Cheryl Shops

Olympus New York Fashion Week: Monday
After attending several shows, you quickly learn the difference between a well-run show and a woefully unorganized disaster. Pamella Roland's show on Monday tended more toward the latter. After waiting in a rather long check-in line (the PR company appeared to not have called anyone with seat assignments), I found out I had a standing seat, and even though I was near the front of the line for the standing section, I was one of the last people allowed into the tent--meaning there were a lot of unhappy invitation holders behind me who didn't get in. I then had to squeeze onto the end of the riser inside and got stuck behind a rather large man who hindered my view. It was not the most comfortable 15 minutes of my life, but thankfully fashion shows are short. Since this was also the first show I had to stand through, it was also my first without a "run of the show" sheet, which lists all the looks (and usually the models also). The show, when it finally began, got off to a promising start with a Prada-esque linen coat, tie-dyed blouse, and pleated skirt, but everything afterward, while sharply tailored, was for, well, a slightly older customer. Take, for example, this suit--while evocative of the emerging metallic trend for spring, it's definitely a bit older.


I thought this trench coat was a better execution of the metallic trend, although I'm not sure how I feel about the black lace trim. Well tailored, though, and feminine.


While there were some pretty classic suits, this dress really displayed the designer's tailoring skills. Granted, John Galliano did this sort of thing 10 years ago, but it's still a beautiful dress.


She also sent some great tunics down the runway, with even greater metallic belts. This voile tunic was lightweight and easygoing, and I'd totally wear it.


Safari jackets are apparently back for spring, as they tend to be every other year. I am not the hugest fan of them, but this one was well-tailored, and wearing it with a pretty floral chiffon skirt balances out the severity of the tailoring.


There were a bunch of dresses throughout the show, many with pretty ombré effects and ruching. I think this one would be nice on a young ingenue at a movie premiere.


So while these clothes weren't exactly cutting-edge, they were well made and aimed at a particular customer. However, next season I suggest upgrading to the bigger Promenade tent to accommodate everyone.

Olympus New York Fashion Week: Sunday
Sunday I only had time to squeeze in one show, so I went to Gustavo Arango, where I had a nice second-row seat (and got a lovely lavender Aveda candle). Gustavo is a Puerto Rican designer who had a rough time after 9/11 but is now back, showing in NYC. And while his clothes are quite beautiful, they're silk, satin, beaded and chiffon, and thus much better suited for evening. But, hey, this is Fashion Week, not Banana Republic, so I'll gladly take glamour over everyday stuff. Although, if you're a fancy lady, you could probably get away with wearing this beautiful pleated iridescent top and paneled satin skirt to work. Um, with a camisole underneath, of course.


Gustavo is at his best when he sticks to more streamlined shapes, although I did see one of spring's trends emerging in this show: volume! The picture of this beaded lace camisole and satin tulip skirt doesn't do it justice. The fabrics were very glamorous, but the silhouette was pretty relaxed, creating an interesting contrast. I say, hey, if you wear this to a formal event, at least you'll have room to eat dinner!


Sometimes, Gustavo went a bit crazy with the volume, however. Take this dress, for example. The model can barely pull it off; this much fabric would dwarf a petite woman and make a "normal"-size one look rather massive.


Heavily tattooed model Omayra is back on the runway, and she appears to be as confused by this dress as I was.


I've noticed a lot of designers like to end their show with a bridal gown (or in Gottex's case, a bridal swimsuit), I'm assuming for dramatic effect. This wasn't the last dress (I can't find pictures of the actual last one for some reason), but it could work as a wedding dress. And, again, the photograph doesn't do it justice.


As you might have noticed from these pictures, the models' skin was very shiny in this show. That, combined with my close-to-the-runway seat allowed me to check out the models' skin. And while some of them are clearly naturally blessed (or at least they've been investing in frequent facials), a lot of them had pretty bumpy skin. I'm sure a lot of it was due to the harsh makeup they've been wearing all day at the shows, but like seeing the models' cellulite at Cia Maritima, this made me feel a lot better. And speaking of Brazilian swimsuits, I was going to hit the Rosa Cha show on Sunday night, but after a long weekend of shows and entertaining my parents, I was exhausted. I was also, after a mere two glasses of wine, tipsy. Ah, the glamorous life of a blogger...

Olympus New York Fashion Week: other coverage
Basically, everyone and their mother is blogging Fashion Week--everyone from esteemed fashion critic Robin Givhan from the Washington Post to Citysearch's shopping editor to Cheryl Shops friends like The Shophound. Some of these blogs are more concerned with who's sitting in the front row than with what's going down the runway, and others are so unknowledgable and amateurish, I cringe. Still, others are, in a word, great. Here's one that belongs to the latter category, and one to the former.

The awesome
New York Magazine's blog, Show and Talk, is like a well-oiled machine, and I mean that in the best way possible. They have a freaking team covering the shows (there are, by the way, nearly 500, including all of the independent, off-site, non-official ones), including reviews of the shows by their critics, party coverage, celebrity interviews, and, most importantly, color commentary by the Fug Girls, Heather and Jessica. This blog has been my first stop thus far for Fashion Week coverage, and I have nothing but praise for it. Please check it out.

