Last night, I watched the 2009 American Music Awards which was held in the Nokia Center in Los Angeles and was shocked and awed at all the fashions. I thought it would be fun to make a list of the top 5 fashion misses at the 2009 AMAs.

Image: Zuma Press

1.  Paula Abdul – Can this mermaid dress be any tighter? She was the first presenter and she had a lot of trouble walking over to the mic. It’s a beautiful dress but it was way too tight and way too much for her small frame.

Image: Zuma Press

2. Shakira – She’s fabulous, no doubt but this outfit was just a total miss for me. I love how she took a risk with the bright yellow colour but she could have a chosen a more age-appropriate style. And the shoes! There’s just way too much going on.

Image: Zuma Press

3. Rihanna – Stunning gal and equally stunning Marchesa dress but somehow they don’t look quite right together. I think it’s the shoes? Maybe something open toe would have been a better choice. Whatever the case, this dress was way over the top.

Image: Zuma Press

4. Chani Christie (singer/daughter of NBA player Doug Christie) – Too short, too tight! Did I mention she’s only 16? Not a good look on such a pretty girl.

Do agree with the list above? Shall we have to agree to disagree? Who are some of the celebrities on your fashion miss list for the 2009 American Music Awards?  Stay tuned for my fashion hit list from the awards show!

Post from: The List Maven

So what did we all learn? Here are twenty unwritten rules of fashion all of us keep (or should keep!) subconsciously in the back of our minds.

1. No black shoes with brown belts.

2. White socks are not an option unless you are playing sports or wearing tennis shoes.

3. Don’t pay attention to sizes – wear what fits you.

4. Your Prom dress should not be pulled out again once you have graduated high school.

5. If you are wearing a beautiful pair of Jimmy Choo shoes, let them speak for themselves. You don’t need to announce it to the world.

6. You can never go wrong with a basic black dress.

7. Cocktail dresses can land above your knee, but anywhere in the mid-thigh vicinity is too short.

8. Bikinis should not be thought of as synonymous with bras. Always support the girls as best you can.

9. The men’s jeans that look so comfy and good on your boyfriend should not make their way into your closet..even for grungy days. Maybe have one pair of boyfriend jeans handy.

10. The amount of money you spend on your accessories should be in correlation with the timelessness of the piece. Beware of spending tons of cash on super trendy pieces (unless of course you can afford it).

11. Just because a super model looks amazing in skinny jeans and a skimpy top does not necessarily mean the look is going to translate on your body. Know your strengths.

12. If you are accenting cleavage, be a bit conservative with the hemline. More fabric on top, the go ahead and show some legs.

13. You should always have at least one friend who can shoot you straight on style decisions. Take this person shopping with you.

14. Don’t trust the sales people when you are trying on an outfit. Refer to Rule #13.

15. Strappy sandals deserve a pedicure. You owe it to your toes to make sure they look spectacular when on display.

Image: Newscom

Post from: The List Maven

Here are the Top 10 products and fashion trends that are shaping who I am as we head into Spring:

1. Clarisonic – I love the way this makes my skin feel clean and fresh, and I think it’s help out with some of my wrinkles, too.
2. MAC lipsticks and glosses – I have dozens of these in my makeup case, and now that I’ve been checking out spring fashions, I’m sure I’ll have to add a couple more.
3. Phyx Overnight Repair Masque by Kronos – This overnight treatment is a lifesaver for my dry, curly hair.
4. Shoes.  All kinds of shoes.  Because of a fracture in my foot, I haven’t been able to wear heels for awhile.  Can’t wait till things are fully healed up, and I can put on a sexy pair of stilletos again.
5. Black.  This is my wardrobe basic color.  Multiple pairs of black pants, skirts, dresses and, of course, shoes.  It makes buying coordinating pieces and accessories VERY easy.  And since I travel frequently, it helps a lot when it comes to packing light.
6. Diamond hoop earrings.  I wear them for dressing up as well as dressing down because combining two great fashion trends – diamonds and hoops – just makes so darned much sense.
7. Animal and snake skin prints.  Must be worn in moderation, but a great pair of python shoes, a leopard print skirt, or a zebra bag can add some pizzazz to a black outfit (see #5).
8. Soft comfy pajamas.  Pajamas aren’t just for sleeping any more!  I love the soft cotton styles that are perfect for lounging around the house in the evening.  Or maybe even for a day spent at home blogging.
9. Red.  It’s sexy, men love it, and it I keep in the blue-red family, I can wear it well.  I’ll be looking for some fun spring pieces and accessories to complement my wardrobe.
10. Wii Fit.  I just got it hooked up, and I have to modify things a bit until I can put consistent weight on my bum foot, but exercise and healthy habits should always be in style!

