Style Fix

Jamie Lynn Spears gave birth to a baby girl on Thursday, June 19.

The family has not officially announced the birth or name, yet, but a nurse at the Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center betrayed them and secretly called CNN, who immediately reported it.

Expect pictures and more in OK! magazine - Spears officially announced her pregnancy through this magazine, and is expected to sell the rights to her baby’s first photos to them as well.

One of the most recognizable names in fashion passed away late last night: Yves Saint-Laurent.

The French designer had been dealing with brain cancer for years, and died with friends around him, in his Moroccan home, around 11 p.m. June 1 (Paris, France time).

Yves Saint-Laurent left home and began working for Dior in 1953, when he was only 17. In 1957, when Dior passed away, a 21-year-old Yves was put in charge of saving the fashion house from financial downfall.

Saint-Laurent met hardships when he was drafted to fight in the Algerian War of Independence. The hazing by fellow soldiers was so intense that he had a nervous breakdown. As a result, he was released from Dior.

Perhaps a blessing in disguise, he immediately began his own company - YSL - and went on the become the first living fashion designer to be honored by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1983.

Through YSL, Saint-Laurent brought many signature designs such as the beatnik look, safari jacket, tuxedos for women, and vintage silhouettes.

Unfortunately, it seems he was oft a troubled man, despite his raving fashion success. In 2002, Saint-Laurent retired and became increasingly reclusive. Most of his time, up until his death last night, was spent at home. His brain cancer had been kept secret, revealed only after an autopsy report confirmed it as the cause of death.

Funeral services have been planned for this Thursday, June 5, in Paris, France. The fashion world mourns the loss of Yves Saint-Laurent, a fashion prodigy, master, and legend.

Here, he is shown - with his French Bulldog - attending the Miro Exhibition at the Pompidou Center Museum, Paris, France on January 15, 2000.

They’ve given us curlers. They have offerings including waterproof, colors, lash separating, lengthening, thickening … but not until now has the makeup world seen such an inventive and clever product for your lashes. It’s a product that will invoke envy with the gorgeous, clump-free, super long eyelashes that it creates.

Wait. It does liner, too? That settles it: Spinlash is the best makeup product ever sold.

Spinlash is a revolutionary mascara application wand that spins as you apply. The spinning wand comes with black or brown mascara, but can also be used with your regular brand.

The wand is currently on sale for $14.95, including one mascara tube at Spinlash online. This brand new product from Akasha makeup company will be available beginning this season - Spring 2008 - at Claire’s, CVS, Duane Reade, Fred Meyer, H-E-B, Meijer, Sally Beauty, ShopKo, Snyder’s, SuperValu, Target, and
Walgreens.

I am highly intrigued and will definitely have to pick one up as soon as I can!

Oh, Lindsay …

Here’s a rundown on what people are talking about these days when it comes to Disney-bred Lindsay Lohan:

1. End of January, beginning of February Lindsay is photographed wearing an elaborate fur coat.

2. Come March, Lindsay is seen wearing one of the Humane Society’s anti-fur buttons (while carrying a leather coat).

Controversy #1: Does she support or is she against fur as fashion?

Concurrently, away from the media’s eye this is happening:

1. On January 26, Lindsay sits next to Masha Markova, a rich college student, and her $11,000 mink coat at club 1 Oak.

2. Surprised that leaving an $11,000 coat laying around a bar was not safe, Markova wonders where it went.

3. Masha sees Lindsay wearing said coat in an issue of OK! magazine.

4. Masha’s people call Lindsay’s people and ask “WTF?” Lindsay’s people mail the coat back on February 14, sans apology, and in less than perfect condition.

5. Masha sues Lindsay.

Controversy #2: Are you or are you not a klepto who doesn’t realize that someone will recognize their stuff when the paparazzi take a photo of you?

But wait, there’s more. Post all this drama, the club owner speaks up.

1. 1 Oak club owner, basking in the free press attention that his venue is receiving, offers to take Lindsay on an shopping spree and buy her an $11,000 mink coat of her own because he feels bad for her.

It’s in the Manhattan state Supreme Court’s hands now. But returning the coat seems like an admission of guilt to me. The lawsuit is for unspecified property damages.

