To my mind, the 2011 Oscars delivered the most stunning red carpet to date.  For the most part, the stars looked like stars and tailored elegance was the theme.

While most everyone looked gorgeous, a few dresses stood out as knock-outs that I wish I could take credit for designing.

Dear Dahl,

What pieces should I add to my college girl wardrobe to make it more “grown up”?

xo @KelsJanae’s

With the addition of “Dear Dahl”, I’ve opened up the Dahlight content to you.  Being that I’m thoroughly bored by seeing the same tired fashion topics be re-worked, re-edited and re-published by the majority of respected fashion media month after month, year after year (you get the point), I thought I would find out what topics my fellow fashionistas were interested in learning more about.

With the help of Twitter, I recently asked you what was on your gorgeous mind.  Seems your pretty little heads are quite busy as the queries have been flowing in.  I’m especially happy to learn that you’re interested in many aspects of the fashion industry, beyond just style and beauty, so I have a lot of work ahead of me in order to make good on my goal to answer your inspiring queries.

Antonia Herringbone Tailcoat by Rugby, Ralph Lauren

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So, without further delay, let’s get this “Dear Dahl” project on its way and respond to @KelsJanae’s question:

To begin, let me just admit that I was not a stylish college student.  From the photos I’ve uncovered, it seems my frizzy, asymmetric, bobbed hair was a different color every month.  Being involved in various clubs (and being a brief member of AXO) meant that all I wore were big, boxy, over-sized tee-shirts made of stiff, rough cotton and decorated with event logos screened from front to back.  Most of the time this flattering tee would be paired with high-waisted, acid-wash, pleated jeans and chinos.  Horrors!

Things have changed a bit since my time on campus, thankfully for you, so for this answer I’m calling on my more mature experiences as a designer and stylist.

Dottie Cloche by Cha Cha's House of Ill Repute

First off, I always believe that it’s best to dress your age.  The goal for a college student should be to look capable, mature and put together.  Not older.  The few pieces I’ve chosen will help bring a classic refinement to any basic wardrobe and the look will last you for years to come.

• Tweed jacket – choose one with an updated take on the classic that can be layered with graphic tees, sweaters, shirts and hoodies.

• Crisp white tunic-length button-down shirt – wear it with leggings, jeans, skirts and trousers.

• Plenty of cardigans – to replace the proverbial sweatshirt.  Incorporate both over sized and fitted alike for endless layering options.

Brenkley Pea Coat by Burberry

• Hats – a driver cap, trilby or cloche can each work its way into your daily style but be careful not to buy into the current “disposable” hat trend and rather opt for a head topper made by a milliner with classic artistry.  It will cost more but you’ll have it forever.

• Pleated high-waisted A-line skirt – the classic silhouette will suit any personality.

• Shift dress – an item that’s a blank canvas.  Dress it up or down, wear it to interviews and to the movies.

• Jeans that are clean and tailored – always avoid trendy pocket art and bedazzling

• Opaque tights and leggings – the trend just won’t go away so embrace comfort while avoiding sweatpants at all costs.

Double Breasted Trench with Pleated Skirt by Burberry

• Overcoat, pea coat or trench – you can make even your yoga clothes look presentable if you cover up with one of these essential pieces.

• Leather blazer – because it will bring out your inner rock star while holding onto remaining

• Long scarves – let your creativity run wild and decorate your head, waist and shoulders as well as your neck.

• Great bag – you’re schlepping everything, so do it in style and remember that this is likely your most important accessory.

• Slouchy black booties

• Riding boots

• Oxfords, loafers, ballet flats

Berry Oxford Bootie by Jeffrey Campbell

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• Converse – because they’re comfy, classic and cool.

• Headbands – will make even your bed-head presentable and offers more flair than simply tying your locks back with a band.

• A good haircut – your hair is always on your head, so make it look good!  More hair articles here:  Keratin, Dye it Yourself, Olive Oil Treatments

• A Little make up – don’t overdo it!  Think clean and fresh, not caked and flashy.

With the arrival Spring, I was due for a hair makeover.  So, I chopped my ‘do’ into an edgy bob and got my second keratin treatment.  It’s amazing how a new look has the power to reinvigorate and renew the spirit.

