J.B. Taylor

Nice Sparklers.

Happy 4th of July, lovelies!

Free to be you and me,

~  J.B.T. (& Ava Gardner) ~

*And if anyone happens to be in upstate NY this weekend, we will be selling fabulous antiques, (from our cross-country travels), vintage home decor items, as well as our new Thunderwing line of letterpressed cards and hand-bound journals, at the Cold Spring River Festival, tomorrow, July 5th! Hope to see you!

Official bum-out.

It has been one Hell of a week, especially when it comes to glittery stars becoming unexpected angels, and if Farrah and Michael weren't sad enough, now wonderful Karl Malden had to go and bite the dust.

I'd always found him to be totally bitchin', especially after watching him as the wildly frustrated middle-aged owner of a Southern cotton gin, who was married to a manipulative 19 year old (played gorgeously by Carroll Baker), in Elia Kazan's controversial 1956 flick, Baby Doll. But it wasn't until I went to a special screening of A Streetcar Named Desire at Grauman's Chinese Theatre that I really felt his acting wrath.

Malden's graceful performance is one for the history books, as he plays the level-headed mensch to Brando's brute, but there is one particular moment that audibly blew the audience's mind over all others in the film . . . it happens during a scene where he has sneaked away from his motley crew of poker pals to try and court the beautifully broken Blance Du Bois (played by Vivien Leigh). Brando interrupts him by calling "Miiiitch!" from the other room, and Malden turns his head to the camera, with his face taking up the whole screen, and screams back "commannng!". It doesn't sound like much, but on the big screen, Malden killed it, I got goosebumps all-over, and the audience let out a collective "whoa".  It was a cinematic experience i'll never forget, thanks to this unparalleled talent.

Never can say goodbye.

Like everyone else on the planet with any funk in their hearts and boogie in their souls, I'm totally bummed about losing Michael. After all, he was my very first crush, and I now understand the way my grandmother must've felt the day she heard Sinatra died . . . like your youth just hitched a ride to the Netherlands.

I grew up with my dad spinning Off the Wall, so my sister and I could dance around in our jelly shoes, but it wasn't until I watched his legendary Billie Jean performance, during Motown's 25th Anniversary special in 1983, that I really fell in awe . . . he introduced the moonwalk to the world, and at that moment, along with every other 8 year old kid on Earth, I fell in love.

It was his shy smile, glitter glove, sparkle socks, liquid smooth dance moves, and debonair style, and the nicest of all voices that had me smitten, so I kissed a poster of him "goodnight", every night, which I hung above my bed on the top bunk (see exact poster below). As a little girl I truly believed until the age of 12, that I would grow up to marry him. And then he became friends with E.T., which was just too mind-blowing to handle (see photo above, of little me ecstatic over receiving this cassette box-set for Hanukkah).

Other treasured  M.J. items were; a VHS tape of The Making of Thriller (which I must've watched at least 100 times), Lazer Blazers (see below), M.J. puffy sticker collection, my bedazzled white glove, a Tiger Beat pin-up of M.J. wearing a striped mariniere (below), and a mini-poster of Thriller-era Michael  holding a baby tiger (below).

 

My sister and I were so spazzed out over Jackson. that my parents rented a limo and took us to Dodger Stadium for the Jackson's Victory Tour, which remains one of my favorite childhood memories,. . . dancing in the aisles to Can you feel it? alongside my parents. It was one of those rare life moments when you knew you were experiencing something special, the likes of which would never happen again. 

I'm heartbroken that his unique brand of musical magic had to end so soon, especially considering that he had just re-united with his original production team (Quincy, Steve Porcaro, etc.), and was gearing up to release tunes sure to burn all the discos out.

Heaven, no longer missing an angel.

Actress, and '70s icon, Farrah Fawcett has sadly feathered away to the clouds above, so we pay homage to Charlie's most vibrant angel with a gallery of her uniquely gleaming California beauty:

I feel sad for Ryan O'Neal today, as he had been her devoted partner since 1980, and I used to see them on sweet dates at Nobu sushi in Malibu, holding hands and staring into each others eyes quite lovingly. Poor guy.