It’s not just rare, it’s probably the first time ever that the two media networks that I keep up with - animal issues and fashion - are in agreement.

The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 is currently up for discussion - commonly referred to as the Farm Bill, or the $300 billion Farm Bill. It was passed in the House yesterday and received more than two-thirds pro votes, which is what they will need to maintain the bill if President Bush were to veto it.

Now, I’m not up on laws or farm speak, but both fashionistas and animal / vegan advocates are showng support for this act that sets to defend farmers and the environment (though neither side is 100 percent for everything currently on the bill).

For the fashion side: Women’s Wear Daily says that this “could potentially help retailers and apparel brands save millions of dollars.”

For the veggie side: There are food safety and labeling issues addressed, with country of origin becoming a mandatory label. Nutritional programs would get more funding and support. There would be tax deductions for farmers using renewable energy sources. There are positive implications for organic food, rural preservation, and general conservation of resources, too.

To read more, the House Committee on Agriculture has put together a one-page factsheet about the bill as a whole. Plus, there is a page dedicated to the bill where you can read a factsheet on each section, follow the legislative proceedings, and read statements from involved people.

I’ve never been more jealous in my life. It’s not her gorgeous figure, soft yet stunning looks, or multiple money-making talents that cause me to envy Scarlett Johansson. I want to be Scarlett based on the things that happened to her last week/weekend.

1. Ryan Reyonlds - who was totally supposed to be my man one day - asked Scarlett to marry him.

2. My favorite fashion designer - Stella McCartney - is asking if she can design Scarlett a wedding dress.

Yup. Scarlett didn’t ask Stella; Stella is asking Scarlett.

Being a green celebrity, Scarlett is sure to have a green wedding. Stella, being a vegan and thus green herself, wants to get in on the wedding planning.

“I’m definitely doing her wedding dress,” McCartney told People magazine. “She just doesn’t know it yet.”

Oh to be Scarlett Johansson and have Ryan and Stella as friends!

What do you get when you mix one part badass, twenty-something man with one part sarcastic, cupcake-loving boy?

Johnny Cupcakes, of course!

John “Johnny Cupcakes” Earle, the 25-year-old creative, business mind behind this clothing venture, can tell you flat out what makes his kookiness successful:

“I started this as a joke, from the trunk of my beat up 89′ Toyota Camry.” Mr. Cupcakes says on his Web site. “A college drop out — drug and alcohol-free lifestyle — turned down a lot of investors — Took countless risks — kept my shirts out of heaps of chain stores.”

I say it’s all about persistence and a gimmick - the gift cards come in ovens, the gift boxes are bakery-style boxes, the Web site is oven-themed, and new designs are labeled “freshly bakes.”

And now his tenacity, wit, perseverance, and self-belief is paying off. Johnny Cupcakes is opening a Melrose Avenue (Los Angeles) boutique next month, where he will sell his cult cupcake tee shirts and accessories.

So … let me get this straight: He’s my age, successful, cute, funny, smart, AND he doesn’t drink or do drugs? Is he single? Sign me up!

Those who don’t live in or near L.A., nor Boston where Johnny originated his calorie-free cupcake business, can buy and browse Johnny’s numerous designs - including a cupcake and crossbones, a boy writing “Johnny Cupcakes” graffiti with icing, ovens spewing cupcakes - online.

The Miley saga continues.

Post-controversy measures are flying fast around anyone and everyone involved in Miley Cyrus photo scandal du jour.

Photographer Annie Leibovitz is, obviously, still defending her shoot of the young teen sensation for Vanity Fair, saying repeatedly that the photo was meant to show Miley’s innocence.

Miley herself first reported thinking the shoot was fun and cute, saying that it was “really artsy. It wasn’t in a skanky way. And you can’t say no to Annie.” Later, however, formal statements - purportedly her thoughts - were released, all with a perfectly scripted tone about how “embarrassed” she is.

Vanity Fair just keeps repeating that her parents were there, and that she and they saw and loved all the digital prints.

Mr. and Mrs. Cyrus claim they left right before the most controversial picture was styled and taken.

