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I arrived early at the wonderful FIDM OC campus on Saturday so I could make sure to take enough pics for my blog here. And yes, I decided to wear a semi-orange jacket (ASOS) and my orange gingham shirt since, I was going to be in ORANGE County! Since I got there early, I got to spend some quality time with all of the FIDM OC peeps! As always, they wondered "Where was Benny?" ...







I usually come to the FIDM OC campus with my doggie Benny (as seen in the photo above from a couple of years ago) but...my NIKOLAKI partner David Paul had taken him to San Diego for a family visit and his sister's birthday. So yes, I was alone (insert sad face!). But, I managed...






















Thanks FIDM OC for another FABULOUS Open House! Until next time!

Part Two of the White House Correspondents' Dinner Fashion: Chiffon Belles




"The Newsroom" actress Emily Mortimer wore a red chiffon Oscar de la Renta gown at last night's White House Correspondents' Association Dinner. I thought she looked very "proper" in this dress featuring a satin belt, banded neckline and sheer sleeves. 
















"Nashville" actress Hayden Panetierre wore this lemon yellow chiffon Katherine Kidd Spring 2012 gown. It was very Prom Queen. I also think there was way too much going on...from the draped side cowls to the gathered bust to the beaded looped trim hanging off of it (seriously, what the heck was that?), it was too mucheey.


And then , she had to braid her hair naturally. File under "what was she thinking?". It was all very...










Singer Katy Perry wore an iridescent green silk chiffon gown from Giambattista Valli Fall/Winter 2012 Haute Couture Collection. This gown--estimated at over $50,000 if she were to buy it (it's Haute Couture and hand-made, kids!), fit Katy very nicely. Notice the immense amount of fabric that is gathered into the bust and waist. It was accessorized with a gold Giambattista Valli Haute Couture "belt" as seen in the above photo.




"Homeland" actress Morena Baccarin looked fabulous in this navy blue strapless slight high-low chiffon gown from J. Mendel. Modern, simple, Grecian Goddess...it's all there.




"Modern Family" Sofia Vergara wore this deep teal blue Grecian Goddess-styled gown featuring perfect shirring on the bust, criss-cross midriff/waist and slightly gathered full skirt. Her lavender-colored earrings, bracelets and ring as well as her gold clutch were the perfect accessories.



Structured Divas:




"Mad Men" actress Jessica Paré looked GORGEOUS and was one of the Red Carpet standouts of the night in a midnight blue Antonio Berardi column one-shoulder gown. It featured architectural structured detail around the shoulder and neckline.




"House of Cards" actress Kate Mara went minimalist in this ivory Prada structured column crepe gown with bow neck detail and three-quarter sleeves. The dress is cut well, (it has to be when it's that basic!), and I love her severe side-parted, slick hairstyle.




"Downton Abbey" actress Michelle Dockerty looked amazing in this purple sleeveless high-neck crepe-and-chiffon gown with structured peplum detail from Elie Saab Ready-to-Wear Fall 2013.





Finally, I must highlight one boy: Bradley Cooper. Just look at him. No, seriously, look at him. Perfection in a double-breasted tuxedo. He looks more like a billionaire Euro Prince than an actor. And I LOVE it!

There are multiple payment options in Google Play, from credit and debit cards to carrier billing and gift cards, but PayPal isn't one of them. Google Wallet competes with PayPal and this could be one of the reasons why you can't use PayPal in Google Play.

Despite this, some Google Wallet JavaScript files that are used in Google Play include many references to PayPal. For example, PayPal is placed next to Maestro, Automated Clearing House (ACH), proxy cards and carriers like Sprint, Softbank and Vodafone. Google's code also mentions PayPal UUIDs, which are used by the PayPal Merchant API, and there's a function named "onRedirectToPayPalPopup". There's also an error message: "PAYPAL_INSTRUMENT_ERROR" next to messages like "GIFT_CARD_ALREADY_REDEEMED" and "INVALID_CREDIT_CARD".

Google Now is finally available for iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. It's not a standalone application, it's just a new feature of the Google Search app.


Google Now for iOS has most of the features from Google's Android app and plenty of customization options that aren't available in the Android app. There aren't many missing cards: research topics, activity summary and events nearby.


I was surprised to see that Google added a lot of settings that let you tweak each card. For example, you can customize the traffic card and decide when it appears and the transportation mode for commutes and other trips.


Since most Google Now cards use location data, it's obvious that Google wants to update your location even when you're not using the app. "Location Reporting helps Google Now show you cards related to traffic alerts, directions, and more. Turning on Location Reporting allows Google to periodically access your location data, even when an app is not in use. If you have Location History enabled, reported locations are stored in your Location History. (...) Since Location Reporting has been optimized to use GPS as infrequently as possible, there should be minimal impact on your battery life." Location Reporting can be disabled from the app's settings section, while Location History can be disabled from the Google Latitude site.

It's interesting to notice that Google Now for iOS is placed less prominently, at the bottom of the screen. You need to swipe up to see the cards. Google Search for iOS doesn't show notifications yet, so you need to constantly open the application to see the new information.

