stay tuned...the carrie diaries edition

alas, my once favorite and most fashionable show, gossip girl, has finally ended.  it was past it's prime quite a few seasons ago really.  still, it was hard to say goodbye.  but before i could shed a proper tear, the cw came along with something fresh and fierce to fill in my monday night slot.  enter.......the carrie diaries!!!  this show is a prequel to the sex and the city hbo hit.  we find a teenage carrie bradshaw navigating her way through the suburbs on her way to the fabulous new york life she's known for.  there are quite a few reasons why i love this show but i'll narrow it down to three for you.

1.  the great storylines...
 although some parts are a little far-fetched (magically becoming an intern at a prestigous magazine at                sixteen by chance?  yeah, right!), most of the show show is fairly realistic and relate-able  (especially if you're a teenager or was once one).  boy trouble, sibling issues and drama with friends and frenemies abound.

2.  the fashion, of course
although i was far from a teenager, i did witness the wild and wacky and sometimes tacky eighties fashion for myself.  (droops head in shame) and yes, i even participated in it.  that's why i look forward to seeing eric daman's interpretation of what was worn in the era of excess.  so far, i think he does an excellent job of showing what kids were rocking to school and lets his creative juices splash all over the blank canvas when dressing the ny it girls.  
check out this blog for more about the clothes:  http://thecarriestylediaries.com/

3.  the diversity of the cast
by now you've heard of the controversy with the hbo show girls and how they've whitewashed the rainbow that is new york.  according to lena dunham, a diverse nyc has not been her reality.  if that's true, the sheltered writer  should certainly get out more.  in the carrie diaries, people of color are more than cab drivers and homeless people taunting the main characters.  in fact, we are play central roles in carrie's life (unlike the grown up carrie) even in the burbs of connecticut.  her best friend (mouse), nemesis (donna la donna) and it girl mentor (larissa) are all women of colour and charisma.  her guy pal (walt) is teetering on whether or not he's gay (he is) and her other bff maggie...well, she just might be white but her ethnic features are gorgous as well as ambiguous.  

check out carrie diaries-le book for more.

besos jenna pearle*

war of the roses

axl

in the spirit of my heavy metal celebration, here's another tribute.  feast your eyes on axl!

besos jenna pearle*

down with the kings of queens-run dmc

 

run dmc, the godfathers of rap.  it goes without saying we owe these pioneers so much for helping to bring hip hop music/culture into the mainstream.  they are also credited with showing that rap could be infused with any genre successfully(specifically rock).  i know you remember their hit with aerosmith, "walk this way."  for me and many others, run dmc are considered fashion icons.  all black everything (usually in leather), adidas with huge laces, gigantic gazelle glasses, heavy rope gold chains, bucket kangols and loads of badass attitude...what more could an impressionable lil' hip-hop loving girl in the 80s ask for?  unfortunately, during the earlier part of the decade, we lost the legendary dj, jam master jay.  despite that, these rap rebels remain tough as leather and in our nostalgic hearts forever. here are some essentials you'll need in your wardrobe in order to be down with the kings of queens.  keep an eye out for great accessories and clothing that meets the kings' criteria at http://theposhbrownboutique.bigcartel.com/


besos jenna pearle*

by the way, this artwork (up top) is by the artist, alberto russo.  check out his work when you get a chance, passionistas...

madonna motif

madonna has often been called a style chameleon but i vehemently disagree. chameleons change, blending into their environment. while there is no denying madonna louise ciccone knows how to make a change, her bold choices rarely ever reflect whats happening around her. on the contrary, we (the environment) follow her blindly.

i don't have enough time or space to really disect the many motifs madonna has given us. that said, i can't help but discuss some of my favorites with you. of course, we recall how it all began*. the punky, pop temptress with the dance background. we met madonna decked in lacey fingerless gloves, rubber and spiked jewelry, two (maybe three) toned hair and a mischievous attitude.

and do you remember the Papa Don't Preach', 'Cherish' cutesie look? Or, should i refer to it as the True Blue stage? there wasn't much to dislike with this short, blonde sweet maddy. soon, we were introduced to the italian-american stunner in ' like a prayer' ... this was my first opportunity to see m.c stripped of all the armor. it was just madge as a brunette in a simple dress and make-up.

things took a turn for the odd during the erotica time period and i must admit, i lost interest. forgive me, i was twelve. i did enjoy the Deeper seventies vibe but the sex book just wasn't for me. (check debi mazar in the deeper video)

i made my way back to madge during the "secrets" era. ms. ciccone had gained perspective, weight and feminity (well, a softer femininity). think back to the video with the spanish bullfighter. the vail, the tailored suit, the architecture, the colors (esp. the crimson lips)...gorgeous!!!! it was madonna who needed to "take a bow."

madonna would make her way down the earthy, mystical kaballah phase, making a few stops on the urban cowboy, female pimpstress and English lady train.

it would be nearly impossible to contest the influence madonna has had on the pop culture world. tweens can thank their lucky stars (silly pun intended) ms. madonna and her look-alike heir to the throne, lourdes have created a line of clothing based on their own eclectic style. its very 80's madonna but so cute. now you don't have to take the time to cook up your own personal, creative style. you can just pick up their instant version at your nearby macy's. voila!

