Shoes & Porn, and why Jessica Simpson is no dummy!

So, my managing editor, Madge (an old-school journalist who believes women who want to be taken seriously at work should not wear make-up) walks over to me the other day and says:

"Honey, the only way you can make money on the Internet is by selling shoes or porn."

Uh... Gee... Thanks, Madge! She had totally burst my bubble of thinking that my job as a multimedia journalist could actually bring the company huge profits someday. Feeling a bit depressed, I headed over to the mall at Pentagon City for some shoe therapy... and it was there that I had an epiphany.

Browsing through the hundreds and hundreds of sandals, stilettos and peep toes, I felt myself being drawn toward the Jessica Simpson Shoe Collection. Then, it dawned on me: Jessica may not be the dumb blonde that everyone thinks she is.

Although she is known for her "blonde" moments -- famously asking her then husband, Nick Lachey, if her Chicken of the Sea canned tuna was chicken or fish -- J. Simps is no dummy.

Long after her reality-TV career fizzled, her movie roles dried up and her album sales waned, the one viable enterprise that has steadily contributed to her estimated $55 million net worth is her Internet shoe sales.

Meanwhile, her former husband has been reportedly struggling to pay the bills, which has allegedly halted him from throwing a huge wedding with his new love, Vanessa Minillo.

Hmmmm.... maybe Jessica was right... maybe she was eating chicken! Nick may have teased her for making a dumb comment, but it is Jessica who is laughing all the way to the bank -- and in her platform heels, nonetheless!

So back to my epiphany:

1) Jessica Simpson is smarter than we all may think.

2) I need to start selling shoes on the Internet instead of writing about them!

3) I need to buy some sandals from the Jessica Simpson Shoe Collection -- they are so cute!

xoxo,

Markette

ANTM Cycle 15 DC Winner, Shoelicious Pick, and Free Cool iPhone Apps

ANTM CYCLE 15 DC WINNER! CONGRATS TO JASMINE TOSH STEWART

We were at Pentagon City Mall a few weeks ago interviewing all of the hopeful models trying out for ANTM Cycle 15. Hundreds of girls were narrowed down to 50. Then from 50 to 20. Until it came down to the top 5. Well I am so excited to say that the winner for the DC top model tryouts went to Jasmine Tosh Stewart from Ashburn, VA. I spotted her out of the crowd and all the long lines that were twisting around the mall. Here I ask her what sets her apart from the rest of the girls. Oh I put her on the spot and asked her to do her fiercest cat walk too!!

Go Jasmine, Go Jasmine. Hope to see you on the screen battling out with all the other top model contestants and taking home the title of America's Next Top Model!!! OK the perfect segway from models to shoes. It's my shoe pick of the week.

SHOELICIOUS PICK OF THE WEEK:

Love the name RSVP

$75.00SALE!$67.50

Aren't these delectable?!!! A perfect shoe to wear out this Sunday (since you're taking your mom out to brunch or dinner right!) I love the added frill on the heel, it really gives you that extra touch of femininity. Color they are shown in -- champagne satin. Also in available in white satin. In fact they are so inspiring that I'm going to have a glass of bubbly right now to celebrate my purchase! Here are the stats on these puppies:

• Crowd pleasing d'orsay with ruffles that draw the eye.
• Satin fabric uppers.
• Adjustable quarter strap.
• Covered high heel.
• Dress leather sole.
• 4" heel.
• 7.00 oz.

I HEART APPLE: iPHONE APP OF THE WEEK

FREE* VIPER SMART START

Turn your iPhone into the ultimate keyless remote. With SmartStart installed in your vehicle, all you need is your iPhone to lock, unlock, or even start your car from just about anywhere.

ANTM Top 50, Shoelicious Pick, and Fudge minus the pudge

AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL: DOWN TO 50

And then there were 50. You saw the lines that wrapped around the malls for this year's tryouts for America's Next Top Model. Well the choices are finally being narrowed down, and there are now only 50 girls left to vote for! Hundreds and hundreds of girls auditioned, so the experts and YOU have skinnied down the girls, I mean choices.. (no pun intended) Ok maybe a little pun.

To Vote for your favorite Top Model click HERE

Now, I am by NO means an expert nor was I a judge of any kind during this year's audition, but I can pick out a pretty girl when I see one, and I think I have narrowed it down to my Top personal five picks. One of the girls, I actually interviewed the day of the tryouts, had already been waiting in line for 3 hours!!! (#3 on the page) I hope she can go all the way and make her wait worth the while! Ok without any further ado here are my TOP 5.

My absolute #1 pick--she is gorgeous

This girl has such a cute look AND that smile!

This is the girl I interviewed who was soo sweet and stunning!

The other Tyra

Wholesome girl next door--Does anyone actually live next door to these girls?

So what do you think? I think any of these girls could be the Next Top Model. Don't forget to cast your vote on DC50tv.com! Who is your top 5?

SHOELICIOUS PICK OF THE DAY:

JESSICA SIMPSON STELANA $76.10

PRODUCT INFORMATION:

Heat things up with these sizzling-hot sandals from Jessica Simpson™.

*Leather upper.

*Hardware accents.

*1" platform.

*Man-made sole.

*4 3/4" heel.

*11.00 oz.

Say what you want about Jessica, but the girl knows her shoes. I love shopping at DSW for some of my designer kicks (without the designer prices.) I always gravitate to JS's shoes. I love the silver pewter color on these sandals. And for $76 dollars on sale and free shipping from Zappos, pick up a pair for you and your best friend!

WANT THE FUDGE WITHOUT THE PUDGE? "RECIPICK" OF THE WEEK:

GUILT FREE BROWNIES

This is a delicious ten-minute recipe to satisfy your brownie cravings and your desire to eat healthy! The recipe, if followed correctly, makes ten servings.

To make these brownies, first preheat the oven to three fifty degrees Fahrenheit. Next spray an 8 inch square baking pan with canola cooking spray.

Combine 1/2 cup unsweetened baking cocoa , 1 jar (4 oz.) prune baby food , 3 egg whites , 1 cup sugar , 1 tsp. salt , 1 tsp. vanilla , 1/2 cup flour and 1/4 cup nuts. The nuts are optional.

Bake the brownies for about half an hour or until they have the desired texture. Allow them to cool on the rack and then cut into 16 square pieces.

Each brownie contains only about .3 grams of fat.

And enjoy the fudge minus the pudge!

1. 
   

   --Vanessa xoxoxoxo