On the fence about jumpsuits

[Kevin Winter/Getty Images]

Jumpsuits have been seen on loads of celebs in the past few years and apparently the trend is still going strong. Debra Messing wore this navy blue number by Alice + Olivia in Los Angeles. Wearing a jumpsuit is naturally a super-retro look, and the platform heels she chose are a bit too 70s for me. I like the wide, gold belt to break up the monochromatic top and bottom.

I still don't know how I feel about the jumpsuit trend though. If worn right, it can look fabulous, but if worn wrong, it can be an utter disaster. The best bet is to stay away from denim to avoid the farmer look and from unflattering fabrics like satin in bright colors. As a shorter gal, the shorts romper would be more my cup of tea.

Zac Efron done with musicals?

Dreamy Zac Efron dropped out of the Footloose remake to pursue more mature roles. Give me a break! Just because a movie is considered a musical doesn't mean it's not mature. Look at Chicago or Moulin Rouge - they're full of drama.

Efron has been cast in The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud, based on the book that's in my reading queue, and Me and Orson Welles. He is also starring in the upcoming 17 Again, which sounds like it's going to be a 13 Going on 30 for dudes. Perhaps his High School Musical days are over, but I think he should reconsider giving up musicals for good.

Idol's top 10 sing Motown

The top 10 contestants on American Idol sang Motown songs tonight. Legendary Smokey Robinson and Berry Gordy, founder of Motown Records, were special guests on the show. Smokey is just precious, and he was very sweet and helpful to all of the contestants.

Adam Lambert's "The Tracks of my Tears" was perfection. He had a fabulous, new clean-cut look. Two other standouts were Matt Giraud's version of Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get it On," and 16-year-old Allison Iraheta's "Papa Was a Rolling Stone." I thought the judges were too hard on Scott MacIntyre's "You Can't Hurry Love" because although it wasn't his best performance, it was still quite lovely. I predict that either Megan Joy or Michael Sarver will go off tomorrow night.

The judges were crazy tonight though. Paula called Simon a "six-year-old" and pulled out crayons and coloring books to give him. Then Simon proceeded to draw a black mustache on her. Really?

P.S. I really hope that Michael and Danny stop wearing those bad shirts soon. Don't they have stylists? Actually, they could all step it up a notch or two in the fashion department.

Hugh Jackman, Beyonce musical?

Australian director Baz Luhrmann (Moulin Rouge, Australia, Romeo + Juliet) is considering doing a musical with Hugh Jackman and Beyonce. Jackman starred in the epic romance Australia, which despite its lukewarm reviews, I thought it was a beautifully done film. Song-and-dance man Jackman and Beyonce performed an entertaining medley together at the 2009 Academy Awards.

Lurhmann had kind words about Beyonce in Vogue, "My mind is racing already... I'm sure that there is a dramatic cinematic life for her. It's been a long time since we've seen that kind of performer, like Barbra Streisand and Diana Ross, on the screen." Beyonce starred in Dreamgirls and Cadillac Records, an Etta James biopic.

As a big fan of Lurhmann's films and of Mr. Jackman, I think this is an excellent idea. I can't wait to hear more details on this!

Leg-lengthening heels

Nude heels are the perfect investment for your spring wardrobe. Wear them with your favorite skirts and dresses. They trick the eye into making legs look super-long. Plus, this great neutral color goes with everything.

The gorgeous patent pair pictured is Nordstrom exclusive BCBGirls 'Tina' Pump in Chai Tan for $98.95. Also, check out Payless ShoeSource for cute, affordable pairs like Abaeté for Payless Wyatt Gladiator Slingback, $38.

Best drugstore beauty buys

I have loved beauty products for as long as I can remember. My mom took me to the Clinique counter when I was about 12-years-old to have my makeup done, and I have been obsessed ever since. However, in this economy my beloved $60 Chanel foundation and $30 Smashbox eyeshadows seem a bit frivolous. Here are some of my favorite tried-and-true inexpensive beauty buys.

