The Fruit of Spade's & Model Confessions

I've spent all morning & afternoon getting around to finishing up the last Harry Potter book, and I have to say, I'm still a bit confounded...but I thought I'd put up a quick post.

So I managed to drop into Princeton's Kate Spade shop for the sale and I bought these two items...they had a cute white dress/smock for $45 when you applied the coupon (that I mentioned in my previous post) but I had to refrain... I hope some of you took advantage of the sale as well (online or off) :)


Total: Kate Spade Cotton Scarf* + 2007 Calendar = $31

*fitting in with my previous under-the-sea obsession. oh and there's a lot of cute pink starfish print J. Crew items on sale right now I saw in-store the other day!




Anyhow, to the main attraction...a brief post on:

Last Friday's A Model Life (w/ Petra Nemacova): Model Compassion

To tell the truth...I was bracing myself for the worst in the newest episode. Because it seemed to get more and more boring, regardless of what I wished. But it actually wasn't as tepid I thought it might be. I mean, yeah, like I said, I wouldn't mind a bit of interaction between the models to see more of their personality and how they get along... but anyway, the newest airing, "Model Compassion" was actually pretty good. There isn't a site online (not even the official site) that gives you a recap of the episodes. But from what I remember on Saturday, Petra and a very young-looking model (15 maybe?) instructed the girls on their walks and gave them "challenges" with walking-- like wearing wooden heels and dresses with trains, etc.

Meanwhile, Lucia was struggling with her weight because, although she was one of the few called back about the jeans casting, she couldn't fit into a single pair because of her hips/butt. So now she has a fitness instructor and says she doesn't mind toning up a bit the healthy way. I adore Lucia, so that was great! Then all the girls went for a casting for a spread in Hamptons magazine...anyone (or anyone's mom) subscribe to that? It must've been for a spring 2007 edition, but I don't know if it ever made its way into their magazine... because it would've been a minor spoiler for the series, it would be cool if it did though-- the three models that were picked did a great job in the spread! Amazing images... oh, and can I mention that both Valeria and Lucia got the job? With the third girl being Beatrice (it came down to Beatrice or Angelika).

Speaking of Angelika, anyone waiting for drama to arise because of the bitchy 'tude she sported in the series premiere, should probably stop waiting. She seemed oddly tolerable, and respectful even, in the latest episode. At one point she said they were all kinda like a family. But she definitely is a darkly strange girl. It was a bit awkward when-- the day the 3 who got the job left for the Hamptons-- Angelika started talking about how hard it is to get close to others and about her dysfunctional family with Abigail (the UK'er) and the normally chipper Abigail just looked awkward and uncomfortable.

Also, about Beatrice... Asha commented on the original "A Model Life" post regarding actually living near her in April in South Beach and that Beatrice is possibly working for Irene Marie from MTV's 8th & Ocean (I don't know of that show, shh) and she also said that she seemed pretty polite so maybe she is just lost in translation. But if she's working for another agency...I've got to speculate she didn't win.

Anyhow, the reason I might've liked this episode might be because everything seemed to suit my preferences. ;) Valeria and Lucia got the job and they met Jill Stuart (who just happens to be one of my fav designers regardless of the LL ads, which are now actually being quite obnoxious on the jillstuart.com website...making it harder to ignore) whose clothing they were going to be sporting for the shoot...oh yes, it was quite entertaining. As was the gorgeous shoot! Those dresses...very very nice...

The next episode sounds pretty dramatic-- I mean, for A Model Life-- "The young models meet with swimwear designer Ashley Paige and get a harsh lesson in dealing with a critical client. After the group is late for a photo shoot a bad attitude could send one girl packing." (TV Guide)

However, before I read the bit about "a bad attitude could send one girl packing", the preview made it seem like Abigail broke down during the swimsuit shoot with Sports Illustrated because she was self-conscious about her body, so I thought she might be asked to leave. However, if we're talking about attitudes, it might as well be Angelika or Michelle.

