The year in style

FAMOUS AND FASHIONABLE: With an unlimited amount of money and access to all the boutiques in the world, it's a wonder more of today's celebrities can't claim the title of best dressed. But, unfortunately, many stars are more sorry than stylish when it comes to their closets. These 12 are exceptions for always looking their best. What makes some stand out is their ability to change their image in full flawlessly, and for others it's finding a look that works for them and sticking with it. Clockwise from top left: Kate Bosworth has nailed the retro look; Kate Hudson still looks like she's raiding the closet from "Almost Famous," in a good way; Rihanna rocked a killer hair cut; Amy Winehouse has made wino-style her own, for better or for worse; Rachel Bilson has emerged as "The O.C." actress who just might last; Michelle Williams is a latter-day Mia Farrow; Agness Deyn channels Pete Doherty; Whitney Port proves that she should be the one designing a collection, not Lauren; Jessica Alba has emerged as the top Jessica in town; Natalie Portman shaves her head, refuses to wear leather and still emerges as the best-dressed starlet in town; Anne Hathaway channels classic style; Katie Holmes may be a pod-person, but at least she looks good doing it.

Shine on you crazy diamond

Finding a great party dress can be maddening. How much do you spend on something you'll only be able to wear a handful of times a year? What's too dressy and what's not dressy enough? On New Year's Eve it's especially important to look and feel cute, so what's a girl to do? Sequins are a huge trend this year, but most sequin dresses can be way to much of a good thing, a cross between grandma and Britney. This Calvin Klein minidress is right on trend yet way different than what most other girls will be wearing. It has only a thin band of sequins at the bust, which give it pop without too much punch. And at $148, it's definitely affordable. Check it out at www.nordstrom.com.

Holiday blues

Sadly the folks at Bravo have decided that just because it's the holidays, no one is interested in new episodes of "Project Runway." So it'll be next year before we're able to watch another new episode, which doesn't help the mild depression many people already feel this time of year. But at least they'll be plenty of past episodes to catch up with. So sit back, tune out the relatives and tune in to Tim Gunn. Try to catch the episodes from last season where Santino mocks Tim Gunn and jokes about him and Andre going to Red Lobster. Priceless.

Tighten up

The best thing about winter is all the great things you can wear that are hard to pull off in summer. Boots, jackets and sweaters are all amazing wardrobe staples, but perhaps the easiest way to transform a look is to add black tights, the best accessory ever. They're slimming, warm and can make your minidresses work for work, especially when paired with boots. So it was with great glee that we saw the look all over this week's Vogue's 10 best dressed list. But Sienna Miller, at right, wore the look best a few years ago when she was going through her Edie Sedgwick mod phase. Somehow Sienna always manages to be a couple of years ahead of the curve.

Fantasy league week five

MY PICKS FOR WEEK FIVE: I'm feeling pretty torn about who to pick as the winner this week. I think Kit and Sweet P are both good designers who've been flying under the radar and are due some acknowledgment, but I'm not sure whether it's their time yet. I think I'm going to go with Kevin as the winner, he's had a couple of very strong weeks, so his confidence is probably high. I've been convinced Ricky is the next to go for several weeks now, but he manages to survive, much like a cockroach that keeps evading the bug spray. In a complete 180 from last week, I'm going to pick Elise as the one to go. I can't imagine her having a collection shown at New York Fashion Week, and I don't think the judges are going to tolerate her whimsy for any longer. I think Michael Kors is going to hold his tongue on mother-of-the-bride for one more week. And I do predict someone will cry, I'm going to go with Sweet P.

Get your read on

PAGE-TURNERS: This page appeared in The Examiner newspapers Dec. 7, 2006. It can be so hard to find the right gift for people, especially those you may not know very well, that books are often the safest and surest route to take. Especially fashion and style books, as they're often as beautiful as the subjects they cover. So if you're struggling to find the perfect gift for a long-lost aunt or for your best friend, try heading to the bookstore for some inspiration.

Week four results are in...

