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| February Birthday Recommendation |
| 01.30.07 (8:32 pm) [edit] |
For those who aren't aware, I've begun a new feature. Every month, I will list a product that is a great idea for a birthday present, or another special occasion. This month, I'm going off a recommendation that a friend made. She got this set for Christmas and couldn't stop raving about it. There is a company called Seacret that makes a Nail Care Collection. In this collection, you get a buffing block, nail file, cuticle oil, and lotion. For those guys who have stumbled onto my little fashion site and are confused about what this means, let me cut right to the chase. It will let your wife do her own nails at home, get beautiful fingernails, and you won't have to send her to get her nails done as often. :D It sells for just under $30, and there are five different scents. If you are guessing which one she will like the best, you have two choices. A) Look at the other scents she buys and find something similar. B) Get the Natural, so that it won't battle against her other scented products. Enjoy, and good luck! |
| Dior- Upward Layers |
| 01.30.07 (8:19 pm) [edit] |
 Overall, I don't care for this dress, but there are two things that save it from being boring. We've all seen the layers. In fact, we've seen them so much that they are becoming the next style that needs to go away. But I can't recall seeing layers that point upwards until now. Overall, it's a design that isn't as wearable as it is beautiful, because you know that if you sat down to eat, every single crumb would find its way into those folds. The second redeeming factor to this is the folded elements, forming the the triangles/diamonds. It gives it a very architectural feel. The color of the gown works really well when you take that into account. But I've got to say it. What on Earth is with that ridiculous Minnie Mouse bow on top of her head?!? |
| Dior- Train |
| 01.30.07 (8:13 pm) [edit] |
 This dress is not one of my favorites. I think the colors are ill-suited for each other, and the fabric looks a little too polyester for my taste. Furthermore, it's SOOOOO voluminous on top that it doesn't look very balanced. BUT, the train is a very interesting little feature. I can see this type of a folded train on a wedding gown. Of course, I would expect the rest of the gown to be more conservative and typical. I think this sort of train would give it a phenomenal look. One that certainly isn't achieved here. |
| Living room furniture |
| 01.30.07 (8:04 pm) [edit] |
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*This is a sponsored post. I found a website today that has a great selection of furniture. Their featured pieces are made by american drew. Now, the name wasn't familiar to me, but the designers who do different lines for them are. Oddly enough, they are both more known for fashion than furniture. American Drew has Jessica McClintock and Bob Mackie lines. The Jessica McClintock is what you would expect- very romantic looking. But the Bob Mackie one surprised me. When I read the name I wondered how he would incorporate beads into a dining table (he's known for doing Cher's outrageous gowns). But they are actually quite nice looking pieces. There's one double pedestal dining table that's really beautiful, and a nice large table. It may be something for me to consider in the future. |
| Dior- Red/White/Green |
| 01.29.07 (6:02 pm) [edit] |
 This beautiful dress is probably my favorite one from this collection. It's often said that symmetry is beauty. This dress illustrates that point. It's not that it's perfectly symmetrical, but that it's well balanced from top to bottom and left to right. This also is a deceptive dress. While the dress and bamboo seems more Chinese, the red fabric gives it a sort of Indian sari feel. And needless to say, these are only influences. The predominant design of this dress is strictly Western. It's a brilliant design, and I can only imagine the gasps when it first appeared on the runway. |
| Dior-Origami Wedding Dress |
| 01.29.07 (2:19 pm) [edit] |
 This wedding dress is certainly beautiful and unique, with its origami style folded details, but it also has a certain harshness to it that makes it thoroughly unsuitable for a wedding dress, IMO. It's one that the concept is perfect, and I wouldn't change a thing as a couture wedding gown. But imagine actually wearing it. Your new husband can't have that first dance with you because your gown is assaulting him from all angles. Don't mistake this for dislike. I'm the one that's always saying there's a difference between couture and ready-to-wear. I like this dress very much. I just want the people who copy it to go with something a little less harsh, and if it's an idea that catches on, most of the imitators are going to make a mess of it. |
| Dior- Orchid |
| 01.29.07 (2:13 pm) [edit] |
 It's easy to see where the inspiration for this dress came from. This is a walking, fabric version of an orchid flower, and although it's probably impossible to capture the beauty of an orchid, this is a good effort. The way it captures the colors from nature and features delicate details, just like an orchid would, really reinforce the effect. One of my favorite parts has nothing to do with the dress, because ultimately, this isn't the kind of fashion most people would wear. My favorite part is the hat. Now, granted, this isn't the kind of hat most women would wear either, but they should. It has a beautiful, classic styling to it, and you can just see one of the old black-and-white film stars wearing this. |
| Soap Opera |
| 01.29.07 (2:05 pm) [edit] |
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*This is a sponsored post. There is a new site that covers Soap Opera News. It looks like a really decent site, and I just found out that they are cancelling one of two soaps I used to watch. I refuse to let that suck me back in!!! lol As for the site, it's a really good one. The site has a nice, clean layout, a strong domain name that is easy to remember (www.soaps.com), and loads of spoilers. One of the best things about the site is that it has a "Comings and Goings" section, since the cast of a soap opera can change so frequently. I'm going to tell my MIL and sister about it, because I know they each follow some soaps. My MIL usually gets to catch hers, but my sister usually works during hers. |
| Dior- Moulin Rouge |
| 01.26.07 (10:33 pm) [edit] |
 This is SOOOO Moulin Rouge. My very first thought when I saw it was "Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir?" I'm going to really try to look at it without making a cancan joke, but it's going to be difficult. As it is, if the movie "Moulin Rouge!" never existed, this would have worked a lot better than it does now. It's not that it fails, because the costumes in that film were so beautiful. It's that it borrowed too heavily from those designs. The leather gloves are a disaster. It makes what could be a lovely, dark dress into a caricature of a dark dress. The necklace and earrings are also too much. It could have been nicer looking, but they went trampy with the details, and it killed the mood of the entire dress. Same with the fan. I do like just how black it gets at the bottom. It's so difficult to get a pure black color, but this has it. It has a nice contrast with the red. The styling is phenomenal, but I would have preferred different colors. Red and black feels like it's been done. |
| Dior- Green Layers |
| 01.25.07 (7:25 am) [edit] |
 This is an interesting gown. There is something very French about it, with all of the layers and luxurious fabrics peeking out from those layers. And yet, at the waist, there is a hint of the Japanese style that has been seen throughout the collection. I'm going to focus on the couture aspect. It's quite possible that it's the couture styling of the gown that causes it to appear French. That is the birthplace of couture, and for official Couture with a capital "C", that's the only place where it still exists. This dress feels like it stepped right out of the days when it still meant something to own a couture garment from Paris. It's traditional with some untraditional elements thrown in. |
| Dior- Layered Green |
| 01.24.07 (9:44 am) [edit] |
 What an interesting little concoction of a dress. The way the dress switches between yellow and blue is lovely, but unfortunately, I don't get the connection to the rest of the collection. There is nothing about this that screams Japan to me, where the other pieces are all some shade of Japanese style. The gloves and the lime green shoes really throw it off for me. In fact, it's those two elements that really make it seem more Caribbean than Japanese. As such, the piece doesn't fit within this collection. That's one danger designers often face. They may have an idea for a very lovely outfit, but if it doesn't fit with the rest of the outfits, it will be looked at as a misfit, and possibly throw the entire collection off. |
| The start of a fashion business. |
| 01.24.07 (9:32 am) [edit] |
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*This is a sponsored post. You've heard me talk about Peter Belisi before, but here's the full story of Belisi - How it Started. Peter Belisi started his fashion business as a bartender in Palm Beach. Yeah, you heard that right. It's actually a smart way to start. Palm Beach has more than their fair share of money. And it wouldn't be completely wrong to assume that a lot of the people in a club are looking their best because they are either there with a date, or they are looking for someone to date. In either case, they want to look their absolute best. So Belisi dressed like his customers. And they began to notice. How often do you hear the phrase, "Dress for the job you want, rather than the one you have"? Belisi knew that he wanted more for his family, so he launched his own line of luxury fashion accessories. Honestly, he couldn't have done it a better way. I don't believe that a good designer can separate themselves from fashion. You have to notice people and see what works and what doesn't. There is a lot of inspiration in the world, and you can pull that inspiration from movies, music, art, or somewhere else entirely. But if you are living more in your own head then you are not going to notice what's going on in the world around you. And just like you shunned it, it will ignore you. Peter Belisi not only noticed what they were actually wearing, but by impressing them with his own style, he was able to create instant interest when he launched his own line. Finally, because of his experiences, he realizes that not everyone is willing to spend Palm Beach type money on a tie. But that doesn't mean they don't want to copy the style. His accessories are not only affordable, but they also give back to the community. Too cool!  
