lingerie bag or not: Lanvin Papillote tote bag

You be the judge...
(Never mind that I think of lingerie bags in lavender and lace for some reason.)
As you can see this collection of shoppers comes in nude the universal color of women's unmentionables, and folds perfectly to fit in your suitcase!! When I first came across the show pieces in store in early February, I thought it was just a lazily misplaced item (by another customer); you know how you drop an intending purchase wherever because you can't be bothered to return it to its original place?? I simply thought it belonged in the lingerie department!! Of course, I went on to caress its satiny texture; that was when the price tag slipped into view. In shock I realized my mistake. This was supposed to be an actual bag!!
Yeah right!!

The printed styles are much more deceptive; but I'm unconvinced that that nude shopper should be hanging on my wrist and actually glimpse sunlight. If you've been dying for a really expensive lingerie bag, Lanvin has you covered!! (Check 'em out at Barneys. Sorry I'm not facilitating this transaction with the ease of linking to Barneys. LOL)







Sugar Kisses.

P.S. My stupid b.l.o.g.g.er (bleuch!! excuse me) didn't work yesterday and late Sunday. I was really trying to be diligent and my plans were thwarted.

spring bling

After a long, but exciting day playing a younger¹ Ms. Marple trying to decipher the dynamics of the NY fabric/leather district, I was happy to spend sometime with a lovely friend last evening. When we'd met to catch up in early February, we couldn't help gushing about our fave new (shoe) obsessions. It turned out we'd been ogling the exact same pair of shoes. Not only that, we were very particular about the color: it had to be the rose-gold pair!! This bewitching pair of thong sandals by Giuseppe Zanotti (online at Eluxe, silver color at Zappos; in-store at the usual: Saks, Neiman's, Barneys, BG... there's a yellow-gold color as well). With spring² hovering in the air, I can't help a feverish excitement that I — or, we both :) — will be sporting these gorgeous puppies soon!!

Now if you know anything about me, you'd know that one of my fave pieces of accessory is a pair of thongs!! No, not that kind. Oh well, actually, that kind³ too. *invisible blush on my brown skin :)* But I mean the thongs you wear on your feet!! Anyway, you'd think that (me) being short, I would be teetering on heels always, yeah?? Not really. I only pretend to be chic and sport four-inch heels on occasion.⁴ My friend, of whom I speak however, she wears heels very elegantly 24/7!!

For lack of a better excuse, it's just that I love love (flat) flipflops/thongs. It seems every spring/summer I'm looking for a new decadent pair. Last year, it was this oh so chic pair; along with two pairs of the same thin-strapped gold thongs from Nordstrom, for thirty bucks a pair. These shoes have since gone into hiding (= I can't find them) for a variety of reasons: stupid winter weather and more importantly, my cleaning lady's highly effective "cleaning" tactics.⁵ Natch, Nordstrom doesn't have them any more, but I'm determined to find some equally cheap and lovable pairs as soon as I can.
Or... dig up my old pairs.
Whichever comes first.
Actually, the pair I'm on about practically resemble this pair of Zanotti's (Saks online), but without the bling. I quite like this pair too. On the other hand, you wouldn't believe it, but the only thing standing between me and this Zanotti pair in particular is the larger crystal detail at the start of the thong strap. For some inexplicable reason, I find it just irritating. Well, there's also the small matter of my meager finances; but I'm pretty gifted at ignoring that fact. I think if I did buy a pair, I'd be looking for a cobbler to remove the irreverent stone :). Picky!! picky!! I know.

Lest, I fool you into thinking I've learnt to curb my insatiable greed, I also adore this Valentino pair (Neiman's online). In fact, I simply can't wait till the end of the month, when there'll be tons more sandals in the shoppes. Then I can plot which pairs I'll grab at the sales rack in July-August!!






Shimmery kisses.


