phantom;

Needle in the Hay - Elliott Smith

2012-02-02T23:28:00.001Z

Murakami knows #6

2012-01-24T23:52:00.001Z

“Memories are what warm you up from the inside. But they're also what tear you apart.” - Haruki Murakami

Lana del Rey #2

2012-01-18T16:08:00.001Z

She's perfect.

Kiko #4

2011-12-29T20:48:00.001Z

I will never tire of fawning over her perfection.

Best thing ever #4

2011-12-28T20:30:00.001Z

Still alive.

2011-12-28T00:38:00.001Z

I've been a terrible blogger but I've been busy.
"And so it goes…"

Lina Scheynius & Kiko #3

2011-11-07T20:58:00.001Z

[source]

Kiko #2

2011-09-29T12:27:00.001+01:00

Omg please stop being so perfect already.

Murakami knows #5

2011-09-25T16:07:00.001+01:00

"But I didn't understand then. That I could hurt somebody so badly she would never recover. That a person can, just by living, damage another human being beyond repair." - Haruki Murakami

30 Rock #3

2011-09-25T12:55:00.001+01:00

FUCKYEAHMEHNDI

2011-09-22T12:34:00.001+01:00

I don't usually like doing personal posts but I just got back from India and I want to share this amazing mehndi job I got done. It is an art after all.

brotips

2011-09-14T15:35:00.001+01:00

Learn something, read more of these.

The Misadventures of a Phantom #1

2011-09-11T00:51:00.001+01:00

Dear Paris,
You are always magic to me.

Lana Del Rey

2011-09-10T10:51:00.001+01:00

Because for some reason my previous post on her, the video stopped working.
If you haven't heard her stuff, you really should.
She is what I believe we call a breath of fresh air.

NEED #3

2011-09-07T14:12:00.001+01:00

I know I have big feet but come on do you really not stock my size?
#lifeissocruelsometimes

From here. If you have average to tiny sized feet, I hate you.

30 Rock #2

2011-09-06T18:12:00.001+01:00

Me all day every day.

NEED #2

2011-09-04T18:43:00.001+01:00

[source]

This whole collection needs to be in my wardrobe.
Miuccia why do you tease me so?

30 Rock #1

2011-09-01T14:20:00.001+01:00

That's right, I'm also going to start posting numerous amounts of 30 Rock clips, why? Because I think aside from Tina Fey, I am Liz Lemon.

Also, not even trying to prove how much I actually am Liz Lemon, I have a thing for sandwiches. I wish I was exaggerating when I say the pizza sandwich I built was my most glorious creation.

Kiko #1

2011-08-30T16:28:00.002+01:00

Ultimate girl crush, don't worry, this is only the first in a long line of instalments of Kiko lovin'.

NEED #1

2011-08-28T15:35:00.002+01:00

Thank you Hapsical for your post informing us all of the news we have been waiting for.
As soon as these babies are no longer sold out in my shoe size, Mama's gonna go hungry for a while (alas the life of a student).

Coelho knows #1

2011-08-28T07:22:00.001+01:00

"The happier people can be, the unhappier they are."

- Paulo Coelho (Veronika Decides to Die)

He is most definitely in my top 5 favourite authors list. I saw a man on the train the other day reading The Alchemist, and I felt very nostalgic, that's how powerful his books are; the thought of them is enough to move me.

Que Sera - Wax Tailor

2011-08-27T06:55:00.001+01:00

If you haven't heard this song, where have you been the past few years?
JK bro, it's cool, as long as you hear it now.

The Tango Lesson

2011-08-21T08:46:00.001+01:00

One of my favourite films, the choreography is amazing and it's based on Sally Potter's life I believe, written by and starring Sally Potter. Tango is obviously the sexiest of all dancing styles.

きゃりーぱみゅぱみゅ - PONPONPON

2011-08-15T03:57:00.001+01:00

I.
Can't.
Not.
Have.
This.
On.
My.
Blog.

Tomo Kohsaka

2011-08-13T21:58:00.001+01:00

photographer

コーサカ　トモ
tomo kohsaka

東京都在住。
編集プロダクション、フォトエージェント勤務を経て
写真を撮りはじめる。
おもにフードフォトの分野で活動

Basically this is how I wish my photographs would look like, these are so dreamy, in a realistic way. They make real life look really tasty and pretty.

