High Ponytails Paired with High Fashion at the Oscars

Most mornings I'm so rushed my beauty routine is practically non-existent. I brush on some mascara, gloss my lips, throw my hair up, and I'm out the door, so I was loving the high ponytail trend at the Oscars last night.

 (Photo Credit: Getty Images vs Stylelist)

On the red carpet, Reese Witherspoon (who, spotlight on Nashville, is an alum of my high school!) looked like a retro Barbie with her sleek up-do and simple black-and-white gown. I know, I know, the hair wasn't exactly a true ponytail, but close enough for me.

(Image Credit: Michael Caulfield via Beauty High)

Anne Hathaway had an insane amount of costume changes as host of the Academy Awards last night. So many that soon-to-be mama and Oscar stylist Rachel Zoe almost said her final "I die." There were lots of highs and a few lows, but my absolute favorite look had to be the Lanvin tuxedo accessorized with metallic pumps and a soft, high ponytail. The perfect pairing of femininity and strength, Hathaway's outfit was edgy and chic in contrast with her elegant floor-length gowns.

What trends stood out to you last night? Are you a fan of the sleek pony? 

Ola Nowakowska

Jacket: Jesire (Brown Thomas)

Top: Knife

Jeans: Sevens (Brown Thomas)

Shoes: 9 West

Bag: Jimmy Choo (Brown Thomas)

14-Year-Old Fashionista

 (Image Credit: Zimbio)

When I was 14 I was rockin' less-than-flattering tops from Express and a sassy mouthful of braces (with glow-in-the-dark rubber bands of course). Fourteen-year-old Academy Award nominee Hailee Steinfeld missed out on the Oscar for best supporting actress, but she has my vote for top of the best dressed list with her nude Marchesa gown. Always age-appropriate, she looks sweet yet sophisticated, the perfect combination of cute and classy.

What were your favorite looks from the red carpet?

Target Re-releases the Best of Go International

For the past five years, Target has been bringing designer fashion to the masses with its Go International  collaboration lines. This March the retail giant is showcasing the best of collections past with the re-release of 34 Go International dresses.

I definitely regret missing out on Thakoon and Proenza Schouler for Target, so I'm super excited to have this second chance. The dresses will be available online and in stores from March 13th to April 10th and will range in price from $25 to $45. Check out my favorite pieces below or click over to College Fashion for a complete look at the collection.

 Reader's will you be shopping this collection? Which looks are you favorites?

PS How cute are the Dolce Vita wedges some of the models are wearing?

 (All photos courtesy of Target)

J. Crew Fails with Mechanic Chic

Really J. Crew? A denim jumpsuit? I can't decide what's worse--that it costs $298, or that it exists in the first place.

Readers--am I just behind the trend? Would you wear a denim jumpsuit?

Quick Pic: Simplyummy Lunch

There's nothing better than an "X-Rated" bacon, tomato and cheese sandwich from Simplyummy with a side of grammar homework.

What was on your plate this afternoon?

Sneak Peek: Kate Spade Meets Elizabeth Bennet

 (photo credit: Kate Spade)

I'm officially an English nerd-- I was so excited when I stumbled upon this photo of Kate Spade's newest book clutch. Pride and Prejudice is a personal favorite, and I'm always happy to see the title referenced in pop culture (especially when it looks this chic!). Hopefully I'll have a spare $325 to make this purse my own when the new collection of clutches hits Kate Spade stores in the fall of 2011.

Readers--what novels would you like to see made into a clutch?

Firth Brings Green to the Red Carpet

(Image Credit: Vogue UK)

The red carpet is going green, and no, I'm not referring to the striking emerald gowns spotted at this year's Golden Globes. This awards season, Livia Firth, wife of Oscar-nominated Colin Firth, threw down the sustainable-clothing gauntlet with her "Green Carpet Challenge." (be sure to check out her blog!)

At the Globes we saw her sporting a hand-dyed, peace-silk gown created by Prophetik, a Nashville-based designer at the forefront of eco-friendly formal wear.

With hubby Colin as a front runner for Best Actor at next week's Academy Awards, Livia will most certainly give us a second look at sustainable glamor. No word on the designer yet, but I'm sure it will be green.

