Category: ‘rant and rave’

Do You Support Abstinence Only Sweatpants?

Our friends at Shine recently brought our attention to a new product at Kmart: sweatpants ($16.99) emblazoned with the words “True Love Waits” on the thigh and the butt.

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You know what, Piper & Blue, your Geo Print top is kind of cute, and it’s only $16.99, but as a compulsive planner and a careful decision-maker, I cannot in good conscience support a label that discourages test-driving before you buy. It seems imprudent. And I have a handful of happily committed friends who might be a bit offended at your implication that they are not truly in love.

Mysteriously, Kmart’s website lists the product as “Piper & Blue Junior’s Crop Pant with Graphics,” and the “graphics” aren’t quite readable until you click for a larger image. So if you’re in the market for a pair of (loose-fitting, drawstring) chastity sweatpants, note that you may have to do some website sleuthing to find them.

What do you think about these sweats? Am I being too cynical about a healthy message?

Rebekah May 6th, 2009 12:00 am
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Pants Too Tight Post-Holiday? Would A Waistband Stretcher Help?

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Indulge in too many holiday treats? Is that eggnog camping out on your backside like it’s preparing to hike the K2? Don’t worry, we feel your pain. On a flight back from the holidays, we were presented with a suggested solution. From the pages of SkyMall, we bring you the Waistband Stretcher ($30).

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The purpose of this device is to do just what it says it’s supposed to do: stretch the waistband of your clothes. You’re supposed to wet the waistband of your favorite cotton pants, throw this contraption in, and watch it add 1-5” to the garment by stretching it out. Initially, this sounds like a great idea but it doesn’t say if the waistband will regain its original dimensions. Ladies, do not torture and kill a perfectly good pair of jeans just because you couldn’t stay away from the cheesecake and martinis.

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As we’ve said before, we (and most of Hollywood) are fans of Spanx Power Panties ($30). Spanx isn’t just for your favorite evening look, they’re a secret weapon for anytime you need to suck it in, tuck it back, and walk out of the house. Our advice is to purchase them in every color and use them liberally until you feel like your old self again.

We’re not against improvising during a wardrobe crisis but we are against ruining perfectly good clothes.

Peruse our Shapewear Guide for more ways to suck in those extra inches. 

kristindiva March 13th, 2009 12:00 am
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We Are Happy With A Much-Improved Oscar Red Carpet

We held out hope for a much improved red carpet through awards season, having slightly suffered through the Golden Globes and the Grammys. Thankfully, Oscar night fashion was much improved. Here are some trends from the best-dressed of the night.

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Return of a trend: Ball gown styling. This old Hollywood glamorous shape took on new life with Penelope Cruz looking stunning in vintage Pierre Balmain and Sarah Jessica Parker wearing Dior Haute Couture. Try out a subtle version of the trend with this Pale Yellow Dress from JS Boutique ($180).

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Fresh color statement: White gowns. We cannot say how gorgeous these dresses were in refreshing shapes with such stunning details. The ladies who brought the house down in what are soon to be the best wedding styles to come were Anne Hathaway in Armani Prive and Taraji P. Henson in Roberto Cavalli. Try a gorgeous white stunner to take you into warm weather with this Splendid Modal Lycra White Maxi Dress ($158.)

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Best returning color statement: Red on the red carpet. Rocking the red trend in all its glory last night were Amy Adams in Carolina Herrera and Heidi Klum in RM by Roland Mouret. Every woman needs a red dress in her wardrobe and this Marc Bouwer GlamIt! Red Silk Drape Detail Strapless Dress ($267.30) is a sure-fire winner.

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Newest color trend: Orchid/Plum tones. New hues of lavender and plum dresses made their way onto the carpet for a pop of romance. Looking stunning in the pretty hue were Natalie Portman in Rodarte and Alicia Keys in Armani Prive. Lighten up your own wardrobe with this T-Bags One Shoulder Grecian Dress ($215.)

kristindiva February 24th, 2009 12:00 am
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Fashion Week Diaries: SAFE by Rebecca Turbow..Lots Of Grey Clothes And Pornographic Cereal Boxes

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Monday we ventured "off-campus" to witness the hipster/goth model explosion that was SAFE by Rebecca Turbow. Shown in a gallery that has VERY provocative art on the walls (we can’t show you any of it close up but think cereal boxes using extremely, um, stimulating imagery), we were thrown into a grunge, underground art explosion filled with a crowd of very moody artsy types drinking boxed wine out of plastic cups.

