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| Dave Matthews Band |
| 12.31.06 (1:36 pm) [edit] |
*This is a sponsored post.Although they've never been my favorite band, I've always been interested in the Dave Matthews Band. What other musician can get their music played on rock or pop stations with a saxophonist, violin player, and bassist? Plus, he has a really unique voice, and the music is so varied. A few years ago, a friend of mine tried getting us some Dave Matthews Band tickets. Sadly, it wasn't meant to be. We lived several states apart, and trying to plan our schedules with jobs and kids made it too hard to pull off. But I can't hear the name of the band without remembering what we went through to try and see him in concert. |
| Albino- Black Dress |
| 12.31.06 (1:30 pm) [edit] |
 Finally a dress I like by Albino. I am intrigued by the black dickie portion sewn onto the front. I don't necessarily like the thin strip that continues down past where the buttons end, but the rest of it provides a unique look. I also like that the bottom has a double ruffle with the bottom one barely peeking out from the top one. Overall, it's not the kind of dress I would typically wear, but I like the style a lot. I think it's an interesting idea, and I'm glad they chose to use these details together. |
| Albino- Mummy Dress |
| 12.31.06 (12:19 pm) [edit] |
 This dress is another disaster from Albino. It is too tight throughout most of the dress, which causes it to pull awkwardly along the buttons. The sleeves are interesting, however. I am looking at them as two separate parts. First, the wrinkled portion at the top reminds me of mummy wrapping, which is how this post earned its title. I have a top from the early 90's that has a similar style. It was interesting then, and perhaps it's coming back. I sort of hope it doesn't. Below that, the puffy areas are interesting, if only for the fact that most of this style sleeve are located farther up the arm. It's almost non-existant to see it so far down. I can't say I like the combination of the two sleeve styles, but it is interesting. |
| Real Estate |
| 12.31.06 (11:57 am) [edit] |
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*This is a sponsored post. Jeffrey T. Schutter specializes in Naperville Real Estate in Illinois. He holds licenses in real estate appraisal, mortgage loan origination, and real estate sales. This area is the fourth largest city in Illinois, so it is good to have someone so knowledgeable about the area and business when you are looking for real estate. The office where he works, NewCastle Realty Group, can help with all aspects of relocation, from arranging a home inspection to local attorneys and mortgage consultants. They can also give you information about the area where you will be moving, such as school data and churches. Furthermore, the office doesn't just handle residential real estate, but also industrial and commercial properties. |
| Albino- Black Shiny Dress |
| 12.31.06 (10:51 am) [edit] |
 Ok, so I lied. But it wasn't intentional. I just hadn't gotten to the page where the fashion label Albino offered anything other than white gowns. And despite offering some black and one blue gown, it's still a very limited color range. My apologies for lying, faithful readers. :) I don't even know where to start with this one. The fabric is a mess, the design is worse, and the fact that it's shiny is the worst. Shiny fabrics say, "Notice me." But all I want to do is forget that I ever saw this. I'm not sure I can identify the fabric, and I worked in a two different fabric stores, over the span of three times. The first job I ever had was in a fabric store. The closest thing we had to this fabric could be found in the bargain car upholstery section. Even then, nobody bought that stuff. I'll quit ripping on it now. You can see how bad it is for yourself. |
| Albino- Tiered Sleeves |
| 12.31.06 (10:39 am) [edit] |
 Let me explain my process for a moment. If it gets to be several days between posts, or I have a sponsor that really needs talked about right this very second(!!), I turn to one of three sites. Two if you want to get technical. I usually hit Elle.com, Style.com, and Vogue.com first, and 99.9% of the photos you'll see are from one of those sites. I say that there are only two sites technically because Vogue and Style are in league with each other. I will usually search for a designer that interests me and pick through their collections until I find something interesting. Now remember, interesting can be a good or bad thing in fashion. :D Once I have them, I have the photo enlarged on my screen, and I flip back and forth between it and the writing as I talk about what I like and what I hate. I'm telling you this because I was deciding whose collection to go after next. And when the label "Albino" popped up, I stifled a giggle, thought to myself "I wonder if it's all white," and clicked the link. Well, it was an all-white, which is rather disappointing in a way. From a design standpoint, I respect this gown. It's innovative. But that isn't enough to hide the ugly it's got going on. Not a woman alive has said to herself, "Gee, I wish my arms got progressively fatter the closer to my wrists you get." The fact that it is in solid white makes me think that if only it were a little longer, it would have made a fantastic sleeping gown for a queen. Unfortunately, that queen would have been Elizabeth the 1st. |
| Disney |
| 12.31.06 (10:25 am) [edit] |
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*This is a sponsored post. In the last sponsored post, I talked about my long ago trip to Disney World. This one is about the tickets. I said I wanted to take my family and I meant it. But have you seen the price of Disney tickets recently?!? That mouse is mighty proud of his little theme park. I don't know whether the tickets are cheaper than anyone else. I stopped pricing them a couple of years ago when I realized that I could go to London or Florida. Frankly, it's just in my nature to want to see the world, so I am going to pick the spot furthest from where I am. :D But this company has more than just Disney tickets. They also have Universals, Blue Man Group, Sea World, and the Space Center tickets. And I do recognize the benefits of getting all your tickets from one place, rather than trying to confirm that they all arrived from many different places. |
| Carolina Herrera- Red Dress |
| 12.31.06 (10:17 am) [edit] |
 Again, this one has no place in the article, but I couldn't just leave it out either. I love this dress, but I cannot put my finger on why I love it. For me, it's too sheer, too short, too shapeless, too sexy-woman-in-a-stupid-80 s-comedy, and ultimately, too good a combination not to love. Each one of these details should have killed the dress. They are too over the top or cliche'. But the sum is greater than the parts. Pair all of these elements with a skinny, multi-strapped belt, and what a treat. Besides, who didn't want to be that sexy-woman-in-a-stupid-80 s-comedy??? :D |
| Carolina Herrera |
| 12.31.06 (10:11 am) [edit] |
 I am doing an article over Carolina Herrera, and I stumbled onto this lovely piece. It really doesn't fit within the article, but I had to write about it anyway. This is obviously a study in opposites, but it also seems like it's an excuse to play with fabric. Not that that's a bad thing in any way. This dress is one of the most fun outfits I've seen in a long time. The black and white stripes run vertical, where the white stripes are horizontal. The pattern reverses itself while USING itself. It's beautiful. I love that the white gives it a belted look. One small complaint, and a probable reason why she did it. The white area should show more of a shape in my opinion. As it is, it's quite wide in the middle, and somewhat unflattering. Part of this is from making it so wide. The problem is, if she went any more narrow, it wouldn't have the same impact. Furthermore, she probably couldn't have given it more of a waist because it would have made it look odd in the back. It's a difficult thing for any designer that uses patterns, because you cannot sacrifice the whole look for a small detail, but if you don't, you end of sacrificing the whole look anyway. It's a catch-22, and there are only a small handful of designers that can perfectly navigate those waters. This is not meant to be nearly as critical of Herrera as it sounds, because I truly do like this dress. |
