OSCAR SUNDAY! I’D LIKE TO THANK THE ACADEMY..

Oscar Sunday! I’d Like To Thank The Academy..

Today’s Mood Ingredients: Excited, Envious, Enthusiastic

Well, if you know me personally, you know I’m an avid awards season junkie & always have been since the wise all-knowing celeb-fashion-film enthusiast age of 8 years old. If you follow me on Twitter, you know I’m an avid awards season junkie & will live tweet the crap out of every show with a combination of snark, awe, praise, & candor. If you follow me here on C&CD, chances are you think I’m a normal person who only posts about the Oscars, & that too, only once a year. That last lot..lucky you to not know me as the crazy that I am. 😉

Anyway, follow along here for all of my favorite/Best Dressed fashionistas from the show & the revered Vanity Fair Oscars Afterparty (I don’t do Worst Dressed, I feel bad about it & I feel bad for the stylists who thought they were hitting a home run), the best & worst moments from the show, and of course, the winners. For an idea of what to expect and if you’re reading this pre-5:30PM EST, check out last year’s post here. Onto the races!

**All photo credit goes to Getty Images, unless otherwise stated, as you will so clearly see because I’m too lazy to get untagged photos.

MY BEST DRESSED

Anna Kendrick in custom Thakoon

This deep rose gown looks so complementary with Anna’s peaches & cream complexion & the simplicity just makes this Oscar performer exude elegance.

America Ferrera in Jenny Packham

Nominee How To Train A Dragon 2’s America Ferrera’s stormy sea green Jenny Packham is stunning with its unique color, contrasting accessories (check out the crimson clutch & turquoise earrings), and cinched waist.

Faith Hill in J.Mendel

(Photo: www.tomandlorenzo.com)

Faith Hill looks like a gorgeous and statuesque silvery glittery fish in her fabulous J.Mendel gown. I mean this as a compliment, btw.

Common in Prada

Oscar nominee Common is looking dapper in his navy velvet coat. It’s hard to stand out in men’s fashion, but he managed to do an awesome job.

Jamie Chung in Yanina

Nominee Big Hero 6’s Jamie Chung is a known fashionista & style-lover, so there’s no surprise that she picked something spectacular for the red carpet tonight. The light an dark shades complement her smokey eye and loose waves nicely.

Neil Patrick Harris in Brunello Cucinelli

Oscars 2015 host Neil Patrick Harris (with husband David Burtka) looks ready to have us in hysterics (hopefully) in his smooth cloud gray tux.

Laura Dern in Alberta Ferretti

(Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

OMG, I want to wear this dress everyday. This heavy metal shield of studded armor was a “Wild” choice for nominee Laura Dern (for Wild..get it?? Yeah, sorry). It fits like a glove and the strapless cut shows of her toned arms. Gotta get that bang in control though!

Behati Prinsloo in Armani Couture

(Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

This gown looks much better on screen in all its crimson sparkle, but Behati Prinsloo (Levine) looked stunning with her sleek bun, bold red lip, and just her regular supermodel self!

Felicity Jones in Alexander McQueen

(Photo: Kevin Mazue/WireImage)

I want Felicity Jones’ gorgeous ice gray McQueen to stop at the waist. That’s it. The intricacy of the top and the halter neck are beautiful, but the matronly skirt shape takes a lot away from both the gown and nominee Felicity.

Chrissy Teigen in Zuhair Murad

(Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Chrissy Teigen (supporting nominee/husband John Legend) can rarely do wrong in my eyes & today wasn’t any different. The powder blue Zuhair Murad with an “Angelina slit” looked gorgeous and the long sleeves added a depth to the style. Old Hollywood waves and dark blood lips & Chrissy is flawless!

Naomi Watts in Armani Privé

Naomi Watts’ gray & white glittered brick gown actually got me for some reason. Love the visual effect it has, plus the sequined 3/4 back is always a fave for me.

David Oyelowo in Dolce & Gabbana

(Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Say what you will, I’m lovinggg this maroon tux on Selma actor David Oyelowo. Again, it’s hard to stand out as a man on a red carpet, & he somehow managed to do it with great results.

Lupita Nyong’o in custom Calvin Klein Collection by Francisco Costa

Holy crap, this Lupita Nyong’o & Micaela Erlanger (stylist) combination is UNBEATABLE. The custom gown with a top half covered in pearls and the bottom covered in glimmering beads..speechless. FYI, this dress consists of 6,000 pearls. SIX THOUSAND. Yet another 10/10.

Rosamund Pike in Givenchy

(Photo: Jeff Vespa/WireImage)

Gone Girl nominee Rosamund Pike stuns in a candy apple red gown. The rounded top and center slit add a unique factor to the piece, while the texture of the fabric catches the eye.

Cate Blanchett in Margiela by Galliano

(Photo: http://www.tomandlorenzo.com)

Cate Blanchett’s dress may be simple, but there’s no denying that perfect cut & fit. But more than that, THAT TIFFANY & CO. STATEMENT NECKLACE IS INCREDIBLE. Turquoise jewelry seems all the rage tonight.

Reese Witherspoon in Tom Ford

Nominee for Wild, Reese Witherspoon chose a tried & true classic combo of black and white for her Oscars ensemble. Simple statement, gorgeous hourglass figure, incredible talent; that’s all.

Anna Faris in Zuhair Murad

(Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

Not only is Anna Faris one of our favorite funny people from back in her Friends days, but she’s the other half of hilarious-had-a-great-year-in-a-nominated-film Chris Pratt. This silver stunner is perfect for the Mom star; it surprisingly is a beautiful complement to her blonde hair and alabaster skin.

Emma Stone in Elie Saab

(Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Nominee for Birdman, Emma Stone, is one of the firsts to do the “look-l-like-Oscar” thing this year, but she looks beautiful doing it. Personally, her gown looks better from afar then it does in the detail, but she pulls it off. I do wish she would have kept her bold streak going a la Golden Globes.

