A fascinating Wall Street Journal story this week brought to Shopperati’s attention that fierce little Christian Siriano’s fashion line is not doing so well. We are alarmed! And flummoxed! He received all manner of shiny happy reviews when he debuted his spring ‘09 collection during Fashion Week recently, plus he won Project Runway last year, plus Victoria Beckham likes him! Does there have to be more?

Apparently, yes. Siriano’s first collection depends on $650 stretch pants and $2,500 dresses for its survival in an economy where people are reconsidering the $4 they spend at Starbucks in the morning. Sigh. A massive economic downturn can be so bothersome for the fashion industry.

So, let’s do our homework. Let’s do our part. Let’s take another look at Siriano’s creations for spring, (a) in case we end up seeing them in the stores after all, and (b) in case we never see them again:

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Halloween? We’ve given it its 15 minutes and we’ve moved on. Take a ride with us as we look for online style diversions that have nothing to do with witches, ghosts or sugar highs:

We adore Denimology, a UK blog all jazzed about finding the perfect pair of jeans (not to mention the perfect celebrity body wearing those  jeans).  It’s where you’ll find Jennifer Aniston and Angelina Jolie in Lofli ($176-$198), Liv Tyler in 7 for All Mankind ($194), and Katie Holmes in PPRS ($325-$360).

The Well Heeled Society offers this mission statement: “Sometimes life’s destiny does not include you being swept off your feet. Sometimes it’s just standing in the light of your completeness . . . wearing fabulous shoes.” Indeed, we say, especially when it’s a silver Jessica Bennett strappy sandal ($118) or a shiny red Vince Camuto Mary Jane on sale ($99, was $122, right).

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We totally agree with designer-to-the stars Mary Norton: “Some days only a fiercely beautiful pair of shoes and handbag will do.”  Chic celebs agree too: such as Teri Hatcher, Carrie Underwood, Katherine Heigl, Queen Latifah,  Jennifer Lopez and Miley Cyrus. They’ve all carried Mary Norton handbags and clutches and stepped into her thing-of-beauty shoes. Now we can too, through the new Mary Norton online boutique.

Some of you may know Mary from her wildly successful handbag company, Moo Roo (named for her daughters Micah and Reilly), which she started in 1998 after having a dream about making handbags out of flowers.

 From there, she went on to be named a rising star in 2004 by Fashion Group International, Inc. and the Accessories Council. In 2006 Mary re-launched her luxury accessory collection under her own name and opened two boutiques in her hometown of Charleston, S.C.,  and Melrose Place in Los Angeles.

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Perhaps all this recent talk of mavericks has you hankering to channel your inner cowgirl; if that’s the case you may want to check out Pinto Ranch.  You’ll find an extensive assortment of merchandise guaranteed to have you looking - as Tina Fey would say - “mavericky” in no time. 

Photos by Evans Caglage, Fashion at the Park, NorthPark Center, Fall 2008

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OK, maybe we’re going too far, calling this Stone Forest tub the most fab on the planet. But with all the stress over politics and the economy and credit cards and gasoline . . . well, getting into this baby every night would probably ease some tensions. No, we don’t know how much it costs, but it’s hand-carved granite, so it’s not going to be cheap.

What price can you put on reaching a zen-like state of calm every day - whether in it, or just looking at it?Think of it as a way to jump-start the economy. Want to see a couple of their other bathtubs? Yea, we thought so:

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One of fall’s fun fashion trends is print dresses. Some designers mixed them up with clashing plaids or loopy crocheted  overlays for that “I’m so trendy I’m hard to look at” look. But others opted for beautiful, colorful prints that need no other adornment.  Some are sedate with a minimalist pattern, while others are a wild rainbow of blocks or artistic shapes.

One thing’s for sure about these skin-hugging print dresses: they are not for the faint of heart or the un-fit.

1. The prince of prints, Emilio Pucci, shows the others how it’s done with a “cinguettio” silk jersey dress from Saks. The clingy colorful dress is guaranteed to show off every curve. $1,535, above left.

2. If Pucci is the prince, then Diane von Furstenberg is the queen of prints. She continues her reign - usually a more toned-down look for her more low-key customers - with this gray, pink and white color-block Tilly dress from Barneys Coop, above right. The dress is $229, on sale from $345.

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Flamboyant fashionistas have long understood the impact of a great hat. Just look at those S&TC London premiere pics of Sarah Jessica Parker in her Philip Treacy cocktail hat. 

Now the rest of us style-obsessed folks may soon come to appreciate this singular accessory. Hats were a prominent feature at many fall 2008 fashion shows.  Designers accessorized their runway looks with an assortment of berets, knit caps, cocktail hats, floppy fedoras, newsboy styles and more. 

Photos by Evans Caglage, Fashion at the Park, NorthPark Center, Fall 2008

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You’ve switched out the short-sleeves for the sweaters, the furnace is fueled and outdoors, colors and light have mellowed and deepened. Summer’s floral scents are so over, but save us from the nutmeg and spice, at least for a few more weeks. 

What aroma are you yearning for? Vanilla.

Warm, intimate vanilla: it’s cream-colored linens and candlelight dinners, and a drop on the nape of your neck, innocent and seductive.

Start with candles, and everything else will fall into place. Illuminations offers up vanilla poundcake scented candles in almost every shape and size you can imagine ($6 to $24, top), and then adds a bit of mint if you’re a bit of a different drummer ($10-$24).

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