BIJOU LIVING

2010-03-12T08:42:00.000-08:00

I've been doing a lot of winter beach combing lately, I'd forgotten how inspired I get at the edge of the sea. Yesterday I explained the concept of wish rocks to a little boy - he was confused as to why I was throwing rocks at the ocean. My explanation was quite contradictory as I don't believe in wishes per se, I simply look at them as goals only we can achieve but I didn't want to get into this with a six year old at the time.

I've been blogging for almost two years and have written close to 500 posts - now it's time for me to take a break. I'm not tired of it, I could write all day and night, however, if you don't go out and throw rocks at the ocean you won't have anything to write about.

I'll be back with more inspired content soon. I bought a little Flip video thing two months ago with the point of doing video blogs but I haven't even turned it on yet. I enjoy receiving your emails so drop me a line at bijoulivingatyahoodotcom. The chances I'll be sharing tidbits on the Bijou Living page on Facebook are quite high. So pop by, share and keep the conversation going.

In the meantime, I've left a pile of wish rocks for you down by the Squamish First Nation Welcome statue at Ambleside Beach.

Quote of the Week - Jackie Stewart

2010-03-11T05:30:00.000-08:00

It's good to remind yourself where it all began,...My life has been like a magic carpet ride ever since.

Fall 2010 Archives Boots Bags and Jackets

2010-03-10T05:31:00.000-08:00

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.

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.

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.

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.

What I didn't leave behind

2010-03-10T04:19:00.000-08:00

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...

2010-03-09T12:23:00.000-08:00

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

2010-03-08T11:37:00.000-08:00

don't crowd others - if an individual is enjoying some personal time - alone - leave them alone!
keep your kids in reach - which usually means building sandcastles down by the water.
pay attention to the social grouping already started at the beach/park and place yourself accordingly.
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.
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.
mind your cigarette smoke, the direction of the wind, and pick up your butts - they're garbage too.
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.
don't relieve yourself in the bushes just off the sidewalk. Really.
if you sprinkle when you tinkle, be a sweetie and wipe the seatie.
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

2010-03-07T19:36:00.001-08:00

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. 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

2010-03-05T09:06:00.001-08:00

Wine bottles make excellent boot trees.

Quote of the Week - Vince Lombardi

2010-03-04T06:21:00.000-08:00

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

2010-03-03T11:35:00.000-08:00

1980

Heaven on Earth is a Bike and a Warm Day

2010-03-03T05:26:00.000-08:00

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

Yes or No?

2010-03-03T00:33:00.000-08:00

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.

Did you know...

2010-03-02T05:00:00.000-08:00

The Sperry Top-Sider was inspired by a dog named Prince? Paul Sperry was intrigued by his cocker spaniel's ability to run nimbly over ice and snow. Upon turning Prince's paw over Sperry observed hundreds of tiny cracks and cuts in all directions. Sperry, in turn, was anxious to get back to his workshop to start his own experiments.

Grabbing a quarter inch thick piece of gum rubber he began cutting a herringbone shape into the material with his pen knife. The first pair of boat shoes were a worn out pair of sneakers with a quarter inch piece of herringbone patterned gum rubber glued to the bottom.

For more information on the involvement of Converse and Abercrombie & Fitch in the growth of the iconic boat shoe visit Sperry's site and download Paul Sperry's original story. It's a great read.

First Date Do's and Don'ts

2010-03-01T06:00:00.000-08:00

go for a midweek lunch - short and sweet. Why drag out a painful date over dinner? You'll know by the time lunch is over if you want to go out again. I never understood going to a movie or a concert on a first date. How are you supposed to get to know the person? If I can be frank, women get a little stressed at the end of the dinner date. Kiss, hug, hand shake, coffee upstairs, sex? Seriously, make it a few lunch dates first - coffee upstairs at a later date won't be so uncomfortable.
offer to meet your date at their place of work or pick them up at home. Most of the time they'll say they'll just meet you at the location but offer anyway.
have a place in mind ahead of time. If you're going on a lunch date stay clear of the pizza by the slice place and the fancy schmancy place with three forks. Choose something with good lighting (and that doesn't mean bright), excellent service, a quiet atmosphere and a good wine list. Keep in mind that your date may be veg so try and pick a place with a few more vegetarian selections on the menu.
keep an eye on the time (but not obviously). If your date has to be back to work respect this. If you control your own lunch break set a conclusion time in your head. You want to look responsible.
people love talking about themselves. Use the five Ws - who, what, when, where, why and how for good measure. Travel, hometowns, food, movies, and music are all safe topics.
a little flattery never hurts.