Jennifer Aniston in Versace

(Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

Yeah, sure, it’s not a color. It’s beige which poses as “champagne” & “nude” & “bone” and whatever other names beige uses. BUT IT’S JEN ANISTON & THE DRESS IS NOT HIDEOUS. 😉 In all seriousness, the fit is glove-like, it shimmers & shines, and if I could have looked like Jennifer Aniston does in her 40’s even when I was in my 20’s, then hot damn. This woman looks good in everything.

Meryl Streep in Lanvin

Meryl still somehow manages to shake it up after all of these years of Oscar red carpets! She looks as classy as ever as she celebrates yet another nomination tonight (Into The Woods).

Lady Gaga in custom Alaia

(Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

Though I could definitely do without the dishwashing gloves, only Lady Gaga could have pulled off this custom Alaia. The structure of this gown combined with Gaga’s hair & makeup is perfection.

Oprah Winfrey in Vera Wang

(Photo: http://www.tomandlorenzo.com)

Nominated producer for Selma, & well, OPRAH, looks beautiful in her ruched Vera Wang gown. A quote I read today is seriously so motivational, I’m sharing it with you here..”Oprah wasn’t built in a day!” Hardworking & world dominating.

THE SHOW (UPDATED)

8:30PM: Neil Patrick Harris kicks off the show with an irreverent #OscarsSoWhite joke, but how are people going to get mad at NPH!? In an awesome production number as an ode to movies, old & new, projection kills, Anna Faris & Jack Black guest warble, & the comedy hits all the right notes.

8:40PM: Lupita Nyong’o is stunning on stage with her flawless accent to present the first award of the evening, Best Actor in a Supporting Role. Where dem glasses, thooooo!?

8:41PM: Lupita mistaking the Oscars for the SAG Awards (“and the actor goes to..”) makes you love her more. J.K. Simmons wins for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.

8:46PM: NPH calls Liam Neeson on stage to show the clips for Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel and American Sniper; nominees for Best Picture. TGPH SUCH a good movie!!! FAVE W.A. film!

8:49PM: Currently omipresent Dakota Johnson introduces Adam Levine, actor & musician in/for Begin Again to perform their nominated song “Lost Stars” from the film. It was slightly painful because I think Adam Levine & Maroon 5 are better suited to flipping back & forth on a radio, rather than a live performance.

8:55PM: Mindy Kaling’s American Express commercial airs & I love her forever. This is just information everyone already knows about me. 😛

8:56PM: J.Lo & Chris Pine on stage to present Best Costume Design. I honestly didn’t even see them. Followed by Reese Witherspoon to present Achievement in Makeup & Hairstyling. Her, I looked at!

9:03PM: Channing Tatum arrives to introduce the 2015 Team Oscar kids. This is also the same time I decide that I’m not trying to post what’s happening every minute.

9:10PM: Nicole Kidman’s psychedelic gown gave me a seizure.

9:12PM: The Best Foreign Language Film winner from Poland, gave the speech to end all speeches. He should do everyone’s acceptance speeches. Music started, stopped, started again..he was still speaking. 😛

9:14PM: Legendary Shirley Maclaine on stage to show clips from Best Picture nominees Boyhood, Birdman, and The Theory of Everything. Rockin’ out in a sequined black suit & her signature shock of red hair.

9:16PM: NPH is talking to Heidi & Laura, rando seat fillers who basically just had the moments of their lives. Gets to Steve Carrell and I’m so happy. Nominee Marion Cotillard introduces Tegan & Sara and The Lonely Island to sing nominated song “Everything Is Awesome” from The Lego Movie. It’s a live action Lego something with a dancing possum and cowboys and I feel like I just had really good LSD.

9:29PM: 2 hours to go. We’re on Best Documentary Short. AND THE RED DRESS I WAS COVETING IN THE RED CARPET BACKGROUND CAME TO THE SPOTLIGHT!! Thank you, fashion Gods!

9:44PM: Neil Patrick Harris came on stage in his tighty whities & I remained confused. This wasn’t quite like Ellen Degeneres’ celeb selfie that “broke the internet.”

9:52PM: Jordan Catalano aka Jared Leto (yes, that is the correct order) sidles on stage looking as scrumptious as ever in a powder blue tux with a baby pink flower on the lapel. Eyes match the tux..my heart stops just as it did when I was 14. 😛 ❤ Oh..he was also presenting Best Actress in a Supporting Role.

9:57PM: Patricia Arquette & Meryl Streep actually do break the internet after Patricia’s awesome acceptance speech with an addendum about wage equality. Magic Meryl Effing Streep (according to NPH) praised the heavens from her seat & everyone loved her more.

10:00PM: Rita Ora is performing “Grateful” from Beyond The Lights; a Best Song nominee. It’s meh. But her diamond snake necklace is enviable.

10:10PM: Zoe Saldana is Jada Pinkett Smith is Zoe Saldana. My mom is currently hooting & hollering for Big Hero 6 winning Best Animated Feature Film because we watched it 2 days ago.

10:23PM: The Grand Budapest Hotel deservedly wins for Achievement in Production Design & I’m already restless waiting for John Legend & Common’s performance and The Sound of Music tribute!

10:32PM: Meryl Streep announces the In Memoriam segment. Someone didn’t get the “no applause” memo. Now they probably feel like an ass..until the second person who did the same exact thing 2 minutes later. Joan Rivers excluded from the segment..damn.

10:34PM: Never mind, other people kept clapping too. Oh, Hollywood.

10:36PM: Jennifer Hudson performs a song in tribute to the lost ones.

10:44PM: Bro wondering why Boyhood didn’t get Achievement in Film Editing, considering it was filmed over a span of 12 years & that had to be hard as crap. I don’t disagree.

10:48PM: Terrence Howard is either high or channeling Lucious Lyon because something just was not right about that presentation of Selma, The Imitation Game, & Whiplash.

