"W" is for "What did you do to Gwyneth?"

Gwyneth Paltrow is on the cover of September's "W" magazine, and she looks, um... interesting?

Yes, it appears that the heavy-browed Paltrow has a bad fake tan and is feeding a mouse with a sippie cup. I'm not sure what the magazine is going for here, but all the photos are equally odd -- Gwyneth on crutches, Gwyneth using a cane, Gwyneth dazed on a bed. Perhaps hospital chic? Infirm couture?

They are strangely alluring, though. See the rest here.

Print | E-mail to a friend | Permalink | Subscribe via RSS

Rep your neighborhood in style

I have a drawer full of t-shirts, some ironic, some cute, some leftover from races I've run (when they only had XXL shirts left). So, no, I don't technically *need* a new t-shirt.

But when I popped into Sherman Cafe in Somerville's Union Square -- my neighborhood -- the other day, I had to have this shirt:

This little beauty pays tribute to the 'Ville's culinary history -- because as everyone knows, Archibald Query invented gelatinous, sugary Fluff right in Union Square in 1917. (You knew that, right?)

I'm not going to lie, though. I sometimes wish I lived in East Cambridge -- because then I could wear this infamous tee:

Yep, Mayflower Poultry in Inman Square -- which opened in 1932 -- sells these tongue-in-cheek shirts in a variety of colors and styles: tank tops, vests, baseball jerseys. And if I ever decide I have too many t-shirts (never!), I can go for the "Live Poultry, Fresh Killed" thong.

Print | E-mail to a friend | Permalink | Subscribe via RSS

Stop and shop

Thank you, Gov. Patrick, for another weekend of tax-free retail therapy. Like most people, I end up spending more than I save. But I'm a sucker for the illusion of a bargain, so I'll be out there with the rest of you.

If you're looking to help the state's economy spend your hard-earned cash, here are a few of my favorite home good stores and goodies that I've seen in my recent travels. Remember, keep it under $2,500, or else the state will come calling for its five percent.

::::Hudson::::

I walked by last night and spotted an amazing octopus pillow in the window. I couldn't find it on the website, but there are very cool items, such as these feed bag pillows.
::::Abodeon::::

My love for the Porter Square shop is legendary, but I can't help myself because it carries an ideal mix of well-designed new home products and mid-century vintage pieces. I'm further won over by the fact that the store also sells old records (swoon).

As you can see, the web site is in developement, but I've posted pics of the style of goods I've seen there.

::::West Elm::::
Yes, I know it's a chain and kind of predictable. But, I'm still in a honeymoon phase with West Elm in Boston, and I dig their take on modern furniture. It's all relatively inexpensive. (the sofa below is $799).

Print | E-mail to a friend | Permalink | Subscribe via RSS

Rushing the seasons

I saw my first Christmas ornaments at the mall yesterday at the Hallmark Gold Crown store.

They had a whole wall of them. Nooooo!

Another accessories store, I've forgotten the name, had spooky ghost candles in the window for Halloween.

That's just ridiculous.

On the other hand, Milton is closing the town pool for the season next Saturday.

Whatever.

Print | E-mail to a friend | Permalink | Subscribe via RSS

What are you doing next weekend?

Yes, I know you've barely had a chance to spray on your Neutrogena self-tanning spritzer for this weekend's round of beach parties, let alone think about next weekend's festivities.

[pin by Fusion Ethos Fashion]

However, David Sakowski at Magpie in Somerville has given me a heads-up for an event next weekend, an eco-friendly craft fair for all you recycling Rhodas out there.

"It's going to be an eco-friendly themed fair with all crafts made from recycled or re-purposed materials," he says.

[skirt by Lazer Beanz]

[pillows by skullknocker]

There will be more than 25 crafters participating, along with environmental organizations such as Groundwork Somerville, who will be educating on how you can be green.

The eco-fair will also feature hands-on recrafting tables where you can make your own disco ball from discarded CDs (woo-hoo!).

Print | E-mail to a friend | Permalink | Subscribe via RSS

Attack of the woodland creatures!

Last week I wrote a story for the Style section about fuzzy woodland creatures such as deer, squirrels, and rabbits invading fashion and homegoods. There wasn't room to fit all the goodies that I found in print, so here are two more of my favorite products featuring fashionable animals:

The Elusive Chocolate Moose by Andy Gonsalves

The sweet side of nature, Gonsalves's pun on nature and dessert shows up on this T-shirt from Threadless. The design is available on T's for men, women, kids, plus hoodies and onesies. $17 to $40 at threadless.com.

Deer pillow by Andrew Sebastian

The Los Angeles designer captures these sweet animals canoodling on a blue or brown backdrop. $55 at modnest.com

If you're interested in reading the entire story, click on the extended entry.

Last year was for the birds. So many birds, in fact, that the worlds of fashion and home goods were beginning to resemble Trafalgar Square or San Juan Capistrano. The flocks of birds have begun to migrate away from skirts, jewelry, and pillows. Good news for Tippi Hedren, bad news for those who paid big bucks for the birds-on-the-telephone wire rug for their entry way. With the birds out of the picture, a new invasion is underway: Woodland creatures. Deer, squirrels, raccoons, bunnies, and other forest vermin are now showing up everywhere from hipster crafts to fine housewares.
CHRISTOPHER MUTHER

Onesie by Ferdinand -- Created by Diane Toepfer for her boutique Ferdinand in Portland, ME, this rocking squirrel appears on a onesie, plus T's for kids and adults. Other woodland creatures depicted in Ferdinand fashion include a deer playing the accordion and a bear canoodling with a sea captain. The onesie is $15, ferdinand.com or 207-761-2151.

