StyleSpy with Katrina Szish

At least according to Cody Willard, co-host of "Happy Hour" on the Fox Business Network.

I was a guest on Cody's show earlier this week and was intrigued by his intense dislike of "Sex and the City.".  The mere mention of this ultimate chick flick makes him feisty.  He insists "Sex" is a fantasy world that no woman has ever truly experienced and therefore the premise of the series -- and its legion of followers -- is ridiculous. 

To wit, his rant on his blog, The Cody Word:

"I hate 'Sex and the City.' Truly, as I blame it for confusing a whole generation of single New York women about the difference between reality and fantasy. Hey New York City girls, “Sex and the City” is a fantasy.  Get a freakin’ grip."  

Now truly, I love Cody (especially because of the ease with which "Manolo Blahnik" rolls off his tongue), but I have to call him out on this, because he is wrong on two levels. 

First, we are talking about fiction, remember?  This is not a documentary, thus there are going to be some fantastical elements.  We have a freakin' grip, Cody.

Second, Candace Bushnell -- and many other women who have come of age in The Big Apple well before the "Sex" phenomenon began in the late 90s -- really have lived that life, or something remarkably similar. 

Marcel Thomas/FilmMagic

In fact, I am one of those women and happen to be friends with many others, all of whom were a version of Carrie, Miranda, Samantha or Charlotte before those characters ever existed. 

"Sex" is a story based on the real lives of real women.  Many of those "New York City girls" Cody refers to have become "Sex" fans because they genuinely identify with the lifestyle and characters -- not because they are trying to live vicariously through a "fantasy."

Cody's co-host Rebecca Gomez (who is also one of "us") and I accused him of being bitter because he's probably been burned too many times by "Sex"-y women.  We were teasing him, of course, but he didn't deny the possibility.

My question is: Are men intimidated by strong, smart, successful, independent women?   Or does it just bug them that we are all those things and also have time to shop for shoes?  What's the deal?

Seems to me that Cody, and other like-minded, anti-"Sex" men out there, are guilty of confusing reality with fantasy.

This just in: signature pieces from St. Kilda -- a celeb-favorite jewelry line -- are now available online directly from the designer, Nora Kogan.

Scarlett Johansson has the Aditi earrings with pearls (shown with emeralds
above)...

...and Keri Russell wears her anaconda necklace all the time.

Nora Kogan was born in Russia, but her fine jewelry collection is inspired by -- and named after -- the Melbourne, Australia seaside town in which she grew up.

Tiger tooth earrings, pale pink amethyst and gold, $240

Both delicate and decadent, Kogan's designs incorporate yellow, rose and black gold, and are accented with everything from rubies to white diamonds to pink sapphires.

To shop or to find out more, visit StKildaJewelry.com

Clockwise from top left:  Milly by Michelle Smith, Spring 2008 collection; Joie sandals, $245 at ShopBop; Jonathan Adler "ropes" wallpaper, $195/roll at Jonathan Adler; Gurkees Tobago rope sandals, $28 (!), at Gurkees

I love anything with nautical rope accents, and I'm only placing partial blame upon NYC's new(ish) nautical haunt, The Rusty Knot, that I told you about a couple months ago.

I also blame my charming, historic neighborhood -- the South Street Seaport -- where anything salty and seaworthy earns instant style points (there's even a chic pet boutique called The Salty Paw, complete with anchor pull-toys and homemade fish-shaped biscuits).

Seersucker shorts, $120, Opening Ceremony for Screaming Mimi's (available May 23rd exclusively at Screaming Mimi's seasonal shop in Montauk, Long Island and their Manhattan boutique)

And while I'm  scapegoating, I'll also call out The Sea Shell Shop in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, where I've been sucked in by (sometimes silly) seaside souvenirs since the age of two.   During my most recent visit, I scored a set of monkey's-fist rope coasters for about $6.

A luxe twist on the classic sailor's bracelet
Bottega Veneta, $170 at Saks Fifth Avenue

My favorite interiors and lifestyle guru, Jonathan Adler, recently launched his Wauwinet collection tagged with the suggestion: "think beach grass, boat shoes, sand dunes, and cocktails at five."  At the top of my list is the Wauwinet mirror, which will look great above the small Heywood Wakefield dresser in my hallway.   I'm also coveting his new "ropes" wallpaper (top), which I would custom order in black and white to avoid an overtly preppy look.

Castaner slingback platform at Vivre, $325 (I especially love the black satin pair; the dressed-up fabric upper paired with the rugged rope heel is an unexpected -- and superchic -- contrast)

My rope-is-dope mentality is anything but new, yet I am especially excited because designers are wrapped up with it this season... 

