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I’m kind of hating this constant rain thing. I mean, I know our water table is low and all, that the plants and other living things need it. But my God, I am about to go bonkers!

The only good thing about this string of gray days is that some folks will find the opportunity to use their wonderfully colorful new Hayden-Hartnett umbrellas from Target’s new designer accessory collection.

I love the shape and color scheme (mustard and bright blue = brilliant!) of this one. And at $22.99, it’s pretty dang reasonable.

Honestly, I’d pay a lot more than that to have my spirits raised right now. Wah.

So, I’m working on a story for the CP’s sister pub HerNashville about saving money on bridal attire. Looking for tips from you’s guys about how you saved on your dress, your ‘do and makeup, shoes, your something blue, etc.

Looking for personal stories about how you found your gown at a thrift or decided to have your favorite seamstress remake your mother’s dress instead of spending a few grand on a brand new one; borrowed a friend’s veil for the big day instead of buying one yourself; how you did your own makeup or hair for the occasion using tips you picked up from somewhere unexpected.

I’d love to hear about local or online sources, too - like a special place you found a cache of discounted wedding gowns; a great store to find fancy dress shoes on the cheap; fabric stores that carry super lace for veils. Fun stuff like that.

Finally, I’m also looking for off-the-cuff ideas you had for your look that cost nothing and that you’d like to share. What did you do go make your wedding ensemble say “me!” in a way that is unique and memorable? 

Post your info here or email me at lcallaway@nashvillecitypaper.com. Make sure to include your name and return address so I can get back to you with additional questions. 

Thanks, guys!

I’ve been at a loss lately for what to write here that I think you guys will find interesting. The economy has not only depressed our nation, it’s appeared to have depressed my sense of style - or at least impaired my sense of detecting it.

I think a bit of this general malaise has to do with the end of the holidays. I’m not necessarily feeling nostalgic for the activities of the last month (it was good; I had fun; let’s move on now), but rather a longing for a time before this economic slump started. Then, I could put a $2,100 leather Rick Owens jacket on the Christmas “wish list” the CP published back around Thanksgiving and not feel sick to my stomach about possibly appearing too diva-ish (that said, come now: as IF I were really gonna get that jacket in the first place…).

All this brings me to this evening. As usual, I have no grand plans: I’m either going out to eat with friends or accompanying my visiting sister to a party given by one of her local contemporaries. Maybe both. I don’t really care; this isnt’ a holiday I especially enjoy. It’s just too easy: today and tomorrow are separated by a click of the second hand. There isn’t some great cosmic shift that’s gonna make tomorrow any different than today.

(Well, there may be some more price reductions at stores or something. Any holiday brings that kind of thing on these days.)

Neither am I one for resolutions, though I have written numerous columns devoted to my “fashion promises for INSERT NAME OF ANY YEAR BETWEEN 1995 AND 2008 HERE” during my tenure as an ink-stained newspaper wretch, albeit one in expensive shoes.

Until now. I am going to promise to you guys that in 2009 I will be more sensitive to my readers. Though my frugal constitution means I already automatically report on bargain buys (the most exciting kind of shopping, if you ask me), I am promising to you that as long as this depression is upon us - as lovely as it was - you won’t see another $1,800 white Escada blouse in my seasonal fashion issues.

In 2009, I resolve to be more economically sensitive in my writing/styling. I also resolve to write more instructional stories, showing you guys how to cut corners when you can and letting you know what it’s OK to splurge on from time to time.

I’d love your feedback. Let me know if there’s someting you want to read more about in my weekly column (it’s now featured on Thursdays in the CP) or if you see a quick bit of news that you think is worthy of me posting here. Send pictures! I love reader pictures.

I also love vintage ones, like this shot from today’s WWD of the fabulous Andre Leon Talley - the Vogue editor and a man I’m very proud to call a friend (I will always remember how he personally introduced me to Miuccia Prada in Milan one year, just weeks after pulling me aside at a New York show to meet Beyonce, who I had written a complimentary story about a few days before) - dancing with Miss Ross (as in Diana - duh!) at Studio 54 some thirty years ago.

