Is Anyone With Me On This?

I just need to get this off my chest. Does anyone-- anyone-- else in the entire world not get what's up with everyone's obsession with Lara Stone? I mean, I would love to really get behind her and love her and talk about her non-stop like half the bloggers I come across nowadays, but I just don't get it, even though I want to like her because she's a "big" model (like, once in awhile she must skip the gym and eat a Twix, but I think people are just fooled by the boobs). I just think... I think she's ugly, okay?! I realize that a lot of models are very unusual-looking, and I can usually deal with it, because it seems to me that those models (other than Raquel Zimmerman, who I can't stand, either, but I think that might be a lot US Vogue's fault for always putting her in really boring editorials in really boring outfits) don't have this unexplained fangirlish following that draws attention to their hideousness. Maybe I'm at the center of a conspiracy to make me hate Lara Stone, and it involves putting filters on my eyes or computer or something in my sleep so that all I see is frightening bone structure, an annoying gap (before anyone jumps on me for mentioning the gap because it makes her so unique blah blah Tyra is that you? Oh wait you coerced Danielle-- ahem, Dani-- into fixing that, nevermind, I'm not generally picky about them-- my boyfriend even has one), elephant ears, and a serious case of man-face. Maybe in reality she's incredibly gorgeous, but someone up there just wants me to pull my hair out and wonder what crack everyone is smoking when they consider this woman a beautiful, stunning covergirl.






Please, tell me you agree. Just a little? Please?

You Know Why They Come for You

Short postponing of fashiony reviewy kinda thingies. I'm absolutely spent from spending all day reading papers, writing a case study, writing philosophy essays, doing study guides, and reviewing Shakespearean plays. I hope that these Owls will distract you from my absence. Click the link, click "watch this movie," enjoy.

(If you watch this on a loop a million times like I did, check out TheWeebl's other videos in the dropdown menu on the left side of the screen. He's awesome. I highly recommend "Narwhals," "Crabs," and any of the "Catface" series.)

Twelve8Twelve and Peter Jensen Fall '09

These two shows belong in an entry all their own because they both appeal to the same type of audience: youngsters. Different kinds of youngsters, mind you, but youngsters nonetheless. Twenty8Twelve got so-so reviews because of how the looks were very typical of how fashionable teens and young women dress today, and Peter Jensen is a joy to behold as always, and this collection was wonderfully twee(n).

Twenty8Twelve

Coats as dresses have to be the most criminally fabulous thing in the world, and I wish it worked in real life. In real life, it's all sweaty and miserable. Not that I know from experience or anything.

If the top were longer-- what is it with people these days trying to wear shirts as dresses? (of course right after I said coats can be dresses... oh, I reek of hypocrisy, don't I?)-- this would be flawless. I love that the whole outfit is black and leathery, and then mixed with such a dainty, feminine floral.

This is one of my dream outfits. End of comment.

I'm absolutely floored, because this girl looks a-freakin'-mazing in this jumpsuit. JUMPSUIT. My mind imploded when I saw this.

Peter Jensen

Favorite look of the whole show. I thought the playfully layered socks under boots was such a cute idea, and that coat looks so warm and so adorable at the same time. It's basically a belted puffer jacket. I smell a cure to many young women's puffer-jacket phobias.

Again, of course, SOCKS OMG WANT, but this is probably the first time in the history of the runway that a model strutted her stuff in a polar bear sweater. Need. Polar bear. Sweater.

Ignoring the genius pattern-play, do his gloves make him look like he's holding his pinkies out? When in doubt...
Crazy, adorable, colorful, manic, amazing, yes. But I'd suggest that Evelina get a bite to eat after the show. Scary neck much?

Tomorrow? Viv's Red Label and anything else that strikes my fancy between trying to get all my midterms squared away.

Love <3

Long-Lost Apparel

I know this will come as a surprise, but these two dresses are actually sold at two different stores under the assumption that they are not, in fact, pretty much the same thing. Like exactly. Like identical twins you can never tell apart when the family gets together at Thanksgiving even though you should really know that Mandy got that weird haircut and Sarah always wears neon leggings exactly.

