CasaSugar

Wrap Star! Letterpress Buckle With Ribbon

CasaSugar — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 04:30:39 PST

When you're no longer stuck on stick-on bows and curling ribbon doesn't make the cut, spend a few bucks on the DSharp Letterpress Buckle With Ribbon ($7.50). This large oval belt, comprised of letterpress red striped printed paper, will replace your fussy bows in a cinch. The buckle arrives with ribbon, and that's all you'll need to dress your gifts: Just slide through and pull. No tape required! We all know a belt can easily transform a basic outfit, so why not use one to dress up your solid gift wrap or some brown packaging? Instant style.

The Muppets' Music Man Bret McKenzie on His Oscar Nod and Taking a Silly Job Seriously

Lindsay Miller — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:50:41 PST

Bret McKenzie is up for an exceedingly rare honor this year, with his ballad "Man or Muppet" earning one of just two nominations in the Oscars' best song category. I caught up with The Muppets' musical supervisor today at Walt Disney Studios in Burbank to chat about the awards attention and the unique experience of penning music for Kermit and company. The New Zealand native talked about fighting the temptation to use the word "motherfrogger" in his songwriting and the roundabout way he came on board The Muppets project in the first place. Bret - who previously was best known as one half of the musical comedy duo Flight of the Conchords - also shared his hopes of bringing FOC to the big screen. Check out our conversation below:

PopSugar: It's got to be an honor to be nominated for an Oscar, but also in a year when the Academy only bothered to nominate two songs.
Bret McKenzie: They barely nominated anyone! When I found out, it sounded like there'd been a mistake, and yeah, it's a huge honor. It's great and it's really exciting, and I'm not complaining that there's only two nominees the year I'm nominated. I mean, this is the best chance I'll have of winning an Oscar, ever. It couldn't have been better, unless there was just one nomination, and then it would be a very dull ceremony . . . There's a lot of legendary musicians - tunesmiths - in that list of possible nominations. So it's all very surreal to think that I got in ahead of Elton John.

PS: And Madonna. Those two had a little rivalry going on.
BM: I know. I got nervous about what Elton John's husband was going to say about me. It's crazy, and it's great for The Muppets film, because we're all really proud of the film and it wasn't ever really going to get a best actor. Hey, Jason's good, that's not what I mean, but Kermit, Miss Piggy - they can't win these awards - and comedies don't generally get recognized at these awards ceremonies, so it's kind of cool. It's almost like the film as a whole is being recognized with this category.

For more from our chat with Bret, including what he says about his plans for a Flight of the Conchords film, coaching Jason Segel, and the pressure he felt on the project, just

read more! PS: What was the biggest unexpected challenge for you writing music for the film? I know you talked about one draft of a song where you referred to a Muppet as a piece of felt and were told you couldn't do that. BM: Yeah. Little piece of felt, and you couldn't say things like motherfrogger, even though it's very tempting. There were lots of hard parts to it. The Muppets can't sing certain notes. They can't sing too high or the voice changes and doesn't sound like the right character. There were so many weird things. I spent hours recording penguins and rats, and what's weird is that it's such a silly job, but you have to take it very seriously. So I would be in the studio for days, maybe a whole day recording penguins, and then I'm like, "I'm not happy with how the penguins are sounding! Where's penguin four?" You know, getting demanding. "We lost penguin track four! I can't hear the penguin!" PS: I was watching the movie again last night and watching Jason Segel's performance of "Man or Muppet." Did you coach him on any of his rockstar moves? Because he pretty much nailed it. BM: He nailed it. That's my favorite moment in the film. When he buckles down in the rain, that was one of my favorite shots. I was so proud of what James [Bobin, the director] and those guys achieved, because I wasn't there on set, I just saw them syncing the video, and I was like, "Wow, guys. You nailed it." What we did do in the studio, as Jason and I had a technique where I would sing a line, and he'd watch me through the window, and then he'd sing it back. So we did this thing where, I was really into the drama of it. So, I was like, "Am I a Muppppettt?" [balling his hands into fists] And he'd be like, OK, record. "Am I a Muppppettt!" So we kind of worked together to get that style. PS: Did it shatter some of your childhood illusions to have the guy that does Miss Piggy's voice come work with you [in the recording studio]? BM: Yeah. Well, it wasn't Frank Oz. The guy Eric, who does it now, yeah. That was strange. And the day that we recorded Kermit the Frog doing "Rainbow Connection" - I was sort of pinching myself, because that was probably one of the real moments for me where I realized that my world had really changed. That I'd come from New Zealand, I'd grown up with Kermit the Frog, and now I was in Hollywood in a studio recording Kermit the Frog. It felt like worlds had collided. PS: Was there pressure knowing there was already this great catalog of Muppet songs? To try to add to that or top it in some way? BM: I knew I wouldn't top "Rainbow Connection," but I was very intimidated, but the way I worked on the job was it actually started with me just writing one song, so I didn't feel the pressure of writing the whole movie. I think it would have been different if I'd been hired from the outset to do all the music. So I wrote one, then another, and gradually wrote more and more, so that helped. PS: What song did you write first? BM: The opening song. That's the one they needed, that's the one James asked me to write first. The script was probably on a second draft, and they were in preproduction, so I came in quite late. And the way they were doing it was, they got 100s of demos submitted from all sorts of songwriters, and surprisingly - even though they got some really great people to do demos - people weren't quite hitting the right tone. The Muppet tone. I'd just come off the Conchords tour and I had some time, and James asked if I was interested in doing that opening song, because he had a kind of specific thing he needed from that song. He needed it to be really Muppet-y, that song, and he had a great idea for the whole town joining in, it starting off small and becoming a big musical number, and that came together really well. PS: Is this experience maybe something you want to bring to a Flight of the Conchords movie? BM: Yeah, exactly. Having done this movie now, we're in a much better place to do a Conchords film, because James is more experienced - well, we're all more experienced. Not specifically, but James Bobin - well, we're all very keen to do another studio musical, because I really enjoyed being able to do comedy musical numbers on such a grand scale, and I think next time, I really think it will just get better and better. Because it's such a fun genre, and we've done like 50 songs for TV now, and now The Muppets movie, and I feel like we've accidentally sort of become musical comedy experts. PS: What do you imagine Bret and Jemaine from Flight of the Conchords are up to these days, in their universe? BM: In the Lower East Side? That's a good question. I reckon they probably got a regular gig now. Like, at a Chinese restaurant. Photo courtesy Disney