The designers had to design for real women this week, which always seems to give them fits. This week was no exception, as Elisa, Steven and Jillian all struggled with the challenge, which was to take the old clothes of women who had lost significant weight and to refashion them. But the designers didn't just have the runway challenge to deal with this week, they also had to deal with real life issues, as Jack developed a contagious staph infection that led him to leave the competition. Poor Jack! Hopefully he'll get another shot in the next Project Runway. But the upside was the return of Chris, who shared some flirtatious banter with Tim Gunn. Scandalous! FANTASY LEAGUE RESULTS: We have a new winner! Brad cleaned up with 18 points with his pick of Christian as the winner. Kate and Julia were a close second though, both nabbed 15 points with their pick of Steven, who lost in spectacular fashion with a dismal creation. Andrea, Angy and I all rounded out the middle with eight a piece, and Rachel Sheedy brought up the rear with 3. So the official tally is I've won two weeks and Kate, Andrea, Angy and Brad have all won one. It's truly still anyone's game!

Toasty toes

Fashion is always worth a sacrifice, but sometimes there's nothing better than being comfortable, especially when it's cold and wet outside. But it's best when you can be stylish and comfy, and all for the cost of a couple of CDs. These Target snow boots are so cute I wish it would snow tomorrow just so I can wear them. And at $29.99, you don't even have to think about buying them. Wear them with jeans and you're good to go for work or for play.

Fantasy League Week Four

MY PICKS FOR EPISODE FIVE: The previews this week suggest it's going to be an eventful, and an emotional, episode. It appears that Jack decides to leave the competition early, from the looks of the previews and from early rumors, so I would ask that no one choose him as the one to go home for tonight's episode; please pick another contestant. In that case, I'm going to go with Elisa as the victor this week. She's consistently turned out beautiful clothes, despite her eccentric personality, and is ripe for a surprise win. For the loser I'm going to go with Ricky. He has survived by the skin of his teeth two weeks in a row, his time is quickly running out. As for Michael Kors, I'm going to go with no. He'll give it a rest this week. For all of you who haven't seen the previews, many contestants do she tears in the preview, so I will definitely go for yes for tears, and I'll go with Jack. May the fashion force be with you. Check back on Fridays to check how you did and where you stand in the rankings.

Week three results are in...

This is one of the best seasons of "Project Runway," without a doubt. The designers all have distinct personalities and for the most part are truly talented, which is a sparkling combination. Add in Elisa's eccentricity, Victorya's bitchiness and Jillian's temper, and you've got great TV. The designers had to tackle bad '80s trends this week (although many of them, like neon, were "in" five minutes ago) and make winning looks out of them. Jillian, Rami and Kevin teamed up to form an unbeatable all-star team, and Jillian designed one of the cutest looks of the season by pairing skinny overalls with a sheer blue ruffle-neck blouse. So cute! FANTASY LEAGUE RESULTS: It was a tight race leading to a three-way tie! Andrea, Angy and I tied for first, with Angy and Andrea nailing the Jillian pick, and me picking up the tying five points by voting yes for Michael Kors calling Chris' jacket " too mother-of-the-bride." Right behind us were Kate, Rachel Sheedy and Brad. Unfortunately Julia came in last, but I have confidence she'll come back strong! The score so far: Kate, Angy and Andrea have all won one week, and I've won two. Julia, let me know if I've done any of the math wrong!

Seems like old times

OF MINISKIRTS AND MASCARA: Goldie Hawn is one of my favorite actresses ever, and it's not just because of her comedic timing. She is the poster girl for late sixties style, which was all about psychelic colors, minidresses and mascara. She was a free spirit with cropped hair, and was totally different than actresses who starred on screen just 10 years earlier. For classic Goldie Hawn check out "Cactus Flower," for which she won her Oscar, and "Shampoo," the seventies classic starring style icons Warren Beatty and Julie Christie.

