Fantasy league week seven

MY PICKS FOR WEEK SEVEN: This is a tough one, because it's a team challenge this week. The only teams I could discern from the preview were Sweet P and Rami and Victorya and Jillian. On the face of it I really like the Victorya/Jillian team, but both have strong personalities and they could really clash. Because Christian came so close to going home last week I'm going to say he comes back strong. I'm going to chance it and pick him to win, because there's a chance he could be stuck with Ricky, who I'm going to pick to go home. I am stunned that Ricky is still in it, to be honest, and I really want him to go. It is time. I'm going to go with a no for mother-of-the-bride, though I do think it will return at least once more before the end of the season. As for tears, yes, I do think someone will cry because of the tension of working in teams. I'm going to go with Sweet Pea.

Kind of blue

THE HUE FOR YOU: My favorite color combination is blue and white, and with spring clothes starting to hit the shelves, there's no better time to shop for dresses and blouses reminiscent of the California coast. What better color mix than one inspired by the ocean and the sky? And almost everyone looks great in white because it's such a complexion brightener, and it's the most versatile color to mix and match. So take a dip in the colors of nature. Clockwise from left: Nanette Lepore "Mille Baci" dress, $250 at www.nordstrom.com; Free People colcha top, $98; Banana Republic floral smock blouse, $68; Gap chambray trapeze shirt, $44.50.

SJP would be sorry

The critics have been far from impressed with "Cashmere Mafia," the latest show from Darren Star, "Sex and the City" producer, and SATC stylist Patricia Field. They're not wrong, It's a far cry from SATC, not least because of the lame name of the show. It's about four friends in New York City who are stylish, self-absorbed, stuck-up and super rich. The problem is that, for the most part, the characters aren't believable and the ones that are aren't very likable. On the face of it the writers would like to believe it's about female empowerment, but you don't have to be a bitch to have a successful career or to get what you want. A lesson the SATC characters learned again and again.

Enviable abode

GWYNETH'S GORGEOUS HOME: Metropolitan Home magazine's last cover story before the magazine folded was on Gwyneth Paltrow's summer house in the Hamptons. It's a gorgeous home, with a beautiful pink blossom glass chandelier and a standalone yoga/pilates studio in the backyard. It's pretty spectacular, yet definitely sickening, and totally enviable. Known for her simple and classic style, Paltrow's home reflects those tastes, and is decorated in cool tones with a lot of blue and white. Her home is as indicative of her style as her wardrobe, which is a good start for inspiration if you're struggling with how to decorate your home. Take a look at your closet, see what colors your attracted to, what shapes you like and what fabrics appeal to you, and start from there.

Keeping warm

This time of year I always start to get bored with cold-weather dressing. There are only so many ways to keep things interesting with pants and skirts and boots. I always start to eye my summer clothes waiting for the day when I'll get to wear them again. A good way to indulge in that feeling while avoiding frostbite is pairing shorts with tights. It requires a bit of judgment though, this look definitely doesn't work with all shorts, or all tights. Unless you're feeling really good about your legs, black tights are easier to pull off than light-colored ones, and the look is best with shorts that hit a couple of inches above the knee so you don't look frumpy. A cuffed dress short is nice to try this with. You can wear either boots or heels for two totally different effects. Since you're most likely to wear this look on a weekend, boots are probably your best bet.

Week six results are in...

There's nothing like prom to bring back bad memories and to bring out bad fashion, and there was plenty of both this week. Poor Chris relived his senior prom, when he sat home drinking by himself and watching old movies, but at least his dress was a lot nicer than his memories. Christian, Rami and Kevin all made especially hideous dresses for different reasons. Christian's was an aesthetic disaster, Rami's was made for a 40-year-old woman and Kevin's looked like something off the rack at Forever 21. The judges liked Victorya's best, but I was pretty torn between hers and Sweet P's. Sweet P has had some bad weeks, but when she makes a dress it's always cute. The short blue minidress she made with Elise is still my favorite look of the season. FANTASY LEAGUE RESULTS: It was a tough week, as no one was able to pick the winner or the loser with Kevin's surprise dismissal. Kate, Julia and I all tied for first place with eight points each, and everyone else had three points. The total results are I've won four weeks, Kate is in second with two wins, and Julia gets her first win, tying with Brad, Angy and Andrea.

Are you 'kid'ding?

I love "The Wizard of Oz" as much as the next person, but dressing up as the tin man is something I would only consider doing on Halloween. It would probably rank just above Toto as far as evening wear inspiration is concerned. So it is with great dismay that I give you Nicole Kidman, who in a moment of insanity took red carpet dressing to a whole new level. How she made this week's Vogue's 10 best dressed list is beyond me. The editors must be really into "The Wizard of Oz." Really into it. For something a little more pleasing to the eye, check out Jacquetta Wheeler and Jessica Joffe, who pull off the controversial legging look with style, and Elettra Rosselini, granddaughter of Ingrid Bergman, in a swingy spring-like skirt.

Project Runway week six

MY PICKS FOR WEEK SIX: It seems harder to make picks as the field gets whittled down, maybe because many of the designers left are so talented? I'm going to pick Jillian as the winner, finally. She's really impressed the judges, and I think her Twizzler dress will still be in the judges mind from last week. I think Sweet Pea, Chris and Ricky are all on the chopping block, but I'm going to go with Chris to go home. I originally thought Ricky, but after thinking of the challenge, and how they will be making prom dresses, I think Chris might make more of a costume than an actual dress and will be sent packing for it. I don't think Michael Kors is going to say MOB this week, and yes, Ricky does cry, as we've seen in the previews!

Week five results are in...

The designers had a tasty challenge this week when they had to make an outfit using items found only in the Hershey store in Times Square. Most of the designers used fabric from Hershey's collectible items, but Jillian took the brave route and used Twizzlers. Zac Posen was the guest judge this week, and was almost as deliciously catty as Michael Kors. Rami was top designer this week with a cool wrap dress, and eccentric Elise was sent home for making silver arm ruffles, which were as hideous as they sound. FANTASY LEAGUE RESULTS: It was a tough week for picks this week, as no one was able to pick the winner. Andrea, Kate, Brad and Rachel Sheedy nabbed five points each, and I was the winner with 12 points for picking Elise as the loser. The official tally is I've won three weeks, and Kate, Andrea, Angy and Brad have each won one week. So it's still anyone's game, but since we're at the halfway point it's getting tight!