1989 Went back to the future with Nissan Figaro

I grew up in a body shop. My father restored Camaros, Corvettes, T-Birds, 57 Chevys, you name it. When we spotted this car we were both curious. Initially, we thought it was a vintage Italian model but the rear brake light and window markings convinced us otherwise.
Nissan Figaros were a limited edition coupe (20,000) produced for Japan's domestic market in 1991. The Figaro came in four 'jewel' colors, each representing a season. The model here is Emerald Green (Spring). The other 'jewel' colors were Pale Aqua, Lapis Grey and Topaz Mist (the rarest).
The Figaro was designed by Shoji Takahashi for the 1989 Tokyo Motor Show under the slogan 'Back to the Future'.
As for speed, let's say the Figaro is a perfect car for motoring around the city. Fuel economy 7.4 L/100 km. Fuel capacity 40 L (11 US gal.; 9 imp gal). 3 speed automatic transmission.
A sliding soft top is standard on the Figaro, as is extremely water repellent paint and white leather interior.
Eric Clapton's Figaro is for sale.

For more information on the Figaro check:
Figaro Cars Are Us
Figaro Owners' Site

Versace Men 1992

Versace
1992

Quote of the Week - Christian Dior

Individuality will be always one of the conditions of real elegance. Christian Dior

How to Choose Eye Glass Frames for Your Face Shape

Eye glasses have been a celebrated fashion accessory for men since the late 1950s - think of iconic photos of Yves Saint Laurent, Buddy Holly, Woody Allen or John Lennon. As of late, the trend in eyeglasses has moved from the inconspicuous frameless glasses to the obvious, bold frames with oversize lenses. There are wire frames and heavy frames in oval, round, hexagonal, octagonal, square or what have you. Find a pair that proportionally suits your face, like you would a hat, and the frame will flatter your positive facial features. Think of the image or look you want to create for yourself.

• Round face - angular frames
• Square face - long narrow frames
• Diamond face - wide wire frames
• Oval face - you're perfect go for anything
• Large face - large frames
• Small face - small frames
• Large nose - heavy dark frames
• Dark circles/wrinkles - heavy substantial frames

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Vintage Yves Saint Laurent

Yves Saint Laurent

1980

 

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Sheila White - The Mysterious West Coast Potter

I came across Sheila White's ceramic sculptures by way of John David Lawrence, proprietor of DODA Antiques in Vancouver, British Columbia. The only pieces I have seen of White's are of birds such as owls and robins. All the pieces are heavily textured, simple and beautiful.

collection of Stacy Reynaud

I've searched for information on Sheila White but have come up empty handed. I am assuming that she was a student of Thomas Kakinuma at the UBC Extension Department between 1955 - 1968. The pieces I own are marked with White's stamp and one has Kakinuma written in ink.

Her work is highly regarded among collectors of BC Pottery. Watch for it.
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How to Remove Wine Stains and Other Delicacies

Many delicacies we enjoy, such as wine, pomegranates, coffee, strawberries, pecans and chocolate can leave behind a stain reminisce of a random tattoo from some lost night in Vegas. You can lay blame on the tannin found in each.

Absorb stains before they set by using the tip of a white paper towel to soak up excess liquid. Never scrub or press with the towel, this will ruin the fabric's texture. If your garment reads DRY CLEAN ONLY do not try to remove the stain yourself - take it promptly to your cleaner.

If your garment is machine washable try the following to remove the stains left behind by the delicacies above:

1. Absorb excess liquid with a white cloth or paper towel
2. Soak the garment in cool water
3. Put detergent and white vinegar on the stain
4. Wash out thoroughly with water
5. Air dry

If the stain persists, wash the garment with detergent and appropriate amount of bleach in the hottest water the garment can withstand.

Trends - Terrariums

Ace Hotel Portland
 stacy reynaud

... and miniature gardens.

Landscaping on a Lilliputian scale provides a unique method for indoor gardening in smaller bijou living spaces. Made popular in the Victorian times (then known as Wardian Cases after an accidental discovery by the surgeon Dr. Nathaniel Ward), the terrarium garden offers an inexpensive way for both the beginner and expert gardener to express their green thumb while evoking curiosity and conversation from viewers. Try the style in your small living space.

Quote of the Week - Oscar Wilde

We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.
Oscar Wilde

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5 Best Ways To Make a Good First Impression

A dark colored, well tailored blazer
You can spend $200 or $2000 on a blazer but if it doesn't fit properly you'll look like a buck fifty.
The man 5'9" and under should go for the short. Your blazer shouldn't look like a tunic.
Although sized according to chest, the blazer should fit properly in the shoulders. If you can see your deltoids it's too small.
The old adage is, if a man wants one jacket in his lifetime make it a dark blue blazer.

A good haircut
Find a stylist that knows you and your style. My husband pays more for a haircut than I do. His justification is that if he went to another stylist, he'd look like a cheap used car salesman with a comb-over. Seeing as your partner should complement you when you're out together I'm willing to hold off on a pedi to keep him looking and feeling sexy. You may not notice it but glances go straight from your face right to your shoes. Which brings us to our next point:

The finest quality shoes
Your shoes should be the most expensive, highly crafted piece you're wearing. Good shoes can make an inexpensive outfit look like a million bucks. Black wing tips like those by Salvatore Ferragamo, Tom Ford or Ermenegildo Zegna are safe and timeless.

A classic watch
The wrist is an area for chic understatement. Don't be too aggressive or too skimpy. Some recommend building your watch collection to mix with your wardrobe. To start, go for a classic in steel, silver or white gold like a vintage Rolex Oyster Perpetual, Van Cleef & Arpels Latérale or a classic Timex Mercury.

