Red Carpet Fashion: Academy Awards 2011

It's here!! What I have referred to before as "The Superbowl" of red carpets - The Oscars! After a year of more lows than highs (Let's be honest.. it's been mostly a snoozefest...) Sunday closed out this year of awards season. I had high hopes with Anne Hathaway and James Franco hosting. There were a few hilarious moments (I loved that opening scene) but the ceremony itself still fell a little flat... I was happy to see that several ladies were pushing the envelope and going outside the box this year. Even I surprised myself with a few of my favorite picks. Some of this year's trends were: Bright Color - Red and Purple were the choice colors of this year both with dresses and a few shoe choices as well as Metallics. Colored Lace - I saw so many women wearing lacy details in varying colors. Nudes/Blushes are still making their way through the red carpet trains - this year they were covered in sparkles. But enough with the small talk - let's get to my picks!

Cate Blanchett in Givenchy

Anything That Sparkles - I Love!: Kyle Richards' BlueFly Closet Confession

I've been a "Real Housewives of..." junkie ever since I saw the first season of the Orange County ladies. Now - I honestly can't get enough. It's like the never ending circle of housewives... As soon as one season is over there is always a new one on the horizon. Luckily the newest season of Bravo's show was the best one yet: Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. After the first episode premiered I basically felt like we had stepped up from the minors to the majors. The houses were enourmous, the clothes were more glamourous, the jewelry sparkled more. The money was practically pouring out of the television. It's a peak into a life that deep down everyone is a little jealous of...

Which brings me to the subject of this post: Kyle Richards. My friend Amy and I were kind of obsessed with her (well she more with her husband and me more with her style) Aunt to Paris and Nicky Hilton, Kyle always looks amazing with her YSL heels, larger than life sunnies and extremely long brunette hair. Kyle is funny hilarious, down to earth, beautiful - dare I say "Normal" (meant in only the best way possible) Kyle is one of the housewives who you can actually relate to (surprising in this reality franchise!) She's honest and real. I was extremely excited when I found out she was going to be a part of BlueFly's Closet Confessions. These videos are shot in a celebrity's closet while they tell stories or showcase favorite shoes, jewelry, dresses etc... It's just another way for their fans to connect with them. So far my favs have been Nicky Hilton and Johnny Weir (naturally) but Kyle's might just take the cake. Probably because we have similar tastes - She loves sparkles, vintage and even (gasp!) Steve Madden! Or as Amy put it: "You are Kyle! But with less money..." Take a look at her Closet Confessions video below. Her daughter is absolutely adorbs! Plus I think I might start using her "Knock a 0 Off" theory - so smart! ;)

I've Got The Blues: Cobalt Blue Fashion Trend

Monday Blues! Well.. not those kinds of blues! I've spotted a new trend that's been slowly creeping up the celebrity fashion chain - Cobalt Blue! I noticed a blue bag on Emmy Rossum for a piece I did about Weekend Wear - and blue was turning up on so many runways during Spring/Summer 2011 Fashion Week (see this Jason Wu gown and all over the runway at Jil Sander) In the past few weeks celebs have been snapped wearing this exact color - mostly in sheaths.

Jessica Alba at the 2011 BAFTA Awards in Atelier Versace

Blake Lively in Emilio Pucci at the Elle Style Awards in London

Kerry Washington at the 2011 Fall Calvin Klein Show wearing Calvin Klein

This is a fantastic color for the upcoming warmer months! So Vibrant - I am loving it. Black accessories look great like Kerry's simple shoes and clutch or go bolder with tons of gold jewelry a la Blake or a statement necklace like Jessica's. If you aren't totally loving the idea of wearing a blue dress - try a different piece.

Here, two Gossip Girl fashionistas prove you don't have to be blue all over in order to keep up with the trends. Leighton Meester (or Blair Waldorf) pairs her suede fringe booties with some navy shorts. Of course - I am obsessed with Blake Lively/Serena van der Woodsen's blue pants/gold sequined jacket look. When veering into the blue pants area, I say steer clear of jeans and try a regular pant. It will give a much cleaner and sleeker look than jeans. The best thing about this bright color is that you can keep the outfit simple as simple as you want (try neutrals like Leighton) or make it as showy and exciting as possible.

I searched for some affordable (yay!) and fabulous pieces that you could add to your closet. I am loving that messenger bag and those Jessica Simpson shoes - so fab!

Sleeveless Tops by The Limited
Boots by Jessica Simpson

Interested in trying on the blues? Send me some photos if you try out this trend - I'd love to feature you on the blog! :) Happy Monday Everyone!

1st image and 2nd image via Zimbio; all other images via Celebrity Gossip