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Project Runway:Project Obnoxious…Season 10 Premiere!

This might just be the greatest season of Project Runway ever! And not because of the designs, but because of the cast! The season premiere, which started so haphazardly we kept asking ourselves if we missed the first episode or the first hour of the first episode, completely captured us with the two main stars Gunner and Christopher.  We’re sure we won’t be the first to ask, but…Team Gunner or Team Christopher? We’re definitely Team Christopher.  He’s so sweet and cute and honest…and damn can he sew an amazing gown.  (We do agree with Michael Kors that his styling looked like a bad bridal party).  Gunner, on the other hand, is soooo threatened by Christopher that he continued to make snappy comments throughout the show.  “There’s only room for one star in this galaxy and it ain’t you!” and “I just don’t like his arrogance”, both times referring to Christopher, who complemented him by comparing his opening design to Miu Miu…Uhhh…more like Converse for Target.

Some of our other favorites this season are Buffi, Melissa and Kooan.  Pull it together Kooan! You’re way too amazing to walk the plank so early in the season.  Actually, we weren’t overly impressed with any of the designers in this first episode and found ourselves comparing these new designers to our past favorites.  None of the designs were so incredible that we were stopped in our tracks.  And Heidi Klum….hmmmm.  A friend of ours recently commented to us that Europeans think she’s a joke and don’t take her seriously.  We can only imagine it has something to do with her “style aesthetic” since her dress looked like she grabbed it off the rack at Chico’s.  We’ve had the honor of interviewing Nina Garcia…check it out here…and we still can’t get over how absolutely incredible she looks all of the time.  She needs to take $5000 of that Marie Claire money and spruce up Ms. Klum!

Needless to say, we were super excited that Christopher won the first challenge.  We were absolutely unclear why Beatrice was kicked off and they kept Lantie.  Although she’s sexy as hell and looks like an older mix of Lana Del Rey and Kathleen Turner we just don’t think she has it.  We were excited to see what Beatrice was going to bring to the runway this season.  Oh well…we’ll have to turn our attention to lesbian designs instead…whatever that means!

Be Yourself.  Be Fearless.  Be Your Own Unexpected Luxury.

Check out our interviews with Project Runway judge Nina Garcia and Season 6 Runner Up Althea Harper!

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Who Will Win Big Brother Season 14???

We don’t even know where to start.  Season 14 of Big Brother might just be the best, most gut wrenching season we’ve ever seen of the show and we’ve seen every season! We are absolutely obsessed with Big Brother and don’t miss one second including Big Brother After Dark on Showtime.  Our reviews will not be spoilers or updates because there are tons of website out there, like our favorites Buddy TV and Morty’s TV(which shows minute by minute updates).  Instead, we will give our thoughts and opinions on this season of Big Brother.  Peter will be updating his opinions via YouTube videos so check out his videos and follow him throughout the season of this show! The following are just a few of our thoughts so far…

1. How could we go from being the world’s biggest Janelle fans to absolutely being sick by her behavior…all in one week??? We are so confused by her flip-flop behavior that we’re starting to think she really might just be a dumb blonde.  We’re hoping that her alliance with Boogie is just an act and she’ll redeem herself soon!

2. Is Willie gay?  We’re not just saying this because of his comment to Wil.  There’s lots of gay men that are ultra-masculine and don’t like effeminate men.  We’re just askin…is he?

3. As much as we love Britney, we can’t help wondering if she’s sitting there all wrapped up in her sweater thinking, “why the hell didn’t I stay home and spend the summer by the pool?”

4. Who’s Jodi?

5. Britney’s not as stupid as people think she is…after all, she’s the only one who noticed the key holes next to the coach’s pictures.

6. Poor Kara…

7. He eats Fruit Loops, shaves his legs, smokes like Bette Davis and looks like a bear…just sayin.

8. Ian’s the missing link to Soul Train.

9. Uh…who’s Jodi?

10. Shea body butter is fucking lotion….Period!

Check out Peter’s video on the secrets behind who will win Big Brother and keep updated with us here after every show!

http://youtu.be/hF6m7tvalsE

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5 Ways to Wear a Blazer in the Summer Heat

Men have a tendency to think that dressing up for an occasion is simple and that anything will fit the occasion.  Simply throw on a jacket, button down collar shirt and a pair of loafers and call it a day.  While that may be good enough for your nephew’s graduation, it isn’t necessarily fashionable.   During the summer heat, men find it a bit changeling to keep up with current trends and still make an impression, so here are five simple ways to put together an impressionable summer outfit that is current in trend.

