A few weeks ago I was flipping through the pages of a design magazine (can’t remember which) that featured Tim McGraw’s kitchen. Tim McGraw is FINE. He is the ONLY man alive who can make a ten gallon hat look not only not ridiculous, but pretty damn sexy. Anyhoo, once I got through drooling over Tim, I began to drool over his fabulous collection of cherry red Le Creuset cookware. Turns out Tim is not only smoking hot, but a great cook too! Tim- gorgeous. Le Creuset cherry red cookware – gorgeous. Alas, I will never have either. Both Tim and I are happily married to others, and the Le Crueset is to pricey for my wallet.

For years I’ve wanted a Le Crueset Dutch oven and casserole. I visited them often at Sur la Table. I told myself “someday”. But, someday just never seemed to arrive. Then, one evening I popped onto Amazon.com to fantasy cookware shop, and when I searched “Dutch oven”, Amazon suggested Lodge enameled cast Iron. Every foody knows the Lodge name. They make the best cast iron cookware on the market, and have for over a century. I had no idea they made enameled cast iron products. Their 3.5 court casserole and 6 quart Dutch oven in Island Spice red especially caught my eye because they look just like Le Creuset. The price tags on each intrigued me. Each piece retailed for just under $50. A Le Creuset casserole retails for almost $200, a Dutch oven, for about $250. I investigated some more.

Reviews for the Lodge pieces were stellar. Many experts as well as amateur chefs felt that the Lodge pieces performed just as well as Le Creuset and were equally as beautiful. I placed my order. I am in love.

My Island Spice pieces are so stunning, I display them on a shelf in my kitchen. The lids fit tight, they cook evenly, and they clean up easily. Their weight is substantial, and the enamel is quality. I was concerned when I read that they were made in China, but a call to their customer service line put me at ease. Lodge staunchly guards its reputation, and all of their products are rigorously tested and held to lofty production standards. I was even surprised to learn that their pieces are individually cast, just like their Le Crueset counterparts.

Decorate with quality cookware! Inject some color into your kitchen. Bypass Le Creuset and snap up Lodge in Island Spice red or Caribbean blue. At those prices, you can’t go wrong.

Cut Costs Cuties!
Gemma

through 3/10 Escada
For 4 days only, shop the ESCADA sample sale at Metropolitan Pavilion North and enjoy up to 75% off retail prices. Come early for the best selection of the season’s must have jackets, pants, cocktail dresses, gowns, shoes, and handbags. New merchandise arrives daily. All sales are final, no exchanges, or returns.
Place & Time: 110 W. 19th St. (The Metropolitan Pavilion – North) (btwn. 6th & 7th Ave.); M & T: 10am-7pm

3/10–3/13 Liberty of London
Shop Target’s Liberty of London collection before it debuts nationwide at the brand’s four-day pop-up.
Place & Time: Liberty of London for Target Pop-up. 1095 Sixth Ave., at 42nd St.; W (11–8), Th–S (9–8).

3/12–3/13 Fenton/Fallon
Shop below-wholesale prices at the Fenton/Fallon jewelry sample sale.
Place & Time: 187 Chrystie St., nr. Rivington St.; F (noon–7), S (noon–6).

Through 4/4 Tumi
In honor of the brand’s 35th anniversary, take $100 off any full-price purchase of $300 or more at Tumi.
Various hours and locations

Through 4/30 Janes Closet
Shop dresses and accessories by Huit-Huit, Deborah Sweeny, and more at the Jane’s Closet pop-up shop in Williamsburg.
Place & Time: 60 N. 6th St., nr. Wythe Ave., Williamsburg, Brooklyn; M–W (1–7), Th–S (noon–8), Su (noon–6).

3/16 – 3/19 Chantelle
Chantelle’s 1st Ever Blowout Sample Sale – Over 50% off the leading French lingerie brand
Place & Time: 260 5th Ave (btwn. 28th & 29th Sts); Tue 5pm-7pm, Wed 10am-8pm, Thu 11am-8pm, Fri 10am-3pm

Have the inside scoop on an upcoming sale? Send your tips to info at newyorkdesigner.com

Speaking of Spain, the folks at FHM Espanol apparently follow a different set of “sexy cover shot guidelines” than their counterparts, as their covers aren’t (always) slapped with the ubiquitous sienna-tanned tartlet striking their best come-hither pose. If we lived in Spain, we would buy this magazine. (Well, we know we would look at it really long as we walked by the newstand). So, who did they opt for their cover this month? The lovely Iker Casillas, (goalie/Real Madrid) aka Saint Iker as he is referred to in the media for his skills.

We’ve said it before, but if the MLS wants to gain a fanbase and raise soccer awareness in the US…start with the ladies. Get those boys a team of stylists, dress ‘em up (and down) and get their sexy selves in front of our faces so we know who they are. I’ll once again refer to the D&G for AC Milan shower shot. How can this NOT work?

Happy Friday to all!

HP and Vivienne Tam have teamed up again in the form of The Butterfly Clutch. The HP Mini 210 Vivienne Tam Edition made its runway debut at New York Fashion Week as part of Tam’s spring 2010 collection last season.

HP announced today that customers in the U.S. can now reserve their clutch by calling +1 800 230 5752 or by visiting www.hp.com/viviennetam. (that link wasn’t working when we tried earlier, but we’re hoping they fix it soon)

The Butterfly Clutch will also will be available at U.S. retailers including Neiman Marcus, Amazon.com, Best Buy and J&R Electronics. Once the link above is adjusted, check back to find distributors worldwide.

