Friday, September 29, 2017

You Can Take This Job and...Give It a Big Hug

I wasn't particularly looking for a job. Admittedly, I've thought about going back to work part-time now that my kids are in first and second grade, but the only jobs I could think of that would fit my schedule were clerking at a grocery store or a shoe store, which didn't particularly appeal. So, since there was no urgent financial need for me to go back to work, I held off. But about a month ago, the perfect job kind of fell into my lap.

It all happened pretty suddenly. One Monday, I got a message from a friend that I had met through theatre who teaches at the local high school, saying that the part-time seamstress position for their fine arts department was open, and wondering if I might be interested. Let me think about it, I said. She contacted me the next day asking if I'd be willing to talk to the Fine Arts Director about the position. Sure, I said. He called me and asked if I could come in for an interview on Thursday. At the interview, he offered me the position on the spot, I accepted (also on the spot), and I started the following Monday.

And I LOVE it.

Honestly, if I could have written a job description for my ideal job right now, this would be it. I'm sewing and altering costumes and formal wear, which I LOVE. I'm coming up with creative costumes from stock pieces with a minimal budget, which I LOVE. I'm working with high school kids, which I LOVE. I'm on a team with fabulously creative performing arts teachers, which I LOVE. My office is across the hall from the band and chorus rooms, so I get to listen to their rehearsals all day, which I LOVE. My "office" (aka a dressing room with a large desk with a sewing machine on it) is far enough off the beaten path that I don't have lots of people around all the time, but there are a handful of people who drop in regularly, giving my introverted self the exact amount of human interaction that I need, which I LOVE. The hours are flexible and allow me to see my kids off on the bus in the morning and be home in time to be dropped off in the afternoon, which I LOVE. I'm in the same school system as my kids, which means that when my kids have off for school vacations, snow days, teacher development days, and miscellaneous holidays, I have off too, which I LOVE.

And on top of the fact that this job is perfect for me, I'm also perfect for it. My seamstress skills are in costuming rather than clothing, which is a surprisingly different skill. Sewing clothes requires strict precision and neatness, taking time to make sure that all the details can pass up close scrutiny. Sewing costumes requires flexibility, creativity, and speed, constructing items in a such a way that they can be altered without being damaged, getting things done as quickly and simply as possible, making sure that they can pass scrutiny at a distance but not necessarily up close, and allowing for quick changes by the wearer. Making costumes for a school (or a community theatre group) is often not a case of creating exactly what you want, but creating something that's reasonably similar to exactly what you want but that can be made from pieces you already have or can get for really cheap. It's the same kind of work I've been doing for years as a costume designer, coordinator, and assistant in community theatre, right down to the small stock and budget. It's the kind of challenge that invigorates me instead of frustrating me. And on top of all that, I'm familiar with the odd relationship that the high school has with the Reagle Theatre with which it shares resources, and I know the Reagle staff (as well as the previous holder of this position), so it makes it much easier to navigate any overlap of resources and to ask for help.

But what really makes me realize that this job and I are perfect for each other is that I get up in the morning looking forward to going to work. And I don't mind staying late - in fact, sometimes I'm a little sad to go. Doing what I'm doing makes me happy. I admit, I'm sure there will be times when I'm less than eager to work, and times when I'm frustrated or overwhelmed, and times when I'm slogging through rather than enjoying. But I'm proud of what I do, and I know I'm good at it, and I know that there aren't a lot of people who could do it. And that's pretty exciting and invigorating.

I consider myself fortunate that I can take on a position that's less than full time, and that isn't making a large salary. I consider myself fortunate that I can use my funky and unusual skill set to benefit young people learning and growing in the fine arts. I consider myself fortunate that my husband fully supports my doing what I do, to the point where he is willing to rearrange his schedule when necessary. I consider myself fortunate that my kids think it's totally cool that I have a job, and they think that my job itself is totally cool. I consider myself fortunate that my job makes me happy. I just want to give it a big hug.

(Note: This is not me. I do not have a beard. Or a tattoo. But I have been known to hug sewing machines.)


