We All Knew It Was Coming

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you--The Inevitable:

Photo Credit (This and Below): Daily Mail

Yeppers. That's the knock-off version of Kate Middleton's wedding gown. It was bound to happen, and it's not as bad as I expected.

I like that it's obviously inspired by the stunning Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen bridal gown, but not a direct copy. So many times, the designer-inspired versions are the same dress, but with cheap fabrics and less embellishment, which, really, just looks tacky. It's like slapping a Coach label on a pleather drawstring bag--you get the expensive label, but everyone knows it's not the real deal. This is a different dress entirely, and I have to applaud that. You still get the look of a corset bodice with lace overlay, and an elegant circle skirt--which were the hallmarks of that now-iconic gown--but the sleeves are shorter, the neckline simplified, the hem raised and the train removed. There's also the addition of a sweet satin sash. It's a much more casual dress, and would, in my opinion, be perfect for an afternoon garden wedding. You could even accessorize with a birdcage veil, or--in true Kate fashion--a small fascinator. Available August 7th, exclusively at Peacocks. Sizes 8-18, approx. $96. If you want one, you'll need to act fast. They expect a quick sell-out.

A Rootin', Tootin' Round-Up

This just made me smile, and I hope it makes your day, too.

Melanie Edgar and Andrew Higgins of Barry, Wales, got married. That, right there, is sweet enough, but I love how they tied the lasso--I mean, knot.

You see, Melanie is not your traditional bride. She wasn't in to the whole "white wedding and tails" kind of ceremony. She wanted to do something unique, and also something that would appeal to the couple's three young children. So, when the stretch limo pulled up to the Civic Registry Office, Melanie stepped out in full cowgirl gear--but not just any cowgirl, mind you. The bride was dressed as Jessie from the Toy Story franchise, and her dashing groom was none other than Sherriff Woody!

It should come as no surprise that Buzz took the role of Best Man. Barrie Edgar, the bride's brother (and Mr. Potatohead) told reporters, “It was no surprise when she wanted a cartoon wedding because she’s certainly not a traditionalist and always aims to stand out from the crowd. Everyone got into the mood and we had an absolutely brilliant time – it was a dream wedding for the kids who couldn’t wait for the day to come so they could get into their costumes."

Here's a picture, courtesy of WalesOnline, of the happy couple and their colorful cast of characters. There are more darling photos on that site (linked above). I wish them the best of luck. Congratulations to the entire Higgins Family!



Melanie and Andrew are center in the cowboy hats. Good luck finding Waldo (yes, he was in attendance).

Rated G for Green

Okay, so we have labels that tell us nutritional information, washing instructions, and Surgeon General's warnings. There's even legislation for automobiles' MPG, and smoking ordinances to cut down on second-hand inhalation. So, why on Earth has it taken this long for clothing manufacturers to fess up to their products sustainabiltiy and ethical accountability?

According to Ecorazzi (for all your green gossip, apparently), a coalition of manufacturers, including Walmart, J.C.Penney's, and Timberland, has formed to rate the sustainability of globally sourced items, and the companies who sell them. The score reflects not only the ecologic impact of the item, but also the working conditions under which the item was made.

The New York Times reported that the coalition was working toward, “developing a comprehensive database of the environmental impact of every manufacturer, component and process in apparel production, with the aim of using that information to eventually give every garment a sustainability score.” With any luck, one day you might pick up t-shirt in Walmart, and find not only a size and price, but also a sustainability rating right there on the tag.

To top it off, the Sustainable Apparel Coalition also plans to impart a little knowledge to label executives about what goes into global sourcing and product manufacturing. After all, knowing is half the battle.

Even better than a great eco rating are items that barely warrant rating. For worry-free retail therapy, Livia Firth (Mrs. Best Actor Colin) has a fantastic little shop in Chiswick, London, that sells ethical and upcycled accessories and home decor. Mrs. Firth is dedicated to ethical fashion, and recently completed a "Green Capet Challenge" to wear only such creations to awards ceremonies, culminating in an Oscar gown pieced beautifully together from eleven vintage gowns, dating back to the period where her husband's movie was set. Wow.

