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Robert Geller Fall 2012

2012-02-12T00:38:00.001-05:00

Robert Geller showed his Fall 2012 collection Saturday evening and I had the immense pleasure of heading backstage and later attending the runway show.

I have been a massive fan of Geller's work for years, so attending his show during New York Fashion Week has definitely been a highlight during this hectic week.

For this season, Geller took us to a time in English history where he says men dressed "super special." I know this because I GOT TO INTERVIEW HIM. Attending fashion shows and presentations comes with my job title and this was my second season attending Geller's show, but I still couldn't believe I was interacting with him.

It is moments like these when I rebuke all of the negative people that may be around me. I remind myself that I am living my dream and it propels me to push myself even more. I suggest everyone find something in their lives that gives them this same type of motivation.

Okay, my pep talk is over.

Keep an eye on The Calvin Show Facebook page for more pics from the show (taken by yours truly just like the one above) and check out the Pier 59 Studios Blog for my official write-up of the collection!

Whitney Houston: The Voice that Touched So Many

2012-02-12T00:12:00.000-05:00

Where do I begin to talk about Whitney Houston? Nope, I won't regurgitate all of her amazing accomplishments as a groundbreaking Black female singer who changed the game altogether. We can all find that information elsewhere so I am just going to share a few personal memories with you all.

My first true introduction to Whitney's talent was with 1992's The Bodyguard. I first saw that movie in the kitchen of my Aunt Ruby's home and became absolutely fixated with Whitney's talent. Sure, I was only six years old but her music went through my bones. "I Have Nothing" and "Run To You" are still some of my all-time favorite songs to this day.

I remember watching the video to "I'm Every Woman" and being so confused that my mom wasn't in that video. I would watch the TV and say "But Whitney, my mom is just like what you're singing about. Why didn't you call her to be in the video with you?" The mind of a child, right?

Then there was the time my parents got my sister, Calie, this karaoke machine for Christmas. We performed along to the "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" music video more times than I'd care to admit. And then Waiting to Exhale came out! What? I had that soundtrack on repeat. 17 years later and I still know all of the words to "Why Does It Hurt So Bad." It's only now that I fully understand the words she sang.

This is so weird to me. This is the first time I've dealt with a celebrity's passing that truly has shaken me. She was one of the reasons I became so interested in Pop music and I am so thankful for that.

I've picked a few of my favorite songs and I just realized they're all from The Bodyguard soundtrack. I'm not sure why but these songs resonated like none other!

New York Fashion Week Begins!

2012-02-08T08:00:00.000-05:00

Dudes and non-dudes, tomorrow kicks off New York Fashion Week! Translation: get ready to witness some of the most fashionable yet exhausted and furious individuals you'll ever come across...until September. Yes, I will become one of them.

I absolutely love NYFW with all of the shows and the clothes! It's just that I have finally come to learn that it's not all fun and bubble gum. Working for a company that is a showing space during the week can still be pretty hectic even though my fashion week is underneath one roof. Dashing around backstage, front of house, trying to snag an interview with the designer, snapping photos. It's enough to drive someone insane.

It takes all of me not to pull a Winona Ryder and make a mad dash for the door with an armful of clothes.

Leave it to GQ's Creative Director Jim Moore, Deputy Editor Michael Hainey, Fashion Director Madeline Weeks and more to make me fall right back in love with New York Fashion Week. Check out this hilarious video they have crafted to inform people of where to go for all of the best NYFW coverage:

As you read this from the luxury of wherever you are, I am most likely already going crazy similar to a PETA activist whom just got a tip about fur being used on the runway.

The 2 Best Things from the Super Bowl XLVI Are...

2012-02-06T08:09:00.000-05:00

So, I actually watched a good portion of last night's Super Bowl XLVI and I have just a few things that I would like to say about it:

I thought the last minute of the game was incredibly anticlimactic but more importantly...
I didn't see nearly enough of Gisele.
I didn't see nearly enough of the new Pussycat Dolls in that Go Daddy commercial.
I didn't see nearly enough of Katharine McPhee singing "Touch Me" in that promo for Smash which premieres tonight.

That being said, there were two moments that stood out for me and surprisingly enough one of them was not David Beckham's commercial to promote his underwear line with H&M.

The first just so happened to be "The Dog Strikes Back," Volkswagen's official commercial for the big game day. It features one fat ass dog who looks in the mirror, says "I can't even fit through the doggie door," and gets into shape. It is beyond cute all up until the 45 second mark where things get weird.

If you had not already guessed, the second highlight of last night's game was the halftime performance by Madonna. That 53 year old heffa got down like nobody's business and some of the tweets that I saw were just pure genius. I would try to post a few of them but I'm not really about to comb through hundreds of tweets...cause I'm a diva.

SO WAS MADONNA. The weakest thing was her entrance but the setup? The visuals? Pretty flipping spectacular. Despite almost falling (OMG is Madonna a human?), home girl rocked that ish until the wheels almost fell off. She did cartwheels between dudes legs, had a musical threesome with LMFAO and gave a huge shout out to Vogue with her superhit from the 80s.

Oh, and the new song, "Give Me All Your Luvin'," which I'm still not feeling, was okay. Besides M.I.A. flipping off the camera, nothing was really added by her or Nicki Minaj to the performance. Or to the song for that matter. Either way, Madonna definitely stole the show and delivered the best halftime performance I have ever seen.

This performance, in addition to her career, should become a case study for all wannabe popstars to study because this is how it is done. Long live Madonna!

DANSK's 10th Anniversary Issue On Stands Today

2012-02-02T09:13:00.000-05:00

Listen up, listen up! This is a call-to-action and as fellow lovers of models and magazines, it is your duty to join me in picking up DANSK Magazine's 10th Anniversary Issue on stands today. This issue, as I have mentioned in an earlier post about it, is very Danish and in a press release, the publication acknowledges that as well:

DANSK Magazine celebrates its 10-year anniversary with the spring/summer 2012 issue, on stands worldwide 2 February 2012. Celebrating the Danish ethos of the publication, which was founded in 2002 by Editors-in-Chief and Creative Directors Uffe Buchard and Kim Grenaa, Danish models Freja Beha Erichsen and Juliane Grüner are featured on the two covers of the issue, the first-ever edition of DANSK to feature a cast of all Danish models. Freja is shot in Louise Amstrup by fellow Danish model Christian Brylle, while Juliane is shot by Aitken Jolly in Balenciaga by Nicholas Ghesquière. Both covers are styled by Fashion Editor-at-Large Anders Sølvsten Thomsen, and altered by Danish artist Catherine Raben Davidsen.

Check out a really bad ass preview of the magazine starting with cover girls Freja and Juliane! PS, Freja is rocking some Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2012 and I know you all foamed at the mouths when Marc unveiled the collection on that carousel. I did as well and had to restrain myself when I actually got to visit the set of a photo shoot using the collection as its wardrobe. This is so off topic but in person, the clothes are stunning and the craftsmanship? Heavens to Betsy. When I can talk more on that shoot, I will definitely share. It features one of my current favorites. Anyway! Back to DANSK!

The editors also pulled out the big guns for this issue's interviews with the likes of Victoria Beckham and Alber Elbaz. Victoria, whom I'm finding more difficult to call Posh these days, talks about winning a British Fashion Award and getting acknowledged as a designer:

“It was so overwhelming and emotional. It means so much to me and especially for my team - they deserve it. I was so happy and proud for everyone because we've come such a long way in just over three years. The support of the British fashion industry means a huge amount. They left their preconceptions at the door and let my product speak for itself."

Coming from the background of a performer, I know Vic (only her close friends, which I am one of, call her that) felt an immense amount of pressure to succeed when she first began designing. The super seasoned Elbaz discusses said pressures that are placed on designers in his interview:

“I feel sometimes our life is a marathon. We have to produce everything bigger, better, faster and cheaper. A singer can live on ten good songs in his lifetime career; a movie director on five great movies' a writer on three amazing books. We, designers, have eight collections a year. So in 25 years of work, we will produce 200 shows. 200 movies, 200 shows, 200 books. Even Danielle Steel does not write that many! Is it mental? I don't do drugs."

Can I just say these interviews already sound pretty effing amazing? I seriously cannot wait to snatch up a copy of this magazine but before doing so, I have a special treat for you: an extended preview of the magazine. Click after the jump to see some more.

Get ready for some credits, ya'll!

Freja Beha Erichsen poses for fellow model Christian Brylle with fashion by Anders Sølvsten Thomsen, who also styles Juliane Grüner, shot by Aitken Jolly. Christian Brylle is featured opposite Caroline Brasch-Nielsen in a story shot by Henrik Bülow and styled by Uffe Buchard. Fashion Director Toby Grimditch styles Victor Nylander in a story by Laurence Ellis and Mathias Lauridsen in a story by Mark Kean.

Josephine Skriver and Malthe Lund Madsen feature in a collection story by Emma Tempest, styled by Sam Ranger. Tomas Falmer shoots Adrian Bosch in a story styled by Marcus Söder, while Louise P appears in a story shot by Peter Gehrke with fashion by Robert Rydberg. Kim Grenaa styles Josefine Nielsen in a story by Sean McMenomy.

Gertrud Hegelund poses for Hasse Nielsen, while her sister, Agnete Hegelun poses for Jimmy Backius, with fashion by Gabi Humnicki. Simon Rasmuseen styles Nadja Bender in a story by Alexander Neumann, and dorte Limkilde is shot by Martin Vallin and styled by Oscar Lange. Shot by Thomas Lohr and styled by Anders Sølvsten Thomsen, Jonas Kloch features in pictures for the Dior Homme feature, and Ida Dyberg in pictures appearing throughout features.

FICTITIOUS FASHION: Where's The Snow?

2012-01-30T08:00:00.000-05:00

It's January in New York City which means it should be brick every day all day, right? Not this year! Apparently mother nature wants to be a tricky bitch and is playing some major games with us. "Since it's 2012, the last year of existence, I'll let you guys have a super mild winter," she says in the form of a 53 degree afternoon.

I guess I don't mind. I mean, I hate the snow. Even though I grew up with it and have become used to it, the only thing to enjoy about winter is that first snow fall. After that, it turns into the nagging friend whom you only invite out if you absolutely must do so.

Even still, when it didn't snow for Christmas and I rang in the new year in nothing but a light jacket, I felt a little cheated. Hatred aside, I think it's nice to start the new year with all of that white stuff on the ground. Well, here in New York City it quickly turns into gray slush more than anything else but it started out as white and it still signifies a fresh start. Right?

Either way, I have this fantastic Ann Demeulemeester outerwear piece that I got in anticipation of winter and had been itching to wear it for months. Since it hasn't been that cold to me, I've never worn it out! On the weekends, I would sit in my apartment wearing nothing but some briefs and the coat. It wasn't cheap and I didn't want to leave it hanging in my closet completely unattended to.

This past weekend, it finally snowed. It was one of the few times I didn't mind the crazy commute to Manhattan. Three people complimented me on the coat. Just as I got off the train at Grand Central, I realized I had forgotten my cell phone in another jacket pocket in my apartment.

Model D.J. James (LA Models) shot by Richard Pier Petit for "The Ones2Watch)

Image courtesy of TheOnes2Watch.com

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Burberry Prorsum Fall 2012

2012-01-29T19:18:00.000-05:00

When faced with the decision of either embracing or condemning a collection, sometimes the reviewer might find the task difficult. I, however, do not have this problem. Either a collection is good or it's shit. If you have followed The Calvin Show over the years, you know I have had a perpetual crush on Christopher Bailey and his designs for Burberry Prorsum. You will also note that I am not afraid to call Bailey out on when I think what he designed is poo-tastic.

Thankfully, for Fall 2012, he sent out piece after piece of utter orgasmic brilliance. From the outerwear dipped in brown and mustard stripes to the diamond printed sweater, I was doing mental cartwheels.

Images courtesy of GQ.com

The feel for this collection, to me, was very sophisticated but for the twenty-something dude who is coming up in the rankings in the business world. He knows about fashion, knows about fit, knows his own personal style and goes for it. At the beginning, you seem this guy headed to work in a plethora of gray, two-button suits. He must have gotten a nod from the boss that he doesn't always have to wear a jacket because he then busts out the incredible knits and prints showing the boss who's boss...at least when it comes to styling.

My favorite look just might be Look 23 with the brown corduroy blazer on top of the opened-neck ribbed sweater layered on top of the white button down all paired with gray trousers.

Say what? Yes, sir. Yes, sir, indeed.

Want to see the complete collection? I know you do! Head over to GQ.com now.

DANSK S/S 2012 Is Its 10th Year Anniversary Issue!

2012-01-26T21:32:00.000-05:00

At this point in the game, you already know I'm absolutely in love DANSK Magazine, the world's most independent fashion magazine. The last time I got an email from them with some cover teasers, I foamed at the mouth and one of my most successful Fictitious Fashion posts, "It All Comes Down to Numbers," featured an image of Sigrid Agren from that issue.

The content has remained smart and boner-inducing with some of the most exciting editorials. Dree Hemingway posing for photographer Joachim Mueller Ruchholtz? Bomb.com!

I recently checked my inbox to see info on the S/S 2012 issue which also marks the publication's 10th year anniversary! I'd first like to say congratulations to the DANSK team on ten years and also for including me in their circle of press members for the last two.

