Hokie Art

I just love catching up on creative projects in the summer.  My most recent venture? "V" and "T" wooden letters painted maroon and orange to represent my beloved Virginia Tech Hokies. Gotta love Hokie tracks and polka dots.

Project Runway - Episode 1

I seem to disagree with the Project Runway judges a lot.  In fact, last season, I was so disappointed that wretched Gretchen won instead of Mondo that I vowed to never watch the show again.  I obviously broke that vow, but I am once again somewhat disappointed.  The first challenge, which required contestants to use their pajamas and a bed sheet to make an outfit, was wildly entertaining, but it left me wanting more.  I was in love with Bert's winning design (other than the styling), but I was not overly impressed by the other designers.  Let's talk about Anya for a second.  According to her, she has only been sewing for four months.  Should I be happy to learn that there is still hope for me, or annoyed that the producer's were looking for some good television? She may have been in the top three this time, but I can not see her being able to finish big challenges on time with her lack of experience.  I did, however, agree with the judges when it came to Rafael's elimination. Could those "pants" be any worse.

My Weekly Standings:

Love-
Bert

Like-
Becky
Bryce
Danielle

Loathe-
Anthony
Joshua
Julie
Kimberly

THE NEW SEASON OF PROJECT RUNWAY STARTS THURSDAY

I just thought everyone should know...!

Dressing for the occasion...?

Katy Perry wore this short, and I mean short, The Blonds white mini dress complete with a sparkly Smurf graphic to none other than the Smurfs Premiere.  She definitely dressed for the occasion, that is for sure.  Katy Perry is so quirky that this could have somehow worked for her if it was not so incredibly short.  Oh and I am not sure how I feel about her new blonde hair.

Pretty Pippa

She's so fabulous, even when shopping around town.  I just love her and this blue and green polka-dot dress! Gosh it's a tight race between Pippa, Kate, and Emma Watson for the title of most fashionable Brit!

(image via cocoperez)

D. Lauren in R. Lauren in Vogue

Dylan's Candy Bar, my favorite candy haven/ unhealthy hot spot in NYC, is owned by Dylan Lauren, the daughter of the legendary Ralph Lauren.  It must be convenient having a designer as a Dad, especially for important events like her recent wedding! What a stunning dress. I am not usually one for dramatic trains, but this dress is gorgeous.  This photo is from her beautiful photo shoot for the newest issue of Vogue!!!

(image courtesy of Vogue)

I'm inspired by Lilly, Part II

I <3 Lilly Pulitzer Prints!

This is the second Lilly Pulitzer- inspired wood frame that I have painted this summer! It all started with the scarf shown below.

My Sister, My Model

A couple of years ago, after being inspired by an episode of Project Runway, I decided to design a dress made out of newspaper.  I have displayed it on my dress form (see photo in blog banner) ever since, but I am finally ready to make a new one.  Instead of immediately just throwing the original away, I thought it would be fun to see it on a real person.  I chose my sister partly because I knew she would be the only person able to fit into it, and out of pure convenience.  I can't say that she was too thrilled with me, but it does look fantastic on her!

J. Aniston's London Looks

While in London promoting Horrible Bosses, Jennifer Aniston sported two very different looks.  The first, a black leather mini dress and Gucci heels.  I love that she is not afraid to show off her legs!  The second look, a white Valentino Haute Couture frock, also known as a complete 180 from her previous look, was perfect for the premiere. I can't say that I am loving those white heels, though.  Regardless, I basically want to be her. 

I Really Love My...

Betsey Johnson Apple Studs

I adore these pave apple studs because I feel like they're really unique. The whole Betsey Johnson jewelry line is so whimsical and different, but these studs really stood out to me because of that sparkly red.  I love wearing them with a black dress to add some color!

Detailed Analysis HP7

Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part II

Warning - many spoilers ahead!

