It was stunning and slightly overwhelming to see the gorgeous creations flooding the red carpet among the camera flashes ~ if you didn’t maintain a laser focus you easily missed the fabulous frenzy of frocks sweeping by in a sea of sensational style.

This year the Spring 2012 Gala celebrates the exhibition Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations, exploring the striking similarities between two Italian designers from different eras ~ the iconic Elsa Schiaparelli (a.k.a. “Schiap) and Miuccia Prada.

Most of you are familiar with Prada’s classic, clean lines, basic colors and luxe fabrics ~ but Schiap’s influence is just as strong. For starters, having a shade of (shocking) pink ~ Schiaparelli Pink ~ named after you is a pretty big deal if you ask me, pretties! Schiap’s designs were also heavily influenced by artists in the surrealist and dada movements, namely Salvador Dali ~ but you can read more about that here.

Wonder how many muses were wearing NARS “Schiap” tonight?

The bossy photogs provided an entertaining soundtrack while guests tread the tricky & trying tapestry of stairs up to fashion heaven. Note to self: wear cocktail-length frock or have arm candy handy for a lift up the steps when Anna invites me next year.

The paparazzi repeatedly, shamelessly shouted names of celebs (Eva! Eva! Eva! Eva-Eva-Eva!) and hurled insults at anyone who blocked their shots. A few faves: “Get out of the background with that portable camera!”;  “Except for that idiot behind you, the picture’s perfect”; and “Kristen look at the camera; she’s looking at nothing” ~ from one photog who was not happy with Kristen Wiig.

 Kristen Wiig, looking at nothing.

What I love most, besides the fashion, is that The Costume Institute Gala is not an awards show like the Oscars or Golden Globes ~ but a kick-off soiree that allows its guests to celebrate the Met and its colorful, creative, collaborative exhibitions each year. Here’s a glimpse of the glimmer and sparkle of the evening…

Anna Wintour breaks from her typical Chanel ~ rocking a stunning white Prada gown based on a famous dress Schiap designed for the Duchess of Windsor.

Ashley Green was gorgeous in a Donna Karan grecian white gown.

Lovely Leslie Mann in petal pink organza ruffle gown by Nina Ricci.

SJP arrived on the arm of Valentino in one of his creations ~ a floral satin full-length frock. She acknowledged that “There is nothing more terrifying, frankly, than these particular steps.”

The Mrs. Drapers ~ January Jones in yellow Versace and Jessica Paré in shimmering bronze L’Wren Scott.

Katharine McPhee was smashing in tangerine.

Karolina Kurkova shimmered in slinky gold Rachel Zoe gown & turban.

Why is Betty White so angry?

Damn, girl… Rosario Dawson wows in Calvin Klein Collection black leather halter gown.

Diane Kruger in purple plumed Prada.

Coco Rocha in a yellow vintage (and red-wine stained!) Givenchy jumpsuit that belonged to Liz Taylor.

Model Anja Rubick shoots from the hip in Anthony Vaccarello ~ do you accept the challenge, Angie?

Liv Tyler ~ gorg in Givenchy.

Chloe Sevigny pays homage to Schiap’s mirror print in a Miu Miu mirrored mini. Based on the crazy hair, I guess she didn’t check her reflection in her dress when she left the house.

Sofia Vergara stuns in an oyster and gold organza gown by Marchesa.

Marc “Oh, it’s just a lace dress” Jacobs.

Julianne Hough in Schiap Pink Carolina Herrera.

Gisele with hubby Dennis the Menace.

Kate Bosworth ~ j’adore her custom bordeaux and navy ostrich feather mini by Prada. Makes me wanna shake my tailfeather.

Liya Kebede, Tory Burch, Rashida Jones, and Brooklyn Decker in Tory Burch.

Renée Zellweger ~ Pucci prrrfection.

Dashing duo ~ Chelsea Handler holding on to boyfriend Andre Balaz.

 Gwynnie rocking a Prada mullet-hemmed frock with bedazzled pockets.

Brooke Shields ~  and all…that…jazz…! Bob Fosse would be proud.

Eva Mendes simmers in silk tangerine Prada.

Jessica Alba glows in gold metallic Michael Kors. No doubt styled by the j’amazing Brad Goreski.

Camilla Belle in  Ralph Lauren Collection ivory tulle beaded gown.

JT in Tom Ford & Jessica “Soon to be Mrs. J.T” Biel in Prada. Photo taken just before Justin announced “We’re gonna go find champagne” and whisked his fiancée away. I’ll clink to that!

After the fashion frenzy, I’m très tired. Time for some beauty zzzz’s…. sweet dreams!

The beautiful, incomparable Audrey Hepburn would have been 82 83 years old today. Her generous and philanthropic spirit was an inspiration, and made her even lovelier in life than she was in her films. Not only did she have style in spades but she was a true lady: she carried herself with poise and grace, and treated others with kindness and respect. In my book that makes her one in infinity.

