Archive: August, 2008
Here are some of Jessica's tips:
"Looking for the right scent can be overwhelming. There are an incredible number of interesting fragrances to choose from, so it's hard to know where to start. I suggest checking out one of the many perfume blogs and websites for perfume lovers to see what's new. You'll learn about new launches, and can read wonderfully descriptive reviews that will bring the scents to life. Write down anything that looks interesting to you (whether the reviewer loved it or hated it!) and then go and sniff. Try to limit the number of scents that you sample at one time since your nose can literally become fatigued when bombarded with too much at once. Keep in mind that smelling something on a tester strip doesn't give you a good idea of what it will smell like when worn on the skin. Whenever possible, bring samples home, and try them one day at a time. This will allow you to get a feeling for how the fragrances wears over time, and how it works on your skin. Take risks. Try something that is out of your comfort zone -you may surprise yourself. Some of my favorite scents were those that I initially skipped over thinking they weren't for me. Have fun and experiment!"
Now Smell This
We think Asante Sammuel is the Eagles new hottie! What with those long locks, million dollar smile and tight uniform? Left corner. Right corner. We don't care. He's easy on the eyes. What do you think?
Something else I'm late on, but I must share. As I walked down 13th Street with new Philadelphia transplant, Kelly Williams of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, I stumbled into the sweet smelling duross & langel. Honestly, I so wanted to stop at Capogiro for some evening gelato, but I was distracted by the wonderfully flavored soap that ranged from peanutbutter and jelly to fragrant chocolate cherry. I love the lip balms! I should buy a balm for my sore muscles! There are fragrant candles in sexy masculine and fruity feminine fragrances. I bought a pomegranate one I can't wait to light. All of the products are made on the second floor of the building. Interesting, right? Brown sugar body scrub, here I come. LUSH, watch out. Did you know about duross & langel? How much do you love it?
So men are shopping more than women? And they are moving beyond the baggy. It's about time. I don't know about you, but I hope Philadelphian men take notice and let go of the tired white T. What I can't believe is that we have the slim fit to thank. According to NPD Market Research, menswear sales climbed. 0.8 percent in the year ended in May, while womenswear sales fell 3.5 percent. We can thank shrunken suits of designers like Pennsylvania's own Thom Browne and Ralph Lauren. It also seems recently men have been inspired by the svelte cuts of slick-haired actors in AMC's Mad Men - which I finally watched and like, more on that later. This could be dangerous. Last year, I wrote a story about this very trend and I found that American men were feeling to stout to pull the trend off. One too many cheesesteaks, eh? I say if the shrunken suit fits well, go for it. But if this doesn't work, we could be in danger of seeing male muffin tops Oh perish the thought! Guys, do you rock the shrunken suit look? Women, do you like to see your men in them?
There is something about Polaroid pictures that are wonderfully vintage, but at the same time slightly sad as it means, darn it, I's getting old! While perusing the Philadelphia Weekly's style blog, I came across this really cute Polaroid necklace. It's available at this web boutique, Shana Logic; which at first glance is a sort of dELiA's meets Claire's on-line. The cool thing is the necklace is just $15. Oh, how I wish it was in my budget, but this weekend I'll be checking out Philadelphia Runners in search of the perfect running shoe. Half-marathon, here I come. Oh, I hope I'll be motivated by the Summer Olympics this weekend.
I'm kind of torn how Ralph Lauren dressed the American athletes for the opening ceremonies of the Olympics. Maybe I can't get passed the idea that athletic wear should be comfortable, not dressy. It should be soft and pliable. I don't think athletes - check out Kobe here - should look like they are going to High Tea. It's so pretentious. But that's exactly how Ralph Lauren dressed the Americans. He harkened a bygone era. True, it's nice to see people looking crisp and Americans need a good polishing up. It's just that this look: this pressed navy blue jacket, and white beret and cream pants esemble - reminds me of a time when all Americans weren't equal. And that's a frightening image to project on the world's stage in 2008. What do you think? By the way pieces will be available at Polo stores and on-line soon.
As I scrambled for work this morning, I listened to Good Morning America host Robin Roberts interview our next possible choice for First Lady, Michelle Obama. They were talking about style. Roberts, herself dressed in a sleek business suit, asked Obama what it feels like to be a style icon. (I think it's fabulous that a black woman is referred to icon in this country, who is not singing... no offense to Ms. Ross.) She talked about the White House/Black Market Dress Obama wore on the view. And then Roberts asked her how she really feels about fashion.
And then came Obama's fantastic fantabulous answer, "I'm just a Tomboy who likes to look pretty." How many of us can relate to that? I'm sure Roberts did. Who says you can't be rough and tumbly and appreciate fashion too? The two don't cancel each other out. Whoohoo! That should be a vitamin boosts for girls everywhere. This is the kind of self expression we need. It got me to thinking about possible Tomboys with a feminine swagger: Lisa Leslie, Venus and Serena Williams, Kelly Rippa. Can you think of any others? Are you excited about how Obama is about to change America's views of women?
So what do we think about celebrities turning their kids into mini-mes? It's interesting if nothing else. I saw in Tuesday's New York Daily News that Kate Hudson and her son Ryder were sporting the same wavy blond do. And that made me think of Suri Cruise and Katie Holmes. Can you think of any other kids who are spitting images of their famous parents?
We were thinking the latest internet theft may make us cut down on our shopping. Yesterday, according to this story, the computers at some of my favorite fashion haunts: T.J. Maxx, Forever 21 and DSW were hacked into by a devious ring of peoples looking for unsecured networks. The thieves stole more than 40 million numbers and sold them on the internet for $1. Check your account and pay cash for your fashions until otherwise noted. What a fashion downer.
And why is Tyra Banks attempting to play Michelle Obama inside the fall fashion issue of Harper's Bazaar? Is this really necessary? That's the word on Bossip.com. I agree with the swanky urban gossip site, Banks does look more like a "Stepford wife." A purple dress does not Michelle Obama make. What do you think?
