I just bought one of these reproduction World War II posters to hang in my workroom. They’re hand-screened and are available in four colors. Inspirational San Francisco design blogger sfgirlbybay is responsible.
Huzzah!
I’m surprised it took the producers this long to make a menswear challenge. I’m surprised how poorly some people did. I’m surprised so many people chose to make tailored clothes when they had no idea what they were doing. You can’t hide a poor fit in a collared shirt and fitted jacket.
My favorite was Kit’s creation, the one with the fleece blazer. It succeeded at making a casual garment from classic influences.
It’s no secret I have a thing for Tod’s driving loafers. I imagine myself wearing a pair, downshifting in my [fantasy] copper-brown 1974 Mercedes coupe as I take a tight turn along a coastal highway. That, my friends, is the life.
But I own neither the luxury loafers nor the vintage glove box to keep them in. For now I’ll make due with Maisie Driving Mocs from JCrew. I wouldn’t walk across town in them but they are adorable and lightweight, perfect for air travel or fancy house shoes.
I bought the loafers in orange to go with the brown car, natch.
UPDATE: The mocs are going back. After walking around my house a bit I have determined that they are uncomfortable. There is a lump of leather in a seam that leaves an indention through my sock and into the top of my foot after less than five minutes. Dang.
A lifetime ago when I was in the initial stages of planning a wedding, I watched the Bette Davis tour de fierce All About Eve. During the party scene Bette reaches into the folds of her velvet dress and produces a pack of cigarettes. There were pockets in the dress. From that point on I was obsessed with putting pockets in my wedding dress. It seemed the right place to tuck a lipstick or nervous hands. In the end the silhouette of my dress did not allow for the pockets and I was sad for a time but rallied.
In the last year pocketed dresses have started making their way down the red carpet. I understand the appeal.
Evening gowns with pockets? I vote yes.
It’s almost Christmas and you know what that means? It’s almost time for the resort collections. Woo-hoo!
(A girl can dream, can’t she?)
A few months back I did a series on my favorite beauty products. As predicted, my skin got used to my favorite everyday facial SPF and I had to switch brands. Now I’m using Philosophy Pigment Of Your Imagination (SPF 18). I don’t think I’ve ever had such noticeable results from a product before.
I’m a freckleface and I noticed my first age spot last year. I take good care of my skin with the understanding that I can only work with the skin I’ve got. Expect no miracles and age gracefully, that’s my mirror mantra. So two months of using this SPF and my skin is brighter. My friend Tom mentioned it a month ago. I was carded today at Trader Joe’s buying a bottle of white wine — the checker said “Wow you look really good for your age.” I’m only 33 but I’ll take it.
I also use Philosophy Miracle In A Jar so maybe there is some product synergy? Who knows.
This lamp is so awesome. I saw it and thought “Genius! Why didn’t I think of that?!” Because my name’s not Kouichi Okamoto, that’s why. All you need is one of those corded light bulb fixture thingies and voila! Working lamp. I bet it glows a lovely red. It’s for sale at accessories purveyor Poketo (who I profiled last year).
I’ve long had a sweet spot for pop-open-and-clip paper honeycomb-style decorations. I remember we had a turkey for Thanksgiving and maybe a snowman for the holidays? They also come in pineapple (which I love), wedding bell and snowflake formations. Oooh, I wonder if I could make a skirt in the honeycomb paper style. I’d need someone to clip me in!
This Guy Friday is for Girl Fridays too. It’s about how to get the haircut you want.
Lots of guys shrug when it comes to their haircuts. Men either seem a bit put off by the entire process or super-vain and slicked-back. I believe there is a haircut for everyone. It’s a matter of knowing how to get the cut you want.
A few tips:
*Wear the clothes that best represent your style. The stylist is going to take visual clues to make an assessment about how to do your ‘do. If you wear a button-down and wing-tips most days, wear that to the salon. If nightlife is your thing, wear something flashy. You can also drop little hints as to what’s up, like “I’m newly single and want a change” or “I’m into figure skating and I’m straight.” That sort of thing.
*Bring a picture. It can be a photo of you on a good hair day or a picture of someone with a hair type similar to yours. If you are going bald don’t bring in a shot of George Clooney. If you have hair like Roseanne Roseannadanna (pictured above) don’t bring in a picture of Gwenyth Paltrow.
*Do your research. Ask your friends where they go, how much they pay, if there’s parking. Maybe you’d like to find a place that cuts on Sundays or is near your office. Yelp is a good resource.
*It’s best to find a good stylist and stick with if you like the results. I go to Cinta Salon (Grant @ Market streets, San Francisco) where you can book appointments online, hallelujah.
*For me it’s the second hair cut or highlight that’s the most telling. Can they maintain the original vision or are they a one-trick pony? If they did a crap job the first time you obviously don’t go back.
*Sometimes paying a little more is worth it; sometimes it is not. Big city dwellers can expect a good haircut at a salon to cost at least $50; there are probably barber shops out there for buzz cuts and a hot shave for less dough but I can’t guide you to one.
*If you’re uncomfortable, leave. Molly’s first rule of beauty, learned the hard way (aka bad eyebrow wax): If you think you aren’t communicating with someone, you’re right. Leave before you’ve got only half your hair.
So I managed to pick the winner and and the almost-loser on last night’s Project Runway. And somehow I picked a straight guy? Anyway, my favorite ensemble was by Chris (who I hear used to live in San Francisco and do costumes for Beach Blanket Babylon). All 15 looks are pictured here.
Interesting spot: I own one of the belts pulled off the Blueflydotcom accessories wall (Christian used it in beige). I do like Bluefly and you can score good discounted stuff on there. Interesting to watch the sponsorships on Project Runway evolve.
It’s fantasy fashion! You know, like fantasy football. Only with fashion. Genius. Pick your favorite Project Runway contestants soon — you have to do it before the season starts at 10 p.m. ET tonight.
Play along. Carry on!