Here’s a look back at the actress’s transformation from innocent and confused newcomer to this year’s Oscars winning actress. Let us look back at Sandra Bullock’s transformation on the red carpet.

1. Wearing a pink mini dress at the LA premier of “Speed” in 1994.

2. Rocking a bedazzled acid washed jacket in the late 90’s

3. Attended the 76^th Academy awards in 2004, wearing a girly feathered dress from Oscar De La Renta

4. Sandra took a huge risk wearing a multi coloured strapless cocktail dress to the “All about Steve” LA premier in 2009

5. The Oscar Award winning actress wore a beautiful metallic Marchesa gown at this year’s 82^nd Academy awards.

It was a historical night for The Hurt Locker  director Kathryn Bigelow who won best director, and became the first women ever to hold that distinction. The Hurt Locker also beat out Avatar and took home best picture. Other winners of the evening were Sandra Bullock for Best Actress, Jeff Bridges for Best Actor, Christopher Waltz for Best Supporting Actor and Mo’nique for best Supporting Actress.

One of the best quotes from the Annual Academy Awards, also known as the Oscars, “It’s like Hollywood prom” said by Precious star Gabourey Sibide. Like any prom the Oscars are the night for Hollywood style. The night was filled with many great dresses and tuxes as most stars played it safe, or used a stylist.

My top five picks for this years red carpet is Cameron Diaz, who stunned us all in a gold Oscar de la Renta gown, Meryl Streep looked glamorous in a white Chris March dress, Carey Mulligan in a black Prada, Rachel McAdams in a flowing Elie Saab dress and Kate Winslet in Yves St. Laurent.

The very respectable runners- up of the night have to be Tina Fey, in Michael Kors, Anna Kendrick, in Elie Saab Haute Couture, Demi Moore, in Atelier Versace , and Amanda Seyfried and Jennifer Lopez, both in Armani Privé.

One of the most  questionable fashion decisions of the evening was the Marchesa dress worn by Vera Farmiga. It looked like she had been swallowed by pink ruffles. Charlize Theron wore a light purple dress with awkward rosebud swirls over the bust by Christian Dior that was designed uniquely for her. Zoe Saldana who is usually a red carpet superstar wore a Givenchy gown that did not work the red carpet or the runway.

For the past few years, one of the main issues affecting the global economy has been our terrible economy. People losing their jobs have resulted in major cut backs, the average person doesn’t have as much funds to purchase a high priced piece of clothing anymore.  Though reports state that our economy is now recovering, many are still struggling with this issue. I have come up with few alternatives to get a high end look with a low end budget.  Stores such as Forever 21, H&M, and Costa Blanca offer the newest and hottest trends with a low end prices.

Forever21 has quickly become the source for the most current fashions at the greatest value. Offering amazing clothing and unique statement jewellery, Forever21 in Canada has become one of the top shopping spots to purchase clothing and jewellery. Though Forever21 is only represented by 10 stores throughout Canada, those who live in Toronto Ontario have the advantage of having three those ten stores located in the GTA. If you’re not willing to travel, you still have the option of purchasing online at www.canada.forever21.com.

Around the globe H&M carries the reputation of offering high quality clothing at reasonable price points. Offering clothing for men, women, teenagers and children, H&M manages to cater to multiple demographics. Collaborating with top designers such as Karl Lagerfeld, Stella Mc Cartney, Victor & Rolf, Jimmy Choo and most recently Sonial Rykiel, H&M is able to provide exclusive collections for 1/4 of the designer’s original price.

With a European Influence, Costa Blanca offers sophisticated and fashion forward women’s apparel and accessories for a very affordable price. By continuously providing sales for their customers, Costa Blanca has managed to have great success. Throw in the addition of Costa Blanca X, Costa Blanca’s joint store offering a wide range of accessories and shoes between $10-$99 and you can see why Costa Blanca is quickly becoming one of the stores that budget conscious women prefer to shop at.

Many stars were in attendances at the 12th Annual Costume Designers Guild Awards which took place at the Beverly Hills Hotel last. Both Anna Kendrick and Anna Paquin looked stunning in two completely different dresses. Anna Kendrick wore an Elie Saab white futuristic gown that was beautifully embroidered while Ana Paquin took a risk by wearing Marios Schwab Fall 2009 printed mini dress. Kristen Bell, Minka Kelly, and Jayma Mays were also in attendance.

Emily Blunt, who plays Queen Victoria in The Young Victoria, won Swarovski Award for her achievements in the film this week along with the costume designer for the film, Sandy Powell,  who took home the award for best costume in a period film.  When asked by PEOPLE MAGAZINE about the incredible costumes she had to wear she told them, “When you’re playing a character like Queen Victoria it helps to have a visionary like Sandy Powell, She corset-ed me within an inch of my life, Thank god I did learn to work the corset.” Sandy Powell the costume designer justified the fit of Blunts costumes by saying, ‘The shape needs to be right,” where as Emily Blunt replied “Well I can’t breathe, Sandy.’ And she said, ‘I don’t care.’”

“Nature gives us the best ingredients, which is why it makes so much sense to work with organic and natural ingredients in this new range of everyday essentials from H&M.” – H&M website

The Swedish company H&M is venturing into skincare. The company has said this was an obvious next step for their store who already carries affordable clothing and accessories.

The skincare line will be made of organic ingredients like sunflower oil, almond seed oil, jojoba, and organic apple juice with recyclable packaging, and will come in scents like lavender/mint and raspberry/melon. They also have makeup and travel bags made in organic cotton in addition to the body scrubs, body lotion, hand cream, shower gels, and lip balms.

