Everyone is buzzing about the Superbowl last night, and I'm still buzzed from the free flowing beer that I guzzled at the Superbowl party I attended. Normally not the biggest beer drinker, it was nearly impossible to pass up (pass up...see what I did there?) and the brew was a perfect complement to the delectable nachos and buffalo bites.

Enough about me and what I consumed. Back to the game coverage. Everyone loves a good underdog story and the New Orleans Saints defeated the Indianapolis Colts 31 - 17, to win their first Superbowl title in franchise history. You gotta love them. The Saints had the good Lord on their side, recovering from a 10-0 deficit in the first quarter.

Show off your Saintly pride with your own Women's NFL Saints Jersey from Reebok that features a slimmer, shorter, tighter and overall a more flattering fit that hits just below the waistline. I wish I had one for my party.

Whether you're a fan of tight end Jeremy Shockey, cutie QB Drew Brees or Kim Kardashian's wide receiver, Reggie Bush, you can feature your favorite playah's name between your shoulder blades for $69.99. It's a way better option than that tattoo you've been pondering, less painful too.

While you're there, it isn't too late to score some Saints fan gear for your guy for Valentine's Day. Plus, score 15% off of your first order from the NFL Catalog, courtesy of Catalogs.com.

Touchdown.

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I recently came upon my old Strawberry Shortcake watch from my youth. It brought back fond memories of playing with Huckleberry Pie, Blueberry Muffin, Escargot and the entire fruity gang, but I faintly remember swapping my beloved Strawberry Shortcake timepiece every now and then for my brother's old oversized waterproof digital wristwatch that weighed my hand down like I was wearing an albatross around my wrist. I didn't care that it was a boy's watch. I liked it...and the boys liked it too.

Even though my personal style has always gravitated towards the feminine and flirty side of the fashion spectrum, i.e. - pretty sundresses, pink tanks, frilly skirts and delicate camis, I have always been a sucker for boy stuff.

There is no doubt about it, menswear pieces look hot on chicks. Just wear your guy's work dress shirt to bed and he'll let you know just how hot it is. From tuxedo jackets to boxy boyfriend blazers, sharp vests to old school fedoras and Hanes wifebeaters for boys, all it takes is one single piece to show men that we have an edge and can be soft and hard at the same time. Yes, we can wear the boyfriend cut pants in the family. Yes we can bring home the bacon, fry it up in a pan and polish off a triple-decker BLT just as well as they can.

We also look cuter in their stuff.

If you're a girlie girl who is yearning to go where the boys are, ease into the menswear world with a small accessory, like this chunky metal Nixon Watch from Tilly's. It's made for a guy, but looks sexy as all get out on a dainty woman's wrist.

It's $399, but you can score 10% off all women's and men's fashion watches for a limited time when you use code catalogs10 at the Tilly's checkout. The code is only good until February 14th, so time isn't on your side.

Ditch the Strawberry Shortcake watch and try it on for size. Pair it with a sweet frock or frilly tank to keep your girlie identity and if it's too manly for you, you can always pass it on to your sweetie for Valentine's Day.

I'll never tell.

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I rarely write negative reviews. Normally I use my blogging powers that be for good instead of evil, highlighting great deals and spreading some blog love to shops I dig. I so very much wanted to love GoJane.

GoJane features lots of trendy pieces or what my co-worker Gina would refer to as "disposable clothing", things you would wear for a night then toss aside because they're too cheap to make it through the wash. I decided to put my reservations aside and I placed an order for a pair of brown suede ankle booties that were only $20.50 (now only available in purple). Here's the rest of the story...

Jane sends shoes.
Sam receives shoes.
Sam no like shoes.
Shoe zippers broken.
Shoes look and feel cheap.
Sam can't get foot in shoe to try on.
Sam send shoes back.
Sam spends half of what shoes cost on shipping.
Sam no happy.
Jane customer service rep tells Sam no refund for shipping, shoes aren't broken.
Customer service rep is Dick.
Sam out $15.
Sam has no shoes.

The moral to the story kids?

Sam shop at Go Jane.
Go Jane cheat Sam.
See Sam run.

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The 52nd Annual Grammy's Awards were on last night and I was lucky enough to catch a few memorable moments and some unforgettable fashions, both good and bad.

It was quite a show with stellar performances by Beyoncé, the Black Eyed Peas and my girl Pink who astounded us when she stripped down to a nude bodysuit, took an unexpected dunk in a tub and performed a daring wet act on the flying trapeze (or some other Cirque du Soleil type concoction).

Big winners of the night were Beyoncé, who took home six Grammys with her smashing girlpower anthem - "Single Ladies" winning Song of the Year and Best R'n'B Song, while an exquisitely dressed Taylor Swift came in right behind her with four award honors including Album of the Year. No appearance by Kanye West who finally decided imma let people finish accepting their awards.

As far as who wore what, the overall trend seemed to fall under long, dramatic gowns, intricate necklines and neutral/navy colored numbers. Who were my favorites? I thought the Victoria's Secret Angels dominated the red carpet while standing out in pretty minis that were chic, short and so rock and roll.

