Big Names Worth Big Bucks?

So MSN.com's Lifestyle section runs a weekly column by the Beauty Director of Marie Claire Magazine, Ying Chu. She's usually got some fun things to say and this week she answers the question: Are designer eye shadows worth the cost or can you get the same look using drugstore eye shadows?

or ?

Here's what she had to say:

"There are a ton of brands that offer top-quality makeup at drugstore prices—including L’Oréal, Cover Girl, and Revlon. If you’re trying out a new look (peacock blue eyes?), then experiment with something inexpensive at first. If you grow to love a trend and want to wear it regularly, then you can invest in something pricier. Sometimes, a more expensive brand can offer a wider range of colors, or really beautiful packaging (I’m a sucker for both), but the formula inside can be similar to what’s found at the drugstore."

Personally, I've never been a fan of drugstore eye shadows. I know, I know, some brands charge outrageous prices and I should be praising the likes of Maybelline and Cover Girl for providing an inexpensive option... But I just can't do it. While I adore many drugstore products, like mascara, I just don't think the eye shadows measure up.

The pigments and textures just can't compare to the high-end shadows from Chanel and Dior. Not even close to the mid-priced, but just as fabulous, brands like MAC and Urban Decay. They just don't seem to last on me and I firmly believe that the higher quality of ingredients in the more expensive shadows is well worth the price.

Of course, Chu has a point when she says to experiment with the drugstore products... But I say head on down to Sephora and try stuff out there. They have the best return policy on the planet so if you don't like it, just give it back!

So that's my view on the drugstore-high-end debate. What's yours?

[photo credits: covergirl.com, chanel.com]

Okay, for real this time! The BIG Winner is...

Kathleen M!!!

Congratulations on your BIG win!

Enjoy the prize pack and let us all know how you like it!

Thanks again to everyone else who participated and remember to keep checking back for other fun opportunities!

Good luck next time!

Have a fabulous night!

Newsflash Rachel Zoe... I don't care what you have to say.

Early this morning I got a nice little surprise in my inbox. HauteLook sent me a lovely message detailing an exclusive look at the latest Fall Trends from Rachel Zoe.

Uhm... I am supposed to care because...?

I am not a fan of Rachel Zoe. I think the woman has a few good ideas that she has been milking for years and it's really grating on my nerves. The messy-hair-over-sized-sunglasses-boho-layers-too-much-jewelry-larger-than-life-size-bag look is all fine and dandy - if you want to spend your life looking like an Olsen Twin. And let's face it, they're billionaires. They can do whatever they want. Everyone else? Eh. It's not nearly as interesting when we do it (frankly, it's hardly all that interesting when they do it).

So when our dearest Ms. Zoe pimps this look out to each and every starlet she styles? All I can do is roll my eyes, groan, and wonder why the hell she gets paid as much as she does to do this for a living.

But maybe I'm being too harsh. After all, so many celebrities trust her with their supremely important images. Maybe she knows what she's talking about and I just don't get it?

Let's break down her fall trends, shall we?

First up we have Maxi Dresses.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but maxi dresses seem a little more like a summer thing, no? I guess I could see them for fall as well if you live in California or some place equally lovely all year round. Even in New England, if you like 'em, wear 'em. That's pretty much it. But what I don't like about her little excerpt here is that she states something that WE ALREADY KNOW. Why is this a new fall trend? Has she given us a new perspective? Nope. We all dream about tropical getaways, Rachel. The difference is that not all of us can hop on a private jet and head to St. Tropez whenever we want.

Next, we've got Dark Denim.

Uhm... Does dark denim EVER go out of style? I think it's a pretty well-known fact that you can dress denim up or down. Again, nothing new here, Rach. Though, I'm mildly impressed that you mention flare-leg jeans instead of skinny jeans. Way to think on your own - thumbs up!

Moving on to Statement Necklaces.

I'm a huge fan of statement necklaces and have been for years. Years being the key word here. YEARS, RACHEL! We've all known for years that you have a penchant for piling on the accessories like it's your job - oh wait, it IS your job...

Coco Chanel cleverly advised people to take one thing off before leaving the house, so as not to be over-accessorized... Might I suggest that you take off about five things every time you walk out the door? That might help just a little bit. Less is more, honey. Not the other way around.

