Fashion Bloggers and Brandwashing

A few weeks ago Syed, at Dapper Kid, wrote a great post about fashion bloggers and transparency. I commented on how I doubted the transparency of Jak & Jil at times. My viewpoint was formed after seeing way too many black quilted vintage (?) Chanel shoulder bags and a certain type of phone in a series of posts on Jak & Jil. These high gloss street style bloggers have always left me with my doubts - it's time to move on marketers. Today, in my reader, four new posts from Jak and Jil came in - each titled Tommy Ton for Club Monaco. Thank you Mr. Ton, for your transparency. I, for one, greatly appreciate it.

For more on brandwashing take a peak at Martin Lindstrom's book, Brandwashed.

Quote of the Week - Jack Kerouac

One day I will find the right words and they will be simple.

Last Weekend

It rained so hard even the crows were soaked.

We picked up some Springtime and headed over to Rachel and Eddie's place

for some champagne cocktails





and an attempt at making this extreme Chocolate Wasted Cake. According to Rachel, remember I'm the bartender, it didn't work properly because there weren't any eggs.

We poured Kahlua over it and ate it anyway.

I husked tulips.

stacy reynaud

Morello hung out

and Gabriella hid.

Their building turned 101 last year - the tenants had a street party (welcome to the West End).

An apartment like theirs is perfect for introverted me and my ADD.

There is so much to look at my eyes don't stop - which means I don't really need to talk.

I can disappear into one of the five rooms (I despise open concept) and try on her Grandma's jewelry

or admire pillows bought on Etsy and Polaroid collages of loved ones.

Even the trees keep me entertained.

Her flower garden is continuously growing. On my next visit I'll bring her some of mine.

Currently Listening To

Last night I was looking for a video of Dinah Washington singing, Baby Did You Hear Me? All I could find were cheesy remixes. As a last resort I tried rcrdlbl. Do you ever go there just to read the awesome band names? While looking for Dinah, I came to the conclusion that David Dead Deer should compose a new album, Ghost Wolf of the Panda Woodland.
Okay, Verve, I will now go and purchase Dinah's single.

1966 House and Garden Building Guide

House and Garden Building Guide was published twice a year by Condé Nast. You could send away for blueprints for homes like this. Just for fun, I was going to send my $20 for the 'Complete package for one house' to the address provided.
image above: Glass and steel house designed in 1949 by Philip Johnson, New Canaan Connecticut, Fall Winter 1966-67 House & Garden

252K Bathroom

When I was 14 I went to visit my best friend in Santa Barbara. She had her own en suite with a window in her shower that opened onto a back yard filled with lemon trees. Since that moment, I have dreamt of having a shower with an opening window in it. Today, I received an email update from the Palm Springs Real Estate guide I subscribe to featuring a 2084 sq ft mid century home, consisting of four bedrooms, original galley kitchen, swimming pool and this shower/bathtub with a sliding door to the back yard in it. How sweet is that? Very sweet. In my eyes, I could make that washroom alone worth the 252K they're asking for the whole house.

images and details via trulia

Quote of the Week - John Malkovich

The ghosts you chase you never catch.

Design Lover - Sergio Rodrigues Poltrona Mole

Meditate on this for awhile

Source: this-is-glamorous.tumblr.com via Stacy on Pinterest

From the Archives - How to Use an Area Rug

Originally published January 6, 2009

Area rugs bring furniture groupings together, add accent, deaden noise and act as partitions. When used correctly, they draw all the elements of a room together - pulling pictures, curtains, and furniture into the central color scheme.

Area rugs used in the living room to draw together conversational furniture groupings should be large enough to outline the groups. Each piece of furniture should be set at least partially on the rug. For example, an area rug that you place in front of a sofa should be as long as the sofa or longer.

Faux fur and flokati area rugs add glamour to the living room, and they can be washed gently and brushed when dry. Their soft, deep pile contrasts superbly with hard and shiny surfaces. They also add texture to a room without causing angst to any fluid lines.

In the image above, the swirling lines of the faux fur rug and the wallpaper are complemented by the round shapes of the table, chairs, and lamp base. The dominant colors are black, white and wood tones. Colors would seem drab if it weren't for the ripe red wallpaper, sofa and accessories. The pattern provides transitional lines between shapes and ties important colors together, resulting in an engaging and sophisticated room.

Related posts:

Top 9 Interiors Trends For 2009

8 Tips For A Living Room Layout

How To Make A Cool Headboard

How To Exhibit A Vintage Chair Collection

Still looking for a sofa

This image popped up in a file on my computer the other day. I have no idea where it came from. I must have saved it as inspiration because it's the perfect sofa for me. I found a similar one at Montauk but ouch - too expensive. She really should take her shoes off and use a coaster.

Quote of the Week - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.

FYI - Fix Your Interior - The Foyer

'How convenient is your front entry? Does it lead guests into a transition zone where you can shake hands and take their coats, or does it unceremoniously dump them right into the living room? If your entry is little more than a door, then let this multiple-use divider change all that.
Besides screening your entry, the unit provides a setting for that fireplace you've always wanted, along with a flip down desk, compact beverage bar, loads of shelf space and even a firewood bin. Once the hearth and prefabricated fireplace have been installed you can construct the shelf systems with tension poles and plywood.' Better Homes and Gardens, 1966

Sounds like a good idea to me. Could we make use of this fireplace?

Source: lavalotti.wordpress.com

Star Finder 1970

Source: books.google.ca via Stacy on Pinterest

Sounds like a band name, come to think of it.
I need to brush up on my star gazing because all I can ever find are the Dippers.
Cassiopeia. Is there a word that is more fun to say?
Found in the December 1970 edition of Boy's Life magazine.

Business in the Front - Party in the Back

Source: modelscomposites.com via Stacy on Pinterest

Image from 1971
Back in the olden days we referred to these types of hairdos as hockey cuts (short on the sides, long in the back).
Looking at it now, I like it. Let's bring it back.