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!