Losing their touch? Or just giving in to celeb crushes?

I present the E! Fashion Police picks for best dressed. I think we all know who took home Worst Dressed (but you know she had her own golden globes as consolation...)

According to Joan and crew, George Clooney took home men's best dressed, and Penelope Cruz took home women's best dressed

Ok, I like Penelope Cruz, and we all know that there are some who would go gay for her, but I personally would have given the prestigious best dressed to Anna Paquin. Or even Jennifer Garner...but that might be a personal bias. I wonder if the Fashion Police this year were taken in by Penelope's inexplicably lustrous hair in spite of the January rain. Hmmm...could it be that even celebrities can be sucked in by this Latin god-dess? And back to George. I love George. Who doesn't? He's helping out Haiti with that telethon, but best dressed? I thought he looked like he normally does in the Oceans movies. My vote went to Robert Downey, Jr. I enjoyed his lack of tie. It looked right on him. I also enjoyed his formal scruff-- NOT to be confused with Jon Hamm's formal beard. I'm just more of a scruff girl, I guess. Ok, ladies and Will. I've had my say. Discuss!
Read More......

Rodarte for Target Disappoints

I would like to state some objections I have to both Rodarte's design, the marketing strategy for this line, and whoever styled these pieces for the website.

First of all, it is important to remember that this line is only shown in the junior's section of the store and on the website. Therefore, its primary marketing range, one can assume is probably 12-25 year olds (generously on both ends).

So getting into the nitty gritty:Who the heck said- yes, this shirt, over this bathing suit bottom, with this skirt. . .Huh? It looks like a mariachi costume combined with a mesh muscle shirt. And if you knew what skirt that was you would be further confused (spoiler alert: its mostly tulle and crepe). Dear photoshoot stylist, you need a new dayjob.

Then there is this and this:

Believe it or not, this lacy edged piece is actually a swimsuit. Now, maybe I'm just an old fogey (at 23) but That is Underwear! Also, what is this dress? I get the underwear as outerwear thing but is this really appropriate to market to young girls? Why would you want your daughter to go out wearing something that looks like some sex offender's x-ray vision? And on an impractical note- what teenager is going to take the time to hand wash or dryclean a dress covered in tulle? Really Rodarte? Really Target?

Then I'd like to end on this lovely note (and this is just my opinion, so if you like this skirt, go for it, but maybe dont wear it around me, or any cat ever).

In fact, maybe this model was attacked by a studio feline and half the tulle on her skirt got ripped off. But no, I saw it in the store and the picture doesn't even describe how much confusion I felt. Not to mention, the styling. Isn't the skirt a statement enough without the tites?

You be the judge. Did Rodarte's line for Target crash and burn? Maybe not completely. There were a few dresses that were not only apporpriate for Juniors (as they were being marketed to) but also actually pretty. And please don't think, Rodarte, that I am ignorant of your cutting edge rep, and your reference to the underwear as outerwear principle. I get it. And if a 25 year old or 30 year old wants to wear thier underwear to the pool, more power to them. But we should not encourage twelve year olds to act and dress like they are 25 or 30 don't you agree?

Read More......

The Foundations of Menswear: A retrospective by Net-A-Porter

Hello Saloners,

Today I was scoping the Internet for interesting tid bits and found this little piece (http://www.net-a-porter.com/magazine#/13/13) which I think is quite relevant. If you've seen any runway shows this past year or really stepped foot into any mall you can see it, men's wear has firmly asserted itself into women's wear lines. And thank goodness because a little tailoring never hurt anyone. But this retrospective from Net-A-Porter looks back at the trendsetters who did it first. I like what they've done but how did not one look from my fav Katherine Hepburn make it on the list? Like this one for instance? Were there just too many to choose from or what? Such a large oversight by such a fashionable source.

Read More......

What Happened to Worst Dressed?

A slight hiccup in our best/worst dressed pool. There was no worst dressed list this year. Stars and starlet's alike played it safe. In fact, rather than a worst dressed list People magazine ran a page of "Mistake?" dresses, not sure themselves if any blunders were made. So I leave it to you. Mistake?

Read More......

