SEEING DOUBLE: DANIEL CRAIG AND FRANCOIS-HENRI PINAULT

Cropped blond hair, bushy brows, super blue eyes, a pudgy nose and small lips make Bond man Daniel Craig practically indistinguishable from Francois-Henri Pinault, Salma Hayek's baby daddy and CEO of PPR (which owns a good chunk of Gucci, YSL, Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney and more).

LOOK I LOVE: TOPSHOP UNIQUE SPRING 2009

*All photos from Style.com (photographed by Marcio Madeira)

Now, I wouldn't wear the whole look together (head scarf included) because it might look a bit much, but I'm loving this horseshoe print jumpsuit and cardigan from the Topshop Unique Spring 2009 collection. The colors are bold yet still neutral, and the horseshoe print can be both classic and kitschy. (I live for prints and symbols that do double duty, like anchors which are both preppy and tough.) I'll be getting either the jumpsuit or the sweater (or both!!!) when they hit the stores !!!

"AN AMERICAN IN PARIS" THIS SATURDAY IN THE PRESIDIO

An American in Paris
I love classic movies. I love free movies in the park. The two together equal an event I don't want to miss. An American in Paris, the latest Film in the Fog: Outdoor Movie Screening, is being shown in the Presidio, "on the Lawn at the Main Post Theatre, [on] 99 Moraga Avenue" tomorrow, Saturday, September 27. At 5:30pm, there will be live music, courtesy of the Supersonic Saxes from the Air National Guard Band, followed by the movie screening at 7:00pm. This is one of my favorite films, full of color, dance and song. It stars two greats: Leslie Caron and Gene Kelly, and won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1951. Come watch An American in Paris under the stars and I'm sure you'll be enchanted too.

THE ALEXTHEARTISTE JAM OF THE WEEK: "FRIDAY I'M IN LOVE"

THE CURE "FRIDAY I'M IN LOVE"

It's The Cure. It's Friday. What's not to love???

SAT. "FORGET ME NOT" VINTAGE FASHION POP-UP STORE @ OTIS

Pop-up stores are way cool. Don't hope the people come into the store--bring the store to the people!!! (You can read more about the trend here.) Vintage pop-up stores are even cooler. Otis understands people's hectic schedules and the need to multitask, so they're featuring a vintage pop-up store as part of their event "Forget Me Not," happening tomorrow, Saturday 27, with a 5pm to 7PM happy hour. So you can party and vintage shop at the same time. Truly a girl's dream come true.

HOW CUTE IS THIS?!?! CHINCHILLAS

How freakin' cute are chinchillas?!?! I think they're much cuter as pets than as clothing. I love Patti LaBelle and Madonna, but they looked ridiculous in their chinchilla coats. Even worse is that it takes around 100 chinchillas to make one coat. (I recently tried on a fox fur coat--just to try it on--at the Vintage Expo last weekend and felt like the ridiculous love child of an old Russian socialite and a Neanderthal.) I know chinchillas have the softest fur ever (seriously) but let them enjoy it and get a faux. (I'm not sure I'd say have one as a pet because they are so high maintenance. How ironic.) And this concludes my very PETA-ish message. ;)

SEEING DOUBLE: JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE AND ROBIN THICKE

Soulful voice??? Check. Boyish good looks with blue eyes??? Check. A link to a feel-good show in the 80s (Timberlake was on The Mickey Mouse Club while Thicke's dad Alan Thicke was on Growing Pains.) ??? You got it dude. Add in a stylish, sometimes retro wardrobe and a pretty actress on the arm (Jessica Biel and Paula Patton, respectively) and you have a handful of reasons that people are seeing double when it comes to Justin Timberlake and Robin Thicke.

BIG BOOK SALE STARTS TODAY FROM 10-6 @ FORT MASON CENTER

Friends of the San Francisco Public Library is throwing their 44th Annual Big Book Sale, starting today, September 25 until the 28th, at the Fort Mason Festival Pavilion. Touted as "the biggest book sale on the west coast," this free event promises "50,000 more books than last year,"with each book priced at only $1-$5. There will also be "DVDs, CDs, books on tape, cassette tapes, vinyl, VHS, and other forms of media" for sale.

Added bonus??? "All proceeds from the Big Book Sale are given to the San Francisco Public Library to fund education programs that promote literacy for children, teens and adults. Last year, over $250,000 was raised for San Francisco’s libraries." So, by buying something for yourself to read, you'll be helping someone else learn to have the pleasure of reading. How nice.

TONIGHT:"END OF SUMMER CELEBRATION" BENEFIT FOR ROB REYES: HIP HOP WITH HEART

Celebrate the end of summer tonight, Wednesday 24, at 525 Howard St. (former club NV), with performances by DJ Unk and Lyrics Born, among others, and jams spun by Mind Motion, Chuy Gomez, Big Von and many more. Proceeds from this event go to help Rob Reye's fight against cancer. This is an event where you can have a good time while having a heart for a good cause.

DEAL OF THE DAY: EXHILARATION DENIM LEGGINGS @ TARGET

These Juniors' Xhilaration Denim Leggings from Target are wonderful. No really. I just bought a pair last week and already live in them. The feel like sweats or PJs, but look like streamlined jeans. There's even jean-like contrasting stitching, back pockets and a mock fly front!!! Greatest part??? They only cost $9.99!!!

Added bonus??? Since Target is offering free shipping for orders over $50, add some more inexpensive yet stylish items like these Juniors' Xhilaration 17" Leggings in Stately Blue. Only $5.99!!!



In fact, since I'm on a leggings hype, just attack the entire Xhilaration leggings section of the Target website. All of the leggings run from $5.99 to $9.99, with several colors and prints to choose from. Sure, they may be trendy now, but leggings are also a wardrobe staple you'll be using for years to come.

