The Last Post of 2010

There is a tide in the affairs of men,

Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;
Omitted, all the voyage of their life
Is bound in shallows and miseries.
On such a full sea are we now afloat;
And we must take the current when it serves,

Or lose our ventures.

- William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar

A Cautious Men's Hairstyle Trend

caesar

Pet Shop Boys

via Jak & Jill

There was one particular men's hairstyle trend circa late 1980s, early 1990s that drove me nuts - but not in a good way. We called it the Caesar cut. I see it's back. If you're as smooth as Antonio Banderas go ahead, otherwise be careful you might come across as Lloyd Christmas

for more search early 90s Prada and Oasis.

Quote of the Week - Marilyn Monroe

I'm selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best.

My Favourite Things

Fellow blogger Liberty and In Dependence inspired me to write a 'Favourite Things' list—which is much different from my 'Strictly Materialistic' list. Sorry, Oprah; it wasn't you.

So, here you go:

1. strawberry rhubarb pie - preferably for breakfast
   
2. body pillows
   
3. the first cup of coffee in the morning - made extra strong in my perculator.
   
4. very, very long walks
5. mid-century West Coast architecture
   
6. my new neighbourhood
   
7. driving my car like it's a sauna on wheels
8. robin songs at sunset
   
9. fond memories of things that once were
10. my Danskos and Birks
11. the smell of the Pacific Northwest forest after the rain

10 Tips for the Party Host

When your hosting skills are brought to the test, don't fail.

1. Take your guest's coat. Do not put them on the bed.* Hang them up. Small, unrealistic closet? Rent a sales man's rack or invest in one (I have two).
2. Your guest's shoes are part of their outfit - allow them to keep them on. I bring fancy house slippers with me just in case the dreaded pile of shoes is at the door.
3. Offer your guest a drink after you've taken their coat and before they're more than five steps in the door. Tip: have non-alcoholic drinks (soda, tonic and juice), red wine, white wine, bubbles, beer, vodka, rum, rye, scotch, tequila, gin, sweet and dry vermouth and cognac. Don't forget fresh ice, cocktail napkins, lemons, limes, olives and cocktail straws.
4. Never introduce your guest's boyfriend, girlfriend, fiance, spouse or whatever, as such. They have an identity of their own.
5. You are responsible for your guest's safety. Read my post, How to Deal with Drunk Guests.
6. Keep the lights and the music low.
7. If you're a couple, work tag team. Lay out each of your defined 'duties' before hand and cover each others backs with refilling drinks, conversation starters, toilet paper and hand towel checks, lit candles, cleared plates and stocked ice.
8. Never let them see you sweat. As far as your guest is concerned you're already the monarch of the mingler - they don't need to see the dirty dishes. Get some of those big plastic crates with tops and hide your dirty dishes in there until the guests leave. Throw a table cloth over it and they'll never know. I used to hide stuff in the bath tub of my ensuite.
9. Accept that you'll have a guest that snoops in the medicine cabinet of your bathroom. You know what to do with that stuff.
10. To prevent guests from over staying, lay out a start and end time in your invite. If there are still stragglers start unloading those crates with the dirty dishes in them.

* Back in the old days laying coats on the bed was considered faux pas due to bed bug infestations.

Here's to...

sharp suits, wrinkle free dresses, and Cheezies. Have a fashionable, safe and love filled holiday weekend.

Quote of the Week - Orson Welles

If you want a happy ending you need to know when to end the story.

4 Tips for the Best Business Wardrobe

I was recently contacted by a gentleman who is changing careers. He's confident in his decision but not his current wardrobe. He asked for some suggestions on where to start.

The answer to this question cannot be communicated in one post so let's start here:

1. Know what you like and what you don't like. What suits you and your style of living. This particular individual didn't want a baggy suit. He liked the mod suits from the 60s but not the super skinny trousers. He told me he liked Diplo's suits, Booth's suits from Bones and Terrence Stamp's suits (see my post on his classic look here).
2. Know your clothing's priorities and each day's sartorial demands. Meetings, luncheons, golf (an unfortunate part of business, my apologies to golfers), and the cursed casual Friday. You want to be sharp and dressed appropriately for each. What are the corner offices wearing? Take cues from them and notch it up by one.
3. Versatility. Maintain a flexible wardrobe. Back in my retail days, we were taught the foundation of the fashion equation, 2+2+2+5, (Men = two trousers, two ties, two jackets, five shirts. Women = two skirts, two trousers, two jackets, five tops).
4. You want to be known for your unique ideas - that being said, limit it to one unique idea per outfit.

