opinion

Keep Warm in NYC This Winter With HONNS Gloves

Winter seems to finally be here, and with the season comes cold weather. And, since the low temps were late this year, a lot of us are completely unprepared for the upcoming months. You’ve got your coat and scarf, the bare minimums for staying warm, but what about your hands? Many people forgo gloves so they can text or scroll through Instagram, putting your hands at risk for dry skin, stiffness, and even frost bite. But you don’t have to choose between using your hands and keeping them warm anymore.

HONNS gloves are stylish, warm, and have touch screen friendly index and thumb fingertips. Each pair is handcrafted, made of lambskin from English tanneries, and curved to mimic the natural shape of hands. They slide on and fit like a glove should, without getting in the way or taking away your fingers’ mobility. And unlike fleece gloves that are warm until they get wet, HONNS gloves are naturally water-resistant.

Q&A with Top Italian Leather Handbag Designer Patricia Nash

by Danielle Flocco

As some of you may already know, there is an absolutely amazing premium leather handbag designer named Patricia Nash. Her products are not your run of the mill leather bags. They have beautiful detail, old world touches, and are built to last.

Patricia Nash had spent years designing for other companies like Disney, Warner Bros., Banana Republic, Express, and American Eagle- just to name a few. A challenge from a friend led to the launch of Patricia Nash Designs in 2010, which has received an overwhelming response with her products extending to stores like Macy’s, Dillard’s, Nordstrom, and various boutiques nationwide.

I am a proud owner of the Salerno Saddle Bag, and I can tell you that Patricia Nash’s products’ quality are like no other. The leather strap is so sturdy, and the bag itself is small and structured- great for a day out or daily use. The inside is perfect for orderly keeping of your wallet, phone, and planner. The structured sides are perfect- you’ll never go diving into the bottom of your bag again. Plus, there are two pockets inside that are perfect for keys, change, or other small objects you like to keep easily accessible. And, my favorite feature is the snap that secures the the flap to the purse itself. I accidentally sent the purse crashing down my steps, filled with my wallet, phone, pens, spare change, and various lip balms and absolutely nothing came out! It is absolutely the best snap closure I have ever experienced, which makes it perfect for clumsy folks like myself.

I was given the opportunity to ask Patricia a few questions, so here is what she has to say about her brand.

Your designs are not like anything else that we see today. They have such intricate detail that I have yet to see from any other designer. What are some inspirations behind your brand?

Patricia Nash: “My travels across Europe have provided many inspirations, including vintage shopping in Bologna, London, and Paris. I’ve developed friendships with people who share the same passion for vintage Italian leather bags as I do, and have been inspired by their collections as well as my own.”

You’ve accomplished so much with your brand in a short period of time. So, how does it feel for your career to be where it is now, and for you to do what you love everyday?

Patricia Nash: “Surreal! I am just humbled by the outpouring of women who reach out to me and share their passion for and loyalty with the brand with me.”

With such stunning and high quality products, I’d imagine that a lot of women appreciate your designs and your brand as a whole. What about Patricia Nash Designs really sets your products apart from other leather handbag designers?

Patricia Nash: “The old world craftsmanship and vintage vegetable tanned Italian leathers along with printed and tooled leather are unique to the entire market of handbags sold in the U.S.”

First of all, thank you to Patricia Nash for taking the time to tell us more about her one of a kind brand, Patricia Nash Designs.

The handbag shown in this article is the Salerno Saddle Bag in Florence.

Get your own Patricia Nash authentic Italian leather handbag and other great products like wallets, stationary, scarves, footwear, and more at patricianashdesigns.com

Ankle Booties- A Fall Footwear Essential

by Danielle Flocco

While we all trade our tank tops for sweaters and our shorts for jeans, we cannot forget to change our footwear, too. While it’s easy to overlook and emotionally painful to say goodbye to those super cute flats for a few months, wearing season appropriate shoes can up your style game- effortlessly!

