Mary Kate and Ashley Model the Bag Lady Sport Look

I thought Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen were cute on Full House in their Garanimals and Carter's clothing. But, I've gotta wonder. What the heck happened? Am I the only one who thinks they look like 8 year old, typhoid ridden patrons of my Aunt Thelma's yard sales? (of things she collected from other yard sales throughout the year)

Okay, I don't really have an Aunt Thelma, but if I did, she'd have yard sales. And Mary Kate and Ashley would get really excited about them and buy items like you see them modeling below.

Sad isn't it. All that money and they're still dumpster diving for Kurt Cobain and Phyllis Diller's rejects. Maybe they should start wearing the Garanimals again. It was a tried and true look for them. And since they still look 3rd gradish, it could work.

Before You Go Handbag Shoppping....Read These Helpful Hints

I've never modeled a purse in the mirror and wondered "does this make my hips look big?" But, apparently I should've. According to http://www.bagbliss.com/, which I stumbled upon today while looking for Frosted Flakes coupons, the right purse can help your figure immensely. And the wrong purse can be disastrous.

Just like shopping for a skirt, a bathingsuit or a sweater, you should consider your figure, height and weight, and do some mirror modeling before making the purchase. For a handbag? Yes!

Here are a couple of points to remember when browsing the handbag tables.

First of all, the shape of your purse should be inversely proportional to the shape of your body. Secondly, the size of your bag should be directly proportional to your body shape. Don't get these confused or you'll miss the whole point of this article.

Here's a handy guide:

Shape - opposite as-body

Size - same as-body

Got it? Good

For example, if you're really tall and thin. Never choose a tiny, flat, square-shaped bag. (This is why you never see giraffes with purses like that. They already know this rule) Tall people look better with bigger, more rounded bags. Slouchy, hobo bags are great for the Uma Thurmans of the world because the curves balance out their flat, willowy, non-shapeliness.

If you're short and small framed, definitely take advantage of smaller handbags. You know the ones that will only hold a couple of Tic Tacs? No, kidding. But, you petite gals can take advantage of all the cute little swing alongs popular today.

If you're a buxom, full-figured gal, who veers toward the plus-size racks, choose a large pocketbook too. It's size will look more proportional next to yours.

Something else to keep in mind is what body part the bag is next to when you're carrying it because the purse will draw attention to that feature. If you're pear-shaped, with wide hips, you definitely don't want a shoulder bag that swings at your hips when you carry it. If you're large busted, don't carry a short-strapped bag that hits the side of your chest because it will draw eyes directly to your upper cargo.

If you're really wide around the middle, wearing a fanny pack amounts to fashion death. Ya know what, though? I think wearing a fanny pack AT ALL amounts to fashion death. I think fanny packs are the El Caminos of the purse world. They're hideous and shout "I'm a complete fashion failure. I probably wear black socks and white loafers with my madress shorts and veiny legs to the beach!"....with my 1970's Polaroid camera." and I have a comb-over or a gray mullet hair style...or both." Yeah, Folks, this is serious. Just say no to fanny packs. Okay? I'm glad you agree.

But the point I was making there before yielding to the fanny pack tangent, is if you've packed away too many Oreos and Heinekens, don't accent your mid-section.

Okay, enough about purses and how to choose them. I hope this little lecture has been helpful today and remember "friends don't let friends wear fanny packs."

Angela

Baby Monkey Clothing Swings Into Online Marketplace

Although my kids are a little past the age of baby clothes, I still love browsing through infant and toddler sections in stores. Gushing over the tiny sleeves and ruffles.... and the shoes, especially little sneakers just causes my cute -o-meter to go wild.

For those of you who still get the thrill of actually buying baby clothes for yourselves or others, check out this clothing line someone sent me. It's called Baby Monkey. hoo hoo haa haa cuteness!

Baby Monkey is a new brand of onesies and toddler tees printed with designs that bridge fashion and humor with the principles of Feng Shui and an organic lifestyle. The line, once only available in select boutiques, is now online at http://www.babymonkeyNY.com. It recently has expanded to selling adult tees such as the best-selling design: “Om Ma Ni Pad Me Hum.” For the children’s line: “Change my diaper, Change my Chi” and, “My Ying is Your Yang” have been a huge success.

The New York based company was founded by Elizabeth Wong, a professional wardrobe stylist-turned-entrepreneur who was inspired by her own mother, a Feng Shui master.
Elizabeth's designs are a whimsical twist on the ancient Chinese philosophy known as Feng Shui -- promoting health, happiness, and prosperity through harmonious relationships between oneself and the environment. Each print uniquely and playfully encourages good health and balance, and furthermore, Wong has taken great care to incorporate those principles even in her choice of fabric.

Baby Monkey onesies, toddler and adult tees are made of 100% organic cotton that is grown and dyed naturally, free of toxic chemicals which are known to cause allergies, skin rashes, and eczema. The onesies and toddler tees are softer and more durable than regular cotton, as well as gentler and breathable for newborn babies’ skin.

You can find them online at fireflychildrensboutique.com and happymothers.com.

