Brow Wow

Hi brow, low brow, thin brow, bleach brow, uni-brow, no-brow...Which do you prefer? The trend on the runways (again) is the shape of the eyebrow.  Now, personally, I have had "bushy" eyebrows before (which was once all the rage), and I have had brows arched to the heavens...but I have never had "zero" brows! No brows what-so-ever is what rocks the catwalk now! I can't believe that it is fashionable to look like the Bride of Frankenstein, but apparently this look is very haute coutour!  Pat McGrath (I am her stalker) reinvented this look from the 1970's for the Spring 2009 shows and every one *gulp* loved it! Fashion is all about risks, but I don't know if I can take a razor to my face (especially if I don't have to)! But guess what...you don't have to! Many of the models on the runway use something like molding clay to mask their brows (hey, we do it in the Theater all the time) or they put heavy makeup on them.   But how long will this trend stay? Who knows...but for now it is rocking the runways!

Fabulous Black Friday...Deals Not So Fabulous

Black Friday Ads 2009 on Amazon
Originally uploaded by bestbuyproducts

There were many adds prior to the Holiday touting the amazing deals that were to be had on the Friday after Turkey Day. It turns out the hoopla and the anticipation were both overrated! Too bad;  the "tent people" (people who camped out the night before the Friday sales) could have stayed in their warm and comfy beds and joined the jamboree at 7:00 rather than 5:00! For the most part, there were a few deals but none over flowing.

For instance Game Stop allowed you to advance order an XBox 360 Elite with expanded memory for $299; you basically could put the system in lay-away for six weeks with as little as $25 down.  I personally took advantage of this little steal! Since electronics and gaming systems are all the rage every holiday season, the grand papa of electronics, Best Buy, offered name brand 32" Plasma T.V.'s for as low as $299, and an XBox 360 Elite Holiday Bundle for $299 - the bundle included 2 packaged games: Lego Batman and Pure, then 4 additional games!

On the beauty/fashion side of things, I wasn't so impressed.  Macy's had some OK deals on shoes - up to 40% off; but many of the styles were last season and the name brands were maybe $20-$30 off the regular price. There were many "beauty bundles" available disguised as "gift sets" all over the place, but no real deals on name brand cosmetics.

So Tent People, for future reference, check out the many steals"online" instead of waiting "in line!"  Until the recession is over folks there won't be many deals on the horizon.

Mad Men Design Inspiration

BH&G 1961 Contemporary
Originally uploaded by vintagegoodness

Ooh and Whee! It is no secret that I love AMC's Mad Men (see previous posts). The T.V. show has given way to all things retro; history, fashions and design! Mmmm....can't you smell the formica? Take a trip down memory lane by grabbing an old family photo album or walk into any furniture store; and before you can say "H.R. Puffin Stuff", you have been transported back in time! Look at the pretty colors! Ikea always has great design ideas that feature the geometric shapes of the 60's. Or for more down to earth appeal, try Rooms to Go or Living Spaces. All of these furniture stores have online sites as well...cool baby!

YMEMKY7YB2N3

Lady GaGa: A shock to the system!

Lady GaGa
Originally uploaded by M1ARifles.com

I love Lady GaGa! Stefani (her real name) has turned the music and the fashion industry on it's ass! Just like Madonna did 25 years ago, Lady GaGa is shocking, scaring, and amazing everyone....especially me. It isn't that she is doing or wearing anything original, but she is having fun and it shows. She takes risks without courting "The Fame" but she gladly welcomes it. She is glam rock, disco and Studio 54 all rolled up into one hell of a musician. She has brought back performance art in fashion - the outrageous, the fun and the daring. You go GaGa!

Air Jordan Retro XI 2009 Space Jam...Again!

