Is Online Voting Coming to "Idol"?

Is there ANYTHING about this season of “Idol” that is not going to change?

“TV Squad” is reporting their theory that online voting is coming to the show to replace the semifinal round. I repeat, this is only a theory and FOX has not confirmed anything…

According to the post: “‘Idol’-tracking website ‘AI Now’ noted that the Twitter bio for an account titled ‘AI10 Contestants’ reads, ‘Voting begins Thursday, February 24 at ATT.com/Idol.’ Plus, an insider told VotefortheWorst.com that 40 to 50 contestants will be prominently featured during the five Hollywood episodes, with viewers voting online for the top 12 contestants. Three more finalists will be chosen via a judges' wild card.”

I’m hoping to have this all sorted out very soon, so Stay Tuned…

Kris Allen Fans Rally for His Cause

Kris Allen fans are finding a way to honor him by supporting one of his favorite causes…

“Alright With Music” is an initiative sponsored by a group of Kris fans. The goal is to raise $25,000 for Music Empowers, which according to a press release, provides funding to non-profit organizations that offer innovative music programs in underserved areas.

Music education programs are one of the causes Kris has championed since being crowned the American Idol at the end of season eight.

Last June, Kris’ fans raised more than $25,000 for Heifer International in honor of his 25th birthday.

To learn more about “Alright With Music,” you can visit their website…

Idols Represent in the Grammy Nods

“Idol” was represented in the Grammy Nominations announced last week, although probably not as much as it should’ve been…

Adam Lambert received a nod for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for “Whataya Want From Me.” Two of Adam’s producers were nominated for Producer of the Year. Their nominated work included five Adam tracks: Greg Cavallo for “Music Again,” ”Soaked,” “Sure Fire Winners” and “Time for Miracles.” Dr. Luke was nominated for eight tracks including “For Your Entertainment.”

Carrie Underwood was nominated for Best Female Country Vocal Performance for “Temporary Home.”

Fantasia received two nods for “Bittersweet”: Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song. Fantasia also got a Best R&B Album nom.

I don't know what Carrie or Fantasia's chances are, but I think it would be a total crock if Adam didn't win...

The Grammys are February 13th at 8 p.m. on CBS…

More Changes to "Idol": Is the Show Becoming More Like "Big Brother"?

When I saw the headline, I couldn’t help but groan. MORE changes to “American Idol”? Will there be any shred of the show we know and love left?

“The Hollywood Reporter” is exclusively reporting that the Top 12 will live together in a house in the Hollywood Hills. While there, they will be allowed to chat with fans via Twitter. You may remember Twitter updates from each contestant were promised last year but quickly squelched. “THR” is reporting producers will relax their Twitter rules.

So, are they trying to turn “Idol” into “Big Brother,” taking cameras inside the house to show us what happens offstage? That remains to be seen as FOX did not comment for the “THR” story.

“THR” is also reporting that 325 people are participating in Hollywood Week, the largest group the show has ever had. 60 of those will then go to Las Vegas for an integration with Cirque du Soleil’s Beatles-inspired show, “Love.” Then, 40 contestants will return to Los Angeles. And the Top 12 will move into the house. What happens between 40 and 12 is still not quite clear either.

I’m starting to worry the show is just making too many changes and that the core of what made “Idol” such a huge show may disappear.

So what do you guys think? Do you want to see what happens in the Idol house? Do you like all of these changes?

You can post a comment, send an e-mail to ahendersonbentley@hotmail.com, tweet me at @angelahbentley or like me on Facebook to share your opinions…

A pair of shorts for a Pear?

Shorts are one the sexiest outfits you can ever pick up from your wardrobe. Especially this Spring 2011, the shorts are on. You can choose from satin short, cotton shorts, patterned short, monochromatic shorts. It is better to buy floral patterned shorts, because it is spring. It is a great decision, if you pair your new shorts with one of the Alexander McQueen Spring 2011 shoes, for example with butterfly detail. Pair your shorts with a blazer, or with a cardigan. 

Or so they say...... but what do you do if the widest  measurements of your body is your hips/thighs? If anything shorter than a 15cm above your knees makes your legs look laughable and totally undermine anything great you were blessed with? Well I am one of them, at least for the last 6 years..... When I was in my 20's I never had to think about these things and life surely was sweeter then. Now though, in my mid-30s, I have discovered the taste of constant dieting, pressure of exercising (oh yes, it is a VibroPlate in my workshop you can see at the back of my bodyform-based pictures), nightmares of missing a mortgage payment and crow feet in the corner of my eyes...  But hey, no moaning here! I have always believed that there's something better awaiting us around the corner and i am surely ready to embrace it whatever it may be!

