Paris, je t'aime

As most of you know, I spent my junior year abroad in Paris. It was THE bomb. Being a 20 year old American girl in Paris is freaking amazing. I won't get into details, 'cause it would take you about 3 hours to read this post, but suffice it to say: IT.WAS.THE.BEST.YEAR.EVER. (Btw, the photo above was taken with my host bro back in 2002. I "made" Thanksgiving dinner for my French fam - or, to be completely honest, dropped 100 euros on a pre-made dinner, courtesy of a little American restaurant in Paris.)

So given my adoration of Paris and all things French (with the exception of the rank scent of the Paris Metro. It really is that bad.), I must comment on my fave collections from Paris Fashion Week. All you non-fashion lovers, go check out Sports Illustrated. Otherwise, onward!

Some of my faves: (DISCLAIMER: Paris Fashion week kicked ass. I loved lots of collections, but the ones below stood out as both interesting AND (sorta) wearable.)


















Balmain. The rocker chick look will always win in my book, even if it is a bit boring. I think it all stems from my secret desire to cover my arms with tattoos and rock it out Courtney Love style. (And as a side note, what better inspiration to hit the gym than to fit your bod into this dress? Sexy doesn't even describe it.)

Balenciaga: Flirty, fun and feminine. Not words usually associated with this label, but it works this time around. And there was still enough of an edge to make a heart flutter, even just a little.

Hermes: Ah, I love Hermes, even if one of their famous scarves will set me back half a paycheck. (And if I wanted to splurge on a handbag...well, there goes my 401K.) This collection does not disappoint. Leather, luxury and Amelia Earhart go well together.

Lanvin: Lanvin, if you were a man, I'd jump you. You're so Parisian, which I love -- sleek, modern, and consistently sophisticated. If my bank account were bigger (er, a LOT bigger) we'd make one sweet couple.

Oscar Fashion 2009 -- mostly losses....

Let's get started! Jen's 2009 Oscar Fashion analysis, in no particular order....


















Anne Hathaway: Very cool dress, but not sure the strapless look is the most flattering on her.


















Marion Cotillard: She only gets away with this 'cause she's French and I love the French. Otherwise, ick.


















Angelina: Smoking hot, except for the earrings, which look a bit like they came from Claire's. Jolie also gets extra points since she's not in her usual potato sack.


















Amy Adams: She never fails to disappoint, 'cause she always look awful. This dress is so not flattering, and I have no clue what's up with the weird geometric print over her boobs.


















Meryl Streep: Ugly dress. Ugly color. Why oh why must you always look so plain?


















Jennifer Grey: Smoking hot. Too bad no one knows who you are.


















Natalie Portman: Nice color -- if you're a Barbie doll.




































SJP & Penelope Cruz: Double Yikes. It's the attack of the mutant wedding gowns!


















Amanda Seyfried: She's looks like a cast member of 16 Candles. This is the worst bday present ever.


















Marisa Tomei: Hot, Hot, Hot. Love this dress!


















Jessica Biel: Interesting but the overall look (especially with her bedhead hair-do) looks overly sloppy. And what's with the black purse?

I could go on and on and on....but I'll stop here. And I promise I'll leave all this fashion talk behind soon.

Photos: Oscar.com

NY Fall Fashion 2009

On a more upbeat note!

My fave collections from NY Fashion Week. (Keep in mind that I am not an official fashion guru. My fashion stints have included two years selling jeans at the Gap and one summer filing magazines, I mean interning, at Calvin Klein. But a gal with good taste is still worth listening to, right?)

PS - I know Fashion Week ain't over yet...so these are just my faves thus far. Ralph Lauren, Zac Posen, and Calvin Klein still to come.

First up: Michael Kors

Model: Magdalena Frackowiak

Photo: Style.com

I usually find his stuff dull, boring, and old, but this collection was awesome. Maybe it's 'cause I am unemployed and lately my brain has been hardwired to love suits and all things black and dreary.....it must be all those interviews and unemployment forms. But I love his stuff this time around. Best of all: no ugly long dresses. I hate long dresses.