| Hotels |
| 12.30.06 (11:28 pm) [edit] |
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*This is a sponsored post. I remember taking a vacation when I was little. We stayed at a couple of Orlando Florida hotels during our trip to Disney World. One of them had paddle boats, and I remember how much fun that was. Orlando was so much fun, and we went to so many different theme parks while we were there. There are 52 different theme parks in the area. My favorite was a futuristic house called Xanadu, which I've been told is no longer there. We also visited Sea World, and the Space Center. And of course Disney and Epcot. I remember all of the rides breaking down, and we would get stuck in the most awkward postitions, listening to the same song or phrase over and over. Someday I hope to take my own family so my kids can have some fun there. Maybe when they get a little older. |
| Aquascutum Jacket- Part 2 |
| 12.30.06 (5:05 pm) [edit] |
 Once again, the jacket is the strongest piece in this Aquascutum series. Because I didn't attend this show, it's impossible for me to tell whether this covered some other garment, or whether it was being presented as the piece itself. I hope and think it is the piece, because anything underneath it would have to be very bland to balance well with this garment. And that's fine. I'm intrigued by the whole outerwear as the garment idea that is becoming hot. The jacket is very simple, and there is really nothing unusual about it. If I told anyone to sketch a double breasted knee-length jacket with a belt, this is exactly the style they would draw. But it's the luxurious fabric that makes it unusual. First of all, most people would think of a jacket of this type being made of a thick wool. But this is a light, fluid fabric, probably silk, that has a sheen and moves gracefully with the body. Most people would picture a solid color, probably black. But this has that wonderful Dreamscicle rose print. It changes it from being a depressing black winter coat to a sexy coat for a rainy spring afternoon. |
| Aquascutum Dress- Part 2 |
| 12.30.06 (4:57 pm) [edit] |
 Just as the dress in the previous print series was the second weakest, so is the dress in this series. It's neither awful nor wonderful. The worst thing I can say about it is that it does not differentiate itself in any way from any other dress I've ever seen. The hips are a little wide and unflattering, but the neckline is lovely, and almost hides the flaw at the hips. Once again, the pattern is too big to really work for this application, however it is better than the other Aquascutum dress I recently wrote about. The thing that makes it work better is that the fabric itself has a more youthful look. |
| Condos |
| 12.30.06 (4:52 pm) [edit] |
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*This is a sponsored post. If you're looking for Seattle Condos, try this company. They are the number one most searched condo site on the internet. With good reason. You can buy or sell a condo there, and the sales allow for different professionals such as Developers, Realtors, and Owners to display their properties. Buyers also have an advantage. By being able to contact the owners directly, they can cut out the middleman and save money on their condo purchase. Furthermore, their "Building Specialist" program offers real estate agents the ability to list that they specialize in a certain type of building. There are certain requirements that must be met to be listed as a building specialist, so buyers know that they are dealing with someone who truly can help them find what they are looking for. |
| Aquascutum Skirt- Part 2 |
| 12.30.06 (4:45 pm) [edit] |
 Here is the second series in the Aquascutum line to feature the same print. As with the last series, this one features a jacket, skirt, and dress. For the full series, check the next several entries. This skirt features a large orange and cream rose print on a silk-like fabric. As with the last series of green foliage on a yellow background, the skirt is too full. Furthermore, it is not matched well with a light green top and an enormous bolo style piece around her neck (I refuse to refer to that as a necklace). The print on the skirt is light and playful, and it evokes images of dreamscicles. But the outfit makes it anything but. Finally, I hate the pockets in this skirt. I am not opposed to pockets in general, but this is a nice fabric, and I feel it is too nice for such a casual element. |
| Aquascutum Jacket |
| 12.30.06 (8:10 am) [edit] |
 This is a continuation of a series that focuses on using the same fabric throughout multiple designs. If you would like to read the entire series, please visit the last few entries. Thanks! This outfit is the best application of this print. On every other garment, it tried to be playful and ended up dowdy. The pattern was too large for the others, but is perfectly sized here. The jacket is simple. 3/4 length sleeves, wide stitching, a few large buttons to close it- nothing special. But the pattern really works for this. It gives it a sophisticated look that the others could not achieve. The white pants are crisp and tailored, and the outfit overall says that the wearer knows her style. As you can tell, it's the EXACT things that I hate about the other outfits that I think work here. The wide hem on the dress is something I complained about, but the stitching at the jacket opening is just as wide. Here it works, there it doesn't. Also, I have to point out something. I would be very interested to see this from the back, because I want to know how they matched it. Look at the button the falls right at her natural waistline (which is higher than most people think of their waist as being). The pattern is overlapped, and matches perfectly. A lot of time was spent getting that just perfect, and they did an excellent job. That is why I am curious to see the back. I want to see if the same care was taken there. To get it to line up in the front and back is an almost impossible feat, because you are depending on the fabric being exactly the right width. Side seams will do the trick, but even then, you must be careful, especially with such a long jacket. So bravo to them for at least getting it right in the front. |
| Furniture |
| 12.30.06 (7:57 am) [edit] |
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*This is a sponsored post. Teak furniture has been all the rage in the last few years. As far as it goes with outdoor furniture teak is considered the most durable. It is extremely resistant to termites, warping, and rot, and the natural oils make it suitable for interior uses such as flooring. As someone who cares a little about the planet I'm living on, I'm a bit concerned that nothing is mentioned about the sustainability of the forests where they get their teak from. See, the mature trees are much more durable, so you are left with the decision of buying cheap quality furniture, or paying a lot because you are cutting down old-growth forests. Teak can be up to 200 years old, so we are talking about a long growth span. So if you're in the market, ask this company about the forests their teak comes from. Find the answers that will satify you. |
| Aquascutum Skirt |
| 12.30.06 (7:45 am) [edit] |
 This is a skirt, again by Aquascutum, that uses the same fabric as I talked about in my last entry. This is part of a series, so to get the full effect, check the last and next several posts. This skirt is not a good look. First, it's far too large a print to consider making such a full skirt. Second, the shine, fabric stiffness, and length of the shirt do not do anything to help this skirt. It tries to hard to be playful, but it is too harsh to achieve that. The skirt is not one that works as part of the collection as a whole either. Of the outfits that used this print, it is by far the weakest. I would not even consider buying this skirt. |
| Aquascutum Dress |
| 12.30.06 (7:37 am) [edit] |
