Fendi "Large Roll" Tote

I want this Fendi "Large Roll" Tote sooo bad!!! I have no idea what "Large Roll" means, but I do love the tote! I love that floral look because I love flowers, and it is even cooler when you look up close at it and can see the logo. I love the Nordstrom description of the bag.."Lovely floral watercolor print with understated logos adds dimension and texture to a shapely tote topped with slender handles." Really makes me want to buy it more. Also, it is neat because it does not scream Fendi at first glance, then you realize it does scream Fendi in a classy way of course!



Just need $810.00, ohh to be young and dream.

J.Crew what are you thinking??!?!

While I was looking at all the new J.Crew spring collection I happen to discover this eye-sore. J.Crew overalls?? Really, J. Crew has overalls online. I admit I loved overalls as a kid, but on a grown woman??





These even make this super skinny model look heavy! It's horrible, they are fugly. The back is so unattractive. Jenna I do not like your picks!! At least now you can be a farmer and wear J. Crew?

Pretend to live in the 60s for just 99 cents!

Today, I noticed Mews was carrying Peace Tea.  So I tried the razzleberry tea...it's a huge can for 99 cents.  The ingredients are brewed tea, sugar, citric acid, natural flavors, and sucralose...not bad!

The tea tasted fine and is one drink from Mews that isn't a rip, but the can artwork is laughable.  Phrases like "don't tread on me" "true freedom comes with great responsibility" "we must think for ourselves" and "we are in this together" decorate the tall can.  I guess it pleases my inner libertarian, but gotta say I don't really have an inner hippie.  The artwork is reminiscent of a Vietnam protest...is this supposed to appeal to me or my ex-hippie parents?

Maybe, Swem is just trying to send me a subliminal message to quit school and go smoke weed in my parents' basement....

Hunter Update

Yesterday, it was rainy so naturally I walked around with my eyes glued to the ground...so many cute rainboots and so many different colored Hunter's!  I saw a girl rocking a pair of adorable kids' rainboots that had the pull-on handles and eyes popping out of the front (I wish I had smaller feet, oh not so Asian).

I love my new yellow Hunter's, especially after waiting to get the correct size (FYI they run about a size big).  Today, I saw multiple pairs of the silver ones.  Good call, happy sport: they're not as likable in person.  Saw the glossy violet ones that I had been lusting after, and the color is more than lust-worthy.  I understand why they are sold out everywhere.  Where did that girl find her pair?!

Also saw light blue ones, which surprised me, are extremely cute.  If you want color, but don't want something so loud, check the light blue out.

Hunter out!

A bit too mousey?

I used to have a pair of black felt flats from Urbn with some type of animal face on the front of the shoe.  I loved that pair of flats...maybe it was being in 7th grade, or maybe it was just my Asian-ness out in full force.  If I had $300 to burn, I might splurge on this similar pair of Marc flats.  The red color is very rich...and Asian appropriate too, as red is believed to be lucky in Chinese culture.

I love when someone's outfit has a small, quirky detail that truly makes it her own look.

My pedicurist: Sally Hansen

Summer is coming and that means sandals and open toed shoes. That means exposing my wintery-callused feet from all the walking at Cornell. This combination calls for a fresh pedicure. That being said, I could drop $65 plus tip for a pedicure at my salon, or opt for my $2.95 Sally Hansen Insta-Dry salon nail polish. I decided to save my time and money and do it myself. This nail polish is the best I have ever purchased. I went with the Sonic Bloom color, its a pinkish orange. It tries in under a minute, there are tons of fun colors, the brush is flat so it is easier to apply and it goes on with just one or two coats. When I was done, my toes looked pedicured, needless to save I was very satisfied. My mom even asked where I got my pedicure and she liked the color, she was impressed when I said I did them myself. Anyways, save yourself probably around $200 dollars(or more) and get a pedicure right when summer starts, but hold yourself over with a painting at home.

