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Show Time: Putting the spotlight on showgirl inspired fashions

Liana Peterson — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 20:06:00 GMT

Ruffles, sequins, and fringe have long been reserved for chorus girls and can-can dancers, but they are enjoying their breakout moment this spring. Make a statement when walking into any room with a strategically detailed piece. Invoke the spirit of Jazz Age cabarets with a dress done up with ruffles reminiscent of a flapper girl’s getup. Those who aren’t looking to be on center stage can opt for fringed or sequin-covered handbags, sparkling headbands, or tassel jewelry that will add a touch of drama to any outfit. Take your cue from late vaudeville performers, silent film starlets, and cigarette girls from Hollywood’s golden age to incorporate touches of glamour straight from the stage.

Tassel rope necklace, 18, available at Arden B.

Fringe bag, 14.90, available at H&M

Twelve by Twelve navy-and-white ruf fle dress, $28, available at Forever 21

Coven black ruffle skirt, $430, available at Stel’s

Crystal Brooch Headband, $45, available at Luna Boston

Christian Louboutin “Rolande Boucle” Mary Jane pumps, 795, available at Barneys

Where to Buy
Arden B., Shops at the Prudential Center, 800 Boylston Street, Boston, 617.236.0834
Barneys, Copley Place, 100 Huntington Avenue, Boston, 617.386.3300
Forever 21, South Shore Plaza, 250 Granite Street, Braintree, 781.843.2509
H&M, 350 Washington Street, Boston, 617.483.7001
Luna Boston, 205 Newbury Street, Boston, 866.910.3900
Stel’s, 334 Newbury Street, Boston, 617.262.3348

Oscar Wild: Boston film buffs dream a better Academy Awards

Shaula Clark — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 19:39:00 GMT

Oscar season is upon us, and once again, the Academy has a staggering array of talent lined up for the 81st annual awards ceremony on February 22. But, as always, there’s still plenty of room for disagreement over the official nominations. We asked notable local cinephiles to give us their fantasy Oscar picks. Here’s what they came up with.

Jose Augusto Barriga
Festival director, Boston Latino International Film Festival | www.bliff.org

Best Picture | Milk

Gus Van Sant's strongest movie yet with a phenomenal cast. Milk's release was right on time, coinciding with a pivotal presidential election and the historical anti-gay Proposition 8 battle in California.

George Bragdon
Program Manager, Coolidge Corner Theatre | www.coolidge.org

Best Picture (also, Best Sound) | WALL-E

Never have bleeps and bloops sounded so emotive. This eye-popping, heartfelt family movie also happens to be the sharpest critique us lazy American consumers and our corporation-saturated culture. Even weirder, it's a Disney movie.

Best Performance by an Invertebrate Sea Creature | The Jellyfish, Seven Pounds

A "stunning" (groan) performance. The title of the film also refers to the number of pounds you'll lose laughing your ass off as the premise to this lame Will Smith movie unfolds tragically before your eyes.

Best Actor | Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler

After a decade or so of living on the Hollywood fringe, Rourke got his career off the ropes and pulled out a comeback performance that's like a body slam to your heart.

Best Song | "Iron Man" by Black Sabbath, Iron Man

Because when else are Sabbath going to have a chance to win an Oscar?

Best Actor, In a Musical or Comedy | Robert Pattinson, Twilight

This was a comedy, right?

J. Cannibal
King of Horror Burlesque | www.jcannibal.com

Best Picture | Let the Right One In

Forget the loathsome pop phenomenon of Twilight; if you want to see a real vampire love story, then check out this subtly terrifying yet beautiful Swedish film about the friendship forged between a preteen outcast and the new undead girl next door. Disregard "horror" and "foreign language" — this is the best new film I've seen all year, period.