French twist

This week's Vogue's 10 best dressed list featured a lot of glittery holiday dresses, and one especially unfortunate plaid look worn by Vanessa Paradis, the French singer/actress better known as Johnny Depp's longtime love. Paradis, a face of Chanel, may have a history of bad dressing, but she has good taste in picking roles, especially as the troubled protagonist of "The Girl on the Bridge," also starring Daniel Auteuil. The film is an epic romance, about a down-on-his-luck knife thrower who meets a girl about to throw herself off a bridge and offers her an alternative: He asks her to be his target. His aim has been terrible lately, so she'll probably end up dead anyway, which is what she wants. The two find with eachother what they were unable to find on their own: success. And the film, shot by the legendary Patrice Leconte in beautiful black and white, tells their tale. So despite her fashion foibles, Paradis earns a free ticket to dress anyway she pleases after being part of such an amazing film.

Fantasy league week three

MY PICKS FOR EPISODE FOUR: I'm going to go with Rami as the victor this week. From the previews, it looks like Rami, Jillian and Kevin are working in a team for the next challenge, and it's hard to imagine another team could top them, despite any personality clashes. For the loser I'm going to go with Ricky. He's failed to impress the judges time and time again, and his luck is running out. As for Michael Kors, I'm going to go with yes. He's let me down the last few weeks, but I have faith the phrase will return. I'm going to pick Ricky, again, as the one to shed some tears. May the fashion force be with you. Check back on Fridays to check how you did and where you stand in the rankings.

Week two results are in...

I've never laughed so much during a "Project Runway" episode, and I've never seen the judges look so horrified at what they saw. The designers were challenged to create a look for Tiki Barber to where on the Today show, and the success stories were few and far between. Jack won for his head-to-toe pinstripes, but Kit and Kevin also rocked the challenge. I would have chosen Kevin's look for Tiki, but, according to Heidi, it wasn't manly enough for the former football player. The failures were more interesting than the successes though, especially Sweet P's horrific shirt; the collar appeared to be an origami creation. Carmen's look was also disastrous, she ran out of time to make a shirt so she wrapped a scarf around her model. It was beyond bad, and she paid the price and was sent packing. But one positive to take from the show was Christian's insightful comment about Tiki's wife, which one hopes will go a long way to encourage cross-cultural understanding and respect: "I love Asians. Asians are fierce." FANTASY LEAGUE RESULTS: Kate won by a landslide with the winning pick, she had 15 points overall, with Angy the runner-up at 6 points. It was a nail-biter though with Kevin a close second to Jack. Julia only had 5 points, but she nailed Carmen being obnoxious, and, I might add, a terrible dresser. I had the worst pick of the nigth with Sweet P, and unfortunately for Brad he tied my lowly score of 3. Andrea brought up the rear with 2 points, but once she's moved into her new place she'll bounce back quickly. Total wins: Kate and Rachel each have 1.

Trash TV at its finest

I normally would not say I'm a fan of Kim Kardashian. I mean, she's famous for (allegedly) having her posterior enhanced, for making a sex tape and for being friends with Paris Hilton. Not a winning resume. But I've discovered that you don't have to be a Kim Kardashian fan to be a fan of "Keeping Up With the Kardashians," the most watchable show on TV next to "America's Next Top Model." The show is about Kim and her sisters, and her mother and stepfather, the '70s icon Bruce Jenner. Kim is no less intelligent than the other members of her family, (save Bruce, of course, who manages to keep his dignity through the show) which makes it endlessly entertaining. From her rationalizing her way into posing naked for Playboy to her mother's blatant opportunism, there's never a dull moment. And best of all is the reality TV crossover with "The Hills" when Bruce's son Brody pops by. The show was just picked by E! for a second season, so if you've missed the first season you can catch the second. But with the season finale airing Sunday night, look for endless repeats to air this weekend.

Fantasy league week two

MY PICKS FOR EPISODE THREE: I'm going to go with Sweet P as the victor this week. I was really impressed at how she was able to work with Elisa, and I loved their look more than any others. If any of that came from Sweet P's influence, she's definitely talented. For the loser I'm going to go with Steven. He's one of my favorites on the show in terms of personality, but he contributed to the debacle that was the losing outfit last week. I don't think the judges will be able to forgive him. As for Michael Kors, I'm going to go with yes. He won't be able to hold himself back another week. Ricky is definitely the leaky faucet of the bunch, he'll definitely shed some tears this week. May the fashion force be with you. Check back on Fridays to check how you did and where you stand in the rankings.

Week 1 results are in...

Wednesday night's episode was amazing in all ways. It was also the most exciting Runway episode in forever, with Sarah Jessica Parker appearing as the guest judge and as the inspiration for the designers, who had to create a look for her clothing line, Bitten. There were plenty of tears and a lot of trauma as the teams tried to please SJP. Christian and Carmen made a hideous '80s jacket, and Marion and Steven made what Heidi referred to as a Pocahontas-inspired fringe poncho that made her sad. We'd say she was being kind, it was one of the ugliest outfits a designer has made in any of the seasons, matched only by the dress Jeffrey made for Angela's mother last season. In a total surprise, Elisa designed a beautiful dress with a matching cape that just missed winning the week. It was actually much more wearable than Victorya's winning design, but wasn't a perfect fit with the Bitten brand. Fantasy League results: Not to toot my own horn, but I totally rocked the first week, with Andrea a close second. Julia and Kate brought up the rear, but are going to be tough competition. The final scores: I had 19 points, Andrea was at 14 and Julia and Kate were tied at 7.

Fantasy league kick-off

WEEK ONE: The return of "Project Runway" makes me happy in so many ways it's hard to put my elation into words. The crazy clothes, the catty judges, the back-stabbing designers, it's perfect TV. So what better way to celebrate than to participate in a "Project Runway" fantasy league. Let the men have their football fantasy leagues, this is so much better. And participating is so easy. All you have to do is leave a comment, right here, by 10 p.m. every Wednesday night with four criteria. The first: Pick the winner of the challenge. (If it's a team challenge you get the same points for picking one of the winners as if it's an individual challenge.) Winning picks are worth 10 points. The second: Pick the designer to get the boot. (And that would be a round-toe boot this season.) Same as with the previous category, if more than one designer is eliminated you're awarded the same number of points for picking one of the casualties. Winning picks are worth 7 points. The third: A yes or no question, will Michael Kors use the phrase "Too mother-of-the-bride," or "Too MOB" for short. Winning picks are worth 5 points. The fourth: Will someone cry on the show this week? This pick is worth two points, with an extra point, if your answer is yes, for correctly identifying the weeper. A no pick will get you three points if correct. My picks for Episode two: Rami started off really strong, but the judges love to knock the top contestants down a couple of pegs, so I'm going to go with Victorya as the winner this week. Her first dress was sweet, if impractical. For the loser I'm going to go with Marion. Was he even in the first episode? He was that forgettable. As for Michael Kors, I'm going to go with yes. He's pretty hooked on this phrase. It seems a little early for tears, but I think there are a few sensitive (or psychotic) souls in this bunch. I'm voting a yes for tears, and I think it will be Sweet P. To help you out, here are the names of the contestants again, pictured from left to right above: Carmen, Elisa, Jack, Steven, Chris, Christian, Kevin, Simone, Kit, Rami, Jillian, Ricky, Sweet P, Victorya, Marion. May the fashion force be with you. Check back on Fridays to check how you did and where you stand in the rankings.

Shaken, not stirred

I SPY A CUTE GUY: This page appeared in The Examiner on Nov. 29, 2005. FX was doing their annual marathon of James Bond movies, and "Casino Royale" was in production. There was a great to-do over whether Bond could be blond, and lo and behold, Craig turned out to be one of the best Bonds yet.

Arts and crafts

THE YEAR IN FOLK: Think Romanian villages, Kate Moss at Glastonbury and the Free People catalogue, and you're on the right track for nailing this trend. The trick is to wear it without looking like you're a regular at Renaissance Festivals. How to do this? Pick clothes with a classic cut and a vivid print to keep the look clean, or stick to accessories only. Check out these pieces, clockwise from top left: Smiling Buddha cardigan from Free People, $128; Minnetonka fringed boots, $69.95; Marc by Marc Jacobs printed top, $248; Anthropologie petal-perfect scarf, $68; Urban Outfitters embroidered dress, $39.95.

