Back to school b*tches!!

...At least for the next week of fall runway shows in my beloved NY!! NY!!
Check list:
• empty oversized bag (ahem, make room for my chic flats. HAHA)
• camera & memory card
• two pairs of oversized sunglasses
• book organizer ― just for looks, of course, and preferably by Hermès or Chanel, sorry my dislike of LV is just so consuming!!
• chic simplicity style that projects an elegant and powerful confidence. I'm thinking (black, grey or tweed) pencil/bouffant skirts, sleek mid-rise trousers and white collared shirts. I'm also thinking a smidge of ruffles, maybe; and a tweaked creation of my very own of course. That's just me. And, if you're paying homage to the designer... Bravo!! Bravo!!
• a great coat; or you'll freeze your nipples off
• pretentious designer bottled water. You have heard of Evian's newly designed ― by Christian Lacroix!! ― bottled water that's rumored to make an appearance during the week. Oh you haven't??!! Well where have you been?? Here's what the bottles which come in "Couture" and "RTW" versions look like...

A few other recommendations for your 'water'?!!! (certainly a very normal thing to worry about): Voss, Tasmanian Rain, Antipodes and Fred's.
• E-Boost for revving up your energy, because you're not a coke head and your Lauder compact actually does contain a serving of legit nose powder.
• inane smile and gurgling laughter at the delightful craziness of it all. Check!!

Now prepare for a crammed session of stilettos and label memorizations that charmingly surpasses whatever you may have done ― or not ― at your last academic institution. And we're all watching to see who's doing color on the runway, and no I don't mean on the dresses!!







Sugar-patchouli-scented air kisses.
See you.
P.S. Happy Black History Month!!

I'm working!!

Yesterday, I received this cartoon from Denise Dorrance. It sums up ― quite perfectly ― my work philosophy.


Kisses!!

legal tender

I'm so glad I've got my miniscule male audience for whom to write this delicious, yet slightly troubling post. UK-based "Money" clothing, which designs casual wear *yawn* ― denim, t-shirts, jerseys/hoodies (I hate the word 'hoody') ― proposes a more serendipitous, if not stupid (forgive my brazenness) form of clothing. Cue: Its premium denim line, Money 750 which runs about $1,100 a pair, and has a $100 bill welded into its right back pocket; and its line of $750-a-pair sneakers with legal-tender $100 bills eenclosed in their transparent soles. Both monies can, of course, be removed from each clothing item with a bit of effort.

Pause.

No, it certainly doesn't make much sense. According to an article on style.com, one of the line's designers, Melvyn De Villiers, "It's not all about saying how much money we have. It's just another "fabric" we used for the collection." Fabric?? What??!! I'm dumbfounded to be honest. I don't really know how to argue "for" ― my attempt at being a reasonable individual here ― or "against" the concept. I do know, however, that any man sporting a pair of these 750 denim is just begging to have his bottom caressed not just by me, but all manners of crazies. And Lord grant me that said gentleman has a nice, firm butt underneath those pants. He's getting his butt smacked just for the potential thwack sound. Yum!!

Apparently, this money-in-the-back-pocket concept was sampled back in 2003 when the brand was launched, with $1 and $100 bill notes. Interestingly, the Money brand was actually responsible for the famed £20,000 hand-crafted Vicious belt made with three rows of 18ct gold studs, which dear rapper TI wore during his performance at the MTV Awards in 2006. The belt had been signed by the Sex Pistols. Collector's item or what??!! As part of its allure, Money incorporates 18 ct gold from London's Hatton Garden for the rivets and buttons of its 750 denim.

Say what you will, but this design philosophy simply nurtures the idea of stealing. Ha!! I mean what do you expect??!! De Villiers revealed, "In a store in Dubai, someone steamed off the notes and replaced them with photocopies, [and] in Harvey Nichols, kids were ripping the notes off, so we had to lock the jeans up in boxes." Oh really??!! True buyers, however, may profit from waiting until they're bored with their pants or truly strapped for cash before they rip out their money. Beneath the note, the word 'fallito' ― Italian for bankrupt ― is printed on the pocket. Sad. Definitely not admissible. The line will be available in the U.S. in the spring.







Tender kisses.

whose red soles??

