Inappropriately Handsome: Armie Hammer

I really enjoyed Armie Hammer's performance in J.Edgar recently, so I decided to look up a little more about him for Man Candy Monday. 

Red Carpet Rundown: Harry Potter

So I waited too long to get my Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II tickets, and by the time we go our act together all the midnight shows in our area (seven in Davis alone), were sold out. My Dad and I instead are off to Natomas to see it today at 11 AM.  To get myself even more excited for the movie, I've decided to feature the Harry Potter cast on the red carpet.  Here are some of the notable choices the cast made in  London and New York. Starting off in London:

It's all about Emma Watson, as per usual. I suggest you check out this great slideshow over at NY Mag of her style evolution at the premieres, from little girl to grown-up glamazon.

Daniel Radcliffe dapper in Simon Spurr

Emma Watson in Oscar de la Renta

Rupert Grint

Click on through for lots more stars and pics from the NYC red carpet as well!

Ad Musings: Louis Vuitton

Angelina Jolie in Cambodia.

My Mom was so cranky when she saw Angelina Jolie's new Louis Vuitton full-page ad in the New York Times. Mommy feels that it's in poor taste to sit in the middle of an impoverished country with a several thousand dollar handbag. I agree.  It is in poor taste, and feels very post-colonial. Especially since it's half-French woman with a bag from a French company in former French Indochina.

However, Jolie,  photographed by Annie Leibovitz, gave her fees to charity. Ironically, the specific bag she is posing with is discontinued.  That doesn't really matter, since they're advertising the brand and an idea, not a particular item.  You can read a bit more about Jolie's photo over at Huff Po.  Apparently this is the most recent in a campaign that I've mostly missed, or just didn't connect to one another. Here's Bono and his wife:

Read about Bono and Ali Hewson's spread in South Africa here.

After the jump, lots more about this campaign, including Sally Ride, Pelé, Gorby and more.

Red Carpet Rundown: MTV Movie Awards

As a teenager, I did love my MTV. And as a teenage film buff, I loved the Movie Awards. While I'm less excited about the awards these days, the show still provides stars a fun, less serious red carpet to end the awards season and promote their summer movies.  Here are their looks plus a couple trailers for their upcoming movies.

Emma Watson in a Marchesa Dress (Picture Group)

Cameron Diaz (Getty Images)

Cameron is a perennial favorite guest at the Movie Awards, and she always shows miles of leg.  At 38 perhaps she should think about a slightly longer hemline, but this playsuit is cute and perfect for the relaxed vibe of the show.

Emma Stone in Bottega Veneta (Getty Images)

I love Emma Stone from Superbad and Easy A and even The House Bunny.  She will be appearing in Spiderman next summer. I am glad she has gone back to red hair after a short foray back to her natural blonde. Her weight loss does seem to have gone a little farther than I would have liked, but that's Hollywood.

The Official Boy of Summer: Jason Bateman

 I just had to share the photos from Entertainment Weekly "Best of Summer Issue" with coverboy Jason Bateman. Like their facebook page for a mini interview and some footage from the photo shoot. Or buy the magazine to read the interview. The photos were shot by Sam Jones in Malibu.

After the jump, Bateman posing with ducklings and a surprisingly toned ab shot.

Ad Musings: CoverGirl

So as I've mentioned before, I appreciate a well crafted ad campaign. Commercial art still has the word art in it. As a woman of size, I also love being pandered to with token average/plus-size models. As such, I wanted to share some pics from Cover Girl's 50 Anniversary ad campaign.

If I were older, the choice of Ellen as a CoverGirl would send me to the drugstore to pick up some Simply Ageless make-up this minute. While I don't watch her talk show, I did watch her ABC sitcom Ellen as a kid. I love tux and her shoes here. Most of all, I love her as an accessible to the mainstream gay American. As I self-proclaimed expert on the fashion of Lindsay Bluth as portrayed by Ellen's wife Portia de Rossi, I got extra excited to see her in the photo spread.

Musings: Celeb Bikini Styles

So it might not yet be summer for many of us, but it is the season of celebrity beach pictures.  Here are a few looks I like plus some less expensive re-creations.

