Today's Style Icon -- MICHELLE WILLIAMS

2006 Academy Awards

Michelle Williams is my style icon for today because simply put, her style is -- AMAZING !!!  With her Best Actress nomination for "Blue Valentine," she has come a long way from Dawson's Creek.  Michelle Williams had small and leading roles in films before, but it was her role in "Brokeback Mountain" where a larger audience really got to see her acting chops.  She was nominated for Best Supporting Actress as Alma Beers, the wife of Heath Ledger's character, Ennis Del Mar.  The mustard-colored dress she wore to the Academy Awards in 2006 put her on the fashion map.  She has really become a style icon of late with her pictures in many, many magazines. 

2010 Cannes Film Festival

I love her short hair!  As I continue my obsession with my short haircut, my next inspiration is, of course, Michelle Williams.  My previous hair inspiration was Edie Sedgwick.  Edie was the style icon that inspired me to cut my hair short from the get-go.  I've trimmed my hair three or four times since then.  The next hair trim tomorrow, I will be looking at recent photos of Michelle's do.  Not the pixie haircut she is sporting most recently but the one with long bangs. 

Various Events, 2011

She truly is a style muse.  She has lost the baby weight from Dawson's Creek and has emerged as a fashion goddess.   Michelle and her stylist/s are doing an amazing job inspiring us, the common folk.  According to The Stylist Site, Elizabeth Stewart was responsible for Michelle's look for the 2011 Oscars where she was nominated for Best Actress for "Blue Valentine."  I thought her look was one of the standouts that night.  Michelle, along with Cate Blanchett, Nichole Kidman and newcomer Jennifer Lawrence proved that minimalist style is back.

2011 Academy Awards

I'm looking forward to the style inspiration Michelle Williams will continue to bring in the future, and I look forward to seeing her in films and on the red carpet.  Kudos Michelle on your incredible acting and your awesome style !!!

Spring Trend Report: There's Minimalism and There's Everything Goes...

Color-blocking for Spring 2011.

White for Spring 2011.

Bright Ikat prints for Spring 2011.

Minimalism continues to make a presence in the fashion scene, proving that over-the-top may have seen its day.  But fear not (if you like over-the-top,) the designers showed so much variety for Spring 2011 that you'll get your fill of fashion.  Expect to see lots of white (my favorite for Spring and Summer) lots of bright colors and 70's glam-inspired looks.  When it comes to color, bold, solid colors are hot.  It's all about color-blocking.  As far as prints go, there weren't too many florals as we normally expect for Spring, but there were a lot of Ikat and other bold, geometric patterns.  And then, there's fruit.  Fruit prints that is.  There's something for everyone and you can express your fashion personality in so many different ways this coming Spring.

In NY Fashion Week, the "less is more" theme can be seen from many designers.  There was markedly less accessories, but the statement necklace continues to make a presence.  There were long necklaces to be seen, which I am excited about (I need more of those for sure.)  My favorites were Calvin Klein, Alexander Wang, Ralph Lauren.  At Ralph Lauren, the mood was romantic and Victorian with lots of textured whites.  Frank Acosta showed a very sleek collection for Calvin Klein, leading the way for Spring's minimalistic movement.  Alexander Wang brings it with lots of white and a muted color palette of silver, sky blue, and tan.

Paris Fashion Week showed a lot of different styles.  There was basically something for anyone who can afford those duds.  If you can't afford those fabulous Parisian fashions, well simply look to those designers for inspiration.  There was juxtaposition between masculine and feminine dressing going on in Paris.  On the more feminine camp were John Galliano, Channel and Louis Vuitton.  Balenciaga leads the pack of the edgy, masculine camp.  Rick Owens, Celine and Stella McCartney gives us clean, relaxed minimalist versions of a somewhat masculine look. 

Of all the fashion weeks, my favorite was the Milan Fashion Week.  I find a lot of inspiration from the Milan RTW runways.  There were a lot of bold colors and a lot of color-blocking, along with whites.    If you are in the mood for simple pops of color, look to Jil Sander for inspiration for a fun, color blocking look.  I love the look of a white topped dress that looks like a t-shirt with a bold, green, to-the-floor skirt.  Prada gives you lots of color-inspiration with modern, crayola colored stripes.  I love the banana earrings she wore at the end of the show.  Very Warhol!  If you are feeling electric, look to Armani's Spring '11 runway show.  You just might be inspired to wear a shocking cobalt blue number.  If you want to look crisp in white, well look to Dolce & Gabbana for ideas.  Somehow, D & G managed to make white look virginal and sexy.  How did they do that you say?  Well with white lace and and other peak-a-boo swaths of white fabric -- brilliant!

With all this anything goes inspiration, one thing is for sure:  I won't be bored this Spring.

Fabulous Inexpensive Lipstick: Covergirl Lip Perfection

Covergirl's new line of lipsticks does not feel anything like what you would expect from a drugstore brand.  It is lightweight, goes on silky smooth and has amazing high pigment color.  It is a guilt-free indulgence and can instantly pick up your look and/or your mood.  If you like a matte-looking lipstick, you'll like Covergirl Lip Perfection Lipstick.

Looking for a bright pink color, which will be hot for Spring 2011, I found Spellbound (325).  Worn with simple make-up on the eyes and cheeks, let your lips be the focal point with this fun, bold color.  Eternal (350), another bright pink suitable for a darker skin-tone, was featured in the March issue of People StyleWatch.  With a price point of anywhere from $5.50 to $7 something, depending on the store and whether it is on sale or not, you can't go wrong by choosing Covergirl Lip Perfection over other more expensive brands in a similar shade.  Since a bright pink is not an everyday color, for most of us anyway, you won't feel bad spending the less than $10. on a lipstick you may only wear for a season or only a couple of times.  Me, I'm gonna wear out this look.  I love it on me! 

As far as shades you can wear every day, there are 44 shades to choose from four groups.  If you like a matte look, this is one I would stock up on.  If not, you may find a couple of shades suitable to your skin tone for those days and/or nights you prefer a matte lip.  For a quick, put-together look, I like to wear reds or a dark lip and little else.  I like the shade Hot Passion (305) from this line, perfect for those days I don't have the time to put on a full face.

Covergirl Lip Perfection claims to "create soft, smooth, beautiful lips in just 7 days."  I have not worn this brand 7 days in a row to confirm that, but I agree with the claim that it does sustain moisture levels.  My lips do not dry up and chap when I wear this brand.  The color is indeed bright and rich -- you don't need multiple applications to get that rich color.  Although it does not claim to be long-wearing, it actually is.  I work retail and have to talk a lot on the job, and I only have to re-apply when I have a full meal.  I don't have to re-apply when I have snacks or drink water or soda.

I've read other reviews of this new line, and the packaging was frowned upon.  I actually like the sleek, unpretentious design.  The packaging may not be luxurious, but the product in it is luxurious to me.  It feels as indulgent as Lancôme and Estee Lauder.  Another thing that may be criticized about Covergirl Lip Perfection Lipstick is that it has a taste.  Some say vanilla.  I can't quite pin-point the taste, but tastes like something synthetic to me.  It doesn't bother me though and doesn't taste bad.  It maybe tastes like a futuristic perfume?  I can't pin-point it.  You tell me...  Let me know when you pick up a tube or two of Covergirl Lip Perfection Lipstick.