Hypocrisy - good pseudo-mainstream Swedish death metal?

INDEED!

So I decided to check out Hypocrisy when my friend sent me a link to one of their videos.

I was a bit iffy because I had remembered seeing Hypocrisy on the MTV website back in my nu-metal days - or maybe it was another band starting with H? Regardless, he said it was good so I checked them out.

THEIR NEW STUFF IS SO GOOD! I'm more of a black metal girl than a death metal, but they had everything I expected from Swedish death metal. love love love.

Did you know Horgh is in their band? I didn't. That just makes them even cooler. He's a very good drummer, and who doesn't love Immortal?

Check them out on 'space, but this is the vid that started it all:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=szFlV-83A0I

30k for Coach? How Coach has lost what used to make them awesome.

If you've been in a Coach store or have been on their website in the past few months, you've noticed that Coach is trying to rework their image. They've jacked up the prices of a lot of their bags to "better compete with more high-end bags".

I went into the Coach store with my mom on Black Friday. Seeing how it was Coach, we obviously didn't see any deals or anything. I guess that makes you seem high-class?(Which makes no sense, because Gucci was offering 10% off. Well, that might be because they haven't put out a good bag in ages.)

Regardless, we walked around and looked at a few things. My mom saw a bag that she liked, but it only came in two sizes - enormous and too small to be practical. Whatever happened to medium? The other bag she liked was almost $600. Really Coach, if I have $600 to blow on a bag, I'm not going to buy Coach.It's not even a snob thing, I just wouldn't do it.I'm not wealthy in the least bit, but I have two Coach bags and a small Coach wristlet. I got all of them as birthday presents on consecutive years (14, 15, 16). All of them were under $250.$250 is a lot of money for a purse. Some people in some parts of the world would spend $250 to feed their family in an entire year. But $250 is reachable. You don't have to donate a kidney or skip eating for a month. It's expensive but affordable.That's what made Coach nice. You could have a very nice bag for a reasonable amount of money. Expensive? Yes. Unreasonable? No. What's going on with Coach is that they're trying to compete with Louis Vuitton and Chanel and Dior and all the big boys. That's not going to happen.

If you haven't noticed, Coach has recently released a $30,000 bag. THIRTY THOUSAND. Not three thousand. THIRTY thousand. It's super exclusive. You can't buy it in stores or even order it online. You have to call them up and arrange it.Some people earn $30,000 in one year. That's the tuition money for some colleges.

I would never spend 30k on a bag, but I bet that the biggest bag snobs wouldn't spend 30k on Coach.Why?Because people simply don't associate big and expensive with Coach. People associate "awesome quality but affordable" with Coach. And really, if you did have 30k to spend on a bag, you wouldn't be buying Coach. You'd be buying Hermes because Hermes is famous and exclusive and the cheapest thing in the entire store is a $120 fabric scarf. As much as I love(d) Coach, I think they'll sell maybe 5 of these things to a few Paris Hilton types and end up writing the rest off their taxes as a loss. They also have bags for 20k and 10k, and I doubt those will sell either.

Please Coach, go back to what made you awesome. I've wanted a new Coach bag for a while, but it's either $700 or patchwork and I just can't do that.

Sweatpants - A review

The average girl has made them hot, but nobody should ever wear sweatpants to be stylish. (I've only worn them to school while taking an exam. That's it.) Especially not with flip-flops, eurgh.

My point is that even though they're a HUGE no-no, you should have a pair or two anyway for lounging, sick days, exam days, and those days where you go out to the grocery store at 9 pm to get ice cream.

I've tried three different brands of sweatpants, and I'm here to help you make this important decision based on looks, comfort, sizing, and price to quality ratios.

BRAND ONE : Juicy Couture

When I was a freshman I really wanted a pair of Juicy sweats. (Come on, I was young and didn't know better.) So I tried a pair on at Nordstrom and my mom got them for me. I got the black.

Sizing: Juicy traditionally runs a size small. Girls that are exceptionally tiny will most likely be able to fit into the Petite. (They have little girls clothing too!) However, I lost a siginificant amount of weight and only went down a size in the pants. (I have an hourglass figure and that's probably why.) I recommend hemming your pants so you don't step on them if they're too long.

Comfort: SO SO SO SO comfy. The velour that is. I've felt some of the terry and I'm not too wild about it, but that's more of a spring/summer thing. I've never tried the fleece. Every day last year I'd change out of skinnies and into Juicy sweatpants and I would be so relaxed it was insane.