What else? Sequins, of course! Oh, and don't forget the Jewel Tones.

Love sequins! I'm with you, Rachel. I love bedazzling of any kind (except the kind J.Crew does and tries to charge me like $500 bucks for!) and I think kiddies look especially adorable with a little sparkle... But what else is new? Seriously. This could be on any trend list for the last few decades! TRY SOMETHING NEW.

And jewel tones? Really? Plums and emeralds? When have you ever heard someone say to avoid jewel tones? We know they look good. We know they're fun. We know they pop. So tell me why I should care that you're talking about them!

By the way, they cannot "literally make an outfit." Trust me. The colors plum and emerald cannot, in fact, make you an outfit. They can't design it, they can't sew it, they can't even recommend the right kind of jeans for you body shape. You are supposed to be a professional. Try speaking like one.

Just so we're clear - I use the word "literally" incorrectly all the time, but in general conversation with friends, not in published work! UGH!

Alright, that's my Rachel Zoe rant.

Wait, I thought of one more thing...

EAT SOMETHING. PLEASE. For the love of everything holy, you look like a skeleton and have aged yourself about thirty years. This is not pretty. It's not sexy. It's SCARY.

There. Now I'm finished.

So, what do you guys think of her?

[photo credits: hautelook.com, themocialite.wordpress.com]

And the BIG Winner...

Will be notified later tonight!

Thank you SO MUCH to everyone who participated! I am so happy you guys liked the contest and hopefully I'll be able to do other great giveaways in the future. I look forward to all kinds of fun opportunities for you guys so remember to check back for the latest and greatest!

Back to the contest at hand... A lot of people were spot on with their guesses. BIG, the Maybelline Mascot, was actually in the officially commercial 6 times, so awesome job to everyone who got it right!

(Huge thanks to everyone who followed the blog or followed me on Twitter as well!)

And the biggest thanks goes out to Maybelline for sponsoring this fabulous contest and Lizzie over at AMP who put it together for me!

I'll be sure to let you guys all know what the Prize Pack Winner thinks of her new goodies as soon as I hear about it.

[photo credits: Maybelline NY]

Dear J. Crew...

Oh. Em. Gee. Have you LOST YOUR MIND?

I mean, okay, J. Crew, I know your shtick. Do I covet your overpriced and adorably WASPY clothes? Why, yes. Yes, I do. I love the ridiculously expensive cardigans, embellished t-shirts, and comfy khakis... I especially love your clearance section because it means I don't actually have to buy anything full price, since you have such great sales. In general, I'm a huge fan.

But this? This I cannot condone.

$495 for a bedazzled tank top? SERIOUSLY? WHAT ARE YOU PEOPLE SMOKING?

Who the hell do you think you are? Has your moderate success gone to your head and made you whacky? I mean... Okay, so you try to charge me like two-hundred bucks for a cashmere sweater. It is cashmere after all. I can handle that. I can't afford it, but I can justify in my head why you might put a price tag like that on it.

But this? What the hell is so special about this? It's a bunch of sequins! Just SEQUINS! You know, those shiny little plastic things that usually adorn the dance recital costumes of small children?

And why don't the sequins even cover the whole shirt? Is it supposed to look like you're wearing a sparkly tube top over a nude colored tank top?

Oh, no... No, it can't even look like a tube top because there are no freakin' sequins on the back.

Look! It's just PLAIN! And apparently poorly constructed... What's with the weird puckers? And why is the bottom seam all wonky? I don't get it. I mean, if you're gonna do sequins, why not go all the way? And why is it so loose? It's not loose or long enough to be a tunic... It just kind of... Hangs there. I don't get it.

Not cool, J. Crew. Even your model looks like she's a little confused as to why she is standing there in a partially-sequined tank top that has been paired with what looks like loose-fitting trousers of some sort instead of some super-tight, dark-denim skinny jeans that might make this absurdly priced garment look a little more acceptable.

I vote that you rethink this weird dressy/non dressy bedazzled top thing and come back to me with a new idea. Then I might be willing to give you another chance.

How does that sound? Reasonable, right? Yeah. I thought so.

'Kay. That was all.

Yours truly,

Leelee

*Don't forget! You still have some time to enter the Maybelline Prize Pack ($75 value) Contest!

