Rah, Rah, Rachel Roy!

Michelle Obama likes Rachel Roy, so does Tyra Banks, and it turns out, so does Fashion Binge. Her newish diffusion line, Rachel Rachel Roy, can be found at Macy's and is a riot of bold colors, fun prints, and interesting (if not always successful) silhouettes. There's a bunch of cute pieces on sale, too, on the Rachel Roy website—plus an automatic 25% off at checkout. And free shipping! Alas, I couldn't resist. Latest purchases in a streak of recent spring shopping:



Looks like I got the last one of this Rachel Rachel Roy Combo Lace Dress, $48.74. The colors, the mixed materials, and the drawstring waist sealed the deal. Effortlessly cute.



Rachel Rachel Roy rolled cargo pants, $39.74. These could be a disaster, or they could be awesome. Fingers crossed.

And here's a bunch of other cuteness from the line that I haven't (as yet) stuffed into my overstuffed closet:



24-hour dress, $99. The slap-happy print is perfect for those who wouldn't even know where to find a canvas, let alone know their way around one, and the fit is easy but not slouchy. Splendid.



Bleeding Hearts blouse, $49.99. Wear your heart all over.



Belted shirtdress, $76.30. Think floral is too dowdy? Take a look at this kaleidoscopic version, and think again.



Oversized Bow dress, $89. Another chic, easy dress.



And if you're heartbroken that I got the last Combo Lace dress, here's a cami version, $40.99.

Whatever you do, don't get this as-seen-in-Lucky horrorshow:



Uneven shirtdress, $109.

Yeeeeesh.

Shopping & Goodies Weekly

A Few Goody Gumdrops is appalled by John Galliano's anti-semitic comments and praises Dior for taking action!
Fashion Hippo finds 4 chic wardrobe basics every woman must have in her closet.
Handbag du Jour loves the effortless and carefree-chic style of Joanna Maxham's Dew Drop Hobo!
Shopping and Info loves the Balmain lambskin leather motorcycle biker vest that is 70% off.
The Well-Heeled Society is taking steps to elevate the shoe show on the Academy Awards' red carpet. See how you can join her Oscar Shoe Cam Campaign!
StyleMaven went dotty this Fashion Week, along with Michelle Obama - we both wore the infamous silk polka dot dress from H&M, on the very same day!
TheFind says swap your LBD for one of these traffic-stopping Little Red Cocktail Dresses inspired by the Oscars red carpet!
What's Haute lunched with fashion designer Rachel Roy and previewed her spring 2011 collection!

Rachel Roy Resort 2011

I find myself really loving Rachel Roy's Resort collection, and the styling is smashing! Love the colors, and love the large frizzy hairstyles...tres RedPopy chic...
















Photos courtesy of style.com

Project Runway Episode Episode 10: Mondo's Story

Yikes. This was one emotional episode. Backgrounds, family, memories, locked-up secrets converge in the workroom when the designers must design a textile fabric for their look that is inspired by a moment from their past. After all, as we arrive in the workroom and see childhood photos of Michael C in his underwear plastered all over an HP computer screen you know this is going to be one deeply personal challenge. Most notable and poignant is Mondo's inspiration for his fabulous and vivid plus+sign textile print. Through a brave and powerful on-camera admission we learn that Mondo is HIV positive, a secret he has kept for the past 10 years. This is no light fare, and I'm almost wishing for some rude and pure Gretchen workroom drama, but no such luck. By the way did I miss the part where the designers get a tutorial in using the HP Touch Smart textile design program system for this challenge? Just wondering...
And this episode's surprise workroom guests are....everyone's mother!!!! No one, and I mean no one is spared from any tears this week, not even Tim. Within minutes every single designer is reduced to a blubbering baby, and well, it's precious to watch. We even discover a bit more of Gretchen's tough back story which perhaps makes her seem a tad more human and justified in behaving as rottenly as she does?......Nah!
Then Tim does away with the work day and all the designers get to spend the day with mom. Well there goes Andy's focus...

It's Runway time with guest designer judge Rachel Roy who, by the way, needlessly comes off as super snarky... and GAH! what kind of circus act dress is Heidi wearing???
So far I'm loving April's love divided punky dress with the too-long peekaboo cool printed sleeve...Andy's shorts and loose blouse combo is a no brainer in being knowingly worrisome, and Mondo's purple checkered pants and printed blouse top are incredible...Valerie's ill-fitting black sheer dress with blue patterned skirt feels super messy and cheap, like pieces of paper stuck together... I love Gretchen's textile pattern, and the frilly tank is pretty but I would have liked to see lots more of it... Michael's dress, though clearly an ode to dark family times, fits perfectly and is so well tailored, well done, while Christopher's print, though silky and fresh, is paired with boring pants and the entire look is so blah and underwhelming...Meanwhile the judges had lots to say about the mixed bag of momentous looks on the runway. Rachel Roy refers to Gretchen's outfit as "Almost," (as in not quite there yet), Michael Kors thinks Michael C's dark evil eye print dress looks like a joke, and Nina's so right by exclaiming, upon critiquing Christopher's boring ensemble, that she wants to see OUTSTANDING Fashion!! For goodness sakes, it's Episode 10 of Season 8 and I'm still waiting for more cow bell!...

