Project Runway 501

It's no surprise that I am an avid viewer of Project Runway. Even though it is in it's third season and the formatting and commentary hasn't changed one bit, I still can't turn my eyes away from watching this glorious show.

Last night the contestants were asked to make a new garment purely out of Levi's jeans. While I'm a big believer that denim should only be worn as a pair of pants, these designers made it their own and created some interesting concepts. At the end of the show, I was left wondering what I would create if given the challenge. Come to find out this morning, as I was checking up on some of my favorite blogs, you too can participate in the denim design challenge at the Levis Web site!

All you need to do is register online and upload your design before February 6th. They even go to the lengths of providing a list of do's and dont's insider design tips to help you out along the way. If chosen the winner, you will receive a $501 Levi's gift certificate and most importantly Levi's will sell your design on levis.com. Second and third prize winners also get gift certificates of $501 and $250.

For those of us who are inspired and have great ideas, but aren't exactly "skilled" in the world of fashion design, it is still fun to enter the site and check out what is going on. Once you register, you are free to view all the submitted designs and comment on them. Still not intruiged? As a judge, you too can win Levi's gift certificates. Not too shabby.

If you love Project Runway and have ever put on a quality pair of jeans, I highly suggest visiting the site. If anything, you'll be impressed with the creativity that exudes from the site.

Winter Warm-Up Session

Down in the dumps about my last entry that featured the trendiest solution to bearing the cold winter months? Me too. I felt bad about bashing such a key item for winter, I figure we better move on and look ahead to some sweet spring previews. Hello bold patterns! It appears as though the fun and flirty warm weather dresses from last year are only getting better with age.

For now, enjoy the shopping previews that are peeping their way into the stores slowly but surely, and we'll revisit this when we actually have warm weathr to pair with our shopping needs.

Eskimo Kisses

It took longer than expected, but now that winter weather has made up its mind and is in full force, let's chat about a growing trend that has also finally arrived. Over the past two or three years, maybe longer, the long, puffy parka jacket has slowly been making its way into department stores and closets of colder climates alike. But, it is this winter season where I feel they are officially taking over the world. That's right, taking over the world. Granted, I live in New York and the sheer volume of people I see walking around is significantly larger, but literally every other person I pass on the street is wearing one. Does that define it as a trend? One would argue most certainly it does.

If that is true, that would make every parka wearing trendster out there just as cool as the Eskimos. Did you know the parka, originally created by Eskimos living in the Arctic, were made out of caribu and used to protect from extreme wind chill and wet conditions while hunting? I find this fascinating. Now, they are made mainly of down, synthetic fiber and sometimes even a cute wool lined hood for an extra added effect of the loveable Eskimo culture.

When shopping for a parka to keep you warm while running around town and pushing through the frigid cold winter months, I think the two most important qualities to consider are cost and fit.

The cost - In today's fashion culture, I feel that there is such a push to own a top designer named parka. But, in my opinion (and don't gasp when I say this), a Marc Jacobs parka($500+) will keep you warm just as well as a North Face($275), or even better one from Target($25).

The fit - There is no getting around trying to make this look figure flattering. It is all about the comfort and warmth. I have seen women try to take a leather belt and cinch the waist to add shape - ladies, this is a coat made from down feathers and has seaming to emphasize the "puff". We are not looking to show off anything with this jacket. With that said, some popular looks and shapes that I have come across and really like are:




This cropped puffer jacket from Target is the cheapest in cost ($25), but certainly not in value. It is fun, playful and doubles as a puffer vest by unzipping the sleeves.


If it's quality and comfort you are going for, the North Face Metropolis jacket ($275) is by far my favorite. It elongates the body, is light weight and clearly keeps you warm. My mom and two sisters own the same jacket and swear by it when the harsh Chicago winters are in full force.


While I do poke fun at the loveable and somewhat ridiculous connection between today's suburban/urban friendly parka and the Eskimos, I guarantee once you test one out, you will want to wear it every day and cuddle up with it at night. Its warm, its loveable, and it doesn't have to cost you an arm and a leg if you catch one when the price is just right.