Check out her website and blog.

Elli Egilsson (AC BANANAS)

2011-08-12T18:45:00.001+01:00

Name: Elli Egilsson
Also known as: AC BANANAS

I'm a self taught illustrator/artist.
Born and raised in Reykjavik, Iceland. I left the island in 2008 to get out of a repetitious Groundhog Day-esque rut and moved to London, U.K.
I specialize in custom lettering, character, t-shirt and logo design.

Too many good ones so I picked my favourite set!
Check out more on his website

Best thing ever #3

2011-08-08T18:05:00.001+01:00

I'm re-watching all of Buffy, I always go through the same motions, want Buffy and Angel to stay together (4eva!!!!!!), then I'm all like, Riley you can never match up to Angel, then I'm like, uhh Spike you creep, then I'm like oh wait, Spike you're not so bad, oh wait, NO; SPIKE AND BUFFY 4EVA!!!
There are many more complexities like how I feel about Dawn, Willow turning gay, potential slayers, Anya and Xander NOT GETTING MARRIED(!?!?!?!), Giles leaving, the stemming of the 'Angel' series, etcetcetc. Don't even get me started.

(I wonder if anyone who reads this even understands how hilarious and deep I really am, hurhurhur.)

Nanako Koyama

2011-08-06T16:45:00.001+01:00

Nanako Koyama / Born in Japan in 1988 // Tokyo, Japan
Studied photography at Department of Photography, Nihon University College of Art since 2007 to 2011.

Check out her website, tumblr, twitter and flickr for more.

Perfect #3

2011-08-03T16:03:00.001+01:00

This is one of those songs, you just need to shut up, and listen to.
And read this too.

Foer knows #1

2011-08-02T12:31:00.001+01:00

"He awoke each morning with the desire to do right, to be a good and meaningful person, to be, as simple as it sounded and as impossible as it actually was, happy. And during the course of each day his heart would descend from his chest into his stomach. By early afternoon he was overcome by the feeling that nothing was right, or nothing was right for him, and by the desire to be alone. By evening he was fulfilled: alone in the magnitude of his grief, alone in his aimless guilt, alone even in his loneliness. I am not sad, he would repeat to himself over and over, I am not sad. As if he might one day convince himself. Or fool himself. Or convince others--the only thing worse than being sad is for others to know that you are sad. I am not sad. I am not sad. Because his life had unlimited potential for happiness, insofar as it was an empty white room. He would fall asleep with his heart at the foot of his bed, like some domesticated animal that was no part of him at all. And each morning he would wake with it again in the cupboard of his rib cage, having become a little heavier, a little weaker, but still pumping. And by the mid-afternoon he was again overcome with the desire to be somewhere else, someone else, someone else somewhere else. I am not sad." - Jonathan Safran Foer

Lara Stone

2011-08-01T08:46:00.001+01:00

[source]

Y U SO PERFEKT?

Hailee Steinfeld: Miu Miu A '11 Campaign

2011-07-31T09:31:00.001+01:00

[source]

Tired of seeing these pretty young girls taking over the fashion world (I'm just jeluz).

Jolijn Snijders (ilovefake)

2011-07-30T06:27:00.001+01:00

Jolijn Snijders, photographer / Represented by Eric Elenbaas and 2DM in Milan.
Founder & Art Director of Ilovefake Magazine.

Oh just a collection of really hot people, you know, nothing out of the ordinary.

You should check out his website and blog and tumblr for more.

Molly Lewis (sweetafton23)

2011-07-24T16:30:00.001+01:00

Admittedly I'm one of those creeps who only watches videos on youtube of people doing covers of songs (like the infamous cover of Home), but I have to say that Molly is one of those gems that keep you looking when all that seems to be left is Justin Beaver covers, etcetcetc.

Check out the rest of her videos on her youtube channel.

