Figure Skaters in Rodarte: Rachael Flatt, Evan Lysacek and Johnny Weir!

Fashion Triple Axle
In light of the upcoming 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics (they begin THIS Friday!!!), New York Times Magazine recently published this great "Photo Essay" by Ryan McGinley entitled "The High Flyers" showing US Olympians and capturing them mid-flight in an exhilarating ski jump, or a snow-filled moment of close-up repose. Skiers, snowboarders and (my favorite) Figure Skaters. Included in this photo essay is our US Nationals Champion, Rachael Flatt, photographed mid-turn wearing a braided/crochet design by Rodarte. 2009 World Champion Evan Lysacek (can't really see if it's a Rodarte or a Vera Wang, his current favorite) is seen from behind--in silhouette-- while he looks to be in mid-Camel Spin.My favorite, however, is the one of Johnny Weir. Always a risk taker when it comes to fashion, Johnny is fresh off a new controversy involving PETA and for this NY Times Magazine photo essay, he is wearing a custom Rodarte "spiderweb" red and black yarn jumpsuit. The design is very similar to what the Pasadena, California-reared Mulleavy sisters showed for Spring 2010.
It's like her male partner-in-crime! Somehow I cannot see Evan Lysacek in that same ensemble...but Miss Johnny: Huney, done and done!

Good Times/Bad Times

GOOD TIMES

1) Crest Advanced White Strips – You may remember I did a post recently about teeth whitening, asking you guys what products/services would be best to use. Well, after a lot of people saying that the Crest Strips work really well for them, I decided to take the plunge and bought a 14 day pack from a reliable website for a very decent price. I have sensitive teeth so I was a bit wary about whether I was going to be in extreme pain from these little guys. BUT I have been using them for the past 4 days and there has been no pain at all so I guess I’m just one of the lucky ones. They are really easy to use, just 30 mins a day and I can already see them working. My teeth look whiter already! I have my fingers crossed that my pain free experience will continue! I’m a big sissy when it comes to tooth ache!

2) I feel like I’m really on a roll with my healthy eating and gym routine at the moment and I’m hoping for good results when I weigh myself on Wednesday. I have found a really good website called http://www.livestrong.com/ where you can record a food diary which shows you a calorie goal for the day, based on your weight, age and activity level. It’s a good way of keeping track of how much you’re taking in every day and how much you’re burning off. I try not to get too caught up with counting calories because that’s not healthy but the food diary keeps you on the straight and narrow. The site also has a BMI calculator, fitness tips and videos, dietary info and a section where you can record your measurements to keep track off how many inches you have lost. I really like the fact that it’s all in one place and the basic registration is free. I find that when I record my progress in this way, it gives me an incentive to stick to my routine because you’re faced with the reality of things when you type all the info in.

BAD TIMES

1) I had an almighty breakout of spots over the weekend at each side of my chin…I’m guessing this could be due to the alcohol consumption on Friday night! It’s my own fault really. I will just have to wait for them to subside. Is it just me though, or do you get paranoid and self conscious that everyone you talk to is staring at a spot/s on your face???
2) There has been a lot of complaints raised about an advert for staff for the new Hollister store in Aberdeen (sister chain of Abercrombie & Fitch). Basically the advert details that the brand/store is looking for “cool, good looking individuals with style”. Now for one thing, who the hell are they to judge how good looking or stylish their applicants are? Looks and style are based on individual preference and therefore everyone has a different take on what is attractive. Also, there are certain requirements with regards to your appearance if you want to work there...for example the male employees must be clean shaven and the females can only wear certain types of makeup/style their hair a certain way to create a ‘natural’ look. I also read an article recently about a girl who worked in an A & F store and had a prosthetic arm. They asked her not to wear short sleeved tops and have it on display…she quite rightly was disgusted and refused. She was consequently fired. The girl then went about suing the company for unfair dismissal and discrimination. A & F have also faced many discrimination charges in the US due to the fact that they predominantly featured white models in their advertising campaigns and the same applied to their staff. In the last couple of years, the advertising and employment authorities have been legally forcing the company to adhere to guidelines and promote diversity in their employment methods and in their advertising. I’m glad that the brand is FINALLY being made to face up to the fact that their idea of what is “cool and good looking” and the “A & F look” is discriminatory, narrow minded and down right unacceptable in this day and age.