Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2011

First question: Who watches this show? Women or Men?

Better question: Who is this show for? Women or Men?

I mean, as a woman would you wear this outfit? No, right? 

Hmm, and as a man, would you really want to find yourself in a room with a woman with white laced wings???

As a woman, do you think you can wear this bra under a t-shirt? No, right? 

As a man, do you think you can unhook this bra with one hand? Yeah, right! 

As a woman: Do the wings come in a smaller size?

As a man: What wings???

As a grown woman, would you wear a tutu? 

As a man: What tutu??? 

As anybody: What on earth is that thing crouching on the left corner of the picture?

The 2.5 Millllllion Dollars Bra. People at Victoria's Secret must not be in touch with current economic trends... I wonder if it will ever be offered on Groupon? No seriously, who buys this bra? WHO?!? 

Show finale: tons of naked girls dancing and smiling and shaking their butts off... for women or for men? You decide.  ;)

Holiday Party Dresses - Looking for my Dress!

Once upon a time, in the land of Singletown, I had about a month to get ready for my company's Christmas Party.

I would visit a couple of my favorite stores, and choose carefully the most beautiful dress, taking in account the previous years, so that if I wore a red dress the year before, I made sure that I picked a different color this time around.

Fast forward to the present and since I now have moved to a completely different planet (yes, planet, not just town), planet Mommyhood, that means that the Christmas Party is less than 3 weeks away, and I haven't shopped for a dress, nor I have lost the ten pounds I've been trying to lose for 2 years now...

But that doesn't mean that I won't try to find a way to find that pretty dress for my party!

The easiest way these days is for me to shop online, and Shabby Apple's Tinsel Town collection has some pretty dresses all under $100, which makes it a great place to start looking!

To be continued...

Something Different for Cyber Monday

Forget about going to Best Buy for a 50" TV for only $599 (I was sooo tempted to sit outside in the cold and wait for the store to open at midnight, but my husband brought me back to reality and told me we were NOT going out of the house in the middle of the night...), Cyber Monday is so much better than Black Friday, because there are no crowds to fight, no cold weather, no limited quantities, no stampedes... everybody wins! :)

This year I'd like to promote some companies other than the "usual suspects":

1) Having kids myself, I know how important it is to keep them entertained and always teaching them something new. Kiwi Crate is a monthly-subscription company that delivers fun to your doorsteps. Their deal right now is $15 off three month, six month and annual gift subscriptions purchased online at www.kiwicrate.com

2) My Twinn is the maker of customized dolls for girls ages 3 to 12. They’re offering free shipping on orders over $100. Just use code FREESHIP11 at checkout. Customers are entitled to up to $70 of free merchandise depending on how much they spend. www.mytwinn.com

3) International Rescue Committee’s “Rescue Gifts”, offer ways to give that will have a long-lasting impact on the lives of refugees and others displaced by war and political persecution around the world. At Rescue.org/Gifts, holiday shoppers can select from many Rescue Gift ideas:
A Safe Delivery – $24 can ensure critical supplies for the safe delivery of a baby in a crisis zone
A Flock of Chickens – $30 can supply a flock of chickens that provides food for a family
A Full Year of School – $52 can provide the tuition, books and other supplies for one year of a child’s schooling in a country recovering from war
Warm Blankets – $84 can deliver warmth and comfort to three families of five who've lost their homes in a disaster or conflict.

www.alexandani.com

5) Save up to 50% on hotels, vacation packages, cruises, and Groupon Getaways now through November 28. Travel by March 31, 2012. Expedia

Happy Thanksgiving!

From the Spenders, here is a wish for a happy, serene, peaceful and love-filled Thanksgiving.  :)

And if you are in the mood for shopping, then this is the time to do it!

Shop Amazon's Black Friday Week
2011 Black Friday Ads

Marilyn Monroe Movie Miscast

Back then they (Sofia) destroyed my queen:

with

and now another legend gets totally miscasts:

with

Omg, no, no, no...

Whatever happened to the good old castings, à la Oliver Stone?

Holiday Gift List: Books Giveaway

I am an avid reader, and I always buy books even if I am behind in my reading and I have about 20 new books waiting for me on my bookshelves.

I love a new book and the promises that brings of new and incredible adventures.

