I really enjoy photography, so when I ran across two of my favorite things this morning—photography and fashion—I couldn’t help but share them with you. Wmagazine.com has a fall preview slideshow called “100% Fashion” showcasing some of fall’s best looks straight from the runway.
Here are a few of my favorite photographs taken by photographer Craig McDean.
Does that pink headpiece look familiar? Madonna wore the same one in blue by Louis Vuitton when she attended the Met Model As Muse exhibition.
To see the entire slideshow and designer information click here.
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It’s springtime, love is in the air and you have been invited to a half a dozen weddings this summer. So what do you wear without breaking your budget?
Today’s Fashion Lesson will illustrates how to use some basics that you may already have in your closet to create a new look, without spending loads of money. Best of all, all of the looks will be based on your specific body shape.
To make things easier for you, I have included all the shopping information for each of my examples. There’s no need to stress out searching for your outfit, just click on the links and start shopping! Oh, one other thing to note, you may click on the underlined link for each body shape for more information pertaining on how to dress your particular body shape.
These simple strapless dresses on sale for $38.46 at NY & Company are so inexpensive you could buy two. This may be a good idea if you are going to more than one wedding with the same group of people. You can mix and match the necklace and the bracelet with either dress, but do NOT wear them together. There would be just a little too much sparkle with the two accessories and the sequin shoes.
I am not a fan of the black belt that comes with this dress, so I layered two pink belts from Target instead. If you really must wear earrings, I would choose a pair of diamond studs; but with all that bling from the bracelet or necklace, earrings are not necessary.
I love this gown. I have two weddings to attend this summer and being an apple myself, I just may buy this dress. The empire waist pulls you in at just the right spot to give you the appearance of a tiny waist and the long length is not only slimming, but will make you look taller.
The girls I most envy—you hourglass gals. This polka-dot dress will be sure to give you just the right amount of attention without bride envy. One thing that you may already have in your closet is a pashmina. If you have several weddings to attend, switch up the colors you wear to give the dress a different look. The shoes illustrated below are an absolute steal for $19.99 at Payless!
Enjoy your special occasions and have a wonderful Memorial Weekend!
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Click here for a coupon to save $15-$60 at Express this weekend. See coupon for details and restrictions.
First Comes Love, Then Comes Marriage, Then Comes Babies In a Baby Carriage…
A rep for Sex and the City actress Cynthia Nixon confirmed that Nixon and her partner, Christine Marinoni are to be wed. Nixon was flashing her rock at the Action-Equals-Marriage Equality rally in midtown Manhattan on Sunday. No other details yet… [AP] Photo Source
Yesterday, fellow Sex and the City alum, Sara Jessica Parker, spoke out for the first time in an interview with Access Hollywood regarding her choice to employ a surrogate, after unsuccessful attempts to bear more children. “Well, you know, we’ve been trying to expand our family for a number of years and we actually have explored a variety of ways of doing so,” she said. “This was one of the things we discussed with seriousness that had real possibilities for us”, Parker said.
As one would expect, the paparazzi have been hunting the surrogate down. “The most unsavory things have been done,” she continued. “She’s had her phone hacked, her personal computer information hacked, she’s had threats against her and true harassment… She’s had friends threatened and family threatened and she’s had family of friends threatened.”
To read more about the Access Hollywood interview or to see the video, click here.
In a fantastic article today in the Style column of the WSJ, fashion writer Christina Binkley explores the forgotten market of fashionable women over 35. Although statistics prove that women over 35 are driving the market in online sales, marketing is still focused on women 18-34.
I say, come on guys, give us old broads a chance! Not only are we still interested in looking good, but we are the market segment that has the money to actually buy what you are selling. Just please don’t try and sell us clothes that would look better on our daughters. Just my two cents…
According to a report on MediaPost.com, a new Fashion Week video game called Fashion Week Live is in the works. 505 Games and IMG Sports & Entertainment will co-develop the games, while renowned makeup artist Pat McGrath and fashion insider Noel Gordon will hold the conceptual reigns. The games are slated to be available on Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony, as well as Apple’s iPhone.
The intention is to give fashion wannabe’s who wouldn’t otherwise be allowed one of the coveted tickets inside the shows, an opportunity to be apart of the action—even if it is virtual. And get this, the target market is, you guessed it—teens to early thirties. That’s ok with me. I don’t have a whole lot of time to play video games, even if it involves force feeding an anorexic model into a reasonable size.
What do you think ladies? Thumbs up or thumbs down?
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Yesterday, you took a poll on your adherence to “the rules” regarding the color white. Today, I have 5 white picks to celebrate Memorial Day weekend and tips on keeping them clean.
