A Fine Tooth Comb

Take Your Clothes Off & YART!

2009-06-08T17:23:00.006-04:00

It's been awhile since I have posted anything remotely relevant but I have been doing my best to enjoy the summer as well as participate in as many sales as possible here in Toronto and on Etsy.

I recently added some pretty cool items to the shop as well and there are some amazing deals to be had in my shop a long side the annual etsy YART sale. I am also participating in Take Your Clothes off vintage clothing sale held at a 107Shaw gallery at Queen W. & Shaw! Come on out and say hi.

Dead Mans Bones

2009-05-28T14:41:00.000-04:00

2009-05-27T20:37:00.002-04:00

Despite all avoidance possible I have given into Twitter! I figured out how to feed the blog through twitter as well..so you should follow me. I am definitely still adjusting to the whole thing and getting used to the format. I'm certainly just taking advantage of following cool peeps like Ed Droste and Owen Pallett who's lives are about a million times more interesting then my own but I thought I'd give this whole Twitter thing a spin and see how it goes.

Sales

2009-05-27T20:17:00.005-04:00

I have been quite the busy bee since I last posted here on my blog. Next to taking a very brief Victoria Day vacation I also participated in a fantastic sale held by the Preloved girls. "Wear Me Out" was a grand success had by all involved, and there is rumors that perhaps it will become a monthly event through out this summer. I hope so! I'll keep you updated on facebook or twitter.

I will also be participating in a fantastic annual vintage clothing bazaar this coming weekend held at the Studio Gallery. Check out all the details here.

Here is all the basic info:

Studio Gallery presents the Spring 2009 Edition of the Toronto Vintage Fashion Bazaar on Sunday, May 31st, 2009, 12pm-6pm.

Men’s and women’s clothing, shoes, and accessories from the closets of some of Toronto’s expert vintage shoppers will be on sale.

Each season, Studio will select twenty of their favorite vintage fashionistas as vendors. If you are interested in participating at the Summer 2009 Edition of the Toronto Vintage Fashion Bazaar, please contact Vanessa at vanessa@studio.to

Directions to Studio Gallery:
294 College st., 2nd floor
Intersections: College and Spadina
(Above the Savannah Room)

Shoppers are encouraged to bring their own shopping bags. Cash only. $5 entry.

More new accessories in the shop!

2009-05-14T15:19:00.005-04:00

Vintage Aztec scarf

Vintage Valentino sunglasses

Faux Louis Vuitton scarf

Victoria Day

2009-05-13T23:25:00.004-04:00

I am highly anticipating the weekend because us Canadians get to celebrate Victoria Day. Other wise, a excuse to go to the cottage and get a preempted start to the summer. I get the opportunity to go away to my boyfriends cottage this time with a couple of my good friends Amarina and Ron. I always enjoy a good road trip, and then the luxury a so-called-cottage (does having laundry and a jacuzzi tub make it rustic?) plus I always love the Canadian outdoors.

I was used to having a tiny little cottage deep in the woods with my family growing up before they sadly sold the place a couple of years ago. Where we had no indoor plumbing (we had to get fresh water from town to drink/boil) and always used a outhouse for our business. We washed our hair with rain water and had a wood stove to keep the cottage warm, and there was no television (except for two stations we got on the old tinfoil rabbit ears..) We spent most of our time reading, listening to music, writing, relaxing outdoors, excavating towns (Bancroft, Coe Hill, Peterborough) and thoroughly enjoying nature and the outdoors.

Over all, I'm hoping to get a bit nostalgic this weekend as my boyfriends cottage isn't too far away from where my family and I had our old cottage. So perhaps we will make a trip out to Bancroft and the place I spent many summers as a youth. Over all I'm excited just to get out of the city.

Shirt Dresses

2009-05-10T20:52:00.011-04:00

Since having worked at the flag ship Preloved store since its opening in August I have certainly begun to look at garments differently. To the point where I wonder how I can change it, how I can altar something simply to wear it differenly. I have been particularly fascinated with mens dress shirts as of late..having torn one apart to try and create something with it. Then I came across this image on the legendary Facehunter and fell in love. Surely this will be something to easily create for myself in the near future.

This particular image I found on the TCA, and is a piece you can find at Nathalie-Roze & Co here in Toronto. It is also and quite obviously made out of mens dress shirts as well. It is definitely something I have been coveting and would love to either attempt to make or purchase.

Ramona West
has also come to reconstruct mens shirts into skirts. Which is similar to what Preloved has done this season but with mens suit jackets.

New Etsy Items

2009-05-09T21:05:00.003-04:00

I've listed all new accessories in the shop!