         As I am sure everyone knows, I am, and always will be, a huge Harry Potter fan.  I adore the books, and I usually enjoy the movies, but I have always had trouble looking at the two as separate entities.  I just can not help but compare the two. If it seems as though I am being overly-particular, well I am, for that reason.  Out of all the movies, however, I think that Deathly Hallows Parts 1 and 2, are the best because they most accurately follow the books.  Extra screen time enables this, and makes me wonder how much better the other movies could have been if they too were separated into two parts. 
        Aside from book details, Part II was fabulous because it gave a lot of supporting characters a chance to shine.  Maggie Smith (Professor McGonigal) gave a great performance. She stepped up as headmaster after dueling/scaring away Severus Snape, and even incorporated believable humor ("I always wanted to do that spell!"). Alan Rickman (Snape) gave a genuine performance, and was really able to bring across the emotion and inter-workings of Snape's mind, especially in the pensieve scenes.  I actually began to feel sorry for him and his unrequited love for Lily Evans. Ralph Fiennes (Voldemort) accurately captured the vulnerability and pure madness of Lord Voldemort in the final film.  He never usually has that much screen time, and never really ventures from the same few lines, until now.  He manages to come across as menacing, yet scared for his life.  Neville Longbottom is the second hero in the books, and Mathew Lewis is great, but I feel as though he was not given the chance to really emerge as a hero.  Yes, he kills Nagini with the sword of Gryffindor, but the way at which the act occurs in the movie, is not as heroic as it is in the book.  I was also disappointed that Ron and Hermione didn't get a chance to really stand out.  I felt as though a lot of the dialogue and banter between the trio was sacrificed for random action sequences.  Yes, it is a war film, but I missed their speaking parts! Ron had a few funny lines, but Hermione honestly did not say much! I did love their kiss in the chamber of secrets, though.  It was passionate (unlike Harry and Ginny's) and their mutual chuckle afterwards made it really great!  Helena Bonham Carter (Bellatrix Lestrange) was amazing.  I think I was most impressed by her actually.  In the Gringott's sequence, she flawlessly mimicked, Hermione's body language.  It  really seemed as though it was Emma Watson in disguise, but I knew it wasn't! She tripped over her shoes a couple times, and that was one of the subtleties in the movie that I really enjoyed. Other subtleties came from Tom Felton and Helen McCrory, as Draco and Narcissa Malfoy.  They are alongside Voldemort, but you can tell by their facial expressions that they are not really all there.  Narcissa's doubt is most visible after Voldemort murders all of the Gringott's goblins, and of course, is clearly demonstrated when she knowingly incorrectly informs Voldemort that Harry is "dead" in the forest. 
         I was impressed by the actors, but I was disappointed by some of the plot details.  The beginning scenes, at Shell Cottage and Gringotts, were extremely rushed.  After merely mentioning breaking into Gringotts, Hermione suddenly appears as Bellatrix.  Yes, they show a piece of her hair, but you'd think they would at least discuss the polyjuice and Ron's disguise!  The invisibility cloak is also M.I.A. for the majority of the film. When the trio apparates into Hogsmeade, watches the voldemort/snape confrontation, and when Harry journeys into the forest, the invisibility cloak is absent. Yes this is a small detail, but how hard would it have been to include the cloak! It may not be a big deal the for the first two scenes in which it is missing, but leaving it out of Harry's "confrontation with death" was a huge mistake. The Deathly Hallows were mentioned at the beginning, but the focus ventured away from them shortly after.  The cloak is 1/3 of the hallows, and extremely important, why was it missing?!  I also wish that Hagrid would have set "dead" Harry on the ground at the castle so that he could have slipped the cloak over himself. I love the sequence in the book where Harry sneaks off in the chaos.  Yes, it was more dramatic in the movie, but I prefer Voldemort's shock when Harry emerges from the cloak.  I also wish that Neville would have killed the snake in front of everyone, including Voldemort. I did enjoy Harry and Voldemort's duel throughout the castle, but I did not like part where they fell off of the edge, and I would have liked to see everyone surrounding the two when Harry finally finishes him off.  It would have also been nice to see a celebratory embrace and maybe even a makeout sesh between Harry and Ginny when the battle is finally over.  I was not satisfied with that tiny peck! There is one thing that annoys me more than anything else - Harry breaking the Elder Wand in half with his hands.  What the heck? Seriously? Yeah, like the Elder Wand can really be broken with brute strength.  No way! Even so, someone could easily say "reparo" to the "deathstick."  Harry should have just fixed his old wand with it! It would have also been nice to see specific moments in the battle, instead of just general chaos.  Like how did Fred and Lupin and Tonks die? What deatheaters did Kingsley kill off? That sort of thing.  Dumbledore's back story was also absent, but I was not overly bothered by that.
          As far as the epilogue goes, I loved it.  I think they could have included  more detail, like Teddy Lupin, and the fact that Neville is a professor, but I thought that the digital aging of the characters was AMAZING.  I expected to cry when Fred died (I only teared up a bit), but I never expected to cry during the epilogue.  I was unexpectedly overcome with emotion as soon as I saw the cast "all grown up." I wasn't just crying, I was literally sobbing uncontrollably. I could not stop. It was embarrassing.  When I saw the trio and Ginny as adults, it struck a chord with me because that's when I finally realized that it is all over.  The series that I grew up with is complete.  There will be no more books, and no more movies, Deathly Hallows Part II is it.  Even when I saw the movie for a second time, I was once again, filled with emotion and tears.  So, in some ways, the missing details from the epilogue weren't such a big deal, because the visual impact alone was enough to wrap up this extraordinary series. 
      Yes, I may have been perturbed by some small missing details from the books, but overall, Deathly Hallows Part II was a fantastic film.  It is only fitting that they saved the best for last.  I will love you forever, Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley <3