....and Mondo is once again the deserving WINNER for the third straight challenge. He's simply the only designer with enough curious vision and mental color palette to wow us thus far...and in this episode Mondo becomes, without a doubt, his as well as our own, Inspiration.
That means quirky and kind Valerie is rightfully OUT. That dress was awful, along with a lot of other awful she's designed the past few weeks.
SO dry your eyes, throw away those crumpled balls of kleenex, and stay tuned for next week's episode where the designers must design for Heidi Klum herself, and that is a clear guarantee for some more ugly in the workroom...Auf Wiederseheeeeeeeeen!

Someone, Quick, Get Married!

Cause I really wanna wear this to a wedding. Or a cocktail party. Or...dinner? Can I just buy this JUST BECAUSE? And/or just because Rachel Roy is having a 30% off friends and family/people on the Internet sale? Cause I really like it.




Rachel Rachel Roy pleated dress with crossback, $109 - 30% = $76.30. Yeah, I think I can buy it.

Also, can I pull this off?




Rachel Rachel Roy lattice drop-waist jumper, $129 - 30% = $90.30.

A final safe bet:


Rachel Rachel Roy lattice top, $89 - 30% = $62.30.

Wish List: Rachel Roy Transformer Zip Jacket

($159, Rachel Roy)

Let's discuss this precious little convertible Rachel Roy jacket, shall we? First of all, the fun animal print makes me believe that a giraffe and leopard mated. Second, it's like the Matryoshka doll of jackets. Why a Matryoshka doll? Because, like the doll, this jacket's got a top part and a bottom part. The bottom zips away to reveal some cropped jacket cuteness, which means it's TWO PERFECTLY GOOD JACKETS in one! And I love a two-for-one deal. As in "more than meets the eye," as in Transformers. And who can resist a good Transformer reference? Not I.

I do have to use this opportunity, by the way, to air a small grievance: I'm super dismayed that the pants the model is wearing above are NOT available for purchase! Don't put it on the menu if I can't order it!

($89, Rachel Roy)

Who's afraid of a metallic pant? Not this girl.

Obama Merch Overload!

The Obama folks have finally added a bunch of new designs — from actual, big-time fashion designers — to their store, and boy howdy are they...sorta cool! I'm about ready to whip out the ol' plastique and order up at least one of these babies — maybe more. One for each debate? Some are pretty cool, and some are just, like, Sarah Palin–style HUH??



Nanette Lepore's hope/anchor tee, $65, with kicky little ribbon. I feel like I'd wear this with other stripes somehow, and maybe a slouchy hat of some sort? Is that weird?



Lutz & Patmos's cardigan, $60. So subtle and lovely. Let's get a detail shot of the rising sun, shall we?



If I didn't have at least four other gray cardigans, I'd probably buy this. Or maybe that means I will really wear it and must have it?



Rachel Roy's "Be the Change" scarf, $95. I love this, but the slogan she's selling is a little gramatically suspect, and we all know I can't have that. Be the change you want to see in the world? Be the change? Really? I'm afraid I just don't know what that means. UPDATE: It's a Gandhi quote. So I officially withdraw my silly snarkiness. Thanks for the tip, smarter reader!



Rag and Bone "Change is Awesome" tote bag, $75. Now that makes sense. Simple, direct, powerful. And this bag? Awesome indeed!



Zac Posen's "Dare to Dream" tank, $45. I like the sentiment behind this one. I hate the defeatist liberal attitude that I hear all too often lately; you know, the "McCain's gonna win" bullshit. Fight it!



Pharrell Williams's "Obama Stands Out from the Crowd" men's tee, $60. Not sure why "Obama" is placed in a sea of white faces. This one seems a leeeeetle bit under-thought-out. Stands out from the crowd of whom?



Maria Cornejo's organic "Change" tee, $60. Again, Obama looks white. Curious.



Charles Nolan's "Change is Good" wrap shirt, $70. At first glance, this is interesting. Then you realize that anyone wearing this is basically saying to the world, "You'd have to be locked-in-a-straitjacket CRAZY to vote for Obama!" which, really, is not very on-message.

Many more options, including OMG Marc Jacobs puts his name on another tote bag, here. And remember, folks, you're making a donation to the campaign, so don't fret too hard about dropping sixty bones on a T-shirt.

There's also a plethora of fun Obama pins here, no matter what your niche voting block may be.



Emo for Obama button, $1.



Cats for Obama button, $2.50.



And here's a silkscreened Obama tie! Perfect for riling up the old people (Republicans) at the next wedding you have to attend!



Boyfriend say that tie is ugly, like mine did? Get him this Obama brooch, $48. Cool and subtle.

Then again, maybe you like McCain? There are some fashion options for you, too.



Palin and co. shirt, uh, SORRY! It's satire. Oh wells! Try this one instead:



"Nope" tee, $22.

GOBAMA!

The One That Got Away: Rachel Roy Spike Necklace

WTF? I was going to be GOOD and NOT impulsively buy this Rachel Roy spike necklace (until next week), and now it's SOLD OUT! That is officially THE LAST TIME I DON'T BUY SOMETHING! The lesson I learned here is IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, GET IT BECAUSE IT MAY NOT BE THERE WHEN YOU'RE TRYING TO DO THE FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE THING AND WAIT!

If I had only had a cash advance, this necklace would have been mine.