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

Which Hair Style Is Right For You?

Figuring out which hairstyle to try next is always a stressful task for any girl. Our hairstyle can mean the difference in looking five years older or five years younger. A woman’s hair is an essential part of the “complete package”, so finding the perfect one for your face shape is extremely important.

There are six basic face shapes: oval, round, square, triangle, oblong and heart shaped. To determine which shape your face is, pull your hair back and study your face in the mirror or have a friend help you. Here are some characteristics of each face shape.

• Oval is evenly proportioned and egg shaped

• Round face shapes are round at the hairline and chin line with a wide face. Also baseball shaped.

• Square is a straight hairline, an angled jaw line, and a wide face

• Triangle is a wide chin with narrow a forehead.

• Heart shaped is an upside down triangle face with a narrow jaw line and widest at eye line.

• Oblong is a long and thin face with rounded chin and jaw line. Chin will appear pointed, much like oval.

If you are still having trouble deciding which face shape matches yours, try drawing the outline of your face onto the mirror with lipstick. Step away from the mirror and study the shape you have drawn on the mirror. Pick the one it most closely resembles. You will most likely be correct, but if you have questions go to a professional to have them determine your face shape.

Now that you have determined your face shape, let’s see what the best hairstyle will be for your shape! The oval faced shape has the most leeway with hairstyles. Almost any style will complement this face shape. For instance, an oval face shape could easily carry off a short pixie cut or a shoulder length layered bob.

A round face needs the illusion of length to thin the face out a bit, so a longer hairstyle is best for you. If you have a round face and you have short hair at the moment part your hair on the side. It will interrupt the roundness of the face, whereas a center part would not. Bangs should be avoided on a round face.

If you have a square face you want your hairstyle to soften the hard lines of the square, so short layers in longer hair are best. Bangs that are swept to the side also soften the sharp lines of the square face. This face shape can handle lots of wispy layers, so take advantage! If you have a triangle face shape you want to find a hairstyle that narrows the chin line and widens the forehead. In other words, a hairstyle that has a lot of volume on the top of the head is best. Do not choose a hairstyle that has a lot of volume around the chin. This face shape looks best with a cut that is below the chin or longer.

A heart shaped face needs a little balancing around the chin area. You tend to be pointed in this area, so you want to add the illusion of fullness. For instance, a rounded bob would look great on this face shape. To add a little softness to the forehead a side swept bang would also look great for this face shape. Avoid any style that will cling to closely to the face, though.

A short hairstyle complements the oblong shaped face. You don’t want anything past your shoulders because it will only lengthen the face and you definitely don’t need that. This face shape can carry off bangs with perfection! Wearing a side part is also flattering to this face shape. Asymmetric hairstyles look great on this face shape!

By: MissAshley

i'm going to mexico for winter break, but until then...

I've discovered a new face product. And it wasn't in my local drugstore, or at Sephora. It was at...Wait for it...Whole Foods. I was grocery shopping with my mom, and while I was waiting for her I wandered over to the hair and beauty aisle. I squeezed a little bit of this cleanser, and smelled it.

Mmmm...Pineapple-y goodness transports me to the tropics. However, not only does it smell great, but it works too! It did what I thought was impossible, it got rid of the blackheads on my nose. I've tried everything, from harsh scrubs to those strips of paper that you pull off. Nothing worked, except this.

Also, it has no harsh chemicals, it's vegetarian and doesn't test on animals. Could things get any better? Yes, they can. This product has natural enzymes, which naturally exfoliate. However, beause it's a chemical exfolition, it can't overexfoliate. Practically perfect!

-By Jo

bag girl who went to box land and became bag woman.

Posted by Jo

authenticating 101

Authenticating Coach:

Many people resort to ebay when purchasing a Coach bag. Reasons range from wanting to save money, to not having a store or an outlet near you, or that your favorite style has been sold out. Well, ebay is quite risky, seeing as it is a haven for fakes. I’m not going to list a big thing about how fakes are bad and why you shouldn’t buy them, because regardless of your opinions on fakes, nobody wants to spend $400 on a bag and have it turn out to be fake. Because with that kind of money, you could buy a real one. And it’s a lot.

Anyways, I’ve decided to share my knowledge of authenticating just for you! I’m surprised at the number of people who are in the dark about fakes. So here we go.

Step One:
If you are authenticating a bag that has already been purchased, you need to first ask where they purchased the bag. Unless they say “ebay” you’ll know right off the bat if it’s real or fake.
Authentic Coach is only sold at:
Coach Stores
Coach outlets
Military base exchanges (AAFES)
Department Stores (Macys, Lord and Taylor, and Nordstrom for example)
TJ Maxx and Marshalls sell Coach, however the creed on an outlet bag will have a small specific embossment stamped on it somewhere. If this person says they bought their bag at one of those places, it IS authentic.

