Plaid is one of my all-time favorites, and lately it's covering everything from headbands to shoes. But buyer beware: not all plaid is created equal. One wrong purchase and you'll end up looking more like a picnic table than a fashionista. It's important to think in terms of more than just the simple plaid button-down. Try a dress with an interesting silhouette or throw in a plaid heel. If you're going to go with a more traditional plaid, or even with flannel, shape is important to avoid looking like a lumberjack. Bravo, Dolce and Gabbana.

Florals and I have a love-hate relationship. I love florals as a concept, but it's hard to find flattering floral pieces. Most end up looking either too matronly or too much like drapes or a bad couch, so keep it simple. The best florals aren't loud but pretty and dainty. For most women, a smaller print looks best, but if you have a thin frame, a bigger print can offer a big punch. Unlike plaid pieces, florals work best with a simple, classic shape. Bravo, Catherine Malandrino. And you too, Betsy Johnson.

Animal prints seem to go in and out of the fashion loop more than leggings. With animal print, it's important to be subtle. More than one piece in an animal print will likely leave you looking tacky, rather than trendy. Avoid mixing animal prints or choosing a print that's too loud. Leopard prints in dark grey or brown work best — not in neon colors. (Leave the neon colors for your highlighters, please.) Classic white and black zebra stripes are hard to mess up as well. If you're leery of a leopard-print, floor-length gown (as well you should be) tackle something a little more digestible, like a zebra-striped bag or a leopard-spotted heel. Oh, and your prints shouldn't be fuzzy to the touch. Leave that to the animals, please. Bravo, Jimmy Choo.

Take for instance, Mayor John Molony, of Mount Isa, deep in the Queensland territory of Australia.  He decided a good initiative to combat the dearth of women in the small mining town would be to encourage “beauty disadvantaged sheilas” to come to Mount Isa.

Translation:  “Since all of you ugly ducklings are not getting much play elsewhere, why not come to Mount Isa where the men are quite desperate and will give you a chance.”

Ironies of ironies, women actually make up 47% of the Mount Isa population.  I guess Molony also has his own definition of dearth. 

But his brilliance does not stop there.  Molony points to the women already living in Mount Isa to show that the town is really serious about welcoming the beauty disadvantaged.  "Quite often you will see walking down the street a lass who is not so attractive with a wide smile on her face." "Whether it is recollection of something previous or anticipation for the next evening, there is a degree of happiness”.

Classic.

But what can you say to Molony?  At least, he’s welcoming those society has deemed to not be beautiful.

Well, that’s certainly more than you can say for the fashion industry which does not hire black models or any other minorities for that matter, because, they “are not aspirational” or “they do not sell”.  There have been attempts made to “combat” this malaise, like the “oh-so-not patronizing dressing of African models in African-inspired wear”.

Translation:  “Well, we don’t think you’ll sell any magazines but we’ll give you a chance and dress you in what we consider to be the traditional wear where you’re from.  Nevermind, you don’t actually wear only beads and bangles when you’re in your country.  Just put this on and stand beside the lion”.

Classic.

So what finally happens to combat that?  Vogue Italia with its “All Black” issue.  Except this is not a work of solidarity in the fashion industry.  Rather, it’s the work of editor, Franca Sozzani and photographer, Steven Meisel.  Not only do they call on the lithe Imans and Liyas and Aleks but they also have the Toccaras or well, just actually, just one Toccara but it’s a good start.

The issue also shows how far the fashion industry has to go.  Right next to the features are ads for Valentino, Gucci, Prada and Dolce and Gabbana, none with minority models.

Classic.

Todays outfitt.

- shoes, gucci. 585£.

- handbag, gucci. 955£.

- sunglasses, D&G. Can't remember the price.

- earings, David Yurman, 752£

- skirt, sass & bide. 263£

- shirt, burberry. 450£

- scarf, gucci. 170£

My outfitt today is very simple, but very stylish!! I'ts perfect outfitt for the autumn!

I know i probably don't have the same budget as everybody else. But I don't always buy luxury clothes.

xoxo. the WAG.

Who need pedicurist? All we need is Garra Rufa Carps to eat our disgusting dead skin. The dead skin fish eater  which originated from Turkey has become the IN animal to exfoliate and smoothen the surface of feet. Sorry I am wrong. We still need pedicurist to cut and trim and colour our nails. Those fishes can’t do that. Actually this is not a new thing. They’ve been famous in some parts of Turkey to treat disease like psoriasis. 

