.:The Coolture Report:.

A Blog That I Love- Hostess With The Mostess

2009-09-14T18:22:00.004-06:00

I just came across a website/blog called Hostess With The Mostess, and I have to tell you, it makes me want to throw a party every single day of the week. Seriously, I will make it my life's mission to seek out 12 friends, each with a different birth month, just so I can use this site to spend all of my time throwing them some amazing birthday parties. The founder, Jennifer Sbranti, is nothing short of an idol for those of us who love to throw the perfect bash. Her site provides creative themes for all different types of parties, so I've compiled my favorites here!

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Bridal shower themed "Something Blue"

FIND IT HERE

"Modern Alphabet" baby shower

FIND IT HERE

A "Candlelight Countdown" New Years Eve Bash

FIND IT HERE

Sassy Christmas party themed "Santa Baby"

FIND IT HERE

Add some "Autumn Spice" to your Thanksgiving dinner

FIND IT HERE

Invite your friends this Halloween for some "Modern Midnight Madness"

FIND IT HERE

Happy birthday in "Candyland"!

FIND IT HERE

This year, watch "The Big Game" at your place

FIND IT HERE

Fall Fashion Extravaganza

2009-09-06T19:02:00.017-06:00

To me, the transition to fall is exciting for a million reasons. It means that Halloween and Thanksgiving are near, and the stores are filling up with the colors of autumn. However, as I'm not entirely fond of sweating the moment I step out the front door, I might say that the cool weather is what I look forward to the most. If you are one of the die-hard summer lovers that is scoffing at me right now, I hope that you can at least agree with me on one thing: fall fashion is infinitely more fun than summer fashion.

Waking up with a sheen of sweat on my face and getting dressed while a hot breeze pours through my open window, is about the most miserable thing that I endure each year. Every morning I wake up, and hope that that breeze will suddenly turn cool and I can pull that scarf from the back of my closet. Instead I pull on a tank top and a pair of shorts, and wave goodbye to my fabulous peacoat as I venture out into the soul-deadening heat.

But fall approaches quickly, my friends, and when it does, I guarantee that my closet will be prepared. As I count down the days, I explore the stores with the best fall-fashion. Here, I've broken them down for you according to price- low, medium, and high- so that no matter what the size of your budget, you can find something to fit your style.

.:Here they are, the best of the best:.

Low Budget Favorites:

Walmart:

For as many times as I've been teased for having expensive taste, some of my favorite clothing items have come from Walmart. With a little patience, you'll always leave with a great new outfit for an even better price.

Corduroy Skirt: $10.00

3/4 Sleeve Waffle Shirt: $10.00

Jana Flats: $13.00

Total: $33.00

Also try:

Forever 21

Target

Wet Seal

Medium Budget Favorites:

Old Navy

A tried and true classic, Old Navy stays true to what will always be fashionable. Although you can find something for any budget, you'll usually make out for a price that I would consider to be in the medium range.

Raglan Sweater: $25.00

Cord Trousers: $29.50

Studded Leather Moccasins: $24.50

Total: $79.00

Also try:

American Eagle

Dillards

Gap

High Budget Favorites:

Anthropologie

With a dash of vintage and a splash of luxury, this one-of-a-kind shop is packed with unique clothing and accessories. Anthropologie carries extremely feminine and stylish dresses in every style imaginable, but they are on the pricier side, so start saving up!

Emerald Cut Dress: $298.00

Promenade Cardigan: $78.00

Rogue Ballerina Flats: $88.00

Never-Ending Seams Bag: $228.00

Total: $692.00

Also Try:

Urban Outfitters

Fred Flare

Express

Fabulous Headbands

2009-08-31T17:54:00.006-06:00

Headbands are one of the easiest ways to take a simple outfit from boring to unique. Try any of these styles from Urban Outfitters or Anthropologie, and you'll having people lining up to be your shopping buddy.

The Cutest, Quirkiest Website: Fred Flare

2009-08-12T18:46:00.009-06:00

Fred Flare has everything you need for Fall and back to school. Their fashion choices vary from the quirky and extreme, to colorful interpretations of classics. Their accessories are even more daring. Find coin purses in shapes like Hostess cupcakes, tacos, and cupcakes. They carry adhesive bandages in every shape from bacon, to lips, to tattoos. Even try a Pac-Man oven mitt, or the hamburger phone from the movie, Juno. This website is guaranteed to give you a laugh, and a wish-list longer than War and Peace.

Fred Flare

The Beauty of Lush

2009-07-10T15:52:00.006-06:00

Lush has locations all over the world. Their stores are filled with handmade soaps, salts, lotions, and other bath products.

All of Lush's products are made from all-natural ingredients, and none of them are tested on animals.

Their products range in scent from vanilla to sandalwood, and citrus to rose.

Find a location near you on their website.

.:Lush Website:.

The Really, Truly, Perfect Petal

2009-07-09T23:11:00.006-06:00

The Perfect Petal is in the historic Highland Square neighborhood in Denver, Colorado. When you first walk in, you'll see a cute boutique. But beneath it all, The Perfect Petal is a floral design studio, and wedding/event planning group.