If you, like me, have seen these pretty (esp. the royal blue) shoes in Spring's editorials, gushed, and then prescribed an additional VAT (Value Added, T for Trademark, in this case) by virtue of glimpsing the red soles (of Christian Louboutin, NOT), then I'm afraid we've all been fooled. They're actually made by Versace, which is equally oh so lovely and decadent, but...

It seems a bit deceptive, if you think about it. I'm not sure what the reasoning is behind stealing—such an ugly word, I'm afraid—the red soles. The Versace camp can't really need to make shoe sales that badly. Smell a patent/proprietorship infringement?? I am, however, quite certain the red Loubou soles aren't patented. It's a decidedly prohibitive process. So much so, I can only think of two companies that have managed to patent their colors—Hermès (equestrian) orange and Tiffany (robin-egg) blue; and they both happened back in the middle ages. There've been none since then.

I can only think this new installment by Versace will serve solely to create the grand opportunity for confusing my little nine year old brother when he comes to visit later in the year. If I happen to snag a pair (I'm not utterly, dumbfoundedly in love with any of the shoes at the moment), then little Jr will have to figure out that those red soles aren't my "Christian" shoes as he's so lovingly dubbed any of my red soles when he's trying to butter me up. He's such a charmer, the little brat. No, he's not into shoes, but he does have three older sisters!! It's almost saddening that Versace isn't at all part of his lingo seeing as he wasn't even born during the Biggie-Versace-love era.

I wish it was all a dream...






Big kisses. It's Friday!!

P.S. No, I can't stop staring at that bag either!!
P.P.S I just had to put Gisele's butt on display...

in-circle perks 2: HauteLook. Gilt Groupe 2.

Yesterday, a reader so thoughtfully pointed out the HauteLook.com webbie, which also offers savvy online shoppers access to tons of sales much in the same manner as Koodos and Gilt (without the need for special invitation).


Shamefully (again), I'd neglected this site for no valid reason other than my own silly forgetfulness. I've also been registered at HauteLook since Dec; and occasionally when whoever-must-be-the-lovely 'brit@hautelook.com' sends her email reminders for the designer sale of the day at 8 each morning, I click through to muse over the prettiness of it all. I'ven't bought anything on the website yet, but like the other two ports, it's just absolutely divine to have such options!!

In other lovely news, Rachel Wolkowitz over at Gilt roupe has graciously permitted me to offer my readers/subscribers invitations to the Groupe. So I've decided the first hundred people who so request, get it!!

Prepare to enjoy a spend-worthy year.






Chocolate frosted kisses.

if you were my boyfriend

"I'm going to take you on a journey to the Far West, to a place where big, greasy hunks have big, pulsating muscles smeared in soot and sweat." (Levi's - Birth of a Legend, Derek Blasberg, 10 Magazine. Q1, 2008.)
Sounds like lyrics to a Beatles' song: mellow and cultured, yet rhythmic.

I love the word pulsating. It makes me *whispering* blush. (I'm obviously distracted.) If you know any thing else about me, save my search for the perfect pair of yellow pumps, you know I definitely wouldn't mind a big (and by big, I mean tall—6'2)¹ muscly specimen. Keep the greasiness and the sootiness.Oh, and the sweat.
Oh my...

Back to Blasberg: he traces the history of the denim in his article from its invention by immigrant Levi Strauss in 1850s California to the present day. He writes very cleverly about this universally celebrated item of clothing. It's enlightening and amusing at once.
But I digress.
I mean to reflect on the word, "pulsating."
Tch-th'p. (A more onomatopoeic version of 'thump,' in my opinion)
Tch-th'p.
Tch-th'p.
Tch-th'p. LOL
Alright... I really mean to contradict Mr. Blasberg and denounce his flawed perception of many American men I've come across. I certainly haven't met any 'big' hunks recently. Maybe, I'm not looking hard enough for these hunks. Hmmm.. I love the word 'hunk' too. And 'hung.' A nicely hung bunk. Yum. If I really did find an American² Blasberg hunk, I'd make him my boyfriend,³ then get him these sets of cufflinks.


