Dieting & Trade-Offs: Week 3 Check-In

My current weight is 171 pounds even (it went as low as 170.4, but bounced back a bit). Nearly eight  pounds down is not bad for 3 weeks in! 

Here's what I've learned this week: When you have a food-related event coming up, it's best to plan ahead. I've developed a system of exchanges that allows me "treats," but it works best for me if I don't restrict those exchanges to a single 8-hour eating period. Let me explain.

First of all, I call these splurges "treats" rather than "cheats" because a "cheat" implies that you're going outside of your diet plan. My personal diet plan incorporates "treats" as an expected part of my eating. If I thought I could never eat a chocolate-chip cookie or drink a sugar-laden cocktail ever again, my diet plan would never work. But knowing that I can enjoy "treats" within reason makes my plan a lot more manageable for me. Here's how I handle treats: I plan a trade-off for each treat. For example, if I decide I want an iced coffee from Dunk's, I figure I should give up one of my 3 weekend cocktails. Do I want that iced coffee more than I want that lemon drop martini on Friday night? Sometimes the answer is yes, and sometimes it's no. But it makes me conscious of the choices that I'm making. A lot of commercial diet plans restrict your total calories by the day, so if I wanted that iced coffee on Thursday, I'd need to give up something else on Thursday so my total caloric intake for that day would be under a certain arbitrary amount. I find that thinking about my food intake over a longer period of time, such as a week, is much more manageable. I already have weekend cocktails built into my plan, so that's an obvious choice to give up. But sometimes I might feel like, "Eh, I don't need a whole serving of mashed potatoes with dinner tonight", or "I'm going to drink my coffee black today and then have a mug of sweet hot cocoa when I get home from work," or even "I'm not that hungry today but I really want a cookie so that cookie will be my whole lunch." 

This works especially well when my schedule calls for food-related events. Over the past week or so, I had two big social events involving food: a (very) belated Christmas party with friends, and a women's potluck event at my church. For the first event, I planned ahead by skipping breakfast (which I frequently do anyway; I find my morning energy level is not much different when I have two pieces of toast than when I only have coffee) and having a handful of cashews as a late lunch. I also planned out ahead of time what my limits were: I would eat small servings of anything I wanted, I would eat slowly and stop when I was full, and I would limit myself to one cocktail and one (small) glass of wine, or two glasses of wine. Similarly, for the potluck event, I ate less than usual during the day, and then allowed myself to have a sample of everything, but promised myself not to go back for seconds of anything. In addition, I planned to skip my usual cocktail on either Friday or Saturday. In fact, I ended up not having a cocktail both nights, because I simply didn't feel a particular need to have one! In both situations, I really enjoyed everything I ate, and I didn't feel like I was being overly restricted. Over the course of the week, my food intake balanced out quite well. 

I've never been good at counting calories, and I could never be bothered with weighing my food to calculate exactly what my caloric intake is, or to make exact trade-offs. But it's not really meant to be about a perfectly even exchange. It's about being aware of what I'm eating and making conscious decisions rather than eating out of habit or convenience. By consciously swapping out foods that I know are richer, sweeter, or fattier than is good for me, I can keep things reasonably in balance. Is the number of calories in a "glug" of half and half (I have no idea how many tablespoons are in a "glug," nor do I care) roughly equal to the cookie I traded it for? Not a clue, but simply considering the exchange made me think about how badly I wanted that cookie. I've surprised myself at how often, when I stop and think about whether I want to eat something, I find that I don't, or at least I don't mind skipping it. As I mentioned last week, I added a column to my spreadsheet listing temptations I've resisted (this week that column includes a burger and fries, seconds on dinner, tortilla chips, a stop at Dunkin Donuts, an entire dessert tray, a Saturday night cocktail, and breakfast from McDonald's), which is a real encouragement to me, particularly when I give in to a treat - yes, I'm splurging, but look how many times recently I would have splurged but decided not to merely because I stopped to think about it. This week I also added a column for treats that I enjoyed - not to shame me for eating sugar and fat, but to remind me that I can still have "unhealthy" foods in moderation. It's easier for me to resist that cookie when I look at my spreadsheet and remember that I just had a cookie (or an iced coffee, or a handful of tortilla chips, or pancakes with syrup, or a midweek glass of wine) a couple of days ago. 

