Thank the gods of style (sartorial and syntactical) for Cintra Wilson, who regularly writes as the Critical Shopper in the New York Times. The Critical Shopper feature in general is a welcome relief from the “oops, I just vomited up this press release and called it a story” approach that prevails elsewhere. Not so much in the hallowed style pages of the NYT, you understand — most of that’s either dull or of the “Five Favorite Belts Under Five Hundred Dollars” variety. I believe the word for the latter crime is “aspirational.” Aspire to this, NYT style scribes: offering more sensible suggestions about things a rational human of moderate means trying to survive the worst recession of her lifetime so far might realistically consider buying/wearing.

So when the Critical Shopper appears, I lap it up like it’s the last French 75 in the desert. Each piece is a review of a store, and not those tiny, hidden away, one-of-a-kind boutiques that you’re never going to get to unless you live in New York. In fact, the one that got me all excited recently was Wilson’s take on Ann Taylor, somewhere I’ve always sneered at. OK, I admit I’m not sure I’ve ever set foot in one, but even the window displays have tended to make me yawn. You can read CW’s hilarious take on it for yourself here. Cintra Wilson, I think I love your writing. Anyone who can make an article about Ann Taylor both funny and interesting is a heroine in my book on my blog.

I was also intrigued by Mike Albo’s review of the yoga wear chain Lululemon. Yes, apparently men shop! Not as much as women, but they do. And not just for beer and flat screen TVs; for things like “yoga pants that don’t gape or ride up.” But that’s not the interesting part. Just hang in there till you get to Landmark Forum.

Which is most definitely NOT my advice for life in general.