Would you like to know how my relationship with Tom Ford started?  You might think the first thing that binds us is that we are both Parsons alums...but you would be wrong because we go back much further than that!  

It started many moons ago.  Circa 1998.  By the way, that was a long time ago.  I was off to college, to discover new things about myself, embark on adventure and hopefully find time to study.  And a funny thing happened.  I found out that I liked more of what I already liked…but this time…it included Mr. Tom Ford. 

My college job was at the BCBG flagship store in San Francisco’s Union Square and directly across the square was the Gucci store.  And this was the heyday of Tom for Gucci.  I can recall feeling like Carrie Bradshaw in the SATC episode when she walks up to the window at the Manolo Blahnik store and says “hello lover” to the heels on the other side.  

This was me at the Gucci windows.  A la Tom Ford.  Circa 1998-2002.

I mean when he left Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent simultaneously in 2004 I thought, “oh no, what is he going to do now?!”  But what I really meant was, “oh no, what am I going to do now?!”  Seriously.  I am not kidding.

Well, obviously he has moved on…James Bond suits, red carpet gowns, the…best…sunglasses…ever and cosmetics of course!

So the first of his cosmetics that I acquired was the Violet Fatale lipstick (laying on its side in photo above).  Obviously the name forces the purchase.  Who doesn’t want to feel all femme fatale in Violet Fatale?  But really, the color screamed Yves Saint Laurent fall 2004 collection.  It took me back and I needed this connection to the "old days"...

And good Lord!  If the lipstick isn't the gift that keeps on giving.  It never comes off.  I thought I would hate this, but it is really like God's gift.  Because it goes on dark like the blouse in the first runway look above and then after a few hours it may look like the shade of the skirt and then when it's still on the next morning, its more the shade of the jacket in the middle runway look.  But it doesn't leave your lips looking like they have on the kind of lipstick that just won't come off, it just sort of always looks like you are touching up with a different shade.  

Usually with this type of product my lips will dry and chap and I get very frustrated.  But this stuff is made with some sort of holy moisturizer, cause my lips stay just fine and dandy and colorful and fun for like 24 hours!  Great investment if you ask me!

Second lipstick acquired was the lipstick named Flamingo (lipstick standing in photo above).  I am such a sucker for a name.  It was August, I was dreaming of Miami in May, feeling all Flamingoy when I saw this one.  It's just a good clean bright pink for any ordinary day of the week!

And then there came the nail lacquer gifted to me..."Mink Brule".  Perfect.

First thought, "hello Gucci 2004 Spring Collection."  Blush tones, white, classic cuts..."hello lover".  I wanted all of these looks.  And wouldn't you know it...I still do.  Look at them!  Just look at them!

So anyway, my affair with Tom continues through its phases, in many different colors.  Not like my high school Chanel cosmetic investments where I matched my Vamp nails to my Vamp lips.  Not yet anyway.  Maybe my toes will want to be Violet Fatale too one day.  But until then...a photo of Mr. Ford.  For good measure of course.  And because he's so handsome.