Restaurant Review: McCormick and Schmick's

Last Friday the BF and I got together with another couple and went to McCormick and Schmick's in downtown Minneapolis. Never having been there before, I thought it would be fun to do a review. Although, I'm not sure how much "fun" the review will be.

First of all we had TERRIBLE service. Our waiter stopped by our table right after we sat down and asked if we were ready to order (we weren't) and so we asked him to stop by a few minutes later. We interrupted our polite pre-dinner conversation to hastily look over our menus, which honestly disappointed me as well, and then he didn't return to take our order for at least 15 minutes.

Finally when he returned (with our drinks) he still had yet to bring us any bread- we had to ask three times for before finally receiving a basket.

Once the food came it was a lovely dinner (I had delicious crab cakes), but then he forgot to bring another glass of wine for my friend. And then charged her for it on the bill.

Friday night was truly a testament to how bad service can ruin a meal at an upscale restaurant with fun company. Everything I had heard about M&C's pointed to great time, so it's sad the waiter ruined our excitement. Part of me thinks I should give it a second chance, the other half thinks I should take my $50 elsewhere. Anyone else have good or bad experiences there?

P.S. I did sneak away to the bathrooms after the meal. Small, but clean and private. B+ :)

Hiatus = Over

Alright, to the two of you that are still reading (if there ever even were two of you) I apologize. The end of summer got a little crazy, followed by an even crazier start of fall. Not anything worth noting, just life (you know, that thing outside of the internet. Crazy I know.).

But I am back, the hiatus is over, and I am going to try my darndest to post every day (or at least regularly). So PLEASE add me back to your daily blog-reading routine. I hope not to disappoint.

Today's post is short (I have to ease myself back into this y'all), but I did want to mention one thing:

The easiest way to ruin an outfit? Wearing a ponytail holder on your wrist.

Seriously girls, I have seen some adorable outfits absolutely destroyed these last few weeks. I know it's handy to be able to put up your hair at a moments notice, but please, use a pocket or a purse to keep your hair ties. They are not bracelets, are not chic, and are definitely not classy. FYI.

My PGA 2009 Wardrobe

As alluded to on Twitter and in a previous blog, next week I will attend the PGA Championship golf tournament at Hazeltine in Chaska. I golf a little bit (BF bought me my own clubs for my birthday!), but I have never been to a golf tournament. I bought tickets almost a year ago to give to BF as an anniversary present because I know how much he adores golf (another testament to my superior girlfriend abilities), and now I’m very excited to go! Only one small problem: Attire. I asked BF what he thought I should wear, to which he replied, “I don’t know, whatever you wear to go golfing.” Helpful.

While I do golf, some, I haven’t quite reached the level where I will spend money on golf shirts or shorts. Normally, when I go golfing, I wear some version of a t-shirt and khaki pants (or even… gasp… jeans), which is definitely not something I want to be wearing when I take my picture with Tiger Woods (Oh yes, that is my mission).

So this week I have been on the hunt for the perfect golf outfits. I needed to find something cute for Monday- the first practice round- where picture-taking and autograph-getting is allowed, and then something sophisticated and classy for Sunday- the final day of the Championship round- where no pictures or autographs, or even CELL PHONES, are ok. Sunday is also a good day to look pristine, as out of the two days BF and I are going it is the one that we are most likely to run into people we know, such as co-workers, bosses, business associates, or networking contacts.

I thought, two days, not so bad. I’ve shopped for full weeks of events before with no problem. Little did I know, “Golf” has a very particular look, with added restrictions of no heels (not only will they stick in the grass, they also make it hard to chase Tiger down the 15th fairway waving a camera, he, he), no flip-flops (My feetsies need some support for the long walks), layers necessary for this most unusual Minnesota summer, and lightweight/portable (once again, a hefty handbag won’t help me get my hands on Mr. Woods). After two days of scouring, buying, returning, and speeding down Highway 100 to get the last one of the perfect cross-body bag, I’m exhausted. May I now present, my wardrobe for the 2009 PGA Championship.

