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Lights, camera, fashion!

By the time the 79th annual Academy Awards rolled around Sunday night there wasn't much left to our imagination. The nominees who took home the little gold men were so predicable: "The Departed," " Babel," "The Queen," "The Last King of Scotland" and "Little Miss Sunshine."

But don't feel too bad for those who didn't strike Oscar gold, they each received a swag bag worth $75,000 in prizes, yes, even after Edward Norton called the practice disgusting and the Internal Revenue Service announced that such freebies are subject to taxation.

And the Oscar for Most Bizarre Freebie goes to … a pet dental package with filet mignon flavored toothpaste. This is just wrong on a number of levels.

Of course, it's not just about the swanky gifts, shiny statues and long teary-eyed speeches. The real spotlight is on the carpet: scene of the world's glitziest runway show, with the biggest-name designers showcasing their hottest frocks on a galaxy of stars.

The Oscars are the pinnacle of Hollywood glamour and the bling is so blinding, you might wanna wear shades.

Cate Blanchett worked the rug in a shimmering Armani Prive gunmetal grey gown. Rachel Weisz strutted a sophisticated strapless nude-colored Vera Wang. And Gwyneth Paltrow glided down the carpet in a peachy
colored Zac Posen number.

A punch of color paraded the carpet, as the whiteout of gowns from the Golden Globes was replaced with deep, breathtaking colors worn by starlets like Emily Blunt in a sparkling cobalt blue Versace, Nicole Kidman in a bright red, bow-shouldered Balenciaga gown, and Jennifer Hudson in her chocolate-pocketed Oscar de la Renta dream dress, with a silver jacket, a 1960s diamond necklace and a 32-carat yellow diamond pendant by Fred Leighton.

My Best Dress pick of the night goes to Reese Witherspoon, leaving her goody-two-shoes persona behind in a strapless, purple Nina Ricci maneater

Hollywood is known for comebacks, and Penelope Cruz and Cameron Diaz redeemed themselves from the worst-dressed list of the Golden Globes. A princess-like Cruz wore a detailed blush-colored Atelier Versace gown, while Diaz sported a white Valentino and accessorized her look with a silver clutch, bejeweled bangles and Brian Atwood heels. I still like her better as a blonde, though she toned it down to a soft strawberry brunette and lost the red lipstick, leaving her looking more natural this time around.

Oscar is also about getting swept up in scandalous dirt to take back to the water cooler or copy machine. US Magazine reported that Eddie Murphy was miffed about not scoring the Oscar and left right after Alan Arkin was named Best Supporting Actor for "Little Miss Sunshine." Where's your sportsmanship, Ed?

It was also rumored that Naomi Watts could have a bun in the oven, or perhaps has just been eating too many buns. OK, not that juicy. You can blame Giuliana Depandi and Ryan Seacrest; they play it way too safe with the stars, kissing up and being careful not to cross the line.

I miss the days when (self-described D-list celebrity) Kathy Griffin reported the buzz from red-carpet events, though some found her guerrilla reporting tactics and uncensored slagging brutal. (Hmm, could this be why we no longer see her on the carpet?) Nevertheless, she got the goods, cornering stars and uncorking pearls of derision such as "the carpet is like rehab except everyone is wearing Vera Wang." Touché.

Danger lurks on the red carpet. This is the most scrutinized fashion event of the year, and you'd better get it right or the fashion police will be circulating your mugshot. Kelly Preston made her debut on my worst-dressed list with a "Me Jane" animal print Dolce & Gabbana pelt that she borrowed from Wilma Flintstone. (And by the way, what was up with Vinnie Barbarino's hair?)

Valentino scored big with a number of gorgeous dresses and I love Anne Hathaway of "The Devil Wears Prada," but I wasn't loving her in a black and white lace Valentino gown with a monstrous black bow down the front, and another bow on the back. This is no way for a true Vogue girl to show up to the Oscars.

ummmm?

The gentlemen were turning heads on the carpet, too, and after seeing Leonardo DiCaprio in "The Departed," I had a new appreciation for him. He's finally crossed over from boy to "How you doin'?" and he was looking very
dapper in a made-to-measure tuxedo by Giorgio Armani.

Ellen DeGeneres milked her efforts to be fashionably comfortable as Oscars host for at least one good laugh, saying, "They're lucky I'm not wearing shorts."

Debbie Breneman,
Fashionista,

If you have a shop, a sale, or fun fashions or products you'd like to see mentioned here, email dbreneman@seacoastonline.com.

Posted by at 01:28 PM | Comments (0)

A coming-of-age ritual – prom

It’s that time of year when sheepish boys with sweaty palms and nervous smiles muster up the gumption to ask that schoolgirl they’ve been crushing on to go to the prom – a time when blushing girls dream that one special schoolboy will ask.

