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7/09/2010

Model Cailin Hill’s Blog is Actually Really Good

Models, from Coco to Dorthea, love to blog. But lately one in particular has grabbed our attention.


Cailin Hill’s Tumblr blog, Modelburnbook, chronicles the Parisian transplant’s insanely honest and hilarious modeling moments:


“It funds my Sagittarian tendencies to travel the world and write sarcastically about my experiences while remaining completely broke yet within a hand’s reach of luxury goods….”


Whether she’s quipping about the Parisian health care system, teaching us life lessons, voicing her thoughts on Bieber fever, or simply recounting a hilarious tale, we’ve become loyal readers.


Indeed, Ms. Hill’s lighthearted snark (and not to mention great taste in movies: Blue Lagoon, Clueless, Royal Tenenbaums) has got us hooked.


Street Style: Gaga’s Little Monsters Edition

Lady Gaga is playing three nights at Madison Square Garden in New York City. And last night, I was there. No matter what you think of her music, her style, or her need for attention, she definitely inspires people.


I was a bit disappointed in Gaga’s costumes–no wigs or interesting millinery, just that yellow hair with three inch dark roots. But she’s an amazing performer and I’m both deaf and hoarse today from all the screaming and singing.


I took Fashionista’s street style camera along for the ride, focusing on Gaga’s exuberant and loyal fans. Wigs, lightning bolts, cigarette glasses, and a severe lack of pants were de rigueur for both boys and girls. And while some honored her with literal translations of past looks, others used her style as an inspiration to dress in…yellow tape.


Click through the slide show for a glimpse of the lengths to which people will go to show their admiration for Gaga. (OK, secretly I was wishing I, too had a pink wig.)














Street Style: Gaga’s Little Monsters Edition

Lady Gaga is playing three nights at Madison Square Garden in New York City. And last night, I was there. No matter what you think of her music, her style, or her need for attention, she definitely inspires people.


I was a bit disappointed in Gaga’s costumes–no wigs or interesting millinery, just that yellow hair with three inch dark roots. But she’s an amazing performer and I’m both deaf and hoarse today from all the screaming and singing.


I took Fashionista’s street style camera along for the ride, focusing on Gaga’s exuberant and loyal fans. Wigs, lightning bolts, cigarette glasses, and a severe lack of pants were de rigueur for both boys and girls. And while some honored her with literal translations of past looks, others used her style as an inspiration to dress in…yellow tape.


Click through the slide show for a glimpse of the lengths to which people will go to show their admiration for Gaga. (OK, secretly I was wishing I, too had a pink wig.)














First Look: Grey Antics Fall 2010

Grant Krajecki’s diffusion line for Urban Outfitters, Grey Antics, has proven so successful that the Los Angeles-based designer is offering it at more retailers this fall, including Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdale’s.


The popularity of Grey Antics makes sense: Krajecki’s pieces are super-casual, yet super-special at the same time. It’s difficult to balance the two, but he does it well.


In fact, I know this from experience. I picked up one of the sundresses at Urban this past weekend, subsequently becoming the belle of the barbecue. (Seriously, I got loads of compliments!)


Click through for a sneak peek at Grey Antics’ fall collection.

















Who Wore it Better: Vanessa Paradis and Blake Lively in Chanel Cruise


Musician/Chanel spokesmodel Vanessa Paradis took to the stage in this tiered printed maxi dress. Blake Lively wore a slightly more off-the-rack-looking version to the Chanel couture show in Paris. Which Chanel-loyal blonde wore it better?


Fashion You Can Feel Good About: Our Top Picks That Benefit The Oil Cleanup

The oil spill is ravaging our nation’s coast, but some of us are too far away to pitch in and help—at least physically. However, there are a few charitable companies who are raising money for the cause with their wares. Here, we round up the most stylish ways to pitch in. Of course, we advocate donating to the cause directly so the most is made of your money, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do this, too.


Get Inspired: Lindsay Lohan’s Nail Art (Sans the F-U)

Confession: While everyone else was making a fuss over the fact that one of Lindsay Lohan’s courtroom nails (the middle finger, natch) had a tiny “fuck u” written on it, we were thinking about how awesome her nails looked.


We doubt Lilo’s manicure will hold out for her 90-day prison sentence. But it looks like it’s going to last longer than our $12 manicures. And that tie dye effect is kinda awesome. Want it.


Even reigning nail art queen, Naomi Yasuda, whose client list includes Lady Gaga, Amanda Lepore, Alicia Keys and, wait for it, Steven Tyler, thinks Lindsay’s nails were hot.



