Gimme more of dis preeze.

Alexander McQueen Mens Spring 2012

Tribute to Alexander McQueen By Nick Knight

Let the countdown begin….t-minus: ONE MONTH.

(image via Parade)

So it’s been awhile since I’ve updated SparkleNation, my loves. And I truly want to apologize from the bottom of my heart. I’m going to do my best to keep up with it as well as I have in the past. But for now, be happy that SOMETHING is moving and shaking around here, and it’s because of my perfect man, Tom Ford, and his perfectness (what else?). 

Naturally, he’s the cover star of AnOther Magazine’s Spring/Summer ‘11 issue. God, he’s so magical….just look:

(image from 7th Man Digital)

Anyway, where was I? Oh yeah, AnOther Magazine….ok, so in this issue Tom gives “five easy lessons in how to be a modern gentleman”. Read, and go forth, young jedis:

1. You should put on the best version of yourself when you go out in the world because that is a show of respect to the other people around you.

2. A gentleman today has to work. People who do not work are so boring and are usually bored. You have to be passionate, you have to be engaged and you have to be contributing to the world.

3. Manners are very important and actually knowing when things are appropriate. I always open doors for women, I carry their coat, I make sure that they’re walking on the inside of the street. Stand up when people arrive at and leave the dinner table.

4. Don’t be pretentious or racist or sexist or judge people by their background. 

5. A man should never wear shorts in the city. Flip-flops and shorts in the city are never appropriate. Shorts should only be worn on the tennis court or on the beach.

I mean, you can’t hate on any of that. And if you do, you obviously have a thing or two to learn from this amazingly beautiful and unattainable man. Let’s look at him one more time, shall we?

(image from Details)

My first post in a couple months has to do with Fashion Week….well sort of. I want anything and everything having to do with The Lakes & Stars right now. Here’s a couple of pics from their Fall 2011 lookbook.

(photos via Style.com)

Pretty Pretty Princess

I’m on a Kelly overload today….keep it coming.

(Source: morganisthenewblack)

It’s Christmas time, so you’ve got to expect that I would throw this out there. I’m doing Christmas shopping and I’m sure you are, too. I came across a great gift, and I thought I would share it with you.

So the other day I needed a hat and I needed it quick (dirty hair looked a lot dirtier than I thought). I walked upstairs to BP, picked up a super cute beanie and ran to go clock in for work. Later, my mom pointed out to me that not only was my hat awesome, but it also was handmade. Bonus because I love me a one-of-a-kind item. Another bonus: the Ugandan woman who made my hat was experiencing what it meant to have a real free-trade job.

Krochet Kids International seems like an amazing organization. From what I’ve read, it has given women in Africa an opportunity to make their own money on their own terms, and it gives them the hope to dream bigger for themselves. After one beanie purchase, I’m already in love. After I went home, I went onto their website and found that I could look up the woman who made my hat (she signed it on the inside) and personally thank her.

If you’re searching for Christmas presents this year, I really urge you to buy something from KKi. Not only do they have hats, but they also have t-shirts and scarves. Here are some of my favorite items:

The Betty (of course, this is the one I purchased):

The Helm:

The Love Tee:

i want these earrings and hat please.

(via theimpossiblecool)