• i didn't laugh once the entire episode. that's bad right?
  
• i will say that my not laughing probably has more to do with poor writing than the acting ability of britney spears.
  
• the previews for the episode highlighted all of britney's scenes, so there were really were no surprises--they left little to the imagination.
  
• i still don't understand why britney was holding her arms and hands out (stiff like a barbie doll) the entire episode.
  
• i was appalled at the sight of debra messing's outfit.
• i was disappointed jack and karen were not in any scenes together! --they are the only characters i remotely like on the show.
• will & grace was over 2 years ago for me.
• i still love britney.
• toxic will forever be the most played song on my ipod
  

I have always been able to spot a fake Kate Spade bag a mile away. The same goes for most things, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Chanel and I'm sorry but the "GOACH" bags aren't fooling anyone. I consider the above mentioned examples to be counterfeit merchandise. You are pasting a Prada, Chanel, Kate Spade logo on merchandise and selling it for a discounted price all in order to give the illusion of authentic merchandise. I don't think the purse party patrons really believe their $30 "kate spade" bag is authentic, but if they can fool a few friends and family into thinking they have an expensive bag then they would probably consider the purchase well worth it. I've never been one to own any of the above mentioned merchandise. In fact I knew few girls who would be caught dead in Lake Forest, IL (i went to college there) carrying a fake bag. My own relunctance to carry a fake bag is probably attributed to my willingness to pay money for an authentic bag. Or, in the case that I don't have the money (yea, let's just call that the standard shall we??), I won't buy one immediately--instead I will worship it, visit it in the store, drool over the counter, and ultimately save up for it. (The same goes for sunglasses...my Chanel glasses are the only pair that are dear to my heart.)

Now the question of copyright protection becomes little complex when the products have no logo enscribed on it. If you rip the label off the fake kate spade, is it still in violation of the copyright? Today's New York Times article, "O.K., Knockoffs, This Is War" discusses this very issue. The MarieClaire "Splurge vs. Steal" section was addressed where they will feature a designer item and pair it up with similar looking item and less expensive item from the likes of Banana Republic, Gap, J Crew, Urban Outfitters, etc. Many designers are upset when their items are featured in the "Spluge vs. Steal" section, because on one hand they are happy their item was featured, but on the other hand the magazine editors are pointing all admirors to a cheaper alternative. We live in a celebrity obsessed where girls clamour to buy whatever Sienna Miller wore last week or even last month, but we also live in a society where people brag about getting the best deal--i bought this marc jacobs blah blah blah @ this sample sale last week for x amount of dollars. It becomes a question for the consumer, do you want the original in which you will shell out some major cash, or do you prefer the cheaper look-alike alternative? I think the designers are more worried about the people who can afford their designs, but really don't see the logic behind buying the "name" when they can get a quality product with similar features elsewhere. The example being: "Why should I buy the designer black strapless A-line dress for $1000 when I can buy a similar looking dress at Banana Republic for $198?" These are the people that the top designers are losing out to, but the people who can't afford the designer dress without skipping on rent are the ones that are going to more damanged by strictor copyright protections.


Zac Posen, Diane Von Furstenburg, and other top designers have been very busy lobbying congress (Mr. Posen was in Washington just this week)for a copyright law that would protect fashion designs for three years. The retail industry, Gap, Banana Republic, J Crew, Urban Outfitters, H&M, Zara, would be heavily hit by such an agreement. So, the dresses that are inspired by the runway and award shows that are nearly identical to the orignial would not be available for prom time...the girls would have to wait for 3 years before they got the look-alike Michelle Willams Oscar dress.

Both sides have great arguments, but it gets very messy trying to decipher what is and isn't considered artistic expression. Some cases of copying are more blatant than others. A.B.S. is a good example of this, and is probably considered a neimesis to most designers because he is making a ton of money on producing (and very quickly look a like dresses) however,i am going to venture out and guess that his dresses are being bought by people that would probably never even think twice about buying a $3,000 + dress unless it was for their wedding.

Regardless, most in the fashion industry would choose to disagree with me, and would maintain that this type of business practice hurts the luxury fashion market. I think it would be difficult to prove that the luxury fashion business has taken a hit as a direct result of look alikes. Look-alike fashion designs have always been common place in the American fashion industry. But, I think there needs to be some sort of protection for fashion designers. Especially for designers who continue to push the envelope and are creative geniuses. Copying some one line for line is wrong, and is generally bad for the fashion as innovative fashion will be sacrificed. Writing a good law on such a complex issue that will be kind to both retailers and top designers will be a difficult task. I expect Congress to try to emulate what the European union has already put in place overseas to protect designers there. I think this makes for an interesting debate! Please share your thoughts!!!

