deconstructed

frederic pinet

sleepin' in...it's the weekend

have a great one :)

{happy weekend!}

Another wonderful Fall week has come and gone . . . Will be certain to stay away from work {at least for a bit} and dance the night away in impossibly high heels . . .

Have a lovely, lovely weekend everyone! xo

{some posts you may have missed and a few extra links:}
> from 10 to 60 years old: one model & plenty of make-up
> a great place to hang your sexy tartan ties
> really adorable photobooth puppies
> designers go green
> lovely, lacy doilies
> the latest happenings at {this is glamorous}
> and finally, would love for you to join me for a series of guest posts at design*sponge next week

{p.s.}
wonderful {i love you} dishware discovered by summer at mudpuppy

pow...bang...meowwww

ru_glamour

i wanna be in rio

thesartorialist

that dude looks like antonio banderas, lol.

Buying A Vintage Bicycle Guide

Let me introduce you to one of the most helpful vintage bicycle buying guides I have ever come across! The next time you're considering purchasing a lovely vintage bicycle found off of craigslist, ebay, your local swap meet, even your local bicycle "flipper" please use this guide to help you be a very savvy vintage bicycle shopper.

Reprinted with kind permission from SydneyVintageBikes:

Buying Second Hand, Retro or Vintage Ladies Mens Bike

Buying A Vintage Bike

If you're buying a VINTAGE / RETRO BIKE and the seller has claimed that they have "SERVICED" or "RESTORED" the bike then don't be afraid to ask them to detail exactly what has been done.

We find it very frustrating when sellers claim to have carried out a "SERVICE" when in fact they've just pumped up the tires and given the bike a clean - there is a lot more involved in a proper "service" than you may think. Unfortunately MANY SELLERS are not experienced bike mechanics nor have the right tools to do the work correctly and some are simply misleading buyers in order to achieve maximum sale price.

Most vintage bikes will need:

New Gear and Brake Cables ( it's very easy to tell if this has been carried out - if cables appear rusty, corroded or frayed then the seller HAS NOT replaced them) good cables are paramount to ensure the safety of the bicycle.

An experienced bike mechanic should run through the gears to ensure they're working correctly as this could be a safety issue if they're not adjusted correctly. Vintages bikes should have New Tyres, if not then ask the seller if the rubber on the tyres has perished. If tyres have GOOD TREAD but rubber is CRACKED then they need to be replaced as they won't hold air for long! Remember to buy new tyres and get them put on by a bike shop will be an added cost to your purchase. Brakes and levers should be checked and adjusted to ensure that they work properly and that there is enough rubber on the brake pads. We have seen many bike sellers that have claimed to have serviced the bike but DO NOT know how to adjust brakes correctly - this could be a safety issue!!

Rims should be trued and tensioned and spin freely, if they don't then they'll need the bearings serviced or will need truing by a bike mechanic. Bearings in the bottom bracket, headset, and wheel axles should be serviced on all vintage bikes and should be cleaned, repacked with grease or replaced with new bearings. Many sellers who claim to have serviced their bike do not do this. Often the cones or bottom bracket can be over tightened, the headset can too, if it has a "grinding feel" to it then it needs attention as your bike won't work for long. Drive train ie: chain & cogs should be thoroughly cleaned and oiled, some use degreaser in the wrong areas, degreaser can be harmful to some parts of the bike. Vintage bikes should be inspected for cracks in tubing, as some could have been in a front impact and or accident. Look for cracks or wrinkles in paintwork as this could be an indication that the steel tubing has been compromised. Also look around the lugs/joins in tubing as this is a common place for cracks. Ladies bikes usually have cracks or bends in the seat tube or head tube. Just run your fingers over the suspected area for creases in tubes.

Also we've seen plenty of bikes for up for sale on ebay that have BENT FORKS, ask the seller if they can provide a side shot/pic of bike so that it clearly shows the angle/alignment of the fork. If you're not sure ask someone who is experienced with bikes to have a look. Basically everything on a vintage bike should be checked over thoroughly by someone who knows what they're doing. Remember a bike mechanic will know what to look for and check.

Remember if the seller has performed a "service" on the bike they are selling or is claiming to be an experienced bike mechanic ask them
a) Do they work in a bike shop?
b) How long have they been repairing bikes?
c) Are they just a hobbyist? Unfortunately any "back yard bob" can call themselves a bike mechanic just to make a quick sale! Again if you're not sure just ask lot's of questions.
The experienced ones might even give you the name of the bike shop they are associated with or how long they have been working in the bike industry.

Lastly it's always nice to buy a clean bike that has been washed and polished. Although I have seen many bikes for sale that have been cleaned but haven't been serviced.

Remember, when buying a vintage bike to ride, ask the SELLER lots of questions and if you have doubts as to weather the work has been carried out, simply take your purchase into ANY bike shop and get a bike mechanic to check it over (they can usually tell pretty quickly if work has been carried out).

Vintage bikes that have been properly serviced will be a joy to ride.

Vintage bikes have a lot more style than the newer models and they are becoming harder to find and a lot more collectible. If looked after properly a vintage bike can provide many years of enjoyment and can actually increase in value!

sydneyvintagebikes

shelly | posted | Thursday, November 13th, 2008 |

bootsssssssss

stylesightings

geek chic.....loves it

Garance Doré

if i were a boy...

{all in a day's work}

It's a dreary, rainy day, perfect for my new wellies and P.'s favourite umbrella, and while it may be nice to be {just hanging out, looking really good}, there are exciting projects to complete and great people to meet . . .