When we dress for fall with in our favorite jeans, comfy sweater, and maybe a scarf or beanie or other seasonal accessory of choice, we are actively participating in the season. But, when the shoes are not right, it can make the outfit look mismatched. Obviously this extreme, but would you wear flip flops in the winter?? It’s all the same- out of season is just that.

Trading in flats for ankle booties puts the final touch to a fall outfit. There’s something about showing your feet that points towards spring and summer, and putting on a season appropriate equivalent of a flat takes that warm weather edge off of the outfit.

Ankle booties are just as comfortable as flats. Here, I’m wearing my most recent buy- a pair of suede American Eagle zipper ankle boots. While I usually prefer a pair with a small chunky heel, I thought these were super fun since they are suede, cheap, and feel like you’re wearing flats. The suede adds such a warm, autumn/winter feel to an outfit for me since it is a material rarely worn in the warmer seasons. So, this was a major draw when bootie shopping. Secondly, the price is awesome- $30! I found these in particular at a Payless shoe store, but AE.com or American Eagle stores have a really great variety of booties (ankle, mid calf, and knee high) for incredibly reasonable prices. And the best part- it feels like wearing regular flats. So, these are like a transition bootie, when you’re not quite ready to bid your flats farewell for awhile or not quite ready to embrace a typical leather boot.

My favorite thing about these is the zipper detail. The zipper on the outside is nonfunctional, purely for looks. But the zipper on the inside is fully functional, which makes it very easy to tuck your pants in over your socks. And even if you’re not into tucking in your pants, you can roll them up just a little above the top of the bootie, so you can still show off the zipper detail without tucking in. Or, wear them under pants so you don’t see the zipper, or even with a casual dress or skirt- with or without tights. These booties are so simple, which makes them incredibly versatile.

And even though they are simple, the metal of the zippers is enough to add to an outfit that is otherwise plain. I love wearing these with black skinny jeans and a black sweater. The metal breaks up the black on black on black, but is simple enough to keep the outfit minimalist chic.

In these photos, I’m wearing them with a comfy pair of skinny jeans from Forever 21 and a soft, slinky sweater from Aerie. It was a chilly day where I was, and the booties fit the sweater better than flats, tying in the two textured pieces but keeping them separate with the jeans. Fuzzy sweater, suede bootie, smooth denim- perfect!

Personally, I don’t think there is such a thing as too many ankle booties. You can have the basic versatile pair like these, a dressy pair with a heel, and a street friendly pair that’s more durable, usually leather, with a small chunky heel for support. They’ll all find their places in your closet, and they’ll take your fall fashion game to the next level without even trying.

Go ahead, find yourself a pair (or three) here.

The High-Low Skirt: Everyone’s Next Wardrobe Staple

by Danielle Flocco

The High-Low Skirt is going to be all the rage this fall, and I’ll tell you why- it is the best skirt for absolutely any woman. It is perfect for any body shape, it can be worn formal or casual, and best of all… prices start at just $15! It’s not very often that a versatile piece like this can fit anyone’s budget. It’s a win-win for you and your wallet, and you’re confidence will soar.

Amidst the movement for people to be more positive about their body, regardless of size, age, complexion, and so on, there’s no better time than now to introduce your wardrobe to something made for everyone. Most high low skirts are high waisted, which is great for adding length to your legs and showing off your shape. Plus, it only shows off from the knee down on one leg, so if you’re anything like me (read: shy), you’ll feel appropriately covered. It’s the perfect mix of sexy yet conservative.

It’s a great piece if you’re working on being more body positive since it will empower you and boost your confidence without taking you out of your comfort zone. You’ll be mostly covered, but still showing off. It’s the perfect introduction to loving yourself- it’ll show you all of your best assets and keep you comfortable. And for all of you who are already bold, it’ll bring that level of sophistication and sexiness that cannot be found in any other skirt. It’s great for showing an appropriate amount of leg for almost any setting, while still showing off everything you’re proud to be. This might be the only skirt that is for anybody and any body.