The awesomely bad
MW called me into his office this morning to show me Newsday's fashion blog, Talk of the Tents, because it's being written by a former colleague of his--who used to be, like MW, a sportswriter. Granted, Newsday would never be my first (or even my, like, 30th) destination for fashion coverage, but this blog is so bad, my blood curdles when I read it, especially because I bet this guy has invites to all the big shows and thus much better coverage than I could ever hope for. Why is it so bad? He spends more time talking about rappers and sports stars in the front row ("Hey, it's Ron Artest! I know who that is! I'll write about him!") than the fashion--and, as they say, when you're a writer, you have to know your audience, so I can hardly believe that the people actually reading this blog (that would be women and gay men) would care about athletes, especially male basketball players. Also, scroll down and read his review of the Gottex show. While I can appreciate his enthusiasm for women with meat on their bones, I can also feel his proverbial hard-on, and that is just gross, man. That shit belongs in Maxim, not on a fashion blog.

Olympus New York Fashion Week: Saturday
My parents were in town this weekend, which prevented me from going to all the shows I was invited to (not that I'm complaining!). I ended up going to only one show on Saturday, Jeanisis by Anand Jon, and after the experience I had, it was about one too many. The Metropolitan Pavilion is hosting a satellite location, called the Style Lounge, through Monday, featuring smaller shows (Project Runway alums Daniel Franco and Malan Breton are presenting shows there on Monday). Bad sign #1 came at the door, when my name wasn't on the list, and I was given a standing ticket. I was irritated about this at first, but then I realized that there were way more empty seats than reserved ones, so I took one in the fourth row. (There were no gift bags to speak of at this show.) Now, the problem with this venue was that while the runway was somewhat raised, the seats were not. So when the models hit the runway, I couldn't see below their hips. This was kind of a problem, since jeans were the main focus of the collection, and the tops seemed like an afterthought, as they were all either open in front or with such plunging necklines that no one with breasts could actually wear them. (Nor could anyone without breasts--I hadn't seen this many nipples since P.E. class in middle school.)


The models were the most surly I'd ever seen. I don't know if it's because they were told to look that way, if they were miserable because the clothes showed so much nipple, if they were hungry, or all of the above.


Saturday morning, I could've sworn I saw Nnenna from America's Next Top Model on the downtown 6 train--she was wearing huge sunglasses, so I couldn't tell for sure, so I kept staring at her, and she caught me. But lo and behold, Nnenna turned up here on the runway!


There were a few cute outfits. If the skirt were a few inches longer (and in actual production, it probably will be), I would definitely wear this.


This was one of the few outfits that looked both flattering and wearable. A sparkly jersey wrap dress isn't reinventing the wheel, but at least the model appeared to be enjoying herself.


Since I was exhausted and in need of a shower, I kind of bolted out of the show, at which point my favorite moment of the evening happened. All of the press materials for this show had touted the expected front row appearance of Michelle Rodriguez. Just as I was about to exit the building, everyone's favorite inmate came racing in (at 6:15, mind you, an hour and 15 minutes after the show was scheduled to start), incredulously exclaiming, "Oh, no! Did I miss it?" Um, yes. Although I'm sure she made it to the after-party on time.

Olympus New York Fashion Week: Friday
I wasn't planning on going to the Cia Maritima show, but after a last-minute email from the publicist promising Karolina Kurkova (in her only NY Fashion Week appearance) and 20 other Brazilian supermodels, well, how could I resist? While I was waiting in line, I spotted my (probably unhealthy) obsession, Lindsay Lohan, standing in the Judith Ripka booth with a little girl, a GBF (gay best friend), and her orange Birkin--I can confirm firsthand that it is back in her possession, so we can all breathe a sigh of relief. I also spotted Illeana Douglas, Ivana Trump, and Maria Menounos. Not bad. I was excited just to have a seat at the show, although I was bummed that only the first two rows got gift bags (which contained Havianas flip-flops and a bikini). This being my first official fashion show that I didn't sneak into, I was pretty psyched, and I must admit, it was great to see Karolina in the flesh, especially since, now that she's in her early 20s, her career is, sadly, in its twilight years. Also, I love Karolina, and it made me love her even more to see that she has, I kid you not, just as much cellulite as I have. In fact, I was shocked at the number of models who were packing peel (orange-peel, that is). While they were all clearly wearing a lot of self-tanner or body bronzer, which does wonders for camouflaging, of the models had a little jiggle action in the posterior. And, yes, that made me feel a lot better about myself. As for the swimsuits, Benny Rosset, Cia Maritima's designer, is Brazilian, so as you can imagine, the majority of swimsuits were skimpy beyond belief. There were, however, some flattering boy-short-type styles. And I don't know if swimwear has bona fide trends or not (I'm sure swimwear designers and buyers would say that there are trends indeed), but this show was heavy on botanical prints, metallics, and suits with metal insets, like Gucci circa 1997. (I would show you pictures of these, but alas I can't find any.) The hair and makeup was very natural, and by that I mean lots of bronzer and loose curls, both of which probably came from artificial means. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

