Happy New Year!

All I want to do is pop bottles! In celebration of champagne, 2010, and all the possibilities that lie ahead I wish you and yours a Happy New Year! Down with the last horrid decade and onto the next. I'll be back to blogging on Monday - remember to party in style, and for my automobile wielding friends that means don't drink & drive!

Monkey See, Monkey Do

There's something off about seeing one of nature's creatures, curiously poking at one of man's most unnatural creations: Jell-O. But squirrel monkeys are just so darn cute, that you can't help but watch them as they try to decipher just what the heck they are looking at. The Bronx Zoo claims that this is a special holiday treat "Jell-O enrichment" for the monkeys, that helps them "stimulate their foraging instincts." If only I was allowed to "stimulate my foraging instincts" like that when I was a kid. Now that's what I call a blueberry surprise!

As If!

1. L.A.M.B. 'Biker' Plaid Miniskirt, $175; nordstrom.com, 2. The Heidkrüger Boots, $89; modcloth.com, 3. Cashmere V-neck Cardigan, $168; jcrew.com.

On Christmas day I watched the 1990 holiday classic Home Alone, and what really struck me was the fact that I loved it just as much now as when I saw it then... almost twenty years ago. Ouch. Twenty years is a long time, and it seems that like so many things in life, fashion's cyclicality tends to find inspiration by looking back to the 20 year mark. With that and thoughts of the celebrity deaths that loomed throughout 2009 in mind, I looked to the grungy comfort of Clueless star Brittany Murphy, and her lovable character Tai. As much as flannel has had a comeback in the past five years, I have to admit that I'm still not sick of it. For winter days it's the perfect way to be comfortable, warm and still exude a sense of style. Pair some flannel with a pair of lace up booties and pay tribute to Clueless' "tragically unhip" breakout star.

Friend Of A Feline

From Thundercats to Catwoman, the Pink Panther and the epic that is Avatar, cats have been popping up in pop culture for decades. Somehow their fictional presence has always been marred by the stigma that surrounds them in the real world. Still seen as mysterious, nasty, dark creatures, cats always play second fiddle to their canine rivals. Man's best friend, the pack hunter, the loyal side kick, is often matched against the rogue, aloof, independent feline, so its no wonder that those who care for them often get a bad rap too. But no longer! With the help of the feline-like Na'vi of Avatar and the legendary Garfield, hopefully we'll all soften our hearts to the lesser loved species. Helping to break the myth of the "crazy cat lady" is Nathan Davis, a specialist in the U.S. Army who recently won Tidy Cats Campaign to End Cattiness with his cats Frank Sinatra and Sergeant Snog. I'm digging his honesty and passion, so check out his winning essay and webisode to see how he's helping bring the feline love this holiday season.

Xmas, Festivus, Etceterus!

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays! I wish I could meet this reindeer and tell him how cute he is. I'll be yucking it up at the 92Y Tribeca tonight for their "The Twelfth Night of Chanukah" comedy showcase featuring Janeane Garofalo, Todd Barry, and a bunch of other Jews and Atheists who have no where else to go! But not to worry, I'll be back to blogging on Monday. Season's Eatings!

Déjà Vu: Good Golly Miss Dolly!

Dolly Parton is the kind of Diva that I can get behind. She's not just any run of the mill Diva - her bubbly personality, music and style have made her a legend. It's obvious that I abide by her cardinal rule (which inspired the name of this blog), but what's not obvious is my current obsession with classic country. I never gave country music a second thought until this year, and sweet sassy molassey have I been missing out! Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Hank Williams, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Tammy Wynette - the list of classic country crooners goes on and on. And apparently I'm not the only one that's been sneaking in some country behind closed doors. Check out the 1983 country hit "Islands in the Stream" by Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers and the Bee Gees, and then take a listen to the 1998 hip hop hit "Ghetto Superstar" by Pras, Ol' Dirty Bastard, and Mya. It's like hip hop is giving classic country a solid fist pump!

Not Just Any Hourglass

No, your eyes aren't playing tricks on you, and this isn't Photoshopped madness. V Magazine just released a preview of their upcoming issue, and the Terry Richardson photo shoot above features model Jacquelyn Jablonski and 'plus size' model Crystal Renn playing an haute couture version of simon says. An in depth preview of the spread is currently on The Cut, and I have to say it's amazing to see Renn literally use her assets to put her competition to shame. She's fierce from "H to T" as Tyra would say. Meanwhile, other magazines are honing in on the 'plus size' trend through other dubious means, namely sticking a regular size model into some padding and calling it a day. The photo shoot below is from the third issue of German magazine I Love You, and was inspired by... you guessed it: Joan from Mad Men. I love me some Joanie more than anyone, but when you try to reproduce the curves of a woman with some padding the result is less than appealing. I appreciate the effort, but couldn't they have found a real voluptuous woman, and not just a model to fill Joanie's shoes?

Via New York Magazine and Cat Party

What Lies In The Shadow Of The Statue?

Scott Campbell's "LOST Showdowns" are just one of the many LOST inspired pieces you'll see on display at L.A.'s Gallery1988. I can't get enough of Mr. Ecko versus the Smoke Monster, or Boone versus the plane! Simple cartoons that speak volumes to LOST fans - the perfect way to get pumped for the final season. The exhibit runs until Christmas eve, so you better hurry if you want to get a glimpse of the action. Check out Flavorwire's interview with gallery owner Jensen Karp to get the whole story behind this unique venture.