The Designer Browser

Here at Sanity Fair, we prefer to talk about things we know something about, not things we know nothing about, and would probably break - a category that includes cars, computers, televisions, and anything with batteries. But what I do love is anything pretty and personalized for my laptop, from desktop to wallpaper, so I got kind of excited when a tech-saavy friend talked me into trying Google Chrome. It's supposed to do, oh, a lot of stuff, none of which I understand. All I know is this: IT PATTERNS MY SCREEN WITH DESIGNER TOGS. Right now, I'm typing away under a banner of Tory Burch orange and pink. Maybe tomorrow I'll try some Lilly Pulitzer print (if it's a grey day especially). Ta da!

Other designs available include Jonathan Adler, Matthew Williamson, Delft (the famous Dutch porcelain), Kate Spade, Todd Oldham, Vivienne Westwood, Charlotte Ronson, and Oscar de la Renta!

For a real article about technical stuff Chrome actually does, instead of just what it looks like, visit here. 

All images, Google Chrome.

Shopping on the Wild Side

Not five minutes into a trip to the department store the other day, I began experiencing elevated heart rate, muscular tension, and a desire to run. Swine flu? Nope - just your typical fight or flight reaction. Racks and racks of leopard spots and tiger stripes had triggered my survival instinct - they were everywhere. The entire women's section looked like a hunting preserve, or Jonathan Adler run amok with a dress form and some belts. And after wandering around awhile in this clothing Kenya, I realized WHY the racks were so full. Nobody was buying this stuff. It was AWFUL.

It pains me to post this. Meet the nylon/lycra/tie-dye cheetah top.

Is it me, or does she look like she's already been mauled by her shirt?

The worst part was that after shopping a bit I began to have a terrible craving for Cheetos (official mascot: the cheetah). Anyway, for such a bold, unabashed look, I'm amazed at the animal print coverage: it is EVERYWHERE. I didn't go in a single mall store without a large zoo section. Leopard spots and zebra stripes have been popular for a while, both in fashion and home, but that doesn't explain why they've suddenly gone everyman. I actually love animal print, but it's not like ruffles, or chartreuse, or any of the other major trends this season: you CAN wear too much zebra.

Anyway, there are plenty of designers doing wonderful animal prints that are perfect for the fall wardrobe - just don't put them all on at the same time.

Lovely leopard at Blumarine.

The ever clever Mr. Marc Jacobs - his tiger stripes are made of miniature tigers.

A Fendi Baguette gets its spots.

As shocking, neon animals go, this one's pretty cool. Tracy Reese holiday collection.

Tory Burch won't be left out! The cheetah print Abbey slipper.

Longchamp

A final word of warning: do not go all safari - or all cheap. Nothing says halloween like a little polyester cheetah!

Images: frillr.com/?q=node/14754, dillards.com, www.theinsider.com, saksfifthavenue.com, 4-6 nordstrom.com, toryburch.com, porcelainfashion.blogspot.com/2009/06/dolce-gabbana-fallwinter-2009-2010-ad.html, hollywoodcostumesandparty.com.