The Perfect Petal

Tres Cool, Tres Chic, It's Tres Jolie

2009-07-09T19:36:00.008-06:00

.:My obsession with Tres Jolie began the second I walked through the door. It is a small boutique/cafe in Littleton, Colorado (its only location). They have things from home furnishings and bedding, to confections and candles, to a tea and champagne bar. Their glass cases are chock-full of adorable pastries and scones:.

.:Tres Jolie Website:.

^The candle shelf^

^My view of the store, sitting at my table.^

^The world's most delicious blueberry jasmine white tea.^

^Bath salts and fizzies^

^The most incredible brunch I've ever eaten. Especially the blueberry-lemon scone on the middle tier. YUM!^

^Candy. What could be better?!^

.:The store has a Bazaar design. Bazaar design is design using found objects, and eclectic objects:.

.:Bazaar Style Book:.

The Whimsically Adorable Lola's Sugar Rush

2009-07-09T13:58:00.005-06:00

.:Lola's Sugar Rush is a hop, skip, and a jump away from Tres Jolie on Main Street in the historic downtown of Littleton, Colorado. While they do sell pastries and cupcakes, their store is packed from wall to wall with every candy imaginable:.

.:Lola's Sugar Rush:.

America Loves Dessert

2009-07-09T10:56:00.022-06:00

.:Some of the best locations in the country:.

Pinkberry is scattered all over California and New York. Their fresh frozen yogurt and fruity toppings are delicious, and healthy. Each store is different, but they are all colorful, modern, and fun places to hang out with a group of friends.

.:Pinkberry:.

Sprinkles Cupcakes was featured on Oprah for its delicious, adorably-decorated cupcakes. The original is located in Beverly Hills, CA, but they are coming to tons of locations all over the country. My mom and I went to Sprinkles on a visit to California, and we certainly were not disappointed.

.:Sprinkles:.

Jeni's Ice Cream began in Colombus Ohio, and exists only in Ohio. Jeni Britton Bauer ships her unique flavors all over the country. Her shop was featured on the Food Network show Unwrapped. Her flavors are unique and absolutely delicious.

.:Jeni's Ice Cream:.

Jeremiah's Italian Ice has 3 locations in the Orlando, Florida area. The stores are extremely popular among college students and teenagers for their upbeat environments and delicious gelatis, mixtures of soft-serve ice cream and Italian ice. The flavor combinations are endless, as are the crowds that gather in the warm Florida evenings.

.:Jeremiah's Italian Ice:.

Happy Cakes Bakeshop was started by three friends in the Highland Square neighborhood of Denver, Colorado. If you're lucky enough to live nearby, stop in for one of their unique cupcakes, like Cherry Coke, French Toast, Snickerdoodle, or Raspberry Lemonade! They also cater, and deliver all around the country.

.:Happy Cakes Bakeshop:.

Today's EITHER/OR

Chocolate OR Vanilla?

Leave your comments.

Battle of the Bands

2009-07-09T09:46:00.009-06:00

It's almost impossible to narrow down my favorite bands, but I can try. Here are some of the ones that I couldn't live without, and some of their best songs.

.:The Shins:.

1. Turn on Me

2. Pink Bullets

3. Kissing the Lipless

4. New Slang

5. Australia

.:Muse:.

1. Supermassive Black Hole

2. Starlight

3. Knights of Cydonia

4. Maps of the Problematique

5. Butterflies and Hurricanes

.:Rogue Wave:.

1. Lake Michigan

2. Bird on a Wire

3. Publish My Love

4. Postage Stamp World

5. California

.:Keane:.

1. Crystal Ball

2. Bend and Break

3. Your Eyes Open

4. Perfect Symmetry

5. Spiralling

.:Modest Mouse:.

1. Bury Me With It

2. Float On

3. Dashboard

4. The View

5. The Good Times Are Killing Me

.:Jack Johnson:.

1. Broken

2. Walk Alone

3. Banana Pancakes

4. Sleep Through The Static

5. Sitting, Waiting, Wishing

Country music: yes or no?

Winning Drinks

2009-07-08T20:11:00.017-06:00

.:Here are some of the best:.

Just about anything from Jamba Juice. Really, anything.

Black coffee. It will always be the best.

Starbucks Passion Tea/Passion Tea Lemonade. Delicious, low-calorie, and inexpensive.

Sonic Ocean Water. Delicious, inexpensive, and... well, not low-calorie.

Arnold Palmer. A tangy mix of iced tea and lemonade, and a classic favorite =).

What are your favorite drinks?

-K

EITHER/OR

Coffee OR Tea?

Leave your comments.

PBTeen... I'll Take One Of Everything

2009-07-08T13:46:00.013-06:00

PBTeen has a ton of cute stuff. It can run a little pricey, so find the things that you like and try to find them cheaper. Or, just get ideas!

.:Pbteen's Website:.