Photos: Corbis, Ultimate Charlie's Angels, Douglas Kirkland

Rachel Roy Vs. The Neverending Story

Based on the model's mystical headpiece, I can only hope that the inspiration behind Rachel Roy's recent 2010 Resort collection, is the Childlike Empress from The Neverending Story. I'd also love to imagine that since being given the name of "Moon Child" by dreamy teen-warrior Atreyu, she's ditched her lonely Ivory Palace in Fantasia for the gritty hustle of Manhattan, to work as a spiritual guide . . .

 
Photos: Style.com, Rachel Roy, Warner Bros.

Calling all organic modernists!

The mister and I have been asked to host a very magical event THIS SATURDAY, June 6th, at Dragon Rock, the mid-century home of designer Russel Wright. It is in honor of Wright's annual laurel festival, celebrating the beautiful mountain blooms, and will take place on the grounds of his Garrison home, situated in a secret quarry, called Manitoga (meaning; "house of the great spirit").

Join us for this magical afternoon ice cream social and potluck lunch, set in a stunning landscape of waterfalls, and moss gardens, under the shade of Wright's legendary organic-modernist home. It'll be a truly unforgettable day for naturalists, designers, mods, hippies, and inspiration seekers alike.

See the invite below for more info, or go to our facebook page (and be sure to RSVP before Saturday) . . .

Here are some photos from a recent tour of magical, mystical, Manitoga . . .

 

By row (L to R): Dragon Rocking out, Russel's hide-a-way studio peeking out from the road, stepping stones cross the quarry, Wright's color palette, a whimsical doorknob (no two knobs are alike on the property), Russel's beloved "moss room", the living room as is stands today, city-lady Lizzie in a rare encounter with nature, Dragon Rock nestled into the mountainside.

And for those who will be attending, who have never been to Garrison, you're in for a treat! Not only is it so gorgeous that the first time I laid eyes on it, we gave notice on our apartment, but  it has also served as homebase for; Peter Frampton, Patty Hearst, Dan Flavin, Kevin Kline, Phoebe Cates, Diane Weist, Ivan Chermayeff, fashion journalist Cathy Horyn, and filmmaker Julie Taymor (to name just a few)!

Here are a some tips for making the most of your visit to gorgeous Garrison:

~ If taking the Metro North from Manhattan, when you arrive at the Garrison station, be sure to cross the platform and walk over to Garrison Landing, an historic little village on the Hudson that wouldn't look out of place if it popped up at Disneyland overnight. The Landing was much admired by Abraham Lincoln, and has a dreamy gazebo for watching the sunset, a playhouse (where they also host special screenings of films like Gimme Shelter, followed by a Q & A with filmmaker, Albert Maysles), a fun art center, and a wonderful bookshop, where I have found rare issues of the '60s magazine Eros, as well as an out of print book on optical artist, Vassarely. The Landing was also a main location in the filming of the 1969 Barbra Streisand film, Hello Dolly!, so fans of Babs should look around to see if you can figure out where Vandergelder's was located (Walter Matthau's shop in the film).

Here are some photos of Garrison Landing as it appeared in Hello Dolly! . . .

~ If in need of a nosh, be sure to stop by the Garrison Market on Route 9D, which is a cute coffee shop/ice cream joint, housed in a vintage gas station.

~ 10 minutes up Route 9D from Garrison, is the town of Cold Spring, which is truly adorbz, and dotted in antique shops and eclectic boutiques. On Saturdays, be sure to stop by their small but wonderful farmers market, and snack on apple cider donuts, artisanal cheeses, rare mushrooms, and amazing fresh baked breads (there's also sometimes a petting zoo)!

~ And if you're the hiking type, tackle the lush trails down to Constitution Marsh, where you' can do some major bird watching, whilst wading in a sparkly mountain stream. Then visit the Audubon Society's mini-museum, where they have live feeds of the marsh's baby birds in their nests. Here are some shots from a recent visit . . .



(1st row, L to R): Nic and our friend Joe found it comical that I wore a dress and knee-hi leather boots to go hiking (whatevs), psychedelic day-glo marsh moss, looking out onto Constitution Island in the middle of the Hudson River (2nd row): Items found by explorers around the marsh, a tiny chipmunk digging through leaves for a snack (I was begging him to jump inside my purse, but he was too busy), the biggest fu*k#!g spider i've ever seen, taxidermied birdies and a sweet collection of birds nests found around the trails.

