ElleGirl
ElleGirl
Photo: Getty Images
Whether you’re feeling down after a break up or ready to scream from the rooftops about a new relationship, there’s nothing like using a fabulous song as your soundtrack. Everyone has their go-to break up songs and romance songs, and while the more lovey-dovey tracks may be playing on repeat today, your friends over at Facebook claim that romantics prefer to pump up the music once relationships are finito. With the help of music-streaming site Spotify, Facebook made some interesting discoveries about the top tunes people listen the day they make their relationships and breakups “Facebook official”: Jason Derulo is popular with lovebirds, Drake is a favorite for break ups, and Bruno Mars appeals to both the smitten and bitter ones. Below are the two lists that represent the most listened to songs by people who have broke up or entered a new relationship on Facebook (biggest surprise? “Someone Like You” isn’t on the break ups list. Um, what?). So whether you’re heading out tonight with a new love or you just got dumped and want to hole up with a pint of Ben & Jerry’s, at least you’ll have some mood music!
Songs people listen to when entering into a relationship:
1. “Don’t Wanna Go Home” by Jason Derulo
2. “Love On Top” by Beyoncé
3. “How to Love” by Lil Wayne
4. “Just The Way You Are” by Bruno Mars
5. “Good Feeling” by Flo Rida
6. “It Girl” by Jason Derulo
7. “Stereo Hearts” by Gym Class Heroes featuring Adam Levine
8. “Criminal” by Britney Spears
9. “No Sleep” by Wiz Khalifa
10. “Free Fallin’” by John Mayer
Songs listened by people after ending a relationship:
1. “The Cave” by Mumford and Sons
2. “Crew Love” by Drake
3. “All of the Lights” by Kanye West
4. “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele
5. “Take Care” by Drake
6. “It Will Rain” by Bruno Mars
7. “We Found Love” by Rihanna & Calvin Harris
8. “Call It What You Want” by Foster the People
9. “Love You Like a Love Song” by Selena Gomez and the Scene
10. “Without You” by David Guetta featuring Usher
Tell us your go-to songs in the comments!
- ElleGirl
Photo: Courtesy of ELLEgirl
There’s a new designer on the block this Fashion Week, but she’s no stranger to the industry. After graduating from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in L.A., Katharine Polk jetted to Manhattan to begin her design career as an in-house design assistant and stylist at Badgley Mischka, where she did everything from styling the label’s collections to helping produce fashion shows to creating accessories for the runway. After successfully working six seasons at Bryant Park and creating her own styling company, Katharine Polk Stylist, Polk is ready to launch her own fashion line. Houghton, Polk’s premiere collection, will debut at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Lincoln Center at the Grand Promenade in Avery Fisher Hall tomorrow. “I still felt like something was missing, and it still wasn’t my own,” Polk confessed of her styling days. So, in August 2011, Polk returned to designing. The idea for Houghton came to her after seeing a swatch of colors. After that, she expanded to sketch a couple of dresses and soon she was buying fabrics, developing the looks, and feeling the textures. She decided to combine simple and neutral palettes with more developed textures and fabrics. What began as five pieces turned into ten, and then a full ready-to-wear collection. Houghton was born. The entire collection can be summed up in two words: effortless chic. It’s made for independent women who want to look stylish and strong, like Polk’s female heroines who inspired the line: Katharine Hepburn (Polk’s namesake), Bianca Jagger, and Patti Smith. All of the dresses in the collection are named after these and other important women, who Polk smartly compared to the modern day Tilda Swinton. All 25 of Houghton’s pieces are clean, modern, and simple—there isn’t too much embellishment or over-the-top design. There are statement dresses, long tailored coats, and menswear-inspired suits, all in a soft palette of colors—mainly ivory, blush, and white—and luxurious fabrics like silk cashmere and satin-faced chiffon. The age bracket for these clothes runs the gamut, ranging from 18-40 years old. “A mother and a daughter can both wear pieces from the collection,” Polk said. “They are both fashion-conscious women that want pieces that are very easy to wear.” But stylish wears come at a steep price: Polk envisions the line being sold at stores like Barneys, Jeffries, and Bergdorf Goodman. In reference to her launch at Fashion Week, Polk replied sternly, “I either do it 110% or nothing at all.” And the budding designer did just that. She shot her lookbook and got her collection done very early, leaving ample time for production, castings, fittings, alterations, hair and makeup, and all of the other fun things that go into staging a runway show. One thing that Polk hopes to employ at the show tomorrow is a staged performance—she wants the pieces to move to highlight the quality of the luxe fabrics. Houghton has been well-received already. Pulls include celebrities such as Anne Hathaway, Michelle Williams, and Chloë Sevigny. We wish Katharine the best of luck at her debut tomorrow! Break a leg! Get a sneak peek of two Houghton looks below!