Cheryl Eagan-Donovan
President, Women in Film & Video/New England | www.womeninfilmvideo.org

Best Picture | Slumdog Millionaire

It’s manipulative, over-the-top — a true return to melodrama in all its former glory. The suspension of disbelief is achieved with such bravado, against our collective better judgment, the audiences knows this must be truth, and as parables go, this is one for our times. Against the backdrop of our ever-shrinking global existence and the seemingly endless economic implosion — who doesn’t want to be a millionaire? — it works as both satire and allegory. It deserves to win not because it’s daring, innovative, or groundbreaking, but because it's that rare film that reaches across demographic boundaries, with eye candy and action sequences to rival Quantum of Solace, a love story and plot device that hearken back to An Affair to Remember, and the most effective use of flashback since It’s a Wonderful Life.

Best Director #1 | Gus Van Sant, Milk

Not just for Milk but for Paranoid Park, Last Days, Good Will Hunting, Drugstore Cowboy, My Own Private Idaho, Mala Noche, and all the rest.

Best Director #2 | Mike Leigh, Happy-Go-Lucky

Not just for Happy-Go-Lucky, but for Vera Drake, Topsy-Turvy, Secrets & Lies, Naked, Life Is Sweet, All or Nothing, and High Hopes.

Best Animated Film | WALL-E

Because this is the future. We can all stop waiting for The Jetsons to become reality now.

Best Documentary #1 | Chris & Don: A Love Story

This is one chapter in the life of a great American writer, a Zeitgeist Films documentary that I’ve wanted to make for 15 years.

Best Documentary #2 | American Teen

Nanette Burstein is shattering the celluloid ceiling one film at a time.

Best Actor #1 | Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler

Greatest comeback, especially braving the late-night-television talk show circuit making a fashion statement that is an homage to Johnny Depp and Keith Richards.

Best Actor #2 | Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight

Because Heath Ledger is our James Dean, and we will always revere him.

Best Musical | Mamma Mia!

Not since The Rocky Horror Picture Show have teenagers been dancing in the aisles of movie houses.

Best Original Screenplay #1 | Synecdoche, New York

Because Charlie Kaufman is the creator.

Best Original Screenplay #1 | Stop-Loss

Because Kimberly Peirce proves with her long-awaited sophomore effort that boys do cry.

Ned Hinkle
Creative director of the Brattle Theatre | www.brattlefilm.org

Best Picture | Let the Right One In
Best Director | Let the Right One In
Best Actress | Michelle Williams, Wendy and Lucy
Best Supporting Actor | Robert Downey Jr., Tropic Thunder

At my fantasy Oscars, the amazing Swedish vampire/teen romance Let the Right One In garners Best Picture and Director; Michelle Williams gets Best Actress for Wendy and Lucy; and Robert Downey Jr., during his acceptance speech for Best Supporting Actor (for Tropic Thunder), announces that they're making a sequel to Kiss Kiss Bang Bang!

Ian Judge
Director of Operations, F.E.I. Theatres (Somerville Theatre + Capitol Theatre) | www.feitheatres.com

Best Actor | Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler

You've got to give this to Mickey Rourke, not only because his performance in The Wrestler is excellent, but also because who wouldn't like to see Mickey Rourke get up in front of all those Hollywood phonies and get an Oscar? I have no idea how it is that people as untalented as Jamie Foxx and Robin Williams have Oscars and Mickey Rourke does not.

Best Picture | Gran Torino

And not just because Clint Eastwood actually has a gun against my back as I say this. It is a particularly American story, and there is something wonderfully unpretentious about Eastwood's style.

Best Actress | Kate Winslet

Winslet should probably already have one of these, but since she hasn't yet, let's give her one for, let's see — what did she do this year? Oh yeah, Revolutionary Road.

James Nadeau
Contributing editor, Big RED & Shiny | www.bigredandshiny.com

Best Picture (Mainstream) | The Dark Knight

While there weren't nearly enough scenes with Christian Bale shirtless (and to be honest, it ran a little long), I think this is my pick for one of the best of this year. Heath Ledger gave one of the most stirringly deranged performances in spite of all the hype and drama around his death and the role. Ignore all that, and you have a truly creepy Joker. I think that he'll get a nomination but not the win.

Best Picture (Non-Mainstream) #1 | Mister Lonely

Great film. Wonderful acting. Subtle and mesmerizing. I hated all of his [Harmony Korine's] other films, but this one made me a convert. Charlie Chaplin, Marilyn Monroe, and Michael Jackson on a commune alongside a Pope who smells bad. Nuff said.