Monday:

I picked up this beauty of a dress at Banana Republic. I decided in order to only have to buy one set of accessories; my color theme for the week would be navy. This fit the bill to a T. Lightweight, with the ability to keep me warm while still letting air flow, and most importantly, totally chic and classic. Tiger Woods will be asking ME to take a picture with him.


Sunday:

This was the real trick. How do you look sophisticated while maintaining a summery, flowy, classy look that will let you move? How do you look sophisticated without wearing heels?!

I was lucky to run across this picture of a style idol of mine, Olivia Palermo, for inspiration. Here she is shooting for The City:


I immediately adored the Topshop cardigan, and then decided I might as well re-create the whole look. I already have the Ray-Ban sunnies (a classic I would have worn anyway), but it was up to me to find the shirt, necktie, and shorts. Luckily, Topshop still had the cardigan in my size.

While in Banana, I took a look at some of their white dress t-shirts. They had a few promising options, but all of the women’s shirts were so heavily pleated around the chest and waist that I couldn’t achieve the flowy look Olivia’s blouse has. The whole time I was in the dressing room I was wishing they could just make women’s shirts like men’s, with no pleating or fittings. Then I had an epiphany: Banana Republic sells men’s shirts too! I headed over to the men’s side, and found the perfect white dress tee. Sure the salespeople gave me some weird looks, but it was worth it.

The navy shorts were the hardest to find. No one seemed to have any, until finally, on a whim, I headed into Old Navy- a store I haven’t shopped at in 10 years. Good thing too, these are perfect:

A quick search on Etsy discovered the perfect navy necktie, made by NadineNewYork:
Accessories:

As I said before, I wanted to wear the same shoes/purse both days. I also wanted to create an interesting twist on each outfit, so I decided on red accessories! A pop or two of red is so on trend right now. Here is what I came up with:

I knew this cross-body bag from Dooney was perfect the moment I saw it. Big enough to carry a camera, cell phone, and other essentials for Monday, but not so big I will look like an idiot carrying a huge tote with nothing in it Sunday. Also, cross-body means I don’t have to “carry” it all day.
Loafers by Franco Sarto. On sale. Keep my feet from getting dirty. Have an arch for some support. Perfect.


What does everyone think? Is anyone else going to the tournament? If so, what are you wearing? And if you are, maybe you will spot me! (Hopefully in the clubhouse sitting next to Tiger ☺ )

Annie Leibovitz Shoots Mad Men

Today Vanity Fair put their September issue feature of Mad Men online, along with a fabulous photo shoot by Annie Leibovitz.

The shots, taken in the Bahamas, show a beach-ier side of Don and Betty, but that doesn't make them any more casual, relaxed, or less intense. I am fascinated by the sets and styling because of the way the hard, fast-paced, dramatic life of the Drapers in NYC transfers to such a calm, serene setting. I think it does a good job of encapsulating the show- a perfect, lovely exterior, but steely and cold as ice on the inside. Check it out, along with a fabulous piece by Bruce Handy, here.

As a side note, I can't wait for the Season 3 premiere on August 16! Hopefully the PGA Championship will end soon enough for me to hurry home and catch it!

Sometimes I Miss My Roommates (But Not Much)

Last night was an unexpected really fun night. After doing laundry all day, BF and I decided to go grab dinner at Bar Abilene in Uptown. While walking to the restaurant, we spotted one of BF’s good friends and co-workers out on his balcony, less than a block from Abilene. BF called him just to say we saw him, but then he invited us up to cook dinner with him and his girlfriend, as well as watch some HBO. We agreed.

After an extensive (and expensive) shopping trip to Lunds, and a stop by Rainbow to grab a special stir-fry bowl, we were ready to cook. I was in charge of peeling the carrots, which proved to be harder than I thought minus a peeler. A glass of wine and some sautéing later, we were enjoying really tasty home cooked stir fry, followed by brownies and ice cream.

