M is for...

(image courtesy of ruelala.com)

Me. Naturally. But when I’m in a giving, selfless mood, M also stands for Missoni. I always feel as though I channel Mischa Barton during her Marissa Cooper on The O.C days when I see Missoni. Fun, summery and kaleidoscope colorful, it exemplifies the luxury West Coast lifestyle that she encompassed. Plus, we all remember the scene when pre-boat party, Julie Cooper tells Marissa to wear a Missoni to look presentable.

I picked up the above green patent leather M Missoni tote at a sample sale within my office last week and I am obsessed. Big enough to fit all of my summer books, fashion magazines, designer frocks and Havaiana flip-flops, it’s my ultimate summer weekender bag. I was lucky enough to find it discounted, and believe you me, worth every penny. While there’s no more of this bag left, there are some M Missoni products over at the Final Sale at Rue La La. Grab them before I do!

While I gushed about my new bag purchase to P, she informed me that her city trumps mine with a Hotel Missoni just about completed in Kuwait City. Consider it Missoni Central, as Wikipedia calls it a lifestyle hotel that will “include 106 luxuriously stylish guest rooms and 63 suites (all with spectacular views of the Persian Gulf), a signature Missoni Cucina restaurant, a Mocha Missoni coffee bar, a chocolate café with an outdoor terrace, a 1530 square meter Six Senses Spa, a spacious, high-tech fitness facility and a large outdoor swimming pool overlooking the Gulf. Additional facilities will include a business center and several state-of-the-art conference rooms, as well as a spacious ballroom for large-scale events. All facilities will be decorated with Missoni's signature design elements, including lines, stripes, zig-zags and colors. Even the swimming pool will be tiled in Missoni's stripes and colors.”


Hotel Missoni and Pinkberry? Maybe it’s time to book a trip to visit P sooner rather than later…

-M

all wrapped up in love.


(image courtesy of http://brand.buyma.com)

P and I have long been huge fans of scarves and wraps. They easily transformed any old outfit in college from drab to sophisticated. Our Burberry plaid kept our little necks warm in the winter and Pashminas doubled as jacket substitutes on brisk fall nights. Functional and fabulous, consider my collection growing.

Rue La La has an ongoing Sir Alistair Rai sale until tomorrow (Thursday) at 11am. A favorite of Nicole Richie and Rihanna, Sir Alistair Rai's love, peace and karma scarves are a staple in fashionistas closets. While I lusted for years before finally buying one, my own mother is jumping on the stylish scarf obsession. We both are proud owners of the navy blue Raja wrap. Good style runs in the family.

-M

do you have the time?

(image courtesy of luckymag.com)

Following up on P's post on the love that is for statement necklaces, there is a need to take note of another neckline exclamation point. Pendant necklaces. Displayed in the current issue of Lucky, pendant necklaces are the trendy counterpoint to the traditional (yet always bulky) wristwatch.

I haven't been a watch person since my Casio Baby G obsession in middle school. I dislike the tan lines that watches leave and the never-ending dilemma of matching an outfit to such a minor accessory. Pendant watches are the ultimate answer that can accessorize, remain trendy and timely all at once. My personal favorites are by Kenneth Jay Lane and Tiffany & Co.

-M

Statement necklaces are still all the rage

Bollywood actress Sonam Kapoor


Fashion designer Rachel Roy

The City's Whitney Port

(All images from Getty, AP or Reuters via daylife.com)

Carrying on from last year, eye-catching statement necklaces seem to be here to stay. And oh what fun they are. From Bollywood starlets to "reality" stars and everyone in between sporting them, the trend is still red-hot.

Not in on yet?

Worry not, we at Pop Culture Paradox have a few hints and tips on how to rock statement necklaces...
  • Although they dress up a little black dress with little effort, they are best paired with a completely relaxed ensemble...I'm thinking a worn-in tee or ribbed tank top paired with a pair of skinny jeans. Efforlessly chic!
  • Because your statement necklace will be doing all the talking...pair it with neutral, non-fussy attire with simple necklines (Bollywood actress Sonam Kapoor is all about the asymmetrical neckline)
  • Whatever you do, please don't pile on any other jewelry...no earrings (if you must, make sure they are simple studs), steer clear of bangles or cuffs...if you can't resist...add a sparkly cocktail ring or classy watch (like Whitney)
  • Keep big, chunky wooden beads and the likes restricted to daytime and pile on the bling in the evening.