Michael Neel
Director, Drive-in Horrorshow | www.driveinhorrorshow.com

Best Picture | Cloverfield

Why does the Best Picture have to be some weepy drama released in the last few months of the year? Horror can be just as hard to do well, and Cloverfield was one of the most exciting, engaging, and suspenseful movies of 2008. And it was released in January! Take that, Academy.

Best Cinematography | Tak Fujimoto, The Happening

OK, so the movie sucks. But no one told cinematographer Tak Fujimoto, who created great mood and atmosphere that was much better than the movie deserved.

Best Actress | Jess Weixler, Teeth

A young woman with vagina dentata is not the easiest role to pull off. Weixler created great sympathy for her character but never held back when she had to flex her muscles.

Best Actress | Robert Downey Jr., Tropic Thunder

What else can you say about this performance? An ingenious and hilarious turn in a role that could have flatlined. Downey Jr. is back ... now let's just hope he can stay clean.

Best Editing | Matt Chesse and Richard Pearson, Quantum of Solace

The editing in Quantum of Solace made some people want to vomit. I quite enjoyed the frantic pace and high-energy spectacle. Plot? Who needs a plot?

Best Director | Jon Favreau, Iron Man

Am I the only one who liked Iron Man more than The Dark Knight? Favreau delicately balanced the action and effects with a wonderful story. Even if you removed the effects scenes, this would still be an engaging movie. You can't say that about most summer blockbusters.

Achievement in Makeup | The Ruins

So many films this year had great makeup, but I'm a sucker for graphic amputation. And The Ruins had the best amputation this year.

Aliza Shapiro
Co-organizer, "CineMental" film series | www.truthserum.org

Best Picture (Mainstream) | Milk

For mainstream releases, my pick for Best Picture is Milk for how well crafted it was, for how moving I found it (Gus Van Sant's skill at emotional manipulation, perhaps), and for Sean Penn's superb portrayal (though I do think he should have played up the New York Jew a bit more). And also because it's the last mainstream release I've seen in 2008, and I have the memory of a cat and the attention of a gnat.

Best Picture (Non-Mainstream) #1 | The Lollipop Generation

How long we've waited for this film! It's thrilling that it's "finished" and getting shown! (Hopefully at "CineMental" soon.)

Best Picture (Non-Mainstream) #2 | Trans Entities: The Nasty Love of Papi and Wil

This is a documentary of a transgender, polyamorous, kinky couple of color, and it's a porn film also. Really hot, really sweet, and enlightening on so many levels.

Janaka Stucky
Founder and managing editor of Black Ocean press | www.blackocean.org

Best Animated Feature | Fear(s) of the Dark

A vastly overlooked feature-length collection of short films by some of the world's hippest and most transcendent graphic novelists, this film manages to pluck all our emotional strings using only black-and-white cartoons. At times humorous, terrifying, uncomfortable, and empathetic, it sure beats the overwrought, franchised pants off every Pixar movie ever made.

Best Actor | Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler

Rourke’s turn as washed-up wrestler Randy “The Ram” Robinson is probably too subtle and seamless to gain him the an Academy Award. His complex portrayal manages to pry loose your every sympathy while still making you feel like he deserves the difficult cards he’s dealt. His redemption is too real for Hollywood which is exactly why you should see this film despite the fact he doesn’t stand a shot at taking home this Oscar.

Brian Tamm
Managing director of the Independent Film Festival Boston | www.iffboston.org

Best Actor | Jean-Claude Van Damme, JCVD

Mickey Rourke is getting all the attention, but another '80s icon made a triumphant return to the screen this year by playing himself, more or less: Jean-Claude Van Damme. In JCVD, The Muscles from Brussels displays a tender side as well, as he literally rises above the chaos of his life to deliver a six-minute soliloquy on the nature of fame, and the opportunities that might have been. Heartbreaking.

Best Actress | Kristin Scott Thomas, I’ve Loved You So Long

The Academy tends to equate the best acting with the most acting (I'm looking at you, Anne Hathaway), which is a shame, because in I’ve Loved You So Long, Kristin Scott Thomas proves that an understated performance is far more rewarding. When we first see her in the film, she is completely hollowed out, but, scene after scene, she subtly fills up as she re-enters her life.