I‘ve seen (not experienced!) how the fishes work. For fees like $5, you can dunk your feet into the container for 5 minutes. The fishes will flock to your feet to eat all the dead skin. like scene during designers knock down sale.  It is a tragic moment to see a number of dead fishes floating on the surface of the container. I am not sure why they dead. Maybe because they eat too much human skin or maybe they can’t stand the pungent smell come from the feets (this pungent thinking really turns me off!).

If you don’t want your fishes to eat others dead skin apart from you, you can have your own Garra Rufas. You need a very stylish container of course! No other aquarium as edgy and stylish as Dolce and Gabbana black patent leather PVC aquarium bag. This aquarium has tinted transparent PVC at front and back. For portability, it comes with removable chain link shoulder strap with patent leather pad. Your dead skin eating fishes will enjoy greater space because this aquarium is quite roomy. These fishes are hero. They work non stop. There is a possibility some of your fishes will die. But don’t worry. You can keep that dead fish on the side flap pockets with plated buckle and pin closure. It is a very serene space for the death while waiting to be buried in your sacred backyard.  This aquarium is available at bluefly.com at USD1,241.00 (on sale).

1. Charcoal burning on a grill - Why my father would spend all day prepping and cooking meat on the grill was a mystery to me. He was either out there by himself, even while the charcoal was lighting, or in the kitchen rubbing things with spices or mixing them in a pot. Everyone knew that the best part was actually eating the food once it was prepared, or so I thought until I started preparing it myself. Understanding his mentality initially came in college when I'd help Billy, Mike, and Mendez man the grill (well, they cooked the food and I just talked to them, though I did get pretty good at mixing MRay's barbecue sauce) for the Mallet cookouts. Sure the end product was great, but the process of being out there, bonding with your friends, and seeing the satisfaction on the faces of those who consumed the meal you created means more than eating it ever could.After I left school this point was driven home for me. Every weekend during football season I would drive down to Tuscaloosa, buy a bunch of food early Saturday morning, and spend all day at the grill. Being surrounded by some of your favorite people in the world makes doing anything much more enjoyable so it's no surprise this was one of the most enjoyable times of my life. We'd eat all day, watch football, nap, watch more football, eat some more, and finish the night off by playing video games. Heaven on earth in my humble opinion. So charcoal burning on a grill reminds me of my family being gathered together in the kitchen enjoying my dad's ribs, bonding with friends and learning the ropes during college, and finally taking the reins becoming the primary griller during that football season. Which brings us to...
2. Jack Daniel's - Did I mention that on my way into town that season I would stop and get a handle (1.75L) of Jack Daniel's Whiskey? Did I mention that when I woke up I'd pour myself a big Jack 'n' ice in a mason jar? Did I mention that during all of the phases of Saturday we would also be drinking like fish? No? Well all of the above is true, which is why Jack Daniel's is associated with fun times and positive smells.
3. Freshly cut grass on a fall day - Unlike now when fall Saturdays mean college football fanaticism, growing up fall meant all the fun and excitement of another youth soccer season. In the crisp autumn air smells seem to be more potent. That's probably in my head more than anything, but fall excites the olfactory senses in my nose like few other things because there are few things I loved more than being on that field. My words couldn't do justice to the emotions that are flowing through me right now. There are times when I find myself near a park on a Saturday morning, get a whiff of that memory, and inhale as much as possible trying to infuse the smell in my lungs and nasal passageways. On occasion I will even tear up longing for the times when my entire family would be together cheering each other on. Those were the days.
4. Light Blue by Dolce and Gabbana - A friend of mine wears this and it is her smell. Unequivocably her. So much so that I smelled the fragrance on a stranger in a bar and forced another friend to smell her to verify who she smelled like. I was right.
5. Pancakes cooking - Sunday mornings I was allowed to sleep relatively late (compared to the rest of the school week) and often would wake to the smell of pancakes on the griddle. People, I have already explained how much I love pancakes and this may have something to do with it. My mom, dad, sister, brother and I would all eat a big Sunday breakfast together with bacon, sausage, eggs, grits and toast. But for me the draw was the seemingly unlimited supply of pancakes. God they were good. Waking from your slumber by the smell of pancakes as they waft into your room is the best way...er...second best way to wake up.

Obviously family and friends have lots to do with my selections because that is when I am happiest. Enough about me, List 5 positive smells ingrained into your mind.

Related posts
List 5 foods you could (or do) eat everyday.
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The latest fashion week rumor concerns the musical talent the will be provided by Dolce & Gabbana at their after-show party in Milan. It appears the design duo has tapped break-out talent, Katy Perry, to sing pretty in front of their impossibly cool friends.