Summer art exhibit at dar al funoon, kuwait

One thing about us in Kuwait is that we are notoriously fickle. Most new things, whether they are swanky resto-lounges, great independent boutiques, sleek sports cars, coffee/sheesha places, latest top-of-the-line cell phones, nail bars, bakeries, usually see a huge surge of interest when they are first introduced to Kuwait's relatively tiny market. Most people buy/try the newest stuff out of the absolutely inexplicable need to be a part of the hype. Usually when it fades away, people move on to the next new, exciting thing...

Art gallery openings are a similar fad in Kuwait. Opening day seems to be the place to see and be seen. Conversing with the curators, meandering around the gallery and putting in your two cents (fils?), and most importantly, audibly announcing that you would like the latest flavor-of-the-week reserved to be picked up later. (Of course, 9 times out of 10, gallery owners are left chasing after these so-called art buyers...'Oh, I'm redecorating and I don't think it will go with my vision' seems to be a common cop-out) 

Obviously, if something has substance, it survives and dare I say, even thrives in Kuwait. On the art scene, it is Dar Al Funoon art gallery (readers not based in Kuwait can check out this Flickr photostream to get a feel for the place). 

Their summer exhibition, which will be on through August, has brought together some of the topmost names from the region, as well as Iran and Africa. 

Check out a few pictures: 

 Karim Ghidinelli

Talk about a global citizen, the artist is originally Italian, lived in Ethiopia, Namibia and London and now calls Miami Beach, FL home. Whew. His extensive travels, and especially his time spent in Africa, reflect in his paintings which are characterized by bold uses of color and expressive brushstrokes. His constant search for identity is also evident as thumb prints feature prominently in his artwork. 

Reza Derakshani

A prominent Iranian visual artist, Derakshani is also an accomplished musician (he even has his own album out). Music often plays a large part during his exhibitions. He is widely known to pull influence from his own Persian heritage, especially traditional folklore and his palette is more often than not subdued. 

Nja Mahdoui

Easily one of my favorites, Mahdaoui,  a Tunisian visual artist, explores traditional Arabic calligraphy and its place in the world today. His canvases are big, bold and arresting in their colorful splendor. He works mainly with acrylics, metallic paint and pen on canvas.

Farideh Lashai

Another Iranian artist, Lashai’s work often echoes elements of nature from her native Gilan, a province along the Caspian Sea. Gorgeously sublime colors and textures are abound in her work, which is usually mixed-media. 

(All images my own)

Gossip girl inspired line was never off: Target

Click for a larger image! :)
(Created on P's trusty mac using images courtesy http://www.cityhammer.com, gossipgirl-blog.cwtv.com and http://www.sugarscape.com)

We never thought we'd devote 3 posts to a collection we didn't even like to begin with, but we believe in setting the record straight...

Pop Culture Paradox brings its readers the REAL (we hope) deal this time around...

Stylelist.com got in touch with officials at Target who stated: "We are moving forward as planned with the four principal leads of 'Gossip Girl' as our creative muses...Unfortunately, there was misinformation passed around and we are still very excited about the collaboration."

According to the website: "....the retailer will be the official sponsor of this year's "Gossip Girl" season premiere: Commercials for Anna Sui's highly anticipated collection will run during the show's equally hyped debut on September 14." Read the entire post here.

M's Uniform Project

Uniform Project
Uniform Project by PopCultureParadox
(Featuring navy blue jumper from Old Navy, C&C California white tee, David Yurman rope bangle, Tiffany & Co chain link bracelet, Havaiana, Hollister and AE flip flops and Blair Waldorf-esque headbands)


I took a little inspiration this morning from The Uniform Project (which P and I love!) while searching through my closet. While I attended private schools for 13 years, I was blessed with the freedom of dress codes, sans formal uniforms. Today, years later, tucked away in a back corner of my closet hung a navy blue, private school uniform style jumper. A diamond in the rough found while discount shopping. The perfect summertime length, its pleated skirt falls about two inches above my knee and snugs in all the right places.

