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"I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing...kissing a lot. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls."
Audrey Hepburn


Monday, February 28, 2011

The Oscars Are My Superbowl


Ever since I was a little girl, Oscar Night was a big deal in our house. My father and I have always loved the show, even during the 80's when it was at its cheesiest, and so I've carried on the tradition of making Oscar Night special in my own home. I make my 'Oscar Dip' (a delicious Olive Dip, but that's another subject for another post), my husband buys a brew we've never tried, and we usually begin watching the Red Carpet arrivals on E!, around 5:30. This year was no exception, especially since Anne Hathaway was hosting and was rumored to be changing her dress no less than 5 times throughout the telecast.

Let me start by saying that the red carpet is not really 'red'. It's kind of a burgundy color. Which makes the choice of red dress, made by SEVERAL of the night's starlets, an odd one. Yes, they clashed...but hey, most of the 'red dress gang' looked awesome regardless. Sandra Bullock was lovely but the two who really stood out were Anne Hathaway in her vintage Valentino gorgeousness and Jennifer Hudson, who wore a bright sunset orangey red gown by Versace. Though the Valentino is definitely more my aesthetic choice, who can deny the stunning transformation that Jennifer Hudson has undergone in these last few months? That, coupled w/ the gorgeous hair and understated makeup, made her her my choice for the Best Dressed of the night.


I was, of course, pleased to see the Old Hollywood feel to many of the fashion choices. This dress of Reese Witherspoon's was my personal favorite...the cut of it was extraordinary. Can't say I like the hair, though. It's a bit too big and simply draws more attention to her angular jawline.


Best Dressed Male on the Red Carpet, in my opinion, was Robert Downey Jr. He wore this navy suit with ease and looked healthier, less tan, and just all around 'dishy'.


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I was likewise impressed by Christian Bale, who really looks at home in the black on black tux...and the fact that he is growing this red beard for 'love', and not for a role, makes me super happy. It's kind of a wonderful train wreck, isnt it? But hey, I've had a crush on the guy since I was eleven years old so perhaps I'm biased.

Hair mistakes WERE made, however. Amy Adams' stylist was evidently channeling a 'Veronica Lake' look in this loose style but something when horribly wrong. She was literally drowning in all that volume. Also, I have to say that it seemed to me (and correct me if I'm wrong) that the majority of the ladies had on far too much blush. Streaks of blush. Did anyone else notice this?


The show was only so-so. I liked the candid stuff (i.e. Kirk Douglas and his ramblings), but the hosts were uncomfortable and a little bit annoying. I also felt that Anne's dress changes were very 'molehill-ish' in nature after that stunning Red Carpet gown. Nothing could hold a candle to it. The fact that the audience gave Billy Crystal a standing ovation when he appeared spoke volumes. 'Please give us a seasoned Oscar Host next year...PLEASE!' I was not surprised by the winners, though I'll admit I expected 'The Social Network' to take Best Picture. It was largely overlooked, interestingly, with 'Inception' and 'The King's Speech' taking top honors.

My 'Worst Dressed' Picks are really more a result of disappointment than anything else. Javier Bardem and Josh Brolin have previously shone in this arena, but what was with the ill-fitting "Miatre'D" outfits??


And the biggest disappointment of all was Cate Blanchett, who usually looks stunning and wears fantastic dresses. This time I was a little grossed out. Not only does the structure at the top look like a bib you'd don to eat barbeque, but the 'beading' along the neckline and back seriously look like some sort of fungal ailment. Also, I think this was pants? Either way...bad show, Cate...bad show...



And that, as they say, is it. In a nutshell...
Let's hear your thoughts!!

xxoo,
Ashley

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

I agree with everything from Reese's hair to Anne's annoying gown changes to the stiffness of the hosts. We kept commenting that James Franco obviously couldn't stand Anne Hathaway because he never looked her in the eye.

But I actually loved Cate Blanchett's choice because it was so different than the other gowns. She's the only actress that doesn't follow a stylist's formula and I love that she takes chances with fashion.

jewlover2 said...

I usually agree, Rubie (love your name, by the way). But this time, I didnt feel it was a good choice. It just didnt suit her when compared to gorgeous stuff like this:
http://cdni.condenast.co.uk/240x360/a_c/CBlanchett_Oscars05WennB.jpg

Andrea said...

Love, love, love Reese's dress! I agree with your thoughts on Robert Downey Jr, too. I find he often seems to be well dressed for these types of events, though. It's too bad that Amy Adams' hair is so distracting, as her dress is quite lovely, but you almost don't notice it with all that hair!

Cheryl said...

My favorite was Mila Kunis! I also liked Mandy Moore -- random, since she doesn't strike me as a red-carpet standout usually.

LMH said...

I was a bit surprised to see so many short dresses, I just feel like we have too few occasions for really beautiful formal wear nowadays why would you want to wear a knee length dress? Oh and I totally agree with your Christian Bale crush. I have seen all of his movies starting with "Empire of the Sun" when I was 4. (my dad let me watch violence and war as long as it was historical)

Michelle Marie said...

My favourite with Mila Kunis as well. She just glowed in that lilac gown, and I'm generally not a huge fan of the colour. Michelle Williams also looked like an angel; an ethereal beauty. It might have been too much white for any old person, but she seemed to appropriate pull it off.

Anne's red dress during the ceremony was also a major hit for me. Hugged her gorgeous curves and just worked so well.

I cannot agree on Christian Bale and Reese Witherspoon, however. Bale's mismatched facial hair with his actual hair was just plain gross. He looked unrefined and messy.

Witherspoon's dress (to me) was straight out of Season 1 90210, the spring formal...remember the one where Kelly and Donna wore the exact same dress? All that was missing on Witherspoon was the early 90s fringe and the bow. For me it was so boring and tried way to hard to be a vintage Julia Roberts circa 2001. She's a mega star, there is no excuse for the hair either.

All in all, I had a fabulous time watching. What I wouldn't give to one day be on that carpet for whatever reason, getting to see it all up close :)

vixenoffoxgreen said...

Oh my lord Cate's dress was the BEST! It was quirky, old style, beautifully cut and flowed amazingly, the embelishments were sublime-I love her and anything she wears-superb superb superb!! She always goes the extra mile.
Also Helen Mirren-gets better everytime you see her, that Westwood gown was breathtaking.
I did think a lot of hair and make up was a mess quite frankly (I see you Scarlett!!!)-apart from Hathaway not a slick of red lippy-what the???? Come on movie stars, get with the beat!

jewlover2 said...

lol...loving all the subjectivity! I appreciate all of the comments.

Michelle...I'm sure Christian Bale will get plenty of flack and 'worst dressed' lists for his facial hair. I was neither here nor there about it, honestly, until I found out he did not grow it for a role, but instead was growing it because he liked it. That's a whole other ball o' wax. :) I do remember that 90210 but wasnt called to mind of it w/ Reese's dress...haha. It reminded me of Jayne Mansfield in the 60's.

Again, I wish I could have liked the Blanchett dress. To me, it seemed out of character compared to her prior choices...I dunno...

Esther said...

Wow! This is funny because my mom and I were just discussing how the Oscars are our version of the Superbowl as well! I agree with your choices and I've posted my favorites on my blog. http://lovelipstickandlaughter.blogspot.com/2011/02/oscars-fashion-2011-best.html

potsy said...

First time I read your blog! Glad to find it. I too have had a crush on Mr. Bale since about age 10!!! More famously handsome men should adorn beards. Check out The Avett Bros. (swoon!). I don't have a TV, so I didn't watch the show, but I'm sure there were plusses and minuses all about!

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