Sep 28, 2011

Quote of the Week - George W.S. Trow


MEMBERSHIP
The middle distance fell away, so the grids (from small to large) that had supported the middle distance fell into disuse and ceased to be understandable. Two grids remained. The grid of two hundred million and the grid of intimacy. Everything else fell into disuse. There was a national life—a shimmer of national life—and intimate life. The distance between these two grids was very great. The distance was very frightening. People did not want to measure it. People began to lose a sense of what distance was and of what the usefulness of distance might be

George W.S. Trow, "Within the Context of No-context." New Yorker, November 17th 1980.

Sep 27, 2011

Dear TOMS Shoes


Is it still One for One when Ashley buys a pair of TOMS shoes at a department store that's already bought 500 to resell? She's confused because your trademarked slogan is, 'With every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. One for One.' When Ashley gets around to purchasing a pair of TOMS at aforementioned department store, that same pair of TOMS will have then sold twice, once at wholesale and once at retail. Who is the 'customer-philanthropist', the department store or Ashley? Two for Two?

Sep 26, 2011

Last Weekend


One of the best things that happened this past summer was finding a vintage waffle iron at a yard sale for $2

- a Penncrest Model 4896A

The waffles are super light - which means all the more whip cream and berries.

Whip cream with Sambuca and vanilla to be more specific.

Fresh wildberries

My two decade old juicer is still going strong.

nums

Sep 25, 2011

Rant Time - telecommunications


images via French Vogue, Stockholm Street Style

Sep 22, 2011

You make how much? Annual Salary

Soundcraft TV Ltd.

Well, in 1966 you could look forward to this:

Surgeon $32,000
Plastic Surgeon $35,000
OBGYN $28,500
Nurse $4,300
Hospital Administrator $7,500
Private Practice Lawyer $33,000
Federal Government Lawyer $6,300-$7,500
Engineer $7,400
Gas & Electric Engineer $7,245
Aeronautical Engineer $6,800-$7,800
Public School Teacher $6,300
School Principal (with PhD) $20,000
Assistant Professor $6,760
Professor $14,000-$24,000
HR Professional $16,500
Accountant CGA $15,000-$30,000
Internal Accountant $18,000-$28,000
Car Sales $5,000-$10,000
Real Estate Broker $5,000-$10,000
Insurance $5,000
Insurance Broker $15,000-$20,000
Stock Broker (trainee) $350-$500 monthly
Stock Broker (established) $5,000-$25,000
Retail Sales $1.25-$2 per hour
Retail Buyer $6,500-$25,000
Bank Teller $440-$525 monthly
Bank Officer $10,000-$20,000
Reporter $100-$250 per week
Technical Writer $5,000-$13,000
Media Sales Manager TV $305 weekly
Program Director $214 TV, $134 Radio weekly
Advertising Copywriter $12,800-$24,000
Account Executive $16,500-$25,000
Advertising Manager $7,000-$21,000
Social Worker $3,780-$7,350
Caseworker $7,350-$10,000
Construction Worker $4.25 per hour
Bricklayer Apprentice Stage $4.72 per hour
Carpenter $4.36 per hour
Glazier $4.08 per hour
Iron Worker $4.61 per hour
Construction Foreman $6,000
Auto Mechanic $1-$1.75 per hour
TV repairman $60-$80 per week
Airplane Mechanic $650 per month
Law Enforcement Officer $5,100 per year
Police Commissioner $35,000
Hotel Manager $50,000
Major Airline Pilot $15,600
Major International Airline Pilot $22,000
Travel Agent $90-$150 per week

I'm not an economist by any way, shape or form so I resorted to numerous inflation rate calculators to try and determine what these wages would be today. According to three different online calculators (Canadian and American) the inflation rate between 1966-2011 is between 599.2%-614%. I'm not sure how relevant these calculators are because I entered $11,000, the average price for a home in West Vancouver in the 1960s and, apparently, $11,000 in 1966 is the equivalent to about $76,000 today. However, an average home in West Vancouver today is $1.7 million. Shall we talk about over inflated real estate?

