Halloween 2009

Halloween really is my favorite time of year!  I usually give several parties and sacrifice a few animals!  Check out the pics from this year's 1st festivity.

 

Still Grieving The Death of Gourmet Magazine!

I must admit I have hardly left my apartment this week. All I can do is mourn the loss of Gourmet Magazine. To think I still have 6 more stages of loss to work through.

Nevertheless, I have been cooking up a storm- comforting myself with roast chicken, mushrooms cooked with butter, red wine, and red velvet cupcakes (see all above).

Just saw in The NY Times today that after Ruth announced the closing to her staff they all headed to the test kitchen- grabbed booze- headed to her apartment - and had on old fashioned drunken/crying wake.

Photos by Patrick Hughes

REST IN PEACE GOURMET MAGAZINE!

I just can't believe my favorite magazine, Gourmet, is closing. What will happen to the Stern's, Ruth, Larry Carol?

I SO LOVE RUTH!!!!!!!

BUSINESS

Media Decoder: Condé Nast to Close Gourmet, Cookie and Modern Bride

By By Stephanie Clifford

Published: October 5, 2009

Gourmet, a major food magazine, is scheduled to close. Conde Nast also will close Cookie, Modern Bride, and Elegant Bride

Returned From Paris Saturday

MARY WILSON- THE SUPREME SUPREME!

Got back to NYC Saturday night just in time to catch Mary Wilson at Feinstein's. Unusual show - a little more lounge act than cabaret...but who cares? Went with my friend Pat Hughes (staff photographer for The Confirmed Bachelor's Life). He got some great pics but most were lost after an unfortunate mishap involving a revolver, a male Russian ballet dancer, a lit cigarette, and a Manhattan with two cherries.

At least this one pic survived. I love her hair! She is flawless at 65!

Paris SlideShow

PARIS HAT MYSTERY SOLVED!

Later on Carine Roitfeld showed up at the Balmain show without the hat but with the ZANY Suzy Meknes (both shown here - Suzy presumably surfing the web for cheap travel deals- which she continued to do during the actual show).

It seems that Carine had just had her forehead BOTOXED before Balenciaga - thus the reason she was wearing the ridiculous hat. As you can see her here face is completely paralyzed for the sake of beauty.

I told her she looked great and thanked her for burning me earlier in the day with her cigarette. She replied in a 'smokey voice'- "I don't smoke."

SILLY HAT DAY AT BALENCIAGA!

I love the sexy and talented Carine Roiteld but sometimes she just seems so confused! As you can see she decided to wear a ridiculous hat to the Balenciaga show yesterday. I told her it looked great - but as usual she tried to burn me with her cigarette. Her daughter told me that was just her way of showing affection, "She only burns people she really loves."

TACO FLAVORED COFFEE!!!!! YOU GOTTA GET IT!

A great photo of my dear friend Keith Williams after trying Taco flavored coffee for the first time.

Now he has it every morning!

I am consulting with a coffee maker to develop other exotic flavors that will appeal to the general public.

So far- Cheddar Cheese, Grape Soda, Everything Bagel, Scotch tape, Glue, Cajun Crawfish, Salt and Vinegar, Sour Patch Kids, Oatmeal.

Paris for the Spring Shows

First day in Paris. Haven't made it to one show yet. Have to focus- must remember why I am here.

Stumbled into Ladurée, after lunch, on the Rue Royale where they are showcasing a Carven collection of unique, to say the least, chlorophyll and anise-flavored macarons, a nod to the house’s signature green-and-white.

I've eaten a dozen! My tongue is now alien green.

Are these the new M&Ms?

Coop Meeting at 409 Edgecombe Avenue

I have to admit since instituting a drinks party before the monthly coop meetings at 409 Edgecombe we are really getting a lot done (and having a BLAST!). As you can see we have finally been able to redecorated the lobby. We have also kicked out the trouble makers, put in a bicycle rack, and gotten rid of some strange odors coming from a few of the vacant apartments. Now if I could just get the ghost of Walter White to leave my floor we would be all set.

I LOVE HAMISH BOWLES' STACHE!!!