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Sunday, September 24, 2017

Cider Cocktails

I haven't posted a cocktail blog in quite a while, and with the changing of the seasons, I'd say I'm about due. This time of year I love to take advantage of the seasonal flavors: pumpkin, cider, cinnamon, apples, cranberry. But probably the most versatile of all these flavors in cocktail making is cider. It's great warm or chilled, it's delicious in alcoholic and non-alcoholic form, it blends well with either sweet or tart ingredients. So today's blog is entirely cider-based drinks. Enjoy!

Warm Maple Bourbon Cider

This recipe can easily be made as a single serving, but if you have a houseful of guests, make up a big batch in the crockpot!

For a single serving, combine the following in a saucepan over low heat: 1 cup cider, 1 shot (~3 tablespoons) bourbon, 1 tablespoon real maple syrup, and 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice. For 8 servings, combine 8 cups cider, 2 cups bourbon, 1/2 cup maple syrup, and 4 tablespoons lemon juice. Serve warm.

Cider Mimosa

OK, technically mimosas are meant to be a brunch accompaniment, but I don't see any reason you can't have a champagne cocktail before (or after) dinner, especially if it's a cider mimosa served in front of the fireplace. 

Moisten the rim of a champagne flute with cider and dip it in cinnamon sugar, then place in the freezer to set. When ready, fill flutes 1/4 full with cider and top with champagne. Garnish with a thin apple slice. 

Hot Buttered Cider with Rum

This variation on an old favorite, Hot Buttered Rum, is just labor-intensive enough to be worth saving until you have a crowd to enjoy it. Toss it in the crockpot and let it simmer away all night long. 

In a large pot, bring half a gallon of cider to a simmer over medium heat, then reduce heat to low. Stir in 1/2 cup butter (cut into pieces), 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon cloves, and 1/8 teaspoon salt. Continue stirring until butter and sugar are completely dissolved. Keep warm until ready to serve, then ladle into mugs, top with a shot of rum, and garnish with a cinnamon stick. 

Cider Sangria


Most people think of sangria as a summer recipe, but this delicious fall variation marinates apples and cranberries in cider, cranberry juice, and wine for a fresh autumnal treat.

Dice two apples and toss with lemon juice, then place into a large pitcher along with 1/2 cup fresh cranberries. Pour 1 cup cider, 1/4 cup cranberry juice, 1 bottle white wine, and 1 cup seltzer into the pitcher. Stir to combine, then cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. Serve with thin apple slices as garnish.

Fireball Slushies

Cider is delicious hot, but it's equally delicious cold - even frozen into slush! Fireball whiskey provides the heat in this unusual hot-and-cold cocktail.

Combine 1 cup ice, 1 cup cider, and 1/4 cup Fireball in a blender and blend until combined. Garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Caramel Apple Martini
Along with its sister cocktail, the candy apple martini, this is one of my favorite fall cocktails. It's best when made with a slightly tart cider to counteract the sweetness of the caramel, although it also makes a lovely dessert drink if you ramp up the sweetness a bit. 

Moisten the rim of a martini glass with cider then dip in cinnamon sugar. Drizzle inside of glass with caramel syrup, if desired. Chill in the freezer. In a shaker over ice, combine 2 parts cider, 2 parts vodka, and 1 part butterscotch schnapps and shake until well chilled. Pour into prepared glass and garnish with an apple wedge. 

Pumpkin-Cider Fizz
This cocktail combines two of my favorite fall ingredients: pumpkin and cider. And don't substitute ginger ale for ginger beer - the ginger beer gives it a great, rich, fall flavor!

In a cocktail shaker over ice, combine 1-1/2 ounces pumpkin puree (fresh or canned), 1-1/2 ounces vanilla vodka (or regular vodka and a dollop of Tuaca), and 2 ounces cider. Shake until chilled and strain into a highball glass, then top with 1-1/2 ounces ginger beer. 

Northwood #2
This elegant cocktail packs a surprising warmth with its combination of rum and brandy. 

In a cocktail shaker over ice, combine 3 tablespoons rum, 2 tablespoons brandy, 1-1/2 tablespoons cider, 1 teaspoon real maple syrup, and 3/4 teaspoon lemon juice, and shake until chilled. Strain into a coupe or martini glass and garnish with a thin slice of apple. 

Cider Margarita
You'll love this sweet autumn variation of a traditional margarita!

