Red Carpet Princess Moments

Rachel Zoe lives for those "princess moments" on the red carpet.

And so do I.

Perhaps this is why Hollywood is so appealing to me.

The red carpet is the only place where real magic takes place.

I of course love the simple, chic black gowns and dangerously plunging necklines, 

but more than anything I love myself some princess moments- where imaginary glitter dusts float around. This princess moment I'm talking about is complete with not only the perfectly fit gown, but the perfect hair, the perfect makeup, the perfect shoes (emphasis for they are very very important,) and the perfect accessories.

I'm sure I'll come across many many more favorite red carpet looks in the future (Anxiously waiting for the Oscars!)

but for now these are my all time favorite princess moments.

Quoting Rachel Zoe again, we always wait for those fashion orgasms

The Oh-So-Famous and almost legendary look Anne Hathaway wore for the 2009 Oscars.

The silver Armani Prive gown was the perfect mix of Cinderella and Little Mermaid- and the dress fit her like second skin! To the fitted waistline to the twisted, flowing train, the dress just speaks for itself.

Another, complete Belle from Sleeping Beauty moment for Anne! Her impeccable skin is just an added bonus.

Now I know I raved enough about Elie Saab, but Beyonce proves the Saab gown's magic in this look.

This look by Eva Mendes may not be the typical princess look (with glitter and sparkles and cascading trains,) but this look made me 1) gasp 2) stare 3) create a new obsession for turquoise. A white Dior with turquoise accents? Genius!

Gweneth Paltrow herself is the epitome of elegance, but this Donna Karen gown was custom made just for her! The color worked magic with Gweneth's skin tone.

What is there to not love about the All-American beauty Jennifer Aniston? (Also from the very, very stylish 2009 Oscars!) Her Valentino gown and Jimmy Choo shoes (unfortunately not shown in this photo) were classic choices, but Jenn added braids along her fringe and made this look young and hip.

I know, I know. I said it with my daring lips that I was a little iffy about Jessica's style, but this look proves me wrong once again. Although it's an oldie, it's still a goodie!

I had a girl crush on Kate Beckinsale since her role in Pearl Harbor. Kate wears one of the most amazing red carpet looks I have ever seen, and this white gown-accented with the earrings- she wore to the 2009 Globes took my breath away ♥

I am not sure if this was a red carpet event Nicole Kidman attended, but the look surely was red-carpet-worthy! The tiered pink gown screamed girly, feminine- everything I love about those princess moments.

***

Every girl dreams of, in this life or another, being a princess, with the perfect Prince Charming of her own. (where art thou?)

Maybe the dream is not so realistic, but perhaps a fraction of it can be fulfilled through these red carpet princess moments!

Sealed With Glitter,

CN

Collection Rave: Elie Saab Spring 2011 RTW

How can I even begin to talk about Elie Saab...

Elie Saab's gowns and mini dresses are definitely one of my favorites, especially because they always look so feminine yet structured, flowing yet fitted.

I cannot take my eyes off the new s/s collection- from the pastel tones to the fabric of the dresses (with occasional shoulder pads to add some edge to the otherwise goddess-worthy dresses,) everything speaks perfection. Hands down, one of the best Elie Saab collections I have ever seen.

Here are my top picks!

  Can you see the sparkling top peeking through the slightly cropped, shoulder padded blazer? The trousers make this look complete with a chic touch of sophistication. Perfect for a work event! And just look at the color...

LOVE

LOVE.. again

The collection generally consisted of looks that had a light blue/cream color to them, but there were a number of outfits in this Popsicle-orange color that makes the looks SO magical for the s/s season!

Another one of the creamy peach color looks. One shoulder on steroids! The shoulder that wraps around the mid-arm on the other side...and the twists of the fabric around the torso that is complete with a flowing slit down the thigh! Shall I saw more?

There were also a number of dresses in this pattern: a mix of pastels creating the perfect summery feel. This dress is my favorite - the halter jeweled neck and gold bangles were meant for each other!

A sequined number from top to bottom- completed with my favorite detail: the flowy one shoulder! The slit is slightly dangerous, but tres tres chic!

Ohhh......I have just died and gone to heaven!

I don't have to add additional captions for this one.

Very ethereal. Heart!

One of my favorite long gowns from the entire collection!

And there was the grand finale...

All photo credits go to Elle.com

***

Overall, I think I've said enough about this year's s/s collection for Elie Saab. No wonder she's one of the most sought after designers for the runway- she makes the female body look impeccable! I end with a slightly depressing note that, if I had had the financial to do so, this collection would be sitting in my closet right now- and I would be happy for a very very long time.

Sealed With Glitter,

CN

Love & Hate: Jessica Alba

Let's talk about Jessica Alba.

Great face.

Amazing body (and her famous, toned legs.)

Perfectly tan skin.

Pretty smile.

(Seems like) A good personality.

What is there not to love about Jessica Alba?

I've seen her being featured as one of the most stylish stars (and moms) in the world, and she's a fashion muse/role model to many.

And all this just adds to my confusion of why I never really loved her style.