Photo: Courtesy of Houghton Houghton
Tati dress
Photo: Courtesy of Houghton
Houghton Patti coat
Follow @HoughtonNYC on Twitter!
- ElleGirl
- Tired of the winter and ready for spring? The cold weather may stay with us for a bit longer, but you can get a jump-start on planning next season’s wardrobe with the ASOS spring 2012 lookbook. The new collection is brimming with bright (and trendy) pieces, put together in unique ways that are sure to give you some colorful style inspiration at a time when your days are looking dim. We’re talking neon shades, baseball caps, denim on denim, multicolor backpacks (!), and lace rompers. You can always count on ASOS for bringing you on-trend pieces at prices that don’t break the bank. Their retro designs and eclectic patterns feign one-of-a-kindness and almost always garner compliments from passersby—and this upcoming season is no different. We can’t wait to shop the collection when it hits stores in April, but in the meantime, we’ve got our favorite looks down pat. Check out the looks we can’t wait to buy!
Photo: Courtesy of ASOS
Denim shirt with two-tone pockets. Denim cutoff shorts. Tribal print sheath.
Photo: Courtesy of ASOS
Heather gray t-shirt. Yellow skirt. Multicolor hobo bag.
Photo: Courtesy of ASOS
Pastel mini dress. Multicolor backpack. Two-tone circle shades in fluorescent yellow.
Photo: Courtesy of ASOS
Lace romper in white. Patterned bucket backpack. Two-tone circle shades in white and yellow.
Photo: Courtesy of ASOS
Sweatshirt in green. Printed skirt. Two-tone circle shades in white and black.
Photo: Courtesy of ASOS
Asymmetrical dress in black. Polka dot bag. Two-tone circle shades in white and black.
Photo: Courtesy of ASOS
Two-tone baseball cap in orange and black. Multicolor backpack. Circle shades in black.
Photo: Courtesy of ASOS
Leather sandal in white. Tote bag in tan with zipper detailing.
- ElleGirl
Imaxtree
With winter well underway, the only shoes worth shopping for are ones that keep your feet warm and protected—and who says they can’t be stylish too? Booties are back for yet another season, this time in a bevy of new styles, heights, and colors. We love a bootie with a nice chunky heel because it gives you a few extra inches without making you cry out in pain like impossible-to-wear stilettos. If you can add one item to your shoe closet this season, it’s the stacked heel bootie. Here’s why: Longevity: The stacked heel bootie is by no means a new footwear development. Frye has carried their two-inch heeled harness boot for generations, and Acne gave the shoe a chic update when they debuted their much sought-after Pistol boot seasons ago. Now, numerous designers have adopted the trend and made it their own with edgy and urban styles perfect for the trendy girl. Wearability: These boots were made for walking. You can wear stacked heel booties around all day and they won’t kill your feet. Versatile, comfortable, and easy-to-wear, these shoes transition perfectly from day to night. Pair them with skinny jeans and a chunky wool sweater for class and then wear them with a flirty LBD in the evening—they’ll toughten up your look. Personality: Suede? Check. Leather? Check. Different colors? You got it. This season’s stock of stacked heel booties come in so many different designs that there is bound to be one to suit your personal style. Make the shoe your own by wearing it in an unexpected way: with knee socks and shorts or skirts. Save vs. Splurge?: Splurge! Stacked heel booties are a staple for any girl’s winter wardrobe, and considering that they’ve been in style for years now, we don’t see them going anywhere anytime soon. Unlike a junky sandal or ballet flat, high-quality booties are fashioned from the finest leather and suede, built to last and endure many snowfalls. Consider it an investment! Splurge options:
Photo: Courtesy of YouHeShe Acne pistol short boots, $508.
Photo: Courtesy of Shopbop Rag & Bone Newbury booties, $495.
