Veronicahhh

Grenoble Flânerie

2010-05-23T09:16:00.007-07:00

Just a few shots that were on my iphone.

at left, Tomme de Savoie. at right, Beaufort.

On the rives of the Isère river in Grenoble.

I dangled my legs off this ledge and soaked in the warm sun.
The museum is across the street.

This was, without exaggeration, one of the most memorable exhibitions I have ever seen.

The show consisted of 6 expressionist paintings, each of which was given a detailed art historical analysis aimed at the common art gallery visitor. In each room was the painting in question on one wall. On the other three walls were a chronology of the artist's life within the Impressionist movement, a general overview of the work situated within the artist's oeuvre, and an in-depth analysis of the work itself.

Not only did this show draw a particular focus to the fact that The Impressionists were, in their time, avant-garde and incredibly modern, it also permitted the visitor to leave the museum having learned enough about each particular work to be able to understand the group as a whole.

To top it all off, the show had its own concise exhibition catalog. This seems like such a luxury to us Canadians, where limited arts funding never allows for the possibility of a publication to go along with this type of small show (only 6 paintings!), but it was priced at only €8!

This museum is fantastic, and its scale and quality is completely unexpected from a city like Grenoble, which is hardly an art capital like Paris or Madrid. I think it is completely worth a detour if you're ever in the region. They have an comprehensive European Art collection from classical to modern times (they have two Chaim Soutines!!), an intact Egyptian mummy of a female prophet with the first intact lute ever found in Egypt, and a surprising contemporary art collection with good pieces from Donald Judd to Jeff Wall. I visit it every time I'm in France (my grandfather lives in Grenoble) and always spend a day there.

Trésors acquis en France

2010-05-21T09:40:00.006-07:00

I really like notebooks. This one is lined, which I normally don't like, but this

creamsicle colour spoke to me. It also has the little folder at the back like the moleskine, however, it is made in France unlike a moleskine. Hemingway may not have used Rhodias, but generations of French children have and many of them became great authors anyway.

I've had really good luck with books since I arrived. Here are some of my finds.
Particularly worthy of note is Dur, dur. It happens to be the only Banana Yoshimoto book I haven't read. I'm excited to read it translated into French, as I find the English translations pretty wonky at best. Bottom right is one of the last Saint-Exupery books I haven't found in French in Canada. The other books I found in the buy-two-get-one-free bin at the used bookstore.

This is the actual bottles Coca Light is being sold it. There's another edition for Milka, but

who cares about Milka when you can have a Karl Lagerfeld Coke????

Just so you know, I am the coolest cuz I own this. I will place it next to my Christian Lacroix

limited edition glass Evian bottle from a couple xmases ago.

Chanel Rouge Coco in Mademoiselle. I've worn this every second since I bought it.
Women in France wear lipstick like they wear perfume, that is, all the time. I'm immersing

myself into the local culture. It's so becoming.

May 20 -- chez Paul Bocuse

2010-05-20T12:49:00.006-07:00

Joyeux Anniversaire!!
Old friends Henri (my grandpa, left) and Paul Bocuse!

Yesterday, for the celebration of my grandfather Henri's 80th birthday,

my entire family enjoyed a wonderful lunch at Paul Bocuse's world famous 3-star restaurant.

This is a shot of his kitchen!

Though it would take me at least one entire blog entry to just talk to you about the food,
I'll instead show you this dessert (one of many desserts we had) and direct you to my mom's

cooking blog for more details about our menu.

My mom, see below, aka The Cooking Frog.

This is the exterior of Paul's restaurant.

Apéritif: Champagne Henriot Brut Souverain.

Avec Paul!

Family.

Tonton Jean-Louis, Tati Veronique (Vero 1), et Vero 2 (moi) au milieu.

moment candide.

Such an incredible day for a truly wonderful occasion!

20 mai

2010-05-20T12:30:00.004-07:00

silk blouse from my mom, skirt by The Kooples, shoes by Kenneth Cole.

18 mai -- Musée dauphinois

2010-05-17T09:37:00.005-07:00

The musée dauphinois is situated in a restored convent. They have awesome permanent exhibitions (see skis below) as well as some cool temporary ones, too. Admission is free.

Best seat in the house.

chair by Marie Goussé.

This exhibit on skiing outlines the sport's history. There are ancient skis from all over the world,

photographs, ski-lifts, and more recent memorabilia, like the skis of Gold Medal Olympians,

which were part of a gifted private collection.

The Cooking Frog is my sidekick for the next ten days.
Her daily recipe for today is Tomates Provençales.

Un coquelicot.

Rive droite in Grenoble.

Nice font!

This man was reading while walking.

France is absolutely polluted with graffiti on everything. It's such a shame, and it

really bothers me when I see it in places like these ancient doorways.

Hope that everyone is doing well. Can't wait til Thursday.. guess where I'll be having dinner!!
(hint: one of France's most renowned chefs will be creating our menu)

Bises!

17 Mai -- Lunch

2010-05-16T07:08:00.007-07:00

Today I was fortunate enough to be invited to the home of a true master: Bernard Mure Ravaud. Since I've gotten here, I've encountered more coincidences than ever in my life, and how I ended up having lunch with his family is a good one! He is a family friend, and his daughter is going to do an exchange in Victoria next year. She lives in Paris, and happened to be visiting this weekend while I was in town. Bernard wouldn't have known I was from Victoria if my grandfather hadn't mentioned it to him in passing last week..

Bernard (above in his wine cellar) holds Guiness World Records for cheese. He is a cheese expert. His cheese shop here in Grenoble always has a line-up out the door. He knows everything about cheese, and has a passion for his job that I can't even describe. Check out his site, this man is world famous!

Their family was extremely welcoming, and I partook in a feast fit for kings. Here are photos.

Above left and bottom left: photos from Bernard's shop!

Top right: HE IS WORLD FAMOUS! THE BEST IN FRANCE!! cannot overstate his eminence in the world of fromage!!
bottom right: what he brought home from the shop for our lunch. Among these delicacies was a Brie with truffles (!!!) and a goat's cheese dipped in white wine. Also present were the usual suspects: Reblochon, Beaufort, Compte, ahhhhhhh.

This is Margaux and Una, a miniature greyhound. I didn't know this breed existed. All of you who know about my obsession with greyhound/whippets can sense how excited I was to meet her. Totally adorable and wonderful.
Margaux is totally wonderful, too.

Dessert here always seems to involve macarons.

And in case you were wondering what we drank...

My mom arrived tonight :-)

Miss everyone, BISOUS!

15 mai -- Vienne, temple d'Auguste et de Livie

2010-05-15T05:11:00.006-07:00

This is carved into one of the marble stones in the temple's steps.

This is a Roman temple dedicated to the emperor Augustus and his wife Livi. It is located right in the heart of downtown Vienne, and has been part of the city's history since Augustus' reign. It was likely built between 20-10BCE, but was subsequently converted into a church in the XIth century. It underwent significant restorations in the XIXth century, but the rear part of the cella is still original, and it also appears as though the metopes, pediment, and corynthian columns are also original.

The most fascinating part of my visit to the temple was its condition. It is currently "closed" to visitors for restoration, however, the only evidence of this was a tiny sign, the mini-crane you see in my photos, and that tiny, pathetic fence. While I was there, people were freely entering the temple, children were playing on the front steps, and I was able to walk around and examine up-close the remnants of marble blocks that used to be part of the structure. As you can see below from my photos, anyone could have come one night with a van and taken an ancient carved piece of marble from a Roman temple! The French are so blasé about having these treasures in their cities.

14 mai -- Grottes de Choranche

2010-05-13T12:03:00.007-07:00

taken by me today.

those salamanders live to be 100. they've been on earth since before dinosaurs existed. they mature at age 20, and are translucent.

Various Photographs

2010-05-12T10:37:00.007-07:00

All the photos below taken by me in Grenoble today.

I would be carrying my dslr for better quality pics if it would JUST STOP RAINING for more than 30 mins at a time. This blue sky was followed by thunder. Yesterday and the day before I saw lightening. The weather during my trip so far has been abysmal, with no sign of improvement forecast until Sunday.

But enough about the weather.. and more on my dinner last night! Which was an asparagus and lobster appy (below, bottom), followed by ris de veau with fresh morels. Words are just not enough to explain how delicious my meal was.

This stadium is like an exact replica of Lyon's St Exupery airport/station.
Look it up. Calatrava. Just saying.

Ish requested "food porn" so I thought I should post some food on fire.
Talk about memorable presentation. It's like your food is a spectacle, then you devour it. haha.

this was my appetizer last night at Chavant. (!!!!!!)
Accompanied by a delicious glass of white Sancerre, let's just say I was impressed.
Fire was at the next table.

Updated Travel Itinerary

2010-05-12T10:25:00.002-07:00

May 16-25 : My mom is also in France to visit. Will dine at Paul Bocuse's place. Will celebrate my grandfather's birthday.

May 26-28: PARIS!!

