In case you didn't catch this already...

Good Morning America decided that "sugar daddies" are a trend and interviewed a young woman who is part of a "mutually beneficial" relationship... you might have caught it on jezebel- I think everyone needs to know about seekingarrangement.com because really, that's crazy awesome.

here are other links to this- http://jezebel.com/5100425/sugar-daddies-easier-than-work+study-for-college-students


Apparently applicants to the site are soaring because of the recession.

Gladiators + Spring Trends

Did anyone else realize that gladiators perfectly suit the bohemian vibe of the new spring fashions? Or really any of the new spring clothes? Gladiators will look good with boyfriend jeans, jumpsuits, your awesome new tie-dye clothes. Just a friendly observation :)

Freecyle= free + recycling!

Do you freecycle? I do. Freecycling is a conglomeration of regional yahoo groups who post daily or whatever whenever they have any items that they are giving away, don't have use for anymore, etc. For example, I had some old clothes I was done with so I posted it to freecycle- it emails out the members in the yahoo group and then the first person to email me picks it up and it's theirs for free! It's fun and cool. You should do it too. It's really easy. This week I picked up a barely used ikea shelf from a woman down the street from me. All you have to do is visit the website http://www.freecycle.org/

Community Supported Agriculture

So, you wanna really be green? Or really support local business? You might already go to the farmer's market, but if you really want to help out your local farms- you could consider becoming part of a local CSA. Where you have basically purchased a share of the summer's harvest and fresh produce is sent directly to your home each week.
Visit this site to learn more: http://www.localharvest.org/csa/
Hurry because lots of farms need you to sign up within the next week or so to become a part of this summer's take!

Fantasy Spring 09 Closet

In college, one of my roommates and I used to play this game -the fantasy food game- it's quite a simple concept and I know you do it too, all you have to do is name and describe the most delicious sounding food thing you were craving in the moment. I believe we created this game while eating very unsatisfying dining hall food freshman year. So I'm going to apply fantasy food to clothes and tell you about some pieces I would have in my fantasy wardrobe for Spring if per chance I win the lottery or stumble into some other stream of extreme financial prosperity.
1) Stiletto Pant by Elizabeth & James
2) Gathered Bateau Sheath Dress by Milly
3) Draped Dress by 3.1 Phillip Lim (specifically because I feel like you could pretend to be Joan Holloway in Mad Men)
4) Alexander Wang combo dress - which is featured in this short video which as a sidenote- is worth it just for the model as she's not quite sure how to handle herself :)
5) Michael Kors ID chain bag
6) Marc Jacobs tulip hem wrap skirt
7) Dolce&Gabbana strapless bustier dress because, you know, why not?

Of course there are many others, but this is all I'm going to bore you with for now. Perhaps my one commenter will add her most coveted spring pieces?

Hippies continue to inspire spring fashion

Have you seen all the tie-dye in the Spring 2009 collections? It's unreal or should I say something totally cliche like, totally far out man! Jimmy Choo, D&G and Alice + Olivia, among others bring some 60s and 70s peace and love to the mix. I'm wondering if perhaps the revival of Hair last summer in Central Park is to blame for the resurgence of the summer of love?
Tie-dye is one of the "it" prints this spring and is absolutely everywhere as a result. I have to tell you, the Rebecca Minkoff tie-dye addition to her classically shaped Morning After bag (pictured right) might be calling my name, loudly... Also as an FYI, printed and patterned bags are pretty big for spring, so one might as well combine two trends into one great accessory (accessories are usually the easiest way to experiment with trends). Miss Sixty ran with this trend and kicked it one step further showing totes in the same print as their dresses on the runway.

You can channel your inner 70s sweetheart over and over for spring with the many bohemian inspired pieces quite similar to tie-dye but instead are dip-dyed for the ombre effect. Ombre (fading from a darker color to a lighter tone) has been a key look for Fall and Winter 2008, so it's no surprise to see it continue and evolve throughout the spring. Might I suggest this ombre maxi dress from Alice + Olivia? Yes, long maxi dresses are still big for the spring too! So if you hadn't been brave enough to try one last spring or summer, you should definitely get one for this spring.

