Hating:

On third thought, I suppose this Helmut Lang twisted loop drapey cardigan is perfect for those days that the front of your thighs is freezing, but your ass is on fire…

Wanting:

Remember that after snagging this Helmut Lang wool jersey jacket in black, I was hunting for it in gray?

Found it. Want it.

What’s that? But every jacket or coat I already own has a drapey shawl collar and wraps to close? And is in some shade of stone, to complement some beat canvas and leather Hermes bag I’m toting? And don’t I ever get bored always wearing a stack of Love bracelets and a gold President and a pinkie ring on my left hand?

Variety is the spice of life and a bored married man’s pants, not my wardrobe…

Wearing:

I first saw this Helmut Lang merino wool sweater jacket in London, at Harvey Nichols. And I glanced and glossed on — for its price, I could just have another shawl-collar, wrap coat made.

But a week later while I was in New York I popped into Helmut Lang’s Soho boutique to try it on — and the Helmut Lang jersey jacket fit so simply and beautifully. I bought it in black, and I’m hunting for it in seal gray.

Passing over a custom, hand-made in America coat for raw-edged wool jersey pieced together in China? I guess that means the terrorists are winning, but the important thing is that I’m comfortable.

That’s real American spirit…

Wanting:

I saw this Smythson “NOW OR NEVER” wafer notebook in design store and fashion victim mecca Colette in while in Paris a few weeks ago.

While carrying a €100 notepad and an iPhone appeals to neither my cents nor sensibility, a notebook titled “NOW OR NEVER” feels romantic, like the unrealized dreams it could contain: the thoughts of an Albanian heroine of the novel that’s floated through my head for four years, bicycling by bamboo waterwheels while touring Guangxi Zhuangzu, and the beauty of the thousands of things thousands of dollars might do to my face while playing with needles in 90210.

Like, le sigh…

Watching:

There’s something timeless about the simplicity of this song, of this video, of the fact that Brandon Boyd still sings better with his shirt off…

Wearing:

I’ve worn black Francois Pinton “Jacky 2″ sunnies everyday for over four years. While in Paris, I decided it was time for change: after popping into a Francois Pinton boutique and trying on tons of sunnies, I snagged tortoiseshell Francois Pinton “Jacky 2″ sunglasses. The rust-colored lenses dust every scene into dusk, including a dawn bike ride alongside the Seine, and — the Chunnel and a day later — a noon walk through Hyde Park.

As much as I prefer blue-tinted sunglasses, there’s something about life looking like a perpetual sunset. I keep hearing the song, “Enjoy yourself, it’s later than you think…”

Wanting:

How choice is the Le Meurice seats your bag in? It’s a slight upgrade for my beat, vintage Hermes Herbag, which is usually slouching on the floor, playing pillow to an 80-lb. German Shepherd named Major Dukes…

Wearing:

Making my makeup last through a flight to Europe is not a problem (staying unconscious is). But I impressed myself with my new makeup record: I fell asleep at Le Meurice while watching The Sopranos — a sexy night in Paris, oui — , woke up a few hours later, reapplied Shiseido Sun Protection Liquid Foundation, and worked my smoky eye for until bedtime.

Here’s how you get an 18-hour smoky eye with Make Up For Ever Aqua Cream Eye Shadow…

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Wanting:

Instead of buying kitschy crap created to push press releases piggy-backing off Breast Cancer Awareness month, why don’t I buy this pink Vanessa Bruno wool and cashmere-blend mod coat, donate 20% of its price tag to Cancer Care, and ask everyone to stay away from these?

You’re welcome…

Hating:

A hooded mini romper in sheer chiffon is certainly one way to raise awareness about breast cancer.

20% of sales of Fair Verona’s Bellini romper are donated to the “Save the Ta-Tas” breast cancer awareness foundation, as is 100% of any pretense towards elegance…