Fantasy League week eleven

MY PICK FOR WEEK ELEVEN: Now that we're in the home stretch, it seems only fitting to tweak the rules. This week you have only one vote: Who will be sent home, Rami or Chris? Those who pick correctly will score a win that's equivalent to two wins in previous weeks. The same will be true for the finale, too. Since the stakes are raised for the designers, it's only fair that they're raised for us, too, and it opens it up so it's still anyone's game! I am going to vote that Chris is sent home, bon voyage!

Week ten results are in...

I loved this week's challenge, I think it was the most true to how artists seek, and find, inspiration. And the clothes, overall, were really great. I even have a soft spot in my heart for Sweet Pea's peacock dress, although it was no doubt the weakest look. I thought Chris and Rami did retreads of looks they've already showed us before, although I thought Rami's craftsmanship was really great. I would love to own the purple goddess dress he created. I have to say that I thought Jillian was robbed. She created a cute, wearable outfit, whereas Christian created a costume taken straight from the canvas. Over-the-top? Yes. Original? No. FANTASY LEAGUE RESULTS: Angy nailed it by getting every category right. Julia was a close second, and everyone else was in the bottom for not picking Christian as the winner. Overall, I'm still in the lead with five wins. Brad, Julia, Angy and Kate all have two wins. Andrea and Rachel have one.

Joe lies when he cries

I GAVE HER MY HEART AND SHE GAVE ME A PEN: When I was in high school there was no movie couple cooler than Ione Skye and John Cusack in "Say Anything." Every girl I knew had a major crush on Lloyd Dobler, and I still always look for that bit of Lloyd in the men I know. And Ione Skye, in real life, was the girl you wanted to be. She's Donovan's daughter, went out with Ad Rock, started a clothing label and was in "River's Edge," a great '80s movie. It didn't get much better than that. But "Say Anything" is still the pinnacle of both their careers. Watch for the best Red Hot Chili Peppers song ever, "Taste the Pain," Eric Stoltz dressed as a chicken, a lovelorn Lili Taylor and a very young Jeremy Piven.

Fantasy League week ten

MY PICKS FOR WEEK TEN: It's a double elimination week, which means we're only one week from the finale. It's so sad, I don't want it to end! Although I am ready for the judges to finally trim the fat. I am absolutely certain that Chris will be eliminated this week, and I'm also going to pick Sweet Pea. It's possible Rami could be eliminated, but I think he has more talent, which I think will carry him through. I'm going to go with Jillian to win again, I really think she's had a lot of strong looks and is due. I'm going to say yes to mother-of-the-bride, Michael Kors doesn't have many chances left to say it, so he'll return to his roots this week. I also think there will be tears, I'll pick Sweet Pea to cry, but I wouldn't be surprised if there are tears of happiness as well.

I spy ikat

If you've been keeping up with fashion at all you know that ikat is the big print for spring. What is ikat? It's a way of dying or embroidering fabric that results in a patterned, sometimes tie-dyed look. It's popular in Eastern Europe, think Uzbekistan, and also parts of Africa, Asia and South America. You definitely don't want to dress head-to-toe in the pattern, but this Urban Outfitters scarf is a great, subtle way to incorporate the look into your wardrobe. If you're looking for something for your home, you can get a one-of-a-kind throw to put over a sofa or to hang on your wall. It's a great way to add a splash of color and culture to a room.

Week nine results are in...

The designers had to dress female wrestling stars this week, much to their shock. It was a great episode, with its fair share of highs and abysmal lows, but I do miss them doing pretty dresses and tailored pants. Isn't this a fashion show? Anyway, Chris won with a very cute leopard-print hoodie, but Jillian was robbed. She created a gorgeous blue satin boxer-inspired outfit that was a knockout. On the other end, Ricky was finally sent packing for creating nothing more than a trampy bathing suit. The nightmare has ended! FANTASY LEAGUE RESULTS: It was a good week, with many people making good picks. Angy and I finished with 14 for picking Ricky to go home, but were bested by Julia and Brad, who scored 18 with the winning pick. Andrea and Kate totaled 7 points and Rachel Sheedy rounded out the bottom with 3. For the grand total, I'm still in the lead with five wins, but Kate, Brad and Julia are tied for second with two, and everyone else has one.

Red, hot and not-so-blue

Marriage may not agree with Katie Holmes' career, but it definitely agrees with her fashion sense. Ever since she chopped her hair she looks great, albeit a little Victoria Beckham-esque. Like an American Posh Spice, without the implants. Check her out in this stunning red dress, which made Vogue's 10 Best Dressed this week. Now if only her career would take off as successfully as her style. Remember "The Ice Storm," "The Gift" and "The Wonder Boys"? She can be a good actress if given a shot.

I heart New York

CLOSING TIME: New York Fashion Week wrapped up with a host of big names, including Michael Kors, Marc Jacobs and Vera Wang. Marc Jacob's collection featured sober colors and simple clothes, quite a departure for him, and a telling look at the fashions come fall, as he's one of the most influential designers working today. But the looks I liked best were at Vera Wang, Anna Sui and Zac Posen. Sui's style never changes, but her luxe hippie look is always a winner. From left, check out Wang's beautiful jewel-tone gowns, Sui's bohemian styles, and, far right, Posen's feminine frock.

Fashion week fever

IT'S BACK! New York Fashion week kicked off in earnest this week, with some big shows coming early. Many of the looks were similar to seasons past; there was a lot of '80s influence and painterly patterns. But the week is still young, so hopefully someone will break out with something new and fresh. Check out the look from Halston as well, which is enjoying another renaissance with the backing of Rachel Zoe, Tamara Mellon and Harvey Weinstein. Pictured, clockwise from top left: Tracy Reese, Rodarte, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Halston, Matthew Williamson, Matthew Williamson and Tracy Reese. Our favorite collection so far? Matthew Williamson!

The Rachel papers

OH, ZOE: This page appeared in The Examiner on Dec. 12, 2006, in the midst of the Rachel Zoe hype. Pre-Nicole Richie pregnancy and pre-Lindsay Lohan total meltdown, Zoe was the style maven to be reckoned with. Looking back, the trends she ushered in are still going strong. It was a glamourous look reminiscent of the '70s: large sunglasses, purses, long patterned dresses and bohemian costume jewelry. And perfectly fitting, she's part of the team trying to bring Halston back. We still think she could stand to gain some weight though.