The Bonnie Raitt Classic

Dear Kristin,

Want to hug.  Want a hug.

Love,
J. Benny

Sometimes You Must Eat the Roses

Dear Kristin,
My new color:

Muli-color me.

Muli-colored Callahan:

Sounds like slate.

We should have slept in more cars:

Chartreuse, like spoiled gold. 

Sometimes you must eat the roses.

Love,
J. Benny

You haven't seen my ladybugs

Dear Kristin,
I even sleep with them on, they are so sweet, like being covered in stuffed animals:

Rock bracelet!  Old, from my gram.  And the American Apparel shorts you gifted me.

Love,
J. Benny

"Look if you want me to start taking it seriously, stop saying its name" - Jeff Winger

Dear Kristin,
My two favorites, merging:

Community, the last of the season.  I spy with my little eye: a background of Laurie and Travis.

I'm not sure you know this, but Community and Cougar Town love on each other quite a bit:

Courtney had nailed it.

And perhaps soon, they will be as one.  And all will be right in my J. Benny world.

Love,
J. Benny

Me, lately

Dear Mom,
Look what I did:

 

I found a way to wear your kooky 80s sweater in NY's fickle-weathered spring.  I cut off and disposed of the shoulder pads, obviously.  And it is now my new favorite sweater.  It's helped me shake things up a bit.

I'm not exactly wearing the same thing everyday.  Not exactly.  But it's a bit like six conversations about the same thing.  A lot of navy, many a thick strapped platform, at least two different but very similar Earnest Sewn ankle crop jeans.  Both of which I purchased on Gilt for about $70.  Thank heavens.

Other points of interest:
That first look in the collage I wore yesterday; the dress I purchased last summer from secret store Shareen Vintage on my first visit; the top is Gap, circa 2001, and the shoes are oldish Pierre Hardy for Gap.

The next look features some capsule-collection work, too.  The dress is Costello Tagliapietra for Uniqlo (their first collection) and platform wedges by Cynthia Vincent for Target.  Wrap-around belt from Shareen Vintage.

The top portion of the following outfit, the third in the collage, is all Uniqlo (jacket is a Jil Sander collaboration).

Then we have Kristin's blue button-up bowling shirt and braided belt worn flipped, tan side (as opposed to gaudier gold side) out.

The fifth outfit features a navy version of the pink Urban Outfitters cardigan of my second outfit (on sale, $20) and a cream Victorian-themed turtleneck blouse which once belonged to my good friend Jamie T but now belongs to me.  Because I stole it.  At a clothing swap.  All's fair.

Boyfriend's aviators, lost in Houston, and a pin that once belonged to my grandma.

Finally, my three-year-old leather Urban jacket, Kristin's bowling shirt, my dad's old Levi's cut to 90s highwaisted short-shorts, a vintage Coach belt from the Brooklyn flea, and Gap city flats.  The perfect ballet flats, inspired by the original perfect ballet flat.

I made no mention of my Urban Outfitters flatforms in the above:

But here they are, on my feet.  As promised three posts ago.  And I'm no one if not a girl of my word.  (Very comfortable, though the straps have stretched out a bit, not least of all because I was once caught in the rain while wearing them.  Anyway, Urban restocked online but are reselling out fast, in case you're wondering and wanting.  They're down to just the black.)

Love,

J. Benny

P.S.  Dear Kristin, I miss you.  Come back from Houston now, please.  New York really kicks ass without you.  (Imaginary tip of the hat.  IMAGINARY HOOK HANDS.)

A good day for dress

Dear Kristin,
I couldn't be more pleased with the showing at last Monday's McQueen-dedicated Met Gala.  I wanted something to cheer about, and I found twenty somethings to cheer about.  So, without further (or really any) fanfare, a scroll-down of my twenty favorites, in very particular order, smallest love to greatest.  Notice, though, that they are all loves.