Now, let's get to the covers! First up is fashion's womanizing bad girl, Freja Beha Erichsen. Being styled by Fashion Editor Anders Sølvsten Thomsen and shot by photographer Christian Brylle, Freja looks absolutely stunning. Even in person, Freja just commands your attention and this is no different. She wears Danish designer Louise Amstrup whom was nominated in the "Best New Talent" category at the 2009 DANSK Awards.

On the second cover we have Juliane Grüner who can be seen in the Spring/Summer Balenciaga ad campaign. And would you fancy that! Juliane is wearing Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquière on her cover. Aitken Jolly, one of my favorite photographers right now, captures this Danish beauty in all of her glory.

The covers were altered by Danish artist Cathrine Raben Davidsen which brings a true element of art to these magazine covers. It's great to see my favorite celebrities get glamorous for a fashion rag, but it is even more pleasing to see models on the covers! Need I remind you of ELLE's October 2011 issue featuring some of my all-time favorite ladies?

I'm so ready to have this issue in my hands to inspect it up-close-and-personal! Juliane is great and all but fingers crossed I find Freja on the shelves.

Click over to DANSK's website now to watch a video preview of an editorial featuring newcomer Ida Dyberg and Jonas Kloch. The DANSK S/S 2012 issue hits stands on February 2.

Mobolaji Dawodu Says "It's All About Prints"

2012-01-25T08:00:00.000-05:00

Mobolaji Dawodu has worked with some of the music industry's top dogs from Kanye West to the Black Eyed Peas and is the contributing style editor for The Fader magazine. He also appears in a video for H&M Life series where he takes us deep into his wardrobe and explains a bit about his personal style.

I think he dresses a bit loudly but here is the great thing: there were pieces in every outfit he showcased that I found appealing. The brown brogue shoe? SICK. My life is all about the brogue these days! The blazers and even red trousers were exciting.

His advice of liking "everything you buy" is genius. It is one of those things that sounds like common sense but humans tend to ignore common sense...a lot. I'm discovering that more and more as the years pass.

In terms of shopping, I cannot tell you how many times I've gone to a store, H&M included, and held onto an item simply because it was in my size and price range. I would totally ignore the common sense in me that screams like Tamar Braxton and purchase something I only had a sliver of interest in. That is no way to shop!

I've gotten better at really looking at clothing, inspecting it for defaults, judging by how it fits and where I want to take my wardrobe. Oh, and since I'm still the world's biggest budget-nisto, that plays a big role as well. However, I am a firm believer in looking good even on a small, tight budget. A lack of funds doesn't automatically equal out to looking cheap, ya'll!

Anyway, check out one of Mobolaji's latest stories for The Fader titled "Prime Numbers: Seven Easy Pieces for Dressing in the New Year" now.

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Smash Is DEFINITELY Worth Watching

2012-01-23T09:09:00.000-05:00

On the fifth season of American Idol, I definitely caught McPhever for Katharine McPhee. I thought her voice was golden! Perfection! So amazing! And then she didn't win but put out a fantastic Pop album, got dropped, scored another record label, put out another fantastic Pop album, seemingly got dropped again but appeared in a few movies along the way.

Now, Katharine is back in a very big way as one of the stars of the new NBC series, Smash, scheduled to debut on Monday, February 6. The premise of the show is simple: Katharine plays the part of Karen, a young, actress in New York City looking to make it on Broadway. On the other side of the street is Ivy (Megan Hilty) who already has tons of experience, including performing on Broadway. When Julia (Debra Messing) and Tom (Christian Borle) find themselves thrust into the fast lane with a new musical based on Marilyn Monroe, Karen finds herself battling for the lead role against Ivy.

You can watch the entire first episode online now at Hulu or NBC and I seriously suggest that you do. I was surprised in the best way while watching. Katharine is fantastic and I while her first big song, a cover of Christina Aguilera's "Beautiful," was a bit underwhelming, I have no doubt that she will get the opportunity to show off her great singing chops.

I remember when this show first got the greenlight and everyone compared it to Glee. I can tell you know that these two shows really are 100% different. As much as I loved Glee, I feel like Smash has the potential to be even greater. It's set in New York City and features the young, determined performer. It's a show full of hope and the bright city lights. Who wouldn't want to watch that type of show?

Here's my prediction: Smash lasts four or five seasons, Karen makes it on Broadway big time, she dumps her current boyfriend in Season 3, spirals out of control, winds up getting fired from a successful show, finds herself in rehab and by the series end, she's all clean and making a very public comeback. It's all about the rise and fall...and rise!

What do you think? Will you be watching Smash?

Top 10 Songs Perfect for a Fashion Show Pt. 2!

2012-01-23T08:00:00.000-05:00

Last June, I blogged about the top 10 songs perfect for a fashion show and it has been one of the most popular posts on TheCalvinShow.com so I thought I would deliver another spot-on edition! It comes at a perfect time as well. New York Fashion Week is just around the corner and designers are scrambling with their teams as you read this to find the perfect song selection(s) for their upcoming runway show or presentation.

Why do designers use music during their fashion shows? To help create a mood, an experience! How do they choose this music? They take a look at the clothes in the collection, the vibe they want to their audience to pick up on and reasons similar to this.

How do I decide what music would be good for a fashion show? Simple! If a song makes me feel like I'm super cool and on a runway with Anna Wintour on the sidelines. That being said, let's hop straight into the Top 10 Songs Perfect for a Fashion Show Pt. 2!

1. HOT CHIP - OUT AT THE PICTURES!

Give me some quirk and a semi-long intro and I'm all in like the 45 year-old casting agent whom spots the latest 15 year-old model. Hot Chip have a few tracks that work really well for stomping but this one definitely kicks off the party.

2. FRANZ FERDINAND - DIE ON THE FLOOR!

When I first heard the Blood: Franz Ferdinand album a few years ago, I couldn't get it off of repeat. This song in particular always struck me as something worthy of the runway. Once the song finally drops, it begs for you to walk all over it.

3. DIGITALISM - STRATOSPHERE!

I wasn't that familiar with Digitalism until more recently but their sound is of the very popular Dreampop vibe. While a lot of the music in this category can help put you to sleep, "Stratosphere" actually is a quite driving force. This would be perfect for a menswear brand like Robert Geller or Patrick Ervell.

4. BRAZILIAN GIRLS - NOUVEAU AMERICAIN!

This song is a bit all over the place, a bit manic and one of the easiest choices for this post. It starts with the sounds of a car horn and maybe that horn is being honked because there is a stream of models clogging up the streets? I think so!

5. CUT COPY - TIME STANDS STILL!

Really? Do you have to ask why this has made the cut? Cut Copy are Electronic gods and "Time Stands Still" is a shining example of this. It is also the ideal tempo for a fun, upbeat fashion show with simple, catchy lyrics that can be interpreted in a variety of ways.

For the other five, simply click after the jump!

6. FANFARLO - GHOSTS!

Unlike the previous song, Fanfarlo is a bit more down to earth with its sound. The British band is an ideal fit for the Burberry brand as they always enjoy using talent born out of the UK. This song is "cute" and fits well for a brand like Charlotte Ronson.

7. YELLE - COMME UN ENFANT!

Unless you speak French, get ready to not understand a lick of what this chick is saying. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I don't mind not knowing what is being said. This song is all about energy and movement which is precisely what I want to see on a runway. Enough said!

8. EMPIRE OF THE SUN - WE ARE THE PEOPLE!

Sometimes a song just gets in your bones and almost propels you up onto your feet and throws you into motion. "We Are the People" does just that. The guitar starts out simply enough but then that little bass starts thumping and suddenly you're fully immersed in a sonic orgasm.

9. WALK THE MOON - BLUE DRESS!

Again with the guitars! It's cool, though. "Blue Dress" is a little more Alternative Rock but what makes it so perfect for a runway is that it creates movement in your body from simply nodding your head to tapping your foot.

10. KIM CARNES - BETTE DAVIS EYES!

Here's the situation. Been to every nation...and "Bette Davis Eyes" has been unanimously agreed upon as one hell of a tune to strut down the runway to. Obviously, this belongs on the runway for a womenswear brand and I'm still confused as to why the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show hasn't gobbled this up already. How perfect would this be remixed for the opening segment?

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I Was Featured on IFB!

2012-01-22T11:06:00.000-05:00

I think this might be a bit late but my post, How To Take a Good Street Style Photo, was selected in IFB's Links À La Mode about two weeks ago. Check out the full list of blogs that joined me!

Ethical Fashion Blog: What do you think about charity shop pricing?
Fashion is Evolution: How to make a clothing-tag specimen board
Fashion Moriarty: If you only buy 12 magazines this year
House of Jeffers: Not fitting in because of the way you dress
Letter Kay Blog: How to wear leather leggings
Life of a Recessionista: Products I can’t live without
Life Style Flash: Things I hate about shopping
Marionberry Style: It isn’t easy being green
Nadalyn Margaret: All about brooches
Over 50 Feeling 40: Journalism 101 for Bloggers
Pandippo: Sometimes a simple dress is all you need
Paper Cloth: Things I learned from January J.Crew
Pretty Quirky Pants: DIY Beaded stretch cuff bracelet
Statements in Fashion: Twitter Tuesday: “Chuffed to Bits” for The Whitelist
Style Delights: Ten tips to be happy!
The Calvin Show: How to take great street style photos
The Dapper Bun: DIY Simple hems
The PVD Journal: How to take gratuitous photos of yourself
The Shop Hopper: Shopping Manifesto
The Window Shopper: DIY Getting your colors done

SPONSOR:

New Dresses at Shopbop: Just Cavalli, BB Dakota, T Bags LA, Nightcap, SoLow, Zac Posen, Malene Birger, Phillip Lim, See by Chloe, Nanette Lepore, Tucker, Cut25 & Parker

Leona Lewis for Gossip Girl, Please!

2012-01-17T20:21:00.001-05:00

Okay, everyone. It has been awhile since I blogged about my favorite primetime soap opera, Gossip Girl, and for good reason: I wasn't 100% happy with what I was seeing. There have been so many loaded moments that I feel get followed up by a complete letdown! I still enjoy the drama, but I had been waiting for something truly exceptional and it arrived with this Monday's episode, "The End of the Affair." If you haven't seen this week's episode, read no further because there are spoilers.

It was the first episode of the new year and fans got to see what happened to Chuck and Blair after they professed their love to each other and then got into a horrible car accident. I figured Blair would lose the baby but I selfishly thought it would be another reason she would decide to leave Louis. When the episode begins and it is revealed that not only has she stayed with Louis but has shunned Chuck, I was thoroughly confused. Well done, writers! Having Blair make a vow to God in a church that she would keep her promise to marry Louis if only Chuck were to survive was super clever.

Annoying, but clever. And that is where Chuck and Blair are at. He's yet again torn to bits on the inside, she's just as miserable and can I just say hot damn is Vera Wang skinny!

When Serena covers up why Blair and Dan have been sneaking around (he's been going to church with her to help her cope with everything) and says she is in a relationship again with him, I really wanted to throw my glass of water across the room. Then I remembered that Serena totally has a lady boner for Dan and then the New Year's kiss happened. The face she made? Oh, come on! Suddenly Lonely Boy has S in a complete state of yearning.

Now, listen up GG producers, writers and music supervisors. The show is in dire need of a tear-jerking, sob-worthy moment and those moments always need an equally depressing song. The perfect choice? Leona Lewis' cover of the Counting Crows' "Colorblind" taken from her recently released Hurt EP.

Picture this: someone dies. Yes, we are dealing with the loss of Blair's unborn baby but one of the current cast members simply has to go. Louis, I believe your number is up! So, he meets his maker who is no doubt impeccably dressed as the French typically are and when Blair finds out about it, she's with Chuck for whatever reason. She collapses into his arms, he embraces her and they both cry. At the same time, Serena and Dan have gone on a date. Dan's heart isn't in it but Serena is so gung-ho, right? Emotions are super charged and when Serena kisses him, they totally start to get it on. Yes, I'm telling producers to "be inspired" by the Cruel Intentions scene with this very song playing in the background.

It will make for good television. TRUST ME. GG is missing the drama and the sex. What we've been getting is relatively trite. Read this very closely, GG team: give...me...what...I...want! By doing so, you will simultaneously please scores of teenage girls and gays.

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Curtis Sittenfeld's "American Wife" Is Flawless

2012-01-10T21:56:00.000-05:00

One of the things I love about reading is being transported to a different place by the author's words. Not gonna lie, sometimes they create really complicated worlds that I'd rather not try to breakdown, so I create a sub-world in their world to better enjoy the book. A prime example? Stieg Larsson's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I absolutely love that book but all of the family members and different homes they occupied got to be a bit confusing so once I figured out who the characters were, I disregarded the book's "locations" and created my own. Still, one of the best books I have read in quite a long time.

That being said, if I had to compile a list of these "best books," I know exactly which one would be right at the top: Curtis Sittenfeld's American Wife. Her first two books focused on the journey of a female from a young age into adulthood. American Wife starts out the same but takes some epic twists: Alice as a young girl, Alice starts to grow up, Alice kills her high school crush and emotionally spirals out of control, Alice ends up marrying the country's president.

SO GOOD.

And here's the kicker! I first bought it in hardcover, as I had done with her first two novels, when it was originally released but actually returned it because I read the first page and thought "God, this is going to be a snoozer." I waited until paperback and was still hesitant to spend money on it. I eventually did and then it sat in my trunk of books for over a year before I picked it up!

Once I began reading, I immediately became connected with her characters. The story was simple enough but as you read above, things take some crazy ass turns. For instance, there's a scene where it seems like everyone might die because a tornado is coming through town and let me just say that Charlie, the man who "sweeps Alice off her feet," swept me off my feet as well with this scene. Check it.

