Yule Log Better in High-Def

The WPIX Yule Log is scheduled to burn tomorrow morning from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., but you don't have to rely on just the old six-minute loop anymore. Digital technology has improved the quality of televised fires, and the Times's Allesandra Stanley took it upon herself to review several of them this year. We can just imagine Stanley in her apartment, sipping hot cider (soberly — she's working, after all), and debating the merits of Fireplace: Visions of Tranquility over Happy Holiday Hearth. Stanley is enthusiastic about Yule a Go-Go even though the burlesque dancers get in the way of the roaring fire. Ambient Fire, with its lengthy menu of fireplace images (choose among "just logs" and "just flames") is her top pick. But, as usual, we are outdone by our neighbors to the north, according to Canadian who commented on the story. "Here in Vancouver," she writes, "we've had the Holiday Fireplace playing on a local cable channel (in both high and standard definition), 24/7 since the beginning of the month."

Log: The Directors' Cuts [NYT]

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Filed Under: christmas, dvd, pop trash, yule log

Holiday rush keeps Swift on top

Lauren Urstadt Wants You to Trade Your Ruffles for Leather

Lauren Urstadt began designing accessories for labels like Kate Spade and Betsey Johnson more than a decade ago. She launched her eponymous accessories line of luxe cashmere knits and boldly colored and embellished leather gloves in stores ranging from Bendel's to Blueberi this year, and earlier this month she unveiled her first stand-alone boutique in Soho. Look out for new ready-to-wear items come spring, like lightweight knit tank dresses and vests. We caught up with Urstadt in her newly opened store to hear about her most essential winter wares.

You sell your designs at places like Henri Bendel, Intermix, and Oak. Why open up your own store?
I wanted to showcase more men's pieces and unusual designs that retailers hadn't been buying, like the color block, racing stripe, and chain leather gloves. Everyone was selling out of the same fingerless knit gloves.

Are you worried about opening in this economy?
A lot of people from the neighborhood have been calling us brave, but I think if you have a unique, special product, people will buy it. People aren't buying mainstream basics right now.

Do you have a favorite item in the collection?
I would say the Flip — it's a cashmere knit shrug with a draping neck that can be worn as a scarf or a hood. I designed it to be very versatile. Either that, or the cashmere and lambskin leather gloves with silk lining.

Any style tips for men who are venturing into winter accessories?
Steer away from the norm and what's considered safe. Don't be afraid of color. Let your accessories make a statement.

How would you describe your personal style?
Relaxed with a rock and roll edge. I wear a lot of black, and I can't live without my motorcycle jacket.

Who are your favorite designers?
Yohji Yamamoto, Karl Lagerfeld, and Alexander McQueen. I really relate to the way McQueen incorporates hardware and accessories into his designs. They're very sculptural, but also so sexy.

Which labels do you wear the most?
A little bit of Chanel, Juicy Couture jeans, and G-Star Raw T-shirts. I also have a million Marc Jacobs bags.

The Flip, Urstadt's combined shrug, scarf, and hood.Photo: Melissa Hom

Which trends do you wish would go away?
Frilly, ruffly tops that are over-the-top girly. Also, eighties trends, like stirrup pants and high-waisted jeans.

Is there any trend you wish would make a comeback?
Seventies Brit pop: Tight jackets, skinny pants, and cool shoes. I love that hip London look.

Is there any item you're lusting after right now?
Chunky silver jewelry by Chrome Hearts.

What should every woman have in her closet?
Long black leather gloves, a black tank top, and high-heeled, knee-length black boots that are easy to walk in. Mine are from John Fluevog.

What's something you never leave the house without?
My Dr. Hauschka lip balm.

Lauren Urstadt New York, 79 Sullivan St., nr. Broome St.

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Filed Under: Lauren Urstadt, Tastemakers, winter accessories

Team Obama Did Nothing Wrong, Says Team Obama

Yesterday Barack Obama released his long-awaited internal report on his team's contacts with disgraced former Almost Famous star Rod Blagojevich. Though it might seem suspicious that Obama is off flexing in Hawaii and Rahm Emanuel just happens to be on a family vacation in Africa, the investigation completely exonerates Obama and his staff. While Emanuel did speak with Blago and his chief of staff on a handful of occasions, nothing improper took place, the report concludes, nor was anyone on Obama's team aware of any quid pro quo schemes or other devious activities. Which is pretty much what everyone expected to hear, although we did also learn that U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald interviewed Obama, Emanuel, and aide Valerie Jarrett about the case last week. That bit of information, and the report in its entirety, were viewed suspiciously by some, while others are satisfied and ready to move on.