20.  Kirstin Dunst in Chanel.  It's black springy and very her and occasion appropriate, while still being damn cool. And she's sweet-faced.



19/18.  Ashley Greene in Donna Karan and Naomi Watts in Stella McCartney.  Loved: both in frosty, ethereal shimmer that, when paired with such ladies - ladies who might otherwise play it dark and safe - ends up feeling somewhat (thankfully) interesting and adult.

17.  Alexa Chung in Christopher Kane, the only short dress (on an adult) I fell for all evening.  Simple, demure funk.  With silver discs like scales and pockets like waves.

16.  Diane Kruger in Jason Wu with Jason Wu.  And leg!  Loved: the dress as distinct parts, the nude longsleeve top splattered with something like Grandma's buttons.  (Although somewhat less like Grandma's buttons up close.)  You know it's an exceptionally good night when a lovely Kruger doesn't make the top ten.

15.  Vera Wang.  In a Vera Wang. 1920s-style neon yellow.

14.  Madonna in Stella McCarnety.  She looks glamorous and fresh and almost fun again.  Star detail = fun.

13.  Emma Stone in Lanvin.  I've long enjoyed dresses made out of what may be luxury curtains/bedspreads/couch-covers.  And those lips.  Pink lips, pink lips, pink lips.

12.  Peter Sarsgaard & Maggie Gyllenhaal. The two of them, together, make this.  Although Stella McCartney helped.  As did the clean lines and clean sparkle and clean countenance.

11.  What?  Not a top ten?  I know.  Zoe Saldana in Calvin Klein.  A lesson in refreshment.

10.  Lily Donaldson in Erdem.  Sleepwear made nightwear with a bold blue and Peter Pan collar.

9.  Sarah Jessica Parker in my only Alexander McQueen pick.  It's an understated McQueen.  Yes, I'd call this understated, simple McQueen.

8.  Bing!  Elle Fanning in Valentino.  Want to bring her home with me.  But that'd be kidnapping.

7.  The host, Anna Wintour, in Chanel.  Superhero Wintour in Superhero Chanel.

6.  A gal I hardly know holding my main squeeze Phillip Lim's hand.  Her name in Oh Land.  And this is the right way to wear basic white.  With long sleeves covered in yellow, protruding nubbins.

5.  Brooklyn Decker in Michael Kors.  She's beginning to look a lot less like a model and a lot more like an actress.  And Michael Kors is beginning to look a lot less dated, ho-hum and a lot more like a figure flattering, body-con Calvin Klein.

4.  Model Chanel Iman in Dolce & Gabbanna. I wish I could direct you to a close up of this one.  There's so much to like, so much classic, expert embellishment.

3.  Kerry Washington in Escada, looking as beautiful as beautiful is capable of looking.  Beautiful.  It's a little 70s prom, no?  The dress has a tiny bit of sparkle to it, as does that minaudiere.  And I do love me some pink lips, big hair.  Pink lips, pink lips, pink lips.

2.  There was much debate about Rihanna in this Stella McCartney dress.  Actually, it was less debate and more hate.  People wanted more RIHANNA.  And I understand that. But she also looks sexy and gothic (friendly, modern gothic) and Met appropriate.  This was not her show; it was McQueen's.  And, further in her defense, she does appear almost nude on one side. That's a wee daring.  And her butt.  It's the roundest butt in town.  And the red fishtail and turquoise earrings.  The most.

1.  Gennifer Goodwin in, wait for it, Topshop.  Well, Topshop Unique.  But that's still Topshop.  

And it/she kicks ass.  From head to toe.

Love, J. Benny

P.S.  As far as designers are concerned, though, Stella McCartney was the clear winner here.  Girl's got gorgeous range.

Almost enough to move to Jersey City

Dear Kristin,
Of course I love these bearded boys, this hopping gal guitar player, the group chant along, head banging in the sunlight, Christmas lights, that cheerful final fist pump:

Love,
J. Benny