beary cute

who could ever resist these?






they're from the Spring/Summer 2005 runway:




inspired by the novel "Brideshead Revisited" by Evelyn Waugh which was then turned into a mini series starring Jeremy Irons.


i was only lucky to get the turtle & bear set from my local boutique when they first came out. all the rest have sold-out. they've proven so popular that LV released just the bears individually the following year. but i've finally managed to get the red Mono and Damier set as well. i always get compliments from friends and even strangers - like little old ladies in the tram - whenever i wear one of them. someone even said they look good enough to eat. i would have to agree. i LoVe them all, but my fave would have to be the turtle. im so happy to have the complete set now. although the ultimate would still be Dou Dou:



but for some reason - an SA told me they had issues with Australian Quarantine due to its stuffing (or so he says) - i missed out in getting one. it is still one of my LV Holy Grails.

caveat emptor

another seller is using one of my LV photos for his own eBay auction:

*CLICK*

i want him banned! grrrrr.....

take a stroll around Grey Gardens

i saw a screening of the 1975 documentary Grey Gardens the other night. it is about Big and Little Edie - a mother & daughter living in a dilapidated mansion in a very posh seaside neighborhood in East Hampton. it was rather difficult not to grimace and cringe at the state of their living conditions - a bunch of stray cats and the "strays" these cats leave behind is one example. but the viewers soon develop a keen interest and even a certain fondness to this eccentric couple with their candidness. especially when reminiscing their glorious past. here's the promotional trailer:




initial publicity hung on the fact that the Edies are actually Jacqueline Onassis' aunt and first cousin. but they won the hearts of America on their own. it quickly became a worldwide hit and gained cult status soon after its release. numerous books were written, other documentaries were shot and even a number of plays were produced about and inspired by these two women. Little Edie's flamboyant and original style even inspired a number of fashion magazine editorials. the most recent one featured Mary-Kate Olsen and Lauren Hutton for the October 2007 issue of Harper's Bazaar. i also read that a movie about them starring Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange is due for release early 2009. even the gifted Mr Wainwright penned a song titled "Grey Gardens" about them:



but the film rather ends abruptly. leaving the viewers hanging and wanting for more. so naturally i have to Google them. the overpowering Edie Sr. lived for a couple more years since. and finally being free from her mother, Little Edie was able to pursue her dreams of a stage career. with varying levels of success. but it all ends rather tragically in 2002.


"Its very difficult to keep the line between the past and the present.... you know what I mean?" - Little Edie.

reaching new heights

i've been aware of these ever since their launch in 2004 caused a stir in the men's fashion forums. like with anything "different", there are lovers and haters. initially i was sceptical to be honest. but then the desire eventually kicked in and has been on-and-off ever since. mainly because access to them was pretty slim for me. the one boutique here in Australia closed shop about the same time as the creative director left. i haven't even seen anyone wearing them here in Australia. i finally had the chance to check them out when i was overseas last January. but the desire was at a wane then. for which i am kicking myself since i got back. then an opportunity came along and i knew it was now or never (well, maybe heaps later than never). so i did and here they are:

Jonny boots from Yves Saint Laurent rive gauche




here's a close-up of it's iconoclastic 3 in heels:



these are one of Tom Ford's last designs for YSL before he left. they've been so successful that they are made with only slight tweaks on the choice of material, colour and trims every year. its a rather new experience for me. the highest i've gone prior are these Western boots i've had for a while now:



here's the two side-by-side:



you might think i've got some height issues. if that were the case, i would've bought them sooner. i am 5ft 7in which i think is pretty average for my race and im perfectly fine about it. its not that. its not even about being edgy by showing-off the heels. they will be obscured by my pants and jeans most of the time anyway. i simply like how pedal elevation affects my posture. i normally have this unconscious slump and a slight anterior head carriage going on. but these "uppers" naturally bring my shoulders back and my head straight. it also changes my gait from a rather unremarkable near-shuffle to sure-footed strides. i really don't know why i waited this long. im already thinking of getting my second pair. although i think this - even higher and skinnier heels by Rick Owens - is pushing it:




Jonny YSL's is as high as i'll ever go.

obsessed much?

i may have mentioned in previous entries that Louis Vuitton makes THE best pairs of sunglasses. they do. they really do. once you get your first pair, nothing else feels the same anymore. and you'll never stop with just one. last Easter, i acquired my newest pair:

Obsession Rectangles in dark tortoise:

and i've been wearing them for the past couple of months. i just love the retro look of these fab new pair. the perfect transitional style from Summer to Autumn. it was even selected as one of their top picks of the season by MEN.STYLE.COM/.

it now makes four (and still counting):




get your pair today and feel the difference.