Before I tell you all about the goings on of this weekend, I am going to have to tell you about this musical called “Pageant” currently showing at the 14th Street Playhouse on the corner of 14th Street and Juniper Avenue in Midtown Atlanta.

Ok, picture it, I am just tweeting away when I receive a tweet from @pageantatlanta asking me if I would be a guest judge.  How exciting, right?  I mean, I have only been in Atlanta for a few months and already I am being asked to judge something.  But, hold the phone…what or who am I judging?!  I started getting concerned when I realized that I just committed to be a judge for something that I knew nothing about, and for all I know, I could be judging the 8th annual “Owner Pet look-a-like Contest” of south Peachtree Road.  Can’t you just see that, me crowning some lady named Trixie and her Chug (chihuahua-pug mix) Mipsy, the 2011 Miss South Peachtree Road!  At any rate, I digress.

So off I went to the Pageant Atlanta web site to check it out.  This musical has received ample praise from the New York Times as well as the London Times and had plenty of praise all over YouTube as well.

Perhaps I have gotten ahead of myself.  You are more than likely thinking, “what does a musical need a judge for anyway?” You see the whole premise of the show is that these 6, ummm,  well…girls (played by men) are competing to be the next Miss Glamouresse, a beauty company much like Mary Kay (can I say that?)  The characters range from the Bible Beating “Miss Bible Belt” to the rough and tumble yet oddly seductive “Miss Texas,” who I actually voted for to win.  Now, this is where the judges come into play.  The winner of this “Pageant” is determined nightly by the guest judges, so every night there is a chance of a different “girl” winning the grand title and crown.  I literally laughed from the time the curtain opened to the time I got to shake the hands of the cast after the show.  A simple blog doesn’t even begin to describe this show.  Let me tell you, this is a perfect date night destination, as you will find yourself laughing for the remainder of the night with your special someone while humming the tune, “I’m banking on Jesus, cause Jesus is my co-signer” (you will  just have to see the show to understand). I encourage everyone to check them out and don’t wait too late to see it either.  Oh and take some cash. They have a cocktail bar – I was in heaven.  The house staff are all so incredibly friendly and set the whole tone for the night as you enter the theater.  I don’t want to continue and give too much away.  All I can say is, “to Dustin Lewis and the rest of the extremely talented cast and crew, thank you for sharing such a great show and experience with me.  I was honored to be asked to judge and thanks to all of you, sore from laughing (I’m not kidding I really laughed that hard).”

For those of you that know me, it comes as no surprise that I like to travel with a crowd.  Last night was, of course, no exception.  After the show we walked over to the W Midtown Hotel where I ran into someone we will call Z, a good friend of mine, just before he and his friends jumped into the limo for the evening.  I was super temped to go, but alas I decided I should head home and take a rain check – not like me I know!

Here’s the thing, Friday evening lasted a bit longer than expected.  Notice that I said evening, because it sounds better than saying early Saturday morning.  I won’t bore you with the details of things, but I will give you a basic rundown of the events…

…cocktails at my apartment…call for the car…cocktails on the roof of JE’s building overlooking the city…call for the car…Burkhart’s…cocktails…drag queen…members only jacket….drag queen…call for the car…Blake’s on the Park…cocktails…”hey how are you”… “no I didn’t hear that”… drag queen… “oh hide, it’s my ex”… shots with JE… call for the car… ride home singing “Don’t Worry be Happy” with the Jamaican driver..  and may or may not have ended with the pool and Waffle House.  I can’t confirm or deny anything! (wink)

So now you understand why last night; a great show, a cocktail at the W Midtown, a late dinner at Cow Tippers in Midtown, and then off to bed was just perfect!

Oh that reminds me, not sure why, but it does,… anyone know when my birthday is…coming up soon…Just guess how old I will be….

The Holiday party season is rapidly approaching; please remember, Living an M Famous life is more than great parties and beautiful people…It is doing so responsibly.  ALWAYS “Call for the Car” or have a designated driver!

MUAH!

Christopher Macken

Find me on Facebook and Twitter

It is Wednesday of a shorter week thanks to the Monday holiday.  As you all know, Wednesday means that another burning style question will be answered in order to assist you in living an M Famous life!  Check back each Wednesday for new tips, tricks and even a few giggles.  If you have a question, please feel free to share it with me.  Email your questions to, askmfamous@christophermacken.com.

This week’s question was emailed to me at askmfamous@christophermacken.com.

Jen from Marietta, GA says, “Hi there! So excited to FINALLY get the answer to this question!  I love to read the trash magazines, Us, OK, Life & Style, and I have noticed that the stars like Jen Aniston and Sandra Bullock are wearing brown with black.  They look great, but can I do that, too?  My friends say no, but I wanted to get your thoughts.  Thanks!”

Jen, thanks for the great question!  This is one of the more common questions of the season.  Your friends are only slightly correct.  Throughout many fashion journals and guidebooks, which by the way change from season to season and fad to fad, this has been a combo that has been widely frowned upon.  However, there has been a minor shift in the fashion plates of late.  Though this is still very touchy ground, I am going to say that, yes, sometimes you can.  Let me give you an example. Notice here the lady isn’t

wearing an entire black outfit with the brown jacket – that would kill the look.  She has kept it casual by wearing a dark wash blue jean.  This technique is an important key in combining the two colors,.  With this outfit, the accessories and boots are definitely what make it work.  The brown leather jacket has been given a purpose with the addition of the knee high brown leather boot, which I am going to hope are a “riding boot style” – NO HEAL. The addition of the brown leather bag suggests a consciousness of all of these fashion choices.  Let’s face it people, some women (and men) can walk into a room wearing their 1983 Levi jeans tight-rolled and converse shoes and pull off the dated look all because of their personality.  If you are going to wear brown and black together, my advice is to “Own the Choice” to rock it by accessorizing with the most important addition to any outfit, the confidence that you like the way you look.

