debatable

I would have to say that I was a little disappointed in the fashion at last night's presidential debate. I know, I know...it's not about that, it's supposed to be about issues and the economy and unemployment and blah blah blah. Shoot, the only reason I watched the dronefest was to see what the ladies were wearing.

...does that make me a bad person?

Anyway, I think that not only was her husband left in the debate dust, but Mrs. O got an arse whoopin' as well. Beside the fact that this is the 3rd time she's worn this outfit, the jacket just looks proportionately too small. The styling didn't have the signature pop and confidence that she usually exudes. Here's how her outfit looked at the 2011 Preen show and you can see how wonky the fit is on the first lady.

Preen 2011

I can't say that I totally loved Ann's suit, but one thing for sure, that winter white color made her look like she just had the Moses facial at Mount Sinai Spa.

She's glowing like she's wearing Chernobyl panties. 

So then how difficult would it be to do the meet and greet before the debate. Talk about awkward. 

"Mmmhmm. Well I'm the first lady and I will bitch slap you if you even think about touching me."

"I'm checking for a heartbeat...it's here, right?"

You have to be crazy to even want this job. Miss Bea

Styled for Michelle Obama and Ann Romney by Miss Bea Heyvin

dear ann romney, part deux

Hey Ann? uhmmm, just fyi...

Dress by Tracy Reese . Shoes by J Crew

...that, my dear, is how it's done. Suh-nap, Miss Bea

dear ann romney

I saw an interview with Ann Romney yesterday afternoon (prior to the main event at the Republican Convention) when she was practicing her speech. At that time she said she had several dress options, but she hadn't yet decided what to wear.

(insert the sound of me shaking my head...)

So let me start with the positive...which is always a good place to begin. She has shortened her hair and tweeked the color.

...uhhhhhh,

...and it looks much better...

...okay, I uh...

...I guess that's a wrap on the positive.

Now for the not so positive. I get why she chose the color red. The backdrop was blue, so red it going to pop for television and photos...and it's patriotic blah blah blah. But, it's really difficult to pull off that color. Had the neckline been more open...not so much saturated color next to her face, it may have worked better...meh...I still have my doubts.

And then I have a problem with the nail and lip color...it's way too Matchy McMatch-a-gin for me. I would have opted for a french manicure and a rosy pink lip...which would have complimented the red dress and been more subtle...less garish.

Accessories...so like, yowza on the doorknocker earrings! Good grief. And then again with the matchy gold cuff and gold watch. Although, if you're going to wear a gold watch, that 18k gold and diamond Rolex...aptly named, "President"...would be the one to wear.

And then, I just really don't like the dress. I don't like anything at all about it. I don't like the color, I don't like the fabric, I don't like the style. It's very house frau. Add an apron and some pot holders and you're good to go. (See her recipe for Welsh Cakes below)

So Ann dearness...if you happen to be reading this, first of all...you're a gorgeous, vivacious woman and you'd make a fabulous first lady. It will be interesting to see your style evolve as this road to the White House plays out over the next couple months. My advice to you would be to think 'Jackie O'...high quality, classic, neutral and minimal. You can't go wrong with that! xoxo, Miss Bea

Styled for Ann Romney by Miss Bea Heyvin

Anne Romney’s Welsh Skillet Cakes
Ingredients:
1 egg
1 1/4 cups currants
1/2 cup milk
3 1/2 cups flour
1 cup granulated sugar
2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter
Directions:
Beat the egg with the milk. Add currants. Sift all other dry ingredients together. Work butter into flour and mix until mealy. Pour milk and currants over flour and butter mixture all at once and mix well. Wrap in wax paper and chill for at least one hour.

Roll it a little less than half an inch thick — actually about 3/8 of an inch. You may think this is too precise, but it’s very important not to roll too thin.

Cut with cookie cutter. Cook on a pancake griddle greased with oil (325 degrees Fahrenheit) on both sides. Flip the cookies when you see they are shiny. Cook it for less time on the second side. Roll in granulated sugar and let cool.

Resist the urge to eat them right away out of the oven — these are the only cookies that taste better cooled.

ladies of the GOP

If you live in the US, you'd have to live under a rock to not be fully aware that there is an election coming up in 2012. I'm especially tired of the glut of political snarkiness that has been going on in the GOP. If you are a Republican...you have to be scratching your head thinking, "Really? This is the best we could come up with"? It's a sad state of affairs when your choices are between a leech and a letch, and I'll let you figure out which one is which.

Anyway...I've been looking alot at the potential first-ladies. As Jim Carrey so aptly put it, "Behind every man is a woman rolling her eyes". So true. So...kind of thinking about how they have a subtle way...or not so subtle way...(yes Callista, I'm talking about you) influence on their candidate husbands. Is there a possibility that a man could appear or not appear more presidential according to how his wife appears? And if so, when does 'said wife' go from plain jane to "hey here's the number of a stylist go get yourself tweaked and start looking like a first lady"?

In case you think I'm totally off my meds, take a look at Michelle Obama when she was a mere senator's wife.

Big dif right? There have been multiple articles written about her eyebrows. One such discussion pontificated that her "angry eyebrows" could cost Obama the election. Seriously people? A brow adjustment is the reason he got elected?

Well, enough of that...you get where I'm going. So here are the GOP wives final four. It will be interesting to watch the making of a first lady as it gets closer to a GOP front runner being confirmed and chosen.

So, here we have Ann Romney. My guess is that they will take away all her Talbot catalogues and call in the hair squad...who will immediately take her shorter and darker in color. I'm predicting her hairstyle will change to something like this.

Kate Capshaw

And then there was Carol Paul...

Oh dear. She could be the poster child for JC Penney. Someone please 911 Barbara Bush.

Karen Santorum. If Coldwater Creek and J. Jill had a love child...this is what it would look like. I'm also predicting a shorter hairstyle and one that will allow her natural curl to 'be free'.

Blythe Danner

All of the above would do well to buy some classic basics...like a wrap dress, an LBD, great trench coat, black kitten heel pumps and a variety of accessories like scarves and necklaces. Wardrobe items that are somewhat tailored and non-descript, but could be accessorized to make them look different.

Styled for Karen Santorum, Carol Paul and Anne Romney by Miss Bea Heyvin

And then we have...dum dum dum dummmmmmmm...

Callista Gingrich...who I think think's she's the one running for office. Step away from the podium Callista.

No seriously sweetie...we just need you to take a couple steps back so you're not in the shot.

No really. Just back up. All of the other candidates wives stand in the background to focus all the attention on their spouse.

Now don't get in a snit about it. People aren't here to see you, they're here to see Newt.

O good grief...she's like Hillary on steroids.

Anyway...I'm not sure what's going on with her hair or clothing. Both are so severe that she looks like she's going to crack any second. Unlike the other wives who are a bit too casual, I think Callista needs to take some Xanax and loosen up a bit.

She should go back to her old hairstyle. Look how much prettier it was...soft and feminine as opposed to the helmet head thing she's doning now.

Okay...we get it. You have a suit in every color. blah blah blah... Which just accentuates this "tighter-than-a-skeeter's-arse-in-a-nose-dive" type of public persona. I would love to see her in some less structured silhouettes. Ruffles, pleated or flowing skirts...still tailored, but visually softer and more feminine. More Jackie-O and less Cruella Deville.

Styled for Callista Gingrich by Miss Bea Heyvin

Whether you win or lose, in the end, it's always about who has the cutest shoes. Miss Bea