Best Mens Boots Bags and Jackets for Fall Winter

A strong brand can always pull from their archives when they run out of inspiration or simply want to charge a little more dough for a special edition archival line. Take note, archival looks have been pulled from the chambers and spread all over the runway for Fall Winter 2010.

A strong brand can also carry the same styles season after season for decades without any need for climbing down into the archives. When I'm looking for inspiration I head straight to the surplus store. Why? Classic, clean lines and quality. You don't see the military launching two or three collections a year do you? Going to my favourite haunt is like descending into the archives. It's dark, it stinks, there's stuff crammed everywhere and there are treasures upon treasures of both American and European paraphernalia.

No worthy surplus stores around you? Here are some items I've chosen that can be purchased online.

Wesco 16" Engineer Boot - customizable and available in men's sizes 2-11 - ladies that means we can wear them! Buy them here - with a domain name like www.boot.com you know there are some great things happening there. Jump into their site and fall in love with big black boots.

For similar see:
FRUIT - BUCKLE BIKER BOOTS


The infamous Buco J27. Brando sported one in The Wild One. Not only will these guys make you a replica (in NYC) they'll make you basically whatever you want. Go order one here.

For similar see: Women's BELSTAFF - BIKER LEATHER JACKET
OR
JUST CAVALLI - SIDE ZIP BIKER LEATHER JACKET

WWII British Back Pack. I have three of these babies. When I had my brand we over dyed them and studded them for resale. Buy them here.

For similar in leather see: A BRAND APART - TWISTED VERSATILE SHOULDER BAG

While you're there you might as well have them do up the flight jacket Burberry has cavorting down the F/W 2010 runway.

Another classic. Buy it here.


For similar see: DSQUARED - TEXTURED COTTON FISHER SPORT JACKET

What I brought home

I've shown you quite a few pieces on the Bijou Living page on Facebook that I've left behind on my thrifting adventures. Well, I thought I'd show you what I picked up last weekend when I was out. The stuff I left behind I'll post up on the Facebook page. Stay away from that rocking chair though - I'm going back!

cashmere $8

Louis Féraud $7

silk Alfred Sung $2

70s shrooms $6

Tapered burgundy & black British wool houndstooth (for him) $10

Harris Tweed $6

Big Mucha mirror $20

copper and stone $3

reclaimed pedestal table with marble top $10

Also a pair of mint vintage combat boots ($35) but he's wearing them so I couldn't grab a shot.

Did you know...

According to one biographer* Audrey Hepburn's grandmother tied her neck to the back of her chair at the dinner table so she would not slump over her food, but would rather learn to put only small amounts on her spoon to bring to her mouth.

* info via Emily Post's Etiquette

* image via Stephanie.Posterous

10 Do's and Don'ts for the Beach or the Park

1. don't crowd others - if an individual is enjoying some personal time - alone - leave them alone!
2. keep your kids in reach - which usually means building sandcastles down by the water.
3. pay attention to the social grouping already started at the beach/park and place yourself accordingly.
4. clean up after yourself. Leave the space as clean as or cleaner than you found it. Politely remind an offender that they may have forgotten something if they attempt to leave without picking up their mess.
   
5. confine noise to your own space - that means your guitar Romeo. Although, I think I'd prefer the guitar over the annoying cell phone conversation.
   
6. mind your cigarette smoke, the direction of the wind, and pick up your butts - they're garbage too.
   
7. if you are alone, do notice who is around you for safety's sake. If you're doing a quick jaunt to the washroom don't feel embarrassed to politely ask your neighbour if they'd keep an eye on your blanket (take your valuables) let them know you'll be right back. Of course, do the same when they ask you.
8. don't relieve yourself in the bushes just off the sidewalk. Really.
   
9. if you sprinkle when you tinkle, be a sweetie and wipe the seatie.
   
10. don't feed the sea gulls!
    

* photo part of a generous contribution from Could it be Madness - this?

Design Lover: Gae Aulenti Table with Wheels

designed 1980

Remember, I don't have furniture right now. The Gae Aulenti glass table with wheels—for FortanaArte—would be perfect in my sofaless situation as it's only 25 cm high. It's also perfect for stabbing my shin with its corner as I'm walking by.

The table actually comes in a multitude of sizes - but none taller than 25 cm - all available here.

Tip of the Week - Footwear

Wine bottles make excellent boot trees.

Quote of the Week - Vince Lombardi

I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is the moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle - victorious.

Vintage Sonia Rykiel

1980

Heaven on Earth is a Bike and a Warm Day

I was lucky enough to grow up in the country where we could bomb around on dirt bikes and ATVs. Now that I live in the city I'm thinking about finding a vintage bike to bomb around on. There's a guy in the West End that rides around on his Dad's 1970s Honda scooter I'll have to track him down and take a pic. Watch for him - the bike's yellow and he's a good guy that likes to chat.

via Steve's Vintage Bike Site
stacy reynaud

Yes or No?

Argentine label A.Y. Not Dead. They have four boutiques in Argentina and their women's line is available at Selfridges in London. Thoughts or not? I like the turquoise blue sweater. For a more in-depth look at the line check out Man About World or their page on Facebook. A pretty funny review of the label on the Fodor's website of all places.