Rest in Peace, Pimp C

I often had issues with his name (and subject matter), but when someone was this funny, refreshing, hilariously ridiculous, you tend to overlook moral objections.

Bun B, Texas, Butler family, you have my condolences.

Shoes Glorious Shoes Pt. 1

So I've told you which coats to buy (me), now it's time for the shoes. Shoes are muy importante. They can turn an alright outfit into gold. They can make the most boring person slightly interesting. Yes, the shoes say it all (well ... they do say a lot). Below is a list that explains why I shall be eating curds and whey for the next six months. They're worth it.



First up is a shoe by my favorite new shoe designer, Chie Mihara. These are the very first that I decided to covet for the fall season. I'm sure you can see why. I mean, it's a mary jane (check), suede (check), and in that heavenly color. Best of all, they are guaranteed to be comfortable since Ms. Mihara's shoes always are.



Next up is a hideously expensive Prada heel that, paradoxically, is much cheaper than I thought it would be. This means, of course, that I will have them. I ... love ... them. The ombre coloring from black to orange is very Samhain but very necessary. The heel is fantastic. And can't you just imagine these with a thick winter tight and a layered sweater dress/turtleneck look?



Yet another entry from ole Chie. Their name is Oliver. They will be intimately acquainted with my feet soon. (That sounds so nasty and that's bad nasty not good nasty.) See how they shine?



Just cute for no reason. That ankle cuff? That asymmetrical strap? That's right, magic. I've always wanted a pair of Sigerson Morrisons. They look so comfy and precious. I'm thinking something more teacherly with these. Perhaps a check-patterned straight skirt and cardigan with exaggerated buttons.



Okay, so these are mad hobo, but I love them. These could easily carry my streamlined Oxford professor look. You know, turtleneck, sweater vest, cords, and blazer or tartan plaid trousers and argyle v-neck. God! I love thinking of outfits. U Roads makes these, and I've never heard of them, but they sure do have a winner on their hands.




And finally yet another pair of Chie Miharas. (I'm telling you, people, she's the truth.) Not much to say except that these are cute and my bright tights will love them.

These, ladies and gents, are my shoes picks for fall 07 ... so far. There will be more, so stay tuned. My consumerism knows no bounds.

My Authors Keep Dying

Rest in Peace, Madeleine L'Engle. Your Murry children books were some of my favorites when I was an itty bitty.

Fall's a Comin' ...

and I say that will all kinds of excitement in my voice. Of course, I hate cold temperatures and being uncomfortable, but I love love love shopping, being cute and all things purchaseable. I especially love coat shopping, so when I discovered that my two favorite coat purveyors had already rolled out the merchandise and were sold out, I got scared. I mean, who are these chicks, coming out the woodworks to purchase Mackage and Soia & Kyo coats anyway? I've been there out the gate, and I have to scramble and sign my name to waiting lists cuz some undoubtedly unfashionable chicas with money have the good fortune to read about them on some blog (oh, the irony). Oh well. This doesn't stop me from sharing.

Choice number one, the flyest impractical but stunning cape-like thing in life (I am a sucker for houndstooth.) There's still a chance; it's in stock.



Why is this already sold out? It was ninety degrees in Chicago today. Coats shouldn't be selling out yet. Either way, I must have this coat. It's beautiful, ridiculously cheap, and probably mad warm (all my Mackage coats are).



Another impractical stunner. The problem is that I'd always have to wear long, cozy sleeves or ridiculously long leather gloves. Wait ... how is that a problem?



I think the close up is enough. More houndstooth, big buttons, nuff said.



So those are my dream coats. If someone out there loves me, he or she will get me one. *wink, wink*

People I Love (Fierceness)

Fall is a-coming, and while I dread going back to work, I love the impending need for coats and sweaters and boots and oxfords, not to mention the coming of fashion week. Hurray for fall fashion! In the spirit of fashion and the general need to up my fierceness, I thought I'd pay homage to a few folks I think are fly.

Let us start with a long deceased, but still beloved ambassador of fly. S/he sang, s/he danced, s/he was, in a word, fabulous. Give it up for Sylvester, Miss Ruby Blue, who gave us perhaps the world's greatest disco cuts such as "Do You Wanna Funk?", "Body Strong," "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)," and "Dance (Disco Heat)." I remember when I showed my friend, Solomon, the video for "Mighty Real"; he was horrified. I was amused. It was great.