So “clink!” to the Birthday Girl and her memorable silver screen personas – Holly, Sabrina, Princess Ann, Jo, Joanna, Eliza, Regina, Gaby – and all the other fabulous characters brought to life by the unforgettable Audrey.

“I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe tomorrow is another day.” ~Audrey Hepburn

“I’ve got to do something about the way I look. I mean a girl just can’t go to Sing Sing with a green face.” ~ Holly Golightly, Breakfast at Tiffany’s

“Oh, but Paris isn’t for changing planes, it’s for changing your outlook! For throwing open the windows and letting in… letting in la vie en rose.” ~Sabrina Fairchild, Sabrina

“I hate this nightgown. I hate all my nightgowns, and I hate all my underwear too…I’m not two hundred years old. Why can’t I sleep in pajamas?” ~Princess Ann, Roman Holiday

“Take the picture, take the picture!” ~Jo Stockton, Funny Face

“I’m three dimensional, as a matter of fact.” ~Joanna Wallace, Two for the Road

“The difference between a lady and a flower girl is not how she behaves, but how she is treated.” ~Eliza Doolittle, My Fair Lady

“Marriage license, did you say marriage license? Oh I love you Adam, Alex, Peter, Brian, whatever your name is.” ~Regina Lampert, Charade

“Actually, depravity can be terribly boring if you don’t smoke or drink.” ~Gaby Simpson, Paris When It Sizzles

“I love people who make me laugh. I honestly think it’s the thing I like most, to laugh. It cures a multitude of ills. It’s probably the most important thing in a person.” ~ Audrey Hepburn

I’m still pinching myself that I met @MrBradGoreski ~ favorite style stud and stylist, and an A+ on the A-List or Any List.

Thanks to the classy & colorful Brooks Brothers team in Georgetown who hosted a terrific event and book signing for Born To Be Brad at their fabulous M Street location. The book is amazing like its author and a fantastic literary mix of life & style à la Brad. It’s half memoir, half style-guide, and chock-full of heart & humor. A lust-have for anyone who loves fashion.

 J’adorbs!

First in line

Bowtie cookies – quel cuteness

Appropriately clad in a hot pink cover, the book chronicles Brad’s colorful life thus far. It includes the beginning of his love affair with fashion at age 12 when he picked up his first Vogue, later working at Vogue and W, and his stint on Bravo’s The Rachel Zoe Project, where he worked his style magic for a spell before movin’ on up with his career.

The super stylist with Jessica, Mandy and Minka.

Dashing Duo ~ Andy & Brad at Fashion Week.

Fast-forward to the present ~ Brad is having a banner year. Highlights include wrapping his first season of It’s a Brad Brad World on Bravo (best season finale ever ~ kudos to Gary!) and being scooped up by Kate Spade as their brand ambassador. I’m smitten with their flipping fabulous collaboration and crazy-creative campaigns.  He deserves every happiness and success that has come his way, and it couldn’t happen to a more authentic, talented guy.

Stylin’

Gary & Brad on It’s A Brad Brad World

Brad & Kate Spade ~ a match made in fashion heaven!

While I was sporting my pink & green and playing with my beloved Barbies as a little girl, there was a young boy named Brad in Port Perry, Ontario, with technicolor dreams who also loved the art of dress up.  Little did I know that he would grow up to create a stylish & sunny world bursting with color, and become an inspiration for living a bright & sparkly life!

P.S ~ Brad, now that I’ve regained my ability to talk, tweet, and type ~ my offer to be Your Girl Friday still stands!

“Be yourself ~ everybody else is already taken.”  ~Oscar Wilde

Book signing photos 4 & 5 courtesy of The Scene Bisnow.

I’m simply sur la lune for Ladurée!  Everything about these Parisian purveyors of pretty confections is perfection ~ the marvelous macarons and bon bons, pretty packaging, delightful decor, scrumptious shops, and très chic site ~ which is the flipping cutest thing I have ever seen. (Just be sure to toggle to the English version if you don’t speak fluent Franglais.)

Ladurée is pure delectable delight ~ just strolling into one of its magical shops is a dream…

Ladurée celebrates its 150th birthday this year ~ Bon Anniversaire, mes chéris!

The Hello Kitty collaboration, described as “a delicious journey through the world of childhood joie-de-vivre” is part of a year full of delightful collaborations and celebrations. This prrrrfect pairing is for a limited time only, so get your paws on these confections tout de suite, kittens!

For future reference ~ Mr. Tall, Dark & Dreamy ~ you had me at macarons. Meow.

My Mom and I enjoyed a lovely day under the shade of the cherry blooms with blossoms at their peak ~ and plenty of elbow room to wander, explore and snap some shots of one of the crowning glories of DC.  Enjoy!

