I Question your Taste Project Runway

Folks...I don't even know if I can talk about Project Runway right now, but I'm going to try.

I ALWAYS look forward to the textile design challenge.  I LOVE seeing what patterns the designers come up with.  I thought this particular textile design challenge was especially interesting because they were to be inspired by a young innovator as their muse.

First, let's look at my favorite textile designs.

These three were my absolute favorite textiles.  

Now let's look at the evening's designs.

 

 

 

Here's my final thoughts on the episode....I absolutely agree with who won the challenge, no questions asked, but I am FUMING over who got sent home.  Really PR? REALLY?!!??!?!?!  You really allowed Ken to stay on as long as he did in the bottom every week, and the first time this designer gets in the bottom boom that's it?!  I agree, the designer missed the mark on the challenge, but COME ON!!!!!  This designer was ON IT the entire time.  And there's a certain other designer who keeps winning and it absolutely baffles me every time, because they always skate by on a random last minute decision.  OH, and another designer who every week sends ripped up crap and/or poopy pants down the runway, and how is she still SAFE?! I mean seriously!  I may actually stop watching in protest now.  EVERY TIME, in EVERY competition show I watch, the REAL talent always gets sent home.  I quit watching American Idol years ago for the exact same reason.  I know I sound like a real basher right now, but last night's decision has me outraged still.  I'm not sure folks...we'll see if I watch next week.

Confessions of a Sweet n' Chic Style Chick

I realize the style posts have faded out once again.  I wondered how good I would be at keeping up with that once work got into full swing again.  You see here's the thing...I could probably be better at it if I wanted to, you know, do like all other fashion bloggers do and just pick all my outfits out on Sunday and take all the pictures then so I can get all my posts up.  But you know what...that's just not how I roll with my sweet n' chic style.  

You see, I spend all my time planning things.  Planning lessons, schedules, assessments, assignments, projects, and planning how the heck I'm going to get it all done and then how the heck I'm going to get it all graded.  Plan, plan, plan.  Think ahead...blah, blah, blah. I'm actually not a real planner by nature...I never was, and I have to try really, REALLY hard to be a planner for my job.  (In my now 4th year, I'd say I've made GREAT strides.) But when it comes to style, that's an area of my life where I can be more organic.

I came across this gem the other day on Pinterest. 

That pretty much sums up how I pick out my clothes.  I wake up in the morning, evaluate what I feel like and go with something that reflects that.  Yes, I have to consider the day's events, and of course weather, but I pick my outfits in the moment once I get moving and figure out who I want to be and how I want to present myself to others for the day.  The only time I plan outfits is when there's a trip or some sort of major event. That my dears is why I have no desire to become a Sunday outfit planner.  And that is why I don't always get pictures of outfits, and days will go by without a post.  

What about you?  Are you a Sunday planner or do you let the day take you in a style direction?

PR Superfan Make-Over

Happy Saturday folks!  I hope yours is turning out to be as delightful and relaxing as ours.  It's been a LOOOOONG week, with way too many 12hr + work days, so needless to say I was counting down to the weekend.

Last night we invited some folks from our Sunday school class over for dessert and just hang-out time.  It was totally low-key with the right combination of good company and relaxation.  I sat around with the gals chit chatting while the men played cornhole and talked about whatever guys talk about, and before we knew it, it was 11 o'clock!  Our day didn't even get started till 11 this morning...and then I spent the next two hours reading my book while Corey played video games.  It was glorious!  But enough of reveling in this downtime, let's talk about some Project Runway shall we?

This week's challenge was exciting and new (at least I don't recall them doing this ever before) it was the Project Runway Superfan Make-Over challenge!  The designers were teamed up with one Project Runway superfan who had been selected for a make-over and the designers were to create custom looks for their metamorphosis.  So cool!  AND crazy story...my aunt texted me last night to tell me that the gal who was paired up with Ken was her friend from high school.  So it's almost like I'm connected to Project Runway now!  JK...but really, how cool?!

 

Now this gal all would agree was in no way in need of a physical make-over.  She was already adorable!  But, she wanted to be taken from the quiet soft-spoken mother to a New York powerhouse woman. If only these photos showed the shoulder details on the vest, this was a sassy and powerful look!

 

This girl had the biggest transformation by far, and she looks gorgeous!  However, I wasn't a fan of the hem in the back of the dress.  I would have much preferred to see the length come to the floor and perhaps even a little bit of a sleek train.  I think where it stops at her ankles looks weird.  Everything else I love though!

 

 

Justin did a phenomenal job with his super fan!  I'm so glad he's still in this!  He has such a soft spoken but unique voice!  His sweet gal had undergone an incredible weight loss journey and had lost over 100 lbs!  She was also mormon and so wanted to keep things conservative.  He created a custom undergarment for her b/c her weight loss has left her with extra skin around the tummy, and then designed this adorable LBD to show of her fantastic new figure!  The best feature about the dress though is that he embroidered her signature into the design giving her a one-of-a-kind look that says she's a STAR!

