BIJOU LIVING

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

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.

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.

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

So, here you go:
strawberry rhubarb pie - preferably for breakfast
body pillows
the first cup of coffee in the morning - made extra strong in my perculator.
very very long walksmid-century West Coast architecture
my new neighbourhood
driving my car like it's a sauna on wheelsrobin songs at sunset
fond memories of things that once weremy Danskos and Birksthe smell of the Pacific Northwest forest after the rain

When your hosting skills are brought to the test, don't fail.
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).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.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.Never introduce your guest's boyfriend, girlfriend, fiance, spouse or whatever, as such. They have an identity of their own.You are responsible for your guest's safety. Read my post, How to Deal with Drunk Guests.Keep the lights…

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

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

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:

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).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.Versatility. Maintain a flexible wardrobe. Back in…

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.

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...

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.

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.

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

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

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?

He's so cute he's on TV.

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.

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 …

1985

shirt - my Dad's
concho belt
black leggings patent ballet flats
and a lopsided bob, of course

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

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

1980