Poll on a New Evolution of Ella & Pursed Lips  

Since July I've been working hard on finally getting my dream really going. Since August, I believe, I've stopped seeing writing & blogging as my job and am spending an insane amount of time setting up the business for my upcoming handbag brand.

I don't want to drop Pursed Lips entirely though, even if it were to remain fairly stagnant for some time. (I have thoughts on hiring another blogger in the distant future). I know we've made a lot of changes this year, and a lot of direction turns since the summer began, probably. But in order to make things easy on myself and keep PL flowing more - I'm proposing another content direction move.

I can blog more on topics of crafting and building a business now than I can on fashion from a fan or consumer perspective. I'm pretty much solely in the producer arena now. However this blog has always been about fashion relative to its beauty, flattering perspectives, etc. It hasn't ever been about designing, even though that's been in the writer.

So I know a lot of old or current readers wouldn't care for the change, but a lot might. There will still be some commentary on looks, etc. If we make this switch, and category pages linked at the top should remain for easy filtering. Since "style" as opposed to design or business will for now most certainly not be published frequently, all the change would mean is more posts from a different angle.

My blogs have never been large, so I know this amazing change in my life should make my readers happy for me (I mean I don't need to lie and say people will die without my blogging).

But will you turn away from this new type of blog? What do you think the "mass" will do - exit? Or could I bring a different level of value to both the fashion and crafting community? There will be benefits for me to switch, but will my readers be 100% new? This is why I am posting this poll.

Thanks very much for reading!

What would you like to read on this blog?

BTW, if you MUST go pantsless...  

Do not do it like Sienna did here and pair the leotard-or-whatever with pantyhose that have a different color near the crotch. That signals underwear, and not the cute kind. This is not Madonna-level under-outer-wear chic.

Perhaps we should leave this to the diva, Gaga, no?

Anna Wintour on the Pantless Trend, or NOT on it, rather  

The Cut bloggers asked Anna Wintour what she thought of the pantsless trend. The infamous Vogue editor replied,

"I will never answer that question."

(As posted to their Twitter.)

We think it should be considered "wearing a skirt", like it used to, but we're classic here. (Or is that classy?)

(To the right: Anna Wintour with Sienna Miller, the stylish actress being the one wearing no pants, obv. Via Joobeelicious.)

Hair Trends for Fall 2009  

A new hair style is one of the best ways to do trends. Why? Hair is usually changed every couple to a few months, that means you can update your style with the season, and also not be late to the game. You don't have to worry about Winter when Autumn is approaching, either - and that allows for some ease and a lot of fun.

Of course trends never have to be drastic, especially with hair. But what else is so easy about looking current with your tresses is you can wear anything, and depending on the styling-time, always look fresh on "top". If you want to be instantly recognized as stylish, whether you work in fashion or just like that appearance, this change can make that happen.

But there need be "signature" hair looks for a season, and not just the typical clothing/accessories stuff. And of course you've got to either know the 'do trends or research, so I'm doing that for you now.

Autumn 2009 Hair Cut Trends:

- Whether one has straight or curly hair, above-shoulder lengths that are drastically longer toward the front are popping up everywhere.
- Right now is a safer time (maybe) to dare for bangs - simply because they're in!
- Keep it long:

• - Upgraded braids. Mix braids in with looser, other-styled or "down" hair to make it more grown-up and today.
• - Or you could just keep it long and loose and still be trendy. Try accessorizing or home-curling for some variety.

What about color? I wouldn't suggest switching color for a trend, but while we're still recessionistas, I'm calling the go-natural a trend. Unless you hate your color or your grey, I think born-with is always most beautiful.

Photos: 1, 2, 3

Rockin' Style? MTV Launches Reality Show for Emerging Designer - Will You Like It?  

No, this "rockin'" fashionista is not Ashlee Simpson getting another MTV reality show and a fashion line (does she have one already? Oh she will - of t-shirts or of whatnots). She just happens to be a lookalike but yes, she is filling the fashionable shoes of sorts of Lauren Conrad on the network.

This is Jazmin Whitley, emerging (obviously about to become famous) fashion designer, not rockstar. And she has a new show coming to MTV; "House of Jazmin". I supposed the former music station at least likes rockstar style? That skirt is nearly identical to a Forever 21 item I thought looked so "on stage". But anyway... Jazmin Whitley's line is actually called, Li Carli. Inexplicably non-eponymous - I mean her (real??!!) name is Jazmin (what ze-flaire) and she went with something that sound's like another chica's name?

