Project Runway Recap

SPOILER ALERT! Don't read if you're behind on your DVR!

Where do I even begin with this episode? Let me try to start positive. This week's challenge was pretty awesome. I love the fact that they had to come up with their own characters and craft stories about them (although too many of the designers totally copped out: I'm talking to you Louise). It must be the writer in me. Some of the designers were really creative and interesting and some obviously spent no time thinking about their character's storyline.

There were only two outfits that stood out to me in a good way this week. I actually am having a hard time deciding which was my favorite but I think I'm going to go with Christopher's 1800s vampire. I liked his story and I adored the look. From the bustling to the pink/black combo and the awesome back, this outfit showed off it's 1800s vibe but could certainly be reinvented into something ready to wear. It really showcased what Chris is good at. Plus I loved the hair and make-up.

Epperson's dress was also pretty awesome. He was so disappointed when he picked the Western card, but he really did an incredible job. The denim ruffles were great and I loved the brown leather accents. I thought the story was alright, but I loved how the model's hair, make-up and attitude totally played the part. Plus, his piece has me totally wanting to put together a dark denim and brown leather look for myself.

Nicolas (the winner of this week's challenge) came up with a creative story but he's such a catty, arrogant annoyance I can't find it in me to like him. The hair and make-up on his model went with his Ice Queen storyline, but they were hideous and the dress was just eh. I didn't think it deserved to beat out Chris or Epperson. Possibly the most upsetting part of the episode is that Nicolas won immunity so we're going to be listening to him for at least two more weeks (ugh!).

Now, we move on to the part that is the most upsetting to me. Louise's boring flapper dress and Ra'mon's hot mess of an alien dress were in the bottom two. While Ra'mon's dress was pretty awful I was completely shocked and appalled when he was sent home. Louise was allowed to stay, yet I can't remember anything about any outfit she has created. She's just coasting by in the middle of the road. Ra'mon on the other hand had some really incredible outfits (hello! do we remember the challenge where he made both outfits himself?!). On top of it, he really went out on a creative limb, while Louise stayed boring.

So upset with this week's result!!!!

Berry Picking on Etsy

I love the berry shades that start popping up in the fall. From the berry-hued dresses at the Emmys to delicious pumps at the mall, deep jewel-like colors are everywhere! Aside from making me hungry (hello apple blueberry crisp), these shades make me feel warm and cozy. Maybe it's that they remind me of sweater weather. It could be that they make me think of pie. Whatever the reason, I love berry season! I went picking around on Etsy. Take a look at what I found!

The picture above is an incredibly cool raspberry-colored shirt from Lirola (the color is described there as berry/maroon). It can be switched up and worn in all different ways--simply by tying its band (which extends from the shoulders) in different ways.

The next shirt (at right) is a kimono from Ureshii. This shirt looks like it would flatter just about any body type. The faux wrap, the band at the waist and the flowy bottom accent all the right places and leave a little room where a girl needs it. And I love those sleeves!

I'm crazed about headbands lately. The one at left is from lafillefacetieuse. Love the cranberry color and loooove the ruffles! This headband is also available in other colors like emerald and rosa. Pick one up to match any outfit!

Last but not least is this sweet little necklace from FairyDeco. From the delicate chain to the pretty gold-plated leaf and the faceted glass beads, this necklace is adorable.  Love the concept, love the look. Love, love, love berries!

Have I said love enough in this post?

Emmys!

I am an awards show addict. It's sad but true. If there is an awards show on, chances are I'm sitting in front of the TV, giddy with excitement. The thing is, it's not the actual awards show that I'm into-- although I freely admit to becoming teary eyed during heartfelt acceptance speeches (or sobbing through them while I was pregnant) and getting pumped because of a fabulous performance (I'm talking about you at the VMAs this year, Beyonce).

My favorite part of any awards show night is the red carpet, hands down. My husband does not understand this fascination. "Who cares what she has to say and who cares who made her dress?!" He just doesn't understand! There's something about sitting there in your over-sized pajamas staring at a TV screen filled with glittery starlets and dapper leading men. I'm not quite sure what it is. Maybe it's ooohing and ahhing over dresses you know you could never afford. Or maybe it's the feeling you get when you shriek "What is she wearing?!!!!!" I can't put my finger on it, but it's fabulous.

Here are my picks for the best and worst of this year's Emmys....

Image from justjared.net

The award for closest to fabulous before messing it up:
Leighton Meester. Her flowy Grecian gown was totally taken over by the huge knots on her shoulder straps. Tiny girl + huge shoulder detail = terrible idea.

Also there's something about the top in general that's just not right. It doesn't seem to fit her properly. It's like someone took a sheet, cut it in half and threw it over her chest.

I do love the rope detail around the waist and the bottom of the gown. Very glamorous. I just wish the top worked better!

image from film.com

The award for biggest disappointment:
Christina Applegate. She usually picks classic dresses that show off her body. This dress feels like it started out on the right foot. The midnight blue is gorgeous and I love the draping. But as soon as you get down to the midsection, you lose me. The see through black sequined piece just doesn't seem to fit. There's nothing pretty about it. And the sequined bit on the left side that goes up to her shoulder? I just don't get it.