Proper pants (including denim)
By 'proper' I mean those that suit your body type. Not everyone can wear skinny jeans or drain pipe trousers. If you're tall, stay away from pinstripes. If you're short, choose pants in dark fabrics. Most importantly make sure your pants are hemmed properly: Pant Hems - What You Need to Know


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Glass Plates Reborn: Digichromatography

Ural Owls - 1910
Sergei Mikhailovich Prokudin-Gorskii

from the author's personal collection

Russian photographer to Tsar Nicholas II, Sergei Mikhailovich Prokudin-Gorskii, captured black and white images on glass plate negatives using red, green and blue filters. He then presented the images in color using a light projection system and the same three filters. Thanks to digital technology and a process called digichromatography we are now able to view Prokudin-Gorskii's glass slides in brilliant color, the way he intended them to be. In layman's terms digichromatography involves scanning the glass negative then editing it with image editing software. Grayscale becomes RGB, layering and cropping are tackled and finally any retouching of the image is completed. That is a very brief primary explanation. Please see the full details here.

Style Inspiration: François Truffaut

French filmmaker François Truffaut

1932 - 1984

Vintage Gianni Versace

Gianni Versace

1980

Design Lover: Hamilton Beach Juice Extractor 932

For 69 years, the Hamilton Beach Juice Extractor Model 932 has been the main squeeze on the countertops of discerning chefs, bartenders, and juice devotees. 

It refuses to be squeezed out by the competition.

Patented a year after the disbandment of Bauhaus in 1933, the influence of the school is reflected in the 932's streamlined design and superior craftsmanship - it's known to last a lifetime. 

The extractor's rack-and-pinion gearing can exert up to 2000 lbs of pressure, ensuring fresh juice without the pulp. 

A classic appliance that's easy to use, good-looking and durable. 

Quote of the Week - Le Corbusier

Talent is not enough if it cannot be backed by strong character.
Le Corbusier

6 Summer Low Tops - Simple Clean Style

A pair of lo tops should be in every man's closet. Effortlessly simple, classic, and more fashionably functional than your average sneaker, the canvas or light suede lo top trainer can be worn with slim fitting jeans, tapered shorts or drain pipe trousers. Pair a well kept leather low top with your light summer linen suit for that Duran Duran Rio feel.

1. Asics Coolidge Lo
online at Barneys

2. Chuck Taylor All Stars low tops
online at Converse

3. Keds Green
online at Keds

4. Topman Canvas Plimsolls
online at Topman

5. Vans Classic Low Top
online at Vans

6. Rachel Comey Canvas Lo Top
online at oaknyc

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Design Lover: Mariano Fortuny Desk Lamp

Designed in 1903 by the Italian textiles and dress designer Mariano Fortuny, the sweepingly curved desk lamp is made of chrome with a solid brass and black lacquered arm. Height: 24.5 inches. Width: 22.5 inches. By Ecart International.

10 Things You Should Know About Oscar Niemeyer

Niterói Contemporary Art Museum, Brazil

1. Niemeyer, with Lucio Costa, designed the Brazilian Pavilion for the New York World's Fair.
2. His first executed work was a maternity clinic.
3. He worked with Le Corbusier on the preliminary plans for the Ministry of Education Building in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
4. Niemeyer began his career in architecture before he graduated from university.
5. He was a member of the United Nations Headquarters Design Committee
6. He considered the Modern Art Museum in Caracás, Venezuela, as marking an essential shift to minimalism in his designs
7. Niemeyer was head of the design group responsible for creating the first public building in the world to be expressed in the modernist architectural medium (Ministry of Education Building, Rio de Janiero)
8. Mayor Fiorella LaGuardia made him an honorary citizen of New York City in 1939
9. With the assistance of 60 architects, Niemeyer conceived, developed, and produced final drawings for all the critical federal buildings for Brasilia in less than two years
10. Niemeyer will celebrate his 102nd birthday on December 17, 2009.
    

Modern Art Museum, Venezuela

Vintage Christian Dior 1984

Christian Dior

1984

Your Week's Inspiration

One of my favourite Flickr contributors, hillbillyxx, posted this found photo on the weekend. Thank hillbillyxx for sharing such a find will you.

Quote of the Week - Faye Dunaway

Edge is one of my favourite words. Energy's another.
Faye Dunaway

10 Father's Day Gift Ideas

1. money clip
Ferragamo money clip with one card slot
online at Saks
2. wallet - bills should not be kept in a wallet
Comme des Garcons
online at Saks

3. lighter - even if he doesn't smoke nothing says elegance like a fine light
Dunhill Turbo
online at Dunhill

4. Porsche 911
diecast
hobby shop

5. vintage inspired alarm clock
Westclox Baby Ben
online at Westclox

6. Victorinox Swiss Army Knife
Climber Special Edition
online at Victorinox

7. Chet Baker
Chet Baker Sings
online

8. case of Cabernet Sauvignon
2005 Schrader Napa Valley Beckstoffer to Kalon Vineyard
specialty wine shops or winery

9. adjustable wrenches
Crafstman
hardware store

10. collection of lounging apparel
online at
James Perse – Men

Design Lover: Charles Martin AD 11 Light

Designed in 1928 by Charles Martin, who is more commonly known as a set designer and illustrator for fashion journals, the classic AD11 table lamp is being reproduced by WOKA of Vienna. A weight fixates the lamp with a half rounded foot ensuring that it doesn't roll away. The arm can be tipped and the head can be turned to the side guaranteeing your light is always just right. Available in brass or nickel plated. Online at WOKA.

Quote of the Week - Albert Einstein

Few are those that see with their own eyes and feel with their own hearts. Albert Einstein

The Style Quiz 3 - The Answer

Blumarine
F/W 1987

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