Tuesday

Slutty Calvin Klein Billboard Upsets NYC


This billboard in Manhattan's SOHO is supposedly causing an "uproar." (Seriously?) So much so that even people who aren't wearing fanny packs are complaining.

Aside from the fact everyone in this ad probably hasn't eaten since they were 9, and are probably currently only 11, I see nothing to fuss over.

Monday

It Takes Way Cuter T-Shirts to Fight AIDS


[Images via HM.com]

I stopped into H&M this weekend and saw their latest Fashion Against AIDS t-shirt collection. Like their last FAA collection, these shirts were all designed by musicians and celebrities who can't design for shit. It's really unfortunate, but it's true.

From Katy Perry's disgusting airbrushed bodysuit portrayal of the human digestive system to Dita von Teese's uber-creative "look, it's my eye. I drew my eye." shirt, it's just a sad scene.

Hair vs. Hair

Try Celebrity Hair Wars on Marie Claire's site. I just wasted 20 minutes of my life!

It's 2010 Resort Season (If You're Loaded)

Most people think fashion has two seasons - Spring and Fall - in which all designers show their collections. But there's a third season - resort - which is sort of a year-round thing (though most of the collections are shown around May and June.) The clothing is basically intended for wear on private islands and yachts.

I can't even swing a beachfront room at a HoJo this summer, but it's still fun to see what I'd be shopping for if a fat trust fund had me headed for the Riviera.

From left: Marchesa dress, two looks by Lanvin.
[Images via WWD.com]


I love that the heavy metallic beading and sequin trends are going strong for resort as well as the fall and holiday seasons this year. I'm not sure if it's because I grew up on the 80's end of the glam rock era, but I live for sequins and beads and jewels and it's more than likely that the reflection off one of my outfits will one day cause a bus accident (like it almost did in high school.)

From left: Chanel, Balenciaga and Cynthia Rowley.
[Images via WWD.com]

Having come of age in the grunge era, I'm also pretty psyched that aspects of that aesthetic are emerging. I could give or take a flannel shirt, but I never got over layers, lace and disheveled looking textures. Chanel's knicker/bike shorts may gross out most people, but I'd rock those in a second.

This Week's Private Sale Boutiques (Editor's Picks)

Today:
Custo Barcelona and Tarte (cosmetics) @ Hautelook
Tory Burch @ Rue La La

Tuesday
Richard Chai, Trovata and DVF (shoes/luggage) @ Gilt Groupe

Wednesday
Cynthia Steffe and Dannijo (jewelry) @ Gilt Groupe
Theory @ Rue La La

Thursday
Geren Ford, Lulu Frost (jewelry) and Laura Mercier (cosmetics) @ Gilt Groupe
Mara Hoffman @ Billion Dollar Babes
Gucci (accessories) @ Rue La La

Friday
Habitual @ Gilt Groupe

[Dannijo bracelet image via Dannijo.com]

Wednesday

Product Review: Pureology Essential Repair Hair Care

For the past two months, my daily go-to shampoo and conditioner have been the new Essential Repair products by Pureology.

Who it's for: Anyone looking for great moisture, a vegan product, and/or to preserve the vibrancy of their dye job. My hair feels thicker and softer because of moisturizing ingredients like soymilk, olive oil and chamomile.

The line also includes masks, split end treatment, and a leave-in conditioner. Thanks to daily use of the shampoo and conditioner (which I have just about used up) I haven't had to bust out the heavy artillery quite yet, but I did give the split end treatment a try. I know full well you can't "heal" split ends and you need to have them trimmed every six weeks or so, but my hair does appear less frazzled at the ends in the meantime. Oddly, the product smells a little bit like pita bread.

Monday

Product Review: Model Co Tan Airbrush in a Can


I'm very fair-skinned, and I don't want to look like a leather purse when I grow up, so it's fair to say I've tried a LOT of self-tanning products. My most recent purchase was the $42 Tan Airbrush in a Can by an Australian company called Model Co. I got it on sale, but it was still pricy, and I have been beyond horrified with the result.

First of all - like most airbrush tanners - the bottle claims you don't have to rub it in. Yes, you always do, unless you want to look blotchy. (Note: If you self-tan, invest in a box of disposable thin plastic or rubber gloves, like the ones that come in home haircolor kits, to prevent orange palms.) This product comes out the color of Hershey's sundae syrup, so if you don't rub it in you'll end up looking like a chocolate zebra.

After one time directly spritzing it on my skin and trying to rub it in I discovered how difficult the product is to spread and blend. I got out the plastic gloves and began spritzing it into my palm and rubbing it in from there, making it slightly more possible to blend in the color.