 The next several entries will focus on the use of the same fabric in a different piece, and what works and what doesn't. Each piece will be examined individually, but also as a whole. So to get the full effect, you're going to need to view the next several entries. This dress by Aquascutum (which is quite possibly the most hideous name for a label I've ever heard) is a midthigh-length yellow sundress with a pattern consisting of green foliage. There is a narrow band at the neckline, made of the same fabric, and the straps are quite thin. By itself, I hate it. It's so bland and non-descript that I start finding every single flaw with it. The hem on the bottom is too wide, and clumsily done. One strap looks wider than the other. There is also a part near the bust that is creased, and they should have taken the time to iron it better. The style is so elementary that with my own sewing skills I could have this done in less than 30 minutes (you'll have to trust me when I tell you that 30 minutes for a dress is an almost impossible time-frame for me). The pattern is too large for such a small model, and in an ideal world, it would have been matched to her size. But worst of all, it looks like upholstery fabric. But as part of a group, it's not nearly so awful. As part of the collection, it looks fun and playful. It seems like the kind of piece I would want, and keep wavering on whether to buy it or not. But as soon as I got it home, I would see it separated from the rest and decide that I would never wear it. It's certainly not the best piece in the collection, or even this series of outfits that uses the same fabric, but it is interesting when it's mixed with them. On its own, it's not. |
| Online degrees |
| 12.29.06 (10:00 pm) [edit] |
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*This is a sponsored post. Capella University is an online university that offers 76 graduate and undergraduate degrees in 5 different fields of study. My husband did not go to this particular school, but he did get his bachelor degree online, and you absolutely can find a well-paying job with an online degree. I know that is often the number one concern of people who are thinking about attending an online University. The second biggest concern seems to be whether you can really learn everything you need to know from an online University. And they aren't really talking about the educational aspects, but more about life. For that, I don't think you can beat going away to school and having to get up for that 7:30am algebra class. There's nothing like rushing across campus, avoiding the parking officers, trying to meet a friend at the student union, before making it to your afternoon film appreciation class. There's nothing being taught from those experiences, and yet, somehow there is something learned from it. |
| Heifer International |
| 12.29.06 (1:26 pm) [edit] |
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This isn't fashion related, but it's much more important. And no, it isn't a sponsored post, but it is for a charity that I really believe can make a difference. Heifer International is an organization that donates animals to places in the world that are suffering from poverty, hunger, and malnutrition. For example, if you give a flock of chicks, a family will receive not only an entire flock of chickens that will provide protein in their diet and money in their pocketbook, but also training in how to care for these animals. Other animals include sheep, cows, and even honeybees. Did you know that honeybees can double a fruit and vegetable crop, and help an entire community? Plus, with animals such as the chickens, when they have their own hatchlings, the families share with a neighbor, thereby helping someone else. The gift is not expensive, and I'm sure everyone can find a little bit to give. This charity actually has the power to change the world in a meaningful way. I hope you will all support it with whatever donation you can afford. Cheers, and thank you in advance. |
| Dentistry |
| 12.28.06 (6:50 pm) [edit] |
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*This is a sponsored post. Charles Brown DDS PC is a dentist in Alexandria, Virginia that has a perfect record with the Virginia Board of Dentistry. During his time as a dentist, he has received zero complaints. Of course, they mean professional complaints. I complain to my dentist all the time. I never complain about her. Now, the sadist that did my root canal and cracked the root thereby causing me to lose the tooth and still have pain years later, and STILL charged me for the privilege - I complain about that joker (even then, not a formal complaint). But I digress. This office has dentists with all sorts of specialties, so there is no need to leave the office for some specialty treatment. Also, they are always open to new patients and emergencies. All this sounds good, and if I lived anywhere near there, AND they were on my insurance, I'd consider going. I mean, I already drive two and a half hours to get to my current dentist, so why not? (Long story... some other time.) But I gotta wonder, why in the heck the sponsor wants me to link a male dentist's name to a list of female OBGYN Yale donors. I am fine with getting my root canals done at the same place as a cleaning. Heck, they can whiten my teeth while they are there. But while I appreciate the time it could save by having all my medical needs taken care of at once, I absolutely draw the line at a pelvic exam in a dentist's office. ;) *Special thanks in advance to our sponsor for being such a good sport with this last bit of silliness.* |
| One more awesome thing from Miss Chloe. |
| 12.28.06 (8:13 am) [edit] |
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I've been away for the holidays, but now I'm back, and ready to share with you how cool Chloe Dao is. Then again, you already knew that if you've been reading here. Remember when Tim Gunn went to Chloe's house to see her collection and he was a little dismayed at the progress? So he asked to see some sketches. She replied that she doesn't do sketches. It seems Chloe snuck a little bonus into the box when she shipped my gown. Yeah, that's right. It's a sketch of the top she made for me. Now, I love the outfit, don't get me wrong. I think the designer's party was cool. But the party was open to the public and for the right price, you can probably get your own one-of-a-kind outfit from Chloe. But she doesn't do sketches, and for some reason, she chose to include one. So you can imagine how stunned I am. It's framed and I am trying to find the perfect spot for it. As soon as I get a working scanner, I will post a pic. |
| Project Runway- I got the outfit! |
| 12.21.06 (8:05 pm) [edit] |
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As some of you know, I won the Project Runway Fashion Face-Off contest for season two. For those who don't know, this will catch them up. The Project Runway people sent me on a trip to NYC for 3 days and 2 nights, and I got to meet Chloe Dao. Chloe designed an outfit for me as part of the prize, and she was just as sweet as she could be. She invited me along to a party at Emmett's store, where several of the designers from Season 2 and 3 were in attendance. Needless to say, that was one of the coolest freakin' experiences of my life. Later that night, I met Chloe in her hotel room, where she did a fitting for the outfit. My husband came with me to take pics, and he sat and ate nachos while we gossipped. :D
So now that you know the backstory, here's the latest news. I got the dress today. I have a Christmas party that I'm looking forward to, and Chloe worked her poor little butt off trying to get it ready in time. She began this Monday or Tuesday night, shipped it yesterday, and it's here today. It went to my mom's house because my address is wonky, so she shipped it there. She sent me an email wishing me happy holidays, and as I was responding (Yes, I have Chloe's email. No, I won't give it to you.) my sister called me about it. She was excited, and I think she was just about to break into the box. :D
I've already seen it once, and it was gorgeous then. She talked about making some changes to the design, but I don't know whether she did or not. So I'm really anxious to see it and try it on. Sadly, it may need some alterations, so I'm not sure if I'll get to wear it to the party or not, but either way, I'm just excited to have it.
Go buy some stuff from her at www.lot8online.com Her clothing is top-notch.