And, there’s really no wrong way to wear a high low skirt! Depending on your personal comfort level, you can tuck a shirt smoothly or blouse it over the waist a bit. Either way is cute and professional, perfect for the office or an evening out. For fall, complementary colored tights can be added for extra warmth that won’t take away from the awesome leg line the angle of the skirt will give you.

Because of the length and angle of the skirt, regular flats are not a good shoe to pair with it. But, ankle booties and pumps are both great options, and the choice between the two can be made depending on where you’re going.

I have two favorite styles to wear with the high low skirt. First, is the very professional and office friendly outfit. Pairing the skirt with a nice blouse, tucked in just a bit at the waist, will give you the long leg line while keeping your torso separate from your lower body. Throw on a pair of pumps and you’re ready to lead your next meeting! Second is more of a fall evening at an art gallery look. I like to tuck a long sleeve turtle neck sweater smoothly into the skirt, creating a continuous line in my body from shoulder to ankle. This look works great if you’re trying to create the illusion of a long body line from top to bottom. Pair some plain tights with your favorite pair of ankle booties, and you’ve got a sophisticated yet comfortable vibe.

High low skirts start for around $15 on Amazon and come in a variety of colors. I suggest black and charcoal for starters, and then diving into the more bold colors. Or, splurge on yourself and get a bunch! Either way, get this versatile piece in your wardrobe and start feeling your absolute best.

I purchased the one shown for myself and it is very good quality for a great price, so here’s the link to my new staple: http://amzn.com/B00ZYUGLPO

Wrap Bracelets That Make A Statement: Hole In Her Stocking

by Danielle Flocco

With spring in full bloom and summer ahead, it felt like the perfect time to add some more color to my accessory drawer. As usual, I turned to Etsy, my go-to for something nice with a handmade touch, where I found a wonderful shop called Hole in Her Stocking.

It was hard to choose a single bracelet from all the great pieces in the shop, but remembering that they look like more than just one, I settled on a blue, turquoise, purple, and silver wrap. Intrigued with the shop and how their beautiful color schemes and styles came to be, I reached out to the owner, Jennifer, for some more information.

The Hole in Her Stocking shop was started several years ago as a hobby, with Jennifer taking time off here and there. Over the last year, though, she invested herself more seriously in the shop and created for herself a successful brand. Jennifer is a one woman team from Long Island, crafting each of her colorful pieces on her own, recruiting family only for modeling.

It turns out talent does run in the family, being that Jennifer first gained an interest in jewelry making growing up. She shared with me that her mother and grandmother were very crafty women and often made their own jewelry. Early in her life, Jennifer followed their lead and started creating her own pieces. Her natural taste in style has always been that bohemian, hippie style, so it is only natural that Hole in Her Stocking oozes fun and happy vibes.

We all love getting a great product in great packaging, and that element was certainly not overlooked by Jennifer. Several months ago she started experimenting with custom stamped sacks, and naturally the response was overwhelming. While looking to give her customers something unique, she ended up creating a keepsake bag, perfect for storage and travel, that comes with every bracelet.

The start of Jennifer’s interest in jewelry making, and the influences behind Hole in Her Stocking make for a great story behind the shop, but obviously the products speak louder than any words can. Let me start by saying, I was extremely excited to get the mail to catch my first glimpse of the custom stamped sack and multi-color wrap bracelet.

The sack, complete with my name and an arrow design to complement, has a light burlap texture and a drawstring on top. The bracelet fits securely in the bag, with the drawstring pulling to a tight close. Durability is key with any packaging, and the sack is cute and personalized means of protection from everyday messes. I definitely recommend keeping the bag, whether you choose to store your bracelet in it or just use it for travel.

