This is how I've spent my day so far:

Following the Tracie and Moe/Shoot the Messenger controversy all over the internets. I am linking to Tracie's version as she was the one who experienced it firsthand and her take on it should preceed the secondhand takes on it on other blog entries (of which there are quite a few. google it).

Pining for this job: Icing Intern (thanks for telling me about this site, erin h. you are a total dollface. and i already drank all of the beers you left in my fridge!).

Following the Michael Ian Black/David Sedaris controversy, but mostly just reading MIB's website and laughing my ass off. His is a good daily read. So is Mo Rocca's blog.

Getting creeped out by Oklahoma Craigslist Missed Connections postings . Eep! Why would someone you made eye contact with for two seconds while driving on some random street / visiting a grocery store / jogging around a lake remember you? Man, people are narcissistic. When I was a hostess at Outback Steakhouse when I was 18, a really cute guy told me one night that I looked hot. How much of a shot do you think I have of finding him on Craiglist Missed Connections? *snortlaugh*
Sidenote: Last week I wrote a Missed Connection of my own that said: "You people are creepy." It was nearly instantly flagged and removed. Haha.

Trying to whittle down my 28 page Amazon Wishlist. It was 29 pages, so I'm calling PROGRESS. I'm hoping to get it down to a manageable size in order to send out to friends for my approaching birthday (COUGHaugust5thCOUGH).

And finally: I have been shifting uncomfortably in my seat for the last four hours due to a mega sunburn. Woo! What a day! Anything fashion related has fallen by the wayside today. Mea culpa, my friends, mea culpa.

I loves these ladies!

I know they ain't trying to be style icons, but I adore the casual-cool look of Portia and Ellen:




Smile Ellen!

This book is driving me crazy!

"To whom the fat rolls...I'm tired of books where a self-loathing heroine is teased to the point where she starves herself skinny in hopes of a fabulous new life. And I hate the message that women can't possibly be happy until we all fit into our skinny jeans. I don't find these stories uplifting; they make me want to hug these women and take them out for fizzy champagne drinks and cheesecake and explain to them that until they figure out their insides, their outsides don't matter. Unfortunately, being overweight isn't simply a societal issue that can be fixed with a healthy dose of positive self-esteem. It's a health matter, and here on the eve of my 40th year, I've laerned I have to make changes so I don't, you know, due. Because what good is finally being able to afford a pedicure if I lose a foot to adult-onset diabetes?"

^That's how the back cover of Such a Pretty Fat by Jen Lancaster reads. I found the passage so inspiring and empowering that I set down my copy of Chuck Palahniuk's Snuff that I was about to buy and got Lancaster's book instead. Well, another reason is that I'm an incorrigible bargain hunter and Palahniuk's book was $24 for 200 pages of huge font and Lancaster's book was $15 for 373 pages of medium-sized font. Obviously the latter offered more bang for my buck.

I started the book last night and am into it 211 pages. I'm finding out that this book is royally pissing me off. Jen Lancaster is a non-fiction writer who is attempting to write fiction for the first time - a kind of Veronica Mars meets The Net book for the young crowd (a book I would have much rather read than this one). She eventually abandons this concept and decides, with the urging of friends and her husband (Fletch), to write word-by-word coverage of her attempted weight loss. She feels that if she sells this book then she will have the motivation necessary to complete her goal, as any inner impetus to do it for health reasons is completely non-existent.

She is an overweight, self described "mean" woman with a heaping portion of self-confidence that is almost bizarrely misplaced. She decides in the first chapter to lose weight, but I'm at page 211 and barely any actual weight loss has gone on. Not that it's important to me that she loses weight, but if that's the stated goal of a book and nothing toward that goal is accomplished except bitching and moaning, it's going to make for a very irritating read. There are hundreds of pages dedicated to this woman complaining about anything and everything. She hates her neighbors, she hates the suburbs, she love/hates New York, she hates health food, she hates Atkins, and she hates barking dogs. She is ultra-defensive about all of this too, which really grates on my nerves. The way she treats her husband shocks me and really I want to write him a note and tell him what a saint he is to put up with it all. If someone was on Atkins and started glaring at me and getting pissed off at me because I was eating food in front of them that they couldn't have, you'd better believe we'd have a blow-out confrontation about how shitty it is to treat someone that way.

