100th Post and a New Year!

Happy New Year Everyone! And thank you for reading A Question of Taste. We've reached our 100th post and looking back on the year since the inception of the blog well, we've had a lot to say. We've embraced the idea of the retrospective and the countdown and thus, we thought we'd shine the spotlight back on you and give you a few stats on the AQoT friends out there.

Top 10 Google Searched Topics Leading People to AQoT:

10. How to Wear Leggings (you're welcome)
9. Stina Persson
8. Reese Witherspoon Divorce
7. Nora Caliguri Wedding Dress (so randomly specific)
6. High Waisted Pants (drama)
5. Pizza With Fried Egg
4. David Bromstad (we love him too)
3. McDowell School Of Dance
2. A Question of Taste
1. Justin Bobby

Top 10 (other than U.S.) Countries Reading:
10. Hong Kong
9. Singapore
8. Philippines
7. Spain
6. France
5. Germany
4. Poland
3. Australia
2. Canada
1. United Kingdom

Thanks so much for reading and as always feel free to email us with ideas and comments. We welcome stealthily taken photos of fashion faux pas. Also if you haven't already, join our Facebook group, our friends are hot, yes they are.

New Years Resolution for 2008? AQoT t-shirts. Get ready people. Fashion-forward? Perhaps. Goes with everything? Clearly.

Counting Down: Top 10 Taste Lessons Learned in 2007

Ah the new year , once again it's time for retrospectives, for toasting with friends, for countdowns. And sure, while we generally respect and incessantly create a safe space for any top 10 or top 5 list, (see Cusack's musings in High Fidelity, a la Nick Hornby), we understand that, like plaids or pleather, there's a time and place for everything. You've got to choose your moments and whatnot. In light of that, pull up a microsuede ottoman or a smartly overstuffed Desmond Ale armchair and stay a while as we count down the top 10 lessons learned through A Question of Taste in 2007.

10. Certain trends went out of style for a reason.

The Wardrobe that Time Forgot
Jodhpurs: Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em

9. Some celebrities thrive on a LACK of spotlight.

Obscurity Looks Great on Kelly Osbourne
Unemployment Looks Great on Rachel Bilson

8. Justin Bobby is the most entertaining and ridiculous thing to come out of MTV since Puck from Real World: San Francisco (although we must provide some sort of honorable mention equivalent to Irene from Real World: Seattle and the slap heard 'round the world)

Beanie Man
The Ballad of Justin Bobby

7. Men shouldn't be afraid of a little innovation and risk-taking

The Plural of Man-Purse is Men Purse
Nixon: Less Watergate, More Watch

6. The difference between cutting edge and costume is one pop of the collar away.

Pop Goes the Collar
Deconstructed Preppy: He Said

5. Bad fashion is harmful to one's health.

DEFCON Threat Level 3: Please Step Away from the Crocs

4. Don't wear things that make you look fat

Weighing In: High Waisted Pants
Whining over Wine

3. Sometimes a good dose of crazy is exactly what one needs in life.

Crazy Looks Great on Katie Holmes
Sorry Ash But We've Already Picked Our Favorite Twin

2. Whimsical = Good
Ridiculous = Very Very Bad

Madras Madras Madras
These Kids Nowadays

1. And finally, to all the friends of AQoT out there, grab some Crostini and Prosecco as we toast to wishing you a very Happy New Year and all good things in 2008.

Remember friends, trends may come and go but a good dose of judgment and ridicule lasts forever.

We Love Complex Magazine

Well, this month, anyway.

It's kind of exciting that there's men's magazine that steers the masses towards smart, fashion-forward decisions when it comes to their purchases. Quality kitchenware? Check. High-end hygiene? Check. The best holiday beverages? Check. Nixon watch promos? Check. Pages and pages of old and new skool kicks? Check.

Of course, there's also my current favorite... Kristen Bell? CHECK.



Sure, the magazine may be a bit self-serving (Yeah, Marc Ecko, we get it, you're SO where fashion is at and all the kids love you and we should only be so lucky to take pointers from a sage like you), but at the end of the day, we're loving the direction Ecko is taking trends when it comes to men's products.

Phylicia, Lisa & Keshia KP - Cosby's Angels

I know Bets doesn't necessarily experience this day by day, but doing the corporate America thing tends to sometimes stagnate creativity. In light of that, it can be inspiring to witness any sort of reinvention, whether in the office, on the streets or anywhere in the media.

