2011 Emmy Awards: Best Dressed

The Primetime Emmy Awards is one of my favorite award shows. Not because the show itself is anything special - it was actually a bit of a snoozefest this year - but because I probably know and, thus, root for the nominees more than I do for, say, the Oscars or Grammys. Plus, I love seeing all my favorite TV stars all glammed up on the red carpet. While I've been pretty underwhelmed with a lot of this year's red carpet fashion, I was happily surprised with the Emmys. The actors really stepped up their game. The color of the night was definitely red, and sparkles (via sequins and beading) were a big trend. On to my favorite looks:

#1 – Nina Dobrev – Donna Karan

Nina Dobrev tops my best dressed list yet again! She looked drop dead gorgeous in a strapless red mermaid gown by Donna Karan. I love that the gown is all at once simple yet complex. I can’t stop looking at the hem – is it ruffles? layers? pleats? - it’s just so unique. Her hair, makeup, and accessories are also flawless, as usual. With such a showstopping gown, she was smart and kept accessories at a mininum with an impressive Neil Lane necklace and a Judith Leiber clutch. Perfect waves and smokey eyes complete this Emmy-worthy look.

 #2 – Julia Stiles – Georges Hobeika

Julia Stiles has been making some great fashion choices and the Emmys was no different. I adored her lavender lace George Hobeika gown. The pretty color perfectly complements her fair skin tone. I also love the juxtaposition of the edgy black nails and metallic Kotur clutch with the soft and very feminine gown and loose waves. Her makeup is spot-on with dark smokey eyes and light pink lips.

#3 – Jennifer Carpenter – Tony Ward Couture

Glitzy beading was a big trend at the Emmys and no one did it better than Jennifer Carpenter who stunned in a blush beaded gown by Tony Ward Couture accompanied by Martin Katz jewelry. With a thigh high slit and plunging neckline, it was definitely one of the most provocative gowns on the red carpet, but she manages to pull it off and still look classy. I also love her loose, ombre' waves and makeup. 

#4 – Sofia Vergara – Vera Wang

The beautiful Sofia Vergara showed off her curves in a coral one-shouldered gown by Vera Wang. The color is very flattering, and I like the ruching of the chiffon. She said the most exciting part of her outfit were her “Columbia emeralds” and I have to agree – they’re fabulous! Her hair was done is long waves and her makeup consisted of dramatic eyes and bright red lips.

#5 – Cat Deeley – Monique Lhuillier

You can tell Cat loves to have fun with fashion, whether on her show or at a fashion event. At the Emmys, she wore a beautiful gold-flecked beaded and tulle strapless gown by Monique Lhulier. I love how the beading starts dense at the top and spreads out as it goes down, creating a somewhat ombre' effect. She completes her look with beachy waves, fresh makeup, and Bulgari diamonds.

 #6 – Claire Danes – Oscar de la Renta

Claire Danes wore a blue and black sequinned Oscar de la Renta column gown. I love the colors and patterns and how it pops against her skin and blonde hair. Speaking of which, her hair looks amazing, but I think her makeup is a little too much. The dark eyes and red lips together is a bit harsh for her and makes her look older. This is the only negative in an otherwise great look.

 #7 – Kerry Washington – Zuhair Murad

Kerry Washington looked fierce and glamourous in a strapless Zuhair Murad gown with matching scarlet Jimmy Choo shoes and clutch. I love the shape of the neckline, the beaded bodice, and the shirred bottom. Her hair is retro chic and her makeup is sheer perfection with big lashes and bold red lips -  and can I just point out how flawless her complexion is?

 #8 - Elisabeth Moss - Marchesa

Elisabeth Moss looked lovely in a fabulous gold and nude Marchesa gown. I especially love how the embroidery gives the illusion of sleeves and the pattern as it goes down the gown is beautiful. I'm a fan of her fresh and light makeup, but not so much her matronly hair.

#9 – Evan Rachel Wood – Elie Saab

Evan Rachel Wood channeled Old Hollywood with a black bead-encrusted Elie Saab gown, Fred Leighton jewels, and a Judith Leiber bag. I'm not a huge fan of cap sleeves, but I like the exposed back. Her glowing porcelain skin, retro hair, and red lips finished off the look.

