Wishlist: Alexis Dresses

Source: Pinkmascara; Podeclel.com; Blue Heaven Boutique; Unicamelrose

Dress 'Names' (out of order): Camilla, Tula, Angelina, Juliette, Ling, Becky - I finally had to stop adding bc this post was getting unwieldy already

Price Range: $300 - $400 (ugh)

I WANT THEM ALL

The colors, the drape, the prints, the cuts, argh I want to collect them all and have a beautiful maxidress puddle on my bed to gaze upon adoringly, much like Scrooge McDuck had his vault of gold coins to swim in.  This sounds healthy and sane, right?

The dresses remind me of both Karina Grimaldi and Blu Moon maxis, both of which I am utterly in love with.  The yellow one esp (yellowmaxi!  I will forever think of you when I see one) has the drape and cut of the Blu Moon dresses I so desperately want, while the latter ones w/the deep keyhole plunge are just like the KG dresses that I aspire to collect (there is also a shorter version, which actually looks more like the superpretty Halston Heritage pleated dresses that I also want.  Why do I want so many things?!)

T, 6/12/11:

1st dress (green):  hot, but looks kind of trashy for some reason -- maybe it's the model.

2d dress (white/blue):  okay . . . nothing super special though.

3d dress (hawaiian print w/ hot back):  lurve the back, but I'm not super stoked about Hawaiian print . . . but it could work.

4th dress (yellow):  LURVE!!!!  My fave, but you could already guess that.

5th dress (swirls):  maybe it's the wind blowing, but swirls are awesome.

6th dress (sheer layer):  you know sheer is my new heart.  Go forth.  *EDIT* -- and you just pointed out it's the same as the 1st dress . . . amazing how much it depends on the person wearing it.  And styling, lighting, etc.

7th dress (purple and yellow swirls):  I know there are more colors on that dress, but that's what I notice first.  Maybe you're secretly a Laker fan at heart.

8th dress (hawaiian print w/ hot back):  is this the same as 3d dress?

Wishlist: Freelook Watches

Source: Ebay, Ebay, Endless.com, Addisoncollection.net

Price: ~$140 - $250

I first came across this brand on Shopbop, when I added the first one to my hearts list, and there it remains to this day - I heart it!  I should've bought when it was on sale for $60 there, but alas, I missed it and now I cannot find it for less than $150, and that's only on Ebay no less.  Everywhere else, it's over $200.  I've been sort of half wanting a couple of watches for a while now - a gold one EXACTLY like the first pic, and a brown one, just to mix it up.  Def need to be oversized/mens watches, as I am an oversized manly gal, and all these Freelook watches fit the bill.  So classic, with a modern twist, which is how I would have to describe my 'style' if forced to (gross).  Now I'm thinking that perhaps a mens gold watch is a lil too ubiquitous, as everyone and their mother seems to be snatching them up, but I love it so much it doesn't really matter.

T, 4/4/11:  LOL, this post is awesome!  Remember, the ultimate question is always -- will you wear it?!  So no matter how much you lurve or how cheap it is, you must wear it . . . and watches, ehh, sometimes they get annoying . . .

Delvaux Givry MM Shoulder Bag

Retail: $2075 (at barneys.com)

9.5" x 13" x 4.5"

Handmade in Brussels

Saw bag at bagsnob.com (linked).  Lurrrrve how soft and slouchy it looks.  I'm a sucker for simplicity.  Never heard of the brand, but found out it's uber luxe, which means I auto lurve it some more.  The end.

Wishlist: Karina Grimaldi Beverly Hills Dress

Color: Purple Missoni (is that even allowed?!)

Price: $239 (Black Label Boutique)

In my neverending (and fruitless) search for the Missoni dress from theSartorialist (seriously, it is killing me), I came across this dress.  I have a few Karina Grimaldi items in my ShopBop wishlist, but this really takes the cake.  A couple of years ago, I would have thought nothing of dropping $250 on a dress.  Alas, now I am too cheap and stubborn about my cheapness, and must wait, perhaps forever.  Sigh…it's just so beautiful!

T, 3/31/11:  Woo, a maxi!!!  See, I think we can spend a little more with these lesser known brands, which are more unlikely to appear on ebay . . . maybe not $250, but when it goes on sale . . . of course, I've learned never to doubt your ebay skillz.