Footnotes:
1. I'd say a younger and "chicer" version of Ms Marple :). Meanwhile, the idea that I'm equating myself with an old spinster is slightly troubling, but I won't make too big a deal of it. LOL.
2. I know I've jinxed it already. Expect the return of cold crappy weather in the northeast. *shame-faced*
3. I've had many a friend (sexes undisclosed) wonder at the extent of my thong undergarments collection, with a seeming lack of other forms of — ahem — knickers. "Isn't it just easier to do thongs??" I ask. In the first place, how do these said friends come into knowledge of my underwear habits?? *quizzical frown* I don't even know. I have to check my friends from now on...
4. Such auspicious occasions arising when I have to be in company of unforgiving fashion critics and when I'm kissing up to tall boyssss :)
5. I marvel at my cleaning lady's ability to force me into an unwilling game of hide-and-go-seek with her misplacement of every possible thing in my apt during cleaning!! I quite understand her strategy: Put everything in the wrong place, so I (myself) can mess everything up more quickly as I look for a dress or tube of lipstick, then she gets called back quicker for another "cleaning" session. Seriously!! But, I just can't seem to break the cycle.
Yet.
It's on now.

thank you

I've gotten lots of positive encouragement from lots of different people. After my treatment sessions — I suffer from diphthophobia (fear of actively responding to messages) LOL, I want to take time out to thank as many of you as possible, individually. I really do. While I seek help for this sadly incapacitating dysfunction, I'd like to thank you from the very bottom of my hollow heart. I really do appreciate that you take the time to send me such inspiring and occasionally, well thought-out notes. I can only imagine how busy some of you must be, so thank you very much indeed.



Big lip smacking kisses on each cheek.
Treat yourself to a sugar-dripping confection of your very own choice.

sugar, spice and chai lattes dresses

Is that title even funny/pun-ny??!!
No, not remotely.
Sitting alone in the deliciously heady warmth of one of my fave petit Boston restaurants, JER-NE, — its strong suit being, not in the least, its ideal location for my beloved solitary art of people-watching¹ whilst munching on the most perfect green salad — I was nostalgic for spring. It'd been a very cold February day; it was an even colder evening.

To be certain, while the scene for this post was building up in my head, I thought it not only pretty, but rather clever.
Now, not so much.
My brain concocted a seemingly charming play-on-words in which a beautiful woman is wearing a dress reminiscent of a piece from Richard Chai's Fall 2008 collection (NY)... The evening breeze ripples through her dress and occasionally lifts curly wisps of her thick black hair (if she were me, hair extensions LOL)... She swirls a glass of Cabernet sauvignon a cold Chai latte (ooh clever!!) in her (right) hand... Her bare feet trace the annuli of the wooden planks... She's happily immersed in her surroundings, but very much in her own world... on the veranda of a shabby chic bistro.
Really, it was a lovely scene... Ah, well.

[Back to reality]
Perhaps, 'twas the easy lightness of some of the pieces in his recent Fall collection — especially the latter dresses and blouses in the collection — but I couldn't help an intoxicating adoration for Richard Chai. With such airiness, it was as though life couldn't get any more perfect; that I couldn't possibly have anything to fear. A silly righteousness emanates from within, however: I'd need a wrap the thickness of ten blankets to go with my outfit in cold-wretch Boston!! Thank goodness he also showed lots of sweaters and coats. Still, I couldn't care less. I'm in love with Richard Chai's designs. Each piece offers an elegant simplicity that gives one rein to play it up or down. Additionally, the essence of femininity that every gyrl craves is cleverly crafted into each piece, it's stupidly irresponsible not to give it a second or fifth look (even as you debate the price-worthiness of said eye-catching piece). Yes, dear Richard belongs to that clique of new young twenty to thirty-something designers that think it just dandy to have four-digit price tags on their dresses!!

Appreciatively, Chai's designs are demurely sexy and classy: the prototype for a classic chic piece. Prior to launching his eponymous label in 2004 to great reviews, Chai worked for Geoffrey Beene, Marc Jacobs, Donna Karan and TSE. Indeed, he reportedly helped Marc Jacobs launch his celebrated line. His Asian/Korean heritage is earnestly epitomized in his work. There's a minimalist, unconventional aproach to his designs that upon closer inspection reveals intriguing detailing and intricacy in cut and construction lines: cartridge pleats, quilting, origami folds etc. Again, it's the understated refinement and sophistication for which I live everyday and love so much.

If you remain unmoved by Richie's clothes, perhaps, his handsomely boyish looks will melt your unwieldy ice-encrusted heart. I mean, isn't he just gorgeous??!! It's like an undeserved bonus: wearing a lovely dress made by such a cutey!! I read somewhere² that he was named one of People's Sexiest Men Alive in 2004.³ Yum!!
Richard Chai clothing is available at Barneys and Shop Jake.






Yummy kisses.



