If Ever You Feel Your Apt is Small…

Be reminded of our friends Stephanie and Mark, who live together—with a baby on the way—in a 400 sq ft loft on West 21st Street.

Their apartment is featured in today’s Home & Garden section of the New York Times.

I’ve hung out in these digs and surprisingly, it doesn’t even feel that small. I was never quite sure how they did it, but thanks to the NY Times, now I know and I am thoroughly impressed.

My favorite quote comes from the Times asking Mark what will happen when the baby is born in December, “We’re actively looking for square footage for this apartment.” Ha, love it.

Final Word: We can’t all be this thrifty, creative or handy (do NOT forget handy). But at least it gives us something to aspire.

Add This to Your Wrist

We love nothing more right now than stacking bunches of bangles all over our wrists. We’re happy to announce that we can now create our favorite look while supporting a worthy cause with CAROLEE 35th Anniversary "Words to Live By" celebrity bangle collection to benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Seven celebrity women including Beyonce Knowles, Julianna Marguiles and Mena Suvari worked with CAROLEE to design a “Words to Live By” bangle that includes an inspirational quote significant to each woman.

Beyonce encourages women to “Be Inspired! Love Can Conquer All,” while Olympian Amanda Beard tells us to “Laugh till you cry, cry till you laugh.”

The sterling silver bangles are $100 each and 100% of the profits go toward the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Final Word: Charitable and stackable. We love that. Available at Bloomingdale’s and carolee.com through December.

Something to Talk About: Gossip Girl

Yes, I may be 25-years-old. And yes, I do live in Manhattan and maintain a somewhat active social life. But that doesn’t mean I can’t long to live vicariously through scandalous Upper East Side prep school kids, does it?

I’m talking about Gossip Girl, the saucy new teenage drama that debuted last night on the CW. Brought to us by the people behind The O.C., creator Josh Schwartz has found another group of dreadfully good-looking, privileged, screwed-up teenagers to tap.

In the first episode alone we’ve already watched the main character getting busy with her best friend’s boyfriend, two 16-year-olds slamming martinis like a true addict at the Palace Hotel bar, pre-gaming with joints and champagne in the back of a limo, and as a cornerstone to televised teenage drama, a date-rape scene.

We especially love Blake Lively as main character Serena van der Woodsen, who has just returned from boarding school to reclaim her title as social queen bee and curb her hard partying ways (so far, not much luck with either). The actress achieves a perfect balance between the bitch you want to hate and the girl you want to be (well, if you were seventeen).

But we truly love the show because it’s real. Teenagers in this city are certainly like this, if not worse.

So now being in my mid (ouch!) twenties, we can posthumously thank Aaron Spelling for our addiction to all this adolescent angst-ridden glory. We’ve been hooked on this shit since we were ten, do you honest believe we’re going to give it up now? I would call it a guilty pleasure, but I don’t even feel guilty about it.

Final Word: Gossip Girl, every Wednesday at 9pm on the CW11.

Probably the worst job move....ever.

"Holly Doran is leaving the special events department at Vogue. She will be joining aSmallWorld, where she will be global director of special events."
-Fashionweekdaily.com

Final Word: Smallworld? Really? Smallworld?

It-Boy of The Week: Kanye West

We’ve been enormous Kanye West fans since basically the moment “College Dropout” dropped. It served as the soundtrack to our last semester of college and it will forever be synonymous with being complete f-ups and having a great time. We can easily recite every word of that album and pull it off without a hitch.

While we’ve personally approached his later albums with less devotional zeal, he continues to out-do himself and we continue to love it.

Now that his third album “Graduation” has debuted not only at #1, but is also the top selling album of the year thus far (take that, Fiddy), Kanye is riding high. Not to mention his debut single, “Stronger” just topped the singles charts for a double whammy. Bawler.

While we don’t necessarily agree with his September 11th marketing ploy (while promoting the album in New York), we still support our boy. And since we’re never officially endorsed him, now seems like a better time than ever.

