primp, pretty up, and preen ...and abit of news.

Of course, I'm completely drenched in the feverish excitement and headiness that is NY fashion week!! I gave up some tix because I had a Dr's appt yesterday. No comment. I've blissfully accepted denial and will not acknowledge the repercussions of that decision. *inane smile, blinking back mini-tears* I'll do updates right after the shows!!
Meanwhile, one word (from ongoing fash week): PREEN.

Pictures courtesy style.com

And in some news, as you may see, I've sold out and am now sporting one ad on the left side of my memoirs page. I think this will be as much as I can handle. Ever. But, in all earnestness, I am tremendously excited and appreciative to become a part of the GLAM network, and the ad is really a small price to pay (again, denial is bliss!! haha) I've been writing for just over six months, and to become part of this celebrated network, the number one site for women, is really an honor. Again, I am sincerely thankful.





Glamorous Kisses.
Glamorous!! Glamorous!!

The grandeur of the Costume Institute Gala

A splendid affair of pomp; the annual Met Costume Institute Gala took place last Monday. It honored revolutionary couturier and self-proclaimed 'King of Fashion' Paul Poiret, and natch, it would've been enthralling to reincarnate and/or interpret many a Poiret conception. But, really, I'm not for people leaving their homes looking frightfully antiquated and unfashionable for the sake of an icon or costume, especially if these people are 'celebs' who have personal stylists, beauticians, coiffeurs etc. Since I refuse to acknowledge badly-dressed people - though it makes for more delightfully disparaging repartees - here are my fav dresses of the night!! I did have quite a few...

Enjoy!!





Pics from style.com

Be back to label the pics later, hopefully.
Perhaps, perhaps not.

Decadent kisses.

The Sale Conspiracy

My beloved Saks and Neiman's always propose their sales simultaneously. Yesterday, Neiman's commenced it's First Call Sale. Slightly off, because I'm pretty sure sales are put forth on Tuesdays. Anyway, not much peaked my interest, or maybe I'm just super broke. Haha. Then, today Saks - whose website is "temporarily unavailable" at the moment, all those people scrambling for sale pieces - proffered an "Exclusive Designers' Day Off - One Day Only" sale and even before I got the gratuitous email from Neiman's, I found out they were having what they've termed a "Private Shopping Night - Today only," which lists items by style names or designers!! (I'll bet you the Saks sale is an intro sale that'll be extended tomorrow!!) There are a couple of things I'd love from Neiman's, it's a great sale; but the notion that both stores do it at the same time is hilarious!! It's the first sale of its kind for each store - the designers' bit of the pitch; it couldn't be just a coincidence. Too humorous!!

Either way, could they please...
1. stop patronizing me with these exclusive catch phrases
2. offer the sales a week or two within each other (I know there'd be a fight for who puts out a sale first, each store wanting people to spend all their money with them first - but they could toss a coin or something!!)
3. Actually make the sale worth my while by slashing prices up to 50%, 60%, 70%...

Decadent kisses.

Barneys is the Top Shop!!

So, this is how the cycle of my fashion memoirs works... I save title drafts of posts that I'd love to write about and when I've a bit of time or I'm feeling down, I write; because you see, sometimes there's no better antidote than fashion and writing about it. So here's a post I've been meaning to write for about two weeks now...

On purpose, I've ignored recent ambitious pairings of celebrities and mediocre stores (automatically downgraded when they embarked on the sad idea). Not that I won't patronize said stores if I've been doing so prior, or if they've products I love; but, I absofrigginglutely dislike the idea of such blatant disregard of true sartorial craftsmanship (and the innate pleasurable decadence derived from a design) when celebs are used to promote fashion, especially clothes!! That said, I've been giddy with anticipation over Kate Moss's collection for Topshop debuting at Barneys. Ahhhh... such juxtaposing complexities. But, can you say pure brilliance!! Every fashion doyenne understands the vital role Topshop plays in propagating Brit-sassy, chic fashion trends throughout London; and thanks to the web... globally. Do I even need to say that in this day and age?? Equally, Barneys stocks decadent styles from all over. I mean you want something unique and super stylish, head to Barneys!! Truly, Barneys supports me in my all-important struggle against the constraints imposed by many of the so-hot-now trends that flush individual expression right down the gutters!!

Anyway, imagine my joy when I heard:
~ Kate Moss was creating a collection for Top Shop (equivalent: double scoop, full-fat fave häagen dazs);
~ and this collection was going to be available for the US at Barneys (10lbs heavier, but... a 7.76ct Harry Winston ring at the bottom of the ice cream dish - my aside reverie: I've been swooning all day; naturally, I was drawn to the one ring that would happen to say "price upon request" when I clicked this morning over at nymag.com. I figure the 10lbs is a bonus, you'd need more leverage to hold up that rock, you see!! Okayyy, seriously nothing would compare to that... but you get my point) JOY!!!

