5:30 – the Oscars are about to start! did you catch my red carpet coverage?

5:31 – loving the best picture montage to kick things off…

5:33 – hosts james franco & anne hathaway are already livening things up. good choice, academy!

5:42 – what is this? a tribute to my FAVORITE movie ever… gone with the wind?!

5:46 – glad alice in wonderland won for art direction. that film sure deserved something!

5:47 – lovely! inception wins for best cinematography. what an excellent production.

5:52 – haha kirk douglass about anne hathaway: “she’s gorgeous! where was she when i was making movies?”

5:58 – best supporting actress winner melissa leo is so deserving of this award… and so humble too!

6:06 – best animated film goes to… toy story 3! i have a soft spot in my heart for how to train your dragon, but oh well.

6:19 – the first award for the king’s speech of the night, for best original screenplay.

6:26 – helen mirren, you are FLAWLESS. can i please look like you when i’m older?

6:33 – of course, christian bale wins for best supporting actor! LOVED him in this role. what a great acceptance speech! “to my wonderful wife, you’re my mast through the storms of life. i hope i’m likewise.”

6:45 – the social network wins for best original score, which makes sense… did you or did you not have that soundtrack in your head after watching it?

6:59 – GOOD! alice in wonderland wins for best costume design. such a magical display of costuming.

7:08 – and the best original song performances have begun!

7:18 – halftime report on anne hathaway and james franco. they’re doing okay… anne’s a bit flighty and james is lacking some personality. but, it could be worse!

7:27 – yes, a seasoned veteran! billy crystal‘s here.

7:41 – james makes a joke! inappropriate movie titles from 2011… winter’s bone, rabbit hole & how to train your dragon

7:47 – randy newman wins for best original song (toy story 3 – “we belong together”). this is his 20th nomination and 2nd win! congrats!

7:59 – in memoriam tribute… “it’s not the load that breaks you down, it’s the way you carry it.” – lean horne

8:03 – and the best director winner is… tom hooper for the king’s speech! “listen to your mother!” for it was she who introduced tom to the movie in the first place.

8:12 – okay here come the big ones!

8:13 – black swan‘s natalie portman wins for best actress! definitely no surprise there.

8:22 – the beautiful sandra bullock presents for best actor… with that lovely carefree attitude and humorous tone.

8:25 – YAY for colin firth! first oscar win, for best actor for the king’s speech.

8:36 – and the final award for best picture goes to… the king’s speech! LOVE IT!

8:40 – and, that’s a wrap. until next year!

3:00 – me likey the Oscars.

3:01 – it’s gotta be E! for the red carpet…

3:02 – seacrest‘s chatting with best actress nominee jennifer lawrence from winter’s bone. heard rave reviews, but haven’t seen it yet! she looks FLAWLESS in this beautiful red calvin klein gown!

3:05 – guiliana rancic‘s baby name suggestions for natalie portman: midnight, peach, babylon. ummmm….

3:12 – best actress nominee melissa leo (the fighter) wearing an interesting high-collared gown. would’ve been great if not for that COLLAR! who wears collars on the red carpet?

3:14 – SO EXCITED to see anne hathaway and james franco in action hosting the 83rd Oscars. they are so great together!

3:23 – hailee steinfeld of true grit in a pale pink marchesa gown. very age-appropriate. sidenote: watched true grit last night, and i have to be honest, i hated it.

3:25 – black swan‘s mila kunis in a pale lavender elie saab gown. loving the color! she reveals she auditioned for director darren aronofsky on skype!

3:32 – oh how i love russell brand… with his mom “babs!” so cute. where’s wife katy? “currently touring planet earth.”‘

3:35 – blue valentine best actress nominee michelle williams in a subdued sheer white chanel gown. not crazy about it, but it’s fitting i suppose! did she seem insanely awkward during that interview or is it just me?

3:39 – best supporting actress nominee amy adams up for her fiesty role in the fighter. love the navy! WOW! but could’ve done without the necklace on top of it.

3:40 – just spotted an Oscar host: LOVE anne hathaway in that stunning red ensemble! gorgeous gorgeous!

3:50 – best song performer mandy moore chose quite the stunner in this monique lhuillier number. pretty much perfection.

3:56 – presenter jennifer hudson is so refreshing! so fun and outgoing when most people are awkwardly stoic. love her and that dashing red gown of hers.

4:03 – oh i loved scarlett johansson‘s dress at first glance… and then i saw the crochet bits. kind of looks like a old-fashioned granny dress!

4:15 – the king’s speech best actress nominee helena bonham carter looking carefree in her black get-up. “i’ve got a bit of a complex with my bum.” love the honesty!

4:21 – presenter hilary swank in another stunner. wasn’t anything special until the camera panned down to reveal the feathery detail. i’m likin’ it!

4:29 – and the big names start pouring in! sandra bullock in red, halle berry in taupe, reese witherspoon in black & white and penelope cruz in maroon!

4:31 – absolutely HATING nicole kidman‘s choice tonight. the dress, the necklace… not good.

4:33 – matthew mcconaughey on “the sell tour” for this new movie the lincoln lawyer. looks pretty good!

4:38 – the fighter‘s christian bale… i can’t say enough about his performance. hope he wins tonight!!

4:39 – presenter sandra bullock looks PERFECT in her red vera wang. one of my favorites of the night!

4:43 – my wish? that i look half as good as celine dion after having a baby (and she had TWO of them!)

4:49 – so cute, mark wahlberg! “i’ve already won the real statue (points to his wife).”

4:58 – natalie portman has arrived! wearing a gorgeous maroon rodarte gown. perfect choice for the super-prego lady.

4:59 – it’s OVER already? my faves: natalie portman, jennifer lawrence, sandra bullock, reese witherspoon & mandy moore. my picks for worst: scarlett johansson, nicole kidman, cate blanchett, & michelle williams.

5:00 – the Oscars start in 30 minutes! get live coverage here.