{outfit post} signs of spring...

The official start of spring is just a few days away. Granted, we are probably still in for quite a few more dreary and chilly days, but New York City has already experienced it's fair share of gorgeous, spring-like days with warm temperatures and lots of sunshine. I sort of love this time of year, when you don't know what to expect from the weather. Transitional seasons (fall and spring) are often the most fun to dress for. Long pants with short sleeves, light-weight jackets over flouncy dresses, and finally, the return of acceptable open-toe shoe-wearing time. So on that note, here's a little spring look I put together using some recent (wildly on sale!) purchases...

Urban Outfitters blouse; Zara pants; We Who See wedges (from Urban Outfitters); Amanda Pearl Gobstopper pearl earrings c/o Blue Stripe PR; Michael Kors watch; various bracelets.

Clearly this is the work of a professional, and I have the darling and talented Ari of Arimophoto to thank for these lovely photographs!

So, my entire outfit here, aside from my accessories, cost less than $100! The shoes were on sale for about $50, the pants were $9.90 at Zara (excuse me, what?) and the top was on sale for $19.90 at Urban. Isn't that sort of crazy? I think this rather budget lifestyle in NYC has really brought out the bargain-hunter in me. Until I have a life a little more like a real person, I'm forced to majorly scale down my investment purchases, so little buys like these keep my spirits up and help me feel like there's something fresh to play around with, even if it wont last forever. I think high and low mixing is really the key to a wardrobe that's uniquely you and one that doesn't fall into the realm of 'trying too hard.'

{Oscars 2011} my picks for best dressed...

Ah yes, the Academy Awards, or as I like to call it - the couture World Series. This year brought out many, many seriously gorgeous dresses, and, much like last year, a major lack of crazy. It makes me long for the days of Bjork and her swan. However, in keeping with my standing tradition of skipping the whole 'worst dressed' bash session, I shall now jump head-first into my favorite looks from the 83rd Oscar celebration. Who wants to talk about ugly dresses anyway? So here we go, with my pick for the very, very best dressed of the night:

Cate Blanchett in Givenchy Couture! This is a very intricate and interesting dress, with cut-outs, architectural shoulders, beading and pleats... And yet. Blanchett makes it look like she might wear this to the grocery store. The fit is impecable on her, not many bodies could look comfortable in this dress. Her hair is just right, she looks elegant and confident - and not the least bit fussy. It's so chic it almost hurts. The best part for me in all this is that I actually hate this color of lilac, but I cannot deny the perfection of this look for one second.

Hailee Steinfeld in Marchesa. Can you even imagine being a 14-year-old Oscar nominee? How thrilling and nerve-wracking it must be. Steinfeld has navigated the challenges of mixing event-and-age-appropriate red carpet looks with incredible poise. Does she have a stylist? Probably. Does she dress this incredibly chic in her everyday, 14-year-old life? Probably not. Do I care? Not in the least. The top-knot and headband speak to her youth, and the major Louboutins and fantastic cropped length of the dress make it an elegant fairytale look fitting for the occasion.

Natalie Portman in Rodarte. This is how to be pregnant at the Oscars. I think Natalie knew she was going to win Best Actress, and definitely saved her best look for last. The color is gorgeous, the fit is flattering, and that's about it. Lovely.

Mila Kunis in Elie Saab. Originally, I was not crazy about this dress. I think it's a little complicated, and as I said earlier, I really hate this color. Upon seeing this photo however, I had to reconsider. She just looks wonderful. I think the hair is a little aging, and I wish you couldnt see through some of the skirt panels, but overall I have to give this a "Well-played, Mila." Afterall, the girl went from That 70's Show... to this.

Celine Dion in Armani Prive. Believe me, I am just as surprised as you are that I am putting Celine Dion on an Oscars best dressed list in the year 2011. But I mean, look at her! The dress fits like the chicest and sleek-est of gloves, her hair is gorgeous and simple, the necklace is stunning, and I am obsessed. I think the restraint and simplicity of this gown are the perfect way to encase her crazy diva woman personality.

Gwyneth Paltrow in Calvin Klein (left) and Michael Kors Fall 2011 (right). She was having her own golden statuette moment, no? Her performance was really only mediocre, but I thought both of these dresses, especially the Calvin Klein, were stand-outs of the night.

Jennifer Lawrence in Calvin Klein Collection. She is a newcomer, and as such, I appreciate that she didn't show up in some kind of wildly poufy ball gown. This is just a really minimal and lovely choice.

Scarlett Johannson in Dolce and Gabbana. I hate that her eyeshadow matches her dress, and I think the look is a little more Globes than Oscars, a.k.a. a bit casual, and yet, here she is. I love the color, I love the lace, I love the fit.

{Fall 2011 trending topic} a dress cut up to there...

Man repellers, they are not. Dresses and skirts with daring slits were bringing some serious sex appeal to the Fall 2011 runways in New York, London, and Milan. We'll have to wait and see what Paris Fashion Week has in store, but I think it's safe to say we have a high-cut trend on our hands, er, legs. A thigh-high slit is not for the sartorially bashful, but you can certainly play down the flesh factor with tights - a la Ralph Lauren and Moschino - while still showing off your killer quads. (L to R, top then bottom: Ralph Lauren, Jason Wu, Gucci, Michael Kors, Moschino, Matthew Williamson)

{NYFW trending topic} feminine suiting...

Up until fairly recently, the suit was my idea of anti-fashion. Sure there have always been great, stylish suits (I have a fantastic Theory one, after-all). However, I considered the matching top and bottom look so constricting and, well, boring. A look reserved for working stiffs with no sense of adventure - or texture. The offerings from some of NYFW's heavy hitters have me reconsidering. Tommy Hilfiger's pinstripe gangster-chic double-breasted look is both extremely masculine and extremely sexy. Michael Kors and Oscar de la Renta showed smart, single-breasted styles in both fluid and sharp fabrics. Marc by Marc Jacobs' velvet is a bit much for me to stomach all at once, but I could definitely see the fun of infusing a velvet jacket into my Fall wardrobe. (L to R, top then bottom: Tommy Hilfiger, Michael Kors, DKNY, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Ralph Lauren, Oscar de la Renta)

{holiday gift inspiration} for me me me me...

Here's a mish-mash of what yours truly would love to see under the tree this year, in an imaginary world. From Steve Martin's new book to a Proenza Schouler PS1 to the Pierre Hardy for Gap wedges, a girl can dream right? (Ugghh I'd sooo love a replacement pair of my beloved Ray Ban aviators!) Here's to holiday dreaming. (See my "what I really want this year" post for a more realistic, less materialistic take on my Christmas wish list...)