youth novels

with the recent (somewhat) release of the trailer for spike jonze's 'where the wild things are' i couldn't help but be reminded of my childhood and the bedtime stories that accompanied it. (and with that last sentence, i couldn't help but be reminded how 'i couldn't help but be reminded/think/wonder/etc' is the very foundation of the carrie bradshaw school of journalism - that is to say it's not very good technically). favourite books, read and reread, are now in tatters - missing covers, missing pages, scribbles all over - many have needed replacing over the years.

'the little prince' is not only my favourite children's story but also my favourite book of all time, and so it too has recently been replaced, after an hour searching high and low in the quirky used book store by my office. Aside from the great story itself, 'the little prince' also contains great illustrations which, face it, as a child are quintessential to an enjoyable reading experience.

antoine de saint exupéry filled the novel with simple little drawings (a snake having eaten an elephant, often mistaken for a hat by the aged eye, or a sweet lamb). however, it is in their simplicity that the reader finds authenticity in the narrator's voice - after all, he is supposed to be someone weary of adulthood.

i couldn't speak about children's stories without mentioning miss madeline - what a great television show this made as well

and of course, how could one speak of cheeky little girls in big cities without mentioning eloise! the smartest five year old i know, she taught me that when getting dressed, the first thing to do is put on my gloves. how posh!

then there are the intricate, detailed, and mesmerizingly beautiful illustrations that can be found in children's books as well.

the above can all be found in stories by marie queen of roumania, often illustrated by edmund dulac or helen stratton. the very first, my favourite, reminds me of klimt with its dark background, flat colours, and the daintiest flowers

needless to say, i'm more than excited for the release of 'where the wild things are', but until then i'll immerse myself in the book and rediscover all the magic i've forgotten since the last time i read it. ah, to be young again.

pet my pussy (too lewd?)

when tax season and exam studying brings me down, i turn to the cute & cuddly. as someone with a cat allergy, i still dare you not to smile after you check out these precious kitties!

(bestweekever)

(mfrost.typepad)

linda serbu is a dreamy lady and michel gondry makes dreams reality, so this video is nothing short of genius.

but a much superior kitty video is this one, maru even has his own blog! what a smart kitty!



by far my least favourite cat is lynsi's (frisky). she's a racist and sexist, and i don't think i can respect such a hateful kitty.

by far my favourite cat is ian's (more (and bigger) pictures please ian)! i've only met max a couple of times, but there is a special bond.

there are so many more pretty pussies, but this post would go on for an eternity if i didn't bring it to a stop now. sweet dreams all!

adieu, jeunesse!

(thobias faldt)

goodbye indecent, excessive, irresponsible behaviour

goodbye late nights and greasy spoons that ensue

goodbye scraped knees and bruised thighs, of which we have no recollection, worn as badges of honour, as a testament to our tolerance

farewell to the scheming, the plotting, the manipulation
the gossip, and incessant trash talk

adieu, jeunesse, adieu!

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hello saturday spent at the office, hello sunday spent at the office

hello cheap suits bought while reassuring ourselves that our position is only temporary
with the hope that one day we will be artists,
we will spend our time in charming cafés drinking organic coffee, smoking hand rolled cigarettes

hello boredom, self loathing, and the quarter life crisis that will creep up on us but by no means take us by surprise

Salut

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if i sound fatalistic, it's only because i am

white album

it may seem as if this post is inspired by the snowfall today yet nothing could be further from the truth. i'm not exactly sure how the whole "no white after labour day" rule works, but i think it's safe to assume that white is allowable now that it's april. and while it may evoke memories (or current situations) of snow, white also reminds me of spring mornings and the freshness of the air after an overnight rainfall.

elizabeth & james items are so simple yet they still manage to be stand out pieces in an ocean of contemporary designer lines. the above dress is on my spring/summer wishlist (or only-in-my-dreams list, rather); it has the casual elements of boyfriend t-shirts but it manages to be feminine with that darling layering at the bottom.

the spring/summer current/elliot ad campaign makes me want to put on a pair of hunters and jump around on a muddy farm. the collection is made up of many white linen dresses and faded blue jeans that remind me of playful midwest farmers daughters.

sessun's spring/summer 09 collection conjures up the same yearnings for the simple life. featuring allie (that alien-beautiful friend of whitney on mtv's the city), i love the grainy faded effect on this photo - so dreamy!

buy my love

i won't deny that i love receiving gifts, but there's nothing like that deep-down-warm-and-fuzzy feeling i get watching someone else unwrap a gift i've put a lot time and effort into; part of that time and effort always goes into the wrapping. sure, run of the mill wrapping paper does the job, but it doesn't really add anything to the gift so i always like to think of fun, new, creative ways to spruce up those special packages.

tapeswell sells decorative packing tapes in a plethora of patterns - from damask (above) to blue tinsel. japanese masking tapes are also a fun option and can be mixed and matched to your taste (check out the sets at gingko papers or identi-tape)

i may be biased when i say this is my favourite gift wrapping idea (my sisters made this for my birthday a couple of months ago) but who can deny this fun, carefree option. just take an old take-out dinner bag (make sure it's clean) and cover with colourful feathers and gems in a haphazard manner. this is a project that lets you get creative, so if feathers and gems aren't your thing, try stickers, baseball cards, or even painting on your own design.

mail to me is very much like gift giving - i love coming home to it (granted it's not a credit card bill) but i love sending it that much more; that's why i adore the above idea. brown paper is a classic choice for wrapping parcels, and the reason why i once ran around the city looking for the stuff at 10 in the evening. i eventually settled for the paper they used to cover tables at a local restaurant - it did the trick and it was free! vintage stamps and twine take it that extra mile. bugs and fishes created the lovely packaging above.

gift wrapping wisdom:

• when choosing a wrapping scheme, use your gift as inspiration - tying in your wrapping with your gift creates a theme, and themes are magical! they let that special someone on the receiving end know you were thoughtful when it came to the gift.

• take your time - bad execution can make even the most wonderful idea fail.

• make your wrapping work that extra mile - if not torn up, great wrapping can become art, hung up in a frame or on a tack board, or it can be used over and over again (like gift bags)

remember, wrapping gifts is all about being creative and thinking outside the box. you can use these ideas as a jumping off point and once you do, you'll be looking for new reasons to give gifts in the first place!