Thanks for the sentient. Muffti is pretty happy right now as is. But he appreciates the kind thoughts and words.

It’s like that in all the romantic comedies.

and Muffti: I just want you to get married and be happy like I am.

I packed those illegals up in a van, slipped them some dough, gave ‘em directions…. Now I wonder if they came to a bad end on the Brooklyn-Queens Exprwy.

Adidas did buy Reebok, but it’s still distinguishably a brand of its own.

Adidas bought up Reebok, no?

TopShop and H&M have become somewhat unoriginal, particularly since they started their “famous designer X for TopShop / H&M” lines, it appears that those items are the apologetic fashion retreat for their otherwise bland lines. H&M used to be original in this particular Scandinavian way that you still see with BonAParte from Denmark. NewLook appears more dynamic than TopShop (and more budget-oriented), so does Primark (whose ’06/’07 maxi festival dress was much copied by “high end” designers the following year). H&M, particularly the men’s lines, increasingly reminds me of what Italians would wear in the 1990s – including sunglasses inside the building. Monsoon’s got great silk dresses and fabulous skirts. The GAP’s good for basics; I like their recent lines of whisper-thin garments as they are are great for layering. The Dutch chain C&A is a staple in Germany as you find them in about any city and their own “generic” brands cater to all kinds of people and various budgets. My favourite lingerie stores also are from the Netherlands; Hunkemoller seems to be the only one capable of regularly stocking F-cup bras that look good (not the kind of “battleship gone flesh-coloured polyester fibre nightmare”), have a proper cut and are reasonably priced and come with different cuts of knickers to match. They’ve also got great sleepwear.

I’d like to use the occasion to mention that Tom forgot my recent b’day.