Oscars Wishlist: Mila Kunis & Jessica Biel

Ok this one is really just for fun - I don't actually think these two should switch outfits, but I couldn't resist.  After reading a bunch of articles about how (supposedly) Biel's (onagain offagain) bf Justin Timberlake has been trying to mack on Mila for ages now, and getting shot down, I figured I'd switch them up just to see what it would look like.

* Btw, I think what this (and all my lil Macpaint experiments) really shows is that these people are famous for a reason -- they really do look good in everything, even each others' clothes

Mila Kunis                        +                        Jessica Biel

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I wasn't a huge fan of Mila's dress at first, but it has grown on me.  Don't get me wrong, it's a very pretty dress, and I always love boobhugging lace, but after her dramatic Golden Globes gown, I wanted to see her pull out another explosive 'hotdamn' look.  That aside, she looks beautiful, and I am liking her more and more.  I now actually like that she changed it up for the Oscars - even though I was loving her richwavyhair dramaticeyes jeweltones look of late, this is a nice refresh, showing that she is not just dark&sexy, she can do light and beautiful too.

&

Jessica Biel didn't actually go to the awards ceremony (JT brought his mother), but damn she really brought it to the Vanity Fair party.  Nude, strappy, sparkly, what's not to love?  I wish I were as big a fan of the actress as the dress, but I'm sure she has enough boys warm for her form, she doesn't need another fan.

Oscars Wishlist: Melissa Leo

Full disclosure: I know basically nothing about Melissa Leo.  Didn't watch The Fighter, didn't follow her Oscars campaign, haven't even Wikipedia-ed her.  However, she did accidentally drop the F-bomb at the Oscars, which may have been my fav moment, since I am 100% positive I would have done the same (and I am so close to winning an Oscar of course).  Therefore, I decided that I wanted to see her in something more dropdeadgorge, instead of the weird doily-ish thing she decided on.  (also, not loving the hair, but my feeble MacPaint skills are powerless there)  

Did you even know that Cheryl Hines was at the Oscars?  She didn't show up in most "Oscar dresses" lists, but when I happened upon this pic on nymag, I immediately thought how fitting it would be for Melissa Leo.  (according to the internet, they are only 5 yrs apart)  Given that her role was decidedly less than glam, I feel she should have taken this opportunity, much like Jennifer Lawrence did, to show her cleaned up, uberpolished side, and this would have done nicely.  What do you think?

Melissa Leo's Head               +               Cheryl Hines' Dress

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Oscars Wishlist: Helen Mirren

Dame Helen Mirren, always a red carpet fav, never fails to receive heaps of praise and adoration from stylewatchers eager to demonstrate their lack of ageism.  Personally, I am slightly ambivalent - I don't follow her movies enough to really be a fan of her acting, and while she is certainly a very classy celeb, always well appointed and age-appropriate, I don't really understand why commenters from all networks/websites fall all over themselves whenever she appears.  Granted, she always looks very good, and I like that she is not afraid to show some skin (in a discerning way of course, whereas I seem to be on track to be a horribly inappriately dressed 60 yr old clinging to my youth).  However, she always seems to have a bit of 'extra' stuff on her gowns - ruffles, poofs, flowy bits, etc. - so I decided to try her in something completely straightforward.  A deep V bc she doesn't seem to be afraid to show some cleave, a golden sheen that is both classy and attentiongrabbing, formfitting bc hey, if you've got it…this thing looks great on both Celine and Helen.

Helen Mirren's Head                +                Celine Dion's Dress

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Oscars Wishlist: Cate Blanchett

Cate Blanchett is a hard one to pin down -- sometimes I think she has a funky, quirky/edgy style, with, but then she'll change it up with a sleek silver Armani Prive or an intricate embroidered Galliano (unPC now!).  The Givenchy she wore this year definitely fell in the former camp, and it seems the pundits are pretty split on it.  No matter what, she has always seemed very sleek and polished to me, clean and modern even with embellishments.  I don't really see her in the explosive uberglam and girly gowns that some stars gravitate towards for awards shows - Charlize Theron's blue Dior, Penelope Cruz's blush Versace, Halle Berry's nude Marchesa, and this Hilary Swank Gucci gown.  But no matter what, she is Cate Blanchett - so regal and classy, even a jewel encrusted bodice and long train covered with feathers look understated on her.

