Sep 17, 2014

Not Even Mortuary Chic - a rant


Don't get me wrong—I love black clothes. It's dressing conservatively in black that kills me.

This is my second week back to work after two months off. My sparkles, velvet, embroidery and leopard print have moved to the back of my closet. My amber resin is sealed; I'm scentless, senseless and back in black. An outsider among my kind, shoved by the man to the sidelines - left to yearn for that which I know, that of which I can now only admire from the sidewalks of East Pender. Hear my cry, eccentric ladies of Chinatown, for it is you that I owe my inspiration (and Mr. Marc Jacobs, never you mind what I speak of).

Three things I ask myself when I shop for my everyday clothes:
Would Kate Moss wear that?
Would a crazy Chinese lady wear that?
Was it made before 1990?

Three things I ask myself when I shop for work clothes:
Is it black?
Would Grace Coddington wear that?
Would Kim Gordon wear that - to a funeral?

We have paid our dues and have earned the right to tart ourselves up like circus performers, burlesque queens or pole dancing hoochies (and that's just the men). We have earned our right to wear an electric-blue silk-satin blouson. Simon Doonan on ageing. ELLE Decoration October 2014

So, on this rainy day in September, I'll pull out my vintage, oversized, full-length, purple leather jacket I bought this summer and wear it with basic, boring black knowing damn well I'd rather be wearing it topped with my black felt hat, vintage embroidered Thai blouse, black brocade trousers and Officine Creative boots.

 Here's some fabric inspo for you! Now go find some new pants!

Sep 8, 2014

Costco Couture

I've written 1374 opening paragraphs for this post, and they're all turning into novels! So here it is, to the point. When you're performing professionally in front of hundreds of people don't wear your Costco jeans and old man dumpy shirt. You may think by dressing that way you're incognito and not attracting attention to yourself but frankly you are - a dumpy outfit stands out more than a well presented one.

So, I've pulled together a few inspiration looks from the Fall 2014 runway for you - now this is strictly inspiration and if I were shopping for you, you know it would be 100% vintage.

Showing some effort is hot.

 Carven

 Dolce & Gabbana

 Dolce & Gabbana
 Emporio Armani
 Emporio Armani
 Ermenegildo Zegna
 Fendi
 Gucci
 Hermes
 Hermes
 Hermes
 Hermes
 Hermes
 Joseph
 Maison Martin Margiela
 Neil Barret
 NHoolywood
 NHoolywood
 Paul and Joe
 Saint Laurent
 Saint Laurent
 Saint Laurent
 Saint Laurent
 Saint Laurent
Todd Snyder
 Valentino
 Valentino
Carven
Kenzo

Aug 25, 2014

Quote of the Week - Leonard Cohen

from the collection of Stacy Reynaud

There are always meaningful songs for somebody. People are doing their courting, people are finding their wives, people are making babies, people are washing their dishes, people are getting through the day with songs that we may find insignificant. But their significance is affirmed by others. There’s always someone affirming the significance of a song by taking a woman into his arms or by getting through the night. That’s what dignifies the song. Songs don’t dignify human activity. Human activity dignifies the song.

more Cohen from the same interview here

Aug 18, 2014

Trend Spotting - The Equipale Chair



In 2012, I spotted some equipale furniture in a late 60s decorating mag. This Mexican handmade leather furniture has been popping out at me right, left, and centre within the last month. Traditional Equipal furniture is handcrafted from tanned pigskin and cedar or rosewood strips. Each piece is unique; like all unwaxed, natural leather will improve with age.


Take a look at the different styles. I can't decide which one I like the best - probably the lounge chair and peacock chair (of course).


images via

Aug 6, 2014

10 Ideas for Living Windows


A million years ago (2009, actually), I did a post on How to Accent Windows - let's consider this post the 2014 version. Vintage paned windows are perfect for framing your plant collection for indoor and outdoor appreciation.

Make sure you pull the dead stuff off - that is, of course, if they're dried flowers. If you follow feng shui decorating practices, make sure you keep the energy fresh and the meaning special - don't let the dried plant simply become a dust collector/clutter.
Have a less-than-ideal view? Use the plants as a living wall. They're much better than keeping the blinds down or the curtains closed.


Lucky enough to have a window like this in your washroom? Block your sexy silhouette from the snoopy neighbours by hanging a plant in front of the window. 
Ferns love the humidity from the shower; if your window is facing east, even better!



  
Are indoor plants not your thing? Bring the outside in with a glass wall.


Strangely enough, plants love fluorescent light. Keep a little light above the plant in the evening to give it extra oomph in the dark winter months.


Jul 25, 2014

Architecture - and spectacles - Expo 67 Montreal



One of my UBC art history papers, way back when, was on Moshe Safdie's Habitat 67 (he was working on the Vancouver Public Library at the time). 


Safdie originally conceived the project as his Master's thesis in architecture at McGill. It became a thematic pavilion at Montreal's Expo 67 (in which the central theme was Man & His World - with housing as a subset).


Already having a fondness for the architecture of Expo 67 - based on my past research, as well as spending a few summers teaching Québécois university students English - I was pretty interested in The National Film Board of Canada e-newsletter that arrived in my Inbox this morning.


Impressions of Expo 67 is an eight-minute promotional video for what was considered the most successful World's Fair of the 20th Century.


As I mentioned, I am interested in Expo 67's architecture. Still, it takes time to find a thorough list of pavilion designers. 


If you know any more—in addition to the ones listed on Wikipedia—please leave them in the post's comments section.


A few:

Sandy van Ginkel - chief designer and planner of Expo 67

Arthur Erickson - consultant, Canada Pavilion, 

Buckminster Fuller - designer, USA's geodesic dome pavilion


Images of Expo 67 Pavilions can be viewed at the Library and Archives Canada page Expo 67 Man and His World - Pavilions and the Canadian Design Resource Site page Expo 67


So take a peek at the architecture in the short video, and while you're at it, check out the fabulous late 60s design of the visitors' sunglasses.
Images of Expo 67 Pavilions can be viewed at the Library and Archives Canada page Expo 67 Man and His World - Pavilions and the Canadian Design Resource Site page Expo 67

Jun 22, 2014

Please pop by my other channels



stacy reynaud

No, Bijou Living hasn't turned into a Craigslist Vancouver feed! We're moving, and I'm too busy (and moody) to devote enough time and creativity to composing long blog posts. However, I've been posting quickies on my Instagram, Tumblr, and Facebook pages, so if you're so inclined, please come by for a snoop. Have I told you lately how much I value your readership? Well, I do, so thank you!

images from top: Bijou Living on Facebook, Bijou Living on Instagram, Bijou Living on Tumblr




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