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New York Fashion Week - Rebecca Minkoff - Style360

When you think of Rebecca Minkoff, you think of bags.Totes, hobos, satchels and the like in luscious colors,

soft supple fabrics, and shapes that call to your soul. You see them, and have the urge to buy one immediately. The above bag, The Nikki Hobo is available at Bloomies now.

So, when I had gotten the invite for the Rebecca Minkoff presentation on September 14, 2009 as part of the Style360 New York Fashion Week events, I knew I had to see those amazing works of art; I just didn't know that I'd also see a fashion show.

Her spring bags come in all sizes; from tiny clutches to huge oversized hobos. Lots of the bags had dangling strings attached to them. I hesitate to say  fringe, because one or two strings a fringe doesn't make.

bags ranged in color from butter yellow, bold orange, blue, to deep black. Lots of studded and zip details too.

As for the clothing; according to the program notes, Minkoff was inspired by Gianni Versace, early 90's Tim Burton and photographer Peter Lindbergh. How did it translate on the runway? Lots of black and white, animal prints and a style that says, "don't touch that cookie." some of the pieces were wearable, some looked dated. It's hard to channel a designing icon like Versace, and not have some of the clothing look like it should be hanging in Bloomie's Designer's Salon circa 1991.

Do these examples make your heart flutter? Would you wear them this spring?

Valemont - MTV's Shortest Supernatural Series Debuts Tonight!

MTV really knows their audience. Who watches them? People who think The Hills, The City, Laguna Beach, et al are non-scripted reality tv shows.  They're short on intellect, long on lemming-like behavior, and once plunked in front of that channel, they haven't the strength to hit the remote to watch something challenging.

Playing into their lack of depth, MTV is debuting a scripted, supernatural mystery series that will run exactly two and a half minutes (2:30) between the season premiere of The Hills and The City. Whether or not people will be able to distinguish the show from a long form advert is anyone's guess.

Here's the plot -Sophie (pictured),  our heroine infiltrates the elitist Valemont (I keep calling it Valmont- de Laclos would slap me) University trying to find out the why and how of Eric, her older brother's disappearance. She also uncovers family histories and other spooky things. Along the way she meets the archetypes we have grown to love and hate. The spoiled rich bitch, the Adonis,  The Cruel Jokester, etcetera, etcetera. Sounds like Hex meets Skins meets Medium. After the debut on TV, the 23 concluding episodes will be found on-line at MTV.com

Kristen Hager is Sophie

Eric Balfour is Eric Balfour

Other cast members include Nikki Blonsky, Dillon Casey,  and Jessica Parker Kennedy.

The website is interactive, and you, yes you, can enroll in the Uni! Who knows what you'll find walking across the quad.

Are you going to watch it? Do you think this is dumb?

Cougars and Cubs: No, we're not talking Animal Planet

First there was Samantha from SATC, then that Jane Seymour episode in How I Met Your Mother, countless jokes, a few websites, two bad reality shows and now....drumroll please!

The California Cougar Convention is coming! Yup, November 6th, that's a Friday - you can sleep off the hangover on Saturday- it's a mostly all day event at the Beverly Hills Crowne Plaza Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA. LUCIA, "Queen of the Cougar Jungle" and author of Lucia's Lessons of Love will deliver the keynote address. And one lucky woman will be crowned Miss Cougar California during this shindig. Hmm, should it be Mrs. or Ms?

Anyway if you're around that area and want to see young men, oops cubs, and older women chasing each other down the halls of the hotel, or attend eithe their rapid dating mixer or their dance party - they are packing a lot into one day -check out their website Cougar Events.

So, what do you think of this whole cougar deal? Are you for it? Against it? Would you do it?

Keds and PRO-Keds Team Up with Opening Ceremony!

Look at those killer kicks. They're the newest collaboration between Keds, PRO-Keds and Opening Ceremony. The line of limited edition sneakers will make their debut, Thursday, September 10, 2009 during Fashion's Night Out in New York City.

There are nine styles that will appeal to men and women. This photo is from the women's collection.

The entire collection ($75 a pair) will be available at Opening Ceremony in New York, Los Angeles and Japan, and online at OpeningCeremony.

Opening Ceremony's Creative Director Humberto Leon said (about the collection), "“We’re really excited about the way this collaboration came out. The shoes feel and read exactly what we wanted – something that’s classic and something that’s cool,”

Wanna see the shoes in action? Wanna learn more about the collection? Watch the video!

OPENING CEREMONY X KEDS/PROKEDS from PK09 on Vimeo.