1. Mix-and-Match – The ever so classic technique of mixing and matching the items in your closet would be the perfect way to start.  Grab your favorite pair of dress chinos(grey is usually a safe choice)pair it with a plaid shirt and throw on a navy blue blazer.  The plaid shirt will add contrast and texture to your ensemble, making it fresh and current.  Forget the socks with this one.  Roll up the cuffs of your pants and you’ll add a bit of flair to the whole look.

2. Captain 2012 – Mix the colors up with this look.  Don’t be afraid to pick bright and bold colors.  The age friendly boat look is perfect for a day at the beach, a quick stop at the office, or a late lunch date.  What really makes this look a boat look, aside from the light color blazer, is the shoes – classic boat shoes.

3. Black on Black – Summer is filled with weddings and events, so invest on a nice, fitted tailored suit.  You can pair it with any color dress shirt if you feel like adding color, but for a summer night event stick with black.  This clean cool style adds a bit of mystery to your whole persona and with a bit of confidence you may leave the event with a new number… or several.

4. Polished Hipster – This combination of items allows you to play with what you have and with what you would like to shop for.  A pair of fitted jean shorts paired with a clean cut polo is perfect for comfort.  Throw on a dark colored blazer and some oxford wingtip shoes and this looks becomes ideal for a summer night party or even a first date.  Remember to play with colors you enjoy and feel comfortable in, especially since this look is different and probably outside your comfort zone.

5. Jeans and a B – Guys can always rely on a good pair of jeans and a comfortable blazer – you can wear it to pretty much anything at any time of the year.  During the summer try to pair this combination with something unconventional from your closet, like a fitted v-neck tee or a baggy tank.  This unusual combination will update your look and allow you to have fun trying something new and different.  Throw on a pair of high top shoes to really funk up the look.

Favorite places to shop for these looks would be Nordstrom Rack, Urban Outfitters, Farfetch.com, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Pac Sun.

Be Yourself.  Be Fearless.  Be Your Own Unexpected Luxury.

Check out all of our style advice, daily looks and fashion interviews in our Style section. 

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The NEW LL Cool J! Matt Houston Ft. P-Square: Positif

After months of being forced to listen to Carly Rae Jepsen while out at clubs, we’re stating to think a move to Europe might be in order, since their club dance list this summer has dominated the music scene.  Beating it’s way through the clubs is the newest single by Matt Houston Ft. P-Square Positif! We totally love this song not to mention the video.  Matt even looks like a young LL Cool J and may be the next big name on the mix between Hip Hop and Dance…we’ll see.

 

Check out all of our daily music picks in our DJ Raannt Section!

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The Love Doctors Advice Column: Dear Anonymous…

 

Dear Peter and Alex,

I travel all the time for work, some times I’m gone for weeks at a time or when I

get back home I’m extremely tired from driving and dealing with my clients so I find

it difficult to connect with my husband. I’m just so tired that I don’t really feel

like talking, kissing, spending time together. And when the weekend comes around I

want to let loose and enjoy my time off because come Monday I’m going to be back on the

road working, so romance is not always – if ever – a priority for me.

So, how do I make both my career and relationship work? How do I find a balance that

will make me and my husband both happy?

                                                                                Anonymous

 

Dear Anonymous,

Prioritize your life.  People who claim to have perfect balance in their lives are liars.  No one who juggles a career, family, friends, a relationship and outside interests could possibly balance all of those areas perfectly.  Take a look at your life and decide which areas are a priority.  Is your relationship a priority over your career or is your career a priority over your relationship?  Be honest with yourself. 

It sounds like you’re deciding to not make romance a priority instead of talking and working with your husband to make your relationship a priority.  Remember, no one at the end of their life looks back and wishes they had worked more hours.  If it is impossible for you to work less, than make the time you do have on the weekends exclusive time to spend with your husband. 

You’re so tired on the weekends that you want to let loose instead of spending time with your husband? Maybe your husband isn’t really a priority to you.  Or maybe he is but you’re so overwhelmed with the expectations of your husband and career that you don’t know how to make it all work.  You can have it all. 

We both have careers, run a website, take care of a house and three dogs, find time for each other and still find time to go out and have fun. It may not always be ideal, but we’re grateful for the amazing life we have with each other.  Treasure the weekends you go out and have fun together as much as the Sundays you sleep in and have a late brunch and maybe a movie on the couch.  It’s all part of the plan. 