For fun, choose your career from above and enter the annual salary here:
Canadian Inflation Rate Calculator
US Inflation Rate Calculator


Source: Better Homes and Gardens, August 1966
.

Sep 21, 2011

Quote of the Week - Audrey Hepburn


I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles.

Sep 20, 2011

How to Fry Scallops




Pan seared sea scallops, sauteed garlic prawns and spinach, avocado, and grapefruit salad. Paired with an Italian Pinot Grigio.
  1. Rinse and pat dry the scallops.
  2. Heat 2-3 tbsps of oil in a skillet over medium high heat.
  3. Once the oil is on the verge of smoking, gently place the scallops in the pan.
  4. Do not touch the scallops or the pan. Let them sit.
  5. After about 2 minutes lift up an edge of a scallop to see if it's browned. If so, flip it over.
  6. Cook the other side for about 30 seconds.
  7. Transfer to a plate and serve immediately.
The best way to tell when scallops are done is to poke them with your finger. You should feel a bit of bounce and resistance. The scallops shouldn't feel mushy—if they do, keep cooking.

Sep 19, 2011

Style Inspiration - Amedeo Modigliani




- the friends of
1915-1919






Sep 16, 2011

Sep 15, 2011

What am I listening to?


something dirty.


that was not inspired by this




or this




it's this:







Sep 14, 2011

All your hard work



I found a fortune on the ground last Saturday. I'd initially walked past it and then that voice in my head said, 'You didn't see that for nothing. Go back and pick it up'. So I did. One side said, 'All your hard work will soon pay off'; and the other side had six numbers. I'm already confident all my hard work will pay off because, eventually, it always does, although I prefer to call it smart work. That night I went and played the six numbers in the Lotto 649 and won ten bucks. I've taken that ten bucks and reinvested the same numbers for Wednesday's two lottos. I'm tempted to get all philosophical over this but I'm too lazy to type so instead you can just imagine what I'm thinking, I'm sure you'll be dead on. If you don't hear from me in awhile it's because I've taken off to invest my wealth (knowledge included) into my next round of smart work.



Oh, and I've finally decided to sell my vintage Samsonite luggage.

Sep 12, 2011

Quote of the Week - Buddha


With our thoughts, we make the world.




Sep 11, 2011

I'm just starting to think about my Fall ensembles




When I used to do my vintage shows I'd have city specific collections together months in advance. Well, so far I've only picked up one thing for myself for Fall, a black fluffy angora pullover sweater. I actually don't even remember what it looks like as it's vintage and I dropped it off at the dry cleaner straight away.




From the Archives - 11 Tote Bags

Originally published May 7, 2009

It is believed, among couturiers, that your accessories should be more expensive than your basic suit. The right accessory can enhance a dull outfit and set you apart from the pack.

When choosing a city bag for 2009 think harmony. Each item in your wardrobe should have some harmony with the others. That is, make sure that no one piece of clothing stands out by itself. Bags, like shoes, provide light-reflecting contrasts to your outfit. It is important, therefore, that your bag, as your shoes be well maintained and polished.

Here are 11 bags to carry off your look.

1. Pauric Sweeney

2. Corsia
3. Dolce & Gabbana
4. Ally Capellino

5. Moore & Giles
6. ndc
7. A Brand Apart
8. Jas m.b.
9. Maison Martin Margiela
10. John Varvatos
11. Dior

Sep 5, 2011

Winter Looks for Guys in the Pacific Northwest


A Morning of Kelp Harvesting Along the Coast



Sipping Fair Trade Coffee at the Weekend Sustainable Green Living Organic Farmers Market



Waiting for Your Capture by an International Street Style Photographer




all items available via Norse

Summer Breeze