One aspect of my diet plan that doesn't really fit in my spreadsheet is portion size. As stated above, I can't be bothered to weigh or measure each serving I eat, but I am avoiding seconds and trying to take smaller portions, especially of carb-heavy sides like potatoes and rice. In addition, I'm avoiding add-ons like bread or rolls, appetizers, and even sauces and condiments. It's amazing to me how quickly those calories add up. A dinner roll with butter can run 200 to calories; a dollop of sour cream is 30 calories, half and half and sugar are 60 calories, a single cocktail is 200-300 calories, and two slices of bread with butter is a whopping 350 calories! But on the flip side, what about treats? A single Oreo cookie is about 50 calories, a whole apple is 100 calories, a couple of tablespoons of hummus is 50 calories. So sensible trade-offs can really have an effect on my overall calorie intake, especially when judged over the course of a week!

I'm sure that I'll continue to tweak my plan as time goes on, and I have no doubt I will hit slower periods and plateaus in my weight loss journey, but by my calculations, if I can keep this trend going I'll be able to hit my goal weight of 150 pounds in about 9 more weeks, or by mid-April. Which, since I'm aiming for reaching that goal by my nephew's wedding in early July, gives me lots of wiggle room. But so far, it seems like not only an attainable goal, but a way of eating - and thinking about eating - that I can sustain in the long term, and not just while I'm actively working on losing weight. We'll see how it goes!

Quote for the week: "Moderation. Small helpings. Sample a little bit of everything. These are the secrets of happiness and good health." ~ Julia Child

The 2024 Emmy Awards Red Carpet - How To Get "The Looks"

I am a big fan of competitive fashion design shows such as Project Runway and Making the Cut. And one of my favorite challenges is when the designers have to create a "high fashion" look and a related "accessible" look. In other words, one outfit would look at home on a red carpet worn by a celebrity and one outfit would look at home in my closet and on my body, but they share common elements. And since I always watch red carpet events while thinking, "Wow, I'd love to be able to wear an outfit like that," this year's review of the Emmy Awards red carpet will show some of the best celebrity outfits alongside a commercially available "real person" look. 

Padma Lakshmi's chartreuse silk gown designed by Marchesa, top, featured a Grecian-inspired wrapped bodice trimmed with narrow chains and a super-full yet soft skirt topped with a narrow self-belt. A similar lime-green gown from Sumintras ($140) features a corset-style lace bodice with criss-cross straps and a full skirt with thigh-high slit also topped with a narrow self-belt. The corset top is more slimming and supportive, and the less voluminous skirt is more flattering on most figures. 

Jenna Ortega's silver strapless tea-length Dior dress featured a bell-shaped skirt with a hoop-skirt structure visible through the semi-sheer fabric, which was embellished with delicate pale green and lavender three-dimensional flowers. For a less-intimidatingly structured (and more easily maneuverable) look, try this tea-length lace frock from Lord & Taylor ($500),  which also features a delicate floral pattern and semi-sheer fabric in the 3/4-length sleeves and yoke over a strapless underbodice. 

  

Cody Heller's bubblegum pink retro 1950's-inspired strapless tea length dress with tulle skirt was clearly a tribute to Barbie. But since that particular shade of pink is a bit too intense for most of us, how about this similar style blush pink dress from JojoDress ($300), featuring a wide wrapped belt, tulle ballerina skirt, and just a touch of lace?

Zuri Hall was stunning in a chocolate brown strapless wrapped-bodice mermaid gown by Wayne Clark. You can find a more forgiving silhouette with a softer sweetheart neckline, a similarly-wrapped bodice, and a less severe trumpet skirt from ChicSew ($130), which is available in multiple colors, including several delicious shades of brown.

Heather McMahan wore a simple black strapless sheath paired with a cropped bolero jacket with bell sleeves that fell to the floor and were edged with eyelash trim. If the jacket is a bit extreme for your taste, try pairing this simple strapless black crepe sheath from David's Bridal ($100) with this black velvet shrug with slightly raised collar and much more moderate 3/4-length bell sleeves from Amazon ($25). 

Christina Ricci wore a Saint Laurent black velvet sleeveless column with a super-plunging neckline that framed a stunning emerald tassel necklace designed by Martin Katz. If you have neither the cash nor the decolletage for this couture look, go for this less extreme sleeveless black column from Anthropologie ($300). It also has a deeply plunging (although significantly less revealing) v-neck and a subtle a-line silhouette, and it's begging to be paired with this gorgeous African turquoise tassel pendant from Mercari ($100).

Emily Hampshire's vivid red halter gown featured a twisted neckline with a keyhole opening, a slightly raised waistline, and a full skirt. Only slightly less dramatic is this red halter gown from Mac Duggal ($220), which features a halter neckline with similar keyhole and wide neckband, an empire waist, and a figure-flattering A-line silhouette.

