Philosophe de Voltaire

Blackberrie-philes are well aware of our devout adoration for Parisian basics brand Zadig et Voltaire. The chain store that stole our hearts on every rue in the City of Lights made us fall for a second time when they opened on Sunset Boulevard in LA.

As we wait with bated breath for the NY opening, here's the next best thing- sale!

Final Word: Call quick before the LA store runs out and score a cashmere pullover- we already did. www.zadig-et-voltaire.com

Wanted: Crash Test Models

What better time to touch up those roots than right before that Independence Day clambake? Ted Gibson who is responsible for the luscious locks of Keira Knightley, Jessica Alba and not to mention a slew of editorial spreads, is offering, wait for it, free coloring sessions! Yes, it sounds like a dream come true, but wait, the catch is- the color is at the dyer's discretion, which means you may leave the salon looking like Britney circa right now, or right then, or, well you get the point.

Final Word: Those faint of hair trauma should steer clear, but with Mr. Gibson's A-plus resume, we say it's worth the gamble.
www.tedgibsonbeauty.com

Devi Does Target

It-designer creates line for mass retailer. We get it. Style icon adds name to cool clothes at low prices. Ok. Target, H&M, Wal-Mart and even Steve & Barry’s. Got it, got it, got it, good.

Yes, we are just as sick of this angle as you are, but we couldn’t help but mildly endorse Devi Kroell for Target. We got a sneak peak of these styles and they’re looking pretty sick.

Kroell is offering a limited edition collection of hobos, clutches, shoppers and totes priced from $19.99-$49.99. And these faux materials actually resemble the designer’s signature exotic skins (well, in the jpeg at least).

If the python version wasn’t so pimp, I may actually pity the people who bought the real thing.

Final Word: Luxury is still luxury. But there’s nothing wrong with faking it every now and again. Bags hit Target stores July 15th.

My Love Don’t Cost A Thing (Well maybe something.)

Cartier has just made next Valentines’ Day extra excruciating for married men, adulterers and the like by launching the new Love Cuff (priced at a mere $40K) as an addition to their growing Love collection of white and yellow gold bracelets, lockets and rings- all representing the supposed un-priceable l’amour. This 4-inch, solid gold cuff complete with three iconic screws gleams with such gilded perfection it would make King Midas green with envy.

The brilliant bauble originally was sold with a miniature gold screwdriver giving a new meaning to prisoner of love. The semi-permanent object immediately earned cult status - flashing the bracelet meant you were somebody who was willing to sacrifice ease and utilitarianism for hardship and opulence (anyone who’s anyone has spent their fair share lecturing airport security why TSA regulations do not apply to Cartier.)

But today, the Love bracelet has reached mainstream status by becoming, well easy. The bangle now comes in an un-screwable version like a high-end snap bracelet and worse, even allowed a mention on HBO’s Entourage. Was executive producer Doug Ellin’s wife pining for a cuff of her own? Or is it that this band of gold has become such a common symbol of our material culture that trendster-du-jour Adrien Grenier must wear one to prove his it-ness. One can't be sure, but it is certain that this will be the next cause celebre for those wishing to prove the authenticity of their heart's obsession- if they can afford it, that is.

Final Word: Cartier’s ad for the new Love cuff aptly reads, “How far would you go for love?” Well everyone has his or her limits, but in this case, I'd say pretty damn far.

Why Didn't We Think of That?

I can never seem to find time for a manicure before I travel. Nor can I seem to find the time—or an appointment—for a manicure once I arrive to my destination.

This has led me to gather some valuable information. For example, if you're in South Beach and you wait too long to land an appointment at Browne’s, Tootsie’s on Washington has a fierce divas-live-in-concert DVD selection.

But for those of you who can’t exactly stomach Ricky Martin on a plasma, there is now an alternate solution.

Three mothers from Florida have launched the 10 Minute Manicure, a chain of airport-based nail and beauty salons that offer quick beauty fixes while you're killing time in the airport. The eponymous 10 Minute Manicure is only the beginning of their offerings.

Their beauty menu includes spa-quality manicures and pedicures, massages and reflexology. They also sell a range of beauty products that meet the 3 oz. travel restrictions.

Quite clever. In addition, they have now launched a line of aptly named private label polish colors including sheer pink "Rain Delay" and "Red Eye" red.

