Baby Bumps or Bloated?

For some dose of entertainment, I visited E! Online and was intrigued with this celebrity gossip. The article goes like this:

"Suspected baby bumps are being spotted all over Hollywood. So, we thought we'd offer you a look at a couple of these rumored pregnancies versus the real deal and then ask: Is the maternity mania legit? You decide."

Katie Holmes-Cruise

Isla Fischer

Nicole Richie

Naomi Watts

Christina Aguilera

John Travolta - Hairspray movie

*the last photo made me laugh... :D

Wearable Fashion Trends 13: Taka Wear

Taka Wear is created by Turkish designer Tania Eskinazi. The collection is an eclectic mix of Turkish and Ottoman heritage, European fashion sense and American spirit, the result being bohemian and hippyesque. All the decorative embroidery on Taka Wear is hand made in Turkey by village women, which adds to the originality of the garments.

The exclusive label is fast becoming a fashion favorite of celebrities including Mischa Barton, Britney Spears and Paris Hilton.

Runway: If you love your celebrity fashion you'll definitely be picking up these pieces from Taka Wear. A vintage yet contemporary look!

Reality: The bright yellow hue is bang on trend for summer '07. Look for beautiful kaftan shape maxi dress with flared sleeves that adds an easy going appeal. You can also wear it over a plain white top. Capri leggings can also be worn under your favorite taka.

Source

Chie Mahara Shoes, Et Al

I am seeing nothin' but Chie Mahara shoes lately. And I'm lovin' about 90% of 'em.
They look so well made, and they're allegedly really comfz.

Here goes:

($154, Chie Mahara, Saks)
One of the best pairs of neutral heels I've seen in a montha Sundays, as "we" say in the "South." I might really truly rethink my no ankle straps personal policy.


($310, Chie Mahara, Sodafine.com)
Love the 1940s-esqueness!


($289, Chie Mahara, Pedshoes.com)
Probably my fave of all. Like walking on sunshine! Weeee!


($162, Chie Mahara, Jildorshoes.com)
Swooooony McSwoooonerson!


($310, Chie Mahara, Pedshoes.com)
Chie Mahara, are you trying to seduce me?


($297, Chie Mahara, SaviniShoes.com)
I'm yours! I love the selection here.


($297, Chie Mahara, Savinishoes.com)
Oh, behave!


($314, Chie Mahara, Haloshoes.com)
Unbelieveabley gorge.


($325, Chie Mahara, 4SpoiledMe.com)
A tiny bit whack, but also fairly rad.


($219, twenty two shoes)
I love twenty two shoes for similar reasons. Hand-made like woah.


($209, twenty two shoes)
The brown is beautiful too.

($66, F-Troupe, OakNYC.com)
Totes sophisticado!


($212, Marc By Marc Jacobs, Jildorshoes.com)
OMG. WANT WANT WANT WANT. And look at the pic of MJ -- nice, normal MJ! Not scary manorexic MJ!


($45, Nicole, OakNYC.com)
Quite cute, and not unreasonably high for a wedge. And probably the most affordable item I've ever seen at Oak.


($99, Tracy Reese, Anthropologie)
You only live once. Why not own a pair of ocelet pumps?... I guess...


($48, Urban Outfitters)
Damn you, UO! Keep reeling me back in!


And now, here it is, folks, your moment of morts:
(Approx $111 USD, Irregular Choice (who else?), Shoe-shop.com)
Um, exactly HOW did this get past the brainstorming phase and into development?

In Praise of Bubble Hems (and lotsa other stuff)

Why do I love bubble hems so much? I don't rightly know. They just seem so...fun. And flirty. If you don't like bubble hems, it's like not liking ice cream. Am I right? Here are some delightful bubbly items I've found recently, plus some extra stuff, of course:



Rome & Juliet Couture black jeresey belted mini bubble dress, $66.30. The puffy sleeves are always so flattering.



Romeo & Juliet Couture greay jersey halter bubble dress, $66.30. Granted this is essentially a jersey sack. And yet so cute!



Gap bubble skirt, $19.99. Bubblicious! (Sorry, couldn't help myself.)



Victoria's Secret bubble shorts. They look comfy.



A.B.S. navy jersey bubble-sleeve dress, $94.35. Bubble SLEEVES! genius!



Are you the type of person to pay $150 for a sweatshirt?



How about this Diesel bubble-sleeve hoodie? Yeah, $150.



This is majorly cute:
Corey Lynn Calter bubble dress, $146.



Forever 21 knit bubble dress, $24.80.



Forever 21 tropical woven dress, $19.80. I can't tell if that's a bubble hem or just poor photo cropping, but the description does boast my favorite words: light padding at the bust!

And now for some things that DON'T have bubble stuff:



Whim sateen flutter-sleeve dress, $48.45.



Sweet Pea navy mesh color-block dress, $71.40.





Fashionista "Athena" dress, $96.90. Love the bright kelly green and especially the rolled straps.



Forever 21 tiered sundress, $27.80. A bit Little House, but cute. Right?



Forever 21 plaid halter dress, $24.80. Very cute.



New York & Company city-style sundress, $39.20.





This is sort of interesting, but I wonder if it rides up: Gap shine foldover bikini, $14.99 for the bottoms, $24.99 for the top. This is pretty much my favorite color.

And now for some SHOES!



Why am I drawn to these? Nine West Jumpon ballet flats, $29.99. That elastic looks like it might be uncomf. Anybody have these and care to comment?



UPDATE: A commenter says the elastic is totally comf, and I bought these, in tan and black, on the way home. (The blue was too royal and too bold; I thought it was more of a light blue.)



AND I may even go back for the pink and orange, on account of the commenter's saying she had those and on account of my years-old Steve Madden hot pink ballet flats being pretty beat down at this point. Thanks, anon!

Payless fake patent mary jane heels, $19.99. I love these for some reason! But what to wear with 'em?



Tribeca "Think Fast" ballet flat, $35.79, unless you're a size 8, in which case you pay the full $58. What the???



These are a slightly nicer flip-flop option: Nine West "Bubs" sandal, $29.99. Not really what I'm looking for, but close.