Quote of the Week - Franz Kafka

Youth is happy because it has the capacity to see beauty. Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old.

Rustic Camper Van Conversions

The other day it dawned on me why I prefer vernacular homes with cedar siding - Little House on the Prairie. Right!

Could it be that Bill and Beck Goddard do as well? The Goddard's family-run business, Rustic Campers, is a bespoke camper van conversion company that sources local materials to convert your van, motor home, or even Mercedes cargo into your own Little House on the Road.

Living in that 'van down by the river' is becoming more appealing, is it not?

The Little House on the prairie, (actually located in Simi, California and unfortunately burnt down during the wildfires a few years back).
© Little House Insider

top images © Rustic Camper

1967 Long Island NY Vernacular Vacation Home

Builder's Guide S/S 1967

In the haze of last week

Last week's adventures began with a mild case of food poisoning, (obtained at a book club dinner with Fareed Zakaria), continued with a rash of meetings, (under food poisoning haze), which also included a Lululemon luncheon at the Board of Trade (yikes), and ended with me slumped over the computer Friday night browsing Etsy and Craigslist, (which also led to my email being hacked).
Here are some pieces from my search:

  
















from top:   Men's vintage Stacy Adams boots Church pews for $250 in Vancouver Vintage bikes in Abbotsford Men's gray vintage Stacy Adams boots Teak dresser for $60 in Armstrong Where was this when I was a kid? Stacy necklace Banker's desk for $25 in Chilliwack Block print fabric Vintage wooden boat for $1800 in the Fraser Valley
Follow my meanderings on Twitter or Foursquare.

The Business of Bourbon

My parents were Scotch drinkers. Which meant that if I ever wanted to have a few shots of liquid courage before going out I either had to grow a fondness for scotch or figure out some way to get into their unopened vodka bottle without being noticed. To make a long story short, my Dad approached me a few years ago expressing his embarrassment when he poured his friend a vodka soda only to have his friend politely comment on the lack of actual vodka in the soda. Now who in their right mind would've thought my Dad still would have had that same bottle of vodka that was watered down weekend after weekend in 1989? We both laughed about it. That's all we really could do.

Remember New Coke?  I always question brands and their ulterior motives - even if in reality they don't have one. Last week when I heard that Maker's Mark had 'underestimated' the demand for their bourbon five years ago, (barreling less of it for the five year aging process), and had in turn decided to water down future batches, (to ensure supply met demand), the first thing I smelled was foul play. To make matters worse, to state that no one would even know the alcohol content had been lowered from 90 to 84 proof, (an overall decline of 7% in alcohol), the company, that thought it was being transparent, actually made it sound as if Maker's Mark drinkers were without palette and therefore it was without consequence if they watered the booze down. In no way am I accusing Maker's Mark of anything dirty, (no publicity is bad publicity), however the Maker's Mark brand equity is at stake and I find it hard to believe a company could be so blatantly dumb unaware of the damage such a move could have on that equity.

Always the entrepreneur, I'd planned to head right to the liquor store to stock up on 90 proof Maker's Mark for resale at a later date. But wait, could this move on my part actually be the desired end result of a marketing tactic?

Mid-Century Danish Designer Sven Ellekaer

available at The Elemental Garden

via Lauritz

via Lauritz

available at eLaB Vintage

available at Morentz

via Lauritz

8 Best iPad Sleeves | Notebook Cases

vintage Sky Lynx | Marc by Marc Jacobs

Anne Demeulemeester | vintage Les Clodettes

vintage Yvonne Kutz | Comme des Garçons


vintage Paris Madame | Saint Laurent

I have no affiliation with any of these vendors.

Truth be Told

My inspiration board on Tumblr.

My conversation platform on Facebook.

My randomness on Twitter.

Another West Vancouver Home Demolition

A building permit is in process for a custom built 3 level, 5280 sq. ft. 'dream' home.

1835 Mathers $1.7 million

Sits creek side and across the street from West Van High. Mature trees and a large yard. As you can see it needs some work but I'll help you.

Quote of the Week - Herman Hesse

image Stacy Reynaud

When a tree is cut down and reveals its naked death-wound to the sun, one can read its whole history in the luminous, inscribed disk of its trunk: in the rings of its years, its scars, all the struggle, all the suffering, all the sickness, all the happiness and prosperity stand truly written, the narrow years and the luxurious years, the attacks withstood, the storms endured. Bäume. Großdruck. Betrachtungen und Gedichte.

image Stacy Reynaud

The Dreaded Name Tag | A Tip

Wear your name badge on your right hand side so that when people shake your hand, their eyes are directed to your name, not an empty space.

6 Swanky Lighters

Mid Century Lighter Markers in Time

Vintage Glass Table Lighter Olsen Vintage Market

  Lucite Sea Scene Lighter Magical Stuff

 Japanese Glass Table Top Lighter Annie's

Hollywood Regency Table Top lighter Quaint Estate

table top lighter and cigarette holder

White Robin Vintage

Mid-Century Beach Home 1966

Beach house on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Built: 1966
Size: 2,775 square feet - on three levels
Materials: rough-sawn cypress siding, terrazzo floor, stainless steel conical fire hood, bookcases with metal connecting strips
source: H&G Building Guide Spring 1967

Quote of the Week - Robert Kennedy

Grassy Point, Hornby Island 

There are those who look at things the way they are and ask why... I dream of things that never were, and ask why not?

This Bed Has Trouble Written All Over It

Who's with me on this? Particularly on that concrete floor - or a grassy hill...

designed by Joe Manus for Shiner

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Currently on Rotation in My Car

Seriously, ever try belly dancing while seated?

Rough Guide to Bellydance