Alice is at home alone and hiding in the basement of her apartment building. Suddenly, there's a banging on the door and she thinks maybe it's another tenant trying to get inside. She races up, throws the door open and it's Charlie drenched to the bone. When she asks him what he was doing at her doorstep when the sky was opening up around them, this is his response:

"I decided we should get married," he said. "No more of this running-through-the-rain shit. We should live in the same place, sleep in the same bed at night, wake up together in the morning, and whenever there's a tornado, I can take care of you and watch baseball at the same time."

Cheesy? I don't give a shit. That's romantic. If someone were to say that to me, I'd be all in, running to the chapel, screaming from the rooftops like a crazed banshee.

Through her numerous relationships, Charlie and all, the reader always knows exactly who Alice is. She stays fundamentally true to herself and that is something I think most of us strive for. She disagrees with her husband's politics but she views love as more important and that's that. Yes, they fight and sometimes I wondered if it would all go to shit because Sittenfeld had already dropped bombs without warning before in the book. Spoiler alert: they totally stay together forever and ever.

American Wife is one of those books that I actually did not want to end. Around the last fifty pages or so, I would take frequent breaks to extend my time with these characters. The supporting cast was just as expertly crafted as Alice and Charlie and with a story line that kept me guessing, it comes as no surprise that I hold this book in such a positive light.

Now, Curtis, I'm gonna need you to pump out another book. Thanks and I'll try my best to squeeze you into my schedule for coffee soon.

How To Take a Good Street Style Photo

2012-01-08T07:00:00.000-05:00

Over the last four months or so, I have been given access to a Canon EOS 7D 18 MP CMOS Digital SLR camera which I typically use with either a 24-70mm or 15-85mm lens. Don't ask me what any of that means as I have no idea. But here is what I can tell you: the quality of the images that come from that camera are amazing!

My access to this equipment is all for work purposes and last week, I found myself in Union Square to complete a profile on a business owner for my company's blog. Since I was already out and about, I figured this would be as good a time as any to snap a few street style shots for our Tumblr page. With an intern by my side, we began scouring a sea of bodies in hopes of finding a few impeccably dressed people on their way to somewhere fabulous.

It was as I stood there in Union Square with this expensive camera clutched between my two hands that I began to wonder what makes for a good street style photo. Up until that moment, I had never actually taken to the streets as this type of photographer! In fact, I don't even consider myself a traditional photographer. I have no technical background or training but I do know what types of images I like. Thanks to my job, I have been granted the opportunity to work more and more with cameras and am getting better at finding "the shot."

That being said, read on for a few of my tips on how to get a potentially good street style photo. I say potentially because I don't think there's an exact science to this but maybe Scott Schuman will email me telling me that there is. In that case, I'll come back and totally eliminate all of this mumbo jumbo about potential! Carry on.

TIP #1: VISIT A HEAVILY POPULATED AREA!

One might think this is common sense, right? Well, it seems that most things that are common sense slip from our minds when we're in action. Location should be the very first thing considered when heading out to capture street style. Luckily, I live in New York City where there are ample opportunities to see incredible clothes pretty much everywhere I go. However, the chances of stumbling upon a fantastic ensemble are greater when in a heavily populated area.

I like Union Square and Soho because there is such a dense diversity. I see everything from the business man in a Brooks Brothers suit to the call-girl in pleather Forever 21 leggings. Hmm...

TIP #2: CROUCH LOW, TILT UP!

If you get someone to stop and pose for you, take a few shots at standing level but then drop it like it's hot to one knee and tilt your camera up. This is a great way of changing your image's depth of field. For instance, if you are in an area with skyscrapers or great architecture, tilting up will let your camera take in more of the background scenery.

Having the camera in this position creates the slightest of optical illusions and can even make your subject look that much more exceptional.

TIP #2.5: ONLY USE TIP #2 IF SUBJECT IS WEARING PANTS!

Attempting this trick on a woman wearing a skirt might get you kicked.

TIP #3: GET DIFFERENT ANGLES OF THE SAME PERSON!

When an interesting subject is spotted, make sure you are ready to shoot as if you had just stumbled upon Lindsay Lohan and Miley Cyrus together in a room being themselves. Click, click, click, click!

If they are in front of you, make sure you use that shutter release and continue to do so even as they walk past you. This allows you to catch different elements of one look. Upon reviewing your footage, you might find that while an outfit was intriguing from the front, seeing it from the side actually looks better.

Okay, I hope these tips were helpful! If you enjoy doing street style photography, share some of your tips with me in the comment box below. You can also tweet me (@calvinshow) and get the dialogue party started there.

Anais Mali Is V Magazine's "Queen of Hip-Hop"

2012-01-05T08:00:00.000-05:00

Anais Mali (Ford Models) walked alongside some of fashion's sexiest models in the 2011 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show and can be seen in V Magazine's Spring Preview 2012 issue. Mali's editorial, titled "The Queen of Hip-Hop," was shot by photographer Sebastian Faena and features Mali getting gangsta with saturated colors in abundance.

In the editorial, Mali is joined by Travone Hill (aka Yes, I'll Marry You) and a collection of other pretty faces but obviously, Ms. Mali is the star. She sports the likes of Patricia Field and Versace all while giving one ridiculously ridiculous pout.

Images courtesy of V Magazine

That fake album cover? It is the shit. It is striking enough that I would actually pay to have it blown up, printed and framed. Tits and all! Now, if only I could get my hands on a hi-res digital copy of it.

With campaigns for the Gap and editorials appearing in publications like V and Vogue Paris, Anais is definitely growing at a solid pace. Girl knows how to work it and I can easily imagine her rising on Models.com's Top 50 Women ranking list. I'll call it now but I see really awesome things for Anais in 2012!

If I'm right, I need to be allowed to freelance for agencies and if not...then I'll just revisit this blog post come January 2013 and edit this out.

Love & Hip Hop Brings the Best Lady Crazy to TV

2012-01-02T08:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to a new year, suckas! Hope you all got nice and toasty the other night. By toasty, I mean curled up in bed to a nice movie...because that's what I did. Anyway, I have a question for you. Are you watching Love & Hip Hop on VH1? YOU'RE NOT? Okay, we are going to stop the conversation right there and I am going to direct you to my latest video blog right below.

If you are still unconvinced of the hot messiness of this show, just listen. The cat fight that I talked about between Chrissy and another cast member, Kimbella? In an episode following the fight, Chrissy refuses to apologize to Kimbella and then storms off as if she's offended she has been asked to issue an apology. In the clip below, she flips of a "friend" claiming she can no longer trust him. I'll give her one thing, she rocks some hot shoes. Said flipping off occurs in a great pair of animal printed stilettos.

This woman cannot go an episode without being the center of some drama! I know that's what the show is for but damn. I wonder sometimes how these relationships play out once the cameras have stopped rolling. Are people able to look past how they have been treated on camera because they know it was simply for show or do they let it affect them even more because their image has been altered by a 30-minute TV show?

Not gonna lie, I have always wondered what it would be like to be on a reality show like this where cameras follow you around. How much do you change? How little do you change? If you do one season and say at the end of it "That's not who I really am," do you change your television character to fit who you truly are?

Am I thinking too much about this? Either way, make sure you tune in for the next episode of Love & Hip Hop airing tonight at 10 p.m.

Pat McGrath Is Having a "Girl" Moment!

2011-12-30T08:00:00.000-05:00

Pat McGrath, famed makeup guru, is most definitely experiencing one hell of a moment at the end of 2011. Over the summer, McGrath received an email from film director David Finch and before she knew it, she was on a plane to Sweden as the makeup consultant for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo film trilogy. Thank goodness she checked her messages because she almost missed out on this opportunity. McGrath spoke to Style.com's Beauty Counter blog about the experience.

"He sent me an e-mail out of the blue asking me to do the makeup for the film in July, when everybody is on holiday and everything shuts down. I don’t think I saw the e-mail for weeks. Once I realized it was David Fincher himself, I was very excited. I immediately said yes, and the next thing I knew, I was flying out to Sweden to meet David, his team, and Rooney," McGrath says.

This summer, McGrath also shot a series of how-to videos for CoverGirl. PS, I did not know she was also that brand's Global Creative Design Director! Get it, girl. The video series features Canadian supermodel Jessica Stam, the first dropping today. I'm no beauty junkie but I couldn't help but be completely engrossed in this video. Pat McGrath is super nice in person and her warm, welcoming attitude shines through in the video. And come on! It's got The Stam with those tiger eyes. When it comes to The Stam, I am sold, returned and bought once again.

If you're a fan of the smoky eye, you will want to watch this video. McGrath gives simple tips on how to create a smoky eye with not very many products. Score!

In the Beauty Counter blog interview, she talks about a variation of smoky eyes they came up with to put on Rooney Mara who, as everyone knows now, stars as the title character of the series. I've blogged about how Rooney is a scene stealer, so I cannot wait to finally go see Dragon Tattoo later today. I had no idea Pat had done the makeup until recently, so there is another incentive for me!

I will definitely let you all know what I think of the film. Make sure to keep your eyes on my Twitter feed (@calvinshow) for my thoughts!

Top 10 Music Moments of 2011

2011-12-28T07:47:00.001-05:00

Pixie Lott released a new album but it was 100% underwhelming. Leona Lewis? Wasn't feeling her either. Normally, I'm all about my British divas, but 2011 was a rather lackluster year for them! No, I have not forgotten about Adele. 21 completely shook me to the core but then when everyone got displaced by this album, I had to mentally remove her and place her in a different category, a category that stands alone. It's sort of like when you talk about artwork by Picasso or Britney's In The Zone. It's on another level and surpasses any regular yearly roundup list.

That being said, there were tons of great moments to be had in 2011.

Here is the point in this post where I tell you that I'm actually going to talk about 15 music moments. My ears came across some awesome artists, tracks and sounds this year. As much as 10 is a nice round number, I wanted to try and include as many moments as possible. And if you're getting annoyed with me saying moments, blame Mariah Carey. It is she alone who has programmed me to say "moment" to describe virtually everything. What can I say? I'm having a moment with it.

The Kickdrums' Meet Your Ghost (#15) was a total surprise that I found thanks to Spotify while Filur's "Wielding Love [ft. Daniel August] (#14) came to me courtesy of Selected Homme. Lana del Rey blew up this year with "Video Games" and "Blue Jeans" but it is "Born to Die" (#13) that will be taken from her upcoming debut album that has me all in love with her big lips and perpetually drunk eyes. X-Factor UK contestant Cher Lloyd remixed Carolina Liar's "Beautiful People" (#12) and helped elevate the track. Will Young, the original reality TV singing sensation, returned to the scene with Echoes (#11) and while I have always felt that Young's album have been primarily filler, this effort was solid throughout.

This brings us to the Top 10! Sit back and revel in what I think was some of the smartest, most enjoyable and, quite frankly, commercial Pop music moments of 2011.

10. OLIVIA - DECEMBER

She had a hit years ago and fell off hard. It's not surprising as this is somewhat the norm in an artistic industry. But when Olivia popped up on VH1's Love & Hip Hop, I took another look at the once vaguely popular R&B songstress/rapper. "December," released in an attempt to woo record labels and bring back a fan base, is actually a pretty fantastic track. Is it the most radio friendly? Not by a long shot. It is a track that showcases a decent singing voice that belongs to a very attractive woman who is determined to snatch the spotlight once again.

09. FRIENDLY FIRES - PALA

Their self-titled debut LP blew my mind and Pala was no different. There was growth in terms of their sound while still maintaining what I love most about them: the ability to make a song so perfect for a high octane fashionable scenario. The soundtrack to a runway show, background beats for Gossip Girl or just staging one's own mental rendering. And the lead singe, Ed MacFarlane, has a voice of sex. Don't ever cross my path, Ed, or I will JUMP you. Just stating facts.

08. THE SATURDAYS - ON YOUR RADAR

While Chasing Lights was a solid debut, Wordshaker was an absolute disaster. I worried about my little British girl group but then they started dropping singles from On Your Radar, their strongest album to date. Each release has been phenomenal and they have a few more album tracks that could very well receive a video treatment. The tracks are full of radio friendly energy and we hear them successfully experiment with a more mature sound on songs like "Do What You Want With Me" and "Last Call."

07. NICOLA ROBERTS - CINDERELLA'S EYES

Straight up? Girls Aloud are one of my all-time favorite music acts. Cheryl Cole was always my favorite with Nicola coming in a close...third. Anyway, I was beyond excited when she announced she would be releasing solo material. Cinderella's Eyes, a quirky Pop album, has been on repeat since its release. The first two singles haven't burned up the charts (why, I have NO idea) but I think what is great about this LP is that it seems to represent just the type of sound Nicola wanted and since it resulted in tracks like "Yo-Yo" and "Dance In the Rain," I am 100% on board for more.

06. METRONOMY - ENGLISH RIVIERA

With English Riviera, Metronomy graduated from that group with the weird guys to being players. If you are unconvinced of this, I will need you to promptly play "The Bay" followed by "The Look" and finish it off with "She Wants." Some of these tracks how a slightly sleazy, man-with-a-mistress vibe to them and it is awesome. Call it Electronic or call it Indie but at the end of the labeling, Metronomy's English Riviera is all bad ass.

After the jump, take a look and listen to my top 5 music moments of 2011!

