Anyone who knows me knows I absolutely adore Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen.  In my book, they can't (really) do anything wrong. 

Growing up, I was always so bummed that I didn't live in an area with a Wal*Mart, as they sold the mary-kateandashley brand clothing.  But now, Olsen and Olsen have certainly made up for their Wal*Mart exclusivity by launching Elizabeth and James. 

Currently my favorite brand, Elizabeth and James perfectly mixes femininity and masculinity, surely making each wearer looks as cool as MK and Ash.  While a lot of the pieces aren't exactly in a college student's budget, the line, named after their siblings, certainly doesn't skimp on quality in fabric, design and cut. 

Since its launch, Elizabeth and James has incorporated shoes (a collaboration with Steve Madden) and jewelry (a collaboration with Robert Lee Morris) into the collection.  Fall '09 will usher in a much anticipated menswear line from the dynamic duo.

Check out some of my favorite looks from www.elizabethandjames.us below:

While women fought for equality and the right to vote, men already had many rights.  Except the right to choose between just two styles of underwear!  Although women have a plethora of panty styles-full, thong, boy-cut, g-string-it seemed that men were sectioned off into two standard categories: boxers or briefs.

Boxer underwear was first invented for boxers, as they allowed leg movement-which is quite important for the sport.  Slowly, the undergarments evolved into a mass-market favorite, not only for their loose comfort and freedom, as noted by Mark Greenstein and Rob Palma, (both UD '12) but for the selection of colors and length cuts. 

Briefs meanwhile were first sold in 1935 and aimed at athletes who needed support when playing their sport.  Much controversy has plagued the tighty whiteys, as they had been rumored to lower sperm count.  (By the way, scientists have confirmed that wearing the underwear is unlikely to have any effect on fertility.)

However, many men of today felt they needed something in between, and so, the boxer brief was born.  Marrying the length and color choices from boxers with the snugness of briefs, the new-age underwear seems to be a popular choice for modern guys.  (Though when asked, more UD guys chose boxers!)

Whatever your style, whatever the reason, just makes sure your choice makes you feel the most comfortable!  (Even if they're printed with bananas...)

Special thanks to Nick Bojda, Mark Greenstein and Rob Palma
Image: Vivaelbirdos.com

UDress founder, Michelle Lapidos is in full swing playing The NYC Game.  In her first week playing, John DeLucie, chef and partner at the Waverly Inn, challenged Michelle to live an incredible week according to his rules. 

"Go to Emilio's Ballato in Little Italy," he told her.  "Bring flowers to the chef, Emilio, and ask him to make the pacari."  Michelle not only succeeded in this task, but in all of the week's challenges.  After winning her prize (dinner for two at the Waverly), Michelle set up a contest to win dinner at Emilio's Ballato!  The challenge?  Compliment Michelle in Italian.

As an amateur foodie and Italian enthusiast, I had to enter.  No Google translator, just me.  "Michelle, tu sei bella, intelligente, e favolosa.  I tuoi tweets mi portano gioia ogni giorno."  These simple Italian words sent via Twitter were enough to win Michelle over and get me a pacari dinner & wine at Emilio's Ballato. 

I brought flowers to Emilio, introduced myself and sat at a table in the back corner with my boyfriend.  Emilio was warm and generous - informing his servers that both of our pacari dinners and our bottle of red wine (Gran Sasso Montepulciano Abruzzo, to be exact) were on the house.

We ordered prosciutto and melon as an appetizer and it was phenomenal.  The fresh from-the-oven focaccia was phenomenal and when the pacari came out you could sense our server's excitement because we had never tried it before. 

The pacari - wide ziti-like pasta, perfectly al dente - was cooked in the most delicious sauce I've ever eaten.  Even though I struggled to finish the last bites of my pacari, I still found a way to order dessert.  The tiramisu was fabulous - light, yet decadent, and totally worth the overly-full feeling!  

You see variations of it all the time-on greeting cards and silly forwarded emails-and trite as it may be, it's true:  good wine, good food and good company really are all you need for a good time.  As for my experience at Emilio's Ballato, all I can say is that you simply have to try it all for yourself!