May 28: Other half arrives in France. Meet at CDG. Will spend following week in Provence at my uncle's. Will make various short trips around Provence, while using his villa in Aix as our base.

June 8-12: BERLIN!!

June 12-17: Enjoy last days in Grenoble, St Marcellin.

June 17: Alas, all good things come to an end. Trip home.
Saving Norway for another time, as the cost to rebook my flights back to Victoria would exceed $1000 (just for the flights).

Any recommendations? Anyone wanna meet up someplace??

10 mai -- Geneva

2010-05-11T00:55:00.004-07:00

Yesterday I drove to Geneva and back in the afternoon. It's about 150km each way, but people in Europe (not Switzerland, but France, Germany, etc) have a tendency to drive in a manner that I consider rational and appropriate (read: quickly) so it didn't take that long.

There was thunder, lightening, and heavy rain in France that cleared up as soon as we neared the border with Switzerland, no joke. That country is pretty insane what with lights that also turn yellow before turning green, and radars on every street ensuring that everyone drives at the same speed. What's wack is that as soon as you pass the border, the road becomes noticeably crowded with extremely luxurious vehicles; no affordable compacts here. So everyone is in ridiculously expensive performance automobiles but is going the same speed. (Picture a ton of audis on one road all driving at 49 in a 50 zone, hilarious!)

In other news, I had lunch at a sushi restaurant called Sushi Yummy, just like the one in Vancouver where we used to go get the $2.99 Hangover Breakfast Special except with Japanese minimalism and a real Japanese chef. I had a gin and tonic at the hotel bar where the tonic came out of a glass bottle, which I thought was romantic.

Hope everyone is doing well. Send me news! I miss you!
(and if you want a postcard, send me your coordinates because I realized that some are not in my address book, darn)

BISOUS

11 mai -- Park Hotel, Grenoble

2010-05-10T03:06:00.002-07:00

Breakfast.

10 mai -- Grenoble

2010-05-09T12:30:00.005-07:00

I'll be in Grenoble til Thursday, staying at the Park Hotel.

Above are photos of our Sunday lunch. Do not underestimate lunch.
Lunch for 9 people at my aunt's country house included:

Champagne (it's lunch, whatever)
Asparagus and paté
Lamb chops with green beans
Tiramisu (above) , fromages, wine, etc.

Tonight I ate with my grandfather at the only local place that is open on Sundays (nothing is open in France on Sundays). I'm staying in my favourite room in the hotel (the same one I always stay in). This week, I will visit with an old friend from my Toronto days (woo!! Mona!!), visit the museum, hike the Bastille, and other wonderful events.

Please send news! I miss home, and love you all.
Sorry about the crappy iphone photos, I will endeavour to break out the dslr. It's just that every time I do everyone makes comments about my taking photos of the food. To them, it's no big deal. Maybe it's worth the abuse...

BISOUS!

8 mai -- Le Vercors

2010-05-08T09:00:00.005-07:00

The first few days of my trip I was super jetlagged. My flights were terribly long. The only good thing about the trip was that on my trans-atl flight AF had Lagerfeld Confidential. French airlines are cool in that the food is edible and the tv has great options. But the service they provide is beyond terrible.

So it has not been warm or sunny since I got here.. which is getting really depressing.
But here are some fun photos of my escapades!

My grandmother and I went for a drive through the Vercors. To get around, you travel on tiny, winding roads that are just on the edge of cliffs. Veer less than a foot away from the edge of the road, and plummet thousands of meters to your death. Freaky, but amazing. There are also cool tunnels carved into the mountain to get around where avalanches destroyed the old, narrow road.

Each time I go to a supermarket I'm just blown away by the food here. I think that the first day I arrived, I spent about an hour just looking at all the cheese. I chose all the cheese I wanted to eat at the supermarket, then my aunt took my to the actual factory where they make it and bought more there. The cheese here is unreal (I'm totally into it), but so is the produce! It costs a fraction of what it does at home, and it is soooo much better! Entire aisles of beautiful, brilliant varieties of lettuce. The freshest leeks I have ever seen. More than three types of artichokes. Tomatoes in shapes I have never seen nor could I have imagined existed (with names like "Beef heart", seriously weird but so tasty).

below: artichokes, lettuce, cheese factory.

I'm having a blast, but I miss you all very much.

Bisous!!

Norway Trip details

2010-05-06T10:42:00.003-07:00

The last couple of days have been really busy. Below are the details of where I'll be in Norway. I'm trying to figure out a way to also spend a few days in Oslo, as it would be a shame to trek all the way to Norway and miss the capital.

I'm also planning some shorter trips to Berlin, Paris, and other cities in France where I have family. I'll let you know more when I finalize everything. If you're going to be in Europe and want to go for a drink, get in touch!

I have some great photos stored that I'll get to posting later.. more news soon!

xoxo

The Cooking Frog

2010-05-06T02:20:00.002-07:00

visit my mom's French cooking blog!!!!

Norway

2010-05-04T14:07:00.002-07:00

These pictures were both taken by my aunt at about 12am. Seriously.

So glad I'll be visiting Norway next month.

jealous?

4 mai -- st just de claix

2010-05-04T12:19:00.003-07:00

sooooooo big news!

I've decided to extent my stay here in Europe. Turns out that three weeks wasn't long enough for me to be able to fit everything in. If I stay another month, I have time to see Berlin, Provence, and Norway. So that's what I'm doing.

If you want to sublet my superb downtown apartment in Victoria this May-June, please inquire within. I'll be too busy Tromsø. And Berlin. And Lozere. And... !

love! and more news later.

ps. these macarons were on the table waiting for me at my grandmother's house. lovely. and delicious!

3 mai -- ST JUST DE CLAIX

2010-05-03T10:09:00.001-07:00

Arrived safe and sound in France, albeit without my suitcase (which AF alleges is on route to the house now). Our flight arrived on time from Seattle to Paris, but we sat on the tarmac by the runway for 40+ mins waiting for an A-380 to leave for our gate to be free. This left me about ten minutes to make my connection. I crossed CDG airport running like a maniac through security, customs, two major terminals, and just barely made it to my gate in time. They closed it behind me. The guy running just behind me had it shut in his face, whoa. Anyway, made it Lyon sans valise, dealt with the reluctant staff about my missing suitcase, and finally made it to my aunt’s house!!

Have already eaten Ravioles de Royan, napped and showered. Views from the shower include views of the Vercors, open fields, and my aunt’s pony. Tonight’s dinner so far involves a gratin dauphinois.. more on this later!

Ravioles de Royan

Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations

2010-04-11T22:01:00.000-07:00

I just watched the Provence episode of Tony Bourdain’s travel/discovery channel show “Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations”, and what a letdown! A few years back his book Kitchen Confidential made the rounds in my family and was a hit. He seemed hilarious, bashful, and the book demystified much of what goes on behind the scenes in New York’s upscale culinary world. The problem with this show is that it only seems to showcase Bourdain’s attributes that I did not like, while also having the most blatant disregard for the actual subject: the food.

This episode was so dull! Bourdain spends much of his time chatting with a local family about basically nothing (I was bored out of my mind), and when we do get to the food, it’s even more disappointing. First, we watch Bourdain observe an elderly woman as she prepares aioli the traditional way. That was okay but not groundbreaking. Next, Bourdain meets with the owners of a local vineyard who serve him something that looks delicious, and fails to tell us what this dish is! (FAIL). Finally, Bourdain attempts to prepare a provençal meal for the family we met earlier, and makes a dish he calls ratatouille but is nothing of the sort (trust me, I know about ratatouille).

What offended me most about this episode, however, was its negative portrayal of the region Bourdain is waxing poetic about. Instead of even attempting to convey what Southern France is like, the show follows the most blatant and obvious stereotypes you can imagine: men begin drinking at 8am, then play pétanque all day; in fact, the French appear to be drinking Ricard Pastis all day long.

Basically, this episode did not introduce its audience to the Provence I know so well. I am extremely disappointed. Given the way he botched a type of cuisine I know something about, I can’t be expected to trust him when he tells me about a place in the world I am unfamiliar with. Therefore, that is the first and last episode of No Reservations I will ever watch.

ma vie privée

2010-02-08T13:52:00.003-08:00

dearest friends,

thank you for having been so loyal to this blog for so long. you've made it wonderful, and i hope that you will continue to be interested enough in my musings, internet findings, and photographs to follow me over here. i've created a tumblr to replace this blog, where I can post more easily. hope that you can join me there!

luv and rockets,
Veronicahhh

FOLLOW ME...

Broad Street/Trounce Alley

2010-02-06T14:18:00.003-08:00

photographs by Magdalyn.
shoes by Prada, Victoria's Secret, and Jeffrey Campbell.

ASK ME ANYTHING

2010-02-05T19:07:00.000-08:00

If you were a work of art, which one would you like to be? Or you can imagine yourself as a new work. I just want to picture the Veronica Piece. And it can't be a pair of wedge heels.

best question!! love the 2nd part!!
This might surprise you, but i'd love to be a classical marble sculpture. The women are natural and beautiful and timeless and and and.. That's my idea of real, gorgeous beauty.
My 2nd answer is to have a painter who can paint what you look like on the INSIDE on canvas in a portrait of your OUTSIDE. I'm thinking Chaim Soutine..?

