I went to a high school with a very rigid dress code. While I abhorred it with a sense of allegiance to the student body, I never really struggled with abiding by it. I didn’t wear midriff-bearing tops or facial piercings or daisy dukes. I was a square and played by the rules. And as I look back on my high school experience now as an adult, I understand that dress codes are necessary to maintain a safe and somewhat sheltered environment for kids. Some rules, like the “no professional sports apparel” rule at my school, were set in place to avoid conflicts potentially related to gangs or rivalries. And, I think rules regarding decency are also necessary. Short skirts, low-cut tops and anything too revealing is not a form of self-expression so much as it is a cry for attention and an obvious distraction on high school campuses.

But, I think high school is a very different place today than it was when I was growing up. This is a world where a gay male student was crowned prom queen at a Los Angeles high school. Looking back, I can only recall one openly gay student at my high school and he certainly wasn’t popular, quite the opposite. What kind of environment is that? One in which the gay kid was singled-out for the way he dressed and his sexual orientation. Is that a safe environment? Part of me wants to defend strict dress codes for keeping high school a sheltered and academically-focused environment. But, what are school administrators sheltering these kids from other than themselves? Are strict dress codes only creating a more judgmental foundation that will lead to intolerance in the future?

On the flip side, could a more open dress code–one that embraces individuality–lead to a more open-minded population once the students enter the real world? Would it foster lasting acceptance and self-confidence in students? Who knows. But in the here and now, I can’t see any harm in allowing students the freedom to express themselves. Perhaps school administrators should sit with members of their school’s student body to discuss the issue. That might produce an amicable compromise while teaching kids how to reason and discuss problems instead of acting out irrationally. Maybe. They are, after all, teenagers.

Bottom line, I don’t think a girl’s senior photo should be banned from the yearbook because in it she wore a tuxedo. Furthermore, I don’t think male students wearing makeup should be off limits either. Likewise, I do think a girl should be allowed to attend the prom in a tux, and vice versa.

What I find most irritating is that both of these girls are practically irrelevant. Their careers have been in parallel tailspins for years now. There was a point in time when they both had pretty successful careers, despite neither being very talented — with the possible exception of Jessica’s singing). A talent, however, that quickly fell by the wayside when a reality show that showcased her uncanny ability to say stupid things really made her famous. But since Ashlee’s infamous SNL lip-syncing debacle and Jessica’s divorce (there went the reality show) and subsequent string of awful movies, neither has done anything worth mentioning. But yet, they keep mentioning each other. Genius plot to keep yourselves relevant girls.

So, first Jessica defends Ashlee after she is kicked off Melrose Place by calling the show crap. Which is true, but I didn’t need Jessica Simpson to tell me that. Now, Ashlee is defending her big sis against vicious criticism about her weight. No, I don’t think Jessica is fat and I think all the chatter about her weight was a little cruel. But, that’s the business, sadly. What I find most intriguing about Ashlee’s comments is how she almost calls her sister fat while trying to defend her. First she says, “my sister has an incredible body.” Then she goes on to say how when she gains weight she hopes to look like her sister. “There’s gonna be a time when I’m way curvier,” she says, ”and that’ll be sexy, too.” If that doesn’t sound like a backhanded compliment, I don’t know what does.

Last time I checked, most of the heat over Jessica’s weight had died down months ago. Way to reopen the wound, Ashlee. Well done.

Instinctively, anger kicked in. Here we go again. Skinny, skinny, skinny! That’s all we ever hear about. Skinny, good! Fat, bad! But, the more I thought about it, this little slogan might actually do some good. As someone who has always struggled with her weight, I find it most difficult to visualize the future. It’s hard to focus on a goal that is six months down the road when there’s a Carl’s Jr. just around the corner. But over the past couple days, Moss’ seven little words have been running through my head. For someone like me, it’s not a bad motto to keep in mind when battling food cravings.  

Still, in the grand scheme of things, this just contributes to the ever-growing pile of weight-obsessed images and ideas coming at women from all directions. But mostly from the fashion industry. Well, and pretty much all advertising. After all, it’s not “skinny” that girls should be chasing, but “healthy.” And it could be assumed that this motto is what turned Kate into a waif in the first place. So, it’s a dangerous line.

Nonetheless, I do want to know what skinny feels like. It’s just hard to deny the taste of a good cheeseburger.

