When Bad Hair Cuts Happen to Good Looking Men

Normally I blog about women's fashion and issues, but I feel compelled today to talk about a serious subject regarding men.  More specifically when bad haircuts happen to otherwise good looking men.  Laugh if you want, but ladies, it only takes one person to start a trend that we may have to suffer through for months, even years.

Exhibit A:  Tom Brady

Once upon a time, Tom Brady looked like this:

Then, he married Gisele and suddenly they both agreed that the Bieber was a great style icon and why not copy the hairstyle of a 17 year old???

And it gets worse.  Somehow the Biebs haircut wasn't enough of a departure from the norm for Tom and before we knew it, our handsome, All American quarterback is wearing a ponytail.  The horror!!!

(At least he's still buff though.  Check out those arms.  Mmm!)



Exhibit B:  Ben Affleck

Even more shocking is that Ben Affleck, action movie star with a square jaw and broad shoulders that would have put the old Tom Brady to shame, is now sporting the same Biebs haircut that started Brady on the wrong path. See, it just takes one stupid guy in a stupid haircut phase to get them all off track!

We can only hope this haircut is for a new film and we will get our handsome movie star back again.  Maybe Tom Brady regain his sanity and cut his hair and life can get back to normal.  But for now, let's just pray that more men don't jump on the bad haircut bandwagon, or ladies we are in deep deep trouble.

Mila Kunis - Stiletto Girl

Mila Kunis is on press tour for her new movie "Friends with Benefits".  There's a lot of talk about how it is pretty much the same movie as the Natalie Portman/Ashton Kutcher movie that came out in the winter "No Strings Attached", but for me it's all about her evolved sense of style.  She's definitely left "That 70s Show" in the past and is emerging as a real style star.

Her outfits have been good, but they have the "wow" factor going on because of her fantastic shoes, most of which are stilettos.  I have always been a fan of the stiletto, though my feet would probably protest at the thought.  Mila and her stylist have a good eye...these shoes look sexy and stylish and not at all tawdry.

I love this Louis Vuitton dress paired with green snakeskin Lanvin stiletto pumps. 

Looking very pretty in an Elie Saab frock and shoes.  The dress is a bit frilly for my liking, but the shoes are amazing.  T-strap, stiletto platforms.  Sigh!

In a textured Roland Mouret sheath and classic nude Christian Louboutin stilettos.  Now, I am pretty much over the nude peep-toe trend but I can't deny these shoes are both classy and hot.

In a flirty printed dress with gorgeous Brian Atwood heels.  LOVE these shoes!  

So, to conclude, is the stiletto back???   Mila Kunis definitely thinks so! 

Searching For...The Perfect Cross-body Bag

I am heading to NYC on vacation in a couple of weeks.  Now normally, I am a shoulder bag or top handle bag kind of lady, but I know with the heat and the enormous amount of walking and public transit that comes along with a visit like this, I need a stylish but practical cross-body bag.

I have been trawling my local mall and my favourite shopping sites online, but I still can't find the "perfect" one.  It has to be a neutral white/cream colour in matte material and be just the right size to fit my wallet, keys, compact, lip gloss and comb.  How hard can it be to find this magical bag??? Pretty damn hard is what I'm finding.

A few options I'm looking at are:

Devika Crossbody from Nine West 

 http://www.ninewest.com/Devika-Crossbody%2C-Ships-9/6/8103617,default,pd.html?variantSizeClass=&variantColor=BIRBIMM&cgid=8346276&prefn1=catalog-id&prefv1=ninewest-catalog&srule=PriceLowHigh

Dinah Convertible Crossbody from BCBG

http://www.zappos.com/bcbgeneration-dinah-convertible-crossbody-natural

And on the wishlist (aka not going to happen unless I get a sugar daddy), D1 Totally Turnlock Jane on a Leash from Marc Jacobs

http://couture.zappos.com/n/p/p/7844000/c/652.html

Hmm, decisions, decisions!  Hopefully I find the perfect option very soon.  4 more short weeks until I board the plane!

