New Yoana Baraschi!

Hi Jennifer & friends! Love, love, love the new Yoana Baraschi dresses that came in. I couldn't decide what picture to write about because it was a toss up between this dress and the Yoana Baraschi jumpsuit. I guess I could have put them both in. Very cute YB designs.

<<-- I love the new model. She is beautiful!

I know everyone is getting excited for the Oscar's tomorrow night and I'm very bummed that none of my friends really get into them enough to find some parties to go to.

My husband and I love going to the movies and we have a nice flat screen TV to watch movies at home and we enjoy the Oscar's a lot. So, I guess we'll just make it a little family night and grill out and watch all the festivities.

I'm envious of Lynn in LA who can go to the parties that are actually in Hollywood. Her condo party is a really good idea and that sounds perfect for kids and adults. I would also love to be part of a red carpet ceremony at least once in my life, just to experience it.

I'm not a sci-fi fan but when I saw Avatar in 3D I have to say that it was incredible, but I'm cheering for Julia Childs!

I'm up early and I ready to go on my Saturday morning run. My race is not to far away and I can run two miles without stopping now. I weigh in Sunday! Keep your fingers crossed.

Sarah
Dallas, TX

Hollywood is a Buzz!

Hi Jennifer & Friends! It's Oscar weekend and it's one of my favorite times of the year, next to going home for Christmas. Los Angeles is a buzz of celebrities and fun as the parties kick off on Thursday night and go into the wee hours of Monday morning.

I'm going to an Oscar Party Saturday night and on Sunday night, my fiance and I are going to our 'condo' party room where around 100 people are getting together to party and grill out and watch the festivities on the big screen. Movies will be playing all day long and you can come early and watch them or just show up for the Oscar's.

This kind of party will be a lot of fun because cost is an issue right now and I really like my neighbors. None of them know we're trying to save money and buy a house. Plus, we can just walk to the party room and walk home when we want to go. The cost was $25 a couple and that was just to chip in for food and wine. Sweet!

LA is so expensive as some of the parties can cost thousands of dollars by the time you're done. It's obnoxious and I'm just not that into the scene of being seen, like everyone else in LA.

I recently saw the movie Avatar in 3D. OMG! Amazing! I'm not a Sci-Fi girl but this is one spectacular movie.

Lynn,

Los Angeles, CA

Remnents of legendary party discovered!

There is nothing better than a large archaeological discovery. You know, the ones of non-legendary proportions where scientists from all over one college gather together and ooh & ahh over the lack of evidence...What a bunch'a geeks!

<--Researcher identifies a tool used to communicate the desire to get hickeys.

According to reliable sources, a huge party was discovered along an area of train tracks in Sydney, Australia near where Julie lives that spanned more than 60 feet. Evidence of this extraordinary find is being collected for later examination even as I write this story. From the evidence gathered so far, the party is being described as "one freak'n blowout." Nothing on record indicates a party of such breadth and magnitude has ever occurred in this area before or since Julie arrived. This party find has been dated as far back as the late February period of 2010.

Judging by the vast array of evidence including empty containers of alcohol and artifacts of women's clothing that have been left behind, this party was truly a "balls-out rager." Evidence of a woman named "Julie" has been discovered and it appears that she was a leader or a party organizer, or at least someone with exceptional partying skills who had those skills passed down to her from siblings from the northern hemisphere.

Along with beer cans, cigarette butts, and contraceptive devices, fake ID's were found all over the area. There is also evidence of hickeys either being given or received although no reliable firsthand evidence is available to confirm that assumption at this time.

This 'Ausie' party had longevity as it appears from the cold weather gear left behind as well as ping pong balls which indicate a drinking game and the distinct odor of sun tan oil spiked the air which indicates a tribe or at least one person from Wisconsin was present and not used to warm weather drinking and puking off balcony's. The "Julie" tribe is evidence of the items found as she can party on any hemisphere.

The party evidence and artifacts will be sent to various colleges around the world and used to help identify partying habits and rituals from other female drinkers and organizers.