The workplace has evolved over the years, but it certainly hasn’t evolved past common decency or good taste. For those of you out there, like myself, who still hold down a traditional 9-to-5 job in Cubical Land, there are guidelines to what you can and cannot wear. But, that doesn’t mean you can’t bring personal style to the office. It just means you can’t dress like a hooch or a hung-over college co-ed.

Unfortunately, these basic guidelines are often ignored. In my office especially. If you can’t already tell, this is more a personal manifesto than it is a resource for practical office dressing. (Although, I hope it will prove useful to some or all who read it.)

Here are my tips:

Be Aware of Your Hemline- If you’re going to wear a skirt with a slit in it, please make sure the hem is no higher than an inch or two above the knee. Trust me. I’ve witnessed what happens when someone wearing a short skirt with a high slit bends over. And it ain’t pretty. Hello! Mad Men fashion is everywhere right now, let the skirt down a little and go retro!

Try Flats, Not Flip Flops- Flip flops creep into my office environment way too often. On Casual Friday they are acceptable (barely), but wearing them any other day of the week is blatantly inappropriate. This isn’t college anymore, as much as I would love for it to be. I understand that heels are a pain. Pretty, but a pain. Instead of rubber flip flops, try wearing flats. They are a  more appropriate alternative to heels.

Mix and Match Your Wardrobe- I think most of us are smart enough to know what is, and isn’t, appropriate to wear to the office. It doesn’t all have to be serious black pant suits and button up shirts. Incorporate color and accessories and items that reflect who you are into your office attire. Mixing and matching is a great way to shake up a dull work wardrobe. Just make sure your private parts are covered. That’s all I’m saying.

50 Cent apparently spends $20,000 a week to secure his Connecticut mansion, which is just over $1 million a year. Why do I not think that’s all that much money? I guess I just expected a number closer to $5 million. But, I guess, no one is really going to mess with 50 Cent. He is, in part, his own security system. Perhaps helpless Hollywood party girls like Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan should call him up and get some advice on how to prevent their homes from getting broken into, yet again.

Britney Spears, who is almost never photographed without two hulking bodyguards flanking her, only spends about $500,000 a year on security, at least that was the case in 2008, when she was still in mega meltdown mode. I thought her security costs would be sky-high. That said, I think financially-troubled stars like Britney could cutout a lot of their security costs by simply not chasing the flashbulbs of the paparazzi. If they would just stay home or keep a low profile, perhaps so many stars wouldn’t be facing money woes.

None of this really seems out of the ordinary though. These celebrities make millions of dollars, hand over fist. And they spend it in often ridiculous ways that are unfamiliar to normal people. So their huge security expenses just seem proportional to their earnings and celebrity status. It just seems normal for such high-profile people to be spending large amounts of money on security. Just another day in the life…

I’m calling Newsweek out. Not for being sexist, but for being pathetic and low. When the editors took this photo, which was originally shot for a spread in Runner’s World, and slapped it on the cover of their magazine, they reduced their image to that of a tabloid. Nothing more than trash, with absolutely no news value whatsoever. They used the picture not to make a statement, but to demean. This choice was nothing more than a very cheap trick. And, if sexism is defined as by the devaluation of a person based on his or her gender, than I’d say this is a prime example.

The cover makes a mockery, not of Palin, but of Newsweek itself. And only deepens the leftist criticism of the news media in general. Palin was part of the reason I voted for Obama and against McCain. And I’m a conservative, but I am in no way a Palin supporter. So if this cover was aimed at anyone, I was probably included in that group.

This photo had it’s place and it was in Runner’s World, alongside an article about Sarah Palin and running. How on earth does this photo end up next to the headline, “How Do You Solve a Problem Like Sarah?” Unless the answer is, “by running,” there is no way in hell this picture should have ever been considered for the cover. What a sad day for legitimate journalism. Not even Runner’s World wants to be associated with this tasteless guffaw.

The fashion industry is never one to turn down a revival. The latest example of the industry’s fascination with what’s come before: Overalls.Yes, the rugged uniform of the working class that experienced a fashionable revival in the nineties with a trendy “shortalls” update, are now back with a vengeance. And in a variety of forms too.

The least surprising, and most literal, reincarnation of the overalls can be found at Ralph Lauren. The designer sent a slew of models-as-country-bumpkins down the runway, showcasing the designer’s spring collection. The pastel pallet, combined with the the rough edge of the denim overalls, created a lovely aesthetic. Then, Ralph turned it up a notch with a pair of silver, wide-legged “glamouralls,” which, suffice it to say, are just about guaranteed to never be worn out, by any woman I’d associate with at least. I’m sorry. Some things just cannot be paired, and black-tie and overalls are one of them.

