Currently

Book
Francois Nars- Makeup Your Mind (2001). I loved the newly released one so much I had to get the original. Review soon.

Song
Heather Nova & Benjamin Biolay- Let's Not Talk About Love



Perfume
Regina Harris Amber Vanilla. It's distractingly sexy.

Makeup
Anything Rouge Bunny Rouge.

Frequently Worn Outfit/Item
Vintage scarves. At least eBay is still good for something.

Food
Not quite ripe bananas. I love bananas but can't stand the smell when they're at their peak.

Bane of my existence
Apparently I'm allergic to chocolate milk.

Joy
The new laptop is arriving today.

Anticipation
The royal wedding, of course. I'll be up and tweeting.

Wish List
A full set of all the Suqqu makeup brushes.

Random Thought
I wish I could just do away with Facebook.

How are you doing? Please share your current loves, banes and thoughts!


Photo: Magnolia tree by the husband (tree is on the neighbor's property. Its mess is on ours).

Currently

Book
Last night I finally found some attention span for fiction, so I re-started Eva Moves the Furniture, a novel by Margot Livesey. It's been years since I read Livesey and now I remember how much I like her.

Song
As I was searching for the video of Damien Rice's Accidental Babies (nothing to do with K-Fed, I promise), I found a live performance of his somewhat odd version of Jacques Brel 's Ne Me Quitte Pas. I'm not sure how I feel about it.





Perfume
Andy Tauer's new Zeta. Review and giveaway coming as soon as I find the words.

Makeup
Oddly enamoured with several Laure Mercier items.

Frequently worn outfit/item
A colorful DVF print scarf that enlivens all those black and grays.

Food
Brown rice with fresh avocado, a splash of soy sauce and wasabi. So simple, so delicious. The rice cooker is my BFF.

Joy
Right here, right now, with the cranky old orange tabby on my lap, good music and an open window.

Bane of My Existence
I'm having a banelss day.

Anticipation
Lilacs, magnolias and not wearing a coat when leaving the house.

Wishlist

Alexander McQueen Faithful leather clutch. It's such a practical piece- has the elegance of a clutch but actually big enough (8"H x 15"W x 2"D) to hold a lot more than a lipstick. $695 at Neiman Marcus.


How are you? Please share your currents and any random thought in the comments.

Top photo by me- the first daffodils in my backyard.
Alexander McQueen clutch: naimanmarcus.com

Currently

Brought to you by the flu.

Book
I usually have The Guide within arm's reach and currently it's the only thing that goes with a brain on meds, but I admit to nodding off reading Luca's lengthier reviews.

Song
Fistful of Mercy by Fitful of Mercy



Perfume
Guerlain Vetiver. I can actually smell it.

Makeup
Utterly enamored with the Le Metier de Beaute Smoldering Embarkment Kaleidoscope. It makes me look almost alive. More on that tomorrow. Maybe.

Frequently Worn Outfit/Item
Yoga pants. Black or charcoal. And that's the most glamorous part.

Food
Does NyQuil count?

Drink
Tea with honey.

Joy
Breathing

Bane Of My Existence
Other than my lungs trying to vacate my body, it's all quite peachy.

Anticiaption
Keeping food down

Wishlist
Meh


So, how are you doing?


Photo of Greta Garbo as Camille: garboforever.com

Currently

Book
While I have several half-read or just started books scattered all over the place, right now I'm eager to get a copy of Monica Ali's newest book (coming up in April), Untold Story. It's a fictional "what if" inspired by Princess Diana.

Song
Shirley Basey- Diamonds Are Forever. I can't get enough of her voice.



Perfume
Serge Lutens Boxeuses

Makeup
I'm obsessed with anything complexion, as I've been testing a couple of foundations lately.

Frequently Worn Outfit/Item
Flat black riding boots. I found my perfect pair a couple of months ago at Cole Haan- they hit exactly where they should, without going over the bottom part of my knee, imagine that.