Silver and rope collection by Vellum, from $250 at Vivre

And, of course, that means there is boatloads of booty to buy.

Water optional.

The gorgeous and hilarious Christina Applegate, cover girl of InStyle's new "Look Your Best" special issue, confesses that at 36 she has babies on the brain and is exploring her options...single or not.  Applegate tells us:

"YOU DON'T SET OUT TO BE A SINGLE PARENT, BUT I DON'T WANT TO WAIT UNTIL I'M IN MY MID-40s.  I'M RESEARCHING DIFFERENT THINGS TO SEE WHAT MY OPTIONS ARE."

Applegate (one of my favorite actresses, BTW) also tells us all about her style transformation from grunge girl to glamazon (with a twist) and confesses that she won"t wear skinny jeans because she doesn't think they flatter her figure.

Wha...?!

That makes me re-think my stance on skinnies...not to mention a few other things.

What's the one item YOU refuse to wear?  For me, it's miniskirts with bare legs.

Click here to watch CNN's Naamua Delaney and I chat about Christina, fashion myths and Jenna Bush's wedding

I'm loving this Sergio Rossi "splash patent paintdrip peep toe" (try saying that five times fast), because it allows you to partake in this season's painterly trend without looking artsy-craftsy.

$495 at Sergio Rossi

What shoe are YOU lusting after??  Send me a link!  I'll feature the hottest pair right here on STYLE SPY next week...

Reminder: Fantasy trumps practicality

THIS JUST IN FROM MR. HUSBAND: VANS "PAINT DRIP SLIP" Sk8-Hi


Check out KicksOnFire for more info



NO WONDER WE MAKE SUCH A PERFECT PAIR...(har)

Gwyneth chopped off her Rapunzel-esque locks in favor of a modern shoulder-length bob, and she's been stepping out at premieres in rockin' mini dresses and high-fashion frocks.  She looks sexy.  She looks elegant.  She looks chic. She looks like a movie star (duh).  AND she's a Mom.

Antony Jones/Abaca

Despite all this, every day I find a new blog post or article slamming her for getting her hair cut "daringly short" (to be read with a disapproving, ominous tone) or chastising her for dressing "slutty" or suggesting "firing her stylist."  That is not to say that there haven't been rave reviews -- The Daily Mail wrote about "The Gwyneth Effect," crediting the long-limbed stunner for inspiring skyrocketing sales of skyscraper stilettos in London during the past week -- but I'm simply flabbergasted by those who need to cast stones.

Today, for example, pictures surfaced of Gwyneth wearing a 70's-inspired jumpsuit by Stella McCartney.  She looked great.  It fit her like a glove (someone sniped that there were wrinkles in the leg region -- well guess what, celebs have to sit down when they ride in cars and generally don't have their outfits steamed between exiting a limo and stepping onto the carpet). She took a risk, and it worked.

In fact, I tried on a khaki Tibi jumpsuit while shopping in NYC last weekend, and I just saw Karen Millen's Fall 2008 press preview this week which prominently featured an elegant trouser jumpsuit.  Furthermore, jumpsuits were all over the runways at the Fall 2008 shows, and mark my words, I bet many of her critics will end up wearing them -- or wishing they could wear them -- in five months.  This is what it means to be fashion forward. 

Gwyneth undoubtedly has the body to carry these fashionable ensembles (perhaps workout buddy Madonna is an inspiration?).  She's looks sexy yet tasteful. She's not endangering her children. She's not dancing on tables.  She didn't shave her head.  She's simply doing her job.

I say stop trashing my golden girl Gwyneth.  We're not in 7th grade anymore (thank God), and it's time to stop being catty -- especially when someone looks stunning.  Are we really that insecure?

Sure I'd love to have her legs, her wardrobe, her fame and her bank account, but I don't.  Those things belong to her, and that's ok.  Why try to feel better about yourself by knocking a celebrity off her pedestal, especially when we're largely responsible for putting her there in the first place?

I want to know:
Why is everyone being so harsh on Gwynnie?
Do you love or hate the new look and WHY?

Maxi dresses aren't a new phenomenon.  Not only do they hold a solid place in fashion history, but Nicole Richie made vintage and boho styles her uniform well over a year ago, pairing them with face-obscuring shades.  Angelina Jolie followed, selecting Rachel Pally sundresses as her latest pregnancy wardrobe essential. 

The viability of floor-sweeping hemlines is still strong, yet while this summer's maxi maintains bohemian flair, it's lost its Kumbaya vibe in favor of sleek elegance (something to keep in mind when choosing your accessories; opt for rich gold jewelry and a blazer rather than a sloppy hobo bag and a head scarf).  Think rooftop party in Marrakesh rather than muddy feet at Woodstock.

