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Italian Touch by Donata Sortorio

I’m new to Mad Men, and like any convert, I’m obsessed. I have Mad Men outfits. I pretend I’m going to Ossining, New York, when I’m taking DART to Mockingbird Station. And I desperately want to copy Betty Draper by going to Italy, piling my hair up in a very, very, very high beehive, and kissing my husband Don Draper. In the meantime, I am making due with this gorgeous book–Italian Touch by Donata Sortorio. This gorgeous book almost makes me forget all about the fractious families on Mad Men for a moment or two and instead focus on gorgeous and stylish Italian families and how they live. How do they get away with looking this good in casual clothes? Seriously, do you know how absurd my family would look if we tried to pull off this off? Sigh. Go get the book now.

Project Runway, Episode 1: Dallas Designers are Safe

Louise Black's two-toned Dress

Speaking of party dresses. The first episode of Project Runway’s sixth season aired last night on Lifetime (finally!). Dallas-based designers and Project Runway contestants, Louise Black and Shirin Askari (whom we profiled in the current issue of D), are off to a good start after the first challenge, a red-carpet look. Neither of them designed anything jaw-dropping, but I thought both girls represented our fine city quite well and created some very wearable and pretty dresses. Did any of you watch…what did you think? If you missed it or want to see additional comments and sketches from the designers, go here.

TV With Laura: The Bachelorette Finale

I’m mad. As usual.

TV With Laura: The Bachelorette Recap

Last night, we took a break from questions about Kiptyn’s weird kissing, Ed’s possible medical maladies, international travels, and Jillian’s bad grammar. Ok, Jillian’s bad grammar is always present–even in studio. And that’s where we were, fine friends. It’s the “Men Tell All” episode–a complete waste of two hours wherein the men complain, get indignant about something called the “man code,” and talk about what a wonder Jillian is (without irony). Go here to read about these people who haunt my nightmares.

TV With Laura: The Bachelorette Recap Episode IX

It was the best of times, and it was the worst of times. It was a night when we saw more of Jillian than we should see at a family hour. It was an evening full of forced DTRs and awkward kissing. There were mankinis, bad suits, and leaps of faith. And most importantly, it was last night that we learned that the letters “E” and “D” aren’t merely letters used to spell “Ed.” It can stand for terrible things. Things that shouldn’t make guest appearances on network television–and never on “reality” television. Let’s chat about the dysfunction, shall we? The recap is here.

Dallas Designers, Louis Black & Shirin Askari on Season Six of Project Runway

Louise Black

Shirin Askari

Hometown gals, Louis Black (32, from Dallas) and Shirin Askari (24, from Richardson), are two of the sixteen contestants on the long-awaited sixth season of Project Runway (premieres August 20 on Lifetime). Click on their names above to learn more about the designers and to take a peek at their audition tape, casting session, home visit video, closet tour, and fashion tips. Be sure to pick up the September issue of D, which will feature both designers.

TV With Laura: The Bachelorette Recap Episode VIII

Listen, Wes is terrible. I hate his bandanna shirt, his dumb song, and his inability to ride a bike properly. But I think he’s just not into Jillian, don’t you? And we can’t fault him for that, right?  I recap the debacle here.

TV With Laura: The Bachelorette Recap Episode VII

Read my take on chambray shirts, Kiptyn’s pretentious parents, Jesse’s scary brother, getting filled with the Holy Spirit (or something), and all the rest of the nonsense that went down on last night’s episode of The Bachelorette.

TV With Laura: The Bachelorette Saga Continues

Laura watches this show. I don’t. But I did manage to tune in for about 20 minutes last night, which was long enough for me to hear Jillian say she doesn’t wash her vegetables before she eats them. I. Have. No. Words. Luckily, Laura does. Read on, ShopTalkers. Comments are so on.

TV With Laura: The Bachelorette Recap Episode V

Need to feel superior to the human race? Go here for the latest on Hot Tub Harris’ quest for love. Spoiler alert: no sign of Wes’ guitar this episode. Unfortunately, he made up for that by wearing a denim shirt with red bandanna material stitched to the shoulders.

TV With Laura: The Bachelorette Recap Episode IV

Hi friends. Need some mindless distraction? My latest recap of the most dramatic expletive-filled episode ever is here.

TV With Laura: The Bachelorette Episode 3

Hi. In the mood for Bachelorette talk?  Read my take on it here, and leave your comments below, if you like.

The Style Network films David Meister/Pink Memo Party at The W

Last night I stopped by the Pink Memo poolside party and fashion show featuring the fall collection of designer David Meister (pictured at left – shot with my iPhone that has no flash…sorry), who was in town for the event at The W. The L.A. designer’s form-fitting frocks are a go-to for many Dallas socialites, including two ladies that are part of the cast for the upcoming Style Network show: “Mothers and Daughters of Dallas”, a series that “follows the lives of four mothers and daughters inhabiting a privileged community ruled by shopping, gossip and keeping up appearances” – according to the press release (I must say I’m a bit skeptical about how this will all play out). The crew is currently in town documenting the show, that has about three more weeks left of filming (according to one guest at the party) and is set to debut in October. As for Meister, he appreciates that the ladies of Dallas love to get dressed up and “put a little lipstick on”. You can find the designers dresses locally at Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Nordstrom.

UPDATE: Go here to see an interview with the designer and pieces from the collection on nbcdfw.com.

David Meister mingling with guests, crew filming behind

Jessica Simpson to Talk Beauty on New Reality TV Show?

The Fug Girls of NY Mag’s fashion blog (one of my faves), The Cut, stick up for the Dallas blonde in regards to Us Weekly’s latest report that she is working on a new reality show, titled The Price of Beauty, in which “she and a friend travel the world in search of what people find beautiful and why”, tackling body-image issues and the perception of beauty. What do you think ShopTalkers…do you want to know what J.Simps has to say about the subject or not?