Midway through the meal, both of BF’s friend’s roommate showed up, also friends of ours. While they didn’t eat, we all chilled on the couches and watched Entourage. Almost like a little family. And a nice break from the usual raucous drunk times we normally have with this group of friends. It almost made me miss my roommates, almost.

In Need of a Pick-Me-Up

Today I'm feeling a little frustrated and depressed, so for some fun and chill-time I surfed around on the Tiffany's website. It felt very Audrey Hepburn (except it was lunch, and online), and the movie really is correct- Tiffany's will always make you feel better.

I am loving the new key pendant collection and want to pick one out. However, Tiffany's is always better served as a gift, so maybe I will just drop a few hints to BF. Our two-year-anniversary is on its way. Pray to God he doesn't try to turn it into some cheesy "key to my heart" present. Gag me.

And of course, I played around with the engagement rings. Someday, one of those babies will be mine! (Preferably a 1.5 carat, princess cut set in platinum baby.)

I'm Trapped

I promise not to become one of those bloggers that spends all their time posting pictures of handmade goods- but it's true, I have fallen for Etsy.com.

I've known about the site for some time, and visited here and there for a quick look, but yesterday I fell in. I decided to see if anyone had any quality black leather totes (not much luck), which led to three hours looking at headbands, two hours looking at necklaces, and another hour perusing the vintage section. Here are just a few of my favorites:

Vintage Dictionary Glass Pendant Party Girl Necklace by robbiejenkins, $10

The Juliet by BelleChevelure, $20

Creamy Flowering Locket by Peaches4me, $22

Vintage Tiffany and Co. Sterling Silver Compact by Jenstar68, $65

Black Tie affair necklace by JustLive, $15

Sailors Knot Headband by mireillemanuel, $22

I haven't committed to purchasing anything yet, but I'm close. Does anyone else have the Etsy bug? How do you escape it!?

Appreciating The 'Burbs

As alluded to in my tweet from yesterday, I spent all of yesterday afternoon on Lake Minnetonka with BF and friends (and yes, more than one person felt the need to yell "We're on a BOAT!").

Although I grew up in the suburbs, since my move downtown I have developed a sort of irrational fear of them. It just seems there are too many cheery people, too many children, and most of all, too much space. Reverse-claustrophobia? Maybe.

But, for all my fears, I will always brave the 'burbs for an afternoon on the lake. To this day, after all my travels (even including my day spent on Lake Como in Northern Italy) I still believe Lake Minnetonka is the prettiest place on the planet. When BF's friend offered to take us out on his cruiser, we packed our bag and dug out our swimsuits, no questions asked.

The day was perfect (despite the dreary Fri/Sat) and so we spent a few hours on the lake drifting, then headed over to Maynard's for apps and drinks. Apps are not quite in my diet, but I tried a few chicken strips. My body actually sort of revolted against them... I'm thinking this is a good sign. As much as the fruit and veggies are exactly satisfying, at least my body knows that's what it's getting, and is getting used to it.

After Maynard's it was back to Wayzata Bay, then back downtown for BF and I. While I was glad to see the skyline of my beloved city, I must praise the 'burbs for offering up an excellent afternoon.

No Food For Me

Ok, so not really. I am still eating. But I might as well not be.

Last night I was laying on the couch, watching TV, and suddenly I noticed my skin was pudging out in new places. This worried me enough to step on the scale… bad idea.

So now I’m on a diet. I want to lose at least 10 to 15 pounds, maybe even 20 for that little extra insurance cushion. While I’m no nutritionist, or even all that knowledgeable about how to diet, here is my plan:

Fruits, veggies and chicken. For as long as it takes.

