Project Runway 3 - Episode 8

Episode 8 - High Flying Fashion

The week's challenge was to create an outfit for an international jet-setter. The twist: they are the international jet-setters.

Winner: Jeffrey, My Fav: Michael, Au Revoir'd: Angela
I think that Jeffrey was given this win because this outfit is not a good look. Granted, I know this is suppose to be for a "Rock Star" but I can't think of any rockers today that would wear this and not consider this a costume. Maybe Steven Tyler, but I think he has moved on.

Michael ... I love Michael. His design was the most innovative of the bunch and he looked good strutting down the runway. He totally should have won (again) but they had to give Jeffrey something to justify keeping him around. But I have the feeling he maybe gone tomorrow. This is not a spoiler, I am just wishing this happens [crossing fingers].

Angela ... poor, rosette-loving Angela. The girl just can't help herself. Let me get this straight; she doesn't know a what a jet-setter was but she knewCatherine Malandrino? Does she read fashion magazines? Or is Vogue and similar magazines even stocked at general store where she shops way out in the "country" (Ohio). She has potentional, but she needs to refine her asthetic.


Kayne ... as Kayne (read: over-the-top).


Uli ... was Uli with the use of patterns.


Laura looks great, baby-bump and all.


Vincent ... bless his heart. But it looks reasonable good for a person who never designed menswear before.

Next week: Don't know because TiVo #2 cut off the episode. Bad, #2! But I can't wait to see how things go in Paris. Maybe Jean-Paul Gaultier will make and appearance.

Texas Open Blog

Besides cleaning this weekend, I ended up creating a website/blog for the tournament my tennis group hosts ... the Texas Open.


Take a look: http://oltadallas.blogspot.com

If you play tennis ... consider joining.

Carpal Tunnel

This past weekend I spent the majority of my time in my apartment cleaning and moving furniture. I also spent about 6 hours putting together my furniture from IKEA. I swear, the bastard who create IKEA is a masochist. You aren't suppose to use a drill because it might damage the furniture, but after hour 3 I was tempted to grab drill. My media stand, coffee table, and set of drawers are now fully completed and they look great. I got my couch on this past Saturday and it is soooo comfortable. I will spend hours lounging on it watching TV.

I am still cleaning and putting things into my new room but everything is about 90% complete. I still need to get some photos to hang up on the wall in the living room because it seems a bit empty; my bedroom is the same way. I was thinking about taking some pictures around Dallas and have Sepia tone phones in my bedroom and B/W in the living room. I will post a couple pictures of the rooms.

Oh ... I have to vacuum. My housemate left behind his old vacuum and it is good but it puts so much dust into the air which causes me to sneeze. I was thinking about getting a Dyson vacuum.


It looks cool and it is (suppose) to be a very good vacuum. I will be able to get deal for one, but do I really want to spend $300 on a vacuum? My birthday is coming up, in 2 weeks, so I will happily accept it as a gift (hint).

Janet, I love you but ...

... put some clothes on.

Being sexy doesn't mean you have your breasts and butt hanging out. For the entire Damita Jo promotions (videos, photoshoots, tv appearances) you were dressed in layers but managed to look sexy.



I think in the long run all this nudeness will end up hurting you. I will still be buying the album and seeing you if (and when) you bring your tour to Dallas, though.

But, for me, put on a t-shirt and a pair of slacks.

[source: ohnotheydidnt]

Enjoy

Now this is what a Janet song should sound like. "Enjoy" from her new album has been leaked and it has the typical Janet vocal production that I love; a billow of backing vocals. The song was produced by the Avila Bros., and luckily not by J.D. There should be more song like this on the 20 Y.O. album.

Enjoy!

Listen: Janet - Enjoy

[source: OhNoTheyDidnt]

Project Runway 3 - Episode 7

Episode 7 - Everyday Woman

This week's challenge was to make an garment for a regular (read: not stick thin model) woman. The models are the family members of the designers and the designer will have to create a garment for them. The twist: they cannot choose their own family member.

Winner: Vincent, My Fav: Uli, Auf'd: Robert
I know you are just as shocked as I was when Vincent was announced the winner of this challenge. His dress isn't all that bad, but it certainly should not have won. I think Uli should have won because she followed the instructions of the challenge: design for your customer but do lose your design aesthetic. I felt she did both really well. Jeffrey, on the other hand, did not.