Secret Agent

Stuff Boston — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 02:50:00 GMT

A certain retail space on Newbury Street is going from candles to corsets in mid October, when Agent Provocateur (123 Newbury Street, Boston) opens its doors in the former home of Diptyque. The UK-based company (helmed by Vivienne Westwood’s son, Joe Corre) is bringing its full line of lingerie, accessories, bridal pieces, maternity wear, and beauty products to Boston women (and, we presume, their rightly excited significant others). Ladies, expect all the racy, lacy, strappy, and sexy underthings that Agent Provocateur is known for. Guys, rejoice. Just one question: does this mean we can’t get away with wearing mismatched bra-and-granny-panty combos on laundry day anymore?

Talkin' bout regeneration

Liza Weisstuch — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 18:45:00 GMT

Old goods find new life at Magpie

They say one gal’s junk heap is another’s treasure— or something like that. If that’s the case, Magpie (416 Highland Avenue, Somerville, 617.623.3330) is a treasure chest, a glimmering Xanadu of would-be rubbish repurposed and reclaimed for the sole purpose of improving your accessory collection or coffee table. In addition to racks of T-shirts and a smattering of baby onesies for that punk-rocker-in-training nephew, you’ll find shelves crammed with clever crafts created by resourceful types. “Repurposing is a big part of the small-scale craft community,” says Leslie Dunn, a manager at Magpie. “I’m seeing more and more interesting stuff. There’s a big market for the raw material.”

A) Lock your photographs (yes, some of us still take real pictures) into the banks of your memory with picture frames rimmed with polished old bike chains ($38).

B) Circuit boards transmit information when they’re plugged in. Once they short out, the sturdy boards can have a long life span when they take on a new identity as bound book covers. Motherboard Gifts produces nifty three-ring binders ($26).

C) We love everything about vinyl — except tossing it into landfills. Crafters these days are taking the grooved material and transforming it into all things, well, groovy. One of Magpie’s owners, Dave Sakowski, reworks old LPs into neat bowls. Other innovative types turn them into coasters ($20), wrist cuffs ($30), and earrings ($14).

D) Those keys on your computer are used to make words and nothing else, right? Some crafters think outside the board. Check out the collection of reconfigured plastic squares. Wear your inner nerd proudly on your sleeve when you don a pair of letter key cufflinks ($20), or pick up dangling earrings ($10) and a matching pin ($8).

Kirsten Amann@Night: Blonde, ambitious

Erin Byers Murray — Mon, 05 May 2008 18:48:00 GMT

DO BLONDES really have more fun? Ask Kirsten Amann. She's on a quest to find out as she does research for Undercover Blonde, a book she's working on. The publicist-slash-cocktail-aficionado also posts updates on her blog (undercover-blonde.blogspot.com). Between her day job at Dalyn Miller PR, her moonlighting gig as a server at Toro, and a role as the "PR broad" of LUPEC (Ladies United for the Preservation of Endangered Cocktails), she's gotten countless pages of material. But since she can always use more, her nights out are spent searching for answers.

@ 6:15 p.m.: Lately I've been trying to do yoga, so I'll still be in class, maybe wrapping up my downward dog. That's what I do on nights when I know I'm going out - somehow I think it balances out what I'm about to do to my body for the rest of the night.

@ 7:30 p.m.: If I'm lucky, I'll be finishing a blog entry and posting. Then, one of my friends has a huge wine selection, so we might do a little tasting of cheese and wine at her place.

@ 9:45 p.m.: By now, I'm heading out to a bar, which is what we do in LUPEC. It's how we promote the endangered cocktail. I'll start by going to Green Street to drink Misty Kalkofen's cocktails. I may also stop by No. 9 Park for one of their classic cocktails.

@ midnight: My friend and I can talk forever, so we'll head over to the Franklin [Café] for one more.

@ 2 a.m.: If I haven't finished that blog entry, I'm doing it now - and hoping that it's coherent.