 

Kate gave this momma exactly what she wanted.  She asked to be turned into a hot momma and Kate delivered!

 

And here's the adorable Sue (my aunt's friend from HS) who got paired up with Ken. (Unfortunately).  And the judges put it very well when they told her, "Honey, you're better than the dress."  Now, Sue actually chose the color, and while it compliments her hair...it really didn't do anything for her, and then the way Ken put the leather in just accentuates all the things she wants to hide, and I don't know what's going on with that zipper in the back!  Sue, you're gorgeous with an infectious personality, but this dress did not live up to your super status.

I can't WAIT for next week's episode.  Always one of my favorites, it's the textile design challenge!  Until then it's on with the weekend for me, and we have a Nationals game to get ready for!  I love me some Washington Nationals, and Jayson Werth!  GO NATS!!!

(Money!)

The Modern Southern Woman

Today has been LOOOOOOOOOOooooooOOOOOOOONG-UH!  Nothing bad happened...I was just at work from 7:00 am - about 7:45 pm...oh and did I mention the part where it takes me at least 40 minutes to get to and from work?  Needless to say, I'm a wee bit tired.  But I promised myself I would get this Project Runway post done before the next episode comes on, and since it won't be happening tomorrow due to Back to School Night at work = another LATE night, I'm going to knock it out here tonight.

Ok, this past week's project runway challenge was...."eh"...designing a look for Belk for the "modern southern woman."  Honey...the modern southern woman generally does not shop at Belk.  So to me the challenge seemed more of a joke.  There's a Belk in my hometown...and that is no modern southern woman's first choice when seeking to adorn herself.  The contestants, bless there hearts, for the most part I felt completely missed the mark on the modern southern woman.  Sweetheart, the modern southern woman still typically likes to keep things classic and timeless.  They're the preppy sorority girls from old family money sporting Lilly Pulitzer, J Crew etc. OR they're the country boho-chic chicks.  That's my take on the modern southern woman, but let's recap their takes shall we?

 

Like the plaid, like the a-line/fullness of skirt, HATE the bottom of the skirt. What the heck?!  

 

Again, love the plaid, love the top, love the layers, but HATE the asymmetry in the skirt.

Let's talk about Dom's look.  First of all...in this episode they made an unprecedented move by sending the three lowest scorers back into the workroom for an additional hour to re-do their looks and try again.  Above we have Dom's first look.  As one of the judges said...looks like medical scrubs made into a dress.

 

Here we have Dom's second look, and what a completely different look it is!  Much improved Dom!  Bravo!  This would appeal to the country boho-chic chica.

Helen's look...I like how she layered the floral lace on the yellow...but ummm...boring.

Here's Jeremy's first look.  While everyone hated it...THIS friends, is what one typically finds on the Belk racks...Just sayin'....

 

Kate's look I adored!  Again... Heidi...you're crazy!  Kate just knows the modern woman in general, no matter where she's from!

 

And then....there was Ken....who swore up and down this whole episode he had this challenge in the bag b/c he's FROM the south and he sees the modern southern woman everyday.  ...PLEASE...
THIS IS WHAT YOU CAME UP WITH?!?!?!?!  That's another horrible bridesmaid's dress that no woman would ever want to wear!

So look two went something like this.  He went from horrible ugly bridesmaid's dress to HOOCHI horrible ugly bridesmaid's dress!!!  Really Ken?  REALLY?!?!?!?!  I question his taste and creativity.

There you have it folks, my two cents on last week's Project Runway.  Take it or leave it.

Who do you think the modern southern woman is?  

Anchors Away

What a glorious weekend VA folks!  The weather has been beautiful and the temperatures hinting at the arrival of Autumn.  Not too hot, not too cold, but just right!  We've had a great weekend here at the Pink Elephant Lounge (this is what we call our house sometimes).  Yesterday morning we started with a late morning breakfast on our back porch me with a book in hand.

(Just started this book, and yes I've already heard everyone RAVING about it.  Enjoying it so far!)

During breakfast a great girlfriend of mine hit me up for a girl's night out at the movies and Corey agreed to let me go for the evening.  After a very stressful drive home (curse you I-95 construction) I came home to my hubby laying on this:

Our new lounge chair!  I've wanted one all summer and of course they are cheap, Cheap, CHEAP now due to the seasons changing!

And this was ablaze in front of him:

Our new chimenea!  (These two pictures were taken the morning after of course).

We spent the rest of the night under the stars cozied up next to the fire. Perfection.

While gazing at the fire we both agreed to take it easy Sunday morning and only go to Sunday School class at 11:00 and play hookie for the 9:00 am worship service.  We just needed some extra rest.  Here's what I wore!

I have been WAITING to pull this sweater out since I bought it this summer!

Sweater: J Crew Factory (similar, similar)

Pants: J Crew Factory (similar)

Shoes: Old Navy (similar)

Glasses: Target

Necklace and Earrings: Family Gift

PS: Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about our Project Runway update!  It's coming soon!