He still remains a douchebag throughout the show but for some reason he did not get "auf'd." If you can bring your client (Angela's mother) to tears and make them leave your station because you don't like them (IN FRONT OF HIS OWN MOTHER), and still not get cut ... then he is definately making the final 3. Is this the Santino effect? I think if he mauled Heidi on the catwalk, he still won't get cut. I don't know. But the sooner he is off my screen, the better. By the way, if he was a recovering alcoholic/junkie ... should he really be drinking a Mimosa? I could have just been OJ, but I am just wondering.

No Jordan 3-peat for Michael.
Michael had the advantage in this task, mostly due to his win for the last challenge, because he got choose a person (Robert's sister) who had proportions close to model. His reversible shirt dress was great but I knew he wasn't going to win because: he had immunity and had one of the best people of the lot. Maybe next week, Michael.

Next Week: Angela is pissed that Jeffrey made her mom cry. And the designers have create a garment for a jet-setter.

Also: Congratulations to Laura on baby number 6!

Dream Come True

Yesterday I had to ship out two high priority packages at work. I printed out the FedEx shipping labels, affixed them to the boxes, and I forgot about them ... until last night.

I had a dream that the boxes were somehow shipped to the wrong location, thereby pissing off the receipents. I just dismissed the dream when I woke and got ready for work.

My second call of the day was one of receipents telling me how she received the wrong item. After apologizing severals time, between the fit of nervous laughter, they said it was fine and offered to ship the package to the intended location. Luckily, both receipents were understanding. I don't know how I screwed this up ESPECIALLY since I wrote the shipping information on the boxes.

Why can't my good dreams come true? Like the dream were Roger Federer and I played a set of tennis, followed by us hitting the showers? Is that too much to ask?

So Excited

The new Janet single "leaked" a couple of days ago, and I have to say that I like this song. The quality is okay but definately not CD quality.

I am not sure what direction the album is going because the first to singles have been produced by Jermaine Dupri. I really need to hear the songs produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Of course, I will be buying the album, but I am kinda of tired of JD's sound at the moment. I miss the signature Jam & Lewis vocal productions for Janet.

Take a listen: Janet - So Excited

[source - concreteloop.com]

The Good Intentions of Mimi

Last week at tennis, I asked someone if they were ready for Mariah when she come to Dallas in September. I knew this person couldn't wait to see her from his 3rd row center seat. Someone overheard the conversation and asked if we knew anyone that needed tickets because they had 2 front row ticket for $300 each. I told him I didn't know anyone. He asked if I already had tickets and I told him no because I really don't want to see Mariah live because her live performances are hit and miss. If looks could kill, I would still be on the court oozing blood from the daggers that were shot at me.

I love me some Mariah Carey but she is no longer the Mariah that could really sing a song live and blow you away. If this were 1995, I wouldn't hesitate to pay good money to see her.

Take a look, if you haven't already, at her Pepsi Smash performances on Yahoo! Music. Her performance of "Heartbreaker" is heart-breaking. And who approved these outfits for her tour?


Remember when the "The Emancipation of Mimi" CD was coming out and she was dressed in gowns and looked presentable? Yeah ... what happened to that? The more the album sold, the more clothing was removed from her body.


We should chip in and buy her a W.W.A.L.T.D (What Would Andre Leon Talley Do?) bracelet so when she looks down at it she can remember that those mini dresses in assorted colors that she buys in bulk at Costco aren't a good look.

Project Runway 3 - Episode 6

Episode 6 - Waste Not, Want Not

The week's challenge was to create a garment with materials retrieved from a recycling facility. This challenge reminds me of the first challenge in season 1 where they had to make a garment using items purchased from a grocery store. You have to be innovative and not over-the-top or boring.

Winner: Michael, Auf'd: Alison, My Fav: Laura
Okay, let me start off by calling shenanigans on this whole judging process. Vincent made a horrible dress, and to top it off the model could bearly walk in the darn thing. So why was Alison eliminated for making a dress that made the model look "fat?" Is looking "fat" in a dress worse than not being able to walk in it, ladies (and some men)?

