PRJNCT: Challenge 5

Following Nathan's farewell rant, the remaining seven designers got right back to work and were sent their new challenge.

"Create a look based on one of the seven deadly sins."

The seven deadly sins according to the Catholic church are: Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Wrath, Envy and Pride.
The sins were randomly assigned to designers who then had to turn their sins into beautiful garments.

Fashion guru Polt Gunn gave the designers advice:

Designers, this week, you're challenge is to create a garment modeled after one of the Seven Deadly Sins. Once again, it's a good thing I'm here to help, because I have, after all, partaken of every single Deadly SIns...most more than once...some more than once today. And based on my experiences, this is my advice: Envy: I think the best thing to do would be to steal a chunk of each of the other designers' garments and make one out of that. Short of that, just paint her green. Gluttony: Make your model a fat suit to wear under an unattractive mumu. And don't forget to smear buffalo wing sauce all over her chin. Greed: Sew two dollar bills together, cut a hole for the neck and arms, and slap it on her. If you wanna improve your chances, use two twenties or two fifties. Lust: This one's the easiest: Just send your model down the runway naked. What's more lust-inducing than a plastic, anatomically deficient Barbie doll? Pride: For me, Pride always means Gay Pride, so give your model a mullet, throw on a flannel top, khaki shorts and Birkenstocks and you've got a lesbian ready for the Pride Parade! Sloth: The garment here should be easy, but I'd imagine making the sofa for her to lay on, the remote control for one hand and the half full bag of Doritos for the other to be the hardest part. Wrath: Glenn Beck always seems pretty angry at something, just make your model look like him. Good luck, designers! Now, Show me whatcha got!

Malaria's designer was assigned gluttony, a sin Malaria is quite familiar with....

One designer didn't know that much about sinning and had to study.

One confused designer purchased all the packaged food they'd need to make for a Thanksgiving feast, thinking that 'not making food from scratch' was a sin.

Talita decided to get advice from a designer friend (in boxers).

And finally, the runway met the seven deadly sins.

Lust was a tricky theme to design around. While the first idea that might come to mind when you think of 'lust' is slutty outfits that include fishnets, mini skirts, and shirts that show lots of breast, these things aren't very fashionable. So in order to both incorporate the theme of lust AND stay fashionable, I made an outfit based on fashion of the harem, or old-school lust. After all, the Bible is really old! Clifford's outfit isn't as revealing as a modern prostitute might wear, but it is very light and very easy to slip out of when it's time to get lustful.

Model: Clifford
Sin: Lust
Materials: Top/Slippers - Chiffon
Skirt - Nylon
Bangles - Gold-plated wires

My inspiration for gluttony was Thanksgiving, a holiday of overindulgence and excessive pigging out. Malaria's gown is a mosaic of traditional Thanksgiving dishes. A one of a kind, couture gown which she ATE after the photo shoot. After years of eating only carrot and celery sticks, I guess the poor girl finally snapped.

Model: Malaria
Sin: Gluttony
Materials: Dress - white paper napkins, glue, dried gravy mix, mashed potatoes mix, dried stuffing, turkey jerky, sweet potato chips, dried cranberries, pumpkin pie spice, wild rice mix, peppercorns, parsley and dinner roll crust
Wrap - napkin from Panera
Clutch purse - butter, dried cranberry
Hair ribbon - green bean
Jewelry - rice

I wanted the look for Lola LaRue to be like a greedy glamorous women. I see greed as someone who has too much; that is where the long train on the dress and the large diamond cluster necklace came into play. I wanted everything to be diamonds and sparkles. I wanted her outfit to show not only greed but wealth, and nothing shows greed, wealth, and glamour like gold and diamonds.

Model: Lola LaRue
Sin: Greed
Materials: Dress - Glitter Tulle
Diamond Necklace and Ring - Rinestones
Money- Paper

"Sloth is such an ugly word. I prefer to call it leisure. Working and getting out of bed in the morning? Phooey. That's for poor people. And ugly people who can't find a good boyfriend. Beautiful people like me don't need to stoop to the levels of the unwashed masses, I simply hire someone to do all that nasty dirty stuff for me, like laundry and cooking and cleaning. *shudder* Just thinking about it makes me feel like I'll have to take to my bed with a tonic and a good book to recover." ~ Xy

Model: Xylophone
Sin: Sloth
Materials: Nightgown and peignoir - fabric, feathers, trim
Slippers - medical tape and feather
Headband - feathers and trim

The sin of 'wrath' evokes ideas of anger, fury, rage, resentment, punishment and vengeance. Belinda's dress is designed to be an embodiment of those ideas. The red color represents rage and blood. The swooping black shapes bring an idea of stabbing and cutting into the dress, which is continued in her accessory, a knife dripping with blood. The theme of blood and cutting is also represented by the feathers that burst from the model's head.

