Preston is My Paris

My groovy friends Rob and Adam are rivaling the City of Light with their town Preston in the depths of Lancashire. Check it out here www.prestonismyparis.blogspot.com

Best Foot Forward

In other news, I am fully swinging in my new stationery endeavour- your one stop shop for papers to pledge hellos, thank-yous and declarations of love...www.alicesurlalune.com

(The website still needs a few tweaks and will be updated shorty but sneak a peak and the order page is working!)

Light in August

Finally, an update! Happy to announce the third release on Lacies' Records from our lovely friend and talented musician Danny Norbury, who made record of the week on boomkat who gave it the following dreamy review:

In addition to his work as a solo artist, cellist Danny Norbury has contributed to music by Library Tapes, The Boats, Nancy Elizabeth and Rafael Anton Irisarri of The Sight Below. This incredible full-length, Light In August, finds Norbury assuming the role of a one-man ensemble, spinning a collection of understated string and piano elegies harnessing an incredibly intimate cinematic quality. Norbury's music taps into the neo-classicisms of Rachel's or Hildur Gudnadottir, with gentle, harmonised cello figures and minimal keystrokes leading the way. A maudlin grasp on romanticism takes hold of pieces like 'The Morning Star' and 'Small Field', setting the tone for what's to come: a set that wrings every drop of emotion from Norbury's instrumental palette. Fans of Peter Broderick's Float album, or the aforementioned Hildur Guđnadottir's Without Sinking will fall in love at first listen, but Norbury manages to map out his very own niche within the current crop of modern classical musicians on outstanding entries such as the quietly devastating 'This Night Is For You And For Me' and final track 'The Evening Star', whose extreme cello glissandos mimic pedal steel tones, arcing across the horizon in the most heart-rending of fashions. Utterly sublime.

Pre-orders are being taken now, act fast to avoid disappointment!

Heartbrake Beat

Been feeling poorly, with pills from the doc, herbal tinctures from my mum, and some self-medication from myself in the form of pop culture circa 1985. Although I was a generation late, the Brat Pack started the fixing for my teenage woes- heart-brake, heart-take and all of inbetween. It is still the best cure I know.  

Films extend to the usual selection, a handful of which I have to list:

Some Kind of Wonderful, The Sure Thing, Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, Better Off Dead, St. Elmo's' Fire, a recently acquired Valley Girl, 

and perhaps the finest of them all 'Pretty in Pink' for Molly, for Iona and for a much-admired Duckie. Every girl needs a Duckie.

Whilst Duckie is a Sure Thing, the 'Say Anything...' Lloyd Dobler is who I secretly wish(ed-ahem!) for. He is the fictional Dreamboat of my dreams. And the look still kills me everytime, boom box, kick boots and trenchcoat. If only John Cusack was frozen in time...

Feeling better already?

Play your curves right.

I am in research mode, writing my book. Cue raised eyebrows from The Dreamboat, when 'The Single Girl Goes to Town' finds its way into the postbox. This is quite the knowing guide to men, maneuvers, jobs and just living for Big City Women. 

Whilst reading, perhaps enhanced with anticipation of the new series of everybodys'-favourite telly show Mad Men, (returning Feb 10th!) I imagined Ms. Joan Holloway keeping a copy on her bedside table, from which she absorbed lifestyle advice, to enhance herself and dispense to needy colleagues when inappropriate.

This book was written for every original bombshell secretary that her character was later to be based on. Modern gals who head to the big smoke, to find an apartment, a career and a husband. 

"One girl bought a fake Renoir in a junk joint for $1, had it reframed for $10.50 and now doesn't say a thing about its authenticity unless she's asked. Another girl covered her walls in bright yellow satin. The effect is so dazzling that it makes all the other cast-offs in the room look good. You too can decorate on the solid gold shoe-string. All it takes is flair".

"Any girl worth her waistline can land a dream job if she keeps her eyes and ears open to put herself in the right place at the right time and leaves when she finds a better dream somewhere else".

"It is smart to pick your field according to the men. You should realize that creative (and therefore often neurotic) types go into publishing, advertising, and broadcasting. If a doctor is what you crave as a future spouse, try hospital work. Eggheads abound at universities".

"Do go out with an unmarried boss but decide whether he's more important as a boss or a prospective husband and proceed accordingly".

"Men never forget they are men. As you get more successful, try to be more feminine because everyone expects you not to be".

Included is a comprehensive earning chart of professions at the time, so you can reference a potential beau and check his net gain is enough to acquire your attentions. It seems I have selected to soon:

- Salesman Now: $8,000 selling appliances Future: Unlimited

- Actors Now: Nothing to $10,000 if he makes commercials Future: Six figures if he rates star status- or nil with the Mrs. out working all day

- Stock Brokers Now: $10,000 Future: $60,000 with a rich and growing clientele

-Musicians Now: $6,000 Future: $12,000 up with lots of headaches

With all these eligible bachelors to meet, how about an throwing an offbeat occasion? I am showing symptoms of living in this time warp, because doesn't the following sound like something that I would write/invite?