Next: Alexander Wang

Model: Edita Vilkeviciute

Photo: Style.com

His collection got blasted by some, but I loved it -- mainly because I wish I could wear it. (And I would, if I made more money and could pull off a rocker-chick look ...'cause I definitely can't.) Anyway, the collection was sexy and sleek -- just the right amount of skin and boob. Some pieces were a bit dull (long-sleeved sparkly dress and cut-up leggings? yawn...) but I would seriously DIE for the dress above.

Last (but not least): Proenza Schouler

Model: Danielle Zinaich

Photo: Style.com

This collection was almost too hip -- I doubt this stuff will sell well in TX. But I loved the fab blazers, cool tweeds, and slightly-oversized fit. I was also sort of into the Star Trek and armor dresses, and the cool, slightly off the shoulder necklines were awesome. Not so into the last few mesh dresses (see pic above)....but you can't deny that they are pretty interesting. All in all -- it was almost too cool for me, but I still lurved it.

There are a lot more collections that I loved (DVF for one, but my love for her is fading since she let Whitney Port into her building) but I'm going to cease my ramblings here. What were your fave collections? (Btw, you can check out all the collections here.)

Inauguration

My boyfriend attempted to see the inauguration today. He had scored some fancy tickets, thanks to his Pelosi hook up (yay Carlos!) and he was stoked. So stoked that he woke up at 5 AM to get his booty down to the Mall. But alas -- the political gods must have been pissed at Mr. Garcia because, long story short, he never got in. He waited 5+ hours only to find out that they never opened his ticket section! Strange and totally sucky. Boo!

Sometimes life isn't fair, right?

On a different note -- who had heard of Isabel Toledo before today? She designed Michelle Obama's inauguartion outfit. Personally, I thought the color was reminicent of puke, but somehow Mrs. Obama pulled it off and looked pretty freaking amazing. And those fab Jimmy Choo patent shoes didn't hurt either. But the style award for best dressed family member of a president had to go to Malia and Sasha.



















Both girls were decked out in 100% J. Crew. They looked totally modern and cool...and absolutely adorable. I especially loved Malia's blue coat. The clothes were custom made for the little girls, but similiar pieces will be coming out in J. Crew's 2009 fall collection. But moms, you'll need to start saving now: J. Crew doesn't come cheap anymore, and every 10 year old girl needs a $300 coat, right?

Lipstick, mascara, and the economy have a threesome

Have you heard of the lipstick index?

For those of you unfamiliar with the economic theory of Leonard Lauder, the former CEO of make-up giant Estee Lauder, here's the gist: when the economy goes sour, as it did after 9/11, lipstick sales go up. The reason? Even in tough economic times, women want to splurge and treat themselves. But they're broke, so they forgo the $200 jeans and $800 handbags, instead dropping cash on cheaper designer loot, like $20 lipsticks.

Lauder's index isn't HBS-level theory. But it kind of makes sense, especially in America, where many women (especially young, single and urban ones, like myself) have the unfortunate tendency to rack up major credit card debt on uber-luxurious and way too expensive duds. But when 401Ks disappear and employers start firing workers, even the spendthrift youth of America start to button up and watch their wallets. (Louis Vuitton wallets, natch!) Confronted by a desire for a luxury but the bank accounts of a priest, they make sacrifices: "If I can't buy the Chanel purse, then I'll just buy the Chanel lipstick." Essentially, brand name lipsticks replace brand name clutches.

His theory hasn't been holding up lately. Even though we're in the midst of the worst recession since 1929, lipstick sales are plummeting. In fact, the entire make-up industry is facing some serious financial hardships; by mid-2009, L'Oreal, the go-to drugstore cosmetics line, will lay off 500 US employees. Ouch. But there is a silver lining: mascara. Mascara sales have been up for the last few months. Why? Many analysts are crediting new mascaras with vibrating bristles for the increase. Um, weird, but I digress. Here is an article about it: http://tiny.cc/yLGcS. Is a Mascara Index on its way?

A couple months ago, I resisted dropping dough on a fab BCBG dress....but I did buy my fave Dior mascara. Now that the economy is in the dumps, what substitutions are you making? What's your lipstick index item?

DISCLOSURE (meant mostly for the 'rents and grandparents): Yours truly is a huge cheapskate who doesn't spend carelessly. She also pays off her entire credit card bill every month and has no debt....except for that damn car.