Unlike Gucci Gal, I’m no horsie gal, but couldn’t giddy up fast enough to post on this wonderfully inspiring story.

In one of the most amazing competitions ever witnessed, Rachel Alexandra outran her macho, co-contending colts to win the 134th Preakness Stakes yesterday at Pimlico Race Track. Spectactors watched in awe as Alexandra snagged the lead when she was halfway to the the finish.

Hardly a quirky racehorse name, “Rachel Alexandra” was named after the granddaughter of her original owner.  But he didn’t deem her worthy to compete with the ‘boys.’  It was her new owner, Jess Jackson of the famed Kendall-Jackson Vineyard, who knew she had the moxy to get the done!

This spectacularly beautiful filly deserves more than just few headlines. Though always a fave among her sister-fillies, Rachel Alexandra’s Preakness win was even grander because she was set against the ‘boys.’ But what this makes her victory so special is that she is the first filly to win the race since 1924, four years after women were given their voting rights.

How symbolic!

Indeed, the ladies were the winners yesterday, not just because so many at Pimlico placed their bets on Rachel Alexander, but because the win was earned by the best contender. Rachel Alexandra reminded us that girls do rule!

Now if we could only we could take the White House!

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The other night I rested my toes after a week’s worth of viral networking (of the wine, not swine variety) to take in the new beltway-based thriller, State Of Play. Even for you politistas and conspiratistas, I give it an ‘on demand’ rating — ’twill remind you why you liked Russell Crowe and why Ben’s acting roles should be limited to the pop-corny, fluffy stuff.

Without giving too much of the flick away, State of Play revolves around the extra-marital affair of a republican congressman, played by Affleck, and the incestuous ties to his former college roomie, a WashPo-esqe investigative reporter played by Crowe. So when I woke up on Monday morning to the revelation that John Edwards’ closest aides were plotting a secret plan to derail his candidacy if he won, I found my own convenient tie.

I know what you’re thinking: Does anyone really care about John Edwards, his cowardly candidacy or his penchant for a certain leopard-donning, docu-making-dominatrix?

Indeed, John Edwards’ campaign was nothing more than a massive waste of volunteer energy, voter enthusiasm and donor money. CNN’s Ed Rollins added his brilliant opinion yesterday: "I think he hurt the party." Party? Try a certain female’s candidacy!

But, it was the immeasurable waste of media airtime devoted to the massively-hyped (and hence coveted) John Edwards endorsement that was the cardinal sin, among others, of last year’s election. Indeed, The Obama campaign had a stake in not only Edwards’ staying in the race, but also dropping out.

But even as early as Iowa, Hillary Clinton could have conceivably wooed Edwards’ loyalists and won the Caucus, truly giving her, not Obama, the “MO.”

Who knows who knew what and when they knew it…though it’s clear many knew ‘IT,’ including Elizabeth Edwards. Mr. Edwards should have taken his wife’s sage advice by NOT seeking a second run for the presidency.

Regardless, this hireheeler calls the entire Edwards ‘affair’ a “State of Unfair Play!”

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Every hireheeler needs to break for a bit of comfort ever now and then… As a New Yorker who needs to heel-toe-it to see clients all over town— being in comfortable, yet attractive shoes, is an absolute must. As a comfy shoe wearer, I can attest… it really does makes a difference in your mood to have blister-less tooties. If I had to expedite my busy day teetering all over town in 5-inch sharpies, I would be a 100% b%$*#, while in comfy shoes I’m able to limit that to approximately 60%. In all seriousness, let me share some shoe wisdom.

1. Just because the shoe is flat does NOT mean you will save your feet. Totally flat shoes will not necessarily support and can also injure the bottoms of your feet— especially with the burning friction from the pavement.
2. High heels like Manolos and Louboutins may be good for your sex life but not for your back life.
3. Everyone’s foot is unique so try many different brands to find one that you personally find comfy. Myself, I have a pair of DKNY boots, and kitten heel sandals from Elie Tahari— that I just love!
4. Look for arch support and rubber soles for pavement pounding.
5. Brands worth checking out:

Merrell— buy a pair that matches your pants, so they blend in
Arche— have milk in their soles
Cole Haan— they’re in partnership with nike air, which will really help put a spring in your step for that long across-city run.
Me Too
Gentle Souls
Geox— lets your feet breathe
Kenneth Cole Reaction
Mephisto
Keen
Born
Dansko
Naturalizer
Softwalk

