Sponsored by The Green Kangaroo and Boden USA

If you are having trouble viewing this email please visit http://www.shesheme.com/episode1.htm Please remember to add shesheme@shesheme.com to your Address Book to ensure that you continue to receive emails to your inbox.

Oscar Viewing Party and Fashion Parade

During a recent quest for the often elusive perfect espadrille, I had a moment to ponder one of life's great universal questions: What is it about girls and clothes these days? It seems that the trousers are shrinking in direct proportion to the amount of really flabby flesh that is on daily display at my local mall. In fact, during said shopping excursion I found that the zipper on the jeans I was trying on was barely two inches long! The term "waistband" needs to be eliminated completely from fashion vocabulary because the top of jeans, trousers and skirts comes nowhere near the waist (which is actually a good thing because anything sitting directly at the waist tends to make one look like a doofus). As much as I love the comfort of low-rise jeans, there is a point where a girl can cross the line (that would be the bikini line) and common decency must come into play. Not many girls (in fact, no one that I know personally) can get away with the six-or-more-inches of exposed belly and back that seems to be on view these days. Maybe Shania Twain, (great cover shot by the way), but then her exposure is a mere inch-and-a-half of tanned, toned tummy.

Case in point: I was sitting at a little bistro table in the middle of a busy shopping plaza, minding everyone's business, when a trio of giggly girls happened by. It was a nice spring day and everyone was taking advantage of the warmer temperatures, therefore fun and flirty skirts, cool capri pants and precious tees seemed to be the order of the day. The shop windows were also decked out with the springiest of spring fashions (am totally in love with this season's nautical look. Just got this divine pair of sailor trousers--the buttons are sooo flattering--and a gorgeous navy hoodie, perfect for a weekend sailing trip; am still on the lookout for a new handbag with a suitably seafaring flair.) But I digress. These girls, however, seemed to have on their little sisters' clothes! The teeny tiny tee shirt on one girl ended at her ribcage, exposing a good eight inches of pudgy Pillsbury-doughboy-belly (and requisite naval ring--ugh!!) between said tee and the frayed top of her designer jeans. (The same pair, mind you, that I had scrimped and saved to buy! Who in their right mind would ruin a pair of spectacular designer jeans by cutting off the waistband!?! They are already low-rise for Pete's sake!) The other two girls were similarly attired in barely-there camisoles and almost-skirts that appeared to be hanging on by invisible means of support. Heaven help us all if one of them were to drop something and have to bend over to pick it up! Where are the Fashion Police when you need them? As they sauntered past me (and I picked my jaw up off the ground) I was greeted with a display of tattooed lower backs and, in the case of Little Miss Distressed Jeans--butt cleavage. It was all I could do to stop myself from plucking the plastic flower from the center of my table and tucking it into the back of her jeans as she walked by.

Luckily, these extreme fashions seem to end with the extreme fashion victims.(I am still at a loss as to why those with much-less-than-flattering midriffs are the ones who feel the need to expose them so often.) Although, if my middle looked like Shania's I might be tempted to flash a little (a very little mind you; a glimpse is so much more alluring than an eyeful) midriff on occasion!

Anyhoo, speaking of fashion, it's time for my Annual Oscar Viewing Party! Actually, this is my First Annual Oscar Viewing Party, but is bound to become a She She tradition, ranking right up there with the Miss America Pageant Party Via Teleconference (which is how Shop Girl, Girly and I like to watch the Pageant so we can discuss vital issues like cellulite and bosom-taping from our far-too-far-apart homes), and the much-raved-about End-of-Summer-Bash. Besides, it's the perfect excuse to get all glam in a new party dress and Hollywood heels. (Am currently in negotiations with Harry Winston regarding jewelry-lending policy, but having a bit of difficulty convincing them of legitimacy of party.) And, as with all gala occasions, it will take a little P & P (planning and preparation) to earn my Best Oscar Viewing Party statuette.

• Invitations: I just adore printed invitations! They are so chic and the personal touch is always much appreciated. An effective alternative would be to phone the prospective guests at 4:00 a.m. to announce that they have been nominated to attend my Oscar Viewing Party--not too sure about crowd reaction though.
• Party Wardrobe: It's all about the fashions. People say they watch the Oscars for the films themselves, but really, it's all about the fashions. This darling cocktail gown positively shouts Best Actress (very Reese Witherspoon meets Gwyneth Paltrow), but I will definitely need this for Best Supporting Actress. Best Costume Design is in the bag, while these are a shoe-in for Best Art Direction. And let's not forget Achievement in Visual Effects (just in case Harry doesn't come through), not to mention Achievement in Makeup. Looks like my production will make a clean sweep!
• Cuisine: Party nibbles of course! Since I want to devote the majority of my party prep time to the prep of self (after all, what Oscar nominated actress/director/producer doesn't spend the day at the spa/salon/plastic surgeon?), and since my budget does not allow for a chi-chi caterer, I will content myself with deli platters, fresh orange rolls from my local bakery, a fruit and cheese tray, bowls and bowls of nuts and candies, and a large selection of festive sparkling beverages.
• Finishing Touches. A few little extras can go a long way. A "red carpet" entryway. Fluffy new towels and a fragrant "Oscar" candle in the powder room. Festive cups, plates and party decorations. A fun little favor for your guests to take home. Remember, perfection is in the details.

I tucked a little note into the invitations, asking my guests to arrive at least an hour before the actual broadcast begins, so we can have plenty of time to nibble, gossip and admire our party attire, not to mention try on each other's shoes. Then it's down to the serious business of star-gazing. Can't wait to see what Jennifer Aniston will wear--she always looks gorgeous and should be awarded a gold medal in Fashion, Footwear and Really Great Hair. (So what if the Olympics are over?) Wonder if anyone will show up in a shower curtain à la J Lo? (Wait, that was the Grammys. Oh well, Grammys, Oscars, Golden Globes. Same great fashion parade, different statuettes.) Will Halle Berry wear satin or lace? Will Scarlett Johansson's lipstick match her frock? (She simply oozes style.) Will Joan Rivers be sober? For the answers to these and many other vital questions, don't miss the 78th Annual Academy Awards! (You might even find out which film gets Best Picture.)

Well girls, that about wraps it up. See you on the red carpet!

Be sure to check out the homepage for updates from She She Me! Also, don't miss the great girly merchandise in our Chic Shop.

Register to win your copy of the
hot new skin care book, "The Skin Type Solution"
by Leslie Baumann. M.D.