OFF TO A GREAT START

Posted Sep 29 2008 @ 12:11 PM

Not wasting any time getting her career switch rolling, Jessica Simpson gave Canucks a taste of her particular brand of country on Sept 25, lighting up the stage for fans in Ontario, Canada. Though I don’t think this is one of her best looks, I think she does look much healthier and down-to-earth, ie more like a country star less like a pop diva! For her onstage ‘fit, Jess chose a pair of classic bootcut jeans (like True Religion’s Rainbow Joey in Medium Lovestruck) paired with a cleavage enhancing white eyelet top with girly puff sleeves (if you like the señorita look, try Cake Couture’s Mexico Pleated Top in White) and debuted a very natural, voluminous straightened blonde mane. The girl is prone to over-accessorize, but I think here she finally got in right, adding a pop of color with her green pendant necklace (try Robyn Rhodes’ Rumi Necklace in Gold, which is not only beautiful but also helps the environment), a set of matching gold bangles (keep it simple with Accessories & Beyond’s Braided Cuff in Gold) and a classic brown belt (similar to Pellemelle’s Double Ring Belt in Chocolate) completing her cowgirl-next-door look. And she finally left the cowboy boots at home – well done, Jess! I have to assume practice makes perfect, as Ms. Simpson has been doing her share of county fair appearances since her “break-through” album Do You Know was released a few weeks ago. Jess even treated us West coast inhabitants to a healthy dose of twang last week at the Los Angeles County Fair last week on Sept 20, giving some very special fans a chance to see her live. Jessica’s very pregnant little sis, Ashlee Simpson, and her rocker hubby, Pete Wentz, were in the stands snapping pics, although I have to say Pete looked like he’d rather be watching grass grow than be stuck at a county fair listening to his sister-in-law belt out her newest hits. Against all predictions, ratings for Jess’s country album have actually been quite positive, with the album climbing to the top of the country chart and ranking fourth in sales in its first week after selling over 65,000 copies. Not bad… just don’t compare the sales to her last release, A Public Affair, which sold over 100k copies in the first few days on the shelves! I guess the pop market is more forgiving than those hard to please country fans who keep pummeling Ms. Simpson’s live performances. Jess spoke out about her success, “I’m extremely touched by the overwhelmingly positive response to the album. There is so much honesty and raw emotion in there. And, I’m just thrilled that country fans are giving it a chance!” Have any of you had a chance to listen to Jess’s new tunes?

Jessica Simpson seen in Ontario, Canada on Sep 25 2008.