Don't

talk about your ex, sex, money, work, death or disease.
go to a place where you may run into an ex or one that brings back memories of an ex.
get drunk on a date.
be a jerk to the waiter.
expect your date to pay. If you did the inviting, you pay. Just because you paid doesn't mean you get a little. A friend of mine actually came across this; 'I paid for dinner. You owe me.' I went and picked her up and he, in his fur loin cloth and club, went back to his cave. Yet another reason we subconsciously get stressed over the dinner date.
say you're going to call when you're not. If you want to go out again ask if you can call later in the week.

Remember, however painstaking the first date is, it's what we'll always remember and yearn for when our relationship starts to fizzle.

Quote of the Week - Steve McQueen

2010-02-25T21:30:00.000-08:00

I would rather wake up in the middle of nowhere than in any city on earth.

Vintage Oscar de la Renta

2010-02-25T19:37:00.000-08:00

1970

Would this really have been James Dean?

2010-02-25T09:13:00.000-08:00

This commercial for a South African investment firm disturbs me. I think it portrays what they would have wanted James Dean to have been. 'My dearest, By the time you read this you will be a grown man. One always hopes their child follows their/my/the expected dreams ...'

Style Inspiration - James Dean

2010-02-25T08:59:00.001-08:00

Why can't designers get t-shirts right?

2010-02-24T09:54:00.001-08:00

Designers just can't seem to get t-shirts right. I don't know why they don't hire artists to create them.

One of the down falls of being a t-shirt artist is that the selection of wholesale t-shirts is terrible. The cuts are usually off and the fabric is cheap and cardboard like. Back in my t-shirt designing days I did come across a company that did some light weight jersey (and the owner was nice) - Alternative Apparel - but I couldn't afford them. Designers have the cash flow to spend on beautiful jersey for t-shirts but they don't have the right artists working for them. I stumbled upon Red Bubble today. It's a community of artists who put their work up for sale online. There are some great t-shirt prints. Unfortunately, the t-shirts they're printing on are American Apparel and they have a terrible cut. The 'Classic Girl' fits too tight and the fabric makes you sweat and the 'Standard American' has a bad neckline and boxy sleeves. However, the shirts are so reasonably priced and the designs so original I'd take the chance and take my scissors to the neckline and sleeves of the men's Standard American.

There are lots of vibrant colors and designs to choose from. Being a fan of the basic black and white tee I chose these three off the top in a quick search.

Block Capitals

Mad Friends Again

Urban Adaptation

The Striped Shirt

2010-02-24T00:00:00.000-08:00

We share a vintage Russian naval shirt in our house. I wear it under a fitted blazer and he layers it with a t-shirt or under his cardigan (à la Kurt Cobain).

Coco Chanel - Audrey Hepburn

Bridgette Bardot - Marilyn Monroe

Kurt Cobain - James Dean

Elvis - 30s actor whom I've forgotten his name

a vintage Russian navy uniform - The Cure

Duran Duran

Spring 2010 Menswear Trend Number 2

2010-02-22T18:34:00.000-08:00

Well, I showed you trend #1 for spring 2010 - the denim shirt - here's trend #2 - the double breasted blazer. It takes a certain type of man to wear a double breasted blazer and it helps if he's tall and slim. This style of blazer adds weight and tends to make one look shorter. Am I a fan? No - they remind me of MC Hammer*, Prince Charles and Rick Astley.

Dries Van Noten - Marc Jacobs - Iceberg

Michael Bastian - Spurr - Trussardi 1911

Etro - Maison Martin Margiela - Dries Van Noten

Victor & Rolf - Feragamo - Raf Simons

Prada - Duckie Brown - Yves Saint Laurent

Rick Astley must have been subconsciously on the mind of more than one designer this season check out the video for Never Going to Give You Up on YouTube to see why.

or watch it here

*Hammer pants NOT Harem pants (view)

Did you know...

2010-02-22T09:06:00.001-08:00

Anne Bancroft was only six years older (36) than Dustin Hoffman (30) when she played the role of Mrs. Robinson in The Graduate. Personally, I've always preferred Mrs. R. over Miss R.

8 Fall 2010 Color Trends

2010-02-21T12:09:00.000-08:00

rose dust

chocolate truffle

lagoon

lipstick red

living coral

oyster gray

purple orchid

woodbine

via pantone

Cocktails with

2010-02-18T19:24:00.000-08:00

Mr. Paul Lynde

Mr. Dustin Hoffman

Ms. Anne Bancroft

Mr. Al Pacino

Ms. Lucille Ball

Quote of the Week - Garry Shandling

2010-02-18T00:36:00.000-08:00

It's not the hair on your head that matters. It's the kind of hair you have inside.