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| Dior- Cherry Blossoms |
| 01.24.07 (9:12 am) [edit] |
 Again, I assume it's cherry blossoms, and I'm STILL a writer rather than a botanist. :D This dress reminds me of the one that Angelina Jolie wore in that one scene in "Gia". If you've seen the movie, you already know which one I'm talking about. This is a layered bubble dress. I kinda like the combo. With the dress itself, I LOVE the bottom, and I kind of enjoy the cherry blossoms covering the top. I don't like what's happening in between though. Where they cross over and make diamond shapes is a little too formal for me. I'd rather that the cherry blossoms gently faded into nothingness, as if the design was borrowed more heavily from nature itself. I dislike that the top doesn't fit, but I also imagine that it's quite difficult to fit a top like that to a model, and you have to rely on luck more than anything else. I dislike the model's pose. It's awkward looking to me, and it really shows how poorly the top fits. BUT, I love the fans in her hair. There are not many opportunities to do something so outrageous, and the style lately has been to uglify the models. My professor friend is still ranting about the pics where the models had their hair shaped into hats. :D This is delicate and keeps a nice, pretty balance. I'm pleased to see this fragile sort of over-the-top beauty. |
| Dior- Koi Dress |
| 01.24.07 (8:59 am) [edit] |
 At least I assume it's a Koi. I'm a writer, not an ichthyologist (I even spelled that right on the first try!). The only thing I dislike about this is somewhere between the color and fabric. It looks like a silk shantung, which is an interesting, beautiful fabric up close. But from far away, it tends to look a little like burlap, in my opinion. The color doesn't help. I understand why it was done this way. This koi would not look so amazing on a darker fabric, nor on a smooth type silk. It needed some texture and depth. If you've ever seen Japanese art, it looks as though the images have this great depth, but are floating about 3 feet from their canvas (I mean that in a good way). This koi really nails that style of seeming to float above its background. Unfortunately, we have to discuss it as fashion rather than art. And as fashion, it doesn't work as well as it would if it were art. One final detail. Notice that there is a fan which is folded and sewn at the bust level. What an amazing detail. |
| Top 10 Cell Phones |
| 01.24.07 (8:49 am) [edit] |
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*This is a sponsored post. As I've said before, I don't demand a lot out of a cell phone. This is pretty odd, considering that I am one of the biggest techies around, and somewhat of an early adopter. I go nuts for the latest tech gear, and I'm a geek from WAYYY back in the day. :) So even though I don't feel the tech lust with cell phones, I certainly get where it comes from, and I can appreciate it on some level. Wirefly announces the Top 10 cell phones of 2006. It's not surprising that the RAZR tops the list. It's the one that everyone is always talking about. Also, it seems that Motorola is wiping the competition out. Here is the top ten list. 1. Cingular Wireless RAZR by Motorola (in various colors) 2. T-Mobile RAZR (in various colors) 3. Verizon Wireless RAZR (in various colors) 4. Cingular Sony Ericsson z520a/z525a video phones 5. T-Mobile Motorola v360 6. Verizon Wireless Motorola v276 7. Sprint Nextel Motorola i850 8. Sprint Nextel Motorola i710 9. Cingular Motorola v220 10. T-Mobile Samsung T309  Just from the buzz, I predict that iPhone will top next year's list. |
| Dior- Cream and Burgandy |
| 01.24.07 (8:40 am) [edit] |
 I said it a while back, the Asian inspiration is coming back. Apparently Christian Dior agrees. This entire collection had a lovely formal Japanese feel. The kimono is beautiful. I certainly love the transition from the deep red at the bottom to the cream color on top. And if anything, it's like a modern take on the kimono. It combines a kimono with a suit. Again, it's certainly only acceptable as couture, and you are unlikely to see anyone wearing this down the street. But it would be stunning if you did see it. The most interesting aspect is not as visible in this picture, but he uses it elsewhere in the collection. The back of the jacket is folded origami style. It's truly a work of art, but as far as couture goes, it's a very wearable work of art. |
| Dior- Bubble Coat |
| 01.23.07 (7:22 pm) [edit] |
 Here's the first of the couture garments of the season. This is a coat that clearly outlines the difference between couture and ready-to-wear. On the street, it would be ridiculous, and nearly impossible, to wear such a coat. But the details of it make it interesting. I do not believe I've seen a bubble coat before now. Also, the print is taken directly from a famous Japanese painting (sorry, I cannot recall the artist). And the collar is beautiful, if it were done on a smaller scale for ready-to-wear. Having it tilted and asymetrical is interesting. All in all, it's very interesting and very lovely. |
| Getting a loan |
| 01.23.07 (7:15 pm) [edit] |
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*This is a sponsored post. I've been pretty lucky so far. I've never needed to get a payday loan, or any other kind of quick money, Unsecured Persoanl Loan. And I really mean that I've been lucky enough. There's been a few times where I thought we would need to get one for one reason or another (mostly as a broke college student) but everything always worked out. A lot of my friends weren't so lucky, and I certainly can't blame them for getting a Personal Loan. You do what you've got to do to make ends meet, and I'd rather have a higher interest rate than have my credit completely trashed. With the internet, you can even get Payday cash Advnace Loans online. If you need some money, and you have bad credit, it's something to consider. |
| Upcoming posts |
| 01.23.07 (8:46 am) [edit] |
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I wanted to let you know what's coming up, because we're entering the busy season for fashion. Not only do we have the awards shows, but the fashion shows are starting. The Spring 2007 Couture shows have just been presented, so there is a lot to cover. I want to make sure to cover everything, but I think the awards shows should be first. If I have stuff ready for both, the awards will take precedence. Expect me to discuss the fashions within a week of the awards. The couture line is for an entire season, and as such, I will write about it as I get a chance. If you have a favorite designer or celebrity that you want me to discuss, make sure to let me know. As always, comments are welcome. |
| Brian Atwood Boots |
| 01.22.07 (2:30 pm) [edit] |
 Now, I recommend this hesitantly. There are not a lot of women who can pull off an ankle boot. And the rough leather/fuzzy warm inside look is getting tired. But there's just something CUTE about these. The way it folds down, the perfectly styled heel, and the shape of the toe work together to create a beautiful shoe. If you can pull off this look, go for it. |
| Fun Avatar Creator |
| 01.22.07 (2:14 pm) [edit] |
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*This is a sponsored post. I discovered the coolest thing today! There is a website that lets you play Dress Up Games by making your own avatar. Here's mine!  The thing I like the most is that I can actually make an avatar that looks a lot like me. I actually have a dress that is very similar to this. lol It's the one I wore when I went to the Project Runway designer's party. I also made one for the Oscars. I'll be switching to that soon as my avatar. I just love these. I think they are cute, and best of all, it's free. There are some premium features, but they don't cost much. For now I'm content with the free options available. I thought I might be able to use these as paper dolls for my daughter, but some of the designs are a little PG-13, so I'll probably hold off on showing her the site for a few years. In the meantime, I should be able to make some and she can enjoy them that way. Here's two other designs that I really like. I showed these to my daughter and she loves them.   I know there's a lot of places on the net where you can make avatars, but this is the first free one I've seen with any real choices. All the others are so limited. Trust me, you'll spend an entire afternoon there, going through the choices. :D 
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| Emporio |
| 01.20.07 (9:12 am) [edit] |