The product contains an instant bronzer, and the tan is supposed to develop over several hours beneath that. I found that after 24 hours or so, there was no hint of a tan and all that was left were two strange bronze amoeba shapes on the front of both of my shins (and yes, I exfoliated pre-tan), which basically made me look like I suffered from whatever skin disease Michael Jackson is claiming to have. A friend likened them to birthmarks. And guess what? After over a week, they still are visible. I've exfoliated twice a day and just now resorted to trying a Magic Eraser sponge. (That has worked the best so far, but now my shins are red and sore.)

Verdict: Total ripoff, awful product.
Instead, try: Neutrogena MicroMist Tanning Sunless Spray. It's about $10 and is the best airbrush tanning product I have tried so far. The CVS brand knockoff works well too, but you'll only save about $1, so go with the name brand. Whichever you choose - rub it in!

Thursday

American Apparel Casting Tomorrow

American Apparel is having an open casting call for models tomorrow - Friday, May 29th - in L.A. (they Tweeted this just a couple of hours ago.)

If you feel there just aren't enough compromising photographs of you in a leotard on the internet, you'll want to send your photos to carolina@americanapparel.net STAT.

Knock It Off: Summer Sandals

I don't know about you, but I really beat the hell out of my summer sandals - taking them from beaches to rainstorms to inevitably being dropped in the pool for some reason or another. It's rare that they last me more than one season (no matter how expensive they are). This is why I love stores like GoJane.com, where you can pick up knockoffs of the hottest new sandals on average between $8 and $20. Check out some of this seasons killer copies:

[click image to enlarge]

Shield sandals, $14.20; Metallic criss-cross gladiator, $14.60; Braided thong, $11.99; Mesh suede sandal, $18.50; Braided gladiator, $16.20; Studded shield sandal, $15.10; Double buckle stud sandal, $14.20; Gladiator sheild sandal, $19; Strappy braided sandal, $14.70.

Keen on Peaches

Maybe it's just cause she's British and somehow even trashy Brits seem less trashy than American ones (it's gotta be the accent?) but I kind of love Peaches Geldof. She has a great, eerie face and impeccable rock-spawn style, but above all she looks like she consumes more than 10 cigarettes and a vial of powder for lunch - which is a fucking FEAT for a girl running in her rich-idiot circle. Sure, this probably only means she's into downers instead, but body-wise her impending death seems far less obvious, and therefore I can't logically blame her for the 14 year old barfing in the stall next to me.

Not only does she have a somewhat healthy appearance, but she's getting paid for it. Check her out as the Miss Ultimo spokesperson. FYI if you see anything you like, this cute lingere shop is UK-based but does ship to the U.S. for some hefty postage (close to $25.) And if you have megaboobs, their sizes go up to a G-cup (holy shit.)

Wednesday

Semi-Annual Sale at Victoria's Secret

The Victoria's Secret Semi-Annual sale started online this month (won't be in stores till late June), and many of their own brand's swimsuits are cut down to reasonable prices. As always, I'm a fan of their mix and match styles ($14.50 bottoms and $14.50-$22 tops).

This suit is a particular standout. It has a real retro Bond girl look about it:
Ruched bikini, $31 top and $28 bottom.

Tuesday

Icon Style Steal: Zooey Deschanel

It's amazing how with all the money in the world, most celebrities can't put together an outfit to save their lives. It's rare that someone like Zooey Deschanel comes along and uses their obscene wealth to purchase and concoct such adorable ensembles.



Since the release of her new commercial for cotton, I have been obsessing over the outfit she's wearing in the record store scene.

So I set out to reproduce it using normal human means. Ta-dah:
[Click image to enlarge]

"Swami's Beach" shorts in Grey, $28, Hollisterco.com; Turquoise shoes by Miss Me, $42, ShopPlasticland.com; Deep teal cotton cardigan, $49, BananaRepublic.com; Skylar blouse, $39.99, Fossil.com.

Monday

Smashbox Sale: 20 Percent Off

In case you don't have your bifocals on, the code is FFSB9 for 20% off. I recommend their glosses - very similar to NARS gloss in their non-sticky texture and color range.

Thursday

Call Us Joan Rivers but...

Hearts Like Stars is having a little work done. Okay, a lot. After years of messing with our layout and design and coming up with nothing short of a flea market effect, we've finally gone to see a professional. Luckily we found someone who didn't mind being paid in sex, so the project is already underway. So far our new face is looking amazing!

The swelling should be down and bandages off in the next two weeks, so keep an eye out...

Forever 21 for People Over 21 Coming Soon

Looks like Forever 21 is about to launch a new line geared towards an older, more sophisticated customer. I'm looking forward to checking it out. Now that I no longer do enough drugs to feel comfortable in dresses that graze my ass cheeks, I haven't really been shopping there.

