Molly Bloom knows style

Pantone has proclaimed blue iris the It color of 2008.

Look for it everywhere.

I hated the challenge in last night’s episode. Contestants had to use the old fat clothes of the newly thin to make a new garment. Ugh. The majority of plus-size clothes use the worst materials… close your eyes and imagine with me a polyester chiffon shift with a vaguely “ethnic” print layered on top of a darker fabric, worn with stretch pants. At least they had a lot of material. I’m serious.

Nothing on last night’s show was a wearable garment, except for the cute dress Jillian made from $10 worth of red fabric . But then the garments on Project Runway rarely are finished. They are sample garments, proof of concept, not ready-to-wear or couture.

And I’m glad they didn’t hype the Bluefly.com accessories wall. That’s getting old.

And the Michael Kors bit about Chris’ confection looking like Shirley Maclaine as a Parisian Whore? Here’s the reference.

Get $20 off any purchase of $100 or more at REI online or in store. Deets here.

I spend a lot of time people telling readers what they should or shouldn’t wear. What gives me the right, you ask? My innate sense of style, of course. But lest you think I’m always calling others out for being fashion don’ts, let me share my secret with you.

When I’m doling out style advice, I’m usually wearing arm warmers. I wear them to keep my hands warm so they don’t get stiff and sore when I’m typing or working on handicrafts. These are extra nifty because they cover the thumb. They’re hideous, actually, but the orange knit is better than the more medical-looking approach. I bought them in L.A.

Now you know my secret. What’s yours?

Last week Chanel showed the Métiers d’Art collection, a showcase for the Parisian artisans who add the glitz to the garments — beaders, embroiderers, milliners and so on. In the past few years Chanel has acquired many of the ateliers and started a special line to highlight their handiwork. Take a look.

If she hung a stocking, you had better stuff something in it.

I’m a believer in beauty sleep and I’m fanatical about eye masks. This Holly Golightly reproduction is a scream (discount code here). And these zodiac hoop earrings are trashtastic fun.

Last night at dinner I was singing the praises of my garter flask. It’s not just for church weddings — the garter makes a great mini purse. Mine is made of a red and black brocade and stays put on my thigh.

M.A.C. Ruby Woo is the best red lipstick, ever, lips down. Way better than the candy-cane of Bonne Bell Lipsmackers. One year Santa put the Shu Uemura lash curler in my stocking, so thoughtful!

Are you stumped? I am totally stumped. Holiday shopping makes me lose my mind. Here are a few things for guys and dolls to get us started:

Silver collar bones from Thomas Pink will keep shirts looking crisp. Those plastic collar stays melt and bend in the wash and don’t do the job after a while. Metal stays will bring any shirt collar back to life (also available at Thomas Pink SF and NYC).

The Reisenthel Collapsible European Market Tote would make for a chic dash to the corner store. Can’t you just see it brimming with kale and cut flowers at a farmer’s market? The basket has a frame so things are less likely to get smashed. I asked Santa to bring me one.

I love fancy dishes you can actually use. This set of eight nesting lotus bowls is gorgeous and practical. The bowls are dishwasher-safe so they’ll get used often. Available at Gump’s, class-y!

Old Navy has the cutest lounge wear and pajamas for women right now. The tie-front nightshirt in chastity pink (!!) is adorable. Fleece robes are always a winner — more colors available in stores. I bought one of these robes in green because I was freezing my tuchas off most mornings. Problem solved. Also available for men.