I have so many more answers for this!!!!!!!!!!

do u believe to real love ? by ozkn

i believe in real love, but im realistic about what real love is actually like.

I´m Spain but my inglish is very very bad aagg ajaj Ever would travel to Spain? please follow whit me :), I´m veroniica1 by veroniica1

I have been to spain twice and I LOVE IT. it's basically one of my favourite places on the planet. I've been to Madrid, Barcelona, Pamplona, Zaragoza, and to the coast.. best trips ever. I love everything about spain.

ASK ME ANYTHING

Veronicahhh

2010-02-05T18:34:00.006-08:00

i'd like to take this opportunity to just tell y'all that my ladies are the greatest. date night with the girls requires me to get dressed up.

here's me in my peter pan dress and cheap balmain-lookalike-button-up jacket, with jc99s. Watch is the usual bijoux terner (new watch coming soon woot woot!), ring is by Heidi Klum, earrings are swarovski, and tights are rando. I know! I never wear jewellery, right?

have I shown my gorgeous antique rocking chair before? It's one of my favourite things. On it are a chanel silk scarf with a propeller on it (a very excellent and personal gift from my grandma) and a lovely blanket my mom made for me when I was a baby.

don't make fun of my weird facial expressions. i'm a goober when self-photographing.

Found Photographs

2010-02-04T15:50:00.005-08:00

For Mag. Because it resembles cage booties.

via

Want!
want want want!! So Dwight Shrute. So utterly ironic yet functional.

This is superb and not just because of her hat.
Tatyana Usova by Elias Wessel
Futureclaw January 2010.

yummmmmmmmm oysters! via
So guess who CAN'T WAIT til Dinearound? MEMEMEMEME

These LOVE covers are just insane. I mean, one is better than the next, then you see
Naomi's and Lara's together like this and nothing else in this world matters.

Alma, captured by Mr.Newton.
She's currently doing a style phase inspired by Amelia Earhart and i think it works.

little-flower-school

Zana makes this belt, and I want one.

Grown-up kate is so electrifying.. i just see photos like this and swoon.
Harper's Bazaar/Peter Lindbergh

Hanne is still one of my fave models even though I don't talk about her all the time.
Here she is photographed by Lina Scheynius for Numero Korea 2010.

gmp architekten, the new Cape Town Stadium will host more than 65,000 soccer fans that will enjoy eight World Cup matches.
via archdaily

Lara always looks glum. Here she is looking glum at Givenchy.

uhh impeccable!!
Catherine Holstein+Evisu
via and via

1950s architecture still reigns supreme, even in places with no John DiCastri.
Alexander Home in the Twin Palms Neighborhood (formerly known as Royal Desert Palms), Palm Springs, California. Palmer & Krisel, architects. 1957.

At left, Tiffany and co. At right, MbyMJ.
i want these keychains sooo baddd.

Went to Film Fest to see J'ai tué ma mère (2009) and can firmly say it has been a long time since I saw a film that made me think, that gripped me, that beat me, that immersed me as much as this Canadian flick.

This was sent to me and I love it.
Esp the Chloe wedges.

This was sent to me and I love it.
I can't tell if it's Doutzen but it's close enough!

GPOYW

2010-02-03T14:13:00.006-08:00

Maybe it's weird that almost every top I own now has some variation of batwing sleeve.. but I just love them, even if they are complicated to fold into outerwear (not that we need it right now, this weather is eerily nice for February).
I'm still not over how white these sneakers are. I've voiced my concerns about them being so white before, but I thought the awkwardness would subside with time. Maybe it hasn't because people keep remarking how clean and white I've managed to keep them. I know they mean well, but I can't help but feel that all people notice on me are my white sneakers. So silly, because I love them so much that I wear them almost all the time now, but yeah.
These hyacinths have been blooming in my place and they smell gooooood! They pop up in a matter of hours into this delightful, colourful piece of nature, smile at you for a few days, then topple over as if they are too heavy for their architectural selves to support. So sad, but there are many more for me I guess. Those pics are from yesterday, and today I have a pink and a white one smiling at me from under the window.
Those watercolours of geishas are by my sister when she used to be an artist. For a while now I haven't known where to put them in my place, but I'm leaving them in that awkward yet highly visible spot because I love her anyway and they are so beautiful.

Art Installation

2010-02-03T10:13:00.001-08:00

Profile -- Judy Jetson

2010-02-03T09:47:00.005-08:00

The other day, a friend told me I looked like Judy Jetson because I was wearing a top with bold shoulders. I realized that Judy and I actually have a lot in common!

We both love kicking back with a good book and watching movies..

We both love nice cars, and can both drive stick..

We both have an appreciation for art, and talking about art..

We both have a sweet apartment with a great view..

And we both count our brother and dog as our best friends!

all images from google.

Die Antwoord

2010-02-02T21:52:00.004-08:00

don't even think for one second that im joking about this. im digging this like crazy. stuck in my head like what. im also considering a haircut. well that last bit might be a joke. but yea- ohhh em geeee!

and weirdly, this video kind of reminds me of this dismal ~~German~~ Austrian movie, called Dog Days (one of those random movies I've seen and love that no one has even heard of).

Found Photographs Tuesday

2010-02-02T10:17:00.005-08:00

I ain't runnin'

by Ryan

William Hundley
Art Now on Cheeseburgers, 2007
18 x 24 inches.

of course I should have posted this ages ago, but still.

Sean Smith, photographer/filmmaker for The Guardian in Afghanistan.

Jupiter's northern aurora captured by the hubble telescope.

Paris, by grey.

CUE at the VAG via
i promise that I'm not going to van til this is done.
even if i want to more than anything..

Rare photograph of Bergman found during the bergman auction.

Antonio Canova. Psyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss. 1787.
you don't say.

toothpastefordinner FTW

My bff got knee high boots LIKE THESE and looks about as amazing as can be.
such a sexy look.

NOT TELLING!!
(stay tuned)

DUO : This Decade

2010-02-01T17:03:00.005-08:00

At left: Vanity Fair's "A New Decade, A New Hollywood" issue. At right: Benetton circa 90s.

Yes, there are a number of actresses included into this cover that may be of the up-and-coming sort, and some of them possess real acting talent (I'm not talking about Kristen Stewart, don't worry guys). However, are the folks at Vanity Fair confident about asserting that there is not a single non-white female actress who is worth even the slightest consideration in this entire upcoming decade? Kind of a bold, exclusive position to take I should think. The dinosaurs over at Vanity Fair must not watch very many movies other than Twilight, Dear John, and An Education. Shame!

Instead of taking this buffoonery of a magazine or its cover seriously, let us reminisce about the 90s, when Benetton was reminding us of what the world really looks like to those of us who actually live in it.

P.S. Evan Rachel Wood is hardly a "new face", gomers.

partly inspired my michael k.

Sunday Playlist 090131

2010-01-31T10:05:00.004-08:00

look, guys, no Jay-Z! Just a melancholic Sunday compilation..

BOH!

2010-01-29T11:06:00.003-08:00

all photos via WILFOX

Found Photographs

2010-01-29T09:15:00.009-08:00

and that is why I drink your milkshake. I drink it up.

This is so good on so many levels. I need to re-up my look and am putting
this into the inspiration folder. Think I'm ready to reconsider hoods as a
possibility (after a two-year shun). Also, I think I'm going to cautiously attempt
restrained hints of colour. Other suggestions?

For Mag.

local talent update: get the podcast here.

by Ryan McGinley

backstage at Prada.

Bara Holotova is one of my new faves. She's the perfect
hybrid of Lara Stone and Anna Paquin. from tfs.

While everyone is busy posting Anja with snakes (for Paris Vogue and McQueen),
I will take the Marie Antoinette route and post her with a little lamb.
Anja Rubik in Vogue Nippon, march 2010.

photo from allsaints.
i'm awaiting with devastating anticipation a package we have coming!! dresses!!
also- these boots are so reminiscent of Hudsons and i want them.

picture of airplane by Matt Savage.

EXCITING!!
fellow vic residents, come out to support some rad local talent!

for my birthday wishlist im perusing a lot of Henrik Vibskov

10 men winter 09.10 photo- Andrea Spotorno

part of my ongoing "fashion+native americans" fascination.

Adad Hannah On Location 2008, c
colour photograph 102 x 136 cm Edition of 7
Produced with the cooperation of the Museo Nacional del Prado.

IVE BEEN THERE. One of the best rooms in one of the best museums on the planet.

Lo
Tell me about your outfit, what are you wearing?
- I am wearing boots from Dr. Martens, tights from H&M, coat from Weekday, scarf from Gina Tricot and a vintage bag.

John Baldessari, Pencil Story (1972-73).

