It's like I'm GOOP and I went on vacay...

So I haven't posted for the whole summer. I'm back now.

Countdown to Memorial Day!

Are you excited for Memorial Day and Wear sunscreen! Have you seen the new awesome sun protection kit from Sephora? For $22.50 you get a ton of different trial size sunscreens and other sun goodies that will get you through the summer fully protected. Most importantly, your money goes to The Skin Cancer Foundation, yay! Fun products for you and your money goes to work. Double bonus.

Eco-kosher the new diet fad?

I saw this on Jezebel, apparently the new thing is being kosher AND keeping your food choices sustainable. I love it! Synagogues are starting their own CSA's (community supported agriculture) which is so awesome. I really hope this catches on!

Mother Lover

Pretty things

A bit ago I met designer/costume designer/stylist Astrid Brucker at a fashion show where her label, Astridland, was showing. Her clothes were absolutely beautiful and I wanted to see more so I went to her online store housed on Etsy to check out more of her label. I found out that not only does she sell clothes, but she sells incredibly trend-right jewelry as well. Not only does it look the part (think multi-strand necklaces, lady-like details) it fits into the whole handmade trend as well. The best part is, it's actually affordable. If you're not familiar with the Etsy set-up, it has to be handmade, so what's cool about Etsy to me, is that you're getting these amazing quality pieces that are also inherently limited run, so you can buy a necklace or dress that you're not going to be seeing on your co-workers or the girls next to you in the bar. Even though it's summer, I really think I might need this shawl. Happy Etsy-ing :)

Update: Everyone on Gossip Girl Sings

Here's a video of Taylor (Little J) performing with her band the Pretty Reckless. It's actually exactly what you'd expect it to be like and it's awesome.

Everyone on Gossip Girl apparently also sings

So by now you probably know Chuck Bass- Ed Westwick, is in a band called the Filthy Youth. You've probably been following Blair -Leighton Meester's leaked tracks on Perez and also her announcement a week or so ago that'd she'd even inked a record deal. In fact, her single is supposed to be released in July and an album will be released sometime this fall. And then, you might have heard that little J -Taylor Momsen is ALSO in a band. It's called the Pretty Reckless. And then last but not least, Nate- Chace Crawford is allegedly signed on to the next Kenny Ortega (High School Musical) project, Footloose, which is slated right now to be an all-out musical. Zac Efron was supposed to star but dropped out because he didn't want to be pigeon-holed into a "type." So does this mean Chace can sing too?!! Here's to hoping that Vanessa- Jessica Szohr forms a band not unlike Dr. Funke's 100 Percent Natural Good Time Family Band Solution from Arrested Development. Okay, so that wouldn't be likely, but maybe when everyone on the show goes to college that's what Vanessa's character will do. She'll then open for Rufus. Then they can hook up. And Dan and Serena will sell promotional T's. The end.

Earth Day!

