Valentines day gift options for men...

Two very lovely bloggers inspired this post...

They had questions about what to get their husband's for Valentine's day. Now thank you Favored girl and Belissima for the question that's probably on a lot of minds...

Now as a personal shopper this has got to be the number the question I get asked the most. Most people contact me for that reason and depending on what they have done in the past , I have to ask a lot of questions to know what to suggest...

My response on the other hand tends to change depending on the occasion. In this instance , lets focus on Valentines day. Ladies, it is BORING to get guys shirts for this occasion. I wouldnt want a suit for Valentine's day , would you?? I am sorry but it happens to be true. Clothes could work for Christmas, Father's day and birthdays... but during the sexiest , most romantic time of the year? I think NOT!!

Here are a few suggestions that range from free, to Luxury...
They are also not listed in any particular order...

1. Have a romantic dinner. Yes ladies, you can set this up too. It is no longer just something a man can do. You can set those candles up, get a sitter and have a candlelight dinner with either food you have a chef cooking for you, ordered or cooked yourself (no one has to know)
2. Same concept as above, making it more elaborate by adding on dessert (chocolate covered strawberries, chocolates or whatever tickles your fancy) in the bathtub with a large scented candle or two no other lights needed...
3. Adding onto the above, take step this to the next level and take him to bed and take care of your man! I am sure that if you have been with him longer than a month , you know him well enough to know how to turn him on. For most women, its a bit tough to take the lead and initiate sex...this would be the right time to try. Never think about embarrassing yourself, because if I am guessing correctly, most people wait for their husbands to do the prodding... he will be too shocked to notice how nervous you are (that is if your not a professional at this already!) Oh and get out the sexy lingerie, no oversized t-shirts allowed!!
4. Ok...all sexiness aside(as none of the above will make me a dime- LOL!!!) Now for physical gifts, I tend to do the items that are luxurious (the long sought after LV wallet, messenger bag etc), not everyday, run of the mill gifts... If he is an active individual, then get him a gift bungee jumping( I know it might be too scary for some) , 4x4 off road driving (you can do it too, I have and its FUN!!), indoor skydiving...or even get him to drive the car of his dreams (yes you can rent a porsche /ferrari /lamborghini for an hour and rock his world)... that is if he isn't already driving his dram car....The options are numerous. Just type in unusual gifts in your browser and you will be surprised at your options. If you need more help...ASK ME!!
5. Buying your man "sexy" underwear, silk or satin pajamas ( trust me, men like it too) cologne (not my favorite, but its an option), a nice tech toy (because its something he will savor),I would even do a very jazzy tie before I did a shirt... no offence ladies, but imagine yourself taking the tie off and using it? Hey maybe I am a little selfish as I wear my hubby's ties...so they HAVE to be fierce!!
6. Spa - yesssssssssssssssssssssss. Men do go to the spa too. The only way to get him to go would be to go with him. It might cost yo a pretty penny, but its well worth it. There are tons of places that cater to both sexes, and even give you both facials, massages, pedicures, manicures and scrubs. For men, i think the scrub and massage (you don't have to really do both) are very good choices. Don't think its nude, most times its not,(maybe semi... we prefer nude as I feel cleaner) but remember you have a choice in that matter and if you re up for it, they will be too...this is also a way to take your relationship to another level...its kind of late right now to get slots for V-day, so you might have to do it a few days after or before...
7. Men love jewelry too...
8. If all else fails I guess we can always go back to the shirt :)

Don't be afraid to try new things...

I don't know your men, so everything really depends on them. But surprising them , by going out of your way to do something you know they would like, even if its something you normally complain about, will take your relationship a long way. Did I mention Lapdances?? Men are really just kids at heart... they love treats. It also raises the stakes as he will feel he has to top your gift

What were the best and worst presents you got or gave someone for Valentine's day??

I gave a few of mine above obviously!! Check back later for my post on the worst!!

Enjoy!!

The start of a new week...

Its Sunday night , about 10:07 pm E.S.T

I feel much better and cant stop beating myself up mentally for missing out on two great parties. No details, but lets just say they were frigging awesome (from what I have heard) , just my luck!!

