Things I've missed since I've been gone...

I've been gone from W&W for so long that there are a lot of things that I've missed that I would normally have commented on.  So, rather than leave a gaping hole in your internet lives, I'll just go back through and give you a summary of September 2011.

September 11.
I got a free ipad, moved into a new apartment and spent a lot of time in urgent care for this gross eye problem I'm having.  (That's as far as I'll go.)  It's wasn't exactly a day of remembrance for me.  But I did listen to Acoustic Sunrise and they had a 9/11 tribute that was fan-tastic.  I heart acoustic music.  Also, this is what my closet looks like in my new apartment:

Okay, that's a lie.  But it's almost that good.

September 12.

My Pats started the season on Monday Night Football in Miami.  And won. 

September 18.

My man Kyle Chandler final got the recognition he deserved at the Emmy awards.  If you have any doubt in your mind that Friday Night Lights was the best show on television over the past few years (and one of the only good things Direct TV ever did), just watch this.  Tell me you're not moved.  Just try.

Man, I'm tearing up just thinking about it.

Also, people wore dresses.  Here's what I thought of them.

The good:

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Jane Plimpton, aka the mom from Raising Hope, look totally -- and completely surprisingly -- smoking.  Maria Bello doesn't get older, she gets better.  Count me amongst the biggest John Krasinski and Emily Blunt fans and this dress is super pretty.  It's been a long time since Julia Stiles has looked this good.  Julia Stiles has never looked this good before.  Jurnee Smollett is so cute and this dress is e-mazing.  I really miss FNL.  You know, in case that wasn't clear from the rest of the post.

The bad:

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There's something about Heidi Klum's dress that reminds me of the circus.  That's not a complement.  I feel like this dress is ugly and makes Gwyneth look like she isn't the skinniest person ever.  That's tough to do.  Dianna Agron is apparently done with   school roles.  So she's dressing like she 50 and trying to win a walk-on part on Dynasty.  If you're as cute and funny as Ellie Kemper, why not wear a dress and hairstyle that does absolutely nothing for you.  Speaking of bad hair, Zoe Barlet, what are you thinking? Oh, Brittany, I love you so.  But I do not like this.  It makes me dizzy to look at.  Julianna Margulies, you are so beautiful, why would you make yourself look so bad?  Olivia Munn has definitely had better days.  Not exactly showing Justin what he's missing.

September 25.
My Pats collapsed against the Bills.  It was upsetting, horrifying, stupefying, ugh.

September 26.
I discover that new Rihanna song and my walk to work got so. much. better.

Other than that, I just taught and planned, planned and taught, taught and planned, and had daily mini-breakdowns about why I ever took this job.

xo katei

One should either be a work of art, or wear a work of art. -Oscar Wilde

I'm starting to think that there's no movies getting made, songs being recorded, TV shows being filmed or plays being acted in the entire world right now, since it seems like all the stars have been busy this week either in Washington at the White House Correspondents Dinner and in New York at the Met Gala.  The Met Gala is one of my favorite fashion events of the year.  The stars and designers are a little more daring and fancy-pants (technical fashion term) than at the typical award shows.  Plus, fashion in New York is just better than clothes in LA -- even really beautiful and expensive clothes. 

That said, I think my best dressed picks are going to surprise some people. Here's the dresses I loved:

