A Bunch Of Phonies

1. Joan of Arctic boots by Sorel, $130; sorel.com, 2. Fox Faux Fur Jacket, $170; topshop.com, 3. Faux-fur Trapper Hat, $16.50; gap.com, 4. Charmer Leather Jacket by Guess by Marciano, $258; marciano.com.

Whether you love fur or hate it, we can all admit that it never goes out of style. From the Hollywood starlets of the silver screen, to the editors of our favorite fashion mags, fur is unwaveringly chic. Fortunately for us animal lovers, faux fur has seen a major revival in the last decade. Instead of finding scraggly looking duds that look cheaper than a Chinatown bus ride, the fake stuff is looking more fabulous than ever.

I never hid my dismay when my mother would dredge out her furs from the basement closet once Montréal winters hit hard. Even so, those furs were family heirlooms, and justifiable considering Canada's brutal winters. What's always bothered me is seeing women in Los Angeles parading around in pelts like their lives depended on it. Thankfully some designers have found the perfect solution with faux fur, and have treated their designs with exceptional care. There's nothing like being warm and toasty on a blustering New York day, so here are my pics of some of the best looking synthetics around. People who say they can't "pull it off" take heed: all you need is a little confidence and you'll be feeling like Marilyn in no time.

Eternal Beauty

Remember when actors and actresses grew old with poise and grace? Before the influx of plastic surgery Hollywood's thespians would age in the public eye - whether they liked it or not. Now it seems that even older celebrities are pulling and pinning their way to youth. That's not to say that people haven't been toying with plastic surgery for centuries. In actuality plastic surgery operations were performed by the Egyptians and Romans, but for the purposes of this post I'm focusing on more recent operations. Both Natalie Wood and Marilyn Monroe, were rumored to have gone under the knife, and even the gorgeous Elizabeth Taylor is said to have had a nose job in her 20s after MGM studios deemed her nose "too thick". So how is it possible that women as breathtaking as Elizabeth, Marilyn, and Natalie thought they needed improvements? Humanity's obsession with beauty is innate. Everywhere we turn we're reminded that beauty is just a step away. Just one tweak, one improvement, and it's ours. Let's hope our desires haven't blinded us from the truth, that even if we can't see our own beauty, someone out there surely will.

Guy Walks Into An Advertising Agency

For all the haters out there who claim that Mad Men isn't the best show on television, I present one of the best moments of the season thus far. This should change your mind. So many great things going on here: 1) office hijinks, 2) Joan saves the day, 3) Peggy thanks Joan for all her advice, 4) blood. 'Nuff said. My love for Mad Men grows with each passing day, and the writing never ceases to amaze me. The name of this episode alone (re: title of this blog entry) is pure genius. If you aren't watching it already, I suggest you start from the beginning to fully appreciate everything Sterling Cooper has to offer.

She's Got The World On A String

There's something undeniably intoxicating about Dita Von Teese. It's partly due to her immaculate style, and her coy demeanor, but what makes her so jaw dropping is her incredible magnetism. She oozes sensuality even when outfitted in a demure 1940s ensemble, and that's something that comes from deep within. Only a woman with unwavering confidence can exude that kind of sex appeal, and I think that's why I am so enamored by her. She struts her stuff, and let's it all hang out there with such ease - don't we all wish we had the chutzpah to do that!? Dita has said in the past that 'sexy' emerges when you don't try too hard, and she really does have a point. It's always the confident, headstrong women that emit the most charisma, because they're truly comfortable with themselves, both inside and out. So let's take Dita's lead, and let our erotic creatures out to play! Below find an introduction to Dita's world, as well as a promotional video for her 2nd Wonderbra collection, Party Edition by Dita, hitting Europe this September.

The King

My first serious crush was on a gentleman named Elvis Aaron Presley. Everything about him screamed out to me: his music, his style, his moves, and most of all, that hair. There's something about a well executed pompadour that makes me wish I could go back in time - if only to witness a world in which men actually cared about their locks. In celebration of Elvis Week (August 8 – 16) and in honor of my everlasting love for The King, here's a video of a 1956 rendition of "Blue Suede Shoes". Throughout his career Elvis carried himself with unmatched charisma and charm, and a sense of humor that could never be crushed. In every performance (even this staged one) you can tell that he lived and breathed music, and loved the spectacle of it all - his chuckle and knowing smile say it all.

The Animal Within

1. Betsey Johnson 'Carlos' Bootie, $200; betseyjohnson.com, 2. M·A·C 'Style Warrior' Lipglass in Liberated, $14; maccosmetics.com, 3. Leopard Risky Business Sunglasses, $14; urbanoutfitters.com, 4. Bernie Dexter Rebel Knit Pullover Top, $85; berniedexter.com.

A little leopard can go a long way. Whether you're offsetting a delicious LBD, or unleashing your inner sex kitten, animal print is a frisky way to up your ante. I've long been a lover of these ferocious prints, but there's a fine line to be walked when it comes to a pattern as bold as this. One toe over the line, and you end up looking like Linda Richman from Coffee Talk - that's a look we'll be reserving for retirement thank you very much. So keep it minimal: if you're rocking Bernie Dexter's Pullover, then make sure to pair it with black high waisted capris for a 1960s bad girrrl vibe. Be bold, be brazen and have fun! You'll be sure to find purrrfection.

The Victorious Return of The Pin Up

I think it's safe to say that most women don't think of bathing suit shopping as a "good time". It's the shopping equivalent of shooting yourself out of a cannon - it can be hard getting into it, but if the fit is right the resulting spectacle is glorious. There's nothing like a perfect curve-hugging bathing suit, and the classic lines and silhouette of a vintage inspired suit do just that. I'm pleased to say that finding a great retro suit isn't too difficult nowadays with the resurgence and popularity of classic looks (perhaps as a result of the popularity of shows like Mad Men). Companies are finally taking note and realizing that curvacious goddesses still exist, and desire the quality and comfort afforded to beauties like Marilyn and Jayne. Thank goodness.

This summer I've discovered three favorites that make a real statement, and are devoted to style and fit. The first can be found at Brooklyn's Old Hollywood: beautiful pieces made by Italian trained swimsuit designer Elizabeth O'Brien Berg. The store carries her existing pieces, but the designer is always available to make custom suits at the client's request.



The second outstanding suit comes from Malia Mills, who has locations on both the East and West coast. Their motto "Love Thy Differences" says it all. The suits are expertly crafted to fit a wide array of bodies, and they carry every size imaginable. I'm obsessed with the Calendar Girl Bottoms (shown at right) - high waisted and ever so flirty.

The last one is also the most affordable and accessible, because it's from the ones I love to hate: Urban Outfitters. Yes, I have a very complicated relationship with that store and their practices, but they also fit right into my price range and hell they know how to cater to my demographic (read: young, sassy and prone to impulse shopping). Last year they came out with a handful of retro inspired suits, and at around $60 a pop they're quite a steal indeed. Oh, and very cute of course.

So bust out the suntan lotion, slip on your suit, and soak up some rays before it's too late.