Where was Nicole Kidman During the Oscars?

Nicole Kidman was conspicuously absent from the Academy Awards this year. She’s usually one of the frontliners when it comes to who’s best dressed, who wore what, and who was styled by whom, but she wasn’t at the 2010 Oscars at all. Paparazzi hasn’t seen her out and about in her usual LA haunts, so where was Nicole Kidman?

The 42-year-old actress was spotted halfway around the world in her hometown Sydney, Australia:

Nicole Kidman arrives in Sydney with husband Keith Urban and daughter Sunday Rose

Nicole decided to skip all the hullabaloo of the Oscars this year. Instead, she chose to kick it back in Australia and spend some family time with her husband Keith Urban and daughter Sunday Rose.

Nicole Kidman almost always looks icy on the red carpet so it’s nice to see her smiling and looking relaxed in these pictures. And after all the work she’s done and what she’s put up with in Hollywood, she deserves this time off!

Her all-black military-inspired ensemble consisting of a shoulder-padded jacket, black jeans, and riding boots is also the perfect down time outfit for an A-list celeb like her. It’s not too dressy but not too casual either.

I love riding boots like Nicole Kidman’s. They’re tailored and streamlined, but they’re very comfortable to walk in too. Here are 3 Frye riding boots in classic styles that will be wardrobe must-haves season after season:

Frye Veronica Slouch, $328.00

Frye Harness 12R, $218.00

Frye Paige Tall Riding, $348.00