The winner is...

Gray C. of NYC! Congrats Gray. The cuff links are very cool - especially the oval ones.

** PS I found another great men's giveaway last weekend so watch for it in the New Year.

Quote of the Week - Hardy Amies

Never wear shorts except at water's edge.

Vintage Kimberly

1970

15 tips that could save your life

Being somewhat of a conspiracy theorist I always expect the worst and am therefore prepared for the worst - it's really simple logic but that's another blog post. If you're heading out for an hour ramble in the car or a 12 hour hike in the back country be prepared. I've been known to turn around on hikes with friends that sporadically become a little longer than what we're prepared for. Better safe than sorry.

1. Bring a compass, GPS, or map (in water proof bag). Pay attention to the sky - know how to read the sun and the stars - I'm not referring to astrology here.
   
2. Light - headlamp, or flashlight with extra batteries and bulb.
3. Expect snow - even in the summer.
4. Bring extra clothes - layer, get some waterproof clothing, invest in fibres that wick the moisture off your body. Waterproof clothing can be expensive. I've found quite a lot of it in thrift stores. Try there first. Water repellent and water proof are different. Extra socks and gloves in your bag.
   
5. Sunglasses
6. Pocketknife - I have the Victorinox Swiss Arm Camper knife. It's indispensable. I love this knife and never leave out on a trip without it.
   
7. Extra water - yes, it can be heavy when you're hiking but it's paramount to your survival. I'll tote a few extra ounces if it could save my life. Make sure your companions have their own. You don't want to end up like a those dudes in the Western movies laying in the desert with only one canteen and the last drop.
   
8. Extra food - energy bars, nuts, dried fruit
9. Tell someone where you're going - leave a note in your car, on your Facebook status, voice mail
10. Firestarter (flint) and candle
11. Matches in a waterproof bag
12. First aid - keep it stocked. You should have one in your car, one in your house and a compact one you carry with you. Even better - make a New Years Resolution to take a First Aid course.
    
13. Cell phone - I only have a Pay As You Go and load it when I'm going on a road trip or hike.
14. Set out early - in the winter months it gets dark as early as 3:30 - you'll get disoriented once the sun goes down.
15. Never go down a gully - I was lost for hours after I stupidly went down a gully while snowboarding on Big White. I finally ended up on a logging road. Thankfully, it was still light out and the cougar tracking me was only in my mind - I hope.

Style Inspiration: Terence Stamp

Vintage Halston

Andy Warhol for Halston - 1982

Quote of the Week - Shawn Ashmore

Style is a reflection of your attitude and your personality.

8 Winter Coats Styles for Men

(l) vintage Guards Lounge Lizard for similar
(r) vintage Rice

(l) Rick Owens F/W 09
(r) vintage Gloverall duffle

(l) vintage military parka
(r) Burberry short trench F/W 09

(l) Lounge Lizard
(r) Krane F/W 09

Kiss Me to the Happiest Times

It's a perfect day when you're snooping around on the web and find something that excites you. Much reminisce of sitting on the floor in my bedroom in 1985 thumbing through Star Hits magazine (I won a t-shirt after telling them I had no cool clothes because I lived in Langley) and playing through records I just picked up after a two hour bus ride downtown to Odyssey with Dave - and his blue mohawk - they were separate entities you see.

Ahh, what a glorious day yesterday was - sashaying down the aisles of Safeway - like the crazy lady I am - as Kiss Me by Stephen Tin Tin Duffy (Hi Chris!) sparkled out of the tinny speakers, waking up to a bright pink sunrise in the east while a huge full moon still hung in the west (how New Age is that?), coming home to some wonderful reader comments and then discovering this Swedish guy - Little Big Adventure. I like his voice, the keyboards, the tempo and the ukulele guy's hair and tie knot. Music to make love to under a bright pink morning sky with a full moon hanging in the west? Why not! After all, yesterday was a Stephen Tin Tin Duffy kind of day.


Appropriately titled Happiest Times

Vintage Charles James

1934

Men's Christmas Gift Giving Survival Guide

Yes, yes, of course, it's the thought that counts. My husband and I always say we're not getting each other gifts, but we usually buy each other one anyway. One year, I didn't get him one, but he got me one—even though we made the no-gift pact—did I ever feel bad? Now, we have a no-gift-buying pact budget.