Moisten the rim of a cocktail glass with cider then dip in cinnamon sugar and place in the freezer to set. In a cocktail shaker with ice, combine 1 ounce Grand Marnier, 1 ounce tequila, and 5-6 ounces cider. Shake until chilled, then pour into prepared glass. Garnish with a thin slice of apple topped with a sprinkle of cinnamon and a cinnamon stick. 

Cider Old-Fashioned
Brown sugar instead of a sugar cube adds a hint of mellow flavor to this variation on a classic. 

In a lowball glass, combine 2 ounces cider, 1 teaspoon brown sugar, and a dash of bitters, and swirl until sugar is dissolved. Add ice and top with 2 ounces bourbon or whiskey. Garnish with apple slices and a cinnamon stick. 



So grab one of these delicious cocktails, curl up by the fire with someone you love, and get cozy all the way down to your toes! Happy Autumn!




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Saturday, September 23, 2017

The Fabulousness of Fall

I'm a born and bred New Englander, so I'm practically required by law to love fall. But even if I weren't, I would still love fall. I love the smells, I love the colors, I love the food, I love the coziness. So if you're some kind of Autumnal Scrooge who doesn't understand the love of all things autumn, here are a few of the wonderful things that make autumn so spectacular to me.

Going to a Farm


Sure, packing up the kids and heading to the local orchard to pick apples or pumpkins is great fun, but farms around here have so much more than that! Especially in the fall, farms are practically amusement parks and zoos as well as actual farms. A trip to the farm means hay rides, bouncy houses, petting all kind of animals from alpacas to yaks, caramel apples and cider donuts, playgrounds, and go-karts. You can easily spend the day. And the best part is that most of the time the parents can sit and relax while the kids race around having fun and tiring themselves out. Win-win.

Cozy Clothes
 

Skirts are longer and looser and paired with tall boots instead of toe-baring sandals. No need to shave your legs, paint your toenails, or lose those last few stubborn pounds. Bulky sweaters and loose tunics will hide all your summer indiscretions. Layers of sweaters, scarves, and jackets are the order of the day. Everything is mix and match, so your wardrobe stretches even further.

Everything Smells Good


Fall brings with it all kinds of new smells, from that heavy, earthy, peaty scent of fall planting to the smoky tang of fireplaces and fire pits to the warm comforting smell of pies and casseroles baking. There's a certain richness and warmth to the smells of fall that brings a mental coziness along with the physical coziness.

The Colors



Colors all around become darker, richer, and more saturated in the fall. The leaves, yes, but even the fruits, the decorations, the clothing...everything leans toward jewel tones that light up in that golden quality that sunlight takes on this time of year. Speaking of which...

The Sunlight

There's something special about autumn sunshine. Maybe it's that the warmth it brings burns through crisper air and is more appreciated because of it; maybe it's that the low angle of the sun's rays somehow narrows the spectrum to highlight the golden hues; maybe it's just that we're squinting against the glare. But whatever it is, it's like Mother Nature has the Midas Touch for just an instant, and everything within her view gloriously turns to gold for one brief moment in time.

The Flavors


I know, I know, "Pumpkin Spice Everything." But it's not just pumpkin spice; it's pumpkin and apple and caramel and cinnamon and cranberry and ginger and maple and nutmeg and walnuts. There are certain flavors that only come out to play in the fall, and no matter who you are, there are fall flavors that you love. (Even if it's not pumpkin spice.)

Going Outside
(Disclaimer: This is a stock photo, not my kid. Always wear a helmet. Safety first.)



In my neck of the woods, summer is often too hot to send the kids outside to play for too long at a time (unless they're swimming in the pool). But autumn is perfect weather for working up a sweat biking or skateboarding or hiking or jumping in leaf piles, either as a family or sending the kids off on their own.

Togetherness



Sure, we spend the daylight hours outside, together or apart, in the fall, but the evenings see the whole family scurrying back inside for warmth and light. It's too cool and too dark to keep playing or working outside, so we all drift back in, cuddling together under blankets, cozying together in the kitchen or the living room, somehow gravitating together for safety as our ancestors did when the cold weather set in.


So those are a few of the things that make fall so special to me. I'm ready for the cool weather, the falling leaves, the changing colors. I'm ready for pumpkins on doorsteps and mums in the garden and frost on the windshield. I've got my boots and my blankets and my pumpkin spice everything. So bring on fall - I'm ready!