A tiptoe through the Tulip Library topped off our perfect day…

The pretty palette was as vivid as the colors of the Pantone Fashion Color Report for Spring.

Bon printemps!

Clockwise (how fitting!) from pink: Carousel pink bangle, Seaport in gold, Cooper strap in pale turquoise, Carousel yellow bangle, Carousel white bangle, Cooper bracelet.

When it comes to style & shine, Kate is always on time!

Classic & chic, preppy & pretty ~ Lilly is a party waiting to happen!

When Manhattan socialite Lillian McKim eloped with Peter Pulitzer and moved to Palm Beach, she needed something to occupy her well-manicured hands…

As the young bride of an owner of several citrus groves, what better endeavor than opening an orange juice stand?  Lilly enjoyed this new venture but found herself covered in splashes of fruit juice at the end of the day ~ so she and her dressmaker designed colorful shift dresses in citrus hues to camouflage the stains.  She soon realized customers were thirsty for only one thing: her fabulous frocks!  To the delight of local ladies and other chic girlfriends like Jackie O., Lilly closed the juice stand and opened Lilly Pulitzer Inc. in 1959.

“Jackie wore one of my dresses – it was made from kitchen curtain material – and people went crazy. They took off like zingo. Everybody loved them, and I went into the dress business.” ~ Lilly Pulitzer

Lilly running from Peter’s plane ~ fabric swatches in hand.

La Lilly in one of her designs ~ love the ruffled sleeves.

A prismatic palette of pretty, preppy and posh prints was born ~ and the rest is Palm Beach history!

Pool or beach, yacht or garden, patio or porch, lunching or lounging ~ if you want to make any occasion special, bring on the Lilly!

A Lilly a day keeps the blues away ~ and with her vitamin D infused spring collection, you’ll feel sunshine on your sun-kissed shoulders when you slip on these lovely looks…

Here are my favorite pattern picks, pretties. Quel dilemma ~ it’s not possible to pick only one… Looks like I’ll need to try something in every chic & cheery print!

Spring Fever Toile

Scorpion Bowl

Jungle Glam Toile

Call Me Kitty Cat

Spritz

“It’s always summer somewhere.” ~Lilly Pulitzer

Illustration credit, Lilly Pulitzer.

Although decorationg doyenne Draper is famous for her flair for beautifully bright interior designs, her color claim is still equally on point today ~ not only for interior decor, but in the sartorial sense as well. Color is popping up in spring collections all over, so embrace it! Palette in point: neon. Have some fun with this technicolor trend ~ a little bit goes a long way in making a chic statement, so accessorize wisely, darlings!

Kate Spade Gumball Studs

Shaka Neon Knot Bracelet

J. Crew Bubble Stone Necklace

Aldo Bangles

Marc Jacobs Enamel Link Bracelet

Etsy Pink Feather Earrings

Ann Taylor Sunburst Necklace

Lilly Bamboo Bangles ~ love this trio!

Adia Kibur Resin Heart Ring

Tamarillo Bangles at Cusp

Tom Binns Piece de Resistance

Are you as giddy as I am to see the Oscar Red Carpet tomorrow? It’s time to bring on the Ooh La La! Based on what I’ve seen come down the catwalk for spring, I have high hopes for a promenade of pretty ~ pastels, brights, bows, lace, tulle, ruffles, chiffon, chignons, high ponytails and heels.

This year’s nominees have proven to be a charming batch of stylish and smart cookies so good taste in gowns should be a given. Let’s hope all the designated darlings get their sparkle on tomorrow!

Certain Hollywood icons are a tough act to follow, but here’s a quick look back on some of my fave lovely ladies who have set the stage for style, class, and charm at the Oscars over the years…

Audrey Hepburn, 1954 Best Actress for Roman Holiday

Grace Kelly, 1956

La Liz, 1960

Golden Gene Pool ~ Natalie Wood with Warren Beatty, 1962

Goldie with Kurt, 1989

Best Bud Beauties Salma & Penelope, 2002

Diane Lane, 2003

Michelle with Heath, 2006 ~ lovely and bittersweet

One of my all-time fave Oscar frocks ~ Diane Kruger in Elie Saab, 2006

Gorgeous Girlfriends Beyonce & Gwynnie, 2007

Golden Girl Jen Aniston, 2009

The ladies above know it, Audrey and Kay sang about it in Funny Face, and it still rings true today ~ a real lady knows the secret of how to be lovely! Sometimes it’s as easy as un, deux, trois…

“It’s all about good taste.” ~Giorgio Armani

Or, add extra edge with these Flame Slides that put the Prrrr in Prada…

I’ll catch you in the rearview mirror of my lipstick case, lovelies!

“Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world.” ~Marilyn Monroe