Amelie In The Flesh

The Sartorialist:

Cross between Amelie and the late Brittany Murphy. So striking to me.

Choose an animal, any animal.

"We are both tempted by the humanization of animals, often revealing our fantasies and projections by bestial men, another way for us to freeze the other in an animal" 

Antoine Spire

This series of paintings, photographs, trying to respond to a form of duality - that assumes an animal part - by the medium of painting in addition, runs, mask, portrait. 
To ultimately create an osmosis between the two mediums, so between the animal and the portrait.

Charlotte Caron, "Portraits"

What a whimsical idea. And it's true, how often are you asked what animal you would be? Not every other day? Oh, how odd.

No, I kid. We don't still have the minds of elementary school students. Yes, we do. However, when I am asked, I take it seriously. This animal represents what I will be in my next life. This casual question? It's IMPORTANT. I can control DESTINY. 

I've decided that if I were to be a bird, I'd be the painted bunting. To be able to fly would be too cool to pass on. But then I think about the amount of worms and flies I'd have to digest. So I change my mind to a fox. Foxes are so suave, just love 'em.

*m

A Trip Through the Sun, From France

Ah, this room makes me feel light. Imperfect walls, a rugged collection of paintings and sketches, ultra-bright pillows... just insert me lounging like a cat on the couch right over there. 

That chair. What confidence. Should I mayhaps be in an entirely white & polished room, an iMac gazing into my eyes, with bouquets of my friends poised around the desk in front of me? I could. Or I could totally be the subject of attention against this rustic landscape. 

She prefers eyes on her at all times. But may have to share the attention with that good lookin' ladder.

I'm really curious as to what's above this bed... my dreams would be complete if it were an office that I could just sneak away to without anyone noticing. Or an art studio, omg. Or maybe it's just a hideaway retreat for some relaxation.

Well I just felt like I was walking through the sun. Please invite me over anytime, will you?

*m

{Style Files}

Spring Spring Spring!

Oh golly jee willickers, it's SPRING! Officially. Completely. No joking around.

Mother Nature just took her sweet time to bring us even a hint of sunshine here on the west coast, though, didn't she? But now that it's here, I'll be oh-so-courteous and oh-so-grateful because I was beginning to imagine my life as permanently monochromatic. 

But NO! This is what my life looks like now! 

That's me... there in the back... oh, behind that girl... oh wait, you can't really see me... but I swear I was with them, I swear!

Ben Gile's work is so perfect for spring. Each piece is livened up by these electrifying colours of flowers in full bloom. 

But he also experiments with vintage photos in the most provocative ways, too.

So that I'm like, oh, this guy is a creative collage genius. 

This fella knows what he's doing. And I am definitely going to plaster my inspiration board with these. 

*m

The Antlers and Some Goodies

Listen to the lyrics.

A few nights ago I was up late chatting with a friend, and the topic of music came up.

Always a casual subject, I was expecting an exchange of songs, and that would be it. 

I was saying how if you listen to Bon Iver's Blood Bank at the same time as Rainy Mood, it can lull you to sleep within minutes. He agreed. "But nothing will ever come close to The Antlers."

Here are the lyrics.

...and he was right. I have been completely wooed.
It isn't often that music can actually hypnotize me enough so that if I lay down and listen to it, I can just let their lyrics breathe through me, the delicate notes of piano acting as a heartbeat to their message. Their music is beautiful.

Please listen to these songs! I hope it shall resonate with you as deeply as it has with me. *read in an elderly English accent for most impact*



Anyways, it's good to be home. I've spent the last week reading To the Lighthouse, sipping variations of David's Tea (can't get any better than this), watching Pride & Prejudice over and over (don't ask why, not sure myself, I was just obsessed) and playing Kettering on the piano, but the internet connection has been a sketchy, disappointing situation so I couldn't post anythang.

But YO! Because I have abandoned you unexpectedly for a week, I fully intend to make up for that by making this post full of equally unexpected goodies. 

