Sale at Alloy.com

I love cute clothes at discount prices. That's why I had to let you know that Alloy is having a cleareance sale! Next to Forever21, it's my favorite place to find the newest trends for less. From tops, to shoes, outerwear, tops, and accessories, shoppers are bound to find something they love. The sizing charts are easy to use and items are easy to return. I ordered a pair of jeans and was very happy with the quality and overall product.

Meet XPosure Photography

These images are just some that have been created by the photographer known as Juancho who works under the name of XPosure Photography in Houston. Juancho is an expert when it comes to creating beautiful images. From headshots, to fashion, children, and maternity, his keen eye is trained for capturing subjects at their best.

You can see more photos and the official website HERE. Bookings are available by appointment for a fee.

Recent Articles: Factors to Consider Before Hiring a Makeup Artist (Weddings)

Brides have to make all the decisions. From flower arrangements, to colors, to who is going to play what role, the list of reponsibilities can be overwhealming. And when you're trying to stick to a budget, the challenges get even tougher. This is why some brides are considering doing their own makeup rather than hiring a professional. But is this always a good idea? When is it not worth the risk or money you will save? When might it be your best option?

I recently wrote an article for Life 123 on the topic of things to consider before hiring a makeup artist for your wedding. Take a look around and then stop by the wedding section to read all about it HERE.

Trend watch: Colored jeans

What's the latest craze in celebrity fashion? Colored jeans! This bold statement is a favorite for many of the stars.

I have to say that this look is another tricky trend to pull together. When it comes to that much color, it's easy to look more like a side-show cirucus on two legs than a glamour girl. If you do opt for bright and bold, be sure to keep your top half more subdued. Too much going on with your outfit it going to have you competing for a spot in the latest magazine layout as a featured figure of fashion horrors.

Personally, I don't plan to change from the blue color palette of my jeans. Ripped, patched, and varying shades is enough for me without stepping into the wilds of crayola.

Kudos! Christina Aguilera at American Music Awards 2008

My choice at the American Music Awards was Christina Aguilera's breathtaking gown. This glamour girl has stepped into a new aura of sophisticated red carpet appearances. This picture hardly does it justice.

Christina Aguilera arrives at the American Music Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2008. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

Brittany Spears tv special: Setting the Record Straight

I watched the Brittany Spears interview last night. It was a special she did called "Setting the Record Straight." Afterwards, I have to say that I am impressed. Yes, there is more that goes on in a celebrity's life than we would know from the outside, and I'm sure the pressures and challenges of growing up in the spotlight have been tough. But she really does sound.... mature?

She seems more settled, more whole than before. I think the biggest downfall in this story was how she always clings to her 'man' and is, like many females, desperately seeking her soulmate. But when you're rich and famous, people like Kevin Federline aren't the cure-all answer. She does seem to genuinely care about her children and understand she needs to grow up and be there for them. Cheers to that. And cheers to coming out with another award-winning album in such a short time after the meltdown. But most of all, cheers to finally beginning to find yourself and your identity apart from your man.

Something a little different today

Personality tests can be fun and insightful, but if you've ever taken a few you also know that some are more accurate than others. Here's a great one. It's free and looks at multiple layers of your personality and current condition. All you have to do is select colors in the order of your preference.

Go to the COLOR QUIZ and give it a try.

New Fashion Magazine: D'Image

D'Image, a brand new fashion magazine has just launched it's online debut and will soon hit shelves in print format.

Go to the website to order your subscription for less than $2.

Vogue Germany

Julia Stegner is featured in these photos from Vogue Germany. Here is true fashion art that we rarely see in the states. Well done!

Model: Olga Kurylenko

In the latest edition of Glamour magazine, model Olga Kurylenko looks STUNNING! Her smokey eye and 8 looks show off sexy to sophistocated styles. I love the clothes. I love her look.

