for the bargainistas

puss in boots

since moving back to new york, I have had my eye on female footwear. it gets cold here so its best to be fashionable and functional. most ladies are pairing their knee high boots with leggings but if you're looking to get a leg up on the competition, go the extra inch, literally, with these over-the-knee boots from victoria's secret. they are on the affordable side so you can save some money and go short on that skirt (to best show off your sexy new boots).

sarah = style?

ever since the story broke that sarah palin spent $150,000 on her wardrobe and accessories and an additional $20,000 on hair and make-up people, the GOP has radically pulled back on her appearance. she now looks like she is doing her own hair and make-up. and the clothes? ugh. before it was beautiful valentino, yves saint laurent suits. pure fashion fabulousness. I can't wait for this woman to disappear but I wouldn't mind finding out what consignment shop she's dropping the clothes off at.

moving on up... to the east side...

there has been speculation to my whereabouts recently. where I am. what I am doing. I am so eternally grateful to the lovely friends and fans that have been asking and anticipating what will happen next in the life of JESS ZAINO so I'm here to divulge all of my dirty secrets... it's true. I moved to new york. I left los angeles last week to join the ranks of tyra, martha and rachel. I left los angeles to build a lifestyle brand that can be made available to everyone (female fashionistas of course being my targeted audience). I have been working on my debut acccessory line, street chic by jess zaino and I am buried under writing a book. I am so excited about these newest adventures because it means I am taking it to the next level. for you. by me. stay tuned for more.... xxoJZ

crazy for kamali

there is a wal-mart close to where I am currently staying in new york. I have not been to a wal-mart since my days on the NASA national tour. I am glad to have been reunited as I was unaware of the fabulousness of the norma kamali for wal-mart line they carry. I don't know whether it was the "research" I am doing for a style on the dime book or the fact that I needed some halloween make-up on the cheap, but I popped in and picked up some of the cutest, most efficient, effective pieces I've had in a while. norma kamali is known for her fashion forward designs that flatter, transform and work to achieve minimalist sophistication while still being innovative and interesting. this inexpensive line is a great way to get some basics on a budget from an american fashion icon.

bye bye mr. blackwell

Fashion critic Mr. Blackwell dies in Los Angeles
Oct. 20, 2008, 6:25 AM EST
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Mr. Blackwell, the acerbic designer whose annual worst-dressed list skewered the fashion felonies of celebrities from Zsa Zsa Gabor to Britney Spears, has died. He was 86.

Blackwell died Sunday of complications from an intestinal infection, publicist Harlan Boll said.

Blackwell, whose first name was Richard, was a little-known dress designer when he issued his first tongue-in-cheek criticism of Hollywood fashion disasters for 1960 — long before Joan Rivers and others turned such ridicule into a daily affair.

Year after year, he would take Hollywood's reigning stars and other celebrities to task for failing to dress in what he thought was the way they should.

Being dowdy was bad enough, but the more outrageous clothing a woman wore, the more biting his criticism. He once said a reigning Miss America looked "like an armadillo with cornpads."

A few other examples:

Madonna: "The Bare-Bottomed Bore of Babylon."

Barbra Streisand: "She looks like a masculine Bride of Frankenstein."

Christina Aguilera: "A dazzling singer who puts good taste through the wardrobe wringer."

Meryl Streep: "She looks like a gypsy abandoned by a caravan."

Sharon Stone: "An over-the-hill Cruella DeVille."

Lindsay Lohan: "From adorable to deplorable."

Patti Davis: "Packs all the glamour of an old, worn-out sneaker."

Ann-Margret: "A Hells Angel escapee who invaded the Ziegfeld Follies on a rainy night."

Camilla Parker-Bowles: "The Duchess of Dowdy."

Bjork: "She dances in the dark — and dresses there, too."

Spears: "Her bra-topped collection of Madonna rejects are pure fashion overkill."

The critic acknowledged he had mixed feelings about appearing so publicly mean. Most of the women he put through the wringer, he said, were people he genuinely admired for their talent if not their fashion sense.