Photo: Courtesy of Saks Fifth Avenue Maison Martin Margiela leather round toe ankle boots, $735.
Photo: Courtesy of Barneys Isabel Marant Dicker boot, $580.
Photo: Courtesy of Net-A-Porter A.P.C. suede ankle boots, $530.
Save options:
Photo: Courtesy of ALDO ALDO Contugno, $63.
Photo: Courtesy of Urban Outfitters Dolcetta by Dolce Vita harness heel boot, $98.
Photo: Courtesy of Forever 21 Forever 21 buckled ankle boots, $33.
Photo: Courtesy of Dolce Vita DV by Dolce Vita Jamison ankle boot, $119.
Photo: Courtesy of Zappos Sam Edelman Petty boot, $160.
Photo: Courtesy of Shopbop Ash Nina suede booties, $265.
- ElleGirl
Photo: Courtesy of Joanne Hong
Hello, everyone! My name is Joanne, and I’m an emerging contemporary women’s wear designer. I was born and raised in Stillwater, Oklahoma and moved to New York City a year ago to pursue my dream of creating my own clothing line. I basically left all that was comfortable in my life: my family, my friends, and everything that I know to be here. But this past year has been one of the most amazing years of my life! Follow me as I go through the ups and downs of launching my own line. I hope I can inspire you to follow your own dreams (whether that’s in fashion or another part of your life!). I didn’t always know I wanted to be a fashion designer. I grew up watching my mom make beautiful quilts but never thought I would have the patience to sew. I thought that being a marine biologist would be fun because of my love for animals. My love for fashion quickly surfaced when I started college. After I took my first sewing class, everything just clicked and fell into place. After I graduated from Oklahoma State University with an Apparel Design and Production degree, I launched my own line, JOLYNN by Joanne Hong. I stayed in Oklahoma for the next two years and sold my line at the Little Black Dress in Tulsa. Because I was the only one sewing the samples as well as all the garments for the store, it was a bit challenging trying to grow my company. That’s why I decided that the next big step would be to move to NYC—the fashion capital of the world. It truly is one of my favorite places in the world.
Here’s a sneak peek of two dresses from my Fall 2012 line:
Photo: Courtesy of Joanne Hong
Here are two dresses that I custom made and designed:
Photo: Courtesy of John Vu
This past year has definitely been life-changing. I’ve had the most amazing support from my mom, dad, and brother to pursue my dream as well as overwhelming support from all of my friends from back home and my new friends that I’ve met here (shout out to Kevin and Krista)! It also helps that one of my biggest supporters happens to be my roommate and one of my best friends from home, Lyn. Her and her boss, Mercedes Gonzalez, from Global Purchasing Companies, have helped me take a step closer to making my dream reality. I was chosen to be one of 20 emerging women’s wear designers to show my fall 2012 collection at Launch Pad at MAGIC in Las Vegas next month!! So, the last couple of weeks I’ve been so busy preparing for MAGIC. I finished making my collection about a week ago, and I have a photo shoot planned for next week. I’m going to post pics from the shoot in my next blog! So check back next week! I hope that you all continue to follow me on my journey, and I would definitely love to hear from you too! ‘Til next time… Joanne For more info about Joanne and her new line, check out her website, Facebook, or shoot her an e-mail at joannelynn.hong@yahoo.com!
- ElleGirl
Photo: Getty Images
Apparently Broadway is back in style (but did it ever really leave?): Nick Jonas is the latest Hollywood actor to make the transition into musical theater. The Disney Chanel star took the stage one week ago for his premier performance in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. No stranger to Broadway (Jonas acted in A Christmas Carol, Annie Get Your Gun, Beauty and the Beast, Les Misérables, The Sound of Music, and Hairspray), he nabbed the lead role of J. Pierrepont Finch. Jonas follows in the footsteps of many other movie and TV actors-turned-stage performers. Here’s a list of other stars who couldn’t resist seeing their name on the Playbill.
Daniel Radcliffe
Photo: Getty Images
When Harry Potter decided to perform onstage in Equus—naked, no less—the world gasped, but still raved about his performance as a horse-obsessed stable boy. Since then, the actor has starred in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying in the same role as Nick Jonas, which also received positive reviews.