A Season to Give

It's hard to believe the holidays are already arriving. Wasn't I just working on a great tan? What happened to shorts, tank tops, and lemonade by the lake?

Chances are, you've put off holiday shopping and don't even want to think about what to get everyone on your holiday gift list. Tempting as it is to procrastinate once again, take off some stress this year and shop early. Here are some suggestions that not only make great gift ideas, but are also for a good cause.

Made By Survivors

Choose from a selection of hand-crafted items: jewelry, holiday & home, and shoulder bags by visiting this website. All items are made by women who have escaped the sex trade business and benefits programs to fight human trafficking in India.

Yellow Ribbon Fund

This website is dedicated to helping injured soildiers by making it possible for families to visit while the soildier is hospitalized. The fund provides rental cars, taxi service, and hotel accomodations to the families of the fallen and has had a huge impact on lifting the spirits of those who are wounded.

Puppies Behind Bars

Support Puppies Behind Bars, a program that teaches inmates to train puppies who become service dogs. View statistics and more information by visiting the website.

Warriors in Pink

This woven scarf is one of the latest items at Warriors in Pink which is dedicated to funding research to fight breast cancer through the Susan G. Komen Foundation. At only $38 each, it's a stylish way to show your support.

Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen: Excerpt from Book 'Influence'

Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen can now add "author" to their long list of credentials. In their new book, Influence, the twins share insights and interviews with the people of Hollywood who have most influenced them over the years. I'm looking forward to picking up a copy.

Here's a brief glimpse into the pages.

***Whether she knows it or not, my sister has been my greatest teacher. At a young age, we had very distinct personalities; like a teddy bear, she was quiet and affectionate, and loving—which are adjectives I wouldn’t necessarily use to describe myself at that age (feisty and stubborn would be more appropriate). But by merely observing her demeanor, she taught me another way of being: I learned how to be affectionate. I learned how to compromise. I learned that tough love is not the only option. As one matures, personalities become more complex. In Ashley’s case, she evolved into a woman with a strong work ethic (she works twelve-hour days or more) and determination (she was the one to convince our parents to buy us our first pair of heels—red one-inch platforms with cherries on them). Her most dominant characteristic would be her natural business mentality (without a prior relationship, The Row)—and those are only minor examples. Passionate and true to her convictions, Ashley is an admirable woman who lives her life with a great magnitude of integrity, loyalty, and love. It’s been an honor to watch her grow and evolve on this twenty-two-year journey all the while fulfilling her roles of CEO, fashion designer, business partner, and sister. Possessed of a pure heart, unrelenting dedication, consistent drive, and endless innovation, Ashley Olsen is a person who has—and continues to influence me and the people in her life to do better, work harder, laugh more, live longer, be stronger, and know that anything is possible.--MARY KATE OLSEN

Skinny Jeans for Men?

Jonathan Rhys Meyers on MTV's TRL

Skinny jeans have been hugging the slim physique of rockers for years now. From the grunge scene to street chic, men are adopting this trend on and off the stage. But should this look be a keeper or is it high time it took a stage-left exit?

Personally, I find very few categories of men can pull off the skinny jean look. You need to have a naturally slender build with tight enough abs to keep the dreaded waistband "overhang" at bay. For rockers crooning to fans and girating all over the stage, this look (usually) works. I've gotten used to musicians and artists adorning thigh-hugging pants. However, if you don't look like the 'artisy' type, it falls flat. If a man hopes to look 'sexy,' wearing skinny jeans would guarantee a category of women (which I belong to) would not find them attractive by default. In short, leave it to the true artists and creatives to dress the part. If you don't live and breathe it, it's time to adopt your own style and find something that works for you.

Faccio Bridal: Wedding Elegance

If you're simply looking for wedding inspiration or a bride searching for a stunning gown, Faccio Bridal is one place you must visit. Here fashion and matrimony mesh in a perfect pairing of utter beauty. Get ready to see something spectacular in a land of fairytale dresses.

