Top Knots and Curly Locks

Monday, September 12, 2011

White after Labor Day: a do or don't?

I always grew up being told you don't wear white after Labor Day.  The origin of the rule is unknown.  People guess it may have to do with white being a light weight color and keeps people cool so they felt it only needed to be worn during summer months.  As we've moved into the 21st century, does Grandma's rule still pertain?

I vote no.  Rules were made to be broken and I believe this one needs broken.  Winter whites are white-hot and I see absolutely nothing wrong with it and neither do celebrities.  Kim Kardashian even took to Twitter saying how much she loves winter whites.

I can't wait for this upcoming season and making winter white a complete do!

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

The Bachelorette: Week 3 Fashion

Now that I've given my recap of the show, it's time to break down Ashley's clothes.  All pictures are screen caps from Videobb.

Planet Blue

Ben C. Day Date


Off the shoulder top
$15 - alloy.com

Jolt jeans
$34 - nordstrom.com

Asymmetrical Chiffon Top - BLUE LIFE - Shop Online
$56 - shopplanetblue.com



Haute Hippie
Ben C. Date Night


Bl nk London floral dress
60 GBP - theremedi.co.uk

Kenneth cole earrings
$22 - macys.com



Chelsea Flower
Comedy Date Night

Chelsea Flower navy top
$112 - bluefly.com

SOLD Design Lab straight jeans
$48 - revolveclothing.com



Planet Blue
Interview Outfit

Michael Stars dolman top
$54 - revolveclothing.com

Poncho Tee With Pocket - BLUE LIFE - Shop Online
$75 - shopplanetblue.com



I hate to say it, but I can't figure out what brand this is
Earrings are Susanne Elizabeth
Bentley Leaving

Old Navy low rise jeans
$18 - oldnavy.gap.com

Shell earrings
$18 - topshop.com

Croft and Barrow Solid Roll-Tab Shirt
$25 - kohls.com



Again, I do not for sure know this brand either
The earrings are again Susanne Elizabeth
JP Date

Jeans
$30 - amazon.com

Turquoise jewelry
4.80 GBP - debenhams.com

Tie Up Military Shirt
$70 - bardot.com.au

The Bachelorette: Week 3 Recap

After all the previews and gossip I was so excited for this episode.  It had its ups and downs, it made me mad at people and it made me like people.  Let's get down to the recap!

The episode starts out with Ben C. getting a one-on-one date with Ashley.  I've always wanted to be part of a flash mob so add this to the long list of dates from the Bachelor that I'm jealous of.  Ash is such a great dancer, I would love to take a hip-hop class from her!  She seems like a great dance teacher.  Things seem a little awkward just sitting there in the middle of the field in the mall with everyone watching them.  I'm so proud of Ben for going along with it and dancing to no music when Ashley asks then BAM! music starts and people join in.  He's so excited, it's adorable!  I love when he says, "Let's do it again!" when the music begins.  He's really having a good time dancing and he's even singing along!  "Ben got flashed!" I loved it!  Ben C. and Ashley are so cute during the Far East Movement concert; they really fit together.  During their dinner, Ben shows what a hopeless romantic he is.

Jeff is so creepy staring out from the balcony and the music playing doesn't help any.  I love what a big deal Jeff is making over his mask.  I think it's ridiculous and his plan didn't work.  I don't get the shots of the bird and squirrels.  Ashley's reaction is priceless because she has no reaction except that he's older than she thought.  It was so awkward when he said, "Hi!  I'm Jeff."  Now that he has his mask off, I noticed how pretty his eyes are; but he doesn't blink that much.  It's kind of weird.

When the guys find out they're doing stand-up comedy, they all say William is the funniest guy in the house.  I don't like the idea of them roasting Ashley, that's who they are there to impress.  I know they said they can roast each other, but I think those are the only people they should be roasting.  William went down in my book as soon as he said this could open new doors for him to do his dream.  Then, he goes on to say he might make Ashley cry and this is his opportunity to finally be real with Ashley?  Ugh, I'm so mad at him!