Face

-Rimmel Oil-Free Gentle Eye Makeup Remover ($5). I swear by this gentle eye makeup remover. It's non-oily and gets the makeup off in a few sweeps without leaving residue.

-Maybelline The Colossal Volum Express ($7.50). No one makes better inexpensive mascara than Maybelline. This mascara in Glam Black has a fat brush that makes my lashes look much fuller. I'm also a fan their XXL Volume + Length mascara.

-St. Ives Apricot Scrub ($4). I've been using this scrub for years. It's a hard-working exfoliant that's great to use a few times a week for a fresh glow.

-Olay Definity Illuminating Cream Cleanser ($7). I use this cleanser on my face daily. It has gentle exfoliating beads plus glucosamine for brightness. It's perfect for uneven or dull skin.

-Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Sunblock SPF 55 ($9). I get major freckles the second the sun touches my face. This sunblock feels light but provides ultimate protection from the sun's harmful rays.

Hair
-Pantene ProV Beautiful Lengths shampoo and conditioner ($3.50/each). This fairly new line from Pantene leaves my long hair silky and smooth. Pantene claims that it strengthens hair against damage so that it grows longer.

-Dove Flexible Hold Hairspray ($3.99). This hairspray smells great and gives a movable hold that won't give you helmet head.

-L'Oreal Paris Vive Pro Hydra Gloss Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner ($5/each). This line contains Omega 3 and 6, olive oil and royal jelly. With this triple threat of nutrients, my hair looks healthier.

Body
-Jergens Natural Glow Express ($7). I can not live without this stuff. It gives me a natural tan without the streaks. I mix it with some lotion to make it more subtle. Jergens says that it gives you a full shade of summer color in a mere three days.

-Vaseline Cocoa Butter Deep Conditioning Body Lotion ($3.60 for 10 oz.). This lotion sinks in well and leaves my skin feeling soft and moisturized, not greasy.

-Gillette Foamy Sensitive Skin Shaving Cream ($2.50). Sure this is for men, but you just don't need fancy shave gel. This stuff lathers well and works great.

-N.Y.C. Color Long-Wearing Nail Enamel ($0.99). This polish gives my Chanel polish a run for its money. It comes in tons of fun colors, lasts a long time and is dirt cheap.

I also recommend scouring your Sunday paper for coupons. I always find good ones for makeup and hair products.

I Love You, Man

I recently heard that mindless entertainment such as comedies is on the rise due to the depressing economy. I Love You, Man fits the bill. It is both hilarious and touching. Who would have pinned Clueless's Paul Rudd as the new king of comedies? His slight awkwardness is perfect for his funny guy roles.

Rudd plays real estate agent Peter Klaven who proposes to his girlfriend Zooey (Rashida Jones) then realizes that he doesn't have any male friends for his groomsmen. Zooey has two best friends, Denise (Jaime Pressley) and Hailey (Sarah Burns). Denise and her husband Barry (Jon Favreau) are particularly funny because they have these awful fights then make up. Peter's gay younger brother Robbie (Andy Samberg) tries to set him up on some "man dates" and warns him not to have dinner with any of the guys so that they don't get the wrong impression. After a series of disastrous "dates," Peter meets likable Sydney Fife (Jason Segal) at an open house for Lou Ferrigno's, TV's Incredible Hulk, crib.

Peter and Sydney instantly hit it off despite the fact that they are polar opposites and bond over their love of the band Rush. Sydney prefers to date divorcees, and he yells at strangers simply to express his manliness. They have frequent jam sessions where Rudd delivers the hilarious "slappin' the bass" lines in a Leprechaun accent.

For the first time in Peter's life, he is able to confide in a male friend. Sydney encourages Peter to step out of his comfort zone to sell some houses. Eventually their friendship begins to put a strain on his relationship with Zooey, especially after Sydney gives Zooey some inappropriate sexual advice at their engagement party. Don't worry though, I Love You, Man has a happy ending.