Food
Carbs, sadly.

Guilty Pleasure
Afternoon naps.

Joy
Waking up with assorted fuzzy faces purring loudly around me.

Bane Of My Existence
The weather, of course. Looking out the window I expect to see Sarah Palin hunting for moose in my backyard.

Anticipation
Valentine's Day

Wishlist
A personal assistant

Random Thought
Seriously, out of all the stuff Ricky Gervais said, Hollywood being rattled by his dig at the closeted Scientologists is beyond ridiculous.

How are you doing? Please share your current loves and thoughts!


Art: Winter In The City by Dmitry Danish

Currently

Book
Just found a first edition hard cover of D.V., Diana Vreeleand's autobiography. Will delve into it today.

Song
Loudon Wainwright III- Not John



Perfume
Tauer- Une Rose Vermeille, Lord's Jester Daphne and Serge Lutens Fumerie Turque. Not together, though.

Makeup
Red lips.

Frequently Worn Outfit/Item
Orna Lalo jewelry. A perfect gift from my sister.

Food
Cheese.

Drink
Chocolate milk.

Guilty Pleasure
Obviously, dairy.

Joy
Healthy happy cats.

Bane Of My Existence
Dry skin.

Anticipation
Quiet snow days.

Wishlist

To catch up on emails. I'm weeks behind. Oh, and also- I already have this bag, the Katie by Jola V Designs in a soft tan color, so now I want the winter version in brick brown.

Random Thought
Somewhere in Los Angeles Alanis Morissette is happily humming "Ironic" as she's watching the news.

How are you doing? Please share your current loves and thoughts!

Art: Deborah Klein- The Shell Game
Katie Bag photo by Jola V.

Currently

Book
Joyce Maynard- At Home In The World. The writer's memoir, juicy because of her relationship with J.D. Salinger.

Song
An album, actually. Elton John and Leon Russel- The Union.




Perfume
Today was the first one in a while I wasn't testing/wearing one of the Outlaw Perfumes. Wore Tom Ford Private Blend Tobacco Vanille.

Makeup
Blush. I'm on a serious pink cheek kick.

Frequently Worn Outfit/Item
Long DVF ruffled cashmere cardigan. Black.

Food/Drink
tea, pasta, grilled cheese... the usual.

Guilty Pleasure
Admiring some of my makeup brushes. Profound, I know.

Joy
A new camera.

Bane Of My Existence
My Droid is having charging issues and I'm not due for an upgrade yet. I've been pursuing the Verizon Wireless site, looking at the new(er) models and telling myself  "These are not the droids you are looking for". Yes, geek humor.




Anticipation
Oddly enough, the holidays.

Wishlist
A pair of ultra-fabulous flat black boots that are knee-high but designed with short women in mind. The Alexander McQueen pair, once I found them in my size turned out to be an inch too tall. They are still the most gorgeous thing.

Random Thought
I have quite a few, actually. Enough for a separate post. For now, I'll just say that the Outlaw Perfume Project has been quite mind-blowing. I don't want to ever forget what a real perfume smells like.

What are your current loves, recommendation and banes? Please share.

Photo by me, November 2010.

Currently

Book
Once I gain some attention span back I should get to B&N for Tim Gunn's book. It's been out for weeks now.

Song
Wilco- I'll Fight




On TV
CNN, what else?

Perfume
Etat Libre d'Orange- Like This. Perfect for this weather.

Makeup
Blush. I've been experimenting.

Frequently worn outfit/item
Gray cashmere hoodie over just about everything.

Food/Drink
I really want some miso soup.

Guilty Pleasure
Sleeping in.

Joy
It's all good.

Bane Of My Existence
See above.

Anticipation
The weekend. Just because.

Random Thought
Some things put even Kim Kardashian's nude cover into perspective.

Wish List
A new camera. Any suggestions on what I should get?


What are your current banes, joys and recommendations? Please share!



Top image: La Esperanza, webshots.com