To my delight, a simple navy blue jumper is a canvas. A flattering canvas at that. Accessorizing and creating an age-appropriate look for a twenty-something proved simple with flip flops, jewelry and a headband. I paired mine with a ribbed white tee, nautical J.Crew flip-flops and silver bracelets (one Tiffany & Co chain link and one skinny roped silver bangle)

For future outfits? Ideas already pop into my mind. Leggings in the the fall with ballet flats. A blue-green plaid tie a la Serena van der Woodsen in Gossip Girl. Gold jewelry. Peacock feathered headbands. A chunky cocktail ring.

While unlike The Uniform Project's Sheena Matheiken, I cannot create such a look every day (and I commend her for doing so), finding such a simple outfit staple to create a uniquely individual outfit proves refreshing and fabulous.

-M

Fierce.

(image courtesy of: www.racked.com)


We at Pop Culture Paradox nearly burst of happiness when we heard that the 'fierce' season four winner of Project Runway, Christian Siriano was in the works to design a budget-friendly line of shoes for Payless (of all places!). Now, at long last, Racked obtained a first look at the line of shoes and handbags. Consider me excited. All shoes look stylish, work-friendly and affordable (everything in the line is priced at $45 and under!). I wonder if that large black handbag looks as luscious in person...
-M

The Bargain Maven Says...


(image courtesy of SmartBargains.com)

I know a good deal when I see one. I'm known to act irrationally on good deals, but I consider the action fitting the need. While doing work today, I stumbled on SmartBaragins.com (one of the sites I work for) and found their 2 for $75.00 designer dress sale.

Shocking, actually. Some of my favorite designers and brands. Dresses that are normally priced way more than $75.00 each for two for $75.00? Do my eyes deceive me?


Check out the selection for yourself, but here are my suggestions. A black dress that's perfect for cocktails and first dates (and channels your inner Lauren Conrad). A white dress that's perfect for summertime BBQ's (or any event that might include seeing your significant others' parents or family). Or a frilly dress with tulle skirt that channels an inner Carrie Bradshaw. I'm lusting.
-M

Twitter-holic

(image courtesy of: http://scottwesterfeld.com)

My name is M, and I am a Twitter-holic.

I have an unfortunate habit of creating social media obsessions. Facebook landed on the mainstream internet radar during my freshman year of college in 2004. I was the first of my friends to join. I check Gmail non-stop (literally, with my iPhone synced to my account). I was a Livejournal addict during high school. I owned a Casio My Magic Diary during second grade. My mother claims I played with a Sesame Street Big Bird “computer” as a toddler. I have technology obsession issues (but so does my Dad. He still owns the original brick-sized iPod).

When Twitter came around, I joined for the sake of this blog. I thought it’d be a good marketing tool to keep readers up to speed with new posts. I initially scoffed at my personal account. Who really cares if I just ate sushi? Just took a bubble bath? Likes that it’s a sunny day? Has a case of the Mondays?

Who cares, I ask? I do. Apparently. After a few weeks of neglecting my Twitter account, I started updating on my iPhone on the subway ride to work. Then I linked it up to my Facebook status so the pesky, always-crashing Facebook mobile site is nothing but a distant memory to me and my iPhone. Mom told me that my aunt reads my Twitter page regularly. This kind of scared me and I went back through to make sure that all tweets were family-appropriate (a good idea for anyone who hasn’t done so already).

Then I started following celebrities on Twitter. Pete Wentz (who seems to never log off of Twitter, does anyone think this pesters Ashlee?). Kim Kardashian. Paris Hilton. Lindsay Lohan (a personal favorite of mine and friend L). I tracked down old friends, exes and friendemies alike on Twitter. The best (and worse) part? Like my aunt, I can read their tweets without even adding them as a friend, (or “follow them” in Twitter-speak). It’s the ultimate stalking tool. This makes me wonder who is actually reading mine. Are you?

Now I tweet throughout the day. I tweet when I’m bored. I tweet when I’m eating. I tweet on dinner dates with my boyfriend. I know it’s rude, but he’s used to it. “My little online socialite,” he told me yesterday when I quickly hopped on Twitter before leaving the apartment for a day trip. Hearing that was nothing but music to my ears.

-M

Free Blog Counter
Pop Culture Paradox