Footnotes:
1. Yes, I'm very much an observer. I quite enjoy sitting quietly on my own and especially musing over the fashion mishaps of common folk, even as I plot about righting such atrocities. *Laughter tinkle* Ahh... Thomas Hobbes was indeed correct, "Laughter is nothing else but sudden glory arising from sudden conception of some eminency in ourselves, by comparison with the infirmity of others." Okay I'm not just all awful. One of my facebook quotations also reads "Laughter is the closest distance between two people [before they kiss]. ~ Victor Borge revised by Yours truly. *Awww... how sweet*
2. I do not remember where, and I do not care to look it up. Ooops.
3. Sorry are there lists that enumerate the Sexiest People Not Alive... ummm Dead?? I don't mean to be dreary and unfeeling, but are there?? LOL.

haute fidelite et haute couture

[A three-day old post]
[Even older posts said to make appearances soon]
It's Paris fashion week¹ and I'm thoroughly tickled by most things French. Or should that be "people"?? Not only is the French air of superiority deeply amusing and terribly akin to my own well-honed "I'm sorry, and you are who what??" expression; but you just can't help admiring a culture which exists for two main purposes: to eat and to fuck faire l'amour. Talk about superior creatures!! At least, they practise said arts to perfection with such intriguing style and panache, one can't help a begrudging admiration.

The usually high-minded citoyen de France have been abuzz with the goings-on of the inner chambers at l'Elysee Palace. C'est spécialement intéressant when you realize that every French president is considered lower than dirt and not worthy of conversation. Ever!!
So very sad.
So it's certainly about the new Mrs Sarkozy, we all know. There she is on the French Elle January cover.

"Man trap, serial heart-wrecker, rocker arm candy, photogenic cipher, arrogant heiress, polling gimmick — the woman who appears likely to become the first lady of France has been called a lot of things lately. The last thing anyone would have thought of is that she’s a catch..."

This starts off Guy Trebay's report in both the NYTimes & IHT last month. And while I'm quite certain Mr Trebay was only meticulously transcribing his narrative account; I'd politely request a few changes in this descriptive analysis. I'd cross out "man trap" and replace it with "femme fatale" — presupposes a more charming quality, wouldn't you say?? — same with "serial heart-wrecker", I'd go with "lover of men". "Arrogant" would be "confident" and all that talk about "gimmicking" would never do, I'd prefer "genius."

I mean how else would you explain the report goes further to point out,

Just three months after meeting the French president at a dinner party, the woman [Carla Bruni] who told a French magazine that she indeed was “a cat” and a tamer of men was seen wearing a pink diamond engagement ring made for her by Victoire de Castellane, the Dior jewelry designer, and had already transformed an Élysée Palace salon into what the French press referred to quaintly as a “pop music room.”

Dearest Mr. Trebay, I call it "Genius."

And certainly, having witnesses that include Nicolas Bazire, a senior figure in the LVMH luxury goods group, and Mathilde Agostinelli, an executive from the Prada House just proves that we really ought take our French (fashion) lessons more seriously!! A lovely idea is blossoming in my head: Every lady that's part of my bridal train will adorn clothing from a different designer. Perhaps before my wedding I'll be a tad famous and can have some of those designers or their representatives especially design a dress for each of my ladies-in-waiting :). Love it gyrls!! I'm sending out a pretty little message to see what you think :)
No, I don't know exactly when my wedding will be.
Yes, it is because my hubby is still in hiding (=he doesn't exist yet). Or as I like to think of it, concentrating on his work, which includes charming the pants off someone at Leviev or Graff, so he'll be ready when I'm ready to pick out my engagement ring. Delusions of grandeur...
But seriously, every one of my bridesmaids will be paying hommage to a different designer and will come prepared to strut down a crackled gilt and white-rose-petal-strewn walkway... Genius I tell you!!

And while we're on the subject of impossibly French French women, Carine Roitfeld, editrix of French Vogue, whom I still adore (despite our differences, which span from her refusal to wax her mini-forest eyebrows — pardonnez moi — to a few basic philosophical differences) has a few words over at NYMag. The article begins, "Carine Roitfeld is full of respect for the powerful fashion editors on the other side of the Atlantic. “They are very, how you say, slick,” she says. But all that money and success are so... American." I suggest we accept that statement as a "full" compliment.
French accent: Erm, so how you say... NOT?!!





Bizoux-Bizoux.


Footnotes:
1. Still owe you the best of all the fashion weeks. Working on it. Love you!!

AWOL: how dare I??

I haven't written a single entry in ten. whole. days.

I've been actively searching for my life. Really. And I've so much to tell you. I'm going to be on my computer for ages without so much as an indulgent ciggie break. If I smoked.