Robin Thede's Ines Di Santo-designed blush-pink satin gown featured a boned corset-style bodice with gracefully curved lines and a satin skirt with a voluminous wrapped drape over what appeared to be a mermaid-cut base, with a rounded train. This look would be a bit much anywhere besides the red carpet, but this tamer ivory satin gown from Stacees ($150) features a modified corset bodice with a draped front but visible boning at the waist creating similar graceful lines, and a flared satin skirt with a twist feature over one hip at the top of a deep slit. 

Issa Rae's feather-bedecked high-neck ivory column, designed by Pamella Roland, was topped with a shift style (i.e., no defined waistline) overlay. A much prettier look, in my opinion, is this silver sequin gown with chiffon cape from Kohl's ($130). It features a figure-skimming modified shift silhouette and a round gathered neckline, and both slim dress and fuller cape are a pretty ankle length. 

Quinta Brunson took some criticism for her dusty pink crushed satin Dior tea-length gown - there's a fine line between "crushed" and "wrinkled" (especially when it comes to satin) that some felt she had crossed. But regardless, her scoop-neck gown featured narrow straps, a surplice (wrapped) top that created diagonal lines across the bodice, a simple self-belt, and a flared skirt. A similar look can be found in this dress from eShakti ($40), in a nearly identical shade of dusty pink dupioni, which provides a subtle texture to the fabric, and features similar narrow straps, surplice bodice, self-belt, and flared skirt - without the flap about wrinkled vs. crushed. 

Lisa Ann Walter's Greta Constantine gown (top) was cut in a mermaid style, with black satin on top and a vivid red flounce, and Jessica Williams's Rodarte gown (center) was also mermaid style with a black velvet top and a double-ruffle white tulle underlay. You can find a similarly striking silhouette in a slightly less jarring color palette with this black satin strapless mermaid gown with pale pink tulle flounce (bottom) from FashionNova ($140). 

Ali Wong wore a custom Louis Vuitton gown with a strapless silver sequin bodice with a sheer black sleeveless yoke and a bright blue straight skirt covered with multicolored flowers. A more understated version of this look with a softer silhouette is available from Editorialist ($170). This dress is a midnight blue with a light blue and silver embroidered pattern, with a strapless bodice and sheer sleeveless yoke and a slightly flared ankle-length skirt. 

Jessica Chastain's chartreuse Gucci gown was a sleeveless column with plunging v-neck and long, fringed overlay. Since no one (including, unfortunately, Jessica Chastain) can get away with that particular color, a better choice would be this emerald green fringed gown from Burlywoods ($180), which features a more flattering (and forgiving) wide v-neck, wide satin belt, and fringed peplum. 

Ellen Pompeo wore a Monique Lhuillier gown consisting of a flared black velvet skirt and a sheer metallic shirt with a white collar and short black tie over a basic bra. I wouldn't advise most of us to appear at a formal event with visible undergarments, but you could definitely pair this flared black velvet skirt from Amazon ($40) with this gold sequin button-up shirt from Nordstrom ($70), and even add a detachable white collar with black velvet bow from Etsy ($20), for an equally great look. 

Oh dear, where to start with Alex Borstein's disastrous outfit? It consisted of a sheer black lace corset-style minidress, topped with a cranberry-colored...I'm going to go with "garment"...that included a floor-length skirt overlay that was split up to the belt, and a long-sleeved halter top with wide straps that didn't really form a bodice but joined to a wide collar, and which had black and red feathers around the armscyes (if you didn't learn that word in my last fashion blog, it's a fancy word for "armholes"). I would transform this look into something an ordinary person could wear - and wear better - by starting with a less revealing black lace minidress, like this one from Hot Topic ($40), which has a lace overlay over a solid black base. And then to add color and coverage, and to echo the pretty neckband of the original, I'd top it with this long-sleeved cranberry chiffon shrug with lace-trimmed collar and cuffs from Walmart ($20).

Mychal-Bella Rayne wore a 2-piece gown with a satin trumpet-style skirt topped with a white strapless structured bodice with wide belt and modified peplum. A simplified, one-piece version of this look is available from Macy's ($130), and features a similarly-tailored black trumpet skirt and a white satin strapless wrapped empire waist bodice with an oversized bow and wide trailing ribbons at the back. 

