On the Radar -- Back in the Saddle

We Blackbird girls have subscriptions to tons of home decor and fashion magazines, but we haven't had a bit of time to actually sit down and look at any of them since probably last spring.  I'm sure you're aware we've been busy -- since, dear readers, the blog has been sporadic, at best -- but not taking the time to look at our monthly dose of the great-big-world-out-there, in the form of Harper's Bazaar, Martha Stewart Living, Vogue, Country Living, and our other fave publications, is just downright sad.  So excuse us for not noticing that the rest of the world has been trying to tell us that the biggest trend for Fall 2014 is Equestrian Chic/Horsey Blue Steel. 

Yeah, we didn't see that McQueen's doing it (see above).  Or Tory Burch (that's horse tack hardware in the print):

Or Alexander Wang:

Here's Massimo Dutti:

And it's happening in the home:

Here.

Nope, we were oblivious.  Until we went out junk shopping in August.  And in one antique mall, found 28 riding helmets in 28 different booths.

From The Curious Moose on Etsy, here.

And we kept seeing other equestrian-themed things, like these two items.  Sorry, these are last two we saw.  I didn't start taking pics until we had already passed a zillion other things, and I thought, hey, maybe I should do a blog post about this.  Hmmm....

 

Then we found this lamp, in need of some TLC.

We glammed it up a bit and added gold leaf. 

Now available in our shop in Liberty, NC!

 
So, how can you get on this trend bandwagon?  Here's a few finds from Etsy that I fell in love with --

Vintage hankie from Girl Makes Goods, only 2.99!  Here.

Vintage paint by number, from Southern Gilt, here.

Vintage corduroy, from The Selvedge Shop, here.

Our 1940s silk scarf, with saddles and horsehoes, here.

Our 1970s Gucci saddle scarf, here.

Or go all out and wear it all -- and buy vintage, of course!

Check our Pinterest page for links to these items, all found on Etsy.

Junk Love: Show Your Spots

Leopards, cheetahs, and ocelots--oh my! I could seriously spend my entire day trolling the Internet for vintage photographs of women wearing spotted fur (or items inspired by such)....

Lo Olschner in Berger ocelot coat, 1954

Photo by John French

1950s Balmain

Georges Dambier photo of Suzy Parker for Elle

Elizabeth Taylor in leopard bathing suit

Dior, 1961

And since I will never find a piece that I can 1) afford, and 2) actually wear, I have a vision of decorating some (mythical, invisible, magical) spare wall in my house with black and white photographs of beautiful women with beautiful exotic cats. If I can't afford the fur, I might as well enjoy the beauty of it!

Gene Tierney & leopard

Josephine Baker & Chiquita the cheetah

Osa Johnson and Bong the cheetah, 1949

Phyllis Gordon & her pet cheetah, 1939 London

Starlet Nixon & pet cheetah, 1925

 

Bettie Page & Bunny Yeager with cheetahs

Ann Margaret & ocelot

Eartha Kitt

Junk Love: Black and White and Cool All Over

There are many films that have exploited the awesomeness of graphic black and white in their sets and/or costume design, but none hit the mark in quite the same way as Sex and the Single Girl. Want a quirky, seriously manipulative romance with a tall, dark, and handsome Tony Curtis type? First, you need to ask yourself: Do I look like Natalie Wood, circa 1964?

If, tragically, the answer to that question is a dull and depressed no, then your only recourse is to close your eyes, throw your arms wide, and free-fall backward into the cool fantasy world promised by this movie. We'll start with your decor, which is the best first step from a psychological perspective. (Others may say you must start from within, but I promise you this: mid-century furniture will never make you feel fat. It will only boost your endorphins, which you can use later to push you through the whole personal transformation part.) So, if your movie fantasy living room looks like this:

Your actual living room needs a little of this:

From here

Vintage Hollywood Regency lamps; From here

Not vintage, but still cool; On Etsy

From here

To add a little contrast to your life, and because everyone needs a chaise....

Vertical stripes are so slimming, aren't they? Now upgrade the fantasy to this chair, and see what happens:

Vintage Gio Ponti chair

In the bedroom, you must be a woman of mystery. Check out the bed (which I couldn't find a closer shot of) and try to describe it in three words or less. Can you? No one should be able to describe you in three words or less, either.

So imagine this one, painted black of course, with stark white bedding:

From here

You will need to be both intellectual and provocative, which people will understand as soon as they see your collection of semi-grotesque linoleum block or woodcut prints representing various elements of the human psyche (did I mention that you might need a PhD for this fantasy?).

As long as you stick with black and white and bold, you have plenty of options to choose from (my particular favorites are the Jim Flora illustrations below). Just remember--solid black frames!

Vintage Jim Flora illustration; www.jimflora.com

Vintage Jim Flora illustration; www.jimflora.com

1970s block print; On Etsy

And now that we have the set dressed, so to speak, it is time to become a goddess, 1960s-style.You might not look like Natalie Wood, but if you can pull off a dress like this, you're under the right stars....

www.chronicallyvintage.com

Junk Love: How to Marry a Chair...Er...Millionaire

It might trigger an eye roll, or a heated debate whenever I say that How to Marry a Millionaire is one of the best romantic comedies ever made, but I stand firm. I. Love. That. Movie. (Also, just prepare yourself--if you ever say to me, "Oh, that Marilyn Monroe movie?", I will scowl at you. I love Marilyn, but this movie is all about Lauren Bacall.) This movie is also one of the many reasons why I will never get married. [You fall in love with a guy who adores you. You don't care about the things he can give you. But if you've ever seen this movie, a part of your brain will always be thinking: Any minute now, he's gonna pay for my cheeseburger with a huge roll of cash. Surprise! He was secretly a millionaire the whole time! I just can't put that kind of pressure on a guy....]

So, how does one marry a millionaire? Well, first you need friends of a similar mindset:

And of this group of goal-oriented females, one should be smart and sarcastic, one should be perky and funny, and one should be adorably clueless.

It also helps if you are models....

Your apartment must be spacious, modern, and of course, in New York City. The view must be spectacular!

You will need a groovy telephone for all of those late night conversations with your beau, which you will always end with "I never want to see you again!," just to keep him on his toes. Also, you simply must invest in fabulous lamp shades that will cast the perfect moody glow on your face, even though he can't see you.

You need a hangout spot--a club or burger joint where you can remind the world how down-to-earth you secretly are:

And, of course, you need a millionaire:

Put all of these things together, and...wait--is that a chair?

Still available! Check out the armchair version: Here

Why, yes. Yes it is. In fact, it is a very important chair. That chair will be with you through thick and thin, all the way to the bitter end. Even when you have plummeted to the depths of financial despair, when you have sold your worldly possessions, when the outlook is grim and there's not a dollar in sight, you will hang on to this chair for dear life. And why not? It. Is. FABULOUS!

After all, love is fleeting, but well-made furniture is forever. As they say, chairs are a girl's best friend. (Of course, I wouldn't turn down a cheeseburger and a cute millionaire, too.)