This means until I lose the weight, I will be eating a piece of fruit for breakfast, a piece of fruit or a salad for lunch, and a salad with some chicken or just chicken for dinner. Also, I will drink lots of water (and maybe the occasional diet pop), and take daily vitamins to make sure I keep getting the nutrients I am missing out on with my limited diet.

I came to my conclusion because I know fruits and veggies are healthy and not fattening (some of them, like apples, even help you lose weight!). Also, I know I need some protein, so I threw in the chicken because I feel like it’s the best option. Maybe, at the point I get really tired of chicken, I can throw in the occasional turkey or fish.

Does this seem like an idea that will work? Does anyone have any good tips or suggestions? Let me know!

P.S. Sorry to any readers who might have been confused, the sale going on today that I mentioned in my "Decisions, Decisions" post is NOT at GH2, but their original and feeder store Grethen House (also more expensive). This doesn't really change my plans, but it might change yours! Sorry for the confusion!

The Fake Debate

For a long time, I thought knock-off designer handbags, clothing, shoes, and accessories were not only morally ok, but also a great way for me to look chic and sophisticated. How wrong I was.

While there are a range of views on the issue of fake designer-wear, I am firm in my belief that knock offs may make you look chic (to the untrained eye who can’t spot a fake in seconds), but there is nothing sophisticated with supporting the plagiarism of countless hours of work and creative energy high class designers put into their collections.

As a writer, I would be horrified if I saw a story I wrote re-printed, either completely or partially, under someone else’s name. And this is for work I maybe spend 10 hours on, at most. Obviously, my horror can’t compare to a designer’s upon seeing their work knocked off, when their product took hundreds of people weeks to make.

The cheap street vendors in New York and the purse parties are bad enough, but what makes me cringe is when reputable stores and designers with the ability to be original decide to take the easy way out and copy.

For instance, this morning, Laura Nelli of Nelle Handbags, a seriously fabulous local handbag and accessories line, tweeted how one bag (and possibly belts) in the new line by Jaye Hersh for Target were ripped off from other designers. For instance, the snakeskin bag:

Jaye Hersh Hollywood Intuition for Target Faux Snakeskin Tote
(From StarTribune.com)

"Jenna" Beirn Handbag

You can decide for yourself, but while not an exact replica, it’s close enough that Laura tweeted that Beirn lawyers are addressing the situation.

This has happened before with Target, and while I love my hometown’s local retailer it upsets me that a large store with so many resources allows knock-offs on their shelves. Another example is Steve Madden, who can produce some beautiful original designs, but also takes “inspiration” from designers for a lot of his shoes.

Another reason I find knock-offs worthless is because they are so easy to spot. Just a few weeks ago, I saw a girl walking downtown with a “Chanel” handbag. Too bad for her, the C’s were stamped on and the leather was visibly fraying. Obviously not Chanel. If you can’t fool people with it, why buy it?

While I wish I could afford a Chanel bag right now, I would rather wait and save my money than blow it on a knock-off. They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but when it comes to ripping off designers, I can find other ways to appreciate their work.

What does everyone else think? Do you buy fake? Why?

Decisions, Decisions

I received a paycheck today (momentary break for a WHOHOO), but as fun as it is too see my account balance go up a large amount with one entry, now the hard part begins. What do I do with it?

With a steady income this summer and not many steady bills (the joys of being young and living cheap), I really want to focus on spending my money smartly and planning how to use it rather than just heading to the mall and blowing it every payday. Although that can be fun. Can I plan one paycheck for that? Hmm.

So, here are the options for this bi-weekly cash inflow. I think I know how it will go, but if you have any opinions, comment away!