Everyone's made pretty ridiculous aesthetic moves since 1984 (I seem to remember yellow gingham overalls... but I was 5, and in no way in control of my wardrobe), but who knew that some of our favorite ladies from those days would be pulling out some really smart choices in 2007? We don't really want to judge (wait, what am I talking about, of COURSE we want to judge), but I think it must be really difficult to stay very smart and retain the positive aspects of your fashion choices, and carry them through, updating as necessary, while adding another entire dimension to it.

Phylicia Rashad
She's the classic, older woman with a strong presence, just like then, but really has defined a very specific perspective. Claire Huxtable epitomized the archetypical strong working woman. The idea was renegade in the 1980s and only a woman with enough presence to impart strength in the mere raise of an eyebrow could pull it off without coming off as "hard" in any way.

Then:

Now:



Lisa Bonet
Denise Huxtable was always the controversial one on the show. Not entirely buying into Cosby's strict education precepts, she ended up kicked out of the dynasty after her first season on A Different World. Luckily, exit Bonet didn't deprive us of years of Dwayne Wayne, Whitley Gilbert and Jaleesa and that show also thrived for years after her departure. Bonet was always cute but we think she came into her own in the Lenny Kravitz years and peaked in her appearance in the John Cusack film "High Fidelity."

Then:



Now:


Keshia Knight-Pulliam
She went from annoying, only barely cute little girl who was SEVERELY upstaged by the casting of little Olivia to the show, to an arguably drop-dead beautiful woman. I think we all had that moment of whoa is that Keshia KP? while watching the video of Chingy's "One Call Away."

Then:



Now:


Bravo Cosby's Angels, way to keep it together through the decades. We have much to learn from you.

We Love Prosecco

The Italians have it right: sparkling wine that comes from a tap. There's nothing like a little bubbly-on-the-go. As the New Year (and Phat Tony's Birthday) approaches we reflect on one of our favorite drinks, prosecco. What is prosecco you ask? Quite simply, it's Italian Champagne. Champagne being sparkling wine grown in the Champagne region of France and made using the "Methode Champenoise." Specifically, prosecco originates from grapes grown in the Veneto region of Italy, and was the original ingredient in the famous Bellini cocktails. We love it because it's tasty. We prefer drier sparkling wines and prosecco fits the bill perfectly and accompanies a wide range of our favorite foods such as Pane Frattau and Crostini. Another feature of this particular drink is its affordability. We have yet to taste a bottle we didn't like and most often a good bottle comes in the $9-16 range. Drink up friends, party like it's 1999, and enjoy the New Year.

Weighing In: Sequins

What comes to mind when we think of sequins? Vegas showgirls, the circus, our tap dancing costumes at McDowell School of Dance perhaps. What does not come to mind? Sneakers. Anyone who knows me knows that my all-stars and I have had a long term exclusive relationship going for some time now. However, not even I would deign to wear the be-sequined versions that started cropping up this year.


Do these shoes not just scream "show choir?" I mean...not that there's anything wrong with that...I'm just saying, there's a time and a place for everything.

And by the way, that time/place is never on TRL.

In order to lead a civilized and fashionable life there must be rules regulations and for sequins, they start off similarly to our rules on plaid. Shirts and dresses only please, any sort of sequined bottom will make you look dangerously like one of those monkeys that play the cymbals. Secondly, we must restrict our use of sequins to the evening hours (this should be un peu obvious n'est ce pas?). Thirdly, and this one is a bit more subtle, a sequined garment must be sequined all over like these few courtesy of I Am Fashion.


Otherwise you run the risk of appearing as if you and your BeDazzler have spent one too many lonely nights together.

Whining Over Wine: Episode One

There's Nothing I Hate More Than Skin Tight Jeans

B: There's nothing I hate more than skin tight jeans. I mean, it's not something that you'd think you'd need to say... It's sort of obvious that it would look bad, right, but somehow, you keep running into it.

PH: I have issues with the comfort level of the thing. I mean, maybe I'm not the average guy on the street, but tight tight tight jeans screams hell no to me.

B: And for girls, how do you look at yourself in a dressing room mirror, where you already look fatter than what you are, and you say these skinny jeans are a good idea.

PH: Sometimes, those mirrors are there to give you perspective when we aren't in the room. But let's face it.. we don't want to be there, anyway.

B: I think this goes for clingy fabrics. in general... when you put clothes on your body, you shouldn't be able to see the rolls. I mean, everyone has some fat or whatever, and you know, we're okay with it, but the clothes on your body, make no mistake, are meant to camoflauge. Do people not understand this? Otherwise, we'd just be walking around naked all day.

