Rebecca A. Foster

It wasn't my intention to post frivolous things here anymore, but I forgot how I am, in fact, often frivolous. And I unabashedly love looking at hot men in cool clothes. Two looks I love: Love these colors: A man who shows up on my doorstep in that scruff and these glasses is getting sooooo lucky: He's Zoolandering here: just ridiculously good looking. All that's missing is chest hair: Thus ends my shallow, frivolous streak...for today

It is said that of all our senses, our sense of smell is most closely connected to our emotional center. A man's shirt  is an excellent conduit for the essence of the person who wore it: not only the smell, but the shape, the worn and faded spots, the memories I have of seeing them in it. For these reasons, I love it when men give me their shirts. As I regularly recycle my wardrobe in the spring and fall, these shirts have a permanent spot in my bottom dresser drawer. I'd never consider getting rid of them. My favorite shirts were given to me straight off the wearer's back, still warm and musky. I deliberately leave them unwashed for as long as possible. Not a single of these shirts fits me properly, so I wear them to bed or the gym or while lounging about in my apartment. I don't know that any shirt I've received was significant to the wearer before they gifted it to me, but I can't wear them without feeling the happy memories I have associated with the gifte...

I like to use the word 'lick' to convey my attraction/desire for someone. Mulder: after all these years, still very lickable.   This picture also reminds me: beard burn? Always worth it. (It also reminds of the pictures I never shared from last Halloween because I had beard rash in places other than my face.)  And this might be the military brat it me, but men with badges are hot. Even when they're not hot, they're still hot.  If Don Draper had a badge, I'd probably kitten-lick him to death. I mean, come on . 

I am heading out of town for a bit, not sure when I'll be able to post again. Let me assure you, I will be having a great time! However, I love you all too much to not leave you with a little yum yum. I feel guilty for loving this shower scene, because maybe it is reinforcing gender stereotypes? But then again, the loosening of the tie ! The wet shirt! The fingers in the mouth! His big, strong hands! And...now I have the vapors. Gender stereotypes can suck it. I just love this scene. Have a great week/weekend y'all!

A recent article in the New York Times about the attempt to curb the wearing of pajamas as daily wear in Shanghai tickled my funny bone and made me realize how much I forget to write about here. (Click here to read the article.) You see, it is very common to see people in their pajamas at all hours of the day walking the streets of my city. And it would appear, other cities in China. And it is so common place, I've never written about it, because it has ceased to surprise me. My first year here, I was sort of in mini-meltdown mode 3/4 of the time. And a lot of the wonderful and strange things about China I should have been writing about then, I wasn't. And now...I forget they're remarkable. I have failed you, my dear blog readers, for bringing you the thorough reality of life in China! But here's one: people wear pajamas as daily clothes. I suppose it is not so different from running around in gym clothes/track suits? The most popular pjs here are quilted. They...

#362: The conversations I have here that I will have no place else. For example: T., holding out to me the t-shirt he wants to wear that day: "Does this shirt smell too much like hot pot *?" And I love that he doesn't ask me if it smells like hot pot, but if it smells too much like hot pot. I take the shirt. I sniff. Me: "It smells a little like hot pot, but unless someone buries their face in your chest, it'll be okay." T.: "Cool." (Throws on the shirt.) I'm really gonna miss China. *I routinely shower after eating hot pot, because yes, the smell somehow permeates everything. 

Those of you who read here before I left for China know it used to be called “Stuff I Love.” In memory of times gone by, here are a few things I love right now: 1. Fit To Strip , the workout DVD by Carmen Electra. I know, I know, it sounds lame, but disc 2 is a calisthenics routine that has nothing to do with stripping and everything to do with building strength in your core, legs and upper body. I used this DVD before I ran a half marathon a few years ago and was the most toned I’ve ever been. I let myself get chubby after my dad died, so I’m back on a strength training/toning regime, and this DVD is part of my new routine (along with running, weights and yoga). It kicks your butt in a really good way. Amazon.com, $12.99 2. Community , the tv show on NBC. One of my friends in the U.S. prodded me to watch this show, and it takes the place in my heart that used to be occupied by The Office until The Office turned kinda lame. (Sorry, but you know it’s true.) Abed and Troy crack...

So, did you know Mad Men  Season 3 is premiering soon? Spoiler alert: nothing much happens in this show, it's a lot of talking, but the talking is really interesting and the 1960's clothes are fabulous. Also, Don Draper is hot in that 'you're-sort-of-a-scumbag-but-you-wear-the-hell-out-of-that-suit-and-I-love-your-late-night-shagging-stubble' kind of way. I recommend it. I bought it on the street for $1.00, but I think it's free in America on cable. And in preparation for the 3rd season premiere, you can make your own Mad Men person a. Here I am getting hit on by Don Draper: So realistic, you guys. I can't go to NYC without getting hit on by ad men. It's the hat and gloves, I think. (And I do actually own a hat like that, and elbow gloves. Definitely taking them to NYC.) And you just know this guy smells like Indiana Jones in a suit: all man .  Jon Hamm , I salute you. (And yes, I miss big, strong American men, why do you ask?)

Men look hot in ties. I know they're uncomfortable, but they look so good!  And don't even get me started on the one-button-undo,knot-loosening gesture. As a guy I know from Queens says, forget it . I'm on the floor, drooling. But...I saw this in my local shopping center, the one I can't afford to shop in. (I was walking through to avoid walking around the block.) Is this really what men are wearing Stateside these days? Nooooo...not a good look. I say this with love: this is ridiculous. No men, NO.