Option #1: Beauty Products
If you haven't surmised from earlier posts, my skin and I are in a constant war against each other. This not only means I need make-up (lots), but I also need very specific kinds of make-up that won't cause a revolution of my pores. For many years I used Benefit products, but then seemingly overnight their concealers and foundations were so oily they might as well have been mixed with gasoline. Since changing, I have gone back to Clinique (from the early days when the most Mom would let me wear was a bit of peachy blush), to grocery store brands, to the latest- M.A.C. I know how everyone raves about M.A.C., but personally, I'm not liking it. It is very cakey, which is fine for nights out on the town, but sort of odd for mornings in the office. For my next round, which I am going to need sooner than later, I'm kicking it up a notch. Here's what I'm looking at:

Chanel Base Lumiere, $42

Chanel Brillance Pur, $45

Chanel Poudre Cristalline, $60

Chanel Correcteur Perfection, $40

Nars Blush in Orgasm, $25

Chanel Le Sourcil De Chanel, $65

Chanel Les 4 Ombres De Chanel, $56

Chanel Le Crayon Kohl, $27

Obviously, I would never get it all at once. But if I could have any make-up bag, that would be it.

Option #2:

Spa day. Or at least a spa half day. I could use a massage and maybe a facial or a mani/pedi, so I'm thinking about making an appointment(s) with my girls over at the Minneapolis LifeSpa. A 60 minute massage along with either a facial or a mani/pedi would probably run me around $200.

Option #3:

Haircut/Dye. I'm going to need a haircut soon, and have been thinking about having my color vamped up again for a while now, so this is a possibility. However, I really want to look fresh for fall, so I might just wait a month on this and have it done then. Cut and color will cost about the same as a spa day, $200.

Option #4:

Save it until Friday and head to GH2's 70 percent off sale! With my check, I should be able to pick up a few pieces, and anything at GH2 is fabulous.

The Decision: I think I shall wait until Friday and head over to GH2. I will check out the sale, see how many things I can't live without and then with (if) any leftover money I will head to the Nordstrom beauty counter for the essentials (foundation, eye shadow and maybe blush). Unfortunately, pampering (spa day and hair care) will have to wait for the end of the month.

Thoughts?

How I Could Be Dying and Not Even Know It

That might be a bit dramatic, but I have learned over the past three weeks how true it is. At the start of summer, I realized I've been behind on doctor's appointments, and a few annoying problems I have been having both with my skin and a general bloated feeling finally pushed me to make appointments.

After the first visit to a family doctor about my inflated feelings, I walked out terrified. He became very concerned about my "condition" and even had me make an appointment for an expensive CAT scan, in case blood tests came back indicating I might have swollen organs. Seriously.

So for five days I waited, and waited, and waited some more to hear back about my blood tests. I went in on a Friday, so I understood when I didn't hear anything over the weekend, but by Wednesday I was getting impatient (rightfully so!) and my scan was coming up in two days. Finally, I gave in and called them. Left a message. Then, on Friday, when I wasn't sure what to do about the CAT scan, I got a call back indicating everything was fine, they had no clue what was wrong with me, but I shouldn't worry about it. Really? After all that? And I shouldn't worry about it? Ok. Fine.

Moving on to appointment #2. I was put on an antibiotic to help my acne, and after taking it for a few days I didn't notice any difference except I was dizzy all the time. I thought the medication might have been the cause, but I didn't want to stop taking it and decided to see if it would pass. Three days later, on my back on the couch for 48 hours straight, I decided no one would even get to see my clear skin if I didn't get better. I went off the meds, and immediately returned to my happy-go-lucky Minneapolite ways. I prayed it was just a fluke, and tried them again later that week, but three days later my head was spinning and I gave up. I called the doctor about new medication last week, and just finally heard back today. While not as serious as Doctor #1, it still annoys me that I am sick and not even a doctor will help me! Not even when they and their stupid tests/medications are the cause of my pain and suffering! Ugh.

So now, a new perscription. I'm almost scared to go pick it up. Who knows what will happen to me (or how long it will take a doctor to get back to me when it does!)

