Monday, February 28, 2011

Red Carpet to Real Life: Mandy Moore



It's no doubt the Oscar looks set trends for the season but how many real woman actually get to wear a ball gown in their daily lives? (besides for the random black tie wedding every year or so...) That said, I wanted to start a new series on BBB that will help you translate the top trends from the red carpet to your real life.

I'm deconstructing my favorite looks from the Oscars and showing you how to translate these looks into daily life looks for Spring.

In the first "edition" of runway to real life I'm breaking down one of my top three looks at the Oscar's - Mandy Moore in Monique Lhullier - and showing you how to get the look with J. Crew's new Spring line!

Mandy's look was all about modern vintage. Taking timeless sillouttes from the late 50s/60s and updating them with sparkle and glamour! To get this look we recommend looking for timeless casual wear items - a skinny cropped khaki (ala Audrey Hepburn), ballet flats and a feminine crew neck tee. The bling comes in with this shimmering "metallic gold" top, oversized crystal earrings and a pave and gold open link bracelet. Metallic flats bring a little more dazzle to the overall look.

The Breakdown:
All Available at J.Crew.com

- Shimmerveil Tee in Light Bronze

- Classic Cafe Capri Pant in British Khaki

- Twisted Flower Button Earrings

- Mini Pave Link Bracelet

- Lula Jacquered Ballet Flats in Gold


Fashionably Yours,

H

Oscar Fashion Round-Up

What did you guys think of last night's Oscars? As much as I love Anne Hathaway and James Franco, the show was a giant snooze! The Oscar broadcast is usually not the most exciting in general, but something was really lacking this year. Maybe it was the lack of production numbers Or the fact that James Franco looked like I had no idea what he was doing up there? Either way, I found it hard to get through.

On the the fashion note, I think there were some hits and some misses. I don't think that "Hollywood Glamour" you expect from the Oscar red carpet was really brought this year, although nobody really looked terrible. My biggest disappointment was the lack of jewelry. No statement necklaces, small little earrings and just a bangle or two was pretty much it. So sad for a jewelry lover like me!

Okay, so on to my picks. Pastel's ruled the carpet (do we spot a trend for Spring?) and we are absolutely loving them!

1) Mila Kunis in Elie Saab

Mila Kunis Elie Saab  2011 Academy Awards Oscars red carpet dress

Congrats Mila! You made it on my favorite looks list for each award show this season and definitely are my #1 pick for Oscars Best Dressed!! Mila literally rocked out award season and there literally isn't a look I wouldn't wear that she sported this season. This Elie Saab gown is no exception. I still literally can't get over how sexy yet feminine the lavender lace and chiffon gown is! Her dainty Neil Lane diamond and platinum earrings, bangle and cocktail ring gave made it ultra feminine. The nude python clutch gave it a modern edge. She is young after all!

2) Hailee Steinfeld in Marchesa
Hailee Steinfeld Marchesa 2011 Academy Awards Oscars red carpet dress

Hailee is one to watch! While I am personally campaigning for her to be named the rough around the edges Katniss Everdeen in the forthcoming Hunger Games movie, I can't deny her absolute glamour and poise throughout all of award season! Her custom Marchesa creation (she actually helped design it) is perfectly age appropriate and just ethereal and gorgeous. She looks like the perfect little ballerina princess doesn't she? The adorable headband and topknot hairdo work perfectly with the ultra femme blush-colored dress. A heart shaped Fred Leighton ring and silver clutch with bow detailing make it young and fun!

3. Mandy Moore in Monique Lhullier

Our third pick, Mandy Moore, is quite a surprise because I really don't ever like her looks on the red carpet! I was pleasantly surprised with her Globes look and even more excited about her Oscars look! This nude and embellished Monique Lhullier gown has a vintage vibe (reminds me of something a glam Betty Draper would wear) and is really quite feminine and flirty. I am a sucker for the embellishments. The dress is almost an optical illusion (doesn't the top almost look painted on?) but it works! Oversized 10-carat Chopard pave diamond earrings and orange-red lips give this look a 1960s vibe thats just perf!

My honorable mentions, Halle Berry and Natalie Portman , also looked gorgeous. But I want to know - who had your favorite look?

Fashionably Yours,
H

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Oscar Weekend!






