Other designers have managed to find a better balance in their attempts at redesigning a classic. One of my favorites is Rachel Comey’s rust red ankle-length overalls. Unlike other incarnations, Comey’s design needs nothing under or over it. So, when wearing them you don’t have to worry about looking like a dorky kid in denim overalls and a white t-shirt. This version definitely has a good chance of making it out and onto the streets. And, perhaps, onto the Sartorialist blog.

But, with that said, I think this overalls revival will be another flash in the pan. I just don’t think most woman can, or want to, pull them off in a chic way that can exist outside of the playground.

Things just keep getting worse for former Miss California, Carrie Prejean. We’ve all heard her remarks against same-sex marriage, which started the world’s fascination with the beauty queen. And we all bore witness to the aftermath, her subsequent ousting as Miss California USA and the battle with the Miss USA officials that followed. Thrown in there somewhere was controversy about her fake boobs, topless photos and now a “sex tape”, in which Carrie is the sole star. People around the world are clamoring to see the tape. But there’s one woman out there who probably wishes she hadn’t seen it. Carrie’s mother!

During court proceedings for the lawsuit Carrie had filed against the Miss USA organization, the tape was played. And Mama Prejean was there to watch. Apparently, she was shocked. Duh! Talk about a mother’s worst nightmare! Having to sit in a courtroom packed with people while everyone watches her daughter masturbate. Holy Hell. I am uncomfortable just talking about it.

I wish this girl would just disappear. She is a self-righteous hypocrite who was dumb enough to make a sex tape and then preach about her morals and Christian beliefs to the world. As if the world wouldn’t find out about her dirty little secret. Laughably, her book was recently published. In it, Carrie Prejean rails against pornography and it’s negative impact on our culture. Funny, now she is part of the problem she’s complaining about. Go figure.

I know by writing this post I am only proliferating this girl’s presence in the public sphere. And, so, with that said, I hope to never have to talk about her, or hear from her, ever again. Maybe her mom should sit her down and have a long talk with her about what it actually means to be Christian and have morals and integrity.

She did bring a certain “it” factor to the show, what with her platinum locks and rebel wardrobe, as well as epic contempt for authority and idiotic squabbles with co-worker, Brad. But, she was also damn annoying half the time, always sulking about and somehow making everything about her! Some reports lead me to believe she left on her own, while others, like this People.com article, say explicitly that she was fired! I’d like to believe that Rachel Zoe actually had the balls to fire Taylor, but I’m leaning more toward Taylor making the decision to leave on her own. After all, for those of you who watched season two of RZP, we all saw how Rachel handled the ”Paris” dilemma. By NOT handling it.

I’m praying there will be a third season of the show, with or without Taylor in the mix. Surely the producers will find another neurotic brat with a sense of style to stir up commotion. All cynicism aside, I do believe Taylor was an asset to the company and certainly Rachel’s right-hand gal. Although, it’s so hard these days to know what’s real and what isn’t in the world of reality TV with shows like The Hills and The City setting up their cast members with all sorts of fake jobs and such that make us envy them.  

Farewell, Taylor. Shut it down.

I’m going to go out on a limb here, but I am leaning more towards love on this one. There are twelve looks to judge, and I’d say I like at least seven of them. Granted, that’s still failing when it comes to a high school grading scale. But, if this was baseball, she’d be batting over .500, which is impressive. Her pink Marchesa gown with black lace detailing was not only reserved, but really elegant as well. Another red carpet look, a nude mini-dress with jeweled triangles on the front, was also a demure choice for the singer, but nonetheless sexy. She even bedazzled her nails for the event! That’s dedication.

While hosting and performing, the singer gave us what we’ve come to expect from her. Her long electric-blue flapper dress, white lace-and-feathers mini and black corset with pearl bolero, all of which hit it out of the park. I even loved the Swiss cheese looking red tulle ballgown. But, yes, there were also some disasters. The devil-esque red velvet outfit and the cone shorts with practically-invisible corset top. Those were definitely bad.

But, at least there was no Muppet dress.

