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Two years ago today, Mr. Chubbs left us for the Great Doggy Bed in the Sky.
He was a dog of excellence!
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Some famous twins are starting an "edgy" jewelry line with a famous jeweler. Please God, let them not rip off my shizz. You all know where you saw the Matilda first! I will call on you to testify if I have to.
On a happier note, how sweet is this blouse?
Buy it for $18.99 from the lovely Jennine via Etsy. Beautiful lady not included.While I was touring the San Diego Zoo with gorgeous blogger ENC earlier this week, ENC suddenly said, "Ooh! Cute!" I craned my neck looking for an adorable koala or panda, only to notice that ENC was pointing at my feet. People often comment on my cork wedges, so I figure it's time for a public service announcement. The shoes are by K. Jacques and I have them in black suede, gold and silver. I've been wearing this style as my everyday summer shoe for a few years now. They give me some height but the cork is very lightweight and comfortable when I'm doing a lot of walking. 
You can find these on the K. Jacques site, but I've gotten them from various U.S. stores. Just search for the brand name online. Also, Bergdorfs usually has them on the fifth floor of the physical store, but not on the website; you can call the store to order them from there.
K. Jacques has had a traditional flat gladiator sandal for years now. And every year I tried it on and really thought about getting it, except I know I'm unlikely to wear flats.
I was thrilled when so many high-heel and high-wedge style gladiators came out this year. I already got a pair of white gladiator wedges AND a pair of black before I realized that K. Jacques has cork gladiator wedges. It's too late for me, but someone else should snatch these up.
Speaking of gorgeous bloggers whom I've been fortunate enough to meet IRL, Annie of Poetic & Chic has a post on our meeting that makes me feel like a movie star! Thank you, Annie! You're really too kind! Annie and I enjoyed the company of Fernando the iHog that night. Sadly, it appears that Fernando has been pigjacked (I have an alibi, thank you very much). OMG! Is it possible that Fernando and Agathe ran off together? Ah ha! Case closed!Remember how Jennine looked so fabulous in the red leopard top from her Etsy shop? Super Kawaii Mama pounced on that top. Look how beautiful it is on her! 
Of course, she looks beautiful in everything. That bitch!For 20 years, I've been fascinated by Patrick Kelly, the designer of my controversial leopard-print dress.
Kelly designed his own label from 1985 to 1989. He died of AIDS on New Year's Day in 1990 at the age of 35. (At the time, the death was attributed to bone marrow disease and a brain tumor, but since then his partner has confirmed that the cause was AIDS). Kelly was a gay black man from Mississippi without formal training, whose stretchy, button-decorated clothes were inspired by his grandmother's sewing. He became the first American member of the Chambre Syndicale du Prêt-à-Porter (the governing body of the French ready-to-wear industry).
Patrick Kelly with a model in a button dress
Photo from Fashionwindows
Kelly went to Paris in 1980, when the model Pat Cleveland anonymously gave him an airplane ticket. He worked for Paco Rabanne, catered and put on guerrilla fashion shows until 1985, when French Elle did a major spread on him. Kelly's career took off.
Kelly and models wearing his typical animal print designs
Photo from the Brooklyn Museum
Another big break came in 1987, when actress Bette Davis, then pushing 80, appeared on the David Letterman show in one of Kelly's ultra-tight dresses. I wish I could find a clip of this appearance on YouTube. (It is available on one of the David Letterman "best of" DVDs.) Davis made a special point of showing off the dress and talked up Kelly so much, that Linda Wachner of Warnaco immediately signed on as a financial backer. Hmmm! People always tell me, "It takes seven years to become an overnight success." I guess they're right.
Kelly had an enormous collection of black memorabilia, including "Mammy" and "Aunt Jemima" dolls. Always willing to provoke people, Kelly used those racial images in his work, incorporating a "golliwog" caricature into his logo. He also gave out little black baby-doll pins by the thousands.
Even when traveling, we never leave work behind. ENC caught MrB and me doing the email thing at the San Diego Zoo yesterday. 
In our defense, we were waiting for her to emerge from the restroom. It's not like we were ignoring the pandas, koalas and giant anteaters. We gave them plenty of attention. In addition, we thought the albino python would make a fabulous pair of over-the-knee boots. And maybe a clutch.Thanks to Fabulously Broke in the City for interviewing me! Check it out here. Have you always dreamed of owning mice made of felt? Me neither! But now that I've seen The House of Mouse on Etsy, I've recognized the mouse-shaped hole in my life. 
I dare you to resist them!
UPDATED TO ADD: Thank you, Pamcasso, for pointing out these adorable chocolate mice.
I loved this song in 1985 and I still love it now.