Tribal prints, ikats, and batiks also have their role in spring and you'll see on various style and retail sites (Bloomingdales and Shopbop both have great trend presentations for Spring expounding on the bohemian and tribal looks I touched on here)many tops, dresses and bags with these bold prints are categorized as global or traveler trends or gypsy- boho or neo-hippy. I'd like to think of us as the echo boom flower children, but I digress. I think that Tory Burch has really done well with the ikats and tribals for spring and she has issued her classic canvas totes and tunics in various prints that support the global hippy aesthetic quite well.

Of course the trend has been in the works for a long while now, but you can still throw on a headband like Rachel Bilson (pictured), Nicole Richie or Mischa Barton - and flash a smile and a peace sign like LiLo if you would like to embrace the spirit of the trend without buying a whole new wardrobe.

Jumpsuits- back in action

I called my mom to tell her that I got an email today about jumpsuits as a spring trend according to Bergdorf's. She wants you to know that she has a lovely one that's blue silk by Liz Claiborne. I would like you to know that it really does look great on her.
Jumpsuits seem to be another style that come and go as designers please and are notoriously hard to pull off. If you're going to get a jumpsuit, try on a few styles and see what works for you.
I've posted a very cute one from Bergdorf's- the Addison Short Jumper by Barron Duquette

Oscar Noms

So the list of Oscar nominees came out this week (wooooo) and I am just wondering one thing. Is it possible that Brad and Angelina could both win Oscars for best Actor/Actress?
Also, was anyone else surprised that Tropic Thunder made the cut somehow at the Oscars? Robert Downy Jr. got nominated for best supporting actor in TROPIC THUNDER. I don't get it.

celebrity rumor

Apparently John Mayer broke up with Jennifer Aniston again? I heard it today on Sirius Radio...

Am I the only one who'd never heard of the Razzies?

Apparently the razzies are a spoof on the Oscars. I found this out when reading one of my fave-y celebrity websites - www.thesuperficial.com. Am I the last person on earth to know about this? What a great concept! So Kim Kardashian was one of the nominees and despite the fact that it's supposed to be an insult, she wrote on her blog that she was really honored about being nominated, blah, blah and here's what I have to say- Kim's blog is a GEM. Seriously. I have to say, I love me some Keeping Up with the Kardashians, but who is that obsessed with Kim that they are going to visit her website all the time and like download pictures of her licking lollipops or whatevs? She also has a section called Kim style for those of you needing to copy her look. Enjoy!

Link & Interesting Tidbit

Sign up for Ideal Bite if you are interested in green and eco-living tips. It's a bit like daily candy for eco-friendly set.

Not everyone was excited about Michelle Obama's dress: http://jezebel.com/5136918/black-designers-disappointed-in-first-ladys-fashion-choices

Gladiators still doing battle in Spring 09

For those of you fashionistas who invested in a pair or two of gladiator sandals, good work! You'll still be in step with the trends for Spring '09. Sigerson Morrison has put out a pair similar to the original Balenciaga's launched last Spring.
Top pair are the Sigerson Morrison's that can be found at Bergdorf's.
Bottom pair are one of the Balenciaga pairs from last year.

Boyfriend Jeans still big for Spring

So remember when Katie Holmes wore Tom's jeans and pegged them? And then everyone went mad for Current/Elliot Boyfriend jeans? It seems this trend will carry on through the spring season. Check out today's whowhatwear.com's episode on Jean trends as well as daily candy nyc's blurb on boyfriend jeans http://www.dailycandy.com/new_york/article/41222/Everything+but+the+Girl
I think this is another trend that only works on really skinny girls... not so much a trend everyone can pull off. What about you?

Plaid on Plaid

Did anyone catch B's plaid on plaid outfit on Gossip Girl this week? I've been a little slow to post on it because I'm out in Cal, but I just had to post on it! Especially because I think it's interesting how this is a trend from the D&G runway from their fall and winter collection (showcased here in who what wear tv: http://www.whowhatwear.com/website/full-article/runway-to-real-way-dg/ )
So here's why I'm thinking this is interesting: is Gossip Girl a bit behind this trend? Or is it just playing it now because on the show it's supposed to be winter and it's a winter trend? Or since Spring clothes will be hitting the stores in about two weeks, probably less, should they be heading into spring '09 trends? I know that the episode was filmed pretty recently, and clearly plaid has made quite a comeback for both fall and winter, but as a show who has fashion basically as a main character don't you kind of expect them to be a bit more ahead of the fashion curve?
Note: I couldn't find a picture of the plaid on plaid ensemble, but she did wear plaid clothes almost the entire episode (You've got Yale if you are going to download it from itunes)
Please feel free to leave comments!