~ Also, from Garrison, it's only a 15 min. drive up to Beacon, where you can visit the breathtaking Dia museum of contemporary art (which is located inside the old Nabisco cookie factory), or skip across the river to Storm King Art Center, where you can have your mind blown by gigantic environmental sculptures by Calder, Serra, Rauschenberg, and Nevelson, and Goldsworthy.

Photos: Corbis, Profiles in History, Manitoga, Lizzie Brandt

Lizzie Loves Bette.

Now presenting . . . the very first entry by The Vintager's new official co-author, Lizzie! She's not only my lil' sis, but a secondhand sweetheart, a frock designer, fashion photographer, and total vintage guru. Here, she muses about a new found love for the Divine Miss. M., in her first of many dazzling entries to come . . .

Dearest Divine Miss M.,   

It has finally happened. You made me love you. I didn’t wanna do it, but you made me love you.  I guess I’m just another fan of yours and I thought I’d write and tell you so.

In an attempt to better understand your role in my heart as a Divine Miss. Muse, I have spent many a night drinking lattes and studying your movies. Thanks to Netflix, my T.V. set has been transformed into a Divine Miss. Masterpiece Theater, with frequent screenings of Down and Out in Beverly Hills, The Rose, Beaches, and your biography. I learned some enchanting facts… You were born a Honolulu honey, named after Bette Davis. Your career took off in the 1970s, whilst performing in a gay bathhouse with Barry Manilow tickling the ivories along to your wildly sparkling tunes. Your nickname during this time was "Bathhouse Betty". You were the first woman in history to sell out Carnegie Hall before an album had actually been released. All of this dazzling information has been deeply satisfying, though I still have a few questions going round & round in the carousel of my mind. When you find a free moment, i'd be delighted if you'd answer the following… 

1) Where are your show-stopping ensembles and furnishings from the 1970s? Are they in storage, or maybe at your daughter’s house? Have they been so kindly auctioned to benefit a worthy cause? Perhaps you'd be interested in donating a few fancy frills to my closet? Believe me, it’s a good cause. I particularly like what I see in these photos…

 

 

2) Did you really date Jerry Nolan of the New York Dolls? Tell me more! Was he always wearing shades? Did your heart take a leap and skip a beat? Was he tall? Did you have to look up? Did he wear big bulky sweaters to match his eyes? I hear he was good/bad, but not evil. Google couldn’t offer assistance in locating a photo of you & Jerry, but it did offer these gems…

3) I just found this incredible satin tour jacket on eBay… Do you happen to have an extra one lying around in your closet with “Bette” embroidered on the front? Just wondering.

I hope this wasn’t too much trouble. If so, it’s all your fault. You made me love you. You are a national treasure and a true inspiration. In conclusion, I love this quote of yours… “Cherish forever what makes you unique, 'cuz you're really a yawn if it goes.”

Yours truly,

~ Lizzie B.

Photos: corbis, getty, Kenn Duncan, Rolling Stone

Let's Go Vintaging in New Paltz, NY!

Vintage Studio—Fun vintage clothing, estate jewelry, hats, and accessories for men and women, in the heart of New Paltz. Recently spotted were; diaphanous '50s slip dresses, (around $40), glam feather covered  Valley of the Dolls-style maxi-gowns (around $75), great leather clutch purses (around $30), a Pierre Cardin logo covered suitcase ($65), and deadstock half-aprons from the 1930s that would look adorbz paired with jeans (around $18). They also have a fab selection of deadstock fabrics and trims, including many great 1940s florals and tropical prints, as well as toys, books, and whimsical home decor tzotchkes from many eras. Among the bounty of things I bought upon last visit were; a perfect shimmery taupe '80s scertary dress ($35), '70s Brunschwig & Fils ikat fabric remnant ($25), a 1940s mauve felt fedora  a-la Andie Walsh in Pretty In Pink ($28), and a cute West Point badge with a little soldier doll attached ($8). 11 Church St. (845) 255-3022