{Magazine: Vogue Brasil (2003); Editorial: O Luxo Do Rosa; Photographer: Debby Gram; Model: Jeisa Chiminazzo}

{glimpses of quiet}

{taking a few moments to catch my breath}

Another busy week, and these peaceful shots feel as if they are glimpses of quiet and fleeting moments caught in time . . .

{images: top - jonny valiant via a little sussy; bottom - christopher wadsworth}

{a few things}

Lots of fun and exciting things going on this week, and have also been trying to get a few administrative things accomplished today:

> thought it might be time to join the facebook blog network, went to sign up and noticed that a lovely reader has already completed a profile for me -- thanks so much for your thoughtfulness. However, as it was not me who set up the account, am unable to log in, and can not set up a new one . . .

> another lovely reader has also set up a profile for {this is glamorous} on bloglovin'

> have installed a new search engine for the site, which you can find in the left sidebar -- it's a great way to find posts you may have seen a while ago and would like to find your way back to once again

> two fun give-aways coming up in the next few weeks

> posting will continue to be irregular and sporadic, so check back if you like . . .

> guest posting at design*sponge for the week of November 17, 2008

That's all for now . . .

Have a lovely, lovely day, everyone!
xo

{image: Natalia Vodianova by Carter Smith}

you're such a stud

wendy nichol @oaknyc

ETSY & STYLEHIVE… Bicycle Chic Holiday Shopping Guide

Keep this handy. It’s a link to a list of fabulous finds, all bicycle themed and sourced from ETSY, plus it’s all easily, visually organized on Stylehive for your convenience. Just click on the swirling ‘follow me to the hive’…****Stylehive button on the top of the page to find everything bicycle chic themed listed there. This has been an ongoing process I started long ago with the bicycle chic savvy shopper in mind.

However, now that the Holidays are upon us, lets get shopping with our bicycle loving crafters and artists!

So, want to see and get a taste of what you’ll find? Well I’ve selected a number of items from ETSY. I will start by offering you a few of my favorites so you can get an idea of what you’ll find. Here we go.

*******

Okay, this was tough to only feature just one, so here are all three fantastic bicycle fingerless gloves. Each is super special.

        Corpseknit...or find on ETSY

        HandbyHand...or find on ETSY

        NanasKnits ...or find on ETSY

Looking for a pair of sparkly ankle cuffs? SOLD OUT

        Cyclechic ...or find on ETSY

…. a shiney cyclist ornament for your xmas tree?

        Marriageofmetal ...or find on ETSY

…a bicycle bag that is really (pirate/skullbones) different!

        Pursecution...or find on ETSY 

… a crystal encrusted bicycle bell?

        sparkledawne ...or find on ETSY
 

… a totally hot handcrafted bike reflector?

        Yabettasupadont...or find on ETSY
 

…a pair of bicycle streamers that are screaming!

        CityStreamers...or find on ETSY

…an adorable crocheted bicycle seat cover/warmer?

        Theladymissem...or find on ETSY

… a cheeky pair of bloomers?

        Avantegarb ...or find on ETSY

More fabulous favorites next week!

****note: I just noticed that StyleHive now requires you to join, in order to view the bicycle chic themed page I created for you. Sorry and my apologies. Before you were simply able to view the page before deciding if you wanted to join or not.

p.s. I was going to upload photos for each and every item listed here, but that was really a huge job. So take my word for it these are great finds and you just have to go look for yourself!!

| Tuesday, November 11th, 2008 |

You All are Incredible.

So i stumbled on to the site Polyvore....
and i was amazed at how creative all of you are with my drawings.
I couldn't believe how many collages had my drawings in them!
It was SERIOUSLY such a huge blessing.
I'm so Impressed, I went through and posted 5 of my favorites (they are in no particular order)
I just wanted to dedicate this post to thank all of you for this!
Thank you!

Untitled by Riiul


my twin2 by camillebrindille


The Forest of These and Those by shuah


If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. by clair de lune


blackbird singing in the dead of night by danse-de-securite

11.11.08 // LONDON // Cut Copy / Koko / Camden

house party

amlul.com

city streets

thefashionspot

classy sophisticated couple: diane + joshua

thefashionspot

I'm Starting to Figure This Out

Good morning my Friends!
Well, i stayed up late last night painting.
I'm still learning how to paint,
but last night was the first time where i felt like i'm going to able to figure out how to paint.
hahah. It's true. i never could picture myself being able to paint, it's such a foreign concept to me.
i've been scared of using oils, just thought it wasn't for me,
but this has been such a fun experience!
It's always fun to try something new and let it stretch you. :)
This is the third layer of paint...
i think there will propably be 8 layers.
Right now I'm letting the paint and glazes dry.
i hope you all like how it is coming along.

{inky blues}

Adore the inky blues combined with vintage dishware and warm woods in this casually elegant and perfectly cozy dining room . . .

{see also:}
french urns & pheasant feathers

{image: Gourmet via this is love forever}

smokey eyed

eric ray davidson

{and then there was paris}

. . . recent thoughts about love and favourite things has led to paris, or at least, the memory of it . . .

and here, a few photographs from the summer, taken between walks along the narrow, cobblestone streets, shopping on the left bank, and fresh baguettes and warm cups of café au lait . . .

{and to p, my top five favourite memories:}
* serenade by a mariachi band on the métro
* champagne in the gardens of versailles
* dinner at the top of le centre de pompidou when the twinkling lights of la tour eiffel blazed their last for another night
* listening to you order éclairs in french from the local patisseries
* hand in hand along the seine

{all images by {this is glamorous} june 2008}