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DailyCandy, the uber cool website of all things relevant and emerging in fashion, beauty, and lifestyle, has just gotten cooler.  Their latest venture, DailyCandy Collaborations, showcases limited-edition unique items from their most coveted artists and designers.

The Collaborations’ launch party was held tonight at Le Bain at The Standard Hotel in the meatpacking district where the goods were on display.

With Alex Eissing, Creative Director of DailyCandy, and Daphnee Allen of Coty.

The Glossy Box, one of the featured items on the Collaborations, on display.

I’m not big on celebrating the holiday season, but this year Avery, my lil Miniature Pincher, would not let it pass without hosting her very own Boogie Down Boozy Brunch.  And what a host she was.

Season’s Greetings all!

Enjoying the disco beats.

Resting up pre-brunch.

Mingling.

Someone had one too many glasses of bubbly.

MUAH!

I’m 6’1; there, I’ve said it.  That’s tall, yes – especially for a woman, but not otherworldly WNBA-playing so.  But as I have experienced over the years my height tends to invite unsolicited comments from some (I don’t want to say from short people, but I’ve never been stopped or gawked at by a tall person (i.e. anyone over 5’9) and questioned about my height, basketball ability, or being a model…).

For reasons that are lost on me, some people feel think they can say anything to me just because I am tall, have natural hair, or look like a model.  I am no where near celebrity status but some people approach me like I am. My former boss, Matt Damon, used to say that he liked walking down the street with me because I would deflect attention from him as people would notice my height first and we’d be down the street before they realized who he was.  I was even once referred to in a Details Magazine article, of which he was the subject, as a “six foot one giantess.”  Guess he was right about people taking notice.

In my experience some people assume I am [first generation] from an African tribe and think I am lying when I say I am from Illinois, become dubious when I tell them I do not model (I am a former model, I try to explain), and become defensive when I get irritated that they have asked me if I play basketball, especially if I am walking down the street, ear buds in, sunglasses on, minding my business and they have pounced on me like I am Lisa Leslie (who is 6’5).  I don’t go around asking these same people if they bowl, race cars or play golf because a)I don’t care and b)it’s none of my business if they do.

What seems to agitate me the most is when people don’t accept whatever answer I give – I don’t play basketball, I’m not a model,  I used to model but don’t really do it anymore, but occasionally, yes, No you can not touch my hair, whatever – and let it be.  But you’re so tall and skinny you should model; Did you ever think about modeling?, You should play ball! (“Where and with whom am I just going to “play ball?” and what makes you think I want to play?”  I often want to respond) I’ll bet you can dunk!…it goes on and on.

I’m the first to admit that I am blessed to be built the way I am and certainly stand tall, but in my experience people do not want to know the truth.  It’s upsetting for them to hear that, No I don’t play basketball, I used to play many moons ago, and have bad knees anyway – guess they forget that you actually have to be in shape to play, Yes I am tall but at 6’1 I’m kind of too tall for modeling, Yes I’m thin, but being 148lbs and a size 6 would need to be smaller, and, Yes I look young, but I am a dinosaur in the modeling business and happily in my fourth decade that ship has sailed.  When I’m so inclined to respond to people and tell them this, or any variation of, I am usually met with incredulity and disappointment.

Because I am approached or commented upon nearly everyday – seriously , I thought these Tall T Tales warranted something beyond a retelling in the form of a facebook status update for fear of sounding bitter or angry, which I’m not.  I simply am not interested in unsolicited life/career advice about things these people know nothing about.  It’s a different story if I am exposing myself to such questions in a public forum (i.e. delivering a talk on sports or modeling or being interviewed), but if I am minding my Ps & Qs trying to get from point A to point B, then not so much…but mostly some people should understand that they don’t have to say anything and should think twice about doing so.  I doubt they would find their intrusiveness something they would like to endure.

Just sayin’…

Check my Tall T Tales page to read more.