The threshold of Swimsuit shopping

So we've had a couple intermittently warm days lately, and it's MARCH for the love of god, so we all start thinking, "OHHHH I CAN'T WAIT TIL SUMMER."

and summer means... SWIMSUITS!!!!!

There was a time when I loved these days, still cold, but huddling with my girlfriends in a dressing room trying on bikinis with the least square centimeters of coverage, our skin amaretto-brown from the blaze of the tanning bed bulbs. 

We wanted to be glamourous! Like Raquel!

Or Ursula! My god is she perfect.

But then 2 years ago, a couple of these were found on my back:

I know I've shared this story so many times, because it's so bizarre. you can read one of them here (click here)
but even though I've talked about it, every time I think about exposing a lot of my skin to the sun, a terror rises inside me. I have been told by my doctor, DO NOT EXPOSE YOUR SKIN TO THE SUN. But living on the beach, with kids that love to swim, it's just so hard.

AND, since I've got this rockin body:

I mean, sheeeiiiiiit, who wouldn't want to show that off?? lmao.

So i think I found something this year. Last year my wonderful sister/friend Stacey got me this rashguard:

which is perfect, but it's *sooooooo second skin tight* I feel like a superhero in it. and the high neck, i have a thing about that, it feels so chokey.

So i thought I could get maybe a zip-neck one, and found this one by rip curl:

which gives me complete back coverage (which is where I had my lesions), and with the short sleeves I believe will be a little bit more functional, and I love the zipdown at the neck. I don't know though, do I risk having all that arm skin exposed for VANITY sake? I did have one lesion removed on my forearm.
It's so weird. Such a strange struggle.

Growing up I never had a sunburn, EVER. My skin tone is like the beautiful Rihab El Haj (activist & President of the New Libya Foundation):

I would be this yellow-creamy tone in the winter and then could tan my skin this *majestic GOLDEN BROWN* in the summer, which was on-trend in the late 90's early 2000s.
Remember? Like Paris:

Not smart.

SO WEAR YOUR GODDAMN SUNSCREEN EVERYONE. I actually just skipped my 6 month check up this week since I was sick. But now that I'm writing this I'm going to resched that STAT. and if you have WEIRD MOLES or any weird spots at all REGARDLESS OF YOUR TANNING CAPACITY AND ETHNICITY GO TO THE FUCKING DERMATOLOGIST.

Oil Pulling for a Brighter Smile?

Happy Thursday!

I came across a video on the YT the other day about oil pulling. The title alone raised my curiosity as it was something I never heard before. Oil pulling is the ancient Ayurvedic treatment used to cleanse the mouth of bacteria, brighten teeth,cure eczema and other diseases.

 In recent years it has become very popular in the states. The process requires you to use any vegetable oil of your choice and  squash it around in your mouth for at least 5 to 15 minutes. Then carefully discard the oil as its considered toxic. You thoughts? Are there any oil pullers out there? I'm going to try it!

beauty is a lifestyle

Wednesday Inspiration: Mrs. Obama

“Every time you stretch your mind, you boost your confidence.” —The First Lady

Award Season Results: The 86th Academy Awards

So that was very entertaining. I vote that Ellen Degeneres always hosts these things from now on. Or Neil Patrick Harris.

Let's recap my predictions and see how they match up with what actually happened on the night.

Best Film

Prediction: 12 Years a Slave

Result: 12 Years a Slave

Nailed it!

Best Actor in a Leading Role

Prediction: Chiwetel Ejiofor

Result: Matthew McConaughey

Oops...

Best Actress in a Leading Role

Prediction: Cate Blanchett

Result: Cate Blanchett

Nailed it!

Best Actor in a Supporting Role

Prediction: Jared Leto

Result: Jared Leto

Nailed it!

Best Actress in a Supporting Role

Prediction: Lupita Nyong'o

Result: Lupita Nyong'o

Nailed it!

Best Animated Feature

Prediction: Frozen

Result: Frozen

Nailed it!

Best Original Song

Prediction: Let It Go

Result: Let It Go

Nailed it!

Yeah! Think that has easily been my best set of predictions! Thank you Oscars for being so predictable ;). I hope you've enjoyed this little game. Back to normal after this. Should finish a book to be reviewed soon.

I think for next year's Award Season, I will try to watch all the Oscar contenders... might make it a smidge easier to make the predictions.

Well, here's to another year of film!

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International Women's Day 2014!

Happy Monday!

I hope everyone had a safe and relaxing weekend! This past Saturday was International Women's Day! It's always great to celebrate women!


"beauty is a lifestyle"

nicolas ghesquiere + louis vuitton = GIANT SUPER WIN

I love Nicolas Ghesquiere, look at how goddamn handsome he is...

So as you know, he took the helm from Marc Jacobs at Louis Vuitton after 14 years of Marc doing a pretty awesome job. That has got to be a lot of pressure on Nic. 

I just saw his collection and thought he SLAYED! OMG! Everything gorgeous! Look at this!

This was the lead look. This shiz is my jam. It's funny how both Nic and Frida at Gucci were inspired by this what I call "1971" look, which I adore. Maybe it's a sign for the universe that I need to start spending a LOT more money on clothes. swoony swoon swoon.