The Closer

Ninety percent of the cast’s wardrobe is nothing special. The show centers around Los Angeles police officers, so there really isn’t much wardrobe freedom. But Brenda’s propensity for pink is an appropriate fit for her sugar-and-spice Southern character. And all her ladylike suits, trench coats and hats are a welcomed contrast to the gritty storylines.

Ugly Betty

This cast has an unfair advantage. After all, they work at a fashion magazine. But, of course, it is Betty’s delightfully nerdy wardrobe that always makes us smile. No matter how geeky she looks, somehow it comes off as a little bit chic. And hopelessly adorable. Plus, her lable whore coworkers are always the epitome of fashionable.

Gossip Girl

These Upper Eastsiders live for fashion. Blair, Serena, Jenny and Vanessa all rock their own distinct styles, which were recently used as inspiration for Anna Sui’s line for Target. What’s more fashionable than that? If Anna Sui wants to copy your style, you know you’re doing something right.

The Tudors

It must take days just to get the actors and extras dressed each day for filming. The costumes are elaborate and beautiful. All the velvet and fur and jewels and gilded crowns are amazing. However, it will be interesting to see how King Henry VIII’s wardrobe changes as he will finally be portrayed as the fat slob we all know he was. We’ll see how far Jonathan Rhys Meyers actually goes to achieve this look in the final season.

Mad Men

Did you have any doubt that Mad Men would be number one!? This is the most stylish show on TV hands down. Draper and boys are dapper, but the women get to have the fun when it comes to fashion. From Joans’ curve hugging dresses and tight sweaters to Betty’s perfect-little-housewife wardrobe, the styling is spot on and super sexy. Dirty martini anyone?

Her face is unrecognizably disfigured due to losing her nose, eyelid and lips in the attack. Her eyes later had to be removed due to infection, which she only recently found out about. It was reported that one of the things she had been looking forward to in the earlier stages of her recovery was getting her site back. Now she knows that will never happen. Thankfully, she is able to speak and it seems she has her wits about her. Apparently, she is able to take walks around the hospital where she is currently still recovering, nearly nine months after the attack, but wears a veil to cover her face.

I’m not sure what we gain by seeing this woman’s mangled face other than satisfying a morbid curiosity for the freakish and horrifying. According to news reports, the chimp’s owner, who was also the victims’ employer, is trying to sidestep the $50 million lawsuit that has been filed against her by Nash. Will the exposure prove beneficial for Nash in her civil suit? Or will it lead to stricter laws about owning wild animals as pets?

I’m not sure. What is obvious is that this woman was brutally and abruptly attacked without provocation. It’s scary to fathom that in an instant life can change so horrifically.

Too bad it wasn’t Taylor who brought the funny to the sketch though. She was adorable, but couldn’t really compete with SNL regulars Kristen Wiig, Fred Armisen (hilarious as Joy Behar) and Kenan Thompson (as, who else, Whoopi Goldberg). Looks like SNL needs to get some more ladies on the cast! But, back to Taylor’s performance. Her lines were certainly limited, perhaps a strategic choice, but she got some laughs for her Kate impersonation. She certainly rocked the hair-do, that’s for sure! And made an attempt at Kate’s punchy tough-mommy talk.

I think the adorable factor carried her through many of the skits, though, including this one. She’s just too sweet to criticize. Plus, she’s a singer, not an actor, so to rip into her would be a tad mean. After all, she was pulling double-duty that night as both host and musical guest. So, while her Kate impersonation wasn’t spot-on, it was still a pretty good attempt.

And, think about it, she’s 19-years-old and had to sit next to Andy Samberg (who played a broke Nicolas Cage in The View sketch), who she mentioned in her opening monologue, was one of the reasons she would stay up late to watch the show. She was probably nervous sitting next to her childhood crush. I know I would be. Andy Samberg is a total babe.

The fashion industry is notoriously obsessed with youth. Models barely into their teens rule the high-fashion runways. But life is pretty darn good these days for models over thirty. Just ask Amber Valletta.

Unlike Kate Moss, who is yet another model in her thirties still working her butt off, Amber Valletta seems to be doing less personal branding and designing clothing lines, as Moss is doing, and more traditional photo spreads often reserved for the barely pubescent. In the November issue of Elle magazine she is featured, not once, but twice. Now, don’t get me wrong, Kate certainly does her fair share of traditional modeling these days too, notably gracing the cover of W’s big September issue.