05. RIHANNA - BIRTHDAY CAKE

In this year alone, Rihanna has had eight singles slap up the charts. This proves that this young beauty is the epitome of not only striking while the fire is hot, but engulfing her surroundings in flames. Near the end of the year, she dropped an absolute doozy on the world with "We Found Love (ft. Calvin Harris)" which was on repeat in my work office for days. Our holiday party? Rihanna brought new meaning to finding love in a hopeless place. However, the real shining beacon? Talk That Talk album track, "Birthday Cake." Dirty. Filthy. Raunchy. Perfection.

Birthday Cake - www.musicasonlinegratis.net by Rihanna on Grooveshark

04. LMFAO - SEXY AND I KNOW IT

Let's just start by saying "Sexy and I Know It" has been my shit for months. This song alone has helped LMFAO's Sorry For Party Rocking landing so high on this list. What is so brilliant about this album is it is full of douche-bag moments that are so hilarious and ridiculous that you cannot help but sing along. I tanned for nine months about 25 years ago so I don't need to do it anymore but I sing along about bronzing my cheeks with as much gusto as the pilgrims chasing after Native Americans when they rolled up.

03. BEYONCE - 4

"I Miss You" is one of B's greatest songs with "1+1" coming up fast behind. Does the phrase "brought me to tears" ring a bell because it does for me when concerning these two songs. No, this album didn't seem to be massive despite charting at #1 but Beyonce knew just how to keep us all interested, didn't she? Album not selling like hot cakes? Perform at the VMA's and announce you're pregnant. BAM! Watch those album sales rise!

And then there were all of those music videos. Didn't it seem like we were treated to a new Beyonce music video about once every other week for a period there? Home girl knows how to work it every single album and she's always got tunes to make any "Party" hot.

02. BRITNEY SPEARS - FEMME FATALE

I bet those who know me might be foaming at the mouth saying "Britney ain't #1? Oh, HELL no!" but it's a simple reality we all must face. Here's why Britney came in at #2. Femme Fatale is chock full of absolute Pop brilliance. Each single has been a scorcher and there are more that she could release. I've still got my fingers crossed for a "Big Fat Bass (ft. Will.i.am)" music video!

At the same time, I really want Britney to go away and take some time for herself. Maybe her engagement is the perfect excuse! I envision her running off and having ridiculously amazing sex with her new fiance, gets married, has more great sex and then returns all limber and ish ready to spin on the dance floor like a dradle. Until then, I'll just keep on dancing "Till the World Ends."

01. KELLY CLARKSON - STRONGER

Kelly Clarkson always brings the truth, her songs packing a ton of emotion intertwined with a radio friendly element. Stronger, the fifth studio album for Kells, is an absolute benchmark album for her. It's got track after track of insane awesomeness perfect for someone going through a breakup or trying to move on. "The War Is Over" is, by miles, my favorite track on the album. There is nothing about that song that I would change.

So, to all of the heartbroken out there, listen to this song! If you've gone back and forth with someone and it never seems to get better, maybe you should end the war and move on. It might suck because there's a comfort level in having a partner around but is it worth it if you do more crying than smiling? More arguing than laughing? More goodbye's than embraces?

That being said, Kelly sings the absolute truth on "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)" when she says "The day you left was just my beginning..." which is why this song will most definitely be playing on New Year's Eve at some point. And PS, I love seeing Kelly dance. Calls back such fond memories of From Justin to Kelly.

I bet you didn't think this post would deliver end of the year therapeutic advice, did you? Well, that's what I do! Tell me, what are some of your favorite music moments of 2011?

Fictitious Fashion: It All Comes Down to Numbers

2011-12-19T08:00:00.000-05:00

What was I doing but minding my own business while browsing through a wall of graphic novels at Forbidden Planet when this incredibly gorgeous (total sarcasm) dude comes up to me, grabs me by the arm and screams "Are you some type of J. Scott Campbell creation or what?!"

Naturally, I yanked myself free from his grubby little paws and I stared back at him wondering if I should just punch him in the face or just walk away.

I decide to bite the bait he ever so rudely dumped on top of the exclusive black leather, red suede Jeffrey Campbell for Ashbury Skies slingbacks I just got in the mail (thanks, R29 Reserve!) the other day.

Let me back up. I'm sure you're wondering why a slice like me is fiddling around in a comic book store but there's a perfectly reasonable explanation: I need a man and I need one fast. Not just any weight lifting douche lord but someone that might have a brain inside of his head.

See, I'm going home upstate for some type of high school reunion even though we just graduated two years prior but that's not the point. I moved to the city for college but quickly found that I would rather study a man's bank account and then going shopping accordingly.

Naturally, I could not report this to my former classmates so I decided to go back home "loving life as a co-ed" and settled into a "fantastic relationship with a really smart guy." Technically, I was still enrolled. The only thing I needed, as I said above, was a man.

"Yes, I am a J. Scott Campbell creation. What's your IQ," I asked him. He chortled (a word I never thought I would use) and it made my skin crawl. He said 136 and that sounded low to me but I don't really know what constitutes a good IQ score so I nodded as if he had just told me he was a millionaire.

Two awfully long make-out sessions later and he agreed to come home with me. Even though we stayed in the state of New York, the drive home from Manhattan felt like we had traveled across a bridge to China...while being shat on by elephants...during an earthquake.

It was that painful.

Model Sigrid Agren (FORD Models ) shot by Aitken Jolly for DANSK Magazine

Image courtesy of Models.com

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Top 3 Last Minute Holiday Gifts

2011-12-16T08:15:00.005-05:00

Christmas is totally next weekend and just like you, I've put off shopping for gifts. I'm just not a big holiday person and am okay with admitting it. Stop fronting because I know there are scores of you out there just like me. It's totally cool, though. We have the right to express our thoughts on this money hungry time of the year! That being said, the people in my life know that I love them and my love is super rare so they should feel pretty special. I will sneak a few gifts here and there but they will be on the CHEAP. Don't play.

Check out these three quick picks that are great "stocking stuffers" suitable for a wide array of age groups.

GIFT #1: A MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTION!

What could one possibly do with a subscription to two magazines that have a youthful vibe and multiple fingers on the pulse of what's hot now and what's soon to be on fire? Well, they would devour each issue like the ravenous magazine reader they are! Obviously, I'm referencing Nylon and Nylon Guys. If you go the digital subscription route, you can get both titles for less than $16 which is pretty damn awesome.

GIFT #2: SOME GLOVES!

Here's the rundown: cable knit is a huge trend for Fall 2011, winter temperatures lead to cold hands and awesome cable knit gloves helps alleviate said cold hands while also keeping things stylish. Topman has a pair of black central cable cuffs which are perfect. It costs less than a weekly metro card but will last far longer than one.

GIFT #3: A CALENDAR!

This 2012 bubble calendar, courtesy of Urban Outfitters, is four feet tall and is covered in air bubbles. There is no use in trying to deny you don't still enjoy popping them just like when you were a kid. The only downside? You might get carried away and pop your way into the future only to be constantly reminded of how you jumped the gun until you reach a perfectly formed air bubble. Yes, we've thought deeply about this.

You might be thinking "That's what he's giving for the holidays?" and I'll respond with a prompt "You're damn skippy." I'd gift a magazine subscription because they're entertaining especially for city folk using public transportation, gloves because they're practical and that calendar is just silly. We all need a bit of that.

Happy holidays, suckas!

Little Mix WIN The X Factor 2011!

2011-12-11T20:16:00.001-05:00

Guess what? I'm doing video blogs (vlogs) now! That's right! This one is a little rough but I've just downloaded a video editing program, so maybe the next will be a little more advanced and flashy. But for now, you'll make do with what I've got because we're all a welcoming bunch, aren't we?

In this video, I talk about Little Mix, the UK's newest girl group, who has just won The X Factor UK. I won't say too much so watch the vid and tell me what you think!

Yes, I do believe I will be doing more vlogs. I'm pretty cute, so I'm sure you want me to. Don't worry. I will.

Selected Homme Gets My Blood Boiling

2011-12-05T08:00:00.000-05:00

It took me forever to find the current issue of DANSK magazine and it was beginning to piss me off. I live in New York City where they have international fashion magazines on almost every street corner in Manhattan and I was coming up short with finding DANSK. I had two go-to spots to fulfill my fashion magazine shopping habits and neither of them produced the one magazine I was on a hunt for. One day, I'm in the Barnes & Noble in Union Square killing time and boom! There it was. At B&N? Really? Whatever.

As I greedily devoured each page, I noticed a lot of Selected Homme being featured throughout. I had not previously been too aware of Selected Homme but what I saw piqued my interest.

The Danish brand, which describes itself as a "line grounded in the classic art of tailoring," is all about three things: attitude, looking cool and being relaxed. The Fall 2011 collection is solid with textured blazers, colored trousers and knits that I would wear until they frayed at the sleeves...and then say they were born that way. Cue up the Gaga!

I enjoy dressing with simplicity but find that layering allows me to get creative. Above you will see simple pieces layered together to create strong looks. While I hate the plaid, those deep yellow trousers are fascinating to me. I've always wanted to wear colored trousers but have just been to afraid to. Maybe I should just bite that fear in the neck and get on with it, ay?

But for real. Can we revisit the knits for a brief moment? Selected Homme has some of the sickest I have seen this season. The shawl neck cardigan in black is a season must-have and can easily become a staple piece. The William stripe crew neck pullover is great to wear throughout the grueling winter cold straight into Spring weather.

Watch the Fall 2011 video campaign featuring the studly Tony Ward and Irina Lazareanu. Also, check out the campaign over at Models.com!

Now I know I blogged about great gift ideas for under $50 but I've got my eyes on some of pieces above. Sadly, I don't think they deliver to the US! Come on, Selected Homme. If you need to test out your product in the US market, I am totally okay with receiving samples. Ooh, ooh!

"My Week With Marilyn" Needs an OSCAR

2011-12-04T18:38:00.000-05:00

One name: Marilyn Monroe. Need I say more? Not really, but I will anyway! Last weekend, I was able to catch a showing of My Week With Marilyn starring Michelle Williams in the lead role. I'll start off by saying this: Michelle was incredible. If she doesn't win a butt ton of awards, I'll be pretty damn upset. For a majority of the film, I truly bought into her as Marilyn. When people talk about a suspension of disbelief, this performance is what they are referring to.

During the production of the film, I knew that I would want to see it but it wasn't until watching this trailer mashup with Katy Perry's "The One That Got Away" that I knew I had to see it. Take a look.

Call me corny, but Ms. Perry's addition to the trailer just made me realize just how seamlessly Monroe's name and image can integrate into today's pop culture wavelength even though the height of her career was over fifty years ago!

But I digress! In the film, we get to see Marilyn enter a foreign world (England) where she is still just as famous as ever. She's working with a seasoned actor who gets easily frustrated and with her shaky marriage, Marilyn is a hot mess. Still, she manages to capture the attention of the people surrounding her and she's a gorgeous case study at how people can tune out someone's destructive behaviors for seemingly frivolous reasons.

Here is an interview Williams did with E!'s Ben Lyons about where she pulled her inspiration from and how she considers Marilyn to have been "an incredible press person."

It's interesting that Williams points out that Marilyn Monroe was a character being played out. We don't see that very often in today's society because things are geared a bit more towards a more self-centered frame of mind. I'm guilty of it and most likely you are as well. We all have a profile. Controlling how our profile is perceived depends on how high it is and how much effort we put into crafting what parts of it we want others to see.

Two people who currently live the type of artistry that Marilyn did are Lady Gaga and Patrick McDonald respectively. Hate if you will, but these two individuals are only seen in the public as the persona's they have created and while at times it may seem a bit extreme or excessive, it is absolutely brilliant.

Brilliant is the keyword in this post because that's also what "My Week With Marilyn" is. I would be surprised if The Academy overlooks this film and it doesn't walk away with at least one Oscar. If you have the opportunity to go see this film, do it!

Top 5 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show Segments

2011-11-29T08:00:00.000-05:00

Here yee, here yee! The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2011 is descending upon us! Tonight, you will get to watch some of fashion's sexiest models storm down a glittery runway in dangerously high stilettos looking impossibly fierce. Every year, I expect to see a model just teeter until she stage dives into the audience ruining her career. Will it happen this year? Probably not since runway veterans (but VS Fashion Show newbies) like Karlie Kloss and Joan Smalls will be bruising the catwalk. I was so pumped when I found out that Karlie and Joan would be included in the lineup. High fashion advertising campaigns be damned. Now, these girls have really joined the ranks of top models.

Over the years, this fashion show has helped put some of the fliest working girls the industry has seen on the map. Speaking of "over the years," shall we take a few moments to look back at some of the best segments in the VS Fashion Show's televised history? Yes. Yes, we shall.

#5 Game On - 2010

Picture this: the sexiest sports players all storming down one runway. Nope, A-Rod is nowhere in sight because this runway belongs to the likes of Chanel Iman and Isabeli Fontana. All I can say is if I ever wanted to get into a gym or practice a sport, it is because I'm hoping to bump into some chicks like this. And that's saying something 'cause I don't fancy girls that way if you catch my drift.

#4 Sexy Toys - 2005

Dancers in skimpy clothes swinging their hips before another gaggle of scantily clad girls emerge one by one? Sounds like the perfect setup for a hot segment to me! Karolina Kurkova absolutely killed in the beginning and Tyra Banks definitely delivered in her last runway walk with the brand. I wonder where the staff she carried is today 'cause I kinda wanna take it to work.