Squirrel tray by Ibride -- Created by a trio of French relatives, Ibride (it translates to "hybrid" in French) creates pieces that can be used for decorating or utility. The squirrel tray features nostalgic rococo details, but the aquamarine hue and overly-eager squirrel are playfully modern. $59 from Velocity, velocityartanddesign.com or 866-781-9494.

Owl drawing by Patch NYC -- Cambridge artist Don Carney's intricate pen-and-ink drawings resemble carefully carved woodblock prints. He sells the original art in vintage frames found at flea markets and tag sales. According to Carney, the antique frames help to inspire his drawings. $1,200 at Louis Boston, louisboston.com or 617-262-6100.

Fox pillow by Eleanor Grosch -- An artist who began drawing animals long before the current woodland creature craze, Grosch's pillows look like something Charley Harper would have made if he was involved in the Williamsburg DIY craft movement. $26 at Urban Outfitters, or 800-282-2200.

Hedgehog print by Foxy & Winston -- British illustrator Jane Buck's depiction of hedgehogs frolicking in the woods are printed as wall art in a limited edition run of 200 (it can also be found on greeting cards). They come framed in poplar with plexiglass. $75 at foxyandwinston.etsy.com. Cards are $4.50 and available at foxyandwinston.com.

Woods canvas stretched print by Amenity Home -- The textiles company introduces its nursery line this fall with a line of deer, bunny, and turtle-adorned decor.. Designers and nature lovers Nicole Chiala and Kristina de Corpo strove to create products that would appeal to both kids and their design-savvy parents. $99 at amenityhome.com or 213-624-7309.

Print | E-mail to a friend | Permalink | Subscribe via RSS

Heads Up: Boston Fashion Week

Organizers of the forthcoming Boston Fashion Week have released a schedule of events. I've already marked my calendar for Sam Mendoza's fashion show (Sept. 12), he's one of Boston's most innovative designers.

FRIDAY SEPT. 7th
Fashion Boston Launch Event: Official Opening Night Event

SATURDAY SEPT. 8th
Fashion Prep: A Talk for Teens about the fashion industry at the Boston Public Library

Boston Design Laboratory: Group show by Shirley Willet, Teresa Crowninshield, Ilma Paixão and five other protégés at the Hotel Commonwealth.

SUNDAY SEPT. 9th
Shaunt Sarian at Emerge Spa & Salon

MONDAY SEPT. 10th
Style Summit at BCAE featuring: Kristie Babbin/Viewfinder Productions, Marie Galvin/Designer, Mary Garthe/Fashion Group, Sondra Grace/Mass Art, Denise Hajjar/Designer, Alexandra Hall/Fashion Boston, Erin Byers Murray/Daily Candy, Lisa Pierpont/Boldfacers, Betty Riaz/Stil

La Nuit des Secrets, Fashion & Beauty Fashion Show & Photography Exhibit by arturophoto

Fashion Photography Exhibit by Tonn at Sister Sorel

Dress for a Cause - Sara Campbell 2007 Fall/Resort Fashion Show to benefit Breast Cancer Research Foundation Formal Gala at the Boston Harbor Hotel, Wharf Room

TUESDAY SEPT. 11th

Sheer Exuberance Fashions by Daniel Hernandez at BCAE
WEDNESDAY

SEPT. 12th
Myre Launch Party + Fashion Show by Jess Meyer at the Macallen Building

Sam Mendoza Fashion Show presented by Stil

Stilettos & Martinis Fashion Show and Shoe Party at 75 Chestnut
Monika Desai of Sole Envie and Moxie of Charles Street

THURSDAY SEPT. 13th
Ladder Awards, sponsored by Fashion Group International
at the Venetian Room in the Fairmont Copley Plaza

Denise Hajjar Show
at the Oak Bar in the Fairmont Copley Plaza

Daniel Faucher Fashion Show at 28 Degrees

Nirva & okw shows at Louis, Boston
Tonn Model Management

Kater Hall Fashion Show by Kate Hall

FRIDAY SEPT. 14th

modelBOSTON EVENT: Official Closing Night Event. stuff@night

Print | E-mail to a friend | Permalink | Subscribe via RSS

The year of the cat

I'm totally planning my next vaction in Thailand. There is an amusing story on Yahoo about bad cops in Thailand who are forced to wear Hello Kitty armbands as punishment for misdeeds. I can finally check off "Get arrested by Hello Kitty" from my list of life goals with one quick trip to Thailand.

Print | E-mail to a friend | Permalink | Subscribe via RSS

Recount!

Esquire names Tom Brady as the best-dressed man in the world in its September issue. In the world? Sure Tom's a good looking guy with a few nice suits. We ranked him as the third most stylish Bostonian in our Style section last fall. How can he suddenly be the best-dressed man in the world? I don't mean to insult Tom's sense of style, but do you think this honor has anything to do with his dimpled chin or super model girlfriend? Only that goat knows for certain.

Print | E-mail to a friend | Permalink | Subscribe via RSS