Couture Fashion Week: Atelier Versace

Hannah Weil — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 07:36:05 PST

Nothing could kick-start Couture Fashion Week quite like Atelier Versace's confident return to the ring after an eight-year hiatus. Donatella Versace presented the label's couture collection for the first time since 2004, marking its resurrection in signature brights and distinctly sexy silhouettes. All the elements we've come to rely on from a Versace collection were present - curve-hugging bodices, brilliant statement color, leg-revealing hemlines - and like any good couture collection, there, too, was the element of surprise. The standout, but limited, color palette verged between blinding brights, creamy grays, neutrals, and a splash of gold. We're treated to all-out sultry silhouettes, then checked with futuristic-feeling detail. Laser cuts and lace feel at once delicate and fierce, like the glamorous gold heels made tougher with buckled shin guards. The collection was sexy, but not without substance - just the way we like our leading ladies who will wear it.

Trends: Neoprene brights, corsets, lace, peplum.
Colors: Citrus hues - orange, green, yellow; nude, gray, gold.
Key Look: The creamy gray lace-paneled gown with gold-collared halter neckline.
Accessories: Heels and boots with shin guards buckled up over the calf.
Who Would Wear It: January Jones, Jessica Alba, red carpet queens who crave drama and sexy cuts.

Weekend DIY Projects

Angela Swinderman Elias — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 04:00:29 PST

Now that the rainy season is upon us in San Francisco, I'm buckling down to focus my energy into some postponed DIY projects this weekend. Since it doesn't look like it will clear up until the middle of next week, I'm going to see if I can slip in more than one. I was thrilled to find tutorials for stealing the look of products that are trending now, like block-printed fabrics, gold-dipped accessories, and glass lamp bases. If you're stuck indoors this weekend like I am, check out the gallery to get inspiration for your own DIY weekend!

Celebrity Accessory Report: Bold Bracelets

Marisa Tom — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 04:00:15 PST

While we're always trying to reinvent the accessorizing wheel, there's nothing like showcasing a bold bracelet or cuff on your arm. Michelle Williams donned a sleek gold buckled bracelet at a My Week With Marilyn screening, Heidi Klum opted for an exotic snake cuff adornment at her Toronto fragrance launch, and Blake Lively stacked her favorite colorful and oversized Lorraine Schwartz bracelets at a MoMA film benefit. By adorning your wrist with one wide, chunky, too-awesome-for-words bracelet, you don't have to worry about doing much else in the way of piling on accessories. Follow suit on this wrist candy statement trend and click through to see even more ways celebrities are wearing it. Plus, shop our editors' picks at the end of the slideshow!

Share Your Budget Tip For the New Year

SavvySugar — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 09:00:22 PST

You want the truth? Creating and sticking to a budget is a pain. It takes dedication, daily effort, and compromise. We each develop our own smart saving style and tricks over the years, which is why we started the How Do You Save? group for you to divulge your winning tactics. We want you to dole out your advice to other SavvySugar readers trying to save a little moola and learn from their experiences - particularly as we all buckle down and try to set a smooth savings course for 2012.

Do you have an effective budget tip? Create a PopSugar account or log in to your account, then join the How Do You Save? group and share it! And you never know, it could be featured on SavvySugar! Here's a detailed guide to posting questions or posts to groups if you are new to the PopSugar Community.

