Sparkle is the New Black

Upscale and sparkly boutique, check. Pittsburg, Kansas has a new store front specializing in upscale children's clothes and accessories. Sassypantz Boutique opened its doors this past Saturday at the Meadowbrook Mall Commons and Wendi O'Rand, the savvy business owner, spared no short cuts for this venture. She surrounds herself with a pretty talented team whose specialties are fashion merchandising and social networking. Given the fact that Facebook, and our circle of former co-workers kept the store a buzz all week, customers were coming and going in the short time I visited Wendi. The aisles, she proudly points out are stroller friendly and the fitting room is roomy for the parent and children."

Among the tutus and the sparkly headbands, I gravitated towards the boy's Beatles inspired t-shirts, the felt party hats, and, of course, the basketball blanket. School colors were available for the area and Sassypantz also specializes in embroidery. My sidekick, Lisa, being of sound mind and committed that she already has bought the special girl in her life her 1st birthday present, couldn't resist the embroidery service and some "sassy" looking diaper covers. After checking out the embroidery display, it was clear that the this week's Obvious Fashion Tip is that sparkle is the new black.

Sassypantz Boutique is located at Broadway and Centennial at the Meadowbrook Mall Commons next to Urgent Care. The hours are 10-6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10-5 p.m. on Saturday. "The late hours during the week," said Wendi, "is to accommodate the working parents."

The Worst Oscar Picks: Grad School is Hard Peeps

Yeah, I lost my momentum regarding watching every movie imaginable before the Oscars. I should turn in my Obvious Fashion Blog Press Pass, if I had one. See, I haven't had one made yet. Again, my excuse is grad school and yesterday's best NCAA rivalry. Mission Accomplish. Sweet game.

So I am excited about the Oscars. I'm hearing that the commercials may be something to watch this year, Billy Crystal as host, and 7 out of the 8 movies for Best Picture deserves to contend. I am grateful I saw Tree of Life last summer at Liberty Hall. I believe it is best to be seen at the theater. If you haven't seen it, just imagine you are in film class and just take in the beauty of the scenes and not look too much into the dinosaurs that will grace the screens at one point. The acting was very good and Brad Pitt and Jessica Chastain's role in this movie should have received more accolades.

As I am writing this very blog, my hubby is filling out his score card next to mine and would gladly tell you Puss and Boots is his contender for animation and that no one should have give any type of award for Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. My mom declares it was a marvelous book in the 70s. I told her it was the first time I actually fell asleep in the movie theater. But then again, we did do a back-to-back movies with The Artist leading our day.

Tis my scattered account for this year's movies. People ask me all the time how KU is coming along. My stock snarky answer is, "Man, did you know getting your doctorate is really, really hard." It is. But I love it. Love my new friends and loving that it is taking so much time in my life. Rock Chalk Jayhawk!

Best Picture

The Artist

Best Director

Michael Hazanavicius, "The Artist"

Best Actor

Gary Olman, "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy"

Best Actress

Rooney Mara, "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"

Best Supporting Actor

Jonah Hill, "Moneyball"

Best Supporting Actress

Octavia Spenser, "The Help"

Best Animated Feature Film

Puss in Boots

Best Foreign Film

A Separation, Iran

Best Original Screenplay

Midnight at Paris

Best Adapted Screenplay

The Descendants

Best Original Song

Man or Muppet

Best Original Score

The Artist