Special Announcement- LIVE BLOG during PR Finale tonight!

My good friend Tim is a Project Runway fan just like me. Actually, he seems to remember a lot more detail of the seasons than I do, so maybe he's not "just like me." It's more like I try to be "just like him" but it doesn't really work out.

Anyway, if you read the comments on my Project Runway posts, you've seen some of his comments, which sometimes border on blog posts themselves. And that's what gave me the idea to have him write a guest post for the final two episodes of this season. He seems to have a really strong handle on the final contestants and their journeys through this season, so I couldn't think of a better person to handle the finales. Then he had an even more brilliant idea- let's do LIVE BLOGGING for the final two episodes!

It's pretty simple: he'll be blogging from Style... the New Black throughout the episode, talking about the contestants, the designs, Tim Gunn- whatever he likes (or hates), really! And you can follow along just by visiting the blog throughout the episode!

To re-cap, the remaining designers include: Gretchen, Mondo, Andy and Michael C. One of the things Tim mentioned in a recent comment was that he liked seeing the 6-look "mini collections" that were flashed on the screen during the judges deliberations. It gave viewers an opportunity to see the range of each designer over the course of the season. I agree, but with 12 episodes, seeing 6 looks was not quite half of what they designed. So, I decided to put together a picture collage for each of the four remaining designers as a bit of a refresher as we head into the finale. In episodes where they designed multiple looks, I included the first one. Here they are:

I'm not sure why Andy's collage appears smaller than the rest- I made all these in Paint, so maybe I messed something up along the way. So, now that you can see nearly all their designs throughout the season, does that change or affect your opinion of who should go to fashion week? Leave a comment and don't forget to check back tonight for Tim's live blog! One thing I should note is that Tim is located in Las Vegas, NV, so the blog will begin at 9:00 PM PACIFIC time. 

P.S. If you like Tim's guest blog here (and I'm sure you will), check out his own personal blog Three Second Goldfish. You'll love it, too, I'm sure! 

What an Amazing Wednesday!

Today was quite possibly one of the most fun days I've had since coming back to New Hampshire. When I talked about moving, my ridiculously talented friend Kate of Studio Nouveau said, "I can take pictures of your dresses!" What a dream! She and Lara (her business partner) are two incredible photographers who really know what they're doing. Today I remember thinking to myself, "That's not a camera- it's a magic wand!" Of course, that's really doing Kate a disservice because the magically wonderful photos are actually due to her talent and skill. I don't consider myself to be particularly photogenic, so the idea of being photographed is pretty terrifying. However, the experience with Kate was nothing but completely relaxed and fun. I think we giggled for about 95% of the shoot. It flew by and before I knew it, we were parting ways again. I can't wait to post pictures from the shoot here on the blog, but you'll have to wait a bit longer for that. To check out Studio Nouveau's blog, click here. Book them early- they are two very busy ladies, and it's for good reason.

Kate took shots of the three new dresses I made for myself over the last couple of weeks. I made them with the intention of wearing them mostly to work, but I may break one or two of them out for this weekend. "What's this weekend?" you ask. Well, it's Pod Camp NH in Portsmouth and somehow I've managed to get the courage to present. If you haven't heard of Pod Camp, it's basically an "un-conference" focused mainly on new media (blogging, social networking, podcasting, video on the net, etc.). People from all walks of life and various professional and personal backgrounds will be in attendance. I'll be talking about my experience as a fashion stylist/designer and how I use social media within that field- including this blog. What makes it an "un-conference" is that the attendees are actually the presenters. You may be sitting next to someone at one session and then see them leading the next one! If you're interested in learning more, you can visit the FAQ page, or if you want to get even more involved you can register to attend or even better, propose a session to lead.

So the big question of the day is: do I wear one of my new dresses to attend and/or lead a session at PodCamp? I think the answer is obvious, but which one to wear? I'll be sure to take pictures over the weekend and I will also be sure to blog about the experience next week. I have a feeling I have a LOT to learn about new media!