Style Comfort Zone

Jennifer Aniston's style is tried and true classic - minimal makeup, sleek yet soft hair, and lots, LOTS of Little Black Dresses (LBDs).   However, at the premiere of her new movie "Horrible Bosses" she stepped out in this very pretty but sophisticated white Valentino dress with adorable peep toe pumps.

Very cute and very different from the LBDs we are used to seeing her in.   After I saw this picture, I started looking at some of her most recent looks and noticed a change.  More colour, more risks and she still looks as fabulous as ever.

It just goes to show you that changing your style up can be a great thing.  A bit of colour and a new haircut makes a huge difference, but doesn't mean you have to change your whole style persona.  Hmm, maybe it's time for a wardrobe overhaul???

Exhaustion!

I haven't posted in the last few days because to sum it up, I am exhausted!  Work is busy, life is busy and to top it off I do have hypothyroidism.  If you don't know what that is, it is a condition where the body does not produce enough of a hormone that stimulates the thyroid gland to function.  The thyroid gland regulates body temperature, metabolism and a whole load of other functions.  Having an under-active thyroid also means you get tired easily, hence my exhaustion these past few days.

I promise I will blog more soon, but for now, maybe some eye candy will cheer me (and my blog followers) up:

Game of Thrones star Jason Momoa.  Yum!!!

Espy Awards Red Carpet

The ESPYs were a few days back and if you don't know, the ESPYs are put on by ESPN, which is an American sports broadcasting giant.  Naturally, all the awards are sports related.  There were not surprisingly some very stylish people at the event.  Athletes now are celebrities in their own right and get photographed almost as much as Hollywood stars.  That's not to say that there weren't some bad outfits (hello Serena Williams...please leave the tennis balls at home next time!). 

Let's start with the real stars of the show, the athletes:

Skier Lindsey Vonn wore a gold patterned minidress by Mandalay.  She obviously has a great body and I  like the idea of the dress (gold, short, flirty) but the execution is just off the mark.  It is something I could see someone from the "Real Housewives" in, and that is never a good thing.

Serena Williams in Rachel Roy.  Pink looks great on her, but you know I can't love a look with that much boobage.  It's not even cleavage - it is full on boobage!  No, no, no.

Fellow tennis pro Maria Sharapova is a stylish lady, and comes up a winner again.  This black Alexander McQueen is a great example of a LBD done right.

Race care driver Danica Patrick looks cute in Vivienne Westwood, albeit a little unsure of how to pose on the red carpet.  

The Dallas Mavericks.  Generally a stylish bunch of cute, tall boys!  I'm not going to hate on that, not even on the guy with the white jacket and a black bow tie.

There were also some Hollywood celebrities who attended and there were some great dresses:

Laila Ali in Tadashi Shoji.  She looked very pretty but also sexy.  Cute shoes too!

I thought Keri Washington was the best dressed of the night, in Jenny Packham.  She looks stylish and sexy without being revealing.

Actress Rachel Nichols in Versace.  I love this shade of green. 

Emmanuelle Chriqi in Herve Leger.  Dress looks great on her but I don't get why she paired those shoes with it.  Would loved to have seen something more strappy and in a neutral colour because the dress stands out on its own.  

I Heart Victoria Beckham

Yes, that's right...I think Victoria Beckham is fabulous, though some might think I'm crazy for saying that.  Why do I think she's so great?   Let me tell you...

She has the most amazing purse collection and I would die to even stand in a room full of all of them.  I think she has a Birkin in almost every colour.

She's a pretty decent designer and knows what looks good on (most) women.

She's got a heart and seems like a hands on mum.

“I don't have a nanny or a housekeeper, and I only have a cleaner for one hour each week. I finish work and go home. I cook the dinner. I run into Tesco and do the housework in the evening."

"Our house is a really happy house. There are kids running around and laughing and joking, I smile so much more than people would think. There’s nothing better than being in LA with my kids, cooking dinner with my husband and having a romantic night in, and I get an email, and Demi Moore, Madonna, Drew Barrymore, Blake Lively, or whoever it is, is doing the red carpet and wearing my dress."