While you determine my fate, enjoy my rediscovered love, Craig David!! I can't help thinking his newly bulked-up — What?? Steroids?? Never!! — bod is très hot!! And perhaps, the delicious thickness of his neck and arms parallels the thicknesses of his lower longitudinal appendages (ahem). *Blush* Since I got back from Christmas break (in Nigeria), I've been on a mini-quest to find Mr. David on TV even though I don't watch much music videos. It's so sad American MTV and its sister channels don't have him on rotation. Besides, you'd think I'd also get MTV Euro or UK given all the useless channels to which I'm subscribed already. Seriously, what is that about??!!
Anyway, enjoy!! And be gentle with me :)

Big Sugar Kisses
(from Madeleine and I)

love you. love oscar de la renta's dresses.

I love you. Not just today. Always.
My new avatar P.A. alter ego loves you too. You can hear her welcome you to my page when it loads (if your volume's turned on :)). And you can click on her anytime to hear her oh so sultry voice. Hahaha. Today, she feels like being called Madeleine!!
Madeleine loves Oscar de la Renta dresses almost as much as I do... She'd no sooner be wearing these gorgeously decadent and timeless pieces — before I could afford a silken thread of any of it — if she were real and could also slip her feet into my new rawkus-causing Lacroix jewel sandals!!
Enjoy our fave American classic!!
Spring 2008 RTW:

Fall 2008 RTW:Pics courtesy Style.com







Deep decadent kisses.

Live. Love. Love some more. [I don't know any better way to promote my love for absolutely divine dresses and my constant heart-wrenching desire to alleviate human suffering.]

matching separates

In other news, here's an entry I just decided on...
A reader, Shop.in.chic — who must be decidedly fashionable — pointed out that she loved Kai Milla's burnt orange pants from my last post. I do indeed love it too. Very much. It's a divinely sophisticated color. Refined. Cosmopolitan. It's got a certain je ne sais quoi.

Serendipity!! — I came across this men's jacket by Alessandro Dell'Acqua (Fall 2008) in an almost similar color and it's man-haute!! I'd love to watch a man as he pulls the jacket sleeves up his arms: the tracing ripple movements of his biceps beneath his shirt; adorning the jacket on his frame: the orange color (smack!!) extending a warm delight to skin, his eyes... It's just such an absolutely charming color. And the pants are divine as well; although I wouldn't suggest the high-water length except you're pretty tall. *Giggle* If the colors were exactly the same, I'd even go as far as to advocate the matching couple spectacle. You know, woman in Milla's pants and man in the Dell'Acqua. How utterly Posh and Becks and ridiculously cute??!! No?? I know you love it ;) I love it!!

Sappy. Sappy!!
It's the pathetic valentine's day bug going around. I love love. But perhaps, we going about it rather robot-like. Sermon: Love should be celebrated everyday!! And no, do NOT go out wearing red because people say you should!! How sad would you be stepping into the clichéd restaurant and everyone's wearing the same sordid color. You'd sooner end up with three other women in the same dress as yourself. Now, that would be heart-wrenching!! Love out the window!! (Sorry didn't mean to shatter your plans, but do think of the thousands of color possibilities out there :))









Sugar patchouli scents, truffles and butterfly kisses.

featuring kai milla

In celebrating Black History Month, we generally look back with admiration at past pioneers in all industries of life. However, I'd like to draw inspiration from le beau monde of the present, people excelling in their chosen fields (specifically fashion, natch).

Kai Milla is making a name for herself as an astute fashion designer. While the D.C. native, and wife of acclaimed musician Stevie Wonder, did not launch her clothing label until 2005, Milla has an extensive background in arts and design, and even more importantly, a great love for clothes and style. Milla realized her love for art at an early age. She sold her first painting at eight, and was stitching her first dress at thirteen; of course, the next logical step was to design her own prom dress in high school!! Brilliance!!

Milla turned her attention to fashion after she sat in on a season of couture shows in Paris. Yes, Ms. Milla, I'd love so sit in on some Paris shows myself, I'd surely find my calling was to wear each beautiful runway piece. Her designs are for the confident and sophisticated, yet fun-loving woman. This woman is ageless and elegant; and provocative at the same time, the designer reveals. Her design expertise is easily visible in her clothes: a simple striking elegance that's easily functional and beautifully wearable. And indeed, it's her design philosophy I love, a continuous desire for wearable style. I'd read that she admired the techniques of Charles James, an architect and fashion designer who studied under the revered Paul Poiret and whose construction details are taught at FIT. Small wonder, I say.