Borders' fabulous Twilight DVD

Score! I got my Twilight DVD boxed set from Borders a little bit early since I ordered it online. It is absolutely fabulous - not your average Wal-Mart edition.

The DVD comes in a special black box that opens up to a lovely photo of Edward and Bella (Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart) and a quote from Hollywood.com, "The most epic romance since Titanic." It also contains the DVD with a photo of E&B on the cover and the extras DVD with James (Cam Gigandet) on the cover. The gift set also includes 10 cool collector cards.

The Borders exclusive bonus features include interviews with the cast, red carpet footage and a conversation with Stephanie Meyer. I particularly enjoyed the deleted scenes and the back story of filming the famous baseball scene - that took a lot of work!

I would also highly recommend the Twilight: Director's Notebook by Catherine Hardwicke. It contains a lot of interesting tidbits about the movie including how they picked the actors' wardrobes and the settings for the film.

Buy the Borders DVD here for $29.99...
http://www.borders.com/online/store/TitleDetail?sku=025192022326

Valentino: The Last Emperor

[Billy Farrell/Sipa Press]

Valentino: The Last Emperor hit select cities yesterday. The film, directed by Matt Tyrnauer, tells the story of the legendary Italian fashion designer Valentino's life and illustrious career with business partner Giancarlo Giammetti. It gives a glimpse into the world of haute couture - French for "high dressmaking."

Anne Hathaway wore this lovely Valentino dress to the NYC premiere of the film. Often times, white doesn't look great on fair-skinned gals, but Hathaway pulls this off. Is it just me, or are celebs wearing a lot of dresses in shades of white? I love the draping and one-shoulder strap, and the gold clutch is a nice touch. Hathaway is featured in the documentary.

The film has been showing in film festivals around the world including Venice and Chicago. It opened yesterday in select cities. I can't wait to see it!

Harem pants

[Forever21.com]

After being splashed all over the runways, harem pants are huge for spring. Harems are fitted at the waist and ankle but baggy everywhere else - think MC Hammer and I Dream of Jeannie. Though they are comfy, they can be disastrous if worn improperly. To avoid looking huge, these pants look best with fitted tops. A solid neutral color like black is the best way to go.

I like Anthropologie's Marrekech pants for $58 or Forever 21's shorter version (pictured) for $24. I wouldn't spend a fortune on this trend because like the gauchos of yesteryear, they will be out in a flash.

GG: The Age of Dissonance

Last night's Gossip Girl was pretty disappointing. After waiting six whole weeks for a new episode, that was the best they could do? Of course there was plenty of drama to go around though.

For a reason that I couldn't comprehend, the students were putting on the play Age of Innocence. Blair (Leighton Meester) has suddenly taken a new interest in being a serious actress, and continues to gloat about her perfect life. Serena (Blake Lively) has a crush on the director Julian. This is laughable because he is obviously gay. She gets Vanessa (Jessica Szohr) to help her impress him with her old-school film knowledge. Nate (Chace Crawford) overhears Vanessa and thinks that she is cheating on him with Julian. Oh boy.

Yuki finds out that she was accepted early into Yale, which means that Blair was not. Someone sends out a Gossip Girl blast about Serena's acceptance. This turns S and B against each other...again.

Meanwhile Dan (Penn Badgely) and the teacher Rachel are getting it on in the costume room. At school, really? Gross. The pair is caught when a note from the two is intercepted from Jenny by Dan's dad Rufus, awkward! It turns out that Rachel was the one who let Yale know about Blair's indiscretions and sent the text to GG about Serena. How mature. She's going back to Iowa now. See ya!

Carter Brazian (Sebastian Stan) returns while on a date with Chuck Bass's love interest Elle. Chuck, why are you still chasing this annoying girl? After she breaks his heart, he shows up at Blair's house. Alas, Blair isn't home. The 18-year-old Miss Waldorf is downing martinis at the bar and feeling like a bad person. Carter (who also happens to be Meester's real-life boyfriend) shows up to rescue her. Hmm, what will Chuck think about his arch-rival taking his girl?

