Sunday, March 15, 2009

Ta-Ta for Now!

Hey guys! Just a quick farewell post. I had fun keeping this blog, for the short time that it lasted! I hope you enjoyed reading it as well.

Blogging was definately a new experience for me, and I am very very glad I gave it a shot!

I hope my advice was interesting to read and helpful.

Maybe I will be inspired someday to start another one, but "TA-TA FOR NOW!"

Thanks for your support :)

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

"Shoes" Slideshow!

Hey everyone! Keeping with the shoe trend, I just made a slide show picturing all the shoes I come across on a daily basis. I hope this shows the variety of shoes that are available and how you can "judge" some one's personality by the shoes they are wearing. It was definitely fun taking all of the pictures. The song is called "Accessorize" and is a free download! I hope you enjoy it!

Paris Fashion Week on the Wrap




Paris Fashion week is coming to close very soon! On a quick trip to Google, while researching how the shows are coming along, I came across some of the shoes that have been hitting the runway! And when I say "hitting" I mean actually "hitting." These things, because that is what they look like, are absolutely crazy (see above!).
Nina Ricci-- The designer of the purple and black futuristic shoes.
Christian Louboutin-- The designer of the white and black pumps. I do not suggest wearing these if you plan on being anywhere near another human being because they will most likely have a bleeding leg by the end of the night.
This is just a quick update. I could not resist once I saw this! If you don't believe me, check it out for yourself at The Examiner.
And speaking of shoes, be looking for another slideshow coming soon!




Monday, March 9, 2009

Swimwear 2009

May I suggest the latest swimwear fashions of 2009? Hopefully none of these will break the bank, especially since this is the time of year most start revamping their spring wardrobes.



Of course, the typical two-piece bikini is showing up in stores all over. Most tie around the neck, but some can be found with straps. Others have no straps and fit like a tube top. This is ideal for those who do not like tan lines.



The key here is fit. Everyone wants to believe they are a size smaller than they really are. Buying a bathing suit that fits will only make you look and feel smaller. Too much cleavage or too much butt showing is not attractive.

One pieces are also back. They are however much different than the one pieces of the past. Most are "cut out" through the back and/or sides. This is not the type of bathing suit for someone who is trying to cover up most of their body. If you would wear a two piece, you may want to check these out.

Traditional one pieces can be found. but they are much harder to come by.

Check out the latest styles here:

Target
Victoria's Secret
Lane Bryant

Monday, March 2, 2009

Latest in the Shoe Aisle :)

I was wandering around the mall the other day, and noticed all of the stores have taken their winter shoes off the shelves (even though it is still FREEZING outside) and replaced them with their spring and summer collections. The bright colors and decorative features caught my eye immediately.

Here are some common trends I noticed throughout all of the stores:

1. Bright Colors-- Oranges, pinks, purples and white all stood out among the normal grey and black that are found year round.

2. Flowers used as details-- Flats and heels alike had flower embellishments to add a decorative flavor. This type of shoe will act as an accessory to any outfit. They would pair perfect with a simple outfit, that way the attention is directed toward the shoe.

3. Skins used as materials-- I always have considered snake skin and alligator skin a winter shoe material. The skin has been dyed for color enhancement, making them appropriate for the upcoming seasons.

4. Sandals-- As always, sandals will be a must have for spring. This season's replicate a more Greek-like style. They are all flat bottomed and most wrap up around the ankle area.

When I researched this topic, I found a Web site that talks about the trends I noticed. Check it out: http://www.jurgita.com/articles-id2973.html

Check out these stores as well:
http://www.aldoshoes.com/
http://www.stevemadden.com/
http://www.bakersshoes.com/
http://www.ninewest.com/

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Spring Trends--Straight from NYC Fashion Week

Fashion week showed many wearable trends for this spring. Some should be left to the celebrities to wear, but many call be worn by the everyday person.

1. Color-- Magenta and hot pinks are in this season. My personal favorite. I cannot wait to wear this color. Everyone can be happy about this choice because it flatters many skin tones well. It pops off of dark skin tones and adds a glowing touch to those who have lighter tones.

2. Black and White-- Wear them together this season. Match them up by layers, or wearing one on the top and the other on the bottom. Black and white prints are also going to be found in the stores, especially in dresses.

3. Mix and match patterns-- Not something I will be found in, but it was all over the runway. Mix stripes with shapes and the same pattern in different colors.

4. 80s-like-- These trends are featuring bright colors and cropped jackets. Pair bright colored jackets with a pair of jeans

5. Boho- Flowing dresses, tie up sandals, and beaded necklaces. Hippie appeal.

For more wearable trends that were seen at Fashion Week check out:
http://www.glamour.com/fashion/2008/09/spring-2009-fashion-weeks-most-wearable-trends?slide=3

Oh..and give your skinny jeans a rest, relaxed fit it back!

