superbly hot

I'm really good at making faces.
You might not think it if you just met me. Or maybe you would. In any case, my Mom hates it. Which makes me just do it more, until, finally unable to hold in her laughter, she'll watch me contort my face with a mixture of disgust and amazement and say:
"You keep doing that and your face is permanently going to stay that way."
She might be right. At least about crinkling my nose too much.

But I have friends who are looking out for me, clearly. Because while I never tend to wear my own cycling caps, I'm building up an interesting collection via friends. And they're shielding my face and eyes from sun, wind, and crows feet. And for someone who habitually forgets to slather on the sunscreen, that's love.
So when yesterday turned out to be one of the sunniest in weeks [Jason apparently schemed with the weather for months to make that happen - thanks!], I was grateful that I was wearing one. Well, I've been wearing this one for a few days now, and for good reason.
It's the new Superb cycling cap.

Designed by both Jason and Croth, this hat is all about the details. The wallpaper background, when viewed from a few feet back, looks like innocent damask. But when you get close enough [to check out the person wearing it], you notice the bicycles and the subtle curves and flicks in the logo.
And then you get a little bit closer [because, please, anyone wearing this is guaranteed to be hot], and you see the underside of the brim. Teal or purple, it's a hidden sort of hip; the kind you don't need to flaunt for people to know you have it. But if you're the one doing the attracting, well, it wouldn't hurt to turn it up a notch and flip up that brim.

But no analysis of a potential mate is ever complete without a view from the back. And that's when this hat really works to your advantage. With "Boston" emblazoned on the back, you'll know where to find this hottie [or at least where to hang out to find such hotties]. And if you're the one wearing it, even better. You can still give the sexy look over your shoulder and saunter away into the crowd; because, come on, anyone with decent game can take a hint and at least try to break the ice with banter about the Bosox.
Lucky for you, this hat dropped yesterday. Check it - and the rest of Superb - out.

rapha [scarf] fridays

The first time a girl kissed me - a brief peck on the lips - I was left with the sensation [through a drunken haze], that her lips were almost too soft.
That's sort of what this scarf is like.
Wrapped in plastic and slipped into a envelope, it arrived on my doorstep a few days ago just in time for the newly-instituted Rapha Scarf Fridays. A gorgeous square of black, hand printed silk, I gingerly attempted to peel open the wrapping, only to immediately draw my fingers back. Unbelieveably smooth, my calloused hands felt peasant-like in comparison, and my first thought was:
"I can't wear this!"

I sat there for a few minutes, thinking about it. Then holding my breath, I took it out of the plastic and wrapped it around my neck. Incredibly light and smooth, this scarf is like a cloud of feathery air that feels like a million soft kisses when the wind presses it against your skin. And while Rapha might be a gentleman's club, we're not talking the kisses that come from masculine lips with accompanying sandpaper-y stubble. We're talking sexy, full, soft, feminine lips. The kind every girl should have.
And every girl should have one of these, too.

Taking a cue from one of my favorite cyclists [okay, I'm just outright copying him here], I dressed it up and down. First, I did the usual tie-around-your-face-like-a-bandit-then-just-let-it-hang deal. This is only the first step in how to wear it properly, Rapha-style, but paired with a t-shirt, it's a little more casual. Note how I was already half-giggling in excitement.
And being that I was already having trouble taking this scarf off, I tucked the scarf up and over itself [girls will definitely have to retie and tighten it afterwards] and peeled off the t-shirt for a button down.

I thought I did the librarian-esque thing well, but this brings it to a whole nother level. The black will go with almost any outfit, and the design is just subtle enough to work at the office. Top button undone, Rapha corner pointing downwards...you might want to wear this when you "accidentally" run into that workplace crush.
Did I mention how sexy this thing is too? Or how absolutely sexy it makes you feel? And how I'm having kind of a hard time taking it off?

Don't even pretend like you haven't thought about it. And for the record, I'd like to think it's more mysteriously sexy rather than crass and kinky. Unfortunately, I don't think it's long enough to tie someone up with. But I suppose you can always get two.
All semi-nudity aside, the Rapha scarf is hot hot hot. And not in that flavor of the week kind of way, but - like most things Rapha - with a timeless class that you can be sure will never go out of style.
Get yourself one [or two] here.