I opened the little sack to unveil what would become my go-to color pop, and pulled out the slinky like bracelet. With nine layers of beads, my bracelet wraps from larger beads on the bottom to slightly smaller beads on the top. It starts with a line of light turquoise beads that sit securely against the loop ending on the bracelet. From there, it wraps to light blue, to silver rectangular blocks, to an almost wine colored purple. While I wouldn’t usually like blue and purple together, the accent of the silver blocks between the two layers adds a together but separate element to the bracelet, which is what ultimately gives the image of being multiple pieces. From the wine-like purple beads, it moves up to slightly translucent purple beads, and then to another layer of silver. The silver line here are faceted circular beads, yet again creating the image of a separate bracelet. My wrap finishes off with a layer of turquoise, followed by what I see as almost magenta, and ended with a line of dark royal blue that ultimately completes the bracelet.

The beads used on the bracelet are good quality, leaving no worry for sudden breakage. However, they do scratch easily, so it is vital to watch where you reach with the bracelet on. My initial concern with such a layered bracelet being a wrap would be that it wouldn’t fit my wrist properly; that either it would be too structured or bend very easily. The first time wearing the bracelet it did feel a bit stiff, resting on my wrist with room to spare between the bracelet and my arm in some places. But after the first couple wears, it almost came to fit my arm better, and now sits very comfortably every time I put it on- which is almost everyday.

The colors in the bracelets are incredibly bright and will stand out no matter what you wear, which is my favorite part. My personal favorite way to style the bracelet is with an all black outfit, letting the bracelet do the talking. On all black, the colors pop so much on their own that it makes me feel as though I need no other accessories. Another great style idea is to wear something that picks up one of the colors in the bracelet. For mine, I wore it with black flats, black leggings, and a flowy turquoise shirt. With the turquoise shirt and accents in the bracelet, the look was very fun, bright, and put together. I’ve also gone on to wear the bracelet with white, blue, and pink shirts along with a black cardigan, and the bracelet was, again, the perfect accent.

To say the least, I adore my bracelet from Hole in Her Stocking. The stacked look without the effort, the comfortable fit, and the bright colors to pop are just a few of the best qualities. There is near to nothing one of these bracelets wouldn’t look good with, and with most of them being under $30, there is no reason not to get one, or a million, of them for yourself. Mine in particular is only $17.50! So, do your wardrobe a favor and style it with the accessories it deserves.

Love what you see in the shop? The first ever lookbook is in progress, giving us all something to look forward to. And don’t forget follow @holeinherstocking on Instagram, where you can see all the new styles as they are listed and all the existing ones in all their boho glory.

Review: GiGi New York Embossed Python Leather Crossbody & Wallet

by Danielle Flocco

The brand best known for its luxurious python leather products, GiGi New York, offers the finest combination of classic and edgy style that one will find in bags and their accompanying accessories. The visible pattern and texture if the python skin with the durability of the highest quality leather are only the most obvious attributes of their products that one sees at a first glance. Actually use their products, and a whole different world of distinction and beauty is opened up to you.

The day my GiGi New York items came in the mail, it was easily the most exciting snail mail I’ve gotten in 2015. Packaged in a durable black box with their logo stamped in gold foil, were my new go-to items. First, I opened the embossed python leather crossbody bag, and then the embossed python leather phone wallet to match. Each item was individually packaged in protective plastic bagging, with leather cleaning towels, complete with the GiGi logo, enclosed.

From the first finger I laid on the python leather, I knew I was touching one the best quality items one could own. GiGi New York sources their leathers from all parts of the world, utilizing every region’s specialties, including the worldwide leaders in fashion tanning, Italy and France. Most of the products are made in the United States, guaranteeing the greatest attention to detail in the creation of every item.

Excited to use my new bag and wallet, I quickly began a top to
bottom inspection of the products. The bag is 10 inches wide and 8 inches tall with a detachable adjustable strap, offering up to a 27 inch drop from shoulder to bag. It has a zip top closure, and a front pocket that zips closed, as well. On the front of the bag there is a simple logo plate attached at the top, in the center of where the widest section of the python leather runs. Inside the bag is a soft material, stamped with the GiGi logo, giving a delicate look to the durable interior of the bag.