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| Not enough kilts to go around!!! |
| 12.19.06 (8:03 am) [edit] |
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Here's the link. It seems that there are only enough kilts for 1 in 15 Scottish soldiers. It could take up to two years, $1.95 million dollars, and 15,000 yards of fabric to have enough kilts for everyone. In these drastic times, I will put aside my own selfish wants and needs for the good of the military. I think the younger ones should show respect for their elders, and allow the older gentlemen to have the kilts. The really built guys have all those layers of rippling muscle to keep them warm, so for the good of the nation, they should be the ones to do without. Regimental, of course. I'm all about the traditions. ;) Just take pictures. You'll raise enough money through a calendar that you'll have those kilts paid for in no time. And on a completely unrelated note- the counters went wonky and it hasn't been registering hits since the 12th. At least, I assume I've gotten some hits since then. lol Anyway, I've got two new hits today, so maybe they are still having trouble, but at least it's on its way to being fixed. That'll teach me to brag about my hit counts ever again. :D |
| Profitability |
| 12.15.06 (9:28 pm) [edit] |
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*This is a sponsored post. To learn anything about financial stuff, check out my hubby's site here. I posted a link about a week ago. He's the man to talk to for financial advice. We own real estate, and eventually, we plan on creating our own little real estate empire. While I can handle the legal stuff just fine, he handles the financial stuff. The only problem is, when you start getting multiple sources of income, you need to be able to look at them, both as a group AND separately, to see what is the most profitable for you. For instance, say we add 14 more real estate locations, all with multiple stores in each one. We will have a minimum of 15 sites we need to keep track of, and it could be a lot more if these are multi-unit apartment buildings. We have to keep track of our property managers and the other people on staff. We have to be able to see whether it's most profitable to make each store pay their own utilities, or whether we should CAM them (everyone pays a certain set rate for their share of the utilities). There are a million things to figure and take into account, and for tax purposes, we need to be able to figure out what is the smartest way to go. For that matter, we need to figure out which area and type of store is the most profitable, so that we can look for those kinds of businesses for our new properties. In other words, it's too much for us to keep track of. Now imagine how much worse it would be if we had hundreds of buildings. Activity based costing can help us with all of that. Furthermore, if we ever get started on the umbrella corporation we're talking about, it could get more complicated. This company helps with all of that, and can pinpoint any specific thing we need so that we can find out what is the most profitable thing, given a set of circumstances. Right now we don't need it, but I wouldn't mind getting to the level where we need it. :D |
| Ralph Lauren- Embroidered Dress |
| 12.15.06 (9:16 pm) [edit] |
 Say it with me. I *am* a fairy princess. I *am* a fairy princess. I *am* a fairy princess. lol! Honestly, that makes it sound like I hate this dress, when the opposite is true. I really, really like it. But it does look like something out of a fairy tale. This is the kind of gown that makes you reminisce about Princess Diana and think of how lovely she was. There are only a few women in the world that can pull off this level of sophistication and glamour, and she was one of them. That's not meant to put anyone else down, it's simply a fact. This is the kind of dress that makes little girls wish they were princesses. |
| Feathered Dress |
| 12.15.06 (9:11 pm) [edit] |
 When you use feathers in your garments, it's hard to look playful. Brightly colored marabou feathers tend to look too childish, and other feathers lend either western or sophisticated looks. This dress, by Brian Reyes, manages to be playful and young, without becoming childish. The striped belt is cute with it, and the color of the feathers combined with the belt really works. The part of the outfit that I dislike is the top. I don't personally care for the styles that use so much twisted gauzy fabric. It ends up looking too messy and heavy. When combined with the fact that it is sleeveless and has such a little waist and such big hips, this outfit will make almost everyone look boxy. The only people who can pull off a sleeveless look have to have just the right bust size (not too big and not too small), but the thickness of the fabric makes it seem like a padded bra. That's never sexy. :) Overall, it's an interesting idea that I wish someone would copy, but I don't care for this dress as it is. |
| Storage |
| 12.15.06 (4:30 pm) [edit] |
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*This is a sponsored post. My family used to move once a year when we first got married. It's easy when you're a college student. The place you are living at raises their rent, and you are already paying the most you can afford. So you move. Plus, when you live in a college town, you can find an apartment anywhere in town between June and September. It's when all the students graduate or their leases expire. lol We never hired movers. We always did this on our own, or with the help of family and friends. When we moved several states away, we basically gave everything we owned that wasn't major furniture or an appliance to some friends who said they would sort through it. They kept what they wanted, and it helped them complete their own apartment. The rest they gave away. lol It saved us moving costs and helped them and some other friends, so I am content. I forgot just how much we gave away, and years later I tried finding our bikes, only to realize we gave them away. lol Several years ago, we thought we were moving to the UK. We were to the point where we were looking for apartments and international movers. It's a pain in the neck to move overseas, and we own too much to take everything. This company that has the names of self storage places also can put you in touch with places that do international moving, auto transport, truck rental, and other moving solutions. This would have been helpful when I was moving around so much. If I ever move again, I have already made it very clear to my husband that I am not moving my things by myself again. We're hiring somebody to do it. Sadly, I think it won't really happen, but a girl can dream. |
| Jeremy Laing- Checkerboard |
| 12.15.06 (4:06 pm) [edit] |
 I am including this one because it is possibly the most unusual dress I've ever seen that is actually available to consumers. Sure, it's expensive. Sure, it's still a designer gown. But it's for sale right now, as opposed to dresses that are created solely because the designer wants to express their "vision". I honestly don't care for it at all. I have some dish towels in my kitchen that match this exactly, and it seems a little weird to me. Apart from that, there is probably only one person on the planet that could pull this off. I have an aquaintance that is a model who happens to currently be pregnant. You can find links to her site in past entries. She is the one person who could pull off this look, and even then, she'd have to have the perfect pair of HUGE sunglasses, the right wide hairband, and the perfect cheesy smile for "Pregnant Moms Monthly". And even then, I'd still wonder why she's wearing my dish towels. :D |
| Tiered Dresses |
| 12.15.06 (3:57 pm) [edit] |
 This tiered dress is from Jeremy Laing, and is gold wool. The style is a modern classic, and I believe we will be seeing a lot more tiered looks in the near future. If I had to pick one style that is going to become the next big trend, tiered creations would be the first one in line. The dress has a retro feel with the colors, fabric, sleeves, and neckline, but the tiers make it completely modern. Not only is it tiered, but asymetrical. And an imaginary tier exists because of the belt. In other words, it is both complex and simple. It's quite lovely, and I think any woman that wears it should pair it with a glamourous early 60's hairdo. |
| My niece had her baby. |
| 12.15.06 (10:19 am) [edit] |
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*This is a sponsored post. Nobody in my family talks to each other. It isn't out of outright neglect. It's just forgetfulness. My sister had fainting spells and for a while they thought she might have lupus or MS. Nobody told me, and then they were suprised when I didn't know what they were talking about. My mom never told me when her graduation was, but I was sure expected to know about it. lol Even my husband's family does this. Before I went to their house, I made sure to ask which of my MIL's dog's had died, and whether my niece had her baby yet. lol Well, she just had it. Because of our lack of communication, there aren't a lot of details. lol I know that the baby was born by c-section and that it was a boy, but I don't have the time, date, weight, or length. And when I sat down to write this, I couldn't remember the baby's name, but I recall her talking about how they would name the baby after her. Now I can get the baby some personalized baby gifts. I checked it out for what I could get for the baby, and I really like the pacifiers with the baby's name on it, but I remember my own son having a paci, and how we could never a paci for long. I think instead I'm going to do a frame with the name on it, and a photo session so they can get pics done. That includes their older baby as well, and makes mom and dad feel included, but also gives them a nice frame to put the photos in. :D |