[Photo by Joel Veak]

Hair today: Wake up blah, boring tresses with these fun-to-use products

Heather Bouzan — Mon, 05 May 2008 17:26:00 GMT

We like the sound of "cotton-infused shampoo" - it evokes images of soft, full tresses lightly mussed by a gentle breeze. Leave it to the folks at Fresh to harness the power of the fluffy stuff with Fresh Cotton Shampoo ($26), which its works magic on both normal and color-treated hair. Cotton powder lends texture, while cotton-seed extract conditions and smoothes; other ingredients - including sunflower-seed, carrot-root, and linden-bud extracts - add shine, protection, and strength. Pick it up at Fresh (121 Newbury Street, Boston, 617.421.1212).

Four products, a flat iron, and a brush that costs more than our cut-color-and-blowdry later, our hair is perfect. Our hands, however, are a sticky mess. But not so after using the revolutionary Hands2Hair ($16.50) from DuWop, a cream that's equal parts hair goo and hand lotion. Active ingredient squalane smoothes skin while leaving locks shiny and lightly texturized. Simply work a decent-sized dollop into damp hair and massage the remaining sweetly-scented film into hands. Stock up on this two-in-one treasure at Sephora (Prudential Center, 800 Boylston Street, Boston, 617.262.4200).

When our hair needs serious treatment, we turn to a cult favorite: Philip Kingsley Elasticizer ($42), available at www.philipkingsley.com. Work the slippery paste into wet hair for about a minute, then shampoo and condition as you normally would. The formula makes a beeline straight to your hair's cuticles, delivering intense moisture for strong, silky tresses with plenty of movement. And Kingsley's Elasticizer won't weigh hair down. You'll notice a difference immediately, and results improve with regular use.

We're all about low-maintenance hair, but shiny locks are an absolute necessity. For that, we rely on Oscar Blandi's Luce ($25), a rinse-out gloss that conditions, brightens, and restores shine to hair with grape-seed extracts and other vitamins. It also protects hair from damaging environmental elements. Evenly apply the gloss to towel-dried hair, relax for three to five minutes, and rinse with warm, then cool, water. Find Oscar Blandi at Sephora.

Forgive the fact that the name is a bit wordy. Depth Charge Seednoir Prewash Hair-Therapy ($40) by Molton Brown, available at Neiman Marcus (5 Copley Place, Boston, 617.536.3660), is formulated with a blend of essential oils perfect for sprucing up dry, damaged 'dos with shine, silkiness, and plenty of body. In fact, seednoir (a/k/a black-seed oil) is traditionally used in India for its hair-conditioning properties. Once a week, comb the oil through dry hair, give it 20 minutes or so to marinate, then shampoo and condition according to your normal regimen. Added bonus: it's good for scalps, too.

We've been hearing stylists rave about the Davines brand for so long, we had to investigate firsthand. Our pick? The line's Alchemic Shampoos ($20) and Conditioners ($24), which embellish fading hair color (natural or colorist-applied) while adding shine, moisture, and sun protection. Formulated with milk proteins, vitamins, and olive-oil derivatives, the products are available in shades like red, copper, golden, chocolate, and tobacco. Take your pick at
I Soci Salon (8 Newbury Street, Boston, 617.867.9484). @

New on Newbury

Heather Bouzan — Mon, 05 May 2008 16:06:00 GMT

The busy hair salon that's a whirlwind of hairspray, gossip, and reformed split ends; the subdued, Zen-like spa that calms you instantly - they both have their place. Newbury Street is a mecca of the former, but the latter can be more difficult to find. Enter Atelier (174 Newbury Street, Boston, 617.456.0006), a new salon from veteran hairstylists Dean Mellen and Cindy Kenefick. Mellen, who spent more than 17 years at Salon Mario Russo and boasts an impressive roster of celebrity clients, is your go-to guy for bangs and has an intuitive understanding of color, while Kenefick is a superstar corrective colorist who also specializes in classic cuts. The two have set out to create an intimate experience that's truly personalized: no distractions exist to take either stylist away from the haircut at hand. For the client, that translates into top-notch service, a flawless new 'do, and a much-needed chance to just breathe.

