Quote of the Day: January 31

"Thank you, belts, for always being in the loop."

—Jimmy Fallon, actor/comedian, on accessories (/what he's thankful for) during "Thank You Notes" on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon

VIMwatch: 2011 SAG Awards

Ladies

Black Swan's Mila Kunis totally rocked her jewel tone Alexander McQueen gown and looked awesome. To add a little something more, Kunis chose a cinched belt and Cartier bracelet.

Actress Dianna Agron, of television's Glee, looked lovely in her Chanel Haute Couture dress. The multi-talented starlet also wore jewelry by Fred Leighton.



Gents

Taye Diggs broke the mold tonight by sporting a bow tie rather than standard and we think it works perfectly. We also appreciate his addition of color through the tie to spice up his look.

Soon-to-be (and currently filming) Spiderman, Andrew Garfield, looked dapper in his shiny, navy Burberry suit (and we love the turtle, brown-colored footwear).

Photography Spotlight: Adam Secore

This past November, the beloved (or hated—we're not sure) Lindsay Lohan was given leave from rehab to do a photo shoot with fashion photographer, Adam Secore. The final images are gorgeous, so we've put together our faves below.

3rd Annual Middle of the Mitten This Saturday!

The 3rd Annual Middle of the Mitten is a local talent showcase held by The Record Lounge, 503 E. Grand River Ave., and commemorates the opening of the store itself in 2008.

The Record Lounge founded its business with a priority being to showcase local, independent talent (as well as great vinyls). As a result, Record Lounge employee and MSU professional writing student Joel Heckaman has worked with the shop for the past three years to put together this fantastic event showcasing local-area and independent musical talent.

Starting at 6 p.m., this year's showcase is happening on Saturday, Jan. 29 at Lansing's The Loft, 414 E. Michigan Ave., and will feature such acts as: Versus The Ocean, Life Size Ghost, Frank And Earnest and Adam Dahl (for the entire list click here).

Tickets: $5 presale (available from bands or at The Record Lounge), $7 at the door.

Movie Review: No Strings Attached

Though the second scene of the film involves a frat party at University of Michigan and features one of the stars entirely clad in U-M gear, we absolutely adored No Strings Attached. Sure, it has that certain predictable quality of all romantic comedies in that it involves a meet-cute and “happily ever after” ending. At the same time, Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman are so charming and hilarious in their roles and the jokes are so outrageous and unpredictable that this friends-with-benefits story is made worthwhile for those in the mood for something lighthearted. We would like to point out, however, that the plot is similar to November’s Love and Other Drugs (starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway) and this summer’s Friends With Benefits (starring Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis).
Best on-screen moment: Emma (Portman) gets drunk and flips out—hilariously—on two girl’s at Adam’s (Kutcher) place.

Best Flicks of 2010

Two things we don't understand about this year's Oscars:
1. As was the case last year, ten films are up for best picture. Ten.
2. Christopher Nolan got ignored in the best director category. Come on, Inception?

Anyway, since we asked your opinion on the ultimate worst film of 2010, now we want the same thing for the best. Comment and share your thoughts.

Best Picture Nominations
127 Hours
Black Swan
The Fighter
Inception
The Kids Are All Right
The King’s Speech
The Social Network
Toy Story 3
True Grit
Winter’s Bone

For the full list of nominations, click here.

Quote of the Day: January 25

"I choose things that are so overly ambitious, and if I can’t do stuff like that, I don’t want to be doing this."

—Kristen Stewart, actress, on her career to Vogue Magazine

Bandage Tights

New trend? Maybe. We have all heard of—and seen—multiple versions of the bandage dress (thanks to Herve Ledger). Now, lo and behold, there exists bandage tights for those of us interested in trying the style in a different way (thanks to Net-a-Porter).

Though a little bit wacky, we think the ribbon effect just might work if the wearer can find the perfect outfit. Send us pics if you decided to try it out!

