Science Sunday: Woman Harvests Transplanted Trachea in Arm

Linda de Croock suffered a painful injury when her throat was crushed in a car accident 25 years ago. Up until now, she has had her windpipe held open with metal stents, but now she has a brand new trachea thanks to an organ donor and radical science.

It's called tracheal allotransplantation and it involves using a donated trachea, inserting it in the patient's arm to revascularize (restore and grow blood vessels) and then removing it after a certain amount of time for surgical placement in the throat.

Here is a picture of how surgeons placed the trachea in her arm for revascularization:

By taking anti-rejection drugs, the woman was able to house the trachea in her forearm for 10 months to allow it to regrow cells and blood vessels before it was ready to be used. Once it was ready, surgeons removed the trachea from her arm and placed it in her throat. Now, she is breathing normally and the trachea has been deemed the largest organ to be successfully transplanted to date using this technique.

Article: Popular Science
Picture: The New England Journal of Medicine

Secret Project and Giveaway Reminder

It's been a busy Saturday at our house today but that always seems to be the case the day after payday. We went to Babies R Us to buy a gift for a friend's baby shower and tried not to get the "fever" while we were in there, haha. We also did some grocery shopping and I attempted to do our taxes but Turbo Tax told me that we were going to owe money so I called them liars and am looking for someone to do them instead.

I have been working on a project in the house that I can't wait to share with you guys, but until I'm done, which will hopefully be tomorrow, it will be a secret. I can tell you it's going to be great and you'll see the before and after on Monday :)

Just a reminder; if you haven't already entered my Bath Set giveaway, please stop by and enter! It ends on February 3.

Project Runway Season 7 Ep 3 Review

***Spoiler Alert*** Make sure to watch before you read :)

The designers are told to go to the Met and there they meet Tim, who is surrounded by mannequins in formal gowns. Tim tells the designers that this challenge will be a team challenge and it will be to create a signature look, with inspiration from the outfits around him. They divide into teams and look around to get ideas for their looks. They are also told they have $500 to use, which is the most in PR history. After they are done, they head to Mood to get their fabric and then to Parsons.

Right away, there is tension between Ping and Jesse, who have two totally different approaches and styles. Maya is concerned, since her partner Jay has immunity, that he will not try as hard on this challenge. Seth Aaron and Anthony are wanting to use yellow, red, and black in their look but then realize it resembled a certain golden arches.

The next day, Tim comes in to drop a bombshell; they have to create a second look for $50 and it has to be inspired by another team's outfit. Everyone's jaws drop and you can see the panic in their eyes. They pick in turn which team's look they want to use for inspiration and one member of each group goes to Mood to pick out the materials. Now, there is more argument amongst the groups on who is doing what and time management.

Tim comes and checks on them later and tells Jay and Maya that they looked stressed while he tells Ping that the fabric she chose for the look-for-less looks like wrapping paper. He is impressed with Mila and Jonathan's looks so far and doesn't have much bad to say to anyone

Runway day is here and everyone is panicking. Ping comments on Jesse being more worried about his safety than the team and Mila approaches Jonathan with concern that she only made a coat, whick makes him interview that they both would sell each other out if need be. They head to the runway and Heidi introduces the judges; MK, Nina " I love sequins" Garcia, and some designer named Matthew Williamson.Let's start the show!

After the show, Heidi tells Janeane, Ben, Jesus, Amy, Emilio, and Anna that they are safe. That leaves the teams of Jay and Maya, Ping and Jesse, Mila and Jonathan, and Anthony and Seth. Then, Jesse, Ping, Anthony and Seth are are the bottom and will leave for now. The judges compliment Jay and Maya's formal dress and say that their look for less looks way better than the original gown. Everyone loves that Mila and Jonathan did separates for their look but weren't overly impressed with the less expensive outfit.

