Red Hot! SAG Awards 2011

Wire Image

The latest red carpet to feed our fashion appetite occurred last night at the 2011 Screen Actor's Guild Awards. While all in all, the mood was much more relaxed than that of the Globes, the red carpet attendees seemed to have a little more fun with their wardrobe this time. Mila Kunis stunned in sunset hues from Alexander McQueen's Resort 2011 collection and topped of the fun, firey look with a gold panther cuff by Cartier.

Following her warm-toned lead were Hailee Steinfeld in the much-photographed Prada stripes, Angie Harmon in Black-Swan-style Monique Lhuillier and Tina Fey in red lace Oscar de la Renta.

LA Times

LA Times

E! Online

Those actresses who weren't in the mood for red hot went white haute instead! Amy Adams looked sleek and modern wearing Parisian designer Herve L Leroux while Eva Longoria celebrated her newly single status with a J. Lo moment courtesy of Georges Hobeika.

LA Times

LA Times

Of course it wouldn't be Hollywood without a little bling. Lea Michele wore yet another jaw-dropper by Oscar de la Renta, Jane Krakowski celebrated her baby bump with silver sequined Badgley Mischka and Dianna Agron brought the old Hollywood glam in vintage Chanel. (Love those black satin pumps, btw!)

LA Times

LA Times

LA Times

Aside from the major presence of pink, red and orange, belts appeared on just about anyone who didn't sport a baby bump. Mila, Dianna and Lea all showed off their waists in the photos above but check out the velvet confections on Claire Danes and Jennifer Lawrence.

Just Jared

Just Jared

With all of these long, belted dresses and warm tones, I've found myself inspired to pull out an old faithful...

All I need now is my next/first red carpet event!

A Platform for Spring

Tory Burch SS 2011 via Style.com

Today, the latest Tory Burch boutique opened in London and prompted me to check out the designer's latest arrivals for spring. Thanks a lot, Tor. Now I am OBSESSED.

First and foremost, the platform wedges above, which the photo does not do justice, are the perfect new shoe for spring- clunky enough to perfectly pair with the hottest new wide leg silhouette but natural enough for breezy skirts and dress. The Drea Wedge was even featured in February's Elle. (Note to self: Must take a closer look at the mag immediately.)

Derek Lam SS 2011 via Harper's Bazaar

The Sartoialist

Aside from her gorgeous new shoes (did I mention the gamine-worthy red and white striped espadrilles?), her RTW line has us packing our bags for a vaycay on the Riviera. Be prepared for lightweight neutral cottons for day and sultry, vibrant silks for night.

(all images Tory Burch SS 2011 via Style.com)

J'adore, TB! Off to line up my MiH Marrakesh jeans purchase to perfectly pair with Drea...

Bon weekend!

Peek-A-Boo

Allure

For the upcoming Spring, designers seem to have taken body con dressing to a whole new level. Instead of dresses being fitted skin tight a la Spanx suitable for viewing, cut-outs around the midriff have appeared from Prada to Gucci and beyond.

There is something alluring about this style, though. It's tastefully done, at least in these cases, and looks more like an accidental flash of flesh rather than a Charlotte Russe style ready to hit the clubs. To pull it off though, skirts must be generously cut at least to the knee and the fabric must look expensive. Cheap fabric + midriff flash = 90s tween

Gucci Spring 2011 from Style.com

Harper's Bazaar

Gucci Spring 2011 from Style.com

Luckily, this new cut-out culture isn't one of full frontal offense. It's a more rib cage than belly and thank goodness for that. We can still wear our Spanx and enjoy our dinner. After all, not all of us can pull off a Bradshaw.

SheKnows

A Girlie Moment

I'm having a girlie moment today, probably because at work I'm surrounded by dudes and I've spent 26 of the last 48 hours in one ugly room with them. Today, let's transport ourselves to the land of ladylike luxe. Here are a few photos to help us sail away...

Unknown

Jil Sander

Amanda Nisbet

Amuse

Marc Jacobs Spring 2011 from Harper's Bazaar

Until I can build my pristine lavender closet or pick up a bubblegum pink leather chair, I'll make do with this pink cotton J. Crew tee and a leopard print scarf...and try to be polite to the dudes.

SWAMPED

FabSugar

Happy Tuesday, everyone!! I hope the sun is shining brightly wherever you are. It's rainy and gross and I'm absolutely swamped at work. BUT I had to take five minutes out of my day to show you the striking similarity to Pat Field's costume for "Sex and the City" and the Kate Spade Spring 2011 line. The resemblance is pretty striking!

InStyle

Whether these bright, cheerful colors come from Kate or Carrie, I'll take as many as I can get today!

Apologies for a short post today! See you tomorrow!

Live Colorfully

We might be in the dead of winter, but a much needed breath of fresh air and burst of brightness has been bestowed upon us courtesy of Kate Spade. InStyle magazine released behind the scenes pics from Kate Spade's Spring 2011 ad campaign, "Live Colorfully," featuring actress Bryce Dallas Howard. This season will be Howard's first as the face of Kate Spade. The "Lady in the Water" star and daughter of Ron Howard appears equally parts intriguing and approachable for the classically preppy Spade camp.