P.S.- this will however be a passing acceptable fad so please do not grow comfortable combining the two “swatch crossed lovers” of Brown and Black…

Be M Famous,

Christopher Macken

Find me on Facebook and Twitter

Hello everyone and Happy Labor Day!   You know what the means – pack up your white clothes and put away your linen.  Move your close-toed shoes and boots to the front of the line.  You will just have to go through a couple of months where it is a bit to warm for comfort, right?

WRONG….Slow down Mary…You don’t have to do a complete 180 just because it is after Labor Day! The seasons transition, and so can you.  As I have stated many times in my style advice, the fashion rulebook is changing constantly, and this season could not be a better example.  The old adage, “rules are meant to be broken” will sometimes come into play in the world of beauty and all things fashion.  I would like to, in this special edition blog, clarify some of the “myths” that have enslaved you.

Let’s start from the ground up.  Your choice in footwear should be, in my opinion, the most noted change in your wardrobe.  As the weather begins to cool and give way to the fall chill, you should be conscious of wearing strappy sandals and heals.  This option just simply doesn’t work.  It is a style choice that will lead people’s eye to your feet and have them wrinkling their brow in confusion.  Also, I have to say that stark white shoes just have to be put away.  Obviously tennis shoes will always remain acceptable in white, however your white pumps and flats should hibernate until Easter Sunday.  This does not mean that you must jump directly to your knee high brown leather boots and wool skirt.  Be conscious of the seasons and the weather.  Global warming has set a new path for comfort and style.  If it is going to be a 90 degree October day then, of course, your footwear can be appropriate.  A peep toe heal is one option that can always be made to look seasonally appropriate.

White pants/skirts…I can feel you agonizing over this choice from here!  I have great news for you – white has become a style staple in almost every season.  Don’t be afraid to wear your white jeans or knee length skirt just because it is the Tuesday after Labor Day, especially here in the south where our climate change doesn’t fully begin to take hold until after Thanksgiving.  The key to pulling of this look is that the length of your skirt and shorts should increase.  I, for one, have never been a huge fan of a super short mini skirt or shorts that borderline on vulgar, unless you happen to be on the cast of an adult review; but to each their own.  Coordinate a pencil skirt with a beautiful peep toe pump for a stylish yet seasonally appropriate professional look.  For the fashion conscious man you can continue to wear your shorts and linen as long as you are aware of the temperature outside.  Remember, even Don Johnson knew when to adorn himself with a heavier fabric in cold weather.

It is no secret that southerners love to wear bright colors.  Please keep in mind that as the leaves turn, your palette choices should become deeper and more muted.  Fall and winter is not the time for a bright lime green or pink top.  Instead go for a forest green or hunter and your pink can transition to a deep coral (if your skin tone allows). Remember that the darker you go with coral, the more you run the risk of pulling more of an orange hue, which doesn’t always work for everyone.  If you like to wear a lot of blue, simply transition into something that is more navy or midnight.  The colors for this season are vast and all are very deep, very rich choices.  Don’t think that you must simply resort to black, brown and grey because it is after Labor Day. Continue to stay in the colors that you prefer, just bring your choices back from the “Florida Keys” to the “Suburbs”.  The last thing that you want is to walk into your next PTA meeting and have everyone think that you just returned from vacation.

This Fall layering is HUGE.  From all the most popular Houses of Gucci, Prada, Versace and many more with vests scarves and heavy outerwear, including fur (FAUX I hope), accessorizing is something to definitely look forward to as the air chills.  Don’t aim to look like you just got back from the arctic, but there is nothing wrong with stocking up on all the things that will make you the fashion icon of your social circle and office.

All in all I would stress to everyone to take a look in the mirror.  If you doubt it, there is a reason.  If it looks a bit too summery, then it probably is.  Stay true to your own personal style, but be sure to walk the fine line between being who you are and being a fashion disaster.  My fashion tip for this holiday weekend is, ” Self reflection is the new black!”

Enjoy all the new styles and trends and as always…  BE M FAMOUS!!!!!

Christopher Macken

P.S.- Don’t forget to email in your style questions to askmfamous@christophermacken.com.  Email pictures of potential outfits, and I will advise you promptly.  Take care and be safe. No drinking and driving!  Calling a cab is the most CHIC decision you can make!!!!!

Happy Wednesday – How is everyone doing?!

The Ask M Famous question this week comes from a dear friend of mine who is preggers and due in November.  I just love her!  In conversation over frozen yogurt, which just happens to be her caving of the month, she begged me to help her with her morbid fear of the dreaded stretch marks.  BTW, if you have a burning question, please feel free to share it with me.  Email your questions to, askmfamous@christophermacken.com

So here we go,  “Do creams, oils, etc. really work to prevent stretch marks?”

Well now, this question is one that I had to research.  The odds of me ever becoming “with child” are about as good as me ever knowing what baseball team is favored to win the Super Bowl!  But alas, I digress…

What I have found thus far is this: If you want to keep your belly from looking like a satellite image of the desert taken from the Hubble Telescope, check out this product…

Bella Mama Cocoa Butter

Not only does this product claim that it works, but some of the most famous pregnant celebs have used it to regain their taut figures.   Angelina Jolie, Heidi Klum, Trista Sutter, Melania Trump and Jennifer Garner have all reportedly used this product and given it rave reviews.

Still many articles do insist that stretch marks are inherited, and try as you may, you will either get them or not.  I find this hard to believe, because I feel that it is a matter of your skin’s elasticity that gives it the ability to bounce back from child birth better than Brittany Spears in her last come back tour. Continue Reading »