Keeping the Wobbly Bits in Their Proper Place

The high-waist embrace brief from Donna Karan Shapewear comes in black, dark beige and dark teak. Photo courtesy of Donna Karan

“FRUGAL fatigue.” You have it? You know what it is, right? The condition – as defined by one of the commentators on CNBC's “Fast Money” – characterized by a weariness of being frugal and thus wanting to spend money. Of a great desire to pony up for something a bit more substantial than toothpaste and toilet paper. According to the “Fast Money” guy, many Americans are tired of T&T and crave SONY&DKNY&BMW&I-PHONE & the like. This being December, FF is probably taking a huge toll on lots of folk.

Yours Truly, on a strict money diet for many moons now, is not suffering from FF. But I would be remiss if I did not do my patriotic duty and lend a hand to my fellow Americans who are agitating to furiously and, no doubt, responsibly spend for the holidays. Over the next several days I will introduce a product (or brand) a day that I would buy for myself or someone else if I were spending (and could afford to, of course).

Let’s see, Gift No. 4:


Ladies (and some of you gentleman), may I have your attention, please? ’Tis always the season, which means that if you’re going to step out in that Ralph Lauren Blue Label metallic turtleneck dress (See Wednesday, 16 Dec.) and other form-fitting frocks, you do not – I repeat, do not – want to do so if showing are unsightly bulges, bumps, dimples and bodaciously visible lines. Absolutely. Not.

No worries, because between Donna Karen Shapewear and Spanx all of your problems are glossed over and smoothed out (no binding and gathering) with an abundance of undergarments infused with innovative materials that know how to handle amorphous thighs, hips, waists, guts, busts and butts, all the while leaving you feeling as if you're wearing a second skin. The result is a sleek, sexy, classy silhouette that is longer/leaner/leggier. One’s self-confidence is all the world will see, which is as it should be, no?

The various articles, costing anywhere from about $18 to $60, have been vetted by no less an authority than the Mighty O. (No doubt, it is clear to whom I refer.)

If I were choosing, I’d opt for DK simply out of familiarity and supreme customer satisfaction. The label has been taking care of my needs, albeit by way of Filene’s Basement, in the tights category for years. They are the best in fit and durability. There is no reason for me to believe that the shapewear won’t similarly deliver. Incidentally, the most expensive (20-something bucks at Saks Fifth Avenue) pair of pantyhose I have ever purchased (done so in a pinch) were DK. The fit is/was incredible. To this day (10 years later) they do not have a run in them ... I’m just sayin’.

Learn more about the lines at barenecessities.com or visit their respective Web sites at www.spanx.com and www.donnakaran.com (click on LIFESTYLE; in the drop-down menu click on HOISERY).

A Shiny Object Makes the Heart Go Pitter-Patter

“FRUGAL fatigue.” You have it? You know what it is, right? The condition – as defined by one of the commentators on CNBC's “Fast Money” – characterized by a weariness of being frugal and thus wanting to spend money. Of a great desire to pony up for something a bit more substantial than toothpaste and toilet paper. According to the “Fast Money” guy, many Americans are tired of T&T and crave SONY&DKNY&BMW&I-PHONE & the like. This being December, FF is probably taking a huge toll on lots of folk.

Yours Truly, on a strict money diet for many moons now, is not suffering from FF. But I would be remiss if I did not do my patriotic duty and lend a hand to my fellow Americans who are agitating to furiously and, no doubt, responsibly spend for the holidays. Over the next several days I will introduce a product (or brand) a day that I would buy for myself or someone else if I were spending (and could afford to, of course).

The metallic turtleneck dress from the Ralph Lauren Blue Label collection is on sale at ralphlauren.com for $374, down from $498. Photo courtesy of ralphlauren.com.


Let’s see, Gift No. 3:

Besides meeting Constance Victory, whom I introduced the other day (See, Monday, 14 Dec.), another highlight of the Vogue party to benefit Free Arts NYC at the Ralph Lauren salon at Saks Fifth Avenue was admiring a metallic turtleneck dress from RL’s Blue Label collection.