Monday Lustings

A long weekend has given way to an even longer Monday, so to pass the time I have been ogling designer sites, lusting after the buttery leather handbags, sky-high heels, and chic accessories. Here is a small sampling of what I've been dreaming about today:

Tory Burch Bombe T Tote, ToryBurch.com, $495

MICHAEL Michael Kors Beverly Satchel, MichaelKors.com, $398

Valentino Nuage Bow Tote, Bergdorf Goodmans, $995

Marc Jacobs "Stam", Bluefly.com, $920

MICHAEL Michael Kors Wainscott Satchel, MichaelKors.com, $398

Marc by Marc Jacobs Large Satchel, Net-A-Porter, $548

Christian Louboutin Lady Page Velvet-Bow Pump, Neiman Marcus, $995

Marc by Marc Jacobs Baby Groovee, Net-A-Porter, $348

Manolo Blahnik Cap Toe Booties, Neiman Marcus, $895

Ray Ban Wayfarers, Net-A-Porter, $140

And that shall conclude the handbag, shoe, and sunglasses porn for the day. I personally will probably pick up the Wayfarers, but as for that $995 Valentino...it might have to wait for another day, another (bigger) paycheck.

Le Rêve

Last night I dreamed in French. While I adore l'français, I have struggled with the language for many years and was shocked upon waking to realize I not only spoke decently in my dream myself, but also understood what my dream cohorts (who were French and speaking very eloquently and quickly) were saying.

I have taken French both in l'école and studied it on my own for the past 8 years. I finally stopped classes during my freshman year of college because past the requirements for language the classes get very difficult and time consuming, especially for someone who isn't getting a degree. Even still, I struggled with giving it up because I felt that after so much study I should have more to show for it than a small vocabulary and almost no ability to coherently speak (reading I can do).

But last night, I was mingling and discussing far beyond any skills I have in real life. And I think I was actually speaking the language, not just a made up dream version that was real in only my head. Maybe my dream skills will translate into waking life. Lucky for me, I can try out my ability this weekend at Bastille Day!

Is anyone else attending? If you see a girl struggling to be chic and telling everyone, "But this worked in my dreams," then my cover might be blown.

STYLEDLIFE Throws Party That's Well...Stylish

Tonight I was lucky enough to be invited to STYLEDLIFE's Vintage Glam Private Sale. Although I am on shopping hiatus after my Cliche spree this weekend, I stopped by to say hello to the fabulous owner/founder Kevin (who was rocking an awesome pair of 1970's (my guess) shoes!), sip on champagne, and eat. What can I say, free cheese and crackers, I'm there.

Not to mention the LOADS of fabulous vintage accessories. Kevin and his team scour the nation all year long for the pieces, so you know it's got to be good. I loved a blue and red scarf, made in Paris, but my still-pained check card just wouldn't let me swipe it. Oh well.

The sale continues through the end of July, so stop in if you weren't able to score an invite. I might have to make another trip, when my wallet has been replenished. :)

A Congressional Encounter

In honor today of Minnesota's second Senator (finally), I have decided to recount (pun intended) my first and only meeting with the junior Senator Franken. While brief, it was memorable.

Last summer, while working for a small rural newspaper, I was asked to sit in on an interview with the then-plain-Mr. Franken and take pictures. He was stopping through for some reason or another, and offered to talk with us. My editor thought it would be fun for me to sit in and listen, and also take some of the pressure off the reporter writing the story by letting her focus on her questions and note-taking while I snapped away candid shots (or as candid as you can be in a conference room). I was excited to get to meet him and sit in on what would no doubt be an interesting conversation.

As a disclaimer, the following impressions come from a purely journalistic and professional perspective, not a political or personal one. The reason I say that is because the whole experience was terribly strange.

First, I introduced myself and informed him and his handler I would be taking pictures while he was answering questions. He said that was fine, and then mispronounced my name. My name is two syllables, fairly common, not hard to pronounce, so I was a little taken aback. I corrected him, so he apologized, again mispronouncing my name. I was going to let it go, but the look of shock on my face (I promise, no one has ever mispronounced my name, first or last) led his handler to pronounce my name to him again. He looked at her, questioned my name, getting it wrong again, and then finally, after another correction from the handler, got it right. Well. Now that we've got the names down, let's start the interview.

