Pull It Off - June 2009

Have you ever seen a model on a runway or in a magazine spread wearing that perfect designer outfit that is so outside your price range? 

Or maybe you've seen a look on a celebrity and thought to yourself, "I could work that, only better." 

Now we want you to put your creativity to the test and your money where your mouth is. 

 We'll inspire you with a number of hot, designer looks and celebrity sightings and in return you will recreate or reinterpret it -- while still maintaining the outfit's original integrity -- on a shoestring budget.  But now you're only half-way done.

Signature Style: swag6894

"Signature Style" puts the fashion spotlight on "regular" gay men across the country, because we want to see your style! Today, swag6894 shows off his look.

Describe the sensation you get after you make a killer find.

Euphoric. When I see something that catches my eye, I get overly excited. And I must have it, regardless of the price tag. You can not put a price on looking good.

Do you put a lot of effort into selecting the perfect underwear?

No, not at all. As long as the design is cute, and it is a size small, then I will get it.

Pride Events for Early June

Utah Pride Festival - "Pride. Voice. Action" June 5-7
Salt Lake City, UT
http://www.utahpridecenter.org/

Cleve Jones, who interned with Harvey Milk, spearheaded the creation of the AIDS Memorial Quilt and co-founded the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, will be honored as the Grand Marshal for this year’s festival and parade. Comedienne Paula Poundstone headlines on the main stage. DJ Kyle & DJ Nick James provide late-afternoon dance beats on the north and south stages.

2009 Boston Pride Guide

For over 39 years Boston Pride has organized a week of amazing events, including the week-topping Parade and Festival -- and Boston has plenty to be proud of. Not only does the city host the largest Pride celebration in New England (over 1 million participants), but the community also celebrates in the first state to allow same-sex couples the legal right to marry.

Hell Bent on Fashion: Rob Halford Talks New Clothing Line

When Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford emerged onstage head-to-toe in glass, leather and steel in the late 70's, he not only made a fashion statement but also created what would become a style template for future metal heads – and fans – to follow.  In other words, if Deep Purple and Black Sabbath gave metal its sound, then Judas Priest gave it its look.   

As a legendary tastemaker, it's hardly shocking that Halford, the multi-Gold and Platinum vocalist, songwriter and producer is launching the new, aptly-titled clothing company Metal God Apparel. The collection features fitted t-shirts with intricate patterns of skulls, crossbones and guitars and titles like "Studs & Spikes," "Resurrection" and "Eternal Chaos."   This is the rock 'n' roll-inspired collection that Ed Hardy wishes that he had put out. 

Swapping Is The New Shopping

The turtleneck from designer Marc Jacobs costs hundreds of dollars at Neiman Marcus or Saks Fifth Avenue. But at one Brooklyn bar, the charcoal-gray sweater was free for the taking, along with jeans, belts and shoes.

The neighborhood watering hole called Sycamore will never be mistaken for a department store, but for some recession-battered consumers, it's serving a similar purpose. It's a chance to update their wardrobes and capture the adventure of shopping without having to open their wallets.

"It's guilt-free shopping," says Shannon McDowell, a bartender and swapper.

Dish: Party In The Backyard

It should be a law: To host a Memorial Day backyard party, you should be required to either have a killer backyard or be such an entertaining host your guests forget any shortcomings.

Of course, you're both -- so why not provide an alternative to the bore-b-qs and invite everyone to a fabulous fiesta at your place?

No need for advance planning if you follow a few tasty tips. (PS: This advice works just as well as a beach or park.)

Pride Starts With You!

Spring kicks off the huge gay Pride celebrations all over the United States. It is a great time for the LGBT community to celebrate and allow us to take pride in our sexuality and who we love.

But do you take pride in yourself? How do you show it every day? Sure, we celebrate when we get a promotion at work, spend another year with our loved one or finish a college degree but these only occur once in a while. You do things each day you should be proud of and celebrate. They may not be milestones, but they make up who you are.

Here are three great ways to build up pride in yourself and celebrate who you are as an individual:

Rainbow Rooms: Great Pride Hotels

Get cool digs in five hot cities this Pride season. We've taken the guesswork out of finding a hotel and lined up a trio of great base camps.

One option is located close to the festivities, requiring little more than stumbling out the door to find the revelry. One spot caters to the budget-minded Pride traveler, and one choice is a little further afield, close enough to attend the Pride events, but removed enough -- in location or attitude -- to allow a break from the rainbow flag-waving.

Make Memorial Day Memorable

Hi ladies. I realize that taking underwear advice from a man might seem counter-intuitive, but I actually have a bit of expertise in the women's underwear market, despite that fact that I don't wear it myself. My name is Michael Kleinmann and I'm the President of Freshpair.com. In case you don't know us, we are one of the leading online retailers of both men's and women's intimate apparel. Plus, I have lots of female friends and for a reason that is still not completely discernible to me, they like to tell me all about their underwear preferences.