[Photo by Mitch Weiss]

Doug Palardy@Night: Motley man

Erin Byers Murray — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 17:49:00 GMT

DOUG PALARDY recently downgraded from three shops to just one (the South End’s Motley), but he hasn’t lost any steam: his vintage T-shirts, sneakers, and housewares are for sale on an e-commerce site launching this month. Though he splits his time between Boston and Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Palardy prefers to spend his nights in this city, hopping from one lively scene to the next.

@ 6:15 p.m.: I close the store at 7, so I’m still hanging around until then.

@ 7:30 p.m.: For a really fun night, I’ll meet people at Sister Sorel for a drink before running the few blocks home to change.

@ 9:45 p.m.: I’ll meet some folks for a quick bite to eat. My favorite place to eat, still, is Joe V’s. It’s quick, easy, and affordable.

@ midnight: Every few weeks I find myself over at Jacque’s in Bay Village. I’ll go with friends and sit at the bar. It’s a bit of a novelty these days with all the bachelorette parties, but it would break my heart if that bar ever closed. It’s the cheapest place you can drink in the South End. You get a huge plastic cup of wine for $3.

@ 2 a.m.: If it’s a Saturday night, I love going to Paradise on Mass Ave in Cambridge. It’s the only gay bar in all of Boston where when I walk in, I feel like I’m not in New England anymore. It’s just low-down and dirty fun. I’ll totally close that place. It’s a riot.

Ain't life Grand: It is at a unique gifts and hardwares shop in Somerville

Heather Bouzan — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 17:33:00 GMT

NESTLED ON an unassuming block in Union Square, Grand (374 Somerville Avenue, Somerville, 617.623.2429) is the kind of shop that tempts us to abandon practically everything we own in favor of its achingly cool design aesthetic. Many of the wares here are either exclusive to the store or tough to find in the area, and the prices are reasonable. The loft-like space, opened in mid-January by Jonathan O’Toole, Wendy Friedman, and Adam Larson, stocks housewares, gifts, apparel, and, in a few weeks, furniture — and O’Toole tells us that they’re open to trying just about anything.

A) Made of heavy-duty paperboard that’s both reusable and recyclable, Rock Scissor Paper’s coasters ($8) add charm to — and prevent watery rings on — any blah coffee table.

B) Re-Surface’s A-Light ($75), its design inspired by dilapidated building façades in New York, possesses both a gritty, urban quality and an unconventional loveliness. Grand also stocks similarly styled pillar candles by the same brand.

C) After an exhaustive search for a stylish-yet-affordable pillow, O’Toole and Co. settled on these cotton twill Thomas Paul pillows ($40) for their vivid, high-impact prints.

D) We picture the perfect hostess offering refreshments from these colorful, pressed-wood Isak trays ($40), which lend style to whatever’s perched atop them.

E) We can’t help but think Alice in Wonderland while admiring Roost’s Branch bone china collection ($17–$58). We love each piece’s idiosyncratic, organic form.

F) The quirky Japanese Tengu ($50) plugs into your USB port, changes expressions when you blow on him, and responds to sound; he’s an ideal companion for bored cubicle dwellers.

G) Screw welcome mats — the SUCKUK Come In/Go Away Doormat ($24) sends the perfect message.

H) One of the shop’s biggest sellers, the SUCKUK Sun Jar ($40), soaks up rays all day, then glows at night. It’s weatherproof, too, making it a perfect addition to your porch. @

[Photos by Kelly Davidson]

Clothing with a conscience: Eco-friendly fashion goes mainstream

Erica Corsano — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:28:00 GMT

WHEN IT COMES to fashion, it hasn’t always been easy to be green. But lately, eco-conscious fashion designers and artisans have been going mainstream, creating products that can satisfy even the most finicky fashionistas. So with Earth Day and a recent visit to sustainable-living convention Down 2 Earth on our minds, we put together some our favorite eco-friendly finds.

3.1 Philip Lim Go Green Go organic cotton jacket, $495, and Dosa organic silk dress (worn as a top), $375, both at Barneys New York (Copley Place, 100 Huntington Avenue, Boston, 617.385.3300).