The HP Mini 210 Vivienne Tam Edition is expected to be available March 19 with a starting price of $599.

We’re intrigued, but are personally a fan of the peony design over the butterfly. However, one snazzy feature…with a click of a button, the webcam turns into an instant “mirror”. Loving the female touch on technology.

We love us some D&G and embrace the whole world dressing in such style. The only problem in this equation…they have the skills to make a lingerie-look work and are assuming all consumers do too. hmmmm…You see where I’m going? Ladies, this is a look that should come with instructions. If you’re going to do it, rock the whole thing out and do it right.

Thank you Domenico & Stefano! LOVE.

It’s been a dreary winter. Usually I have the promise of spring fashion to marshall me through my winter blues. This year’s color palette left me cold, however. Blush tones and neutrals. Ugh. Not at all my colors, and not at all uplifting. So, this year I’ve decided to feather my nest with bright, cheery hues.

Target’s Room Essentials product line is perfect for those of us who want to inject some playfulness into our decor and do so on a budget. My favorites from the line are the melamine serving tray, utensil caddy, paper towel holder, kitchen canisters and bread box. I’m partial to the Wowzer Red, but the products also come in peppy shades of yellow, teal and green. With sticker prices ranging from $9.99 to $14.99, they’re just too cute to pass up.

Cut Costs Cuties!
Gemma

3/4–3/7 Earnest Sewn
Prices range from $15 to $100 at the Earnest Sewn sample sale. Jeans are $70 (originally $225), women’s dresses and tops are $50 (originally $225), women’s denim jackets are $70 (originally $275), and men’s button-downs are $30 (originally $155).
Place & Time: 94 Orchard St., n.r Delancey St.; Th–S (10–8), Su (10–7).

3/4 – 3/6 WINK
New York’s leader in the latest must-have women’s fashion is a favorite among A-list celebrities like Whitney Port and Katy Perry. At Wink’s warehouse sale you will find up to 80% off handbags, jewelry, apparel, and footwear. The brands on sale include, but are not limited to: Dolce Vita, Free People, Pencey, La Rok and Parker.
Time & Place: 188 Columbus Ave. (btwn 68th & 69th St.); Thu-Sat 11am-7pm

Through 4/30 Jane’s Closet
Shop dresses and accessories by Huit-Huit, Deborah Sweeny, and more at the Jane’s Closet pop-up shop in Williamsburg.
Place & Time: 60 N. 6th St., nr. Wythe Ave., Williamsburg, Brooklyn (212-772-0712); M–W (1–7), Th–S (noon–8), Su (noon–6).

3/4–3/7 ABC Carpet
Furniture, linens, rugs, and home accessories are up to 75 percent off at the ABC Carpet & Home Bronx warehouse sale.
Place & Time: ABC Carpet & Home Bronx Warehouse, 1055 Bronx River Ave., nr. Watson Ave. (718-842-8770); M–S (10–7), Su (11–6).

I normally avoid Victoria’s Secret like the plague. Honestly, I find the whole “Pink” aesthetic to be too girly, too obvious, and frankly, very unsexy. Not to mention that the model who currently graces the store window totally creeps me out. Seriously, she looks like she’s twelve. Oh, and I HATE when one of their sales people shoves a bottle of Heavenly in my face and says , “Smell it! It’s the nation’s #1 selling fragrance!” That’s not a selling point for me. I don’t want to smell like everyone else.

But, I DO want to smell like coconut! I want EVERYTHING to smell like coconut! It smells like the tropics and it smells like dessert. Yumm on both counts. So, when Vicky’s launched their Coconut Passion line of products, my inner coconut GPS had me storming their doors like a sorority girl at the annual bra and panty sale. What a pleasant surprise!

Victoria’s Secret offers a great 4 for $24 or 5 for $30 deal. You can mix and match the products; Eu de Toilette, Hand and Body Cream, Body lotion, Body Spray, Body Butter etc. The fragrance is a wonderful blend of vanilla, coconut and lily of the valley. On me, it is more coconut than vanilla, and I don’t smell the lily of the valley at all. It is also more foody than tropical. Delicious. Luscious and long lasting, but unfortunately, limited edition. Get some before it is gone.

Cut Costs Cuties!
Gemma

Among fashion designers, friends, industry professionals, and McQueen fans, the Prime Minister’s wife, Sarah Brown opened London Fashion Week AW10 with a minute of silence in memory of the late Alexander McQueen. Chairman of the British Fashion Council, Harold Tilman, paid a warm tribute to the talented designer and referred to him as a “genius” and “one of London’s leading lights”. Despite the sad passing of McQueen, Mrs. Brown said: “I’ve no doubt this will be a creative and inspiring Fashion Week.”

Inspiring and high tech…more than 40 designers at LFW are live streaming their FW10 shows including Paul Costelloe, Caroline Charles, Betty Jackson, John Rocha, Jasper Conran, Danielle Scutt, Henry Holland, Boudicca, Daks, Jaeger, Savannah and Sienna Miller’s Twenty8Twelve collection, and Australia’s Sass & Bide. Central Saint Martin’s MA graduates catwalk show is also on the digital agenda. It’s easier to count who is not streaming live.

To watch the remaining shows, check LFW LIVE for all updates.

Meanwhile, in Milan, Dolce & Gabbana has announced that both its mainline show and the younger, diffusion brand, D&G, will be “live” on SmartPhones and Androide mobiles.

On a final note, Alexander McQueen’s AW10 line was near completion prior to his death and will be shown in a private setting during Paris Fashion Week.

In the meantime, a few shots from the queen of punk, Ms Vivienne Westwood…