She's not afraid to make fun of herself, or speak honestly about her life.

“There are so many people out there taking the p*ss out of me that if I can't take the p*ss out of myself there's something going wrong."

"You have to remember that when you are a performer you become a celebrity, but you are not saving lives. It's not that important."

She's a former Spice Girl.  And c'mon, who didn't secretly or not so secretly love them at the height of their popularity (or long thereafter!).

Last, but not least, she landed a hot, soccer playing husband who just happens to be as sincere, fun and fabulous as her.

"He's got more personality than people think and he's very deep and spiritual. He always knows how to dress, that was part of his appeal originally. We've got matching dogs, matching watches, similar wardrobes, matching Jags. I know it´s tacky, but it makes me laugh."

"We were about to go out somewhere the other day, and he was sending an e-mail. He was sitting at the end of the bed, and he had no clothes on whatsoever. I was getting out of the shower, and I just stood there looking at him. He was all tan. Has all those tattoos — which I love. Hadn’t done his hair. He just naturally looks good all the time. He never looks like s*** in the morning. Never. So he’s sitting there sending his e-mails, all ripped. Not an ounce of fat on him. And I thought,’You done good, girl.’ I sure wasn’t thinking of his high-pitched voice."

Ladies & gentlemen, I rest my case.  Victoria Beckham rocks.

She's Got Legs...or Leggs?!?

Bare legs have always been my choice over pantyhose.  I've never found pantyhose comfortable and even if you buy an expensive pair, they alway seem to have a run in them before I know it.   But, the Duchess of Cambridge, in her recent tour of North America, was spotted wearing pantyhose with every outfit that bared her legs.

Some say it's royal protocol, others say it was her choice.  Whatever the reason is, bare legs now seem so last year according to this article from Yahoo.com: http://ca.shine.yahoo.com/kate-middleton-brings-back-pantyhose--bare-legs-are-so-2010.html.

What do you think? Pantyhose:  a fashion do or dont?

Bizarre Beauty Regimens

Recently I discovered that my 25 year old brother does shots of olive oil because he heard it will give him better skin and hair.  That's right:  my brother does shots of olive oil. If you think this is as bizarre as I do,  you will be surprised to hear of some of the strange beauty regimens that are out there.  Just Google it and you'll see what I mean.  Everything from bird poop facials in Japan (ewwww!) to bull semen for your hair (double ewwww!!!) is out their to meet your needs.  The market is huge for some of these products.  Jessica Simpson even had a whole series called the Price of Beauty about bizarre beauty rituals from around the world.  I also found a great article on Oprah.com about what beauty means in different cultures around the world (check it out at http://www.oprah.com/style/Beauty-Around-the-World).

Researching this topic did make me think that we all have our own strange habits that we think will make us better looking, thinner and/or healthier.  My recent obsession has been to keep my hair from thinning (it runs in my family), so I found something called Ultra Sil.  It is basically Silca supplements that you take to make your hair, skin, bones and teeth healthier.  I started taking this after a month long trip to Ireland during which the water pH wreaked havoc on my hair, to the point where it was coming out in clumps.  I couldn't stand the thought of losing so much hair before I even hit 30, that I went to the health food store to find some magic supplement to help.  I was surprised how much it helped and now my hair is actually stronger than it has ever been.

I know taking a natural supplement is  pretty tame compared to the other possibilities out there, and I really can't see myself actually trying some of the crazy products out there.  I'm more about having a good diet and getting the most sleep possible.  Its working for now, so no bird poop facials (yet!).

Unreality Shows

I will admit it, I watch the Bachelorette.  And I watch the Bachelor.  I don't know why.  Ok, I know exactly why:  the dating and relationship scenarios are so far from reality that I can't not watch!  It truly is like watching a soap opera.  First off, the people are generally beautiful.  Second, they are always in exotic locations.  Third (and most importantly) there is always some sort of drama, usually in the form of some devilish or she-devilish person who wants to ride to fame on the coattails of the franchise.

