SCENE | Neon Stockyards


This may just be a type of visual hangover from last night's Robyn and Röyksopp show at the Hollywood Bowl (lasers galore), but Toronto-based Etsy shop Neon Stockyards is fulfilling my weekday cravings for everything 80s and 90s. So much good stuff to take in.

[Thanks for the rec, Knit Wit.]

ICON | Janet Guthrie

Photos of American race car driver and aerospace engineer Janet Guthrie by Susan Wood, 1967.

Guthrie was the first woman to qualify and compete in both the Indianapolis 500 and the Daytona 500.

"She done a helluva job. The woman drove 500 miles with a broken wrist. I don't know if I could have done it."—Gordon Johncock (on the 1978 Indianapolis 500) Keep up with Tomboy Style elsewhere: INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | FACEBOOK.

UNIFORM | Tricker's Shoes

This post follows suit of many before it, a hand-made product made in the same way it has been for over 180 years and still run by the original family. In this case it's Tricker's Shoes, an English shoemaker founded in 1829 that produces traditional footwear for men and women—all that you see above is indeed part of their women's collection. What's incredible is how even though Tricker's is an incredibly staid brand (they hold a Royal Warrant as an example!), they are still so current. I guess classic shoes really never go out of fashion...ever.

SCENE | New York City, 1965.


Photo of teenager skateboarding in New York City by Bill Eppridge for LIFE, 1965.

This photo makes me think a Penny Board and some penny loafers may not be such a bad combo.

GEAR | The Freestyle Shark Watch

In this era of sweeping reissues, I don't think there has been a comeback that has brought me more nostalgic joy than the Freestyle Shark Watch ($55).  In the late 80s and early 90s Shark Watches were the ultimate surf rat accessory, now they're back with the original velcro bands (shark leashes!) and styles. They're still water resistant up to 100 meters, backed by a lifetime warranty, and totally radical.

GEAR | Mason Pearson Hairbrushes


Photo of Katharine Ross via This Must Be The Place.

There's been such a surge in the world of men's grooming and barbershops that it's hard to swing a cat without bumping into some sort of new-fangled-yet-old-fashioned shave lotion or beard balm or haircut. Women's grooming, not so much. But there is one truly old-fashioned and high-quality women's (and men's) grooming product that really deserves a mention: the Mason Pearson hair brush. More or less unchanged since 1885, the classic rubber-cushioned hairbrush is still made in London and the company is still run by the original family. Their website design isn't exactly keeping pace with the 21st century, but that's OK, it actually makes me like them more. They don't need the slick effects to sell it because they've built a reputation on building one thing to last as long as possible. I've had mine for decades and I assume it will last decades more. To decide which brush is best for you, check out their full range.
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EATS | Patagonia Provisions


It seems like it's getting increasingly difficult to shop these days—where is it made? how is it made? where are the materials sourced? is it fair trade? organic? sustainable? priced well? Maybe we're just more informed than ever before, but making sound choices is a lot of work. It's always a relief when you can trust a company to consider these big questions so you don't have to. That goes for clothing just as much as it does food, which is why I'm so excited that Patagonia has entered the food world with Patagonia Provisions. Their first venture is fully-cooked wild salmon pouches ($12) sourced from vetted and sustainable fisheries that are individually sealed in foil so you can eat it on the trail as easily as you can in the kitchen. The other night a friend pulled out a pouch at a dinner party for an hors d'oeuvre platter, and man was it tasty! Really. If fish isn't your thing, don't worry, there's buffalo jerky and grains coming very soon.

GEAR | Schoolhouse Electric & Supply Co.


I've been a fan of School House Electric since way back when they were just making period lighting. Since then the Portland-based manufacturer and retailer has grown from light bulbs, fixtures and hand-blown shades to a full-on home and lifestyle shop. What I love about them most is their straight-forward aesthetic. It's simple, but fun, and seamlessly mixes old school styles and with contemporary design. Above are some of my favorites of their new items, but check out the entire store if you're not familiar, you'll likely find something that will take you back or make you smile.

ICON | Frieda Zamba

Photo of three-time world champion Frieda Zamba surfing the O.P. Pro at Huntington Beach by Mike Mullen, 1987.

