Fashion Funhouse Emporium

Photos: J.B. Spector/the Museum of Science and Industry

Most women love an event where they can get dressed up all princess-debutant-like. For ladies like  myself, those events don't come along too often.

I jump at the chance to enter a room (late of course) where everyone stops sipping from their champagne glasses and Cosmos. They  look at you because you look stunning.  The bartender's jaw drops as his bottle of Dom Perignon slips out of his hands and crashes to the floor.  A woman slaps the satisfied smile off her gawking date's face.  A man asks "who is that?" and his friend answers "I don't know, but I wish I did...."

Okay. That scenario has never happened to me. Usually, I'm the one standing at the bar in a boring, safe black dress. Im dipping a napkin in soda water, trying to remove horseradish dip stain off  my dress which bursted out of the fried seafood hors d'oeuvre when I bit into it. PS, no one is telling me that the parsley garnish is still stuck in my teeth.

But, surely this dress constructed from 24,000 full color LEDs made by a London based design duo should grab attention, unless there are blind people in the room.

"We used the smallest full-color LEDs, flat like paper, and measuring only 2 by 2 mm. The circuits are extra-thin, flexible and hand-embroidered on a layer of silk in a way that gives it stretch so the LED fabric can move like normal fabric with lightness and fluidity.” say designers Francesca Rosella and Ryan Genz, the creators of the Galaxy Dress

Check out this site called Cute Circuit that creates what it refers to as wearable technology and interaction design.

The holidays are quickly approaching and that means the sometimes obligatory visits to see people who you'd rather add as your facebook friend than see live in and person. "Hey! Just thinking about you mother in law! Glad you sent me a request!" That's it, social interaction complete.

But Facebook has yet to create an app for the dreaded and awkward Thanksgiving dinner at the in laws.  Thus, we are subjected to face to face backdoor compliments such as "Did you lose weight? Every time I see you, you re thinner!" Or not so in your face, like  "You're my only hope for grandchildren" i.e. said while you're standing there but not directly to you.

Anyway, here are a few products to help you survive that family food festival and be able to give thanks for that long awaited train or car ride back to your own house.

Graey Online Boutique, Flask Purse

Excuse yourself to go the restroom. Its normal for girls to take their purse with them.  No one will suspect a thing while your sitting on the toilet, fully clothed with the door locked and chugging down your "magic toleration liquid."

Button on Napkin System,  Ett la Ben

Don't wipe your hands on the festive brocade turkey linens, you'll ruin them. But why are they on the table then? Don't try to decipher why there are napkins on the table that you cant use.  Bring your own. Oh, don't eat that fruit in the silver bowl centerpiece. Its plastic.

Johnathan Adler Shoe Butter Dish

Remember when President Bush dodged a shoe thrown by an Iraqi man?  If the aforementioned tactics fail to keep the peace, borrow this Arab world insult and "accidentally" launch this dish when the mother in law asks you to pass the butter.