Final Word: You may have been robbed at the VMAs, but look on the brightside. You’re a Blackberrie “It-Boy of The Week,” you can brag about that.

We're Baaaack......And Better

Ok, so it’s been a while. Probably the longest hiatus we’ve taken since the inception of the B-Berrie. August we can blame on our European work ethic, we usually take the month off (we were guilty of this last year as well).

But September does not have as obvious a scapegoat. We even missed Fashion Week, shame on us. Perhaps our personal lives have thrown us a couple curve balls lately, or perhaps we’ve just been lazy.

We could also say that our philanthropic efforts have been taking up so much of our time we just have not had a moment to write. I like that excuse.

Having said that, all of our readers must attend Art Rocks! The first event organized by the young friends committee of the Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center at Columbia University Hospital.

The event—which will be held aboard the SeaFair, the world’s first fine arts yacht, and hosted by Elliot Yamin from American Idol—is fully created, organized and endorsed by The Blackberrie and friends. So you’d be silly to miss it!

Final Word: Art Rocks! October 10, 2007. Space is limited so buy your tickets today! Visit www.nbdiabetes.org

Something Old, Something New

Lord & Taylor, America’s oldest department store, is freshening things up a bit. If effort to celebrate their 181-year heritage and modernize their image, the retail company will launch a $10 million re-branding campaign in mid-August.

Most often identified by the signature hand-written logo, the new campaign will feature an impressive roster of famous faces. The ads, shot by famed fashion photographer Mario Testino, will feature models Carolyn Murphy, Lauren Hutton and Jacquetta Wheeler, as well as artist Ed Ruscha and socialites Lauren Davis and Lydia Hearst, just to name a few.

The campaign will demonstrate the four-year re-positioning efforts of Lord & Taylor President and CEO, Jane Elfers. ‘The stunning images depicted in this campaign will signify Lord & Taylor’s relevance in the specialty department store arena.”

Final Word: Look out for a multi-page spreads in the September issues of Vogue, GQ, Vanity Fair and others.

Moutains out of Mole Hills

The last time I wrote about The Hills I covered the series premier. I called Lauren Conrad "the Kelly Taylor to Kristin Cavallari's beautifully bitchy Brenda Walsh," and predicted that LC was far too boring to carry a spin-off of her own.

Clearly, I was dead wrong.

The Hills have swept the nation, myself included. And as the third season premiered earlier this evening, LC, Heidi, and even that pig Spencer have become household names (in large part to their self-driven media debacles, but that's beside the point).

In watching the first two episodes, several variables have changed:

Lauren has discovered booze, Heidi has discovered cocaine, and the entire cast have apparently discovered that there are cameras documenting their every move (we're not exactly sure what took them so long).

The result can be described in one word: awkward. In watching these episodes my feelings of discomfort nearly rivaled the overwhelming sense of physical disgust that I am subjected to each time I'm forced to look at Spencer.

Final Word: I hated it. But I'll still tune in every Monday at 10pm, or at least my TiVo will. My guilty pleasure just got slightly less pleasurable. But then again, was it ever?

Super Saturday All Week Long....

Tomorrow the tenth annual Super Saturday will take over the Noah’s Ark Project in Watermill. Presented by Donna Karan, this “designer garage sale” gathers an impressive list of designers, clothing and accessories companies all whom sell their goods to benefit the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, Inc. (OCRF).

Last year the event raised over 2.4 million dollars and it continues to attract quite the roster of celebrities, socialites, fashionistas and Hamponites.

But for those not willing to fork over $600 for an admissions ticket (if you can even get one) or sit in hours of traffic on 27 (Polo is bound to clog it up too) there is now a way for everyone to get their hands on the same discounted designer duds and contribute to the cause.

This year, Bluefly has paired up with the event to organize the first ever Super Saturday Aftersale, allowing their online devotees to score the same designer merchandise at 30-50% off.