Dear Tracy Jordan,

2010-01-28T18:52:00.002-08:00

or, you can ASK TINA!

Kate Moss x Longchamp

2010-01-28T17:35:00.000-08:00

While I'm away writing my dissertation...

2010-01-27T10:25:00.001-08:00

...here are some Shiba Inu to keep you entertained.

How do you fix the tear in a Picasso?

2010-01-27T09:29:00.003-08:00

The Story:

A rare Picasso painting at New York' City's Metropolitan Museum of Art was damaged with a 6-inch tear when an art lover lost her balance and stumbled into the $80 million work of art. link.

Pablo Picasso The Actor 1905 6' x 4'

The Solution:

By Slate's Explainer.

The torn ends of the canvas can probably be lined up, and conservators can identify matching fibers on either side of the rip by inspecting them under a microscope. In general, you can expect the wefts in the fabric—that is, the crosswise yarns of the weave—to split at the site of the impact. The lengthwise warps tend to get stretched out, but they may not break.
The rip itself can be mended in a few different ways. First, the conservator can line up the torn ends and affix them to a new piece of fabric that lines the back of the painting. She might also try to attach the torn ends to each other using a method called Rissverklebung, in which individual fibers are rewoven back into place.
To reweave the warps and wefts, you have to figure out the proper placement of each individual fiber. Bits of paint that are stuck to the fibers must be glued in place or removed until the reweaving is complete. (Conservators map out the location of each paint flake they remove so it can be replaced in precisely the right spot.) Because an accident will stretch out some fibers and fray others, you sometimes have to tie off and shorten some threads while attaching new material to lengthen others. Threads attached to the back of the canvas will reinforce the seam.
Closing the tear is only the first part of the process. An accident can damage the painting in other places by stretching the fabric and distorting the image. To correct for these planar distortions, the conservators try to change the lengths of individual fibers or small patches of the canvas. Applied humidity can make a fiber expand across its diameter and shrink across its length—and tighten up distended parts of the weave.
Bits of paint that have fallen off the painting must also be replaced. Wynn might have surveyed the scene of the accident and saved any stray bits of paint for the conservators in a petri dish. Conservators have to touch up spots of missing paint with fresh material, color-matched to the surrounding area.
One more thing: Conservators always try to make their repairs reversible. That way, you won't cause any permanent damage to the work if you screw up, and someone can always try to improve on your work in the future.

Memes

2010-01-25T16:27:00.004-08:00

Here's a reblog of someone else's ideas regarding the meme:

By Himanshu Suri, Victor Vazquez, and Ashok Kondabolu Tuesday, Jan 19 2010

So, I Wikipedia'd the word "meme." Apparently, a meme is "a postulated unit of cultural ideas, symbols, or practices, which can be transmitted from one mind to another through speech, gestures, rituals, or other imitable phenomena." Its Greek root roughly translates to "something imitated."
A publicity campaign for any product, be it a band, a fast-food chain, consent for an unjust war, or a sexy scented body spray can be understood as a meme, a threading of an idea into the psyche of a culture by means of repeated and varied reference. Implicit to the definition of a meme seems to be the participation of its audience in its own proliferation, from a fan doing a YouTube video tribute to "Single Ladies" to the rhetoric of a presidential speechwriter trickling down into an op-ed writer's piece and slipping into casual conversations. Culture can be seen as a network of memes, and marketing can be seen as a means of monetizing/commodifying/capitalizing on those memes.

Unrelated but brilliant portion of this article I had to include:

When you go to a combination Pizza Hut and Taco Bell, you are at the Pizza Hut and you are at the Taco Bell and you are at the combination Pizza Hut and Taco Bell. The space is transformed by a corporate language from one single physical space to a number of illusory spaces. These spaces serve to expand the illusion of choice. The space has been recontextualized. It's comparable to covering walls with mirrors to make a room appear bigger.

And yes, I admit that this post was mostly just an excuse to post that Xzibit/Exhibit braintwister. But hey, this isn't tumblr where I can just post stuff randomly. I have to be all organized about everything. Hence the clever rhetoric to accompany the photo.

Found Photographs

2010-01-25T10:09:00.003-08:00

Basically, Jude Law saved Holmes for me. His Watson was terrific.

These new Diesel ads are pretty controversial. I mean, Stupid? Is that really what
they're asking me to aspire to? I can wear your clothes and be stupid? Maybe I don't get it.

This looks EXACTLY like my best friend!
down to the MJs and the shortshort shift.
your hair will soon be this long, baby!

New study finds that asteroids weathered by billions of years in space, such as Eros [above], can be superficially refreshed by seismic shaking induced by close planetary encounters.
via scientific american

Ok so ongoing discussions about how awesome Akitas are.
this Parisian akita photographed by grey.

Stieg Larsson in 1998.
I'm sure that if you know me you've heard me rant in a good way about Stieg Larsson,
author of the Millenium Trilogy. Nothing compares, seriously, nothing. Get the books, read them, don't waste any more time.
Plus, he was kind of a fox. R.I.P.
Photograph from Vanity Fair, where Hitchens (yes, Christopher Hitchens) wrote an article about him.

Maryna Linchuk and Salvatore Morale in Allure December 2009.
that's her boyfriend irl. so sensuous.

Lara, I know you're all engaged and that congratulations are in order, but
I expect nothing less than this photo from you at all times.

Eva Herzigova by Maciek Kobielski, Marie Claire Italia February 2001.

I'm in total love with this look.
Anna Dello Russo, Fashion Director at Large of Vogue Nippon.

Luxirare Wedges

2010-01-24T17:06:00.001-08:00

These boots by Luxirare.

MAXXI

2010-01-24T13:43:00.006-08:00

Zaha Hadid is probably my favourite living architects, despite the fact that I have never even seen one of her buildings. Few of them have been built, and I have seen exhibitions of her work, for example the show at the Guggenheim a couple years ago. She is the only woman to have won the prestigious Pritzker Prize in architecture, and she defies both gravity and the human imagination. Here is her latest endeavour, and I might just have to get myself to Italy next spring to see it.

From the outside, the Maxxi building appears almost modest. Hadid explains that she hopes it will be fashion-proof. Instead, she has reserved her architectural firepower for the interior ...

Should curators wish to create more galleries, floating walls can be hung from the dark concrete ribs snaking along the building's ceilings; these can support a sculpture weighing up to a tonne. Photograph: Roland Halbe

by Jonathan Glancey
guardian.co.uk, Monday 16 November 2009 21.30 GMT

Excerpts from the article:

The walls of Hadid's new museum, unveiled to the public this month, not only curve but change in depth as they do so. There are moments where walls become floors and even threaten to become ceilings, diving and curving like bobsleigh tracks. (When I went there last week, Hadid told me she wanted the building's concrete curves to "unwind like a ribbon in space".)

This is a building of few colours: black, white, grey and the varied cream of exposed concrete. The walls and balustrades of the gallery's extraordinary stairs and passageways have been finished in the thick black primer used as an undercoat for new cars. (Highly durable and slightly rough to look at, the paint is surprisingly smooth to the touch.) The stairways rise up through the lobby, with their bare metal treads, disappearing mysteriously into the far recesses of the museum; the effect is cinematic – Piranesian, even – and wholly compelling.

In one sense, however, Maxxi is happily old-fashioned. It has been built on-site by local contractors using materials close to hand; Rome led the way when it came to concrete construction 2,000 years ago, and these ambitious new curved walls are made of Roman concrete. "It does sound odd when I say it," says Racana, "but this has been a little like building a medieval cathedral." And, like a medieval cathedral, the museum is in fact several structures gathered together. Tough new legislation ensuring the ability of new buildings to withstand seismic shock was put in place after the earthquake of October 2002, which rocked Italy's Molise and Puglia regions, and was felt in Rome. As a result, the museum consists of five separate buildings leaning against one another, designed to withstand powerful natural shocks.

Art Crimes

2010-01-24T11:13:00.001-08:00

A thief in Paris planned to steal some paintings from the Louvre. After carefully planning, he got past security, stole the paintings and made it safely to his van. However, he was captured only two blocks away when his van ran out of gas.

When asked how he could mastermind such a crime and then make such an obvious error, he replied:

“Monsieur, I had no Monet to buy Degas to make the Van Gogh.”

(And you thought I lacked De Gaulle to post a story like this.)

via, and via jillsies.

Herschel Supply Co.

2010-01-22T08:48:00.005-08:00

images styled by beadedeagle2

Burberry

2010-01-21T12:22:00.001-08:00

Transe des sens

2010-01-20T20:54:00.003-08:00

Transe des sens by Mario Testino, styled by Carine Roitfeld, Vogue Paris June/July 2005.
speaking of which, guess who got a subscription to Vogue Paris for xmas?

Torqued Elipse IV and Intersection II

2010-01-20T17:32:00.000-08:00

via hydeordie

Found Photographs

2010-01-19T08:54:00.005-08:00

The legs of Vogue Paris, 1994.

