distracted

currently distracted by:
- new technology
- vintage chanel jewelry
- dog tag necklaces (à la stephen webster, heather moore and especially black sheep and prodigal sons commission scrimshaw (on pre-ban vintage piano ivory/fossilized mammoth ivory!) mystic nostalgia...
- finance figures
- tim hamilton sheer silk tulip pants
-flacons of serge lutens anything (almost seems that way)

ben gorham. byredo.

I went on to Colette to indulge my lace mania via Valentino (you know, just in case the French market was getting whatever was left over from this season's past exploration in fairy-like lace decadence) and Ben Gorham was giving me the 'look'!! I. love. this man! He does have a daughter, Ines, so perhaps he's married and I shouldn't say anything naughty. I will, however, say that if he had been wearing a dress shirt (in this Colette pic) *large air gulps* I would have had to take a time out; take my somewhat regular lunch of a salmon croissant rather early.

But he isn't. So my blood sugar level's normal and I'm coherent. Only just. I remember I first came across Ben Gorham's Byredo bath products and scents at Barneys when I was picking up another scent (the Lys Méditerranée, by Edouard Fléchier for Editions de Parfums ). Trying to block the sales assistant's drivel (no offense, pet!) I fell for the word 'exclusive', naturally. I live and die for exclusivity if I can lay my hands on it; whether factory-made or DIY by yours truly. I think you can sell me just about anything with that word because I feel it's a guarantee that half the world will not be sporting the exact same whatever-it-is. So why am I writing about this? or anything at all?? I've no idea. I love this man, I said that. And I happen to love his products just as much, so why not share?

Anyhow, there's a lovely write up by Vanity Fair's SunHee Grinnell. Byredo — by redolent abbreviated, and thus aptly named — is made up of scents somewhat reminiscent of an older world, (but) in plain, unaffected bottles. I tried some and I had to get the Bal d'Afrique and Blanche! Absolutely delicious, but different enough from each other, the Bal d'Afrique being warmer. I almost bought the Fantastic Man as well. It's beyond. It must be the bergamot top notes which get to me. I need a (male) lover close by so we can wear it together and note how similar we may or may not smell. Oh lord! Hahah! I've noticed that I've this thing for ambiguous scents. Actually the appropriate word may be "unisex". And Byredo fits this yearning just perfectly; in fact, his scents may even be slightly more fem, with masc hints. E.x.actly! Perfect for me.[Kilian (my scent's Typical Me) available at 'exclusively' (haha) at Saks, and the aforementioned Editions de Parfums (at Barneys) are among my faves.] By the way, Ben Gorham is 6'5!! (he was a pro-basketball player). And those tattoos... those eyes... I'm honestly having trouble deciding whether to rave about Mr. Gorham or Byredo. Read the VF article.

Ooooh, there's a collection of the five most popular scents in miniature bottles named I married Adventure. While you'd be quick to think 'great starter set', I'd say... umm... This is perfume, you can't just shop online, you've got to go into the store and try 'em out on your skin. But of course, it's a different matter if it's a gift, whether you're the one giving, or being given.

Pink-pepper infused kisses.
PS. I lied. I'm clearly incoherent.

kelis. acapella.

because i love(d) kelis; naturally i'm only finding out about this video two months later. pop music flies by me.


Ciao!x

lace. romance was born.

There's just so much going on, isn't there? Feverish excitement. What with Resort showings and London's Graduate Fashion Week collections  (Hilary Alexander's reviews are keeping me grounded), I'm positively manic.  Just looking at the (resort) pieces is like a welcome breath of crisp fresh air in what's already becoming a stifling summer up here.

There's more craziness from the fact that: One, I'm standing on my tippy-toes trying to get a peek into the mobile tech sparring between the iphone and the evo, both of which I'm now pretending not to eye because I absolutely detest touchscreens. Secondly, can we say world cup?! Yes, I still love zippity-zilch about football and would never care to watch it, but a few folks are giving me the prep play-by-play and I'm caught up in the frenzy. And let's not talk about the actual drudgery with which I should be concerned. Busy busy. I love.

Given my need to stay cool, I'm reveling in sheer fabrics of which I can never get enough. I got thinking of lace pieces, the ultimate sheer luxury for me. I don't know if it's the Nigerian in me — Lord knows I can't name all the forms of lace that Nigerian women are wont to acquire from all corners of the world — or my overwhelming love for sheer exposure; but I love lace. I'm still swooning over Stella McCartney's lace jumpsuit from last year's MET Gala! Which brings me to the brand Romance Was Born, which I discovered browsing through online store MyCatwalk last year (I think). In my lacy revelry, I was trying to recall pieces that I loved and thankfully I was reminded of this picturesque ensemble from last spring (pictured right). The playfulness of the brand is engaging and for me, it offers wonderfully designed pieces in a — seemingly hitherto — unexplored manner. I can pick out a shirt that gives me a humorously sexy side and that just makes my day. And the name, you can't wear a piece under the label Romance Was Born and not feel delicious. You simply can't. 

But, it's not just about lace with RWB. Isn't this tongue-in-cheek 'condolence' dress from the current A/W collection divine? It's sold out on My Catwalk, where it actually went on sale, but it' still available at the Grand Social and Maximillia (only it's not on sale yet. (but. of. course).  Hmm... odd pricing too. Must make a mental note.

Let's talk a pleasurable big business, shall we?

x.xx.

black. and white.

This is a sham of a post. By that I mean, I'm hardly writing more than four sentences. Okay maybe more. While I really do want to rave about these Sharon Wauchob dress available in black and white (both of which I must. have. if it's the last thing I do), I've a meeting in half an hour. Can we just talk about the turnover cum falling neckline at the back? Can we say modern day romantic decadence? Thank you Reborn for being my sanctuary. You may not realize how often I'm daydreaming about the pieces you carry. Then again, you may. Especially if your tech person's been monitoring your site activity and a certain someone always heads straight to these Wachoub pieces. I bet he/she keeps thinking, "just make a choice, darn it!!"

I'm sorry I just can't choose one or the other. But I know I have to pace myself:
1. It's sale season and those pieces need to be marked down like yesterday.
2. I can not afford to buy two pieces at that #$%! price.
3. It's sale season.
4. Did I mention? Sale season. Thank you.

I do realize Canada is a different country, but honey we should be on the same calendar. Awaiting the mark downs with the patience of a wounded female baboon in heat. Lovely imagery, if you know anything about female baboons. Haha. I'm sorry.

Okay, let's indulge in these other pieces from Des Kohan, shall we?? The lace is just exquisite. And white's perfect for the summertime. I couldn't help wondering if they had the dress (top picture) in black as well; I know that as a white dress, it highlights the lace detailing much better than a black dress would, but wonders never end... And take a minute to revel in the contrasting skin tone, brown skin pulls off any- and everything!! The piccies on Dessie Kohan are much better and there's so much more to relish. Oooh and at Anastasia's as well.
I. need. to. seek. help. (I know this.)

Lotsa strawberry-flavored kisses.