JUST AS I EXPECTED

Lauren Conrad had her first-ever fashion show for Fall 2008 this Tuesday at Smashbox Studios is Culver City for L.A. Fashion Week as I mentioned earlier, and the turnout was just as I had presumed:

What they saw was a plain, mostly black, dark purple, grey and white collection of dresses and tunics over leggings, most made of jersey or cottons. Highlights included the Juliette strapless bubble dress done in black lace adorned with a bow belt showing an obvious influence of Fifties Audrey Hepburn style; and the Ariele ruffle long dress, with a plunging halter and bodice flounce. Also pretty were the pieces done in the "Le Jardin" print, huge black flowers against a white background. The best of that group was the strapless, sweetheart-neckline "Elizabeth" dress. Other looks ranged from skintight (and unforgiving even on the models) sheaths to multi-tiered minidresses that looked more like maternity wear than skinny fashionista's next must-haves. Conrad chose a variety of necklines for her fashions, from plunging to the waist fronts to boatnecks, scoops, straight-line strapless, and one-shoulder asymmetrical looks, some more flattering to the models than others, but certainly an attempt to offer something for everyone.

But overall, any hope that Lauren Conrad is the world's next great designer was dashed by her first foray into the world of clothes. There was absolutely nothing new or innovative in her collection.
-Jenny Peters of Fashion Wire Daily

Peep some pictures to see what all the fuss...NOT fuss...is all about:
I mean come on, LC, as a womenswear fashion designer, don't you see that these kinds of tops flattens your boobs in a training bra kind of way?Clean silhouette but still kind of bleh:Again, the flattening boob halter, but the ruffles and the contrasting color make up for some of it:She's introduced prints in her collection - surprise!I think the people in attendance were more interesting to look at than her collection itself. Guess who was in the house? KC - favorite biatch of OC. But why is her top scrunched up like that? You can also definitely see her bra...And of course, Brody...mm.. oh and Frankie...er..cool shades, dude.No more, LC, just stick to creating drama by whining and being so ambiguous about men on the Hills. That's all.

WOMAN SAT ON A TOILET FOR 2 YEARS

Random, but totally strange. WHY? WHY? WHY?
WICHITA, Kan. - Authorities are considering charges in the bizarre case of a woman who sat on her boyfriend's toilet for two years — so long that her body was stuck to the seat by the time the boyfriend finally called police.

Ness County Sheriff Bryan Whipple said it appeared the 35-year-old Ness City woman's skin had grown around the seat. She initially refused emergency medical services but was finally convinced by responders and her boyfriend that she needed to be checked out at a hospital.

"We pried the toilet seat off with a pry bar and the seat went with her to the hospital," Whipple said. "The hospital removed it."

Whipple said investigators planned to present their report Wednesday to the county attorney, who will determine whether any charges should be filed against the woman's 36-year-old boyfriend.

"She was not glued. She was not tied. She was just physically stuck by her body," Whipple said. "It is hard to imagine. ... I still have a hard time imagining it myself."

He told investigators he brought his girlfriend food and water, and asked her every day to come out of the bathroom.

"And her reply would be, `Maybe tomorrow,'" Whipple said. "According to him, she did not want to leave the bathroom."

The boyfriend called police on Feb. 27 to report that "there was something wrong with his girlfriend," Whipple said, adding that he never explained why it took him two years to call.

Police found the clothed woman sitting on the toilet, her sweat pants down to her mid-thigh. She was "somewhat disoriented," and her legs looked like they had atrophied, Whipple said.

"She said that she didn't need any help, that she was OK and did not want to leave," he said.

She was reported in fair condition at a hospital in Wichita, about 150 miles southeast of Ness City. Whipple said she has refused to cooperate with medical providers or law enforcement investigators.

Authorities said they did not know if she was mentally or physically disabled.
Visualizing...something like this?

LA STAND UP

This compilation of Los Angeles graffiti is the result of Juxtapoz's Roger Gastman combining forces with Sonja Teri.
128 pages of pure L.A. art from artists like Ewok, Retna, Revok, and so much more.
Read more about it via SlamxHype and find out where to get your paws on them.
Gotta rep the City of Angels!

SUPREME TOTE

As part of their Spring/Summer 2008 Collection, Supreme introduces the Packable Tote, in 3 supreme colors:Tote your life away in these babies.
Check out HighSnobiety for info and a peek at the new Supreme Courvoisier tees.

