Pretty as Dirt

I know it may just look like a patch of dirt (or is it soil once there are seeds in it?) but I think it's pretty beautiful. To me it looks so rich and inviting and full of potential. If I was a seed I'd want to snuggle right in and get down to business. It was mild and just a little overcast this afternoon, so I threw caution to the wind and planted lettuce and peas. Tomorrow if it's not raining I'll do some spinach. I love dirt. Once I start mucking around in it I keep trying to think of more things to do. Transplant some houseplants? Divide some hostas? Go to the garden centre and buy some bags of dirt? I try to show some discipline and just pick out stones...

pretty as a picture

A Real American (animal welfare) Hero

This is Temple Grandin, and she's one of my heroes. In the last six months, I read two books that referenced and quoted her heavily, read one of her books (Animals Make Us Human), and I just watched the HBO movie about her life. So obviously, she's big time. She's pretty much the world's foremost authority on the welfare of livestock, she's an expert on animal psychology, a Doctor of Animal Science, and she's autistic.

She's so amazing and inspiring. She didn't speak until she was four, but her autism allows her to understand and identify with animals in a way I've never really imagined. She's overcome major obstacles and has made such immense contributions to the treatment of animals and to the understanding of autism. I highly recommend reading one of her books, or seeing the HBO movie that came out recently. We don't get HBO, but we were able to download it. It's called Temple Grandin and stars Clare Danes, who does a really good job portraying her challenges and successes.

black and blue

This drape-y navy blouse recently survived an intense wardrobe cull, despite the fact that I've only worn it once since I bought about a year and a half ago. I knew I liked it, but I hadn't given much thought to what wear it with. I know it's a bit questionable in some people's books to wear navy and black together, but at least with the navy tights we all know it's on purpose, right? So I'm glad I kept the blouse, because I'm fond of the way it fits, and it's not as sheer as I remembered it being. Any items in your wardrobe you don't wear but can't part with?

Wearing rags and feathers...

Karl and I watched The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus the other night and I found the costumes and the sets to be the best part. It was a such a visual movie which kind of made up for a thin plot, and sometimes I don't mind that. I loved all the layer-y, disintegrating, hobo-gypsy-nomad outfits that Valentina and the doctor wore. Shouldn't it had gotten an Oscar nomination? I read that it did win some Costume Design Guild awards... I also like the crazy caravan-stage-mobile...

backflashback

I did find the denim shirt I needed, and I really must have needed it because I have to show a lot of restraint so I don't end up wearing it every day. It just seems to work with almost everything, even jeans. Hate to say it, but the Texan/Canadian tuxedo may be making an appearance.


Also, what is this? More sensitive viewers may want to avert their eyes. I wouldn't call it a "mini" backpack, but true, it's small, but it's not like it's neon orange with an Elmo head on it, or covered in black rubber rave spikes. If it didn't have that oversized silver buckle it would still be at Value Village waiting for a certain person I can just picture to be attracted by the Pierre Cardin name (Oohh!). But I love it. I'm not a purse person; I don't covet or collect them, I don't crave designer "it" bags. I have just the minimum - a big one for the gym, a medium one for regular use, and a small one for going out or whatever. And my medium one was getting mangy and sad, and when I saw this one it was like a light shining down from the heavens onto it - trumpets and all that - and I saw the leather almost-mini-backpack in a whole new light. And I love having my arms free. Wheee!

It's that time of year again.

Vancouver is so beautiful in the springtime.
This magical cherry blossom block gets lots of lookey-loos and photographers.

Spring Weather

I'm a little bedraggled because the ten minute downpour this afternoon coincided perfectly with my ten minute walk home from the bus.

And ten minutes after that, the sun was out...

And there was a beautiful double rainbow over East Van.

Getting off the couch!

When I'm feeling lazy, I can watch way too much bad TV, and it falls into two general categories: bad TV I enjoy watching, and bad TV I don't enjoy watching. Sometimes I'll find myself passively watching something so stupid, and I have to give myself a mental smack. There are so many other things I would rather be doing. So I'm making a Spring resolution not to get sucked in to the crap. If it's nice out I'll go for a walk or find something to do in the garden, and if it's not nice, I'll read. I have a stack of good books to read, so I have no excuse.

Cheap Thrills

I have kind of a love/hate relationship with Superstore. We did our grocery shopping there for a couple of years and hated it. It was cheap and close, but hellish. The only good that came out of it was discovering that they make the first brand of multivitamins that I've tried that don't make me throw up. So every 100 days or so I have to go there to buy vitamins, and I usually go on an evening that I feel like doing a little browsing. I often come home with socks, moisturizer, gym clothes or some other cheap impulse buy.

The Joe Fresh clothing line hasn't been doing it for me recently, but the makeup is fun. And it's so cheap that if I feel like trying matte berry lipstick and lavender eyeshadow, for a total cost of $10, I'll take a chance on it. They have a good selection of matte lipsticks, which not many lines do. I'm not sure if this colour is flattering on me, but I'm not sure I care either. The dark colour scares me a little, mostly because I feel like it requires a certain degree of carefulness, which I don't possess. The eyeshadow is a bit paler than I thought, but maybe it will look good with a darker liner.

More Harp!

I think I might actually buy Joanna Newsom's new album. I never buy CD's any more, but I'm willing to take a chance on this one. Her first album is still one of my favorites! I bought her second album, Y's, and listened to at twice, at most. I guess that means it's a gamble, but she does have the fact that's she's totally adorable and has great style in her favor. I also want the new Sade album. I'm such a girl.

A Somber Affair

This afternoon I went to a memorial service for a friend's mom. It was a beautiful service, but emotionally draining. I obviously couldn't even keep my eyes open for these pictures. I wasn't sure what to wear; I've never been to one of these before. It was supposed to be more of a celebration of her life than a sad event, so I wanted to wear a little bit of colour. The green sheer tights, I was told, were a little bit alien, but other than that I was OK.

Balmain Fall 2010 RTW

So when I look at new collections I go to Style.com, pick a designer, then go to "complete collection" to see thumbnails off all the outfits. And this season I keep getting a page full of little black silhouettes. I don't mind a dose of black for fall, but it was looking pretty monotonous, and I just don't see the creativity in an all-black collection. I know there's still design involved, but it's missing a big part of the picture for me. Also, it seems like many designers favored the same silhouettes: bulky layers on top, skinny legs. It's just not my favorite look. Although some girls can rock it, it just doesn't excite me.

Anyway, that's a long preamble to get to the point. I like this Balmain collection because there is some colour, texture and shine. It's fun and sexy and there's nothing too "intellectual" or minimalist about it. By the way, why does intellectual have to mean minimalist? Just a thought.

Dries Van Noten Fall 2010 RTW

This is what I can count on. I should always remember that I'm a little disappointed until Paris rolls around and then I see Dries Van Noten and it's like the clouds lifting or something. The clothes are beautiful: the prints, the proportions, the details. Thanks again!