I can't make you love me - Bon Iver

2011-07-06T02:33:00.001+01:00

Just be quiet and listen children.

Josie Olivia

2011-07-05T20:25:00.001+01:00

[source]

Goth in the sun.

Check out her website and blogspot!

Celine Resort 2012

2011-06-22T03:13:00.001+01:00

[source]

Phoebe Philo, well done, you are a genius.

The Row Resort 2012

2011-06-19T01:03:00.001+01:00

[source]

Once again MKA, please adopt me, so I can play dress up in our big wardrobe we were obviously meant to share together.

Ann He

2011-05-13T23:30:00.001+01:00

16 year old camera lover/aspiring fashion photographer. Based in Dallas, Texas, photography is her way to capture the ordinary and extraordinary.

I don't know how I went so long without any of her work on here. Speechless really.
See more on her website, follow her blogspot and flickr and facebook.

Daul Kim #1

2011-04-25T19:28:00.001+01:00

[source]

I will never tire of rediscovering pictures of Daul.

Life goals #1 (jewellery is important)

2011-04-19T15:45:00.001+01:00

[images via luluandyourmom, fashiontoast, jakandjil and cheapskatechic]

For the longest time now I've been craving hands and wrists worthy of ogling (I obviously have very low standards for my life goals). All I want really are a few pieces which I wear constantly and help me achieve that gypsy look we all crave deep down.
Well today it hit me that I think I've finally achieved said goal (I'm missing my watch which usually makes an appearance). I think maybe one more ring, bracelet and keeping up with the henna and I'll be happy to start summer.

P.S. Since a few of you seemed to like my reference to 'life bag', I might do a post on my own life bag soon. Keep an eye out!

The Virgin Suicides

2011-04-15T03:36:00.001+01:00

"They had killed themselves over our dying forests, over manatees maimed by propellers as they surfaced to drink from garden hoses; they had killed themselves at the sight of used tires stacked higher than the pyramids; they had killed themselves over the failure to find a love none of us could ever be. In the end, the tortures tearing the Lisbon girls pointed to a simple reasoned refusal to accept the world as it was handed down to them, so full of flaws."

This book is a permanent addition to my life bag (the bag in which I carry important things incase life picks up and runs away, and I must chase carelessly after it).
Everyone has a life bag, even if you don't know it.

How I want to dress everyday #2

2011-04-09T12:09:00.001+01:00

twentysevennames

Old but I don't care. Want these on my blog. Everything about these are perfect.
See more at their website.

Nomi Chi

2011-04-01T00:07:00.001+01:00

Hello.
My name is Nomi. I was born in Toronto and grew up in
Vancouver. I draw stuff, I do tattoos, and I eat bacon.

She's super awesome, check out her website and follow her blogspot.

Image dump #1

2011-03-29T14:06:00.001+01:00

Was sorting through my hard drive the other day.
I don't think I can get enough of Gemma's face.
Or pictures of cats.

Murakami knows #4

2011-03-22T23:57:00.001Z

"Something inside me had dropped away, and nothing came in to fill the cavern."

"The others in the dorm thought I wanted to be a writer, because I was always alone with a book, but I had no such ambition. There was nothing I wanted to be. "

"Don't feel sorry for yourself. Only assholes do that."

ノルウェイの森のためのより多くの感謝

Murakami knows #3

2011-03-14T10:36:00.001Z

"Nobody likes being alone that much. I don't go out of my way to make friends, that's all. It just leads to disappointment." - Haruki Murakami

Life lessons #1

2011-03-07T23:15:00.001Z

Diddy is who I look to in my darkest moments of uncertainty in life.

What I Talk About When I Talk About Running

2011-03-06T19:19:00.001Z

Surely we are all acquainted with Mr Murakami. If not then you need to go and do a lot of Googling my friend.
So apart from praising Murakami because I could go on forever, this is not a post on his works but more focusing on the subject of one of his more recent books; running.

So anyone who follows me on twitter will obviously have seen my over obnoxious tweets, something like;

"oh what sorry 8km? :P p.s. 300 squats still going D:"

"in all seriousness, about to leave for my run, seriously."