$19.80: forever21.com

$34.50: delias.com

My guess is that these two dresses were conceived at a horny couple's picnic date, and after one thing led to another, mother became pregnant, and the father-- afraid of commitment-- fled. Since Mommy Delia* couldn't afford to raise two children, she left one of them on Miss Forever21's* doorstep, hoping that the poor child would be loved and nurtured and sold at a reasonable retail price. And now, at last, they are reunited. This blog truly does a service to long-lost sister dresses everywhere. I'm tearing up. I can't go on.

P.S. If you find long-lost sister/brother items, send pics to me at vformato@clarku.edu so we can officially reunite them! With your help, perhaps this can become a feature!

*i don't know which came first, forever21's version or delia's, so the idea that the "mommy" is delia's is completely arbitrary and does not imply that i think that forever21 totally ripped them off or something (as many people tend to blame forever21 of doing to other people frequently, but I am a big fan of forever21 so you'd best leave them alone).

Nathan Jenden and Betsey Johnson Fall '09

I'm busily trying to compile a collection of my favorite looks from some of the fall collections (it's keeping me distracted from how badly I want to see the Galliano and Dior shows) to share with those of you who are also swamped with finals and didn't get the chance to click through all those style.com slideshows. I also figured it'll be something manageable I can do in this week that's chock-full of exams, papers, and a conference on the future of African-American literature (so pumped to attend my first real academic conference!).

Without further ado, here are just a few looks from Betsey Johnson and Nathan Jenden. I'm planning to cover a bit of Twelve8Twelve and Vivienne Westwood's Red Label next time, so hang tight, loves!

Betsey


I'm normally not a fan of anything that looks like it involves fur, but the dark lipstick is awesome, the animal-print tights are sweet, those shoes are-- holy crap, they're orgasmic, and I'm diggin' the tutu.


I don't wear tutus in my real life, but I think if I were tall and skinny and adventurous, I'd throw out every skirt and pair of pants I own and replace them all with these big, poofy confections. I also love how Betsey does skulls. It just makes me smile because she's so girly, and I'm always a fan of tongue-in-cheek style choices.

Nathan Jenden


It seems like a lot of designers this season are going for kind've dark, gloomy looks this fall, what with the state of the economy and thus luxury industries. I love the shade of purple in this dress-- it's a nice bit of color without being too shocking in combination with the gorgeous charcoal coat and black tights. I would totally wear this (count me out on the necktie thingie, though).

egle tvirbutaite

White shoes? I'm an advocate in most cases, but here I'm not a huge fan. It's totally made up for, though, by Jenden's lovely interpretation of a woman's suit. The skirt reminds me of one of those paper ornaments you see in the grocery store at Christmas time, which definitely means I'll be checking out Nathan Jenden collections again in the future in hopes for some holiday-esque cheer.

I Wish Billy Shakes Could Be My Facebook Friend

if only he were throwing a gang sign and sticking his tongue out; now THAT would be default material!

Not only would I be able to access lots of silly pictures from backstage at the Globe Theatre and ask him to be a pirate or throw a sheep at him, I would also be able to read his 25 things.

Well, Mike McPhaden certainly got a friend request from ol' Billy, and decided to share with the world one of the best Facebook notes I've ever seen. It kicks my "25 Things" note's ass.


1 Sometimes I Feele so trapp’d by iambic pentameter... Does that make me a Freake?

2 I haue been Knowne to cry at Bear-baiting.

3 I am not uery ticklish. I am Not. So prithee, do not euen try. Waste. Of. Time.

4 I cannot keep Lice, and know not why.

5 Sometimes I thinke plays are all Talke, Talke Talke, and wish for a cart-chase scene. I tried one in The Merry Wives, but it looked like Shitte, so I cut it. The men playing the horses were so Pissed at me.

6 I once threw vp on a man's head, from a high Windowe. I was so fvcking Sicke that Daye.

7 I hate to wear a Ruff, for I haue such a pleasing Necke.

8 As a player, I am painful-slow to learn my part. Once whilst playing Edward I, I used the prompter so ouermuch that a groundling yell’d ~Stop interrupting, Will! And it was my Dadde. (Kydding!)

