Vintage Chloe

1980

How to Make a Good First Impression

You have a very narrow window of opportunity to make a first impression. Make it count.

1. Good manners are an investment in yourself.
2. When you meet someone, stand (if seated), make eye contact, shake his or her hand, smile and say hello.
3. The hand shake should end after two or three pumps from the elbow but the smile and eye contact remain until the introduction is complete.
4. At a function, wear your name tag on the right because the majority of people are right handed. When they reach to shake your hand their eyes will automatically glance at the name tag.
5. Most communication is seen and not heard. Know your personal habits and nonverbal communication gestures and learn to control them.
6. A formal event dictates that a dress jacket and tie are required.
7. Standing when you meet someone is a way of communicating that you respect them, recognize their status and are interested in the introduction. If you are seated, rise and come out from behind to greet them.
8. Look people in the eye when you speak to them. It is considered very bad manners to break eye contact during a conversation. That being said, don't stare at them, shift your view to the person's eyebrows after a few seconds. Hold eye contact long enough so you remember their eye color.
9. In a social situation/opportunity to schmooze you're far better off making a few solid memorable contacts than trying to collect as many business cards as you can. Sincerity is the key to good schmoozing.
10. You have a maximum of 60 seconds to make a first impression. Make it count.
    

How to Make Spinach Gomae

I modified this recipe from an old cook book from the 70s, (The Book of Whole Meals: A Seasonal Guide to Assembling Balanced Vegetarian Breakfasts, Lunches and Dinners). It's not a traditional Japanese Horenso Goma-ae recipe but it tastes pretty darn close to me.

INGREDIENTS
2-3 bunches spinach
1 cup tahini
1 1/2 tbsps shoyu (natural soy sauce) or to taste
1 1/2 tbsps honey
juice from 1/2 a lemon
1 1/2 tbsps sesame seeds or to taste

PREP
1. spinach
Wash the spinach thoroughly (trim about 1 1/2 inches off the bottom)
Chop into coarse pieces
Place the wet spinach in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat; cover and steam in its own moisture for 5 minutes or until the spinach shrinks and turns bright green
2. sesame paste
Combine the tahini, shoyu, honey, lemon and sesame seeds in a medium bowl
Place the spinach in individual serving bowls, top with a large spoonful of sesame paste and sprinkle with sesame seeds
Makes 2-4 servings

Style Inspiration - Paul Newman Clint Eastwood

Paul Newman & Clint Eastwood - 1971

Signs of Quality Tailoring - The Trench Coat

Vintage Albert Nipon

1979

I think I could work with these outfits.

Hang Up

from bottom left: Flo, junk yard find steel photo, four found photos of vintage old growth logging, Italian glass vase, black soapstone owl and beaver, and a chunk of amethyst


top left: John & Salome - Aubrey Beardsley, Tate Gallery Warhol exhibit 1971, found poodle portrait, my pretending Riopelle, Paris in reverse 2000, self portrait 1998, Ural Owls - 1910,

Over the last two weekends we've finally got around to hanging up some of our art (two years after we moved in). Our plan is to fill most of the wall behind the table - stay tuned. We have a lot that still needs to get framed. Only five pieces were done this time around, none of which are in these photos. Those will be going behind the sofa.

Style Inspiration

Pete Townshend and Paul Weller - 1980
Paolo Hewitt joined in the shot with a snazzy outfit later
© Janette Beckman

Are you an Esquire Man?

BMW ad Architectural Digest 1979

Esquire page 45 September 2011

Esquire magazine used to somewhat appeal to me until I bought this September's issue. To be honest, I actually don't ever recall buying one before, the only reason I bought this one was because Ryan Gosling was on the cover. Once I got to page 45 I'd had enough. According to Esquire, if a woman wants to attract an 'Esquire man' she should drive the 21st Century rendition of the mini van. Who would find these cars sexy? Apparently, according to Esquire's Media Kit, a 43.9 year old male who is 'affluent, educated and successful' would find these cars sexy. Obviously, I'm out of touch with people of my own demographic! What I'm really getting at is these cars are ugly and they're not cool. I hope Ryan Gosling isn't an 'Esquire man'.

Vintage Angelo Tarlazzi

1980
Tarlazzi was Creative Director for Guy Laroche from 1989-1993