To give him some credit, he was a very interesting person. When the reporter could get him off the subject of badgering Norm (we didn't want to have to call the Coleman camp for a response on this piece), he had some insightful thoughts and clearly laid out his plans for office. When it came to picture-taking, well, that was more of a task. The first picture he stopped what he was saying to look directly at the camera and smile. I excused it, and politley told him I was taking candid shots and he should pretend like I wasn't there. In the end, the first picture was the only decent one I could get. The camera must have made him very uncomfortable, because with every click he shifted in his chair and got a disturbed look on his face. Even kind of creepy.

Finally, the interview was over. The reporter and I showed him out of the office, and while walking to the door Mr. Franken proceeded to put his arm around me in a sort of "half-hug" that I was shocked to receive. It was very uncomfortable, even the reporter did a double-take. Maybe he was trying to apologize, maybe he thought a hug would get him a vote, but either way, it lacked professionalism and created an awkward situation. Thankfully, he soon walked out the door.

And so, although I didn't know it at the time, that was my first, only, and probably last encounter with the former-comic-turned-Senator. Short, but not so sweet.

I'm Back

After last week's hiatus, Minneapolite has returned! You know you missed me :)

Sorry for the break, but some new medication my dermatologist has me on caused some unforeseeable side-effects, mainly me being unable to move from the couch for the better part of last week. Between that and the holiday, not much time for blog-posting.

But, just barely enough time for shopping. I was able to make it out for Cliche's annual summer sale, and I was glad I did! Even though it was extended to Sunday, there was no way you were getting anything good if you showed up late. I arrived fashionably on time (i.e. 11:30 a.m.) and already the wait for a dressing room was 20 minutes long. Add another 15 minutes when I went over the 10-item limit and had to wait again (infuriating), and I spent more time waiting than shopping.

Even still, it was worth it. I picked up five new dresses and a skirt, and supported a few local designers (my favorite dress of the day was made by the fabulous Emily Weich). Maybe you'll catch me sporting them around town this week. I have lots of catching up to do after being out of commission.

Countdown to September 13

As much as I love Target, I have never been able to shop their clothing section (I know, I'm a terrible Minneapolite), that is, until now.

The lookbook for Anna Sui's Gossip-Girl inspired line for Target (available September 13) leaked this morning on NewYorkMag.com, and I was shocked.

I have always approached the high-end designer for low (low)-end price lines for Target with mixed feelings. I almost bought a bag from the Hayden-Harnett line, but my dilly-dallying about whether or not I wanted to buy a bag that not only everyone else would have, but that even those that didn't would know was PVC, left me with almost no selection. I'm glad Target (and the designers) are willing to offer the masses access to labels, but to me, most of the luster of wearing a designer dress is lost when everyone else is too. I will pay $300 plus for a dress because I know it will be the only one for miles around my closet.

But for this line, I don't care. I want them all. Yes. All. Or at least all of the Blair ones, and maybe even a Jenny and Serena. Vanessa has never been my style, so I won't pass judgment.

My favs are #'s 3, 5, 8, 17. Take a look at the slideshow, and let me know what yours are in the comments!

P.S. If you like them, you better be waiting in line, because for Target prices I might just buy every single one off the rack to ensure exclusivity. I think Blair would approve.

Where were you?

I was sitting at Happy Hour at Brits. I was in a bar when I heard the King of Pop died. And good thing too. The death of Michael Jackson deserved a toast (or five).

The regularly planned schedule of this blog was supposed to be a recounting of the HH with some fun new friends, but really the only thing that comes to mind about my night is thinking how weird it is that Michael Jackson doesn't exist in the same world I do anymore.

