After a Fashion
Is our Stephen turning over some new leaves before the new year? What was more horrifying? Karaoke or ear-candling?
By Stephen MacMillan Moser, Fri., Dec. 15, 2006
HEY LA, HEY LA I must have been possessed to let my sister, Margaret, talk me into doing karaoke at the Chronicle Holiday Party. She's such an instigator. She taunted me with songs by Abba, Diana Ross, and the Shangri-Las before I broke down and consented to sing lead on "My Boyfriend's Back" by the Angels. With Margaret and the divine Barbara Chisholm kicking ass on the backup vocals, we updated the classic a bit by singing, "My boyfriend's black, and you're gonna be in trouble." They were sublime; I was wretched.
CONGRATS Our very own always-fabulous FactoryPeople was named one of America's 50 Most Influential Stores by DNR (the menswear version of Women's Wear Daily). Stop by the SoCo store, and see what holiday treats they have for you.
FASHION PLATES Thank the fashion gods that it's been cold and we could finally dress up. I got a fabulous black cashmere coat last year, and not once was I ever able to wear it here, though I was able to wear it in New York for my Project Runway audition. There have been gorgeous clothes to be seen at the holiday parties on men and women (and, well, there were hideous ones, too). Some of the best women's pieces were high-heeled brocade boots that laced up to the knee, jackets of woven fur, sky-high miniskirts, big tops over skinny pants, and velvet everything. Outstanding menswear included soft deerskin jackets that begged to be touched, velvet blazers with embroidery, sleek boots, snowy white shirts with plenty of detailing, suede jeans, and wonderful Panama and fedora hats. On the other end of the scale, we endured the same old baseball caps, Christmas-themed sweaters, and ragged jeans.
GIFT CENTRAL Whether they're naughty or nice, Forbidden Fruit (512 Neches and 108 E. North Loop) will have something spicy to put in your holiday wassail. Try the Japanese-silk-covered wrist and ankle cuffs and blindfolds, $18-54. A hidden treasure is the Texas Highways Gift Shop (150 E. Riverside), which features the Lone Star coffee mug, made in Texas and hand-painted by Luling Icehouse Pottery, $13.95. For a more exotic approach, the Arabic Bazaar (5013 Duval St.) has mosaic boxes inlaid with olive, walnut, rosewood, mother of pearl, and even camel bone, $10-440. Terra Toys (2438 W. Anderson) is for kids and the kid in all of us. For your aspiring musician, try the complete electric guitar and amp set, $160. Four Hands (2090 Woodward) will have hundreds of things to tempt you, but try the white shell lamps from the Philippines, $175-295. Turquoise Door (1208 S. Congress) has gorgeous jewelry in all price ranges, but for the extravagant shopper, see the Ca'win multistrand necklace of red coral with lapis and turquoise, $5,600. Is it furniture? Or a pet accessory? Find out at Bark 'n Purr (4604 Burnet Rd.), and see the Lotus Cat Tree, "the coolest cat tree on the planet," available in two sizes and three finishes (birch, oak, mahogany), $269.99-289.99.
THE PARTY LINE I loathe people who use their cell phones at parties. And now I'm ashamed to say I'm one of them. On several occasions during this ridiculously festive holiday season, I caught myself using my cell phone. Even texting. At a party. I must have been channeling my inner Paris Hilton (while keeping my skirt firmly in place). I think it's so pretentious that people think they're sooo busy that they can't just relax and be at the party … or just be wherever they are. I remember a thousand years ago, in the dawn of the cell-phone era, I was working as a bridal consultant with a client at my desk, helping her choose her china, crystal, and flatware. Her cell phone rings, and she answers it. I could hear the caller say, "Hey, Mitzie, whatcha doin'?" Mitzie answers, "Nothin'. How 'bout you?" and proceeds to jabber away about this and that for more than 30 minutes. I wandered away from my desk, and when Mitzie was through, she found me and said, "Sorry, it was an important call." I smiled and said, "Unfortunately our time is up for today. If you'd like to call back on your cell phone and make another appointment, I'll be happy to work with you some more then." And now? Well, I'm afraid I've turned into Mitzie.
OUT OF IT I managed to make a quick getaway to Fredericksburg with my mother and her friend Julie, who was visiting from Seattle. We had a delicious lunch at the Fredericksburg Herb Farm restaurant and spa followed by wonderful spa treatments by a very capable woman named Vessel who specializes in reflexology. In addition to the foot work, I had an ear-candling treatment, which removes excess wax from the ears. Yeah, I know, not a pretty subject, but it felt warm and soothing. And the reflexology was incredibly lovely. Vessel can be reached at www.blessyoursoles.com, and info for the Herb Farm is at www.fredericksburgherbfarm.com.