Jen Lancaster: Get A Grip.

She completely lacks personal responsibility for her actions. If she's cranky and taking it out on Saint Fletch, it's because she isn't eating much and the food deprivation is making her irritable. If a dog's barking causes her so much annoyance that she can't concentrate to work, she'll call and complain to everyone about it instead of investing in....EARPLUGS! Or turning her music up! I've done this before. It works. I've dealt with barking dogs, crying and screaming babies, blaring music, crazy parties and had neighbors macing each other in the eyes, fighting tooth-and-nail and slamming each other against walls while I was trying to study for exams. I was still able to study because of earplugs or music at high volume. There were so many things she could do to make positive changes in her life, but she was far more comfortable bitching about things to change them. She liked being miserable. That message was very clear. Unfortunately, for the reader, an author who not only liked being miserable but complained constantly about her misery for hundreds of pages only serves to make the reader want to chuck the book across the room (I didn't do this though, because I want to return it and need to keep it good condition).


Granted, she is funny, a good writer, and really knows how to turn a phrase. This book had more promise than any I've picked up lately, and it just flat-out sucks balls so far. I find myself wanting to strangle the author and smash her face in a plate of butter-soaked mashed potatoes she loves so dearly. I'm not usually like this, and I try not to be critical, but goddamn is this book ever annoying. I wanted so very hard to like it and the message that it purported to have was so very good, but it DOES NOT DELIVER.

I know at around page 372 she will lose some weight and feel better, but this book was phoned-in from the get-go. It chronicles her manipulation and her bitchiness in an unflattering way. No one needs a play-by-play account of every conversation with your friends as you try to fill up pages of a book that in actuality shouldn't be more than 75 pages. I don't believe in filler, baby, so I really resent Lancaster trying to pad her book with non-sequitur trips to the thrift store (which, natch, she complained about) or phone conversations about reality tv shows. None of the lead up was interesting or entertaining.

I know I'm only 211 pages in, and I am going to finish the book on principle. If it ends up totally redeeming itself and the author admits to being a total nightmare of a person and a total Complainasaurus Rex, then I might turn around my critique. I imagine if she read this criticism I am writing, she would defend it with, "I was very upfront about how mean I am. If you don't like mean people, don't read my book," but Jen Lancaster, here is a wake-up call: You are not mean. You are simply strainingly neurotic, entitled, whiney, and delusional.

[Also, all of those pop culture references that the footnotes award "points" for the reader recognizing are widely known and totally insulting to the reader's intelligence to assume that we wouldn't know them.]

The thing that pisses me off is that the author acknowledges a very true statement: "until they figure out their insides, their outsides don't matter." That is absolutely true. However, she had her insides figured out and was truly and completely okay with how she looked and really seemed to love herself. It was only after trying to lose weight (changing her outsides) that she started all of the circular self-loathing nonsense. Fuck the what??? Color me confused! Changing her outsides suddenly meant turning her insides all dismal and rotten. I don't get it. She clearly did not heed her own message.

As it stands, I am finishing this book only to stave off boredom at work. After which, I will promptly return it to Borders for a refund.

Never gonna give you up...

So, I'm pretty sure we've all been lucky enough to have been rickrolled at some point. If you find a rickroll insulting then, gtfo, seriously. Rick Astley's music video is the most amazing thing that's ever been and ever will be - with the exception of the following video (for some reason it is funnier and cuter without sound):

RIP

Model, Ruslana Korshunova, dies in fall from building.






They say it was probably suicide. She was only 20 years old. How very, very tragic.

Does anyone else wish

they would turn Susan Maddux's gorgeous watercolors into prints for a line of maxi dresses? I certainly do. Take a gander at these breathtaking paintings:

There are no words

Well, the Go Fug Yourself girls thought of a few, but this photo left me speechless.

I want Rod Stewart's Outfit

What a dapper bumble-bee:

Inspiration

So, I very recently blogged about searching for a new look and used several street fashion sites and blogs to get some inspiration. Here are some photos/looks/people that I fell in love with:



Sally Jane Vintage:












Elinkan:
















Face Hunter:

























Hel-Looks:























The Sartorialist:

My First Polyvore Set!