This is a major event for us girls, filled with enormous expectations. We want the perfect prom night with the perfect prom date and – most important – the perfect prom gown that no one else is wearing.

Ah, the memories of proms past. I worked hard to find that ideal dress, especially after my first prom travesty. As a sophomore girl, a junior boy asked me to his prom. When I showed up to find three other girls in the identical dress, I was devastated and vowed that would never happen again.

The following year I wanted my junior prom to be exceptional. I hunted high and low for that transcendent gown no one else would have. I worked on my hair for hours – shampooed it, blow-dried it, curled it, sprayed it … and hated it. I repeated this process over, and over, until I was satisfied (yes, to be 17 and obsessive).

I did find a charming, light pink “Gone with the Wind” ball gown (very ’80s). I wore white gloves with a white fan in hand and a light pink birthstone ring my mother gave me (a beautiful accessory, but one I now regret wearing over my white gloves).

My date showed up looking dapper with a matching pink bowtie, cummerbund and tails, and a pretty corsage with three light pink roses for me. The customary parental embarrassment went on, while family members snapped pictures of us before we headed off to meet our friends for dinner.

As we walked to his car I was feeling pretty confident about my dress; I even thought my hair was looking favorable (after five hours work and six different hairstyles). But I got a little worried when I saw that my chariot – my date brought his brother’s black Trans Am with the T-top off.

Next thing I know, I’m Sally Fields in a scene from “Smokey and Bandit” with a lead-foot junior Burt Reynolds burning up the pavement. My beautiful ball gown was fluttering in my face, and my hair wrapped twice around my head and stuck to my lip gloss, gooing up my disastrous windblown ’do.

By the time I showed up at the prom, my mother looked at me as if she’d seen a ghost and asked what happened? “Don’t ask,” I growled, “just give me your brush and don’t take any pictures.”

After recovering from the Mad Max car ride, I did calm down and the rest of the evening turned out to be a blast. I still laugh when I look at the pictures of that night.

Prom rule #1: Don’t get into any convertibles for prom night, be sure all windows, sunroofs and removable T-tops are shut, and demand that your date drive at the legal speed limit.

Rule #2: Finding the right gown will make or break your night. You want to feel good with your choice (and not share that choice with three others).

Rule #3: Head down to Farah’s Special Occasions & Bridal at 110 Fleet St. in Portsmouth. Owner Farah Ahadi, in business for five years, has helped many women with some of life’s biggest decisions, from the coming-of-age ritual of the prom dress to their special wedding day gown.

Farah says girls today treat the prom as though they’re hitting the red carpet for a big affair. They plan months in advance for the special night, finding the right dress, tanning, getting manicures and pedicures, and spending hours at the salon for the perfect hairdo.

Farah offers an array of red carpet-inspired designs, with intricate bead work, stunning fabrics in shimmering colors and a variety of styles to choose from – prom gowns, senior formal dresses, wedding gowns, bridesmaid dresses, or that cute dress for a special night out.

She also carries tuxedos for the boys, with every color of bowtie and cummerbunds that will complement their dates’ dresses.

Farah travels to Atlanta every August for a huge dress show to select the newest and most popular prom gowns. What’s the most popular look for 2007? The girls this year seem to like sleek, elegant dresses, and some still go for the old favorite, princess-style gowns. Colors are rich and deep this season, including turquoise frost, plum passion, tangerine, mulberry and gold.

Selected from top designer collections like Jovani, Terani, Mori, Lee, Alyce, Jessica McClintock and Flirt by (Maggie Soltero), these gowns run anywhere from $200 to $600 depending on the dress, said Farah.

The shop has most every accessory you’ll need to complete your outfit with shoes, jewelry, tiaras and dainty handbags. Having trouble getting to the shop during business hours? No worries, she’ll schedule around your needs. Fittings, alterations, even dying of shoes are all done right on the premises.

So, are girls still worried about showing up to prom in the same gown? “Yes, definitely that’s the biggest worry,” said Farah, who keeps a registry to make sure she does not sell the same dress to girls who are from the same school (of course, the registry doesn’t solve the problem completely).

Farah wants her clients to know she strives for the best possible customer service. “I want to give 100 percent satisfaction,” she said, “even if it means directing my customers to another shop to find the perfect dress they’re looking for so they are happy in the end.”

And for you girls thinking ahead to next year’s prom, Farah has a huge sale in June, offering 30 percent off or more on all leftover prom wear.

