Temple of Glam

As soon as I was sonically introduced to Theophilus London, I knew it was a very special moment. "Flying Overseas" was unquestionably my gateway track; since then I've explored a bunch of his other songs and am rather caught up in "Soles of Fire" (technically the song was made by Chauffeur, a group consisting of Theophilus and Mark Ronson). So yeah, yeah, yeah how does this relate to boat shoes?

"Soles of Fire" opens with Theophilus London's line, "What a coincidence we both wore boat shoes". As soon as I heard it, I scoured my closet in my mind. Is he singing to me? Do we both have boat shoes?

I also remember attending Kimmie Smith's Sebago preview at Robert Verdi's lounge last season. After seeing all of the fantastic colors and styles in her collection, I was officially in a top-sider state of mind. Plus, the classic footwear is an ironic wink to my "fly girl in bohemia" sartorial style.

So does Theophilus London actually wear men's boat shoes? I dunno. Can I imagine him finding a clever way to rock them? Sure. Am I still bitter that I didn't go to the Rebecca Minkoff fashion show (with a surprise  performance by Theophilus London)? Call me Lemonhead. And to my friend who sent me her video of said performance: I thank you, but I kinda' hate you.

All photos by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images North America

I had no idea when I pulled out my gray dress that I'd be the sartorial manifestation of introspective elegance. I know, deep. But when I read the vision for the VLOV-QingQing Wu show, it was crystal clear. The gray represented introspective elegance while the blue and white depicted hope. I'm down with that. Here are highlights (including video).

Here's a video clip from the show!

...and here's my introspectively elegant gray dress--though I'm not sure what the fuschia bra straps mean.

I have yet to overhear a woman compliment a guy's jeans--when said jeans are hanging off the dude's butt. From the loosie-tight hip hopper to the tightie-tight hipster, undies exposed beyond a waistband do not work. Let me say that again: do not work. I've seen girls' Facebook statuses devoted to the subject and participated in conversations about sad, sad saggers.

If you're a low-rider, here are denim styles for hip(sters) and hip(hoppers). But first, for the love of all that's good, pull up your damned pants!

Girls, if you're into boyfriend jeans and his look terrible on you (no worries we've all tried it), maybe you'll find something cute (and in your size):

Levi's 511 Men's Slim Fit

Diesel Thavar 880G Men's Skinny

Ben Sherman Men's Baggy

Superdry Foundry Men's Straight

Find these styles and more men's jeans at www.very.co.uk/

L to R: Jordan, Danny, Donnie, Jonathan, Joey. Image courtesy of jamati.com

You probably wouldn't think the New Kids on the Block could inspire a beauty post, but you know how I roll. Last week I went to the New Kids on the Block-Backstreet Boys (or NKOTBSB) concert. Between eardrum-destroying screams and spastic dance movements (what? I was excited), I was fixated on how great NKOTB looked; so, this post was meant to be (kinda' like Donnie and I):

L'Bel Collagenesse XT, ($52)

Front man, Jordan doesn't have a wrinkle in sight and though I don't believe they're anywhere in his near future, 170% collagen-stimulating L'Bel Collagenesse XT can maintain his already smooth (and I'm assuming soft) skin.

Bare Escentuals Purely Nourishing Moisturizer, ($28)

I'd say that lightweight Bare Escentuals Nourishing Moisturizer is great for buff Danny. You see, it has electrolytes (I hear that's good for folks who exercise). Plus, this formula, which is ideal for combination skin, firms as it hydrates.

Olay Total Effects Moisturizer Plus Cooling Hydration, ($18.52)

I choose you, Olay Total Effects Moisturizer Plus Cooling Hydration. The oil-free moisturizer is just like super-talented Donnie--more than meets the eye. Not only is it a vitamin-packed moisturizer, but its mint extract also cools the skin.

Vichy Aqualia Thermal Serum ($31.50)

Always laid back, I think Jonathan would be into Vichy Aqualia Thermal Serum. This mineral-enriched formula is made for dry/sensitive skin and provides all-day hydration (thanks to thermal water).

Lierac Intiatic Cream ($48)

For the youngest member of the group, shea butter and goji berry-enriched Lierac Intiatic Cream is perfect because it's made to reduce and prevent the first signs of aging (lines, wrinkles, you know the deal).

At one point, my dad's goal was for me to be a domestic goddess to snag a husband (or maybe to steer me away from a life of takeout). I, by the way, was 22 and knew domesticity and I had irreconcilable differences, but humored the dude anyway. Witnessing my failure to effectively iron his Con Edison uniform, he hashed out plan B.

Dad: Do you know how to cook Sizzlean?

Me [with obvious hesitation]: Um, yeah.

Dad [like Zeus on Mt. Olympus]: Go in the kitchen and make some Sizzlean.

I did. He never asked me to do anything domestic again.

We are alike, however, where it counts. For example, we are both honest to a fault and lack the filter of political correctness. And though his first language was Spanish, he excelled in English. I am obsessed with the English language.

So when I attended the Accessories Council Father's Day Gift event, I knew I'd be presented with the most Papa Brathwaite-worthy gifts.