Murder of Crows

I've been wanting to record these guys for over a decade. They've been getting together like this in an area in Burnaby every day for as long as I can remember. Last week I got my camera ready and waited. You really have to see it in person to experience the true wonder of it.

Design Lover - the animal on my plate

Magda Boreysza paints on vintage mismatched china. Why not try emailing her to see if she'll do custom work on all that old stuff your Mom's given you? You never know...

Tip of the Week - Beauty

Rejuvenate your dry tired skin with olive oil. Seriously, I tried it (remember, I was wanting to try a new moisturizer). I must admit I was worried I'd break out, because that's what my skin does with everything, but no! My skin is now as soft as a baby's bottom. I was so impressed I went out and bought John Masters Organics Pomegranate Facial Nourishing Oil (not an affiliate). The scent reminds me of this works: deep calm. The only downfall, I don't want to just use it on my face and at $42 for 2 fl oz my personal care budget is going to have to increase - that's ok, I'm worth it.

a fuzzy little sweater

The mohair cardigan. Made infamous in the grunge era as Kurt's cardi of choice. These were impossible enough to find in the 90s let alone the 2010s so don't be surprised if vintage ones are worth a pretty penny.

Taiki Matsumura - from Japan
Kurt Cobain - no further explanation
me - vintage mohair cardigan and Isabel Marant dress
Coutney Love - I love the blue.

I picked him up this mohair pullover a few weeks back but he thinks it makes him look rotund so I wear it with my black leather pencil skirt.

Quote of the Week - Sophia Loren

Sex appeal is fifty percent what you've got and fifty percent what people think you've got.

Womens Vintage Boots

Nancy Sinatra and I prefer the same boots (and sparkly body suits). Needless to say, not many of today's women's boots tickle my fancy. Here are some of my oldies but goodies.

© Stacy Reynaud

vintage 1960s
old Fluevog's
vintage Dr. Marten's
vintage Frank Foti lizard

Some men's boots from the 2011 collections I'd like for myself - truthfully, I don't think any of my guy friends would wear the Rick Owens.

his for pre-order 2011
Rick Owens
Officine Creative
Rick Owens
Balmain

Hit it Nancy

Style Icon - Freddy Krueger

The rather ironically named DEAD MEAT available here for $770. I think the sweater would look better with the sleeve bottoms cut off, don't you?

Saturday Night Special

He's so cute he's on TV.

Design Lover - inaeent

images via inaeent

I stumbled upon Alaskan Etsy seller inaeent, aka Laura C. Hewitt, over the weekend. Her Lovecraftian stoneware and porcelain tableware was an immediate favourite. Visit her personal site as well.

My eBay rebirth...maybe

Way back in 1999, before I started exhibiting my vintage collections here and here, I sold on eBay. It was awesome, I had close to 1500 positive feedback, was a Power Seller and had a loyal following of buyers. Then the scammers caught on to eBay. In around 2004, I was ripped off by Amy in Kansas City. She bought a vintage Burberry trench coat off me for about $800.* Once she received it she charged back her credit card and told me that's the way her and her Mom do business on eBay. She then cancelled her eBay account. I frustratingly navigated my way through eBay Help, Paypal Help, VISA, numerous Better Business Bureaus, and the Kansas City police department. Somewhere I came across a Paypal class action lawsuit. A settlement was reached and I received a little of my money back through the 'long claim form' but I was so disgusted by the experience I boycotted eBay and Paypal for five years.

Last weekend I took a chance and listed some items - just to see how things had changed. The first item I listed was a vintage Burberry jacket with a Buy it Now option. It sold in a few hours. The buyer has paid and the item has been shipped, however, the transaction is not complete as I don't consider it complete until the buyer has received the product and feedback has been left.

How ironic is it that the last thing I sold on eBay was a vintage Burberry coat and the first thing I sell in five years is a Burberry jacket? I'm hoping it won't turn out to be extremely ironic by having the same thing happen to me that happened in 2004. If all turns out well I look forward to stocking up on vintage to sell on eBay again!

* I had been ripped off by others but that was the biggest loss. In total, I lost over $1200 to online dirt bags - most, if not all of it, was in 2004.

