Hiss and Hearse

Today the skies are grey, the snow is still falling, and I find myself daydreaming about Forbidden Island tiki drinks, driving down Highway 1, and visiting my friends in snow-free San Francisco. Some positive things that have happened during this last frigid week: I was able to span lots of time with my honey, and my new, sophisticated KCP business cards, designed by Nubbytwiglet, arrived.

I have been collaborating with another talented person, Erin Corbett, who is a photo re-toucher living right down the street from us. We have been using our combined forces to revamp the website of a local skincare parlor called Bloom. I am also working on her business identity, and she is using her skills to help me with my photography portfolio!

Other wonderful things include: receiving real letters from my photographer pen-pal, Chloe Aftel, who constantly inspires and pushes me to be a better artist; wearing my new Betsey Johnson coat, which I bought for a steal and whose heart buttons make me feel happy; watching the documentary about American figure skater Johnny Weir, “Pop Star on Ice,” which I found to be completely inspiring; and discovering a love of yoga, which I have been doing once a week with Erin Corbett.

This morning I heard birds chirping, and these winter days are starting to make their exit. At the end of the month, I am taking a much needed trip home to California to see family and friends, and I am very excited about that! Tell me things that are making you feel wonderful.

Howdy, everyone! Richard Wayne here. Though I’m always behind the scenes of Hiss & Hearse, editing all the entries and cheering Kristin on, it’s been quite some time since I’ve posted things of male interest up in here. But lately I’ve been fortunate to wrangle up a few fashionable finds, so I figured it’d be nice to share them with you.

Cloth Logic (Tulle’s menswear line) had a big sale this month, and being that I’m never opposed to any opportunity to amplify my resemblance to Link Wray in this photo, I purchased, at a deep discount, the classic, black canvas trench I’m wearing in the photos below. Unfortunately, like the image of Link Wray on the beach, I’m standing amidst a blanket of frigid snow.

I’ve kinda got this thing for flashy shoes. Since most of my wardrobe is made up of neutrals, especially black, I like to give my outfits a pop of pizzaz with a bold pair of boots. A few weeks back, I decided to treat myself to a new pair since my grey cowboy kicks with the fancy silver toe and heel rands are about to kick the bucket. After searching the internet far and wide, I landed on the Giorgio Brutini website and purchased these slinky, snakeskin ankle boots.

I’m fortunate to be in a loving relationship with a lady who knows my style well. Part of my Valentine’s Day gift this year was this silver-chained, trinket necklace from Heresy Designs on Etsy that features an antler tip (don’t worry, dear animal-loving friends, I believe it’s faux), a crucifix, and a Mother Mary medallion. It’s a little bit country and a little bit rock ‘n’ roll. Just like me, I guess.

In the photo above, I’m also wearing a new black button down from H&M. It’s constructed of this very smooth, cotton-stretch material, and the buttons are concealed behind a subtly sleek, ribbon placket.

As a side note, I’d like to say that even though H&M is quite hit-or-miss as far as their inventory goes, I find their sizing to be reliably consistent, and that’s comforting. We were in a kind of rush to get out of the store, and this svelte shirt just kind of popped out at me on the rack as we made our way to the checkout counter. I grabbed the first small I saw, confident that trying it on was unnecessary. When I got home and buttoned it up, I discovered how right I was. Fits like a glove!

And finally, a couple of weeks ago, Kristin hepped me the blog of clothing retailer, 80’s Purple. In a recent entry, they featured a hair grooming product called “Grant’s Golden Brand Pomade.” I have been using pomade to style my hair since I can remember and have always been frustrated by either a deficiency in hold, a lack of luster, a greasiness that gunks up both pillowcases and pores alike, or the fact that it just plain won’t wash out. But this company boasts its hair treatment as having the tenacity it takes to keep up a coiffure, the ability to be re-styled for hours, and a water-based formula that washes out in the shower.

