Venus in Furs: Happy Birthday Kate Moss

We continue our Capricorn appreciation from Bowie to Kate Moss, whose 39th birthday falls on January 16th. Back in the 90's she was one of a few "supermodels" who ran the world. "We don't get out of bed for less than $10,000 a day" Linda Evengelista famously said of the super-powerful supermodels. But that is just chump change to Kate now, who currently commands $400,000 a day.

She has as much appeal as she ever had, she is the muse of artists, designers and musicians. She is the most beautiful woman in the world...
...But the reason I love her is because she laughs like this:

and this:

It is just a raw, unguarded laugh. She just lets it all hang out and it's pure joy.


You are my favorite girl. Happy Birthday Kate!



VENUS IN FURS

JUST PLAIN VENUS

Livin' the American Dream in Retro Trailers

There is no more beautiful piece of Americana. As you travel down the road you can hear Roger Miller crooning King of the Road.That shiny silver, that retro style, what is a more glorious form of freedom than an trailer. You are the King of the Road.



VINTAGE TRAILER RENTALS

If you are itching to catch some nature in style, there are places where you can rent trailers and take them to Yosemite, Big Sur, Joshua Tree, Coachella or what-have-you. People are using them as both wedding props and honeymoon destinations. They are the perfect way to see the U.S.A. while being perfectly self-sufficient and incidentally quite camper-chic.

The great deal that I found in the Southwest is located in Arizona, where you could travel to the Grand Canyon in mid-century glory.
http://www.airstreams4rent.com/affordable.htm

Here are a few places to rent trailers in So Cal and have the vacation of your retro dreams.


Restoration DestinationsRestoration Destinations puts the pricing starting at $150 per night. http://www.restorationdestinations.com/index.html



SilvertrailerFor higher end rentals, Silvertrailer are these very chic Airstreams that can be rented for events and travel. http://www.silvertrailer.com/

Hicksville

For a more stationary experience, if you don't want to be negotiating driving the trailer around yourself, you can spend some cool desert nights at this hip trailer park/hotel, complete with dipping pool and astroturf.
http://www.hicksville.com/

The best part about this spot is that it comes complete with a recording studio with wood paneling and rustic chandelier. Who knows what lovely songs may come from starry desert nights.

BUYING AND DECORATING YOUR OWN TRAILER

What cold be more fun than actually owning your own little clubhouse that you can take with you anywhere? It does seem rather luxurious, since the starting prices for an Airstream is around $35,000. Of course, if you invested in some of the other vintage trailer models you could surely get them for less.

If you are lucky enough to be able to buy one, chances are they might require some restoration. Perhaps the photos below can be inspiration, these are as tempting as cotton candy at a Sunday fair.

image from http://www.flickr.com/photos/28057482@N05/7606702682/

Let's go!

Beautiful Bowie: The Man Who Fell to Earth

In honor of Bowie's triumphant return and in celebration of his birthday yesterday, I got to digging up some of my favorite photos of his glory days (though, don't get me wrong, he is still glorious). I love him especially in The Man Who Fell to Earth, which I think is very reflective of who he really is, a beautiful alien.

Bowie Clockwork Orange (above)

Stills from the Man Who Fell to Earth. (above and below)

Thin White Duke.

Ziggy Stardust.

David and Angela Bowie in the Ziggy days.

Here is a self-portrait Bowie painted in the style of Egon Scheile.

Painting by Sebastian Kruger.

Mr. Stardust in The Hunger.

Bowie and Buster Keaton.

The

Man

Who

Fell

to

Earth.

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MOD BABES OF YESTERDAY - L.A. Vintage spots

THE MOD BABES OF YESTERDAY

L.A. VINTAGE SPOTS TO FIND YOUR OWN MOD DEALS

Of course there are tons of places to find vintage clothes in Los Angeles, but these are my top three favorites.

1. MELROSE TRADING POST Hands down, this is my favorite spot for vintage everything. They sell clothes, vintage hifi's, mid-century couches, deco dressing tables and pink velvet chaises. The last time we went we found original animation cells from the cartoon Fat Albert (which is now framed on my boyfriend's desk.) I perused three bins of 1930's and 40's photographs of soldiers, L.A ladies and children. I bought three of these photos since I was working on a film that was set in the 40's and needed them as props, but I like the people in the photos so much that I still have them, even though they are someone else's relatives.

This spot is well worth your time because there is just so much to see. I have found many good deals here and every price is negotiable. I hate negotiating and even I talked a guy down 25 bucks. You are expected to haggle at a flea market, so if you aren't haggling over the price then you aren't doing it right!

Some interesting stuff at MTP:

2. POLKADOTS AND MOONBEAMS
This is a super chic spot that is truly is one of my favorites for selection and price. It is located in Mid-City West which is a kind of vague, in-between area near the Beverly Center. It is comfortable and spacious, and the best part is that the staff is helpful and honest about whether something suits you. My friend was getting ready for the Oscars (she is a journalist and she needed to get dolled up for the event), and the sales person helped her find just the right dress, earrings and purse, all the while she very down-to-earth and making jokes and picked the more modestly priced things rather that the big ticket items.

The other reason I love this store is because if you don't find what you are looking for in the vintage store, there is another part of the store next door that sells new clothes, many of which look vintage. This side is pricier but not bad if you want something nice. A lot of times I prefer the stuff that just looks vintage since the fit is usually better. This place is nearly impossible to leave empty-handed.
http://www.polkadotsandmoonbeams.com/

3. LEMON FROG
This is a cozy little well-curated spot in Echo Park. I found a great pair of boots like the ones Audrey is wearing in this pic. And they even fit my big 'ol size 9 feet (huge by vintage standards. And pretty big now too, I guess. Don't judge me!)

It has a good vibe and a nice selection. This is what a vintage shop should look like.

http://www.lemonfrogshop.com/

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