I went a-wandering today and came across a small shop selling "hip hop" fashion (their words, not mine). A few of the items for sale: An Obama 'Hope' belt buckle: $100 bill belt buckles: And of course, the Yankees: You could also buy a Mao bags, Che Guevera bags, big fake diamond earring studs and fake gold rings with "50 Cent" printed on them. And this Paul Frank monkey, wearing a military uniform and waving a flag: I really want to go back and buy something from this store, just for the fact it exists in China. While wandering I also found these fake eyelashes with little diamond studs at the lashline: A very productive day!

The English majors asked me to do a lecture last night on American Fashion. Around 300 kids showed up, a nice crowd. I had put together a slide show and some videos about designers, popular brands and stores, and general differences between American and Chinese fashion. When I showed this picture, a big loud "ahhh" went up in the room, it cracked me up! Yes girls, men in boxer briefs are hot!  Also, I'm pretty sure this is how my students are going to remember me now, that American teacher who showed them a picture of a guy in his underwear. Oh well.  Two other pictures they really liked: What can I say? My students have good taste! What I had for lunch today: greens in garlic sauce, hot pickled peppers and pork (I ate all those peppers and left the pork behind!), beef and potatoes in red sauce, and dry fried shredded potatoes. YUM. We couldn't eat it all, but bites from each plate was a delicious lunch. Tomorrow (Saturday) there is a big ceremony at my school, and a ...

Jon Hamm from Mad Men  (a great show, watch it!). I want to pretend his middle name is "honeybaked" and eat him for dinner. And breakfast. Rawwr! A rugged man in a suit in NYC? Soooo my thing. 

It's been a long time since I've seen clothing in a Guess ad I would wear, but these new ads are gorgeous and remind me of the video for Gwen Stefani's Cool . The song, meh, but the hair/makeup/clothes in her flashbacks are beautiful. (And his green eyes, oh man...) I love wearing skirts and high heels and dressing up a bit, I'd take any of her outfits. And the girlfriend's black dress? I covet. Breathtaking. I'll come right out and say it: I've been on too many first dates with sloppily dressed men. I believe in making the effort to look good. In general, I want myself and other people to know they are worth taking time to look my best. For me, that means being true to my own sense of style, which I admit might be more formal than others. But a guy showing up for a first date in a t-shirt that says, "If you flash me, I'll give you a dollar?" Ugh. Surely there has to be a happy medium.

Is anything better than a man's sweet, too-big-for-you, spicy-scent-of-him, worn-in old t-shirt to curl up in? Best ever.

menshoes Originally uploaded by Beccaplay I snapped this in NYC last week. I took it for my friend Marc, who is a stylish guy and I think would look great in these shoes. He agrees! I heart Marc because he doesn't think it's weird I take pictures of shoes for him on my vacation. I like the kind of guy who would show up for a date wearing these* with simple jeans and a great casual jacket. I'd so notice and pretend I didn't, but touch his arm a lot. Tods.com, $450 *style, not price

I have a subscription to Esquire magazine and each month they ask one women to share "10 Things You Don't Know About Women." These are some I liked. 1. We love the back of your neck, the shape of your head, and watching you shave. Ooooh this reminds me of two things: A. A guy in one of my 7:30 AM classes who had really beautiful tan skin, dark hair and green eyes. I was very attracted to him. His neck was amazing. I would sit behind him and didn't know his name for a long time, so my friend and I called him "Neck Boy." He got me to that class on time, though. I used to sit and fantasize about his neck. (Hey, it was a 7:30 AM class, anything that got me there was a good thing. And he actually asked me out. I think he could sense the drooling vibe coming from the seat behind him.) B. Watching a guy shave is hot. Maybe because we don't do it? It's a bit of a mystery. Even if you're kinda ugly, you look hot shaving. One more thing: I like it when I ...

(I originally wrote this last year. I was recently reminded, it's still relevant.) 1. Star Gazing Because a sky full of stars reminds me how little I really know and understand about my world and there is something really appealing about being with someone and realizing how much more there is out there than just the two of you and therefore how cool and almost miraculous it is that of all the billions of stars and billions of people, you are here together, just the two of you, sharing this moment. 2. Tolling Bells I have no idea why I find this appealing. It's weird. Maybe because deeply tolling bells are like a heartbeat, they mimic the natural rhythms of the body and you feel them as much as hear them. And when you hear them with someone else you share that intrinsic rhythm together, unexpectedly, for just a few moments. Kinda cool. 3. A Man Loosening His Tie He's a little bit formal wearing a tie, but when you're alone again he reaches a hand up and unbuttons the to...

A guy who shows up for a date wearing this ensemble? Is sooo getting some.

I'm really loving all the John Krasinski media interviews right now. This guy is confident enough to be effortlessly cool, a little shy, and gloriously beta. Which in case you didn't know, is totally charming and seriously hot. Even better, he looks fabulous in the clothes he's wearing these days. These jeans are a perfect fit. If you know any men who can pull off this suit and you don't introduce me, we're no longer friends. (These pants should about an inch longer, but perhaps it's the hands in the pockets messing up the line. For John, I'm willing to let it slide.) And this is the work of a GQ stylist, but he's wearing a $15 sweatshirt here, kids. And pulling it off spectacularly.