PH: We all have that lady we work with. Babe, your clothes don't fit. And you know, they never did. My bad.

Designer, Don't Fail Me Now

The holiday season can be rife with disappointments. That one present that symbolized just how little your (insert close friend or relative here) really knew you. The box of chocolates that looked amazing but was secretly filled with cherry liqueur. 'Tis also the season of finding oneself horribly disappointed by the resort collection of your favorite designer coming right off the heels of a brilliant fall.

We've already had our say regarding Balenciaga but unfortunately, we have been wounded yet again. We fell off our chairs raving about the Fall 2007 Prada collection. We loved the color, the freaky texture, just about everything about it. And then there was this:


What in the name of all things Laura Ingalls Wilder is going on with the florals this season? Yes, florals are touted as the "next big thing" for spring and yes, Prada's use is at the very least fairly sophisticated (if in a high-school English teacher sort of way). However, lets not make excuses here, is the deafening tones of the Native American flautist trio playing My Heart Will Go On in the subway station marginally better than the ramblings of the errant crackhead? Certainly, but is it the stuff of brilliance and great art? Surely not. Fancying ourselves as having our thumbs on the pulse of the everyman, we judge a great collection by the speed at which it appears on the shelves of Forever 21. We're not predicting the appearance of ankle length floral skirts anytime soon.

Brevity is the Soul of Wit...

... and sometimes one has to speak fewer words to get a point across in the first place. Let's try it out here.

Holidays have socially-inherent color schemes by which, unless requested by the host or hostess, you are not required to abide when attending a holiday soiree. Even more to the point? Red does not automatically look good on just everyone... and if you're not sure about your own jaunts into the land of cherry, tomato and ruby, don't put on that oversized red puffy sweater!



There is no holiday festive enough to excuse our bleeding eyes.

Many thanks from the establishment, and to those for whom this applies, "Merry Christmas, everyone!"

Spiced Cider - Please Sir, May I Have Some More?

Nowadays, it seems that no holiday party is complete without a certain item that, ironically, may only aid in not remembering the evening at all.

Greg Best and a recent issue of GQ provided what we found to be an amazingly flavored, wildly successful holiday beverage. What follows is the recipe, which we advise to drink happily, but afterwards, drive responsibly (Drunk driving? SO tacky.)...

Sinful Cider (serves 30-35)

Ingredients: 2-3 cinnamon sticks, a few whole cloves, a few peppercorns, 1 bottle (750 mL) small-batch bourbon, such as Maker's Mark or Wathen's, 1.5 gallons apple cider, 1/4 bottle angostura bitters, 1 pint heavy whipping cream, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1.5 teaspoons brown sugar

Drop cinnamon sticks, cloves, and peppercorns in the bottle of bourbon. Leave to steep for a couple of weeks (one week minimum). (Phat Tony NB: Since I wanted to maximize the flavors of the cinnamon, cloves and peppercorn in the beverage and I only had one week to steep the ingredients in the bourbon, I just threw another two cinnamon sticks, and a few more cloves and peppercorns in there... it worked perfectly.) On the day of the party, strain spirits and set aside. Pour apple cider and angostura bitters into a large stock pot. Place on stove and heat. While cider is heating, whip cream, then fold in ground cinnamon and brown sugar. When cider is hot, turn off heat and add the bourbon. Serve cider from the pot, still on the stove. Keep bowl of whipped cream on the counter and let guests help themselves.

Thanks again to Greg Best and GQ, and Happy Holidays to everyone from your Aesthetes at AQoT!

We Love the Deschanels

We'd like to take this opportunity to sing the praises of two actresses whose quirky attitudes and classic looks add an essential ingredient to any project on which they endeavor.

Emily Deschanel features, other than in a host of bit roles in movies such as Spider Man 2 (how could we ever forget the role of Annoyed Office Front Desk Girl - although we're not sure that was her official title - when she held the pizza delivery boy, the tragically heroic Peter Parker, to the "Delivery within 30 minutes or the pizzas are FREE!" rule), as the lead character in "Bones," a show that to some may only be just another police investigation show, but to the Aesthetes, is a paragon of wit and mystery, unrivaled by the likes of CSI or NCIS (although Bets does have a certain affinity for NUMB3RS). In "Bones," Emily's character of "Temperence Brennan" not only dallies in the standard forensic drama fare, but also wades in an existential hodgepodge of the socially awkward and socially inappropriate.  Loving that it's believable, even when she looks like this (I guess we'll have to believe that in order for that awkwardness to come from someplace honest, she clearly couldn't have peaked in high school):



And then there was Zooey.  Zooey has arguably spent a great deal more time in the public eye, regardless of the artsy-weirdness, yet commercially successfulness (see The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, circa 2005) of her repertoire.  Most recently seen in SciFi's Tin Man, we might not even care that neither her emotional state nor her vocal intonations waiver from one role to the next... we just love that she is who she is... although sure, the woven chainmail-esque top might need a touch of tailoring...



