Wimbledon #6? It's a cinch

Tennis world number 1 and Wimbledon top-seed Roger Federer had naysayers (who are pointing to Rafael Nadal or Novak Djokovic as this year's projected winner) talking about something else for a change -- Fed's yearly fashion splash on the grass court runways.
Fed retired the taped blazer of tourney's past and debuted this cream cardigan dream (de riguer!), But as most fashionistas know, the beauty is in the details, as shown here with Fed's tonal D-ring waist cincher. Game. Set. Matching canvas belt. Fab!

On the lam ... Milan Shop Report

After three days at the MICAM Shoe Show in Milan this past week, I was able to (literally) sneak away to city center and visit a few shops. It's been almost 9 years since my last visit, and suffice to say, everything is still pretty malltastic these days (H&M? Check. Zara? Check.) However, two stores were a must on this trip...

10 Corso Como just oozes insider cool, with its tight edit of everything from books to housewares, and, of course, fashion. Overall, though, I was kind of underwhelmed. Perhaps I'm jaded as a New Yorker, but seeing Commes des Garcons and Alexander McQueen on the racks doesn't quite have the same allure as it once did. After all, it doesn't take an 8 hour plane ride to get to Jeffrey and see the same stuff (No worries, the staff-inflicted passive-aggressive bitchiness is still free). The one unexpected takeaway from the shop is that all clothing has a "10 Corso Como" tag sewn below the designer label (even on the 25Euro t-shirts!), which makes for a lovely, brag-worthy Milanese souvenir.

The highlight of my runaway journey was certainly my visit to the Viktor&Rolf boutique in the quad. The Dutch duo's flagship embodies the quirky house to a "T" -- and that "T" is short for Topsy Turvy. I know I'm about 3 years late on this one, but seeing is believing, as everything is turned on it head -- the ceiling is the floor, the floor is the ceiling, and even the signage is upside down. Absolutely brilliant. Now only if the exchange rate between the Euro and US Dollar were inverted, then I'd really have something to blog about!

[10 Corso Como, Milan. (www.10corsocomo.com)]
[Viktor & Rolf, 14 Via Sant'Andrea, Milan. (www.viktor-rolf.com)]

If I had a dollar ...

for everytime someone at the gym asked my opinion about The Perfect Pushup, the exercise gadget featured on television and sold at (seemingly legit health-minded places like) GNC, I'd be able to rely on hiring a personal trainer instead of buying stuff like this. Considerably, I'm very skeptical about anything hawked on the tele, and plus I didn't want to be that loser at the New York Sports Club, feeling the burn on my Thighmaster with that glittering dash of hope for a Suzanne Somers ass. That contraption didn't get Suzanne Somers anything but a mansion in Malibu.

But, here's my biased review after almost two months of use: The Perfect Pushup delivers on what it promises. With proper technique, my wrists sustained less strain and my range of motion increased considerably. Both these qualities add up to visible results. But at 5 lbs, the set is somewhat bulky and cumbersome to carry around. However, if I'm lugging these things to the gym, then I'm definitely justifying the bag mark imprint left on my shoulder and using them.

Really though, how did Suzanne Somers get that ass?

[Perfect Pushup, about $40. (www.perfectpushup.com)]

Best foot forward (Fall 2008)

I'm about ready to proclaim the Shoe of the Season for Fall 2008 (Seven months ahead of schedule!) ...

Band of Outsiders's Fall 2008 presentation featured these anti-cool, but somehow drool-worthy Sperry TopSider/Boot hybrids. These are certain to replace my LLBean shearling-lined duckboots as my staple come next fall.

A few seasons back, I heeded the return of Sperry with the original docksiders in an updated bright kelly green. I would slip on my Lacoste polo shirt and dream about days of 80s yore, listening to The La's, and hanging around the boat mall. Flashforward and Sperry now goes for annual domination with the introduction of this new shape. And still, no boat necessary.

[www.bandofoutsiders.com for info]

Shoe In

This spring, I'm obsessed with the Samba -- whether it's the Latin American ballroom kind displayed on (White Cheddar Cheese Alert!)ABC's "Dancing With The Stars" or the forever-classic Adidas Samba sneaker.
Me and the samba have a fantastic past. There were the countless pairs of childhood worn until the heels fell apart, or got so pebble-strewn within the little grids of the soles that they no longer proved pliable. There was the pair that put the "pleasure" in Janet Jackson's "Pleasure Principle" video that made me ask Mom and Dad for a new pair, get rejected, and hoped they would magically appear in the clearance section of Marshall's (definitely pre-DSW days, folks).
My latest resurrection of the Samba is the all-white pair as pictured here. Pristine white with the iconic black stripe and funky large soccer-style tongue, it don't get more Spring 2007 than this folks. Imagine them paired with a straight leg jean or a pair of tailored mid thigh shorts. Better yet, imagine them strapped to your feet as you dance and tumble your way through an abandoned warehouse. Oh, Janet!