To help us focus our attention on each other we try to text or call each other several times throughout the day and we keep a gratitude journal in which we write 5 things every day that we are grateful for about the other person.  It reminds us why we’re together.  And always keep intimacy alive.  Couples that are having sex regularly aren’t fighting and are excited to see each other. 

Bottom line…take care of yourself, connect with your husband for a certain amount every day and talk to your husband about how to make it work.  Take pride in your relationship and invest time and energy into it as you would your car, career or stock portfolio.  It is your greatest investment.  And remember…you only get one life.  This isn’t a dress rehearsal!

Be Yourself.  Be Fearless.  Be Your Own Unexpected Luxury.

The Love Doctors Advice Column will be posted every Tuesday and Friday.  Please e-mail your advice questions to info@raannt.com or comment below!

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Holy Retro Summer!!!! Andrew Spencer-Give It Up(Game of Love)

Almost 30 years ago KC & The Sunshine Band released their single Give It Up.  We’ve posted a live version of it below just to remind you how incredibly awesome those dudes were back in the day! This summer Andrew Spencer has remade the song and DJ’s all over the world are spinning the shit out it.  The single has only been on the Euro Dance Charts for 2 weeks and in one week moved from #83 to #30! Holy retro summer! We’re obsessed and think it might just be cheesy enough and beachy enough to be the perfect summer anthem.  Check out both versions below!

Check out all of our other music picks in our daily DJ Raannt section!

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Out of Our Closet Today 7-18-12: Pool Party for One

All of your friends are working but you have the day off and it’s 100 degrees and perfectly sunny.  You head to the pool.  After getting your lounge chair set up, you dive in and let the bath temperature water flow over you.  You love summer.  After you swim, you get out and grease up your body the old fashioned, dangerous way; baby oil.  You plug in your headphones and start your playlist for summer anthems.  After an hour, you’ve had enough of the sun and decide a nap inside is a better way to spend a 100 degree day.  You wake up hours later. The sun is gone and the moon has replaced it’s midsummer glow.  The smell of baby oil radiates the room as the heat from the burn on your skin radiates with heat.  You take a quick shower, throw on a tank and shorts and head out to meet your friends for dinner.  You smile as you walk out…if only every day felt like summer.

Out of the Closet Today 7-18-12: Pool Party for One

Tank: Outcast Americana Tank Top/Urban Outfitters $28

Shorts: ORLEBAR BROWN ‘Bulldog’ Swim Shorts/farfetch.com $195

Sandals: Hugo by Hugo Boss Mens White Thaco Leather Thong Sandals/psyche.co.uk $74

Sunglasses: KSUBI Blue Tejat Sunglasses/ssense.com $220

Oil: Johnsons Baby Oil Aloe Vera and Vitamin E 20oz/Target $3.84

 

Be Yourself.  Be Fearless.  Be Your Own Unexpected Luxury.

Check out our other daily Out of Our Closet Looks from the past and check in with us daily for new looks!

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The Love Doctors…Advice Column

Several years ago, while visiting a psychic for fun, we were told we should begin an advice column called The Love Doctors.  We had just recently started our website and were posting articles about local events and our opinions about anything from restaurant reviews to local drag queens.  The blog was started as a fun form of expression and we never expected to turn it into a full time business, let alone have people all over the world read our posts.  We never even expected to interview anyone famous let alone hundreds. It’s all been quite humbling, but the experience has definitely helped us grow into the people we are today.

Life, love and relationships.  We’re not exactly experts, but we do know a little bit about these topics. Expert or not, we find our emails filled on a regular basis with questions about life and love…and not just from gay men either.  Although we primarily receive questions from gay men about coming out, addiction and recovery in the gay community, confidence and how to have healthy relationships, we also receive tons of emails from heterosexual men asking us how to find the right woman or tactics to ask women out, how to be romantic and how to meet a woman’s emotional needs.  Woman of course want to know how to please a man sexually and what really beats inside the mind of the male psyche.

After reading and attempting to respond to all of these emails we have been reminded often of that Halloween four years ago when we met with our psychic friend and he told us to start an advice column.  He told us a lot of things that day and most of them have come true.  Whether or not you believe in psychics is not the point.  Maybe he tells everyone they should start an advice column.  He might have been a complete charlatan who planted a seed in our heads.  Today, that seed has sprouted.  Today, The Love Doctors are open for business!