This time around I went with the celebrity recommended Brazilian Blowout instead of the Keratin Complex by Coppola, and I’m amazed at how different the two products are from each other.  So, to add to my previous article on keratin, here’s a more specific look at the Brazilian Blowout process and results.

To begin, I needed to find someone nearby who was well versed in all things keratin and I landed on the fabulous Jordana Lorraine.  Being that she is one of the rare stylists who works with several different keratin products, she fist interviewed me about my hair’s natural texture and the results I wanted.  We spoke about the effect the Coppola treatment had on my hair and we determined that this time around, my fine, wavy, frizzy hair would be best suited for the Brazilian Blowout.

Jordana worked her magic and the treatment made great improvements to my rad new cut – making it effortless to keep the geometric style in place.  My fine hair is free of frizz but still has the natural body and movement that I want.  In comparison, the Coppola product seemed to be a bit more aggressive in that it made each strand of my hair thicker and more course thereby leaving it stick straight and a little stiff.  It goes to follow that the stronger treatments like the Coppola complex are better suited for people with very curly or naturally course hair.

In addition to delivering different final effects, the Brazilian Blowout salon process is quite different too:

1. Shampoo 1 to 3 times with a clarifying shampoo.
2. Towel dry and apply a small amount of the product to damp hair.  There’s no need to dry the hair first and there is no processing time.
3. Blow dry with the product in the hair.
4. Seal in the product with a 450 degree iron.
5. Rinse the treatment out and apply Brazilian Blowout deep conditioning masque.  Rinse, dry and style as desired.

Brazilian Blowout is the only keratin treatment that is rinsed out during your appointment therefore allowing you to see the results immediately.  And, most importantly to me, allowing you to avoid the 24-96 hour waiting period before sweating in your hair, washing it, styling it or being terrified that a ponytail or clip will result in a semi-permanent crimping effect.

As with all other keratin products, sulfate and sodium-chloride free shampoos are recommended to prevent the treatment from fading out, but Brazilian Blowout takes it a bit further.  The company recommends their own Brazilian Blowout Acai Aftercare system of shampoos and conditioners.

The skeptic that I am, my inclination is to believe that this recommendation is just another way for the company to squeeze more cash out of their customers, but they claim that the ’system’ contains many of the active ingredients of the treatment itself so that every time you wash your hair you are actually enhancing the effects.  I don’t know if I really believe all of that but I figure, you have to buy shampoo and conditioner anyway and their product smells delicious, so why not buy into their claims.

Overall, I have been very happy with both the Keratin Complex by Coppola and the Brazilian Blowout, but since I have the luxury of choice given my natural hair texture, I will stick with the later and take my shiny frizz-free coif right to dance class, forgetting all about the after-care ‘rules’.

A big thank you to Jordana Lorraine for sharing her professional expertise, and for helping me look fabulous with little effort .  It goes without saying that if you’re looking for a keratin pro in the LA area, tweet or call for an appointment and, as Jordana likes to say – ‘Kiss Your Frizz Goodbye’.

Though he didn’t take home an Oscar for his most delicious film, A Single Man, it’s my opinion that Tom Ford wins a (gilded) gold for Best Dressed man on the red carpet.  It goes to follow that coming in with a close second is none other than Colin Firth, his talented lead actor who, since the film began, has been impeccably adorned in a variety of Ford’s perfectly tailored suits.

It is said that Ford is currently working on his next film and getting ready to launch a women’s line under his namesake brand.  While his debut film caused some to question if the fashion designer could successfully translate his predisposition for sensuality and his mysteriously vivid aesthetic to the big screen (I admit I was a skeptic), with A Single Man’s artistic and narrative success, movie-goers are anxiously waiting to see what this golden boy turns out next.

It might just lead to him taking home his very own tiny, gilded mannequin.

Men that Showed up on the Red Carpet

As usual, the ladies got all the Red Carpet attention at the Oscars last night. In most cases, stylists and celebrities got together to produce some beautiful looks, sadly though it seemed that some celebs were swallowed by the monsters living in their gowns.

