Seguins, Feathers, Glitter Oh My!

There is one quote that sums up tonight's episode of Project Runway.

"You put diamonds on the crotch and you are home free!" - Bob Mackie

I am a huge fan of Christina Aguilera but I was not a fan of this week's challenge. I agree with the judges in that none of the designs overly "wow-ed" me. However, Carol Hannah deserved to win. It was flashy in a classic way. Definitely screams Christina!

Gossip Girl on the down...

Is it just me or is Gossip Girl going downhill? They are inviting all these outside celebrities to have cameo appearances on the show. This week Tyra Banks and Hillary Duff made an appearance. I've heard that Hillary Duff will continues to be on the show for a couple of weeks. I was a tad disappointed to hear this. Do they really have to go and "Hollywood-ize" the show? I mean, Hillary Duff plays a famous actress on the show. Cliche much? I guess the writers are starved for dramatic plot. However, I was glad to see that Dan Humphrey came to his senses regarding Georgina. I about vomited when I saw them make out after her rooftop party. Although, according to previews, that does not seem to be the end of Dan and Georgina. It never is! I just hope the show gets rid of their need for celebrity name dropping and returns to their roots that made the show good in the first place.

Paper Dresses

I love these paper dresses. So innovative. Love Project Runway!

A Whole New Meaning to Paper Mache

I am sitting here watching Project Runway and being blown away with the outfits hitting the runway. I was pretty shocked when I found out the challenge was to create a look strictly out of paper. I wouldn't even know where to start! I was amazed at some of the outfits that were "crafted" out of the L.A. Times. I love Christopher's gown. The shield-like bodice with the softness of the feather inspired bottom is the perfect combination of femininity and edge. I thought this dress should have won. However, all of the designers really did create something out of nothing. Overall, it was a really innovative and unique challenge. Loved it!

*I could not find a photo of Christopher's dress because the episode aired 10 minutes ago but I will post it when I see it!

Rachel Zoe visits Marchesa

Tonight's episode of The Rachel Zoe Project centered around the style team trucking up to NYC for Fashion Week. Let me say, what a spread! She was hitting up fashion's hottest designers as if they were her bff. One can only dream! As the plot thickened by the added stress of trying to find a red carpet gown for Anne Hathaway, Rachel decided to make a stop by Marchesa to see if anything would work. This was my favorite part of the episode because those gowns were by far my favorite. I adore Marchesa and think Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig design some of the most romantic and feminine dresses. Here are a couple I can only admire from a distance:

Photos courtesy of Zimbio

Project Runway is Back!

I hope everyone watched the season premiere of Project Runway last week! I thought the first challenge of creating a red carpet look was a good starter. If you can't design atleast a formal dress than get out of town! First thing is first, what was Ari thinking? Mini shorts on a red carpet? That is red flag number one. This outfit looks like something I might wear to a run down night club. Not really the tone we're going for here. Second, the metallic discs that made up her shirt. This would work perfectly if I was planning a trip to Pluto but seeing as though I think Earth will be my permanent residence, I don't see the use for the alien-esque ensemble. I will give props to Ari for being bold. Atleast she took risk. Unfortunately, that risk was just too much for the first challenge. My favorite design of the night was definitely Gordana's. The strapless mini was simple, cute, and figure flattering. Not to mention, I love the sea-foam color. Check it out!

Also, The Rachel Zoe Project premiered this past Monday. Is it just me or is Rachel Zoe gaining quite the clientele? She was styling quite a few of the Hollywood's elite for the Golden Globes including Anne Hathaway, Eva Mendes, Cameron Diaz, Demi Moore, and Debra Messing. My favorite of the night was Eva Mendes, hands down! I love the color contrast of the white dress to the eye-catching teal choker. Doesn't she look fierce!

"Bananas, I die," to quote the style guru herself.

Attention students! Fashion 101 is officially in session so get watchin'!

Photo courtesy of Harper's Bazaar

August Must Sees!

August is finally here! The month where some killer shows premiere another season. Two noteworthy shows returning to television this month are the ever popular Project Runway and the new hit, The Rachel Zoe Project. Time flies when your trying to find the next big talent! Project Runway begins their 6th season on August 20th! This year the show has switched networks and now will air on Lifetime. Honestly, I am sad to see it leave Bravo. I can't really see the show on any other network but obviously Lifetime wanted it more. However, The Rachel Zoe Project debuts it's second season on August 24th on one of my favorite networks, the fabulous Bravo. It should be another drama filled inside look into the stressful world of styling. I can't wait to see both series start up in a couple weeks. 

Did I mention I LOVE Bravo?

Now, on to the next must see..

Everyone knows about the September issue of Vogue as the most important issue of the year. Little behind the scenes of the grit and grind that goes into the fall issue has been available until now.  Cameras go where they have never been allowed to go before in this revolutionary new documentary, The September Issue, to be released in New York on August 28th. For the first time, fashionistas and avid Vogue readers alike will get up close and personal with the most important person in fashion, Anna Wintour, the Editor-in-Chief of Vogue. I was absolutely ecstatic to hear of such an idea and can't wait to get my eyes on it! Check out the trailer.

