Am I the only one who thinks Katie Holmes has continued to look older and older as every day passes by? And no, I am not talking about the natural aging process that occurs second by second. In every photo taken of her, she appears dressed well beyond her youthful years, let’s not even get started on the Anna Wintour hairdo. It is hard to believe this is the same ‘Pieces of April’ person of a few years ago. And with that, I ask this: isn’t she only 27/28, why dress 47? Isn’t this the time in her life to be daring, to test the limits, to be adventurous? I know she is married to a much older man, a mother of a young child, step children, blah, blah, blah. I’m all for being tasteful, even a touch of demure mixed with a little edge, but come on. Someone call Victoria B. and tell her to help Katie get her ‘youth’ back.

I am not hating on Paula Abdul, really I’m not. She has a successful gig as the emotional judge on American Idol, looks fairly hot for having weathered drugs, yo-yo dieting, tipping a few bottles and having a husband or two. But did she really need to make more ‘bubblegum pop’ music and, better still, make an accompanying video? Please tell me I am not the only one to have seen the ‘Dance Like There’s No Tomorrow’ video? There are three different vignettes going on: in one, she is doing her ‘I’m still in the ‘80s’, over-choreographed Janet Jackson dance routine with male dancers all around her moving in Fosse-style syncopated movements; in another she is dressed in a lace-covered corset mini dress, gripping a microphone and singing with Randy (yes, from Idol) accompanying her on guitar; and of course one of her singing by herself in black leggings and a red top that has an extended train that swirls around her, as she steps back and forth over the mic mimicking singer Ciara’s moves from the Promise video. But, at least the idols that work together stay together – the closing shot is of all the idols: Ryan, Randy, Paula and Simon. Lets have a collective sigh here.

My question to you is why did the former L.A. Laker girl choose now? And more importantly, what would Simon say to her if she were a contestant on American Idol? Here is the link, check it out and then please explain it to me. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_FBDaK_Gig&watch_response

Couture.Zappos has revved it up another designer notch with the addition of the label Alexander McQueen. If you have not noticed — or, even more worthy of a Couture citation — not heard of him, then check out the fab handbags and scarves on couture.zappos.com.

But just in case, here goes: McQueen hails from London originally, left school at age 16 and worked as a tailor on Savile Row — where Mikhail Gorbachev and Charles, Prince of Wales were clients. He has designed theatrical costumes for the famous house Angels and Bermans as well as attended Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, where his graduation collection was purchased in its entirety by the late Isabella Blow. He is and has always been known for his controversial collections, think the Bumsters (pants) and his Highland collection as well as his skillful tailoring and amazing design eye. So now that I have caught you up on who he is, why are you still sitting there? Check out the amazing stuff that Couture has!

Clothing as well as accessories this season are taking a very ‘natural’ turn. For the past two seasons cork and woven straw have been the materials of choice for designers, along with unprocessed wood. Add in the current season’s fascination with glazed cotton, woven straw, brushed cork, burlap and wood in every form imaginable, you have what I call a natural revolution. Whether it is being fueled by the current eco-consciousness of global warming, or the ethical treatment of workers, it is a trend that shows no sign of abating. Perhaps with the luxury sector being such a flippant, toss-it-aside industry, where buy it today and you can’t use it tomorrow, it stands to reason to incorporate biodegradeable options as a design ethos. Choose Donna Karan Collection peep-toe cork and wood ankle strap heels, Ferragamo’s woven and bejeweled dual handle purse, Missoni wood and chain necklaces or Ben Amun’s wooden bangles.

To say the Couture team loves makeup is an understatement. We love the glossimers, the gel mascaras, the Juicy Tubes, the bronzers, the Cargo, the Chantecaille, the Giorgio. Yes, we know makeup well. Doesn’t almost every woman? So imagine our pure delight when Zappos.com started selling makeup. As we perused the website one evening to see what we would blog about next, we happened upon Lola Cosmetics . If you are a Sephora girl, then you know of Lola Cosmetics – adorable packaging, not-too-sticky gloss. I’m in love with the fab mini gloss kit, it lets me be a gloss mixologist. Since you’re already on Zappos.com, why not sit, click and grab some of the fabulousness for yourself?

Tell me, what is better than a fabulous pair of shoes. They elicit collective sighs, they command attention of otherwise strangers, causing them to careen their necks for a second look, and can lift even the most ho-hum mood to a ‘Singing in the Rain’ status just by glancing down at one’s feet. Ah yes, they are indeed delectable. My current favorites are these Marc by Marc Jacobs stacked heel, shiny calf, black and cream spectator pumps. I envision pairing them with the perfect fitted skirt, maybe working that ‘40s siren magic, by pairing them with wide-legged trousers and a silk, tie-front blouse, or giving that noir femme fatale a run for her haughtiness, with the perfect silk trench coat and chapeau. They are currently available on Couture.Zappos.com, but there are only a few pairs left, so get them while you can.

It is a cinematic journey that breaks the tradition of the usual Madison Avenue roots. Oh, let me just stop myself and cut the crap! It is a visual cinematic saga told over the course of one minute plus commercial, that’s if one sits still long enough, you develop the assumed wander lust for the far off locales that is intended. There is the perfect strumming of a musical instrument, a purposeful fading in and out of focus on the people, places and the ‘point of the whole commercial’ , Louis Vuitton luggage. All of this is eased along with a typographical message that is steeped in philosophy about life being a journey, that it is not about the destination, but the ‘journey/trip/life’ along the way. It is however, the first of its kind for the label, once only known and carried by the rich or royal. Well, I don’t know about you, but I never developed this mind set whenever I chose a handbag and/or luggage, logo or not, but that is just me. If you have seen the commercial, and in all seriousness it is wonderful, drop me a line and let me know what you thought of it.

Okay, I admit it, I sing along to some of the Hannah tunes, although I stop at the whole blonde wig, hip shimmy thing, but I digress. Ms. Miley Cyrus, the Disney high priestess of pop is getting, pardon the obvious and unnecessary pun, a lotta luv this summer in the form of shampoo, conditioner and body glitter spray.

The company Lotta Luv, known for its licensed body and candy lip products, will produce the products under Miley’s alter ego Hannah Montana , with Hannah’s image on the packaging. Now for all of you moms out there that read this and roll your eyes thinking great/thanks, because you are barely over the bidding for tickets to her sold-out concert phase, think how much simpler this will be. The company got its first taste of the Hannah craze last year when it produced temporary hair colors, hair braiders and hair color kits under the Hannah Montana Disney license, which made the executives realize the sheer selling power the name/character commands. The 8-oz shampoo, conditioner and glitter spray will retail for approximately $6.00, and will ship in time to capture the back-to-school sales at mass retailers around the country. Hannah’s power doesn’t stop there, even juggernaut Walmart has committed to having store-in-store Hannah boutiques in select stores. Better to make sure Hannah is on everyone’s lips, hips and more.