1. Lemon Juice- Pour 1/2 cup of lemon juice in during the rinse cycle for a natural way of subtly brightening your clothes.
*Bonus- Just like when you were a teenager and put lemon in your hair to lighten it; the principle is the same with hanging your clothes in the sun to dry. After using lemon juice in the wash, hang your clothes on the line for added brightness and a fresh airy scent. [care2.com]
2. Borax- A naturally occurring mineral composed of sodium, boron, oxygen and water, has been used for cleaning for more than 100 years. This natural mineral is safe for your machine and more importantly for the environment.
3. Baby Wipes- To keep your white shoes their best, use baby wipes after each wear. If you have a dark scuff that a little elbow grease and baby wipes can’t remove, try a soft white pencil eraser.
4. Good Old Oxyclean- You don’t necessarily have to buy this brand of hydrogen peroxide brightener, there are many brands out there. If you have an especially stubborn stain, try applying a capful of straight hydrogen peroxide and then rinse with hot water.
5. Vinegar- If you have hard water (re. loads of minerals), soften your load of laundry with a 1/2 cup of vinegar in the rinse cycle to prevent a grey film from building up on your clothes. [care2.com]
Do you have a tip on keeping your whites bright? Leave us a comment and let us know.
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Memorial Day is this weekend and I am curious to know if you follow the No White Until Memorial Day or After Labor Day Rule.
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Lands End, the go-to retailer for the over 30 swimwear set, wants to help you relax while shopping for your summer suit by whisking you off to your own private island to shop.
I took a little trip over to Land’s End.com to see what they were up to. The sound of gentle rolling waves had me feeling relaxed immediately. I thought to myself; “This is good”. No whining 4 year old complaining; “Maahm I waaant to go hooome!”
So if you want a little private time to surf for some new suits, head over to Lands End. They don’t have a virtual dressing room to escape looking at those last 10lbs you want to lose, but they do have a few swimsuits that may make you look 10 lbs thinner.
Do Men Wear Thongs?
Ok, I have been out of the dating scene for some time now—11 years—so I don’t have much of a reference point for today’s dating scene, but I read an article in today’s WSJ highlighting men’s choices in underwear. The article is entitled High Anxiety in the Underwear Department. I mean—are men really anxious about their underwear choices? Come on single readers, what is going on out there? Are men wearing thongs? Really?
BTW, I was going to use a picture of a man wearing the thong, but even the online catalogue picture seemed a little obscene.
I’m taking a poll ladies, leave me your thoughts.
Move Somethin’!
I’m not usually one to follow celebrities too closely—let alone subscribing to their blog or website. So I surprised myself when I subscribed to Gwyneth Paltrow’s blog, GOOP. It covers things to MAKE, DO, BE, SEE, GET and GO. In today’s newsletter, she has asked famous folks from the music industry, DJ AM, Samantha Ronson (LiLo’s girlfriend) and others to share their favorite party tunes.
It was a welcome list being that I haven’t updated my MP3 player in some time. Here are a few of my favorite dancin’ tunes. Feel free to share yours.
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Known as some of the most beautiful women on the planet, the Costume Institute of The Metropolitan Museum of Art is honoring icons of the modeling world with The Model as Muse: Embodying Fashion exhibition, May 6- August 9th.
The exhibition is noted as examining the “timeline of fashion from 1947 to 1997 through the idealized aesthetic of the fashion model," said Harold Koda, Curator in Charge of The Costume Institute. "We look at the power of clothing, fashion photography, and the model to project the look of an era. With a mere gesture, a truly stellar model can sum up the attitude of her time – becoming not only a muse to designers or photographers, but a muse to a generation." [metmuseum.org]
The exhibition includes nearly 80 featured pieces of haute couture and ready-to-wear fashion. The display weaves fashion editorial, advertising and runway photography—along with full scale projections taken from feature films, to convey five decades cultural shifts and social ideals.
“Golden Age” Muses include Lisa Fonssagrives, Dovima, Suzy Parker, Sunny Harnett, and Dorian Leigh during the reign of haute couture.
60’s icons Jean Shrimpton, Peggy Moffitt, Veruschka, and Twiggy are singled out as personifying the “youthquake” generation.
While the 60’s, idealized a waifish figure—the 1970’s ushered in an all-American aesthetic from standout models Jerry Hall and Lisa Taylor.
After the 1980’s, fashion historians believe the so called “Trinity”—Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, and Christy Turlington blurred the lines of runway, editorial, and advertising work—becoming superstars in all three areas, opening opportunities through allegiance for future models.
The grunge period of the 90’s held the fashion world’s attention shifting away from glamour coveted in the 1980’s—placing “heroin chic” top model Kate Moss in countless editorial spreads.
