Some of my FAVORITE Girl Talk songs.
Kennel Endorses:
TOMS Shoes
Many children in developing countries grow up barefoot. Whether at play, doing chores or going to school, these children are at risk:
Since I am such a shoe connoisseur, it always makes my heart warm knowing that my simple obsession sometimes helps someone truly in need.
A while back, I was introduced to TOMS Shoes, a company stationed in Santa Monica, California created by traveler and entrepreneur Blake Mycoskie - where they making shoes for people from all walks of life. Not only that, but this ever-expanding for-profit company operates a non-profit subsidiary called Friends of TOMS.
Mycoskie had an epiphany one afternoon after witnessing the conditions faced by poor villagers in Argentina during the second season of 'The Amazing Race,' that when he returned to the US, he was going to start a shoe company where with every pair sold he would donate a pair to someone in need.
A tremendous promise - but one that he and his company has stood by to this day.
But Why Shoes?
Many children in developing countries grow up barefoot. Whether at play, doing chores or going to school, these children are at risk:
•A leading cause of disease in developing countries is soil-transmitted diseases, which can penetrate the skin through bare feet. Wearing shoes can help prevent these diseases, and the long-term physical and cognitive harm they cause.
•Wearing shoes also prevents feet from getting cuts and sores. Not only are these injuries painful, they also are dangerous when wounds become infected.
•Many times children can't attend school barefoot because shoes are a required part of their uniform. If they don't have shoes, they don't go to school. If they don't receive an education, they don't have the opportunity to realize their potential.
I love and endorse this brand first and foremost because it takes a great person and a large heart to risk everything to benefit those who have little to nothing. I respect anyone willing to make a change, no matter the size, because they truly are the heros of life.
Not only that, but the shoes are terrific!
I simply adore the classic canvas shoes because the alpargata shoes (the style worn by Argentinian farmers) are not only comfortable and stylish, but well made and simply go with everything. These shoes are versatile in every form of the word, and have the ability to spice up any ensemble - from formal to casual.
And by all means, get even spicier and try a pattern, bright color, or buy a blank canvas shoe and create something yourself!
Visit TOMS Shoes for more styles, company info, and ways YOU can help those in needs.
Visit TOMS Shoes for more styles, company info, and ways YOU can help those in needs.
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| Ash Canvas Classic, $44 |
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| Tyler Ramsey Hand Painted, $68 |
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| Love is the New Black, $54 |
Tis The Season for Shopping Tips & Tricks.
Since I am immersed into the wonderful world of retail, I can tell you a lot of things happen during the holidays. Dropping big bills, printing multiple gift receipts, and ladies fighting over size 2's and 4's when they should be picking up 14's. It truly is a magical time of year for us who clean up the mess that other leave behind - but one trend I am seeing during retails triumphant rise this season is the extensive use of lists.
It amazes me that with the economy still the way it is that people are dropping major dollars this holiday, but some tricks that wise "power shoppers" are using really help them get the best bang for their buck (bad pun?)
1. Lists
I've never seen as many people shopping with lists before in my life, especially when it comes to buying clothes. It's a smart tactic, however, to alleviate sporadic purchases and buying "just because." Anything not on the list should be avoided; if it wasn't good enough to make it on the initial list, it must not be worth purchasing, right? It's also a great way to keep track of who is getting what and what you've already purchased. No one likes repeats!
A great tool to use for you iPhone, iPad, and iPod users is the Better Christmas List app. It keeps all of your potential gifts separated by person and you can keep a running tally of purchases and prices. NEAT-O!
2. Cash
A smart thing to do this holiday season is to leave the plastic at home and turn to paper. It is a great method for the compulsive shopper to only take a certain amount of cash as a "limit." That way you can only spend what you've already set your budget for - and you will be happier to see your bank statement in the morning.
3. Organization
Sometimes we tend to NOT be able to get everything on a person's Christmas list, so another benefit of creating a shopping to-do is putting the most desired items up top and not so important items towards the bottom. That way, IF you CAN'T get everything you can rest assured that you got the most desirable gifts. The rest can be fluff.
