Any expectant mother's in your life? Well we've got a Mother's Day gift for her. Kimberly Allers, former business editor at Essence, has written a fabulous book of tips for Moms to be. The Mocha Manual covers all the anxieties and joys of impending motherhood. Allers gives advice on everything from fashion to stretch marks. It's available on the web site and the DVD that features even more mom advice is at WalMart's nationwide. In an attempt at full disclosure I must tell you I went to journalism school with Allers. I watched the entreprennurialism bug in her grow. Not only is there this book, the feisty CEO is also behind a line of T-shirts and onsies celebrating mommydom. A pink T-shirt with a chocolate arrow pointing toward a tummy that reads: "This is why I'm hot." is hot!

By the time the Metropolitan Museum's Costume Gala was in full swing, I was back in Philadelphia about to watch singerMario's final moments on Dancing With the Stars. (Oh the sadness.) Anyway, like you I trolled the internet to get a glimpse of the ankle-length confections and I found most of them rather humdrum. Kimora Lee Simmons strapless dress stained glass-like concoction was almost as weird as Vogue editor, Anna Wintour's elaborately padded Chanel Gown that made her look like an aged Glenda the Goodwitch. But my favorite dress of the night was Eva Longoria's full-skirted aubergine Marchesa gown. It's beautiful. I was taken away by the pleated pieces all over. In monochromatic tones, this was beautiful. What do you think?

I went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art Monday to view the opening of the Costume Institute's new fashion exhibit, Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy. I went out of curiosity. Well, really I wanted to see the Wonder Woman costume. You see, I was Wonder Woman every year for atleast the first five years of my life. I wore the Ben Cooper version of the costume. My little brown hands peeked out from underneath the plastic one piece that looked nothing like the sexy bathingsuit Lynda Carter wore. And in the cool New York October air, I usually wore the costume over a sweatsuit and sometimes a winter coat. As a child, I thought Wonder Woman was awesome. Like most kids, I watched the show with Lynda Carter every Friday night on CBS at 8 p.m. I longed to stop bullets with my blue bracelets and trip up an escaping criminal with my headband. The best part of the costume was the Magic Lasso that forced criminals to tell the truth (I wish I had that today.)

The Metropolitan Museum of art kicked off the exhibit Monday morning with a press conference that included Anna Wintour, editor and chief of Vogue Magazine and body conscious designer, Giogrio Armani.

But the point of this exhibit, was to show how Superhero garb reflects American fashion through dreams and fantasies of the body perfect. Some of the connections were strong like Catwoman's clothing, that translated well into bodysuits. Other pieces were a stretch. Exactly how the Incredible Hulk lack of clothing is seen in football uniforms went over my head. Performance clothing modelled after Spiderman and Flash Gordon costimes were cool and made sense. It was easy to see the aerodynamic qualities here.

Wonder Woman was part of an exhibit with the Patriotic Body. Along with Captain America it made sense to show Wonder Woman as an All-American woman, albeit an Amazon, who fought for justice in stars and stripes. The costume on display was the original 1976 designed by Donfeld. But now, 30 years later, the costume was faded. The blue bottom was more purplish and there was no cuffs to stop the bullets. In all this larger than life imagery, the costume was surrounded by glittery totally unwearable creations by the House of Dior, I was reminded that at the end of the day, despite their powers Superheroes and their costumes age.

For more on the exhibit, read The Inquirer on Wednesday.

As we close out this week, I have to give props to all the older women in entertainment - and everywhere else - geting their swerve on with younger cats. On some level, I'm like what the heck would Mariah Carey want with Nick Cannon, beyond the obvious? Wink. Wink. It was reported this week that the pop star diva married the candylicious actor after a couple of days of being "smitten with each other." Nick Cannon is dreamy, yes, but doesn't homegirl want a GAM?- Grown A$$ Man - Then on the other hand, I'm super jealous. It's all I can say not to smile and tell home girl, "Just get it in."

Last week there was much hoopla about Star Jones' divorce. But this week, the rumor mill was hot about her alleged relationship with Miami Heat player, Dwayne Wade. Last night Wade denied the rumors on Inside the NBA on TNT, but I don't believe it. The "We're just friends" line always proves otherwise. Then there is Usher's new wife, Tameka Foseter - she could teach a class on cougars. And how can we forget Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher. I give her credit for this trend. And the list goes on.