I wonder, I wonder...

Kate Spade Sale

Another sale notice! Kate Spade this time. I recieved it in my email. Of course, it ends tommorrow (sale only from 26th-28th). You can use this coupon in stores or online with the code: SUMMER07 for 20% off sale items. Which is...pretty cool.



Hmm...maybe I'll make a trip to the Princeton shop. Anyhow, some nice leather-free items on sale!










Also, another important measure from Save Darfur:

"Last week, Senators Joe Biden and Dick Lugar introduced a new congressional resolution calling for the UN Security Council to authorize the immediate deployment of a strong UN/AU peacekeeping mission to Darfur with a tough mandate to protect civilians.

But so far only 13 senators have signed on to this critical resolution!

The UN Security Council is debating the deployment of a peacekeeping force this week. We need much broader Senate support by this Friday in order to send a firm message to the UN.

Click here now to send a message to your senators asking them to sign on today.

By passing this resolution, the United States can increase pressure on other members of the UN Security Council to get serious on peacekeeping in Darfur"

And it'll only take a minute.

Pretty Graphic [& ASOS Humongous Sale!]

It's that time again! The ASOS big 75% off sale. Why do I like ASOS so much? Well...cute designer fashions at dirt cheap, and mostly non-animal shoes and bags, of course. So I thought I'd do a quickie post on my favorites I found scouring around their sales.

The Traditional Cruelty-Free Shoes & Bags




Especially this summer they have a lot of CUTE graphic dresses in stock. Starting from about 10 US dollars. !!!

Dresses That Should Be Your Favorites Too










Bottoms Up! Gorgeous Skirts





Bright-Eyed Finishing Touches (& a gorgeous fall jacket)

I love this hot pink jade bracelet!





yeah...that jacket knows it's gorgeous.


Speaking of Graphic...
___________

Moment of Action

I don't know if any of you have heard about the Michael Vick involved in a dogfighting operation and whatnot, but it's a serious offense, and if you have a moment, please your part and just sign this petition that asks to have him indicted. Here's another one that asks for Nike to drop Michael Vick.



Short Summary from the HSUS Site:

"

Three months ago, suspicions of dogfighting on Falcons' quarterback Michael Vick's Virginia property came to light, along with chilling descriptions of the fighters hanging, electrocuting, shooting and slamming to death dogs who didn't show the desired drive to fight. The National Football League has taken a good first step by barring Vick from training camp, but the NFL should keep the accused dogfighter off the field completely until these serious charges have been resolved in federal court.

TAKE ACTION
Ask NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to suspend Michael Vick from the NFL entirely until a verdict is reached in his case.

"

Guide to Fall 2007 Eyewear: The Conundrum

Guide to Fall 2007 Eyewear: The Conundrum
-hint, step away from the dark emo glasses.

My dad has always been at me (& scolded me) to protect my eyes- citing that good eyesight is the most important thing to maintain; take a 10 minute break every 30 minutes of studying/internet/TV, etc.. Designers must believe that to some extent as well, given the loads of ads in magazines for eyewear-- which are normally just brand filler ads (I believe) in between seasons.

However, it feels as if fashionable/stylish eyeglasses are becoming extinct-- at least among the younger set. More and more people are correcting their vision through contact lenses. Not many people I know wear glasses...mostly boys. And if they, girls included, do-- they either play it safe with plain, thin silver frames, or get one of the multiple "stylish" variations on the thick "emo" glasses. Yes, you know the ones I'm talking about.

Because, face it, that seems to be the only style save for 40's/50's "cat eye" and "half-rimmed"/"un-rimmed". Of which the latter is mostly for looking like you're not even wearing glasses, but can be cute depending on any whimsical frame details. I should know, cause I've had both: silver, half-rimmed cat eyes and two emos-- one with blue on the interior and a Jill Stuart, a yellow interior with crystals on the side (which I currently wear). My Jill Stuarts are really cute, but they look cuter on the coffee table than on me, :P. I normally wear them for driving and class.




