StyleSpy with Katrina Szish

InStyle is teaming up with Fox 5's "Good Day New York" to bring New Yorkers an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at New York Fashion Week...live!

Tune in Friday (tomorrow), February 1st at 8:09am for a live, behind-the-scenes look at Nautica.  We'll be back Monday, February 4th; and Wednesday through Friday, February 6th-8th at approximately 7:45am and 8:45am each morning for designer and celeb interviews, plus the latest news from Bryant Park, reported by yours truly.

And, of course, don't forget to check out InStyle.com (including StyleSpy) and MyFoxNY.com for up-to-the-minute coverage of all the fashion fabulosity.

P.S.

I will also be co-hosting Fox 5's Fashion Week wrap-up show with the lovely Toni Senecal...more details to come!

...and I'm not talking about those coveted statuettes, although they do have a nice heft to them...

Outside the Kodak Theater, 2007
 

Rather, this gold rush is for the latest and greatest in tricked-out technology from Computer Choppers.  The Linn, Oregon company may be far from Tinseltown, but their 24-karat gold gadgets undoubtedly have star quality. 

Send them your laptop, I-pod, I-phone or any other gizmo in need of the Midas touch, and they will literally turn it into gold.

Want some sparkle with that?  No problem.  Computer-Choppers.com can create custom diamond or cubic zirconia logos for the top of the laptop.  The average price for a new plated MacBook Pro is $8,500 and can jump up to $20,000 depending on customization. 

In keeping with the metallic trend, all that glitters is more than gold.  Their shiny stuff comes in a variety of hues; choose from 24kt gold (yellow or white), platinum (coming in this Spring) or a range of shades in between.

I suffer from hair sabotage syndrome.

My natural hair is straight, medium blonde, fine texture, but decently thick.  Yet I always feel the need to mess with Mother Nature.

I have been platinum several times (most recently this summer)...

Channeling Gwen with Hannah Byun, designer of Hansel From Basel hosiery

Golden blonde...

Summer of 2006, weeks before the most recent short circuit

Strawberry blonde, red, brown and jet black (twice...don't ask)...

By Norman Jean Roy, 2001

I've had an asymmetrical bob (it was the 80s)...

1986 -- the other side was shaved!

A bob with bangs...

Spring 2004, on my honeymoon (guess where we went?)

A bob with no bangs...

Spring 2007

...and a buzz cut (in a last-ditch attempt to get rid of the black; all photographic evidence has been confiscated). 

Not to mention all the awkward growing-out stages in between.

I tend to spend years growing it out to its most perfect natural state, only to ruin it all with a single snip of the scissors.  I usually chop it after seeing a picture of Linda Evangelista, Mia Farrow, Twiggy or the latest model to shock the fashion industry by lopping her luscious locks (Anja Rubik, below, was my most recent muse).

Image from Polki.pl

Summer 2007

I'm an all or nothing person, so in-between lengths or safe styles are never satisfying. 

Dramatic hair changes make me feel independent, strong, untethered, rebellious...for about an hour.  And then I want my real hair back, and the cycle starts again.

I am currently mid-cycle.  I have waaaaayyyyy too many layers, which makes me feel like I'm in purgatory. 

Long layers are one thing, but for some reason scissor-happy hands always want to hack away, leaving me with cropped, choppy layers.

But as of today, I'm taking back my hair.  I will no longer nod "yes" when I really mean "absolutely not" as the shears come towards my head.  I will learn, finally, that photo shoot hair rarely translates into real life hair.  I will resist the urge to shock friends, family and co-workers with a seasonal hair hacking (I am already hearing cheers up and down the East Coast).

Today I am entrusting my hacked-up head to the capable hands of Adel at Louis Licari (Louis himself brought my sad, weakened, bleached out summer locks back to life).  Adel is more than a skilled stylist:  He's also a hair extension guru. 

I have never had extensions, but if there ever was a time to sit still for hours on end without fidgeting, it's now.

Not only will Adel limit my stay in layer purgatory, but he will shape my new head of hair into the Next Big Hair Trend for a Fox5 Fashion Week trend segment...now that may sound as if I'm going back to my old ways, but I have a pretty good hunch that the Next Big Hair Trend is going to be all about longer, sleeker, more natural locks.

If I can't be naturally natural, faux-natural suits me just fine -- especially if the words "choppy layers" are no longer part of my hair vocabulary.

Sorry, Twiggy!

