How to Wear a Beard

Philip Crangi has more than good tattoos and jewelry...

I prefer fur. I think it started when I was a little girl with Grizzly Adams. So when I was out having lunch with my friend on Tuesday she announces, 'Jesus has arrived.' when Mr. Big Beard walks in. 'Well, Hello Jesus!' was my response. I then had to explain my preference for the beard.

1. the eyes are the cavern to the soul and the beard highlights them (note Charles Manson - take one look at those eyes and tell me what you think).
2. I enjoy watching men shave, trim, groom.
3. they are pleasurable.
4. they show confidence and non-conformity.
5. I'm not partial to the baby face look.
6. whisker burn is not nice.
7. pheromones under the ear lobe just near the hinge of the jaw.

Why grow a beard?

1. to look older
2. to attract attention
3. to cover a weak chin, scar or to take attention away from a large nose or lips that are too small or thick
4. for fun!

Which beard for you?

** Your beard should always be in proportion to the size of your face and body.
** It takes about a month to grow. Facial hair grows 3/4 of an inch every 30 days.

Round face

• a beard can make it look longer - especially a pointed one like Mr. Crangi's in the photo above.
• long sideburns make a face look slimmer.
• a round face should never wear short sideburns. They will make the face look even rounder.
• facial hair gives width to the lower portion of the face and broadens it out.

Square jaw

• go for a round beard

Thin/thick lips

• go for a heavy to medium mustache

Big nose

• go for a big mustache. It will make it look smaller.

Long narrow face

• thin mustache

Beard trimming tips

1. the natural line of your mustache and beard looks less artificial
2. stop shaving for the first 4-6 weeks to see where and how your beard grows
3. trim at least every 2 weeks or every day to keep it elegant
4. use shears, scissors or a beard trimmer
5. bottom of mustache should be trimmed first
6. never let it grow over the edge of the upper lip
7. to thin your beard lay a comb over it and run an electric razor across the comb
8. sideburns should be left full around the ears
9. don't focus on making sharp, straight lines, but always control the thickness
10. trim your beard when it's dry and start above your jaw, from your chin to your ear.
11. for edges follow the line of the jaw where the skin of your neck meets the skin of your chin
12. use conditioner to soften your beard and make it shine

So, as I said to my hair stylist JD when he told me he preferred my husband clean shaven - 'Don't knock it till you've tried it.'

ps: I thought Joaquin Phoenix looked damn hot with that beard! I also like wood paneling.

Quote of the Week - Louis Feraud

Japanese Label

Grime Effect

Looking forward to seeing what their 10-11 A/W showing has to offer.

Style Inspiration - Rocky Balboa

I watched Rocky the other night on TCM. Well, I had it on anyway. 

The 'Italian Stallion' wears his hat well and I can see Adrian being a hipster icon. 

Check out the 1976 version again if you haven't seen it in a while. 

Memorable quote from Rocky's trainer, 

'You're gonna eat lightning, and you're gonna crap thunder.'

Where to buy women's trousers

Katharine Hepburn via Here's Looking Like You, Kid

One would think it would be easy to find a pair of black trousers - just a simple light weight wool or wool crepe. I don't want tight butt trousers with stretch in them. Terrible. They look cheap, feel cheap and smell cheap. I want a nice pair of tailored trousers a la 1937 Katharine Hepburn or Lauren Bacall to be specific. I've been in the fashion industry for 25 years and I remember what most trousers were like before greed set in.

Oscar de la Renta

I found one pair (above) that were beautifully made but they were $1000. If I had the cash I would have bought them. Yes, I would spend $1000 on a pair of trousers if they were of high quality and a classic design.

Apparently, I'm 'picky'. You know what I say - if I'm giving someone my money (because ultimately I am) they have to deserve it.

There. That feels better. Thanks for listening.

How to Prepare for a Trip

1. arrange for your pets, plants and lawn
2. arrange to have your mail and newspaper held at the post office or collected by a friend
3. empty the refrigerator and turn it to low (you'll be surprised by your low bill)
   
4. leave a house key with a friend
5. lock all doors, windows and car
6. notify your neighbours of your absence and how to reach you
7. reconfirm your airline ticket and other reservations
8. set a light timer
9. turn off your computer
10. leave a copy of your id/passport with a close friend or relative
11. tell your loved ones you love them and you're going to miss them

Art for Art's Sake?

Bylot Island 1 by Lawren Harris

Back in September 2008 I wrote about investing in art. I still stand by that. Last night Lawren Harris' Bylot Island 1 sold in Vancouver for $2.4 million ($2.8 with buyer's premium).

Stacy Reynaud

I'm going to pretend that this piece I bought for $5 on Tuesday is a long lost Jean Paul Riopelle.

Vintage Abe Schrader

1980

Some things are better left in the past

1973

Although I must admit the crystal chandelier, marble counter top, check floor, Greek bust and pure gaudiness of this one is tugging at my secret Liberace heart strings.

It is in the Eyes

Lupe Veléz

Monica Vitti

Quote of the Week - Winston Churchill

Only as high as I reach can I grow, only as far as I seek can I go, only as deep as I look can I see, only as much as I dream can I be.

Tip of the Week - Fashion

image via oooooh I want all of those

A bigger briefcase doesn't make you look more important. In fact, it's quite the opposite.

Trends - Under the Stairs - How to Make a Bookshelf

Peg board wall with book shelves. Could be a solution to my shelving problem.
*note the Joe Colombo trolley - just so happens one was salvaged in Vancouver. I wonder if he still has it?

Vintage Vicius

1980

Trends - Inspiring Industrial Shelving

I'm still looking...

via The Selby