Oscar Nominations Dress Challenge: 2012

Happy New Year, everyone!  I hope you are all off to a great start to 2012.  I'm two for two on workout days and my house is the most organized it has ever been thanks to my holiday vacation clean out.  This week kicks off a whirlwind two months for me.  My work will take me to 4 cities all while trying to cover awards season.  It makes my head spin, but I am so excited about this year's slate of films and I cannot wait to cover all of the action.

Like last year, I will be covering the 84th Annual Academy Awards nominations live from the Samuel Goldwyn Theatre on January 24th.  I am so excited to be returning for all of the excitement and waking up at 2AM for hair and makeup.  YES!  Since I had so much fun with last year's dress challenge, I am officially announcing this year's Oscar Nominations Dress Challenge.  The rules are similar to last year, but here they are:

1.  It is not a red carpet event.  So, I am looking for a dress that is simple, classic and understated.  Think of a DVF wrap dress or a Jackie O. sheath.  I am short (5'3"), so I want to show off my legs versus lots of cleavage (which I don't have anyway) to give the illusion of height.  I love shoes, so I want to pick something hot and sassy from my shoe wardrobe.  One note from last year, even though I want a dress to show off my legs, please no so-short-I-can-see-your-hoo-ha dresses.  The Oscar Nominations are a very conservative event, so I'd like to keep it that way.

2.  I will be working at 5AM PT that day.  I want a dress that is easy, comfortable, and not fussy.  I hate pulling and tugging at my dress because I feel self-conscious.

3.  I like color.  It looks great on camera and adds brightness to my face since my hair is currently light blonde.  Please avoid red or crazy patterns because they have a tendency to moray on camera.

4.  The budget is important.  Let's keep the dress under $200 and it has to be available online in sizes 2      or 4.

Last year's winner was a dress by Banana Republic in deep violet.  It was perfect, comfortable, showed a little leg, and it had pockets (total bonus!).  I think we should avoid the same color for this year, but you guys have a pretty good guideline this year for what I am looking for.

The Challenge:  Can you help me find a dress?  I know so many of you are fashionistas out there with amazing style and taste.  Add the links in the comments section below or on Facebook or Twitter and I will post some of the best ones to vote on. (Make sure to post the exact link to the exact dress you are picking for me.) After last year's enthusiastic responses, I cannot wait to see what you guys pick for me this year.  Don't forget, the winner gets a $25 gift certificate to the store of their choice.  U.S. residents only, entries must be in by Wednesday, January 11th at Midnight ET.  The two finalists will be announced on Monday, January 16th and the winner will be revealed on Tuesday, January 24th.  On your mark...get set...SHOP!

The Friday Five

Here we go right smack in the middle of the holiday season. I have family coming in today, so things will be loud and busy at Chez Burtt.  I hope you all have a fun weekend of eating, spending time with family, and taking a minute or two to work out or at least walk it off.  (Easier said than done, I know!) With that, let's get right to the Friday Five:

1.  Holidays:  Oh, this photo was taken just a few years ago....now that you've stopped laughing, you have to love that my mom coordinated my outfit with Santa.  In true KB form, I am more interested in striking the right pose for the camera (chin down, eyes up) than I am in Santa.  I'm also thinking about that lollipop in my hands.  Three seconds to a sugar rush!  And, oh yeah, that's my real hair color.

2.  The Artist:  If you are looking for a movie to see this holiday season, look no further than The Artist.  It's a true love letter to the history of film, sound, and music.  Be prepared as there is only about a minute of true sound or talking in this film, but enjoy getting lost in the incredible score by Ludovic Bource which tells a dramatic and moving story.  I love that a film like this could get made in 2011 given half the junk I have to see for my job involves remakes, guns, 3D, and generally, uninspired writing. I expect a lot of nominations for this film on January 24th, the day the Academy Award nominations are announced.

3.  The Dress:  Yes, I am going to need a dress for the 84th Annual Academy Award announcements again.  For those of you that were around last year, I ran a contest to find a dress for the obscenely, yet exciting, early morning.  The rules are going to remain the same and I am posting a photo of the winning dress which turned out to be the perfect example of what I am looking for.  I will formerly announce this contest the first week of January, but those of you who want to get started early can either leave me links in the comments section or post a photo on my Facebook wall.  Remember, I have to be able to order this online since I will be traveling for most of the month.  Again, here are the rules.  Happy Shopping, and yes, there will be a gift certificate for the winner!

4.  Holiday Greetings:  One of the media outlets I work for, Mingle Media TV, came up with a really fun holiday video.  It was fun looking at some of the events I covered in 2011 for Red Carpet Report.  Watch for me at the 0:06-0:38 mark.

5. The Store:  I am happy to say that we have our first donations to The Thirst Project with the sales from the store.  There is still a week left in the month, so I will announce the total for December 2011 in a Friday Five during the month of January.  Remember, "Water is a human right, join the fight". If you would like to donate, click here.

With that, I am going to wrap it up here at Red Carpet Closet.  Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy Hannakuh!  I will post a bit next with with more of my Best of 2011 lists.

The Dress Challenge: More Selections

I cannot believe the response to this challenge.  It confirms that you like to shop, you have good taste, and you have been hard at work shopping for me.  Someone even gave me 13 options to choose from!  I have a lot of new selections to post that really stand out in my mind.  Let me know what you think of some of the options from Friday's post and today.  Remember, you have until Wednesday at Midnight ET to enter.  All of the rules are here.  This decision won't be easy.

Let's see some of the latest frontrunners:

From Krystyn:  Julie Dillion, Nordstrom, $178

Ah, the first green dress of the bunch.  I love this color, the simplicity, and the belt.

From Krystyn AND Kimberly:  Cynthia Steffe, Bloomingdale's, $110.25

So cute that TWO of you selected this dress.  The color is perfect for the camera, the neckline is asymmetrical perfection, and the layering of the fabric flatters the front of the dress.

From Roni B:  Yep, this Roni B.  The amazing woman who styles a lot of my looks has even jumped in this challenge.  This time, with accessories.  

You will see that this is a very "KB" look, especially with that belt in the mix.  I think I want a little more color for this event, but I may be stopping by Roni's for a closer look at the outfit.  I am sure there is something I could wear this to..... 

From Bentoboxx:  Adrianna Papell, Nordstrom, $148

I am a huge fan of this shade of purple and this dress is available in petite sizes--score! This is probably one I would also hem above the knee.  It's all about the shoes and a little leg.  

From Rebecca:  Tahari by Arthur S. Levine, Nordstrom, $118

A very Jackie O look and the first one of the bunch.  The color is gorgeous and the simplicity is divine.

The Dress Challenge: A First Look

Thank you for rising to The Dress Challenge.  I am so happy that many of you are excited and shopping online for my big event.  I want to show you some of the entries that I have so far. It is not all of them, but it certainly gives you an idea of what is catching my eye. I will showcase a few dresses the next couple of days to show off what great taste in fashion you all have. Keep them coming, I am having a blast with your choices.

Take a look at some of my virtual wardrobe:

From Andrea:   Dress by ModCloth (a favorite of mine), $162.99
Not a ton of color for camera, but this is so feminine.  I would get a lot of wear out of this. 

From Robin:  Lauren by Ralph Lauren, Nordstrom, $124.
Love this color, classic design, might want to shorten to show a little more leg.

From Lula:  Banana Republic, $150

This one hits almost everything I am looking for: color, a little leg, yet classic.  

If you want to enter your choice for my on-camera wardrobe for Nominations Day, here are the rules.  Remember, there is a $25 gift certificate at the store of your choice at stake!