Since I started with Padma Lakshmi, it seems only right to end with Gail Simmons. Simmons wore a Balmain Art Deco-inspired multicolored metallic sequin wrapped gown gather in to one hip, where the skirt opened in a broad slit. For a more wearable gown with a similar silhouette and feel, I recommend this metallic gold high-low wrap dress from The Dress Outlet ($400).

Happy shopping!

I'm a Little Less Fat: Week 2 Check-In

I'll admit that I'm actually a little surprised to be seeing results already, but there is a distinct downward trend in my weight. The past few days have been consistently in the 173.5-174.5 pound range, which means I've lost roughly 4 pounds in two weeks. Hooray!

Looking back at my initial post, here's how each of the parts of my diet and exercise plan have been working out:

• Drink less alcohol. I've been good about all aspects of this part so far. I've limited myself to a single drink only on weekend days only. We went out for dinner last night and I opted for just a cocktail and no wine (okay, I had one sip of my husband's wine), which is definitely a change to my usual routine. I've been successful in cutting my at-home cocktails with seltzer to reduce the alcohol and therefore the calorie content. On nights when I'm not drinking, I'll sometimes have flavored seltzer in a cocktail glass with a fancy garnish so I don't feel like I'm missing out. Starting this week, I'm going to continue cutting back by limiting myself to alcohol only on Fridays and Saturdays, with the occasional exception for going out to dinner, which I'll continue to limit to either a cocktail or wine, not both. 
• Shrink portion sizes. This aspect is a little harder to gauge. I'm certainly making an effort. There are some meals where this is easier to do than others. For example, when we had pork chops the other day, I naturally served myself a whole pork chop (which I then ate in its entirety). But when we had chicken fried rice, I served myself a smaller portion than I normally would. I still struggle with overdoing it on the carbs, especially bread. My family loves bread, and I love baking bread, so I don't want to remove it from our menus; I just need to work harder at resisting the temptation to eat the whole batch all at once. 
• Drink more water. This has been a mixed result, mainly based on my schedule, When I'm at home, I keep a mug of water nearby at all times. I use the "measured fill" function on the water dispenser in the fridge to drink in 16-ounce increments. Somehow it's easier to think of drinking a mug of water several times a day than it is to look at the larger (32-ounce) jug I bring to work - when I remember - and think about drinking the whole thing. I also find myself tending to drink more in the morning and less later in the day. I'd like to work on drinking more before dinner, so I'll feel fuller at dinnertime and therefore hopefully eat less. I'd also like to make more of an effort to bring water with me when I'm not at home, whether I'm at work or out running errands. 
• Walk every day. I'll be honest: this one has been a big fail. It's been too cold and snowy to go outside for walks, and I have yet to unearth the treadmill. So on days when I'm at home, my activity level is pretty much zero. On days I work, however, I have been consciously making an effort to get up and walk, even if it's as simple as keeping my laptop on one side of the room and the pieces I'm working on on the other side of the room, so I have to keep walking back and forth. It may only be 10 steps each time, but 10 steps there and 10 steps back times 80 or 100 does add up. 
• Write down all of the above. I have been faithful about keeping my spreadsheet. It has certainly made me more aware of what I eat, especially while I'm eating it - or before I choose whether or not to eat it! In addition to the original information - water intake, alcohol intake, activity level, foot eaten, and current weight - I've added a column for foods and drinks that I've resisted. My husband baked a batch of chocolate chip cookies the other day and the smell was driving me crazy. I really REALLY wanted one - just one - but I resisted, even after both my husband and my son asked if I wanted one. (My answer, both times, was, "Yes, desperately, but I'm not going to have one.") And after my son's school concert, the whole family had frappes but I didn't. Looking back at all the times I wanted some bread, or a cocktail, or a sweet treat, or a Dunks iced coffee, but chose not to have it, reminds me that I'm doing really well at resisting temptation and making healthier choices. Even choosing an apple with peanut butter for lunch instead of a PB&J is a baby step on cutting out unneeded calories. It reminds me that I'm making progress even when the scale might not reflect it. Looking back at the good choices I've made makes it easier to make good choices the next time, and the next. 
• Track my weight. Again, this isn't for everyone, especially not on a daily basis, but for me it's a daily (sometimes twice daily) reminder to keep that needle moving in the right direction. And with my app, it lets me see the general trend of my weight changes over time. 
• Blog at least once a week. Making my weight loss journey public - knowing that people will know if I'm not doing well - is a huge motivator for me. If I have a couple of extra cocktails or eat large portions or have a few desserts, I'll have to confess it publicly, or at least confess the resulting weight gain (or lack of loss). It makes me think twice before deciding to cheat (or hopefully not to cheat). 