Looks: Unless you get the logo ones, which are usually more tacky than a just plain logo, they're just fancy basics. Plain velour drawstring pants and plain velour hoodies with a cutesy little J-zipper pull. I never wear the sweatpants in public, but I've found that the hoodies are the most fashionable of all the sweatpant hoodies because they're basic and go with a lot.

Price/Quality: I've had my set for 2 years and it looks alright. The sleeves are a bit messed up, but I think I stretched it out or something. I'd buy one set and just keep buying the hoodies if I were really into Juicy, because they're really expensive. $94 for a hoodie and $88 for the pants. (Two years ago I paid $75 for the pants and $88 for the hoodie) I don't know if having one expensive sweatpants set is better than having lots of inexpensive ones, so you'll have to make the judgement on your own.

FINAL VERDICT:

Good: Hoodie is versatile. Pants very comfortable

Bad: Very expensive, non-basics tend to be tacky

BRAND TWO : Victoria's Secret PINK

I used to hate the PINK line because I thought it was all a bunch of Juicy knockoffs. I also thought it was annoying that somebody would be wearing pants that had PINK across the bum, but there was no pink in the actual article of clothing! I eventually bought a pair of sweatpants impulsively after I got into a fight with a/the boy. I must say I like them.

Price/Quality: They're moderately priced. I only bought the pants, and they were $28 or so? Not bad. Probably the 27-36 range depending on style. I think the quality is good for what you pay for - my pair hasn't fallen apart or gotten nasty or anything.

Sizing: They run big. I had to get the small. They do offer XXS however.

Comfort: They're not as comfy as the Juicy ones, but they're very comfy. Because my Juicy pair is so big, I started changing into these because they don't fall off of me or anything. I took my AP exam wearing these (the only time I've ever worn sweats to school!) and the only annoying thing was that they were sort of cropped. Like they weren't super short, they just ended at around my ankles.

Looks: I liked the "True Pink Love" ones, because they were tasteful for sweatpants. They didn't have anything written across the rear - only "True Pink Love" in green across one of the sides, with a smaller logo on top of one of the legs near the waist. However, I'm really not liking the new ones. I honestly haven't seen a pair of Pink sweats that I've liked in about a year.

Verdict: I think the ones they have out now are really ugly, but they're worth the money if you decide you like them.

BRAND THREE: American Eagle

Well, I was at American Eagle and decided I wanted a pair of their sweatpants. I don't know, sweatpants just do that to me. They're addictive. They ended up being on sale, so I bought some. I got the hoodie and the pants.

Price: Well mine were on sale, but I don't think either piece went for more than $30.

Comfort/Quality: The hoodie had this weird button thing so it was almost choking me. I haven't worn the hoodie as much, but I expect to when it gets colder. The pants were very comfortable, but they're these weird cut-off things. They're almost like shorts, actually. A lot of the fleece from inside of the pants kept going everywhere, but it has stayed intact recently. Keep in mind that I did get them at the end of the summer, so I think they were spring/summer sweatpants. I'd have to see what the AE sweats these days are like - they might be like the VS ones.

Looks: The fact that mine are "sweatshorts" is really silly. While I can't do the ridiculous "tucking sweatpants into fuggs" look, if I wore these with fuggs or uggs it would look even worse. Also they're not really practical in the wintertime. But they work three seasons out of the year - they'll keep you comfortable in the fall but you won't overheat in the summer. The actual designs? Even though it has a logo, it's tasteful. There's a small AE symbol, I think some number action is going on. It says "American Eagle" right above the rear, but not directly on it. More like on the top. (I don't know, you wouldn't be wearing these in public anyway)

Verdict: A very nice alternative to Victoria's Secret, even if they are knockoffs of a knockoff.

FINAL VERDICT: So here's my verdict on sweatpants. Love them or hate them, you do need a pair. And if you're going to be stuck with some, why not have some nice ones? If you want to blow a ton of money on some awesome Juicy ones, I feel you. And if you don't, you certainly have a plethora of alternatives.

(Victoria's Secret PINK can be found at Victoria's Secret stores, PINK stores, or on their website. American Eagle sweats can be found at American Eagle stores or on their website. Juicy Couture sweats can be found at Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, Saks, Neiman Marcus, Shopbop.com, Net-a-porter.com, or at Juicy Couture stores.)

By: Tight

Walking the fine line of fitness

We all know that the United States has an obesity epidemic. We also venture into the other side of the spectrum with the significant numbers of girls who develop eating disorders.