In honor of Earth day, let's talk about recycling! Recently, I've noticed a lot of articles and buzz about the amount of textiles that end up in landfills each year and different ideas for trying to keep from being discarded. While there does seem currently be a culture shift going on from our throwaway mindset, the way fashion trends cycle through so quickly, items end up in the garbage much before the end of their physical life. We are making strides in the right direction but there's is certainly always room for improvement. If you'd like to read some quick facts about the textile recycling, click here.
The question is...
Do you want to be part of the pollution or part of the solution? (I'm sorry, I couldn't help myself.) Seriously though, small choices you make can add up and make a big difference.
Let's explore some good ways to change your habits:
1) Buy secondhand. If you are going to buy clothes and accessories, think about buying from ebay or a vintage/thrift store. It's recycling! You can always ebay your own clothes and accessories and perhaps make some dollars for yourself. Or you can donate to a thift store or give away on freecycle. What if you however are so trendy and there's absolutely no way you'll ever give up your H&M addiction? Well, if you decide to donate your clothes instead of throwing them away like a lot of people do, you're at least giving your clothes the shot at another go-around.
2) You don't know what to do with half the clothes in your closet because they are just a little too big! Go to a tailor. Getting your clothes tailored brings new life to stuff you already own, yay! So you're saving money since you're not buying new clothes and you're saving resources too. Way to go you! Bonus points if you walked or took public transportation to your tailor, you're so green.
3) Remake your old garments and accessories. You're thinking you want to be a little more Martha Stewart and turn this into some fun crafting. Use beads from a necklace you're over, or make a bag out of an old tee shirt or pillowcase. Amy Butler has amazing patterns for all sorts of cool things you can make from old clothes or fabric. You can find Amy Butler patterns here.
4) Buy smarter. When you go shopping, buy clothing and accessories that you can wear for a while. Yes, trends are awesome and you can buy some trendy things here and there, but if you really want to make a difference, try and buy items that you can wear more than one way. Of course that's nothing new. It's just good to remember and practice. Spending a little more on garments that are well constructed is smarter than spending less on garments that are going to fall apart due to bad stitching or poor thread quality. If you really want to go above and beyond, you can buy from companies that buy carbon offsets, make their products locally, use sustainable raw materials, recycle, or try to reduce or eliminate chemical processes that are harmful to the earth. As I've mentioned before, supporting companies that have ethical and responsible practices ensure that this practices will continue. Supporting companies that aren't worried about how their practices affect the planet will just encourage them to behave badly!

harem pants: one, me: zero

When I posted in January about the harem pant trend, I did mention that it would be possible that I would come around. In the May issue of Lucky in the best section, 30 days of outfits, one of the elements they chose to work with was a slouchy, pleated pair of pants which was styled excellently six different times. Pleats! I didn't want to succumb to pleats! I recommend checking it out, because really, it's exactly the kind of 40s glam that looks effortlessly cool.

FYI: Blog updates

As previously mentioned, I am writing for another blog. I now have decided that I'll post celebrity gossip on that site and keep everything else here so that I'm not double posting. Hope that works for you too!

New home confirmed for Project Runway

Good news for Project Runway fans, Tim Gunn and Heidi are back! Finally after a year of messy legal battles over the fate of Project Runway, the show will officially be on Lifetime. Yes, Lifetime. The lawsuits between Harvey Weinstein and Jeff Zucker/ NBC Universal has finally been settled. So the much embattled season six will finally air! Yay!

Tom Brady's women are fighting

Gisele recently said in an interview that Tom Brady's child is 100% hers. Bridget Moynahan has allegedly responded. And by responded I mean someone who claims to be a close friend tipped Page Six to say Bridget's pissed Gisele is using her child for publicity. Hopefully Bridget will take the high road and not come out with an official statement for her own sake, but considering her sexy mom spread she did after she gave birth, I have a feeling she'll speak out to get some relevancy.

Michelle Obama CAN WE CARE ABOUT SOMETHING ELSE

Okay, so Michelle Obama is smart, talented and beautiful. However, why, why does the media care so much about her arms and her fashion choices? Why does she have to be reduced to a series of clothes and arm shots? I am getting sick of hearing all about her dresses and clothes and how she went to London wearing one outfit and exiting the plane wearing something completely different. I wish we could focus on her other talents other than her sartorial choices. Not to get all jezebel-y neo-feminist, but why do we have to turn all women into fashion statements? Is it just because everyone wants her to be the new Jackie O? Do you think 40 years from now people will be trying to emulate her style? Would it then be worth all this coverage?

Lady GaGa on American Idol

Lady Gaga graced us live on American Idol with her pantless presence. Now, I realize my roommate and I are the last two people on earth tuning into American Idol each week, so you might have missed this, but the girl wore a ZIPPER over her eye. Yes, a ZIPPER was glued over her eye. I am writing this as it is being performed, so right now there are not pictures to corroborate my story, but trust me. Or Google it. Either way. All I know is this girl will do anything to distract you from really looking at her.

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.