A Writer's Revenge

So my embattled former Star coworker Jared Paul Stern has had a rough year with regards to some sort of "Page Six Payola" scandal that involves billionaire Ron Burkle and Page Six/The New York Post. For years JPS was involved with Page Six, second-in-command I think to Richard Johnson.



Okay, so some of you outside the NYC media bubble may not know about all this hoopla, and frankly I don't really understand it either. All I know is that JPS, who is humble, soft-spoken and incredibly dapper, was slandered, libeled, defamed and generally kicked around by the very same media that he'd once been an integral part of.

This was big news—Burkle, according to Wikipedia, "is a supermarket billionaire from Beverly Hills. . . . [and] a close friend of former President Bill Clinton, who calls Burkle's Boeing 757
private jet "Ron Air."

Also from Wikipedia: "In April 2006, Ron Burkle accused New York Post columnist Jared Paul Stern of attempting to extort money from him in exchange for more favorable Page Six coverage. Page Six, a popular and influential gossip column in the New York Post, appears to have increased their coverage of Burkle's private life over the past year. Ron Burkle secretly videotaped several private meetings between him and Jared Paul Stern, and has since presented the tapes to the FBI. During the meetings, Stern allegedly asked Burkle for a $220,000 investment in his clothing business in exchange for better Page Six coverage. No charges were ever filed against Stern, however, and Stern announced plans to sue Burkle for defamation. Stern filed suit on March 22, 2007, on several counts including defamation and civil conspiracy."

Blah, blah, blah. The good news is that JPS is finally striking back and surely will kick some billionaire butt. When you've been in your own lawsuit, you kind of get the heebie jeebies reading about those of people you know, so I largely ignored the coverage due to my gut reaction of, Jared would never do such a thing. Nice Jewish guy. Classy.

What does this have to with fashion you ask?
I'm getting there. First, Jared is one of the most uniquely stylish straight men I've met.



Second, JPS has his own line of clothing and accessories that are tres cool.
The line is preppy with a punk edge: Skull and Bones. For someone like me who has recently taken up tennis, but is not a typical Ralph Lauren WASP, I'm totally digging the canvas tote and the polo shirts. And the cuff links are bad-ass, perfect for that edgy guy who doesn't want to dress up but occasionally must.

And how amusing is the description of the canvas tote?
"Perfect for carrying your books, a bottle of Scotch, clothes for the weekend, the shopping, multiple personalities, cigarettes, a sweater (in case it gets cold), tennis balls, the dog's leash and just about anything else you can think of...." Hmm, what else? Bottle of Xanax, stun gun and tub of La Mer;)

Diamonds and Djimon

Ladies, I have four words for you: Rent Blood Diamond, now. It is not only one of the most powerful and passionate films I have seen in recent years, but it will also cause you to question the myriad ways in which you buy diamonds. From here on out, when you buy a rock, be it one carat or 30, you must insist (and you will after seeing this movie) to see papers ensuring that it is from a Conflict-Free Zone.

I am seriously thinking of trying to trace the diamonds I currently have to see where they came from.

This movie is simply awesome and disturbing and heartwarming and makes you think about real issues, which all great movies should do. I have been a longtime fan of Djimon Hounsou
ever since watching Spielberg's woefully underrated and ignored Amistad (also a MUST SEE), but his performance is simply staggering in this movie. And though I adored Alan Arkin's Little Miss Sunshine performance, Djimon was robbed of the Academy Award for Blood Diamond.

He may even be my new Michael Jordan.

Buon Giorno Balenciaga

Nine days till I leave for Rome, Positano and Amalfi. Natch, what I fret about most when going on vacation is what to pack. Usually I start with the handbags, shoes and jewelry and work backwards towards clothes. However, since this is a family vacay, and we have a private driver shuttling us from city to city, there will be limited space for luggage.

For weeks I have been fretting about the handbag and shoe situation: namely, which every day handbag to bring and which every day shoes to bring that of course must match the bag. Nighttime shoes are not a problem—either black pumps or boots. But this was my quandary—it's spring in Italy and I didn't want to carry a black bag. But the eggshell bag I have is just too heavy. And my red bag too small. Same with the yellow, pink and gold bags. So that's why I so wanted the silver Tod's bag.

Typically, for a week long vacation, I would bring at least four handbags; two day, two night. And probably six pairs of shoes—can't forget the sneakers and the slippers.

The point is that I'm trying to simplify sartorially for this trip. One pair of day shoes; one pair of night shoes. One pair of sneakers. Not a ton of jewelry. No belts. But everything boiled down to the handbag—I needed that perfect, trendy (it is Italy after all) every day bag that would go with any color shoes.

And out of all my bags (this is my new handbag hookup; sick, I know) none fit the bill.




Enter mom. Stylish yet simple—she's elected to carry an old-school, lightweight, black, nylon Prada—she's generously offered up her coppery/grayish awesome Balenciaga that I helped her choose at Barneys.

Packing problems solved. Now onto jewelry, shoes and clothes. I already got this fab Caudalie travel kit at Sephora to cut down on the toiletries.

Fresh Finds

Adoring, but not affording these things. . . Obv. the major trends this spring/summer are metallics, animal prints, prints of all kinds really and oversized bags. Much like, well, last spring/summer.