Jim (for Julie to show how much I miss having her around)
jlamore.com

Simon's Engaged

I happen to be one of Simon Cowell's fans. Some love him some hate him, I think he's fantastic. His blatant honesty as a judge on American Idol is invaluable to all he critiques. If Simon likes you, you're on your way to a recording career.

I haven't followed his love life. Or perhaps his love life hasn't been in the tabloids much? Either way, I was surprised when I heard he was engaged! A recent proposal to Mezhgan Hussainy depleted his net worth by about $750,000! Seriously! A six carat brilliant cut chunk of diamond!

Who is Mezhgan Hussainy, besides one lucky lefty? The 36-year old worked on American Idol as a makeup and hair stylist. By the third season of Idol, she had risen to become the lead make-up artist, responsible for making judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul look their best. She and Simon enjoyed a chemistry from the start and she would rave to friends about his charisma and how funny she found him.

Mezhgan and Simon have been friends for many years. Even when he asked her to be his date for his 50th birthday party, a star-studded celebrity bash at his mansion in England, they were still only "friends." Shortly after their friendship developed into something more.

I wonder if this new love and pending nuptials have anything to do with Simon's announcement to leave American Idol? Perhaps he's ready to settle down and start a family? Hmmm...keep us posted Simon.

Jennifer

Update from Down Under!

Like Jim mentioned, I'm in Australia! I'm studying abroad here in Sydney at Macqaurie University and I'm loving every minute of it. The people are nicer, the weather is warmer, and the men are more attractive ;). I've already pet kangaroos (those are wild kangaroos in the picture), swam in the crystal clear ocean, and had countless days at beautiful white sand beaches. I go to school sometimes, too :P!

Jim, I loved your post. Hilarious! No I did not take part in that photo but I actually know some people who did. There was a viewing option, but I opted out of that. Would have been quite the experience though!

I will try to add pictures of my adventures on the J. LaMore magazine while I'm away. I'm already having trouble keeping up with my facebook and e-mails.... I want to tell everyone every thing I do but there's just not enough time in the day! I will spend some more time and add some more pictures as soon as I do find the time. In the mean time, if any one has any questions and /or comments about Australia I'd love to hear them. Has anyone been here? Have fun things to do? Send any info my way!

P.S. The great thing about J. LaMore is that we ship overseas. The bad thing is that I'm a poor college student (or as they call it here a Uni student.) I look at the site every day and drool over the cute new clothes flooding in for spring- I want it all!

-Julie

Sydney, Australia!

5,000 naked people. . .Where's Julie?

Hi Friends and writers! Spencer Tunick is at it again! The artist/photographer is known throughout the world for gathering thousands of naked people in a public forum and on location and taking pictures of them for various reasons and causes. This time he's in Sydney, Australia. This particular event was sponsored by Sydney's gay and lesbian Mardi Gras.

Some critics claim this is not art but others argue the exact opposite. I like to think it's art and I like to call it "organizational art" because the work involved with trying to get 5,000 naked people to do what you want would be an incredibly difficult task. Think about that. I would love to know how all of this is set up.

Anyway, one of our co-workers is currently studying for a semester abroad in Sydney and I have to wonder if she's naked and in the crowd somewhere. Knowing Julie, I can't imagine her ever doing this and when she reads this she is going to be mortified that I even mentioned it, but it's a once in a lifetime thing and you just never know. Hey Julie! Are you in there somewhere?

Jim
jlamore.com

Men with scruffy beards, . . Love!

Hi Jennifer & ladies! A recent survey has shown that women love men with scruffy beards . Seriously? This is new information? I've had a crush on this look for as long as I can remember. The survey people could have saved themselves a lot of work if they had just called me. LOL!

I'm home from work now and my fiance' is out of town on business for three days and my little J. LaMore Magazine fix gives me the time to write and indulge in my secret and harmless little fantasies.

Men with little scruffy beards give me a heavy sighs. They always have! However, I must qualify this by saying that a complete full beard doesn't do it for me and some men just don't have the face for a beard and it looks bad on them. But when you find the right looking guy with just the right amount of facial hair the look is hot!