[photo credit: jcrew.com]

Project Runway Meets Moulin Rouge... Only Less Fun

This week's episode of Project Runway was a blur of sequins, feathers, and runaway beads. The designers seemed especially frazzled at the prospect of impressing fashion legend, Bob Mackie, and pop princess, Christina Aguilera (girl needs to lay off the bad haircuts/blindingly bright lipstick/orange faux tan), and it definitely showed in the end results.

The judges were having quite a night themselves, as they blasted one look after the other with some rather harsh (and mostly deserved) comments. I, for one, was highly entertained by the train wreck of an episode.

I was also, unfortunately, pretty disappointed with the final runway looks. This is supposed to be a stage look for Christina Aguilera, people. Have you all seen some of the crazy stuff that girl wears off stage, let alone on it? I can't imagine why people were so safe in their designs. I mean, black is all fine and dandy but where was all the hot pink/bright blue/gold/etc that you can actually use when you're creating a stage costume? There was some sparkle, some feathers, some metallics... But most of it was very blah to me.

Let's get to the runway, shall we?

"You're both thinking she comes out in a pumpkin and then pops out."

Tim Gunn sure hit the nail on the head with that workroom quip about Althea Harper and one of the other designers. What is this big reveal they kept going for? This gorgeous silver dress had a hideously-ugly-feathered-motorcycle-jacket-type thing on top of it when the model first stepped onto the runway. Why? Because Althea wanted there to be a "wow" factor"

Uhm... What? Shouldn't the dress itself be a wow factor? It's supposed to be a stage outfit, is it not? Ridiculous. I was so annoyed by that fuzzy jacket thing that I was hoping her dress (which I do like very much) wouldn't win.

"Irina is actually a really good designer. Her only problem is that she's a bitch."

Ding, ding, ding! Fellow designer, Nicolas Putvinski, was so right about Irina Shabayeva. But just we're clear, Nicolas, it takes one to know one.

Yes, she is a really good designer. Yes, she is really talented. Yes, she usually has great taste. But she freakin' knows it. That's the problem. She knows she's good and assumes no one else can possibly even begin to compare.

Newsflash, Irina. It's really annoying. Get over yourself.

Oh, and your oh-so-amazing dress? Not that impressive. Kinda cute. Kinda sparkly. Mostly it just looked liked upscale lingerie. Or a figure skating costume. Yawn. I'm disappointed. This dress is certainly nothing to write home about. Or brag on national television about. Keep that in mind next time you run your mouth, Irina.

"I just decided to toss it and start all over."

And this is what you came up with? Oh, honey...

As last week's winner, Gordana Gehlhausen certainly needs to thank her lucky stars that she had immunity this week. Otherwise, her massive meltdown in the workroom would have had her packing her bags and heading home. What the hell is this? Some weird crocheted sequin tunic over a flowy evening gown? I don't get it. It's just ugly and unflattering. And what in the world is going on in the boob area? Are those buttons or something? It just makes no sense. None at all. I'm talking epic fail here.

"This is by far the best Project Runway moment ever."

So, Nicolas, this is what you create when your so-called idol is sitting in front of you? Don't get me wrong, it's very nice. It's clearly well-constructed, the concept is very cute, and it looks great on the model and would probably look great on Christina Aguilera... But I'm bored. It also looks just like everything else Nicolas has produced this season. Is he aware that there is a whole broad spectrum of colors out there? You don't have to use white every time, dude. Try something new. It won't hurt. I promise.

And for the love of God, please step away from the flat iron!

Seriously. No flat iron necessary for this limp mess of hair.

"I wouldn't put that on a chorus girl, let alone a star." - Bob Mackie

"This is 1999 in the costume department." - Tim Gunn

"This was tasteless." - Nina Garcia

"You get a big E for effort." - Christina Aguilera (she was impressively sweet to all the designers)

I'm not sure what else I can say about Christopher Straub's poorly constructed, ill-fitting, sad imitation of Christina's Lady Marmalade costume? Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

Hey, Chris... This is what that costume is supposed look like:

If you're going for that look, go all the way, you know?

"It's a little cavewoman..."

