It's that time of year again....THE OSCARS!!

Sure, I haven't seriously blogged in two months, but I've started a tradition and I can't let this year's ceremony pass me by. Not even an impending move (we found a darling house to rent! more soon!) can stop me from planting myself on the couch for the next five hours and bringing you all the glamour, all the stars, all the winners and all the snark.

If this is your first time, I'll be updating this post through the night, so just keep hitting refresh. As always, comments are welcome! I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Let's do this thing.

But, before we start, I'd like to dedicate this, The 4th Annual Southern Drama Queen's Oscars Extravagnanza, to two women who have encouraged me and inspired me in my love of the Academy Awards. First, I dedicate this night to Katie P, one of Winston-Salem's finest police officers. Katie will spend this night protecting the streets from vagrants and thieves, sacrificing her love of Hollywood for the greater good of The Dash's citizens. Katie, my best snark? It's all for you.

I also want to dedicate this post to the irrepressible Molly Page, fashion guru and fellow pop culture kindred spirit. Molly and I connected through our blogs before becoming friends in real life here in Chattanooga. I had looked forward to watching this year's Oscars with her, but then her husband went and got an amazing job in Chicago and Molly was off to the big city. Thanks to the magic of social media, we'll watch it together via Twitter but I can't wait to see what she posts in the days to come regarding all the fashion on the red carpet. Make sure you check her blog this week!

Ok, y'all, on to the red carpet! Let's start with The Bridesmaids...

I am SO glad Melissa went with a brighter color! I love that this shows off her gorgeous shape, rather than the voluminous shifts she's worn for the rest of the awards season. Stunning.

Rose. Oh, Rose. You don't have to take yourself so seriously. Also, it might be time to take the Scarface DVD off repeat. 1983 Michelle Pfeiffer called and she wants her hairstyle back.

OH, SWOON. I love everything about this look. The sheer glamour of the hair, the color of the dress, the sparkle at the sleeves and waist. Also, how great is it to see curves on the red carpet?!?

Jessica Chastain is a very pretty woman and I'm impressed at how she pulls off this elaborate dress on such a diminutive frame. 

Dear Miley, Lindsay, Selena and Demi Levato, TAKE NOTE. This is how you do young Hollywood.

Oh, Viola. How your bosoms doth impress. And that shade of green is just fabulous!

Annnnnd Sacha Bren Cohen just dumped an urn of ashes on Ryan Seacrest. Did he not get the memo that "Punked" bit the dust years ago and NO ONE CARES ABOUT HIS CRAPPY "COMEDY"? Ugh, go away.

Classic. Elegant. Beautiful. Well done, Octavia.

I like how Kristen went kind of wonderfully understated. So effortless. But maybe too much so for the Oscars? I'm torn.

This is a first. I don't actually hate what Giuliana is wearing! It's very pretty and feminine and kind of old school glamour. Her make-up is gorgeous and she's not orange. I'm not sure I can ask for more from G. Way to kick cancer in the keister!

So my dear Molly tells me that peplums are very on trend. I haven't really understood the fuss, but I absolutely LOVE the dress that Carolina Herrera designed for Tina Fey. I vote yes for the peplum!

Emma, you are darling in red. Sure, the bow could be a bit smaller, but I'll you'll be one of the most comfortable actresses in the auditorium tonight.

I am looooooooving these polka dots! So fun and unexpected for Oscar night! Well played, Natalie.

7:53 p.m.

It's seven minutes and I've only seen two actors that I would consider current Hollywood legends. Where is everyone?!?

7:56 p.m.
While we wait for the show to start, how about some Hollywood legends from the past? Life Magazine has a slideshow of some wonderful shots and I think these are my favorite...

The epitome of style- Audrey and Grace.

Lovely Liz

If you've never seen "Splendor in the Grass", go out and find it this week.

8:03 p.m.

Ok, just realized the show doesn't start until 8:30. I can't believe I didn't know that. That's a rookie mistake and I'm better than that.

Back to the red carpet...

I'm always impressed at how the more experienced dames bring it. Now, where's Helen Mirren?
Speaking of the dames of Hollywood, how about a little Meryl?

No one does draped better than her.

Gorgeous. As always. But a tad boring?

At first I thought Sandy's dress and overall look was a bit stern, but then I saw her delightful interview with Louise on ABC's coverage. Apparently, it's sexy times tonight!

It's Angelina! And she's smiling! And her hair is all loose and relaxed! Me likey.