 I can't even begin to say how much I love this jacket. It's got a certain lushness to it, but it doesn't look the least bit feminine. Although I don't care for them, the pants and shirt were a smart pairing. Brown and black together is almost always a mistake, but because the jacket has both tones, they needed to be worked in. By keeping everything dark, it really brings it together as an outfit. This is a good example of choosing the right model for the right outfit. The model's blonde hair really secures the image of nuclear winter. Scary, but nice effect. |
| Internet Encyclopedia |
| 01.20.07 (9:06 am) [edit] |
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*This is a sponsored post. I stumbled onto an interesting website today. It's sort of like Wikipedia, but then again, not. Wikipedia can be updated by everyone, but this is more like an encyclopedia. It covers topics that would never appear on Wikipedia too. For example, I checked Awnings Canopies because I need one for my building. It tells me about all the different types of canopies and awnings that exist, and where they can be placed. It reads very similar to an encyclopedia entry, but because it's online, it also has links to other sites that could give you more information about it. It's not all inclusive, but it's not meant to be either. Quite an interesting site, and I can see myself visiting there again. |
| Ferre |
| 01.20.07 (8:55 am) [edit] |
 Other than the model, this is a good outfit. With the model included, he needs a couple more pounds and someone to hold him down while I shave his head. Dear God, I HATE that shaggy look! I actually like this. It's got a sexual edge to it. First, the waist is slightly tapered, which makes it appear as if he's spent some time at the gym. The shoulders are tailored wide, and the line across the bottom, near the hips, makes his hips appear more broad. It's a good look for a guy to have and it gives an illusion of having a better body than actually exists. Most of the sexual elements come from the line up the trousers. The line helps define an otherwise dull set of trousers into ones that look fit for a motorcycle ride. And it obviously draws the eye to a certain part of his anatomy. It's a male tease outfit. The pants say "Come and get it" while the jacket is standoffish. (And please note, this is the hardest outfit I've ever reviewed. I had to imagine my husband wearing it because the child who is actually wearing it made me feel squicky.) And oddly enough, none of this is what I want to discuss. What I truly love about this outfit is the shoes. The black-green glow off those boots is phenomenal, and I want them NOW. I would get them in my size and wear them, and not care that they are men's shoes. I adore that color, and especially with this outfit, it's phenomenal. |
| Men's Fashion. |
| 01.20.07 (8:39 am) [edit] |
Special thanks to Cooper for pointing me in this direction. The next few posts will be taken from pics from a slide show on the International Herald Tribune site. DSquared presents this shirt made of chainmail. Now, my hubby knows how to make chain mail. And I've tried it on before. A) This is LOUSY chainmail. B) This is poorly made with the way it gaps open around the buttons. C) Chainmail will pinch his nipples, which is why there is a t-shirt underneath. Unfortunately, with out the chainmail shirt, there is nothing interesting about this. It's 50's thug. Yawn. And with the chainmail shirt, which is arguably the most interesting detail, it looks sloppy. |
| Refinancing to increase property. |
| 01.20.07 (8:29 am) [edit] |
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*This is a sponsored post. As my regular readers know, I own commercial property. Well, this week, we rented the other side. Even better, it's an extremely long term renter, and their monthly rent payment just covers the mortgage on the building. Because they pay utilities, we have to come up with property taxes (which is covered by the other side), and then it's all good. But what I haven't shared is how we got the building. We had been looking at property for some time, and we both saw and fell in love with this place. The price was amazing, but still out of our reach. On a whim, we talked about it with my mom, expecting her to turn us down flat. She didn't. Instead, she did a Mortgage Refinance on her home, and we pay her for the building. Obviously, we've proven that we are responsible to her, because on paper, we own this free and clear. Now, this is not so good for her, but we have actually urged her to draw up some papers. We can't force her to do so though. This is excellent for us though. Because we own it completely (on paper), we can turn around and do our own Mortgage Refinancing on the building, and use the money to buy our next property. Right now, there is a lot of growth in our town, and we are looking at residential property. Those jobs will require a lot of workers, and those workers will require a place to live. One of our tenants has already asked us if we have any residential property. Not only that, but if we move into the upstairs of our commercial building, we can rent out our current home, and use a Home Mortgage Refinance to buy another. See where I'm going with this? We will be able to double our properties in a very short amount of time. You simply use Home Mortgage Refinancing to bounce your mortgages around. Before too long, you're making a fortune in passive income. You acquire as many properties as you feel comfortable with, and then stop. It sounds as if it's built upon a house of cards, and in some respects, it is. For us, that bottom card is glued down with superglue though. :D You never acquire more than you can pay for, separate from the property. It's not for everyone, but for some, it can really work out well. |
| I disagree. |
| 01.19.07 (7:29 pm) [edit] |
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Here's a link to an article on MSNBC where supermodel Gisele talks about how she blames anorexia on the people's families. Now, there's a certain part of me that sees where she's coming from. BUT, the problem is, I'm not sure it's fair to say that it's solely the fault of the family. Consider this. Models, dancers, gymnasts, etc. are jobs that have a higher incidence of eating disorders than other professions. Are there anorexic construction workers. Probably somewhere in the world there is. Is it a profession that is known for it? No. Furthermore, Gisele doesn't seem to be saying that the pressure to stay thin doesn't happen. Look carefully at what she says. "I never suffered from this problem (anorexia), because I had a very strong family base." and "But excuse me, there are people born with the right genes for this profession." True. If you have the kind of genes that keep you thin and you have a great family, you may never be pressured to lose those couple of pounds. But say that isn't the case. I'm not all rah-rah about anorexia or bulimia. Quite the opposite. But I don't believe that bad-mouthing their families is going to help one way or another. |
| Cell phones and plans. |
| 01.19.07 (7:13 pm) [edit] |
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*This is a sponsored post. I've been looking for a new cell phone and provider forever. See, there are about 3 choices where I live. You can go with Cellular One, which I've tried and disliked. You can go with Verizon, which is pricy but good. Or you can go with my local telephone company, which has cell phone plans. They are inexpensive, but they also don't have any minutes. No, seriously. There are somewhere between a hundred and three hundred local minutes included, but the local area is defined as about 30 sq. miles or so. Considering there is a population of roughly 7000 people and it's free for me to call them on my home phone, I just don't get the point. But that's who I'm currently using. I need a cell phone. My husband works 2.5 hours away, and is obviously on the road a lot because of it. I am on the road quite a bit myself, so I consider it an absolute necessity. Furthermore, I own my own business and I need a phone for that. I also have family members in several states, and one of them is my sister, who travels constantly. So finding a cell phone plan is difficult. I'm not nearly as picky on the phone. I would love one that has internet capabilities, but that's negotiable. :D Picture phone would be cool too, but again, who cares in the long run. If you need a new phone or plan, WireFly can help you find that perfect cell phone or plan. They've got 6 different carriers available, and I actually found 3 that have service in my area. I am completely surprised that there are so many. It's something I'm going to discuss with my husband as soon as he gets home tonight. As far as the phones, I like the LG Chocolate. First of all, hello, it's chocolate. :D Second, it's got all the features I want plus stuff like an MP3 player and instant messaging. My old phone looks like it was made during the Iron Age compared to this. :) The RAZR isn't bad either and they have tons of different models. Furthermore, a lot are free after rebate. 
