Eat, Pray, Love comes to the big screen

Back in January while on vacation, I read Eat, Pray, Love and it was an eye-opening experience. Being someone who is spiritual but not religious and who often worries about my life's path, I really related the the character's quest for meaning in her life and was amazed by her adventure to Italy, India, and Bali.

Now the book is coming to the big screen starring Julia Roberts, Billy Crudup, and James Franco (major swoon). Based on the trailer, it seems pretty true to the book and I can't wait to see it. Check out the trailer:

Are wedding dress costs worth the price?

Right now I'm up too late watching one of my favorite shows, TLC's Say Yes to the Dress. The reality program tracks customers' consultations and shopping experiences at legendary New York City bridal boutique Kleinfeld. Kleinfeld boasts the widest selection available and the show consists of watching brides try on different styles and debate the right one with their loved ones.

Obviously, I'm a fashion girl, and to me, the wedding dress is the dress of your life. No dress in my entire lifetime will be more important. BUT... is it really worth spending upwards of $7 to 10,000 for a dress when that money could be applied to paying off a student loan or putting a payment down on a house?

I want my dream dress; I want something unique, fabulous, and elegant, but lately I've been disgusted by the massive amounts of money couples spend on weddings. This is money they usually don't have, so the average couple ends up paying for their wedding decades later. As a little girl I fantasized about a massive black-tie wedding, but being realistic now, I can't imagine that the hefty price-tag attached to such an event would really be worth it. What makes me cry about even the thought of weddings (yes, I'm a sap!) is the touching connection between the couple and the declaration of eternal love. That message gets lost easily amidst hundreds of guests and a gaudy reception.

Clearly I'm very young and years (if I'm lucky) away from marriage, but I couldn't help thinking about the true worth of these material wedding costs while watching a show during which brides regularly shell out over $5,000 without batting a lash.

P.S. A great idea for a designer dress at a bargain price: Try a site like Encore Bridal, where you can shop gently used gowns (Hey, they've only been worn once! Or sometimes not at all.)

Pictured are two of my favorite gown designs, both by Monique Lhuillier. The top is Sunday Rose, the second is Scarlet. They're both so different, but I love them equally. I will be a very indecisive bride someday!

I love Liberty of London for Target!

I've been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Liberty of London collections (including clothing, bedding, housewares, stationary, etc.) to Target for quite some time, and today I finally was able to go check it out for myself. I was particularly excited to see the vibrant but vintage prints in housewares like plates, teapots, and picture frames.

Though items only arrived in stores Sunday, I found a lot sold out already... or maybe since I live in middle America, a lot just didn't come to my local store in the first place. My heart was set on getting the two-tiered dessert tray (which I thought would be great in the kitchen, or in the boudoir to hold my jewelry!), but it was one of the items completely sold out. I headed online to buy it but it's sold out there too. In fact, almost everything is sold out online! I'll have to keep checking in the hopes it comes back in stock.

My initial disappointment doesn't mean I left empty-handed. I added three more plates (2 dinner, 1 salad) and a bowl in varying bright, fun patterns to the collection I've been gathering for my new apartment next year. I also got an adorable teapot and hatbox in the Sixty print (a beautiful '60s-style floral). Sadly, these things will have to hide in my car (along with my Martha Stewart cupcake tree!) until I move into my first place come August, but I'll be anxiously awaiting the pop of freshness they bring into my everyday life.

There was so much more I wanted, but funds are tight for me right now and I resisted the urge to overdulge. A few great items I might head back for are the patterned garden tools and matching gardening gloves; they would make a great Mother's Day gift for my green thumb-ed mom.


Did you find anything you love from Liberty of London?

Conflicted over clogs

When Karl Lagerfeld sent clogs down his Chanel runway (pictured left), everyone was up in arms over the return of the wooden-soled shoe... and I was annoyed at the insistence he was the only fashion God worthy of determining what's hot and not. I think people should let their style instincts tell them what they like and what they don't. No one should rely on the taste of a fashion designer they have no connection to, personal or otherwise.

With that said, I admit that I was an initial doubter of the clog's return, but having recently seen examples of their wearability (like Katrina Szish and Alexa Chung), my feelings are now leaning towards... conflicted. Can they really be stylish and modern, leaving behind the connotation of little Dutch girls?

The more I consider it, yes, I think they can be rocked stylishly. I've always loved Phoebe Philo's wooden heels for Chloe, and really, the tall studded clogs aren't that much of a departure from those. The key to me in working the clogs is that they need to be tall and studded; they need some sex appeal.

Teen Vogue has it all wrong in this online pictorial about clogs (one photo pictured above), displaying tons of low, brightly colored pairs. These are too similar to the clogs I wore in 1st grade. To be chic, there should be a strong departure from the children's department. Also, they look best in natural leather shades, not candy-colored hues.


Considering the closed-toe (feature of a true clog), thick heel, and heavy materials (leather and metal), the shoes seem best suited to accompany a fall wardrobe, so despite the fact that everyone says to buy them for spring, I'm holding off.

If clogs are still loitering (or have even blown up) by fall, then I'll invest in a pair. The most stylish, Chanel-esque pair I found were Jeffrey Campell's Charli-"C" Clog (pictured left), not so unreasonably priced at $124.95. They'd look great with tights, skinny jeans, and sweater dresses... much more so than vibrant spring dresses.

Mix nautical stripes & spring florals

I love the mix of nautical stripes and fresh floral prints. It's one way to dress femininely while avoiding the spring cliche of flowered patterns; juxtaposing those posies against stripes adds some unconventional edge. When the colors of the two pieces compliment each other, the result is decidedly chic, not clashing.

The images are from Teen Vogue's online slideshow Escape Artist: Tropical Florals and Nautical Stripes

Can I pull off fuchsia lips?

The latest spring beauty trend to blossom from the runways? Bold and matte fuchsia lips.

Though the look pleasantly pops against dewy, clean skin and parred-down eyes, I have mixed feelings about its wearability in everyday life. Dark lips can be difficult in the first place, not to mention in an unconventional hue.

But the fun part about trying a beauty trend is it's an easy change with low risk. You may shell out $5 to $15 for a lipstick, but that's a small price to lose if the look falls flat... and a little price to pay if it turns out fabulously.

Fuchsia lips can be both feisty and flirty, feminine and futuristic. In my opinion, the versatility makes it a winning look worth experimentation.

When selecting your shades, stir clear of products with sheen, glitter, or sparkle; those look too dated and tacky. Rich, matte colors are the way to go.

My picks for fuchsia lips, a trend seen on the Marc by Marc Jacobs runway (pictured above):

UNDER $5

Wet 'n' Wild Silk Finish Lipstick in Fuchsia with Blue Pearl
(At $1.29 this bright pick is a steal)

UNDER $10

Revlon Colorburst Lipstick in Fuchsia (A wearable fuchsia hue. Bonus? Cute tube)

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Fuchsia Fusion (A slightly darker option that's less "out there" and more conventional for the wary)

PRICIER PICKS

M.A.C Lipstick in Girl About Town (Pictured above; a flirty fuchsia) or...
Show Orchid (A vivid hot pink), both $14

Nars Semi-Matte Lipstick in Funny Face (A lighter, feminine fuchsia), $24



Blog Love Part Deux: Jordan Reid

Last September, I wrote about my love of hipster domestic diva Jordan Reid's NonSociety "lifecast," but only 6 months later that Tumblr is gone forever.

Just this past week, after returning from a trip with her fellow NonSociety comrades (including Julia Allison and Meghan Asha), Jordan abruptly deleted her lifecast and transferred all her content to a new Tumblr, entitled Ramshackle Chic. Questions remain about the reason behind her sudden departure from the web venture, particularly considering she called Julia, Meghan, and NonSociety COO Megan Alagna her friends.

Though Jordan said there's "no bad blood," Julia wrote on her lifecast that "her departure was completely unexpected, and we - Meghan, Megan, Katrina, and I - are still processing it." I also noticed that Jordan no longer follows Julia on Twitter, but follows many of the contacts she's met through Julia and the other NonSociety contributors.

During my past few sick days, I've had little energy for much but tracking this silly ongoing story, indulging my curious detective side. I doubt the truth will ever be admitted, after all it might be unprofessional or just plain rude to discuss professional matters in public, but I'm not sure I'll remain such a loyal reader of Jordan's in the meantime. I've checked her lifecast at least once almost daily for the past 6 months, but now that she's switched, the design and layout has suffered. Only time will tell I guess.

More University Chic articles!

I love blogging for University Chic, and here are my two latest pieces:

The Text Kiss-Off (Dumped via text message? Sadly, it's a growing trend.)

Top 5 Careers for College Women (Unfortunately for me, journalist is nowhere to be found. Nor is professional cupcake eater, my back-up career. Shucks.)

More on the way, as always!

Fashion Trends for Spring 2010

Missouri has been teasing me with some warm and sunny March days... and my immediate thought is, how will I adjust my wardrobe for spring this year?

What's on the horizon for spring? In the past I would follow fashion week shows and trend reports religiously, but I've been so busy the past few years that I rely on the expert fashion reporters to do the job for me. I found a slide-show from Glamour offering photos of the most wearable spring trends. Seems like a good place to start... Here are some of my favorites from the list:

Tie-dye. This seems in line with the bright tribal trend I blogged about earlier. To me, tie-dye instantly brings forth images of hippies and grade-school art projects, but the looks shown in Spring 2010 collections were much more sophisticated: a modern take on the classic, laid-back style. (The above images are various looks from Spring '10 collections; my pick is the second from the right, by Proenza Schouler.)

Polka dots. Any excuse to wear feminine and retro dots is one I'll gladly take. I love how the first two trends are so different (tie-dye is decidedly surfer-chic, while polka dots are a girly girl's best friend). Lots of options for changing up my look!

Painterly prints. I'm mesmerized by dreamy, watercolor-like prints that are trendy for spring. They're a welcome alternative to spring's mainstay floral prints. These artistic prints have already made it to the red carpet, worn by Rachel McAdams and Maggie Gylleenhaal at the Oscars. (The skirt modeled by Karlie Kloss in the image above is by Michael Kors.)

The feathered skirt. What's more feminine and chic than a flirty feathered skirt? Anything that pays tribute to the glamorous looks of the Roaring '20s gets my attention.

Not-so-mellow yellow. Yellow is predicted to be huge for spring and I couldn't be more elated to add a dose of sunshine to my closet. The key is selecting pieces in vibrant, glowing yellows; mustard yellow is too drab for spring. (The above photo features spring collection looks by [from left] Cynthia Steffe, Preen, and Monique Lhuillier.)

The khaki suit. Personally, as someone whose lifestyle doesn't call for pantsuits, I think the khaki suit is more a symptom of the bigger safari chic trend. You can read my University Chic trend report on the safari fever here.

The military coat. In line with the safari look is the military coat trend; another uniform-inspired look borrowed from the boys. Military inspiration in outerwear isn't new, it's a trend that's been loitering for a few seasons now. I first reported on this for University Chic back in October.

The multi-strap dress. The multi-strap dress amps up your LBD's sex appeal, adding a sultry (but not slutty) nod to bondage.

What a difference a year makes

What a difference a year makes in your adolescence (or maybe just in Hollywood?).

Last year, Miley Cyrus was on the May 2009 cover of Teen Vogue. This year she's on the April 2010 cover, and almost exactly a year later, Miley looks dramatically more mature.

I'm not the biggest Miley fan, but I love the styling in her latest Teen Vogue spread, particularly the straightening of her unruly curled extensions. Her darker hair, paired with elegant red lips, makes her seem so much older in just a year's time.

This shot of Miley and Liam Hemsworth, her on-screen love interest in The Last Song (my book review here) and off-screen boyfriend, seems so natural and romantic (the Paris setting helps boost the romance meter, too). It transports me to Paris, where I envision walking arms linked with my own tall boyfriend.

Miley often times makes me cringe with her tacky clothing choices, but she looks extraordinarily sophisticated here when styled by the teenage fashion bible.

Though the book was somewhat dull, I'll confess I'm anxious to see The Last Song. Who doesn't love a teen romance set at the beach?