Recently in FASHION Category

Right, so wedding planning.

Not as fun as everyone makes it out to be. Well, maybe i shouldn't be so extreme...

It is fun if you think haggling with every vendor in the Tristate area, arguing with your British fiance on "cultural differences" and listening to your wild Italian family tell you what is & isn't classy (meh). A psycho-insane-elated-fun, I guess....

Anywho, throughout this process one ignores most other areas in life (ahem: GlamourCow).. so I decided this past weekend to ignore it all, p/t it to Mother's house (Manalapan, home of "The Situation") and see if I can score anything decent at Marshall's.

Here's what I bought and here's what's appauling:

Purchased at Marshall's: Laundry by Shelli Segal Short Leather Motorcross Jacket (leopard lining, love it. so fran drescher.) $149.00. Marshall's NJ Rt 9 S.

What's appauling: Post-purchase, I found that same jacket at Bloomies for $420.00. Here.

This cracks me up. $18 @ Threadless.

Last night I put on my brightest romper and best pair of high heels to attend Patricia Field's (costume designer for SATC, duh) "Swim-sational Disco Soiree" at 230 Fifth Rooftop, celebrating the premiere of SATC2 and her very own Patricia Field/House of Field Eyewear, Swimwear and Beach Towel collections.

Even though no one could see them, there were swimsuits, and it was certainly a soiree thanks to all the free booze (thanks Skyy!), which is really the only reason people attend these things anyway. I mean, free booze is the only reason I personally attend anything. Yes, I am an alcoholic. And I suppose the drag queens made up the "Disco." Love me the drags!

Anywho, good thing I was coming in last night at 6'2", because I could just barely catch a glimpse of the runway show, which took place amongst a mannequin installation also showcasing the swim - that you could only see if, like myself, you happened to be a giant, or you were one of the lucky few granted access to the installation itself. Scantily clad models sporting reverse-fishtail hair (courtesy of none other than hair master Rodney Cutler for Cutler/Redken) strutted around in Pat's SATC2-inspired monokinis and cover-ups, along with swim looks from Ivana Sert (SATC) and The Blonds (of Brit-Brit and Ri-Ri fame).

From what I could see, the suits were super glam - perfect for crashing the SoHo House rooftop pool a la Samantha Jones. Or for a better bet, try crashing the pool at the Thompson LES. NOT that I know anything about this...Although with all those cut-outs, you're going to end up with some CRAZY tan lines.

The saying "forget the past" has always been taboo in fashion...yes.

And while King Tut is loong gone, his treasures have prompted fashions finest to reinvent the tribal trend with looks reminiscent of a most fashionable time.

DVF, Catherine Malandrino, and Halston are just some designers who are taking "The Golden Age" to the streets by creating clothing with wild ikat & African prints in shades of brown, red, and burnt orange. Play the look down -or up- with solid gladiator sandals (which have replaced flip flops as the go-to casual shoe for the past few summers).

And then there's the jewelry, ohh...the jewelry! Unfortunately for us, and unless you're Lady GaGa, gold masks and extravagant headpieces are difficult to pull off. So we're forced to settle for wooden bangles, earrings, and necklaces, in what else?

Gold, Gold, and MORE Gold! But sapphire, onyx, and ruby (OH MY!) are mixed into some pieces as well.

His awe-inspiring possessions, now on display at the Discovery Times-Square Exposition, make us want to trek through the desert (Barney's) and collect some treasures of our own!

Pharoah fever is sure to stimulate the economy, so, you're welcome Obama.

TOMS SHOES doesn't take clean water for granted --- or shoes, for that matter.

They have collaborated with charity: water and have taken steps (pun intended) to make a movement above and beyond: To build a clean water well in the village of Sekura, Ethiopia. (Sekura is home to 540 residents and among the largest Ethiopian villages to not have clean water.)

