The Jean Shop

Well I have a favorite belt, yes I’m blogging about a belt. I’ve had this belt since college and trust me that was many many years ago. Anyway, The belt is worn in just right. It's a dark brown heavy leather belt which has been worn to a point where the belt now looks light brown and weathered. It's just beautiful and perfect. The problem is, it's torn in the back and now my lovely belt needs a replacement.

I was at the Apple store on 14th street and walked the block for a cab and passed by the Jean Shop. This place is amazing. Jeans and jackets hang on the wall in all shades of leather and denim, belts and shoes in display everywhere. They offer any style, color, wash - whatever you like in jeans.

Side Note: I have a guitar from the Cipriani Concert Series that has been signed by 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, Aretha Franklin, George Michael, Annie Lennox, Rihanna, Akon and the Pussycat Dolls. It was given to me for my help in soliciting Gibson as a sponsor.

I have the guitar in its case and really can’t appreciate it. So what do I see as I’m browsing is a leather strap that's holding a guitar by its tuning dials over a hook that's cool as hell. I ask how much it is and the sales person tells me to ask Eric. I have no clue who Eric is so I ask this guy who comes walking over.

“Eric,” - I say the sales guys name like I’ve known him for years. "No. Not Eric,” he says. Then a large framed curly haired guy (actually, I went back today - it's straight black but looks curly) with a a disarming smile wearing an orange shirt comes through the room. I try it again, "Eric!!!” This time I’m good.

Eric is the owner of this little denim oasis. He is about as gentle and easy going as a person can be. Soft spoken and just easy like a beer buddy. He’s not even trying to sell me anything. The place is full of everything I ever wanted as jeans. I asked him about the strap and he says, “Yeah, we don’t sell them.” I ask if I can buy the one on display and he just gives it to me. He takes a measure to make another one and brings me the strap.

What I haven’t said is that we were chatting like friends from school and all along he was looking for a belt that he could distress to look like the belt I was wearing. He pulls out a gorgeous belt and tells me to pick it up tomorrow.

This place isn’t for those who don’t have financial flexibility. The belt set me back $160.00 but it's being made as a one of a kind just for me. Just the way I want it.

Jean Shop is located on 435 West 14th St. New York, NY 10014

Boeing Boeing

I haven’t been to a Broadway play in years. The last one was Miss Saigon, which was amazing by the way. It just seems so touristy, and when do you go and who do you take? Hell, who wants to go? Concerts are almost always more fun.

Last night I was treated to Boeing Boeing by a friend. I am so not interested in going. The play starts out with a lot of physical comedy and I have never been fond of this particular type of humor. Boeing Boeing stars Christine Baranski, Mark Rylance, Bradley Whitford, Gina Gershon and Mary McCormack. The play took off, no pun intended, like a jet and was entertaining and brilliantly acted. One man, three women, a friend and a maid and it's exactly what you’re thinking but it works and works well.

It's a great way to break up the everyday routine of restaurants, bars and clubs.

Cipriani

IMG is probably the worlds best modeling agency. Whenever I’m out and there is a absolutely stunning young lady they are either from Marilyn Models or IMG. Well, last night I wasn’t disappointed. After the play I headed down to the member’s club at Cipriani Downtown in Soho and I’m welcomed to the night with actress Tara Reid hitting me in the head with a slice of lime. I love Tara. I’ve known her since she and Carson Daily dated and would come hangout at Halo, a restaurant/bar/lounge I owned in the West Village. She is playful, will chat, sing and dance and is just a lot of fun.

Model Talk

During a break in the action and through the bevy of pretty people, two very interesting young ladies stand out. They are hanging out with one of my associates Matt Wilkins. You know how some people just grab your attention and hold it - well these two fit that mold. They aren’t dolled up but have the cool semi-rocker, semi-model look going on. Of course, yours truly has met one of them before, a polish beauty named Stazia Niementowska, an unassuming very confident slender mannequin with an interesting look that draws you in. She is with her friend Mak, short for Makenzie. What can I say about Mak? A sexy little Texan with an 'I’m the boss' attitude. She gives me a feeling that she’s ready to let lose, but don’t touch - she may explode in a Texas style bar fight. A short conversation with both make the night.

- The following are excerpts from Charles Warden. Charles is my assistant and a very talented young man. And no, he doesn’t deserve a raise. He needs to finish his assigned tasks.

Music

I stumbled upon this video yesterday by Gnarls Barkley and thought it was absolutely amazing and had to share it with everyone immediately! Anyone who has ever been in love can relate to this I’m sure of it, when I first heard this song I immediately fell in love with it. You can almost hear the pain and dejectedness in Cee-lo’s voice.

Art

I managed to catch the Takashi Murakami art exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum before it closed a couple weeks ago. The detail in his sculptures in particular were great, I couldn’t imagine how long it would take him to actually complete one. Murakami's large works of art are incredibly vibrant, he manages to include what seems like every color on the spectrum into each piece of work. Luckily, I managed to capture a couple photo’s all the while being harassed by security. FYI, Murakami is responsible for arguably the most popular Louis Vuitton bag in history (Multi Color LV on white) as well as Kanye West's latest album cover. Also in 2008, Murakami made Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People list, and was the only visual artist to do so.

We’ll keep blogging until the world gets it right!