While the models take center stage, the designers and photographers who are in part responsible for their muse’s careers are featured as well. Designers such as Marc Jacobs, Halston, and Georgio Armani along with photographers Richard Avedon, Irving Penn and Gilles Bensimon.
To read more about the exhibition or view a video highlighting the show go to metmuseum.org.
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The hospital gown carries a long history of bare bottoms trailing behind it, but one group from the College of Textiles of North Carolina State University is looking to change the future of the hospital gown.
In a report this morning by the WSJ, a small team of students and faculty from the College of Textiles are utilizing a $236,110 grant to revolutionize the ill fitting and over-exposing hospital gown into a more comfortable, and fashionable alternative to it’s predecessor.
According to the article, the hospital gown can be traced back as far as the 1800’s where it was no more than a nightshirt with a slit up the back. Since the 1920’s, only minor variations have managed to make their way to hospital rooms.
Speaking from experience—two children and a 4 day stint last summer after having my jaw broken—I feel confident in saying there must be a better way to preserve ones pride, while remaining accessible to doctors and hospital staff. The only thing worse than wearing the embarrassing, body bearing sheet, is the paper bolero that you are provided prior to a visit to the OB/Gyn.
But did you know that patient gowns are a $76 million dollar business, with each gown costing as little as $2-3 each? I’m sure that will come as no surprise to anyone who has worn one of these scanty gowns, while clutching each side of the fabric closed to prevent sharing a little too much with their neighbor in the hospital room.
The North Carolina State University team has been working for the past 2 1/2 years to find a better model. “ ‘We thought that it would be a much easier problem to tackle,’ says Prof. Traci Lamar who has been leading the effort.” The team has experimented with different sleeve styles, pockets and fasteners for their prototypes and showcased their ideas during an in-house “fashion show”.
It was interesting to learn in the article, that Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack N.J., hired popular fashion designer Nicole Miller, to re-invent their patient gowns. How I would have preferred to wear something like that last summer, vs. the pale blue string-tied sheet that I suffered in.
As you might assume, the designer hospital gown is double the price of it’s conventional counterpart—hence the lack of orders by other hospitals. Bummer.
So we shall have to wait and see what sort of progress the NC State University will make; who are also responsible for the marketing and production of the garments.
Do you have any funny hospital gown stories? Leave a comment and let us know.
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Happy Mothers Day everyone—especially my mom, step-mom and mother-in-law!!!
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So you have the perfect shade of eyeshadow that you have been buying for years and suddenly, the company has decided to stop producing it. A very frustrating predicament to be sure, but I have discovered at least one source that you can tap while looking for that now elusive cosmetic product.
Estee Lauder has a program called Gone But Not Forgotten to help you reunite with your favorite products. The program includes all of the cosmetic companies under the Estee Lauder umbrella, including: Bobbi Brown, MAC and Clinique. You simply call (800) 216-7173 to initiate your search. Good Luck!
It was announced yesterday that Detroit native, Anna Sui, will be producing a capsule collection for Target set to arrive in select stores from September 13th through October 17th. Only one other designer, Alexander McQueen, has been asked to participate in Target’s Premiere “Designer Collaborations”. As part of the collection, Sui was asked to identify a muse for the line:
“When I was in Asia last year, all the young girls kept asking me about the different locations in New York City where the characters from ‘Gossip Girl’ live,” Sui told WWD. “I liked the idea of creating a collection reflective of each characters’ style, sensibility and unique approach to fashion. By combining the elements of art, city, spirit, punk and glamour, we created a collection that exudes New York City fashion.”
As silly and strange as it seems, there’s a new fashion muse in town and it’s dark. The Japanese fashion movement called Goth Lolita or Goth Loli—which evolved from the Lolita fashion movement dating back to the 1970’s in Japan—is showing it’s influence in fall 09’s fashion line up. According to WWD.com several designers including Rodarte and Givenchy have been “bitten” by the Goth bug.
Unlike the western interpretation of Goth, Japanese Goth Loli’s are more of a cartoon version of a teenage witch and a frilly doll.
It’s certainly not my style, but now you have a reference point when you see a insurgence of the dark, immortal style.
Speaking of Being Bitten…
Ok this isn’t fashion related, but I feel the need to confess that I have been sucked in by the Twilight series. I can’t help it, it’s like I’ve been bewitched! I am not a big fan of vampire stories or anything associated with the genre—but I was at the library and it was sitting there—so I picked it up.
It has been 10 days and I have devoured three of the four, 500 page plus books and I am only 100 pages from completing the last 700 plus page book. I know those of you who have read the series know what I mean when I say it has taken everything in me to tear myself away from the book. Now that this post is complete, I am off to finish it off before my next appointment. Don’t tell me what happens!
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Photo Source: NYTimes.com 