4. FUN!
No matter who you are, making lists are fun. They can get creative, are your go-to incase you forget something, and they make you happen when you mark something off of it.
Happy Holiday Hunting!
It amazes me that with the economy still the way it is that people are dropping major dollars this holiday, but some tricks that wise "power shoppers" are using really help them get the best bang for their buck (bad pun?)
1. Lists
I've never seen as many people shopping with lists before in my life, especially when it comes to buying clothes. It's a smart tactic, however, to alleviate sporadic purchases and buying "just because." Anything not on the list should be avoided; if it wasn't good enough to make it on the initial list, it must not be worth purchasing, right? It's also a great way to keep track of who is getting what and what you've already purchased. No one likes repeats!
A great tool to use for you iPhone, iPad, and iPod users is the Better Christmas List app. It keeps all of your potential gifts separated by person and you can keep a running tally of purchases and prices. NEAT-O!
2. Cash
A smart thing to do this holiday season is to leave the plastic at home and turn to paper. It is a great method for the compulsive shopper to only take a certain amount of cash as a "limit." That way you can only spend what you've already set your budget for - and you will be happier to see your bank statement in the morning.
3. Organization
Sometimes we tend to NOT be able to get everything on a person's Christmas list, so another benefit of creating a shopping to-do is putting the most desired items up top and not so important items towards the bottom. That way, IF you CAN'T get everything you can rest assured that you got the most desirable gifts. The rest can be fluff.
4. FUN!
No matter who you are, making lists are fun. They can get creative, are your go-to incase you forget something, and they make you happen when you mark something off of it.
Happy Holiday Hunting!
A Pop Conundrum: GaGa vs Ke$ha (And Product Placement)
This may show my biased - but I cannot help but think that the ladies of pop music today are emulating the stylings of Miss GaGa.
Her clothing, lyrics, and synthetic sounds are all present in the tunes of Katy Perry, Rihanna, and even Miley Cyrus. However, after the release of Ke$ha's newest music video for 'We R Who We R,' she not only emulates the recently crowned "new" Queen of Pop, but practically steals some pieces of her music videos as well.
In GaGa's video for 'Telephone,' she and Beyonce, along with a slew of dancers, are adorned with outfits made straight by Betsy Ross - covered in stars and stripes. Within the same video, we see her prison lady surfing the singles website Plenty Of Fish. In her video for 'Bad Romance,' there is a section where bottles of Ukranian vodka Nemiroff are strategically placed throughout the video. It seems funny that Ke$ha is pulling the same tricks as Mama Monster - wearing a baggy American flag tank, repping bottles of tequila, and shamelessly promoting her own watches produced by Casio. Oh ... and is also surfing Plenty Of Fish. Maybe she's looking for GaGa's parol officer?
As much as I hated seeing GaGa promote products in her music - at least they kind of worked into the plot of the video. From my viewpoint, it looks like Ke$ha just threw some things she had in her purse on camera and just continued to touch her shards-o-glass bra and bright Smurf colored lipstick.
Really? What won't this girl do for some attention?
The videos in question:
A New Way To See Things
It's the technological age. Nerds are back and better then ever. Gates, Jobs, the Googleites, and that nerdy little Facebook troll are the leaders of the bulging wallets club. But does anyone remember when nerds were kind of ... well, nerdy? Pocket protecters, blue pens, and thick black-rimmed glasses. The only thing thats stuck with that look are the specs - and boy let me tell you what, large framed glasses are bigger and better. A-List celebs like Jay-Z, J. Depp, and J. Timberlake are stealing borrowing iconic looks from Warhol, Costello, and Malcom X. However, although this trend is becoming more and more popular with the masses, it doesn't always mean that guys and gals are wearing their readers the right way. By all means, let me share my wisdom with you. What else am I here for?!
3 Tips
- Substantial plastic frames are the way to go as opposed to thin wiry ones. You want to be noticed, not gawked at.
- For your very first pair, go for thinner/slim frames. Think of them as training wheels for your eyes. When you become a seasoned pro, then go thick or go home.
- Beware online shopping. Unless you're SURE the frames will work, I'd suggest you try them on in person.