Fast food is extremely popular, and portion sizes are enormous. Most kids and teenagers are constantly on a sugar rush, or eat out every night.

People are less active due to technology taking the place of playing outside. Substandard Physical Education courses that send the message across that the best way to stay physically fit is to play a sport do not help either.

I have absolutely no athletic ability, and because I live in an area where I have to drive 15 minutes to go anywhere, I have always had a problem with staying healthy. I cannot play a sport to stay fit, and my Physical Education course gave me no alternative. I had to develop my own way of getting exercise into my life and following a proper diet.

I have decided to give some of my tips and tricks that I personally follow to stay somewhat in shape. Whether you're talentless like I am, extremely busy, or just don't know what to do, I think you would benefit from reading this.

First of all, you should find a BMI calculator online to see if you even need to lose weight. Unless you are in the NFL and your weight is entirely muscle, your Body Mass Index is a good indicator of how healthy you are weight-wise.

How to determine your BMI:

1. Google "BMI calculator" - here is one that I found: http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/

2. Input your height and weight.

3. Check on the scale to find what percentile your number is.

BMI Categories:

Emaciated: <15
Underweight = <18.5
Normal weight = 18.5-24.9
Overweight = 25-29.9
Obesity = BMI of 30 or greater

I am currently 5'5" and 130 lbs. I have a BMI of 21.6 . My BMI is in the healthy range.

It should be noted that health problems begin to arise upon reaching certain BMIs in the healthy range. Some factors play into this like ethnicity, but the main thing that I have heard is that health problems usually start at a BMI of 23. ( A BMI that is semi-okay doesn't give you the excuse to be a couch potato.)

Whether you want to maintain weight or lose weight, you should find something that can compute the minimum you need for bodily functions. I have found different calculators online. There was an especially good one where you selected your activity level in addition to the factors it uses. For simple purposes, this one computes your metabolism at a resting rate.

http://www.inspiringnutrition.com/scripts/rmrCalc.asp

Like the BMI calculator, this requires your height and weight. It also takes your gender and age into consideration.

For a 5'5", 130 lb, 16-year-old Female, the rate would be 1382 calories.

If you are hellbent on simply maintaining your weight, all you would need to do would be to count calories religiously. If you cut portion sizes and just eat healthy things, it'll work. You still should exercise for your heart.

If you are exercising, you need to eat more. Hardcore athletes eat something like 3,500 calories a day. It all depends on your activity level.

The reason I mention metabolic rate is because 1 lb is 3,500 calories. You can gain weight back very easily by eating over a certain number. However, you can't starve yourself. It doesn't work short-term, and people die from eating disorders. Just don't do it.

Cut portion sizes. Americans eat way more than anybody else. It's so silly. After a while, you'll notice that a lot of what you're eating is unnecessary. (Your stomach does take like 20 minutes to realize its full, you know.) Cut soda and coffee out of your diet. Liquid calories from Starbucks don't make you full - they just make you fat.

What I do to lose weight is to both exercise and eat slightly under my minimum for bodily functions. I'm pretty sure that's the best way to do it.

The only fool-proof way to stay healthy is to eat well and to be active. "Well, I can't play any sports, what do I do?"

Things that require no hand-eye coordination:

-Running/Jogging
-Biking
-Swimming

Swimming is the best exercise there is. Everybody swims in the summer. 15 minutes of straight swimming is crazy. Check with your pool to see how old you have to be to swim at Adult Swim. Mine is only 16. I was thrilled to learn that, because now I can actually do laps. And if you have your own pool, then swim swim swim. Swimming is fun!

Running is excellent exercise mainly because it requires no talent. I'm not even kidding! I run all the time! The first couple times it's really hard because you're not used to it, but increase your speed/distance gradually and you'll be fine. After a while, the only thing pulling you back is boredom. So put a great playlist together and just go. (I've found that Amon Amarth is fantastic running music.)

Find an exercise buddy. A friend, your mom, your brother, whoever. Make it fun so your brain wants to do it.

Just incorporate it into your lifestyle and you won't have to worry about anything. Make it second-nature. And if you're super serious about weight-loss, consult a doctor. Most of what I'm writing is just common sense - it shouldn't substitute medical advice.

How To Walk In Heels

Okay, first off, start with wedges or chunkier heels to get the hang of how your foot/ankle/leg are positioned. Don't jump straight into 6 inch stilettos.

