Still true blue

I like this fresh twist on summer style for two reasons: It swaps out beloved jeans for a denim skirt. (Admit it: It's kinda fun to wear something swishy, no?)

Also, instead of red, it finishes the look with a juicy orange bag. (A good friend gave me a bag this color and carrying it just makes me happy.)

This combo is from the always creative crew at omiru.com -- but I bet you have some summer style tips of your own.

Do tell.

Love Shacks!

Times are tough in Tokyo, too, but business is booming there at "love hotels."

"I'd hate to use the term 'recession-proof,' but it's certainly proven very resilient over the last six to nine months," Steve Mansfield, CEO of New Perspectives, which operates six love, or "leisure," hotels in Japan, tells cnn.com.

Yes, I thought we were talking about just spots for quickies -- but that's apparently not the case.

Because of the population density in the country, it's mostly young couples who seek out the love hotels for privacy.

"Even these days, on the weekend, every love hotel is full of people -- it's hard to get in," a woman with her boyfriend in Tokyo, said, laughing with embarrassment when asked for her name while waiting to check in.

Many of the hotels even have thriving VIP programs, underscoring the value of the destinations as desirable spots for, well, desire.

Tamer hotels are in Tokyo, featuring saunas and Jacuzzis. Flashier love nests abound in in Osaka, including a Hello Kitty-themed hotel and one with a room featuring a merry-go-round. Sounds like Vegas.

So, would you consider going (or have you been) to a Love Shack?

Or maybe we should start a chain of them here in the U.S.?

True grit

I wore the the fly-out, fringy "wing" bangs that were her signature.

Even at my wedding.

They looked much better on her.

I'm so sorry to hear of her passing. She struck me as someone who fought hard -- not only battling her cancer -- but throughout her life, to reinvent herself.

From pinup to serious actress in meaty roles.

Then, she opened her life to us all with the unflinching documentary of her last difficult days.

Along with dazzling glam, she clearlyhad admirable, inspiring, authentic true grit.

She'll be missed.

Roberta also has info. on Fawcett's death, including comments from her longtime partner, Ryan O'Neill, on her bog:

http://tragicomical.pnn.com/articles/show/47268-rip-farrah-fawcett

Girl power!

Who isn't on the prowl for a powerfully tasty wine these days?

Well, this one's a a definite kick!

Washington State's Kung Fu Girl Riesling has lovely notes of Asian pear and lychee, with a tad -- but not too much -- of effervescence.

Perfect for picnics. And summer concerts.

And yes, it's not gonna punish your wallet: It's less than $15 bucks.

What about you -- what are your fave summer sippers?

And remember, these need to be good, not just cheap -- cheers!

Are potties for the plump a good thing?

Of course people come in all sizes -- and I found myself feeling a bit queasy when an airline decided it would start charging extra for those deemed super-sized.

Seemed a little harsh.

But now a company is catering to the plus-sized crowd with plus-sized furniture and other home and office accessories.

Yep -- everything from wider chairs to more generous towels to grande-girth toilets. Really. 

Check out some of the line here:

http://home.aol.com/

I dunno. Is this supporting our growing obesity problem (no pun intended) or just smart business?  

Ditch the Dad's Day gifts!

I love my dad. Very much. Which is why I'm not getting him anything for Father's Day this year. Nope. Nada. Nothing upscale and no gag gifts -- not even a novelty singing fish. 

And we're not at odds -- in fact, we've never been closer.

It's just that physical things have lost their meaning as our family faces an extremely wrenching impending loss.

And it's made me realize that time and shared experiences are truly the only things that matter.

So I'll be traveling to see him and spending the weekend whatever way he chooses.

He's told me he actually doesn't want to do anything special (he's already pretty active, playing tennis and golf regularly, even though he's in his 80s).

"Let's just hang out," he said. And over the past year, our just spending time together has been some of the richest experiences I've had.

A classic distant dad while I was growing up (he was simply out earning the bucks to support our small brood), he's now become my confident.

Someone who now immediately understands the nuances of my life in a way I never dreamed would be possible.

Not that he didn't care -- I've always felt that. And even my friends would tell me how easily they could connect with my dad and feel comforted after asking him for advice.  

And how much they believe what a deep, down good person he is.

So do I.

In addition to inheriting a love of ice cream and popcorn from him (hey, I could live on these alone!), he also instilled in me a strong belief in loyalty, integrity, standing my ground -- and always looking for the good in others.

He also bought me my first catcher's mitt, taught me to play tennis, started me on the path to career success by agreeing to pay me to pull dandelions from our yard when I was 8 (the fee negotiations were fierce, but we finally struck a win-win deal).

His confidence in me becoming anything I wanted to be has helped me remain optimistic today, despite adversity I never anticipated.

But that's something he also taught me: reslience and perseverence. two things he's continuing to role model, despite some staggeringly difficult times.

So, I won't be helping to stimulate the economy by buying goofy gifts.

But I'll be treasuring the one-on-one time with my dad -- probably talking while munching a popcorn dinner, then sharing ice cream for dessert.

Not enough real friends? Hire fake ones!

Need to impress your fiance at your wedding? Make sure you have a crowd at a party? Or just want to grab coffee with someone? Now you can hire a fake friend -- or two, or three or more -- to be your BFF.

