Most Wanted: Met Gala 2015 Red Carpet Looks

Posted on May 5, 2015 by Jessica W.

To me, the Met Gala is the Super Bowl equivalent of red carpet events. Not only do the attendees have to make a statement in style on the red carpet but they are also going alongside and judged by the fashion industry’s key players. A combination of the Oscars and Fashion Week, it is especially applauded when guests style themselves in accordance with the Metropolitan’s Costume Institute’s curent exhibition, with this year’s being titled ‘China: Through The Looking Glass.’ 

While some of those who walked the Met’s lenghty red carpet last night nailed the concept others played it safe. Here are some of my current MVP’s for one of fashion’s biggest events:
(Note: all photos sourced from Style.com)

 

Rhianna in Guo Pei -> This woman truly is a style icon. Not only does she stay true to the Gala’s theme, but she wears a piece from an up-and-coming Chinese design. Winner of last night’s Gala, hands down. 

 

Janelle Monae -> Love this minimalist look, especially on how Monae carries heself. Sometimes confidence can be your best accessory. 

Sienna Miller in Thakoon -> Though this outfit is very similar to Ralph Lauren’s Fall 2011 Ready-To-Wear collection, I still love the pantsuit twist and color choices.  

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olson -> Yes, it’s very Olson-esque (where they put a gothic-Victorian twist on current fashion trends) but I love it, especially Mary-Kate’s coat. I think it’s just the amount of hidden details upon each of their pieces.

Wedi Murdoch -> A combination of old Hollywood and new, with a touch of Asian flair in the dress’s beaded detail and hair/bag accessories

Helen Mirren -> Proves how timeless style can be. She even beats out most of the other red carpet participants by taking a calculated risk that works

Vanessa Hudgens in custom-made H&M -> Major points in proving that you don’t need a huge budget to get a luxury look on the red carpet. Again, it goes to show how important styling is when your H&M dress can outshine a lot of the designer pieces displayed on the red carpet.

  Justin Beieber in Balmain -> Ok, you can judge me for saying this, but I LOVE this blazer jacket regardless. The detail and theme hits my sweet spot, plus points for the added woven waist belt accessory

  Lizzie Caplan in Donna Karan Atelier -> The combination of color and well-placed drapery/beading is just a win-win for me. Such craftmanship is sadly hard to spot these days so this dress was a showstopper for me.

  Adrian Brody in Dolce & Gabbana -> Call me a sucker for detailed blazers. Just the color and velvet collar – something I envy for my own collection.

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iTunes U: How am I just discovering this?

Posted on May 4, 2015 by Jessica W.

 

Source: iOs Screenshot

 
Since getting my bachelor’s, I would tell myself that if I had the money I would like to back to school and it wouldn’t be to complete my masters or major in another field but rather to just learn something new and in-depth about a subject that is foreign to me. Philosophy was one of those subjects, but of course I was in no position to take time and money out of an already tight budget for some classes at a university or community college. 
Then this week I was playing with my iPhone 6 and came across the iTunes U application. Something I previously disregarded as an app for college students to download their class notes and books, I was shocked to find while actually perusing the app that it offers courses of its own – and they’re FREE. Whether it’s within the sciences or arts, the available complimentary courses are vast and are taken from some of the world’s prestigious universities such as Yale. 
It was a no brainier to try this, so I downloaded/enrolled in an ‘Intro to Philosophy’ course from the University of Missouri, a ‘Graphics Design’ class from Loyola Academy and an ‘Ancient Greece’ course from Australia’s La Trobe University. What I like about these online classes (other than the fact that they’re free) is that one can type notes alongside each course’s video or audio lecture as it is being played and then go back to those notes in a tab. You can even email them to yourself to save later in your laptop. 

Source: iOs Screenshot

I must give Apple thanks in creating a system where anyone (with an Apple phone or tablet) is given access to free higher education. No longer can one put aside their interest in a particular subject because it is not a requirement for their major. People can seek out subjects that they may be curious about without having to break the bank or conduct months of research on their own.

So with this application I implore Apple users to take it upon themselves to try it out. Take that psychology course you missed out on while studying engineering and high school students, you can get a jump start on your education. It is now our right and privilege to be given a chance at free higher education and we should take it!

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Two Cents: Weekend In Sports

Posted on May 4, 2015 by Jessica W.

This weekend was the host to several iconic sports events, with the Mayweather vs. Pacquaio fight having a secure place in the spotlight, and in case you missed it here’s my quick summarization on each of them:

Kentucky Derby (May 2)

Not having done my pre-race research on each individual horse’s past statistics, I made the whim decision to cheer for the one adorned in pink and yellow (otherwise known as Firing Line). I was very much pleased to see that he was in the lead for a good chunk of the race – maybe I had a gift for winning predictions – until he lost his position and the winning title in the last leg of the race to betting favorite, American Pharoah, in all his blue and yellow glory. I mentally bet on the wrong color scheme and horse. After crossing the finish line and solidfying his number one spot, the camera shoots to shot of American Pharoah’s trainer and owners, a male heavy group clad in navy blazers, crisp pastel button-down shirts, silk tides and sleek sunglasses, congratulating each other on a well-invested victory. Bascially, rich people just got richer.

Further reading

Mayweather vs. Pacquiao (May 2)

I’ll admit I didn’t watch the fight because (A) I never pay for pay-per-view and (B) I was in no mood to go in search for a bar that was playing it and pay for their strategically up-priced drinks. Known as the ‘Fight Of The Century’ featuring division world champions Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, from what I’ve gathered from the post-day reviews this six-years-in-the-making fight was a modern day rendition of David vs Goliath but this time Goliath won. The New York Times wrote that Mayweather was booed by the surrounding Vegas crowd following the panel’s decision of unanimously declaring him the victor. The Times attributes this disgruntled response to Mayweather’s reputation and jail time served as a woman abuser, while other commentors have since spoken out against his avoidance tactics during the fight. Either way, the people have unanimously declared this fight not worth the hype it was given preceding Saturday night’s events, which leaves the promoters behind the scenes victorious with thier advanced profit. Basically, rich people just got richer but hopefully the nation has gotten wise as a result of this short lesson in theatrics.

Further reading

GEICO 500 at Talladega (May 3)

NASCAR should thank Will Ferrell for gaining a larger awareness towards this event and the sport. Of course flipping through channels the name Talladega becomes a trigger word in the recesses of my memory and curiosity solidifies my thumb’s downward force on the remote’s select button. What I see is a slew of color-coated cars zipping around the track over and over again. With 28 laps to go at this point, there seems to be one car that has secured his place in the lead. The only name I could remember in NASCAR, Dale Earnhardt Jr, gives reason to why I would recognize that name: EARNHARDT remains next to the number one spot at the top of the TV screen and continues to do so until he speeds first across the finish line in the last lap, making it his sixth SPRINT Cup win. Basically, rich people just got richer.

Note: Apparently there was a multiple car crash I missed known as ‘The Big One’ that took place during the 48th lap of the race, but you can catch it below in ‘Further Reading.’

Further reading

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