"The list is and was a satirical look at the fashion flops of the year," he said in 1998. "I merely said out loud what others were whispering. ... It's not my intention to hurt the feelings of these people. It's to put down the clothing they're wearing."

He told the Los Angeles Times in 1968 that designers were forgetting that their job "is to dress and enhance women. ... Maybe I should have named the 10 worst designers instead of blaming the women who wear their clothes."

Surprisingly, the woman who topped his worst dressed list for 1982 (announced in early 1983) was the newly married Diana, Princess of Wales. He said she had gone from "a very young, independent, fresh look" to a "tacky, dowdy" style. She quickly regained her footing and wound up as a regular on Blackwell's favorites list, the "fabulous fashion independents."

Blackwell had started out as an actor himself, having been spotted by a talent agent while still in his teens. He landed a job as an understudy in the Broadway production of Sidney Kingsley's heralded drama "Dead End."

Although he got to the play the role of the Dead End Kids' leader on stage only one time, it led him to Hollywood where he landed bit parts in such films as "Little Tough Guy" (uncredited) and "Juvenile Hall" (as Dick Selzer).

He abandoned his acting career in 1958 after failing to make it in movies and switched to fashion design. He claimed to be the first to make designer jeans for women, and his salon had begun to attract a few Hollywood names when he issued his first list covering the fashion faux pas of 1960. (Italian star Anna Magnani and Gabor were among his early victims.)

It quickly brought him the celebrity he had long coveted, and he quickly became a favorite on the TV talk show circuit. He also became for a time, in his words, "The worst bitch in the world."

He hosted his own show, "Mr. Blackwell Presents," in 1968 and appeared as himself in such TV shows as "Matlock" and "Matt Houston."

In 1992, he sued Johnny Carson for claiming that he had added Mother Teresa to his list, saying the comment exposed him to hatred and ridicule. NBC's response was that the "Tonight Show" host was obviously joking.

"Did you see what he said about Mother Teresa? 'Miss Nerdy Nun is a fashion no-no,'" Carson had said. "Come on now, that's just too much."

During his heyday the issuing of Blackwell's annual list was an eagerly anticipated media event.

On the second Tuesday in January he would assemble reporters at his mansion for a lavish breakfast before making a dramatic entrance for the television cameras.

By the turning of the millennium, however, the list had lost its juice and Blackwell took to issuing it by e-mail.

Born Richard Sylvan Selzer in 1922, Blackwell recounted in his autobiography, "From Rags to Bitches," a troubled, poverty-ridden childhood in which he was variously a truant, thief and prostitute.

palin comparison

even in ciudad de mexico, the debates were a hot number. caitlin, michael and I settled down in front of the television last night to catch the buenos aires BBC airing of the vice presedential debates. I am sorry but I do not think in any way did sarah palin show sign of a renewed hope for the republican party as some analysts have said. they should be ashamed. my father said it best with (to quote) --

"I could not watch the debate beyond 25 minutes. Palin is a cheer leader not a leader. She certainly can win the job of hostess at a Interstate Cracker Barrel with her down home words and cutesy demeanor but "SCARY" to think that she could even step foot into a high level job as vice-president. People are so enthralled with her manner, when did that become important? If that is the case how did Cheney manage with his lack of manner and bullying mannerism." -- richard zaino

I agree completely. adios mio. on another note, the city has been experiencing beautiful weather. and I am now hooked on jugo de papaya y fresa. y tacos.

my big fat mexican birthday

I am in mexico city. it is lovely here, have you been? a mash up of a charming spain with the energy, chic-ness and architecture of new york city. if it wasn't for those damn kidnappers, it would be perfecto. yesterday was my 32nd birthday, I am proud to admit and we had a most tranquilo day. caitlin made cupcakes and I opened presents (thanks mom and dad for my fab new SLR and to cait for my W hotel reiki session) and we took a walk through parco mexico and had dinner at condessa d.f. it is sunny here, is as not usually the case because of the massive urban pollution so we are taking advatange and heading to the pyramids. ole!

sweat her

sweater jackets are the thing this fall and winter. just bought the patricia field black piece on hsn. make sure to take a look because items are moving fast but these are fashion you don't want to miss out on.