This week, to celebrate Mr. Firth's new statuette, the shop, Eco Age, is having a sale. Each day, a different piece will receive a discount with a promo code. Today's piece is a lovely necklace, designed by Livia Firth, herself.

Being Ghostly

It wouldn't do for me to be a ghost.  I can barely pull together an outfit alive and with a closet full of choices.  I'd be totally lost trying to reinvent the same outfit from day to day.

In case you're totally lost, one of my favorite shows is BBC's Being Human.  In it, a vampire, a werewolf, and a ghost walk into a bar...I'm sorry (one, for coming up with that joke.  Two, for using more than once).  Actually, they're roommates.  Seriously.  I know it sounds like a silly premise, but it really boils down to three people with extraordinary circumstances trying to lead ordinary lives.  The vamp's in a supernatural version of AA.  The wolf is coming to terms with his "time of the month", and our pretty little ghost is just trying to figure out what to do with her afterlife.  It's alternatingly humorous and dramatic, but always--always--very real.  The third series (or season, if you like) begins sometime this month on BBC Three.  No word as to when/if BBC America will air the run. 

Photo Credit:  BBC

Now, for my point.  Annie, the ghost, passed away in her jammies.  Luckily for her, she had really good taste and went out in leggings, a tank top, cute slipper boots, and a rockin' sweater that can magically change to accommodate whatever situation she happens to be in.  Everytime she comes on camera, I think, "man, I want that sweater".  Well, actually, I don't think it.  I generally say it, then start furiously scouring the Interwebs for a reasonable facsimile.  I've been doing this for two years.  I realize that she just changes sweaters on the show, but I figured there had to be something close. 

I found it.  On a whim, Thomas and I took a day trip to the outlet mall New Year's Day.  They'd opened a BCBG Max Azria store (Me:  This is the company that makes that awesome dress I got at *salvage mart* for 90% off.  Thomas:  The one that was $300?  Me:  Yeah.  Thomas:  Why are in here again?)  and even though it's waaaaaay out of my price range, I wanted to step in and look at all the pretty shinies.

I looked around for about thirty seconds, saw the "sale" prices, choked on my own tongue, and started out the door when I saw it.  Heather gray, cashmere-blend, convertible, soft and gorgeous.  And $198.  *gulp*  I petted it for a second, sighed, and started to walk off again, when I saw the red markings on the tag.  $120, $89, $65, $49.  Wow!  It was still out of my budget, but wow, what a sale!  Somebody was going to get a great deal on that!  Then Thomas pointed out the sign in the window:  All Apparel 50% Off.  No kidding.  That darn near $200 sweater was on sale for $25.  They had one medium, and it was going home with me!  However, the one medium didn't come with the instructions for the different ways you could wrap it.  What the hey, I thought.  Thomas and I are both college graduates.  Surely, between the two of us, we can figure this thing out.

Wrong.  Oh, so very, very wrong.  I've spent two days wrapping myself up in this thing.  I've Googled.  I've Yahoo-ed.  I've all but used duct tape.  I've been beaten by a piece of fabric. 

Thankfully, while trying to find an online retailer for you guys, I ran across a site with pictures of how to wear this.  I'm posting the link here, partially so you guys can see, and partially so I can come back here and take notes.  Being a ghost sure is complicated.

Oh--for all of us Stateside folks, the American version of Being Human starts January 17th, 9/8c, on Syfy.   

Tomorrow:  Probably a review of teen comedy Easy A.  I assure you, it's way better than you think.

Julia and Anne Were Busy, I Guess...

So, apparently, there's this guy in the UK who asked his long-time girlfriend to marry him, and she agreed.  Now, from what I hear, this is a somewhat well-known young man, so there's been a little bit of fuss over the upcoming wedding.  So much fuss, in fact, that it's made its way all the way across the pond to the U. S. of A.  The groom is cute.  He might want to invest in some Rogaine, but he's got a nice smile.  For some reason, though, no one seems too interested in him.  It's the bride that everyone's all agog over.  I guess that's normal.  Right?  She is the bride, afterall.