Making a bold statement is very easy when it comes to accessorizing your eyes. However, like I stated above, beware of glasses that will make you look cartoonish or worse yet ... unattractive. It's very easy to get the wrong size and fit - so it's better to maintain minimalism with frames with a simple design (stripe, tortoise, or a bold color) or a simple black as opposed for a vintage 60s large round frame. Don't be a doofus.
Now for those of you who wear REAL prescription glasses, have no fear. I found a great pair of vintage glasses in a boutique the last time I was in Chicago that I bought for 75 cents. I loved them so much that I forfeited the change even though they were lensless! With that in mind, I took them to my optometrist and looked into having lenses fitted for the frames - and with a little bit of encouragement, they were able to send them off and create a truly amazing pair of spectacles. A nice pair of Ray Bans always makes the fitting easier, but really anything can be fitted - but keep the requests simple.
Typically you'll see most framed glasses in jet black, very much in the style of Buddy Holly and Clark Kent. But if you want to move from trendy to classic, trade in the black for tortoise for a more mature and elegant look. Also, not all tortoise patterns are created equal - make sure that the frames have a good mix of color and it's not too yellow or too orange for your liking (or whoever has to look at you all day).
When it comes to clear frames, I have some reservations. I know that they are out there and I know that a lot of hipsters love to wear them, but unless you are oozing creativity or are, in fact, an artist I'd think twice about the selection. But who am I to say that you're not the exception to the rule? If you honestly think you can pull them off then by all means sport them. That way you can let the rest of your outfit do the expressing for you.
Last, but certainly not least, FIT is everything.
- Your frames should be roughly the width of your face and the top of them should hit your eyebrows. If these dimensions don't work, neither will the look.
- If your fave glasses aren't fitting at the bridge of your nose, in some cases eyeglass designers can add silicone or pads to help.
- Get your specs serviced once a year to maintain their upkeep - refitting, retighting, and rebuffing.
- Pay more for good lenses - ones that are lightweight, antireflective, and thin. Definitely worth it.
My all time favorite place to shop for readers, sun glasses, and all things retro & exciting is Giant Vintage. They have all kinds of simple and classic styles, as well as more modern and futuristic frames to match any kind of funk you seem to be in. Here are some of my favorite picks:..
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| The Original: 'Genius' $20 |
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| The Stand-Out: 'Study Hall' $20 |
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| The Statement Maker: 'Busby' $12 |
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| The New Nerd: 'Squaresville' $16 |
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| The Jaw Dropper: 'Sssss' $20 |
Of course, there are TONS more styles when you visit Giant Vintage's site. Take a gander and see what your perfect fit is. Happy Hunting.
Making 'Scents' of The Big Pony Fragrances.
In the wonderful world of Ralph Lauren fragrances, there really isn't one that I don't love (although I really have to be in the mood for Safari). With the recent debut of The Big Pony fragrances, I've been working overtime at work trying to help associates and customers alike to show them that it's not just a number on the bottle ... but a lifestyle and personality. Enjoy the new generation of Ralph Lauren fragrances.
The Sporty One
If you've ever wanted to be on a winning team or be "#1" (I couldn't help myself to a pun). then this is the scent for you. With the combination of lime and grapefruit, Sporty will definitely make you the MVP of the fashion game. Expect victory when #1 is in your lineup.
The Seductive One
This fragrance is not safe for work, ladies and gentlemen. With the intriguing mixture of musk and my favorite, dark chocolate, this enticing and aromatic scent will make any night better then the last. I highly recommend Seductive for special nights out, chilly days out, and anytime that's sexy in between.
The Adventurous One
Exciting is an understatement when it comes to #3. With a mash-up of mint and ginger root, your adrenaline will be pumping through your veins. It's definitely not a scent for the light hearted - seeing as how passer by's will be all over the scent trail you're leaving behind.
The Stylish One
Individuality is seemingly scarce these days, so it's nice to see that there's a fragrance out there that represents those who like to smell outside the box. With Stylish, you get the essence of mandarin and kyarawood that offers the edginess that you long for, while keeping you smelling fresh and modern.
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