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(1) Jennifer Hudson really looks incredible.  This dress is absolutely gorgeous (my favorite of the night -- maybe the whole year) with the fitted bodice and full skirt.  The draping and construction is beautiful, and it's perfect on her.  Right girl, right dress, right occasion. The trifecta. (2) So I'm not totally crazy about the dress, but when was the last time you saw Liv Tyler look this good?  Not since like Empire Records and the Crazy video right?  She's glowing, her hair and body are fantastic.  I don't know if it's the outfit or not, but something is definitely working for Liv.  Maybe she can give her dad some tips. (3) I don't know, I just think it's cute.  I think Michelle Williams is sort of earthy and chic and I just dig it.  It can't be explained.  (4) And neither can this.  Ashley Olsen is wearing pirate sleeves.  And I like it.  I think someone may have slipped something into my Diet Coke, but I don't mind. (5) Am I the only person who thought that Ashley Greene and Nikki Reed were the same person for a long time?  I mean, they don't really look alike.  The only thing they really have in common is Twilight, but I couldn't for the life of me keep them straight in my head.  But that's neither here nor there.  I think this dress is pretty and sparkly.  It looks like something that I would have wanted to wear to an event when I was 20. (6) I'm in love with this Carolina Herrera on Sofia Vergara. It's so pretty and unexpected -- almost sweet rather than bombshell.  I really hope this means that Sofia has figured out that her boobs don't need to be the centerpiece of every outfit.  (7) It seems like it's rare that we see a true, bold yellow on the red carpet.  Zoe Saldana looks great in this classic Calvin Klein.  In the interest of full disclosure, I should tell you that I have a bias for yellow strapless dresses because my oldest sister (and the most beautiful woman in the world to me since birth) wore one to her prom.  (8) We get it Tom Brady, you may have bad hair, you may not be able to play football this year, but you're still married to the most beautiful women in the world. Gisele packs the drama in this sweeping red number, and I think it looks great.  Mrs. Tom Brady has a tendency to show up naked or almost naked to events and, I get it, I'm sure I'd do the same if I had her body, but I wish she'd resist the urge more often because she really looks fabulous in clothes.

My worst dressed are probably not so surprising.  Events that encourage dramatic dressing evidently end up with winners and losers.  Here's the losers:

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(1) I could have gotten behind JLo's dress without the shrug.  The color's great, the drape is meh, but not terrible.  But with the floral wrap, intense hair and dramatic makeup, JLo ends up looking like she's auditioning to play the queen in some South Beach royal coronation movie.  That's not a compliment.  (2) Absolutely everything is wrong with Christina Ricci's dress. (3) Is it just me, or does this dress look like it's taped to Rihanna? It's like a taco shell wrapped around her.  I'm thoroughly confused.  And the Raponzel braid is not helping matters. (4) I think that Jessica Szohr is having trouble remembering that she's not actually Vanessa, red-headed stepchild of the Gossip Girl crew, in real life.  Every time I've seen her recently she's wearing something totally inappropriate (Is this dress too small?  Doesn't it seem like it wouldn't fit if she stood up straight?) and practically screaming "LOOK AT ME! NOTICE ME!" (5) This dress, like Brooklyn Decker in general, brings nothing to the table. (6) Someone needs to tell Kerri Hilson that the built-in bra strap look is not really appropriate for formal wear.  Nor, for that matter, is the stapled tulle look.  (7) Oh, Miss. Blair.  No. No. No. This is not good.  Both the dress and the shoes look like something from a bondage movie.  Plus, the dress is that really awkward length that makes people look short and stumpy.  And her hair looks like she just came from the gym.  I can't believe Dorota let her out of the house like this.  (8) So, I actually didn't think that Beyonce's dress was that bad (certainly not her best, but we all have off days) until I noticed the lace at the neckline that totally looks like her nips are showing.  And now I can't not see it, and it's all I can see.

There were, of course, many, many more at the Met Gala.  Who were your favorites and, more importantly, your least favorites?

xo kate

4:14 PM EDT: Second Dress

I lovelovelove Kate's evening dress, despite it being more formal than I expected.  I love the silhouette (which makes her look tiny!) and the simple lines with the jeweled waistband.  She looks like she was born to be a princess.

Thanks Lydia!

Camilla on the other hand, looks like she's ready for bed.

xo kate

Rent the Runway (ie Netflix for dresses)

By now, you guys should have noticed how much Kate and I love Gossip Girl. You also know that we love the GG fashion. Every Monday, I find myself lusting after their shoes, dresses and accessories. (Headbands not included.)

It is a forbidden lust, however, and will never blossom into a full fledge relationship. Although I adore and scour blogs such as J's Everyday Fashion and The Cheap Chica's Guide to Style --which always help me achieve luxurious looks for less--I will never be able to afford the actual wardrobe that Blair and Serena flaunt around the Upper East Side. Few of us will.

However, there is no use in crying about it...all is not lost...

...because I discovered Rent the Runway. Have you heard of this completely genius idea?

If you have: good on ya.