10:59PM: 30 minutes to go (sippposedly). John Legend & Common (YES!) performing their nomination for Best Song; “Glory.” They recreated the Selma march on stage and between the power of the scenery, the power of the issue, the power of the message, the power of the lyrics, and the power of John & Common’s talent, we all have goosebumps at my house. No wonder they are the frontrunners for this award. They get a well-deserved standing ovation & tears from everyone; Jessica Chastain, David Oyelowo, Oprah, Chris Pine, ME. Incredible performance, worth the wait.

11:05PM: John Stephens & Lonnie Lynn aka John Legend and Common (I know, who knew!?) win the Oscar for Best Song. Everyone crying, more standing ovations, big powerful messages on the public platform.

11:14PM: A moment I’ve been waiting for all night! The 50th anniversary tribute for The Sound of Music. Edelweiss me anytime, Christopher Plummer. 😛

11:19PM: Lady Gaga was the greatest choice for this tribute. Say what you will..that woman can SING. Julie Andrews would be proud.

11:20PM: OMG Julie Andrews popped out of the wings & my sister and I are more emotional than Lady Gaga right now. Memories & laughter abound.

11:25PM: The Big Four are left + screenplays. Clearly going past 11:30PM. I don’t think ABC realizes that us common-folk don’t have the Vanity Fair Oscars Afterparty to look forward to on a Sunday night.

11:37PM: Graham Moore wins the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for The Imitation Game & received it from Oprah. Incredible speech. “Stay weird, stay different. And then when it’s your turn and you are standing on this stage, please pass the message along.” Absolutely.

11:51PM: Eddie Redmayne being cute & flustered after having just won the Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role. Sweet dedication to ALS & the family of Stephen Hawking on whom the film was based.

11:55PM: Two to go! Best Actress in a Lead Role & Best Picture. Let’s go let’s go. Vanity Fair red carpet to see!

12:08AM: And that’s a wrap ’til 2016!

WINNERS (UPDATED):

Best Actor in a Supporting Role:

J.K. Simmons for Whiplash

Best Costume Design:

Milena Canonero for The Grand Budapest Hotel

Achievement in Makeup & Hairstyling:

Frances Hannon & Mark Coulier for The Grand Budapest Hotel

Best Foreign Language Film:

Ida from Poland (Directed by Pawel Pawlikowski)

Best Live Action Short Film:

Mat Kirkby & James Lucas for The Phone Call

Best Documentary Short Subject:

Ellen Goosenberg Kent & Dana Perry for Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1

Achievement in Sound Mixing:

Craig Mann, Ben Wilkins, Thomas Curley for Whiplash

Achievement in Sound Editing:

Alan Robert Murray & Bub Asman for American Sniper

Best Actress in a Supporting Role:

Patricia Arquette for Boyhood

Achievement in Visual Effects:

Paul Franklin, Andrew Lockley, Ian Hunter, & Scott Fisher for Interstellar

Best Animated Short:

Patrick Osborne & Kristina Reed for Feast

Best Animated Feature Film:

Don Hall, Chris Williams, & Roy Conli for Big Hero 6

Achievement in Production Design:

Adam Stockhausen (Production Design) & Anna Pinnock (Set Decoration) for The Grand Budapest Hotel

Achievement in Cinematography:

Emmanuel Lubezki for Birdman

Best Documentary Feature:

Laura Poitroas, Mathilde Bonnefoy, & Dirk Wilutzky for CitizenFour

Achievement in Film Editing:

Tom Cross for Whiplash

Best Original Song:

John Stephens (John Legend) & Lonnie Lynn (Common) for “Glory” from Selma

Best Original Score:

Alexandre Desplat for The Grand Budapest Hotel

Best Original Screenplay:

Alejandro G. Iñarritu, Nicolas Giacobone, Alexandre Dinelaris, Jr., & Armando Bo for Birdman

Best Adapted Screenplay:

Graham Moore for The Imitation Game

Achievement in Direction;

Alejandro G. Iñarritu

Best Actor in a Leading Role:

Eddie Redmayne for The Theory of Everything

Best Actress in a Leading Role:

Julianne Moore for Still Alice

Best Picture:

Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue Of Ignorance)

VANITY FAIR OSCARS AFTERPARTY (UPDATING)

MY BEST DRESSED

Mindy Kaling in custom Salvador Perez

(Photo: L, Pascal de Segretain/Getty Images R, Mindy Kaling Instagram)

I mean. I’m an MK fan through & through and it’s never going to change no matter what, but the combination of her & Salvador Perez (President of the Costume Designers Guild and the CD for The Mindy Project) is real GOLD. This gorgeous custom black gown with crystal accents is the perfect amount of classy for Graydon Carter’s annual affair. Get it, Mindy.

Sofia Vergara in Zuhair Murad

(Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

The bubbly actress looks beautiful in a cornflower blue beaded & strapless Zuhair Murad. She’s usually on her fashion game with only a couple of hiccups here & there, so this hit isn’t surprising!

Diane Kruger in Donna Karan Atelier

(Photo: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

Completely & utterly obsessed with Diane Kruger’s scarlet one-shouldered gown/jumpsuit hybrid. IT’S INCREDIBLE & UNIQUE & FUNCTIONAL & I WANT IT NOW.

Thandie Newton in ***

(Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

ER alum Thandie Newton looked classy and elegant in her jet black column gown with embellished warrior shoulders and belt. The sleek ponytail makes sure her hair doesn’t distract from the dress’ details.

Amy Adams in Atelier Versace

(Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

I think it was the first time in quite some time that Amy Adams wasn’t nominated for an Academy Award, but it didn’t prevent her from dressing like she was on that stage! Beautiful color & texture on her deeply hued blue gown that accents her redhead nicely.

Minnie Driver in Pamella Roland

(Photo: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

This gorgeous printed purple gown is such a flattering cut for already stunning Minnie Driver. It’s soft shade and flowered fabric is helping to remind us that spring is almost here (please hurry)!

Amanda Peet in ***

(Photo: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

I don’t know why I like this gown, but I do. I think the form fitting top contrasting with the flowing lines of the bottom half of the dress, plus the pleated texture and peekaboo white adds a certain dramatic flair to what could have easily been a very blah gown. Amanda Peet’s posture could have been better to flatter the dress more as well.