I thought about including a mention in each blog of "cheats this week," but I realized that I don't want to think of deliberate food choices as "cheats." So instead, this week's "treats" were one Dunk's iced coffee with cream and sweetened flavoring, and an appetizer with dinner at a restaurant. Allowing myself a reward every now and then reminds me that I'm not giving up treats forever, but that I can choose to enjoy them within reason. And it encourages me to find another place to cut a few calories to balance it out. 

So as my journey continues, I plan to work on being more active, avoiding bread, continuing to reduce my portion sizes and alcohol intake, and drinking more water (especially later in the day). But so far, what I'm doing seems to be working, and it seems to be sustainable. 

Quote for the week: Your diet is a bank account. Good choices are good investments. 

I'm Fat: Week 1 Check-In

Guess what? 

I'm still fat. 

Yeah, the hardest part of trying to lose weight is that it takes time. I'm hoping the old adage that it takes twice as long to lose it as it did to gain it isn't true. I've gained 25 pounds over the past 5 years, and I'm really hoping that it won't take 10 years to take it off again. Fortunately, I've also read that losing a pound or even 2 every week is a reasonable goal for most people, so that's my aim. The difficult part of that goal for me is that my body weight fluctuates several pounds on a regular basis, so it's really hard to tell if I've actually lost weight or if it's just my natural fluctuations. 

I have been using an app on my phone for a while and it's really helped to make me aware of my weight creep. 

This chart shows my weight over the past 90 days. You can see that the numbers have been edging up very gradually over the whole time I've been charting. 

Looking at the past 30 days, it's going a little better, with a general creep down instead of up. So, yay? But I know I could be doing better. 

As I've been tracking my habits, I've been struggling with improving some of them. For example, drinking water. It's a lot harder than I expected to drink as much water as I'd hoped, mainly on days when I'm running around doing errands or spending the day at work rather than at home. So my plan is to keep a large water bottle in my car and in my work bag so I always have water with me. I do notice a difference in my appetite when I've drunk a lot of water before meals, so I think getting better about this will be a big help in shrinking down my portion sizes without being hungry (or hangry!).

I have done pretty well with reducing my alcohol intake. Cutting my cocktails with seltzer has been surprisingly effective, especially when I emphasize the flavors with bitters. My latest creation was a splash of whipped cream vodka, a splash of creme de cacao, cocoa bitters, a bit of cherry juice, and black cherry seltzer. Delicious and refreshing! I feel like over the course of time I can transition into less (or even no!) vodka to lower the calorie count even further. 

As I look back over my eating log for the week, I'm reasonably happy with how I did. I did notice that I sneak a cookie as a snack more often than I realized (I need to get rid of my leftover Christmas cookies - and not by eating them!), but having to write everything down did help me to decide against random mid-afternoon snacks quite often. And when I did decide to snack, it was usually a small handful of cashews or some apple slices. 

So what I am doing differently this week? One thing I plan to do is add a place in my daily log for the treats that I resisted. There were definitely times when I thought about eating something and I chose against it, or I could have chosen a higher-calorie meal and didn't. I feel like it will be a good encouragement for me to see the times that I made a healthy choice when I really wanted something else. For example, I was out shopping with my husband the other day and we stopped at Burger King for lunch, and even though I really wanted a burger and fries, I got a couple of small chicken wraps and I stole exactly 3 fries from my husband. Yay for me! And the more I resist, the easier it gets to resist. Plus, I'm learning what lower-calorie meals and snacks I find satisfying, such as an apple and a tablespoon of peanut butter instead of a peanut butter sandwich, or salmon and fresh vegetables instead of steak and mashed potatoes. Carbs - particularly bread and potatoes - are still a big part of my diet, so I'm also hoping to work more fruits and vegetables in with my proteins instead of all starches. 

What's the bottom line on my first week? It's a slow and gradual start, but it's a start. Onward and downward!

Quote for the week: Today is another chance to get it right. 

The 2024 Golden Globes Red Carpet Review

I did not watch the Golden Globes this year, but any of you who read my blog know that never stops me from posting a red carpet review. So, without further ado, I give you: The Hits and Misses of the 2024 Golden Globes Red Carpet!

The majority of dresses fell into one of three categories: metallics, bright colors, and mostly-black. I'll start with the metallics.  