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| Golden Globes Fashion-Part 4 |
| 01.19.07 (3:14 pm) [edit] |
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Ok, this should finish the Golden Globes outfits. This is an example of a rule of thumb I have. I am well-known for changing my haircolor, and I've had every naturally occuring color, including grey. The rule of thumb is that you should avoid wearing any color outfit that is the same as your hair color. Redheads typically look bad in red. Black hair and black clothing is too goth. Brown and brown is dull. That brings me to Reese Witherspoon. Blondes don't typically look great in yellow. It's kind of Barbie-ish. Furthermore, they could have done a better job on her hair extensions.  Two things I hate about this. 1) Her head is GINORMOUS!!!! 2) It looks a lot like Michael Jackson's head. I was flipping through the pictures without really looking, and I wondered why they let Michael Jackson in. Not a comparison anyone wants.  I've never actually seen a photo of Satan before. Interesting. He looks different than I pictured. I think I could take him. (BTW, this is Rupert Murdoch, the man Alan Moore describes as having "hereditary convict eyes".)  |
| Golden Globes Fashion- Part 3 |
| 01.18.07 (8:58 pm) [edit] |
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First, I am endlessly amused that my blog ranks 7th on Google for "apologies for lying." Those that ranks above me are discussions of WMD's and John Kerry. So I guess I'm being taken seriously????? lol This is Isla Fisher. She is making a critical fashion mistake. Can you spot it? Leave me a comment if you can catch it. :)  Jada Pinkett Smith is making an ugly dress seriously gorgeous. Holy cow, this woman has curves in all the right places. Good for her. That's how I want to look. Not overly thin, not trying to be something I'm not. Just serious va-va-voom!  J. Lo's dress is interesting, but then again, it always is. This is one of her better choices, but I sorta miss the really outrageous fashion.  Honey, sweetie- I know you're on a show called "Weeds" but lay off... It's creepy, scary movie eyes where the grey thing starts crawling along the ceiling and jumps out at you. 
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| An update. |
| 01.17.07 (6:06 pm) [edit] |
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A while back, I wrote a post about the size of models. After wasting some time on Snopes.com today, I found that the photos I posted are inaccurate, and I want to clear it all up.
The point behind my original post still stands. The dress in blue is still hanging off of her and the other picture is absolutely skeletal. But not quite that skeletal.
Here's the article.
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| Fashion for men |
| 01.17.07 (4:14 pm) [edit] |
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*This is a sponsored post. Belisi's Sharp by Design Blog does for men what I hope to do more of for women. That is, he discusses different design trends for men, and teaches them different things they need to know about fashion. I think that a lot of guys have it harder than women. Women are expected to walk into a store and try on a bunch of different items until they find just the right one. And while we have accessories, they aren't as difficult to master as men's accessories. I still can't tie a tie, and yet, my husband manages to do so every day. A bow tie- forget it! And then there's the pocket square. How hard is it to fold a pocket square?! Somehow, I still don't get it. Now certainly, these are all areas that I don't need to know. Putting on a necklace baffles him. lol Furthermore, these are things that a guy's dad should teach him. Unfortunately, his dad died when he was fairly young and my dad only had girl's. So when he landed a job where he had to tie a tie every day, he had to teach himself how. I kid you not, one of his co-workers tied it for him for a while, and my husband came home at night, looked up instructions on the internet, and taught himself. :D All of this is to say that Belisi's is a spot where men like my husband can go to learn how to accessorize. They can become initiate to the mysteries of the pocket square, for cryin' out loud!! :D So gentlemen, while I love that you read my blog, and I hope you continue, you might also want to check out Belisi's. All the talk in the world about ruffles won't do you any good. But learning to tie a tie might. :)  
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| More Golden Globes Fashion |
| 01.17.07 (9:07 am) [edit] |
Oh, Cameron. I know you just broke up, so you're probably not in a good place right now. But red lipstick- REALLY red lipstick- never a good idea. But I like the dark hair. Curse you Cate Blanchett! It should be illegal for someone to look as beautiful as you do! And then doing that cute little angelic looking-over-shoulder thing... Ugh! Stop it! The rest of us women have to live on this planet too, and you're setting a really impossible standard. And then to be a sweet person on top of it is really too much.  Guys, you're on a tv show where you play polygamist sister wives. You're not really sister wives in real life. You can let go now. (Props to Chloe Sevigny for actually looking pretty, other than the "What up" look on her face. And the shoes.)  Is that Hugh Grant with Drew Barrymore? If so, A) are they dating? B) How do they know each other? C) He needs a comb. He's too cute for that bedhead look.  |
| Golden Globes Fashion |
| 01.16.07 (6:38 pm) [edit] |
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Ok guys! We're moving into awards season, so it's time for the best outfits on the planet, circa 2007. :D The next several posts will cover the Golden Globes. *All photos are from WireImage.com and their respective owners retain the copyright. Yada yada. Is Angelina getting rid of her snake tattoo? It looks like it's faded and I would chalk it up to makeup, but the rest are visible. 
Beyonce, somebody has to say it. You dress like a hooker. If your momma is still dressing you, fire her.  And the poorly shaved pits, shiny skin, and earrings that were lifted from a chandelier don't help either.  Is it just me or does Brad Pitt look tired? Brad really wanted those babies, but I don't think he realized that they can keep you up at night. Then again, maybe it's Angelina keeping him up at night. Don't tell me that girl isn't a firecracker. 