When asked about the honor, and the rest of her fashion week plans, the make-out queen told Fashion Week Daily: "I leave for London on the 9th, so I’ll be more involved overseas in the shows over there. I’m gonna perform at the D&G after party in Milan!”

A couple of months ago, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana attended the London show of British soul songstress, Duffy -- leading many to speculate that the blonde babe would be the designer's new muse. However, I guess everybody in fashion has given up on the 60s throwbacks a la Amy Winehouse.

Plus, Katy's retro pin-up style is a bit of fresh air amongst all of the winged eyeliner and faded Pucci print shifts. That aside, don't be surprised if you see lots of Perry doppelgangers within the spreads and ads of your favorite style glossies and brands over next few months.

Anna Dello Russo the creative director of Vogue Nippon has been doing great things for Vogue Japan and I love her personal style. But what else would we expect from a Vogue gal, she looks simply fantastic in her summer attire. She knows how to dress to impress - Bellissima! Her style choices are fantastic; I love her Lavin Dress in canary yellow, Dolce and Gabbana dress – frill me! She teams her fab frocks with designer stiletto sandals to show off her pins, she choose Yves Saint Laurent heels for her Lanvin dress and wears Louboutin in the middle photographs …

Anna Dello Russo the creative director of Vogue Nippon has been doing great things for Vogue Japan and I love her personal style. But what else would we expect from a Vogue gal, she looks simply fantastic in her summer attire. She knows how to dress to impress - Bellissima! Her style choices are fantastic; I love her Lavin Dress in canary yellow, Dolce and Gabbana dress – frill me! She teams her fab frocks with designer stiletto sandals to show off her pins, she choose Yves Saint Laurent heels for her Lanvin dress and wears Louboutin in the middle photographs …

Lulu believes that we have Dolce & Gabbana and their space-bondage ads to thank for this one; now, like the unfortunate "jumping model" craze, the slicked-back ponytail has become viral.

Lulu urges fashion stylists and magazines to let the damn thing go, as no one is really wearing it and it was only cutting-edge once.

Here are some photos of the Slicked-Back Ponytail in all its overuse:

D&G

In Vogue

At an Oscar de la Renta Show

None of these photos belongs to Lulu. As they are of slicked-back ponytails, she is glad of this.

The delightful DRAWING, however, DOES belong to Lulu, and you may not use it without her permission.

In the end, it's really about which ad brought in all the dollars. But we might as well appreciate the art while its here.

p.s. Two more weeks before I depart for Greece. I'm very thrilled at the thought of being in a different setting especially considering I have only left the borders of california thrice in the entirety of my life. I just feel bad that my trip, in spite of it being for academic purpose, will be a financial offset for my mother. I'm so sorry!! :(

1. Chicken Salad. I know, how silly. I could just go out to any restaurant and get a sandwich stuffed to my heart's delight. I, however, can't take the chance of over drafting for chicken salad. Otherwise, that six dollar chicken salad orgasm just turned into a thirty dollar case of heartburn. Up until months ago, I hated chicken salad, mainly because I hate mayonnaise (GROSS), but then Merkle made some and well...I never looked back. Now, I crave chicken salad. I need my chicken salad fix. So right now, I would even settle for Chick-fil-a's weak attempt at chicken salad. Until Wednesday, I suppose I can just dream big--as big as a chicken salad feast. Til that day, I leave you with this:

Shania hates mayo all right, and she can't eat chicken salad, thats no joke. We gave it to her once, she threw up in the limo - the lady hates chicken salad. So I bring out a bunch of tuna fish sandwiches - she still doesn't believe me - I say, Shania, I'm allergic to mayo - which, by the way, is a lie. Shania still doesn't believe me so I eat two of the sandwiches in front of her to prove it. So she eats one and a half sandwiches, one and a half sandwiches... before she realizes, it's chicken salad. -Brad Stand from I Heart Huckabees

2. October. Summer just ain't what it used to be. It's hot and because of this and Clinique my face has broken out. It costs me a lot in gas, because we certainly can't stay in Greenville on the weekend. And I either am too busy or have entirely too much free time, either way I am going to complain. But October, well, it's the best month in the year. Didn't you know? The weather is perfect for football, pumpkins decorate lawns and my tastebuds, boots get introduced to the world again, and the sunlight is muted in a scenery of burnt oranges and browns; it's euphoric. I only wished we lived somewhere where fall made more of an appearance, but either way, I'm waiting for October. If I could just hibernate until then, that would be for the best.