Tis the season

It's getting cold, wet and muddy outside, which means its time to retire flip flops and time to find something more suitable for fall. Wellies are available at all different price ranges, brands and styles, so don't limit yourself to the traditional green or yellow. These sherpa-lined J.Crew wellies are great in tartan at $78. Also, if you opt for a pair by Hunter, don't forget to score the welly warmer socks, which fold over the top of the boots and keep you warm. They come in all colors and are available at Hunter's web site and at freepeople.com. So get sloshing!

Favorite flicks

I LOVE THIS MOVIE: It's just so good it's almost beyond explanation. It nestles in, attaches itself and sticks with you well after it's over. Wes Anderson has such a distinctive aesthetic, his movies are always visually amazing. But this one also has a beautifully-acted story. The soundtrack is a mix of Bollywood classics and the Kinks, and, of course, who couldn't love a film with custom-made Louis Vuitton luggage?

Denim dos

BLUE JEAN BASICS: This page appeared in The Examiner on Dec. 22, 2006. There's nothing better than the perfect pair of jeans. It's the most essential thing you can have in your wardrobe, the one thing that you'll go back to again and again, rain or shine, for work or the weekend. Our favorites are still Sevens, but for cheap jeans Old Navy can't be beat.

J is for just not quite right

This week's Vogue's 10 best dressed list was all about glittery glam as many of the ladies wore metallic gowns. It also featured Jennifer Connelly in a frankly hideous Balenciaga creation, which wasn't the best way to begin her reign as the face of their designs. Thandie Newton looked gorgeous, as always, in a short Matthew Williamson dress, and Irina Lazareanu won the style standoff between people who've slept with Pete Doherty in a glamourous green gown, besting Kate Moss in her own Topshop creations.

Fit to be knit

COZY CLOTHES: The weather is finally turning colder, which means it's time to pull out boots, sweaters and anything textured, woolly and warm. Marc Jacobs' fall 2007 collection was all about lots of layers, so don't be afraid to go for broke. Some essentials to get you started: French Connection grey sweater dress, $168; Free People pointelle tights, $38; Nordstrom plaid newsboy cap, $68; Coach Weslyn boots, $378.

Tricks and treats

HALLOWEEN HOW-TOS: Playing dress-up is one of the few children's pleasures that is even more fun to do as an adult, especially when there are so many options to choose from. Instead of the expected, choose a Halloween costume that's more stylish than spooky. Twiggy is a perfect option this year as the look you need is probably in your closet if you've been shopping recently. Pair a minidress with a short blonde wig, and make sure to focus your makeup on the eyes, with long lashes painted on and lots of eyeliner. If you want a look with more versatility try channeling Carrie Bradshaw from "Sex and the City." You can choose one of her fabulous looks, but it's more fun to focus on the zany ones, like bandana headbands, running shorts with heels , gold name necklaces or huge pin-on flowers. Jane Fonda as the stylish hooker Bree from the '70s film "Klute" is a fun look, but you have to invest in a shag wig to pull this off. Add a black outfit, tall boots and a trench, and you're all set. Two easily recognizable looks are Gwyneth Paltrow from "The Royal Tennenbaums" and Faye Dunaway as Bonnie in "Bonnie and Clyde." For the former find an izod dress, pin your hair up in a bob and load on the black eyeliner. As Bonnie you'll need a beret, a (plastic) gun and the perfect cardigan, scarf and plaid skirt matched with Mary Janes. Now go out and kill the competition.

T.V. twins

TWO OF A KIND: Is it just me, or do Rachel Bilson and Leighton Meester look arrestingly similar? while Bilson was the petite brunette to Mischa Barton's lanky blonde on "The O.C.", Meester is the petite brunette to Blake Lively's lanky blonde in "Gossip Girl." Both play stuck-up rich girls who are in for some major life lessons, and both were relatively unknown actresses before being cast on their respective shows. Now if Meester goes on to date Zach Braff, they will officially be one and the same.

Mirror, mirror on the wall

WHO'S THE FAIREST OF THEM ALL? I'm not sure about that, but take this little quiz to find out which of the four lovely "Sex and the City" ladies you're most like. We've seen dozens of these before, but we couldn't resist doing our own as a tribute to the forthcomnig movie.

