December 2007
Miss China Zhang Zilin crowned Miss World 2007
BEIJING (Reuters) - China gave a cheer to its first Miss World on Sunday, with Internet chat rooms filled with praise for the 23-year-old beauty queen.
Zhang Zilin, a Beijing secretary who was born in the gritty northern industrial city of Shijiazhuang, scooped the title late on Saturday on the southern Chinese resort island of Hainan.
A blog by Zhang on the Web portal Sina.com had over 1 million hits as of Sunday, with many fans posting their congratulations.
“You’ve brought honour to our country! We’re all happy for you! We’re proud for China!” wrote a fan named “Tango”.
Long frowned upon by Beijing’s Communist leadership, beauty pageants and other such contests have become hugely popular over the past several years. Many local television stations organise contests for everything from amateur TV anchors to models to American Idol-style singing contests.
Still, the government has tried to keep a check on them, banning television talent shows in prime time and telling anchors and contestants not to behave provocatively.
Newspapers ran only brief reports on Zhang’s conquest.
The front page of the Beijing News, a popular daily in the capital, was dominated by a large photo of a migrant worker taking part in an HIV/AIDS awareness campaign, with a much smaller photo of Zhang at the bottom of the page.
Micaela Reis of Angola came second and Carolina Moran Gordillo of Mexico was third, according to the pageant’s Web site.
Source: Miss China Zhang Zilin crowned Miss World 2007
Honoring Generous December [Dapper Diva]
I love what’s going around b5 Media. Since Kate Baggot is giving away a donation of $100 to one of our favorite charities, I’d like to tell you why my support is behind the American Diabetes Association. It’s a slight departure from plus-size fashion, but it does affect older individuals, some of us who already have it in the family, and those of us who weigh a bit more and perhaps don’t get as much exercise as we should. The American Diabetes Association has been around for over 60 years, and supports 20.8 million adults and children with diabetes. Why don’t we make it an even 21 mill?
Plus-size fashion may be in my mind, but diabetes is a cause dear to my heart. I’m encouraging all the other b5er’s to jump on board and tell us which charity they’re behind this holiday season. . .
And thank you, Kate.
holiday donations
Source: Honoring Generous December [Dapper Diva]
New Test: Laura Kepshire
Source: New Test: Laura Kepshire
Nigella Lawson Feels Bad About Her Body [In The Company Of Women]
Some people love food writer and TV host Nigella Lawson. She’s bright, successful, forty-something, and loves food, unapologetically. But some people — who have been commenting on the BBC website — think the British star is a “porker” who sends the wrong message, reports The Times of London. “What sort of an example is she setting with her weight and her appetite for high-calorie sweets and cream?” one reader asks. Nigella tells Times writer Shane Watson: “Maybe I have put on weight, or maybe it’s a bad camera angle. But in real life, this is normal size. Everyone is so critical. All must be sacrificed to the great god of skinny. You must say no to everything.” Ms. Watson claims that the “god of skinny” has dethroned the “god of beauty.” She writes, “Beauty without a slim body is now almost pointless.”
Nigella has her own theories about why we live in a society that would target both herself and women like Beyoncé — who is gorgeous and talented, but was recently described as “erupting” out of her dress at an awards show. “I think it is a fear of flesh,” says Nigella, “maybe of vulnerability and softness. I do think that women who spend all their lives on a diet probably have a miserable sex life: if your body is the enemy, how can you relax and take pleasure? Everything is about control, rather than relaxing, about holding everything in.”
Plus, since Nigella’s mother, sister and husband died of cancer, thinness is not something she aspires to. “I associate thinness with dying,” she says. “When [my mother] had cancer, she said, ‘This is the first time I have eaten without worrying,’ and that is chilling.”
The worst part? That women are doing this to other women. “In my experience, the weight thing is an almost totally female problem. I never feel bad about my weight around men, only women,” claims Nigella. And, according to Watson, we’re in a battle over our bodies:
The underlying issue is becoming clear. In the fat camp are those who represent the forces of goodness and womanliness, or indulgence and ill discipline, depending on where you stand on the scales; in the skinny camp are the savvy, fit, modern girls, or the life-deniers - if you’re not so thin yourself. The size you are is a statement of your entire life philosophy, and the gulf between the two camps is filled with fear and misunderstanding. It is war, ladies, and it is our war. We are making enemies of each other on the basis of body shape.
How did we end up here? Why are women so critical of other women? Why is it not enough to be smart, talented, successful or even pretty anymore? Opines UK writer Vanessa Feltz, “Nobody ever says, ‘Handsome is as handsome does, and so what if she’s put on few pounds - she’s still fascinating.’” How the hell did this happen, and what can we do about it?
The Big Issue [The Times]
Source: Nigella Lawson Feels Bad About Her Body [In The Company Of Women]
A Very Britney Birthday [Snarkstress]
Birthday Brit
Gawd, do I ever love Britney Spears. She makes my job so easy it hurts sometimes (well, not really. I quite enjoy it). Here she is, celebrating her 26th, looking all grown up and with the program. She’s really shaping up to be a class act, isn’t she?
Yeah.