On the Set: High Fashion Shoot with Monet Kittrell

Who doesn't love a fabulous photo shoot? Today I was on location with Monet and the crew to shoot at The Rymer Gallery in Nashville. The photos should be spectacular!

Monet Kittrell: High Fashion Photographer

From New York, to Paris and everywhere fashion icons may be, Monet Kittrell is making a name for himself as a reknown photographer in haute couture with some of the top models in the industry. His website offers a tiny glimpse into a collection of his massive portfolio. You can also do a google search to see multiple other portfolios on the web.

Check it out!

First Lady Michelle Obama Compared to Jackie O?

The news stations were buzzing this morning with news highlights from the election yesterday. At one point, an interviewer told First Lady Michelle Obama that she was more impressive as a fashion icon than the incomparable Jackie O. I was thoroughly irritated.
Really? SERIOUSLY??
Mrs. Obama is by all means fashionable with a look that works for her, but why not leave it at that instead of placing her on a pedestal above someone whose fashion sense has set a fashion standard that has PROVEN to last through time? I highly doubt that future fashion gurus are going to swap Jackie for Michelle as a fashion standard.

Brad's Photos of Angelina in "W" Magazine

If you haven't yet picked up a copy, this month's "W" magazine has inside photos for Jolie-Pitt followrs.

Brad Pitt's exclusive photos show Angelina as wife and mother in black and white snapshots of their life together.

Kate Winslet's Racy Photos in Vanity Fair

Kate Winslet had no problem baring it all in her recent photos published in Vanity Fair Magazine. Seeing her as a slender, leggy model was shocking. Who IS that? Her image has definately taken a turn for the more glamorous. In her interview, she seems happier than ever. I love her updated look, but wonder if it's here to stay or a temporary makeover experiment.

Fashion Poll: Cindy McCain vs. Michelle Obama

Recently, I hit the streets to ask people one question: Which Presidential hopeful's wife do you think is more fashion savvy?

According to NPR news, “(Cindy McCain) is known for her tailored suits and designer jewelry.”
“(Michelle Obama) is sometimes known to infuse lively colors with classic pearls.”

The response was incredible! When it cames to talking political figures, everyone was fired up about their candidate and most were ready to respond to the fashion question.

Here are the results of my poll:

Michelle Obama

34%

(Name not given), “Michelle—She looks classic and tailored and knows how to dress her body.”

Cindy McCain

45%

Salina, “Cindy probably cares more about fashion.”

Neither

21%

Winter Essentials

The last few weeks I've spent preparing for the Fall/Winter changes. The morning air is crisper, the mornings are dusky, and my warm mug of morning coffee is all the more enticing. In preparation for the winter chill, I've started stocking up on a few fashion essentials.

A Robe

It's time to invest in a plush robe. Nothing feels better after a long day followed by a hot shower when you can wrap up in a robe and slippers.
An Oversized Sweater
We're seeing them everywhere this season and it's no wonder everyone's falling in love with oversized sweaters. Pair one with tights, leggings, or over a pair of jeans.

Boots

This is one item you can't do without when the weather turns cold. Boots are great through all kinds of winter, versatile, and WARM!

Scarves

Make sure to have at least one scarf on hand this winter. Besides being warm, you can wear them in so many ways. Tie it around your neck, over your hair, or drape one as a belt.

What is your winter essential?

It's that time! Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

I can't wait to see what this year debuts as the leading girls of the runway hit the catwalk. This December, the show will air on CBS. Plan ahead and keep an eye on your local listings for date and time.

Lindsey Lohan Cut From 'Ugly Betty'

Celebrity news this week seems to have taken over... Hopefully no one minds my intrigue.

It now appears that the self-proclaimed diva, Lindsey Lohan, has been cut from her last two scheduled appearances on the Ugly Betty television series. While Ms. Lohan's sources point to America Ferrera as the culprit, America's entourage points the finger back to a certain red-headed (ahem, Lohan) startlet who has trouble making timely appearances on set. (Full story)

Given her past, Lindsey Lohan has proven to be very dedicated when it comes to making producers wait and drumming up enemies wherever she's cast. How easily fame flows to the (red) head...

