Fashion Blizzard

This dress struck me the moment I saw it. The combination of pale peach, icy blue, a ruffled skirt and draped, cowl neckline is just fantastic. And it would be perfect New England party wear on a day like this one, when we are getting still another snowstorm. (What number is this anyway? Eight? The snowdrifts are like ten feet tall as it is. My sister and I had to go and shave some of them down so that we could see out of the driveway. It's a good thing I like snow. :)

Back to the fashion... this "winter wonderland" of a creation - from Christian Dior's Spring 2011 Couture Collection - is just dreamy. I wish I could put it on, slip into a massive fur coat, and go to the theater. Mmm...

 

These other two gowns just had to be included. I love their icy colors, millions of layers of tulle, and clear 1950s inspiration. The blue one is very similar in design to the famous Givency gown worn by Audrey Hepburn in Sabrina, and the yellow is a prom or homecoming dream. I love the hat, gloves,  and shoes... and even the hair and makeup. Vintage deliciousness.

What would you like to be wearing in today's snowstorm? :)

-Amanda

Images: Style.com

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My Fashion Picks from the Golden Globe Awards

For the past two years I have covered two major annual celebrity fashion events on AmandaBeth. (By name, The Golden Globe Awards and The Oscars.) Even though the blog has taken a less fashion-focused approach this year, I've had so much fun browsing the photos and choosing my favorites that I have decided to continue the tradition. (And let me mention right now that I understand that events like these can be controversial. I've got a little disclaimer at the bottom of the post if you want it. :)

In the past, I've written up extensive reports on which trends were popular, what looked good, and those fashion errors that were simply unforgivable. This time around I'm going to keep it brief, but I just wanted to mention a few things I noticed.

First of all, my beloved one-shoulder evening gowns were almost non-existent. The trend that has been so popular for the last few years appears to be disappearing behind the standard strapless gown fare (which I think is very unfortunate). The different dress shapes and styles remain pretty much the same as previous years, with a lot of variety in color and decoration. And there were a few surprising high-necked gowns with sleeves. (But none of them were very good looking. ;P)

Below I've selected five ladies who I think were the best dressed at the awards show. I think that all of them had nice, complete looks, in which hair, makeup, skintone, jewelry and gown were in harmony. Let me know what you think of my favorites...

 

Amy Adams

This sweet redhead has been one my favorites for years, but sadly disappointed me with her fashion choices at the awards two years ago. This time I think she got it right, choosing a drape-y mermaid gown that flatters her figure.

At first glance, the navy blue shade may appear boring, but a closer look at the fine laser-cut details on the bodice reveal a stunning touch. (It also matches her eyes. :) I love Amy's soft, loose hairstyle, and I think she made the right choice in keeping accessories minimal.

 

Mandy Moore

Of course I am always partial to singers, and anyone who shares my name has an instant and special place in my heart. But I do think that Mandy deserves praise for her dress choice alone. Of course, she voiced Rapunzel in Disney's recent "Tangled" and her pretty-as-a-princess gown suited the occasion nicely.

The royal blue gown sets off her skintone and dark hair, and I love the beautiful tulle over the bodice and in the skirt. The gold cuff bracelet and earrings are pretty without distracting. Her best accessory, of course, is her smile.

 

Natalie Portman

I think this woman should have taken away the prize for absolute best dressed the way she did the best actress award. She is pregnant and gorgeous, accenting her new figure with a soft, draping gown that is the epitome of flattering. While in most cases an oversized beaded rose smack in the middle of a bodice would sound like a bad idea, here it is absolutely stunning.

Natalie's necklace and earrings are simple but compliment the look, and her platform heels, red clutch and fingernails all match the beaded rose. Everything is in harmony, including her beautiful french twist hairstyle.

 

Olivia Wilde

She certainly wasn't in the back of my mind as a fashion threat in this event (in fact, I usually dislike her outfits) but I was pleasantly surprised. The first time I saw this gown, my jaw nearly dropped. It's like a girl's Cinderella fantasy with a grown-up twist. The millions of beads, sequins and sparkles all creep up the skirt to create a dazzling, glittering bodice that is like something out of a daydream.

I must confess that neither Olivia's hair or her crazy gold shoes had me impressed, but this dress was easily my favorite of the night.

 

Catherine Zeta-Jones

This woman just looks like a queen. The gown is crafted from a heavy fabric, which I usually consider a bad idea, but she manages to pull it off. The fabric actually appears to add very little bulk and the swirling rose design is beautiful. The rich shade of green also suits Catherine's fair skin and dark hair perfectly.

And when one has such striking, dark hair for an accessory, a pair of fabulous, sparkling earrings are all she needs. They're the perfect touch for royalty.

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What do you think of my favorites? Like, dislike? Feel free to share your thoughts. And remember there are now three cool little "reactions" buttons down at the bottom of the post if you are pressed for time and still want to leave feedback. :)

-Amanda

Disclaimer: I do not endorse or recommend the Golden Globe Awards, the films represented there or the actresses listed in this post (except where specified. Go see "Tangled!" :). It is simply my intention to have a little fun choosing my favorite gowns from the red carpet. If you've got a bone to pick with me over even mentioning the event, send me a private email. ;) Cheers!

Images: JustJared

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Calling Laura Petrie

A couple of nights ago, I was buried up to my neck in vintage sewing patterns from (mostly) the 60s and 70s. I felt like Mary Tyler Moore. It was wonderful. ;)

One of my dearest friends passed along nine little boxes packed full of vintage sewing patterns in my size, and I finally got around to sorting them properly. I had to pack some of them away for now (my space is limited) so I went through the dozens and dozens and decided which ones I loved enough to keep out and on hand.