Yes. Yes it is. That cut up fur thing is tacky, as are the chains all over it. The dress isn't tragic... It's a cute little shimmery mini dress and that side seam is kinda cool... But eh. I'm underwhelmed. It just doesn't seem like it fits her very well. I'm digging the metallic zebra print, though. It's definitely fun. I just don't think Logan Neitzel took it far enough. I'm also convinced that the judges keep him around because he's a really great piece of eye candy.

"I think you have a major wow factor here."

Really, Tim? Are you sure? Wow-factor? I'm not sure I would go that far. It's definitely a very nice dress. Unfortunately it's hard to see all the details in photos, but there was a ton of great detail work. Feathers and sequins and all kinds of fun stuff. It fit the model perfectly and really made her waist look teeeeeeeny-tinyyyyyy.

I'm still kinda bored. It's a beautiful dress, no doubt, but I just don't think it's a stage costume. It's a good beginning. Just not...enough.

Either way, the judges outvoted me and decided that Carol Hannah was the winner. Congrats, Carol! Awesome job, especially for someone who's never done anything as over the top as this.

"I just don't know why Shirin is still here. Her design sensibility is very bargain basement."

Actually, no, Irina, it's not. You're just a bitch.

Everything else we've seen from Shirin Askari has been quite lovely. She's won a challenge and been in the top 3 for many others. I'm really sad to see her go... Even though this tragedy of a dress was appropriately described by the judges as unfortunate and dowdy. Heidi refers to it as an upscale Halloween dress and Tim Gunn's assessment that it looks like Guinevere meets Vampira was pretty spot on. He also told her it looks like student work. Ouch.

So, it's auf wiedersehen to Shirin and I, for one, do not agree.

Come on, guys! Chris, sweetheart that he is, has been in the bottom two three times in a row now! This is the first time Shirin has even been in the bottom! What the hell kind of a decision is that? Not cool. Not at all.

So what did you think? Did the judges chose right? And who's super excited for what looks to be like a smackdown between Nicolas and Irina on next week's episode? I know I am!!

P.S. Don't forget you still have time to enter the Maybelline Big Chance Prize Pack! Check it out here!

[photo credits: mylifetime.com, movies.yahoo.com]

Who Wants to Look Like a Bug?

Good news for you! The Olsen twins are bringing their Insect-Chic to the wide world of sunglasses!

Uhm... Seriously?

Now, I love giant sunglasses as much as the next girl, but the Olsen's take it to a whole new level.

WHAT IS THAT? They have TINY faces. There is NO need for sunglasses that large! Don't get me wrong, I think the Olsens are pretty damn adorable in most cases (aside from when they feel the need to dress like bag ladies), but this is is just... Blah.

They will be releasing four different styles (I'm not sure if those four will range in color/design or if it will just be four standard styles) through their high-end line, The Row, and have partnered with famed luxury eye wear designer, Linda Farrow.

This is what they came up with...

Is this a joke? I've definitely seen these sunglasses at Target.

The best part? The Olsen's sunglasses will be available in the awesomely affordable price range of $325 - $390.

SAY WHAT?

Who do they think they are? Chanel?

Party foul, Mary Kate & Ashley.

I'm disappointed in you. You are not that famous or that talented that you need to be charging those prices for plastic. Seriously. Though, I guess you can argue that no one should be charging those prices for plastic... But let's face it. If you buy $300 sunglasses you're buying a name and nothing else. But what do you get from The Row? No instantly recognizable double-C's from Chanel, no Gucci stirrups, not even a sparkling D&G. What the hell is the point?

I do not approve.

What do you guys think? Yay or nay on the Olsen's sunglasses?

Don't forget! You still have time to enter the Big Chance From Maybelline Prize Pack worth $75!

[photo credits: nylon.com, bagstodie4.com]

A BIG Chance to Win From Maybelline!

*CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED - THANKS TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED!*

Who's up for free makeup? I know I always am! See the bottom of this post for details!

In the meantime, a little background leading up to the contest...

Okay, so there's one product I constantly find myself arguing about.

Maybelline Great Lash Mascara.

Loved by beauty editors and makeup artists alike, and consistently a winner on all kinds of top beauty product lists... I just can't make this stuff work for me. I reviewed it in a previous post and while most of my fave mascaras do come from Maybelline, I've just never been able to get on the Great Lash Bandwagon. Tons of people disagree with me, though, so it looks like I'll be arguing for quite a while. But maybe I'll be on the other side soon...

