CONFESSION: Today was a day for the bank. I attended a private tasting of Dalmore’s 12, 15, Gran Reserva and King Alexander III single malt scotch whiskys, plus a very special bonus tasting, at the methodically handsome Laszlo in the Mission. The dear Scottish man who led the tasting said that I reminded him of a lovely, elegant Lowlands single malt scotch whisky, when he wasn’t spitting onto the floor at any mention of the French. (You can eventually read more about all that here, at my “other” blog. I don’t want to spoil it.) They were kind enough to let me pop upstairs before and after the tasting to take some super awesome FFAF photos, hurrah. Just a moment ago the UPS guy arrived with a very important package, and I was so excited that M said I made a big old ruckus of “kitten noises,” whatever those are. It contained a new dress (not-so-LBD) and super badass new shoes. I can’t wait to show y’all! M is well enough to drink a bottle of cava with me (finally!) and lasagna is baking in the oven with some fluffy garlic bread in hot pursuit. DREAMY.

SCENT: Tom Ford’s Black Orchid. I must confess something. I broke up with Tom awhile ago, but after reading about his directorial debut starring Colin Firth (and Julianne Moore) in A Single Man, I’ve realized something very, very important: My love for Colin is greater than my hate for Tom. Does that make sense? Of course it does. (He’s Mark-bloody-Darcy, after all.) I digress. Black Orchid is a hot, heady, stunning mess. The jury is out on whether or not that’s a good or bad thing. The opening is almost like scorched black licorice drizzled over jasmine and sundry florals, like in Absinthe or Drambuie. It does kind of smolder, all bared teeth, glossed lips and super dangerous bedroom eyes. This smells like the kind of woman you should stay away from – you know better, of course – but you can’t help yourself. I’m going to have to come back to this, because it’s too complex!

Here are some notes, FYI: Black Truffle, Ylang, Bergamot, Black Currant. Then the black orchid, dark florals, rich fruit, Lotus Wood. At last, there’s Patchouli, Incense, Vetiver and Vanilla Tears, Balsam and Sandalwood.

Watch this and tell me you don’t find it completely gorgeous. Seriously.

And since it was one of the most beautiful stills:

Confession: Since I will be attending a local fashion show tonight to review AND shoot it for my new gig, I must away, for I’ve an appt. in an hour with the Aveda people to get my locks cut. Question: Will Skinny slice and dice her long tresses for summer, or just leave them be save a modest trim and touch-up? OH, GOD. I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO.

Scent: L’Artisan Fleur de Narcisse. Something must be up, because this is the second fragrance in a row that I’ve felt is lacking in sweetness. Normally, I find things too sweet! Granted, this is before the dry down, but still. There’s the pristine white floral, something dry and cedar-y and almost smoky, a stern edge. Blond tobacco! Leather! The last note surprises me, while the others – narcissus, hay, hyacinth, blond tobacco, iris, blackcurrant bud, moss – do not. One review said that it’s rather like a roll in the hay, or “…think of Lady Chatterley and her gamekeeper and you will have a very good idea of what goes on in Fleur de Narcisse.” I beg to differ. There is no forbidden sex here. At least not on my skin! (Well, you know what I mean.) I would wear this to a friend’s wedding with a lovely, elegant dress on a summer’s day. That’s what it’s like to me. Well-behaved, beautiful and serene.

PS. Perhaps I like my leathers to be too aggressive, doused in gasoline and dragged through dirty, rumbled linens. Who can say? If anything, this is new leather, not yet begging to be broken in. Is it Friday? Are we talking about sex? Huh? What? Nothing!
PPS. I meant rumpled, of course, but have decided that rumbled works just as well. Sometimes it’s less a roll than a rumpus!

Confession: DOUBLE WHAMMY! Because I’ve neglected y’all and I am terribly sorry. I’ve purchased a sewing machine, resumed my French lessons, started Bollywood dancing and helped a friend throw an amazing benefit for her AIDS Lifecycle 8 Ride over the weekend. Phew! I hope you enjoy the sassy new belt from modcloth.com and the exclusive softball game pics with a peek of the tomboy! I swear I swear I swear I’m not neglecting the sniffs section of the blog – I’ve got plenty, I’ve just been lazy in that dept. – and will try to post a few new ones this week. End. Weekend! Soon. Really. Have I told you lately that I love you? Well, I do. XO.

*Shades below by Spy Optics and vintage Wilson’s leather jacket.

When: Monday, Nov. 3rd, 2008.

What: Green rayon blouse with the wee rosette neckline by Persaman, classic straight corduroy pants by Ralph Lauren. Navy patent heels by Nine West. Studded belt and green bead necklace are old lady thrift store finds.

Confession: I forgot that half the point of this confession section was to tell you all about the fantastical deals I find. Dumb, dumb, dumb! So, these pants? $90 on the website, and $25 at COSTCO. That’s right, Costco, home of the two-gallon milk pack, freebies galore and massive home entertainment set-ups on the cheap. Mine also has Smashbox and Sonia Rykiel perfume. Also? I am appx. 10 minutes away from a Nine West outlet, and while I am not the biggest fan of their fit, they serve their purpose.

Do you know why I love these pants? Because they feel like a comfy pair of sweats. A comfy pair of sweats that I can take my slacker ass to work in and still looked more pulled together than 99% of the sad sacks that I work with. Everybody wins, and by that I mean I win.

What: Dark grey trousers from Laundry by Shelli Segal. Blue chiffon tank by Persaman (the dress version is available, apparently, here). Blue patent and leather Mary Janes by Linea Paolo, who has some serious, bitchslappy Oxfords out right now, actually. Teal bracelet by H&M. Vintage scarf, Guess watch (with new diamond-studded band, seeing as how the puppy nom-nom-nommed my old black leather one).

Confession: I really can’t talk right now. After a few episodes of Mad Men Season I last night, I had to go to bed early, because I had to be at a “retreat” this morning at 7AM. Vom. The only positive was the baby cannolis at the lunch buffet. Oh, and the gorgeous dahlias I ordered for centerpieces. Two of which are livening up the loft at this very minute. I, on the other hand, am pretty much a zombie right now.