Georgina Chapman in Marchesa

(Photo: Larry Busacca/VF15/Getty Images)

Well, first of all, I don’t know why I didn’t know that the co-founder of my all-time favorite design label Marchesa is married to Harvey Weinstein. Anyway, this spectacular gold-embroidered 3/4 sleeved black gown from her own label is so fitting for this talented designer. I love all of the sleek hair that I’ve seen so far on the more detailed dresses, allowing them to stand out on their own without distraction. God, one day I will wear a Marchesa somewhere..even if it’s just to take out the garbage!

Hailee Steinfeld in Andrew Gn

(Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

This look is super young & unconventional, and that makes it perfect for 18-year old Hailee. The full skirt and mixed prints make it a fun quirky choice for the VF afterparty & the dark lip gives it just a little/right amount of edge.

Italia Ricci in Yosep Sinudarsono

(Photo:

Chasing Life star Italia Ricci brought dramatic flair to Graydon Carter’s annual Vanity Fair bash in her light gray & black Sinudarsono gown. The fitted bodice through to the hip ends in a mermaid-esque style; something I don’t normally like, but Italia made it work.

Chanel Iman in Zuhair Murad

(Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

Model Chanel Iman wore the designer of the evening Zuhair Murad in her champagne lace ensemble. Though I’m never fond of the transparent-dress-just-so-you-can-see-the-strange-granny-panty-part styles, Chanel Iman just about pulled it off.

Hannah Simone in Naeem Khan

(Photo: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

New Girl star Hannah Simone flew from shooting a film in Atlanta just to attend the VF bash. Well worth it because she looked gorgeous in a rust Naeem Khan beauty with a flattering A-line that would make anyone look & feel like a princess.

Jaime King in Altuzarra

(Photo: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

Former supermodel/current actress Jaime King still has fashion in her blood. The blond beauty stepped out for the first time since announcing she is pregnant with her second child in a gold & mustard hued Altuzarra gown with a deep V-neck; though definitely not as deep as J.Lo’s immortal green Versace.

Kelly Ripa in Rouland Moret

(Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

Live With Kelly & Michael host Kelly Ripa arrived in a gray & white Rouland Moret column with an asymmetrical top. I really like this dress & normally I don’t love people who stay safe & choose white. Kelly is a tiny person and this dress gives her a lot of illusion of height.

Lupita Nyong’o in Calvin Klein Collection

(Photo: David Livingston/Getty Images)

Style queen Lupita Nyong’o went the Calvin Klein way for the second time tonight in a gilded strapless gown that complemented her stunning features and skin tone. So far, I think I’ve only seen one Lupita misstep, & that was at the Met Ball last year!

Lydia Hearst in ***

(Photo: Film Magic)

Publishing heir Lydia in this royal purple & rose crop top/full skirt combo is something I really loved. It’s playful but chic & perfect for one of Hollywood’s biggest afterparties.

Michelle Monaghan in Monique Lhuillier

(Photo: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

Though I’d have preferred a little more of a snug fit on top, the cut & color of Michelle Monaghan’s Monique Lhuillier gown are completely on trend & fabulous. Whether you like it or not, cutouts are still everywhere & Michelle is Pantone’s 2015 Color of the Year (Marsala) personified.

Suki Waterhouse in Burberry

(Photo: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

Sweet & simple. Accomplished model (& nominee Bradley Cooper’s main squeeze) Suku Waterhouse dazzled in a rust/sepia Burberry gown that set off her dirty blond hair & strong brows. Though this picture doesn’t do her or the gown justice due to the timing of the shot & the posture, this dress was one of my VF faves.

And now, I bid you so long, farewell, auf weidersen, adieu (a la Maria Von Trapp) ’til next year & a whole new batch of old & new nominees and Tinseltown elite. In the meantime, why don’t you check out some of the other posts here? 😉

“And This Old World Is A New World And A Bold World..For Me”: Finally Feeling Fun!

Today’s Mood Ingredients: Carefree, Enthusiastic, Social.

Today is a good day. It’s the first day in over 6 months that I actually have the desire to go out and reconnect with people without having a constant frenetic worry in my head about my family & their health & whereabouts. The sun is bronzing our front yard, the mild breeze feels like snuggling with newborns, & my endorphin levels are at some unprecedented high. I used to scoff (until it affected me..sorry about that) at the whole seasonal depression thing. I figured that if people in London weren’t all down & depressed their entire lives considering their lack of natural Vitamin D providers, then weather really wasn’t what was affecting your mood. Just kidding. The past couple of weeks have made me realize that Mother Nature, that little vengeful woman, has had my head in a vice all winter long. Blizzards, gray skies, polar vortexes, & gloomy rain, combined with family health issues, had me downer than Debbie and more negative than Nancy.

I don’t know if it’s the weather, I don’t know if it’s the fact that (knock on wood) my family is feeling better, I don’t know if it’s because I’m starting to (excruciatingly slowly) get my shit together, & I don’t know if it’s because I absolutely refuse to have to take any anxiety medication (I have no stigma against it, it’s just a personal preference that I would rather not take anything), but I’m stage 5 clinging to whatever is causing this upswing in my mood & positivity & general infatuation with the good and happy in the world. Next winter, I’m flying south with the winged & this summer, I’m absorbing rays like I’m a God damn human greenhouse (wearing SPF 100), but as for the present moment, “it’s a new dawn, it’s a new day, it’s a new life..for me. And I’m feelin’ good.” 😎

Today’s Interlude: “Feeling Good” by Nina Simone

New York, New York, What A Wonderful Town: It Can Revel You Up, It Can Level You Down

TRAVEL: New York, New York, What A Wonderful Town: It Can Revel You Up, It Can Level You Down

Today’s Mood Ingredients: Enamored, Exhausted, Conflicted.

