Whoa, a post NOT about Christian Siriano?  What’s come over me? 

Oh, yeah, that’s right - Another obsession:  America’s Next Top Model.  This is one of the rare shows I watch that I wish were on two - three times a week.  Then again, I loves, loves, loves Tyra Banks, so if she’s on board, I’m on board.

This is the first season, though, that I’ve seen so many kind of unfortunate makeovers. I say kind of unfortunate instead of bad because the girls are still beautiful - I just think they were even more beautiful before the hair color and scissors.  

Take Anya (above), for example.  She’s still a beautiful model and, personally, I think she has become one of the front runners.  But, I think she was positively striking as a brunette.  On the last episode, when Nigel Barker was photographing her, however, she was working an amazing Marilyn Monroe thing that worked beautifully, though!  When she’s wearing lipstick and eyeshadow, I admit the blonde hair looks gorgeous on her.

I loved her reaction when she was told she’d be nude.  Most girls freak at that point but she was like, “Oh, wow! Cool.”  Love that.  I’m always kind of annoyed when girls panic over the issue - I mean, if they’ve ever watched the show, they know it’s a distinct possibility.  Don’t become a contestant if you don’t want your ta tas to be seen.

Another girl I thought was MUCH better before was Claire (right), who I adore by the way.  I love this girl’s spirit, her face, her walk, her style, her personality (though I think she pushed things with Dominique - sure she can get under your skin, but only if you let her), and her love for her family.  Look at her mouth the next time the show’s on.  If it’s not the most gorgeous mouth ever to be worn by a model, it’s definitely in the top three.  She has the face to pull of the incredibly short hair, but I don’t know why they made her a blonde.  She’s still gorgeous, though.

And then there’s Dominique (below, black V-neck top and leggings)…what’s up with this girl?!?!  She seems to totally enjoy pushing people’s buttons but panics when they don’t enjoy the experience.  As soon as they fight back, she melts down.  She’s beautiful and takes absolutely amazing pictures - I’d love to just see her chill the hell out.  Love her or hate her, you have to admit her pictures are usually amongst the best.  The bone structure on this girl is just crazy beautiful.

Her makeover isn’t quite as unfortunate as the rest.  I think she probably looks as good before as she does after.  Again, her problem isn’t her looks or pictures - it’s her ‘tude.  I wish Tyra kept a closer eye on what goes on in the house, she could probably help them figure their moods out and play like nice little girls.

 Dominique, especially, seems to be bothered by something or another.  I actually feel sorry for her sometimes.  I can’t stand to see anyone ganged up on, and Claire, Lauren, and Whitney all at once going after her was uncomfortable to watch.

Lauren’s another one that kind of needs to calm the heck down.  Where’s all of that fire when she’s standing in front of the judges? Beautiful model, but geez.

 Stacy Ann and Fatima are two more of my favorites (they’re the beauties below).  Fatima’s actually one of the models who, in my opinion, the makeover benefited.  She’s so gracefully beautiful.

I thought Stacy Ann was even prettier before, but she’s still a total doll.  I love her face and her voice is verrrry pretty.  I also like her runway walk. 

She and Fatima kind of get lost amongst the other girls, though.

They need to start standing out instead of blending in.  Make a little noise, girls! 

 

It’s apparently a done deal - Christian Siriano will be making an appearance on ABC’s Ugly Betty.

The episode will air during May sweeps week. Christian will cross paths with “Mode’s own hot tranny mess” Alexis Meade (Rebecca Romijn), according to a statement from ABC.

Project Runway judge Nina Garcia will also have a cameo.

Christian’s living up to his words:

“This won’t be the last of Christian Siriano. I mean, people need to see more of the fierceness.”

Personally, I could never get enough of it.

Of all times not to have a stash of money hidden under my matress.  Kimberly Locke, who looked gorgeous on Idol last night, is auctioning off the equally gorgeous Goddess Couture dress designed by (Arm Sweets favorite new designer) Christian Siriano.

It’s a shame the show doesn’t let Christian Siriano dress the contestants.  A few of the girls this season could use some help from his Fierceness. 

The one of a kind dress worn by Kimberly Locke is available for auction at www.clothesoffourback.org. Funds raised through the Kimberley Locke/Christian Siriano dress auction will support Camp Heartland (www.campheartland.org), a national camping and care program for children impacted by HIV/AIDS.

That, of course, is the most beautiful thing of all.

This beautiful and exotically sexy top is also from the web site I told you about in the last post. The White Daisy Silk Blouse is made from silk and features a Mandarin collar, frog button, and a big daisy floral pattern.  There’s a green rose pattern trimming and an invisible back zipper.

You really, really have to click through the link or the image to see what all is on this web site.  If you’re “all about” being as original as you can be and standing out in a crowd for all the right reasons, you simply can’t go wrong with Good Orient.

