Mini Recap: Breaking the Code

As one romance begins, another one (or two) hangs in the balance. I was the biggest proponent of Spencer and Toby back in the day; but how quickly does a pretty face and English accent change a girl! Spencer and Wren are so utterly and completely adorbs. And Wren is just so effing hottt! Then we have Maya not returning Emily's phone calls...and what the heck happened at the end there? Maya, are you ok? Ezra actually gets the job offer in New Orleans, but Ella is starting to come 'round to the May-December lovebirds. Does this mean Ezria will stay together for ever? 

Drama-rama du jour
Melissa is (and was) way more involved in this A business than we once thought. Why is she hanging out with Garrett? What does she need to tell Spencer? I shouldn't be surprised I'm left with more questions than answers. 

Gratuitous Male Shirtlessness
...Back to zero. There's always next week. 

Best Outfit
Hanna's outfit at left. Darling little top, perfect accessorization and goddess-like hair. She hit the trifecta. 

Best 'A' Message
"You didn't bite the first time but you will." A is getting really crafty. This was attached to Mona's apple at lunch. I really hope she didn't eat it...I wouldn't put it past A to poison it.

Current 'A' Suspect
Melissa is super-duper suspicious but I don't think she's A. I'm still going with Garrett.  

Ann is giving us the scoop on her fave fashions. Look for it Thursday! 

CTRL: A - Part 1 of 2 - The Girls

As I was watching this episode for the second time collecting my wonderful screengrabs, I realized there were very few wardrobe changes. And when I don't notice the fashion choices the first time around, you know the plot is gettin' good (or I'm at least trying my darndest to figure out who A is). How Garrett was ever allowed on the police force is still a question for the gods, but since he does carry the badge, he confiscated Caleb's laptop complete with incriminating files, courtesy of A. However, that leads to one of the Top 5 Cutest Hanna-Caleb Moments ever. Aria and Holden are on the path to romance...or at least I think so; which saves Aria from being found out by her father. Emily and Maya are on the rocks (so quickly after the I-love-yous!). And finally Spencer and Jason have a nice long talk about what philandering a-hole their father is. 

The girls actually dressed fairly normal this week. Maybe so they're more prepared to chase after A? Aria kept it simple for school but piled on the accessories. She's into those long earrings lately. Does she buy certain styles of jewelry in bulk? 

Check out that bow bracelet, though. Way awesome. There's really no better way to describe it. 

I know we can't see much of this outfit, but I just feel the need to point out her fabulous hair, fabulous make-up, fabulous ring, fabulous leather jacket. I wish I could have dressed this amazing in high school. Oh wait, I did. Just KIDDING. I wore uniforms most of my school life, unfortunately. My penchant for ginormous rings (like Aria's) didn't come until college. 

No wonder Ezra loves her...

I'm not really sure the look Emily is going for. Did she borrow army fatigues from her dad? Is it her attempt to look more butch? I think I prefer the shapeless tees. 

Oh and there it is! But I think Emily is missing the point of the cut-out back. It's supposed to be open...not worn with a cami underneath. Dear Hanna, please lay out Emily's clothes for her in the morning. Sincerely, Bored of the baggy tees. 

There's Hanna in all her fabulousity. This was by far Hanna's best outfit. I couldn't quite tell what those earring were. They were super cool, almost vintage-y looking, and makes that Chanel-esque jacket all the more cooler. 

By now, I'm sure you all now that I'm usually obsessed with the nails of the characters on this show. This is no different. Hanna's nails are A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. I bet they are those Sally Hansen nail strips...I better go to the drugstore ASAP to find them! 

Hanna is totally channeling Serena van der Woodsen. Complete disregard for the weather while showing off some body part, high-waisted pants, statement bag. Yep that sounds like S. But really, does Rosewood really have no weather? Aria is wearing leather jackets and Hanna has her arms hanging out? What is this magical town where you don't need to listen to the meteorologists? 

Moving into sweater territory, Spencer brings the prep. Check out the cuffed jeans and lady loafers. So chic.  

But...is this really what she choose to wear to a party? Albeit a swim team party, but still. Not very flattering and with those weird cut-outs in the back. Is Spencer feeling the need to copy Emily's oddly cut t-shirts with her own version of that? 

There's only room for one baggy t-shirt wearer in this town, Spence, and it's not you.

CTRL: A - Part 2 of 2 - Moms and Boys

Hands down, Ashley is the best dressed mom on the small (or maybe even silver) screen. She even has a tailored apron. I secretly wish we could see what she would look like as an old lady to see if she still dresses as well or if she becomes a tracksuit grandma. I bet it's the former...

Ashely Benson and Laura Leighton are mother and daughter. Well no, not really, but don't they look completely related?! The same look on their faces, same murderous gleam in their eyes, leather jackets. What more do you need to signify mother-daughter bond? 

Then we see Ella. I swear she is always wearing the same outfit. Aria hasn't rubbed off on her yet?

Maya completely annoyed me this episode. From her outfit to her lying to Emily, she gets my vote off the island. Oh wait, wrong show. Sorry. 

But did the wardrobe department really have to dress her right out of the 70s because she was smoking pot? 