Not only do these woman, including Milla Jovovich, Shalom Harlow and Heidi Klum, defy age restrictions in their industry, but they are smart business women with far-reaching talent as well. Many of them have been successful as actresses and designers. And, in Moss’ case, she is a downright model mogul. It’s nice to know that there is life after 30. After all, these days most ads directed at women portray an unrealistic ideal of youth and beauty. If you’re not young and thin, then you’re nothing, is often what women are told through advertising.

Well, screw that. Beauty is individual and unique. And age is just a number. Just take a look at the pictures from a steamy photo shoot from 2008 featuring, a then 38-year-old, Claudia Schiffer and, 27-year-old, Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Yowza!

You go, girls. Ahem, I mean, women!

He may be the whiz kid of the fashion industry right now (and I do love his clothes), but I don’t think even his elevated status can fool shoppers into dropping hundreds on a pair of black Spandex shorts that look more like an undergarment than anything else. I can’t even think of any hip application for these shorts that might somehow justify purchasing them. I’m trying to put together outfits in my head and it’s just not working.

Wang tried to justify the price by saying that the yarn used is from Italy and it was digitally woven to create the shorts. Big deal. The end product doesn’t look like anything special. I at least expected some hip details (studs or cutouts) and I certainly expected there to be color. But, there is none of that. These are just plain old black biker shorts with an excessive markup. I’m serious when I say that they look identical to Spanx, the undergarments notably worn under pretty much every dress at the Oscars, Golden Globes and every other Hollywood awards show. See for yourself. At least with Spanx there’s some guarantee your butt will look smoother though. Alexander Wang makes no such promise.

So take your $400 biker shorts, hop on your bike and pedal off into the sunset Alexander Wang.

Each individual design is intricate and amazing. There is a pink lace design (my personal favorite), one featuring a Swarovski crystal serpent, a black one with gold starbursts with ruby-red centers, and another featuring a crystal spiderweb. The most over-the-top is probably the laptop embellished with laced-up crocodile skin and crystals. And it’s probably the only one you might actually be able to own. Only because you can win it. The “croctop” along with the other designer Dells will be on display at Bergdorf Goodman, but who the hell knows how you can actually buy one.

And who knows how much they cost. But, I’ll bet my left arm (and my leg) that most people can’t afford them because they cost more than both those body parts and then some. They are limited editions anyway, so you know it’s the well-connected rich folk who get first dibs, which means they’re probably all gone anyway.

So what have we gotten out of this? Hooray, pretty new artistically-designed computers. Boo, we don’t get to own one though. Why must the well-to-do constantly remind us common folk of the things we cannot have? Man, how will I EVER live without my crocodile laptop?

This story has bad news written all over it. Where do I even begin? I’m sure deep down the girl’s mother, Janine Lindemulder, sincerely wants to do right by her daughter and be a good mother. But, I’m guessing her little trip to GMA was more for publicity than for the welfare of the child. I’m just saying. Obviously, she knows her ex’s movie star wife would make this story headline news.

But the problems started way before that. Hello! The woman just got out of jail and has a history of drug and alcohol abuse problems. It just sounds like this woman, a former porn star, is only looking out for herself. Perhaps she’s trying to regain whatever sort of fame she once had. If she was really interested in getting her child back, she should be hard at work trying to clean up her act and prove that she deserves custody. She definitely should not be appearing on morning shows and dragging bold-faced names into the muck  in order to steal a piece of the spotlight. Seriously, Sandra’s role in this, while important, is peripheral. It should first be between the biological parents. But the name Sandra Bullock gets coverage.

From all accounts, it sounds like Sandra and Jesse have been doing a pretty good job quietly raising this little girl while her mother was off doing God knows what. If anything, Jesse’s ex is only bringing more attention to her serious shortcomings as a mother and not garnering public sympathy. This matter should be settled out of the public eye. It’s just too bad Janine Lindemulder is doing everything she can to ensure that doesn’t happen.

(Source: www.superiorpic.com)

5. Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen

I know, I talk about these twins a lot. But they’ve got great style and are true students of fashion. Because they are such lovers of fashion, they have great archives of designer and vintage clothing that they’ve collected over the years. I’d pay $5 just to get a peek into their closets. No joke.

4. Zooey Deschanel

I’m not sure what I’d expect to find in Zooey’s closet, but I think it would be a great surprise. She’s got an adorably quirky fashion sense and I love most everything she wears, so I’m pretty sure whatever I find I’ll like.