Bronzed beauty Marisa Miller wowed in a simple yet stunning strapless white minidress accessorized by a pop of ruby red platform pumps while her angelic counterpart Heidi Klum showed off her post-baby body yet again in a long-sleeved, low-cut 80's style sequined mini to support her man who was up for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. I'm sure he gave her the Seal of approval.

As for the low notes, Britney Spears failed to impress in a sheer black Dolce & Gabbana dress, Nadeea needed to be covered by some nice man's tuxedo jacket and Lady Gaga was... well, Lady Gaga. Seriously though, if Lady Gaga showed up in a plain black evening gown, we'd all feel let down now wouldn't we? These awards shows require a bit of risk, something to talk about and Lady Gaga's totally tubular dress and our Lady of Liberty getups give us the little bit of Björk that we need to get through the show.

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I lagged on my 2010 Sag award coverage. Sorry guys. I missed the broadcast, but I've scoured all of the image banks and have tallied my ballots. Without further ado...

My favorite look of the night was elegantly worn by my favorite Inglorious Basterdess, Diane Kruger, with a marigold, off-the-shoulder Jason Wu gown that was reminiscent of Michelle Williams' still talked/blogged about curry-colored Vera Wang Oscar dress that she wore as a Best Supporting Actress nominee back in 2006. The resemblance is uncanny, is it not?

Who else impressed? Best Comedy Ensemble winner Lea Michelle in a plunging emerald Malandrino gown, Carey Mulligan in a lovely red Lanvin gown, and Kate Hudson redeemed herself after her double red carpet bombs at the VMA's and the Golden Globes in a white plunging back Pucci number. Kate's Nine co-star Nicole Kidman, however, went all Bollywood in a hippie maxi dress looking rather dazed and confused. Just because it's Oscar de la Renta and sparkly Nicole, doesn't mean it looks good, although it was a nice shout out to last year's Best Acting Ensemble Winner, Slumdog Millionaire.

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We all fall down.

Whether it's alone in the privacy of our own homes, in a public place in front of a few snickering passersby or figuratively, when we make an unfortunate stumble that we can't undo. The one thing we civilians have got going for us is that no matter how we fall, there are rarely camera crews, newspaper photographers and the fashion elite watching us while making our way down the runway of life.

Designers make models do some crazy things, wearing garments that are as confining as straight jackets, trains that are bound to be stepped on and I'm not even going to mention the shoes. I fall down in flipflops; if I had to walk in some of those torturous, sado-masochistic shoes, I would probably break all twenty-six bones in each foot.

So although this video makes me giggle, I still have to give props to these beautiful girls who do what we all have to do when becoming roadkill, both on the catwalk and in life in general.

They just get back up, compose themselves and keep on walking.

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A co-worker informed me this morning that this year marks the 50th anniversary of Bubble Wrap. We celebrate the anniversaries of bubble wrap now? Really? Martin Luther King Jr, our founding forefathers, Christopher Columbus and...bubble wrap? Lo and behold, my research informs me that an Indiana radio station decided nine years ago today, that the last Monday in January would from here on in, be celebrated as Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day.

This will be my first year of officially observing Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day, and thankfully there are no religious bubble wrap worshipping prerequisites that I need in order to take part in services, I only have to give a silent thanks to bubble wrap for cushioning all of those expensive and fragile items that I've shipped or packed over the years. Or, I can give a loud popping thanks to the hours of enjoyment bubble wrap has provided me, children I've babysat and my dog by popping some Grade A bubble wrap that is sitting in my office as we speak. I can also download the ridiculously addictive bubble wrap app, or create a cool and hip bubble wrap ensemble so people on the street can reach out in a pop of solidarity. Go ahead, you know you want to.

Once you pop, you can't stop.

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I had a moment of clarity today. A flash of perspective.

I was upset this morning for multiple reasons. My dog wouldn't go number two, one of my contact lenses dried up from sticking to the side of its case and I dropped and broke my make-up mirror. The light won't go on and one side of the mirror is cracked, which means seven years of bad luck that I can't afford. It wasn't my best morning.

Then, as I was driving to work, I heard a segment on the radio covering the latest relief efforts in Haiti. I heard that 9600 bottles of water and 42000 MRE Packets were airdropped, providing some victims with the first meal they've had since January 12th. I heard about how men and women were going through the rubble of what used to be their homes, looking for any piece of their former lives that could be salvaged.

I'm such a jerk. Material possessions should be the furthest thing from my mind amidst the horrific aftermath of Tuesday's earthquake in Haiti. I get upset over things like this morning's trifecta of events or losing my favorite pair of sunglasses, but I didn't lose a home, sustenance... a child.

It made my heart hurt. I ache for the families that have been torn apart. The wives who will never again be able to embrace their husbands, their mothers, fathers and babies.

In the wake of things, what I'm doing right now seems so petty, writing a fashion blog and profiling today's must-have pieces.