Check back during Fashion Week for the big reveal, and set your DVRs to record Fox5's "Good Day New York" next week, where you'll get to watch the long and the short of it.

I never gave much thought to looking chic while working out, but style is style.  If you've got it, you should flaunt it at all times.

My new favorite workout wear is from So Low.  My top picks: their now-famous fold-over pants (love the ruffle and sailor versions); skinny tank tops (extra long so they don't un-tuck); and slim hoodies (with ruffle trim or nautical stripes to match the bottoms). 

Photo from SolowStyle.com

Comfy, cute and beloved by celebs (Cameron Diaz,  Gwen Stefani, and Kirsten Dunst), So Low is so good that I have officially banished my boyish track suits.

Click here to add some So Low to your wardrobe

It's a good day when InStyle.com's "Look of The Day" features a gorgeous celeb wearing THE SAME TOP that you're wearing.

Like, for example, today!

Eva Longoria Parker chooses a Kenneth Cole Reaction cobalt silk blouse to wear while promoting her new film, Over Her Dead Body, in London.

Landov

Katrina Szish (that's me!) chooses a Kenneth Cole Reaction cobalt silk blouse to wear for her weekly appearance on CNN.com.

In fact, YOU can choose a Kenneth Cole Reaction cobalt silk blouse to wear wherever you want.  Even better, it's on sale for $58.90 at Nordstrom. 

Click here to shop!

Click here to watch today's CNN.com segment on Star Travel Tips! 

Stars sure did shine at the SAGs...

Photo: Wireimage
Debra Messing in Oscar de la Renta with Christina Applegate in Elie Saab.  Check out InStyle.com's entire gallery from last night's red carpet.

...but now it's time to focus, people!  Style Spy hits New York Fashion Week in 4 days.  Yep, the fabulous fashion fandango starts this Friday, February 1st.

Tracy Reese runway, Fall 2007 collection, snapped by moi

Turns out the Red Carpet Countdown is EXTREMELY well-timed...

Despite recent speed bumps, Alicia has gotten me back on track.  Daily workouts, no whining allowed (well, maybe a little).  She also shared HER speedy-slimming secret for those times when time is of the essence (and ten days of the Master Cleanse is just way too much to bear):  oatmeal for breakfast, a normal healthy lunch (salad with grilled chicken, for example), and a protein shake for dinner.  Fruit or nuts for snacking.  Done!  Simple, healthy and surprisingly effective.

Baby Phat runway, Fall 2007 collection

Instead of silently swearing to (at?) myself while watching lithe limbs slither down the catwalk that I WILL get thee to the gym, I will be silently thanking Complete Body Development for whipping my bod into shape.  And you better believe I'll be wearing something cute!  A belted Proenza minidress, perhaps? 

Photo from ProenzaSchouler.com

Funny, I no longer care that TV cameras make you look 10 pounds heavier.  And that's a good thing, because I'll be reporting live from Bryant Park for Fox5's "Good Day New York" just about every day of Fashion Week.

In Britney Spears' seat before the Fall 2007 Baby Phat show

I'm ready.  Are you??

Stay tuned to Style Spy for a week's worth of rockin' outfits, TV clips, behind-the-scenes hijinks and more...

I've been in a bit of a rut the past couple weeks.

The Globes cancellation threw me off -- made me think going out to (several) multiple-course dinners was an acceptable indulgence.

Then there was Tracy Stern's decadent tea party, which seemed innocent enough, until I found myself enjoying Tea-tinis and chocolate macaroons. 

Yet how could I not indulge while in the private abode of the founder of Salon Tea whose motto is "Enjoy Life. Drink Tea, Celebrate Often"?!

Bad Style Spy!

The good news is, despite my caloric transgressions, I have been hitting the gym (albeit not for the 200 minutes of cardio per week I'm supposed to be doing on my own), and Alicia and Ramon have been doing their thing.  Ouch! (in a good way)

On the cardio note, I've discovered that it takes a special kind of person to successfully spend hundreds of  minutes on a treadmill, elliptical trainer or stairmaster.  And, apparently I'm not that special person.  Alas, I must admit defeat.  It's not the cardio part I hate, it's the boredom of chugging along in one place staring at one wall for an hour at a time.  Cardio is intergral to the success of the RCC, however, so I needed an alternative:  CLASSES.  Ta-da!  Put me in an aerobics class, a circuit training class, a dance class, and I will get through that hour, no problem (and don't tell anyone, but I used to be an aerobics instructor, so this arena is exceptionally comfortable).  I haven't started said classes yet, but this weekend I plan to sign up at my neighborhood Gold's Gym, which just happens to be NEXT DOOR to the Complete Body mecca.  Done!  The takeaway here is that not all exercise regimens work for all people; if something isn't working in your routine, admit it and find an alternative.