My next show was Gottex swimwear, which normally doesn't present at fashion week, but the company is celebrating their 50th anniversary, so one would assume they were trying to drum up a little publicity. My seat was in the third row, and I was overjoyed to receive a gift bag! (After this show, I think I caught "swag fever," and I am now beginning to understand why celebrities go so crazy for the gift bags.) Gottex presented a whopping 71 looks, and while Cia Maritima's models were bronzed and Brazilian, Gottex's models were...um...seasoned professionals. I think of Gottex as the swimsuits my mom would never let me try on when I was little because they were, in her words, "too Mafia wifey," and especially in comparison with the previous show, the suits seemed a bit overdone, as well as for an older customer. They're big on illusion fabric (i.e. nude or black mesh), dramatic accessories like big hats and flowing pareos, and old-lady cuts, like bikinis with bottoms that hit the natural waist. Case in point:


Now, Gottex is getting a little attention for having used "real" models in their show. This model, below, is what's considered a "plus size" model. And by "plus size," I'd estimate that she's a little bigger than I am, probably a size 10. I was worried she was going to have a wardrobe malfunction (although later in the show, I began to realize that nipple slips are no big shakes at fashion week).


So, while Gottex was a bit theatrical at times, there were a few cute suits in the show. Take away the ridiculous accessories and this black-and-white floral bikini has a super-flattering cut and a timeless look.


Also, I don't know if it was the lighting (the Tent is all black, whereas the Promenade, where Cia Maritima's show was held, is all white), the body makeup, or what, but Gottex's models looked a bit less jiggly, even though their slicked-back hair and severe makeup made them look much older. The lesson? Find a good self-tanner and use it religiously. As soon as I finish my blog entries tonight, it's FlashBronzer time for me!

Cheryl Shops at Fashion Week
I'm happy to report that for the first time ever, I'll be covering Olympus Fashion Week in person, starting tomorrow! Granted, I'll be attending some of the smaller and more up-and-coming designer shows (I'm sure I gave everyone at Marc Jacobs a chuckle when I requested an invite to that show, although at least they were kind enough to call me back to decline), but I am very, very excited nonetheless. So, for the next week, since Fashion Week will be my main focus, regular Cheryl Shops features may not appear but, rest assured, they'll be back on the 18th. In the meantime, please check back daily for my Spring 2007 Fashion Week updates! Yay!

Project Runway recap
I am one of those people who can't get enough of Paris. (France, not Hilton.) I am happy to look at pictures or film of it for hours on end. And so, apparently, are the producers of Project Runway, since the city of lights was featured prominently in tonight's episode. Not that I'm complaining. Anyway, the challenge was to create a "couture" gown, for which the contestants received 300 Euros and two days in which to work. Now, while I applaud Tim Gunn for explaining what couture actually is (it's one of the most misused fashion terms ever), he left out an important detail: It's made to measure, and a couture client tends to go through multiple (read: three, four, or more) fittings. In other words, it's not necessarily something one knocks out in two days. Regardless, the designers got to work. Jeffrey, who had immunity, took the most risks in a bold yellow plaid cotton, while Laura went for classic French (and pretty much an Yves Saint Laurent rip-off, although I liked where she was going with it). Uli tried to break her mold, and while she didn't use patterns, the dress was still very Uli to me. Kayne's had the potential to be gorgeous (the ombré silk skirt moved beautifully), but his gown suffered from over-ornamentation. The most interesting contrast, however, came between Michael and Vincent. Michael readily admitted he had no idea what he was doing, sewing by hand and all, and while his gown was indeed a bit sloppy-looking, you have to admire his humility. Vincent, on the other hand, thought his gown was magnificent, and took every opportunity he could to marvel in its splendor. In doing so, he manage to totally gross me out; the worst part came when he shamelessly flattered Catherine Malandrino, who was so not having it. The designers had a little couture party with Mlle. Malandrino on a bateau mouche along the Seine (cue more gorgeous shots of Paris), but then it was back to New York for judging with the usual suspects, as well as Richard Tyler, who apparently has been on a bender since his company went under, because the man looks a bit spent. Poor guy. Anyway, while it looked like Uli was going to win, the honor went to Jeffrey instead, giving him two wins in a row and the first-ever win with immunity from the previous challenge. I don't think I had a favorite from this challenge, strangely enough, but I feel like Jeffrey's dress looked the most "couture" and even reminded me of something Galliano would do. When it came down to Laura and Vincent in the end, I announced that I'd stop watching the show if Laura was auf-ed (to which MW replied, "No, you won't"), but thankfully Vincent was finally out. It was about five or six episodes overdue, but at least I'll never have to hear Vincent talk about how his dresses "turn him on" or "get him off" ever again. Thank god for that.

Next week, the designers apparently design for the Olsen twins, and Laura's hormones appear to get the best of her.

