Simply BEYOND or BEYOND Tragic: The Best and Worst of Oscar's Red Carpet

Simply BEYOND.

Gwyneth Paltrow (Presenter) looked flawless in a sleek, white Tom Ford gown with matching cape and Jimmy Choo heels

{Photo courtesy of styledotcom}

BEYOND Tragic.

Angelina Jolie (Presenter) awkwardly flaunted her leg (no, it's not a third arm) in a gaudy black velvet Atelier Versace gown and Salvatore Ferragamo peep toe heels

{Photo courtesy of styledotcom}

Simply BEYOND.

Jessica Chastain (Nominated, Best Supporting Actress - The Help) looked positively royal in a black, gold embroidered Alexander McQueen gown and Harry Winston jewels

{Photo courtesy of styledotcom}

BEYOND Tragic.

Ellie Kemper (Presenter) was completely overpowered by a blinding copper toned Armani Prive gown, Lorraine Schwartz jewels, and too-long bangs.

{Photo courtesy of styledotcom}

Simply BEYOND.

Michelle Williams (Nominated, Best Actress - My Week With Marilyn) appeared poised and pretty as a picture in a red Louis Vuitton gown with Forevermark jewels and pink Bottega Veneta clutch

{Photo courtesy of styledotcom}

BEYOND Tragic.

Jane Seymour channeled T.V.'s Dallas in a red, sequined Pamella Roland gown.

{Photo courtesy of styledotcom}

Simply BEYOND.

Kristen Wiig seemed to be an effortless beauty in a nude J.Mendel gown and Neil Lane jewels.

{Photo courtesy of styledotcom}

BEYOND Tragic.

Kelly Osbourne officially forfeited her right to voice her opinion on other's fashion in a Georges Hobeika gown, Montblanc jewels and pale, purple hair.

{Photo courtesy of MirrorUK}

Simply BEYOND.

Milla Jovovich (Host of The 2012 Scientific and Technical Awards which took place on February 11th) exudeed classic Hollywood glamour in a glittering, white Vintage Elie Saab gown.

{Photo courtesy of styledotcom}

BEYOND Tragic.

Melanie Griffith (pictured here with husband Antonio Banderas) was misguided in a messy, oddly textured YSL gown.

{Photo courtesy of styledotcom}

Simply BEYOND.

Octavia Spencer (Winner, Best Supporting Actress - The Help) dazzled in a figure flattering, fully embellished Tadashi Shojo gown.

{Photo courtesy of styledotcom}

BEYOND Tragic.

Anna Faris was wickedly washed out by an ill-fitting, witch-like, Diane Von Furstenberg gown, Tiffany & Co. jewels and YSL heels.

{Photo courtesy of styledotcom}

Simply BEYOND.

Alexandra Edenborough (Pictured here with husband Gary Oldman) had a futuristic appeal in a stunning, modernly cut, black gown with silver beading.

And The Oscar Goes To...The Academy for Giving A Leg Up To Awards Season 2012

Despite widespread criticism of Sunday's television broadcast -for example, Tim Goodman of The Hollywood Reporter dubbed host Billy Crystal a "safe, unfunny, retro-disaster"- the 84th Annual Academy Awards were, in fact, classically minimal (thankfully lacking unnecessary fluff  a la James Franco and Anne Hathaway).  

{Pictured Above: Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.  Photo Courtesy of style.com}

Crystal, while perhaps "safe", kept things moving with obvious ease and a sort of "in their own words" actor segment which played in between each of the awards added an element of intimacy for the viewer that is rarely (if ever) attained during such ceremonies.  Overall, the Academy did a wonderful and discreet job of putting the focus back on film and if you're on to disagree, then I believe Meryl said it best, "Whatever".

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{Above: Meryl Streep, 2012 Best Actress Winner for The Iron Lady accepting her 3rd Oscar at The 84th Annual Academy Awards}

Dying For Downton

Now well into its second season here in the states, this British period drama (airing Sunday’s at 9pm on the public broadcast station PBS as part of its “Masterpiece Classics” segment) can be described in a single word: addictive.  Having watched the first seven episodes on Netflix in only two sittings, I was immediately captivated by the scene stealing beauty of the English countryside, the intricate detailing of costumes, and obvious juxtaposition of master and servant. However, what keeps me coming back for more is the unspoken animosity between those I may have initially assumed friends - sisters, servants and relatives alike all seem to hold quiet (and sometimes not so quiet) grudges against each other which they tend to with the most calculated approach. There is, of course, a good bit of romance involved as well.

{Pictured above: Jessica Brown-Findlay, Laura Carmichael and Michelle Dockery, who play the Crawley sisters. Photo courtesy of Jonty Davies for Glamour UK, October 2011.}

Led by a fabulous cast of younger, lesser knowns (Michelle Dockery, Dan Stevens, and Jessica Brown Findlay), plus some more notable acting vets (Hugh Bonneville, Maggie Smith and Elizabeth McGovern) and also the recipient of multiple Emmys and numerous accolades, Downton Abbey is a definite “must see”.

Someone Like Who?

While driving home tonight, I heard this song on the radio for the EIGHTY-SEVENTH time.......TODAY.  Having grown tired of forever changing the station, I waived my invisible white flag and let it play.  As I listened, I sang and as I sang, I remembered why I'd refused to listen all the other times before. Being that I am not normally one to splash careless emotional paint across a wall for the world to see, I decided it best not to vent.  However, when I turned on my TV just now and was forced to sit staring blankly at this soulful British songstress, I couldn't help but scream WHY???  IT'S OVER! It's time to quit begging him to remember you and start forgetting him!  Honestly Adele, "Someone like you"???  Finding someone like him is NOT the answer.  In fact, I'd opt for someone as unlike him as humanly possible.  He chose someone else. He's obviously an idiot.  Do you really want to be with another idiot? 

I'm A PC

Confession: I have been using the same Dell notebook since I graduated high school and after having paid a pretty penny to raise it from the dead not once, not twice, but THREE times, I can assure you- I don’t know the first thing about my computer. Naturally, I know even less about the competition.  The only Apple device I have ever  owned is an early generation Ipod that, given the ease with which I am able to play music via websites such as Pandora and Spotify through my recently purchased Android device, rarely sees the light of day.  However, I know people.  More importantly, I know a good man when I see one. As is common with the passing of any icon, I have joined the rest of the world in taking a very close look at Steve Jobs.  While his numerous accomplishments prove him to be a brilliant innovator and entrepreneurial genius, it is a single speech (a commencement address given at Stanford University in 2005) that has me convinced the world has lost a good, better yet, a great man.

• You can’t connect the dots looking forward, you can only connect them looking backwards...You have to trust in something, your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever, because believing that the dots will connect down the road, will give you the confidence to follow your heart. Even when it leads you off the well worn path and that will make all the difference.

• The only way to do great work is to love what you do.  If you haven't found it yet, keep looking and don’t settle.  As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it. 

• If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?...whenever the answer has been “no” for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.

• ...Almost everything, all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure, these things just fall away in the face of death leaving only what is truly important.  Remembering that you are going to die, is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking that you have something to lose.  You are already naked, there is no reason not to follow your heart.

• ...Death is very likely the single best invention of life.  Its life’s change agent.  It clears out the old to make way for the new.

• Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life...Don't let the noise of others opinions drowned out your own inner voice and most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition, they somehow already know what you truly want to become.  Everything else is secondary.

In Memory of Steve Jobs, February 1955- October 2011

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