1) Stand up in front of a mirror and make sure you are not slouching or positioned awkwardly. Stand up straight!
2) Lead with the hips! Obviously don't jut them so far out it's obvious, but lean back a little.
3) Step heel, toe, heel, toe, heel, toe, etc.
4) Walk around the house first on different floors like carpet and wood before venturing outside.
5) Walk with confidence! That's the most important part.
6) Lean back, head up, and think sexy time :]
7) Practice turning.
7) Practice going backwards. Overdo it, just incase. Often I find you don't realize you make little steps backwards in normal life and you don't even realize.
8) Practice more on the floor as you get better. Don't mark up the hardwood, but if you have linoleum or something similar try walking on that. It's harder to walk on and more like the halls at school.
9) Practice sprinting when you get good. Just short sprints, because I sprint for buses and what in real life.

The Green Epidemic Has Hit Our Make-over Shows!

"Hit" would be an understatement. This show has been smacked upside the head and knocked out. But what you're seeing aren't stars and fuzzy spots, but fabulous, recycled clothes!
So you could imagine how ecstatic I was when my two passions (enviromental issues and fashion) were sewn together.
"I've Got Nothing To Wear" starts off as any other make-over show, but then I had that "now hold up" moment, like when that top finally goes on sale or you find your designer dream dress ripped off on ebay for half the price. I watched in awe as fresh designers turned the type of wardrobes you would see in the first 10 minutes of What Not To Wear into the type of wardrobes you would see in the La Mode girls' bedrooms. Just kidding, but you get the point.
Yes, it's that good, and the end product is something I would seriously consider getting off the couch and attempting to make.
Stacey and Clinton, you have some serious competition. But that doesn't mean I still don't love you and your cashmere, Clinton.


-gateau

sleuthing.

I saw Nancy Drew today, and I have a sudden urge to start wearing matching plaid.




























Although I must say, this dress was pretty fab.

























And this outfit is just adorable.













Girl was ROCKIN' the wide leg pants.













Holy Ned Nickerson, I'm obsessed. I don't think I'd go quite so far as the penny loafers though.

it's just too easy

Dear Patrick Robinson (for Target),

When some says "She'd look good in a paper bag!", there's no need for them to prove it.

Patrick Robinson Paperbag Waist Skirt in Camel-$29.99

The Musical Equivalent of a Bubble Bath

Even though summer is within our reach, school isn’t getting any easier. AP exams, finals, and weeks of homework hell makes this last month nearly unbearable. I think we should all step back and take a little time for ourselves. So, make some tea, get a bowl of your favorite comfort food, and listen to these artists.

Amos Lee
You may have heard of him from The Last Kiss soundtrack. Amos Lee’s striking falsetto and gentle piano playing offer the most relaxing combination. The upbeat “Keep It Lose, Keep It Tight” is the ultimate relax anthem. His hopeful outlook for the future is also a reminder to stay true to your self. “Colors,” on the other hand, is the singer’s lonesome expression of love for a girl who isn’t coming back. The cleverly used piano makes this song just a tad brighter and complements the lyrics well. Amos Lee can convey any mood in a tranquil manner, which makes him a truly talented artist.
Citizen Cope
AKA Clarence Greenwood, Citizen Cope blends R&B, pop, and blues into a soulful mix of pure originality. “Let the Drummer Kick” is essentially a list of nouns, yet Citizen Cope is able to get the listener lost in this song. I found myself in a trance-like state after listening to it on repeat only a few times. “Sideways” slows things down a bit, and has more of a jazzy feel. A universal love song, “Sideways” will make you sway in your seat. This singer oozes cool. He combines many different variations of music to create a modern, fresh sound that you can’t help but enjoy.
Damien Rice
His songs will make you want to bawl your eyes out or scream in anger. Empowering Irish vocalist Damien Rice has a simplistic style when it comes to his music. These generally aren’t the kind of songs that have 8 or 10 different instruments; he uses vocal accompaniments more often. “Cannonball,” the hit single from the album O, uses intricate lyrics to express lessons he has learned regarding love. This song takes you on a musical journey that you’ll never want to end. On the other end of the spectrum, “Rootless Tree” is an anger-ridden anthem about a relationship gone horribly wrong. The way he shouts “let me out” makes you feel like you are trapped in the relationship with him. Damien Rice combines incredibly complex lyrics with an interesting use of dynamics to create music that can stir up a variety of emotions.So, there you have it. Three artists that are sure to make you relax in the tensest of situations. Now drop those history notes and put on your headphones. These sounds will definitely soothe your soul.

help!

There is free shipping at Alloy until Monday, so I need help! Some of their clearance stuff is strange but not awful, and I need opinions, rapido!