What I'm Watching

I have recently discovered a new show that I think I will be seriously addicted to. I watch very few shows regularly these days but I have found a good one for all those Gossip Girl fans out there. Bravo launched a new reality series that depicts the lives of the Manhanntan elite entitled NYC Prep. Cameras follow the daily events and dramatic story plots that make up the lives of a select group of prep school kids stirring up trouble in the big city. It reminded me a great deal of Gossip Girl but I think it is better because these are real teens living these lives. I love it! I like it so much I feel like I know them and the season has just started. I recommend checking it out. It airs Tuesday nights on Bravo. This is one dose of reality you should definitely consider.

Media and Fashion Unite

I found this article on Twitter and it really caught my eye. LA Times blogger, Booth Moore, highlighted a huge collaboration between the world of media and fashion with the new merchandiser in town, Bravo TV. Usually, if you saw a cute accessory from your favorite show, that cable network would direct you to a site where you could purchase that item. Not now! Bravo is the first network to eliminate the middle man. Now, networks are retailers. Like Moore, I noticed this on the Project Runway spinoff, The Fashion Show, where the winning designs were ordered and bought right off bravotv.com. I thought, "Now isn't that convenient." I don't know why someone never thought of this before. It is a genius idea and I'm stoked that Bravo, one of my favorite networks, was the first to do it!

Click here to read the LA Times article

Season Finale of The Hills

The events that took place during the hour season finale of The Hills were definitely dramatic but not entirely surprising. We all knew there were going to be shockers. For example, we knew that Lauren would end up attending the wedding and that Kristin would make an appearance solely because media coverage broke the news before the show ending up airing on MTV. 

I have to say I was disappointed that Lauren ended up attending "Speidi's" wedding at the last minute. She put up all this talk about how showing up would be an act of supporting something she did not agree with and claimed she couldn't do that. However, once again the producers win out. In the after-show interview with Lauren, she admits the producers pressured her about attending the wedding. Both the producers and best bud, Brody, convinced her that she would regret not going to the most important event in Heidi's life. I believe it was all just one big scheme to provide for a surprise twist to the end of the season. I really wish Lauren would have stuck up for how she felt and chose not to attend. It just goes to show that you can persuade anyone to do anything. Oh well, my LC stock just plummeted. 

Now that Lauren is leaving, the show's producers are trying to reinvent the show by replacing her with the return of Kristen Cavallari. The only thing this sneaky maneuver shows is how desperate producers are to keep The Hills as one of the top reality shows. They just need to realize that no LC equals no Hills. Period. 

The Shows of Yesterday

Today, I found myself sifting through old shows that I used to watch religiously and have seem to disappear with the time. What did I stumble across today? I watched an episode of Everwood online. It has been quite a while since this series aired on what was The WB. I forgot how much I loved this show! I found many episodes available online to watch at my leisure. Now, all I need is a day with nothing planned so I can have my own personal Everwood marathon. Sometimes it is nice to revisit past television series that got you through :)

Leighton Knocks 'Em Dead

Photo by myfashionlife.com

After watching the MTV Music Awards, there were some hits and misses on the red carpet. However, I am happy to say there were a lot of hits. My pick for best dressed is clearly Leighton Meester in a Emilio De La Morena cut-out dress. The form fitting dress accentuates her cute figure in the most flattering way. The dress introduces a modern twist on a classic, little black dress. I found the cut-outs to be very edgy and appealing to the eye. I couldn't help but take multiple second glances as if the dress was a puzzle I was dying to figure it out. Her dress was a much improved fashion statement compared to her Louis Vuitton ensemble at the MET Costume Institute Gala last month. She found a way to still be unique without going overboard. Congrats Leighton. You have won my vote as best dressed!

What will we do without you, LC?

Anyone who knows me knows that I love The Hills. There are only two episodes left! And, it was announced that Lauren Conrad will be leaving the show and "replaced" by Kristen Cavallari. Not to psyched about that. I was never her biggest fan. Honestly, Whitney left and now Lauren? I don't know what the show will be like without them. It may be the end of the show for me as well. Too bad...

While I'm on the topic of The Hills, Lauren had to fire Stephanie on this week's episode. It is sad to say but I couldn't help but laugh throughout the whole thing. I mean really, Stephanie?! I know the show is somewhat scripted and they edit it to make people appear a certain way but I really hope you are smarter than this show makes you look. If I looked like that on television, I would cry. She can't be that retarded, can she?!

Seeing as though The Hills might be going down the drain, anyone know when The City is coming back?! hehe

Running in Heels Finale

So, I have been watching this new reality series on the style network called Running in Heels. It is a reality show that follows the triumphs and struggles of 3 interns at Marie Claire magazine. I am so glad I found out about this because it had me hooked right from the start. With all of the reality shows out there, this one is different and fresh. I know a lot of struggling  young adults will find this insightful as they too try to make it in such a competitive market for jobs. The finale was last week and I have to say I was pretty shocked that Talita was the one offered a position with Marie Claire. I think it was apparent that Samantha was not cut off for the magazine industry so it was really between Talita and Ashley. There was a lot of criticism of everyone throughout the show so I thought no one would be given a job out of the internship but it looks like Talita got the lucky lottery ticket on this one. I hope they do another season because I would never miss an episode!

Photo provided by The Style Network