Bring Me My Duster

Accompanied by backing vocals that sounds eerily like Hall and Oates, we herald the return yet again of skinny jeans, ankle leggings, and (shudder) even stirrup pants.

These look eerily like something I would have squeezed
myself into twenty-some years ago. I'm just sayin'.

And again, more of the same, but these days we go without
the shoulderpads for counter-balance on the upper quadrant.
As I am no longer quite as slim as I was when I last donned acid-washed jeans with ankle zippers, I am left to wonder where that indispensible item of my 1980s wardrobe could be hiding: the long duster. A google image search of "duster jacket" turned up little that resembled this versatile garment; similarly, no photos of "corey haim lost boys" showed that young man sporting one of his many dusters from the 1987 film; only a smattering of Etsy entries seemed to have the right idea.

This is sort of it, although more fitted than what I remember.
I actually like it enough to consider ordering one.

This is more of a coat, but I like it. Looks like something from
the J. Peterman catalogue (which, incidentally, had no dusters).

Lousy photo, but the right idea. Sort of.
Fashion historians will probably note the similarity of our skinny jean/legging to the narrow pedal-pusher of the 1950s, and may wish to muse upon the historical trajectory of the duster from the American West through the 1920s to its 1980s resurgence. But I just want a nice long jacket to billow behind me as I disappear into dark alleyways. Is that too much to ask?

Undercover Berd

Undercover Bird Feeder Slows Crime In Its Tracks


Don't skip the comments section:

"I have a birdbath disguised as a prostitute on my lawn. If people slow down when they see it that's just their fault."

Happy V-Day

Happy Valentine's Day to you all. This picture has nothing to do with Valentine's Day, but it made me laugh hysterically this morning.

An acquaintance of mine has put together a wonderful resource for all animal-lovers, but especially those of us in the NYC area. The New York Companion is a free, bi-monthly, New York City-based newspaper that exclusively reports animal news and has a great website with comprehensive lists of links to pet-friendly restaurants, bars, hotels, and stores, dog runs and parks, health codes, cruelty laws, veterinarians and volunteering opportunities. It doesn't matter where you are, you can get a free online subscription and it's definitely worth checking out.

In other news, Mr. O'Kitten's Muni cat got a little recognition over at the Random Cat Project and I made a couple bibs and a hat, which Emma modelled for you before I gave them to the friend's newborn baby for whom they were intended.