Dear Ether,

I haven’t had time to do a proper Wish List in forever!  Yes, I have been perusing the Web drooling at collections knowing that by the time I’ll be able to afford these gorgeous clothes, I’ll be too old for them.  And that was what I always adored about my Wish List.  That I could shop and put together an ensemble as if I were ready to slam down that credit card after making my selection.

So, eyebrows knit, concentration at the highest level, I hit the Matthew Williamson website and was blown away by the easy to use and fun virtual closet that lay before me.  Many times I visit high-end designer  sites and they are embedded with so many bells and whistles.  Too much Flash and crazy music.  You can’t even figure out how to navigate the bloody thing and you give up before you even get to see what they have on offer.  I also love that you can copy and paste images allowing you to make a visual tick-list for later consideration.  So many designers have posted their pictures with such high security that you can’t pull pieces that you might want to save on your desktop or share with your friends and ask for advice.  The only crummy thing that Maestro Williamson has done is not posted the prices.  Dun, dun, dun!  We know what that means.  That the goods are so damned pricey they are afraid to show you what they cost for fear of you collapsing right in front of your screen.  They offer you a NYC phone number to call for advice about any frock, but I hate this feature.  I want to have the privacy of working online and cutting out dealing with a pushy sales person.  Bad move Matthew!

Anyway, I wanted to go for something sexy, badass, uber luxe and probably worth a zillion dollars because–fuck—the prices weren’t there so I figured why shouldn’t we live in fantasy land this once?  Matthew Williamson kits out all the cool kids from Sienna Miller to Kate Moss.  This Brit, believe it or not, actually started with some of his first goodies in Marks & Spencer’s in their “Autograph” range……whoa!  Williamson, has actually stayed quite close to his department store grass roots having been part of Designer’s At Debenhams in the UK since 2002 under the name “Butterfly” (his famous insignia) and more recently, by partnering up with a one-off collection with H&M.  In 2006, Williamson took over as Creative Director at Pucci (not surprising as he is known for his brilliant patterns and color palettes, just as Emilio Pucci was).  And, he has a lovely line of fragrance and candles that he launched in 2005.  Not surprising, this 38 year old is a graduate from Central St. Martin’s in London and has now become one of the staple names on the runways today.

So, picture this.  You are out in London.  It is cold, but man have you got the MOST amazing shoes you want to show off and anyway, when you get inside, it’ll be warm.  So sporting a short dress (again, don’t worry, you have a “pimp” coat covering you) you are almost ready to go.  While applying your make-up, you’ve lit a lovely scented candle to get you in a sexy, chilled out mood.  You’ve grabbed your blingalicious, but beyond jealousy-enducing bag, just as you’ve heard the taxi honk its horn.  Damn, you look HOT!  Let’s GO!

Yep. This hugs you in ALL the right places. The pattern is beyond cool with a futuristic/Asian inspired feel. The hand-beading at the chest allows you to forget about the need for jewelery as it's built in! The tulip shaped skirt and the polo neck make the dress architectural in cut (which is on trend). The black band around the waist looks like a belt giving the appearance of a petite ribcage and the sleeves are fitted to elongate the arms. The length is perfectly cut to show off the right amount of leg and the right amount of heel! Lace Jersey Polo Neck Dress-Black Multi, www.matthewwilliamson.com (price upon request)

Yeah. These aren't your ordinary black court shoe. From the platform, to the wings on the side to the hot-pink piping---these are killer heels. Again, these are slightly architectural in design which match the quirkiness of the dress and the heel height will make your legs soar! Nappa Patent Court Shoe-Black www.matthewwillamson.com (price upon request)

These are from the runway....but I thought I'd give you another alternative to the basic black if you really wanted to go wild! I think the blue snakeskin might actually work with the patterns in the dress and certainly the color scheme. These shoes are NOT for the shy violet--though neither is this ensemble. I like that these shoe-boots are a bit more punk-funk and make the dress slightly more daring. Call me crazy! But hey, it's always YOUR choice. Runway Shoe-Boots, No Price or Name.

I'd kill for this bag. Kill! It's sexy, elegant, trendy, youthful, seductive.....it is THE perfect evening bag. I love the shimmering colors and the scales on the shell. The chain in the gunmetal looks very evening---and chains as straps again are on trend. This will go magically with the colors of the dress. LOVE THIS! Hard Evening Acid Python Oval Bag-Blue, www.matthewwilliamson.com (price upon request)

I promised you a ridiculously opulent jacket--well here it is! A fox fur coat fashioned to look like mink, is going to keep you warm and trendy. Typical of Williamson, there are panels of bespoke brocade near the lapels in orange and gold. Curvy, with loads of volume and class, as much as you are going to want to reveal your dead-hot dress---this is going to be a pity to take off. Fox Brocade Coat-Mink, www.matthewwilliamson.com (price upon request)

And finally, just to get you going before the night begins and calm you down after it ends, here is one cool candle from Matthew's extensive collection. With loads of colors and scents, you'll find the one perfect for your groove for the night. I just chose this one because I thought the color looked nice and the name "Dusk" seemed appropriate Matthew Williamson Scented Candles, www.matthewwilliamson.com (price upon request)

Dear Ether,

Ahhhhh.  The joys of literature.  Of a good book.  I’m a self-confessed bibliophile.  I’m always caught with my nose in some sort of bound beauty that takes me away from the mundane drudgery of everyday life.  In the future I want to write a few reviews of some of my favorite titles that have stolen my heart (and breath). I’d also love to talk about the authors who have shown me the true art of being a writer.

However, today is about judging a book by its cover.  I wanted to recommend a beautiful set of books by Penguin Classics that have hit the shelves and revamped some of the most famous pieces of fiction in history.  These are amazing presents to give for the upcoming holiday. Not only are they great for collectors of books, but they’re a neat way to jazz up a tired bookshelf.  They’re also a fun way to get a novice reader excited about literature and maybe not see these great tales as just dusty, old relics.

Coralie Bickford-Smith, acclaimed designer, created splendid foil patterns stamped on linen cases with colored endpapers and a lovely touch of a ribbon marker. You’d think these would cost a lot of dosh, but they’re only $20 a piece and worth every cent.  The eight classics are: Cranford, by Elizabeth Gaskell, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, Tess of the D’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy, Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen and Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte.  My favorite covers are The Picture of Dorian Gray, with white peacock feathers adorning its delicious cover (the dandy author would be chuffed, I reckon!) and the ultra-feminine Sense and Sensibility in pink and blue with girlish flowers climbing all over the cover.

Now tell me you wouldn't mind flipping through these beauties?

Give all eight to a fellow book fiend.  Or, give a carefully chosen title and get a hungry collector started.  With me, I’m chomping at the bit to buy The Picture of Dorian Gray.  Even though I own several copies already, it’s one of my favorite novels of all time, and I couldn’t imagine not owning this oh-so-special edition.  The books are available EVERYWHERE and so easy to grab.  Hassle-free shopping!

Thanks for hanging out at my literary corner and instead of giving ANOTHER crummy holiday jumper or thoughtless gift certificate, give this a shot.  I promise you, it’ll make quite a statement and won’t cost you a bundle.

Dedicatedly yours,

—One of 365

Dear Ether,

All will be back to normal on Friday.  Well, I hope.  Unless this feature doesn’t kill me first.

In the meantime, a treat for you!  

Here is a photo of English gent looking particularly dandy and chic.  It takes a REAL man to pull off pink, no?

Rings are also tres Karlfeld!

Dedicatedly yours,

—One of 365