It’s that time of year again. Tomorrow night a new America’s Next Top Model will be crowned and too-sweet-for-comfort Whitney’s unmerited stint as the reigning champ will finally come to a much-appreciated end.

With such a weighty decision looming on the horizon, there’s one question on our minds: Why can’t we shake the weeknight guilty pleasure that is ANTM? We really should have quit watching when controversial celebrity judge Janice Dickinson left the panel, taking most of the show’s fun with her.

Now all we’re left with is off-the-rocker host Tyra Banks, whom you might recognize from her recurring role as comedic fodder on E!’s The Soup. Oh, and she also found some success as a supermodel.

But seriously, who is going to be America’s…Next…Top…Mo…del? (more…)

Tuesday night, we primped and preened for the opening party for the new Mizu salon at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. The local elite squad was out in full force, dressed to kill, and showing off their most fabulous fall numbers with the chic coifs to match.

Once through Mizu’s entrance, we tunneled into a bright white cavernous space that made us think of an Arctic igloo. Evocative of the Swedish Ice Hotel, the futuristic aesthetic and minimalist decor is like no other salon we’ve ever seen in town.

Mizu is the first of two new salons by Elan Sassoon—one here, and one in New York—and yes, he’s the son of Vidal Sassoon. He takes after dad, for sure. Reknowned architect Niall McLaughlin designed the place, which is equipped with incredible technology like eyewear that allows guests to watch TV while getting revamped in the stylist’s chair. As for the services, they offer cuts, color, and makeup application—all of which promise to compliment each customer’s bone structure and individual style. (more…)

Last week, posh jewelry shop Dorfman welcomed esteemed American jewelry designer Henry Dunay for a trunk show in celebration of his book A Precious Life. The dapper, soft-spoken Dunay showed off his collection with all the romanticism one could hope for from a 73-year-old jewelry legend. “When I see the shine in the customer’s eyes, I can tell she saw what I wanted her to see when I was designing it,” he gushed. “It’s my art.”

Filled with his collection, the glass cases glistened with grandiose tanzanite rings, glittery diamond bracelets, and a breathtaking one-of-a-kind necklace that combined unique shades of coral and rare black and green jade.

And that’s not to mention his most famous masterpiece on the market: the Lachrymosa Mask, a platinum and gold spectacle with 749 diamonds and a price tag of, ahem, $1 million, which is all to benefit AIDS research organization AmFar. Originally designed for Elizabeth Taylor, the mask has also been worn by Princess Diana and Vendela Kirseborn. (more…)

Bostonista had too much fun last night. We indulged in mandatory office fun at our staff bowling party at Kings. Next, under the influence of Chowder, we indulged in carnivorous fun over the largest steak we’ve ever seen at Toro.

Then we indulged in some Stevie Wonder-fueled dancing fun with Barbara Lynch at The Butcher Shop. Now, we’re hurting from that fun. (more…)

Bostonista’s trip down south to catch Fashion Week in New York was brief, but as jam-packed as ever. The trends: Longer hemlines (modesty is back), ultra-sheer anything (but not for long), beige, XL belts, and, obviously, Gossip Girl.

With a disclaimer that we didn’t make it to town in time to catch Marc Jacobs, the favorites: (more…)

As a shopper, I can pretty much justify anything. That doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate a good excuse. Which is why I’m all over the upcoming I Have Nothing to Wear shopping event, which happens next Thursday, Sept. 18, from 5 to 7 p.m.

For $50, I get discounts on clothing, shoes, lingerie, and beauty products I may or may not need in the name of — no, not me! — charity. Twenty boutiques along Newbury and Charles Streets—including Marc Jacobs, Nanette Lepore, French Dressing, and the Beauty Mark—will offer ticketholders 15 percent off anything in store. (more…)

Hypothetically speaking, if we were obsessed with Mandy Moore, the single entitled “Crush” from her self-titled 2001 album in which she coos, “Ooh, I wish I could tell somebody / But there’s no one to talk to, nobody knows / I’ve got a crush on you / A crush on you, I got a crush” would sum up exactly how we feel about the popstar.

And if that was the case, we would gloat just a little bit because we share hair colorist extrordinaire Jeffrey Lyle with the A Walk to Remember star, who frequents Boston because she’s from Nashua, New Hampshire. (more…)

At this weekend’s Daytime Emmy Awards, the Oscars of talk show and soap TV, Guiding Light starlet Gina Tognoni took home the best supporting actress award. Now, readers are probably wondering why this warrants a post; after all, it’s unlike Bostonista to be glued to the tube for mid-day dramas (we get enough of that in the office, thank you).

Here’s why: The winning woman was dressed by local designer Michael De Paulo. A regular on the Boston style and social scenes, De Paulo has been sketching and sewing cocktail and couture gowns for the past few years. Known locally for outfitting his muse, Tonya Mezrich, he specializes in bright, dramatic dresses.

(more…)

Password, the greatest mind-word game of all time is back on TV (it originally hit the airways in 1961 but hasn’t seen prime time since the ’80s). This time it’s got a flashier Million Dollar title and prize to match, and comes with the cuddly Regis Philbin as host. To spice things up more, contestants play with friendly celebs like Rachael Ray, Tony Hawk, and Neil Patrick Harris (my pick for a partner; Doogie knows how to take a hint). (more…)

We were pretty jazzed when Kiehl’s decided to open its hallowed doors on Newbury Street six years ago, and when the beauty legend joined the roster of stores at the Burlington Mall Wednesday night, we made sure we were there, too.

In celebration of the store’s grand opening, native Burlington Amy Poehler was there to accept donations on behalf of Kiehl’s to some of her favorite charities: Rosie’s Place, the Children’s Hospital Boston – Cystic Fibrosis Center, and the Burlington High School drama department. Dressed in a gorgeous cerulean dress with modest scoop-neck, Poehler joked about being back in her home town.

“It’s really odd to be in the Burlington Mall without being asked to move along,” she laughed. (more…)