Last night was the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner at the Washington Hilton on April 27, 2013 in Washington, DC , or as insiders like to call it, the "nerd prom".  News Reporters/correspondents from all spectrum of media--from TV, to newspapers (what's that?) and bloggers--rubbed shoulders and ate and drank very close together (that room look too packed!) with Hollywood TV and film (and some reality star) A-listers.







I always wonder who pays for all this, who flies out all these Hollywood peeps, pays for the First Class flights and 5-star hotel suites and car services...Is it the White House? What part of the budget does that come under? The "Entertainment" budget? Oh it's just too much to think about so instead, I'd rather think about the FASHION, of course. Several "trends" emerged last night: such as Lots of Lace, Embellished Gowns and Floaty Chiffon, among others. Let's take a look:

The Lace Gals:




Model Irina Shayk: in Dolce & Gabbana--It's a bit "mumsy" for the super-gorgeous model and for my taste as well. Maybe she figured this wasn't the time to look like a Sexy Goddess (she's right) but she didn't have to look like "The Mistress" of a multimillionaire Italian Government Official in her "mourning gown".




Julia Louis Dreyfus in Dolce & Gabbana--HBO's "Veep" actress also wore Dolce & Gabbana to last night's dinner. But, in my eyes, this  purple lace strapless gown was much better than Irina's. Love the color and the fit is great. The green earrings are the right accessory, adding a different color story.




Arianna Huffington in Valentino Spring 2013 Resort--My Greek "sister" wore a black leather and lace gown from Valentino Resort 2013 Collection. Now, if this dress, on Arianna, looks familiar. You're right: she has worn in several times before...




First at the Vanity Fair Academy Awards Viewing Party in February (above, right photo) and most recently, last week at the "Time 100" event (above left photo). Gotta hand it to Huffington, she's a resourceful one and she loves to recycle. And I praise her because I have a very strong feeling that she actually (brace yourself!) BOUGHT this gown (unlike all the other ladies in this post).




Patricia Arquette--Wow, this is all things a MESS. Arquette wore a strapless, too-tight gown featuring sequined applique lace and tiered and sheared tulle ruffles. I feel for her "sistah's" --they are hurtin' up there. It is waaay too tight and I am scared that all the double-stick tape her "assistant" might have bought at JoAnn's ain't gonna help.




Actress Rebel Wilson--Rebel looks great in this embroidered and beaded lace dress with three-quarter sleeves. The v-neckline is just right (open up the neck ladies!), it cinches her in right under her bust (smallest part of the body!) and the fit-to-flare shape is flattering.  I am not a huge fan of this Navy Blue color on her (I would have preferred a stronger hue or something with a bit more sparkle). Also, I'm a stickler for hem lengths and this could have been a few inches longer.




Pageant Girl--"Nashville" actress Connie Britton also continued the Lace Trend at last night's White House Correspondents' Dinner by wore a bright blue lace "Mermaid Lite" gown from Temperley London. I just think she looks like a "Miss Tennessee" in this, or the Mother-of-the-Bride. Just because Lace is a hot trend for Spring doesn't mean you should be wearing it.I think this might have been a "miss". What do guys think?



The Embellished Ladies:


First Lady Michelle Obama in Monique Lhuillier--The First Lady wore this black gown with gathered bust and sequin embellished shoulder detail from designer Monique Lhuillier. I absolutely love the heavy sequin embellished detail at the shoulders, the slight cap sleeve/drop shoulder is so on-trend and the bust draping/twist knotting is delicate and well constructed.




"Scandal" Actress Kerry Washington in Wes Gordon Fall 2013--Washington, always the "Fashion Gal" went a little 80's style with this black and white dress from designer Wes Gordon. The halter gown features an asymmetrical "over dress" and is printed.




Amy Poehler in Basler--Basler--in case you didn't know--is a popular German brand. This beaded white gown is right on trend--from the covered shoulders, cap sleeves, slight peplum...it also fits Amy quite good.




Nicole Kidman wore a lavender silk chiffon Emilio Pucci gown with silver sequin and studded embellished  detail while attending the Bloomberg & Vanity Fair Cocktail Reception following the White House Correspondents' Dinner 2013 at the residence of the French Ambassador in Washington, D.C. I thought this gown was perfect for her--the color, silhouette and naturally she was on-trend with EVERYTHING!




Olivia Munn in Marchesa--"It Girl" of the moment, Olivia Munn wore this Marchesa silk chiffon gown with an  embellished bib and fitted waist. I like it. It's very 1970's Liz Taylor Meets Jackie O with a little bit of Grecian Goddess.







I especially love how her sides are exposed. Very simple design yet still impacting. I just think a chignon would have been better for this kind of gown, not this feathered late 80's do.




"Modern Family" actress Julie Bowen wore this Monique Lhuillier dress last night. It was a strapless devore velvet embellished dress with a slight high-low hem. I liked this on her. It was a bit unique, fit her perfectly and her accessories were right-on. Like Claire Danes, the hair was a bit of a "miss" for me.




Chrissy Teigen and John Legend: Chrissy wore a one-shoulder gold and silver embellished gown from Kaufman Franco and looked flawless.  Speaking of flawless: Hello John Legend! They are a Super-Fab Couple for sure!



Up Next: Part Two of the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner Red Carpet---The Chiffon and Structured Ladies and one HOT Double-Breasted Guy!