If Sunday’s 82nd Academy Awards left you feeling a bit bewildered, you’re not the only one. Not only was I completely stunned that The Hurt Locker walked away with so many awards (yay!) since it was rumored that Avatar would be Sunday night’s showstopper, but I was equally surprised by the ornate Old Hollywood glam elegance of the red carpet fashion.

Luckily, you can easily get this year’s red carpet look for less by shopping online for some of the key trends we saw on Oscar night. I’ve picked five of my favorite Oscar fashions and found a much cheaper alternative for you…let me know what you think! Oscar dresses for less…my favorite blog post to do. Ever.

(note: all photos below are courtesy of Donato Sardella/wwd except for the Robert Downey Jr. shot, courtesy of justjared)

One-shouldered Goddess Style

Tina Fey in Michael Kors; A.B.S. by Allen Schwartz One-Shoulder Dress only $297

One-shouldered dresses abounded on the red carpet — Tina Fey, Sigourney Weaver, and Molly Ringwald are just a few of many goddesses struttin’ the trend on the red carpet. The dignified silhouette of a one-shouldered dress is a great way to show off toned arms, chest, and back while remaining modest, which is why it’s perfect for the classy yet svelte figures of these A-list celebs. A.B.S. by Allen Schwartz makes wonderfully gorgeous designer-style gowns at just a fraction of the price — I love this elegant one-shouldered jersey dress with rhinestone detailing, and at only $224.99 from Bluefly, you’ll still have money leftover for chandelier earrings to wear with it!

Regal Royal Blue

Gabourey Sidibe in Marchesa; J.S. Boutique Beaded Cluster Gown only $117.90

Royal blue was certainly the couleur du noir on Sunday — Gabourey Sidibe, Mo’nique Mariah Carey, and Maggie Gyllenhaal donned some form of royal blue in their gowns, a sharp but beautiful contrast to the spring pastels that I thought’d I’d see on Sunday. Gabourey’s royal blue Marchesa dress featured an interesting twisted bodice design with glittery floral detailing. I wasn’t fond of the detailing on the bodice, so I found a similar style in this JS Boutique beaded cluster gown that features a twisted cluster bodice, but with some sparkly detailing on the hip instead. Tell me what you think about it!

Lacy Days…

Sandra Bullock in Marchesa, JS Collection Lace and Chiffon Empire Gown, only $124.97

I was a huge fan of Sandra Bullock’s dress — I loved the delicate lace top, the daintiness and elegance of the silhouette, and even the color (and I’m not usually a fan of beige or golden dresses, especially on lighter skin tones). I found a similar dress from JS Collections, this JS Collections Lace and Chiffon Empire dress for only $124.97. My only critique is that I thought the gown was a bit matronly for Sandra — but she balanced that out with some stunning bright red lipstick which was a bold and youthful move! Wanna know what she used? Chanel Rouge Coco #22 Paris…you can get it here.

Rockin’ Red on the Carpet.

Penelope Cruz in Donna Karan, Laundry by Shelli Segal Charmeuse Dress only $173.80

Let’s face it, Penelope Cruz could wear a dress made out of dirt and still look good. So I guess it doesn’t matter much that I was not that impressed with the red swirling tornado of her red Donna Karan dress. It needed something… like another dress that wasn’t so monotone. But she still looked great, and I have a warm spot in my heart for people who pull off red dresses well. So I found a similar style in this Laundry by Shelli Segal Ruby Lipstick Strapless Charmeuse Dress for only $199.99.

The Accessory Blues

Robert Downey Jr. in Oliver Peoples Sheldrake Sunglasses; Tommy Hilfiger blue sunglasses, $69.99

I’m pretty convinced that the only reason male actors get invited to walk on the red carpet is to help prevent the ladies from tripping on their own gowns. They get completely overshadowed by all the gown talk — and that’s why I’m taking a special moment to call out two lovely lads that made a pretty impressive appearance at Sunday’s Oscars. Robin Thicke was pretty stylin’, with a perfectly manicured hairstyle, custom tuxedo and Burberry shirt. And who could forget Robert Downey Jr., breaking out the blue Oliver Peoples Sheldrake custom-tinted sunglasses and baby blue bow tie? I found a similar pair of Tommy Hilfiger blue sunglasses for $69.99 at Target and a solid blue bow tie from Krisar Enterprises for only $9.95!

Bonus red carpet look hint: pack it all in nicely with Victoria’s Secret Slimtastic body shaper — the stars swear by it!
What do you think about these 5 red carpet looks for less? Please leave a comment below…

For a long time, I couldn’t understand why anyone would spend more than $30 on a hair dryer. After all, it’s just spewing warm air. Then, in a post-break-up buying spree five years ago, a friend talked me into buying a high-end dryer, insisting that they really do make a difference. She was right. In addition to lasting longer, they make styling your hair faster and easier.