If you haven't: worry not, wildcats, I'm here to share the wealth.

Rent the Runway is basically Netflix for Dresses. This service, started by two Harvard Business School grads, Jenn Hyman and Jenny Fleiss, is, in a word, amazeballs.

The selection of dresses and accessories is huge. The prices are reasonable. In short, RtR is an incredibly easy, cost-effective, and low-stress way to look awesome at your next special occasion.

Now, I know the idea of renting skeeves some people out. But dudes rent tuxedos all the time, yea? What is the difference?

You can read about how it works here. Or enjoy my quick summary:

1. Create an account (for free) in order to browse RtR's selection of dresses, read client reviews, and steal stylist tips.

2. Pick a dress you love.

3. Pick a date.

4. Rental rates vary from $40 to about $250.

5. One rental rate includes 2 sizes of the same dress.

6. If you like to have options (like me and Blair and Serena) you can rent a second style for a flat rate of $25--this will also come to you in 2 sizes.

7. Basic rental period lasts 4 days.

8. Bada bing. Dresses are shipped to you. they arrive right on time, and are freshly cleaned and pressed.

9. Decide which of your lovely rentals to wear (this might be the hardest part).

10. Pretend you are Blair Waldorf and wear the eff out of it.

11. When you're done, pop all of the dresses in the envelope provided by RtR (postage is included) and pop it into any USPS blue mailbox.

12. Finito.

Seriously. It is so wonderful and fun.

I rented this Milly dress from RtR for my birthday last week, and it was fantastic. The dress arrived at my office on Thursday afternoon--ready to wear.

On Saturday night, I wore the dress to Lydia Shire and Jasper White's newish restaurant Towne. It was a big hit. Such a big hit, in fact, that one woman stopped me on my way to the restroom to tell me she was SURE that my boyfriend would propose me to tonight on account of how great I looked in my gold little number.

Riiiiiiiiiiiiiight.

Moving on....

On Sunday morning, silently thanking Miss Hyman and Miss Fleiss, I popped the rentals in the mail. Easy Cheesy Lemon Squeezy.

What do you guys think of the RtR concept? Would you do it? And if so, what dress would you rent??

The reason for a Friday night poker game.

Good news, wildcats: Kim and Eric are getting hitched and I've been commissioned to be a bridesmaid this fall...making this lucky numba 8. Or is it 9? I can't remember. But it doesn't matter because unlike Joanna Smith in her hilarious video for her catchy song, Getting Married, I love love love being a bridesmaid.





Despite my affinity for bridesmaidenhood, I am having trouble accepting this role. To be honest, well, I want more.

I want to be the flower girl.

Kim and Eric don't have any adorable little tots available to toss petals on the day of the November nuptials, so I'm hoping (and prayin and wishin) that the gig is mine.

I realize that a 29 year old flower girl is a little unorthodox, a little out of the box, but let me 'splain my reasoning before you laugh it off as just another zany idea...a la training myself to wink.

(1) What I lack in youth, I make up in experience, determination, and potential.

(2) Weddings that break traditional rules and standards are so hot right now. Example 1 and example 2.

(3) Somebody has to throw the petals. There can't be NO petals. Kim deserves petals. Am I right or am I right?

(4) I excel at being a bridesmaid and I'm really ready to take on new responsibilities and challenges. I'm ready to grow.

(5) I have transferable skills. Specifically, my mastering of the Dougie dance will prove valuable in gently flicking my wrists and flinging the flowers.

If you have any suggestions on how I can make my case to Kim an Eric and thus realize my flower girl dream, let me know.

Speaking of weddings, remember when we discussed Tracy McMillan and her bulljive commentary on why I am not married? Yea...I've blocked it from my memory too.

Since my original post on the topic, her article has gone viral. It even inspired a hilarious and very necessary parody on the much loved Jezebel which you must must must read. And then tell me your favorite part.

We are dressed in our best and prepared to go down with the ship.

Since Kate and Leo didn't show to the awards someone had to hold it down for Titanic references, right?  No? So Titanic references aren't cool?  Well, they always will be to me.