The judges don't like that Ping and Jesse's dress is just fabric draped around what looks like a "lace negligee" and hate the less expensive dress, especially after the model rats Ping out for not even fitting it on her. They thought that Anthony and Seth's dress was too costume-y and that they took the challenge too literally.

Everyone is back on the runway. Jonathan is the first one safe and the winner is... Mila. Maya and Jay are in, as is Seth and Jesse. That leaves Ping and Anthony. The next designer auf'd is... Ping.

Mila's winning look

Ping's losing look

This episode made me think we were back in Season 6 again. The vague challenge, the Mood freedom, the team bickering, and the controversial (at least to me) decision. I didn't really like this episode at all and I feel bad that the designers were hit with such a bomb so early...and doing it while working in teams, which PR has shown us is extremely difficult to do. Then, I was severely dissapointed with the winner. Was I the only one that thought it looked like a oversized racing outfit?? I definitely thought Ping deserved to go, I'm not a fan of draping fabrics and what seems like inexperience. Plus, I thought most of the looks were a little drab and not exciting at all. The only look I really like was Jay's and Maya's, which I've shown below. Oh well, hopefully next week is better.

New Goal: Cleaning!

 

This picture is me in a nutshell; I spend more time on the computer than I do cleaning my house. Call it laziness or call it procrastination, whatever it's called, it needs to change. When I was setting my New Year's goals, I was really focused on saving money because that is my biggest priority right now but I realized I also need to work on my cleaning habits.

I have one day off a week plus weekends that are usually not too busy so I have no excuse.What I need to do is make a weekly cleaning list and stick to it every week. It doesn't have to be a thorough cleaning (that can be done once a month) but I do need to work on dusting, sweeping, and cleaning the bathrooms the most. 

So, new goal; get off my lazy butt and get to cleaning! What is your cleaning habit and do you have any favorite products you use in your home?

Should We Help Haiti or Ourselves?

Sorry for the political post (as you know, it's not usually my style), but there is a big debate going on between my friends and people within the country and I wanted to get your opinion.

As you already know, Haiti was hit with a tragic earthquake a couple of weeks ago and they are still pulling people out alive from all the rubble. The amount of money the United States has given to Haiti is probably in the hundreds of millions, $61 million of that raised by the Hope for Haiti telethon hosted by George Clooney. That doesn't even include all of the volunteers and medical workers who have traveled to Haiti and volunteered their time and resources. As usual, the United States has stepped up to be the first responder during a crisis and brought everything they have to the table.

Some people, however, think the United States' reaction to the tragedy is a bad thing. They feel as though it is not our job to be the first responder and exhaust all of our resources in helping another country. These are the people who are crying out "Where was all this money and help when Hurricane Katrina hit? Why are we donating so much money when we have all-time high unemployment rates and homeless people?". That is one side to this debate.

 Picture of "Kiki" getting rescued after a week trapped in the rubble in Haiti. Some say this is the photo that captures the spirit of the relief effort in Haiti and the rescuers were from New York.

The other side is the people who think it is our job to help other countries because we are the most capable to do so. "Who else has the money and resources we do to aid a country in need and respond almost instantly?" These people have probably donated money or goods to the cause and fully support the United States' decision to get involved.

I can understand both sides. I support the United States' helping a country in need and have donated money and clothing to Haiti to help the effort. However, I know our country is always in need of help between poverty, hunger, unemployment, and all the other problems our people face. I wish we could do celebrity telethons for domestic issues, not just for global ones. Can you imagine if a celebrity did a telethon for unemployment or to help the homeless?

So, what is your opinion on how the United States handles global crisis? Are you for or against us getting involved with the relief effort in Haiti?

Bath Set Giveaway!

I've had a surge of new followers over the past couple of weeks and I truly thank everyone for stopping by and reading! To show my appreciation, I am giving away a wonderful Bath and Body Works bath set!

The set includes one Japanese Cherry Blossom body lotion, one Japanese Cherry Blossom shower gel, a pink loofah and a flower nail file! If you have not smelled this scent before, it's one of BBW's best!