The Urban Bike

For all the urban junkies out there that cannot afford a priuses yet, Urban Outfitters has your answer. Welcome the Urban Outfitter Bike Store. On the site you can customize your personal bike with various unique colors for only $399. Not too steep for a bike and way cheaper than I expected from Urban. Urban teamed with Republic Bike and they offer over 100,000 component and color combination's. I had fun playing around with the site, I thought it was difficult to figure out at first. The easiest way is to use the random button until it makes one you like. My favorite part is that you can change to the color of the chains. Here are just a few I thought were cute -






Personally, I will not be retiring my trusty blue Trek.

Is it worth it??

Last week, I found myself following my youngest sister in the 90° heat, under hundreds of tarps orienteering the maze of the St. Thomas flea market. This market is full of knock- off bags, jewelry, clothing, bathing suits, local foods, hair braiding, and local craftsmanship. We made a special trip for my sister’s mission. Her mission: a Burberry purse for under $60. My job, convince the salesman that his fake bag is not the real deal and therefore not worth $60. I got to practice my bargaining skills and also check out the market of fake bags. I quickly became absorbed in the quest for a Burberry.

The St. Thomas Flea Market: is usually full of cruise ship junkies and people out to get a bargain on their own fake bag. This day was unique that there were no cruise ships at dock; only local tourists were out shopping that day. Navigating the market we were essentially shark bait for the tent salesmen. I am not kidding, there are at least 7 or 8 tents full of fake bags. Name a designer they will find it, if they do not have it…well that never happens. They quickly change the tag/label on a bag they do have and waaaallaahh Coach to Chanel. Best magic tricks EVER! (A family friend picked up one of these tags that she found on the ground and handed it to the tent owner and he acted so surprised and could not figure out where they would come from with all these luxury bags around, I was containing my laughter)

My sister continued the search through countless tents and salesmen hackling us. Finally, we entered Burberry Tentland. She found what she was looking for an entire bad covered Burberry plaid, leather inside, cute pockets and a bucket-like shape. Perfect, just what she wanted, her new backpack and basically a gymbag. I have to admit, it is a cute bag, but SCREAMS fake Burberry. It’s fine she is like 12, she is allowed to rock it and I give it to her. (Disclaimer: 7th grade first Louis Vuitton fake and my Chanel; both I believed were the real deal)

These salesmen could lie so much about their products and the qualities, it makes you wonder how much that happens with items we actually do believe are of a higher quality. Does lowering the price when both the consumer and seller acknowledge this (or even just the seller); does that allow the whole transaction to occur with everyone ignoring the obvious fallacies? I think this can be said about other products on the many markets today. Lincoln is a sticker change on most Ford models; Cadillac is a sticker change on must GM models, Lexus and Toyota the list only goes on. These cars are essentially fake bags in the car world. Are the car sales men equivalent to the tent salesmen? This can also be said about food. Organic produce and conventional produce, it’s exactly the same nutritionally only difference the price. Generic or name brand? Just like the bags, the cars, our food and many other things. Where am I going with this, I don’t really know just all kinds of ideas in my head about salesmen, and labels.

After pondering all these pointless thoughts, I walked away feeling extremely good about myself, satisfied that the fake bag man told me I knew my purses and my sister got her extremely fake looking Burberry print bag; which she loves as a real. The mission was a success and it was off for more real shopping in St. Thomas!

Tom Ford Sunglasses

Have you seen Tom Ford's nyc store (I think on Madison Ave)?  Very sleek.

His sunglasses are similarly designed.  I love the Miranda.  The frames are an unusual shape, but still totally wearable.  Love how they worked with the shape of my face.

Angelina Jolie has been spotted in multiple pairs of Tom Ford shades.  The lines of this pair balance her lips quite well, hehe.

Even though aviators are my favorite type of sunglasses, every designer is issuing their "own" version, which aren't always original or even any different from the next pair of aviators.  Tom Ford's Georgette may be a little busy for some, but I think they're a sick version of aviators.  I preferred the Miranda shape for its simplicity, but the Georgette pair is very fresh.

Bringing Sexy Back...