The bag is both chic and practical, with a slick appearance yet reasonable size for day to day use. It has proven to perfect for day trips when you don’t want to bring much with you, as well as for regular use like work and family visits. With spring in the works and summer around the corner, the crossbody is ideal for festivals and outings in the nice weather. Because of its size, it will hold what you need for the day without weighing down your arm during the time you’re trying to enjoy yourself.

The phone wallet is 7 inches wide and 4 inches tall, fitting perfectly inside the crossbody bag. The wallet also features the logo plate in the widest section of the leather, creating a flawlessly balanced look between the embossed leather and the metal add-ons. There are two spaces for cash, a zip closure back pocket for change, six credit card slots, and a slot to hold a variety of phone types- Apple and Android alike.

The wallet is easily the most versatile item I’ve owned. It fits great in any regular size bag, it tucks away just right in the crossbody, and it’s even excellent just on its own. The slot for the phone is what has me cheering the most. I didn’t want to get tangled in bag straps while maneuvering groceries, so I opted for a wallet only excursion with my phone securely tucked away inside of it. Not to mention, the wallet zip on the top and only one side, so when I opened it to pay, my belongings were not out in the open.

After being introduced to GiGi New York and experiencing their products first hand, there isn’t another brand I’d go to for this type of unmatched quality. Well, except for their parent company, Graphic Image.

All GiGi products come with the option for personalization of up to three letters, which can add the finishing touch to a gift for yourself or a loved one. So, head over to their site now to check out their variety of top quality items, and be sure to sign up for their e-mail list to receive 10% off your next purchase!

Fashion Review: Yosi Samra Foldable Flats

by Danielle Flocco

My YS Samantha Cap Toe foldable flats in "smoke black" — My YS Samantha Cap Toe foldable flats in “smoke black”.

After a long search for a new pair of flats for the spring, I came across the brand Yosi Samra. The name caught my attention, as did their claim of “fashionable yet comfortable”, as well as incredibly convenient, flats. Yosi Samra is a second generation footwear designer, bringing fashion, comfort, and convenience into his product lines like no other brand has before. His site has a wide range of styles and colors for foldable flats, along with a variety of other shoes for both women and kids. Roughly two hours after finding the website, and after looking at every shoe at least three times over, I purchased a pair of Samantha Cap Toe foldable flats in “smoke black”.

Flats, and the small shoe box. — Flats, the small shoe box.

First of all, shipping was incredibly fast. I selected basic ground shipping, and they were at my front door the very next day. Granted, I do relatively close to Manhattan, where they ship from, though next day delivery was far from expected. The packaging is likely the smallest shoe box one will ever receive since the flats come folded up.

Though the price of the shoes, $77 for the ones I chose, reflected a better quality than the average flats, I was not expecting the high level of quality they really are. Not only do they fold without ruining the material or foot bed of the shoe, but the sole is similar to that of a sneaker. It’s the comfort of a pair of Keds with the style of designer flats- what more could a girl ask for?!

YS logo on the heels.

The snake skin-like pattern is beautifully detailed, with different shades of grays and blacks throughout, quilted with stitching. The leather upper cap toe is very durable, despite the sides of the shoe being rather flexible and soft. Inside is a soft foot bed, complemented by sneaker like soles. Also, one of my favorite details, the top edge of the flat is lined with an elastic material, guaranteeing a comfortable fit that will not slide off your foot. And, on the back of the heels are metal YS logos, adding a small and chic designer detail to the shoes.

The shoes come packaged in their tiny box inside a dust bag. The dust bag is great for storage, as well as for when toting the shoes with you. Yes, they absolutely make great everyday flats. My feet happily survived a week straight in my Yosi Samra flats, including a day of heavy walking in the city. But, they are also perfect for “back up shoes” on nights you’ll be wearing heels. Undesirable situations, like going barefoot at a wedding or limping during an event, can be avoided with a practical pair of flats to come to the rescue when your feet need it most.