You then add a little dangerous element to him such a great looking outfit and a great body and I'm talking sexy to the point of this being a can't-stop-thinking-about-him type of thing. Here's what the survey showed;

A study by Robert Pelligrini at San Jose State University found. When ladies were shown photos of men in different stages of hair growth—a John Doe fully bearded, same John Doe with moustache and goatee, with moustache alone, John clean-shaven—they rated the fully bearded men as the most attractive, mature, confident, dominant, courageous and creative. As each man got progressively less hairy, the women lowered their ratings. Researchers theorized that the women were subconsciously responding to the fact that facial hair signals high levels of testosterone.

If anyone would like to comment on this, please do so.

Clare
London, England

Losing Weight & Feeling Great!

Hi Jennifer & friends! It's Sunday morning and I just weighed myself and I've lost 4.8 pounds since I started walking/running with my friends and I love it. Yahoo!

My daily log is looking fantastic and I can tell in my attitude and it's only been a few weeks. The weather has really helped as it's been beautiful and perfect for not making excuses to get off the couch.

I've been following a list of positive things to help jump start my health and I found it online at a Women's Health website. Here's what they suggested;

Food (I really changed my diet and actually joined weight watchers online and I count points.)
Antioxidants (5 servings a day)
In brightly colored foods like blueberries, sweet potatoes, broccoli, tomatoes and acai
Green and white tea (4 cups a day)
Red wine or Concord grape juice (1 glass a day)
Fiber (25 grams a day)
In fruits, vegetables, beans, brown rice, whole wheat pasta, "100 percent" whole grain bread and chia
Omega 3 fatty acids
In roasted or ground flax seeds, walnuts, hemp, salmon and spirolina algae
Olive oil (1 to 2 tablespoons a day)
Do not heat this delicate oil to smoking point or it will be damaged and lose its benefits

Exercise (I've been walk running almost everyday for three weeks!)
Get your heart rate up (3 times a week)
Find your target exercising heart rate: 220 - [your age] X .80
Do strength training (30 minutes a week)

Meditation (I never knew how to do this and I don't know if I'm doing it right, but I try)
Yoga, prayer or meditation (5 minutes a day)
Releases nitric oxide, which relaxes blood vessels

Sleep and Sex (I've been feeling so good lately that I'm having more fun in the bedroom :))
Sleep (7 to 8 hours a night)
Sex (2 to 3 times a week)

Vitamins (I've always took vitamins so this was not a change for me and it's easy to take them.)
Vitamin D (1,000 units a day)
Calcium (600 mg twice a day) with Magnesium (200 mg twice a day)
DHA Omega-3 (600 mg a day)
Baby aspirin (2 a day, for a total of 162 milligrams)
Multivitamin (Take half in the morning, half in the evening)
Pre-menopausal women need a multivitamin with iron and 5,000 units of vitamin A. Postmenopausal women need just 2,500 units of vitamin A.

Sarah
Dallas, TX

Going green is making me red!

Hey everyone! I've been doing some home work on this whole "going green" thing and I have to say that I'm more than a little upset. You know what I mean by going green! 'Green' was the buzz word of 2009 where everyone was supposed to be thinking about ways to save the planet and reduce our carbon footprint.

Hey listen friends, I'm all for it however there's just one problem; I can't afford to go green! Going green is expensive and very inconvenient. I don't think this green thing is working so well for average Americans.

Green hasn't worked in the fashion industry once everyone found out that all the materials are made in foreign countries that are anything but green. It hasn't worked in real estate either! All the vacant houses my boyfriend and I are looking at sit empty because they're "greener" and 30% higher than ones that are only a lighter shade of green, so to speak. If you're trying to buy a house and you're thinking of going green where you want a house that has all the 'green' stuff you want, you can't afford it.

Going green for the average girl is really all about recycling more and driving a car that gets cery good gas mileage or a hybrid. Well I do that all day long and it's my small little contribution. I want to do more but it's out of my price range.

So, I'm pissed off about the whole "go green" stuff and I want a new pair of these grey skinny jeans to calm me down. Really cute! I figure being skinny is going green in a not-eating-a lot-of-food kind of way, isn't it?