Because of my Sex and City education, I don't really mind when a bra shows through a backless dress/top. I love this slinky Alice and Olivia dress, the back is vavooom!

Love this too!

Burberry for Summer

Love, love, love, love these Burberry sandals!

Sunny, Brown Boots, and Nautical Stripes

Its in the seventies and perfect spring weather in Williamsburg!  Bring out the skirts, sandals, sundresses!

I've seen a lot of wintery pieces paired with spring staples.  A pair of brown boots with a sundress or skirt is my new favorite spring look!

Nautical stripes have also been everywhere.  In my opinion, they're a great alternative to obvious florals.

But it hasn't all been pretty.  I know it's sunny and seventy, but please lay off the halter tops.  I generally don't like halters, but at least wait for a more reasonable month to wear them!

Tribal Necklace

I found this today on shopbob by Lizzie Fortunato Jewels and fell in love. Tribal is in for this spring and summer and this necklace is perfect for that. I also think it can last past the trend, love it! Better start saving for the $425 price tag!

Leave the library and change your pants!

To the girl I saw walking out of Swem:

I'm sorry I stared at your feet.  I don't actually have a problem with your feet, but I protest the space between your feet and your pants.  Your lightwash, highwater flares paired with white flip flops aren't the best look for you on any day, let alone a cold, drizzly one.

I may have an aversion to flares because I was never alive in the 70s, but highwaters were never a trend in any decade I'm aware of.  Please replace with Seven's Dojo Flip Flop Jeans!

Personally, I hope the flare trend doesn't make a full comeback.

Forecast: cloudy with a sprinkling of bare chest

Today was cloudy, drizzly, in the 50s, and generally miserable.

If I was a boy (Beyonce!), naturally I'd run shirtless in this weather.  Maybe the boy I saw running shirtless wanted to flaunt his nonexistent tan from spring break...

To that boy: I'm sorry I stared at your chest.  I wasn't staring at your boyish girth, but your stupidity (which was staring right back at me from your bare, bare chest).  Enjoy your cold and continued paleness.

Wedge Season

For almost the past four years I have put off buying wedge sandals because I think they will not be in style next year or no one will be wearing them next summer or I'm too tall to wear wedges. Officially I am done telling myself that! I think these are super cute!



Kate Spade makes these awesome ones.

Frye... I love you, even in the summer

Now it's time I stop lusting over $600 Frye boots for winter; it's time onto move to summer and forget boots. But wait, I can lust over Frye sandals!





I know this is lame, but these actually match the detailing in the Frye cowboy boots I posted in February. I could have matching Frye's for winter and summer, plus I could wear the short cowboys boots in summer! Better start expanding my collection!

The budget Gap

We all have an unsatisfied desire for more clothes, more accessories, more everything. The only catch is the cash. The other day I found a way to fix my spring "budget Gap." Gap is my fix for spring pants.

I recently went into Gap and was amazed by the selection of spring and summer pants. It was even better when I tried them on and I loved how they looked and fit; oh and of course the price! They all averaged around $50. Basically you get the j.crew look for $20 to $30 less. I tried on a khaki pair that also had white paint splattered on them, they will be so cute for class or other casual days. Also, Gap is running a jean exchange program right now and you get 30% off any new pair of Gap jeans when you bring in any pair of jeans(do not have to be from Gap)!


The shoes she is wearing are horrendous!!! They ruin the pants and don't give justice to how cute these pants really are.


I love that if I didn't say these pants were cheap and from Gap, no one would ever know...

Marc Jacobs cardi

Seeing girls in the same basic cardis has got me in the sweater doldrums.  The tiny asymmetrical buttons on this Marc Jacobs sweater is my cure.

Because it is asymmetrical, it takes a certain body type to own the buttoned-up look.  All the details make this a great sweater to wear underneath a coat in the winter and as a light jacket in the spring.  A bit out of my current budget at $200!

Hello lovelies!

So winter is almost over, but I'm still lusting for boots, boots, boots!  And now they're on sale:)

These Tory Burch beauties are half off at $275 (not much more than a certain pair of Steve Maddens :).  I love the pin detail, unusual yet sophisticated.  Oh man, I want these. 

