FYI

I am now writing for another site, http://www.mauvaislangue.com/ you can see my articles posted under my name. I'm trying to figure out what to do content-wise, and right now I'm generating independent content for each. I'll let you know if anything changes!

Downsizing, not just for regular people!

Chad Michael Murray is allegedly being cut from the cast of One Tree Hill next season. How does the media know this? He apparently told a fan. Said fan taped the conversation and posted it to youtube. E! transcribed the tape and went to work contacting reps for Murray and the CW. No one has confirmed, but the video has been yanked by the user off of the site. Chad Michael Murray is such a wanker, I don't blame the CW for wanting to cut his character.

Twilight, it's good if you don't pay attention

I will admit to reading all four of the Twilight books or the whole 'saga' as author Stephenie Meyer calls it. I will also say that I like them, it's like Harry Potter for girls. To deny Twilight's enormity is impossible. It has spawned a teen abstinence movement, sells out of bookstores, and made huge stars out of Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart. Now that we know Twilight is recession-proof, as it sells out on DVD and singlehandedly saved Hot Topic from shitty sales due to branded products, I thought I'd give the movie another chance.
I saw the movie when it came out in the theater with a friend and we laughed through the whole thing because it just seemed so cheesy. Now that it's out on DVD, I've been reading a ton of reviews about how Kristen Stewart 'carried' the movie. So with the help of my boyfriend's Blockbuster movie pass, I rented it tonight. I watched with an open mind. I'll tell you though, I still don't see how you could watch it and enjoy it without already being a die hard fan. Stewart's performance is subtle, nuanced even, but honestly, if you don't have a working knowledge of the story from the books, I just can't see how it would be any good. I read somewhere that the use of music really enhanced the movie until they play Radiohead's 15 Step. I have to wholeheartedly agree. I actually downloaded two songs from the soundtrack after seeing the movie initially because I'd liked their choice of music, it really complements the whole feeling of the Twilight movement. I'd forgotten that while I watched and when 15 Step popped on at the last minute, it really is so bizarre. The whole movie plays songs like Muse, Linkin Park, and Paramore. In fact, Paramore contacted Twilight reps to get her music in the movie because she's such a huge fan and the song on the soundtrack she wrote especially for Twilight. Radiohead is not like those bands, and just doesn't fit the mood at all, but I truly digress.
All in all, not as bad the second time around, but that might have to do with a few things, the fact that I was catching up on my laundry, reading online and making dinner didn't keep me glued to the movie. Also, I've now read all of the books, so the little things that are revealed in the movie are interesting. Meyer really has created an interesting story arc for some of the characters. Oh, and Robert Pattinson is so hot.

Should Dunkin' Donuts try for the fashion crowd?

Dunkin' Donuts has been making meticulous plays for market share in the coffee world, this we all know. What is interesting to me however, was posed to me earlier this afternoon, could DD woo the more fashionable of ladies? DD has unleashed upon the city and lady mags, an ad campaign praising it's cheap lattes. One of the Dunkin' Donuts in my neighborhood has gone under some major cosmetic surgery with a new wood facade and dark gold and mahogany colors. In the cheap chic zeigeist, could Dunkin' really make a play for the fickle fashion customer? More importantly, would you switch your loyalty from Starbucks to DD?
While Tim Gunn has already expressed his allegiance to the Dunkin' I do have a hard time thinking that the voguettes are going to start clutching styrofoam Dunkin' cups. To me Starbucks is a part of the trend-set and even though you could save money by going to DD, Starbucks has incredible brand equity. Just becuase you're penny pinching doesn't mean you have to give up all of your loyalties. If I'm going to go out for coffee, I'm going to go to a local shop or I'm going to go to Starbucks, I'd go to Dunkin' Donuts, but not by choice. It's like, I love Target, but you can't get me to shop at Wal-Mart. There's really no reason for the bias, it just exists. I imagine I'm not the only one that feels that way. However, I will say that I see more and more people carrying DD cups, so perhaps I'm alone in my thoughts? What say you?

Polyvore.com. it's amazing.

If you haven't played around on www.polyvore.com, or at least looked at it for inspiration, well then you're missing out my dears! If you were a fashion major in college or a middle school girl at one point then, you're quite familiar with the concept of inspiration boards. Polyvore is basically a medium for creating collages minus paper cuts and glue sticks. It's a great site for experimenting with clothes and figuring out how a new piece would work in your current assortment. Also, a good way to kill time at work and a good alternative to wasting time stalking your quasi-friends on facebook.

Days into Nights into Days - by gagey on Polyvore.com

DIY Spring trends

Remember that you don't have to buy all your trendy new clothes. You can make them too! A lot of the looks shown for spring - cut-offs, ripped jeans, slouchy tees... can be made from clothes you already have in your closet. Please do not go out and buy J Brand cut up jean shorts for $176.00. That's crazy! Cut off your own. I swear they will look the same, probs better. If you don't have a pair you want to cut, go to the thrift store. I made some from a pair of hollister jeans from like 5 years ago and for reals, they look just like the ones I'm seeing in Bloomies.
Current/Elliot jeans are cute, but they also come with a pricetag of $200+. Boyfriend jeans are also easy to make and in fact I'm going to try my hand at these too! I have some light wash slouchy bootcut jeans that I'm going to hand distress. You could do bootcut or even some skinnies and distress them yourself with a cheese grater, or just slicing a few holes into them with scissors or a knife. Run them through the washer and dryer and no one will be the wiser. Plus, a lot of the boyfriend jeans have a man crotch and I really doubt we're going to think that's hot next year. If you still are into it, you might again want to try a thrift store and buy a pair of men's jeans or steal from your real boyfriend but it's unlikely his will fit (they'll probably be too big for you!)
Slouchy tees are easy too- a lot of the ones that are sold are literally hand stretched. So if there's a shirt that you're over, try stretching it out and experimenting with stretching out the collar, sleeves and body. Take cues from Alexander Wang or his muse Erin Wasson - this trend is all their fault because they handstretched their own shirts first.
There you have it! 3 trends from your own closet.