Oscar Monsters

I can understand how being left out of the fashion chatter of the Hollywood ceremony could expose some feelings of male insecurities, so it’s simply wonderful that Jimmy Kimmel is actively working to bring more attention to his fellow handsome brothers through his newly formed and very exclusive club – The Handsome Men’s Club.

Here’s a look at the club’s monthly meeting.  May it shed light on the inequalities of the red carpet and may it encourage us all to more fully celebrate Hollywood’s handsome hotties.

I’m always looking for a way to amp up my workout.  After all, I figure that if I’m gonna get my booty to the gym, and spend precious time and energy on the myriad of activities that make me sweat and deplete my electrolytes, I may as well take it as far as I can.

So, when I came across Bob Harper’s recipe for making your own electrolyte drink, I mixed it into my workout routine immediately.  The result?  A natural, inexpensive, workout booster.  It’s effects compare with all those candy-colored sports drinks that are full of sugar and other random ingredients, but this all natural concoction is all good for your bodacious bod.

Simply mix the following ingredients together and drink.

Yields 1 Liter

1 liter water
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 Tbsp. sea salt
2 Tbsp. agave nectar
(I like to add the juice of 1/2 a lemon for a little extra zing)

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Post Script:
The shoes above are the result of my attempt at designing trainers (with help from the excellent people at NIKE-iD).  To express your creativity and personalize your workout , visit them today!

You probably haven’t been able to avoid all the talk about all the “miraculous” new keratin treatments that promise to give you runway worthy locks.

All the Hollywood starlets are doing it and my fine, frizzy hair wanted to jump on the wagon and see what the hype is all about.  Being the web savvy girl that I am, I picked up my PowerBook and began searching for answers.  But alas, my hunt only turned up frustration as I found myself browsing through a dozen pages, collecting one small tidbit at a painful time.

Thankfully, my stylist is ahead of the curve and agreed that I would love this “life-changing” procedure, so, despite my research deficiency, I threw caution to the wind and booked my appointment.  And my results?  Amaaazing (if I do say so myself).  In the spirit of sharing, I’ve packaged all my research and experience, from the client’s perspective, into this one page so that you can confidently consider the treatment for yourself.

Ladies (and fabulous gentlemen) of the world, I bring you:

LAURA’S KERATIN CLIFF’S NOTES

gorg’ smooth & shiny hair | AFTER Keratin Treatment

Please understand.  I really love food.  Any ethnic menu will do.  I eat Japanese and Vietnamese cuisine at least four times a week, but having lived in France, I always appreciate a nice triple cream cheese, plump pate, and fermented grape goodness.  On a cold winter’s day nothing’s better than saag paneer and chana masala or maybe, a juicy blue cheese burger with rosemary garlic fries.

I obviously don’t think of myself as a health nut, but I do respect my body and like to practice eating in moderation (most of the time).  But, when some people I love recently went through treatment for cancer, I wanted to take more control of my own health and began looking at food as it was originally intended.  As nutrition and fuel.

After reading my fair share of medical, holistic, and off the charts coo-coo literature looking for answers, I came to this revelation. If we consume foods rich in nutrients and we choose natural foods that our body innately knows how to process, it works far less to process those foods so it can spend more time healing itself and fending off disease.

Ok.  I can hear how seriously “granola” I sound right now, so – from one foodie to another, let me just share with you a most unexpected and delicious recipe for a refreshing drink that’s full of all the goodness our bodies are hungry for.  I love to start the day with this yummy elixir, and it also makes for an energizing mid-afternoon treat.    I bring you…

pretty Green Lemade moustache

Green Lemonade
In your juicer, add the following:
2 leaves kale
2 stalks celery
2 medium lemons
1 large cucumber
1 large apple
1″ ginger
Stevia for added sweetness if desired
Pour over ice and enjoy!

Note:  If you don’t own your own juicer, simply take this recipe to your nearest Whole Foods or local juicing counter and have them make it for you!

Looking for a good juicer to invest in?  Check out my favorites below!

