American Eagle: Current Obsessions. . .

One may have overlooked American Eagle Outfitters as a respected retail store after High School – however – I have to say that AE apparel has come a long way from our high school days.  Keeping in tune with the current fashions, AE mixes current with tradition in this year’s Holiday season looks.

What am I obsessing over? Flannel, sequins, knits,  tights and jewerly. All of which can be found at AE at affordable prices. There is nothing like shopping recessionista style – while picking up trendy pieces at the same time.

Here are some of my favorites:

Shrunken Bonfire Flannel Shirt

Shrunken Bonfire Flannel Shirt

Cable Knit Cardigan Jacket

Sparkle Tank

Buffalo Check Sweetheart Dress

Brocade Strapless Dress (Featured in GLAMOUR's December Issue pg. 140)

Floral Fishnet Tights

Also, one should note how often AE is mentioned in fashion magazines, like Glamour, Marie Claire, Allure, Teen Vogue, Details, People Style Watch and more. [Sidenote: Jessica Simpson wore AE Jeans on her cover of Glamour September 2009 issue.]  If fashion’s leading magazines acknowledge AE as a leading fashion-conscious retail store, then so should we. Take advantage of AE’s affordable styles – like a true recessionista.

Stay recession happy!

-jo

Dakota Fanning covers Teen Vogue . . .

I’m really excited about Teen Vogue’s December 2009 issue with Dakota Fanning! I haven’t seen her on many magazine covers (her last appearance in Teen Vogue was when she was twelve!) – so its great to see her grace the pages of a fashion magazine again.

Taking on her latest role as a vampire in Twilight’s New Moon - Dakota captures the sinister vampire Jane whose angelic looks are merely a distraction from her evil.  She has said that her character in New Moon was a “fantastic” role, and I’m really looking forward to see how well she portrays Jane!

The 15 year-old was recently crowned as Homecoming Princess at her High School – she is also a Varsity cheerleader – which I think is pretty cool.  Not only is she a young Hollywood star – but she also cheers for her High School football team on the side.  In her interview with Teen Vogue, Dakota states, “I enjoy having a normal life.”  In reality, she’s  just your average teenager… who is also the youngest person ever to be nominated for a Screen Actors Guild award. Touche.

Yes, she is normal – with perks – and an adoring personality.

I love her photo spread for Teen Vogue - with the different prints and patterns – it carries an Old-Hollywood, vintage look.  I am obsessed with the platform shoes and high-waisted ruffle skirts – very playfully, yet chic.  She looks so adorable and, dare I say – grown up.

[Photos from justjared/Teen Vogue]

New Moon is coming out in . . . 11 days (November 20), and the media frenzy has already begun . . .

-jo

The 2010 Winter Olympics . . .

VISA commercials for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver have already aired – and my excitement for the Winter games is starting!

What am I looking forward to? The following picture should say it all:

Apolo Anton Ohno

Hello gorgeous.  Short-track speedskater, Apolo Anton Ohno is a five-time medalist and is tied with Eric Heiden for the most career medals in a single Winter Olympics game. I can’t wait to see him speed skate in February! (sidenote: He also won Dancing with the Stars in 2007 with Julianne Hough)

OH WAIT – I found a clip of his Paso Doble (LOL – this has no relevance but I couldn’t help myself)

Back to the Olympics . . .

I’m also excited for Women’s Figure Skating – my obsession with the sport all started during the 1998 Winter Games when Tara Lipinski took to the ice – and became the youngest [age 15] individual gold medalist in the history of the Olympic Games.

Here is a clip of the her Gold Medal Performance – I got a little choked up at the end…

In her short-program – she performed to Once Upon A December from Anastasia. This is probably one of my all-time favorite figure skating performances to date:

I’m pretty sure I wanted to be a figure skater back in my youth, pretty sure I made it to Basics 1. End of career.

Till the Games,

-jo

Jo’s Weekly Favorite Things . . .

Here’s a week’s roundup of my favorite things:

Favorite Book: The Secret Garden By Frances Hodgson Burnett

Favorite TV Show: SNL [with Taylor Swift]

Favorite New Top: FLANNEL SHIRTS! (From American Eagle)

Favorite New Color: Black

Favorite New Look: Sequins. . . lots of sequins!

Taylor Swift on SNL . . .