ELEPHANT IN THE SAND

Today was new release Tuesday, with albums dropping for Rick Ross (Trilla), Snoop Dogg (Ego Trippin') and finally Fat Joe (Elephant in the Room).
Today was also an opportunity for mainstream hip-hop rappers (i.e. 50 Cent) to promote their long time beef with other rappers (i.e. Fat Joe).
They've got way more beef than the spicy steak in my Chipotle burrito, and I know it's all just really dumb, so I'm not even gonna get into it.
Just Google "50 Cent Fat Joe" in the news tab and you'll get tons of info instantly.
But anyway, I just thought G-Unit's concept was mad funny, utilizing Joey Crack's album release today to mirror his own mixtape:If you're an elephant-hater yourself, you can download the mixtape here via Swagger Ready.

FLEA SHOW

Rose Bowl Flea Market for March was another pretty good day.
Warmer weather, just chillin' and relaxin' all cool lookin' for some vintage & antiques is pretty much the life.
Some items that gave us the giggles, the creeps, and everything in between:Yeah, this says "Aliens from X-Files: $100":Finding some of that Le Corbusier in me:This is just weird: Nike?:So necessary:Cookies that will cause you massive heart attack:See you again in April...
-Pictures courtesy of E.

STUFF WHITE PEOPLE LIKE

StuffWhitePeopleLike.com must be one of the most thought-provoking, well-articulated sites on the web.
To an extent, it's hilarious although sometimes stereotypical and offensive, but for the most part, there's a lot of truth in the list of 86 items of things white people like.
Here are some of my picks that I believe are pretty much close to the truth (for the majority), but oh man, there are so much more!

#6: ORGANIC FOOD:
Just like with farmers markets, white people believe that organic food is grown by farmers who wear overalls, drive tractors, and don’t use pesticide. In spite of the fact that most organic food is made by major agribusiness, and they just use it as an excuse to jack up prices, white people will always lose their mind for organic anything. Never mind the fact that if the world were to switch to 100% organic food tommorow, half the earth would die of starvation.

But white people don’t care, just so long as they aren’t eating pesticides they are pretty sure they can live forever.
Continue reading here.

#14: HAVING BLACK FRIENDS
White people like numbers. They like to count things like stars in the sky and the death toll at Mt. Everest and the number of times they’ve seen Tori Amos and/or Phish in concert. Counting the number of black friends is then clearly a divine imperative. The number of black friends white people possess also illustrates their comfort with black culture. Here’s a handy guide to the number system:

1—The white novice. This black friend is the gateway to helping white people understand gang signs and Vietnamese beauty supply stores. This black friend is probably the only black friend for many white people and when they all hang out (because white people hang out) they bring their “mutual” black friend with them.

2—The white black club-goer. Two black friends serve as bodyguards when white people go to black clubs to see how exactly one “pops, drops and locks” it.

3 -4—The white BET-er. See Justin Timberlake/ Robin Thicke/ Jon B for more information. For old school reference, see Michael McDonald.

5 and up—Impossible.
Continue reading here.

#58: JAPAN:
...White people love Japan for a number of reasons. Sushi is pretty much the biggest one, since white people have spent so much time Sushi restaurants, enjoying the food, learning about how to eat it, and how to be snobby about it. This natural curiosity fills them with a need to pay a visit to Tsukiji and taste the freshest Sushi possible.
Continue reading here.

#73: GENTRIFICATION:
In general, white people love situations where they can’t lose. While this does account for the majority of their situations, perhaps the safest bet a white person can make is to buy a house in an up-and-coming neighborhood.

White people like to live in these neighborhoods because they get credibility and respect from other white people for living in a more “authentic” neighborhood where they are exposed to “true culture” every day. So whenever their friends mention their home in the suburbs or richer urban area, these people can say “oh, it’s so boring out there, so fake. In our neighborhood, things are just more real.” This superiority is important as white people jockey for position in their circle of friends.
Continue reading here.

They'll keep updating their site, and if you have any suggestions or ideas for more stuff white people like, let 'em know!

ME LUCKY CHARMS

FAMILY AFFAIR - TINA THE MAMA

I attended my first baby shower on Saturday, congratulations Tina!!
It's so strange, and it hasn't hit me yet, having someone in your generation getting hitched and/or knocked up...it just means we're all getting older.
Peep some highlights, and let the joys of family and new life soak in.
Bottle-drinking contest (the trick is not to suck too hard):

Last place, but still drinkin' & cheesin' it, he's used to it:Aerial tricks courtesy of Kiki monster:Girl's Day was March 3, and to be honest, I totally forgot:There's a little Mr. Winkle in every dog:The fam-lay!Happy baby shower, mama-to-be!