I know, I know, it kind of looks like a midevil page boy somehow, in a twist on A Connecticut Yankee in King Arther's Court, got sent to Beyonce*'s home (who I once saw wearing a dress exactly like this, paired with yellow heels), where she was so inspired by his outfit that she decided to make one out of her favorite material. I kind of like it though. I'll add it to the list of "wish I could pull it off but am not willing to spend actual money on it, even if it's only $14.99"s.*Did you know that Spell Check wants to change her name to balance? Just imagine a world in which we had I singer named Balance Knowles. I know I wouldn't want to live in it.
Do you think this is too frilly? $19.99This coat/shirt hybrid I actually LOVE. However, seeing as how it is on sale, it makes me wonder what's wrong with it. I might have to chalk it up to it being made out of fleece, and it's currently 80 degrees outside. $19.99
A Note: Before you all are like, "is she crazy? That stuff only has like five dollars off! And shipping costs like $2!", I must tell you about myself. When I'm broke (for example, last week) I look at the most expensive, gorgeous clothes I can find. But, since yesterday was my birthday (cha-ching!) I immediately start scouring the sale racks, rejecting any thing that costs in the double digits. It's quite frustrating.

SPIDEYMAN strikes again!

many of you may have heard of or seen the spectacular (or so i think) movie that came out just recently. Spiderman 3 is the perfect mix of action, drama, love and comedy. In it's third of the successful series, Peter Parker returns as a newspaper photographer with a gorgeous girlfriend, Mary Jane Watson played by Kirsten Dunst. He is trying to work out his proposal to her, but that's where things start to go wrong. MJ's career as a singer is not going so well, but Peter is way too busy being Spiderman. When Peter's friend played by the amazingly hot James Franco gets involved, things get even more complicated.

The mystery black spiderman you see on the poster is a major troublemaker in this film. It causes you to be cold hearted and unlike yourself, but powerful and strong. Definitely watch the movie to find out what this anonymous monster is really about.

Another thing to check out in this movie is the handsomeness of James Franco. An accident happens in the movie, that makes him be nice, which makes him look soooo hot I mean, hotter than usual. hehe.

And of course, for us fashion lovers, MJ's outfits should be brought to attention. She has the whole classy-meets-vintage style going on, with the cute heels, skirts and feminine blouses. It's still the classic skirt/shirt/heels combo, but with a twist of modern vintage. The ruffles, the colors, the jewelry... it's all great. I personally love her hair in this too, slightly red, long and wavy.

so basically what i'm trying to say is, WATCH THE MOVIE!

camera bags (I couldn't think of a better title).

This semester, I am taking Photography in school and, after a few hiccups (my film not developing, my winder breaking etc.) I am really starting to enjoy it. Not to mention my crazy teacher, who calls me "the Queen of Rock and Roll" (I think the chemicals have addled his brain). However, my camera is one my mom used back in the day, and she lost the case for it many years ago, so I am trying to find a camera bag that is not only durable and will protect my camera from scratches, but stylish as well.

Most of the ones I have found look like this, which reminds me of my 5th grade lunch box.
This Paddington Bag by Chloe is my dream. Unfortunately, at $1,495.00 it does not seem to be in the cards.
I like this combination of the tan against the black. $172.95
I like this classic, simple bag. $79.00

Of course, Ebay has tons of choices for stylish, vintage bags. Some of my favorites:

If you have any suggestions for where to get a camera bag, post 'em below!

-By Jo

my grandma told me to read this article.

So you should, too.

"The chain says it employs no designers, “just very savvy designer merchants,” Ms. Boisset said. Although these merchants’ skills are at the heart of Forever 21’s success in offering shoppers faithful adaptations of runway hits, the company declined to make them available for an interview."
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/10/fashion/10FOREVER.html?pagewanted=1

In honor of Earth Day...

How to be Eco-Friendlier
by lekkq, arie, elisabeth, gateau

1. Don’t use your hot tools every day. Not only is it good for your hair, it saves electricity!
2. Invest in rechargeable batteries. They’re like 30$ at first but they pay for themselves in like 2 months.
3. Recycle. Talk to your school about recycling bottles. Set up a mini recyclable bin for paper you’re tossing. A meter wide cardboard box doesn’t take up much space and only needs to be emptied once a month. And you can decorate it to look pretty!
4. Try to bring your own tote when shopping. You can fit a surprising amount in. Today in my bucket purse I fit two sweaters, a pair of pants and a little extra. If you do take plastic bags try to find creative ways to use them. Especially if you have a dog… haha. I use my plastic bags to line my garbage can in my room to make sure nothing icky gets stuck to the bottom.
5. Set up a mini compost in your room. I’m not talking fruits and what, ew that’d stink.. but take like a paper shopping bag and put all of the stuff that doesn’t go in recyclable but can compost.. like Kleenex or extra little scraps of fabric.
6. In NS we have compost bins, I don’t know if that happens everywhere. See if you can make a community compost pit. Talk to your mayor about composting. Usually even one letter (on recycled paper, haha) can generate results.
7. Buy vintage. It definitely helps. And donate your old stuff. Value Village takes almost anything.
   
