Women's Style Inspiration - Stage Door 1937

The first thirty minutes of this film could be an entire collection. A must see.

What He Wore

On Christmas Break Walks

baggy knees, bushy beard, vintage jacket, vintage scarf, fiddler's cap

Quote of the Week - Lucille Ball

I'd rather regret the things I've done than regret the things I haven't done.

Design Lover - Ico Parisi Valet

Mid-century Italian design in solid walnut with brass hardware by Ico Parisi. Available here.
photo via 1stdibs

How I spent the last day of 2010

As expected there was a lot of good stuff to be found. Particularly menswear. I only bought the Aquascutum coat, two women's vintage Givenchy suits, a vintage 1978 men's blue leather provincial champ jacket that I visualized Ryan Gosling wearing and some sterling tear drop earrings. If I was doing the Manhattan Vintage Show in February I could've stocked up majorly - however, I do have a great idea for a 'reality' show so email me if you know anyone I can pitch to.

vintage Aquascutum Harris Tweed Overcoat

exceptional vintage pinstripe suit - look at that lining and tell me where quality has gone.

vintage Rice coat with Borg faux shearling lining

industrial chair and 1970s RCA clock radio

disgustingly good but only twice a year - Japa Dog Veggie Terrimayo (no onions)

early 60s Italian alligator pumps

vintage hand made men's shoes

1980s Stacy Adams men's ankle boots

vintage 70s Kings of Lloyd (German) men's shoes

deep in visualization mode
images Stacy Reynaud

The Last Post of 2010

There is a tide in the affairs of men,

Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;
Omitted, all the voyage of their life
Is bound in shallows and miseries.
On such a full sea are we now afloat;
And we must take the current when it serves,

Or lose our ventures.

- William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar

A Cautious Men's Hairstyle Trend

caesar

Pet Shop Boys

via Jak & Jill

There was one particular men's hairstyle trend circa late 1980s, early 1990s that drove me nuts - but not in a good way. We called it the Caesar cut. I see it's back. If you're as smooth as Antonio Banderas go ahead, otherwise be careful you might come across as Lloyd Christmas

for more search early 90s Prada and Oasis.

Quote of the Week - Marilyn Monroe

I'm selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best.

My Favourite Things

Fellow blogger Liberty and In Dependence inspired me to write a 'Favourite Things' list—which is much different from my 'Strictly Materialistic' list. Sorry, Oprah; it wasn't you.

So, here you go:

1. strawberry rhubarb pie - preferably for breakfast
   
2. body pillows
   
3. the first cup of coffee in the morning - made extra strong in my perculator.
   
4. very, very long walks
5. mid-century West Coast architecture
   
6. my new neighbourhood
   
7. driving my car like it's a sauna on wheels
8. robin songs at sunset
   
9. fond memories of things that once were
10. my Danskos and Birks
11. the smell of the Pacific Northwest forest after the rain

10 Tips for the Party Host

When your hosting skills are brought to the test, don't fail.

1. Take your guest's coat. Do not put them on the bed.* Hang them up. Small, unrealistic closet? Rent a sales man's rack or invest in one (I have two).
2. Your guest's shoes are part of their outfit - allow them to keep them on. I bring fancy house slippers with me just in case the dreaded pile of shoes is at the door.
3. Offer your guest a drink after you've taken their coat and before they're more than five steps in the door. Tip: have non-alcoholic drinks (soda, tonic and juice), red wine, white wine, bubbles, beer, vodka, rum, rye, scotch, tequila, gin, sweet and dry vermouth and cognac. Don't forget fresh ice, cocktail napkins, lemons, limes, olives and cocktail straws.
4. Never introduce your guest's boyfriend, girlfriend, fiance, spouse or whatever, as such. They have an identity of their own.
5. You are responsible for your guest's safety. Read my post, How to Deal with Drunk Guests.
6. Keep the lights and the music low.
7. If you're a couple, work tag team. Lay out each of your defined 'duties' before hand and cover each others backs with refilling drinks, conversation starters, toilet paper and hand towel checks, lit candles, cleared plates and stocked ice.
8. Never let them see you sweat. As far as your guest is concerned you're already the monarch of the mingler - they don't need to see the dirty dishes. Get some of those big plastic crates with tops and hide your dirty dishes in there until the guests leave. Throw a table cloth over it and they'll never know. I used to hide stuff in the bath tub of my ensuite.
9. Accept that you'll have a guest that snoops in the medicine cabinet of your bathroom. You know what to do with that stuff.
10. To prevent guests from over staying, lay out a start and end time in your invite. If there are still stragglers start unloading those crates with the dirty dishes in them.

* Back in the old days laying coats on the bed was considered faux pas due to bed bug infestations.

Here's to...

sharp suits, wrinkle free dresses, and Cheezies. Have a fashionable, safe and love filled holiday weekend.

Quote of the Week - Orson Welles

If you want a happy ending you need to know when to end the story.

4 Tips for the Best Business Wardrobe

I was recently contacted by a gentleman who is changing careers. He's confident in his decision but not his current wardrobe. He asked for some suggestions on where to start.

The answer to this question cannot be communicated in one post so let's start here:

1. Know what you like and what you don't like. What suits you and your style of living. This particular individual didn't want a baggy suit. He liked the mod suits from the 60s but not the super skinny trousers. He told me he liked Diplo's suits, Booth's suits from Bones and Terrence Stamp's suits (see my post on his classic look here).
2. Know your clothing's priorities and each day's sartorial demands. Meetings, luncheons, golf (an unfortunate part of business, my apologies to golfers), and the cursed casual Friday. You want to be sharp and dressed appropriately for each. What are the corner offices wearing? Take cues from them and notch it up by one.
3. Versatility. Maintain a flexible wardrobe. Back in my retail days, we were taught the foundation of the fashion equation, 2+2+2+5, (Men = two trousers, two ties, two jackets, five shirts. Women = two skirts, two trousers, two jackets, five tops).
4. You want to be known for your unique ideas - that being said, limit it to one unique idea per outfit.

Murder of Crows

I've been wanting to record these guys for over a decade. They've been getting together like this in an area in Burnaby every day for as long as I can remember. Last week I got my camera ready and waited. You really have to see it in person to experience the true wonder of it.

Design Lover - the animal on my plate

Magda Boreysza paints on vintage mismatched china. Why not try emailing her to see if she'll do custom work on all that old stuff your Mom's given you? You never know...