[Adidas Samba Classics in White, about $45, (www.shopadidas.com)].

Bringin' down the 'house

I know I've been blogging about music fairly often lately, but this is my latest obsession: Meet Amy Winehouse.
Her jazzy, bluesy, 60s tinged album "Back to Black" is so soulful, you'll be calling C.Thomas Howell and asking him what kind of tanning pills he was taking in that movie just so you can hang.
It also doesn't hurt that the British Ms. Winehouse puts the "wine" in "winehouse." Girl is drunk on the tele like every other minute. And she doesn't deny it. Her single "Rehab" announces, "They tried to send me to rehab, but NO NO NO." Take that Destiny's Child. AND she's besties with Kate Moss. Dear Hello Magazine -- White Hot Mess Alert!
Lately, it seems the British ladies are reclaiming the neo-soul genre from Americans. Between Corinne Bailey Rae's subtle debut and Amy Winehouse, the Stateside gals better get it together before the Brits steal what us Yanks invented!

[Amy Winehouse, "Back to Black," available soon to US Markets].

Singled out

Two singles receiving mucho rotation on my iPod are Mika's "Grace Kelly" and Paolo Nutini's "Last Request."
Continuing my seemingly neverending anglomania, these two artists are accomplished successes across the pond in the UK, but now are just hitting ashore here in the USA. Mika's style harks back to strong stroytelling-within-a-song, much like a 70s Elton John. It may sound like a hokey musical approach, but for some reason, its bubblegummy tongue-in-cheekiness all works.
On the other hand, Paolo Nutini is a more traditional alterna-pop singer/songwriter. Thankfully, he won't have an annoying hit a la James Blunt's "You're Beautiful" and that's a good thing. Let's keep him a secret. At least until Grey's Anatomy uses "Last Request" for some overly dramatic musical montage featuring soft focus shots of medical residents.

[Mika, Life in Cartoon Motion, www.mikasounds.com]
[Paolo Nutini, These Streets, www.paolonutini.com].

For your eyes only (or so wished the producers of 1982's Oscar telecast)

White Hot Mess Alert! Wow, remember the days when the Academy Awards had horribly entertaining musical numbers sometimes choreographed by Debbie Allen? Yes, good times.
But like all good things wonderfully cheese, the over-produced musical numbers have gone moldy, been discarded, and instead we get treated to gems like Beyonce singing all 5 nominees at 2005's Oscars (cute in theory, but thankfully we were too distracted wondering how B's weave went from blowout to updo to ponytail in between each song).
From 1982's Oscars comes this way over the top slice of cheesecake: Sheena "Sugar Walls" Easton performing "For Your Eyes Only" from the James Bond flick of the same name. I'm not sure which is my favorite part, but watching the whole thing reminds me of long cherished trips to Universal Studios in the 1980s. I mean, it's like I'm right there on the set of Battlestar Galactica!

Thanks to Entertainment Weekly for the tip.

Telenovelamazing!

Ugly Betty just got so freakin' fantastic it almost makes you want to cut your own bangs. Fresh off a double doozy win at the Golden Globes (Best Comedy Series and Best Comedy Actress for America Ferrera), Betty had much to prove on its first showing of the new year. And boy did the ugly come out flying. Viewers were quickly reminded of the key story plots that have been building since the pilot. Perhaps the best "i didn't see that coming" moment of the season occurred in classic cliffhanger style. The unveiling of the mysterious bandaged woman turned out to be ... (Spoiler Alert!) Alexis "Don't Call me Alex" Meade, the post-operative transsexual brother of Daniel Meade, EIC of Mode, and thought to be very, very dead from a freak skiing accident. Telanovelamazing!
Fortunately, Betty never takes itself too seriously, so this plot twist really works. And it doesn't hurt that the former Alex Meade has been cast as the former Mrs. John Stamos, Rebecca Romijn. Upgrade!

Is Milo the new Felicity?

NBC's Heroes is hands down the cult hit of the season. Much of that credit has to do with Milo Ventimiglia's story arc and his involvement with that whole "Save the Cheerleader, Save the World" business.
But with Heroes doing so well this season, one must ask, how much of its success is due to Milo's hair?