#10 - Julie Bowen - Oscar de la Renta

Emmy winner Julie Bowen shined in a silver embellished column gown by Oscar de la Renta. It showed off her perfectly toned body and she quite literally looks like she's glowing. Her silver smokey makeup and sleek ponytail are the perfect touches to the outfit.

Honorable Mentions - Aubrey Plaza & Jane Lynch

Along with my Top 10 choices, I wanted to include Aubrey Plaza and Jane Lynch. Aubrey Plaza looks divine in an all white Juan Carlos Obando gown. The halter neckline shows off her great shoulders, and her hair and makeup add a touch of sultriness to this sweet ensemble. Jane looked better than ever in a deep purple David Meister gown that was simple, elegant and oh so flattering. Her hair and makeup are stellar and the Lorraine Schwartz jewels are just the right accessories to finish the look. Bravo, ladies!

Did I leave anybody out? What were your favorite outfits?

H&M bits & pieces

I was really impressed with the quality and price of the H&M eyeshadows - the quad is only £3.99 and you get quite a bit of product in each colour. The Pale pink is a perfect hilighter colour for below the brow bone and inner corner of the eye and the brown, black-blue and purple colours are soo pretty and pigmented!

I also picked up this scarf for £7.99 which i absolutely love. 

It looks quite light in the photo but irl it's a bit darker, its so soft and Harry Potterish!

xx

September Glossybox

I was sooo excited to receive my first glossybox this month, it's like getting a lil present delivered!! 

I had a cheeky look at the september products on other blogs before receiving my glossybox and now comparing them with mine, I think there were some better boxes with more full sized products out there but I'm still so happy to get the HD Brow kit and I really like the look of the little hair oil!

Has anyone else received theres yet?

xx

Little Acorn

 - T-shirt - H&M

 - Skirt - H&M

 - Cardi - New look

 - Belt - Primark

 - Necklace - Primark

 - Chipped Nailvarnish (sorry!) - OPI Mrs O'Leary's BBQ 

This is what I wore last weekend. During a lazy saturday, me and my boyfriend went last minute shopping and then out to wagamammas for dinner. I had a Yasai Katsu Curry which is an ammmazing autumnal dish...mmm. 

This is my first real take on an OOTD post, I feel like im more of a beauty blogger rather than a fashion blogger however If anyone likes, I can try and do more OOTD's :) 

xx

Primark Autumn Haul

I thought I would show you what I picked up in Primark last week, theres some lovely autumny pieces in there at the moment. The cardigan was a bargin at £6 and they have some other lovely autumny colours - the one I got is called 'wine red' but there was a lovely deep turqoise one, a rusty red-brown one, camel beige ones and purples too.

The slipper socks (£2) are sooo soft and cosy, they also have great grip on my cold kitchen floor when im cooking cosy wintery dinners! 

Every time I've been into Primark recently I've picked up this stag ring and then put it back as I was so unsure about the stags faces - I feel they look quite angry :S lol. This time I spent agges picking a nice face and was soo delighted when I found one I didnt realise I had picked up a large :( I usually get medium primark rings and the large is waay to big :( I think im going to have to wear a smaller ring over the top to stop him falling off. 

I hope everyone is having a nice weekend xx

What I Loved This Month: AUGUST

Oh, wow, what a month! I can't believe classes started this week! They seemed so far away at the beginning of the month. I'm having a few troubles with my schedule, but hopefully they'll be figured out before the end of Drop/Add. *crosses fingers* But without further adieu, here's what I loved this August:

TV SHOW: Project Runway

PR has been the one show I've looked forward to each week this month. And I'm really digging this season even if so far it is a little weaker than some in the past (what was up with the stilts challenge??) Anthony Ryan is definitely my favorite and pick to win (his birdseed dress was stunning), with Anya and Olivier (who needs to step up his game a bit though) also joining him in Bryant Park.