Freeganism on the rise

[freegan.info]

I just read an intriguing article in the April issue of Marie Claire about freeganism. Never heard of it? Neither had I, but the lifestyle of living off of what others throw away is on the rise in this tough economy.

The word freegan is a compound of "free" and "vegan." According to freegan.info, "freegans are people who employ alternative strategies for living based on limited participation in the conventional economy and minimal consumption of resources." Freegans are against a society based on materialism and greed.

The freegan concept of being able to live off of what others throw away is very interesting but it probably sounds gross to many. I definitely don't think that this lifestyle is for everyone, but if you are willing to retrieve perfectly edible food from the dumpster, why not? The negative connotation of "dumpster diving" probably turns some people off, but as long as the food is safe to eat (i.e. no spoiled meat or milk) then it seems like it would be fine.

Freegans also advocate minimizing waste, rent-free housing, going green and working less.

Read the MC article by Jan Goodwin here...
http://www.marieclaire.com/world-reports/news/latest/freegan-lifestyle-trash

Fashionable duo at The Met

[SplashNewsOnline.com]

Cute couple Diane Kruger and Joshua Jackson celebrated New York City's Metropolitan Opera's 125th anniversary. Kruger's Yves St. Laurent gown is very regal and glamorous, which is absolutely perfect for the opera. The color is fantastic.

As for her date, Pacey is that you? Jackson looked handsome in his tuxedo. The black-and-white pocket handkerchief is an especially nice touch. Well done you two!

Katie Holmes's bad outfit, good hair

[AP]

Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes walked the red carpet for Tokyo premiere of his film Valkyrie, which is great, btw. I'm not really digging Katie's outfit though. The top of the dress would have been pretty, but the bottom half is awful. The color and material aren't flattering, while the leggings and shoes don't do a thing to the outfit.

On the bright side, her hair looks great. She's one of those lucky few who can wear a short or long 'do well. It must be nice to be a celeb and get to change your hair all the time.

Crazy, extreme fishing

Matt Watson jumps out of planes onto fish and calls it fishing. The Extreme Fisherman has a show called The Ultimate Fishing Show in New Zealand. This guy is crazy. Can't he land on the bill of the marlin, and it would spear him? It's dangerous catching these enormous fish with a rod and reel in a boat, let alone jumping on them.

Jesus Christ Superstar

I saw Andrew Lloyd Webber's and Tim Rice's rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar last night. It was fantastic. The play is currently on tour around the country.

The plot takes place in the last days of Jesus on Earth from The Last Supper to the Crucifixion and Resurrection. A good portion of the plot is based around the dissatisfaction of Judas with Jesus. We know how that ended!

My mom saw the play in the 1970s, and she said it was very controversial because of a scene with Mary Magdalene and Jesus where she sings "I Don't Know How to Love Him." I also thought the actors playing Jesus and Mary in this production were a little more touchy-feely than was necessary.

Ted Neeley played Jesus. He also had the title role on Broadway in the 1970s and in the 1974 movie version for which he received a Golden Globe nomination. I thought he looked much older than Jesus's 33, but I had no idea that he is 65! It's amazing that he can still hit those high notes and scream. During the songs "The Temple" and "I Only Want to Say," he really gets up there.

James Delisco played Judas. He was excellent as were the other disciples. Go see this if you have the opportunity because it may only run through this summer.

Robert Pattinson smolders on GQ

Swoon! Twilight hunk Robert Pattinson is looking F-I-N-E on the cover of the April issue of GQ. Well, putting Rob on the cover will certainly sell some issues - probably not not to their target audience of men, but rather to ladies of all ages. The article's headline reads, "Robert Pattinson is here. Hide your daughters."

The article by Alex Pappademas is well-written and positively hilarious. There is something so endearing about Rob because he seems very self-deprecating and a bit afraid of his new-found fame. He admits to walking out of the Twilight premiere ten minutes in to sit in his car because he can't stand seeing himself onscreen.

