that was some serious oscar fashion last night. i remember being so bummed about last year’s red carpet – everyone was being so restrained and overly conscious of not being excessive (stupid recession, ruining our fashion fun!). fortunately, it was all out the window this year. this year’s dresses were unbelievably over-the-top, not to mention oversized – there were impossibly huge ball skirts absolutely everywhere you turned! i fully expected an on-stage wardrobe malfunction, but i was sadly disappointed.

naturally, the awards are totally secondary to the commentary going on in my house about the fashion. i’m usually commenting so loudly about the presenters that i barely even hear the names of the nominees. and so, without further adieu, my list of the good, the bad, and the positively heinous.

first, the good (all photos, by the way, are from yahoo!’s completely excellent oscar photo coverage – definitely the place you want to stop to see the full looks!):

i thought penelope cruz was stunning in her pleated ruby ballgown from donna karan- a dress simply couldn’t be more flattering or elegant. and i adored the dreamy abstract print on rachel mcadams‘ almost-ethereal elie saab gown.

cameron diaz looked better than i think i’ve ever seen her (oscar de la renta can have that effect) – that silver gown is simply perfect. and even if maggie gyllenhaal could have picked something a bit more flattering to her beautiful figure, her dries van noten dress was gorgeous. i might have sacrificed some tummy camouflage for the chance to wear that beauty too.

kate winslet just owns a permanent spot on this list – i love every single thing that woman puts on, and last night’s sleek silver sheath by yves saint laurent was no exception. but the one who’s most likely to be overlooked is queen latifah, who i thought looked unbelievably gorgeous, and showed off her figure so perfectly. and last, but not least, honorary props to tom ford, because he’s just always beyond impeccable. we should all dress our men so well.

next up, a little ranting about some of the unfortunate “bad” that showed up on the red carpet:

for all that sarah jessica parker loves fashion, it makes me crazy that she continues to show up on the red carpet with these bizarre choices. this year’s choice from chanel isn’t the worst, but it just doesn’t do it for me. if i’m being honest, she might have escaped my “bad” list (i’d have just chalked it up to her generally unwise fashion sense), but for that awful tan and the fact that she was chewing gum when the cameras panned to her in the audience. really? gum? at the oscars? i have no words.

people seem sort of split about vera farmiga’s gown, and i understand the dilemma. it is interesting to look at. sadly, however interesting, it’s hideously unflattering – the woman has a rockin’ body, and this just made her look twice her normal size.

charlize theron, i generally adore you, so i hate to say anything too harsh, but…boob rosettes? it’s hard to look any less than fabulous when you look like her, and yet she managed it. better luck next year, ladies.

and now, last – but most certainly, not least – my award for the truly, heinously ugly (drum roll, please…):

there’s one every year: that dress that just makes you wonder what someone was thinking when they spotted it and said “oh yes! that’s the dress! i definitely want to have my photo taken, viewed by millions and judged by critics for years while i’m wearing that.” zoe saldana (from avatar) really knocked it out of the ugly park with this tiered, ruffled, multitoned, glittery….whatever it is (by givenchy). when she showed up on the red carpet, i believe my comment was something along the lines of her needing to have someone remove the muppet clinging to her knees. part can-can, part showgirl, and one hundred percent deserving of the worst dressed award.

so, how’d i do? did we agree on the red carpet recap? what were your favorite hits and misses last night?

maybe it’s just because i went from looking at steven alan’s new spring arrivals to checking out the latest at the gap, but i couldn’t help noticing some pretty striking ‘inspired by’ pieces in the gap’s spring line:

are you seeing it too?  not that i’m complaining…i actually love that breezy plaid/floral thing, especially if you put them together – and layering contrasting patterns is going to be huge for spring.  i can rarely afford to splurge on the real deal at steven alan, but most of the gap pieces are under $60.  even better, this week you can score 25% off all new arrivals with code GAPNEW25 through sunday (2/21).

