Is it just me, or did the Screen Actors Guild Awards live up to its SAG acronym? It seemed to me that the style floating down the SAG Red Carpet was just okay, and dare I say it, a little boring?

The most interesting gowns were without a doubt Ashlee Simpson’s web effect Jenny Packham, Lea Michele stealing the posing spotlight (yet again) in Versace, Stacey Keilber’s sexy black laced Marchesa, Emma Stone in Alexander McQueen, Michelle Williams sitting pretty in Valentino and Zoe Saldana in Givenchy Haute Couture. These ladies got a great big tick from RRR HQ.

Then there were the looks I was SO excited to see, and just left us a little empty. After Jessica Chastain’s fashion triumph at the Globes, she opted for a very plain Calvin Klein which, although it is a gorgeous dress, just didn’t seem to work with her skin tone. Then we have Angelina… Angelina! I despair! I felt like her black Jenny Packham gown just hung off her frame and did absolutely nothing for her. Sorry, but I didn’t get the hype.

However Rose Byrne, there’s a gal who knows how to think outside the box! Well, at least her stylist does anyway. A jump suit! At an awards ceremony?! Yes, yes, yes! It totally worked.

Maybe that’s the thing about the SAG Awards, it’s a little less formal, somewhat of a buffer between the Golden Globes and the Oscars. Maybe our leading ladies like to take some fashion risks there, see what works and lets face it, what definitely doesn’t…

xJane

Colour is the always the big change comming into spring. Every year it comes around and voila the dreaded burst of brights, pastels and florals on the catwalk, and in the shops. If ditching the black sends you into a cold sweat, have no fear, it doesn't need to be terrifying! 

‘No black’ is not something you have to be afraid of, rather an excuse to do a bit of experimenting. Ditching the black jumper will not be your downfall, rather the birth of a new you. Step lightly into spring in nudes, grays and pastels to start. This will act as your ‘transitional’ phase into black-free bliss.

Come summer you will be breezing around in fashion credible loose white tee’s with cute denim shorts. A light silk scarf can add a simple colour pop. Remember spring/summer dressing does not have to be a floral explosion just a simple lightening up of your weighty black infused wardrobe. 

xMary

We’ve just had the announcement of this year’s Academy Awards nominations, and while we don’t feel like there’s as much buzz surrounding the Awards’ Season as there was last year, we’re still feeling fashion theme come through, especially when it comes to Actress in a Leading Role, Supporting Role and Best Picture….

My Week With Marilyn has boosted Michelle Williams from ‘the girl from Dawson’s Creek’ to completely credible chameleon after transforming herself into style icon, Marilyn Monroe for the Simon Curtis biopic. The voice, the mannerisms, the hair, the beauty spot and of course, the wardrobe! Those amazing waist cinchers and voluminous skirts that Monroe made famous just had us in a fashion frenzy throughout the film.

Then there’s the biggest contender, Meryl Streep, up for yet another portrayal – Margaret Thatcher. A woman who one wouldn’t look at instantly and think ‘style icon’, but there are many fashion tips to be picked up from The Iron Lady with Stylist Magazine pointing out her pussy bow blouses and structured handbags, power dressing and finishing touches with pearls and vintage brooches.

If her style in The Help wasn’t fashionable enough, Jessica Chastain found out about her Oscar nod while in the FROW at the Armani Couture show in Paris – could there be a more stylish place to find out such news? We fell in love with her character, Celia Foote, on paper and on the big screen in the movie that brought back 1960’s, Deep South style back into our lives with her tight floral shirts, loud skirts and totally unapologetic optimistic take on life, which lets face it, will never go out of fashion.

The Artist, the silent movie taking the modern world by storm is a reflection of the glitz and Charleston era of the 1920’s - a delight to take in with the soft curls, imaginative head pieces, slinky dresses and fur stoles.

We’ll be watching the Red Carpet for the big night at the Kodak Theatre for the 84^th Academy Awards, soaking in fashion’s leading ladies’ gowns and tweeting about our favourites of the night, but we’ll also be appreciating the most stylish decades they brought back to us through the big screen.

xJane

Have you any music predictions for our coming year? We love a bit of eclectic music at RRR HQ so here’s is a little round up of what we think you should be listening to in the coming months.

