The 2010 Fashion Oscars

Did you watch the Oscars last night?  You know that I did.  It has even come to a point where I jot down notes in a notebook about which looks I love/don’t love so that I can find photos and information on it after.  I also write down my initial thoughts and impressions, as they make excellent fodder for a post like this one.  So, now that I’ve told you all of my secrets – here is a quick rundown of what I loved in my very own version of the Oscars – Fashion-style.

THE NOMINEES FOR THE 2010 CHIC SHOPPER CHICK FASHION OSCARS ARE:

I loved both of these looks – Queen Latifah has never looked better in an elegant lavender Marchesa gown with a sparkly twist, and Sandra Bullock was simply glowing in this golden confection of a dress (also by Marchesa).  I especially loved Sandra’s pink pouty lips and old Hollywood glamour style hair.

Two more nominees that made it solidly onto the “Best Dressed” list?  Markiska Hargitay in a sweeping Vera Wang dress, and Demi Moore in a blush-colored tiered Atelier Versace.  Both of them were simply stunning.

Rounding up the nominee list we have Rachel McAdams, for her sweeping, delicate Elie Saab Couture dress that just screamed spring.  I am especially fond of the sweetheart neckline, and that she chose to leave her collarbone bare.  And then, of course, we have Kate Winslet, who played it safe, but still looked stunning in this sleek YSL number that she accessorized with a 2.5 million dollar yellow diamond from Tiffany and Co.

Without further ado, the runner up for the 2010 Chic Shopper Chick Fashion Oscar is…

…A red-lipped Cameron Diaz in a billowing Oscar de la Renta gown that can only be described as show-stopping.  Diaz dropped her usual easy-going beach style in favor of something much more couture, and I, for one, was thrilled to see it.

Well, here we go.

It’s time.

Ladies and … well, ladies.  The moment we’ve all been waiting for.  The  2010 Fashion Oscar goes to…

Anna Kendrick who was nominated for her role in “Up In The Air”.  She stole the show in this delicate chiffon gown by Elie Saab – I especially loved that the gown was off-the-shoulders and not just strapless.  A perfect choice for her petite frame and age – this dress wins my 2010 Fashion Oscar.  Nice pick Anna!  Call me so that I can get you your award!

What were your favorites?

Geek Chic: Glam Up Your Gadgets

There comes a point in every woman’s life when she is handed the ultimate gadget or newest piece of technology and she smiles from ear to ear.  Then, in the next moment, she stops and wonders to herself what in the world she can possibly do to make it look chic.  Let’s face it, the gadget in itself may be cool, but the ways of toting it around are limited, at least if you’d like to have some sort of style.  And, while black never goes out of style, that plain black laptop bag just isn’t cutting it for you anymore.  Take a look at some of my chic geek girl gadget finds that will have all of your friends drooling!

Grade the Look: Audrina Patridge in Rock and Republic

Spotted: Audrina Patridge and boyfriend Ryan Cabrera.

Where:  The grand opening of The Delphine Eatery and Bar in Hollywood, California on February 11, 2010.

Wearing: Patridge wore a Rock and Republic “Leland” fitted denim dress in Transmission Blue for the event.  She paired the dress with a rocker-chic leather jacket, but softened the look with a pair of Yves Saint Laurent Tribtoo Platform Slingbacks.

Grade:  A.

How would you grade Audrina’s look?  Share your thoughts in the comments!

Pamella Roland Fall 2010 Collection – Chic. European. Classy.

I’m not ashamed to admit it.  I fell in love last season when I was at the tents.  There was a designer who had barely made it onto my radar, but for some reason I attended her show.  And I fell in love.

Pamella Roland.

If you’re my friend on facebook or you follow me on twitter, this is a song that you know the lyrics to already.  But I don’t care.  Since it’s my favorite song, I’m singing it anyway.  Roland quite literally took the industry by storm when she released her first collection at age 42 – instantly winning over critics and gaining a huge celebrity following.  Her red carpet looks are to. die. for.  Yes my friends, when I die please make sure I’m wearing Pamella Roland.