I love Quinta Brunson's metallic pale gold column. The angled halter top with narrow sheer band running down the sides as well as the top and bottom gives just a hint of Art Deco style. It's simple, it's elegant, and it suits her.

Emma Stone's pale gold gown was a little less successful, in my opinion. The color doesn't particularly flatter her, and the whole bodice seems cut a little too low, making it look droopy and poorly fitted. Slightly higher cut armholes (fun fact: the technical term is "armscye," pronounced "arms eye") might have helped. I do love the line of the skirt, with its flared front slit and short train. So not terrible, but not her best look. 

Also in the "fine but not great" category is America Ferrara, in a silver fitted sheath with straight across bodice and narrow spaghetti straps. I love the wide placement of the straps and the perfectly floor-skimming hem, and the overall silhouette is fabulous, but the bodice seems just a hair too tight, and the lumpy flowers look uncomfortable and...well, lumpy. Her flippy hair is adorable, though, and her makeup is fresh and not overdone. 

I'm less of a fan of Julia Garner's sequined silver column with its "overgrown suspenders" style bodice. It's just not flattering on anyone, and unless your double-sided tape is working overtime, you can't move freely without fear of a wardrobe malfunction. The skirt is nicely tailored, with another perfectly floor-skimming hem, but I'd prefer a different bodice style on her. 

At the other end of the spectrum is the luminous Emily Blunt, in an absolutely fabulous gown with metallic gold detailing on the bodice and upper skirt with a full, sheer white, floor-length skirt. I might not have chosen a silver necklace with the gold dress (although it was a lovely piece, and I appreciated that it wasn't the standard diamond necklace), but her diamond cuff was spectacular and her simple slicked-back chignon with just a few wisps peeping out was just right. *Chef's kiss!*

Issa Rae's Art Deco beaded column was a more intense shade of gold that was lovely with her coloring. It had long fitted sleeves, a simple jewel neckline, and a short slit at the back. I love the pattern and the simplicity, but I feel like it needed some visual interest at the neckline or in her hair to pull the viewer's eye up to her face. Perhaps a slightly scooped or shallow v-neck with a simple necklace might have helped. But still, a lovely look. 

Elizabeth Debicki looked terribly washed out and droopy in her metallic A-line gown. I like that the bodice is fitted but not a corset, but the combination of the low neckline, fitted to the hip bodice, and too-long hem make it look like the straps need to be shortened for it to fit properly. Her limp hair and pale makeup are not flattering, either. This look was so close, but didn't quite work. Shorten those straps, add a brighter lip and a more interesting hairstyle, and this look would have been much better on her. 

A look I want to love but just can't is Christine Ricci's sheer lace gown. There's something weird going on with her boobs; I'm not sure if the lace overlay is too tight, if she's wearing a funky undergarment, or if she needs an undergarment, but something is making white circles on her chest and it's not a good look. The jewel neckline and wide-cut armholes are also a little boring, but from the waist down it's a great look, clinging to the hip but flaring into a train at the back. The large black clutch is great with her black pageboy hairstyle.

Kate Beckinsale's look is just a bit much for me. The top is a silver sequined sleeveless leotard with mock turtleneck and hotpants-cut bottoms, with a sheer silver overlay skirt with a full peplum at the back and a long side train, plus a coordinating giant pouf on one shoulder. While I appreciate that the pouf gives visual balance to the train, there are just too many details here. Lose the peplum, shrink down both the pouf and the train, and make the hotpants into more of an angled hip-hugger cut, and I'd like this look much better. But keep the wide diamond cuffs that are worn just below the elbow, because those are fabulous. 
 

There were also quite a few very brightly colored dresses in a whole rainbow of hues, rather than just the reds and vivid yellows we're been seeing so many of lately. 

 

Margot Robbie went with the Barbie theme in a bubblegum - er, Barbie pink sequined column with a frilled tulle boa. I love the angled straps of the neckline and the simplicity of the silhouette, and I even love the boa, especially since it isn't the traditional feathers, which might have looked a bit too "boudoir". A very fun look.

Selena Gomez wore a bright crimson gown with criss-cross halter straps, three diamond-shaped cutouts on the bodice, and a full skirt with asymmetrical hem, with black accents in the skirt lining, a wide belt, and flowers on the bodice. Although I like the look overall, I think the skirt was just a hair too full for such a severely angled hem. A slightly less bulky crinoline underneath and it would be a great look. 