So, do you buy limited edition sneakers? Do you have any childhood memories of Keds? Leave a comment!

Hello Kitty is a Flash Drive

In case you weren't aware of it, Hello Kitty has a complete line of USB flash drives. Hello Kitty aficionados own Hello Kitty cosmetics, clothing, toasters, phones, flash drives and yes, even vibrators. Fun In Fields ($24.95) celebrates Hello Kitty's 35 anniversary in world domination. Mimoco and Sanrio have been collaborating in an entire series of flash drives Even if you're not a Hello Kitty collector, the new flash drive  Fun In Fields is a charming way to take your documents with you. The drive has 2GB, 4GB, 8GB capacities,Hi-speed USB 2.0, Mac/PC compatible and is only 2.5" tall by 1" wide.

Look at her, isn't she adorable? I'm not sure how professional you'd look whipping out one of these babies in the middle of a meeting, but she's darn cute.

You can find Hello Kitty, Kid Robot, Star Wars, Tokidoki USB flash droves at Mimobot, the home of designer flash drives.

Do you have a character flash drive? Would you buy a Hello Kitty flash drive? Do you think they're silly? Please leave a comment and share!

The Backstreet Boys & Vampires - A Winning Combination

The Backstreet Boys are back with a new release; THIS IS US. It'll be hitting the stores on October 6th. While I don't profess to be a fan, my musical tastes lean more towards, Electro, DJs (PVD, Armin, Junior Vasquez etc), Indie, Metal (esp Italian Metal-Lacuna Coil), Dance, Baroque, Operettas-yes, I am all over the road! I was sent this video from the good folks over at Big Hassle Media, and immediately fell in love with the song and the video.

SInce this is a holiday weekend, what better way to kick it off with a video that features both the Backstreet Boys, who are definitely eye candy and vampires. Watch out the for the surprise ending. Killer. No, that wasn't a hint.

Are you diggin' the vid? Like the song?Hate the song?

Please leave me a comment and let me know!

Have a fab Labor Day weekend!

Going To Brazil

There's a certain mystique about a Brazilian Wax. Everyone and their mother is familiar with the basic Bikini Wax. However, the Brazilian? Ask your girlfriends who got one, and you'll most likely get giggles followed by grimaces of pain. Press them for deets, and it's like asking them the most personal question in the world.

According to Victoria, an esthetician at Janna Beauty Spa in New York City, Brazilian Waxes have been popular for over seven years, and they seem to be a must-do for Valentine's Day.  There was an episode of SATC where there was an ancillary plot line about Brazilians, even though they weren't mentioned by name. Perhaps that's why they became such a hot ticket.

Anyway, in the interest of science and the desire to pamper myself, I decided get one. I went to Pretty City and printed out a coupon for a Brazilian at Janna. A $40 Brazilian Wax for $18, you can't go wrong.

I had no idea what I was in for, no idea at all. I nervously explained to Victoria that I had never done this before,  she calmly reassured me that it would be relatively painless and take 10 minutes. Relatively is the key word here. The procedure started; not bad, just like a basic Bikini Wax. Then the screaming began. Followed by punching a fist into a wall, followed by massive whimpering, gasping for air, odd gynecological poses, and the piece de resistance, flipping onto my stomach, and then flipping back onto my back.

Thank the lord I can walk! Seriously, Victoria was patient, kind and all that you look for when hunting for an esthetician who knows what she's doing. I highly recommend checking this salon out if you're in New York City.

Aside from their Brazilian special, for the month of September you can get a mani/pedi for $30. They sell Jane Iredale cosmetics and Yonka skin care.

Oh, and there's free coffee! The sitting area like the salon, is tastefully decorated and peaceful. Sadly, the treatment rooms aren't soundproofed. I apologize to all waiting outside.

Janna Beauty Spa

28 Greenwich Avenue

Between 10th Street and St. Charles Street

212-352-8480

If you go, please let them know that you read about here.

So, have you had a Brazilian? Would you do it again or not? Leave me a comment and let me know!

Win a $500 Gift Card from Bath & Body Works!

A season means new things; new clothes, new men or women in your life, new events and new fragrances.

You can't wear a summer fragrance in the fall. It won't smell the same. The weather, the mood, your skin, well it all influences how we feel and how we smell.

