Black & Orange Best Bets

Black: A BFF

Paired with pearls, accessorized with boots, or jazzed with metallics, the LBD (little black dress) never goes out of style. The fall 2009 collection of Detroit-born fashion superstar Kevan Hall gave LOL to the LBD. Chaos leather embroidered bodice dress, $3,000. Hall’s designs are available by special order through Roma Sposa, Birmingham; 248-723-4300.

Plastic Wear

“Plastics” the wave of the future, or so went the cocktail-party dialogue in The Graduate. But Bakelite is a plastic of the past. Invented in 1909, it’s very collectible in the form of vintage radios and jewelry. Highly moldable, it could be carved or inlaid with one color into another, as in polka dots. Watch out for fakes; real-deal bangles have a nice heft that clunks. $22-$65, Crimson Rose Antiques, Birmingham; 248-203-2950.

European Flavor

Orangina’s bulbous bottle with the sparkling, pulpy contents is a fixture on café tables all over France. The citrusy blend of orange, lemon, grapefruit, and mandarin evokes its Spanish/Algerian/French heritage, which dates to the 1930s. Though it’s now owned by a beverage conglomerate (like so many things), the foreign cachet remains. Sip it for a Mediterranean mood or mix a Halloween-colored Orangina cocktail (orangina.eu for recipes). At area grocers.

Time Change

The ChronoScope PVD Limited Edition Ernst Benz watch was created to mark the introduction of the Instrument Series, a new collection of timepieces inspired by Benz’s original aircraft instrumentation. It’s a holiday-appropriate accessory for Oct. 31, but chic all year-round. $5,900 at Universal Watch, Birmingham; 248-723-5550. 

Great Scotties

True licorice lovers will tell you that the candy has to be black in order to deserve the name “licorice.” The red stuff that tastes like cherry cough syrup just doesn’t cut it. Key ingredients such as anise and real licorice root extract put the bite in these Black Licorice Scottie Dogs. Eat one, and you’ll beg for more. 2.99/11-ounce container at area Trader Joe’s, traderjoes.com.

By the Book

The words “little black book” sound mysterious and oh-so-scandalous. But sometimes it’s just an innocent address book listing friends and relatives. Peter Pauper Press’ Little Black Book is small enough (4-1/8-by-5-7/8) to fit into a purse or pocket. Each entry has room for a name, address, numbers for home, work, and cell, e-mail, fax, birthday — and “notes,” where you can provide the scandal. $7.99 at Write Impressions, 407 S. Washington, Royal Oak; 248-541-8921.

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