Disney - essentially her Hannah Montana boss - says they won’t be taking action, but decision like these obviously effect her fame with her current fans. Gary Marsh, the president of entertainment for Disney Channel Worldwide said, “For Miley Cyrus to be a ‘good girl’ is now a business decision for her. Parents have invested in her godliness. If she violates that trust, she won’t get it back.”

The latest point of view to be tossed into the mix of scripted opinions, is the stylist himself, Michael Roberts. His statement led to a three page article in Women’s Wear Daily yesterday. Essentially, he said … Americans are crazy; he’s European and over there this would portray innocence. It was not a bed sheet, it was a dress. It’s all a joke, but not funny because he is offended.

And, of course, I am sure that you have all been on the edge of your seat, waiting for what I believe to be the best thoughts on the matter yet. My mother’s (summarized, because that would just be weird if I tape recorded our convos):

1. Why is nobody mentioning the creepiness of the daddy-daughter pose?

2. That was by no means an innocent shot.

3. She looks sweaty, makeup-less, and … well … post-sex.

4. Hopefully, she gets through this okay, and can move on with her life.

For more on this … oh, nevermind. There is no way that you want to hear more about this, is there? Turn on your TV, open the newspaper, or just Google “Miley Cyrus” and you’ll be flooded.

The snapshot of the daddy-daughter duo shown here is from backstage, before the 2008 CMT Music Awards.

Miley Cyrus - the 15-year-old ubiquitous daughter of Billy Ray Cyrus - has been making headlines and topping Internet searches for a reason new to the Disney channel starlet: She’s been getting naked. A lot.

First, there were the self-portraits taken with a female friend, one step away from making out with each other.

Then, she took it one step further, snapping pics of her tugging at her tank top to show off her underwear. And more of her laying atop a boy’s lap, with her shirt pulled up to show off her belly. Although the Internet world spread these quickly alongside questions of validity, Miley (a.k.a. Hannah Montana) has since apologized thus accepting their legitimacy.

But now, she has more help than just a digital camera, mirror, BFF … now, Vanity Fair magazine and photographer Annie Leibovitz are helping the young teen to show her goodies.

The June issue may have Bobby Kennedy on the cover, but inside the pages lies a topless Miley, draped in only a satin sheet. There are a few of Miley in clothes, but she is creepily, sexy looking as she drapes herself over her father.

This latest stunt is already flashing itself in the NY Times business section, parenting and gossip blogs worldwide, CNN celebrity news, Entertainment Tonight, radio shows nationwide … but not (anymore) on Vanity Fair’s Web site. You can find the photo of her with her dad (shown here), and a brief write up, but all the links to reading or seeing more now lead to pages that are not available.

Photos from the current controversy (shown second) aren’t even flattering. She looks ragged, tired, and gothic. In fact, she looks more like the dead girl from The Ring movies than herself.

So, will be seeing all of Miley come June? Or has the Disney legal team worked some kind of backwards magic to have the story changed?

For more, I recommend checking out Bitten and Bound where blogger Meg has provided links to all of the photos, quotes from several sources, and pics from German Vanity Fair’s inclusion of Hannah/Miley.

There have been some wacky headlines in the fashion world lately!

**Fun Slime-Fueled Shoes Set to Propel Kids Coast-To-Coast**

**Christian Lacroix Announces Joint Venture With Kuwaiti-Based Property Developer Abyaar**

**Barefoot Boy with Shoes On**

**Drainpipes are for boys - men’s jeans need pleats**

**Weird world inside a bag**

**Saks Fifth Avenue Partners With charity: water to Bring Safe Water to Impoverished Communities**

Reading the headline alone is entertaining (and often perplexing) enough, but you can also click on each one to read the whole story.

Believe it or not, not every celebrity turns to reality TV shows when they have a lag in their work schedule. Surprisingly, there are some who even find activities, hobbies, and jobs completely outside of the realm of Hollywood and into the world of doing good. Check out what these busy bees are up to …

* Cindy Crawford just started writing a blog for Vanity Fair. The topic? Environmentalism.

* Chloe Sevigny takes the New York City subway to get around town.

