Why so Mean to Kelly Clarkson, People?

In watching Saturday Night Live this past weekend, I was a little taken aback by host Charles Barkley and Musical Guest, Kelly Clarkson... if only because I sort of feel that neither are 100% relevant right now. Once the show started though, I thoroughly enjoyed Charles Barkley as the host and I was reminded of how friggin' talented that Kelly Clarkson really is. I have seen many a SNL where the musical guest sounded, flat out horrible live... but Kelly, now there is a true talent.

So here I am enjoying myself and imagine how absolutely peeved that I was when I saw my Twitter feed blowing up with people dogging on Kelly Clarkson for being fat.... and actually tweeting to her about it. Ummm, hello people, Kelly Clarkson can actually see those tweets. Would you tell your friend or even a casual acquaintance that they looked fat? I don't think so.

Bad manners aside, I think that this type of public reaction to someone's personal appearance is something of societal tragedy. Are we that obsessed with weight, youth and beauty, that physical looks automatically trump absolutely amazing talent? Here, I'll show you some examples of the complete superficiality:

@fsmikeyL 100%. Kelly clarkson loves to eat ham
@IlickBrains Clearly if Kelly Clarkson "Just Walked Away" she wouldn't be at her size.
@willnoonan Since You've Been Gone, Kelly Clarkson has been eating.
@brandnirwin Kelly Clarkson weighs more than Charles Barkley

Those weren't the worst but you get the idea...


Now there were no great pictures that I could snag of her performance but check out this video of her Mr. Know It All performance that night.... OK, welcome back. Please also see pictures of Kelly below from VH1 Divas, the American Music Awards and recent NFL event. I THINK KELLY LOOKS GREAT. Yes, she has gotten some curves that perhaps weren't there the last time we all took a look at her but seriously people, she is an average American woman that you are putting down here. I bet you that Kelly Clarkson and I might be pretty close in size (well I have more chest while she has more butt) and it kind of hurt my feelings that the Twitterverse was giving her a hard time.

Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images North America, Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images North America, Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images AsiaPac

I think that girls today need to have great role models. I love to look and feel beautiful. I love to daydream about wearing designer clothes and dressing up to look glam but if society is telling me that I have to be model thin to actually be beautiful? Geesh, what kind of message is that. Should I not even bother? I am SURE that Kelly Clarkson's feelings were hurt by the mean tweets, how could they not be? She is an absolute power house of natural talent that I could only dream of having. And to boot? She is a curvalicious and beautiful woman. Seriously people, why so mean to Kelly Clarkson?

Where do you weigh in on this? (no pun intended)

Project Runway All Stars: Am I Impressed?

OK, so Project Runway All Stars started last night so before you read this, please know that I will spoil what happened so if you have it DVR'd, you will be mad at me if you read further.

Model Angela Lindvall is taking over hosting duties usually regulated to Heidi Klum. Then there’s Joanna Coles (Marie Claire editor-in-chief) taking over Tim Gunn’s spot as mentor. And designers Isaac Mizrahi and Georgina Chapman will be sitting in Michael Kors and Nina Garcia’s seats. My initial thought? Not terribly excited about the change up... but I suppose it was necessary because the "all stars" do have past relationships with the judges and  it could be problematic. 


So our episode started by reintroducing us to our supposed or the most talented designers from past seasons. They do have some ranging from popular and super talented (Mondo Guerra, Austin Scarlett) to the mildly popular and mildly talented (Anthony Williams and Kara Janx) to the annoying and/or forgettable contestants (Kenley Collins and Rami Kashou). Would all of these contestants have been on my "all star" list? Probably not, but I digress. I will also make notations later in regards to who I think was brought on specifically to be cut first. Our designers put on a fashion show each with a look brought from home to represent themselves as a designer. Everything looks pretty decent and that is on the level.

Challenge time: Our first episode is, you guessed it, the unconventional item challenge! Our designers shop at a 99 cent store and their looks need to be inspired by the looks they brought from home. It's at this point where I am kind of, legitimately, over the unconventional item challenge. Dollar store, super market, junk yard... it's all the same to me. 

Our designer's commentaries are, as usual, peppered in between our shots of the action. As they are all shopping, I get the impression that the majority of them think that they are the best in this competition. I start to realize that part of what makes project runway so special is that the designers are still trying to dig in, make their own success and win it! I don't get this vibe at all... dare I say it, we have some divas in this all star cast.

I LOVE Project Runway and have been an avid watcher of all seasons and so far, I am not enjoying this episode. We go through the same motions and issues with putting together unconventional items. Gasp, Austin melts through plastic with his glue gun. Mondo isn't feeling the competition yet, Kenley is still super annoying. I found myself wishing I had recorded it so I could fast forward to the end. 

