Crêpe de Chine Literally means "crepe of China" in French. A soft, lightweight, plainwoven fabric with a crinkled effect. It's produced either with all-silk warp and weft or with a silk warp and hard-spun worsted weft. Crêpe de chine textures of artificial silk are common these days and are often difficult to distinguish from true silk. French designer Madeleine Vionnet used crêpe de Read more

We all sang to ourselves, "Who's that girl?" when we saw Dakota Fanning in her black silky sweet jumper. She worked it, with her long, perfect gams, at the Today Show in NYC. You wouldn't know it was Winter by her hotness. A shortie jumper is a flirtatious choice, but black silk trickles off your skin just the same with a maxi skirt and slithery top. Just remember to keep it sweet, like our new Read more

Soy milk, once opened, requires refrigeration and should be consumed within five days. Prior to being opened, however, soy milk actually doesn't require chilling, and has an unrefrigerated shelf life of at least one year. Then why, might you ask, is some soy milk is sold refrigerated in the milk aisle while other brands go unrefrigerated next to rice milk? To find out, read more Read more

I love a good plush seat, but sometimes I can't help but sacrifice comfort for good looks. And, that time is now. The Antique Ebonized and Turquoise Silk Chairs ($1,300 for pair) from Paris Hotel Boutique don't look one bit comfortable, but they're just so ravishing. I think it's the juxtaposition of the contemporary turquoise Dupioni silk with the 1900s ebonized and gilt design. I imagine the Read more

Silk has a new look; it's more relaxed but hardened with tough details. This new silk utilitarian twist is more wearable and comfortable. Silk tops, jumpers, pants, and accessories have been updated with drawstrings, zippers and cargo pockets to lend a simultaneously chic and casual look. Gianfranco Ferre (left) went casual-lux with this zippered grape silk mechanic pantsuit. Now, buying silk Read more

I have a closet confession: I veer towards solids. Prints are tricky for me — I tend to tire of a print after a couple years. Is that normal? I have always liked polka dots, and stripes, but when it comes to geometric patterns or florals they just don't keep me inspired. Therein lies the beauty of silky blues. Though these pieces are solid, they have charisma. The silky fabrics make them Read more