* Rachel McAdams hosts the enviro-friendly site Green Is Sexy with two of her friends.

* Zooey Deschanel teamed up with singer-songwriter M. Ward to create the band She & Him. Together, they released an album - Volume 1 - and are promoting a Barneys tee shirt recycling project.

* Kristen Bell raises money for children with autism.

* Ellen DeGeneres is producing her own pet food. She bought part of the all-natural company Halo, and is now a co-owner.

* Elizabeth Hurley bought an organic farm! She is loving life as a farmer so much that she has retired from show business.

Has Brad Wilson ever got a deal (or two, or one thousand) for you! He is the man of the Internet hour with his Web site Brad’s Deals making headlines everywhere.

Sure, he’s a computer guy so the deals and sales that first get noticed are those for companies such as Dell and HP, but Brad’s Deals go above and beyond just techy stuff. His site highlights bargains on books, flowers, sporting goods, kitchen gear, cell phones, movies, food, and fashion! Brad’s far surpasses other coupon code lists out there.

Skip right to the apparel or Health and Beauty section, and you will find awesome discounts, coupons, and sale notifications for fashion merchandisers.

Here are a few current examples:

* Through April 15 Bluefly is offering an extra 10% off everything on their site during their 2008 Tax Relief Sale. Shoppers can also add a coupon code at checkout ($15 off $100 via code AFF15 or code VISA08) to save even more.

* Finish Line currently has 8 styles of Rocket Dog Shoes on sale for $19.97 each, before 10% off coupon code 141705 (expires 4/30) lowers them to only $17.97!

* Originally $179, a plant-based, sunless, spray-on, self-tanning system is now on sale at Gaiam for $59.99. Take 15% off with coupon code CCAB (expires 6/30), and lower the price to $50.99.

Brad, along with a hardworking team of deal hunters, also provide direct links to designer’s sale and clearance pages, exclusive “Brad’s Deals” coupon codes and promotions, notifications of what deals are ending soon, e-mail updates, tips on hot sale items, detailed shipping and tax costs, and every other deal-related tidbit possible.

Sign up for Brad’s Deals’ newsletter and get a special, one-time deal, too!

Project Runway is stirring up some controversy in the off-season.

Weinstein Co., the creative owners of Project Runway, announced a five-season, $150-million deal with Lifetime Television Network to move the fashion reality goldmine to Lifetime beginning this November, Season 5.

If that isn’t shocking enough, as the show was oft referred to as Bravo’s Project Runway, upon hearing the news NBC (owner of Bravo) is suing Weinstein Co. to return to Bravo, Project Runway and Heidi in hand.

Apparently, Weinstein wants to lump all of their projects together, but Bravo only wanted Runway. Enter Lifetime offering to buy everything.

Follow the drama at CNN.

I admit to having had a school girl crush on Joey from New Kids on the Block, but that was over 15 years ago and today I have moved on. I no longer need to see (L to R in photo) Danny Wood, Jordan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg, or Jonathan Knight sing and dance like five coordinated MC Hammers.

However, the boys of New Kids do not seem to care what I think. After about a year of rumors on a possible NKOTB reunion, the band is back together and hitting the scene - starting with NBC’s Today on April 4.

I bring the early ’90s phenomenom of “Oh oh oh ohs” and swooning fans because, despite my disbelief in their comeback, I am impressed with their ability to dress their age without losing the boy-band, matchy-matchy feel.

Just one thing though … what’s up with Danny’s tan?

Here, in the second photo, the five hang tough (I couldn’t resist) in a publicity shoot for their brand-new reunion Web site. I love it: you can see each man’s personality through his style.

AND … let’s relive, for just one moment, what these guys used to consider the right stuff:

Supermodel Naomi Campbell was arrested this afternoon at Heathrow Airport, London, England.

Any guesses what her criminal act was?

No, she didn’t throw her cell phone at anyone. She didn’t even physically attack anyone this time.

Diva Naomi Campbell did something super glam to get her in cuffs today: she spat on a police officer at the airport.

The London Metropolitan Police is, of course, not yet confirming who the suspect in custody is, but CNN is confident enough to report that is was her.