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!