We consider ourselves pretty creatively open but even we couldn’t get past what they did to poor old Cap’n Crunch on that wall.

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Once I gained focus, I realized I actually dug the clothes. Rebecca’s got quite the knack for tailoring and showed in a palette of almost entirely grey, silver and black. The models hung out on white cubes in front of the art and managed to achieve the perfect hipster slouch paired with slightly disgruntled facial expressions – so perfect, in fact, we had a hard time distinguishing them from onlookers dressed in similar shades of black and grey. 

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The trends at this show? Well, other than copious amounts of eye makeup (on both sexes), we can honestly say that we’ve never seen so many black peacoats in our lives. The ubiquitous Army/Navy store piece is firmly entrenched in the hipster culture here in New York and we think it’s something worth borrowing.

We’re particularly fond of this Indya Hoodie Peacoat ($159) which is warm enough to fight off the elements but cool enough to dress up denim or toughen up a pretty dress. And if you want to mimic the caped grey look SAFE was showcasing, we suggest this Soia & Kyo Cape Coat ($207, was $413).

So, we’re back to the tents again and we can definitely say the next time we haul our 4” heels off-site, we’ll be sure to bring extra mascara just in case.

kristindiva February 19th, 2009 12:00 am
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Open Letter To Erickson Beamon: Inexpensive Doesn’t Need To Look Cheap

Okay Erickson Beamon, I get it. You're a bold, avant-garde jewelry line adored by celebrities and fashionistas alike. But see, Target gave you an opportunity here to share the love. Well, I just looked at your new line and while it isn't all terrible, I really think you didn't put forth your best efforts. And for some pieces, you downright owe Target an apology.

Overall, I think you stayed true to your design aesthetic, as almost everything there could be classified as a statement piece. What kind of statement, though, is debateable.

Ericson Beamon for Target Erickson Beamon Gold Leaf Cuff

Aside from the garish color choices of the Jeweled Cuff Bracelet in Gold/Peach ($60), the faux leather looks and feels cheap, as do the big crystal gems. As a comparison, I highlighted one of your regular collection pieces, the Gold Leaf Cuff ($525), to show how you (usually) do it right.

Erickson Beamon for Target Purple/Turquoise Erickson Beamon for Target Purple Necklace

Another miss was the Layered Pendant Necklace ($50) that boasted shiny purple metal interwoven with turquoise suede cord. Yikes. The pendant itself, which appears frequently throughout the collection, is not bad. In the black-on-black version of this necklace, it brings just the right amount of bling. However, sitting in the middle of my high school senior year colors, it sadly has no choice but to look like a cheap, costumey brooch.

Erickson Beamon for Target Flower Ring Erickson Beamon for Target Flower Pendant Necklace

That said, there were some pieces I thought looked cute. The Jeweled Flower Ring ($30) was big and fun to try on. The Black Flower Pendant Necklace ($30) features the brooch/pendant in its better days, and the gold tone acrylic almost looks like real gold.

There are a few more fun pieces online that almost made me want to throw down the thirty bucks or so for a genuine EB creation. But if the quality is anything like what I saw in the store, I think I'll just keep saving for the originals.

SheFindsJenn February 17th, 2009 12:00 am
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The Grammys Are Glam In Black And Gold And We Have Questions For Paula Abdul

We watched the Grammys last night and while there were some memorable performances, there were some even more memorable outfits. The Grammys is for us like that party at your weird friend’s house: you go because you know that you will be able to talk about the bizarre outfits and strange people for days to come. Of last night’s arrivals, there are two hot trends you should watch out for on the red carpet and two dresses that just make us feel all angry inside.

