Sunday night Hollywood’s hottest headed to the 2011 Teen Choice Awards in Los Angeles.  While this isn’t quite the Met Costume Gala and may be frowned upon by the fashion elite, I always like seeing the fresh young faces in more casual, carefree attire.  This year, the stunning starlets certainly did not disappoint.  Below are a few of my favorite looks.  I’ve recreated each to show you that looking red carpet ready is as easy as 1, 2, 3.

Blake Lively in Gucci, Christian Louboutin, and Lorraine Schwartz jewels

1. Boulee Serena Dress, $209, 2. Ivanka Trump Pinkette Leopard Pumps, $135, 3. House of Harlow 1960 Gold Triangle Drop Earrings, $100

Nina Dobrev in D&G (dress and clutch), Salvatore Ferragamo shoes, jewelry by Ippolita

1. Paul & Joe Sister Gingham Bandeau Dress, $193.94, 2. Nine West Glowing Platform Pump, $89, 3. Poppie Jones Mini Turnlock Clutch, $19.95

Lucy Hale in Giuseppe Zanotti wedges

1. Rebecca Minkoff Claudia Dress, $129.99, 2. Alexander Mc Queen Suede Finned Wedge, $1,050, 3. Kora Black Horn Inlay Ring, $145

xx,
WhyDid

Photos via Just Jared

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Coming from New York, Los Angeles never really grew on me.  Tried as I did, I just couldn’t get into it.  Not even the perfectly placed palm trees or toned tanned skin could sway me.  I just didn’t jive with the City of Angels.

That is, until I moved up the coast to San Francisco.  Isn’t it funny how one thing can make you appreciate another?  Needless to say, after yet another freezing cold (not kidding- it’s 40 something degrees today) grey Monday, I can’t help but yearn for sunshine and convertibles.  I would even tolerate the bebe clad girls of Hollywood and Affliction t-shirted douchebags of yore for just one sun filled afternoon and a reason to slip on my Oliver Peoples.

But alas, I must endure the city by the bay for just a little while longer…

xx,

WhyDid

Chemise: Jenny Packham, $1,325

Shoes: Christian Louboutin, $995

Earrings: Ippolita, $1,795

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Every girl owns (or at least she should own) the perfect little black dress.  But wearing the same hot little number cocktail party after cocktail party can leave a girl feeling bored with what once was a no brainer.  Not even swapping accessories can change things.  Like a rubik’s cube, there are only so many combinations.  This is when you must channel your inner Macgyver and start rigging up new and inventive cocktail combinations.

Besides the LBD (little black dress for the slow pokes), another staple piece is a black pencil skirt.  You may be thinking to yourself, “That’s a little too Betty Draper for me.”  Well, let me tell you, the pencil skirt has stuck around for a reason.  Fitted properly, a pencil skirt can make even the most waifish gal look more Beyonce and less Olive Oil.  To offset the conservative pencil skirt, I paired it with a cropped bandeau top (this little guy happened to be a DVF sample and would benefit greatly from some time spent at a seamstress).  Classic black pumps, top notch top knot, and a sequined jacket completed this unconventional, but totally cocktail appropriate attire.

Before creating this look yourself, remember to use some common sense: 1. Will this look good on you? If you could benefit from a few more sit ups, hold off until you’re bare belly brazen. 2. Where are you planning to wear it?  A funeral or wedding is probably not the right time for this.  Save it for a more appropriate occasion.

1. Cosabella Marni Strapless Plunge Bra, $132.50, 2. Diane von Furstenberg Panel Marta Techno Jersey High Waist Pencil Skirt, $210, 3. Tuleste Market Layered Ball & Chain Necklace, $150, 4. Harrison Morgan Black Sequin Bolero, $220, 5. Christian Louboutin Pigalle 120 Patent Pumps, $595

xx,

WhyDid

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My favorite picture of my oldest niece is one of her wearing purple pants, a tutu, a sparkly pink shirt, a headband, and two different shoes.  While you may be quick to assume that the tutu is what put me over the edge, it is actually her self assured expression in the photo.  She is so very proud of herself, and for that reason, her discombobulation works.

I’ve always been a big fan of mixing and matching.  I think when things are too carefully concocted, they seem a bit fussy and overdone (like matching your bag to your shoes- ick!).  While it may seem silly to take inspiration from a child, it’s actually quite the contrary.  See, children are somewhat uninhibited when it comes to fashion.  They have not yet become slaves to trends and “rules” about what goes with what.  They see it, they like it, they put it on.

I’m not suggesting that you throw on just any old thing, but what I am suggesting is loosening those chains of style and having a bit of fun.  Who are these people making up the “rules” anyway?

When mixing patterns, I do suggest staying within the same color family.  I also would try incorporating prints in different scale (one big print, one small print).  The days of plaids and stripes being considered a faux pas are long gone.

1. American Apparel Stripe Mid-Length Pocket Tank, $29, 2. Miu Miu Stitched Sandal, $595, 3. Hazel Polka Dot Print Skirt, $79, 4. Ben-Amun Worldly Charm Rope Bracelet, $145

See?  Mixing and matching is child’s play.

xx,

WhyDid

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One of the most talked about moments from this past weekend’s Academy Awards show was not a musical number, not a gorgeous gown, not a misplaced expletive… it was Anne Hathaway’s Swarovski crystal encrusted Brian Atwood pumps worn with her Lanvin tuxedo.  Twitter exploded with “who made Anne’s shoes?” and “I’ve got to get my hands on those pumps.”  Certainly a victory for both Mr. Atwood, himself, as well as Anne’s stylist, Ms. Rachel Zoe.

For quite a while, the go to glamour girl pump was Christian Louboutin, but it looks like there’s a new “it” shoe in town.  Basically, if you’ve heard of the actress, she’s worn the shoe.  Everyone from Blake Lively to Cameron Diaz to Dianne Kruger has been spotted strutting her stuff in these sexy stilettos.

So has Hollywood traded in the flash of a red sole for the styling and simplicity of just a great shoe?

Sole long!

xx,

WhyDid

photos via: CoolSpotters and Just Jared

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