Not too long ago, fashion editors regarded fashion blogs, with their real people and street style, as the hobby of a handful of overzealous, amateur fans. Today the fashion blogosphere's littered with individuals sharing their passion for style, from their own daily outfits to photographing other well-dressed pedestrians. And the perks that come to the web’s fortunate shinning talents are impressive: front-row seats at fashion shows, free samples, modeling contracts, design, styling, and photography contracts with established retailers, book deals, and editorial work. Fashion bloggers, once outsiders to the insular world of fashion, are now carving a spot for themselves among the fashion media and reaping the benefits of exposure. But what are they giving up?

Today's street style photographers might come a dime a dozen on the web, but before this style of photography became in vogue, photographer Ben Watts was roaming New York in the 90s in search of eclectic personalities to shoot. Unlike many photographers who turn their lenses to stylish pedestrians wearing ultra-styled looks, Watts’ street subjects were raw, authentic, and the antithesis of high fashion. In his latest book, Lickshot, Watts revisits his passion for diverse subcultures with a collage of images taken over the years of skaters, hip-hop heads and surfers. “I get off on things that have a hard edge to them,” says Watts via phone from Ibiza, where he's on an assignment shooting for UK High Street clothing store Next. We talked to him about his distinct style, the separate set of issues that comes with shooting celebrities, and his plans for taking his career to the next level.

“Bernie Madoff is not gonna have a real easy time in prison. I believe he’s gonna be killed inside,” predicts founder of Wall Street Prison Consultants Larry Levine. “The people at the other end of the secret don’t want to go to jail, so they’re wearing Pampers at night ‘cause Bernie might tell on them. So what do you do to the one person who can finger you? You get rid of him." This probably isn’t the kind of sobering truth on life behind bars Madoff is getting from his lawyers, and that’s good news for Levine’s company. “They come to me when they want a wake up call, they are in denial, scared, angry, and they have no clue about the system.” To ensure a successful transition from master of the boardroom to just another number, Levine offers white-collar criminals the tools to “make it out alive.” For $999, Levine's "Fedtime 101" covers topics such as how to prevent prison rape, inmate etiquette and politics, prison slang, dealing with gang members, and ways to get your sentence reduced. Levine honed his prison consulting skills while serving a 10 year sentence for narcotics trafficking, securities fraud, and racketeering in nine different prisons. He was released in 2007 and is now on supervised release.

Shoe maestro Brian Atwood’s come-hither skyscraper heels in elaborate skins and blinding jewels are always the stars of the show. Nevertheless, at last night’s fete at the OpenHouse Gallery for the designer’s exclusive new book -- Role Play Rene, featuring his candy-hued Spring 09 collection -- his killer heels played their first supporting role. A seductive, barely clothed Rene Russo modeling the footwear line was the main attraction. You couldn’t help but be fixated on Russo’s tight bod (If only we could all look this good at 55), and it’s just how Atwood and famed celeb/ fashion photographer Tony Duran wanted it. “Tony and I love Rene. We wanted to make her look very sexy; hence the title of the book. The shoes are all about the attitude that she gives off in these photos,” says Atwood. See full gallery of photos from the book.

“I’m sorry, but we are going to have to let you go” is the most ubiquitous line uttered in America’s work places today. No, there aren’t any stats to back it up. But considering 11.6 million people are currently out of work, it’s reasonable to say many have been sent packing to the gut-wrenching tune of those cold eleven words. As the recession wades on, the event of getting laid off has become as universal as celebrating, say, a birthday. That’s what Hallmark bet on with their horrendously patronizing and tacky layoff-themed cards (which ironically the company may be sending out to its own employees). While there’s been much said about how to keep your cool in face of a pink slip, some human resources drones could use a refresher course in layoff etiquette when sending their staffers into the searing depths of daytime television. Consider four layoff horror stories where the delicate situation was handled rather ... poorly.