3. Sarah Jessica Parker

Hello! Haven’t we all dreamed of raiding Carrie Bradshaw’s closet? Going through SJP’s closet would be the next best thing. She has become just as big a fashion icon as her fictional alter ego. This would probably be the best place to go for killer shoes! I wonder how many pairs of Manolos SJP owns.

2. Kirsten Dunst

I’ve loved her style for years and years. From her everyday outfits to her red carpet gowns, I usually love it all. So, I’d jump at the chance to take a look at where all her lovely clothes sleep. I think her closet would hold a great mix of designer and vintage clothing, along with more affordable and hip everyday items.

1. Rachel Zoe

Duh, right? I mean, have you watched her show? The woman has so many clothes, if she ever falls on hard financial times she could turn her closet into a retail store and make millions. No doubt she’s got racks full of elite designer vintage clothing, jewelry, accessories and shoes. It would take days to go through it all.

I just hope the crazy teen burglars don’t get their mitts on these celebrity closets.

It’s definitely nice for a man to take care of himself. Just as it is for a woman to take care of herself. Both sexes appreciate good hygiene in their partners and potential partners. But, when men start delving into anti-aging lotions, facial masks and exfoliating products, a line needs to be drawn. I think that kind of regimen is just plain vain. For those of you who have seen American Psycho, feel free to insert your own Patrick Bateman joke here. Plus, such an over-the-top beauty plan is truly emasculating. Perhaps I hold a little too tightly to antiquated gender roles, but I like my men rugged. Not overly moisturized and groomed.

I think both sexes should take a few steps back from the mirror. Most of the beauty products that are pushed on us these days are unnecessary. Beauty companies are increasingly playing to the vanities and insecurities of both men and women. I’m guilty of buying anti-aging serums and an array of scrubs and lotions that promise various benefits. But I’m increasingly aware that such an extensive regimen is excessive.

Hey guys (and girls)! We’re in a recession. Now might be the perfect time to go back to good old fashioned soap and water.

To be fair, I wasn’t a fan of Kourtney’s style to begin with. I think she just puts on whatever is bright, skimpy and expensive. There’s no thought to it. And it’s not particularly classy or chic. Her style while pregnant is pretty much the same thing. She constantly looks like she’s going clubbing with a tiny piece of fabric stretched over her growing belly. She was even photographed wearing the same white stretch mini-dress as her not-pregnant sister, Kim.

Kourtney’s been getting a lot of flack for wearing tight clothes while pregnant. That’s not really my issue. I’m not saying pregnant women should have to cover everything up in loose flowing clothing and sweats. I think Kourtney looks fine and fit, but I just think her style is lacking originality or maturity. I guess she’s just trying to keep up with her two sisters. But, hello, Kourtney, you’re pregnant! Give it up for a while. Be pregnant and stop trying to maintain your party girl image.

It will be interesting to see what she squeezes her belly into in the final days of her pregnancy.

Yes, I feel like a jerk for criticizing a child’s Halloween costume. But, it wasn’t me who let her walk out of the house looking like that. And, it wasn’t me who allowed her to go to a flashy Hollywood event and be photographed by the paparazzi. So, in my book, it’s fair game.

What on earth were her parents thinking allowing their daughter to dress like that?

I am shocked. I get that things operate a little differently in Hollywood and kids grow up fast and have access to anything they want with less rules. But I can’t believe this little girl is wearing such a vulgar costume.

And apparently, this isn’t the only costume controversy surrounding Noah Cyrus. The next day the young girl was photographed wearing another questionable outfit. I don’t find her Minnie mouse-inspired outfit as appalling as the witch costume, but it’s the re-appearance of thigh-high boots that troubles me. Why? Why is it necessary for her to pair each of her costumes with slutty stripper boots.  It is so wrong for such a young girl to be wearing boots like those. What is so wrong with just dressing up as Minnie Mouse and not “slutty Minnie.” Or as a witch, and not ”slutty witch.”

I wish the innocence of childhood lasted just a little bit longer. At least until age 10.

I want to find Carey refreshing, and she is in comparison to all the sex that is pushed in Hollywood, but I find her to be eerily similar to Michelle Williams, both in terms of style and in that sweet-but-questioning beauty they both possess. What I love is that she has a concept in mind when it comes to the things she wears, even if they flop on the read carpet. Like the pleated maroon dress she wore to the premiere of “An Education” in London. It was a grand attempt, but I think it was much too old for her. However, I love the dress she wore to the Broadway opening of “The Seagull” back in 2008. The forest green and black dress was regal, with hip touches like jumbo pockets and an industrial zipper up the front. Another favorite of mine is the all-black ensemble with nude pumps she wore recently in London.