I think a book should be part of any holiday gift giving, and so, as my gift to you, I will giveaway three new books here on NY Spender:

The Scrapbook of Frankie Pratt

Here is a different kind of book: the story is told in the form of a scrapbook. Pulling from her own extraordinary collection of vintage ephemera and memorabilia, Caroline Preston creates the first ever scrapbook novel, transporting us back to the vibrant, burgeoning bohemian culture of the 1920s and introducing us to an unforgettable heroine, the spirited, ambitious, and lovely Frankie Pratt.

Agatha Christie - Murder in the Making

By John Curran, this book is the follow-up to his book Agatha Christie’s Secret Notebooks. In this second volume, the Christie expert, shows us how more than 20 of her novels evolved and draws on personal material and letters.

Agatha Christie - An Autobiography

Perfect gift for any Christie fan! Originally published in 1977 and out of print for several years, this autobiography has been brought back in a new hardcover edition with a CD featuring the voice of Agatha Christie. In this book, Agatha Christie sheds light on her past. She tells of her childhood in Victorian England, her volunteer work during World War II, her rise to success, her working habits, the inspiration for her most famous characters-Hercule Poirot and Jane Marple—and the places and people that influenced her.

If you want to be part of the giveaway, just leave a comment with the book you prefer to win. Contest ends Sunday, November 27th at Midnight EST. US residents only. Good Luck!  :)

Kaitlin's Christmas Wish List

This year Kaitlin is old enough to be able to somewhat ask for Christmas presents, and these are some of the ones that she would like to receive (this post is really for her daddy Claus)  ;)

Melissa & Doug Maggie Leigh Magnetic Dress-Up

Melissa & Doug Deluxe Wooden USA Map Puzzle

Sling Bookshelf with Storage Bins for Kids Espresso

Barbie Pink 3-Story Dream Townhouse

or

KidKraft Annabelle Dollhouse

Disney Princess Exclusive 11 1/2 Inch Designer Collection Doll Cinderella

Disney Princess Ariel Little Mermaid Magical Talking Salon & Vanity

Step2 Pink Easel for Two

Playskool Alphie

The Original Tickle Me Elmo

Thank you Daddy!  ;)

Duran Duran's Girl Panic Video's Subliminal Message

I just finished watching Duran Duran's new video "Girl Panic" and I am in awe.

Never mind the fact that the song reminds me too much of "Girls on Film" nor the fact that George Michael had the same idea about 20 years ago...

But how?!?!

How does Cindy Crawford still look sooo good? (Well, I did see her in person almost two years ago and she did look great!)

But look for yourself:

Cindy Crawford - 1990 - George Michael's Video

Cindy Crawford - 2011 - Duran Duran's Video

And Naomi Campbell???

Naomi Campbell - 1990 - George Michael's Video

Naomi Campbell - 2011 - Duran Duran's Video

I mean you see some difference, of course, but they are still gorgeous women! Which makes me think that "good looking genes" stick with you through the years, but at the same time, it gives me hope in believing that you can be 45 years old and look amazing (if you take care of yourself).

And who is this lady? Well, that's Yasmin Le Bon! The woman that broke millions of hearts (including mine) the day she married Simon Le Bon back in 1980 something. She is also in the video and she also still looks like the clock's hands don't move in her house.

A few weeks back I actually googled her, because I was just wondering whatever happened to her, and to my surprise I found her still married to Simon! I really thought Simon was not interested in women (I saw him in concert and I really got that impression, sorry Simon), and instead here he is, still with Yasmin, and they have three daughters. And this woman still looks like she is twenty!

It makes me feel like these models have some sort of "Dorian Gray" deal going on...

Going back to the music video, Girl Panic has all these 90s top models taking center stage while a whole bunch of "young" models look from the sidelines. It's a subliminal message, that says: "Yes, you might be younger than us, but you will never be as big as we were", and has to be Duran Duran's message, as well. A bit too nostalgic, if you ask me, but true nonetheless.

I just wished they really copied George Michael's Freedom video, and also called back Linda Evangelista and Tatjana Patitz.

And maybe they should have followed George's other idea, which was "I won't appear in this video at all", but instead they did, and unlike the models, they did age a bit, and it shows:

 Watch the video here:

Liebeskind and Ivanka Trump Handbags

As you all know, I own a few Coach handbags. Actually, I haven't been buying anything else but Coach handbags for the past few years. And as I always pick the same color and similar style, there is a space in my closet that is starting to look very beige and full of Cs. And I'm not too crazy about that.

