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| Free Raleigh, NC Getaway |
| 09.28.07 (3:53 pm) [edit] |
*This is a sponsored post.Earlier this year, I missed a friend's wedding. We just couldn't make the finances or vacation time come together, although we wish we could have gone. We haven't seen her in years, and she was once a dear friend of ours. This particular friend lives near Raleigh, and we also wouldn't have minded the vacation. Raleigh isn't one of those places that you think about for a flashy vacation, but I think in many ways, I'd prefer it. It's almost like a hidden little gem of travel spots. While there, we could have gone to see a Mamma Mia! show, or eaten at any of the amazing restaurants. You can win a FREE Raleigh Getaway. The package includes 1 night hotel accommodations for two at the Courtyard by Marriott Raleigh Crabtree Valley, $25 gift certificate to Bloomsbury Bistro, Free VIP admission for two to Rum Runners, 2 tickets to the North Carolina Theatre, 2 tickets to the N.C. Museum of Art’s Landscapes from the Age of Impressionism, and 2 tickets to Dinosaurs: Ancient Fossils, New Discoveries at the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences. Check out the Fall Getaway weekends that they offer, because it really does sound like an amazing city. I love hearing my friend describe all of her trips there, and the different stuff she does. And I swear, I'm going to have to figure out a way to see her and her amazing nearby city soon. |
| L.A.M.B.- Shorts Suit |
| 09.28.07 (3:42 pm) [edit] |
 On one hand, I'm so opposed to short suits. It's just a disaster to combine long sleeves with miniskirts. On the other hand, meow, baby!! lol I think the tie is overkill. It's like a kid wanting to play dressup. In fact, I'd get rid of the shirt altogether. Leave just the houndstooth print, and this would sizzle in a sexy mod way. Love it! |
| L.A.M.B.- Saddlebags |
| 09.28.07 (3:39 pm) [edit] |
 Ugh. I had a conversation about this with a friend of mine that is a model. She's not a top model, and you probably never would have seen her, but she had good steady work in the industry (BTW, Modelmom, if you're reading this, THIS is the outfit I was talking about. I steered you towards the wrong one). We were talking about how she's been told that she is "ethereal" and "fat" all in the same day. The truth is, a lot of it is caused by the cut of the outfit, although a lot is also due to them wanting a certain look which may or may not require some booty. In this case, it hardly seems fair that I am condemning this model for her hips. If I'm going to be honest, my hips are a LOT bigger than hers. But that's the real world baby, and the modeling world is different. These are people that are literally hired to be walking coat hangers. And in that world, this girl has a little too much curve to pull off this look. Not helping matters are the cut of the outfit. You've got a short jacket that makes her look like her torso is very stubby, a neckline that emphasizes width, and zipper pockets that point right to the thickest part of her thighs. The poor girl never stood a chance. I keep coming back to one thought though. If it looks this bad on her, a perfect size 0-2, how AWFUL is this outfit going to look on me?!?! |
| L.A.M.B.- Punk |
| 09.28.07 (3:28 pm) [edit] |
 How perfectly modern punk! I love it, and of course, it would take Gwen Stefani to come up with something so perfect. For those who don't know, L.A.M.B. is a fashion label started by Gwen Stefani of No Doubt. I don't have a bad thing to say about it. It's not exactly my style, but I could see wearing it. |
| Interior Decorating |
| 09.27.07 (8:13 pm) [edit] |
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*This is a sponsored post. I've been trying to work with my mom on some interior decorating choices. She wants me to redo her dining room, and that's my birthday present to her, but she's also really resisting me at every step of the way. lol For example, she wants me to choose paint colors for her, just so long as it's white. :D I keep telling her that white isn't a "real" color, and that's it's just lacking any pigment. She counters with the scientific fact that white contains EVERY color, and therefore her walls are extremely colorful. She wins points for the science, but she's still getting some paint on those walls!! lol Along the way, whenever she's feeling very snarky, she'll ask me, "Why didn't you do to one of those top ranked interior design schools if you want to do this so badly?" Ha! I didn't go because I don't think I could handle clients that are freaked out by using color on their walls. I'm going to have to do it gently, I'm sure. I became very curious while I was checking out a site that lists all of the top ranked interior design schools. They aren't ones I would have imagined. Then again, even though I have a home decor blog elsewhere, I am not coming into it from the schooling aspect, so it's only natural that I wouldn't know where the best places were. One of my bridesmaids was an interior design student, and I have a healthy respect for the amount of schooling that they go through to learn how to design. It seems like it would be a very artistic field, and it is, but there's quite a lot of theory and bookwork that must be done as well. It's not as simple as designing a room that uses peach. lol If you've been thinking about going into interior design, give the site above a look. It can tell you where the best colleges are worldwide for design, and help you get on the right path to becoming an interior designer. |
| L.A.M.B.- Lace Skirt |
| 09.27.07 (8:00 pm) [edit] |
 Damn! I knew my momma told me to wear a slip for a reason!! Seriously, this is nasty. I like the jacket, but if you're going to pair it with an ugly, cheap lace skirt over that granny panties bottom, why even bother? The whole thing is suddenly made pointless. |
| L.A.M.B.- Bullseye Lace |
| 09.27.07 (7:57 pm) [edit] |
 Ugh!!! This dress struck me right in my gut, even though it looks like it was aiming more for my heart. First off, a bullseye pattern is going to look nasty on just about anyone. Second, this is the cheapest lace known to mankind. This stuff sells for less than a buck a yard! Third, you do the whole thing out of lace, and then move to a solid (yet transparent) fabric for the stockings. Bad!!! |
| L.A.M.B.- Interesting Fringe |
| 09.27.07 (7:56 pm) [edit] |
 The skirt is a disaster (sadly, I have one just like it, but in my defense, it's been in the closet for YEARS). But that top is one of the most interesting pieces I've ever seen. I love the fringe that alternates colors, on top of a sheer tank top. Very interesting. Now pair it with a decent pencil skirt and you're all set. |
| Pregnancy Widget |
| 09.25.07 (10:27 pm) [edit] |