I swear I'm not fan-girling out either. I just had a great convo about how designers should be artists not egotistical stars, and I really think that Nicolas BROUGHT IT. The neckline on this dress is beautiful.

These are major "cool girl" clothes. These are the clothes that Alexa Chung is going to want to wear. They are also the clothes I could see Jane Birkin cavorting around Paris with Serge Gainbourg in, and that just makes me melt into a puddle of sartorial passion.

 I want to wear this white shirtdress right now. I'm obsessed with dresses that zip down the middle, and you know my mantra "Throw a belt on everythang".

 The two dresses in the middle, above, I would honestly choke someone out for. I am beside myself over that print.
And that first look with the green pants, how that's styled... oooh, I just see Ali MacGraw in that in St. Moritz. It's a lot of look, but I love the over the top quality of it.

 The Fashion Girls were going nuts over the handbags. I guess they look like tiny-little-baby Vuitton trunks, but I can't look past these awesome clothes. This dress is so rad. I do not like the styling with the booties, but I understand that that is on trend right now, whether I like it or not.

I think these clothes are a lot different than what Nicolas did at Balenciaga. I feel that his aesthetic there was more of a futurist type thing with the modern fabrics and cuts, but here, I feel that maybe he's harkening back to silhouettes and fabrics that highlight a more optimistic, fun time in the past.

 The belting on everything is so flattering. I mean these girls are perfect anyways, but you know.

I think Nic just hit it out of the park on this, his VERY FIRST SHOW at Louis Vuitton. It's just like DAMN, what will he do next? Or will there be an even higher pressure for him to keep things consistently MEGA AWESOME FOREVER.
All I know is that if he keeps turning out clothes like these I'm going to have to start selling plasma & body parts. Anyone need a kidney?

To Mule or not to Mule... That is the question.

So we first starting having MAYJ fashion hard-ons over mules when we saw them on the Alexander Wang runway a couple weeks ago. 

People were like "HOLD THE PHONE!"

"THE GAME HAS CHANGED!"

 I admit, it's a cool concept. I like the sharky fin going up the front. It's interesting. You can get these babies here (moda operandi) for a cool Grand $$$$.

So then the rash of mules spread across the globe.
"OOOOH, THEY'RE SO INNOVATIVE!"

But take a look at these, by Costume National...

 It's really just a bootie without a back. THAT IS ALL PEOPLE. *simmer down*

Fashion Girls have loved the bootie for awhile. Alexa Chung rocks the shit out of them. Fashion-bloggers worldwide wear the bootie with their skater-skirts in their #ootd 's.

Here is a 2014 mule by French Connection, below. Do we not remember these from the 1990s?

 I think Lisa Loeb wore a pair of these exact shoes. she was so cute.

Stella McCartney made this ingenious shoe hybrid... The mule that CONVERTS into a "shootie". Fucking technology, yo.

Why do we like these? I bought a pair of black booties last year so I could be cool. They are actually a rad pair too, but whenever I wear them I feel like a *damn fool*.

I mean look at Kimmy here. You cannot tell me that the ankle bootie she has on has any leg lengthening properties.

and in turn, the mule on Selena Gomez here, even though she obvs is channeling literal 90s, would never be my shoe of choice. 

she has beautiful legs, why make them look shorter than they are?

I don't understand! What do you think? Help me understand!

Brad Galli DECRIES my Oscar BEST DRESS & declares HIS OWN!

Brad, Brad, Brad...
Look at this guy. Looks so happy, looks so nice. But he took one look at MY Oscar 2014 Best Dressed picks (click here for mine) and said, and I quote, "HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND!? YOU CLEARLY DON'T KNOW WHAT IS UP. HERE ARE THE **REAL** Best Dressed at the Oscars."

I thought to myself, blasphemy, i run the fashion-cred in all of southeastern lower Michigan. BUT, maybe i have been resting on my laurels...

I'll let YOU be the Judge. Who's right? Who's wrong?

Here are BRAD GALLI'S BEST DRESSED AT THE OSCARS! 

5. Jennifer Lawrence in Christian Dior

•  is the girl you'd love to hang out with - and totally belive you could....until she rolls up to the Oscars and you remember she is one of the most famous actresses on the planet. Nothing will ever match the first red dress she wore years ago at the Awards, but this looked good on her. Wish she had her long hair, though.

4. Brad Pitt in Tom Ford

Of course he made eating pizza look cool. In a tux. And he sat next to Angelina Jolie. Win. Win. Win.

3. Olivia Wilde in Maison Valentino is gorgeous.

I picked her as one of my favorites at the Golden Globes, and I'll do it again here. She is fashion forward while still bringing the elegance (that is way too 'Fashion Police' out of me). I'm not crazy about dresses covering all the way to the neck, but she is great, so I pick her. Go get 'em, Sudeikis. 

2. Emma Watson (in Vera Wang) is one of my favorite actresses

She has turned into a real, big time star. Last night, her look wasn't typical - but I love her hair (and face). She's gorgeous and looked A-list. 