i think it’s a day worth mentioning when the weight on your driver’s license is no longer a lie…and may even, in fact, be a bit of an exaggeration.  amazing stuff, really.

for those of you on new year’s resolution diets, i don’t recommend my method of weight loss (nor do i think it would be possible unless you were lucky enough to contract some sort of rare south american tapeworm), but there is definitely some excitement involved in going down a size (or two…).  at this rate, i might even be able to wear mcqueen by the end of the year.  because, you know, size is the only thing standing between me and a $2,000 blazer.

in more realistic retail therapy news (see? you said you wanted more frugal finds – it’s like ‘i dream of jeannie’ in blogland), i happened on the rodarte for target collection on last sunday’s target trip, and ended up bringing their navy lace tee home with me:

(hmm, maybe my new hobby should be learning to take photos that don’t suck…)  it’s sold out online, but if you happen to spot one in the store, it’s a worthy buy, which is saying something, as i’d more or less given up hope on the entire target/designer collab thing after so many misses of late.

but lacy lingerie is everywhere for spring, and if i can nail the look for $16.99, i’m a happy shopper.  the layering options are endless – over a dark tank and under a cardi, under a summer dress, peeking out under a v-neck sweater or a menswear vest…you get the idea.  (i actually did take a photo of the layered look, but it makes the first one look like ansel adams.)  sizing was a little on the narrow side…buy like you’re buying juniors, and you’ll be safe.

with that, i’m off to take a few highly invasive medical tests.  but i have brownies waiting for me when i get home.  so that’s something.

the lovely kristina lenss at kristinit just dropped me a line to let me know her entire collection is 40% off online through 2/5/10.  i very nearly blew past it, but decided to take a quick look, and i immediately knew i had to show you this beautiful floral blazer:

talk about not knowing you needed something until it showed up.  i wouldn’t expect to fall for a silk floral blazer in a million years, but look at what it’s doing for that simple black pencil skirt.  genius, don’t you think?  these dark, mod florals were all over the runways for spring style, and i’m starting to see why.

it’s not often a piece comes along that works for day, evening and weekend, but this is one of those times.  i’m envisioning this beauty topping a little black dress for cocktails, but i’d also love to see it with jeans and a slubbed white tee for happy hour, layered over a neutral (or a contrasting floral, if you’re gutsy!) sundress in the spring, or paired with some of those cropped military-inspired chinos we’re seeing everywhere.**

i’ve been pretty torn about the blazer look (especially with the miami vice-style rolled sleeves and shoulder pads), but the shape and print on this are so elegantly girly, i think there’s endless potential.  add a heel (a tan heeled sandal with thick straps would be amazing in spring), and definitely overaccessorize this one.  a few chains, some over-the-top girly gems (yeah, this one’s $8 at forever 21, i’m so buying it tonight!), or maybe a contrasting scarf (nothing too matchy, but olive would be amazing!) and you’re set!

if my math is right, this blazer will come down from $385 to about $165 (it’s already marked down to $275) with code NEWYEAR40.  not quite bargain basement, but not bad at all for a piece i suspect would end up in heavy rotation in your closet.

**for those of you who asked for more outfit compilations in our little poll, fear not – i was listening, i promise.  i’m a bit photoshop-challenged…but i’m working on it, just for you!

well, dear readers, i’m leaving on a jet plane…off to quarrel with family, eat too much stuffing, and most likely have a nervous breakdown when i see the crowds at whole foods. ah, the holidays…

i’ll be taking the rest of this week off, and that means you’re on your own for black friday. something tells me the 600 emails you’ll get from your favorite retailers will tide you over, but just in case, this is a pretty excellent roundup of what’s planned for the big day. also, shopbop is having a spend/save event running friday through monday – the deal starts at $50 off $300, and goes up from there. use code GIFT4U to score the deal.

i’ll be back for “cyber monday,” which should be awesome this year, if my sources are correct. naturally, i’ll keep you posted.