Modern Rakes?

I had a thought while watching the movie Made of Honor yesterday, and I think it is interesting enough to warrant its own Salon post. I'm interested to hear what you all think on the matter.

So my thought was this: We all know about the idea of "The Rake" (see below), and even better, "The Rake Reformed," but is there a modern day equivalent to this?




Some candidates:
The Douchebag

Pros: Exhibits such self-destructive, egocentric, lothario ways as seen in the historical rake.
Cons: I'm pretty sure a rake is supposed to be desirable. This douche is not. Would we even care about reforming this guy?

The Lothario

Russell Brand is quite the ladies man in England. Also so is Calum Best apparently - but do we even know who he is? I tried to think of some lotharios from America, but all I kept thinking of was Wilmer Valderrama and that was a little too vintage for me. So we'll just deal with Russell until someone can think of a better example.
Pros: A ladies man exhibits some pretty self-evident rake behavior: i.e. getting with a lot of ladies.
Cons: Rakes weren't only ladies men. They were debauchers of innocence! Purveyors of vice! The lothario just seems to be missing that extra spark.

"The Bro"

Pros: As best defined by Brody Jenner - this guy exhibits a little of the two categories already mentioned plus some. Dabbling in douche-baggery, with some womanizing on the side, "The Bro" also has a strong attachment to his group of guy friends (aka band of Bros). When together, these bros work as a team to increase their levels of debauchery and vice. I'm thinking that this need for male comraderie resembles the gentlemen's clubs of Regency fame.
Cons: When together, these bands of bros can experience a little "revertigo". I'm not sure rakes were ever as immature as these dudes seem to be when together. And would rakes really have had "bromances"? Not sure.

Barney Stinson

Pros: Ah Barney. Ladies Man. Bro. Sharp Dresser. Wee bit of a douche? You represent that little area in the Vin Diagram of dude-dom where all of the above categories intersect. And as we have seen from the show, you are already on your way to being reformed, and oh it is good. Robin you will be one lucky bitch when you two finally get together!
Cons: Fictional?

Are there any categories that you all think should be added to this discussion? And who do you all think is pulling ahead in the race for becoming the Modern Rake?
Read More......

We've reached the Home Stretch!!!!!

On this 12th day of October in the Two thousand and Eighth year of our Lord, we have FINALLY reached a milestone that I have been waiting for with bated breath for many, many... MANY years now (eight to be specific).

It is now officially 99 days until Bush is out of office FOR GOOD. OUT OF POWER. UNABLE TO SUBJECT OUR COUNTRY AND THE WORLD TO THE RESULTS OF HIS MISGUIDED LEADERSHIP. NEVER TO BE SEEN AGAIN (last one may just be my wish). It felt like it would take forever for my Bush Countdown widgit to break the 100 day mark, but that day has finally come, and I can't tell you how happy it makes me.

So for all of your enjoyment (or maybe just mine), here is our own little clock downloaded from the Backwards Bush website.


Read More......

Twilight update.

Ok, I just have to say that with the passing of another day and the beginning of a new book, Twilight has been increasingly on my mind. Maybe I'm starting to understand the hype a little more. Like a fine wine, Twilight's bouquet, if you will, seems to grow more alluring as time passes. With each passing chapter in the book I just started, I keep thinking, "I kind of wish I was reading the next Twilight book instead". Now don't get me wrong - all of the things that irked me still stand, and it's grade definitely still stands as a B+. But there is just something about that book that is staying in my mind. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that for two days the majority of my hours was spent in this alternate world and now I'm going through a little bit of withdrawal. Ok - that is TOTALLY it. I've uncovered the secret. This book compels you to read it quickly, and then, like any good heroin addict who has just experienced some crazy two day mind-altering high, the return back to normal life leaves you twitchy and nervous. Until you can get your next fix. I am SO going to finish you Notes on a Small Island in a matter of days so I can get my next fix! Well, I've just revealed myself as an addict to reading. That's embarassing.

I'm not quite sure if this deserved it's own salon post, and I very well may just delete this in a couple of days, but I thought it was an interesting development and should be reported for everyone's short term benefit. Read More......