The Blackberrie and friends have also come up with a few nail polish colors on our travels. But we don’t know if “Bitch, I Want My Money Back” or “Lay Me Lavender” really have the same commercial appeal. Hmm.

Final Word: The 10 Minute Manicure just opened in JKF, Terminal 8, Concourse B. We are also accepting submissions for polish colors if we ever get it together to launch a label of our own.

Pinkberry is Bananas

Last night, I decided to take a nice summer stroll to my local Pinkberry on 19th & 8th. Even though the Pinkberry craze is sweeping the nation, I must say, I have yet to become a convert.

But for some reason, I was craving it. And apparently, so was everyone else.

As I walked down 8th Avenue I noticed a crowd of people in the street. What I thought must be the smoking section of a boys’ bar was actually a line to get into Pinkberry! Flooding the store, down the street and practically around the corner. It was crazy.

Since I possess zero patience and a complete aversion to waiting in lines, I just walked away. Normally I would employ the blatant cut tactic, but that usually only works when there’s alcohol involved. This Fro-Yo crowd was looking tres serious, so I didn’t even attempt.

Rather than waiting, I decided I would hit up Tasti-D a few blocks up. But when walking away, I couldn’t help but feel like I had missed out on something. Like I couldn’t get into the exclusive club so I had to settle for the egalitarian one down the street. Ugh.

When I got to Tasti D-Lite the patrons were middle-aged and mildly overweight, where the Pinkberry kids were good-looking, well-dressed, young and hip. This was the frozen dessert equivalent of trying to get into Bungalow and having to settle for Home. So needless to say, I was thoroughly disappointed.

Final Word: I got the Tasti-D Double Berry with rainbow sprinkles, but it just didn’t do it for me. Pinkberry isn’t that good. Or is it? Tell me, I want to know.

Don't be Silly, Call on Lily

As the summer season descends upon us, the New York club scene similarly descends upon Southampton.

Tenjune, Pink Elephant, Stereo “By The Shore,” there's pretty much something for any scenster.

But there's one thing this sub-scene fails to offer us: the convenience of New York City taxis safely taking our inebriated selves home.

There are cabs in the Hamptons, but no one really takes them. I mean, what would Pink Elephant be if club kids couldn't valet their parent's flashy cars up front? The parking lot is half the scene.

Now there's a brilliant new service that allows you make your entrance and make it home without a DUI: Lilybug.

Lilybug is a scooter service operating exclusively in the Hamptons. Simply call on Lilybug and one of their sober, scooter drivers will be happy to escort you home (or wherever you’re crashing).

The compact scooter folds up into a small, sealable bag measuring about 2 square feet. As the scooter slips into your trunk, the Lilybug driver will bring you, your car, and most likely your entourage, home safely.

Final Word: Lilybug, 866.678.LILY(5459). Store the digits now, thank me later.

Harajuku Lover

Although I missed the critically-acclaimed cultural epic Babel, I have witnessed the fashion frenzy surrounding its breakout star Rinko Kikuchi whose acting caught the eye of Brad Pitt but more notably, whose chic ensembles have been garnering praise from industry insiders and the like- one in particular, Karl Lagerfeld.

Miss Kikuchi, who does not speak much English, speaks style – fluently. The slight actress is a genius, if not in her supporting role performance, then in her calculated decision to wear only Chanel to all her press appearances (Read: Cotton candy confection at the Golden Globes, vampy sequin gown at the Oscars, and a snow white frock at a cocktail party in the Valley.) thus catching the eye of the man behind the leather gloves.

It worked. Kikuchi’s next role will be as muse for Mr. Lagerfeld in Chanel’s upcoming ad campaign for the 2008 cruise collection.


Final Word: Although Diane Kruger worked last season’s resort bags to the fullest, I’m looking forward to an edgier interpretation by the petite Japonaise. Now if only I had time to rent Babel…

Candy Crashes

Alas, even fashion editors get it wrong sometimes...Candy Pratts Price of Style.com had an inexplicably off night at the CFDA awards on Monday.

Clearly forgoing Coco Chanel's expert advice ("Always take off one accessory before leaving the house."), Miss Price took the other route, piling on as many trendy pieces as possible. Headband, check. Chunky necklace, check. Dated ankle booties, check. Quelle misfortune.

Final Word: This is the definition of fashion victim - when one works in the industry for so long, they feel it is permissible to go out looking like this. Sorry for the haterade, but this is just appalling.