Sonya Sotomayor, A Plus-Sized Woman,On Her Way To The Supreme Court!

DAHLINGS -

I am beside myself! Judge Sonia Sotomayor has been approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee for the Supreme Court! Not only is she a perfect candidate, she is a beautiful plus-size female!



Oh, yes, and she is Latina as well. In my excitement I forgot that for a moment. Below is an excerpt from an article from today's USA Today.

by Joan Biskupic, USA TODAY

WASHINGTON — The Senate Judiciary Committee approved Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor by a 13-6 vote Tuesday,
along almost perfect partisan lines and after two hours of debate.
All Democrats voted for Sotomayor, President Obama's first nominee to
the high court. All Republicans except Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, opposed. The nomination of Sotomayor, a 17-year veteran of the federal bench, now goes to the full Senate for a vote. That is likely to be held the week of Aug. 3, just before the Senate leaves for its summer recess.

Graham said he was backing Sotomayor partly because he believed President Obama, having won last November's election, deserved wide latitude to make appointments within the judicial mainstream.
Graham deemed Sotomayor "well qualified," of "good character" and within "the mainstream." Sotomayor would be the first Latina justice in U.S. history. "Now that's a big deal," Graham said.

And to his fellow conservative Republicans, Graham added, "She can be no worse than Souter, from our point of view." Newly retired Justice David Souter, whom Sotomayor would succeed, was named by the first
President Bush in 1990 yet became a reliable vote for the liberal wing.

Democrats currently control 60 of the 100 votes in the Senate, and an easy majority vote for Sotomayor is not in doubt. Sotomayor, who would become the 111th justice in history, would be the third woman ever appointed and the second current female justice. Justice Ruth
Bader Ginsburg is presently the only female on the nine-member high
court.

Must dash to the phones--I am certain a woman in that position needs a stylist, and I am that stylist!

Ciao,
Elisa & Bucky the Wonderdog

Sarah Palin, As Only William Shatner Can Do Her!

DAHLINGS -

Once again, get your minds out of the gutter! (Besides, the mental image is...um, how do I say this politely...disturbing.)


Sarah Palin in happier days

The speech Sarah Palin gave the other day was widely considered (rightly) to be incoherent, so the wonderful Conan O'Brien asked the immortal thespian and Priceline.com spokesman William Shatner to read it as a poem:

http://bit.ly/17MpRz

It is just under two minutes of sheer brilliance, mon cher lecteurs. Bask in the magnificence that is all things Shatner.


William Shatner on "Match Game," 1970s

Ciao,
Elisa & Bucky the Wonderdog

Matinee New York, Vintage To The Stars!

DAHLINGS -

This morning I was idly watching Revolutionary Road, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet and Kathy Bates. Very dramatic, set in the mid-1950s. As I watched the crowds of men in identical fedoras and suits, I suddenly thought of my friend Sheri Lane, who runs Matinee New York. She specializes in men's vintage clothing. I placed a call, and to my non-surprise, it turned out that Sheri indeed had quite a few items in the film, some on Mr. DiCaprio himself.

Matinee New York has supplied vintage clothing for, among other films, American Gangster, When In Rome, The Good Sheperd, Che, Semi Pro, The Secret Life of Bees, Doubt and the upcoming Taking Woodstock. Broadway shows include Frost/Nixon and Absurd Person Singular.

Matinee New York specializes in clothing from the 1930s to the 1970s, although they do have other eras. I have been fortunate enough to share a booth with Ms. Lane at two Manhattan Vintage Shows, and her wares are among the best and most unique I have seen. She also sells to private individuals by appointment. Here is the link to her website, which is also on the right under "Vintage Links"

http://www.vintagecoolclothes.com/

So if one of my dear readers is a film or stage producer working on a project, do keep Matinee New York in mind.

Unless your star is Kathy Bates, Queen Latifah or Jordin Sparks. Then, my dears, you need moi.

Ciao,

Elisa & Bucky the Wonderdog

I Was A Star-Dinger, by Erik Andresen!

DAHLINGS -

The title does not mean what you might think.


Rarely do I have other people provide the content of my blog, but I simply could not resist this cartoon from another (ugh) Ebay seller:

What a talented fellow, and a valuable message to boot!

Ciao,

Elisa & Bucky the Wonderdog

Project Runway Unveils A Surprise: CHRIS MARCH!

DAHLINGS -

As we all know, Project Runway returns to the airwaves late in August. And then we can officially forget The Fashion Show ever existed. Sorry, Isaac, but indifference is the new black.