Model: Stevie/Belinda Cosgrove
Sin: Wrath
Materials: Dress - red tights, paper, thread
Hair accessories - feathers
Knife - X-Acto blade & black thread
Blood - ketchup

We are all born with gifts. Talent, beauty, intelligence. But as we grown, we become aware of other people and the gifts they possess and this opens the door for Envy. The Green Monster that can get in our way, weigh us down and in some cases, consume us. My dress represents my interpretation of Envy. The front is meant to be innocent and pretty, with just a touch of green. While the back shows the growing envy of designer and model as represented by the photos of the other competing designers and models. Chlamydia is envious of their looks (which is ironic as some of them could be her twin) and her designer is jealous of the talent the other designers have.

Model: Chlamydia
Sin: Envy
Materials: Dress - green t-shirt, satin ribbon, paper, tissue paper
Purse - ribbon
Shoes - Silver paper
Photo frames - paper

Tawna is the queen of her pride, ready to prowl the sophisticated night for her next prey...

Model: Tawna
Sin: Pride
Materials: Dress - simulated crushed velvet, curtain tie-back

Which sin is your favorite?! Which one makes you want to behave (aka, which one don't you like)?

Why Don't You Tell Me(ep) What's Going On

Inspired by Michelle M.'s guest post, Mr. McKee decided to get in on the fun. So for today's Monday Music Moment, I bring you his reimagining of the Fleetwood Mac tune "Tusk," from their highly underrated album of the same name.

Tusk

Boo! imeem only has 30 second clips.
Click here for the full version!

PRJNCT: Challenge 4 Results

Welcome to the 4th elimination in PR:JNCT!
Today, one person's dreams will be crushed! Who will be going home???

The top 2 and bottom 2 from last week (in random order) are:

Lola LaRue, Malaria, Chlamydia, and Tandi Dupree

Lola: Miss LaRue receieved mixed reviews from the judges; while some judges liked the modern cut of the dress and the way it showed off Lola's bootylicious curves, other judges thought the look was simply not modern enough. The pattern was seen as a great representation of the 70s, but did not translate into modern fashion ideals; it was stuck in the 70s... where it rightfully belongs. One judge critiqued the fit of the design, noting that last week Lola's outfit was too tight and this week Lola's outfit was too loose.
Mom says: "Don't remember if people actually wore this in the 70s. Es feo y mal hecho."

Malaria: Judges called the construction of this outfit 'brilliant.' The look was very goth, but still chic. The judges could tell that Malaria's designer worked hard on this outfit as it had no visible flaws and was not simple like other designs this challenge. But some judges thought the outfit was a little costumey and didn't represent the 90s well. Another wished Malaria's designer had 'left the ugly purse out.'
Mom says: "It was well-made."

Chlamydia: Judges thought this design was simple, yet classy and beautiful. Desiging the coat was a nice touch. The construction was great and the designer did not go for the cliche look of the 60s (hippie), but made a beautiful garment that still represented the assigned decade. Some judges thought the outfit was too safe and had 'been done' many times before.
Mom says: "This dress is OK, but I don't remember ever wearing that type of dress in the 60s. I remember wearing that type of coat but wouldn't wear this one because it's horrible and looks like a kimono from behind."

Tandi: Judges thought that Tandi's 80s outfit was plain and not flattering for the model. The outfit didn't fit Tandi properly as it made her look wide, and one judge stated that 'only a true loser would wear such ill-fitting clothes.' And although the look may have been worn in the 80s, it does not represent the most popular 80s fashion trends. The color pallette 'sucks even more' than Tandi's hairstyle. Noticing the low budget on this outfit, one judges remarked that Tandi's designer should have used money on materials since this outfit looked like a bad arts and crafts project.
Mom says: "It doesn't look right from behind!"

After a record-setting number of votes, the winner of this challenge is.....

Malaria!
This is Malaria's THIRD win! Congrats Malaria's designer!

Chlamydia was also declared safe, putting Lola LaRue and Tandi Dupree in the bottom 2.

And the designer going home this week is.....

Tandi Dupree's designer, Nathan!

When Nathan found out he was eliminated, he sent us the following message/picture.

