Hasta La Ideas

In his first official post-Project Runway show within the Bryant Park tents, 4th season winner Christian Siriano proved that his design talent is even bigger than his personality. With an array of pieces inspired by the pyramid shapes and desert colors of Egypt and North Africa, his Fall 2009 Collection wowed the fully-packed audience, including a selection of head industry executives from Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, and Saks who all drooled at the possibility of carrying the fabulous fashioneer on their racks. The runway opened with several characteristically-Christian ensembles, featuring long cape-like jackets, puffed sleeves, and lots of signature ruffles that we have come to associate with the designer since his show-stopping Bravo TV finale, but this time around his distinctive touches appeared much more refined and carefully constructed. What really had crowd members clapping, however, was his parade of beautifully-flowing dresses of satin and organza, draped in glossy colors that mimicked the desert sand and the Nile water, along with his closing Pharaoh-inspired body-clinging gold gown, complete with a headpiece that only model Sessilee Lopez and maybe Cleopatra herself could pull off. Overall his collection was both inventively creative and wearably chic (no “hot messes” in sight!), and convinced most runway attendees that Christian may just be the Project Runway protege to make it big-time… and the fiercest, of course.

Colors:sand, tan, mocha, turquoise
Silhouettes: cape-like coats, snug-fitting pants, curve-hugging dresses, flowing ruffles
Celeb Sightings: Tori Spelling, Aubrey O’Day, Nina Garcia
View the slideshow to see more of his Egyptian-inspired pieces for Fall 2009!
Photo Credit: Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

Milly is a label known for fun, flirty, ultra-femme styles that balance the sleek with the sexy and speak to chic women everywhere. For the fall 2009 collection, designer Michelle Smith was inspired by the ballerinas of New York and the looks balanced uptown sophistication with a downtown edge. Versatility was a key element of this collection and we saw lots of fabulous separates including an array of elbow-sleeve coats, micro-mini tweed skirts, wool tops, all of which can easily go from day to night and transition from one season to the next. Countless LBD’s were also thrown into the mix with frocks made from lace, velvet, and silk, all perfect for the polished party girl. The color palette was more somber than in season’s past but the pieces still stayed true to Milly’s signature playful spirit with flirty ruffles, bows, metallic threading, and ultra-femme silhouettes.

Colors: Black, Camel, Charcoal, Chestnut, Heathered Grey, Blue, Ivory
Trends: tweed, micro-minis, velvet
Celeb s: Julia Stiles, Mary J. Blige, Elisabeth Hasselbeck
Photo Credit: Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

I recently returned some compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) to my local hardware store because they were too dim and white. The traditional bulbs they replaced had been much warmer and brighter, and I prefer this kind of light.

Martha Stewart Living had an article in their September 2008 issue that highlighted the differences of all the CFL options. I highly recommend consulting this guide before you head out to purchase some new bulbs. I wish that I would have first consulted the guide. Here are some the recommendations they offer:

Table and floor lamps: Compact fluorescent in warm white.

Reading and Task Lamps: 23-watt CFL in warm light or daylight.

Recessed Fixtures: CFL in warm white or a halogen.

Some general tips on color size and shape:

Appearance
Energy-saving bulbs have adopted the shapes, sizes, and appearance of traditional bulbs, making it easier to phase them in.

Warm White
When in doubt, opt for a warm-white CFL, 3,000 degrees Kelvin or lower. It has the color quality most associated with traditional bulbs.

Cool White
This color temperature is best avoided. It washes out skin tones and makes reds, oranges, and browns look muddy.

Daylight Bulb
In general, you should use a daylight bulb only in a reading or task light. The cool, bright tone makes text jump off the page.

The size and shape of CFLs has changed over the years and there are many more options for decorative lighting. There are globes for vanities and candle shaped bulbs for candelabras (with adapters).

To learn even more, read the full guide from Martha Stewart Living.

Project Runway’s traditional Bryant Park finale — the chance of a lifetime for its contestants — has always been an event full of nail-biting excitement and audience chit-chat over their favorites among the top 3 and who they predict will take the season’s title. For the show’s 6th season, however, things had to be done a little differently. While legal battles over the rights to the show, which raked in about 4 million viewers each episode last year, rage on and remain undecided, production for the 6th season was forced to move on with the traditional Fashion Week finale even though its preliminary episodes may not air for several more months, if the disputes are ever finally settled. As a result, in order to prevent spoiling the season due to leaks, the final 3 contestants were not allowed to introduce their designs this time around and instead were forced to remain hidden and anonymous for the runway show finale — the occasion that is normally supposed to be their proudest moment to date. While this undoubtedly put a damper on the usually high-profile and openly celebratory event, the good news is that the clothes truly did get all the glory (that is, when people weren’t too busy buzzing over the whole legal issue) — and isn’t that what Fashion Week should be about, anyway? While I thought the show seemed to lack its usual brightness (though it’s hard to top Season 3’s Uli Herzner when it comes to color variety) and black leather certainly seemed to be in surplus, collectively I found the three collections to be greatly impressive — both in their elaborate construction and chic wearability (save for a couple extreme biker-esque numbers, I would gladly have taken down any one of the models and walked off wearing any of the ensembles shown)! Despite common fabrics, each designer seemed to hold their own and show off distinct visions, even in their anonymity. While I was blown away by the 2nd designer’s array of flirty dresses (I can’t even imagine how much work he/she must have put in to pull off all the ruffled and paneled detailing!), I must say that I think I’m already pulling for the 3rd designer’s “futuristic-equestrian” line because of its cohesive completion — almost every ensemble contained 3 or 4 pieces, some even including a handmade bag! Plus, that closing black ballgown with sequin detailing may just be the prettiest thing I’ve ever seen float down the finale runway!

Colors: tons of black, silvery blue, tan, satiny cream
Silhouettes: layered ruffles, chunky sweaters, cropped coats, snug pants, short dresses
Celeb Sightings: Akon, past winners Christian Siriano and Jay McCarroll

Check out the slideshow for a sneak peek at the upcoming season’s finale looks (semi-spoiler alert)!
Photo Credit: Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

Barcelona architects RaichdelRio have designed security desks and a waiting area in a historic former hospital in Barcelona, Spain. (more…)