Fever Ray

2009-05-08T20:21:00.004-04:00

Fever Ray (Karin Dreijer Andersson) announced her North American tour, and I couldn't be happier. Ever since Silent Shout by The Knife (which is pretty much considered one of my favorite albums ever made) I have been looking forward to seeing her tour. The Knife rarely tour in North America. I had to settle for the deluxe edition of Silent Shout with the live footage from their performance in Sweden. Which just made my anticipation grow even worse. Their spectacle (next to the music itself) is worth while alone to see them play. I have profound respect for their music, and for the band(s) themselves as I have felt they are unlike any music being created at this time. They some how manage to fuse electro pop, with sullen dark hooks and lyricism that hits on a multitude of targets (feminism,death,love,longing,dreams,surrealism,nature).

They are fearless and are pretty much all that I could ever hope for in a band. Culminating intelligence, equality, creative, with a one of a kind sound. You have no idea how much I am dying to see her, and to share a room with her presence.

This music video just came to my attention today, despite having been out for a few months and it blows my mind! Very Lynch like in quality.

Wilco (the album) cover!

2009-05-08T12:13:00.002-04:00

Etsy Picks!

2009-05-05T18:21:00.004-04:00

Vintage Native American Photos

Beaded & Fringed Military Jacket

High Waist Skirt

Vintage Blouse

40's Wicker Hat

High waisted wool trousers

1930's Cutter Quilt

Darling Darling

2009-05-04T12:25:00.001-04:00

Golden Brown

2009-05-04T12:19:00.000-04:00

Fumi Mini Nakamura

2009-05-01T21:22:00.002-04:00

Lisa Yuskavage

2009-04-30T20:31:00.003-04:00

2009-04-23T21:58:00.004-04:00

It's kinda sad to see that Amy Sedaris will be in the up coming Wayans brother film..one of those typical gag worthy parodies called Dance Flick. Awhile ago I was talking about how there is a definite lack in comedic females..and Amy Sedaris and Sarah Silverman have been the only two ladies truly dominating in the "industry". I will continue to rant about how it's pretty obvious that Amy Sedaris probably hasn't had the greatest scripts as of late, if in her good taste she has decided to take on a role as "Ms. Cameltoe". Her good friend and comrade Stephen Colbert has seen a immense amount of success since his show started. Yet Sedaris is still incredibly underrated. Even her brother has probably seen more press, despite the fact that she's been in the industry for a very very long time. Over all, it's just rather disappointing to find one of my female idols having to pay the billz by doing some shitty Wayans bros. "flick". She deserves to be in any Apatow flick and would fit right in.

In other cool news, the reason why I haven't had the chance to make some posts as of late is because I have been preoccupied with one of my first sales!

There is plenty of vintage to be had and if anyone does in fact read this thing, then you should come out to 596 Queen West. this Sat. between 10am - 6pm

This is one of my first personal sales, and so far it's been quite successful. I'm also more then happy to do trades! So if you have some stuff kicking around your closet, shoes your not wearing, or even jewelery..since it is that time of the season I'd be more then happy to consider a trade of sorts. There is some great stuff!

Grey Gardens

2009-04-16T20:03:00.002-04:00

Ah.. Drew Barrymore! A few posts ago I talked about my first male crush (i.e Christian Slater) which gradually went downhill. My first female crush was Drew Barrymore. Who was by far the icon of my teen years, and was someone who's fashion sense I also idolized. My admiration of Drew eventually fizzled (much like many of her romances) but she's always still been someone I've followed and can gladly say I still admire. Many people are split on Drew. Her roles are often questionable, and I had hoped that as the two of us aged so would her roles. But she was often and always typecast as this flaky coming of age chick. I ate it up as a teen, and loved her hippie attitude but then suddenly I felt like even I was more mature then Drew Barrymore. But maybe this is changing? I caught Drew last night on Letterman. She was on there promoting the HBO version of Grey Gardens. Which since HBO started it has had many fashionistas following its every move. No one was sure how Jessica Lange & Drew Barrymore would take to the roles of Big Edie and Little Edie. But this trailer looks amazing and so does Drew at the premier. Both Drew and Jessica pull off the two magnificently and transform almost identically to the two famous recluses.

I also came across this great video of Albert Maysels' being interviewed at Grey Gardens recently, now after the mansion has been completely renovated.

Bad Hair Mountain

2009-04-14T23:26:00.005-04:00

look.

Observe & Report

2009-04-10T22:26:00.009-04:00

I took in a viewing of Observe and Report tonight. The new movie by up and coming director/writer Jody Hill. Who previous to this made The Foot Fist Way with Danny McBride, and has also directed some of the episodes of his show Eastbound & Down.
Now, although I am sick with a cold which may have slightly obscured my whole perception of Observe & Report...I can honestly say I'm really split on whether or not or I like it. Which although it is incredibly unique, and incredibly dark there is something that sort of leaves me unsettled about it all. Maybe that's the point, but I still can't say I truly enjoy his films. Seth Rogen is amazing though, as usual and his performance is a bit of a distance away from his usual stoner/slacker roles. This time he plays a bipolar mall cop. There is a mound of dark humour through out this whole film and some genuine laughs..no doubt about it. It is exactly what everyone is saying it is, a comedic version of Taxi Driver (didn't think that was possible, but Hill does succeed in getting this message across fairly well). I figure if you love Seth Rogen you'll see any film of his because you pretty much know what to expect.