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| Coupons for fashion |
| 01.16.07 (10:12 am) [edit] |
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*This is a relevant sponsored post. What's better than fashion? Cheap fashion! lol Sure, I'd love to be fashionable, but if I can't do it at a good price, I'm not nearly as interested. Hey, I didn't collect over 400 pairs of shoes by paying $500 apiece for them! So when I want a really good bargain, I'll jump online and see if I can find it for a good price. One of my favorite stores to shop is Amazon. I can usually find a good price there, the shipping is fast, and they have a huge selection. That's why I was so thrilled to find Amazon deals at Couponchief.com. They have tons of coupons for Amazon. The best part is that there are all kinds of coupons for Amazon. I can get a new dress, some cute shoes, a bath set, and a board game or book for my kids. And Amazon isn't the only merchant they offer promo codes for. They've got a lot of my favorite online stores. Make sure to check them out around Christmas time and for birthdays, because it's a great way to save a little money. |
| Heatherette- as promised |
| 01.16.07 (9:57 am) [edit] |
 Here's the Heatherette outfit I promised. Now I'm sure you're wondering what's so salacious that I had to cover it up. The fact is, if you look closely around the neckline, you will notice a face. And then around hip level there is an elbow. It seems they took the print of a fabric with a naked woman and made it into a dress. On one hand, I wish I could show the outfit so that you could understand how bad it is. On the other hand, it's just so gross that I don't want to share the ugliness. The reason it's so bad isn't the nudity. I've seen fine art before, I'm a grownup, and I've got one of everything hiding behind the censored areas. Naked does not offend me. But the application of it leaves me scratching my head. If it was placed higher up, it would look like the model was wearing a naked suit. There's a Tracy Ullman sketch that comes to mind. One of her characters is cast in Hair, which requires nudity. Only she doesn't do nudity. So she dons this suit with all the naughty bits drawn on. It's just absurd, and that's roughly how this would have turned out if they made it higher. THAT would have been preferred to the way it actually turned out. Instead of making it too high, the breasts are somewhere near the model's stomach. So instead of making it seem like a naked suit, it seems like a mutant naked suit. The pattern is slightly tilted, so the entire body is shifting to the lower left, and is about a foot lower than it should be. It's just too bizarre. If you're not offended by nudity and you're dying to see this piece in its entirety, you can google their latest collection. No I won't provide a link. I detest Heatherette. |
| Systems for businesses |
| 01.16.07 (9:42 am) [edit] |
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*This is a sponsored post. Acorn Systems provides Activity Based Costing systems for their clients. What does that mean? Let's use my mom's company as an example. They are involved in IT, and they develop software for banks. So let's say that you want to see which department or software is operating the most profitably. Let's say for example that there are two types of software. One is for IT chargeback software, and the other is a security software. They can track how many people are working on each one and compare it with how much money each has made, and a bunch of other variables, to determine which one has made them more money. They can even do this by location, not only from their locations, but the individual banks they send the software to. That helps because when they have to beta test their software, they need a bank that can deliver good results. And if you know which one makes the most money, you can also know which one is making the least, and restructure your organization accordingly. |
| Why I hate Heatherette |
| 01.16.07 (9:28 am) [edit] |
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Last week I had a lot of articles I was trying to finish. It was a seriously ridiculous number. I got most of them done, and because it was a self-imposed quantity, I suppose I did pretty well. In researching one of them, I stumbled onto something. All of a sudden, it made perfect sense. I hate Heatherette because the guy who created it is a former club kid. Now, it's not necessarily that club kids are so bad (okay, so they are that bad). It's that these people were paid a fortune to party. Given my obvious detest for Paris Hilton and the like, is it any wonder I can't stand a fashion label based on that sort of attitude? Now, I know what you're thinking. I didn't know who created it and I hated it anyway. So my explanation doesn't make sense, does it? Sure it does. I think it translates through the work. Everything I've ever seen by Heatherette looks like it would work on a club kid. It's the kind of outrageous outfit you wear so that you can be noticed. But the true club kids never thought that their style could translate to mainstream America. In fact, they didn't want it to. So to put it on a runway for other designers to see and borrow from is ridiculous! It goes against the entire idea of itself. At the risk of sending more business their way, I've got a doozy of an outfit from Heatherette coming up pretty soon. This is possibly their most ridiculous one yet, and it's going to take some careful censoring on my part. ;) |
| How to define your style. |
| 01.15.07 (12:51 pm) [edit] |
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More pontificating from a fashionista. :D As you've seen (I hope) through this blog, fashion ranges from the really bizarre to the really boring. Fashion is subjective, but style is not. Style is simply the way you dress. You can define your style as being classic, punk, goth, casual, etc. It's part of this that helps a designer to succeed or fail. If they can find an unexplored niche within a style, they will be a huge success. If they try to change their style from season to season, or they cannot make the pieces within the collection mesh within one style, it's a bit of a disaster. But none of that answers how you define your own style. Guess what ladies, it's kind of the same for us as it is for designers. Now, I don't watch Desperate Housewives very often, but I have seen a couple. Remember the Desperate Housewives episode where they do a charity event and all the ladies wear gowns? Bree was pretty, but not as stunning as the others, because she wears more sophisticated clothing all the time. With Gabrielle, this was even more the case. But Susan is used to dressing casual. So when she puts on a nice dress, everyone really notices. If you typically dress with a classic style, people will notice when you dress down. Likewise, if you typically dress in sweat pants, people will notice when you put on a nice dress. But what if your style is all over the map? Here's how to find out what your style is. Go to the mall and people watch. Sit at different areas so that you can see the people coming out of different stores. When someone walks by that has on an outfit that you like, make a mental note. Pay attention to what they are wearing and what you like about it. Get at least ten different outfits and look for a pattern. Maybe you like that they look comfortable, or maybe you like that they look sophisticated. Whatever you like about it, that's your style. It's not so important that you actually assign a name to the style, but it is important to have a style, rather than trying to fit into every category. |
| Hawaii |
| 01.13.07 (5:12 pm) [edit] |
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*This is a sponsored post. I recently rejoined a message board after being away from there for some time. One of my closest friends from there hasn't popped up since I came back, and I'm wondering where she is. The board moderator filled me in on what's going on with her. She lives in Hawaii and decided to sell her home. I know at one time she owned some rental property, and she helped me when I was looking at buying my commercial real estate. Almost immediately after she sold her home, she stumbled onto another one and bought it to turn into a B&B. lol Gebhart Properties specializes in managing beach-front property and a Hawaii condo. These are ocean front homes and are their vacation homes are fully furnished so that you can just enjoy your stay, instead of worrying about whether the room has something you need. These are huge properties, and can sleep lots of people, so if you are having a get-together with a group of your friends, why not make it in Hawaii? No, this one isn't my friend's property, but I think they really specialize in separate areas anyway. |
| What stars go through |
| 01.12.07 (7:55 pm) [edit] |
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Hollywood stars go through a lot of work to look glamorous for the Oscars. And while I think most people knew that, I don't think most people realize just how much they go through. There is an article on MSNBC that talks about the crazy things that stylists do to have their clients looking perfect on the red carpet. Among those things are airbrushing tans on with different colors, so that it looks like the clients have been to the gym, using botox on their armpits so they will not sweat, and spraying ironing starch on hair so that it is not full of static. Here's the link. While I DEFINITELY think it's overboard, I can't exactly blame them either. These are people that are paid to be more beautiful than the general population (except Jack Black, but we won't get into that). Their entire career depends on looking perfect at every opportunity. And the Oscars is when they are supposed to look even better than they normally do. So while it's ridiculous, it also makes sense. As the grown-up girl that still loves playing dress-up, I can't say I blame them. Except the botox in the armpit thing. That's WAY outta line! |
| Ohhhh. This is some nice bling. |
| 01.12.07 (7:34 pm) [edit] |
*This is a sponsored post.
