West Vancouver Pacific Northwest Mid-Century Favourites

Just a few of my favourite mid century homes (late 50s - early 70s) in West Vancouver. Cherish them while you can because, unfortunately, most are getting torn down to make way for monster trophy houses.

Arthur Erickson

Arthur Erickson

Arthur Erickson

Arthur Erickson

Norman Purcell

Demolished Spring 2012

Vintage Georges Marciano

1986

So you're thinning...

Jude Law

Take it easy. Sure, easy for me to say right, I'm a woman. Although I can't relate to hair loss personally I know what a touchy subject it is as my husband is thinning - and he's a hair stylist.

Some tips:

What's your personal style? Look at Jude Law up there. He has a fabulous hairstylist. He's been thinning for awhile but keeps his hair longer - not a comb over but a comb up! The late Heath Ledger sported a similar style from time to time - see center pic. Terrence Stamp also opted for longer bits in the late 60s and went for the free flow for his later years. Please, don't give up just because you're thinning. There are options!

Heath Ledger

Find a good hairstylist! My husband goes to Michelle at Suki's downtown. Yes, he pays a lot but he also paid $20 once and hated his appearance for six months. How do you find a stylist? Word of mouth. Ask your female friends who have good hair. Ask guys with good hair. Spend more to look like you have more.

Right kind of hair product. Stay away from wax, gel and styling creams. Hairspray is good. B. swears by L'oreal StudioLine Ultim Fix Control Spray.

Terrence Stamp

Good shampoo. Use a conditioner once a week. When we go in for an updo our stylist tells us to stay away from conditioner and not to wash our hair the night before. The 'drier' hair is easier to style. You, in a sense, are trying to achieve an updo as well - so don't over condition.

Get some highlights! They add texture and tend to make us look like we have more hair.

John Malkovich

It's in the eyes. Our eyes are the caverns to our soul. Be confident. Personally, I usually find that men with thinning hair have an intensity in their eyes. I like that.

Quote of the Week - Guy Finley

Life is real only when you are.

Jeanne Moreau France 1912

Another of Truffaut's fashionably inspirational flicks.

PLOT SUMMARY - In Paris, before WWI, two friends, Jules (Austrian) and Jim (French) fall in love with the same woman, Catherine. But Catherine loves and marries Jules. After the war, when they meet again in Germany, Catherine starts to love Jim... This is the story of three people in love, a love which does not affect their friendship, and about how their relationship evolves with the years. via IMDb Written by Yepok How can one not be tempted by a plot like this?

The beautiful and stylish Jeanne Moreau sings 'Le Tourbillon de la Vie' in François Truffaut's 1962 film Jules et Jim - in which the soundtrack has been named "One of the 10 Best Soundtracks" by TIME magazine in its "All time 100 Movies List".

Wouldn't you say that has to be one of Adrien Brody's relatives on guitar?

Stock for the Liquor Cabinet

add some flash to your bar by picking up inexpensive decanters and carafes at thrift stores.

Personally, I've never been able to have more than one bottle of liquer, one bottle of vodka and a case of cellared wine at any given time. I asked a friend how he manages to keep his liquor cabinet stocked - his reply, 'Have guests over a lot. They always bring a bottle or two.'. Thanks Kev.

A simple home bar can have:

beer
Scotch
bourbon
sweet and dry vermouth
sherry
brandy
a few liquers
rum
vodka
gin
seltzer
soda (ginger ale, cola)
tonic
fruit juices (oj, cranberry, grapefruit, Clamato)

Vintage Yves Saint Laurent

1970

West Coast Modern Residential Tear Down

Designed in 1967 by Canadian architect and contemporary to Arthur Erickson, Daniel White. Renovated in 1987 - can you tell? Currently for sale at $2.2 million FIRM.

The house - minus the addition - has a beautiful layout that I wouldn't mind having reproduced once I win the $20 million lottery so I can afford a house in Vancouver, of course. For a tongue in cheek look at Vancouver's ridiculous real estate prices, check out www.crackshackormansion.com

Black mould included

Termites included. Yes, those are termites on the floor too.

The wallpaper was gold gilt. How about those towel holders/closet door handles?

stacy reynaud

A very Suzy Hoodless before Suzy Hoodless style bathroom!

The leaky roof included. Vines were growing up under the door, but I couldn't hold my breath any longer to take a pic.

Lovely clean walls and carpet. The mantle top was mirrored

The yard is overgrown as the house has been vacant for years. It's basically a wild bird sanctuary and absolutely gorgeous.

The view of the South West

and to the South East

I know nothing of this band...

Nor do I know anything of this photo other than I bought it at a flea market.

Sleep Holiday other than what's on their Myspace page. They're from Vancouver and I think I just may give them a few more listens. I don't like it when critics give cheap comparisons. I will, however, tell you that I listened to a lot of The Cure, Passion Puppets, Bauhaus, Echo & The Bunnymen and The Smiths in the 80s. My tastes haven't changed all that much.

