Form Function Fashion An Italian Interiors Interpretation

Italian design group Poliform has taken on the challenge of designing 'a new and surprising house of desire with a reasonable cost, minimal dimensions and maximal functionality.' Inspiration for the 'My Life in 80m' project was found in Le Corbusier, Walter Gropius, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Charles and Ray Eames. Jump on into their website for the full story.

Tip of the Week - Black Tie

A touch of color with black tie is fabulous if it fits your personality.

Calvin Klein 1987

one of my favourite ads from the 80s

Lose yourself in ...

Raquel Welch while I put together another post for you.

Whatever she's doing, she's doing it amongst the works from the Ruta de la Amistad public sculpture project for the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City. The clip is from her 1970 TV special Raquel!

On behalf of the Queen

The 2010 Royal Gold Medal for architecture has been awarded by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), on behalf of the British monarch, to I.M. Pei. The Royal Gold Medal is given to a person or group who has had a significant influence 'either directly or indirectly on the advancement of architecture'.

The characteristics of his buildings are sometimes described as serene, cubist, dignified, muscular, individualistic, and contextual. Referred to as a master of modern architecture, Pei himself refuses to apply labels to his work.

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame - Cleveland, OH

East Wing of the National Gallery - Washington, DC

National Centre for Atmospheric Research - Boulder, CO
appeared in the 1973 Woody Allen movie Sleeper

Everson Museum of Art - Syracuse, NY

John F. Kennedy Library & Museum - Boston, MA
image © Allan Goodrich JFK Library

Dealing with Drunk Guests

It's your party and your guests are your responsibility. Be attentive and don't get drunk yourself. There are a few things you can do to try and curtail the guest that over drinks:

1. You should mix your guests' drinks.
2. If a guest proceeds to the bar to make his/her own drink go with them and ask them to grab the ice, mix or whatever while you pour the drink.
3. Avoid having more than one bottle of liquor visible.
4. Make it obvious you use a jigger to pour drinks and hand it to your guest before he/she pours their own.
5. When it is obvious a guest has had too much to drink don't offer him/her any more. 50% of the time they'll get mad. There will always be someone there to assist you in dealing with them. They usually get embarrassed then sit down and be quiet.
6. If your guest has drank so much that he/she is going to pass out have two or three other guests assist you in taking them to a bed to sleep it off overnight. If they have a spouse or guest with them offer them accommodation as well or offer them a safe ride home.
7. Always have coffee, tea, soft drinks, water or juice available.
8. You are responsible and liable for your guests. You are responsible for seeing that a drunk guest is taken home. Ask a good friend, take him/her yourself if they live nearby, or call a cab, give directions and pay for it. I've been to some parties where it's mandatory for you to drop your keys in a bowl before you're allowed to enter.
9. Don't invite people over who are unable to control their liquor

Did you know...

Bowie's first piece, the "woodlands animal" - now in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland.

via 5 Years

David Bowie's costume designer for his third Ziggy Stardust tour of the UK (1973) also had a ready-to-wear collection at a department store in Philadelphia around the same time.

Kansai Yamamoto was commissioned by Bowie to design nine costumes based on traditional Japanese Noh dramas. Yamamoto's designs were the flamboyant androgynous costumes worn in 1973-1974.

More:

comprehensive overview and photos of Bowie in Yamamoto's designs

photos of Yamamoto's ready-to-wear and costumes

Tip of the Week - Fashion

Leave the bottom button of your jacket undone.

Vogue Fall Winter 1982

Vogue September 1982

Six Vogue must haves from September 1982 

1. tuxedo jacket 
2. black lace tights 
3. high heeled boots  
4. big soft black tote  
5.  black leather skirt 6. c
6. cocktail dress 

No matter what year it is think style, classics and shopping smart.

Quote of the Week - David Grayson

Looking back, I have this to regret, that too often when I loved, I did not say so.

Which type of lover are you?

Accordingly, which type of lover would you prefer?

I was inspired by Louisaviaroma's note on Facebook today. They did a women's version with an option to tag which type of lover you are. All the footwear here is available online at LUISAVIAROMA.COM. Oh, and feel free to go tag yourself once the post has made it over to the Bijou Living page on Facebook.

Denim Shirts - Raunchy, Ranch Hand, Restaurant or Radical?

When I was a server at Red Robin, I had to wear a denim shirt. Now, this wasn't a sexy curve-conscious number—it was a men's size golfer's small (think terrible puffy balloon shirt), which, on a woman's size xs, had to be the most unflattering thing ever. 

Oh, and not to forget the beige pants and Bugs Bunny tie—rockin'.

Denim shirts are here again. 

My Red Robin PTSD has left me feeling somewhat panicky about them. However, something tells me they'll be the new urban plaid, so if you want to be ahead of the game, search for vintage denim shirts on Etsy. 

In my experience, Wrangler has done the best vintage ones.

1974 Peter Fonda in Crazy Mary Dirty Larry. Check out his shoes.

(l) Dsquared (c) Michael Bastian (r) Adam Kimmel

(l) Spurr (c) D & G (r) William Rast

vintage denim at Flashbax on Etsy
These get better with each wash.

February Artist Profile - Jasmin Lünstroth

all images © Jasmin Lünstroth

I've met some wonderful people online through various - I won't say those two words - sites. Flickr is a great place not only to share photos but to experience and learn. The Found Photo groups I'm in have turned up some real gems of individuals. I'd like you to meet one such individual whom I find portrays an ethereal beauty in her work.

What's your name? My name is Jasmin Lünstroth and my artist's pseudonym is krickellakrackel, which means something like "scibblesrabble"
.

Where are you from? I am from Berlin Kreuzberg.

How long have you been drawing? 
I've been drawing since I was a child, last year I decided to try going into business for myself.

What do you enjoy drawing the most? 
I love to draw animals, kids and musicians
.

What inspires you? 
I am inspired by old photographs, music and musicians ( I really love Joanna Newsom, girls, Seabear, Sigur Ros, Efterklang).

What are you working on now? Right now I am working on a tour poster for "ned collette and wirewalker" a band from Australia and I am doing some t-shirt printing stuff for an exhibition. I will be screen printing 10 organic shirts with my drawings, the exhibition is in march, if you re interested i could send you a photo, as soon as I'm finished the printing - they're going to be extra large shirts with a huge fox head). <---Yes, please!

Which of your drawings is your favourite? My favourite drawing...hmm...maybe the girl with the dog.

What do you do for fun? and for fun...I collect old photographs, I love concerts, flea markets and spending time with my dog.

all the best
jasmin*

Be sure to check out Jasmin's:
Flickr page
Website
Blog

Hats Women and 1970

Tip of the Week - Grooming

Hawaii 1970*

If you're mixing your scents (deodorant, cologne, aftershave, moisturizer) stay in the same family.

Some Common Scent families:
floral
citrus
herbal (spicy)
woodsy (includes pine and balsam)
oriental (includes musk and sandalwood)
leather

* Hawaii 1970 a fabulous gift from Could it be Madness-this? Go check out his stuff.

Vintage Prada

not quite vintage yet - circa 1990
John Malkovich

10 Vintage Modern Living Room Layouts

I've had five sofas in the past nine years but I don't have a sofa right now. To be honest I'm not much of a sofa sitter - I sit on the floor. I've also lived in small 620 sq ft apartments for the past nine years where living room, dining room and work area usually mold into one.

So, if I sat on a sofa and had a living room I'd be inclined to put together a room something along the lines of these ten from the 70s. Numbers 1, 7 and 9 are my favourites. My husband likes number 10.


1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Quote of the Week - William Blake

No bird soars too high if he soars with his own wings.