What I Wore

1985

shirt - my Dad's
concho belt
black leggings

patent ballet flats
and a lopsided bob, of course

Quote of the Week - Albert Camus

Nobody realizes that some people expend tremendous amounts of energy to be normal.

Tip of the Week - Sticky Zippers

Vintage piece with a sticky zipper? Rub a candle over it.

Vintage Oscar de la Renta 1980

1980

The Well Dressed Wife

image via The Tailor's Art

and the patient husband who pays the bills.
Anne Fogarty's 1959 'How To' has been reissued - and just in time for New Year's Resolutions.

Get it here:
Wife Dressing: The Fine Art of Being a Well-Dressed Wife

Anonymously follow me on bloglovin.

Functional Warm and Classic

Wigwam Worsted Wool Watch Cap $8.99 here

The watch cap - so named for sailors standing watch.

Quote of the Week - Marcel Proust

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.

The Driving Shoe

With their soft leather uppers and studded soles dare I say driving shoes are both, fashionable and functionable. Why the the studded leather soles? They allow you to catch the edges of the pedals easily without slippage.

Shown:
Ralph Lauren/Tod's
Prada/Cole Haan
Gucci/Salvatore Ferragamo

Pretend you're not on transit

A rare late Autumn night of no rain and little traffic on the Lions Gate Bridge. Bad first 30 seconds of music courtesy of Sirius satellite radio.

Happy Birthday

Boris Karloff

One on, One off - My Dress of Choice

I'm addicted to these 'one ons' as of late.
Why?

1. There's no messing around with zips, buttons or other fasteners
   
2. they're great all season
3. I can dress them up or down
   
4. they're easy to accessorize
   
5. they're easy to care for - cold wash, hang to dry
   
6. they don't wrinkle ridiculously when I'm sitting in meetings all day
   
7. they layer easily
8. and I don't need to wear Spanx
   

Isabel Marant, The Row, Acne and Filippa K do some great ones.

Dress shown is James Perse

Men's Fashion Inspiration

Hong Kong '62 vs Filippa K '10

Mantis religiosa Runway Collection SS 2011

via

Quote of the Week - Madeleine Vionnet

When a woman smiles, her dress should also smile.

Google Ventures into Fashion and Boutiques.com

As you know November 17th was the launch of Google's venture into the world of fashion. A very smart venture - think it'll turn over more revenue than Ad Sense ;-)

I've set up my page so let's 'follow' each other.

My feedback so far:

1. I don't like the terms 'Love' and 'Hate' to choose my preferences, or the word 'Silhouette' to describe style/design.
2. I'd like to be able to rearrange the 'cover' photos on my home page by dragging and dropping.
3. I don't like that I can't control comments.
4. I don't like being slotted into a defined 'style'. Users should be able to create their own - that's why mine is empty.
5. Why no menswear?
6. Jewelry please
7. I can only email or share on Twitter. Does this forecast the same thing to you as it does to me?

If you're a merchant - Google wants you, and so do I so I can have more variety on my page!
Merchant Help Center - List Your Products on Boutiques.com

Vintage Emanuel Ungaro

1980

Tip of the Week - How to Leave a Party

Being an introvert, I used to be a pro at this - now I save myself the hassle and just don't go - it's so much easier. The technique outlined below should be saved for larger parties or those with extremely inebriated guests.

1. Party is set to start at 9:00. Arrive at 9:30
2. Spot your hosts and give the 'nod and smile'.
3. Chat with one, then the other. No longer than ten minutes in total.
4. Accept a drink - if offered, but leave it untouched. Beware of 'liquid courage'.
5. Work the edges of the room giving the 'nod and smile' to those you recognize. Remember, you're there to be seen not heard.
6. Keep your back to the wall so people can recognize you. You never know, you may need an alibi one day.
7. Within another ten minutes you should be out the door as quickly, but less painfully, as you entered.
8. Total commitment 20-30 minutes max.

Tip - think of yourself as the second hand on a clock skimming the edges until you're back where you started.

Channeling Camel Hair Coats

Stacy Reynaud

I was downloading some photos from last weekend, and - trust me - the above shot was totally unplanned. James Dean came to mind when I was looking for photos of Marilyn Monroe in her camel hair coat - I remembered he had one too. Voila. He's a lot cooler than me.