I remember in Jr. High and high school, girls would be in the bathroom poking their reddening eyes out with contacts-- because in Jr. High, glasses were nerdy, and because in high school, it's just much easier and your face is much clearer without them. Oh, and I was the girl recoiling in the corner.

However, I've also had my moments where I've been leaning toward contacts. I do believe that natural beauty is the best and glasses can weigh down on that (well, they have a lot of personality, can take over your face and can change your whole look- good or bad) if you're the type that would have to wear glasses all the time. And *cough, glasses are not so good for parties...that's how I lost my silver half-rimmed cat eyes, shh* And it's kind of annoying to simultaneously switch between cute non-prescription sunglasses and glasses when the sun is out. I have to sacrifice my sight for protection.

We took my brother to the eye doctor a few days ago though and I think I may put off getting contacts for a bit longer. Yes, right when I think there's no way glasses are going to go past the overbearing emo frames or that the frames designer ads only seem to suit those of us with modelesque (is that a word?) features, I find tiny proof and the perfect solution amongst the rows of frames that says otherwise. And for those of you that have been wearing strictly contacts for a couple years now, it might be worth your while to invest in a pair of frames to pull out at times to transform your look (in a good way).



Oh, to be a model and pull off these pink Alessandro Dell'Acquas!

So all the frames are wacky or dark? Well, the only logical solution is to brighten it up for fall! Not like, neon green bright, but colors to lighten up the face, or vibrant colors that'll stand out against your hair color. I especially fell in love with these D & G thick white frames (I'm imagining a girl with a high, slick-backed ponytail)-- a bright spin on the typical dark emo ones. Oh, and typically, dark frames really REALLY seem to crowd in on ethnic girls who aren't lighter skinned. White glasses for fall are an everyman's or everywoman's frame. I tried them on and I lovedddd them. Plus, they really stand out against my black hair.

There was also another pair that stood out to me, that I didn't dare try on because they were fixed high on a pedestal behind a glass case like in a museum or something. They were these silver half-rimmed Pradas which were light, very non-intrusive on the face - slick but normal - but then provided a zap of color in the form of a bright red on the arms of the frames. It would also stand out great against my hair, but not interfere with my face's Asian skin tone. So, hence my theory that fall is also great for arms with vivid colors that stand out against the color of the hair instead of crowding the face. Simple but grand solution for glasses that'll complement your face (non-intrusive) and your hair (the arms' stand-out pop of color).



Of course, I doubt all of you have black, or if I want to be fancy, raven, hair. So, I took a color wheel and started trying to figure out which vibrant colors would go best with which hair tones: black with a vibrant red, brunettes with a eye-catching violet, redheads with a richer purple (see LL on the right- who actually looks good in it), and blondes with a bright cobalt blue (which is actually a pretty hot color now) or even a bright baby blue (but for spring). And of course, white is the everyman's/woman's frame.


Depending on your computer, the colors on the chart may not show up right (which is why I wrote the descriptions)


Now if I can cut back on my clothes and shoes spending, I might be able to muster up some cash for the D & G's or the Pradas...(well, in my dreams).




Some Savvy Girls Who Know What I'm Talking About:






photos from Prada & Meatballs


The D & G 1103B and Prada 51GV







________________________________

__Oh, and about last Friday's A Model Life___

For those of you A Model Life watchers, (I haven't forgotten!) I did watch Friday's weight issues episode. I love Lucia and I hate that they're pressuring her so much about her weight even though the nutritionist said she's the healthiest of the bunch. I'm still pulling for her. Other than that though, unfortunately, the episode wasn't very interesting : ( I can only conclude that either the producers are editing out any altercations and bad personality bits between the girls or American girls are just more rowdier, catty (ANTM models), and more antagonistic (lol!). I know I wouldn't mind a little bit of excitement...but I believe I'm going to continue watching it because A. I want to see how my two favs, Lucia and Valeria are doing, and B. It's a good show to watch while exercising. ;)