With a ready to shop website, and over 100 boutiques across the United States, there is absolutely no excuse to not do your feet the favor of picking up a pair.

The shoes only come in whole sizes, and Samra is right when he advises half sizes to order the next size up. For reference, I am usually a loose 7.5 and I ordered a size 8. They fit perfectly with a little room, but nothing to worry thanks to the elastic edging.

And please, as per the care instructions, take care of your YS shoes by keeping them out of the rain and away from oils, greases, and lotions.

The Generation of Change

by Alex David Jimenez

Roughly six years ago, when my now fiancé and I had just moved in together, the United States Presidential election of 2008 made history. Just under a year earlier, when we began dating, I recall him saying that he didn’t believe that Barack Obama stood a chance of winning the election. He told me, though he hoped otherwise, that he didn’t believe that we would see a black U.S. president in our lifetime.

Ten months later it came to pass.

In the same respect, another remark my partner made, amid our many deep conversations during candlelight dinners and Sunday mornings-in, was that he didn’t wholly believe that we would see an America with full recognition and legal marriage equality among gay and lesbian couples. I argued otherwise. At that point of exchange, one state legally allowed and acknowledged same-sex couple’s right to marry. DOMA was however still constitutional – the federal government could legally overlook many of those rights.

Same Sex Marriage 2014 — via nbcnews.com

Today, six years later, nineteen states legally allow and acknowledge same-sex couple’s right to marry, and DOMA has been eradicated.

Same-sex marriage is easily one of the most controversial and bare-knuckled fights any group of any respective community has ever fought. In our lifetime, and stretching back into the history of American rights, the gay marriage campaign is quickly becoming as divisive and as landmark as those of the abolition of slavery and women’s rights. While many did concur with my partner in his vision of a limited America within the span of our lives, and while many still do believe as such, it can be said that the shift in favor of a tolerant America is certainly in occurrence – right before our very eyes.

Why?

Just over ten years ago there were no U.S. states that recognized marriage as anything but between a man and a woman. In the span of only one decade, that number has gone from zero to 19. In each state where gay marriage is still illegal, there are lawsuits pending to challenge the fundamental ethics of the bans enacted. In these past ten years, something has changed. Something came about in the broad scope of politics and the voice of the people. There are certainly many factors at play, and ultimately there is an avalanche of causes leading to the change in overall American attitude. Yet what I believe is simpler: one event largely began to create transformation. Just beyond the past decade, the millennials began to vote. The millennials began to join the workforce. And the millenials were far more unafraid to come out as openly gay and lesbian than those generations before them.

The statistics are simple and speak for themselves. Since about 2004 there has been a rapid shift in the public opinion across America. The popular opinion that gay marriage should be illegal in America has sharply dropped in the last ten years from 55% down to below 36%, and falling. Contrastingly, the opinion that it should be legal has risen from 41% in 2004 to over 58% today. And climbing.

Where is this opinion coming from? Well, according to statistics, the majority of the rise is attributed to America’s youth. The millennials contribute a staggering 81% in favor of the legality of gay marriage, as opposed to the 44% of those who are in favor over the age 65.

Do politics play a part? Certainly. As does religion of course. And yet regardless of conservatism and strict dogmatic ties, the youth is still bringing forth the turn of the tide. The generations over the years have been very clearly changing in their position and stance on the idea that all couples should be granted the fundamental and constitutional right to marry in this, a free country of tolerance and diversity.

via the Public Religion Research Institute

Many have no faith in the millennial generation. They believe that integrity and responsibility is veritably non-existent in the course of their futures. Yet it cannot be argued that they are certainly the generation of change, be it for the better or the worse. In the capacity of this particular argument, for those who have gay family and gay friends; for those who have been too afraid to come out of the closet in the past and have done so recently because of the upswing of acceptance nationwide; for those people, it is certainly for the better.

I for one believe that my country, the United States, will legalize and recognize gay marriages in each of its 50 states in my lifetime.

