Why is it that I’m always inspired to write ’80s-style fashion posts after shopping with my husband? We were at Nordstrom this weekend, and I wandered upstairs to the Topshop section. I was met with an array of geometric jewelry finds, many of which integrated spikes and studs in the most innovative of ways! Today we go straight to the Topshop source and check out jewelry that many an ’80s yuppie wishes she’d sported back in the day. But these finds have an edge that bring them into the present (and possibly the future)! Enjoy…
New Retro Weekender: Bright Lights, Big Foodie
Hi Everyone! Today we launch a new series called New Retro Weekender, which will round up some fun activities that celebrate ’70s, ’80s and ’90s style. This weekly feature will also keep you up to date on the latest happenings at Mirror80, in case there’s anything you’ve missed! What are you up to this weekend? We hope you’ll write in and let us know about the New Retro happenings in your neck of the woods…
A Memphis-Milano Mood Board
Have you been following our Retro Foodie series? Each month we create a foodscape based on an eye-catching aspect of New Retro design. Earlier this month, we featured an ’80s yuppie-style cocktail party that included swanky drinks and decadent appetizers. We’re already planning next month’s affair, a junk food fest that celebrates Memphis-Milano style! Today’s mood board channels the look we’re going for, which involves plenty of colorful drinks, various ice cream treats with sprinkles, and of course, my High Spirits dinnerware from Mikasa…
The Art of Sonnenzimmer
I’ve spent the past week enjoying film at the South by Southwest Music, Film and Interactive Conferences and Festivals (SXSW) in Austin, Texas. While I didn’t have nearly as much time off work as I have in years past, I still managed to head to some great movies, as well as the Flatstock gig poster show, which is held each year during the festival. Today we spotlight the work of Sonnenzimmer, the artistic team of Nick Butcher and Nadine Nakanishi. One of the main reasons we love their work: it looked like nothing else at Flatstock.
Friday Video Pick: “A Message to You Rudy” by The Specials
The South by Southwest Music Festival is in full swing here in Austin, Texas. In honor of The Specials’ upcoming performance, today we feature the video for their classic track “A Message to You Rudy.” The song was originally performed by Dandy Livingstone in 1967, but The Specials gave it true notoriety when they covered the ditty in 1979. Just two years earlier, the band had formed in Coventry, England, putting their stamp on the ska revival.
1980s Film Fun
Happy Wednesday, Everyone! Here in beautiful Austin, TX, the South by Southwest Music, Film and Interactive Conferences and Festivals are well underway. I’m a sucker for the SXSW Film Festival, not only because this is always Austin’s most beautiful weather week of the year, but because seeing amazing film after film is absolutely addictive. You may remember that last year I saw and reviewed a great documentary called Beauty Is Embarrassing, featuring artist Wayne White (who designed sets and puppets for the hit ’80s children’s show Pee-wee’s Playhouse). This year the festival has put me in the mood to take a look back at some fun Mirror80 posts featuring some key 1980s films!
New ’80-Style Tropical Fashion
Summer is still months away, but that didn’t stop the tropics from putting their stamp on spring fashion for 2013. And it’s not just the tropics…it’s the ’80s tropics! Forget the muted tones of cruise wear. This fashion is hot, hot hot. Vivid pinks, blues and greens are set against a backdrop of black, and the patterns are edgy enough to propel these pieces out of the lagoon and onto the streets of Miami. Oh, and we have Forever 21 and Urban Outfitters to thank for the pieces you see above!
Friday Video Pick: “I Wonder If I Take You Home” by Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam with Full Force
Today we join Lisa Lisa, Cult Jam, Full Force, and a variety of people who are wondering if they should take each other home… Seriously, this is my favorite Lisa Lisa track of all time. As a kid it appeared on one of my favorite compilations, and it’s been on my playlist ever since. There is a LOT going on in this video. The performers, the actors, the dancing. Yes, in the tradition of many great ’80s R&B videos, this one comes with a posse…
Retro Foodie: A Yuppie Cocktail Party Menu
This ’80s yuppie cocktail party has been in the works for quite some time, and we’re thrilled to bring you the pics from this week’s photo shoot! The key to throwing an ’80s cocktail party: good drinks and over-the-top food. In the 1980s, it was all about food presentation. Food was stacked, garnished and arranged as art. The portions were often too small and the finishes overdone, but hey–it was pretty! And nobody needed to escape into the world of gourmet food like the ’80s yuppie (young upwardly-mobile professional). They worked more than they played, so when they played, they had to play hard!
Yuppies, Metallic Planters and Glass Cabinets…
Happy Monday, Everyone! This weekend I prepared for Mirror80’s latest Retro Foodie photo shoot, which will take place later today. The theme: Yuppie Cocktail Hour! I tested out the recipes yesterday, and my hubby and I enjoyed a swanky dinner of appetizers last night. Today I’ll be preparing the appetizers one more time, photographing them, then having my Mom over for lunch to celebrate the end of the shoot by gobbling up the goods. But first I wanted to share with you some weekend highlights…