Maya Barkai's “Walking Men 99” at 99 Church Street in the financial district has 99 versions of the international “walk” sign. via nyt

oh Kim Noorda, you look stunning here in your red leopard jacket,
driving through the desert in the oldest car in the world.

want. the perfect nye shoe.

bonus points to you if you know what this is from!

Thanks, Best Friends. You know who you are and you make my life less complicated.
love you.

If you haven't seen this yet, you should. I only mention it like once a week.

So Rapvsweden posted this seriously awesome article by Joe Clark about signage in the TTC.
and cuz I'm the ultra-nerd I read the whole thing with fascination. Seriously, amazing. Read it. Thanks, Ian.

idea for a gift: these mint-green mugs by Suuskeramiek on etsy

So the other day Mag shows up with a cropped version of this Dries sweater. Well, not the dries one but one just as good. I am obsessed with the colour. I am obsessed with these sweaters. want want want. This one from jaknjil.

STORY OF MY LIFE

seriously radical. by ELDING OSCARSON found over at jillsies.

via

photo by louise enhörning

what she's holding.
Emily Di Donato by Guy Aroch

photo by ali bosworth

I am not a robot

2010-01-18T17:15:00.000-08:00

totally love this video.

arc-en-ciel

2010-01-18T11:01:00.002-08:00

this morning.

Under the bridge

2010-01-18T09:30:00.003-08:00

Photography by Patience.
some of you may recognize this from my wall at home.

Found Photographs

2010-01-13T09:23:00.006-08:00

languageofstreet

Terry and Daria, from Terry's blog (yes, it's real)

Rick Owens mural, via fashionflux

DUO by dandygum
left George Clements by Jürgen Teller
right ' Two Synchronised slide projections of found images' by Germaine Kruip

La couture est dans le pré
Photographed by Patrick Demarchelier
Styled by Carine Roitfeld
Model- Natasha Poly
Vogue Paris October 2007

Julia R-R for KULT
ICYMI

CONNELLY YOU KILL ME!!!!!!!!!!

haw-lin

I like every single one of Hasisi Park's photos.
and i like watermelon, but not sure I want it with my coffee.

ogden point dog walk anyone?
via

Drome Fall 2009 photo by Kris De Smedt

Charlotte forever! Charlotte Gainsbourg in Rodarte SS2010

Alena Chendler's photostream

Agar and Sandy, Big Sur
Photo by Hunter S. Thompson 1961
via

for robyn.
for anyone: get me those boots.

Dome full of antlers, Life Magazine, May 31, 1948 p.14
via jillsies.

100112

2010-01-13T08:58:00.003-08:00

This gorgeous sheepskin vest is from my mom, who has had it since the early '70s.
Everything else I am wearing is boring because I wear the same thing every day.

Let The Right One In

2010-01-12T18:59:00.005-08:00

This set of Ernesta photographed by David Shama.

duo: sharks

2010-01-12T09:34:00.004-08:00

If you read this blog, you already know that I love to make fun of Damien Hirst (evidence: here, here, etc.)despite my respect for his ability to create momentous changes in the art market (some context here). Here's another way to have a laugh at his expense.

at left: Stuckism International Gallery (London) A DEAD SHARK ISN'T ART 1989
at right: Damien Hirst The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living 1991 Tiger shark, glass, steel, 5% formaldehyde solution 213 x 518 x 213 cm

From Stuckism's site:

Eddie Saunders caught a shark in 1989 and displayed it in his J.D. Electrical Supplies shop in Shoreditch, London (i.e. two years before Damien Hirst's shark, a.k.a. The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living), but Eddie's shark received no wider attention, until it was borrowed for A Dead Shark Isn't Art exhibit in the window of the Stuckism International Gallery, 17 April - 18 July 2003. This exhibit opened the same day as the new Saatchi Gallery at County Hall, a centrepiece of which was the display of Hirst's shark yet again.

"The rather magnificent Stuckist movement of figurative artists has a simple explanation: the art establishment in London has been dominated for too long by an in-group which favours only the conceptual art of Hirst and his colleagues." - Nick Cohen, Evening Standard 17.9.08

A shark displayed two years before Damien Hirst's first shark is on sale for the unmissable bargain price of only £1,000,000, a considerable saving on the £9,500,000 sale price of Hirst's latest version The Kingdom sold at Sotheby's.

Train From Sarajevo to Belgrade Revived

2010-01-12T09:13:00.009-08:00

Photo slideshow fromPhotography by Christoph Bangert

(related article here)

The new Sarajevo Central Station in Bosnia and Herzegovina. After 18 years, the famous train line from Sarajevo to Belgrade is running again.

The interior of the Sarajevo Central Station, left. The Sarajevo-to-Belgrade train line had been one of the few physical links that bound Muslims, Serbs and Croats before war broke out.
The new train is hardly luxurious, with mismatched rail cars belonging to three different railway companies.
The station agent did not accept credit cards and wrote out each ticket by hand. A round-trip ticket to Belgrade, the Serbian capital, cost around $45, a bargain compared with a plane ticket, which often costs six times as much.
Lala Tomljanovic and Vera Bagur, both 68, who share an apartment in Sarajevo, rode the train from Sarajevo to Belgrade for the first time in 18 years.
Sasa Mehmedagic, 21, left, boarded the train with two friends, at the town of Doboj, during the first engine change after the train passed the boundary within Bosnia between the Muslim-Croat federation and the Serb Republic. "I think young people realize that nationalism and racism are wrong because we are all from the same flesh," Mr. Mehmedagic said. "I am half-Muslim and half-Serb and I'm proud of it."
The train journey now requires four different locomotives from four seperate railway companies, two passport checks and more than eight hours to voyage about 300 miles.
Back in Sarajevo for a visit, Zeljko Bilanovic, 59, an economist and publisher, and his wife decided to go to Belgrade and called the resumption of service a good sign in a time of stalemate and even setbacks. "It's the train of hope," he said.

Found Photographs -- 11th

2010-01-11T09:08:00.005-08:00

rabenschwarz

yummo!!!!!
reward for the one who finds this for me.

Still can't find a nice red dress. I would accept this pink one as a substitute.

let's do it.

This kind of makes me hate Sofia and trust me, I love Sofia.

Stil in Berlin makes me want to go to Berlin again, now that I'm older and
can really appreciate the architecture (and nightclubs).

My friends are awesome and send me photos of shoes. Thanks!

Ultimate shoe collection: Zana. Check out those Rick Owens' at far right. Swoon.

Emile Hirsch and Sean Penn with a soundtrack by Eddie Vedder actually makes Into The Wild a tolerable movie. The book glorifies an inexperienced, naive dreamer who basically kills himself by making some really bad decisions in Alaska. You and I should talk about this if you're not familiar with the story.

Devon Aoki captured by David Mushegain

want this lamp, seriously. via Paish!
not dissimilar to this one, also on my wishlist.

Karlie Kloss is just raking in the campaigns this season. Good thing I love her face.

Manhattan, via MoMA

You know I like skulls: foxes, porcupines, deer. I find them in the forest while mushroom hunting and clean them, glue the teeth back in, and display them on my bookshelf. They are natural and beautiful and a constant memento mori. This one isn't mine, it's from adventuresonfilm.

I signed the referendum. Even if you want a new bridge, you have to agree that signing a referendum means we get to decide together. You can still say "no" on the referendum. So let us have a referendum. I'm oddly passionate about this subject. I talk about it in the most inappropriate venues. It's embarrassing, but yeah. The Blue Bridge. Image from the TC.

Good question. Possible answers include: doing schoolwork, wedge-heeled shoes, how to arrange the furniture in my apartment, how to not wear black H2T, and other mindless pursuits. But I am much happier now that I can just think about you.

cats

2010-01-07T23:56:00.003-08:00

Disclaimer: this whole story is for fun, because I am allergic to cats anyway.
I have said many times before that I would only want a cat if I could have Maru. My love for Maru extends beyond the internet, as I occasionally mention him in conversation to people who know I am not a lunatic. Or to you guys because you are my audience and you put up with my irrational love of a cat who is good at boxes (evidence: here).
That said, I have this folder of random images (mostly nice shoes and angsty photos) that plays as my screensaver (I'm sure you've seen it if you've ever come over) and it has a photo of Renee's cat, Dylan. And I feel like I could settle for him if Maru wasn't available, he's ugly enough.
I found these hilarious photos of cats on Mandy's blog. And I'm not like super obsessed with kittens like every other cute chick blogger on the internet/tumblr, trust me, but these cats are amazing for being just the opposite: ugly, slightly creepy, and hilarious. If you want to see the rest, click here. The photos are by Alissa Eberle.

gpoyw

2010-01-06T18:35:00.004-08:00

photobooth is weird.

janvier

2010-01-06T17:59:00.002-08:00

Since I had a whole month off from school, apart from the massive amounts of marking I have to do, I'm finding it hard to adjust to going back. Don't you wish you could be on vacation all the time?

This month, I have quite a few large projects going on with work and school. Hope you don't mind that I'll have to slow down the blog a bit. Don't worry, I'll be back to full-time soon enough, but until I've caught up on everything I need to focus on real life stuff.

