A Few of My Favorite Things

Perusing some of my favorite sites this afternoon (everyone deserves an afternoon tea break) and found this amazing flirty dress on a MAJOR sale!! Sadly the stylemuse is on hiatus from shopping at the moment, but all the better for my friends and family! I'm really enjoying the plethora of ruffles out at the moment. This dress from Kenneth Cole is a perfect bright -- but I would recommend buying a bigger size than the model is wearing (and definitely different shoes, try gladiator/metallic flats).

As I've said before, I'm sad that JCP has hit the mainstream mags and can only hope it doesn't jump the shark prematurely!! But I'm happy to report that there are some real finds right now. Get into the nautical theme with a ruffled stripe shirt (again not sure about this model's outfit).

And totally out of the blue, I found this amazing jewelry site Max & Chloe with the most ridiculous earrings ever!!! I have always loved Jem & the Holograms and with these I finally feel like I might get the chance!!! HA! Admittedly, these are a bit out there, but the site has great stuff from R.J Graziano and Kenneth Jay Lane in one convenient location!

The Superbowl of Fashion

Oh, how I love the Oscars! Let me count the ways -- 1. the Jewels 2. the Hair 3. the make-up 4. the dresses and 5. oh yeah, the little gold statues too! This year was somewhat disappointing -- No Vanity Fair after-party, No really star-making moments during the show and I still can't get over the fact Tilda Swinton won Best Supporting Actress -- but I digress.

Who got it right? And Who should fire their stylist? :) This year was not filled with many flagrant fashion missteps, but not many stood out from the pack either. The usual risk-takers were absent like Keira Knightley or Natalie Portman and their presence was missed. For example, Katherine Heigl (why was she there again) looked beautiful, everything just right, but she doesn't make my list. I'm so tired of her Old Hollywood Glamour bit. I like Glamour as much as the next person, but it is 2008 and I wish she would mix it up a bit.

So who did make the cut? I have a surprising choice for my #1 pick of Best Dressed this year -- It goes to Ruby Dee from American Gangster. She was flawless: perfect hair, make-up, jewels and dress. And they were all age appropriate which is no small feat!

Other toppers of the evening were:

Dresses: Cameron Diaz, Heidi Klum, Renee Zellweger

Hair & Make-Up: Jen Garner, Marion Cotillard, Kristin Chenoweth

You would think with the stylists, money and time the Red Carpet-brigade could hit the trifecta, but few made it happen.

Best Overall Goes to Penelope Cruz, Keri Russell, Miley Cyrus and Amy Adams (I'm a sucker for Red Hair/Emerald frock combo).

And... The Oh Dear! Awards: Jennifer Hudson, Diablo Cody, Tilda Swinton

My final thought from the event was DAMN you Hollywood stylists!!! In one evening they made sure that the one-shoulder look (which I adore) will jump-the-shark faster than you can say Tory Burch.

'Til next year!

Dreamin' of Summer

Dear Muse, I am starting to think about the summer and want to get a cool beach cover-up. I like the fitted tunic style, but they all seem to be very mumu-like or designed for an evening out. Any good hints? Thanks, Dreamin' of Summer

A. Oh summer!! It seems to be on everyone's mind lately. I blame the resort collections cropping up all over the place. For those lucky enough to get away, and those that pin the bikini to the closet door for inspiration, beachy items are all over the place! For those that hit the latter category, I definitely suggest waiting a bit for items to go on sale. In fact, Banana Republic is having some decent sales on spring-like inventory including some great orange blouses which I love!

On to the question at hand, cover-ups! Oh how times have changed!!! When I was younger I would strategically wear cover-ups to hide parts I deemed unsightly, and sadly as the years press on, its more about covering up from the sun's harmful rays (and maybe still a bit of the former). Either way, I agree they can be hard to find. While there is always the ubiquitous Juicy Couture terrycloth sundress (and I do love terrycloth), for something a bit more grown-up try this J. Crew light-weight and summery cotton tunic. Or for something easier to get on and off, try a cover-up from Lands' End -- they have this great turquiose zip-up cotton number for just $28.50 http://www.landsend.com/.