The Water Street Market Antiques Center—Over 26 dealers offering a very eclectic array of antique and vintage merch, from the 1800s to the 1970s. It is located in the most popular weekend shopping  area for  N.P. residents and daytrippers, so the turnover is high, resulting in a different 'teeking experience from visit to visit. In fact . . . I dare you not to find something, as you can basically O.D. on turn-of-the-century wooden furniture, one-of-a-kind curios, folk art, jewelry, books, groovy swag lamps, Art Deco glassware, records, lots of '50s kitsch, mid-century pottery, childrens toys from the 20s, and so much more! 10 Main St. (845) 255-1403

                                                                   

Top row: My 'teekin' partner Nic @ Water St. Antiques Center holding a cool 1950s decanter covered in Russian soldiers ($12), groovy 1970s macrame chandelier, if you can call it that ($25), stack of 1980s After Dark magazines ($12). 2nd row: a view of the store's stacked top floor. 3rd row: Signed Cliff Patterson? studio pottery bowl c.1973 ($18.50), cute children's craft book from the 20s/30s, colored stained-glass swag lamps c.1970s ($25 each). 4th row: fabulous mid-century mosaic coffee table of which i'm kicking myself for not purchasing ($75), 1920s pierrot baby doll (?). 5th row: a fun menagerie with Victorian tin boxes, shell basket, sterling toast holder, hand-carved totem pole, and folk art pirate doll (all priced super-cheap)!

Rhino Records—East Coast hub of the California-based music collector valhalla, and once-indie record label of the same name. The shop is smallish, but is packed with a stellar selection, and great prices to match. If you're the type that would drool over a mint 1st pressing of Pink Floyd's Atom Heart Mother for $25, or would be stocked to see all of Bill Nelson's hard-to-find electronic releases for around $10 a pop, you'll feel right at home. Also on offer are great platters of rare new wave, jazz, and freedom rock. Plus, all the dudes that work there are really nice, and one one occasion they were blasting Talking Heads, and on a Sunday morning, they were offering everyone donuts while they browsed. Need I go on? 3 Church St. (845) 255-0230

                                                             

Above: My sister, Lizzie, happily scavenging for No Wave LP's @ Rhino Records.

Barner Books—A great dusty, jazzy ol' bookshop, full of disorganized collectible and unusual used tomes. There's much fun digging to be done on its vast array of shelves, and on the $1 carts out front. Favorite items seen were beautifully ornate little booklets from the 1930s on drug addiction, vintage cookbooks galore, and many large-scale artist monographs at great prices. My purchases were a copy of  a hysterically risque book from 1976 on phallic art-to-wear called Hardcore Crafts ($12), and a rare copy of the 1969 magazine Avant Garde, featuring Picasso's Erotic Gravures ($12). 3 Church St. (845) 255-2635

And for some fun, vintage and un-vintage places to check out while exploring N.P. . . .

Mudd Puddle Coffee for lattes and iced teas, Barnaby's  for cocktails (skip the grub) in an old-timey-stained-glass swag-lamped-'70s-steakhouse-vibe, Manny's old-school art supply store, The Groovy Blueberry for tie-dyed hippie garb, Karma Road vegetarian deli/bakery/juice bar, and Jack's Rhythms for more vinyl LP's and CD's, and the Wallkill View Farm Market for free weekend hayrides, NY state honey, fresh produce, crafts, and a corn maze!

Mary, i'm a star.

Yours truly is happily featured in the new Spring/Summer ish' of Budget Travel's Girlfriend Getaways magazine, talking about a most treasured vintage find. Click on the bottom image for the full scoop . . .

Sad Song for Springtime.

While i'm not the hugest Dylan fan, and I agreed with David Bowie when he sang on his album Hunky Dory that Bob's voice sounds like "sand and glue", but all that aside, nobody can deny he's a pretty devastating lyricist. Below is one of my favorite examples of his expert and heartfelt word-crafting (it pretty much kills me every time I hear it) . . .

You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go

I've seen love go by my door
It's never been this close before
Never been so easy or so slow.
Been shooting in the dark too long
When somethin's not right it's wrong
Yer gonna make me lonesome when you go.

Dragon clouds so high above
I've only known careless love,
It's always hit me from below.
This time around it's more correct
Right on target, so direct,
Yer gonna make me lonesome when you go.