#3 Ballet de Fleurs - 2008

I wasn't a huge Chris Brown fan even before the Rihanna debacle but one thing was always certain to me: "With You" is one effing fantastic song. Its mashup with Bryan Ferry's "Slave To Love" made one hell of a background track for the models. Inguna Butane's coy skirt play was the segment highlight right after watching Sessilee Lopez walk into a gentle storm of rose petals.

#2 Sexy Santa Helpers - 2005

The Bodyrockers' "I Like The Way" is one of the sexiest, most perfect tracks for a runway show and the good folks over at VS utilized it to perfection. The girls in this segment were beyond, the lingerie was on point and we get to see Gisele push people aside backstage like a true model gangsta. This is truly what Christmas is about, isn't it Ms. Bundchen?

#1 Segment 1 - 2002

I will apologize for the poor video quality in advance but this just does it for me, ya'll! I remember I was in my bedroom laying stomach down on my bed, face towards the TV. I didn't have cable in my room but didn't need it because I had seen a commercial for a television special that was taking place on CBS (shout out to Channel 11 - WTOL!) and that special just so happened to be the very first Victoria's Secret Fashion Show I had ever seen. There was Gisele! Tyra! Adriana! Karolina! ZOMG it was amazing. Now, if you are a fan of TCS, you will know that I totally credit this show as the catalyst that got me interested in fashion and almost ten years later, I live and work in New York City at a job where I get to interact with some of my all-time favorite VS models as well as the up-and-coming Angels. Here's to you, 2002!

Will you be watching tonight to see what glamorous glittery good times are to be had? You bet your ass I will be! Let me know what your favorite Victoria's Secret Fashion Show moment is and I'll let you know if it was good enough to talk about. Cheers!

Top 5 Holiday Gifts for Guys Under $50

2011-11-23T08:00:00.000-05:00

With the United States of America still in a financial slump and people accepting any job just to make ends meet, what are we to do with the holidays upon us once again? Two options: don't buy gifts for anyone to save money or set aside a tiny bit to show a select handful of people you care. As an undemanding man with no diva tendencies at all, I expect at least one gift come Christmas morning.

That being said, I'm personally leaning more towards the first option I listed above. Hey, it's expensive living in New York City! If you're feeling the pinch, read on as I have compiled this short list of great gift items that even I will be able to swing this holiday season.

ASOS' DOUBLE BUCKLE RETRO SATCHEL

I blogged about ASOS last month in the "Top 5 Stylish Shoes for Guys Under $100" post, and they're making another appearance with their double buckle retro satchel ($44.93). This gift item is at the top of our limit but it is a damn good deal. It's got a distressed leather look, but obviously harmed no animals considering As you read on, you will also discover this gift is the most functional, having the capability of housing the others listed.

EVOLUTION MAN'S LIP BALM SPF 15

We all have lips and they get assaulted by the cold winter winds at some point so it really is important to protect them. Don't believe me? Take a look at rapper LL Cool J, actress Angelina Jolie and model Lindsey Wixson. They each have made a career with their lips being a defining talking point! This is why I've chosen Evolution Man's Lip Balm ($10) because it provides SPF 15 protection, has beeswax, Shea butter and Vitamin E jam packed in its little black package. Shout out to The Motley for carrying such bad-ass grooming products for men!

TOPMAN'S VERTICAL STITCH WALLET

Ask the man in your life how long he's had his current wallet and what state it is in. If there is any sign of duct tape, immediately confiscate it and gift him this brown verticial stitch wallet ($20) from Topman. It is your standard bi-fold wallet but what I enjoy so much about this isn't the vertical stitching but the fact that the wallet has a snap feature.

BRET EASTON ELLIS LITERATURE

I work in Chelsea, so my commute to work includes two trains and one bus. My favorite author right now is Bret Easton Ellis because his books are like magazines: you go through them incredibly quickly and are ready for another in no time. Pick up The Rules of Attraction ($12.99) and Less Than Zero ($10.99) and have plenty of money to buy something for yourself.

TIMEX'S EASY READER

One thing I know about myself is that I have little to no patience for silliness and have found that I'm constantly checking the time to make sure things are on schedule. If your guy is also a little bit of a control freak in that way, get him Timex's Easy Reader watch ($40) with a dark brown leather band. The design of the watch is simple which helps it blend into any wardrobe.

See any gift items you think you might click and purchase? If so, let me know! And if you have any brilliant holiday gift ideas yourself, leave them in the comment box. Happy gift hunting!

William Richard Green's S/S 2012 Collection

2011-11-21T08:00:00.000-05:00

Hurry, go put on Cher Lloyd's Sticks + Stones album because I need some bubbly Pop to bring me back from the ledge after reading the description for William Richard Green's Spring/Summer 2012 collection titled "I Hope I Die Soon." The collection takes amusement from the irony of "what the Church believes to be the punishment of a person who commits suicide." Holy shit, Willy! But as I have said before about the British designer, if someone can take a left-of-center idea and turn that shit into fashion gold, it is he.

On a silk shirt and vest, there are illustrations done by Martin Wollerstam that portray a "waiting room" area where post-suicide characters end up. These help establish "the gallows humour of the collection and the designer's ironic distance to the topic in question." In one of the prints, an office worker, if that is what they can be called, tells one man how he was not supposed to die until he was 99 which means he has to stay in the "waiting room" for sixty years.

With Green's work, there is a quirkiness that gets balanced with hints of a mainstream accessibility. It is because of this that when I look at the sweatshirt-jersey trousers covered in individual panels resembling stripes or the un-dyed rubber t-shirt with contrasting black rubber stripes, I don't sit back and question his sanity. I simply digest his dedication to expressing the darker side of beauty and how he creates the type of garments meant for the dude who appreciates great clothing more than fashion trends.

I love stripes and polka dots in all capacities so finding them pop up throughout this collection was pleasing. WRG, are you peeking into my mind and designing pieces that call out to me? If so, you're doing a damn good job. Take a look at a few of my favorite pieces from Green's official S/S 2012 lookbook.

Each collection stands on its own just fine, but I have to say this is incredibly strong. It gives me those fashionable chills just like with his Fall 2010 collection that first made me fall in love with his work.

Bravo, WRG! Now, when can I expect that un-dyed rubber t-shirt in the mail?

Do You Like Exercise? Peep RunHundred.com's Top 10 Workout Songs for October!

2011-11-11T13:48:00.001-05:00

Yes, I know that it is the middle of November but what I have for you is a fun little musical treat. First, let's start with some questions! We all like looking our best, right? Right. And we all know that exercise helps us look that way, right? Right. I admit that I am not a big fan of exercise but when I do engage in the activity, I need some bad ass music playing to help keep me motivated and moving.

Chris Lawhorn writes for the likes of Men's Journal and also operates Run Hundred, the web's most popular work out music blog, and he got in touch with me to talk about the Top 10 workout songs for October. As he looked at how October's list was shaping up, he had some questions himself!

#1. For how many consecutive months will David Guetta turn up in these top 10 lists? (His new track with Usher made the cut--and he just barely missed making it again with his recent Nicki Minaj collaboration).

#2. Will Calvin Harris, Benny Benassi or Afrojack be the one that unseats him? (All three are making their second appearances on the charts this month. And, like Guetta, each has begun being billed as the artist on his tracks--rather than being credited as the producer/remixer, which was the case a couple years ago.)

That being said, let's take a look at the list of tunes that will keep your beats-per-minute high to make sure you burn off some calories!

Rihanna & Calvin Harris - We Found Love - 128 BPM

Dev - In The Dark - 125 BPM

Afrojack & Eva Simons - Take Over Control - 128 BPM

LMFAO - Sexy And I Know It - 129 BPM

Chris Brown & Benny Benassi - Beautiful People - 129 BPM

Shortee & Faust - Friday Night Special - 133 BPM

Kelly Rowland & Lil Wayne - Motivation (Rebel Rock Remix) - 130 BPM

Britney Spears - I Wanna Go (Oliver Remix) - 129 BPM

Young The Giant - My Body - 130 BPM

David Guetta & Usher - Without You - 128 BPM

If you're more of an exercise enthusiast than I, clicking over to Run Hundred should definitely be at the top of your list.

Glee Brings Excellency with Adele Mashup

2011-11-10T22:10:00.001-05:00

When Glee first came out, I was up on that like nobody's business. It's set in Ohio (ooh-ooh, home state!) and the talent, singing-wise, was pretty remarkable. Was I running around trying to convert people to watch Glee? I sure was not, but I enjoyed it immensely in the privacy of my own home. Then, things changed. Last season, I stopped watching. The music wasn't exciting me, the storylines felt stale and not even their super-duper dramatic "Funeral" episode could pull me in. As it returned to the airwaves this season, I didn't even bother!

Let's fast forward to today. With my own emotional baggage causing internal turmoil, I stumbled across the absolutely brilliant Adele mashup of "Rumor Has It/Someone Like You" which will be featured in next week's episode. Singing lead are Mercedes, played by Amber Riley, and Santana, played by Naya Rivera who pull this song off perfectly.

The arrangement gets a little tricky-dicky but overall, I have to say that this is phenomenal. All I can say is that Naya's tone is so delicious and if you stick this girl with the right songwriter/producer team, magic will happen. I'm 89% certain of it.

But what does this glorious mashup mean for me as a Glee viewer? Not much, unfortunately. One of the things I have learned to live without while living in New York City is a television. While I am still able to watch certain shows online, I have dropped a good portion of them. I'm sure that when the time comes that I get a television again and can afford to get both cable and DVR services, I'll be back on that wagon. Until then, I think I'll be fine with just Gossip Girl for now.

The Man Repeller and TEXTBOOK Play Dress Up at Barneys CO-OP. We're Jealous.

2011-11-09T12:58:00.000-05:00

Recently, Barneys smashed up the 8th floor of their Madison Avenue store to make way for the future of CO-OP with "Boy Meets Girl." Architect Yabu Pushelberg, Barneys CEO Mark Lee, and Creative Director Dennis Freedman collaborated to help make CO-OP more of a "concept shopping experience." This included removing the walls that separated the men's and women's shopping areas and then adding genes@CO-OP, an interactive cafe!

Considering a "basic" Thom Browne cardigan costs almost as much as two months rent for my little 1-bedroom, it's a good chance I would be hitting up that cafe more often than the sales floor! While I wait for the day that I can waltz into Barneys and pluck merchandise from the racks without flinching, let's take a look at super-bloggers Leandra Medine of The Man Repeller and John Jannuzzi of TEXTBOOK as they flit around and dress each other.

Girl Meets Boy on Barney's Madison Store's new CO-OP floor from BARNEY'S NY/ Michelle Chu on Vimeo.

If we were straight, Leandra, we would totally be up on you. Since we're not, we'll settle for a glorious friendship. Holler!

Fictitious Fashion: The Woman Reveals Her Anger

2011-11-06T08:00:00.000-05:00

"You should know better than anyone how horrible a liar he is," Gladys said about her husband, my ex-husband, as I held the phone to my ear. Moments before, she revealed to me that she thought he was having an affair. Since she and I were "such good friends," she thought to confide in me. I hardly considered her a friend after she told me she was in love with my ex-husband and they planned on getting married.

As Gladys spoke, my eyes landed briefly on her husband, naked and unaware. They then landed on the vintage Dior jacket that was tossed onto the floor the moment he and I entered the hotel room. I wondered if this phone call was her coy way of letting me know what he and I were up to. Either way, I walked over to him and mouthed "It's Gladys." His face turned to stone. He shot into an upright position and covered his erection as if I had said there were cameras in the room.

"I know this will seem strange coming from me, but he's my husband and I need him right now more than ever because..." She fell silent and after a few beats, I got nervous. Having known Gladys since we were just teenagers, I can only recall one other conversation where she seemed at a loss for words. It was when she told me she had miscarried. Considering she was as fertile as a rock, I knew this call had nothing to do with her womb.

During this silence, thoughts flew through my mind as to what she might say. When the words finally came out of her mouth and into my ear, my knees buckled and I sank down to the bed.

"I have cancer," she said. Tears flooded my eyes as I repeated that last word ever so softly. "Well, okay, I don't have cancer but I really need my husband," Gladys said, every word tinged with unabashed selfishness.

My body got hot with fury as I told Gladys that to joke about cancer, in any capacity, was crude and I didn't find it funny. I also said how it was particularly cruel of her to make like of this disease when she was the one consoling me after my mother died from pancreatic cancer.

I angrily hung up the phone and glanced over at Gladys' husband, my ex-husband. He was thoroughly confused, asking me what the hell was going on. I pressed my index finger to his lips before pushing him onto his back and crawling on top of him. I wasn't sure if Gladys knew it was me banging her husband but I sure as hell knew that I had no intentions on stopping.

Carine Roitfeld for W magazine shot by Paolo Roversi

Image courtesy of W magazine

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TCS Interviews Wendy Williams! Yup, Kim Kardashian Gets Mentioned.

2011-11-03T03:00:00.000-04:00

Yesterday morning, I had the immense pleasure of attending a taping of The Wendy Williams Show as a VIP guest! Yes, The Calvin Show readers, yours truly finally got some VIP treatment up in here. Guillermo was faithfully by my side and we trotted through the chilly New York City wind to Wendy's studio on 53rd Street. At the entrance, we were greeted by a security guard saying "Sorry, you won't be able to attend today's taping."

Oh, yeah? I said "I'm a member of the press. I'm Calvin." He goes inside for a moment, comes out and we're allowed in. That's the first time that's ever happened!