6. I personally like to buy my shoes at Nordstrom, because they are so customer service oriented and truly want me to be “happy with my purchases.” Translation: if the shoe doesn’t “fit,” bring it back and exchange it.
7. As for the best styles to promote shapely gams:
Avoid shoes with ankle straps as they will shorten the look of your legs.
“Toe cleavage” styles will elongate your legs and help them look at their shapely best.
8. As for color:
In these tight-wallet times, try a metallic. Choose a tone that looks best with your coloring. Metallics are extremely versatile and go with many more outfits than you’d expect.
Travel tip: Pack a pair of comfy metallic shoes to keep your look hip and your luggage light.
9. Shop around and do some research online:
Read the ratings by other shoppers say about the look, fit and ultimately wearability of the shoe you’re interested in. The current featured fave shoe on Nordstrom’s site and is by Soft.
10. Mix it up:
It’s good to wear varied heel heights from day to day. It’ll keep you on your toes and limit those blisterful woes!

Happy Sole Searching!!
Confessions of A (young) Old-Fashioned Girl in NYC
is written by our newest hireheel: Alexandra Greenawalt “Gucci Gal”
a fashion stylist working and living in New York City.
visit her at alexandrastylist.com

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Confessions of A (young) Old-Fashioned Girl in NYC

So living and working in New York City means riding the subway is a reality of my daily existence. Although I consider myself professionably successful, I prefer to be fashionally frugal, which means opting to to walk most of the time from my very convenient 5th Avenue crib.

I suspect most New Yorkers have the prototypical cab addiction — as necessary to survival as their Grande-Skinny-Caramel-Macch-Double-Shot-Espresso running through their veins.  Those who have really made it (think: expense account) have personal drivers or, at minimum, a car service ride to cruise around town.

Being content as a subway sojourner, I’m left to observe my fellow travelers, specifically the real vs. fake designer bag toters. The reality of the real designer bag market is that they are essentially ‘affordable luxury’ starting at a tempting $300. My personal definition of luxury is to have something unique that is not on the arms of a thousand others.  But seriously, if you can afford to spend $2,000 on a bag, shouldn’t you be able to afford to be above ground in a towncar? I’m of the old-school philosophy that you do not spend what you do not have. So, are they dropping $2K on credit? Are they scraping every last dime to have a Speedy? Are they gifts of ‘benefit boyfriends’?

As for the fly girls who are carrying fake louis vuitton bags dressed in H&M…who do you think you are kidding?  Go buy yourself something unique this weekend — that reflects who you really are or aspire to be.  It can be a vintage, it can be new…. but if it’s fake, ask yourself:  "Why Am I Buying This?"  And if your current purse doesn’t allow for expenditures , trade a former fave with a close friend. Won’t cost you a dime but you’ll appreciate it so much more!

Confessions of A (young) Old-Fashioned Girl in NYC
is written by our newest hireheel: Alexandra Greenawalt “Gucci Gal”
a fashion stylist working and living in New York City.
visit her at alexandrastylist.com

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There is certainly no shortage of opinion, analysis
and satire surrounding the recent flu outbreak
panning the globe.

Who’s responsible?

Who knows and who will ever know? If the U.S
Government possessed intel suggesting, for
example, a Mexican drug cartel or Jihadist juiced up
on steroids released said bio-weapon in a mayhem-
mired Mexico, they wouldn’t divulge it anyway.
Americans are quite accustomed to being left in the
dark on this and similar panic-prone events, giving
way to a blogosphere that swings from the
“reasonably rational” to the “ridiculously radical.”

How do we protect ourselves?

(From the flu or the flacks?) I have no advice for
you on avoiding the contraction of Swine Flu. I will
leave that to the experts and those are NOT political
pundits. And yes, I’m still referring to suddenly
famous virus by it’s viral name, despite the rabid
campaign by pork industry lobbyists to rebrand it
Novel Flu Virus or it’s more scientific H1N1. (W.H.O.
may be an authority on viral transmission, but not
in the context of new and social media… Consider the
successful rebranding of the unexpected Barracuda
with a cleverly calculated “Lipstick On A Pig”
campaign).

Do not allow the political talking heads to sway
you one way in favor of furthering their own
agenda. And in the end, recognize that lobbyists do
have more power than the average citenzry because
of media access (and limitless expense accounts).
But as taxpayers, we represent far
more money collectively. In conclusion, we are left
to our intuition, common sense and available
information. Though difficult, try not to
allow helplessness and cynicism to dictate your
thinking and behavior.

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