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*This is a sponsored post. Nope. Sorry. This isn't an announcement of any kind. I'm not pregnant. But it seems like a lot of my friends have recently been, are, or want to be. And I wish them all the happiness in the world. There is a new pregnancy widget for women that I would have loved to have while I was pregnant. During my first pregnancy, my best friend lived in Indiana, and she came to visit even before my mother-in-law had a chance (that was the year of the big tornado in Oklahoma City, and it almost destroyed her house just a few days before my son was born). During my second pregnancy, my best friend (a different friend) lived in Canada. With both, I would have loved having this widget to help them understand what I'm going through. And it's not just a pregnancy widget for women. What if you don't have a blog? No problem. The information provided in the widget is still so useful. This site can email you a weekly pregnancy calendar. It truly is some amazing content. It tells you exactly what is going on at every single stage, week by week. |
| L.A.M.B.- Green Zigzag |
| 09.25.07 (6:52 pm) [edit] |
 GASP!!! What a gorgeous dress. The zigzags, the green and white combo- every single thing about it works. Heck, I must be in a really generous mood, because I even like the luggage-like purse she's carrying, even though I wouldn't dream of putting green and yellow together for fear of looking like a 7up bottle. |
| L.A.M.B.- Funky Jacket |
| 09.25.07 (6:51 pm) [edit] |
 The hat is unspeakably stupid looking, and the jacket paired with the preppier look underneath is unusual. But the jacket by itself is rather interesting. Can you imagine the work that went into this?? Although I wouldn't pair it with this, the jacket is definitely worth owning. |
| L.A.M.B.- Falling Strap |
| 09.25.07 (6:49 pm) [edit] |
 Cute dress. Unfortunately, it's falling victim to the inevitable law of fashion. That is, if you have an outfit on the runway, it is absolutely guaranteed that the strap will fall or the model will be caught doing a stupid walk or having a strange look on her face at exactly the moment the cameraman snaps the photo. lol Absolutely guaranteed. The hemline is a little shoddy. It's asymmetrical, but not quite enough that it looks intentional. And I adore the little black sheer ruffle along the waist. |
| Fantasy Investing |
| 09.22.07 (10:14 pm) [edit] |
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*This is a sponsored post. A lot of people like to do fantasy baseball or football teams. I personally like the fantasy movie studio games. But I finally found one for my hubby. Fantasy financial game. And even cooler, you can win real money. With an easy and quick sign-up, you can begin playing against others and be on your way to winning $1000 weekly prize. My husband routinely makes well above the average on his stock picks, and that's just what he messes with in real life. I know there are several others he would do if he could afford them, but the price is a bit prohibitive (Berkshire Hathaway, for instance). I signed up tonight, and it was really painless. Plus, just for signing up, they are going to send me a free hat. lol That will be nice, because I'm afraid my stock picks won't be as good as my husband's, so that's about the only prize I'm likely to see. lol The way it works is simple. You are given $100,000 to invest. Sorry, it's play money, guys. To keep it simple, it's buying and selling stocks only, so you can't make your virtual fortune off shorting stocks. At the end of the week, if you have the highest percent gain, you are declared the weekly rookie challenge winner, and you are eligible for prizes. You have to hold onto them for an hour, you have to have 20 or fewer active holdings, and you can only buy up to 10,000 shares per transaction (although you can buy the same stock in more than one transaction). Also, if you actually own any of the stock you're buying, you must disclose that. So all in all, it sounds very fair and very easy, provided you know what you're doing as far as trading is concerned. Come on! What have you got to lose?! Nothing. It's free to signup, and you could win $1000. If nothing else, you get a cool hat. ;) :D |
| L.A.M.B.- Black and White Dress |
| 09.22.07 (9:57 pm) [edit] |
 Hello!!! I LOVE this. It's just the perfect blend of sexy and comfortable. You could throw this on, feel totally at ease, and walk into any room and own it. Everyone is going to have their eyes on you. Don't forget to bling it out. Geometric bracelet, tiny little anklet, and a white purse big enough to hold a toddler. (Note to all: I don't actually advocate carrying a toddler in a purse. Nor am I one of those people that thinks a dog is an accessory. I'm just sayin'...) |
| L.A.M.B.- Bad Jacket |
| 09.22.07 (9:51 pm) [edit] |
 Honestly, this isn't a fair title to give this outfit. It's not that the jacket is bad, although it's veering a little towards a really chic hairdressing salon to me. It's that none of the pieces go together. The classy jacket isn't working with such laid back pants, and the pants don't go with the shoes or the bag. It's just too muddled. The pants are pretty awful, but in this outfit, it's actually the jacket that manages to look worse. |
| L.A.M.B.- Bad Gingham |
| 09.22.07 (9:48 pm) [edit] |
 This gingham dress is innovative, but ultimately, its innovation is its downfall. Though there is only one pattern here, it's been cut and turned and arranged in several different ways. You have the straight checkerboard pattern at the top, the diamonds at the bottom, and it looks like it's been shifted 45 degrees on the sides and pockets. It's just too confusing. |
| Raising Business Capital |
| 09.19.07 (5:24 pm) [edit] |
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*This is a sponsored post. I have some very diverse interests, and when something grabs my attention, I usually act on it. I've started two businesses, I'm a real estate investor, and I've come up with two invention ideas that I'm deciding whether or not to patent. See, one of the inventions is likely to sell a decent amount, and if I can get a marketing deal with a store, I think they'd be a big hit. But with patents only protecting your idea for a short time, I'm not sure whether it's actually worth it or not, since I don't have the first clue how to actually market it to the kind of stores that would carry it. The other invention, I KNOW would sell a LOT. It would completely revolutionize an entire industry, and one that is worth several billion dollars. But the real kicker is that just developing a working prototype is likely to put me in the poorhouse. lol But http://www.RaiseCapital.com" title="http://www.RaiseCapital.com" target="_blank"http://www.RaiseCapital.com seeks to help connect people who need money with those who want to invest it. Say you are an expert on apparel and you're looking to make some money investing in apparel. You can go there and do a search, and find someone that needs some cash. Check out their idea, and if it sounds like a solid investment, go for it. But say you are an inventor that has come up with a new textile that never wrinkles. List your idea and get some people to invest in your idea so that you can take it to the next level. This is online networking for investors and those seeking funds. You can upload videos that demonstrate your idea, and even send out alerts to investors who are interested in things in that industry. That way, investors can look over your profile, ask questions, and find out lots of info about it. These are risky investments, to be sure. But as with all high risk investments, the potential for gain is also very high in comparison. |
| Alexandre Herchcovitch- Fluttery with Chain |
| 09.19.07 (2:59 am) [edit] |
 White dress. Okay, I like it so far. Shredded top, but with a controlled sort of chaos. Good, good. Black accents at the waist and wrists. Oh dangit!!! Well, it was working, right up until that stupid chain. Now, it just looks like it belongs on some late night Skinamax movie. |
| Alexandre Herchcovitch- Deconstructed Tuxedo |
| 09.19.07 (2:56 am) [edit] |
 This would almost work, as much as I dislike it. The main problem that it has going for it is that it looks like a torn tuxedo style dress that got stuck in the mud. The color is just awful. I know that they are trying to go for a different sort of look, and if you visit my other fashion blog, you will see another from this collection that falls under "Tuxedo dress" and is the same color, but that actually works. I would go back to the white, use black buttons, and lose the stupid flower, or at least change it to a different color. |
| Alexandre Herchcovitch- Belted Floral |
| 09.19.07 (2:52 am) [edit] |
 This dress looks like some interesting floral, found in a rainforest, and so rare that it carries a hefty pricetag. These orchid type creations come out once every few years, and they are always about the same- fairly weird. lol But this one has a couple of things going for it. 1) The color is exceptional. It really does look almost floral. 2) The tiny belt with the bow keeps it from being just like every one of the others, and brings it back into the world of fashion, rather than horticulture. |
| Alzheimer's Purple Party |
| 09.18.07 (4:01 pm) [edit] |
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*This is a sponsored post. For World Alzheimer’s Day, the Alzheimer's Association is encouraging people to throw a party to help raise funds and awareness for Alzheimer's Disease. Nationwide, these are known as a "Purple Party". In fact, they make it really easy for you to help. You might be thinking that you don't know anyone, or that you don't have time to plan a party. But they have so many different suggestions on their website that they make it very easy to come up with ideas. Hold a dinner party: Dinner is easy to fix, and you can invite friends who would love to donate to a worthy cause. During the meal, you can talk about why the cause is important to you. Hold a poker game: If you routinely play in a poker game, encourage your friends to have a poker night where the pot goes to the Alzheimer's Association. Hold a garage sale: Many people would be out shopping garage sales anyway, and they would be happy to donate to such a worthy cause (make sure you post signs). Also, this has the added benefit of being something you can do if you don't know a lot of your neighbors, or if you need to clear some things out of your house. Movie Night: Pass a popcorn bucket around for donations. You get to enjoy the company of your friends, and watch the latest movie. The Alzheimer's Association is making it very easy for you to plan a party. By registering at actionalz.org you can create your own party page, email reminders, or even allow guests to make a donation online. And the first 500 people that agree to raise $150 and register a party will get a free World Alzheimer’s Day party kit. These come with a DVD of Alzheimer's Celebrity Champions, speaking points about Alzheimer's, donation forms and envelopes, cocktail napkins, and thank you cards, so that your Purple Party can be spectacular. As if this wasn't enough, The Harrah's Foundation will match every donation made in September dollar for dollar. What a great way to help. |
| Come Visit Me. |
| 09.18.07 (12:48 pm) [edit] |
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I decided to try a new thing. What I'm doing is after I download, review, and post entries on the individual pieces, I am covering the entire collection on Associated Content. Come visit me there from time to time to see what I have to say about the entire collection. You'd be surprised how my thoughts change when we're talking about a group of garments, rather than just a single outfit. Currently, a review for Abaete is up, and a review of Alexander Wang should be up very soon. |
| Alexander Wang- Wide Capris |
| 09.18.07 (12:44 pm) [edit] |
 This is probably the most wearable outfit in the entire collection, but it looks dowdy and depressing to me. A lot of it is due to the model slumping over, but not all. The pockets are awful. Pockets tend to look wide when they are placed low, because you are really stretching to fit your hands in comfortably. Your arms want to hang at a certain place, and they can't do that properly with the pockets so low. That's what is going on here. |
| Alexander Wang- Strange Black Top |
| 09.18.07 (12:39 pm) [edit] |
 Good god. This model looks she just witnessed something extremely freaky. Ignore her dazed look, and concentrate on the horror that is this garment. A boring polka dot skirt is combined with a weird, black tube top (that isn't all that tubey), and a scarf. The bottom of the tube top has been cut into scallops, but this was done very haphazardly, and the cuts are not uniform. |
| Spa covers |
| 09.17.07 (7:34 pm) [edit] |
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*This is a sponsored post. I found a site today that has some of the Best Spa Covers from HotTubWorks. Why is this so important? Well, if you're going to spend the money on a hot tub, at least treat it right! A spa cover helps keep it insulated, which makes it both comfortable when you get in, and keeps it at a good temperature so you don't waste lots of energy reheating the water. Also, there is a 6 mil double-ply poly laminate, and a commercial grade zipper. But these replacement spa covers are well designed in appearance, in addition to their utility. These hot tub covers feature things such as recessed handles, and a marine grade vinyl top. Also, the foam on these spa covers is virgin foam, so it's less likely to break and tear. Not convinced? They offer free shipping as long as you live on the 48 mainland states, and not on an outlying island (or Hawaii or Alaska). Such a product could cost a lot to ship, so this is a pretty good deal. They will walk you through all the measuring instructions, including sending you a video to help with the measuring. And if you still run into problems, then call their number and they can assist you. |
| Alexander Wang- Shredded Shorts |
| 09.17.07 (7:22 pm) [edit] |
 This is the best outfit in the collection. And it's got shredded shorts. In other words, I am so completely underwhelmed with the effort presented here. That being said, the jacket is nice. I like the color, and the scrunchy sleeves are cute. The shirt has an odd hem, like they didn't get it straight. And the shorts? Well, for shredded jean shorts, it's not bad. But still, it's so freakin' 1980's. |
| Alexander Wang- Orange Jacket |
| 09.17.07 (7:19 pm) [edit] |
 This isn't detestable. It just needs to be made smaller. And have pants. I do like the 3/4 length sleeves, and the color is very nice. But it's not that spectacular. |
| Alexander Wang- Grid Dress |
| 09.17.07 (7:17 pm) [edit] |
 NO!!!! This dress looks like it was made from the kind of fabric you buy to practice sewing without a pattern. It would be on the same level as muslin, except that muslin is WAY thicker. BAD, BAD, BAD!!! |
| Trusted Places |
| 09.17.07 (12:14 pm) [edit] |
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*This is a sponsored post. Trusted Places is a site which discusses all the different bars, cafes, pubs, restaurants, etc, that are in certain cities. For example, I've been to London, and it would be handy to find out where the closest pubs are to my hotel for the next time I visit. Or, I might want to visit a London bar that isn't on a Jack the Ripper tour, and finding a good one can be difficult if you're not from around the area. But this has a map, you can sort by neighborhood, and you can even see reviews for each. They are rated by other users of the site, and they let you know what they thought about the place. I love this idea, and I think it would be very useful for the next time I'm traveling. |
| Alexander Wang- Black and White Skirt |
| 09.17.07 (11:49 am) [edit] |
 There is something about this that I just hate. First of all, the shirt makes it seem like it's my 1970's kindergarten wardrobe all over again. The skirt would be okay, except that there's a tiny polka dot pattern, and it makes it seem too much like an amateur sew-at-home project. The ruffle along the bottom is cute, but not cute enough to save the entire garment, I'm afraid. |
| Alexander Wang- Bad Shorts |
| 09.17.07 (11:45 am) [edit] |
 These shorts just aren't that flattering. The opening on the side makes them look like some ridiculously oversized gym shorts. Not a good look for most people. And when paired with a jacket, it looks like you picked the wrong pair of pants. Or maybe even no pants at all. Just a pair of your boyfriend's boxers. Ugh. |
| Alexander Wang- Aluminum Dress |
| 09.17.07 (11:43 am) [edit] |
 No, this dress isn't really made out of aluminum. At least, I don't think it is. But that's the problem. Outside of a baked potato, is there anything that really needs to be wrapped up in something this shiny? Furthermore, it's obvious that the fabric is not behaving like typical fabric. You've got to worry about creases that won't iron out. I'd definitely say pass on this one. |
| Home Improvement Projects |
| 09.16.07 (9:35 am) [edit] |
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*This is a sponsored post. I have no end in sight to my home improvement projects. With a 110+ year old house, there's a lot of work to be done. I've done some amazing things there. My favorite project was when we decided to rip out a wall on one side of the stairs. We were going to put some storage into two different rooms that way. In my daughter's room, we were going to build some shelves into the wall, and in the dining room, we were going to build some open areas at the bottom. That way, we could slide a bench under there and at meal time, we pull out the table and then the bench. It was a small area, so there wasn't enough room to leave it like that all the time. I started tearing down the wall and when I realized what was behind it, I started screaming like a banshee! My husband thought I tore down a load bearing wall and just cost us several tens of thousands of dollars, which had to be spent immediately. But why I was yelling is because there was the most beautiful woodwork that framed the original stairs. It was left almost perfectly intact, and I had just added probably several thousand dollars by uncovering it. But it didn't go *that* smoothly. You see, staircases are things that even most contractors won't touch. Too difficult. And to meet code, I didn't know if I'd be able to do the kind of staircase I wanted. I wanted to put wrought iron bars with a heavy scrollwork, and the handrail on top of that. I finally found some that didn't have too much space between them, and ordered them. Well, apparently, the scrolls which were supposed to attach to the bars were different kinds of metal. And apparently, the scrolls were a kind that doesn't weld easily. lol We took them to our mechanic who was going to weld them. And he did. Unfortunately, they looked awful by the time he finished, and some of them weren't staying welded. So we sanded the welds off and tried again, this time using JB Weld. It held like a dream. The handrail was a different story. My husband left me in charge of it, knowing that I can't do math. I made the handrail too short. After a moment's panic, I figured out a way to make it work, and we got on with attaching it. But even that was a headache. The rails aren't easy to attach, and someday, I'm going to have to get a completely different handrail. They wiggle too much. But gosh, they sure are pretty. lol Now, my mom wants me to do her dining room. Which is funny, because she mentioned that she wants to hang wallpaper, and that's the one DIY project that I'm scared to tackle. Every time I've tried in the past, it hasn't turned out well. lol But there's a site online that proves knowledge is power. They have DVD sets which show you how to do different DIY projects. I think these would be so handy for some of the stuff we've tackled at our house. Especially hanging wallpaper. Once I see something, I will be able to do it. But until then, it just kind of scares me. Silly, huh? |
| Adam Lippes- Wide Dress |
| 09.16.07 (9:17 am) [edit] |
 This shirt dress has some cool colors, and it looks like an orchid. Unfortunately, it also looks really wide on the model, and I can't imagine how enormous I would look in it. They'd have to plaster a "Wide Load" sign across my butt before I could walk down the street. This model is one of the thinner ones around. But in the body, she looks like she belongs on a plus size modeling runway. |
| Adam Lippes- Wide Band Skirt |
| 09.16.07 (9:15 am) [edit] |
 This skirt has a really wide band at the bottom. I think it's an interesting detail, but oddly enough, it's the rest of the skirt that I don't care for. The center seam on it is bothering me, because it's just not something that's done. In the front of a skirt, you want it to lay as smoothly as possible, so the seams go on the side or on the top of the thighs, such as the seams that are next to that one in the middle. But they never go on the front. It just isn't done. In this case, I don't consider it innovative to place the seam there. More like amateur. |
| Adam Lippes- Striped Gown |
| 09.16.07 (9:11 am) [edit] |
 I don't care for the way this gown is folded over at the top. Right at the bust, you can see how it is probably sewn into a great big, shapeless tube, and the sides were taken and folded in. That's great for making a really easy dress at home, but it has almost no style. The jacket is lovely though, and I love the scrunchy sleeves. |
| AuctionShark and the Amazing Buy |
| 09.14.07 (5:07 pm) [edit] |
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*This is a sponsored post. I found a new site today called AuctionSHARK. It searches through various auctions to find the lowest price on items you want. Now, we've all heard of Ebay, but what if you can get it cheaper elsewhere? So by going to AuctionSHARK, you can actually find prices that may be lower. I checked for an Louis Vuitton Alma auction. And I found some REALLY low prices there. These handbags routinely cost over $1400, but there were some for $10.51. Now, certainly you need to do some checking to make sure they are authentic, because honestly, why would you sell a $1400 purse for $10.51?!? But it's worth checking out. That's for sure!! The process couldn't be easier. Either type in the item you're searching for on the main page, or select by categories. The categories page has a lot of stuff that isn't on just the typical search feature. For example, you can narrow down your search, or look according to price. Either way, you will find some good deals. Also, there are some stores listed. That way, you can look at their items. I found one store that had Louis Vuitton purses at a higher price than the auctions, but then, you are buying brand new. And you're still saving about 50%. They also have a lot of other brands that I routinely talk about in my fashion posts. This site just became a new favorite of mine! |
| Adam Lippes- Shimmery Shirt |
| 09.14.07 (4:42 pm) [edit] |
 I LOVE this!!! The shirt is my favorite. The top has some shimmer to it, but it's not too heavy-handed. The checkerboard pleated shorts are really interesting, and not a design I would have anticipated. And the camel colored coat over the whole thing is perfect. I like how it comes to the same level as the shorts. The do-rag is a little silly, but with an outfit this cute, who cares! lol |
| Adam Lippes- Shimmery Pants |
| 09.14.07 (4:40 pm) [edit] |
 These shiny pants are just weird. I don't care for the futuristic look at all. Let's be honest, there's nothing natural looking about this fabric. So you can forget the idea of natural fibers right from the start. That alone isn't enough to condemn it, but the weird buttery gold color and the intense shine don't help it at all. Also, what is up with the cut of that shirt? It's tight at the upper hips, but the rest of it is too baggy. Ugh! |
| Adam Lippes- Polka Dot Dress |
| 09.14.07 (4:34 pm) [edit] |
 I looked very carefully to see whether these polka dots stood out from the fabric in any way. They do not appear to. This is important, because it would have entirely changed my opinion of the dress. If they stand out from the rest of the fabric, the dress would have looked like a juvenile bath towel. But because they change the texture without really standing out, it's a much more sophisticated look. The bands at the top and the bottom are especially cute. I like this quite a lot. |
| Internet Phone for Businesses |
| 09.13.07 (4:41 pm) [edit] |
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*This is a sponsored post. I found a site today which offers internet telephone systems for businesses. At first thought, it didn't seem to be that big a deal. I mean, if they can do it for a home, why not for a business? And then I started thinking about the actual needs of a business telephone system and realized it was actually a pretty staggering idea. I mean, offices almost always have more than one person, and unless you get multiple phone numbers, which is expensive in and of itself, you need multiple extensions. Even with a small office, this can get pretty staggering in no time at all. Furthermore, it has to be a million times more reliable than a home number. If I get cut off while talking to my mom, there usually isn't a problem. But if I get cut off when talking to a client, there's a BIG problem. Also, even something that has plagued home internet telephone users is the ability to call 911. Such services can't usually provide information to 911, so you are supposed to have another phone in case of emergencies. With the use of cell phones, that isn't typically a problem. But if a business needed to call 911, there could be some very serious liability issues if they could not do so. An emergency would go from being a tragedy to a tragedy AND disaster for the business. But Packet8 is a business voip that offers extensions, global calling, and even e911 services. And even better, video conferencing. There are a lot of times that could come in handy for companies such as the one where my husband works. If your small business needs a package put together, my best advice would be to request a quote. They can help you put together a package that has all of the features you want. And because a business phone package is infinitely more complicated than a residential phone package, I believe it's most helpful to speak to someone about your needs first. For me, the Virtual Attendant option would have worked with the first business I started, but not as well with the second. This system is the kind that has an automated menu system (Press 1 for X, Press 2 for Y). Needless to say, each business has their own needs. |
| Adam Lippes- Long Silver Dress |
| 09.13.07 (4:26 pm) [edit] |
 I can't stand the fabric on this dress, but the innovation is enough to make up for it completely. Although a good number of my readers are male, and I highly discourage them from staring at a woman's chest (to avoid black eyes), this is the one exception. The details and how this is sewn are amazing. I would have liked to see a tighter style at the hips, and around the hemline. But it's not too bad. |
| Adam Lippes- Black, Green, and White Dress |
| 09.13.07 (4:22 pm) [edit] |
 Why can I picture Victoria Beckham wearing this?? The colors are interesting, but I find the style a bit dull. Also, the black part seems to be folded strangely at the top. I'm not sure what's going on with that. |
| Adam Lippes- 70's Shirt |
| 09.13.07 (4:20 pm) [edit] |
 This is a very retro shirt. It looks similar to one I had as a little girl in the late 70's. I NEVER thought I would miss that time period's fashion, but this shirt is kind of cute, and kind of having that effect. This would be a nice shirt to pair with a jacket for an early morning walk on those early spring mornings when it's still fairly chilly. |
| Talk to your friends online |
| 09.11.07 (11:33 pm) [edit] |
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*This is a sponsored post. I have a friend that has some serious health problems. From time to time, a group of us gets the news that she's had a stroke. As we wait anxiously for updates, her cousin is sweet enough to let us know how she's doing. Inevitably, there will reach a point where she is well enough to give brief updates on everything she wants to say, but not well enough to type. Her cousin has been gracious enough to continue to type for her. But after the new site I discovered tonight, she may not have to any longer. Qlip Media allows you to share pictures, even if they aren't exactly photos. The best way to think of it is as a virtual whiteboard where you can leave messages for your friends, and they can respond. Scribble a picture for them, add vacation photos- whatever! But that's not the part that will help my friend. In addition to all of that, you can also leave voice messages. So here's what I'm thinking. Let my friend know about it and make sure she's set up with a microphone. When she has a health crisis, but has recovered enough to give verbal updates, let her say a few words instead of having her cousin transcribe the messages. Although I'm sure her cousin doesn't mind, it makes it less like playing the telephone game when everyone is already in a worried state. I still have some checking to see whether Qlip Media would be right for this type of situation, but there's a possibility it could be helpful. My friend is a very stubborn girl (that's a good thing!), and she's always asking the doctors when she can get back to chatting with her online friends. If it brings her back to us sooner and saves her energy for recovery, this may be a very good thing. |
| 3.1 Phillip Lim- Ruffled Skirt |
| 09.11.07 (11:22 pm) [edit] |
 This ruffled skirt is almost exactly like one my daughter has. The only difference is that my daughter's has a scalloped bottom, and it shifts from a dark pink to a light pink. Oh, and it's much, much cuter. ;) On that same note, I'm suddenly having a very bad image of my daughter at 15, trying to sneak out of the house wearing this outfit. I'll remember when she was just a sweet, innocent girl in her favorite little skirt. And then I'll see her wearing this tube top, and I will completely lose my cool. |
| 3.1 Phillip Lim- Orange Lace |
| 09.11.07 (11:19 pm) [edit] |
 I'm sure that if I ask him, my oceanographer friend could tell me exactly what seaweed has wrapped itself around this poor girl's neck. ;) Honestly, uh, no. There's just no reason for this to be here, except to keep the outfit from being completely dull. And on a completely unrelated side note- good god! That model makes other models seem like little people next to her!! |
| 3.1 Phillip Lim- Mini Dress with Details |
| 09.11.07 (11:15 pm) [edit] |
 Look at the interesting details on this dress. Within the little scrunchy details, there is a lot of cool stuff going on, but it manages to do it in a way that's not so overwhelming. But what's really fascinating and innovative about this dress is the way it uses negative space. See how there aren't any details on the side? I love the innovation, but to me, it looks somewhat unfinished. On one hand, I'm glad that they kept it without because it adds so much more interest to the dress, and on the other hand, I want it finished. I know, I know. I should just make up my mind about it, already! lol |
| Live in the Two |
| 09.11.07 (3:30 pm) [edit] |
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*This is a sponsored post. I found a new site today that can help you with various self improvement issues. Did you know that only about 2% of people lead the way for the rest?? That's pretty much true, no matter what kind of trend you are discussing. My blog here, and my other blogs discuss trends. But beyond that, they are all about helping you learn to identify them yourself. I mean, really, what's more fun? Following a trend or setting it?? :D For me, that's an easy answer, but perhaps, for you it isn't as easy. Obviously, a lot of people like to follow trends, or trends wouldn't exist. Everyone would be doing their own thing instead. After taking the test, it said that I had the potential to reach the top 2%, and be one of those that SET the trends, rather than follow them. I've been working on some self improvement tasks over the last few weeks. These aren't goals that anyone set for me. They are just things that I want to do to be happy with myself. For example, I want to lose some weight. I didn't run out and join the nearest gym, or take up the latest fad diet. I got onto my exercise machine and I've been working out an hour and a half each day. I wanted to add some weights in, so I went out and got a small weight. Also, I wanted to learn Russian. Now, that isn't going to happen as quickly, but I've bought the software and loaded it onto my computer. I'm doing a little bit every single day to become the kind of person I want to be. I'M defining my goals, and I'm going to reach them. As a reward for my efforts, I've felt so much calmer in the past month than I have in the past several years. 6 months ago, I NEEDED a nap to make it through the day. Now, I'm just fine. I feel better and happier, and I like it that way. |
| 3.1 Phillip Lim- Grey Dress |
| 09.11.07 (3:17 pm) [edit] |
 I LOVE this dress. The striped look of the grey fabric is so classy looking. But the really interesting part is those black ties. Often times, it's easy to see what a designer was thinking. They saw an unusual print, so they decided to go with a fun, summery dress. But what is it about this fabric that made them think of a dress that would probably work better in the early fall. And what gave him the idea for those black ties. These black ties are exactly what I talk about when I use the word "innovation". It's an unexpected element that 99.9% of designers would not have thought to include. It's an unusual piece that has not been seen before, at least not in that way. These black ties definitely count. |
| 3.1 Phillip Lim- Dangerously Slouchy Sleeves |
| 09.11.07 (3:16 pm) [edit] |
 These sleeves are dangerously on the edge of falling down and bringing the whole dress with them. I just want to go place them back on her shoulders where they belong, but I can see that this poor model has no proper shoulders. ;) Apart from that, this is quite a beautiful dress. I love the color, and I'm so glad to be out of the dark, depressing winter fashion. (Isn't that the funniest thing? In the real world, we're just about to enter that dark and dreary world, but in the world of fashion shows, it's over and done.) |
| 3.1 Phillip Lim- Cruella DeVil |
| 09.11.07 (3:15 pm) [edit] |
 Cruuuella DeeeeVil, Cuuuuella DeeeeVil, if she doesn't scare you, no evil thing will... That's right. I'm afraid that Cruella finally got her hands on the puppies. And of all the things she could turn them into, she chose this frock with a stupid red bowler hat. What a shame. ;) |
| Six Degrees of Gossip Girl |
| 09.10.07 (5:17 pm) [edit] |
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*This is a sponsored post. I saw this opportunity to blog about a new show called "Gossip Girl", and started doing a little dance. See, I kind of already know a little about Gossip Girl on The CW. Let me tell you a little bit about the show, and then explain how I already know about it. Gossip Girl is a show about two girls on NYC's Upper East Side. The two girls, Serena van der Woodsen (Blake Lively) and Blair Waldorf (Leighton Meester) are crazy about the same guy, Nate Archibald (Chace Crawford). Meanwhile, Dan (Penn Badgley) and Jenny Humphrey (Taylor Momsen) don't share the same social status as the others, but they end up being drawn into some situations anyway. Meanwhile, there is a seemingly omniscient character which the show is named for. This "Gossip Girl" is voiced by Kristen Bell from "Veronica Mars". She's a blogger that is causing a lot of the situations to happen with her writing. Now, here's a juicy little bit of gossip for you about the show. One of my friends has a son who is best friends with Chace Crawford, who plays the male love interest on this show. Okay, I told you it was six degrees of separation here. lol She's been giving various updates about the show. She even got to watch a little preview of it, but ended up walking out. Here's this boy she's known since he was little, rolling around on a bed with a girl. And yeah, that would be a little strange to watch, I'm sure. lol But she's very proud of him, and certain that he's going to become a big star. Her own son just wrote a screenplay, so maybe they will make an awesome George Clooney/Steven Soderbergh type friendship. lol At any rate, I wish Chace the best of luck on his new show, which premiers on Wednesday, Sept. 19th. :D I promise that if I hear anything more, I will let you know. Courtesy your not-so-Gossipy-Girl. lol |
| Abaete- White and Blue Dress |
| 09.10.07 (4:57 pm) [edit] |
 What an unusual combination!! I like the colors a lot. There is one part of this that I don't like. The top is horribly mangled. Look at the bustline. One side is flat, and the other is pointy. It's all wrong. I would expect a little more attention be paid to details such as this. |
| Abaete- White and Black Dress |
| 09.10.07 (4:55 pm) [edit] |
 This white and black dress is fairly simple, but extremely cute. Those puffy hemlines are starting to come back, and I really like those, so you'll hear absolutely no complaint from me. lol I like the white and black combination here, especially the black hemline. |
| Abaete- Two-Tone Blue |
| 09.10.07 (4:53 pm) [edit] |
 This two-tone blue outfit is pretty interesting. I don't really care for the bottom panel, but I have to admit, it's a lot better than making the dress out of one color, and it's also better than just losing the bottom panel altogether. See, making it out of one color would be rather boring. Getting rid of the bottom makes it look kind of like a muumuu. Pretty bad. In other words, this dress is the best it could be, and it still isn't my favorite. |
| Free Home Security?? |
| 09.10.07 (2:17 pm) [edit] |
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*This is a sponsored post. Many of the advertisers who request these sort of posts want me to hide the fact that it's sponsored. I ALWAYS turn those down. I also turn down ones that require a positive review, unless I can genuinely recommend it. I post that little notification at the top because I believe that being honest and upfront about my true feelings is the only way I can establish trust between myself and my readers. Thank goodness, my sponsor today feels the exact same way. :D The site I discovered, called home camera, allows you to use a webcam to monitor your home. Now, I've already begun thinking of all the possibilities. I can setup the camera at my house, to make sure that there's no vandalism, since we don't live there anymore, but still own it. I could set it up at the apartment whenever I'm away. We've already experienced some theft, so I'm a bit nervous about the state of things here. We could set it up at the building, and make sure that the tenants are caring for the place properly. In fact, my little geeky mind is trying to think up the coolest way to use this, and so far, my best option is mounting a wireless camera on the door at the peephole. That way, I can see who's at the door without getting up. But the part that interests me the most is that it's free. The form was very simple to fill out, although it didn't care for the first two email addresses I tried. Unfortunately, right now, I'm unable to find the cord for my webcam, so I cannot test the actual service itself. The features I really like are the motion detection. I think that's just a super cool idea to include, and it makes a lot of sense. Also, free means free. They don't ask for your credit card number at all, so when they go out of beta testing, you aren't hit with an enormous charge. There are a few things I don't care for. I don't like that it's free during beta testing and then will be a paid subscription. I get it, and I don't begrudge them making money. I just wish there was a way to do it for free for everyone indefinitely. Also, neither of my free emails worked. I don't like giving out my other email address to anyone, but I suppose it's their software and they can exclude free email providers if they want. All in all, I see a lot of potential for it. I can't wait to actually try it, and get the images sent to my email or mobile phone. I know of a lot of situations where this would be handy for me, and I'm anxious to try them all out. :) |
| Abaete- Striped Jumpsuit |
| 09.10.07 (1:41 pm) [edit] |
 Pray to whatever god of fashion you worship- jumpsuits are back. This would have been exceptional, even as a jumpsuit, if it was lacking those ridiculous black and pink panels. They are pointless!! Also, I think it would be amazing with a VERY long dress out of the black and white fabric. |
| Abaete- Square Neckline |
| 09.10.07 (1:38 pm) [edit] |
 I'm really digging the squared off neckline on this tank top. It's not a true square, because the straps are extended out slightly for a better fit, but that actually makes it work better. It's more flattering. The glasses, however, are not. Lose 'em! |
| Abaete- New Retro Swimsuit |
| 09.10.07 (1:36 pm) [edit] |
 This swimsuit has a decidedly retro style, but it's really been updated with a fresh, modern look. You can easily picture Esther Williams in some glamorous Hollywood movie, but she would NEVER show that much skin between her breasts. It's got elements that we've seen before, but they've been updated for a completely new retro sort of look. :D |
| Abaete- Large Flower |
| 09.10.07 (1:33 pm) [edit] |