Rob discusses frequent tabloid rumors about him from having a Brazilian girlfriend that he's never met to dating his good friend Camilla Belle, who happens to date Joe Jonas. When the interviewer asked him if he had any last comments he says, "Okay, (deep breath) I f—ed Joe Jonas. I love him."

The photos black-and-white photos inside are delish. How does Rob do that thing with his eyes (see cover)? Whatever it is, us ladies love it. Mark your calendar; the issue hits stands nationwide March 24. Read the full article here...

http://men.style.com/gq/features/landing?id=content_8497

SJP goes green

[Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images]

Only the former Carrie Bradshaw could pull off this outfit. Sarah Jessica Parker wore this fabulousness to the School of American Ballet's Winter Ball in Manhattan. The gorgeous green dress and accessories are by L'Wren Scott. From SJP's marabou wrap to the gloves and caged shoes, this outfit is so glamorous. I am also digging her darker tresses.

Michael Jackson night on Idol

Tonight the top 13 contestants on American Idol sang Michael Jackson songs. The contestants did a good job for the most part. The standout was Adam Lambert from Los Angeles. He killed "Black or White." It was perfect for his voice and style, and no one came close to his performance.

I am also rooting for Scott MacIntyre, Danny Gokey, Kris Allen and Alexis Grace. Poor Anoop Desai made the mistake of singing "Beat It," which is an untouchable song. I think that Jasmine Murray and Jorge Nunez may be the first to go though.

Simon mentioned that there is a big surprise tomorrow night that involves the judges. Hmm, I hope it's that they finally don't seem loony!

Russell Brand plugs book on Today

[Today Show]

British actor and comedian Russell Brand was on the Today Show with Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb. He was discussing his new book My Booky Wook, ha! He was great as the sex-addicted rocker in Forgetting Sarah Marshall.

There were some funny and awkward moments (which is normal during this hour of Today). Kathie Lee was, of course, fawning all over him. Russell even showed them his nipple. He claims that he still hasn't met a wife, and that he is 33, "the exact age that Jesus used to be - no comparison."

He said that he's learned that being "kind to your mum and lovely" is most important. Brand ended by saying that love is all that matters. God bless him!

My Booky Wook touches on his sex and heroin addiction and his life as a comedian. It has sold one million copies in the U.K., but it was just released in the United States today.

Watch the entertaining video here...
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/29615395#29615395

A rich, handsome Shakespeare

[Shakespeare Birthplace Trust]

A portrait of William Shakespeare that was painted 400 years ago has recently surfaced. It may be the only painting done of the Bard. The painting was kept private in a home in Ireland.

Shakespeare is said to have been 46 at the time of the portrait. He didn't look bad for his age! His clothing reveals that he was of high social status and wealthy.

My question is why this Irish family selfishly kept this painting hidden all these years? Good grief; sell it to a museum so that the world can enjoy it! The Cobbe family inherited the painting through a marriage to a friend of Shakespeare's.

The portrait will be displayed starting April 23 at Stratford-Upon-Avon, England at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. This lovely, quaint English town is a must-visit. Be sure to visit the birthplace of Shakespeare's wife Anne Hathaway. The cottage is especially beautiful in the spring because of the gardens.

Love is a Mix Tape

Love is a Mix Tape by Rob Sheffield is a beautiful memoir and a great read. Sheffield writes about life with his wife Renee. They both shared a love of music from Hank Williams to Nirvana. The songs on their mix tapes tell the romantic but sad story of life before, during and after Renee.

Sheffield, a self-professed geek, met the vivacious Renee in 1989 in Charlottesville, Virginia. They were very much in love, so they got married. They built a happy life together despite not having much money. Sadly Renee passed away in 1997 from a pulmonary embolism, and Sheffield's pain is palpable.