'Gossip Girl' Star Taylor Momsen Hospitalized

Gossip Girl star Taylor Momsen, has been hospitalized for a potentially life-threatening infection in her throat. (More HERE) She is expected to recover but remains in the hospital for now.

Taylor, the former Cindy Lou in How the Grinch Stole Christmas, has also been featured lately for her 'party girl' reputation. It does leave us wondering if there just may be a connection to her current condition...? Sources remain tight-lipped over the matter.

Fashion Faux Paus of the Texan Variety

Texas is full of colorful, friendly "folks." As I've gotten to know more of them, I really do admire their no nonsense approach to life as well as their ability to make a stranger feel right at home. However, people-watching in this state is something to behold!

The fashion sense here is a wide scope of styles and tastes. You see everything straight from the pages of Vogue, to casual chic, jeans and t-shirt, and every range of western wear imaginable. The 40 and over crowd has a fashion sense all of their own. There is no self-consciousness when it comes to what they want to wear and they will wear the most amazingly wrong ensambles with shameless pride.

Here is a re-make of the outfit I found on a woman in her 50's at a chili cookoff yesterday:

What do you think?

Look What I Found!

So, I've been searching for a new coat before the winter season begins to blow in. It seems like I have a closet full of perfectly decent jackets, but last year I still ended up mostly wrapped in the oversized jacket I stole from my boyfriend. Mine of course were the typical type of "girl jacket." (i.e. they are more fashionable than functionally warm and too fitted to wear a sweater or many layers underneath without looking like you've spent too much time at the holiday buffet table)

After shopping online and browsing a few stores, I decided that what I really wanted was a vintage faux fur. I came across a fantastic vintage shop downtown, but the coat I tried on had two problems. 1) It was more than double my budget and 2) It was real fur. Mink to be exact. And what girl is realistically going to spend the winter in a mink coat?? Aside from the fact I do not believe in wearing animal fur.

But TODAY, lo and behold, I came across the perfect brown vintage faux fur coat. It was tucked on a rack outside the fitting room of a second hand store, obviously discarded after an unsucessful fitting. Elation! I snagged it up. Felt the heaviness of it's warmth and silkiness of delicate lining. Trying it on was like falling into a warm embrace. And for all of $12, it was mine!

The Truth: Where Does Your Meat Come From?

It's been many years since I first became a vegetarian. The decision was simple for me. Although my mother's skills at cooking a roast left something a little stringy, a little rubbery staring back at me on my dinner plate, this wasn't the only reason I decided to go "veggie." The truth was, I didn't really like meat. Sure a large pool of ketchup could get most flesh to slide down my throat and a little barbecue could taste pretty good, but my hamburgers quickly began to resemble a bun-free pile of salad with only a quarter size piece of burger atop the greens.

Another reason I chose veggie was that I simply FELT better eating this way. I was one of those rare teens who actually enjoyed eating my fruits and veggies, didn't mind beans, nuts, or tofu, and brought bountiful salads to school almost every day. Instead of leaving lunchtime fatigued and overstuffed, I felt sustained to finish the rest of the day.

Now that I know a little more about the meat production process, it's no wonder I would feel better without partaking in their goods. Mass producing most food products, especially ones that involve live creatures, is bound to have problems. Time versus money always gets in the way. Quite frankly, I don't trust what they do including what they now feed the animals, all stress-induced adrenaline that is running through animals at slaughter houses, the conditions they are kept in, and the quality of the resulting product. The thought of meat does not turn my stomach, the process taking an animal from start to finished steak dinner does. At least with whole foods you know what you are getting. Yes, I have to think about pesticides (that can mostly be washed away) and genetic manipulation, but I also have choices. I can shop at farmer's markets or buy organic. I feel like I have more choice in the matter.