Well, since this is a fashion blog, let’s take note of her birthday britches, shall we? I actually really, really dig the coat, though pairing it with that sleazy bustier-thingie and stupid choker (chokers are so no longer cool, Brit. Sheesh) totally cheapens the look of it. Personally, I would pair this fuzzy frock with a metallic cami (that’s a cami, Brit, not a bustier) and a sleek, low side-ponytail (not stringy, fried hair extensions). A dainty necklace that draws the eye down to the cleavage would be the perfect accessory without looking slut-a-licious.
And while double chins and crossed eyes are nearly always appropriate and alluring, somehow they don’t work much with this coat. Ahem.
You know what I hope someone got Brit for her birthday this year? A fargin’ clue.
But, wait. Then I wouldn’t be able to rip on her quite as much, which would somehow make my life seem empty. So never mind. Carry on.
Hope you all enjoyed your weekend, dahlings. *mwah*
Hollywood Damsels, Why oh Why
Source: A Very Britney Birthday [Snarkstress]
Three-Quarter Sleeves: Not Always Inappropriate in the Winter
Short-sleeved coats: apparently an oxymoron. But not always annoying. For one thing, it does not snow everywhere. There are plenty of places in both this nation \\ on this planet, where there is a climate suitable for the wearing of 3/4-sleeve coats, even during winter. Also, long-sleeve shirts beneath three-quarter sleeve shirts are quite warm-making. We are not cautiously but unreservedly pro.
This has got to be one of the prettiest coats we’ve ever seen. Especially pls note the lovely tie detail at the wrists. Anthropologie overcoat, $248
Trench coats with 3/4-sleeves kind of freak us out. We can admit this. Boxfresh trench, $102
We would totally wear this, especially with one of those black dresses we were just discussing. Faux leopard swing coat, $168
We love this, even though we’d probably swap out that belt. Cashmere funnel neck coat, $230
We are pro-this coat because it is totally basic but that leather trim, and we are so often anti-leather trim, makes this look just quite not totally pulled together in the dark. And we love those jeans, no? Mike & Chris 3/4 jacket, $369
Source: Three-Quarter Sleeves: Not Always Inappropriate in the Winter
The Man Mag Report
Men’s magazines are the dearth-land they used to be. Don’t think that they escape my attention either as I happily devote my money to a good men’s fashion mag (or sneakily steal from my boyfriend’s stash). Thom Wong of The Sunday Best is embarking on what I think will be a fruitful project which is to do a mag report on two men’s fashion titles each month for the next 12 months. By ‘mag’ report, I mean it’s a REALLY meaty, chunky report in manner of the book reports you used to have to write at school…except Thom is a lot more eloquent than ‘This book was great. I really liked it’. The composite details of all the mags he has reviewed by the end of the 12 months should hopefully convince a few people that men’s fashion magazines aren’t a waste of time and that there is a lot going for them! Here are my two cents on the whole men’s mag shebang…
Source: The Man Mag Report
The Stylistics from MAC
Latest Makeup-Art Cosmetics Collections are Of Beauty, Metal X and Stylistics. They are available from November 21 exclusive at MAC locations.Take a peak…
Smell the Air of style…
A baroque blend of white pepper, dates, tuberose, orange flower, jasmine, precious woods, leather, vetiver and amber crystals sumptuously overlaid with the opulence of ylang ylang and orris. A rich, ravishing, fusion of dark, light, feminine and masculine, this exclusive scent comes with a glass perfume vial designed by M·A·C and hand-blown by Seguso. Special limited edition. Warm, intoxicating, sensual…
Source: The Stylistics from MAC
Trend Wrap Sweater and a Gripe [Dapper Diva]
I may have outlined 10 Gifts for Plus-Size Shoppers over at About.com, but Noel Bohm does have a point over at Pretty by Nature. After a weekend of frantic shopping, I must conclude: some people are waaaay too hard to shop for.
If you’re looking for a plus present for friend or family and they actually do like things, I recommend the Trend Wrap Sweater from SWAK Designs.
plus size fashion, plus size teen fashion
Source: Trend Wrap Sweater and a Gripe [Dapper Diva]
It’s the Thought that Counts. I Think You Suck. [Pretty by Nature]
Some people are really hard to shop for. You know the kind. No matter what it is, they find a way to point out what they don’t like about it. When you buy them what they asked for, they complain about your lack of creativity. So I have decided this year to give up. If they’re just gonna bitch, not going to be delighted with my gesture of love then I’m going to buy something I know I would like. Selfish? Yes, but I’m over it. So here are some of my crave-worthy wants this year. Hopefully they will be so disgusted they regift the present back…yeah me!
Saffron Rouge has such a bevy of delicious products to choose from, it’s hard to narrow it down. I’m in lust with the offerings from Florascent Parfumeurs. First off, the packaging is FABULOUS. It doesn’t need wrapping, just a well placed bow. Their perfumes are made with a combination of organic essential oils, aromatic waters and fruit alcohol. While cheaper than some of the fragrances from Rich Hippie, they are still a little pricey. I would definitely have to like you a little bit to spend $100.00 on you; so not for any co-workers. Ha…sorry. Or for that special frenemy, Weleda’s Birch Cellulite Oil. Definitely for the passive aggressive gift giver. Deliver it with a well placed, “I’m so jealous, you don’t even mind exposing your cottage cheese thighs to the world; I would be so embarrassed.”
What’s on your list this year? Please fill us in.
Botanical Beauty, essential oils, Gift Ideas, Uncategorized
Source: It’s the Thought that Counts. I Think You Suck. [Pretty by Nature]