CIA.MARITIMA bikini /Crystal Jin tunic (GSI Images)

Tribal Print Bikini

  

Old Navy Embroidered Gauze Cover-up

L*Space Leopard Bikini (Pacific Coast News)

Leopard Print Bikini

Jack by BB Dakota Maxi Skirt

Forever 21

Rhianna in 2008

Old Navy Zebra Print Bikini

J. Crew: Glamour Girl Bikini Bottom

Forever 21+

What I Wore: Arizona Wedding

My current lifestyle doesn't include many formal occasions, so I'm always excited to have an opportunity to put together an evening ensemble.  Here's what I wore to my Cousin Maggie's wedding.  It's Tucson, so the weather was in the mid '90s, so I decided to go with a satin cocktail-length dress by ASOS Curve.

ASOS Curve Dress, ASOS Bangle, Vintage '60s purse, Andrea Jovine sunglasses

Zappos: Annie Venita

Here's the price price breakdown, I thought I did a pretty good job, budget-wise:

ASOS Dress $70
Annie Shoes $50
Betsey Johnson Earrings $25
ASOS Bracelet $18
Vintage Purse $5
__________
Total $168

After the jump, my parents outfits and my red carpet-inspired updo!

Musings: Havaianas

As one can tell from my previous summer essentials  post, the Brazilian flip-flop brand Havaianas are my favorite type of flip-flop, and the flip-flop is my favorite shoe. As such, I have quite a few of them.

So what's new o mundo Havaianas? What styles should I consider? Where can I find the best deals and selection? All that and more after the jump!

Red Carpet Rundown: Cannes

As per usual, The Cannes Film Festival has given us couture watchers plenty of lovely dresses to admire.  I feel like I should have commentary on the movies, but I'll save that for once I see them. Here are a few of my favorites. If you want to see more, check out Harper's Bazaar's slideshow.

Rachel McAdams in Monique Lhuillier (Andreas Rentz/Staff/Getty)

Rachel McAdams pant and sparkly bustier ensemble is a nice alternative to a dress. Her Brigitte Bardot inspired hair is a cute homage to French cinema at Cannes.

Tinda Swinton in Haider Ackermann: (Tony Barson/WireImage)

Tilda Swinton always brings it, and whether you like whatever it is or not, the woman is perfect for couture. I love the draping on this one.

Met Gala Faves

So in the midst of all the killing Osama news, some of us may have temporarily lost focus on fashion. I did. But then I was reminded that the Met Costume Institute Gala was last night, honoring Alexander McQueen. In case you missed it as well, here are a few pics to catch you up.  I'm not including the ugly or unremarkable gowns, just my faves. You should head on over to E! Online for the whole slideshow to find your own favorites and flops!

Jennifer Lopez in Gucci (Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images via NY Mag)

I love Jennifer's look here. Some were making fun of the flower shrug and it is over the top, but that's the whole point of this event. Perhaps I've been spending too much time on Lucille Bluth and her floral brooches and am desensitized. Either way, J. Lo has enough of a presence to really wear it.

After the Jump, lots more great gowns!

Royal Wedding Style

Read more about the Queen's look

For starters, I thought the queen looked fierce in her canary yellow ensemble, and compared to the other guests her hat was relatively demure.

E! Online speculates that she was inspired by Grace Kelly

Happy Spring! Espadrilles Galore

Lacoste "Marthe"

Old Navy Canvas Wedge Sandals

Soludos makes this classic style in  a rainbow of colors and patterns for both Men & Women.
They are also available at shopbop.

Whether or not you believe that Christ was resurrected on this day about 1,980 years ago, we all have reason to celebrate! Easter marks the first real day of Spring (I refuse to accept the Vernal Equinox as a psychologically, religiously, or culturally significant day). This morning, after checking out my adorable Easter basket, I headed out into the backyard to capture some shots of my shoes among the spring blossoms.

This season, espadrilles are everywhere, not just just in our garden. They can be flats, wedges, sky-high platforms, open-toed, peep-toed, sandals, laced-up, with uppers in a variety of materials. I suggest heading on over to Wikipedia to read a bit about the espadrille. This blog has a condensed history and some great pics of celebrities in their espadrilles including JFK and Grace Kelly! This season, both Jennifer Garner and Kate Bosworth have been seen wearing their seersucker Soludos.

After the jump, another pair from my closet plus some more great styles.

A Favorite T!

So when I was in elementary school one of my nicknames was Eeyore, due to my sardonic wit (also a early sign of depression, but this isn't a mental health blog).  So I was so excited when I saw this shirt at Torrid. It was just meant to be it's as a) Eeyore b) In French c) Fashion: It's a pun on "J'adore Dior" d) plus size to boot!