9 Sometimes when I am Stvck for a rhyme, I new-mint a Worde because I jvst want to get the Damned script ovt the fvcking doore.

10 I play the Flute yet poorly, but I can make any crumhorn beg for Mercy.

11 When I am happy I call Anne my Kicky-wicky. When I am cross I call her “Olde Fun Killer Hag-Ass.”

12 I keepe my Stashe hidden in our seconde best bedde. Shhh. Don’t tell the Fyve-Oh.

13 The people that loue my Wordes the best are always the most disappointed vpon meeting me. Is thisse List ouer yet?

14 On the topic of dating, my daughter Susanna loues to remind me: ~Jvliet was only thirteen! And I remind her that i) she was Italian, an impulsive race ii), she was actually played by a middle-aged Eunuch named Ned, and iii) she died. That always shvts her right vp.

15 I deteste it when the Low-Comedians improuise the scenes I writ them… becavse they always make them so mvch fvnnier.

16 I haue, on occasion, thovght abovt hiring a Boy to fixe my Latin.

17 When I was sixe, my Goode-Friend Charles brovght to Schoole a wood-cut of his mother, qvite naked. After that we called him Charles Nudie-Mummy, whiche did make him Crye.

18 I take my eggs ouer-medium. If I get them O’er-Easily, I tell my Porter, ~You may thinke this is what I ordered, but it’s snot. I thinke that one is a real Slap-A-Th’Knee.

19 I work ovt my calues thrice weekly, usvally three pyramid sets of Calf-Rises whilst holding a flagon of Meade. I knowe I should stretch afterwards, but it Bores me so I do it not.

20 As a boy in my Bed, I would shriek i’the night that Witches wovld come to eat me. My Mother (bless her) wovld smooth my Hair and whispr ~ Be not afear’d, the Witches onlie eat the Jews.

21 Whitsuntide has become so commercial.

22 Nobody euer forgets where they were the moment they heard that Thomas Kyd died. I was shopping for codpieces in West Cheape. I came ovt of the Change-room and the proprietress was i’tears. I said ~What is it, now? and she replied ~Kyd is dead. There was a melancholy qviet, and then she said ~And that Piece is a mite too small on ye.

23 Euery time we do the Taming of the Shrew, some pvnter wants his Money backe, because we don’t actually show a shrew getting tamed.

24 I do not vnderstand all the Fvss over Currants. Sure, they are both sweet and Small, but must they bee added to EUERY FVCKING MEAL these days? Yestermonth, found I currants in a Tarte of Spinnedge. I meane come on, People. Seriovsly.

25 When I am feeling Melancholic, I console myselfe with the Knowledge that, aboue all else, I will be remembered for my Musick.


find the original of this here

Want

cupcake key cover: wet seal $4.00

Two things: first, this is the absolute cutest key cover I have ever seen in my life. I'm trying so hard not to impulse buy it and wait until I get home for spring break to go to my local Wet Seal to find it instead of pay an extra two bucks for shipping it. Second, do you think Gala Darling has one of these on each and every one of her keys? I'm willing to bet that she does.

Titus Andronicus Ruins My Plans

Sorry I haven't kept my promise on the Valentine's Day advice! I should know by now that being in school and blogging don't always mix so well. I hope this picture of a cute doggie will make it up to you.

this is my doggie, bandit anne. she apologizes on my behalf.

Anyway, I should be back in a few days when the work-load is a wee bit lighter.

I'll try to upload some shots after Saturday of my ensemble to the Masquerade Ball we're having on Valentine's Day at my university. Perhaps I'll even be able to get the boy in on it.

If I can't make it back in time for Valentine's Day, I hope yours is lovely, beautiful, marvelous, fab!

