EXPERIENCE: Fashionista Fantasy Comes True

Attention bargain hunters: there are major deals to be found at Frankie and Faye, the Armory Square boutique that houses off-season finds from the high-end Jet Black store. Until the end of the year, EVERYTHING in the store is $30.

Our visit turned up gorgeous items such as Diane von Furstenberg wrap dresses, Tahari skirts, Tory Burch tunics, Theory trousers, and about a gillion other amazing deals.

It also turned up what might be the deal of a century: a $550 Zoe Chicco necklace for – you guessed it - $30. A quick trip to the jeweler down the street confirmed that the necklace is 14 carat gold, complete with a tiger’s eye pendant with a (real!) diamond embedded in the center.

As you can probably tell, I was pretty ecstatic about it:




The sale goes until the end of the year, but it only started a few days ago – so hurry before the best deals get snatched up and away!

Frankie and Faye is located across from Pasta’s at 317 S. Franklin St.
The store is closed on Mondays and open all other days of the week from 11am – 8pm.

OBSESSION: Psychic Trends Network

In these uncertain financial times, you’re less likely to call your broker and more likely to call Ghostbusters: enter author and psychic Tori Hartman. The Los Angeles native recently talked to The New York Times about the financial future.

“People are sensing that the traditional avenues have not worked,” Hartman told the paper, “all of a sudden this so-called security isn’t there anymore. They come to a psychic for a different perspective.” So we decided to ring up Hartman for fashion perspectives for spring. Why not? If Isaac Mizrahi can plan his collection via Ouija Board, we can call our psychic friend for spring tips.

The Look: Camelot
“The 1960s will be very important in what we're wearing,” Hartman predicts, “especially the early ‘60s. Take a look at the turtleneck (Blue Jackie sweater, $15 at L.L. Bean), tights and dresses that Twiggy wore. We hope to revisit Camelot, a place and time of idyllic happiness and possibility.”
Psychic Inspiration: The Obamas



The Look: Color
“As we're all focusing on the environment,” channels Hartman, “color inspired by nature will become important. Look for two trends to break through in 2009: Nature-inspired colors (earthy Isaac Mizrahi skirt, $31.49 at Target) and bold, geometric, mismatched "Peter Max" colors for the nonconformist.
Psychic Inspiration: Law of Attraction


The Look: Statement
“Crystals (urchin ring, $49 at Banana Republic) will become a girls best friend,” Hartman promises, “Om pendants and prayer malas will be worn to connect us rather than separate. “Bling” is over as jewelry becomes about who we are committed to becoming as opposed to who we've been. Statement jewelry includes 12-step recovery bracelets, awareness wristbands and gemstones known for energetic healing.
Psychic Inspiration: The "Green" Eco Movement

BITE: Tipping the Velvet (Mafia)

You know you’ve heard it: if the owner of a salon cuts your hair, you don’t have to tip. It’s one of those beauty myths that I always just accepted as fact. When I asked Hairanoia salon owner Michael DeSalvo about it, he got his Sicilian on. “That’s fucking bullshit,” the goateed stylist yelled, “Who ever thought that up had their head up their ass.” Salty, Michael. Props.

Turns out potty-mouthed DeSalvo is on the money when it comes to tipping. “If the salon owner is also your stylist,” beauty expert Julyne Derrick writes, “then yes, you should tip him the same as your would a stylist who is not an owner. In the old days one didn't tip the stylist if he owned the salon, but times have changed and it's now protocol to tip.”

Real Simple limits tipping salon owners to “major metropolitan areas,” but DeSalvo is unswayed. “Think about it,” he begins, “I have one client who tips me and one who doesn’t. They both want to come in and there’s only one opening. Who do you think is going to get it? And another thing, it’s always the people that roll up in Mercedes that pull this shit. It’s very old school.”

“Listen,” DeSalvo continues, “I have one client that was blacklisted by McCarthy. That’s how old he is. He comes in and he tells me what he’s going to pay. He says, ‘Listen kid, I’ll give ya $12.’ And I let him. I even do a sliding scale for people who can’t afford a haircut.” It should be noted that at $17 a clip, Hairanoia is quite reasonable.”

“When you get me,” DeSalvo beams, “you get all of me. I walk you in the door, shampoo your hair and cut it. That’s not worth a couple of extra bucks?”