But back to shorts. I love them, adore them, drool over them in shops for hours and I don't owe a single pair..... because as soon as I put them on, i start wishing there is a rewind button I could press to go back to the moment I decided to try them on and erase even the memory of the thought of trying them on. This love seems doomed to be platonic (((

But maybe not?

Today I came across this small article in one of online forums and I think it is a great piece of advice for those slightly ( and only slightly) unfortunate pears like me. Hope you find it useful too.

The Best Shorts for Pear Shaped Women

Kimberley Heit

 In creating a versatile wardrobe, it is useful to include a few pairs of shorts. To achieve a flattering appearance, it is very important to choose styles that suit your body shape. The following article is a brief guide to choosing shorts that flatter pear shaped women.

guide to choosing shorts that flatter pear shaped women.

Style & cut

Pears often have trouble finding shorts that fit at both the waist and hips. To get around this fit problem look for styles with elastic or drawstring waists or drawstring waists. Some styles that have dart fitting at the waist may suit your figure type also. Or consider buying a style that fits through the hips and have it tailored to fit at the waist.

Pear shaped women often have the appearance of shorter legs; to extend your leg line visually it is a good idea to select a pair of shorts with a slightly raised waistline. Avoid low rise styles because they will not only diminish your leg line, but bring the eyes to rest on your fullest area. You also want to look for shorts that are cut a little higher in the back to accommodate your curvy behind when sitting and bending over, unless you don't mind having your underwear on show.

When it comes to length, go for longer styles that will help draw the eye away from your bottom. Where possible, aim for shorts that hit at the knee or lower. Avoid slim fitting styles or styles that taper inwards towards the knee. These will make the difference between your top and bottom size glaringly obvious. You want to look for straight cuts or styles that have a slight A line shape to them. These will help balance your figure.

Color & print

The most flattering color and print for pair shaped women is something dark and plain. Consider colors like black, navy, charcoal gray or dark brown. The only print that tends to be flattering is a fine vertical pinstripe; this draws the eyes down the body, rather than outwards. Wide stripes don't tend to have as much of a slimming effect and some can even add visual width.

Fabric


Typically steer clear of jersey fabrics or anything with a high percentage of Lycra, you'll be drawing attention to your fullest areas in a glaring way. You want to look for a structured fabric that can help disguise the region, or a nicely draping fabric that skims over the top. Try linen, denim, cotton chino, wool blend suiting and crepe. Avoid fabrics that are thick and textured, because these can add more volume to your lower half. Definitely steer clear of anything shiny like silk satins or sequined style fabrics.


Decoration & details

Where possible avoid shorts that feature pockets of any kind, or only choose those that have besom or jet pockets, because these do not add any volume. Flap pockets will add extra visual weight to your full area, and side seam pockets have a tendency to pull across your body. Also avoid shorts that have horizontal seam lines or panels, belt details at the hips, and pleats. Ideally you are looking for sleek, streamlined styles that are completely fuss free. Save decorative touches for above the waist on your smaller top half.

More advise for a pear-shaped body


The key is still balancing the difference between the top and bottom part of your body. We can achieve this by drawing attention upward, de-emphasizing the bottom part of your body and elongating your legs.

Drawing attention upwards:

• Wear the best possible bra. Giving your bust line the shape and support it needs will define your waist and create curves in all the right places.
• Strive to create an “A-line” silhouette with your clothing. You look exceptional in dresses and should take advantage of this ultra-feminine look all year round.
• 
• Always wear slim fitting tops, sweaters, cardigans and button down shirts. Choose styles that define your waist and show off your torso. Boxy trapeze jackets continue to be all the rage and you can absolutely wear them (despite the fact that this goes against the rules) if you keep them cropped, fitted snugly at the shoulders and matched with a longer and slim layer underneath.
• Wear V-neck tops and create V-neck shapes with your layers. V-shapes elongate your neck and draw attention to your slim midsection giving definition where you want it.
• Keep your shoulder line strong and refrain from wearing items with “a sloppy shoulder line”. It’s imperative that your clothing fits you properly on your shoulders because the eye is drawn to definition.
• Select tops, knitwear, jackets and coats with interest. Tops with wide cuffs, bell sleeves, ruffles, embellishment, rushing, vertical seaming detail, large collar/lapels, wraps and princess lines are good choices. These design features naturally deflect the eye upwards. The voluminous sleeve trend was made for you.
• The length of your tops should either catch you just below your hipbone or around the knee. Avoid lengths that finish straight over your bottom or straight across your thighs. You can sport the leggings look with the right A-line dress because this look is about the dress and not the leggings.
• Layer your garments. Pop longer length camisoles underneath your knitted tops and shirts. They should finish just above your crotch point. Pop a fitted shorter jacket or sweater as a third layer over these layers for the most flattering effect. The layers automatically create a visual balance between the top and bottom half of your body.
• Accessorize the top part of your body well, with necklaces, specs, earrings, hair clips (but not all together). Sport one statement accessory at a time.
• Consider wearing a waist belt over your tops for extra definition. Wear your belt a little lower if you’re short-waisted.