Cardigan: byCorpus Cardigan
Shirt: Art Decocrome Tunic
Jeans: Cheap Monday 2 Color Tight Denim Jean
Sandals: Little Gold Chunky Stud Flat
Tote: Mr. Moustache Tote

Dear Alexander McQueen:

You have long been my favorite designer. You always have the most creative, artistic and interesting runway collections. When I talk about fashion to my friends and I start getting all hyper about it and a fine sheen of sweat breaks out on my forehead it's always because I'm talking fervently about you and your genius. There's a reason that several of my online handles are variations of "AlexanderMcQueenismygod."

However, your latest menswear collection left something to be desired. In fact, it left everything to be desired because never have I felt so disappointed. There is one highlight of the event that I saved for last (but, unfort. they are 4 Men Only and probably a poor fit for my delicate woman feet):


THIS WOMAN IS TOOOOOO SKINNY, and this outfit is only appropriate for an Olympic swimmer:





WHERE ARE THE BUTTOCKS IN THIS PICTURE? This model is so skinny that she has developed the dreaded "thutt" (where your thighs merge straight into your butt). This is the most unattractive rear end ever.





Poor dude. If he stood up really straight would his "boys" start hurting from the strain? Also, Alexander, did you make the male models tuck it in? It's unnerving not to see ANY bulge.





Hi, I am wearing a shiny, fringed corset! It also happens to be bullet-proof and hobo-knife-stab resistant!





I seem to have suffered a fatal, gravity-defying wound. Too bad I wasn't wearing that shiny shingle corset.
:(





The only redeeming feature of the entire collection are these pimpin' shoes. I would wear these in a heartbeat (but not with shiny grey socks. Wait, those aren't socks! Those are MAN TIGHTS!)

What's your look?

I have always been a chameleon of sorts. I can go from sophisticated (french twist, red lipstick, diamond studs, head-to-toe black ensemble), to hipster (triangle scarf, skinny jeans, vintage rock t-shirt, swoopy bangs, giant nike high tops), to hippie (paisley vest, flowy skirt, leather sandals I got in India, tons of bracelets), to whatever else strikes my fancy that day. I change my look on a whim and there is no predicting what I will wear. My closet is a mishmash of vintage, 80's, high fashion, and basics.


Lately I've been wanting to settle on a look that was uniquely mine, the way Diane Pernet has a look that is uniquely hers. The towering wig, the ever-present sunglasses, the pale skin and ruby red lips - who among us could have made such a wonderfully creative look her own the way Diane Pernet has? Her look is dramatic and imposing, but still classy. I like the idea of having a steadfastly unchanging wardrobe. It's comforting to know pretty much what you will wear everyday. I've never relied on staple wardrobe pieces before, but I think I might start.



I've always been impressed with the way my friend Coel dresses. She has platinum blonde hair in a chic pixie cut, flawless makeup, minimal jewelry and she always wears neutral shades. She is so put together and so hip, but I don't think she knows it. She totally owns what she wears and the clothes tend to highlight her natural grace and style. I also love how she wears a single pair of shoes to death. She has a look that is wholly her own, and she always looks amazing. "You look awesome," I tell her, "Do you ever get sick of me telling you that?"

Right now I'm toying with a few ideas for my Look. I'll let you know what I come up with.

Mama Mia

There are hundreds of amazing vintage stores on Ebay, and it's hard to scan them all for the perfect piece of clothing. I could wax very poetic about the amazing, lovely, beautifully put together store, Mama Stone Vintage or I could give you a peek at what they carry (guaranteed to make you drool so much you'll fry your keyboard):












Mama Stone Vintage is also a great lesson in how to have an ebay store. Here's everything they do right:

1) Great pictures: the lighting is awesome and the background isn't weird or trying to be quirky. The pictures are high quality and very well edited.

2) Great models: The model pictured is plainly pretty and she knows how to pose without looking awkward or overdone. She isn't covered from head-to-toe in piercings and tattoos. I don't have anything against that personally, but I think using models that have excessive body modifications detracts from the overrall message. A model is, ideally, a canvas for expression and when the canvas is already painted and expressed, it's hard to pay attention to the clothes they're trying to sell.