Purple clover, Queen Anne lace,
Crimson hair across your face,
You could make me cry if you don't know.
Can't remember what I was thinkin' of
You might be spoilin' me too much, love,
Yer gonna make me lonesome when you go.

Flowers on the hillside, bloomin' crazy,
Crickets talkin' back and forth in rhyme,
Blue river runnin' slow and lazy,
I could stay with you forever
And never realize the time.

Situations have ended sad,
Relationships have all been bad.
Mine've been like Verlaine's and Rimbaud.
But there's no way I can compare
All those scenes to this affair,
Yer gonna make me lonesome when you go.

Yer gonna make me wonder what I'm doin',
Stayin' far behind without you.
Yer gonna make me wonder what I'm sayin',
Yer gonna make me give myself a good talkin' to.

I'll look for you in old Honolulu,
San Francisco, Ashtabula,
Yer gonna have to leave me now, I know.
But I'll see you in the sky above,
In the tall grass, in the ones I love,
Yer gonna make me lonesome when you go.

~ Bob Dylan, 1974

Your Mama.

I'm incredibly lucky to be able to say that I have not one, but two amazing moms. Both of which I
love with all my heart and soul (and really miss seeing on a daily basis). So to my mommy, Moira, and my "milly" Louise . . . have a Happy, Lovely, Mothers Day (can't wait to see you both soon)!

Kisses from your adoring kids,

~ J + N + A.B. (the grand-Pug)

Here are some favorite photos for all to enjoy, of my two fabulous, gorgeous madres . . .

 

It girl.

I've been "tagged" by The Catalyst, so now, i'm officially it!

The rules are:

1. Respond and rework. Answer the questions on your blog, replace one question you dislike with a question of your own invention; add a question of your own.
2. Tag eight other un-tagged people.

What is your current obsession? Paper maché, cooking organic food from local farm-stands, hunting for vintage crafting and cookbooks, and growin' herbs in our little greenhouse:

What do you see outside your window? A forest of trees, yellow daffodils, a chipmunk hanging out on a rock, the Hudson River, and sailboats floating by (for reals). See photo below of the view from where I work (though it was taken in the Fall):

If you could have any super power what would it be? Time travel.

What is your favorite color? Coral, ever since Bob Mackie told me it was "my color" (and who's to argue with the God of glitz himself?)

Who was the last person you hugged? Nic and Ali Baba (group hug).

Which animal would you be? A sweet fancy rich lady's spoiled tabby cat.

What’s for dinner? Homemade gluten-free pizza, covered in tomato sauce, veggies, basil, grated parmesean, and grilled chicken from a local free-range farm.

What was the last thing you bought? A Holly Hobbie-esque patchwork dress on eBay.

What are you listening to right now? Kate Bush's The Kick Inside.

What are your current favorite films? Harold & Maude, Paper Moon, Slaves of New York, The Long Goodbye, Wonderwall, Qui est-vous Polly Maggoo?, Pretty in Pink, My Man Godfrey, Sullivan's Travels, Blade Runner, The Misfits, Bell Book & Candle, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Annie Hall, Working Girl, Xanadu, Cabaret, Phantom of the Paradise . . .

What’s on your beside table? I'm actually on the hunt for the perfect vintage nightstand, but am using 2 antique suitcases for now. On them I keep; Weleda hand creme, Burt's Bee's lip balm, Barry Paris' book about Garbo, a highlighter for interesting quotes, faux bois mug (bought at the Maryland Renaissance Fair), chamomile tea, and the Lonely Planet's new East Coast Trips book.

Say something to the person/s who tagged you: Miss. Jenny, I adore your blog, and feel you are a fancy lady after my own heart. I'd love to meet you in purrson one day, preferably at an old ice cream parlour, a cowboy ghost town, or Disneyland. I'd also love for you to come visit me in beautiful Upstate, NY, so we can go on a vintaging adventure together. Vive le cats (and Pugs)!

If you could have a house totally paid for, and fully furnished, anywhere in the world, where would it be? An old Spanish estate in Los Angeles, so my family could live in it together, and start an art commune. The living room would look like something like this:

What is your favorite children's book? From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg, and Goodbye Moon by Margaret Wise Brown.

