Garance | Decorative Muse | Parbuckles

I'm a bit upset that it took me so long to discover the wonderful-amazing fashion (and photography)blog by illustrator Mme. Garance Doré. Her street fashion photography is truly inspiring, and so characteristically French (that is, unless she is in New York..or some other part of the world!). Garance currently has a display up at the Holt Renfrew in Vancouver, so I've heard.


From "Yesterday, At Dries", a beautiful older woman epitomizes a classic and timeless sense of fashion. Not overdone, not too busy, not too structured. Natural, great silhouette, excellent details.



One of Garance's friends has begun a line of very fashionable and unique frames in subtle colors such as 'crystal gray' (a milky taupe) and "Zebra horn". The frames are each named after a major city (Rome, Paris, New York etc.) and seem duly fitted with characteristics from each respective metropolis. I've been struck with the realization that my eye wear collection is limited to one (albeit expensive) pair of fairly new J.F. Rey's...pretty weak. I would love to invest in a pair of hand crafted daring frames from the Prism line! You can view the line at thePRISM homepage.



A photograph from the now deceased Domino Magazine, the color scheme, choice of fixtures, textures, and materials basically represents everything I am feeling aesthetically at the moment. It's simply the most beautiful indoor decorating arrangement I've come across.



The Hovey blog brought me a store called Parbuckles --specializing in nautical,safari, and campaign furniture (SO suitable for the aforementioned blog's aesthetic). This unique rattan "bar trunk" would be a beautiful and classy addition to any salon. Best of all, you can pack it up and move it on the fly. One pretty penny (more like $3,299) will get you this beauty.

Cream Colored Ponies

My iPod has been sitting in one of my many handbags for weeks now; neglected, scratched up, battery drained. Part of it is probably just my preferance for the sound quality of CDs and also, it's summer (though judging by the overcast skies and rain, I could be wrong)...I can't be bothered with technology and updating my iTunes. On top of this, my Leeroy Jenkins iPod skin gives me mild headaches when I look at it and I've come to the conclusion that even music must be aesthetic for me. With that said, a new skin is in order! These ones have been customized with my artwork...favorites, anyone?


"American Passage"


"Tarts"


"Hummingbird"


Okay, I didn't do this one...but it's potentially my favorite painting in the entire world. And to think, I first saw it in an issue of Veranda...
"Nature Mort Aux Oranges" - Vincent Van Gogh


Browsing Molly Young's website full of insightful and witty comments about...anything, I happend upon this delightful yellow lounge from the Metropolitan Museum in New York. I wish I knew more about it.




Bob Willoughby--photographer of the cinema, whoes work was "literally never out of print for one week during his 20 year career in films"--has a flickr photostream up of his Audrey Hepburn shots.


Here she is getting into some big beautiful American beast.

A Few Summertime Considerations..

You can't exactly compare summer in Washington to summer in the rest of the greater United States. After pretty brutal winters(or maybe just annoying when you consider freezing temperatures on the east coast..)Summer in Washington is possibly the most beautiful around. Void of the humidity and heinous touristy types, the occasional overcast day is an afterthought once the sun comes out and the world turns green (for a while). Here are a few aesthetic assets (some necessities, I swear!) that I would love to have and a couple that I do.



1.Deadly Ponies - Mr. Zipalot Bag {Bonadrag.com $425}
2.Erica Weiner - Hummingbird Skull Necklace {Bonadrag.com $80}
3.Skeem - Amber and Clove Pillar Candle {Skeemshop.com $22}
4.Dolce Vita - Rayne Heel {Urbanoutfitters.com $178}

ASOS - Woven Metal Tassle Drop Earrings {ASOS.com Now $4.23!}
Minka Aire - Brushed Nickle Retro Desk Fan {Lampsplus.com $69}

Laurel Hurst Fan Company - Casablanca, Venice, and Parkview Wall Mounts{Laurelhurstfancompany.com $499 -$695}

According to Skeem, the pillar candles will burn for 90 hours and I haven't been timing myself but I burn mine incessantly throughout the day and it's only down by maybe 1/8th. The ASOS earrings are also SUCH a deal, they look lovely and can be seen when my hair is down.

Summer Atmospherics

Last week I picked up copies of Lykke Li's "Youth Novels" album and another Madeleine Peyroux (her best according to some) by the name of "Careless Love". I'd been wanting these two for a while now but simply hadn't found the funds in my meager budget for music. It's funny that something so aesthetically important can't compete with my love for fashion...