When I first clapped eyes on it, my heart rate increased and my blood pressure rose too many points. The minx of a dress was fitted on a headless mannequin not at all trying to bring attention to itself. In fact, it was paired with a shearling-trim white satin jacket, also from BL. One would think the self-possessed jacket would have caught my eye. The dress (pictured above) is not the sort of garment that most would notice at first blush, the urban chic that is a touchstone of BL, notwithstanding. Perhaps, though, it was the touches of modernity and the eclectic edge, also character traits of BL. Could it be a simple case of love, which is often difficult to put just the right words to? Its only embellishment is the shine from the metallic. The length is smartly just above the knee. And while the dress is fitted, it is not tight – subtly skimming the curves to create a flattering silhouette on most physiques.

A few others at the party liked it, too, after I pointed it out. They nodded with unconcealed interest as I jawed about how I would treat it like black and wear it with just about every color on the wheel. I imagined it at a black-tie affair and a New Year’s Eve party. On a date, at a wedding and out to dinner. With leggings and flat-fronted skinny jeans. The longer I admired it the more occasions I conjured up to wear it.

Several days later, the dress was still on the brain. Several weeks later, the dress is still on the brain. No, I won’t buy it, even though it’s on sale now – marked down from $498 to $374 at ralphlauren.com – remember the money diet? But I can pen an ode to it, can’t I?

Learn more about Ralph Lauren’s Blue Label collection and the whole RL brand at ralphlauren.com. (Choose the country Web site from which you would like to shop/browse.) The metallic turtleneck dress can also be purchased and/or admired at Saks Fifth Avenue and many stores that carry the collection while supplies last ... Learn more about Free Arts NYC at freeartsnyc.org.

Born Many Years Apart, Yet a Perfect Match

Becki Newton proves that there is more than one way to wear Gap's tubular scarf. Photos courtesy of Gap.

“FRUGAL fatigue.” You have it? You know what it is, right? The condition – as defined by one of the commentators on CNBC's “Fast Money” – characterized by a weariness of being frugal and thus wanting to spend money. Of a great desire to pony up for something a bit more substantial than toothpaste and toilet paper. According to the “Fast Money” guy, many Americans are tired of T&T and crave SONY&DKNY&BMW&I-PHONE & the like. This being December, FF is probably taking a huge toll on lots of folk.

Yours Truly, on a strict money diet for many moons now, is not suffering from FF. But I would be remiss if I did not do my patriotic duty and lend a hand to my fellow Americans who are agitating to furiously and, no doubt, responsibly spend for the holidays. Over the next several days I will introduce a product (or brand) a day that I would buy for myself or someone else if I were spending (and could afford to, of course).

Let’s see, Gift No. 2:

When Gap decided to open another store in Soho, it turned the occasion into an event by throwing a party with that do-gooder formula that’s so au courant: identify a cause (Feeding America); select a partner (NYLON magazine) in said cause; engage a hot deejay (DJ Cassidy); dangle a few celebrities (i.e., Becki Newton, Emmy Rossum); open the bar (beer, water, wine); pass hors d’oeuvres (chocolate-themed sweets) and offer an interesting discount (30 percent).

And because this is Soho, the coolest place on God’s green earth, it can’t be just any Gap store. Uh-uh. It has to have a certain look, and a hook. For instance, be inspired by something hipper-than-thou such as a certain Gap pop-up store in Los Angeles. And a theme helps, something along the lines of Gap’s new 1969 Premium Jeans collection. Do ensure that the jeans bear provocative monikers like “Real Straight” for women and “Skinny” for men and have a place on a “denim wall” constructed of materials that evoke Soho. Industrial metal shelving and acrylic panels are good choices. This is not your father’s Gap, unless he’s an editor at NYLON.

It’s a nifty enough concept, but Gap is not building a store on jeans alone. Taking up space on wooden sawhorse tables and in plywood cubes are select pieces from the current collection, including the lush, cherry-red tubular scarf that “Ugly Betty’s” Becki Newton (pictured above) breezed by wearing. Asked where she got it, BN happily pointed it out “over there.” I’d first seen that style in the September issue of Marie Claire, then at H&M. It has also popped up in a few men’s mags. Has exciting possibilities, that one. The Gap scarf is much more affordable than Anna Kula’s version shown to good effect in MC and appears to be at less risk of collecting fur balls than H&M’s. At $19.50, it looks like a keeper.