Here is how to enter:

1. You must be a follower and leave a comment on this post by February 2nd for one entry

2. Tell me your favorite Bath and Body Works scent for a 2nd entry

3. Blog, Twitter, or Facebook this giveaway for 2 additional entries

Good luck! :)

Giveaway is now closed :)

Girl Scout Cookies!

It's that time of year again! The most wonderful time of year when a cute little girl comes up to you and asks you if you want to buy boxes of the most delicious cookies you have ever had. Of course you say yes and wait patiently by the door until those boxes arrive for you to enjoy!

I was a Girl Scout when I was little and during that time of year, I was the most popular girl amongst my grandparents friends. I even think I sold the most cookies of my troupe one year because I went to everyone and used my charming little girl smile to get them to buy cookies. How I miss those simple days!

What is my favorite Girl Scout cookie?

The Samoa! Whoever decided to mix caramel, chocolate, and coconut flakes into a cookie is a genius. I am buying more boxes than I could possibly need this year so I can freeze them and save them for later.

The other cookies I enjoy include:

Thin Mints

Tagalongs

What is your favorite cookie and have you ordered yours yet??

Makeup Obsessed!

I know, another post on makeup. I can't get it out of my head! I just got done reading "The Power Of Makeup" by Trish McEvoy (I highly recommend it) and it made me want to go out and buy a ton of makeup! It's really true when she says that makeup can make you feel luxurious and glamorous and I think that's why I love it so much.

I wish some days that I was best friends with a makeup artist so I could always have someone with me to help me with the tough cosmetic choices. I am constantly lost in Ulta and Sephora trying to figure out what I don't have and what I need. There are so many choices and so many brands, it just makes my head spin! If I had the money, I would only shop at places were consultants told me what looked good on me but I have the budget for drugstore brands and must make the hard choices on my own.

One part of the book said to edit my makeup and organize. In the editing process, I had to look at all the makeup I owned and figured out what I didn't use anymore. I also realized I had makeup from 6 years ago in my Caboodle (yes, I organize my makeup in a Caboodle, how pre-teen of me haha). So, I threw out old and unnecessary makeup and decided I wanted to count what I had and see how that compared to others. This was my result:

My Makeup Inventory

17 nail polishes

3 blushes

2 concealers

2 foundations

2 powders

4 mascaras

11 eyeliners

10 eyeshadows (30 colors)

2 lip glosses

6 lipsticks

12 makeup brushes

So, wonderful readers, how do my numbers compare? I challenge each of you to look in your makeup drawer/bag/caboodle and count all that you have then come back and post it here :)

Science Sunday: Ancient Egyptian Makeup

*For some reason, my Science Sunday posted behind newer entries so I had to move it for it to show up on Sunday. I apologize if you previously left a comment.*


If you've seen the movie "Cleopatra", you undoubtedly know that the Egyptians loved their makeup. The eye makeup created by the ancient culture is some of the most extravagant we've ever seen... and apparently had anti-bacterial properties.


According to a new report, the makeup used on the eyes of Egyptians was lead-based and actually helped prevent infections that were prevalent during that time. The Egyptians had their own reasons for wearing it; they believed it offered them protection from the Gods Horus and Ra.


Using microscopes and X-ray diffractions, scientists used samples of ancient Egyptian makeup stored at the Louvre to find out what their makeup contained. They discovered four lead-based ingredients that would have ultimately killed any bacteria in the area of application. However, the Egyptians looked at it from a magical standpoint and were attracted to the high pigments that lead-based ingredients create.

Obviously, scientists say this type of makeup would not be safe to use today and that many lead poisonings and deaths occurred because of this ritual.