8:22 p.m.

Ok, taking a break and then I'll be back after Billy's opening number. Fingers crossed there's a grandiose musical parody coming!

8:47 p.m.
Sooooo, that was kind of...lame? Billy's opening, while traditional, felt dated and contrived. Why not go for something new? Eh. Disappointed.

8:53 p.m.
Have I mentioned that movie montages set to soaring orchestral music make me cry?

8:57 p.m.
The irony of J Lo discussing wear a loose dress to make you look like a lady is not lost on my friends. And that is why I love them so.

9:03 p.m.
Can we just do movie montages and actor interviews all night? Loving those. And apparently all you have to do now is merely mention "Field of Dreams," flash a shot of that field and I start crying.

9:15 p.m.
Hooray for Octavia!! She was absolutely outstanding in "The Help" and I can't wait to see more of her work in movies to come.

9:17 p.m.
For those keeping count, Octavia's win was Tears Welling Up #3 for me. Any guess as to what the final count will be?

9:29 p.m.
Molly and I agree that the "lost footage" of a MGM focus group (performed by Christopher Guest and friends) was the funniest part of the show so far. And that strikes me as just a wee bit sad...

9:39 p.m.
Holy. Cow. The Cirque de Soleil performance was UNREAL. Designed to capture the feeling of going to the movies, I'd say they definitely nailed it. (ETA: Video now posted of this AMAZING performance!) 

Also, is it crazy that I really loved Miss Piggy's hair?

9:44 p.m.
Watching Robert Downey, Jr. and Gwenyth Paltrow Best Documentary presenters banter was like a true life Ironman and Pepper scene.

And TWU #4 goes to "Undefeated" winning the category. Y'all, it's like a real life "Friday Night Lights". Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose!

I think my Best Banter and Funniest Moment goes to Emma Stone and Ben Stiller. She's hilarious anyway, but I loved how she hammed up the fact that she was a first time presenter. Total drama queen, my kind of gal.

10:05 p.m.
Captain Von Trapp for the win! Best supporting actor goes to Christopher Plummer. His acceptance speech was winsome and charming, making it my favorite of the night thus far. Now excuse me while I indulge myself in a rousing rendition of "Eidelweiss."

10:19 p.m.
Really, Oscars? Only two nominees for Best Song? For shame. But Will Ferrel and Zach Galianfinakis presenting did give me a good giggle.

10:33 p.m.
I'm fading fast, y'all. I also have a strange craving to go eat a cheeseburger in Angelina Jolie's scrawny thigh's honor.

Annnnnnnnd, pose.

10:58 p.m.
TWU #5 - The Governor's Awards highlights and Honorary Oscars going to Oprah and James Earl Jones.

11:24 p.m.
I got nothin'.

11:31 p.m.
I am delighted for Meryl, but a little sad that Viola didn't get it. Also, I'd like to have Colin Firth record the outgoing message on my voicemail. Can someone arrange that for my birthday?

11:36 p.m.
And Best Picture goes to "The Artist"!! Between winning Best Picture and Best Actor, I really need to go see it.

And that's all, folks. It was a tame ceremony as Oscars go. I feel bad I didn't have more to offer, but they really didn't give me much to work with. I have a strongly worded letter going out to the producers tomorrow. Thanks for reading, y'all!

Here's to glamour, here's to fashion, here's to the movies!

It's Oscar Time!

It's that time of year again. The Holy Grail of awards season has arrived...Oscar! That gorgeous golden man is here to make Hollywood dreams come true.

Welcome to my Third Annual Oscars Live Blog post! {You can read the First and Second Annual Oscars posts here and here.} I'll be bringing you some of the fashion do's and don'ts from the red carpet and my thoughts on the ceremony itself. Personally, I can't wait to see Anne and James host the show and given Anne's penchant for singing, I'm pretty sure we'll get a musical opening number. Yay!

Here we go!

{As time, tweeting and available photos permit, I'll be live-blogging from now until the ceremony's final "Good night!". Just keep hitting refresh and scroll down. Or don't. It all depends on how much pop culture you can handle in one evening.}


It makes me so happy to see a young actress dressed so appropriately. Well done, Hailee! Dear Miley Cyrus fans, take a memo.

I am a fan of pretty much anything Amy Adams does and I will definitely watch "The Fighter" when it comes out on DVD. I love this beautiful old Hollywood look. Navy was a brave and beautiful choice with that gorgeous hair.