A book you're currently reading? Garbo by Barry Paris (it's wonderful).

What would you like to have in your hands right now? Biting a bit off Jenny's answer but, moolah would be nice, as well as tickets to see Marianne Faithfull, and an arepa from Caracas in the E. Village.

What is your favorite tea flavor? Instant Masala Chai Spiced Tea from Kalustyan's indian market in Murray Hill (my old 'hood).

What is your favorite article of clothing? It's a tie between my Russian-style Ossie Clark/Celia Birtwell blouse covered in multi-colored crescent moons, or the white dollybird Erin Fetherston dress I wore on my wedding day (wish I could've found a less "tipsy" photo of the blouse, since as you can see, I'd mistaken "I love you" for the sign of the devil . . . oy veh):

 

If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go? Lana'i, Hawaii (i'm so in need of a major vacay, i'm considering listening to Jimmy Buffett , or the Beach Boys' Kokomo on repeat, and using a margarita machine).

What did you want to become as a child? At first, Vanna White, Since I knew she made lots of money to buy gowns, and barely had to do anything, but then I decided I wanted to open my own mall, called "Jenny's Galleria". I spent hours making sketches of New Wave neon store fronts, and had even planned to wear a gold lamé Contempo dress to the gala opening, which was to take place in 1985, and to which i'd arrive in a red Mercedes convertible with the license plate "PRTYANML" (even though the letters wouldn't really fit).

What posters/pictures do you have on your bedroom wall? Petite silhouettes from the 1800s of aristocratic gentlemen, and surreal old shabby floral still life paintings from the '30s and '40s, found on various cross-country trips, and a figural Greta Garbo clothing hanger from the 1960s.

What is your plan for tomorrow? Get dressed up fancy, take the Hudson line down to Manhattan, attend a cocktail party in honor of Russell Wright, then hear a talk given by Jack Lenor Larsen about Organic Modernism @ the School of Interior Design, grab sushi near Grand Central with my Mr. and my beloved friend C.C., then back home on the train with all the drunkos.

Post a favorite childhood photo:

Tag, you're it!
~ Miss. Lizzie (on facebook)
~ People for the Ethical Treatment of Type
~ Moon Valley
~ L.A. In Bloom
~ Fawn Gehweiler
~ Lord Whimsy
~ Mr. Peacock
~ La Vie En Rose

Feast your peepers . . .

I've re-vamped the ol' blog, starting with my new name, The Vintager, and a dreamy new logo to match (thanks to my talented dude, Mr. Taylor, for his mad design skillz). I'll be posting more often (promise), and have many vintaging guides to cities around the U.S., currently in the works.

But for today, i've decided to share some inspiring auction lots, spotted on time-killing sites like Live Auctioneers, and Art Fact (but beware! These sites have totally usurped my eBay addiction, ten fold). Here are some favorite items, both recently sold, and currently open for bidding;

 

All images above from the Perfume Bottles auction in NYC, on May 1st. (L to R): 19th cent. European blue crystal figural snake scent bottle (sold for $2,400. What recession?), Rose Valois figural mini-scent bottles with little fabric hats c.1950s (sold for $750), Bourday Narcisse parfum feat. a 1920s bathing beauty and wooden stopper (too cute! Sold for $300). 2nd row: Mexican Paper mache lipsticks by Gemma c.1960s (sold for $125), fabulous "Opening Night" brooch by Lucien Lelong for Mosell c.1934 (sold for $2,900), Sortilege perfume from NYC's legendary Stork Club c.1940s (sold for $250).

Above featured in the Rossini Maison de Ventes aux Enchéres (Jazz memorabilia) auction in Paris on May 15th (L to R): Rare 1920s music-hall photograph of Josephine Baker, Folies Bergére magazine c.1926-1927 featuring Josephine Baker on cover, Booklet for the Moulin Rouge of Paris performing at Harlem's famous Cotton Club in the early-1930s.