Thanks to all of you who follow this blog. You make it worthwhile, and I appreciate your comments. I've had a few incidents recently in real life that have made me worry about privacy, but I'm working through that. In the meantime, thanks and hope to see a lot of all of you in 2010!

To everyone busy with work or school, let's just bear down and work hard. Once summer is here we can wear sunhats and ride bikes in the country like Brigitte Bardot here.

091231

2010-01-04T22:04:00.003-08:00

First Found Photographs of 2010

2010-01-04T16:52:00.007-08:00

Charlotte in Wowmagazine.

Ish this photo actually had me loling over my coffee.

You said it, Mia.

This photo is reason number 465481 that I love this woman.
Lykke is my ultimate girl crush. great voice, great shoes, great dance moves,
great black ensembles, great legs, i can go on ad nauseum.

via thecontributingeditor

Photo by Patrick D'dell in zero1magazine

Isn't it weird that this editorial is from Vice? They usually just had eds of girls eating
ice cream cones in gold AA bathing suits or something. Anyway, I want to rock this look in
its entirety.
the info: OTO- CHIARA ROMAGNOLI Moda- Rossana Passalacqua Assistente foto- Alberto Tandoi Assistente moda- Raffaella Cara Modella- Tatiana (Select)

The ONLY thing I would have done in the snow if we'd had a white Christmas here in Victoria.
via

Historic Pier photograph from MoMA

Photograph of Kits Beach by Lindsay Allikas

You want me to say who I am?
KM forever. i-D forever.

"Cabin & Woods is a project published in collaboration with Coley Brown.
We both experienced the wild scandinavian forest and wanted to share different points of view. Two books, kept together by a single band, 16 pages each, full color."

not sure why this is included here but it put a smile on my face..
via

minus the crocs.
photo by Cristiano Guerri

my future dog, frolicking in a wheat field, tongue out.
via

Freja of the week, for Robyn

JFMAMJJASOND

2010-01-04T12:08:00.004-08:00

"Develop interest in life as you see it. " - Henry Miller

atoz

2010-01-02T12:20:00.005-08:00

A - Age: XXIIII
B - Bed size: Double.
C - Chore you hate: checking my voicemail.
D - Dog’s name: Jules.
E - Essential start your day item: Coffee.
F - Favorite colors: White, because it contains all the other colours.
G - Gold or Silver: Silver. I don't wear much jewellery and have neither as fillings in my mouth.
H - Height: 5’8. Unless I am wearing wedges.
I - Instruments you play: none. But I know how to whistle.
J - Job title: Teaching Assistant.
K – Kids: not today.
L - Living Arrangements: Come over whenever you want.
M - Mother’s name: Celeste, wife of Babar.
N - Nicknames: not really a nickname, but I am Vero. Or, urban ninja? hahaha.
O - Overnight hospital stay other than birth: Yes, but I can't remember.
P - Pet Peeve: Grudges, bad grammar, guilt-trips, pineapple on pizza.
Q - Quote from a movie: Kevin McCallister: "Buzz, your girlfriend. WOOF!"
R - Right or left handed: Right.
S - Siblings: one of each.
T - Time you wake up: 1045. The good times are killing me and I'm trying to catch up on sleep. Last night I fell asleep at 8pm while watching Casablanca. Seriously :-(
U - Underwear: yes.
V - Vegetable you dislike: beets.
W - Workout style: yoga with Kiki.
X - X-rays you’ve had: Teeth, but I try to refrain.
Y - Yesterday’s best moment: waking up.
Z - Zoo favorite: belugas at Vancouver Aquarium.

sweat pants

2010-01-02T11:17:00.000-08:00

ask me anything

2010-01-02T10:55:00.002-08:00

ask me anything:
HERE

So how was it?

best new year's in recent memory!!

who is your favourite artist in general?

This is nearly impossible for me to answer. Choosing a single artist is asking me to leave a lot out. But here are a couple names that may not be as obvious as Klimt, Cezanne or Picasso:
Martin Puryear, Andrea Zittel, Brian Jungen, and Owen Kydd. Also- this changes frequently.

there is such one photo you look like a person who do like to listening to hip hop, is it right?

hahah! I sometimes like hip hop when I am going out dancing. However, I should admit that I did just get the new Jay-z album and have had that playing a lot in my place recently.
Normally, I am not really into hip hop.

which female poet is the most inspiring for you?

I hardly ever read poetry. I can't explain why, as I have enjoyed the poetry that I've read, but poetry doesn't inspire me like some books do.

which male poet is the most inspiring for you?

see other poetry answer.

do you have a lovely love animal, but a special one like the tapir?

I'm not sure what a lovely love animal is, but if I had to venture a guess, I'd say mine is a manatee!

Any amusing/terrifying/funny sex stories?

I find sex in general amusing/terrifying/funny.
that's the best answer I can give you as my mom and grandma are sometimes on the blog.

my english is baaad (maybe you know who i am?) so i will ask you some stupid questions, like... which tumblrs are you favourites at the moment? that was no°1, no°2 will come soon...

hmm, my favourite tumblr alternates depending on what I like at the moment.. But these are the ones I'm always looking at:
jillsies.tumblr.com, Alaskaneyes.tumblr.com, and of course anything that has either Lara Stone or nice architecture works, too.

Ask me anything

2009-12-31T15:04:00.003-08:00

ask me anything:
HERE

Which movie could you watch 100 times over and still love it as much as the first time? - secret anonymous cinema enthusiast extraordinaire

This is a good question, and Café Lumière is the first film that comes to mind, with Pulp Fiction as a close second.

Are you going to be cool or what?

Well damn if you ain't so sweet you make sugar taste just like salt.

ask me anything

2009-12-30T14:12:00.001-08:00

ask me anything:
HERE

Similar to the last person who wrote, I too have never commented on your blog. But I absolutely love it. I stumbled upon your blog over the summer and I feel like such a creep because I check it 1-5 times a day. I've never been to Canada and I've always wanted to visit Montréal, but now Victoria is on my list of places to visit! Also, I really appreciate your style. (I suppose that wasn't really a question). Question: You've shown your lovely living room in pictures...What does your bedroom look like?

wow, thank you! I'm glad you like the blog, and I definitely recommend visiting Victoria. Let me know when you are here, I will show you around.

my apartment looks big and luxurious in photos (haha) but it's actually very small. Because I live right downtown, the location is the premium and the place is smaller. My bedroom is just off from the living room, and I'll try to take some photos to give you a tour sometime in the next couple of days.

Fav. alcoholic beverage?

CHAMPAGNE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

when that is out of the question, i drink g&ts or local beer.

091229 -- bruised

2009-12-29T22:22:00.004-08:00

have this random bruise under my right lower lash line that kind of makes me look badass (if you can notice it).
just got these new white vans sneakers. i went for a walk in them and i just felt silly, like all anyone could notice were my new, white sneakers.
seriously haven't taken off the turtle-shell scarf since i got it.. i even wear it indoors a lot. it's absolutely perfect.
it was so lovely and sunny here this week, what a treat in December. Sadly the forecast now calls for rain til friday. but don't worry that won't stop us from piling on the eyeliner in exactly two nights time. where are you going to be for nye? and most importantly, which dress will you wear?

ask me anything (part II)

2009-12-29T10:50:00.001-08:00

ask me anything:
HERE

Vero ! I love your blog, I have never left a comment but I come regularly and I really enjoy it a lot ! My question is ... when is your next visit to Grenoble (because I live there now) ? I am coming to Vancouver during the Olympics; my second question is...if you're around would you like to meet up ? C'est tout! Bises. (Monique)

Dear Mona,
I would love to see you! Hopefully you can come visit Victoria (ferry ride away) while you are in Vancouver.
I'll be in Grenoble sometime this spring, as soon as I've defended my dissertation and am all done with my MA. Would absolutely love to see you there! grosses bises, Vero.

Found Photographs -- Monday

2009-12-28T14:57:00.002-08:00

Jason Schwartzman for Boy by Band of Outsiders.
If you don't like Jason Schwartzman then go away.

Kirsten Dunst in same series as Jason above.

uh hawt. photo by saga

RICK RUBINNNNNN
by Annie Leibovitz via

T-MINUS TO NEW YEARSSSSSSS WOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
photo by richardericksen

Photography by Petra Collins & Laura Lynn Petrick

This photo has all the elements: animal skull, milk (though not choc), long brown hair, languid face..

This ring could be an acceptable belated christmas gift.
via

Jean-Michel Basquiat by James Van Der Zee , 1982

Marie Antoinette's room.
via

all I need.

via heaven/haven. Donna has found all the best founds with text on the internet
and compiled them into the most epic post. check it out!

with my new tube scarf (aka turtle shell scarf) this could easily be me.
via

Other version of "could be me" with turtle shell scarf. But with a brick wall that isn't mine.

No wonder I'm obsessed with Chloe Sevigny. Look at where she lives!
via jillsies.