xoxo jenna pearle*

baby west

look at lil' kanye back in his day. what a cutie pie! hope this future fashion forward fella put a smile on your face...happy monday!

xoxo jenna pearle*

pic courtesy of dopedefined.tumblr.com

sweet thang

i remember this album cover vividly in the living room of my old brooklyn apartment in front of the wall unit that held the record player/eight track. chaka khan has been doing it big for years, decades! here we definitely have a candidate for "tired of toning it down." chaka's talent and voice is undeniable. this red ensemble makes her look vibrant and happy, as does that big ol' grin.

xoxo jenna pearle*

private dancer

tina...


xoxo jenna pearle*

the way you make me feel, mike

this represents what i'm feeling today. i just want to immerse myself in michael!

xoxo jenna pearle*
another post to come soon on the topic!

saucy southern belle, rip

i've just recently expressed my dear connection to the saucy, sexy golden girls. therefore, you can imagine my heartbreak upon hearing of rue mclanahan's passing. rue brought sexy back while forcing us to question had it ever really gone. i'm sure by now you've already seen some sort of memoriam montage, informing you of the fulfilling life she led. she was quite the ol' gal. i plan on reading that last book she put out as soon as i get the chance. what saddens me most is that we are only left with one golden girl. that said, long live betty!

missin' rue...

xoxo jenna pearle*

80s baby

what i remember about my 80's childhood fashion:

acid wash jeans*sweater dresses* charm bracelets* stopwatches* la gear* travel foxes* spandex* adidas sweat suit* scrunchies* banana clips* crimping iron* leg warmers* jellies* pearls* coca cola clothes* door knocker earrings* multi-colored plastic earrings* leggings* shoulder pads* accessories galore

music icons:

prince, michael jackson, madonna, janet jackson, cindy lauper, phil collins, janet jackson, anita baker, whitney houston, george michael, jody watley, salt n pepa, culture club

favorite toys:

handheld video games, perfection, cabbage patch kids, get in shape girl, super mario bros./ mike tyson's punchout bubble bobble, Qbert, pacman, my first white boombox with purple and pink buttons...

update coming soon for favorite 80s movies

ur favorite 80s baby, jenna pearle*

get well soon, pls

i just wanted to send my prayers and positive energy to brett michaels of poison, who i'm sure you've heard is in ICU. brett and the other 80's bands believe it or not, were a big part of my childhood experience. i feel like i've learned a lot about him on celebrity apprentice. in my opinion, he's a great guy. get well soon, brett

best wishes, jenna p*

talent show...it don't matter if its black n white

michael jackson
jean michel-basquiat

alvin ailey

the three geniuses

xoxo jenna pearle*

cherry bombs

"hello daddy, hello mom...i'm your ch ch ch ch cherry bomb!"

"hello world...i'm your WILD GIRL!"

i finally got a chance to see the movie "runaways." it was quite a difficult task getting to see this movie. for one, this nationwide opening didn't really happen. i live in nyc and discovered it was playing at only two small theatres. speaking of one, i noticed that like me almost everyone who was watching the film came alone. hmmm. so, i admit i missed the first five minutes or so of it. fortunately, i was determined to see it so i entered the already rolling biopic.
anyway, i enjoyed this film even though it was jagged and short on details. i was surprised that the movie focused on cherie currie's perspective more than any of the other girls. actually, the other band members beside cherie and joan were excluded for the most part. they were present but not explored in the least. however, i think i remember hearing that the movie was based on cherie currie's biography. that said, dakota fanning did a fabulous job; no surprise there. what was different is that she was tackling more adult information although she was playing a character around her age. i found her convincing, nonetheless.

as for kristen stewart's portrayal of joan jett...bravo. i'm not sure if stewart is a phenomenal actress or if she just naturally embodies the spirit of jett. her swagger and bad ass but sensitive demeanor kept me glued to the screen. although i'm straight, it was easy to identify and become attracted to the rock n roll queen. as far as i'm concerned, kristen had that magnetic appeal that the director was trying to coach out of dakota. either way, both girls did a magnificent job.

so anyway, on to more important topics...clothes and costumes. oh yeah, and hair. this movie did not disappoint. platform boot rocking cherie was the sexy one with lingerie and leather. joan was true blue rock n' roll with tight tees spraypainted with the names of rock legends (great idea for diy), spectacular leather jackets and tight jeans. one of the girls wore a fantastic seventies flip while lita ford sported the marcia brady long locks. to sum up, the girls looked good. btw, i did not know that lita ford was even a member of the runaways. learn something new everyday.

i am glad that i took the time out to see this film. it left me wanting more, especially of joan jett. would love to hear more about her life in the future.

a WONDERful WOMAN

another she-ro of mine: lynda carter aka wonder woman...pretty and smart as all get out,wore a fabulous ensemble and was able to kick major ass. and did you know she is latina? lynda carter, the woman, is not only an actress, but also a great entrepeneur and singer.

xoxo jenna pearle*

whimsical wonder

"make it funky...and fun!" says me.

the truly whimsical has totally tickled my fancy, lately. 2010 is all about having a good time and not taking yourself (life or fashion) so seriously. so why not attempt some fun and flirty accessories? fortunately for you, i have provided some inspiration above.

smooches, jenna pearle