Her fall 2010 collection was inspired by Venetian Glamour, and I was inspired as well.  Inspired to go out and buy it all.  True story.  Ah, the fashion writer’s dilemma.  The collection was extensive, from chunky, colorful knits, regal purple gowns that were dripping with sophistication, and fresh takes on the wool shift dress.  The evening gowns, always a favorite of mine (I blame the Princess complex), were nothing short of stunning.  Roland sent a final piece down the runway – a bridal gown – which was simply a perfect, airy confection that seemed to float down the runway.

I threw a few photos that I took from my seat during the show into the graphic above, but if you really want a good feel for the show, check out the video below courtesy of IMG.  Some of the best 3:40 of your day, I promise.

Swoon with me in the comments, please.

4 Dresses That I Need. Now.

I have this website that I love, and because I love it, I try my darnedest to stay away from it.  My wallet appreciates it.  However, I was just browsing and I thought “hmmm, maybe I should throw up a quick post about these dresses that I love” because I have a dress-obsession.  I love my denim, but give me a skirt or a dress, and I am like a kid in a candy store.  I live in dresses!

So sometimes I surf the internet for hours, or scour the stores, and can’t find something that catches my fancy.  Since I’ve discovered ModCloth, things have changed.  By the way, I have absolutely no relationship with ModCloth (though I wish I did) apart from the fact that they have made lots of money off of me.  I just like it.

Anyway.  I have my own dress code and wear what I want when I want to.  Usually I’m what most people would consider “overdressed”.  I don’t really care.  Here are 4 dresses that I would wear for no special occasion.  All from ModCloth.

The first one makes me wish I was teaching again, the second one makes me dream of spring with footless leggings, gladiator sandals, and a long necklace, the third one reminds me of my Sorority days, and the last one makes me want to to be in a boat with the love of my life on a Venice Canal.  This is why I buy clothing.  Every single piece I buy tells me a story – one that I know or want to know.  Inspiration to dress – I truly think everyone should have it.

What inspires you?

The Clean Start Challenge and My New BFF Crystal

If you read my site or the Beauty and Style Section of Lifetime Moms on a regular basis, you might know a few things about me – like my unfailing love for the Tory Burch Reva and David Yurman jewelry.  You know these things because it’s what I usually write about here on this site, and because it’s my job.  So, it’s pretty cool that I’m able to be involved with something a little different, starting today, as a mentor and cheerleader for my new friend Crystal who is participating in the SC Johnson Clean Start Challenge.

Crystal is one of four finalists aiming to make a “clean start” in her life.  She is a striking young woman and a new mom who wants to learn how to cook and finally be able to get out of those mommy jeans!  It seems that Crystal was fortunate enough to marry a man who cooks for her – and all I can say is that if I ever meet her in person I will be giving her all sorts of high-fives!  She is also a former teacher and a Louisiana transplant – we have all sorts of things in common!  She will be posting weekly progress videos on MyLifetime.com so that you can follow along, but she’s also trying to win your votes! The winner of the SC Johnson Clean Start Challenge will receive $10,000!

We’ve talked about things that you know about me, but what you likely don’t know is that this challenge, and Crystal’s ideas about a clean start especially, are near and dear to my heart.  After I had my daughter, Audrey Grace, I really struggled to lose the baby weight.  The first bit came off fast, but I lost the last 25 pounds through a whole heck of a lot of determination and hard work.  This New Orleans native LOVES to eat!  So, Crystal’s desire to feel confident in her hot mom-ness (because she is already beautiful, but it’s all about confidence, right?) is one that I can truly relate to.  I’ll be chatting with Crystal throughout the next three months, sharing motivation, tips for cooking healthy meals, and tricks on how she can achieve her goal.  I hope that she can lean on me for ideas and support – and of course if you have any ideas or suggestions for her, you can always leave them here in the comments!