PS My favourite on their player is HnH.

Quote of the Week - Paul Newman

A man can only be judged by his actions, and not by his good intentions or his beliefs.

gifted photo from Could it be Madness - this?

The Hawaiian Shirt - Do you Dare?

Paul McCartney's Hawaiian Shirt 1976

On my weekly thrifting trip, I came across a mid-70s vintage men's Hawaiian shirt. I've never liked Hawaiian shirts on men—I find them too obnoxious. However, upon a recent viewing of The Beach Boys' Good Vibrations (1976) video on YouTube—here—or below—Paul McCartney caught my eye (1:52). Maybe I have lightened up a bit—or I'm just turning into my Mom.

FYI, some vintage Hawaiian shirts are worth hundreds of dollars. This area was never really my specialty, although I have gotten a few pretty pennies for 1950s Kamehameha pieces. Check out this wonderful website, Vintage Hawaiian Shirt—he seems to be a pro in the field.

Last weekend

- was my husband's birthday and our third wedding anniversary (nine years together).

Our weekend consisted of:
Anoushka Shankar (Ravi's daughter) at the Chan Centre
brunch at the Alibi Room
window shopping in Chinatown
a few games of pool at the Comox
and lots of wind, rain and below average temperatures!

My parents are visiting from the Okanagan this coming weekend. We're taking them golfing at Gleneagles. I don't particularly care for golf (according to my mother, hate is a strong word). I'll be the caddy/bartender.

Stacy Reynaud

Dealing with Rude People

My husband received a Starbuck's gift card for his birthday - don't worry it wasn't from me. On the card there was a little sticker that read, 'Register your card online for a free birthday drink'. So he did. We then went to said coffee giant to get the free drink. Now, there are two things that have really been irking me lately:

1. people who don't communicate properly. I like to use the K.I.S.S. principle when communicating verbally with the public.
   
2. rude 'customer service' clerks. Hey, I've worked in customer service my whole life from luxury retail sales to waitress at a raunchy pub - if you're having a bad day - grin and bear - don't ruin mine.

Said coffee giant provided us with both things on May 2nd. All I have to say is thank goodness I'd just finished reading, The Civility Solution: What to Do When People Are Rude.
Part Two: Situations and Solutions, The World of Service, is particularly good.

PS In the last week I've walked out of three restaurants due to below standard cleanliness. Please check the place out while you're on the way to your table.

In this day and age consumers have many choices. We won't settle for less than excellence. At least I know I won't.

Two Years

that I've been looking for work
that I've been without a cell
that I've been without a car
that I've been to New York
that I've bought something 'new'
that I've been writing my blog


So - thank you, dear readers, for being involved in both an important and influential time of my life.

Things my Mother Told Me

Mom

• always wash your face before you go to bed
• wear moisturizer
• never leave home without lipstick
• you have a cute figure - show it off
• never settle for less than your intellectual equal
• don't phone boys
• smile - no matter how much someone pisses you off
• bras and panties should be sexy

West Coast Modern Residential Demolition

stacy reynaud

In my spare time I like to go to home demolitions - not to be confused with house wreckers (I'm not much for parties). This mid-century baby was designed, I believe, by Canadian architect Fred Thornton Hollingsworth in the late 50s. I was told by the architect hired for the new project that it will be replaced with something more contemporary and suited to our rainforest environment. There are more than a few West Coast Modern homes being demolished in West Vancouver. My colleague just bought one. She, too, will be tearing it down as she feels it's 'an old people house'.

What I Wore...

October 12, 1985

me: Anorak - vintage
turtle neck - vintage
black stretch tube skirt - Le Chateau
tights - black sheer Dim
patent leather flats - Le Chateau
...
her: jacket - my vintage fringed suede
pins - assorted vintage
t-shirt - The Smiths Meat is Murder
sunglasses - Ray Ban Wayfarers
shorts - Cotton Ginny
white lace leggings - Le Chateau
sandals - Hurache

Vintage Chanel

1980
Philipe Guibourgé

What Makes a Gentleman

When asked once what defines a gentleman Bryan Ferry answered,

'Handmade shoes and good manners.'

I found this wonderful site via LeDandy. UK company Broadland Slippers handmakes English velvet slippers and house shoes - for him and her. You choose your style and textile - velvet, leather or tapestry (you can even provide your own). They'll even do up a pair from your own lasts. I originally gravitated toward the tapestry ones because I had a pair of Peter Fox's in the 80s. However, I find women in those 1930s movies wearing smoking pajamas and velvet monogrammed slippers extremely sexy - so sexy it is.

... and you know, I bet Bryan Ferry has a pair of house shoes.

Quote of the Week - Oliver Wendell Holmes

Men don't quit playing because they grow old. They grow old because they quit playing.

awesome photo a gift from Could it be Madness-this?