Major Must Have Rewind

Never Leave Home Without It

Of all of my addictions, this is by far the most longstanding. To leave the house with out your Rosebud's lip balm is considered social suicide in my family and circle of friends. Designed by a drug store owner in the late 1800's, the salve has been the beauty secret of millions ever since. Today, it's available in three different versions: Original for lazy days at home ... Mint flavored for the hectic work week ... and Strawberry when getting up close and personal is on the agenda.

Although its colored pink, it does rub on clear for all those worried about being confused for wearing lipstick. Rosebuds also exfoliates with every application so your lips and your kisses always stay soft to the touch. Find it for just $7 at any Sephora and most Urban Outfitters locations.

Allowable Overdose: Graffiti Galore Continues

Belvedere One-X by Andre Saraiva

So maybe Stephen Sprouse for Vuitton was a bit out of your budget in these tough economic times. Try Belvedere's newest premium vodka on for size. The all black bottle is sure to be a hit at your next party this spring. It's even tatted up with hot pink graffiti courtesy of Parisian artist Andre Saraiva. Check your local fine wine/spirits dealers in the coming months for One-X's release date.

When OLD Meets NEW

Each year men's closets have continued to increase in size and variety. This was your Dad's "thing", however, I am now calling the cardigan a must have staple in everyone's closet. This simple item can be worn year round either with jeans, slacks, even shorts. Whether wearing it to a formal event or something casual, it can add exactly the right amount of sophistication to your look. Visit asos.com for any of the items show above.

Nergo sit down...

A message from kwest on Vimeo.

Kanye West wants to be known as Martin ‘Louis’ The King Jr. following the launch of his new footwear range for Louis Vuitton during Paris Fashion Week last week.

In a in a video message uploaded on his blog last week, the “Love Lockdown” star arrogantly says: “Due to what has happened - what has happened so severely when the red shoes hit the runway, I was forced to change my name to Martin Louis the King Jr. Address me as such.”

Pack Light

2009 Dior Homme Bags

Allowable Overdose: Renaissance Man

While the world is buzzing about the release of Sasha Fierce, and rightfully so, there was an equally monumental underground release you may have missed out on a couple of weeks back.Q-Tip's The Renaissance crept quietly on to the scene November 4th and has stayed in heavy rotation on the Mood Music player ever since. The album successfully combines influences from so many different places, making the end result a fusion of hip hop & neo-soul that we haven't really seen before.
Song number one, Johnny Dead, sets an edgy laid back tone that continues all the way to the last track. And not that Q couldn't hold his own, but just to sweeten the deal he invited D'angelo, Rapheal Sadiq, and Nora Jones along for the ride as well.

The verdict? Buy Beyonce for your Friday & Saturday nights, but starting Sunday afternoon, cruise with Q-tip all the way throughout the work week.

Allowable Overdose: Pandora Radio

Honestly ... I couldn't make it through the work day without my good friend Pandora. For a manic music lover like me, its just what the doctor ordered. Here's how it works ...

All you do is go to http://www.pandora.com/ and type in the name of a favorite artist or song you'd like to hear. Pandora will play that song then create and entire station based on the vibe of the artist or song that you entered. You can vote up or down on everything it plays, until eventually the station knows exactly what you want to hear. You can even create multiple channels catered to your every mood.

The artists above got my stations off to a good start. Check Pandora out and let me know if she's as good to you as she's been to me ;-)

COMME de GARCONS for H & M

Release Date: November 13th 2008

Visit http://www.nitrolicious.com/blog/2008/09/30/full-look-comme-des-garcons-for-hm-collection/2/ for more information.

Allowable Overdose: Sex & The City The Movie

Cosmo drinkers and Manolo Blanik junkies everywhere, beware! The DVD of our favorite foursome is released today worldwide. There is also an extended cut of the movie with an additional 12 minutes added on, plus an additional DVD with lots of extras including a segment all about the fashion in the film.

Get your copy now at:

http://www.amazon.com/Sex-City-Sarah-Jessica-Parker/dp/B001DDBCUU

Allowable Overdose: Value Vintage

In case we haven’t been formally introduced … Hi, my name is Major and I have shopaholism (shop-a-hol-ism). It’s a nasty little disease for which there is no known cure. Suffers are prone to irrational spending and overindulgent fabulosity. It’s also highly contagious and if you’ve read one or more entries of this blog (surprise!) now you’ve got it too!

The only responsible way of treating shopaholism is by managing your habit carefully. My treatment of choice is bargain shopping. Sales, E-bay, networking … basically whatever it takes to feed my habit and still be able to make my mortgage payment at the end of the month.

The most invaluable treatment by far has to be vintage shopping! That’s just what I did this weekend in Atlanta. Thanks to my friends at Rag-O-Rama for a super cute slim fitting pinstripe navy vest and a gold pirate sword tie clip. But things really became overwhelming at The Clothing Warehouse where I found a million silk scarves, ties, and pocket squares that I had to have. Priced at $4.95 each I was able to get everything I wanted and not feel guilty in the morning. Barneys also has similar styles on sale for $34 marked down from $70. But why pay more? Whitney Houston over spent and didn't keep track of her receipts, and look how it came back to haunt her!

Check out these link and begin your treatment plan today:

http://www.theclothingwarehouse.com/

http://www.ragorama.com/

http://www.stefansvintage.com/

http://www.barneys.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-BNY-Site/default/Search-Show?cgid=POCKETSQ&start=0&sz=11

Allowable Overdose: 80sPurple.com

What began as a tip off for a four letter word alert by my good friend Bryson, has slowly evolved into an allowable overdose of sportswear website 80's Purple.com. The site has an endless amount of brands that most major stores or small boutiques will only offer one or two pieces from each collection. 80's puts it all in one place and makes it very easy to sort through by style, brand or sale items. Drown yourself in Kidrobot, Penguin, Triple Five Soul, Obey, and Converse by John Varvatos, just to name a few. They are currently clearing out Spring and Summer items to make room for Fall wears, so get your overdose at a discount asap.

http://www.80spurple.com/mens/

Allowable Overdose: Kris Van Assche

Kris Van Assche is one of the many reasons men are dressing so much better these days. The thirty-two year old Belgium born designer has an eye for elegance, yet maintains an edge that other sophisticated brands leave out altogether. After moving to Paris in 1998 and working with Hedi Slimane at YSL and Dior Homme, Van Assche debuted his own line in January 2005. When Hedi was hustled out of Dior, Kris stepped in as artistic director and has been covertly influencing modern menswear ever since. He still produces his independent line as well and I would seriously kill to have his all white high tops or anything for that matter from the Fall ’08 collection.

Kris Van Assche Fall '08

Kris Van Assche Fall '08

Dior Fall '08
Worth Dying For: Kris Van Assche High Tops

Dior on eLUXURY:
http://www.eluxury.com/estore/boutique/index.jsp?navChild=cat20002&catId=home&brand=1700002&program-id=3833&ad-id=1001

Allowable Overdose: Spring '09 Fashion Week

The Tents Are Coming!!! The Tents Are Coming!!!

While a lot of my favorite menswear brands have already shown this summer, nothing quite compares to the American take on things. Ralph Lauren, Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors, Y-3, John Bartlett, Lacoste, Phat Farm … need I go on?

But first things first …

In anticipation of the shows, we’ll start laying down the law for what should be hanging in your closet this Fall. Be watching for runway slideshows, trend reports, and designer profiles all this week.

Until then stay tuned, stay informed and let the countdown begin!