So you, my friends?  I’ve just signed you up for Team Crystal!  Welcome on board!  Don’t worry, to sweeten the pot, there will be 3 opportunities for you to vote for Crystal (or your favorite finalist, but c’mon, we already know who we’re voting for, right?) and be entered to win $1,000 and a SCJ gift basket that is filled with some very cool products.

So, as they say at the races: on your marks, get set…Go Crystal!

Fashion For Haiti

Hello fashion darlings.  I’m sorry I’ve been MIA but I’m so thankful that you’ve had our resident stylist Jennifer to keep you company.  Isn’t she doing an amazing job??? (Check out her article all about Spring Fashion!)  I have been on a whirlwind traveling tour lately, I’m not sure I’ve slept in my own bed but 1 night in the past 2.5 weeks.  Currently I’m in NYC covering Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week for Lifetime – a fashionista’s haven!

More on my coverage of this week in a bit, as well as my amazing trip to Disney with the Hanes Comfort Crew – but for now I wanted to quickly share something that caught my eye yesterday – all about what designers and the fashion industry are doing to provide help to Haiti.  This video explains it all:

I love that the designers are all wearing their t-shirt in their own unique way in the video.  The cool part is that you can buy one of these very fashionable t-shirts AND do something great at the same time.  The t-shirt will be on sale at Zappos beginning February 16th for only $25, with $16 of every purchase donated to the Haiti Relief Fund!

Designers and celebs are also doing their part – Kenneth Cole has donated a Westside Holiday billboard promoting the shirt and Beyonce is the official face of the Fashion for Haiti initiative.  What will you do?

Game Time! Game On!

My daughter turns 3 on Tuesday.  Oh, how it pains me to say that.  When we were deciding on a date for her birthday party, we decided on Sunday January 31st.  Why?  Well, because February 7th, the week after her birthday, had a slight conflict.  We didn’t dare place it during that weekend – just in case.

Our little football team – the boys in Black in Gold – are going to be taking on Peyton Manning and the Colts on February 7th.  Maybe you’ve heard?

It took 21 years before the New Orleans Saints had a winning season.  Both of my grandparents attended the very first Saints game on September 17th, 1967.  My family raised me to be a longtime, die-hard Saints fan.  There have been moments over the years where the relationship went more in the direction of hate than love – but as it always is with things you are loyal to – I can talk bad about my own football team, though no one else is allowed to.

This year, we made it.  Finally.  Who cares if we win or not, the Saints are GOING TO MIAMI.

I’m throwing a party.  Duh.

WalMart came to me, as one of the Eleven Moms, with the opportunity to share about their Game Time deals – you can join me and throw an awesome Game Day party of your own.  For $44 you can get:

One package of Oscar Mayer Meat Hot Dogs (8 ct.)
One package of Johnsonville® Bratwursts (6 ct.)
Two packages of Great Value™ Hot Dog Buns
Two bags of T.G.I. Friday’s™ Frozen Appetizers
One Hormel™ Supreme Party Tray
12” Chocolate Chunk Cookie
Two boxes of Nabisco Wheat Thins or Triscuit Crackers (8 to 10 oz. box)

For more information, check out WalMart’s Game Time site.  Oh, and WHO DAT?!?!?!?!?!

* Disclosure: Walmart provided me with two $50 Walmart gift cards for my participation in this program.

Girlfriend Getaway with Holiday Inn

Have you ever stayed at a Holiday Inn?  As a frequent traveler, I have had the opportunity to stay at quite a few of them.  They are typically reasonably priced and they are really in almost every location you could ever want to stay at.  Of course, when I’m booking my own hotel, my qualifiers are typically clean, safe, and comfy.  If it’s pretty, well, then, it’s an added bonus, but generally it’s not my priority.

Holiday Inn has stayed well within my clean, safe, and comfy realm for some time now.  I’ve stayed at at least 15 different Holiday Inns in my lifetime, so it’s a name and brand that I trust.  In the past year, Holiday Inn has been doing a major brand relaunch, and they reached out to me to see if I was interested in doing a girlfriend getaway “state-cation”.  Of course I did!  Some time with my girlfriends in my hometown of New Orleans that would qualify as “work”?  That, my friends, is what we call a no brainer!