Enter Great Lash BIG. It looks like the same formula that makes Great Lash the "Number 1" mascara but with a new gigantic brush. One of my biggest complaints about the original Great Lash is the small brush, so YAY!



Looks pretty interesting. Brittany over at Clumps of Mascara has a comparison of regular Great Lash and the new Great Lash Big, so float on over there if you'd like more info.

*CONTEST INFO*

The awesome folks over at Maybelline have been kind enough to sponsor a little contest for all you wonderful readers out there!

You'll win a Maybelline Gift Pack filled with full-sized samples of Great Lash BIG and tons of other Maybelline NY products, including a Maybelline-branded compact mirror (total prize value of $75).

Here's what you need to do:

1. Maybelline sent out BIG, the Great Lash Big mascot, out into the busy streets of NYC to find a charismatic young woman to appear in the Great Lash Big Gig commercial. Check out the casting process below and pay special attention to the actual commercial at the end.

2. Leave a comment on the post and let me know how many times you spot "BIG" (the Great Lash BIG mascot) in the final commercial (starts at 2:08) - any comments will qualify as entries, you don't have to be correct to win. Also, if you comment as anonymous please leave your email (or send me a private email) just so I have a way to contact you.

3. Follow this blog (you can do this from the sidebar or up at the top of the screen) for a second entry. (optional)

4. Follow me on Twitter (link on the sidebar) for a third entry. (also optional)

That's it! Pretty simple, right?

You have until Sunday, October 25th to enter and I will notify the winner on Monday, October 26th.

Please let me know if you have any problems entering.

Happy viewing everyone!

[photo credits: Maybelline NY] And special thanks to Lizzie at Maybelline for this opportunity!

I get by with a little help from my friends... And sometimes I even give back!

It's the best time of year at the happiest place on Earth!

That's right... It's Sephora's Friends & Family Sale time! Aren't you completely stoked??

I AM!

The sale begins October 19th and ends November 2nd - just use the code FF2009 and you'll get 20% off just about everything. How much better does it get? Hmm... Not at all. Unless they gave us 25%. Or more. But that's okay. I'll take 20%. It's all good.

Time to scour the website, go through your personal stashes to see what you need to stock up on, and decide what you absolutely must have right this very second.

So, what's on your wish list? I know what's on mine!

1. TEMPTU AIRbrush Makeup System - $225



The flawless look of airbrushed makeup at home? I am SO there. The price is pretty steep, but it's still at the top of my list and I'm hoping some wonderful member of my family is planning on surprising me with it... Maybe? Possibly?

2. Straight Making No Frizz Styling Spray (for Fine to Medium Hair) - $14/$24



I've heard some pretty good things about this new frizz fighter. It's supposed to provide a barrier between your sleek hair and the evil effects of humidity and surface friction without weighing it down. Supposedly it's also a great detangler and touch-up spray, too. Sounds pretty great, right? Considering my hair fluffs up at the merest hint of moisture in the air, I can use all the help I can get in this department. You can get a travel size (1.7 oz) for $14 or a full size (3.4 oz) for $24 - not cheap, but not too bad either (and the 20% off will definitely help!).

3. Bare Escentuals Sweet Obsessions - $48




I LOVE bareMinterals eye shadows. They stay on forever and they have the prettiest shimmers. I played with this set the other day and had to talk myself out of buying it right then and there. Now this coupon gives me an excuse. Yay! You get nine yummy shades (seriously yummy - strawberry mousse, berry custard, berry flame, lemon meringue, spiced biscotti, cherry coco truffle, mint, dark chocolate, and creme de menthe - does that make you hungry or what??) that will satisfy your sweet tooth without going straight to your hips.

4. Dior JazzClub - Total Eyelook Makeup Clutch - $65



I stared longingly at this little baby for what seemed like hours. I'm not sure...but there may have been a little drool (little might be an understatement). You get four gorgeous shadows to make up the perfect sultry and smokey eye look, plus a brow-shaping powder and a creme eyeliner. Love it!

5. Dior Holiday Collection Makeup Palette For The Eyes - $42


Since we're on the subject of Dior Shadows... Throw this one in the basket, too, 'kay? You get four iridescent shadows that you can wear alone or blend together for an endless combination of looks. I love Dior shadows in general. The pigment is great, the texture is super-silky, and the staying-power is pretty awesome. Plus the compact is freakin' adorable!