these are a few of my favorite things...

what I worship right now:

1. hoodies for fall
2. menswear inspired old school penny loafers
3. plaid
4. the rockin' clutch I just designed for my JZ collection (coming soon)
5. kat von d. and our upcoming tattoo date
6. estelle
7. cheap flights on virgin america airlines
8. roscoe's chicken and waffles
9. tarte's celebutante shimmery body oil spray
10. you

pop tarte

I am in love with tarte cosmetics! I have used their product for years now and enjoyed the quirky collections, terrific ingredients and creative packaging. their cheek stains, yummy lip glosses, shimmery body oil sprays and perfect eyebrow shaper kit have literally been at the top of my makeup kit for as long as the company has been around. that all said, they have a new line of "healthy" product as party of their healthy couture line. tons of fruity antioxident and vitamin infused flavors that will plump your lips with E and smooth out your skin with the beauty secrets of the goji berry. I've just applied my rise & shine lip stain and I feel healthier already.

wanna look younger?

check it out here.

the budget fashionista 5-year bash

just one frickin day

Model/Do-Gooder/Isabella Rosallini daughter, Ellettra Wiedermann & her beau James Marshall started up the initiative, Just One Frickin Day . com which brings solar power to a hospital in Burundi, Africa. With the help of HOUSE OF DIEHL, Rogan, Phillip Lim, Rag and Bone, Chris Benz and more they are making really frickin cool t-shirts to sell online for the funds needed. I attended the reception Saturday night at the newly-renovated Morgan Hotel to find out what people would do if they had one frickin day. Too bad I didn't have solar power to camera, coz my footgae is dark but you hopefully get the picture.

destination: patricia field

I attended the patricia field for hsn: destination new york fashion show this saturday night at the edelstein ballroom as part of NY fashion week. okay, so I may be a trend expert and on-air contributer to hsn but that does not make me biased on the beautiful creations ms. field has made for hsn. complete with her sex in the city studded belt, the pieces are darling and so signature patricia field. friends such as vanessa williams, judith light, lady bunny and more came out in support. kudos to the peeps at hsn for putting together such a fab offering for the hsn audience. now women from around the globe can get patricia field gorgeous with the click of a button!

haute pink please

last night I attended the advant-garde fashion show of my glam god castmate, indashio. this little magic maker spared no expense in creating a collection that will surely have people talking. held at mansion on 28th, indashio rolled out the pink carpet to welcome party-goers, including our other glam god peeps chris and genelle. his show, which was inspired by oragami was a dozen or so pieces constructed of splattered pink newspaper fitted with clear duct tape. although it may sound like a school project, it was quite innovative, creative and could create a fury of talk for a celeb on any red...or pink carpet. tonite, I'm heading to the patricia field for hsn party. stay tuned.

NY Fashion Week: Total Booty

NY Fashion Week: The JZ Files

oh my gawd, I'm an angeleno!

something very strange happened this morning. I am staying with a friend downtown nyc and wanted to a little food shopping for the house at the new trader joe's on 14th street. when I got there and asked where the agave nectar was in my victoria's secret pink sweatpants (for the gym visit afterwards), holding my iced latte and wearing my oversized dark shades, I realized 'oh god no, I'm an angeleno!!' I was born and raised in new york and come from generations of new yorkers. seriously, no one in my family since they came over on the boat in 1913 has ever lived or known anything else. it was quite an eye-opening moment being surrounding by in the know new yorkers in their fitted black yoga pants and normal food choices (other than the soy, non fat, whey powder wheat shakes of hollywood). who knew I would have an existential breakdown in the cereal isle of trader joe's. more on the subject as I figure it out for myself.

ladies first

cindy mccain is speaking at the republican national convention today. as is laura bush. its just like a crusty republican way past his prime to think that shoving a panel of women in the face of america, including a pick for a female vice president, just because the nation responded s strongly to hillary clinton, is a way to show progress. as obama said, it's not because you are not patriotic, it' that you just don't get it. the nation didn't respond to hillary because she was a woman you dinosaurs!, it was because as a person she is brilliant. and how about that michelle obama? totally cute fashion sense, right?