Rima Suqi

At John Derian, no less. See? You can afford stuff there.

PS the image was drawn by a kid named Hugo.

Actually, they’re more like tights. I’d been looking for a full-length tight with an ankle zip. The only ones I found were Patagonia men’s models (seen on friends) that have been discontinued.  These are by Craft (never heard of them but apparently a favorite of Swedish skiiers), and  have a fleecy lining.  If you’re exercising in them it should probably be a cross country skiing or other *cold* and wet situation. I’ve been wearing them to get coffee, run early morning errands, etc. as they’re too warm to jog in (for me). Guess where I found them? LL Bean. Buy them here.

…or so I was told at a meeting at the Laundress offices recently. They said you can steam every material, but you cannot safely iron every material. Which got me thinking — I could use a steamer, the last hand-held one I had didn’t work (Rowenta - big fail, big bummer). The Laundress ladies recommended this model by Jiffy. It’s not as cute as the Rowenta but it blows the competition out of the water when it comes to steaming. Heats up very quickly, gets the job done very well. Perfect for people in small apartments who don’t want to drag an ironing board out, or for over-packers like moi who need to get rid of wrinkles wherever they go. $75 here.

Athletic companies traditionally don’t know how to make a V neck. It sounds ridiculous, but if you’re someone who prefers a V to a crew, it can be frustrating to find one that goes any lower than your clavicle.  Smartwool now makes this one, which I just got and LOVE. You get all that awesome wicking from the microweight wool, plus a real, dare I say stylish, V. Perfect for layering in this weird weather we’ve been having. Comes in various colors. I, of course, have black.

They’re made of coated canvas and available in two sizes, with all sorts of internal pockets for the anal organizer in you (read: me). This is the Duchess, she’s $178.

Here are some examples of the Countess; she is $198:

An example of interior details:

See the full range here.

I hadn’t seen her in years and caught up today with a showroom visit followed by lunch at BG that easily could have gone on for hours.  Paige is super-smart, super-glam, interesting and nice. A fabulous human being all-around.

And her jewelry is gorgeous. Some affordable, some not so affordable. I loved this cuff - simple classic boho drama. At $915, it’s a cost-per-wear purchase but I have become a believer in jewelry as investment, especially after the crash and the increasing cost of gold.

She was wearing a silk jumpsuit and this necklace, which looked really amazing:

She was also wearing a version of this very architectural ring:

These earrings come in different metals and are really expensive-looking in person:

Check out the rest of her collection on her website

Nexcare band aids (also in neon colors)

If you have to ask, you clearly haven’t been trying out new summer shoes in the summery weather. Might as well go crazy and colorful while in pain. These bandaids (by Nexcare) are the only ones I’ve used that stay on no matter what, and they come in neon colors.  Buy them here.

Both on Thursday and Friday, December 10th and 11th.

My favorite linen sheets come from Area (they make plenty of non-linen varieties as well, plus blankets, etc). Their sale is at a new location this year, the Fleurs Bella space at 55 East 11th Street. Hours: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.    They’re asking that you bring your own BAG. I suggest BAGS (plural) because at 75% off you’ll want to stock up.

Second sale:

Lutz & Patmos cashmere, everything is under $150. You read that correctly. It’s a modern day miracle. And it will be a madhouse, so be prepared.  425 W. 13th Street, #401. Hours: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

They look like odd-shaped pillows but Innies are really a sachet/shape holder for your boots. Here’s one in action:

I’ve been testing these out – as I usually use plastic forms instead – and find them actually easier to use, less hard on the leather, and they have a nice light lavender scent which I am imagining also helps absorb odors.

They make a version for handbags, too. I haven’t used that one yet.

$21.95/pair, check them out here.

Forgive me but this is going to be a chattier blog post than the usual “here’s a picture, isn’t this cool, see ya” sorta thing.

My history with L.L. Bean began in college with their catalog. I ordered blucher mocs (loafers not lace-ups), spent four years breaking them in, and then somebody walked off with them, breaking my heart and obviously sole. I ordered ragg wool sweaters and socks. I loved that catalog and because of it has a whole Maine fantasy that revolved around this quirky store that was open 24 hours, 365 days a year.

And then two years ago – which admittedly is many years post college – I went. What a disappointment. Bottom line: LL Bean, for all the romance, is corporate. I barely made it through the entire, poorly lit store, and left. It was like my version of “there’s no Santa.”

So, when LL Bean hires someone to do a new, more fashionable, upscale line for them, you have to take this with a grain of salt. First of all, what’s more fashionable for them is not necessarily mind-boggling to the rest of the world.Even if it is a HUGE departure for their company. Which, this new collection by Alex Carleton of Rogues Gallery, definitely is.

Second, since (and I am guessing here, I have no inside information) it is corporate, there are probably a lot of opinions involved. Any designer is only good as his employers will allow him to be. Autonomy usually equals success, design-wise.

That’s the prelude to the intro. The party was great. Good looking crowd (hello Anderson Cooper!), lots of booze and food, and surprisingly nice space considering its physical location, near the decidedly unglam Javits Center.

The presentation was very well styled. Alex Carleton is a really smart, stylish, low-key guy who doesn’t seem to buy into the fashion bullshit (I mean, he’s been known to take classes at a wooden boat school in summer). The way he was dressed today was the way I’ve always seen him dressed. Not a trendy bone in his body, although ironically his style is very trendy right now.

Anyway, the ultimate point of these pieces, I believe, is how you make them your own. The question is – especially for women (because I felt, as did many others there, that the mens was more interesting) – do you want to buy it?  See for yourself. In stores/catalog/online March/April.

(sorry about the crappy scans/photos)