Now that I'm vegan, I feel the same about dairy and egg products. My body likes the alternatives, I like the soy substitutes, and it's a win-win situation for me.

And if you're free today, you might want to watch the Oprah show. (Or set the DVR.) A featured story is "How We Treat the Animals We Eat" with a look into topics such as what 'free range' and 'cage free' really mean.

BLM Wild Horse Adoption This Weekend

The Bureau of Land Management held a wild horse adoption and expo this weekend. I heard about it on the radio and my ears perked up immediately. I've always been fascinated by these creatures and the idea that we still have the chance to purchase and "tame" a wild horse.

I've heard of two cases of people who adopted a wild horse from the program and began working with them. While I'm sure they are all different, these two (a male gelding and female mare) turned out to be a real handful. The gelding has spent four years in professional training with only an ocassional day that he will put in a good workout without protest. Could it be that he preferred the open wilds to his new found stable? Or maybe an arena is just not challenging or stimulating enough to make him want to partner up with his rider? In any case, he is a loved and a cursed member of the family who bought him.

The second horse, the mare, became the best friend of a teenage girl. They struggled together through the gentling and training process and have been able to create a special bond in the end. The horse remains a feisty little thing that refuses to canter at less than full speed, but her rider doesn't really care.

From these two instances I can only come to the conclusion that these wild horses have an ancestory of survival making them a) Hardy b) Quite stubborn and c) Born with an iron will that will continue and sometimes be used against a human who tells them what to do

Here are the photos I got before the auction began.

Best Airport Wine Bars

At some point in time, we’ve all been in this situation—either a delay in connecting flights or a cancelled departure has left you with extra hours of wait time with no way to leave the terminal. To accommodate inevitable layovers and delayed travel time spent in the airport, new conveniences have been made available that range from spa treatments to the newest in wine bars conveniently located throughout the country. Wine enthusiasts are now able to savor some of the top vintages from almost anywhere they may find themselves when traveling far away from home. If you haven’t yet sampled what some of these establishments have to offer, you may be in for a big surprise! The following are some of the top Airport Wine Bars currently open for business to discriminating connoisseurs.

Yadkin Valley Wine Bar

This cozy bar boasts a fine southern flair with featured wines brought in from nine local North Carolina vineyards that cooperate in ownership to offer their best selections. Since opening in March 2005, business has flourished. Around 54 bottles are regularly available with wine flights rotated throughout the day. At any given time, patrons may be greeted by one of the nine vineyard owners or wine producers who each alternate working at the establishment. Shipping of wine is complimentary on orders exceeding one case.

Yadkin Valley Wine Bar is located at Charlotte Douglas International Airport between concourses D and E.

Rose City Café & Wine Bar

Hung up on a layover in Portland? Rose City has merged the grab-and-go service with a seated meal. This growing café offers wines of the Pacific Northwest to quench your needs. Each label has been grown and bottled in Oregon, Washington, or California. Sample a variety of local favorites and take advantage of the fresh sushi bar and Japanese cuisine.

Rose City Café & Wine Bar is located at Portland International Airport just inside the Ticket Lobby Level, before the security checkpoint.

Hours of Operation:Restaurant - 5:00am - 11:00pmSushi Bar- 9:00am - 11:00pmWine Bar- 11:30am - 11:00pm

La Bodega Winery

Did you know there were wine-tasting rooms in Texas terminals? Heralded as a “wine lover’s dream,” La Bodega is a vibrant atmosphere dedicated to everything wine related. This charming winery heralds a large selection of wines that are available for sampling throughout the day. Stop in to enjoy a glass or two, or simply shop among bottles and silver home accents.

La Bodega is located at the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport in Terminal A at Gate 15 and Terminal D at Gate D14.

Hours Are:Mon. – Sat. 7:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. Sun. 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.