Right now we're loving the M83 ‘Midnight City’ track (the soundtrack to our beloved ‘Made in Chelsea’) and plan to stay tuned to what more is to come from this band in 2012. Plus,lets face it,this track is just begging us to have a little dance around to it!

The Big Pink have also elbowed their way on the scene with ‘Superman’. Their second album was released on the 13^th January and is set to make a big impression with its electro rock and multi instrumental vibe.

Native New Yorker Lana del Ray is our 'one to watch' this year. We loved ‘Video Games’ and are obsessing over ‘We Were Born To Die’. This album is next on our lengthening ‘To Download’ list.  She has a stunning voice and is a stylish girl to boot! (Not jealous at all!).

xMary

Sadly, I recently lost a much loved family member, my Great Aunt June Patricia, or Patti as she was affectionately known by all.

I remember always exploring her dressers and playing dress up with her diamond earrings, quirky brooches and fun hats when I was much younger, and watching her take huge pride in her appearance – flats were a stern “no” and there wasn’t a day when Patti would be seen without her highest heels on, at 5ft nothing, who could blame her!? 

When clearing out her belongings, it was clear that Patti had continued her love of ‘pretty things’ into her elder years, she was always experimenting with lotions and potions and although a foot operation had taken away her beloved habit of slipping on a pair of heels, apparently it never stopped her buying them!

It was only the other night when my mother opened Patti’s jewellery box that all the memories of being little and trying on all these trinkets came back to me, I fell in love with coloured stones thanks to Patti and my Mum’s engagement rings – sapphires, emeralds and of course, rubies are high on my list of gem stones! I am now wearing with pride two beautiful rings – one a diamond and sapphire engagement ring and another which has a black stone, encased in a beautiful petal diamond setting. I adore these rings already and will be reminded of our own little diamond each time I wear them!

xJane

The other day while driving through a beautiful area of countryside, I though about how amazing it would be to live on a country estate, Downton Abbey style. I am aware that reading Pride and Prejudice every Christmas for the last 10 years may have rubbed off on me in a slightly different way to the norm. Rather than dreaming of my Mr. Darcy I am dreaming instead of the grand houses, grounds and costumes that BBC dramas manage to produce so well.

Unfortunately city living does not present too many opportunities for long walks around ‘the perimeter’ and afternoons spent reading on the veranda surveying the gardens. For the moment, I will content myself instead with Sunday night period dramas and Jane Austen.

Come Monday morning I realize that I am quite happy to visit the coffee shop on my street corner and clutch the iphone in my pocket. After all, I can get my Austen-fix via Kindle on the train to work. I can’t complain when the magic of technology means I can visit Pemberly House at 8:30 on my daily commute. So much for period living! 

x Mary

Ignoring the January blues, I’m being transported and inspired by my new ‘most favourite book ever’ The Parisian Guide to Chic: Style Secrets from Ines de la Fressange. 

I received this as a gift from a ‘super sympa’ (and clearly very stylish) friend for my recent birthday and, since then it has taken up residency at my bedside so that I might inhale just a little of this chic read every night before I sleep. 

Whether it’s perusing the gamine hand-drawn illustrations or picking up tips on the classics of every stylish Parisian’s wardrobes, no word is wasted and the fact that it’s packaged in a moleskin-esque note book somehow makes it even more delicious. So far I’ve resisted the temptation to make notes in the margin but I can’t deny that it’s a possibility – this beautifully edited book quickly becomes your daily motivational bible and has moved my ‘become more stylish and French’ 2012 resolution to a whole new level. 

x fiona

This time of year always brings a fresh new line up of guilty pleasure’s on our TV screens, the joy! None bring as much fashion joy as the likes of Gossip Girl and 90210 which, if you are in the UK, has brought the sun back into our lives, not to mention a feast full of So-Cal designers to keep an eye on!

If, like me, you look at the clothes and accessories more than anything else on 90210 – ah, Beverly Hills – then you’ll have noticed some amazeballs lines whether you love Naomi’s high fashion edge, Annie’s girl next door chic or Silver’s boho brilliance. We’ve spotted many of Red Ruby Rouge’s designers on the show including By Boe jewellery, Tucker by Gaby Basora blouses and cami’s and some super luxe T Los Angeles tees.

If the last three seasons of the 21^st Century, fashion forward 90210 are anything to go by, we’re in for a treat during season four.

Happy fashion spotting, magpies!

x Jane