Celeb Style: Kate Bosworth's Effortless Cool

Chi Diem Chau — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 09:36:12 PST

Kate Bosworth headed out for lunch with her beau, Michael Polish, in West Hollywood wearing a range of laid-back designer duds. Her outfit starts with a printed Proenza Schouler henley top accompanied with skinny black jeans and standout Chloé studded boots. To finish, Kate accessorized with a chic structured Prada bag, black sunglasses, buckle-detail bracelets, and a pendant necklace. The perfect laid-back look for a mild day in LA. Just shop our editors' picks in the widget below for the same effortlessly cool ensemble.

Studded Leather Buckle Ankle Boots - $1,295.00	Proenza Schouler / Printed Henley T-Shirt - $390.00
Legging jeans in classic black - Sold Out	Prada Saffiano Lux Tote - $2,100.00
Sabre Vision - Heart Breaker - Sold Out	Double Shanghai Pendant - $240.00
Olivia Collings Antique Jewelry Gold Buckle Bangle - $5,170.00

Kate Bosworth and Michael Polish Go Arm in Arm For a Lunch Date

Lauren Turner — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 08:49:11 PST

Kate Bosworth buckled up her Chloé boots and grabbed her structured Prada bag for a romantic stroll with boyfriend, Michael Polish, in LA yesterday. The couple checked out the Burton store before heading to lunch at The Village Idiot. Kate and Michael have been going strong since they started dating this Summer, and they've since stepped out on the red carpet at the Deauville Film Festival, for LACMA's November bash, and at a Mulberry dinner at Chateau Marmont earlier this month. While Kate's romance with her Big Sur director has been a hot topic, her fashionable ways have continued to make headlines. Kate's one of the year's most influential style icons, and she showed off her latest chic look during an outing last week.

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo: Fincher's Beautiful, Dark, Twisted Film

Becky Kirsch — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 09:55:26 PST

It's hard to describe The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo without giving away major plot points that would spoil twists and turns to audiences that haven't already devoured Stieg Larsson's novel of the same name. To those who already know the story, I can tell you that David Fincher's adaptation is (mostly) loyal, with a couple of changes that actually function as surprise treats for those who have read the novel. To those who aren't familiar with the story, I can tell you to buckle your seatbelt. The imagery that unfolds over the opening credits of the film, set to Trent Reznor's take on "Immigrant Song," is intense, and edgy, and strangely intriguing - which is perfectly fitting for the film.

Daniel Craig plays Mikael Blomkvist, a charismatic journalist who's been commissioned by an elderly man named Henrik Vanger (an excellent Christopher Plummer) to solve a seemingly impossible mystery: to find out who murdered his great-niece over 40 years ago. Once Blomkvist accepts the challenge against his better judgment, he unwittingly starts digging up old family secrets that prove to be much more dangerous than what he'd expected.

When Blomkvist hits a roadblock in his digging, he enlists the help of a research assistant, the titular girl with the dragon tattoo. She's better known as Lisbeth Salander (Rooney Mara), a leather-clad, skinny girl who is as brilliant as she is brusque. She's guarded (for a very good reason), but she can't say no to Blomkvist's offer to track down "a killer of women." The unlikely chemistry between Craig and Mara is surprising, fun, and manages to eke out a few light moments (particularly when Salander is scoffing at Blomkvist's computer skills).

To find out more about why the film is great, just

read more. With that said, there's a reason why Fincher has been touting his film as the "feel bad movie of Christmas." Larsson's novel takes sadistic, often jaw-dropping turns, and Fincher ensures that his film will have the same unsettling effect. He doesn't hold back, as certain scenes will have you squirming in your seat. Though it's even more graphic than what I was prepared for, the emotional toil only makes you want the hero and heroine of the film to triumph all the more. And triumph they do: Mara is mesmerizing as Salander, from her accent to her facial expressions to her few moments of comedic timing. She is fully immersed in the pierced, antisocial hacker: you won't find any traces of the fresh-faced girl we met in The Social Network. Mara brings a tiny bit more emotion to the film than the Salander in the novel, which proves to be an important device as we no longer have the luxury of seeing inside the psyche of such a complex character. What makes The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo such a satisfying thriller are the additional touches: the unsettling, snow-covered setting in Hedeby island off the Swedish mainland is creepy for its isolation and howling winds alone. The score plays to your emotions without hitting you over the head with an overly haunting soundtrack. But ultimately, it's Mara's performance that will keep your knuckles white and your eyes glued to the screen.

Photos courtesy of Sony Pictures

The Best Equestrian Chic Riding Boots - at All Price Points

Marisa Tom — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 10:35:36 PST

In a seemingly never-ending quest for that elusive pair of riding boots, we've made it our personal mission to pick out the very best versions - just in time for your full transition into Winter wear. Whether you're on the hunt for classic black leather knee highs or longing for a tall set with distinct tassel and buckle details, we've culled 10 riding boot styles that look equestrian super chic. From Alexander McQueen's gorgeously sheen finish flat boot to Zara's elegant maroon-trimmed rendition, this should give you ample inspiration to saddle up and nab your favorite pair. That said, press "re-boot" on more traditional interpretations of these riding habit essentials and have some fun with it - we did! Click through to see our editors' picks.