By now you should know that I love color and prints be they animal or abstract. With this being said, I would like to add that I love Whoopi Goldberg! I think she is articulate and is a breath of fresh air on The View where uber conservatism runs wild. Now here is where we are miles apart, as if she cares. But I have to comment on her mode of dressing.

I know she is not a girly girl and is more a sport conservative dresser, but whoever picks her clothes should be taken out back and thrashed. If she does the choosing, she needs help badly! Whoopi will never be Halle Berry, but with her charm and smile, she need not look like she closed her eyes and took her wardrobe from the Goodwill bag on a bad day!

Her choice on Oscar night was the worse of the worse! No one over the size “0″ should put on that much animal print. It’s a wonder some big game hunter didn’t take a shot at her!

Whoopi, it’s ok to have your own style, but try for something that enhances your spirit and great smile. As your talent speaks for itself!

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Unless you have been on a retreat or hiding under a rock, you know that handbags have taken a turn from utilitarian to fashion statements. With the economy being what it is, most of us can’t afford to go out and buy a whole new spring wardrobe. I think you can breathe life into last years clothing by adding a wonderful new handbag.

First let’s look how handbags have evolved. They used to be a shell where you dropped whatever you needed to carry during the day. Often they were black holes where items were placed never to be seen again. Now bags are colorful, organized, and outfit making. The colors that these bags now come in boggles the mind and lifts the spirits! There are colors from black which can’t be called boring because of the croco prints ultra suede, (oh yes, suede in summer!), to a frosty white and many colors in between.

The artist that does it best for me is Kathy Van Zeeland. Her bags have great style, plus they come in at a reasonable price. This new company was founded in 2004 and has taken off like a rocket. There are now branches in Milan, the Middle East, and Asia.

This morning I watched two hours as bag after bag went by each more beautiful than the last. One of the things that amazed me is how our lifestyle has caused handbags to change. We are so busy that now bags have compartments to organize our belonging so they are ascessible. There are places for our cell phones, sunglasses, checkbook, and PDA’S. Some even have places for our water bottles!

I can see myself in one of last years monochromatic suits popped with a Kathy Van Zeeland bag, while listening to the eye catching hardware jingling that is her signature touch. The hard part comes when I have to fill my desire with only one bag for the season.

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The fact that I am not an “expert” does not mean I don’t know what looks good or what is pretty. I think when you see a style come around at least twice in your lifetime and you don’t like it either time, it is just bad! And I don’t mean bad in a good way! Grunge was lost on me the first time around. Who can wear this style except maybe a teenager or some heavy metal rockstar. Shades of Debbie Harry!

I know that Fashion Week is for designers to showcase their wears. Some for the public and others that are wild and avant garde. Well Mark Jacobs broke the boundaries of good taste with styles so far out that they made no sense.

I love colors! But his pink, which was shown often, was so bright that it made Pepto Bismol look dull! Grown women in knee high striped socks. And the the hairstyles that went with these clothes looked as if the stylist was high on crack followed by shots of 100 proof Whiskey!

To say that I thought this was a waste of good runway time is putting it mildly. Sorry Mark, your designs made me shudder in horror!

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This high fashion week show, by invitation only, brought out the hippest designers and is the predictor of what we should be wearing for spring.

After looking at two hours of the new items, I came to one conclusion. If you are not slim or at least fit, these fashions will be hard to wear. There are a lot of short jackets that reach only to the waist and skinny pants are still in. Those of us with a lot of junk in the trunk might find these hard to wear.

One of the new designers was uber conservative Elizabeth Hasslebeck of the View. Not one of my favorite people to be sure. She brought fabrics and styles that looked, at least to me, that would look better on those who go by the rule you are never too thin. I did like the look of one of her blouses. It was a one shoulder number. But I was wondering how a real woman who needed a bra could wear it. I must not have gotten the memo because they do have bras to wear with this style.

Hasselback, as well of the other designers, are taking jackets in a new direction. They are softer, but constructed with seaming that gives them a great fit. Her fashion had great color and high style but I don’t see how they will translate to the average woman who wears a 16 or larger.

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The Grammy Awards are for music’s brightest to showcase their talents. The 51st annual Grammy Awards did just that. As well as spotlighted fashions that were awe inspiring and not always in a good way.

Up for the Best Album of the year, Jennifer Hudson showcased a black and white short dress with a gray insert around the middle. She came back later in a black sequin dress which caressed her curves and looked classy and oh so Hollywood. With all she had gone through, she gave new meaning to the statement “the show must go on.” We love you Jennifer!

It was good to see Whitney Houston in front of the camera again. She looked healthy and quite lovely in a Grecian inspired draped dress in blue and white. Welcome back Whitney!

A vision of grace and loveliness was Miley Cyrus in a black dress that shows this young lady has grown up.

Pregnancy is hard on anyone but if you are so uncomfortable that you have to dress in the messy way that MIA did, Stay home! That blue print yards of fabric and tennis shoes left me speechless.

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