Fanciful Fourth of July... Bicycyle Frippery

(photocredit via A Fanciful Twist)

Frippery is not a word I get around to using very often, so how delighted I was on all sorts of levels to share with you this photo. Just a beautiful image don't you think and full of frippery! Notice the luscious ruffled dress, toy piano, the musical lute(?), and pretty yellow flowers all as cargo. Now, to excite and magnify my own 4th of July feelings, I want to dress the part. So I covet those same stripped ribbons plus I seriously want to find a whimsical white dress like this one... and then go ride a very blue USA bicycle!

Have a happy and safe 4th of July everyone!

p.s. Curious, does anyone else ever get the urge to dress up yourself and your bicycle for holidays?

Bridget Bardot on a Bicycle

Loving this amazing, lovely pic of Bridget Bardot riding a bicycle...

Style Wagon...Bicycle Woodie

Spotted this Woodie Bicycle Wagon...

Very recently we had a Woodies on The Wharf. Here's my favorite Woodie, it's a beautiful, delicious Coral color...

This got me thinking about the possibilities of customizing the Woodie bicycle wagon with the same flourish and style as the vintage car Woodie. Now wouldn't that make a styling bicycle ride!
Tikis, flower leis, totems and away we go in a surfer paradise with a bicycle wagon Woodie.

Bluest Blue ...Farrah, Bicycle, Sparking Star

(via paulgiacherio)

A Summer Invitation...the Open Road

(photos via mjgradziel)

Almost 65 years ago to the day, 2 girls set off on a bicycle journey which wound its way through the eastern United States and lasted the whole summer long. The girls, Doris Roy and Thelma Popp went on this amazing journey riding a single speed and a two-speed while carrying ALL they needed to camp out with along the way. And their riding attire?... the lovely dresses you see them pictured in!

This is so inspiring for any lovelies out there hesitant to ride a bicycle wearing a dress. Even more so, if one is also questioning the need for a geared up special bicycle to hit the road with, then fear not. What this does beg for is a free spirit, willingness to allow yourself to develop your own strength and stamina (as may very well be required) to take on the challenge of the roads you decide to ride. Oh, that and the patience to take it slowly.

This has helped to bolster up my courage to seek out my own leisurely paced bicycle tour, self directed and sweetly nostalgic in light of just what is possible. Thanks Doris and Thelma for the inspiration!

Read More..."Lure of the Open Road "... It's a wonderful summer read, not a book exactly nor an instant read but a piece you will want to take your time with. I'm still reading it and enjoying it immensely.

Emporio Armani- Bikes Rule on the Runway...AND Electra Bikes and Celebrities

(photo via ohlalamag)

Yes, this photo is from the recent Emporio Armani Runway Show during Milan's Mens Fashion Week and not some high jinks captured from the latest alley cat race. Over at Cyclelicious you can see a video. Check it out.

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In other fashiony, celeb related news...Electra has a growing list of celebrities who ride their Cruisers and Amsterdams, this according to a little piece featured today on ExtraTV news (note-- there is also an Electra bike giveaway going on at ExtraTV). Anyway I can attest to the list of Celebs mentioned which included Paris Hilton, Elle McPherson, Miley Cyrus, Hillary Duff, Jonas Brothers, Jennifer Hudson BECAUSE I've posted some of their pictures on this very blog through out the year!

California Classic

A touch of the elegant, a flash of turquoise luminosity emanating from her amazing earrings, her superbly relaxed look...it's what so inspired me to chase this classy lady down.

She's wearing the yoga type or dance wear style outfit. So I had to ask; "Do you do yoga as well as bicycle?" and "YES!" was her answer. Her open, graceful ways had me admiring how eternally beautiful, youthful and forever stylish she was on this sunny summer day.

style notes: yoga wear/ dance wear while still in the spandexy, lycra active-wear clothing category are such a vast improvement over typical cycle wear!

Are you up for this?... 'Cycle Chic' via TopShop & Chictopia

Okay all you chic cyclists...there is a fun competition going on. TopShop and Chictopia are wanting the very best from you. Offer up the very best photo capturing you in your most stylish attire while riding your bicycle. Hurry this ends soon, like as in get your photo submitted SOON because TopShop's Bicycle Club started on June 20 and lasts for one week only! This is very NYC 'centric' since you will only get to "Ride around NYC " on a free bike through this promotion (visit TopsHop for details). And did I mention?... the prize is a free bicycle.

Hey, I wouldn't bother posting this but I really love TopShop...yes, and since long before they opened up here in the USA/NYC .

(Topshop's Bicycle Club started June 20 ... one week only. Photo via Topshop.com)

Summer Solstice Bicycle Mystery & Magic

On this summer solstice eve I share some of my favorite magical & mystical bicycle images, so please enjoy...

Deep in the forest green, a tree and bicycle envelope within each others molecules...

And high in the circus sky a dragon bicycle flies...

**** For more summer solstice magic from around the world.

Elegant Panniers ...Italian Style

(photo belongs to: Canditalia Doppio-G Collection Designer Bicycle Panniers and Seat Bag)

I fell hard for these classy panniers and seat bag. They will be available in mid July from Gruppo Bici.

You may also recognize the bicycle in the above photo. It's the Atala Citta bicycle included on my Dream Bicycle List and also read all about the Atala Citta bicycle in this post as well.

Samba Rock Acai Cafe

Enjoyed the best Acai Smoothie and Granola Bowl today over at the Samba Rock Acai Cafe. Thanks Vanessa and Ron for creating this stellar cafe! And Yes, you CAN bring your bicycle inside with you.

Another Fine Bicycle Day

Beyonce Rides her Bicycle in Dublin

(via itsuptoallofus)

So refreshingly breezy looking and oh so inspiring, Yeah it's Beyonce!!!... riding her bicycle around Dublin. What a great photo to get summer started just right. Ride On Beyonce.

Bohemia Bicycle Chic with Isabeli Fontana

(SuperModel: Isabeli Fontana- photocredit: unknown)

(Art Bicycle- on the streets of Santa Cruz via RidingPretty)

Isabeli Fontana, SuperModel!!...What I particularly love in this photo is all the elaborate cut out work of her jacket, then the same intricate cut out detail is replicated in the wrot iron. It also reminds of this amazing bicycle I've seen and photographed here in the streets of Santa Cruz.