Once inside, I had an absolute ball despite the constant screaming and slapping my sensitive hands together for applause. In addition to singer/actor Tyrese, Wendy had actress Taraji P. Henson (Baby Boy, Person of Interest) on who gave good couch talk. If you didn't catch the show, here's a quick update: she's not dating, she's got a 17 year-old son who will punch his friends in the throat if they say how hot his mom is and she's finally found a weave that actually matches the strands that grow from her head.

Get it, girl! Watch a bit of that interview now but make sure you stay tuned afterwards for the best bit of this entire post!

Now, let's get to the good stuff. As the show ended and people were being ushered out, I was being ushered upstairs and into Wendy's office! I sat across the desk from her as she plopped all sorts of chewing gum down and immediately said how she should hide it from her son. She talked for a minute before introducing me and from there, I went into a brief series of questions. Oh, why don't I just let you watch it for yourself?

What an experience! During our chat, my brain stopped and I zoned out with this thought: I'm talking with/interviewing Wendy frickin' Williams. ME. It was such a surreal moment. I wasn't star struck because my job allows me to mingle with fashion's elite on a daily basis but this was different. It was Wendy! Before moving here, I watched her show every day so to be sitting in the same room as her and asking her questions was such a treat.

One thing that got cut from the video above was our brief chat about the Kim Kardashian wedding debacle. I don't talk celebrity gossip on here much but this whole fiasco is unavoidable! I asked what Wendy's thoughts were on if this would tarnish Vera Wang's reputation at all. If you're completely out of the loop, Vera designed three dresses for Kim's nuptials and even designed a K-Dash inspired bridal collection for David's Bridal that is to launch in February 2012. Wendy said she didn't think Vera should go through with the collaboration and I agree. Who wants to buy a dress promoted by a celebrity who gets divorced after two months? Not I!

Gossip aside, I had a blast and Wendy was such a pleasure. I dashed out so as not to take too much of her time but let me tell you this: I could have stayed for hours. Not to worry, though. I'll get another sit down with Ms. Wendy. How do I know? Because this is The Calvin Show and I always get what I want!

Okay, that was mad corny but it actually just made me laugh...so it stays.

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America's Next Top Model's Latest Winner MIGHT Actually Become a Real Top Model

2011-11-02T17:25:00.000-04:00

Brittani Kline is 20 years old and the most recent winner of America's Next Top Model. Yes, I know that most winners from ANTM end up doing zilch but that's not their fault! They're chosen because they're good TV. They're chosen because they have some compelling story to tell. They're not really chosen because they're the next coming of Karlie Kloss.

That being said, it looks like Brittani might break that curse. Her agency, IMG, has switched her name to Autumn probably in an attempt to distance her stint on reality TV. Smart move. Also, in addition to the Vogue Italia photo shoot that is part of the show's prize package, home girl has also appeared in Vogue Mexico shot by photographer Alexander Neumann. Let's recap: a winner from America's Next Top Model has been featured in two editorials for different international editions of Vogue. Applause, applause across the board!

Take a look at Autumn stepping like a true model around New York City in this behind-the-scenes video of the Vogue Mexico shoot. She comes in around the :50 second mark. Afterwards, check out two shots from the editorial so you can see you just how slayin' Autumn really is.

Images courtesy of Vogue Mexico

For her to come from a reality television show that focuses on cat fights versus true potential, I have to say I am pleasantly pleased with this girl! Kudos, Autumn, for the awesome editorials thus far and hopefully we will see you on the runway for the Fall 2012 collections.

A Dedication to My Ganny

2011-10-28T11:21:00.000-04:00

One thing people knew about my Ganny was that she was one hell of a cook. If you like fried chicken, you would have fallen in love with hers just like you would have fallen in love with her. She had the sharpest wit and her presence was undeniable. My Ganny was a special woman who has provided me with some pretty incredible memories.

I loved going to the movies as a kid and so did my Ganny. It took little to no convincing for her to attend with me and I loved her for that. I do declare that she and I went on more movie dates than I have with anyone else.

When we went to see Charlie's Angels, she hoot and hollered in agreement when villain Vivian Wood says "Never send a man to do a woman's job." I reminded her that Vivian was the bad guy, the one we didn't cheer on. She said "So what." And do you know the dramatic ship sinking scenes in Titantic? She definitely fell asleep during that part and snored louder than the splintering wood and screaming victims. My sisters and I laughed so hard when we realized our Ganny was unknowingly providing her own score to the film.

During a brief period of my childhood, my grandmother lived with us and boy, oh, boy was I upset about it. She would make me do more laundry than I've ever done in my life and she wouldn't let me leave the table unless I ate the green beans she put on my plate. I love green beans now so I'll thank her for that.

My Ganny was one sassy lady with a great internal strength. While I might not have realized this growing up, it is something I truly recognize now. I have a lot of strong women in my family and I'd like to think she helped them along their journey. She probably didn't know it but she was also helping me along mine as well.

I will miss my Ganny more than words can describe. Sure, maybe the dream she recently appeared in stemmed from the news of her passing but I don't think so. I'm choosing to believe she just wanted to stop by before her big meeting with Jesus or whomever else called her up. The message she gave me I won't share but just know that it's been one of the most beneficial things I've been told in my entire life. Here's to you, Ganny! May you forever beat all of the other angels at Bingo.

Fictitious Fashion: The Woman with Supportive Friends

2011-10-26T09:00:00.001-04:00

A few of our mutual friends always ask if I ever wished we would get back together. They ask if I hate Gladys, his new wife. Without missing a beat, I would respond very diplomatically saying that while I thought my ex-husband was a good man, it was clear that our marriage was not meant to stand the tests of time. It was I who initiated the divorce processions and I felt confident in this decision. Was I afraid of spending my life alone? Yes, but I knew it was better to be alone than to be in a marriage that left me perpetually unhappy. With all of this, I never fathomed that I would be embarking on an affair with my ex-husband after seven years of being divorced.

The second time that we met was at the Cooper Square Hotel mainly because we couldn't imagine many of our friends or those we associated with roaming the streets in that neighborhood. Once inside the bedroom, I sat on a chair facing him. I was incredibly overdressed as I had just come from a meeting in Midtown but he liked it. I wore Azzedine Alaïa Haute Couture’s crocodile print patent-leather jacket andskirt, my favorite pair of Sergio Rossi shoes and some accessories I nabbed from my daughter's apartment last I was there.

As my husband, I never felt the need to withhold sex. We were very active but we quickly found ourselves in a routine where things were not initiated by passion but by expectation. Now when I think of him, the only thoughts that cross my mind are the ones that would make your mother blush. So, when he embraced me in our room, I could not contain myself. My hands flew all over his aging but still firm body while his made mine explode with pleasure.

We lay holding each other afterwards not saying anything until my phone rang. He told me not to answer but something said that I should. I retrieve it from my purse and shuddered when I see the caller's identity: Gladys.

Even though she was now married to the man I once complained to her about, she remained a contact. She was, after all, my oldest friend. I pressed "Answer" and raised the phone to my ear.

Carine Roitfeld for W magazine shot by Paolo Roversi

Image courtesy of W magazine

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Top 5 Stylish Shoes for Guys for Under $100

2011-10-25T09:00:00.001-04:00

Fall is upon us and pretty soon snow will be wetting our lives so why not start the new season with some fly new footwear? From a sick pair of BOSS black double monkstraps to some Rick Owens zip-front leather boots, there is an abundance of bad ass selections for men this year. If you're hesitant on dropping a couple thousand bucks on what goes over your feet, you don't have to sacrifice style with a lower budget. That's right! I always provide you with hot men's fashion for the budget conscious. Read on for some of the best options available right now all for under $100.

Feast yours eyes on the dark brown Pardall boot ($89.99) from Call It Spring. Tuck your skinnies, tie the laces around the boot and stomp it out. This particular retailer is my top pick for guys on a budget which is why our next shoe is also from Call It Spring.

This textured Brondyke lace-up ($79.99) in a cognac brown is a great shoe for when you want to punch up your every day look. It's sick enough to wear with your dark denim but still appropriate for trousers in the office. Get it, Call It Spring!

Question. Are you hip to ASOS yet? If not, here is your chance with their leather shoes with a contrasting sole ($69.84) in a blue and lime green combo. Kudos to Prada for setting this trend off like a mutha!

One great thing about ASOS is that they carry great brands that us Yankees won't be able to find here stateside like British label, River Island. Their distressed lace-up shoe ($89.85) is an ace choice if you want that worn in appearance without having the shoe actually be too beat up.

Another British set of bastards that get it right? Topman. These Colorado blue suede desert shoes ($84) are baller and you know it. They have a little spin from the classic desert shoe with its blue fabric and hits all of the right notes in terms of versatility.

Did that give you some ideas on how to step up your shoe game on a budget? Good! I thought it would. Are you a fan of a brand not seen here that gets it right while spending on a dime? Let me know!

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Fictitious Fashion: The Woman Quick On Her Feet

2011-10-24T09:00:00.000-04:00

When my ex-husband ignored my proposition after running into him and his wife at that restaurant, I almost expected to find some type of message from him explaining why. There was no text message icon and no voicemail awaited me and my email didn't provide anything either.

How hard I was taking this rejection surprised me. I had not seem him in such a long time and he had not been on my mind at all in recent history. For some reason, I couldn't muster the strength to slide from underneath my covers all day. Netflix was my only companion and it felt just fine.

The biggest surprise came when my ex-husband called me from my driveway three weeks later. It was evening time and I was lounging in my home's small library room reading Less Than Zero in an overstuffed chair and listening to Lissie.

I answered. He said he missed me. My heart? It shattered. Tears came to my eyes but I fought them back and asked him why. He ignored my question. He said that he wanted to be with me. He said that he needed me. He missed my body and the way I tasted and the way I was always so warm in every way for him. Apparently Gladys, his new wife, was cold.

He said that Gladys was at a fundraiser that would keep her until late and asked if he could come over. I told him yes. That's when he told me he had been sitting in his car outside for the past half hour trying to gather the courage to call.

I didn't miss a beat and told him that in ten minutes, I wanted him to come inside the front door and up to our old bedroom. By the time I was instructing him, I exited the library and was ascending the staircase. I hung up with my ex-husband as I entered my bedroom's walk-in closet. The first thing I grabbed was a lace mask I purchased not long after our divorce was final. Then, I slipped into my Chanel Haute Couture’s black wool and silver lamé tweed dress.

At the same moment that I exited the closet, he walked in the bedroom. The dress stayed on my body for a mere two minutes. Never before in my life had I been so glad to take off my Chanel.

Carine Roitfeld for W magazine shot by Paolo Roversi

Image courtesy of W magazine

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Charlie's Angels In Fear of Losing Their Wings?

2011-10-13T08:00:00.000-04:00

Back in May, I got an exclusive sneak peak at the rebooted Charlie's Angels television series and awaited its premiere like a prostitute about to get paid. Instead, it felt like I had been slapped down by my pimp. It wasn't a good feeling and as the credits went up at the end of the episode, I said to myself, This show is not going to last.

There was no chemistry! It was missing the charm from the original series and the comedy that can be found in the movie adaptations. Drew Barrymore, Executive Producer, what were you thinking? The pilot episode is supposed to bring one hell of a punch. All I walked away with was having seen one of the Angels get punched.

I was less than enthused to watch the second episode but from the moment it began, I found myself absolutely enthralled. There was an actual laugh-out-loud scene, the action was well choreographed and the lead actresses were actually enjoyable. Annie Ilonzeh is proving to be quite the scene stealer with most of the episode bombshells thus far. Minka Kelly? You're acting isn't horrendous but thank the gods that you're hot.

Image courtesy of TV Fanatic

Unfortunately, all of the beauty this series provides isn't connecting with audiences. According to the ratings roundup, less than 6 million viewers tuned in last Thursday. For a new show on a major network, those numbers are not good.

While I'd have to disagree with Rachael Taylor about this show "doing something original," it is finding its groove and the network executives have to see that. Hopefully they don't clip its wings just yet because I've decided it is definitely a show I will keep watching. And, yes, all important network television decisions should be solely based on my comments and opinions.

Speaking of, here's a major one: stop having them touch their ears every time they're undercover and communicating with one another. It's too cliched and obvious. They would be wise to listen. The Calvin Show has been airing for years.

So, are you up for some jiggle TV? If so, catch Charlie's Angels tonight on ABC.

UPDATE: As I'm sure you have read, Charlie's Angels has in fact been cancelled due to low ratings. Honestly, I have to say that the show suffered from an unfortunate lack of direction. This week's episode was all over the place. There was an inconsistency in the series which most definitely played a part in its demise. Farewell, Angels! You were sort of good while you lasted.

Oh, Drew.

Victoria's Secret and ELLE Together is Magical

2011-10-12T09:00:00.000-04:00

One of the most discussed topics on The Calvin Show is Victoria's Secret. No, I do not where their products but the brand has been one of my favorites for a decade now. That I have gotten to interact with a lot of the VS models thanks to my semi-baller job in Manhattan doesn't hurt either. This is why I am unsure of how I missed the rumblings of four of my favorite Angels landing their own cover for the October issue of ELLE magazine on newsstands now.