Whimsical, yet very chic, these pairs of cufflinks made of lucite-encased South Asian beetles ($225 a pair at Takashimaya NY) were made to catch the eye. If I met a man wearing a pair of links such as these, I just might fall in love (or fuck, excusez moi, s'il vous plaît) with him.⁴ It's certainly fitting for the man who is confident enough in his style to play with elements in the few accessories afforded him. It necessitates some measure of forethought in wardrobe preparation of course. A younger Humphrey Bogart comes to mind, although you couldn't see his trinkets in color. Complementing the cufflinks' colors could prove challenging, so I'd advise plain (are there any other kinds??) collared shirt and singly-colored ties with simple, matte belt buckles and jewelry/watch that match or integrate the underlying brass shaft and hinges. Just think, whilst standing upright with your arms placed at your sides, you'd want the wrists' region—the encompassing sphere around the hands and torso—to appear coherent. Save the obnoxious bling for never.
Yes, I'm super finicky. Yes, that's why I'm single. No, I don't mind; at least not yet :).


I'd also buy my lover these modish trims by London-based Arm Revolution whose webbie launched on the 16th of November last year. I know this why?? I'd signed up to be notified when they launched, and it's two days before my baby sis' birthday :). (I knew I retained completely useless info like this for a reason.)
For the record, Arm Revolution does not make cufflinks, they design "steel arm architecture" that will run you about 700 bucks a pair. Neglecting this small issue of price, these links⁵ are, indeed, (man) haute!! The intro video on the website is hot enough to make one feel as though one is being invited to partake in some voyeuristic episode. You've got to give these revolutionary guys kudos for managing border-line soft porn to sell their trinkets. But seriously, I'm thoroughly in awe of the (manly, of course) chic simplicity of the designs. It's very understated, yet super edgy and super sleek; just like I love my men. It's no question that I'd have to keep from jumping any man sporting a pair of these pussy magnets.⁶ And because you couldn't be expected to buy arm archi** and just shut up, you are invited to register your gear, and perhaps, mingle with other douche bags men—j/k, I do love a bit of arrogance every now and then—who've registered theirs too. I guess you could possibly move on to set up a meetings with your new best buddies to discuss to the size of your stock portfolios; or dicks. I'd be keen to listen in either way. And yes, bigger is always better in both cases.







Bubblegum flavored kisses.
Your gyrlfriend.


P.S. I'm so glad I wrote something for the guys. This marks my first post installment for a section I may refer to as man chic, for lack of a better imagination at the moment.
P.P.S. I'd totally rock those cufflinks myself.

Footnotes:
1. Indeed, I'm 5'1.
2. American, only because I'm in the U.S. I don't discriminate.
3. That's just the kind of gyrl I am, I pick my boyfriends. Haha.
4. This poses a delicate situation, however: In the process of noticing his links, my eyes would undoubtedly be drawn to the man's hands. If he belongs to the class of men—I come across with alarming frequency—who are uneducated in the merits of lotion, and thus, walk around with dry ashy hands; it just wouldn't work out. This notion of men sporting wilted hands is extremely puzzling to me because I grew up with a father who regularly put lotion on his hands immediately after he washed them.
5. Sorry, I just can't keep saying arm architecture.
6. While it may seem otherwise, I'm really just a prude with awfully naughty thoughts that I usually keep to myself.

In-circle perks: Gilt Groupe and Koodos

You, my friends, don't deserve this:
I've effected one massive blunder and I'm left thinking of how to make it up to you.
[Cue: Excuses]
...Okay, seriously, it's just that the phenomenon was launched during my "pre-travels" Christmas season i.e., toward the end of November. At the time, my mind was constantly occupied with one item or the other on my ten ft. long shopping list (I could've given ol' St. Nick a run for his cookies, or mince pies.) So I created a post that's remained a draft until my glimpsing it a few minutes ago. [End Scene]

What??
What am I blabbering on about??
Essentially, the GILT GROUPE founded by fashion merchandising twosome Alexis Maybank and Alexandra Wilkis Wilson. It's the premier (U.S) online 'invitation-only' destination for hard-to-imagine-you'd-ever-be-getting-a-piece-of-the-action designer sample sales!! Since I got invited last November when the Groupe debuted, there've been gloriously tempting sales from Alessandro Dell'Acqua, Marchesa, Sari Gueron, Kwiat!!!! And at upto 70% off!! Joy!! For true fashion aficionados (and bargain delighters, like myself), it's an act of divine intervention in the simplest form. I mean I don't know about you, but have you ever been to a Kwiat Sample Sale??!!