Well, it's almost here, May 8th, that is... Kate Moss will make an appearance at Barneys NY to celebrate the launch of her collection and the next day, the collection becomes available. To understand the enormity of this affair, there's a countdown going on right now at Barneys!!

Let me try to explain my giddiness... Kate Moss, minus what I imagine must be the chicest 'snow' compact as her singular accessory, is one of my fave fashionistas. She just makes glamourous chic look so easy and that's totally my style. It's almost as if she wakes up, puts on a shirt as a dress and walks out the door totally chic!! If you know anything about me, you know I invented the shirt-dress look. Haha. This is where being petite pays big time!! In additon, Julie Gilhart, Fashion director at Barneys NY recently testified that Topshop and Barneys both share a love of style. I couldn't agree more. In an interview with the folks at Fashionweek Daily, she says, "the most important thing is that we buy produce first, regardless of designer or name," and really, that is my fashion dictum. I don't like to discriminate higher end stock in contrast with not-so-high end merchandise; although, it's part of the equation in this merger - the collection will be offered in the Barneys CO-OP division, or designers for that matter. My shopping subconscious is "see, fall in love and buy!!" Haha. Oh I know it shouldn't be!! But oh well, I know is I'm looking forward to this collection.

With élan as always, and double kisses.

Lanvin debuts in the U.S

...guess a few French have decidedly overlooked their teeny dislike of Americans.
Lanvin is the oldest and one of the most prestigious couture houses in France. Founded in 1889 by its eponym Jeanne Lanvin, the couture house is an essence of the Parisian industry of fashion luxury, elegance and refinement. Since recently reverting to its independent standing, fashion enthusiasts worldwide clamour to obtain Lanvin pieces. I don't know why, but the leather material on their handbags, and ballet flats, especially, is as soft as a baby's bottom!! Open the pages of any U.S. Vogue or Hearst magazines, and you're sure to find praise and acclaim for Lanvin flats; and natch, you'd be able to find the brand at Barneys!! I remember calling up my ex-roomie this past Jan. when I was having a mini-crisis at the shoe dept: wondering whether to pick up a pair of floral lace-covered wedge shoes on sale by Alaïa (another French couture house with no premier base in the U.S). Yes I did pick them up!! I'll show you, I love them but I've'nt worn them yet.
Anyway, we walked over to the handbags section and we just couldn't stop touching the Lanvin bags... so, so soft and lush!! I loved the bag pictured above!! I truly am drawn to shiny objects, aren't I?? Well, yesterday, the company opened its first office in the U.S. (142 Greene St., NY.) Albar Elbaz’s Lanvin fall 2007 show pieces will be the first collection in the new showroom.

Check out the calendar for Fall 2007 trunk shows and beauty events on the Barneys website.

My shoes: I found the only picture at Gregory's Shoes online. Picture 'em with a pair of super skinny cropped black pants (love the Audrey ones they had at the Gap) or jeans.

A bit of news...

Beauty and skin care expert, Ms. Bobbi Brown, celebrated the launch of her new book Living Beauty at friend (and designer) Tory Burch's home last night. Just in time for her 50th birthday, she has written the book redefining beauty for women over 40. I don't need the book, but hey, it'd make a lovely gift for an older friend, or mommy, perhaps. If Bobbi Brown really looks as beautiful as she does on the cover, maybe I should just read ahead...



Spring is the air!! Until it starts pouring rain - and snowing - tomorrow. Eeek. Anyway, chicly speaking, 'tis the season for rosé!! I just happen to be chic and love rosé - a divine accompaniment to any fare, or on its own - so guess what's in my refrigerator!! As if the LVMH clientele needs more reason to spend lavishly, the luxe brand conglomerate has partnered with interior designer, Karim Rashid to create the Veuve Clicquot Loveseat, now available in NY. The intimate seating, in its lovely powder pink color, comes with a detachable ice bucket in the classic Clicquot yellow!! I certainly don't need or have ten grand for a loveseat; but it's...chic and oh-so decadent!!

Cheers!!










p.s. Fashion Calendar:
3/14 - 3/18 The Rachel Roy sample sale (up to 75% off) begins today. 25 W 39th St., at Fifth Ave., 14th floor.
Pink Wall Street: Thomas Pink opens a boutique in NY's Financial District; its custom shirt service, Personally Pink, will be available in an apportioned mezzanine section!!