and very importantly

“De-emphasizing” the bottom and elongating your legs:

• Keep your bottom choices simple and structured, thereby saving all the visual interest for your tops. No cargo pockets, waistband details, side entry pockets, pleats, drawstrings, elastication or hip embellishments. Curvy women can wear skinnies, if you match them with A-line tunics, dresses and heels. Trust me, it’s a fab look!
• Keep the front part of your pants free of detail and your rise mid in length (not too high or low). Make sure that there is enough ease through the hip and thigh. Fabrics with stretch are your best bet.
• Keep the hems of your pants wide (boot cut or flared) if you’re not sporting “the skinnies and tunics” silhouette. Pants that skim along the contour of your thighs always work best.
• Keep walk shorts straight from the thigh down and knee-length (like a cullotte) and avoid lengths shorter than this.
• Don’t force yourself to wear pants and jeans if you look and feel fabulous in skirts and dresses. Knee length A-line skirts with vertical panel seaming are best. Stay clear of bias-cut skirts and pencil skirts. Ankle length A-line styles work particularly well for tall pear-shaped gals.
• Wear pointy-toed shoes (if you can) with pants that are wide at the hem to elongate the leg.
• Wearing some sort of heel (even if it’s just an inch) whenever you can will give you the height that automatically slims down curves. Simple rule: the curvier your bottom, the longer and wider you’ll need to wear your pants and the higher you’ll need to wear your heel to balance out your silhouette. This is especially effective if you sport the correct pants length (hems should skim the surface of the ground).
• Be mindful of shoes with ankle straps. They might break the long vertical line that you are trying to create.
• Wearing heeled knee high boots that are slim at the ankle with skirts or dresses in cooler weather is a great leg-flattering look.

Ode to Audrey (freezing and dreaming)

Audrey Hepburn has often been called one of the most beautiful women of all time. I have always admired her, however, it was not until about a month ago that I have seen "Breakfast at Tiffani's" for the first time. This was the day the world changed for me. A little, but significantly enough to obsess over her famous black dress with a deep back opening- so feminine and so powerful. Unfortunately, as much I as would love to, there is no chance for me to duplicate this dress, just simply because it would be condemned to stay inside my wardrobe forever.

Until today

This evening I finally found the solution for my annoying problem: I found a gorgeous dress in Burda 8/2010

Fabric:It is originally made from duchess, but I have something different in mind for it- the top part of the bustier and the parts you tie will be made from a dark red crepe, and for the rest I have a bi-stretch red suiting fabric in the same shade as crepe. This will make the narrow silhouette look very feminine, hiding imperfections






Design: As much as I love the top part of the dress- I absolutely hate the bottom- this will just make me look huge around the hips and won't do me any favours. So..... I am going to cheat. remember the black skirt with curved seams I blogged about last week? I reckon this dress will look amasing with the skirt like that one on the bottom. Just need to make sure the princess seams on the top and the skirt are aligned at the back, but that is a doable task)))
Here is a sketch:

The Jury is still out on keeping the ties at the back or omitting them altogether as in Audrey's dress. The argument in favour of not having a bulky feature at the back is that I have enough suiting fabric to make a cropped jacket to suit the dress ( something like this)

So let's get down to business! I'll keep you posted

P.S.: Ireland is covered in snow (it almost never happens) and my workshop room is FREEZING!!!!! My Job is closed for a week ( no wages!!!!) So feeding my family plain potatoes (hahaha - we are snowed in and can't get to the shop- the roads are not gritted and nobody has winter tyres in Ireland - imagine that!!!!) and making plans is all I have left to do.

Endulgence endulgence

How can I express my delight with the fact that CLOGS ARE STILL IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

After I acquired a pair of brown suede clogs in New Look this summer, I couldn't have enough of them- I even chose all my outfits to suit the colour ( brown, though being my colour is not a very popular colour in my wadrobe- I am a real fan of grays as a basic colour.)








Yet this winter the clogs are flourishing once again, check out these for instance:

Yummy

and they are available from NEXT.....

Absolute dream!!!!!