Once in a blue moon a photograph in an ad campaign catches my attention. Usually they are pretty predictable and commercial; obviously, they are about selling more than telling a story or whatever it is that usually draws me to editorial photos. But this image, taken by Deborah Turbeville, make me look and look again, so I checked out a little blurb about it on the WWD website and the collection was apparently inspired in part by Georgia O'Keeffe and Mexico and maybe it's just because I'm reading a book about Georgia O'Keeffe, Frida Kahlo and Emily Carr, but I'm getting a "lady painter" vibe from the photo that I love.
Another perennial inspiration: Linda Evangelista. It seems to me like more than any other model she is the go-to girl for models, stylists, and photographers to channel. Linda was my first favorite model, back in the supermodel glory days, and I don't know if I've really had a favorite since then. I remember hearing about the "I don't get out of bed for less than $10,000 a day" quote, or whatever it was, and everyone tried to spin it so that she was kind of a villain, but I didn't care. Apparently it was taken out of context, but even if it wasn't, it kind of suited her image. And what an image! I think she invented the idea that being chameleon-like was something to aspire to in the modelling image, but even with all the changes to her look, there was no hiding that phenomenal bone structure. When I look at the pictures below, I find that as pretty as the model is, she just doesn't have those aristocratic features and unforgettable face.
Last night we went to see my friend's band, The Fax, and she was wearing a long poncho and cute boots and I was totally getting a young Stevie Nicks vibe from her. Now I'm going to try to talk her into cultivating the image in a subtle, modern way. When I got I home I spent an hour pouring over all the beautiful pictures from the early Fleetwood Mac days - girlfriend sure had a way with layering, didn't she?
These elegant photos remind me why the classics never go out of style. A certain sophistication continues to inspire designers, stylists and photographers to put a fresh twist on the ladylike looks of the 1950's decades after they were new.
I still can't get over all these fascinating pictures of Hutterites. I wish I could find some explanation of their clothing and head coverings. I've read on a few websites about the three different divisions of Hutterites, and that they each have a different variation of their dress, and I've found descriptions of polka-dotted headscarves and printed aprons and dresses, but I want more information, most importantly, WHY? What is the significance of the polka dots, and notice that most of the aprons are plaid, most of the dresses are floral, and what about the angled, defined armhole seams? The boys too - are the black caps influenced by their Central European origins? These photos represent the 1960's to present, and at least three or four different colonies in North America, so the similarities are obviously not the result of chance or an isolated preference. I wish someone could explain it to me, or maybe I can find a book that details the origins of all of the variations of dress of the various Anabaptist faith. Ohh, Christmas is coming, hint hint!
...been doing a puzzle. Once I get started I just can't drag myself away. I look at the clock and groan each time I see that it's twenty minutes past the last time I told myself I'd get up and put the laundry on or go grocery shopping. Just a few more pieces... But I finished it this afternoon, and it's a bit of a struggle not to open up the other one I've got waiting in the closet. Something about this time of year; a cup of tea, slippers, a big jigsaw puzzle.
I did get outside in the sun to make a wreath today, and I always love making a wreath. It's not hard, and they always turn out looking so good, or at least I think so. This year I took some scraps from the lot where we bought our tree so I could make an actual evergreen wreath, rather than my usual bamboo and twig variety. We don't have any electrical outlets outside so we can't put up Christmas lights, so we need the wreath and the tree lit up right close to the front window so our neighbors don't think we're grinches.
Whew! The Christmas season is all about planning, isn't it? And I do the bare minimum, so I can't imagine how stressful it is for people with big families and big expectations! I wrote all my Christmas cards tonight to send out on Monday, and I've done almost all of my (minimal) shopping and wrapping, so I'm in pretty good shape. I need to buy ribbon, and on Sunday we'll buy a tree and I'll make a wreath. That just leaves the cleaning and the planning of meals. No sweat! For me, the key to staying jolly is to avoid the malls, keep on a tight budget, and do the things I actually enjoy, like making a wreath and baking some cookies.
Next year, instead of rushing out to the drugstore for a box of cheapo cards, I'd love to plan (that word again) ahead, and get some unique and handmade cards. Or, ideally make my own. Of course, I'll have the leftovers from this years big box to use up... The lovely cards below are all from Etsy.
Truly, there are days when all I want to do it eat. Today was one of those days. I eat a lot every day, so there's really no reason for me to be hungry, but I just couldn't get enough today and I couldn't take my mind off food; sweet food, salty food, greasy food. It's a blessing that we don't live conveniently close to a convenience store or I would have been out of control. As it was I just kept raiding the fridge for olives, yoghurt, cheese, peanut butter... anything! At least I'll be at work tomorrow so I'll have something to do to distract me from my gluttony. Karl and I semi-seriously discussed the possibility of our having tapeworms. Gross, but it might explain the dream I had the other night involving a breakfast meal that consisted of a large crepe with two fried eggs inside, which were topped with sweet and sour pork and melted cheese, then rolled up and drizzled with maple syrup. Mmm, I could really go for some pancakes right now. Must stop!
Just some pretty looks for a Saturday evening. This time of year I kind of wish that I had fancy company Christmas parties to go to so I could do the whole new-dress, hair-do thing. I've only got one Christmas party on the calendar, and it's a Christmas sweater concert at a club, which seems like a sweaty plan. I don't own a Christmas sweater, and I don't plan on buying one. I do not have spare closet space for seasonal novelties, so I'll choose to interpret the theme my own way, probably with sequins, possibly with the red suede shorts.
OK, Marni collaborating with H&M... I hope it's good. I've never been interested in any of the other designer collabs they've done, but Marni's prints and colour combinations might translate to low end without too much trouble. Could be worth a swing by the sale racks after the crowds have dissipated, seeing as my Buy (almost) Nothing Month is drawing to a close. You know, I did just fine keeping the shopping to the bare minimum. I still don't need anything, and I still don't have any money, so with the exception of Christmas shopping, I'll try to keep myself on a short leash.
Also, this is happening. The Great Gatsby starring Carey Mulligan, Tobey Maguire and Leonardo Dicaprio.m Another cautious Hmmmm.... Will it be good? I think Carey will make a good Daisy, for one thing. And I can't wait to see the costumes. I wrote a paper in university about the costumes in the 1974 version and they were so spectacular and accurate, I'd be really disappointed if this time they hired, say Ralph Lauren, to do all the costumes, which would just turn into a vanity project. No, I just checked IMDB, and the costume designer is Catherine Martin, who did a bunch of other movies with Baz Luhrmann. Whew. I guess there's still another year to wait until this one hits the theatres.
I spent some quality internet time today on a totally engrossing site called In The Make. It features photographs of artists of all types and their studios, as well as interviews with the artists. The photography is beautiful, the interviews are fascinating, and the spaces featured are so inspiring. I love studios, workshops, sewing rooms; the places where creative people get creative are so varied and such a window into the work that goes on behind the scenes. I'm inspired to do a little more to make the workshop at work more personal and exciting, though I fear that the first step should be cleaning up!
