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The call came last Monday. It’s one I was expecting.

It was my top editor at the City Paper saying the Big Guns there had decided that my column was no longer valuable to the paper – ie., it wasn’t helping them sell ads any more.

So, as much as I hate to see it go, last week’s Style Arbiter column was the last. (I was happy to have gone out on a high note at least: I loved the answers Cali DeVaney and Joshua Black Wilkins gave to my Arbitrarian Questionnaire. Great pix, too – good job, Jude!)

While I wont quite say it’s an end to an era, it is only the second time in the last, oh, 15 years that I’ve been without a regular byline at a newspaper.

My first job out of undergrad (besides the time spent waiting tables) was in 1993 at my hometown paper, the Cleveland Daily Banner, in East Tennessee. In 1995, I left to go to grad school at NYU, where I joined the staff as a fashion writer/editor at an ill-fated daily – a billionaire’s vanity project called Open Air PM – half way through my first year of J school.

From there, I went directly to the New York Post, where, in retrospect, I can say I worked very happily as the fashion editor from 1997 until I moved to Nashville in 2004. I moved here, joined the staff of the Tennessean as a lifetyles editor; was moved by top brass over to helm the Rage about a year into my tenure. Fell apart due to some extenuating circumstances made worse by the stress (which is why I left NYC after all); went to rehab; came back as a reporter; left four months later to pursue work as a stylist and Glamour magazine fashion columnist.

I was tickled when my old childhood buddy, the CP’s then-executive editor/now recently deposed newspaper whiz Clint Brewer, asked me to come on as a style columnist at the CP back in early 2007. The timing was great; the gig was divine – I could explore the fashion landscape of my new-ish home town and continue working as a stylist at the same time. Twice a year, I got full reign to produce gorgeous fashion supplements like the ones I worked out when I was at the Post; they even let me bring in my own photographers from time to time! It was the perfect scenario.

And one I will really miss.

That said, I am excited to see what lies beyond this opportunity. I plane to continue blogging about fashion in Nashville at FloraVintage.blogspot.com (right now it’s just a dumping ground for pictures from my vintage stores; but stay tuned …); I will contribute a to Her Nashville’s blog a few times a week, as well (my monthly column will still run in that publication).

But I will miss the newspaper. It’s quite possible, with the media landscape as littered with dead news rags as it is (and with more paper giants falling in the near future, for sure), this might have been my last traditional newspaper gig. Though I’m excited to see what lies beyond me as this chapter of my professional life closes, the loss makes me sad.

So, goodbye dear readers! Until later …

I am not going to the Costume Institute Gala at the Met tonight like I used to, but I am no less excited about it than if I were back there, scurrying around the grand entrance room of the grandest museum in New York – nay, the U.S. of A.

The Met party, as it’s called by those who talk about it so much that they feel the need to abbreviate (and there are many), is called “Fashion’s Biggest Night.” And it is a biggie: hosted by Vogue’s Anna Wintour, it always follows a theme and attracts dozens, if not hundreds, of bold-faced names.

Except for the times I went to Oscar parties, I don’t think I’ve ever been so surrounded by celebs – and celebs dressed to the nines, at that. Most famous folks have been recruited (really, it is more of a recruitment than an invitation) to sit at the table of a certain designer (it’s a dinner/dance/lookyloo fest), who dresses them for the event. It’s really mindbogglingly beautiful, with gorgeous men in perfect uniforms standing in perfect sentry fashion down the long, tall marble halls that radiate out from the entrance hall, and fairy lights (ie, votives) dotting the stairs of the massive staircase, where Anna and her co-hosts – this year Justin Timberlake, Marc Jacobs and Kate Moss – form a greeting line.

The theme this time around is “The Model As Muse,” which means there will be dozens of mannequins on parade – always a good thing, in my book.

I’ll be on the web-lookout for my favorite runway walkers: Shalom Harlow (who inspired me not so wisely to dye my hair black back in 1995, the summer I moved to NYC, and teaching me the important life-lesson that, no: temporary black hair dye does NOT wash out eventually), Helena Christensen, Carmen Dell’Orefice, Erin Wasson, and, of course, Mossy, who will be the top of everyone’s look-see list.

I’ll report back tomorrow on the Nashville faces that make the scene: I’m expecting Karen Elson and Jack White to be there (they usually are), as well as a possibly appearance by Jessica Simpson (she came with Michael Kors last year) and Taylor Swift (Badgley Mischka) and Carrie Underwood.

I allowed myself to go into Target yesterday. (Regular readers will remember that I made a semi-serious resolution to not visit Tarjay this year, since I tend to drop a wad every time I go in on very cute T-shirts or dresses – or, usually, both – that i can absolutely live another day without.)