SLIDESHOW!!

Oscars!

Hey everyone. I hope you enjoyed the Oscars! Who cares who won...let's talk FASHION!

Black seemed to be the trend this year. This may be because black is known to be slimming and none of the stars wanted to be on the cover of any magazine or the front page of the newspaper with a headline stating something about them gaining weight. But probably not. Black is also very elegant and classy, characteristics deemed appropriate for the Oscars.

(For some reason I am unable to load my pick for best and worse, but check them out here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bonnie-fuller/oscar-gowns-the-best-the_b_169001.html)

My favorite was Taraji Henson in a white Roberto Cavalli gown. It was absolutely flattering on her body and had a very soft and elegant feel to it! I loved how the white contrasted with her dark skin tone. The flow of the dress was beautiful and I feel it was a perfect fit.

My worsed dressed was Beyonce. WOW! I normally feel Beyonce always looks stunning in anything she throws on, but this was a disaster. She looked like she was wearing a mix from a traditional Chinese Kimono robe and something a Matador may wear while fighting a bull, turned into a dress. Designers are probably dying to have Beyonce wear one of his or her gowns, so why this one?

All-in-all, I enjoyed the gowns of the Oscars this year! I felt most stars were on the best dressed side of the spectrum than on the worst dressed side.

Check this out for more Oscar gown commentary: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090223/ap_en_ce/oscars_fashion;_ylt=Am563GsmvMd4g40xvD7dEF9PWrsF

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Spring Break!

So Spring Break is right around the corner and that means bathing suits and the beach! I personally cannot wait to be laying out under the Florida sun!

The thought of squeezing into my bathing suit makes me a little uneasy, but there is always someone at the beach that looks worse than you do (what? it is true!) Bathing suits show every little imperfection and can bring about negative body image thoughts.

I feel it is important to realize Spring Break is only a week. Is it really worth starting unhealthy habits for a week of fun? The people you meet will unlikely ever see you again, so it is okay! Your friends (if they are "true" friends will not care what you look like in your bathing suit!)

If you feel you need to shed a few pounds in the next couple weeks, that is fine, but do it in a healthy manner. Start exercising and eating more healthy, but stay clear of diet pills and unhealthy eating habits.

Spring break is all about relaxing and having a good time, not how you look in a bathing suit!

Enjoy! And remember the sun screen :)

Monday, February 9, 2009

Worst Dressed

I was watching the Grammy Awards last night and noticed some of the stars must have predetermined to look like a dinner table. Jennifer Hudson looked as if she was wearing a napkin ducked taped to the front of a black dress when she accepted her award, Katie Perry was dressed as a fruit basket, and MIA looked as if she was wearing a scandalous table cloth (not to mention she was supposed to give birth to her baby the same day!)

I have to say Jennifer Hudson reedemed herself when she performed. Her dress was beautiful and very flattering.

With all the money and resources that are available, I find it so hard to believe that everyone does not make the best dressed list!

Check out photos at http://www.grammy.com/.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

PODCAST

Hey, hey. Check out my podcast! It is just of two of my friends (one mainly..hogging all the attention) having a little fashion talk! :)

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Jessica Simpson--Fat?

Maybe you have or haven't heard the latest celebrity news. Jessica Simpson has put on a few pounds and the media is calling her "fat." I don't know about any of you, but I find it hard to believe that Jessica Simpson is actually what I would call fat. Is she still fitting in her daisy dukes? Maybe not, but that does not make someone fat. Most women in the United States would not even be able to squeeze one leg in the shorts she wore for the movie, The Dukes of Hazard.

Her trainer has been quoted saying she is "healthy and happy." What is wrong with that? Absolutely nothing in my opinion! Not everyone is made to be a size 2 or wants to be a size 2. I feel it is sad that she is getting such negative press because she no longer fits in Hollywood's standard of what a woman should look like.

The average size a woman wears in the U.S. is a size 12-14. I don't understand why or how what size someone wears can make them fat or skinny. No ones body is made the same.

President Obama also commented on Simpson's weight. In an interview with Matt Lauer. He was quoted saying Jessica Simpson is "in a weight battle" after being shown a magazine cover featuring a picture of his family as well as Simpson. Was he reading the caption or stating his opinion? You be the judge. Check out the video: http://newsbusters.org/blogs/warner-todd-huston/2009/02/02/nbc-obama-calls-singer-jessica-simpson-fat

Thursday, January 29, 2009

10 Easy Tips!

These are easy tips anyone can follow to make things easier!