As I watched the show today, I started to wonder how successful my attempt at being a Bachelorette would be.  What if I had nothing but time to date potential suitors and decide between upwards of 20 men which guy I want to end up with?  Not to mention have someone else pay for extravagant dates in beautiful spots all over the world.  Add in the designer closet plus access to my own makeup artist and hairdresser, and it really sounds like the ideal way to find a man!

But sadly, there has been only one successfully married couple as a result of the show.  Kind of shocking, but when you think about it, it goes back to the "unreality" of the show.  The contestants are put in situations so far removed from real life that when they go back to their own lives, the adjustment doesn't always happen smoothly.  In fact, most of the time the couples crash and burn within the first few months after their engagement is revealed.

I guess there is no real magic way to find the one, you just have to have an open mind and be in the right place at the right time.  While I wait for my "the one", I'm going to go work on my audition tape for the Bachelorette!

(totally joking! LOL.)

Goodbye Wills & Kate!!!

Will & Kate said goodbye to North America today, after a whirlwind 12 day trip.  Today in LA they attended a brunch, then visited an art centre on Skid Row, before boarding their flight home to England.

It was a very successful visit for them - everything seemed to go smoothly and they were a hit wherever they went.   Some say this trip has been a great boost of support the monarchy, but I'm not sure I agree.  The interest in Will & Kate has been less about their royal titles, and more it seems about the positive energy and sincerity they exude. Not to mention they are young, beautiful and well mannered.  I suppose we will see if people start to believe in the monarchy more.  For me, as you may have noticed, Kate's style is interesting to follow and I think she is a great role model for young people in general.  It's not really about her title or the fact that she might be Queen one day.  In my eyes, she's a celebrity and one of the few left with class, and that's why I enjoy keeping up with her.

BAFTA Brits to Watch

Hollywood definitely turned out to greet the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge, in particular at last night's BAFTA Brits to Watch.  Some came in their finest, others...well let's just say old habits die hard (ahem, Jennifer Lopez!).

I really don't know who Gugu Mbtha-Raw is (apparently she's in Larry Crowne), but she did look amazing last night in Reem Acra. 

Maria Bello was stunning in this goddess style one shoulder Donna Karan.  I think she was last night's best dressed.

As for Jennifer Lopez (in Emilio Pucci),  she has to stop using Beyonce's stylist!  She has an amazing body, but just looks like an over-stuff sausage in this dress.  Not cute!

The Duchess in LA - Day 2

What's more royal that arriving at a polo match via helicopter?  Not much more than that!  Kate and Wills attended a charity polo match in Santa Barbara, where Wills played and scored 4 goals.  Now I don't know polo, but that sounds like a lot of goals to me, so it would seem he's pretty good!

On to more important details, such as what Kate wore.  She continued on in easy breezy California style by wearing a silk, hand-painted Jenny Packham dress.  I  love the dress on her, but I love the shoes even more.

The main event of the day was the BAFTA Brits to Watch event, attended by such Hollywood royalty as Jennifer Lopez & Blake Lively.  But truly, Will & Kate were the draw to the event, so much so that all the LA types actually showed up to the event on time!  Will & Kate arrived last, with Kate in a light pink Alexander McQueen gown.  She looked stunning.

The Duchess In LA - Day 1

Will and Kate arrived on the sunny shores of California yesterday.  Kate stepped off the plane in lovely pale lilac Roksanda Illic dress and her trusty L.K. Bennett nude pumps that have followed her everywhere. It was the perfect choice to match the backdrop of the blue skies in L.A. that day.

The evening event was a private reception and Kate sported a bold green DVF dress.  I love this dress!  Maybe it's because it is not cream or navy.  LOL.

On today's agenda will be a polo match in Santa Monica followed by a fancy event hosted by BAFTA where Hollywood will show up in droves to greet the Duke & Duchess.  We may have had a sneak peek into what Kate will wear tonight courtesy of this solider in Yellowknife unloading the plane when Will & Kate arrived there earlier in the week.  Oops!