Talk About Personal Style !!!!!

Photo credit /source: “Five Faces of "Elvis"

Slimm Perkins Buick makes some pretty fine bicycle rides.

Just how much do you need to know to buy a new (Euro-Style) Bicycle? Part I

So the easy part is you know you’re ready to buy a new bicycle.

Maybe you’re ready to retire/re-gift/resell/ or keep simply as a back up your current bicycle. Or maybe you haven’t even ridden since, well… it was so, so long ago. At any rate you know you want the Euro-style, Sit Up & Beg, Ergonomic bicycle like the ones everyone loves and has been blogging about. Yes, STYLE does matter!

Now What? How many decisions do you have to make in order to decide which one to buy?

First of all don’t feel overwhelmed by technical specs and ‘bicycle speak’ when you haven’t a clue what it all means. Try not to walk into your local bicycle shop (LBS) expecting to find a great assortment of euro-style bicycles and get yourself all disappointed because the selection is mediocre to non-existent. And please don’t feel overwhelmed by bike sales assistants who ‘advise’ you into settling for something else because it’s in stock. Be warned; in order to hunt down the euro-bicycle of your dreams it’s going to take some savvy on your part. My hunch is that you’re a seasoned and sharp shopper and you’re up for this.

Once you’ve gotten an idea of what you like realize that many euro-style bicycles can only be had by placing an order for them. You can seek out an USA bicycle distributor and you can order your bicycle from them. You can go directly to the website of the bicycle you desire and investigate ordering with them (as long as they are in English.) You can take a trip overseas and buy your bicycle while you’re there.

Question: Why are the LBS in such short supply of euro-style bikes? The whole racer/sports mentality has prevailed for so long that the buying habits dictate what manufactures produce for you to buy. I believe eventually the LBS will have euro-style bicycles if people want them, but apparently the market won't sustain it just yet.

So this is just part one… More to come!

****Update!!!

This being far into 2009 this post will be revised soon.

Pleasant, Airy, Fresh - Fabric Choices

Some fabrics are better then others when it comes to staying fresh. You don’t want to feel uncomfortable and in need of a change of clothing after a bicycle ride. You can help by making a few adjustments (especially during summer) by choosing clothing based on what type of fabric is in it.

Synthetics and synthetic blends wick moisture away better than cotton. Perhaps experiment to see which synthetics ‘feel’ right on your skin. For summer what comes to mind is light, light diaphanous (sheer) dresses.

Cotton will absorb moisture (sweat) and hold it, not allowing it to evaporate into the air. Cotton does not ‘dry out’ well, so not the best choice. I personally love crisp cotton (fair trade/organic/recycled cotton is ideal.) However with cotton on hot days I want the arm holes cut very generously. I also like cotton voiles for summer.

Believe it or not merino wool is a top choice. Really super light merino wool actually could be a choice for summer as in knickers or a riding cape for coolish evenings.

Eco fabrics like bamboo could work well too. (I have bamboo bath towels I love!) The eco fabric selection is really expanding so you could well be discovering some really unique finds.

An After Thought: Really, you could wear a costume period ball gown but as long as you bicycle at a leisurely pace, aren’t going some long, great distance, then you’ll find you can stay surprisingly and pleasantly fresh.

If getting to work on time is your main concern… then ‘Less is More’ when you bicycle ride. Layer, then shed and keep from over heating to stay your freshest!

The Speed Factor – Don’t Work Up a Sweat

Are you concerned you’re going to arrive at your destination with a big red face and little trickles of sweat? Then don’t sweat it.

Honestly, plan your trip with ample time. Not so terribly hard if you’re like a lot of people in the US… because over 50% of the car trips taken in the US today are less than 2 miles. So think in terms of your average 2 mile destinations (especially the corner store and your neighborhood shops & restaurants), then plan it out with ample time and don’t pedal up a storm to get there!

Helmet Hair-dos

I’ve never much minded the dreaded ‘helmet hair’ so many women fear they will get from wearing a helmet.