Images courtesy of Models.com

I was on my way to work one morning when I popped into a Duane Reade to simply break a $20 bill but the fashion magazine god had other plans for me. I found myself on the M14D bus headed towards the Chelsea Piers feverishly gobbling up the ridiculously sexy editorial titled "The Body Electric" featuring VS Angels Chanel Iman, Miranda Kerr, Doutzen Kroes and Adriana in an array of poses on the beach. Watch them work twerk it in this behind-the-scenes video:

As an advocate for models, it is great to see them on the cover of a US publication. It has become a rarity which I believe is quite unfortunate. It has been said before how celebrities on the covers have become all about them promoting their latest project and as much as I love celebs, this has become boring and expected.

I commend ELLE for putting not one but four models on their cover and am crossing my fingers that this happens again quite soon. One model who is craving an ELLE cover? Coco Rocha. Why? Because she's incredible. No further explanation needed.

Build Your Playlist

2011-10-11T11:43:00.000-04:00

Let's set the scene: you're waiting in the bathroom line at a Starbucks in Chelsea when suddenly some painfully "hip" guy bumps into you. You turn to scowl at him, but suddenly it doesn't even matter because some incredible song starts caressing your ears. You find yourself in that explosive mental zone while climaxing but this time it's all thanks to the sounds of some treble and off-kilter singing.

Maybe you know these artists and maybe you don't but that's okay. The most important thing here is that you're listening to some great music that has slipped past the Top 40 but still manages to accumulate a solid following. Continue reading for some popular non-popular music. I'll have a cigarette waiting for you at the end.

ST. VINCENT - CRUEL

DOMINANT LEGS - HOOP OF LOVE

WALK THE MOON - ANNA SUN

THE VACCINES - WETSUITS

LISSIE - WHEN I'M ALONE

ELLE's Kyle Anderson "Sits" with The Calvin Show!

2011-10-10T09:00:00.000-04:00

If I had to select a handful of my favorite magazines, ELLE would no doubt be at the top of that list. They are one of the brightest examples of a large, mainstream publication that has successfully stayed relevant. From incredible online content to personalities like Joe Zee, ELLE makes sure to keep its readers interested. Another personality within the ELLE family that is quickly becoming a star in his own right? Senior Accessories Editor, Kyle Anderson. With over 5,600 followers on Twitter (@KyleEditor), he keeps us updated with his side projects, his work at ELLE and so much more. His timeline is a smorgasbord of hilarity and I have had the immense pleasure of sitting down with him (via email because ~~I'm really too busy to meet anyone in real life~~ Kyle is a legit industry member who travels the world for his job) for an interview! As the fashion industry has completely shifted to this I-Want-It-Now format, here are a few rapid fire questions and responses with Kyle.

TCS: What's one trend you never got on board with?

KYLE: Preppy. I hate it.

TCS: Junk food or health junkie?

KYLE: I try to be 50/50. But I'm leaning far toward the junk food side these days.

TCS: What music are you listening to these days?

KYLE: I like Maroon 5 - Moves Like Jagger (ft. Christina Aguilera), Katy Perry - TGIF, Nicki Minaj - Super Bass.

TCS: Alexander Wang or Alexander McQueen?

KYLE: Alexander Wang. I am never a fan of unwearable clothes. I love many of Alexander McQueen's things but I want to wear Alexander Wang which is good because it's like 1/1,000th the price.

As the Spring 2012 shows have recently concluded, I had to ask Kyle which was his favorite collection. He revealed that he had yet to come across a favorite but the likes of Alexander Wang, Thakoon and Altuzarra stood out enough for him to name drop. In terms of fashion show seasons, Fall takes the proverbial cake along with his love for fur and boots. "Expensive thigh high boots," Kyle says.

When asked if there was anyone that Kyle aspired to be like, someone that has helped shape his idea of what a career should be, the name dropping continued. He gives recognition to his first boss, Nina Garcia (@ninagarcia), the former Fashion Director of ELLE and Carine Roitfeld. With the knowledge and power these two women have, it is totally understandable why they would be inspirational figures!

Kyle experienced a brief loss for words when pressed to list off some of his favorite celebrities and personalities with great personal style. With the exception of Anna Dello Russo, Roitfeld and Garcia, Kyle hasn't been aroused by many as of lately.

"Nobody, really. We need someone new! Anyone who likes black leather, Givenchy and diamonds," Anderson says.

In addition to leather and diamonds, Kyle reveals his favorite accessory: his Rolex. Oh, you fancy, huh? Make sure to run out and pick up the October issue of ELLE featuring top models Chanel Iman, Adriana Lima, Miranda Kerr and Doutzen Kroes with their own individual covers. Victoria's Secret and models on a magazine cover?

Yes, please!

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Fictitious Fashion: The Boy Who Finally Let Go

2011-10-05T08:00:00.000-04:00

Playing in the water? That was something Alice did every time we went up to River's Peak. I would watch her from the bluff because I thought it made no sense to get all wet only to climb into the hot car and be uncomfortable on the drive home. She didn't care. Sometimes she would jump in fully clothed and sometimes she would strip down to nothing but her panties.

I never understood what was so exciting about dunking oneself under bitingly cold water but there was a joy I would see on her face and that was enough for me. Once or twice she caught me off guard and threw her arms around me, her body becoming one with mine. It was in those moments that I knew Alice was the one I was meant to spend the rest of my life with.

It took me three years after her funeral to go back to River's Peak. I stood on the bluff's edge, staring out over the water. I saw Alice jump in and I saw her smile and before I knew it, I was in the water. I know she's gone but it was therapeutic. It felt like her spirit was there with me.

Afterwards, I sat in the sun and cried. The moment I knew my clothes were drying, I went into the water again.

Model RJ King (Re:Quest Model Management) shot by photographer Carter Smith for a Numéro Homme China editorial

Image courtesy of The Fashionisto

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How My Mother Went From Old School to Cool

2011-10-01T13:56:00.000-04:00

When I was a child, Mother was the coolest lady to me. I created these fantastic worlds where she was supernatural and untouchable. At one point in time, she was a Dallas Cowboy cheerleader, Whitney Houston was her sister and she was 32 years old until she turned 40. I looked at her in sheer wonderment. But as I entered into high school, she went from being cool to being annoying. Sorry, Mother, but I'm sure even you went through your phases of parent rebellion. But that's totally irrelevant now because I'm pretty sure my mother is cool once again.

The first sign that presented itself in Mother's ascendance into the ether of cool individuals actually happened a few years ago. After graduating from college, I moved back in with my parents and immediately got my bedroom hooked up with DVR. As the job market was atrocious across the country and even more so in my hometown, I spent a good chunk of that summer holed up in my room watching Lifetime and HGTV. It wasn't until I was watching a Lifetime movie marathon that I realized I was doing something Mother would do over the years.

But didn't I make fun of her for that?

A few months ago, the sun had not even yawned itself awake before my phone was ringing, jarring me from my slumber. I see it is her and immediately think something is wrong. An uncertain "Hello?" escapes my throat to which she responds with a "Did you hear about the free concert the Black Eyed Peas are doing in Central Park? I know you like them and I heard they were doing one so I thought I would just see if you knew about it." When I officially woke up for the day, I wondered if I had dreamed the phone conversation but after checking my phone log, I saw that I did speak with her.

How did my mother know about a free concert the Black Eyed Peas were doing before me? What source does this woman have that I don't? She's not even Google friendly!

I went home in August primarily for her birthday and it just so happened a few other family events were taking place that same time. It was amazing to see my family again as I miss them a ton. I've grown my hair out which is totally different for myself and for them as well. It was this trip home that I stumbled upon the troubling fact that Mother was cool.

We were driving somewhere when she turns up the radio, proclaiming her enjoyment for the song currently playing. It's Cee-Lo Green and I glanced sideways at Mother. She liked Cee-Lo? With these thoughts running through my head, songstress Melanie Fiona begins assaulting the track with her sultry vocals and suddenly I found myself enjoying the song, too.

How had this happened? When did she, the one who can barely navigate through Buckeye Cable, become a source for what is current and relevant? Aren't us young people supposed to continuously rebel against what our parents say? Apparently not because it's apparently true what they say: she gets better with age! Maybe it's because I'm a mama's boy and I've acquiesced to the fact that I'm morphing into the male version of her that I can sit back and smile at the fact that my mom is one cool shut yo mouth!

Cheers to you, lady. See you at your 50th! Prepare to get slizzard like they do in that G6 song.

Top 3 Things To Do When You're a Blogger

2011-09-22T07:15:00.002-04:00

So, you want to be a blogger? Yeah, you, me and every other bitch with WiFi! But in all seriousness, as a blogger with very small-time success, I would like to share a few tips with those of you out there pondering the creation of your own "dot-blogspot-dot-com" domain. Read on for the top 3 things I believe every blogger should chug down...and not throw up afterwards.

#3: Do MULTIPLE post previews!

Since we bloggers are in the business of self-publishing, we also have to be our own Senior Editor which can be super tough at times. So, while drafting up a blog post, you should always do previews to see how things are shaping up. I cannot tell you how many times I have read a paragraph back to myself in the "Compose" stage, published it and then found a misspelling. These are minor mistakes that look major to others.

While this could very well be its own listed item, I will add it here: sleep on a post before publishing. Let's say you've worked on a massive post, take a night off from it. You will be glad you did! For example, when I did my Top 10 Femme Fatale's post, it took me about a week before I finally felt confident to even hover over "Publish." I had my ten ladies all picked out but the reason it took me days is because I ended up doing minor research on each woman included, created simple accompanying images (which put a strain on my relationship during their conception) and edited my text various times. As I don't face any true deadlines with The Calvin Show, I had the luxury of time on my side and was able to publish a post I'm proud of.

#2: Do NOT compare yourself to other bloggers!

"Don't do it. Don't compare yourself to that other blogger," is something that I think many of us struggle with on a regular basis. I say this for a few reasons. There are an abundance of blogs in existence that produce great content. Another is that there are a select handful of blogs that are born on a Monday and seem to become so popular that the blogger has a jewelry collaboration out by that weekend. Leandra, I'm talking about you, girlfriend. Getting down on ourselves just because we're not at someone else's level in this exact moment only leads to frustration. While this frustration could drive us to push for greater content on our blog, it personally gets me down so I try my best to steer clear of judging my blog against others.

While we're talking about cultivating more high quality content for your site, one way of doing so is analyzing similar blogs. This is different than comparing! With a proper analyzation, you get an objective look at a site not your own. I recommend analyzing other bloggers in your field and creating a list explaining why certain characteristics are appealing to you. This could be anything from great copy, personal style photos or the site's design. By compiling a list, you get the chance to see what seems to work for someone else, why it is interesting to you and how you might be able to incorporate a similar idea for your very own blog. I'm not saying steal ideas, but nothing is original anymore. If you see something you like, take it! Just put your own spin on it and you'll be golden.

#1: Do stay true to YOUR writing voice!

What happens when you land a gig as a freelance writer for a more established website and they begin to ask you to write in a specific tone that fits their audience? Well, you turn in pieces tailored to fit their audience, of course! This is completely normal as your writing style probably already matches up with theirs or they would not have chosen you in the first place. But if they begin asking you to write in a drastically different voice that feels completely foreign to you, walk away ~~after first seeing how much they're willing to pay~~! Edits are expected, but a complete overhaul of your work leaving you saying "I wouldn't write that way" raises a red flag.

Money is great, but integrity is even better. If you have a blog full of positivity, what good does it do for your brand if there's suddenly an article elsewhere about salacious celebrity gossip? It confuses your readers and could motivate them not to return to your blog again.

I don't have thousands of readers per day. Hell, I'm lucky to break a few thousand per month. Despite my small readership, I have gotten some extraordinary emails from public relation departments of magazines, websites and designers. Even if only 20 people view your blog today, you should want them to read content you would be proud of, not content you think might simply lure people in. By staying true to your writing voice, you produce authentic material and readers can sense and appreciate that. Plus, if it's your name on it, don't you want it to reflect how your writing voice?

This is the part where I admit that I'm not some cool superstar blogger. That being said, this little baby blog of mine is something I am incredibly proud of and I hope that you are proud of yours as well no matter what stage it is in. Send me a link to yours. I'd love to check it out!

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Fictitious Fashion: The Boy With Morals

2011-09-20T12:46:00.000-04:00

The last time you saw me, I was being escorted out of the airport but seeing as I'm a model, I travel so I have to spend time in airports.

So, I rent a car and take a little road trip from New York to Ohio (family lives there) and then got a call from my agent saying I was booked for a job shooting out in California. No problem, I tell him. I can just fly out of Detroit which is only about an hour drive from where I am.

I dump the rental at a depot at the airport and walk into the section where my flight will take off. Before I can even sit down, I get a smile from this tall, very broad shouldered man with a bald head. He's in his late forties but good looking. I smile back politely and find a seat.

"I'm Glen," a voice says to me and when I look in its direction, its Shoulders standing above me. I smile again and he motions to the empty seat next to me. I shrug in that "It's still a free country" type of way without saying anything. Shoulders sits and he begins talking. I had no intention on engaging with this dude but he was actually interesting. He reminded me of another friend of mine here in New York. So, we start talking and before I know it, his hand (a fucking massive hand, I might add) is on my thigh and creeping north!

"How much?" he whispiered. I chuckled and asked him to repeat himself. He leaned in with a dirty smile asking how much I charged. I started cackling which obviously made Shoulders uncomfortable. I stop laughing and look him dead in the eye, the smile gone from my face.

"$2,500 for you to touch me, triple for anything else." He starts pondering these prices and when he tells me okay, I start cackling again. I get up and walk away. I might be a hot piece but my ass isn't for sale.