I'm headed to NY Fashion Week next month. I heard a rumor that it might all be canceled, considering the world events that have taken precedence over the new crop of Fall collections. Fashion Week is still a go, but I was pleased to learn that designers, models and other high profile members of the Fashion World have united, doing their part to raise awareness and funds. Narciso Rodriguez and Cynthia Rowley hosted a benefit for Haiti on Monday evening, combining efforts to raise money for the people who have more on their minds than whether structured shoulders will be in this Fall.

I may not be part of the big picture, but I hope that I can at least do my part and urge readers to give anything they can to a variety of organizations. From donating to the American Red Cross Haiti Relief Efforts to Unicef or calling in to George Clooney's Hope For Haiti Telethon tomorrow night, whether it's $5 or the $15K that President Obama has given, every dime will help them rebuild and recover all that has been lost.

In the meantime, make an effort to refrain from sweating the small stuff like I do and try to embrace the ones that you love while they are still here.

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When it comes to bags, I can't get no satisfaction.

No matter how much excess baggage I find myself taking on tour with me, I always want more. My newest obsession - the Kooba Jagger Leather Tote.

This imported tote looks as deconstructed as the Rolling Stones front man himself with leathery skin like Mick's, zipper details that unzip to reveal what I imagine to be a long rolling tongue and antique brass hardware that is aged way better than Keith Richards' face. Pick up your own Jagger from Bloomies, available in three colors - brown, red or paint it black.

It's $595 which means it's off limits unless I sell my vintage 1978 Stones concert tee on eBay. Oh well.

You can't always get what you want.

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Sophistication and timeless elegance ruled the red carpet last night at the 67th Annual Golden Globes with A-list ladies skimming their way down the red carpet with strategically held umbrellas protecting their fab frocks and customs coifs. Black and red ribbon pins supporting the relief efforts in Haiti made appearances on a number of gowns in the crowd but not on all, which made me wonder if some starlets had refused to be pinned for the cause. How awkward must that have been... "Uh no, I don't care to show my support for Haiti, I only want to show support for my cleavage."

But alas, the big question is - who reigned supreme? In my humble opinion, the Jens had it.

It was all about Jennifer to the 2nd power with Jennifer Aniston in a safe yet stunning simple black plunging Valentino gown with a side split that showed off some nice gams while Jennifer Garner sans Ben, dazzled in an asymmetrical slim, beaded lilac Atelier Versace gown.

There were far more good looks than bad ones, too many to name in fact, so here are a few most honorable mentions - Christina Aguilera classed it up in a peach Versace chiffon gown with metal-lined bodice, Anna Paquin shone in a gold Stella McCartney sheath and Olivia Wilde was a statuesque beauty in a sequined Gucci evening gown that she auctioned off after the show with proceeds benefitting Haiti.

Okay, she's off the hook for not wearing the pin.

As for the bad? Cher is a given, Kate Hudson's white Marchesa structured gown wasn't close to a Nine or ten in my book, January Jones looked Mad in a macabre black Lanvin gown and matching headband and Mariah Carey's blatant boob display was far from Precious.

Posted by Samara at 09:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Fashion blogger down ladies and gents, blogger down.

I apologize for my lack of posts this week but I have a valid excuse. Your blogging hostess has been in bed for the past two and a half days recovering from a nasty, mega case of food poisoning. The culprit? A dirty apple. One shiny Red Delicious was the root of my downfall, taking me out of commission and ruining a perfectly good cowlneck top in the process. Always wash your fruit guys. Twice.

My stomach is still cramped up in knots, my lower back still aches from retching over a bucket for 16 hours straight and I'm slowly trying to nurse my digestive system back to health. After sipping juice glasses filled with Pedialyte and a bowl of condensed chicken broth, I've finally progressed to plain rice and whole wheat pasta. It's going to take me a long while before I can even think about rekindling my love affair with nachos.

How do you like them apples?

I don't.

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I am always complaining about the heat and general lack of seasonal changes here in sunny Florida, but this past week we've been enjoying record low temperatures - in the 30's folks! Yes, I'm freezing my giblets off, but I'm pulling cute old coats out of storage that I haven't seen in years, decking my dog out in cold weather dogwear and I finally feel like I'm a step closer to walking in a winter wonderland.

Here are a few highs and lows of dealing with the cold.

Top 5 Things to love about Cold Weather

1. You don't have to maintain pricey pedicures.
2. You can get away with wearing your boyfriend's oversized tops and sweaters while smelling like him all day.
3. Boots, boots and more boots.
4. Frizz-free hair, natural blush, chilled lips.
5. You finally have a reason to use that furry pink toilet seat cover your mom bought you.

Top 5 Things to hate about Cold Weather

1. Damn, your feet are fugly.
2. Your boyfriend is pissy because you've pilfered all of his warm clothes and when you finally give them back, he ends up smelling like a girl.
3. Toe jam, toe jam and more toe jam.
4. Static-y hair, flaky face, chapped lips.
5. Cursing yourself for throwing away that ridiculous furry pink toilet seat cover your mom bought you.

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