Website of the week
Every once in awhile, a country will emerge as the "hot" fashion design country. In the minimalist '90s, it was Belgium, home to the Antwerp Six (Dries Van Noten, Ann Demeulemeester, Walter Van Beirendonck, Dirk Van Saene, Dirk Bikkembergs, and Marina Yee); in the sexed-up late '90s, it was Brazil (Alexandre Herchcovitch, Rosa Cha, Tufi Duek). And lately, Australia has been pretty hot, from more established designers like Sass & Bide and Karen Walker to the buzzed-about Lover and Toni Maticevski, to the must-have, of-the-moment denim line, Tsubi. And while New Yorkers can hit Elizabeth Charles in the Meatpacking District (and, um, okay, I guess you can shop from the store's website too), it's a totally different experience to go straight to the source. My Catwalk Australia has Tsubi and Karen Walker, but it also has a ton of Australian designers (as well as European and Asian ones) you've never heard of at prices that are much more tolerable (yes, even with the shipping costs). The site has an easygoing, almost beachy feel reminiscent of Los Angeles (lots of jeans and tees here). You can shop by item or by designer, but when you shop by designer, you get a nice little bio, which appeals to my inner fashion dork.

Swedish label Acne ("the new J Brand") is carried here, although this jean is $348, which makes me a bit nervous, although all their styles appear to be sold out.


I love this tweed schoolboy cap by Goorin, and apparently so did everyone else, because it's sold out. But at a mere $30, you can understand why.


I love this lightweight sweater by Gorman, technically for summer, but you can layer it and wear it year round.


Karen Walker makes jewelry too--who knew? I love this quirky axe pendant, and the rest of the collection has a similar weird-cool appeal.


This bizarre half-jacket by Manning Cartell is kind of useless but cool nonetheless, and will instantly make a tee or tank top look a lot dressier.


This minidress by Seduce is like a classy take on the going-out-on-the-town party dress, it's totally adorable, and a mere $107.


And I love pretty much everything by the Viktoria & Woods line, but this bright blue cardigan, in superlightweight wool, is totally my favorite.


So while shopping My Catwalk isn't as easy (or as immediately gratifying) as hitting Elizabeth Charles, it's a totally different--and, in some ways, more gratifying--experience, because sometimes there's nothing better than beating the rest of the fashionistas to the next hot designers.

The week in shopping
The usually excellent Showroom Seven sample sale has Issa, VPL, Tara Subkoff shoes, Orla Kiely, and other cutting-edge designs at great markdowns. Through 9/15; 10-7; 498 7th Ave. (at 36th St.), 24th fl.

For the dog owners out there, Kwigy-Bo and Ella Dish dogwear and accessories are up to 80% off at this canine-friendly sample sale. 9/6-9/7; 9-6; 501 7th Ave. (at 37th St.), ste. 506.

Have an uplifting experience (ha!) at Bra*Tenders, where bras by Aubade, Huit, and Chantelle are 10%-50% off. Through 9/20; call 212-643-4810 for an appointment; 630 9th Avenue (at 45th St.), rm. 601.

Tourneau watches, jewelry, sunglasses, pens, and accessories are up to 70% off. 9/9-9/14; 9-6:30; 317 W. 33rd St. (8th & 9th Aves.).

The friendly-sounding Shelly & Renee sale has Tracy Reese, Blumarine, Lela Rose, Adrienne Landau, and other fancy-schmancy brands for as much as 85% off. 9/10-9/12; 1-8 Sun., 10-7 Mon., 10-5 Tue.; Park Lane Hotel, 36 Central Park South.

The Art of Shop is now Denim Blitz. Uh, okay. Denim from heavy hitters Joe's, Citizens of Humanity, James, True Religion, Seven, and more is 30%-80% off. 9/7-9/10; 11-8, 11-4 Sun.; 65 Greene St. (Spring & Broome Sts.).

Want to meet incredibly kooky--and visionary--designer Jean Paul Gaultier? Head over to Bergdorf's on Thursday from 2-4 p.m. He'll be in the new Gaultier boutique on the 3rd floor.

To celebrate their 7th birthday, Red Envelope is offering 15% off all orders through 10/31.

It's one of my favorite times of year: The Beauty Event at Neiman Marcus. Receive a tote filled with luxe samples with your $85 makeup, skincare, or fragrance purchase.

Project Runway recap
In another episode of crazy twists, tonight's Project Runway had the designers creating an outfit for a jet-setter: themselves. Most of them seemed to get it...and then there was Angela, who apparently never leaves her funny farm somewhere in the Midwest. Angela and Jeffrey, by the way, are still having issues with last week's challenge and Jeffrey's treatment of her mother, but Laura, pumped full of hormones, cut to the chase and told them both to get over it, god love her. The designers had only one day to create their outfit, then the next day was the runway show, in which everyone but Michael (who we found out used to be a model) looked incredibly uncomfortable. At this point, there was still 20 minutes left in the show, so I knew something was up. Yes! After judging, the contestants had to prove how jetsetting-appropriate their clothes actually were by testing them out on a mystery flight...which, it turns out, was to Paris. Then came the best moment in the entire show, which was watching the jet-lagged designers trying to decipher Catherine Malandrino's thick French accent. Catherine judged the outfits post-flight, then she and Tim announced who was in and who was out--which was entirely weird to me. Why didn't Heidi make the trip? I liked Laura's dress the best (it looked quite comfy), but Catherine announced Jeffrey as the winner. I can appreciate why he won, although his style is not quite my taste (nor is his attitude). But I have to admit I was pretty amused seeing the shit-eating grin on Jeffrey's face when Catherine told Angela she looked ridiculous. And while Kayne's shirt was a little Eurotrashy (um, or very), I didn't think it was that bad--at least it was interesting, which is more than I can say for Vincent's super-basic top and pant combo. Still, I was pretty happy that Angela finally got auf-ed (or "au revoired" such as it was). The only person who seemed sad to see her go was Michael, apparently Angela's only friend.

