Got a free weekday? Just enough time to double up – well, time to “one-point-five” up, I guess, actually – on spa treatments.
Read the rest of this entry »

I was surprised last year when Tom Ford introduced his signature, eponymous men’s fragrance: For someone who has built his empire on salaciousness, the scent was (pleasantly) tame. That December he released a limited-edition Extreme version of the fragrance — and while I enjoyed the original scent, the Extreme sent my heart racing.

Making things worse: I only had a tester-size bottle — and it was already out of stores! I kept it hidden from my roommates, known to appropriate scents they liked into their own regular usage.

Extreme wasn’t a longer-lasting, or more potent version of the original Tom Ford fragrance — which I considered a good thing. (Who welcomes industrial-strength cologne?) Instead of “Tom Ford times two,” it was richer — both in terms of ingredients (black figs, oak-aged patchouli, shoyeido incense) and price ($125).

Because it was so treasured, I performed what I considered a noble deed: I bestowed it upon one of my best friends on our birthday (we were both born June 19 — mark your calendars!). And he responded like someone in the know should: He displayed it on a shelf and refused to let anyone else touch it. The last time I visited, I snuck a little bit and when he entered the room he yelled, “I LOVE TOM FORD!” and I knew I’d been caught. I missed it so much I considered “accidentally” taking it home with me, but I know I would’ve had my bags checked at the door had it shown up missing.

This month is cause for celebration: Tom Ford Extreme has been re-released: It will be a Saks Fifth Avenue exclusive for the month of October, then roll out to wider release. And, no doubt because of many tales like mine, this time it’s permanent. No need for hoarding!

Want to win a sample-size bottle of your own? Click on this link to send me an e-mail with your name and mailing address, and the subject line TOM FORD EXTREME. I’ll choose one winner from the messages received by Friday, Sept. 26. Good luck!

ammit

WHAT SAM WORE: 9/19/08
The shirt: Lightweight cotton long-sleeved button-down by Theory (Neiman Marcus)
The pants: Plaid cotton trousers (Banana Republic) The brown actually goes with the shirt, I swear!
The shoes: Leather sneakers by Puma (Nordstrom)
The scent: Fou d’Absinthe eau de parfum by L’Artisan Parfumeur
Listening to: “When I Get Where I’m Going” by Brad Paisley & Dolly Parton

sammit

“Freaking Tyra is in our living room!”

Yeah, Samantha, I feel you.  It’s like we’re sharing a brain. And that scares me a little bit.

Read the rest of this entry »

It’s the annual Mom Challenge — only this year’s variation is that the moms will oversee outfits for recent college graduates instead of proms. But Kenley’s attitude is beginning to grate on me — I know, I’m behind the curve on this one.

Read the rest of this entry »

Christian Louboutin didn’t take last week’s not-so-constructive criticism lying down: The designer, whom I had once interviewed during a personal appearance at Neiman Marcus, fired off a furious e-mail, wondering how I could accuse him of laziness when he had put out shoes like the pleated purple suede d’Orsay pump above.

“Keep trying, Christian,” I replied. “I feel like I’ve seen that shoe before … on Miss Piggy, to be exact.”

After some genteel cursing he offered up the suede and leather lace-up bootie, to slightly better fanfare,. But I still wasn’t feeling wowed.

“Christian, show me something amazing,” I said. “Show me something some incredible it will make readers gasp. Something that’s iconic and sexy. Something that’s … not available in California.”

So he did.

Read the rest of this entry »

That healed fast. “Project Runway” must be thrilled by such a miraculous return to health.

ammit

WHAT SAM WORE: 9/15/08
The shirt: Long-sleeved cotton button-up (Zara, Washington, D.C.)
The pants: Poly/rayon/spandex trousers (Zara)
The shoes: Leather slip-ons by Alfani (Last Chance)
The scent: Roadster by Cartier
Listening to: “Lacrymosa” by Kronos Quartet

sammit

Living and working in the East Valley can warp your perspective as to what passes for “appropriate attire.”
Read the rest of this entry »

A foot injury? Really? The rumors about Jennifer Lopez’s last-minute withdrawal from the “Project Runway” finale are flying. Well, anything that lets Tim Gunn be a judge for once is OK with me.

The Kansas City Star has a sneak peek at one look from each of the six remaining contestants, who showed Friday at New York Fashion Week.

ammit

WHAT SAM WORE: 9/14/08
The shirt: Four-button jersey short-sleeved shirt (American Apparel)
The pants: Jeans by Seven for All Mankind (Last Chance)
The shoes: Open-heel leather slip-ons by Bacco Bucci (Last Chance)
The scent: Roadster by Cartier
Listening to: “Long Forgotten Song” by The Thrills

sammit

Sometimes I think Tommy Hilfiger tries too hard. Case in point: Hilfiger, his fragrance for men that’s exclusive to Macy’s stores this month and rolls out to wide distribution in December.
Read the rest of this entry »

It’s coming … by end of Saturday, I swear. (We switched bedrooms at our house Tuesday, and I’m still trying to figure out how to arrange and put all my stuff away.)

In the meantime, keep your eyes peeled for an upcoming Great Stuff column about two new men’s fragrances! There *might* just be a giveaway involved.  (Which is to say, of course, that there will be a giveaway involved.)

ammit

WHAT SAM WORE: 9/12/08
The shirt: Long-sleeved cotton button-up wtih epaulets and sleeve tabs (Ben Sherman, San Francisco)
The pants: Glen plaid trousers (Ted Baker, Las Vegas)
The shoes: Black leather slip-ons by Rush by Gordon Rush (Last Chance)
The scent: Quarzazate by Comme des Garçons
Listening to: “Plastic People” by Kraak & Smaak

sammit