Here are some tips to help you survive the unwrapping on the 25th.

1. If you don't know her size - receiving a size smaller is always better than receiving a size larger - except with bras.
2. I used to work in a lingerie shop. Apparently, a lot of women wear a size 34A around Christmastime. Chances she's about the size of the associate assisting you, 1:10.Chances she's a 32DD, 1:20. We usually keep our bras in the top right-hand drawer. Check the tag. It's on the back and has one number and either one or two letters. Look by the hooks - it'll read 32A, B34, C36 etc. Don't you dare buy her a size large underpants - even if she is. If you are buying her lingerie, buy her stuff she would wear, not necessarily the stuff you want her to wear - she'll buy that on her own and surprise you one night because she's so happy with the gift you gave her.
   
3. Surprise her by wrapping the gift yourself. To be extra cute, put a little ribbon on it and stick a pine cone on top.
   
4. Don't buy her any type of appliance - that includes a hair dryer. That's what the parents buy her.
5. Don't buy her a knockoff of anything. Is she cheap? No. Then don't make her look cheap. If you can't afford it, don't buy it. She knows how much it costs and whether or not you can afford it. If you can't, she'll be upset and probably want to take it back.
   
6. Receiving a gift card is like getting a stack of scratch and wins from Grandma.
7. You can never go wrong with classic jewelry. A simple gold or silver bangle, her favourite stone in a pendant or stud earrings, gold or silver hoop earrings, a gold or silver chain - longer ones are a safer choice as the short ones can be too tight around the neck and look silly if she decides to add a pendant to it later. If you buy the chain, go for the style that has a matching bracelet. You can get that for her for Valentine's Day. Beware of buying jewelry just because it's a particular name brand. You're usually paying more for the name and the quality isn't necessarily better, it may even be inferior.
   
8. Please make sure you get the return policy.
   
9. Start thinking now. Look for hints:
   

What magazines does she buy? A subscription as a stocking stuffer?
Does she take baths? How about a big gift basket of bath smellies from Lush and a set of candles small enough to be put around the edge of the tub?
What about chocolates? Well, we usually love them but will be irked if we get them because we'll eat them - all - in one day because out of sight out of mind! Then we'll be mad at you.
Ask her friends - it'll make you look good.

Quote of the Week - Bette Davis

Old age is no place for sissies.

How to Wear a Hat

Hats and suits that fit with those little added touches to make it all that much better.


A few posts back, I mentioned my dislike of the undersized fedora.
The undersized fedora is the one you see those - 'dudes,' let's call them - wearing in Hollywood. Personally, I think they look like Fozzie Bear.

The other night, I saw a gentleman standing in the rain in a long black overcoat and a perfectly fitted hat. Boy, did he look sharp. I pointed him out to my husband, and he asked me why I thought he looked so sharp. Well, both his hat and his overcoat fit him properly and were very flattering for his figure type. Henceforth, this post is on hats.

The first step to wearing a hat is to measure your head. Take a measuring tape and wrap it around your head just above your ears. Take a look at the chart below. The average man's hat size is 7 1/4 US.



Deciding which hat style suits you:

Don't worry; I won't post any pictures of Johnny Depp.
First, you have to know your face's shape and if it has any significant facial features, such as a long nose or prominent jaw. Ask someone else to tell you.

1. Deep full face - Wear a medium height full crown hat, narrow to medium width band and a wide brim snapped fully across. Slight side tilts are good. Avoid wearing the hat too far back, both too high and too low crowns and tapered crowns.
   
2. Short full face - Wear a medium crown hat with a slight taper, contrast hat band and wide brim. Avoid full crown hats, extreme tapers, extreme snaps or tilts and matched hat bands.
   
3. Long Slender face - Wear a tapered moderate-height crown, wide hat band and moderate-width brim. A side tilt with a back tilt looks good. Avoid wide turned-up brims and brims that are too narrow.
   
4. Square face - Wear a medium-full crown that is rounded with a full snap wide brim. Side tilts look good on a square face. Avoid tapered and square crowns, short snaps, and wearing the hat too far back on your head.
   
