Fringe Benefits

If someone asked me what the most popular beauty trend of 2007 was (well, is, the year isn't over just yet), I wouldn't even stop to think before saying "bangs". Which is quite funny, because here in Australia we don't even call them bangs, but they're so everywhere, especially beauty blogs from the US, that you can't help but get caught up in the hype!
The latest starlet to get the chop (the very fashionable chop, of course) is Katie Holmes. I don't know about everyone else, but I think she looks simply stunning. Sophisticated, young and effortlessly chic. Liv Tyler is another celebutante joining the Bang-ed Beauties. So cute.

When Nelly Furtado made her amazing comeback last year with her now five-times platinum album Loose, she was catchier, hotter and more stylish than ever. A little while later she started sporting blunt bangs, which all but added to her appeal. It's her best look, in my opinion. Penelope is another recent addition to the bangs crew. How does she get her hair so shiny??

Ah, Kate Moss. Whatever she does, the fashion world follows...sounds like a fault on our part, doesn't it? But you just can't help but be in awe of darling Kate's impeccable style. So when Miss Moss debuted her new chopped 'do, we just new that bangs were 'It' as far as hairstyles go.

And of course, when discussing a fringe one can never go past Anna Wintour. I've heard she's been wearing her hair this way since she was 14. Wow, now that's commitment. Chances are, when a celeb goes to her hairstylist for the big chop, she holds up a picture of Anna and says "I want to look like her!" Will she ever change? I certainly hope not, a trademark is far more powerful than it's given credit for.
So if you're in need of bangs-inspiration, I hope I've helped you out, even a little.

Catch.

*Romany*

[photos courtesy of offtherack.people.com, au.askmen.com, catwalkqueen.tv, osoblog.tv, thefashionator.ivillage.com and hrhairstyles.com]

High School Trendspotting: White Shirts with Belts

This is a fairly new FT that I've been meaning to write about for months, but never really got round to it. I first noticed it on a very fashionable friend of mine, and soon others followed suit (no pun intended. Lol). It can be an extremely flattering look, giving an air of laid-back, relaxed chic meets office butterfly. This isn't usually the style of white shirt that's used (I've only ever seen shirts with buttons, and no in-built white belts), but as I always say, fashion is open to interpretation. You wouldn't believe how blank your mind goes when you need to think of brands that stock white shirts. Lol. To be honest, I think oversized shirts look better in this particular trend.
Hoorah I found the exact belt that's used (almost every time)! This particular one is called a Corset Belt, pretty much speaks for itself, no? Corset Belts work quite well, in that they are very flattering, often adding waist definition where there was none to begin with. Brown is the preferred belt colour with white shirts, it flows better. Black could work, I suppose, but in the end might look too harsh.
Clue for next FT post: who wears short shorts?

Catch.

*Romany*

[photos courtesy of levisstore.com and whiteshirtshop.com]

Hit or Miss?

This pic of Scarlett (holding hands with Ryan Reynolds, after landing at LAX Airport) is from a few months ago, but I just came across it (or re-came across it) today, and I just really couldn't go past it. I just have to say...what was she thinking? We can see she's tried to go for a bit of a quirky, off-beat look, but unfortunately hasn't pulled it off. Scarlett's usually very fashion-savvy, but this just doesn't make sense...But what do you think? Did the-multiple-Sexiest-Woman-In-The-World get it right? Or oh so wrong?

[photo courtesy of justjared.buzznet.com]

Oh Tara, Tara, Tara...

Speaking of getting into shape...despite the odd bikini shot here and there, Tara Reid has been keeping a relatively low profile these days. So you can imagine my surprise when these shots started making their way around gossip blogs earlier this week.

This photo has been scaled down a little, but even when full size it's still just as shocking. Is it just me or has Tara Reid lost a lot of weight? The knit top she's wearing is rather unflattering, so I daresay that when wearing clothes that fit better she may even look thinner?
She's definitely been slimming down this year...

Tara Reid in Feb 07

Tara Reid in July 06

Compared to last year, Tara has definitely lost some weight. Whether she's been doing it the healthy eating and exercise way or the drugs, cigarettes and alcohol way remains a mystery...
She's looking pretty good though, I have to say.

Catch.

*Romany*

[photos courtesy of gettyimages.com, dlisted.com and thesuperficial.com]

New Faces

Wow this has definitely been the week for celebrities-turned-models.
As far as I know, 3 uber cool women have been signed for 3 different, (but still uber cool) fashion labels:

Cory Kennedy has just signed on as the new face of cosmetics label Urban Decay. I'd been hearing things about Cory for a little while but never really understood who she was and what she's famous for. Turns out, it's nothing. But in a good way. The story of her rise to fame is fascinating (well, I think so, at least). Check it out here.