TOMS...Cape Cod styling

I've always wanted a pair of TOMS, but never got around to buying a pair.  My favorite design, which I bought for Happy Sport and a few friends, is still the party animals (a donkey for the left foot and elephant for the right :)

Love the preppy, summery Red Newport Cordones.  I can imagine pairing these babies with rolled up white jeans, jean mini's and shorts.  The contrast of the diagonal stripes with the horizontal stripes is fly.

Of course, there are the original canvas TOMS and they've introduced linen TOMS for this summer, which would also pair well with anything.  I feel like they used to offer more styles though.

But who needs variety, when there's anchor embossed shoes?

The men's anchor TOMS win in my book!  Too bad they're sold out in all the small sizes.  What I also won't be buying: Vegan Wrap Boot...

Thank you Kenneth Cole

After looking at raincoats the other day and posting about it, I have been debating the AA raincoat. Then yesterday I talked to Equestrian Sailor and she mentioned ideeli had a sale running with Kenneth Cole jackets and one that looked similar to what I was looking for. I was so excited to find out that this jacket was retailing for $300 and I just paid $69. With shipping and handling it was still less than the AA jacket. I really liked the green AA jacket because green is my favorite color, I went with the blue because it is different than any jackets I own, I hope I still like the color in person. I can't wait to get it, hopefully it is not a disappointment!

Classy in College: What does it mean?

So, I think it is really important we figure out what it means to be "classy in college." Just talking to some people we have already decided it is a fine line to walk and is it possible to even define a "classy girl."  Most people tell me that when someone is classy you can just tell, it is not a list of characteristics or traits. Either way, I think it is necessary to create some guidelines of what we think it means to be "classy in college." Here's the dictionary definition of classy as a start.

Main Entry: classy

Pronunciation: \ˈkla-sē\

Function: adjective

Inflected Form(s): class·i·er; class·i·est

Date: 1891

: having or showing class: as a : elegant, stylish b : having or reflecting high standards of personal behavior c : admirably skillful and graceful



Please help!

Oversized glasses anyone?

Is this trend here to stay? Are people wearing real or fake glasses? I personally have not decided how I feel about the over-sized glasses trend. Everyday I am seeing more and more people at Cornell with over-seized glasses, when I visited Yale in the beginning of February everyone had over-sized glasses. I always want to ask them if they are wearing glasses because they need glasses or if they are doing it because of this trend. Some people are really able to pull this look off and others not so much. It really depends on the structure of your face and also your overall style. It is too trendy to wear them just with certain outfits to look fashion forward. I think if you are looking for a pair of over-sized glasses you need to go in the middle ground, avoid the super over-sized most people just look silly in these. Keep in mind some boys mentions to me that they are unflattering because it makes it harder to see a girls face. Basically, my advice is have fun with this, look super cute nerdy for a day or two. Find a cute pair at the right price, and try it out! Plus, if it doesn't work out, you always have a staple item for a nerdy Halloween or mixer outfit!

Diet Experiment: Half Marathon Training

Since everyone is trying to find a way to lose weight, I have decided it is time for me to really take action and make some conscious healthy decisions. First, I am going to run a half-marathon with Equestrian Sailor. I am excited because it will get in in shape for this summer, I can start enjoying running again and lose some weight and get toned! Also, it is much easier to tell people you cannot eat something because you are training, they won't force you or bug you about it either. Yesterday, I went on my first outside run of the year, it felt great! I really wanted to see where my fitness level was. That being said, I want to aim to be able to do around 9 minute miles for the race. This will give me a good goal to work for. I have already found a training program that I think I can follow and work.

Here's my plan:



Day two and I already fell -- hurt my ankle and cut my knee -- off to a great start! Can't wait to see what I do to myself by June!

Alexander McQueen Leather Motorcycle Jacket

$769.00


Love, love, love this jacket! The color is rich and unique and the zippers are neat. Also, the top with the belt like neck is awesome! I would love this for spring!

