If your were watching every second of Season 8 finale of Dancing With the Stars (and, really, who wasn’t?), you might have noticed a bracelet on the wrist of winners Shawn Johnson and Mark Ballas. The former Olympic gold medalist and her partner were sporting Energy Muse Luck Bracelets, which are designed to boost luck and clarity. (Judge alert — does that constitute an unfair advantage??)

The couple wore the bracelets during the last two weeks of the competition.

In an unrelated act of deep mojo, Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson has been wearing the Energy Muse Luck Necklace. And his team? Well, they are playing in the National Basketball Association Western Conference finals. Coincidence?

The company says soccer star David Beckham, Olympic volleyball players Elaine Youngs and Nicole Branagh, hockey players Natalie Darwitz and Kelly Stephens, and professional golfer Annika Sorenstam are among the athletes who wear also Energy Muse.

The necklaces and bracelets are made from Black tourmalinated quartz, Heishe shells, and — don’t miss this — ancient Chinese coins that invite luck and opportunity. The company says all these ingredients “unlock energy blockages and create an overall balance for the wearer.”

Sounds perfect for those of us who are “blocked and unbalanced”!

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As part of the ongoing celebration of the 70th Anniversary of The Wizard of Oz in 2009, Warner Bros. Consumer Products says it has partnered with FIDM Museum & Galleries to present The Ruby Slipper Collection and Inspirations of Oz Fine Art Exhibition at FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising from June 10-21 in downtown Los Angeles.

The partnership includes a design contest now underway that challenges FIDM students to create the best modern interpretation of Dorothy’s iconic Ruby Slippers, as well as develop a jewelry collection inspired by the timeless film. Accessories designer Tarina Tarantino and FIDM alumnus Nick Verreos (Project Runway) will mentor the FIDM students during the design competition. The winning designs will be showcased at the FIDM Museum & Galleries during The Wizard of Oz Exhibition run.

The Ruby Slipper Collection consists of modern interpretations of the classic Ruby Slippers, as created by noted names in designer footwear and fashion. Debuted in September 2008 at Saks Fifth Avenue to kick off Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York City, designs from 19 of the fashion industry’s masterminds are featured in the Collection, including: A. Testoni, Abaete, Alberta Ferretti, Betsey Johnson, Botkier, Christian Louboutin, Diane von Furstenberg, Giuseppe Zanotti, Jimmy Choo, L.A.M.B. by Gwen Stefani, Lisa Pliner, Manolo Blahnik, Moschino, Oscar de la Renta, Roger Vivier, Sergio Rossi, Stuart Weitzman, Tibi and Tuleh.

The Inspirations of Oz collection of fine art features one-of-a-kind interpretive works from an acclaimed array of artisans including Angelo Aversa, Romero Britto, Phillip Graffham, Gris Grimly, Marcus Antonius Jansen, Johnny Johns, William Joyce, Joel Nakamura, Nelson De La Nuez, Glen Orbik, Ragnar, Alex Ross, Todd White and Yakovetic.

The Ruby Slipper Collection and Inspirations of Oz Fine Art Exhibition at FIDM Museum & Galleries at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising will consist of 2000 square feet of gallery space, and is located at 919 S. Grand Avenue in downtown Los Angeles. The Exhibition is open to the general public and runs daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., June 10 - 21.

The Wizard of Oz merchandise and collectibles, including dolls, games, apparel, accessories, novelties and much more is available at specialty retailers. More info at  www.thewizardofoz.com.

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In short, the cover-up is our BFF.

Its entire job description is to make us look casually chic while wearing a swimsuit, which is challenging on multiple levels. It must be pretty wet or dry. It must rise to the complexities of beach breezes and swimming-pool stares. And if we are sensitive about certain areas of our body, it must cover them up.

Behold, some proper examples. This brightly colored cabana dress can be worn as either a dress or a skirt simply by adjusting the tie in front. The fabric drapes on the bias, creating a flowing look that flirts with your smooth summer legs. At Victoria’s Secret ($34, above left). J. Crew’s Tangiers lightweight gauze cover-up has a bit of a Henley neckline, a flattering drawstring drop waist, and a hemline just below the danger zone; we love the gauzy cotton and the easy shape ($59.50, above right).

Here’s cute: Vitamin A’s chocolate and white shimmer cover-up tunic at Everything But Water, with its rugby-stripe sensibility and a halter top ($154, above left). Here’s cute times two: A Juicy Couture beach butterfly cover-up dress at Nordstrom ($173, above right) in a short style with peasant sleeves, a smocked waist and metallic butterflies flitting about.