The majority of the patterns were from the 70s, and while there were definitely a fair share of "atrocities," it was fun to see just how many designs could be tweaked to work for modern wear. Then there were loads of 1960s designs, so ladylike and adorable that I will be sorely tempted to make up a handful of vintage summer dresses (but probably won't have time or money to indulge ;).

There were only a few patterns actually from the 50s (organza aprons, anyone?) and the real treat was a copyright 1940 wedding gown pattern, rumpled and fragile, and very glamorous.

This one struck me as very special, considering that it was printed during World War II, when there were shortages on everything... and pretty, fairytale gowns were often impractical. The pattern appears to have been used, and the thought of a dreamy, war-era bride making it up with her mother, sisters and friends makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside. It seems like somebody did get their "dream come true" dress. :)

I love special and unexpected discoveries. What lovely surprises have you had lately?

-Amanda

P.S. You've just got to check out this Dick Van Dyke Show blog for some more MTM cuteness. ;)

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Some things are Colorblind

What is it about black and white that we find so appealing?

The nostalgia of classic films? The stars of the silver screen? Your grandparents' wedding photographs? That picture of your mother at 6 months old; the one that looks just like you? That gorgeous dress you wore to prom?

I think of Judy Garland, bobby socks, the plain pages of a new book, photographs of my great grandmother (who won a Sea Bathing Beauty of 1915 award ;), a room decorated only with framed Gibson Girl illustrations, pearls, a 1930s evening gown, and the "checkerboard" tile floor in the hall of my Irish ancestors' home in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.

What does black and white bring to your mind?

-Amanda

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Do you see what I see?

You are looking around the room, people watching. Your eyes dart from person to person, making an assessment of each one in turn, imagining what they are thinking, who they are looking at, and what their secret dreams are. All is going well until somebody's eyes turn suddenly, and they look back at you.

Your eyes meet for one millisecond, and then you blink hard. When your eyes open again, they are neatly focused on something else in the room and you have carefully kept your expression exactly the same. They didn't even notice that I was looking their way, you think, trying to believe that you've just been awfully sly and clever. But all along you know that the one millisecond gave you away. You were just caught red-handed.

The more you think about it, the more you wish that you had not looked away. You wish you had simply smiled, in acknowledgement that you were both just caught staring at each other. Everyone looks around and spies on observes other people on occasion. There should be no shame in it. So why couldn't you have just smiled? Or winked? Or nodded a neat "hello, you've caught me looking at you, and isn't this amusing?"

But you didn't and now it's too late.

You feel a little embarrassed by your lack of honesty. And you go right on pretending that you never looked at them in the first place.

It happens to everyone.

-Amanda

Image: ASOS

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Things that made December nice...

Did you all have a merry Christmas and a happy start of the new year? I hope so. :) This 2010-2011 transition hasn't been quite what I expected, but even when things come up or don't go as planned, there are so many beautiful moments to be discovered and held onto. I have learned that those little moments are the things that make life beautiful, exciting and special. 

Here's some of the things I've loved about the past month...

RED.
I love the colors of Christmas; on decorations, displays, food, wrapping paper... and to wear! A comfy scoop-neck, long-sleeve tee and beret in red are perfect in the winter weather. The latter brings out my inner Français. :)

Christmas trees.

Last year, we got our first small tree, which was put up on a table and loved to death. This year, we got our first skinny tree, which fit perfectly in the corner and we also loved to death (the poor thing is looking pretty sorry now).

I've always had a thing for angel tree-toppers. Seriously, every time I walk into a store and see a dozen of the lovely ladies lined up on a display, I am tempted to take them all home. (Who knows what my house might look like some day. :P) And I love to think of the splendor of angels, singing Glory to God in the highest.

Narnia.

Two and a half years ago I threw a party for the opening night of Prince Caspian, and with the release of the newest film, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, we just had to do it again. It was a fabulous time, with wardrobe doors and lamp posts recycled from the previous festivities.

I made a gazzillion tea cakes for the party and they came out pretty delicious, imho. My cooking and baking forays have been more successful this past month than in November. I made a killer lemon sponge pudding for our Flynn family gathering... ;)

Of course we all dressed up and went to see the midnight showing of the aforementioned movie. The film left me with mixed feelings (I'm not a purist, but when the laws of good filmmaking are also abused it's kind of hard to swallow), but the experience was fabulous. There's nothing like a late night with great friends.

Classic movies.
And puzzles, of course. Especially when possibly the best Christmas movie of all time is involved. It's A Wonderful Life is pure legend. If you haven't seen it, it would be better if you hadn't been born. (Pun intended. ;)

Snow.
There was enough snow on the ground to have a legit White Christmas (New England does it almost every time ;), and the next day a gorgeous blizzard came and left us with a foot and a half. The sledding wasn't bad at all. We loved it.

Breakfast on Christmas morning.

It's tradition for Dad to cook it himself *gasp*, and there's waffles, whipped cream, crushed strawberries and bacon. It makes me sick every year, and I just love it. Perfection. ;)

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So, tell me about your holidays! 

I've got a very interesting and uncertain couple of months ahead of me, but will try to blog some bits and pieces when I can. Obviously, I've changed the blog layout and will continue to fine tune and tweak the look, widgets and everything over time (so thanks for being patient with the mess!). It's super basic, but I think it will make me more inclined to blog. ;)

Thanks so much for stopping by. God bless your new year...

-Amanda

P.S. I've got a few more Narnia and Christmas photos over on my TwitPic page, if you'd care to have a look.

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