10 Things That Make Tami Happy

What can I say about Tami Wood, or as I like to call her, Miss Tami?

I first met her through friends on Facebook, and we bonded over our shared love for fashion, cats, and all things girly and awesome.  We took the friendship "live" last summer when we got to meet in person.  She is gorgeous, personable, and sweet as sugar.  I love counting Tami among my friends and she makes every day just a little bit brighter with her positive outlook on life.
Tami lives in Portland, Oregon and works in Event Coordinating.

Here are Tami's 10 Things That Make Her Happy:

1.  I live in my Levi’s Bold Curve skinny black jeans. Cocktails with the girls? Heels. Blind date with a guy eight years younger than me? Boots. Rock show? Converse. I would die without them.

2.  Paul & Joe’s eye shadows and lipsticks never fail me. Great colors that go on smoothly and last. You can go light on the application for day-to-day, or really layer them on for more drama. Love.

3.  I yelped with joy when my Ms. Wood platform shoes arrived on my doorstep. With black leather straps that wrap all around the foot and ankle, ending in a giant bow, these shoes are sexy, sleek and fun. (I should mention that although I would love to lay claim to the Ms. Wood line, http://mswoodboutique.com/, I cannot. We simply share a name.)

4.  I continue to be addicted to the latest release by Girl Talk, All Day. If I need to get moving, I turn it on – and turn it up. Total musical caffeine.

5.  The other album getting a ton of iPod play is Cold Hands by Priory. I had the pleasure of meeting these guys at a recent show. Charming, oh-so talented, and complete gentlemen. Priory is going to be big. Just you watch. (And listen.) http://www.priorymusic.com/

6.  The shag is coming back. I’m not sure this is a good thing over all, but I am completely in love with this version of it. It’s just so rocker chick cool.

7.  I don’t leave the house without Covergirl Wetslicks Fruit Spritzers’ Strawberry Splash and Papaya Splash in my purse. They’re the perfect hint of color on their own, or great layered over a matte lipstick for softness and shine.

8.  Fresh air! In Portland it’s dark, cold and wet through most of winter and on into spring. As soon as the sun makes an appearance I’m out the door to wander around my favorite neighborhoods.

9.  My skin hates night creams. I’ve spent hundreds and hundreds of dollars trying to find one that doesn’t make me break out… I’m thrilled to say I recently found a product at Rite-Aid that my face not only tolerates, but seems to love: c. booth derma 36 Peptide Youth Recovery Night Cream. No breakouts and its affordable. Score!

10.  And last but not least, my cat Billy. He should actually be #1 on my list because he is my absolute favorite thing in this whole entire world. I rescued him two years ago, and he’s been rescuing me every day since.

10 Things That Make Derek Happy

For today's 10 Things, we have a very special guest, my oldest friend in the world- Derek Estes.  We met in high school and instantly bonded in that way that only teenagers who love things before their time can!  

Derek has beyond excellent taste and lives for film.  He has what seems to be the world's largest DVD collection, consisting of only the finest moving pictures, and collects vintage movie posters with an emphasis on westerns.  Derek lives in Portland, Oregon and is soon to embark on a new career in mixology.

Here are Derek's 10 Things That Make Him Happy:

1. The scent of Lavender

This is something that has happened over the past couple years. I've always liked the scent of Lavender okay, but recently it's something that I'm drawn to more and more. This fascination has also creeped into my eating habits too. I recently made a delicious Honey-Lavender ice cream, and I have to recommend Scrappy's Lavender Bitters in a Manhattan, amazing!

2. Game Theory

This is a band from the 80's that I stumbled upon about a year ago. I had read about them first, hearing that they were influenced by another band I really love, Big Star. At first I wasn't super into their music, until one magical day when everything clicked in my head it was the only thing I wanted to listen to. This band has a very small but vocal fan base and I've now joined their chorus.

3. Vintage snaphots and Photobooth pictures.

From about the 6th grade I've been collecting vintage snapshots from antique stores. I really love the small size of vintage photos, it makes them more mysterious and intimate. I'm also a huge fan of black and white photobooth pictures. They take the most flattering pictures, it's almost like a little Josef Von Sternberg in a box.

4. Buster Keaton

If forced to use one word to describe Buster Keaton's films I would choose "sublime". They are like perfect little jewels, with a million sparkling facets. His stunts are still breathtaking 80+ years later. He was also quite handsome, better looking than Valentino in my opinion!

5. Warren Oates' style as GTO in Two Lane Blacktop.
Those sweaters!

I should say Warren Oates in general. What a treasure! Warren Oates is both the coolest man in the room (or on the screen), and also the most unassuming. An actor who can both transport the head of Alfredo Garcia in white suit and sunglasses, and quietly break your heart in films like Two Lane Blacktop, The Hired Hand and Cockfighter.

6. "The Lubitsch Touch"

"The Lubitsch Touch" is a brief description that embraces a long list of virtues: sophistication, style, subtlety, wit, charm, elegance, suavity, polished nonchalance and audacious sexual nuance." -- Richard Christiansen

I couldn't have said it better myself!  Two of my favorite places to find the Lubitsch Touch:

-Trouble in Paradise

-Design for Living (based on Noel Coward's play! Can anything be more obscenely sophisticated?)

http://www.lubitsch.com/

7. Cacti and succulents

A perfect plant for four reasons:

1. They are very modern looking.

2. They help me romanticize a life where I live somewhere sunny and dry.

3. I'm lazy, and cacti love being ignored.

4. Sometimes they reward you with blossoms.

8. Leaves of Grass - Walt Whitman

Ok, now I'm not about to front that I'm any kind of expert on poetry. But, what makes this collection of poems so great for me is that their beauty is so clear and warm that it makes reading them a total pleasure.