I resisted the darling Loomstate tank top wtih two bunnies on the front (I’m a sucker for the view of a rabbit from the back: wee cotton tail stuck to the bottom of a  little round body, with two tall ears standing at attention – my God, is there anything cuter than that?). I resisted the blue net Alexander McQueen shift dress with unzippable neckline (totally cool design), which was on the clearance rack for 30 percent off.

But once I saw the amazing Miss Trish of Capri for Target thong sandals with freakin’ gold metal lion’s head on the front – I love me some metal lion’s heads – I was a goner. I was gonna buy those $29.99 leonine kicks, for sure.

Twas not to be: they were out of my size. Actually, they were out of most sizes of the flat sandals (the platforms apparently weren’t as popular, as there were tons of them at the White Bridge store). They’re also out online.

My plan is to hit some Targets on my way down to the FLA tomorrow. I’m heading to Santa Rosa beach to meet my parents and some of their buddies; going to spend my 39th birthday thrifting Fort Walton beach, which I’ve done twice before, and which is strangely fruitful.

Gotta have lots of new stuff for the shoppers at the big vintage and local designer sale I’m hosting this Saturday at Fanny’s House of Music in East Nashville! More on that later. But do mark your calendars: 10 to 6, on Sat., May 2.

I know as a good fashion person with a good conscious, I’m supposed to, like, have deep disdain for Forever 21 – or XI Forever, as the Sh’Opry Mills store is now known. After all, stealing other designer’s designs point for point is decidedly uncool – not to mention soon to be illegal (well, probably: the courts are still debating how copyright laws apply to fashion designs).

But, my God, how do you expect me to stage a proper boycott when they’ve started to carry  such fabulous jewelry all of the sudden? Oh, and did I mention it’s cheap, too?

Here’s how cheap:

These were $5.80

The Moroccan-style bad boys below were just $8.80.

Awesome stuff, right? And convincing, too: I wore them to the Symphony Fashion Show with a $3,000 dress and no one knew the better.

Speaking of the symphony fundraiser, I ran into the fabulous – and gorgeous – makeup artist Debbie Dover at the pre-show cocktail party. She looked amazing in a strapless maxi dress and the multi-colored version of this necklace:

Give you one guess where she got it.

Yep: F21 – for $8.80!

I’m obsessed with fringe right now – good thing, since it’s popping up on everything from shoes to dresses to necklaces this spring.

I recently thirfted an amazing black 80s jacket with multiple rows of matching fringe. Totally rad, and looks fabulous with a tank,  cargo pants and a pair of stupid-high sandals. Casual-sexy is my favorite kind of sexy these days.

I quite like the dress in this photo from Style.com, which was shot at the Coachella music festival last week. More to come.

It was a sad day in Belle Meade – nay, in every corner of our fair city – when Mary Pillow Thompson closed her upscale shoe store, Razz Kirk.

Those who are mourning her selection of Cynthia Vincent, Loeffler Randall and Pucci kicks can ease their pain a bit this Wednesday when Mary Pillow holds her annual Shoe BBQ!

Here are the deats, straight from MP’s email to me:

Basically it is all the rest of the rest of my shoes from the store— so they are all brand NEW- this is not consignment!

Sizes from 5- 11….

3802 Woodmont Lane – 37215.. in my backyard… starting a 5pm. So that people can basically come after work.

Prices will start at $10 and probably nothing prices over $95 and that would be for either a new Bernardo sandal (reg $135) that sells on my website at full price or a great deal on a $400 shoe.

I will take credit cards and of  course, cash, checks.

You know my brands: loeffler randall, sam Edelman, bernardo, Claudia ciuti, emma hope, eric javits, Cynthia Rowley, delman, Cynthia Vincent….

Sounds like a great deal to me!

As promised in today’s Style Arbiter column, here’s more from my interview with Project Runway’s humble master of fashion Tim Gunn:

ON BEING FASHIONABLE IN OUR CURRENT ECONOMY

We need to pick people up. And people can be picked up by what’s in their own wardrobe. Be energized by it.
The silver lining to this economic downtown is that people are taking stock in what they have. I love a closet inventory. Let’s look at what you have and let’s prioritize. What do you wear all the time? What do you never wear? What would you wear if it were repaired? And what should you absolutely never wear? And then give away the throwaway.
That’s why the Kate Spade experience is so important. I think people are much more inclined to invest in something these days that is not apparel. Give your wardrobe a punch.
And color alone (can lift spirits) – let’s celebrate!

ON THE DARK MOOD OF THE RECENT EUROPEAN  COLLECTIONS

People keep saying shouldn’t fashion be a reflection on the condition of our society and our culture? Well, it can also be a reaction to it.
I saw the Milan collections and thought … I just wanted to take a Cyanide capsule. That’s why I was so glad that New York Fashion Week was up! People said it wasn’t realistic. But realistic based on what?

