Shows about models are a dime a dozen these days. Most programs either follow models/agencies scripted reality style, or they pit the models against each other in a competition format. Of the latter, America's Next Top Model is probably the best; VH1's new show America's Most Smartest Model is probably the worst.

AMSM's premise is simple: you take a dozen models from around the world then send them through mildly rigorous tests of modeling skill and intelligence to see who can last until the end. The show is sort of like Beauty and the Geek -- except there aren't any geeks, which is unfortunate because geeks make for great TV. (Are you listening to me TV-executives???)

The saving grace of AMSM is, of course, the wonderfully talented Ben Stein. He's witty, dry, smart and completely unimpressed by anyone, including the blond sitting next to him, who's technically the star of the show. Funny, I don't even remember her name...

Save for the Ph.D candidate Daniel, none of the models jump off the screen as particularly intelligent. Oddly enough, only a few pop seem especially good-looking (the Ruski Andre B. and Angela). I have to conclude that instead of being about brainy beauties, America's Most Smartest Model is actually about functionally-illiterate uglies.

But did I mention the show stars Ben Stein?

Sam Rindy really loves art. She loves it so much that she's now facing a fine of 4,500 euros ($6,320) for expressing her affections with a tube of red lipstick. Rindy is accused of "savagery" after she left a red-lipped stain on a Cy Twombly painting valued at $2 million. The owner of the untitled, plain white painting demands $2 million in damages as well as an additional 33,400 euros for the work's restoration.

Rindy's attorneys put forth a defense that would raise eyebrows among the world's sharkiest lawyers. Her counsel claims she was "overcome with passion ... by an emotion that she could not tame." The July lipstick vandalizing was an "act of love".

Needless to say, if Rindy is acquitted, the Galleria dell'Accademia in Florence better step up its security because I can only imagine the number of tourists who would risk life and limb for a chance to plant a wet one on Michelangelo's David.

For what seems like a thousand years, the Internets are all abuzz with news that Jennifer Lopez is pregnant (four months pregnant, in fact). While her publicists keep denying the obvious, the singer's mom apparently can't keep a secret -- at all -- recently telling gossip mags that her daughter is having twins. Hooray!

In celebration of J Lo's impending pair of offspring, here's some fun stuff from Be The Tees that she can use once the little ones arrive.

The I Love My Twin Brother or I Love My Twin Sister tops aren't exactly style-central, so I highly discourage any adults from wearing these. However, they'd be freakin' adorable on a pair of babies.

And, after she finally decides to validate the rumors, Jennifer can proudly declare to the world that "I'm Not Fat, I'm Pregnant!" with this amusing top, also from Be The Tee. Again, not the coolest-looking thing I've ever seen, but being pregnant (or a child) is a great excuse to make all sorts of unfortunate fashion choices you otherwise wouldn't be able to get away with.

Gossip Girl just might be the hottest TV show of the season. If you aren't familiar with it, Gossip Girl is a show about a bunch of spoiled rich high school kids who live like adults. As ridiculous as the show's premise is, like junk food, it is addictive. I can't seem to get enough of the clothes on the show.

Apparently, StyleDash readers can't get enough either, so we're putting together "Gossip Girl Looks." Inspired by what is on the screen, we look to real-life brands and stores. Today's look is Serena's prep school look:

• Grey knee high boots by Nine West
• Plaid necktie by Ralph Lauren
  
• To avoid mix matched plaids ... I went with this denim mini skirt
• White long sleeved extra deep V neck tee from C&C California
  
• Charcoal colored vest from Urban Outfitters
• Drawstring handbag from Hype

Yes, it is official. This fall season, the jersey minidress has replaced the shirtdress as my functional fashion in my wardrobe. I used to wear shirtdresses all the time to work because they had a professional look with a collar, but still let me feel like a lady because it's a dress.