Edun organic cotton jeans, $175 at Envi (164 Newbury Street, Boston, 617.267.3684).

Helen E Riegle felt clutch, $119; Maple XO bangles made from recycled skateboards, $24 each; Maple XO earrings, $48; and Vling skull necklace, $20; all at Greenward (1776 Mass Ave, Cambridge, 617.395.1338).

Stella McCartney floral pumps, $695 at Intermix (186 Newbury Street, Boston, 617.236.5172).

Hair: by Derek, James Joseph Salon; Makeup: by Kerri Herlihy, the Beauty Mark; Model: Carly, Maggie, Inc.; Shot on site at Taranta (210 Hanover Street, Boston, 617.720.0052), a green-certified restaurant in the North End.

Andrew Haddad@Night: Man on the move

Erin Byers Murray — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 18:38:00 GMT

WHETHER ANDREW Haddad is cruising Newbury Street to check out how business is going at I-Boutique and Cafeteria (both of which he co-owns), hosting events with his promo company, or traveling to New York or Los Angeles for retail buying trips, he's almost always on the move. We caught up with him on his way to Miami for some R&R to find out where the Newton resident likes to spend his nights off.

@ 6:15 p.m.: I'm usually closing up the store and will take a walk down to the restaurant to see what's going on there. I might stop by Bar 10 for a drink afterwards.

@ 7:30 p.m.: I like to stop by home before heading to the South End for dinner. I love going to Stella. I think the whole atmosphere there is unbelievable. Everything - the service, the food - is on point, so I'm actually there two or three nights a week.

@ 9:45 p.m.: I'll probably go to Ivy or Mantra or Teatro after dinner, just to stop in for a drink.

@ midnight: I'll pass by Jer-ne inside the Ritz, or maybe Abe & Louie's, to grab one more drink.

@ 2 a.m.: It's late so I'm making my way home. My day starts at 10 a.m. so it's time for me to get some rest.

[Photo by Ian Barnard]

Pocket book

Heather Bouzan — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 15:37:00 GMT

Everyone has his or her karaoke standby. (Please don't tell us yours is by Celine Dion.) But every once in a while, it's important to inject some variety into your same-old, same-old routine. Enter Pocket Karaoke (Simon Spotlight Entertainment, 2008; $9.95) by Sarah Lewitinn, a DJ and founder of the record label Stolen Transmission (she's also known as influential indie-rock blogger Ultragrrrl). The book includes karaoke song lists sorted by artist, genre, occasion (we like "Songs That You Probably Shouldn't Sing Unless You Want Someone to Think You're a Wee Bit Slutty"), and celebrity. Who knew that Gideon Yago could be coaxed into belting out "Like a Prayer"? Lewitinn also notes key points like the minimum number of drinks required to perform one artist's work versus another's. Pick up a copy at Barnes & Noble (Prudential Center, 800 Boylston Street, Boston, 617.247.6959).

Margarita Druker@Night: A real gem

Erin Byers Murray — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 18:33:00 GMT

BECAUSE SHE’S already surrounded by fine, glittery goods at Persona Jewelry+, Margarita Druker splurges on travel, incredible meals, and “a really amazing pair of shoes.” She and her partner Gary Shteyman just opened a store inside San Francisco’s Four Seasons Hotel, giving them a total of five Persona locations. They spend their nights finding inspiration around Boston’s art scene, enjoying a bottle of wine, and, of course, splurging on dinner.

@ 6:15 p.m.: Thursday is our favorite night to go out, so we start by popping open a nice bottle of red wine with our customers and employees.

@ 7:30 p.m.: We’ll head next door and grab a drink at Great Bay with some coworkers, and then we usually find our way over to one of our favorite restaurants, Troquet. I like to let Scott Hebert, the chef, do whatever he wants to do. It’s always something creative and new.

@ 9:45 p.m.: Unfortunately I don’t cook, and because I come from a restaurant-industry background, I’ve befriended a lot of restaurant owners in town. So you’ll find us grabbing a glass of wine at Via Matta, usually inside the enoteca there.