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Trend: Glam and Gold. A couple of stars came out in gorgeous confections of gold both short and long. This glamorous trend was smoking hot on Gwyneth Paltrow in Versace and Carrie Underwood in Zuhair Murad.

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Trend: Chic and Black. The black dress last night showed up in all its classic glory but looked fresh and new on some of Hollywood’s younger stars. Some critics thought Miley Cyrus appeared matronly in Max Azria, but we thought she looked gorgeous, as did Taylor Swift in Kaufman Franco.

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How do you capitalize on the black or nude and gold trends for your own wardrobes? This JS Boutique V-Neck Gown with Rhinestones ($164) is a glamorous take on the trend in a design that is truly timeless. If it’s the glimmer of gold you seek, this Vera Wang Gold Satin Beaded Detail Shift Dress ($315) is a great option for a variety of shapes and heights.

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Worst Dressed of the Night: This was a tie for us. Between rapper M.I.A.’s slash and sew drapery dress and Paula Abdul’s Basil Soda fembot canary yellow monstrosity, we feel we should report them both for assault. We can almost get behind the fact that M.I.A. was due to give birth at any minute so she didn’t want to wear something she could potentially ruin. What’s YOUR excuse, Paula?

kristindiva February 10th, 2009 12:00 am
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Wow, Katie Looks So Cool In Her $400 Mauled Jeans

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The distressed skinny jean trend has me torn (yes, I said it) because it speaks to two dueling sensibilities of mine.  While I adore the carefree rock 'n' roll vibe, my preppy streak dictates that leaving the house in torn up clothing is just never going to happen. At least celebs like Katie Holmes (shown here in PRPS Dart skinny jeans, $360) know how to make the trend work.  As always, it’s about balance—keep your top half subdued to avoid looking like the cat went ballistic in your closet. 


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But what we can't figure out is why one would shell out nearly $400 for a pair of jeans that are basically falling apart. While these Current/Elliotts ($216) are not as pricey as Katie's skinnies, they're still over the $200 mark. And bebe's Rolled and Destroyed Skinny Jean ($139), while fun in that 80s throwback kind of way, still hits triple digits. Why not put some scissors and sandpaper to good use on a pair from the back of your closet?

What do you think of this new trend?  Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

SheFindsKatieN February 2nd, 2009 12:00 am
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The End Is Near: Fanny Packs Are Back

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We don’t know exactly where to begin with this one so we’ll just go ahead and jump right in: fanny packs are making a comeback. Yes, we we're just as shocked as you are right now. Trendhunter spotted the hands-free bags on the streets, and evidently, not just for tourists and creepy joggers in short shorts, the fanny pack is touted as a must-have for busy eco-conscious urbanites, with new enhancements like an iPod pocket, a Blackberry pouch, and compartments for your wallet and keys.

Our response: really? Really? Because, let us be crystal clear on this – there is nothing chic about wearing something that looks like a tool belt around your waist. Using a subway commute as an excuse to have your shoulders free is ridiculous. The only time a fanny pack/utility belt is acceptable is if you have to walk your dog. We will give you a hall pass for that use and that use ONLY.

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If you and your pooch would like to play, this Guess Demi Mini Waistpack ($58) is a cute, hands-free alternative to juggling treats, leashes, poop bags, toys, your phone and your keys. We repeat: if you are playing with your dog, we are fine with this as an acceptable option.

But if we catch you out at night with this thing around your waist, it doesn’t matter how eco-friendly it is, we will make fun of you.

kristindiva January 8th, 2009 12:00 am
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Burger King Body Spray: For The Man Good Enough To Eat

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Your man is hot, right? Do you think about a juicy, flame-broiled hamburger whenever you think of him? Because if you do, Burger King has a body spray for your dude. In what is surely a sign of the apocalypse, the fast food chain that brought you the Whopper and those creepy commercials with the guy in the King mask has decided to move their marketing appeal into the fragrance arena with Flame, a new body spray for men that, according to the press release, “features the scent of seduction with the hint of flame-broiled meat.” The limited edition fragrance WAS available for $4 online, but is already sold out. However, you must take time to watch the cheesiest and funniest online commercial we have ever seen.