Well, two out of three ain’t bad. It sure does style and hold my hair well and washes out easily with water. But the claim that it allows re-styling is a load of crap. After a few minutes of saturation in my hair, it stiffens up as though I’ve applied hairspray. And unless you’re a masochist, trying to comb through that would not be fun. Now, I’d generally be willing to overlook this mild inconvenience, but at nearly $30 per 4 oz. container (including shipping), a product better deliver everything my ‘do demands!

That’s it for now, but keep your eyes peeled for a post about the very handsome, handmade, detective-style wallet holster Kristin gave me for Christmas (if we can ever figure out how to get a handle on the unctuousness of the leather – more to come about that). Stay warm!

Lack of a computer and internet at home is forcing me to use actual pen and paper to write to you, dear readers, then transcribe it into this window at a later time. This Friday, November 13th (Friday the 13th, how appropriate) will be my one month anniversary of living in Pittsburgh, PA. So much has happened in a thirty day span – probably the most change I have ever lived through. I packed up my California life, gave some of it away, left bits at my parents house, then flew to Pittsburgh, where for two weeks I lived with Richard at his good friend Andrew’s house, which is also occupied by a handsome tuxedo cat, Sebastian. My first weekend there, I was invited to see an actual Steelers game with my friend Dona, from San Francisco, who is – coincidentally – also dating a guy named Richard from Pittsburgh! And then three days before we were to move to our new, cute apartment in another part of town called Lawrenceville, Andrew’s house was burglarized, and everything expensive and electronic that I own was stolen, including my brand new Canon 7D that I had in my hands for a total of five days.

We moved into our own place on Halloween, which was appropriately grey and raining. I spent that entire weekend unpacking boxes, cleaning, and trying to put things away with what little furniture and space that we have. Last week was a mix of emotions, as I feel like I am going through art withdrawal not being able to take photographs of my new life, or work on freelance design projects (there are a few that I have and want to work on!) The weather here has also been so unpredictable. During my first week here, high temperatures during the day were in the 40’s, and since then, it has been everything from overcast, sunny, rainy, warm, windy, to today when the temperature is supposed to climb to an unseasonably warm 72 degrees Fahrenheit!

On the bright side of things, though, I feel thankful that I am slowly starting to meet the great new connections that I need here, like becoming friends with a digital re-toucher and photographer, Erin Corbett, hair dresser Beth McHenry, who owns Evolve, a hair salon, and entrepreneur Alissa Martin, who owns Pavement, an adorable Lawrenceville neighborhood boutique, and for the fact that Andrew has insurance, which will help replace most items that I’ve lost. So, now I am trying to practice patience, which is very hard for a normally impatient person.

I apologize for lack of updates on this blog, but with so much change and not as much free internet time, it is difficult. Please be patient with us, and soon things will be back to normal with posting artist interviews, favorite finds, and photography.

PS. All of the electronic support that I have received on this space, through messages and letter, has has really been helping me cope. Thank you all so much for your continued love.

I am pleased to introduce you to one of my new favorite creative women, Emily Hunt, who not only is a talented Sacramento area make-up artist, but runs a fun beauty blog called, The Emory Board. As a fellow beauty junkie, I asked her to create a Top Ten list of her all time favorite beauty items.

It has been over 10 years that I have searched far and wide for the best products and gadgets that the beauty world has to offer. Though this search has been full of burns, breakouts, embarrassing pictures, and financial strife, it has been a lot of fun finding my favorites.

If I could marry Shu Uemura Purifying Oils, I would, but its illegal, so I’ll just use it instead. It sounds counter intuitive, but oil dissolves oil, and my clear, even skin proves that it means business.

My fine, not so long lashes look like falsies whenever I use Bourjois Yes to Volume No to Clumps Mascara. That little comb looks wimpy, but it packs fine lashes with volume and come hither batting potential. Combine that with some Latisse (by Rx only), and you might kill people with them!

So you don’t believe that the Shu Uemura oils will clear your skin, your Clearasil continues to not work, and you need something to make your skin look good. Use Armani Designer Shaping Cream Foundation. It is REALLY heavy, so make sure you wash it off at night. Seriously, what flaws?