Every Tuesday and Friday we will be posting responses to 2 questions we receive from readers, either by comment or email.  We will only post a first name unless otherwise asked to keep the name anonymous.  We hope this will be fun and informative.  Some of the issues will likely be serious while others will be lighthearted.  All questions may be sent to info@raannt.com Our first post will be this Friday, July 20th.

Let the adventure begin!

Be Yourself.  Be Fearless.  Be Your Own Unexpected Luxury!

Peter and Alex

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Project Runway’s Althea Harper!

We are huge fans of Project Runway.  We’ve watched every season and every episode while rooting for our favorites from the sidelines on our couch.  The premiere of Season 10, the newest installment of the reality show, will air Thursday, July 19th on the Lifetime network.  In the past, our obsession with reality television’s elite fashion show has allowed us to interview famed Project Runway judge Nina Garcia and now we’ve had the honor of interviewing our all-time favorite, Season 6 runner up Althea Harper.  Maybe we love her because she’s a native Midwesterner like ourselves or maybe we love her because she interned for two of our fashion idonl, Alexander McQueen and Vivienne Westwood.  Either way, Althea Harper has proven she’s a powerful force in the fashion industry.  When we met her, we were absolutely blown away.  Although we expected her to be tall, she literally towered, almost like a skyscraper, above everyone else and definitely commanded respect and fascination.  Her soft nature interwoven with her strong opinion made us even bigger fans, wanting to interview her and find out more about what made her so capable of being strong, confident and not afraid to be sexy!

1. Introduce us to Althea Harper: the designer, the everyday women, and the newlywed.

I am a woman’s wear contemporary designer originally from the Midwest but now spend my time alternating between NYC and CT.  I have a strong passion for what I do and I truly believe that what a woman wears dictates how she feels and therefore what she accomplishes.  I am also a newlywed that loves my husband, friends and family!

2. When did you first know you wanted to become a fashion designer?

I have known that I wanted to be a fashion designer since I realized that there was an occupation that allowed you to draw clothes (of course that is about 5% of what I do). I love that you can use both sides of your brain- I can be creative but I also have to understand how to run a business.

3. What are three things we wouldn’t know by looking at you?

Three thing that you wouldn’t know by looking at me is that I LOVE pizza- I could probably eat it for every meal and I crave it all the time- unfortunately I am gluten intolerant and not supposed to eat it but it is my weakness.  I completed in the Junior Olympics for track and field on my AAU track team and I’ve been one of the girls painted in latex at a Playboy party  – that always surprises people but I swear its more coverage then a bikini!

4. As you become more successful as a designer, who are the top three designers you look up to and why?

My best experience was working for Alexander McQueen- not only for his talent but how he treated people.  I admire Zac Posen for the same reason.  I love that Rachel Roy is not only a great designer but also style icon.


5. What kind of woman wears Althea Harper?

Strong, confident and not afraid to be sexy!

6. How do you keep a fresh look in fashion and from where do you pull inspiration?

I pull inspiration from anything- I never know what is going to inspire me the next season. Staying fresh is following your creativity and being aware of trends but not living by them.

7. Season 6 of Project Runway seems so long ago. Tell us about your day to day experience of what the show and the competition were like?

The show was very intense and it was 7 days a week 24 hours a day.  We really didn’t get any time off.  We also usually slept less then 5 hours a night. It really was sewing and designing all day long. The days we had eliminations could also go till 2am.

8. Out of all the contestants on that season, who do you still keep in touch with?

I love Ra’mon and Christopher is very supportive.  I keep in touch with Malvin as well and run into Carol Hannah and Nicholas in NYC.


9. Tim Gunn seems, in the show, to be a great mentor for the designers. How much time do you guys actually spend with him and how helpful is he?

We spent a fair amount of time with him and he was a great mentor.  He kept the competition real, and reminded my of a professor.

10. The competition seems to become tougher and tougher each season.  What is something that you think the judges look for in a designer?

The ability to not only design but understand how to construct a garment, stay in trend while still being different and of course it takes a certain type of person who can handle being filmed all the time.

11. We would love to see you on the screen again! Any TV projects in the works? 

There are a few.  Can’t give any details though due to contract restrictions…so boring I know!

12.  The new season of Project Run way is about to start – what piece of advice would you give to these new designers? 

Stay confident!!  You might not agree with all the judges decisions or have the support you want from the fellow designers but it is important to stay true to yourself!

