My new kitchen

Oh Oh Oscar!

two snaps from my interview with de la renta. love him!

BACK FROM THE BRINK!

I KNOW, I KNOW, Swagulous in the City's been, ahem, out of pocket as they say in the fashion biz. But I haven't been home boxing shoes, people -- I've been swamped with a move, work, work, work, work and family visits (much love Dad!). I am currently scouting for royalty-free celeb fashion fotos, anyone have a good source?

Meet Me in St. Louis-La La!

Who says fashion is elitist? Who thinks haute couture clashes with hops and barley? For anyone who said Miss Dior and Missouri couldn't coexist, hold onto your catwalk for ...

ST LOUIS FASHION WEEK!

Movers and shakers of the fashion world will meet in St. Louis from Oct. 6-12 for shows, soirees and boutique presentations. As the fashion history majors out there know, this town is where the 'juniors" division was born, which may not be couture, folks, but it pays the bills! It's also the birthplace of Baby Phat's Kimora Lee Simmons and the hometown of Nelly and his Apple Bottom Jeans line. Which all may not be couture but again, pays some billz, yo.

Debuting at SLFW will be Nelly's new Red Label line, a boutique-only collection, and the world premire of a line called U. C. Me by Murphy Lee and Kyjuan. All afterparty merriment sponsored by Budweiser ... Select, of course.

Geren Up for Spring! Backstage at Geren Ford's S/S 09 Show in New York City

Dateline Sept. 3 -- Backstage at Geren Ford, this snap captures five of his runway looks for next spring. In a word? Love. Or rather, lovely -- lovely layering and soft fun colors for spring, wearable mixes of complementary hues (think mustard and pumpkin popping off grays, royal blue paired with sunny yellow) and also luxe textures (silk gauzes over twill over shimmers and loose weaves) that should define -- and really refine -- a well done layered look. It's a nice evolution from some of his earlier, flirty looks. (Note from the real world: a big no-go on the very Bavaria socks -and-haute-sandals look his models were sporting; IMHO that only really ever works on the runway and maybe on Sienna Miller.) But what I mostly love about Ford's spring looks is that I can rock them now (although not yet from Ford -- unless, ahem, some samples happen to become available). I am especially thinking about those long scarves, they're a terrific way to add color, texture and a long, lean line down your torso. Ford showed the scarves draped, pulled and bow-tied, accenting every outfit, from these hot pants to baggy capris to too-cute dresses. I plan to put this blue and white silk number on my must-buy list, asap! (Do you hear that, retailers? Buy these scarves!) Actually, what's nice about this collection is that a working gal like me actually COULD buy these scarves and much more -- Ford is infinitely affordable, found on sites like Shopbop in the $250 - $400 range, and with looks this versatile, can a fun capsule collection for, say, Target, be far behind? Keep us posted!

Marc Bower's Online Show = Dire Recessionista Trend?

So in the midst of the paper and electronic invites I've been receiving this week, both "in-tent" and "off-campus," I got an email from Marc Bower announing that everyone's sitting front row at his Sept. 9th show: Because it's online! His 2009 Spring/Summer collection, called "Goddess by a Pool" promises 70-style retro styling in shades of bright poppy. OK, I can do op and pop! What's harder to ascertain is what to do next: From the email, it seems that I just click on a link at noon on Monday the 9th and through the magic of cyberspace, I'll be transported to the House of Bower, right? It sounds groovy, but I do hope it's not a harbinger of recessionista trends to come ... ??

Waiting List Open NOW for Lancome's Limited Edition Black Gloss

Black lipstick is fabulously gothy on the runways and gloriously sinister in magazines, but just how does this haute trend translate in the real world? Enter Lancôme, which just announced the November debut of Color Fever Gloss in Piha Black, created by the company's new artistic director for makeup, New Zealander Aaron de Mey. Black gloss is much more wearable than lipstick, says Mey, and he's even created the perfect undershade to accentuate his dark sheen: Color Fever Lipstick in Piha Red. A true, eye-popping red, it's inspired by the sole of a Christian Louboutin shoe and named for a beach near his childhood home. Wear the colors alone or customize your own shade by mixing them together. (Check out the lips above to see just how that looks.) Mey also suggests using the black gloss on the eyes. Love it? We thought so. Here's the catch:Only 500 of the sets ($48 each) will be available in the United States come November, and only at Bloomingdale’s NYC location on 59^th Street, at www.lancome-usa.com and at the company's five boutiques (click here for locations). Don't panic: The waiting list at Bloomingdale’s 59th Street has just opened. CALL NOW -- 212-705-2886 to add your name to the list!

Swag factor: Zero. Lancome publicists told us there were no samples available. Editors just gotta git in line with ev'ryone else!