MY.NY. I’ve called it that for the past 8 years, lived in it for the past 32. It’s home, it’s always been home, I’m pretty sure it’ll always be home. I’ve been in love with the whole state, but mostly my city, my whole life & when people speak of their excitement or their “dream” to visit NYC one day, I get it. I feel lucky that I’ve lived in the center of the chaos; I feel lucky that now I’m only tens of minutes away on the outskirts of the hubbub. However, recently, things have had a subtle shift. The geographical love of my life has begun to fray at the edges, blurring my vision from behind my rose-colored glasses, adding an anxious thrum to the usually enthralled pulse that runs through me at just the sight of the concrete jungle.

New York, NYC, MY.NY., The Big Apple, The City That Never Sleeps is..amazing. It’s awesome. It’s incredible. It’s a world of its own with the population of the city being so diverse, you might as well have a passport for the island. You can be proffered a taste of a little bit of everything, a little bit of something, but sometimes that can transform into a little bit of nothing. New York has an inherent electricity far different from the literal Times Square sense. Even the subways have an energy, even the sidewalks have a story. New York, the emotional oxymoron; a place with over 8 million people that struggle to find just one or two true connections. The palpable nature of the city can either be arousing or overwhelming, sometimes both. Opportunities call kindly to you from every neon sign, from every sky-scraping window, from every glittering marquis; but they also dangle temptingly in front of you like a carrot, making you walk blindly & aimlessly that one extra step after another in the hopes that you’ll be allowed to take a bite someday. Someday. Nightfall in NYC can be a startlingly different experience from one 12 hour gap to the next. One night you’re out at a restaurant, a jazz bar, a club, & life is good and jubilant and you’re a firecracker about the town without a burden to shoulder. The next, you’re home in your shoebox studio that’s costing you your pension eating Ramen noodles & watching Sex & The City’s glossy glammed up version of a very different reality, & wondering why you feel alone in a city full of promised promise.

Don’t get me wrong, I am still thoroughly obsessed with my town. I love the “melting pot,” the variety, the camaraderie (it does happen sometimes!). I live for feeling alive when I walk through Central Park in the summer or 5th Avenue in the winter, Union Square in the fall, The Met in the spring. The sparkling lights still set something ablaze in the pit of my stomach (that is not attributed to the spices from an NY slice), my colorful memories leap out at me from every psychic-resided corner. I roam my undergraduate hallways of Washington & Waverly, gazing at the billowing purple NYU flags that are now ubiquitous at every turn from FiDi to SoHo to The Village to Midtown, reminiscing about that first day that my address read “New York, NY 10003” & how I was ready to embrace the place like a long lost love that I never knew I had. The creativity, the individuality, the temperament that is solely New York still tugs at my heartstrings like a child determinedly pulling a mother into a candy store. But now & again, I wonder if “MY.NY.” will forever be in the throes of a lifelong identity crisis.

“I carry the place around the world in my heart but sometimes I try to shake it off in my dreams.”-F.Scott Fitzgerald

Today’s Interlude(s): “New York, New York” by Frank Sinatra & “Empire State Of Mind” by Jay-Z & Alicia Keys

What is Art? Is art art? Are we art?: Lisa Turtle’s Dilemma & Its Relation To 5 Pointz & Self-Expression

Arts & Culture: What is Art? Is art art? Are we art?: Lisa Turtle’s Dilemma & Its Relation To 5 Pointz & Self-Expression

Today’s Mood Ingredients: Inspired, Sad, Artistic, Logical.

If you’re not a New Yorker or you’re not an artist, there is a chance you may not have heard of iconic 5 Pointz, an outdoor art exhibit space on a 20,000 square foot factory building in Long Island City. Aerosol artists from New York’s five boroughs & all over the world came to 5 Pointz to graffiti (in the non-negative sense of the word) all over the space, attracting the likes of boldfaced stars like Doug E. Fresh, Mos Def, & Joan Jett as well. 5 Pointz became a haven for those artists whose medium was aerosol spray cans, and let’s be honest, not quite the most respected of the lot. They would flock to the factory building to express, impress, inspire, collaborate, and experiment, all the while creating incredible colorful displays of, what I presume to be, their thoughts. Unfortunately, as of November 2013, 5 Pointz is no longer in existence. As the curator of the space petitioned to have 5 Pointz become a museum & save it from demolition, the owners of the building had the space whitewashed overnight with the security of police protection. Here comes the question. What was the point in the whitewashing? If the building was to be demolished anyway, why add insult to injury & just go and basically delete the years of expression and artistry and hard work that went into the pieces on those walls? Understandably, the owners of the building had/have the right to do whatever they want with the space, it’s theirs. What I don’t understand is this; for years, this space was a place for community and expression. For years, it thrived as a place for this specific type of artist to come & not be arrested for using aerosol to create. Why the sudden urge for condominiums (and in an already saturated Long Island City)? It is obviously illegal to “tag” up a public place & you can and will be arrested for graffiti’ing pretty much everywhere, which I agree with. Sorry, but I don’t want to see your big orange bubble letters on a public library wall. However, I can appreciate artistry with the best of them & do believe that those individuals who excel in this form of art should have a place where they are free from the fear of glowing blue & red lights and silver (definitely not a cute accessory) cuffs. The need for people to put their feelings into something solid and tangible is valid. The need for a businessperson to want to make more money is valid. I refuse to believe that some sort of agreement or middle ground couldn’t have been reached in this case.

All of that rhetoric aside, I’d like to ask a question of you. What is self-expression exactly? An outlet that allows an individual to feel free, to be themselves, to be unique, maybe to release stress or anger or sadness? That’s what it is to me, anyway, and I couldn’t survive without it. I don’t know what I’d do if someone suddenly erased all records of my dance performances or told me that I can no longer use a particular space to dance in that I had been connected to and performing in for years. In my opinion, self-expression is a necessity for society. To be able to not only make yourselves feel, but to inspire and to make others feel something, anything, with something you have created with the fruits of your labor is an irreplaceable, inherently good thing. To many, it may be intangible. To many, it may be too philosophical. But to many, it is innate and it is important.