Imran Amed of the Business of Fashion reviews his interview with Rachel Wolkowitz, Gilt Groupe's Director of Marketing & Communications to understand the platform of this service. In the second portion of his series titled, "The Art of the Private Sale," Amed publishes his interview with the CEO, Miriam Lahage, of London's heralded koodos.com (March 2007)—at which I'm also registered :). I'd actually joined koodos.com much earlier in the year, last year, and completely forgotten about it. So sad. I really need to organize my online bookmarks!! This second online port is not so snotty as to require an invitation-only basis for joining. J/K, I'm not implying Gilt does snotty. Well, they do actually, it's the whole point; but, it's not a bad thing, so gyrlies please don't go revoking my digital carte blanche to the sales. I'd die. Koodos.com offers a yummy 'general' sales section from top (European) designers in addition to the 'private sales,' that take place on specific days as listed on their sales calendar; as does Gilt Groupe. Gilt does not offer a 'general' always-on-sale section; it lists the upcoming sales and sends an email to their members' inboxes each week introducing the sales of the week, usually about three per week. On each sale day, members get another email reminder at noon (used to be ten am!!, noon's so much better) when the sale starts. Some are one-day sales, others run a few days. Koodos operates in much the same manner.

About a week ago, WWD reported Gilt's novel partnership with the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). Do you know what this mean??!! I suggest you visit the CFDA webbie and check out the sheer number of member designers!! I've already invited some of my friends to Gilt, I get credited 25 bucks for each referred friend's first purchase. If I haven't sent you an invite, let me know, it only skipped my mind. I apologize sincerely. With Koodos, when you do refer a refer you (and your friend) get £5 each to spend; that's per friend referred. My only sadness concerning Koodos is the d*mn exchange rate and the recessed American economy!! Perhaps, sadder is the fact that I'ven't bought anything on either website yet; I was just being selfless *bashful eyes* you see... christmas shopping for my parents and everyone else in the previous months required constantly going into the shoppes and not waiting for specific sales.

Anyway, to make up for my shocking absent-mindedness, I'm referring the next few email-subscribed readers of my memoirs who request an invitation by "email"; 'few' because I need to ascertain any associated legal connotations with doing so.







Again forgive me.
Huge kisses and truffles.
(R.I.P. Heath Ledger)

sole fete: Christian Lacroix

I'm reluctantly moot concerning my seeming preoccupation with shoes of late. While I love—oh so terribly—to discover tons of absolutely gorgeous shoes (or any pieces of accoutrement, for that matter); it certainly is no easy feat narrowing down my choices because I simply can't afford to buy a new pair, or four, each week!!

Yesterday, recovering from a lovely long weekend and an internet hiatus, I came across the most beautiful pairs of shoes by Christian Lacroix. I may have keeled over at the sight of this satin jewel pump: I can't recall entirely what happened in the ensuing seconds. Then, a flurry of activity: I almost screamed at my youngest sister, entreating a commiserating admiration of the pink satin beauties. She agreed, they were simply beautiful!! The bow detail on the sole got us. If only one of us, at least, could afford them at the moment. Still, I must have these shoes at some point. (Please keep your disparaging remarks about my apparent avarice rot. I'm a bit shamefaced, but it'll be a chic investment :))

I've always been intrigued by the designer's style print—(black and white or pink) polka dots and stripes, which often line the insole of his shoes and the flower pattern that's sometimes interwoven in the upper, as well as his bold print couture dresses. Can you say glorious chintz?!! And not forgetting his flower details which are always impressive. I decidedly spent an insightful hour or so on Lacroix's website—he writes in captivating detail about his inspirations and continuous re-evaluation of his works. A man who makes such beautiful shoes deserves all my attention. Certainly. Indeed, Lacroix's philosophy of a continually redefined sense of fashion to build a style, a lifestyle [of elegance] explains his Lacroix's interminable success in all his endeavors, ranging from couture dresses to jeans and from linens to porcelain dining plates!! I've also discovered—in the man—a kindred spirit in his quest for elegant style. Oh, and did you see his S/S 2008 RTW dress collection?? I'm not sure he attributed the obvious inspiration of the West African woman's head wrap on his runway, but this brings in perspective his broad influences!!