However, Internet chatter has it that the week before the actual "lost" season airs, Project Runway will have an All-Star Challenge, with my utterly adorable Chris March! I am beside myself, dahlings. The man can do no wrong in my eyes.



Also returning will be the immortal Santino, who I am sure will be doing his amazing Tim Gunn imitation at the drop of a fedora. Apparently Christian Siriano and Laura Bennett declined to return. Their loss, say I.



Your faithful correspondent does not know how the challenge will work yet, but will keep my professional snoop's nose to the ground (I'd do it myself but I don't like bending over. It's so undignified). In the meantime, here's a challenge for you: who is more airbrushed in this picture?



Ciao,
Elisa & Bucky the Wonderdog

More On Twitter & My Plans For World Domination

DAHLINGS -

This will have to be short, as I am preparing to go out to a dinner party in Southampton.

However, I am still taking suggestions on my plans for world domination. Of course further plans include:

1) Find a cure for cancer (again, any well-informed World Leader has to pledge that)

2) Making it a rule of law that ALL clothing manufacturers and designers--and I do mean ALL--have to provide their clothing in sizes up to 7X! Yes, I'm looking at you, Banana Republic.

Must dash! Please do follow me on Twitter, help my plans for world domination, and remember, BIG GALS RULE!

Ciao,
Elisa & Bucky the Wonderdog

Twitter & My Plans for World Domination (Including Sham-Wow)

DAHLINGS -

I confess. I have become rather a fan of Twitter, if not of most of its users. Do I really need to know someone feels bad because they broke their diet because they ate some gnocchi? At first, the 140 character length left something to be desired. Such as intelligence. But soon I learned that brevity is levity when one works on it. And now, through sheer grit and determination, I have as of today 306 followers!

My initial goal was 300 followers, but I want at least 1,000, so that I may plot my plan for world domination. Or at least the domination of a part of the world. Here are some of my promises if I become a World Leader:

1) World peace, because you have to say that first.

2) Recast all of the situation comedies on television that have fat men married to beautiful women, so that fat women are married to handsome young studs. Because, my dear readers, that is how it is in real life far more than you think.

3) Force-feed Megan Fox pastries as if we were stuffing a goose for foie gras. In fact, stuff Ms. Fox with foie gras as well.

4) Ban all diets except those medically mandated. Destroy any and all height/weight charts. Ban all stock footage of heavy people's midsections used for news footage about obesity.

5) Ban Photoshop on advertising. In fact, perhaps we should ban advertising. (Comments are welcome on this one, dahlings. After all, I would be a most open World Leader.)

6) Legalize same-sex marriage. But I do not care how devoted it is, you cannot marry your dog, cow or parakeet.

7) Ban informercials for colon cleansing, exercise machines, and...oh, let's simply ban all infomercials. (Comments are welcome if you have a "thing" for the Sham-wow gentleman.)

8) This is going to get a bit complicated, so bear with me:

• Bring women's salaries to the same level as men's
• Allow women of any country to wear what they want
• Allow women of any country to attain any level of education they want
• Allow women of any country to aspire to any political position they want

9) Any suggestions? Please do leave your comments.

If you agree with my plans, please do follow me on Twitter. Together we stand, divided it's just the same old mess it's always been.

Ciao,

Elisa & Bucky the Wonderdog

Ebay Needs A Stimulus Package! Cue Michael Jackson...

DAHLINGS -

Sellers have been crying out and gnashing their teeth at the steady exodus of buyers from (ugh) Ebay. Which also seems to have something to do with the steady increase of large companies (Buy.com, etc.) being allowed to list on Ebay for free and showcase their wares at the top of smaller seller's listings. I myself have certainly considered moving on. Although having one's own e-commerce website is such a bore.

There is a thread on the Vintage Clothing discussion board on (ugh) Ebay that has been quite fascinating to read. Sellers have been venting their frustrations in song parodies, everything from "Mandy" to "My Boyfriend's Back."

In honor of Michael Jackson's recent passing, I thought I would publish (with the seller's permission) this rewrite of the timeless, currently inescapable classic, "Thriller."

It’s close to midnight I’m sitting staring at my monitor
The Ebay summary Is showing that no bidding has occurred
I want to scream but nobody can hear my tearful wails
It’s a bad dream, it’s been two weeks since I’ve had any sales
But that entails

Having bidders
Bidders buy
Just push that stupid button it’s a thing that you don’t dare try
Come on you bidders
Bidders buy
I’m fighting for my life because those bidders, bidders don’t buy!