LOTS OF LOVE FOR THE 222 CLUB, CLOSING OCT.1

I am SO sad to hear that the 222 Club, opened since April of 2004, is closing its doors on Wednesday October 1. This was the first place where I held my ARTISTRY: A Melange of All Things ART show. I pitched the idea to Bianca, who owns the club alongside husband Joe, and she was all for it, giving me that first chance. I am forever grateful, and happy that they might be opening up something in the Mission (according to an article in the SF Weekly All Shook Down Blog). In the meantime, get over to 222 Hyde St. to enjoy the yummy pizza, drinks and dancing while you can.

MANHATTAN VINTAGE CLOTHING SHOW OCT. 10 & 11

I've never been to the Manhattan Vintage Clothing Show, but I've always wanted to go. If you are in NY Friday, October 10 and/or Saturday, October 11, you can't miss it (it only happens twice a year!!!). With over 80 of "of the country’s top vintage clothing and antique textile dealers under one roof ," this promises to be a vintage extravaganza.

"THE RED PARTY" THIS FRIDAY AT ETIQUETTE

Black and white parties??? Been done. White parties??? Yawn. Etiquette changes up the color-themed party formula and heats it up with "The Red Party," this Friday, September 26. DJ David Carvahlo will be spinning the night (which starts at 9pm) away, as you hope that they play "Lady in Red" so you can feel like a badass. Added bonus??? The suggested donation of $10 goes to Educate Girls Globally. Now you won't get red in the face when you have to give up $10 to the door person. It's going to a good cause!!!

NINERS IN THE LEAD!!! (FOR NOW) :)

San Francisco 49ers Helmet Logo ©Photofile

You read correctly. The Niners won yesterday's game against the Detroit Lions (31-13!!!), which means we are tied with the Arizona Cardinals for first place in the NFC West Division, with two wins and one loss!!! Our next game is Sunday, September 28, 1:00 PM ET, against the New Orleans Saints. Our next home game is Sunday, October 5, 4:15 PM ET, against the New England Patriots (sans Serra High School alum Tom Brady). This may be our chance to hold onto the lead. See you there. Go Niners!!!

THE ALEXTHEARTISTE JAM OF THE WEEK: "JUST FINE"

MARY J. BLIGE "JUST FINE"

Mary J. Blige used to be tough, angry and insecure, according to many sources. She now is happy, in control and positive. This song is amazing and inspiring. Own your life, own your happiness, refuse to be angry or insecure or down. Start by doing one nice thing, feel the happiness from it, and let it multiply.

ERDEM SPRING 2009: FLOATY, FROTHY FLORA

*All photos from Style.com (photographed by Marcio Madeira)



These are some of my favorite looks from the Erdem Spring 2009 fashion show. I noticed that many people are highlighting photos from this collection, so I decided to view itmyself. I fell in love with the soft colors, romantic lace, frothy ruffles and flowers, and muted floral print seen throughout, which reminded me of the 80s and a particular vintage dress that my mom used to wear that now hangs in my closet. I loved the juxtaposition of satin and lace (two of my favorite fabrics) and the variety in shape, length and color. This is what girls dream of when they play dress up.

"ECO-CHIC" FASHION EVENT @ TEMPLE

It is definitely in right now to "go green." "Eco-Chic," happening on Tuesday, September 23, at Temple ("the first sustainable San Francisco nightclub"), takes green fashion and eco-consciousness to the next level. It will feature everything from sustainable clothing (presented in a runway show), to organic drinks (as well as $3 New Belgium beers all night long and Lotus drink specials).


Here is more info from Bad Kitty Productions, one of the presenters of the event:


"It's time to acknowledge the need for a future dedicated to responsible consumer lifestyle choices, Eco-Chic will be a platform for the fusion of the fashion world and innovative sustainable techy products. A lot of words to simply say this is an event not to be missed. MUST RSVP for guestlist to badkittys@gmail.com. It's filling up fast so get on it."


Because you'll be green with envy if you don't go to this green fashion event.

SEEING DOUBLE: JULIA STILES AND ERIKA CHRISTENSEN

Seriously, I would get these two young, blonde, small-eyed, round-faced actresses mixed up all the time.

DEAL OF THE DAY: SHE-RA ON DVD

I L-O-V-E-D (and still do love) the cartoon She-Ra, Princess of Power. Could you possibly have a more female-empowering show as a kid??? She-Ra didn't call on her brother He-Man for help. Oh no. She held her own. I watched the cartoon and played with the little figures decorated with crystals, holograms and iridescent fabric. I even had the She-Ra castle. So you can imagine my excitement when I found volumes 1 and 2 of season one and season two of the cartoon on DVD--get this--for $9.99 each!!! (They're originally $49.98 each.) There's also a Best of She-Ra, Princess of Power DVD for the same price, and it's all available at Best Buy. I just ordered mine!!!

HOW CUTE IS THIS?!?! BABY SEA OTTERS

I seriously had no idea how cute baby sea otters are. Seriously.

FOR FALL 2008, DESIGNERS ARE MAD FOR PLAID

DOLCE & GABBANA

RALPH LAUREN

D&G

CAROLINA HERRERA

D&G

HOUSE OF HOLLAND

*All photos from Style.com (photographed by Marcio Madeira; Dolce & Gabanna pictures courtesy of Dolce & Gabanna)


Designers are loving plaid for Fall 2008. Going to Catholic school for 12 years gave me an appreciation (perhaps a tolerance in the case of my schoolmates) for the preppy, traditional pattern. The great thing about plaid is that it's eternal--sometimes the latest trend, but always classic. You really can't go wrong investing in it. In fact, I'm so inspired by all things plaid, that my latest collection will be also be tastefully tartan.