Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Work in Progress

So you may have heard it through the grapevine, but Listopad will soon transform from a roving vintage party business to a brick and mortar Vintage and Curio Boutique! We are unbelievably excited to begin this new phase of our beloved little project, and we want to share the ups and downs with you. From now until our projected opening date (early summer) we will be blogging the process of opening up a boutique in DC--you'll get to see all the work we put into transforming the space into our vision.

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Our petite space, on 14th Street neighboring some of our favorite DC hangs, needs a lot of work. But we love the elements in the foundation of the space: the brick, the bright sunlight, the layout. And we're pumped to get our hands dirty with some DIY improvements. For now, we will leave you with some photos of the raw space:



Monday, March 30, 2009

Advice from the Professionals

I kind of hate myself for just posting content from other blogs, but this is worth it. GREAT insight from the costumer of our fave show Mad Men, including tips and pics for relevant era necessities, from Bluchers to Brogues. Check out her interview here.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

OMG Capitalism

I just had to share this video, found via Tagbanger. It quickly summarizes in pretty, colorful form the reasons we support and promote local, independent, thoughtful consumption (see below).

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

<3

Dude. Bored of Trade was so. FUN!!!



There were snacks and hats (see above), pretty mens and ladies, sweet hostesses, and piles upon piles of vintage and handmade goods for our shopping pleasure.



There were even shoes in a refrigerator. How fucking Punk House is that?! I have to admit, I shed a little bit of a tear when I laid eyes on this display. (Lindsay Hart of Flowerhead Vintage - whose beautifully lit and lovingly cleaned-out basement provided a venue for the day's festivities - told me that she actually kicked the refrigerator door off. You cannot get much more badass than ambushing the door off of your busted appliance to display the most delicate of feminine finery - am I right?)

Jules and Juniper took it upon themselves to display their wares in a card catalog, and Manatea Party comandeered buttons to make the cutest of baubles.


Opening to drawers to find out what was inside upped the fun ante considerably. It was like an Advent calendar for jewelry.


Cuteness from Jules and Juniper.


Minimalism, a rich color palette and the subversion of functionality reigned at Manatea Party.

The Listopad ladies made out like bandits, natch.


Our haul - a little color wheel of our respective tastes. Can you guess who bought what?


Our hostess' signage. Thanks Lindsay!

Monday, March 23, 2009

Givhan Me More

Guys! Someone's going to have to change Robin Givhan's Wikipedia entry (are you really surprised that this exists?) - a little bird tells us that her Almighty Smartness is moving back to DC to cover the Obamas as only a Givhan can.


(Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images.)

Robin! No one does nerdy cool quite like you.

Friday, March 20, 2009

Bored of Trade

Are you bemoaning a weekend of nice weather and no fun shopping in sight? Bemoan no more, my pretties! We are here to remind you about Bored of Trade! Do not sleep on this orgy of local craftspeople, vintage purveyors, and artists. We really excited for all of this - and the snacks, of course.

Psssttt... Free Wata Ice!


Happy First Day of Spring brought to you by Rita's. Get your free stuff today 12-10pm!

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Better as Beach Pilgrim ?

Karen Walker via Gargyle

Ylla gave a "hell naw" to ten gallon cowboy wear mingling with her everyday sensibilities. But does beachwear maketh this look more acceptable? And the verdict is?

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Just an Original Prototype

It all started when I found out that No Doubt would be making an appearance on the pilot episode of Lily, the Gossip Girl spinoff featuring Lily Van Der Woodson as a SoCal wild child circa 1980-whatever. Immediately, visions of sugarplums and bindi-bedecked, midriff-baring Gwen began to dance in my head, and I got a serious hankering to take a walk down memory lane, Tragic Kingdom style. It's now 2 AM and I am combing YouTube for the choicest cuts of decades-old No Doubt footage for your viewing pleasure.

Exhibit A: No Doubt's first-ever television appearance.



This is an awesome video because the band does this little intro-ditty and you start to wonder if the footage is so old that's it's pre-Gwen. But no - wait - here she comes, slinking onstage in what appears to be - oh my God, this is too amazing, I'm going to cry - pleated, wide-leg, mustard-yellow (slightly inverted?) overalls. You really should have seen my face at this moment - I am pretty sure that I did a Home-Alone-esque face-clap. RESIST THE TEMPTATION to not watch there entire video, because there's a little Q-and-A session at the very end that showcases Gwen's impossibly tiny and adorable speaking voice - plus you get a really good look at Tony's long, flowing hair.

Natch, our next selection is the 1992 video for "Trapped in a Box."



Here we see Gwen's affinity for all things plaid in its early stages.

OMG - upcoming is a true gem.



Gwen performing "Saw Red" with SUBLIME! My 12-year-old self is totally jizzing right now! This song appeared on an old Sublime album whose name I do not recall - which sucks, because I owned it. Nice center part and blunt cut, Gwen ... I think I might have to go back to that hairstyle.



This 1996 Access Hollywood interview confirms several things I have long suspected: Gwen has always been into fashion, she has always made her own clothes, and she has always been obsessed with Japan! Seriously - the best song on Love.Angel.Music.Baby is "Harajuku Girls," in which she (literally) sings the praises of Japanese style. (An excerpt: "Harajuku girls you got the wicked style/I like the way that you are, I am your biggest fan." The defense rests!)

Monday, March 16, 2009

Cycle Style

A couple weekends ago when we had that great weather, I was invigorated by the sight of casual springtime cyclists on the roads. They were out there wearing their regular clothes and enjoying the warm breeze. Don't get me wrong, I love all my fellow cyclists, but it's the casual cyclist that really inspires me to keep riding. They remind me of what urban biking can and should look like.

