Yesterday for lunch we made a run to the big Intermix sale at the Metropolitan Pavillion. It was definitely larger than we had anticipated and as soon as you walk in you are greeted by the designer collections on the left - lots of Chloe, Stella McCartney, some Helmut Lang, Zac Posen, etc.

I spotted a lone Thakoon dress that I obsessed about last fall, a bunch of gorgeous Stella sweaters, all of the ‘it’ Chloe dresses of this and seasons past…and then I spotted something extraordinary.

Rummaging through the racks, my hand fell upon a lightly waxed trench coat. No label, no price, no info - just a stunning coat created with careful draping and yards and yards of fabric. I couldn’t help but pick it up and haul it into the dressing room along with my other finds including high-waisted jeans from Earnest Sewn and a little silk romper.

The dressing room was exactly what you’re expecting - a bunch of girls stripping and clothing thrown all over the floor. I started with the Thakoon dress, which was of course too large (a girl can dream) and then moved along too the jeans. The fit was terrific, but flattened out things in back a bit too much so I moved on to the trench, which I knew I was going to love.

The trench was perfect. A little beat up, but perfect nonetheless. I twirled in the dressing room and knew it was going to cost too much, but took it to the counter and waited for the girls to give me a price. They said it was Lanvin, originally around $3,000 and that I could buy it for $700. After a bit of investigating back at the office, I discovered it was from the Spring 2005 Runway. I didn’t buy it because I already have a trench coat (and one I love) and because we need to buy a new couch, but I’m sad that I don’t own it since I’d wear it forever and love it always. Too bad I don’t still charge up a storm or that beauty would be mine…and now I need a trench to protect me from my own tears of sorrow!!

Anyway, go and get your own freak on (and if you see the Lanvin Trench think of me):
Intermix Sample Sale
Aug. 26-28. Tues.-Thurs.
9 a.m.-8 p.m.
Metropolitan Pavilion
110 W 19th Street (6th/7th Ave)

Today, aside from my usual 10-6 writing job, I was asked to step into the studio to pose as an ‘arm’ model for our upcoming holiday issue. I agreed because, well why not - plus, I’ve always loved going on photoshoots. And although I’ve never modeled before (not even a hand or a foot), I do sort of understand what makes a good model:

• A good model is on-time
• A good model takes direction
• A good model has a positive attitude

Determined to be a good model, I called my art director, Darryl, this morning to confirm my call time, which he was very relaxed about (’Case, just show up around 5′). I of course was slightly excited and spent the rest of the day worrying about when I was going to be able to squeeze in a manicure to tame my super long, ‘witch-length’ talons.

I started to worry about my nails and then called, emailed and texted all about how I should have them shaped, what color they should be painted, etc. I got no response at all (later I learned that his phone died) and just decided to keep it simple, go with a sheer, pale pink shade. Of course I ended up leaving the office later than I wanted to and ran into the nail place on 28th Street and Lexington - where I got (drum roll) a fairly decent 20 minute manicure! Unfortunately I was about 15 minutes late, thus starting out my highly anticipated career as a supermodel in bad form.

Anyway, I walked into the studio and was greeted by 4 artistic, pale but adorable boys. Darryl told me to put my arms above my head so that the blood would leave them and make them look better. I asked Darryl which of my arms he wanted to use and with fairly little hesitation he said the left one. Now I’ve never really compared my left arm to my right one, but perhaps the freckle placement is a bit sexier on the left now that I really look at it.

My ‘inspiration’ for the shoot came was a tear from ELLE featuring an arm stacked with cuffs, bent in the shape of a Z. It looked fairly simple, but as we began shooting and my arm was awkwardly twisted on a large sheet of white, I started to wonder if I was going to be able to deliver a decent shot.

I wore a large gold spiky cuff by SURevolution, a lucite one from Alexis Bittar, an elaborately beaded one by Miriam Haskell, and ended up holding/reaching for a diamond detailed wooden cuff by Jessica Kagan Cushman. The photographer and Darryl kept teling me to relax my hand, bend my fingers, move things slightly to the left, etc. I think we ended up getting the shot, and Darryl said we could get a big blow up of my crooked little arm for the office. The whole thing only took about 30-45 minutes.

It was a nice break from the typical day - its always fun to be back in the studio. If any of you need an arm model please know that I am in very high demand, and charge a ridiculous fee of 1 venti regular coffee per shot.

The cuffs and bracelets shown here all available at VIVRE, except for the CHANEL one.

This post marks the first of a new series I’m doing on fall fashion. I’ll bring you my top picks, the best trends, as well as the essential pieces you need to buy this season, all from A to Z.
Hope you enjoy!

Shop the above picks here:
Alexander McQueen Bag
Bing Bang Earrings
Elizabeth and James Necklace

There are many occasions worth celebrating: birthdays, new jobs, new babies, big moves, a fabulous haircut, meeting mr. right, etc.

The next time you’re celebrating one of these fabulous occasions, look to Tina Tang for a great gift. She has a ton of adorable charms available so you’ll find just the right one.

After one of the most beautiful weeks of the entire year,
the city was relatively quiet and empty this weekend.

1. Super Cr3w won America’s Best Dance Crew (and I love this show even I can’t even dance) - and something like 39 million people voted. Each of the crews have such tremendous talent, heart, and serious hip-hop style that I couldn’t emulate even if I really tried. I actually cried when crew Fanny Pack was eliminated a week or two ago (yes, I cry easily).