Oscar Weekend is here and as always I'll be tweeting all my "fashion feelings" when the red carpet goes live on E! at 6 pm EST tomorrow night.

The Oscars are the epitome of glam, and like Fashion Week itself does, sets the trends for the upcoming season. I'm so excited to see what some of my red carpet favorites will wear like Mila Kunis, Anne Hathaway, that cute little Haley Steinfeld and more!

In the meantime, here is a look at some of my favorite looks from last year! Make sure to follow my tweets @HollyBerness on Twitter and check back on BBB on Monday for my best dressed list!


Monday, February 14, 2011

Grammy's - Best Dressed

Oh, the Grammys!!! So much crazy fashion I was sure I didn't like anything (certainly did not like Lady Gaga in that stupid egg) but looking back there were actually a few standouts! My favorites from the night are below.

What did you think?

1) Jennifer Hudson in Versace

Jennifer Hudson at the Grammys

- J. Hud looked gorg (and oh so svelte!) in this navy Versace gown with silver embellishments.
- Her Christian Louboutin Buckled Heels and Neil Lane bangles keep the look fresh!
- Showcasing one of the biggest trends of the night - the asymmetrical hemline

2) Lea Michele in Pucci
LEA MICHELE   photo | Lea Michele
-
- Lea Michele showcased one of her best looks of all of awards season in a black Pucci dress with lace detail and platform patent Loubotin heels
- Her multi-colored jeweled Lorraine Schwartz bangle )pink,green, black oh my!) was fun and added a dash of color to the whole look. My favorite jewelry piece of the night...tied with Gwenyth Paltrow's hot pink feathered earrings of course!

3) Florence Welch in Givency Haute Couture
- Florence (without the machine) showed us what fun and funky Grammy style is all about in this sheer Givency gown that has a very vintage vibe. Very bohemian and just very Florence.
- A Lorraine Schwartz ring is the right amount of dazzle for the complicated design

As for my worst dressed, sorry Rihanna, but your puff of a gown reminded me of Christmas (or a cotton swab). I also disliked Gaga in the Egg (have I said this already?), Katy Perry in those Armani angel wings, as well as Guliana Rancic's overally complicated lace and satin dress. Sorry G!

Fashionably Yours,
H

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Weekend Bling Grammy Style




The Grammy Awards, music's most prestigious, most fashionable night out, is all about being "over the top." Over the top performance and over the top fashion that is. Over the top is also the one phrase I'd use to describe today's daily bling from from luxe line and favorite of all (rock) stars, Alexander McQueen. This "koi tree" and skull ring is disruptive, aggresive, and pretty much all over the place. You can't help but thinking also, how cool, unique and interesting it is. And this is what Grammy fashion is all about.


To listen to my live "commentary" on all the looks on the Grammy red carpet this evening make sure to follow me on twitter @HollyBerness. I'll be posting my favorite (and least favortie looks) on the blog tomorrow, so also look out for that!


Fashionably Yours,

Holly

Monday, February 7, 2011

Valentine's Day Gift Guide: For Her

Ahhh, Valentine's Day! The day of love! The day of roses. And chocolates. And what else? Well, jewelry of course! If you are looking for a chic gift for your girl this year - look no further than BBB! We breakdown our top gifts for her this Valentine's Day this year from luxe to less!

Luxe
Tiffany Key Heart Pendant in Gold/ $850


The perfect "trendy" yet timeless gift from Tiffany's. The heart makes it romantic, the gold metal fashionable, and the little turquoise box? Priceless!

Lovely
Judith Ripka Pink Crystal and Pave Heart Earrings/ $325
PINK CRYSTAL AND PAVE HEART EARRINGS
Judith Ripka is literally the queen of hearts. For a very special Valentines Day gift, get her something from Ripka's sterling silver collection. We love the pink gemstones because not only are they perfect for this holiday, but they are ultra feminine and will compliment all of the Spring styles.

A little Something
Gorjana Alphabet Charm Bracelet/ $40
Personalization makes any gift special and this dainty sterling silver bracelet from Gorjana is the perfect little something for V-Day. This would even be a cute gift for a son/daughter to give to mom! Get mom the kids initials instead of their own for something really special!

Fashionably Yours,
H