As a single woman, I'm really trying to date men who are older or at least my age. There is something to say about a man who can teach you something. Who has time for the addiction to video games and all things sports? (But I'm finding age is no guarantee that that won't be the case.) If the young men are particularly adoring, why not? I just feel like I'd have to make all the decisions and frankly, I'm tired of making all the decisions. What do yout think? We're beyond women's lib? A woman dating younger men is absolutely fine. But can younger men really give you all things you need as a grown woman? And maybe cougars is too harsh of a word? Maybe these women are just kitty cats tired of being drug around by pitbulls, so they are opting for puppies instead.

Calvin Klein's creative director, Francisco Costa, was also at the Park Hyatt Ballroom Wednesday afternoon before he received Philadelphia Univeristy's Sprit of Design Award. The 37-year-old designer met with me yesterday at the swanky club, XIX where we talked about fashion, the economy, guts and the importance good staples in ones wardrobe. Costa was 19 when he moved to New York from Brazil. He didn't speak a word of English. Still, he enrolled in the Fashion Institute of Technology and studied abroad in Italy before landing a job at Oscar de la Renta. Costa took a job with Tom Ford before joining Calivin Klein in 2002. Since taking over at Calvin Klein, Costa has managed to dress up and stream line the American sportswear brand. His collections are known for clean lines fashioned from solid matte jersey fabrics that don't just flow fromt the body but gently caress it. "Fashion is moving into a new form minimalism. We are moving into a time when investment clothes are going to be key. We want simple and we want it to last a long time." I so agree, Mr. Costa! Our chat was pleasant and like Mark Badgley and James Mishka, he too wore a shrunken navy blue suit. But his suit was Calvin Klein, of course

Philadelphia University students showcased more than 250 garments Wednesday night that included a myriad of frilly, ruffled, high-necked swing frocks, wide-legged pants, mini skirts and wrap dresses both in fruit-punchy colors (there is that word, again.) and soft pastels
The show was held on Locust Street's grand Academy of Music and as usual the students took bold risks that aesthetically paid off. Inspriations ran the gamut from scientific -Kelly Davis' green stringy top and wrap top she created based on the human nervous system) to dreamy - thanks to ensembles inspired by Mr. Rogers Neighborhood, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Sesame Street characters Big Bird and Grover. The hour and a half long show sparkled with the kind of creativity that makes university fashion shows annual events.

Also, this year students were encouraged to use organic and natural fibers as well as recylcable material.

Stand out results: masculine yet soft grouping of menswear lines by Sandra Huffaker that won the Coates Brothers Clothing Award for Eco Fashion; sharp black and white polka dot tiered ensembles by Janelle Frank that won her the Most Saleable Collection (Definitely something I'd wear) and a beautifully constructed gown fashioned from basketball jerseys (Whoo hool) that took home an Honorable Mention for Best Senior Collection. Click here to see the pictures from the show.

As part of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's annual fundraiser, super Hollywood glam, sometimes over-done designers, Mark Badgley and James Mischka, were on hand at the Park Hyatt Hotel, Wednesday afternoon to show off their subtle Fall 2008 collection.

The design-duo met at New York's Parsons School of the Design and has been working together since 1988. In 1993, Escada became a key investor. They are best known for the red carpet gowns of the late 1990s that dripped with Swarovski crystals. Notable spokespeople include: Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen. Desparate Houswife, Terri Hatcher is the current face of the brand. Sex and the City character, Charlotte York, wore a Badgley Mishka gown for her second wedding to Harry Goldenblatt. Oprah Winfrey wears the clothing, too.

Both are quite pleasant and softspoken. The 47-year-old Capricorns, chit chatted about luxury in dark blue shrunken suits accented with crisp, white shirts in the Grand Hyatt's ballroom, a sea of lemon yellow tables. Their motto: There will always be a place for luxury and glamour.

Even when gas is approaching $4 a gallon and food is sky rocketing, I asked.

"Evening gowns are our core business," Mark Badgley told me. "But we just don't make the $1200 evening gown, we also make the $600 cocktail dress too."

I think that would be my entire George Bush economic relief check. Sigh.

How would you alter your style. All things ostentatious borders on gaudy when it costs so much to live these days.

Mark Badgley brought the convo back to suits and versatility. Earlier in the conversation, the duo pointed out a chocolate brown metallic tweed suit paired with knee-length boots. Hot, That more demure look, combined with shoes, handbags and eyewear and a a bed and bath set definitely means there is enough to sell.