I do get kind of irritated to see Anna Faris in another role where she plays a dumb blonde. Which is getting to be the grand stretch of her career, and is beginning to wear thin. It's sort of sad for me to see a girl who obviously has comedic talent waste it on these rather generic roles. Jessie (my boyfriend) states that at least Hill goes to the ultimate extreme of the dumb blonde (i.e particularly a scene where Rogen has sex with her while she has drunkenly passed out, vomit smeared across her pillow). Still...it's disappointing.

Another aspect of Hill's films that kind of irks me is the fact that you only ever get to experience a very bland understanding of where these characters are coming from. There are brief moments where you get to know these characters and their backgrounds, but not enough. To the point where the characters seem a bit too empty for me. They're big balls of energy, people who swear, steal, drink, do lot's of drugs and waste a lot of time. Despite knowing that Rogen's character has a drunk Mom and his father left him (and it was probably his fault), and he takes medication for his bipolar disorder there is nothing else. I couldn't get emotionally involved with any of the characters, which made it difficult for me to relate to some extent or really know how to feel about them. Maybe this sounds like bullshit. I get that they're all living shitty lives, working shitty jobs, and getting nowhere with their lives no matter how hard they try..but I've seen this many other times (i.e Mall Rats/Clerks, Office Space, Waiting) I get that mediocre lower class jobs suck..to the point where some people want to kill themselves or go crazy. This movie falls into that same category except perhaps going go the extreme.

A pretty good movie that doesn't go a long the same line as most those films is The Promotion with John C. Reiley and Sean William Scott. Yeah it's a lot more down played, but still has this dark edge to it. It also isn't what you'd typically expect from one of these kinds of movies. I can say although it was a straight to DVD movie it's pretty underrated and I'm sure I preferred it to Observe & Report.

To rant some more..

I'm also kind of sad to see that there really aren't many good comedic woman being featured in good comedies these days. It's very much a boys club. Apatow and the like are really tame when it comes to female roles. If there is one thing that kind of gets me about these movies is the fact that there really are no females that can stand up to the likes of the boys in most of these movies. The girls are so tame! So prim and proper. Flighty and bitchy. Including Katharine Heigl in Knocked Up.

Apatow's real life wife is often featured in most of his films, other wise he always aims to cast pretty and quaint little ladies which almost always float around in the background. Girls who spend most of their time chatting with their girlfriends/family, concentrating on their entertaining careers, worrying about their looks or looking after their kids. Except for maybe Rosie Perez in Pineapple Express. Which from what I can remember has been the only stand out role by any lady in comedic roles as of late. I don't mean to say I think there should be more "tomboy" roles for woman.I kind of hate the word "tomboy". I think it's good when woman can balance femininity on screen with a strong sense of empowerment. Girls who can still be attractive, but not encased in some sort of beauty mistique. Girls that are smart, powerful, but also down to earth. The kind of girl who has balls, knows what's what and can talk just as dirty as all of these fellas. I enjoyed Jaime Pressly in I Love You, Man. She has a bit of that spunk I'm looking for in a funny woman. But she also spends the whole movie kind of catering to her over baring misogynistic husband.

There is also that scene in Knocked Up with Charlyne Yi (who may or may not be banging my boyfriend Michael Cera behind my back) She's amazing...hilarious...and so cute. But is also in the film for a total of 10 minutes?! Ugh! Oh wells. Check out a scene from her cute film Paper Heart with Michael Cera.Which hopefully comes out soon?

I guess there just aren't too many independent ladies out there. It always seems like these girls just can't let go, smoke some weed and shoot the shit with the boys. They're always in the kitchen, dealing with their woman problems. Being over baring, giggling or shopping with their husbands money. It's really irritating because there are tons of ladies who don't fit into this box. The kind of girls (like me) who avoid marriage and babies at all cost, take empowerment in what they do with their lives, love video games, good music, humour, etc.

Anyway, I found a cool article in relation to this that is well worth the read:
Check it out!

"I explained that I am a fan of Apatow's work, but that I feel it is my responsibility as a feminist to point out sexism when I see it, no matter how subtle or how well-meaning the source."

She makes some good points with regard to Apatow's films and feminism in general. I also can't focus primarily on Apatow as the guy giving shitty roles to woman..it seems to be a common case in most movies of the comedy variety. Including Observe & Report, The Promotion, and others. The only comedic director I have been impressed with is Kevin Smith. Who to me, does write good roles for women in his movies. Most of the woman in his movies aren't pussies and I can appreciate that.

Maybe there is hope for us?

Cringe Fest Christian

2009-04-06T12:51:00.009-04:00

I had many celebrity boy crushes growing up..but Christian Slater was by far the first. I also had a very odd crush on a much older Patrick Swayze due to the influence of Dirty Dancing but that quickly past. Christian Slater was by far the top of the cake soon after I had seen Kuffs (with a K instead of a C to increase the irony). Perhaps it was his gravely Nicholson voice and high eye brows, lucious and greasy dirty blonde locks that fell over his smiling eyes, what ever it was this boy oozed sex appeal when I was a pre-teen. He was also one of the most popular actors in the late 80's and early 90's. For awhile this dude could do anything and still make some decent cash at it. Sure he made his fair share of good movies (actually..only two). Particularly, Heathers and True Romance.