Summer Smoothie

I am the first one to admit that I can not cook or bake, at all. I can, however, make fantastic eggs and smoothies.  I mastered the over-hard egg cooking technique a while back, but yesterday, I discovered that I am creative enough to come up with some delicious smoothie concoctions! My sister ordered a cup of orange sherbet from Brusters, but she did not end up eating because of allergies.  Naturally, she gave it to me, and I had the idea to incorporate it in a smoothie! It was surprisingly delicious so I just had to share the recipe with the world. Enjoy!

"Lishy's Orangey-Peachy-Banana Berry Smoothy"
1 Cup Orange Sherbet
2 Packs Yoplait Peach Yogurt
2 Bananas
1 Cup Frozen Blueberries
1 Cup Milk
1 Cup Ice

Combine ingredients in a blender and enjoy!

2011 BAFTAs

(from left:) Kate Middleton in Alexander McQueen, Nicole Kidman in Elie Saab, Elizabeth Banks in Versace, Elisabeth Moss in J. Mendel, Jennifer Lopez in Emilio Pucci, Blake Lively in Marchesa.

My review of the fashion at the 2011 BAFTA awards is long overdue!

Kate Middleton - Kate once again relied on McQueen for a big event.  I mean, everything looks great on her obviously, but I would love to see something edgy from her. You know, something not as proper for once! Although, I understand that she is representing a country, so I'm just glad she's keeping it classy.
Nicole Kidman - Kudos to Kidman for not wearing an extremely pale shade! Elie Saab is definitely becoming one of my favorite designers.  I love the angle of the sparkle and you can't tell from this photo, but it has a beautifully draped back.
Elizabeth Banks - She is gorgeous, and I like this white, one shouldered Versace gown.  It is simple, but the pockets/buttons give it a little bit of an edge. I especially love the ones on the top of the shoulder! Her hair is also the perfect fit.
Elisabeth Moss - I can not wait for Mad Men to be back on TV! In the meantime, I get to review Moss' romantic and flowy  J. Mendel gown, instead of her usual 60's workplace attire.  I like this dress, I really do.  I would love it on someone with a darker skin tone, though, like J. Lo perhaps. It just seems a little drab on Moss. 
Jennifer Lopez -  J.Lo's slinky, green, Emilio Pucci gown, complete with cut-outs, is fabulous, and everyone already knows that she is unbelievably fit, but this gown was not right for this particular event.  I would love to see her wear this to the Grammy's, but not while she's rubbing elbows with royalty at the BAFTAs
Blake Lively - If you haven't heard, Blake Lively is one of my style icons, which is probably why I really love this draped Marchesa.  The embellishment trim is really beautiful. This is def a goddess gown, so appropriate!