Oooooh, Anne! And look! She brought her own Oompa Loompa!

Seriously, she's stunning. I wonder if Rachel Zoe dressed her this year or if she took this awards season off since she's prego.

Hello, Weight Watchers? Sign me up.

I still think it is so cool that she didn't even make it to the final group on American Idol, but has won an Oscar. Nicely done on all counts, Jennifer.

So this dress is fantastic, in my opinion. A great color for her, flowy, walking down the red carpet she even made it look like it's comfortable.

But then we move in closer...

Listen, I am all for an extra decorative "flair" on the bodice of a dress, but this one is just...awkward.

I'm kind of disappointed that Helena didn't bring more of the crazy this year. The hair, the bodice, the clutch disguised as a fan, it's all very pretty!

Yes. Yes to the dress. Yes to the hair {even if it is a bit Barbarella}. Yes to the makeup. YES.

I'm not sure how I feel about this and  I need your help. On one hand, lovely color and bead work. On the other hand, freaky beaded embroidery hoop bodice. Your thoughts?

I am a big fan of this.

And it's not just because she absolutely kills it on "Glee" {although she totally does}, but I love the modern, sleek simplicity of it all. Beautiful and chic.

Yeeeeeeah, I'm going to need to borrow Natalie's stylist when it's my turn to have a baby. Bless her heart, she sounds so worn out in all her red carpet interviews so far. I predict a total emotional meltdown if she wins Best Actress.

Helen Mirren knocked it out of the park last year.

Ohhhhh, love. Well done, Dame Mirren.

Jesse James, you are an idiot.

8:31 p.m.

Here we go! Start the show....

8:42 p.m.
A.) James must be as high as the kite those kids flew in "Mary Poppins".
B.) I'm going to need my hair to look like Anne's come this summer.
C.) The intro was nice enough but WHERE'S MY MUSICAL NUMBER?

8:56 p.m.
It's refreshing to see Hollywood pay tribute to a legend like Kirk Douglas and have him present an award. Such a charmer!

9:00p.m.

Okay, now I really can't wait to see "The Fighter". Hooray for Melissa!

9:08 p.m.
And the Best Animated Feature goes to....well, duh.

I still haven't seen it, but only because I've heard it will make me cry more than "Up" and I just can't handle that right now.

9:11 p.m.

During the commercial, let's feature a recent comment {actually, the only comment thus far, where is everyone?} from my friend Christina, "Maybe if they all 'put a bird on it' the dresses would have a little more flare this year..."

True. So true.

9:22 p.m.
Hey Oscar producers, speed it up. This is taking a sweet forever. Move it along, please!

9:25 p.m.
Anne + gorgeous voice + "Les Miserables" = Happy Leslie
Also, I think Lea Michelle may have some competition for the lead in the revival of "Funny Girl."
Furthermore, I like the tuxedo with the high pony. {picture to come}

9:32 p.m.
This just in: I'm pretty sure my mom has seen more of the nominated movies than I have. What kind of topsy turvy world is this?!

9:44 p.m.
So far, "The Social Network" has won for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Original Score. I both thoroughly enjoyed and was intensely disturbed by that film. Aaron Sorkin wrote a brilliant screenplay and the music was haunting. If you have a Facebook account {or even if you don't}, you really should see it.

10:02 p.m.
And the first tears of my night go to....the favorite songs in movies montage! I'm a sucker for montages anyway but throw a good movie song in and you best pass the tissues.

10:21 p.m.
BEST USE OF AUTO TUNE EVER. But this still doesn't count as the musical number I was waiting for.



10:36 p.m.
Inception was a great movie.
It totally deserved Best Visual Effects.

Yadda yadda yaddda.
I'm bored.

10:52 p.m.
Okay, the funniest event of tonight might just be the "Modern Family" Oscars promo that tags on to the one they did last year. Here's the one from last year...



I can't embed this year's video yet, but you can go see it by clicking here.

And if you're not already watching this show, for the love of all that is hilarious, why? Why are you not bringing joy and laughter to your life?

11:04 p.m.
Further proof that James is totally oblivious to what's going on around him via some sort of pharmaceutical. From my friend Becca's Tumblr...

"Can't even open his eyes for Oprah."

11:36 p.m.
I'm throwing in the towel. I'm going to go shore myself up for the sobbing that is soon to come once the PS 22 school choir sings "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" to end the show. I'll come back tomorrow and add more to this post, so be sure to check back....Thanks for watching with me!