Debbie Breneman
Fashionista

If you have a shop, a sale, or fun fashions or products you'd like to see mentioned here, email dbreneman@seacoastonline.com.

Posted by at 08:49 PM | Comments (0)

Grammys, not so glam!

The Grammy Awards have never been as popular as the Golden Globes or the Oscars, especially when it comes to glamorous fashions. However, I’ve always loved watching the Grammys for a few reasons – to root for my fave bands, of course, but mostly for its “anything goes” reputation with fashion. Remember J.Lo’s infamous Versace palm tree green dress with the plunging V-neckline giving a peep show of her goods back in 2000? Another of my not-so-favorite looks (2004) was Mary J Blige’s yellow feather Marabou Gucci jacket and dress that made her look like big bird.

I was slightly disappointed with this year’s show. There was basically zero shock and awe. I didn’t see the usual rock-star edgy fashions or jaw-dropping frocks. There was virtually no juicy gossip, and Justin didn’t even take home Album of the Year.

Nevertheless, I’ve always loved the relationship between music and fashion. Nelly Furtado showed up in a white and gold shredded strapless dress. Pink wore a liquid sleek Hervé Leger gown. And Fergie wore a custom-made Badgley Mischka couture silver metallic lace mini dress with black diamond crystal embroidery, showing off her
fergilious legs.

Nelly Furtado was my top fashion pick of the night, though most fashion critics don’t agree. One said she looked as if she just stepped off the ice after a skating recital. I thought Nelly was stunning. What can I say, I love white and gold embellishments this season.

Scarlett Johansson wore a sexy, flirty little black number with a fitted corset by Monique Lhuillier; her hair was long, luscious and untamed – a complete change from her usual 1950s updo glam. Her makeup was clean, sultry and done to perfection. Word on the carpet – all the men were drooling buckets.

I thought most of the fashion choices were too safe, senior formal-ish, not to mention boring. And a couple were just ugh, like Mandy Moore; she looked like she was at a 1969 high school prom. It was reported that she found her dress at a thrift shop in Paris. Here’s a tip: The trick when buying thrift stores goods is not to look like you just walked out of a thrift store.

My worst-dressed pick of the night goes to Imogen Heap’s outfit that was designed by a fan. She looked like Mary Poppins on meth, with ganja growing out of her hair. The dress was hideous, with plastic daisy flowers glued to it and, yes, white boots. Somebody needs an intervention here.

My girl Mary J. Blige turned it out not only with her three wins (Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for "Be Without You," best R&B Album for “The Breakthrough.” and Best R&B song), but she put on spectacular performances and scored major points wearing one of my favorite designers, a Michael Kors nude-colored, V-neck beaded gown with a metallic belt.

Justin Timberlake rocked the house, winning two Grammys, working his metrosexuality with a grey Prada tuxedo and throwing down his best moves on stage. The much-hyped “My Grammy Moment” was worth the wait, as winner (and birthday girl) Robyn Troup joined Justin on stage, sounding like a natural and looking adorable in her plum ruffle mini dress.

And who didn’t fall in love with John Mayer, John Legend and Corinne Bailey Rae with their soft, sweet, laid-back sounds? The Gnarls Barkley duo (Cee-Lo and Danger Mouse) drove the crowd crazy with “Crazy” – wow, what a voice on that guy – and the whole airline pilot look was a total takeoff.

The Dixie Chicks were the night’s top winners (five statues, including Album of the Year) as voters sent a message to the Bush administration and Chicks haters alike. However, I’m not ready to make nice about Natalie Maines’ shapeless black Hefty bag of a gown.

That’s all from your armchair fashion reporter. See you at the Oscars.

Debbie Breneman,
fashionista

If you have a shop, a sale, or fun fashions or products you'd like to see mentioned here, email dbreneman@seacoastonline.com.

Posted by at 08:15 PM | Comments (0)

Tips for a hearty Valentine’s Day

Remember back in elementary school, the box of cards your parents bought you to give your classmates on Valentine’s Day? They said, “Be mine,” “I love you,” “I’m yours” and “Kiss me.” I always wanted to know why I was asking everybody in my class to be my Valentine. Even then this seemed a little strange and embarrassing to me. Yuck!

I’ve heard many origins of Valentine’s Day since my childhood, but the story I grew up with was about lovebirds. I guess long ago in the Middle Ages, every February birds would come together and choose a mate, and it soon became known as a time when people (lovers) would send letters and presents, and express their love to each other.

Nevertheless, I still didn’t get why I was supposed to want to love everybody in second grade?

As an adult, of course, the holiday makes more sense to me – having one special Valentine, not 24. It also brings memories of my own courtship with my husband before we were married, the feeling of butterflies and excitement of falling in love around the special holiday, Valentine’s Day.

