And the award goes to ...

Rooney Mara, 2012 Oscars in Givenchy.

Rooney Mara, 2012 Oscars in Givenchy.

Within this post are my favorite gowns  from the 84th Academy Awards.  I decided not to regurgitate all gowns - or even the 'misses.'  Why post the travesty worn by Angelina Jolie? (Yes, we're proud and excited you have a right leg - but how did you stand like that all evening? Did you practice?)  Maybe it wouldn't have been that bad if donned by someone who doesn't look like they'd been hung out to dry on the clothes line a month ago;  but I digress - google it if you want to see it.  Glorious and glamorous is what I want on my blog and that is what you will see here - hit after hit.  And the award of the evening goes to, in my humble opinion, Rooney Mara in Givenchy.  How can you go wrong with the go-to label for screen goddesses such as Audrey Hepburn? And We'll take a moment to remember some great moments of Audrey Hepburn and Givenchy (of course).  Other notables for most favorite from the red carpet, Claire Danes in hot pink Valentino and Natalie Portman donning a vintage Christian Dior haute couture 1954 frock.

Rooney Mara, 2012 Oscars in Givenchy.

Audrey Hepburn, Givenchy.

Audrey Hepburn, Givenchy, 1960.

Audrey Hepburn in Givenchy. Right - domed jade hat, Givenchy 1964.

Natalie Portman in vintage Christian Dior 1954.

Natalie Portman in vintage Christian Dior 1954. Courtesy of The Fashion Court.

Claire Danes dons Valentino.

Claire Danes dons Valentino.

Michelle Williams in Louis Vuitton.

Kristin Wiig in J. Mendel

Jessica Chastain dressed in Alexander McQueen

springtime tending

Couture Derby Hat by Arturo Rios

Mini tillandsia airplants from Petit Beast

Etched Arcadia Mural by Over & Over for Anthropologie

Downton Abbey

Amelia Gown from the J.Crew Collection

Leifsdottir

Audrey Hepburn found image.

Victorian filigree faux pearl & brooch necklace by ADORN by Samouce

Lita Gown (detail) by Catherine Deane for BHLDN

Ten Swans by Kelly Louise Judd (Swan Bones Theater)

hilarity with paper dolls

Matthew & Mary Now with even more sexual tension! ... also includes Mr. Pamuk!

You can thank my mother for pointing out the blog post on Vulture.com for the printable paper dolls featuring some of our beloved characters from Masterpiece Theater's Downton Abbey.  I just had to share them with you.  Print, pose and create your own Season 3 whilst we all eagerly await the arrival of the real one ... (and send me photos, please!).  Visit Vulture.com for links to the printable .pdfs and to fully appreciate the detail of Kyle Hilton's illustrations. xo Kyle, you've made my day.

Dowager Countess includes range of emotions: judgmental through eye-rolling

Sybil Crawley with female empowerment accessories!

Thomas & O'Brien with conspiring action & evil playset!

(some of) The Women of Downton

Last week I set about posting a photo-blog on the topic of Downton Abbey. 
If you weren't aware, it is Masterpiece Theater's wildly successful miniseries on an Edwardian manor house thrown topsy-turvy into World War I.  However there are so many wonderful photos out there of the characters, set, actors off the set and behind the scenes that the post would, well, go on forever.  I enjoy television as much as the next but rarely, if ever,  have I been compelled by the set, characters and story to discuss and post about it on my blog or personal Facebook on a regular basis.  I've found myself discussing the historical significance of the manor house and the transition out of the Edwardian age on number of occasions with friends recently because of Downton.  I love this program.