Article: The New York Times

Project Runway Season 7 Ep 2 Review

***Spoiler Alert*** Make sure you watch before you read :)











Heidi tells the designers that their next challenge is "out there" and that they will meet Tim somewhere. That somewhere turns out to be a farm and when they get there, they see that their models are dressed in potato sacks behind Tim. Tim lets the designers know that their challenge is to create a party look out of the potato sacks and, surprise, their clients are their models! In another twist, Tim says the models are the ones choosing the designers and draws their names for the order of choosing. The first drama starts when Mila's model chooses Anthony rather than her and throws off the remaining models choices. They are also given ribbon and some materials to work with besides the burlap and have a day to complete the challenge. The models tell the designers what they want and they head back to Parsons.


Back in the workroom, the designers are wondering what their going to do with such a challenging material. Mila mentions something to Anthony about her model choosing him and that it was her model's loss, which irritates Anthony. Tim comes in to check on them early because he's eager to see what they are up to. Tim notices Pamela's ombre and compliments it but is nervous about her doing a one piece bustier dress instead of two pieces. Mila tells Tim that she is trying to decide on how to incorporate the tulle her model liked but she doesn't want to and Tim agrees. Jay tells Tim he still has dyeing and trimming to do, which flabbergasts Tim and he leaves him immediately. Tim warns Ping not to make her dress too short and Amy that if the judges don't like her dress, it won't matter if her model does. Tim warns Jesus, who isn't showing any burlap in his look, that he is veering away from the challenge.

The models come in for fittings and Anthony's model springs some extra wants on him which he is not happy about. Mila continues to talk about how she faired well in her model ditching her and how her new model loves the look. Jay is only halfway done by the end of the day and is nervous about what is going to happen.

It's runway day and it's extra hectic in the workroom as the designers are trying to finish their designs. Jonathan mentions that Ping's dress is not covering her model's butt and is not functional, but that Ping must not be worried because she is smiling. Pamela notices her dress gives her model a big 'ol booty and Mila is the last to leave the workroom.

Heidi comes out all pregnified and introduces the judges; Michael K, Nina Garcia, and model/actress Laura Hutton (gaptooth for those who don't know her). The runway show goes almost without a hitch (we see some blurry editing of boobs and booty) and the judges come out. The six designers with the highest and lowest are Pam, Mila, Ping, Jay, Jesus, and Amy.

The judges rave about how expensive and great Jay's cocktail dress looks that Michael almost thought he used feathers. Pamela's dress is too short and tight according to Heidi but does look like denim. The judges love the edginess of Mila's dress but MK comments on being able to see some boob. Ping mentions that she thought the dress was for an industrial party but still didn't explain why her model's butt was exposed and the judges are disappointed. Heidi asks how much of Jesus's dress is in burlap and he admits that the burlap is covered, which doesn't go over well. They love how Amy made the burlap obvious but flirty and fun.

The judges have a little chat and call the designers back out. Amy is told she is in and the winner of the challenge is... Jay! That means Mila is safe, and then so is Ping. That leaves Pamela and Jesus. The next designer auf'ed is... Pamela.

Jay's winning dress

Pamela's losing dress

When I saw those models in burlap sacks, I screamed out "Thank God!" I am so glad PR is going back to using interesting materials for their challenges instead of just plain 'ol fabric. I have to say this has been one of the best episodes in a long time. Not only did I like them trying something different, but there were so many amazing looks that came out of this! As each came down the runway, I was extremely impressed with the level of taste and construction. I absolutely agree that Jay should win because his dress was fabulous and looked nothing like burlap. I would have liked to see Ping go home but I know the judges are intrigued by her. I am including three designs I really liked by Anthony, Amy, and Jonathan. I give this episode an A+

My Top Beauty Products

I am a sucker for all things beauty; if I walk into a Sephora or Ulta with no plans to buy anything, I walk out with a handful of items. It's a weakness but can also be strength because I have found some of my best products that way. I want to share with you what I use on a daily basis and hear your best products as well.

