BIJOU LIVING

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

Emporio Armani

Ermenegildo Zegna

Fendi

Gucci

Hermes

Joseph

Maison Martin Margiela

Neil Barret

NHoolywood

Paul and Joe

Saint Laurent

Todd Snyder

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

greenweddingshoes
bijouliving
salvationtaco
jessicacollins laceandlikes makemodelnashville
kimberlygosnell
joeyrandall

Aug 6, 2014

10 Ideas for Living Windows

Cynthia Wood

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.

Marion Berrin

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.

Esther

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.

viciouslycyd.tumblr.com

whimsicaljane

archisculpture

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!

little upside down cake

Pamela Love

Trust Your Blood

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

The Slant View

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

Impressions of Expo 67 by William Brind, National Film Board of Canada

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

Jun 21, 2014

From the Archives - Momo the Cat and Kevan

natural disaster
suspense
human compassion
cute quirky Canadian
Momo the cat

Three cheers for Kevan and Momo!

Calgary flood June 21 2013 - a full list of organizations looking for volunteers for the clean up can be found here.

all images © Jordan Verlage/Canadian Press
photo set at CBC

Originally published June 24, 2013