Professional-looking though it may be, the shirtdress is uncomfortable with it's stiff materials and the fear of popping a button in an embarrassing place. I sit in a chair all day. When I'm at work, I grind. I need to be comfortable, and since wearing a tracksuit to work isn't really an option, I'm sticking with jersey dresses, like the Pleated Jersey Scoopneck Dress by Sweet Pea. Though it's a minidress, the long sleeves are fit for the season. The pleating and lack of waistline make it an easy wear for sitting at a desk for 12 hours straight. It also comes in black.

Available from Bluefly for $54.

• A Touch of Blusher asks, "Can I return this, please?!"
• Beautiful Makeup Search kicks off Mascara Monday's with a review of Prescriptives Here to Stay 24-Hour Longwear Mascara.
• Kristopher gets her hair did, and wonders about her stylist, "Could This Be Love?"
• Find out what tops Keri Russell's Must Have List
• Lipstick, Powder 'n Paint gets Nicollette Sheridan's Look
• NARS Holiday 2007 Siren Song at Makeup Bag
• Nude Skin Care launches in the US with rave reviews
• TheMakeupGirl investigates Natura Bisse Diamond Cream
• We Love Beauty asks "Beauty Myth: Lipstick Is Loaded with Lead?"

Weblogs is one big bloggy family, and we're getting bigger! If you haven't already noticed the announcement at the top of the page, we've just launched two new blogs, Aisledash and GreenDaily.

We here at Styledash are pretty excited about Aisledash, partly because it's name rhymes with ours, and partly because weddings, whether you love them or hate them, are still always a great excuse to get dressed up. Of course, if you're planning on getting married, Aisledash is a great resource for all things wedding.

Sure, Styledash blogs about eco-friendly fashion, but GreenDaily is our family's first blog dedicated entirely to green living, whether it's grocery shopping, driving, and of course, our favorite, fashion.

This week, I was cruising the Internet as I usually do and found myself reading an article on Forbes. For two reasons, the article fascinated me. One, the article is titled "How to be a Supermodel." Apparently, there is a formula for being a Supermodel. Two, and even more curious is that not only did this article about modeling appear on Forbes, but I had to wonder, "Really? Will someone read this, print it out, and use this as a manual?"

Obviously, we know the answer to that last question. Forbes didn't publish the article because they honestly believe some young girl will come across it and get straight to work on becoming a Supermodel. It's really just a subtly snarky statement about Supermodels, and I have to admit, I love it.

The article and the ten "steps" got me to thinking, and so instead of just giving you the lowdown on how to be a supermodel, your very own Styledash Sarah J. Gim has decided to take Forbes' little nuggets of advice intended for 14-year-old girls who might be "discovered" grinding into a Big Mac at a McDonald's in eastern Europe and turn them into some real advice for real people.

1. Forbes says: "Stop eating. Grow." Sarah says: Being 5'9" and weighing 110 lbs is unnatural. Instead, "dress to stretch." Wear all black in shapes that flatter your figure, and don't ever forget the magic of a 4" stiletto heel in the same color as your hemline, which should be, of course, black.

Maybe it's the weather. Maybe it's the stress at work. Whatever it is, I am all about dressing comfortably these days. However, dressing comfortably doesn't mean I want to show up at the office in flip-flops, sweatpants, and a hoodie.

Dress Jazz by Fighting Eel is comfort all-around, made from a stretchy, soft jersey fabric. The gentle scoop neckline is neither too low nor too high, and the sheared princess yoke gives the bustline a flattering shape. The most attractive feature (to me) of course, is the on-seam pockets. The hemline is a little high, but that's nothing a great pair of tights under a kicky pair of knee high boots can't fix.

The dress is available from Active Endeavors for $145 in both red and black.

I know when I return from a day of traveling I usually look more road weary. But if you are spoiled rich kid from Manhattan's Upper East Side returning from a stint in boarding school you tend to dress a little better.

In the pilot episode of 'Gossip Girl,' the character Serena looked like she stepped right out of a catalog. She's wearing a striped top, black straight-legged jeans, a camel colored jacket, and, of course, a Louis Vuitton piece of luggage.

Please remember that Serena is in high school. When I was in high school my outfit would have looked something like this: a Jansport backpack, Mudd Jeans and a top from Wet Seal. I suppose times have changed, huh?