Craigslist is my friend

I have a confession to make: I am a Craigslist junkie. I have sold furniture, clothing, shoes, accessories, kitchen items, home decor, even a fake Christmas tree on Craiglist. I've bought furniture, cell phones, books, a TV, and just this week- a SERGER! I can't even begin to tell you how thrilled I am. Sewing without a serger is not nearly as good. Sergers trim the edge of the fabric and then encase the edge in thread, which prevents fraying. Also, there are settings you can adjust that prevent puckering and stretching when you sew with stretch fabrics. All told, sergers are amazing. Look at the inside of whatever garment you're wearing right now and I can practically guarantee you'll see a serged edge:

Photo Credit

I've been without one since moving from PA on September 17th and I barely lasted this one month without one. I started hunting on craigslist- both New Hampshire and Massachusetts sites. There weren't many posted, plus I didn't want to spend more than $200. Well, on Sunday evening as I was perusing the site, I saw a brand new serger listed for $100. Granted, it was not the most high-end serger on the market, but at that price, I would be happy even if it needed a tune-up at my local sewing shop. If you use craigslist at all, you know it can be a hassle- you need to be the first person to reply to the ad, or there are no guarantees. Actually, even then there are still no guarantees. Then, you need to coordinate with the seller, who could choose to sell to someone who replied much later than you simply because it is more convenient for them- perhaps the buyer lives closer or their availability to pick up the item is more open than yours. Maybe they offered the seller more money because they really wanted the item. Honestly, for every item I've "won" on craigslist, I've lost at least two or three others.

If you look at it like a hunting-type of game, it can be fun shopping on craigslist. In fact, I prefer the buying end of the site to the selling end. Although, luck was on my side for selling when I was moving out of PA- literally EVERY item I posted on craigslist sold almost immediately. There were even things I was torn over- like my baker's rack. I'd purchased it on craigslist three years ago for $50. It was the kind that broke down pretty nicely so storage wasn't really an issue, but given how much other stuff I had, I didn't want to take anything extra or unnecessary. I figured that it was a pretty easy item to replace once I got a new place up in NH, but since I loved it so much, I figured I'd post it for $60, that way I was making a small profit and that helped ease the hurt of letting it go. I did the same thing with my dining table. I posted it for higher than I paid for it and determined that if it sold, it was meant to be. I felt like the craigslist selling queen that week! I got rid of my baker's rack, my table & chairs, 2 book shelves, a desk, a fake Christmas tree (with all the decorations), a mission-style chair I'd re-upholstered myself and even some artwork.

I still enjoy perusing the "for sale" postings on craigslist just to see what's out there and what people are charging for various things. It always cracks me up when I see something like a couch listed for $600 or $700. For real? If I had that kind of money to spend on a couch, I wouldn't be shopping on craigslist! When I sell on craigslist, I price the item to move, except in the cases I mentioned above where I wasn't quite certain I wanted to sell. The desk I sold? $25. The Christmas tree with all the trimmings? $20. The table and chairs? $150. Not exactly bank-busting prices! I like the idea of an online community where someone who needs to get rid of something sells it a bargain price to another person who can really use it, but maybe can't afford to buy it brand new and full price. I sold my old dress form because it was too rickety and old for me. It went to a woman who is opening up a fair trade clothing shop, so I not only provided her with a bargain, but the form went to a good cause and that made me feel good! And now I get to peruse the site for a new dress form for myself!

When I told my mom that I was looking online for those two things- a serger and a new dress form, she said, "If you find one for a good price, let me know- it will be your welcome home/early Christmas present from me." So when I found the serger for $100, I knew it was meant to be. The brand is one that retails for around $299, so I couldn't pass up the deal. I picked it up last night, brought it home, threaded it, adjusted the settings and tensions and gave it a test run. It worked like a dream and I can't wait to use it on a project!