Kenneth Cole creates a draped-front tube cover-up dress that just needs jewelry and sandals and it’s ready for dinner. Customers gave it raves. At Macy’s ($70, below left). And you could take Debbie Katz’s cover-up out for lunch; her embroidered Boho cover-up tunic for Victoria’s Secret is beautifully printed and slightly sheer ($114, below right).

Let’s hang out around the pool, sipping drinks and feeling comfy. The smocked tube dresses at Old Navy (above left) would be perfect, and at $15 each, you can indulge in more than one of their 9 solids and prints. Trust Land’s End to come up with a pretty bargain: their sleeveless solid  jersey tunic cover-up comes in 8 colors and is $19.50; if you buy two or more, they go down to $14.50 each (above right).

If you’re more sensitive about your arms than your legs, consider a tunic top. Lauren by Ralph Lauren’s tunic swimsuit cover-up comes in a brilliant aqua with a tucked bodice and three-quarter sleeves (At Macy’s, $61, below left). Vix Swimwear offers their Bombay cover-up tunic at Everything But Water. Its plum and yellow paisley design gives the pullover a bit of an island feel. ($154, below right).

If you need a little length, we’re smitten with Lucky Brand’s Strapless Love Potion cover-up. The bandeau bodice is a purple tie-dye print that gives way to aqua around the tea-length hem (at Nordstrom, $64, below left). Or go all the way to flip-flop length with Robin Piccone’s Costa Rica swim cover-up.  The tropical-print pattern has a smocked bodice and a gathered skirt; it falls to the ankle in gorgeous swirls of taupe and brown ($158, below right). We’re envisioning it at sunset at the coast, and it feels irresistible.

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Early last week, she rocked the Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential people gala with a gorgeous black Kors gown, all sleek and flattering. She topped it with a mix of varied beaded strands around the neck , and her hair was sleek, pulled back and gorgeous. (Initial reports were that the black dress was by Alaia! Woops!)

Then, at the White House Correspondent’s event last night, she showed up in a bright pink Kors sheath dress, sleeveless and simple, but topped with a jumbo diamond-encrusted necklace. (By the way, if you want obsessive blanket-coverage of Mrs. O’s daily wardrobe picks, check out New York Magazine’s online “Mobama” blog posts).

Of note (and you can see this at the always-current Mrs-O.org) was a big, black pleated satin corset belt, above, complete with cinched ties in the back atop the black Kors gown. The corset was by one of her favored new designers, Peter Soronen, so she didn’t leave all the young designers in the closet.

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There are some trends better off left in the ’70s. We can think of several, but we’re not going to name them here for fear that someone will resurrect them and start mass-producing them again. Honestly, we can learn from history.

But we’ll participate gladly in the renewed zest for the peasant top, those gathered, often billowy blouses that flatter nearly anyone and cover a host of little sins. Worn over khakis or trousers, they take you to work (we like this Alberto Makali tunic at Nordstrom ($165, above), with

its three-quarter sleeves and sophisticated color scheme); with cute capris or a flippy skirt, they take you to a beachfront café for lunch (we nominate Juicy Couture’s coral scalloped cotton flutter-sleeve top ($118 at Bluefly, above left).

Peasant tops can be on the short side, like the silk-printed trim blouse at Banana Republic ($69, above right) or Topshop’s scallop Cornelli smock ($50, above left). There is often embroidery or lace (or both) around the neckline, shown in a Charter Club embroidered peasant top ($30, was $40, above right) and Rampage’s drop-waist peasant top at Macy’s ($31, was $44, below).

While we love the solids, like the smocked crepe top at Old Navy ($26.50, above left) or the Bailey 44 peasant top at Nordstrom ($145, above right), we also like peasant blouses that have a bit of a boho

flair. The Lisa lace top by Joie in cotton at Shopbop ($188, above left) is all innocence and light, while the INC International Concepts bell-sleeve paisley mesh tunic ($44, was $59, above right) has a more wordly vibe about it. Roberto Cavalli’s tie-dye chiffon blouse at The Outnet ($840, was $1,680, below left) is chic and lovely; Antik Batik’s Ozzy embroidered top ($144, was $360, below right) has a bit of the same feel and a suggestion of the same line.

We love the feel of the Sunner sundial silk Filmore flutter sleeve tunic at Bluefly ($189, was $315, above left); it looks like sunshine and hides last night’s dessert. We’re also flirting with the embroidered V-neck Alice + Olivia Dakota top at Shopbop ($297, above right), just because it would look so great over jeans and leather boots. And while we’re not quite sure what to say about this T-bags stripe-print cami top at The Outnet ($82.50, was $165, below), we thought we should show it to you anyway. You’re better off prepared.