Next week, the designers have a challenge in Paris (how very America's Next Top Model!) but appear to be back in NYC for judging. Jet-setting indeed!

High-fashion gossip item of the day
Since the always-underappreciated Lars Nilsson was canned from Nina Ricci last week, rumors immediately began to spread that the revered house was courting former Rochas designer Olivier Theyskens. Now comes word that Theyskens will be announced as Nina Ricci's new designer any day now. On behalf of the world's fashionistas, I say thank god. As for Mr. Nilsson, word is that he might be taking over for the soon-to-retire (and sure to be missed) Oscar de la Renta.

Website of the week
When I used to live in the West Village (which I've been avoiding like the plague lest I get too wistful for my old nabe), I walked by Tina Tang's store all the time, but I've only been inside once or twice. However, when I was looking for new charms for my charm bracelet, I came across her website, which is totally comprehensive and has a ton of delicate, feminine semiprecious jewelry. The site has a fun, girly design, and you can shop rather simply by type of jewelry (there's also a nice gifts section and a bridal section). And while her designs are supercute, the sections I find the coolest are the design-your-own pages. (As I discovered in L.A. last month, I'm a huge fan of designing my own jewelry.)

The design your own boho necklace section lets you layer chunky semiprecious-stone beaded necklaces with as many semiprecious-stone pendants as you want. The possibilities are endless!


A more affordable but equally as fun option is the lucky charm necklace. You can stick with silver, rose gold, or gold, or you can mix metals for a necklace you can wear with everything, like this one.


But my favorite part is the custom charm bracelet section. I have a Tiffany bracelet that, since every girl in the world seems to have one, I customize with charms from my travels and from significant points in my life. Granted, I realize buying a bunch of charms on a website kind of defeats the purpose, but now at least I know I have the option.


Orders over $100 ship for free, which is a good thing for me, since I'm still working up the courage to go back to the West Village.

Emmys fashion police
I feel kind of bad for poor old Emmy--for an awards show with all TV stars, there's a certain level of glamour missing, as opposed to, say, the Oscars or the Golden Globes. That said, there were some standouts, but when the TV stars fall, they fall long and hard.

The Good
As much as her character on Lost frustrates me (probably because she's even more stubborn than I am), and as much as I like to make fun of Versace, Evangeline Lilly looked amazing in this plum Versace gown. You have to admit, Donatella knows what she's doing when it comes to the red carpet. Word on the street, too, is that purple is huge for fall.


After seeing Julia Louis-Dreyfus in this modern, totally chic Narcisco Rodriguez gown, I began to wonder why his dresses don't appear on the red carpet more often. Very flattering, incredibly gorgeous.


Remember several years ago when Gwyneth Paltrow wore that awful Alexander McQueen gown to the Oscars? This is the right way to do glamour goth: Portia de Rossi in Zac Posen's gray frock, accented with blood-red lips and matching clutch.


And I know she took a lot of heat (pardon the pun) for the under-boob sweat stains, but I don't care--I thought Katherine Heigl looked incredible in this nude Escada gown. As you all know, normally I am not a fan of blondes in nude gowns, but the sparkles (and her to-die-for body) give it a very Marilyn Monroe feel.


The Eh
I really, really like Sandra Oh, and I really, really wanted to put her under "the Good," even in spite of the fact that it looks like she robbed Jacob the Jeweler, but because of said accessory overload, I just can't. The dress is absolutely stunning, though.


I have a love-hate relationship with Tyra Banks. And if Tyra had just kept her mouth shut, I would've loved her in this dress. Unfortunately, she kept blabbing how it cost $50,000 (hmm, do you think she actually paid for it, what with all that free publicity?), and therefore, I'm going to hate on her. But just a little.


The Ugly
Did Eva Longoria think that this frothy, puffy white dress was going to make her look washed out? Even so, did she think that warranted such a shade of burnt sienna for her skin? You can take the girl out of Mystic Tan, but...


Hey, Virginia Madsen, this is the Emmys, not the Golden Globes! Put 'em away!


While I am not a fan of the ex-Mrs. Lachey, I can't say I'm too fond of Vanessa Minnillo either. Or her dress. Yikes.


And, I am sad that Cheryl Hines made such a poor showing in this dress, an example of how not to wear purple for fall. She brings shame to the name Cheryl.

The (holiday) week in shopping
Cheryl Shops fave Girlshop the store is taking 15% off summer items, while at the website, you can take 15% off everything, including new fall items. Through 9/4; 11-7 Mon.-Wed., 11-8 Thurs.-Sat., noon-7 Sun.; 819 Washington St. (Gansevoort & Little West 12th Sts.).

