We confess to be suffering from Project Runway ennui. The show has reached its midseason slump, and with several contestants still around who we thought should have been booted long ago—hello, Goatee Joe and Stella—our interest is starting to wane. We were highly unenthused about this week’s episode until our handy cable guide told us that superstylist Rachel Zoe—known to the world as Raisinface thanks to gossip blogger Perez Hilton and despite her best attempt to Botox out all those wrinkles—will be a guest. Not surprisingly, she’s got her own show debuting on Bravo September 9, but we’re hoping she’ll also contribute some hilariously clueless commentary and at least add some much-needed amusement to the process.


As the episode unfolds, the contestants seem equally worn out. Kenley tells us she’s sad to see Daniel gone because they were “best friends.” Um, really? Even after she advised him poorly on his Olympic cocktail dress and subsequently laughed out loud on the runway when he defended his taste? Really, with friends like that . . . .


Style > Best Bargains Package

• Its lengthy selection can be tough to navigate, but longtime bargain favorite Bluefly.com keeps getting better. We’ve found everything from current-season Prada bags to Jimmy Choo stilettos, often 20 percent off or more. It’s worth it to sign up for the newsletter to stay on top of secret sales and extra discounts.

• You’ll find almost everything—from luggage sets to diamond studs to luxe bedding—on sale at Overstock.com. Our favorite part? Shipping is always $2.95, even on bulky orders like flat-screen TVs, dining-room sets, or overstuffed sofas.

• We were sad to see the shuttering of Cmart’s Landover branch but welcomed the discounter’s newest addition: Cmart.com. You can find many of the same great deals—recently, its ever-rotating stock included Fendi handbags and Sony camcorders—without trekking to the remaining Joppa outpost.

We spotted Daria Harrison in front of her M Street office building in a look just right for work. Read on for her time-tested secrets for personality-infused office chic.

Daria Harrison, 31
Business acceptance manager, Zuckerman Spader

What she’s wearing: An embroidered sheath dress from Macy’s, Ann Taylor cropped jacket, Marc Jacobs bag from Bloomingdale’s, and tan Michael Kors flats. Her three-stone ring is David Yurman, her silver flower bracelet is John Hardy, and the beaded cross necklace is from a vintage shop in South Beach.

Do you find dressing for work a challenge? “I think it takes a while to figure out how to look good and still look like yourself. I know that when I first started, I imitated a lot—I looked around to see what everyone else was wearing. But it wasn’t quite me. What’s really smart is to buy things you can wear with different outfits and during the weekend. I can wear this jacket with skirts and pants.”

Style > Best Bargains Package 

A Bite Out of Apple

The online Apple store, at apple.com, sells refurbished Macs, most for up to 30 percent below list price. A MacBook 13.3-inch laptop was $849 refurbished; a similar model sells for $1,099 retail. Refurbished computers come with the same software, manuals, cables, and one-year warranty as new Macs.

More Savings That Compute

Mac owners can join Washington Apple Pi (wap.org) for advice. You can even take your misbehaving Mac to a WAP Tuesday-night clinic and a volunteer will repair it. A donation of about $25 an hour is expected. Windows users can get similar help by phone from the Capital PC User Group, cpcug.org.

Tired of your current hair style? Think your make-up and look could use some updating? The Washingtonian is looking for women and men interested in free makeovers. Candidates must be open-minded about following a stylist's suggestions and must be willing to have a before and after photograph published in the magazine and/or on the Web site. If interested, please email a current photograph and a brief note explaining why you would like a change to: makeovers@washingtonian.com.

And we’re back! And, oh my goodness, we happen to kick things off with a shot of Stella in the morning. With seriously bad bedhead. Well, that was a rude awakening. Still, we have high hopes for this week’s Project Runway. With so many contestants left, we’re still dealing with a lot of mediocre designs, but this week’s drag queen extravaganza ought to mix things up a bit.
 
Off to the runway, and then suddenly: From behind the screen, out toddles an enormous viking! Why, it’s Season 4 contestant Chris March. He and Heidi try to air kiss, and there’s a very awkward moment where his disco-ball-breasts get all in the way. Next comes a full parade of drag queens—not unlike the Olympic stadium a few episodes back, Korto proclaims them to be “ginormous!” The contestants are looking less than thrilled with the task at hand, and we can’t blame them. Since when did designing drag attire become a way to prove yourself as a competent modern designer?
 
Only Terri is thrilled: “This is the challenge I’ve been waiting for, because I love drag queens.” Really, Terri? This is the challenge you’ve been waiting for?