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Friday, September 22, 2017

Bus Drivers: The Butlers for the New Era

Back in the day, a butler had to be the most trusted of servants. A butler saw everything that happened in the house: the lady of the house in her nightclothes with no makeup on and her hair in curlers; guests quietly slipping from room to room in the middle of the night; letters from creditors and illicit lovers demanding (respectively) payments and rendez vous. They knew everything and told nothing. Their discretion was legendary.

You might think that there is no modern equivalent, but there is – at least for a certain demographic: parents of elementary school children. And that modern equivalent is…the school bus driver.
Like the butler before him (or her), the school bus driver is likely to see what we parents hide from the rest of the world. My kids’ bus driver regularly sees me with unbrushed teeth, an impressive case of bedhead, footwear ranging from slippers to sneakers without socks to bare feet, wearing whatever mismatched clean (or semi-clean) shirt and jeans are closest at hand, and almost invariably clutching a large mug of coffee as if it were a hand grenade with the pin removed. 

My typical "meeting the bus" outfit (the coffee mug is just offscreen).

Yet like the butler before him, he still nods politely at me and wishes me good morning as if I were dressed and coiffed for tea with the queen.

I love him.

Like the butler, the bus driver does not judge – or, if he does, he keeps his judgment silently to himself. He does not so much as raise an eyebrow if my daughter gets on the bus wearing a tutu and a tiara. He refrains from rolling his eyes when I come racing out of the house clutching a forgotten permission slip as he is pulling up to the curb (or pulling away from the curb). He smiles indulgently as my son breaks into a rousing chorus of Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You,” merely requesting respectfully that he lower the volume a few notches. There is nothing that I or my children could do that would faze this amazingly unflappable human being.

I sometimes wonder, in the case of both butlers and bus drivers, if their unflappability is an innate trait that led them into this particular occupation, or whether it is a skill developed with their years of experience in said occupation. I’ve never had a butler, but I’ve certainly had my share of bus drivers, and it seems to me that it must be a combination of the two. I’m not ashamed to say that if I had to drive a bus full of elementary school children, I’d run away screaming within the first week. It takes a certain laid back personality to take on the job to begin with. But at the same time, the calmest and most unflappable bus drivers I’ve ever known have been those who’ve been in the business for a long time and who’ve seen it all. I imagine that for every time an experienced driver sees a mom wearing slippers, he’s seen one still in her pajamas. I imagine that for every child wearing a wacky outfit, he’s seen one wearing an even wackier outfit. I imagine that for every parent who’s raced out to deliver a permission slip, he’s seen one delivering a backpack or a bag lunch or a pair of shoes or a paper mache diorama of the French revolution. An experienced bus driver has seen all there is to see and lived to tell the tale.


Speaking of telling the tale, I also have to wonder whether any of these discreet drivers may someday succumb to the siren’s call of a book deal. Like Princess Diana’s butler, a bus driver has a treasure trove of juicy gossip that could have the public tittering with glee. I just hope it’s not my bus driver. Or if it is, I just hope that the photo on the cover catches me wearing my good slippers…


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Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Red Carpet Review: The 2017 Emmy Awards

When I write a red carpet review, as often as not, I didn't see the actual awards ceremony. I watch the Tonys and the Oscars, but for most other awards shows I might tune in for a few minutes, but rarely more than that. Last night, I actually watched the Emmys. Mostly with the sound off, because a good deal of the talk was annoying, but for the purposes of this review, my comments are based as much on how the outfits looked as the wearers were actually walking and moving around, rather than on a single carefully posed red carpet photo.

I also try to find different ways to categorize my reviews. Sometimes I'll group the actresses by age, sometimes by gown color, sometimes by fashion trend. This time I'm going to try something different and categorize them by how successful their red carpet looks tend to be. After writing red carpet reviews for a number of years, I have a pretty solid feel for whose looks usually work for me, whose rarely do, and whose can go either way. I'll start with those who usually get a thumbs up from me.

Usually a Thumbs Up
These actresses often take fashion risks, and they usually pay off. Although many have an occasional red carpet misstep, they're rarely bland and they're usually fabulous.

Felicity Huffman nearly always looks good on the red carpet, and she often looks great. She rarely gets too risky, but she goes outside traditional styles on a regular basis. This lacy mermaid gown fades from pale silver at the shoulders down to just barely aqua at the flared train. The deep but narrow v-neckline and the hint of lace epaulets on the shoulders were the only details needed to make this gown a total knockout. 