I recently got a Rusk Go Green Hair Dryer, and it’s the best one I’ve used–better than dryers I’ve tried at twice the price. First, it’s eco-friendly. It’s made with 100% recycled materials, printed with soy ink, and consumes 26% less power energy than other dryers. But that’s not why I love it. I love it because it seriously cuts drying time for my long hair, and its high-power, coupled with its 3 heat settings, 2 speed settings and Cool Shot button, make it easy to get smooth, shiny hair without employing a curling or straightening iron. That means less time spent getting ready each morning, and less heat-damage to my hair.

Rusk is a professional products company, which means they market primarily to salons and spas. These kinds of products are high-powered and durable enough to stand up to the use, wear and tear of professional stylists, so you know they can handle any kind of hair you’ve got!

P.S. I found the Rusk Go Green Dryer on sale for $75 (down from $129.99). If you’re interested in hearing about sales and great deals in real-time, follow us on Twitter!

Oscar season is great for a dose of glitz and glamor, but not often helpful in the way of fashion tips. Everyone looks stunning, but most of us don’t have the occasions–let alone the budgets–to copy their style. What we can copy, though, is the fabulous hair. I particularly love Natalie Portman’s beautiful updo at the star-studded Vanity Fair party. Nexxus’s Kevin Mancuso (author of The Mane Thing and stylist to stars like Sienna Miller, Blake Lively, Naomi Watts and Taylor Swift) did Natalie’s ‘do, and he was kind enough to give us some how-to tips so the rest of us can duplicate her chic look at home.

1. Shampoo and condition hair with body-building products to give hair lift. (Kevin uses Nexxus Diametress and Sublime Volume)

2. Apply a volumizing spray gel (his pick: Nexxus Lavish Body) from roots to ends, then blow-dry with a paddle brush, directing hair up and away from face and lifting at the root.

3. When roots are almost dry, switch to a round brush and blow-dry ends, smoothing as you go.

4. While hair is still warm, transfer one-inch sections to Velcro rollers and let completely cool, then remove and tousle hair with a bit of smoothing lotion, such as Nexxus Sleek Finish.

5. Remove a one-inch front section of hair and then pull the rest gently back into a mid-level ponytail, securing with an elastic.

6. Use bobbi pins to artfully sculpt loose ends into a soft updo.

7. Use a flat iron to smooth front curl and help position hair around face, then finish look with a light misting of a hairspray, like Nexxus Comb Thru.

It sure doesn’t look sexy, but this Powermat charger might be a busy family’s dream.

Whether you’re sick of the tangle of cords from a dozen different devices, forgetting to charge your phone or, worse, grabbing it from the charger only to discover that you’d kicked the plug out of the wall, the Powermat may be the answer to your prayers.

First, it’s easy. Just plop your device on the Powermat, listen for the tone that indicates the charging has started, and go. Your wireless device will charge as quickly as it would if plugged into the wall. But the best part is that it charges up to three devices at once, including Blackberrys, iPhones, iPods, Nintendo DSi or DS Lite, Sony Playstation Portables, some Kodak cameras and more. So you can keep the whole family’s tech gear charged-up and corralled in one location.

While trolling for deals on the Shop.com site, I came across some great new stuff from Victoria’s Secret. I’m particularly lusting after this Linen Scoopneck Sweater: The gorgeous color (“grape jelly”!), easy silhouette and the combination of long sleeves with light, breathable linen make it a perfect go-to top this spring. Light enough to toss over a dress on a summer evening and cozy enough to layer under a bulky sweater on a chilly day, I suspect I’ll be reaching for it over and over (and over) again… even come fall.

As I’m writing this, Hollywood is in Oscar crunch. Starlets are putting the finishing touches on their look, shimmy-ing into their gowns, and waiting for their limos to arrive. After hours of prep, they emerge as a perfectly coiffed A-listers, looking as if it was all effortless and so simple.

But thanks to reality tv shows like The Rachel Zoe Project,  we’ve seen that mistakes can happen, even precious minutes before a pedicured toe gingerly steps out on the red carpet. It’s all high drama,  and seems silly in real life, but for a star who’s career is on the line (and doesn’t want to end up in the Oscar Hall of Shame), this is an emergency of the utmost, high alert kind.  Thankfully, in the red carpet world,  the stylist emerges doctor-like with a fix-it kit–a fashion tool box, if you will–crammed with enough double-stick tape and Spanx to fill a limo. Emergency diverted, and starlet can appear to the crowd as calm, and utterly cool, ready to face the fashion firing squad.

