My friend Amy pointed me to Wear Palettes, a blog that finds the Pantone palette for outfits profiled on The Sartorialist.

It’s kind of brilliant in its simplicity — someone else takes the pictures, they just match the colors. But the two websites really do make you think a little bit: For one, I see the palette of some outfits and marvel that someone managed to pull together six colors — SIX! — in one look. (Click each of the thumbnails above to see the photo in a larger size.) Most days I’m lucky to hit three in an outfit (shirt, pants, shoes) and I know some people who have trouble putting together just two.

And it’s also interesting to see what you notice about the outfits. For example, in the photo at top, The Sartorialist writes, “Notice the covered buttons on the jacket” (yes, that site lets you see the photos much, MUCH larger), whereas I was fixated only on the length of the pants, which to me looks thismuch too short.

And as an aside, I also find this website, which my friend Albert pointed me to, entertaining as well. Not technically style-related, but let’s just say that St. Louis Cardinals picture Brad Thompson, Eagles frontman Don Henley and … that guy who used to be in Take That, apparently, all have a certain look. …

ammit

WHAT SAM WORE: 6/30/08
The shirt: Short-sleeved polo shirt (Old Navy)
The pants: Khakis by Chip & Pepper (Last Chance)
The shoes: Flip-flops by Quiksilver
The scent: Snow by Demeter

sammit

Ever wondered what that high-fashion garment would look like in real life? For the visuals for her latest album, one of my favorite singers, Roísín Murphy, took that conceit and ran with it: For her CD covers, she and her creative director decided she’d play the role of a 24-hour pop star, decked out in extravagant designs but in the most mundane of places.

(more…)

Last night to celebrate my birthday (June 19) and his (June 25), my friend Funny Michael scored us tickets to the True Colors Tour at Dodge Theatre. Highly recommended — thanks, Cyndi Lauper! While we were wandering through the lobby before the show we spied two girls who had dressed Totally ’80s for the occasion — side ponytails, crimped hair, neon, big earrings. I declared that I would have my photo taken with them.

After they got shunted over to stage left for dancing too much, Michael and I ran over and scored this snapshot. This photo does not do justice to the amount of attention they paid to their look. If you recognize them, let me know!

(And then later at Amsterdam, TV host/time filler/inexplicable fashionista Carson Kressley came up and straddled Michael on a couch after we told him he had been “very entertaining.” I’d hate to see how he takes a real compliment.

ammit

WHAT SAM WORE: 6/25/08
The shirt: Short-sleeved vintage shirt by Bugelfrei (Buffalo Exchange)
The pants: Relaxed jeans by 7 For All Mankind (Last Chance)
The shoes: Velcro-fastened mesh and suede sneakers by Puma (Puma Factory Store, Palm Springs, Calif.)
The scent: Kiss Him cologne spray
Listening to: After the True Colors tour last night, “Rock Lobster” by The B-52’s, “Into the Nighlife” by Cyndi Lauper, “Crimson & Clover” by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts

sammit

In other “reality”-show news, “America’s Next Top Model” is already casting for Cycle 12.

I find it eerily coincidental that in less than a week they are traveling to the only three cities I’ve lived in/near — Missoula, Montana (really, the Elks Club lodge? Classy, Tyra Banks!); Billings, Montana; and Grand Junction, Colorado — while skipping cities like, say, Denver or Phoenix or Scottsdale. Maybe they’re convinced all the Scottsdale girls have already tried out for Playboy or skeevy dating shows?

And bad news, Gov. Janet Napolitano: You may be taller than 5′7″, but according to “ANTM” eligibility requirements, women who are public officials are out of contention. But take heart: There are no such restrictions for this MTV show! Or this one!

ammit

WHAT SAM WORE: 6/25/08
The shirt: Four-button short-sleeved jersey shirt (American Apparel)
The pants: Relaxed khakis by Chip & Pepper (Last Chance)
The shoes: Leather sneakers by Puma (Nordstrom)
The scent: Helmut Lang eau de cologne
Listening to: “How Am I To Be” by The Watson Twins

sammit

The final season of “Project Runway” on original network Bravo will begin in three weeks (July 16) at a new time (9 p.m. Eastern — I can’t remember how it works with cable networks, but I think that actually translates to 9 p.m. here, too).

Heidi Klum, Tim Gunn, Nina Garcia and Michael Kors will all be back in place.

ammit

WHAT SAM WORE: 6/25/08
The shirt: Four-button short-sleeved jersey shirt (American Apparel)
The pants: Relaxed khakis by Chip & Pepper (Last Chance)
The shoes: Leather sneakers by Puma (Nordstrom)
The scent: Helmut Lang eau de cologne
Listening to: “How Am I To Be” by The Watson Twins

sammit

About a month ago the Women’s National Basketball Association and Adidas launched an “i-design” contest that asked fans to create a shooting shirt either for their favorite WNBA team or for the 2008 Finals. (The shirt above, by “basketfan76,” was among the better Mercury designs I found on the site.)

The winning designs will be determined by representatives from the WNBA and Adidas, not online voting.

The creator of each winning team design will receive two tickets to a WNBA game, an autographed-by-the-whole-team version of the shirt itself, and an Adidas prize pack. (What, no cash?) The team will wear the shirt during its Fan Appreciation Night.

The creator of the winning Finals shirt wins an all-expense-paid trip for two to a Finals game. The participating teams will wear that shirt during one game of the Finals.

The last day for entries is July 31. More information — and a downloadable toolkit with logos and base shirt — are here. So far there are only about a dozen Mercury designs, so get to it!

ammit

WHAT SAM WORE: 6/25/08
The shirt: Four-button short-sleeved jersey shirt (American Apparel)
The pants: Relaxed khakis by Chip & Pepper (Last Chance)
The shoes: Leather sneakers by Puma (Nordstrom)
The scent: Helmut Lang eau de cologne
Listening to: “How Am I To Be” by The Watson Twins

sammit

Continuing with today’s theme of spa treatments …

Several of the spa treatments that author Eileen Barish highlights in “Best Spas USA: The Guidebook to Luxury Resort, Hotel and Destination Spas” ($24.95) are offered at East Valley spas — and some sound particularly refreshing right now. A couple of her picks:

(more…)

To celebrate her 50th birthday on June 26, Le Bonne Vie day spa owner Virginia Trujillo is offering several treatments for only $50 through June 28.

(more…)

I really think I could have rendered my opinion based solely on the word “raffia.”

(more…)

Back when I was organizing fashion shoots on a more regular basis (as in, more than once every two years or so), I made the trek up to the (then-) recently opened Scarpé boutique in north Scottsdale to meet the owner, Tennille, and borrow shoes by Donald J. Pliner Couture and Cynthia Vincent. And every time I’ve stopped by Sol y Sombra for dinner, I always peer in to see what’s on the shelves.

(more…)