The girls are back! And by girls, I mean, the girls from Sex and the City! In case you haven’t heard, the popular fashion-crazed show about relationships and sex is headed for the big screen May 2008.

We don’t know much about the movie, but here’s what we do know (or at least what is rumored):

Charlotte and Big

Carrie, her Eiffel Tower purse and her Sound of Music “play clothes for the children” garb.

The lovely ladies of SATC!

Normally, while doing my daily gym routine, I am in a complete zone. I get my workout done while listening to a happy mix of Janet Jackson, vintage *Nsync, Notorious B.I.G. and other goodies. This allows me to block out the world and look like a tough guy while listening to “Genie in a Bottle” by X-tina Aguilera.

But last night was different. I became more aware of my surroundings. When I saw the etiquette used by some of the patrons and the workout garb around me, I was surprised.

I usually go to the gym in shorts and a white V-neck tee - nothing fancy or high-end. I mean, for crying out loud, if you are really working out, there will be a copious amount of sweat coming out of your pores. More than that you are at the gym, not the runway.

That said, here are a few tips to follow while at the gym courtesy of moi:

Do you have any gym etiquette and fashion pet peeves? Please feel free to send them my way…

Talented Bay Area designer, Cari Borja has a new boutique and studio opening in Berkeley. And What better way to to introduce it to the world than by having a grand opening party…

Well, maybe I shouldn’t call Borja a “designer.” Although she has the chops of a top-notch designer, her website crowns her as a “clothesmaker” - this goes along with the character of her clothing. There’s something so beautifully romanticized and alluringly vintage about her collections. With a modern edge, she makes clothes that makes her stand out as one of the most talented designers - er, I mean - clothesmakers in the entire Bay Area…

Here’s the 4-1-1 on her opening:

When: 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29.

Where: 2117 4th Street, Studio B. Between Addison and Allston Way in Berkeley.

The studio will be open for regular store hours 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday Sept. 27th and Friday the 28th.

For more info on the fabulous Borja and to look at her wondrous collections visit www.cariborja.com.

Watch out all you unstylish people of the SF Bay Area - style is invading the city’s Union Square on Saturday, Sept. 29…

After taking a break in 2006, the San Francisco’s Style Festival comes back to us for it’s second annual affair of entertainment, gourmet food, beauty, cosmetics, live music and, of course, fashion.

From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. fashionistas, foodies, hedonists and everyone in between can enjoy spa treatments from Burke Williams, cooking demonstrations by Chef William Bunn of Teatro Zinzanni, live music from groups like the ‘E Sassin’ Quartet, food from Emporio Rulli, creations from the Bay Area’s own Missing Piece and a preview of the new Aussie fashion sensation, Celebrity Uniform.

Want to know the best thing about this soirée? It’s free!

So come on down to Union Square for a rub down, some gourmet grub, swanky fashion and some local flair!

For more info visit www.stylefestival.com.

The other day while I was shopping in Target I finally decided to give these new Every Man Jack male grooming products (which happen to be based in San Francisco) a try.

I opted to use their shave gel. I liked their packaging: clean and modern with a touch of burly masculinity with the faux woodgrain caps. But the real test was if whether or not I liked using the product.

The “for all skin types” shave gel was gentle on the skin and had this “male-omatic” scent that didn’t remind me of a locker room like some of those other brands. It left my skin smooth and I felt so refreshed. It didn’t seem as abrasive as some of the past brands I used.

Diagnosis: Impressive!

Available at a Target store near you.

There something about fancy and gorgeous stationary that strikes a chord with me. I can spend hours in one of those small paper product boutiques staring at gift wrapping, cards and other fun things that I can write on, wrap and put on my shelf to make my room look pretty.

When giving a card or a gift - it’s all about presentation. The perfect greeting card can just be as fashionable as the gift you’re giving - sometimes even more so. Sure, those Hallmark cards are good, but I like to keep my eye out for genuine artistic thought put into it.

Here are some cards and other paper goodies that you can get your hands on:

Brenna Giannini, the visual genius of the stationary company, Sugar Lily serves up some greeting cards that you would rather frame than give away. They are simple, modern, elegant and have this understated allure about them that pops. I remember I gave someone one of her “thank you” cards and they were in a state of awe in how beautifully designed it was - she was paying attention to the card more than the actual gift. I would say have a bunch of these in stock if you want to impress your gift receivers. Pictured: Lollipop, 1 for $2.50 or 3 for $6.

Zombie Escape Plan blank book journal, $12

When I first saw this “Zombie Escape Plan” book, I thought it was a horror novel, but I opened it to find that it was a journal - but it wasn’t your ordinary journal. Christine Renee of re-conceived.com has found a creative joy in fashioning magnets, buttons, journals and notebooks out of “unloved and damaged books.” Whether they are pages from antique dictionaries, loose leaf notebook paper, graph paper or retro instructional manuals, each product is different as has its own personal history - which is both “green” and snazzy.

Ironing Ladies, 6 1-inch buttons (badges) from old books, $6

Kawaii Cuddlies Note Cards (Set of 4), $8

As much as I hate to admit it, I got bitten by the “Awwwww, that’s SO cute!” bug when I saw these cards. Made by the creative minds at Lucid Dream Designs, these cards have that “Hello Kitty” Sanrio attitude, but A LOT less annoying and it doesn’t have that element of extreme tween bombardment. There’s a Bunny that’s “So Cute,” a mouse that’s “Too Cute,” a fox that’s “Always Cute” and a polar bear that’s “Forever Cute.” I just want to eat them all up. Oh lord - did I just say that?

With Paper Relics, Hope Wallace merges her love for design and whimsical “Alice in Wonderland-ish” character to create some of the most enchanting and fantastical array (but not in that unicorn and hobbit sort of way) of paper goods that illustrate her quirky, antique fairy-infused Paper Vignette greeting card collection.

With dream-like sweetness and vintage flair, Wallace offers postcards, holiday cards, note cards, wedding cards and every kind of card that you can think of - she also has a fine selection of ephemera: paper items that were originally meant to be discarded after use but have since become collectibles - yeah, I had to look that word up to see what it meant too. Pictured: Oh dear postcards: Individual, $1.50; Set of 10, $10.

For all you ladies out there (and some men), finding a guy to take home to the parents is hard to do. In fact, finding the perfect relationship is difficult - but not anymore! The tongue-in-cheek duo of Dean and Amy Crownover at Retro Recess have created an adult coloring book…no, not that kind of “adult.”

Dean and Amy remind us to “rediscover playtime” with the My Perfect Man Coloring and Activity Book. The book has everything you need for the perfect man. There’s a cowboy that says “I could ride all night” and tennis pro that says “Let’s work on your stroke.” There are NO sexual innuendos in this book at all. Plus, there are plenty of games you can play - a maze to find your perfect man and even a connect-the-dots activity to make your man come to life! The best thing about this book? These guys don’t argue and with a complete set of crayons, you have all the power.

For all of you who love the BEST DRESSED portion of my blog, you might have noticed that I haven’t posted a weekly wrap up of pop culture and fashion as of late - but don’t fret - it will be back soon!!!

Meanwhile, enjoy this song that has been playing in my head all week…

This happened way back in July, but I just now stumbled upon it (thanks to my lovely co-worker Jenny!)

Rather than just try to explain it with my quirky banter, I’ll just show it to you…

Yes ladies and gentlemen, these are condoms. I never thought that they could be utilized in such a “haute couture” way.

Back in July the Fourth China Reproductive Health New Technologies and Products Expo hosted a fashion show with these prophylactics organized by China’s largest condom manufacturer, Guilin Latex Factory.

Besides looking unbelievably chic and quirky on the runway, the show was promoting the fight against HIV/AIDS.

But if they’re fighting HIV/AIDS, doesn’t this excessive use of condoms as clothing defeat the purpose? With all these rubber outfits, it seems like many of the condoms could’ve been actually used for what they were meant for rather than a one-time use garment for the runway.

…okay, I may be thinking a little too hard about this (no pun intended).

…but they do look fabulous though.

Isn’t that wedding gown ironic? And can I just say BRAVO to that qipao and lollipop? Although…I don’t think anyone will be licking that lollipop - unless you’re into that kind of stuff.

Free stuff is always fun…free luxury items from Saks Fifth Avenue is even MORE FUN!

Starting on Tuesday, Sept. 25 and continuing through Friday, Sept. 28 MasterCard and Saks Fifth Avenue in San Francisco are going to be giving away Marc Jacobs bags, Gucci glasses and Christian Louboutin shoes…but not in an “obvious” sort of way…

A team of girls will be randomly surprising shoppers in the store with “Want it! Wild Cards”. The girls will then buy them the fall’s hottest items courtesy of MasterCard - now that is WILD!

If I were you, I’d make my way to the city all this week and keep your eye out for this all-mighty team of MasterCard gals while browsing the racks at Saks. And if they come up to and start cheering, don’t freak out and mace them, they’re probably going to give you some fancy stuff!

Saks Fifth Avenue is located at 384 Post St. in San Francisco.

I have a feeling those “Wild” MasterCard girls are going to turn into the huntees by the end of the week due to luxury-hungry shoppers.

I’ll see you there!!!

With Dita Von Teese at Macy’s Passport, I just HAD to have a chat with her.

Luckily, I scored some one on one time with her and I was uber excited to be next to such a glamorous icon.

As she walked out of her dressing room in the backstage green room at the Fort Mason Festival Pavilion, she lit up the room with her flawless beauty - it was like seeing a vintage technicolor starlet entering the scene….

After telling me she had just flew in from Paris, I was amazed in how hypnotically stunning she looked by just having traveled from another continent: pristine skin, hourglass silhouette, sultry red lipstick added the perfect accent of beauty to her retro ‘do…

I asked her tons of questions - so much that I had to run some in print and here online.

When I was listening to the playback of our interview on my recorder, I realized that I sound really giggly and dorky when I talk to these people of stardom. I wonder if I was really awkward and annoying to them - I know I thought I was annoying when I heard the playback.

But I digress…here are a few things she had to say to me…

Dino-Ray: What are you addicted to when it comes to shopping?

Dita Von Teese: I am addicted to vintage clothing. I have a huge collection of vintage clothing. I’m a real bargain hunter when it comes to vintage. It’s not uncommon for me to walk into a vintage store and leave with 20 dresses. I want to build on my collection that I have had for almost 20 years.

DR: Who are you wearing right now?

DVT: I am wearing a vintage blouse that I bought 15 years ago, a Vivienne Westwood skirt, Alessandro Dell’Acqua belt, my own brand vintage stockings and my Yves Saint Laurent shoes. It’s all about mixing and matching – this blouse was only $15. If you choose wisely, you can come out with a great stylish look. It doesn’t all have to be expensive.

DR: Any other projects in the works?

DVT: I am creating a lot of new burlesque shows and I’m excited about that because it’s an arduous task to put together these shows with all the props and elaborate costumes. I am also the new ambassador for Cointreau. I have a few lingerie projects in the works and a couple of films I might take on.

DR: Are they going to be big studio films?

DVT: Yes – they are very artistic, and at the same time, they are relative to what I do. All the film projects are about showgirls and their lives. I don’t want to be an actress for the sake of being an actress, I want to do films that I want to see and things that I can do well.

DR: What is your definition of beauty?

DVT: For me, I want to constantly remind people that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. What one person might think is beautiful, another might think it’s downright ugly. It’s important to be who you want to be and not let people judge you.

Ah Dita…will you marry me?