One look at this site and I knew I loved it. If only my budget did. The prices are high, but we are talking about jewelry from serious designers. For example, there is an aquamarine ring made by Vera Wang that features pave set diamonds around the band. The aquamarine is a staggering 11mm. This is enormous for gemstones. Seriously, I think I would have to visit the doctor for finger injury after wearing this.  There are a lot of beautiful kinds of Fine Jewelry from all the hottest jewelry designers. Make sure to check it out. And in case I have any REALLY loyal readers who worship the ground I walk on, I am more than happy to accept gifts. :D (And just in case nobody loves me that much, I understand, and I'll try not to take it so personally. :D ) |
| New Article. |
| 01.12.07 (7:22 pm) [edit] |
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I don't think I mentioned it because I've been CRAZY busy, but there's a new article at Swanktrendz. This time, I'm sharing my thoughts on Carolina Herrera's Spring 2007 Ready to Wear collection. It's stunning, and she really does a fantastic job with menswear. So go check it out. On the off chance I have already mentioned this, please forgive the repeat. It's been especially crazy here since New Years, and I'm hoping it calms down soon. This fashionista needs a chance to kick her Louboutins up. :D Shoot! I think that means I need to get some Louboutins first. LOL! |
| Zandra Rhodes |
| 01.12.07 (3:50 pm) [edit] |
Needless to say, this outfit is hideous. It makes the model look like an actual Barbie, and although 5 year olds everywhere will argue with me, Barbie is not the pinnacle of style. The swimsuit uses such a bad pattern and style that the model has no waist. It doesn't accentuate her features in any positive way. BUT... I have to admit that I am intrigued by the "hosiery". I suspect it is painted on. I would love to see some similar to this that aren't. I think it's a unique style for someone with some crazy, funky taste, and with the right outfit, it could be cool. With the wrong outfit, well, it will look like this. lol |
| Jobs |
| 01.12.07 (3:45 pm) [edit] |
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*This is a sponsored post. A.E. Feldman Associates Inc. specializes in finding jobs for middle, top, and executive level management. They can help you find risk management jobs with their contacts. Each of the recruiters has worked in the field they specialize in, and they each have many contacts within that field. Because they know the field from the inside, they know certain things about finding executive level jobs that may escape other firms. Many fields have their own unwritten codes of practice, and these recruiters will know these codes. According to them, they also specialize in finding jobs for "legal and legal support services, communications and technology, human resources consulting, and luxury products". |
| Zac Posen-Pink Roses |
| 01.12.07 (3:37 pm) [edit] |
 Unfortunately, as much as I love the last Zac Posen outfit, I hate this one. The rosettes are certainly pretty and interesting, but the rest of the gown is completely shapeless. I hate the way it pools around her hips. Furthermore, the color is a little cliche. Ok, we get that it's rosettes. We see them. There's no need to drive it home with the color. The top is puckering and poorly sewn. I could almost forgive this garment and chalk it up to a design aesthetic that I disagree with. But the poor sewing makes it even worse. It's like it's a dress that has a beautiful bottom, but the rest was whipped up within an hour. |
| Zac Posen |
| 01.12.07 (12:49 pm) [edit] |
 I am feeling weak-kneed, faint, and like I have butterflies in my stomach. That's right. I'm in love. Either that, or the flu finally caught up with me. :D The details on this are luscious! I've been calling a hem like this for a while now, and designers are starting to listen. So far, most of the designs to use this type detail at the hem have gone for oversized versions of it on long gowns. I dig the small detail on the short dress. I think the bow being so large works well with this outfit. The tip touches the hem, but the bow itself is not overwhelming. The top is beautiful. I don't think it would work well on its own, but as part of the entire ensemble, it's absolutely perfect. The best part of the dress is the fabric. It's luxurious. Don't hold me to it, but it looks like silk dupioni. It's obvious that there are slubs (little imperfections where the fabric is thicker in areas. That's actually considered a good thing) in the fabric. Whatever it is, it's gorgeous. |
| Civil Engineering Jobs |
| 01.12.07 (12:39 pm) [edit] |
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*This is a sponsored post. CSI (not to be confused with Crime Scene Investigators or a hit tv show) is a civil engineering recruiting firm that employs 14 recruiters. They go through an insane amount of work each month to make sure that their contact lists are up-to-date. It doesn't help them to keep a list of contacts and resumes that are outdated. So they go to a lot of trouble to make sure that they are keeping current with their candidates and clients. Their clients include some of the top civil engineering firms, and are masters at knowing where to find the civil engineering jobs. |
| Yohji Yamamoto |
| 01.12.07 (12:33 pm) [edit] |
 I am a little frightened of the model in this photo. I saw "The Grudge". Next thing you know, there will be a little boy meowing, and it doesn't end well for me. ;) That aside, I have to say that even though it's frightening, it's effective. This is meant to be a very clear delineation between white and black. There is supposed to be a crispness and harshness to the way these two colors contrast with each other. They've definitely succeeded. My favorite part is the white coat. I think it's beautiful and that it would be amazing to glide down the sidewalk on a dreary winter day while wearing it. The pants are a little less fantastic. The hips are quite large, and they end at an awkward length. |
| Jewelry |
| 01.11.07 (6:19 pm) [edit] |
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*This is a sponsored post. Jogia Diamonds is a diamond jewelry store based in Australia. In fact, they only serve customers in Australia and New Zealand. I like that. I think that it's better to focus on something you can do well, and I respect that they are willing to limit their business to Australia in order to better serve their customers. That being said, I had to go "window shopping". You know me, I'm all about the bling. :D And what I found is amazing! I am in love with a setting they have.  It's nothing special. Just a simple brushed white gold setting (the diamond is sold separately). But it's beautiful in its simplicity. Furthermore, I'm sick of these skinny bands that break. I like a good, weighty ring. The price is a little too steep, even if I could get it. But I can lust after that Diamond Jewellery all I want. Also, the website is at "Diamondsandopals.com," but I didn't see any opals. It would make sense for there to be some, because the opal industry in Australia is enormous. Oh well. I can opals anywhere, and I'd rather have a perfect setting than a perfect gemstone. Besides, one of my best friends is going to Oz soon, so maybe she can bring home some opals for me. Hear that, A??? :D |
| Viktor & Rolf |
| 01.11.07 (6:08 pm) [edit] |
 This is some serious haute couture styling. At first glance, it looks like a very lush black menswear suit. On closer look, you begin to realize just how lush it is. Look near the ankles. This suit is a black sheer fabric that they have managed to drape in such a way that it gathers and looks solid. But even one step shifts that appearance, and gives a hint of what is hiding beneath. It's conservative and sexy at the same time. The lace shirt underneath is exquisitely detailed, and it has a 3d quality that is rarely seen. THIS is the way all couture garments should be constructed. |
| Ties for men. |
| 01.11.07 (5:59 pm) [edit] |
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*This is a sponsored post. My husband always has a problem with his ties. He's a pretty tall guy, and naturally, his torso is long. But your average tie is made for an average size guy. So his ties always end up looking too short. It's not extremely noticeable, but it is something that I know bothers him. So needless to say, I was really pleased when I found some extra long ties. They've got a good selection, which is nice since his company is very traditional and doesn't allow those cutesy ties at work.  To sweeten it even more, I love French cuffs on men. There are a lot of people who say you shouldn't wear them unless you are a CEO or getting married because they are too formal. I disagree. I think it's a classy look, and if you're going to bother wearing a suit, you should look nice. Furthermore, I think it's a case of dressing for the job you want rather than the one you have, and who doesn't want that job in the corner office? But this means cuff links. And this site has some sweet cuff links. 
If you are in need of some neckwear for guys, find your ties and accessories at Neckties.com You can also find tie clips, tie racks, and loads of other tie related accessories for men.  