"Thirties Party. Track down some pictures of Jean Harlow posed with Adolphe Menjou, Wallace Beery, Clark Gable, and other male stars of the era. You can do this by buying fan magazines at the local 'black number' shops or ripping the illustrations out of Irving Shulman's 'Harlow' and Xeroing extra copies. Once you have your pictures, use them on standard double-fold informal invitations. Over the picture write in red ink, 'Susie Jones invites you to a 30s soiree'. Key your music to the mood, get lots of records- campy ragtime, sentimental Frank Sinatra, and circa 37' perennials like 'Begin the Begine'. Roll Back the rug for dancing. Ask the girls to come a la Carole Lombard- in slinky black dresses with marabou toppings. The ones with tucked in rear ends and good bosoms will love it. Serve supper at midnight- something like chicken and white wine grapes, cold rice salad, and hot string bean and water chestnut casserole".

And my favourite chapter, 'The Analytical Life'.

"In the big city, you must compete with millions of girls who are just as bright and pretty as you are. You meet new challenges. All this brings on anxieties and fear".

Indeed, it seems that even back then, New Yorkers were still neurotic. I am going to tick the quiz-questions now, to see if I can join them. 

With the promise of this guide, if I play my curves right, I should have engaged myself a suitable husband within six months.

La Mode for the Recycled Home

"I hope the current economic crisis will lead to people looking for longevity. In an average house I see an enormous turn around of stuff. There are plenty of homes where nothing is more than five years old. What happened to the things that preceded them? What happened to the possessions of previous generations? It's almost like people had no parents or grandparents. Nothing has been passed on" Kirstie Allsopp

"Longevity is something we really need to think about. We must bring back the idea of heritage and 'transfer' things, not just put them in the garbage" Designer Philippe Stark

Recycle, repair, reuse and rethink are becoming the mantras of new interior living, and not a flat pack chest of drawers in sight. 

As William Morris said, "Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful".

La mode for the recycled home is here. 

All photos theselby.com, click to enlarge.

Architectural Digest

Long, long time no posting! As with many things this little space got pushed to the side for awhile. New year, new times though, and I have to say I am already loving 2009 and all my recent acquisitions, many I am sure will be blogged about.

No less, this morning I have received my latest copy of Vanity Fair, and I will be pouring over those glossy pages with a sweet cup of chai! 

I am also in interios heaven with the purchase of "Archetictual Digest, Celebrity Homes- The Private World of Thirty International Personalities". Even the book title is retro. It  was published in the 70s, back when people were famous for actually doing something. Truman Capote (whose house I adore, all the quirky extras like the tapestry pug pillow!), Coco Chanel, Joni Mitchell, Yves Saint Laurent and the dreamy Diana Vreeland all feature, and I myself was very intregied to see how they styled there living rooms. 

Volume two of the series is now on the wishlist, if anybodys' feeling generous?

All pictures Architectural Digest, from top: Merle Oberons' girly boudoir, Cecil Beatons' conservatory, a big squishy sofa for Earl Blackwell, dining in decadence for Coco Chanel, Diana Vreelands' house is full of inspiring pictures and it's all red, her favourite colour, Truman Capotes' amazing Long Island living room, where he would go to write, and its dark green deco dreams for Joni Mitchell. Enjoy!

Click images to enlarge.

 

Let down your hair

I have been wishing my lock-growing to be faster this week, so I can swish around emulating my hair obsession that is Veronica Lake. The 1940s Rapunzel started  the craze for peek-a-boo bangs in her heyday, maybe it could be a trend again? 

Muse of the Moment, Kim Novak

My muse of the moment is the clever girls blonde bombshell, Kim Novak. Her real name is actually Marilyn, but when she got singed to Columbia they didn't want to be seen to be cashing in on Marilyn Monroe, so the name had to go. She refused the title of Kit Marlowe , settling on the stage name of Kim.

Perhaps the most admired film of her career is Hitchcocks' Vertigo, a masterpiece of romantic suspense, in which she wears a killer grey suit, designed by Edith Head. However, for costumes, my favourite of her films is the comedy tale of witchcraft- Bell, Book and Candle. Her block colour fluffy sweaters, teamed with black capri pants and simple printed accessories is what I am aiming to achieve for my A/W look.

Pal Joey must also be mentioned for is 50s chic, in which she starred alongside crooner Frank Sinatra and the red headed Rita Hayworth.

Photos: Corbis

Learn the look: Picnic, Vertigo, Kiss Me Stupid, Bell Book and Candle, Pal Joey

Todays' Treasure

The best thing that money can buy for this week is currently on eBay, this beautiful 1920s gold silk evening bag, with intricate oriental inspired embroidery. Look at the detail and the jade green stone of the clasp. It is currently up for £47, with 2 days to go, so it is out of my price range (oh sigh,) but if you can afford to buy it and still have money left over to put in it, please do, and let me look at it from time to time.

