The Breakover Diaries: Clean Out Your Underwear Drawer

Ok, so I've made you clean out your closet and some of you wanted to burn me at the stake for even suggesting that you repurpose your ex's clothes for your own wardrobe (evidently, you'd rather shove your carbon footprint up his ass by burning these items), but now it's time to get serious about the final frontier: your underwear drawer.

This is sacred territory for most women, so I know that I'm nosing into hallowed ground of fashion territory but this needs to be done. If you're going to bring sexy back at some point, you need to make sure that you're ready to go.

Actually, the reason you're doing this is even bigger than being sexy to someone else. No outfit can truly look its best without proper undergarments. How many times have you busted out of the house and realized you're wearing the wrong bra for your top or dress? Show of hands? Let's not have that happen again, shall we?

Before you begin, head to your local lingerie department or lingerie boutique and get properly measure for a bra. Your bra size changes for all sorts of reasons (and more frequently than you think), so in order to keep the girls facing upright get fitted at least once a year. Try on different types of bras so you can see how each one looks and fits you. Be sure to leave the store with one good basic t-shirt bra and something sexy that makes you want to turn on a little Prince with a glass of wine in your hand. You can buy other types later. Return home.

Now, pour yourself a glass of something fun and grab a trash can. Make three piles:

• Keep
• Giveaway
• Trash
• Crash*
  

• Trash: this is any item that is absolutely destroyed, in horrible condition, has stains (don't "ew" me, we all have periods and accidents happen), tears or elastic shooting out of the sides. Victoria's Secret has a semi-annual sale for a reason, people: get new underwear! Granny panties and huge shiny panties are also no one's friend. Get RID of these items. Bras that are beyond repair and don't fit (see: visit lingerie shop to get measured) can go straight into the bin as well. Your shapers that are shot to Hell also go in the trash. Pajamas that are frumpy or have feet in them should be burned, but I'll let you decide whether to trash or give them away.
• Giveaway: Most organizations won't take used panties, so there is no panty giveaway pile. Bras that don't fit but are in good condition (or can quickly be mended) might be acceptable for giveaways. I'll let you decide how you want to handle pajamas that you don't love anymore but remember that if you put footie pajamas in an adult woman size out there in the Universe, some other woman will have to do what you've just done and that's bad fashion karma.
• Keep: This is a pile for bras, panties, shapers and pajamas that are in good condition and you love them. They should be of excellent quality and make you feel like a million dollars when you wear them.

I mentioned the Crash pile. Because you might be in emotional distress over throwing out Day of the Week underwear, I'm allowing you to keep a small stash of things that you are allowed to wear ONLY when no one is going to see them. You are allowed three pairs of panties that must be in good condition (absolutely NO GRANNY PANTIES), and one nightgown/pair of pajamas that only you understand why you love them so. Keep them AWAY from your lingerie drawer to ensure you have to make a special effort to wear them. They might save you on laundry day. But remember, if George Clooney stops by and wants to have a little sexy time, it's your fault you wore them. Always be prepared, ladies.

Your underwear drawer brings you karma, ladies. Frumpy is as frumpy does, so when you broadcast that feeling of "ugh, I wouldn't want someone to see me in these" out there, trust me, men will pick up on that and they'll stay away. Even if you're not ready to date yet, you need to feel better about yourself and walking around in underwear that is threadbare is not helping matters. When you demand that everything that everything that surrounds you is of the best quality down to the garments that touch your skin, trust me, the rest of your life will follow suit.

NYFW: Getting Down to Fashion Weight

If you're going out for cocktails or dinner anywhere in Manhattan at a spot frequented by fashion and beauty media, socialites, buyers or anyone associated with Fashion Week, you'll hear almost all of us talking about the fact that we're on diets. Specifically, the "Fashion Week Diet". Is it a regular program? No. Is there a book with a diet and exercise regimen. Not really.

The "diet" is very simple, really: do whatever it takes to look your absolute best for the tents, the parties and the amazing clothing you will wear. Think of it as the prom, a first date and swimsuit season all rolled into one.