Air Jordan Retro XI 2009 Space Jam
Originally uploaded by Sneaker Maniac

I remember when the Michael Jordan "Space Jam" shoes were introduced in 1996.  As a native of Chicago, I have had a crush on Michael Jordan since I was 17! The man is dipped in chocolate waiting to be devoured...oh sorry! I just had a small hallucination; Anyway, the shoes made their debut the same time that the movie opened and became a part of the Michael Jordan sport shoe dynasty.  Mike's shoes are not only legendary but a collector's wet dream!  There are many sites dedicated to the collector of MJ's shoes so you can always check those out, or go on ebay to take your chances, but beware! These kicks aren't cheap; The retail price starts at $175!  That's a lot of shopping trips to the mall and yogurtland.

After the Madness...

Well wanna be's, I think I am over my Jimmy Choo shopping "smack down."   As I mentioned in the previous post, the fiasco that was the opening of the Jimmy Choo line at H&M, was more like opening night of the WWE!  Horrible coordination by H&M staff, unruly shoppers, limited space in the store for regular shoppers (let alone those shopping the Jimmy Choo line), long lines at the registers and overall...exhausting! But in the end, my persistence (and callous-preventing shoe insoles) prevailed and I went home with my pair of candy apple red Jimmy Choo shoes!

1000 wanna be's line up for Jimmy Choo...Was it worth it?

It was estimated that over 1000 people lined up for the unveiling of the Jimmy Choo line at H&M at the Beverly Center in Los Angeles today.  Some wanna be's slept in the parking lot of the mall to be one of the first to be given the "golden wristbands" that granted them the privilege of shopping the collection first. Well, it didn't go as smoothly as anyone hoped.  More of the fiasco after the jump.
The event itself would have made Carrie Bradshaw push aside her Manolos...but the poor coordination of the the crowd (once inside of the store), soured the entire experience.  For starters, the coveted wristbands were given to the first 160 people in line. The stores did not open until 10:00 am, but no one (not even wristband holders) were allowed inside of the store until 10:15.  Once the wristband holders were inside of the store, they were allowed to shop the collection until 12:15 - the wanna be's would be allowed in after that.   During this time, H&M security (wearing FBI issued black suits) allowed groups of the general public inside to shop around the store (not the collection).   At first, the coordination seemed to working like clockwork; a few shoppers were let in so that the store didn't get too crowded...but then the H&M powers that be (dressed in Purple Jimmy Choo T-shirts) told security to let ALL of the people in! So basically, the remaining line of oh, 150 people went running like a stampede into the already crowded store!Once the herd was corraled inside, the first thing you saw was that the front of the store was a free for all; several fashion items were brought out on the arms of employees (who had to be thinking that H&M doesn't pay them enough to put up with this kind of madness), who put the clothes on racks and let the rabid shoppers pounce! People were throwing clothes left and right! As quickly as the clothes were gone, they were replenished.  Yes, that is a good thing; but bad when you have people on top of people and no order of service!

"Mad Men" Threads

60's Fashion Montage by Karen62 on Polyvore.com

Items in this set:
Pages.prototypevintage.com dress
Poshgirlvintage.com dress
Pages.prototypevintage.com dress
Poshgirlvintage.com dress
Poshgirlvintage.com dress

The 60's are back with a vengeance due to "Mad Men" mania!  I wasn't born until (well never you mind); but I remember the hats my great-grandmother had and the pointed-toed shoes, and the swing coats that she wore.  Even my grandmother inherited he mother's sense of style; she had fabulous coats, shoes galore and BIG HAIR!  Many of these Mod fashions can still be seen on the runway in both clothes as well as accessories.  So go rummage through your grandmother's closet; you may find some really "it" items!

4 Days and Counting...

Hey Wanna Be's! The Ogre is currently working on some entries for the blog while still working for "Da Man." There are only 4 days left until Jimmy Choo makes its debut at H&M! Be sure to check which stores in your area will carry the Brand, because not all H&M stores will. 

4 Days and Counting....*Cue evil Austin Powers voice*

Say it ain't so! Vogue get's hit by the Recession!

