You'll Never Believe How Megan Massacre Became A Tattoo Artist

04/25/2013

Sometimes you don't find the right job, the right job finds you. That's exactly what happened to NY Ink and America's Worst Tattoo star Megan Massacre. As a teenager in Douglasville, Pennsylvania, Megan took an interest in tattoos, but when she found out how much an apprenticeship in the field would cost -- around $4,000 -- she gave up any hopes of pursuing a career.

Instead, Megan put her tattooing dreams on the backburner, finished up high school and took a smattering of community college classes. Still not sure what she ultimately wanted to do, Megan took a job in a furniture store. "The most boring job ever," she told Channel Guide magazine.

Sondra Celli's Crystal Dressing Room Brings the Bling

03/22/2013

Your favorite gypsy designer is back for an all-new season of My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding, premiering Sunday, March 24 9|8c. Sondra Celli will wow you with more unbelievable dresses -- topping even some of her most memorable designs from season one. Who could forget Priscilla's Queen of Hearts dress and party outfit? Or Annie's illuminated Snow Queen wedding gown? (See some of the best bling in this photo gallery!)

But something you won't see in the show is Sondra's one-of-a-kind dressing room at her studio in Waltham, Massachusetts. For Sondra, a day without Swarovski crystals is like a day without sunshine. To heighten her customers' experience at the studio, Sondra commissioned four of her "Blingettes" to apply more than 200,000 Swarovski crystals to a dressing room. Informally dubbed "the world's most expensive dressing room," it also features a curtain of cascading crystals in various sizes that hangs at the entrance to the room. Sondra estimates the cost of the space at $100,000.

See even more pictures of the dazzling space and other shots of Sondra's studio here. And be sure to catch the queen of bling in action when My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding premieres Sunday 9|8c!

Photo courtesy Sondra Celli Designs

Travellers Fall in Love Quickly on "My Big Fat Gypsy Valentine"

03/18/2013

In My Big Fat Gypsy Valentine, two very young brides prepare to say “I do” to the boys who stole their hearts.

Ina is 16, and she’s determined to keep the details of her big day under wraps. In fact, she’s so concerned about spoilers that she blindfolds her wedding party as they attend dress fittings! As for her own dress, it’s a phenomenal creation by burlesque costume designer Katie Birrell. For the perfect shape and effects, Katie has constructed it out of fabric typically reserved for wallpaper. That’s 180 feet of gritty, skin-stabbing fabric -– and as a precaution, Katie has built in safety devices to protect the bride’s delicate skin. But when the dress sends Ina into paroxysms of agony, will she even make it to the altar?

Danielle will be the youngest bride her priest has ever married. She’s busy making wedding preparations even though she’s not legally old enough to tie the knot –- she’ll be doing that the day after she turns 16. In the meantime, her biggest worry isn’t the dress or the party; it’s whether her groom will be sent to prison after the wedding. Danielle is crazy about Brendan (“He was my first boyfriend, and he’ll be my last,” she says contentedly), but she’s not prepared for the consequences if he’s sentenced to jail time. A gypsy wife with a husband behind bars is virtually on house arrest herself since it’s not proper for her to be out in public without him.

Will the brides get their fairytale endings? Watch My Big Fat Gypsy Valentine Sunday, March 24 8|7c and flip through pictures from the special!

--Candace Keener

Photo: DCL

Breaking: What Not To Wear Going Off The Air After Ten Seasons!

03/06/2013

 

George Lange/DCL

We never thought we'd see the day, but all good things must come to an end. After ten seasons on the air, What Not To Wear will be taking its final bow. TLC's longest-running primetime series will finish out by running its final shows on Friday nights, starting this July.

 

Are Stacy, Clinton, Carmindy and Ted sad to leave the cozy embrace of the 360 mirror? You bet. But they're also thrilled to be going out with a bang. "I'm excited about our final episodes. ... We are getting to do things we've never had the opportunity to do before, and there are many surprises in store," said host Stacy London.

Plus, both stylists have several other projects in the works. For the past two years, Clinton Kelly has served as a host on ABC's daytime talk show The Chew. And in 2012, Stacy released her first book, The Truth About Style.

"I'm proud of the work we've done and the lives we've changed," said Clinton. "And I'm relieved I don't have to point out that dark-wash jeans look dressier than light-wash jeans every day of my freakin' life."

Just how many makeovers have the crew completed? A whopping 325! That's a lot of shopping!

And WNTW had a profound impact -- not just on the style of the contributors, but on the hosts as well. “I've learned so much from all of our contributors over the years," said Stacy. "I hope we touched them as much as they touched me. I hope we touched our viewers. (I certainly see our rules in practice every day!) It feels like the end of an era and I look forward to my next chapter. I will always cherish the time I spent on WNTW and be eternally grateful to TLC for a great co-host, amazing crew and an awesome program."

"When I got the job, I told everyone I knew that we’d probably do ten episodes, get canceled and I’d go crawling back to my old job in magazine publishing," admits Clinton. So, I’m more surprised than anyone that we’ve lasted this long. As it turns out, WNTW is about taking stock of who you are and communicating that non-verbally to the rest of the world. That’s incredibly empowering.”

Share your favorite WNTW episode or moment in the comments!

 ulie Gerstein

 

Another Season of Culture Shock on "Breaking Amish"

02/26/2013

When we last saw Abe, Jeremiah, Kate, Rebecca and Sabrina, the group of young Amish and Mennonite people had collectively decided not to return to their homes.