YES!
I want a bike so that I can look this cool. I don't need it because I am too close to everything to
actually use a bike. It's almost too close to walk. But think of how perfect this look is!
via

So props to Robyn for finding the most incredible hotel ever.

Photo by Lina Scheynius.

ask me anything

2009-12-26T15:53:00.010-08:00

ask me anything:
HERE

Respond Delete

Random, but how is katelyn doing? Haven't talked to her for a couple months now! Apart from that, great blog - may not get some of the subtleties but appreciate the art nonetheless :) Brian

If you are talking about Kaitlyn, then I can assure you that she is doing very well. She is looking beautiful, she is going after all of her dreams, and she seems happy and healthy.
Thank you for checking out my blog.. sorry if the subtleties are too subtle, but I'm glad you like the art stuff.
xov

how do you actually feel about your body? i feel like that is a topic that we can't discuss because you always see the beauty in these things... the other day i was playing a game in my mind that i sometimes play. i look at a random women with a great body and think "would i change bodies with that woman even if it meant risking that fact that i would possibly get her flaws?" usually the answer is yes. then i thought, i wonder if my friends ever play this game? when i thought of you i thought, i bet veronica Never plays.

You're right, I don't ever play that game. I try not to envy other women because like you mention, everyone has flaws, and though it wasn't always this way, I'm at a point where I am comfortable with mine.
To answer the first question, I should say that I'm happy with the way that I look. Of course, I have moments when I think it's all wrong, but I try to make those as rare as possible. I'm pretty lucky overall, and I try to focus on the positives (the things I like about my body).
Anonymous, I wish you felt that we could talk about this. It's odd that you say we "can't" discuss this because I do see the beauty in these things. I think that the female form is beautiful no matter what.. and that is worth celebrating (and discussing).
Sorry this answer is so convoluted but I have a lot of ideas and I'm trying to be a succinct as possible here. Hope that answers it?

What attracted you to art history, and what do you plan to do with your degree? Are you interested in teaching, or would you rather work in the commercial realm?

I took an introductory art history course during my undergrad and loved it. I decided to take a few more courses in the department and by the end of 2nd year I realized it should be my major. The reason I like it is mostly that I get to study history through material culture.
Basically, I enjoy art history, and therefore did well in school. I pursued an MA because I wasn't sure what else my next step was going to be and I had the grades.
Though I love being a teaching assistant, I'm not sure I want to be a teacher, nor am I necessarily planning to work in that field.
Basically, I have no idea what I am going to do come April when I'm done.

Why are you so mean?

I'm not a mean-spirited person.
But I do know it might be time for you to start thinking about moving on.

mic check... hello? is this thing on?

haha yes it is!!

Where do you live?

in downtown Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.

This is one of the handful or so of blogs that I read regularly, so thanks first of all. Secondly, what does blogging, um, 'do' for you? This isn't meant to sound over the top. I know for me it's a way to write without feeling pressure, a way to turn friends onto new stuff, and also a bad habit, kind of like smoking cigarettes. What do you like about it, does it motivate you, do you see yourself doing it in five years?

Cool question!

I started this blog when I moved to Vancouver, and it became a way for me to keep in touch with my friends in Victoria (and elsewhere). The reason I still blog is that it became kind of like a public diary. I often refer back to it myself, and one day my hope is to print it all out and keep it to look at when I'm old. It's a way for me to share some of the random stuff I find in my adventures on the internet, to share my photos and activities, and learn basic html (lol).
I have no idea if I'll be doing it in five years. I am glad that I have loyal readers (thank you) and the blog's modest popularity partly keeps me going, but I can't predict how long doing it will "do" it for me.

dear loyal blog friends,

2009-12-24T16:16:00.001-08:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS CUTIES!!!! <3<3

Found Photographs - The eve of Christmas eve

2009-12-23T13:47:00.004-08:00

Note:
I'm having too much fun to blog. So bear with me and I'll talk to y'all in January
when I have to go back to real life.
Hope everyone has a fantastic holiday with family, friends, happiness, and festivities.
Love, V

After christmas I'm going snowboarding.
Last minute: I need socks like Emma's.

Also, a russian-style hat like this one would keep me warm.

Because I like pandas, despite their being completely unsuited to survival.
They only eat bamboo, they are enormous and totally cute.

Seems as though CC are like the hipster equiv of Christmas music. I keep hearing them everywhere. At rising star, in stores, etc.

via

oh yes! Lara for Louis Vuitton!

by Lina Scheynius.

I must have this Dries sweater. In this colour, too.
by jaknjil

I love the whole architecture of this, in the clothes, the set, the pose.. it makes
another gladiator sandal tolerable.
via

Don't get me a kitty for christmas unless his name is Maru.
via

Emmanuelle Alt by Maciek Kobielski
Currently coveting this look so hard.
those boots!!!!!!!

chandelier by hudson furniture

Ultimate campaign. Hermes.
via

By Disappointment Only by Alejandro Diaz

holidaze

2009-12-21T15:39:00.005-08:00

I taught my dad and family to do that batman face over dinner yesterday. rofl!

Normally, I don't say this, but this year I want the holidays to last forever.

holiday cheer

2009-12-20T10:25:00.005-08:00

So far, I am having an excellent holiday:

Egg nog and rum at night, and egg nog in tea for breakfast.
Large amounts of coffee, and some excellent free americanos with ice cream.
Dance parties with all my best friends.
Parties with egg nog and rum, parties with a projector showing a youtube disco dance party, parties with crab cakes, etc.
Screenings of the best movies, including Home Alone, Ferris Bueller, Broken Flowers, and thankfully only a few moments of Love Actually. Hopefully I can watch Home Alone 2 tonight.
Carolers outside my apartment happily singing. I love this throughout the day, but I hate that they wake me up in the mornings when I went to bed late.
My advent calendar, thanks mom.
The live band at the mall. Also, the 458215469 people currently in the mall.
Text messages to wake me up in the morning :-)
My new ottoman is the greatest, and the other gifts I've received so far have been amazing. My friends know me so well <3
Loads and loads of fresh crab, with many relatives. Yum!

Duo: Morning Routines

2009-12-20T00:06:00.002-08:00

Sofia

2009-12-19T12:11:00.002-08:00

Sofia Coppola photographed by Juergen Teller for Marc Jacobs Perfume.
So old, but still so good.

Found Photographs

2009-12-18T10:50:00.007-08:00

So i love this for the following (obvious) reasons. In order:
1- fat felt black wedges
2- long brown hair
3- plain white tee (or shirt)
4- no makeup.
Kind of sums up what im going for.
via xvii

Yokoo on Etsy

Madonna for D&G 2010. Photographed by Stephen Klein.

jewelry from Fannie Schiavoni.

There's nothing wrong with having/taking/posting a lot of pictures of shoes.
ezvt

love this.. i wanna just reach into the photo and touch it.
via

Editorial- But I want it, I want it, I want it!
photography by- Daniel Jackson
styling- Alastair McKimm
i-D dec/jan 2007-08

Despite not having been home to witness this photograph being taken, i heard all about it. Jules was worried about being on the box until he figured out he could jump down, then it was all good. This was my dad's idea for the family xmas card, with a caption that reads "last kid on the block". rofl. One day you will meet my dog and this anecdote will seem funny.

via alaskaneyes.

Another photo of kim just CUZ
go read her italian movie reviews.

Pre-fall 2010 lookbook by The Row.
loves it.

Allume-moi !
“Light me !”. Sean Lennon. Chelsea Hotel. Fashion shoot for Jalouse Magazine.
(Photo Simon Cahn)

Best early present:

2009-12-17T22:08:00.002-08:00

HBC Point Blanket storage Ottoman.
I know how easy it is to hate on hbc and I do partake in the hate
now and again but you have to admit that the point blanket pattern is
still probably the best example of true Canadiana around.

02 - A Letter

2009-12-16T17:55:00.000-08:00

Rotating Kitchen by Zeger Reyers

2009-12-16T11:13:00.003-08:00

This absolutely made my day. Worth watching til then end, definitely.
via jillsies (HBD!)

Duo : City Interiors

2009-12-15T20:50:00.003-08:00

At left : Matt Savage Untitled Photograph n/d. From his website AdventuresonFilm
At right: Charles Sheeler Criss-Crossed Conveyors, Ford River Rouge Plant Photograph, 1927.

Sheeler was hired by the Ford Motor Company to document their Ford River Rouge plant in Michigan. He is most renowned for his meticulous renderings of urban landscapes with paint, but his photography offers a rare and unique glimpse into how cities looked in the 1930s. His 1920 film Manhatta, made with the photographer Paul Strand, documents New York City in all its splendor. However, despite Sheeler's work being considered a celebration of urbanization and modernity, there is also a strong sense of foreboding, as if he had an apprehension for the changes taking place too. For more, check out Manhatta, or his depictions of Quaker art.