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| Twinkle- Crazy Shorts |
| 01.11.07 (1:07 pm) [edit] |
 These shorts by Twinkle are insane. Obviously, they are pretty wild, but when you start really looking at them, it's pretty impressive. The pockets seem to extend not only out from the shorts in a frilly scooped sort of way, but they also continue along the top to form the waistband. Are they for everyone? Certainly not. But it is a fascinating concept. I'm still trying to figure out exactly how they pulled this off. If anyone else had tried this, I would have hated the way the pockets made the model's hips look large. I also would have yelled about the pattern. But somehow, I find myself strangely drawn to these shorts. |
| Dentists |
| 01.11.07 (12:52 pm) [edit] |
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*This is a sponsored post. Charles Brown DDS pc is a dentist at Hayfield Dental Care, which has been serving the city of Alexandria since 1987. All of the dentists there receive specialized training, and they can take care of any sort of dental emergency or need that may arise. Dr. Brown graduated with numerous awards, including being ranked #1 in his graduating class. The Washington Area Consumer Council lists him as one of the region's top dentists. Most importantly, he has a record of zero complaints with the Virginia Board of Dentistry. This is important because it ensures you are getting a competent dentist that can help you, no matter what dental problem you are having. |
| Kayek- Chain Mail Dress |
| 01.11.07 (8:00 am) [edit] |
 Once upon a time, my husband worked as a janitor at the University where we met. This was in Oklahoma. He quickly moved to a different job, but it bought groceries in those few months right before we were married. Anyway, he had a hobby. My hubby knows how to make chain mail. Even more strange, he took it to work to do while he was on break. Now, you've got to understand a little about chain mail. First, it's not lightweight. Some of it can be, but that sort of defeats the entire point of it. Second, it's not easy to transport. My hubby started with wire for electric fences. It's made for outdoors, so it won't rust. He devised a way to hook a long metal pipe up to his drill. The pipe had a hole in it so he could feed the wire through, and when he turned the drill on, it would coil itself into a spring. Then he takes wire cutters and cuts the spring into tiny little circles. Hundreds of thousands of them, to be precise. He puts these into a container and takes them to work with some pliers. Then he sits and weaves together a bunch of wire circles. He's sitting on break one day, and a co-worker comes along to see what he's doing. He sort of explains the process, and the next words out of the woman's mouth are, "Larry! You gotta come see this. He's sewin' some baling wire!" Whoever sewed the baling wire on the dress above did a mite purty job. :D |
| Isabel Marant |
| 01.11.07 (7:37 am) [edit] |
 Wow! This outfit is so adorable! I think I have to chalk it up to the black sheer shirt entirely. Without it, we're simply talking about a white V-neck tank top over black shorts. And while there is nothing wrong with that, the black sheer shirt adds so much. It changes it from being an outfit you might wear on the way home from a yoga class to a cute, sophisticated, young outfit you might wear around Manhattan. It takes it from ultra-casual to ultra-fashionable. Some attention must be paid to the boots. With any other shoes, this wouldn't carry the same punch that it does. It would still be too casual with flats or sandals, a little trashy with heels, and awkward with any other height boot. It's perfect the way it is. |
| Heatherette |
| 01.11.07 (7:31 am) [edit] |
 As if I needed another reason to hate Heatherette. How in the world are they landing the Hilton sisters and Naomi Campbell? Their clothes are bloody awful!! Ok, the simple description of these clothes is that they are short shorts, complete with rainbows and probably unicorns embroidered on the side. They are topped with a long sleeve shirt, which is a stupid choice to wear over a short shorts, and a bad use of diagonal prints. Then again, it's not like Paris or Nikki Hilton have made any good fashion decisions yet. Wait. Scratch the word "fashion" in the above sentence. Finally, it's topped by the hair that is so big you can see it from outer space. PLEASE don't let the 80's come back. Our ozone layer can't take the hairspray. |
| Gold |
| 01.11.07 (7:25 am) [edit] |
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*This is a sponsored post. Monex Deposit Company can arrange for the gold coins you buy from them to be delivered immediately, or placed into any bank or depository to store them safely. Gold being the finite resource that it is, it always makes me wonder about the merged history of the gold coin I'm holding. Here's what I mean. The Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and everyone else throughout history has tried to get their hands on as much gold as possible. Certainly, if it's a coin I'm holding, it's come from gold that was melted down with other gold coins or bars. So it's got little bits of history contained within that little piece. Did a fraction of it belong to a Roman emperor? Did Cleopatra once own this little section right here? Or if I've been watching too much Johnny Depp I start wondering if it's cursed Aztec gold. :D |
| Alice Roi- Bad Leggings |
| 01.11.07 (7:18 am) [edit] |
 This design by Alice Roi is very ill-fitted. First of all, the shirt. If it had any form whatsoever, it would be gaping open because of the angle at which it is hanging. I don't know whether I'd rather it hung open or had no shape. Either one is bad. Second, the pants. Obviously, these are leggings rather than pants. And the worst fashion trend the 80's ever had, in my opinion, was to put leggings without any kind of skirt or shorts over them. That much clingy fabric was never meant to show off the human butt. This is the prime example of why. I know the model is wearing some sort of boy's style underwear that has a wide band of lace on the bottom of the leg. I know exactly how tall the boots are. BAD!!!! |
| A La Disposition |
| 01.11.07 (7:11 am) [edit] |
 This is a really cute example of a ladies menswear look. Many designers try to do menswear, but they often end up doing nothing more than putting a woman in a suit, sometimes with a skirt. This is not the case with this outfit though. The shirt has a playfulness that men can't really pull off through its color, sleeve length, and shoulders. And then to put a dress over it, and a cute, playful dress at that, it really flips the idea of what menswear should be. I adore how this dress gathers near her ankles, and I think every single detail is excellent. Most designers would not have been able to use such a fabric, but this one really nailed it. |
| Car Insurance |
| 01.11.07 (7:04 am) [edit] |
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*This is a sponsored post. Geico has created a brochure for teens that will teach them how to share the road with large trucks. This brochure discusses safety tips such as staying out of "no zones", being careful when passing large trucks, not cutting off a large truck or bus, and not swerving in front of a large truck. This material is provided at no cost to parents, teens, driving classes, law enforcement officials, and state agencies. Geico does this because it doesn't matter if they can give you a cheap car insurance quote if they have to pay out a fortune because of bad driving habits. |
| Yves Saint Laurent |
| 01.10.07 (10:51 am) [edit] |
 Just because I'm on a roll, this one won't have anything to do with the outfit either. It's dull, you're not missing much. What completely stuns me about this photo is the runway. I have to wonder how many models tripped because they felt like adding this completely unnecessary part to their show. Designers, I know you want to present a nice overall look. The problem is that you actually hire these ladies to walk. That's pretty much their only job description. Runway models are hired and fired based on their walk. So when you start putting flowers, it's just messing with them for no good reason. Yes, that is one of the most beautiful runways I've ever seen, but it is not worth watching a model face-plant because of it. Frankly, I don't find that funny. |
| Roksanda Lincic |
| 01.10.07 (10:45 am) [edit] |
 Again, this post isn't about the outfit, but the shoes. Yes, they are completely ridiculous. Yes, they are slightly weird. No, they wouldn't go with anything in my closet. But yes, I want them. :D The blue bow on top of the ankle length black shoes are a throwback to fashion. They look like a modern version of shoes that were worn in the time of Louis XVI. I love these shoes, and I'm not going to ask them to make sense. |
| Rodarte |
| 01.10.07 (10:36 am) [edit] |
 I like this outfit in theory, less in actuality. Many designers are doing the extremely plunging neckline that ends somewhere around the navel. And I know I'm given to exaggerating, but if you've seen the styles recently, you'll know this isn't one of those exaggerations. This outfit uses the same style, but puts an exciting silver top behind it. It also goes for the skirt over leggins look, but makes it exciting by using a VERY sheer fabric for the skirt, and shiny silver pants underneath. It's hitting every single trend, but doing their own unique interpretation of it. A lot of people would argue that it's too matched. I can see that, but I disagree with it. The texture of the fabric serves as contrast, rather than the color. |
| Rachel Roy- Bad Show |
| 01.10.07 (10:26 am) [edit] |
 I'm not discussing the dress on this one. Form your own opinions. :) The reason I posted this is because it's a disaster of a show, in my opinion. All the people who are supposed to be looking at the dress are talking with each other. I know your first question. "How do you know they aren't part of the show?" Good question. The reason I know they are watching the show rather than part of it is because there is a man taking photos in another one in this series. Furthermore, although I can't see her face, the woman with the red shoes looks like Nina Garcia (and I did borrow these photos from Elle). Coffee pot in the back, people chatting instead of watching the show... it's more like a beautiful woman walking through a diner than a fashion show. And that's never good for your product. |
| Gareth Pugh- ?????? |
| 01.10.07 (10:20 am) [edit] |
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This outfit has me frightened. Not in a Heatherette sort of way, but in a "What in the world just emerged from that flying saucer" kind of way. It's certainly not from this planet. First, the coat is a bad fabric, but it's so bad that it's circled back around to good. I would own this and wear it, and I'd receive compliments. So many, in fact, that I'd never wear it again. I'm a complicated girl, okay? The leggings are cool. I don't think I've ever seen leggings with that much shine. Same with the gloves. But none of this is what is freaking me out. And no, it isn't the hair styled in a futuristic Roman soldier style. It's the face, or rather, the lack of it. Did he put a bug-eyed helmet on this poor model and then shove her out on the runway to stumble along blindly? Are there eyes hidden in it like all the Disney characters at the theme parks seem to have? Don't say I didn't warn you. 