Lacoste Sunglasses ($120) & Belt ($85)

Colibri Enterprise & Slice Gift Set ($165)

Calvin Klein Wallet & Key Fob ($39.99)

Heritage Cashmere Scarf ($150)

Swarovski Cuff Links ($70 - $90)

Woolrich Hat by Dorfman Pacific ($38)

Luxury Tote by Yak Pak ($16)

And I only kept this watch! OK fine; I kept the sunnies, too...don't tell!

Phosphor Watch ($210)

Rather than go to the Nautica Men's Fall 2011 presentation and report which boys were the cutest, I figured I'd enlist a dude to actually *gasp* look at the clothes.

Enter Brian. Brian is my infamously-awkward-yet-unquestionably-stylish marketing-genius friend. In fact, his nickname was once,"Google Man". I challenged him to describe the collection in 155 clever words or less. He succeeded.

These Are the Pops

"They really did a great job of highlighting the Nautica lifestyle. It's about the basics: white, black, navy, gray, and camel with added "pops." The pops of color were the orange (I loved) and the Nautica-branded pops."

The Prince & the Pea (Coat)

"Nothing says classic outerwear like the pea coat. And theirs was well made, tailored, and on point. Easily the highlight.

I also liked their trench. Comes in the obvious navy as well as a brown-knit pattern featuring a collar with a plaid undercarriage (guess it's made to be popped)."

Who's Afraid of Eavesdropping? Not Bri!

"I briefly got the ear of Nautica Creative Director Chris Cox. And by "got the ear of", I mean I patiently waited and eavesdropped on his conversation with real fashionistas. He talked about the luxurious sophistication of the Nautica brand.

My take? Nautica should "own" outerwear for fall '11. Be basic and deliver high quality styles. If this winter was any indication of weather to come, America needs more pea coats."

Fellas, fellas, fellas. I knew I had to post this video when my baby brother asked me about razor bumps and my only response was "Um, don't shave against the grain?" and had no clue what that actually meant. I then directed him to Bump Patrol.

So of course when I saw this video featuring a celebrity dermatologist and a master barber, I had to share the signature technique to keep your cheeks smooth. Let me know what you think!

Guess that unseasonably warm weather is over, huh! That means it's time to layer on more than just hoodies and long johns. Just wondering, anyone wear long johns anymore (like the old school, off-white, waffle-textured ones)? Think about it and get back to me.

As I patiently await your response, I present you with NIVEA for Men Replenishing Lip Balm (approx. $2.50). It's great for guys because it's lightweight as well as fragrance, color, and "gloss" free. And you can't beat that with a bat.

Guys can be many things: slices of heaven, pains in the ass, handy men, sports slaves. One thing is painfully clear: with very little effort (and money), they look incredible every morning. Hate. Them. All. So I asked myself, "what can we steal from the boys?" And off to his medicine cabinet, we go!

Cop His Cleanser (1)

We've all been hoodwinked by mystical-sounding cleansers that promise the world and deliver a sidewalk. Fragrance-free Cerave Hydrating Cleanser ($10.49) doesn't claim to be the fountain of youth, but it leaves skin feeling clean and hydrated.

Take His Toner (2)

True, splashing cold water on his face doesn't constitute a toner in the beauty section of any department store, but he gets the same effect: refreshed skin. Save your blowout and use Evian Natural Mineral Spray-3 Pack ($17.50).

Loot His Lotion (3)

Let's be real. We use a lot of crap...and everything has a fragrance. Maybe try an unscented lotion that cannot conflict with the bevy of other scents you have going on. One like Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream ($13.29) is great for dry, sensitive skin!

Raid His Razors (4)

Isn't the "pink is for girls" thing almost too annoying for words? Consider using CVS Disposable Twin Blade Razors 3-Pack ($1) as a small act of feminism and to save a couple of bucks. Suck it, girly razors: you won't deight in super-foaming Barbasol shave cream anymore.

I am elated to announce a new addition to Temple of Glam: Boy Beauty. The idea came to me when I found out that guys actually read this thing. Though quite a few products I discuss here are gender neutral, boys need a little gender-specific product love, too. And girls, now you'll know which products to steal from his medicine cabinet. Win-win!

This Anthony for Men Dynamic Duo Pack ($35) features the best-selling Glycerin Hand & Body Lotion and the skin-softening, Sea Salt Body Scrub. The scrub is chock full of vitamin C, sea kelp, and shea butter. Plus, a percentage of its sales will go to support prostate cancer research.

Make sure to check the Boy Beauty link at the top of the page for the latest and greatest men's products and events!

To quote "Clueless", I'm totally buggin! I was standing in line at Duane Reade (an NYC pharmacy chain) and as I juggled a bag of gummy bears, something else, and a bottle of water, my "impulse-purchase finger" started twitching. My eyes were mysteriously drawn to a very familiar, text-image pairing of the Ed Hardy persuasion. "But you're in Duane Reade...in New York, not Vegas!" I said to myself. I slowly bent down to see it: friggin Ed Hardy Hand Sanitizer. I spun it 'round and 'round.

I even contemplated buying it just to prove that it exists. But alas, I decided to write about it. Sadly, I didn't check out the "light" scent...and now I'm kinda' obsessed about what it could smell like: hmm can you bottle "bling bling"?