Best Daily Facial Moisturizer

Olay Complete All Day Moisture Lotion - Nothing is more important than face moisturizer and I spent many years looking for the perfect lotion that would not make my face oily or greasy. This is by far the best find I've had in a long time and my only go to moisturizer. It's light, non greasy and dries great, leaving your face feeling fresh. It's also great under makeup and really helps even it out. They have ones for all skin types but I use it for combination skin.

Best Under Eye and Blemish Concealer

Laura Mercier Secret Camoflauge - I discovered this concealer when I asked a saleslady at Nordstrom's what she recommended to help dark circles under my eyes. She put this on and it was like magic; the darkness was gone! This kit is so wonderful in that it has one side for under eye concealer and the other to cover blemishes so it's an all in one! The price tag is a bit hefty ($26) but there are some things to splurge on and this is one.

Best Eyeshadow Primer

Studio Gear Shadow Primer - I just recently purchased this at Ulta because I always wear eyeshadow and it's usually gone halfway through the day. I've been using it for about 5 days now and it's really helped keep my eyeshadow and liner on all day long. It's one of the less expensive ones available ($15.50) but it goes a long way.

Best Mascara

Covergirl Lashblast - I have tried dozens of mascaras in my time and when Lashblast first came out, I didn't believe the hype that it didn't clump and left lashes fuller and longer. The wand intrigued me because it was stubby and silicone and I was having a fight with lash brushes at the time. Now, it is my favorite mascara and has really helped accentuate the few lashes I have.

Best Mineral Makeup

Everyday Minerals - Mineral makeup has always been tricky for me. I tried a brand a couple of years ago and woke up 2 days later to bumps all over my face. I researched and realized I, like a lot of women, was reacting to an ingredient in the makeup known as bismuth oxychloride. Trying to find mineral makeup without that ingredient was hard but I came across this brand that not only did not have that ingredient, but let you try samples of their makeup for a small price. Once I got the samples and tried them out, I was hooked. The price is great and the brand sells just about anything you need.

Best Nail Polish

OPI - I join the majority when I say that I absolutely love OPI nail polish. They have every color you could ever imagine and they really last on your nails. Some of my favorite colors include Russian Navy, Don't Toy With Me, and Glamour Game.

Best Lip Gloss

Sephora Lip Gloss - My friend just introduced me to this lip gloss and it's by far the best I've ever had. There are too many that are sticky and leave your lips really dry but this one feels great and seems to moisturize too. The color I am using right now is Hot Coral, which looks amazing.

Best Eyeshadow

MAC - I have always used drugstore eyeshadows because they are usually within my budget but I've had problems with the pigment not being rich enough, leaving me with almost sheer eyeshadows. When I had enough money, I headed over to the MAC counter and asked for advice on a great champagne eyeshadow that I could wear regularly. They suggested I try Retrospeck and I absolutely love it! It stays on all day and has lots of shine and pigment. If you can afford the $14 price tag, it is worth it!

If I left any category out, it's because I am still in the process of finding my perfect brands. If you have any suggestions, I'd love to hear them!

New Blog Feature and American Idol

One of my readers inspired a great idea; I am a lover of everything science but haven't truly conveyed that in my blog. So, starting this weekend, I am creating a new feature:

Science Sundays!

Every Sunday, I am going to focus on a particular scientific topic; whether it be news, an interest of mine, or something cool I've found somewhere. I'm going to make science a weekly part of my blog!

If any of you have anything in particular you want to see, let me know :)

Anyone else watching American Idol? I noticed on the Orlando auditions last night that a guy from my hometown of Lakeland made it through to the next round. That's a big deal considering how small Lakeland is. So, I will be rooting for him at Hollywood week for sure.

And how hilarious is General Larry Platt and his song "Pants on the ground"? When I first heard that song, I started singing it because it was so catchy. If you haven't seen it, I suggest you go view the video here.

