Speidi Makes Us Sick

If the celebrity tabloid world was anything like high school, Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt would be voted "Most Likely to Make Us Vomit." Even by Us Weekly, surprise, surprise.

I was uber giddy to note via Jossip that the celebrity rag that usually loves all things staged and cheesy called out Camp Speidi's lame shenanigans.

It's like when I see these pictures of Heidi and Spencer together, it reminds me of the movie "Green Card" where they frantically take photos in different settings to act like they've had a lasting and real relationship. Speidi does the same thing, except they have D-list celebutante status at risk instead of the possibility of being deported.

And even more lame, they're apparently getting paid to look this ridiculously uninteresting. I want to know who at Pacific Coast News sat down and thought it would be a good idea for them to post up in a wheel barrow with a sad-looking pumpkin for Halloween. And then, to wear matching canary yellow polo shirts for "golf day." Among the pair's gratuitous beachwear shots, Heidi dons a bikini with a likening to the U.S. flag for the Fourth of July. How patriotic. (Ahem: please note the photos in beachwear all seem to take place near the same beach rock formation. The captions say things like "Pacific Palisades" and "Cabo San Lucas," but we all know it's a backdrop in a photography studio in Culver City.)

I'd say these two sold out, but I really don't think they had much integrity in the first place. Oh well. Rock the 15 minutes of fame while you can...even though these two make it painfully feel more like 45, even 50 minutes.

C'est la vie, Blueprint

I am sad to report that another favorite magazine of mine, Blueprint, will no longer be in, well, print. I received the sad news via IM this morning and a sad cloud was cast over my day. Okay, not really that dramatic, but it is disappointing.

Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia said they "misjudged the market." No you didn't! I totally subscribe and love it...publish just for me!

What I really liked about Blueprint was its ability to simplify stylish living for what seemed like the younger set. I felt like a lot of the tips, recipes and advice they offered could actually be applied to a 20-something lifestyle. The magazine was, indeed, fun and fresh like their tagline states. Never mind the design of the magazine was absolutely gorgeous. A very spare, artsy take on things.

At least they decided to keep up the blog and maybe some special editions through Martha Stewart Weddings. Okay, next in line for my favorite magazine to fold would be Domino. That would truly ruin my life.

Lampshades Not Included

I love that Fashion Week Daily interviewed reps at all the magazines to find out where their holiday parties are, including juicy tidbits of insider information on the revelries. Seems a bit to me like asking the popular crowd where their after-prom parties are, but I love it just the same!




And now for the superlatives to continue the high school theme, because I know you care:

• Best Coworker Bonding: Domino is having a "bring-your-own-ornament" party to decorate the chicest slash cutest Christmas tree ever. Post pictures on the web site when you're done, so I can copy verbatim, okay?


• Most Intimidating Dessert: The six-foot tall cupcake tree at Hearst Corporations' "All that Glitters" party.


• Class Clowns: CosmoGIRL! staffers are being encouraged by EIC Susan Schulz to wear silly hats. At least it will keep them from that inexplicable urge to put a lampshade on their head after the fourth martini (although, sidenote: it seems oddball headwear is continuing with its It Girl status.)


• Sassiest Invite: Glamour's invitation features a model sporting Dior supported by four men in tuxes reading, "Men in tuxes to carry you home, not included." Now that you've suggested it, Glamour, that's going to be my transportation of preference.


• Most Paranoid: The New Yorker staffers did not release the date of their party for fear of "psycho stalkers." They'll be eating BBQ in the Flatiron District while talking about how much better they are than you.

Have fun at your respective corporate holiday shindigs, but not too much fun. If you feel you need it, read these tips that lead off with a story about a young PR professional who vomited in her VP's lap in the cab ride home...oh the horror!

Have Yourself a D.I.Y. Little Christmas

Apparently, crafts are now just as cool as knitting was a few years back...even though sewing is the "new" knitting.

This month, Blueprint's unique gift wrap ideas encourage a little more creativity and less red and green. Unfortunately, their links aren't working too well right now, so check back a bit later.

There's a really great section on how to use layers of colored tissue paper and confetti, as well as rubber stamps in contrasting colors.

If you're feeling nerdy and are at all computer savvy, you can also try this Word clip art idea to make your own wrapping paper. I don't really think using a highlighter pen to give it some extra pizazz sounds very festive though. I mean, a neon yellow snowflake just doesn't say "Happy Holidays" to me.

What about glitter paint or some nice watercolors? Or you could be brave and try to run pre-printed or colored paper through the printer. Just be sure to watch the thickness and make sure it doesn't get wrinkled...that's a headache in the making, for sure.

If you're feeling like you want to support the handmade scene, check out the handmade holiday cards at etsy.com. The cost won't set you back as much as you think, most cards are around $1.00 to $3.00 each. Or you could just get some inspiration there and use the site to get some ideas to make your own cards.

My favorites are like the linocut cards by Rainy Prints, especially the Santa, this funny owl, a little more grumpy of a message and this labrador reindeer.

And you really can't find gems like the "Happy Hanukkah, Hooker" card to the left at Hallmark. You just can't. If you're wondering, this crafter also makes a "Merry Christmas, Bitch" version.

Wonder if Britney would like that one this holiday season?

Another Shelter Book Bites the Dust

I hate when I hear about a magazine folding.

It's always so sudden and without much reason but the ever-looming "ad sales" issue. Who cares about the bottom line, I say! (coming from a girl who took the most elementary math classes possible.) Well, I learned today in a staff meeting that House & Garden has bit the dust. I seriously love shelter mags, but they really are in a volatile state these days. Guess they won't be needing this special offer anymore, hmm.

Here's an interesting quote from MindShare in The New York Times piece...

“The category as a whole is so crowded,” said Kelly Foster, senior partner and print director at MindShare North America, a media planning and buying agency that is part of the WPP Group, adding that the magazines “get in each other’s way.”

The article also says House & Garden is one of the country's oldest magazines, as it was founded in 1901. In December, H&G will close its doors and eliminate 80 jobs.

Bum out. I was just really getting on the band wagon after their gorgeous November issue with Gwyneth Paltrow. And H&G really does have such great blogs.

I certainly hope this does not affect Design*Sponge, as so many others do.

Sigh.