The story is sometimes funny, heartbreaking but also hopeful. Sheffield's unfailing love for Renee is the type of love that every girl hopes to find one day. It is hard for most people to explain exactly what love is, but after reading this book, the explanation that love is a mix tape couldn't be more fitting.

Kate Hudson a superhero?

[Stefano Guindani/SGP]

Celebs galore attended the Extreme Beauty In Vogue party in Milan, Italy during fashion week including Kate Hudson, Orlando Bloom, Freida Pinto and Scarlett Johansson.

Miss Hudson turned up in this superhero-inspired gold sparkly skirt/cape getup by Italian designers Dolce & Gabbanna. Each piece would have been fine separately, but together they are a hot mess. The white shirt and bow doesn't mesh well with the shine and sequins. The black peep-toe shoes are a miss with that outfit too.

Oh well, at least she's supposedly back with lost love Owen Wilson. They're cute together!

Mahalo Kauai

I just got back from the beautiful island of Kauai in Hawaii. After finding a roundtrip ticket for $270, I couldn't pass up the trip. The weather was mostly overcast, but the island is so lush and gorgeous that I didn't mind too much.

We flew into the tiny airport Lihue from Los Angeles then went to a rented oceanfront villa in Poipu.You definitely need a rental car there since there aren't really any forms of public transportation, but the island isn't very big so driving is very easy.

The Waimea Canyon is a popular attraction. It is the largest canyon on the Pacific at 10 miles long. I haven't been to the Grand Canyon, but I imagine that this is a close second.

The northern part of the island has stunning views of mountains and waterfalls. Ha'ena Beach is lovely. It was fun to see surfers riding gigantic waves. There is also a very cool dry cave. The Kilauea Lighthouse (pictured) nestled on a cliff in Princeville is also a must-see.

One of my favorite activities was snorkeling. It's super inexpensive at $8 for top-of-the-line gear rental and is great fun. I saw tons of colorful fish, an endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal and a green sea turtle.

If you are fortunate enough to visit Kauai, you should dine at the oceanfront Beach House Restaurant; try some shave ice in the Li Hing Mui flavor (a Hawaiian salty dried plum); buy fresh fruit from a street vendor; sip on a Mai Tai while watching the sun set; and go snorkeling in Kaloa.

After visiting, you will be able to see why movie classics like Jurassic Park, Hook, Blue Hawaii and Raiders of the Lost Ark were filmed here. Aloha!

Gisele's bad bangs for Dior

Newlywed Gisele is featured in Dior's spring/summer campaign. Can we please discuss those bangs? Frightening! You know a haircut is atrocious when it makes Gisele look awful. My sister described it as a Barbie haircut gone bad. It looks like someone who was blindfolded took the scissors and cut.

On a lighter note, the dress and shoes are fab, but who could get past that hair to want to purchase them?

Confessions of a Shopaholic

Rebecca Bloomwood (Isla Fisher) has just lost her job at a magazine and is "in debt up to her eyeballs." OK, that sounds timely in this economy. The only difference between Rebecca and other newly jobless people is that she won't stop shopping to save her life. She can't walk past Henri Bendel without buying a green scarf, or past a sample sale without buying everything in sight from Gucci to Pucci.

Luckily, Rebecca is miraculously hired by the handsome and successful Luke Brandon (Hugh Dancy) at a savings magazine. This is ironic considering she is over $16K in debt. Somehow she manages to come up with a successful column called "The Girl in the Green Scarf" that likens saving money to clothing and accessories.

Rebecca's best friend makes her promise to attend Shopaholics Anonymous meetings. These are some of the funniest scenes in the film.

Luke and Rebecca eventually fall in love, but there are a few obstacles as Rebecca works to turn her life around. The film is based on the hit book by Sophie Kinsella.

British actor Dancy is gorgeous, and he seems like a good guy too. Ladies love to see that. Isla is adorable, and she plays Bloomwood with humor and a hint of Elle Woods from Legally Blonde with her slight ditziness and over-the-top clothing.