Fashion

Michael Phelps is playing some serious poker in the Bahamas with the likes of Jason Alexander. But cards, shmards. At least one reporter is more interested in nominating the swimmer/golfer/card shark/retiree for the next episode of "What Not to Wear. " Chris Chase of USA Today offered quite the post-game analysis of Phelps' wardrobe  in a Thursday blog post: "Let's analyze the look Phelps is sporting in the Caribbean," he writes. "It's a style that screams, 'I'm retired and the only time I'm setting foot in a pool is if there's a swim-up bar attached to it.'" It actually also seems to scream, "I'm comfortable and wearing a lot of stuff I probably got for free.

Century High School's junior class, in partnership with Deja vu Boutique in Mount Airy, will host a Prom Fashion Show on Saturday, Jan. 5, 6-9 p.m., at Century High School, 355 Ronsdale Road, Sykesville. Students will be able to view the latest prom fashions, and visit vendors for flowers, limousine rentals, jewelry, hair, nail and make-up. Tickets for the show are $5 each at Century High School or at the Déjà vu Boutique in Mount Airy. The ticket includes entrance into the show and a chance at winning a $500 credit toward a prom dress.

Kaitlyn Hughes had no trouble picking out her favorite in the Arbutus Volunteer Fire Department's 19th annual train garden display. The 12-year-old, who came with her cousins, liked the autumn scene the best. "I like it because I like fall," said Kaitlyn, of Edgewood, as she watched the trains circle the various scenes. "It's my favorite time of year. " She was baffled by the dinosaur sitting in the scene, however, as were Vanessa and Allison Carroll, of Halethorpe. "We're not sure about about the the dinosaurs," admitted Vanessa, who was visiting for the first time before getting a Christmas tree from the parking lot. "It's nice.

The newspaper ad promised Boston Terrier puppies and there they were, gamboling about an Annapolis breeder's kitchen, five or six of them, squirmy, sweet and wild. Tom Boeke knew which one it would be after only a minute. The one that sashayed right over, sat down and gave him some heart-melting puppy eye. "You know how you just know sometimes?" says Boeke who a few days later fixed a red bow onto the pup's collar thinking he was giving his friend Michael Muller a dog for Christmas.

We shopped local boutiques and retail stores to find some gift ideas for the fashion-lover on your list. Here are seven ideas, from stocking stuffers to grand indulgences. Charming bow ties Hit the party scene with a purple or blue bow ties from Carrot & Gibbs, $65 each. Or, come up with fun color combinations using the four-in-one ivory and black bow tie from Edward Armah, $105, available exclusively at Gian Marco, 517 N. Charles St., Baltimore, 410-347-7974; gianmarco.org. Emergency help The Ms. & Mrs. Mini Emergency Kit is a palm-size case stocked with essentials for women on the go, including lip balm, floss, clear nail polish and earring backs.

Danielle DiFerdinando's resume was already packed. The Ellicott City native's handbags had been stocked by the likes of Bergdorf Goodman, sold from Fifth Avenue to Tokyo, and carried by tastemakers like Rachel Zoe and Anna Dello Russo. But last October, DiFerdinando's handbag line, Danielle Nicole, received its biggest endorsement yet: Oprah Winfrey's seal of approval. She chose DiFerdinando's Sydney Shopper, a cognac-and-gold reversible tote that comes with a removable wristlet, for her O!

Elaine Marie Smith from Reisterstown was looking for a recipe for making creamed cucumbers like the ones her mother used to serve. She said she remembers that her mother used to soak the sliced cucumbers overnight in salt water then drain them and mix them with a creamed dressing of some kind. Virginia Terzian from Santa Rosa, Calif., sent in her family recipe for creamed cucumbers that she is certain Smith will enjoy. She said her mother, Viola Knapp, who was wonderful cook from Pennsylvania Dutch country, always served this cucumber dish with string beans, potatoes and ham or as a side dish with Weiner Schnitzel when she was growing up. She said the recipe must be at least 100 years old and is still one of her favorites.

It's been said that the right outfit can make or break you. And nowhere is a good first impression more crucial than a job interview. But not everyone has a business suit hanging in the closet. That's where Success In Style comes in. The organization, which is celebrating its 10th year, is dedicated to helping disadvantaged men and women dress for success for job interviews. The organization also provides fashion advice and interview coaching. Ellicott City resident Jeannette Kendall founded Success In Style (SIS)

South Carroll High School recently formed a new business partnership with DejaVu Boutique in Mount Airy. Through the agreement, Jamie Sauro, the company's director of operations, and Veronica Cello, general manager, will be business representatives working with the school to provided a speaker for the school's clothing course, and will also participate in mock interviews and set up a booth at sporting events. The company will also co-sponsor a fashion show in January, with proceeds going toward the South Carroll High prom.

Sobeidy Vidal sees a dearth of Hispanic models and designers in high fashion. It's been the driving force behind Latin Fashion Week for the past 12 years. "Our country is represented by a number of different cultures," she said. "They should be represented on the runway. " Vidal's brainchild, "Ola! DC 2012" by Latin Fashion Week, kicks off Friday at the Washington Convention Center. The three-day event will be an opportunity to highlight the diverse talents of models, designers and stylists from around the globe, according to Vidal.