©2009 ~pandacub143

So, I've been thinking (shock horror, I know)... and I've noticed that recently, I have recieved almost unprecedented numbers (like, four) requests for me to do paid blogs, reviewing products I've never seen before in a positive light, in order that the people out there will go buy them.

I've basically turned down $150 of FREE MONEY, because my conscience told me that it was wrong, and that besides, I'm a minor, so I don't qualify for Paypal. (Even if I did, I'd have said "no").

But this has made me think - how many of the product reviews you see out there are genuine? I've seen on HeartIFB recently that the American government are implementing some form of legislation about this kind of thing - but I'm British, and so, to be honest, I didn't bother to read it... Which I know I should have. Woops. Must go do that soon.

Never-the-less, it made me wonder. I read product reviews on blogs for stuff I'm interested in, and I often take the views of blogs into account. Should I start discounting them, if other bloggers (as I assume they must) get these requests, and accept them?

I'm not saying that if a company I genuinly liked emailed me, and wanted me to review something, that I wouldn't do it - but I hadn't even heard of the ones who were emailing me.

Should I have accepted? Do I have too much of a conscience? Or am I right?

I'd like to think I am.

Because... well, bloggers are being penalised by the law for recieveing freebies to review (I just read HeartIFB's post on the new FTC ruling, and you should too), because apparently it's wrong to recieve and honestly review (I don't think so - I have in the past, and in fact, it's nice), where as I could see nothing in the ruling mentioning being paid for a post - which is worse... because products for review mean impartiality. Payment means "Yes Yes Yes We Looooove This Product", regardless...

Am I taking my High-Horse too far?

Or... is this ruling - and the fact that bloggers are accepting (as I presume they are) payment for their posts - wrong?

I wonder.

LoveLoveLove

- A -

The whole world is still talking about it. Kanye. Taylor. Beyoncé. Even The Guardian has an article about it, that's how far it's spread.

So, today I have decided to do what I couldn't be bothered with yesterday, and rate the Red Carpet Styles of the VMA awards, in Confessions of a Fashion Editor's very own VMA Style Awards 2009!

Ok, so it's corny, but give the girl a break - I've been researching immigration in post-war France for the last hour...

Hold on to your hats, people... here we go!

Confessions of a Fashion Editor's VMA Style Awards 2009

I'd better explain first that the images I'm using are sourced from (and (c)) OMG Yahoo - and that, when they were posted there, the outfits were graded. So, I'm going to compare my grades to their's. Because I can. Ha ha.

First up, it's Lady Gaga...

OMG's Grade: A+
Confessions of a Fashion Editor's (COAFE's) Grade:  F-

The woman is crazy. I swear to God. She looks like... she looks like a crow. I think. I've not quite decided. She's wearing Jean-Paul Gaultier, which is usually a good thing. Unless it's combined with the "crow" look. In which case, y'know, not so much...

Next up, it's Beyoncé...

OMG's Grade: A+
COAFE's Grade: B

She looks stylish, don't get me wrong... I just think that she could have looked classier, as well. Red carpets are supposed to be about class, right? (Unless they're the VMAs, I've heard... but still. Classier would have been good.)

Next, Taylor Swift, and I swear that I won't let my blatant fan-ness get in the way...

OMG's Grade: A -
COAFE's Grade: A -

Now, that is what I'm talking about! Classy! Taylor is wearing a Kaufman Franco gown, and, as OMG correctly state, she looks a million dollars. Their grade for her is pulled down by her hair-style... mine is because I know that that is not how Taylor would usually dress, and I'd like to have seen more of her in her out-fit - like the red dress she wore when she finally got to do her acceptance speech (see post below). Or some cowboy boots. Not that they'd have gone with the gown. But y'know. Whatever. ;)

Next, Pink!

OMG's Grade: A
COAFA's Grade: B+

Pink's name begs the question... does she ever wear pink? Not that I've marked her down because of that - I love her style in this shot. It just doesn't scream "Red Carpet" at me, is all.

Now, Kanye West and Amber Rose,

Who just look plain silly, to be honest.

OMG's Grade: F
COAFE's Grade: F-

Madonna next, methinks...

OMG's Grade: B
COAFE's Grade: B

Stylish, but not what I'd have expected from Madonna!

On to Taylor Lautner, whom I am adding to this line up for the simple reason that I hope one of you will be able to enlighten me as to why this guy is deemed "hot". He always just looks kind of gormless to me.

OMG's Grade: A
COAFE's Grade: U - not because it's bad, but because I am an excrutiatingly bad judge of men's style (except where footwear is concerned, and only then because I think it determines personality. Don't ask).

Katy Perry...

OMG's Grade: D
COAFE's Grade: C+

Is she... is she going fall out of that? 

And almost last, but not least, Leighton Meester, whom I'm including for Rachel's benefit...

OMG's Grade: A -
COAFE's Grade: E

The shoes! The shoes!! No. No. No, no, no, no, no.
Ahem.
Did I make my point?

And finally, Ashley Greene, star of Twilight, and MTV's fashion correspondent...
(Sarah, you know you mentioned that I was Alice...? Ah ha...!)

OMG's Grade: D -
COAFE's Grade: B+

OMG say that Ashley was one of the worst dressed of the night, in D&G, and because of her hair... to which I ask, where were you when Lady Gaga walked down the cat-walk?

No, I think Ashely looks stylish... admittedly the skirt is hurting my head, but the rest of it looks classy, and not in the least deserving of a D-!

But, I was wondering, what do you guys think?

Who do you vote as most stylish?

Hmmm...