“Shoppers across the country can finally experience the same thrill and excitement as if they attended Super Saturday, while knowing everything they purchase will be instrumental in the fight against ovarian cancer,” says Bluefly President and CEO Melissa Payner.

Final Word: Hit the beach, skip the sale, and contribute to the cause free from heat-stroke and Patrick McMullan from your desktop on Monday.

Time to Make the Donuts, Biotch!!

Apparently Naomi Campbell has begun listening to her publicist. After several bitch-slapping/ phone-tossing incidents, this infamous elitist’s public persona was calling for some serious damage control.

The result, I must say, is an interesting one.

Clad in a bright pink Giambattista Valli dress and Prada heels, the former supermodel will appear in a multi-million dollar television ad campaign for Dunkin’ Donuts.

Yes, Dunkin’ Donuts.

While the ad is said to have Campbell poking fun at herself and her recent “bad” behavior, I highly doubt the idea was driven by her cunning sense of humor. She is clearly trying to rectify her mass-market image and make a quick mil.

But a supermodel endorsing Dunkin’ Donuts? I mean, honestly, is nothing sacred? This “fashion for the masses” movement is getting out of hand.

Final Word: If Naomi Campbell can’t physically abuse her help and walk away unscathed, who can? F-it. We’re bringing bitchy back.

Torn, Not Tattered

If staying in the city in the summer is good for anything, it’s shopping. But forget sifting through sales racks with all the tourists, smart shoppers know this is the best time for sample sale-ing.

Designers and clothing companies are trying to unload their extra goods from spring/summer while willing to let go of a few yet-to-be-released samples for fall.

Torn—one our favorite NY-based casual chic clothing companies—is having a sample sale this Thursday and Friday. Here you can pick up those adorably easy dog-walking sweats or the perfect “movie night” waffle tee.

Casual comfort never looked this good. Just look at the invitation.

Final Word: Torn Sample Sale, Thursday July 19th & Friday July 20th, 11 a.m.-5p.m. 156 Fifth Avenue, at 20th Street, Suite 834.

"They Try to Make Me Go to Rehab....."

Why aren’t American fashion magazines this cool? I am loving this sneak-peak of Steven Meisel “rehab” photo-shoot for Italian Vogue, which hits newsstands this week.

WWD is calling it a “tongue-in-cheek fashion story inspired by the antics of Britney Spears.” I think “inspired” is a bit of an understatement, but who cares.

Other shots promise models such as Agnyess Deyn and Lara Stone flashing their nakedness and yelling at paparazzi.

This is a great follow-up to last month’s ironically timed Harper’s Bazaar shoot putting Paris and Nicole behind bars. Ooooh, celebrity crack-head culture. Gotta love it.

Final Word: The issue’s debut also conveniently coincides with La Lohan’s big 2-1 this week. The Blackberrie wishes her the very best on her road to relapse.

Made in The Shade

The Blackberrie has adopted a new mantra this summer; Light. Up. Happy. We’ve abridged it to LUH and we’re aggressively attempting to apply it to all aspects of life. Although it’s a bit of a self-help strategy, all this “Summer of Love” hoopla is making our new philosophy seem tres hippie-chic.

Since we’re being LUH, I thought we should share some love, in the form of sunglasses of course. These shades were recently released in London by Biba, the great-great grandmama of psychedelic fashion. Even Anna Wintour logged some time there as a shopgirl in the swingin’ sixties.

These sixties-inspired heart-shaped frames are the first foray into eyewear by the London-based retailer. They are available in a kaleidoscope of colors like tortoise, black, red and turquoise just to name a few. I don’t yet know if they’ll hit stateside, but you can buy them direct from Biba for 135 pounds. With our bangin’ economy that’s only like $300! Wait, that’s not LUH. Shame on me.

Final Word: Peace, love and sunglasses for all.

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.