Beauty Bargains

I am a beauty products junkie!! It's very sad. Actually, it's not sad at all - it's affecting and exciting!! Many a-shopping mini excursions and retail-therapy sessions begin, concomitantly, with a stop at the beauty counters of my staple dept. stores. It's just that make-up is so alluring and stunning in its ever-pretty, tempting bottles, tubes and packages. Ooohhh la la. Simply - multiple orgasms. Pure loveliness: the color palettes and matrix forms of eyeshadows; delicious tubes of lip color; pots and jars of skin creams that smell oh-so-decadent, I sometimes wonder if the products are too good to be true and are really just sold for their velvety textures and yummy scents; fragrances, ooooh fragrances - I think dad's responsible here, standard gifts for us, his gyrls, when he comes to visit, so we have some fragrances way before they're introduced in the US :); blushes and cheek stains - also in a myriad of colors and textures; nail polishes - remember the Chanel Black Satin nail polish, I was sporting that last summer before the all the frenzy!! Actually, years before, I'd be in black nail polish for periods of a month or two just because I love it!! Oh, and did I mention beauty tools?? The feel of a new natural brush...remarkably cool. It's a wonder I've managed to not to rant effusively about beauty products in my writings!! Just you wait...

This past Tuesday, I stopped at the Saks and Neiman's Beauty Events. I needed to purchase something for my mom - Ultimate Lifting Creme. Estée Lauder skin care, among reverent brands, has been in my household since I can remember mommy attempting some semblance of a nightly beauty routine. It was more like every fortnight. Haha, but obviously that didn't stop her owning all those products!! I've inherited that gene; hmmm, must be a dominant allele. Anyway, I picked up the jar, as well as some Pure Eyeshadow and got talking with the Beauty Expert lady - their compact cases are exquisite - and next thing I knew I was asking her if she wouldn't mind giving me two of the Beauty Gift Bags; since technically, you got the gift bag if you spent $100, and that jar alone was definitely more than twice that... "Sure honey, you've made my evening!!" she says, "I'll throw in an extra Estée Lauder free treat!!" Well of course, I am exhilarated and grinning like a Cheshire cat. I paid for my purchases, we hugged and parted ways. My mommy was so happy when my younger sister arrived with her goodies two days later. She'll use them at least three times, I think. [The power of bargaining: Lesson #1.]

Next Stop: Barney's. Helloooo black mesh skirt with a puce satin underlay. On sale!!
Sorry, that was just a detour.

Next Stop: Neiman's. Chantecaille Detox Mask and Rose Water. Well, that's all I wanted and was willing to spend money on. I'd be able to get the Neiman's Gift Bag for sure, but I didn't make it (tax excluded) for the Chantecaille Beauty treat. Anyway, I was already positively glowing from my other purchases and gushing to the lady about how wonderful I felt - she's gushing back, "Not many African American women use Chantecaille, but it's an exceptional skin care line." I pleasurably agreed, thinking, "oh well, so what?? The detox mask got wonderful reviews and I just had to try it" - and I asked if I'd still be able to get Chantecaille treat. "I just can't afford to buy anything else and I'm definitely going to be eating ramen noodles for the next couple weeks," I prodded her conscience. It worked!! She'd love for me to try the samples and come back soon. Wrapping up my purchases, she directed my attention to some four-hundred-dollar?? compact case - as we had been talking about the Estée Lauder ones, to which I politely declined and reminded her of my impending ramen noodle diet. I thanked her for all of her help and waved my farewell floating on cloud nine. [The power of bargaining: Lesson #2.]

Thank you Lord for the bargaining gene I know I definitely inherited from mom!! She'd be so proud!!
Beautyfull kisses.

Scents of New York: Bryant Park

So, let's review my some of my loves...
~New York! New York!!
~fragrances
~the lovely month of March *big smile* (my bday month, fiery & passionate Aries *wink*)
Now where am I going with this??
vrrrooommmscreeeeechh (sound of a car coming to a halt, just in case you didn't get it. Haha, cracking myself up with my silliness!!)
↪⇥Here: Today, Bond No.9 - the collection of fragrances paying homage to the greatest city of all, New York, and named for its boutique headquarters at 9 Bond Street, Noho - has launched it 28th scent called Bryant Park!! Exciting News?!!! Hell yeah!! It's about time the hub of NY fashion week got it's own scent!! Bryant Park - the inspiration for this eau de parfum - is a rose-patchouli concoction with PINK pepper thrown in for "dissonance." (love that word!!)
According to the folks at Bond No.9, their mission is twofold: 1. To restore artistry to the art of perfumery, and 2. To mark every New York neighborhood - yes, that's right!! - every uptown, midtown or downtown milieu - with its very own scent.
I thought I had probably five favorites from the collection - West Side, Bleecker St., Gramercy Park, H.O.T. Always and Park Ave.; but, I've obviously been lying to myself. Yesterday evening at Saks, I tumbled in love with half of the collection perhaps. And the candles are delicious!! I simply can't wait to smell Bryant Park.
So if you're from or in NY, please represent your 'hood!! Or, if you're me, represent them all. I don't discriminate!! Haha!! (I'm full of lame innuendoes this fine March morning.)