Without sounding too nauseating, my love story began at the Metro. It holds very special memories for my husband and me. It may sound cliché, but we referred to the Metro restaurant as our place (needless to say, the recent closing of our quaint romantic restaurant was upsetting to us).

Many nights, we would meet and listen to romantic piano music playing in the background, munch on Gardetto’s (they had the best bar snacks in town) and of course their fabulous food, talk and gaze into each others eyes, until we knew it was meant to be.

He asked me to marry him that summer on a Wells Beach vacation. We awakened early for a walk on the beach, and – as the waves and the sunrise slowly peeked over the horizon – he recited a special poem he wrote with ring in hand. How could I say no?

We had a Portsmouth-style downtown wedding at the grand Old North Church, beautiful pictures at Prescott Park, and a really cool reception at the Muddy River. I’ll spare you too many details, but here we are two and a half years later, still lovebirds.

We all love a good love story, especially our own, and Valentine’s Day is a celebration of your love, showing your sweetheart just how you feel, how you still feel. So make your own memories – showering your bird with a little romance, with love potion “valentini” cocktails (see recipe below), chocolates, lingerie or a perfect candlelight dinner at your own special place.

If you’re having trouble coming up with the perfect gift and the perfect night, no worries. I’ve compiled a list of shops and ideas to find that perfect something, for that perfect someone.

1. I hear the highest percentages of engagements happen on Valentine’s Day, and jewelry is definitely on the top of my list for great Valentine’s gifts. Jewelry is everlasting, plus let’s not forget it’s a girl’s best friend. For jewelry stores where the service is excellent and the quality is impeccable, head down to Bellman’s at 78 Market St., Suite #4 or Alie Jewelers at 1 Market St.
2. Mainely Gourmet Chocolate Factory, 55 Hanover St. Chocolates just have a way of making you feel good no matter what, especially when they are gourmet. Check out their truffles and turtles, old favorites and new, like their very popular “evil chips,” and their raspberry, chambord, white chocolate desert sauces for a yummy Valentine’s Day.

3. Stiletto Shoes, 28 Deer St. The way to a women’s heart is through her feet with a great pair of shoes. Marlene Allen, owner, and Gaby Miohaven, store manager, are fashion authorities who will help you find fabulous shoes or hook you up with the hottest handbags.

4. Ashley & Victoria, 33 Deer St. #1A. You’ll need a hot dress for your hot night. Owner Terri Beyer carries contemporary women's apparel and has lots of great couture brands. Terri’s shop is impeccable and she will help you find that perfect Valentine’s outfit that will leave him speechless.

5. Get away for your romantic night, even if it’s right down the street. Stay at the very elegant Hilton Garden Inn or the Sheraton Harborside Portsmouth, with treatment that will leave you both feeling like a queen and king – room service, a bottle of bubbly and chocolates, for a memorable night.

6. Jardiniere at 28 Deer St. Start your love story off right – send flowers. There’s something about a big bouquet making its way to your desk, opening the card and reading those three words, “I love you.” But call ahead. As you know February 14th is the busiest day of the year for florists! Vinny and Kathy Colella are the owners and work at the shop every day, and will make sure your arrangement is special.

7. La Femme Intimates, 59 Deer St., offers the finest European and sexy designer lingerie that is a must-have on Valentines Day. Owner Irene Rhodes has a huge collection and a diverse size selection. And fellows, don’t miss the Men’s Night Out show on Saturday, Feb. 10, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Sheraton complex. Models will showcase the latest in fashions; you don’t want to miss this collection of beautiful lingerie for your special Valentine.

8. Cat got your tongue? Having trouble finding those perfect words? Let the Paper Patch at 31 Market St. say it for you. They have a great selection of cards that say what you’re thinking.

9. The setting of your romantic story is important, and this means picking the perfect restaurant with ambience, first-class service and incredible food. My top Portsmouth picks are Anthony Alberto’s at 59 Penhallow St. (call ahead for reservation: 436-4000) and Bella Luna at 10 Market St. (436-9800). Both restaurants have a unique atmosphere, and great Italian cuisine made with a lot of heart.

10. End your romantic love story night by dimming the lights, kicking off those stilettos and kicking back with a nice bottle of wine from South Street and Wine 261 South St. And that’s where I split and Cupid comes in.

Debbie Breneman
Shoppingista

(Valentini ingredients: vodka, champagne, raspberry schnapps, lime, ice, martini shaker, rose pedals).

If you have a shop, a sale, or fun fashions or products you'd like to see mentioned here, email dbreneman@seacoastonline.com.

Posted by at 07:04 PM | Comments (0)

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