8. Try to buy local fruit. Organic for extra points. So worth it!
9. Buy those 5-year energy efficient light bulbs
   
10. Try to avoid using Styrofoam, it isn't biodegradable.
11. WALK. Wherever you can. Carpool! The less cars you take, the less gas you waste. Take the train, subway, bus etc. at least one way.
    Optional: take pictures of yourself with sulky faces using your rechargeable batteries and be scenester cool.
12. Stop smoking. You don't really need your very own personal hole in the o-zone layer.
13. Let the air out of random Hummers tires! Kidding, kidding. But hummers and big SUVS make me angry because they get such bad gas mileage.
14. Lower the temp in your house by a few degrees
15. Limit use of hot water when you take showers or whatever, it takes lots of energy to heat water up

Remember when we all made fun of Chloe Sevigny for wearing these?

Yeah, me neither.

Wayfarers sunglasses, sure to be hitting the racks of your local Forever 21.

the case against kitten heels.

When I was younger, my mom would never let me wear heels. She had some speech about how there is a genetic disposition to weak ankles in my family and I'll fall and break my neck and then I'll be sorry and what's wrong with those flat mary janes anyway? Of course Mom, being in sixth grade the mary jane thing would be rather embarrassing. Anyways, to me it seemed that kitten heels were the perfect solution. They were low enough to make my mother happy, and they were real, live, big girl heels! There was just one problem. They're impossible to walk in. The teensy weensy heels are narrow enough that all you can do is wobble. This led to me having a supremely embarrassing time at my aunts wedding, proving my mother right and leaving me to spend the next year's bar mitzvah season stuck in flats (not the hated mary janes though, thank God).
The reason for this post ( and I'm telling you this so you don't think I'm crazy and in need of therapy to talk about my mother the foot related abuse she inflicted on me (not to mention the visual, you should see the shoes SHE wears(actually I'll show you, here they are: )))

Anyway, the reason for this post is that for some reason there are a bonanza of kitten heels at my local Marshalls. They aren't even in style! (right?) But no, they have taken over the shelves, and whenever I spy a cute pair of what I think are flats, I am decieved by the tiny heel. It ruins my day.

By Jo

p.s. sorry about how rambly and pointless this post was, but no one's updated for a long time.

my t obsession.

So,I found this t-shirt (via StyleBytes). Is it not just amazing? Oh how I loves me some T. What, you say? Who is that? Why it's Mr. T of course! Born on the South Side of Chicago (what what), he started out as a bodyguard before landing a part in Rocky. He then starred on The A Team.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgECtiLrv04
(I would embed it, but I don't know how. Maybe someone can help me out with that?)
Anyway, he then moved to Lake Forest, a suburb of Chicago. The people there still dislike him because he removed some old growth trees from the property (This gets a mention in Dave Egger's book A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, a good read, by the way) To improve his image, he made a motivational video called Be Somebody...or Be Somebody's Fool! That's where the point of this post comes in. Basically I want you to see this video, from the show:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=InNdEWXWtsA
Is it sad that I actually like some of the outfits?

Finally, I would like to finish off by showing you my final project for ceramics. It's a...drumroll please...Mr. T(ea)pot! Yes, I'm very proud.

By Jo

an ode to target.

Australian Target puts ours to shame
Stella McCartney is at the top of her game.
If you're an Aussie, you're in luck
Unlike us Americans, still stuck in Proenza schmuck.
With pretty little blouses just like these
Stella McCartney is sure to please.
But who spends a 100 dollars [american] on a freaking Target shirt?

If you have all odds going againist you (living in Australia with oodles of money to spend on Target clothes) you can visit the offical site.

Vreth: a Major Cutie-Face, But a Good Singer?

The Finnish folk-metal band Finntroll is amazing. Yet they've gone through vocalists like Paris Hilton goes through chihuahaus.