I arrived at the Holiday Inn and immediately noticed that the logo looked completely different.  As part of the relaunch, I learned that hotels sporting this spiffy new logo had successfully completed the re-branding process.  When I walked into the lobby I was greeted by soft music and a friendly staff member. He walked behind the desk after introducing himself as the manager and I told him I was there to check in.  When I mentioned my name, he immediately pulled out an envelope with my name on it and said “Yes, Ms. Lehmann – we’ve been waiting for you!”  (Really?  Lil’ ole me?)

We were given a room on the  17th floor and when we walked in I turned around and looked at my friend in disbelief.  I mean, I know I was there to check out the “rebranding” but um, this was INCREDIBLY nice.  Very modern, great colors, upholstered headboard with tons of pillows (heck, I could pick the “type” of pillow I wanted – soft, firm, etc.) and even the artwork on the wall was nice – black and white photographs – not your typical “hotel room” artwork, you know? Très, très cool, et très, très chic!

The first thing I did, because I’m a big kid, was throw my body onto the bed.  My friend T just rolled her eyes at me because well, she was not surprised.  Then I hopped up and threw open the curtains of the room and, well, hello New Orleans!  We had a spectacular view of the city.  We were staying on the westbank at the Holiday Inn in Gretna, so we had a view of the Crescent City Connection and the Mississippi River – with the city of New Orleans behind it. 

Not too shabby, right?

Naturally, because Murphy’s Law pretty much exists for me, the power went out shortly after we arrived, leaving us in the dark for about an hour.  Granted, we live in Southern Louisiana.  We have wind, rain, and power that is mostly above ground.  Power goes out on a fairly regular  basis ’round these parts, so we just giggled about our luck and relaxed in the room until it came back on.

The manager called the room and apologized for the inconvenience, which I thought was really sweet, but naturally no one can help the power going out!  The weather started to get rainy and yucky, so after a quick dinner, we curled up in the bed and watched a movie – my favorite – Love Actually.  Ok, we fell asleep halfway through it.  We are both workin’ mamas!  What can I say?!

Don’t laugh, but the best part about a girlfriend getaway?  SLEEPING IN!

The next day we did a little work on our computers (yay for WiFi!), and grabbed lunch in the hotel’s restaurant, the Round House Bar & Grill.  After I was stuffed with sweet potato fries and a yummy wrap, we decided to make the uber-short 10 minute trip across the bridge into the city to have a little fun.  We walked, shopped, checked out the river and had beignets.  (Yes, even locals love beignets and chicory coffee!) We had dinner at one of my favorite restaurants Lüke, and then walked over to have drinks at my favorite cocktail spot – loa.

Overall Holiday Inn provided us with an awesome chance to have a fun girlfriend getaway in my home state.  So often I forget to be a tourist in my own city, so this was a great opportunity for me to do a little something different (and to SLEEP IN!).

Disclosure:  Holiday Inn provided us with a 2-night stay, as well as meal vouchers for the hotel restaurant and gift cards to cover our gas.  However, the opinions I expressed are all mine.  You know, because that’s how I roll.  Feel free to hold me to it.

Mystic Tan. To Spray or Not To Spray.

Ok, I know I’m supposed to be the expert here, but I need a little help.  I have this Mardi Gras Ball coming up very soon, and well, my skin is so pale that you can practically see through it.  I plan to wear a strapless dress.  It’s a grey dress which won’t do much against my vampire-like skin.

I’m a big fan of how I look with a little glow, nothing overdone, just a little color.  My mom always said that tan fat was better than pale fat (oh yeah, welcome to my world) – and well, I don’t consider myself fat in the least, but people, c’mon – I’ve had a baby.  Wait, better yet, I should say I’ve had a baby and my name is not Camila Alves or Heidi Klum.  There are parts of me that will just look better with a tan.

