Uncivilized Cards from the 70s

I sometimes find these tacky things at thrift stores.  What was with the 70s anyway? So sloppy and uncouth. Now pass the Grey Poupon if you will.
Mean-Spirited Greeting Cards from the 1970s by LosPeep

From the archives: A Collection of Rejection

Originally published April 14, 2011

One of the best things about writing your own blog is that you really save a fortune on self addressed stamped envelopes.





















But alas!

My Random Thoughts During a Monday Meeting

• Why did camel colored Dockers become the pant of choice for men in their 50s?
• Has X lost weight? I hope he doesn't have that cancer that he keeps saying he's going to get and die from.
• I really like those glasses on Y. Tortoise shell was a good choice. What would he look like with an 80s Simply Red hair cut?
• How did she get so tan? Phoenix golf trip? She has nice legs that's for sure but that skirt is definitely way too short and the shoes look cheap. Isn't she freezing with bare legs? I like her necklace. She always accessorizes so well.
• I hate this sweater I'm wearing. It's shedding what looks like pubic hair onto the notes I'm sharing with my colleague. Fantastic.
• I bet that guy wears a spandex unitard and is part of a road bike pack on the weekend.
• Where did Mr. IT get that bangle? It's a men's version of mine. Imagine if we were in this secret society whose members wore a single white gold bangle...
• Are those suede creepers? That's hilarious that his other car is a 70s Fire Chicken.
• Mr. Blue Shirt needs to simmer down. Agh, he's always so angry.
• 98% of the people at this meeting are probably eligible for retirement. What are they doing here?
• Good point whatever your name is. You always have good points. What is your job I wonder?
• That a girl Z! Call his bluff! Did she color her hair again?
• I can't believe Soul Patch beside me here is biting his nails - and making that sucking, biting sound while he's at it. So gross.
• Shhh. I'm not having a panic attack. I shouldn't have had that double long espresso before the meeting that's all.
• I like Mr. Spandex Unitard's leather bracelet. I wonder what the story is behind it. Doesn't match his Dockers and ugly shirt. He's quite handsome actually. I wonder if he has a wife and kids.
• It's freezing in here. I can't believe I'm wearing jeans, boots, a tank top, wool long john shirt and a mohair sweater and I'm still freezing.
• He's actually saying something that isn't a jumble of words that are trying to cover for the fact that he really has no clue.
• I will not grab a muffin, for the ride home. 

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Bad Companions...

So unrelated to fashion, design and architecture but hey, make a shirt out of it on Zazzle. In case you were ever wondering which plants to plant together, here's a vegetable companion planting guide from a great site I found via Tumblr. For the larger, clearer image go to their site

The last week of my class | Hello miscellania

This week is the last week of my first class for this year - well, the first teaching marketing that is. Remember, I had decided to get back into the classroom? I had a great bunch of students - 15 women and 3 men and damn were they creative - and engaging. The class had the, 'group of colleagues sharing ideas' vibe, I love it when that happens. Needless to say, I've decided to take on another class in May (that's already half full) - I'll keep you posted.

So, because I've been so busy finishing up the class I haven't had a chance to download the shots of the West Van mid-century home I had the honour of shoting two weeks ago. However, I did manage to put a couple up on the Bijou Living Facebook page.

For entertainment purposes here are a few random images with a few little stories.

My parents are coming down for an Easter weekend visit and they're bringing me this credenza I bought online in the Okanagan; along with the one I restored last summer - and a Westnofa ottoman to match my two yard sale Westnofa Siesta chairs. I'll most likely be selling both credenzas so if you're interested let me know.

This is where I grew up. My parents built this house in Langley (74B Ave) in the 70s. There was a cattle farm across the street, a horse (Fuzzball), some chickens and two brothers on one side of us and some more chickens and two sisters on the other side. When we lived here the house was a gold colour - probably Harvest Gold. This photo is from two weeks ago. 

I almost bought this oil painting at the SPCA Thrift Store in East Van. It just said Vancouver all over it to me. There was once a time when wherever you turned you'd see a house like this. The odd one still stands - mainly near the Renfrew area - the 'character homes' that are for sale start at 800K.

I bought this wicker peacock chair two weeks ago. Flo approved right away. Knowing me I'll probably be selling it soon as well!

Speaking of selling things. I found this cool little number online. I was thinking of selling our teak dining set and picking up this baby. What do you think? It will totally clash with the kilim we have in the dining room - which means I may need to find a new rug as well, which isn't such a bad thing.