So kudos to the Deschanels... we simultaneously love and are bewildered by how you can be as quirky as you are, yet retain the luminous glow your apparently flawless genetic structure provides. We hope you show no signs of stopping as we ring in 2008!

We Love Wall Decals: v 2.0

We love wall decals, no matter what the backlash in the general design community may be, we think they are practical and fun. We've noticed that some new and improved options have popped up recently.

We saw mirrored wall decals at Apartment Therapy: Europe and thought they looked light and airy if a bit feminine. (We'd try these on a chocolate brown or other dark colored wall to create balance).




Then we noticed 3D wall decals by Wallter:



And finally, the uber-kitchy and seasonally appropriate christmas tree decals which, we're sure, will not impart the same level of appropriate holiday cheer as Phat Tony's genuine faux tree but are nonetheless available for purchase here:

C is for Cookie

Who could resist a good batch of cookies? Certainly not us we wholeheartedly assure you. We thought, befitting to the holiday spirit, that we might just share two of our favorite recipes.

The first is a crispy chocolate chocolate chip called "Korova Cookies" from a cookbook specializing in Parisian pastries. We find them just a bit more sophisticated than the classic chocolate chip and the perfect accompaniment to an afternoon cappuccino.

The second, a classic ginger molasses variety, is from a friend's mother we'll refer to as Mrs. Jetson and that we have taken the liberty to half because we think the quantities she suggested were meant to feed her entire small midwestern town.

Korova Cookies

1 1/4 cups flour
1/3 cups Dutch process cocoa (or just unsweetened cocoa)
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 stick plus 3 tbsp unsalted butter (room temperature)
2/3 cups packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 tsp fine sea salt
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
5 oz bittersweet chocolate, chopped into chip-size bits

Sift the flour, cocoa and baking soda together. Cream the butter either by hand or in the mixer and then add both sugars and vanilla and beat for another minute or two. Mix in the dry ingredients only until incorporated and the dough is crumbly. Toss in the chocolate pieces and mix only to incorporate. Try not to handle the dough too much once the flour is mixed in.

Turn the dough out onto a smooth work surface, divide in half and, working with one half at a time, shape the dough into a log about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Wrap the logs in plastic wrap and chill them for at least 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 350 and on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper bake one sheet at a time for 12 minutes. Please note: These cookies are drier than most which is part of their novelty. Don't worry if they look like they aren't done when you remove them from the oven and make sure to cool them on a wire rack until they are close to room temperature.

Ginger Molasses

Cream:
1/2 lb butter
1/4 tbsp salt
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 medium sized eggs
3/8 cup molasses (add 1/4 cup water)

Sift:
3 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tbsp baking soda
1/2 tbsp cinnamon
3/4 tbsp ground cloves
1/2 tbsp ground ginger

Mix wet and dry ingredients together. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Roll dough into walnut sized balls, roll the balls in some sugar (just sprinkle some on a plate) think of it like salting a margarita glass...except...not really. Bake at 350 for about 13-15 minutes and enjoy.

Weighing in: Ethno-scarves

The pseudo-ethnic print scarf has taken over...Manhattan at least. Can anyone confirm or deny its use in other locations, we're curious? Regardless, whether we like it or not, it's this year's pashmina and it looks like it's going to be around at least for a season. We knew something was up when the Keffiyeh was the new hot item this summer and we've struggled with the concept of women running around the city wearing what has looked to us, rather like a babushka. We've changed our minds recently having seen it worn the right way exactly twice. Once by a very stylish close friend.


And once by our favorite twin.


We're not even going to bother enumerating the rules this time. We just leave you with the notion that if you're wondering if the word babushka applies to you...step away from the scarf. Thank you.

Dear Stylist: Brit Brit Edition

Dear Stylist,

Exactly how many printed hoodies does 100 million dollars buy one?






Just checking.

Yours truly,

The Aesthetes

The Wardrobe That Time Forgot

We know we're not the only ones to notice a particular emerging trend and certainly not the first to comment, but we've come to the point where we can't quite leave the issue alone. Has anyone else wondered what spurred the return of the long belted cardigan? Remember these?