Yasuda's handiwork


“I think the tie dye look is really cute,” says Yasuda, 25, who works out of Hello Beautiful salon in Williamsburg. “I could do that with an airbrush and it would only take about 20 minutes and cost around $50.” As for the “Fuck U”? Yasuda says you can use little stickers to write on nails but we’re betting Lilo just sharpied that on. But the design, Lilo has confirmed with a tweet (yes, she’s still tweeting) was airbrushed.


You can also thank Yasuda for the only redeeming part of Sex and the City 2: Kim Cattrall’s nails. She’s behind Samantha’s amazing manicures, and submitted ten designs for the film.


While we had the nail artist to the stars on the phone, we thought we’d pick her brain a bit.


Yasuda as a Hello Beauty salon vixen


Yasuda’s been using nails as a canvas for the past seven years, and she got her start doing her friends nails for fun in junior high school. One of her trademark super ornate manicures – replete with chains, charms, jewels, and intricate designs – takes up to an hour and a half and costs up to $150.


If you don’t have $150 to blow on a manicure, Yasuda’s got some tips for the DIY inclined.


“Always put on a base and top coat to make it last longer,” she says. “And remember you don’t always have to do all 10 finger nails. Just doing one fingernail can set another mood for you.”


Her dream client?


“Michelle Obama and her two daughters.”


We can see it now…Mrs. O matching her nails to her statement jewelry.


Click through to see some of Yasuda’s best work.


Yasuda's handiwork






Just for Kicks

Fashion or football? At Calvin Klein's massive fête in Berlin last night, the American company's biggest-ever event in Europe, guests enjoyed both. That is, if "enjoyed" is the right word to describe the state of mind of the German attendees, who ended up seeing their country lose to Spain in the televised semifinal match. Still, there were compensations, like sipping Veuve and wandering through the city's stylishly dilapidated, historic mint building, refitted for the occasion with sculptural white platforms that served as stages for a fit squad of models.

Taking in the scene were Calvin-philes like Kellan Lutz, Lara Stone, Diane Kruger, and Na'vi princess and new face of the brand's underwear campaign Zoe Saldana. The Avatar actress told us she was looking forward to a stint in Paris later this summer, where she'll be filming the Luc Besson-scripted Colombiana—a Colombian La Femme Nikita, she called it. As for the best part of her new modeling gig? 'Lots of free lingerie! Which I'm wearing right now, of course,' she said. We took her word for it. Kruger, for her part, slipped a Germany jersey over her Collection minidress once she was finished with the red carpet. But back to underwear: One guest observed, 'This is the first time I've seen two naked male models lounging around, and no one can take their eyes off the football match.' Surely, things will get back to normal next week.


—Sameer Reddy"

Val's Halla

Valentino Garavani, the retired but not retiring designer, celebrated the unveiling of his archives in suitably grand style last night at his château, Wideville, outside Paris. "I remember every detail, every dress," said the designer (who, for the record, created 12,000 of them). "Every drawing reminds me of a period, of a moment. It fills me with joy."

He wasn't alone. After checking out the split-level museum—which houses an impressive compilation of 10,000 sketches on the walls and on a lineup of iPads, along with a couple thousand letters, hundreds of pictures, awards, and the odd dress or two culled from the Rome archives—guests moved to a tented space in the garden for dinner and dancing (Madonna's on-again, off-again beau, Jesus Luz, was at the turntables). Milling among the crowd were Gwyneth Paltrow with Apple and Moses in tow, Claire Danes and Hugh Dancy, Elizabeth Hurley, Giambattista Valli, Lee Radziwill, Blake Lively, Jon Kortajarena, Jessica Alba, and Yasmin and Simon LeBon.

'I have two Valentinos that I bought in Rome,' reminisced Jane Fonda. 'One I wore when I accepted the Oscar for my father for On Golden Pond. Great dress. But after that I started lifting weights, so I can't close it anymore! I can't wait to get a new one—I'm going to New York to do that soon. But I can still wear my black velvet one; it's my favorite. I've worn it to the White House three times."

Asked if he could see himself opening a similar archive, Marc Jacobs demurred. 'I'm from a different generation. We paid the models in clothes, for one thing, so we didn't hold on to anything. But that's cool. I like knowing that the clothes are all living out there in the world somewhere.'


—Tina Isaac"

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Secretlifeofabionerd: Fabric Manipulation : How to Make Flowers With Fabric Part 1

Sure sewing is nifty and all, but what is a tank top when you are done with it ? Just a tank top right? Why not spice it up with a homemade broach, how about a headband full of colorful blooms, perhaps a necklace?

In this video you will learn how to make 6 different flower designs straight from fabric. Choose whatever styles or fabric you like to make them unique and your own!

Supplies:
LOTS of fabric scraps
Hand needle, thread, thimble
Scissors
Fire source
Kinzashi In Bloom Book Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Kanzashi-Bloom-Fold-Sew-Projects/dp/0823084817
Disclaimer: All items were purchased with my own money unless stated otherwise.