A new chapter begins...

ICE COLD SALE

Ice Cold Sake is serving up some gear from brands like Fuct, Orisue, Rocksmith Tokyo, Triumvir, and Rockers NYC for their spring clearance.
It's worth it to check it out...because the secret is, it's actually really hot.

TONITE IS THE NIGHT

Fergadelic's UK brand, Tonite, expands his streetwear brand for girls with his clean graphics and well-structured cut & sew pieces.
His new collection embodies a traveling spirit, and it's an attempt to bring the beach to the city. To share the freedom, whether under the tropical rain of the beach, or the winter skies of the city.Take a look for yourself at his concept, I mean come on, it's sure to be big!Stay put for ToniteSite.com coming soon!
-Images and details via SlamxHype

AND THE 2008 CFDA NOMINEEES ARE...

CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) announced their nominees for their annual Fashion Awards.

Nominees:
*Womenswear Designer of the Year: Marc Jacobs, Francisco Costa of Calvin Klein, and Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough of Proenza Schouler
*Menswear Designer of the Year: Tom Ford, Thom Browne and Michael Bastian
*Accessory Designer of the Year: Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors and Tory Burch
*Swarovski Award for Womenswear: Kate and Laura Mulleavy of Rodarte, Alexander Wang and Thakoon Panichgul
*Swarovski Award for Menswear: Scott Sternberg of Band of Outsiders, Tim Hamilton and Patrick Ervell
*Swarovski Award for Accessory Design: Philip Crangi, Joy Gryson and Justin Giunta for Subversive Jewelry

Honorary Award Recipients:
International Award: Dries van Noten
Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award: Carolina Herrera
Board of Director’s Special Tribute: Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg
Eugenia Sheppard Award: Style.com’s Candy Pratts Price

My picks:
*Womenswear Designer of the Year: Marc Jacobs
*Menswear Designer of the Year: Tom Ford
*Accessory Designer of the Year: Tory Burch
*Swarovski Award for Womenswear: Alexander Wang
*Swarovski Award for Menswear: Scott Sternberg of Band of Outsiders
*Swarovski Award for Accessory Design: Joy Gryson

Too easy! We'll all find out on June 2 when the CFDA Fashion Awards will take place at the New York Public Library.
Keep your fashion-forward eyes peeled for more news coming to you from the Lipped Jeanius!
-Source: WWD

SPRING ARRIVALS FOR KEEP

New refreshing colorways and fresh patterns are grazing the new spring collection for Keep!
Check out some of the styles to expect throughout this spring/summer: some have already hit the shelves and the online store, and there surely will be more to come!There are also new plaid styles with spring-y colors for some of the styles, so make sure you peep the online store, and Keep yo' swagger lipped & locked.

MAMA SPRING COLLECTION @ BOUNDLESS NY

Boundless NY has received shipments for new MAMA clothing for the ladies!
There's a cute nautical theme going on:They've also got men's In4Mation and Crooks in full stock. Get 'em while it's hot!

WHERE MY LADIES AT?

Apparently, you should be hitting up the before mentioned Attic at this point.
They've got some dope gear in, with Hellz Bellz Spring 08 in full effect, with debuts for In4mation and Jeepney for the ladies.
Get on that Attic Wordpress rotation for updates on new gear!Jeepney:

JAPANESE GUM

I forgot to post this a while back, but I bought this Japanese gum at a local market, and discovered a surprise:A stack of paper that resembles mini Post-Its for discarding chewed gum.I suppose it's eco-friendly in the sense that it tries to control gum-spitting on the local streets and sidewalks, or on the bottom of a desk or under a chair...But what happens when there's no trash can in the vicinity, are you left alone holding this piece of paper with chewed gum smushed inside of it? Or must you resort to littering the whole thing as well?
In all truth, I can say that I admire and respect the idea, because no one wants sticky icky fingers.
Now we can all have fresh breath with ease.

KAT VON D'S NEXT CLIENT: SEPHORA

Kat Von D is showing off her artistic skills in the make-up industry, with a new, edgy line for Sephora!
All of the packaging features her original artwork, based off her favorite rose tattoo, and it clearly shows her attention to detail as a tattoo artist.
Her line features 4 lipsticks - all shades of red, 2 eyeshadow palettes, 6 eyeliners, and a brush set.
Expect for it to drop mid-May, but this is pretty rad. Don't miss out!
Watch the Sephora interview with the artist:

COME DOWN FOR COMMISSARY

Just a heads up for the re-opening of the Commissary San Diego location this Friday! Whooop.