Today on the Bangs & Blush Blog, we're looking into the best trends of the sixties when it comes to one of our most favorite things in the entire world: shoes! 

Winklepickers & Beatle Boots

According to headoverheelshistory.com, the biggest trends in the sixties for men were leather booties that hit the ankle or below, which most of the time had a square Cuban heel, and a pointy toe. Chelsea's were also really hot. But these shoes (below), I just found out were always called "winklepickers"; bad-ass. 

the boys who brought us the beatle boots

Ladies Knee-High Boots

The mod and go-go trend of the 60's that we all know and love was a huge introduction to ladies knee-high boots; most popular being ones made of vinyl and plastic in bright colours and most popularly, white. With the hard-hitting birth of the mini-skirt taking the fashion world by storm at the time, what was better matching with a short skirt than some killer, platform knee-high boots? Va va voom!

the go-go goddess herself, nancy sinatra

Penneys, Loafers and Leather "Casuals"

The librarian look was in! Loafers were being worn by women again, having been heavily introduced in the 40's, but the heels varied in heights and the ornamental design was taken up a notch!  Here we were starting to see shoes being made in wild colours and materials for a mass public for the first time.

Slingback "Flatties", or Flats

The Flats for women were on the way to what they are today, but kitten heels were very in vogue and the Slingbacks (the little band that wraps around your upper heel instead of a complete, intact shoe back) were the hottest thing to have. Imagine this with a pair of brightly coloured tights? They were the "it" shoe, for sure.

Tune back to the Bangs & Blush Blog often for more fun fashion tips, trends and info!

SEE YOU TOMORROW NIGHT

SHAKE, RATTLE & ROLL

with

Becca Lemire

Becca Lemire is one of Toronto's best fashion/party photographers (she actually took the photo that is our lovely B&B Blog Header), currently holding down the visual documentation of all things cool and hip on the streets of the city for the awesome all-girl run blog (that I'm sure you've heard us talk about by now) SheDoesTheCity. Aside from that, she's also setting standards for awesome with her killer style and great taste. We asked our good gal pal Becca to provide us with a list of eight songs that she cannot live without right now. This is what she gave us. 

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1. R.H. Harris & His Gospel Paraders - Somebody

"This is generally my feel-good music, if I'm wanting a mellow vibe or maybe even feeling a little bit pre-red river and need to be soothed. Something about it just gives me chills. This kind of music is so powerful. R.H. Harris was one of the members of the group Soul Stirrers along with Sam Cooke."

2. The Soul Stirrers - Never Turn Back http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HartytLWNUY (embedding disabled)

"A little more up-tempo and cheerful but still that good ol fashioned original southern gospel! Don't be a turd, you have to blast this. Because the YouTube won't let me post it, here's a bonus video:"

3. The Knife - Heartbeats

"And now for something completely different! I love listening to this when I'm getting ready to go out. It makes me feel like a hot Swedish electro girl....pretty much like I'm an extra illegitimate member of The Knife who stands slightly offstage banging a tambourine and sashaying." 

4. The Wild Beasts - She Purred While I Gurred 

"I remember the first time I heard this song - it came on from my roommates iPod on shuffle in the kitchen. I had an eargasm."

5. Neil Young - Sample and Hold

"I can thank my friend Tai Lee for introducing me to this a few years ago. One of the first electronic songs I believe. Totally ahead of it's time! Perfect for an end-of-the-night dance party with good friends after the after party ;)"

6. Strafe - Set it off

"R U Ready 2 get Pumped?!? This song manages to make me feel focused and amped at the same time - it's the song version of the world's best cocaine."

7. Kanye West - Monster 

"Kanye makes people so divisive. I can feel the disapproving glare of some as I type this - sorryyyyy."

8. Tina Turner - Come Together 

"Awesome Beatles cover, also on the Rubber Souled album, all souled-out Beatles covers by legends like Tina, Aretha and Al Green." 

* * * * *

Thank you, Becca! You're fucking awesome. Catch Becca on her site BeccaLemire.com, or you can check out her Style Scout Toronto fashion finds at SheDoesTheCity.com!

