Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
Inspiration
"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." -C.S. Lewis
I need to start dreaming new dreams....the endless possibilities.
Summer Fashion: French-inspired Nautical
A summer trend that never goes out of style: Nautical.
I was actually inspired with this look when I was reading Just Kids. Patti Smith wrote about two of her excursions to France- one with her sister and then another with just herself. I imagined walking the streets alongside her. I believe that Patti is a fashionista herself, though I doubt she would ever admit it. I say this, because on several occasions she wrote about how her and Robert Mapplethorpe would plan their outfits. Though it always took Robert longer to get ready, they both thought about their appearance carefully, piecing it with the perfect beaded necklace or ripped jean vest.
The outfit that I came up with was a blue and white striped sweater (mine has big blue buttons so it is sort of a mix of nautical meets military/naval commander), a blue pleated skirt from H & M, my brown vintage Nine West ankle boots and a matching brown belt to pull it all together. I also added a white flower to my hair...flower power baby!
This outfit got the approval of my dad. Now Roger Rooney is no fashionista (if he had it his way he would always wear a stained white t-shirt, his dirty work jeans or cargo shorts paired with his golf shoes), but he does recognize a trendy look, or quirky, vintage, French-inspired look that I have come up with.
I was actually inspired with this look when I was reading Just Kids. Patti Smith wrote about two of her excursions to France- one with her sister and then another with just herself. I imagined walking the streets alongside her. I believe that Patti is a fashionista herself, though I doubt she would ever admit it. I say this, because on several occasions she wrote about how her and Robert Mapplethorpe would plan their outfits. Though it always took Robert longer to get ready, they both thought about their appearance carefully, piecing it with the perfect beaded necklace or ripped jean vest.
The outfit that I came up with was a blue and white striped sweater (mine has big blue buttons so it is sort of a mix of nautical meets military/naval commander), a blue pleated skirt from H & M, my brown vintage Nine West ankle boots and a matching brown belt to pull it all together. I also added a white flower to my hair...flower power baby!
This outfit got the approval of my dad. Now Roger Rooney is no fashionista (if he had it his way he would always wear a stained white t-shirt, his dirty work jeans or cargo shorts paired with his golf shoes), but he does recognize a trendy look, or quirky, vintage, French-inspired look that I have come up with.
Movie Review: Midnight in Paris
When it comes to Woody Allen's more recent films they really are hit or miss. Anyone remember Cassandra's Dream or Whatever Works?
However- I must say that Midnight in Paris was an absolute hit! If anyone has been to Paris, dreams of going to Paris, or perhaps lived there in a past life must see this film. The location of filming is beautiful, the soundtrack to walking the streets of Paris is perfect, and the costumes that coincide with the scenes transporting you to the 1920s are divine. I enjoyed the fact that Allen didn't seek to explain the supernatural aspect involving a taxi cab that brings Owen Wilson's character to the streets of the 1920s every night when the clock strikes midnight.
So for all you movie-goers....this is a film you won't want to miss!
However- I must say that Midnight in Paris was an absolute hit! If anyone has been to Paris, dreams of going to Paris, or perhaps lived there in a past life must see this film. The location of filming is beautiful, the soundtrack to walking the streets of Paris is perfect, and the costumes that coincide with the scenes transporting you to the 1920s are divine. I enjoyed the fact that Allen didn't seek to explain the supernatural aspect involving a taxi cab that brings Owen Wilson's character to the streets of the 1920s every night when the clock strikes midnight.
So for all you movie-goers....this is a film you won't want to miss!
Book Review: Just Kids
After having this book on my shelf for months, I have finally had time for free-reading and finished it. The book that I am talking about it Just Kids by Patti Smith. For those of you that live under a rock and don't know who Patti Smith is--she is a writer, performer, and visual artist. She gained recognition in the 1970s for her "revolutionary emergence of poetry and rock."