Check out a few of the playful images below. I love the candy-colored stripes mixed in with Howard's carefree attitude. There's a hint of the mod vibe, as with most Kate Spade styles, while maintaining a modern classic look- a balance we've come to expect from this design house.

InStyle also posted a behind-the-scenes look with this video. I love the Chicklet-ish necklace featured in some of the film shots that weren't visible in these photos as well as those hot pink wedges Howard so gracefully wears as she pedals the bike!

It will be interesting to see what Kate Spade presents us next season. For now though, I'll be inspired to Live Colorfully!

Off to paint my beach cruiser green!!

What's in Your Bag??

Happy Little Friday everyone! It's Thursday, and you know what that means- time for yet another edition of What's in Your Bag??!

This week, we feature the handbag stylings one of my oldest, dearest and indisputably one of my most talented friends, graphic designer Taylor Holmes. Tay, as we friends call our petite firecracker of a friend, lives in Charleston, SC, with her husband Riley, a local Charlestonian, but she's a full-bred North Carolinian at heart. And since Tay grew up in the bustling metropolis of our capital city, Raleigh, she brings big city style wherever she goes...Look out lowcountry!

As Tay shuffles between her work, home, and various points in between, she carries this grey Foley + Corinna handbag. I have to say, Taylor is one of the only other girls I know who loves color more than I do (this is the gal who designed HOT PINK lipgloss for each and every friend after spending the summer in a Thai cosmetic factory...you know I loved that!), so I was surprised that her tote of choice was grey! Upon further contemplation, I have decided that Taylor must use this neutral accessory as to not be limited by color in her daily wardrobe...

Taylor has taken the art of girlie-item schlepping to a whole new level, by carrying the metallic purse within a purse. This glittery foldover is not just any old bag though. She found it in Florence, Italy, on her honeymoon, and uses it as her petite go-to when evening events call and there's no time to run home. I love it's metallic finish, not to mention the fringe or its Italian manufacturing!!

You may also notice the absence of a proper wallet. Tay recently discovered a bin full of colorful binder clips at Staples and has decided to use a bright purple one as the "female money clip." Packs much better into a clutch that way, if you ask me!

When you look at this picture, Taylor's adoration for all colors becomes more apparent. Most notably, there's the green and white Trina Turk make-up case and the orange and white Cynthia Rowley planner. She also carries personalized notecards and grey nail polish- just in case- not to mention at least two flash drives to store all of her design files. Her shades are by Miu Miu and lipgloss by La Prairie. And don't forget the Hermes head band for bad-hair-day back-up or the peanut butter M&M's (for bad days in general)!

If you don't know my dear, sweet Tay or her awesome design skills, be sure to check out her blog Ciao Tay. On it, she showcases some of her brilliant graphic stylings, including her own Save the Dates and logos created for other businesses and events.

Thanks for stopping by to check out the contents of another fab friend's bag! It's almost Friday!!!

(all images by Taylor Holmes)

Citrus Hue Take Two

InStyle

After yesterday's refreshing citrus spritzer, I sensed heightened interest in the orange hues for spring but much hesitation as well. Wearing orange can be intimidating, but there are so many sunny shades, there has to be one right for each of us, right?

February's InStyle features an article on Michael Kors where the above shot of Kate Mara appears. Kors dressed her in a daring shade of mango, which surprisingly works on the redhead. As a redhead myself (who has never DREAMED of wearing an orange shade), I love how the bright dress contrasts with her long auburn locks. Mara explains that she doesn't usually gravitate toward blacks and neutrals but that finding the right color for her skintone and hair can be difficult. "It's hard to find bold color that lets you feel like yourself- Michael always finds the most flattering shades," she said of the designer's color choice.

Fendi Spring 2011 via Style.com

Upon further tangerine review, several more notable designers used the color in their Spring collection and/or consistently use the color throughout the year. Fendi featured a great orange for brunettes with a peach maxi skirt. I love those two tones together.

Lela Rose has been using citrus tones for several seasons now. She presented the tangerine cocktail dress and lightweight knit top in her Spring 2010 line and revisited the shade once again for Spring 2011 with a heathered orange skirt.

Lela Rose Spring 2010 via Style.com

Lela Rose Spring 2010 via Style.com

Lela Rose Spring 2011 via Style.com

Of course, if wearing orange still scares you, there are other ways of joining in the trend. Make-up artists have worked coral lips into spring palettes a la Leighton Meester on the cover of Allure. Here, the starlette wears Givenchy's Rouge Interdit Satin Lipstick in Fruity Orange. Or work orange into your home decor with bright upholstery to contrast with pretty pales. Palmer Weiss decorated this adorable room which is equal parts playful and sophisticated. Either way, the look is healthy, vibrant and youthful.

Lonny Magazine

I don't know about you, but I may have found more use for my pesky orange chair now and a little more of a nudge into the land of mango apparel. If Michael Kors and Lela Rose are suggesting it, I think we'd better grab a slice!