Osama! The Musical

Today at the store I found myself singing (secretly), "Then came the day Osama blew us away... Osama blew them away..." I didn't realize till the afternoon that the verse was from season 2 Skins episode featuring an elaborate musical about Osama the terrorist. Of course what actually happened that day wasn't funny at all. The musical fortunately is.

Ed Hardy quality, it's about where you buy it from!

Take a good look at this Ed Hardy rhinestone hat. Try to find what's wrong with it. Click to the pictures to enlarge them to get a really good look. Once you've examined closely scroll down to see what the answer is.

You're probably wondering if this cap is a fake. This hat is very real and is featuring the very hot new rose tattoo "True Til Death" image, at full regular price this hat would set you back $150.

So what's wrong with this hat? Well it's missing 2 rhinestones. One on the top right hand corner of the rose and another one between the A and T in word Death. Quite honestly most people wouldn't notice and some retailers probably would sell it to you at full price and not say anything.

Ed Hardy products quality wise is generally great. However, there's always going to be something wrong. At Tru Drama we meticulously inspect every item we get (Ed Hardy or otherwise) for damage when we receive the goods. We recognize that our customers are paying a premium price for a high profile item and it's important to get a 100% of what you're buying not 98% of it.

We'll return this hat to the Canadian distributor. It'll probably get sold to a discounter and then it'll probably in the hands of an internet retailer that will still try to sell it at full price. Most internet retailers or eBay sellers simply won't have this level of quality control. The best way to ensure authenticity and and quality is purchase your product from a reputable retailer.

Stupid Spring, Crappy Snow

It's the end of March and there's snow in Vancouver! Typically the city never experiences snow this late in the year. Right now huge flakes are covering my lawn. This snow sucks as it distracts customers from thinking about Spring.

Tyra leaving next Top Model, bitch slaps Jay

I just read this article on MSNBC about Tyra Banks possibly leaving Next Top Model. The rumours have it that:

• After having Clinton and Barrack on, she's feeling all Oprahish and wants to concentrate on her talk show.
  
• Tyra and Jay aren't speaking an insider says. No they haven't actually bitch slapped each other but I would pay money to see that! I'd like Jay to win but I think Tyra would fight dirty.
  
• Apparently she barely interacts with the contestants at all and only wants to show up for the judging.

This doesn't surprise me as I've felt that she's been phoning in her performances since the show left NYC the first time (pre-talk show). The show would benefit from a more hands on host. A little more Paulina anyone!?!?

Over the Hills

OMG! Since I'm in full Hills mode, this is so funny. It's senior citizens replaying the fight at the club scene at Les Deux.

Ed Hardy Rhinestone Hats

My "How to spot fake Ed Hardy Hats" post has been so popular that I think it's time to show some REAL Ed Hardy hats. These are brand spanking new in the store. Come get some!

The Hills, beautiful Paris and french guys smoke a lot!

We finally get to see Lauren and Whitney from The Hills hit Paris. The episode was a bit disjointed. There were lots of holes in the story line. Like all of the sudden Whitney is unhappy with Teen Vogue and wants to become a stylist. Where did that come from? It's good for Whitney as Teen Vogue actually fired both of them in December.

In this episode Lauren's romance was a bit forced. I heard from gossip sites that MTV were calling madly all over town looking for someone to become a love interest. That interest is Matthias the guitar player in a band Audrina knows apparently (a little to convenient). He tries a bit of whirlwind seduction. He's a nice enough looking boy but it was awkward at best. The real star of the episode was the city of Paris. The city is my personal favourite place and seeing the girls frolic made me miss it even more.

Every frenchman I've ever known smoked like Chimney. These guys are no different.

Yes, I enjoy smoking and making come hither faces at Lauren.

Best parts of the show was when Matthias took Lauren site seeing on his Vespa. Poor Lauren, not only would she die of a severe brain hemorrhage if she fell off (since her helmet clearly was only half on her) but her Alberta Ferretti gown (the second one, she ruined the first one with an iron) was being crushed to death while she had to cling to Matthias in the wet slick roads of Paris.

The Eiffel tower, I can't think of a more stunning sight.

Notre Dame Cathederal

Champs Elysees

Moderated Comments On!

The blog has been getting all sorts of spam from these online guys selling "authentic" Ed Hardy stuff. I'm tired of deleting them all the time so I've got to start to moderate the comments from now on. As long as you're not spamming I'll post everyone's comments. Sorry for the inconvenience!

On the black list from spammers they're websites are:

• raininghollywood
• pempeo
• whitefeathers

These guys don't seem to be legit and I wouldn't be surprised if they're selling fake goods.

The Hills is back on tonight

Another staple of my reality TV world is The Hills. This semi-faux show has been a favourite of mine for some time. Apparently this really isn't a new season but a continuation of season 3. Think of it as an extra add on but set in Paris. Both Lauren and Whitney have been whisked off to Paris to participate in shows with Teen Vogue. The city of lights, Paris Fashion Week and Whitney all make it a must see for me.

The blogs and gossips sites say much of the show is staged. Even Lauren's Paris romance was called up to fit the bill. The last episode aired showed a teaser of Lauren riding around on a scooter through the heady night time sights of Paris. The always great visuals make it near impossible to be truly an unscripted reality show.

