Back in Black... and White

Preface: This post isn't supposed to be anything amazing. Oh, and I'm aware that this is a color picture.

Act I: While I've been up in NYC, I've had time to think about things that I like and things that I don't. One of the items as of late that is been on the forefront of my mind is advertising. The more I think about it, the more I appreciate a good advertisement. Truly good advertising is more that just propaganda. It moves into the realm of art. The photography is amazing in some of the magazines that I flip through. One company that has a very well done advertising campaign is Ralph Lauren. It is why the brand, started by a former Brooks Brothers employee, has become a true Global Lifestyle Brand or GLB. As I probably have said in times before, fashion is no necessary. So, in order to get continual sales, you must play to the human emotional center. Lucky for us, this borders on the dream center. In fact Mrs. Dream often comes over to Mrs. Emotional's house to borrow a cup of sugar and chat about the brooding weather over in depression county.

What Kind of Beer does a Dwarf Drink?

Stouts of course! As of late I have subtly shifted my taste in beer from the brown nutty ales and light pilsners to the dark side of the spectrum. Now I find that my palate craves the earthy, complex tones of the darker beers. As is usually the case, I strive to find the best wherever I am, so NYC is no exception to the rule. Through my tastings, I have found two stouts that stand out thus far.

First on the plate we have the pricey, yet worth-it beer from Tadcaster, England: Samuel Smith. The Samuel Smith brewing company has been around since 1758 and is still going strong today... as it very well should be. The beer that has peaked my interest from this age-old establishment is their Oatmeal Stout. Their oatmeal stout is so silky smooth you'd swear you were drinking liquid silk. The espresso taste is perfectly balanced with a bittersweet finish that can't help but bring a smile to your face. The only thing that is a downside to this wonderful beer is the nasty dent that it can put in your wallet... but then again, life's too short to drink cheap beer.

Second up on the list we have one hailing from nearby at the Brooklyn Brewery. Unlike my usual beer choices, this is a local beer... but it certainly has earned respect in my book. What, may you ask, do they have to offer? Thus far, I have been thoroughly impressed by their Black Chocolate Stout. This beer is from the Imperial Stout family and boasts an astonishingly high 10.1% ABV. The taste is much more complex than that of the Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout. As you drink it you can almost taste hints of chocolate in a darkened wheat. The Imperial stout used to be brewed exclusively for Catherine the Great, but has since been passed on to the likes of myself. I highly recommend this style...especially for an after dinner finish. Final Verdict: get out and try these two fabulous stouts... if you can handle them.

The Little Black Dress

Women, here is a post just for you. As I am sure you all know, one of the things than never goes out of style for women is the "little black dress". The one thing that does change, however, is the fabrics and frills. This fall, BCBG has an amazing collection of this timeless dress. In my own personal opinion, BCBG is for the dress world like Godiva is for chocolate. They are very classy, with a wide selection, a higher price point (but not overpriced), and go well with every occasion. When wearing this universal dress it is very important to remember NOT to overdo it. One should not have too many accessories and the shoes shouldn't out-shine the dress. They should be understated sexy. The idea of this dress is to be simply plain. The attraction, from the men, is the idea of no-hassle sexy. Men love the idea of a woman who doesn't take forever to get ready. Subconsciously, the man sees the simplicity of the dress but feels the allure that it creates. With the typical A-line silhouette, this dress tends to be flattering on most women. Final verdict: for a change of pace, try this on for size. You'll be surprised how many heads you turn.

The Men's Cardigan

For years and years the cardigan has been looked at as one of two things: women's apparel or "old man". In the last year or so, it has begun to creep back into the limelight. If you currently own a full-zip sweater then you are almost ready to take the step to the cardigan. There are several companies this year that have them, but I'd like to focus on just one: J.Crew. With their heavily English-influenced style and Anglo-Saxon-looking models, they have entwined their look this fall with the V-neck button cardigan. With the addition of this, anyone can achieve two of the popular looks this fall/winter. Which two you ask? That would have to be layering, and the cardigan but of course. Final verdict: when you want to create a look that says "I like my European heritage but I want to be comfortable/trendy" then pick this item up.

The Long Coat

Now that Heavenly Hosting is up and running I can come back to commenting on fashion and the like. First order of business: the long coat. As far as styles go, the long coat (for men) has been a staple for the upper class. Since before the days of our founding fathers, the longer coat has been making appearances around the globe. This year is no exception to the rule. What you may notice is that the length of the coat has shortened from the calf length to the mid thigh. Now, the 3/4 length coats or "car coat" has made it back into the fashion limelight. I make the strong suggestion that every male should have at least one type of "overcoat" for the winter months. This allows you to dress up the wardrobe and maintain an appearance of elegance while having a suit on underneath. Nothing says fashion faux pas like a ski jacket with a suit.

For women, the length is a little bit more flexible. A slightly longer coat, like the one pictured, can do wonders for stretching out the body and drawing the eyes upwards. Plus, with the flare at the bottom and the collar at the top, it creates the appearance of an hourglass without being overstated... a most desired look.