Valentimes Again

Tip #2: Buy Used When You Can

I remember the olden days when a couple's idea of fun was to sit around an old transistor radio and listen to "The Masked Bandit" while eating Cracker Jacks. Well, not really, but I bet that's exactly what it was like. Here in good ol' 2009, though, entertainment has to be a little more interactive than that. Videogames are as big or bigger than they were when they were first cropping up in the '80s, so chances are, you or your beau are totally hooked by now. I know I certainly am! My boyfriend bought me a Nintendo DS for Christmas just so he could have his back (I had been holding it hostage for about a year)! Videogames are a lot of fun, and I really don't subscribe to the idea that they make people babbling idiots or violent killers, as long as parents are responsible enough to not allow constant playing and to mind the ratings on the box; and actually, in my experience, a lot of the smartest and nicest people I know are avid gamers. So there's how I feel about that.

Basically, that whole shpiel was meant to bring me to my second tip: it's okay to not buy everything new, and videogames-- as well as CDs and DVDs-- are great examples of this philosophy. If you're buying these kinds of electronics for your significant other, chances are he or she already knows that basically anything on a disc is pretty hard to break. The worst thing that can happen is that the disc get badly scratched, and stores generally check for that kind of damage when they're reselling products. So, if you're buying CDs or DVDs, hit your local Newbury Comics or facsimile therof; if it's a videogame you want, find a Gamestop in your area (and if you go to a Gamestop, keep in mind that if you get an "Edge" card, which is free, you'll save 10% on all your used games. Don't just let the card sit in the back of your wallet behind some Walmart gift card or something, though: if you're never going to use it again, think of it as an extra present for your sweetie).

Do keep in mind, though, new products can be hard to find used.

Happy hunting!


For the Hero Jonsin' for a Mission:

used at gamestop.com: $19.99

You can't go wrong with a Mario game! Everyone's favorite little Italian plumber runs around the Mushroom Kingdom, pulling up radishes or turnips or some other healthy vegetable, in hopes of defeating Bowser to rescue Princess Peach-- and you'd better believe there will be a whole lot of jumping along the way! This is a classic platformer that's sure the please any guy or girl who has a thing for old school Nintendo fun. Plus, I'm a big fan of Birdo. Who doesn't love Birdo?

My Valentine: The Recession

My boyfriend and I believe that you can celebrate a commercial holiday like Valentine's Day without breaking the bank. For the next ten days, I'll be giving you guys some suggestions for fun, recession-proof gifts for your sweetheart. Each day, I'll have one simple tip and one item prepared for your viewing pleasure, in hopes that you'll have a Valentine's Day that's more frugal, but still tons of fun.

Tip #1: Skip the Store-Bought Card
Okay, I know this is a pretty obvious tip, but I think it's worth mentioning. I also know that women tend to go ga-ga over cards, so, seriously, hear me out. I think we've all been in a situation where we spent an hour searching for the perfect card for the perfect person and realized upon reaching the register that "Wait, I just spent six bucks on a card and an envelope?" It all seems a little ridiculous to me; cards are always pleasantly vague, annoyingly specific, shockingly inappropriate, or pointlessly blank (isn't this what we have printers for?) If you really want to get your feelings across, take the time to write out your own Valentine's wishes. If you're good at art, make the front of your card your very own stunning work of art! You're not? How much more endearing is that! I can't draw to save my life, but stick figures holding hands with little hearts above their heads will elicit a smile from even the manliest of men. If you're a good writer, write a love poem. You're not? Just melt your cheesiest of feelings all over the page. Okay, okay, it doesn't have to be all sappy, but you get the point. Basically, it's more thoughtful if you create something for your special guy or girl on your own instead of buying it from a store. Seriously, what's he/she going to do with a giant card that sings the chorus of "You're the Inspiration" every time it's opened? (SIDE NOTE: if this card really exists, I take back everything I just said so that you can send it to me. I'll be forever grateful).

For the Budding Designer:


For only $12 at Fredflare.com, how can you go wrong? I think even someone as origami-inept as I am would love to get this kit all wrapped-up in a little pink bow. The best thing about a gift like this? You and your favorite Valentine can have fun with it together, of course! What's sexier than watching your boy-toy make a pair of paper Laboutins just for you?