Literature 101: Book Clutches

Just when you thought I was going all shallow on you with my last posts about reality tv and hot actors in porn 'staches I'm going all literary on you instead!  I recently came across some pictures of celebrities with adorable book themed clutches from French accessories designer Olympia Le-Tan.  The handmade clutches have been seen on the likes of Michelle Williams and Natalie Portman.

Clemence Poesy and Natalie Portman with their Olympia Le-Tan clutches (via The Style Agenda)

It takes the right type of outfit to pull off a clutch like this.  I don't think they work particularly well with fancy gowns, but with trousers and a quirky blouse or simple shift dress, it is a really cute way to add some interest to an outfit.

Keri Washington holding a Kate Spade clutch (via InStyle)

Not ready to invest in one of these fancy bags?  You can make your own if you have a bit of time and the right tools.  See Kate Sew has a great tutorial, or if you're a Comic Con fan you could opt for a comic book clutch (via Lemon Lime Glitters). 

Real Housewives of Vancouver: Premiering April 4th

A few weeks back, I shared my excitement in hearing that the Real Housewives of Vancouver would be premiering soon.  Slice TV has now announced the exact date (April 4th!) and finally shared who the 5 housewives are, though the cat was out of the bag on these ladies long ago.

From left: Ronnie Negus (mom of 5, winery owner), Christina Kiesel (twice divorced self described jet-setter), Jody Claman (businesswoman and mom), Mary Zilba (former pop singer, divorced mom of 3) and Reiko MacKenzie (mom of 2, luxury car aficionado)

In honour of Canada's first Real Housewives franchise (sorry Toronto!), I will be live tweeting the premiere as well as posting a full recap on this blog.  Stay tuned for more RHOV!

Last Award (I Promise!)

Most Eff-able Actor in a Porn-stache:  Bradley Cooper

Porn-stache or not, this man is still hot!

And the Oscar Goes To...

The Oscars are now wrapped up, which means that it's time to reveal the winners of Miss M's first annual post Oscar fashion awards!  Like the Oscars, there is no glory in being nominated, despite what people might say.  Either you win or you lose.  So congratulations to the winners and to the losers:  better luck next year!

Best Princess Who Can't Hide Her Boredom:  Charlene Whittstock, Princess of Monaco

Princess Charlene looks like she's just been dragged somewhere she doesn't want to be by her overbearing but loving father.  Sad thing is, the man beside her is actually her husband, Prince Albert of Monaco and clearly his new bride has to go back to princess finishing school.  A true princess always looks happy to be there!  Right?

Best Desperately Trying to Look Sexy Actress:  Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie in Atelier Versace.  Yes Angie, we know you are hot, but what is with the leg?  Really? Really?
 I have to say one of the best moments of the night was when winners of the award she presented mocked her stance.  Priceless.

Best Dressed Actress You've Never Heard of:  Judy Greer

Judy Greer has played the best friend in every romantic comedy made in the last 5 years.  Ok, not every single one, but practically all of them yet most don't know her by name.  Judy was also in the Descendants (not a romantic comedy), and looked fantastic in this sexy futuristic Monique Lhlullier dress.

Best Dressed Couple:  Kermit and Miss Piggy.  Obviously.

Miss Piggy in Zac Posen, Kermit in Brooks Brothers.  Aren't they cute??

Best Arm Candy Doubling as an Oscar statuette:  Stacy Keibler

Maybe Stacy Keibler had a sixth sense that George Clooney would not win an Oscar and picked this gold Marchesa gown with that in mind.  That's a very supportive thing for a temporary girlfriend who probably won't spend another summer at Lake Cuomo with Georgie-boy to do isn't it??

Best Supportive Undergarment: 3 way tie - all 3 pairs of Octavia Spencer's Spanx 

No I'm not being rude...Octavia actually admitted that she sometimes wears 3 pairs of Spanx on the red carpet!  However many pairs she was wearning, she did look great when accepting her Oscar in this Tadashi Shoji gown.

Best Dressed Comedienne Who Used to Make Fun of Hollywood:  Tina Fey

Tina Fey is forever my girl crush.  I love how regal she looks in this Carolina Herrera gown and Bulgari jewels.  The earrings are to die for.  But it all kind of makes me sad because she seems a bit too Hollywood now.  I miss the days when she was the smart, sexy host of Weekend Update on SNL, a hidden gem instead of a big movie and tv star.