Badgley Mishka will be at Saks Fifth Avenue ,also a sponsor, in Bala Cynwyd from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. today. And the collection will remain in the store through Thursday for special orders.

Daisy Day draws more than 800 people and is the principal fundraiser event for the Children's Hospital. Each year the luncheon raises close to $1 million. This year the money will go to Safe Place: The Center for Child Protection and Help at Children's Hospital.

Does anybody out there own a Badgley Mischka anything? Do you like it?

I don't feel too bad for Hannah Montana, Miley Cyrus and neither does my colleague, Karen Heller. By now you all know the teen country singer says she was duped into what she says were whack pictures taken by fashion photographer, Annie Leibovitz. The photos are to run in the June issue of Vanity Fair. I saw the pics all over the news Monday. Maybe Cyrus thought the artful nudes would be more demure than racy. She did have the allusion of wearing just a bedsheet. Nope. instead she was framed as a hungry, prepubescent sex pot. Of course Cyrus is more worried about her Disney image. But then you gotta ask: Why would she agree to pose nude? On the other side: Why would Leibovitz take such a picture of a 15-year-old in the first place?

This brings us to the serious issue of the rampant sexualization of young girls in the fashion industry. It keeps getting worse and it's more egregious than the overuse of too skinny models and lack of minorities in the fashion industry. Cyrus is just 15. We all know she's just 15. This is really slimy.

But it's not the Cyrus' of the world who are in danger. They are protected by bodyguards and fame won't be victimized like the story that broke today about the young Austrian woman who was repeatedly raped by her father from the age of 11 and bore him seven children. How could a man, let alone somebody's daddy, be turned on by his own little girl? I'm sure part of it has to do with these kinds of inappropriate images. What do you think?

Here is another question: We weren't even sure if we should post the images with this blog since were in fact, denouncing it. What do you think? If we had posted without the pic, would you have wanted to see them? Are people making too big of a deal?

So Glam.com held a contest in conjunction with MSN.com asking aspiring designers to come up with an oh-so-girly, flirty, yet classic fun dress.
The on-line fashion web site announced the winner Monday. And... it's local designer, Kate Spray. Spray, 25, is a design assistant at Anthopologie. (Right here we want to say that as a designer at Anthropolgie she had to be a finalist for any job in fashion. Like duh... Have you seen this year's spring dresses? Sooo cute. We're digressing again.)
Spray beat out 450 designers nationwide. Her judges were industry heavyweights: designers Monique Lhuillier, Adam Lippes and Tina Knowles. (Mother of the bride, Beyonce Knowles and founder of the House of Dereon. Lord & Taylor merchandising manager, Vanessa Lefebvre, was also a part of the team.
Spray will go to New York in July to spend a day at Adam Lippes design studio and she'll also pocket a $500 gift certificate to Lord & Taylor.
We like the dress because it's minty and airy and boasts a deft use of pockets. Another of the eight semifinalists was another Philly-native, Jessica Gonzalez.
Sketches and photos of Spray’s winning design, along with a gallery of finalists’ designs and profiles can be viewed here. All of the finalists’ dresses will be auctioned on eBay beginning Monday, May 5, and proceeds will go to benefit Dress for Success.

Who says real fashion isn't in Philly? (SPOILER ALERT: Look for a story about that soon.) Do you all like the winning dress?

This Monday morning doesn't need to be dank, dreary, black or grey.
As we move into summer - it's so close we can taste it, yes? - fashion is all about the fruit- punchy colors. Don't wait, mix them into your wardrobe this morning!
Who cares about the raindrops? Spring fever knows no time. And since we can't be outside all day, we might as well bring the pop in to our cubicles.
Go Banana yellow, turquoise, kelly green or hot pink! It will work on a halter, a set of bangles (like the ones pictured here from H&M) a T-shirt, an ankle-length halter style dress.
Work them as solids first!
Or mix them all up florally and graphically. I never thought I'd say this but tropical prints are hot!
This season the "it" bag doesn't have to be $1,500, it just has to be colorful.
Am I telling you this on too short notice? Grab your loudest accessory! Slip it on your arm. Wiggle your toes on in.
And have a colorful Monday!
Do you like color? Does it work for you? Are there any colors you absolutely can't wear?