Darren Criss
Photo: Getty Images
It seems that Finch in How to Succeed is a very coveted role for Hollywood heartthrobs, and Darren Criss is another teen actor who’s played the part. But it’s back to Glee for Criss—he wrapped up his brief stage run on January 22, passing the torch to Jonas.
Ashlee Simpson
Photo: Getty Images
In the same year that she had her baby, Bronx Mowgli, and was allegedly axed from Melrose Place, Ashlee Simpson surprised everyone by getting the role of show girl Roxie Hart in Chicago.
America Ferrera
Photo: Getty Images
Proving that she’s no Ugly Betty, America Ferrera also starred as Roxie in the West End Production of Chicago. And boy, can Betty dance!
Corbin Bleu
Photo: Getty Images
Corbin Bleu was the first of the Gleeks to land a Broadway role, playing Usnavi in In The Heights, a Tony Award-winning play based on Manhattan’s Washington Heights neighborhood.
Abigail Breslin
Photo: Getty Images
The Little Miss Sunshine starlet made her foray into theater as Helen Keller in The Miracle Worker.
Scarlett Johansson
Photo: Getty Images
The actress shared the stage with Live Schreiber as his 17-year-old niece, Catherine, in A View From the Bridge. While the play was Johansson’s first on Broadway, Schreiber has won a Tony award for his performance in Glengarry Glen Ross.
Lea Michele and Jonathan Groff
Photo: Getty Images
While they may be best-known for TV romance on Glee, Lea Michele and Jonathan Groff also performed together in the musical hit Spring Awakening.
Andrew Garfield
Photo: Getty Images
Andrew Garfield will be the next star to hit the stage. In February, The Spider-Man sweetheart will play Biff in Arthur Miller’s classic play Death of a Salesman.
- ElleGirl
Photo: ImaxTREE
Fashion houses have been sweating it up, and the invites are already rolling in. In less than two weeks, the fashion world will take over New York City for one of the year’s most anticipated events: Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, running from February 9 to February 16. Designers, celebrities, editors, and fashion lovers will all flock to the tents at Lincoln Center to get a first look at the spring/summer collections. With over 90 designers showing their stuff, here are the collections we’re most excited about (now we just need to snag a ticket!): February 10 Rebecca Minkoff When: 3 p.m. Where: Theatre
Photo: ImaxTREE
Rebecca Minkoff may be known for her perfectly sized and styled handbags, but her clothing is also a perfect fit for the 20-something urban chic sophisticate: luxurious and glam yet casual and vintage looking. Hilary Duff, Hayden Panettiere, and Lindsay Lohan have all been spotted in her designs. Charlotte Ronson When: 7 p.m. Where: Stage
Photo: ImaxTREE
We’ve harbored a major girl crush on this talented Brit ever since she her first showing at NYFW in spring 2009. Sister to DJ Samantha and music producer Mark, this fashion-forward Ronson incorporates the same casual and cool laid-back vibe into her clothing as her sibs do in their music. February 12 Timo Weiland When: 9 p.m. Where: Studio
Photo: ImaxTREE
Add Timo Weiland to your list of designers to watch. After launching a neckwear line in pre-fall 2009, the designer expanded to a full collection womenswear and menswear fashioned with wild and exotic prints reminiscent of the classic European paintings he so adores (Weiland studied European history as an undergrad at Vanderbilt). February 13 Betsey Johnson When: 6 p.m. Where: Theatre
Photo: ImaxTREE
Betsey Johnson’s runway shows are just as over the top as her designs (she’s known for capping off each one with a cartwheel!) With prom on the brain, don’t miss getting a first look at this season’s amazingly embellished party dresses. February 14 J.Crew When: 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Where: Studio
Photo: ImaxTREE
J.Crew is definitely one of our go-tos for closet staples—we can’t get enough of their preppy East coast style. Last season, the retailer impressed with a series of schoolgirl looks that could be worn to school with a pair of patent leather loafers or at night with a pair of heels and a clutch. February 15 Whitney Eve When: 9 a.m. Where: Studio
Photo: ImaxTREE
This marks Whitney Eve’s first solo show at NYFW, and we’re curious to see what the former reality TV star/budding designer is cooking up. Her line boasts eclectic, girly pieces as well as androgynous, menswear-inspired looks—all styled with an array of unique patterns and colors. According to Port, her collection has “grown so much over the years.” Here’s hoping this year brings some good changes!
