All tied up

I never considered wearing a tie around my neck in the name of fashion, but today I'm sporting one. Saw the most adorable tie at J.Crew and had to purchase it. Since I have no special someone to give it to, I'll just wear it myself! It is red with little martini glasses with a green olive in it; I mean how cute it that?! I was watching the E channel over the weekend and saw a clip of Gwen Stefani wearing a tie. I thought how brilliant does she look, and got me to thinking that I too could pull that look off. It's kind of a difficult look to model because of the fine line the look gives you between femininity and masculinity. Gwen is obviously very feminine so the look is effortless for her. I'm pretty sure I'm workin' it too!

The Bachelor - a success

My sister and I watched the season finale of The Bachelor Monday and Tuesday and seem to have a different opinion from many other viewers. Basically to sum up the show, the bachelor went home empty handed. At the end of the season when the bachelor is to make a decision between two woman by proposing marriage and offering the final rose to one of them, this bachelor did neither. When it looked like he was going to ask for Deanna's hand, he took a moment then said good-bye... To both women! Brad Womack took a lot of flack while on the Tuesday show for not choosing anyone. This got me to thinking: Why should the bachelor be forced to chose one of the preselected women at all? With a bachelor success story rate of 20% you'd think ABC would want do something different to help these couples stay together. It would give the show more credibility as well.

Their first mistake is having the task of the bachelor finding his wife in only six weeks. I understand the network has a schedule to live by, but six weeks isn't enough time to know their annoying habits let alone if you want to marry the person. The show's second mistake is having group dates. What the heck are you going to learn about a person when she's competing for your time and attention and within a couple of hours. Then you're going to ask him to cut a few chicks after that so-called date? Good luck cutting the right one. Another mistake is having unrealistic or fantasy dates. Before six weeks time are you really going to fly a girl that you might like to Belize? Are you really going to have her choose between three Valentino gowns and drip her neck with diamonds before escorting her to a five-star restaurant? Maybe, but it's yet to happen to me!

I think this latest bachelor may have started a trend. Past bachelors are now thinking, "hey I didn't know we could do that"! But instead they are forced to make a decision and a choice just for the American public to find out that yet another bachelor couple is in splits-ville. Brad was not feeling any of the girls and he finally let them know that. I think the show should last maybe ten weeks. The bachelor should have more one-on-one dates and should be given more time in between dates to make a cut. If the show were structured differently maybe these two final girls would not have been the two final girls.

One last thing; why do the women feel that they have to accept the rose the bachelor offers? This is more pressure the network puts on the cast. The bachelor is usually a great catch on paper, but that does not guarantee chemistry. I could tell bachelorette Bettina was not into Brad at all, but what are you gonna do when he asks you to accept the rose with millions of people, producers, and directors watching? In my opinion although Brad was good-looking, he seemed a bit stiff and boring. Who knows what he's really like, heck it's only been six weeks!

I smell roses!

Congratulations to the BUCKEYES for beating Michigan and claiming the Big Ten championship title outright. The winner of this game is to go and play in the BCS Rose Bowl game. The Buckeyes finished the season 11-1, just shy of being perfect due to dropping a game against Illinois late in the season; A bad time to lose if you're in contention for the BCS championship title game. The season for the Buckeyes has been an over-achieving one. The QB is a junior getting real snaps for the first time on this team, the RB is a young sophomore but played like a senior. The team is a very young team and was expected to play well but not be a factor when talking national championship. That is just a testament to the coach. I cannot express enough about how in love I am with Coach Tressel. He is brilliant! Beyond his impeccable coaching record, he's smart, he's motivating, he's classy, and not to mention he's hot! Yes Coach Tressel steals my heart. Anyway, GO BUCKS!

Stick to the script

Fashion over eating people, stick to the script. That line is from a Jay-Z song, but I had to tweak it just a bit. This is a no brainer for me. If I want a bag (and I'm always wanting a bag) it's usually so expensive that I need to save up for a little while to be able to purchase it. This conversation came up when I told a friend of mine that I purchased the classic Balenciaga bag (in red hot) and he said to me, "guess you didn't eat while saving for that bag". Yes, the designer prices are getting out of control lately, and the only way to keep up with the Jones? Re-prioritize. Stop all that fast food consumption, stop the cafeteria food munching, stop feasting on take out and start a bag fund. My mother would totally kill me if she heard me talking like this. She'd say there's no reason you should be spending this type of money on a pocket book. And she's absolutely correct. But who needs logic when you're rockin' the hottest latest bag, and you're the envy of all your friends. Hey this plan could help out your weight loss goals as well.