Cate Blanchett's Head          +          Hilary Swank's Dress

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Oscars Wishlist: Natalie Portman

Ahh Natalie….I used to be such a staunch supporter, waving off others' claims of her 'full of yourself' attitude by pointing out that if anyone had the right to it, she did.  So gorge, so smart, so educated, so awesome in Closer that it is in my top 5 fav movies EVER.  But something about this past year, maybe it was overexposure, maybe it was the heaping accolades for a performance I felt did not deserve it (I am judgmental), but I am now feeling lukewarm towards her at best, not least because of her ever classic, ever unrisky style.  Yes, she always looks gorgeous, classy, age appropriate, blahblahblah.  But come on, even in her early 20's, she was always the beautiful ingenue rather than the fun young woman.  I've always wanted to see her in something sexbomb (especially now that she has the baby cleavage), and what was more sexbomb at the Oscars than Jennifer Lawrence's strappy red dress?

Natalie Portman's Head               +               Jennifer Lawrence's Dress

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Oscars Wishlist: Helena Bonham Carter

I looooove Helena Bonham Carter - she is just so kooky and out there in both her roles and real life that I want to giggle like a schoolgirl whenever I see her in a film/on the red carpet.  For example:

* When I saw/read that she wore two different colored shoes to the Golden Globes, I was so delighted I wanted to clap, even though I would have found it retarded on anyone else

* I adore her so much as Bellatrix Lestrange that she is *almost* my favorite actor/character in that movie - as it is, she is second only to Alan Rickman's Snape, bc c'mon, Alan Rickman

* Plus, when I think of her, I think of the trifecta of perfection that is HBC + Tim Burton + Johnny Depp

That said, I must say, I love switching it up (in others, for I myself am too gutless to deviate from my norm).  Thus I decided to try a decidedly UNkooky look on her, just to see if it would look equally strange.  Nothing too va va voom, but def something 'classic', so I ended up on Mandy Moore's gown, which was perfect - too mature (I feel) on Mandy, but def both appropriate and subtle enough for HBC's 'transformation'…and doesn't she look stunning?!

Helena Bonham Carter's Head          +          Mandy Moore's Dress

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Oscars Wishlist: Michelle Williams

I know everyone and their mother does a post on Oscars dresses/hair/makeup/shoes/style/jewelry (did you know Gwyneth and Anne were each paid half a million bucks to wear their jewelry??), so I will forego the usual list of good/bad/ugly.  Besides, I wasn't really in love w/anyone's overall look - the high necklines, weird sleeves, vapid colors and many instances of frizzy sexhair were all very unappealing to me.  (your fav look, on Amy Adams, encompassed all these things! =( ) So instead, I decided to do a 'what I wish they had worn' - starting with switching up each others' looks.*  

First up: 

Michelle Williams

When my friends and I were watching at our pigout Oscars viewing party, we were talking about how amazing it is that nobody refers to Dawson's Creek anymore when talking about Michelle Williams.  Josh 'Pacey' Jackson and James 'Dawson' Van der Beek both did FunnyorDie sketches about their Creek characters, and Katie Holmes might be better known as the wife of Xenu now but ppl still mention Dawson's Creek when she comes up.  But Michelle Williams is like an actual, legit movie star now; an actual legit movie star who annoys me with her insistence on looking all indieicequeen, and seems to not move her face except in movies.  Case in point, her Oscars gown was pale, icy, highnecked and weirdsleeved, so I decided to try her in some rich color for once (that mustard gown she wore the other year does not count, pretty, but still not striking enough).