 13. How do you define sexy?

Confidence

14. What do you believe is the sexiest city in the world? Sexiest hotel? Sexiest club? Sexiest designer? 

Sexiest city- Ibiza

Sexiest hotel- The Standard Miami 

Sexiest club- XS in Vegas

Sexiest designer – me and Tom Ford

15. In the celebrity world, who would your ideal “muse” be and why?

Penelope Cruz- she is everything! Smart, gorgeous, sexy and talented!

16. For all the brides to be, what are the top 3 dos and don’ts when preparing for your wedding?

1- have no regrets- if u want a low bust line on your dress but are worried what your grandma might think- just do it! ( as long as its not TOO low)! You want to look you best and feel your best do do whatever will make u feel that way – even if it’s not traditional.  I think regret is the worst feeling and the last you want to associate with your wedding day.

2- don’t sweat the small stuff- as long as there is a open bar and a DJ the rest will all just be a bonus! People remember the great time that they had- not the detail of the china.

3- have as many bridesmaids as you want! I had 13!! But they were all special to me and I wouldn’t go back and change a thing- I love that they were all part of my day!!

17. How do you define style and how would someone find or exhibit their own sense of style?

Style is not something you can copy from a magazine- but a feeling and look of how you put all your pieces together. It’s a very individualized thing.

18. When you travel, what are five items you must have with you at all times?

Phone

Sketch book and pencils 

Good book

Moisture spray for my skin

A gossip mag (my weakness)

19. To all of the guys and girls, young or old, who dream of being a fashion designer…what is your best piece of advice?

It’s not an easy road but with enough passion you can get through anything!

20. What are three of your simple luxuries? 

A great eye cream and moisturizer, my Apple products, and a high quality (ie designer, quality leather, etc) over sized purse. 

Be Yourself.  Be Fearless.  Be Your Own Unexpected Luxury.

Check in with us every week for our review of Project Runway!

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WARNING: We allow 100 words or less of content per interview to be taken, with a link to our original interview, and used without our authorization. Content larger than 100 words or copying our entire interview without our authorization to be used in ANY manner will result in our taking legal action per copyright infringement.

*Images Provided by Althea Harper

 

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Out of Our Closet Today: 7-17-12 Campus Memories

Sometimes he just needed to get away from everything.  The sound of clicking pens in the boardroom.  E-mails popping up every few seconds on his computer screen.  The stale smell of office coffee.  All of it.  Even the morning commute to his office offered him no solace anymore.  On that afternoon, something was different.  It was almost as if the silence of the country road to his old campus town called to him as freshman are called to their first day of class, fear and excitement creeping up on them like watching a great horror movie with close friends.

He walked out of his office, not even telling his secretary he had no plan to come back later in the day.  He jumped into his old, vintage Porsche and sped across town toward the exit south to the town of his college years.  He stopped at an old gas station, buying a pack of Marlboro reds and a Tahitian Treat, although he never smoked anymore and rarely drank soda.  Today…was an exception.

Back in his car, he lit a cigarette and spun down the old, country highway, listening to music he hadn’t listened to in years.  He laughed to himself, remembering times when he swore he would never wear a suit and he would never work in an office, especially one that didn’t have windows.  Today, all of those things were true of his circumstances.

He drove into that cozy, campus town and watched the summer students walk along the sidewalks, most with backpacks, some just carrying small books.  He drove down several streets until he found the house he had lived in that summer.  He got out and walked up to the front porch, memories flooding his mind.  He wasn’t that person anymore.  Today he was a suit.

He smiled and looked at his new wingtip shoes.  He thought about he and his boyfriend walking the dogs and watching movies late at night.  He thought about their trips to Vegas, Miami and Paris.  He smiled and laughed a small laugh.  Walking down the steps he looked back only once before getting in his car and leaving.

I think I like being a suit, he thought, turning the car around and heading home.

 

Out of Our Closet Today: 7-17-12: Campus Memories

Suit: Maison Martin Margiela Textured Two Piece Suite/Barneys $1895

Shirt: Ralph Lauren Custom-Fit Yellow Twill Plaid/Ralph Lauren $45

Shoes: Mercanti Fiorentini Men’s Laceless Wingtip Oxford Brown/DSW $160

Watch: Michael Kors/Nordstrom Rack Prices Vary

Tie: Burberry Prorsum Solid Tie/Barneys $195

 

Be Yourself.  Be Fearless.  Be Your Own Unexpected Luxury.

Check out all of our daily Out of Our Closet Looks in our Style Section!

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