| 10000 hits and counting. |
| 12.15.06 (9:46 am) [edit] |
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This is by far my most popular blog, and seeing as how I passed the 10000 hit mark this week, I thought I'd throw a little cyber-party. :D I'm pleased you guys keep reading. I'm averaging somewhere around 200 hits a day, and that's more than I have any right to hope for. Thanks for hanging in there with me, and I'll keep writing as long as you guys keep reading. Feel free to suggest topics that you want to see, and I'll do my very best to cover them. CHEERS! |
| The Professor |
| 12.14.06 (10:31 am) [edit] |
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I began thinking about the ethics of fashion yesterday when I got a shoutout from a person I respect a great deal. This person decided to pull the plug on his blog, and in his final post, he talked about this site that you're reading right now. Sure I was honored, but this is exactly the kind of reason I'm gonna miss seeing his mug around the place. :) A comment from him said, "Anyone with the dinero to actually afford these monstrosities is, in essence, on stage 24/7/365. I feel sorry for them, in a way. Of course, they could go around in jeans and use the money to improve society, but ... I know, what am I thinking???" That one thought got me to thinking about the ethics of fashion. Which one is worse? Spending $1000 on a dress that is barely keeping the designer out of debt given the economics of fashion, or spending $20 on a whole outfit from Walmart that was sewn by people who can barely afford to survive? According to this report , "Clothing sewn in China is usually done by young women, 17 to 25 year old (at 25 they are fired as ‘too old’) forced to work seven days a week, often past midnight for 12 to 28 cents an hour, with no benefits. Or that the women are housed in crowded, dirty dormitories, 15 to a room, and fed a thin rice gruel. The workers are kept under 24-hour-a-day surveillance and can be fired for even discussing factory conditions. The factories in China operate under a veil of secrecy, behind locked metal gates, with no factory names posted and no visitors allowed. China’s authorities do not allow independent human rights, religious or women’s groups to exist, and all attempts to form independent unions have been crushed. (http://www.nlcnet.org, 10/22/02)" The standard markup for clothing in department stores is 300%. That means that shirt you bought for $8.95 cost them under $3, plus a little for shipping. Now how unreasonable do you think that pay rate is? And if you can believe the pay rate, why would you think they would feed or house them? They have already made it clear that they are "disposable". On the other hand, a fashion show at New York Fashion Week costs $26000 to $40000. That buys you ten to twenty minutes in a tent. You still have to fill it with your clothing, which will probably run another $10k or so. After that, you still need to promote it to ensure you get the press and celebrities there. You need money for goody bags, models, makeup, and hair. And in 10-20 minutes, you have either made or ruined your career for the next 6 months. If the press likes it, you are expected to show in Paris, Milan, and other cities as well. Similar costs will apply there, and you WILL have to tweak or replace garments that aren't well received in New York. If the collection isn't well received, you're trying to figure out how to go about selling a kidney, and living in your parent's basement for the rest of your life. Those thousand dollar pricetags aren't making most designers rich. It's keeping them from bankruptcy. So what's the solution? If you don't make your own clothing, you're going to need to confront your conscience and see what it tells you. Yes, there is a middle ground, but it's a hard one to walk. Shop at the mid-priced stores that get their garments from places that pay a fair wage for a fair day's work. Yes, that means you have to do your homework. Yes, that's a pain in the butt. Hire a seamstress to make some clothing for you. Learn to make your own. Nobody ever said it would be easy to confront your ethics. |
| Dog beds |
| 12.14.06 (9:58 am) [edit] |
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*This is a sponsored post. If you're looking for luxury dog beds for your puppy this Christmas, try this site. They have tested them with all kinds of dogs and their various sleeping habits. They come in a lot of different sizes, styles, and fabrics. I think the couch is cool, and I would get one for my cat if I thought for a minute that she would actually sleep on one. She sure likes my couch enough. *rolling my eyes* This site says they did "counseling for abnormal behaviors". I wonder if my sister's dog would have liked the bed. He was about as abnormal as they come. He ate his way out of a plastic boarding kennel, and then chewed the door frame off while she was at work. It wasn't too long after that before my sister decided she couldn't handle him, and took him to the pound. And before I get the hate mail, it was not my dog and therefore not my decision, but considering I was terrified to take my kids over there and she obviously had no intention of training it, I can't say I was that upset. |
| Upcoming Style Trends |
| 12.14.06 (9:47 am) [edit] |
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Here are some of my predictions for upcoming trends. I don't know exactly when they will hit, but I see them on the radar. I think there will be a return to empire waisted babydoll dresses. This is basically lingerie, and that's something that you're going to need to combat if you're going to rock this outfit. Make sure the dress is a simple cotton to avoid any hint of lingerie. A short, off-white plain babydoll dress with just a hint of a ribbon on top, and knee-high opaque tights with clunky black heels on bottom. A modern twist on the French Revolution. I'm not sure what the exact look will be, but there are already signs of this. Bubble skirts and the accordian pleated trim are modern interpretations of this style. What to avoid- toile. It's not even great for draperies, and it's a little too overwhelming for wallpaper, so why cover your body in it? Asian Heroin Chic. I hate to say it, but it's coming back. There are some good examples of it, but too many people cross the line into goth. I would rather that people separate these into two categories. Put the heroin chic, which is part seductress, part bat-sh*t crazy, in one category. Put the Asian look, which would be sexiest as a Communist Chinese military look. One of the outfits I've gotten the most compliments on is exactly that. I have some impossibly high black patent leather boots that I pair with a red and black silk dragon print cheongsam. Or if you have "Sonic Jihad" by the band "Snake River Conspiracy", check out the outfit on the actual disk. It's a clean, harsh black silk top with a high collar and kimono style sleeves. All of these looks are hot, and vaguely threatening, which is what is going to cause the crossover between the two categories. |
| Jean Paul Gaultier- Wallis |
| 12.12.06 (8:59 am) [edit] |
 This is quite possibly the most boring dress in existence. At least from the front. It's an evening dress, but there is nothing captivating about it. I have never been a big fan of long, plain sleeves on dresses. It's just too simple, and there are more beautiful and flattering styles out there. But you really see the magic when you get to the back of the dress.  Seen here, hiding behind the big, furry coat is the back of the gown Jean Paul Gaultier titled "Wallis". This is the fashion equivalent of a spinal column and ribs. Personally, I'm not a fan of it, but I have to respect it. Other designers, himself included, turn to architecture for inspiration. But so few turn to the architecture of the human body. It could be because they view a dress such as this as a disaster, but I think it would be interesting to see a more moderated view from a different designer. |
| Swords |
| 12.12.06 (8:49 am) [edit] |