5. Pear Shaped face - Wear a full crown with a matching hat band and extra-wide brim snapped fully across. Avoid narrow brims and tapered or low crowns.
   
6. Top Heavy face - Wear a medium height tapered crown with a narrow or medium width band. The brim should be medium wide with a good roll. Avoid wearing the hat too far back off the face. Colorful or wide hat bands are not recommended.
   
7. Short Slender face - Wear a low or medium taper crown with a turned up brim. A contrast band looks good with a low crown, and a matched band looks good with a taper crown. Avoid everything that gives too much attention to the hat. Avoid full crowns, high crowns with self bands or a snap brim too far over the face.
   
8. Long Nose - Wear a crown of medium height that's not too tapered or pinched too tight at front. Tilt the hat to the side. Avoid a high taper crown and a very narrow brim.
   
9. Heavy Eyebrows - Can wear most hats. Turned up brims look good. If you have a unibrow wear a hat with a wide brim and low front tilt to cover it.
   
10. Prominent Jaw - Wear a moderately low crown with a slight taper and medium brim. Avoid an oversized crown and big brim, small crown and brims, and wearing the hat too far back.
    
11. Receding Chin - Wear a low crown with a slight taper to balance off the chin. The brim can be medium-sized or flat. Avoid high full crowns, extreme brims, snap brims and tilting the hat too far forward or too far backward.
    
12. Big Ears - Wear the widest flat brim your face can handle to make ears look smaller. Avoid turned up brims, narrow brims and tapered brims.
    

Right and wrong pics are available on the the Miller Hats site.

Her A-Z of Personal Style

Style isn't just about what you wear.

A—

Attaché case—sounds so much more elegant than a briefcase. There are some great vintage attachés to be found. They're usually quite old and well-worn, so the leather is perfect. This is an ordinary accessory I'd like to see more of but used and dressed in a not-so-ordinary way.

Acrylic—No sweater or other piece of clothing should be made from this. It pills, stretches, and actually stinks.

B—

Breakfast—If you don't have time for a sit-down breakfast, you better reexamine your life—enough said.

Black - There have been many great quotes about the colour black. It is a colour, and it's my favourite. In his book, The Little Dictionary of Fashion, Christian Dior simply says under the heading of B, 'I could write a book about black.' I recommend that you have one in black for everything in your closet. I recently lost about 95% of my wardrobe (long story), and because most of it was black, I could still go out for interviews, dinners, and events looking put together.

C - 

Curves - Ac-cent-tchu-ate the positive. There's a whole song about that. Sure, my husband has lovelier legs than I do, but he doesn't have a waist or butt like mine - sorry, honey. Our curves are what set us apart. May I direct you toward the winding curves of Ms. Monroe & Ms. Russel in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.

Compliments - We all like to receive compliments, but so few of us give them. When you are the recipient of a compliment, say, "Thank you." Don't get into a discussion pointing out the negative. For example, "I love your dress." --> "Oh, this dumpy thing? I've had this forever!"

Confidence - Confidence is the most important thing you should learn. Confidence is sexy. Don't ever let anyone take that from you.

D - 

Demi Cup - Whoever designed the bras that are out there today should be strapped in a padded bra straight jacket and put into solitary confinement. Why would I want padding up to my collarbone? Or padding at all? My bra of choice is the demi cup. Accordingly, they've disappeared and have been replaced by these football shoulder-padded monstrosities I'm supposed to strap to my chest. Maybe I'm happy with the size and shape of my breasts as they are. Heaven forbid. Anyway - the demi-cup is a sexy little bra that lifts and cups. The demi cup gives the gals a little jiggle instead of a lot of stifle. I found some great ones at Agent Provocateur the other day, along with some sexy wireless ones that are also impossible to find in mainstream shops.

E—

Etiquette—I'm currently reading Emily Post's Etiquette, and to tell you the truth, I'm feeling somewhat embarrassed about some past situations. The book is worth a look. It's in the library and probably last checked out a long time ago.

F-

Fabrics—It's important to know which fabrics flatter you. For example, velvet, satin, and corduroy add weight. Lace and jacquard can only be worn by certain people without looking sleazy or elderly.

