Weekend Wrap-Up

Due to not being able to post much this weekend, I give you the following... 1. Did anyone take advantage of World Naked Gardening Day yesterday? 

The American Association for Nude Recreation deemed May 14 as a world-wide day of tending to our gardens in the buff. I did not participate. Don't hate. 

2. Jesse James did it AGAIN.

The man is officially a douchebag. This time, he implied to Piers Morgan that ex-wife Sandra Bullock was insincere during their relationship, and that when she expressed her appreciation for him during award show acceptance speeches, it was nothing but acting. SHUT-uuuup, Mr. James. Shutupshutupshutupshutup!!!! 

3. Versace is launching a kids' fashion line. 

The House of Versace announced the Spring 2012 launch of Young Versace, a line exclusively for infant through 12-year-old fashionistas. The line is expected to incorporate natural fabrics, fun colors and the brand's glam-rock essence, not to mention it's iconic symbols, such as the Medusa and Greek frieze. 

4. Decent trade-off: Vaccine prevents HIV, causes herpes.

An experimental AIDS vaccine looks promising, as studies are indicating that it has the potential to eliminate HIV from the body. It works by injecting Cytomegalovirus (CMV), which is a type of herpes, into a person; this supposedly causes the immune system to constantly battle HIV. I soooo don't understand it, but it's incredibly encouraging. Think I'll have to do a cartwheel. Wheeee!

Hope a good weekend was had by all! 

Fab Alert!

Please join the ever-stylish Mary Poppins and I as we emcee the fashion show at the Bon Fete Fashion for Paws event at Hotel Parq Central on May 26. 

 The night begins at 6 p.m. with a silent auction featuring art, pet products, styling services, makeovers, boutique gift certificates and more. Bliss! Next, it’s a Moni V’s fashion show, with makeup by Ashlynne Padilla and hair by Inspire salon. Designers include Splendid, Cynthia Vincent and Halston. Tickets are available at Moni V’s (112 Amherst SE - Nob Hill, 505.255.0148); $25 for general admission and $50 for VIP seating and swag bag. Fifty percent of ticket sales and 100% of silent auction funds benefit The Animal Humane Association of New Mexico.

For more info, email thebonfete@gmail.com or call 505.569.0157. 

New HBIC at Chloé

More changes at Chloé: Clare Waight Keller has been named new creative director. 

Derby Notes

It ain't a feather fascinator, but it worked. I decided to get my hellbilly on for this year's derby. Different? Yes -- DEFINITELY. But since I attended with DJB, who is (a.) in western attire, and (b.) rounding out the last fiscal quarter of a one-year spiritual beard quest, I decided to deck out in complementary fashion... sans beard... would've been funny with beard, though... hmmm... note to self: purchase stunt beard for totally matchy-matchy times. 

Thanks to divine guidance courtesy of Sabra the Horse-Picking Goddess, DJB placed his bet on Animal Kingdom. 

My derby ensemble wouldn't have been nearly as fabulous without these grand items from Adorn. 

Again, it's ALL about the hats

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqIiKdpkwhw&feature=fvst]

Fab Alert!

Super-cool t-shirt boutique, Guerrilla Graphix, just relocated very close to my chic treehouse -- yay! Naturally, I had to stop in and welcome them to the neighborhood. Whilst there, I picked up this fab little number.

Shop online or in-store. Here's my next purchase: 

How much do you love it? Personally, I can barely handle how fabulous it is. 

High-Collar Ruffle Stripe Fever!

My fab sister, Kelly, took one look at the Pre-Fabü Sneak Peek post and informed me that she, too, had a thing for high-collars, ruffles and stripes... in 1981! Witness the photographic evidence.

VanDyke sisters super-highcollar-ruffle-stripe power!!! BAM! POW! Take THAT! People can't handle it! They simply don't know what to do when faced with this incredibly chic force! They hide like baby childrens or skittering rodents. They. Can't. Take. It. 

Thanks for the pic, sis. Five stars. 

Met Gala Cheers & Jeers

Click here for StyleCaster's Met Gala coverage, Met Gala 2011 Fashion: The Best, The Bad and the Bridal. 

Beatrice Hat Bash Fever!

Everyone's in on the joke about Princess Beatrice's hat. Yay! Let the barbs fly, dahling!  Here's a gem from TotallyLooksLike.com: "Princess Beatrice's Hat Totally Looks Like the Flying Spaghetti Monster". 

Then there's this genius of a Tumblr site, People Wearing Beatrice's Hat.

And, naturally, the hat has its own damn Twitter account. Perfect tone: proper, well-mannered and snooty as hell! Recent posts include: "There they go - onto the balcony. Stealing my limelight," and, "Thank you darling. And I adore.. whatever that thing is you're wearing." 

Personally, the hat reminds me of the female reproductive system. Sorry, Bea. Just sayin'. 

Many thanks to Princess Beatrice and Philip Treacy. Laughter is, indeed, the best medicine. 

The Met Gala is Tonight!