More of Middleton's N. American Tour

(from left: Malene Birger, J. Brand Jeans, Jenny Packham, Roksanda Illinic, Diane von Furstenburg)

I have run out of fabulous things to say about the duchess of Cambridge! It's a nice change to see her in some skinny jeans, though, and I am loving her green DVF dress.

Paris Haute Couture

My favorite collection from Paris Fashion Week was.....
Elie Saab

I loved the sparkle, the romance, and the delicateness of this collection.  Very muted colors were used, nothing bright, but the sparkles livened all of the pieces.  Even the hair and makeup was very soft and romantic.  I would love to see Dakota Fanning in the far left mini dress above. 

Deathly Hallows Part II World Premiere

The entire Harry Potter cast, along with J.K. Rowling herself, and even Anna Wintour and Guy Ritchie, gathered in London for the final premiere of the series.  Since this truly is the end of an era, it was only fitting that Emma Watson wore an extravagant Oscar De La Renta ball gown. 

Emotions ran high as each member of the trio, Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson, and J.K. Rowling, took the stage to say some final thank-yous.  I  had chills throughout.  My favorite lines? Emma to Dan, "you were, and are the perfect Harry, and will be forever."  Rupert to Jo: "what you've done for ginger people, I can't really put that into words!"  I highly recommend watching the full goodbye speeches below-

Red Carpet Looks

(from left: Emma Watson, Evanna Lynch, J.K. Rowling, Clemence Poesy, Bonnie Wright, Helena Bonham Carter)

Emma Watson - This Oscar De La Renta gown featuring a neutral embellished bodice and gray tulle skirt, is sweet and romantic.  It is extravagant, but it doesn't overwhelm or swallow her! It isn't one of my all-time favorite looks of hers, but I feel that it's fitting for this particular occasion.  I may actually prefer the dress she wore to an after party (see below).
Evanna Lynch - Who knew Luna Lovegood could ever look so grown-up!  Those are some intense shoes for such a sweet girl! I just feel like this outfit looks a little more mature than something she would usually wear.
J.K. Rowling - This is an example of an Oscar De La Renta gown gone wrong.  The proportions are extremely unflattering.  This is supposed to be a trendy gown, but it comes across as frumpy to me.  In my opinion, pink and green only work well together if incorporated into a Lilly Pulitzer sun dress, not formal wear.
Clemence Poesy - Her white and ruffled Nina Ricci frock is fantastically fashion forward.  The back of the dress is even more amazing.  I do, however, think that the top half of the gown is too full.  I would have liked to see it slightly more fitted. 
Bonnie Wright - I didn't expect her to pick this particular long-sleeved, neutral, Miu Miu gown, but I do think that the designer fits her really well.  I know Bonnie had to hold her dress up most of the time, but the wrinkles really show up on this satin fabric. I also thought that the bodice was somewhat ill-fitting.  The future Mrs. Harry Potter's hair, makeup and accessories were amazing, though! 
Helena Bonham Carter - J. Mangum, this part is for you - I never quite agree with her fashion choices (different colored shoes at this year's Golden Globes?!), but I have learned to accept and appreciate her eccentricity.  Like, only she can get away with wearing her signature spectacles and a forest green satin  gown with a light pink fascinator.  I must applaud that fascinator, though, they're basically my new obsession. 

Danielle Radcliffe decided on a gray, not black, suit, and I am loving it!! Rupert Grint also showed off his personality by wearing a printed suit (is that a snakeskin pattern?). I also love these two photos of Alan Rickman and Helena Bonham Carter.  I honestly believe that this is one of the most beautiful photographs of Helena I've seen.  Tom Felton, aka Draco Malfoy, showed up with his gorgeous girlfriend and with his hair looking a lot more gorgeous than his usual slick-backed-do. 

After Party!

I adore this neutral, embellished, Elie Saab dress. Emma was all about the romantic neutrals today! This silhouette is pure perfection. I can't wait to see what she wears to the NYC HP premiere!