I mean for me, I even go by "Ella" partly because too many heard "Lauren-Noelle" and asked me if there was no "L" in "Lauren". LE SIGH. Ha ha.

But the thing is, the show is named after her name. Guh.

Apparently "Li Carli" is her grandparents' last name. (By the way, mine have the name Hominsky, sounds so ... professional.)

Do I sound jealous that this 20-year-old girl was picked for this major show on design? ... First in what will likely be a series of rotating stars, like those "love" disasters the channel puts out. Nah, how could I be chosen at this point, after all? No really.

Maybe I'm just annoyed because she seems really unintelligent (ok, moronic) in her interview to W. What'd she say? Oh "like ..." x21.

Dotted Mesh Petticoat Skirt - $22.80	Motif 56 black woven detail 'Zena' stretch belt - $99.00
Oversized Buckle Belt - $49.00	Gucci G Buckle Belt - $295.00
Round Enamel Buckle Stretch Belt - $39.00	City Style Wide Elastic Braided Belt - $19.95
Beltworks black patent and raffia stretch wide belt - $98.00	Christian Dior black CD plaque double buckle belt - $360.00
Apt. 9® Stretch Belt - $24.00	Jack Rabbit Collection Icon Belt - $189.00
Calvin Klein black calf hair wide belt - $36.00	Melamed Ribbon Bow Waist Belt - $145.00
Fashion Focus black leather ring buckle belt - $30.00	B-low The Belt black leather 'Cleo' sash belt - $68.00
Yves Saint Laurent Patent Leather Belt – Black - $445.00	B-low The Belt black leather bow detail 'Marcy' belt - $81.00

The show will likely be painful. And unlikeable. And that could bring the jealousy. Although I think that's what reality shows are supposed to be. No I mean the painful part.

Igh. I would so love to check it out just for the style factor. I watched The Hills just to try to catch glimpses of LVs, Chanels and Balenciagas. Sometimes. (No I only watched it sometimes.) So maybe it's just a good thing that I don't have cable - not until the big Fall season starts. I'm saving money.

Because I don't have such a big, well-paying job.

Yet. ;-)

Can't you tell I'm in a great mood? I'm so happy.

OK I'm a dork. :-)

Upcoming: Chanel's "Coco Cocoon" Handbag Line - Gallery  

We've gathered allllll the photos fit-to-print that we could of the new Chanel purse collection, "Coco Cocoon" coming out in October. That's October 10th 2009, precisely. It's the same line as featured in the Lily Allen advertisements, but we've posted her pictures in another gallery.

Enjoy!

(Photo credits: 1, 2, 3)

Twilight Apparel a la Nordstrom More Teenybopper than Vampire  

@ First Look: The Twilight inspired line coming to Nordstrom would fit in more at Delia's than with the store's mid-range/upscale image. Sadly, it's also too alone suited to the megahit's wild youthful fan base than anything more in tune with vampires or older admirers of the film and genre.

"Team" Tees Preview:

Right before and after the original film debuted, "Twilight" was also what a vamp-y trend-merely-film-inspired was called amongst the do-it-themselves fashion creators. Etsy.com was filled with Victorian-era inspired beauties like frilly wrist cuffs and luxe oldschool gothic jewelry (Read: no Hot Topic).

But just like that keyword was thrown about, Sparkly Vampire mania has hit, and punched, and bitten  - extremely hard. Now the "underground" beings inspire further "Tra L.A. L.A. Land" carefree attitudes with this oh-so Junior's style.

The "glitter" from Hollywood glitz is spreading. Aside from the Nordstrom Junior's Department styles, the most recent evolution of this living trend has surfaced online from former-or-semistill-undergrounds, the indies...

Example Etsy.com clothing "Twilight" search

Another sad(ish) truth of today is that the movie-fangirlishness has brought graphic tees to Etsy as well, not that that's entirely bad and the items & slogans are not bad - or, beauty being in the eye of the beholder, at least they're not of popular-teenshop aesthetic. Fortunately, a lot of the designs are pretty dark - a stark contrast to this mass market promotion-in-sheep's-cotton-clothing at the department store.

At least we can help show fans that they have choices.

If your fashion style has a sweet tooth for notebook-doodles over Edward Cullen, by all means, shop mainstream.

If you crave something just a little more juicy or bittersweet, then do check out Etsy or other indie venues/shops. You can probably even do some hunting and find some "vamp" items, still.