Matt Savage has an amazing eye for detail. His photographs are always inspiring me to take pictures, and I know I'm often telling you about my friends and what great artists they are, but Matt's work is unreal. He did the photo everyone refers to as "The Mountain" at my place (where was that taken, again?) and you should check out his work and buy some if you can, here.

Found Photographs

2009-12-15T18:52:00.005-08:00

White Light White Heat

by Dusan Reljin, styled by Capucine Safyurtlu, Numéro #95 August 2008

Another 30 rock thing.
via rapvsweden

best jacket, best photo, best skyline.
by yvan

HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND A MERRY 2k10
my place isn't festive at all. no poinsettias, no trees, no lights.
but i am in a festive mood so bring it on, xmas!

everything about this is just too phenomenal.
including that it just randomly is the bodysuit equiv of the jacket above. guess convex cones on garmets was interesting to me this week.
via

May I introduce to you.. the land equivalent of the blobfish!
Nice nazo mr. monkey.
Ish gave me a whole scientific talk about this guy and I don't remember anything.
sorry, you'll just have to enjoy how silly he looks.

sorry it's a short one, the internet had nothing for me these last few days.

Vintage Plant

2009-12-15T17:35:00.003-08:00

If you like these, they are so many more here.
found at happy accident.

A Paris Letter

2009-12-12T14:26:00.005-08:00

"This year, at the same time, we are in Paris and it is a big mistake. If you want a Paris letter full of spice and detail and funny cracks you will have to get someone else to write it. All I do is go out and get depressed and I wish I were somewhere else. (...)
The painters are about the gloomiest. It seems that people buy modern paintings in good times for snobbism and as gilt-edged securities. In bad times they do not buy them at all. One dealer said that he has not sold a picture by a painter who is supposed to be quite successful, and who is under contract to deliver all his work to that dealer, since 1929. (...)
There was a very big retrospective exhibition of Renoir. I came away from it with the feeling of having seen too many Renoirs. There can never be enough Cezanne's or Van Gogh's but I believe there were plenty of Renoirs before the old man died, all very fine, but plenty."

Ernest Hemingway, "A Paris Letter" from ESQUIRE magazine. February, 1934. Excerpted from By-Line: Ernest Hemingway, Selected articles and Dispatches of Four Decades. Ed. William White.

Complexgeometries

2009-12-12T14:09:00.003-08:00

I've mentioned Montreal-based complexgeometries before in some found photograph compilations, but I'm doing this post to make the entire contents of their website a last-minute addition to my christmas list (they aren't available on amazon).

Here is what Patricia Marx, over at the New Yorker, had to say about complexgeometries in her story "Chicago Style" in the September 14th Fashion Issue:

"A boiled-wool tunic that can be twisted and turned and worn in a variety of ways was made a company called Complex Geometries, whose clothes require a wearer with an I.Q. higher than mine ($205)."

Found Photographs Saturday

2009-12-12T10:28:00.003-08:00

photograph of Vancouver by Matt Savage

I never understand haikus but this one is easy enough.

This indoor tropical forest in Cornwall photographed by Matt Irwin

Sol Lewitt's home, photographed by Eric Boman for "Art and Sol"
Featured in World of Interiors, Oct 2009.

The only question related to TV I ask more than "Do you watch 30 rock?"
is "Did you watch Skins?" If so- this is Tony Stoneham. If you answer no, then it's just Nicholas Hoult in Out Magazine, via.

Best! fur collar!
by Yvan

Berlin is probably the raddest city in the world right now.
Photograph by fluxorist.

by antichristopher
noah- remember went we walked all around the city trying to find Victoria's
single hot dog vendor one night last summer? yea that was fun.

Dear Lara Stone. I just had a heart attack. How do you do that?
photo by altamira

Clearly the best photo on the internet this week is this one of Kim
in her gold sequin disco dress. I'm so sad that I missed this moment IRL, that
I must immortalize it here. Kim, you sexy thing.

obituary -- Thomas Hoving

2009-12-11T11:32:00.004-08:00

Ever been to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City? If you have, you probably remember the Temple of Dendur. You can thank Thomas Hoving, the Met's visionary director between 1967-1977 for it. You can also thank him for the first fashion exhibition ever held at the museum, the entire Lehman wing, and a host of other transformations to an institution which had become somewhat dusty.

Well, he's not a complete hero. He's to blame for most of the Met's returned Italian (Etruscan) pottery a couple years ago, after it emerged that he bought most of the artefacts in violation of the UNESCO treaty and from a notorious dealer of pillaged art. You might remember the Euphronios Krater? Yep- that's the star piece of the Met's collection that went back to Italy in 2006.

Hoving, who died December 10th from lung cancer, will be remembered for all these things, and more. From reading his memoirs of his illustrious career, Making the Mummies Dance, you get a sense of what kind of (unapologetic) man it took to shake things up at the Met. Admired and reviled, Hoving was the enfant terrible of the New York art scene, and his influence on the museum world is immeasurable.

091210 -- mohair

2009-12-10T15:48:00.005-08:00

This sweater is one of my favourite possessions despite the fact that it sheds on everything I own.
Super soft hirsute mohair sweater, gift from French grandmother; meltin pot jeans; cowichan trading co. slippers.

On ne voit bien qu'avec le cœur. L'essentiel est invisible pour les yeux.

2009-12-10T09:04:00.001-08:00

Duo -- Whale Bones

2009-12-09T10:23:00.005-08:00

at left: Brian Jungen Shapeshifter 2000.
White polypropylene plastic chairs. 57 x 260 x 52 in. National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa. Purchased 2001.
Possibly one of my favourite artists (I hate choosing, but still), Jungen is a Canadian/Dutch aboriginal artist who has achieved staggering super-stardom in the art world with his transformation masks (made of Nike Air Jordan sneakers) and these skeletons, made of folding plastic lawn chairs.

at right: Gabriel Orozco Mobile Matrix 2006.
Reassembled whale bones. click here for more information.
Orozco currently has a huge retrospective on at MoMA. The bones he used for the sculpture were excavated from Baja California Sur, and Orozco is famous for his meticulous method. He reduced a Citroen's size by a third for an exhibition, and has even worked with human skulls.

Found Photographs -- Wednesday

2009-12-09T10:11:00.005-08:00

Close up of Gabriel Orozco’s “Mobile Matrix” during installation. Orozco was commissioned to make the sculpture by Mexico’s National Council for Culture and the Arts for its permanent home in the Biblioteca Vasconcelos in Mexico City. After excavating the bones from the Isla Arena in Baja California Sur, Orozco and a team of approximately 20 assistants used some 6,000 mechanical pencils to draw lines on the whale that relate to its structure. Dark solid circles are surrounded by numerous series of concentric rings that overlap and collide with each other.
via MoMA

minwave.

Once again, happy birthday Kiera!

The artist Aurel Schmidt behind the Royal Palm Hotel, where she’s holed up for Art Basel Miami Beach. Photo by Dan Martensen

kitteh
via

This whole editorial was so fresh, it blew my mind. I'm also v. partial to Behati.
Photographed by ari marcopoulos and featuring behati prinsloo
via pistolwhipped

This outfit is now on my xmas list.
via noir-forever

The ground near the Phoenix lander, which touched down in an arctic region called Vastitas Borealis, at 68 degrees north latitude, 234 degrees east longitude on MARS.

LL in Muse photographed by Yu Tsai

And the supermodel with most staying power award goes to..

Dear Daul, still miss you. Esp after seeing these shots you took for Chanel Joaillerie.

Dear Ish, you better wear your fur coat this weekend. love, V.
via

Oh, hi Mr. Blobfish. Yes, that's really your name. What is up with your FACE? Why do you look like that? Im serious- why do deep sea creatures always look so unbelievable impossible? WHY DO YOU LOOK LIKE THAT?

Thanks, Mag, for sending me this.

call me.

And the supermodel with most staying power award goes to..tough call!

Duo: Architecture II

2009-12-08T09:34:00.004-08:00

See those diagonal stripes? They are support beams, and arranging them in this pattern, called diagrid, uses 20% less steel than conventional construction methods.

At left: The Hearst Tower, New York City. 2003-2006 by Lord Foster.
The lower part of the building was commissioned by William Randolph Hearst (Citizen Kane?) in 1928, and created by the architect Joseph Urban. It is now a landmark.
The addition to the building was the first skyscraper begun after the 9/11 attacks, and was completed in 2006. Its design is by Norman Foster, Pritzker Prize alum (you might know him from his Reichstag Dome, in Berlin). The Heast Tower was also New York City's first LEED Gold skyscraper.

At right: The Gherkin, or Swiss Re Tower, or 30 St Mary Axe, London. 2001-2004 by Lord Foster.
It does look like an Easter egg, doesn't it? Of its 7,429 glass panels, the only ones that are curved are at the top, where the restaurant is located. Its triangulated skin allows for column-free floor space. Its circular footprint reduces its stature at the base, slimming its profile and enhancing its appeal on a human scale (pedestrian-level). This 2003 recipient of the Stirling Prize is also one of London's greenest skyscrapers, using half the energy consumed by air-conditioned office towers.