(Image from film.com)

The WTF award:
Kristen Wiig. The sleeves. The detail on the chest in combination with the sleeves. The hair. Did I mention the sleeves? Need I even say more? It looks as if her stylist took an unexpected vacation.                                                          image from film.com
 
Worst attempt at the one-shouldered look:
Kim Kardashian. I'm a huge fan of the one-shoulder trend. It's something that's flattering on any body type. I mean, how can you go wrong showing a little shoulder and your clavicle?

Well Kim Kardashian did. The problem is all in that sleeve. The length and the bell at the bottom coupled with her slicked back hair make her look like a reverse Morticia. Bad, bad, bad.

image from film.com

Best tie!
Alec Baldwin. The winner for Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series (30 Rock) won my heart with his unexpected lavender tie. Love, love, love it!!! In a sea of men clad in black and white, Baldwin's lavender tie is a breath of fresh air. Can you tell I'm a fan?

Hottest expectant mom:

Heidi Klum. Seriously, could she be any more gorgeous? Roughly nine months pregnant, Klum was absolutely radiant in her curve hugging black gown.

 The sweetheart neckline and the train were perfect to enhance her look. Gorgeous!  

image from sawfnews.com

Ooooooohhhh!

There will definitely be a more in-depth Emmy fashion post to come, but I just can't resist a quick little note of Drew Barrymore's absolutely exquisite (frothy!) Monique Lhuillier gown!!! How cute is she?

Image from: Glamour.com

Project Runway Recap

Spoiler Alert: Don't read this if you're still waiting to catch up on your DVR!

This week's challenge on PR was pretty awesome. While it really had little to do with the contestants' skills in sewing or making actual clothes, it seriously tested their creativity. I cannot imagine even beginning to figure out how to create something wearable out of nothing but newspaper! While a lot of the clothes looked like they were made out of paper--many were stiff and didn't fit very well (see Gordana and most of the other sheaths)--there were some that were just incredible.

While I find it hard to like Christopher because his personal style is so hideous, his dress was fabulous (hello, you know I love the frothy skirt!). The hard bodice of his gown combined with the light and feathery dress was just gorgeous. Althea's dress was pretty fierce too. The way she combined the patterns was amazing and unlike anything else that came down the runway. Her dress this week was way more deserving of being the winner than that mess of an outfit she made last week. Irina's coat (the winner of the challenge) was pretty awesome as well. Loved the collar and the sleeves and all of the little details she put into it. Still, there was something off about it. I would have been happier if Althea or Christopher got the win.

And then there's Johnny. What a douche. Who makes up a complete bullshit story like his "steamer incident" when there are cameras on you constantly? Everyone knew that he scrapped it after Tim told him flat out that it was a mess. I loved the end of the show when Tim sent him to the workroom to clean out his stuff and then basically noted the fact that Johnny was an ass to all of the other designers.

Biggest disappointment this week: Ra'mon. His outfits are usually awesome and this week he just turned out blah.

Cattiest bitch of the week: Nicolas. Need I say more?

Apples and Etsy

So this week I've got apples on the brain. A bunch of my favorite ladies and I are scooping up the kids and taking them apple picking on Sunday. We've been looking forward to this since last fall, when we went picking a little late in the season (think wind, runny noses and very few apples left on the branches). Anyway, I've decided to combine the apples on the brain with my favorite website, etsy.com, to see what I can find. As usual, the possibilities are endless on Etsy.

From the gorgeous apple-print skirt at left from Mes Trois Soeurs, to the cool apple green scarf at right from Nitscreations, tons of hits come up when you type "apple" into the search box. The creativity found on Etsy is really amazing.  You can truly find just about anything there.



A few of my favorite apple-icious results are below...

      countrybarn                                            sandmaiden

      Shakuyaku                                            Peaches4me

Rant: Gaga

Dear Lady Gaga,

Generally, I have no issue with your style. I get it. You're trying to push the envelope. You want to be unique and interesting in an industry that sometimes seems to be made up entirely of clones.

I actually think that little bow wig you're often seen wearing is cute in a quirky kind of way. I don't have an issue with you walking around without pants. For the most part, you're incredibly polished and look meticulously put together. That said-- WTF were you thinking at the VMAs?!!!

Your outfits were just plain bizarre. There was nothing interesting about them. They were weird in an easy "Hey look at me!" kind of way. They were ill-fitting and looked cheaply made. For someone who seems to love fashion as much as you, why oh why oh why did you pick those hideous lacy numbers?

And to top it all off, your hair and make-up were a hot mess! I don't understand how someone who usually looks so fierce could get it so wrong. Did you fire all of your stylists? Have you gone off the deep end? What the hell happened out there?!!

Style Crush: Frothiness!

This trend came to the forefront in January when Michelle Obama rocked this fabulous one-shouldered Jason Wu gown at the inaugural balls. Since then it's trickled down to so many gorgeous, affordable every day pieces.

"Frothiness" is everywhere this season! From clips and headbands to lingerie and tunics, soft, cascading ruffles are popping up all over--and in all price ranges.

One of my favorite examples of this trend is the cute Placed Petal Tee from Ann Taylor Loft. The pretty petals add just a touch of extra texture to the shirt to make it a really special piece. Whether paired with jeans one the weekend or a pencil skirt (go for that sexy librarian look!), this versatile shirt can take you anywhere.

I also really like this trend when it's juxtaposed with harder elements. Add a leather skirt, some metal accessories or just head-to-toe black with a frothy statement piece (think headband or necklace) and you have a really fabulous combo of edgy and romantic.