John Krasinski on the other hand. Not my cup o’ tea. He looks like what I think my brother would look like if I had one. Gross.

Well, call me Bubba(or whatever name someone in one of those incest states would have) because my heart hasn’t stopped throbbing for the dude since I caught him in a lip sync-off with J. Fall via YouTube today.

OH

EM

GEE

Y,all.

Lip synch porn – the next big thing.

Jayyyyyyyyy-zus.

His rendition of “Teenage Dream” is what got me. Fallon doing Das Efx was pretty hot, too. The rest was icing on the cake.

Attendees traditionally come dressed is their most gorgeous yet adventurous dresses which, most appropriately, are within the theme of the gala. This year’s was “Punk: Chaos to Couture,” so you’d probably expect to see studs, leather, and safety pins. You know, all the cool stuff you wore in high school/the 90s but don’t(as a 30 year old young professional e__e) have an excuse to pull out(or off) often enough.

This once a year event is the perfect excuse to GO.TO.TOWN. Well, apparently, 90% didn’t get the memo. The 7% that did…see below. And, the rest, a very small minority, did Debbie Harry proud. Oh, yeah, and she performed! The silver lining on this dark fashion cloud.

Here are a few #RUDE Thoughts that I (along with the the next world champion Chicago Bulls) have re: the 2013 Met Ball…and a couple of nice ones.

This is not punk…

Yeah, we get it. It’s a costume ball.

If the theme was “Kings of Comedy” this would be great. Otherwise, suit jackets from The Steve Harvey Collection worn as dresses(even in a gold limited edition fabric, like this one) is not appropriate attire for the Met Ball.

Yes, this gal is 15 and getting schooled on a movie lot most of the time but that’s no excuse to wear TIE DYE to a punk themed gala!!!!

I can’t even talk about this. I can’t.

This one either.

Then, this bitch. Prom 1994.

This is not punk but it is Gwyneth Paltrow…

I think this might be punk but I’m still not sure…

The best dressed and/or on-theme women of the 2013 Met Ball. IMHO…

The worst dressed human on Earth made an appearance, too. In case you were wondering…

Woven details have a way of saying, “I’m relaxed.” without ever having to utter the words. Beach hats. Ethnic decor. Picnic baskets. All just chillin’. Even the most structured of handbags feel less harsh when interlaced with a wicker weave.

This spring the easy-breezy style is braided into all the season’s hottest accessories. Topping our lust list is the Coach spring shoe collection. We love it because they meshed fancy with casual throughout. Think: straw smoking slippers and nautical-colored straw and leather mega wedges. A fabulous take on the high-low way of life that we can’t(and never) want to get away from.

Also criss-crossed  into the collection are a pair of tasseled loafers and strappy nude stilletos that we haven’t stopped thinking about since we got our hands on these wedges.

Not to knit pick but we think this basket weave trend might be our fave of the season.

From left to right: ROW 1- 1. SHARRIN WEDGE, $248, 2. LEELA HEEL, $228, 3. STEFFI HEEL, $228. ROW 2 - 4. TERRI HEEL, $248, 5. CATRIN WOVEN SLIPPER, $228, 6. GEMMA WEDGE, $298.

COACH | 625 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611 | (312) 587-3167

April showers bring May flowers and – if American Apparel has anything to do with it – tap shorts, chiffon blouses, and disco pants.

Oh, yes, y’all, Spring has sprung!

Celebrate this weekend by taking the top off your Geo Tracker and bumping Whitney Houston all the way down to your local AA store for a partayyy. This Saturday, May 4th from 4 -8pm American Apparel Chicago invites you to their invite-only Spring Fling shopping event. Get your drank on and dance a little, too while stocking up on some much-needed warm weather clothing.

Make sure to say you saw this on The MidWasteland and get…
- 20% off* your purchases of $50 or more.
- A  free gift with your purchase over $75(while supplies last).

Visit the #AASpringFling Facebook invite for more details.

American Apparel – Chicago Locations
Belmont & Clark  | 929 W. Belmont Ave. , Chicago, IL 60657
Gold Coast | 46 E. Walton St., Chicago, IL 60611
Lincoln Park | 837 W. Armitage Ave., Chicago, IL 60614
State Street | 39 State St.,  Chicago, IL 60603
Wicker Park | 1563 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60622

*- Discount cannot be used in conjunction with any additional promo or offer. Offer valid on all American Apparel manufactured merchandise. Gift Cards, California Select Vintage, Nail Polish, Footwear, Eyewear, Time Pieces, and Multibrand not included. Offer subject to change at any time.

The first thought that always came to mind when I saw the word daiquiri on a drink menu was of a leather-skinned granny sitting poolside with one of the sugary concoctions in one hand and a 1970s sun reflector in the other. Naturally, like all other cosmopolitan ladies of my generation, I skipped right past that section and over to something more proper. You know, like, Pinot Grigio.

