Fred Flare: Crazy Cool or Just Plain Crazy? You Decide!

In the past, the good folks at Fred Flare have provided the public with AMAZING products at affordable prices. Yet recently, a trend has developed regarding new shipments posted to the FF website: For ever five excellent, new items on the front page, there are at least two questionable finds to make a some-what balanced selection to choose from. See for yourself if you agree!

First we have the educational; The Instant French 2-CD Set.

A great buy for any non-skeptics who wish to learn the language of love in less than two months! Emily's Grade: A.

Next, we have the strange-but-adorable; The MeWOW Cat Sunglasses.

With a handy strap that keeps your sunnies close at all times, Fred Flare has the right idea with this awesome, deadstocked product. Emily's Grade: A+.

Finally, we have the just plain weird; The Gold Retainer Necklace.

Not only is the creep-factor of this item extremely high, but at the INSANE price of $300, I wouldn't doubt the removal of this necklace from the website by early next week. Unless you wanted retribution for an excrutiatingly painful retainer experience in your teens, what would drive someone to purchase this? I guess that's just one of those questions that will never be answered. Emily's Grade: D-.

Well, that's it for this blog. I love Fred Flare dearly but, like all companies, sometimes their judgement is questionable... although it might say something about me that I would totally buy these for my significant other:


- Emily Rose

For a Girl Who Doesn't Like Red...

...I find myself drooling over Christian Louboutin's newest styles via Bergdorf Goodman.






























There is something so incredibly sexy about red pumps, and even if you wear all black, the color pops and makes a great accessory. I've never seen Spanish lace utilized for detail like on the Passementarie Pump, and I love it. Though the last two selections are obviously not red, they are some classics that I'm sincerely infatuated with. Can you guess why? ;)


-MF

Seeing Stars With Colette

French boutique and powerhouse, Colette, have teamed up with some of our favorite brands this year, including Married to the Mob, Gap, and Hello Kitty/Dear Daniel. Fortunately for us, Colette did some brainstorming early this year to give us dope collaborations with Oakley and Onitsuka Tiger by Asics this summer. Being a fan of Tigers, I found out about the collaboration a few weeks back and discovered the blue star theme was also to be put to use on sunglasses by Oakley. The Tigers by Colette are high tops, which are uncommon to the brand, and the sunglasses are Wayfarer-esque against clear plastic frames. I'm totally digging this and hope to cop the high tops soon. Until the release date, keep checking back for updates on release dates and where-to-buys on Colette.Fr.

















-MF

Darkhorse: Late, But Back With a Vengeance

Since March, I've been wondering where the hell Darkhorse was at with their Spring/Summer 2008 collection. There were no updates on their site nor on their carrier's. This is when I thought Darkhorse, along with Tens, were temporarily out of the street wear game for the warm seasons ahead. Looks like Wendy from Nitrolicious found that they are now out of their hiatus with that nitty gritty, tongue-in-cheek, overtly sexual inside jokes of a t-shirt collection a la Spring/Summer '08, which we love. No one does it better than Darkhorse when it comes to that sort of thing, and i'm definitely loving the collection for both men and women.
Grace Jones worship is back, as well as a reference to Daft Punk and homage to fashion's most sought-after designers, John Galliano of Dior, Alexander McQueen for Givenchy/McQ and Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel. You know i'm going to cop this, after picking up that Uncle Karl tee at UO a few weeks back. Be on the lookout at Cultist, Overkill and any other DH retailer for the collection to drop any day now.



-Michaela Fox

Chanel Autumn/Winter '08-'09

I sincerely believe that no one at the Chanel house can do wrong, and Karl Lagerfeld has shown us this since '83. Looks like this season's looks are based heavily upon futuristic themes, as well as a feminine medieval-armor type look, and I'm loving it. Colors from Chanel this season include: titanium, dark grey, silver, (yes many grey and metal hues), pink, and going back to the original colors that make Chanel, black and white.
Slim fitting tweed suits are also back, as well as slim fitted dresses cinched at the waist. We're looking at a more voluminous ensemble on top and bottom, and accentuating the waist. A tube top look with signature white trousers was even seen, something very different, but simplistic and chic for the autumn season, which looked like it was a left over piece from the Cruise collection.
Props used were frames around the model's faces (genius), and rosettes in the couture collection.



Final Grade: A+

(How can Chanel score any lower?)

-Michaela Fox

Killing It: MTV's Weekly Artists, Par Deux

From an artist's standpoint, getting bigger and being in the public eye can be exciting and thrilling; being able to see your music influence people and played everywhere. I have no doubt in my mind that this is an exhilarating process. But what about the fans? I'm talking about the fans that have known you since you were virtually unheard of, and still stayed by your side when the hipsters labeled you this and said you were copying someone else's game. Those fans, just like us, or at least very similar. Which brings up my current beef with MTV, seeing one artist being exploited weekly.
I've been upset about this for a while, since it began. When it comes down to it, it's the artists' decision whether to collaborate with MTV. Therefore, they technically aren't doing anything against their will here. It just plainly disgusts me that coincidentally, many of Atomic's favorite artists have been featured within the series:
-Chromeo
-M.I.A.
-Aesop Rock
-Gnarls Barkley
-Rilo Kiley
-(this week) Santogold


Santogold vs. Santosilver

It slightly takes away from their originality and appeal, in my opinion, and I'd like to know all of yours.

-Michaela Fox

Get Boutique Styles From Kitson Without Traveling!

Love the uniqueness of shopping at a boutique, but hate how locations are scarce and their online store has a quarter of what they sell on-site? Then the Kitson LA Online Store is for you!
Even though Kitson LA is considered a celebrity hotspot for all that is trendy, it's also, plainly put, a bona fide boutique without the title. The best thing about Kitson LA Online, is it's online deals and the numerous brands they carry. From Alexander McQueen to Primp, Betsey Johnson to Junkfood, you can find everything you need (even cosmetics and candles) in the store. Be sure to check out Kitson Online's seasonal sales and online-only promotions through out the year!
Han Cholo "LA" ring, Agent Provacateur perfume, and Balenciaga "Green Edition" sunglasses, all available at ShopKitson.com


-Michaela Fox