Then the roasting begins!  Lucas is up first and focused his roasting on the guys.  Then it was Ryan's turn, and while I agree with him and his statement about what was Ashley thinking keeping Bentley, it wasn't funny.  He played it off well with the "Not funny!" though.  Ames was great with the mask and Blake was funny with the taking skills and attributes away from one guy and getting another.  Jeff started in with the roasting of Ashley about her small boobs and the guys took that as their cue to talk about them.  Comedian wanna-be Will took the stage and he knows Ashley the best out of all the guys so, like Ashley, I think his will be pretty good.  Man, oh man, am  I wrong.  The "one man's trash is another man's treasure" could have worked if he would've said something about her being his treasure.  Then he started in with how he wished it would've been Chantal or Emily and I couldn't believe him.  I was furious!  I feel awful for Ashley.  Then to make matters worse, Bentley says since Ash is crying he's going to mess with her head.  As if I wasn't mad enough already! I CAN'T STAND Bentley.  Poor, poor Ashley; I can't imagine rewatching this and hearing the comments she made about him.

After the roast, there's a party and you can tell William knows he messed up.  He looks like a sad little puppy, and thankfully asked to talk to her.  Why won't he apologize?  He thinks the only solution is to pack up and leave?  He should've said that he can never make it up to her but he will always try or something, not say he should leave.  As mad as I am at him, there's still a part of me that doesn't want him to go.  Ryan is so sweet to her and I had it called that he would get the rose on the date.  Then there's Bentley.  She called him out and then he lied straight to her face --AGAIN!  He never really denies it though, he just says it doesn't apply to them which doesn't make sense.  He literally makes me sick.  He is such a jerk.  His face is so smug when Ash is cuddling up to him and I loved his face when he didn't get the rose.

Now, the moment we've all been waiting for, Bentley leaving the show!  He doesn't even give her the right reason for leaving and strings her on by saying it's not a period but a "dot dot dot".  C'mon, man, you've already hurt her enough and you don't even care for her.  I feel sorry for his daughter when she gets old enough to watch this and understand.  He is so disrespectful in his interviews, it's awful.  Him leaving took way too long, he kept dragging it out...of course.  I feel so awful for Ashley; she really broke my heart with how upset and pitiful she was.

I was so happy when JP got the one-on-one date and knew that he would be able to comfort her.  He completely melted my heart when he got out of the car with flowers for her.  Even out of all the crazy, exotic dates they have, this is probably one of the sweetest dates I've ever seen on the show.  It's a real life date and it's adorable.  JP seems really sincere.  Ashley is so cute around him and can tell that she's really comfortable with him by changing into sweats and pulling out the glasses.  In Ashley's blog on People, she said that she actually fell asleep while cuddling with him.  It was so funny when she said "it's kinda hard to kiss with glasses."

During her talk with Chris Harrison, you can tell he is trying so hard not to say, "I told you so."  That being said, he truly does feel sorry for her.  I love Chris' emotion when he found out what Bentley said about the dot dot dot.  I hope he got through to Ashley by telling her that's a guy thing to say and that if he really loved her he would have moved heaven and earth like the other guys did.  While I feel badly for the guys who didn't have a date this week, I completely understand Ashley not having a cocktail party and going straight to the rose ceremony.  Along with Ben C., Ryan and JP, Ashley gave roses to Constantine, West, Mickey, Ben F., Blake, Nick, Ames, Lucas and Will.  Since Bentley sent himself packing, Ashley sent home Jeff and Chris.

Be on the lookout for my next post where I'll break down Ashley's style from this episode and tell you how you can get it for less!

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Jessica and Ashlee Simspon to collaborate on tween line

According to "Women's Wear Daily", Jessica and Ashlee Simpson will serve as co-creative directors for a new tween line to add to the Jessica Simpson Collection.  The line will launch this fall.  The clothes are geared towards the fashion-forward tween and features denim, sportswear, activewear and footwear to name a few.

The sisters' styles are very different so it will be interesting to see how they work together to create a line.  I think Ashlee's rocker edge will relate to a lot of different girls.  I have worn Jessica Simpson shoes since they launched.  With my narrow foot, her flats used to be the only thing that fit me.  Recently the heels in her shoes have been getting wider and I haven't been able to wear as many of the new shoes as I would like.  I'm absolutely in love with a pair of her nude pumps, but they're too wide for my foot.