@ midnight: If I can convince Gary that he’s not too tired, we might venture out dancing, either back at the Foundation Lounge or Underbar, depending on the night.

@ 2 a.m.: We usually last until about 1:30. By that point we might meet up with friends at a low-key spot like Silvertone or the Franklin Café.

[Photo by Ian Barnard]

Garden variety

Heather Bouzan — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 16:27:00 GMT

You might say the owners of DJ’s at the Garden (222 Friend Street, Boston, 617.723.3222) are obsessed with the old Boston Garden. But really, is that such a bad thing? DJ’s, which opened in the West End, is determined to bring exceptional eats, a great selection of beer (70-plus choices), and a personable staff to the neighborhood. Dave Greaney, who also runs Southie favorite the Junction, owns the place, which serves lunch, dinner, and a late-night menu Thursday through Saturday as well as game nights. Key menu items include Guinness-braised short ribs ($16.95) and a Paddy melt burger ($8.95). You won’t recognize the former Hooters space — the new owners closed in the kitchen, put up some walls, and ripped down the façade, adding some windows that’ll open onto the street in warmer months. Game-night ticket giveaways abound, and plans are in place to launch live music in mid-April.

[Photo by Kelly Davidson]

Sacked Out: Put that fall handbag away and start fresh this Spring

Erica Corsano — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 16:54:00 GMT

WHEN IT comes to swapping out your fall handbag for a spring one, there seem to be two distinct schools of thought. One believes in exchanging a statement bag for a statement bag - meaning that your spring handbag should be as important and luxurious as the trusty leather satchel, tote, or hobo that has seen you through winter. The women in this camp are willing to make an investment and opt for luxe leather in white, tan, light brown, or a pale shade that adds a hint of color while still working with just about any outfit.

The second group is more adventurous and prefers purchasing a few spring bags at lower price points, rather than replacing their statement Chloe, Gucci, Dior, or Prada. Come spring, these ladies want to experiment with fabrics, prints, and colors that may have not been suitable for fall.

Betsey Johnson manager Nicole Curtis loves this time of year, when, she says, stores like hers do especially well. "Some people really only carry leather handbags year-round, but in the spring, we see the more conservative Boston shoppers switching to fabric, patterns, and prints, but buying more," she says. "A handbag becomes more of a fun novelty versus a wardrobe staple."

Dress co-owner Jane Schlueter agrees. "Spring closets transition from being filled with tweed, fur, and cashmere to being filled with light cotton, linen, and silk," she notes. "And some women feel it is the right time to try something new."

If you're anything like me, you might be feeling slightly overwhelmed with choices. Relax: We pranced around town and did all the work for you (drooling over every handbag we laid eyes on). Here's your handy handbag shopping guide.

Luna Boston (205 Newbury Street, Boston, 866.910.3900): this local handbag haven is a great go-to when you need a little guidance. Their staff is helpful but not pushy; price points are high but not outrageous. It's also an impeccably well-edited space, and chances are you're not going to spot their goods all over town. From large daytime hobos to flat envelope clutches, they carry dozens and dozens of lines, shapes, colors, and sizes - including new arrivals from Hayden-Harnett, Badgley Mischka, and Cynthia Rowley.

Nordstrom (Natick Collection, 290 Speen Street, Natick, 508.318.2600): this bag department is worth the trip to Natick. They too boast a helpful but not overly aggressive staff, and they offer a wide variety of styles at many different price points. Investment picks include Marc by Marc Jacobs, D&G, and L.A.M.B. They also carry a selection of bold-print fabric bags, tons of brightly colored leather, metallics in every shape under the sun, and a decent selection of patent leather.

Betsey Johnson (201 Newbury Street, Boston, 617.236.7072): Betsey Johnson is known for her celebration of the exuberant, the embellished, and the over-the-top, and not everyone can pull off her girly-girl-meets-punk-rock-star look. If you can get past the super-frilly factor, you'll definitely have fun with zebra prints, embroidered florals, cheetah punk nylon, rosette-studded hand bags, and much more.

Rafe New York "Coco" canvas printed bag, $285, and Rebecca Minkoff "morning after" mini bag, $550, both at Luna Boston.