As someone who is now down 72 lbs (and it was no easy feat, let me tell you), I am determined to do this the right way, which is with diet and exercise. Since I have absolutely no time for the gym, I rent workout DVDs from Netflix and do one a day (sometimes two if I have the time). I'm also on The Fresh Diet (the way Sheri Shepard lost all that weight on The View), which is an amazing diet delivery service that drops three meals and two snacks on my doorstep every morning so I don't have to think about what I'm eating. The diet is teaching me all sorts of things about eating, from proper portion size to the fact that really healthy food can taste AMAZING! The dishes are really delicious: today's menu is as follows:

Breakfast: Spinich & Feta Cheese Egg Bake with Fresh Papaya
Snack: Charred Lamb Loin on Whole Wheat Crostini with Oven Roasted Tomato
Lunch: Tofu Caesar Salad with Romaine Lettuce, Sun-Dried Tomato, European Cucumber and Caesar Dressing
Dinner: Grilled Jumbo Shrimp with Lemon Pepper and Garlic Sauce with Roasted Sweet Potato and Green Beans with Toasted Almonds
Dessert: Cherry Vanilla Cheese Cake

The best thing about The Fresh Diet (other than home delivery and absolutely delicious food)? When you sign up for the service, you log into an account and give your food preferences (I don't like condiments like mayo and ketchup, so those aren't in the foods delivered). It's like having a private chef that controls your calorie intake and makes smart food decisions when you just don't have the time or, like me, don't know how to eat properly. They currently deliver in South Florida, Chicago, NY Tri-State area, Southern California, Boston and Philadelphia so if you're in any of these areas and you want to lose weight in a healthy manner while eating delicious food, contact them today.

So, as I race to the finish to get into the gorgeous vintage dress and some pretty fabulous clothes for Fashion Week, my diet and exercise plan will consist of more than a deep breath at meals and a cigarette for dessert. I'm already down 7 lbs so it's definitely working!

See you at the tents, slimmer and fashion-ready!

#NYFW

NYFW: The Hautelook Lounge

After racing back and forth from show to show, sometimes you will need to take a break. You want a place where you can relax, check email, get something to eat and generally unwind. This year, the place to chill, relax and recharge will be the HauteLook Lounge.

Located in the Bryant Park Hotel and open every day from 9:00 am - 9:00 pm (some shows start at 8 pm and that's if they start on time), the 24th floor penthouse will be transformed into a chic, luxury lounge where invited media can come in at any time to unwind, plug into Sony VAIO workstations and free Wi-Fi, and enjoy breakfast, lunch, snacks and refreshments throughout the day. Additionally, we'll be taking full advantage of a wide range of amenities, including:

• Go Smile whitening
  
• Comptoir Sud Pacific Fragrance Bar
• TokyoMilk by Margot Elena Eau De Parfum Fine Fragrance Bar
• Baby Quasar skin rejuvenating Light Therapy
  
• Clarisonic skincare appointments with Co-Founder Dr. Robb Akridge
• Elite Wellness sessions
• Freeze 24-7 Age-Less Skincare
  
• Makeup applications by Cover FX, LORAC, Sue Devitt, Rock & Republic and Kevyn Aucoin and more

Additionally, the lounge will host exclusive, invitation-only events, like the Kelly by Kelly Killoren Bensimon Jewelry Preview; a Fashion Play Date Party hosted by socialites Lucy Sykes, Katie Brown, and Gossip Girl’s Kelly Rutherford; a cocktail party to celebrate the launch of MENu Dating: Taste Test Your Way to the Main Course, a new dating guide by author Tristan Coopersmith; the Alvin Valley Men’s Spring 2010 Fashion Presentation, Lulu Frost & Abraxas Rex Spring 2010 Jewelry Preview; and the Felix Rey Preview.

See? It's definitely going to be one of the premiere spots for the week.

By the way, if you're not familiar with Hautelook, I suggest you head to this site immediately. This members-only, limited-time-only sale site offers amazing clothing, beauty and home goods for discounts of 50 to 75 percent off every day. The organization is genius: each sale boutique has video, detailed background information on the brands, and features like a zoom lens that allows you to inspect the item, an accurate size chart and a user-friendly shopping cart. With brands like Elizabeth & James, Joe’s Jeans, Herve Leger, M Missioni, Laura Mercier, Go Smile and DeLonghi, this is one of my favorite shopping outlets of all time. If there was a 12-step program to quit HauteLook I might consider it, but if loving HauteLook is wrong, I don't wanna be right.