Just look at it and its swoopy goodness in all its glory. Look at the height those bangs get! Even Ken Paves tells Jessica Simpson, "Girl, I can get your hair as big as Texas, but it ain't gonna be Milo." That's right, "Milo" is now an adjective describing bang-itude.
But what if Milo cut. off. his. hair? Would the cheerleader climb her last pyramid and croak, thus ending the world? You never know, Milo/Peter Petrelli could have a bad day, plagiarizing a paper, choosing between Ben and Noel, and all of a sudden, SNIP!
The Peacock Network should seriously call in their lawyers to put a non-shears clause in Milo's contract, lest the ratings drop.

[Heroes, $Free, Mondays on NBC].

Thanks to Towleroad for the pics above (also in this month's Flaunt magazine).

Rock steady

I heart 30 Rock. Here's a reason why.

[30 Rock, $Free, Thursdays @ 930PM on NBC].

X-box

Last night's Saturday Night Live hosted by Justin Timberlake was easily the funniest of the year. Admittedly, that's not that difficult. But, it was back with a vengeance with at least 5 skits which garned my audible laugh. The rest of the 1.5 hour, I fastforwarded.
Andy Samberg's Digital Shorts are consistently the most hilarious thing going for the show, and it's a miracle, because he has a penis. SNL's ladies have ruled that show like it's the longest run of The Vagina Monologues. Not that we mind. We heart Amy Poehler.
Here's Samberg and Timberlake in "C*ck in a Box." Watch it, it's funny. And be warned about what Google thinks are appropriate ad content to this entry...

[Saturday Night Live, $Free, Saturdays @ 1130PM on NBC].

Get your grub on.

If you think porn is just for sex, think again. There's plenty of other salacious media out there for all kinds of things -- home decor, cars, hunting, powerboating. If something gets your rocks off, there's a magazine at the Barnes&Noble waiting for you. For everyday foodies, there's Everyday Food, published by none other than Martha Stewart.
Martha's a really dirty girl. The photography in all her titles is totally porntastic: everything is obscenely delicious, shiny, glistening, extra steamy, full frontal and meticulously produced. Not one freakin' sugar crystal on that Chocolate Tube Bundt on the covershot is awry and I want to impress you by putting it in my mouth. Whole. Oh yeah, just like that. Don't stop.
But here's where it gets amateur: allegedly, we can make all this stuff ourselves. Now that ain't like porn at all. I have yet to answer the door for a special pizza delivery or reprimanded for naughty behavior in a jacuzzi. But upon reading, you soon realize it is like porn. Because I don't have any of the ingredients or equipment to make a damn cake in my apartment. Fresh vanilla pods? Kitchen aid stand alone mixer? Milk (like from a cow)? If I did, don't you think I'd be making a chocolate bundt cake like ALL THE TIME?
Luckily I have this magazine to get me through until I get bundt caked again.

[Everyday Food magazine, $2.95 on newsstands (www.marthastewart.com/everydayfood).]

time goes by...

It may not be the fanciest or most blinged out watch, but Seiko's utilitarian friendly new Coutura World Time Alarm watch is certainly very chic.
Fitted with a dial ring that tells the time in posh locales like Rio, Dubai and Paris without having to readjust your watch, this Seiko is a jetsetter's dream.
Now you don't have to worry if Harvey Nichols is open at 6pm New York time.

[Seiko Coutura World Time Alarm Watch, about $400, (www.seiko.com)]

It's in the bag

Yes, I have a thing for the manbag. It happens when one must be constantly entertained/distracted on the city street. Between two communication devices (a mobile and a Sidekick), an iPod, a magazine and some kind of candy, I've got a ton of junk to carry. And this season's slim fitting pants don't offer much in pocket space.

This season, I'm obsessed with this series of bags from quirky brit Paul Smith. The trompe l'oiel effect (it's coated canvas kids, not leather) means you won't have to worry about inopportune scratches or nicks on otherwise pristine skins bags.

The best of the lot is the weekender bag (not pictured). Perfect for lugging around your cashmere sweater and APC jeans for a quickie holiday jaunt.