That was until I went out with a group of people in the hospitality industry a few years back. One of the girl’s ordered a Hemingway Daiquiri. I immediately silently-judged her order when I heard the D word. Then, she let me taste it. I was hooked.

Served in a coupe(my favorite glass style) and chilled to perfection, the overall sourness stings your tongue while the tiny kick of sweet keeps you coming back for more. It’s like that awful fuck buddy you keep hanging out with. He’s a dick six and a half days a week(yet you can’t help but wonder what the hell he’s doing) and the three hours on Saturday that you see him makes up tenfold for the tart taste he left in your mouth before(both literally and figuratively). Yeah, you know it’s unhealthy but it’s damn refreshing and shit will get you KRUUUNK. Makes perfect sense why these were E. Hem’s go-to.

Most recently, I had, hands down, one of the best ever while on vacay in South Beach Miami. It was at the little rum bar in James Hotel – Royal Palm’s South Shore bar. I highly recommend stopping by if you’re ever down there. In Chicago, hit up bar Bar DeVille(701 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60622) for the runner up.

If you have any other hidden spots where I might get my hands on a good Hemingway, let me know in the comments section.

RECIPE
2 oz white rum
1 oz fresh lime juice
½ oz fresh grapefruit juice
¼ oz maraschino liqueur
1½ to 2 cups shaved ice

Combine in a blender and frappe until the drink is foaming. Serve in a large cocktail glass, champagne saucer, or goblet. Note: maraschino liqueur is NOT the same thing as syrup from a cherry jar. Fire any liquor store that tells you otherwise.
(via WSJ)

I could’t have been sadder when my favorite Starbucks on Rush Street in the Gold Coast closed down. My frown was quickly turned upside down when I found out it was replaced by a fancy new one just a block away. But, the best part – its old locale was being transformed into a Madewell. Lattes and leather satchels in one fowl swoop. YES, PLEASE.

Oversized photos of their messy-haired models (who could sell me a bag of used band-aids and I’d buy them) in the most perfectly styled outfits hung in the windows as I waited with bated breathe for the last six months while the store was being built out. Torture.

Finally, the day is here(…and we never have to take a trip out to the burbs to get our hands on one of their magical frocks ever again)! Madewell is opening their doors next Wednesday, April 3rd at 932 N. Rush St. As a gift for stopping by, they will be handing out mystery gift cards ranging from $10-500 all morning until they run out.

Here are 5 of our fave Madewell must haves under $100 to help you spend that dough…

Festival season 2013 has arrived. We picked 10 must-haves when traveling down to Austin this March for one of the country’s biggest music conferences. Check out our ULTIMATE SXSW PACKING GUIDE on StyleCaster.com!

For more information about our relationship with Olay click here: cmp.ly/3

 Chicago was just named the #4 most miserable city in the US by Forbes. YIKES! It’s really not so bad. Though, the six inches of snow outside of our window and the gray sky has us doubting this fair city today.

Since we like to keep it positive and look to the brighter days the only thing to do is shop online for the bikini we’ll be wearing next month in Miami on “spring break”. Woot Woot!!

…We should probably focus on looking for a pair of winter gloves since we haven’t gotten a pair yet. But I said we were positive not practical.

If you’re yearning for a day on the beach right about now, here are three swimwear looks  from low to high that we are loving right now.

1. UK Swimwear Bandeau bikini top + Wide bikini bottoms, $35
2. J. Crew Stripe Underwire Top + Candy Anchor String Hipster, $98
3. Zimmermann Vase printed triangle bikini, $210

Recently our friends at Beauty High and Clear presented a challenge we were more than happy to accept. They dared us to take the 7 day Clear Scalp & Hair Challenge and NOT come out stronger and more beautiful hair. We had our doubts.

First, multi-step hair care programs are a big fad in the beauty industry right now – how would this one be different? Second, and most important, we’re devoted to our colorist. (The jig is up… I’m a bottle brunette!) A product line that helps us keep our color in check is a MUST so we were ready and willing to give Clear a chance.

Was this one was IT?! Read more about our woes in our “before” post then check  the results on BeautyHigh.com.  Let’s just say we found our latest obsession.

For more information about our relationship with CLEAR SCALP & HAIR BEAUTY THERAPY™ click here: cmp.ly/3

While I lie in wait to get my hands on the ultimate piece of technology, my only option is to peruse the case that will cover my Rolodex/bff/everything. My 4 is covered by the printed Lanvin case from Net A Porter but I’m thinking my next go round will entail something less street, more classic.

What do we think about these options?

1. Ralph Lauren Newbury Case, $34
2. J.Crew Anchor Case, $14.5o
3. To Gild The Lily Personalized iPhone case, $16.99
4. Weston Strezzate Siracusa printed case, $50
5. Kate Spade newsprint dot iPhone 5 case, $40