My favorite NYC dandy, Hamish Bowles, is sporting a new stache and I think it looks fantastic! It's his best accessory yet. I am hoping he goes for a beard next! I am your biggest fan Hamish!

More From Milan

I did make it to the amfAR event in Milan before heading back to NYC. Lois snapped a few pics of this woman who we see all over. I think she is some sort of performance artist or clown. I have never seen her perform but I have heard she is really good at mime and tap dancing.

I have tried to speak to her on several occasions but can't make sense of anything she says. I think she only speaks Italian. Last night she tried to hit me with that green cane when I suggested she let me try on her hat.

I suspect she has some sort of drinking problem. She had a strong smell of beer and urine about her person.

Milan Shows

I went to Milan for the weekend and intended to attend the Dolce and Gabbana show but was so tired after the flight over I slept through it.

I think D&G forgave me. I am just not as young as I once was. I don't think I can do these weekend trips to Europe anymore.

At least my friend, neighbor, and travel companion Lois took this great pic of me with my new rolling suitcase! I know I am fat as a house and need to buy some looser fitting clothes, but I am still hoping the diet starts working soon!

Some Book Launch Party

A few nights ago after too many cocktails with some of my octogenarian friends at Gino's I was fumbling around in my bag for my wallet and found an invite to this party. I dashed over with my dear friend Sylvester Samsonite (87 year old heir to the Samsonite luggage fortune). Although rich as can be he loves to hit parties for free drinks and food

We were greeted at the door by Mary McFadden who had forgotten to wear lipstick and seemed extremely disoriented. I was shocked that she had a raccoon in her purse. I told her I couldn't talk to her unless she did something with her lips and

headed for the food bar.

Unfortunately- there wasn't even a cube of cheese left. Jeffrey Costello and Robert Tagliapietra had consumed everything (see bellies below). Christopher Makos thought it was very funny for some reason and that character on the right took my glasses off and put them on.

I spent most of the evening trying to get them back from him. He finally handed them to me when I told him he could buy a better fitting pair for himself at Sol Moscot.

The very courageous Niki Hilton was there as well. As you know she suffers from a severe case of ingrown toenails and has had an extremely tough time since her last surgery. She was wearing an unsightly medical boot and requested I not photograph it.

I told her she should think about a perm. Her hair seemed so limp! I think she was with her psychic but I am not sure.

DIOR - THE BOOM BOOM ROOM

I had such a good time at the Dior 10th

anniversary for J'Adore.

The Boom Boom room at the Standard Hotel is my new favorite event venue. And Max the bartender really knows how to mix a stiff Gin and Tonic.

As usual Helen Lee was wearing no stockings and too much perfume- but I ask 'Who cares?' In full disclosure -the perfume triggered a Cindy McCain level migraine but before I became incapacitated I suggested she donate her hair to a wig charity and she agreed! She is so giving! Helen you are the BEST! She may get a pixie cut!

But why Helen were you wearing 'CHARLIE' at a Dior event?

If Waris shows up you know you will have a good time! He was asking people to pull his finger but I knew better. Haha! I have been the victim of his favorite trick before. Let's just say Waris is a master of the 'silent but deadly' and leave it at that! Thank GOD J'Adore was being spritzed everywhere- constantly!

Quando Quando

Along with Royce I am very interested in Latin Culture- this fall I am taking Salsa and Spanish Classes.

Going Green!

The Confirmed Bachelor officially and strongly endorses the use of GREEN M&Ms as a homeopathic remedy for most ills!

Sources confirm Bob Dole has just signed a contract with MARS to be the official spokes person of Green M&Ms after a dispute with the makers of Viagra.

Throw out those little blue pills and grab a handful of your favorite chocolate! GO GREEN!

Baggage

I came across the above photo of me and my friend S. Malone traveling in China in the mid '80's. We were on a pilgrimage to the home of our favorite Southern Baptist missionary- Lottie Moon and also in search of the BEST General Tao's Chicken recipe. Unfortunately, Lottie's farm and home had been turned into a cheese factory run by wayward women and orphans. Surprisingly - there were no Baptist converts to be found and we found the Chinese food in China to be horrible!!