Condé’s Cuts Come to Vogue


This is sort of a fashion blog post...almost.  But I could not believe that "The Bible" got hit by job cuts! I thought Anna Wintour had a special gang of cronies that kept the rag mag recession proof, but I guess not.  It is sad to hear not only for my favorite magazine, but for the millions of Americans who find themselves unemployed.  10% should be a dividend; not the highest unemployment rate since 1983!

Barbie Couture in Black

BarbieCollector.com - Welcome to the official Mattel site for Barbie Collector

If Byron Lars made shoelaces I would buy them! This African-American designer has been designing for Mattel for more than a decade and his doll designs are as fabulous as his fashion line for Beauty Mark.

Ooh...for the Smell of it!

There are many interesting people on the metro train. There are men and women who are dressed casually, and there are men and women who are dressed for work in their finest suits and ensembles, smelling to bloody high hell! Let me clarify...this isn't just bad "BO"; this is an attempt to cover up the BO with drugstore body sprays! With watering eyes I beg you all to please, please, please run far away from the Axe, Tag, and the Paco Rabban! And ladies do not wear the Jean Nate that you found when you pillaged your dead grandmother's closet!  Instead, try some refreshing and light sprays for both men and women. Bath and Body Works offers great scents and "splash" for the body for both men and women, that don't overpower the senses.  And the great Calvin Klein has an intoxicating body splash from the CK Fragrance line.  These are just several suggestions, but the real key is to wear something that is acceptable for the day, compatible with your body chemistry and doesn't come out and hit anyone over the head!  A body spray should be alluring and subtle! Not a chemical weapon of destruction.


  VKTG8PJV7MCK

Military Might

I just love the fact that the military trend NEVER goes out of style! More on how I love this look after the jump.
Look at this hip, trendy and funky looking military jacket...I purchased this jacket from The Limited in 1991! See wanna be's, there are many fashion staples that you can wear over, and over and over again. The runways still feature some of these pieces with many looks. I like to pair it with other trends that are hot now such as a ruffle collar shirt and a great pair of jeans. Let's give a really long distance shout out to the late Michael Jackson *insert flickering candle* for keeping the military trend alive and well! Now all I need is a rhinestone studded glove...

Foundation, Foundation, Foundation!

Ever since I was able to wear makeup at the age of 18 (I had a very strict grandmother), I have never, ever found the perfect foundation for my skin tone! Sure, I have found colors that almost match, that kinda look good in certain lighting and that are full of promises of a better complexion, but they were all lies! Take a look at the makeup I have collected over the years in this fashionable (albeit nasty) makeup case! I have "made do" with inadequate foundations until now.  I have found the perfect system for a really flawless complexion and brightens the skin naturally.  Smashbox is the answer for me! I love their foundation which feels like silk when I put it on and it doesn't cake up to make me look like a drag queen. The High Definition Healthy FX Foundation is what my face craves, the bronze pressed powder is not too drying, the Hybrid 2 in 1 luminizing primer is a canvasas' dream, and the Photo Op under eye brightener gets rid of the dark circles under my eyes after partying all night (not really). High Definition is all of the rage now, and Smashbox has taken the lead in this arena!  So, I guess I can clean out this makeup case now...

Only 2 Places to get Jimmy Choo in L.A.!

Well, after a short break to deal with a little "swine flu" scare, this Fashionista is back! Ok wanna be's, there are 11 days until Jimmy Choo comes to H & M.  I think in my delirium I tweeted today that the countdown was 14 days! Oh well...Unfortunately, if you live in Los Angeles, there are only 2 stores that will carry the line (at least that is what the general manager at the Beverly Center told me). Ok you can get your Choo fix at the following:

H &M Beverly Center
8500 Beverly Blvd. 
Los Angeles, CA. 90048
*The entire Jimmy Choo collection will be sold at this store*

*Queue will begin in front of the Quiznos*

H & M Sunset
8580 Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA. 90069
*Only certain pieces from the Jimmy Choo line will be sold here*

*Queue will begin outside of the store*


Wanna be's,  be sure to know that you will be waiting in line for a bit! Stores do not open until 10:00 a.m.  See my previous post on how the queue will be handled at the Beverly Center location.