Did I tell you how much I love Dior? Especially the days where Monsieur Dior himself officiated with his head vendeuse at the dove grey salon, ushering out numbered couture outfits like the hallmark, nipped-waist Bar Jacket & New Look skirt?

I get the sense that, of all the legendary 20th century designers, Christian Dior was the only one who truly understood that the banal commerce aspect of the fashion industry didn't have to degrade the purist process of creating outstanding garments.

The company he formed reflects this; it sits as one of the few that managed to stylishly combine the artistic elements of designing couture, with the commercialism of ready-to-wear, and with the bottom line-focused business of running a fashion brand.

In plain words? Yes, they're selling the dream of Dior luxury and there's a product involved; don't be fooled. But that doesn't mean it has to be a tasteless, smack-you-over-the-head sell of worthless, disposable or hyper-inflated fashion junk, non?

That was the case then, and it's still the case now, as Mise en Dior, the new animated short from Nowness, shows so nicely. Click through or tap the image above to watch the pinball (or is it 'pearl' ball?) inspired film.

Try not to want the Camille Miceli-designed pearl necklace that dangles as the bauble-y prize at the end of the Dior arcade game.

Just try...

NB Image courtesy Nowness

I'm more of a hefty, leather bag kind-of a woman. You know, something with copious amounts of space, something suitable for hauling around magazines, my laptop, snacks and all my other daily sundries.

Thus dainty, beaded numbers aren't the sort of purses I normally gravitate towards, even for formal occasions. Unless, the beaded purse in question is a really striking silk number that's extremely chic and patterned all over.

So, of course I fell in love with this hand-crafted clutch from Moyna Singh that I found via Gramercy & Co.

I mean, it hits all the prerequisites - it's silk, the Navaho-inspired pattern is definitely striking, and it even managed to elicit a, "hmmm, it's not bad - I like it!" from my husband, who hardly ever has an opinion on fashion.

The beaded shoulder strap, I could do without. Something about it feels a tad too delicate, as if all those precious glass beads could go flying, were I to tug it on too suddenly. Or perhaps I'm not ladylike enough for such a strap.

But seeing how it tucks away nicely and looks equally stylish when dangled, it's no issue, really.

The beading across the clutch itself, however, is beyond impeccable, and gives the purse a nice, weighty feel.

I'm guessing this is what a well-crafted bit of beadwork looks like; in my younger days, my great-aunt attempted to teach me how to bead such things by hand.

Suffice it to say, it wasn't my calling...

Wearing: H&M denim shirt; Canal St. 'Pashmina' scarf; Vintage YSL leather skirt; Moyna Singh clutch on loan from Gramercy & Co; Ate Logo leather pumps.

NB Images Copyright © 2011 Au Courant Studio, LLC, All Rights Reserved

DIP, DIP, DIP

Fee Verte tales or Belle Epoque tendencies aside, the ritual of drinking Absinthe is perhaps one of the most indulgent and involved, alcohol-related experiences out there.

From the almost mentholated, minty scent to the first piquant sip, you know you're in for quite the ride...

Some people boast of doing Absinthe shots, as one would with Tequila. Seeing as how I am no fan of alcohol poisoning, I generally follow the traditional Absinthe ritual, which calls for a sugar cube and equal - or more - parts of beastly cold water, to one tiny part of the eerily green drink.

In the traditional vein, it makes for a rather intoxicating and delightful drink. But even diluted and louched with the sugar cube, the actual taste of Absinthe is difficult to mask, and one can still feel that incredible burning sensation as it passes the lips and courses through the body.

Yes, it's that strong, and it burns like hell...

Read more...