Academy Awards 2014

You know I look forward to this day all year but I can honestly say this was the best Oscars in a long time.  Ellen just killed it and I laughed so hard.  I was also moved by many of the acceptance speeches and the montages were especially great.  Those are my favorite, by the way.  Anyone know if you can watch those online somewhere?  That would be awesome. 

We did an Oscar ballot, as usual, and this time I tried really hard to vote for who I thought would win, instead of who I wanted to win.  I actually got all the major categories correct! Still couldn't beat my dad, though, who got 18 right.  18!

 

Decision time. I always want to vote for who I love but I never win that way.

 

6 for 6 in the major categories. I got 15 overall, I think. 

Here are my highlights:

 ---Matthew McConaughey. I am so impressed with this dude.  I'll admit, I was not a fan of his one note acting style and always present accent but I have since grown to admire his zest for life and passion for great parts.  I loved his acceptance speech for all its rambly, cheesy bits. 

--Lupita Nyong'o. First of all, can we talk about how gorgeous and stunningly luminous she is? Unreal.  But seriously, this girl is talented and smart, gracious and lovely, and refreshingly grateful for the good fortune that has come her way.

--Ellen's bits. Especially this one. 

It delighted me to no end to see these movie stars having fun and being goofy.  I live for this stuff.  Also Lupita's brother is the cutest ever.  I think I would be fine if Ellen, Tina, Amy, and Jimmy just hosted everything forever and ever.

 --Idina Menzel singing "Let It Go." Even thought the song and the movie is awesome, it bugs me that people know her as the voice of Elsa from Frozen and not from Wicked or Rent.  I mean, she's Elphaba, come on! I can't believe I missed the John Travolta debacle.  I think I was consulting my ballot or something because I had no idea what the fuss was all about.  Totally loving all the memes and name generators now. 

--Pink and her ruby red dress.  She sang beautifully and I am so glad to know that she can still sing on the ground and not only while hanging upside down.

And now, the gowns.  Cause really, that's what you came to see, right?

 

Emma Watson

I love the metallic bodice and relaxed feel.  

The red lip is a great pop of color and the accessories are fun and young.

 

Jennifer Garner.

The dress is fun and different and looks amazing on her.

Her makeup and hair also look great. 

 

Jennifer Lawrence

This color is so stunning on her and the shape is fun and unexpected.

I love her haircut, but not styled like this.  It's too old. 

 

Portia De Rossi

I love the laser cut detailing and the halter shape.  

 

Sandra Bullock

This color is so beautiful and I love how glamorous the whole look is.

I wish her hair was less stiff but overall it looks good.

 

Kate Hudson

This look is killer. She looks like a million bucks.

Her hair and makeup are spot on and I love the draping in the back 

These ladies are my top two and I really can't choose.  And way to go, Entertainment Weekly, for both calling the awards and predicting the exact shade of dresses.

 

Cate Blanchett

The color and delicate beading is just exquisite. 

Her hair and  makeup are gorgeous and I would just add a darker lip color.

 

  

Lupita Nyong'o

She really stole the show with this stunning gown.

The color is fresh and vibrant and her minimal accessories are just right.

 [smart choice forgoing a necklace!]

What did you think? Did you enjoy the show? What was your favorite dress?

Academy Awards 2013

Oscars Recap:

So, Seth McFarlane.  What did you guys think?  I thought that he was very funny and I enjoyed his singing and dancing, but some of his jokes didn't fit with the tone of the evening.  I definitely laughed, don't get me wrong, but I felt awkward at a couple of the bits.

How funny was DDL?  Give that guy a comedy already!  I'll admit, I didn't see Lincoln and I don't know if I've seen any of his movies, but I'm definitely planning a DDL weekend viewing party.

I enjoyed watching Charlize and Channing dance, although let's face it, I'd watch Chan do pretty much anything.

Man, I'm such a fan of this guy.  I got a little teary watching Ben accept the award for Argo.  I think he's done such a great job evolving into a wonderful filmmaker.  It doesn't hurt that he seems like an awesome dad and husband, too. I can't wait to see what else he does.

Did you see all of the guys with long hair?  It was like a conspiracy or something! 

Okay, on to the most important part of the night!


I noticed a couple trends: romantic, white, bridal-esque gowns, bold colors, lace and beading details, and metallic dresses.  Here's my favorites--

Amy Adams

This is a big dress but she pulls it off.  

I love the texture of the skirt and her hair and makeup are spot on.

Charlize Theron.

I don't know anyone else who could pull off a white peplum gown.  

I love the slit on the bodice and how she didn't wear a necklace.  