Go on, we’ll give you a moment to collect yourself.

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If you’ve got a thing for unusual fragrances, we suggest something a tad classier. Demeter makes some great fragrances based on everything from Gin and Tonic ($20) to Dirt ($20) and even Rubber ($26).  Whatever gets your personal fire going, we’re here for you.

But don't ask your man for fries to go with that shake. That's just wrong.

Check out our Fragrance Guide for other scents. 

kristindiva December 19th, 2008 12:00 am
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Earn Extra Cash By Batting Your Eyelashes

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You might have a chance to earn some extra cash for the holidays with a mere wink. Feelunique.com , a UK beauty site, is hiring models to wear a transfer of their URL on their eyelids. They pay 10 pence per wink, up to a total of £100 per model (approx. $155 dollars). The transfer is temporary but the cash is real for as long as you can keep it in your pocket.

Umm, so this is kind of creepy if you ask us. Can you imagine sitting across a table from someone who had an advertisement on their eye? Could you actually see it behind long lashes?  If you try to tell them that their eye makeup is a little smudged and they tell you they're moonlighting as a billboard, do you congratulate their entrepreneurial spirit or hand them a Q-tip?

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If this appeals to you, you’re obviously going to need some eye makeup remover to take the transfer off after they’ve paid you the mad money.  The mainstay on our dressers is Lancôme Effacil Gentle Eye Makeup Remover ($26), which gently lifts eye makeup and dirt from your gorgeous peepers without stinging or causing any damage.

After all, if you’re going to make money off your eyes, you have to protect your investment.

kristindiva December 17th, 2008 12:00 am
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Tell Your Cat to Behave Or It Might Wind Up A Purse

We have covered some strange things for SheFinds, but this one might take the cake. According to the clip above, you can now stop wondering what happens to your Persian cat’s fur when they shave it down at the vet. A creative little soul decided to spin the fur into yarn and turn it into handbags. We would go into more detail but the clip really says it all.

Does it hiss if you get it near water?  Is it self-cleaning?  Would it scratch someone if they tried to steal your wallet?  How sturdy can a bag made of your cat’s downy fur really be, never mind that it’s just icky?

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Can we please (please!) offer some suggestions for those who are seeking a woven bag look without having to recycle your pet’s unwanted fur?  How about this cute Urban Outfitters Sweater Weather Hobo Bag ($30) or for some additional bank, this gorgeous Rafe New York Dark Taupe Knit Frame Shoulder Bag ($189)?  

Whatever you choose to do with your cat’s hair is totally up to you, we know.  But don’t expect us to like it.

kristindiva December 15th, 2008 12:00 am
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New Skincare Craze Vavelta Gives A Whole New Meaning To “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” – Be Warned

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I’ve covered cutting off pinky toes to fit your shoes better and I’ve asked if you’d devein your hands, but this time I’m warning you, if you’re eating or playing with your toddler, stop now.

According to the Daily Mail UK, the new skincare craze that is sweeping England is a product called Vavelta. The treatment appears to rejuvenate and restructure older and/or damaged skin from the inside out by actually causing lower layers of cells in the skin to completely rejuvenate. It’s also supposed to be a permanent solution, unlike Botox. Even though a vial of the stuff can run you almost $1500, the women in the trial are showing life-altering results.

The kicker: the active ingredients are little cells called fibroblasts, which are derived from baby foreskins donated by mothers at some hospital in the U.S. after routine circumcisions. See, I told you to quit eating.

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We’re not trying to judge, but don’t the ingredients kind of make you say, “Eww”? What ever happened to a good old fashioned chemical peel? This Boots No. 7 Glycolic Peel works like gangbusters and at $24 is slightly more wallet-friendly (and decidely less cringe-worthy).

We ask you – what is the line you’ll draw for skincare ingredients? Is this stuff just wrong or are we just too squeamish? Let us know in the comments section.

And peruse our Plastic Surgery at Home Guide for more ways to look good without going to the extreme. 

kristindiva November 18th, 2008 12:00 am
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