He also was arrested on numerous occasions, spaning drug abuse, marital abuse, and packing a loaded weapon. C.S was such a bad boy. Who would want a timid Emilio when you could have crazy sexy Christian?

He also had some pretty high profile romances, including Winona and few other gals that arn't really making there mark in Hollywood anymore. What amazes me most about celebrity mixed with youth, is you never imagined they'd grow up either. Even when I still think of Christian I picture him as that cute twenty something breaking all the rules, and all the hearts.

Luckily C.S is time capsuled in such classics as Pump Up The Volume, The Wizard, Young Guns 2, Robinhood, and as the voice of Pips in Ferngully.

Also, doesn't the above look an awful like the cartoon versions of Christian and Winona? Except they have wings? I think so.

Who could forget some of his later careers cash ins like Bed Of Roses (with Benny & Joon's Mary Stuart Masterson) & Untamed Heart? Where by he plays one.. a shy florist and two a shy dishwasher/shut in.

Imdb describes the plot of a Bed of Roses as a:

Romantic drama about a young career girl (Mary Stuart Masterson) who is swept off her feet by a shy florist (Christian Slater), who fell in love with her after one glimpse through a shadowy window.

Last night my friends and I gathered around to watch a classic VHS version of Untamed Heart and we were some what appalled and facinated at the same time. Even the wine we were drinking could not coat the fact that this movie is awful/life affirming. Especially because we couldn't realize how much we bought into the foder of this film in our youth. Very much like a awful car crash you can't take your eyes off of. We also couldn't figure out if it was the romantisism of the 90's or just youth in general..but when we were young we thought this was one of the sweetest movies of our time. Well, at least I did. And will gladly admit it. As well as Roger Ebert who described Untamed Heart as being

"Kind of sweet and goofy, and works because it's heart is in the right place"
Or in the case of this movie, C.S's baboon heart is not in its right place and that's why he dies in the end. Check out the full review here.

We also made note of how much Christian looked like The Beast from the early 90's tv show Beauty & The Beast. I think the resemblance is uncanny. I also think that if Christian Slater survived in Untamed Heart this is how he would have inevitably aged due to his baboon heart. There is nothing better then his brief monologue in Untamed Heart about his childhood living as a orphan and how the Sisters used to tell him magical stories of his parents and how they died.

We also came the conclusion that there is no way Marisa Tomei could ever watch herself in the movie ever again. We could barely get through it, so there is no chance in hell she could either. I'm sure it's something she has just whole heartedly blocked out from her memory.

C.S is luckily still in the industry some what. I think the last movie I ever saw him in was 3000 Miles To Graceland. An awful movie my parents rented one time where in Christian a long side Kurt Russell and Kevin Costner (two other babes from classic early 90's features) live out their middle age rock n roll Elvis fantasies. I also wonder why Christian Slater, a long side Nicholas Cage and other actors have very weird and some what perverted facinations with Elvis Presley?? I.e True Romance and 300 Miles To Graceland vs. Wild At Heart and Leaving Las Vegas?)

Anyway, I think I spent way to much time writing this blog post so much so that my brain hurts. I'll leave you with one last little tid bit of C.S glory which I think sums up his career fairly well.

Some Velvet Morning

2009-04-04T01:03:00.001-04:00

Paris Ja taime

2009-04-03T23:47:00.009-04:00

Jane Birkin

Birkin was such a stone cold fox in her day. Which always begged me to wonder what exactly she saw in Serge Gainsbourg who despite his great music making as always across as an ugly sleeze (I mean that in the kindest way). Which he totally built a career on. Luckily their daughter Charlotte Gainsbourg was lucky enough to get her mothers genes.

As well as her other daughter Lou Dillon who I also mentioned recently in my posts with regard to her posing for French Playboy. This woman has some great genes, and it's great that she's passed it on to another generation. We wouldn't have wanted them to go to waste.

Other wise, things could have turned out disastrously.

Jane Birkin is also quite notably known for having the Hermes Birkin bag named after her, and no wonder. Her style is timeless...that is of course when she is clothed.

Anyway, I hate how Parisians are so hopelessly attractive. To have natural beauty and an air of sexual confidence is not easy to achieve and the pull it off so ceaselessly.

Which is also why The Dreamers is my favorite Bertolucci film, next to Last Tango In Paris.

Both Eva Green & Maria Schneider embody style and sex appeal blended with instability..and not in the conventional sense. These are not conventional woman. Bertolucci manages to capture all that is beautiful about love, sex, and relationships in general. With a dash of politics and turmoil...which all seem to blend together to create two very magnificent films.

This is my favorite and probably the most beloved scene in Last Tango:

Has Marc Jacobs reinvented the boater?