MOVIE: Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Not going to lie, despite awesome reviews, I was not expecting much walking into this film. I love sci-fi but the premise didn't seem all that appealing to me, and the fact there's already 6 films in the franchise (including an epic fail remake) made me wonder why they would bother making another one. Well, luckily, nothing else seemed all that interesting to me one particular weekend, and I saw it with my dad. We both were blown away just halfway into the movie. It also inspired us to go back and watch the original films. Save your time though and just watch the first one, the others are pretty lackluster.

BOOK: The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

I could not put this book down. I saw the Swedish film a semester or two ago at the SLC, but, even so, it didn't take away from the enjoyment of the book. I was totally engrossed by the book's incredible characterizations and mystery. Reading it actually helped me understand the film much better and now I seriously can't wait to see what David Finch does in the American remake.

STYLE: Audrey Hepburn

This might seem a bit of a cop-out but it's true. Audrey is definitely a huge fashion and overall inspiration to me all year-round. I recently read Sam Wasson's Fifth Avenue, 5AM - great read, by the way - and it described what a style icon she was and how her "little black dress" from Breakfast at Tiffany's redefined fashion for women everywhere. I can't wait to incorporate some of her looks into my wardrobe.

ACTOR: Emma Stone

I want to be this girl. So. Bad. She's able to pull off that tricky combination - effortlessly too - of being gorgeous, smart, funny, likable, and cool. I thought she was absolute genius in Easy A and again in Crazy Stupid Love. With the popularity of The Help and landing the role of Gwen Stacy in next year's The Amazing Spider-man - and dating adorably handsome co-star Andrew Garfield - there is really no stopping this girl.

MUSICIAN: Adele

She was supposed to be included on the June list but going back it looks like she was left out somehow =/ Regardless, I'm still loving Adele as much now as I did back in June. I've probably listened to 21 too many times to count. Her voice is so unique and powerful and she conveys emotion and heartbreak better than anyone else out there right now. I'm incredibly thrilled for all her success, and I bet the guy who inspired her album is kicking himself right now for breaking up with her (but aren't we glad he did).

FOOD: Pies

I have said you're either a pie person or a cake person...and my dad reminded me why I am definitely a pie person (cupcakes are a different story) this month by treating me to both a delicious cherry and apple pie. Nom Nom Nom.

TRAVEL: Orlando, Florida

Okay, now this really is a cop out because I really haven't done any traveling this month since I've been home. I have made a few trips to Orlando to go shopping and visit friends, but that's it. This picture from Harry Potter World was taken during my last Spring Break. I WILL go back someday soon. I crave butterbeer almost daily.

WHAT I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT MONTH... Reconnecting with all my friends (and hopefully making new ones), CMA, APhiO, and Fall TV!!

What are you guys looking forward to in September?

2011 MTV VMAs: Best Dressed

MTV's Video Music Awards were last night! The award show is notorious for outrageous and over-the-top fashion (and it lived up to expectations), but there were some that showed you don't have to be tacky to be a showstopper. My favorites of the night:

#1 - Victoria Justice - THEIA

Wow! I can certainly see how people mistake her for Nina Dobrev - the resemblance is uncanny! And like Nina at the TCAs, Victoria scores at the VMAs. The dress is appropriately glitzy for the award show with its leather and metal fringe without going into tacky territory and the hair, makeup, and accessories are perfection.

#2 - Beyonce - Lanvin

Doesn't she look absolutely glowing? Probably has something to do with her just-announced pregnancy. :) What a way to show it off in this elegant, floor-length gown. Congrats, girl!

#3 Selena Gomez - Julien MacDonald and Jenny Packham

The ever-fashionable Selena pulls off two completely different but both stunning looks.

#4 Demi Lovato - Mandalay

Demi is back from rehab and, despite the haters, she looks confident and great! I especially love her ombre hair! However, I so hope she opts out of the overly fake tan and extreme cleavage next time. No need to look like a Kardashian!

#5 - Kelly Rowland - Falguni and Shane Peacock

Kelly looked fierce in this black and gold fringed number. Her sleek straight hair and natural makeup compliment it perfectly.

Who were your favorites of the night?