Best Instantly Aging Couture Gown:  Shailene Woodley in Valentino

I don't know who this girl's stylist is, but they need to be fired STAT.  This Valentino gown is incredibly aging for someone who is in their early twenties.  Cut off the sleeves, make it a halter, then call it a gown fit for a 21 year old!

Best Bun and Pleats Combo:  Jennifer Lopez

Love her or hate her, J-Lo can rock a bun and a pleated gown like no one's business!  Add in her almost nipple slip and this girl's night just gets better and better...

Best Gown that Controlled the Girls:  Viola Davis

Viola Davis's cleavage has had quite a bit of press this awards season - from the Golden Globes (no pun intended) to the SAG awards, we've seen a lot of Viola's girls lately.  Not sure I love this gown but the colour is gorgeous on her and she's revealing just the right amount of cleavage.

Best Dressed Bridesmaid:  Rose Byrne (2nd from left) in Vivenne Westwood

(Honourable Mentions to Melissa McCarthy, Ellie Kemper and Kristen Wiig)

   

Best Hair:  Jessica Chastain

Jessica Chastain's hair was simply pretty.  This is a hair-DO my friends (sorry couldn't help it!).

Best Dressed:  Penelope Cruz in Armani Prive

Penelope Cruz is effortlessly beautiful in this gown.  I love the colour, cut and her hairstyle is a perfect complement to the dress.

Best Worst Dressed:  Sandra Bullock

This Marchesa gown would actually be passable if it didn't have that strange draping effect around her mid-section.    But sadly, Sandra's stylist did not demand for a re-fitting and let her walk out the door looking like she wanted some extra room for a big dinner instead of going to the Oscars.  Another stylist that needs to be fired, STAT.

Hey Sailor!

My dream job is to create names for nail polishes and other cosmetics.  Don't you ever look at the bottom of your nail polish, giggle and think "damn, I want that job!".  I do!

Anyway, I just received my first Loose Button Luxe box...kind of like the Glymm beauty box but with different products that are more customized towards you...and I was delighted to see a full size China Glaze nail polish called "Hey Sailor!".  How fun is that name?  It really made me want to quit my job immediately and embark on a career as a nail polish namer.  It sounds like an amazing job where you can travel the world, getting inspired for next seasons colours.

Pretty colour, huh?  Can't wait to try it out.

If you're interested in signing up for the Loose Button Luxe Box, you can sign up as a friend of mine here.  My February box contained the full size nail polish, a great scrub from Dermalogica and a full size sample of one of my all time favourite perfumes, L'Air Du Temps by Nina Ricci.  Totally worth the $10 plus tax!

Weekend Project: DIY Sparkly Headbands

Via a great website called Flax and Twine, how to make these adorable sparkly headbands:

You can use irridescent beads (inexpensive) or rhinestones (pricier), but either way these headbands are a chic way to dress up any outfit, day or night.  Happy crafting!

Favourite Oscars Gowns

The last 10 years of the Oscars have had their fashion moments - the safe, the good, the bad.  Those who take risks sometimes get slammed (poor Gwyneth...what was she thinking?), but sometimes they are applauded (like Zoe Saldana in a purple people eater gown).

Anyway, I'm sure you all know the Oscars are a mere 48 hours away and it got me to Googling like crazy to recall looks from years past.  So after my afternoon of searching, here they are in no particular order, my favourite 10 Oscar gowns from the last 10 years.  Enjoy!

Cate Blanchett in custom made Valentino.
Wouldn't it be amazing to have one of history's most talented designers custom make a gown for you?  Sigh.

Charlize Theron in a beautiful tangerine Vera Wang.

Emily Blunt in a sparkly blue column dress from Calvin Klein.

Gywneth Paltrow has had some Oscar gown disasters in her time (remember the pink Ralph Lauren "prom" dress?).
She finally got it right in this Zac Posen gown.

Julianne Moore in a gorgeous emerald Tom Ford for YSL gown.

Kate Winslet in a red dress from  little known designer Ben de Lisi.  
She has a great eye for what looks good on her body type and it shows with this curve flattering choice.

Maggie Gyllenhaal in Proenza Schouler.  Navy and black never looked so chic together!

Marion Coitillard in a sexy mermaid style Jean-Paul Gauthier creation.

Michelle Williams in Vera Wang.
I'll admit at first I hated the colour of this dress but now I think it complements her so well.

Beautiful Penelope Cruz in a frothy, feathery Atelier Versace design.