fun to have them back today with another gorgeous and inspiring shoot, this one at two beautiful Napa Valley wineries. Don't all of these rustic details make you want to take a trip to the Italian countryside?


Purple skirts from Anthropologie. Gold tops made by Ariella Chezar.


The bridesmaid bouquets and centerpieces include dahlias, chocolate cosmos, angelica gigas, and of course, sunflowers.


Young purple artichokes are incorporated into both the menu and the decor.


The menus, place cards, and favor tags were customized with rubber stamps.




Splits of champagne are wrapped in little burlap sacks from Shibata, and finished with eggplant purple ribbon and a scallop-edged tag. The bubbly favors are displayed on a wine barrel.

A big thank you again to Ariella Chezar for stopping by Snippet & Ink and sharing her beautiful design and styling with us, and to Meg Smith for sharing these incredible photographs. They'll be back again next week with another inspiring shoot!

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