Kate is great

GOLD STANDARD: This December 2000 British Vogue has got to have the best magazine cover ever. It's amazingly simple yet compelling, plain yet polished. It takes a lot of daring to do a cover like this, with no tease lines, with no photo of a model smiling at the camera. But look at the reward! Something bold, memorable and fabulous. It's also inspiring: Dare to be different!

Float on

This sheer blouse with butterfly details is a steal at $19.80 from Forever 21. The store is usually hit or miss, with some super cute pieces that are convincing knock-offs of runway trends, but it also has a lot of stuff that looks as cheap as it is. But this blouse looks like five times as much as it costs, and is similar to styles found at Anthropologie. Pair it with jeans for the weekend or white pants and brown Mary Janes for work.

Runway-ready

J'ADORE DIOR: This page appeared in The Examiner newspapers on Jan. 24. With the close of Paris Fashion Week, it seemed only fitting to take a look back at the spring shows. Dior always puts on a show-stopping presentation, no exceptions. For fall he showed baby-doll looks, but last season it was all about Asia.

Just (barely) friends

We haven't watched "Pushing Daisies" yet, but we love it, if only for the casting of Anna Friel in a lead role. Friel is in the ultimate girl movie that spares no truth about the good, the bad and the ugly of female friendships: "Me Without You." In the 2001 British flick, Friel and Michelle Williams play best friends growing up in the 80s, who hate eachother as much as love eachother, and for whom there is no "me without you." Check out the new wave music and the outfits, especially when the girls make dresses out of trash bags. The film is classic, cutting and very cool.

Ga-ga for Gossip Girl

"Gossip Girl" is the first new show of the season to get picked up, and we couldn't be happier! The show looked totally addictive, and after the fiirst three episodes it's official, looks aren't deceiving in this case. The voiceover is a little lame, but we forgive Kristen Bell. It's good enough that it's made the Tivo ticker, so watch for episode updates soon to come!

A leg up

IN KNEED: Minidresses have been in style for a couple of seasons now, and the look is more popular than ever in stores. Mischa Barton is a fan of the trend, but you don't have to be model-tall to wear the style. Especially now as the weather turns colder, pair the look with tights and boots to achieve a long and lean silhouette. Stacked heel boots and wool tights work best. So dare to go (semi) bare.

Feeling fall

ALL ABOUT AUTUMN: It might still be warm out in many parts of the country, but that doesn't mean you can't get set for the colder weather by planning what to wear when it finally gets chilly. We love Old Navy's wide leg jeans this season, a flattering fit at a bargain-basement price. Pair them with a fitted blouse and a cropped or flaired jacket, and you've got an easy outfit that's comfy and cool. Dress it up with stacked Mary Janes and you're all set.

Making it work

It's FINALLY coming, the season premiere of "Project Runway" is set for Nov. 14. Bravo has finally spared us further torture of not knowing when Runway will return. The wait is almost over!

Forget Spider-Man

IT'S ALL ABOUT MARY JANE: The shoe that is. They are everywhere. We'd say they're too everywhere, but they look so cute it's all good. And the best thing about them being everywhere? A ton of styles to choose from, be it modern, classic or fashion-forward. So get stepping.

Fashion on film

STAR STYLE: This page first appeared in The Examiner on Jan. 23, 2007. Sundance has become less about film and more about fashion, for better or for worse. But it always attracts an interesting mix of celebrities, from former big name celebrities looking to gain back some credibility to indie actors in their element. But instead of scouting the stars in glamourous gown, the festival is a chance to check them out casual and cold-weather ready.

We missed you Kate

This week's Vogue's 10 best dressed list features a lot of so-so fashion, with the exception of Kate Moss and Camilla Belle. Belle is wearing a knockout orange 3.1 Phillip Lim dress shaped like a bell, and Kate is back in form with a white Chanel blouse and black Marc Jacobs pants. Moss' look is reminiscent of a '70s Bianca Jagger, and not at all of Pete Doherty. Cheers to that. While we don't love what they're wearing, it was a pleasant surprise to see Winona Ryder and Monica Belluci on the list. We will always love Ryder, and forget Paris Hilton and Pamela Anderson, Belluci is a real beauty.