Feminism in Fashion- Could It Be?

by Danielle Flocco

Feminism has been buried in fashion for as long as we can remember seeing 6′, size 0 women. But is it finding it’s way into the industry (finally)? The general consensus seems to believe it is- and who isn’t happy about this! Fashion used to be only for the tall, thin, and beautiful women with unhealthy and harmful lifestyles. However, all races, sizes, and ages are being brought into the standard for beauty now.

A less than subtle hint to the change in beauty standards was Aerie’s un-retouched ad campaign. Their campaign put normal women’s bodies in the spotlight, showing that not even models are as “perfect” as they Photoshop them to be. Aerie’s store windows display their stunning, yet human, women looking great in lingerie just the way they are. Before this, when was the last time you were in the mall and saw an advertisement with a model who has a scar? You haven’t, or at least you thought you haven’t. Photoshop is so easy to use and has endless possibilities, and at times it almost seems like they photograph one woman and create another. Plenty of the models have scars, birthmarks, or stretchmarks- but they are nearly always erased in Photoshop. So, when was the last time you actually met a person with an absolutely impeccable body? Every person is different in a million unique ways, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Thankfully you can see the real people in some ads, and women are finally being shown it’s great to love your body, just the way it is.

Aerie wasn’t the only brand to protest against beauty standards. American Apparel showed the world that aging is okay, and “older” is not synonymous with “ugly”. The brand posted their lingerie ad titled “Sexy has no expiration date.”, featuring a beautiful 62 year old woman. Vogue had reported that the model, Jacky O’Shaughnessy, was a perfect fit because of her natural elegance. While audience opinions ranged from disgusted to thrilled, the overall conclusion was that beauty has no age limit.

Advertisements are not where feminism ends in fashion, either. Last fall on the runway, Rick Owens shocked nearly everyone at Paris Fashion Week. He had 40 black, muscular women come stomping and dancing onto the runway in basketball style outfits. This was a huge change from the stereotypical white woman, floating down the catwalk in a delicate chiffon gown. Owens’ statement showed the world that there are many more desirable forms of femininity than that 6′, size 0. And along with diversity in femininity comes choices.

Women’s fashion is also evolving to focus on dressing the way you want to be viewed, rather than trying to get every man’s attention. Whether you want to look classy, intelligent, or casual there are tons of brands and styles out there waiting for you. And when you dress for yourself, you will attract the people you want to be around- rather than walking around everywhere like a sex bomb because you’re “supposed to” and getting all the wrong attention. Women are becoming less and less of “sex objects” as feminism is emerging in fashion, supported by the #1 selling item in women’s dresses being the maxi dress. The maxi dress cover the entire body, except the arms in short sleeve varieties. Beauty is not about how much skin you show or how sexy you can look anymore, but about looking more elegant and simple than before.

Not to mention that the world is not all about women. Dressing to attract every man you see doesn’t make much sense in this day and age, considering homosexuals are more comfortable than ever to reveal their sexuality. Not every man is interested in women, regardless of how they dress, and not every woman is interested in men either. Like I said before, focusing on dressing the way you want to be viewed as a person is respectable now, and attracts more of the people you wish to have around you.

Luckily healthy, human standards making their way into the industry will teach kids in a positive way, and help create a better future for them. Surrounded by real people, kids will aspire to be greater things than “tall, thin, and beautiful”. And hopefully this means the next generations will grow up with better self esteem than and wish to be nothing but the best they can be as their own unique self.

Thoughts On Jay Leno As He Rides Off Into the Sunset

by Michael Tyminski

Actual pro wrestling match, or how many younger people view Leno after replacing Conan? (Source: WWE)

As someone who follows, writes about, and reveres TV institutions, NBC has made it extraordinarily easy to find out when Jimmy Fallon starts his run at the desk once held by legends such as Steve Allen, Jack Paar and Johnny Carson (February 17^th for those keeping track at home), but incredibly difficult to find out when Jay Leno was ending his run (his last show is February 6^th as the show takes a week off for the Winter Olympics). This seemed particularly off putting to me, as through The Tonight Show’s over 11,000 episodes two of the most memorable had to be Carson’s 1992 departure and Conan O’Brien’s 2010 farewell.