2009-03-30T00:05:00.002-04:00

I'm kicking myself big time because I came across a amazing simple..black..vintage boater at Value Village a few days ago. I walked around with the hat in my cart for a good hour, trying to figure out if realistically I'd get wear out of it this spring. I'm not sure at all why I hesitated in buying it, there wasn't even a price tag involved... I had Value Village coupons, there really was no need for decision. It was a give in that the hat should have been mine. But at the last moment, and perhaps due to lack of spontaneity on my part I hesitated and threw the hat back on a shelf some where. Later to see some other vintage clad hussy pick it up, then place it back as well. I walked over to where she had been, looking for the hat one last time but it was gone. I didn't think she picked it up, maybe she did maybe she didn't. I thought then that it probably fell behind one of the clothing racks..thought nothing less and went on my way.

Once I got home, I started flipping through the latest issue of Lula Magazine. Immediately I began kicking myself, after pages and pages of fashion spreads depicting this most recent trend. Now, after a few days of mourning I've come to realize I don't regret it that much. Following trends strictly is for pussies. People who really don't know how to stick to their own game, and create their own style. Breaking rules and creating revelations. This Mary Poppins, 40's esque style is yet another way to emphasize how dominant vintage style is in play and how most designers can't come up with good ideas anymore. Maybe I want to feel this way because I was dumb enough to neglect that hat. Chances are I'd buy one again if I found another one kicking around VV.

Speaking of the lovely Lula, the latest issue also does a piece on a fantastic artist named Heather Benning who created a life size doll house in the middle of Saskatchewan. Which is amazing, and I would love to trek out there to take a look at it first hand. There really isn't too much information out there about her, but the article in Lula definitely gives much explanation about her serious art installation and deserves a reference. As it is pretty much one of the most amazing things I've seen in awhile.

With another great focus on interiors I also want to make note of the amazing Upside Dive and The Selby. Two sites I frequent on a regular basis. Upside Dive is a local Toronto based show room consisting of vintage and antiques. They sell some amazing goods. I was able to buy a wonderful desk from them a few months ago, as well as a great mohair lion tank top which is pictured above. If you're looking for some great statement pieces for your apartment, Upside Dive is the place to check out. It's reasonably affordable, everyone involved in the place is super cute and they just have a great idea going on. One I wish I had thought of a long long time ago!

On the other hand The Selby is a place for inspiration. You could spend hours and hours combing through this particular website. The archive is highly recommended to check out, as it is a gold mine of talented people who really know how to decorate their digs in ways I've never seen before. It also gives people who live in tiny spaces with little or no money hope that they can turn their space into a work of art. Here are some of my personal favs from the site:

Tracy & Michelle

Daniela Kamiliotis

Guy Blakeslee & Maximilla Lukacs

2009-03-24T00:51:00.004-04:00

Carolyn Salas

These two photos came from a amazing vintage store I came across on ebay the other day. What sucks is the fact that I can't remember where this site was..or reference it properly. Which is really lame..because this shop was particularly amazing. Espeacially the photography. If I find it I will credit these photos a.s.a.p

Also..the lovely and amazing Amarina pointed me in the direction of a amazing designer who has been covered on many other blogs..but deserves the credit as well one mine due to her absolutely stunning creations. Sandra Backlund is a designer using a variation of textiles in her work...including hair, knits, and clothes pegs...yes...clothes pegs... check it out..

I also have to bring mention to John Galliano's fall 2009 collection..which absolutely rocks my socks. Half the time I don't pay too much attention to fashion week but when I came across this I knew I could not resist sharing it.

I know for a fact I am over winter..and right now all I want to focus on is spring/summer but some part of me is looking forward to looking like a Russian princess next winter. At least this is highly inspiring and gives me hope for our next season.

Silver Falls

2009-03-21T23:04:00.002-04:00

My article on Silver Falls was finally published on blogto.com! Which makes me quite happy. You should check it out here.

I also can't thank the lovely Nicole for contributing with me and taking some beautiful photographs, you should check her out here as well as at the amazing Nerd Girl Pinups. I also would like to thank Lindsay at Silver Falls for her patients and for answering my questions with regard to her awesome vintage store. You should not only check out the store, but her great blog which follows in the footsteps of Silver Falls.