J.Crew

My favorite store this season is J.Crew. Have you gone in there lately? They have the most marvelously exciting stuff for fall and winter. First let me start by saying that I did not realize that J.Crew was such one-stop shopping for the entire family. Not only is there a women's and men's line, but a children's line as well. They also carry outerwear, underwear, pajamas, shoes, and of course accessories that include jewelry, tights, scarves, wallets, you name it! The main thing that got my attention at J.Crew is their display window. They have the most bright, colorful, gorgeous outfits put together for all to see. I was immediately drawn to the window and eventually lured to the inside of the store. I have to say that I want one of everything! Well cut jeans, vibrant corduroys, incredibly soft sweaters in a variety of styles and colors including the ever popular argyle. A great business line that includes tailored suit jackets, slacks and skirts. I could go on and on about how I could be in the store for hours on in. I tried on multiple things and everything is a perfect fit! Better believe J.Crew will play an intricate role in my wardrobe this season. They do tend to run expensive price points, but after all the wear I'll get from the clothes it will be worth it. Plus I've notice great sales creeping in at J.Crew as we head towards the holidays. Give them a look.

7-Eleven!

I'm not talking the convenience store 7-Eleven, but the closing price per share for Google Inc. stock. In May Google hadn't even hit $500 a share, and Friday the stock closed at $711 a share; that's a 40% return in six months! The technology sector has outperformed itself this year, and there are many more stocks that have returned greater than Google Inc., but the figure "700" is what has me flabbergasted. A huge part of that is Google beat its third-quarter earnings per share estimates by almost $0.20. The company continues to grow profits, headcount, and ideas. Monday Google is to announce in more detail plans around its mobile phone operating system, which will give the iPhone some competition. Not to mention Blogger is powered by Google. Some would say this stock price is mostly based on speculation, promise, and potential. This reminds me of how I felt when I purchased a dress over the weekend. It looks very nice from the outside and has the potential to be my winning holiday dress selection, but a tad over-priced.

The Crocodile

Do you like Lacoste? We here in Central Ohio were just granted a Lacoste boutique as an addition to our mall. Known for a crocodile embroidered on the upper left chest of its shirts, Lacoste is a casual yet luxurious brand. Here in town Lacoste opened an 1,800 square feet store that carries mens and womens wear, shoes, and accessories. The French brand is a bit over-priced though in my opinion, but I appreciate that they want to attract a certain clientele. I typically notice younger people sporting around the Lacoste brand, which doesn't 100% deter me from taking part. The Lacoste looks are very cute. Like I mentioned earlier the brand is casual and luxurious, two adjectives that compliment the dress code for my office job. Most people I believe know Lacoste for their polo shirts, which work well for casual Fridays, but they also carry sweaters and button-up shirts great for work.

It's exciting to have another choice to stop in and browse, although most of the time will be to window shop. Lucky for me the holidays are upon us so maybe I can take advantage of the sale prices. Great timing in opening up a new boutique.

The extra long legging

I'm going to a birthday party this weekend and I've already started to plan my outfit. On a recent trip I got the chance to read my Harper's Bazaar September issue (great issue by the way) and ran into the cutest look from the Marni fall 2007 ready-to-wear collection. It wasn't so much the dress that I was focused on, but the extra-long legging that seemed to go for miles and miles but stopped just past the metatarsus of the foot. This accessory worn with a high-heel pump, I couldn't remove my eyes from the page. This is one of those dare-to-be-different looks where you won't notice too many gals able to pull it off. Me? I'm giving it a shot. I'm not getting a consultation or a second opinion, I'm just going to do it. This picture from style.com illustrates the trend very nicely. I love the appearance of this being more than your basic legging but not quite a tight, which is traditionally covered-foot. It's like ordering General Tso's chicken instead of Seseme chicken for dinner. This trend at Marni is General Tso's chicken giving your short dress a little kick!

Bootie find

Well from the feel of it fall is definitely here, which leads me to start thinking a lot more about my fall wardrobe and what needs to be added. There are the basics such as cashmere sweaters, bulky hats, wool pencil skirts. Right now I'm missing a cute pair of booties in my wardrobe. Shouldn't be a problem to add since this look is displayed on all the runways and in all the magazines. Ha but not here. I've been to every store in town and cannot find the perfect pair, which ideally would be the pair from Louis Vuitton (oh sorry I was dreaming again). I need a pair that transform rather easily from day to night. I need them to be conservative enough for my office job, but hot enough for after-hours. I want a pair that aren't uncomfortably sky-high, especially since I'm above average height for females. I'm happy to say that I found a pair of booties that I relish. They're by Steve Madden, patent black with lacing. If there is one complaint I have with them it's that they are only a two inch heel. Very ideal for work, but hardly high enough to be considered sexy. Strange since it is incredibly difficult to find a heel in any shoe under four inches these days. Anyway I'm happy with them and think they'll get a lot of use from me.

I cannot recall the last time I went out on a Sunday night so I'll just reset the timer to start now. Since tomorrow is a holiday my friends want to go out and take advantage of the fact that we can sleep in on Monday. Such a great feeling knowing that it will be Monday and feel like a Monday but I do not have to get up and go into the office. That fact alone is motivation enough for me to move from my couch and put on some make-up and pumps. In addition, I'm listening to MC Hammer to facilitate in getting me energized to go out since usually at this time I'm getting ready to tune in to Desperate Housewives and doze off afterwards. Anyway off to get ready; I'm sure it'll be fun, I just have to stay awake.

I'm in love with Mary Jane

My latest shoe craze (and purchase) is a pair of four inch patent leather Mary Janes. This shoe is a very old and classic style (not to mention adorable) and comes in a fairly wide variety. Open toe, close toe, pointed toe, round toe, peep toe - as long as the distinctive strap(s) is going across the top of your foot you've got yourself a pair of Mary Janes honey. I'm in the frame of mind lately where I'm daring to be different, having said that the pair I purchased are blue patent! What the heck am I going to wear those with right? I'm wearing them with a purple sweater today - I tell my sister all the time, matching is so overrated! Aren't these so cute.

Louis Vuitton Fall 2007

As a tribute to fall hitting us so soon I'm posting the Louis Vuitton fall show collection, which is so inspirational by Marc Jacobs. The Vuitton bottie is a must-have add to my (in my dreams) wardrobe. There are many gorgeous looks here in which you can take them to gain ideas for updating your fall wardrobe from more currency sensitive designers! Enjoy

Read Read Read and Read

I am officially a subscriber to four fashion magazines: Harper's Bazaar (my fave), Lucky, Vogue, and now Elle. I received an offer in the mail that I couldn't refuse - a one year subscription to Elle magazine for only $8... You read correctly EIGHT dollars! That's like buying two magazines and getting the next ten free! I travel quite a bit and usually end up at the airport's magazine stand (as if the three magazines I brought with me aren't enough). Now with four magazines in my hands there's no way my mind will wander to see what others are out there, kind of like how men treat the woman they're dating! Kidding!! Anyway that's it, no more, four is enough. Ooh is that a letter from Glamour?!

Eyes wide shut

Last night I went to a concert for indie rock band Artic Monkeys. I had no clue who they were but some friends were going, and I just love live shows so I went. It was a really good time, a little too good because now I'm struggling-gah. I didn't get home and to bed until 2AM. Up again for work a few hours later I realize that man I can't do this like I use to. I'm just too old for this (not that we're old Babs!), but I am just too old for this! Before I could stay out late on a weeknight and the next day venture down to Starbucks grab a grande coffee and be fine, but not today; not working. I just have to hope this day goes by quickly.

"Music" TV

I got home from my Florida vacation in time to watch the MTV VMAs last night. Now I wasn't going to post about this awards show because I'm so over it, but the most ironic thing happened towards the end that I just have to mention it because it resulted in my laughing uncontrollably. The Male Artist of the Year award was to be given out and MTV chose three reality television stars from MTV's The Hills to present the award. This year's VMAs was held at Las Vegas' Palm Hotel and Casino where multiple rooms were hosting parties and performances throughout the night. Justin Timberlake performed in one of those rooms where at one point while in that room he stated, "I want to challenge MTV to play more music videos". Justin Timberlake deservedly won the male artist of the year VMA and walked onto the stage to accept his award presented by the three MTV reality TV stars. As the three girls moved over to make way for Justin and Timbaland, Justin went to the microphone and again challenged MTV, "play more bleep music videos, enough with reality TV". Of course the crowd went crazy and the three girls on stage stood there with embarrassed smiles. I was dying at the irony. Justin can forget it though; music is dead on MTV.