Shopping for a cause

So with everything happening- like the green movement - the economic climate- companies making severe budget cuts and some going out of business... I've been thinking that now more than ever it's important to support the companies we believe in by spending our money there. Now more than ever, our dollar is a like a vote. When we spend or don't spend with a company right now, that makes a huge difference. A difference we can see everyday as companies like Saks cut 11,000 jobs. How we spend our money is one of the most important messages we send out everyday. I'd say most people have a grasp of this concept, but would you say that it's in the forefront of your mind when you are grocery shopping, let's say?
I think about it when I wear my one pair of Toms shoes, but I didn't even buy those for myself. I think about it when Lucky mag posts their monthly shop for a cause page, or when it's convenient for me... but I don't usually go out with the intention of supporting specific businesses every time I shop. So this concept was stirred in me when I started noticing Jezebel.com running articles on all the fashion houses that are buckling and how they are so pissed that uggs haven't had to even go on sale. Don't the girls over there realize that's just a basic principle of economics? If people are willing to buy uggs at the current price, there is no reason for retailers to put them on sale. If no one is buying Peter Som, then Peter Som needs to change into something people will buy or yes, he will go out of business. http://jezebel.com/5129499/ugg-boots-are-the-sort-of-stupid-crap-we-hoped-the-economy-would-kill
So for me, this article really sparked something. Do we think about the impact we do when shopping at certain stores or buying certain products? I've always tried to avoid shopping at Walmart because I think they have shady ethics, but sometimes in school I'd have to cave because they were open at convenient times and did have low prices.
Right now though, I think I'm going to try and shell out a few more bucks to allow me to thoughtfully consider my purchases then support companies that I believe are doing more good than harm, whether that be environmentally or by charitable contributions that company makes. There are all sorts of reasons you can decide to shop or spend your money, but now more than ever, I think we all need to start being a little more thoughtful with our spending and really see the bigger picture.

faves for today

I wanted to highlight some of my fave reads on the web today:

Amanda Bynes finally dumped social climber Doug from the Hills
http://thesuperficial.com/2009/01/amanda_bynes_is_kind_of_awesom.php

Chicks who got caught selling coke at F.I.T- pretty funny read
http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2009/01/fit_giggly_coke_girls_achieve.html

thank you Josh for this one- Joe the plumber, war correspondent
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/12/joe-the-plumber-fights-wi_n_157239.html

from this week's issue of new york mag, 14 really cool people you'll start hearing all about
http://nymag.com/news/features/all-new/53376/


this totally backs up my point about how everything's changing
http://nymag.com/news/features/all-new/53381/

and finally, a sweet piece on Obama politics
http://nymag.com/news/features/all-new/53380/

for you genies in a bottle...

So today's mystery is the harem pant. While this look has cropped up on the red carpet on model/actress/socialite types, I didn't expect this look to really go anywhere until I got today's WWWD (whowhatweardaily, a fashion/trend website and daily email blast, that's so good sign up if you aren't already!!). So in today's WWWD, it explained how to get the "Hammertime" look. Click to see it here: http://www.whowhatwear.com/website/home.php
Here is a classic example of a trend that will literally only look good on 1% of the population as the harem pant is all at once cropped, slim-fit and voluminous and sometimes pleated. While you can find a model who can look incredibly glam in this kind of pant - is this really something we want to see the next time we go out to a fancy dinner or out to a swanky bar? What if in six months' time we're all talking about how awesome our harems are? What do y'all think? Can harems translate to real life?
I'm worried that by March I'll own a pair. (sidenote, how funny that every trend I've discussed here so far is a comeback? Are we ever going to have a radical, original idea?)
here are some articles discussing harem pants:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26664922/
http://www.fabsugar.com/1684115
(nina ricci satin cropped pants pictured to the right, on sale for 1,575! so insane, right?)

What's in a name?