3) Awesome clothes: This is actually a crucial point. A lot of vintage sellers hawk horribly ugly merchandise that's touched up with a modern, wide, leather belt and some bitchin' boots. That doesn't cut it. They're trying to sell you a look instead of the item in question and that makes it difficult to buy from them. If you find yourself having to over-accessorize just to get someone to buy your stuff, chances are, your merch isn't that great to begin with. I used to own a vintage clothing store and it shocks me what people try to pass off as "vintage" or "fashionable" nowadays. Muumuus aren't fashionable, no matter how crazily you accessorize them!

Mama Stone gets it so right that I am rewarding them with an A+ for the day.

This has nothing to do with fashion...

but, I'm excited for it nonetheless:

Blog Tunnel Vision

So, I just worked my fingers into nubs finishing an enormous writing project (but it pays well! yay for moneez!), so I don't really feel up to writing extensive prose about the state of the fashion world today. Instead, I'm gonna take a gander at Moschino Cheap & Chic's very lovely resort collection. None of it is cheap but it's definitely the epitome of chic. After that, it's back to refreshing Gawker every few minutes (which is the story of my life here at a desk job).

Call for Designers

Okay, readers, I need something from you. My friend/partner-in-crime, Coel Bishop, and I are hoping to revolutionize the way Oklahoma sees fashion. Our first attempt will be to host a fashion show in September who's every aim is to be identical to any posh show at New York City Fashion Week. A lofty aspiration? For sure. Can we do it? Hell yes.

Our aim is to get corporate sponsorship, and as much donated as possible. Here's what I need from you, if you are a fashion designer or you have a friend who is a fashion designer and you want to appeal to an entirely new and awesome market please contact me! I want to use your designs in my fashion show. They must be 1) High fashion in appearance and 2) Composed of fall fashion trends. Hit up everyone you know who might be interested in getting their clothes into a major midwest fashion show and give them my contact info (highfashionjournalistATyahooDOTcom). Doing this basically guarantees you an onslaught of media exposure (tv, radio, magazines, newspapers, etc.). We are promoting the shit out of this thing and you stand to benefit as well. Contact me for details.

Featured Etsy Seller

Revival House is my latest etsy fave as they feature exclusively vintage items. The best part is: they carry vintage shoes! And cute ones at that! That's actually pretty hard to come by nowadays. Stop by and check out what they have to offer.

Use of Color

If you know me well, you know that I'm obsessed with bright colors. I love to wear them and I love to dress my home in shades of turquoise, orange, yellow, red and green. I live in a Nickelodeon playhouse. My home will never be destined for the pages of Domino or Elle Décor. Truly, one could say I'm reliving my childhood just from a glance around a house full of bright colors, action figures, disembodied mannequin parts, kitschy owls, comic books and SNES games. I love how my house looks and I love how fun it is visually.

My love for bright colors brings me to how color effects our everyday lives. Color can be used therapeutically to help one reflect on emotions. We have so many of those assocations in everyday speech. Yellow = coward. Green = envy. Red = angry. Color can be an emotional outlet or an exciting decorating scheme.

I saw the opera, La Rondine, this weekend. It was a bit more modern and the costumes were thrilling. I saw it at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art in high definition. The opera oringally took place at Venice's Teatro La Fenice. The Italian take on the costumes included lavish use of color. The main character's friends were arrayed in her luxurious apartment in gorgeous red, chartreuse and pink gowns (reminiscent of Versace's designs, natch). I was practically salivating throughout the entire opera. The bold use of color drew me in and also told its own story. When the main character, Magda, decided to leave her splendid, rich home to party at a bawdy nightclub, Bullier's in Paris, she dressed in neutral colors as if to reveal how she was hiding her glamorous and elegant nature to be one of the "regular" people. It was brilliant!

Another use of color that I adore is reflected in photography. I am particularly fond of the photographer Angela Strassheim. Her photos use a lot of pastels and contain a longing quietude that is almost palpable. I think this look is specifically achieved by the use of certain colors. A pop of pink could show us a hint of domesticity or girlishness or the crisp white of matching father/son business attire shows the natural bond between them.











Being a photographer means knowing how to tell a story in pictures. What you choose to frame your picture in, the colors you use, the costumes, even the makeup can all purposefully drive towards a certain aesthetic.

So much can be conveyed by the use of color, or even with the absence of color. Whatever your beat may be, it probably means something to you.