I am starting to think that Vincent is the token "crazy guy." I think he also maybe a perv. He keep going on and on about how he "got off" when he saw his model walk in his dress. Just the image in my head causes me to shutter. This man cannot make it to the final three. In fact, he should not make it past the next three episodes.

Uli makes it in my top 3 favorites.
When I saw this dress on television I really loved it. But when the model walked on the runaway, it didn't have the same impact. Maybe it was the lighting, or the model, but the dress didn't look the same. I really thought she would win when I saw her design on the dress form.

Jeffrey's dress is made entirely from his own newspaper clippings.
Jeffrey is a douche. Laura made a good point, why is Jeffrey there if he is so good as a designer? To give him some credit, I like his garment which was created using a pastiche of magazines, cardboard and newspapers. The design was good but the blue and yellow color made it look less chic. If it were black and white, it probably would have won ... but he is still a douche.

Lastly, Michael has picked up his 2nd win. Congrats, because it was really unexpected. I thought Uli had it sewn up (pun!). Now he really has to screw up in order not to make it to the final 3. I loved his bustier, but not the dress so much. I think if he used actual fabrics I would have liked the garments more but he worked with what he was given.

There has been wild speculation regarding the sexuality of Michael. He proclaimed his heterosexuality in a interview on BravoTV website. I admit, I questioned his sexuality because I wasn't sure. Yes he is working in the fashion industry, but that doesn't make you gay. There were just some things that read "gay" to me. But he is not, so lets move on.

Next week: I don't know ... my TiVo cut off the last 3 minutes of the show.

Related Items:
Getting To Maybe - PR3 EP6 recap
Project Rungay Blog

Somewhere in Brooklyn ...

... Rich is pissed!

I knew he would have this reaction to Alison's unfair ejection last night on PR. I can wait to read his recap on Monday.

My recap will be coming later on today. I was going to post last night but my Internet went down seconds after watching the episode on my TiVo.


Thanks at&t!

In His Mind

I had a chance to listen to Pharrell's new album In My Mind, and find it to be an okay album. I was expecting the worst, but it was actually not that bad. I guess that's what happens when you set you expectations low ... you are easily surprised.

There are several tracks that I like ("That Girl" f/ Snoop Dogg & "Young Girl" f/ Jay-Z), but my favorite track is "I Really Like You". Pharrell isn't the best singer, bless his heart because he tries, but his vocals really seem to work on this track. The song, to me, is in the same vein of Michael Jackson's "Rock With You". If you shut your eyes, hold your breath until you're semi-conscious, and think about the "Rock With You" video ... you could almost see Pharrell's face.

Excuse my piss poor Photoshop skills ... but you get the point.
I think it works, actually. But of course his outfit for the video would consist of Louis Vuitton, Billionaire Boys Club and a pair of Ice Creams. Kayne West would totally rock this outfit for a video, though.

Speak of Louis Vuitton ... why was Pharrell looking like Donna Summer for his LV photo shoot?


I am pretty sure this wasn't intentional, but the fur hood on that jacket makes the similarity seem uncanny.

Listen to: Pharrell - I Really Like You

The Big Bang

After taking the weekend off my blog to relax and watch/play tennis. Even though I was feeling the need to post something, but I decided to wait until Monday. I checked on my blog stats when I arrived at work and saw that I had a hit every couple of minutes. First, I panicked and thought I was being spammed by virii. I checked my weekly hits and saw this ...


I thought the extra traffic was caused from TheScoopRunway.com site because my (poorly written) blog was mentioned there last week.

I checked the referrals and saw that all of the traffic was coming from the ConcreteLoop.com site. Unbeknownst to me, my site was added to the "Dope Sites & Blogs" section hence the extra traffic.

I would like to say thanks to ANGEL.LA, the creator of the site, for deeming my blog good enough to be mentioned (especially since hers is one of my favorite sites). I never antcipated my site to get more the 2 hits a day when I started 1.5 years ago now I am gotting over 400. It is just mind boggling. I guess I have to start spell/grammar checking my blog, huh?

To those who are new, WELCOME! Take a look around and make youselves at home. I got some refreshing Kool-aid in the fridge. What flavor would you like? Purple or Red?

Project Runway 3 - Episode 5

Episode 5 - Iconic Statement

This week's challenge was to create to update and modernize and out that an fashion icon would have worn.