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*This is a sponsored post. Once upon a time, my husband had several swords. And not some cheap, flimsy swords. These were pretty decent quality. There were several non-descript ren-faire style ones, and one claymore, which is the big, huge kind you see in Braveheart and similar movies. But as time passed, we got rid of several of them at garage sales. Somebody picked up a good deal at that. I don't know much about the Asian style swords, and I never had much use for them, but my former brother-in-law could blather on about them for hours. I'm not sure I get the point. We used them as wall decorations, although I knew plenty of people who actually ran around their front yard pretending they were in some battle. There are about 100 different kinds of swords at this site, and if you are in desperate need of a samurai style letter opener for $130, make sure you check them out. They actually offer functional swords here, so if you're taking up the ninja arts this holiday season, you're gonna need some "Japanese Steel", to quote "Kill Bill". I gotta admit, the shipping is a pretty decent price. $2.95, but you have to order by tommorow. |
| Jean Paul Gaultier- Stripes |
| 12.11.06 (9:29 pm) [edit] |
 This is certainly not the sort of outfit just any woman can pull off. Most women would look like a court jester in it. But those rare few who know how to make this outfit work would REALLY rock it. It's not a tame outfit with its drab knitted stripes. There is at the same time a playfulness and a desperation to it. The kind of woman who wears this is not looking to blend in. Instead, she's begging for people to notice her, and she draws them in with the many layers of color. For 99.99999% of women, it's just too busy. Either piece would work well if it was paired with a solid color. Perhaps an off-white cashmere sweater for a different top, or a pair of black leggings for an alternative bottom. |
| Jean Paul Gaultier- Fur |
| 12.11.06 (9:23 pm) [edit] |
 This dress is loaded with the innovation I'm always searching for. It has an old Victorian styling to it, and also evokes images of a chorus line dancer, but there is something uniquely modern about it. That's the measure of a good designer. If someone can take an article of clothing that has an old styling to it, and give it some unique twist that updates it, they are a master at designing. I love the way the hips have been built-up, in a Chrysler Building sort of way. It's obviously an architectural sort of dress, and why not model one of the triumphs of architecture? The velvet combined with fur lends a deep richness to the garment. Even the hair works, as bizarre as it is, although I'd rather have seen a real tophat. |
| Fishermen |
| 12.11.06 (9:16 pm) [edit] |
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*This is a sponsored post. I grew up in Oklahoma, and the sport of choice there is fishing. Some people hunt, others play football, but pretty much everyone I knew fished. In fact, for the last week of high school, we had senior days, and one entire day was spent fishing. We never did anything fancy with fishfinders, GPS systems, or radar, but I think it was more fun that way. Sure, I knew all about that stuff. At least the technology that existed when I was a kid. We just never used it. I still remember sitting on the banks at my grandpa's farm, catching fish with little but a fishing pole, bait, and a bobber. One of these days I look forward to showing my own kids how to fish. |
| Jean Paul Gaultier- Cityscape |
| 12.11.06 (9:08 pm) [edit] |
 This dress has an interesting print, but not much as far as actual style. The netting with ribbon accent along the hip is ridiculous looking compared to the sophistication of the dress. The dress would be fantastic for a fancy New York City New Year's Eve party, but the netting makes it look childish. Certainly it adds some innovation, but at the cost of good design, in my opinion. Although I do not know what the back looks like, I hope that it's a racer style cut. That would look amazing. As it is, I want this print to make a dress for myself. I think it's very imaginative and playful, while still keeping a classy appeal. |
| Jean Paul Gaultier- Sheer Dress |
| 12.07.06 (6:12 pm) [edit] |
 Jean Paul Gaultier has been a favorite of Madonna for years. The pointy cone bra- you can thank him for it. So this gown isn't particularly surprising. His pieces are always highly structural, and the beauty comes from the formation of the garment. This gown has a great structure. It's like a corset dress, and it combines harsh lines with sheer fabric to create a masterpiece. I'm extremely impressed by this garment. It's obvious from the bottom that there are multiple layers of nude sheer fabric with a black sheer overlay. But if you look at the bustline and the sides, all of these layers disappear. The gown fits perfectly smooth against the model, and the bust line couldn't be better. The structure is FLAWLESS. As far as gowns go, I don't care for the way it resembles lingerie, but that's Jean Paul Gaultier for you. I am so pleased by the innovation that I can get over my dislike for it. :D |
| Santa |
| 12.07.06 (5:59 pm) [edit] |
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*This is a sponsored post. Thank goodness. One more year of my kids believing in Santa. I know that as soon as my son stops believing, he'll probably spill the beans to his sister. Santa almost went away for everybody. The Protestant Reformation wasn't fond of the idea of Saints, St. Nick included. But people began cherishing their Dutch roots, and with his place in Washington Irving's "Knickerbocker's History of New York", Santa's place in history was cemented. No matter what you get your friends and family, whether it's gift certificates, fruitcakes, or holiday gift baskets, Santa will be watching to see whether you've been naughty or nice! :D |
| The strange side of fashion... |
| 12.07.06 (11:45 am) [edit] |
 This is the reason people hate designers. This outfit from Hripsime Afsar was shown at a student fashion show. I'll review it in two different manners. One from the whacked out fashion design sense, and one from the consumer's standpoint. From a design standpoint, it's an amazing gown. They made this fabric do EXACTLY what they wanted it to do. The fan fold looks like the fabric was simply frozen that way, without having the heavy boning and structural items visible. The draping is perfect, with every part laying exactly where it should. The design evokes a sense of ancient Greece, and Art Deco. It's an amazing piece for a student to pull off. From a consumer's standpoint, I think the most common sentiment is along the lines of "WTF?" :D This is exactly the sort of garment I was talking about when I discussed fashion on Swanktrendz. No person was ever meant to wear this, because it is just too bizarre. Why in the world would a designer want us to wear a fan that is swallowing us? |
| Elie Saab- Silver Sparkles |
| 12.07.06 (11:35 am) [edit] |
 Wow! What can I say about this? It's perfect. If I told you that I wanted to make a sheer silver poncho with beading and pailettes you might look at me as if I went nuts. Honestly, the description just doesn't sound pretty. But the outcome is exquisite. I love the crossover in front, and I think it really adds a lot to the style. The pailettes appear to be random, and yet have a pattern at the same time. There is a diagonal stripe where they appear heavier, and that accentuates the crossover effect. But there is still enough randomness that it does not come across as too planned. The skirt is one of the most beautiful skirts I've ever seen. It's not that there is anything spectacular about the design. But this piece certainly shows the benefits of good construction. The ripples across the front combined with the shine of the fabric play with the light. And yet, you know that as soon as the model takes another step, they will ripple in an entirely new way. It's the kind of skirt that makes a girl feel gorgeous. Even though I sometimes say it, I do not believe that anything coming down the runway is perfect. There is always something that can be improved about it. For this outfit, my tiny complaint is about the model's hair. She is so stunning in this outfit, but it looks like the hairstylist ignored her. I want to see a truly finished look, and I cannot believe that someone wearing this outfit would step out with their hair so messy. It's a small complaint, and it's the only one I have, but it is a complaint nonetheless. lol |
| Links |
| 12.07.06 (11:24 am) [edit] |
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*This is a sponsored post. Several methods of increasing your link popularity have come and gone. For a while, people were putting hidden text in their site that would include a hundred million keywords. When they caught onto that, people tried using the same keyword over and over. Now you are zapped if you use it too many times. Then people tried reciprocal linking, but discovered that sadly, that meant they had their site littered with links to other sites, and it was taking business away from their own site. Next they tried link brokers who sold links. That didn't really work because the search engines realized that the text didn't have anything to do with the site. For example, links to bedding would popup on a site about dogs. No good. And who can forget those sites that had nothing but pages of links? |
| I'd like to introduce you to... |
| 12.06.06 (9:56 pm) [edit] |
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my hubby. The man that keeps me in fashionable shoes. Heehee!