I had a rather relaxing weekend, being sick definitely has its perks, as well as its ever present downsides. I didn't have to fill any orders (not that I didn't have any, they just aren't pressing), didn't have to take anyone out shopping, jeez I barely did grocery shopping ...YAY for me!

But for every lazy weekend, there comes a VERY busy week! In my case I think this is going to be a brutal week! After missing out on a few days of work, I am sure my work has piled up-NOT GOOD!! Valentines day is right around the corner and like every other optimistic business owner, I am seriously hoping for the absolute best!! Which means, more new clients and an even busier juggle of priorities...I LOVE IT!!


Fashion week is always the best time for every fashionista...and also the worst time for me since I have a 9-5 ...

You see , most people in the fashion industry are able to take time to go to fashion shows because they are required. They are even expensed, that's how much of a prerequisite they are... Sigh, I doubt Wall street would see it that way, and I honestly don't expect them to. But you can see my dilemma... I can only get to one or two...weekends are a plus, but the good ones are gone by that time, needless to say the parties are great, but having missed out on the shows itself, it limits the depth of my conversation ( not to say I have any problem, whatsoever finding another topic) but I would love to be a part of it and not just a nodder or smiler... especially since I always have a frigging opinion.

Here is a good example of one that I totally goofed on, I was sooo late! I was introduced to Carmen Marc Valvo , backstage at his fashion show for Fall O6, and he asked me (yeah I know, me???) what I thought of the collection...in my mind I was saying jeez what did she (my friend who introduced us) tell me the colors were ??. Since I only caught the last two models walking down the runway...all I could do was gush that it was great..."absolutely beautiful" I felt like a simpleton!! I can usually pull a lot more out of the hat than that, but conflicts abound regardless, and that usually hurts....A LOT!!

I don't aim for the shows that conflict with work, at least for now. I do have my priorities and what can I say , I am a new business owner and it is absolutely essential that I maintain and balance as much as I can- BOTH! New businesses are not known for making that big a profit in the first few years. I don't need the additional pressure, but I would love to have a clone!

Have a great week all!!
And let me know if you need help figuring out what gifts to get...that is my job you know!

Sick and Tired...

Hello bloggers
Thank GOD this week is over! It was absolutely painful! I have been feeling a little off since our return trip from Maryland and it fully kicked into overdrive on Wed and I had to leave work early...didn't go in Thursday or Friday! Headaches, sore throat and a serious bodyaches that made sitting upright a pain in the ass!!

I wish the rest of the world realized I was sick ...no such luck! One of my wealthy male clients called from Nigeria and he wanted me to pick out two lovely bags for the women in his life. It sometimes baffles me , the way polygamy is such a normal thing in Nigeria. Its also part of the reason why I won't live there anytime soon!