The icons: Cher, Pam Grier, Jackie O., Audrey Hepburn, Farrah Faucett, Madonna, Twiggy, Katherine Hepburn and Diana Ross. I won't going into all of the detail of which designer got which icon, you could go to the Project Runway website for that.

The twist: the models got to choose the designer that they wanted to work with.

2nd Fav: Angela (Audrey Hepburn), Winner: Michael (Pam Grier), Auf'd: Bradley (Cher)
Even though Michael's win was so telegraphed that I knew he was going to win within the first 3 minutes, I am was so happy that he won. Has been nearly non-existant through the first 4 episodes that it was about time that he shined. I hope he keeps bringing it because I want to see him in the finals. I think he will make it because, as much has it pains me to say, he will be the "token" designer in the final 3. Even though his designs were fantastic, I think that he will make it because he is a black male of indeterminate sexual orientation. He just needs to keep up his level of work up and he is golden.

Designer: Michael for Madonna
That the hell is this? ...seriously? How did Jeffrey make the cut with this design? I think Jeffrey will be the "token" trouble maker (a la Wendy Pepper & Santino) and he will make it into the final even thought his designs have been crap, for the most part.

Next week: the designer are going on a fieldtrip.

I sure hope that Tim won't be arriving in that stupid Saturn. They are really pimpin' him out, aren't they? Ah well, carry on!

Related websites:
Rod 2.0 - Make.It.Work.
Concrete Loop - Project Runway: Michael Knight

Crush Groove: Rx

I sort of mention this a while back and there has been some new developments so it is time for a full post. This is a very long post. I tried to summarize but I just couldn't ... you've been warned.

A couple of weeks ago I went to see The Devil Wears Prada with some members of my tennis group. After the movie we had dinner at Luna De Noche. During the midst of dinner I was asked, "why don't you have a partner?" The easy answer I tried to give was that I wasn't looking for anyone at the moment. They weren't accepting that answer, and began to ask me what was my "type". Honestly, I don't have a type. If you look at all of the guys (and a couple of girls) I have dated, there aren't a lot of similarities. But as I was further pressed on the issue, I was asked which guy did I found attractive from the movie. I chose Stanley Tucci, because he is handsome and he was only person I knew by name. From there they started to call out names of people from our tennis group could fit the Stanley Tucci mold.

After diplomatically declining being setup with a various people. There was one that sort of caught my attention. For now, I will refer to him as Dr. Rx (or Rx for short). At the time I just thought he was a nice guy and that was that ... or so I thought.

From that point I started to looking at the Rx differently. I felt that when he was around I found myself leering. The revelation of my crush on Rx was confirmed when I volunteered at Gay Bingo and I began noticed how handsome he was. He had on this green gingham button-down went great with his eyes, and newly grown goatee that accentuated his jawline. I was transfixed but had to snap out of it to help with cleaning. Eventually it was time to go and I wanted to wash my hands to rid them of the germs I encountered while picking up trash. I made my way to the restroom and I realized that Rx was following me. We entered the bathroom and began talking, but nothing of interest. Mostly it was about how worn the drag queens looked (mean, I know). We walked together to the parking lot to meet up with up with our group who were sporting suspicious looks. "What were you two doing in the bathroom together?", the VP asked. I replied while adjusting my shirt, "Nothing .... are my clothes wrinkled?" Laughter around, and we all headed to dinner.

I ended up getting lost en route to the restaurant and ended up being the last person to arrive, despite leaving first. Because of this I was not able to sit near/with Rx. Over the next hour we had food and conversation and I would sometime look at him and he would look at me with this smile. The night was over and we all said our goodbyes and I wanted to especially say goodbye to him but he had already left my sight.

The next day after we all went to Cafe Express for lunch after tennis. I was heading to the bathroom to wash my hands, when I opened the door he was there. "We have to stop meeting this way or else people will talk!", I said playfully. Okay, my memory is kind of sketchy at this point but I think he said something to the effect of "the tennis group has never insinuated a possible bathroom encounter with someone ... at least it was with you". Or something like that. My crush intensified as we talked but when lunch was over we said our goodbyes and departed.

We saw each other numerous times over the next week and exchanged pleasantries, but nothing really substantial. I got his email address from our tennis group's list and I sent him an innocuous message. He replied with a witty message and we began to correspond until I finally gave him my phone number in an email and he did the same. He went away to a tennis tournament and we stayed in contact via text message.