Regardless of "Youth Novels" quality as an album, Lykke Li is an artist that I admire on so many levels. Her sound is not quite groundbreaking, but she does have an incredible knack for picking out simple but yet high impact melodies. I would describe her music as an assortment of primitive/tribal electronic sounds with folky undertones set in an urban background. And I hope my initial comment didn't phase you, because I really do believe that "Youth Novels" is a great album with equally great songwriting. Try "Let it Fall" and "Little Bit" to experience something that could easily have been pseudo-Bjork or "hipster" but rose above both of those things, artistically speaking.

I began listening to Madeleine Peyroux towards the end of the spring season. At the time I was searching for music that felt like it fit my ideals of feminism. Something with a timeless feel, a milky voice, bittersweet instruments for bittersweet melodies yet something with a sense of progress. Peyroux is really all these things and "Careless Love" does not fall short of the description aforementioned. I don't know if it means the same as "Half the Perfect World" did for me, nor do I know if "Bare Bones" (an album entirely of her own songs) will compare to the well roundedness of "Careless Love". Listen to "Between the Bars".

Her rendition of Leonard Cohen's "Dance Me to the End of Love" is really great.
Anyways, Madeleine Peyroux is sort of my...spirit of summer, if you will.


On a final note, I feel like looking out at the world with the same gaze as the young and dapper Miss Gloria Swanson...



Don't we all?

Artisanal Symphony in Two Movements

Those of us living in the greater Bellingham area will know that despite its rich artistic scene and multicultural fervor, Bellingham lacks the quality gourmet food joints that a city such as this one should have. There are a few odd spots, however, that give Bellingham residents all the more reason to be proud.

The Abbey Tea Rooms, tucked up a cobble stone "road" in Fairhaven, provides kitschy English decor with comfortable old chairs and benches at a reasonable price. While you could hardly compare the food to say...the Empress in Victoria, B.C., there is an extensive tea selection and a price range for everyone. Try the Sow Mee with a little sugar.

On a different note, I fell in love with John Galliano's recent Fall/Winter 2009 runway. Though it's obviously a bit early to be worrying about cold weather wear, Galliano's line represents something the fashion industry needs in these recessive times. "[Frozen] Ukrainian virgin brides" are the words Galliano uses to describe the aesthetic of his new line, but more importantly, he claims the line hearkens back to "poetry, romance, and [his] roots" as an artisan. And as usual, Galliano's runway was as beautiful as his clothing. Lasers and glitter evoked something akin to an otherworldly portal...a little J.K. Rowlingesque but always uniquely Galliano.

Lady of the lake or Helen of Troy?

A fantastically detailed cerulean jacket that I would wear any day..in October..

Annnnd just because I can, a couple shots from his renowned 2007 show involving an interactive runway and a beautiful selection of props. The clothes, of course, outstanding in their vintageness.

Sorry I didn't catch this one in time for Prom...

A little modern suffragette!

Photos: Of Me - Kieran Lyons

Runway Shots- InStyle.com

A Long Time Coming...

Countless things have taken place since the last time I posted anything, most of them for the better! Take for example, a simple new layout (which is still in the process..) to usher in summer and some recent Art Deco influence (really the only positive thing to come out of research papers). While cleaning up my living space, I thought simultaneously uncluttering my blog space and getting rid of that dense color scheme would put me on the turn around as far as posting goes.

The end of last month signalled my school's Evening of the Arts juried art show and I garnered several blue ribbons and a juror's choice. Juried art shows can be risky business for the ego...such a relief to feel justly awarded. My winnings included 1st Place display, 1st Place Painting (a piece from the cross cultural concentration), 1st Place Portraiture (Baron C.C.), and a Juror's Choice for "Blowfly" for Mr. Ron Boat. Below, a shot of my display prior to judging.

Final thoughts for this art year? Some of it seems childish, and some of it is.


However, the newer series feels as though it's taking me in the right direction. My latest, entitled "American Passage", stays true to the visual elements expressed in my last post but some expirimentation is evident and I'm pleased with the overall size of the "canvas" (it's really masonite..).





And what of it....


When we look at the quality of craftsmanship of the glory days in American automotive engineering, it certainly isn't horsepower alone that made the automobile. Perhaps it was the sense of something well built, luxurious and maybe even 'too much' that we remember...and what a difference it made for travel!