- ElleGirl
Photo: Getty
While we are complete advocates of the don’t-talk-to-strangers-no-matter-how-cute-they-are policy, a study completed by Purdue University has shown that a upward glance and a coy smile might actually be good for you. Researchers found that avoiding eye contact when walking past someone or looking over their shoulder, away from them or “looking at them as if they were air,” has a negative effect on others and can make you feel disconnected. According to the study, you don’t even have to smile to feel more in tune with others, which can lead to feeling better about yourself. Researchers wrote that “people who had gotten eye contact…with or without a smile, felt less disconnected than people who had been looked at as if they weren’t there.” Eric D. Wesselman added, “These are people that you don’t know, just walking by you, but them looking at you or giving you the air gaze—looking through you—seemed to have at least momentary effect.” So next time you’re tempted to glance at the cutie you see everyday after fourth period, don’t turn down the opportunity. It might just make your day and his.
- ElleGirl
- 2011 was a great year for outrageous hue highlights with celebrities like Dianna Agron, Sienna Miller, and Lauren Conrad experimenting with bright pinks in their hair. The trend—which we love—has carried over into 2012, with Dakota Fanning and others adding bursts of bright color to their locks. Want the look? Check out our stellar DIY and see how the stars are working candy colored hues below!
Photo: Splash News
Dakota Fanning told ELLE UK that “you can’t worry about what other people think, especially if you’re a known person.” The teen fashion icon and college freshman started rocking pink tips last week and even if she doesn’t care what we think, we love it.
Photo: Splash
News In a recent photo shoot for Adidas, Katy Perry showed off her new bright blue bob. Known for going bold with a full head of bright hues, the singer’s been rocking the cotton candy color since she began making huge hit singles.
Photo: Splash News
Snooki celebrated New Year’s Eve with a deep shade of pink in her long locks, and has kept the look for 2012. While we’re used to the “reality star” going too far with looks—bronzer overload, anyone?—we love the not so subtle streaks.
Photo: Splash News
Kelly Osbourne has been rocking lavender highlights on the red carpet this award season. The light color has let her second new shade: a light ash blonde show through.
Photo: Splash News, Twitter
Lauren Conrad is renown for changing up her hair mid-breakup but this week’s pink—she uploaded a pic of her newly dyed hair on Twitter—comes with zero baggage.
Photo: Splash News
X-Factor finalist Amelia Lily picked a pastel shade over neon when picking out a pink. Her look is reminiscent of Katy Perry’s signature shade before the pop star switched over to blue.
- ElleGirl
Photo: Splash News
Sam Worthington, the Australian actor who saved the human race in Clash of the Titans and rescued an alien planet in Avatar is taking a break from playing the hero in Man on a Ledge, opening nationwide this Friday. His penchant for high flying action films and his down-to-earth attitude (after saving the world he likes to go home, watch TV and do laundry) has gotten him major movie roles and the coveted title of ELLEgirl Crush of the Week. Sam is anything if not a regular guy—having said that, he started acting as a way to support his friend who was interested in theater, when they were entering college. He applied to Australia’s National Institute of Dramatic Art with his pal, who didn’t make it in. Life after that wasn’t all riding winged horses and extraterrestrial romance for Worthington. He didn’t make it big until 2009 and until he scored his role in Avatar, he spent two years living in his car. When it comes to picking roles, the 35-year-old actor goes for films he would see himself, which explains all the action heavy movies he’s stared in. He told Movies Online that “I…pick a movie that I would go and see, to be honest…I read it and go ‘Would I pay $16 to go and see it?’ because my responsibility to an audience is to give them their money’s worth. If I think that this is worth going to see, and if we can do the job correctly, then hopefully you’ve done your job correctly.” As long as we get to see him striking posing and battling bad guys, he’s done his job correctly. He also isn’t big on living it up outside of work, despite his major macho-guy mileage and has admitted to being a bit of a couch potato, saying “I’m a softy…That’s all I do is go home and watch TV and do my washing. In my job, I’ve got to battle aliens. I stand on the ledge of a building. I drive fast cars. But that’s my job. I go home, I’m exhausted. I just want to do normal stuff.” While we would love to “watch TV…and do normal stuff” with Sam, the actor is sadly already taken. He introduced his girlfriend, Crystal Humphries at the Hollywood premiere of Man on a Wire over the weekend.