Art to one person, whether it be performance or creative or visual, may be trash to another, but who is the decision maker as to what should be revered and what should be disregarded? My heart goes out to you, artists of 5 Pointz & all other such artists out there. The wonderful part about expressing yourself through your art is that you always have your tools within you. That’s something no one can steal from you & I suppose there is at least a little solace in that. I hope you find somewhere else accepting of your immense talents and understanding of your visions, because, Ansel Adams said it best:

“No man has the right to dictate what other men should perceive, create or produce, but all should be encouraged to reveal themselves, their perceptions and emotions, and to build confidence in the creative spirit.”

More information about 5 Pointz here, and more articles about the demolition here.

(Header photo credit: http://www.inhabitant.com; Footer photo credit: @WNYC on Twitter)

Today’s Interlude: The Living End, “Prisoner of Society”

OSCAR SUNDAY! The 1 Day Of 365 Where Oscar Isn’t A Grouch

OSCAR SUNDAY! The 1 Day Of 365 Where Oscar Isn’t A Grouch

Today’s Mood Ingredients: Curious, Excited, Glitzy, Glamorous.

This post will have more semi-articulate text later tonight, but for now, & throughout the evening, enjoy the fabulous fashion, obstinate opinions, and wonderful winners here! (all photo credit to the photographers at Getty Images)

I was fortunate enough to be able to attend the Oscars red carpet & afterparties in 2009 when Slumdog Millionaire took home plenty of gold & in 2011 when 127 Hours was a nominee. Considering that I’ve been an avid & obsessive Oscar watcher since I was 7, many of my dreams came true that weekend & I pretty much owe my dad more than I already had at the point! My love for awards season, inclusive of fashion, talent, glitz, & glamour has never waned, & the post below makes that glaringly obvious. Don’t worry if you couldn’t sit through the 3.5 hour show, I did it for you. 😉

My Best Dressed: (as always, I wish there was more, or any Marchesa!)

Portia de Rossi in Naeem Khan

(Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Her figure definitely does this gown justice & the intricate patterns make the fact that it’s not an actual color worth it.

Viola Davis in Escada

(Jeff Vespa/WireImage)

The emerald Escada sets of Viola’s skin tone absolutely beautifully. Could do without those tan lines though!

Kristin Chenoweth in Cavalli

(Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images)

Every year, someone dresses like Oscar himself, but you can’t help but love Kristin Chenoweth in her gilded Cavalli!

Olivia Wilde in Valentino

(Jason Merritt/Getty Images) (Lester Cohen/WireImage)

Gorgeous mom-to-be in a classic B&W Valentino could not have done it any better.

Lupita Nyong’o in Prada

(Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images)

NO WORDS for incredible Lupita Nyong’o in custom silver threaded powder blue Prada. “I picked the blue because it reminded me of Nairobi & I wanted some of home with me. I’m wearing a froggie ring as well, which is my family totem.” Looking like a spectacular & statuesque Cinderella in powder blue pleats & sparkling tiara-esque 18 karat yellow gold & diamond Fred Leighton headband.

Chrissy Teigen in Monique Lhuillier

(Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Forever hilarious Sports Illustrated cover girl/John Legend’s wife/prolific tweeter Chrissy Teigen combines fashion & functionality (like Clic By Siddhi!) in a strapless floral Monique Lhuillier gown with what I always call iPhone pockets, because let’s face it, that’s what they are!

Sally Hawkins in Valentino

(Steve Granitz/WireImage)

The Blue Jasmine actress looks like a modern Victorian in her bone & gold Valentino. I’m so glad she isn’t blonde; the brunette makes her face pop against the neutrals.

Jared Leto in Saint Laurent

(Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Love of my life Jordan Catalano struts on the red carpet in a black & white Saint Laurent tux with the perfect oxblood bow tie. I miss his man bun & his chiseled jaw though. Angela Chase forever.

Sarah Paulsson in Elie Saab

(Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Sarah looked less coven-like in this gorgeous piece by Elie Saab with simple & sleek hair and accessories. I always love long sleeves on gowns as they set you apart from the ubiquitous sleeveless/strapless numbers.

Amy Adams in Gucci

(Jeff Vespa/WireImage)

Many-time nominee Amy Adams decided to style herself, for herself tonight with a navy columnar Gucci gown & hit the nail on the head. The coral colored earrings with her redhead are perfect complements.

Jennifer Lawrence in Dior

(Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images)

America’s sweetheart, 3 time nominee, 1 time winner, & Dior spokesmodel J.Law made her entrance by falling flat on her derriere on the red carpet, but handled it with humor & grace as usual. Even if her whole situation is like the Taylor Swift “surprise face,” I love it. The fire engine red was a surprisingly awesome color choice, not annoying me with the whole red on red carpet thing.

Emma Watson in Vera Wang

(Steven Granitz/WireImage)

My little Hermione never does any fashion wrong. Flawless hair, flawless makeup, and a metallic charcoal & black Vera Wang gown are no match for her acting skills, but do a good job keeping up!

Kevin Spacey in *pending*

(Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

I have a soft spot for midnight blue tuxes with black lapels (specific, but true) & Frank Underwood did good!

Julia Roberts in Givenchy

(Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Lace Givenchy (& peplum done right!) in a color, in my opinion, that sets off that lighter hair & trademark smile incredibly!

Sandra Bullock in Alexander McQueen

(Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images)

Stunner Sandra in a liquidy navy McQueen looking every bit the Best Actress queen herself! And for once, non-straight hair & effortlessly rocking the waves.

Kate Hudson in Versace

(Steve Granitz/WireImage)

I’m not sure if Kate has ever looked so so so good. Her slinky white gown fit like a glove and couldn’t have flattered her anymore. The back draping was the icing on this non-wedding cake!

Lady Gaga in Atelier Versace

(Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

WOW. That’s all I can say for Lady Gaga on Oscar night. Incredible embroidered figure flattering Atelier Versace makes more of a statement than her usual over the top attire in the best way possible!