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| Belisi |
| 01.10.07 (10:12 am) [edit] |
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*This is a sponsored post, but it is fashion related.
Peter Belisi started out as a bartender that dressed as he wanted others to dress. It's a good point. For all my pontification about fashion, I sit here in a white tshirt and men's pajama pants. Why? Because it's the internet and I don't have a webcam hooked up. With any luck, you're imagining me as Helen of Troy dressed in Chanel. :D Peter Belisi founded Belisi.com after he got attention for his sharp personal style. The Belisi style is simple. Accessories can change the entire look of an outfit. I agree wholeheartedly with that idea. Even better, Belisi gives a portion of each sale to many worthy causes. |
| Marchesa- Goddess |
| 01.10.07 (10:05 am) [edit] |
 It's difficult to say that I dislike this, but I'm saying it anyway. I dislike it. This dress is certainly pretty and well-crafted. But that's its downfall. It's almost too perfect. The designer knew that it would be too cliche if it were white, so they varied the colors. The ironic part is that every designer would have done the exact same thing for the exact same reason, so it ends up being dull. The band of rosettes at the top and the sunburst pleating- boring. Don't get me wrong. It's better than a lot of designs out there. It's just not thrilling like good fashion should be. |
| Ralph Lauren- Beautiful Lace |
| 01.10.07 (10:00 am) [edit] |
 It's ridiculous to call this dress beautiful. Of course it's beautiful. What's more important is to decide why it's beautiful. The lace is delicate, and it has a handmade, high-quality look, rather than some mass-produced lace. It's difficult to tell from this shot whether the silver ellipse is stitching or rhinestones, but whichever one it is, it adds a lot to this otherwise borderline bland gown. The fact that it is pleated along the top and sewn with different horizontal bands also adds a tremendous amount. It's both simple and extraordinarily complicated. |
| Civil Engineering |
| 01.10.07 (9:52 am) [edit] |
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*This is a sponsored post. CSI is a civil engineering recruiting firm. They can help you find Civil Engineering Jobs if that is your field. The President has over 20 years experience in civil engineering, and the staff has over 60 years of combined experience. In an average month, they make over 25,000 calls to prospects, trying to build relationships and find them a great job. They take the time to get to know the prospects and clients so that they can make a good match between the two. Because they take the time to get to know their prospects, they aren't just going through the same old resumes month after month. They represent over 50 of the largest civil engineering firms, including international firms. |
| Valentino- I'm copying this somewhat |
| 01.08.07 (5:27 pm) [edit] |
 My blue skirt that I was making from WAYYYYYYY back at the beginning of this blog didn't turn out the way I wanted it to. So, I'm doing the best thing I know to do. I'm ripping it apart and starting over. I am going to try a style similar to this. Just a simple dress, and I will sew the pieces in layers like this. If it turns out this time (don't hold your breath), it will be a perfect dress for my husband's company party next Christmas. If it doesn't work out, I'm giving it to the cat to shred. :D |
| Hussein Chalayan- Tiny Bubbles |
| 01.08.07 (5:23 pm) [edit] |
 Sorry, but I have no idea what's going on with this outfit. I'd love to explain it to you, but I can't. I'm too busy laughing. It strikes me as a dress that someone designed after watching Gaby in the tub during a Desperate Housewives marathon. From a design perspective, it's too transparent, too short, too lopsided, and too much of a joke. I don't care for it at all. |
| Vivienne Westwood |
| 01.08.07 (5:19 pm) [edit] |
 Ok, I don't know what to think about this one. I like the print and the punk style. I wish there were some boots in that exact print, rather than just wrapping paper strips loosely around some snow boots. The hair is wild, but it works with the outfit. But WHAT IN THE WORLD is hanging down from the front?!? It looks like a comic strip codpiece. Were it not for that, this would work. No, I don't mean work for most people, but there's a teenager with blue hair somewhere that's dying to own this. Minus the dangly bit in front. |
| Christian Lacroix- Frightened Model |
| 01.08.07 (5:14 pm) [edit] |
 What did Christian Lacroix do to this poor model? She looks terrified! I mean, sure, it's an ugly dress. But that's mostly because the pattern is awful. The bottom is interesting, and I think if this was made from black with a white sheer fabric at the bottom, it would be extremely interesting. The shape isn't bad (not necessarily unique, but not bad). It's just that darn print. Just don't tell that to the model. You might startle her so badly that she runs screaming from the runway. :D |
| Baby Phat |
| 01.05.07 (8:48 pm) [edit] |
 Rounding out a day of mostly hideous fashion, we have Kimora Lee Simmons for Baby Phat. Kimora Lee Simmons is most well known as the ex-wife of Russell Simmons. She also likes to play at being a designer. The main point of this post is because of my serious hatred for grills. For those who missed the Nelly song, a grill is a set of gemstones which are set into a metal apparatus and placed over the teeth. It's like a retainer with rhinestones. It's also one of the ugliest trends I've ever seen. I just don't get the attraction. Sorry. |
| Online Marketing |
| 01.05.07 (8:41 pm) [edit] |
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*This is a sponsored post. USWeb has been on the net since 1995, which makes it not only one of the oldest internet marketing sites, but one of the oldest sites period. During that time, they have certainly learned the tricks of how to get their customers noticed. 70-80% of prospective web customers use search engines to find what they need, so getting to the top of those search engines is essential for businesses. They offer several solutions for businesses, and they are developing new techniques as technology changes and new methods of online searching emerge. They offer search engine optimization, PPC bid management, and feed services. |
| Marc Jacobs |
| 01.05.07 (7:13 pm) [edit] |
 It was a good day for fashion pics. There was so much weirdness that I couldn't resist sharing it all. This outfit from Marc Jacobs is one of the strangest from a big name designer that I've ever seen. What is the point of those pants? They are extremely wide leg, but have been gathered around the ankle. Sorry, but 10X satin sweatpants are not sexy. It is paired with a ridiculous bow and a somewhat interesting top. I wish the top had been paired with something else, but I think even if it was it wouldn't have worked. It's just too wide and shapeless, and the bit of lace on the side isn't enough to sell the idea. But on to the main point of discussion. What in the heck is up with that runway?!? That is possibly the longest runway ever. Usually you seat the people close to the runway so they can see the details up close. Which makes me ask how bad the sewing skills were on this collection. Can you imagine being this model, and you're told to walk the mile and a half down the runway wearing this? Yikes. |
| Jeremy Scott and the Evil Carebear |
| 01.05.07 (7:04 pm) [edit] |
 This Carebear is freaking me out. My aunt collected Carebears a while back, and when my cousin was born, they covered her room in them. Since then, Carebears have unnerved me a little. So you can only imagine my reaction to Armed-to-the-Teeth Bear. But the one that |