Lynn
Los Angels, CA

Gaga on Q

Hi Jennifer & friends! Q Magazine is big in the UK and on the cover is topless Lady Gaga! I really like Lady Gaga and this has shocked a lot of stuffy Brits and some locations where the magazine is sold refused show the cover unless it was wrapped in plastic.

Wrapped in plastic? For this picture? But wait! There's more!

Apparently Lady Gaga is wearing a little something "extra" in her pants during this photoshoot and, she's strapped it on for this picture. She did this to support the year long rumor that Lady Gaga is a man or at least a hermaphrodite. WHAT?

I've never heard this rumor before but apparently it's spreading like wildfire across the web. I'm on the Internet everyday and I never heard it before. What gives! Lady Gaga admits that she carries herself in a masculine way on stage and sings in a low register so she decided to take the photoshoot to the next level and kind of parody herself and create some publicity for herself. I like Lady Gaga's music and I don't think she needs to create publicity but then again, what do I know.

I'm curious to see how this "rumor" plays out.

Clare
London, England

Bra fitting that works!

Hi Jennifer & Friends! Here's a problem that I think every woman has: bra's that don't fit! Argh!

I cannot stand any of the bra's I have in my drawer! Seriously friends, I want to throw all of them in the trash. Everyday I get dressed these skimpy little things put me in a sour mood and cause me to dislike the outfit I picked out.

So I decided to do something about it. I did some research on how to fit myself to a bra and this is what I found out and I thought I would pass it along to all my friends on the blog.

First, put on a comfortable bra--(if you have any) one that doesn't minimize or boost your boobs. Then grab a measuring tape that can wrap easily around your body. Can’t find one? Use a piece of string and then measure it.

Band size:
Measure under your armpits, high on your back, and across the top of your chest, above your breasts.

How many inches do you get? If this measurement is an even number, that will be your band size. If it's an odd number, add 1 inch and that will be your band size. So if you measure 34 inches around, your band size will be 34. And if you measure 35 inches around, your band size will be 36.

Cup size
Measure loosely around the biggest part of your chest, keeping the measuring tape level and even all the way around.

Got that number? Now subtract your band measurement from your cup measurement. Each inch represents a cup size. For example, if your band measurement is 34 inches and your cup measurement is 35 inches, the difference is one inch, and your cup size is A. If your band measurement is 34 inches and your bust measurement is 37 inches, the difference is three inches, and your cup size is C.

Difference (band minus cup measurement) / Cup size
Less than 1” / AA
1” / A
2” / B
3” / C
4” / D
5” / DD

Just so you know, I did this and bought a bra at a department store and I love it. IT WORKED!

Sarah
Dallas, TX

London Fashion Week!

Hi Jennifer & Writers to the new Friends Magazine! I love it!

As an American who lives and works in London for the past six years I've been a fashion fan for as long as I can remember and this weeks is London's Fashion Week! I'm so excited and have been following the shows on video as much as I can and still go to work. Work always seems to get in the way.

The fashion district in London is in chaos and filled with excitement. Parties, celebrities and dignitaries are all over the night clubs and restaurants so I scheduled a few social events around this upcoming weekend with my "gallery friends" which should be great fun just being in the area.

From the the shows I've seen on video, Burberry is looking fantastic and they took a military look and made it incredible! This was the second season that Burberry — which live streamed the show in 3-D at private events worldwide — showed in London, and the front row was stacked with the likes of Kate Hudson; Claire Danes; Mary-Kate Olsen; Mia Wasikowska, the star of “Alice in Wonderland”; Nina Porter, the face of an upcoming Burberry beauty campaign, and Carolina Herrera, who’s in town to open her first CH store on Mount Street in London. Wow! Even the thigh high boots the models wore gave me the idea that I should get me a pair of those. Stunning! I've always been a fan of Burberry but not in a high fashion kind of way but this collection turned my head around and made me desperately want everything I saw.

I really thought Burberry stole the show for the day and nothing has come close to them so far and I was amazed every time a new look came out. I loved everything I saw and that never happens. I wish I had been there.

Clare
London, England

P.S.

I'm so impressed with you guys opening up your studio to other stores. What a great idea!