Style tips from the tube
Stuck in a style rut? Look to the small screen for inspiration. Add some drama to your life and prime your wardrobe for any situation a comedic storyline could throw at you. 1. Scooby-Doo Our gal Velma was doing color blocking before it was a thing. Show off that curvy bod in shades of red … Read more
Mark Indelicato
Mark Indelicato is most known for his role on ABC’s Ugly Betty as Justin Suarez, Betty’s sharp-witted and kind-hearted nephew. But the young actor and singer has recently begun trying his hand at fashion journalism and photography, and has grown into quite a style inspiration. Today, I have the pleasure of chatting with Mark about … Read more
Sugarpill: An interview with Amy Doan
Amy Doan is a one-woman powerhouse who is equal parts kind, fun, unpretentious and driven. I first met her online in 2004, and it’s been wonderful to watch her go from her hot independent clothing line, Shrinkle, to her new runaway brainchild, Sugarpill Cosmetics. Sugarpill is a custom line of richly-pigmented eyeshadows in paint-bright, show-stopping … Read more
Apathy Angel, Judson Harmon, Nadia Aboulhosn, Seth Nayes
“Peeps to Watch Out For” is a look at some of the next generation of up-and-coming creative people in the arts. For the first installment of this addition to The Idler, I’m excited to introduce you to four edgy and innovative performers, models and fashionistas who are creating buzz on the entertainment and fashion circuits … Read more
Crafting your closet with Polyvore
So, when I’m not Facebook Tetrising my odd minutes away, I love to create fashion sets on Polyvore.com. The site provides a place for you to browse clothing, accessories, beauty items, home goods and various other doo-dads you might (wish to) purchase. If you’ve got the cash-money, you can use the site to locate things … Read more
PopHeart spring wishlist
1. Actual Spring-like conditions. Come on, Michigan. Rupert and I aren’t going anywhere if we have to continue wearing winter coats. 2. A frugal, fun, flirty and floral dress. Adorbs! Only $17.99 at www.target.com 3. Swedish Hasbeens. Clunky, chunky 70’s chic with a clickety clack soundtrack. They run upwards of $200, but H&M will have … Read more
Hagen, Galas, Gaga: The evolution of the post-punk chanteuse
Like many witness to the Lady Gaga phenomenon, I saw the burgeoning celebrity popping up here and there in her eye-catching, show-stopping ensembles, and I had no idea what her music sounded like. I pictured a possibly screeching and borderline unlistenable (in the best possible way, of course) new incantation of opera-slayer Diamanda Galas: a … Read more
Bad (so bad that it’s good?) romance
As a youngish academic in English I should adhere to many cultural stereotypes. I should “use” my television as a decorative art piece and never actually watch it. I should sport shoes that promote foot health like a good pair of Birkenstocks, or a Dansko clog if I’m feeling fancy. I should revel in French film and have a taste for curious and inventive cuisine. And I should probably refrain from employing self-coined terms like “mo-mo” when proper names for such objects (“remote control”) already exist.
Although the list above is clearly exaggerated, it’s still difficult for me to not measure myself by an imaginary yardstick of academic propriety. Or by more general yardsticks like adult sophistication, for that matter. As a result, I feel ashamed that I consider Television a part of my family and that my favorite shoes are 4+ inches high and stained with the blood of tootsies intensely dedicated to sparkle motion. I feel guilty that I prefer watching the cartoon adventures of an orphan boy and his favorite pirate (they live in a whale!) to more edifying cinematic encounters. And while “Top Chef” remains a must-see program, I take more epicurean delight in mixing various other junk food desserts into my ice cream than in spinach foams and genius takes on ceviche (seh-whoochie?!). As for language, I love me a $10 word as much as a Rachel Zoe-ism. What’s a grown-up material girl to do?