$65, Net-a-Porter.com

Worst Flicks of 2010

The 31st Annual RAZZIE nominations have just been released. Among them The Twilight Saga: Eclipse and M. Night Shyamalan's The Last Airbender received the most nods; that said, we want to know which flick you think should win this year's ultimate diss: Worst Picture (comment and share your pick!).

Nominees for Worst Picture of 2010
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
The Last Airbender
Vampires Suck
Sex & the City 2
The Bounty Hunter

For the full list of nominations, click here.

Fun & Functional Design Idea

Documenting memories, to-do lists, and things to remember can usually end up looking like a jumbled mess. It's hard to find bulletin boards that have much character and ones that don’t require a hammer and nail to install. The new alternative to this is found in either white board or chalkboard paint. Both are cool alternatives to display random artwork, memories and quick notes. Both are reasonably priced and can be applied to any clean wall. Be creative and paint them in different shapes or class them up by adding a surrounding frame.

Both products can be purchased at most hardware stores and only require regular painting supplies for application. Prices starting at $10

Quote of the Day: January 22

"The idea that you can get everything you want in one person is destructive, and maybe when you accept that, the number is closer to 50 or 60 or 70 percent..."

—Michelle Willams, actress, on love to Marie Claire

Photography Spotlight: Interview Magazine

In November (2010), Steve Carell interviewed Ryan Gosling for Interview Magazine. Though the interview itself is fabulous, Mikael Jansson's photography is what really caught our eye. Check out the delicious photos below.

MSU Competes in 2011 RecycleMania

This year, Michigan State University will be competing against over 600 other schools in the 2011 RecycleMania Tournament.

To help our university triumph, simply recycle all your cardboard, boxboard, plastics, etc. in any of the numerous bins throughout campus between Feb. 6 and April 2.

For a full list of materials that may be recycled and to track MSU's progress from week to week visit the MSU Recycling website HERE.

Gwen for L'Oreal

At 41-years-old, Gwen Stefani is looking positively fierce in the commercial for her debut as the new face of L'Oreal Paris. Excellent choice. Cool commercial. Hot mama.

So let's open this up for discussion, anyone think the lip wear actually lasts 10 hours?

Make Your Toast Truly 'French'

No matter how you slice it, this product from Fred Flare is just too fun to pass up.

French-ify your breakfast with the French Toast Stamp. Hurry, though, they're quickly running out of stock!

Purchase for just $6 HERE.

VIM up for 'Top of the Town' Award!

VIM Magazine is up for the Best Student Publication award in this year's Top of the Town Awards brought to you by Lansing City Pulse and WLNS TV 6.

VOTE HERE (in the "...WHATEVER" category)

Winners will be announced March 9!

A Comfy Way to Remember 2010

This topical pillow is the perfect way to both remember the past year and start 2011 anew. Not to mention, it's a great conversation piece for any room.

You can purchase different versions of these fun pillows through Etsy's website.

VIMwatch: 2011 Golden Globes

This year's Golden Globes saw many fabulous fashion moments...and a few flops--Helena Bonham Carter anyone? Though it was tough, we've chosen our favorites below.

Ladies

Olivia Wilde, of Tron, owned the night in her lovely, princess-inspired Marchesa gown. Perhaps the best, and smartest, aspect of Wilde's look is her all around minimalism on everything but the dress. It must also be said that she looks awesome with bangs.

Gossip Girl's Leighton Meester worked last night's red carpet in not one but two major trends of the evening (neutral shades and long-sleeves) and, though many may not agree, we think she pulled them off the best. From her hair and makeup down to her shoes, Meester managed to make her untraditional Burberry dress truly stand out and looked absolutely beautiful.

Gents

Robert Pattinson rocked a gorgeous, midnight navy Gucci tuxedo. Not to mention we are loving (!) his new, shorter hair. Can you say swoon?