I have to admit that it feels as though every little detail of my move up north is working itself out tremendously. I won't bore you with all of those little details, but they are working themselves out incredibly. I hope my good fortune continues- it feels like God is watching over me and putting all the pieces of the puzzle exactly where they belong. And now to find that dress form...

Shoesday Tuesday: Boots, boots and more boots...

I am obsessed with shopping for boots right now. Maybe it's the sudden change in weather, maybe it's the fact that I've moved north where boots are a necessity, not merely a fashion statement. Whatever the reason, I'm dying over so many boots right now. And I will admit that now that I'm back in the colder climate, I understand the reasoning behind Ugg boots. I still don't think they're attractive- I still think they are appropriately named- but I GET them. These, on the other hand are very pretty:

Madden Girl Luciee, Zappos, $39.95

I adore the button detail on these- it's very steampunk, which seems to be becoming a bit of a trend these days. You won't be seeing me in full Victorian garb unless I somehow end up in the cast of "A Christmas Carol" at a local community theatre, though. And that's highly unlikely. However, a hint of Victorian like these boots? Now that's much more likely! 

I'm also in love with "Houston" which is in my October Showroom from Shoe Dazzle this month. It's available in black as well as this rich tan: 

Houston, Shoe Dazzle, $39.95 (Membership required) 

The heel on "Houston" is a tad high, especially for everyday, but I like how the calf looks wider than your average pair of knee-high boots. If you're anything like me, finding boots wide enough for your calves is a challenge. I discovered there are actually "wide calf" boots available, though. Obviously, you can find them on plus-size sites like Avenue, Lane Bryant and OneStopPlus, but Zappos also carries an impressive selection. For example, I'm digging these gorgeous ones by Fitzwell available in black, brown and grey, although I'm partial to the latter two: 

Fitzwell Kyoti Wide Calf Boot, Zappos, $125

I also like these:

Type Z Worth Wide Calf Boot, Zappos, $93

Based on these choices, I seem to be drawn to lighter shades of tan and dove grey, which is new for me. I have a couple pair of black boots, so I'm sure it's just that I'm drawn to ones that aren't similar to what I already own. That's definitely a good thing! At least I'm not being redundant! 

As the weather gets colder, don't you feel like there's something comforting about boots? Even a pair of Uggs, I can understand. It's not currently part of my plan to purchase any new boots, but if the perfect pair just happen to present themselves for a remarkable price, I might just have to change my plans!

How to Look Thin- Even in Winter!

Fall and winter mean thick sweaters, heavy coats, and wool trousers- not exactly the first things that come to mind when you want to look thin! I prefer dressing for the spring and summer for obvious reasons: the light-weight fabrics, no bulky layering to keep warm, even the clothes themselves seem to be made with less fabric somehow. Unfortunately, we don't all live in the tropics, so dressing with bulkier clothes in the cooler months can be necessary. It does not, however, need to be unflattering. Here are three simple solutions to looking thin and trim even in the dead of winter:

Monochromatic by Rtboo featuring grey tops

It hardly makes a difference which color you've chosen to wear, if all the elements of your outfit are in the same color choice, the effect will be a magically slimming look. In the example pictured above, everything is grey, but if you add a pop of color with something like a handbag, or a piece of jewelry, the effect will remain the same, so don't think that monochromatic has to mean boring. In fact, monochromatic is often very sophisticated and bright. Take this example of Emma Pillsbury, our favorite OCD guidance counselor:

The whole idea behind a monochromatic outfit is the concept of thinking vertically with your clothing. But using just one color isn't the only way to create vertical lines in your outfits. 