You hear the door slam, your husband’s gone to bed and he is pissed
Because the room's crammed with crap he wishes never did exist
Now is the time for watchers to get off their lazy asses
But as the time clicks by you know the listings will just end
Cause you depend

On having bidders (woo-hoo)
Bidders buy
Just open Paypal up but it’s a thing that you don’t dare try
I’m begging bidders, bidders buy
So I’ll go down the tubes because those bidders, bidders won’t buy!



Ciao,
Elisa & Bucky the Wonderdog

An Open Letter To Michelle Obama: Recycle! Wear Vintage!

DAHLING MS. OBAMA -

One isn't quite sure how to word the greeting...should it be "Dahling First Lady"? "Dahling Michelle"? "Darling Wife Of That Staggeringly Handsome President"? Hard decisions, and I have barely started this blog-thing! Somehow I never felt inspired to write to Laura Bush.

We all know how lovely you looked on Inauguration night, in your only-slightly-too-fussy evening gown.


Of course we remember the controversy your official portrait caused, even though you looked sleek and sophisticated in your little black dress. Quietly tasteful is the phrase that comes to mind, Ms. Obama.

The more we get to know you (or at least your public image), the more we see how much you like bare arms, bold colors, daring shapes, a mix of conservative and innovative that few other women could pull off. (Although the blue argyle cardigan with the formal skirt is pushing it a tad, in my opinion.) You have brought J. Crew, Thakoon and Isabel Toledo recognition worldwide.

Ms. Obama, as long as you are playing with your style, why not try vintage clothing?

Vintage offers everything you could want, and then some! Perhaps not in my shops (since virtually all of my stock is plus-sized), but there are countless other sellers out there who could benefit from your support.

Black sleeveless dresses? We've got them! Embellished cardigans? We've got them! Evening gowns in bold colors? We've got them! Interesting belts? We've got them! Sheath dresses? We have them and how, to use a colloquialism.

President Obama talks about economic stimulus packages. I can think of none better than you making an appearance in a beautiful vintage dress! You are not only fashionable, Ms. Obama, you are recycling! And of course, hundreds if not thousands of women will rush to follow your example.

For instance, this chartreuse gown by Pauline Trigere, available at Decades in Los Angeles:

Or this adorable sleeveless bright orange dress from Violetville Vintage on (ugh) Ebay:
Speaking of sleeveless, how about this stunner of a gown by designer Bosand in yellow and white? At http://www.cemetarian.com/:

And one must toot one's own horn. At my high-end shop, The Mad Fashionista's Plus Size Boutique, I have this simply amazing gold/silver/copper brocade gown (forgive me, the model is a bit too small):

http://fashiondig.com/shop/shop.asp?Page=1&MerchantID=5660

My dear First Lady, consider carefully what I am saying. Just one appearance in the right vintage dress, whether it be by Dior or Ceil Chapman, would be a shot in the arm (pardon the pun)to the vintage business!

And of course, you and your staggeringly handsome husband are welcome to visit my posh Central Park West digs at any time. Or here, at my fabulous (featured in Architectural Digest) oceanfront mansion.

Yours in impeccable style,
Ciao
Elisa & Bucky The Wonderdog*

*His behavior will be perfect, as long as you don't bring Bo.

Wonderful Plus-Size Dresses At My Ebay Store!

DAHLINGS -

I thought I would take a break from relaxing by the sea in my beautiful (featured in Architectural Digest) oceanfront mansion and dictate a blog-thing entry to my latest assistant, Smithie. I call all of my assistants Smithie; they come and go so fast it's not worth it to learn their names.

GET THAT LOOK OFF OF YOUR FACE, YOU, BEFORE I SLAP IT OFF!

I do despise it so when the common folk disturb my concentration! See what you've done, Bucky is growling, you've upset him, too. Keep away, that's his biting growl. Calm down, Bucky dahling, Momma is here and she'll protect you from the big bad assistant and her cheap Wal-Mart bathing suit.

Ahem. As I was about to say, I have a number of wonderful plus-size dresses in my store that are simply begging to be snatched up at bargain prices. Not to mention vintage plus-size swimsuits, stylish vintage jewelry, and an adorable vintage manicure set made to look like a pocket watch, with rhinestones set in red leather:


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=390065670800

There is this lovely lipstick red lace dress, 16W, perfect for the mother of the bride who does not wish to be ignored!


