I wasn’t going to blog about this only because there are so many other positive things I can share on the blog, but the ad itself just rubbed me the wrong way. They were going on and on via the tv about the most recent one about Christmas and Hanukkah but the fact remains they are ALL in poor taste, and again, controversy gets you exposure and I definitely didn’t want to do that for this clown’s brand of vodka. I don’t drink vodka but I’d still like to initiate some kind of boycott of this brand for those who do. I don’t care how “cheap” or “affordable” it is, the poor taste this brand owner has probably comes through in the vodka itself.

It’s sad that although Christian Louboutin clearly made red soles famous and a quite pricey commodity,  a New York court ruled today that he can’t have a monopoly on the color red and that frankly opens the door for any and every brand to start painting their sole red. Here’s what other fashion sites are reporting:

“The French shoe-designer was suing over four particular shoes in the YSL 2011 collection: the Tribute, Tribtoo, Palais and Woodstock models. Which all sport bright-red outsoles.

Louboutin, who trademarked the crimson underbelly in 2008, claimed that he pioneered the red-sole in 1992 when he first polished a shoe bottom with red nail polish.   However, Judge Victor Marrero dismissed that argument, writing in his ruling that “Louboutin’s claim to “the color red” is, without some limitation, overly broad and inconsistent with the scheme of trademark registration established by the Lanham Act.”The judge also went on to say, “Louboutin’s claim raises the specter of fashion wars. If Louboutin owns Chinese Red for the outsole of high fashion women‟s shoes, another designer can just as well stake out a claim for exclusive use of another shade of red, or indeed even Louboutin‟s color, for the insole, while yet another could, like the world colonizers of eras past dividing conquered territories and markets, plant its flag on the entire heel for its Chinese Red.”

Source: HollywoodReporter.com

I remember when Nailah Franklin went missing in Chicago. I blogged about when this was more of a culture blog than a fashion and shoe blog and ironically enough the guy who was suspected of her murder happened by the blog and left his explanation of why it wasn’t him in my comments section. I often wondered if she was ever found. Today I happened upon an article by the Chicago Tribune that talked about her and how her body was found in the woods and the same suspect Reginald Potts is currently in jail awaiting trial.

About Nailah Franklin:

“She was the 28-year-old pharmaceutical sales representative who was reported missing on Sept. 19, 2007. Hers was the lovely face that smiled broadly on the thousands of fliers that family members and friends distributed while praying for a positive outcome.

But within a few days, she was found dead in Calumet City woods. Reginald Potts Jr., 32, was charged with murder and remains in jail awaiting trial.”

There were so many lies being told from the beginning and even the truth couldn’t bring back Nailah. They said that:

The ex-boyfriend accused of killing Nailah Franklin left a voice-mail message threatening to have her “erased” shortly before her murder, prosecutors alleged Monday.

Prosecutors said that surveillance cameras in Franklin’s building captured her and Reginald Potts Jr. together on the day of her murder, though Potts denied to police that he was with her that day.

The Eli Lilly and Co. sales rep, who friends said lit up any room she entered, was last heard from by family, friends and co-workers that day through text messages. She was reported missing the next day, after she failed to contact any of them, and when she missed an important meeting with her boss.

Within two weeks of her disappearance, her car, personal belongings and naked, badly decomposed body were found a few miles apart in a south suburb and neighboring Hammond, Ind. where the suspect Potts’ was “picked up about a block away by friends.”

Autopsy results ruled the cause of death as “inconclusive” pending a police investigation.

I never understand this–when it’s over let it be over.

In 2008 he pleaded “Not Guilty” to First Degree Murder charges. I want to hear the verdict and sentence already.

You probably remember when it was first announced that Lanvin, Karl Lagerfeld, and Comme des Garçons were collaborating with H&M to produce an affordable line for the masses. The lines were yay long and people were camping out just for a chance to get first dibs on the designer wares. Well, get ready to pitch your tent because beloved Versace has joined that bandwagon. Donatella Versace who is the creative director made an announcement earlier about the line and I’m certain it will offer more than just a taste of what the legendary house of Versace is known for. The collection is said to include menswear, womenswear and items designed for the home and should be available starting November 17, 2011 at the 300 H&M stores worldwide and online too.

Sidenote: Versace has also agreed to design an exclusive pre-spring collection for H&M that’s expected to launch online on January 19, 2012.

When I hear about the Siriano and O-Cel-O collaboration I knew it was time to fashionista up my kitchen! I wanted to share it with my readers too. I’ve secretly got my eye on the red leopard sponge. Here’s the news:

Fashion designer Christian Siriano and the O-Cel-O brand are teaming up to bring a pop of glamour straight from the runway into the kitchen with new scrub sponges inspired by his 2011 spring collection.  Launching now at retail locations nationwide, the scrub sponges offer fun and unexpected style for the sink.

“African, Indian and Asian influences served as the inspiration for my first-ever sponge designs,” said Christian Siriano. “Both patterns, Leopard and Muse, are meant to captivate the eye through the use of color and the latest trends.”

“O-Cel-O embraces personal expression and the challenge of bringing fun patterns to an everyday household item,” said Brian Meyer, O-Cel-O business manager. “Sponges are something we use every day and the Christian Siriano designs give people the opportunity to clean with style.”

The limited edition O-Cel-O™ No-Scratch Scrub Sponges are ideal for cleaning delicate surfaces from glassware and china to counters and stainless steel cookware. The scrub sponges are available in a 2-pack for a suggested retail price of $2.59 or a 3-pack for $3.60.

About 3M

A recognized leader in research and development, 3M produces thousands of innovative products for dozens of diverse markets. 3M’s core strength is applying its more than 40 distinct technology platforms – often in combination – to a wide array of customer needs. With $23 billion in sales, 3M employs 75,000 people worldwide and has operations in more than 65 countries. For more information, visit www.3m.com.

About Christian Siriano

Christian Siriano grabbed international attention for his designs when he earned a spot on season four of Bravo’s hit program “Project Runway.” A fan favorite, he went on to be the show’s youngest winner and a rising star in the fashion world. Tim Gunn has called him “a prodigy” and “the next great American fashion designer” and Oprah says his designs are “works of art.” Since 2008, he has shown a full runway collection during New York Fashion week each season. Celebrity clients include Rihanna, Heidi Klum, Christina Hendricks, Victoria Beckham and Whoopi Goldberg in her role as host of the 2008 Tony Awards. Christian’s Spring 2011 collection will be sold at various high-end retailers, including Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus, beginning in fall 2011.