Making spring trends work for you

I hate to bring up the state of the economy, but honestly it's hard to avoid talking about it a little, isn't it? Well, we all still love fashion and staying trendy, so what's a girl to do? Current economy or not, I have to learn to save money! So this spring, I've decided to enact a new strategy when preparing for the coming seasons- actually think about what I want before I get it. Yes, it's pretty revolutionary. I have to confess that in the past I have just gone out shopping and dropped a decent amounts of cash I should not be spending on pieces that are completely impulsive. In the end I have some good individual looks but not really a cohesive wardrobe statement. This time around, I'm trying to change!
Here's my plan and I think it's a good one so I'm sharing it with you. (I'd love for you guys to comment on your upcoming strategies!)
1) Research and figure out what trends you like and want to try - if possible pick an overall theme or color scheme. Based on my clothes and current S/S trends, I've decided to go with purples and metallics and I really take advantage of the boyfriend look trends.
2) Haul out your spring and summer clothes! Try on your old clothes and figure out which ones work with the looks you plan on trying everything on and just experimenting with different ways to mix things. So I just did this tonight and it turns out a lot of my stuff definitely works with the current trends which is great. I can guarantee this will be the same for you, so just do it!
3) Identify holes in your wardrobe and figure out the pieces that will fill them preferably going for pieces that can work double duty, like going from work to weekend or day to night. Most of us spend the majority of our time at work so it's good to keep in mind that we should probably be buying more work appropriate clothes than items that can only be worn on the weekend.
4) Buy only those pieces!!! This is the tough part for me. I went out shopping after work today and I'm not kidding I tried to justify buying like 5 different pairs of shoes. If I hadn't been so hungry... well, my credit card might not have lived to tell the tale.. :)

Most importantly, you are allowed one really trendy item, but really, not more than one or two because the trendy stuff comes and goes (but I know you know that). For me I'm planning my one splurge to be a romper. I am desperate for one! So I found one that looks like two pieces and hopefully it will live beyond one season, but if it doesn't, it's okay because I'm only allowing myself one!

DSquared's fantastically awesome social commentary

DSquared sent an interesting accessory down the runway in Milan. Starbucks cups were clutched in many a model's hand in their show inspired by L.A. girls after a hard night of partying. What a fabbie theme! Follow the link to see the show and pictures. http://www.graziadaily.co.uk/milan/archive/2009/03/02/the-morning-after-the-night-before-at--dsquared.htm

I would love to take a second to brag here and point out that I have recognized the beauty of this particular phenom before :) http://racked.com/archives/2008/12/04/olsen_twin_book_giveaway_we_have_a_winner.php
Yes, I won a signed copy of Influence for writing about the starbuck's grip in December.
Just because were in a recession and Starbuck's has been scaling back stores and even the CEO took a paycut to $10,000 a year, doesn't make Starbuck's any less iconic. Skinny L.A. chicks still need their coffee.

Jean Shorts. Will you wear them??

Jean shorts. (Jhorts, anyone? Heh.) Okay so cut-offs aren't anything new, but they seem to be out this season with extra oomph- kind of like your girlfriend that just broke up with her boyfriend and wants to be out on the scene every night, right?
No matter what year cutoffs will remain the epitome of relaxed sexy summerwear. Seen and sold pretty much everywhere for spring/summer, I think we'll be seeing this trend on more than just celebrities. Cutoffs made it through the year as Kate Moss and Lily Allen showed them in a new way and rocked them this winter with black tights.
Model extraordinaire Erin Wasson has "designed" a pair in her capsule collection with RVCA. Alexander Wang showed jean shorts last year which probably was partly to blame for the jean short fanaticism. The real question is, if you are not a model or a skinny high schooler- are you going to wear cut-off jean shorts? Madewell and some other retailers are showing cute jean shorts that have a rolled cuffed hem- for me, those would be the way I would choose to wear this trend, but I'm guessing some real fashion-types will go for the real deal. Where do you fall in the spectrum? Will you wear jean shorts?

Gossip Girl + No Doubt

According to multiple blogs, an upcoming episode will involve No Doubt's first performance since reuniting!
Do you think Rufus and Lincoln Hawk will be opening? Will Rufus harbor jealousy pangs over Gwen's successes? Will Dan try to sleep with another older woman? These questions and more will be answered soon I hope! Also, if you are joining me for the Ultimate Gossip Girl Summit at the Pit next weekend I'll bet the panel really riffs on this!

http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2009/02/no_doubt_is_going_to_be_on_gos.html?mid=daily-intel--20090227