Some Fine Feathered Friends

When the time comes to send me off to the crazy lady home I'll be fine in a chair in a field with lots of birdies around. By that time, I may have forgotten everything and everyone, but I know for sure that I'll never forget the sounds of the birds. Here are a few of my chums that pop by for drinks and canapes.

Humphrey

Buddy

Buddy's parents

Ferdinand

Ferdinand plays the railing

Steve Junko

The Business of Bourbon

My parents were Scotch drinkers. Which meant that if I ever wanted to have a few shots of liquid courage before going out I either had to grow a fondness for scotch or figure out some way to get into their unopened vodka bottle without being noticed. To make a long story short, my Dad approached me a few years ago expressing his embarrassment when he poured his friend a vodka soda only to have his friend politely comment on the lack of actual vodka in the soda. Now who in their right mind would've thought my Dad still would have had that same bottle of vodka that was watered down weekend after weekend in 1989? We both laughed about it. That's all we really could do.

Remember New Coke?  I always question brands and their ulterior motives - even if in reality they don't have one. Last week when I heard that Maker's Mark had 'underestimated' the demand for their bourbon five years ago, (barreling less of it for the five year aging process), and had in turn decided to water down future batches, (to ensure supply met demand), the first thing I smelled was foul play. To make matters worse, to state that no one would even know the alcohol content had been lowered from 90 to 84 proof, (an overall decline of 7% in alcohol), the company, that thought it was being transparent, actually made it sound as if Maker's Mark drinkers were without palette and therefore it was without consequence if they watered the booze down. In no way am I accusing Maker's Mark of anything dirty, (no publicity is bad publicity), however the Maker's Mark brand equity is at stake and I find it hard to believe a company could be so blatantly dumb unaware of the damage such a move could have on that equity.

Always the entrepreneur, I'd planned to head right to the liquor store to stock up on 90 proof Maker's Mark for resale at a later date. But wait, could this move on my part actually be the desired end result of a marketing tactic?

Truth be Told

My inspiration board on Tumblr.

My conversation platform on Facebook.

My randomness on Twitter.

Currently on Rotation in My Car

Seriously, ever try belly dancing while seated?

Rough Guide to Bellydance

Digital Graffiti | Architecture | Thought Rants | Fashion | Design

Tagging a gravestone, locking locks on a fence, sticking gum on a wall. Why do people participate? Self expression? Community? Dopamine? Are Facebook, Tumblr, or Foursquare forms of digital graffiti? Why or why not?


image via my tumblr via here

• be fearless
• go beyond the obvious
• never assume
• look for hints transform them to innovation
• ideas for ideas' sake are worthless

The day before I left for my holiday vacation two of my instructors took me out for drinks - which somewhat turned into an intervention. They told me my job was sucking the life out of me. I appreciated their candor because I'm a tough love kind of chick.

Time for some changes - 2013 will see me up in front of a class again. I'm looking forward to making my students' brains hurt. I'll be teaching into the digital marketing program I created so expect to see a few thought rants like this one. I'm also going to be creating a new e-retail program which I'm really looking forward to as that's where my business was born. Besides thinking, I'm also passionate about design, architecture and fashion so I'll be blogging more - which is also a passion. Oh - and I'll also be opening shopbijouliving.com Three cheers for the entrepreneur!

Happy New Year to You! I really appreciate you sticking around and following my ups, downs and circular motions! The best is yet to come.

My 6 Gift Wish List

dwarf globe blue spruce

black cable knit sweater (image)

Le Labo Musc 25

These earrings. I had the same ones once, but then I was robbed.

Fiorentini + Baker

Sterling Silver Bobby Pins

The Whiskey Advent Calendar - an early gift

No more cheap chocolate! Behind each of the 24 doors is a 3cl sample of whisky - including a 50 year old Scotch (full bottle worth $560). Get it here. Prefer gin? Go for the Ginvent calendar

Sweatshirts are Cats

Toques are crows, cardboard is dogs,and sweatshirts are cats. I've been known to turn around and drive/walk miles out of my way if I spot something that may be domestic animal roadkill, (I have a crow buddy that hangs out at my place so crows are included). However, like a deer stuck in headlights, I can't keep my eyes out of lost pet posters, lost pet classified ads and the obituary section of the newspaper. It pains me so.