Have a happy evening! See you next year.

How great is this image of vintage actress Barbara Stanwyck, shot during the filming of her movie “Breakfast for Two”? Not only is the subject that kind of fresh-faced gorgeous that I love, but there are so many wonderful details to take in here:

Her swingy bob hairstyle.

The pleats the front of her pants.

The lightly puffed sleeves of her over-blouse.

The stickpin placed sideways on the front bib of her black turtleneck.

I could go on.

You can see more images of “Depression-Era Beauties” here, courtesy of Style.com.

1. This MTV reality show is set in in NYC, in the fashion world (the main character Whitney Port - that’s her, pictured here - is working for Diane Von Furstenberg in PR - and I want to see my old friends on screen.

2. Chief among said friends: the inimitably fabulous DVF and fierce (but totally loyal and  thoughtful) Kelly Cutrone.

3. All my favorite shows are off the air right now and I need a distraction.

4. Dying to get in on what all the kids who love “The Hills” (TC’s parent show) are talking about this winter.

5. It’s like a NYC vacation without having to get on a plane or, in fact, leave the comfort of my couch!

… Opry Mills is just as much of a freakin’ madhouse as you might expect it to be the week before Christmas, possibly more so.

Linda Z-B and I went to see the Rockettes at the Opry this afternoon (verdict: too much Santa and dancing teddy bears; not enough leggy kickers; we left at intermission) and went out to eat and then shopping at Sh’Opryland afterwards.

The good news is there seems to be plenty of help on hand. I barely had to wait at Barnes & Noble and was only left standing in line for two minutes at XX1 Forever - the new name the Forever 21 has given some of its larger concept stores, like the one at OM.

I bought a dress - not the one pictured here, though it would be mine if they’d have had it - and totally planned on posting a picture of it here but couldn’t find it online. So, here you have he dress I might have gotten instead, if I’d have seen it in the store.

Anyway.
Any reports from other area malls you guys want to give us? Do tell.

So, there’s no Style Arbiter column in this week’s City Paper - neither the paper and online versions. Today I got the news that I won’t have a column in the physical paper either (look for it online, though).

Just a head’s up for those of you who pick the CP up on Thursdays looking for my stuff. I’ll be back on Wed., Dec. 31 (we’re printing a day early as New Year’s Day is a Thursday), with a story about the wonderful hair stylist Kimberly Clo’s DIY blow-out DVD. Stay tuned!

I came across this picture from Pop magazine today when I was fashion blog surfing. Miss Piggy wearing Prada circa 2005 or ‘06 = BRILLIANT!

And possibly La Piggy was on my mind because the Muppet Christmas special was on tonight - and I missed it. Totally thought it was tomorrow. Drat.

Someone let me know how it was!

I am kinda loving the whole downplayed sequined looks that has been floating around in the greater fashion conscience for a few years now, but has only this season reached the masses.

I particularly like sequined tops or jackets worn with simple T-shirts or tanks and skinny jeans, a la Rachel Bilson’s look at the D&G party in LA last week that I read about on Style.com today.

It’s a cheap and very striking holiday look that’s really easy to create on your own. I mean, you already have the jeans and shirt; all you need is the sequined piece, of which there are plenty at cheapie stores like Forever 21 and even Old Navy right now. The secret is to wear your spangled piece with with nonchalance - to treat it like it’s not an eye catching conversation starter, but a basic that you just pull on when you’re walking out the door.

That’s an old trick of mine for many years: my go-to cardigan when I worked in a local newsroom a few years back was a sequined vintage number. I wore it with everything, all the time. It was warm, of course; but it also made me feel happy.

Apparently I’m not the only one who loves her. She’s on the cover of January Vogue. Sure, it’s arguably the least “important” issue of the year (after the Chrismas gift push, before the big March issue, in a month with no major holidays that involve getting dressed up, all of which equal less advertising and therefore fewer pages - neat how that works, right?); but it’s a big deal for an actress her age (26).

Here are some shots from her cover shoot - one being, um, the cover.

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