I know, CAVIAR? In your SHAMPOO? It sounds decadent as hell, but I assure you, it delivers. I have to add that this is the second zero-sulphate/salt-free shampoo with which I am in lust. I like to switch off between a zero-sulphate, luxurious shampoo/conditioner combo (right now am loving PureOlogy SuperStraight as well) and Nioxin shampoo combined with a Kerastase Mask to deep condition.

Back to Alterna. I adore the line’s brilliant jewel-tone colors. I mean, look at the bottle. It’s very “2001 Space Odyssey“. Fortified with Alterna’s singular enzyme therapy® complex-caviar, Alterna’s Age-Free line is specially formulated to reduce visible signs of aging in your hair. Their amazing caviar blend actually improves the structure of your hair, making it look younger, instantly. Try the Alterna Caviar Seasilk Anti-Aging Moisture Shampoo
for $21.99.

After spending Thursday-Friday in Westchester, I then journeyed to Philadelphia where I purchased THE bag I was looking for (I loathe the structure of that sentence, but it’s Casual Grammar Thursday). I had envisioned a big, but not huge, grey patent leather bag with gold hardware. I looked EVERYWHERE for it. I googled “grey patent leather purse” and didn’t like any of the results. I Bluefly’d, I Macy’s’d, I Nordstrom’d and Bloomingdales’d. Nada. I didn’t know exactly what shape I needed, just knew that it had to be big enough to transport shoes and an enorm water bottle to work. Side note: when you live in Manhattan, your purse IS your car. You take the same care choosing your “everyday” purse as you would a sedan. Many factors come into play. Do you have a child? WAY bigger purse. Maybe even two purses (much like soccer moms drive SUVs and minivans). How long is your commute? Etc., etc., etc.
So, in keeping with Greek philospher Socrates’ saying that physical objects are “shadows” of their ideal or perfect forms, and exist only to the extent that they represent the perfect versions of themselves, I FOUND the ideal bag. Ironically, I purchased it at TJ Maxx for $175 and am in LOVE with it.

Here it is (courtesy of the Abro website):

Doesn’t she look like she’s having THE BEST TIME with my purse? I can say with full conviction: she is. I am. I adore my bag because it is IDEAL. I’m totally adding “things that are grey” and “Italian leather” to my list of things I love. Those two additions fall after “limited edition items” and “September VOGUE“. The best part is that it’s not even fully grey, it’s sort of a grey-beige or “greige”, if you will. I’m also lusting after their boots, but unfortunately, they don’t sell them in the U.S. I need to plan a trip to Germany to stock up on all things Abro immed if not sooner. They make so many luscious grey things.

In other news, since purchasing that bag, along with a delightful pair of black Italian patent leather pumps and an Italian wool scarf (I was clearly having a Sophia Loren moment), I am living on cans of soup until October. Sigh.