Here is his little place on the web where he talks about financial stuff. Stocks, bonds, real estate, etc. He's somewhat of a financial guru, but you don't have to believe me. Check out his site, use what you can, and do so for free.
http://dicksdollars.tblog.com...
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| This is too damn skinny!! |
| 12.06.06 (5:12 pm) [edit] |
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Let me warn you now. These are disturbing photos. I am not writing this to give thin people a hard time. I've had some friends who were a size zero before you could actually find size zero clothes. They ate like a elephant, and kept all the food down. I also am not writing this to bring shame to people with an eating disorder. That's not cool to make fun of people with a disease. But I am disturbed that NOBODY in their life told them that they need help. Presumably, these photos exist because the person continued getting modeling jobs. Why did the photographer not object? Why did the designer hire them? Why did their agent and every other person associated with getting them work continue to let them work? The one in blue is, in theory, wearing a size 0 to 2, because the designer makes it ahead of time and fits them later. And with the way it's hanging off of her, that should tell you something about her size. Be warned, the photos are graphic, so if you are squeamish, don't look. That's why I've put so much space- to give you a chance to back out. It's possible that this is the same model. Frankly, I am a little too disturbed to look at her face to figure out if it's the same woman or not. Either way, at least one of these photos is of the model that recently died of anorexia. Enough is enough.  
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| Coming up number one in Google. |
| 12.06.06 (5:01 pm) [edit] |
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*This is a sponsored post. Building backlinks is important to any site. If you have several thousand sites linking to yours, it tells the search engines that you are an authority on that subject. And the more traffic they have, the better. It tells them that a big portion of the web considers your site important, and it bumps it up in the rankings. Here are some ideas for how to build back links. Try submitting to directories, such as DMOZ. Get your friends and family to link to you. Do a press release. Link bait by writing something controversial about your site, or by writing a company with a link to an article you wrote about them. Use a system like Blogitive. |
| Christian Lacroix- Crinkles |
| 12.06.06 (1:42 pm) [edit] |
 Because I don't have a couture collection, I don't have to end with a bridal gown. So I'm ending with my favorite piece from this collection. The light blue gown beneath is pleated, and has a Grecian look to it. The ruffles at the bottom help tie it in with the other pieces in the collection. And the fabric is gorgeous, having a certain thickness, but also looking like it could just disappear into nothingness at any given moment. But the part that made me fall in love with it is the fabric for the duster. This crinkled fabric had to be difficult to work with. Think about it. How do you cut a straight piece when the material isn't straight? Answer: you probably don't. That makes it that much more difficult to work with. If you can manage to cut and sew some pieces, you are still going to need a design that can work with this sort of fabric. I think he came up with a great one. It would have been easy to limit this fabric to a jacket or skirt, because most designers would have said it was too much for a piece that went the entire length of the body. But this didn't fall into that design trap. The sleeves are beautiful, and I like that they are longer in back. It works for this design. It's a piece that I don't have an occasion for, but I want it anyway. |
| Christian Lacroix- Spiky Fur |
| 12.06.06 (9:14 am) [edit] |
 Ok, time for that caption contest I talked about. If you can think of a better title, please post it in the comments. I would dig this in a goth sort of way if the pockets weren't covered in fur too. I love the huge band of fur around the collar, because this isn't the sort of gown you would wear if you don't want people to notice you. You are not going to wear this to a party and stand against the wall all night. I'm interested in what kind of fabric that is on the coat. It's got a sort of sheen, but then again, it doesn't. I like the way it plays with the light. Also, the beading around the floor is good. Most designers would have stopped because they didn't know how to make the bottom match the top. Ultimately, I feel it's a success, although a very unusual one. |
| Flowers |
| 12.06.06 (9:12 am) [edit] |
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*This is a sponsored post.
Beyond Blossoms began as a project for two grad students. They had to come up with a business plan, and they ultimately wanted something that people liked, and that they liked selling. They decided that flowers would be the perfect item.
Now they sell roses, unusual flowers, and Valentine's day flowers online. They also have quotes about flowers, picture contests, and descriptions of their bouquets. They have branched beyond writing a business plan for a class, and into a fun business that they enjoy doing.
Their prices are good, and they offer a wide selection of flowers to choose from. If you need some flowers for somebody, give them a try.