Fake:
Any third-party website
Purse Parties- These articles explains the basics behind a purse party quite well: http://www.nbc4i.com/news/10378828/detail.html


If you got it from a purse party or a third-party website, it’s 100% fake. No doubt about it.

Step Two: Design:
Another way to spot phony coach is to look at the bag, obviously. At first it may seem difficult and a lot to take in, but after a while you can spot a fake from a mile away.


1. Coach leather is of superior quality. If the bag looks saggy like in this picture, it's fake:


2. If the bag looks like a style Coach has never produced, it's OBVIOUSLY fake:



3. The above bag is also a good example of fakes whose "C's" don't line up. It's pretty obvious by the picture.

4. Ever heard the term Goach? It's knockoff Coach, but a bit sneakier. They turn the C's into little G's.







Some more tips from a really good ebay about me page that you all should read.


-Just because a seller boasts that an item comes with a Coach box, tissue, bag, registration/care card, does NOT mean their item is authentic!
-Coach does not use PVC to trim their Signature bags - They use LEATHER!
-1994-Present: Serial numbers are NOT unique to each Coach piece
-Serial numbers can be and ARE counterfeited
-ANY and EVERY Coach Signature item should have perfectly centered C's and ALL C's on SEAMS should line up! NO authentic Coach item has crooked, off-center C's, period!!
-The average solid leather or signature Coach bag costs between $150-$400 depending on the size and style of the bag. Smaller accessories like wristlets and key fobs will obviously be less, and the Coach Limited Edition items are often more than the average price. Someone selling large volumes of these bags (at prices that seem like a steal) probably ARE a steal!

from ihatefakecoach's ebay about me page

Really, if it looks like crappy quality, it's fake. (Odd-looking colors due to poor-quality dyes, bursting seams, sagging, etc.)There's a reason that these bags are expensive, you know. Trust your instincts when going on ebay, and please for the love of whatever deity you worship, don't get one at a "purse party".




Authenticating Marc Jacobs:

We all know Marc Jacobs is pretty excellent, but not all of us have the ability to cruise his store, so we rely on good ol ebay! This handy guide will help yah determine whether that mj thing you want to bid on is real or fake!

The first rule of business is to trust your instincts. If the price is too good to be true, sorry, but it probably is. Not to offend anyone, but if the seller is from China then chances are it’s a fake. Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure many sellers from China sell authentic items, but just be careful. Also, there is no Marc Jacobs line specifically created for any Asian country! Sellers who claim that a particular item has a "different tag" because it was specifically created for such and such country are selling fakes, man. Lots of mj items are manufactured in Asian countries, but there are no lines created especially for them.

Always check other items the seller has sold. If they are selling many of the same dresses, that’s usually a sign that they are not auth. I don’t know how many people buy designer items in bulk…
Also, check the feedback. If there are multi people claiming the item wasn’t authentic, then look elsewhere. Also look at the mutual withdrawal numbers (at the bottom of the feedback numbers). Withdrawals are sometimes used to remove untrue comments, but can also be used by dishonest sellers to help their feedback. If a seller has an unusual amount of withdrawals, this is another sign that the item may not be authentic.

Look for items that have the tags attached. While there are pre-owned items, that could very well be authentic, the risk is much higher for bootlegs when there are no tags. If there isn’t a picture of the tag, ask the seller to show you one.

Marc Jacobs tags will be sewn in on clothing items. The clothing tag will be attached at the top back of the neck. The tag will be sewn at both ends and will have the size and fabric content tag in the center just below the Marc Jacobs tag. On Marc by Marc Jacobs the word Marc will be brighter than the word Jacobs. And on Marc Jacobs, “Marc” is in white letters and “Jacobs” is in grey.



Now for shoes!


(fake up top, real on the bottom)

When looking for Marc Jacobs shoes, pay attention to the insole. The first thing that should ring an alarm is whether or not three letters are missing from the stamped name on the insole. Make sure "ARC" isn’t missing from "MARC JACOBS".
Also, make sure that MARC JACOBS is stamped in the correct font and that it is lined up exactly in the center of the insole. You may want to look at the same mj shoes that you know are authentic and compare the two. (try eluxury.com)
So please bid carefully and do your research. There are lotsa deals on ebay, but there are also extremely sneaky people that like to rip you off.

Thanks to prox1mity and studio_blu (of ebay) of whom I got most of the information.


So that's a great way to get you started with telling fake from real.
Coach is courtesy of Tight
Marc Jacobs is courtesy of Gateau