In case you don't read usmagazine.com every hour on the hour like I do at work, you might have missed the release of the Affleck's second child's name. Here it is folks: Seraphina. No, really. Seraphina. They looked at their cute little baby and decided to name her SERAPHINA. While there are totally worse celebrity baby names- Jason Lee's kid, Pilot Inspektor, Tori Spelling's daughter Stella Doreen... the list of course goes on and on. Feel free to insert your least favorite celebrity baby name here. But back to baby Seraphina. How do the Afflecks have arguably one of the cuter celebrity kids (Violet) and then follow up with Seraphina? She better be the cutest girl ever or else she's gonna have it rough.

Is the Stephen Sprouse/ LV collection untimely, potentially tacky?

So, Marc Jacobs launched the Stephen Sprouse / Louis Vuitton collection last night with a party in soho. To catch you up in case you hadn't heard about it, it's like a sequel to the 2001 collection Sprouse did with LV. Since Sprouse died in 2004, it's not really a collaboration, but more of a tribute to his style and influence. While that's all well in good, in this economy where Sak's sale is selling it's shit for 80% off, doesn't it seem kind of crazy that Marc would be pushing even pricier LV goods? And BTW that's not normal for Sak's to be selling merchandise for 80% off. In fact all signs points to major problems with Saks, but that's another story. Point is, when Saks and Neiman are slashing and burning through their merch, does LV/ Marc really think that this is the time to be throwing elaborate parties launching items like a $275.00 key chain? Or a graffitti bracelet for $1,130.00? I get that mega-celebs can rise above the financial crises - if they weren't swindled by Madoff, but for realsies, is LV SUCH a compelling brand that people are going to shell out that much cash for limited edition goods? The LV spokespeople say they expect to sell out quickly.... however I certainly don't share such an optimistic outlook.
Right now, no matter how much money you have, doesn't it seem kind of tacky to throw it around on such random shit like grafitti LV? On the other hand, if the Sprouse collection does sell out, wow LVMH, you've sure got a winner.

links to the collection on eluxury here: http://www.eluxury.com/estore/louisvuitton/collection.jsp?catId=cat100248&brand=3250
Information on Stephen Sprouse: http://www.welovesprouse.com/
coverage on the launch party: http://fashionista.com/2009/01/post_1646.php#more

Capes, not just for superman!

Let's talk about capes. I know Lucky and Vogue have been pushing them this season, have you noticed that too? Some celebrities have been pictured wearing them out and about. Yes they are glam, but could they really work in real life? I am almost convinced after seeing the amazing deep purple cape Leighton Meester gallivanted around in on Monday's episode of Gossip Girl. In fact, I want that cape. I think capes could be poised to actually make it from fashion pages to street. And by street I mean worn by us regular folk. While, I haven't spotted anyone wearing capes yet on the streets of New York, I will be sure to keep an eagle eye out for them. I'm thinking that with this new 40s fashion kick (funny how we're resorting to 40s fashions? Since that was kind of a similar time period to this, no?) capes are really in a position to actually work. Speaking of 40s fashion, when would be a better time for the 40s to make a comeback? Women in the 40s looked so structured and sophisticated, a look that would seem really appropriate and timely now. I really would not be surprised if we started to see more 40s inspired looks crop up, especially in work wear. I have posted two pictures from the 1947 Hitchcock film Notorious, starring Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman as proof of the sexy, restrained 40s aesthetic.

This fish isn't out of water

Award show season is the absolute best isn't it? It was like the best of the 40s and the 8os collided into an incredible gown convention! After seeing all the lovelies, the one thing that makes me so excited is the return of the mermaid! I could not be happier as I have been a mermaid gown lover since I could dress my barbie in all her 80s gowns like she was Miss America.
We can thank Marion Cotillard, the stunningly beautiful French actress, who wore an enchanting fishscale fishtail dress to accept the Oscar for Best Actress at the 2008 awards. With a Lady Dior handbag campaign on the pages of every fashion magazine, Ms. Cotillard is the essence of french beauty. I'm not surprised to see other women channeling her easy grace. (Sidenote: speaking of Lady Dior and comebacks for that matter, have you noticed how B's handbag is now a lady dior on Gossip Girl? She's been carrying one for the past two episodes. They do seem to be making a comeback)
In other news: Blondes are officially back. Along with the return to the fishtail is the return of the the sexy blonde bombshells. Yes, blondes are back! Leading the pack was resident flower child Drew Barrymore who in recent years has been more of a caramel brunette. Kate Winslet another off and on brunette also turned up the platinum.
And in the same vein of va-va-voom sex appeal and retro-styles, who knew thigh high slits were coming back? It would seem that certain screen sirens channeled Jessica Rabbit as their red carpet inspiration. I have to say, the mix of a floor length gown and a flash of leg is a sexy one. I think this is a red carpet trend that won't just be a flash... hahaha I crack myself up.