RIP NICK ASHFORD

Ashford & Simpson

Nick Ashford, of Ashford & Simpson; the most important real-life husband and wife song-writing teams in the history of music who brought us the insanely important Motown songs "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", "You're All I Need To Get By", "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing", has passed away today leaving his wife Valerie and two daughters. This is a sad day, but we thank Nick for some of the most beloved songs that made us fall in love.

FUCK IT X 2

Wowza; we've got not one but two announcements for all you lovers of Bangs & Blush parties; FUCK IT, deuce! Quickly becoming a crowd favorite, Fuck It is the B&B shindig where we spin all of our favorite guilty pleasures from the 60's/70's/80's/90's/2000's; who the hell can say that doesn't sound like a hilariously radical good time? Come to both! Why not, right? FUCK IT!

TONIGHT!

Lindsay

IKE & TINA TURNER: LIVE IN PARIS 1971 

While tearing apart my apartment I threw this record on because I was feeling like I needed a little more Ike & Tina in my life. I need to tell you that this album is mind blowing good from side A to side B and it completely captures the energy of the Ike & Tina tour in 1971 as they ripped through Paris. The Ikettes are the opening act which I love and  the commentary in between songs is pretty incredible. The guitars are gritty and sing along with Tina who is on fire from start to finish. Go! Get this album! It's sooo good!

Must hear: "Honky Tonk Women" &  "Gimme Some Loving / Sweet Soul Music"

Honestly, who doesn’t love Twiggy? She was the world’s first super model taking over the streets of London with her waif like figure and boyish haircut. The thing that people remember most about Twiggy is her striking eyes and eye make-up that became iconic to millions of people. So we’ve decided to teach you how to create Twiggy eyes!

CREASE – With eyeliner or angled shadow brush, line just a smidge above the natural crease of your eyes with a dark brown, or black shadow then give it a smudge with a Q-tip or a brush so it’s not a solid line.

LINER – Take the same Q-Tip and dampen it with water. Have it in hand for the liner step in case you mess up your lines. It’s easier to take off fresh liner then dry liner. Now the fun part! Start at the outer edge of your eyelid as close to your lash line as you can. Make the line gradually thin out as you get to the corner of your eye. Apply a bit of shadow or eyeliner in the corners and underneath the eyes to enlarge them.

LASHES – The false lashes should be very long, thick, and exaggerated as possible. I like Quo glue from Shoppers with MAC lashes. To apply, very carefully peel both lash sets off plastic. Very gently squeeze a thin line of glue along the edge. I prefer Quo lashes and lash glue from Shoppers Drug Mart, I’ve had the best luck with that combo. It may help to use tweezers to hold the lashes or to press them onto your eyes as the glue will make your fingers stick and pull them off. Press them on as close as possible to your natural lash line. Let the glue dry and then gently apply mascara over the lashes. Same rules apply to the bottom lashes (see demo).

Beach boys dance party anyone?  - Southern California circa 1965

WE'RE BACK THIS SATURDAY!

After two weeks apart it's going to be one hot mess at Clinons this Saturday when Lindsay and Brittney reunite for one hell of a Shake, Rattle & Roll! The girls are ready to get YOU messy so shimmy-shimmy shake your way to Toronto's wildest dance-floor and let's spend the night together!

TOMORROW NIGHT!

Thank you to everyone who came out to Shake Rattle & Roll last night; what a party! We've been noticing more and more that lovely bride-to-be girls from Toronto and abroad have been coming to party with Bangs & Blush to celebrate with their girls their big wedding day, and it's awesome. Thanks, ladies!

Brittney

Cat Nails

These finger nails (aside from the moon part, just give me the cats.)

Kristen Wiig's SNL Character "Aunt Linda". 

My weakness. "Ocean's 13, coming out this summer. Did the first twelve do that well? If they're anything like the last two, I give this one thirteen GAHS and a PUH-LEASE."

Lindsay

Alec Baldiwin

He's smart, funny and completely unapologetic and I am in love.

Stevie Wonder - Live on Seseame Street

Seriously?! This is how Stevie Wonder rocks Seasame Street? 

" I know it's an 80s night but could you please play some Tool?"

Said to Lindsay and Brittney at Shake, Rattle & Roll. Sixites Pop, Soul & Rock n' Roll every Saturday at Clintons.

HOW BANGS & BLUSH SPENT THEIR SUMMER VACATION

IT'S BAAAAACK