Items above were sold on May 2nd & 3rd, at a fabulous auction of items from the homes of heiress/philanthropist, Doris Duke. (from L to R): Dreamy antique italian marble allegorical figure of fortitude (sold for $225,000), celarette barrel from Rudolph Valentino's Hollywood estate, Falcon Lair (sold for $1,200), outrageously wonderful terrestrial globe of sterling silver and set with real gems (sold for $5,000). 2nd row: Hand-sewn vintage calico kitten sachets (sold for $175) 3rd Row: Mid-century shell encrusted box (sold for $325), vintage "Here I stopped" 14K gold bookmark with D.D. monogram (sold for $3,500), mid-century Fornasetti "Strumenti Musicali" plates (sold for $400).

And i'd like to bid a heartfelt adieu to several inspiring personalities that are now wearing white Grecian gowns, and playing harps while lounging on clouds . . .


Actor/Chef/Author/Muppet Show regular, Dom DeLuise, who Lizzie and I once took a memorable ride in an elevator with, on our way to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in the early-'80s, when out of nowhere he looked at Lizzie, screamed, then threw handfuls of party confetti into the air. Needless to say, he won our hearts immediately.

Maxime de la Falaise, a true-Renaissance woman, having been in her colorful lifetime, a high fashion model, a designer of clothing and home decor, as well as a food writer for Vogue, and a muse to designers and artists such as Yves Saint Laurent, Elsa Schiaparelli, and Andy Warhol.

Legendary prima-ballerina of the Bolshoi Ballet, Ekaterina Maximova, who will blow your mind with her otherworldly perfection in this clip of her mad-crazy fouette style, and here, where the audience goes wild for her performance in Don Quixote. And here, as an adorable, doll-like, Sugar Plum Fairy.

And Sable Starr, famous '70s groupie, punk muse, and true love of Johnny Thunders.
Photos: Mom Smackley on Flickr, Lorenzo Tricoli on Flickr

Cigs, and Hooch, and Home Decor.

Though I rarely indulge in cigarettes, and try to drink only when it's bubbly, if there were a vice i'd need rehab for, it would surely be vintaging. And though i've no use for it personally, i'm constantly coveting beautiful, or humorous smoking and cocktailing accoutrement. And collecting such things is actually quite an unselfish thing to do, as it's only polite to be prepared whilst entertaining ciggy or hooch addicted guests . . . able to offer them amusing ashtrays or coasters to assist in their habit of choice.

Below are some fun items i've spotted that totally have me jonesing (click photos to view full-size) . . .

(Above, L to R) 1960s cowboy "Bar" TV lamp, mid-century Danish wooden apple ice bucket, Porcelain pink elephant bottle stopper c.1950s.

  1960s umbrella ashtray, figural ceramic Mexican slipper ashtrays c.1950s, naughty 1930s porcelain Japanese nodder ashtray.

Hand-painted 1940s Japanese chianti bottle plates, 1950s bar bell ("Ring for another round"), 1950s "Nite Life in Hollywood" mixers ("hi-ball mixers from filmlands gayest nite spots").


French 1920s celluloid cigarette case with figural hand clasp, wooden 1950s "coffin nails, I like 'em" cigarette dispenser, ceramic turtleneck and pipe planter by Relpo c.1960s.


Parisian nite-club linen napkin set c.1930s, figural bathing beauty bottle opener c.1910s, 1940s Hallmark pink elephant party greeting card.

 
1950s Pipe-a-lite table lighter (seen on eBay), hand-embroidered "Man's Home Companion" pillowcase c.late-1800s, the perfect Magritte-style '30s burl wood pipe (spotted on eBay).


Cast iron 4-eyed-man bottle opener c.1930s (trip-out!), pretzel-shaped ceramic liquor flask c.1908!, neon bar sign (from Max's Bar, Los Angeles, CA) c.1920s


Vibrant Villeroy & Boch porcelain coaster set c.Early-1970s, giant Coca-Cola bottle cap tray and coaster set  (so pop arty!) c.1979, old timey bar glasses c.1970s.

 
Inlaid bakelite cigarette holders c.1920s, Japanese straw hat coaster set, housed mini hat-box c.1940s.

And on a sad note . . . today we mourn the loss of Bea Arthur. In honor of the Golden Girl, here is a Bea portrait I adore, as painted by John Currin in 1991;

Portrait © Gagosian Gallery

Spring-a-ding-ding.