It's getting warmer out there and there's no better way to explore DC than on a bike. So here's a little cyclispiration to get you back on your beater this spring.

Deluxe Shopper Pannier from London Cycle Chic

Belt-clippable Hip Bag from Transient Bag Co.



Thursday, March 12, 2009

Second Story Gets Spruced Up




I went by the newly renovated Second Story Books in Dupont Circle last night, and jump back - it is so well-lit and organized now! In reality, it is the same fab collection of used books, prints, and music, but with more handsome displays. I could spend hours in there leafing through the old art books.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Music for Lovers: "The Show Must Go On"

Ooo my lovely ladies and gentlemen. Do I have something good for you.

The Four Tops, like pretty much any band that was active in the late seventies, dabbled in disco. Some disco efforts were questionably successful; others, like the Four Tops, rode the disco pony like God invented it special just for them. (Which, let's be honest, he probably did.)



There's not much else I can say about this video other than to state the obvious, which is that it's fucking amazing. I was in a rather sleepy mood when I pulled this up, and the song's infectious, booty-swiveling beats literally injected funk into my veins. Need I point out the band's stellar, bedazzled suits?

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Ten Gallon Comeback

(via Acne)

Before every season, I take great pride in predicting the next vintage trend to make a comeback. My previous winners include silk shifts, high-waists, and even elastic jeans. The 10 gallon cowboy hat, however, was completely off my radar. Therefore, I am very intrigued...

Monday, March 9, 2009

Get To It


Obviously we are going to Velvet Lounge. But how could I resist an opportunity to post this amazing Fleetwood Mac photo? (Pic via Guardian.)

Tuesday, music greats both big and small flock to DC. Fleetwood Mac plays the Verizon center; Mi Ami, Food for Animals, and Lexie Mountain Boys play the Velvet Lounge. (If you think I am hyperlinking Fleetwood Mac, you'd better think again!)

Friday, catch Music from Japan: Tradition/E-Novation at the Freer Gallery. This renowned group specializes in the mashup of the old and the new - we, of course, love this.

Sunday see a restored version of Boy - part of the month-long In the Realm of Oshima series hosted by the Freer and the AFI.

Friday, March 6, 2009

Food Friday: Easy Whole Grain Flatbread

from MarkBittman.Com (we love this guy)

I skimmed this in a recent Examiner I found in the cracks of a metro seat - it made so much sense that I tore it out and put it in my pocket. It reminds me of Indian Onion Kulcha and is mindblowingly easy. Here's the recipe. My stomach likes.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Before Lucy Liu...

...there was Anna May Wong, the first Chinese American actress ,who began her career in the roaring 20s. While (unsurprisingly) stereotyped as a "Dragon Lady" and temptress from "the Orient," she kept it very cool with unconventional choices; she took her talents to Europe when she felt too typecast in the States. Anna cavorted with the likes of co-star Marlene Dietrich, which fueled rumors of lesbianism (something I am pretty sure is still unheard of in the Asian community, even with the well-publicized antics of one Jenny Shimizu).

I would kill to sport this hairstyle.what a dress!

Very French meets East- always a good thing.
Best poolside outfit ever, but it would be a shame not to wear this everywhere.
In my imagination, Anna and Marlene were together. And what a stylish pair they be.
I wish illustrated movie posters would make a comeback.

(photos via "Gatochy" and artdecoblog)

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Swoonage

Guys! How hyper-kawaii are these handmade leggings from Etsy seller Norwegian Wood?



Um, very! Also making me flip are her ingenious fringe bandage skirts.



I am actually losing my mind over how amazing this fabric's pattern is - and don't even get me started on the great shape and texture of her design.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Big Ups to Mercedes Bien

As we are moving onto other projects, we wanted to be sure to thank Mercedes Bien for allowing us into her wondrous vintage store since last Fall. We gained valuable experience that we will keep in our pockets for the years to come. She has a truly fine eye and appreciation for vintage; her care and attention to her products is what we will measure our standards by. Stop by her store - you are sure to find a valuable treasure for your wardrobes!

Music for Lovers: It's a competitive world

So yes, they are my most fave band of all time, but even without such a bias one cannot deny the supreme stylishness of electro-pioneers. Check out the youngins before their power and glory:



and



Predicting and pre-dating Dior Homme, they really knew how to do it. Bring back the hair all you mens out there!

And also the new single will kick your ass, Trent Reznor.

Monday, March 2, 2009

GQ WTF

Ok, so we get GQ in my household. And I just want to know, why is a man mag with stupid people on the cover (save for Jon Hamm) worlds better than any "female" magazine out there? Not only do they have the Sartorialist, but they have an awesome style advice guy whose answers are interesting to me even when he's waxing poetic on Italien loafers, stories on actual films that I care about (and not about the boobs in them), PLUS super-informative guides to buying perfume and taking care of your leather shoes (i.e. articles that are actual useful). Why can't women's mags be like this???

Get To It

Tuesday, Arbouretum plays with Meg Baird (swoon! hearts! etc!) and James Blackshaw at Baltimore's Talking Head.

Wednesday, suit up and get in line at Target because Alexander McQueen's capsule collection hits stores today. In addition, the DC Independent Film Festival begins. There are a billion good films playing, but we're particularly stoked for are BORF! (a DC household name), Code Name: Butterflies (vintage political activism!), and Hunt (looks cragee).

Friday, two closings: Thirty-Two Kilos at Goethe-Institut and Counter Photography at the Japan Information and Culture Center.

Saturday, Stomp the Yard screens at the Anacostia Community Museum.

Sunday is the last day of Timbuktu to Tibet: Rugs and Textiles of the Hajji Babas at the Textile Museum.