Though I’m known to work up a mean sweat on the elliptical machine, my output pales in comparison to the struggles Puma’s 11-man Ocean Racing team will face in October, when they depart Spain for Volvo’s 10-month, 37,000-mile Ocean Race around the world.

On Monday night at the ICA, Puma threw quite the bash, including a special appearance by Salma Hayek, to unveil its new racing boat, as well as its new lifestyle and sailing clothing collections.

Upon arrival, I was faced with a crazed Hayek fan trying to enter as Bostonista’s +1. He was there, as we all were, to see his Academy Award-nominated crush crack a bottle of bubbly over the hull of il mostro (”the monster” in Italian), the gear brand’s sleek, spanking sailboat.

After ditching the Frida fanatic, it was time to survey the goods and, of course, my fellow guests. (more…)

It may only be May, but we’ve already staked our claim on a dress for the office holiday party in December. A girl likes to plan ahead! Bostonista attended Carmen Marc Valvo’s fall 2008 fashion show Friday at the Natick Collection, and after lusting after each and every sexy little number that sashayed down that runway, we’re absolutely putting our cash toward our latest frock find. (See a photo slide show from the event here.) (more…)

I consider myself somewhat of an artsy person. I like art, art museums, art house films, art-rock, Art Garfunkel. Posters and prints and one or two original paintings, which were given to me as housewarming presents, hang in my apartment. My mother is a brilliant watercolor artist (with her big spring show coming up tomorrow. Go Mom!). And I’ve been known to clean out a jewelry booth or two at craft fairs like the South End Open Market (which kicks off for the season this weekend!).

Yet, until last weekend, I had never actually bought original art myself. When I did experience original art buying for the first time on Saturday, in true Bostonista fashion, I went all the way, buying not one, not two, but three fabulous pieces.

Carolyn Marsden—a friend, coworker, talented painter, kickass photographer, and all-around great gal—invited Bostonista to her show, part of Somerville Open Studios. I was sure her art would be cool. I’d seen it online and I commissioned her to make a hand-painted t-shirt for my mom’s Christmas gift. But to be completely honest, I went mainly for the camaraderie. And, because I heard there would be cupcakes. (more…)

Never one to turn down a fashion show, Bostonista took a quick jaunt down the Mass. Pike last week for a Stil charity luncheon, emceed by our own Alyssa Giacobbe at the ever-glamorous Natick Collection. After parking our wheels in the massive “Diamond” garage — and immediately forgetting which P-level we were on (give us a break, we’re city girls!) — we ventured inside to find a mass of impeccably dressed guests packed into Stil’s cozy suburban digs. Eager to eat Finale cake and see the latest Ports 1961 collection (among others), we left the store and took our seats in a sunny area just a few steps away.

From neon-bright frocks to ruffled bathing suits to hippie-chic maxi-dresses, the runway show was an impressive display. But perhaps the biggest surprise of the afternoon came after the cake and the show, when Bostonista took a trip to Stil’s stylish and positively palatial neighbor: the Natick Collection first floor ladies’ room. (more…)

Tomorrow morning I will jump on a plane and head to Palm Springs, where I’ll meet Fashion Week Mom (FWM), my little sister, and four of my closest friends for a weekend of sunning, snacking, socializing, and shimmying at Coachella, which, in my humble opinion is the best outdoor music festival ever.

Yes, I will sip Diet Coke by the pool in the mornings before heading to the blue- skied grounds. Yes, I will rock out to Prince on Saturday. Yes, he will electrify against a backdrop of beautiful palm trees and wondrous hipsters. Yes, I’m excited to the point of bragging. But I’m also a little nervous. (more…)

Last week, Bostonista was invited to attend the opening party for Logan’s new Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse. Always up for an airport trip—pick ups, drop offs, whatever, it’s all wonderfully Love Actually to us—we hopped in the car and headed to East Boston.

By now, most avid travelers are familiar with the Virgin brand, epitomized by its swashbuckling mogul Richard Branson, clubby mentality, and cool gimmicks (in-flight IM, anyone?). The airline’s Heathrow flagship lounge is near-legendary for its modern design, Bumble and Bumble salon, jacuzzi, and limitless champagne. Needless to say, we were eager to check out the Boston branch.

(more…)

Nordstrom, the Starbucks of fashion, opens its second area store today at the Burlington mall. On Wednesday night, the store gave Bostonista a sip of spring trends at its opening gala runway show, which raised $160,000 for Dana Farber Cancer Institute, The Junior League, and The Links.

In a 20-minute show, smooth, sweet, and temperate fashion from mainstays St. John, Missoni, Vince, and Milly were topped with creamy confections from Robert Rodriquez and Nanette Lepore. (more…)

For a guy who claims he knows nothing about fashion, Rogan Gregory is doing pretty well for himself in high-style circles. The man behind premium denim and contemporary sportswear brand Rogan, as well as eco-friendly offshoots Loomstate and Edun (the brand he launched with Bono and wife Ali Hewson), recently won the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Award, entitling him to $200,000 and one year of mentoring from an industry insider.

Don’t let the eco-friendly label fool you though—Gregory believes in aesthetics over green-ness any day. In fact, he’s not a fan of much color at all. We caught up with Gregory last week at a special VIP party to preview an expanded selection of the Rogan Spring/Summer 2008 line, now available at Stel’s. Talk turned to beards, Lost, and the importance of finding a perfectly flat black. (more…)

Stel’s on Newbury Street is hosting a Rogan trunk show today. On hand last night to kick off the event was the designer himself, Rogan Gregory, controversial winner of the 2007 CFDA award.

Gregory brought along pieces from his men’s and women’s spring collection — including this t-shirt, specially designed for Stel’s — and his personal ping-pong table, which arrived earlier in the day in its own truck. Tune in Monday for our exclusive interview. Event starts at 11 a.m. and runs all day.

Rogan trunk show, Fri., Mar. 14, 11-8. Stel’s, 334 Newbury St., Boston, 617-262-3348, stelsinc.com

Talk of possible recession has left some of us over here at Bostonista quivering in our Prada flats. Blowing your rent money on a dress — no matter how special and eminently wearable you convince yourself it is — just isn’t as much fun when you’re too broke to wear it out of the house. Which is why we’re especially excited for Target’s next round of high-end partnerships. (more…)