Easygoing but oh-so-cute! From MICHAEL Michael Kors.

Summer’s here!  Okay, maybe summer isn’t QUITE here yet, but I for one am getting antsy in anticipation of all of those great summer weekends.  No, they’re not any longer unless you’re lucky enough to have “summer Fridays,” but getting out of town for the day or the weekend is so much more enticing when the weather turns warm.  Must-haves?  Well, aside from a swimsuit and a cute pair of sandals, a stylish tote is just what you need to speed your weekend getaways.  For an overnight or a trip to the beach, who wants to mess with luggage?  The right tote will hold everything you need and look great while doing it. Memorial Day is just around the corner, so here are some picks to get you ready for a summer on the run!

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AJ recently shared her tips for living the fab life frugally, including the great tip to Google for online coupon codes before you buy at websites like jcrew.com.  I’m sorry to say that it never occurred to me to even try that one before the last year, but now that I know, I’ll never go back.  Even better than Googling?  Coupon Craze, an online database of discount and promotional codes for all kinds of online retailers.  Coupon Craze does Google one better by letting you not only search for codes for specific retailers, but also browse coupon codes by category.  Want jewelry codes, cell phones?  Just click on the category and see what catches your eye.  They even have a feature for online codes that expire soon so that you can make sure you don’t miss out on something good.  And for things that you really need to shop for in person?  You can enter your zip code to print out in-store coupons for a wide variety of products.  So, shop, save, and enjoy!

This morning I received an e-mail from Bergdorf Goodman offering me Valentino’s pre-fall collection.  This is the second e-mail they’ve sent me offering me pre-fall wear, and all I can say is, are you joking?  It is currently pre-fall the way the fall of Constantinople was pre-automobile. I have, quite frankly, not even reached the point where buying stuff in flirty summery fabrics is starting to call to me, although possibly this weekend’s weather will change that.  FALL?  Good God, people.  Can’t you let me get to summer first?  Or, you know, MAY?

Look, I realize that in recent years the designers have been trying to extend the seasons with pre-fall and resort collections so that we’re not all stuck waiting for things to happen only twice a year.  I’m all for new fashions coming in more regularly.  I also realize that the retailers are being hit hard by the current state of the economy.  But really, can’t we agree to observe some standard of decency in advertising?

I will give fair warning right now, anyone who starts pitching me Christmas stuff before October is going to get an earful!

Eryn brinié

This past Wednesday, the Eryn brinié collection previewed its Summer collection at the brand’s SOHO store (for you New Yorkers, the store is at Spring and Broome).  And the collection was a resounding success!

In fact, it could have been designed for me!  The Spring/Summer pieces are more relaxed than we’ve seen over the past few seasons, incorporating some of my current favorite detailing: slouchy draping, drop waists and asymmetrical gatherings.  The airy, flowy shapes find their counterparts in square cropped jackets, high waists and slim denim cuts.

Eryn brinié is known for creating designs that incorporate a femminine flirtiness and playfulness, resulting in pieces that are airy, delicate and completely wearable (thanks to an innate layer-ability).  This season, the line evolved to embrace a masculine sentiment, as the boyfriend styles seen on the runways were interpreted through the brand’s signature look.  The resulting designs combined mod cuts and antique fabrics, boxy shapes with girly ruffles, even romantic pastel hues with rich earth tones.

More pics of the event, and some of my fave items, after the jump!

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Proving once again that science is a VITAL part of our lives, a crackpot team of researchers has determined which cities are the most cat-friendly (if you’re keeping score, they would be: Tampa, Phoenix, San Francisco, Portland (Oregon), Denver, Boston, Seattle, San Diego, Atlanta, and Minneapolis).

But the real breakthrough of this study?  Finally putting to bed, once and for all, the myth of the unmarried cat lady (I told you it was a myth, Grandma!).  Turns out, there’s a higher percentage of unmarried men in these cities than unmarried women.

Turns out, the infamous “cat ladies” actually have their pick of the litter:

Anthony Foaming Hair and Body Wash

When it comes to men’s products, one line I really love (and have reviewed before) is Anthony Logistics for Men.  Well, the brand has given me one additional reason to respect it (above and beyond their award-winning products): 100 percent of the profits from the gentle Anthony For Little Men Foaming Hair and Body Wash (created to commemorate the birth of founder Anthony Sosnick’s twin sons) through the end of May will be donated to the Hope For Kai fund.

Look, I’ll just put it this way: I’ve worked with a lot of brands, and many have run charitable programs before.  The “charitable” aspect is really the last thing the brands want to be involved in – despite the hype around their “giving,” they always cap the total amount they’ll give, or will put a limit on the amount of cash-per-product (I’ve seen it as low as five cents!).  Anthony isn’t doing that – while there is an understandable time limit, the monetary limit they’re providing is limited only by the amount of people who buy the Anthony Foaming Hair and Body Wash.

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Back to the wonderful world of tea!  We’ve hit the highlights of some of the Chinese teas.  Leaving tea’s birthplace behind, we only need to cross the waters eastward to Japan, to find some of the best green teas around. Unlike Chinese green teas, Japanese green teas are steamed for 15 to 45 seconds to prevent oxidation before the leaves are rolled and dried.  If you take a look at the tea before it’s brewed, the leaves are a brighter, truer green than Chinese green teas and have a characteristic needle-like appearance. You may have noticed on occasion a seaweedy flavor to certain Japanese greens?  The difference stems from this added step.  Here are a few of the best Japanese greens.

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Now available to 17 year olds, without a prescription

When I heard the news that Plan B is now available to 17 year olds (who are, legally, old enough to consent to sex), I rejoiced.  Then braced myself for the far-right vitirol that was surely to follow.

Sadly, I didn’t brace myself well enough:

What next? Over-the-counter roofies?

Plan B — the drug that allows guys to breathe a sigh of relief the morning after using some chick for selfish pleasure — will now be available to 17-year-olds without a prescription.

Who cares that she’s not even old enough to buy a pack of cigarettes legally? Get her drunk on wine coolers, get what you want, then the next morning, take her to CVS to get Plan B and make sure there’s no chance the slut will show up in a few months talking child support payments and DNA tests.

So guys, if you screw a 17-year-old and “forget” to use a condom, remember: Nothing says “thanks a lot, you cheap whore” like the gift of Plan B!

That would be uber conservative Robert Stacy McCain.  Whom I can only assume was unable to catch that rant’s blatant look at his psyche (it scares me that he didn’t pick up on that).  And to whom I can only say: WHAT THE FUCK, DUDE?

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Adorable summer jacket from Theory.

As you may recall, Betsy’s third request for her spring wardrobe update was cardigans or other cover-ups that she can put over dresses.  Last time we covered cardigans; today we’re going to talk jackets.  Now, I’m not going to cover the standard blazer today.  Absolutely, they’re always business-appropriate.  But this is Betsy’s office and not mine.  At her office, there’s a little more emphasis on looking fashionable and a little less on looking formal.  There are a million great variations on the blazer out there, but I’m going to try to stay away from jackets that look like they ought to go with a pencil skirt.

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Never thought you would hear those words come out of my mouth, eh? Well watch this clip of Shep Smith summing up with unbelievable brevity and clarity in three, little words why we DO.NOT.TORTURE.

That’s right. We are America. End of story.

And also, I just really enjoyed the added florish of the f-bomb.