• Ed Morrissey suspects "that Fitzgerald needed further clarification than Obama’s flat denials, and it would be interesting to know why," but "[e]ven approaching him for the investigation seems unusual." [Hot Air]

• Jennifer Rubin believes that without "access to the witnesses, verbatim accounts of the calls, and an explanation for Jarrett’s withdrawal from the Senate race," it's "hard to evaluate the credibility and reliability of the summary." But what we do know is that "the blanket initial denial by President-elect Obama was in all likelihood technically correct, but rather misleading," because "with his full knowledge, his closest aides were in fact talking to Blago’s team and conveying the President-elect’s wishes about the open senate seat." [Contentions/Commentary]

• Mary Katherine Ham notes "that the Washington press corps is awfully happily credulous of a Democratic internal investigation, conducted by Democrats, of Democrats, to clear Democrats of possible collusion with another Democrat, released on a holiday weekend at 4:30 p.m." [Blog/Weekly Standard]

• Ben Pershing finds it "striking how little skepticism there is in this morning's stories, both of the report's result and the process by which it was crafted." Would the media buy it if the Bush administration had exonerated itself in a similar investigation? Of course, "you could argue that [Bush] earned a healthy dose of skepticism over the last eight years." [44/WP]

• Steve Benen contends that we should trust the Obama report because "the review was done with the knowledge that Blagojevich and his office was the subject of FBI wiretaps," meaning the transition team "knew in advance that any false claims would be easily exposed, so they had a very strong incentive to be completely honest." [Political Animal/Washington Monthly]

• Kenneth P. Vogel and Carrie Budoff Brown craft a list of the "five rules of Obama scandal-management based on his team's handling of its first post-election crisis." They include "Be transparent, to an extent" and "Aides take hits to protect the boss." [Politico]

• Karen Tumulty says the bottom line is that "it would appear that if Blagojevich — or anyone working on his behalf — was trying to get anything out of Obama, they were doing it awfully subtly." [Swampland/Time]

• Matthew Yglesias thinks the results "shouldn’t come as a surprise to those who heard Patrick “I Have Wir[e]taps of All of This” Fitzgerald say that they didn’t do anything wrong." [Think Progress]

Read more posts by Dan Amira

Filed Under: barack obama, media, obama's senate seat, politics, rahm emanuel, rod blagojevich

WATCH: What's 'View' Doing for NYE?

Taylor Swift Trumps Big Debuts To Stay No. 1

WATCH: Holiday Movie Review Roundup

Disney Slays Narnia Franchise, Andy Samberg Weeps

While it's nothing new to see film franchises die because they never quite get off the ground (see: The Golden Compass) or because they've run their course (see: The Matrix), it's quite another matter entirely when a studio turns its back on a billion-dollar baby that is still showing legs. Such is the case with Disney, who just euthanized their Chronicles of Narnia franchise when they decided not to finance the third film of what was intended to be a trilogy, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. So what happened?

As you'll no doubt recall, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe grossed nearly $750 million worldwide back in 2005 (and also inspired Chris Parnell and Andy Samberg to get baked and hit the Magnolia Bakery). But the performance of Prince Caspian, which grossed a very respectable if sorta underwhelming $419 million at the box office worldwide, apparently gave Disney cold feet. This is especially surprising when you consider that the film cost Disney $200 million to produce, which by our (admittedly rudimentary) math means they basically doubled their investment (less marketing costs, natch). Disney officially cited "budgetary and logistical reasons" as their reason for killing the franchise, but really that's just shorthand for the Mouse House's saying that they don't want to overextend themselves during these increasingly sketchy economic times. Merry Christmas!

Disney jumps ship on next 'Narnia' [HR]

Read more posts by Mark Graham

Filed Under: Disney, News Reel, Prince Caspian, The Chronicles of Narnia, Walden Media

OPEN THREAD: The Childhood Gift Pain Of December And January Birthdays

Fashion Week’s Hot New Venue; the Fur Requiem

• The Metropolitan Pavilion has experienced more demand for their February bookings. The director of sales says, "designers can produce an entire show for only $15,000 at her space," compared to more than tripling that at the tents. [Crains]

• French fur producer Terzakou is collaborating with Requiem to design a line — Requiem will present 20 fur designs, and prices will start at $1,700. [WWD]

• Had enough of celebrity fashion lines? Now their stylists are tapping the action. Johnny Wujek, stylist to Kate Mara, Rachel Bilson, Katy Perry, and Amber Heard, will launch a shoe-line collaboration with Modern Vintage. [WWD]

• After his unauthorized biography of Anna Wintour, Jerry Oppenheimer is at it again, this time with another icy, stone-faced subject: Barbie. The book, titled Toy Monster, drops February 24. [Fashionista]

• Katie Holmes was spotted at Henri Bendel yesterday buying seven pairs of jeans. We'll wager that at least two pairs were unflatteringly baggy and will be worn in the lovely peg-roll fashion. [NY Post]

Read more posts by Sharon Clott

Filed Under: barbie, fashion week, jerry oppenheimer, johnny wujek, katie holmes, loose threads, metropolitan pavilion, stylists, terzakou

Lance Armstrong Is Preggers!