Alexis Bittar's fun lucite and semi-precious bracelets, earrings, and necklaces are $25-$350. Through 8/31; 11-7; 465 Broome St. (at Greene St.).

Plus, don't forget the Barneys Warehouse Sale, which ends Labor Day!

Lookee, Cheryl Shops has ads!
I've agonized for a long time over whether to add advertisements to Cheryl Shops. I didn't want any advertisers influencing the editorial content, plus I'm usually not a huge fan of how cluttered it can make a page. However, I spend a lot of time working on Cheryl Shops--so much so that it almost qualifies as a second job, albeit one I don't get paid for. So I recently found a nice compromise. The banners under "Recommended Shopping" in the right sidebar, below my links, are affiliate banners. When you click on them and make a purchase, I make money. Granted, it's not a lot, but every little bit helps. I am purposefully picking banners of sites I recommend and shop myself (believe me, I could make a lot more if I featured Weight Watchers or mortgage ads), so that even though these are ads, they're sites that are endorsed by Chery Shops. Some, such as Solestruck, have even been Websites of the Week. So, not to pressure you or anything, but please, please click on the ads and buy something. Your purchase(s) will not only keep Cheryl Shops up and running, but will also help Cheryl Shops innovate and grow. Thanks!

On Ashlee
I don't really cover celebrites much at Cheryl Shops, with the exception of awards-show attire, since that tends to influence formalwear. It's not that I don't care; it's just, I feel like other blogs, such as Go Fug Yourself, do a much better job at it than I do. Or you can go out and buy an Us Weekly. Whatever. However, after seeing recent paparazzi pictures of Ashlee Simpson, I felt compelled to comment.

Unlike her sister, Jessica, who pretty much turns my stomach, I've had kind of mixed feelings for Ashlee. I get that whole living-in-your-prettier-sister's-shadow thing, and, as the lore goes, Ashlee was the youngest student ever accepted into the School of the New York City Ballet, but she didn't attend because her father was too busy catering to Jessica's blossoming, uh, singing career. That would've been enough to land me in therapy for years. I saw several episodes of Ashlee's show on MTV, and was pretty much put off by her ultra-bratty attitude. Not to mention that her rock-lite music seemed to me as fake as her black hair. And then came the Saturday Night Live incident, which she didn't exactly handle gracefully. Ashlee was still the awkward, less pretty, less confident, and arguably less talented sister.

And then Jessica filed for divorce, and Ashlee got a new boyfriend, dyed her hair back to blonde, and released her second album. For awhile, it looked like Ashlee was trying to out-Jessica Jessica. And then came the nose job. I saw Ashlee on Mott Street in Nolita and were it not for the paparazzi following her, I wouldn't have even recognized her. (Hey, I liked her big ol' schnoz, but who am I to begrudge her a new nose?) Slowly, Ashlee lost a bit of weight (not that she needed to in the first place), and recently she dyed her hair a bit darker shade of blonde. Then she and Jessica were photographed exiting The Ivy, and Ashlee looked so cool, it was like Jessica wasn't even in the picture:



I love the hair--it totally suits her--and the dress is absolutely fantastic. All of a sudden, Ashlee looks cool and chic (she was wearing slouchy black boots with this dress, which made the look even better). I'm going to venture that Ashlee upgraded to an A-list stylist (as much as I hate to say it, I'm going to guess it's Rachael Zoe), but whatever she's doing, it's working. Take, for example, this dress.



I thought this was Mischa Barton at first, and it totally looks like something she'd wear (again, this might be Rachael Zoe's hand). I almost can't believe this is the same girl who wore combat boots and fingerless gloves just last year. And, finally, this photo was on People.com this week:



Ohh, from the bright silk top to the skinny jeans, to the vintage Chanel bag, I love it. But aside from the more flattering hair color, the new nose and cool clothes, it's clear that Ashlee has something even more becoming: confidence. I could care less about her nose job, her disingenuous remarks to Marie Claire, her cancelling several concerts, or whatever remotely scandalous thing she might say or do. Girlfriend looks hot--way hotter than Jessica--and, most importantly, comfortable in her own skin, which is ultimately the best outcome from a makeover that anyone could ask for.

Project Runway recap
Oh dear, where to start. This week's Project Runway had a sweet twist, in that instead of designing for the models this week, the contestants would be designing for...their moms or sisters! Cue the tears (which, okay, I thought were actually kind of heartwarming). The twist, however, is that they wouldn't be designing for their own moms or sisters! Michael, last week's winner, started out on the right foot with Robert's cute, svelte sister, and the thinner moms were definitely picked first. In several strange twists of fate, Angela ended up designing for Laura's mom (in this episode, we learned Laura was pregnant with her sixth child--time to get those tubes tied, lady!), and Jeffrey designed for Angela's mom. While Angela's mom is quite possibly as crazy as her daughter, Jeffrey was indeed pretty rude to her after she told Tim Gunn she didn't like the colors. His design turned out to be one of the worst, although not as bad as Robert's shapeless schmatte, so poor Robert, who showed so much promise at the beginning, got auf-ed for being bo-ring. As for the winner...in yet another cruel twist of fate, Vincent actually won the challenge. I can't believe I just typed that. Okay, so Vincent designed something that wasn't hideous and was maybe actually a little bit flattering. The collar reminded me of Jane Jetson's outfit, and big whoop--it was a little black dress with a pencil skirt. I could design--and sew--one of those in my sleep. I think Uli should've won, and judging by the, well, judges, Michael Kors's mom wanted her to win too. (I know Uli used prints again, but the woman has a way with 'em, and her outfit, aside from Laura's, was the most representative of her typical style.) By the way, I love Michael Kors' mom, and Michael's most priceless comment to date: "It looks like Comme des Garcons meets the Amish country." The only way that would've been funnier would be if it came out of Mrs. Kors's mouth.

Cheryl shops...the Prada sample sale
I don't mean to sound like a snob, but my first thought upon entering the Prada sample sale was, "Who are they inviting to this?" Not only was the sale way more crowded than in the past, but there were some totally random people there, including what appeared to be two Texan tourists and an older Asian lady who kept trying on pants that were way too big on her and asking me if they fit her (um, no), and who didn't understand the concept of "personal space," as she was constantly all up in mine. But lest you think I'm a big ol' bitch, I told a fellow shopper she looked lovely in a cashmere sweater, and I gave the older lady the name of my tailor. Anyway, my first impression of the merchandise was: "gross." A lot of it was more than several seasons old, and much of it was stained, ripped, or both. A more careful pass through the racks turned up a few Miu Miu tanks, skirts, and pants; I didn't even bother trying on anything Prada, because what wasn't damaged was still way too expensive. I'm happy to report that on top, I can fit a sample size for Miu Miu, but I decided neither of the sparkly tank tops I tried on were worth $100. I also found a gorgeous camel wool sweater from Miu Miu, but discovered a hole at the shoulder, and even though I got them to mark it down to 50% off, it was still $80, and not worth it, I decided. There's a huge table in the middle with random accessories, and there are quite a few shoes, including a lot of Miu Miu shoes from the most recent spring collection. The cutest shoes seemed to be in the size 37 range, and since I, like the rest of the world, wear a 39, it was slim pickings for me. (All sizes, however, had a surplus of chunky menswear-style oxford shoes, so if that's what you're after, by all means...) I picked up a metallic peach Miu Miu clutch purse with a broken strap (I fixed it when I got home; it took me about 45 seconds), and then struck gold: In a bin on the side, I found these stockings (pictured at right), featured prominently in Prada's spring 2006 ad campaign, for a mere $25, so I got them in gray and in black. So, I ended up with two pairs of stockings and an evening purse. Random, yes. Is the sale worth going to? If you're a size 4 or 6, have tiny feet, and/or love Prada lingerie (they have a ton of it, for $40 a piece), then yes. Otherwise, approach at your own risk.

Websites of the week
I'm a little behind on my magazine reading, so pardon the non-timeliness of this post. In last month's Allure, the magazine did a story on beauty blogs, and I finally got around to checking them out. Now, I don't read beauty blogs as much as I read fashion blogs, for obvious reasons--I love a good lippy as much as the next girl, but my heart's in clothes and accessories. Still, for the beauty junkies out there (I'm looking at you, AW), here's the lowdown.

The amusingly named Lipstick Is My Crack is set up like a diary. Every day, the writer chronicles her outfit, her makeup, her skincare routine, purchases, things she got in the mail, and her obsessions, which is where the fun happens--she gives incredibly detailed product reviews, and since she notes when she received the products for free, you know you're getting an extremely objective review (as opposed to, say, in a magazine, where you never know what kind of advertiser influence or swag is involved). This is the least visually interesting of the beauty blogs, however--there are links, but no pictures (which, I know, up until a few months ago, I didn't have either).

I found Beauty Addict to be one of my favorites. It's probably the most typical blog in that the writer, Kristen, mixes product reviews (also very detailed) with news, commentary, and, as we call it in publishing, "service journalism." For example, I found the post on post-liquid-ban air-travel beauty products extremely informative and useful, since I can no longer take my beloved Jurlique facial mist on the plane with me when I fly. Plus, Kirsten writes in a very friendly, girly voice--you want to grab her and head over to Saks for free makeovers at the cosmetics counters.

eBeautyDaily is also very comprehensive, with a mixture of product reviews, pop culture commentary, and news, although there are so many ads and sidebars on the site, sometimes it's a bit challenging to read. But if it's links you're after, this is the site to go to--she's got everything from other beauty blogs to places to shop.

Jack and Hill is more of what I'd call a "lifestyle" blog--there's a lot of stuff about beauty, but also a lot on the two writers and their lives. I don't know what makes me think of this, but reading this blog reminds me of being in Anthropologie--there are some cute clothes, some fun-looking makeup, and if you feel like it, you can sit down on the sofa and have a chat with a girlfriend.

