You just never know WHO you'll run into on the east side of Manhattan these days! On a recent jaunt up 5th Avenue, who did we see but Olivia Doran, New York fashion plate and wife of real estate tycoon Gavin Doran. Ms. Doran and companion -- one Danielle Tyler, and while it would be impolite to call her a "nobody," this reporter has never heard of her -- were ducking into dress shops all afternoon, and this was no mere window-shopping jaunt. Word has it, Ms. Doran has been known to drop five figures on couture, and she certainly had that look in her eye on this day.

This is not out of the ordinary for Olivia Doran, of course. Her reputation as a kind of "fashion whisperer" has been growing, as she has been known to mentor friends and acquaintances on their personal style. If you recall, last week we reported on a guest of the Dorans at the Symphony Gala who was turning heads with a stunning red McQueen gown. I'm hearing that was all Olivia's doing.

Speaking of reputations, the Dorans have one lately for their penthouse extravaganzas at The Drake, the Park Avenue architectural wonder they own. At a recent party, the Dorans flew in a very exclusive chef from Tokyo just for the evening! Oh, to live that life ...