Somewhat amazingly, the Noel Sisters were known as the Aspirina Girls in Brazil because they were always stealing everybody's boyfriends and causing headaches. Britney Spears should date Dr. Phil, and Dita Von Teese should date Salman Rushdie, according to some crackpot who used to date Rocco DiSpirito. Lance Armstrong, who was told he couldn't impregnate a woman naturally after his treatments for testicular cancer, knocked up his girlfriend Anna Hansen the old-fashioned way anyway. Wealthy writer Alexandra Penney isn't gaining any sympathy when she frets that Bernie Madoff's scheme is going to cost her a cottage in Palm Beach and a live-in maid. Bridget Moynahan awkwardly still has the same dentist as Tom Brady.

J.J. Abrams had some trouble filming at a hotel because of a strike. Keanu Reeves gave Kristin Scott Thomas and Peter Sarsgaard a standing ovation at their last performance of The Seagull on Broadway. Dude! Marisa Tomei has been making out with Logan Marshall-Green, of which we are totally jealous. Eagles linebacker Stewart Bradley wants to intern at Elle, because according to the show Stylista, literally everybody's doing it these days. Spike Lee is going to do a documentary about the little-known life of a basketball player named Michael Jordan. Brody Jenner got his Playmate girlfriend Cora Skinner a classy sapphire and diamond necklace, because, duh, you can't get her underwear. Silda Wall Spitzer was out on the town with a friend at La Goulou, presumably looking lovely and too good for her husband, as always. Heidi and Spencer from The Hills almost weren't allowed into Butter the other night.

Read more posts by Chris Rovzar

Filed Under: anna hansen, babies, bernie madoff, bridget moynahan, britney spears, brody jenner, dita von teese, elle, gilded age meltdown, gossipmonger, heidi montag, lance armstrong, logan marshall-green, marisa tomei, michael jordan, salman rushdie, spencer pratt, spike lee, the fabulous noel sisters, tom brady

"Balloon Dog", a sculpture by modern US artist Jeff Koons, at Versailles

Tina Fey, Queen of All Media

Well, all media that we like, anyhow. Fey has been voted the Associated Press's Entertainer of the Year, as judged by ink-stained wretches across the country (last year's winner was Stephen Colbert). To recap the highlights of Fey's resume for 2008: 30 Rock, some Emmys, Baby Mama, Sarah Palin, book deal, Vanity Fair cover, and probably some other stuff that we could never remotely manage. Take that, Imminent Backlash! Now give the lady her tiara. [AP]

Read more posts by Jessica Coen

Filed Under: kudos, obviously, tina fey

Bronx Mowgli Hates His Parents: Part #4,563

Rock & Republic Restrains Itself

When we think of Rock & Republic during Fashion Week, we think of words like flashy, brassy, profligate, audacious — but never do we think, "Wow, that gun-toting runway model sauntering down the lacquered catwalk sure is austere." The denim and sportswear Svengalis are making some changes, however, that will likely prompt us to reevaluate a bit: Last week the label decided to host a humble presentation in lieu of their Bryant Park show — which typically costs anywhere from $1 million to $3 million and seats an audience of around 1,000 — and now the Wall Street Journal's Heard on the Runway blog is reporting that they'll be lowering prices, as well. After seeing some sales falter in this economy, they're working on a limited-edition line of denim that will run around $130, which is $50 less than the usual going rate for some Rock & Republic jeans. (And, while we appreciate the gesture, if they really want to send a message, they'd best get working on their H&M or Target lines.)

If you're concerned that all this means that the label's carefully cultivated image of leathery, downtown fabulousness might take a hit, worry not: They'll still be hosting their regular over-the-top party during Paris Fashion Week in March. That one usually clocks in at somewhere under $500,000 in costs — and is aimed at buyers from economies less decrepit than ours (helloooo, Dubai) — so it's a practical expense. Just don't expect them to host it in the Eiffel Tower this time around.

