BOYS, Ya’ll! That’s what I talk about in the forthcoming Dear Teen Me Anthology, which I contributed to (with 69 other YA Authors).
Also, I fully endorse Marke Bieschke and Jo Whittemore’s messages, among others in the trailer, below:
For the girls who hung on every word of the September Issue (2009), who couldn’t get enough of Isaac Mizrahi’s Issac-isms in Unzipped (1995) and for model Sara Ziff’s Picture Me (2009) offered a much-welcomed peep into the big baller but less-than-kind world of modeling, comes God Save My Shoes, a soon-to-be released documentary about that game-changing wardrobe staple that girls will do just about anything for.
As I wrote in Fashion 101, shoes forever hold a special place in girls’ hearts. The average American owns 30 pair. When SATC fashion icon Carrie Bradshaw was mugged, the assailant demanded not only her handbag and jewelry, but her strappy sandals to boot.
The obsession traces back to the mid 16th century, when Henry II’s wife, Catherine de’ Medici, discovered high heels (traditionally only worn by men). She loved how the new shoes made her look taller, thinner, more fabulous. Ever since, women have found that heels give an instant posture makeover. Our chests stand taller, our legs appear longer and our butts get a nice little lift–pretty rockin’ results for just a simple change in footwear.
Of course, God Save My Shoes documentarian Julie Benasra features footage from modern day royalty (celebs, of course) on why shoes make them feel so fab. Look for cameos by Fergie, Kelly Roland, Dita Von Teese and more. The film is scheduled to be released later this year.
Guess what? This week is National Teen Driver Safety Week and I’ve partnered with DriversEd.com to celebrate! DriversEd.com is hosting a “Go Everywhere” contest, in which teens can win an iPad, a signed copy of my latest book, In The Driver’s Seat: A Girl’s Guide To Her First Car, gift cards and more.
All you have to do is submit a snapshot of you and your ride, and tell DriversEd.com, what “go everywhere” means to you.
Click here for the contest deets and good luck!
Body painting is all the rage right now. Louis Vuitton featured painted models in its spring/summer 2011 show (baring zebra-striped torsos in lieu of shirts) and now, W magazine rendered Kim Kardashian tin-man silver for its November cover.
I’m finishing work on a beauty book in which I highlight 50 iconic makeup styles and how to achieve them. Body painting didn’t make the cut, but I wonder, If I were to do this book 5 years from now, would it have grown big enough to be considered an iconic beauty look?
Comment and let me know what you think.
In the meantime, the beauty bloggers at Style.com posted an interview with makeup maven Gucci Westman, who got Kim looking sinfully silver for the shoot. Here’s what she had to say:
So, what was the inspiration behind the silver look?
They wanted to do something a bit different, and because they were working with Barbara Kruger and doing the artwork on the cover, it had to be something that was going to be relatable to her work. Quite graphic and poppy and all of those things. They asked me what color I thought would be the most beautiful on her skin. We didn’t want it to be sensual; we wanted it to be chic. I thought that silver would be the best idea in terms of contrast. It’s the most luminous, gives the most photogenic effect of those metallic paints.
Kim is famously curvy. Did it take a long time to cover her?
No, it didn’t take very long at all—maybe half-an-hour. It’s kind of an easy application, with a sponge.
Doesn’t sound too tricky. Is it something that might have a life off of the runway or the editorial page?
It’s not that easy to do it on yourself. It’s more fantastical. For a show, you put on a show by doing things like that. For this issue, we did it because it was the Art issue—and she has a beautiful body.
And how. Speaking of that body, it has gotten a lot of close scrutiny from the internet commentariat. In particular, everyone is debating whether Kim’s had posterior enhancement surgery. As someone with, ahem, first-hand experience, care to comment?
I don’t know anything about that, I [just] think she’s beautiful. I think Kim Kardashian looks so much like Scarlett Johansson—I never noticed it [before]. There’s some angles where she looks so much like her it’s crazy.
Wanna know which states are banning cell phone use while driving? Need tips on how to drive in dicey weather? Navigating the streets in your first car?
Head to girlsfirstcar.com, the new companion site to my latest book, In The Driver’s Seat: A Girl’s Guide To Her First Car and get your car smarts on!
My fourth book, In The Driver’s Seat: A Girl’s Guide to Her First Car is out! The book is a must-have for new drivers or any car owner who doesn’t know the nuts and bolts of how a car works, how to buy a car, understanding its basic mechanics, finding a good mechanic and maintaining a car. It also features info about the history of notable women behind the wheel. (The first female driver was a New Yorker! Who knew?) I worked really hard on this bad boy and am so excited it’s out!
By Erika Stalder
Each year, we spend hours upon hours shopping and getting dressed, but do we ever actually think about what we’re wearing? For example, what’s the name of the style of your shirt? Who invented your favorite jeans cut? Or who made your baby-doll nightie famous? There is a story behind every piece of clothing and, with Fashion 101, you’ll learn what those stories are.
Want to know where the miniskirt came from? Why the military has had a stronger influence on fashion than either Audrey Hepburn or Gwen Stefani? How denim makers work those perfect “whiskers” into your “worn-out” jeans? Filled with tons of intriguing factoids about designers and celebrities, and more than 300 illustrations, Fashion 101 offers the total scoop on underwear, outerwear, accessories, and everything in between. With this crash course, you’ll learn not only how to put together smarter looks, but also how to become a fashion expert in the process.
Click here for a peek inside.
By Steven Jenkins and Erika Stalder
Being in high school is about a lot more than going to school. It’s about discovering new places, new hobbies, and new people—and opening your eyes to the world. This book is about the stuff they don’t teach you in high school, like how to host a film festival, plan your first road trip, make a podcast, or write a manifesto. Want to make a time capsule? Spend a day in silence? Learn how to match beats like a DJ? Or shut down your house party before the police do? Whatever your creative, social, or academic inclinations, you’ll find 97 ways on these pages to amuse, educate, and interest yourself. Because your life doesn’t stop at 3pm each day—it just gets started!
Click here for a peek inside.
By Erika Stalder
So, you’ve got a date with a new guy. Or is it even a “date”? You’re not sure. Your heart is jumping. Your palms are sweating. Suddenly you want to throw up.
Don’t panic. The Date Book will get you through. Inside, you’ll find creative date suggestions, fashion advice, tips on how to bargain for extended curfews, and bad date exit strategies. There’s even a dating personality quiz and a dating contract to outline goals and boundaries for your new romance. Brimming with practical, humorous, and safety-centered tips, The Date Book is a must-have for teen girls who want to be on top of their game when going out with a new guy.
Click here for a peek inside.