Laverne Cox always looks stunning on the red carpet, and last night was no exception. I loved her dark silver, multi-paneled gown with chevron seaming, wide-set straps, and short train. I especially loved that her hairstyle was simpler and her makeup less harsh and dramatic than it sometimes is. She looked fantastic, as always. 

Nicole Kidman would look gorgeous wearing a burlap sack on the red carpet (and she's come close to that), but last night's flared scarlet ankle-length halter dress with plunging neckline and gorgeous long diamond drop necklace and matching collar was one of my favorite looks she's ever worn, and probably my very favorite look of the night. It looked so fresh and comfortable, with just a hint of a nod to Marilyn Monroe. Complete thumbs up. 

Priyanka Chopra rarely makes a misstep on the red carpet, but I think last night was one. The base of her gown, a fitted white column studded with fan-shaped black embroidery, was quite pretty, but the chunky metallic "straps" at the neck and armholes, large black insets at the waist, and fuzzy eyelash fabric at the hem - which didn't quite flare into a mermaid style but still had a long, narrow train - spoiled the silhouette and the overall look. She still looked lovely, but it was despite the dress rather than because of it.

Reese Witherspoon always looks great on the red carpet, and although she often sticks to her tried and true formula of a narrow strapless column or trumpet gown, I loved her unusual deep teal satin double-breasted minidress. The unusual color was perfectly striking with her pale blonde coloring, and the long straight hair, coordinated pointy pumps, and vivid red lips were perfect accessories. A great - and different - look.

Sarah Hyland always has a youthful but classic elegance on the red carpet. She chooses unusual styles, but nothing too wildly outre. This belly-baring red print gown is in keeping with her style. Simple but not boring, the gracefully curved lines, tropical print, toned abs, and long dark wavy hair bring to mind a glamorous version of a hula dancer. Very chic.


Hit or Miss - Risky
I subdivided this category, because actresses whose red carpet success can go either way are easily separated into those who play it safe (they're rarely terrible, but they're rarely fantastic, either) and those who take fashion risks but with a lower success rate than the category above.

Evan Rachel Wood has sported red carpet looks that are all over the place, from traditional ball gowns to form-fitting velvet men's suits with cropped pants. In fact, she often sports variations on menswear, but rarely as successfully as last night's white 3-piece look featuring a cropped tailcoat, vest/bustier, some kind of white shirt (or possibly a low cummerbund), and full draped skirt. I didn't love the multitude of layers at the waist which included a double set of tails, but the overall silhouette and detailing were terrific. Thumbs up. 

Jane Fonda is another all-over-the-place dresser, from staid "I'm over a certain age" styles to "I don't look like I'm over a certain age!!!" styles. With her still-fabulous figure, I wish she'd done something more with this basic electric pink column with bell sleeves and short train. It was pretty, but boring. And her 1970s too-straight ponytail and heavy bangs looked totally out of character. I didn't even recognize her at first. Thumbs down from me. 

Judith Light often opts for gown that look good in a red carpet pose but move oddly or shift uncomfortably as she walks or moves. Admittedly, I didn't notice her at the actual awards, but this draped black gown with long flared sleeves, asymmetrical neckline, deep side slit, and all-around train looked like it would move well. The shoulder details were a bit pointy for my taste, but they're a minor enough detail that I'm still giving her a thumbs up. 

Mandy Moore is certainly willing to take risks on the red carpet, with varying levels of success. I remember a deeply plunging black chiffon number with a cape that worked and a ruffled Big Bird yellow column that did not. Last night's look leans firmly toward the "did not" column. The stiff black satin bodice descends into three even stiffer tulle ruffles, with a white ruffle in between two black ones. The lower black one was a little longer and had a short train. The placement of the white ruffle made her legs look disproportionately long, or perhaps it was that her torso looked disproportionately short. Whichever the case, it did not flatter her. 

