I live in Chocolate City, Work for NPR, Love my roommate and two Kittehs. Day to day I find more and more beauty lurking in the oddest spots. Rouge My Knees is an accumulation of notes on what I find whets my curiosity for all things toxic and pretty.
I love sharing my view of the world through the photos and links posted here. 
I’ve recently discovered the most amazing products… geared towards men…which makes me want them all even more.
The Portland General Store (sold already?) makes the yummiest smelling toiletries ever. In the past when I’ve tried non-perfumy products I’m left with something to be desired. This time, JACKPOT! All nicely priced too.
Only catch is that they sell out quickly. You can find them on Etsy or at Hickoree’s Hard Goods.
My cute package (arrived wrapped in brown general store paper and twine, of course) included the following:
“Turkish Fig” Bar Soap with Rhassoul Clay
This is a hand-poured, rough-cut bar of soap. It has a subtly sweet but masculine scent.
The key functional ingredient, Rhassoul clay, is rich in magnesium, silica, potassium and calcium and claims many beneficial properties. It originates from the Atlas mountains of Morocco, and has been used by local people for over 12 centuries. Rhassoul clay helps to reduce dryness and flakiness, and improves skin clarity and elasticity.
“Tweed” Shea Butter Solid Lotion Stick
Lisa from Portland General Store says: “if a young Marlon Brando were to wear a Portland General Store scent, it would be TWEED. Elegance, strength, and charisma describe the fragrance of this lotion bar.”
“Wood” Old-Fashioned Body Creme
This is a very thick body/hand creme, especially well-suited for soothing overworked hands. Essential oils of cedar, hiba, patchouli, vetiver and vanilla give a distinctly masculine scent, but this creme can be worn by both men and women.
I love all the products so much that I just placed another order for the Eau de toilette Sampler and the Tabacco bath scrub.
It’s been a little since I can really remember coveting an entire collection from just one designer. I think of tom ford or chanel…of course at times it’s been marc jacobs…stella mccartney, chloe.
currently I’d sell off my first-born for everything from the miu miu spring/summer 2010 collection. well, not really, but I’d come pretty close before my conscience would sink in.
if you’d described to me that there were aspects of figure skating elements and cat prints involved, I would’ve thunk you crazy…but that’s just exactly what it is…and I HEART IT ALL.
all images from miu miu.
Alison Lewis always has the best videos each collection. The last one consisted of running around in pretty under garments, pretty dresses, vintage luggage & chugging champagne out of the bottle.
the latest is set at the fair, summer at its peak, cute light dresses and lots of color…oh and vampire teeth! hooray!
check out the video here. click on video.
you know sometimes you think, I’m so tired of winter and the hum drum of life in February DC…and then all of the sudden things align…and you find yourself at happy hour…then a walk home with Chimay and a new beer, Three Philosophers…and then magically the Mast Brothers Chocolate you ordered just less than 24 hours before…
Then you do some drafting…and the universe is aligned because you know how that awesome studded leather sofa and fireplace fit…so OK…let’s get crazy and do some shopping…I don’t normally go to malls anymore and Bonadrag is one of my fave sites that I can afford and admire…
and then on top, some NIN. Pretty Hate Machine. Closer. F<3ck Y<3a. I hadn’t pulled out the Nine Inch Nails catalog in much much too long.
Tonight…my best purchase: burgundy lace pants!!!
I’m adding these Lladró Unicorn Bottle Stoppers to my fantasy wish list.
Unicorns in my fantasy bar! Most of the Functional Beauty items are part of my list…I should just call my list Functional Beauty.
I really love Valentines Day. I admit, some of it is cheesy and all fluff…but my love for all things pink + red + hearts + pretty flimsy doilies + flowers makes the lame hallmarky-ness not matter.
If I was buying myself a Vday present this year (yet to be determined) I would for sure place an order for these scalloped red velvet shorts.
I have been dying to own a piece from Alexandra Grecco’s beautiful line. These shorts might be just the thing…a little over the top and yet something I feel would someday pass on.
I would love to wear them with my Les Bijoux De Sophie white rabbit necklace.
I’m thinking that a gathering of all my nail polish and going to work on my toes and paws is in order. After seeing this photo (Ringo Have a Banana! ) I’m excited to try my hand at doing my own nails with Pastel Flair.
It would be a great help in getting use out of the several bottles of polish just sitting in my medicine cabinet.
I actually may need to run out and find myself great lavender and turquoise lacquer.
These nails would be ideal with my MLP dream hair.
Another option, ( if I realize I’m not very good as swirling colors!) would be the following:
I’m into red stockings lately…not sure yet if it’s something I can pull off…
for now but I’m happy to look at them and dream up the possibility…
images from violetvoice.tumblr.com, i heart, lyellnyc.com & llileboutique.com.
I’m falling hard for Alexa Chung’s monochromatic red at the CFDA/Vogue dinner.
Her Lips are an exact match to her frock. So pretty and inviting. And the photo makes the pinks in my header really POP! I need to try this monochromatic look.
image from hanneli