It's not that he had a huge effect on my life, or that I listened to his music everyday, or that I even really respected him all that much (the child abuse turns me off).

But, I will never forget my high school marching band's rendition of Thriller, out on the football field, and even the tubas were dancing along.

Admit it...You Know You Watched It

I can admit it: I watched NYC Prep last night. And you know you did too. (To save myself some dignity, I watched the 11 p.m. replay, not the first 9 p.m. showing.)

I read the reviews that said while the show was good, it was good in the “Oh wow… these kids are so ridiculous you just have to laugh so you don’t cry” way. And well… they were right.

Here’s my personal thoughts on each character (along with what Gossip Girl character they are imitating, because we all know this is Bravo’s GG rip-off):

Jessie: One part Serena’s hair, two parts Blair’s attitude, and one part Little J’s lust for fashion. Out of all the characters, I felt like she had the most reason to be on a the show. A senior with some level of maturity, she is trying to further herself from the high school scene and has some realization that the world doesn’t revolve around her AmEX Black (she even admits self-loathingly in the season preview that she doesn’t really know how much she spends each month.)

PC: One hundred percent Nate Archibald. He used to date Jessie, but now they are just good friends. Now he’s taking the younger girls under his wing. Only a matter of time before we find out his dad embezzled millions (billions?) and fled the country.

Sebastian: I seem glimmers of a Chuck Bass, and it’s obvious that’s who Bravo wants him to be, but at the core he’s 16 and just trying too hard. A common theme with many of the characters, the whole show he seemed like he was being forced by the producers into a new grown-up world and would rather be at home playing his Xbox and chatting with girls on AIM.

Kelli: Equal parts Blair and Little J. She has the authoritative attitude, but lacks the age to back it up. After Jessie, she seemed the most comfortable in her surroundings, but then again her old surroundings were nothing normal. She lives with her brother, sans parents, on the Upper East Side, and so the dinners out at fancy restaurants and event-going was nothing new to the girl with no one to make her do her homework.

Camille: If there were a sweet character in Gossip Girl, maybe Little J, she would be it. This innocent junior is focused on getting into Harvard, running a company, and having two girls and a husband by the time she’s 40 (talk about a 20 year plan). However, she was also the girl who was trying way too hard the whole time. “What Hampton do you have a house in?” she asked PC right after being introduced. Le sigh. She should know… PC has two houses in two different Hamptons.

Taylor: This poor girl is another Little J imitation. Grew up in a public school on the Upper West Side, has a mom who actually cares about her and what she does (gasp), and is trying desperately to break in to the Prep School Elite. As a fellow girl trying to break into a new social scene, I empathize with her, but unlike other newbies, Taylor defines “social climber.” Instead of falling into the scene through a connection, Taylor seems to be inserting herself into the Upper East Side for no real reason at all. Much like Sebastian, she gives off the vibe in most of her scenes that she would rather be downtown watching TiVo than Uptown hoping one of her “friends” will pick up her dinner tab for her.

Overall, a few other things annoyed me about the show:

- The BlackBerries going off every five minutes. This made it seem like the producers were trying too hard to prove to the audience these kids were “somebodies.” Yes, we know they are NYC prepsters with tons of connections and money, stop trying to prove it with annoying ring tones in every scene.

- Sebastian constantly saying in every interview how he is “too young for just one girl” and “Why have a relationship when you can hook up with lots of different girls?” Another instance of the producers trying too hard to characterize the cast.

- The idea that all of these kids have fake I.D.s and get away with it. Taylor is 15, and there is no bouncer in NYC that would ever mistake her for 21. Camille? PC was right when he asked them if she was 12 years old. If the producers are going to arrange for them to get into clubs for the sake of TV, fine, but don’t try to fool us.

So…what did you guys think of NYC Prep? Will you watch it again? Pour moi, I might partake in one more episode (or them all). Everyone needs a guilty pleasure.