Perhaps you or someone you know even owned one back when a Democrat ruled the White House and Cher "BE-lieved in life after love, after love, after love, after love..." I mean, sure, they were comfy...but stylish? Maybe in that "I grew up in Long Island but go to college in the Midwest" sort of way. And by "that," we mean not stylish at all. And by "not stylish at all," we mean not worthy of a comeback after spending 3 years or less in the back of our closets (Good call, Tracy... Ms. Talbots, if you're nasty). Quality nostalgia and/or whimsy do not happen that quickly see: Sex and the City movie for reference.

When we started seeing these garments out and about again recently we thought, surely this is a bad flashback come to haunt us and these people just completed the mother of all closet reorganizations and have trotted out one final nostalgic (sic) item before the Salvation Army is due to pick up the wardrobe that time forgot.

We thought that right up until we were paging through last month's French Vogue and we came across A WHOLE SPREAD ON THE LONG BELTED CARDIGAN (dubbed "cardi" via Tracy). This trend, we're afraid, may be back and in serious danger of swallowing Ellen Pompeo alive.

Judging Project Runway a.k.a. It's Funny Because It's True

We love Project Runway. We've always loved Project Runway. Ever since Jay McCarroll gave hope to every big-boned awkward cast-out who always thought they were relegated to stage crew and never stardom (a lesser known variant of "always a bridesmaid, never a bride"), we've trusted in the PR credo of finding the next great American designer. We still do.

But outside of the talent-related qualities of this new group of designers, we've started to question... well, the taste level of this motley crew with respect to everything else...

First of all, let it be known that each of their respective achievements cannot be overstated.  All of these designers were chosen for a reason.  They know what they're doing.  Yay Carmen Chris Christian Elisa Jack Jillian Kevin Kit Marion Rami Ricky Simone Steven Sweet P and Victorya.  That's coming from the heart.  Love you, mean it.  That being said...

Jack.  If you over-extend your arms over your head ONE MORE TIME... well, I can't really make any threats, I'm just saying it's a bad idea.  You're teetering on the edge of mid-90's circuit queen.  That look is over, and if you need more convincing, may we refer you to the wisdom of... well... us.

Kit.  We're hoping that you're this season's Alison Kelly, except without the unfortunate recycling challenge incident.  You also might want to lose the hairbow.  Or not.  Your choice.

Sweet P.  Thank you for clearly being good at construction.  Now could you do us a favor and maybe take us on a tour through your portfolio?  And of course, by portfolio, we mean tattoos.  Thanks.

Carmen.  We're sure it makes complete sense to you why a designer doesn't really know what they're doing unless they've been a model.  Okay, let's say, for (absolutely asinine) argument's sake, that your opinion is valid.  We're just going to say that humanity's ability to adapt to difficulties in their environment has been well documented.  I understand this is a bit of a stretch, but we tend to think that the concept of evolution and the ability for human beings (and maybe living things, in general, regardless of phylum) to adapt allows us to infer that maybe, just maybe, a few of those individuals NOT six feet tall, with high cheekbones, perfect skin, and/or an indelible desire to model clothing while adeptly performing the walk-walk-walk-half turn-half turn-walk-walk-walk-half turn-full turn-walk-walk-walk-walk-walk maneuver, may have found the ability to become great designers.  But you don't have to believe me... Believe Michael Kors, the fashion-world's answer to Dr. Phil.  Not pretty.

Jillian.  We don't get you.  We also have no idea if you can create anything other than that short flared skirt thing you keep making... and wearing.  It's an awkward niche to be in.  And no, not awkward interesting, but awkward huh?

Kevin.  Could you do something more exciting?  I mean, the most exciting thing so far is that you're not gay.  Seriously?  That's your defining feature?  Happy day, you're straight, good times.  Now what?  Oh wait, that's right, you design jeans, and one of said designs was featured on the cover of a Victoria's Secret catalogue.  Okay, that's something.  We still need more.  Just saying.

Christian.  You're quirky.  Not interesting.  There's a difference.  Maybe you'll learn that once you turn 22.

Chris.  Looking at you, we just feel like there's something to superficially mock.  Perhaps your refusal to run.  Perhaps your inability to complete sentences when with SJP.  But whatever man, you've sort of proven that you aim to do your damn thing on this show.

Elisa.  You were so lucky to be paired with Sweet P on last week's episode.  Your ideas are sound, but your methods of cleaning and completing are a bit junky.  Don't get too comfortable... you're not always going to have your fellow competitors ironing the crappiness out of your designs.  Oh, and as a special request, don't spit on our outfits.  It's a tad nasty.