Two noteworthy quotes in the New York Times article:

"They are stealing at the expense of creativity. It's not fair or reasonable or correct to steal that design from someone."
~Valerie Salembier, the publisher of Harper's Bazaar

"It's not as complex as everybody's making it. To take somebody's design and make a line-for-line copy, that should be stopped."
~Stan Herman, the president of the Council of Fashion Designers

right a bottega veneta bag $1,650; left a bag @ urban outfitters for $48





right charlize theron in a a dress by John Galliano for Dior; left a dress by A.B.S. for $306







A.B.S. purple dress that is nearly identical to a Zac Posen dress shown on the runway in 2004 available for $159 @ bloomingdales while the Zac Posen version is at least $1000.

bunny swap package from Stacie:

all things bunny. i loved it all, but my favorite things were the bunny tissues and the bunny buttons. The bunny jelly bean dispenser is pretty funny as well!!! THANKS STACIE you went above and beyond!!! You're the Best!

Post Card Swap:


"Behind the Flying Saucers" post card from Leah in Mass!!! There was a lovely message decorated with butterfly stickers and the nigerian proverb "hold a true friend with both your hands" . It was adorable! Thanks Leah!This lovely postcard featuring the art of Egon Schiele is from Veronica in British Columbia!!! Thanks Veronica!

i am already in the market for a new bag (well when am i not "in the market")i could definitely see myself toting these gorgeous bags around:

anna corrina lotus bag $276 @ shopbop; anna corrina bag small nouveau tote $312 @ shopbop; botkier skeleton bag $645 @ jake chicago; dulce bolsao @ dulce bags; the carpenter clutch $78 @ free people; goldenbleu shoulder bag with basketing $735 @ shop bop; inleaf zippered purses $35 @ trunkt; shilvy ava pochette $80 @ trunkt; tulina arnica clutch $180 @ trunkt; paul & joe crochet bag $293 @ shop bop; paul & joe bag with pockets $471 @ shopbop;

a wonder woman postcard from robyn from montreal (i love montreal!!!!) with a good message: stay healthy! very cute & unexpected!



thanks robyn!!! my desk @ work is looking fabulous with all of these wonderful postcards so keep them coming!!! postcard swaps are soo easy and fun! i might just sign up for another one...as i wittle my swapping down to a few choice ones!! (ahem the drawing painting/swap!!!)

my mission is to brighten up every room (even my drab corner office hidden away from all living things) with good design & bright, inviting colors, and if i can get a touch of humor squeezed it makes for a perfect day everyday.

amenity drift duvet in cream + cocoa @ greener grass design; judy ross clover runner @ greener grass design; bubble rug @ pottery barn teen; vintage paper rug @ pottery barn teen


owl pillow @ rare device; side butterfly pillow @ rare device; amenity rectangle pillow @ greener grass design; amenity square pillow @ greener grass design



judy ross pillow; thomas paul pillow; thomas paul pillow; thomas paul pillow all @ greener grass design




dottie storage bin; dottie beach towel both @ pottery barn teen


bodhi form dog pillows @ greener grass design; cushy lounge @ pottery barn teen; bedboard corner desk @ pottery barn teen; chez moi desk & mirror hutch@ pottery barn teen








ooo la la desk chair @ pottery barn teen; ooo la la chair @ pottery barn teen; smooch chair @ perpetual kid; child rocking chair @ greener grass design;


thorsten van elten side table @ greener grass design; lewis headboard + slipcover @ pottery barn teen; spot light @ pottery barn teen; hi-light task light @ pottery barn teen




scallopped clip shade @ pottery barn teen; carl mertens fireplace for the table top @ greener grass design; tord boontje's until dawn curtains @ greener grass design; water drop jugs by j. parker esque 2003 @ greener grass design


slumped vase by esque; mglass cumulus large vase; slab by henk stallinga; anne black seam porcelain candle cups; all @ greener grass design




wall paper poster @ rare device; flower wall hangings @ rare device; rosa wall hook @ pottery barn teen



dress form; iron cage shelf; vintage metal wall letters; all @ pottery barn teen;




signe beaker @ rare device; stump tea pot @ rare device; artecnica table stories
@ doe san francisco; sponge gloves @ perpetual kid




lotta jans dotter tissue box cover @ greener grass design; ping pong calendar @ rare device; journey book @ rare device


bird passport case @ rare device; marc jacobs flap clutch @ shopbop; snap make up bag @ greener grass design; snap lap top bag @ greener grass design

dress your desk:

letter press manilla folders @ greener grass design; bunny pen & pencil holder@ greener grass design; elephant pencil sharpener & paper shredder @ perpetual kid; funnel piggy bank @ greener grass design




"while you were fucking off" office notepad @ perpetual kid; forget me not door handle note pad @ greener grass design; congratualation owl card @ greener grass design; puppy invite @ greener grass design


letter press gift tags @ greener grass design; millimeter pocket book @ doe san francisco; jill bliss native flowers mixed stationary @ doe san francisco; dots & jots mini journals from chronicle books




squirrel card; cupcake card; bunny card; bunny baby book all @ greener grass designs

fun stuff:

sad weiner chewing gum @ perpetual kid; kiss bandages @ perpetual kid; drink-o-matic soda machine @ perpetual kid; puppy bath drain plug @ perpetual kid; capsule letter @ doe san francisco

while you are shopping you might as well pick up these adorable necklaces:

TOURMALINE NECKLACE $75 @ rare device; ronni kappos multi-charm bracelet @ greener grass design; anne black porcelain & silk necklace @ greener grass design