What to see: Aberdeen
What to make-up: Wet & Wild 666 lipliner
What to rent: Pollack
What to wear: Pink diamond band
What to hair: Curly pigtails
What to read: The F@#k-Up by Arthur Neresian
What to listen to: Nikka Costa - Everybody Got Their Something
Where to Labor Day: Las Ventanas, Cabo San Lucas
What to make: Jambalaya for two
Color of the moment: Celadon

San Francisco: Sofakings at Harrington's 8/18, 9:30p
www.sofakingssf.com

Los Angeles: LA Greek Fest 2001, St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 1324 S. Normandie Ave.; Fri-Sun (323) 737-2424.

New York: Hamptons Comedy Festival Sat 8.18 (9pm)
Bridges Bar & Restaurant (964 Sag Harbor Turnpike, Bridgehampton, 212.396.2015)

On the Web: Acting Heiresses Shoes for Sale (benefits the homeless) www.zappos.com

"A hike on Mt. Tam followed by yoga, a sauna and a massage in my own private
sanctuary."

Clare Cooley, San Francisco, CA

**MARILYN IN-SECURITY**
Marilyn Manson is busted for taking 'protect and serve' literally when he molests an unsuspecting security guard.

Kate Hudson's former assistant is slapped with a lawsuit after going on a wild spending spree with the star's credit card.

Want to look younger or maintain your girlish looks?
Attend Preston Wynne's 'Saving Face' event

Wednesday, August 22, 6-9p
14567 Big Basin Way
Saratoga, CA
(408) 741-5525 [Reservations]

Splendora Members receive Peggy Wynne Borgman's 'Four Seasons of Inner and Outer Beauty' book!

** OUR FASHION PLATE RUNNETH OVER **

Over the last fifty years, we have witnessed dramatic changes in what it means to be a woman. First wave feminists paved a powerful path with their bras aflame and fierce political agendas. Their noble efforts made it possible for the softly severe 80s woman to fight her way up to the glass ceiling (recall the movies ?Working Girl? and ?Baby Boom?). But something happened in the 90s when we unstitched the shoulder pads from our power suits. It seems that, in the process, the whole outfit unraveled. Skirts became shorter, midriffs more bare, and we all went shopping to find the perfect pair of $600 shoes to complement our $4500 handbag. Pink became the new black and suddenly it was okay to call ourselves "girls".

After last week's season finale on ?Sex and the City,? in which Carrie accepts Aidan's marriage proposal and Miranda agrees to have Steve's baby, I was left wondering about the state of "girlie-ness." Up until now, Carrie Bradshaw's outfits have changed at the same tempo as Samantha's lovers and the show has explored the follies of these sassy, single gals against a backdrop of exclusive boutiques and trendy restaurants. So how will next season?s writers maintain the show's OTT attitude if none of the characters are single and (neurotically) carefree? Will the show?s title need to be changed to ?Settling Down in the City?? If so, is the era of ?great to be girlie? over? Will ?girlie-ness? evolve into a trend of 'Caretakers who Kvetch' or will today?s woman fearlessly continue to accessorize until her closets burst with Dolce & Gabbana?

Hopefully 'woman as a fashionable animal' will evolve into something more well-rounded. With obvious bias, I predict that Splendora will herald a new trend of ?I LIKE MYSELF AND DESERVE THE BEST? (subtitle: Accessories acceptable but not required). For, in addition to SHOPPING we can apply this philosophy towards our MIND (yoga, books, zen zones), our MUSCLES (massage, bootcamp, pilates), and [on a Maslow-level] a MEAL more substantial than a Diet Coke! Now pardon me while I wolf down my brilliantly rationalized five-course lunch.