6. Narciso Rodriguez For Her Eau de Parfum - $78



I've been hoarding one of those tiny sample bottle of this perfume for about two years and I have the tiniest little bit left... It's so sad. I'm actually going to have to suck it up and get some more. I've never been good at describing perfumes and "notes" make absolutely no sense to me. I never really smell the things that I'm supposed to. All I know is that I LOVE this scent and I think Sephora's description - "seductive, feminine, and velvety" - sounds just about perfect.

[Here are the notes in case anyone else can make sense of them: pink chypre, pink floral, voluptuous woods, soft amber, sheer chypre, flower honey, tactile woods, amber light - uh, yeah...they lost me at chypre...what the hell is a chypre???]

7. Stila Gift of Appreciation - $38



Okay, the sheer amount of STUFF you get for $38 bucks is practically mind-boggling. This set is filled with $192 worth of products and it includes:

- Eye Shadow Trio in Gold Glow
- Illuminating Finishing Powder in Rose Gold
- Sheer Pressed Powder in Medium
- Lip Rouge Liquid Lip Satin in Pucker
- Long Wear Lip Color in Flushed
- Lash Visor in Black
- Plumping Lip Glaze in Minty Mint
- Kajal Eye Liner in Topaz
- Pencil Sharpener

I love Stila products, especially their eyeliners, and this is really a huge amount of makeup for an amazing price. How can you go wrong? You're essentially paying for one of those trio eye shadows ($28), the pencil sharpener, plus tax...and getting all of that other stuff for free. Definitely worth it.

So that's my list... Or, uh, a very small part of my list.

What's on yours?

[photo credits: sephora.com]

Braid Me Up, Scotty

Perfectly straight and sleek hair certainly has it's place in the world... But that place is far, far away from my head.

I spent years trying to force my extremely curly locks into submission with hundreds of hair products and a drawer full of heat styling tools. I would usually manage to achieve the perfectly flat and shiny look... But the second I stepped out of my bathroom and into the unprotected world my lovely straight hair would frizz/expand/curl and it was not a pretty sight.

Eventually I gave up on perfectly straight hair and decided I didn't want it all that flat anyway. I have pretty fine hair so it didn't look all that great anyway (don't you feel like having fine/curly hair is an oxymoron? It should be one thing to deal with, not both). Instead, I've figured out how to do that beachy-undone-sleep-rumpled-wave thing that all the celebrities love and it makes my life so much easier. I can stop worrying about my perfect style getting crazy cause crazy is the point! Love it!

So what's my favorite accessory for beachy hair? Braids, of course! Forget headbands, pins, and clips... Braids are a way more fun alternative.

Okay, I have a confession to make about where my braid-love came from.



Yep. That's right. My favorite "reality" star, Lauren Conrad. I'm boycotting The Hills now that she's no longer a part of it (well, that and Kristin Cavallari is just a huge, obnoxious bitch). Nobody else's hair fascinates me quite the way hers does. She just about single-handedly brought this particular hairstyle to the hot lists. I don't care who else has worn braids or how much you'd like to pretend that The Hills wasn't a pretty massive cultural phenomenon. If you didn't watch it, that's fine, but you've gotta admit the girl's got great hair and after she started wearing this style on the show it definitely started popping up all over the place.



Does she EVER have a bad hair day? Completely unfair.

And it has certainly spread. Braids have been everywhere the last few years and they show no sign of disappearing anytime soon.



Blake Lively keeps it California-casual with her messy part and randomly braided pieces and Minka Kelly goes for a messy-chic way to keep all that gorgeous hair out of her face.



Nicole Richie and Sarah Michelle Gellar give their updos a down-to-Earth Boho twist while Rachel McAdams livens up her look with a magenta flower .



Jennifer Anniston takes her mini-French-braid to the Oscars and Molly Simms rocks an 80's inspired side ponytail.

I think there's something really soft and feminine about braided hairstyles and there are so many different ways to incorporate them into your hair that everyone can find a suitable and easy-to-create style. If you need a little help with ideas, just youtube braiding tutorials and you'll find everything you need. This is one of my favorites.

Braids are way easier to do than you would imagine, I promise. Just give it a shot and let me know how it goes!

