Workday Reading

Belle’s Weekly Roundup: July 19, 2013

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I wanted to take a brief moment to thank all of you for coming to visit the blog each day.  For leaving comments.  For sending e-mails.  For telling friends, interns and family members about the site.

The blog, and the small community of readers that has grown up around it, has been a constant part of my life for nearly five years.  And when I sit down on Thursday nights to write this post (which is my favorite, by the way), I feel really glad that I decided to start a blog all those August recesses ago.  It hasn’t always been easy, but it’s always been worth it.

1) This sultry KAUFMANFRANCO gown sets my world on fire.

2) The New York Times Magazine featured a long piece about sex on campus written from the perspective of female students.  Reaction to the article was heavy and swift.  Like with many articles, readers complained that it focused solely on the perspective of heterosexual females.  The author talked about why in the Q&A, and expressed her hope that other writers will examine the topic more broadly than she could in 4,800 words.

3) I would like to buy a new handbag, since a few of mine are starting to show their age, but there are just too many great options.  Just when I think I’ve picked one, I see another one that I like.  The current top contenders are this “tech bag” with a separate iPad pocket, the Minkoff Cupid bag or this Kate Spade Skyler tote.  Too many choices.

4) Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat is a product that makeup gurus rave about. I purchased a tube of this miracle highlighter a few years ago, and thinking it was just like under-eye concealer, applied it incorrectly.  As you might imagine, I was less than thrilled with the results.  Luckily, Into the Gloss has an in-depth tutorial on how to use it correctly for maximum wattage.

5) PBS has created a truly inspired ad campaign that actually makes me want to donate.  It features promos for fake reality shows, which, given the premises of some of the shows on TV (“My Cat from Hell”, “My Big Redneck Vacation”), could easily be coming to a DVR near you.

6) Have an iPhone 5?  Need an awesome, stylish case?  This mother-of-pearl case from handbag maker Rafe is incredible.

7) Has the royal baby been born yet?

8) After yesterday’s post about summer dresses, a reader suggested I check out Limited, and boy, did I find some cute things.  I like this printed dress and this ponte, striped dress with a full skirt.  But I think this long black and white ikat print is my favorite.  And the best part?  Everything is 40% off.

9) I think it might be time to get Netflix. People keep raving about this show “Orange is the New Black” (trailer is NSFW), and I’ve been told that “House of Cards” is a must watch.  Subscribers, do you think it’s worth the money?

10) Looking to vamp up your wardrobe?  This under-$75, waist-cinching belt from BCBG is the perfect choice to amp up sheath dresses and pencil skirts.  Wowza.

11) Kanye West convinced thousands of men to buy a $120 “hip-hop t-shirt.” It looks just like a Hanes white tee, but costs 4,000% more. It would be easy to judge him for being greedy or completely lacking perspective, but remember, this is the man who will be paying child support to Kim Kardashian.  He needs every penny he can get his hands on…and a shady Caribbean bank to hide his assets for him.

LEAVE A COMMENT

    29 comments

  1. Heather says:

    3) The Kate Spade. It’s delicious and fantastic.

    July 19, 2013/Reply
    • Aunt_Pete says:

      Agreed.

      July 19, 2013/Reply
  2. Alex says:

    House of Cards: worth every penny. Kevin Spacey is phenomenal, and sexy. Robin Wright’s wardrobe – I want.

    July 19, 2013/Reply
    • Wuthering says:

      Agree about Robin Wright’s wardrobe. Classic, powerful, and striking.

      July 20, 2013/Reply
    • Amanda says:

      House of Cards is fantastic. Hands down one of my favorite shows. I second the comment about Robin Wright’s wardrobe–absolutely gorgeous. I can’t wait for Season 2!

      July 22, 2013/Reply
  3. Ann says:

    House of Cards is ridiculously over the top and revolting. DH and I started watching a few days ago and each episode gets worse. Kevin Spacey’s affair with Kate Mara looks so awkward. When I saw Robin Wright’s Secret Service body guard profess his love for her while he is dyingin a hospital, and saw her mock him and start giving him a h***job under his covers I almost lost my lunch. I won’t finish the series.

    July 19, 2013/Reply
    • R says:

      I thought it was crap too. Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright have no emotion on their faces at all. Stupid series.

      July 21, 2013/Reply
  4. Kate says:

    I recently started applying the Touche Eclat with a tapered eyeshadow brush rather than my finger. I’ve found it helps get even coverage under my eyes. I know I learned about it from a YouTube video but I can’t remember which one!

    July 19, 2013/Reply
  5. Ashley says:

    I haven’t watched House of Cards, but yesterday afternoon my mom asked me for my Netflix log on and password. Six hours later, she watched six episodes of House of Cards. Three while at work and three more once she got home.