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=390047872918

(Sorry, mon chers, the hat is not for sale.)

Speaking of mother of the bride, how about this sexy number by Karen Miller? Both the dress and jacket have beaded necklines. Wear the jacket in church, take it off for dancing the night away!


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=390013617390

And this lush contemporary Hilo Hattie Hawaiian print dress, size XL:


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=390064733589

Then there's this stunner of a gown in navy satin and chiffon, perfect for prom, homecoming, or a formal wedding:


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=390061997645

Or this summer-perfect vintage Nelly de Grab designer cotton voile dress and matching short-sleeved cardigan, stunningly modern! M/L Tall!


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=390035203614

Do visit my store at http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Elisas-Bodacious-House-of-Style to see more of my things, and shop, shop, shop!

Back to relaxing...ah, the sky is so blue...

Ciao,
Elisa & Bucky the Wonderdog

Happy Independence Day!

DAHLINGS -


As I sit here, slathered in sunscreen, gazing out at the water from the deck of my beautiful (featured in Architectural Digest) oceanfront mansion, Bucky lying nearby under a protective canopy, I am deeply grateful to be an American. Yes, an American who speaks fluent French and feels at home in almost any country except Wales (it's COLD there), but an American nonetheless.


If I may wax patriotic for a moment, I must pay tribute to those who fought and died so that we do not have the Queen on our money.

And it is a pleasure to at last have the possibility of optimism about our beloved country. If I become any more patriotic than that, it will raise Deep Thoughts, which give me the dickens of a headache.



Suffice to say I have a house full of guests from the fashion industry, who even now are laying about my garden in gin-and-tonic induced stupors. (Fortunately, there are enough beach chairs.)


I wonder what the poor people are doing? Oh, yes, they're cleaning my driveway, preparing luncheon and making up the beds. One might say I am creating jobs--are you listening, President Obama?


Ciao,
Elisa & Bucky the Wonderdog

A Tell-All Expose' Of The Fashion Business Suppressed!

DAHLINGS-

The gall! The cheek! The sheer effrontery!

As my dear dead friend Lana Turner would say, “the nerve of some people”!


My deathless work, my creation, my book, has been TURNED DOWN by a worthless, know-nothing personage in the doesn’t-deserved-to-called-the-publishing business. The non-publishing business is more like it. And why? WHY?

Because, I was told, my protagonist is not “sympathetic enough”!

Pardonnez moi, you clot, but the protagonist is ME!

MOI!

A writer who has charmed millions with the sheer deliciousness of her prose. A writer whose blog-thing reaches millions of worshipful fans every week. A woman who has been written about in The New York Times, Glamour, international magazines, countless websites, and even Vogue.



How could I, a hard-working woman who has done naught but devote herself to the cause of Fashion In The True Sense (with an occasional veering off the topic), be considered unsympathetic?

I clutched my silk handkerchief to my copious bosom as I read the cold email from this—this non-entity, and then I began to sob. Yes, mon adoration publique, I cried, as only a woman rejected by a publisher can cry.

If the lumpkin had the nerve to face me, I would have sicc'd Bucky on this person so fast they'd never known how their ankles got shredded.

Then I realized: it is not that I am an unsympathetic character. Far from it. One admits that keeping an assistant is problematic, but that is their fault, not mine. I am a deeply sympathetic character, a symbol of working females everywhere, in every business. Outside a façade of confidence, inside there is a vulnerable heart. At least occasionally.

The TRUTH is that my book would rip the lid OFF the can of worms that is the fashion business, particularly where fashion intersects with celebrity, greed, and television cameras. My book names the names (well, not all of them, I don’t have that much money to pay in legal fees), exposes the dirty secrets of those would style the stars and the unspeakable acts to which they will stoop. I am not talking about moi, here, of course. But there are people out there who know of what I speak.

And that, my dear readers, is the reason my book will likely not see the light of day: until some courageous publisher is willing to stand up to Big Fashion and say, “Enough! Let the facts come to light! This courageous fashion-fighter needs to be heard, and now!”

Besides, my book would make a superb movie. Starring moi, of course.

Or I might be persuaded to settle for a Broadway show. (There are some superbly-written sex scenes, to boot.)

Unsympathetic, bah!

I must reclaim my inner peace by screaming at the maid. There are wet towels in the bathroom.
Ciao,
Elisa & Bucky the Wonderdog