"O HAI DER 8KM RUN. MUST NOW STUFF MY FACE."

"went for a run, got home&did more exercise, stuffed my face with scones and ryvita dripping in hummus. that's the life. off to dinner now D:"

"JUST GOT IN FROM AN HOURS RUN, 10KM MAYBE? PROBS MORE. YES FEEL GOOD."

"running 2 days in a row, this is my version of gloating. and self surprise."

"off for a run into town, i tell you these things twitter so i can feel ashamed if i don't go through with it"

"waiting until it gets dark to go running, less people can see my red red face D:"

Just so you get the idea.

Anyways back to running.
Keitii-chan actually asked me on twitter for some suggestions about running, she must have been super in-tuned with my thoughts or something as I started this a little before she asked me. So here we go...
I often try to convince others to go running with me or in general and I often get complaints about how hard they find it and they give up there and then.
Sorry what? Why is exercise the exception for "if at first you don't succeed, try and try again" rule? Like most things, it takes practice and dedication.
Running is honestly something I look forward to most days. It helps keep the mind clear and unclouded by building up of thoughts. When I run I almost feel like I'm in a meditative trance, it's a time when you can get out of the house and just forget everything for a little while.

If you want to take up running, don't over think it, just do it. If you have a spare hour one day, throw on your sweats and shoes and just follow your feet (I personally have a set route to keep track of distance covered). I'd say the unplanned runs are the best, they feel like less of a chore and more like you are running because something inside compels you, but of course we all need order in our lives.

Now I'm no expert, but I will offer a few things I've learned along the way. These mostly apply to me but I hope they inspire or help you too.

Tips and advice;

Don't expect it to be a walk in the park, running is tough. Physically it's challenging and I still struggle with each run. But the benefits usually outweigh the struggle (clearing of the mind, exercise releases endorphins, feeling less guilty about all the crap I eat, the list is endless).

Music is key. The difference between a good run and a bad run really depends a lot on what you're listening to. I myself have a specially compiled playlist especially for running. Each week you should change it up a little bit.

Get out of the house! Stepping foot out of my house is actually the hardest part I find about the whole occasion.

Set goals for yourself. Something like a certain distance to cover or times per week you want to run, that way you can keep track of how much you achieve each time.

Carry as little as possible, it helps to feel a little less weighed down. All I carry with me is my iPod on my arm and my keys.

Don't feel discouraged if you don't start to feel different for a while, it does take a while to notice the effects. At least during the run or after it, you should feel more clear headed and usually in a better mood.

Breathing is probably the most important part to focus on, focus on in through your nose, out through your mouth. It took me months to get my breathing down. Basically breathing is what determines how well you run and dictates the struggle.

You should probably combine running with a healthy lifestyle in general, I mean what good is it to go for a run then get home and eat takeaway (says the hypocrite...), a healthy lifestyle will be most effective if you want to notice some results or experience change. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to preach about looking after your body or anything but you really should. Practice becomes habit and after a while the benefits of a healthy lifestyle really make you feel great. Good skin, good attitude, sharp mentality, feeling healthier and happier, general self satisfaction.

Pace yourself. Don't over exhaust yourself, do as much as feels comfortable.

Do it for yourself.

One of my favourite artists did a post on Murakami's work and her take on running you should check out. Her sentences and thoughts are much more structurally sound and more fluid to read.

And so I leave you with some quotes from What I Talk About When I Talk About Running, the first one is actually engraved on the back of my iPod. It helps inspire me to keep motivated about running and most things (it's actually a quote quoted by Murakami in his book).

"Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional."

"People sometimes sneer at those who run every day, claiming they'll go to any length to live longer. But don't think that's the reason most people run. Most runners run not because they want to live longer, but because they want to live life to the fullest. If you're going to while away the years, it's far better to live them with clear goals and fully alive then in a fog, and I believe running helps you to do that. Exerting yourself to the fullest within your individual limits: that's the essence of running, and a metaphor for life — and for me, for writing as whole. I believe many runners would agree"

"I'm often asked what I think about as I run. Usually the people who ask this have never run long distances themselves. I always ponder the question. What exactly do I think about when I'm running? I don't have a clue."