[Trompe L'oeil bags by Paul Smith, Prices vary, (www.paulsmith.co.uk)]

E Coli is the new mastercleanse, which was the new zone, which was the new atkins

E Coli is having the Best Year Ever. It's EVERYWHERE. On the news. In your salad. Hanging out at Taco Bell.
E Coli is like the Tom Cruise of opportunistic bacterial infection world. It seeks you out, sucks the life from you, and leaves you like a thousand times skinnier (ahem, Nicole Kidman. And Katie, You In Danger, Girl.)
And like a Tom Cruise movie, you go in unwittingly, thinking you'll enjoy a little cinema, and leave thinking, "I really could have done without that." Isn't that how you feel after eating a chalupa from Taco Bell?
And like Tom's svengali act on Nicki Kidman, E Coli totally upgrades your profile. Taco Bell used to just give you an upset stomach and maybe the runs. Now it gives you a flat out condition: Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome or even Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura. Taco Bell totally got promoted.

[E Coli, $free. Coming to a processed bag of salad greens or baby carrots near you.]

Last Christmas, I gave you my heart. This year, to save me from tears...

Target has posted a stocking full of gift suggestions for everyone in your life. There's a list for your brother, your officemate, even your mailman! And in The Fabulous Life of Being Us, there's even an offering from St. Nick for your Stylist. Naturally, I'm intrigued as to what Santa's going to be bringing me this yule, and apparently, I've been naughty...or is it too nice?

Chocolates (for emotional eating): Check. Toffee Popcorn (as an intermezzo between emotional chocolate binges): Check. Multidirectional waterproof personal massager (will come in handy when New Year's Eve kiss scenario doesn't pan out and can still bring in the new year with a bang): Check.

Thanks for the bleak Christmas, Target. Of course, I'll be enjoying all these yuletide treats alone, turning a lamp on and off while uttering "I won't be ignored!" with Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas is You" on a loop. But Target Claus, would it have killed ya to put some cheese fries on the list? Sometimes I get hungry after personal massaging.

[Target's "Stylist Giftlist" (www.target.com).]

Hot Cruz Buns

I saw this movie two months ago while flying transatlantic on Virgin (an Everyday Luxe preferred airline!), and it was a true pleasure.
Set in present day sleepytown Spain, Volver deals with a myriad of heavy topics like incest, murder, reincarnation, prostitution, and the ever refreshing plain ol’ bein’ po’ (that’s “poor” for the rest of y’all). And this being Pedro Almoldovar, it’s always about the ladies and how they deal with all the crap that men and society throws at them. Pedro's damas always work hard for the money, don't they?
Penelope Cruz is a revelation, and so gorgeous its painful. Reports say Almoldovar had Penny pad her ass to make her more believable as a down and out dumpy woman. Nice try. Pedro loves a tight facial close up, and Ms. Cruz is pore-free. So instead, Penny has to rely on her acting chops. Look for her name come awards season.

[“Volver” in select theaters now.]

You Must Not Know 'Bout Me

Ok, so the last Beyonce singles have crashed and burned. Let's face it -- when you're the artist who released the still infectious "Crazy in Love" (like 3 summers ago), it's pretty much gonna be downhill from there. We still love you, B, but apparently only as a remix. Ring the Alarm? Angry. Ring the Alarm Freemason's Dance Remix? Angry but smokin', like Angelina dealing with third world debt.
But La Knowles's latest single, Irreplaceable, is the ballad we've been waiting for from her sophomore album. It taps into all of Her Bootyliciousness's go-to songwriting trappings: Woman Done Wrong (Bills Bills Bills), Powerful Warrior Woman (Independent Woman Part 1), Woman with alot of shoes (every damn song with Beyonce singing lead).
But please listen to the entire song. By title alone, you'd think it was a love ballad. It's actually a break up song. So please, listen. Interpret. Reflect. Or else you'll be like my sister's junior prom committee who chose "Forever Young" as their theme. Nothing says prom like a little ditty about teen suicide.

[“Irreplaceable” by Beyonce, $.99 (www.apple.com/itunes).]

If it ain't Baroque...

Dolce & Gabbana's latest fall ads are simply my favorite of the season. Though the clothes themselves read costume-y to me with their overtly Napoleonic references, I nonetheless adore the art direction here. It's neoclassical, baroque and, if you will, a lil' bit punk with their subversive and humorous murder mystery subplot.
Maybe Stefano and Domenico were reading Variety when designing this fall collection, since everything "Dangerous Liaisions" is huge in the Zeitgeist -- Kirsten Dunst in Sofia Coppola's film "Marie Antoinette" made the cover of September's Vogue for goodness sakes! -- but never count the boys out for throwing in a naked model here or there. Heroic nude? Non. Gratuitous? OUI!

[Dolce & Gabbana Fall 2006 Campaign, (dolcegabbana.it)].