Time to put away your woolly coats and knitted caps . . . Spring is making its grand debut! Baby buds are beginning to bloom, happy birds are chirping in the trees, and everything seems a little more Disneyland. And as the season changes, so shall I . . . because my favorite part of this time of year,  aside from the breezy sunshine and fantastical fauna, is getting to don some new frocks. Here are the Springified looks and accoutrement i'm currently daydreaming about (click images to view full-size):
 

Wear Your Love Like Heaven (above left): Maxi goddess style by Sophie Theallet (Fall '09. P.S. Call me wacky, but I always find Fall frocks to be perfect staples for a Spring wardrobe), 2nd & 3rd pics: Paul Smith (spring '09), Right: Issa (Spring '09)

 

I'm with the Glam (from left): Christian Dior (Resort '09), Gucci (Fall '08), '70s snakeskin dream platforms (spotted on eBay), Lily Cole in dreamy '70s style.

Sherbet Shazam: Halston (Spring '09), Oscar de la Renta (Resort '09), Sonia Rykiel (Fall '08)

Le Ingenue: Jazzy Yves Saint Laurent style, Goldie Hawn in Shampoo c.1974 (i'm having my hairstylist, the magical Peter Van de Velde, give me this cut, asap!), Michelle Phillips c.1970s
  

Malibu Boho (1st & 2nd above): Prettiness from Milly's Spring '09 collection (I'm dying for that white crocheted cardi). 3rd from left: Nanette Lepore (Spring '09), and Agyness in Anna Sui's perfect army parka (Spring '09)
 

Heirloom Accouterment: 1960s Borsalino felt cloche ($99 on eBay, which I sadly lost), 1950s carpet handbag by Ingber ($9.99 on eBay), 1940s dragon cuff (eBay), elephant purse by Midas of Miami (Leslie Hindman Auctions)
 
Chic Mix: Annie Liebowitz in San Francisco c.1973 (photo by Henry Diltz), Moschino Cheap & Chic (Spring '09),  '70s caftan casuals (I love the idea of going for a nature hike in nice pumps), Raquel Zimmerman in white and coral (i'm totally obsessed with this color combo).

Gallerist Glam: Erin Fetherston (Fall '08), 2nd & 3rd from left: Jaeger (Spring '09), Halston (Fall '08), Chloé (Spring '09)

Left: Matisse's Odalisque With Magnolias Right: William Eggleston c.1975
 
The White Album: Chloé (Spring '09), Ruffian (Spring '09), Paul Smith (Spring '09), Jasmine Di Milo (Spring '09)

Big Pink: Emanuel Ungaro (Spring '09), Oscar de la Renta (Spring '09), 1960s gown by Pucci for Formfit Rogers ($295 on eBay), a lovely mauve look from a 1970s knitting pattern book.

Groovy: Susan Small and Thea Porter frocks for British Vogue c.1969

Mellow Yellow: Madcap Louis Vuitton editorial from Vogue (shot by Steven Meisel), Sonia Rykiel (Spring '09), Anna Sui's ethnic chic (Spring '09), preppy perfection from J.Crew
    
Frocks-a-plenty: Viktor & Rolf (Pre-Fall '09), Christian Lacroix Couture (Spring '08), Byrdie Bell in a 1940s nightie, Louis Vuitton (Pre-Fall '09)

Naturalista: Organic by John Patrick (Spring '09), an Annie Hall inspired vibe from a '70s Seventeen mag, Charles Anastase (Spring '09)

Babydolls & Dandies: Betsey Johnson's '90s redux (Spring '09), Labyrinth lunchbox (to adorn the Betsey dress) c.1986 ($75 on eBay), a Louis Vuitton look (Fall '09, as shot by Steven Meisel for Vogue), unworn 1940s straw tilt-hat by Rightman's Millinery ($314 on eBay)

Caribbean Queen: Duro Oolowu, whos entire collection I find to be perfect (Spring '09), Christian Dior (Fall '09), Junya Watanabe's perfect nomad sandals (Spring '09), Duro Oolowu (Spring '09)

A perfect early '60s Saturday ensemb', Grace Kelly in a Mexican peasant skirt and cinch belt, and photographer Berry Berenson gracefully wrapped in a Mexican blanket.

Photos: Style.com, Corbis.com, Vogue