Lest you think me sensible; I looked for more of Lacroix's shoes to further torture my soul sole soul both. Well, this second pair—crocheted raffia lace-up d'Orsay pump—I couldn't really avoid; it was side by side the bow-tiful satin pair on the Neiman's website and practically staring at me . Zappos satiated a bit of my greed. And, they do have the satin pair in black and pale green!!







Greedy kisses :)

the coefficient of drag

I'm thoroughly knackered, and UNINSPIRED. This is in spite of the hundred or so drafts—which would translate to a ton of fashionable scoops—that I could be finishing up (for my memoirs.) I'm not sure what's wrong. It may have something to do with my newly-adopted biorhythm. Since my return to the cold world (Boston) last weekend, I've taken to falling asleep at about 8 pm and waking up at 2 am. Until now, it's worked out just splendidly: I'd wake up and do lots of chic skimming and reading. The on-going European Men's Shows have also proven terribly addictive, minus the obviously sexually-unavailable (read: gay, no offense) and androgynous species.

Today morning, however, blah...

Instead, I've wholesomely (not!!) transferred—and translated, very well indeed—this blah episode into a festering disapprobation for the once prevailing Louis Vuitton Cruise 08 handbag collection ads!! When the ads surfaced toward the end of the last year, I had a thrilling fit. I convulsed with a shameful laughter at the utter disproportionateness of every aspect of the poses.
End of story. Or so I thought.

Today, out of nowhere, I'm spewing an unfashionable hatred and contempt for the by-gone ad. I mean, what in the world was that unrealistic, uncomfortable and ugly-faced, plastic-doll pose?? And, why did the Monogram Rubis Salina GM bag seem to possess a dynamic power of its own; managing to suspend its entire structure at an exaggerated angle sans any real model manipulation (negligible drag)?? And don't get me started on the Mini Lin Croisette ad featuring the same plastic model (again no offense, I'm sure she was just doing her job.)

I'm sure the ad struck an ugly nerve with a lot of folks; the Spring ads, while maintaining the pervading plasticity of handbag ad campaigns, are certainly much prettier!! Even if I grudgingly admit it, I love the infused downtown feel of the new collections. And wouldn't you just look at that French Riveria Pump in yellow!! I'm getting excited for my options!!








Sweet glacé kisses to make up for my 'haterade'.
I feel so much better.

from macro to micro chips: my fave new obsessions!!

Ivana Omazic, artistic director—appointed in 2005—of the luxury contemporary house of Celine has out-done herself. Then again, it's more likely just the beginning for her. Either way, I've fallen madly in love and can't see my future without one or two pieces from her S/S 2008!! In particular, I've taken a huge tumble for Omazic's Macro Chips Shiny (high fashion) pump in sunflower (yellow)!! The pump is shaped with the sole as part of the upper (covering) and contrasts gloriously against the wooden heel.

Now if you know anything about me, you'll know that I've been searching for the perfect yellow pair of heels since before I thought I was chic ;). You can't imagine the indescribable joy I felt when I glimpsed these babies on runway pics. Of course, back then—in September—I was going crazy trying to find a much larger pic of the shoes; but, because I generally view style.com fashion show pics, I completely forgot about Elle.com's "details/backstage" pics!! Anyway now, I'm so on it like honey butter on toast points and I must at least wiggle my what-will-be freshly-painted toes—when I do decide to head for for a fitting *wink*—in a pair of these beauties to see how they look. Naturally, it's impossible (for me) to stop with just the fashionable pump. I'm seriously coveting the handbags as well; the patent corset bags in vermilion (red) and the season's hottest clutch (in my book)¹ in all available skins and colors!! LOL. I love their chic simplicity of style. The laser python piece is to die for; with its iridescent skin and and vibrant hologram lamination accenting the scales.

In other exciting chip news, I'm seeking a legitimate method of procuring the newly launched Mac Book Air!! It hits stores in two weeks.







Beautiful kisses.

Footnote:
1. I do hope everyone isn't clamoring for it yet; I wouldn't want to have a piece everyone has. Although I do think I could almost make an exception.
What??
You already know I'm beyond persnickety. Get over it!!