The pièce de résistance, however, is the red tartan button-down shirt for men and women (possibly marked down from around $50). Gap must have locked that pattern away in its vault, until an opportune time, because I own the very one in a cotton/lycra bodysuit that I bought circa mid-1990s. I know it’s an exact match because I was wearing the bodysuit (now a cropped top after my seamstress at the time had her way with it) the night of the party! The shirt and my top would make a fetching “shirt-set,” judging from the oohs and aahs they elicited from observers. And one can wear the set to a Gap party in the year 2025 and probably still be on trend.

Visit any Gap store or gap.com to shop/browse for the shirt, scarf and other products … Learn more about Feeding America at www.feedingamerica.org.

Bringing Old-Fashioned Luxury Back

The Karilaid Karry-All from the Victoire Focx collection also comes in black. Photo courtesy of Victoire Focx.


“FRUGAL fatigue.” You have it? You know what it is, right? The condition – as defined by one of the commentators on CNBC's “Fast Money” – characterized by a weariness of being frugal and thus wanting to spend money. Of a great desire to pony up for something a bit more substantial than toothpaste and toilet paper. According to the “Fast Money” guy, many Americans are tired of T&T and crave SONY&DKNY&BMW&I-PHONE & the like. This being December, FF is probably taking a huge toll on lots of folk.

Yours Truly, on a strict money diet for many moons now, is not suffering from FF. But I would be remiss if I did not do my patriotic duty and lend a hand to my fellow Americans who are agitating to furiously and, no doubt, responsibly spend for the holidays. Over the next several days I will introduce a product (or brand) a day that I would buy for myself or someone else if I were spending (and could afford to, of course).

Let’s see, Gift No। 1:

One of the highlights of a Vogue party to benefit Free Arts NYC at the Ralph Lauren Blue Label salon at Saks Fifth Avenue was meeting the effervescent Constance Victory who reminded me of Holly Golightly. Read about the other highlight later in the week.

While my time with CV at Saks was brief, I had a longer audience a few days later when the young Gotham-based Renaissance woman (model, celebrity stylist, p.r., maven) and RISD grad introduced Victoire Focx, her semi-eponymous handbag and accessories line at Soho House, its U.S. debut.

Constance Victory (below right) and Leslie Jensen show off pieces from CV's handbag and accessories collection. Photo courtesy of Victoire Focx.

The collection, which had its world premiere earlier this year during Milan Fashion Week and is titled “Bag to the Basics; a Return to Luxury,” is an assortment of bespoke pieces (made to order) inspired by the mosaics on the stained-glass windows of Florence’s cathedrals. A CV signature touch is to pair rare hand-painted exotic skins — caiman crocodile, python and lizard— with rich nappa leathers to create unique affairs that embody what she terms old-world charm.

A favorite of mine is a handbag she's christened the Karilaid Karry-All. It's a little number (shown in rust above and featured in black on the Web site homepage) in the shape of an old-school doctor’s bag. It is fabricated from nappa leather, python and lambskin and has tulip-shaped detailing, python handle and detachable python strap. Like all of the handbags, it is lined with “Victoire-ian” purple suede, reminiscent of the hue favored by Roman emperors and Florentine aristocrats. The gladiator-esque boot cuffs turned my head, too.

No doubt, CV is bringing to bear on her brand some lessons she learned during her time at Baby Phat, Michael Kors, Moschino, Valentino et al.

Learn more about the Victoire Focx collection at http://www.victoirefocx.com.

Compelling Reasons for a Little Shopping

Twinkle by Wenlan is offering up to 75 percent off silk dresses, sweaters, knitted accessories and whatnots from its Fall 2009 line. Photo courtesy of Twinkle by Wenlan.


A favorite mantra of mine: “That shoe/dress/jacket may have cost $600, but I got it for $29.99!” Usually I’d copped my deal at Filene’s Basement-Downtown Crossing. The Boston location is the Mother Of All Filene’s Basements. No other store offered up the variety and quality of deals that this old girl did when she was doing brisk business.