"[The first time I surfed] was summertime in Flagler. I was watching the local surfers and thinking how much fun it looked. I saw a girl I knew learning how to surf and she let me catch a wave. I rode it all the way to the sand. Boy was she mad." —Freida Zamba

SCENE | Victory Press Pop-Up at Space 15 Twenty


Brooklyn-based Victory Press has traversed the country to pop up in Hollywood's Space 15 Twenty for a few months. They opened softly today but are planning an official opening bash for Saturday night! Their pop-up is one of the best I've seen—there's plenty of their 80s and 90s inspired outdoor and surf apparel on offer—from hats and tees to shorts and anoraks, plus a new collaboration tie-dyed backpack they created with Buck Products out of Montana, also killer ceramics, accessories, and a vintage surf rat corner that is out-of-control-good, including this hat. If you're in the area come hang out on Saturday night and check out the space! [Victory Press Pop-Up: Saturday June 14-July 29, 1520 N. Cahuenga Blvd. Los Angeles]






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GEAR | This Is Ground


I just recently discovered the handmade leather goods company This Is Ground. They are a friend of anyone who loves being hyper-organized, or someone who aspires to be that way (like me). The Los Angeles based company just launched their newest product this week, the Mod (photo above) which can be configured several ways to suit your needs. I find this to be an incredible asset for the frequent traveler to house all the chargers, ear buds, passports, documents, and a tablet in one zipped-up safe place that can fit in the seat pocket in front of you. Before the Mod, This Is Ground gained attention from some of their first products, the Cord Taco and the Cordito, so simple yet so smart. I also am a big fan of their Metro card case, perfect for a night out when you don't want to carry a bag. All of their products are designed and made in Los Angeles. Solid stuff.

MOMENT | Travel Posters of the 20s and 30s


Needed a quick mental design break and started falling in love with these old travel posters from the 1920s and 1930s. The fonts, layouts, and relationship between minimalism and maximalism. So good. All of these are via The Los Angeles Public Library.



GEAR | Music Festival Survival Guide

It's music festival season. While Coachella is well behind us, this month we're excited about everything from the Telluride Bluegrass Festival to the Riverbend Festival in Chattanooga, TN. We've found that the way to get the best out of an all-day outdoor sonic experience is to be prepared. When it comes to festival gear, from a pair of Teva Originals to a Fair Ends vintage tablecloth cap, the key is for it to be functional and fashionable. Here's our list of go-to items for festival season 2014:

Clockwise from top left: Lapel Torch ($60), because those head lamps make you look like a nerd; Fair Ends Cowboys and Cowgirls Ball Cap ($68); Titanium Spork ($10) to add a bit of civility to that food truck life; Clare Vivier blended hemp t-shirt by Jungmaven ($86), It's All Good, especially if your t-shirt is breathable and quick-drying; Leather lighter cover ($20) for encore time; SunBum sunscreen ($16) smells great and is approved by the American Cancer Foundation, nothing takes the fun out of festival like a bad sunburn; Teva Original Sport Sandals ($40) are affordable, fashionable, and functional—where can't you go in these?; Madewell Denim Boy Shorts ($75) get you started with some wear and tear, but it's up to you to really break them in; this Folding Bamboo Chair ($216) is easy to pack and unpack for some comfortable tailgating; Kelty Vintage Daypack ($70), because you need a bag to keep all this stuff in so you can comfortably party.

Sponsored by Teva.

UNIFORM | Alexander Olch Women's Shirting


When it comes to high-end women's shirting, there are only a handful of labels that keep pace with menswear trends—I'm talking about shirts with silhouettes that are feminine, not matronly, and collars that aren't the same length as John Travolta's getup from Saturday Night Fever. Thankfully menswear accessories and shirtmaker Alexander Olch has risen to the task. After he opened his first permanent store late last year he was surprised about who was walking in the door. Half of his customers were women. They were buying for their friends, boyfriends, dads, kids, and always asking if his Italian cotton shirts were available for women. They weren't until last week when Mr. Olch launched his first women's collection. "This is not your boyfriend's shirt, this is your shirt," Olch says. Well put. And, I love that he engineered the shirt to hold a necktie, should the occasion rise. All shirts are made in New York. They're available for purchase online and at Barneys New York.

SCENE | Nynäshamn, Sweden

Photo of a girl riding a pony in Sweden via Mondadori Portfolio, 1965. 

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MOMENT | Abdulla Advertisements of the 1920s


The 1920s never fail to impress me—these cigarette ads by the British company Abdulla are another example of women being portrayed in advertising as strong, sporty, and capable, from the tennis champ to the Channel swimmer to the safari adventuress. They're by no means perfect, but given how misogynistic cigarettes ads got much later in the 20th century, I thought these were a pretty cool find.


SCENE | Greenwich Village, 1955.

Photos of unidentified women in Greenwich Village, NY in 1955 by Arthur Fellig.

A couple of unknown style icons from 60 years ago.

GEAR | Cecil & Merl Market Tote


Love these new market totes from Brooklyn-based Cecil & Merl, a food-centric line brought to you by the owners of the restaurant James. They started with cheesecakes, added a few bottles of bitters (which are a great addition to the ol' home bar), and now they have heavy canvas market totes on offer. They're durable but easily foldable, and the handles are made from industrial straps used for moving furniture. Check out the entire shop here.