Johnny Depp said "Patti Smith has graced us with a poetic masterpiece, a rare and privileged invitation to unlatch a treasure chest never before breached."
This New York Times Bestseller is about Patti's adventures from Brooklyn to the Chelsea Hotel and her relationship with fellow artist Robert Mapplethorpe , who in my opinion, was very attractive when he was young. I became envious of her life as I read her stories. For instance, one evening she went to buy a sandwich from a vending machine but needed a dime and a voice behind her asked her if he could help. That voice was none other than Allen Ginsberg. I mean, just imagine? Nothing like that ever happens. Patti and Robert also became regulars at the round table at Max's Kansas City.
"The back room, bathed in red light, was Robert's objective, and the definitive target was the legendary round table that still harbored the rose-colored aura of the absent silver king [Andy Warhol]" (117).
I wish I could have lived during that time- dined with Ginsberg, sang with Joplin and Hendrix, and conversed with Bobby Neuwirth "the peacemaker-provocateur. Bob Dylan's alter ego."
For anyone who is interested in music, art, the 1970s or even a true love story should read this book.
LACMA Art Exhibition
Now that I have a computer again--I can finally blog! So excuse the next few posts. They will be sort of random, but they involve what I have been up to lately.
First things, first-- The weekend that I got back from Russia my mom, her friend Beth and I went to see the Tim Burton's exhibit at the LACMA. I have always been a fan of Tim Burton's films (especially the 6 that involve Johnny Depp). We were immediately greeted with a quirky face like one that could be found in Nightmare Before Christmas. With its mouth wide-open, it became the door to the rest of his work. As I walked through the 5 room exhibit, I was amazed at all of his drawings. Many of them were doodles on pieces of papers, like ones you would find in middle school student's notebooks. My favorite parts of the exhibit would be:
1. The costumes from the movies, especially the hand from Edward Scissorhands.
2. The black light room with a neon carousal that hung characters from his movies and drawings. The room even had a score by Danny Elfman playing. He does a lot of the music for Tim's movies.
"
Warning: Those who are scared of clowns (like me) please beware that Tim has an obsession with clowns. One of the walls in one of the rooms is lined with drawings, sketches of clowns.
I think that I am going to buy a membership to the LACMA. I know they were having a deal that if you became a member you received free tickets to this exhibit. You also get other benefits like private viewings and free admission at selected times. I am hoping to go to one of Tim Burton's films that are being screened at the exhibit.
Next art stop: Banksy at the MOCA.
First things, first-- The weekend that I got back from Russia my mom, her friend Beth and I went to see the Tim Burton's exhibit at the LACMA. I have always been a fan of Tim Burton's films (especially the 6 that involve Johnny Depp). We were immediately greeted with a quirky face like one that could be found in Nightmare Before Christmas. With its mouth wide-open, it became the door to the rest of his work. As I walked through the 5 room exhibit, I was amazed at all of his drawings. Many of them were doodles on pieces of papers, like ones you would find in middle school student's notebooks. My favorite parts of the exhibit would be:
1. The costumes from the movies, especially the hand from Edward Scissorhands.
2. The black light room with a neon carousal that hung characters from his movies and drawings. The room even had a score by Danny Elfman playing. He does a lot of the music for Tim's movies.
"
The exhibition brings together over 700 drawings, paintings, photographs, moving-image works, storyboards, puppets, concept artworks, maquettes, costumes, and cinematic ephemera, including art from a number of unrealized and little-known personal projects." -http://www.lacma.org/art/exhibition/tim-burton
Warning: Those who are scared of clowns (like me) please beware that Tim has an obsession with clowns. One of the walls in one of the rooms is lined with drawings, sketches of clowns.
I think that I am going to buy a membership to the LACMA. I know they were having a deal that if you became a member you received free tickets to this exhibit. You also get other benefits like private viewings and free admission at selected times. I am hoping to go to one of Tim Burton's films that are being screened at the exhibit.
Next art stop: Banksy at the MOCA.
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