Da'Vine Joy wore a stunning strapless burgundy gown with dark burgundy sequins on the bust, a peplum, and a skirt that flared softly from the knee. I love the way the sweetheart neckline sweeps up a little higher at the outside edges, but the bust was not well-fitted, pushing her boobs unnaturally up and together. But that is honestly a small nitpick in what is, overall, a gorgeous look. Also, I love that her lip color perfectly matched the gown. 

Brie Larson went retro in a '50s-inspired lavender tea-length gown with a sweetheart neckline with widely-placed angled straps and a flared skirt. The sheen of the fabric works well with the stiff silhouette, and the pointy-toed silver pumps and diamond necklace laying right on her collarbone are perfect accessories. Very cute!

Michelle Yeoh hit it out of the park (as usual) in a vivid orange column with a lovely folded detail at the top of the sweetheart neckline and interesting seaming on the bodice and in the waist darts and side seams. I love that the skirt is just a bit flared rather than the standard fitted sheath, and her long, softly waved hair is just perfect. And the coordinating super-pointy gold pumps and oversized gold watch are details that only she could pull off with such style.

Only Helen Mirren could pull off this voluminous floor-length jacket with its giant bell sleeves. The dress underneath is terrific, with its empire waist and simple lines, the color (which is actually three slightly different shades of lavender) is perfectly striking with Mirren's sleek silver chignon, and her diamond chandelier earrings and short diamond necklace are perfect for the queen that she is. 

Hailee Steinfeld was very Audrey Hepburn in this mauve satin sleeveless column with a pearl-edged jewel neckline and rectangular train, paired with sheer black opera-length gloves and a high updo with a few loose tendrils. Very Old Hollywood Glamour. All she needs is a long cigarette holder:

Zuri Hall was a lady in red in this beautiful mermaid gown with a small train. Look closely at the bodice and you'll notice some really interesting criss-cross pleating and seaming that makes the whole bodice hug her figure beautifully and adds just enough visual interest to the simple silhouette of the gown. 

 

Taylor Swift wore a lime green sequin column with tiny triangular cutouts at the side of the bodice and an open back with three narrow straps. It was simple but flattering, and her multiple long diamond earrings were a stunning finishing touch. 

Oprah Winfrey knocked 'em dead in a fitted, sparkly, textured-purple off-one-shoulder portrait collar gown with long sleeves and a short train. Her hair was long and waved and swept to one side, her makeup was great, and I love her super-long purple teardrop earrings that brushed her shoulder. 

Jennifer Lopez pulled off the super-voluminous look better than most in a strapless cotton-candy pink taffeta mermaid gown with a wrap composed of giant rosettes that cascaded into a full train. She followed the trend of softly waved, pulled to one side hair, which gave her a glamorous Veronica Lake air. 

Of course, there were plenty of all-black or mostly-black ensembles. 

Oh, Meryl Streep. You deserve so much better than what your stylist puts you in. The black sequin flared skirt with its tiny train is terrific, and the jacket draped over the shoulders is fine if slightly boring, but the matronly 1980s bow-neck white blouse is simply awful. 

Jennifer Lawrence wore a black velvet column with a somewhat full bodice with a plunging neckline and a short train. I love the way the bodice tucks into the waistline, although it seems just a hair too full at the waist. I love her long, blond sideswept hair. Other than creating a slightly more tapered line to the bodice, I wouldn't change a thing about this look. 

Jennifer Aniston wore a more traditional strapless sequined black sheath with a sweetheart neckline, a wide belt, and diamond patterning on the skirt. It was beautifully tailored and looked terrific on her (naturally), but I found it a bit boring. 

Angela Bassett's black off-the-shoulder trumpet gown was also quite traditional, with a sweetheart neckline and long sleeves ending in little cuffs and a skirt that was fitted over the hip and flared just above the knee, ending in a short, narrow train. I loved the detail of the cuffs and a smaller train than expected, as well as her silver clutch and curly, side-parted hairstyle. This is traditional done right - and not boring!

Another retro '50s-inspired look, Rosamund Pike wore a tea-length black lace gown with a fishnet mesh yoke and long sleeves accented with embroidered black flowers to the elbow. I love that part of her look. But the weird feathery headpiece with the stiff bow on top looks like she's wearing a rotten, carved-out apple on her head. I think it was supposed to be a modern take on a pillbox hat, but this was all I could think of:

Sorry, Rosamund. Lose the hat and you'll look gorgeous. 

Sheryl Lee Ralph took the simple black column in a different direction by topping the bodice with vivid yellow satin that extended into short puffed off-the-shoulder sleeves and then cascaded into a long train. Add curly side-parted hair and a delicate diamond tennis bracelet and choker, and you have sheer perfection. 