Readers--do you try to support sustainable fashion? What are your favorite green brands?

Khrystyna Marriott

Hat, Scarf, Boots & Bag: Gorta

Coat: Penneys

Dress: Monsoon

BHLDN

 (Photo Credit: BHLDN)

How gorgeous is this romantic wedding dess? It's from Urban Outfitters Inc.'s new wedding brand BHLDN (pronounced beholden). I especially love the covered buttons and simple silhouette of this vintage-inspired gown.

If, like me, you aren't in the market for a wedding dress, the whimsical shop also carries accessories, jewelry, shoes and bridesmaid dresses that are perfectly acceptable to wear to non-wedding events.

Readers--What do y'all think of the new Urban Outfitters brand?

Bonnaroo Lineup Announced

Bonnaroo announced today the lineup for its 10th anniversary show. Hopefully I'll be gainfully employed by this summer, but if not, the headliners have me seriously considering buying a ticket.

Click here for a complete list of performers or scroll down for videos of my favorite acts.

Readers do you have any summer concert plans?

Florence and the Machine

Arcade Fire


Mumford and Sons


Alison Krauss & Union Station


Amos Lee


Loretta Lynn


Grace Potter and the Nocturnals

Willow's Bistro Satisfies Without Blowing the Budget

 

This weekend my friend Kristi came to visit, so naturally Saturday brunch was a must. After a quick trip to Wake's women's lacrosse game, our group headed downtown to Willow's Bistro, an art-filled cafe in the heart of Winston-Salem. I'd been dying to try Willow's for a while now, and it definitely didn't disappoint.

Affordable, with a variety of menu options, Willow's is perfect for college students tired of  traditional cafeteria fare. The restaurant's walls feature a rotation of work by local artists, and the intimate dining area feels cozy, but not cramped.

When we sat down at our table, my group and I were verging on the literal meaning of starving, so we ordered three appetizers: the hummus platter, grilled asparagus drizzled with a balsamic vinaigrette and crostini topped with a mixture of cheese, olives, red peppers, artichokes and sun-dried tomatoes.

I'm not the biggest fan of olives, so the crostini wasn't exactly my cup of tea, but the chewy house-made pita chips combined with chili-cilantro hummus were the perfect start to my meal.

For my entree, I ordered the fried green tomato BLT. Willow's menu describes the sandwich as "applewood-smoked bacon, goat cheese, balsamic sun-dried tomato aioli and lettuce on wheat berry bread," but I'd rename it southern-fried ecstasy on a plate. I ditched the goat cheese and this sandwich became a contender for one of the best things I've ever eaten between two slices of bread.Not to mention the damage to my bank account was minimal. The over-sized sandwich with a heaping side of home-made sweet potato fries only set me back $7. Add a drink, and my share of the three appetizers, and the grand total still came in under $15. Not too shabby.

Grace and Laura at brunch!

 

I had a bit of order envy--Doesn't Grace's crab cake sandwich look awesome?

I loved their glass window with an abstracted Winston-Salem skyline.

Readers--where are your favorite eateries for brunch?

Va-va-voom. Valentine's Day!

Legendary Bob Dylan joins Mumford and Sons and the Avett Brothers in Grammy Performance

If you didn't tune in to the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards last evening, you missed an absolutely incredible performance by Mumford and Sons, The Avett Brothers and legendary singer-songwriter Bob Dylan. Say what you will about Dylan's aged vocal chords, this collaboration was a musical masterpiece. Click the video to enjoy.

Readers--What was your favorite performance of last night's Grammy's?

Style of a 20 Something Elsewhere: Review of bevello boutique

North Carolina readers be sure to check out my review of bevello in this weeks Old Gold and Black!  

Click here to read the article!

Anna Purcell

Jacket: Oasis

Earrings & Scarf: South America

Top: TK Maxx

Skirt: Gap

Boots: Winthrop Arcade

Rachel Zoe's First Collection is Bananas

(Photo Credit: RachelZoe.com via Huffington Post)

No, but seriously, I'm loving the celebrity stylist's line. Zoe recently released her Fall 2011 lookbook, and I can't wait to see the line hit stores--especially the gorgeous camel cape pictured on the left. Pieces from Zoe's '70s-inspired collection will range in price from $250 to $700, and retailers have not yet been confirmed.