 Overall, this is an interesting look. The cut of the dress is very in style right now, and it's easy to see why. It's a good balance between casual and dressy, and it's the kind of dress that you can just throw on, but still look great without much effort. There are two things that are keeping me from totally loving it though. First, the colors just aren't bold enough for my taste. I'm not even asking for hot pink and dark brown. I just want the volume turned up one more notch, please. As it is, it looks like some sort of sweet, sherbet-like dessert. Second, peep toe boots?!? Now you're just pissing me off. ;) :D |
| Turn the Real Estate Market on its Head |
| 09.09.07 (6:13 pm) [edit] |
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*This is a sponsored post. I found a site today that does something interesting with real estate. In a very real way, it reinvents it. You've heard how the real estate market is taking a turn for the worse. This is horrible news for real estate agents, and actually, for everyone in general. But how do you turn it around when everyone who can't afford to buy a home is being turned down, and everyone who can afford to buy a home is scared away from the real estate market? ePERKS.com has an interesting idea. What if your real estate agent could offer you incentives for buying? Some agents are offering up to 20% back with the purchase of a home through them. You can also get up to 3 months of free gas, or up to 50% off a home improvement project!! In other words, they know that you will spend most of your money locally, and that will help them out more in the long run. Plus, if you're satisfied with the service, you'll return to them again in the future. Trust me, you do not want to see the housing market fail, because it will cost everyone. What are you more likely to try and save, your home or your movie budget?? Almost everyone would rather have their home if it came down to it. So as a lot of people get in trouble with their mortgages, they will be cutting back on spending overall, which will affect everyone. Oddly enough, it's the people who need to worry the least that will cut back the most. ePERKS.com could be a very good solution to get skittish home buyers out there purchasing. |
| Abaete- Falling Shoulders |
| 09.09.07 (5:59 pm) [edit] |
 The first thing I noticed about this outfit was the shoulders, and how they look like they are falling down on the sides. I think this is interesting, and very much a style from the 30's. But what I didn't immediately notice was the pattern on the dress. There are slight pink splashes across the dress. And if you look even closer, you'll notice that there's even more details than that. The pattern is on the right, but not the left part of the bodice. The whole pattern isn't my favorite, but I won't go so far as saying it detracts from the dress. It's a neat look, and very feminine. |
| Abaete- Black, White, Pink |
| 09.09.07 (5:55 pm) [edit] |
 This dress has an interesting retro look, sort of like a flapper dress without the fringe. I don't hate it, but I don't exactly like it either. I like a bit more subtlety, and this just seems to be so clearly defined into separate areas. I will say that the flower looks very nice. It helps tie everything in together. |
| Abaete- Black Leather Dress |
| 09.09.07 (5:53 pm) [edit] |
 This black leather dress is pretty nice. If you had told me that I'd like a black leather dress, I would have told you that you were insane. There are two parts that keep this from being a complete success. First, the way it folds over in front looks like they just can't do a good pleat. And admittedly, it's pretty hard with leather, especially on a skirt. Second, the waist looks bad. With better pleating, this would have been a streamlined look. With different fabric, putting a belt over it wouldn't have compressed it in such a way so that the waist looked squarish. But it is what it is. Overall, not bad. |
| Abaete- Black and Pink Dress |
| 09.09.07 (5:49 pm) [edit] |
 This black and pink dress is GORGEOUS! It's such a timeless classic. The necklines continue to plunge very low, but on this dress, it's the hips that are on display. The cut of the dress maximizes the booty, for a very cute look. Also, the flower is a bit spiky and really large, but it works well with this. I love a return to this old style glamour. |
| Photo Morphing Software |
| 09.04.07 (6:08 pm) [edit] |
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*This is a sponsored post. I'm all about finding an easy way to do things. Take photos, for example. Though I'm in awe of all those really cool edited images that are all over the web, I don't have enough patience to mess with photos and make them morph from one image to another. It looks really neat, but it seems like so much work on software that is pretty expensive to start with. Fortunately, I found some software that does it, with barely any work on my part. It's called Morpheus Photo-Morpher  Here, I took the images from the last two fashion photos I wrote about, and morphed them together. All I had to do was upload two photos, place some dots, move some of the dots to arrange it better, and then I was able to send it to my email. See, when you place the dots on one photo, it places it on the other. You move it just a little bit until it's exactly like you want. Mine lined up pretty well already. Really, it's that easy. You can find it at Zoombli.com, and it's definitely worth checking out, because it's pretty fun to play with. My next project?? Turning my husband into Brad Pitt. Hey, I can dream. ;) :D |
| Fashion Week |
| 09.04.07 (5:47 pm) [edit] |
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Fashion Week for Spring/Summer 2008 is going on right now!!! Yay!! I love this time of year, because we get a whole new set of looks, and there's a whole new crop of trends to analyze over the next few months. :D Hey, it's like Christmas for a fashionista. :D
That being said, the last post was probably the last one from Fall/Winter 2007. Out with the old...
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| Kristina Ti- Grey Top |
| 09.04.07 (5:45 pm) [edit] |
 This grey top is interesting. I think it has potential, but it needs to be edited a bit before that potential is reached. First, the bow at the neck should go. It's heavy, and it really makes this look dated. Next, the leggings and black sleeves aren't great. This is the kind that is going to look better if it isn't layered. Finally, it's in desperate need of a belt to break it up in the middle. I think a wide, black belt would be perfect. |
| Kristina Ti- Furry Coat |
| 09.04.07 (5:41 pm) [edit] |
 It's rare for there to be a furry coat that actually looks nice, but this is that rare occurrence. The curly texture makes it very feminine, and it's a look that's reinforced by the bow at the waist. Paired with the black leggings, it's really a great look. |
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