"Thiss is bulls&$*!!1!!! Anyone with halfd a brain can asee that I wasn;t the worst outfit!!2@! These frackin gods damm cylon judges don't understand high fashion! I was insulted because my outfit could be seen in a modern wradrobe whhen that was the whole point of the challenge!!@@! AAnd they wanted me to puty shoulder pads on it instead! JERKS!!!QW!W The other designerrs dresses were horrrible! MAlarias dress doesn't look anything like the 90s!1 Lola should fire her seamstress., Chlamydia's jhacket is as moderrn as the Amish people.m, Stevie;sd dress is a blatant KNOCKOFF!!!@! Xylophoness hat makes me want to vomit Cliford is washed out and boring and tawna's outfitr looks has a giant thin UNDER the boo0bs1 No noremal woman could wear that! Bull@@#!! No one understnads me!1 This show is the worst!!!1! the 80s were ugly. I performed a MIRAVCLE!"

Oh Nathan, put the bottle down. You got too much talent.

Join us next week as the 7 remaining contestants scour the bible for design inspiration!

Ghosts in the Attic: Happy Birthday To You

Welcome back to my 1st grade journal. In this entry, I discuss my teacher's birthday celebration!

Entry dated April 10, 1996

Happ Birthday Mrs Gural
Today was Mrs. Gural Birthday. We had a party. With juies and cake and Doenuts. My table was first to get a nother doenut. We spelld out HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU MRS. GURAL.

My favorite part of this page might be the 'we had a party' sentence. It totally looks like 'we had a panty.'
When I read the next sentence, I pronounce 'juies' like 'Jews' which makes the party sound even better!
I also love how I sent Mrs. Gural birthday wishes TWICE on one page! (and forgot the 'Y' the first time)
More coffee stains!

Samanthas Mom came in to tape us. today A PerFEce-ANal BASKETBALL PLAYER is comeing here. But i don't no when. But I no that Kyle was H. Kiara was A. Lindsey was P. Sal was P. Kenyeta was Y. Scott was B. Julie was I. Danny was R. Hanif was T. Happy Birhtday Mrs. Gural

I'm pretty sure I didn't have ADD as a child, but I apparently had a brief spurt of it while writing this entry. I very quickly jump from the taping of Mrs. Gural's birthday celebration to the fact that a PerFEce-ANal BASKETBALL PLAYER was coming to my school that day (what a nice birthday treat for Mrs. Gural!). I love the way I connect the thoughts again (I don't no when. But I no that....) and then start listing which classmates held which letters.
To clarify, as I said on page 1, we spelled out "Happy Birthday to You Mrs. Gural" -- this means each student held up a letter and then someone (Samantha's mom?) took a picture of us, and apparently videotaped us as well.
Believe it or not, I actually remember all of these classmates! Except for Lindsey (sorry).
Also, you might wonder why I put the news about the basketball player in all caps. It's because I used to actually like basketball. Weird, I know.
Also, note that in order to cement my role as teacher's pet, I once again wish Mrs. Gural a happy b-day!

Nicole was H. Elyssa was D. Andre was A. Sam was Y. Sara was TO. Jaasmeen was Y. A I don't Remember who else.

And then I just list the rest of the order, to the best of my ability. Know what this makes me wonder?
What was I?

Rainbow Coalition of Songs

Welcome to my second ever Monday Music Moment!

Today, I will be listing my favorite songs that have colors in their title!

Yellow

"Yellow" by Coldplay

"Look at the stars
Look how they shine for you"

I first heard this song by witnessing it's accompanying music video. In those days, I lived with my papa, and my sisters had control over the remote control. They apparently weren't Coldplay fans since they always changed the station when it came on. So I don't think I ever got to hear the song in its entirety back then, but I did know that it was super famous. Many years later, I rediscovered the song, got to hear the whole thing, and loved it. Despite some great songs they've put out since "Yellow," it is still my favorite Coldplay song. I also think the story about the song's conception (involving the yellow pages) is kind of cute. Plus, Brooke White covered it.
Honorable Mention: "Big Yellow Taxi" by Joni Mitchell

Black

"Black Balloon" by The Goo Goo Dolls

"A thousand other boys could never reach you
How could I have been the one?"