for now, i’ll leave you with a few things i’ve been meaning to share, in the form of my mandatory packing list for this week:

i am oh-so-excited to brave the frozen tundra of my homeland this week, knowing i get to cozy up in the inhabit cardigan of my dreams. my love for the brand is well-documented, but this piece might get the coveted ‘favorite of all time’ title. you knew i was after a camel cardigan this fall, and this one is the winner. the color is really more caramel than camel, and has some amazing details – including two-tone detailing at the hem, rolled pockets, oversize cuffs, and just a generally toasty warm coziness i can’t get enough of. most definitely a worthy splurge in my book ($495 – yes, i know…), though i’d keep an eye on their site for cyber monday (hint, hint!).

i’ve been sorely in need of new basic tanks for the longest time, and haven’t been able to find something that was exactly what i wanted: a scoop neck that’s more alluring than athletic, high arm holes to ensure no unnecessary exposure, and a length long enough to work for layering under sweaters. tall order, i know. so, when i found the pure body tank at the gap the other day, i bought every color in the store. the fabric is fabulous – close-fitting and soft, without being overly clingy. and the price is definitely right: $10 each if you buy two or more. which, trust me, you should.

my skin always misbehaves when i head home. it’s so cold and dry there, i end up with scaly patches that are, well, unsightly at best. but my secret weapon this time around is foolproof. i’ve been besting clarins’ new multi-active day moisturizers, and i am so very pleased! the day cream is actually thicker than my night cream, which does an amazing job of guarding against winter winds. plus, it’s built for skin about my age (ahem), when wrinkle-reducing needs are just starting, but radiance is key. once i get home, i’ll switch to the lighter version that contains spf, but while i’m gone, i’ll rely on the heavy-duty version (adding my spf a la carte, of course – that’s a must!) to get me through the week unscathed.

and, last but definitely not least, i need a completely engrossing book to let me escape from everyone when i just can’t take another second of family time. i happen to have already finished this one, but philippa gregory’s latest, the white queen, definitely fits the bill. gregory’s books are my harry potter: guilty pleasures i thoroughly enjoy, and can’t wait to buy when a new one hits the stands. the white queen is back up to her earlier standards (after a couple of recent disappointments), and it looks to be the start to a new series about the war of the roses. it’s fantastic, and utterly guaranteed to whisk you away from even the loudest family fights.

and, with all of that, i’m packed and on my way – i’ll see you monday. happy, happy thanksgiving, everyone…and may your pants still fit on friday!

it is almost frightening how reliable i am when it comes to falling for sweaters by vince.  i pick them out of a lineup as my constant favorite just as easily as i immediately locate the most expensive item in any store i visit.

once again, i honed in on a piece in an email i received from tobi, and once again, it’s fabulous cashmere loveliness from vince.  which, sadly, translates to being way out of my budget ($245, in this case).  but wouldn’t this be the perfect understated holiday piece?  the burgundy is festive without being obvious, and the draping gives you the drama you’d normally look for from sequins or ruffles.

i’d pair this with a black pencil skirt or a tuxedo pant for a party, and feel absolutely confident in my chic alternative to the christmas sweater…but it’s also going to be killer with jeans and my tan suede boots in january.  hmm, if i’m lucky, maybe it will go on sale.

i’ve ignored kate spade’s sample sales for the past few seasons, but there are definitely some winners this time around.  personally, i skipped right past the handbags (yawn) and went gaga for these goodies:

something about kate’s wares just scream holiday for me, and this year is no exception – i’d love to see any one (or all) of these under my holiday tree.  to shop the sale (including $5 shipping), head here – sign-up is required, but her email list is pretty painless.

my picks, from left: islington cyndy wallet in amethyst, $114 down from $225; madeleine esti skirt (utterly perfect for holiday fetes!), $228 down from $325; and the keswick caning bangle in turquoise, $63 down from $125.  come to think of it, pretty much all the jewelry…love!