I am often befuddled by people's inability to see the absolute all-out fierceness of this woman. For real, I think she is it. In Boomerang, her character was a joke, but let's be real, she is hotter than all these half-assed, faux-sexy broads clogging my airwaves. If you can't see it, you have bad taste.



This one, I catch a lot of flack for. Cicely Tyson? Are you kidding me? No, no I'm not. Miles Davis saw it, and he had great taste in women (see: Betty Davis). Unfortunately, he wasn't so great at appreciating if you know what I mean. The woman's in her seventies and still looks great.

Please ignore James Earl Jones.

So I've been watching a lot of TLC lately. On this station airs a show called "Ten Years Younger" in which the "Glam Squad" attempts to knock ten years off some woefully downtrodden individual. They are usually successful. On this show is where I discovered the "Eyebrow King," Damone Roberts (check out his website). I don't know why, but he so reminds me of Sylvester. His skin is flawless, his hair stays moisturized, and he's all about keeping the ladies (and the men) groomed and gorgeous. I just love him. If your eyebrow situation is shady or your face is in overall struggle mode, get to know him; he can help.



People love Pam Grier. I get it; her rack was quite phenomenal and she's aged well. However, I was always partial to the woman who played Cleopatra Jones, Miss Tamara Dobson. She seemed tougher, smarter and less like a pin-up (not that there's anything wrong with pin-ups). Plus she wore much cuter outfits in her Cleo Jones series. She recently passed (last year I think), but I still love her. I wish I had a picture of me trying to emulate her on old school day in high school. Oh well, it's probably much better that I don't.



You've all seen her in some questionable movie or other, and some damn good ones. She made appearances on "A Different World," "Girlfriends," and "That's So Raven" (RIP). She's always spicy, feisty, and generally too much. You just can't quite remember her name. Well you are sleeping ... hoard. her name is Jenifer Lewis and she is fiercer than your favorite actress.

New Knit Deez

Yay for me. I finish stuff.

New knit deez post here.

Music Week!

Recently, I've lived a very full life. I've gone places, seen people, eaten things. Not bad for a agoraphobe. However, I can't just keep running on empty (oh yes, I meant that). I've got to relax, sit back, listen to some tunes, and knit up a few sweaters. The other day (Monday, I think), I took to "acquiring" some tunes that got me goin' in the late-80's, early-90's. One of the artists whose tunes I acquired is Karyn White. I figured I'd pay some sort of bootlegged homage to her in this post. For years I've been insisting that she's Barry White's daughter. Yeah, I was so wrong about that. Oops! Anyway, enjoy the brief journey through Mrs. White's career. (Don't sleep on the tunes at the end.)

This is the album we all know and love (even if we don't know it). Arguably her biggest hit, "Superwoman," was spawned from this album. It also included other fantastic ditties, such as "Love Saw It" (duet with Babyface; I love this song), "Secret Rendezvous" ("It won't stop, it don't stop ..."), and "The Way You Love Me" (perhaps my favoritest song by Ms. White). (Damn! This was '88? God, I'm old.)

This second album was no slouch either. Ms. Karyn (or Mrs. Karyn, for she had married producer Terry Lewis by now) was still coming with the hits. "Romantic" was the song offa this one, but she also had "Walkin the Dog" (nice video) and "The Way I Feel About You," which I always regarded as a Janet Jackson knock off (it sounds like "Alright" merged with something; shame on you Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis!). No matter, she looks hot on the cover and sounds great on the songs.

This last album (that I know of) wasn't huge, but it was good. By this time (1994), my beloved genre of adult contemporary was starting to wane and crappier, more risque and unsubtle R&B was becoming huge (I can't be too mad; I love Jodeci). She still came with some hits here with "Can I Stay With You" and "I'd Rather Be Alone." Still good stuff.

Special treat for the people. My favorite Karyn White song, "The Way You Love Me," live (woo hoo!; thanks YouTube).



And Just Hits:

"Romantic"


"Love Saw It" f/ Babyface


"Super Woman"


"Secret Rendezvous"




Stay tuned. I'll be featuring Chuckii Booker next time. *wave*