I've covered Blogdorf Goodman before; it was first mentioned in the New York Times' article last September on fashion blogs (here's my review); it was then mentioned in the Times' story on beauty blogs, so you've got to hand it to the writer for staying in the press. Anyway, her focus is now on beauty, and hers is definitely the most whimsical of the beauty blogs. Many posts begin with a quote and a vintage photograph. But the writer really goes nuts for fragrances--ah, a girl after my own heart. If reading Jack and Hill is like shopping at Anthropologie, Blogdorf Goodman is like getting lost in...the beauty floor at Bergdorf Goodman. In other words, it's an indulgence that you definitely need to treat yourself to every once in awhile.

The week in shopping
I apologize for any typos in this post. I just got back from dinner at Gramercy Tavern (thanks, SW & NW!) and am currently in a food coma. But I'll do my best.

Parlez-vous Hermès? Get there early and prepare to wait and wait and wait...8/23-8/26; 2-6 Wed., 10-8 Thurs., 10-6 Fri., 10-4 Sat.; Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 W. 18th St. (6th & 7th Aves.).

Find Outlet is hosting the Intermix warehouse sale, and this round features bags by Mulberry and Be & D, clothes by Citizens of Humanity and C&C, and a "designer boutique" featuring Chloe, Gaultier, Lanvin, and other stuff I can't afford. 8/24-8/26; 9-8; Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 W. 18th St. (6th & 7th Aves).

Avant-garde paradise IF Boutique has men’s and women’s Dries Van Noten, Martin Margiela, and Junya Watanabe for at least 70% off. 8/23-8/27; 11-7; 94 Grand St. (at Greene St.).

Score cool indie labels for up to 80% off if you can put up with the L.A. attitude: Sign up for the the Billion Dollar Babes sale at bdbinvite.com. 8/26; 9-5;
the Altman Building, 135 W. 18th St. (6th & 7th Aves.).

Azaleas has cute lingerie and clothing by Cosabella, Charlotte Ronson, and more for up to 60% off. 8/24-9/3; noon-8, noon-6 Sun.; 223 E. 10th St. (at 1st Ave.).

Score denim by Rock & Republic, Paige, True Religion, and other coveted labels on sale at BigDrop NYC. Through 8/31; check website for store locations and hours.

At Thomas O'Brien's Aero, save 50%-75% on tabletop, furniture, and decorative gifts. Through 9/2; 11-6 (closed Sun.); 419 Broome St. (at Lafayette St.).

Fan-cee eyewear from the house label, Versace, and Dior is on sale for $59-$99 at Morgenthal Frederics. Through 9/3; 11-8, noon-6 Sun.; 399 W. Broadway (at Spring St.).

Save 30% on whatever you desire when you enter code "bissous" at checkout through 9/1 at Cheryl Shops fave Le Train Bleu.

Get free shipping on a $40 order when you enter code ENJOY at Kiehls.com through 8/28.

MasstigeWatch!
Even though the Paul & Joe collection just hit the stores, Target has already posted a preview of its next Go International collection, designed by my former neighbor Behnaz Sarafpour. The look is very "holiday"--lots of velvet, lace, and faux fur. The consensus among bloggers is that this looks like the collection that's most true to the designer's aesthetic, and that it's the best one so far. I'm pretty happy with the Paul & Joe line, but there are some definite must-haves. Here are some early favorites.


The collection hits stores in November, just in time for the holidays.

Cheryl Shops...the Barneys warehouse sale
I must say, hitting the Barneys warehouse sale was a lot easier when I lived five blocks away from it. Nonetheless, I hauled my ass over to 17th Street and was in line by 7:50...and proceeded to wait for 40 minutes, since for some inexplicable reason, the doors didn't open until nearly 8:30. Already a bit irritated, I spent the first 10 minutes or so not finding anything worthy. I saw a lot of Proenza Schouler and Lanvin on the racks, alas everything was still a bit out of my price range. There was, as usual, a lot of Rebecca Taylor, Generra, DVF, and Theory, and while I wasn't finding anything good at first, I at least could appreciate the lack of private-label stuff on the racks (I often complain that there's way too much of it at the warehouse sales). I finally came across an awesome Daryl K blazer in a jacquard pattern with a tie at the waist (pictured at right), and things started looking up. I then found the matching pant, making this my second Daryl K suit in a row that I've scored at the warehouse sale. I also found a silk Daryl K vest thing (note to Barneys: size mediums should not be stocked with the size 6's). The denim bins were totally ransacked, and they seemed to have way too many cutoff denim shorts anyway. I usually have pretty good success in the knitwear bins; this time they seemed to have a lot of Trovata striped tops and tees, and a lot of rather reasonably-priced Michael Kors cashmere sweaters. My favorite item of the day, however, was this knee-length ivory Mayle cardigan sweater. It was 2/3 off, and it was still a bit pricey, but the little devil on my shoulder made me buy it anyway. It is gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. I usually save shoes for last, since I tend to not have very good luck there; as usual, nothing too exciting in the size 8.5s. So, is it worth going? Of course it is. But be prepared for crowds, women stripping in the aisles, and lots of labor-intensive digging and picking. I promised MW we could go back this weekend and shop for him; I'm already at my limit. Well, unless I see that white crocheted Daryl K dress...Through 9/4; 10-9 weekdays, 10-7 weekends; 255 W. 17th St. (7th & 8th Aves.).