[photo credits: fashionfeen.wordpress.com, justjared.buzznet.com, celebritybeautybuzz.com, bellasugar.com, spoiledpretty.blogspot.com, glam.com, honeybeebzz.blogspot.com]

The Key To My Heart

I am a little bit in love with the current key craze going on. I probably have four or five different necklaces that involve keys somewhere on them and I always get compliments on them so apparently I'm not the only one who's hopping on that particular bandwagon.

Even my favorite Upper East Siders are joining in on the fun.

Okay, first off... LOVE Blair's outfit. The yellow Diane von Furstenberg Marcelo wrap top is gorgeous and looks great with the Vince Fingerprint pencil skirt - not an outfit I ever thought I would go for, but hey, there's a first time for everything, right? I don't even hate Serena's tunic dress thing or crazy shoes.

Now on to my actual point... This is the second episode that Blair has worn this key pendant and it looks like we've found a winner - it's from the Tiffany Keys Collection: Fleur De Lis Key Pendant

Super cute and sparkly, right? Well, no worries everyone. It will only run you about $2975 plus tax.

No biggie, right?

Man, Tiffany's... I love you and all, but cut a girl a break, would you? I suppose it's a little bit justifiable since the entire key is covered in diamonds, but still. The Tiffany Keys Collection does have plenty of alternatives though and they start around $150 (for the pendant plus a chain) and go all the way up to $15,000 (INSANE).

Tiffany's aside, there are TONS of key pendants floating around pretty much anywhere you look. Most of mine have been found at Charlotte Russe, Forever 21, and American Eagle. I mean really... It's a key. It doesn't actually NEED to be fancy.

But if anyone would like to buy me this? I would SO not object.

Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat

So, going back to school has left me with a huge problem. I can't possibly watch all of my shows when they're actually on. It's SO upsetting... Even the prospect of wasting away hours of my weekend losing myself in teen drama and fabulous clothes doesn't make it any better.

Wait, that's a lie. The fabulous clothes make it a teensy bit better.

Speaking of fabulous clothes... Any idea what to wear to a millionaire actor's yacht party?

Here's what the kids of West Beverly High recommend:

Duh. I mean... What else would you wear on a yacht?

Naomi doesn't actually need to breathe or anything. Nor does she need to sit down... The seams on that fuchsia BCBGeneration might just bust if she tries to do anything except stand there and look pretty.

I feel like Silver's outfit is a little more appropriate...and super cute. Love the color of her tank top and that crochet vest from Bebe is adorable. Also - good call on the gladiator sandals. Moving boats + heels = oy vay

Love this photo, by the way. Beautiful people goofing off. Must be nice when this is your job.

Also, color coordination goes a long way. I applaud you, Mr. (or Ms.) 90210 Wardrobe Guru.

Can we talk about how obsessed I am with Adrianna's dress? How freaking yacht-appropriate is it?? It's like... Sailor Chic and I WANT IT, even though I have absolutely nowhere to wear it. Plus, it's getting kinda cold here in CT. Le sigh. Still want it.

OH! And her shoes. Definitely want her shoes! How adorable?? They're Betsey Johnson and $120.00 at Zappos (marked down from $200... I guess you can consider that a sale). I'm just going to keep reminding myself that I have bills to pay and they're not really fall/winter shoes so they would just sit in my closet. So sad.

Let me just say that the lovely ladies are all about sun protection to go along with their fashion statements. Aside from the fact that they're all pretty pale for California girls, take a look at the major trend I saw in this episode:

Hats and sunglasses for everyone! Except, Adrianna, but apparently she got some fantastic red lipstick instead of sunglasses as her accessory. I like Annie's white glasses and hat combo the best and I have to admit that I've always wanted a giant floppy hat like that, but I can't get beyond feeling ridiculous every time I try one on. Anyone else feel like that, or is it just me being weird?

One last thing...

This dress? Ugh. It's like... A bad 80's prom imitation. It also reminds of those weird cartoons that used to be all over Nickelodeon? With the stick-figures and hearts and I think it's probably some famous artist that does them and that's all fine and dandy, but it doesn't belong on a dress. Neither does that super random polka-dot ruffle thing. Not cool.

So, what did you think of their little yacht outing? Yay or nay?

[photo credit: cwtv.com]