As far as the food part of this equation, I simply have to focus.  I have to learn that just because it's my favorite weekly holiday called Thursday, I'm not entitled nor do I deserve to drink pink Veuve Clicquot.  I have to focus even more now, because my Nu-Kitchen experience has ended.  BUT, it gave me an excellent sense of portion size and the types of food I should be eating, so I'm doing my best to replicate that model on my own, and I feel 100% equipped to do it.  Thanks, Nu-Kitchen!

The Oscar nominations got my adrenaline pumping again (Cate Blanchett, Johnny Depp, George Clooney?!?!  Woo-hoo!), as I remembered that there is (hopefully) a (major) red carpet on the horizon (not to mention The Grammys).

Red carpet risk taker Blanchett, expecting her third child, has a double-shot at Oscar gold

It also dawned on me: FASHION WEEK STARTS IN ONE WEEK, and I simply don't have time to slack.  So, as of RIGHT NOW, I'm declaring my return to hardcore mode.  Alicia, Ramon, Alex...bring it on!

...and a slew of squid!  My weakness for cephalopods has increased with the onset of the New Year, and the fact that designers are on the same wavelength makes me want to celebrate (eight times!).

Mr. Husband bought me the Kenneth Jay Lane ring I've been coveting for months (woo-hoo!) for Christmas.

At Vivre.com
 

Family friends -- having no inkling about our penchant for such creatures -- gifted Mr. Husband with emblazoned porcelain cufflinks from Etsy.com.  Note:  Etsy.com has loads of cephalopod-inspired items...just do a word search and you'll be browsing for hours.

I even gave our dog Wilhelmina a stuffed octopus (don't get skeeved out, it was plush).  She now has five in her collection.  This fluffy one comes in the hottest colors of the season: bright pink, turquoise, lavender and lime green ($14 at TheVelvetSnoot.com).

There's lots more out there to add to your (my?!) collection, from the fashionable -- like this Lauren Moshi tank (Liv Tyler and Lindsay Lohan are fans of this cool line launched by siblings Lauren and Michael; Lauren hand draws all the designs)...

This Antonio Palladino ring...

And this Lilly Pulitzer belt...

To the farcical -- This Chinese tissue box holder is currently available on Ebay.

The home decor extension of the trend has more highbrow options, as well.  Wanna pretend your office is underwater?  Voila!  Mermaid heaven in an instant with a larger-than-life wall decal (choose from 15 colors at tonkydesigns.com).

Finally, for those who wish to be more straightforward with their feelings, this poster is available in various sizes at CafePress.com:

Although my dreams of hitting the red carpet at the Golden Globes this weekend have been dashed, I refuse to wallow.

Instead, I will be painting my nails red.  "E! Live From The Red Carpet" red, to be exact.  This limited edition shade is the result of a smart collaboration between nail polish guru Essie and the stylish peeps at E!, created in honor of awards season and all the glam glory that (usually) comes with it. 

And, at $8 a bottle, it's way easier to justify than Chanel couture.

So who needs a carpet to strut your stuff when you've got a bottle of limited edition nail polish to keep you on your toes?!

Kate Walsh rocks short red nails

Come to think of it, even if real-life red carpets continue to elude us in the coming months, this polish would still be a fab choice for Valentine's Day.  Good thing it's available (at Essie.com) 'till the end of February.

Don't have a 2008 resolution yet? 

Here's one: Add a little whimsy to your life.

Here's another:  Don't be a stick in the mud -- or at least in the sand.

You can start the process with a pair of make-you-smile socks or tights from Hansel from Basel, a white hot hosiery line based in L.A. and masterminded by one of the grooviest gals you'll ever meet, Hannah Byun.

According to Hannah: "The essence of Hansel from Basel is to design functional items with tasteful yet quirky accents to get us through the toughest of days.  It is meant to be a spirited line full of light-hearted jest."

Barneys New York and Anthropologie have already hopped on the Hansel from Basel bandwagon, along with hipster boutiques creaturesofcomfort.us and NYC's Opening Ceremony.  Prices range from $28-$50.

Run don't walk!