*Please excuse the shoddiness - I don't have photoshop (nor would I know how to use it), and I had to make do w/this weird Paint for Mac program that I am still not 100% comfortable with

Michelle Williams' Head          +         Anne Hathaway's Dress

    

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Spring Trend Alert

 

 Okay, since I'm too lazy to write anything unique other than "I want!" (so much for creativity), I'm just gonna quote from luckymag.com (linked) -- I mean, we all learned that so long as you give kudos to the O.G., it's not plagarism:

1. The Hasley From BB Dakota: "People are starved for color," says Ann French Emonts, owner of Greenwich Village boutique Darling. "I'm seeing loads of bright, solid colors in silk, especially green--jade green, kelly green, hunter green. And I still see a strong interest in the Mad Men look--whether a [size] 2 or a 10, people really love what I call the Peggy or Betty silhouette, which is fitted on top and goes into a pleated or full skirt. My favorite is the Hasley from BB Dakota ($110)." Darling, 1 Horatio St., 212-367-3750, darlingnyc.com 

2. Rag & Bone Dress at OTTE: Sophia Hyacinthe's top pick is Rag & Bone's powerhouse "Lafone" beige-and-black dress, which is part of the shop's Runway Wishlist collection. "This dress has three trends in one," says Hyacinthe. "It's sheer, which feels right for spring because it has a sweet and airy feel to it. Underwear-as-outerwear is another big trend for spring--here you can see that the top has a very bra-like look to it. And the strategic color block emphasizes and minimizes all the right things." The dress is $625 and will be available at Otte in mid-March. Otte, 121 Greenwich Ave., 212-229-9424, otteny.com; plus other locations

Tks, luckymag, for telling me how to think!

Miguelina "Brigit" Yellow Maxi Dress

Size: S
Material: 100% cotton, "lined with a crinkle gauze overlay"
Retail: $216 (NWT)

Buy It Now: $34.99
S&H: $4
Ends: March 10, 2011; 4:50AM PST (7:50AM EST)

First came across Miguelina at c21.  Tried on an xs maxi in a neon yellow; it was extremely well priced.  Fit well, but looked funny because straps were wide and it had a weird doily/lacy bib, I think.  Google'd brand later and realized it was high end -- meaning, dum dum dum -- must have!

Emailed seller for measurements, and seller replied:  "bust-36", waist-32" without stretching empire waist under bust, hips-crinkle gauze hips can stretch to 52", total length from top of strap to hem-55."

This won't work.

Ugh, we both know my search for the perfect yellow maxi has been long and arduous (that's what she said), ever since I laid eyes on Hayden Panettiere back in 2007 in her yellow Sweetees "Adalia" (was $147 at shopintuition.com; to be distinguished from the Gypsy 05 mustard maxi, which every other celeb has also worn and, btw, does not freaking fit me!!!):

My gawd, have I really been searching for 3 years?!  Measurements aside, Brigit kind of looks like the poorman's version of Adalia, huh . . . damn.

A -- 2/16/11: BIG FAT NO!!  I understand ur search for  a yellow maxi, but THIS IS NOT IT.  Everything about it is so gross -- the color, the neckline, the weird tie, the cheaplooking straps.  Shitty quality plus shitty construction equals -- waitfor it -- SHITTY!

Madewell The Scholar Satchel

Length: 12.5"
Height: 8"
Depth: 4"
Strap Drop: 22"
Retail: $138 (shopbop.com)

Saw this on bagsnob (linked), and lurved . . . it's reminiscent of the mulberry (another bucketlist bag purchase -- gotta love that flap) + ps1.  If I weren't such a jew right now, I'd consider buying it since it's within my price range for purses; it's a good size; and it hangs with that hipster/student/I'm-cool-but-I'm-not-trying swag.  But hey, I got my Kieselstein Cord to satisfy my tan/brown flapover craving, right?!  C'mon avelle . . . gimme some sugar.

Wishlist: Diane von Furstenberg Tressette Dress

Spring 2010
Sandra Bullock in DVF's Tressette dress at the Hollywood Awards Gala

Agh!  It is just SO. HOT.* This damn dress has proven maddeningly elusive - when these pics came out last year, they were on the DVF site (linked) as an article on Sandra Bullock, but not as an actual listing in the online store.  When it finally showed up on the site as an individual item as seen on the runway, it was listed as "call for pricing".

This, as we all know, means "if you have to ask you can't afford it".  So I didn't call (shocker).

Since then, I haven't even been able to find reference to the dress on other websites, much less on ebay.  There has GOT to be a way!

*I wouldn't mind having Bradley Cooper's arm around me either.  Tall and pointy w/awesome hair, the only way he could be more my type is if he were a brunette instead of blond.