1. Try on all of your favorite clothes. Take notes on how they fit and flatter you. Then shop for similar colors, fabrics, shapes and lengths.

2. A slim v-neck makes the neck appear longer and is usually very flattering.

3. Stilettos make your legs looks long and lean. Find a comfortable pair! It is worth it.

4. Shoulder bags are the easiest to carry around and the most flattering.

5. Yes, black is slimming, but it is OK to buy colors and actually wear them.

6. Go to a department store or Victoria Secret (or same type of store) and get measured for your proper bra size. Most women are not wearing the correct size. You will see a difference in support, comfort, and you will look better in your clothes.

7. Wear a belt around your mid-section. It is an added accessory and breaks up the stomach area.

8. Don't buy the first thing you try on. Most likely you will find it cheaper somewhere else. You may also find a similar look somewhere else that may be more flattering. If not go back to the original store.

9. Panty lines. No one wants to see them. Invest in a good pair of panties, or maybe a thong.

10. You don't have to look like everyone else. Fashion is all about personal flare. Find your fashion nitch and rock it!

Also, check out TLC's What Not to Wear. Love this show!

Monday, January 26, 2009

My favorite store

This is my favorite place to shop. The prices are resonable, but some stuff is kind of expensive in my opinion. The sale prices are normally awesome deals and who doesn't like buying things on sale!

Check it out: http://www.express.com/

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Get this Look!


Hello All! I was browsing through one of my favorite dress designers Elie Saab and came upon a dress I fell in love with. Of course no one in their right mind can afford to buy it. But that is okay!


A quick background session on Elie Saab. He is a red carpet favorite for many celebrities. He began designing dress at age 9. End of story... He is AMAZING!
The dress is to the left, obviously. This is why I love it: a very unique color, it can be "classy" with the black tights, but can also be "sexy" with a bare leg and different shoes (say silver stilettos!).



Friday, January 16, 2009

Does this make me look fat?

I was talking to a friend recently about my idea for this blog and she told me a story about a first grade little girl. The little girl was expressing to her sister (who is my friend's friend, confusing I know!) that she needed to go on a diet. Really? A six year old on a diet. Although the rates of childhood obesity have sky rocketed, this little girl does not fit in that category.

To me, that is sad. Growing up I was a little "chunk." I was not born with the body shape to ever be a size 2, nor do I have the desire to be that small. By middle school I naturally had grown out of most of my "baby fat." To think that a six year old feels she needs to change her body image makes me sick to my stomach. How does someone of that age even know what a diet is, let alone feel she needs to already conform to society's norms of what makes a woman "pretty."

I really have enjoyed the Dove campaign for "real beauty." Not only does the campaign target middle aged women, but currently the home page of the Web site has children pictured. I feel strongly that more campaigns of this type would be hugely successful because this type of message, "real beauty," is not heard of very often.

Everyday women are exposed to air-brushed women on magazine covers, people who have had plastic surgery to look the way they do, and dangerously skinny actresses. Being exposed to so many of these images make women feel as if this is a reality when really it is a Hollywood perception of what makes someone beautiful.

I am all for living a healthy lifestyle, eating proper foods, and exercising regularly. There comes a point though when "heredity" takes over and it is out of your control.

The fashion industry also plays on this "be skinny" theme. "Skinny jeans" and "slim fit" are terms used in every store I have ever been in. I own skinny jeans and slim fit shirts, but I do not look like the models shown on store Web sites or the manakins displayed throughout the store, proving a woman does not have to look like that to wear the style. (I will continue this topic another day!)

The bottom line is young girls need more positive role models in their lives to tell them it is acceptable to be different and that not everyone in the world looks like the superstars they see on TV everyday.

Check out the Dove campaign Web site!
http://www.campaignforrealbeauty.com/

This video is also amazing to watch!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYhCn0jf46U

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

WELCOME!

Hi everyone! Welcome to "Spitting Image!" I am excited to start this new experience of blogging. I have to say I am a little nervous, but anxious to see the results.

Spitting Image will be a focus on the fashion industry. I hope to focus on current fashions trends and how normal, everyday people can become the "spitting image" of the models' attire on the runway.

My second focus will be to discuss how young women in today's society feel as if they also need to be the "spitting image" of how the media portrays "beautiful women." Beauty does not come in specific shapes and sizes. It has become an increasingly dangerous trend to be too skinny.

Coordinating both ideas is also a goal of mine. I hope to show my readers that popular trends can be manipulated to fit all types of women.

Please check out the following blogs! They all have some kind of relation to the goals I am striving for.

Thank you! Be looking for a new post on Thursday!