Don’t worry, I’m fanatical about doing everything in my power to prevent wrinkles and sun damage, so I know better than to lay in a tanning bed for a few weeks.  Instead, I think it will be best to spray a bunch of chemicals on my skin.  That’s gotta be better, right?

But, um.  I’m skeered.  What if it turns me orange?!  The oompa-loompa look is not good on me.  How do I know what level to choose?  What if I go from looking very French to looking very Italian in about 20 minutes flat?  That’s gonna be awkward, right?

Have you done this?  Tips/tricks/suggestions for me?

The Post Where I Discuss Lingerie. (Sorry, Dad.)

If you’ve read anything that I’ve written, especially over the past year, you know that I love fashion and style.  I love getting dressed up, feeling confident in what I’m wearing and how I’m wearing it, and helping other women to feel the same way.  My mantra is that “no one can take their eyes off of a confident woman.”

Think I’m wrong?  Try thinking back to a woman in the past that you’ve known or were acquainted with whom everyone just thought was AMAZING.  Breathtaking.  Incredibly beautiful/fabulous/fantastic, etc.  People fawned all over this woman.  Maybe you did too.  But then, one day you stepped back and thought:  um, she’s really not that pretty.  Or maybe even that fabulous or fantastic.  I was drinking the Kool-Aid! What’s up with that?

Oh c’mon, it’s just me, don’t pretend like you don’t know what I’m talking about.

Do you know what her secret is?  That woman that we’re talking about?  I do.

Confidence.

Of course, confidence comes from a number of sources, but why not take all of the help that you can get?  Here’s my little piece of advice  — I think that physical confidence starts with what you have on underneath.  (A quick aside to my family members:  I’m about to start talking about my personal lingerie philosophy.  I won’t be offended if you click over to something a little less personal, now.  Oooh, look – here’s my “About” page!)

So let’s set this up, shall we?

In two weeks I will be emceeing a Mardi Gras Ball here in New Orleans.  I plan on wearing this drop dead gorgeous strapless BCBG ball gown that has been in my closet for a while, but has yet to see the light of day (or the glow of night).  I will be on stage in front of the entire Krewe as well as about a thousand of their guests.  I will be the one who reveals the identity of the King and Queen, as well as the rest of the court (for those not familiar with Mardi Gras season, this is a highly anticipated moment).  I will be, quite literally, in the spotlight on stage for a solid hour.

Raise your hand if you think I could probably use a little extra confidence during that hour?

Right.

No doubt the dress will help.  The dramatic makeup will help.  Telling myself that I’m not going to trip on my way up the steps will help (please, oh please cross your fingers for me on the night of January 23rd).  But um, wearing a dingy old pair of cotton panties and any ol’ bra is totally not going to help.  I’ll spare you the details, but it’s safe to say that what’s going to be underneath is a matching set.  And it’s not old and dingy.  It’s sexy, and I feel good in it.

There’s the key – I FEEL GOOD IN IT.

Lingerie is not about sex.  I don’t wear it because I anticipate someone seeing it later.  I wear it because it makes me feel good, because it’s like I have my own little secret underneath my clothes and I like the way that makes me feel.  I stand up a little straighter, and hold my head a little higher.

Now, I’m not saying that dropping a fortune at La Perla or Victoria’s Secret is going to be an instant confidence builder and it’s certainly not going to turn you into one of those supermodels in the ads.  I’m also not saying that awesome lingerie is the only way to feel good about yourself, physically.  But, you know what?  It’s a start.  A great start.

We’ve all got to start somewhere.

More Bubbles and Bubbly Fun

So remember how, back in October, Wisk HE brought me to my second home, New York City, for a little bubbles and bubbly shindig?  I had a blast with some amazing people and learned all about bubbles- when you need them, when you don’t.

So, today I’m on Google, searching for pictures of myself and my friend Katja for this way cool NYC Tweetup that we’re hosting on January 13th at the Roger Smith Hotel, and I come across this photo!