Whether you step out on a red carpet or a beige one, we all have been there, in a fashion 911 that needs a doctor/stylist pronto. While none of us are lucky enough to have RZ on speed dial, having a few disaster-proof items on hand are always a good thing. Here are three to put into your own kit and some are small enough to stash in the tiniest clutch, a good thing to consider when you’re ready for your Oscar moment:

Hollywood Fashion Tape: These double-stick tape strips are lifesavers for holding slingback straps on, fastening up a loose hem, holding a blouse in place or making wrap top stay closed.

Footpetals: The go-to essentials for making stilettos actually shoes you can walk in. The Tip Toes flower petals cushion the balls of your feet and prevent calluses from forming.

Commando Thongs: What’s better than going commando? Fashion insiders love these line-free thongs because they lay flat without seams, meaning no bulges or VPLs.

Stripes are never exactly out of style, but every few years, they step up to take their moment in the spotlight. It’s a great trend: they’re easy to wear, go with tons of clothes you already have in your closet and never truly look outdated. This spring stripes are out in full force, so indulge. You can find great items high (like the Oonagh by Nanette Lepore ‘Martin’ Stripe Jersey Dress, above), low (like the Double Flutter-Sleeve Top, below) and everywhere in between.

Check out a few more favorites:

Gap Stripe Halter Bikini

Tory Burch Stripe Jersey Top

Milly Stripe Bateau Neck Sweater

Stem Stripe Organic Cotton Tee

The cheeky names, the quirky packaging… I’ve always found it hard to resist products from Benefit Cosmetics. They’re really good products, of course, but they’re also just so much fun.

Last month, Benefit launched their latest wonder-in-a-box, Sugarbomb. Like their bronzers (Hoola) and luminizers (Georgia, Dandelion, Dallas), it comes in a cute little box with a wide, easy-to-use brush. Just swirl the brush over the palate of four peachy-pinky shades (peach, rose, shimmering pink and soft plum) and swipe onto your cheekbones to give yourself a gorgeous, natural flush. Like all things Benefit, it’s easy, and looks as good on your bathroom counter as it does on your face.

During cold and flu season I am a bit overzealous about washing my hands, cleaning with disinfectants, and using antibacterial lotions and gels. I just really dislike getting sick. In my line of work there’s really no such thing as a sick day, so I need to avoid as many of those pesky bugs as possible.

My face lit up when I learned about iTouchless Housewares & Products—a housewares manufacturer that is dedicated to simplifying daily chores and to creating an automatic, touch-free and germ-free living environment.With family, pets and people around all the time, I can’t really live in a germ-free bubble, but I can try!

Towel-Matic II Sensor Paper Towel Dispenser doles out paper towels on demand. With a built-in optical scanner, it identifies the perforations on the towel and stops right at the line every time. The dispenser can turn out one sheet, two sheets or a half sheet.

The Sensor Flush is an automatic sensor toilet flushing system that can retrofit most existing home tank style toilets. The gadget will fit any toilet tank that has flush handle mounted on the front or 45 degree of the tank. The sensor unit can also be secured on top of all toilet tanks with double-sided tape that comes with it. The automatic flush has built-in proximity sensors in the handle that lock onto objects and flushes automatically after the user is out of view.

This trash can has 100% touch-free operation and fits 13- or 18-gallon trash bags. The lid opens instantly when hand or trash is within 5 inches of its sensor.

It seems to be the season of mini computers, and whether you’re a computer buff who likes artful technology, or a fashionista who wants beautiful fashions to permeate every part of life, you have to agree that Vivenne Tam’s Digital Clutch is special.  First seen in her Spring 2010 runway show (photo above), the Digital Clutch utilizes the same butterfly motif Tam used in her collection, and HP just announced today that the computer is just about to hit stores.

“As a fashion designer I have always found inspiration in bringing contrasting worlds together,” said Tam. “I use computers in every aspect of my life so it seemed natural to marry fashion and technology.”

The pattern was inspired by the classic Chinese love story, “Butterfly Lovers,” and is integrated into the lid of the computer rather than printed on top (ie, increased durability without chipping or scratching). It’s less than one-inch thick and, when closed, resembles a beautiful clutch purse (hence the name). In addition to the external design element, the HP Mini 210 Vivienne Tam Edition also comes with a “butterfly lovers” desktop theme that includes an animated butterfly start menu, custom Vivienne Tam icons and three wallpapers to coordinate with the design. Additional accessories are available, too,  including a matching micro-fiber suede sleeve and optional butterfly-lovers wireless mouse or Monster-branded in-ear headphones.

Both the HP Mini 210 Vivienne Tam Edition and the coordinating wireless mouse are expected to be available March 19. We’ll let you know as soon as they hits stores!