10 Best Boots for Men

1. Alberto Fasciani - back zip low boots




2. Boulet - motor cycle boot
stockists at bouletboots.com
3. Chronicles of Never - desert boot
online at oaknyc.com
4. Rocco Pistolesi - hand stitched chelsea boot


5. Red Wing Iron Ranger
stockists at redwing.com
6. Raparo


7. Anne Demeulemeester
online at Brownsfashion.com
8. Collection Privee'? - motor cycle boot


9. Buttero - Trofane
stockists at buttero.it

10. Gianni Barbato - multi buckle boot

Shoes in the City

August 3, 2009
11:00 - 11:45 am
Vancouver, Canada

Design Lover: Frank Ligtelijn Globe 2000 Lamp

Designed in the 1960s by Frank Ligtelijn for Raak Amsterdam, the Globe 2000 floor lamp captures the nascent Space Age of mid 60s design. Raak has manufactured a large range of wall, floor and swag lamps always in the futuristic combination of glass and fine grained structured metal with chrome or silver accents.

Measures:
Height: 111.76 cm (3 ft. 8 in.)
Adjustable second height: 167.64 cm (5 ft. 6 in.)
Width: 35.56 cm (1 ft. 2 in.)

Available online: 1st dibs, or search the post title.

Quote of the Week - Vivienne Westwood

Sexiness is the most important motive in fashion because fashion is eventually about being naked. Vivenne Westwood

Vintage Gianni Versace

Gianni Versace
1982
the label was only four years old

8 Storage Cabinet Ideas for Your Space

Don't limit yourself to the typical when choosing storage for your work space. Why settle for a boring office supply store filing cabinet? Your space should be inspiring and reflect who you are.

Here are eight cabinets I wouldn't hesitate to put in my space:

1. military strong box from Get Back Inc.
2. black lacquer Oriental cabinet

3. Paul Evans bar cabinet
4. industrial metal cabinet from Get Back Inc.

5. Aldo Tura cabinet
6. 70s Paul Evans inspired resin bar cabinet

7. Danish modern cabinet
8. ornate 1685 cabinet from the Louvre


Related Posts:
14 Dining Room Ideas
A-Z of Inspirational Design

10 Super Home Offices and Work Spaces

Even if all you do is email, it's beneficial to have a space designated in your home to give you privacy. If you have everything you need already organized and on hand, the risk of losing your concentration will be kept to a minimum.

Storage is essential. Tidy or messy - make sure your stuff is easily accessible and organized - in your own special way. A regular chest of drawers found at a thrift store and painted up works just fine as a filing cabinet. The photo on the right © Lynne's_Lens

No matter if you have space under the stairs or addition of your own, your space should be comfortable and a reflection of you.

Good light is essential. Daylight, whether a skylight or high window, lets in a cool, even work light. The white walls reflect the light and the warm wood tones.

Rugs help to muffle sound, they're comfortable to sit on, and they add some warmth and definition to space.

Whether you're in your study or your workshop, make sure everything you need is at arm's reach. Top photo courtesy Perry the Birman.

Do you receive my newsletter? It's a collection of tips, rants/adventures I don't post on the blog.

Related Posts:
My Studio
How to Wallpaper with Newspaper
How to Add Depth to a Small Room

Marilyn

June 1, 1926 - August 5, 1962

Grizzly Bear - They're a Band

I know two music posts in a week. No, I'm not being lazy, I just happened to have stumbled upon these guys today and they're on tour right now. Maybe near you.

10 Artists To Watch

1. Anthony Goicolea

2. Joshua Van Dyke
photo Stacy Reynaud

3. Nick Kuszyk
(photo Nancy Smith)

4. Vintage Found Photographs

5. David Wisdom

6. Found Portraits
(collection of Chris Gallagher)
7. Cameron Kerr
photo Stacy Reynaud

8. Jack Goldstein

9. Neil Gall
(photo Peter Abrahams)

10. Beatriz Milhazes

Related Posts:
The Lure of the Found Portrait

How to Dress to Look Slim

If you want to dress to look slimmer stay away from these:

1. bold patterns - plaid, paisley, large glen check
2. bulky fabric - flannel, tweed, corduroy, velvet
3. contrasting vest
4. double breasted jacket
5. horizontal lines
6. pocket flaps
7. wide spread collar or lapels
8. bulky clothes = bulky you
9. cuffed trousers
10. long jacket
11. chunky shoes
12. hair that is full on the sides

horizontal stripes add girth, tweed adds bulk, double breasted jackets widen

widespread lapels, collar and a pocket square pointing outward leads the eye outward, cuffed trousers stouten, contrasting vest accents the mid section

pocket flaps add bulk to the wrong sections, long jackets shorten, bold prints, like glen check, magnify

Related Posts:
5 Easy Ways to Dress up Your Appearance
10 Fashion Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
How to Remove Wine Stains and Other Delicacies

The Vandaam House: Hitchcock's Iconic Structure

Along with the telephone, I loathe the television.

However, once I learned from my fellow Bette Davis loving neighbor that I could subscribe to a channel that aired classic movies 24/7 I got the old 13 inch Toshiba pumping out radiation and squealing its high pitched love palpitations asap.

Lounging around in a heat wave that would melt the S out of Son of Sam I flicked on the radon box and began watching North by Northwest, a Hitchcock classic. When what to my wondering eyes should appear but a house on a cliff that proved all too unreal, With a look like Lloyd Wright, so modern and sleek, I knew in a moment I must Google it.

Before I continue in full on anapestic verse I direct you to Stewf who will explain how things are not always as they seem.

Lykke Li

I'm Good, I'm Gone – Acoustic version from Lykke Li on Vimeo.

More here and here

Reminds me of:

Marion Harris (1918)

Kate Bush (1978)

Stereolab (1994)

Thanks Andrew ^-^ <-- moka satin slipper

Quote of the Week - Harper's Bazaar

Elimination is the secret of chic.
Harper's Bazaar

Vintage Pierre Cardin

Pierre Cardin
1980

Design Lover: Alessandro Albrizzi Fireplace Tools

Albrizzi Chrome

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."

Albrizzi's fireplace tools came in materials such as lucite and brass, steel travertine and rosewood, brass and wood and brass and black lacquer.

The Updo: 1979 vs 2009

1979 <------> 2009

Tricks to Improve Your Walk

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:

1. Walk around your home with a book on your head. After doing it long enough you'll begin to feel an imaginary book there.
2. 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.
   
3. 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.
4. 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.

How to Wear Cuff Links

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.

How to Shop Thrift Stores

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:

1. military issue leather combat boots - $29.99
   
2. jersey gunmetal wool cardigan with suede elbow patches - $6.99
3. chainmail belt - $3.99
4. vintage tee - $4.99
5. viscose asphalt flat front tapered trousers - $9.99
6. vintage tee honoring Tienanmen Square - $3.99

Cost:

1. Crocodile wool pullover - $5.99
2. distressed denim - $6.99
3. white tee - $3.99
4. all leather loafers - $7.99
5. wool work socks - $.99
6. hand beaded leather belt - $3.99

Total: $89.88 (tax excluded)

Quote of the Week - Christian Dior

It is always better to err on the side of simplicity rather than be extravagant in your dressing. Christian Dior