It’s a sad weekend in music, as Adam Yauch of the Beastie Boys lost his battle with cancer. Were you a Beastie Boys fan? I listened to them in my younger days, and have always been an admirer of their music, their videos (so bloody good), their contributions to music, and just their way. They had a way about the stuff that they did that just oozed New York cool…which I desperately wanted to be a part of.
I was in my early teens when Fight For Your Right came out:
You wake up late for school – man you don’t wanna go
You ask you mom, “Please?” – but she still says, “No!”
You missed two classes – and no homework
But your teacher preaches class like you’re some kind of jerk
You gotta fight for your right to party
Your pop caught you smoking – and he said, “No way!”
That hypocrite – smokes two packs a day
Man, living at home is such a drag
Now your mom threw away your best porno mag (Bust it!)
You gotta fight for your right to party
You gotta fight
Don’t step out of this house if that’s the clothes you’re gonna wear
I’ll kick you out of my home if you don’t cut that hair
Your mom busted in and said, “What’s that noise?”
Aw, mom you’re just jealous – it’s the Beastie Boys!
You gotta fight for your right to party
You gotta fight for your right to party
It’s still a great song, eh? 
There’s a much deeper message to that song about fighting for the things you want in life, and not just the right to have a good time. Last night I watched the AMAZING new show The Conversation with Amanda de Cadenet…have you seen it yet? It’s on Thursday nights on Lifetime, and if you haven’t watched it, you must. Amanda is an amazing host, and the way that she interacts with her guests is fantastic. The show is set up in very casual settings, with Amanda having a one-on-one with different celebrities, talking about real things that matter to women. The first episode had her chatting with Jane Fonda, Zoe Saldana, Gwyneth Paltrow and Sarah Silverman. Amanda spoke with such honesty about her own struggles after giving birth to her twins, and her feelings of inadequacy, the insecurities and everything else that she went through…it was incredibly moving. I found her honesty to be really amazing, because I wish I could be so honest about how I feel about things…I long for someone to be that honest with, because I don’t always feel like I have people to talk to, and I miss that. Last night’s episode featured Lady Gaga, Portia de Rossi, Rita Wilson and writer Leslie Bennetts, and it was just as great as the first show had been. She and Rita Wilson talked about their marriages, and the different stages that you go through when you’ve been married awhile – once again, I found Amanda’s honesty to be extraordinary. She acknowledged that she and her husband have been married for 10 years now, and she’s feeling anxious about what is going to happen next between them. That takes some balls to go on television and admit stuff like that. That’s the beauty of this show, though – it’s absolutely FEARLESS. The conversation with Lady Gaga was fabulous – she talked about the idea of cherishing your loneliness, and being comfortable with yourself and your own company. Lady Gaga talked about the determination that it took for her to realize her music dreams, and she said the following: “There’s no way to convince people of your greatness, you have to know on the inside…whatever it is you want to be, you have to know it inside and knife fight your way to your dream.” Isn’t that magnificent? The idea of knife fighting your way to your dream just kills me…that’s what I need to do. I need to somehow believe in myself enough that I will have the confidence to knife fight my way through the reams of bullshit and barriers that are blocking my way, and finally realize all of the things that I long for. I’m sharpening my blades as we speak…. 
As you go about your day today, try to think about your dreams and the things that you believe in….and I sincerely hope you find the courage to fight for them with all of your might. If you’re looking for me, I’ll be outside practicing my dagger-throwing skills. Happy Weekend, my beauties!
xxx
PS: Here’s Sabotage by the Beastie Boys – great video:
Jennifer Lopez in Gucci – a beautiful, dramatic look, don’t you think?
Sarah Jessica Parker in McQueen – very pretty 
Beyonce in Emilio Pucci – I don’t really care for this dress much at all, and sadly I think she looks like sausage busting out of its casing…it doesn’t do a thing for her figure. 
Ashley Greene in Donna Karan – stunning 
Blake Lively in Chanel – some people didn”t care for this dress, but I think it’s realllllly pretty 
Taylor Swift’s J. Mendel frock was also panned by some of the critics, but I think she looks BEAUTIFUL! 
Miranda Kerr and husband Orlando Bloom – I’m not digging her Marchesa dress at all, which is surprising as I usually LOVE Marchesa, but…this one isn’t doing much for me.
Kristen Stewart in Proenza Schouler - certainly eye-catching, eh? What do you think?
Gwyneth Paltrow in Stella McCartney – she looks AMAZING, but…isn’t this a look we’ve seen from her a zillion times? Although, I guess there is something to be said for the theory ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’.
Jennifer Hudson in Vera Wang – very pretty 
Rihanna in Stella McCartney… I just don’t know. I’m not digging it. What do you think?
This picture is STUNNING – Gisele is flawless in archive McQueen, and the arm candy she’s rocking ain’t half bad, either. Look at her…can you imagine waking up to that sight in the mirror every day? Sadly, neither can I.
For whatever reason, Madonna’s fashion choices of late have been annoying me - however, she did a lot to fix that last night. This Stella McCartney is very flattering on her, and is age-appropriate, as well (meaning she’s not trying to look 18 again, as she’s been guilty of lately) – the color is beautiful. 
Demi Moore is wearing Prabal Gurung, with a Phillip Treacy fascinator on her head (channeling the Royal Wedding, no doubt) -I find that this outfit makes her look somewhat severe, although it certainly is eye-catching and attention-grabbing. What do you think?
Mary-Kate Olsen in Givenchy – I think it looks like a housecoat my mother wore in 1979…and not in a good way. 
Ashley Olsen’s Dior Couture is better than her sister’s dress, but even it looks somewhat off. Maybe it’s just me.
Penelope Cruz in Oscar de la Renta, showing everybody how it ought to be done. 
I LOVE Emma Stone’s Lanvin, don’t you? It is SO flattering on her 
Michelle Williams in Miu Miu…okay, I guess. Nothing overly special.
Salma Hayak in McQueen – this is my best of the night…she looks AMAZING!!! That dress is to die for – GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dianna Agron in Michael Kors – simply delightful. 
Lea Michele in Escada - soooo pretty! 
Claire Danes in Calvin Klein – very beautiful, but I feel like she almost always looks like this, don’t you?
Liv Tyler’s Givenchy Haute Couture is a wee bit Big Bird, but man do I ever love this one! This is what the Met Gala should be about!! 
Normally I adore Amy Adams and I LOVE L’Wren Scott, but I am not digging this dress AT ALL. 
Julianne Hough’s Burberry gown reminds me of a Monet painting…I love it! 
Dakota Fanning’s Valentino is PERFECTION (and SO age-appropriate) – I LOVE IT! 
The color of this Stella McCartney that Eva Mendes is wearing is spectacular, don’t you think? 
I find myself loving and hating this Chanel Haute Couture on Kirsten Dunst at the same time. I need to ponder this one further, I think…I’m just not sure what to think about it.
I love the color of Isla Fisher’s Tory Burch gown, don’t you? 
Christina Ricci in Zac Posen – no no no 
Evan Rachel Wood in Gucci – SO pretty! 
I am crazy about this Thakoon that Mia Wasikowska wore – LOVE IT! 
Naomi Campbell wore this McQueen gown…it looks like an angelic piece of art, don’t you think? 
