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.