Want to take that Armani Foundation to the next level? Put some on The Beauty Blender and bounce it over your face for an airbrushed finish. You’ll never use those annoying (and not so green) triangle sponges again!

Cancer doesn’t look good on anyone. To keep my porcelain skin safe, I use antioxidant rich Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Cream. It not only has the highest protection against UVA and UVB rays (SPF 55 and PA+++), but it is so waterproof, I have to wash my hands 4 times after I apply it. Once again, wash it off at night. The Shu Uemura Oils take it off with the greatest of ease.

So you shaved. ahem, down there for your hot date, but you are now covered in painful ingrown hairs. While it might keep you from making a regrettable decision after a few Kir Royals, you still should have used Tend Skin. Yes it stinks, and it hurts like the dickens, but you will NOT get any ingrown hairs if you use it. You can handle it.

So I have secretly always wished I was Japanese. The next best thing? I colored my hair black and use the Croc Flat Iron, which gets up to 450 degrees of straightening inferno madness. I might not be Japanese, but my hair could definitely pass!

Nail polish top coats are some of the most frustrating products out there. Is it so hard to find a topcoat that is super shiny and won’t chip for at least a week? Well, not for you, now that I’m telling you about Healthy Hoof’s Hoof Lacquer. Dries in a jiffy.

Retin-A does wonders to clear skin, but did you know that it also wreaks havoc on fine lines? The more you use it, the better the results. But please remember to slather on the sunscreen while using it!

As a makeup artist, I have hundreds of lip products, yet I always seem to fall back on the same one. MAC’s Viva Glam VI Special Edition is a mauve-y pink hue that looks good on everyone. I’ve used it in editorials, weddings, on myself, and would buy every woman, and womanly man a tube if I could afford it. It comes in gloss and lipstick, and I can’t get enough.

So there they are, in no particular order, the ten products I cannot live without. Happy beautifying!
xoxo Emery of The Emory Board!

I’ve had some fashionable fortunes recently, due mostly to my lovely ladyfriend’s thoughtfulness and to her internet shopping savvy.

This first photo features two of the gems with which Kristin has graced my wardrobe. On my finger, from the “Curio Cabinet” of Etsy seller, Iciernia, is a handsome gold and onyx signet ring, which reminds me of something you might see Elvis Presley – or his descendant of dapper, Nick Cave – donning on any number of his digits. Also note, just above my breast pocket, from the same Etsy seller, the stately and sleek, true-vintage Victorian mourning brooch. The way I wear it nods to a military-inspired approach – a kind of sartorial insignia, if you will.

I think we all know by now that my closet is stuffed full of western gear; but for a long time it has been void of a proper, period-appropriate tie. No longer! My sweetheart found a clip-on ribbon tie for me on e-Bay, and it is the huckleberry to any Doc Holliday-esque ensemble I may put together.

On my darling dear’s recent trip to visit me in the G-20 city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, we stopped at a boutique called Pavement, in the Lawrenceville section of my home metropolis. While she networked with the shop’s owner, I took a gander at some unisex accessories and procured this piece – a vintage black tie with toffee-colored detailing re-fashioned into a bracelet with a pearlized snap reminiscent of the enclosures found fastening my western shirts.

And finally, this past weekend, my best friend, Tiffany, and I took a trip to the Squirrel Hill section of Pittsburgh, where there resides a buy/sell/trade clothing store by the name of Avalon Exchange. This place is generally hit-or-miss when it comes to men’s clothing, but I tend to have good luck finding footwear here (during a previous visit, I walked out with a beautiful pair of authentic lizard skin cowboy boots). This trip was no exception, as I became the new owner of this pair of caramel-colored, crocodile print loafers for a mere $12.50!

Any of you other fashionable fellows score any good finds lately? Care to share?

Richard Wayne wants to know what you think about his Unisex-y posts! Are there ModCloth items that you feel can go both ways? Please let him know!