Kirsten Dunst has been cast to star in Miuccia Prada's label, Miu Miu's upcoming Spring campaign. Good match, Kirsten is definitely a better suit to the Miu Miu label than Lindsay Lohan, in my opinion. She'll bring a punky class to it, I believe.

And finally, Victoria Beckham has already shot the Spring '08 campaign for fashion giant Marc Jacobs. It was bound to happen sooner of later. I'm happy for her, I love Posh. She's great with fashion and definitely has a model look, so it's about time she got the opportunity to put all this to good use.

3 uber cool ladies for 3 uber cool labels. The world makes sense again...Lol.

Catch.

*Romany*

[photos courtesy of starpulse.com, glam.com and gazette.uwo.ca]

What Time Is It? Summer Time!

...yes, that was a High School Musical 2 lyric. But I'm not ashamed. :-)

It's November 28 and I (as well as more than 40 million other people living south of the equator) have only 2 days to get ready for summer, as it starts on December 1st. Do you realise the intensity of this situation? All those extra slices of bread and yogurt snacks I've consumed over the winter months to heat up my body (yes, that'll do...) have taken their toll and now it's time to slip into the old 'inspirational' short-shorts and get into shape. And what better way to beat the bulge than with a gaggle of my closest girlfriends? That's right...we're joining a gym.
Are you sure about that, you ask? Well, to be honest, I've thought about joining a gym for a long time, but annoying obstacles keep making their way in front of my dream dress size, such as:

• Price (most gyms cost more than $40, and that's just a joining fee)
• Accessibility (finding a gym that's an equal distance from each of our houses has been tougher than it sounds)
• Availability (when I'm free, someone else isn't, and on and on it goes)
• Self consciousness (unless it's a women-only gym, jogging on a treadmill letting all my extra baggage bounce free to its heart's desire in front of buff, good looking men hasn't exactly held much appeal)

But I've decided, summer's coming and it's time to swallow my pride (not extra food) and get moving...literally.
I've never officially been to a proper gym, but anyone who, like me, loves exercise should definitely give it a go. Get a bunch of your girl/boyfriends together and get those butts moving!
Need inspiration?

The difference between try and triumph is just a little umph!

Good luck!

Catch.

*Romany*

Evian Limited Edition by Christian Lacroix

Haute Couturiers designing water bottles? Did I miss something? Oh well, it's way awesome anyway...
The story: Evian has released a Limited Edition set of designer water bottles (which they've apparently been doing for a few years now), to show dedication to the fashion industry. To celebrate winter, Lacroix has designed this gorgeous (and expensive) Haute Couture Ice Queen bottle, and a Ready-to-Wear version with a pretty pattern weaving on the outside.
I don't think they'll be coming to Australia, but even if they did they'll be following in the U.S.'s footsteps and only stocking them in high-end supermarkets. Official prices are a little iffy, but these babies are sure to pop up on eBay sooner or later, for less than what they're worth, I assume. Watch this space...

Catch.

*Romany*

[photo courtesy of viecouture.com]

What a Gorgeous Cover...

Oh my! If only all covers were this beautiful! Trust US Vogue to create such a lovely image...but then again, Annie Leibovitz was the photographer, and you can't really go wrong with good old Annie L.
Random post, I know. I just wanted an excuse to express my love for this dazzling cover, and it's accompanying photoshoot...
Catch.

*Romany*

[photo courtesy of justjared.buzznet.com]

Does It Get Any Better? Beauty and Sex and the City of course

One of my favourite things to do after coming from school/work is to make myself a snack and settle with a nice, comforting episode of Sex and the City. This has been happening a lot recently (bad, I know...what about exam study, right?), but it's really given me a new perception of the show and it's characters. I've only really gotten into Sex and the City over the last 2 or 3 years, so I've seen all the episodes at least once, but watching all the seasons again has really changed my opinion of the characters.
I was never a Miranda fan, now she's my favourite. Samantha is so careless and selfish this time around, Carrie gets more and more deluded and self-absorbed as the seasons progress, and Charlotte's pretty much her same old loveable self.
All criticisms aside, the show is one of my favourites and always will be. It's been an absolute inspiration to women all around the world, showing them they can be strong and independent while maintaining impeccable style at the same time. It's such a comfort show...I love it.

The production that I'm supposed to be "starring" in soon, if we can ever get it fully of the ground, is a lot more work than we "producers" anticipated. Today consisted of costume and prop research (no purchasing occurred, considering the fact that only two of our cast and crew members, myself included, were available to attend this "research" session) at the monster fabric store Spotlight, and a quick stop-off in China Town. Our play is Asian-themed, you see. But today was not entirely unsuccessful. I managed to get my hands on some Kerastase Volumactive shampoo (much to my mother's dismay; she's still studying Human Ecology), and Jurlique Ultra Sensitive Make-up Remover.
The shampoo isn't even right for my hair, I just get it because it smells soo good. I'm also planning on giving my mum a day at the South Yarra Jurlique Spa for her birthday in December, but don't know how I would go about doing that. Can anyone help me out?
Yes that was my attempt at a belated beauty post. Don't worry, a more than half-hearted beauty update is still to come.