ON PERSONAL STYLE

SA: I think that people are freaked out by the term “personal style.” The idea of it scares them.
Yes. They think about Isabella Blow (the late eccentric English fashion editor with a penchant for bizarre hats and theatrical outfits). They think ‘Oh my God, I don’t want that.’
But I also believe in owning responsibility for how you present yourself to the world. Instead of saying ‘I didn’t’ choose these clothes’ or ‘I don’t care about fashion.’ You need to care, because of semiotics.

ON AGE-APPROPRIATE STYLE

I helped a woman find her style for More magazine. She was 53, tall and slender, and she had this incredible presence. And I asked here why she was wearing these (frumpy clothes). She said ‘I’m 53, aren’t I supposed to look dowdy?’
NO!! I don’t care if you’re 103 you’re not supposed to look dowdy. We’ve recalibrated our thinking (about age and what’s “appropriate” to wear).

ON DOING RED CARPET COVERAGE FOR ABC

When you’re 22 and 5’10’’ and you weigh 90 pounds, it’s not so hard (to look great in whatever you put on).
I really celebrate maturity when I’m ding the red carpet coverage for awards shows, I love Helen Mirren. She’s so sexy. And she’s 63? Raquel Welch. No way! She’s 67. She looks fabulous!

ON THE IMPORTANCE OF TUCKING IN

Remember: silhouette, proportion and fit. I know what works on me. And I don’t wear shirts with baggy jeans with the shirttails out, because it ruins the proportion.

As a stylist, I face occupational hazards every day in the form of wonderful must-have clothes and accessories I come across while shopping. Usually, I resist.

But yesterday, when I stopped in to see my friend Amy at her store Belmont Avenue vintage store Venue & Mars – The Showroom to check about some pieces for a Taylor Swift project I’m helping out on, I found something that I absolutely, positively could not pass up.

Check it:

Look like anyone you know? How about my poor girl homage to Diana Vreeland’s Verdura cuffs, which I blogged about a few weeks ago:

They MUST be part of a set! Again, check it out:

Needless to say, I bought it. And I plan to wear it today, as I go out on my crazy-busy mission of tracking down band uniforms and 50s circle dresses and modern tux rentals and other random stuff on my list. All in a day’s work, guys!

Were Little Edie Beale around to pass judgement on Britt Savage’s dress, she might have made some statement like this come Wednesday  – aka April 15, aka the day the tax man cometh. (Or rather the day you go-eth to the PO to send the tax man your returns …)

Britt, a local performer, made this dress from shredded tax forms. (Check out her detailed process at her website.) It was designed to be worn for an April 15 gig at 12th & Porter – where she plans to cover “Tax Man,” no less. But after she posted a picture of her wearing the fiscal frock online, the IRS dress has become much bigger than a throwaway item.

For one thing, Savage and the dress have been featurd on AOL and Yahoo news (CBS national news has also gotten in touch). Also she’s decided to auction it off for charity; details are at www.brittsavage.com.

Stevie Nicks has been on my mind lately, and popping up everywhere I turn.

First, I dressed up for the Fleetwood Mac legend for my friend Melissa’s costume party (come as your favorite album: I chose Bella Donna) a few months ago.

Then, I styled a shoot last month where our fashion touchstones were Kate Hudson and – you gussed it – Stevie.

And today the Times came out with an ode to Stevie’s fabulous hippie-witchy wardrobe, which is one of my all-time favorite influences. ‘Cause, I mean, who doesn’t want to dress like this?

OK. I know a lot of people who don’t. Regardless, you can’t deny that it’s a fabulous look, this floaty gypsy girl thing shes does.

Here’s my favorite passage from the article, in which Stevie talks about how she came up with the multi-layered look as a way to bury herself, effectively (or, rather, ineffectively), under tons of clothes. Her long-time stylist helped her come up with the bones of her stage wardrobe, which have always remained somewhat the same:

“I needed a uniform,” she recalled, one that would counteract the stage fright she encountered in the mid-’70s, when she first began touring with Fleetwood Mac. At the time, her brief to Margi Kent, who still designs much of her wardrobe, was to create “something urchinlike out of ‘Great Expectations’ or ‘A Tale of Two Cities,’ ” a chiffonlike, raggedy skirt that would still look beautiful with black velvet platform boots.

“We came up with the outfit: a Jantzen leotard, a little chiffon wrap blouse, a couple of little short jackets, two skirts and boots,” Ms. Nicks said as she reminisced in her suite at the Waldorf Towers last week. “That gave us our edge.”

I love to read about the design process, the reasons for artist choices and the results. This is a great example of this.

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