Obsession of the Moment: Long Sleeve Mini Dress

I've been thinking I'd like to pick out a dress or two with long sleeves to carry me through the next two months, when it goes from freezing to tolerable in the blink of an eye. This way I can get away wearing four times before I am truly called out from facebook photos. I can wear it twice with two different tights (perhaps a solid, then a pattern?) and then space out two times (MAX) where I banish tights and expose the gams before the dress is relegated to the back of my closet. Now I am not blind, I understand that one of the chosen dresses has only one long sleeve but just go with it people.

ASOS Scallop Detail Shift Dress, $62.76

Bat Your Lashes One Shoulder Dress, $32

ASOS Printed Bell Sleeve Dress, $62.76

Young Fabulous & Broke Angel Dress, $129.50

Madison Marcus Edge Long Sleeve Dress, $241.50

Red Carpet Awards: Grammys

BEST DRESSED

Florence Welch

Normally I am not supportive of some hippie dippie boho look on any red carpet, but I was surprised by how cool I thought her look was. Would I rock it? Hellz no, but there is something dreamy about it that keeps it just this side of intriguing instead of tacky. 

Julianne Hough

I love that she's back to her bleach blonde roots. Feeling the colors and serious cleavage with this dress.

Ricky Martin

Tight silver pants? Pure. Sex. Leave it to a gay man to upstage tons of women on the red carpet and snag a top spot on my list.

Amber Riley

You better WERK, gurl. That's my best Rupal impression that clearly doesn't translate in blogging.

She be lookin all kinds of fierce in that tight get up.

Jennifer Lopez

YESSSS. There is a reason I worship this woman so much that in my University of Miami entrance interview, when I was asked who is my role model, I blurted out "Jennifer Lopez!" I was able to spin it by discussing her branding and entrepreneurship, but really its cause I relate to her kickin curves, fly dance moves and sexpot style.

Love me some Lea Michele, gotta continue to support a fellow member of the tribe.

WORST DRESSED

Jordin Sparks

Really?! You had this monstrosity on and thought, "Damn, I look good."

Kim Kardashian

I know this is kind of blasphemy since my love for the KDash sister trinity runs deep, but this just seemed too forced, J. Lo does it better

Willow Smith

Is it terrible that I have a burning desire to punch a 9 year old....no, seriously.

*images from TMZ.com

Model Stalker: Reality Stars

If you watch enough bad reality as I do, you begin to recognize the faces in their post-tv endeavors. My favorite are seeing models trying to make it big on my favorite online shopping sight or in a magazine. That and spotting former Real World-ers trying to live normal lives, like when I saw Paula "Walnuts" from the Real World: Key West bartending at some dive sports bar in Chelsea.  Lately I came across a few images of former reality girls trying to find success in the modeling world, and thought I would play "Where are they now?" with some of the C-List faces.

ALLIE CRANDELL

MTV's "The City"

*image from RevolveClothing.com

Allie has modeled for a bunch of online retailers like Shopbop and Revolve Clothing, but recently her images on Revolve were actually removed from the website because of her lollipop stature (big head, stick figure) and concern for her health.....hope you can get it together girl, sometimes a tasty burger really hits the spot and can change you life.

HEIDE LINDGREN

MTV's "8th and Ocean"

*image from NYTimes.com

Ah, Heide. The girl who made a short but splashy appearance on the one and only season of my FAVE modeling show. She was the little harlett who stole Teddy from Brie. While others from that show have come and fizzled out from the modeling world, she still consistently works and is most recently the face in the Treseme ads.

ANCHAL JOSEPH

"America's Next Top Model: Season 7"

*image from People.com

Can barely call herself a model, but at least she recently snagged herself Jim Carrey?

MALLORY SNYDER

MTV's "REAL WORLD: PARIS"

The success story. Mallory went on to model for J. Crew, Abercrombie and Fitch, and even had a steamy stint as a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model. Her slammin body makes me hate every ounce of late night ramen I've ever eaten. All that AND she used to date hottie Ace from her seaon? JEALOUS.

Man Meat: James Marsden

James Marsden in the Spring '11 lookbook for Band of Outsiders. He is to die for....those cheekbones....swoon. Plus some of the images are pretty funny, bonus points. I have loved him since his teen thriller days of Disturbing Behavior in the late 90s and fell completely head over heels after his role in 27 Dresses. All together now ladies, with feeling......SIGH. Total dreamboat.

 

*images from Band of Outsiders

I Love Lamp

I must give props where props are due. Katie Clifford, I salute you. She purchased this lamp from Pier 1 and every time I am at her apartment, I can't stop lusting after it (strange, I know. But when you ain't got no man, these are the things that get your motor running). I love the soft ivory color, and the trim on the shade. For an object that can generally be pretty boring, there is nothing boring about this lamp. Totally makes me want to move just so I can have an excuse to decorate around it. While I have zero room in my tiny New York apartment for more objects, I hope one of you helps find this pretty lamp a nice home.

Ivory Tassel Table Lamp, $99

On The Hunt: Snake Bracelet

Well dear readers, I was given another task and I think I have cultivated a lovely selection to choose from. When my friend Anella asked me to help her find a snake bangle, it called to mind a shopping mistake I made a few months back that I can't forget. ASOS had an adorable and affordable black snake bangle with emerald eyes, but for whatever reason I held out on buying. BIG MISTAKE! That hot piece sold out in a heartbeat and I still mourn the loss to this day. Anella, hope you have better luck than I with one of the below.

(clockwise from top left)

1. Rachel Zoe Slinky Snake Cuff, $39.84

2. The Met Store Snake Bracelet, $85

3. Bebe Snake Wrap Bracelet, $24

4. Kenneth Jay Lane Serpent Bangle, $57.72

5. Alkemie Textured Snake Bangle, $155

Brand Obsession: Elizabeth Cole

I was introduced to this brand through my stylish friend Katie Wright a couple of years ago, and I must thank her for helping me find the gorgeous crystal buckle bracelet that has carried me through countless cocktail parties. I love the heavy glam statement jewelry, full of chunky metals and crystals. For someone who tends to make her jewels the focus of an outfit when my closet seems utterly devoid of options, this brand is right up my alley. Easy outfits made with the slap of a bracelet to the wrist or sliding on a door knocker ring. Below are some of my current favs:

Dagger Earrings, $88

Mini Mohawk Posts, $118

Ram Head Ring, $173

Braided Chain and Black Crystal Bracelet, $338