TV With Laura: The Bachelorette Episode 2 Recap

Get your laughs on FrontBurner. But leave your comments here, ladies!

TV With Laura: The Bachelorette Recap

My little recaps have moved over to FrontBurner. So go here to get my take on last night’s episode of The Bachelorette. But guess what? FrontBurner doesn’t have comments anymore. So, if you have questions, comments, arguments, beefs, or any other feedback, please do so here, okay? I like hearing from you!

TV With Laura: The Bachelorette Starts Tonight

The ABC juggernaut returns tonight, and I’ll be watching. I love the first episode of The Bachelorette–no helicopters, no ridiculous dates, very little chance of a hot tub encounter, and (hopefully)  no one will say, “I’m here for you.” Yet. Just drunk people vying for attention. It’s the best! Meet me here tomorrow, and let’s dish about the Dallas dudes, the awful lines, and whether or not Jillian’s voice has worn us out yet.

My Interview with True Beauty Winner Julia Anderson

Remember when Jason was the devil on The Bachelor? It seems like so long ago, right? Anyway, remember there was a show on directly afterward–True Beauty? And remember when a couple of you suggested that we watch it together? Well, I just couldn’t do it. But guess what? I talked to the winner of the show, Julia Anderson, last week. Not impressed? You should be. She was named one of People’s most beautiful people. Go here to find out what she had to say. Spoiler alert: I was nice.

TV with Laura: Tough Love Season Finale

I don’t typically date men who like to spend money, whether it’s because they’re unemployed, under employed, or they just don’t like to share. So, I’m used to going Swedish. (I figure if “Dutch” means splitting the check, “Swedish” means paying for everything.) And even though I’m incredibly wealthy (not even close), the weekend getaway doesn’t typically happen for me right away (if at all). Lucky for us, VH-1 is willing to fund a trip to Hedonism for the women of Tough Love and men they have known for about four weeks tops. (In the case of poor Natasha, she meets him on the date.) Jump if you care.

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TV with Laura: Tough Love Part VII (?)

Hello, dear friends. Forgive me for falling down on my post last week. I promise, I will never allow my “real” job to get in the way of my commitment to bringing you updates on some of the saddest television shows. But that’s all behind us. Let’s focus on last night’s episode of Tough Love. Steve said the lesson was about reconciling the past and the present with the future. WRONG. The lesson here is that all reality show roads lead back to Dallas. Jump to see what I mean.

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Running in Heels: The Finale – Ashley Goes Insane

Ah, parting is such sweet sorrow. The final episode of Running in Heels has come and gone. But thank goodness that Tivo exists so we can rerun Ashley’s breakdown over and over and over. That girl is a serious bitch. She throws out any negative opinions she has about the person she is speaking with like they specifically asked her to tell them what she hates aobut them. But first, let’s get to the story. Blah, blah, blah – the girls work a party. Ashley, being her pushy, obnoxious self, makes Sam mad but it all turns out fine in the end.  The next day at the office Ashley complains about having to help the staff get ready for their big swimsuit photo shoot in Mexico. Correct me if Im wrong but isn’t that her JOB? Each of the girls is given a different task. Ashley’s is to buy four duffel bags for the stylists to pack all their necessities in for the shoot. They only give her $100 though and one duffel bag, she finds out, is $65. After the salesperson stops laughing at her for wanting four for $100 he says he has some defective ones she can buy. The problem here though is her judgment because the bags to begin with are hideous. They are patterned with incredibly obnoxious animal prints. On top of that, she ends up buying defective ones because that’s the only way she’s going to get as many as she needs with the money she has. Doesn’t New York City have a luggage store on just about every block? Was this the only option? I think not. But apparently, Ashley thought so. (more…)

Super High Tech (Fun) Modern Purse

Seriously. I wish Chanel would get on board.

TV With Laura: Needs Your Help

I’ve been at the office since about 2:30 p.m. finishing the May/June issue of D Home. The tragedy here: I missed Tough Love. (Yes, I know. I should get a DVR. But my favorite channel, VH1, replays everything over and over again, so that seems like a waste of money.) Can any Shoptalkers give me the scoop? Maybe you could even write a little recap with highlights? Who was in the hot seat? Did Arian pull any of her funny business? Any good quotes from my girl Taylor? Thanks in advance for making my day.

Running in Heels – Episode 7: Ooh, Sex!

Well, sex talk anyway. Except for Sam. She’s keeping her mouth shut, which is probably smart since she is on tv and would be spilling it to two catty bitches. This week the girls were asked to help with the Love & Sex stories. They each were supposed to come up with one, be it their own or someone else’s. Overall, it was a disaster. Sam interviewed a girl at a sex shop which Joanna said was too cliche, and who knows what Ashley was thinking when she wrote about a gay man’s escapades. Which of MC’s readers did she really think could relate to him? Lucky for her, Talita had a story from her past (all 24 years of it) that they loved (but never really explained clearly on the show). Time out! OMG! I just went to the MC site to read Talia’s story and post the link in this blog and all I can say is OMG! What the? Is this girl a total tramp or what? A 37-year-old doctor she doesn’t really know, parading around in lingerie… Wait, I’m giving it all away. Read it here and then come back. I’ll wait… (more…)

TV with Laura: Tough Love Pt. V

Another week, another Tough Love recap. I wish I could say this show was getting easier to watch. It’s not. Especially after watching a Dateline about women who got conned out of money, love, and sexual favors by an old, obese dude who claimed to be a producer for Michael Jackson. Why are women so willing to believe men? Is it greed? Is it our early exposure to fairy tales? Are we bored? None of this and less was answered on last night’s episode. Jump for it. Or don’t.

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