Think Vertically! by Rtboo featuring pink scarves

In the set pictured above, you can clearly see how vertical lines can be created any number of ways: 

1.) Vertical prints like stripes

2.) Vertical silhouettes like a pencil skirt or sheath

3.) Long necklaces and scarves

4.) Vertical details like the ruffles detail on the blouse and the scallop edge on the coat

5.) Vertical seaming, whether a garment-shaping seam or a pin-tuck-style detail

6.) Monochromatic pieces layered together- black pumps with black opaque tights create a long leg line

7.) V-necklines

Finally, fall and winter clothing is often quite bulky, but it's also necessary in the cold weather. I couldn't survive the winter without my collection of sweaters, but I don't like how much added bulk they can add. What's the solution? Belt those bulky sweaters and you'll create a slimmer, sleeker silhouette: 

Belt It! by Rtboo featuring a brown belt

Whether the sweater itself comes with a belt or whether you add one from your closet, it will help slim your look down dramatically. I promise! 

Understanding how to use the pieces in your closet to the most slimming effect is a fabulous skill to have, so get to it! Send me a picture of your most slimming fall/winter outfit and I'll post it on the blog!

Meatless Monday

Have you guys heard about the "Meatless Monday" trend? More and more people are choosing to eat less meat in the hopes that it will be one more step towards a more healthful lifestyle for themselves as individuals and for the food industry on the whole. So in keeping with that trend, today I am going to show you many different vegan clothing and accessory options as well as recycled, upcycled, re-purposed and re-used pieces. Enjoy!

Maggie Recycled Seatbelt Handbag, The Ultimate Green Store, $76

Hemptress Mona Satchel Hemp Bag, The Ultimate Green Store, $175

Umbrella Skirt, Supermarket, $90

X-Ray Earrings, Etsy, $18

2-Tone Dress Shoe, Vegan Chic, $34

Elegant Oxford Pump, Vegan Chic, $42.50

Patent Dress Boot, Vegan Chic, $56.95

BB Dakota Faux-Wool Coat, Alternative Outfitters, $72

So there you have it- a small, but varied collection of vegan and cruelty-free clothing and accessory options. I'm always curious about what people think of these types of items and this movement within the fashion industry. I admit, I am a skeptic. At this point in my life, I'm happy to wear leather shoes, carry a leather handbag, knit with pure wool and alpaca yarn as well as purchase real wool sweaters, coats, etc. When I think of being green with my sartorial choices, I prefer to purchase pieces that are recycled from other materials. Not only is it more creative, but to me, it's a far better choice to rescue something from a landfill and turn it into a useful and/or beautiful piece than it is to continue to flood the market with newly manufactured goods- vegan or otherwise. 

One could argue that while a faux-wool coat or faux-leather shoe may be "cruelty free," they are also potentially far more environmentally damaging than a 100% wool coat purchased at a thrift shop or a pair of arm warmers re-purposed from a worn-out sweater. I wonder what types of manufacturing procedures are used on many of the "vegan leather" options. What chemicals and synthetic materials are used to create such realistic fakes? Will they decompose in a landfill more quickly than non-vegan items? 

And on a personal note, I have a few minor complaints about some vegan options. For example, faux leather shoes do not stretch. At all. Which means that if the vegan shoes I bought are a little too snug, I have the choice to suffer, or to let the shoes go to waste, or to pay a lot more to have them fixed at the cobbler, if that's even possible. In addition, faux-leather does not breathe, making for much more sweaty, stinky feet. 

As far as wool and silk are concerned, well I also have no problem with them. The sheep aren't being killed for their wool, they're merely being shorn. And all the pure wool and alpaca yarn I buy to knit with comes from local farmers who maintain pleasant living conditions for their animals. I know there are likely a lot of huge farms that supply to manufacturers and their treatment of the animals is probably less than ideal, so I understand why the choice is being made not to purchase those products, but if you can purchase locally and see how the farm runs and treats their animals, would that change your mind about using synthetic faux-wool materials? 

I honestly do not know enough about how all these items are manufactured to make a strong case in either direction, but I do think we should question where it ALL comes from and how it ALL is made. The fashion industry is one of the most polluting industries and of course I would hope we can all work to change that, but just like some people choose to eat local organic meat rather than go completely vegetarian, I think we should be able to make similar choices and compromises in the fashions we buy and make. 

