Livin' the JUICY life

(Image courtesy nordstrom.com )

You have NEVER seen anything like this...the ultimate JUICY COUTURE birthday party...if we were still back at school, M & I would've jumped at this idea for yet another joint b'day celebration! Plus the combination of Juicy Couture and cupcakes is pretty unbeatable!

NYC Goes Crazy For Topshop!

(photo courtesy of: http://www.nitrolicious.com)

My BFF, A, located in NYC (Don't get me started on the distance. Five hours on the Mass Pike might as well be an ocean between us!), reported to me (along with the NY Mag) last night via phone that the line for Topshop is, "around the corner." She stated that the Kate Moss for Topshop line wasn't worth the wait, and who are we kidding, our bank accounts can't cushion more than a few items anyway. Apparently, everyone else in NYC can afford to though. Is there a money tree somewhere and is keeping it a secret?!

As I've said before, I love the Kate Moss for Topshop line. P with her non-US roots, always had envy-worthy clothing and accessories from Topshop. I think of it as what my mother always tells me. I want what I can't have (Apparently I run into the same situation with clothes as I do with men). Regardless, Kate Moss her royal modelness was present in NYC herself to do the honors of opening Topshop in a goregous emerald green dress and (what looks to be) a royally gorgeous tan. While she normally looks robotic (no offense Ms. Moss) or too out of it from her questionable activities, the Topshop opening was a reason for celebration for even the stiffest of models! Look at her, she even dances with shopping joy (around the 1:08 mark)!!!

-M

Summer = On Its' Way... Finally??

(image courtesy of: brewbrain.com)

It is no secret that I am a summer girl. Much like that oh-so-catchy '90s song by LFO (don't lie, you loved it too), I love the summer. I love poolside barbaques. Rooftop pools in the summer. Sailing on the Charles River. Sunday afternoon Red Sox games at Fenway Park. The beaches on the North Shore of Massachuestts. One of my favorite summertime things? Sam Adams Summer Ale. By far the best beer ever, and marks the first sign that summer is finally arriving in Massachusetts. I found six-packs on sale at my local Shaws supermarket and on-tap at my delicious dinner at the Salty Dog in Fanueil Hall last night. The Sam Adams website states that the Summer Ale is brewed with 'Grains of Paradise.' I'm not totally sure what that is, but a Google search yielded these results. Grains of Paradise, I thank you so much for my summertime treat.

-M

SATC THE SEQUEL!

(image courtesy of: http://www.britfilms.tv)

Love it or hate it, I know that you and I will all be at the premiere of the new Sex & The City movie. Where the plotline will go with the sequel, I haven't the slightest clue. Let's hope for no Big/Carrie babies (oh God no).

Regardless, the release date is set for May 28th, 2010 -- according to US Weekly. Get excited and start the countdown!

-M

Cracking the code...the dress code

(image courtesy of: http://static.my-wardrobe.com, http://www.purepearls.com, http://www.kfgoldsmith.com, photobucket.com, http://www.la-story.com & my Paint program)

P: lol wtf kinda dress code is upscale casual
M: lol uhhhh
what does that MEAN
lol
that's a oxymoron right there
P: lol yeah i just googled it
and app its a q thats on EVERYONES mind
like there are a million results lol

Upscale casual? Yeah, it's probably one of the more random dress codes I've heard in a while...and Google revealed that most people had exactly the same reaction as I did..."WTF?"

As strange as 'upscale casual' might sound the first time around, it pretty perfectly captures the kind of look that we at Pop Culture Paradox go for and highly recommend!

What NOT to Wear:

- Your fav. Little Miss T-shirt (as many as we have between the two of us, these would not fly at the work place or the newest swanky lounge...some people just dont need to know you're Lil Miss alter ego!)
- Converse sneakers/pumas/Havianas/Tevas/any other kinda beachy flipflops
- VS sweats/your worn out college sweatshirt


P: lol ok upscale casual is basically the antithesis of what we used to wear in college
M: yes
because in college, we wore...
well
scrub casual
BUT
there are some crossover pieces
dark seven for all mankind jeans
jersey dresses we'd wear out
cute jackets

What to Wear:

- A cute summer dress/dressed down LBD/jersey dress
- Heels! Or Tory Burch flats
- A string of pearls/diamond studs in your ears
- Accessorize with a classic tote
- A cardigan/classic cut blazer when its chillier out...dress it up with a scarf

Most importantly, when thinking 'upscale casual,' one needs to think of occasion, since, yes, 'upscale casual' is kind-of the broadest clothing category possible. Yes, upscale casual can be a pleated skirt, some turtleneck top by Theory, tights and heels. Yes, upscale casual can be a pair of dark denim jeans and a nice (not wrinkled!) C&C California top. Above all, cost does not make an outfit 'upscale casual.' I do not care how much your Juicy Couture tracksuit cost (I know, they're so comfortable), do not wear it to the office. We have covered this topic time and time again.

Still confused by the 'upscale casual' trend? Rest assured. The style actually makes life easier for us Pop Culture Paradox readers. It shows age appropriateness for twenty-somethings. It means an office without the power suit. Dates without overcoats. Club nights without too much skin (hallelujah). We're able to maintain trendyness (being "in" instead of in the dreaded "out" list"), and still be presentable without looking fifty years old (no offense to any fifty year old readers!). Just be your stylish selves, look at the contemporary sections of any Neimans or Saks (or Forever 21 for bargains!) and walk confidently knowing that age-appropriateness is always an "in."