can’t even believe this slipped my mind, but for my fellow cashmere addicts, get thee to inhabit ny’s online sample sale, immediately!  this is my absolute favorite sale of year, as it’s the only time i can justify really stocking up on my all-time favorite line of cashmere.  nab cashmere sweaters for $60-80 (down from $300+), and cotton pieces from $30.

trust me, don’t miss this one!

first, i have to say, i’m so thrilled you’re all loving this month’s giveaway prize so much!  keep those entries coming – you have until thursday night – and we’ll keep making the giveaways even better!

anyway, on to our cheap thrill.  i wandered into my friendly neighborhood target the other day, and spotted this beautiful windowpane plaid trench hanging on the wall.  naturally, i had to take a closer look.  i assumed that up close, it would be poorly constructed, oddly fitting, or any other manner of sins – it is target, after all.

but this trench is absolutely darling, dear readers – quite well made, actually, and only $39!  i love the white for fall and spring (the cotton fabric, though fully lined, won’t be warm enough for really chilly days), and if you’re going to indulge in a white coat, let it be a $39 coat from target, so that when you spill your morning latte all over it (which, inevitably, you will), you won’t have to cut your wrists.

plaids, as you probably know, are huge this fall.  while i haven’t jumped on the bandwagon, i adore this windowpane version (in fact, it reminds me of another, much more expensive, coat i’ve been loving for some time). it’s subtle enough to stay chic, without making you look like you’re fresh out of the junior’s department.  and the military detailing that comes from the button placement and that great stand-up collar is such a perfect contrast with the preppy plaid.  it’s all very audrey hepburn – proof that wearing white after labor day can make you the chicest girl in the room.

one caveat:  i took a look through the other colors in this style, and personally, i’d stick with the white.  where it looks much, much more luxe than it’s $39 pricetag, the others…well, they do not.

you might even try styling this with a black belt, for some contrast – there’s definite play potential there.  plus, of course, it would look amazing with that royal blue scarf we’re giving away…don’t you agree?

maybe i’ve been reading the bloggess too much, or maybe i just need to take a xanax, but i feel the snark rising up in my fingers, and i just can’t stop myself from the following.  i just received a press release from a certain company (which i adore, by the way), about a certain plaid shirt, featured in the following photo:

now, as i said, i love this company, and shop there altogether too often.  and so, i’m not going to defame them here when i’m really just annoyed about an entire trend (ahem, and actress).

first and foremost, i just think taylor momsen’s mom, or agent, or somebody needs to take her aside and tell her she is looking increasingly like some sort of homeless street urchin/crack addict hybrid, between the excessive eyeliner, the stringy hair and the oversized everything. she just kind of…well, she scares the holy living hell out of me, that’s all.

that said, my big gripe here is actually with the plaid flannel shirt in question. it’s just that my tolerance for the reincarnation of this particular trend is very, very low.  i didn’t much care for it when grunge was cool back in the ’90s, and it’s just one more decade i feel no need to relive (i’m looking at you, 1980s).

but even if i *did* want to wear a plaid flannel shirt, i’d want it to be trim, tailored, and just generally more chic, no?  i mean, if all i want is a baggy flannel shirt, i can get that at ll bean, target, or even sears for that matter, and probably for under $20.  i definitely don’t need to spend $140 on it (oh, did i not mention the one taylor momsen’s wearing is $140?  yeah.).

all that said, if this is a trend you simply can’t resist, allow me to offer a few suggestions that don’t, you know, make me want to throw things at innocent celebrities.

left is by mike & chris, on sale for a very respectable $75. it is not flannel. i think that’s a good thing, as is the very girly styling. i’m especially loving the farrah fawcett hair on the model (man, i am on fire today).  right is by steven alan, the king of the plaid shirt. i actually kind of love this one, and would highly recommend it.  even though it’s more expensive than the one i’m snarking about.  i know…i have no excuse for myself.

okay, snark over for now…but i’m right, aren’t i?