Revisiting the Bead Basket...Photos this time

The other day when I was writing about the Bead Basket I wanted to show a few of the amazing jewelry items found there. But my computer decided not to recognize the "my pictures" file. So, a couple of days later, here are some of the photos I took. I'm sure they have more creations now. Just go and take a look. And remember, you can make your own as well.

All of the jewelry designed and made by Laurens County residents in their spare time. Some of the popular brands are Kreations by Kelli, Totally TJ, Dragonfly Designs, Mary Beth and Glam by Christie. Come up with your own label if you've got the talent and the ability to sit for a long time.
Pretty cool huh.

Designer Bandages for Delightful Boo Boo's

Before I launch into today's cool and unique fashion must have, I've got to throw out a question that's been bugging me now for years. Who can explain what the difference is between a boo boo and an ouwie? (I don't even know if I spelled that right). Are they simply synonyms for something of the abrasion/contusion variety on the skin? "My older son, Andrew, calls them boo boos. Jack, my three year old, swears they're ouwies. Is there a discernable difference. Do ouwies bleed more, leak more puss? Are boo boo's scarier?

Whether you call them ouwies or boo boo's, if you have one, chances are you need a band-aid to stop the bleeding and hold the Neosporin. My kitchen cabinet currently stocks bandages of the Scooby doo, Sponge Bob and just plain Anglo-Saxon fair skin variety. Isn't there something better out there?

Well, this morning, after severing a major artery with the can opener, I did a Google search and found a plethora of bandages for both the novelty lovers and fashionistas in your life. (Note to self: Finish scraping the dried blood off the computer mouse.)

At way-out Web sites like http://www.mcphee.com/, http://www.gotbeauty.com/, http://www.scivolutions.com/ and http://www.epartyunlimited.com/ you'll find bandages themed for pickles, pirates, breakfast lovers, cowboys, sushi, luscious lips even our lord and savior, Jesus Christ, who could've used a few bandaids himself there at the end.

So, next time you drop a hammer on your foot, slam your finger in the car door, drag a sharp paper edge across the tender part between your thumb and index finger, or peel that hang nail just a little too far, don't reach for a boring old skin colored band aid. Everyone knows it's not your real skin anyway. Make your ouwie, boo boo proud with a one of a kind adhesive like these. They won't take the pain away and will probably still hurt like the devil when you rip them off. But, hey, you might get a few compliments, maybe even a date with that hot guy who has the designer suede eye patch and Viking themed colostomy bag.

The Bead Basket Offers Creative Work for Type A Hands

Recently, during a visit to the Bead Basket, here in Dublin, I was majorly impressed with the fantastic looking jewelry concepted, designed and strung together right there in that small store.
Not just fashion jewelry that I wouldn't mind wearing, but necklaces and earrings that top the creativity charts, causing their wearers to become compliment magnets wherever they go.

Now, as I've said before, accessories go a looooong way in taking your wardrobe from average to exceptional. But if you want to go even a step further to "one-of-a-kind cool" definitely visit the Bead Basket. It's not like WalMart or Belk (which I love by the way) where half the people in town are sporting the same outfits. The Bead Basket's jewelry sets, made from high quality materials in eye-popping colors, are unique to their creators and can only be found right there.

And if you're the crafty kind, you can make your own bead creations there. Just don't get tangled up in chain, like I did. Most people stick to necklaces, earrings, bracelets...you know, regular items. But, I was thinking, it'd be cool to take beading a step further stringing unusual wearables, household items and gifts, such as: eye-glass frames, electrical cord covers, chandeliers, water hose sparklies, jeweled thumb tacks, beaded head gear for loved ones with braces, bra-straps, pace maker lead covers and iPod and cell phone wire covers. While I haven't attempted any of these, there's nothing stopping you.

Look for Bead Basket jewelry pictures tomorrow, when my computer isn't acting like a spoiled, defiant two year old.

Hot New Makeovers Courtesy of Lifetime

If you've ever wanted to see yourself as a blond or had a nagging desire to see a siamese cat wearing a Tina Turner wig, boy, have I got the Web site for you. If you've always fancied making up your pitbull to look like Wayne Newton, here's your chance. If you've ever looked at your 96 year old Aunt Gladys and thought "hmmmm, I wonder how you'd look with dread locks," Well, now you'll know.

Just visit http://www.mylifetime.com/ and let the makeover fun begin. FREE. Simply upload the head shot photos of your choice and choose from hundreds of hair and makeup combinations to create unique new styles for yourself, loved ones, pets, people you've never met, dead religious leaders, muppets, cave dwellers, unfriendly alien invaders and all the people you hold decade long grudges against. Making them over to be shamefacedly ugly can do wonders to ease your resentments.

Seriously, it's a fun site. I was amazed at how fantastic I look with Julia Roberts' hair and how great my cat Anakin looked with Bette Middler's and how charming an aged photo of Adolf Hitler from Wikipedia looked wearing Cindy Brady's pigtails and bright blue eyeshadow.Happy Makeovers...Angela