No swan dresses, no Bob Mackie showgirl costumes, no self-designed frocks were to be found at last night's Oscars. With the proliferation of online media ready to rip apart a starlet's sartorial choices in excruciating detail, no actress who values her career dares to step outside the house without being vetted by a virtual army of stylists, makeup artists and publicists. This has led to major increase in the number of actresses who look quite pulled-together on the Red Carpet, but -- alas -- has also caused the event to lose some of its best fun: looking for the actress who'll be this year's equivalent of Bjork in a giant swan outfit with matching egg-shaped purse.

Here are some women who got it really, really right last night. On the far left is Jessica Alba looking enchanting in a gold column dress with halter top, sweeping train and elaborate embroidery by Versace. Jessica told Isaac Mizrahi (who didn't grope her even once) that she was wearing Christian Dior lip gloss, that they have the best lip glosses.

Nicole Kidman looks stunning in a Balenciaga strapless ivory sheath dress which features ivory embroidery. Her rose-cut diamond earrings are by Fred Leighton.

New mommy Jennifer Garner really looked fabulous in this low-cut, empire-style dress with Swarovski crystals and sterling silver flowers, by Michael Kors. The dress also has quite a train on it and when Jennifer went out to present the award for Best Costume, she tripped on the hem and nearly avoided a nasty fall. Ever the trooper, the Alias star quipped "Thank you. I do all my own stunts." Did you hear that they're going to cut around eight of the final Alias episodes when the second half of season five starts airing in April? That makes us so mad!

But back to Jessica Alba, who noted in an interview that she was a bit nervous about presenting at the Oscars: it's true that Into the Blue wasn't exactly Oscar material. But remember, Best Supporting Actress winner Rachel Weisz got her start in The Mummy and The Mummy 2, as the announcer reminded a billion people as she made her way to pick up her statuette. So, hold your head high, Jessica and look for that script that requires you to 1) cry 2) get really angry and, most importantly, 3) look like hell. Then you, too, could have your Oscar-winnning moment.

Posted by Fashionista Shopping Analyst at 4:21 AM

Updated: Wednesday, 17 May 2006 8:14 PM

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Legal and Illegal Immigrants Build Our Homes & Businesses

In my daily readings, I found some numbers that show the role played by immigrants in our economy. Research organization, the Pew Hispanic Center, collected some very important data that most of us need to pay attention to. The question to ask is who are the immigrants? Who are the illegal immigrants? Where are they concentrated?

Illegal immigrants are everywhere. They may be the ones who keep our lawn pristine clean. They may be the ones who feed us at restaurants. They are the ones who cause the price of the beautiful homes we live in to be so low. They build our homes. They provide us with succulent fruits every Summer. Well, illegal immigrants can be found all over the States. They are no longer concentrated in places such as California, New Mexico and Texas, they are going to places such as Georgia, North and South Carolinas, Twin cities (Minnesota and Minneapolis). They are driving on our roads to their next destinations. Wherever they go they are making life easier for the rest of us, bureaucrats and professionals. They do pay taxes. All they take from their community is the opportunity to worship with us, to send their kids to the local high schools and shop at our local markets. By the way, they help bring us different foods. They are changing our taste and palate. We have grown accustomed to chinese food, Mexican food. No wonder that the Thai government has been rumored to commission and send huge groups of Thai chefs to key parts of this country to introduce us to Thai cuisine. If that is the case, then, I am already a believer. I like pad thai!

The Pew Hispanic Center estimates that there are as many as 12 million illegal immigrants in the United States. They are not all Mexicans. They are also Canadians, Brazilians, Haitians, Cubans, British, Hungarians, French, Swiss, Peruvians, Nicaraguayans, Salvadorans, Belizeans, Ticos or Costa Ricans, Jamaicans, Indians, etc. etc. Some came in as tourists, students and specialized workers who work in high-end companies in specific fields. Well, guess what? They overstayed their visas. It is true they had arrived in this country legally, they are now illegals. In the meantime, their lives continue. They have childen who were born here. They become the family members of American citizens. So you, our umbilical cords were cut with immigration issues. So, immigration has become a hot issue as the Senate debates legislation that would tighten border security while allowing illegal immigrants to become citizens in the future. California by itself has more than 2.5 million illegal immigrants. Where are they found mostly?