So now you know where my home away from home will be starting next Thursday. Thanks to HauteLook and their luxurious lounge, I'll be comfortable, connected and feeling fabulous during the most hectic time of the year.

#NYFW

And the Winner of the Liz Claiborne Weekender Giveaway Is...

Fashion's Darling! You've won a Liz Claiborne weekender filled with amazing beauty products. I will contact you to get your address so I can get your prize to you.

Keep it tuned here for more giveaway lovin' on FSB!

She's Crafty: DIY Distressed Boyfriend Jeans

You've seen them all over the streets and on celebrities like Jessica Alba, Kathering Heigl, Amanda Peet, Reese Witherspoon and others for months and the trend shows no sign of slowing for Fall: the boyfriend jean is everywhere and the more distressed, the better. If you head to the store,you can pay upwards of $300 for a pair of these artfully "well-worn" denim...or you could take out some frustration on a pair of your old baggy jeans and turn them into some tres cool.
Per The Breakover Diaries, maybe a pair of your ex's jeans will do?

For this fashion-forward art project, you will need the following:

• One (1) pair of old jeans that are slightly baggy in the hips and upper leg, preferably wider (boot cut or straight leg men's) at the bottom so you can roll them up
• One (1)utility knife or serrated kitchen knife
• One (1) pumice stone
• 1/2 c. bleach (optional)
• One plank of wood that will fit in the legs
  
• One piece of chalk

First, put the jeans on and mark with the chalk where you think you want the jeans distressed. I'm old school when it comes to this so I tend to like ripped knees and tears going down the side of the legs but not too terribly much. I don't want to look like an extra from a Def Leppard video from 1988.

Next, find a stable work surface and lie the jeans facing toward you on the surface. Insert the plank of wood into one leg under your chalk marks. Use the utility knife and remembering to cut AWAY from your hands and body, begin slicing into the jeans. There's no right or wrong way to do it, but do it slowly because once you make a cut, it's in there. After about every three slices, take your pumice stone and "distress" the cuts so they fray and age properly. Put them on again really quickly to check your work. More cuts? Keep going. Repeat this process on the second leg.

If you want them to look really distressed, head to a well-ventilated area and dabble or pour spots of bleach onto the jeans. Once it dries, you'll have a pair of fabulous, one-of-a-kind distressed jeans. Roll the legs and wear them with a cute tank and sandals for Labor Day weekend, or pair them with heaps of jewelry and gorgeous evening sandals for an edgy nighttime look. I'm wearing mine out tonight. This is my craftmanship this morning on a pair of old Levi's.



Fashion without spending a fortune? Now THAT'S bringing it with style, ladies. Give this a try at home and give a whole new life to an old pair of jeans.

NYFW: So Many Shows, So Little Time

Those of you who follow fashion and beauty blogs know that we're getting ready for Fashion Week, where we will watch the collections and reporting on the genius clothes, the fabulous makeup and the results of when you throw too many fashion-loving media, fans and social mavens into a small area together with alcohol and caffeine on very little sleep. The logistics of who is showing where is staggering. Want to know why many of us will need Blister Block? Here's the lay of the land:

The grand event that everyone knows about is Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week (heretofore referred to as "The Tents"). The brainchild of IMG's Fern Mallis, this is where I'll be spending a considerable amount of time next week. Bryant Park in Manhattan is converted into a huge venue with three separate "tents" where the shows are held and one main venue where people enter, gather, stand in line and enjoy pop-up stores and amenities while they wait for the shows. The shows kick off with Michael Angel followed by BCBGMAXAZRIA, Davidelfin, Duckie Brown, Mara Hoffman, Nicholas K, Whitney Eve, Ports 1961, Rosa Chà, Cesar Galindo, Cynthia Steffe, Yigal Azrouёl, Twinkle by Wenlan, Charlotte Ronson, Monarchy Collection, Leifsdottir, Nicole Miller, ARISE African Promise Collective, Erin Wasson x RVCA, Venexiana, Lacoste, Georges Chakra, Andy & Debb, Academy of Art University, Christian Siriano, Chado Ralph Rucci, Vivienne Tam, Lela Rose, Derek Lam, Toni Maticevski, DKNY, Thuy, Hervé Léger by Max Azria, Diane Von Furstenberg, Rebecca Taylor, Y-3, Tuleh, Custo Barcelona, Vassilios Kostetsos, Carolina Herrera, Carlos Miele, Jill Stuart, Tracy Reese, Donna Karan New York, Yeohlee, Tadashi Shoji, TonyCohen, Gottex, Badgley Mischka, Brian Reyes, Pamella Roland, MAX AZRIA, Dennis Basso, Willow, Tibi, Narciso Rodriguez, Toni Francesc, Tory Burch, Michael Kors, Nanette Lepore, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Milly by Michelle Smith, Alexandre Herchcovitch, Anna Sui, Maria Pinto, Doo.Ri, Ralph Lauren, Allude, Isaac Mizrahi, Trias, Calvin Klein Collection, Chocheng, Argentine Designer Collections and Tommy Hilfiger. This year, I'm hoping to go backstage at the W Lounge to check out the amenities, and the fun and the parties just don't stop, so stay tuned!

MAC at Milk Studios makes its first appearance during Fashion Week this season, giving some interesting competition to the well-known tents. The partnership forged between MAC Cosmetics and Milk Studios will have fashion and beauty media (and the fans of the designers) racing over to Chelsea to view MAC's well-known artisty and genius paired with the spectacular clothes featured by genius designers. As of right now, Alexander Wang, Proenza Schouler, Band of Outsiders, ADAM, Joseph Altuzzara, Peter Som, Preen, Costello Tagliapietra, Temperly London and Barbara Tfank have signed on to show at this swank venue. We're all excited to check out the amazing shows and what are sure to be brilliant parties!

Another collection of designer collections will be shown at Style 360, another set of shows in Chelsea. A partnership between A-List Communications and Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S., this multi-day fashion showcase will feature collections from headliner Kristin Davis’ apparel collection, Dash by Kim Kardashian, Abbey Dawn by Avril Lavigne, Liquid Metal, Geren Ford, Walter, Project Runway alumnus Malan Breton, andd the premiere of the ready-to-wear collection from genius accessories designer, Rebecca Minkoff. Between all of these shows and some seriously fabulous after-parties, it's bound to be an amazing time.

So, as you can see, this is why we're all pounding vitamins, working out like crazy people and taking tips from marathon runners on how to managing energy for long sprints. The fun begins next week so here we go!

#NYFW

60 Second Beauty Tip: Buy Cuter Feminine Products

OK, look. I know this is the subject no one likes to talk about but we really must. How many times have you tried to discreetly wrangle a tampon or pad out of your purse at work or out at night to have one of the following horrors happen:

• While digging, every tampon in your makeup bag comes flying out of your handbag like a can of snakes from a novelty shop.
• You realize that you can't find it because you don't remember where you put it and there's no chance of finding it without a mining helmet and a map.
• You try to discreetly slide the item into your hand/up your sleeve so no one sees it but it drops out and hits the floor, announcing your period to everyone in sight.

This is why I'm a convert. Moving forward, I'm handling my periods with Moxie.



These 100% recyclable feminine hygiene products come in the most adorable 1930's-esque girlie packaging as "boudoir boxes" in adorable colors complete with a little black bow. Their Slenders Pads ($6.49 for 10) are for regular days and their accompanying Slenders Panty Liners ($5.99 for 24) come in pretty pink and peach-striped packaging respectively, each with a color-coded tin to carry them discreetly in your handbag or to stash at your desk. Sleepovers Pads ($6.49 for 10) are in gorgeous turquoise-striped packaging and are for overnight use. For everyday use between periods, the Scanty Panty Liners ($4.99 for 24) will help you feel a little fresher and come with their own brilliant carrying tin.

My favorite part? The wrapping makes very little noise so it doesn't sound like you're unwrapping a Christmas gift in a public stall. Genius!

Coming very soon: tampons with the same cute carrying tin! I die. Moxie is currently sold exclusively through Duane Reade and DuaneReade.com

Look, your period is a fact of life, so you might as well have a little fun when it makes its monthly appearance. Cute packaging, amazing absorption and discreet carrying cases make it even easier to handle that time of the month with a little Moxie.