Even after the year of Conan, the idea of 11:30 not being a Leno-Letterman centered universe is foreign to me. I’m just a smidge too young to have been staying up at 11:30 for Carson, who left the air when I was in kindergarten, so my frame of reference comes after the first of many Late Night turf wars for Leno, when himself (then Carson’s regular guest host on Fridays) and future Late Show host David Letterman were jockeying to become the heir to Carson’s chair.

While Letterman would get the original upper-hand on Leno in the ratings war, the Tonight Show would storm back through Leno’s witticisms on what had to be the defining topic of 1994: OJ Simpson’s seemingly never-ending murder trial. Leno’s run on the Tonight Show would continue to generate buzz throughout the 90’s leading to a feud with Hulk Hogan in WCW and wrestling in a Pay Per View main-event match. These were admittedly better times for NBC as a whole– the “Must See TV” lineup anchored by Friends and Seinfeld was a juggernaut, the network had the best sports portfolio on the air (NFL Football, NBA Basketball, MLB during the All-Star Game and playoffs, and both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games).

A key part of this late night rivalry seemed to come from the contrasting styles of the two comedians. Letterman tended to be on the cutting edge (especially during his late night run), often cracking jokes that were sardonic, postmodern, and biting (his takedown of NBC’s Las Vegas Gambit which replaced his AM show is a golden example of this). Leno, on the other hand, has always had a more old-school feel– his delivery felt like the sort that’s often used to mock hack comics who tell bad jokes about airplane food. This phenomena even extended to his two Tonight Show mainstays– Jaywalking and Headlines, both seem as old as the medium themselves, with the man-on-the street interview going back to Steve Allen and Jack Paar. While on one hand, one could find this style grating, it also would ultimately serve as the last vestiges of a tamer style of comedy that served the networks well since the dawn of television.

In later years (especially after the Jay Leno Show debacle), Leno seemed to turn into this Rasputin like figure over at NBC. Blamed by viewers for forcing out Conan and by the network for shredding NBC’s schedule to bits (by obliterating the 10pm hour all five nights of the week), it was clear that the network was going to give Leno a short leash from day one by making their next host of Late Night the clear heir apparent. In spite of the short leash, Leno still seemed like an unassailable figure that both sparkled the audiences of middle America as adeptly as the maneuvering that kept him in his role.

Whatever you may think about the constant jostling and self preservation (he’s probably less culpable in the Conan situation than people made him out to be– NBC in retrospect was the first victim of the implosion of broadcast dominance and while wiping out the slate for Leno was a reckless move, I’m not really sure anything would have done better in those time slots) or his often more punchless brand of observational humor (made all the more glaring compared to Letterman’s more sardonic style of humor), the end of Leno’s run on late night is a bittersweet end of an era. The move signals a changing of the guard as the much younger (and perfectly suited for millennial tastes) Fallon takes over at Tonight, while the show itself moves back to New York.

In the long run, I think Leno’s legacy actually comes down to how well he sticks this particular landing. Even with last departure being horrendously botched and then ultimately reversed, that time around was not truly Leno’s late-night swan song: He was effectively being promoted as the end result of making a promise that would ultimately be too difficult to keep. This time around there is no new show, no likely prospect of a new show (and at 63 it’s doubtful he finds a Conan-esque cable deal, though a show about the man and his car collection could make for better reality TV than 90 percent of unscripted cable TV right now anyway), and increasingly like a relic to a time before irony and sarcasm ruled the comedy roost. A graceful exit here could indeed provide Leno with the goodwill that he has seemingly lost in the wake of the Conan debacle (as the adage goes, “Fool me once, shame on you…”) and help position him as the elder statesman of a medium that targets increasingly younger by the day (unless you watch CBS).

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