If you’re like me, you enjoy a fine “Two Buck Chuck” wine from Trader Joe’s with your dinner, especially when company’s over, right? With one of the world’s most powerful earthquakes in a century battering famed wine making country Chile on February 27, one question has prevades as country rebuilds itself:

Can Chile’s famous wine industry rebuild after quake?

Alfredo S. Bartholomaus says, “YES!”

And he should know. Born and raised in Chile, Bartholomaus is a successful pioneer of wines, who in 2001 and 2005 was selected as one of The Wine Advocates “Wine Personalities of the Year.” As a young man, Alfredo hitchhiked to the United States in pursuit of his dream to bring the wines of Chile to the United States.  Today, Bartholomaus works with Winebow whose portfolio includes wines from Chile, Argentina, Germany, Alsace, New Zealand and California.  In addition, they now serve as not only importers, but also marketers and producers.

According to Bartholomaus, the quake will not affect the taste of the product and most wineries will be able to ship their wines within the next few weeks.

Bartholomaus: “The Valley of Aconcagua, Casablanca, San Antonio and Maipo Valley had minor damages,” but adds that “the ones most affected are Cachapoal, Colchagua, Curico and Maule Valleys which lost about $250 million in wines–about 12 % of the National inventories.”

According to this morning’s NY Post “the peacock ruffled Conan O’Brien’s feathers — and now he’s ready to fly the coop.”

Instead of giving Jay Leno the much-deserved boot in the ass, after it was determined in 2004 that he would retire, NBC has confirmed that Leno will get his old 11:35pm time slot back, demoting Conan O’Brien to an after-midnight schedule.

What the fuck?

Conan, officially the redheaded step-child of NBC, is now left with his balls blowing in the arctic-freeze, as lamo Leno gets his job back.

My advice to O’Brien: Run to HBO!

Rumor has it that FOX is courting O’Brien, but with Letterman and Leno rivalry subsequently back in effect, a third talk show added to the mix just wouldn’t work. Plus, what would happen to FOX’s successful late-night programming of sit-coms like Seinfeld and The Simpsons?

O’Brien should leave network television all-together and do something daring like take on a 30 or 60-minute weekly series with HBO-sweetheart Ricky Gervais and The Office’s Mindy Kaling, featuring sketch comedy and the occasional musical guest. Maybe a bit like 30Rock with entertainment insider-y jokes but with cursing and male full-frontal (NSFW).

Just a thought…

Here are advance photos by notable Norwegian contemporary fashion photographer Solve Sundsbo for the upcoming V MAGAZINE (issue #63): “The Size Issue,” featuring five plus-size models. The spread is titled “Curves Ahead.” V63 does not hit newsstands until January 14, 2010.

Styled by Nicola Formichetti, the models (Candice Huffine, Marquita Pring, Michelle Olson, Tara Lynn, Kasia P.) showcase everything from bustiers and bodysuits to nothing at all.

After shooting for V, Sundsbo later said: “I loved the opportunity to show that you can be beautiful and sexy outside the narrow interpretations that normally define us.”

I’ve been drinking way too much coffee lately. Thanks to our intrepid music editor Jenny Francois’s gift of a thermal carafe for my July ‘09 wedding, I can sip the hot, earthy goodness all day long if I wanted. But I need to get out of my dishelved office and start working off my Christmas break weight gain.

Lamé, sequins, studs and shorts are still in full effect this winter as the confusing economy continues to confound and the oldest retail company in the U.S, Caswell-Massey, prepares to open shop in NYC’s Limelight Marketplace this March 2010.

According to the press release: The brainchild of fashion retailer Jack Menashe, Limelight Marketplace will transform a historic 163-year-old venue into a three-story “festival of shops,” with elaborate facades and varied designs that invoke the feeling of a stroll down a marvelous European street. Limelight Marketplace welcomes innovative retailers and entrepreneurs, providing a unique “turn-key” solution for start-ups and established brands looking for a presence in the New York City retail market.

So look out C.O Bigalow, there’s a new emporium shilling toxic, paraben-laden products coming to town!

Lack of sunlight during winter can cause depression, more colds, possibly even raise your risk of cancer, increase susceptibility to heart attack, diabetes and other disorders. The sun’s rays are vital for the body to make vitamin D so it’s important to walk outside in the sunlight for at least 30 minutes a day.

This weekend, actress Brittany Murphy was found dead in her West Hollywood home.

Early autopsy reports state that she passed away from natural causes–that she possibly had a weak heart due to a past eating disorder. Toxicology reports can take up to 2 months so official cause of death might not be determined for some time.