A New Austerity at Rock & Republic [WSJ]

Read more posts by Jessica Coen

Filed Under: economy, fashion week, rock and republic, signs of the times

Oh, Plaxico. Don’t You Watch Law & Order?

Police raided Plaxico Burress's home yesterday looking for evidence to support their case against him for accidentally shooting himself in the leg with an unregistered handgun at the midtown club Latin Quarter at the start of the month. If Plaxico ever watched any television crime series, he should know that whether or not he got rid of the evidence of the crime he's being charged with, he should definitely get rid of any other sketchy business he's got in his house — even if it's perfectly legal. But apparently he's no CSI fan, because when Totowa, New Jersey, cops entered his home with warrants, they discovered:

• One 9mm handgun
• A rifle
• A "small cache" of ammo for .380, .45. and .40 caliber guns (the last is the caliber of the gun used to shoot himself)
• A pair of blood-soaked jeans
• A suitcase full of money

Christ. This all doesn't mean he did anything else wrong, but if you were a Giants team owner trying to decide whether to keep Plaxico on, surely the words "suitcase full of money" (and even just "cache") don't spell "family-friendly sports entertainment."

RAID ON PLAX HOME [NYP]

Read more posts by Chris Rovzar

Filed Under: ammo caches, crime, giants, plaxico burress, suitcases full of money, the sports section

Thacher, Proffitt & Wood Closing Doors

After 160 years in existence, venerable New York law firm Thacher, Proffitt & Wood will shut down next year after its structured-finance practice collapsed and more than half of its attorneys fled to a competitor. About 100 lawyers will join Sonnenschein, Nath & Rosenthal next month. [NYP]

Read more posts by Chris Rovzar

Filed Under: company town, crapitalism, law, law firms, thacher proffitt

The many, many voices of Enya

Caroline Kennedy Is Having a Medium Christmas Eve

You'd think, as the 25th approached, Caroline Kennedy would only increase in power. Like Superman recharging near the sun, Catholics derive energy from Christmas the way Jews do from Passover, and Episcopalians from gin. But that doesn't appear to be the case this year. According to the Times, Governor Paterson is annoyed that Caroline's handlers are telling people her appointment to replace Hillary Clinton in the Senate is already a "done deal," which makes Pattycakes feel boxed in. Democratic State Assembly leader Sheldon Silver doesn't want her to be senator because she's aligned with Mayor Bloomberg, who is not a Democrat and is also basically enemies with Silver. And resistance among state party leaders is beginning to solidify against her.

Plus, the Daily News, New York's liberal-leaning tabloid where Caroline used to toil as a copy girl, has gone and dug up her rough net worth — a surefire blow to her populist appeal. Kennedy's worth is well over $100 million, according to the paper, which includes a $40 million, 366-acre oceanside estate on Martha's Vineyard (we almost threw up typing that, and we like rich people). After a bunch of billionaires basically brokered this year's change on mayoral term limits, New Yorkers are already chafing against the feeling that we live in some sort of pseudo-democratic oligarchy. Which we wouldn't mind, if we were the oligarchs. Or if we even just had the estate on Martha's Vineyard.

Resistance to Kennedy Grows Among Democrats [NYT]
Caroline Kennedy: The $100M Woman [NYDN]

Read more posts by Chris Rovzar

Filed Under: caroline kennedy, david paterson, early and often, Hillary's senate seat, politics, rich people, sheldon silver

Sandra Bullock to Hunt Mercenaries With the Boys

Bullock is Expendable: Sylvester Stallone is in hot pursuit of Sandra Bullock as he tries to add her to the testosterone-filled cast of his action disaster The Expendables. Sly has already cast Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Forest Whitaker, and Randy Couture in the tale of mercenaries out to depose a dictator. Bullock, thankfully, won't play a gun-toting mercenary but rather a government agent out to stop the brutes. Seems safe to assume she'll be that rare type of government agent who wears thin white tank tops as she chases cons through the rain forest. [JoBlo]

Ugly Lauren: Dexter co-star Lauren Vélez is making friends with Ugly Betty. Vélez's multi-episode arc will have her play Elena, a nurse that enters the lives of the Suarez family because of a plot twist that might involve the death of a major character. If it's little Justin, we're going to be very very upset. And if it's Betty, well, it's time to make this show about Justin anyway. [HR]

Tron-a-thon: Bruce Boxleitner has joined fellow Tron star Jeff Bridges in Tr2n, the follow-up to the 1982 sci-fi flick. In the original, Bridges plays an arcade owner who is digitally reconstituted into a 3-D computer world. Once there, he teams up with Boxleitner to outsmart the malicious program that turned him into a bunch of pixels. Tr2n is set to be the next chapter. Now, if they could just do something about that name. [Coming Soon]

Cromer is Broadway Bound: David Cromer has signed on to direct the Broadway revivals of Brighton Beach Memoirs and Broadway Bound. The two autobiographical comedies by Neil Simon will begin rehearsal in the summer, start previews in the fall and, if recent Broadway history is any indication, close a week later. [Variety]

Read more posts by Adam Raymond

Filed Under: The Industry

Events and Sales: 60 Percent Off Diane Von Furstenberg; Up to 75 Percent Off Alice + Olivia

EVENTS
• Personalize your last-minute gifts. Engravings by Joseph Callari are complimentary with men's or women's fragrance purchases of $80 or more. Bloomingdale's, 1000 Third Ave., at 59th St. (212-705-2000); 9–10.

SALES
STARTING TODAY
• Missed the Diane Von Furstenberg sample sale last week? Head to her Meatpacking District store, where all fall merchandise is 60 percent off. Ongoing. 874 Washington St., nr. 14th St. (646-486-4800); Mon.–Wed. (11–7), Thurs. (11–8), Fri.–Sat. (11–7), Sun. (noon–6).

• Take 50 percent off of Oak's stylish downtown in-house collection. Ongoing. 28 Bond St., nr. Lafayette St. (212-677-1293) and 208 N. 8th St., nr. Driggs Ave., Williamsburg, Brooklyn; Mon.–Fri. (11–8), Sun. (11–7).

• The party-friendly clothes by Alice + Olivia are 25 to 75 percent off in-store. Ongoing. 80 W. 40th St., nr. Sixth Ave. (212-840-0887); Mon.–Fri. (10-7), Sat. (noon–6), Sun. (closed).

ENDING TODAY
• Don't fret if you've fallen behind on your shopping schedule. Macy's is open all night, and its doors won't shut until 6 p.m. on Wednesday. 151 W. 34th St., at Broadway (212-695-4400).

• Jack Spade's must-have men's accessories are up to 50 percent off, plus 30 percent off nylon, canvas, and waxwear bags. Through 12/24. 56 Greene St., at Broome St. (212-625-1820); Mon.–Sat. (11–7), Sun. (noon–6). 400 Bleecker St., nr. 11th St. (212-675-4085); Mon.–Fri. (12–8), Sat.–Sun. (11–7).

STARTING FRIDAY
• Take 20 percent off the stock at Upper Echelon Shoes. 12/26-ongoing. 100B Forsyth St., nr. Broome St. (212-925-8330); Daily (noon–7).

• Sweet kids' clothes from Petit Bateau, Lili Gaufrette, and Splendid are marked down by 50 percent at Small Change. Through 1/31. 1196 Lexington Ave., nr. 81st St. (212-772-6455); Mon.–Fri. (10–6), Sat. (10–5), Sun. (noon–5).

• The year-end sale at Aloha Rag features 70 percent off their stock of fall/winter 2008 merchandise from 3.1 Phillip Lim, Alexander Wang, Giuseppe Zanotti, Ksubi, Rogan, YMC, and more. Ongoing. 505 Greenwich St., nr. Spring St. (212-925-0882); Mon.–Sat. (11–7), Sun. (noon–6).

• Links of London jewelry, small leather goods, and accessories are up to 50 percent off. Through 1/17. 535 Madison Ave., nr. 54th St. (212-588-1177); Mon.–Sat. (9:30–7:30), Sun. (11:30–6). 402 W. Broadway, nr. Spring St. (212-343-8024); Mon.–Sat. (11–8), Sun. (noon–close). MetLife Building, 200 Park Ave., nr. 44th St. (212-867-0258); Mon., Tues., and Thurs. (8–8), Wed. and Fri. (8–7), Sat. (10–6), Sun. (closed).

STARTING SATURDAY
• Agent Provocateur's racy underthings are half off; the Bridgette bra is $65. Through 1/10. 133 Mercer St., nr. Prince St. (212-965-0229); Mon.–Sat. (11–7), Sun. (noon–6).

• Steven Alan donated 1,000 items from Lulu, Willa, Sophie, Sea, Reve Seam, and its namesake line to Housing Works. Jackets are $150 (originally $450), peacoats are $83 (originally $249), and men's shirts are $56 (originally $168). Today only. Housing Works Thrift Shop, 143 W. 17th St., nr. Sixth Ave. (718-838-5050); 10–6.

Read more posts by Sharon Clott

Filed Under: fashion calendar, sales, shopping

Crowded Christmas Day for movies

Our Favorite Christmas Light Displays - Sent In By You!