Katie Holmes wears it right
Jean Baptiste Lacroix/WireImage

Before heading to Miami last week I hit Henri Bendel's on Fifth Avenue in search of wardrobe options.  It wasn't until I stripped in the fitting room that I realized every piece I had pulled off the rack was a long day dress.  I tried on a strapless, ombre column; a bright silk skimmer from Alice & Olivia; and a Hawaiian-inspired floral number by Tracy Feith.  I ended up buying not one but two Diane von Furstenbergs, each with a totally different attitude:

Shop now at DVF.com

A slinky retro halter and a breezy multicolored wrap, which I didn't top off with a hat (sidenote: Molly Sims has been snapped wearing a similar dress).

The best part about these dresses is that with a speedy accessories switch they can go from brunch to a beach wedding -- both of which I have coming up on my calendar.

Cheers to the maxi dress!

I'm not stumping, but I am stumped...or at least fascinated.

The typeface used for Senator Barack Obama's CHANGE campaign signs has been widely discussed by design blogs and news magazines, but no one has yet to point out the remarkable similarity the CHANGE logo bears to the iconic CHANEL typeface.  So let me be the first...

I'm not referring to the trademarked interlocking C's, of course, but rather to the typeface used by the fashion house when the Chanel name is spelled out. 

As mentioned, I'm not the first to put the font discussion out there.  Back in February, Newsweek.com identified Obama's font as Gotham and delved into the finer points of campaign branding.  In their May issue, GQ magazine proudly quoted the Newsweek.com article and reiterated the claim that the Gotham typeface was first created for their men's monthly.  Simple, uncontrived and classic, the Gotham aesthetic has understandably become popular. 

Yet every time I see Obama's "CHAN.."  my pulse quickens.

This has nothing to do with my political views; it's purely Pavlovian.  When a fashionphile sees a Chanel logo (or a Chanel-esque logo), her drool reflex kicks in.  Or she at least does a double take, particularly when said logo isn't attached to a quilted handbag but to a podium. 

I sent an email query to Senator Obama's campaign headquarters, but as of post time I had not received a response.   I'm pretty sure they're busy with more pressing matters, so I'll let them off the hook.

What are your thoughts?  Do other fashion-loving voters have such visceral reactions?!  Fashionable voters want to know!

Screenshots: NiemanMarcus.com and Barack Obama's MySpace page

Tawny, trim tennis ace Maria Sharapova turned 21 this week.  In addition to a star-studded celebration hosted by Tag Heuer complete with a red (er, black) carpet, Ms. Sharapova was decked out in Lanvin for her candle-blowing bash. 


Neil Rasmus/PatrickMcMullan.com/Sipa Press

The press release from Lanvin reads: "Tennis superstar Maria Sharapova looked beautiful at her birthday party last night in a cocktail dress by Lanvin.  For this special occasion, Maria selected Lanvin’s turquoise washed silk gazar ruffle scoop back dress accented by a black elastic belt with a flower enamel buckle."

Yes, there was actually a press release.  Celebrity "special occasions" (whether birthdays or bridal showers or baby showers) have become viable alternatives to the traditional red carpet scenario.  Celebrants are now asked "Who are you wearing?" by reporters rather than "What did you get?" by friends.

But this decadence and indulgence isn't just for starlets.  Birthday parties for adults -- whether or not said reveler is a celebrity -- are getting increasingly sumptuous. 

I've recently been invited to a fete at which the guest of honor has planned "a vignette performance of Swan Lake" in honor of her birthday.  Another gentleman recently celebrated his 40th at a chic downtown bash masterminded by the exclusive Supper Club of New York.  And yet another requested that those lucky enough to be on the very short guest list at his Bungalow 8 soiree donate a specified sum to his favorite charity.

In addition to the location, the guest list and the entertainment, the wardrobe selection -- just like it is for celebs -- is of the utmost importance.  There will be photos taken, of course, most likely by a paparazzi-esque snapper hired specifically for the event.  There will be stares, perhaps even gawkers, as the birthday girl steps from her car and takes those few precious, public steps into the restaurant, club, theater or ice-skating rink. 

The adult birthday party has become an opportunity to be fabulous and to remind everyone else how fabulous you are.  Who doesn't want to be a star for a day?  And then again for another day the following year?!  I'm kind of loving this concept.  It's like being a kid all over again, when that big day was so deliciously all about you.  The only difference is that now you can have champagne with your cake instead of milk.

What do you think of these over-the-top celebrations of self?  What would your dream birthday bash be like if money were no object?  Dare to dream...

I'm thinking private island, pina coladas and horseback riding with about thirty of my nearest and dearest...Oh, and Magnolia chocolate cupcakes with pink frosting, of course.

And you...?