Pretty Dresses!

The Best Actress nominees all looked terrific: Annette Bening's Art Deco gown; Jennifer Lawrence in a fabulous cut of flaming red; Nicole Kidman rocked artful structure, metallic detailing, AND killer orange pumps; and Michelle Williams looked elegant (if not especially interesting.) Natalie Portman's gown is my favorite: A delicious shade of purple, a romantic neckline, and soft, textured details. Great maternity gowns are rare, and this dress would top my list in any size.













I enjoyed the Supporting Actress's gowns as well. I love the sapphire sparkle on Amy Adams, and Hailee Steinfeld's ballerina gown is just dreamy. I admire Helena Bonham-Carter, Melissa Leo, and Jacki Weaver for sticking with their funky fashion senses.
















Speaking of ballerina gowns, it seems quite a few attendees were inspired by Black Swan. One of Anne Hathaway's many costume changes, and the dresses worn by Virginia Madsen, Sharon Stone, and Hilary Swank were all black and white and feathery. Sharon Stone took the look even further with pure evil hair and makeup.













But it is color on the red carpet that makes me happy! Kudos to Halle Berry's champagne confection and Penelope Cruz's scarlet fireworks. Cate Blanchett's dress was 95% awesome: She's lovely in pale pink, the bubbly details are exquisite, I dig the strange oval in the center of the bodice (perhaps for inserting your own 8x10 photo?) and unconventional sleeves, and I even love the unexpected appearance of yellow detailing at the collarbone...if it had been a pastel shade of yellow to compliment the delicate pink. But bright, nearly chartreuse yellow is just ghastly. Jennifer Hudson's bold tangerine number is almost perfect (save for that harsh cleavage.) Scarlett Johansson wore the same awesome shade as Natalie Portman, and the lace overlay is way-cool, but the second shade of magenta and peek-a-boo black bra are too messy. I'm sure most fashion magazines are ripping Florence Welch's banana-creme ruffles, but I think it's a kick-ass, off-kilter look.

















More eye candy in the cool color palette, from director Susanne Bier (Foreign Language Film winner), Dale Dickey (winner of the Independent Spirit Award for her supporting role in Winter's Bone), Mila Kunis, and Marisa Tomei.


















Earrings I wish to steal: Annette Bening's emerald cabochon drops, Gwyneth Paltrow's semi-precious rainbow (yeah for peridots, you never see them on the red carpet!), the turquoise and amethysts on Busy Philipps, the amazing ruby tassels on Natalie Portman, Marisa Tomei's citrine sunbursts (with emerald and sapphire), and Reese Witherspoon's gleaming emeralds. (All stone names are guesses!)




















Necklaces I wish to steal: the awesome emeralds on Amy Adams and Celine Dion.




















Necklace I most definitely do not want to steal: Melissa Leo's spider. Check out what she wore to the Oscars two years ago: At first I thought it was her "lucky necklace" or something, but upon closer inspection of the position of the spiders' legs, they appear to be two different necklaces. Two different thin gold chain Y-necklaces with a slightly different spider dangling off the end. Yeeeeesh.















Nothing but the usual penguin suits from the fellas this year, but here, enjoy some handsomeness anyway! (Handsomeness, and a skeezy orange beard.)