Though we think Johnny Depp looked great in his tuxedo-sans-tie, we're going with The Social Network's Jesse Eisenberg as our other best dressed male of the Globes. Eisenberg wore a wide peak, Dolce & Gabbana tuxedo--a vast improvement from his Mark Zuckerberg wardrobe.

Wallet Strong

Paperwallet has developed, perhaps, the strongest wallet you may ever behold.

The wallets are crafted out of a material called Tyvek, a combination of tear-resistant and elastic fibers. Further, they are paper thin and 100 percent recyclable (yay for green products!).


Priced at approximately $15, these wallets are quite the find.

VIMwatch: 2011 Critics' Choice Movie Awards

Ladies

Not only did the hilarious Emma Stone walk away last night a winner (for Best Comedy--Easy A) but she absolutely stunned on the red carpet. Stone wore a gorgeous, mesh Balenciaga halter dress. It can't be easy to pull of that much silver, but girlfriend worked it.

Our second choice for the evening is Miss Natalie Portman, who is nearly impossible not to love and also walked away a winner (for Best Actress...dare we say she has an Oscar in her near future?). Portman has been repeatedly attempting to hide her baby bump this awards season and we think this is her best look yet. For the evening she wore a simple, black-and-white Gianfranco Ferre column dress.

[Sidenote: This has us all giddy for Golden Globe/Oscar fashion. Eek!]

Gents

Oh, Ryan Gosling, how we love you AND your style. Gosling broke out the big guns last night in a purple Ferragamo brocade jacket with velvet collar. Needless to say, we think he totally rocked it. While Blue Valentine didn't pick up an award for the evening, we still have hope.

Another stylish male, John Legend, stepped up his fashion game in a shiny Gucci suit with patterned tie. Impressive showing, gents. Very impressive.

Photography Spotlight: Best Performances of 2010

We've already established that we just love W Mag's photography and they've done it again with their "Best Performances of 2010" spread in the newest issue. We've featured a few of our favorites below.



For the complete gallery click HERE.

Sephora's SUPER

If you, like us, have been seeing print ads for SUPER--a new beauty line available through Sephora--everywhere then you may be wondering exactly what is so special about it.

SUPER was created by Dr. Nicholas Perricone (of skincare brand Perricone MD) to give people everywhere a nourishing collection of products for the face and body. The formulas are infused with phytonutrients that are derived from some of the most powerful superfoods. On the brand's website you can learn all about what the different beauty formulas do especially for your skin.

Some great introductory products for the line are SUPER Bright-Eyed with Melon ($50) and SUPER Supermodel Legs with Chili Pepper ($30).

The "Pencil Me In" Flat

Designer Jeffrey Campbell has created a new pair of shoes that we couldn't help but share.

These smart flats are designed to look like classic, No. 2 pencils (they're even equipped with a pink eraser heal!) and we're positive that donning these will get you noticed--if you're into that sort of thing.

You can purchase the funky shoes for $98 here.

Album Review: Born Free

Kid Rock has one of the greatest voices in the music business and on his latest effort that does not go unnoticed. With Born Free, Kid Rock continues in the vein of his previous release, Rock n' Roll Jesus, tapping into a country-mixed-with-rock musical style. Featuring cameos by Sheryl Crow, Martina McBride, T.I., Bob Seger and Zac Brown (of country's Zac Brown Band) this album is one not to be missed. Not to mention, the music video for album's title track and debut single, "Born Free," was shot entirely at Upper Michigan's Pictured Rocks and on "Times Like These" Kid Rock sings about the current hardships Detroit is facing. If you love Michigan and are a fan of classic artists like Bob Seger or Willie Nelson, you should definitely pick up or order a copy of this fabulous disc (especially since you can't purchase Born Free on iTunes). If you're still skeptical check out Rolling Stone's 30 Best Albums of 2010 list.
Most notable tracks: "Times Like These," "God Bless Saturday"