AMERICAN IDOL'S JASON CASTRO - DREDS or DREADS

When I quiz my friends on their opinions of the outfits, makeup and hairstyles of the previous night's American Idol episode, we usually agree on the winners and losers of the evening. Today was unusual in that on the issue of Jason Castro's dreadlock hairstyle the votes were split pretty much down the center.

Some of the girls who are much more trendy that I could ever dream to be and whom I expected to consider the appearance of dreds to be cutting edge and stylish were surprisingly opposed to this cute guy's fashion statement. One gal pal said if he'd cut the hair that he'd be her favorite hands down, and another said she'd rather see the return of the huge 70s style afro rather than Marley dreds.

Some of my more conservative (unofficial of course)voters who are sticklers for classic haircuts and tradition shocked me by slobbering all over themselves over the dreadlocks. Well, maybe not the dreadlocks themselves, but the handsome guy with the guitar who just happened to have them attached to his head.

No matter how you feel about his hairstyle, Jason Casto has charisma. He might not be as strong a singer as David Archuleta, but there's no denying that Jason has star appeal much the same as a young Bob Dylan. I know that Simon and Randy wanted to hear more vocals and less strumming, but I think the audience was loving the whole package...dreds and all.

IF "BITCH" IS THE NEW BLACK WILL EVERYBODY BE WEARING PANTSUITS?

Can Hillary Clinton possibly appreciate all the "Bitch is the New Black" jokes going around? Does she even know that the statements are directed at her and depicting her as a power hungry, ball busting masculine sort of femme fatale in a designer skirt or pantsuit. Does she really care?

Probably not! She has not become so well positioned politically by being thin skinned and sweating the small stuff. If she will focus on the big picture of building this country back to the level of greatness in the world that it once enjoyed the same way she has tunnel visioned her way into the political spotlight....hang on people we're going up like a rocket.

But then again, this blog is not about the political arena. Leave running the country to experts. I have had ever so much fun observing Hillary's fashion metamorphosis over the years. Remember how people criticized the large blue hat that she wore so long ago for hubby's swearing in? Then people began harping on the pantsuits and what that might be telling us about the hierarchy of the Clinton household post Monica.

I couldn't help but notice that once Ms Clinton became a senator, her grooming seemed to suffer. One might hope that she had bigger fish to fry than spending time perfecting her hairstyle and practicing eye makeup tips. I hope that Hillary has a plan in place for all of her campaign promises and that she hires a really great personal shopper.

TIPPI HEDREN's French Twist Hairstyle - Star of Hitchcock's THE BIRDS Blonde Formal Updo

Few movie stars wear the updo as well as Tippi Hedren and a few other celebrities from the early 60s. Those were the days when people dressed up to go to the laundry. A trip to the grocery store was deserving of fresh lipstick and updo hairstyles. The French Twist hairstyle that she had when she starred in Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds movie should be studied carefully by hairstylists of today who need French twist instructions. All artists should practice and perfect this style because it is a classic and there will always be a special occasion that calls for it. Wherever there is a red carpet, there will be French Twists and updos. Celebrity hairstyles may be tweaked and updated, but the basics are the same.

I'm not fond of the "wings" that stylists of the 50s and 60s put on each side of the starlet's foreheads, but the elegant view of the updo from the rear was nearly always flawless.

Curly as well as smooth upswept hairdos were very popular with platinum blond bombshells that often used clear combs to catch stray curls. Brown eyed brunettes were said to be poisoned with green eyed envy that black hair updos just didn't look half as sexy as their blonde counterparts.

There was no way for black hair to show the movement of the hairstyle until some raven haired beauty got wise and thought of frosting and streaking the dark hair to show off the artistry of her favorite beautician.

FORMAL EYE MAKEUP TIPS from TAYLOR SWIFT'S TEARS ON MY GUITAR VIDEO

Taylor Swift's eyes looked fabulous in the Tears on My Guitar music video. The appearance was very formal but almost gothic with the wayt that the liner was drawn. I knew that we needed some ideas and pointers, but I didn't have a clue on where to find resources and instructions for individual stars makeup colors. Then I found this free video giving eye make up tips so that our eyes can be just as pretty as Taylor Swift's!

The makeup artist appears to have hazel green cat eyes and the smokey, dramatic eye makeup simply looks stunning on her. Plus, she makes it look so darn easy! One of the tricks that I see her use that I've simply got to put into place is that she doesn't dab around with small brushes; she has giant fine, hair brushes and she isn't afraid to use them. The results look very professional, seamless and smooth.

ARE WE READY FOR GUCCI FALL 2008?

This video gives us a preview of what's going on in the world of Gucci. The discussion draws lots of discussion to Anita Pallenberg. Her large smokey eyes gives the rock and roll chick a fabulous, timeless look harking to days gone by and yet she looks stunningly cutting edge and modern. It's messy, unkempt in a difficult to achieve fashion. Eyes that took hours to design and perfect, but that have been out clubbing.

The long red hairstyle and fringed leather takes us back to the boho days of the late 60s or early 70s patchwork fashions. The commentators are throwing out names like Marianne Faithful and I'm reeling from the long, loose hairstyles that the models are sporting! You almost expect Grace Slick followed by the ghost of Janice Joplin to come sliding down the catwalk!

