NYC

New York is a fashionable place -- even dogs are stylish! Especially this year.  :-)

Woof Woof!

According to the Chinese zodiac we are about to begin The Year Of The Dog. To celebrate, I bought two bottles of Lucky Dog hot sauce. They are delicious concoctions created by a guy who was making hot sauce as a hobby and then turned his passion into a small business. All of his sauces are nice combinations of fresh, wholesome ingredients. No chemicals.

While stocking my cupboard, I also added a bottle of Homeboys hot sauce. New to me, Homeboys also uses natural ingredients for pleasant flavors, some packed with heat. I found these sauces at a local hot sauce store. It's good to shop local.

What are you doing to celebrate The Year Of The Dog?

Curves!

Two or three years ago a dress-style came out which is perfect for me: a curvy pattern on the front of the dress that is actually a silhouette inside the sheath of the dress. The design creates an illusion of female shape. Since I have a cylindrical shape devoid of curves, I hoped this style would add the appearance of rounded edges.

I just found such a dress in a thrift-store and am playing with it. What do you think? How convincing is the illusion?

By the way, does anyone know what this style is called? I call it magic!

More Girl Colors

I'm exploring more colors previously unworn by me (and most other men who aren't married to Sheila, Suzanne or Megan). This top from a thrift-store (only $1) has an interesting hue and my favorite feature -- a pussy-bow!

Have you ever worn this color? Or a sequined skirt?

Girl Colors

There are some colors that men don't wear. Ever. They couldn't even if they wanted to because no men's clothing is made in these hues.

I was shopping at my favorite retro-style store and saw a skirt that's delightful. And full of colors I've never worn in my life. Breaking new ground, I wore the skirt today with a matching shirt, both in colors no man (including me) has ever worn.

It's fun and rewarding to expand our horizons. These colors, once off-limits to me, are now part of my palette. I'll choose them again, given the chance.

What do you think?

One Hour

I have an outdoorsy friend (Zoe) who's promoting a good idea. She encourages everyone to go outdoors for one hour a day (or as frequently as possible). I like Zoe's suggestion -- being outdoors is healthy and fun. Modern life cloisters us indoors, often in simulated and mediated realities (e.g., television; Internet) which disconnect us from the natural world. Plus, almost everyone in developed societies suffers from Vitamin D deficiency which can be easily remedied by sunlight.

Benefits to our physical health and mental attitude from being outdoors are immediate and dramatic. Today it was a challenge to venture out in 17-degree chill but I was up to the task and walked around the neighborhood with enthusiasm.

Zoe doesn't say anything about wearing bright red sneakers when you go out; they are my idea. After a few moments in the cold, they matched my cheeks.  :-)

How often do you go outdoors?

First Ride

In New York, the first ride of the year is always cold. I went out today to take advantage of melting snow since next week will bring more white stuff.

You might think winter weather is dangerous but cold and potholes are not as hazardous as bad motorists: while I was out, an inattentive SUV-driver drifted into my lane and nearly hit me due to her distracted driving. That's something I have to deal with all year-round.

Exotic Coffee Cups

A friend gave me a set of coffee cups bearing the marques of exotic sports cars and motorcycles -- including my own! (I drive a Fiat Abarth.) All of these companies were originally Italian and their badges are indisputable beautiful. What a sumptuous gift!

Sailor Ally

I'm naturally drawn to styles that are bright and youthful. So I leapt at this sailor top in a thrift-store ($5). I rounded it out with a striped skirt, girlish heels and gold stockings. And lots of bright makeup. Oh, and I'm wearing a mermaid-necklace given to me by a girlfriend!

What do you think?

By the way, I really enjoyed putting this together. Creating the outfit, wearing the clothes, taking pictures... it's all so gratifying. Sharing the joy with you magnifies it even more. Thanks for visiting!

A Cold Saturday

Like most of the country, New York was bitterly cold today. To escape the freeze, I ventured into the warmth of a local art museum. I saw a compelling exhibition of Hyperrealism and other illusions. In the pictures below, nothing is what it appears to be.

This is not a person, but a resin sculpture of a woman

This is not a photo of Marilyn Monroe, but a painting.

Even the "tape" and "shadow" are paint.

This is not a security guard, but a resin sculpture of one

A sculpture of the female form

Salvador Dali

These are not chocolates, but a sculpture

mounted on the wall

Titled "Sky Shirt," you can see why

After a minute in the freezing cold,

I turned into a statue

My photo of snow outside the museum

Winter

Starting the year with a walk in Sunken Meadow State Park where the cold wind susurrated with winter sounds.