Read the rest of this article at BlackLabelReview: Music, Movies, Books & Immigration Issues

Posted by Fashionista Shopping Analyst at 8:45 PM

Updated: Wednesday, 17 May 2006 7:54 PM

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A major faction of our culture that now shares the consumer-gluttonous attitude should also be able to remember a time when the reverse was true. In the 1960s, many of our parents shunned all but the most basic of human needs. They endeavored to abolish the caste system and free all people from bondage-- and often that included bondage to material possessions. Our fundamental needs were a good cause, a lot of hair, tickets to a Greatful Dead concert, a beat-up pair of Levis, and maybe a Wolkswagen van to take us to the concerts all over the country. What has happened to us in the last twenty years.

Ourt attitudes have changed radically over the past 6 decades. Our taste in wine has evolved from Boome's Farm to Dom Perigon. Where we were once satisfied with friendships forged in promitive folk and rock clubs, we now require high-energy, high-visibility chi-chi, rock, and hip hop concerts such as the Black Eyed Peas with the PussyCat Dolls etc. Our attire has gone form vagabond rags to big-ticketed preppie items or European chic that barely cover all of our body. In short, we have been devoured by consumer gluttony.

To promote ourselves, we haughtily flaunt designer labels on our clothing. Joyously we exchange our own identities for the hype associated with names like Gucci, Klein, Saks Fifth Avenue, Abercombie and Fitch, Michael Kors, Vera Wang and Polo. No longer do we talk about "wearing a blue dress tonight"; instead, we boast of wearing a blue Norma Kamali or a Versace to the cocktail party or prom ceremony. Labels have become more important than the clothes they are attached to. We freely participate in reality TV shows such as the Survivor, American Idol, Dancing with the Stars, Project Runway, The Apprentice etc.

Read the end of this article at PromQuinceneraBlogger

Posted by Fashionista Shopping Analyst at 3:51 AM

Updated: Monday, 27 March 2006 3:57 AM

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Jennifer Aniston looks great in this dress.

How about Felicity Huffman in this one?

Check out Jessica Alba's dress

Jada Pinkett Smith and Will show their fashion taste on the red carpet

How about this British actress, Keira K.?

Posted by Fashionista Shopping Analyst at 5:02 AM

Updated: Wednesday, 8 March 2006 5:09 AM

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Continued from AllpromdressesWeb: Prom & Quincenera Gowns

Other leading ladies also showed their love for dresses and gowns on this special night. John Galliano for Christian Dior dressed Charlize Theron with a forest-green handpainted gown with a giant bow on the shoulder. She also commented on the leather silk satin fabric. How about Marc Anthony’s wife, Jennifer Lopez? ." Jennifer Lopez wore a lighter green gown with a fitted bodice that laced up in the back like a corset. It is safe to say that Jennifer wore one of the best dresses on the red carpet tonight. Corset is making a comeback. More and more Hollywood and New York ladies are wearing it. Giorgio Armani dressed Zivi Zhang in a black scalloped seashell-shaped lace bustier with jet beading worn with a gray Swarovski crystal encrusted full crinoline skirt. Hilary Swank was donned in a sweetheart-style black strapless gown by Versace. Ah! Versace always stunned the public with one of the house’s black creations!

Reese Witherspoon wore a gown with rows of silver beads. Her husband was very elegant in his three-piece suit with a black tie. She was happy to catch the best actress award this evening. Zac Posen dressed Felicity Huffman in a supersexy black gown with a V neck, keyhole back, sheer panels on the side and pleated bodice and hem. Salma Hayek introduced the winner of best score with Brokeback Mountain. She had on a slate blue gown. Roberto Cavalli dressed Jada Pinkett Smith in a bright blue strapless column gown. Jada Pinkett is Will Smith’s wife. Meryl Streep's plum V-neck gown with long sleeves looked superb with the dangling earrings she wore. On the red carpet, Isaac Mizrahi behaved tonight. There was no side show. Jennifer Garner wore a halter-style, hand-embroidered Michael Kors gown in nude-colored tulle featuring Swarovski crystals and sterling silver flowers. Other important ladies of Hollywood also wore key dresses and gowns. Nicole Kidman was in a cream-colored strapless gown with beautiful delicate embroidery, and Naomi Watts wore a nude-colored, one-shoulder gown with frayed fabric on the top by Givenchy. Rochas donned Jennifer Anniston in a black tank gown with a long train and a vintage platinum-and-diamond Bulgari necklace from the 1930s. Her makeup artist, Angela Levin, also used Chanel mascara on her. Helena Bonham Carter wore an off-the-shoulder, tea-length blue satin gown. Jessica Alba wore a tight gold Versace halter gown with floral beading. The cameraman caught her applying and touching up her Dior lipgloss. Pamella Roland dressed Jane Seymour in a champagne satin halter gown with jeweled accents on the bodice. Rachel Weisz had on a slinky black gown with cap sleeves which also showed off significant cleavage. Urma Thurman and Queen Latifah wore some gorgeous dresses.

Read the whole article at PromdressesBlogger

Posted by Fashionista Shopping Analyst at 6:33 PM

Updated: Sunday, 5 March 2006 7:02 PM

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Sephora, Beauty Shopping, and Lip Plumpers

By Mrs. Kat

The group of young men and women enters the store
Amidst all kinds of chat and laughter
They are excited about the tasks ahead
They are here to browse freely in the new store
Sephora is turning heads among department stores
As more and more female and young shoppers are
Attracted by its architecture, interior design
wide-open arms welcome and the variety of choices
Cosmetics and perfume shoppers roam the store and
Are free to try anything before they shop
Against the beehive-like activity and right music
More laughter and smile on this shopper's face
All the women want to try this lip plumper
It has a tingling sensation on the upper lip
This young woman wants to Angelina Jolie's lips
This one wants Scarlet Johansson's ones
Everybody wants to look good, sexy with new lips
They want to puff up their assets and be gorgeous

Sephora attracts females from 15 to 80 years
It is the new born elexir. Guys shop there too
They compliment their girlfriends and wives on
The new look, the new lips, the make-over
All women, young and old, need to feel sexy
Sephora reveals their hidden feminine instincts
More customers continue to arrive; young mothers
Who want to recapture their beauty faded by
Child-rearing, homemaking chores and bills
They come to lose themselves in the free-shopping
open-floor expirience created by Sephora
It is an environment that invites shoppers to
Try on different eyeliners, blushes, lipsticks
And brands such as LipFusion, Lip Injection,
City Lips, Lip Venom, Lip Plumper
Younger and full of life, these customers look
Better than Melanie Griffith. Sephora is for them

Sephora becomes a therapeutic destination
Department stores start to envy its new position
No gimmicks with the consumers! No free stuff
With a purchase. Professional women are roaming
Among the free-standing racks featuring top chic
Brands such as Calvin Klein, Lancome, Gucci, Christian Dior, Bulgary
Shoppers touch and try on
more of the products. It is the store's policy
Unlike the old model of selling cosmetics,
The new model is enticing and appealing
Women are flocking to the store like bees to hive
It is time for self-invention, for a new you
Those who are getting ready for prom, Quincenera,
Bat Mitzvah, and wedding ceremonies must visit
Experience the new product from France
Experience Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite!
Experience Gerard Barrau's architecture
Set your feet into Sephora's Champs Elysees
While being in your own hometown or nearby
Black as in black dresses is becoming important
Black gloves donned by the cast members are used
To show the perfume and cosmetics
Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy or LVMH made a good
Investment by buying Sephora. The French Luxury
Conglomerate acquired Sephora 4 years
After it was created in 1993. LVMH also owns
such luxury stores such as Moet & Chandon, Celine
Hard Candy, Guertain, Kenzo, Givenchy, Dom
Perignon, Urban Decay. No pressure from the shop
Get your free makeovers by appointment
The whole store is your stage with cast members
Who will help you enjoy such rich colors as
Lavender, green, blue, gold, white, yellow
and black. It is a display of colors, 365 ones.

