Purple Flame

By now we've all heard that purple will be a big color for fashionistas this Winter. But, like lots of beauty and fashion trends, a little purple goes a long way. Here are some ways to add this passionate hue to your life:

Soft Surroundings





BandLu.com



Old Navy




Smashbox


Avon


Christian Dior


Benefit




Candra by Sofft



So what do you think? Are you adding more purple to your life? Tell us about it!

Let's Give Mariska Hargitay A Break

Oh, Mariska.
She's one of my favorite television actresses. She plays the role of Olivia on Law and Order: SUV with sublime toughness and sensitivity. Still, she probably doesn't even know about the confusion she's caused in the fluffy community.

Well, in case you haven't heard, here's what happened: In the current edition of Self Magazine, Hargitay spoke to an interviewer about getting back in shape after having her son. The 44-year-old talks about how important is to keep her energy up so that she can be an active mom. She gives a perfectly healthy outlook on life and body image, and then says, "Everything in moderation. It's not about being fat or thin. I'm a full-figured woman." Yes, yes, and "huh"? I dare someone to call Mariska Hargitay full-figured and mean it. Apparently, judging by the comments HERE and HERE, lots of other people feel the same way. At first blush it must feel a lot like the Whitney-As-Top-Model controversy all over again.

But when I really think about it, everything is relative. In Hollywood, on the red carpet, surrounded by those frighteningly thin chicks from Desperate Housewives, a size 6 is certainly the fuller figure.




Hargitay also has a familial claim to the curvy mantle. Her mother was Jane Mansfield, one of the original bombshells (an O.B.!) as far as Hollywood is concerned. It might make sense for Hargitay to feel like full-figured-ness is in her blood. I don't even know if she feels exactly that way, but certainly the idea of the full-figured woman isn't foreign to her. Anyway, that's my take on it. I'd love to know what you think. Let me know by clicking on comments.

Mad for Plaid

Plaid for Fall and Winter. It's almost a cliche. Don't fashion-watchers say every year that plaid is coming back in Autumn? Well, this time around something is up. There's something different about the plaid fashions making waves right now. Edgy, hardware, very structured, British. Think more David Bowie, less Molly Ringwald.

Hot Topic




Fashion Overdose



Torrid




Tripp



Paris Blues







Avenue Cropped Plaid Jacket



Nine West Pants with Leather Piping

The Flaming Lips: Christmas On Mars

Today, a quick note on pop culture. As many of you hip, edgy chicks know, today marks the release of the new Flaming Lips movie "Christmas on Mars: A Fantastical Film Freakout". The flick is a science fiction film that marks the directorial debut of Lips frontman Wayne Coyne. What's more, the movie has been more than seven years in the making with no-budget to speak of and mostly filmed on Coyne's Oklahoma property. It stars members of the band, along with Comedian Fred Armisen (Saturday Night Live), actor/indie rocker Steve Burns (Netherbeast Incorporated, Blue's Clues, Songs for Dustmites) and actor Adam Goldberg (Dazed and Confused, Two Days in Paris). According to the blurb:

It's Christmastime, and the colonization of Mars is underway. However, when an oxygen generator and a gravity control pod malfunction, Major Syrtis (the Lips' Steven Drozd) and his team (including the Lips' Michael Ivins) fear the worst. Syrtis also hallucinates about the birth of a baby, and many other strange things. Meanwhile, a compassionate alien superbeing (Coyne) arrives, inspiring and helping the isolated astronauts.

Here's the tripped out trailer courtesy of the Youtubes.



So, it's basically guaranteed to be a romp. If not, we'll be really disappointed. (And we're not saying that just because we have some huge Flaming Lips fans here.) But, look out for our review of Christmas on Mars in the next few days.
Click the picture below for information about the film and how to get it:

Yes You Did!

Rock This Vote!

What I love about our Brickhouse women is that we always know when to play and when to get down to business. You've registered, you've talked to your relatives and friends about the importance of voting, you've kept everyone up-to-date on the latest political happenings. Good girl! Now there's just one thing left to do - get out there and VOTE. There's only one you. So make your voice count. Your vote really does matter!