P.S. I Love You is Bath & Body Works new fall scent is P.S. I Love You ($5-$30). It's a romantic and warm scent. Like all romantic fragrances it contains roses (Scarlet velvet rose, Yellow rose accord), but it also contains hints of citrus, sandalwood, exotic incense and Riesling Vitessence. These are a few of the deliciously extravagant ingredients that comprise this unforgettable scent. Having road-tested, I can honestly say it's gotten rave upon rave.  I think it's because it's not overwhelming, it just makes people want to get closer to you, and that's not a bad thing.

To celebrate the P.S. I Love You's launch-yes it's launching today -Bath & Body Works is giving you a chance to win a $500 gift card. Just go to Share the Love and tell them about someone or something that makes your heart sing.  What brings you joy? What makes you smile and feel 10 feet tall? Tell them your story and that's how you can win $500 worth of goodies from Bath & Body Works. If you've ever wanted to shout your happiness to the rooftops, today is the chance to do it!

More VH1 Reality Shows in Your Future

C'mon, admit it, as much as you can't stand reality shows, you just keep watching them. It's like slowing down when you see an accident; it may be horrible, but it's fascinating too.

VH1 in their infinte wisdom-um, didn't they learn anything from the Megan Wants A Millionaire debacle, will giving viewers more, not less reality shows in the near future. Here's their fall line up:

Eddie Griffin: Going for Broke - premieres September 14, 2009. We get to watch a comedian with eight children and five exes try to make alimony and child support.

Tough Love:Season Two - premieres November 15, 2009. More desperate, neurotic women in search of a man, not sanity. BTW- it premieres on my birthday....hint....hint.

Sex Rehab With Dr.Drew -premieres November 1, 2009. Hmm, is there anything this man is not an expert of?  I mean, really. Is he going to be the host of a show for the style challenged next?

I Want to Work for Diddy:Season Two - premieres November 2, 2009. We get to watch more people debase themselves for a job. How many meldowns per episode is the burning question.

Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew - premieres January 10, 2010. See! See! Ah well, we get to see more of his tie collection.

Oh no, I'm not immune to the strangeness that is reality television. Come Thursday nights I am glued to Bravo for their Real Housewives franchise. Atlanta and New Jersey are tied for all-time crassness. As much as their behavior boggles my mind, I can't help watching the insanity unfold. Being a NY'er, I've bumped into Alex McCord at a few events and am convinced she'll go to the opening of an envelope.

Ah well, if they're going to keep pumping them out, why can't they document my search for a sane single man who makes me laugh?

Style Rules

Style like anything else is subjective, not objective. However, I've been through enough dressing rooms and closets to figure out some basic style rules.

1. Look before you leap. Use the mirror to not only check out the front of the outfit, but also the side and rear views. No one likes a wardrobe malfunction.
2.  Just because it's tight, doesn't mean its sexy. Unless you're stripper.  If the outfit is positively gynecological, do you want an exam? In public?
3. "Any color can be considered a neutral." Maternity designer Liz Lange told me this, and it's true.
4.  Proportion. If you're wearing a tight top, go for a loose bottom. See rule 2.
5.  "Mom the other kids are doing it!" Just because something's in for 5 minutes, doesn't mean you have to slavishly follow it.  If you look like crap in the trend, don't, just don't do it.
6. Go Vintage! If you can't afford to compete with people who can afford higher end goods, wear something that's vintage. On the plus side, fewer people will have the item, vintage clothing is made incredibly well, and you'll be thought of as a style leader instead of a follower.
7. If going vintage, don't go all out so you look like a period piece. There's a difference between looking chic and looking like you're wearing a costume.
8. Size matters. Don't buy something if it doesn't fit. You'll either never wear it, or you'll be uncomfortable in it.
9. Be comfortable. Yes, you can be chic and comfortable too.
10. It's not who makes it, it's how it's made.  Check seams etc., on items to make sure their finished well, if not, don't buy it.
11.  Posture. Your mom was right. If you carry yourself well, you'll look fabulous  no matter what you've got on.
12. Dress for the occasion.
13.  Not sure if you should buy it? If you're hesitating for any reason other than financial, you don't want it. Step away from the shirt!
14. Accessories are your friend. They can give any outfit that extra zing.
15. Take care of your shoes and purses. Usually they're the most expensive items you buy, and if you treat them well, they'll look new for years.
16. Don't get stuck in a rut. Belly shirts  were fun at one point in your life, so was Bubble Yum.  You've moved on and Bubble Yum has gotten stale.
17. Love yourself. Take care of yourself. If you don't respect and take care of yourself, it doesn't  matter what you have on.

Do you have a fav style rule? Do you think style rules are useless? I'm curious, please drop me a comment and let me know.