"Pink Pepper" Kisses.

P.S. I forgot to mention the Bon Bon Box and Perfumista's Box, each beautifully wrapped and containing 18 x .20ml and 16 x .20ml refillable pocket scents respectively. Delish!! There's an extra sample bottle so you can make your own signature scent as well. Available at Saks :)

Correspondence for end of NY fashion week: The Good, the Bad & the Ugly.

I didn't plan on writing about NY Fashion week. Really. But it's fashion and I'm addicted!! I spent about three hours going over the runway pics at nymag.com!! Bliss!! [I lie!! It was 3-something am, I ignored inquiring ims as to what I was doing up so late - still love you guys!!] I'm just glad my wrist hasn't fallen off with all the mouse pad tapping I've done.

I don't plan on writing about London Fashion Week. (Grin) London Fashion Week sounds awkward; something about grammar. But, that's where the (designer)stars are born!!

I've almost three hundred runway pics in my album, so I'll share. I've picked some elegant ensembles in decidedly sumptuous fabrics (and sadly, a couple of plain wretched costumes).

The Good: (First, this has been next to impossible, picking a handful when I know I love practically everything!! I'll do the designers in a bit, writing this stuff is hard work!!)
L-R:
~Oscar de la Renta - both. Possibly, the chicest collection this season. Both, I can definitely see myself wearing. LOL.

~Michael Kors: Audrey Hepburn + Lee Radziwill, fast foward to 2007.
~Jill Stuart: I already have somewhere to wear this. Easy!!
~Sari Gueron; an elegant, refined carmine/venetian red sari dress in a deep-v cut I adore.
~Temperley London: Looooove it. Delicate crotchet accents just where you want them. I've always admired how the Londoner incorporates crotchet -can you say gr.gr.grandma?? No, not in this case- into her fabrics.
~Luca Luca: Encore!! Encore!! Teeny aside: I'd rather pair the lush winter white coat with black tights and shoes. Haha, natch!!
~Bill Blass: Yes, I love pink, and here, Mr Blass has found the perfect shade. And the model's downtown updo - superior!! Perhaps, it's the cold, but I desperately need this coat. I think of Bill Blass, I think of my mom; but, she'd never wear this coat. 1. She'd never be here in winter, and 2. She'd never pay for it!!
~Tommy Hilfger: Granted, I'm not a huge fan; but the outfit is so chic and I've also been looking for the perfect pair of yellow pumps for over 2 years. Boo, I'm not a proper shoe connoisseur.
~Marchesa: sensual, paisley silk; will someone please have a summer evening wedding so I can wear one of these, perhaps...
~Michael Kors: a fave of the season, elegant tweed for the modern-day Jackie O.
~Marc Bouwer: Ahhh, I want that as one of my bday presents, thanks!!
~Oscar de la Renta: Just tell me you haven't fallen in love with this coat!!
~Ralph Lauren. Elegant, subdued allure, the quintessentially powerful woman. And, power is hella sexy!! So, imagine the pleasure putting on and ripping off this outfit - perhaps on the boardroom table!! *wink*

Donna Karan: The rich, gem hues are making me swoon.
Jason Wu: I love it. I know if I had the dress, my boobs would look fab in it. Haha.

The Bad & Ugly: I suggest some of these designers be slapped for these... However, we can also say - for the creativity that fashion embodies - "beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder." I don't believe it though.
Here goes, L-R:
~No words. Creative genius responsible for the ensemble - Heatherette, of course.
~Speechless...
~I can only think the muse for this was an ostrich that threw up on itself.
~There's a fake hand on her left shoulder!! Dreadful.
~CRAP!!
~Homeless destitute and it's not funny, but I'm laughing.

Since, I'm such a doll, I figured we'd play a little game of "Guess that Gender!!"


And finally, I thought I'd add on these delicious-looking men. In befitting trappings, aren't they just yummy?? :

Kisses.

New York Fashion Week Feb. 2-9

...pining for the city, it's fashion week for flambé's sake!! I 'may' have decided not take up a wonderful offer and go into ny during one-of-the-two-most-talked-about weeks in U.S. fashion calendars!! The second being the other (spring) fashion week in sept. There'll be over a hundred and fifty shows all crammed into one week; designers - through whom I'd be made whole simply by touching their intricately sewn garment hems; and of course, socialites teetering on high heels and thumbing bejeweled treos. I want to be responsible and save money!! Responsible??!! Atrocious!! I am crying inside, I can feel my heart beating... eww is that a song or something??
If I end up not going, I will save half the money and....
I think what's holding me together is that I've made reservations for my birthday weekend at the oh-so-chic gramercy park hotel!! And, I am hoping to have a little gathering at the ultra-elegant Rose Bar!! Hooray!! I don't do birthdays, but this one will be special!!!