I recently discovered a great (as in great, great, great…) web site/online catalog.  It’s called Good Orient and it has some truly beautiful things - from clothing to feng shui and from home decor to dolls.  If you appreciate the beauty of the Orient, and I think we all do, you’ll go crazy for this site.

The Chinese Ancient Method Colored Glaze Bracelet—Love Rose, pictured to the left, is just one of the things I fell in love with.

From the Web Site:

Colored glaze is a kind of Chinese ancient material, the application of which can be traced back to thousands of years ago. In ancient China, it was restricted to the royalty, and was believed to bring people good luck, fortune and health. Colored glaze has been reputed as one of the five Chinese traditional utensils (gold, jade, pottery, colored glaze and bronze) and treasured by the Buddhism at all times. This item has a rose pattern. The shown pictures may not be able to capture all the sparkle and glow of the piece, but the quality of the item is guaranteed. Either for personal use or as a gift to friends, our glaze would be a perfect choice for you.Adjustable Length.Pendant dimensions: 1″1/4×3/4.”

The Gucci Spring Summer 2008 Collection made quite an impact on March 19, 2008 in Sydney, Australia.  The colors, the shapes, the lines - I’m blown completely out of my chair.    Second row - 6 over, I’d crawl, naked, across the Sahara desert for this one.  What was left of me would wear the dress for the rest of my life.  Both days.

Click each runway model’s thumbnail for a larger picture.

Fierce, talented and quite adorable Christian Siriano is rumored to be making a cameo on the once very popular ABC series Ugly Betty.  However, a spokesperson for the series says she can’t confirm it.  It’d be a really wise move on their part because, quite frankly, Christian’s more popular right now than they are! 

Whether the cameo comes through or not, our favorite Project Runway designer ever is blowing up.  He has one of the most spectacular style icons in the world, Victoria “Posh Spice” Beckham, in his corner. Christian did a fitting on Wednesday with Victoria in her L.A.- area home and he did yet another fitting with supermodel and Project Runway hostess Heidi Klum. 

Later that night, Project Runway producer Jane Cha hosted a dinner in Christian’s honor at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel with guests that included rap artist Eve and stylists Cameron Silver and Jessica Pastor.  My invitations must have gotten lost in the mail.  It’s all good, though.

I just want to sit back and watch as Christian Siriano takes over the fashion world…and possibly even the tv world if the head honchos at Ugly Betty know their stuff.

In even more Christian news, at the recent GLADD awards, Tim Gunn heaped lofty (and deserving) praise on him when he had this to say about Christian Siriano: “I really believe he is his generation’s Marc Jacobs. I really do.”   He went on to say, “We have found America’s next great fashion designer. We really have. I’m confident.”

On a personal note, Christian has a boyfriend: He’s portrait photographer and Junk magazine editor Brad Walsh. Brad recently had a party for his work in his Park Slope place and you’ll never guess who hosted it…. Christian Siriano. Sigh.

I absolutely, positively love these Handmade Beaded Handbags from Shop.com. 

These fully lined, handmade beaded viscose evening bags are as unique as they are gorgeous.  The details in the design are so spectacular - I honestly have no idea how anyone can be so artistic and creative.

I’m pretty sure that any attempt I were to make at something like this would result in what’s known in the business as a hot mess.

The colors listed are Black, Burgundy, Camel, Olive - but for the life of my Starbucks card, the one called “olive” looks blue-grey to me.  I love the color of the Camel - it’d match tan or brown so well, but the details show up so beautifully on the black one, don’t they?  I also love the one THEY insist is olive…but only if it is, indeed, blue-grey like it appears to me.

Having said all of that, I actually think I’m going to order the burgundy one first (then the black one).  Most of my wardrobe falls into the plums, purples, pinks, and burgundy range.  I’m nothing if not ridiculously girly girly.

Hmmmm…. I just took another look at the picture and double-checked the price. I honestly thought they were higher than they are. I’m ordering the black one along with the burgundy one - come to momma, baby, you don’t have to wait.

The Francesco Biasia Hello Heart Leather Denim Clutch is a unique piece of work, isn’t it?  I actually love it quite a lot.  It’s very different from all the other handbags, clutches, and purses I own which is, in part, it’s charm.

Click through to take a closer look - I think you’ll fall for its charms like your’s truly.

I’m beyond wild about the Pink Sapphire Bangle with Diamonds 1/7 ctw in 14K White Gold, above.  I have a weakness for pink and an even bigger weakness for white gold, so I fell pretty fast.

The pink sapphires are accented with 1/7 carat of brilliant round diamonds that take it from being a breathtakingly gorgeous bangle to a work of art.

A work of art that badly needs to be displayed on my arm.  Click through the link or image to take a closer look.