Diet Experiment: Beyonce Diet -- The Master Cleanse

My friends W and C just finished their Division I basketball season which required intensive dieting and training, it has finally ended and they are so excited! They are even more excited to get their bodies back to the weight they are comfortable with for spring break! They call it the "Beyonce Diet"--she admits using it to lose weight for a movie -- which requires only liquids and no exercise. Quick summary, "a concoction of fresh lime or lemon juice, maple syrup, and cayenne pepper mixed with water," that is consumed 6 - 12 times a day, along with an "herbal laxative tea... taken twice a day, and no other food is consumed." You follow this for 3 - 10 days.
http://themastercleanse.org/

"I was cranky," Beyonce admitted to Oprah about her emotional state while on the Master Cleanse diet fast. -- hope that doesn't happen to W and C!

I have read before that it is healthy to occasionally cleanse your body by fasting for a day, but I have never known someone to do it to this extent. I do not think it will work because it is not long term weight loss and they will be so hungry! I wish them luck and can't wait to see the results!

---

Day 1 - C has already quit, W is still strong!

Day 2 - W resisted all the urges and is sticking with it. She did admit it was much harder today and really can't wait for it to be over!

Day 3 - W DID IT!!! I am so proud of her and obviously very jealous. She lost 10 pounds! Tomorrow she is going to introduce liquids and go from there. I am debating trying this, I really do not want to feel fat on spring break! This is crash dieting 101, but it works.

Day ?? - W has barely been eating anything and working out and has put on 6 lbs... so much for beyonce?

I personally tried this as well over the weekend, only lasted 2 days! It is tough, I dropped some pounds, but I know they will be back. So much for the miracle diet :(

Pick your flavor: Michael Kors Watches

These are all lovely! Actually, I want them all! At $250.00 you get the bigger gold hardware on the side of the face. Just some more items I can add to my closet someday, maybe, I can buy these. I feel like they are in a sense classic colors with gold and could be worn for a long time. They also seem more functional for day and night wear. I think it is a huge plus to have watches that you can wear during the day in a casual sense and also look classic and fun at night with whatever you are wearing. My current watches are great for the day, but I think they look silly if I wear them out. Until then, my Zodiacs will have to continue bringing vanillaness to my life!

To the Virgins, to make most of time

GATHER ye rosebuds while ye may,
Old Time is still a-flying:
And this same flower that smiles to-day
To-morrow will be dying.

The glorious lamp of heaven, the sun,
The higher he 's a-getting,
The sooner will his race be run,
And nearer he 's to setting.

That age is best which is the first,
When youth and blood are warmer;
But being spent, the worse, and worst
Times still succeed the former.

Then be not coy, but use your time,
And while ye may, go marry:
For having lost but once your prime,
You may for ever tarry.

-Robert Herrick

Another one of my favorite poems, some girls do not like it because of the allusion to guys and sex, but I love the carpe diem theme. I feel like as freshmen in college this is the most important time in our lives to "seize the day". No other time in our life can we live the lifestyle we do. The freedom and opportunities will never come again. I try not to forget this everyday -- strive to take every opportunity you get, do not miss out on things, you never know how much fun you can have or the memories, friends and experiences you can have. Do not let anything hold you back and make it your goal everyday day to seize the day and make most of time before we all get old. Next thing we know we will be seniors and life really hits you then, live with no regrets!


Carpe Diem!

April showers bring Burberry Taffeta.

Let's face it, it rains a lot during April and especially in Ithaca because there is a permanent gray sky majority of the time. So to prepare for this spring, I have made the executive decision a new raincoat is needed. A cute one, my Marmot is very functional, but lacks in the cute category. It is good for a run or spring hike, not going to class. I am looking for a fun, cute, good price and functional raincoat for this spring.

My friend M was talking about the Burberry raincoat her mom is getting her in NYC this week, basically my dream raincoat. I am not sure what one she is getting, but I can't wait to see it. I found this taffeta one that I fell in love with; so gorgeous and Burberry! Plus most girls on campus seem to go for the longer or quilted Burberry so M's will be different. I love the taffeta raincoats! Can't wait to see hers.