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Omega Juicer

Breville Juicer

Juicers I like:
Omega J8005 Nutrition Center Single-Gear Commercial Masticating Juicer, Chrome and Black
Breville 800JEXL Juice Fountain Elite 1000-Watt Juice Extractor

color me pretty

Just because it’s dahlightful to dress up your eyes in colorful paint, and because I hear from so many of my friends that they “can’t get away with” fancying up their face in carefree color, I thought I would share my makeup look for today.

I’ve gone for an electric lime as it’s light enough for day and originates in the Neutral color family but, when used properly, it delivers an unexpected punch.  These eyes can go as easily to the yoga studio as they can to the design studio and they can even take you out on the town for an unexpected lunch date.

Come on ladies, you don’t have to commit to a runway eyelid painted from brow to lash to have some fun with your makeup – truth is, most of us shouldn’t go all the way there.  In the real world, a little color goes a long way, and nothing will put a twinkle in your eye the way energetic shadow will.

what I used
Make Up For Ever eyeshadow in color No. 304, Diamond Lime

what I did
I primed the entire lid with a light pink, natural shimmer then used my Stila double sided brush to apply the punchy shadow liner.  Today I applied a thin line of color to both the upper and lower lids, but often I simply apply a bolder, thicker line (covering half the space between my lash and crease) to the top only.

* To get the brightest color and best consistency from the shadow I wet my brush with water and then pick up the color with the damp brush.  You’ll find the shadow goes on with ultimate smoothness and creates the optimal opaque effect that you want for this bright look.

Finish off with your trusty dark mascara, and you’re good to go!  But be careful, there’s no telling how your juiced up lids will affect your mood, so wait a few hours before operating heavy machinery.

some things to consider
*Choose a color that flatters your skin tone and makes your eyes pop.
*Don’t get caught up with matching your eyeshadow to your outfit.  Bold contrasting colors are best.
*Too much is too much.  When choosing attention deserving eyeshadow, opt for monochromatic clothing so as not to compete.
*Focus on one element.  The old rule applies – if you choose bright eyeshadow, go with a neutral lip.
*Have fun with it!  You can always wash off any mistakes and start over.

As most of you know, I’m a bit crazy when it comes to protecting my face from the sun (check out my SPF post).  This summer though, I’ve taken my protective prowess to a whole new level by including driving gloves in my repertoire.

I know it may sound extreme but I’ve heard that hands are the first things to age and I personally don’t want my hands to look like Yoda while my face stays plump and smooth like the proverbial baby bottom.  Putting those two things together is just plain creepy.

You can Google how to prevent hands from aging and everyone will give you the same advice:

Moisturize
Exfoliate
Use sunscreen
Wear gloves when working with chemicals
Wear gloves when gardening
Wear gloves in cold weather

BUT – no one recommends wearing gloves while in the sun (though I suspect that if China opened up their restrictions on the internet we would get plenty of new sun protection advice).

Again, I’m perfectly happy to stand out as the one freak who thinks this makes good sense.  I’ll leave it to you to decide if you want to join the freak train with me.  Just in case you’re on board, here are some sources for cool and attractive gloves.

Glove It stained glass glove

NOTES
1.  I’m not recommending those gloves made specifically for sun protection due to purely aesthetic reasons.  They’re hideous.  The gloves I’ve chosen are designed for other, athletic, purposes but they double as UV protective driving gloves.  That said, please ensure that you read the fine print as most golf and tennis gloves are sold individually so you’ll need to buy the right and left hand separately (unless you’re going for an eclectic mix of baby bottom and Yoda).

2.  Also, steer clear of the brand Evertan or Lady First altogether.  They are made with netting that allows sun to penetrate through the glove which obviously defeats the whole purpose.

For those of you with long fingernails and a huge engagement rock try Lady Classic

For you divas with unique flair and a loud personality check out Glove it

Walter Genuin golf glove

Those athletic types out there might love to jump right in and shop REI’s vast collection of gloves made for cycling, paddling, hiking, you name it.

As for me, I’m just rockin’ my classic Walter Genuin gloves.  I love the two-toned designs and variety of color options.

I’m well aware that wearing gloves in the summer might attract attention, but I suspect that the King of Pop would approve.