A bright spot in this ep, is Joanna Coles mentoring our designers. While she is most definitely no Tim Gunn, she brings a sophistication and seriousness to the series that I really like. That is the only change in judging/mentoring that I care for. My friend Erin calls Isaac Mizrahi b!tchy and I can't say that I disagree, Georgina Chapman is lovely but let's face it, Nina is my girl... and then there is Angela Lindvall. Who is Angela Lindvall? Apparently, she is/was a model but compare her to Hiedi Klum and this is an epic failure. Her hosting is disjointed and rehearsed , her emotions seem forced and to me, she doesn't have anything endearing that makes me like her. In short, there is nothing different about her. I am hoping that as the season goes on, that she gets into a groove because the elimination "ceremony" was almost painful.

Top 3: Mondo, Rami and Jerell. Rami wins, whoopee
Bottom 3, and here is where I think they brought people in, knowing they would be good bets as going out early*: Sweet Pea: was she that great a designer before? I like her and everything but I don't recall her being in the top often despite her making it fairly far. Gordana: I barely remember her and Elisa: also not a great designer and best known for spit marking on her fabric.

*Please add Micheal Costello to this list as he is ever the underdog and Mila Hermanovski as I feel she also falls into the forgettable category.

I will be giving this season a chance but right now, I feel like everyone is kind of full of themselves, by the looks of the previews, Isaac doesn't maintain his composure like a judge should and well, I am just plain uninspired. I plan to watch at least the next couple of episodes but unless I seem some improvements, some unexpected twists or something, I may just have to bail.

What do you think? Did you watch and were you in love? Or do you agree with me somewhat?

Who I am Watchin' 2012 Stylie

Wondering who I am planning to keep an eye on this 2012? Well, I am trying out this new list thingy from Skinnyscoop and it seems kind of fun. I also found a picture of Kim Kardashian with a sunburn and it makes me chuckle. Check out my list and let me know whatchya think! 
 

Who I am watchin" in 2012

Rooney Mara Update: She Still Rocks

Wellp guys, Rooney Mara is still rocking some hard core premiere fashion. Whoever her stylist is... is pure genius, making Rooney feminine but also keeping in the "theme" of her movie, adding a little edge and masculine energy to her Red Carpet looks.

Photo by Francois Durand/Getty Images Europe

What do you think of her  look at the Paris premiere? Louis Vuitton? Yes, please. She looks fab in my book.

The Year of Doing it All

So as most of you already know, the engagement to be married has become a focal point in my life in the past few weeks but something else has come to a head, and that is my life long dream of going to school for Fashion Design.... something that I have just become acutely aware of still being my dream.

Upon graduating from High School, I did apply to colleges based on this dream, being accepted into multiple fashion design programs but when it all came down to it, my family and I decided that going into a Business program would be a more marketable degree something I could work with in many, many different fields. When you are 17/18 years old, you make decisions based on silly things and in looking back, I wish I could have given myself a couple of pointers. In the end, I chose to go to the school that I did based on how many girls from my High School were going there. In retrospect? Not the greatest reason to choose a college but had I to do it over again, I would make the same decision. I met some of the greatest people I know and some of the best friends I will ever have by going to that school.

As for my degree? I do not regret the decision to go to school for business. When I graduated, I got a job almost immediately. Actually, if I recall correctly, I started working before I even got my actual diploma. Then when the economy tanked, I still remained employed, which was a blessing. I sincerely believe that my business degree has made me more marketable and perhaps a more sound investment to employers... fast forward to present day. I am pretty successful for my late 20's but when I actual drive to work, plunk down at my computer and do my actual job, am I that excited to do it? No, not at all. I have this blog, which I love, but I want to be doing something amazeballs with my time, all the time. Whether that is designing fashion? Or working with my business degree in a fashion environment, I don't know but I do know it's something I want to pursue.


I am older and wiser. This year, I want to go to school for Fashion Design. I have a business degree behind me. Let's get 'er done. This year, I want to put a lot of effort into planning a fantastic wedding and not forget about the man who is the one who gave me the ring. This year, I want to be an amazing bridesmaid to my good friend Nathalie, who asked me to be in her September wedding before I even knew about mine. This year, I want to build this blog into something more; I want it to take on a life of it's own (hopefully somewhat organically). This Spring, I want to go on a vacation to Iceland with my man and his bestie/bestie's wife... That may seem like a lot to plan around in one year but I say, why not try to have it all? 

I just enrolled in my first class of the Fashion Design Graduate Certificate Program at Mass College of Art and Design in Boston. The program requires that you take one of the preliminary courses and then apply to the bigger program once you pass that first class. I am taking Intro to Creative Fashion Design this Spring semester with the hopes of taking Fashion Illustration this Summer before I even get into to the program. I would take the Fall off, as I have Nathalie's wedding, possibly my own and the Holidays to plan for. I would also be applying with my portfolio in November so, I think I will probably need some time for that as well. Any way you slice it, I am pretty darn excited about exploring this opportunity that my life and business degree have afforded me.

I am not about New Year's resolutions this year... I am about living my life to the fullest and pursuing things I want to do all the time (if possible)... Why resolve to do things, when you can just do them? We shall see how long I can keep this motivation up and I am sure there will be some days where I will need help keeping positive but I am excited to pursue my dreams, marry the man of my dreams, create memories and keep you all updated on the pursuit of my new degree.

What are your hopes for this year? What do you hope to accomplish?