Model Wendell Lissimore (RED MODEL MANAGEMENT) shot by Idris +Tony for a Fashionisto Exclusive

Image courtesy of The Fashionisto

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Karlie Kloss Is "An Old Lady at 19"

2011-09-13T08:00:00.000-04:00

Even though Karlie Kloss is only 19 years old, she truly is a pro. From the moment she first stormed onto the runway like a beast at the tender age of 15, she's lit up the fashion world with the help of the best designers and photographers. Watch her in a brief interview which took place backstage this season during New York Fashion Week where she talks about being "an old lady" even though she isn't yet legal to buy herself a drink at The Standard after a long day of working.

So what is it about this St. Louis beauty that has enamored the fashion industry over the last few years? No doubt her height (six feet tall if I recall) has helped but her stunning features and ability to evoke an emotion plays a part as well. From a Life magazine cover (how often do those go to models?) to a stunning editorial in Vogue's September issue and a sultry turn in the Fall 2011 Bally campaign, this girl has got the goods.

Images courtesy of Models.com

I've been a fan of Karlie's since she first splashed onto the scene with those insanely long legs. She's done some pretty sexy shoots over the last year or so and I would always go "Get 'em, girl!" before remembering she's still just a teenager. I know, I know. The world's youth advances faster each generation but I can't help but feel a bit saddened and confused.

The fashion and entertainment beauty thrives on youth. That's no secret. It's just so bizarre that they take these incredibly young girls and dress them up to look so old. Does Karlie look fly in that Bally ad? She sure does! But she also looks older than 19.

So, what does that say about these industries? That they live in the ultimate oxymoron. Crave the young and transform them into adults when there are perfectly capable adults available who get turned away for being too old.

My head is spinning!

Nicola Formichetti for Varón Magazine

2011-09-06T05:00:00.000-04:00

Yes, Nicola Formichetti gets sad when people judge him but he reckons he has to "keep moving, and keep believing" in what he is doing. It's working well for the 33 year old as he has successfully climbed the ranks in the fashion industry. From being Lady Gaga's stylist to the Creative Director for Mugler, he is the man the industry seems to be turning to for all things cool and relevant. Formichetti styled himself, in addition to his Mugler menswear team, for a photo shoot featured in the upcoming fourth issue of Varón magazine out September 8. Check out one of the hottest (figuratively and literally) stylists in the game right now.

Formichetti on Thierry Mugler:

"For me he's like God, you know? So I don't really wanna... I don't really want to know what he thinks. Of course I'd like for him to love it, but I don't really want to... For me he's someone so high, but I'm not here to please him. If he doesn't like it, it would make me sad but he's not why I decided to take the job. The reason I changed the name to Mugler instead of Thierry Mugler was to make it less personal and more of a brand as opposed to a French couturier. I want it to become a global brand."

Communications Director Alban Adam (l), assistant Matthieu Bredon-Huger (center), menswear designer Romain Kremer (r)

Formichetti even addresses the rumors of copycatting with Gaga saying "that would be a stupid thing to do." Still, one can't help but notice certain references in the work these two have done together, right? "People only think that because that's the only reference they have," he says.

This leads me to wonder what his references are. I see him around occasionally so maybe I'll stop him one of these days.

All images shot by photographer Kacper Kasprzyk for Varon

Build Your Playlist

2011-09-05T06:00:00.000-04:00

This week's "Build Your Playlist" is a dedication to one of my favorite vocalists in the game: Kelly Clarkson. Music snobs be damned but since her big break on American Idol, Kelly has riveted my ears with album after album of Pop/Rock genius. Said ear nirvana will happen yet again when she releases Stronger, her fifth studio album, on October 25, 2011. Lead single "Mr. Know It All" is pretty stellar and makes me crave for a Bruno Mars "Just the Way You Are" mashup. Until then, let's take a look back at some of my favorite Clarkson tracks thus far.

1. SINCE YOU BEEN GONE

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2. LOW

3. SAVE YOU

Image courtesy of Amazon.com

Save You by Kelly Clarkson

4. SOBER (LIVE)

5. MAYBE

Image courtesy of Amazon.com

Maybe by Kelly Clarksonssss

Refinery29 Reserve Gets You Ready for NYFW

2011-09-04T12:48:00.000-04:00

With New York Fashion Week coming up, it's time to get your wardrobe ready for all of those shows you're going to attend, right? What do you mean you're not going? No invites in the mail, you say? Not even a "save the date" through email? Huh. Well, that's okay. I only get to go because of my job. Anyway, fashion week or not, we're all about to jump into the Fall season.

This is precisely why you should clicking over to the latest Refinery29 Reserve deal with Helianthus.

By purchasing this Reserve, you're getting exclusive access to Helianthus' stock of Jeffrey Campbell, Rebecca Minkoff and more for 40% off. That is a pretty neat-o deal! The first Reserve deal is for $66, which lets you save $44 or you could up the ante and buy the Reserve deal for $126. Either way, you are winning more than Charlie Sheen ever could.

FICTITIOUS FASHION: The Woman with a Heart

2011-08-30T12:05:00.004-04:00

I ran into him at one of our favorite restaurants. He looked so handsome in his wool Paul Smith blazer. There were no awkward pauses or silences filled with sadness. We had been divorced for almost seven years now but we were together for almost twenty. Our paths hadn't crossed in quite some time and his looks held up and apparently so had my desire for him. Every word spoken found me stepping closer to him.

His new wife spotted us conversing by the entrance but she did nothing more than give me a few curt glances before excusing herself to the restroom. Once she was gone, I promptly kissed him firmly on the lips. He tensed up and I know I should have pulled back, but his lips tasted just like the first time. I began to push him away but stopped to whisper in his ear that I was driving home and wouldn't mind if he visited.

When I got there to the home he and I once shared, I knew exactly where I would greet him. Right before we signed the divorce papers, he stopped by to pick up boxes he left in our basement. I watched him climbing the stairs but I met him halfway, tears in my eyes. We embraced and made love there on the stairs. He ripped my Michael Kors turtleneck sweater trying to take it off and in turn I drew blood when I dragged my nails down his back. Every moment that he had me pressed against that staircase was everything I would miss.

I waited for him on those stairs for over an hour. I locked the door and crawled into bed fully dressed. I don't think I've cried so hard before in my entire life.

Carine Roitfeld for Interview Magazine shot by Karl Lagerfeld

Images courtesy of Interview Magazine

Build Your Playlist

2011-08-29T12:00:00.006-04:00

As we go through our adult lives, we'll probably stay a few nights at the Heartbreak Hotel. This is my least favorite place to sleep because the rooms are always small, the lobby smells like failure and the breakfast consists of stale cereal and expired milk. The only good thing about this hotel is that they typically have one incredible soundtrack playing. I recently mad a detour at one Heartbreak Hotel here in Manhattan which is where this week's "Build Your Playlist" was born.

1. PHOENIX - ROME (NEIGHBOURS WITH DEVENDRA BENHART REMIX)

2. NEON HITCH - GET OVER U

3. PIA TOSCANO - THIS TIME

4. PAT MONAHAN - ALWAYS MIDNIGHT

5. DAVID GRAY - SAY HELLO, WAVE GOODBYE

I would have loved to include Kelly Clarkson's latest single, "Mr. Know It All," but seeing as the only copies are leaked versions, I have simply decided to link to it. Either way, it is another fantastic anthem from Ms. Clarkson and I am more than excited for her upcoming album, Stronger.

Music Trend: Keyboard Zipping!

2011-08-29T09:33:00.000-04:00

I don't mind trends. I really don't. I don't even mind when it completely takes over an industry as long as I'm a fan of it. But with music, I can only take so much. It's awesome to see a high fashion trend trickle down to affordable stores like H&M and Forever 21. It's okay when everyone does it because it connects the every day shopper to a high fashion feeling. But when every song on the radio is only a slight variation of the last one, that is not a good thing.

That is where this post comes from: a massive music trend. And that trend, my readers, is keyboard zipping. What does this mean? A select amount of keys being punched in a relatively quick manner to help create a beat. Saying it out loud may sound lame, but when done right, it can make you want to rip your clothes off in a manic, head whipping, lip biting frenzy.

Doesn't conjure up such a lame visual, now does it? Check out some songs from recent history that partakes in this crazy, whizzing trend of zipping keyboard notes.

LMFAO - PARTY ROCK ANTHEM

BLACK EYED PEAS - THE TIME (DIRTY BIT)

Image courtesy of Rap-Up

ENRIQUE IGLESIAS - TONIGHT (I'M F*CKING YOU)

BRITNEY SPEARS - TROUBLE FOR ME

Image courtesy of Coverlandia

DAVID GUETTA - WHERE THEM GIRLS AT (FT. NICKI MINAJ AND FLO RIDA)

You could probably just alternate any of David Guetta's recent tracks and it would work all the same. Other songs that have done relatively well while riding the zipping keyboard wave? Chris Brown's "Yeah 3X" and The Saturdays' "Notorious" but there are more that I just can't be arsed to include. Will this trend die anytime soon? I believe so. I actually think it has begun to die down but if there is one thing I know for sure is that it's quite fun to listen to...for now.

FICTITIOUS FASHION: The Boy Who Keeps It Cool

2011-08-26T12:15:00.000-04:00

You couldn't begin to imagine what I went through up there on that mountain. One moment, everything was just as it should have been. I had everything in its rightful place and the group was confident in our journey to the top. I knew that we had some difficult terrain ahead of us so I advised everyone to try and get some shut eye. Get rested and then walk the grogginess off before hitting the real dangerous stuff, right? But then something happened that completely shut everything down. Even now while sitting here in this warm cafe retelling you this story I get the chills.

First, I heard twin sisters Talina and Marina kinda arguing but it wasn't anything out of the ordinary because it is what they do. It wasn't until I heard Franklin, another team leader, shouting about something as well. My husband, Eric Dean, was taking a few photos of me when suddenly we heard "Sweet baby Jesus on the cross!" from what sounded like Ursula, the eldest team member. That's why I'm scowling over my shoulder but once we got the proofs back, I realized it was actually a pretty good photo. I look rugged and masculine, right?

But I digress. Ursula screams about Jesus on the cross, so Eric Dean and I scramble to our feet and run over to the pack. As we near, I can see Talina on her knees sobbing, clutching a piece of clothing against her face. When my presence registered amongst the others, I got bombed with their statements about what just transpired.

"She went absolutely mad! I've never seen anything like it. To her own sister? Who can get a signal? Please! Won't someone call for help?!"

Apparently Marina discovered that Talina was having an affair with her Argentinian husband. But here's the thing! Despite being the betrayed wife, everyone was siding with Talina who had, in most circles, brought shame to her family name. But why? Well, Marina snapped and began throwing Talina's clothing off a nearby cliff. A pair of Stella McCartney boots, Rag & Bone trousers and an Emma Cook kaftan. What Talina gripped in her hands was considered "the straw that broke the camel's back" in Marina's sartorial destruction: the Dolce & Gabbana printed silk-satin dress she planned on wearing during our celebratory dinner once reaching the top peak. Marina had taken her pocket knife to it, leaving it in shreds.

Now, I'm a pretty level headed person and it takes a lot to push me over the edge. But one thing I cannot forgive, one thing no one should ever do is fuck with someone else's Dolce & Gabbana. Before I knew it, I was leading the search for Marina who had fled the scene. We never found her and considering what she had done up on that mountain, she better not ever show her face again.

Model Rael Costa in Brunello Cucinelli Fall 2011 campaign

Image courtesy of Made in Brazil

Watch My Refinery29 Collaboration with Vans Shoes

2011-08-25T11:26:00.001-04:00

Last month I blogged about a Refinery29 video shoot I was featured in and now I can reveal that it was a collaboration with Vans Shoes! Refinery29 grabbed up a few bloggers (or "emerging New York City personalities" as they said) to share some stories about Vans and I just so happened to be in that select group. I've already shown some love for Vans before in my "5 Items You Need To Build a Better Wardrobe for Spring" post so it was awesome to work with a brand I support.

I was the first blogging personality to be filmed and I have to admit that my story is sort of lame. I discuss a meeting with Bernard Smith of Model Lounge which turned into my first encounter with top model Joan Smalls. So when I say lame, I actually mean pretty f*cking amazing.

The black military inspired cardigan is vintage Express, black skinny jeans from Uniqlo and Vans sneakers (obviously). The graphic tee was made by my friend Cooper Gorrie who is a musician and law student who makes bad ass tees. When, oh, when do you sleep, Coop?

Thanks again to Refinery29 (@refinery29) for bringing me to Vans and SPREADhouse (@SPREADhouse) for producing the video. Keep your eyes peeled for more fun stuff coming up from TCS!

Jennifer Love Hewitt's "The Client List" Is Now a TV Series

2011-08-18T00:35:00.001-04:00

Let's just start by saying I like actress Jennifer Love Hewitt. I do. I Know What You Did Last Summer? One of my favorites. I even enjoyed her return in last year's made-for-TV film, The Client List, on Lifetime where she plays a family woman who takes a job as a massage therapist turn prostitute. Check the trailer below:

What's got me all up in arms is that Lifetime will now make the film into a television series with ten episodes to start. Love will reprise her role but I am wondering if she should just shiatsu her way up another project altogether. Just how far can one go with a jail bird prostitute from a small town that has been shamed by her neighbors?

At the end of the film, she began giving lessons to women on how to please their husbands. Maybe the TV series will see this character embark on a national tour of public speaking, wisdom and enlightenment?

No, I didn't think so, either. But it will be a series that I keep a look out for and judge more then. And by judge I mean "analyze."