RATTAN + BAMBOO = COOL DECOR FOR A HOT CLIMATE

Who hasn't dreamt of living in a tropical climate?  Never having to deal with ice and snow again.  Wearing next to nothing while lounging away the day.  Sexy night time strolls along the beach.  Flowers, flowers  and more tropical flowers.  
The dream is available to everyone....all you need do is decorate with rattan and bamboo.....let's see... 

Bamboo and rattan are a natural choice for a porch.

 Or....bring the outdoors in with bamboo/rattan furniture in the living room.

Green and fairly inexpensive, Bamboo is also quite strong and can be used for the actual construction of furniture as well as flooring and counter tops.

A member of the grass family, bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants in the world.

How about faux bamboo?  Fauxboo?

There are no words for how much I love love love the color of these cushions.

 Rattan furniture has a breezy and relaxed quality and accepts paint and stain quite well making it great for kitchens, porches and informal areas.

Check out the blue crab lamps.

A little bit country (the bed) and a little bit rock and roll (the silver table).

You know how the phrase "paradise found" is way way overused?  Can you think of a better one?

Do you decorate with bamboo and rattan?   Live in a tropical climate?  Are you a panda bear?  They eat bamboo you know, and only bamboo, silly bears.

Have a beautiful day.
YANCEY

PEARL HARBOR THROUGH THE HOLLYWOOD LENS

It is not my intention to glamorize or make light of what surely was a horrific event for everyone who was alive on December 7th 1941, but the photos from two of (in my opinion) the best movies made about Pearl Harbor bring to life the beauty and romance of a place and time.
As Braxton pointed out to me this morning, one positive outcome of the attack was that it opened our eyes to a part of the world many Americans had never seen....the islands of the south pacific.


See if you can spot the Polynesian influence in fashion and decor in the following pictures.

 Sergent Milton Warden:  "Rose, do you know why I like to have you serve me beer?  So I can watch you when you walk away"

Karen Holms:  "You certainly chose a lovely spot for our meeting.  I've had three chances to be picked up in the last five minutes"

Karen Holms:  "I never knew it could be like this!  Nobody ever kissed me the way you do"

Evelyn:  If I had one more night to live...I'd wanna spend it with you"

 Admiral Kamamoto:  "A brilliant man would find a way not to fight a war"

 Rafe:  "You are so beautiful it hurts"

Have a beautiful day.
YANCEY

TROPICAL PUNCH

Obviously I don't know what the view looks like outside your window today....so let me paint you a picture of what I'm seeing out of mine...it's grey, rainy, foggy, and cold with a light frost. 
 What am I wearing you ask?  A pair of jeans over leggings (for extra warmth), a turtle neck sweater over a cami (again, for warmth) topped off with a rather hideous yet warm jacket.
 I don't exactly despise this kind of weather, in fact it's perfect for cuddling up with the one you love, watching a movie, drinking something hot, and doing what ever is necessary to keep warm. 
Yet......I would certainly trade my entire winter wardrobe, such as it is, for the chance to spend even a long weekend in the topics wearing any one of the following....

Really hate the pants, but the shirt reminds me of a mid century bowling shirt.  Cute!

Yes, yes, oh God yes.

Love the mod shape and pattern.

Love this with the blue shoes, and the dress walking away from the camera is adorable.



You're in the topics, no one will know, right?



So cool and refreshing.

Love the colors of this one, not certain about the shorts.

Reminds me of the disco 70's.  Studio 54 Bora Bora?

This would be great for hiding the impact of those 20 zillion Mai tai's.

Perfectly lovely.

Show of hands....who's with me?

Could you use a tropical vacation about now?  Btw: the last picture is of French Polynesia....I am so there.
Have a beautiful day.
YANCEY

TIKI

Full disclosure:  I've never been to Hawaii or any of the other Polynesian/South Pacific Islands.  So.. for the sake of this conversation let's just say that Tiki Culture is more a state of mind rather than evocative of a particular place and time.  That being said...let's get some historical reference.
In the United States, tiki generally refers to themed restaurants, bars and lounges...the theme usually being that of exotic tropical island life of mid century Polynesia.  Tiki became truly popular after WWII, when the returning G.I.'s brought souvenirs home from their time in Hawaii or after visiting other South Pacific Islands.
With the rise of the middle class in America post WWII, and the relative affordability of air travel, the U.S. became enamored with all things Polynesian, and Hawaii was the vacation destination of choice. 

A painting by Paul Gauguin

The first tiki themed restaurant in the States was Don the Beachcomber in Hollywood California.  Trader Vics opened soon after and is the only tiki chain restaurant still in operation.  Both Don and Vic claim to have invented the Mai Tai which is considered the quintessential tiki cocktail.

 Let's talk about Lounge Music this week, or mood music meant to evoke a jungle or island paradise.  We'll meet up with a few of my favorite Lounge Singers....Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis,Jr., also know as the Rat Pack.

Early Tiki themed painting by California artist Jon Hellend as seen on Art.com.

Trader Vic's

I'm generally not one for sweet cocktails, but I love the idea of a bar cart with gorgeous bottles, mixers and tropical fruits.   Anyone care to share a favorite rum based tiki cocktail recipe?

 To really get us in the mood, Braxton and I are seeing the movie South Pacific this week...I'll have a review later in the week.

 Let's discuss Polynesian inspired fashion and decor...of the mid century as well as today.

We'll include the art of Paul Gauguin, known for his lovely paintings of exotic island women. 

Please join in the conversation this week, as we travel to the exotic Polynesian Islands and explore Tiki.
I promise you drinks with little umbrellas, grass skirts, lounge music and lots of fun!

Have a beautiful day.
YANCEY