While I'm still in love with the effortless elegance of the pieces from her last resort collection held at the Cove Atlantis Resort (Keisha Whitaker, Forest Whitaker's wife — aren't they just beyond divine as a couple??!! — modeled a dress for which I'm just dying), I'm all gaga over her Spring collection as well!! Her pieces are available at one of my fave style havens — Vivre.

Spring 2008 Collection:

Resort Collection:There's my dress on the right!! ;)
Fashion week reviews will continue. NY remains one of my true loves.
Happy LFW!!








Big Sugar kisses.

chic fashion: NY fashion week mid-week review

An attempt to review a tenth of all that's going on for NY fash week:

To put it mildly, I'll be Max Azria's b*tch!! Have you glimpsed his amazing pieces for the newly revived and renowned Hervé Léger label?? Two words: Quintessential chic!! The classic banding style of the Hervé Léger dress is updated with the simplest of touches — flower and squiggle appliques, feathers, cashmere, caviar beading, beautifully arched bands in contrasting colors (against the main bodice of the dress) transforming the classic pieces into true works of art. I love it all. The question now is, "How will I lay my hands on two or three pieces if possible??" An H. L. dress does cost a pretty penny that'd kill my budget if I truly had one.

I've also been thoroughly impressed by Mses. von Furstenberg's and Reese's collections. In her show titled "Foreign Affair," Diane von Furstenberg presents beautifully cut pices in a mix of patterns; jackets/sweaters/coats feature prominently, showing up with almost every outfit; each ensemble affair is elegantly secured with a thin waist belt. Contemporary Glam!!
Ms Reese captures me with her water color palette. With much subduedness turning up on the runways — a deemed reflection of our current economy — the designer's swirls of colors is certainly uplifting and projects a deliciously fluttering repose, which manages to exude a diametrically animated revival, in much the same way that we seek relief from our currently depressed state. Other pieces in her collection show the usual greys, blacks and browns of fall, but with a glorious sheen that's anything but bleak. These two collections have previously been more in my budget — and yours — so I'm terribly excited!!
Just a few hours ago, I was fortunate to be able to sneak (seriously!!) into Monique Lhuillier's show, and I'll say the economy be damned!! Pardonnez-moi l'expression. Ms. Lhuillier's dress collection of decidedly sumptuous fabrics, sparkling embellishments and feathers, paired evenly with the clean lines for which she is so well recognized was simply breath-taking!! I could feel my heart beats as each model strutted the runway in the dresses, each seeming more intricately glorious than the previous. I doubt that I was able to take it all in, and I almost cried from the utter decadence of it all.
About an hour later, in a more intimate gathering at Stephen Burrows' showroom down in the Fabric district, I relived a beautiful appreciation for the female form. Standing only a few feet from the models as they showed off Burrows' new line Mo Lajé of simple, yet very French chic pieces adorned chain and hinted beaded garnishes, the elegant manner of the clothes was enhanced even more by the form of the model's bodies. Certainly, a testament to the acclaimed designer's practical knowledge of fluidity, the clothes had an easy movement that grazed the body ever so softly. He opened with a hammered satin shearling coat and these was a collective gasp of pleasure throughout the room. His collection fused the elements of water and earth, matte (jersey) and shiny; and a knowing sexiness and body consciousness.Fashion photos courtesy style.com
Simply chic clothing, chic fashion all around!!
At the end of the show, I plucked up some courage and went to talk to the casting director for the show Ms. Bethann Hardison, celebrated model in the sixties and seventies, and later model agent. Perhaps, almost single-handedly, Ms. Hardison has been responsible for pushing forward black models. Although she shut down her a decade ago, Ms. Hardison has recently revived her efforts to advance black representation — especially of models — within the fashion industry. Last year, she begun an ongoing series of discussions to tackle this glaring omission of color within the industry, and it can be assumed that designers are 'attempting' to take note. The fashion circle is a very slow moving one, but there's been a sprinkling of black (and Asian) models on the catwalk.

P.S. Did I mention Bethann Hardison is this famous actor's mom. I didn't. Oh oops!! We all had a crush on him back then, some of us still do. ...Back in a different world.
Mother and son :)

I'll keep you posted. Soo t..i..r.ed!!







Celery sticks (no peanut butter or dressing!!) and air kisses.