This is another song I heard during the 90s when I was not in complete control over what I listened to. I remember it coming on the radio all the time and liking it, like many other tracks from The Goo Goo Dolls. When I finally reached the age where I could buy my own CDs, I bought Superstar Car Wash, A Boy Named Goo, Dizzy Up The Girl, and Gutterflower and loved them all. While "Black Balloon" is not my #1 favorite GGD song, it one of their best songs off one of their best CDs. And I love when a song is recognizable from the first few distinctive notes and this is definitely one of those songs. Also, I love the lyrics, even though they don't make complete sense at times (wait, the spoon was her womb?!)
Honorable Mention: "Back to Black" by Amy Winehouse

Red

"Red Eye" by Ace Enders and a Million Different People
"Now you're the only thing that keeps me moving here"

You probably don't know Ace Enders or this song, but it's a good song with a color in its name. "Red Eye" is a somewhat sappy song about how Ace is going to take the red eye home to be with his lady. He won't say goodnight, he won't, cause he doesn't want to be alone tonight. I've been a fan of Ace since his days with The Early November (another band you don't know!) and love his solo work. I've seen him 7 times in concert and he's been amazing each time! Plus, he's real nice in person and even remembers me sometimes!

Honorable Mention: "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" by Jesus (does anyone know who actual wrote that song?)

Gold

"Gold Dust Woman" by Fleetwood Mac
"Rock on ancient woman
Take your silver spoon
And dig your grave"

"Gold Dust Woman" closes Rumours, Fleetwood Mac's most critically-acclaimed and commerically successful album (40+ million sold!). The song is one of Stevie Nicks' creepier tunes, not only because of the music and the lyrics (see above), but also because it was written about cocaine. Despite that, I still love "Gold Dust Woman." Plus, Hole covered it.

Honorable Mention: "Golden" by Fall Out Boy

Blue

Blue by Joni Mitchell
"Songs are like tattoos
You know, I've been to sea before"

I prefer Joni Mitchell when she tries to make me depressed, which is what she does in "Blue." I love the lyrics in this song, the subtle piano, and especially Joni's delivery of it. You totally understand how she feels just from the way she sings this song, which beat out the other 20 songs in my music library to become my favorite track with 'blue' in the title. And btw, with songs like "Big Yellow Taxi," "Blue," "Blue Boy," "Black Crow," "Blue Motel Room," "Two Grey Rooms," "Roses Blue," "Cold Blue Steel and Sweet Fire," "The Beat of Black Wings," "Turbulent Indigo," and "Little Green," it seems like Joni likes colorful songs!

Honorable Mentions: "Blue Lips" by Regina Spektor
"My Blue Heaven" by Taking Back Sunday

White
"White Houses" by Vanessa Carlton
"He's my first... mistake"

When V. Carlton was prancing around pretending she was Michelle Branch so that she could get a fanbase, I wasn't feeling her. I thought "A Thousand Miles" was overrated and rolled my eyes every time I saw her. But when I saw the amazing video for the debut single from her 2nd CD, I suddenly became a fan. At first, I was like, "Oh, this is a nice, melancholy song." Then I reached the bridge and was shocked to find out that the song is really about how V. gave up the goods to some dude in a white house. I was surprised by her honesty and liked the song even more. Now, I only question whether she actually lived in a white house with her friends or whether she's just trying to be symbolic....
Honorable Mentions: "White Horse" by Taylor Swift
"Wearing White" by Martina McBride

What are your favorite songs of color??

Enrico Rings Like A Bell Through The Night

Since Michelle M. is so good at rewriting songs in her guest entries, I asked her to do a guest entry here at Hotel Tuesday.
Michelle rewrote the lyrics to one of my favorite songs ever, Rhiannon by Fleetwood Mac. I hope you all love this guest post as much as I do!
Thanks Michelle!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Enrico

To the tune of Fleetwood Mac's "Rhiannon"

Enrico tweets like a bird in the night,

And wouldn't you love to love him?

His heart is big, but his frame is slight,

He's filled with wonder and whim.

All your life you've never seen such blogging,

Read from shore to shore.

Posts so fine that they sparkle and shine and,

Bring us back for more.

Enrico glows with a warm, gentle light,

His posts are thoughtful and fun.

So smart and cute you could take a bite,

Enrico won't be outdone.

All your life you've never seen such fashion,

Is he out or in?

Created with care, élan and flair but,

Will he ever win?

Will he ever win?

Enrico

Enrico

Enrico

Enriiiiiiicooooo

Enrico's pure of body and heart,

But his mind is in the gutter.

A little sweet and a little tart,

He sets our hearts aflutter.

All his life he's never smoked,

He won't drink vodka, beer or wine.

Please don't pout for he will not put out and,

Hookups he'll decline.

Sluts, you're out of line.

Enrico

Enrico

Enrico

We want to see,

We want to see R.P.

We want to see,

We want to see R.P.

We want to see,

We want to see R.P.

Dreams are free,

Enrico's rhapsody.

Dreams are free,

Enrico's rhapsody.