My dear Katla, our Swedish-speaking friend, unfortunately had to retire from the band in 2001 due to a benign throat tumor that made him unable to sing.

The next vocalist, Tapio Wilska, was fired in 2006 for private reasons. It's a shame, because he was good too.

So the band hired Mathias Lillmåns, known best as "Vreth", as their new singer.

And um, he is HOT. Even if you're not into the whole long hair, metalhead thing, you've got to admit that this boy is fine.

We'll have something nice to look at during the concerts, but can this boy sing? That's my question.

Finntroll's debut album RivFader was amazing, Jaktens Tid is a fan favorite, Visor Um Slutet is an unusual acoustic concept that I happen to adore, and Nattfodd is just love.

I am very much looking forward to next month's Ur Jordens Djup. For one thing, I love Finntroll. And I want to see if Vreth sings as well as he is hot.

Mark your calendars for March 28! (Spinefarm Records, Century Media Distro) I sure will.

Look back here for updates. :]

-by Tight

sale hunting

The common misconception: The best deals are found during after Christmas Sales. Well, it's not always.

The best time to go sale hunting is not right after Christmas, but in January and February. Yes, there are more things left right after Christmas, and you have more choices. However, it's really later on that you can get the best deals. During the after Christmas sales, stores have a certain amount of discount. As the new year comes and through January, they begin to lower that price even more. That's when you get the best deals for what you're getting. There may not be as much left from before Christmas, but on the bright side, all the winter clothes usually go on sale during January and February when the spring lines come out, so there's actually a lot more winter clothes to choose from. For example, I bought a heart printed sweater hoodie from delias for 20 dollars, instead of it's original 40 dollars and a 40 dollar oxford from abercrombie kids for 20 dollars. You can get so much better deals that way, instead of blowing all your money right after Christmas. Then in February, all the discounted winter clothes from January get discounted even farther, and this would be another good time to head for the sales.

So.... good luck in finding your best deals!! Remember to check out the stores in January and February, not just after Christmas.

-Hairspray

Wardrobe Tips

I know some of you have been talking about wanting to rebuild your wardrobe, and wanted tips. So here is my guide to start your perfect closet from beginning to end. Keep in mind, these are just suggestions, so you may want to find things you like as you go along.

1. jeans- everyone needs a perfect pair of flattering jeans. Bootcuts/flares are always nice, and so are skinny jeans. Just make sure you don't get one of those extremely flared bell bottomish jeans. Darkwash is better for a first pair, since they work from day to night. Medium wash is fine too, but stay away from super acid light wash, especially when destroyed. Also, try to get something classic and plain for your first pair. Nothing sequined, embroidered (except for the pockets), destroyed, or patterned. You can get those later when you have your basics.
SAVE- wet seal (it's actually not bad), Old Navy, Abercrombie Kids, Hollister, marshall's, tjmaxx, delia*s, aeropostale, sale events
SPEND-abercrombie & fitch, American Eagle Outfitters, GAP, UO, lucky jeans, express
SPLURGE- designer basically. 7forallmankind, paige, true religion, citizens of humanity. or check loehmann's for cheaper designer jeans

2. basic tees/tanks- this is the other most important part of a wardrobe besides your jeans, including beaters, camis, crewneck tees, vneck tees, scoopneck tees, short sleeved tees, long sleeved tees, etc. definitely stock up on white and black beaters, and maybe a tshirt of each color. gray and brown would also be nice to have. then, go crazy with the colors. the great thing about these is you can layer different colors and styles if you don't want to look too boring, and layer them under/over your other tops. tshirt over tshirt, tshirt over beater, beater over beater, and so on. these crazy little things have so many possibilities!
SAVE- *old navy*, wet seal, forever 21, target, h&m
SPEND- GAP, abercrombie, a&f, AE, hollister, delia*s, j.crew, nordstroms BP has some i think
SPLURGE- C&C california, petit bateau, splendid, micheal stars

3. sweaters- for starters, definitely choose solids. black is always nice, and so is brown for the winter. for cardigans, i definitely recomment white and black. they go with everything. other sweaters, you can choose from vneck, crewneck, cableknit, wraps etc. basically any solid colored sweaters would be good to start with. you can layer them on top of your basics. If you want to go a little more crazy, you can do some stripes or something, maybe. Anddd! don't forget those hoodies. Hoodies are warm and comfy for those winter days or lazy days. i tend to prefer solid colored ones(maybe grey, royal blue, yellow, black, brown, tan...), but printed ones are cute too. Stay away from logo hoodies though.
SAVE- old navy, f21, wet seal, tjmaxx, marshall's, h&m
SPEND- gap, hollister, a&f, abercrombie, AE, aeropostale, deliasS
PLURGE- J.CREW the best place eva for basic sweaters in millions of colors, Ralph Lauren, UO, anthropologie, department stores