Steven.  So you have a personality, right?  We thought we caught a bit of it during the PR previews... Your craftmanship is good, but we wish we could remember what you looked like.  Thank god for BravoTV.com.

Ricky.  Stop crying.  It's pathetic.  You've successfully dragged us kicking and screaming from the point of "in touch with his feelings" to "whiny little bitch."  You don't deserve that, as a person, we understand, but stop giving us so much fodder.  We also already know that you were a lingerie designer.  You're starting to get close to Emmett (previous PR contestant) who repeated weekly that he was a menswear designer.  At the end of the day, you're here, stop thinking that the lack of variety in your CV is a crutch.  Excuses are gross, you heard it here first.

Simone and Marion.  You're gone now, so we'll spare our unkind, however true, words... this time.

And as for you two, Rami and Victorya...  Stay cool, KIT, BFF 4 E and E, have a great summer, loved those great times in History class, you're the best.

F-ugg-ly

Alright, we get it, its officially fall/winter, its cold, and people need to keep their respective appendages out of the elements. We've seen the Ugg, we've pretty much made peace with the concept and we don't have a problem with the classic version as utilitarian footwear.

That being said, there are several versions out there to which we do take offense. There's the patchwork Ugg, the pom-pom Ugg and the dreaded sequined Ugg to name a few. We happened to be back in the midwest over the Thanksgiving holiday and we saw several versions of what can only be described as another huge flaming mistake.


What in the name of muppet feet is going on here?

Is there any reason you've decided that your calf/ankle/foot region should resemble that of a clydesdale? We do not care how warm and snuggly said footwear may be, you were not just cast in your local production of Sesame Street "Live" or "On Ice" for that matter.

Hello, the midwest, are you listening? We need you to stop it. Right now. Thank you.

The Ballad of Justin Bobby

Dear MTV,

Thank you for sending Justin Bobby into our otherwise uneventful lives. Instead of spending Monday nights with our New York Magazine crossword puzzles and a big mug of chamomile tea we can now relive every bad relationship we've ever had. No seriously, we're thrilled that you've unearthed someone simultaneously so evil and ridiculous that we throw up a little bit every time he enters the scene.

Does Audrina's "I'm done" signal the end of Justin Bobby's reign? We're a little sad we won't be seeing him anymore because with the recent transition from hipster beanie and man-capris to full bedouin headscarf, we were just counting down the episodes before he sported a space helmet and a poncho.

We truly enjoyed deciphering his conversations with Audrina:

"Why don't we just kick rocks and truth and time will tell all" = "I kinda sorta like being on TV."

"I don't want it to go down like this" = "Wait a minute, I love being on TV please don't go girl."

We applaud this casting of a villain so powerful that we can only suggest that you cast Johnny Depp as Justin Bobby in "The Hills: The Movie" which we're sure is already in pre-production talks. (As an aside we like Christine Taylor for LC and Matthew Fox for Brody Jenner).


We'd like to point out that we called the inevitable demise of the relationship from day one and although we fear this may be too much to ask, perhaps Audrina really has seen the light and ushered this clown out of her life for good.

If so....we'll miss you Justin Bobby.

Yours truly,

The Aesthetes

Sorry Ash, But We've Already Picked Our Favorite Twin

Hi, Mary Kate? So remember when we poked fun at a couple of your key fashion choices? We also may have made one or two thin jokes? Yeah...um...awkward...because deep down we really sort of love you.

There are very few true living fashion icons out there. Discounting those who dress themselves with the help of a capable stylist and those who put themselves together quite nicely but without any risk-taking, there are only one or two people worth mentioning. Kate Moss comes to mind as she embodies a palpable "signature style" copied by celebrities, regular folks and most recently pumped out to the masses in the form of Kate Moss by Topshop. We also have recently taken notice of Carine Roitfeld (check out Angie's profile of her at My Fashion Life). Roitfeld recently made headlines with this crazy futuristic coat:


Is it a bit strange? Yes. Is it also brilliant? We think so.

Mary Kate Olsen is the only American that we find both fascinating and disturbing enough to capture our attention to the same level as the aforementioned women. Do we feel conflicted about her sometimes? Definitely. While MK's fashion tastes almost always tend to be un peu difficile to stomach for the masses, even we questioned her sojourn into "Derelicte" dressing during her brief stint in higher education.

Since then however, we find her choices just interesting enough.

We love the red carpet vintage looks.