-P & M (our first collaborative post!)

W.O.D.

(image courtesy of: http://www.fcpsteach.org)

W.O.D.: Frivolous- of little or no weight, worth, or importance; not worthy of serious notice

Example: The writers of this blog would never act in a frivolous manner.

Q.O.D.: "The staples remain the same whatever happens in your life. Toast is still my favorite food and jeans are probably what i'm happiest wearing. Looking good isn't about money, it's about style. And style never goes out of fashion." - Victoria Beckham

-M

Michelle Obama, Topshop and Spring Trends!

(image courtesy of nymag.com & Getty Images)

Can we all just say awesome and give snaps where snaps are due to our fabulous (and fashionable!) First Lady, Michelle Obama? There she is (in the above photo) in London with Mr. President, and is wearing J. Crew. Yes! J.Crew! As in the store that is next to Abercrombie in the malls that you, I and every other New England prepster frequents for headbands, black skirts, fancy flip-flops and cable-knit sweaters. I love the realistic fashionista that our First Lady is. Extra points for the sparkles on the cardigan!

***

Also in the First Lady's suitcase is a Toledo dress to meet the Queen in. I love love love love the black and white colorblock styled dress and Jason Wu overcoat. Seems that the Queen loves the outfit too, since she gave Michelle Obama a hug! A hug from royality! It was either the outfit or the high-tech gift, since rumor has it that the Obamas gave the Queen an iPod as an arrival gift. I have a feeling that Mrs. Obama has a "get ready to be a fashionista" playlist like each girl does. I wonder if hers includes "Fashion" by Lady GaGa like mine...

***

NYMag's The Cut gave a sneak peek into Kate Moss's new line for Topshop. Take a look, and drool with me. Aren't the sequined dresses and tanks so Serena Van der Woodsen? Perfect for a night out getting martinis or for a Lady GaGa style concert. Plus, extra points for luck to New Yorkers with Topshop opening today! I'm so jealous.

***

Part of my love for Topshop is it's relative affordability and style. Everyone who knows me knows that I live for a good deal. That being said, click over to the Keratase Private Sale site and get 30% off of soon-to-be discontinued products! Every fashionista loves good hair products, and Keratase is, undoubtedly, the best of the best. But in this economy, my bathroom has more Pantene than Keratase. The hair gods must have heard my prayers. Hallejuah!

***

For you recessionistas (aren't we all?) looking for more bargains, NYMag has several suggestions. Like I always say, inexpensive doesn't equal cheap. Remember that! Even the big department stores are catching on, as designers are even lowering their prices.

-M

Props to Pixar!

(image courtesy of OhNoTheyDidn't via livejournal.com)

It is no secret that I love Pixar's animated movies. Finding Nemo ranks among one of my all-time favorites (who doesn't tear up at the part where Nemo finally finds his dad?). I thought Wall-E was done so beautifully artsy for a children's movie. Above all, however, I love Toy Story. Maybe it's because as a little girl, I always wondered if all my toys had a party when I was gone at school (I had a wild imagination, what can I say?). I recently re-watched the original Toy Story with my boyfriend a month ago and fell in love with it again. The character development of Toy Story goes beyond that of many cinematic masterpieces. Don't believe me? Example. I relate more to Rex in Andy's toy box than to any character in Lost in Translation. True story.

So, imagine my excitement when I saw in this OhNoTheyDidn't post that Toy Story 3 is slated for a June 2010 release. I might be 24 years old on opening night, but believe me when I say that I will be there and just as excited as the 9 year old M was when the first Toy Story came out. Maybe this time I can take my Mom and Dad out for a family night out. Talk about a role reversal. I wonder if my Dad will still pay for the popcorn...

-M

April Fools Day - Ick.

(image courtesy of: http://blog.supportspace.com)

For those who 'celebrate' April Fools Day, Happy April Fools Day. I am not a celebrant, for the record. In fact, I really detest the idea of April Fools Day. I always appreciate gmail's efforts to celebrate the holiday, but other than that, the rise of social networking brought the fall of April Fools jokes. I am sick of seeing fake Facebook statuses today and it's only 2:30pm. Why would one joke about being pregnant? Married? I saw a Facebook friend of a friend who had posted a fake photo of an ultrasound, proclaiming his excitement to be a father in a few months. Gag me. We at Pop Culture Paradox do not condone lying. Talk about ruining the former-lighthearted mood of the holiday. What happened to middle school pranks as April Fools jokes? I'd gladly take those back.

-M

W.O.D.

(photo courtesy of: http://www.fcpsteach.org)

Your daily vocabulary builder.

W.O.D: Fiduciary - relating to the holding of something in trust for another.

Example: The writers of this blog will act in a fiduciary manner to maintain readers trust.

Q.O.D.: "The Boston accent is more of an attitude than an accent. Underneath everything you say has to be the attitude of: You're an a--hole, I know better than you, f--- you."- Ben Affleck (An oldie, but a goodie for all you Bostonians out there getting ready for Opening Day at Fenway on Monday afternoon!)

-M