4. jackets- blazers, hoodies, that kind of thing. i really like velvet blazers in a dark neutral color or jewel tone. black, chocolate brown, navy, burgundy, teal... that kind of thing. they look nice with things, and make you look more professional. hoodies are nice for just throwing on when you're cold or something. black or gray are nice to start with.
stores to check out: j.crew, juicy, delia*s (for the funky ones), department stores, UO, abercrombie (if you can stand the logos, they're really warm), AE (same as abercrombie), GAP, old navy

5. shoes- flats, heels, sneakers, sandals, and whatnot. for flats, i suggest brown or black ballet flats, because they pretty much go with everything. if you want something funkier, try pointy toed, or something in a bright color like red. heels, well, classic black heels are a must, and whatever else you want i guess. for sneakers, i love black converses, and they don't look as crappy with cute outfits like actual running shoes would. And sandals, stay away from rubber flip flops (or save them for the beach). if you're looking for flip-flop style sandals, get leather ones. like j.crew leather flip flops. or you may want to try nicer sandals, like gladiator ones.
flats- UO, delias, nordstroms, jcrew, payless, target, AE
heels- um, wherever? but payless occasionally has nice cheap ones
sneakers- that's everywhere too.
sandals- delias, jcrew, nordstroms, payless, target, UO
others: anthro (but very expensive), aldo, nine west, old navy, gap

6. blouses/shirts- i love oxfords, but that's a personal thing. if you like them too, i suggest a white one and maybe a cute striped one. j.crew, abercrombie, gap, hollister, and old navy would be good for this. they can go for everyday or professional, or for school concerts and such when you need a nice white shirt. i also like blouses, maybe with ruffles, puff sleeves, or big bows. delias, anthro, and UO would probably have them. if you have a poofier blouse, you can balance it out with skinny pants/jeans, or maybe where them with nice trousers.

7. pants- nice trousers, black/grey skinny pants (UO and gap), bermuda shorts in a neutral color like black, white, tan (f21), short shorts- maybe cuffed like johnson's, or plain ones (f21, jcrew)

8. skirts- solid color knee length skirts are cute. maybe like a white flowy one or something for the summer. and prints are nice too. denim minis are skanky looking usually, but if you can make it work, go for it! and short skirts in general are slutty, so i'd stay away from them. also, black pencil skirts are good to have.

9. jewelry- pearls and diamonds are classic. pearl studs and diamonds studs are especially good to have. they go with everything. you may also like long, chunky necklaces, or a pendant necklace with a locket or key or something. for bracelets, bangles aren't overwhelming, but pretty. i like thin gold ones, wooden ones, or thick ones. i don't like plastic ones too much, well just because, i don't know.
SAVE- claire's, old navy, f21, wet seal
SPEND- UO, delias, AE
SPLURGE- department stores, and anthropologie

10. other accessories-
SUNGLASSES: oversized ones are cute, but don't go too far. obnoxiously large ones look stupid, so make sure it's not too big for the size of your face. (f21 usually has nice cheap ones)

HAIR STUFF: i'm in love with headbands. scarf/ribbon headbands are always nice, but plastic ones are "in" right now. you can find them at UO if you want, and most likely f21. Also, i have a burberry plaid one, and i'm in love with it. At j.crew and ann taylor, they have headbands that are called "tortoise shell" or something. it's leopard-printy, but not exactly. i really like those too.

BAGS: big, slouchy leather bags are always good, and can be used to keep all your junk. however, they are kind of pricey, so maybe check out places like marshall's and tjmaxx to find good deals. I also love lesportsac bags for vacations, totes, and every day, because they're waterproof, light and come in lots of prints. If you live near New York, you might want to check out the lesportsac store at Woodbury Commons.

Other info:You all want to keep up with the latest trend, but unless you have unlimited money to spend on everything, it's better to start off with a classy, basic wardrobe. THat way, you can layer them to create look s that are a little more exciting, and can wear them for longer. Also, if you do decide to get the trendy stuff, it's easier to wear if you have the basics. You don't want to go too overboard, so you can wear one trendy piece with a basic outfit.Know your body, and don't wear things just because it's trendy, or popular. Find things that flatter you and make you feel happy!!

by Hairspray