Anyway, as I mentioned last night, I was totally underwhelmed with Oscar fashion this year.  I thought that it was a huge disappointment, with neutral and boring ruling "Hollywood's biggest night."  Even my red carpet winners didn't blow me out of the water. Although these five ladies (six dresses) did better than anyone else, it's sort of like when the Red Sox beat college teams in spring training -- it's hard to feel good about a win when the competition is so weak.

(1) Hailee Steinfeld looks great.  In general, I think that tea length dresses are unflattering on everyone, but she is managing to pull it off here.  She looks age-appropriate and glamourous and finally has a purse that matches.  I could do with a different hairstyle (or maybe just without the headband?) but who didn't wear a bad up-do to their first big dance?  (2) Penelope Cruz had a baby one month ago.  One month!  She has some serious post-baby boobs in this dress but I think she looks smokin'.  This red is the perfect color on her and has some va-va-voom sparkle.  (3) Mila Kunis looks super angry in this picture -- I'm thinking that maybe she just got a nasty text message from Jessica Biel?  Or she's missing Macalay?  Either way, I love this color on her and love the neckline.  I'm really impressed it stayed put all night -- way to keep it classy, Kunis.  (4&5) Anne Hathaway looked fantastic all night, but these were two of my  favorites -- young, fun and not trying too hard.  Her hair also looked great.  (6) Okay, I'm totally bias because I love Natalie, but I think she's glowing -- the color is perfect, the drap is flattering, the neckline packs some sparkle.  Love it.

As always, we have some ladies who didn't do as well.  Generally speaking, there weren't any complete disasters -- everyone wore matching shoes -- but these six women didn't do themselves any favors.

(1) Is it just me, or does Cate Blanchett seem like she should be sitting for one of those old-time photos as an amusement park?  Or at least displaying one on her chest.  (2) Halle Berry is amongst the most beautiful people on the planet.  And this seems like it was a beautiful dress, until all the tulle got stapled on.  (3) Melissa Leo's dress doesn't actually photograph as bad as it was.  It looked like tinsel overlayed with a doily. (4) I get that Marisa Tomei's dress was vintage, but they could have at least found a top and bottom that matched, right?  (5) Florence (in my head I think "And the Machine" is her last name, but I'm pretty sure that's not right) looks like she should be guest starring on Big Love, not performing at the Oscars. (6) When did Mandy Moore get so old?  This dress seriously washes her out and the hair and make up makes her look like she should be singing in the nursing home. To quote Barry Manilow, Oh, Mandy...

This concludes my Oscar coverage.  Wildcats, thanks for sticking with me. Ladies of Hollywood, I hope you can do better next year.

xo kate

The Countdown is On...

We're officially 2 hours out from the 83rd Academy Awards and I thought that it was time to let you know what I'm most looking forward to...

They seem more relaxed about
hosting than I am...

(5) James Franco and Anne Hathaway.  I so badly want them to be good, but there's a part of me that just fears it's going to be an utter train wreck.  They are the youngest pair ever to host the show and I feel like our generation is under a lot of pressure tonight. I mean, if they aren't good, I'm not sure when the next time a young actor or actress are going to be invited to host.  I love Anne Hathaway but sometimes she can be kind of annoying and shrill.  And you all know how I feel about James Franco.  What if he gets all bitter after he loses?  It will really ruin the image that I have of him as perpetually cool.

(4) Red carpet interviews.  I love the awkwardness between the red carpet interviewers and the stars.  Especially when the interviewer seems to not know who the star is, or pushes them out of the shot because a bigger star comes along.  It's painfully uncomfortable and a little funny.

(3) The Social Network.  You know how much I love movies set in Boston (even if this one was inaccurate -- when was the last time you saw an undergrad or a BU student at The Thirsty Scholar? The answer is never.) and I'm thrilled to see who the young actors bring and, of course, the horrible awkwardness between Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel.

(2) The dresses.  Here are some of my Oscar favorites from year's past.

 I'll be in pajamas, but the stars probably won't.  Unless, of course, Bjork decides to show up

(1) PS22.  Pretty much my favorite musical group ever.  I'm literally in love with these kids.