Tuesday

Flashy Beaded Headbands Under $50

Click image to enlarge in new window

[Clockwise from center: Tinsel queen headband, $9.95 at FreePeople.com; Vintage beaded headwrap, $24, UrbanOutfitters.com; Beaded applique headwrap, $24, UrbanOutfitters.com; Serpentine headband, $48, Nordstrom.com; BeSomethingNew vintage metal headband, $60, Etsy.com]

P.S. I found so many great headbands made by hand with vintage materials at Etsy seller BeSomethingNew's shop. Check her out.

The Fashion Show: Review

The basic components of Bravo's "Project Runway" replacement "The Fashion Show" are the same - near-impossible challenges, team projects, judges wandering through asking questions while looking concerned (minus the elegant Tim Gunn "elbow hold and two fingers on the cheek" pose), runway showdown, and tense elimination round. The judging panel formula is also basically the same - gay designer + useless idiot + aging fashion powerbitch + guest judge. The exception being that the Tim Gunn figure actually sits on the judging panel at the end, instead of handing the baton to another designer.

For a "knockoff" it wasn't half bad - and it had a few subtle differences that gave it an edge in terms of charm - first and foremost, Mr. Isaac Mizrahi. He's hilarious but kind, and he seems genuinely engaged in the process. He's not just there to zing the designers about their final product Kors-style. To compensate for his lack of entertaining cruelty, I forsee Mizrahi treating us to some emotional breakdowns in the later episodes during judging.

Watching Project Runway I always found myself yelling "what the f*ck do you know? You model mall underwear!" whenever Heidi shared her opinions on design. I feel the same level of disbeleif and annoyance whenever Kelly Rowland opens her over-glossed lips. Seriously? You're a Destiny's Child leftover. Interchangeable with any Go-Go member that isn't Belinda Carlisle. Nobody cares what you think!

So how is The Fashion Show different? For one, the contestants seem genuine. Over it's 5 seasons Project Runway producers fell into a Real World-style casting format where you could clearly see who was filling the shoes of which contestant from the previous season.
"He's supposed to be the Jay, and he's the new Santino..." and so on.
It got old, and turned me off to the show in the end. On a whole, The Fashion Show's contestants are far more likeable and seem to be less flamboyant. That is, with the exception of a 40 year old Guatemalan elf-monster that calls himself Merlin (pictured at right in an equestrian Star Trek uniform of his own design), who is nothing short of disgusting in every way.

The sad part? I'm not yet convinced The Fashion Show cast is of the same caliber of design skill as past PR casts, but that remains to be seen. So far they have called silk harem pants, tube skirts and super-short bolero jackets must have pieces...

The Fashion Show is on Bravo Thursdays at 10 p.m.
Watch episode 1 HERE on Hulu.

Wednesday

Yet Another American Apparel Lawsuit

I guess Dov Charney wasn't sure if everyone knew American Apparel was run by a sleazy Jewish pervert, so he put these billboards up for about a week, and then fellow sleazy Jewish pervert Woody Allen got pissed and now he's suing?

Anna Sui Does Target

Images from a past Anna Sui ready-to-wear collection

Veteran fashion designer Anna Sui has signed on to do a Go! International capsule collection for Target at some point in 2009.

Sui's aesthetic has always been frilly and bohemian, often with a multicultural spin. Her dresses are sometimes sold by retailers like Anthropologie. I'll post pics as soon as they leak!
[Source]

UPDATE! The line will be based on the four main Gossip Girl characters (Serena, Blair, Jenny and Vanessa) and will be in stores starting September 13th. You'll find me between the Jenny and Serena aisles.

Tuesday

Revlon Can't Win the Youth Game

The other night I saw the first Revlon commercial starring 38-year-old actress and new spokeswoman Jennifer Connelly. Unfortunately they made her up like a Robert Palmer girl and aged her up about 10 years (photo at left), but she's a great pick for the brand nonetheless. It got me thinking...

As far as representing the "mature woman," Revlon has nailed it, haven't they? Every ambassador is classy, beautiful and talented. But when it comes to twenty-somethings, they pick the most unlikeable chicks in Hollywood. The latest (as of Monday)? Jessica Biel.

Check out the stats:

Age 30-50
Jennifer Connelly (Oscar winner)
Halle Berry (Oscar winner)
Julianne Moore (Oscar nominee)
Susan Sarandon (Oscar winner)
Elle MacPherson (actress, model, prestige business owner)

20-somethings
Kate Bosworth (never been in a good film, totally unhealthy)
Jessica Alba (never been in a good film)
Jessica Biel (never been in a good film, kind of a man)

If Revlon wants to capture ANY of the youth market they need to step it up and at least pick someone with a personality. Then again, if your best product is lipstick, is aiming older a bad idea?

Do you wear lipstick?
Often
Occasionally
Never