Louis Vuitton Beverly XXL


Dior Metallic Cannage Medium Shoulder Bag



B. Fendi Patent Leather Large Satchel



Tod's Restyled D-Bag Media



Tod's Milky Nylon T-Bag



Tod's Wave Lace-up



My Dior Stamped Python Ballerina



Giuseppe Zanotti Jeweled Mule



Blumarine Vintage Chain Print Top



Derek Lam Asymmetrical Braided Silk Dress



Etro Multi-print Dress



Jean Paul Gaultier Printed Dress


Nanette Lepore Lucky Leopard Silk Dress
I am so getting this one; perfect for Florida summers.

Juli B Beauty Picks for March.

Suddenly Slimmer

Okay, once again, I am the guinea piglet. I'm booked for the fat burning wrap Ellen DeGeneres made famous in a couple of weeks.

It's only $109, but for $40 more, they offer to measure you before and after to guarantee the inches you've lost. Since I elected not to have my body measured (don't really want to know, thank you very much), she said bring tight clothes and I'll be able to fit into them at the end.

We'll see. . . You're wrapped from head-to-toe and then you do a light cardio workout for 45 minutes! I'll be sure to take pics of mummified me working out. In preparation, they tell you to drink 68 oz. of water a day and take multivitamins, both of which I already do. I can't wait.

Lose inches in hours!!!!!!!!!!

So you all know I worship Ellen DeGeneres, and when I saw this footage of her undergoing a "Slim Wrap," I just laughed it off. . . . But then, she said that this wrap actually worked; as in it took inches off her body in an hour-and-a-half. I just got off the phone with the lovely Slim Wrap woman who wrapped Ellen personally and let me tell you sisters—I'm so there.

Ellen had the Power Wrap, which is only $125. Cheaper than most massages. And Ellen says it's not just water weight; that the weight actually stays off. Now, it's true, I'd believe Ellen if she said that Jesus Christ was actually Moses, but in preparation for Italy, I need all the help I can get.

Onto my beauty, fashion and luxury good picks. . .

Fashion
Manolo Blahnik Leopard print open toe pump


Valentino silver logo flat



Valentino satin and crystal eve pump



Manolo Blahnik Cessabi Jeweled Thong sandal (exclusively neiman's online)



Christian Louboutin Patent Platform Pump

Jewelry
m2 by Mary Margrill charm necklaces



Ippolita charm bangles


Jude Frances Fleur-de-lis ring



Linda Lee Johnson Rosetta Ring

Astercast Zodiac stellium charm necklaces


Anthony Nak Turquoise Sapphire earrings


Luxury Goods

Lalique Jade Buddha



Jay Stongwater "Miles" Coral Reef Alarm Clock



John Derian Paperweights


Handbags
Gucci mirror evening clutch




Fendi Crossworld Grande Mirrored Bag



Burberry Nautical Bucket Tote




Chloe Denim & Leather Logo Tote



Valentino Leopard print evening bag

So, we all know I have a shopping addiction. That's what makes this monthly column for Juli B so enjoyable. I get to sift through Neiman's, Bergdorf's, ELuxury, Saks and Barneys, pick out my dream items and pitch them. Then, if I'm lucky, the editor chooses the picks I like and I get to write about them.

Okay, I don't actually get the items, but for me—a gimme, gimme, now, now!—person, this is a big step. I'm submitting my pitches early this month b/c of Italy, so whatever Juli rejects I will post here as the must-haves for spring.

I am totally salivating over silver bags and just don't know how I'm going to make it to Italy without one. I mean, silver is the one color of bag I don't have. Last year—gold, gold, gold. Now silver. I've got the cute silver shoes, now I just need the bag.

Esp. this one, which mom and I spotted at Bal Harbour and oohed and aahed over way before it became the de rigeur celeb bag of choice. Ahem.



In fact, I am adding it to my Neiman's wish list. Just in case; you never know. But the way to this girl's heart is through her accessories addiction. Oh, nevermind, it's not at Neiman's online, it's at Saks.

Cosmetics Crackhead

You know you're crazy when: You dream of products, especially items that haven't been invented yet. I'm obsessed with Dr. Hauschka lip balm and lip care stick. Yet last night I had a dream I was at Neiman's and they had a whole line of Dr. Hauschka lip products, glosses etc. Oy ya yoy. Crazy!

My other recent product favorites: BORBA. I use the Skin Balance Clarifying Aqua-Less Crystalline (Pomegranate flavor) every day, and as sketchy as it seems, the stuff actually works miracles. You mix it in your water, drink it up, and moments later, literally, you look as if you've just had a facial. Plus, it tastes good and each packet contains just about every daily vitamin you need. You can buy it at Sephora. I have only tried the clarifying formula, so I can't vouch for the other lines/tastes, but let me tell you, this is well worth the money.

The other day, I was out of my Kiehl's eye cream, which I've been using for years, but here in East Bumblefuck, there is only ONE place that has Kiehl's. Since I had to go stock up at Sephora anyway, I tried something new and quite like it. It's Philosophy's Hope in a Tube High Density Eye and Lip Firming Cream.

Now, it's not as good as my old standard: Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado, but it will do for the next month or so.

Many of my friends my age do not understand the importance of moisturizing, and given the fact that they grew up in Florida, I think they are insane. Moisturizing the facial area, esp. the eyes where you get crow's feet is so important in preventing fine lines and wrinkles. So if you're not using under eye creams ladies, please start! The Kiehl's one is $24 and it will last you a couple months. You can order it online.

That's my beauty binge for today. Must go eat lunch and then go see my dentist, who is (thankfully a good family friend) and is seeing me today because my goddamn temporary crown has a mind of its own.

Sorry for the lag, there simply is no fashion where I am, but when I have a moment I will share my latest beauty findings.

My newest story on Juli B—the coolest sneakers ever.

And the must-have luxe picks for March.