A weighty matter

This week's Vogue's 10 best dressed list features a gorgeous Amanda Brooks, Diane Kruger and Thandie Newton, and, unfortunately, a dour Keira Knightley. For such a beautiful girl, Knightley has to put a lot of effort into looking bad, which is what she appears to be doing. She is, without a doubt, too thin, and her heavy black eyeliner and too-dark hair only emphasize how unhealthy she looks. How could someone who soared to fame playing a swashbuckling heroine look so frail and fragile just a few years later?

Fashion faux pas

GOOD GRAVY: In watching the Monday night reviews of Emmy fashion, I heard over and over that Ellen Pompeo's hair was too "editorial" for the red carpet. On "America's Next Top Model" the skinny, awkward girl is often referred to as very "editorial." I wish that people would say what they really mean, which is "not pleasing to the eye." Editorial does not necessarily mean beyond comprehension and unbelievably ugly, so it's really not fair to refer to things as being editorial when what's really meant is fit for no living creature. Which, in essence, is what Ellen Pompeo's hair was. But she wasn't the only one subject to the whims of a sadistic stylist. Her fellow Grey's Anatomy cast members (past and present) didn't fare much better. Kate Walsh appeared to have had her hair styled with her head out the limo window, Katherine Heigl looked matronly and Sandra Oh looked like she'd been stuffed into that dress against her will. She looked dour and depressed, which maybe had something to do with the fact that she was wearing wool in 100 degree weather.

File under huh?

Rachel Zoe was the subject of a lengthy profile in "The New York Times" magazine this week. The stylist talked about her new collaboration with Georgina Chapman to revive Halston, and talked about the bevy of starlets she dresses. She also made one of the most ridiculous statements probably ever made in the magazine. In the middle of the interview, she changed her sunglasses, saying that as the light changes, sunglasses need to change. She really is a designer's dream, pushing conspicuous consumption beyond all reason.

Red carpet style

SMALL SCREEN STYLE: Award shows are good for only one thing really: The fashion. Everyone knows the winners aren't any better than the losers, just better connected. In that spirit, this page appeared in The Examiner on Jan. 31, 2006. Charlize Theron shined brightest that year, along with Portia de Rossi. They had more in common than good style though, both appeared in the dearly departed "Arrested Development." I guess fabulous fashion only goes so far.

Bon voyage

Rest is good for the soul, and visiting foreign places is good for the closet. So I'm off to do both. Back in two weeks!

Vital, vanished

The recent seismic staff shifts at Elle magazine resulted in Joe Zee being named creative director of the magazine, replacing Gilles Bensimon. Elle definitely needed an update, and the news reminded us of Vitals, the folded magazine that Joe Zee last helmed. If you haven't checked out Vitals, try to get your hands on an issue. The magazine's design was beautifully executed; Vanity Fair's departments section was recently updated and looks similar to many of the pages in Vitals. The extinct magazine was an interesting blend of culture and fashion, and strived to be more literate than it's shopping counterpart, Lucky. Alas, publishing is a tough business.

Gwynnie in a mini

This week's Vogue's 10 best dressed list had an ecclectic mix. We loved seeing '90s standbys Kirsty Hume, Amber Valletta and Christy Turlington, and the requisite Katie Holmes selection was one of the best looks we've seen her in. She's wearing a gorgeous trench in Paris, with Suri in arms. But Gwyneth Paltrow looked awful! She's photographed in a sack of a Stella McCartney dress looking as if she did her hair in the car on the way to the event. What's going on Gwyneth? Recently she's looked more glum than glam, with her long, straight, center-parted hair and poor dress choices. Gwyenth, come back, we miss you!

These boots are made for (elephant) walking

This photo from a recent issue of Vogue has garnered a lot of negative attention. Although it's beautifully shot, there is something obscenely extravagant about the Louis Vuitton blanket on the elephant. But what's neither obscene nor extravagant are the boots Keira Knightley is wearing. They're perfect with her outfit, and work with dresses, skirts and jeans. Frye makes the best boots, and their low harness styles are only $188 at www.fryeboots.com.