Once again, it's time for one fashion's biggest nights: the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Gala exhibit. This year's exhibit feature is "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty," a tribute to the late designer. 

Gisele Bundchen just leaked a photo via Twitter of the McQueen gown she's wearing tonight. Fab! 

Royally Tired

I did it! Woke up at 3:30 a.m. (MDT), made a delicious breakfast of eggs, bacon, sweet rolls and tea, and noshed away whilst watching the royal nuptials. Managed to stay awake until a bit after 6 a.m., while they were still herding revelers into the mall in an oh-so-orderly fashion. Really wanted to see the balcony kiss live, but simply couldn't stay awake.  Sure enough, the pre-wedding rumors were true: Kate's dress was, indeed, designed by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen. Classic, refined, reminiscent of the wedding dress of another commoner who became royalty: Grace Kelly, who became the Princess of Monaco. We all heart your dress, Kate. Timeless perfection. Five stars. 

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skYtvSTwZt4&feature=relmfu]

Will Galliano Head Gianfranco Ferre?

According to New York Magazine, Rumors are circulating that John Galliano might be tapped as the new head designer at Gianfranco Ferre, as Tommaso Aquilano and Roberto Rimondi were just dismissed from the company due to poor sales. This could get interesting, dahling. 

He's baaaack!

Well, look who it is: former Dior designer, John Galliano, at LAX. If you recall, Dior canned Galliano in February for drunken, anti-semitic rants. Look who's on the receiving end now. You can clearly hear someone in the airport call him a  "f*cking racist."

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKbNJGlGLrg]

Let's hope Galliano's rehab stay was successful.

Louboutin Sees Red, Sues YSL

Famed shoe designer Christian Louboutin is suing Yves Saint Laurent for trademark infringement because YSL is selling red-soled shoes, which Louboutin insists is his creation.

Louboutin registered his red outer sole with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in 1997, however, it's not clear if the trademark covers all red-soled shoes. Shoes from the YSL spring 2011 collection also feature green, purple and navy soles.

In the suit, filed in Manhattan, Louboutin asks the judge to impose $1 million in damages and order YSL to stop manufacturing similar shoe designs.

Shoe wars! Wonder who will win?

Australian shoppers hit with 'try-on' charges!

News.com.au - Retailers are slugging shoppers with fitting fees to stop them using their "change rooms" to try on garments that they then buy online.

Customers at some ski shops are being slugged a $50 "fitting fee" to try on ski boots.

The charge is refunded if they buy a pair of ski boots in-store, in a trend likely to be mimicked by other specialist retailers hard-hit by internet discounting.

"Bricks and mortar" retailers want the Federal Government to abolish a tax break for overseas retailers, who do not have to pay the 10 per cent goods and services tax or import duties of 10 to 15 per cent on items costing less than $1000.

Assistant Treasurer Bill Shorten told a fashion importer this week that traditional retailers still have the advantage of customer service.

"Competition is about more than just the price," Mr Shorten wrote in a letter to International Fashion Group managing director David Mendels.

"Consumers might be able to find something cheaper online, but they won't have access to personal service or advice.

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/money/retailers-fight-online-rivals/story-e6frfmci-1226036439615#ixzz1J8pfWBIt

Smells Like Teen Spirit?

Courtney Love is selling her used "couture" on eBay.

Click here to check out her togs.

I'm fairly certain they don't, in fact, smell like teen spirit. They might, however, smell like three-day coke bender sweat, plenty o' cigarettes and expensive French parfum.

Lacoste Keeps it Real

Kudos to Lacoste for the retro look of their new fragrance bottles. No need to try and re-brand or update your look, Lacoste, because it's that classic croc that makes you so fab. Five stars for totally getting it right.

Guys: Spring Stripes = Hotness

Gentlemen, meet your new spring sweatshirt, Levi's Jefe Fleece. This crewneck jersey classic is pre-washed, softened and faded. They even added elbow patches and ribbing at the neck, cuffs and band for contrast.

This goes far beyond standard fleece. Wear with everything.

Best part of all: it's now on sale -- $49.90. Get it here.

You Can Afford Lagerfeld's Latest Collection

Unkle Karl's gettin' busy with the fizzy. Chanel's creative director loves him some Diet Coke. He reportedly lost 90 pounds in 2001 on a strict diet of steamed veggies and Diet Coke. He's even rumored to employ a Diet Coke butler, who serves Lagerfeld his precious beverage in Lalique crystal goblets.

That is definitely slap-worthy. If I ever meet this man, I will slap him right in the face for being so g.d. fabulous. Hope I can blog from the slammer.

Moving on... Lagerfeld designed these limited-edition Diet Coke bottles, featuring deluxe patterns and his signature ponytailed silhouette. They hit stores in June 2011, and will be sold individually, as well as in collector's boxes.

Happy Birthday, Merle!

"If I hear another line dance song, I think I'm gonna puke."

- Merle Haggard

That stellar quote appears on one of my favorite tees, by Modern Cowgirl.