Follow their personal journeys through Season 1 in these exclusive slideshows!

How is the first year of marriage treating Abe and Rebecca? Did Jeremiah and Sabrina rekindle their flame? And what happened to Kate's modeling career?

UPDATE: In the newly announced Breaking Amish: Brave New World, we'll pick up with the group in Florida. They're trying to make a fresh start, but some of the challenges they faced last season will resurface again as they experience culture shock, make some unexpected enemies, and struggle with finances, romance and career choices.

You won't want to miss the premiere of Breaking Amish: Brave New World May 12 10|9c!

For now, revisit the group in these digital original videos and clips from last season. Find Breaking Amish on Facebook.

Photo: DCL

"Something Borrowed, Something New" Is Family vs. Fashion

01/15/2013

It's every bride's worst nightmare. She gets engaged, and her proud mother pulls a yellowed, high-necked, bell-sleeved, '70s polyester dress from the attic. "I'd be so honored if you'd wear my wedding gown," she begs.

What's a girl to do?!

In Something Borrowed, Something New, brides plead their cases to designer Kelly Nishimoto and stylist Sam Saboura. Kelly reworks the gown -- whether it belonged to mom, grandma or even the bride's best friend -- into a garment that accurately reflects her client's shape, personality, venue and wedding theme. While she's hard at work, Sam consults with the bride at a salon and helps her find the new, contemporary gown of her dreams.

When Kelly reveals the updated gown, the bride must choose between something borrowed and something new. It's a highly emotional, high-fashion choice that is anything but easy.

Watch the sneak peek below!

Something Borrowed, Something New premieres Friday, February 8 10|9c

A Toast to Tiffany's Big Day

12/12/2012

Tiffany Young, owner of Pink Pastry Parlor, is a girly-girl through and through. "I've been a princess my entire life, but at my wedding, I'll be a queen," she explains.

Her big day is the realization of a dream she's had since she was a little girl. Growing up in the projects of Louisiana, Tiffany wanted to run her own business -- and she's doing exactly that! The successful bride is planning a $40,000 wedding for 250 guests, and she has high expectations for her venue, vendors and even her friends and family.

She's keeping her business running while missing a brother who's been in Afghanistan for three years, trying to forge a relationship with her future mother-in-law, and planning every last detail of her ceremony and reception. What's more, she's got a bridesmaid who doesn't want to wear pink...Tiffany's signature color!

As Tiffany puts it, "Everybody needs to be on their top game today," but will they get their act together in time for the bride to enjoy a picture-perfect wedding day?

Find out on Say Yes to the Dress: The Big Day, Dec. 20 10|9c. And don't forget to enter for your chance to win a trip to Paris when Say Yes to the Dress celebrates the toast of the year! Cheers to Tiffany -- and cheers to your chances for an unforgettable prize!

Watch a sneak peek of the special below!

"Jersey Brides" Go Bling or Go Home

11/07/2012

Sisters Joyce and Julie Jou know what makes Jersey brides tick. And they stock the gowns that Jersey brides crave at their boutique, Bijou Bridal.

In Jersey Brides, follow Jersey girls seeking gowns that will make them the center of attention on their big day. These girls want the best of the best of the best: dresses dripping in bling, with out-of-control silhouettes that showcase their figures.

Budgets were made to be busted, and these brides won't settle until they find their perfect gowns. Join the fray (and the fun!) on Nov. 15 @ 10|9c! And catch a special sneak peek below with an unforgettable Jersey bride!

"Bada Bling Brides" Is the Business of Getting Married

11/02/2012

In Bada Bling Brides, Vanessa D'Agostino isn't just another bride getting married. She's the daughter of Ron and Lia D'Agostino, who run Sposa Italia, a bridal salon that specializes in over-the-top glitz and glamour.

A top sales manager in the family business, Vanessa knows bridal style -- and more importantly, she knows her own style. So when her parents pressure her to wear a gown embellished with crystals, pick-ups, flowers, ruffles and more, she begins to identify with every pushed-around bride she's ever seen at the store.

The First Family of Italian bridal couture wants to represent the brand on the big day. But for Vanessa, will that mean sacrificing her own vision?

If you're craving drama, fashion and opulence (and you know you are!), get an eyeful and an earful when Bada Bling Brides premieres Thursday, Nov. 8 @ 10|9c.

Vanessa (hot pink skirt) consults with a fellow bride at Sposa Italia. (Credit: DCL)

Update: Watch a sneak peek of Bada Bling Brides below!

"Little Shop of Gypsies" Is Risky Business

10/08/2012

Thelma Madine is the unforgettable, platinum blonde dressmaker from My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding. With her outrageous gowns in high demand in UK and Irish traveler communities, she could barely keep up with the orders. Then, she had a brilliant idea.

Why not thank the clientele that popularized her designs with a totally innovative apprentice-to-employee program? Many gypsy women want to work, but cultural stereotypes make it difficult for them to get jobs. People assume gypsies are unreliable, unpredictable and uneducated. But, Thelma reasoned, if the women had a goal to work toward -- and actual training -- their futures could be quite different.

She set out to recruit 10 talented, interested candidates who would be schooled in every element of dressmaking. The challenge? They'd have to show up. Learn. Get along with their colleagues. Many doubted Thelma -- at times, she even doubted herself. But with her heart and hard-earned money invested in these gypsies, it simply had to work.

Watch Thelma's experiment play out when Little Shop of Gypsies premieres Thursday, Oct. 11 @ 10|9c.

And see a sneak peek of the all-new show below!