Regina King experiments with many different looks on the red carpet: high-low skirt with crop top, print column with a white Superman-style cape, black satin column with a daringly broad diagonal swath of bare skin across the bodice. Many teeter on the verge of disaster but rarely get there. This dress has a few minor mistakes, but overall I like the look. The fabric is gorgeous, and I love the broadly pleated skirt with its deep slit, but the plunging halter is a bit too open for a pretty line, and the short band of pleating at the waist looks stiff and out of place. But the concept is terrific, even if the execution falls just a hair short. 

Tracee Ellis Ross is never afraid to take a risk on the red carpet; multiple bold colors, swaths of exposed skin, pants and a halter. But her risk didn't pay off last night, with a bulky silver knit dress with marabou skirt, wide silver belt, and white satin pumps. It wasn't space chic, it was just spacy. 

Zoe Kravitz has rocked some wild fashions on the red carpet, but this is not one. The black bodice isn't bad, although the waist falls at an odd place that makes her shoulders look droopy. But the skirt, made of rainbow Muppet fur, is a big no from me.

Hit or Miss - Safe
These are the actresses who hover on either side of middle ground, rarely trying something new and daring, but rarely crashing and burning, either. Their failures usually fall into the category of boring or bland rather than being truly horrible, and their successes are often quantified as "better than what she usually wears" instead of "better than everyone else on the red carpet".

Allison Janney has varying levels of success on the red carpet. I rarely hate her look, but it is frequently not memorable. Last night's gown, however, was terrific. A lovely white lace a-line gown over a nude underdress, its plunging neckline (held in place by a barely-visible modesty panel) revealed enough skin to be sexy without looking age-inappropriate or trying too hard. A really good look for her, and one of my favorites for actresses over, ahem, a certain age.

Elizabeth Moss is another one who plays it safe on the red carpet. Her look last night was fairly typical: a lovely, strapless, blush pink satin, ballerina-style dress paired with pointy shoes and a matching clutch. It was sweet and pretty, but the color washed her out. This exact dress in a slightly brighter shade would have been a knockout, but as is, it was pretty blah. 

Ellie Kemper's standard red carpet fare is a long, straight column. Fine, but not risky and rarely memorable. She broke out of her box a bit at the Emmys in this sheer, spangled, midnight blue column with a short train over a short, strapless, cobalt blue underdress. It was a flattering and eye-catching look, and I hope she continues to experiment like this, because it's working for her. 

Shailene Woodley also tends to experiment on the red carpet, and this particular gown is very close to being a complete win. The deep green velvet is beautifully draped, and the tiny paired criss-cross straps in the back are sexy and elegant. If only the v-neck were a tiny bit narrower and more secure (perhaps a tiny diamond chain at the top?), I could give this one a 100% thumbs up. But it's pretty darn close.

Uzo Adouba has worn some fabulous outfits on the red carpet, and some real clunkers. This white and silver two-piece gown with column skirt and spaghetti strap top is definitely the former. It shows off her voluptuous curves but skims and supports. And the white and silver is a striking contrast to her gorgeous, glowing skin and wild mane of hair. Stunning.

Haven't Noticed Her Before
Some of these actresses I don't recognize because they're new on the scene, or I don't watch their shows, or perhaps because their red carpet fashion has been less than memorable. Based on how well they did last night, we'll see if they're faces to follow or faces to forget.

Angela Sarafyan is a new face to me. Her style screams "model" to me. She manages to pull off the chartreuse yellow rather nicely, and I love the draping of the skirt and the poufed sleeves. however, the entire bodice appears to be riding a few inches lower than it should be, creating an awkward pushup effect and forcing the sleeves to defy gravity in an uncomfortable-looking way. Hike the whole business up a couple of inches and this look would be a win for me.

I certainly know Gabrielle Union's work on the small screen, but I had to google her red carpet looks. Nothing terribly memorable, but nothing terribly terrible, either. This particular look was a mixed bag for me: I love the black lace bolero jacket with diamond collar, but it felt out of place with the full black lace gown with barely-sheer skirt. And the hair pulled back into a hugely full ponytail didn't seem to work with the style, either. No bad pieces here, just a weird combination that didn't really work for me. 

Issa Rae's red carpet looks are usually pretty conservative - not bad, but not exactly eye-catching. This vivid one-shouldered red gown, however, was definitely eye-catching. I didn't love the mismatched sleeve lengths, but I did love the soft draping of the bodice, the ruffled detail on the left sleeve, and the braided coronet hairstyle that completed the Grecian-inspired theme. Truly lovely. 