Ilana Kohn, Spring '12

Ilana Kohn, you too have wooed me with your breezy tops and sundresses. Something about watching Keira Knightley wander through the knolls of the English countryside in those simple, high waisted dresses make me want to throw away my entire wardrobe and replace them with summer dresses fit for six glorious weeks of July spent in a French chateau. Really not too much to ask.

Bzrbzr Ombre Tights

Ombre tights are easily my newest obsession. Scrolling down past each photo was like watching a flower bloom in slow motion, a little in awe... at tights. Aka Tiffany Ju has made tights into something of an art and that is no small feat, I'm sure.

Slash this song came on and I found it quite suitable. Refer to the line: "...and you can walk your long legs, baby, right out of my life."

Scout & Catalogue, Spring '12

If I could look anywhere near as effortlessly cool as this girl, then I'm sold. This photo shoot was apparently shot entirely in the dead of winter, but they've achieved such a dainty, spring-like vibe to it all with her distressed blonde hair, the pastel palette, and the happy splash of vibrant ocean colours.

LAS Jewelry

Okay, who doesn't want a wolf eating their finger as a ring. That isn't a question on purpose. I already know the answer. And note the battle wounds on the ears of the rabbit, what a unique touch to an already whimsical piece itself. 

Erin Wasson for Zadig & Voltaire

Here are a few goodies hand picked from her shots for Zadig & Voltaire, Summer '12 collection. What did I take from these photos? 

a. I want her hair (...slash her face in general, and her ability to look so absolutely laid back while maintaining that rocker, bad-ass look).

b. This will be my French vacation home I was mentioning earlier. Oh golly jee willickers, guys, just bought it, so excited!

and c. Above all, I need Zadig & Voltaire in my summer wardrobe, stat. 

This has to be the most ornate, stunning, intricate fireplace I have ever seen. Talk about paying attention to details. It's honestly a form of art in this room, I can't take my eyes off it. 

Mmm, greenery. Come to mama! I would be so at peace working here. Kudos to the architect who intentionally forgot a wall, pretty brilliant.

ILa Boom Shadow Boxes (found via Happiness is...)

D'aaaw. I can already a picture an entire wall dedicated to these enchanting shadow boxes, in an otherwise totally minimalist room. Very scandinavian, eh? 

Oh, and ps, be prepared to be washed over with envy. The creator of these gems lives on a small cycladic sland, Antiparos, with the Aegean sea stretching beyond her view for miles upon miles, acting as her inspiration and source of calm. Wow. 

***

Until next time, I bid you adieu.

That was my cat alter ego speaking.

*m

Disheveled Statements

I think finding yourself surrounded by everything you've created would be such a constant source of inspiration and motivation, too. Although, gotta admit, this really reminds me of the scene from the Black Swan, where she looks into her mother's studio and the paintings of her all start screaming at the same time. Disturbing timez.

Will never look at Australia the same way. Sorry, Aussies, you forever live on an island shaped as a mouth.

Black & white & black & white & black & white. Usually I'd be begging for a burst of colour, but this room's serenity comes from its simplicity.

Slash I'd totally feel like some brooding, moody, Parisian photographer. Which is definitely a good thing.

This room is actually insane. And not only because it looks as if it is literally a piece of artwork in itself, just think about the story behind that stained mattress, empty closet, with a wall full of meticulously framed artwork, but because it isn't real.

Say whaaat? 

It's a miniature scene! Every itty-bitty detail that was thought out for this room just became massively impressive. When I think of how precisely she must have used her fingers, not to mention the star surgeon's hand she must have had to keep every move so steady, it just boggles my mind. God, I love miniature houses, or just miniature things in general. 

Highly suggest you go check out the rest of this gal's work.

...I can now very realistically see myself as a professional doll house interior designer upon retirement. That and own six dachshunds. 

*m

{1, 2, 3, 4, 5: solid frog, bbz, ashley curry}