I have carefully crafted Serena's outfit so you can look just as chic, but for a bit less.

• Sammy Trench from Forever 21
  
• Cotton striped tee from Tablots
  
• Black straight legged jeans by Paper Denim + Cloth
  
• Brown belt from the Gap
• Luggage by Louis Vuitton (some things you just can't save on)

Please note that these are "inspired" looks created by me and not the pieces used in the show, but they are pretty darn close.

Dear Styledash: Who makes the best leggings?

The best is never easy to quantify, but I think we've come close. Since not everyone can afford a $100 pair of leggings, I thought it would be helpful to come up with a best for three different price points: under $10, under $50, and under $100.

Under $10
Xhilaration Leggings from Target: Sure, they're technically juniors, but I have at least two pairs that have lasted me more than a year's worth of wear and washing. Best part? They only cost $5.99.

Under $50
Wolford Velvet de Luxe Leggings: As far as I'm concerned, Wolford makes the best hosiery in the world, so naturally, the Velvet de Luxe leggings were my pick for this category. The material is thick enough to not give you the dreaded sheer patches on your knees, but thin enough to not add bulk. Price: $38.

Under $100
Three Dot Leggings: Slightly thicker than the Wolford leggings, these Three Dots are more like pants than hosiery. Oh yeah, they're also machine washable. Price: $78.

Now I have seen it all! The alcohol monitoring bracelet, which is usually pegged as an embarrassing thing to wear, is now a fashion accessory. The "accessory" was just spotted in Karl Lagerfeld's Chanel runway show.

With celebrities like Eve, Michelle Rodriguez and Lindsay Lohan sporting the court-required anklet, we've grown somewhat accustomed plastic black trackers, but to morph it into an accessory -- that's just plain weird.

I know you all will have an opinion on this one. So what do you think: did Karl take this little "joke" too far? Or do you think this DUI device is just a funny pop culture parody?

Sure, the t-shirt at right looks cool. Bold graphics, cute design elements, and a reference to Twitter (a trendy new social networking website) -- how geek chic!

Oh, but there's more. The "Reactee" can give anyone who sees you updates on your life. All they have to do is send a text message to the number on your shirt, and they'll get a pre-designated text back from you.

You could use this as a walking billboard for your favorite cause -- like an "Obama For President" shirt that sends people campaign information -- or as a way to promote your band's website while you're busking on street corners. The above example sends your latest Twitter update -- so however you were feeling the last time you used your computer can now be available in real time to anyone you pass on the street.

[via Shiny Shiny]

As I've said before, it's seemingly impossible for me to find someone who can cut my hair. I'd rather not re-visit the crew cut I got over and over again from my childhood barber, and the only affordable hair salons in my neighborhood are full of hipster stylists working on commission who hack at my head for 15 minutes then charge me $50. Occasionally I give in and cut it myself, but the at-home messy look only works once or twice before my coiffure starts to self-destruct.

If you're in the same boat, here's a helpful post on finding the barber that's right for you. Most of it's straightforward advice, but, chances are, if you're in my position, you haven't given much thought to forming a relationship with the man (or woman) who cuts your hair -- so, if nothing else, this is a good start.

I know it's tempting to hack away with your trusty pair of household scissors, but trust me, you can do better.

MySpace addict? Now you can befriend notoriously aloof designer Karl Lagerfeld -- at least in that fake-ish, Internet kinda way.

The fashion icon is on MySpace, in order to promote his upcoming film, Lagerfeld Confidential. You'll find video clips, photos, and a place to leave you "omg ure SUCH A GENIUS" comments -- but what's more interesting is that it appears Karl is keeping a private page, in addition to the one designated for the movie.

But is it really Karl, or just some intern crafting the style maven's online persona (or just a creepy super fan)? He's been said to have an "obsession with youth," but I still can't imagine the Karl Lagerfeld stooping so low as to communicate with the masses via MySpace bulletins. Regardless, the profile is set to private, so you'll have to friend request him to do any snooping around.

Ah, Karl -- you enigma.