Friday, March 22, 2013

Spring Blazers


Good morning lovelies! Looking for a great blazer for work or play this summer? I have some gorgeous options below to fit your budget and your lifestyle. These are my favorites, and I'm sure you'll understand why.


Spring Blazers

$50 or Less



Possibly one of the cutest blazers ever. If Audrey Hepburn wore a blazer in Breakfast at Tiffany's, this would be it.



Printed Open Front Blazer: $44.44

Definitely a blazer Carrie Bradshaw would squeal over in her Manolo Blahniks. Luckily this blazer is easy to wear - just throw it over a white t-shirt and skinny jeans and you're all set for the day. Pair with a simple gold pendant and some funky rings & bracelets and you'll be the hottest thing since humidity.



The sweetest little easter egg; a very easy and sneaky way to try wearing pastels without looking like a movie extra from Marie Antoinette. While the color is fun and feminine, the blazer itself is structured and perfect for the workplace mixed with neutrals - a fun way to add some pop in the workplace. If you're not sure colors to pair this with, try a light grey or tan - they'll help balance the pop.



Navy Studded Jacket: $35.00

I'm pretty positive this is my next splurge - a deep neutral color works even in the middle of summer when mixed with fun bright colors on a night out. Wear this over a coral dress and nude wedges for a sizzling outfit. Luckily the studs on the sleeves help  with accessorizing - a few major rings, bold statement earrings and you're all set with this immediate staple.



There's a sort of Americana  tough-love romanticism with dark fitted denim jackets, like something out a James Dean movie or a greaser. You're tough yet feminine, and it goes with everything. I can see this easily becoming a go-to for what to wear over your favorite blouse or vintage dress, just remember, denim jacket + boots = major style points!

Fun Find

Ok, so this is a little bit more than $50, but this shirt is so fun. I'm not normally one for shirts with words on them, but this one is cool enough for adults without making you look like you're trying to be 13 again. There are few items in general I would pay over $50 for, but I think this one is too perfect to pass up.


Sunday, March 17, 2013

Offensive or Overly Defensive?


Good morning lovelies! For anyone who has been keeping up with current fashion news, popular and darling actress Michelle Williams has found herself in hot water recently over the controversy of her cover for AnOther magazine's latest issue. Movie stars are no stranger to controversy, but Michelle Williams is genuinely the last person most would think of when it comes to someone to be in hot water for an inappropriate magazine shoot. The question is though; is the cover really inappropriate?

 Below is the cover that's being splashed all over the internet and has people in a debate about whether the cover is offensive or are people just being overly defensive.


When looking at the cover, Michelle is completely covered up; no nudity, no sexuality, not even the hint of an attempt of selling sex. In truth, with the way that they portray Ms. Williams, she could even pass for a boy at first glance due to the over-sized robe and uni-sex style clothing, Her features are sharpened due to the darkened makeup, and her usual pixie-cut is hidden with long brown braids and a feather. True to early-style native american photographs, Michelle has been styled in a very similar way, but is it truly offensive?

The tagline "There's no place like home" is clearly in reference to her starring in latest Oz installment as Glenda the goodwitch, but many bloggers and readers are up in arms over the supposed ironic tagline mixed with the hardship many native americans had to face while being displaced from their homes. 

From a styling standpoint, the mood, lighting, and simplicity of the photograph perfect. They captured a mood and likeness perfectly, but they also captured a heap of controversy in the process. While I do not feel they are sexualizing native american culture, or trying to bash it or make any negative references, I do think that this cover should have been thought over before being chosen - it doesn't make sense. She's promoting a wizard of Oz movie but she's being portrayed as a native american? How does that connect? With having a happy tagline, there needs to be a less morose cover - this photo completely contradicts "There's no place like home", and not just with a Native American reference, but the mood of the photo itself is contradicting.

I'm not saying she needs to be in a tutu with a wand in her hand, but this cover is so far from having any relation whatsoever and having anything to do with the interview or the movie she's promoting. It's just baffling more than anything. As a viewer I can't help but ask, how did this get chosen? Why did nobody see that this probably wasn't the best choice for the cover? I'm not offended, I just think this was a poor editorial decision on their part. 

With all the controversy and press this cover has been getting, I can't help but wonder if controversy was the intention, and if that's the case, is bad press really worth it in the end?