As you can see in the photo we carried so many suitcases. Today - I travel with much less baggage literally and figuratively. One Filson bag usually holds all I need. However, always having to employ a porter was much more glamorous.

Weekend in Iceland

Just for the hell of it me and my friend Pat Hughes went to Iceland last weekend to improve our riding skills. Since I have sworn off tanning I am all about weekend trips to the far north.

Pat of course only rides side saddle and getting the saddle through airport security caused all sorts of issues.

Most of our fellow riders were Danish and had never seen a side saddle. It was a great way to break the ice in Iceland.

My horse unfortunately had a sore foot.

Black Hair

SKIN DEEP

Black Hair, Still Tangled in Politics

By CATHERINE SAINT LOUIS

Published: August 27, 2009

Getting “good hair” often means transforming one’s tightly coiled roots; but it is also more freighted, for many African-American women and some men, than simply a choice about grooming.

This is my friend Boris and he finds this whole issue a real tangle. He is sick of processing but feels it is a part of his identity. Photo by Pat Hughs

Candy Pratts Price Makes Ass of Herself

Style.com Executive Fashion Director, Candy Pratts Price (aka Candida Rosa Theresa Pratts Price) once again makes a complete ass of herself.

In the soon to be released, 'Vogue' movie/documentary 'The September Issue,' my favorite Puerto Rican and town drunk drawls and croaks some fabulous unintentional comic one liners like, "SepTEM-BUH is the JANuhhry in FASHahnn."

I made it my ring tone but it scared too many children in the lobby of my building. Have a listen at myxer.com

Is there an Oscar for 'Best Comic Buffoon' in a documentary? If so Pratts Price just might win for her absurd diction - sort of Brenda Vaccaro meets Diana Vreeland meets Vera Charles meets Patsy Stone. Por Favor!

I must admit I don't like CPP because she was pretty nasty to me in my youth!

Back in my CondeNast days she would bark orders at me while wearing sunglasses and once accused me of "misplacing" her veil. For the record I did not misplace her veil I gave it to the housekeeper.

If you ask me, had I not prevented her from wearing a wedding veil to the CondeNast cafeteria Anna Wintour would not be calling her the "Queen of the Internet" today.

As usual I got no thanks for saving a career in fashion.

Check out this CPP tribute.

Why Not Attend The 5th Annual Chihuahua Races?

While two of my favorite Chihuahuas- Edie and Beaula are vacationing in East Hampton I will be supporting their breed on Saturday by attending the 5th Annual Chihuahua Races in Riverside Park (83rd at Riverside, 1pm). Let me know who you think will win the title of Fastest Chihuahua in America.

My Dining Room

I am thinking about painting my living room Baby Seal Black!

I Am Very Fond of MONKEYS!

The Wind Beneath My Wings!

Why do I have to be the victim of other people's garbage and bad taste??????

I am with Royce on this one!!!

Inspiration

Recently saw Julie and Julia. Loved the Julia parts but found the Julie parts sickening. I love Amy Adams but the Julie character was so insipid I almost couldn't watch, and don't get me started about the person who played Julie's husband.

Every time he put food in his mouth it was like watching and hearing a wild animal eat gummy bears. I had to put my fingers in my ears and close my eyes every time the camera was on him. If I had been carrying a pistol in my Filson bag I would have taken it out and shot the screen.

I was once in a movie theatre in South Central L.A., back in 1990, where a fellow movie goer did shoot the screen- but I think he did it to celebrate what he thought was a great performance.

Anyway decided if an unlikable and sour soul like Julie could actually turn a blog into a successful book and movie about her life I should take a shot at it.

I am not going to cook my way through a cookbook- but I am going to chronicle my New York life as a 40 something man- which includes living in Harlem, entertaining, dining out, running around the city, meeting up with friends, visiting my shrink, working out, practicing yoga, and trying to figure it all out.

I think there is a need for a weekly web based lifestyle magazine that is not just regurgitation of print magazine content- not just video, not just slideshows, not just text but a combination of all. I want to fill this need. I'll start with a blog and then....