2. The Cho Show, Margaret Cho’s new show on VH1 is awesome. She’s totally wacko, but I love her. I actually saw her perform back in Honolulu and she was unbelievably funny. I wonder if she’s friends with Chelsea Handler…

3. The Rachel Zoe Project has started airing and although I haven’t seen it yet, Annie tells me its entertaining.

4. I saw the last half of Glam God today - and that might have been enough. Hosted by Vivica A. Fox, this is supposedly supposed to be the stylist version of Project runway where people compete to become the next celebrity stylist, but it isn’t really interesting at all. And no one on the show really has good style.

Can you tell the difference between Hermès Birkin and Kelly bags? I thought about this on Monday when watching The Hills, seeing Heidi’s bag, and then realizing that I wasn’t sure which one it was.

I’ve never become obsessed with Hermès bags simply because they’ve never been in my price range (which is why I never really took the time to notice the difference in styles), but I do own a few of their scarves, twillys, a pair of lady gloves, and one of their fragrances. Since I didn’t know exactly which was which (and as a young fashionable person, I really should), I’ve put together a bit on the bags…

About both bags:

• Prices for both begin around $7,000 and can go well beyond $50,000
• Part of the price of all Hermès bags is the privilege to bring it into any boutique to be sent to Paris for a “spa treatment” where the bag, no matter how old or abused, will be bought back to the best possible condition…for an additional cost of several hundred dollars
• Both bags can be customized to the buyers specifications
• Locks and keys are number-coded
• Lining is usually made of goat skin that matches the color of the exterior skin
• Identifiable by their metal-tipped clasp, which can be closed with a tiny padlock (and the clasp’s hidden key often dangles from the handle in a leather sheath of its own)
• Not sold online and never ever will be
• Famous for their waiting lists - Remember on Sex and the City when Samantha used Lucy Liu’s name to score the red one faster?

The Hermès Kelly Bag:

• Named after Grace Kelly
• Became famous in 1956 when Grace Kelly (then Princess of Monaco) used one to shield her pregnant stomach from the prying eyes of the paparazzi
• More formal than the Birkin
• Comes in 5 different sizes (although possibly more from looking at the Fall runway show)
• It takes a single craftsman about 18 hours to make one

The Hermès Birkin Bag:

• Named after Jane Birkin (who has an interesting history with the company)
• 5 Birkins are produced a week at the Hermès Atelier in Paris
• More casual than the Kelly & has a slightly younger more bohemian appeal
• With an open top, it is easier to open than the Kelly
• Both Jay-Z and Lil’ Kim have both rapped about the Birkin

I think I’d go with a Birkin, but which one do you like? Do you know anyone who carries either a Birkin or a Kelly? Do you think they are worth the price

P.S. Want your own Kelly - for free? Go here, and then click on the little picture of the Kelly bag paper cut-out next to a pair of orange scissors. Nothing new, but fun for those of you who haven’t seen this before!

One of the best things about New York is the constant change.
One of the worse things about New York is the never ending construction.

I woke up to the sound of pipes banging loudly right outside my window. And now, at work, there is jack hammering or something happening on the roof next door.

Another thing that goes with the steady construction are the steady comments, looks, and whistles from construction workers - which is something that I must admit I have a love/hate relationship with. Everyone likes a little attention and comments like “Wow - that’s my wife right there!” are always amusing, but sometimes things go to far and innocent girls wearing heels and cute outfits are called bitches for not responding to a barrage of unwelcome comments.
Its all lovely really, just lovely.

I’m a Hills fan and tonight I watched both the pre-show special and the premiere episode of season 4.

During the pre-show, Lauren Conrad wore a dress from Roberto Cavalli’s Spring 08 collection and I can’t help but wonder why. I’m sure some of the other girls were wearing dresses from LC’s label, but why did she chose something that isn’t her own, that’s so recognizable, and is now totally on sale? Maybe, that’s it, maybe she just got a great deal! Don’t get me wrong, she looked cute: her hair was put up into some sort of braided beachy up-do and her skin was super bronzed…and the dress looked good…it’s just, well, I guess I expected more from such a major fashionista who’s style is supposedly defining a generation.

Who else? oh yes, Whitney looked pretty (waay better than the last premiere) and Audrina’s hair looked as if she arrived on the backseat of Justin Bobby’s motorcycle sans-helmet.

And as for the episode: 1. Audrina is right - Lo is sort of bitchy. 2. Heidi fades on screen, especially whenever her new Hermes Kelly bag is in the frame. 3. The black nails are back. 4. Lauren is asked on a second date by Doug before their drinks even hit the table. 5. This eason looks waaay better than the last one.

And now a slightly related random thought from my late night TV musings: I love watching Chelsea Lately, but I absolutely hate having to suffer through the Sarah Mclaughlin “in the arms of an angel’ commercial for the ASPCA.

Running, smudged mascara seems to be the biggest thing right now.
So who’s responsible for this?

1. Lauren Conrad. MTV has been playing specials on The Hills all weekend and I’ve been forced to watched poor LC crying her eyes out while talking to Audrina over and over again. I knew Lauren wore a lot of eye makeup, but wow. Good thing she’s now the spokesperson for mark. (new cosmetics line by Avon)

2. Duffy. I love LOVE her video for Warwick Avenue because it it reminds me of Radiohead’s No Surprises and because the girl just looks so beautiful when she cries and mascara is smudged below those pretty eyes.

3. Sad, pretty girls in general. They’re simply irresistible.

4. Those damn vibrating mascara wands