The Jessica Simpson Collection started in 2005 and now has 22 different licenses.  At the end of last year, the brand was carried in 650 department stores with the big ones being Macy's, Dillard's and Belk.  The brand earned more than $750 million last year making it the top selling celebrity brand.  It is expected to break $1 billion in sales this year which would make it the first in history for celebrity brands.

I'm excited to see how their two styles combine to make this new line.  Does anyone else have any thoughts?

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

The Bachelorette: Week 2 Fashion

Now that I've given my recap of the show, it's time to break down Ashley's clothes from this episode!  All pictures from the episode are screen caps I took from Hulu.

Dolce and Gabbana Dress


The Bachelorette William's Date


Lace overlay dress
$70 - asos.com

$71 - bluefly.com



Sigal A Kimono Dress
I found two different dresses for this one.  One is more expensive and resembles the dress closer and the second one is cheaper but not as close of a match.

The Bachelorette William's Night Date
Akira fitted dress
$28 - shopakira.com

$249 - shopharmonylane.com



C&C California
Throughout the season she is also seen wearing a Qhandmade necklace with her name on it


The Bachelorette Vegas Group Date
Sandra Ingrish long sleeve top
$58 - nordstrom.com

The Bachelorette Vegas Group Date Night

Cooperative short top
$30 - urbanoutfitters.com

13 GBP - riverisland.com



Madison Marcus Nucleus Tank
Elizabeth and James Emery Blazer



The Bachelorette Mickey's Date

Banana Republic sleeveless tank
$40 - bananarepublic.gap.com

Tailored blazer
30 GBP - debenhams.com


The Bachelorette: Week 2 Recap

The second episode starts with Chris delivering the first date card.  Does anyone else remember in the earlier seasons when they used to give out date boxes filled with all kinds of stuff?  If not, I guess I've been watching this show too long.  Anyway, back to the episode.  William gets the first one-on-one date since he received the first impression rose.  When they read the card, I thought maybe they were going to a water park in Vegas since it says they're going to make a splash but boy was I wrong.  I really liked William in last week's episode so I can't wait to get to know him better on this date.

Even though I don't care for Ames, I loved his comment to Jeff about wishing he had a white mask in the hot weather.

Now to William's date, they were so cute when all the fans greeted them and wanted pictures.  William is so adorable and was such a good sport on this date, especially when he played along when the lady at the ring store asked them about a wedding date.  I loved when he asked Ashley where her bouquet was then he handed her a potted plant!  I couldn't believe when William said "I Do" and then when Ash paused and he just said "Babe?".  I can't believe this dinner in the middle of the Bellagio Fountains, big kudos to the producers!  I think he would make a good stand-up comedian like he says he wants to be.  He picks up on cues instantly like when Ashley said she hopes some guys love her and he grinned and raised his hand.  The story about his dad and the watch being frozen on the time he passed is killing me.  My heart is aching for him.  Ashley scared me to death when she said but during her speech before giving William the rose, I can't even being to imagine how he was feeling.  If Ashley doesn't pick William, I want him!  How precious was it when he said, "I want to do everything I can to make you this happy all the time"?

I hate group dates, especially ones of this size; twelve guys?  I never feel like I get to know the people.  Ashley's abs are killer and I'm totally jealous.  As if trying to get to know twelve guys wasn't bad enough, now half of them will be sent back to the mansion without any one-on-one time with Ashley.  It's a double edge sword for Ashley; on one hand she has fewer guys to spend time with but she also loses out on time with six of them.  What is it with all these guys wearing plaid?  I love the names the guys come up with for the crews: No Rhythm Nation and The Best Men.  I love The Best Men's entrance, it was adorable!  The main reason I don't like No Rhythm Nation is because of Bentley but they did incorporate Ashley in the whole dance and she IS the reason they're there.  I can't believe the guys get to perform with the actual crew during their show in Vegas.  First Ali and Roberto got to perform in "The Lion King" on Broadway and now this?  I'm so jealous!