Client: How are you today Remi,
Remi: A little sick but , otherwise managing. How is your family doing??
Client: Very well thank you.
Remi: Did your wife like the Christmas present??
Client: She liked the one I got her , as I gave the necklace you bought to someone else.
Remi: sigh...so she still doesn't know I exist and here I am still waiting for a referral so that her friends can also use my services...
Client: Don't worry, I am throwing plenty of business your way. Abi the shopping that you're doing for me no do??
( I am thinking ...how is this going to help me grow the business if you keep it hidden?)
Remi: Are we doing any shopping for Valentines day?? Or are you going to be traveling yourself??
Client: I may be traveling but it is still up in the air, but I have sent some money down through an associate so you will be getting a call soon. Pls get me two lovely bags...I liked one of the pictures you sent me, but I don't remember who it was by...
Remi: What color was the one you liked?? I remember sending you several pictures of the upcoming spring stuff so I am not really sure which you're referring to.
Client: Eh...anyone you choose is good. You know I keep buying the same designers and I think she is getting bored with those so you can choose any of them they all looked good. But I need you to get two (here's the part I am always uncomfortable with) one for my wife and the other for my mistress...the mistress loves all of the things you have bought. (But unfortunately the mistress doesn't spend any frigging money...she waits for money to be spent on her , which is no good for me!)
Remi: OK whats the price range? (this is a question I have to ask every time I buy something for someone so I don't go out of their budget)
Client: You know I don't like to spend too much money...
Remi: That's not an answer now....500, 1000, 1500 or 2000
Client : I have sent down 2500, but I want two bags, and it also includes your fee (jeez!!)
Remi: Ok, I will see what I can do.
Client: So how are you doing??
(he tries to hit on me every single time he places an order-what a frigging creep!! You can always tell that after haggling , his tone changes and he feels I owe him something for using my services-boy has he got it twisted!!)
Remi: Everyone is fine o, my husband sends his love...
Client: Oh ...is he there?
Remi: Yes he is. (I am at home , so where else would he be...DUH)
Client: ehen so will you have the items ready before Valentines day?? I don't want to pay for shipping but if I don't come myself, I am sure one of my friends will be coming down and will bring it back for me...
Remi: Sure just let me know when. There should be a few sample sales going on , so I will see how much I can save you...it all depends on the timing.
Client: ehen if there is change, don't forget my Ferragamo Slippers o
Remi: You will get your invoice as usual, and I know what you usually buy if there is anything left over...
Client: Ok, I trust you...Good night o, one of these days sha maybe you will let me take you out to dinner.
Remi: Of course now, my husband has been dying to meet you (LOL that should quench his fire a bit!)
Client: (always a bit uncomfortable at this point) call me when my guy gives you the money.
Remi: Ok ... thank you. (and I hang up)

Now do you remember I said I was sick?? All through this conversation I am mentally thinking of which bag to get him while I think of the last time I used my theraflu...

Why is it acceptable to have several women in Nigeria?? I have asked him several times and he says that he HAS to have several woman for his status?!!? Since when are multiple women status symbols??

I don't get it! Not to say all the men over here in the USA are utterly faithful , but it seems like in Nigeria you leave your wife at home , go out about the town with the mistresses, and have another one for traveling... I don't get it!!

My business minded ass unfortunately, will not say no to the money, as my motto is, I can shop for anyone...however, I can not say that I don't think about it every so often....But at least in my mind , I buy the better items for the wife!!!

Ass whooping with Style!!

Whew-
Ok, so I am fashionably late...forgive me. I am sure you have noticed that my life isn't full of a lot of free time!

Last Tuesday- was at Cain NYC partying / promoting the Elitist line...

Friday - went out with Hubby to Pasha and Scores West ( yes I said Scores!!!)

Fashion week is next week! Jeez!! I am going to have to do my usual , I am going to have to double up on the caffeine intake to survive that....

I digress... Saturday drove to Maryland for a baby shower...sooooooooooooooooooo tired...

Sunday- family stuff and a client to take out...she needed a dress for her daughters wedding in the Bahamas... fortunately I didn't have to go far as she loved one of my friends designs and that made my life a WHOLE lot easier...

Monday- I feel like SHIT!! I must be coming down with something ...abi???
Tuesday- Had dinner with a client, after giving my son an ass whooping for throwing his temper tantrum 3x in one day. I was so done, took his little bob the builder boxers off and gave him too hard whacks...he went to bed appalled/crying as we have never been one to spank him a lot (never really had to...) but it has just gotten to the point where he is continuously acting up in school and acting the angel at home and around us. I do have problems with the school...and its a good thing we have interviews this week to see about another one... grrrrrrrrrrrrr


Are you tired yet???

I am...

On another note...I need to start shopping for my trip to Nigeria...urgh!!

64th Annual Golden Globe Awards....

Whew... It is 11:43pm. Definitely time to go to bed, but I felt I should make a quick entry about the fashions at the Golden Globes this year.

Metallics, which we already knew was going to be HUGE this year had a major showing on Beyonce, Sarah Jessica Parker, Tracey Edmonds, Jennifer Love Hewitt and Vanessa Minnillo.

Black will always be in...slight difference was the amount of lace featured this year... notable lace ensembles include Tina Fey and Cate Blanchett wearing Alexander McQueen. Penelope Cruz was in a lovely Chanel Couture... Jennifer Lopez...always looks amazing- also in black.

Purple and varying shades....
Evangeline Lilly wearing Versace lilac... Drew Barrymore - John Galliano designing for Dior...