Also... my interview with Project Runways Jessica Biffi is up on She Does The City! What a great day!

bird gehrl

2009-03-14T21:46:00.003-04:00

This photo pretty much sums up my day today.I had a pretty quiet day off today and I was able to enjoy the beautiful weather we are having right now. Official spring weather if I do say so myself. It reminded me very much of these photos I saw on blog.to the other day. I found the flickr account linked from blog.to and the photos are pretty amazing. Every now and then I find some really great photos through blog.to though most of them are bird oriented..haha. Which is typical. Hopefully my blog is not just going to end up over run with pictures of birds...which so far seems to be a continuing theme. Oh well! I just seem to be in that kind of mood lately. Here are a couple blog.to bird pics that are my favorite:

I have had some time to myself as of late, as Jessie was off to his home town for a visit and then to a Bloc Party concert tonight with one of his coworkers. So I was able to get some spring cleaning done, as well as some mix tape making. So, to go a long with the running theme of my blog I compiled a bird mix simply titled "birdsong". I looked into birdsong after reading some of my weekend book of which I had previously blogged about. I found some great birdsong tracks online which then inspired me to create a themed mix to a long with it. I wanted to share it with the public, so I put the same compilation on to a favtape mix. So check it out here. If you've never experienced favtape before, it's amazing as you can pretty much find any song and stream it online. Making mixes of all kinds. Some times it can be fussy, luckily I had no trouble putting this together.

Here is the track listing:

1. The Beatles - Black Bird
2. Antony & The Johnsons - Bird Gehrl
3. Johnny Cash - Bird On A Wire
4. Neil Young - Birds
5. Wilco - Hummingbird
6. Tom Petty - Learning To Fly
7. Eels - I Like Birds
8. Broadcast - Man Is Not A Bird
9. The Knife - Bird
10. Patti Smith - Birdland
11. Jose Gonzalez - The Nest
12. Tallest Man On Earth - A Field Of Birds*
13. Paul McCartney & Wings - Bluebird
14. Buffalo Springfield - Flying On The Ground Is Wrong
15. Iron & Wine - Flightless Bird, American Mouth
16. Marissa Nadler - Expecting To Fly*
17. Lynyrd Skynyrd - Freebird

*These two weren't on my original mix, I instead had included Tallest Man On Earth's Where Do My Bluebirds Fly which is equally if not more so amazing then A Field Of Birds. I also used the original Neil Young version of Expecting To Fly, which is my favourite of all favourite Neil Young songs. I figured there was probably a bit too much NY on the list..and her cover is absolutely striking and is equally just as good as the original.

Also, check out this great little organization called Project Chirp. I came across it when Jessie & I were at the humane society in the midst of adopting our little Joni many months ago. Anyway, it seems like a pretty cool Toronto based charitable type project that created habitat in our local residential areas and parkland.

And on a side note...

I also can't thank Amy & Ron enough for a wonderful dinner and movie last night. It was delicious....quiche! mashed potatoes! chalet sauce! ice cream! Amazing! Despite the movie being pretty crap, watching episodes of The Office and getting to cuddle with Yma made up for it. Plus, it was a good time all around! Thanks again guys.

Birds & Girls

2009-03-11T21:43:00.006-04:00

These amazing pop art prints were made in the 60's/70's by artist Mel Ramos. He is still quite the legend, continuing to create these amazing portraits. I enjoyed the ones featured on Toro, but when I checked out his official website I came across these bird oriented prints which I found even more interesting then anything else on his site. These are fantastic, and reminded me very much of these vintage night lights I came across at the Toronto Erotic Arts & Crafts fair.

These were over all my favorite out of anything I had seen at the show, which was held at the Gladstone Hotel. They were truly original and unlike anything else I had come across before, other items at the fair were good..but nothing really stood out in comparison to these lamps. They were unique as well as affordable. My friends and I all agreed that this was the best part of the show.

Speaking of birds...flora..fauna and the like...I stopped by Type Books on my break at work today and ended up spending WAY too much money on a couple of journals. They were so amazing though that I could not resist them. On top of that, they are one of a kind, environmentally friendly, and handmade out of vintage papers and re purposed books. They have a variety of themes to these journals, but my favorite was the flora and fauna. Other themes include Arts & Crafts, Facts & Figures, Prim & Proper, etc. Be forewarned these babies are on the pricey side though they are prettier then any Moleskine I've ever seen. Check out the Eclecto papergoods selection here. I'm definitely going to see if my wonderful boss Susan at Drysdale & Co. would consider having them to sell in her store on the Danforth. They are beautiful pieces of art work as well as journals. It makes me want to start collaging again...quite badly.

I'd also like to make note that my amazing boyfriend is continuing to grow as a journalist at Toro Magazine. He has even launched his own music channel which he will be curating. I have to give him some mad props for working so hard. I'm sure he's going to take the music section of Toro into a whole other direction, in fact he's already had a great start. Despite the fact that I have been mad jealous since he started working at Toro, he seems to fit in really well there and I'm super proud of him. If you don't know about Toro, check it out.

At one time when it was in print and in its early years it had a huge feature on my other lover Ryan Gosling who graced the cover. That's how I found out about Toro originally and even gave Jessie that issue which I had saved for years due to it's undeniable sexiness. Haha. Gosling is also supposed to be in this months Flaunt magazine, promoting his band Dead Mans Bones.