The excitement is building at the Chambers.  Enjoy the show, wildcats.

xo kate

"Basically, I absolutely love being a woman." - MKA

I know that I've mentioned here before how much I love TED Talks.  I don't watch them all, or even as much as I should, but every time that I do I'm entertained, I learn something new and, maybe most importantly, the talks stick with me -- I continue to think about them long after they are over.

This week, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright (Wellesley '59) talks about the role of women and women's issues in diplomacy.  I'm a proud Democrat, woman and Wellesley alum, and as such, a huge fan of Secretary Albright, or Maddie as I like to call her.  But even if you're not, I think that you'll appreciate her frankness, fashion sense, humor and intellect in this conversation with Pat Mitchell.

My favorite quote is, "It doesn't mean that the whole world would be better if it were run only by women.  If you think that, you've forgotten high school."

Speaking of why it's absolutely fabulous to be a woman, one of my favorite shopping sites, ModCloth is having a huge sale right now.  I just brought two dresses for under $30 -- check it out now, wildcats.

xo kate

Why you are not married.

I've been a bridesmaid 8 times. Eight. No big deal. I have many dresses in many different colors of the rainbow. Some long. Some chiffon. David's Bridal. Vera Wang. People joke that I am on my way to the magic 27 ala Katherine Heigl (whose last name I always misprounce--sorry Izzy).

The truth is, I don't mind at all. Quite the contrary. I love being a bridesmaid. I'm always VIP at weddings. I love giving toasts. I don't mind having to hold up a dress while my friend pees. I'm proud that I know how to bustle a dress in 60 seconds or less.

I also know that I want to get married someday. And have someone awkwardly hold my dress while I break the seal. And I want my sister to nervously make a speech about the time that I slapped her in Italy or the time she stole my favorite pillow person. I want to dance with my mom as Toto Cutugno sings Le mamme and with dad as Laura Brannigan belts Gloria. I want to twist again. I want a wedding cake frosting moustache. I want to be in love.

I want all of it. My wedding day just hasn't arrived yet. And most days, that's okay with me.

Anyway, I saw this article on the Huffington Post and it got me thinking about how honest I am with myself about why I'm not settled down. According to the author, Tracy Macmillan, I'm not married because, among other things, I'm a bitch and shallow and a liar and I don't love myself.

Hmmm. I always thought it was because Zac Effron is taken, and I have standards. But Tracy is suggesting I need to be more introspective.

I know what my opinion is, but I'm more interested in yours.

Read this and tell me what you think.

"Fashions fade, style is eternal." -Yves Saint Laurent

It's awards season!  And that means lots of pretty and not so pretty dresses to judge.  These six ladies hit the nail on the head with dresses that are elegant, age appropriate and fun.

"Your dresses should be tight enough to show you're a woman
and loose enough to show you're a lady." -Edith Head

I love the all-over sparkle and dramatic shoulders on Anne Hathway (1), Natalie Portman's perfect draping (2), the pairing of a formal dress and casual hair/makeup on Olivia Wilde (3), the vivid blue color on Glee's Jenna Ushkowitz (4), the simple, fluid silhouette on Emma Stone (5), and Eva Longoria's elegant and not-too-slutty post-divorce gown.  I wouldn't have blamed her if she'd showed up naked, but she was classier than that (6).

Unfortunately, some other Hollywood ladies missed the mark. 

“Elegance does not consist in putting on a new dress.” - Coco Chanel

(1) JLH looks like she's trying to catch something in her bosom -- maybe cool at a frat party, not so cool on the red carpet.  Also, I think it's time to give up the dream of being homecoming queen, you're 33.  (2) Lea Michele looks fantastic when she goes simple, so why does she always insist on these over-structured prom dresses with 30 yards of extra fabric?  (3) Okay, January, we get it: you're not really Bette Draper.  (4) ScarJo looks like she's trying to get remarried immediately.  To a zombie.  (5) Memo to Helena: unless you're going to a Punky Brewster tribute party, your shoes should always match.  (6) Does Ryan Reynold's like women to dress in shapeless beige or something?  Sandy, you're better than this.  (7) Xtina, girl, no.  Just no.  (8) Halle, Halle, Halle, just because Gabriel is dating a Kardashian now, it doesn't mean you should dress like one.

Those are my picks for best and worst -- who did I miss?

xo kate