Sure, she dresses well, but I was never wow-ed by any of her street-style looks that she's so admired for. Please don't judge me- people have different taste!

BUT

B-U-T

I was browsing through Instyle.com when I spotted the Look of the Day for January 26th- yesterday- of Alba in this Gucci mini. Check it out for yourselves:

Yeah.

So maybe it's me and the lifelong relationship I'll have with everything glittery, but this look Jessica wore was the first in many years where I felt she truly looked good from head to toe- including her chic bob! Jessica's always in shape (she instantly went from just-had-a-baby to supermodel in like, 2 days.) and that makes her such a good model for any clothing.

So Jessica may not be my number one role model for street fashion, but I think she nailed every inch of this look that she wore to the Gucci event! And besides, this girl is just

drop dead gorgeous. End of story.

Sealed With Glitter,

CN

Intro: 2011 Golden Globes Best Dressed

Hello, world!

So in the midst of struggling to make a scrapbook of fashion inspiration images taken from magazines, I, for the 1231234th time in my life, realized how unskilled I was in drawing/cut&pasting/labeling...leave those to the gifted artists- I am a writer for crying out loud! So then I decided since writing IS my cup of tea, I shall create a blog on my own (I've always been a big time blog follower myself) and maybe use this as my own source of an "electronic" scrapbook- recording all my inspirations and such. Sounds good to me!

***

So... I was trying to think what could make a good starter post, and it rung in my head- red carpet magic! (So you'll notice I use certain words over and over...and over i.e. magic, genius, fabulous, and more magic) Award season is here, and I usually skip through the nominations and go straight to the red carpet run-through. I was a bit skeptical of this year's Globes (I remember last year's rainy weather that ruined the spirit for me) but I was proven wrong (pleasantly!) Okay, enough of the ramble and here's MY outlook on the glitz and glamor. 

Angelina Jolie

I know...I know... You've probably seen Angie hit every magazine and blog's "Best Dressed at Globes" list, but I just HAD to include this glamazon into MY list! Angie always makes red carpet fashion look like a piece of cake- and this year's Globes was no exception to her effortless beauty! Jeweled tones are the upcoming trend for S/S 2011, and can you just LOOK at that sparkle on the one-of-a-kind Atelier Versace gown? As for her makeup- not too much, not too little. Her skin is porcelain and flawless as usual, with a little emphasis on her dark eyeliner and lashes. Her hair is - as usual, again- tossed in effortless loose waves. The structured shoulders and unexpected long sleeves make this look......wait for it- magic. No wonder Brad Pitt is so in love...

Scarlett Johansson

So Scarlett may not be on the top of every Best Dressed list, but in my list, she's a treasured favorite! It may just be a biased decision because her dress- and look altogether- epitomizes my personal taste on the red carpet- sparkles, frilles, chiffon detailing all scream for my name! This dress is so figure flattering to Scarlett, with the slightly plunging neckline, flowy sleeves and sinched waist. I am so in love with this ultimate princess number (remembering my fashion orgasm when Cameron Diaz had her princess moment at the 2010 Oscars) and Scarlett could not have looked more dazzling. Her perfectly pale skin seems to blend right in with the cream colored gown- UGH! amaaaazing.

Leighton Meester

I am a slave to Blair Waldorf- but I usually despise Leighton Meester's personal style with a passion (with an exception of a handful of looks I can remember- but you see, every true fashionista should have so many amazing looks that you shouldn't be able to remember all of them anyways.) But this year's Globes renewed my love for this lovely girl. I don't know if it's, again, my personal style (everything girly, lacy, etc.) being biased but this girl nailed it with the long-sleeved trend and the cream colored Burberry Prorsum gown that fit her very, very well. The gathered puffed sleeves and the slit that revealed just enough: perfection. What caught my eye was the Louis Vuitton gold clutch:

And her Jimmy Choo platform sandals!

IMO, Leighton redeemed herself completely.

I will be awaiting for another magical moment at another awards season, Ms. Blair!

Anne Hathaway

How could I ever leave Ms. Anne out of my list? I shall say I love the long-sleeved trend as much as the stars do. This sparkling- and breathtaking- Armani Privé gown was just too perfect for words! Her hair, her makeup- and her famous smile made this look complete- with no other accessories necessary!

Sandra Bullock

Sandra's dress started my most recent designer obsession for Jenny Packham. Personally, I think she (Bulock-not Packham ahahah) should be with Ryan Reynolds, but that's another post of celebrity gossip I would have to write. The one-shoulder detail, the sparkling beaded dress, the perfectly cascading train, and the bedazzle to go with the gown:

all prove that Sandra's looks better single! Seriously.

All photo credit goes to elle.com and jewelry close-up shots to people.com

**

Okay so that ends my belated list of the best dressed stars at the 2011 Globes. I am delighted to see color, sparkle and just plain beauty return to the runway, and I can't wait for the SAG Awards now! 

Oh, and other praised looks including the looks of Natalie Portman, Lea Michele, Jennifer Lopez, Mila Kunis and Michelle Williams all had something missing (once again, IMO) that didn't qualify for this list...(this may be my little disclaimer)

Sealed With Glitter,

CN