Posted by Fashionista Shopping Analyst at 4:27 AM

Updated: Sunday, 12 February 2006 5:13 PM

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BeautyPhora, Beauty Fora or Beauty Fauna or Sephora: More Accents to Wedding, Prom & Quincenera!
By Mrs. Kat

Why Sephora Attracts Women to its Stores Nationwide

The French are coming. Well, they have been here for quite a while. And they brought their savoir-faire, business know-how in all matters related to cosmetics, makeup and beauty with them too. That is what American women are finding out from Sephora, the French-established company that is fast becoming the main attraction in various shopping centers all over the country. When female consumers find something that appeals to their senses, they will come in to check it out. Now that is why there is no low times for the cast members at the Sephora stores.

I had an experience at a few of them. I will disclose that I am a huge fan of them. My spouse and I had our day on the town lately. We ended up going to a Sephora store to check the merchandise. We were pleasantly surprised by the amount of products, beauty aids that is expertly organized on the shelves. There were products for men and women. While the store remains very popular with female consumers, it has attracted many men who care about fragrances, beauty products and skin care. This French company taps into the elexir of American search for perfection and beauty. If anything, the store is a model of a sensually lit environment which is conducive to shopping and spending time. No wonder that most shoppers do not hesitate to open their wallets. Sephora is a name to reckon with. It has 400 stores in 11 countries. In addition, if you can not find something in the physical stores, you can go to Sephora.com to find it.

What kinds of brands does Sephora carry?

The shoppers who go to Sephora are looking for great value. They are fans of great products. Sephora.com carries emerging and established brands such as Dior, Prada, Benefit and Stila. The whole store is a stage. Shoppers are part of the show. Employees who are called cast members also serve as guides as they give special attention to the ladies. My spouse did not feel threatened and pushed. It was a relaxed environment where shoppers can think about their purchase. Cast members encourage them to test the products before making up their mind. If you want foundation, mascara, makeup and other beauty products, Sephora has them all. It was a great night out that started well.

Posted by Fashionista Shopping Analyst at 8:55 AM

Updated: Monday, 30 January 2006 8:56 AM

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Quinceanera History: Wherever it's celebrated, Quinceanera takes a very important significance for the fifteen year old young man, her family, her church and those who love her. For many Hispanics and Latin Americans, it's a cultural, ethnic and religious marker. It's celebrated mostly in the Mexican culture.

Parents are known to have been saving for many years so they can offer the best ceremony to their daughters. Quinceanera is a celebration of the coming of age. For many, it means a change, a profound transformation from a girl with flats to a young woman in high heels. For sure, quinceanera is about beauty, hope, youth and continuity. More than anything, it's about fashion. It may be the equivalent of the Emmys and Oscars in the modest to rich Mexican families.

Of course, the first communions always have their own importance, but the quinceanera celebration is something else. Parents in the United States who escaped years of abject poverty in the motherland are known to go overboard for their daughter. They spend a fortune to give them everything they want. Educators, priests and some family members often complain about the waste of financial resources on such celebrations. They'd rather see that the parents save all the money spent on beverages, trio or bands, bracelets, chains, gowns, dresses, hall rental, limo etc. etc. be saved for the college education of this young man. If anything, all the money spent on Quinceanera could be a large down payment on the young woman's future house.

Nonetheless, It's hard for many Hispanics, (North, South and Central Americans to break free from this tradition passed down from the Mayans and Aztecs; a tradition that was almost destroyed by the Spanish conquistadors). It's worth saying that one of the most salient symbols of Quinceanera is the dress. The Quinceanera Dress may be the young woman's first formal adult wear. Please keep in mind that in many Hispanic cultures, after the fifteenth birthday, some levels of responsibility also mark the entrance of the young person into adulthood. Just like in the ancient days, she was to learn skills that she would use for the rest of her life. The dress shows a change in the status of the young woman. That's why most people call this cultural ritual "a coming-of-age ceremony." If the wedding gown makes a senora of the woman, the quinceanera dress makes a young adult, a senorita of the fifteen year old. It's her sweet fifteen.