9. Florsheim Comfortech Riva slip on shoes

Not only are these the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn, they look great with both formal and casual attire.  On a side note, these shoes also fit well with number 5 on this list.

10. The paintings of Emile Friant

I recently came across a few paintings by this great artist, and have been totally enamored with them. What strikes me most about these paintings is how casual and natural they feel. Friant's paintings feel like privileged moments that are staring back at us from the 19th century.

Ok, I'm cheating!

11. Marlene Dietrich's ABC

I couldn't help but squeeze this in. In some ways this book is the ultimate list. Arranged alphabetically, screen goddess Marlene Dietrich shares her thoughts on everything from romance to hardware stores, favorite recipes, famous lovers and thinly veiled jabs at Elizabeth Taylor and Yoko Ono.

10 Things That Make Alina Happy!

This week for 10 Things I am featuring my very sartorially inclined friend Alina. 
Alina lives in Washington D.C. and is a super smarty who works for the government, but I can't wait for the day when she decamps for the offices of Vogue.  I personally think I should do all my traveling with her from now on because she truly understands what is so important when visiting new places: shopping!  I have never known anyone who is just so excited to get dressed every day, it inspires me to no end.  If you want to get fashionably inspired every day too, check out Alina's blog-
The Hyperbalist. 
Here are Alina's 10 Things That Make Her Happy:

1. Shopping/Discovering cute stores in new cities.
2. Barcelona- in my opinion the most magical city on earth.  The CHARM, the style, the architecture, the street artists, the food- the whole aura of the city.  Gaudi, Salvador Dali, and Picasso found a niche there for a reason.  It's got the polished, uber-chic, demure older Spanish women whose style is insane, but the whole city is also defined by this extremely hip, fashion-forward, trend-creating youth culture.  It has it all; and best of all, is situated between mountains and the Mediterranean sea.  Heaven on earth.

3. Sipping lattes while alternately flipping through magazines and people watching in quaint cafes-
Cafe Zurich in Barcelona and Cafe Figaro in Los Angeles are faves.

4. The Royal Tenenbaums- my favorite movie. Owen Wilson's the best character. Ben Stiller's neuroses are hysterical, but even beyond the comedy, the love story between Margot and Richie is tender and sweet.

5. Dancing

6. Good Hair. (Cut, color, style). Fashion is irrelevant without good hair.

7. Pugs & French Bulldogs-- how can you NOT be happy looking into the face of one of these creatures? They are sheer comedy.  Fat, bug-eyed, wrinkled, and sassy.  I've yet to meet a pug or french bulldog that doesn't have a personality/attitude.  Quirkiest dogs around!

8. Food cooked by someone else!

9. Really hood rap, with insane beats and utterly ridiculous lyrics that make you go "DID HE REALLY JUST SAY THAT?"  Weezy always has that effect on me.

10. Discovering new blogs so good I can't leave the computer and end up reading the entire archive, most recently bleubird vintage had me riveted for hours.

10 Things That Make Alisha Happy!

For this installment of 10 Things, I present Alisha Georgianna!

Alisha is a preeminent wardrobe stylist, costume designer, gallery manager and all around kick ass lady. 
I first met her on a movie set and we bonded daily over our love of YSL, vintage clothing, tiny hats, and all things 70's.  Alisha lives with her adorable family in Eugene, Oregon where they run a MMA gym/art gallery called Art of War.
Do look her up if you could use someone with her mad skills! 
Without further ado, here are Alisha's 10 Things That Make Her Happy:

1. Rare Minerals blemish therapy. A translucent powder that soothes redness and kills shine. Starts shrinking blemishes immediately and doesn't over dry.

2. 70's inspired denim flares. Dream pair would be Derek Lam.

3. Mac Jeanious collection to wear with great flares.

4. Modern Vintage wedges. Especially the "Lucy".

5. Drapey, slinky 70's inspired dresses (loving the 70's) a la Halston.

6. Cut offs with tights. But only when worn with a sophisticated blouse, sweater or blazer.

7. North/South totes. Loving Michael Kors but thrifting for an affordable treasure. So much room for junk!

8. Uneven hemlines. Currently sewing a khaki day dress with a swoopy shirtail hem. Almost done...

9. Coco Aloe juice from Taste Nirvana. Delicious coconut water with bits of aloe. Reminiscent of bubble tea.

10. Super shiny buffed and oiled nails. Natural Glam!

10 Things That Make Lauren Happy!

Let's try something new today shall we?  I have to admit, it gets a little boring talking about me, me, me all the time and it's nice to have some fresh ideas and new interests around these parts. 
To kick off this new feature, "10 Things That Make Me Happy", I asked my dear friend Lauren (seen above in the turquoise scarf) to bring her excellent taste to the table and share a few of her favorite things:

 1.  All things Hermes, including their stunning website and scarves.

2.  Favorite Record- Tropicália: ou Panis et Circencis

3.  The Universe of Fashion books

4.  Annick Goutal Petite Cherie Eau de Parfum

5.  L'oreal Target Red lipstick

6.  It's It ice cream sandwich

7.  One of Woody Allen's best films- Radio Days

8.  Matcha Lattes

9. Actress Setsuko Hara

10.  Favorite Colors- Navy Blue & Tomato Red