Off the red carpet, she seems like a girl who dresses to fit her life, not a girl who wears 5-inch stiletto heals to the grocery store. I’m eager to see how her style evolves as she grows into the great film career we all know is ahead of her. And if she’s nominated for an Oscar next year, you know I’ll be waiting to see what she wears on the red carpet.

We’ve all been there, when watching an awards show or flipping through the latest tabloid you see a celebrity wearing an outfit you would just die to own! Unfortunately, it costs thousands of dollars. Your hopes of owning that gem of an outfit are crushed. Until now! The latest fashion website offers celebrity looks for less so that you never have to go through the hell of realizing you can’t have the outfit of your dreams.

Stylespot.com pulls celebrity looks from red carpets, hot Hollywood nightspots, movie and TV sets and the tabloids, and breaks them down piece by piece. It then offers links to alternatives to the high-priced designer duds. Some of the celebrity looks featured on the site are cute (some I remember eyeing myself), but the catalog of looks is not complete. You won’t be able to find every celebrity look on this website. So, there will still be a few disappointed fashionistas out there.

While most of the low-priced options are good substitutes for the real thing, some of the website’s picks definitely miss the mark. Separates are often offered as a substitute for a dress, and flats often have to do instead of the original stilleto heels. But that’s to be expected. One of the looks they definitely did get right is this black and white stripped dress worn by Shenae Grimes at the premiere of Whip It. Both the mid-priced and budget looks are spot-on alternatives to the real thing.

Have no fear tabloid-flipping lovers of celebrity fashion. This site will help to get the looks you love. Not all of the time, but sometimes it just take that great pair of shoes or killer dress to make your day!

Apparently men’s earrings were big in the ’80s and ’90s. I’m probably not the best person to speak about that, as I was still pretty young, but now that I think about it, I do remember certain teen hunks on the covers of Bop! or Tiger Beat sporting earrings. Brad Renfro being one of them (a small stud in his left ear). And I had a major crush on him back in the day. Yep, and Devon Sawa wore an earring, too (a hoop in this case). Man, I am blushing remembering the boys I had crushes on when I was young. I must have seen Casper 15 times…all for the five minutes of Devon Sawa at the end.

But, I digress. Given the two examples above, it seems the bad boys were the ones wearing the earrings. And the bad boys always make the girls swoon. So, I am starting to see the appeal of this men’s earrings revival. Of course, earrings and other bling have always been a part of hip-hop culture. And, emo guys wear plugs. So, it’s not like men wearing earrings ever really stopped. I think this revival is more specific to a certain style of men’s ear-wear. I guess it can’t be all bad though if guys like Marc Jacobs are sporting them. He’s a bad boy in his own right.

Then again, Jon Gosselin also wears earrings. So, I’m back to where I started, hating men’s earrings. I guess this trend has to be reviewed on a case by case basis. Marc Jacobs, good. Jon Gosselin, bad.

(Pic courtesy of www.elegantmensrings.com)

These are just screwed up regular janes & joes who got 15 minutes of fame and then, all of a sudden, they know how to design clothes and shoes and make perfume? I call B.S.! It’s all a crock and I am sick of it. Dina, get back to me when you graduate from Central Saint Martins or Parsons School of Design. In my book, being a bad mother certainly doesn’t make you a shoe designer. Look how Lindsay turned out. No way am I letting you get your hands on my shoes.

If Natalie Portman (a talented actress with actual style) can’t make a shoe line work, what does Dina Lohan expect? She already tried cashing in on her daughter’s success and now that Lindsay’s career is down the toilet, I guess she is branching out into other ventures that require no talent and ubër amounts of greed.

I tried checking out the website that is supposedly selling Dina’s shoes and found none. So, I have no idea what they look like. But, I don’t really need to. I’ve already made up my mind. I was disgusted at the word Dina. Even if the shoes are the best things since sliced bread, I would be so embarrassed to admit who they’re “designed” by. Could you imagine walking down the street and someone says, “Oh, cute shoes.” And you’re response is, “Thanks, they’re my new Dina Lohans.” Mortifying.