JUL
2010
30

Carb & Carb

Manolo says, foodblogger Katie R. presents us with the carbtastic wonder that is the international potato sandwich.

Manolo the Columnist: Now from Franco Sarto

Manolo says, here is the Manolo’s latest column for the Express of the Washington Post.

Dear Manolo,

I love all the fabulous shoes you recommend, but as you know, things are tough out there, and I’m just a poor working girl. Could you suggest some office shoes that would look great for the fall, but not cost me an arm and a leg?

Layne

Manolo says, although it is true that one should always buy the super fantastic shoes of the best and highest quality, in the current recession of economic disastrousness, the monies for such beautiful shoes may not always be available.

And because one cannot go into the office with the bare feets, lest the managing director see your toes and become distracted, one must sometimes settle for shoes of lesser fantasticness.

As always, the Manolo understands and sympathizes with such plights, for he knows what it is like to be poor, so poor that you must fashion your own super fantastic shoes out of the empty cat food cans and the condemnation notices the marshals have been tacking to the front door the “abandoned” building in which you have been living for the past month.

Here is Now from the Franco Sarto, the very reasonably priced work shoe with the pleasing details. It is available in the variety of colors and finishes, although the Manolo favors the black suede for this fall.

Now from Franco Sarto

Whose Shoes Wednesday…The Answer!

Manolo asked, whose shoes?

Manolo answers, it is the Jennifer Garner!

Congratulations to the Manolo’s internet friend Rach, who for the second week in the row, was the first person to correctly identify the weekly personage of note.

The Fat Wallet

Manolo says, like the Queen of England, the Manolo carries no identification. (He is the Manolo! What more is required?) And because of this, his garments do not have the unsightly male wallet bulge.

Whose Shoes Wednesday

Manolo asks, whose shoes?

What the Manolo is Reading…

Manolo says, it is Tuesday, time to see what the Manolo is….

Reading…

Watching…

Listening to…

This article in the Slate magazine, by Ron Rosenbaum, it sent the Manolo back to the Nabokov to reread the poetry of Pale Fire. And now, the Manolo cannot but agree that the” John Shade” poem “Pale Fire” is the superior work of poetry, something that should be regarded as one of the greater works of post-war versifying.

But, even before this reevaluation, the Manolo had always considered the opening stanza of “Pale Fire” to be among his favorites.

I was the shadow of the waxwing slain
By the false azure in the windowpane;
I was the smudge of ashen fluff — and I
Lived on, flew on, in the reflected sky.
And from the inside, too, I’d duplicate
Myself, my lamp, an apple on a plate:
Uncurtaining the night, I’d let dark glass
Hang all the furniture above the grass,
And how delightful when a fall of snow
Covered my glimpse of lawn and reached up so
As to make chair and bed exactly stand
Upon that snow, out in that crystal land!

And, likewise, It is that shockingly ridiculous juxtaposition between the beauty of John Shade’s poetry and the prosaic lunacy of Charles Kinbote’s commentary that never fails to make the Manolo laugh.

Without doubt, this book is the work of genius.

JUL
2010
26

Cameron Diaz: Mission Improbable

Cameron Diaz looking foolish in Vionnet Resort 2011

Manolo says, your mission, Ms. Vionnet, should you decide to accept it, is to embarrass the middle aged starlet using only the dinner napkin and the plastic bin liner.

Pique Prive Patent Pumps from Christian Louboutin for the Monday

Manolo says, it is Monday and you are back at your desk doing that thing that you do for that money that you need.

Normally, this would be the cause of mild discomfort and soul-weariness, as who would not prefer to be away from grindstone?

However, given how roastingly hot it is out of the doors, you do not mind being in the air conditioning during these most Doggish Days of Summer. And, even the better, your boss, along with two or three of the office troublemakers, are away on their vacations, allowing all of the remaining worker mice to play, or at the least to somewhat chillax.

And so, you will spend much of the morning locked in conversation with your cubemate/frenemy Dina, whom you like/dislike in that way peculiarly reserved for the co-workers.

“Did you see what Snooki was wearing yesterday,” begins Dina’s conversational gambit. (She is obsessed with the reality shows.)

“I don’t watch that,” you lie, trying to maintain your image of aloof intellectualism.

“Oh, don’t fib. I saw you friending the Situation last week.”

“It was not the Situation,” you fib, “it was Jonathan Safran Foer.”

“Honey, Jonathan Safran Foer’s pectoral muscles do not look like that.”

And so it goes, exhaustingly inconsequential tittle-tattle conversations about minor celebrities and their doings. It is almost enough to make you wish for the untimely return of your boss-lady…almost.

Look! Beautiful shoes from Christian Louboutin.

Pique Prive Patent Leather Pumps from Christian Louboutin

The Pique Prive Patent Leather Pumps from Christian Louboutin are more than enough to remind you that, in general, life can be pretty good.

JUL
2010
23

Southern Treats

Manolo says, Krispie Kreams and…Cherrwine?

Manolo the Columnist: Court by Stuart Weitzman

Manolo says, here is the Manolo’s latest column for the Express of the Washington Post.

Dear Manolo,

I have a question about shoe etiquette. I recently attended a funeral for a work acquaintance, and was shocked to see that many of the younger women present were wearing sandals. I’ve always assumed that this was inappropriate. Your thoughts?

Helen

Manolo says, frankly, the ways of the modern world continue to disappoint and frighten the Manolo, and nothing moreso than the casual manner in which we now treat all of the most important events in our lives.

All except for the weddings, that is, which are now routinely celebrated with bumptiously grandiose ceremonies worthy of the Mughal emperors. Unfortunately, everything else, from the weekly worship services, to the christenings, to the funerals, is attended by gangs of people dressed as if they were heading out for the day at the theme park, in khaki shorts, novelty t-shirts, sandals and fanny packs.

And although it is now no longer strictly necessary to wear the black clothing to the funerals, one should still always dress in the respectful manner, in modest clothing and muted colors, and with the closed-toe shoes on the feets. Leave the cleavage, both bosom and toe, for your next trip the disco. It is important to remember that you are not the focus of this event.

Here is the Court from Stuart Weitzman, the simple, respectful shoe, suitable for this solemn occasion.

Court by Stuart Weitzman

JUL
2010
22

Brian Atwood Leopard Ankle Boots For the Thursday

Brian Atwood Leopard-Print Ankle Boots

Manolo says, frankly, the Manolo is suffering from the summer doldrums, and has need to spice it up the bit with something fun, something like these calf-hair, leopard print, ankle boots from the Brian Atwood.

Is it perhaps too literal that the Manolo thinks of pairing these with something light khaki and safari-inspired? Hatari!

Whose Shoes Wednesday…The Answer!

Manolo asked, whose shoes?

Manolo answers, it is the Mira Sorvino!

Congratulations to the Manolo’s internet friend, Rach, who was the first person to correctly identify this week’s personage of note.