White was EVERYWHERE!!!
Seen on Ellen Pompeo , Cameron Diaz, Sienna Miller, Salma Hayek (not the best dress for her body in my opinon) Hayden Panetierre....

Yawn...there is more, but I am falling asleep now and will have to fill in the gaps tomorrow.

Lest I forget congratulations to Forrest Whittaker, Eddie Murphy and my girl Jennifer Hudson!! They all deserved their awards!! To African Americans everywhere...Oscars here we come!!

What were your favorite fashions and moments ??

Balancing Act...

At about 12:30pm yesterday I received a call from my son's school. Due to the beautiful thing we call technology, I knew exactly who was calling , and was dreading it.We all know that a call from your childs school is never a good thing! This time it was the head of his school. I could hear a screaming child in the background and I cringed once I recognized that it was my son...

He was having a 4 year old melt down! ( I call that a tantrum) They couldn't calm him and when it seemed that he was only getting more and more upset, they had no choice but to call me to come and pick him up!

Sigh...

I was at work, in the middle of setting up a lunch for a very important meeting and I knew my husband was having such a busy day, he wouldn't be able to pick him up either... which leaves me.

Now , both of my bosses are great , honestly. However that only makes you feel even worse when things like this come up. I was told I could leave if I had to but I was absolutely FURIOUS!!

I got to his school an hour later and he was as happy as could be. I had to sit down with his teacher and the head of the school and discuss what has been happening with him. "He is smart, the sweetest boy ever, quick to try and make sure everyone is happy...but (here comes the other shoe...) they had no idea why he seemed to just throw these tantrums" I had to point out to her that they DO NOT happen at home, EVER! I personally felt that they were not firm enough with him, but how do you teach someone to be firm , if they naturally aren't that way?? I love him and dont want him to be abused, but...

I am a firm believer in discipline, I don't mean beating the shit out of them, just making sure they realize there are consequences for their actions...when he was younger and wouldn't listen when you told him not to touch something , I would give him a flick. It was never anything that would hurt a lot, just hard enough to make him react, yet not hard enough to make him cry. As he has gotten older, if i even showed him that I was about to give him a flick he would behave. Yet , here we are now... he is sure to get a spanking, I can feel it!!

Sigh...

My son is extremely smart and wraps everyone (except me) around his little finger. I happen to think that cute will get you NOWHERE without the right attitude. They all think he is so cute and let him get away with murder! That is how we have arrived at this problem, now it seems he knows that he can do whatever he wants without getting into trouble in school, yet he wouldn't try it at home...

Needless to say, by the time he got home. We had a very long conversation (for a 4 year old , that's about 5 minutes) and I took away everything he had gotten for Christmas and told him he wouldn't have his beloved sleepover, which a friend of mine had offered him earlier in the week. She spoke to him and we all emphasized how unhappy we were with him. He fell asleep on the floor of his room crying... when his dad got home, he ran in the opposite direction, as opposed to
running towards his father. I guess someone has realized that he has done wrong... His dad took him into his room and let us just say that this is not an event that will repeat itself again.

The problem here is that , as confident as I am that I am a GREAT mother , I did have my doubts about whether I was falling short somewhere. I mean, its obvious that he spends a lot of time in school which he absolutely LOVES, but it doesn't stop the little doubt from creeping into my mind. Yet I know the situation will not change unless I win the Lotto. I have such great plans for myself, my family and my business and the only way to do that is to juggle it all!

Why cant we have it all???

Busy, Busy, Busy!!!

Blogging...
I have never been particularly shy or timid about anything. In my opinion, that means that blogging should come naturally , right?? WRONG!! It doesn't. Why? Trying to figure out where to start from and which of the millions of things teaming through my head to write about. Motherhood? Fashion? Celebs? Work (yuck...mind you arent they all work in one form or another??) Friends, Nigeria, America, London, Love...sigh, I could be here all day!

So since I got into this by way of my darling friend Lola (that's such a common name -no offence) I know how private you are dear so dont worry , no one will know its you... I am dedicating my first blog to you. You have created a monster...

Enjoy:)