Kelly Osbourne in Badgley Mischka

(Coco Perez)

Kelly chose a beautiful Badgley Mischka gown with a beaded capelet-style overlay for one of her many Oscars gowns, and made sure to stay dry in that oh-so-torrential LA rain.

VANITY FAIR OSCARS AFTERPARTY:

Mindy Kaling in Salvador Perez

(Jon Kopaloff/Film Magic)

Well, if you know me, you know I think Mindy can do no wrong like, ever. Her fashion obsession (amongst other things) makes her my kindred spirit & her costume designer on The Mindy Project & the president of the Costume Designers Guild, Salvador Perez dresses her impeccably on the show & in real life. This dazzling strapless black peplum is no exception.

Taylor Swift in Julien MacDonald & Jaime King in Ulyana Sergeenko

(Just Jared)

Taylor has hardly gotten her event fashion wrong & last night was no exception. Forever a fan of sparkles that she is, I’m glad she chose black over the usual metallics. I’ve been a fan of Jaime King since her CK modeling days back when she was James, & I love the fact that her fashion forward days are still in existence. She always toes the line & she did it well last night in a maroon gown cutout gown with periwinkle detailing, perfectly showcasing that post-baby figure.

Selena Gomez in Emilio Pucci

(Just Jared)

Selena is one of my favorite fashionistas (as those who know me will attest to), & at 21, she is emerging as a fashion favorite for just about everyone. She remained true to form as she usually sticks to a golden hue for these types of events, but I love the sheer peekaboo legs and Old Hollywood waves.

Naomie Harris in Naeem Khan

(Getty Images)

I had the good fortune of being able to attend Naeem Khan’s 2014 runway show during New York Fashion Week & had an idea that this gown may be making an appearance somewhere this awards season. The stark red & black combo looked stunning on Naomie.

Zooey Deschanel in Oscar de la Renta

(Just Jared)

Zooey is known for her quirky or olden days fashion choices, & I have been ogling this ODLR floral gown since it hit the runway. It’s the perfect fit to Zooey’s personality.

Leslie Mann in Jenny Packham

(Just Jared)

Cheerful tones for a cheerful pair! Leslie Mann in her lemon yellow Jenny Packham brightened up the black/neutral/metallic red carpet in a much needed way!

Jennifer Lawrence in Tom Ford

(Just Jared)

No falling this time around, J.Law stunned in a short Tom Ford dress with sheer side & back paneling and metallic cut work.

Rashida Jones in Valentino

(Just Jared)

I know this one won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but this columnar patterned Valentino is one of my favorites! The simple hoops and dark bangs are the perfect accessories.

Amy Adams in Carolina Herrera

(Just Jared)

Amy is always one of the ones I look forward to, both film-wise & fashion-wise. She switched to another simple gown, this time a clean white one-shoulder Carolina Herrera, and obviously made everyone’s best dressed list, again.

Kristen Bell in *pending*

(Getty Images)

Still waiting on the designer for this one, but Kristen Bell looked gorgeous in a bright red low-cut Grecian style gown. I think motherhood added the glow more than the makeup did!

Reese Witherspoon in Boss

(Just Jared)

This is a look I’m not used to seeing on Reese, and I’m a fan of it! The split design skirt in black & metallic charcoal, and pop of turquoise in the earrings are a stark & stunning contrast to her blonde hair & blue eyes.

10:53PM Currently, Gravity is cleaning up, Lupita took it home, & Ellen is about to have the most retweeted picture in history also known as the greatest selfie in history! Also, this is a very very long Oscars, but my loyalty is real!

11:02PM: The In Memoriam segment was as gut wrenching as usual, but it’s wonderful to note that they muted the applause so it wasn’t a popularity contest for the departed. Bette Midler closed it out by singing her iconic “Wind Beneath My Wings” from Beaches & basically the whole world ugly cried like Oprah.

11:19PM: Best Original Song went to Kristen Anderson-Lopez & Robert Lopez, making Robert the youngest EGOT winner ever! (Winner of an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, & Tony Award)

11:41PM: Daniel Day-Lewis is the only thing that’s helping this long ass show situation right now.

11:50PM: Jennifer Lawrence was fighting with someone in the audience….while up on stage presenting an award. I’d love to know the background story on that a bit more. Following that, Matthew McConaughey is giving a church summer camp speech.

11:55PM: My mom started screaming at the TV after 40 minutes of silence. “YEAH, WILL! YOU GO! I LOVE HIM, HE’S SO FUNNY!” Thanks for the unexpected wake up call, Will Smith.

Sometimes, I wasn’t looking at the clock (a valiant effort), so here’s what else happened on some basic timeline. Pink sang the hell out of “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” for The Wizard of Oz’s 75th anniversary & Judy Garland’s children in attendance (Liza Minnelli with her blue streaked hair to match her peculiar blue silken jumpsuit, Lorna Luft, & Joey Luft) understandably cried. Ellen quickly brought that back to laughter in her Glinda the Good Witch getup, and though there were some hits & misses throughout the telecast, Ellen kept it light and funny and PG, which is pretty much what I look for in a host (if I needed an overabundance sex jokes, I’d watch pretty much anything else on TV right now).

(Kevin Mazur/WireImage) (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Ellen ordered pizza for the starving celebrities & Brad Pitt was serving paper plates, Kerry Washington got a gluten-free version, and basically the celebs perked up a bit after being fed. Also, Ellen collected money for the pizza from the likes of Harvey Weinstein, Brad Pitt, & Lupita Nyong’o threw in her lip balm as well (Clarins, for those interested)! John Travolta seemed to have sneakily imbibed somewhere at the notoriously dry event because his introduction of Idina Menzel left the rest of us blankly blinking at the TV for a bit.

(Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

WINNERS (UPDATED):

Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Jared Leto, “Dallas Buyers Club”

My love since his Jordan Catalano, My So-Called Life days & a man with a 4 year prime spot in my locker with those crystal eyes, Jared Leto took time off from acting for 6 years to pursue his passion for music. A successful music career (with his band 30 Seconds To Mars) later, he returned to acting to take home all top accolades of the season for his character Rayon in Dallas Buyers Club, & his Oscars acceptance speech was a love letter to his mom and awareness for the current events in the world. I’m so happy for my future spouse! 😉

Best Costume Design: Catherine Martin, “The Great Gatsby”

Achievement in Makeup & Hairstyling: Adruitha Lee & Robin Mathews, “Dallas Buyers Club”

Best Animated Short: Laurent Witz & Alexandre Espigares, “Mr. Hublot”

Best Animated Feature Film: Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee, Peter Del Vecho, “Frozen”

Achievement in Visual Effects: Tim Webber, Chris Lawrence, Dave Shirk, Neil Corbould, “Gravity”

Best Live Action Short Film: Anders Walter, Kim Magnusson, “Helium”

Best Documentary Short Subject: Malcolm Clarke, Nicholas Reed, “The Lady In Number 6: Music Saved My Life”

Best Documentary Feature: Morgan Neville, Gil Friesen, Caitrin Rogers, “20 Feet From Stardom”

Best Foreign Language Film: “The Great Beauty”, Italy

Achievement in Sound Mixing: Skip Lievsay, Niv Adiri, Christopher Benstead, Chris Munro, “Gravity”

Achievement in Sound Editing: Glenn Freemantle, “Gravity”

Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Lupita Nyong’o, “12 Years a Slave”

This young woman is one of the classiest, well spoken people I have ever seen. She has come through awards season as a winner & with a sincere & true message in her speeches at each event & at every talk show stop she’s made throughout. Fashion superstar, & now Academy Award winner..after having just graduated the Yale School of Drama in MAY. Stunning & spectacular; “No matter where you are from, your dreams are valid.”

Best Cinematography: Emmanuel Lubezki, “Gravity”

Best Film Editing: Alfonso Cuaron & Mark Sanger, “Gravity”

Achievement in Production Design: Catherine Martin (production design) & Beverley Dunn (set decoration), “The Great Gatsby”

Best Original Score: Steven Price, “Gravity”

Best Original Song: Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Robert Lopez, “Frozen”

Best Adapted Screenplay: John Ridley, “12 Years A Slave”

Best Original Screenplay: Spike Jonze, “Her”

Achievement in Direction: Alfonso Cuaron, “Gravity”

Best Actress in a Leading Role: Cate Blanchett, “Blue Jasmine”

Cate Blanchett was the lock for the award according to industry insiders, so this wasn’t quite a surprise. Though I love Sandra in everything & I really just want Amy Adams to win an Oscar AT SOME POINT, you can’t deny Cate’s talent. I’ll remain mum on the director choice though.

Best Actor in a Leading Role: Matthew McConaughey, “Dallas Buyers Club”

No surprise here either as Matthew McConaughey’s turn in Dallas Buyers Club has already been winning awards all season, and though I joked that his acceptance speech was reminiscent of a church summer camp sermon, I can’t deny that he really did move me with some of his words. “God has shown me that it is a scientific fact that gratitude reciprocates.”

Best Picture: “12 Years A Slave”

What a great end to a long evening! Truly thrilled for Steve McQueen & the entire cast and crew of 12 Years A Slave for a well deserved award. An important film for plenty of reasons, the talent clearly only being one of them.

Andddd GOOD NIGHT! 🙂

OOTD OD: Street Style Edition

FASHION: Outfit Of The Day Overdose: Street Style Edition

Today’s Mood Ingredients: Trendy, Unique, Weird, Quirky, Vogue-ish.

Even before I turned into a fledgling designer, fashion was my happy bubble. I cut and sewed dresses for my Barbies, made purses from scraps of my mom’s unused fabrics, found pages and pages of sketches in my biology binder, and even made my family watch my “Madame Four Seasons” fashion show set to a Barbie & The Sensations cassette tape when I was 8. As I’ve grown, my style has evolved & it’s become less about trying to wear all of the “it” trends back in school and more about incorporating the “it” trends into my personal wardrobe, and that too, only if they fit my personality. A current Fall 2014 trend calls for purple lip color; I couldn’t even pull that off if I was Barney the dinosaur & it blended in! Another popular trend is the crop top; now that, I can manage for the time being (but mostly while high-waisted bottoms are also still “in” because, let’s be real, no one has those high school abs anymore..except high schoolers and Alessandra Ambrosio).

Certain investments are worth it when it comes to staple wardrobe additions (a black leather jacket, the perfect white shirt, black suede boots, a denim jacket, those perfectly fitting, perfectly worn in jeans, the ideal pencil skirt, some sequins-use discretion there, please, and obviously the classic LBD) because they will either never go out of style or always come back at some point (check out the department stores right now & if you’re my generation, you’ll see a lot of what you probably remember wearing in high school; HELLO, PALAZZO PANTS!?). And by the way, repetition is not the fashion faux pas you think it is. Most of us are everyday folk and not Anna Wintour nor André Leon Talley nor Eva Chen are quite paying attention to what we’re strutting around in. A lot of true style innovation happens when you mix & match things you already own and see them in different ways with a variety of other pieces.

Below are some of my favorite street style looks where I’ve been able to combine pieces from high school (that I’ve hung on to like a pack-rat) with income-friendly additions from your everyday stores like Forever 21, Bakers, Guess, etc. Add one or two trends that you’re comfortable with, a high-end splurge here & there, and some vintage pieces or acquisitions from your travels, and you can still be non-Stepford Wife fashion forward while embracing your own unique flavor (mine is “champagne & cookie dough”). 😉

If there is any ensemble you want more details about, please comment below. Otherwise, I’ll be writing more fashion posts every Tuesday about designers, trends, faves and fauxs, and more, so please stick around! 🙂

*I’m terrible at formatting, so just picture yourself in your favorite street style look in that little gap in photos down there!!