[all images via Getty Images and CBS news]

HP Deathly Hallows II Press Conference

And this is why Emma Watson is one of my style icons

Emma attended the Deathly Hallows Part II press conference in the UK, wearing this gold with black lace-overlay Rafael Lopez mini. I am literally in love with this dress, it is honestly one of the best I have seen in a while!  Although, it does reminds me a lot of Emma Stones's Bottega Veneta dress she wore to the MTV movie awards http://lishylishy.blogspot.com/2011/06/style-report-mtv-movie-awards.html.  The ruffle detail is to die for, the neckline looks fantastic on her, and the patent-leather belt is an awesome detail. So yeah, I have come to the conclusion that Emma Watson and I have the same taste in clothing, I would wear this in an instant.

Will and Kate's Weekend

This weekend, Will, Kate, and Kate's hair stylist continued on their Canadian Tour.  Kate changed outfits frequently and wore some of her favorite designers (from left: Issa, Catherine Walker, Erdem, Joseph, Alexander McQueen), but there wasn't a fascinator in sight!  We even found out that she is the only person on the planet who can rock a life vest. Oh, and I may or may not be in love with her lace-sleeved, navy, frock.  Keep these great outfits coming, Kate!

I Really Love My...

Gold Envelope Necklace

I adore the delicate gold envelope necklace that has been passed down to me.  My pap purchased it for my mother when she was younger, and there was even a small, removable, gold, "letter" inside.  Unfortunately, the piece is missing, but I love this unique necklace anyway.

Introducing...

A new blog-segment titled "I really love my,"  that will feature my own personal clothing, accessories and/or home furnishings, that I adore and find incredibly unique. I took some photographs of a few of the items today and I can't wait to eventually share them all!  I'm always blogging about the fashion sense of celebrities, so I decided to step outside of the box and try something different!

Happy 4th!!

My family celebrated the 4th by having a cookout with our extended fam- so good to catch up with my cousins! We had the traditional American food, and the not so traditional (grape leaves, lamb skewers, caprese salad, and black olive hummus dip).  The main attraction, however, was this amazing cake that my future cousin-in-law, Emmily, made! She works for a great local bakery, but she is talented enough to have her own TV show! This is just one example of the extraordinary things she can do with cake, icing, and fondant. Thanks again, Emmily!

Look I'm Loving...

Heidi Klum in Monique Lhuillier

Heidi Klum celebrated her Hamptons Magazine cover in a knee-length, metallic, one-shouldered, Monique Lhuillier frock with matching pumps.  I love the angle and different direction of those embellishments, but I would not have minded a softer hair-style. This dress is definitely long by her standards, and it is definitely crazy to her in anything other than a mini.  But as Tim Gunn would say, she made it work!

Wimbledon Champs

Congrats to Novak Djokovic and Petra Kvitova for winning Wimbledon.  So glad that these two were first-time winners.  Djokovic has definitely had "a couple good days at the office." Did I mention that I have the same racquet as Kvitova? So cool.

Don't worry Andy Murray, you will win in your home country one of these days.  I have faith in you.

Kate in Canada

Two days and four outfits later, Kate Middleton continues on her North American tour.  On Thursday, she looked super classy boarding the plane in a chic Roland Mouret dress and blazer.  After a wardrobe change in the air, she emerged from the plane wearing a gorgeous long-sleeved-lace dress by Erdem Moralioglu.  Later that day, she changed, yet again, into a classic Issa wrap dress.  Yesterday, it was Canada Day and Kate re-wore (gasp!) the white Reiss dress from her engagement pictures.  At least she added a Lock & Co red fascinator and  red shoes to give it a fresh look! Can't wait to see the rest of her fashion picks!

HP Last Days

This video shows the final days of shooting on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II, the "Epic Finale" to my beloved series. Watching the final film,at my final midnight premiere, will most definitely be bittersweet.  I have been passionate about Harry Potter throughout my life and I just hope that "Pottermore," J.K. Rowling's next project, will give us something to look forward to.