3. A monokini. Heard of 'em? They're adorable and I think uber sexy (can the word uber and sexy really be used in the same sentence?). I found a cute and cheap! one at Target.com, but of course they don't have it in the store. And I am not brave enough to just buy it and see if it works out.

But then I found this as well and I almost passed out. Let me preface this with, I have been searching for this type of bathing suit since I was a sophomore in high school. I, of course found it, but only spewed onto the pages of Vogue, done up by Tom Ford and Dolce and Gabbana and costing a pretty penny. But there, on my computer screen and an extremely affordable price, Target fulfilled all of my previous summers' longing. I have wanted a strapless, white, ruched sided, squared bottomed, one piece bathing suit that screams vintage for five years. Like this one... except it's black.

I know what you're thinking, "A one piece, really?" But can't you picture it now...this with my giant tan sun hat and some red heels? I'll pause for you soak in the amount of fabulousness that that would exude. Ok great, got it? Understand now? Fan-fucking-tastic.

4. A vacation to St. John. I was Facebook stalking photos and saw someone went to St. John; I was envious. I went there six years ago when vacations were a big deal in the Shro family. In the days of lavish vacays, we went to some pretty spectacular places, but this one exceeded them all. Who needs tours of King Henry VIII's castle, when you have the white sand, aqua water and rainbow fish of the Virgin Islands? We stayed in a house on a cliff overlooking Chocolate Bay (is there any question as to why I liked it?). We traveled the island every day, visiting different beaches and traipsed winding, narrow paths up to the edge of broad cliffs; I fell in love. I stole this photo from Cache.com, but it's a picture of Trunk Bay and I snorkled around that mini island and gawked at all the coral and flapping sting rays. I miss it and need a vacation from my NYC vacation.

5. A slice of Linda's Fudge Cake. The fastest way to my heart, you ask? A slice of Linda's Fudge Cake from the Cheesecake Factory (or Godiva Dark Chocolate Truffles..or dutch ovening!). This seven dollar, 2000 calorie piece of cake is what I'm pretty convinced Heaven looks like. Unfortunately, Greenville's restaurant selection falls very short of the Cheesecake Factory, but fortunately, Barnes and Noble (not NOBLES!) carries some Cheesecake Factory desserts. I may have to splurge on pay day and then run eight miles.

6. I have a thing for suitcases! I saw this last thing while in New York. I always knew I wanted one, but my need for one wasn't fully realized until I saw it staring back at me beneath the come hither lighting of Prada. In the back aisles, beyond the mirrors and alongside the simple black dresses laid what makes my heart beat the fastest. In varying sizes, stacked in deep jewel tones were Prada's simplistic view of visual merchandising. They were the most gorgeous round leather (possibility crocodile) vintage-esque suitcases.

(Photo from Kaboddle.com)

These are not them. I couldn't find a picture of the Prada suitcases and I was afraid the Prada Police would kick me out if I tried to take a picture, so this was the closest thing I could find in shape. Now just imagine a much more stream lined, rich, but muted mauve leather suitcase embossed with Prada screaming my name. Because, God lord, it was. One day. But just imagine how amazing this 1940's inspired suitcase would go with my 1940s inspired bathing suit.

Want me to be able to have any of these things? Any sort of monetary donation is most welcome.

Tip: wear with high waisted pants/shorts/skirts

I loooove how the blouse is worn in the second photo with a high waisted denim skirt and NOT hipster denim mini skirt

Sources:

http://www.e-luxury.com Dolce and Gabbana ruffle blouse

http://www.garancedore.fr

Starting in the fall of ’07, Dolce and Gabbana’s hard metallic corseted belts threw the idea of structure and control in everyone’s face, as only they know how. Following up with their culturally fitting idea of the structural trend, the Dolce and Gabbana Spring ’08 collection displayed the transition of structure from fitted belts to carefully calculated stiff taffeta skirts. Recently we have noticed the silhouettes of garments expanding across the shoulders (a throw back to ‘80’s shoulder pads) as well as stiff and hard fabrics carefully arranged to mirror the body.

What does structured clothing say to the world? It say’s that the wearer is strategic, strong, and confident. And no designer understands that concept better than Balenciaga. Balenciaga’s spring ’08 collection showcased beautiful floral armor mini dresses with tall laced-up gladiator boots…I repeat...floral armor and gladiator boots… you don’t get fiercer than that! Balenciaga seemingly did it again and carried the theme of structure into their fall ’08 collection with a modern tone of space aged structured coats and perfectly shaped taffeta dresses.