    Also, I love the Limited for their dresses! My favorite buy was an orange dress with a small black bow on the side.

    July 19, 2013/Reply
  6. Katie says:

    Yes to Netflix.

    Yes to the Kate Spade.

    No to encouraging men to hide assets from their children in offshore accounts.

    July 19, 2013/Reply
  7. Kelsey says:

    At approximately $8 a month I do think Netflix is worth the money! If only for House of Cards and Orange is the New Black.

    July 19, 2013/Reply
  8. Cynthia W says:

    Actually that white undershirt makes me laugh – hey, if Kanye can get a bunch of complete idiots to pay that much for underwear, more power to him. Even if he usually grosses me out.

    That being said, I don’t get the fashion statement – I don’t know any adult men who would go out in public wearing just an undershirt.

    July 19, 2013/Reply
  9. Rebecca says:

    The NYT article was too long without saying enough, but the issue of women asserting themselves as sex initiators is worth discussing.

    House of Cards is great. I share a Netflix account with my brother, which makes a lot of sense.

    I vote for the MAB. The Kate Spade is so ladylike (!) but no zip-top. The tech bag is so much function without enough spunk.

    And I’m so glad you started the blog, too.

    July 19, 2013/Reply
  10. Elle H. says:

    Netflix is totally worth the money. It’s the reason I don’t bother with cable anymore, though with college football season approaching, I might change my mind.

    July 19, 2013/Reply
  11. Jessica says:

    I realize this might make your handbag search slightly more complicated, but have you seen the Kate Spade Bourbon Street Jennie in perfect brown? There’s a reason the color is ‘perfect brown’.

    July 19, 2013/Reply
  12. Hilary says:

    FYI – the Rebecca Minkoff Cupid bag is part of the Nordstrom anniversary sale. It’s marked down to $329 from $495!

    July 19, 2013/Reply
  13. Jo says:

    Love the weekly “thought” on Friday’s almost as much as the “cocktail”!!

    July 19, 2013/Reply
  14. Hillary says:

    You should definitely get Netflix! It’s all we use for tv and movie watching.

    July 19, 2013/Reply
  15. Ali Legros says:

    Just scored a Cupid at the Rebecca Minkoff Sample sale in NYC for super cheap! Any NYC ladies, it’s going on until Sunday down on Greene street in Soho. HIGHLY advise checking it out.

    July 19, 2013/Reply
  16. MissK says:

    Say “Yes!” to Netflix!

    July 19, 2013/Reply
  17. Frannie says:

    House of Cards is great! I thought Kevin Spacey was excellent in it – so was Robin Wright. Would love to know your thoughts the show after you watch it.

    July 19, 2013/Reply
  18. SQC says:

    Yes to Netflix. There are tons of great shows on it. And between Netflix and Hulu and an HD antenna, I have no need for cable.

    July 19, 2013/Reply
  19. Hms says:

    House of Cards is awesome and I’m sure you’ll appreciate it having worked on the Hill. Orange is the new black was harder to adjust to but I’m close to finishing and love it. Worth the money but hopefully they pick up additional shows to keep us interested.

    July 19, 2013/Reply
  20. Morgan says:

    Netflix is definitely worth it. You can get a 28 day free trial, and there is no way House of Cards will last you the full 28 days. I watched the whole first season in 2-3 days. They’re shooting the second season now. It is utterly amazing.

    July 19, 2013/Reply
  21. IRMcK says:

    Yes yes yes to Netflix. I also don’t pay for cable (even during football season – ESPN and all their subchannels have starting putting more and more online, and I get to watch what I want, and not just want the local affiliates want to show), so Netflix, Hulu, etc, TOTALLY worth the $8 per month.

    July 19, 2013/Reply
  22. Julie says:

    Yes to netflix. As someone who doesn’t have cable (or DVR) it’s nice and convenient and only $9 a month. As to House of Cards, I wasn’t super impressed but I watched season 1 twice so it is addicting.

    July 19, 2013/Reply
  23. melissa says:

    #7 is great. netflix and huluplus are both excellent ideas.

    July 19, 2013/Reply
  24. Wuthering says:

    How have you not seen House of Cards yet? I absolutely love the series, and would be interested in your perspective on it, given your line of work. I work in DC, and it certainly rang true for me.

    Also, does anyone else from DC love the opening credits to House of Cards? The opening credits are an edgy ode to the city and all the power-hungry people working in it. I never skip them; they do such a great job setting the tone for the show.

    July 20, 2013/Reply
  25. Capitol Hill SE says:

    The Limited dresses run large, though. I’m petite and find even the smallest-sized ones to be too overwhelmingly big.

    July 23, 2013/Reply