Project Runway: Season 8, Episode 12

IN: Michael C, Mondo, Andy, Gretchen (ugh)
AUF'd: April

Let's start with the runway looks:

Andy's look

April's Look

Gretchen's look

Michael's look

Mondo's look

I feel like I have SO much to say and yet, the judges really said most of it for me. I completely agree that Mondo nailed it and that Michael's dress was great. I also agree that April has no range and Gretchen really blew it on this one. As for Andy, I've never been a fan of his aesthetic, so I'm happy for him that the judges loved his look, but it's really not something I would ever wear. Even without his "warrior woman" styling, it's not a dress I'd ever wear. Mondo's dress, on the other hand is absolutely something I would wear (if it was longer, anyway). Mondo and Andy made very similar looks in terms of construction and yet they were SO different. I prefer the playful mix of prints that Mondo does so successfully. I am not a fan of the dominatrix "wet look" that Andy does so.... well,  I suppose successfully is the word since he made it to the semi-finals.  

April is young and hopefully she's also resilient. I hope she'll grow from this experience because she has a lot of time ahead of her to be successful in the fashion industry. While I agree that she's made some nice things, I also agree that they're all basically the same thing with minor variations and NONE of those variations include color. I said the same thing a week or two ago- she's never done anything other than black and she did the same thing again this week. I agree with whichever judge referred to her model as a "pregnant witch." I think that for the most part, April designs high-end Hot Topic and as Michael Kors says, "It has no joy." He's so right about that. I think it was the right decision to send her home, but I wish the judges had also sent Gretchen home. I find her to be so unbelievably arrogant that it's not surprising she's struggled so much in the industry. If you're going to make it in as tough an industry as fashion, you need a touch of humility and loads of support from friends, family, business partners- wherever you can get it. I'm only guessing here, but I wonder if her arrogance has alienated her a bit. Why would anyone want to help someone who doesn't listen, and who is so unfailingly judgmental? Right up until the bitter end, she was being snarky and rude about Michael. "He's either an idiot savant or just an idiot." Really? You really want to be on camera saying that about another person and not in a humorous setting? Really?!?!? Ivy was worse, no doubt, but Gretchen is a close second for the villain character of the season. If I never hear her speak again, it will be too soon. 

Speaking of Michael, I think he nailed it. His inspiration was clear, but he didn't make a replica in any way. I absolutely could see that dress on the red carpet, even if I couldn't see it in my personal wardrobe. I agree with the other contestants that it's hard to understand Michael's aesthetic, but for them to be so against him right up to the end just makes me sad. Even when he asked them, "What do you think?" Not a single one said  something clearly positive and supportive. Instead, they all said, very judgmentally I might add, "It's very sexual. Sexual." Just ONCE I wish someone (besides the judges) said, "You did a beautiful job on that dress." I was thrilled for him when Mondo said such nice things about him. Michael is genuinely touched when the other designers are supportive of him and he has had SO little support from them, I'm amazed he's not more worn out like Gretchen. Then again, maybe Gretchen wouldn't be so tired if she just focused on her work and stopped telling everyone else how to design their garments. She's insufferable and I can't stand her. 

As for the semi-finals, I hope that the guys all make it through to fashion week and Gretchen goes home, however, the judges have loved some of her looks that I found positively revolting and unfortunately personality doesn't really factor in their decision, so I think it will end up being Mondo, Andy and Gretchen in the end. I hope they prove me wrong, I really hope they do. 

On another note, I absolutely ADORED having Christian Siriano as a guest judge. I thought he was very insightful and articulate and he demonstrated a maturity that was often lacking during his season of the show. I hope he continues to have success as a fashion designer because it is clearly what he is meant to do. 

All right, friends- only 2 more weeks until the season is over! It's been a good one and overall I've really enjoyed it. What are your thoughts on this season? The cast? The challenges? The new 90-minute format? Leave a comment!