You of course can come to your own conclusions and check out all the pretty girls and boys (if you already haven't)
http://www.peoplestylewatch.com/people/static/h/package/redcarpet2009/goldenglobes/best-dressed.html or here http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/redcarpet/2009_golden_globes/index.html

You can disagree about where this is all heading, but just know you're wrong :0)

So you want to know what I think about things? That's clearly why you must have come here! For here's my take on things:
2009 - this will be an interesting year indeed. We're in the midst of some huge change, and y'all are either going to be for change or against change and those of you who are not able to roll with it are probably going to get left behind. You can literally feel the changes upon us in the energy surrounding us everyday, it's all so exciting! Firstly, we have our obvious change in government, which is so incredible for those of us who are ready for something new, but really I'm a bit worried people are putting far too much pressure on this one man. He's going to be great of course, but he's still got like a million yards of red tape to deal with, so let's cut the guy a break when he doesn't singlehandedly cure cancer, end hunger, find a solution to homelessness and bring world peace. The great thing about Barack is the fact that he is open to change, at least that's the image he projects- we'll see what he can do. Either way, I'm excited to see the change he will bring to this nation.
Beyond our obvious regime change we've got some major change that is in ways bigger than a change in government. I'm sure you've picked up on the "Green" movement. It's big people, bigger than you've thought because really, green is the way of the future and you've got to get ready for it now because people that get on it now and going to be a lot happier in the future. Living green is the new black and I'm thinking we're all going to come to find that it's going to be the best way to live. The late adopters and nay sayers are going to have to pick up the pace later and aren't going to be very happy about it. Mark my words and bet your salaries because sooner or later all those people who you think live crazy alternative lifestyles are going to seem a lot more awesome and smart and you're going to wish you'd got on the bandwagon a lot sooner. Maybe not this year, but trust me, it's coming and even S.C Johnson, yes the family company! knows it because they've even launched a new line of natural cleaning products. My recommendation is to make the small changes now, because with change in the air, change is probably going to get written more into our law books.
I thank my dear friend C-line for opening my eyes to these changes that are upon us, and I urge you to open your eyes and see the light. It's January, so in those requisite new year, new you posts are some testimonials on getting back in shape, doing things to make you happier... all of the usual things you've come to read except that, you'll see people are really pushing mediation, yoga, cutting out caffeine entirely, using natural and organic beauty products and basically saying that the way to live a happy, thin, beautiful existance is to become a yoga loving, gardening, juice making hippy. This advice has been around for a long time, the hitch is this time, those gatekeeping media elite are listening. They're making the changes and loving the results. I'm reading it all and giving you the scoop.
True story, I read Skinny Bitch when it came out in 2005 and I remember thinking how impossible it would be for me to live the lifestyle the authors preach. I picked it up in my local B&N and thought, cool, but no one's ever going to go for it. 3ish, 4 years later, I get given my own copy for Xmas, (thanks L!) and I'm reading it like it's gospel. I wasn't ready to face the music then and a lot of people don't want to now. These girls are so far beyond the curve since still most people want to dismiss their holistic approach to life as crap, but really, the funny thing is, these ideas aren't new and yet it's revolutionary since most of us are living in a way that's a 180 from the lifestyle that's preached in alternative and holistic guides to life. It's scary to read that they way we've been living and the way (most of us) we were brought up is probably not the best approach to a healthy lifestyle. I know I want to dismiss it as untrue, but the evidence is stacking up in favor of a holistic approach to life for me. It's trickling down from the top to the bottom and from those little grass roots pockets of hippies and hipsters and grungy cumbaya handholders and it's going to be the way to live.
It's 2009, a time for a new you! Change is upon us and I've decided I'm embracing the future and taking steps to be a greener version of me. It's going to be tough to give up (or try to) caffeine, actually use my gym membership, and take a stab at changing my diet to something a bit more organic and a little bit more veg, but I've realized that the zeitgeist is holistic and green and it's only going to get bigger.