I'm so glad Blake was the first person to pull Ash aside at their after party and said they would be twice as perfect.  I really liked West in last week's episode but his story reminds me so much of Emily's from last season.  Now we're on to one-on-one time with Bentley.  He is so rude in his interview.  I can't stand him, but I do have to give it to him, he's pretty good looking.  I wish she would quit begging him to be there, he doesn't feel anything for her just for the screen time.  As soon as she picked up the rose, I cringed because I knew she was giving it to Bentley.

It's interesting how the date between J.P. and Mickey was picked.  At least she wasn't faced with the dreaded two-on-one date yet.  I really wanted J.P. to get the date.  I don't remember why, but I didn't care for Mickey last week.  The pulley contraption to pick their wine was so cool.  I love when Ash said she was scared she wasn't going to catch the coin; that'd be me for sure!  The view from the room is incredible.  I hate to say it, but I'm bored by their date.  I agree with Ashley, I love momma's boys, too!  What is it with Ashley throwing in these "but's" during her speech before handing out the rose?  Mickey ended up getting a rose then they headed out for a walk on the beach.  A private concert from Colbie Caillat?  I LOVE her!  Is it just me or does Mickey look like Topher Grace?

On to the cocktail party.  All the guys seem subdued, maybe it's due to the weather?  J.P. bringing a coin to their one-on-one time was adorable, very clever.  Ashley hasn't wasted any time when it comes to kissing those boys!  As much as I loved William during his date, he's being really cocky during this cocktail party.  Maybe he's just drunk? -- not that that's much of an excuse.  I really hope he's not like that because their date was so perfect!  Ok, these shots of Jeff looking out from over the banister are really creepy.  I feel like it's a scene from "Phantom of the Opera" or something.  Of course, when Jeff goes to take his mask off Matt interrupts.  I love Ben C. and am glad he was able to get some time with Ashley.  He really makes her laugh and that is such an important thing.  I'm so sick of Bentley; he is rude and completely disrespectful.  Oh Ashley, your sincerity radar is so far off right now.

It's finally time for the rose ceremony.  The guys who got roses are: William, Bentley, Mickey, West, Constantine, Ryan P., Ben C., Nick, Ames, Lucas, Jeff (mask guy), J.P., Chris, Ben F. and Blake.  Those who were sent packing include: Matt, Stephen and Ryan M. (one of my favorites!!).  I decided to not watch the preview for next week's episode but I've heard there will be lots of drama.

Monday, May 30, 2011

Strawberry Champagne Cupcakes


Lately, cupcakes have been becoming more and more popular.  Last summer when I lived in the city, I can't even begin to tell you how many different cupcake places I tried.  Along with eating them, I love making cupcakes and have been on the search for a good strawberry champagne cupcake.  I found this recipe today and in honor of "The Bachelorette", I decided to make them tonight.  I added some tweaks of my own and have added that in with the recipe I'm giving you.  Be on the lookout tomorrow for my recap of "The Bachelorette" and how you can get Ashley's outfits for a fraction of the cost.

Cupcake Ingredients
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup pureed fresh strawberries
3 eggs, separated
1 cup extra-dry champagne (I use Cooks)
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup vegetable oil

Icing Ingredients
1 cup butter, softened
2 pounds powdered sugar
1/3 cup pureed strawberries
1 teaspoon vanilla

Cupcake Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line muffin pan

Sift together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in medium bowl

In a mixer, mix together the strawberry puree, champagne, egg yolks, butter and vegetable oil on medium speed.  Turn the speed down to medium-low and add the dry ingredients a little at a time.  Once all combined, set aside.  Next, beat the egg whites into a meringue until peaks form.  Gently fold the whites into the rest of the batter.

Fill the cupcake liners 3/4 of the way full and bake for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.  Cool the cupcakes completely before icing.

Icing Directions
Cream the butter until it is light and fluffy then slowly add in the powdered sugar.  If it gets too thick, add in some of the strawberry puree.  Keep adding the sugar in a little bit at a time while scraping down the sides so it all gets mixed together.  Once it's all blended, add the strawberry puree and vanilla and mix.  If the icing is too thick for your liking, you can always add champagne to thin it out; just eyeball the amount.

Enjoy!