Is Natasha Sizow Bisexual?

From the news we read that there's a new student/teacher scandal. Why on earth would Natasha Sizow, a teacher, send photos of herself naked or nearly naked to both boy students as well as girl students? Is she mixed up about her sexuality or is she bisexual or does she believe in equal opportunity corruption of kids? I'm not sure what this latest sexual scandal is supposed to tell us.

Natasha Sizow allegedly used her cellphone's camera to take sexy, semi-nude or pics of herself in various stages of undress to two students who have been rumored to be both male and female. She has been reported to have turned herself into the authorities and has been booked with mugshots of her in this video.

What are the parents going to do about nasty teachers? Does anybody feel that the profession of teaching has become the goal of the sexually deviant because of opportunities to interact with teens and preteens? Are we turning our kids educations over to people who are deranged and thinking that they are still in high school?

How do you feel about this? Is it a teenage boys fantasy come true or a parent's nightmare?

JENNIFER LOPEZ HAS HER TWINS - VIDEO!

Finally we hear that Jennifer Lopez has had her twins! Yes, it's possible that a beautiful angel like J Lo gives birth just like mere mortals; just with a lot more security paparazzi invading her privacy. The breaking news is that a sweet boy and a girl has been delivered and we can't wait for pics! The press will be haunting the outside of the hospital and every other location for months to come hoping for photos of the happy celebrity mom and dad with their newborn twins in tow.

I found this film footage and thought that if my visitors wanted videos I'd satisfy their desires. It's not just some old pics of Jennifer in one of her amazing maternity outfits, there's some video footage of the announcement and other stuff that you may find interesting.

Dooney and Bourke Giraffe Drawstring Bags - Giraffe Purses with Pizazz

Giraffe print purses are a perfect example of what Oprah's wardrobe makeover experts said when they said that animal prints go with everything. I hate to argue on what's stylish or fashionable with an expert, but I just don't think you can mix a cheetah print with a spring floral fabric. However, it's fair to say that the addition of an exotic animal print brings a hot, sexy jungle look to a woman's ensemble.

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Extra Roomy Giraffe Print Pockets Weekender

The various species of faux animal prints are stylish and fashionable according which celebrity is seen out on the town wearing them. At the moment, Dooney and Bourke Giraffe Drawstring Bags which offer the matching checkbook cover, clutch purse and wallet are considered to be the sophisticated diva's fashion friend.

You can add these bags to outfits in deep, mysterious, dark chocolate brown with accents of blood red for drama. Even the small, (but authentic) Dooney giraffe wallet will set you back several hundred dollars. Metropolitan fashionistas know that size is important so start now to budget for a medium or large satchel unless you get a knockoff or a fake for a cheap price.

Unless you feel the need to make an investment in expensive purses, inexpensive knockoffs might be the way to go. How often will you want to pull a bold giraffe print bag out of the closet? It's not a style that you can be seen with every day in the professional setting. For the girly girl who hates to spend a lot on color that may only be worn with a few outfits; the Dooney inspired pink giraffe hobo purse (does Dolce and Gabbana have one in their line?) is cheap and you get pink for a low price.

I love my Dooney purses, but I don't want to look like a billboard that's advertising the tropical look day after day in the workplace where you have the same audience if you know what I mean. It's a good look but I don't particularly want to be knowns as the chick that carries Dooney and Bourke Giraffe Sacs to the office every day. If I pay the uber expensive prices associated with designer bags, I want it to be a purse that I can blend from day to day and from day to evening without it shouting at every pedestrian.

ARE UGGS STILL IN?

It seems that Ugg boots should have run their course by now, but with cigarette jeans being seen worn by the celebrities, looks like we will have at least one more season of the warm Australian booties. I saw pictures of celebrity mom, Tori Spelling with her sweet little baby and they both were wearing a pair!




The Sundance II has a slightly different style than the Sundance short and is really cool in basic black. Just think what a long lean leg a pair of tight leg black pants and pair of these scrumptious suede boots would give.

I seriously am considering a pair of Cordy boots, but I just love the Sand or Chestnut suede or is it the black or ........ Yikes, the Ugg line could break this diva's footwear budget in a flash!

LUSCIOUS RED ANKLE, CALF or KNEE BOOTS

Ok, I'm developing an ankle boot fetish. I just can't get enough of these sexy little bootys! And I am not alone....would you like to know which of your men have emailed me to ask for resources for booties? Don't be surprised if you get a pair of fishnet stockings and a pair of suede stiletto heel boots in your stocking on Christmas.

If you've been a very good (or naughty in a good way) little girl, Santa might bring baby pair of mid-calf or knee high metallic red boots to keep her pretty legs warm. A nice collar of soft fur around the top would feel ever so nice and look so festive for the holidays or just for lounging in the ski lodge with a cup of hot chocolate.

Here are a few more of my favorite things in flirty red leather! I know that solid red is very sophisticated, but I couldn't resist including the pair of wild designer boots in purple and red even though they are outrageously expensive.