G - 

Grooming - You only make one first impression. Proper grooming takes too long? Well, imagine how long it took those people in the 1700s with powdered wigs. I'll be the first to admit it takes a long time - even to achieve the eau naturelle look. This tip fits in with the age-old saying, never leave home without clean underwear in case you get in an accident. I have my mantra: never leave home in socks with holes because you never know when you will try on a pair of shoes.

H—

hair stylist—They are your Rainbow Skittles on an Eat-More day. Before I met JD, I passionately loathed going to the salon. I'd even cut my own hair so I wouldn't have to go. What I like about JD is that he understands the importance of personal style and accentuates this in his clients. There's nothing worse than watching a makeover show that presents the made-over woman in a look that should've been her before picture.

I - 

intimacy - You've heard it before, but I'll repeat it - once we've slept with one person, we've slept with every single other person that person has been with and vice versa. If that's not enough to creep you out, how about some nice close-ups of STDs. Some STDs you can get rid of, some you can't. Talk to someone who's got one for life, and they'll tell you how awkward it can be to get back into the dating scene, let alone let a potential partner know about it. No glove, no love.

J - 

jeans - Songs have been written about these (see Dr. Hook's perversely titled Baby Makes Her Blue Jeans Talk). Women buy so many shoes and bags because jeans don't fit properly - my husband believes this, too. Once you find a pair, stick with that style and brand. I've had a lot of good memories in Levi's. I've gone from the faded-out tuck-and-roll 501s in the '80s to the grunge boy's orange tab in the '90s to the boho 70s vintage 578s in the early 2000s. I'm currently wearing black Hudson skinny jeans, but they lose shape quickly.

K—

keeping your cool—is imperative. Once you lose your cool, that's all they'll see and remember. Just because you're having a bad day doesn't mean you should ruin someone else's.

L - 

Labels - You have your own style and need not define yourself with someone else's initials.

Lip balm - Use SPF at least twice a day.

Lipstick - Don't test the colour on your wrist; it's not the same colour as your lips.

Lip liner - Danger. Proceed with caution.

M - 

Moisturizer - Like your hair stylist, this can be your best friend. Like your best friend, things change over time. Finding a moisturizer that's right for your skin type is challenging, but try. You'll have clogged pores or dry patches if you don't see the right one. I've been using Avalon Organics Oil Free Vitamin C Moisturizer for the past few years and am pretty happy. I have sensitive skin and use a separate sunscreen I bought from a dermatologist. Remember, your skin changes as you age, and so should your moisturizer.

N—

No—It's the opposite of yes. It's only two letters, but it can be difficult to say. Practice saying "No" to a mattress salesperson (these are the new used car salesmen). It's quite educational listening to their many ways of handling rejection.

O - 

Obsess - Obsess is a dangerous word. Beware of it. Obsession is when your mind is preoccupied with an idea, while addiction is when your body is chemically dependent on a chemical. Obsession can mess up your life and cause things like panic attacks, phobias, and social anxiety. The best thing to do is acknowledge it when it's knocking on your door and tell it to go away. Our minds can play with us; let them know you don't want to play that game.

P - 

Personality - There are a lot of adjectives out there to describe one's personality. I was part of an exercise once where a group of us who knew each other well were set up in pairs. Each person drew a portrait of their partner. The portraits were then passed around the group, and each person wrote an adjective that they felt described the person. Talk about an eye-opener. The question comes up time and time again in interviews, "Describe yourself in five words." I can't stand that question. Wouldn't it be fun to throw them a curve ball by saying, "Obnoxious, ignorant, vain, self-destructive and underhanded?"

Purse - 

My mom carries a purse the size and weight of a bowling ball bag. I'm still determining what is in there. I only use a purse if I'm going out to a show or special event; in that case, it's a vintage one. The rest of the time, it's a wallet - I just make sure I spend a lot more time grooming that eau naturelle look before I leave home ;) Even though I don't carry a purse, I still love them. From here, I can see eleven of them in my closet.

Q - 

Quote - There is no exquisite beauty without some strangeness to its proportion. Edgar Allan Poe. That has been my favourite quote my entire adult life. Find a quote that fits your beliefs, is significant, reassures you, puts you back on track or just makes you feel good. Plus, you never know when someone somewhere will ask you what your favourite quote is.

