If you haven't any plans Saturday and you have $25...

Do drop in on the Midsummer Eve Fashion & Art show at the Jazz Kitchen.

I mean, look at that model, who's actually wearing a pretty cute gown (wonder if it will be in the show...). She's just beaming with what I'm sure Tyra Banks would call, "fashiony" effervescence and I, for one, can't resist anything fashiony.

The catwalk will display fashions from such Broad Ripple Boutiques as Rain, Faith, and maybe X-quisite and Secret Ingredient.
Coordinated by Fashion Group International-Indianapolis Chapter, the event is bound to be full of Art Institute fashion student and other cool people.

And heck, I may as well put this out in the open.

If any of you read my inaugural "IBJ Style" column you'll know I wasn't exactly impressed with Rain as a go-to spot for summer apparel. But in the week following publication, two stylish gals whose taste I profoundly respect have chosen to involve the store in their events. So, Rain, you must be doing something right and I can't wait to see you strut your stuff.

Wanted: assistant to arrange iPhone closet

Formal apology: Even though I'm not entirely sure how many people read what I post here (I suspect some of my best friends just visit the page thrice daily to boost my ego) and there is obviously no monetary motivation, I somehow feel obligated to explain my absence.
Well, I don't really have an explanation other than I've been taking an apparent hiatus from online fashion. My Google reader has reached a staggering 370 unread posts and many RueLaLa emails have gone straight into the trash folder.
Hangs head in disgrace.
But neverthemind, I'm back.
And with an iPhone, so watch out.

Instead of cyber-browsing, I've been doing some actual shopping. Like, I physically walk into a store, look around, pay with real money, then walk out.

Shameless Plug--
Granted, this has all been in preparation for the debut of my column, IBJ Style, on July 20, but it reminded me of a recent debate, in which I took the stance of pro-social media/blogs/online marketing/the whole kit n kaboodle.

Does online shopping take some of the fun out of it? After all Anna Wintour just told The Cut that shopping is how she unwinds, and who would know better than her? I admit I resisted at first, too, to click rather than try on. But now I argue that my little fashion wasteland of a home just doesn't cut it and I'm forced into the arms of the Web. I mean, who can resist the constant nudgings from Bluefly? "Final Hours - Extra 10% off everything!" But, I digress.

Back to the iPhone.
Naturally, one of the first apps I downloaded is called "StylishGirl" denoted by a little red stiletto icon. Yeah, mine.

The app allows you to photograph every item in your wardrobe and categorize each shoe, earring and sweater as casual, Spring/Summer, dressy, blah blah blah.
When I read the description I immediately flashed back to that scene in "Clueless" when Cher uses her virtual closet to pick out the perfect outfit.

NOW I HAVE THAT.

And I'm determined to use it to its full capacity; put together an outfit, pack a virtual suit case, etc. Thing is, first I have to photograph my entire wardrobe, a task even I didn't consider TOO daunting until I scraped the surface last night, photographing the items strewn about my living room floor. (11 pairs of shoes, a necklace, a pair of earrings and a handbag) Yes, my house is covered in clothing. No, I don't know where everything is.

But then I got tired, and peaked around the corner at the veritable clothing explosion/mother's nightmare that is my bedroom and got altogether intimidated. So, is it dumb to want my entire wardrobe at my fingertips? I am always thinking of new outfits, and I can only imagine being able to scratch that itch whenever I please.

But perhaps more importantly, am I willing to devote that kind of time to my clothing?
Well, when I put it like that...of course!

I'm glad we had this talk.

Chicago Shenanigans: I have a Marc Jacobs swimsuit

The shopping Gods were smiling on me last Wednesday evening when I casually suggested to my man friend we spirit ourselves to Chicago the following day. The fact he said yes says one of two things:

• a. he thought he'd be able to talk me into attending the Cubs game
• b. he's been just itching for a wider breadth of shopping options and was delighted I thought of it before he

OK, maybe his reasons were lodged neatly between those speculations but either way the jaunty little jaunt was filled with fashionable fate.

Just an hour before departture for Indianapolis Friday, I spotted the Bucktown Marc by Marc Jacobs shop across the street. Aside from what I said in my previous post about worshiping the ground MJ walks on, I'd given said man friend a lengthy (and slightly drunken) lecture the night before about how MJ is destined to be the next biggest name in American clothing design and how he needs a suit from his label.

Across the street we went, and out we came 30 minutes later with just the suit I had in mind. (I bought a delicious one-shoulder maillot and a denim mini skirt, but you can ask me about those later.) It's dark grey and cut slim, out of a light-weight wool/cotton blend. He knew he looked like a million bucks even before he tapped me on the shoulder to gauge my reaction, having prior snuck into the fitting room and done a little twirl. Is there anything more charming?

Of course, I couldn't find photos of our purchases online, so your imagination will have to do.