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Portlandia—You don't have to be from Portland, have visited Portland, known anyone from Portland or even spotted Portland on a map to be fascinated by the hit IFC series. Starring SNL host Fred Armisen and Wild Flag lead guitarist Carrie Brownstein in various roles, Portlandia is essentially a series of sketches where Armisen and Brownstein illustrate the so-called behaviors of Portland's hipster culture.

Believe Todd Bieber when he says, "To call local commercials low budget is a vast understatement." Bieber, filmmaker and Director of Content and Production for the Upright Citizen's Brigade, puts his own wacky excursion on display with Commercial Interruption at the UCB's Chelsea theater on West 23rd Street.

In the fashion forecast for spring 2012 is a brilliant storm of vibrant colors tempered by dainty pastels that designers have translated into both women's and menswear. Pantone, provider of professional color standards, names a coveted Color of the Year in their annual fashion color reports. 1 comment

There ain't nothing too good for hip-hop. And Canterbury Tales Remixed, (CTR) playing at the SoHo Playhouse at 15 Vandam Street, is proof. A brainchild of Baba Brinkman the 85-minute performance rescues the works of "dead white European males" from the limbo post modernism has long confined them in.

Armed with plaid shirts, cardigans, and worn-in sneakers, the members of the D.C.-based group Deleted Scenes took the stage at the Music Hall of Williamsburg on Dec. 16, quietly looking out at the audience while setting up. At first glance, lead vocalist/guitarist Daniel Scheuerman's shy demeanor did not reflect the power that his compositions would bring – until a harsh growl pushed out by his guitar's effect pedals caught the attention of everyone in the room.

Vedere, the Italian verb meaning "to see," now shares a name with a new online community for professionals in home décor. Christian Turnier, former interior architect for Michael Bagley, conceived the idea to found Vedere in the country of its namesake.

On Dec. 20, Ma&Gia Osteria Italiana opened its doors at 27 East 23rd St. between Park and Madison. The Italian Prosciutto and Deli Specialty Company, Principe di San Danielle, opened their first flagship store as a place for people to "meet for lunch of after work in a warm, sociable atmosphere to taste a fresh pasta, a gourmet salad or a mouthwatering plate of authentic Italian deli meats and cheeses pairing with a perfect glass of wine," according to their website. 2 comments

Two worlds seldom come together to create a night of stylish fun: business and fashion. Baruch's Women in Business (WIB) merged the unlikely pair once again for their 3rd Annual Dress for Success fashion show on Dec. 1. The ambiance of the Multipurpose Room was transformed into a scene that could be likened to a show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, with a long all-white runway, bright lights, the sounds of DJ Sanity and free sparkling cider.

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It was a late weekday evening when I walked into the studio of Daniel Vosovic. As I stepped further into his West Side workspace, I was greeted with shades of grey, creme, black, and hues of blue from the designer's A/W 2011 collection. After only minutes in the crowded room, the man of the hour welcomed me to the private viewing of his newest collection with a smile on his face, clearly ready to face the fact that my list of questions was growing by the second.

The fall TV season is approaching the halfway mark and Hollywood has already started to evaluate its rookie lineup, extending pickups and cancellations across the board. ABC's Revenge, Once Upon a Time and Suburgatory have been awarded full season pickups after performing well in their time slots.