Okay, I kid!  I just know that most of you are probably sick to death of hearing about Prince William and Princess-to-be Kate, or Katherine, or whatever they're calling her this week.  Truth is, while I'm not all a twitter wondering who will design her dress, I am intrigued by the couple.

See, Will's only two years younger than I am.  He's only one year older than I was when I got married.  I don't know the kid, but feel a generational connection to him.  Also, when I was little, I played with Princess Diana paper dolls.  I watched the fairy tale crumble, and remember well the night she passed away.  I really don't want to have to sit and watch history repeat itself.

I will say that I am very impressed by these two.  They're not going the route that Mum and Dad went.  For starters, they met at college (like normal people), and dated for close to a decade.   They weren't set up as a sort of arranged marriage, like his parents.  They're both 28, not a naive 19, like Diana.  He's been through military training, and she's worked in her parents' shop, so while the view may have been sheltered, they have both seen a smidge of the 'real world'.  In other words, they've seen what not to do, and are going in the complete and opposite direction. 

What I like most of all is the fact that this young lady--this soon to be Princess and wife of the man who will be King--dresses off the rack and does her own makeup.  Granted, one of her off-the-rack dresses is the equivalent of, like, twenty of mine, but it wasn't gifted by a designer.  It wasn't handed to her as she was told to put it on.  She went in a store, picked it out and paid for it.  Herself.  Like a grown-up woman with a brain and free will.  Those gorgeous engagement pictures that went out?  She did the makeup herself.  Yes, she had help with her hair, but she dressed herself and put herself together.  (Makeup artist readers--don't kill me!  I'd prefer to have you guys do my makeup any day of the week!  I'm just making the point that she had the option, but chose this as an opportunity to assert her independence, and for that, I applaud her.)  This is not a girl who's going to sit quietly and do as she's told, and I admire that independent spirit. 

I think these two might actually have a chance.

And now it's time for everyone's favorite part of the blog (actually, I have no idea if any of you even read this far, but whatever):  The Product Review!  Today's review:  Schick Quattro for Women razor!  According to the website:

Stay stylishly smooth with our signature metal razor. Schick^® Quattro for Women^® is designed with 4 blades and 2 conditioning strips to deliver an exceptional shaving experience so you can skip a day or two. Feel confident, look beautiful and be fabulous.

According to me:  I've actually used this brand of razor for over a year, so I guess you could say it's been thoroughly tested.  Instead of just giving you a "yay" or "nay" review, I thought I'd break things down into categories.

1) Performance:  This razor shaves beautifully.  Very few nicks or cuts, very little razor burn, and a nice, smooth, close shave.  10.

2) Appearance:  It looks high-tech, with it's sleek silver design and hot pink rubber grips.  Heavyweight, but hugs every curve.  Blade cover does tend to accumulate muck and mildew.  9.

3) Durability:  Here's the rub.  The first razor I owned lasted a year.  Since purchasing a new one, however, I'm about to have to replace it for the second time.  The first replacement was after only a week.  The current razor lasted less than a month.  The entire mechanism is held together with a little pink button that, unfortunately, loves to pop out.  If that button falls out, the handle, blade, and everything else comes apart.  Mine like to jump directly down the shower drain, never to be seen again.  Other than that, everything else has proven very durable.  Even the razors last for a week before even starting to go dull.  Oh, but go ahead and toss the suction cup holder that comes with the starter kit.  It's rubbish.  5. 

4) Price:  $8.47, Walmart.  That includes two razor blades.  A four-pack of blades is $10.47 at Walmart.  This is not terrible, considering my first razor lasted a year, and a four-pack of blades will last you a month.  7. 

All in all, 7.75 out of 10.  The only problem with the whole package is that one little pink button.  If they could just figure out a way to keep it in place, I'd remain a Schick customer.  For now, I'm looking for a new razor.