The power of a new 'do -- plus the right hair color and cut -- has to bring you back to feeling like yourself. And a 'do done right by rad people who can chat you up about interesting things, have their own serious style but can understand your own, and really just get "it" ... isn't that what a city salon experience is all about? There's a lot of inherent anxiety in the act of stepping into a new salon, even one as reputable as, say, the elegant and perhaps too imposing John Barrett in Bergdorf's. Then there's Blackstones, a veritable cabinet of curiosity-cum-salon seated comfortably in the East Village. From the Victorian wigs on the wall to the collection of taxidermy (fish, foxes and more), it's clear the establishment is very conducive for recalling your own personal style prowess. But the badassness really emanates from colorist Joseph Mullen and owner/stylist/taxidermist Joey Silvestra, two sharp shooters who at once make you feel at home and force you into remembering the time when you were one fly chick, before you got all busy, lost your groove, and let your hair get drab. Just me?

Let's give a warm welcome to fall, which along with introducing you to your new fall wardrobe could also introduce you to the ballet, as the new season for the American Ballet Theater commences this week. If you lean more towards action movies and indie bands, getting decked out to make a pilgrimage to the uncharted wilds of the Upper West Side could feel a bit out of character. As daunting as trading in Converse All-Stars for conservative kitten heels seems, the ABT is something all New Yorkers should branch out and try. It's recognized as one of the great dance companies in the world. A living national treasure since its founding in 1940, ABT annually tours the United States performing for more than 600,000 people, and it's the only major cultural institution to do so. The ABT has also made more than 15 international tours to 42 countries, and this October the company returns home to Manhattan. Twenty-one-year-old Daniil Simkin, an award-winning veteran of the stage since the age of six, offers up his advice to a ABT virgin -- or those with a serious aversion to men in tights.

Yesterday, I fulfilled a goal of performing as an extra in a movie filmed in New York. The only way I was getting out of bed at 5am for a 6:30am call time was the idea that I was going to be a part of one of the most popular empires of my generation: the Sex and the City dynasty. Consequently, I was also ready to look like someone straight from the cast of Dynasty because I was scheduled to be 'background' in the 80s flashback scenes for the SATC sequel. When I arrived to the set at 6:30am bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, I was met with a group of disgruntled extras who had been dealing with the busy set, and long hours for a few days. I hit up wardrobe for my colorful costume: a calf-length ruffled dress in a bright pattern, finished with huge gold bracelets and big square earrings, an Hermes clutch, and an authentic reproduction of an Yves Saint Laurent shopping bag (I was listed as a 'Wealthy Shopper').

As if airport regulations haven’t made flying these past few years taxing enough, now we have to worry about catching swine flu while crammed in coach. Luckily for the flailing cosmetics industry, a key component to protecting our health is good hygiene (i.e. repeated hand-washing with lots of soap). And a key component to dealing with stress, hair frizz, ghostly faces, and airplane stench is an arsenal of TSA-approved beauty finds.

She’s been on the cover of countless fashion magazines, once inspired a novel by her ex-husband Salman Rushdie, and (with a little help from Tom Colicchio) has propelled Top Chef into smash-hit status since becoming the show’s fiery host in 2006. Now, add jewelry designer and ground beef paramour to Padma Lakshmi’s growing resume. Her jewelry line debuts at Bergdorf’s today, and she'll make an in-store appearance on May 8; here, the culinary bombshell discusses sex, burgers, and why she’d rather go naked.

A recent article suggested that you had dreams to build an empire. Is that the goal?
If someone else wants to call it an empire, that’s their business. I think only kings and queens have empires. But I’m lucky to have a new jewelry line. It’s a real labor of love, not at all a licensing deal. I’ve put all of my own money into it.

I love it when designers use vintage elements to inspire their collections; I love it even more when they don’t just reinterpret their vintage finds, but actually rise to the challenge and incorporate these found treasures into their designs. The creative forces beyond the barely year old line DanniJo -- Danielle and Jodie Snyder -- are such visionaries. They founded their brand on the principle that women use jewelry as a form of escapism ... a way to create a new persona. They also design with the purist of intentions; they simply want to help women take pride in themselves and to ultimately embrace their personal style sensibility.

After a two-season stint as a judge on Bravo’s Top Design and nearly 10 years as editor-in-chief at Elle Decor, Margaret Russell tells us that great style can be learned, real-world experience is priceless, and Anne Slowey’s Stylista gets a thumbs up.

You've been an editor for a long time, but has the Bravo blog been your first real blogging experience?
Yes, I did it for season one also, and it's very different writing for a blog. I think it’s interesting that it's so casual, and that so many more people comment. They feel like it's a personal message to them, and they sort of pick apart everything you say. I love reading design and style blogs, so we tend to be happier, nicer and more positive than some of the angry bloggers who watch reality TV shows.

In our continuing quest to track down the wining, dining, and merchandising habits of the well-known and well-to-do, we were alerted to an upcoming New York holiday sale from designer Halston. Details, in case you're wondering: the sale involves up to 75% off various species of womenswear, shoes, and bags, and it runs Friday, December 12 (9 a.m. to 7 p.m.); Saturday, December 13 (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.); and Sunday, December 14 (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.). And the scene is 96 Spring Street (Broadway & Mercer), with cash and credit accepted. But beyond hawking their wares, what do the actual Halstonians enjoy doing around town? We put the question to Bonnie Takhar (Halston president and CEO), Tamara Mellon (Halston boardmember and founder of Jimmy Choo), and none other than Harvey Weinstein (also a Halston boardmember and incidentally of the Weinstein Company).

● Lauren Merkin Holiday Sample Sale. Downright naughty prices on bags, clutches, and cosmetics cases -- nice! Tuesday, December 9 to Thursday, December 11, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. 231 West 29th Street (7th and 8th avenue), Suite 201. (212) 239-2459. Accepting Cash, AmEx, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover. See also Bergdorf Goodman or Lauren Merkin.

● Alexander Wang. Stay hot while staying warm in $80 oversized cashmere sweaters and $240 velvet dresses. Pre-Fall and Fall '08 samples up to 80% off. Thursday, December 11, 3 to 7p.m.; Friday, December 12 to Saturday, December 13, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. 386 Broadway (Walker and White streets), 6th Floor. Credit cards accepted for purchases over $200. See also Barneys or Alexander Wang.

● Mike & Chris Sample Sale (take 2). Elusive up-and-comers finally reschedule their first sample sale. Good things come to those who wait. Thursday, December 11 to Saturday, December 13, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.. 80 West 40th Street, Suite 53. See also Mike & Chris.

● Thread Social Holiday Sample Sale. Forget wearing white -- 85% off bridesmaid's dresses that are actually cute will have even the nuttiest Bridezilla jealous of you. Wednesday, December 3 to Friday, December 5, 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.. 26 West 17th Street, suite 301. See also Thread.

● Helmut Lang and Rag & Bone Sample Sale. Double the deals on not one but two of the sharpest labels in town is twice as nice . Tuesday, December 2, and Thursday, December 4, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Wednesday, December 3, and Friday, December 5, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 261 W. 36th Street (7th and 8th avenues), 2nd floor. See also Rag & Bone and Helmut Lang.