So yesterday while I was out for non-shopping reasons, I decided to walk inside Century 21 with the intention of finding a non-Coach bag I really liked. Century used to be my store of choice when needing a new bag, and I've been going there since I was 20 years old. I remember buying Guess and Tommy Hilfiger bags there! Ouch! But I've also bought DKNY and Michael Kors bags there that I still own.

While browsing through the aisles of handbags, I could feel the unconscious resistance in my brain, almost as if I was cheating on Coach bags by looking at these other ones. I felt under a spell. I started imagining Coach using similar techniques as McDonald's, putting something in their products that made you go back for more, even if you knew it was bad for you (and it is bad when you have a million bags all looking the same)!

But I wouldn't listen to any subliminal message implanted in my head by Coach and I kept looking, and at the end of a good hour, I came out with not just one, but two different brands I liked. Of the two brands, one I didn't know, and the other one I'm surprised I liked.

The one I didn't know is the Liebeskind Berlin brand. Oh, I love how soft their bags are!

This is the Wanda B bag. So comfortable and cozy! And soooo soft!

And this is the Coco B bag. Practical and comfortable, just like any bag should be.

The other brand I'm surprised I liked was Ivanka Trump Handbags. Nothing against Ivanka, I just thought that the Trump style wasn't my style, but I did find a few gems in her collection, like the Diamond Satchel with Clutch:

This is the bag I saw in Century! It was in a different color and the leather was smooth, and it was lovely! The bag is actually pretty big, and one of the reasons I didn't buy it there and then was because I am afraid that if I get this bag, I will fill it up with all kinds of stuff and pull an arm muscle! And inside this bag, there is a great idea (which I've blogged about it back in 2008!): a detachable clutch, which functions as part of the bag until it's pulled out. I so want this bag!

And this is another bag from Ivanka Trump Handbags Collection, the Olivia Bucket Hobo. So cute, isn't it?

And so, as a year-end resolution, I am resolving to buy new non-Coach bags, in order to give my closet a more eclectic look, but also to free myself from carrying the same old classic safe neutral looking bag. :)

My New Cougar Marla Boots

Cougar Marla Boots

I am not one of those "shoe girls", you know those girls that buy tons and tons of shoes and have their closets full of shoes? No. I'm definitely not a shoe addict.

What I am is a "boot" addict!

I love boots, I love all of them, the booties, the mid-calf, the up-to-the-knee ones, the army boots, the sexy stiletto ones, the suede boots, the snow boots, the riding boot... you name it, I want it (or I already have it)!

So when I had the chance to pick and review a pair boots from Cougar's latest collection, my heart started singing, while my closet tried to close itself shut (it's getting crowded in there).

The collection had many winners like the Vienna2

Cougar Vienna2 Boots

and the Zip Zip and Away boots

Cougar Zip Zip and Away Boots

I picked the Marla boots to review, because they looked so cozy, not too bulky and feminine enough to wear with a long colorful skirt to fight the winter blues.

I own two pair of Cougar boots already, and they are one of the few reasons I look forward to the winter season. 

So I knew what to expect from these Marla boots: quality, attention to detail, comfort and, above all, warmth, and the boots I've received proved to be just another great pair of Cougar boots!

The leather is so soft, no breaking in needed for these puppies, the inside is so cozy and warm like a pair of comfortable slippers; but don't let the softness fool you, these boots are not afraid of winter nor of ice or snow. 

I also love the fact that they come with soft laces instead of hard ones (they actually come with two different pair of laces) and that the heel is made of hard rubber and as such it's very easy on the soles.

Do your feet a favor this cold season and get yourself a nice pair of Cougar boots.

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Disclaimer: The featured product was provided to me, at no cost, by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the sole purpose of product testing and review. NY Spender is not being compensated monetarily for this review. Opinions expressed are my own and are not influenced by compensation, monetary or otherwise.

Brunette is the new Blonde

As a member of the brunettes family, I am happy to report that more than ever brunettes are all the rage, and especially with the winter fast approaching, there is nothing better than darken your tresses to spice up your look for the season. If you need inspiration, take a look at these beautiful ladies: