Secret Source: Delia's

I was crazy for delia's when I was in high school, and even though I'm now a bit beyond their target age-range, I still check their website occasionally to see if I can score a bargain. Once in a while, I will find a great, affordable piece that belies its teeny-bopper origins. In fact, one of my favorite items in my closet is a khaki skirted trench jacket that I bought from delia's a couple of years ago (and which I happen to be wearing right now). Here are my top delia's picks for spring:

"Caitlyn" Striped Shirt, $39.50

"Trista" Striped Dress, $44.50

"Georgia" Hobo, $24.50

"Harriet" Cascade Cardigan, $39.50


"Nikkita" Floral Skirt, $34.50

Gown Crazy

I'm watching live red carpet coverage of the Oscars, and I'm too excited about the gowns to wait until tomorrow to comment!

Amanda Seyfried - I rarely like dresses that are described as "interesting" by fashion commentators, but I actually think that this is the best I've seen Amanda Seyfried look...possibly ever. The bodice and the draping at the hip of this Armani Privé are sculptural without being cumbersome. The color of the dress is gorgeous, and the overall look--hair, makeup, jewelry--is young, fresh and modern.

Anna Kendrick: The best supporting actress nominee looks soft and lovely in this pale pink Elie Saab and is almost pulling off the color. I love the neckline and the criss-crossing on the bodice, which is very flattering to her figure. I can understand why she picked this dress, because it's just so pretty, but overall it is a little boring and not enough of a statement for a break-out star on one of the most important nights of her young career.

Carey Mulligan - I'm happy that the best actress nominee (in Prada) finally added a little sparkle to her look. I have felt lukewarm about her fashion choices thus far in the awards season, and when I first saw Carey on the carpet tonight I thought "yay!"...but then I saw the full-length look and I was a little less thrilled. This gown seems to fit her body much better than the gowns she wore to the Globes and the SAGs, but I just wish it went all the way to the floor. This is such an awkward length, and the thick ankle straps on the shoes are not helping matters.

Jennifer Lopez - This is pretty standard J. Lo fare, but I'm loving the hair and makeup. She just looks so fresh and pretty (and happy!). I can already hear the fashion insiders oohing and aahing over this Armani Privé, but honestly I feel like we've seen this look from Jennifer so many times that it leaves me feeling a little underwhelmed. I must say, though, that her body looks amazing in this gown!

Rachel McAdams - Rachel is another one whose fashion choices usually leave me feeling lukewarm, but I think she looks so pretty tonight! What first caught my attention was her hair and makeup--so simple and natural, but so very stunning. I think I actually prefer her with the blond hair...it just makes her skin seem to glow. I'm also loving her earrings, and there's nothing to dislike about her Elie Saab gown.

Sandra Bullock - Saving the best for last. I actually love this look, but doesn't Sandy (in Marchesa) look a little bit like a deer in the headlights tonight? Poor thing. She usually looks so relaxed...I guess she's just nervous (this is potentially one of the biggest nights of her life, after all). Not everyone could pull off this much shine, sparkle, AND lace (especially in combination with such a body-hugging silhouette), but Sandra Bullock has one of the best figures in Hollywood, and I think she looks gorgeous, glamorous, and still somehow understated. When I first saw her, I was disappointed in her hair, but the more I look at her, the more I think the simple hair (and jewelry) is the perfect complement to this dress. I also love the pop of pink on her lips, which is a nice change from the expected red. She looks timeless yet modern. In short, she looks like a winner.

I'm also loving Kate Winslet (she's just one of the most gorgeous women on the face of the planet), Nicole Richie, and Cameron Diaz (her dress, but not her hair and makeup). And with that, it's time for the show to begin...with Neil Patrick Harris in a sparkly tuxedo, apparently. Oh boy.

(Photo credits, from top to bottom: Kevin Mazur; Steve Graniz; Steve Granitz; Steve Granitz; Jason Merritt; Kevin Mazur)

Bag Lady

Anthropologie has a bevy of beautiful leather bags right now that would be just perfect for spring...

Here-There-Everywhere Bag, $178

Fresh Leaves Shopper, $158

Imperative Satchel, $278

Zing & Tart Bag, $290

Braided Perimeters Hobo, $335

You're a Superstar, Yes That's What You Are

Have you seen Tina Fey on the cover of the March issue of Vogue? She looks so fresh and pretty! Take note, Elle...no more awkwardly-posed waifs, please.

(Photo by none other than Mario Testino.)

White Out

All of this snow (we must have close to 2 feet by now) is making me want to surround myself with white...

Anthropologie "Abundant Callas" Necklace, $228

J. Crew "Cotton Papillon" Blouse, $79.50

CB2 "Shaggy White" Pillow, $39.95

Red Valentino "Tiered Ruffle" Dress, $895

Staub "La Cocotte" Cookware Set, $298

Kimchi Blue "O Ring Crossbody" Purse, $38

Mimi

If I had an entirely different body type, I would totally get married in J. Crew's "Mimi" gown. So simple and elegant...but definitely meant for a long and lean lady. Sigh.

And the Award for Most Improved Goes to...

I didn't actually watch the SAG Awards on Saturday night, but I did breathe a sigh of relief when I saw pictures from the red carpet on Sunday morning. After the Golden Globes, which I thought were one big hot mess, I wasn't sure what to expect. Luckily for me, the stars really turned things out this time around...

Diane Kruger: From "hot pink nightmare" to "golden dream." Some fashion insiders may have thought that Diane's Christian Lacroix was one of the best frocks of the evening at the Golden Globes, but these people must have momentarily forgotten just how stunning Ms. Kruger can be. These two looks are night and day to me. The hot pink number was oddly lumpy and made Diane look like a sad bridesmaid. The gold Jason Wu gown, on the other hand, fits like a dream and makes Diane look like the true glamour goddess that she is. I adore her!

Kate Hudson: From "white fright" to "white done right." While some hailed Ms. Hudson's Golden Globes gown as fashion forward, I thought it was overly complicated and aging to the young starlet (even the white platforms sneaking out from under the hem looked weirdly orthopedic). I prefer the sleek silhouette of her SAG Awards dress...it's youthful and sexy but still very modern. The hair, makeup, and jewelry are also a huge improvement. She looks like her fresh-faced self.

Sandra Bullock: From "purple princess" to "simply majestic." I actually thought Sandra Bullock looked very pretty at the Golden Globes, but what she wore to the SAG Awards was much more age-appropriate (not that she is in any way old...just that the purple dress looked very prom-y to me) and befitting a star of her magnitude. Sandra is in great shape, and this dress fits her beautifully. I'm also loving the blue/black color combination and the bit of sparkle. She just looks gorgeous and happy.

Marion Cotillard: From "wrecked" to "ravishing." For the record, I think Marion Cotillard is one of the most gorgeous leading ladies in Hollywood...she would probably look good in a potato sack that still had the potatoes in it. Her Golden Globes dress, however, did not do her justice at all. The criss-crossing on the bodice looked sloppy, and the bit of lace peeking out made me wonder whether she was gearing up to play a pirate wench in her next film. Her SAG Awards ensemble, on the other hand, is fun, flirty, and oh-so-French...just like Marion herself!

Lea Michele: From "much too much" to "just enough." Lea Michele's Golden Globes gown was so poofy that I had to crop half of it out to fit it in the frame. As a fellow petite lady, I feel qualified to say, "Lea, honey...ball gowns are not our friends." The green draped gown that she wore to the SAGs elongates her instead of swallowing her up. The color and loose waves are much more youthful than the dour black and the updo, and the plunging neckline sexes things up without looking vulgar (::cough::Mariah Carey::cough::). Simply divine.

(All images via People.com)

*****

My expectations for the Oscars are high...I hope Kruger, Bullock, and Co. don't let me down!

My Day Would be Just a Little Bit Better...

...if I were wearing these. Of course, that would probably mean that I would have to change out of my sweats. Eh, maybe tomorrow. Have a fantastic weekend, everyone!

Retro Swim

Anthropologie has a bunch of fun retro-inspired bathing suits right now...perfect for that fantasy Indonesian getaway. Just throw this cover-up on top and you're ready for an afternoon of canoeing around the lake or reading on your private balcony.

Day Dressing

A new year deserves new dresses, don't you think? These remind me of what a spunky 1940s or '50s career gal would wear to work...

Milly Deco Print Silk Dress, $330

Kate Spade "Miriam", $375

Rebecca Taylor "Desk to Date", $325

Nanette Lepore "Pretty Plaid", $348

Trina Turk "Sarafina 2", $268

*****

Maybe I've been watching too many old movies of late, but I find myself wishing that people still dressed as elegantly as they used to...I would trade my stacks of jeans and tees for a closet-full of pretty dresses and hats any day!

Winter Blues

I'm in a blue mood...

Anthropologie "Button Duo" Dress, $168

Rebecca Minkoff "Nikki" Hobo, $595


Sigerson Morrison "Double Knot" Flats, $276


Jenna Leigh "Malawi" Hipster, $64


Jodi Arnold "Asymmetric Tuck" Dress, $352

Damsel in Dis-dress

This might be the cutest dress ever...
That is all.

Four Eyes

I think it might be time for me to buy a new pair of glasses (I've had the same pair since high school)...

These tortoiseshell frames by DKNY are classic, but I'm not sure that the

rectangular shape would be flattering on my already-square head.

These Club Monaco frames would probably be more flattering to my noggin,
but they look like they might be a bit on the large side (I'm not a fan
of the ridiculously oversized hipster glasses).

Not sure about the color of these Ralph Lauren frames,
but the smooth contours are nice.

*****

Now I just need to find a job that offers vision benefits (in addition to health and dental)!