The menswear looks


The all black popped with something unexpected look


Finally, our personal favorite, the "I can pile on a whole heap of crazy and still look good look"


We read recently that Mary Kate's fashion role models are almost always men because they dress solely for themselves. That statement really resonated with us because it is not to say that you have given up fashion and aesthetic ideals, it is just that you are working solely for your own opinions and have permanently disconnected from the reigning fashion media. She's out there but she's also fashion forward in a real sense and we can't help admiring that.

Nixon - Less Watergate, More Watch

Purveyors of style and trends that we are, we are sometimes shocked, year to year, by the lack of variety in certain realms of fashion. While this has constantly been an issue in the area of men's winter coats (Peacoat? Check. Parka with removal insert? Check. Bomber jacket, whether down or other variety? Check. Same options, annually, for the past decade. Next?), we understood, as winter coats are a staple and tend to run on the expensive side of things... therefore, not necessarily an item one would want to throw out every spring.

That being said, we have always had higher hopes for accessories. Accessories, to state this in the most obvious way, are little touches by which one can assert his or her own style and point of view. Why then, we ask, is there so little variety in what current trends deem as the best men's watches out there? Having seen between 5 and 10 magazine spreads on men's watches, we're struck by how... monotonous they tend to be. This is why Nixon, a watch brand displayed off-runway by the stars of skate, surf and snow, is such a refreshing sight.

While formulating a new eccentricity when it comes to telling time, we find the innovation and simplicity of Nixon's styling a welcome change. We, of course, appreciate the ability to simultaneously figure out what time it is in 10 different time zones, operate a stopwatch, and handle some long-division, all from the comfort of our own respective wrists, but we'd rather save that space for something that has a little more form and a little less function.

Betsy Addendum:
Admittedly, I've been trying to copy Phat Tony's style since the early days at McDowell School of Dance where I deeply coveted his pas-de-bouree-petit-jete. The recent call out on the wonders of the nixon watch being hardly any exception, I was struck by a theme. It seems that lacquered wood in unexpected places is a surprisingly effective design element right now.

Take for example this Furni Gator alarm clock:


We have been obsessed with this item for a few years now having seen several similar designs on the market. We realize now that it is the wood element that lends the clean lines and brings us another modern take on a natural element for the home. Love it.

We Love Project Runway: Ep. 1

Clearly the Aesthetes adore Project Runway. What's not to love with Tim Gunn, the ridiculous challenges, Heidi Klum's syntax, Nick Verreos, Jay McIntyre, Santino... We have been awaiting this latest season with much excitement. We feel like we've been reunited with a long lost love and not surprisingly we have an observation or three about the first episode.

Observations

Victorya's dress was the cutest from a "what people are willing to wear right now" perspective.

Chris and Jack could be interesting wild cards even though they didn't elicit much attention from the panel this week.

Where did Ricky get his amazing collection of hats that should belong to the Village People?

Intensely Hilarious Quotes

"People can be fantastic designers but if you haven't modeled you don't know the first thing" - Carmen

"That flower is so M.O.B." - Michael Kors (because we had been using the phrase Mother of the Bride SO much lately that we were DYING for an acronym).

Predictions

Rami will function as this season's Kara Saun and will repeat the pretty yet pedestrian toga garment ad infinitum.


Simone represents the first of many designers who will be Auf'd in favor of Elisa who has been specifically cast to bring the crazy this season.

We will be watching.

L is for My-God-This-Show-Is-Amazing.

So, as un-chic as this pronouncement is, I just have to let it out.

I love TV.

I do. I can't help it. Now that the words DVR, Netflix and Samsung 720p Flat Panel LCD HDTV have entered both mine and Betsy's lexicon, it can occasionally be hard to find an excuse to leave the apartment. And while we would both love to be those people that focus their living room furniture around a fresh citrus arrangement or a functional AND aesthetically pleasing wood, ceramic or natural steel sculpture, we tend to fall prey to moving pictures. My bad.

However, this is not all bad. In the context of this blog, it can be useful. One ridiculously fantastic example of this is The L-Word.

If you haven't heard of this Showtime series, you might still be trying to dig out from under than rock that has blotted out the sun on your planet for the past 4 years. But even if you HAVE heard about it, you may have never seen it. Let us tell you, it's never too late. Again... there's Netflix.

The fodder for AQoT on this series is virtually infinite... from food to fashion to design, there's so much to say, and more importantly, much more to learn.

In an effort to avoid writing a book on the subject, let's just talk about Jennifer Beals' character, Bette Porter. (Oh yeah, in case you were wondering what happened to J. Beals after Flashdance... now you know.)



