say what's good to...ARISE x CIARA

who: Arise magazine after party

what: Live performance by Ciara

when: 2/13/10

where: The Plaza hotel, New York

why you should care: Let me let you guys in on a little secret. Arise magazine, an African glossy with a European feel, consistently has one of the best after parties during Fashion Week. Launched two seasons ago, the show is always at The Tents in Bryant Park and the party follows at the Plaza Hotel (you know, where Eloise and the Hilton sisters grew up). The first year, Solange performed. This year - it was Ciara. Check it out below. [excuse my shaky hands]

say what's good to...CUPCAKES

who: Butch Bakery

what: cupcakes for the manly men in your life

where: Queens, Manhattan, and Brooklyn

when: Available for delivery after February 23

why you should care:

Cupcakes. Who would’ve thought that with one transient shot on a Sex and the City episode, these delectable delights would still be trendy four years later. Before, there was only Magnolia. But now, there’s Billy’s, Crumbs, Georgetown, Buttercup Bake Shop, Cupcake Stop and Sprinkles. Even still, something’s been missing. When it comes to the slightly tougher, slightly rougher cupcakes, where could one turn? Butch Bakery.

As the site says: These ain’t your grandmas cupcakes. Butch Bakery sells manly treats in patterns such as Woodland Camo, Houndstooth and Wood Grain. To boot, there’s a flavor for every type of guy in your life. Frat boy turned banker? Beer Run (chocolate and beer-infused cake with beer butter cream frosting), Dreamy Don Draper? Try the Sidecar (Brandy-soaked lemon cake with orange-infused white chocolate ganache). Finally, for my D.R. born and raised valentine (Hi Leo!) there’s the Big Papi (Cinnamon spice cake with a dulce de leche filling).

The tiny treats are currently available for delivery in Queens, Manhattan and Brooklyn, but email or call to inquire about shipping nationwide.

(reposted from PatternPulp.com)

say what's good to...PI PHI x CORNELL

[bane of my existence]

who: Pi Beta Phi

what: Panhelenic Sorority

where: Cornell University

when: 2/4/10

why you should care:

Recently, the rush chair for the Cornell chapter of Pi Phi issued a seven-page memo regulating what sisters can and can’t wear during recruitment. While it’s not new for distinct groups to align themselves with certain brands, what's really interesting are which labels the rush chair uses to signify just how “casually chic” Pi Phi is in hopes of gaining campus-wide acceptance. [disclaimer: I am P-I-B-E-T-A-P-H-I of the University of Virginia Epsilon chapter and am well aware of rush dress codes. Ours just wasn't as desperate.]

Anyway, Anthropologist, Grant McCracken theorizes that distinct groups of people, or flocks, adopt trends based on a risk-safety ratio. Trends trickle down from small chaotic pockets and grow based on their commercial appeal for the masses.

Now, the Pi Phi sisters, with their choice of Tory Burch flats, solely dark or black skinny jeans and mid-height chunky Kate Spade shoes, would fit into the "Flock 3" group of people. While this portion of the consumer market enjoys nice things, risky (read: fashion forward) items (ripped boyfriend jeans! khakis!) aren’t part of the repertoire.

And while it might seem like I'm looking down on these girls because they endorse shoes I can't stand, the real issue I have is the lack of creativity that a dress code like this stifles. Yes, the tome gives great advice( NO CAMEL TOES) but really, no satin unless it's D&G? That just seems a little bit forced, wouldn't you agree?

Check out the full memo at Pattern Pulp (where I'm a new contributor!)