Mellow yellow

Maybe it's a subliminal way to counter the gloom of the economy, but yellow seems to be popping up everywhere in fashion for spring & summer. And I have to say I'm definitely drawn to the sunny hue.

I've never worn much of it before, but I've grabbed a few pieces recently, including one similar to the sweater here from J. Crew (hmm, maybe Michelle O. has one, too?)

Anyway, wearing specific colors does affect my mood and, while some may get a tart start to the day by choosing yellow, I'm finding it gives me more of a creative mini-mellow boost. 

What about you -- is the economy impacting the colors you wear? Are you reverting to "comfort clothes" (sort of like the recession trend of comfort food)?

Or does it even matter when you're just trying to snag wise (read affordable) buys?

(And thanks to the team at www.omiru.com for more great outfit picks.)

Another great gathering!

That's the feedback from the latest Girls' Night Out party (Thursday, June 25). 

The gabbing, the gifts, the special guest -- phew! If you missed it, check out the chat that happened here:

 http://pnn.com/chat_events/1-girls-night-out  -

And stay tuned for the date of Girls' Night Out August!

Pass the catnip-tinis!

Why didn't I think of this? A new airline is pampering pets with planes tailored entirely to their needs.

Pet Airways will bring on the perks for canine and feline passengers -- via their own in-cabin quarters and attendants -- who will fly solo. Well, actually along with other furry VIPS.

We humans will have to stay crowded in coach on our own aircrafts.

Meanwhile, pet parents will updated every 15 minutes on whether Fluffy has eaten her special meal  -- and might be ordering to many catnip-tinis!

Set to launch in July, Pet Air already has locked in airport gates at New York, D.C. Chicago, Los Angeles, Chicago and Denver. And it's actually not too spendy: Intro fares are $149.

Wonder how they're gonna handle security, though. Might be a little ruff?

(Sorry.) ;-)

Would you book a flight for your pet? 

Chocolate + pickles + Spam = ???

I know: That trio sounds awful. But apparently those are among the things enjoying a boom despite the recessionary bust.

Also up are sales of cheap wine (duh!), self-tanning products (more affordable than actually going to a beach) and condoms (all you need is love, right?).

On the other hand, sales of laxatives are also brisk (boatloads of stress) and home safes (protecting those gold coins?) are selling well.

Market analysts also predict that more home gardening (seed sales are soaring) is going to result in a boom in home canning.

That's way beyond my "pioneer" skills, though I do love a tasty pickle...

So, what are your recessionary indulgences?

Wait, it's not what you think!

The postcards have been arriving for months. And now the e-mails are filling my in-box. I'm starting to flinch when the phone rings.

Yes, I'm being stalked to attend my high school reunion.

I've been to two -- both were disappointing. The settings were underwhelming (I know, you don't go for the luxe locale). You go to see what's become of your classmates.

So far, though. no one's become super-famous -- or notorious. Sigh.

And I've just lost interest. Plus, it's far. And my BFF from then and I are still BFFs now. And, honestly, I'm just not that curious anymore.

Apparently, I'm in the minority.

Scads of grads are going to extreme measures to measure up even more than before at reunions.

Sure, they've always held the pressure of proving you've "made it" (yes, I did love "Romy and Michele's Class Reunion").

Working out, yes. Hiring someone to impersonate you? Wow.

That's what the woman on the left did in hiring the woman on the right (yes, she's a stripper in real life) to "play" her at her high school reunion. 

http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/05/13/high.school.reunions/index.html 

So, what do you think -- am I wrong to be stunned and semi-appalled?

Or is all fair in love and high school reunions?

Well, why not Jell-O?

You might think's it's paint -- but you'd be wrong. The colors here are multi-hued Jell-O -- and the work is a portrait of a major U.S. city made by an artist who works exclusively in that "medium."

"It's colorful and jewel-like ... you know, why not Jell-O?... it's temporary. It shakes. It sweats," says Liz Hickok, who's now working on a portrait of the White House!

Check out some of her other creations:

http://www.flickr.com/search/?s=int&q=liz+hickok&m=text

And then tell me what you think? And what should be her next subject be?

(And I thought I was pretty good with Play-Dough!)

This little piggy....

....ring is showing up on the hands of celebs -- and I don't know what to think.

One said she's wearing it because "swine flu is trendy." Uh, yes, I guess so.

Still.

I've never been a big fan of animal/bug/creature jewelry, so maybe it's just me, but it seems in bad taste.

Unless.

Unless, the little porcine pinky ring is truly an attempt to support the now suffering pork industry.

What do you think?

Ease, please!

Forget fretting about what to wear (without being spendy) this spring. 

The folks at omiru have nailed it again with an easy formula for putting together a fresh look that doesn't have to cost a lot.

These pieces, and similar ones can all be found by cruising Target, Forever 21, Old Navy and other budget-wise spots. (And don't forget to check consignment shops.)

I have to say I love it, though I'll be swapping in a turquoise top for the bright green (I like bright green; I love turquoise). And these pieces feed my need for a seasonal mood boost.

What do you think? And what will you be wearing this season and why?

http://www.omiru.com/