The line has been approved by the European environmental company Ecocert, which means the line has certified organic products. The line is all under $10, you have got to love an inexpensive organic product that helps save the planet and your skin all at the same time.

Keep a lookout for the new line launching in March.

Even with the snow storm taking place in Toronto a few days ago, spring is still on its way. Coco Models Management has decided to help you get ready for the spring like weather by enlightening you with the top five spring fashion trends to look out for.  With New York Spring/Summer 2010 Fashion week ending, trends that were commonly seen included; Floral prints, Pastel colors, Denim, Ruffles, & Bright Colors.

1. 1. Floral for Spring

This trend is commonly worn during spring time and it has a big impact on spring fashion.  Floral patterns were seen at various shows during New York Fashion Week

1. 2. Soft Pastels.

This soft color hue gives a feminine look to any outfit.

1. 3. Everlasting Denim

Denim is a trend that will never go away, from past decades this trend has had a huge impact on what we wear in our daily lives.

1. 4. Crazy for Ruffles

This trend is making its way back to the fashion scene. Adding this look into your closet would definitely add a little oomph to spring outfits!

1. 5. Bright Bold Colors!

Incorporating at least one bright piece of color will give you that ready for spring look.

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards (BAFTAs) are the British equivalent to the Oscars. Just like any award show there were celebrities out in full force. The show stopper of the evening was none other than Prince William, the new president of BAFTAs, who walked the red carpet with more cheering fans then the hottest Hollywood stars. He also presented the British Academy Fellowship award with Uma Thurman to Vanessa Redgrave.

Although film and television were the main focus of the evening the fashion statements of the evening seemed to take center stage. Some of the best dressed celebreties of the evening were Audrey Tautou in an amazing creation from Lanvin, Kate Winslet in Stella McCartney, Anna Kendrick in Emilio Pucci, and Vera Farmiga in Marchesa.  Carey Mulligan, who is also an Oscar contender, really rocked the red carpet in an incredible black and white floral dress by The House of Vionnet. When asked how she was going to top this dress at the Oscars she said with a wink, “I would tell you…but that means I would have to, well, you know how the saying goes.”

If the dresses at the Oscars are a reflection of what was seen hear at the BAFTAs, then it will be a night of truly great fashion.

Do you want to support the Winter Games in style but don’t feel the Hudson’s Bay uniforms are for you? I have just discovered an alternative to sweatshirts and mittens… jewelry! The new Winter Games jewelry at Birks is perfect for the fashion lovers of Canada who want to show their support for Canadian athletes.

By taking home a silver medal in the freestyle moguls Jennifer Heil is the first Canadian athlete to win a medal in the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games. Fortunately for all the jewelry loving patriots out there the Olympic podium isn’t the only place that she has been seeing silver lately. Jennifer Heil is the ambassador to the Canadian jewelry company Birks, and has designed a line of sterling silver jewelry for the company’s 2010 Winter Games jewelry line.

Her line described as playful, fun and classic would be a definite show stopping addition to any fashionista’s wardrobe. Each piece of jewelry has five rings in varying sizes symbolizing team, joy, courage, focus, and dream, which Heil says are the ingredients for success. They also share the imagery of the Olympic rings which will forever  be tied to Jennifer’s fate of becoming a Canadian hero after winning our first medal this year. So far the stand out pieces of the collection have been the drop earrings and the textured bracelet.

Click here to view the embedded video.

As the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics get under way we are reminded that rarely is such a platform provided that can attract a truly global audience. After taking in the opening ceremonies we were reminded that this stage is not only exclusive to the determination, skill and grace of the world’s finest athletes but to the marketing powerhouses as well.

One of the biggest controversies thus far has been the outfits worn by team USA during the opening ceremonies. With signature Ralph Lauren crests their commercial branding stood out as much as the traditional red, white and blue.  National logos have long been worn as badges of honour during international competition. They are meant to symbolize the essence of what makes their country great while summoning strength and perseverance from the athlete wearing it.  What kind of role does that leave for corporate branding?  Is there room for product placement? When a company is promoted over a country one can’t help but wonder if the athlete is competing for honour or endorsements.

It could be argued that the truly patriotic thing to do would be to support the nation’s athletes from behind the scenes. Wouldn’t the ultimate act of selflessness be to provide their gear without broadcasting to the world that they were doing it. Sure there would be production costs and man hours lost but at the very least financially there would be a tax break in it for them. The spirit of the Olympics has always been about amateur competition and by being backed with corporate funding it throws our whole definition of amateur into turmoil.

Not without fault, the Canadians carried the branding of The Hudson’s Bay Company. The Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) has shown a great deal of support for team Canada through fashion shows launching their line of Olympic apparel as well as a superstore showcasing all of their latest merchandise.  HBC’s Olympic line up is used to promote and raise funds for Canadian athletes as they struggle to support themselves while trying to meet the high demands of international competition. One of the top selling items has been the Canadian mittens with the maple leaf on the palm which turned the opening ceremonies crowd into a frantic sea of red as they cheered on the Canadian athletes.

In the end it seems that we must find a compromise as it becomes a glass is half full or half empty debate. With their five am wake up calls and seven day a week training regiments the demands placed on today’s athletes are higher than ever before. We showcase our national pride with our support for the athletes whether it’s by donating the proceeds of an Olympic themed purchase to charity or by standing in the bleachers singing along to O’Canada.  Corporate powerhouses can lend more financial support to push these athletes towards the top and every time they do they blur the line between national pride and self interest.

• Congratulations go out to Hernan Sanchez and Andrea C. for their stellar performances at the Anokhi Gala Friday night. #