This past Friday I got out work early and headed down to Eatzi's for a $4.99 mountain of salad. These things are becoming addicting ... anyway, I gave Rx a call to see if he want to meet me for lunch since he worked 2 blocks away. He didn't answer my call so I left voicemail. A couple of hours later I got call from saying that he was out shopping and not at work. We chatted for a bit and he told me about his trip. After that I asked him out to dinner we decided to meet up around 9ish this past Saturday.

Pre-Dinner: I was shitting myself because I was just so nervous and wasn't sure whether this was a date or not.

Dinner: It was great. We were in the restaurant near 2 hours after eating just talking.

Post-Dinner: Exhausted because I was still trying to figure out if it was a date or not.

My housemate told me that if a gay man asks another gay man out for dinner, it is most likely a date. But I am not too sure of that. Yeah, he picked me up but maybe he is just pollution conscious. I have been trying to get the opinion of other regarding this and I've been hearing that I should just be direct and ask. If it was that easy I would have done so already. Hedging is my modus operandi when it comes to these situations.

I will see him tonight at tennis and hopefully I will be able to get some additional information from him.

...to be continued.

Project Runway 3 - Episode 4

So this past Wednesday was the big reveal of the season. Which contestant was going to be kicked of the show? And, of course, it was Keith. Most people speculated that he would be kicked off the show, but not for the reasons that were stated. First, blogs and websites ousted him as a copycat when the portfolio he used for the casting special were stills from photographs for other designers. Keith denied these claims, naturally.

When the show started and it focused heavily on Keith, I felt a conspiracy of ravens signaling his doom. People were talking about how arrogant he was the praised he received for his basic designs. I thought he would get kicked off the show after receiving a major discount at Mood for his fabrics…


…but no, that was fine. It all started when Kayne mentioned that saw fashion books underneath Keith’s bed.


These items, according the contracts that they signed, is prohibited because it could give contestants an unfair advantage. Kayne told the producers, the producers talked to Tim Gunn, and Tim arrived at the apartment to informed Keith that he would be going home because of this major infraction. If you listen to Tim’s Project Runway podcast, he mentioned that designers were given two verbal warnings regarding contraband and no one stepped forward. Also, Keith was sneaking off without telling the producers and he used the Internet at some point during the competition.

When he was told to leave he took it well in the beginning, then he became a douche. I hate it when people do something that they were told not to do, and when they get caught they try to play the victim. I think Laura said it best:

“Keith … what an a**hole. I am glad to see him gone.”
Episode 4 – Reap What You Sew

The contestants were asked to make three pieces for Macy’s private label International Concepts (INC). I did not have a favorite.

Winner: Angela (along with Laura and Michael), Auf'd: Bonnie
I don’t freaking believe that Angela won this challenge. I think this was due to her having Laura and Michael on her team to help witht he design. Without them keeping her from putting rosettes on everything, her outfit would have been a travesty.

I am amazed that the designer's sketches ... save Angela.

[top to bottom: Laura, Bonnie, Robert, Michael]
I wish I could sketch like that. I can barely make stick figures; maybe that is why I abandoned my career as a designer ... and the fact that I can bearly dress myself with store purchased clothes.

Next week the contestants will be modernizing a look for a fashion icon. So my guess is that the designers will be taking stills of fashionable women and updating the look.

We will see on Wednesday!

"Well, I got it!" - Valerie Cherish

[photo credit: popbytes.com]

I got order confirmation from Amazon today for The Comeback - Season 1 DVD. This was one of the best comedy series last year and it ended up getting canceled. I think its cancelation will keep the first and only season of the show pristine. Look at Will and Grace. It was great show in the beginning and after Grace got married in season 5 it went downhill. The Comeback is the type of show that deserves only one season because its "show, within a show, within a show" premise. I really hope Lisa Kudrow wins an Emmy for this role.

I also got Sealab 2021 seasons 1 and 2.

I had to find a way to burn up $71 in Amazon.com gift coupons. Plus, I love this show and I think it is worthy enough to add to my very selective DVD collection.

I will put it in between my Glitter and my Revenge of the Nerds Double Feature DVDs.