DON's Deal: Austin

Spring means D.O.N. is a girl on the go...this weekend it's Austin! This will be my first time in Texas other than a ton of lame layovers and I am tres excited to get the party started.  Thanks to my tweeps for the "fashion" advice on floating the river...and especially the advice to drink plenty if there are going to be snakes afloat. Yikes.

Have a sweet weekend, y'all!

Stars and Bars,

D.O.N.

All Dolled Up: Chastain, Dobrev, Bilson, Stewart, Pinto

Eva wore Alberta Ferretti to a dinner party in Cannes, a great start to the festival. Freida Pinto chose a sweet Michael Angel gown with a sweetheart neckline.

Marchesa is made for the red carpet and Eva Longoria wears the heck out of it, don't she? 

 Diane Kruger is out of this world in a pale green Giambattista Valli gown with a train that blew all around her as the wind picked up. For a photocall the day prior, she wore a maroon Versus mini dress that gives the illusion of a microscopic waist - smaller than her already tiny waist.

 Yes! Another great pick from Kristen Stewart, this time in BCBG. Miss Marion in Dior looking sweet.

 Smart choice made by Jaime King in wearing a blazer over her Proenza Schouler crop top and skirt. Rachel Bilson in a floaty Chanel dress to the CW upfronts.  Not in love with Nina Dobrev's tight silky Dolce and Gabbana dress at Upfronts. 

Versace, of course, on Freida Pinto. I think between January Jones, Vogue, and this, we've now seen enough iterations of this structured lemony dress.

One win, one fail. Jessica Chastain in a gorgeous pale McQueen, followed by a not gorgeous Dolce and Gabbana dress that looks like Minnie Mouse's evil twin or a Trashy Lingerie costume that was rejected for not enough skin showing. Your choice.

Celeb Potpourri: KStew, Charlize, January, Kim

Reese Witherspoon picks up her kids from school in Brentwood. She looks great, doesn't she? First time parents Elsa Pataky, 35, and Chris Hemsworth, 28, take a stroll with their 5 day old daughter India Rose. After non-stop promotion for Avengers and now Snow White, he was finally granted a little time off to be with his very chic looking wife and new baby.

 Charlize Theron makes new mom chic look easy. She wore leggings and riding boots for maximum comfort at a photocall in Berlin, followed by a Rag and Bone sweater paired with a gorgeous Alexander Wang skirt and GZ heels to the premiere party.

 Look at Kristen Stewart stepping up her fashion game! Love her Preen dress with blue heels (I could so see Leighton Meester wearing this) and her 10 Crosby by Derek Lam fitted dress with a McQ belt. She looks very sophisticated and chic. 

 January Jones does some shopping in LA in a Heartloom maxi dress. Kim Kardashian takes off from London out of LAX.  Had an interesting chat with an insider regarding the work she has had done. Not that anybody doubted it, but she absolutely has.  Somebody joked, "I wonder what she will look like at 50?" I said, "Exactly like this, most likely."

Celeb Potpourri: Kiki, NicRic, Stam, Gwyneth

Diane Kruger and Freida Pinto arrived in France in preparation for Cannes Film Fest. I want to go to this  so badly. Especially if I could go with Diane Kruger, who I can't wait to see in (most likely) some new Chanel.  Freida is typically pretty chic herself.

 Jessica Chastain in Heathrow. She looks sad. Maybe it's all the unkind things I've said about her wardrobe. I'd happily take her shopping if she'd only let me.  Gwyneth Paltrow travels chic in skinny jeans and Isabel Marant slouchy boots. 

More exciting things under the jump, I swear.

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Fashion Forward: Back to Neutral

Yesterday WWD declared neon to be done by Fall. After a season filled with bright jewel tone pops of color and neon accents everywhere, I sadly must agree that this trend will probably wear out her welcome sooner rather than later, petering out as the leaves change or, if you live in LA, nothing changes but I do own a calendar. Excuse me while I remove a phenom neon pink clutch from my Nordstrom online shopping cart...

 So what will take the place of color? Lately we've seen a lot of ladies taking the complete opposite route and going 100% neutral. Perhaps they missed the nude gown craze of 2009-2011, reincarnating it in a more effortless, super easy chic look.

Personally, if this trend is coming, I'm happy it coincides with summer. It is really hard not to look washed out in a pale palette from head to toe, not to mention a challenge to remain spot and spill-free.  That said, it couldn't be an easier trend to embrace: just avoid a solid stark white look and invest in blousy, relaxed fits, at least for your top half.

I think it works with ankle pants too and you can even retain a little color accent so your fun Spring purchases don't get dusty.

Will you be working this trend soon?

A Moment for Kate Middleton

Kate Middleton literally made me gasp in this dress by none other than Jenny Packham. I think if she stops working with Vanessa Hudgens and sticks to looks for the Princess, we can have a truce. This might be the best thing I've ever seen her wear so she gets her own post. She was born for this.

The royal couple were celebrating the upcoming Olympics. 

Thanks to Melissa for telling me I had to find a back pic. Wowzers!

PYTs at Upfronts: Kunis, Sigler, Deschanel, Brit Brit, McPhee

Jamie Lynn Sigler brings a bold red Nonoo jumpsuit that I think I would actually happily wear to the NBC Upfront. That is a major coup.  Katharine McPhee wore Dolce and Gabbana. Pretty, but a little old...which is basically her look.

  Zooey Deschanel in Carven. Not into this at all.  Hannah Simone did a little better in an a-symmetrical hot pink skirt.

 Naya Rivera is wearing what I'm 99% sure I performed a lyrical dance routine to when I was 17. Well done, Capezio, you've broken on to the red carpet fashion scene! Yes, Lea Michele, yes! This is exactly how you should dress for big deal events. 5 gold stars for her Emilio Pucci pick. 

I know she is uncomfortable, but I can only be proud of Brit Brit for breaking out a designer dress for her first Upfront. She wore Alexander Wang to promote her inaugural season of X Factor, which I will now have to watch against my will. Sigh.  Mila Kunis arrived extremely casually for a panel for Family Guy.

What to Expect Premiere: Diaz, Banks, Lopez, Mara, Decker

Whenever you have a lot of women in a cast, you know they are going to bring their A game to the red carpet premiere. Anna Kendrick wore a gorgeous Elie Saab cocktail dress that used sparkle and volume to do the standing out.

 Typically favoring ladylike looks, Elizabeth Banks appears Mad Men camera ready in a conservative, delicate maroon McQueen frock.

 Not in love with Brooklyn Decker's Giambattista Valli dress. The texture and shape just seem a little off. I'm also ready for her to ditch those depressing bangs.  She does, however, look lovely in lemon.

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Celeb Potpourri: Carrie, Kristen, Nina, Mandy, Tiz

Kristen Bell goes for a bike ride in Los Angeles. She has been engaged to Dax Shepard for over 2 years now. They attended the Met Ball together, but I wonder what the pause in wedding date is about? Ashley Tisdale took note from Jessica Alba and sported neutrals and a wide-brimmed hat while shopping in Los Angeles. Love me a Birkin, but I preferred Alba's ensemble.

Miley Cyrus pulled some naughty Sandy while shopping in tight high-waisted jeans and a tube top. Liam is no Danny Zuko, but I'll take it!

  Kim Kardashian dropped by the offices for a little on-air time with Ryan Seacrest. Quite formal for an early morning radio chat, no? I would really dislike dressing up this much all the time.  Miranda Kerr gets in some cuddle time with her son. Her arms must be really getting buff as this kid grows up. She is always carrying him, I never see a stroller!

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