Catch.

*Romany*

[photos courtesy of hbo.com, cosmeticmall.com and shop.fredsegalbeauty.com]

Research At It's Best

See LC or Whitney anywhere?
Thinking of interning at a fashion magazine? I know I am. It's definitely worth reading the Intern Blog at teenvogue.com. Although, here in Australia interning at magazines' isn't exactly as common as in the US and other countries, so everyone else already has a headstart. Lol. I always love reading these behind-the-scenes-at-a-magazine features, it really gives you the inside view of what really goes on.
Of course, they'll never beat the 'Devil Wears Prada'...but they can try.

Catch.

*Romany*

[photo courtesy of teenvogue.com]

Gap Holiday 2007 Ad Campaign

Monster fashion brand Gap has just released a batch of 2007 Holiday ads featuring celebrities from all walks life, including TV stars John Krasinski, Angie Harmon and Amy Poehler, supermodel Caroline Trentini (pictured), hip hop singer will.i.am plus a few more.
These ads aren't exactly original, clearly drawing inspiration from other fashion brand photoshoots (United Colors of Benetton, anyone?), but they're undeniably cute all the same.
What do you think? Love em? Or leave em?

Catch.

*Romany*

[photo courtesy of justjared.buzznet.com]

Best Dressed at the American Music Awards 2007

Ok, I know this is 6 days late, but wait for it...exams, remember! Lol. It's really messed up my blogging schedule, but hopefully I aced them all and then I'll stop complaining.
Now to the red carpet, which can be summed up in one word: bling. I had to wear sunnies whilst perusing through the stacks of pics of this event. But let me tell you, bling = hot! There was lot of leg, and alot of very interesting shapes. Clutches and beaucoup de bracelets were the accessories to have this time around.
Best dressed goes to Ashanti. Haven't seen her in a while, so for a first-in-a-long-time spotting she looks dazzling. This colour looks great against her skin tone, and the dress 100% compliments her figure.

Yay for curves! Alicia Keys and Beyonce have definitely raised the bar! Beyonce landed herself on a few 'Worst Dressed' lists, but I just don't get that. She looked stunning. Alicia looked equally classy, I'm getting such a New York vibe from her look.

Bravest Dressed goes to Rihanna. Hello wardrobe malfunction warning! Fortunately, there was no disaster of Nipplegate proportions (as far as I know). I don't particularly like this outfit, it's just no really my cup 'o' tea, but you have to give the girl snaps for courage.

Oh, gotta love awards show fashion.

Catch.

*Romany*

[photos courtesy of justjared.buzznet.com]

Quote of the Week

"You know what? You're right -- forget about my life. I'm having Steve's baby! Pizza for everybody!"
Miranda (Sex and the City, Season 4, Episode 59 "Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda"), sarcastically telling Carrie that she wants to keep Steve's baby...little did she know.

I watched this episode today, and nearly collapsed with laughter! Oh my gosh, Cynthia Nixon is the best comic actress ever!

Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder...

Lol! Sorry, couldn't resist with that title.
Wow. Please try and excuse the fact that I have been totally M.I.A. for the passed, well let's see now...12 days! I feel completely disconnected from the fashion world!
Anyway, don't worry I have a good reason. Exams. Woohoo. I've had a full blown week of exams, one each day. Sound fun? It was (warning: imitating my level of enthusiasm may cause emotional and physical harm).
I'm pretty sure we get our results some time next week, so wish me luck. I need all that I can get!

As a little consolation treat, I've compiled a list of things to get excited about right now:

*First and foremost, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix came out on dvd this week (or was it last week? I'm so out of touch!) Go out and grab yourself a copy while you still can!
*Auditions for season 4 of Australia's Next Top Model were held last week (which a friend of mine attended and totally got in the top 20 of Melbourne), which means the new season will be airing soon!
*Shock horror! W magazine has parted ways with Style.com and left Vogue on its own. You can find W's new website here (I suppose it's not really exciting, but it is news).
*Hot new music talent! Robyn is the singer of the song I'm absolutely obsessed with right now, 'With Every Heartbeat'. Seriously, check it out. I cannot get it out of my head.
*The most exciting fashion event of the year, the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2007 (sans Gisele, wow that must have been weird) has been and gone. It airs in the US on December 4 on CBS, so hopefully we'll get it here sometime around then as well.
*And of course, it's only 1 month and 2 days until Christmas. Ready, set start shopping!

Got anything to add? :-)
Hope this has even somewhat made up for my almost 2 week absence...

Catch.

*Romany*