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But we’re breaking the fast to mention that at a Food Bank event yesterday in D.C., Mrs. O. had on a very cool pair of sneakers, at right, that turned out to be by Lanvin and a similar style (which aren’t even as cool as hers) costs $540 at Barneys.

Uhhm, we’re good with Michelle’s mix-and-match philosophy most of the time, but sometimes pairing a cute little J.Crew cardigan (it’s on sale for $100) with wildly overpriced sneakers may not be exactly the fashion statement the First Lady wants to project.

Maybe we’re just jealous. But if we were going to spend $540 on a pair of shoes, we’d go for these blue suede Miu Miu platform sandals for $595 (below left), or these Brian Atwood starlette printed pumps (below right) for $600, or

these Jimmy Choo Colorado stiletto pumps for $625 or even these casual but amazing black Balmain tassle ankle sandals for $750. (Balmain is so hot!) We don’t think we’d wear any of them to help out at the Food Bank, though.

Oh, if you want a laugh, check out all the chatter in response to this weighty issue at Huffington Post.

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Of course, it couldn’t last. The woman behind the beautiful voice that rocked the world on Britain’s Got Talent has had a makeover. We knew it couldn’t last. An instant-celeb like Susan couldn’t stay as she was. Someone had to convince her to change.

At least she didn’t go for the all-out makeover, just a bit of spiffing up: a haircut, a weed-whacker taken to those bushy brows.

Now, with today’s release of the paperback version of Charla Krupp’s best-seller, How Not to Look Old, we are reminded of our universal fear of aging. In other countries, elders are revered. Here, we want them to hide, or go to great lengths to stay blonde, tweezed, thin and frozen at some earlier age. Maybe 39.

We admit, however, that Ms. Krupp is spot on with her nine tips for Ms. Boyle to improve her appearance. Her suggestions:

1. The eyebrows, of course. Keep them shaped, close to your hair color (not gray).

2. Color your hair — go lighter and add some soft highlights

3. See a dermatologist. Those ruddy cheeks could be due to rosacea, which is easy to treat.

4. Buy a creamy, liquid foundation (and don’t use powder).

5. Wear light pink lipstick. Dark colors make you look older.

6. Hike up that skirt. Mid-calf looks dowdy, so shorten it to the knee.

7. Wear higher heels.

8. Lose weight instantly with a pair of those high-waisted shapewear undies.

9. Get a new bra!

10. Wear more fitted clothes.

Ms. Krupp has launched a blog on her Web site, and tells us that the paperback edition has a lot of new product recommendations, and updated salon listings. Despite our stance on not tampering with Susan Boyle, we are thinking there might be a few useful suggestions in the book. You can buy it from several sources, and it’s about $10.

Photo of Susan Boyle from The Times Online.

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The election of Barack Obama may have exhilarated the nation with hope and new energy €” but who knew the fashion implications? Elect a president and get a bonus: the most stylish, sophisticated and fashion-conscious First Lady since Jacqueline Kennedy cat-walked through the White House.

Michelle Obama is beautiful, strong, elegant, a career woman, wife, mother, and now — subject of her own style book, Michelle Style: Celebrating the First Lady of Fashion. The author is Mandi Norwood, an award-winning women’s magazine editor (Company, Cosmopolitan UK, Mademoiselle, and Shop Etc.).

Michelle Style celebrates the distinctive style of the First Lady, featuring color photographs, exclusive illustrations and descriptions of her most iconic looks. Get a new look at the sleeveless Maria Pinto purple silk crepe sheath that she dazzled the crowd with on the night Barack clinched the Democratic nomination. Or admire, again, the ivory fairy-tale gown by Jason Wu worn for the inaugural balls.

The book also has quotes from world-famous designers, stylists, and fashion insiders €” and inspired advice on everything from dressing to suit your body type to shopping at Target.

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Wipe that sneer off your face, mister. It’s not just pretty boys like Ozzy Osbourne who get to look all dangerous and edgy and, just downright scary. Affliction Clothing, the label that “embodies our generation’s fast and loud attitude and lifestyle”  (and just a peek at their Web site will make that all clear) has announced the launch of a collection for women that will launch June 1.

Now you, too, ladies, can get some of that dark, goth, tattooed, satanic and scary style that your fave metal rockers have worn but that has generally not been available to the ladies.

The collection will launch with V-neck and scoop-necks Ts, tanks and dresses loaded with lavish detail and ”indulgent color, dramatic foil and patch appliques, custom deconstruction, metal grommets and always the sophisticated, sexy fit ready for rocking the red carpet.”

Yikes!

All this edginess comes with an eco-conscious, to boot. The clothes are made of soft bamboo yarn — it’s light and softer than cotton, but you can still toss it in the wash. If you’re the kind of metal girl who washes clothes. 

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