No rest for the weary

The title says it all. A nap please? mais non...
One disastrous paper barely over and the other beckons.
No time for gamboling in the soothing warm rays of the afternoon sun,
Pack up that thick woolly shawl and hide out in the library for your studies days are not done.
Tuesday- a whisper in your ear- light as the gentle flutter of a falling leaf, so soft you think you're starting to imagine things- which of course you probably are at this juncture.
Don't forget.
Oh the horror.

Magdalena Frackowiak ici et ici.

Buoyant nyc

When life gets you down...
all you need is some colourful balloons to lift your spirits
and bring good cheer!

Balloons in nyc, polaroid shots here.

Rose bush

Running through the rose bush garden
traipsing o'er the ground

wandering aimlessly

but not without a sound

unsure and unclear as one approaches the maze

wishing mightily to emerge on the other side unscathed

yellow flowers, image from here.

Driftwood and seafood

This lunch is looking mighty appealing to me at this moment. I usually find that I study better with an empty stomache. It leaves you more awake. The edge that is missing when you're drowsy and contented after a meal and all you're thinking about is "hmm, a nap sounds like a good idea". Regardless, this plate from none other than the Thomas Keller's famed French Laundry would beckon to anyone. And salmon is brain food isn't it?

Seafood is never better than savoured by the sea. Either with a glass of white wine at an alfresco restaurant with the sound of the waves at close proximity or with a humble brown bag, torn open to reveal delicious deepfried fish and chips while keeping one's precarious perch on the steps of a splintered wooden boardwalk. The second option strictly to be eaten with one's hands of course, all the better to lick off the flaky coarse salt that remains after the meal has been devoured.

Since traipsing to the beach is undoubtedly out of the question today, I shall have to make do. I find that gazing at this piece of art painted onto a natural birch panel is a perfect alternative. The choppy strokes and evocative deep blue transport you to the loveliest coast. All you need is your imagination.

Painting 'the youngest coast'

Vanity

Emily Blunt slips back into her role as the young Victoria and pronounces "There will be Beauty" in Vanity Fair's extravagant May issue photoshoot.
Radiant and regal, she models the latest from the Paris Couture collections. Only the best is fit for a queen, naturally.

Dior Haute Couture

Christian Lacroix Haute Couture, Men’s by D&G.
{Love the superbly detailed military jacket on the left}

Chanel Haute Couture

Gaultier Paris corset and blouse

Ever since her impresive turn as the impossibly bitchy yet deliciously entertaining first assistant in the devil wears prada I've been a fan of Emily's. To be honest, I usually like Anne Hathaway but didn't at all like her portrayal of Andrea as a whiny, weak and self-righteous {fashion's beneath someone of my intellectual ability} character. I've read the book and Andrea's "main" role was definitely usurped in the movie by the brilliant portrayal of the snobby but hardworking first assistant to the devilish editrix at Runway Magazine. Suffice to say, can't wait for the latest movie to be out.

Last ditch

Its the last ditch attempt now...

and then I'll be buried under.

Photographed by Camilla Åkrans via The English Muse

Importance of time

Never lament about precious time lost, rather consider the little time left.

vintage Rolex ad.

Dresses & a Shoe

Sundresses and a lace up shoe.
Light and floaty is what today feels like.

Girl in Blue

Perusing for vintage oil portraits at 3am in the morning {or dark of night}, I found this. Isn't she lovely? I have a soft spot for a blue frock since it always brings back memories of my carefree younger self dashing here and there, restlessly fidgeting in class, scampering up trees during our midday break and walking home from school under the hot sun carrying books that weighed too much. Yes, I always think of my old school uniform when i see a girl in blue. Memories indeed.

Royal tea

Went out for a spot of shopping and we decided to stop for tea. The chilled water served was delicately flavoured with bright succulent strawberries sitting in a tall glass jug. It certainly was a treat for the palette but also had refreshing visual appeal, plump red fruit complemented by sparkling cubes of ice. Accompanied by not quite doll sized sandwiches, our girly tea completed a peaceful Saturday.

The Selby - Paris

Everyone's smitten with the Selby at the moment. Some of the foremost creative minds in the art, design, fashion and food industry open their homes to photographer Todd Selby offering a rare glimpse into their fantastical habitats.

I'ved looked at 9 Paris apartments featured on The Selby's page and curated some of my favourites.

Nadège winter's whimsical fairy lights and her so true take on the city of love.

Maison du macaron, or Pierre Herme's abode.

Je veux la même chose. Its almost delightfully childish but so vibrant and..astrological?

Selby certainly has a talent for putting his subjects at ease, revealing their private possessions, wacky collections and allowing their sense of humour to shine through.

Xavier veilhan's home, interesting sculpures to be found at every turn. And who can't relate to the cafeteria thing hmm?

While the photographer does miniature 'portraits' of the characters, the real chuckle inducing drawings are done by the subjects themselves. The off the cuff question and answer section yields funny answers that show these much-idolised folk don't always take themselves seriously and constantly maintain an innate curiousity that translates unsurprisingly into their work.

Audrey mascina & jérôme sans topsy turvy world.

Thomas lélu's mind is centered on one thing...

Monsieur farman talks about planes and the Wright brothers while that chandlier sends my heart soaring.

I want to move into Sébastien gaudard's home right this minute. Just perfect.

Frédéric beigbeder parties with Kate Moss judging from the many pictures around the place.

The Selby Show was recently launched at Colette in Paris with Karl Lagerfield even making an appearance. A limited edition book featuring additional watercolour paintings and photographs unseen on the site was also launched.

Late night conversations

Time- 2.15am

Me: banging on the piano. Discordantly. Loudly.
J: whats that noise, you're going to wake the neighbours!
Me: um, I'm not actually trying to play the piano...
J: well what are you DOING then?
Me: Trying to catch a lizard.
J: What?
Me: I saw a lizard scurrying behind the piano, I'm trying to make it leave.
J: oh
Me: it doesn't seem to care
J: maybe the lizard's deaf.

Depression era Glamour

"Tomas Maier's remedy for breaking the downward spiral of depression is irresistible glamour." reads the review of Bottega Veneta's fall 2009 ready to wear collection. How can I do aught but concur.

Pewter taupe shadow and divinely wine red lips finished perfectly imperfect. The sensous results termed "broken glamour" by famed makeup maven Pat McGrath.

I'm confident that slipping on this ivory coat would suffuse my tortured student's soul with a sense of complete bliss.

Strains of waltz worthy music play in the background, accompanied by the cellos and violins of my imagination. Conjures an old world ballroom as I go through the highly covetable looks for one that will match my freshly painted ruby red nails.

Channelling refined glamour yet laid back ease. As unforgettable as a heady parfum of musk and orchids that wafts past carried by a teasing breeze.

Dark Monday

My mood has seriously plunged this evening, tomorrow its back to the daily grind. Depression, my friend.


Anja Rubik shot by Ellen von Unwerth in April's Vogue Italia.

Happy Easter

An easter gift all wrapped up par Ladurée

Stella McCartney, Spring 2009 - festively shimmery sparkly

Easter Sunday's here!
Celebrate with sweet pink and canary yellow and soft baby blue
sugary teacakes and sinful chocolates abound
childhood games and helpless giggles all round
lets go on a hunt lets follow the bunny
oh we sure hope the weather's sunny

that one's mine, no that's for me...
squealed little Lily and Johnny twee.