The Mankini: Friend or Foe?

So far, I've mainly talked about women's fashion on here but recently while flipping through one of my magazines I came across a trend for men that I knew I had to share with you....the mankini!  The mankini became popular in 2006 after Sacha Baron Cohen donned a lime green one in the movie "Borat".  Since then, designers such as Alexander McQueen, Emporio Armani and Jeremy Scott have put them on the runway.

I, for one, am not comfortable with a man in a speedo, let alone a man in this type of sling bikini.  Thankfully, this trend has not caught on yet and we can hope that it doesn't.  What do you guys think?

The original mankini

Photo Courtesy of Smaggle

The first two are Alexander McQueen; Emporio Armani

Photo Courtesy of PaperBlog

Jeremy Scott

Photo Courtesy of Beauty Confessional

Photos Courtesy of Trend de la Creme

The Bachelorette: Week 1

I loved Ashely Hebert when she was on last season's "Bachelor" with Brad so I was excited to see that she was going to be the new Bachelorette.  I couldn't wait for the season to start and it finally did this past Monday.  Since it was just the first week, we didn't see Ashley in many outfits but the dress she wore the for the cocktail party was stunning!

Photo Courtesy of Possessionista

This $20,000 beaded nude gown was designed by Randi Rahm, who is known for her beadwork and intricate embroidery.  The beading and sequins are all made by Swarovski.  It is rumored that this dress costs more than Chris Harrison makes per episode!  Ashley has a great body and this dress definitely shows it off.  I wish they wouldn't spray down the entrance to make it look shiny; all it really does is ruin the bottom of the long dresses.

While not everyone can fork over -- or in her case have ABC pay -- for this gorgeous gown, I have found an alternative.  Adrianna Papell has a beaded mesh gown that costs $258 instead.  I threw a rose in with the picture because I'm giving her dress the 'First Impression Rose'.

Bachelorette Week 1 by angelampino featuring beaded evening gowns

Adrianna Papell beaded evening gown
$258 - nordstrom.com

Hats!

I could lie and talk about how busy I've been and use that as an excuse for not posting; but in all honesty, I've just been lazy.  It's been so nice to be home and not worry about school just yet.  I have about a month until my two summer classes start.  I've been rereading Harry Potter to get ready for the final movie and I've also gone to a couple movies with my mom -- you have to go see "Something Borrowed" and "Bridesmaids"!

Here are pictures of the hats from the Mother Daughter Banquet that I promised a while back.

My hat

The hat my mom (on the right) is wearing belonged to my great-grandmother

My friend's grandmother had real flowers decorating her hat

Flowers and feathers were in almost everyone's hats

Kentucky Derby

The Kentucky Derby is celebrating its 137th anniversary today.  The race is held in Louisville, Kentucky at Churchill Downs and is a horse race for three-year-old Thoroughbreds.  The race isn't just about the horses, it's about the traditions!

The signature drink of the Derby is the Mint Julep which is a mix of bourbon, mint and a sugar syrup.  While you sip your Julep, you can feast on Burgoo, a stew with beef, chicken, pork and vegetables.  Along with the food traditions, there is the long standing fashion tradition of hats.  When the Derby started, it was a social occasion so women took the opportunity to dress up and stand out.

When it comes to the Derby, the hats are just as famous as the actual race.  It's a time to see and be seen in your best.  The hats aren't just for the women or the people sitting in Millionaire Row; they're for everyone!  Every direction you look, there are hats as far as the eye can see.

With the Royal Wedding last week and the Derby this week, hats are sure to make a comeback!  In fact, for our Mother Daughter banquet today, the theme is "Hat's Off to Mothers" so I got a new hat yesterday to wear to it.  I can't wait!  I'll post pictures of it later; but, for now here are some Derby hat pictures.

Photo courtesy of Glamour

Photo courtesy of Style With Anna

Photo courtesy of Stiletto Sports

Photo courtesy of Sports Illustrated

Royal Wedding: Outfit Changes

Sometime between the first and second wedding receptions, Kate had time to change into yet another fabulous gown.  This white satin strapless dress is also by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen.  It features a circle skirt with diamante detailing around the waist; she also added a simple white shrug.

Photo courtesy of People

Camillia changed into a light blue floor length Anna Valentine dress with hand embroidering and a high collar.

Photo courtesy of E!

Carole Middleton changed into a black cap sleeve dress with a tired skirt.

The girls weren't the only ones changing their outfits, Princes William, Harry and Charles along with Micheal and James Middleton changed into classic dinner jackets and black bowties.

Photo courtesy of People

Royal Wedding: Bridesmaids

The four young bridesmaids wore handmade dresses by Nicki Macfarlane and her daughter.  Kate wanted the dresses to be "classic in design but would also echo elements of her own dress," the designer told People Magazine. The dresses used the same fabric used to make the wedding dress and the same lace as Kate's underskirt was used for the neckline and puff sleeves.  The girls also had similar buttons on the back.  The bridesmaid dresses were ballerina length with a box pleat skirt.  The girls wore satin Mary Jane shoes with Swarovski crystal buckles.  The flowers used for the hair wreath were lily-of-the-valleys.

Photo courtesy of Getty

Photo courtesy of Zimbio

Royal Wedding: Queen Elizabeth II

Queen Elizabeth II did not look her age at all at today's wedding ceremony.  The Queen wore a yellow Angela Kelly single crepe wool primrose dress with hand-sewn beading at the neck in the shape of sun rays.  To  match her dress, she wore a double crepe wool tailored coat.  Pinned to her coat was a Queen Mary True Lovers Knot diamond brooch.  She wore white gloves, pearls and a yellow hat that had silk roses on it.  The hat was also designed by Angela Kelly.  Ms. Kelly just so happens to be the Queen's personal assistant.

Photo courtesy of People

Photo courtesy of Shoes Scarpe