R—

Recipe—Everyone should know enough recipes by heart to prepare a three-course meal and the wine to accompany it.

Recognition—Start giving recognition to people who do a good job. Fill out those customer service questionnaires in your hotel room. Everyone deserves to be recognized, even your boss.

S - 

Slip—Wear a beautiful silk and lace slip under a dress for a day or evening out, and you'll make it a staple in your wardrobe. I think slips are sexy. Plus, it feels a little frisky knowing you have a sexy little number on under your dress that no one knows about but you.

Silk—Sure, it feels luxurious and elegant, but it also keeps you warm (that's why they make long underwear out of it), which causes you to sweat. Silk turns a darker shade when it's wet. Do you know how many silk tops I've disposed of after realizing this? Yuck. If you're going to go silk, keep it in a slip, camisole, or sleeveless shirt. Remember, it's not you; it's the silk.

T - 

Toast - Like a quote, you should have one that moves you. I love proposing toasts. It's a chance to let someone know how you feel about them, and it makes you proud to stand up and say so.

Tact—Don't ask someone why they aren't married, if they are pregnant, why they don't have children, or why they are in a wheelchair. Never tell a person they look tired or ask whether they've lost weight. Mind your own business, and if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.

U - 

Undress - Vivienne Westwood once said that sexiness is the most important thing about fashion because fashion is eventually about being naked. I agree. Learn how to undress as sexy as your clothes make you look and feel. Find a song - have some fun.

V - 

Volunteer - Why not? Volunteering is fun. Everyone is very grateful and polite. It's a totally different vibe than the actual workforce. It allows you to work in the industry you've always wanted to work in but have yet to get an interview for. I knew a woman who volunteered at a record label at 4 am every Saturday morning doing some sort of stats. She went from that to personal assistant, manager, and A&R, and now she lives in LA doing big wig record label stuff. All that started from volunteering one morning a week.

W - 

water - Drink it. To make it easier to track how much you drink daily, fill a 2-litre bottle (a giant soda bottle) with water. I prefer the clear ones because I can see how close I am to my goal. One of these is just about 8.5 cups. I've also read that dividing your weight by 2 gives you the total amount of fluid ounces of water you should drink daily. For example, if you weigh 120 lbs/54.5 kgs, you should drink at least 60 fl. oz/7 c./1.6 L. of water daily. If you don't like the taste of water, slice some cucumbers or lemons into it. In the evening, drink hot water with honey and lemon. It'll help you relax before you go to bed.

x—

This will be your code name, which only you and your best friend know is fake (because she has one, too). It's the alias you tell the sleazy guys. I'm Sarah.

Y - 

<-- believe="" can="" i="" just="" span="" style="font-weight: bold;" that="" typed="" you="">

<-- believe="" can="" i="" just="" span="" style="font-weight: bold;" that="" typed="" you="">Yourself - It's easy to say, but do you know yourself? We never really know ourselves because, hopefully, we're always learning and opening our minds to new things or opportunities.

Z—

zzzs—Get your sleep. As someone with insomnia, I urge you to cherish your ability to sleep and not take it for granted.

Vintage Herbert Levine

cheetah print boots
1970

Quote of the Week - Joseph Addison

There is nothing that touches our imagination so much as a beautiful woman in a plain dress.

Mood Lighting - Take it Personally

Eaton's Catalog 1973

One of the most important and personal things in your home is the lighting. For example, we have dimmer switches on every light switch - even in the kitchen. However, we went to a dinner party last week, and the hosts had installed fluorescent tube lighting, aka office lighting, throughout their entire apartment. We dined under the hum of excited mercury vapour.

Rothschild & Bickers

You've probably gotten a good sense of my style by now and would've guessed I'd be a fan of 1970s swag lighting. The colored glass throws off a beautiful muted light that some refer to as either 'comfy' or 'sexy'. Both adjectives sound good to me. The lights are still quite easy to find when I go out thrifting; however, its day will come, and like the West German pottery, it will be impossible to find. When that day does arrive Rothschild & Bickers will be there to console me with their bespoke services (via Styleture).