$695.00....hmmm someday?


More realistic is this American Apparel take on a Burberry's Taffeta raincoat. I love the green and the drawstring.


$85.00


Ahhh the joys of living in Ithaca, at least I can get a new raincoat out of it
-- "Ithaca is Gorges!"

"Harlem"

What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?


Or fester like a sore--
And then run?

Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over--
like a syrupy sweet?

Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.

Or does it explode?

-- Langston Hughes


One of my favorite poems, I was talking to a friend about this poem the other day and decided to post it. Enjoy!

Wayfarers Please

I want these for spring break, I worked Friday night so I could buy them. Now I just need to decide what ones I want. I am a little nervous about how they will look because it seems like some have a different shape. I like new wayferars.


---


A friend mentioned these ones to me, they are super cool! I love the orange! If I was from Brooklyn I would probably have these, my friend Z is and she is going to start rocking them since the sun has finally appeared in Ithaca!

Spotted at WM: Purple NOOO!

Mid-calf purple stiletto heels with buckles paired with....
(can it get worst?)
slightly different purple-colored tights.
Oh, no!

That's a Little Short...

Spotted on campuses across the country (I'm hoping not across the world, let me continue to believe that Europeans have higher taste levels than us Americans):

GIRLS' BUTTS!

A tribute: the story of three pairs of rain boots.

This story begins sometime ago on a Georgetown shopping trip.   Equestrian Sailor and I enter J. Crew and began to browse, when all of the sudden Equestrian Sailor discovers the most amazing rain boots ever!! Pink flamingos!!  To make it even better, the boots were on sale!!  Then, we discovered more rain boots...the day could not get any better.  Eventually, Equestrian Sailor pulls out green rain boots with whales in size 10!  It was simply meant to be, I was in love.  To sum things up, I ended up with the green rain boots and Equestrian Sailor ended up with not one but two pairs of J. Crew rain boots.  It was fabulous to say the least.  Too bad we never found what we were actually looking for (dresses).  Sadly, that meant more return visits to BCBG(!) and DSW(!!).  And sadly, that meant I bought my first pair of leather sole heels(!!!).

Two years later.  No more rain boots.  Equestrian Sailor's two pairs of rain boots both died a few months ago.  I was hoping mine would hold out and that maybe both her pairs were just flukes.  Today, mine also broke.  Tragic day, a great story had to come to an end and I will forever miss puddle splashing in my green whales.

The end.


Time to go rain boot shopping :D

Sorry, I'm a Fashionista

This article appeared in the Cornell Daily Sun today. I loved it, I could not stop laughing. The best part was about the spandex and Uggs. For a guy, I was impressed with his point of view of girls in spandex and Uggs. We are all guilty of this, but who cares, we are still all classy colleges girls anyways, right?

"You know what I really hate though are leggings. Leggings are the worst. Because girls just go out to class in leggings. What’s up with that? And Uggs? Seriously, you’re going to wear Uggs? More like, “Ughs.” Man, have you even opened a copy of Vogue in the past 10 years? I mean come on, do you think us dudes really appreciate seeing at least 50 percent of your body in tight fitting clothes first thing in the morning on our walk to class? Seriously? You think any man would appreciate having to see that in the harshness of winter in the most boring place in the world on the way to a class that he cares nothing about? Do you think that any man in the world actually wants to see that? Yeah, we’re thinking, “Damn!” But more like, “Damn! That girl has no fashion sense,” which is of course the number one thing I look for in a girl. The last thing I want to see when I’m walking up the steps from the Ivy Room is your butt hanging out. Seriously, that’s just aw ... some."

He made my day, hopefully he reached come of the spandex and ugg faithfuls out there.

Spotted at Cornell: Timberland

Welcome to Timberland, the land of the classic male work boot. The classic male work boot.

Who wears these boots? The obvious stereotypes: construction workers, carpenters, heavy equipment operators, garbage men, lumber jacks oh and Cornell boys. Yes, Cornell boys. These are the boys who walk around thinking they own the big red, frat bros, trust fund babies etc.