The quincenera dress is obviously different from a social dress or a communion dress. By now, you will agree that the dress is very much a critical element of the celebrant's ceremony. What else can we observe? Along with the dress which is usually formal length, the celebrant will wear a headpiece called a diadema or tiara. She will also carry a matching ramo. The headpiece and ramo are prepared with lots of care by professional artists or experienced family members to keep the costs down.

Some of the items that the honoree will receive include the libro y rosario. To show her change from girl to adult, she will receive the adult size rosary which she will use to worship. She will also receive a Bible. Depending on her suspected preference, the bible may be in English or Spanish. A lot of the kids who were born in the United States prefer their English version to the Spanish language prayer book. Many family members, friends, padrinos and nina will give gifts of jewelry. They may want to rent a band or trio or the dance hall or a favorite DJ. Others may pitch in by buying some beverages of all kinds. The celebrant may be allowed to sip her first alcoholic beverages as a sign of adulthood. This may depend on the laws of the state and whether the family is liberal or conservative. Signs that show the celebrant has joined the adult world are: a ring, esclava, identity bracelet, earrings, and the religious medals, la medalla de oro, of the Virgen of Guadalupe. According to Norma Cantu who has written Chicana Traditions: Continuity and Change, some churches even ask the young woman to take classes. Keep in mind, all priests are not in favor of this celebration.

La fiesta Quincea?era, is a rite of passage for fifteen-year-old Latina girls. It is a community and family celebration full of tradition and meaning when a young girl is symbolically escorted into womanhood by her family and the event is witnessed by her community. The word itself comes from the Spanish quince, "fifteen," and a?os, "years." The origins of the Quincea?era are often attributed to the ancient customs of the Aztecs, but the ceremony and meaning behind it are similar to other ancient cultural initiation rites that occurred throughout the world. Fifteen was the age when many young women left their family home to become wives and then mothers, and almost as though passing through an invisible door, a Latina enters her Quincea?era as a child but emerges as a young woman with new responsibilities. Those who know and love her will see and treat her differently from that day forward.

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Posted by Fashionista Shopping Analyst at 5:03 PM

Updated: Wednesday, 25 January 2006 8:11 PM

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Get all the info you need on prom, Quincenera and Elegant evening gowns at ElegantPromdresses Shop Usher's Classic, Sophisticated Sense of Fashion, Style and Appeal Usher's Fashion Tips for the Guy accompanying the promgirl He is only known by Usher. His full name is Usher Raymond. His album, Confessions, brought him fame, name recognition and a budding mini-empire. He has lots fans and a huge fortune. He appears to be an earthy young man who knows about breakups and other sentimental issues. His album, Confessions, is now at more than 4 million in the U.S. alone. Solo artists are making a great comeback with him. So far, he has three hits "yeah!," "Burn" and "Confessions Part II." Usher is also known for his classic, soft, sophisticated sense of fashion and style. On Oprah, Today, MTV and various other events where he appears, we can see what he is wearing. Here is a list of the clothes, gear, jewellery, Usher wears and designers who are behind them: Yves Saint Laurent Coat, Armani Collezioni Trousers, Sol Rafael earrings, silk tuxedo shirt, black armani slacks and tank. Gucci belt. Gucci underwear. Paul Stuart outfits. Valentino wraparounds. Some of the best tailors want to dress him. "Armani wants to dress me. So does Cavalli," he said during an interview. Usher is an artist whose clothing must celebrate his appeal. He talks about style and sophisticated swagger all the time. Usher likes the following designers: Gucci. I love Dsquared2. Ozwald Boateng. Paul Smith. Paul Frank. J. Crew Abercombie & Fitch. He likes his boxer-briefs which hold his goods closer to the body. Usher also wears jeans. Paper Denim & Cloth, Sacred Blue, Seven. He wears Vuitton sneakers which come in various colors. He also had some Adidas Now let's talk about his jewels. He wears solid gold, 18-karat matte yellow gold, Rolex. He loves ties and suits. He thinks they empower a man. His ties come in hundreds of colors. His mother helps him collect them. Usher could be on a dance floor in any prom ceremony. Shopnowshopping Allpromdresses

Posted by Fashionista Shopping Analyst at 6:27 AM

Updated: Wednesday, 25 January 2006 8:18 PM

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