1. Kate Hudson in Atelier Versace

When I first saw her in screen, I couldn't stop saying "Wow. Wow. Wow." Then my fiance' hit my arm and I stopped saying "Wow."

Then she said, "Wow."

So yeah, Kate Hudson - "WOW"

**I must say, Brad, these are good picks.** 

Remember to watch Mr. Galli in all his Sporty-Goodness on Channel 7 news every single day!! You can get details on his on-air appearances and shows here! (click here)

Cate Blanchett wins Best Actress at Oscar

Happy Monday!

I hope everyone had a safe and relaxing weekend . If your like me you watched the Oscar preview and practically drooled at the lovely gowns which graced the red carpet. My fashion divas were present and they did not disappoint. However, this evening was a surprise. There was a mixture of soft metallic gowns, necklaces that worked as statement pieces because the jewels were minimum,soft curls and dark gowns such Charlize Theron's Dior. My favorites of the night includes Cate Blancett and Lupita Nyong'o's  beautiful Nairobi blue Prada gown. Congratulations to both ladies on  there Oscar wins for best and supporting actresses. Aside from the red carpet previews take a look at the Vanity Fair after party dresses.The fashion was equally as delicious. Which looks were your favorite?

 

"beauty is a lifestyle"

BESTIES DRESSEDIES at the Oscars!

Oh my LORD! What a night. I've been on a fashion binge (well for my whole life) since 6pm, watching all the Red Carpet Coverage... SO MUCH WHITE on the Red Carpet!

Which I LOOOOOOOOOVED on Jordan Catalano... in Saint Laurent 

 Jesus, look at him. He looks like a Hot Jesus!
I'm so happy he won. Ombre hair on point, he just can do no wrong with me, probably since I've had a multi-decade crush on him. Oooh la la.

Ahhhhhh, Lady-Crush of my Universe. Lupita Nyong'o in Prada..

Fashion people kind of panned this look because they wanted Miss Lupita in a "brighter color", but HOLY CRAP PEOPLE CALM DOWN, Lupita has brought us more variety in color of dresses to the Red Carpet this year than we have EVER SEEN EVER!
I like this crystal blue on her, i feel like it makes her look like an angel

Olga Kurylenko, showed up in this Ruby Stunner... Which may not look sooo special...

 BUT it was created by Suzy Amis-Camerons out of all sustainable, environmentally friendly materials so that makes it super chic. Love.

Cate Blanchett, in Armani, shares my life mantra of "There is not a 3D applique that we do not love"

 It's so beautiful and delicate and with the color matching her skin so perfectly, it looks like the gown just emerges out of her body. Gorg

Charlize "Red Carpet Slayer" Theron in Dior is freaking flawless tonight.

 I'm speechless. i love the shape and fit on her body. I love the train for drama. fantastic.

Pharrell Williams, i loved your hat, and I love your Lanvin bermuda tux:

Pharrell has a great body for clothes, great personal style. I love his boundary pushing, it's always just enough.

LOVE this Atelier Versace on Kate Hudson...

She's very Veronica Lake in this. flowing, ultra glamourous.

Kevin Spacey brought out the Man Style in this Blue Burberry

Super modern fit. and thank you for bringing some color the the men's formal palette.

Yay Academy Awards!

Bright Fun Dressing Inspired by India's Saris & Culture

Missy has been obsessed with India for awhile. The food (best), the landscape, the culture & the clothing. This weekend alone I think we read 14,000 picture books about India, flipping through page after page of beautiful women of the subcontinent wearing things like this:

 "Oh, we are going sightseeing. So I am going to drape myself in these gorgeous materials."

 I love everything about this above photo. The colors harmonizing, the prints intermingling, the bold jewelry, gorgeous and delightful and lovely.

 The variety of colors so appeals to me. I mean, look here (above), in the same photo you have LIME & CRIMSON & VIOLET all lighting up the atmosphere. Colors like this lift your soul.

Even these ladies, that are clearly not pleased at having their photo taken, are just surrounded by these bright beautiful vibrant colors & prints. I wish this was the norm for us here in 'Merica.

Where most women dress like this:

black, grey, dusty mauve, grey & black, grey & black.

I love bright colors and obnoxious prints for the effect they have on my mind. There is something in the vibrancy & whimsy of putting an obnoxiously vivid outfit together that really makes me happy.

That's why I was so happy to see these things on the Fall 2014 runways:

Altuzarra gives you baby-steps to try out bold color.

 That GORGEOUS pink is going to light up your face and make you smile all day, I SWEAR!

Clover Canyon gives us this bold print option, but the colors are actually pretty tame.

I can hear some of you say, "oh i can't pull that off." WHY NOT? What is the consequence?

Another easy way to flex *pretty bright clothes* muscle is to do basics (pencil skirts, belted blazers) in color & print instead of navy & black.

I love this look above, wouldn't you just want to get to know this girl? She looks so interesting

Suno gives us this below dress in rich jewel-tone print, but in a usual silhouette - the shirtdress:

So pretty, and flattering.

*muah* now I want to go shopping. again.