The longer one’s hair is, seemingly corresponds to more complaints (especially during the summer) that it’s just too hot to wear a helmet. Well I have long hair and what I like to do is wear my hair in a low ponytail, and to the side. If it’s a high ponytail it won’t fit under my helmet. If it’s a ponytail that gets tied at the back, it tends to get my neck too sweaty. Also big super loose braids work for me …that way my hair ends up slightly wavy and since I have very straight hair I like the effect.

Even with having a shorter hairstyle are there still plenty of fears about getting a sweaty head? Then certainly choose a helmet that is well ventilated! While I don’t use them personally, I think a buff/scarf/bandana worn beneath the helmet could also do the trick.

Once I get to where I’m going I love my spritzer bottle of rose hydrosol water to refresh with. After my ride I flip my head over, give a spritz and brush my hair out, flip my head back again and I‘m set. For others the opposite approach works and a little spritzer bottle with a favorite hairspray/hair fixer spritzed on before and/or after wearing the helmet works great. This is followed by a quick brush out & ‘style it’ after arriving.

(Anyway I like the ‘mussed up’ hair look.)

Anyone out there with suggestions for great hairstyling products to revamp hairstyles with?

{à bientôt}

{Adriana Lima & David Boreanaz photographed by Pamela Hanson via Yunta D}

Been a hectic few months, and long overdue for some down time, so we're off to Paris {flight leaves tonight!} for a little adventure and a dash of fun, leaving our cares and BlackBerrys behind . . .

{See you in two weeks! À bientôt!}

Comptoir des Cotonniers & the Bicycle ... oh so French

photo credit/source:Comptoir des Cotonniers

Comptoir des Cotonniers is the French-casual chain (that for some is approaching a cult status.) Now along with their clothing line they are offering their newly, chic bicycle designs…. here in their catalog. It's not available yet, however later this summer in shops around London it will be.

{top five tuesday + a chance to win}

{"Through the Looking Glass" photographed by Annie Leibovitz for Vogue US December 2004; model: Natalia Vodianova; via style.com}

This week's {top five} is all about ruffles, since they're fun and flirty, and that's the kind of mood I'm in . . .

Also, still crazy about Balineum's ruffled Catherine shower curtain, and this week, there's a chance to win one.

Good news is, the UK-based company ships anywhere in the world, so anyone anywhere can enter: just leave a comment below, and a winner will be randomly selected by the curtain's designer, Sarah Watson, and announced here on Friday, June 13, 2008.

bonne chance! / good luck!

{top five:}
1. this shower curtain
2. this tablecloth
3. this girl at Cannes
4. this photoshoot
5. this bikini

{pretty lovely}

Recently came across more images {above + below} of fashion designer Jacqueline Appel's lovely, lovely home . . .

The custom Pucci scarf pillow shams, Murano chandelier, lacquered ceiling, and polished floor make her living room one of the rooms I always come back to . . .

{images 1 + 2: H+H January 2006; 3: from an earlier post & Flare September 2007}

Also check out Felicity's lovely Ballet post at All Things Bright and Beautiful for more images of Jacqueline's home.

Pretty & Cozy Coat - She Rides a '68 Schwinn

I loved her soft butter yellow hooded coat. It's been a tad bit cooler here. Everyone has a sweater or jacket on again ...

She just loves her ** '68 Schwinn. I checked on Old Roads for any current listings or pics for a '68 Schwinn, none found. I like to check Old Roads from time to time.

** this notates a susprise link

Super Models Ride Clunkers & Junkers

Agyness Deyn is English and a super model. I discovered this photo over at London Cycle Chic.

I know I’ve just recently posted Iekeliene’s photo but here goes again. She’s a super model (Dutch) and some people thought by ‘Dutch’ I meant the bicycle in the photo not Iekeliene herself.

The point is that these models are very in demand ($$$) and could afford any bicycle they wanted. I appreciate their choice to ride used and/or vintage bicycles (though Iekeliene is obliviously trying to sell hers!)

I wish I could ask them why they ride old ‘clunker/ junkers’, but I have a hunch they just liked them. About a month ago I wrote about the plus side of riding a used bike in ‘Tough Times…How to get a Bike for Cheap!’.

Now whenever time I spot some one who is riding a 'vintage' (a nicer term than clunker/junker) bicycle I will ask them what they're riding.

****** to see more recent photos of Agyness and her bicycle click here