Caleb. My love. In addition to him scouring vintage shops for his incredible selection of t-shirts, I'm pretty sure he is sneaking off to Sally Hershberger for $500 haircuts because his hair is getting the PLL treatment. Must be because he is an honorary member? 

SO. CUTE. Can I be Hanna? Puh-lease! 

I can never decide what my feelings toward Jason are. Do I like him? Do I not? Do I like his hair? Do I not? So many questions. Maybe if he got rid of his fake bake then I could really decide...

I'm a more decisive when it comes to Holden. Such a cutie. Those PLL writers and casting directors knew what they were doing when adding new male eye candy to the show. 

Mini Recap: CTRL: A

If we needed any more evidence that Hanna and Caleb are the cutest, most adorable couple EVER, we got it tonight. When A put incriminating school files on Caleb's laptop at the end of last episode, Hanna saves the day by erasing said files so she and Caleb can kiss and be sickeningly sweet! In the non-A realm, dare I say Aria and Holden are developing a real romance?? She ditches Ezra so she can watch Holden at his crazy karate fight...because he has a heart condition. I did not see that one coming; it's nice to see a real-life dilemma instead of the typical, psycho A plots. 

Drama-rama du jour
Spencer and Jason finally hash out the details of their brother-sistership. A Spencer-Jason Investigator moment seems to be inevitable. 

Gratuitous Male Shirtlessness
Holden flashed us a little ab. (At left, for your viewing delight).  We'll take more of that, please.  

Best Outfit
Aria had on perfect date night attire. I'm a sucker for leather jackets. 

Best 'A' Message
"Tonight at 8:30, do you know where your daughter will be? I do. Sincerely, A" Need I point out how polite A was? Methinks he/she is getting desperate.

Current 'A' Suspect
Garrett was looking quite suspicious this week, and that pesky Detective was back, too, doubling the creepy factor.  

Kate (that's me, your fabulous PLL editor!) will be telling you how much she hated Emily's "team party" tee. Look for it on Thursday!

The Naked Truth - Part 1 of 2 - Raincoats and the Principal's Office

At the school sleepover event (aptly named Truth Up) the PLLs discover a few truths - some of which they wish they'd never discovered. Hanna and her acute observation skills uncovered none other than Kate as the sender of that naked pic. Spencer realizes that Jason and her have more in common than dysfunctional families. Oh, wait, they are family. Half-siblings, to be more exact. In less shocking but still relevant news: Hanna and Caleb are adorable, Caleb's determination to crack Hanna's phone leads to A targeting him - or rather, his laptop - the PLL moms (minus Emily's) bond over coffee and a slight dislike over Ali, Holden is most definitely a part of fight club, Jenna and Noel are beyond creepy, and Emily teams up with Mona against Mr. Tamborelli to make up the most unlikely of friendships. Mona, apparently, knows a lot about computers and the school...not to mention school officials. Hmm...

Let's start off with the mysterious red trench that Spencer picked up with the mysterious claim ticket. For some reason, I can totally see Ali wearing something like this, with sunglasses and dark skinny jeans. I may need to invest in a red trench coat myself.

We here at YKYLF love to talk about the PLL's gorgeous manes of hair perfection but our second favorite topic? Nail color! Love how always on-trend the PLL Make-up department is, but especially love how realistic they are as well... teenagers with chipped polish is so typical.

Aria has been bringing us some funky accessories lately. This quirky Marc Jacobs Grosbeak Fauna necklace coordinates perfectly with her outfit, which I love. That printed dress and neon belt pair wonderfully well. The belt is a great accessory piece that speaks to the ever-growing neon trend. But this is Aria, so of course she adds...

A pair of matching Jeffrey Campbell neon clogs. It looks like something you'd wear to an 80s gardening party.

Back in prepster territory, Spencer's got her ever-present watch and her perfectly double cuffed sweaters. The outfit itself is classic Spence, although I'm still trying to work out whether or not that plaid shirt belongs to Toby.

Spencer: "I thought we'd agreed to leave the slouchy sweaters behind, Emily?"

 Emily: "It's my signature. Duh."

I would really like a peek into Emily's closet and dresser. How does she keep all those oversized tees organized? There must a room somewhere in the Marin house devoted solely to Emily's t-shirts...and maybe Hanna's old fat clothes. 

Like mother like daughter, no? Love Ashley's well-tailored, work-approriate, frankly-kind of expected-but-still-great, dress. Especially love Hanna's red top - the shoulders with the mini fringes are adorable. But overall, they're both still dressed impeccably.

And on the opposite side - it's quite clear boring, nondescript outfits run in the Randall family. (Also: Kate's kicked puppy dog face? A+. I almost believed her. Almost.)

Because I can't help but think that Ashley is checking out Isabel's ring and thinking, "My diamond was bigger."

Hanna couldn't quite last playing the sophisticated, resposible step-sister and decided to just wear a blanket off of one shoulder...that is not a fur-trimmed poncho, mmkay?

Ashley, however always stays in her put-together, structured looks. She undoubtedly has the best style of any mother in the TV world. She looks perfectly coiffed even though she's at home and doubting her daughter's innocence.