Wedding Pictures: The Decor

As promised, here are more pictures from my wedding, but this time focusing on the decor :)








In case you couldn't tell, my favorite flower is the Gerbera daisy :)

He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not

I had a very low key weekend and did a lot of Netflix instant movie watching. One movie that I watched was the movie " À la folie... pas du tout" (He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not in English). It is a French film starring Audrey Tautou and it is really good. I saw it for the first time in college when I was taking a class on movies and I wanted to see it again.

The story is about a young girl that believes she is having an affair with a cardiologist, has fallen in love with him and is certain he is leaving his wife for her. The story shows her point of view on their relationship and then his, but they are not the same. It's a very surprising story with a crazy ending but it's extremely good so if you're looking for something different and don't mind reading subtitles, I suggest you check it out.


Yesterday, I started watching The Bachelor because I saw Jake on Ellen and thought he was very handsome. Turns out, he is a sweet guy and a bunch of the girls on the show are crazy! I didn't see last night's episode yet but it's funny that there is so much drama already going on. I can't wait to see how it all unfolds!

Second Bridesmaid Dress

As I wrote previously, I went and saw "The Lovely Bones" on Friday night. I had hoped it would be good considering how great the book was but sadly, it did not translate. For people who hadn't read the book, the heaven sequences would be extremely confusing for you to understand. Also, I believed some key parts of the book were left out. So, I would save your money and wait until it's in a Redbox to see it.

I met my friend yesterday to pick up my bridesmaid dress for her wedding and it is gorgeous! There is nothing I love more than a bridesmaid dress I can wear again and this is basically a LBD. This one also has to be taken in but it will be worth it.


I really need to get on planning the bridal shower for my other friend's wedding (where I am the maid of honor). She wants a themed shower so I have to look around for some ideas. If anyone has any to share, I'm all ears!

Project Runway Season 7 Premiere Review

Alright Project Runway fans, who is excited that it's back on! Not only is it back in fabulous New York City but we will also have all the judges present during the whole show! None of this random people filling in for missing judges, it will be like it always was.

In case you are new to my blog, I write a review of Project Runway episodes a day or so after they've aired. I always put a spoiler alert on them because I do show who the winners and losers are. I also show the winning and losing looks, as well as one or two that I loved personally. So, if you're a PR fan like myself, check back and tell me what you thought of the episode :)

***Spoiler Alert*** Not that we are invested in the designers yet, but nevertheless...







It's the first episode and we are being introduced to the new designers. The first designer, Seth, looks like he definitely has a specific type of style that he designs. He also broke one of the beds in the apartment so there's his first impression. Janeane is from Oregon and has a passion for painting. Then there is Ping, an adorable asian woman who is really excited and likes to hug. She is a physical therapist in addition to designing. Anthony already dazzles us in a tuxedo shirt and says he wants to design for Miss USA and Miss Universe. Ben shows up somewhere but is kind of quiet.

We are introduced to Jay, who wants to create what he loves. Pamela shows up in a very bright outfit and seems very interesting. Anna shows up and looks to be quite a sweetheart. Jonathan shows up and says he wants to "discover the place where gritty meets pretty", whatever that means. Jessie, it turns out, plays Captain Jack Sparrow at Disneyland and he almost looks exactly like him in his costume. Mila is a costume designer and looks just like Louise from last season (which I'm sure she hears a lot). Maya just graduated from fashion school and makes interesting purses. Christiane is from Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire (notice how many designers this year are from different countries) and Amy tells us she loves being different. Jesus is from Mexico and says he specializes in couture and tells all the boys to watch out. Talk about confidence! Emilio is the last of the men to arrive and introduces himself immediately.

As usual, the designers are invited to the rooftop to meet Heidi and Tim. Heidi is obviously pregnant (which we knew about) and opts for apple cider instead of champagne. The designers mingle and talk to each other to get a feel for their competition. Ben tells Heidi and Tim that he is a comic book illustrator and uses that in his designs. He is also from Tampa (where I live) and therefore I must root for him. Christiane tells us she has won an award for best haute couture and had designs on the red carpet before. Tim tells the designers they are meeting him in Central Park for their first challenge, with me anxiously hoping this will be like the first challenge from Season 4.