Guilty Pleasures

Guilty pleasures and I get along so well. Whether it be the sappy love ballad by Shania Twain or that double-stuffed oreo cookie dipped into milk. We get along. Here, though, is what grinds my gears about guilty pleasures...


Why do they have to be considered guilty? Why do I have to pretend to be ashamed(a-sham-ed) of sappy love ballads by Shania Twain, The Carpenters, Celine Dion, and Bryan Adams?

What's so bad about wanting to spend a day in bed reading a romance novel instead of a "literary classic" or a "Oprah recommended" novel? Although, as far as the whole Oprah thing goes, I feel that she actually places a stigma on really great novels. I appreciate what she has done for the literacy rates of the world, but come on, does she really have to put a STICKER on the cover? Whatever, Oprah. Whatever.

My pondering has lead to this main question: what defines a "guilty pleasure"? They're different for everyone, let's say that beefy Harley Davidson Motorcycle-riding man won't necessarily admit to enjoying knitting, but why are there certain things which all society views as a taboo thing to like? What do you consider a guilty pleasure and what can we do to erase the awkwardness associated with them? Or, are guilty pleasures actually serving a purpose? Do they maintain a level of privacy that is needed in our secret-less society? Are guilty pleasures providing innocence that we cannot otherwise have? I'm not sure. I just know that I want to be able to listen to my music, read my books, and eat my oreo cookies without being laughed at. Is that too much to ask?!
Read More......

Testing the Waters

So, hello to ye, The Salon readers! Friends that I know quite well, I'm almost 100% positive (unless there's some pervy or curious explorer of the internet...?)

Well, it's my first post- and I'm "testing the waters" or "jumping right in", if you will. And, trust me, you will. I'm not really sure as to what I should post. Or what I'll bring to the table- charisma? Charm? I kind of want to pretend I'm in a romantic comedy(dramady?) and write some type of How To column, every month or so... How To Lose...A Guy...in 10 days? Sounds inspired.


Anyhoo, what I can share with you is this, Sufjan Stephens is a musical genius. If you are not familar with his music you MUST go to this: http://asthmatickitty.com/musicians.php?artistID=5

and even better, a fanmade (yet awesome because you can actually hear his music) myspace page: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=269311670

I think he's just so cute, so talented...and a prodigy. Absolutely wonderful. Trust me. Or rather- trust yourself, check him out.

And I just want to share my horoscope of the day- thank you calendar: "Focus your efforts. You're not only bursting with superior ideas, some of these might actually work- and/or get your picture on the cover of Newsweek."

And scene.

Read More......

Hello all. So I was updating my calendar today and I have two interesting developments came of this.
1) Sleeping puppy calendars are never a waste of money. Even if you don't update them all the time they are still worth it just for the cute pictures.
2) I was reminded of the Josh Joplin concert in May and so I went to check out his website. In doing so I found this HI-larious 'diary' that he keeps on his site. It is written in the form of letters to someone named Henry. I can't tell whether Henry is real or not but I suspect he is. Josh's 'diary' is quite entertaining. He seems fairly scatterbrained but has really interesting ideas and a funny way of spelling them out. Read it and you'll see what I mean.
http://www.joshjoplin.com/

Enjoy!

p.s. I also suggest you check out his pictures. So cute! Read More......

A Sign from the Heavens?

O M G I think I've just had a sign that I NEED to work for Boy by Band of Outsiders!

I was just perusing their website, and they have This Boy by the Beatles posted on it!! I have it posted on my facebook! And every time I watch it I want to cry! lol. But seriously - I think the Beatles guide me in all the rest of my life milestones - why not this too?!?!

I for real feel like this was a sign to me. I hope this isn't just the illness/the-meds-i've-been-taking talking. But for reals - go check this out.

http://boy.bandofoutsiders.com/ Read More......

Welcome Back Students

I just want to congratulate all on their desire to persist in the battle for higher education. So don't let the man get you down, don't let the system get in the way of your learning something, always wear sunscreen... oh, and don't forget to throw rocks at the dumb kids. Haha. Just making sure you were listening.
Enjoy the first day of class.
Bonne chance. Read More......