Not being an SNL watcher, I had no idea who Kate McKinnon was, and this gown is not likely to make me remember her. The spaghetti strapped, black pleather bodice has a strangely narrow horizontal slit across the center that looks more like a seam that came unstitched than an intentional design, and the clingy white fabric makes her thighs look lumpy. It just didn't work for her, at all.

Leslie Jones was not familiar to me from previous red carpets, but Google tells me she plays it relatively safe on the red carpet. This look is right in line with the popular trend of sheet skirts over short dresses, and although I do like the deep slit, the heavy beading at the hem of the train, along with its just-barely-too-long length, creates a lumpy look at the hem. Overall, a mixed bag: not great, but not terrible, either.

Considering how gorgeous she is, it is amazing to me how Michelle Pfeiffer manages to consistently fade into the background on the red carpet. I can think of a memorable red carpet look worn by just about every actress of her caliber, but I didn't remember a single look of hers. This black dress, with black lace overlay over a nude base for the bodice, and a semi-sheer black skirt is pretty, but not memorable. Yawn.

Rashida Jones is usually somewhat bland on the red carpet. Even her most successful looks make me think, "Oh, that's kind of pretty," rather than, "Wow, she looks amazing!" This pleated lavender gown with wide waistband and triangular peekaboo at the bust is also kind of pretty, but nowhere near amazing. 

I don't recall seeing Samantha Bee on the red carpet before, but if she continues wearing gowns like this I'll certainly remember her! I love the effect of shiny and matte fabrics seamed together in graceful lines and shapes. The squared-off shoulders and deep round neck is 1940s, the seaming lines are 1920s, and the long train is glamorous 1950s, yet the whole thing works together. Good job.

I have no idea who Shannon Purser is, but she's too pretty to be eaten by this dress. It's a great color and a fascinating style, but it's too bulky and heavy and it completely overwhelms her. But kudos for taking a risk, especially as a relative unknown. I'll keep my eye on her. 

Usually a Hot Mess
Some actresses just always look terrible on the red carpet, no matter what. Maybe they have bad stylists, maybe they have bad taste, maybe they got stuck in a contract with a bad designer. But whatever the reason, these actresses frequently end up on my worst-dressed lists.

Anna Chlumsky was a child actress, so you'd think she'd have learned red carpet fashion rules early. But unfortunately, she often looks awkward and uncomfortable in unflattering or inappropriate styles. Last night, however, she stunned in a dress with an almost chain mail-style halter top and metallic silver skirt that flared into a rear train at the knee. It was simple but sleek, and it worked for both her figure and her personality. Nicely done!

A lot of folks love Jessica Biel's style, but I just find her to regularly be a hot mess on the red carpet, and last night was no exception. This ragged-looking gown looked like it was tacked together from a couple of random bits of fabric the designer found on the floor at the end of the day, and her square-topped hairstyle managed to make her gorgeous hair look bad. The main redeeming feature of her look was that at least the long slit drew focus to her stunning legs. But she was still a hot mess.

Jessica Lange is routinely a hot mess on the red carpet, so I was absolutely delighted to see her in this glamorous black velvet gown with metallic gold flower details. The soft lines of the gown, from the flared hem of the skirt to the triple-layered bell sleeves, were soft and elegant and age-appropriate and flattering. Nicely done, ma'am.

I cry for Laura Dern on most red carpets, so although I might not have liked this dress on someone else, it's so much closer to success for her that I'm awarding her a thumbs up. I actually love the top part with the black and silver lace with occasional peekaboo cutouts, and the black eyelash skirt is subtle enough that its featheriness doesn't bother me. I'd have loved a pop of color in a purse or shoes, but the look worked for me just as is. Keep it up, Laura!

Sarah Paulson's stylist hates her. That's the only explanation I can think of why this beautiful woman is always so poorly dressed on the red carpet. Wrapped in silver lame with linebacker shoulders that would make the '80s proud, this poor girl looks like a bag of Jiffy Pop. Sarah deserves so much better than this.

Susan Sarandon struggles for appropriateness on the red carpet, sometimes looking matronly and sometimes looking like an over the hill sex kitten. But this midnight blue off-the-shoulder mermaid gown with a small train hits just the right notes. Stick with this one, Susan; it's a keeper.






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