Music: GrossGusting by TheFabs
New Grounds: http://www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/343668
Sea Dream by YueYang
New Grounds: http://www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/342000
An Open Window by Benjamin Tibbetts
NewGrounds: http://www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/346157

K.L'sTwitter: www.twitter.com/ricesushi02

K.L's BlogSpot: www.secretlifeofabionerd.blogspot.com

K.L's Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=178537304162&ref=ts

Secretlifeofabionerd: Fabric Manipulation : How to Make Flowers With Fabric Part 2

Sure sewing is nifty and all, but what is a tank top when you are done with it ? Just a tank top right? Why not spice it up with a homemade broach, how about a headband full of colorful blooms, perhaps a necklace?

In this video you will learn how to make 6 different flower designs straight from fabric. Choose whatever styles or fabric you like to make them unique and your own!

Supplies:
LOTS of fabric scraps
Hand needle, thread, thimble
Scissors
Fire source
Kinzashi In Bloom Book Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Kanzashi-Bloom-Fold-Sew-Projects/dp/0823084817
Disclaimer: All items were purchased with my own money unless stated otherwise.

Music: GrossGusting by TheFabs
New Grounds: http://www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/343668
Sea Dream by YueYang
New Grounds: http://www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/342000
An Open Window by Benjamin Tibbetts
NewGrounds: http://www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/346157


K.L'sTwitter: www.twitter.com/ricesushi02

K.L's BlogSpot: www.secretlifeofabionerd.blogspot.com

K.L's Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=178537304162&ref=ts

Put Your Best Foot Forward

Use these tips to take care of your feet year-round.


By Stacey Colino


Whether you’re vacationing at the beach or relaxing by the pool, bare feet are almost an inevitable part of summer. Here’s some expert advice for dealing with five common foot problems so you can enjoy sandal season.


BUNIONS



  • The fault: A bunion is a bony protrusion at the base of the big toe that can become painful, red and swollen.

  • The fix: Apply ice and wear special bunion pads (available at drugstores). Custom shoe inserts called orthotics ($200 or more a pair) can help prevent worsening of the bunion, says Rock Positano, D.P.M., director of the non-surgical foot and ankle service at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City. Drugstore shoe inserts, such as Dr. Scholl’s Custom Fit Orthotics ($50), are considerably less expensive and may also provide relief. If these measures don’t help, you may be a candidate for joint injections. A last option is corrective surgery.


CORNS



  • The fault: A hard corn is a red or thickened plug of skin on the tops of the knuckles of the toes; a soft one develops between the toes. Corns can become inflamed, painful and even infected with repeated friction.

  • The fix: Cover the area with a corn pad (available at drugstores). Use a pumice stone to shave down a corn, says Carol Frey, M.D., a foot and ankle specialist in Manhattan Beach, CA, and assistant clinical professor of orthopedic surgery at the University of California, Los Angeles. But “avoid chemicals that burn off corns or ‘bathroom surgery’” in which you try to cut them off yourself, she says. If the corn continues to bother you, have it removed by a doctor.


HAMMERTOES



  • The fault: Hammertoes are chronically bent at the first knuckle. The condition can be very painful, and the toes can develop blisters, corns and calluses on the tops of the knuckles.

  • The fix: Wearing shoes with a deep toe box and a hammertoe pad can decrease pressure on the protruding bone. Wearing orthotics can prevent worsening of the deformed toe. If you’re in serious pain, toe-straightening surgery may be an option.


FUNGUS



  • The fault: A fungal infection (aka athlete’s foot) can cause a red, itchy, scaly rash between the toes or on the soles. Nail fungus causes a patchy white or yellowish discoloration of the nail.

  • The fix: For foot fungus, apply an over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal powder or cream twice a day and keep your feet as dry as possible. To treat nail fungus, first trim and clean out the debris beneath the nail, says Jane Denton, D.P.M., a podiatrist at the Center for Sports Medicine at Saint Francis Hospital in San Francisco. Next try an OTC topical medication such as Mycocide Antifungal Treatment NS ($18). If this doesn’t help, you may need a prescription.


INGROWN TOENAILS



  • The fault: With an ingrown toenail, the corner of the nail grows down into the skin, causing irritation that can set you up for a bacterial infection.

  • The fix: Soak the area in warm water for at least 20 minutes, several times a day, advises podiatrist Jane Denton, D.P.M. Afterward, put a small piece of cotton underneath the edge of the nail to retrain it to grow upward and apply an antibiotic ointment. If you suspect the area is infected, see a podiatrist or dermatologist.


Do you have any other tricks for dealing with foot problems?