How about you?  What are the products and fashions that you love?

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Image credit:  SXC

Post from: The List Maven

Since most of us don’t have a stylist coming in every day to help us pull our wardrobe together, try hanging one of these calendars on your wall for a daily reminder to be fashion forward.

Here’s four to choose from.  (My favorite is the shoes!)

Images:  All from Amazon

Post from: The List Maven

Well, I could – if I had an unlimited budget, a hairdresser, make up artist, and wardrobe person taking care of my every need.

Here’s my list of the 10 top well-dressed movie characters:

1. Katherine Ross as Etta Place in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.  Butch and Sundance may have been a little scruffy looking, but as a prim teacher, Etta was always well coiffed and pulled together.  And didn’t we all love that nightgown scene.
2. Mia Farrow as Daisy Buchanan in the Great Gatsby.  Daisy was rich, spoiled, and loved men, and she dressed that way too.
3. Jodie Foster as Mrs. Annabelle Bransford in Maverick.  She lit up the entire poker room with her décolleté and mega-watt smile.  And you never knew what she was hiding beneath her skirts or up her sleeve.
4. Audrey Tatou as Amelie Poulain in Amelie.  With her quirky European style, she had more fashion sense than fashion cents.  Somehow the French always seem to look cutting edge, even when they’re on a budget.
5. Ingrid Bergman as Ilsa Lund in Casablanca.  With a proper skirt and white blouse she looked demur and in evening wear she looked smokin’ hot.
6. Julia Roberts as Vivian Ward in Pretty Woman.  Who doesn’t want to go shopping on Rodeo Drive with someone else’s credit card? From the polka dot dress at the polo match to the red gown for the opera, these were fashions to die for.
7. Charlize Theron as Adele Invergordon in The Legend of Bagger Vance.  From prim little dresses to lovely gowns, this beauty would have made sackcloth look fashionable.
8. The entire cast of Sex and the City.  Whatever you’re fashion style, one of these gals was wearing it.
9. Meryl Streep as Miranda Priestly in The Devils Wears Prada.  Prada?  Fashion?  That says it all.
10. Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s (and as Sabrina Fairchild in Sabrina, and as Princess Ann in Roman Holiday, and pretty much anything else she was in!)  Wearing hats and gowns fit for a princess or a wanna-be princess, I always wanted to wear whatever she was wearing.

Did I mention your favorite movie character fashionista?  Leave your favorite in the comments.

Image credit: SXC

Post from: The List Maven

• 4 Tips for Making Your Favorite Scent Last from Teen Style Lounge
• Top 10 Best Selling Anti-Aging Products from Aging Fabulous
• 4 Cheap Weight Solutions from Burning the Scale
• Hot handbags and pretty purses from Her Accessories
• Makeup Trial, Part 1 from Beauty Bento Box

Post from: The List Maven

SHOPPING

NY Spender suggests that “if you buy only one pair of shoes this fall, buy one with stacked heels.“

Her Accessories is celebrating the cooler weather with a roundup of her favorite fall jackets.

Gleaming Things loves Givenchy’s look of layered chains, but they just aren’t in the budget right now – these picks are though!

Shopalicious finds a very stylish quilted handbag — with an eco-friendly twist! (Plus a coupon for 10% off!)

Chic by Nature has a great wrap top that you can wear out and then to bed.

There’s some serious inspiration afloat over at All That & a with more inspiration-themed jewelry.

FASHION

Sasha of Style Manila creates a boho-look on an 11-year old named Sylvie.

Tops 2 Bottoms shares an style idea, Layered, Belted, and Plaid for her weekly Work Wear Monday series.

Viva Woman shows you how corsages can make your attire more feminine and romantic.

Style…a work in progress finds inspiration in a little bear called Paddington

Petite Fashionista shows you how to update your Fall wardrobe with pieces that will keep you; comfy, cozy and chic!

The Space Between My Peers categorizes the looks at the bottom of the formality scale into Three Levels of Leisure.

BEAUTY

Beauty Bento Box features the elegantly packaged, eyeliner-slash-eyeshadow Kohl cosmetic, Guerlain Terracotta Loose Powder Kohl Liner.

Karen from Makeup and Beauty Blog shows you how to get an easy, elegant smoky eye with the Smoky Eye Quad from Chanel.

My Women Stuff discusses whetherSilicone is good or bad for the skin.

Krizia from Beauty Match declares: We tried Pro-V Restoratives and said bye-bye FRIZZ!.

Beauty and Fashion Tech looks at three bright handbags that look more expensive than they are”.

Post from: The List Maven