You too can be part of the structure movement by getting yourself a pair of “gladiator” sandals, a blazer w/ some added punch in the shoulders, or a fun summer taffeta skirt. But more importantly, remember what structure stands for and be proud to be a woman at this moment in time.

~Devin~

All photographs courtesy of www.style.com

Chloe from Bluefly.com $456

The ankle boot from last winter has turned into a bootie for summer! A peep-toe bootie!

Dolce & Gabbana Bootie from Bluefly.com $620

Now these prices are discounted..no seriously..from Bluefly.com. They're designer of course, I can't imagine how much they'd really cost. Here are some affordable alternatives by Steve Madden:

Calidaa by Steve Madden $99.95

Midory Bootie by Steve Madden $149.95

It's all about Mondrian. From left to right, the classic tricolor colorblocking at Jil Sander and a more muted palette at Marni. (AP/Getty)

MILAN — If there was one take-home message from the Milan men's shows this week, it was Mondrian Mania. Mondrian's well-known color blocking showed up all over the runways. Raf Simons at Jil Sander showed wildly patriotic red, white, and blue blocked suits as well as a more wearable version in navy, pale khaki and light grey. The designer's two-tone colored lace-ups and multi-pouch shoulder bags in the same colors showed that men, too, can match their accessories if they so choose.

In a similar vein, Neil Barrett's much appreciated climate-controlled venue had a huge Yves Klein blue stripe on the wall, which presaged his take on the arty modernist trend: white shirts had red or blue sleeves or colored collar insets while the shoes had poppy blue and red toe caps. Gucci gave us a neon surf-fest that included bi-colored trousers in royal blue and black that mimicked the yoke of a beach boardshort. (Even the iconic Gucci loafer got the color-block treatment.) And Marni also got into the color block trouser game, albeit in a more somber neutral palette.

While the days during the Milan collections were bursting with shows, presentations and appointments, the evening schedule proved to be equally rigorous with all sorts of cocktails and parties scheduled back to back. Saturday's evening started with uncharacteristically prompt cocktails followed by a sit-down dinner in the courtyard of Donatella Versace's headquarters. It's been a bit of a celeb-fest here with Dominic Cooper ("Mamma Mia"), Gerard Butler ("300"), Clive Owen, Adrian Brody, Maria and Bobby Shriver, and Fergie occupying a seat in the front row at one time or another, but Donatella's special guest Janet Jackson (along with her boo Jermaine Dupree) trumped them all. Miss Jackson and Donatella lounged on a divan in the middle of the courtyard receiving guests and chatting before heading to the tables to begin the dinner portion of the show.

Donatella Versace with special guest Janet Jackson and Versace's daughter Allegra. (Getty)

Before I had managed a bite, I had to discreetly remove myself in order to get across town to Dolce & Gabbana's restaurant, Gold, for a dinner party celebrating their clever pajama suit runway parade that afternoon. A molto molto elegante affair in a molto molto elegante dining room, the dinner started as a multi-course affair and ended a couple hours later with Naomi Campbell holding court at a raucous table.

I was fortunate to sit at dinner with Pat McGrath, the very lovely make-up artist extraordinaire, who said that in the ten-plus years she's been coming to Milan for the women's shows she's never really had a proper night out on the town. She loved the friendliness of the men's show crowd....and we loved having her.

Sunday evening was a bit more mellow due to the soccer match between Italy and Spain that pretty much shut down the city. I tagged along with T's editor Stefano Tonchi for a drive-by visit to L'Uomo Vogue's 40th anniversary fete. I caught a glimpse of Tilda Swinton looking fashion-y and feminine in a metallic shift before beating the heat and heading off to a quiet dinner down the street at La Brisa, my favorite restaurant in Milan.

I called it a night at midnight, not long after hearing the shouts of disappointed Italian fans echoing down the streets.

Read more coverage of spring 2008 men's fashion.

To quote Bill O'Reilly on his show, "The O'Reilly Factor,"

"I just want mayonnaise. I don't want guys kissing."

Upon the removal of the above Heinz commercial after 200 people complained to the network, I can only point out that there are several other great "gay" commercials out there that have not been removed. They are tasteful, well-done, and innovative ads that are forward-thinking to the point of including this "inappropriate" alternative lifestyle. In fact, the place I intern at made one of them!

So check them out. I must warn you, however, that the guys in them are insanely attractive, which is synonymous for homosexual. Just in case you forgot.

Dolce and Gabanna, "Time"

Levi's, "Phone Booth"