Jennifer Lawrence

She looks beautiful and I thought her hair and makeup looked lovely.  

I do wish she had worn a more fun color, but let's face it, I love everything this girl does. Silver Linings Playbook was one of my favorite movies this year and I was so excited for her win.

Zoe Saldana

I think that the ombre detail on the bottom is great and the flowers at the bodice are fun.  

I don't love the belt, but I love this look overall.

Jennifer Garner

Such a beautiful color and I think that the simple front works well with the ruffles in the back. 

 Her jewelry is just right and her hair and makeup is stunning.

Jennifer Aniston

A lovely departure for our perennial Lady in Black. 

This fabric is tricky to get right, but she looks lovely.  

I can't wait to see what she ends up wearing for her upcoming wedding.

Sandra Bullock

I love everything about this look.  

The color and detailing are so fun and 20s-ish. 

 I love the cap sleeves and how the length is just long 

enough to show off the beading but not too long. 

Jenna Dewan-Tatum

I think she pulled off maternity red carpet so well.  

Her dress was beautiful and her hair and makeup looked lovely.  

And how cute are these guys?  What a lucky baby!

 

Stacy Kiebler

She always looks so chic and sophisticated at every event! 

I love how this dress looks like a bunch of necklaces layered on top of each other. 

 

Nicole Kidman

 I don't know how this dress looks like liquid sequins, but it does.  

The details at the bottom are very cool and it looks great on her.

 

Halle Berry

I love the strong shoulders and the covered up yet formfitting shape. 

And how is she not aging? Seriously!

 

 Naomi Watts

My favorite dress of the night!

The cutout detailing is so great and the fabric is amazing.

What did you think?  What were your favorites? 

oscars 2012

i had big plans to watch all of the must-see movies of the oscar season. here's how i did:


oh well, i still enjoyed the show!

we all put in our votes at our little party and there were a few categories i agonized over.



i just could not decide on a director and i was torn between george and jean for best actor. i started out on a roll, and i was 3 for 3 before it all went downhill.



as you can see, i bombed on the first half of the show. also, does anyone know the difference between sound mixing and sound editing? jessie m., i'm looking at you



i thought i had the screenplays totally set. i was so bummed about bridesmaids! although i loved midnight in paris, i was really rooting for those girls.



i was super shocked about the viola/meryl shakeup. i thought viola had it in the bag! i also thought that george's performance was so great in its subtleties. no problems with jean winning, though. could he be any cuter?

i lost miserably, and my dad won with 17 correct guesses! here's to better luck next year!

i thought billy was pretty good. not his best, but much better than last year. my favorite part was the vignettes of actors talking about movies. i could watch those for hours. it's fascinating! i so loved reese admitting her go-to-feel-good movie was Overboard! i love that movie!

what did you think? any surprises? any disappointments?

on to the gowns--


rose byrne. still loving the hair and really loving those sequins.


penelope cruz. anyone else getting a grace kelly vibe? so lovely and unexpected.


octavia spencer. just amazing. this picture does not do it justice! the beading was just exquisite on tv.


natalie portman. polka dots! i want to know what her anti-aging secret is. she looks amazing!


milla jovovich. i loved this dress. the styling was also so great.


viola davis. i love anything green, that's a given. but still, she looked so beautiful.


michelle williams. beautiful color, fun shape. not a fan of the pink purse + red dress.


maya rudolph. maybe not the most amazing dress of the night, but the color looks great on her and i loved her hair/makeup.


kristin wiig. phew! i was so worried about what she was going to wear but this far exceeded my expectations. i just wish she would branch out and wear some color--she loves her nudes.


jessica chastain. stunning. the dress is one of a kind, and i think her hair was the best all night. so romantic and not fussy.


busy phillips aka best friend of the year. this didn't get a lot of attention but i absolutely love the grey + lace. something i would wear.


stacy kiebler. this dress looked like liquid gold. great choice for her. plus her hair and makeup are so pretty.


emma stone. who cares if it's not original? she looks great and it's a beautiful dress!


cameron diaz. so simple and so pretty. i'm loving her new short hair and those arms that are an inspiration!


berenice bejo. just so beautiful and ethereal.


gwyneth paltrow. shutting. it. down. i'll be the first to admit that gwynnie does not always make the best fashion choices. but when she gets it right, she really gets it. the cape is awesome and the dress is even better on its own.

bonus round!
i found these pictures from the after parties and just had to include them:


kate hudson.


rashida jones.


cameron diaz.


claire danes.


diane kruger.


lily collins.


nina dobrev. the lone black dress in a sea of color.


what's your favorite dress? did i miss any?

all photos via justjared.buzznet.com