Oh poor Mike Delfino. How sad was this episode? It has been awhile since I have had a good cry at a television episode (ok, Glee's double-hitter suicide attempt and car accident cliff hanger had me bawling). But seriously when little MJ put that baseball mitt on his daddy's casket, I lost it. Mike’s (James Denton) funeral on the March 18 episode of Desperate Housewives turned out to be more than just a tearjerker, as the women of Wisteria Lane used their memories of him to reflect on some of their past hardships — and realized what needs to be done to conquer their current demons. This was brilliant and a great reflection of the wonderful character that James Denton has portrayed.

Good old Susan (Teri Hatcher) was obviously the housewife most devastated by Mike’s death. Her speech about having to say goodbye to her husband was heart wrenching, and I’d be surprised if any longtime fan of the show didn’t shed a few tears while she envisioned Mike in heaven. But through this, she’s going to find the courage to stand on her own two feet — with the help of her friends, of course.

For Gaby (Eva Longoria), Mike’s selflessness — he even died protecting a friend — forced her to see the good in Carlos’ (Ricardo Chavira) decision to quit his job and focus on helping people. To be fair, though, Gaby has had similar revelations in the past; I’ll be curious to see if she feels the same way next week.

Lynette (Felicity Huffman) was inspired by Mike dedication to his marriage, giving her the motivation she so desperately needed to fight for Tom (Doug Savant). Maybe she won’t end the series single, after all.

But no one is in a worse situation that Bree (Marcia Cross), who was called down to the police station for more questioning. Her mother may have taught her well — we learned that Bree’s creepy poker face is in an inherited trait — but there’s one thing even the best liar can’t cover up: fingerprints! The police matched Bree’s to ones found on Ramón’s body. No, no, no! My favorite character cannot be going to jail. Here's where I am confused though, and maybe one of your faithful viewers or fans of the show can help me. The first episode, the pilot, featured a soon-to-be dead Mary-Alice receieving a blue note in the mail that was blackmail. These notes were identical to the one's that Orson had sent Bree. So did Orson know Mary-Alice or is a coicidence that the stationary and font were all the same? I feel as if too many issues with Orson are similar to the past...and if so, is there enough time to figure this all out before the finale?

As one of the detectives put it, they want to “put this bitch away.” I’m scared for Bree perfect Van De Camp.

“Zest is the secret of all beauty. There is no beauty that is attractive without zest.”

Christian Dior

What is your dream? My dream is to be a successful childrenswear designer. I know what it takes to be successful and I have the passion, determination and the knowledge of what is missing in the world of kids' clothing. I absolutely dream and long for the day that someone pays me for my designs for a good quality childrenswear company. I have a marketing and business degree to back me in my dreams. I have taken numerous textile and fabric courses and will be taking sewing courses soon as well. I want to be able to know my fabrics better and to gain knowledge in everything possible. I will be making an online portfolio to showcase my sketches in hopes that someday it will lead to my dream. When you dream of sketches and designs, you know you are made for something better than just average. I have worked for years in children's retail and I know what is missing in a mass market. I believe you should be able to find fine designs that are modern but vintage influenced and for prices that everyone can afford.

Keep on reading...here's to a scary but hopefully successful future.

M. ♥

"Then followed that beautiful season...Summer....
Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape
Lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood."

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

photos courtesy of: ELLE UK via Roberto Cavalli's Facebook

Victoria's Secret model Doutzen Kroes appears on the April 2012 issue of Vogue Paris, dressed in a sparking silver Givenchy ensemble. Captured by David Sims, Doutzen poses with her hair tossed to one side as she shows off the amazing sequin embellished outfit, which has been completed with two of the label's statement shark-tooth necklaces.

Michigan-based nonprofit the Ecology Center tested 99 different samples of costume jewelry sold at Claire's, H&M, Forever 21, Walmart, Hot Topic, and Target, among other stores, for lead, cadmium, chromium, nickel, brominated flame retardants, chlorine, mercury, and arsenic. And more than half of the items contained high levels of hazardous chemicals. In fact: "Twenty-seven of the products had greater than 300 ppm lead, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)'s lead limit in children's products. Chromium and nickel, which often cause allergic reactions, were found in over 90 percent of items. Cadmium, a toxic metal that has been the basis for several jewelry and toy recalls ... was found in 10 percent of the samples." So, scratch these suckers off your shopping list — Claire's Gold 8 Bracelet Set, Forever 21's Long Pearl Flower Necklace, Walmart's Silver Star Bracelet, and Target's Silver Charm Necklace. Or just think of how elegant each would look paired with a hazmat suit.

via NY Times Magazine...