I agree the show is not real. However, I find myself enjoying the show regardless of it's authenticity. I can't wait to see what happens!

PS. Oh yeah, all men Lauren surround herself with suck! That means you Brodie!

Been Sick Lately

Sorry for the lack of post these past few weeks. I've been sick with pretty much every flu symptom known to man. So now that I feel the worst is over, back to the posts!

Ed Hardy Wall Decoration

Look at the great results of my little art project last night. It was actually my partner's handy work but I supervised! We took the great Ed Hardy Scarves we received yesterday and mounted them on foam core. The scarves as you can tell are crazy detailed and rich in colour that they really stand out.

Ed Hardy Scarves

Gorgeous Ed Hardy Scarves are in! The silk charmeuse is luxurious and the colours and designs are tattoo bold!

Christina Siriano Spoof on SNL

Christian the winner of Project Runway 4 is seriously spoofed along with Tim, Heidi and their often quoted phrases. Saturday Night Live's Amy Poehler impression has Christian even more over the top. I didn't think it be possible!

Hot look for Spring

Many celebrities seem to be wearing these charmeuse with patterns tops and dresses. We've gotten some similar styles for the store.

Apple Bottom Jeans on Next Top Model

Apple Bottom gave away some free wares to the girls on America's Next Top Model tonight. It's so timely as we've started receiving our Apple Bottom stock for the store just recently.

The would be models got Apple Bottom tops, jeans and shoes (I didn't think they made shoes). I'm getting suckered into enjoying the show again. The fashion reality aspect of the show still sucks but the cat fights are awesome!

Claire and Dominique show us what an "Apple Bottom" is!

Fatima and Allison trade Apple Bottom insults.

The streets of Milan

The center of the universe for me when I'm in Milan is between the Duomo Cathedral and Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. The shops, cafes and walkway is set between these two iconic buildings, it's hard not to be awed. If you're in Milan for fashion you're bound to be in this area. You're steps from Via Spiga, Montenapoleon and handbag bliss.

Click on the slide show to view all 67 photos

The Milan Fall 08 Shoe Fair

The tradeshow is probably one the least exciting aspects of my trip to Milan. I've been going twice a year since the Kris + Cris Shoes store started. The footwear fair has moved from it's old digs to far out in the burbs of Milan. It's a pretty long trip out. I have some key brands that I make it a point to visit everytime.

Not all the business of buying is in the tradeshows. I'll go to the brands showrooms themselves and view some of the coming footwear fashions. I was at Paciotti to do just that. As you can imagine their entrance is stunning. Most of the major players are just found off Via Spiaga.

Ed Hardy and Dereon Spring Hoodies

Spring 08 Fashions in Milan's Windows

The world comes to shop Milan. They come for the name brands and their flagship stores. There's an intense competition to have all the newest goods and to display them to their greatest affect. I was in Gucci looking for a bag for a girlfriend. The bag had just come out in Vancouver and she was hoping to get it cheaper in Italy. The salesperson almost scoffed at me, apparently the style is old and not in production anymore. It was old news in Milan already

When I wasn't working I was shopping. When the shops are open, I'd be rushing into the stores to try on the fashions. Just like any girl with a fashion addiction, I focused on shoes and handbags. In the evenings when the shops had closed, I found myself still window shopping well into the evening. The colours for spring are vibrant yellows and pinks and the displays were exciting.

Here are some of the best windows I saw wandering around Milan. The amount of energy that goes into their displays are astounding. Most shops said their displays changed weekly, not just the clothes but the whole display! I visited LV, Gucci, Prada, Miu Miu, Cavalli, Dolce & Gabbanna, Dior, Fendi, Bottega Venata and Chanel (probably a lot more). All these shops are within one block of each other. Some brands like Gucci and Prada have 3 shops each on the same one block strip. The fashions are the most current items in Milan. Sadly, it'll be ages before we see it as normal fashions for us here in Vancouver.

Most of the pictures were taken in the Montenapoleone, Spiga, Duomo and Torino areas.

Click the slide show to see all 137 photos (yes there were a lot of windows!)

It's a mother f***ing walk off!

Tim Gunn and Christian from Project Runway 4 have walkoff! Andre would be so proud! Will Christian get all fierce or will Tim make it work? Watch and see!

Milan's Best Cafe and Dessert Place

Pasticceria Confetteria Cova is strategically located between the LV, Gucci and Prada shops in Montenapoleone, this cafe has been around since Napoleaon's time in 1817. It's location combined with it's food and atmosphere make it my favourite spot to get caffeinated.

Every time I'm in Milan, I try to find the time get an espresso before I power shop. I would have taken some interior photos if it weren't for the watchful eyes of the waiters. Besides I can't afford to be banned from this place!

Click on the slide show to see all 12 photos

Photos from Milan

Stuck for hours on the runway in Munich and then being delayed in London some more offered me lots of chances to sort through my 600 plus photos I took in Milan.

This trip was great despite being so short. I've been there over a dozen times and it really never gets old. I'll be posting a bit at time. I hope you all enjoy the photos!