My Best Dressed - Oscars 2012

Overall, the Oscar red carpet was a bit of a let down this year.  I wasn't really blown away by anyone's look, but a few of my favorites are as follows:

Source: popsugar.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Gweneth in Tom Ford... SERIOUSLY my best dressed.  Her hair was a little plain (didn't like the rubber band for the Oscars) but her makeup was flawless and obviously the dress was stunning.  Also, Gweneth makes me never want to eat carbs again.  I'll be researching the GOOP diet immediately.  Thanks, Gwen.

Source: washingtonpost.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Yes, I know Nicole Kidman wore a similar dress a few years ago.  It was a different color red (not fuchsia, like this one) and was a different silhouette completely.  That being said, it is a red color dress with a bow at the neck. And I LOVE IT.  Besides, Emma is such a cutie and can do know wrong.  She was adorable when she was presenting!

Source: google.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Apparently I'm the only person who loved this Elie Saab dress on Berenice Bejo... and I'm ok with that.  I'm not even on this pastel/mint trend with everyone else... and I STILL loved this dress.  I love the shape and the the details, and her skin looks amazing in it.

Source: google.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Okay, this wasn't actually a best dressed nominee for me - mostly because of the fit (it was cutting into her bust pretty badly).  But it's McQueen.  On Jessica Chastain.  And she DEFINITELY wins best hair and makeup...seriously gorgeous.

Help 'Kickstart' Emily Hallman!!

The 'Mille' Dress 

I have this amazing friend who is also amazingly talented. To be interested in fashion and love fine clothing is one thing... to have the skill, talent, and determination to create your own brand is on a whole other level. I'm SO lucky to have gotten to know Emily and her brand, Emily Hallman, through my blog. If you're new to Pencil Skirts & Lattes and haven't seen Emily's designs before, I've included in this post a few pictures of her pieces that I've styled. I have purchased several pieces from multiple collections, and cannot express how fabulous these clothes are... from the impeccable tailoring to the fine details and fabric selction, everything about her designs are absolutely top notch.

Emily is in the process of launching her Fall 2012 collection, and has initiated a project on Kickstarter to help make this happen (read all of the details about the Emily Hallman Kickstarter Project here). In short, funds raised through this project will go towards fabric and trim, advertising, website and graphic design, photography, promotional materials, pattern grading, and sample production.  We all know someone who is exceptionally talented and needs a bit of a boost to take their skill and brand to the next level... anything at all that you can do to help Kickstart Emily's collection is greatly appreciated.


The 'Abigail' Skirt 


The 'Rosie' Skirt

Just FYI

I've been through several of these cycles so far this year... I'm sure some fellow bloggers can relate.  Fun. Times. :)  It did make me giggle to put in into a diagram like this.

If you follow PS&L on Facebook, I posted an update earlier about being a bit behind on the blog at the moment.  (If you don't follow PS&L on Facebook... you should!) I promise to be back very soon with new outfit posts, some sneak peeks of my home decor that is FINALLY starting to come together, and a few articles.

Battle of the Blonde

As far as new years resolutions go, I've had better starts to the year.  Let's revisit the list and see how I'm progressing, shall we?

1) Run the half - good intentions... got up to 5 miles training and hurt my knee.  I did start back with our trainer so I've been working out. That counts, right? 
2) Call Mom more - I've definitely done better with this.
3) Be more organized - oh please. 
4) Practice yoga at least once per week - I've been once in 2012.  ONCE. 
5) Stand up straight (hoping #4 will help with this one) - see #4. 
6) Go BLONDE(ish) - more info below. 
7) Shop Smarter - YES.  I've done this.  But mostly because I'm just not in a shopping mood lately. 
8) Be a better listener - I should try harder.
9) Eat CLEAN food - sometimes I do.  but sometimes I want to come home and put my face in a pan of brownies. 
10) Shop more flea markets and antique stores - haven't been to either yet. 
11) Buy a dining room table - I'm on the hunt for one!!  Progress...
12) .... and chairs - working on it. goes with #11. 
13) Do more DIYs -  I did one, and love the way it turned out!! 
14) Stress less - this one's just funny. 
15) Buy my first pair of Louboutins - I don't even know how this one made the same list as #7.  But it's still a goal.  


Moving on.... I thought I'd take a tiny little survey about this blonde idea.  Basically, two of my very good friends -one happens to be my hair stylist- have launched a 'Sarah- don't ruin your hair!' campaign.  They mean well, but I can't help but look at all of these images (including some from a few of my favorite bloggers with TO DIE FOR hair) and think this is a good idea.  Besides, it's not like I want to go platinum with it.  And I promise to work on a tan.  Thoughts?

Source: google.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Source: runningonhappiness.blogspot.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Source: galmeetsglam.blogspot.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Exactly

Source: piccsy.com via Tara on Pinterest

every.single.night.

Happy Almost Friday :)

Pinspiration: Timeless glam

Oh, the irony of Pinterest.  It inspires even when you have no creativity left in you, then leaves you with little to no time to act on that inspiration. :)

My eye was instantly drawn to these images of the Christian Dior Couture Spring/Summer 2012 show.  How stunning are these?  Not just the dresses and the models... but the setting, the vintage-inspired styling, the black and white photos...

Source: purple.fr via Sarah on Pinterest

Source: purple.fr via Sarah on Pinterest

My mind immediately goes to these (mostly familiar) images of a few timeless beauties and vintage couture.

Now, if only I could wear a ball gown to work....

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Source: finuca.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Source: myvintagevogue.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Source: weheartit.com via Sarah on Pinterest

So many cardigans

I probably have over 40 cardigans in my closet. I swear I have almost every color there is - yet every time I go shopping, I browse through the cardigan sections as if I need another. I'm not sure why I wear them so often... occasionally for work I'll put on a cropped jacket instead, but if I have my choice I stick with my favorite. Cardigans are just comfortable and you can add them to an outfit without sleeves to layer it for winter, or you can wear one in the summer to cover your shoulders. I'm going to go ahead and call this my biggest wardrobe staple. Mr. Rogers was definitely on to something.






Karen Millen cardigan (similar); J Crew factory blouse; Banana Republic pants; Zara shoes; Michael Kors watch; Francesca's clutch; F21 bracelet; old earrings; (Plā) Beauty lip gloss in Sheer Delight