A GOOD SHOE DAY

A couple of weeks ago, I came to the conclusion that I was in desperate need of some over the top, sky high, monstrous platform shoes. Fast forward to Monday, when I stopped by Trash and Vaudeville to check out their shoe situation. And that's when I saw THEM. The queen of all of their platforms, the strangest combination of heel and shoe - the lattice caged creation by Jeffrey Campbell. I left without them, but they stayed on my mind day and night so I made sure they were put aside when I came in today. They are now mine.

Now as many of you know, its hard for me to leave a shoe in its virgin state - I take pleasure in alteration, whether that means re-covering a boot in studs or bedazzling it to a point of no return. The diagnosis for these was a change of platform color. Although I LIVE for the shape, there is just something about the silver color that I can't hang with. So in the words of Mick Jagger, I decided to "Paint It, Black".

So much better.




& surprisingly light weight too!

Unlike the monster shoes, these were completely unplanned. A quick stop at Tokyo 7 brought me to these Chloe wedges from FW07. Not only was that an INCREDIBLE season for Chloe (under the direction from Paulo Melim Andersson), but its such an iconic shape - I've rarely seen them floating around in black, only in colors that would be awkward for me to wear. With all of the Rick Owens wedge boot knockoffs these days, its nice to wear something that is a similar shape without referencing another design. Total success!

EASTER GLAMOUR PORTRAIT STUDIO

Last night I was introduced to an Easterly tradition started by artist Grant Worth called "Easter Glamour Portrait Studio". Part project runway, part top model, part camp and a whole lot of chaos! The themes included bright colors, oversized flowers, clashing patterns...the works. Once our 'looks' were assembled, we were photographed one by one in front of one of the several backdrops (including a pit of feathers, fake grass with real mushroom scattered on it, hologram and butterfly backdrops...). I'm half excited and half terrified to see the final results, but I'll be sure to post them once they are up online. In the meantime, welcome to the spectacle!!

3 CANDLES FROM PARIS

Scent Stories

One thing that I enjoy the most about traveling is the ability to not only transport your physical self, but to transport your mental as well - I'm not talking any hippie junk here, I'm talking about the immediate influence of ones surroundings onto their state of mind. In the case of Paris, I allow myself to transform into a creature of self-indulgence; I will spend hours walking aimlessly just to absorb the city, I will eat whatever fatty bready sugary boozy substance that I please, and the most impractical purchase can be justified by the fact that they were bought in Paris, darling!

Now I knew exactly what I wanted to take back as a material trophy from this trip. I wanted to find a candle - not just any candle, but an incredibly aromatic, seductive & strong candle by the french perfumer Etat Libre D'Orange. I was introduced to the line by working at Harputs, and have since been a devout follower of their scents. When it comes to fragrance, I prefer complex blends, dark, heavy, a slight hint of pepper or spice, with subtle sweetness sans sugar (give me notes of tobacco, jasmine or bergamot & I'm yours).

So during my only free time, I marched over to the Etat Libre D'Orange boutique on Rue des Archives, and snatched up my favorite candle, titled "Soldate Inconnu" (unknown soldier). Its been a year since I've owned any candle due to constant travel, so its scent brought me an instant sense of comfort. I didn't plan on buying anything else afterward - I was completely satisfied with my singular purchase. But as fate would have it, I happened to pass by the Assouline store with a few moments to spare en route to the A.F. Vandevorst show. Just like Etat Libre D'Orange, I was also introduced to the Assouline candles through Harputs - I had once had their leather scented candle, and couldn't pass up the chance to be seduced by its perfume once more. And as I was in Paris, I decided to be flippant and adventurous and get a second by Assouline, one by the title of wood.

Etat Libre D'Orane - Soldat Inconnu (Unknown Soldier)

"Noble causes make noble men. Anonymous heroes who have claimed glory by fighting fear hand to hand. They have no name, just the glory of combat. And the smell of war that sticks to their skin, a smell of gunpowder and gun grease, life and death flirting together. Skin that craves to be bitten. Like the irresistible appeal of danger, Unknown Soldier evokes nights out on permit, love in ambush. The wait for a counterattack. In our own personal way, we all deliver battles. We are all in quest of the absolute, we all yearn for freedom. Some victories are worth the price. Unknown Soldier is a tribute to men who do not fear to live."

Scent notes: Gunpowder, oxidized metal, coffee, earth notes, sandalwood, amber, jasmine

Assouline - Leather

"This candle distills the soft smell of leather, as it transports you to the world of old books and comfortable leather couches with its delicious blend of essences. It evokes the scent of an old manuscript, and brings a deep, rich smell into your home. "

Assouline - Wood

"This fine candle distills the warm scent of a wood-paneled library or a fresh wooden crate with its refined mix of red cedar and copaiba fresh from the Amazonian forest. Light one and experience the aroma of a true library."