Why do they feel the need to wear the most horrendous boots? Especially, since work boots are meant to be worn when you are working. Spoken by a true farmer, "those boots have never seen a day of work in their life." After class, do these boys work on building more pong tables for their frat's party that weekend? Is that why they need construction boots? Why do they wear the laces all undone and scuff their feet as they go to class (when they do)...does it make them unique/cool/attractive? Do they think they actually look cool? Do they think it's in style? I ponder these questions everyday on my way to class. Ahhh someone needs to help theses boys out

Boys, make me a happy sport and let Biggie rock the Timberlands; get your mommy's credit card, order some real boots and stop pretending to be something you are not.

Saturated fats...not bad?

Saturated fats are not associated with cardiovascular disease says a recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.  Animal fat may not be as unhealthy as we're led to believe (just the other day my Organic Chem teacher informed the class that saturated fats can lead to higher cholesterol and are bad for your heart!).

Check this out.  Although studies have shown that saturated fat isn't the meaty monster it's often portrayed as, scientists are looking for ways to synthesize pork cells in the lab to increase health benefits to human omnivores.

Supply and Demand of Plaid

During my Microecon class, I noticed a girl wearing a horrendous purple and blue plaid shirt.  On her laptop, was a browser of AE. And she was looking at plaid shirts. Isn't one enough?!

Thank goodness I didn't see her whip out a credit card, or it might have called for a mid-class intervention!

Hopefully, the demand for plaid will once again be reduced to lumberjacks and supply will follow suit.  This means that girls in purple-blue-plaid will have to search a little further than two-lettered website for their quick fix of ugliness.

"A farm is not just a clever crop..."

Brief article in The Economist about the uptick in GM crops.

GM seeds that come from government research bodies, or from local firms, may not arouse quite so much opposition as those from large foreign companies, especially when they provide characteristics that make crops better, not just easier to farm.

Is it really more likely that government-sponsored research will return better, safer technology than large companies?

From soil management to weather forecasts to the preservation, study and use of agricultural biodiversity, there are many ways to improve the agricultural systems on which the world’s food supply depends, and make them more resilient as well as more profitable.

Maybe soil science will be your jackpot? I think it would be undesirable if GM development became so profitable that other ways to improve farming were pushed to the wayside, but I highly doubt that would happen (speaking with all my farming-ish authority:). How much of the food currently produced is GM? And how much potential benefit is possible from GM crops?

A farm is not just a clever crop: it is an ecosystem managed with intelligence.

Truth. Get those Cornell kids to save the world's food!


---

Ahh the GM argument, where do I start. The Economist has a point, but how successful would it really be? Try some major PR.

A lot of seeds do come from government research bodies(cough cough Cornell and its different research facilities and numerous other land grant colleges). The gene gun that was first used to make GM crops came from Cornell. Also, the government has numerous seed banks storing millions of different types of seeds to protect the genotypes and to be used for future research. These large seed companies work with the government, and these companies have the money to change policy. I would have to argue that most of the large producers of GM seeds are US companies. For the most part, we are the leaders in GM seeds, the EU currently has a ban on GM crops.

That being said, the ideology is created by the state. The state has the opportunity, resources, money and influence to make GM crops more accepted. I do agree with the Economist, that with the increased use of GM crops also has to come profitable sustainable agriculture practices.

Final note, the U.S. government has taken the back seat in most of the current food debates, this is a perfect example. I did a term paper on the patenting of life relating to GM seeds and basically there was one Supreme Court (DIAMOND v. CHAKRABARTY) case that has allowed for all the GM seeds we have today. In my opinion, that single case changed the American food system forever(hopefully I can do more research on this someday -- law school?). That being said, most of the media focuses on specific companies and practices -- not the government, the ones who have created the mess. The American pubic is out of touch as to what farming is and how it should be done so that we can feed our country. Farmers have been the scapegoat for the government and the large corporations for over 20 years. Things need to change.