The Wonderful Weekend Book

2009-03-11T12:15:00.002-04:00

I briefly mentioned my birthday in my last post. What I didn't mention was the awesome goods I recieved for my birthday. Which included a mix of vintage and glorious books. I recieved The Wonderful Weekend Book by Elsbeth Thompson. Something I had been eyeing at Type books for awhile, buy never took the time to purchase. What's enjoyable about this book is the inspiration it gives you through out the seasons. What with living in a city, the Weekend Book gives you inspiration to bring a bit of the country into your home. Which is something I'm always in search for, espeacially now that I don't have a cottage to venture to in the summer time. I'm always looking for ways to get back to nature. This book is very British, but it has given myself as well as my boyfriend Jessie some ideas to keep ourselves occupied on days off that seem worth while, productive, and over all interesting. Some cool things I want to try out from this book include celebrating Lent. I've never followed to many religious practices, but giving up a vice for awhile (we've limited ourselves to a week) seems cathartic in a way. I've decided to give up spending money frivilously for a week, and that includes no eating out..making meals regularly and packing lunches. Jessie has decided to give up eating meat for a week. Which will be interesting! Jessie and I have also discussed waking up early and going jogging around the neighborhood together. Which will be another cool activity. We also have to take advantage of the park, fit with a track right behind us.

Other interesting ideas from the book for the spring season include, "Hear The Dawn Chorus" which means waking up incredibly early to go to a local forest area and listen to the birds wake at dawn. I would love to wake up to listen to birdsong one morning, if I can manage waking at say 4:30/5am. But I am sure it would be quite the experience. Supposedly you can find tracks of birdsong online as well. Which is what I may resort to. Also, creating a nature table is also on my list. Which is basically filling a vase or plate with various found objects. Or collaging using found objects such as twigs, shells, feathers, flowers, etc. Another reason to go beach combing soon as well. I'd also love to do a spring detox for a couple days, where in I'd cleanse my body of it's toxins while focusing my diet on vegetable soup and tea for two days. Anyway, I think this book will come in handy and comes highly recommended.

2009-03-09T11:50:00.005-04:00

I just had the wonderful experience of celebrating my 24th birthday this past week. It was exciting and I got some amazing gifts and treats from my wonderful friends! I also had the wonderful oppourtunity to head back home for awhile, and do some serious outside Toronto thrift shopping which is always amazing. Speaking of birthdays and vintage... I had been awaiting the arrival and birth of Market Publique. A new website that just launched on the 8th. It is focused primarily on selling vintage clothing. It also has some differences in comparison to say Etsy, or other online shops including the oppourtunity to choose whether you would like to sell your items in a auction format like Ebay, or just at a set price. Which to me is really fantastic. I had followed the Market Publique blog for quite awhile, as well as their etsy shop and was excited to finally see the final product. Any who, I am definitely thinking of switching over to this format..despite loving Etsy so much. I love the idea of having a site focused primarily on vintage clothing and accessories. This definitely suits my needs a little better. I had hesitated listing new items on Etsy lately in hopes that Market Publique was something I was interested in. So, look forward to a new Tomorrow Never Knows. I am not sure whether or not I will leave Etsy, as it would be nice to balance both and because I don't think I want to cut my ties entirely.

It's also funny because in the new issue of N.E.E.T Magazine I came across an ad for something similar to Market Publique, that being Fashion Junk. Perhaps not as visually pleasing as Market Publique but still quite interesting and worth browsing. I love the fact that it seems vintage is blowing up like crazy lately at least here in the West. I think the popularity of vintage in Europe has grown excessively and espeacially due to the economic crisis finally taking it's toll vintage may really get its oppourtunity to shine in the mainstream.

Anyway, here are a few of my favourite picks from Market Publique....

Also, speaking of great vintage style I caught a bit of Wild At Heart on tv last night. Which is probably one of my favourite David Lynch films, what with Blue Velvet coming a close second. It was also one of the first David Lynch films I had seen next to Eraserhead. Watching it again after having now seen the two seasons of Twin Peaks definitely made me realize how interconnected the film and tv show was. A great part of the Twin Peaks cast is involved in Wild At Heart due to Lynch filming both at the same time. You also get Willem Defoe and Crispin Glover together in this film...which makes this film even more odd then Lynch's usual..if that's even possible? This is also probably one of his most stylish films I have ever seen...with every character wearing bold statement pieces. Sailor wearing his amazing snakeskin jacket, and Lula's body con. wardrobe mixed with a variety of lingerie.

Willem Dafoe in probably one of his creepiest roles ever! & Nick Cage in one of his best films ever.

If you haven't seen this film, then you better get out there and see it. Especially if you enjoyed Twin Peaks or anything like it.

Lars Bronseth & French Playboy

2009-03-04T21:02:00.002-05:00

I recently came across the photography of Lars Bronseth while browsing around Phiary. A website of which I had completely forgot I was apart of until last night. If I had better photography skills and a proper camera I would participate in this site more often.Until then, I get to peep at all the amazingly talented people who do participate in this site on a regular basis. When I stumbled upon Lars the other night I was highly impressed. His photos are sexy, and yet trendsetting. Unlike say, the pages of Vice magazine or American Apparel ads that are to me often gratuitous in order to be shocking. There is something about Lars' photos that strike me much differently. The problem with Vice or American Apparel is that I'm sure it sells, but just how many tits does it take before it just becomes silly and sleazy. I never take any of the Vice spreads seriously because to me it just feels so fake and put on. A majority of Lars' photos are nudes but there is something not only highly fashionable about them but also strikingly different. His shots are in your face, rough, and beautiful. A mix of lust, spontaneity, and a touch of vulnerability. His series above remind me of pictures I saw of Lou Dillon & Lily Cole in French Playboy that also had a very similar feel. I think these would fit right in to the tasteful feel of that magazine. I certainly wish American magazines would catch up. I think guys and gals alike would appreciate it.

Speaking of those french playboy pics...I can't help but share the genius of them as well...

Lily Cole for french Playboy.

Lou Dillon for french Playboy.

Etsy Picks

2009-03-04T16:45:00.000-05:00

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Women

2009-03-03T15:54:00.001-05:00

I'm not one for super noisey music. I tend to avoid music that could easily make my ear drums bleed. Perhaps because I usually have a rather passive personality. I was never one to get into a whole lot of Sonic Youth, or Dinosaur Jr. I.e music highly liberated by a huge mish mash of sound. I can appreciate it from a distance, and there are a few SY songs I do truly enjoy.. and all of which are off of Daydream Nation. Which could be considered there most popular disc. It also took me forever to get into Animal Collective. I liked them from a distance for awhile too, I also used to have a shady opinion of them. Thinking that there crazy hijinks over the years was just a cry for artsy attention. But then Merriweather Post Pavillion arrived and I could easily jump on their band wagon. Merriweather is by far their most accessible album, but I also believe that they're finally escaping a sort of box that they were in for awhile. I wouldn't say they've succumbed to a wider audience for more record sales, but they've given into their more pop sensibilities which I always felt was just somewhere under the surface. It seemed to me they were always somewhat hesitant to go in that direction. Anyway, this brings me to the above video which I came across when my boyfriend posted it on his facebook. Normally this wouldn't be something I'd get into, it pretty much describes all of these bands put together but there is something about the lead singer that I can't shake. Not only is she stunningly beautiful, but she also rocks your socks off. Something like this hasn't struck me since the YYY's. And fuck this girl can play guitar!!

The YYY's also have a new album coming out in April. Like my talk about Animal Collective, they've also slid into the realm of more pop sensibilities since their debut. I think people are either going to love this album (which in my opinion they should) or dislike it. I think that the YYYs may get a lot of backlash from this album because it is incredibly different then anything else they've ever done. Yet I think it's a very interesting direction, and it will be very cool to see what happens when this is finally out in the open.

Same with this band, which can also be credited to Jessie's fb posting. I can honestly say that if more girls rocked out like this that I think the whole noise genre really could grow on me. In fact I think it already has....

Speaking of a rocking wardrobe...

I came across this lovely girl on weardrobe, who does a tutorial on how to make floral heels... which is such a ingenious idea if I do say so myself.

I'm going through a phase of florals and young Mariel Hemmingway.

Middle Of Nowhere

2009-03-03T14:37:00.000-05:00

These images were found through Forestbound and Tell You Today

They found these images through two books,
Woodstock Handmade Houses &
Handmade Houses: A Guide To Woodbutchers Art

Both of these books and images take me back to spending summers at my family cottage in Bancroft, Ontario. Instead I am going to turn my tiny Toronto based apartment into a folk hippy commune where I'll blast the long anticipated Grizzly Bear album Veckatimest on a 24hr basis.

Speaking of Tell You Today
Genevieve also curates three....count'em three vintage etsy shops! Paddywak being by far my favourite. Though her mens wear Edward is just as awesome, as well as her collection of curios for the house Thorwald is fab. I can't imagine what's next for Genevieve who also finds time to DJ and be a designer in Portland.

Anyway, here are a few of my favourite items in her shop Paddywak right now...

Over all, she definitely gives me the inspiration to make my vintage shop grow and to continue on with this journal. I love the fact that her blog particularly is very minimal and focuses on a wide range of design aspects.

A new beginning..

2009-02-26T23:26:00.000-05:00

Photo from Forest Bound

It's finally time I started a blog. I have started and stopped plenty of tasks in my day, but this is something I have wanted to do for quite some time. If anything can give me the kick in the pants to start a new endeavor I'd say it was the viewing of Handmade Nation. I took in the premier of the Canadian screening this evening at Lennox Contemporary Gallery on Ossington here in Toronto. Over all, I was whole heartedly impressed by the documentary. If it doesn't make you want to get out there and create, then surely you have no soul! Despite some brief technical difficulties through out the show, I was quite struck by the documentary which was whole heartedly inspiring. I was also happy to see that the gallery was stuffed to the brim with people, and that the DIWHY? celebrations were a success here in the city. It proves, like a long side the documentary that DIY and the indie arts and crafts uprising is here to stay.

Handmade Nation Blog

I highly recommend seeing this film whether you are a DIY hard fanatic, or considering starting your own new project.