Cummings and Goings

Junk Food Corsage Necklace

Sweater: Jeanne Pierre, Marshalls

Corduroys: So, Kohl's

Boots: JCPenney

Bag: Marshalls 

 Madcap Medallions Necklace

Blouse: Material Girl, Macy's

Turtleneck: Mossimo, Target

Skirt: Marshalls

Shoes: Beverly Feldman, Marshalls

Bag: Journeys

Belt: Apt. 9, Kohl's

Red Floral Button Necklace

Sweater: Candie's, Kohl's

Skirt: Candie's, Kohl's

Shoes: Ami Clubwear

Bag: JCPenney

The other night I was browsing Etsy's jewelry making supplies while Whitney Cummings's E! talk show "Love You, Mean It," hummed in the background.  So, I couldn't help but look up when Whitney began ragging on Etsy.  Her schtick was pretty predictable, which is to say that she ran a photo reel of questionable objects while offering up quips such as, "Who wants or needs a (insert profanity or obscenity here)?"  I watched with a mixture of amusement and fear (as in, what if one of my pieces turned up, a la Regretsy?), thinking that here was yet another hipster taking potshots at the much-mocked world of organized crafting.  But then I thought, hey, isn't it usually Etsians who are slapped with the dreaded "h" label?  Sure, hipsters are known for criticizing things (hello, Whitney), but they're also known for being artsy outcasts (Etsy, come on down).  So the whole thing was kind of a conundrum, juxtaposing two sides of one too-cool-for-school hipster coin.  In my bewilderment, I turned to dictionary.com, but even they couldn't shed much light on the term, supplying this dubious definition:

hipster -

1.  a person who is hip. 

2.  hepcat.

3. a person, especially during the 1950s, characterized by a particularly strong sense of alienation from most established social activities and relationships.

On that note, here are some kooky creations that only a hipster could love - or hate.

Book Report: I Hate Everyone . . . Starting With Me and Murder at the Academy Awards (both) by Joan Rivers

Joan Rivers is one crazy bitch.  Of course, as a "Fashion Police" devotee, I've always known this.  But it wasn't until I got between the pages of her latest book, I Hate Everyone . . . Starting With Me, that I realized the full extent of her relentlessly raucous wrath.  A polarizing figure if ever there was one, Rivers doesn't hold back, aiming her trademark snark at everyone from children to the elderly to voice the things that most of us are thinking but never say.  This doesn't mean that there aren't plenty of cringe-worthy, crossing-the-line passages.  But I decided to dismiss them, focusing instead on Rivers's take-no-prisoners tone and side-splitting humor.  Another reason I liked this book is that I frequently say that I "hate" things, even if to the tune of the fiance's mock-censorious, "Now, hate is a very strong word."  But like any self-respecting woman of extremes, I find it the best one with which to describe traffic, inclement weather, craft mishaps, unexpected prime time reruns, marred clothing, housework, slugs, technology, exercise, expired coupons, expired food, boring people, overbearing people, and people who hurt my feelings.  Needless to say, I gulped down Rivers's 242-page diatribe in a single sitting.

Her murder mystery, Murder at the Academy Awards, co-written by Jerrilyn Farmer, took two weeks longer to digest.  The best things about it are 1) the caricatures of Joan and her daughter Melissa on the cover, and 2) Rivers's snappy afterward, which was so amusing that it made me rethink my long-standing preference for fiction.  Still, despite this whodunit's slow start and boilerplate plot, it's fun to read because its stylish sleuth is Rivers's alter-ego, the fabulous and lunches-openly-with-her-plastic-surgeon Maxine Taylor.  Killers, paparazzi, and undercover rehab stints don't scare her, yet the sight of a slain starlet clad in a TJ Maxx knockoff sends her screaming.

Her E! network cohorts would be proud.

TV Tuesday: The Snarky Stylings of E!'s Fashion Police

Normally, I'm not one for TV shows that make fun of people.  That's why I skip reality shows.  Nevertheless, I do enjoy the odd episode of E!'s "Fashion Police."  Hosted by queen of mean Joan Rivers and catty cohorts Giuliana Rancic, Kelly Osbourne, and George Katsiopoulis, the show scrutinizes celebrity red carpet and "off-duty" (think beach vacation) outfits and is seasoned by segments such as "Starlet or Streetwalker" and "Bitch Stole My Look," culminating in a best-dressed and worst-dressed pick at the end of the hour.  Now, when it comes to fashion, I'm pretty live and let live.  If something makes you feel good about yourself, then you should wear it, regardless of whether it's in style or what other people may think of it.  That having been said, if I were famous, then I'd probably be a "Fashion Police" repeat offender ("You've got too many things going on, sweetie, too many things," I can just hear Joan crowing.  "You look like a cross between a trannie and a circus escapee.")  Still, whether or not I agree with Joan and company's opinions, I can't help but be entertained and impressed by Joan's zinger-barbed wit.  Plus, it's fun to see all of the celebrity fashions.  I always wonder which stars choose their own dresses and which ones rely on a stylist, and if those in the stylist camp rip their stylists a new one after being the butt of Joan's arresting comments.  I also wonder if Joan ever gets hate mail, or if Hollywood regards her as a semi-sane grande dame to be indulged and humored.  But then, I guess the same question can be asked of any comedian.

Campy and irreverent, "Fashion Police" is an ornery oasis in the drought that is summer programming - whether you're wearing Miu Miu or a muumuu :)

Dazzling Discounts at Daffy's

Top, Rampage

Top, Rampage

Top, Takara; Tights, Me Moi

Top, Rampage; Tights, Steve Madden

The bf and I were in Philadelphia today when I decided to pop into Daffy's. I'd never been there before but remembered watching an episode of the Style Network's old Fashion Police in which Robert Verdi was interviewing a woman on the street about where she'd gotten her outfit, and she'd answered Daffy's. As a shopper most at home combing clearance rounders, I knew I had to take a look.

The bf and I rode the elevator past the department store's first four floors to the misses and juniors section. (There's just something about a store with an elevator that screams, hey, country mouse, welcome to the city!) When the doors opened, I was greeted to racks heaped with interesting options and made a beeline for those that were the most colorful. (Hey, old habits die hard.) I was happy to stumble upon three festively printed Rampage tops that seemed to call my name, all at rock-bottom prices. I scoured the rest of the area, acquired one more fun top, then tried on my take. Everything fit perfectly, so I sauntered to the register with all the bubbling anticipation of an impending purchase. My total came to $34.13. The most inexpensive item was one of the Rampage tops, coming in at a super-low $4.66. Take that, Macy's!

On our way back down we stopped off on the third floor to peruse the shoes and accessories. (Well, I perused. The bf was patiently waiting as my ever-faithful supporter and driver.) I love shopping for accessories even more than I love shopping for clothes, so I was in my element. I picked out four pairs of patterned stockings, one of which was Steve Madden. This time my total was $21.30. Nothing to sneeze at considering that each pair originally listed for $18.00.

Back at the ranch, I decided to model my new buys, mixing them with items already in my closet. (Call it Photo Shoot Friday withdraw if you will.) I easily found interesting matches and arranged them all on my bed (I used to do this all the time after shopping trips) so I could gaze upon all the cheerful colors and patterns.

I'll be sure to return to Daffy's for more bargain hunting whenever I'm Philadelphia-bound. Truth be told, I wish there were a store a little bit closer!