I found out about Brittany Murphy via text message as I was sitting in Cinco de Mayo restaurant in my Brooklyn nabe with my husband and our former neighbor. We hadn’t gone out all day because of icy temperatures and snow, and as a result I am now battling an annoying cold. (see the connection people, get off your ass and go outside!). Anyway, after receiving the news I was startled by the fact that Murphy was only 32–older than me but basically my age. For whatever reason, probably because she’s been a working actress for so long, I thought that she was at least 35.

If you google her name and scroll past the numerous obituaries, you’ll find links to awfulplasticsurgery.com or other sites advertising pics of Murphy’s “trout pout” or bad boob job. Despite being so young, she was already washed up. Possibly under a negative influence that ultimately destroyed her.

Back in November, Perez Hilton reported that Murphy “was fired from an upcoming film that was shooting in Puerto Rico. Apparently, “the wacktress,” writes Hilton, “has a habit of being difficult on set and everyone’s tired of her shit.” Strangely, her husband Simon Monjack was in the mix, getting into fights with locals and appearing incoherent at an airport.

Her subsequent death less than a month later, will definitely stir up enough entertainment news articles that will eclipse Tiger Woods this holiday season and into the new year.

Until then, this is for you Ms. Murphy.

I’m not completely in love with Dior even though I am gobsmaked, head over heels enamored with John Galliano. The ready to wear lines that are available in stores are watered down versions that don’t at all reflect Galliano’s magicial flare. Yet, the clothes and the people who wear them still make me feel like a pauper.

Last night Harper’s Bazaar celebrated the holydays with an intimate gathering at the Dior boutique on 57th street in New York City.

Veuve Clicquot, macaron cookies and personal portraits by Bil Donovan (for a select few, of course), oh my!

Your reporter: Excuse me, are the portraits for Dior clients only? What about press people?
Dior Marketeer: Well, what press outlet are you from?
Your reporter: In Tandem Magazine.
Dior Marketeer: What’s In Tandem Magazine?

Denied.

As is now considered de rigueur these days, reality TV stars were invited. Alex McCord and her hubby Simon of The Real Housewives of New York City dropped by, which actually helped to enliven the snooty and somewhat lamo affair.

But the waiters were hot and they kept my glass full with champer refills as I gazed at the party mix of upper crust socialites and passholes (less than fab people who crash events) like Shaggy.

Your reporter: hey Shaggy! Last time I saw you was at the Spin NYC (Susan Sarandon’s ping pong parlor) party.

Shaggy: Glad that you remembered me.

While imbibing glass upon glass of champers, I wandered into the jewelry section. A tight corner, featuring beautifully whimsical baubles designed by Victoire de Castellane.

A pretentious and possible passhole: Ah, I saw Victoire in Barney’s the other day wearing Azzedine Alaia and Balanciaga heels.

I promptly walked out and headed straight back to civilization… Brooklyn.

Last night, I attended the launch party for Tacori’s 18k925 collection at Michael C. Fina in Midtown Manhattan. A line of consisting of 18k gold, 925 silver and colorful gemstones, the baubles are priced high (between $400 - $3000) and are geared towards the young set.

But what belle of the ball, currently representing the young set could possibly pull off the task of shilling someone else’s brand for self-serving purposes? Enter Whitney Port of MTV’s The City, who while talking up Tacori, made sure that a couple of her designs were prominently displaced next to the colorful jewels. Cute frocks but unfortunately not the best accompaniment to the David Yurman-esque look of the 18k925. It all seemed like a PR company killing 2 birds with 1 party for their clients.

Whitney looked great in a white studded number and vintage heels that reminded me of a 1960s prom. She spoke to a few media people and took a few random facebook mobile snaps with guests and that was it. She spent the rest of the evening speaking only to her small group of friends. If it was Princess Diana or Jackie O., I bet they would have at least graciously smiled at everyone because that’s what a belle does. They knew how work the crowd, acknowledging everyone’s existence in the process.

So does Whitney truly represent this era’s definition of a Daisy Buchanan? With shows like “Jersey Shore” and “Tool Academy”, featuring Tiger Woods’ former mistress, gaining popularity, seems like there’s a new wave in our midst. It’s as if we’re done with obsessing over the hostess’ gown–we’re too preoccupied with the trashy crashers who got through security.

Even our own first lady (though I admire her for many reasons) is more apt to showing you how to plant rosemary in your garden than flaunt a fabulous gown at an Elton John benefit. She doesn’t seem like a schmoozer/connector which is vital to being a belle.

I know I’m rambling so I’ll get to my point. As we enter a new decade, the “belle of the ball” is over. Who knows what to expect in the new decade (hopefully not an apocalypse!) but I’m pretty sure that it won’t include a classy It Girl that deserves worldwide love and respect for her gift of throwing a great party. Our new 2010s heroine will probably be some reality TV star who loves to fuck in coat rooms and blows her nose at the dinner table. Get ready, maybe she’ll look like this: