Baron Alessandro Albrizzi was part of the late '60s and early '70s international jet set crowd that meandered between Venice, Rome, London, and Palm Beach. Launching his first shop in 1968 at One Sloan Square in London, Albrizzi quickly went on to open many shops around the world.
Albrizzi's name became synonymous with cutting-edge interior design. His trademark chrome and acrylic home furnishings were known for their sleek, clean, versatile shapes and took the form of desks, tables, stacking cubes and accessories like lucite backgammon sets and fireplace tools. In 1970, Vogue magazine declared Albrezzi's shop in New York's Carlyle Hotel the place "where chic people of all ages seem to find the very thing for their own or their friends' houses."
Next time you walk by a window take a glance at your reflection. What do you see? The way you carry yourself commands as much attention, if not more, as your presentation. Good posture will make you look more confident, it will gain you admiration and respect and your clothes will look better. Someone with droopy shoulders and their chin to their chest while walking does not present a confident, stable individual.
Tricks to improve your posture and your walk:
Walk around your home with a book on your head. After doing it long enough you'll begin to feel an imaginary book there.
Imagine you are tucking your shoulder blades into your back pockets when you're walking or sitting. Don't be surprised if your collarbone cracks, that's good. You'll not only feel your breathing getting better as your chest rises but you'll also notice your stomach tightening. With clearer breathing comes relaxation. Take a deep breath through your nose and one more quick one when you think you can't breathe in anymore. Feel your chest expand and slowly let it out while counting to ten. You shouldn't finish before you reach ten.
Stand with your feet shoulder width apart and your weight evenly balanced. Picture a big balloon poised over your head. The balloon is attached by strings just behind your ears. As the balloon begins to float upward it lifts your head raises your chin, pushes your shoulders back, tightens your stomach and draws your butt in.
Imagine your mother repeating, in a stern voice, 'Shoulders back, stomach in, chest out' as you feel yourself slumping.
Practice either, or both, of these two famous walks at home and try them out next time you have to walk across a crowded room. It'll make you smile inside.
I recently had an interview with a gentleman who was wearing cuff links. He was fifteen minutes late but when I saw his cuff links my irritation waned. Cuff links are the epitome of male elegance.
I also find them a statement of individuality and confidence. It is known that a well dressed man can never have too many cuff links.
There are general rules for wearing cuff links:
bright stones, black pearls and diamonds are worn in the evening.
dull natural stones such as turquoise, onyx, or tigers eye are worn for day
simple gold and silver links are suitable for both - except for black tie when you choose from your evening sets.
they should match what you're wearing.
gold cuff links made to look like rough nuggets can appear expensive yet casual. See those by David Yurman.
Large links can look gaudy if worn the wrong way. If your links are large, go for an outfit that is simple to prevent yourself from looking like Ralph Furley. Cuff links are a great conversation starter among both sexes.
When do you wear cuff links? Whenever you want to.
Where do you wear cuff links? Wherever you want to.
Where do you find them? The best cuff links are in vintage or antique shops.
I had a budget of $90 and the task of finding my husband something to wear. Being an expert 'picker' and of a competitive spirit I set off to my local thrift store. I made one stop and this is what I found.
Cost:
military issue leather combat boots - $29.99
jersey gunmetal wool cardigan with suede elbow patches - $6.99
chainmail belt - $3.99
vintage tee - $4.99
viscose asphalt flat front tapered trousers - $9.99
Designed in 1952, the Pyrex 775X series of Flameware coffee percolators are an American mid-century icon. The percolators are made of glass and stainless steel and come in various sizes. The 775X percolator consists of a glass pot, glass cover, glass pump spindle tube, aluminum basket bottom and cover, and glass inner basket. A simple, beautiful and useful piece of design. Pictured above is my coveted 7759 B that I picked up at a charity shop in mint condition for $30. Don't be afraid to use your vintage Flameware percolator when you find it.**Note - your coffee will need to be ground extra coarse.
How long do you think it will take before Philippe Stark comes out with his version?
The works of John Cage gave artists the permission to do anything they will - to break down the old and construct the new. To Cage, knowledge was limitless. He is praised by critics as a pioneer of electronic music and one the most influential American composers of the 20th century. Below is a piece entitled Dream (1948), written during what some refer to as his phase of 'Oriental quiescence'.