Okay, so she's a self-righteous bitch. Whatever. Once we come to terms with that, we realize that Bette is a paragon of style and taste. She has been rocking the styles that we have come to admire, and she was doing it years before we even knew it was a good idea. She's a contemporary museum director turned art school dean, so she surrounds herself in smart, cutting-edge design, without falling into the hole of modern, attractive, but painfully pedestrian choices (maybe one day we'll talk about the Eames chair and ottoman). While with all the sharp edges, her house might be a deathtrap for her daughter, Angelica, her design aesthetic is impeccable. As for fashion, she does the power-lesbian thing like she was born to do it... which I suppose she was. The secretary blouse (in all positive, and no tragic frumpy versions) has been a part of her wardrobe for the past two seasons. The Jil Sander suit she wore throughout seasons one and two was paired with a variety of classic and cutting edge tops and accessories, testifying to the versatility of a classic wardrobe stable.

Good moves, Bette, that's all we're saying.

The Skin-ny

It seems as if leather has popped up as a trend these days. Clearly we’re far beyond the leather jacket, which though oft misused, is nonetheless an American staple. We’re not just talking about the fits like a glove and still nonexistent pair of leather pants we’ve coveted since we were 15 and have yet to discover in actual existence. We’re talking leather skirts (the Olsen twins strike again)


and several leather dresses we’ve seen at the "cheap & chic "chains like Zara and H&M.


On preliminary examination, this trend will be fleeting with high dry cleaning bills and a lack of breathability. We’re also a bit concerned that this whole faux-rocker thing has gone a bit too far (penchants for guitar hero notwithstanding). Faux-rocker to the Aesthetes is Ashlee Simpson, Uncle Jesse from Full House, and Justin Bobby. Actually nothing says faux rocker better than Justin Bobby in a full-on signature Justin Bobby beanie.

Faux Royalty Looks Great On Jonathan Rhys Meyers

Before The Tudors, Mr. Rhys Meyers (Mr. Meyers? Mr. J.R. Meyers? Eh, let's go with J.R.) had amassed an impressive performance CV... but other than Velvet Goldmine and Bend It Like Beckham, we were hard-pressed to sing the appropriately specified praises of this actor. Then came The Tudors, and everything changed. His face was instantly recognizable, a quality not lost on the fashion industry, not to mention every postered surface in New York City.



We don't know about you, but in the past, J.R. seemed a bit manorexic. While the gaunt and vapid thing may have temporarily worked for Kate Moss and Mary Kate, it never worked for you. Your recent project didn't necessarily force burgers down your throat, but it created a context for the body type that was less stylish, more skeletal. One thing the Tudors were good at... staying warm with layers... and if putting a layer of linen under a layer of cotton under a layer of animal skin under a layer of crushed velvet is what works for you, then amen. You don't have the weight issue that Henry VIII is chronicled in paintings as having, and luckily, it doesn't seem like you have a sweating issue.

So while your past is a bit gaussian blur for us, we're thrilled that a career move finally matched the one look you have. If pseudo-oppressive heirarchies and fashion-forward Renaissance-wear is your thing, that's just fine with us because, J.R., faux royalty looks great on you.

Dear Stylist: Roadkill Edition

Dear Stylist,

When will you fail to amaze us with your questionable choices? We realize that Kate Bosworth and Zhang Ziyi recently attended some sort of soiree in China and perhaps there are some deviating cultural norms at play here but seriously, what is that Chinchilla? Did you not notice that Ms. Ziyi looks like she's actually holding the dead animal she just skinned to fashion this garment? Ms. Bosworth looks like a late edition Cruella De Vil and if one wants to model themselves after a Disney character, we suggest Esmeralda, she really knew how to work the peasant blouse trend.

We're not really politically anti-fur here, we just think it looks gross 9 out of 10 times. Take for example Britney Spears. Does she not look like she skinned her little dog Bit-Bit and is wearing her as a shrug.


Perhaps there's ways to wear fur, in fact, there are certain people who may be able pull it off:

1. Sarah Jessica Parker circa SATC seasons 1 and 2 because there was a time when she could pull off that sense of whimsical risk taking.

2. Nicole Kidman because she's just regal and Nordic-looking enough to accessorize a fur coat with a nice viking helmet.

3. Mary Kate Olsen because the poor little thing looks just about cold enough to drape anything over her bony little shoulders.

Aside from the above mentioned we ask you to please refrain from this growing and disturbing use of fur.

Yours truly,

The Aesthetes