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| Christian Lacroix- Sheer Blue Dress |
| 12.06.06 (8:59 am) [edit] |
 Again, this dress clearly marks the line between couture and pret-a-porter. This gown creates the illusion that it is completely sheer, and that there is no solid fabric. While this isn't entirely true, it's a nice effect. Notice the bust where the ruffles obscure the naughty bits. And he had the good sense to carry the ruffles throughout the gown. Does it work? Ultimately, it's a personal decision. I could make an argument either way. On one hand, the construction of each ruffle is so perfectly done that it stands as an example of how a couture gown should look. On the other hand, the puffiness of the upper sleeves, the skirt getting wider at the bottom, and the mismatched shoes and belt work against it. I wish more time had been spent editing it, but in the end, it's not too bad. |
| Christian Lacroix- Furry Arms |
| 12.05.06 (8:37 pm) [edit] |
 I feel like I should come up with a caption contest for this. I just don't know how else to describe it. LOL! This dress is so heavy on the sides. It weighs the entire look down, and the model looks like it's really making her slump over. Either that, or she needs to learn to walk. :D That being said, the skirt is quite interesting. It is very young and youthful. The gold top doesn't look bad either. The jacket, except for the arms, is intersting, and it makes me want to get up close so I can get a good look at it. But oy! That fur is a DISASTER!!! She looks like she wrestled a bear! |
| Food scales |
| 12.05.06 (8:28 pm) [edit] |
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*This is a sponsored post. If you're on a diet like I am, a food scale can be really important. My biggest diet issue is that I see portions incorrectly. I've found that using a scale can help me scale back. Sorry, lousy pun, I know. This site has food scales, shipping scales, bathroom scales, and other types. Once upon a time, I owned my own herbal helth supplies store, and I had my herbs in several different stores throughout my area. So I needed scales for measuring and ALSO for shipping. But that time has come and gone. I wish this existed then. |
| Christian Lacroix- Feathers |
| 12.05.06 (8:18 pm) [edit] |
 While the last dress clearly marked the line between couture and ready-to-wear, this blurs that line. I would wear this coat ANY TIME, ANY DAY. Sure, it's sparkley and full of sequins and beads. It's also just a very fun coat. My favorite part is the wispy feathers along the neck and sleeves. The dress is irrevlevant, and I think I would hate it by itself. But I love the coat, and hope it goes into mass production. Wait, no. I lied. I want the quality of couture. |
| Christian Lacroix- Ruffles and Lace |
| 12.05.06 (8:11 pm) [edit] |
 This is the perfect example of a couture gown vs. a ready to wear gown. While I would never think of wearing this on the street because it's an absurd gown, if viewed as a work of art, it's perfect. The lace work is top-notch. And I love the gold fabric underneath that is so chaotic. It looks as if someone carved leaves and butterflies onto the gown, and applied gold leaf. There is nothing more fit for the Paris runway than a gown fit for Versailles, like this one. I like the combination of silver and gold, and think that it couldn't have been done any better. The small hints of coral throughout the gown are nice touches, and the blue bow is perfection. The bow is a really unusual color of blue, but it works well with the gold and black. I personally would have liked it better if it were without the jacket, but then I would have missed the gold ruffles along the sleeves. Because I like that touch, it would have been bittersweet. |
| Belisi |
| 12.05.06 (7:58 pm) [edit] |
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*This is a sponsored post, but it is a rare fashion related one, so I hope you enjoy. Peter Belisi started as a bartender in Palm Beach, serving the rich and famous. He must have been paying attention. He invested a lot of money in a tie collection, and never wore the same one twice. Soon, his coworkers began noticing and asking for advice. He decided that quality accessories are the best and easiest way to pull together an outfit, and I have to agree. Check out the site, because it really does have some great tips, such as how to tie a Windsor knot. There are photos of celebrities, and it's written in a blogging sort of way to make it easily accessible to everyone. That's exactly what good fashion should do. |
| Christian Lacroix- Bridal |
| 12.05.06 (7:44 pm) [edit] |
 It is typical to see a bridal gown at the end of a couture collection. It makes sense. If you are going to spend that much money on a gown that is hand-sewn for you, it's going to be a bridal gown. It's their one chance to make the couture line profitable. Here is Christian Lacroix's bridal offering. I won't mince words. I hate it. It's too Princess Diana for me. And while every girl my age dreamed of wearing that gown when we got older, most of us realized the mutton sleeves were hideous. This gown is too overworked with the beading, the fabric is not luxurious enough, and the extremely detailed red velvet sleeves do not fit well with the crumpled, messy skirt. One note: I like the pockets. It's not because I think pockets belong on a couture gown OR on a wedding dress. I like them because nobody else is doing it. It's innovative and unusual, and therefore I praise it. |
| Christian Lacroix- Black Dress with Beading |
| 12.01.06 (5:59 pm) [edit] |
 This dress has a lot of potential, and while I admire it as a couture gown, I think it could have been done better. The top half is perfect. There is a hint of beading throughout the bodice, and what we see along the stomach is masterful. There is just a little hint of yellow at the back of the neck, and it makes me curious. This is the kind of gown that would have my attention the entire length of the runway, because I would want to indulge in every detail. I like the sheer portion of the skirt. I even like that it is voluminous and ruched. But I think the ruching should have been less chaotic. The top is so detail oriented, and the bottom seems messy compared to it. He could have been trying for an ironic statement through this garment, but it doesn't feel that way. It feels incongruous instead. Not overly so, but I hope that a toned down version appears soon for consumers. |
| More beautiful??? |
| 12.01.06 (12:58 pm) [edit] |
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*This is a sponsored post, but it does relate to beauty. I received a web release today for a client that says russian women are more beautiful than other women. From the release, "Russian brides are famous internationally as the most beautiful women in the world. A typical Russian woman looks like a model." Huh??? I can understand attributing it to personal tastes. But stating it like a fact is a little absurd to me. There are plenty of gorgeous women all around the globe. I have had some Russian friends, and they are no more or less beautiful than women anywhere else. |
| Christian Lacroix- Black Jacket |
| 12.01.06 (12:43 pm) [edit] |
 First off, I am not really a fan of such electric shades of blue, nor am I a fan of wearing shoes that don't match anything. But this is the exception. This outfit needed some color, and its styling has a funkiness that I think these boots fit well with the overall outfit. Going back to one of my ealiest blogs here, the accordian pleating is still great. I love that this shirt is built up, level after level with the pleating. It's a nice idea, and it was well executed. But the jacket is the real piece on display here. I love the feather neckline. I love the rows of brushed silver buttons. I love the texture of the fabric. It's just amazing. |
| Christian Lacroix- Beaded Front |
| 12.01.06 (12:37 pm) [edit] |
 This gown has an interesting front. It's somewhat like an ascot, but obviously bigger. The dress is interesting. I like the splash of red across the front, but I also like that it is moderated by the black beaded lace over it. The beading on the sleeves is beautiful, and they are probably my favorite part of this dress. I like that the beading does not extend all the way up. Most designers would have continued the entire way up the shoulder, and it's nice to see someone coming up with some new ideas. |
| Trucks |
| 12.01.06 (12:15 pm) [edit] |
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*This is a sponsored post. If you're in need of accessories such as a truck tool box, give this company a look. I have a very old truck, that unfortunately doesn't really have anything available for it at this site, but then again, it's a weird sort of truck. If I had a more normal truck, I could find something for it I'm sure. And as a landlord, there's been more than a few times that I've needed a toolbox on hand and haven't had one. And yes, even though I'm girly and concerned with fashion, I also know quite a bit about power tools. :D What can I say? I'm multi-talented. |
| New Article Up! |
| 12.01.06 (9:45 am) [edit] |
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Check here for my newest article on Swanktrendz. The article discusses what fashion is, and why designers don't necessarily expect you to wear the outrageous items they present on the runway. Thankfully, they included some photos of the type of clothing I discussed. So please read it, and feel free to comment here.
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