So Carson Pirie Scott is closing its State Street store. I haven't darkened its doors in a couple years, but this makes me sad, especially combined with the imminent absorbtion of Marshall Field's, one of the greatest Chicago brands ever, into--yuck--Macy's. Curiously I mentioned Carson's in a short piece about bargain shopping that I turned in this week--it's got some decent fare, especially in jewelry and handbags--I've got a Kenneth Cole bracelet I got there that people always ask me about, and a Le Sak clutch that's also gotten comments, both pretty inexpensive. The interior was a little dingy, but it still had that great Louis Sullivan grillwork by the entrance. Which isn't going anywhere, I'm sure. The city may do a horrible job protecting its architectural legacy but I think this one is pretty safe.

Was watching Fellini's "8 1/2" last night, and I decided that Anouk Aimee is the most beautiful woman ever. In most of the film she's got a terrible short haircut and is wearing severe glasses that are not quite right for her, with that strong jaw--she's playing Marcello Mastroianni's long-suffering wife--but in fantasy scene she's dressed as a kind of very chic peasant, with her hair covered by a scarf, and she just looks gorjus. We don't get to see her much anymore--I think the last movie I saw her in was Pret-a-Porter. Not a great movie but it also had my beloved Mastroianni in it. Whenever I watch Italian movies, I always end up speaking Italian to myself, and sometimes out loud, much to the annoyance of various boyfriends, who think I'm just being pretentious. I should really find a practice partner and we can "ciao bella" and "ma no, cara, che pazzo" each other to our hearts' content.

I finally found a dress I like online--it's green, which is what I had in mind, and it is by Marni, a designer I love. The bad news is that it is not available in my exact size, and it is not returnable. I suppose I could get a 10 and get it altered, but I'm not sure I can take the $450 chance it doesn't work out, especially since eBay is not a sure thing anymore. But it's so pretty. And when will I ever have another excuse to buy a designer dress?