Yours Truly has had Filene’s Basement muchly on the brain the last couple of weeks as notice after notice of a sample sale or huge sale has arrived in her e-mail inbox. Finally, I stopped deleting them. After all, just because I am not shopping does not mean that no one else is! While most of these deals offered over the next few days are not of the magnitude of a Filene’s Basement, they can save a few pretty pennies in this Great Recesssion and holiday shopping season.

I share the wealth with two caveats: shop responsibly and, fashionably:

LABEL/STORE: Christian Lacroix
SALE: up to 75 percent off dresses, jackets, pants and whatnot from past seasons
DATE(S)/TIME(S): Wednesday-Friday, 18 -20 Nov., 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m-1 p.m.
LOCATION: 260 Fifth Ave. @29th St., Ground floor


LABEL/STORE: Saks Fifth Avenue
SALE: FASHIONfix: 50 percent off Chloe, Herve Leger, Alice + Olivia, Zagliani, Theory et al.
DATE(S)/TIME(S): Tuesday, 17 Nov. at noon until Wednesday, 18 Nov. until noon (or until supplies last); online only
WEB SITE: saksfifthavenue@news.saks.com


LABEL/STORE: Twinkle by Wenlan
SALE: up to 70 percent off silk dresses, coats, knitted accessories and whatnot
DATE(S) /TIME(S): Wednesday, 18 Nov. and Thursday, 19 Nov., 10 a.m- 7 p.m.
LOCATION: 545 8th Ave., 17th Fl., b/w 37th and 38th streets


LABEL/STORE: Steve Alan
SALE: Cashmere sweaters for her $90; Shirts for him from house label under $70 and whatnot
DATE(S)/TIME(S): Thursday and Friday, 19-20 Nov., 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturday, 21 Nov., noon- 7 p.m.; Sunday, 22 Nov., noon-5 p.m.
LOCATION: 87 Franklin St., b/w Broadway and Church streets


LABEL/STORE: Araks Lingerie
SALE: up to 80 percent off camisoles, bras, panties and whatnot
DATE(S)/TIMES: Thursday, 19 Nov., 8:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.; Friday, 20 Nov., 9:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
LOCATION: 137 Grand St., b/w Crosby and Lafayette streets, 5th Fl.


LABEL/STORE: Lela Rose
SALE: up to 75 percent off selected frocks
DATE(S)/TIME(S): Wednesday and Thursday, 18-19 Nov., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Friday, 20 Nov., 10 a.m.-5 p.m..
LOCATION: 224 W. 30th St., b/w Seventh and Eighth avenues, 13th Fl.


LABEL/STORE: Yigal Azrouel
SALE: up to 70 percent off women’s, men’s, Yyigal and accessories
DATE(S)/TIME(S): Wednesday and Thursday, 18-19 Nov., 9 a..m.-7 p.m.
LOCATION: 225 W. 39th St., 7th Fl.


LABEL/STORE: MZ Wallace
SALE: $100 nylon bags!
DATE(S)/TIME(S): Thursday and Friday, 19-20 Nov., 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturday, 21 Nov., 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
LOCATION: 125 Crosby St., b/w Prince and Houston streets


LABEL/STORE: Ricky’s (20th Anniversary “Back to Beauty” Sale)
SALE: 20 percent off products, including appliances (except InStyler) and professional hair care (except Fekkai and Phytologie); 1989 prices on select RickyCare items
DATE(S)/TIME(S): Regular business hours throughout November
WEB SITE: Visit www.rickys-nyc.com for a list of New York City locations and general informaiton


LABEL/STORE: Armani Warehouse Sale
SALE: up to 80 percent off Giorgio Armani, Armani Collezioni, Emporio Armani, Armani Jeans and accessories for women and men; credit cards only; no cash/checks
DATE(S)/TIME(S): Thursday-Saturday, 19-21 Nov., 3 p.m.-8 p.m.
LOCATION: Metropolitan Pavilion, 123 W. 18th St., 4th floor gallery

Wear/use your purchase(s) well and in good health!

Making a Bid to Help Some Good Sports

Potential bidders examine silent auction items at Starlight Children’s Foundation 20th Annual Star-Studded Celebrity Sports Auction. Photo courtesy of SCF.

