The Winning Dress for Oscar Nominations Day

I know there has been a BIG debate this year over which dress I was was going to wear.  The blue one or the green one?  The interesting thing is that everyone was drawn to one or the other and there was no in-between.  Those that were in favor of the green dress loved the cut and color.  Those that were in favor of the blue dress thought that blue was a better color for me.  Several were concerned that the blue dress would be too baggy.  That's the beauty of online shopping, you don't know what it's going to look like until you try it on.

So please, congratulate Ali and Julia for picking the winning dress from Bloomingdale's.  Yes, the blue dress won.  It fit like a glove and it was a fun dress to accessorize.  The green dress from Banana Republic was huge on me.  I loved the color, but I needed a week with a tailor to remake the dress.  That is the one caveat with Banana Republic:  if they don't offer it in a petite size, a regular size 2 or 4 is often cut more like a size 6 or 8.

In case anyone wants to know, Julia is 12 years old.  I think we have a budding fashionista on our hands.

The details on the dress:

Dress:  Aqua by Bloomingdale's.  (With coupons and Ebates, this dress was under $75.)
Shoes:  BCBG Girl
Ring:  Forever 21 (Also seen in this post.)
Bracelet:  Gifted from a Gift Bag long ago.
Necklace: Jessica Matrasko 
Belt:  Roni B (I wore this belt backwards..buckle in the back.)
Hair: Lisa Cavalone

Dress Challenge 2012: The Finalists

Okay, the day has come to let you know who the two finalists are.  I have ordered both choices and they will hopefully be waiting for me when I return home.  I have no idea which one will be the winner, so you will have to wait until Tuesday, January 24th!

The two dress choices are:

I talked about these dresses in two different posts here and here.  The green one is from Banana Republic and I love the color because it is an unexpected one for me.  I haven't worn a soft green shade to an event in ages.  As for the Bloomingdale's blue dress, I love the possibilities for accessory choices....a belt, a necklace, a hot pair of shoes.   So, congratulations go out to Eli and Ali/Julia, you are the finalists in the 2012 Oscar Nominations Dress Challenge!  Let me know what you think of the dress choices.  Which one do you think I will pick?

Dress Challenge 2012: Dress Choices, Part 2

We are hitting the final dress challenge day!  There's still time to enter as long as you get your choice in by midnight ET.  I will let you know what the two finalists are this weekend and the winner will be announced on Oscar Nominations Day, January 24th.  The entries I have received so far are great, so here's a look at a few more that have come in the last few days.  Let's take a look:

This one of three dress that Ali and Julia picked and I love the dress for the rich blue hue which always looks amazing on camera.  I do have a DVF dress with a similar design, but it is a very flattering cut on me.  This is another selection by Lauren by Ralph Lauren.  It seems like Ralph Lauren and Banana Republic are the clear frontrunners for everyone's shopping list this year.

This was also a dress picked by Ali and Julia and I like it because it has an unexpected twist.  It's hard to see in the photo, but it is a polka-dotted print.  The color is strong for an on-camera look, but it is a bit simple in design.  The simple design didn't deter me though because I think this could be accessorized with a belt and a great pair of earrings.  This dress is by Bloomingdale's.

Here is a final dress to look at that was selected by Sarah and I think this is a sweet and classic silhouette.  Believe it or not, it is a bridesmaid's dress by Alfred Sung in a soft firecracker color.  I know this dress would be appropriate for the event, but I have to find out if it is available online since my time frame to order is so short.  

Okay, that's a was a quick peek into some of the dresses picked so far.  If you missed Round 1, click here.  Remember, there is still time to enter.  You have until Midnight ET tonight.  All of the rules and comment form to enter is here.  Good luck and come back this weekend to find out the two finalists!

Hello, Detroit!

Yeah, I didn't sleep much this weekend and my 6AM flight this morning solidified the full-on nap I took the entire leg from LAX to Denver.  Unfortunately, our flight had mechanical difficulties and then we had jetway issues once we landed in Denver.  I had already started to plot how I was going to get to Detroit which involved two more flights, when I discovered there were several United Global Services passengers on my flight with the same itinerary.  If you watched the movie, Up In The Air, then you know exactly what I am talking about--that elusive card that gives you multiple flight benefits and carries enough clout to hold a plane.  So after running through the Denver airport huffing and puffing due to the altitude, I found out that they held the plane for us....okay, really just for them. I lucked out that they had the same itinerary.  Now you know that those secret airplane perks are all true and I just benefitted from them even with my little old Premier Elite card.

I am hitting the first press day tomorrow of NAIAS and I am sure I will tweet all of the updates happening from the show floor.  However, my first priority when I landed was eating at Slows, my favorite Detroit restaurant.  I stuffed my face with St. Louis ribs, Mac and Cheese, Mashed Sweet Potatoes, and a Brisket Enchilada. I know I am supposed to fit into a tiny dress on Thursday for the IAWTV Awards, but a girl has got to eat.

Have a great week, everyone, and don't forget to enter my 2012 Dress Challenge for Oscar Nominations.  The last day to enter is Wednesday, January 11th and the winner gets a $25 gift certificate!

The Dress Challenge: A First Look (2012)

The dress choices are rolling in for Dress Challenge 2012 and I thought I would give you a sneak peek at what other have selected for me so far.  I am seeing a color family scheme pop up quite a bit.  Let's start with the very first entry that came in and a color I really like because it is deep, rich, and something I don't wear often enough:

Bentoboxx selected this one and I love the raisin color.  It is by Lauren by Ralph Lauren and it is available at Nordstroms.  My one thought is that I might have to hike up the hem to show a little more leg, but this is a very classic design.

Next up is this Banana Republic dress selected by Eli and yes, Banana Republic was the winning dress last year.  I think Eli is going for a known winner.  This dress is available in four colors and Eli went straight to the Geranium Pink for me, but I think I like it in Fresh Fern.  I am posting both photos for comparison.  Which color do you like better?

Here is the final selection I am going to show you today, it is from a New Zealand fashion house, but I like the simplicity of the design because it can be easily accessorized and the Berry Red color is one I don't wear too often because red can be hard to wear on camera.  This shade has just enough pink in it, that it could work.  Thanks for this pick, Donette!

So, do you see anything you like so far?  I would love to hear your comments or see your picks for me for the Oscar Nominations.  Remember, the winner who picks the perfect dress receives a $25 gift certificate to the store of their choice.  To enter, read the rules here and enter the link to your dress here in the comments below, on Facebook, or on Twitter.  You have until Wednesday, January 11th to enter.  Now, get shopping!

Baby Bump Watch 2012

I have been known to be waaaaaaaay off base when it comes to Hollywood news on this site like my story about Susan Lucci--wrong! and my guess on how far along Natalie Portman was at the Oscars--also wrong!  Every once in awhile, I get it right like the baby bump on Tori Spelling.  YES, she was pregnant in 2011.  So, I saw a photo yesterday and I thought, "Baby Bump Watch 2012?"  I only say this because Reese Witherspoon is petite and always in shape.  This photo makes it look like she is in the beginning stages of a  Baby Bump.  She does have a hot new husband and she has publicly spoken about wanting to have more kids.  So, let's speculate:  Baby Bump or Just the Photo? Let me know in the comments below. (Or we can wait for the tabloids.....or just wait 9 months.)

Credit: bauergriffinonline.com via USMagazine.com


Don't forget to enter my Dress Challenge 2012. Help me find a dress for the Oscar Nominations and win a $25 gift certificate!