And I’m all … awwww … what a CUTE photo!

But then…then I came across this video.  And I’m giggling like a madwoman because here I am, looking like a total goober throughout the entire thing, and I didn’t even know it existed.

And, because I love you, my readers, I thought I would share my gooberness with you.  I’m especially fond of the 14 second mark, where I make a quick appearance just to drawl “bubbles”.  Tee hee!

By the way – my dress is from one of my favorite online stores – ModCloth, and the shoes are Steve Madden.  The crazy mad scientist lab coat was courtesy of Wisk HE.  I especially love that Nichelle from StyleMom immediately cinched hers up with a belt.  Only someone that fashionable could make a lab coat look good.  I’m just sayin’.

Update Your Winter Wardrobe (AKA – Look Christy, You’re Internet Famous!)

I have awesome friends.  I’m not sure why, but they keep coming back for more.  They put up with my fickle phone skills and know-it-all personality for reasons I have yet to determine.  Of course, this makes them all the more awesome.  When my longtime friend Christy told me at brunch the other day that she was going shopping to update her wardrobe for the cool winter season, my ears perked up.  Ok, it was more like OMG CAN YOU PLEASE TAKE PICTURES FOR ME SO THAT I CAN WRITE ABOUT THAT?!  Because honestly, who doesn’t want to update their wardrobe for each season?  I know I do.  Also on the honest front?  Who is really prepared to drop thousands of dollars to do it each time?  Right.

Christy (who is a Junior Mass Comm major at Louisiana State University) updated her current look with just a few additional pieces that she found at Forever 21 and Target.  She did the entire thing for under $300.  Check out her new looks.

Black long sleeve shirt with ruffles–Forever 21–$19.80
Red skirt with Black belt–Forever 21–$10.50

Tights–Target–$5.00
I think Christy hit it out of the park with this look.  She paired the shirt, skirt, and tights with a pair of Chinese Laundry Black Boots that she already owned.  The boots cost her $110 when they were new, but she has now worn them two winter seasons in a row.  That, my friends, is called an investment.

My friend the little lumberjack.  Isn’t she adorable?  In all seriousness, plaid is back.  I’m not sure how I feel about it, but it’s back, it’s a fact, so Christy is keeping it real and fashionable with this look.

Flannel shirt–Forever 21–$19.80
Blue Skinny Jeans–Urban Outfitters–$35 on sale
Tan Boots–Charlotte Russe–$41

Rawr! Again, Christy is rocking the skirt with tights and her Chinese Laundry boots, but this is a totally different look (great for nights when she has a lot of partying studying to do!).

Plain black long sleeve shirt–Target–$9.00
Zebra skirt–Target–$16.99
Tights–Target–$5.00
Headband–Target–$9.99
Bangles–Forever 21–$4.99 for a 3-pk

This is one of my favorite looks on Christy – love the green sweater with her complexion, and I love that she went with brown boots instead of black.

Green and Grey sweater–Forever 21–$13.50
Grey Cami underneath–Target–$8.99
Blue Skinny Jeans–same as above from Urban Outfitters
Tan Boots–same as above from Charlotte Russe

Her last look is all about the coat, which I think is great since so many people will see your coat long before they see anything underneath it.  She let her coat do the talking, and paired it with all-black underneath.  My only suggestion for this outfit would be to consider cinching the waistline with a skinny belt to pull it all together.  Since the coat isn’t uber-fitted, it would help to give her more shape.  She paired this coat with the same black long sleeve shirt from Target, and Chinese Laundry Boots.

A-line Black and White Coat–Forever 21–$44.50

Black skinny jeans/feel like tights–Forever 21–$24.80

* * *

There ya have it – some really inexpensive ways to put together a few new looks, with a huge thank you to my friend Christy, who never ceases to provide me with entertainment (and friendship, I might add).

Want to be featured on Chic Shopper Chick?  Send me some pictures of your favorite looks and I will do my best to post them!

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