Link to seller here.

*SOLD! For £98

Things Of Me

My summer project for university was debuted on Tuesday and is now available to view for a couple of weeks before I take it offline. Fancy a peek? Here's the link

accumulateassembleamass.blogspot.com

The Thin Man

A couple of weeks ago, Keswick and I were having a rather silly conversation, along the theme of 'I wonder if someone is blogging about what we may be into right now'? A few days later, the style bible blog of The Sartorialist (the original and the best) tells the fashionista world of his love of The Thin Man.

I haven't read the book as mentioned in his post, but I liked the theme-ing as for the past few weeks I have been watching my way through the box set. The is delicious banter all the way through between the main man; a dashing William Powell, and his leading lady, Myrna Loy (who has the most glamorous wardrobe!) And the little dog 'Astar' made me almost question my future pets name (which is Harpo, my favourite Marx Brother, if you're interested).

So that's two recommendations to go and watch them for yourselves!

Dating Without Tears

I am an old fashioned girl at heart, and always one for romance. But as many of us know, sometimes it feels like a struggle to get there, kissing all those frogs. 

My mum bought me this book when I was a teenager (oh, those sadly departed years). Well, actually, it was Santa, as it came in my stocking, but, you know...

'Dating Without Tears', a 1960s rules book. It gives a young lady all she needs to know about make-up, manners, behaviour and dress, plus sensible advice on dealing with a 'wolf'. Also included, how to be a party doll, the all-day date, holiday romances and how to give (or take!) a brush off.  Serious stuff about a subject as old as time itself- the young girl's problem of how to choose, acquire and keep a boyfriend.

As you know by now, I am ship-ahoy with The Dreamboat, so my much loved paperback has been shelved, however, I happen to be playing cupid tomorrow night for two friends, so feeling nostalgic I thought I would take a little revision...

How do you rate on a date? Here are some favourite quotes of advice. 

'She makes every man feel at his best. They way she smiles welcomingly, the manner in which she listens, her quick apprecitaion of all the little attentions he pays to her- these all tell a man that she likes him, that he's important. When he says, 'she's terrific!' its because she has made him feel terrific and that's something any girl can do for any man. All she needs is a little practice'. 

'When you go to a party you must be able to relax (without the aid of alcohol), if you are going to enjoy yourself. This doesn't mean letting yourself go to such an extent that you kick off your shoes and dance the Twist on the top of the piano, it only means that instead of anxiously worrying about what you are going to do and say, you are content to make yourself comfortable, and have a nice smile ready...The first time to use your secret weapon (that's a big sunny smile) is when you enter a room. If it's a big party and a silence seems to have fallen just when you are about to make your entrance, think about something pleasant at home, a picture perhaps, or your puppy and how he's getting along, and you'll find a pleasant expression will come to your face warmly and naturally'.

'Whatever you wear, remember you can't look date-worthy without a smile and sparkling eyes to complete the picture'.

'Don't stick to lemonade and orange, but try the offbeat things like dandelion and old fashioned stone ginger'.

'A moonlight bathing party sounds romantic, but in the British climate it is really an endurance test. a sunset bathing party is better, while the sea still holds the days warmth'.

'The only way a girl can hunt, is by allowing herself to be found, so the thing to do is find somewhere this is likely to happen'.

When at a dance, 'Study your field of operation well. Note where the light is most effective. Wait for your partners where a coloured beam from a spotlight shines down on you at regular intervals, highlighting you, as it will put a burnish on your hair and you won't be missed'.

'You are bound to have at least some idea if a broken date is The End, or whether it has been broken for some unavoidable reason. If, however, there is any doubt in your mind, behave quite normally and be your pleasant self next time you see him but make no mention to the date. This is very important. If he had a good reason for not turning up, he will loose no time in explaining why he wasn't there. If he had not, he'll wonder in silence whether you were there. Keep him wondering!'

'Questions asked don't need to be personal ones. Anything that requires an answer will do, whether its, "Can there really be such things as ghosts?" or "Why does radio reception always seem better at night".'

Wouldn't it be first-rate if this book was actually the guide of your best girlfriend? I guess that's what I'll have to work on. Take heed ladies, happy hunting!

Astroseismology

My brother has a new release with ONO, which comes in this lovely cover, nice yes? 

Now to plug where you can buy it, Piccadilly Records, Rough Trade, Juno and probably Boomkat (?) Or, you can always pester the label man himself, and also decide if you would be a suitable girlfriend material, via his recent post.

 

Following Muse

As a side note from flicking through my Hollywood Albums today, Hibiscus must have got his look off the hula lady Carmen Miranda, who regularly wore a fruit basket on her barnet!

For some Miranda magic watch Down Argentine Way, co-starring the lovely Betty Gable.

A lack of posts lately I know. I have been working on my summer project for uni which is another blog! Watch this space for its debut soon.