Rachel O'Mahony

Carrigaline

Jacket: New Look

Earrings: Penneys

Scarf: New Look

Top: Vero Moda

Jeans: Topshop

Boots: New Look

Bag: Topshop

Dolce Vita for Target

 

Last fall, when Dolce Vita launched their shoe collaboration with Target, I was less than pleased with the square-toed flats and Doc Martin-inspired boots.While searching for toothpaste this morning, I stumbled upon their new collaborative line for spring. I was quite pleasantly surprised! The collection is small, but chic, and perfect for spring. I'm loving the cognac wedges shown in the middle photo, but I was in a rush this morning and couldn't commit. They're only $30, and would be a fun addition to my spring wardrobe.

Readers-what do you think of Dolce Vita's new collaboration with Target? Should I go back and buy those wedges?

PS The brand runs a bit small, so if you're in between, size down.

Hello, lover...

All You Need is Love: Countdown to Valentine's

1.) Heart Headband (ban.do ($35)
2.) Arrogant Cat Heart Back Sequin Dress (Asos $114)
3.) Pink First Base Murfee Scarf (Lilly Pulitzer $118) 
4.) Gumdrop Stud Earrings (Kate Spade $38)
5.) Olive Heart Pillow (Etsy $26) 
6.) Old River Road Valentine's Day Copper Cookie Cutters (Amazon $12)
7. )The Sonnet's and a Lover's Complaint (Amazon $13.60) 

Can you believe it's already the fourth of February? With only 10 days to go, the countdown to Valentine's has officially begun. If you're feeling prematurely lovey dovey, check out these fun Valentine's-inspired goodies. I especially love the heart-shaped cut out on this dress.

Maybe I'll have to try out my DIY skills and transform a t-shirt a la A Pair and a Spare.

Readers--do y'all already have Valentine's plans?

Lorraine Kenny

Jacket: Topshop

Bag: Fellini

Socks: River Island

Shoes: Penneys

Sundress Day Dreams

1.) Shoshanna Strapless Full Skirt Dress (Shopbop $375)
2.) Mojave Bikini (Anthropologie $148)
3.) Jack Rogers Hampton Thong Sandals (Bloomingdale's $96)
4.) Spring Flower Ring (Forever 21 $3.80)
5.) See by Chloe Tieta Carryall (Shopbop $175)
6.) Umbrella in Diane Signature Print ($45)
7.) Cats 1000 (Ray-Ban $135)

I know it's hard to believe with all this talk of snowpocalypses and snowmageddons, but yesterday Punxsutawney Phil predicted spring is on its way. Even though the temperature in North Carolina is barely out of the thirties, I couldn't help but get a little excited. I'm already dreaming of sundress season.

Readers, are y'all ready for spring fashion? Or are the mittens and scarves of winter more your style? 

Good Things Come in All-Sized Packages

(Image Credit: NY Daily News)

At Sunday's SAG Awards, Glee's Amber Riley showed the world that red carpet fashion isn't about only about being a size zero. The curvy songstress stunned in a jet black gown by Anne Barge, sporting simple Swarovski accessories, edgy bangs and a playful pink lip.

Readers what are you favorite looks from awards season this year?

Good in the Clutch

Sometimes all you need is some cash, your phone and a tube on lip gloss. Over-sized totes are great for class, but there's something oh-so-sleek about carrying a clutch. Right now I'm loving these leathery animal prints, jewel tones and sparkly metallics.

Animal Prints (L to R):
Patent Croc Print Clutch (Target $17)
Lauren Merkin Zebra Clutch (Shopbop $195)
Patent Alligator Clutch (Forever 21 $15)

Jewel Tones (L to R):
Shiralea Alta Plum Clutch (Rain Collection $45)
Carved Doily Clutch (Anthropologie $298)
Teal Oversized Bow Suede Clutch (Topshop $80)

Metallics (L to R):
Dianne von Furstenberg Philomena Studded Leather Clutch (net-a-porter $425)
Foiled Again Flat Pouch (Kate Spade $75)
MICHAEL Michael Kors Berkley Clutch (net-a-porter $200)