As they show up the next day, they see tons of fabric all around them. Tim discloses that their first challenge is to create a look that shows who they are as a designer and have 3 minutes to grab whatever fabric they want to use. In that 3 minutes, you see fabric flying everywhere and people carrying huge rolls in their hands. When the 3 minutes is up, Tim then says that editing is very important and they have to narrow it down to 5 fabrics for their look. Poor Ping didn't realize that also meant unraveling the fabric and putting it in her bag.

We are back at Parsons! Tim shows the designers the workroom and sewing room and tells them they have that day and part of the next to complete their design. He also tells them they have new HP Touchsmart notebooks they can use for sketching, which is pretty cool. Everyone starts getting to work sketching and critiquing their fabric choices. Janeane decides she wants to do a black cocktail dress ( which made me scream "Project Runway suicide!"). Ping explains to us that she uses her body as a mannequin and starts draping the fabric on herself. The models show up, in what seems like a quick time, to get fitted and meet the designers.

Tim visits them later on to see their progress. Christiane shows him her bright, floral dress and doesn't know if it's over the top or not, to which he replies that it has to look impeccable. Tim looks at Ping oddly and she explains that she does not have a mannequin at home so she uses herself, which makes Tim wonder if that gives her an objective eye. Seth is making a punk style dress with a red zipper that Tim hopes isn't too cartoonish. Tim sees Janeane's LBD and says she chose the wrong fabric and he can see every pucker. We find out she is a crier. Anthony's dress is a bit of a mess to Tim but they laugh about it, which is refreshing. I'd rather see a designer laugh over their work than cry. Emilio is attempting ombre with a great print and purple fabric but Tim is worried it won't be finished in time.

It's runway day and some people are stressing. Emilio hasn't even put anything on his model yet and Janeane is working on a brand new dress she started 2 hours before midnight the previous night. On the runway, Heidi tells the designers the usual prizes, but this year there is an additional prize, which is a $50,000 technology suite from HP (pretty good prize, I'd say!). She introduces the judges; the fabulous Michael Kors in the same outfit he always wears, Nina Garcia in some futuristic-looking outfit, and Nicole Richie in, a shocker, bohemian dress. Let's start the show!

The 6 designers with the highest and lowest scores are Jesus, Emilio, Ping, Seth, Anthony, and Christiane. The judges think that Anthony's dress doesn't seem like it goes well together and MK said she could steal champagne bottles in it. Seth's dress is told it is commercial-looking and Nina loves the back. The judges love that Ping's outfit shows who she truly is. None of the judges like Jesus' alligator brown dress and comment on the obvious seam that Tim warned him about. The judges don't like Christiane's draping or fabric choice for her dress. Nina loves Emilio's dress and Nicole loves the fullness of the skirt.

Ping is told she is safe. The winner of the challenge is.... Emilio, who is given immunity for the next show. Seth is safe and so is Anthony, who can't believe his ears. The bottom two are Jesus and Christiane. The person who is auf'd is... Christiane.

Emilio's winning dress

Christiane's losing dress

I was very pleased with this first episode. As some of you may know, I hated last season simply because the creativity of the challenges was lacking. Anyone can make something out of fabric they chose; you have to limit the choices and give them wacky things to make outfits out of. I like that they said "here is fabric, but you have to fight over it and then edit it down". As far as the looks go, I loved Emilio's dress and I would definitely wear it to a party. I also liked Maya's dress, which screamed Carrie Bradshaw the second she walked out. I absolutely hated Ping's outfit because she basically just draped a bunch of fabrics together. I am glad to see Christiane go because she came in with a chip on her shoulder and immediately declared that she had experience and awards. If I were a designer, I would come in under the radar and wait until I proved myself before I started talking.

Maya's Dress

What did you think of the first episode? Any favorite designers yet?