THE gentleman seated in the row in front of mine is one of three people who places a $4,250.00 winning bid on the Nintendo Wii Fun Center. Next, he puts down $2,500.00 for a tour of the Kennedy Space Center. Then $2,500.00 for a dinner for four at the ultra-exclusive Rao’s, which has fewer than 10 tables and a reputation for bodelicious pasta sauces.

Who is this guy? Granted, he didn’t part with $7 million for a Picasso and two Reniors, but he was in a bidding/buying frenzy. After he gets up to leave, I follow with my digital voice recorder. “I do not comment,” the serial bidder demures politely, declining even to give his name.

He does, however, own up to being a supporter of the Starlight Children’s Foundation of NY, NJ and its 20th Annual Star-Studded Sports Auction at Madison Square Garden.

When Yours Truly last basked in the glow of SCF it was July and in progress was a rooftop party, which was as good an excuse as any to raise funds to support seriously ill children in the Tri-state area and their families, which are its raison d’etre. (See vevlynspen.blogspot.com/2009/07/starlight.html). Tonight's (Tuesday, 10 Nov.) auction serves the same purpose. It’s also an opportunity to honor select athletes (i.e., Al Harrington of the New York Knicks, former baseballer Ralph Branca) for their good works.

Here are some choice items up for auction: VIP passes to the New York Giants training camp ($3,000.00). Some kid, perhaps one that SCF serves, will likely have an opportunity to be a Knicks ball kid ($1,200.00).

Meanwhile, some of my newest BFFs put out for Starlight, too. Brian F. drops close to $1,000.00 on a Kevin Boss (Giants tight end) jersey for his mother-in-law, and a Judith Ripka diamond ring for his wife. At the JR table is also a pair of nifty earrings bearing my birthstone (peridot), tantalizing me all night. I do not fall into temptation, nor strangely (alas) does anyone else.

BF’s brother-in-law and Giants fan, Ned S., also places a successful bid at JR that will make his woman happy, but I must digress to express my excitement about NS’s willingness to be my Dallas Cowboys ticket broker and director of ground transportation when America’s Team meets the Giants on 6 Dec. in the Meadowlands.

NS spends high several hundred for the diamond/silver earrings valued at $1,300. Initially, he said they would be a Christmas present, but later flip-flopped, deciding he would present them to the Mrs. tonight. Something about them being a sort of sleeping pill. Hmmm ... Oh well, it’s all part of the $300K and counting for a good cause.

Visit www.starlight-newyork.org to learn more about the auction and the Starlight Children’s Foundation.

A Journey From Hope to Resurrection

"Journey" created a stir in London, and curators hope it will do the same in New York and on other stops. Photo courtesy of "Journey."


“JOURNEY” concerns a human rights issue close to the heart of Emma Thompson, who has been waxing rather emphatically about it, as she did last week on "The View" and as recently as yesterday morning.

“People just don't want to know about this issue – it’s hidden, it’s criminal, it’s perverse and yes, it’s happening on our own doorstep," she insists. "'Journey' is a remarkable piece of collaborative, creative and confrontational art that profoundly challenges people’s perspective. Come and see for yourself and tell us if you agree.”

"Journey" casts a spotlight on sex trafficking/sex slavery, a rights issue that is real. One that affects people the world over, including in the good ole US of A. The art installation, which brings to life one woman’s hellish odyssey as a sex slave, is on display through Sunday at Washington Place at Washington Square East.

The Oscar-winning actress is joined in the fight to illuminate and eradicate the sex slave trade by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and some other famous/prominent folks and organizations. She wants Us to join her, too.

The travelling installation comprises seven shipping containers that tell the story of Elena, evoking the stages of a trafficked person's (mostly girls and young women) experience: hope, journey, uniform, bedroom, customer, stigma, resurrection. Each container is interpreted by a different artist(s), folks like costume designer Sandy Powell (uniform), music producer Mick Martin (journey), playwright Simon Stephens and photographer James Ostrer (customer).

“Journey” is free and open to the public aged 18 and over from noon to 8 p.m. until Friday, 13 Nov., from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, 14 Nov., and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, 15 Nov. Visit www.helenbamber.org to learn more about “Journey” and sex trafficking.