Last night (November 7th), Taylor Swift hosted SNL, along with performing two of her songs. She opened up the show with her genius musical monologue- addressing her love for baking, sequins dresses and her tendencies to write songs about “douchebags.” Speaking of said “douchebags” – she addressed one of them in particular: Joe Jonas.

“You might think I’d bring up Joe (Jonas), that guy who broke up with me on the phone,but I’m not gonna mention him in my monologue. [ Hey Joe, I’m doing real well.] Tonight, I’m hosting SNL but I’m not gonna brag about that in my monologue. La la la. Ha ha ha. La la la.”

She also slyly commented on her assumed romance with the werewolf from Twilight, Taylor Lautner – by blowing him kisses and winking.  Lastly, she mentioned Kanye - but he didn’t interrupt, she had “security lining the stage.” Clever.

The rest of the night was followed by parodies – which poked fun at Kate Gosselin, Kristen Stewart with aka Firelight and Shakira. Watch clips from the show HERE.

In short, it was a hilarious show of SNL. What I also loved were the photo bumpers of Taylor Swift – Here are my favorites, aka all of them.

[images from justjared/NBC]

Taylor did a great job on the show – and I can honestly say it was the best SNL yet.

With that, I leave you with Taylor’s words:

“We have a great show. Kanye West is NOT here, so stick around. We’ll be right back.”

-jo

Camilla Bella at Vogue/CFDA Fashion Fund Show . . .

My Favorite Fashionista Moment of the Week:

Camilla Belle at the Vogue/CFDA Fashion Fund Show wearing a Jason Wu blue dress.

[photo from coutorture.com]

Honestly, she always looks put-together and fashionably forward. I loves it.

-jo

Harper’s Bazaar shines with Twilight . . .

I am eagerly awaiting for the December issue of Harper’s Bazaar to hit newsstands this month.  Twilight’s biggest stars, Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart are the cover stars – and I have to say – Kristen looks ravishing and dare I say, “vampish.” As for Robert, he looks stunning – as always.

Donning dresses from Alexander Wang, Versace, Prada and Gucci – Stewart looks amazing in this “gothic romantic” theme.  Despite her looking gorgeous, one’s eyes can’t help but linger on Robert – he. is. breathtaking.

What's sexy now? Vampires.

"Hold your horsepower"

"Vampish and Sexy"

"Lady is a Vamp"

"True Romance"

(photo credit: Mark Seliger)

I love how much influence both the Twilight books and movies are having on pop culture (an influx of vampire books, movies, TV shows) and fashion (a marriage between gothic and romantic).  It doesn’t seem like the hype is going to die down anytime soon – we’ve still got 2 more books to be made into films (UPDATE: Eclipse just finished shooting).

Till then . . . can’t wait for New Moon on November 20th.

-jo

[Harper's Bazaar]

Halloween Costume: Yo Taylor, I’ma Let You Finish . . .

Halloween is long and gone, but the best part of post-Hallow’s-Eve is getting to see all the pictures of costumes!

Like I promised, here is a picture of myself and my girl KMD as Kanye West and Taylor Swift - reenacting the famous VMA’s incident when Kanye stole Taylor’s winning moment:

Kanye (jonotjoe) and Swifty (KMD)

(side note: I’m all for Team Swifty)

Also,  Taylor Swift is the host and musical guest for SNL this Saturday, November 7th.   The promos for the big night are hilarious! Check them HERE and don’t forget to tune in tomorrow night on NBC.

Madewell 1937 Looks . . .

New looks from Madewell 1937 are up and I’m in love.

I love, love, love the knits, scarves and boots – my weaknesses…

Here are two of my favorite looks:

These photos make me want snow -a hot coffee in a red-cup from Starbucks-and to be bundled up in knits . . .

Here’s to warm winter,

-jo

Christian Siriano For Payless . . .

The first Project Runway season I watched was when Christian Siriano, Mr. Fierce himself, won.   Siriano has been the one big winner from the show who has actually gone on and made his mark in the fashion world. From Fashion Week – to writing his book Fierce Style: How To Be Your Most Fabulous Self – he has become a well-known designer. Officially.

Now he is on a new venture with his line for Payless - Christian Siriano for Payless. It features shoes – ranging from flats to pumps and handbags.

I caught a glimpse of the line, and I instantly fell in love with these gold flats and two-tone pumps:

Micola Zipper Flat $29.99

Carolina Pump$34.99

I love the zipper accents, so fierce.

Check out the rest of his line for Payless HERE.

-jo