“It seems as though my girlfriend’s reputation as a stylish woman precedes her. During an early morning brainstorming meeting, I ducked out for a minute to walk Keith Richards (the dog, not the Rolling Stones’ guitar player!) and returned to my writing teammates informing me that they named this dress after Kristin. With its 60’s-inspired, sleeveless shift cut, the stark black and white color, the silk composition of the bust and lined skirt, the satiny bow at the faux sweetheart bustline, and the subtle side zipper that would allow her to slip it on quickly before darting out to a photoshoot, I agreed that this is definitely something that she’d love to wear. The dainty lace ruffle around the neckline that fastens at the nape of the neck with a keyhole enclosure reminds me of her black hair with its rounded fringe cut or the crescent curve of her long, thick, mascara-coated lashes, and the sheer bodice and back would allow her to preserve her modesty while still furnishing this dress with a flirty feature. I look forward to the day when she wears this out with me on a romantic dinner date to one of our favorite restaurants – either the Union Hotel Restaurant in Occidental, California, or Cafe du Jour right here in Pittsburgh – and receives plenty of praise for the pretty outfit she’s pieced together by wearing this with her signature fishnet tights and one of her many pairs of statement-making high heels. -Richard, Fashion Writer”

You can buy one from ModCloth too!

I love music. Give me guitar melodies, girl bands, Phil Spector’s “Wall of Sound”, men in tight suits, Tommy James singing about “Crystal Blue Persuasion” and I’m a happy lady. I created this mix for Richard Wayne, but sharing it with you too dear readers! Download it here and enjoy!

Swoon Mix
1. Tommy James & The Shonedells- Crystal Blue Persuasion
2. Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons- Can’t Take My Eyes Off You
3. The Crystals- Then He Kissed Me
4. Jackie Wilson- Your Love is Lifting Me Higher
5. The Four Tops- Baby I Need Your Loving
6. Elvis Presley- It’s Now or Never
7. The Association- Never My Love
8. The Ronettes- Be My Baby
9. The Platters- Smoke Gets In Your Eyes
10. The Shirelles- Will You Love Me Tomorrow
11. Smokey Robinson & The Miracles- Ooo Baby Baby
12. Patsy Cline- Always
13. The Flamingos- Only Have Eyes For You

Lots of gorgeous things to share today! One of my favorite photographers, Angela Boatwright, has updated her online portfolio. You may have seen her work for Urban Outfitters, or her amazing personal collection of portraits of metal kids. I wrote to her once, and she told me that you don’t need a photography school education to be a good photographer.

My most recent Etsy purchase, the beautiful Augusta Necklace by my friend Millie, the lady behind Heresy Designs.

A peek inside my friend Alexandra Tyler’s 15 years worth of vintage collecting. It’s like a mid-century boutique store in her Oakland home. Makes me drool at the thought that she might have a private, invitation-only sale!

My lovely friend and Owner of Bows & Arrows, Olivia Coelho, has a new line called Miss Chief of California. I love her elastic skirts, which are one of a kind and can only be purchased at Bows!

I swear, Richard Wayne is the cutest! Read his latest Unisex-y installment on ModCloth.

Accidental entrepreneurs a sign of the economy? My friend and business owner, Lisa Marie, is making it happen!

Finally, a little sneak treat at a happy accident that occurred in this amazing warehouse photo shoot I did with Amber Mortensen of PainfullyHip.com.

Do you have any favorite links to share with us?  Tell us the things that are making you happy!

A few months ago, I featured William Hart in a Men’s Style Spotlight. Since then, he’s been busy creating some dark, folky music and posting it up on his Myspace profile. William’s and my musical inspirations seem to spring from the same swampy well. Take particular note of “COAL DEMO w/ DRUMS,” which brings to mind the sinewy guitars, belching bass, and spattering percussion of the Birthday Party, Love Life, and other bands of that ilk.

Speaking of dapper men, I was kindly pointed in the direction of a website about the Art of Manliness by my friend and creator of Unpretentious Animals, Stephanie Schuepbach. I haven’t had much time to peruse the site yet, but I have a feeling that I’ll be referring to it frequently from now on whenever I need some gentlemanly instruction.