You wouldn't believe me if I told you I paid $1 for the light below, so I won't tell you.

I've put this one in our bedroom now. It used to be in the living room.

PS I've finally put a Bijou Living page on Instagram. I'll be adding things to that page that I wouldn't post here. Come hang out 

Yes, I want to drive your car

Those of you who are regular readers of Bijou Living may remember that I grew up in a body shop. My Dad rebuilt many a classic car. Those that I remember are a 1957 Chevy (aka The '57 - it was always a trophy winner), a 1967 Camaro SS Big Block (another trophy winner), and a 1966 Corvette (rebuilt and sold right away). Needless to say, I like vintage cars.

On a road trip down to Palm Springs last January, which wasn't in the 1975 Porsche 911 I dream about, we made a three day pit stop in Napa Valley, California. One of the touristy things I wanted to do was to check out this roadside attraction known as Litto's Hubcap Ranch. We were greeted by Bosco, who also substituted as our tour guide. I'm not sure if we were actually supposed to be on the property but Bosco liked us and let us in. Apparently, there are over 5000 hubcaps on display at Litto's.

image stacy reynaud

Litto's Hubcap Ranch in Pope Valley, CA (eastern Napa Valley)

1958 T-bird and '67-71 Camaro at 8 Mile Creek Designs on Etsy

My Dad, regrettably, sold The '57 in the 80s and has been searching for it ever since. In 1989 he suffered a brain aneurysm and has heartbreakingly been unable to work on cars. While surfing around the web for pulltab tab art I came across these hubcap clocks that 8 Mile Creek Designs creates and sells on Etsy. I've always said that when I become a millionaire, which hasn't happened yet, I was going to surprise my Dad with his original, beloved 1957 Chevy. Well, since I'm not a millionaire yet how about surprising him with a custom made 1957 Chevy hubcap clock? I could give him a rain cheque for the rest of the car valid until 2050.

Bosco - Litto's Hubcap Ranch greeter and tour guide.

Fur in the Bedroom - Not just for John Holmes

Faux real.

Years ago I would've thought faux fur in the bedroom was reserved strictly for my Speedo wearing friends and porn stars. Oh, how times change. Not only have I grown to appreciate those updated little bathing trunks the guys are wearing but I've also developed a fondness for the furry stuff in the bedroom. *purrrrr*

Pierre Frey has been doing beautiful faux fur home accessories for some time now. It's available online and in France.

How to Propose a Toast

As a kid, did you ever have that uncle, grandfather, or the eccentric relative that you had no idea how you were related to them, give amazing toasts? Toasting is an art and, like your kiss, you will be remembered for this. Toasts can be to love, friendship, health, wealth, or happiness.

1. They need not be long. Something as brief as "To Dave, a great friend and an amazing musician," will suffice.
2. When toasting you rise, lift your glass and look the person you are toasting in the eyes. Make the toast and take a sip all while keeping eye contact. To break eye contact is disrespectful. You need not rise when there are only two of you.
   
3. Add a reminiscence, praise, relevant story or joke to appear more poised and eloquent.
   
4. The toast should always be in keeping with the occasion.
   
5. At a dinner party a host or hostess offers the first toast. A guest may propose a toast to the host if a toast is not offered by the host. A guest may also propose a second toast after the host.
6. At less formal dinners anyone may propose a toast as soon as the wine or champagne is served.
7. A small sip allows one to drink numerous toasts from the same serving. It's tacky to get drunk at a dinner.
   
8. If you don't drink alcohol participate in the toast by raising your empty glass or whatever beverage you are consuming. Not to do so and remain seated would be extremely discourteous.
9. If you are being toasted you remain seated and do not drink the toast. After the toast you rise and drink to your toasters.
10. The practice of toasting in different languages has grown quite popular. Here are seven that all mean, "To your health."

French - A votre santé
Spanish - Salud
German - Prosit
Swedish - Sköal
Yiddish - L'Chayim
Polish - Nazdrowie
Italian - Salute

I propose a toast to you, my reader and friend:

May you
have warm words
on a cold evening,
A full moon
on a dark night,
And the road
downhill
all the way to your door.