The two pairs of Toms shoes for charity: water styles will retail for $58 per pair and will have limited availability for as long as it takes to fund the well. The map shoe is a heather gray Classic made from sustainable fabric with a tonal map of Africa. Jerry lining and the water shoe is a blue classic made from sustainable fabric with a multi-tone water illustration.

With every air purchased, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. One for One.

We love Toms! (Especially these gold glitters - mee-ow. Yes, I realize the glitters are completely irrelevant to this charity post.)

Best. Coats. Ever.

If you haven't already read it and built a shrine to it you need to go and buy Kelly Cutone's, "If You Have to Cry, Go Outside: And Other Things Your Mother Never Told You".

Pure-Fucking-Genius!

Not as self-helpy as I imagined and more guru-inspired confessions of a small town girl.

I loved it, but then again I love Kelly Cutrone. Did you know she used to do meth? Did you know she still is madly in love with her baby daddy? Or that she used to tell fortunes in Cali?

All true.

Favorite quote: "We're all hookers in one way or another."

Go get this book now.

And while you're at it, get this Kelly Cutrone inspired Rick Owens jumper because its fab!

Fashion Shows shouldn't be this much of a disaster.

Over a month ago I attended Brooklyn Fashion(Less) Weekend. Yes,I know, I'm late, but due to the irrelevancy of the event, I literally just forgot, you'll understand why....

I went in there with high expectations, after all, I am a sucker for fashion shows + goodie bags. And since one of the bitches from Real Housewives of New York was hosting the event-but was too busy to even show up (yes you, Alex Mccord & Simon Von Kemp)- I felt a glimmer of hope that there might be some talent. But there wasn't.

From the clothes (Superman undies over silver spandex pants + a ski mask is NOT menswear, Djamee), to the 1000 hip hop solo acts that interrupted this tragic event every 10 minutes or so, to the confused models that couldn't walk in heels if their lives depended on it. It's like no one even tried.

On a lighter note, there was a fully stocked bar.

Still, after two hours of mediocrity and no end in sight, my patience ran out and so did I.
But, please enjoy this article by someone who stayed the entire time.

Let me guess, you didn't pick up your Mother's Day gift yet?

Newsflash: Yo Mamma deserves something *fabulous* this year and what better way to show your love than hookin' her up with a pair of diamond earrings?

Our fabulous and super super generious friends at Kohl's have partnered up with GC to give away something absolutely spectacular: 1/2 ct. TW Certified Diamond Stud Earrings.

Details:

-Four-prong setting with 14k gold screwback posts, 1/2 ct. TW.

-Earrings come certified which includes an International Gemological Institute (IGI) certificate of authenticity that verifies clarity, color and carat weight. To boot, they come in a cute white leatherette gift box.

-Worth $1,750.00 (!)

We're always sad there isn't a Kohl's in Manhattan (because we do review a few of their beauty prods) but, for those of you who know me personally: Elyse DiPierri travels far and long for diamonds!

HERE'S HOW TO ENTER: In 5 sentences or less tell us why YOUR mammala deserves these diamond earrings this Mother's Day & we'll pick our favorite!
*Contest closes at 4:00pm EST, Friday May 7, 2010*

Comment below!

I spent this past weekend visiting family in the Middle Of Nowhere, Maryland. To save my sanity from the three hour car ride back home, I saw a Target in Jersey and immediately swerved into the exit and pulled over.

I've been dying to check out all the new designer collaborations at Target. From Zac Posen to Cynthia Vincent to Eugenia Kim to Liberty London, how can you go wrong? Let's face it, no matter how fashionable we may look, freelancers are on a tight budget.

I must have thrown about 30 pieces into my cart looking for a dress that can work for an cool everyday look now that the weather is finally getting nicer. I tried everything on and the winner in my race for budget diffusion line shopping was this Chambray dress by Zac Posen.

The perfect, lightweight material, pockets (which are a must), drawstring tie at the bottom, and nice fit at the bust, was a steal at $39.99.

Who said there's nothing to love about Jersey?