Reese Witherspoon's dress was a similar concept, but executed less successfully. Her gown was an odd ankle length, and was topped with a bland champagne-colored twist that created a lovely line but was not the right color for her. She wore a slightly wider diamond bracelet and necklace, which really worked, but her half-up hairstyle with wisps looked windblown and disheveled, and her nude makeup was unnecessarily aging and unflattering. Close, but not quite right. A rare misstep for her!

Carey Mulligan's black taffeta mermaid gown was tightly fitted and ruched from the sweetheart neckline to to the knee, where it flared crisply. The bodice had an angled swath of silvery white fabric covered with dangling black and crystal jewels. I didn't love the hanging jewels, but the overall look was so gorgeous on her that I didn't mind. Her cute chin-length bob was curled under and tucked behind one ear to nicely show off her chandelier earrings. She also pulled off the neutral makeup trend better than most, and I especially loved her soft, barely-frosted mauve lipstick. 

Janelle James wore a lovely black one-shouldered column with a nearly waist-high slit, but her look was overpowered by the chartreuse floating sleeves that cascaded into voluminous yards of slightly wrinkled fabric. Less would have been more here. 

Amanda Seyfried accented her black trumpet dress with a deep plum sequin-encrusted bow at the neckline. The bow was large but not distractingly so, and drew attention to her face instead of overwhelming her. Her smoky purple eye makeup was fantastic, although I wish her lipstick had been a shade of plum to tie in to the dress. I did love her large pearl earbobs and sleeked-back hair. 

Poor Fantasia Barrino's black and gray dress was just a hot mess. The bodice wasn't too bad, and I love the nearly shoulder-length black gloves with a diamond tennis bracelet worn on top. But I have no idea what's going on with the skirt. It begins with a tight band of white spangled fabric at the hip, then there's a full skirt with a train attached? It's like they had three different designers that each planned one piece and then they slapped them all together. At least her hair and makeup are great?

Jeannie Mai did it right in a black sequin column accented with white pearls in a thick band across the top of the bodice, then gradually fading in spangles down to the hem. The silhouette is great and the gown is beautifully tailored, and allowing the pearls on the gown to be the accessories, with no jewelry other than tiny earbobs, along with a tight center-parted chignon, makes this a killer look. 

Let's wrap it up with a few nods to some of the gentlemen who also shone on the red carpet at the GGs. There were a lot of gorgeous, well-tailored black tuxedos, but these guys went for something a little (or a lot) different. 

Timothee Chalamet killed it in a black sequined jacket, open black dress shirt, narrow-legged black pants, patent loafers, and a fabulous black and diamond choker. 

Barry Keoghan was eye-catching in a cropped burnt orange jacket and loose pants in different-sized check patterns, over a white peter pan collared shirt, accessorized with patent boots with a cool gold stud in the laces, a gold pocket watch with pearl and gold fobs, a brooch on his lapel, a short pearl necklace with a ruby and diamond clasp at the front, and a single earring matching the clasp. Nicely coordinated but not too much so. 

Jonathan Bailey proved that simple is sometimes best in a crisp all-white linen ensemble with wide-legged pants, white blazer with shawl collar, and open white shirt, finished off with black patent loafers (I trend I am loving). 

John Krasinski sported a gorgeous burnt orange satin double-breasted tux jacket over chocolate brown tapered pants, with a beautifully hand-tied bow tie as a finishing touch. Classic. 

Tyler James Williams wore a tan suit with black pinstripes. The 2-button jacket had wide peak lapels, pocket flaps, and a large tan silk flower boutonniere on the lapel, and the pants were long and flared. He paired the suit with a crisp white dress shirt and narrow black necktie, with a long thin gold necklace. Elegant and modern. I like it!

Jelani Alladin went very haute couture in this stylized double-breasted black tuxedo. The right side is a relatively standard black tux jacket, while the left is a thigh-length black-on-black brocade which matched the brocade pants. It was gorgeously tailored, and subtle enough to not be too wild. Bonus points for the hand-tied bow tie, French cuffs, and impeccably shiny shoes. 

Lenny Kravitz was, as always, cooler than cool in a double-breasted tux with satin collar that nipped in at the waist and featured a side cutout, paired with super-flared pants that just skimmed the floor, and, of course, his signature dreadlocks and sunglasses. So cool. 

I have to end with the absolute cutest red carpet couple ever: Bradley Cooper and his mom, Gloria Campano.