"When I'm running I don't have to talk to anybody and don't have to listen to anybody. This is a part of my day I can't do without."

Fashion Week

2011-02-28T00:22:00.001Z

As I'm not a fashion blog.
Or am I?
Who knows...
No no really, I'm not I was just kidding. It's getting crazy up in here.
Anyways, not going into great details because I don't really follow fashion week or anything but I will post some things which caught my eye.
The following are things I would gladly live and die in. I think The Row smacked it. MKA adopt me now please.

DKNY

Helmut Lang

Meadham Kirchhoff

Prabal Gurung

Rodarte

The Row

Theyskens' Theory

Y-3

Paper Planes issue #4

2011-02-13T21:09:00.001Z

Back to Black issue, check out their website.
There are tons more photographs but a lot of them need the double page spread and to try and scan them accordingly would only ruin the magic, so for now enjoy my favourite picks.

So, upon laying my eyes on this magazine, I knew I needed it in my life.
Less words, more photographs. Hate admitting it but I am not a 'reader' (or an articulate writer of thoughts on issues and ideas yada yada yada...), I just like the pretty pictures. So sue me.

Perfect #2

2011-02-08T02:27:00.001Z

"I learned not to trust people; I learned not to believe what they say but to watch what they do; I learned to suspect that anyone and everyone is capable of 'living a lie'. I came to believe that other people - even when you think you know them well - are ultimately unknowable."

How I want to dress everyday #1

2011-01-29T15:15:00.000Z

[images via lovelydisco]

Perfect #1

2011-01-27T17:47:00.001Z

[image via vanillascented]

Ransom - check the labels for more info

2011-01-20T13:58:00.000Z

Dear Miss Woo,
Remember me? It would appear I have taken your beloved cardigan hostage and am holding it against it's will for a ransom of a cookie.
I suggest if you want a happy ending in all of this you respond soon.
Regards,
The Sheep Cardigan Thief.

João Ruas

2011-01-19T08:13:00.001Z

João Ruas was born in São Paulo, Brazil in 1981.

At an early age he was left alone with crayons and papers for a few hours every day, developing an unusual feral behavior which only got worse through the years. João was displayed in London from 2004 to 2007 inside (for an, yet, unknown reason) companies that developed Films and Games. He was shipped back to South America but managed to escape his cage, being spotted inside (for an, yet, unknown reason) Design and Animation Studios, however, the last sights at those locations happened in November 2008.

Since then it was reported by anonymous witnesses that João could be in a tall downtown building , in São Paulo.

Check out his website, tumblr, flickr and follow his twitter.

Murakami knows #2

2011-01-19T05:51:00.001Z

"What we seek is some kind of compensation for what we put up with."
- Haruki Murakami

About a girl

2011-01-13T01:13:00.001Z

Scan thanks to Michelle's Lula issue six she lent me.

Perfect.

Grow Up

2011-01-10T03:06:00.001Z

Scans thanks to Michelle's iD she lent me.

This cover is forever my favourite picture of Gemma ever.
I swear she can do no wrong.

Best thing ever #2

2011-01-10T03:02:00.001Z

Photo via Highlights.
Scan thanks to Michelle's Lula issue six she lent me.

Too much hair envy of Gwyneth Tang.
Sadly I am too lazy to maintain anything not natural, I've grown accustomed to throwing back my black unruly hair into a bun.

Best thing ever #1

2011-01-09T00:08:00.002Z

This is my favourite part in the movie, I wish I had a friend like this.

The Cherry Blossom Girl cont.

2011-01-04T19:27:00.001Z

Following on from my previous post, more aesthetically pleasing images from Alix.
Serious droolage over everything she wears.

I'll do a more formal Happy New Years post or something soon. Hope you all had a good one!

ただ、君を愛してる

2011-01-02T22:46:00.001Z

このえいがは余りに美しい。
写真2011年のためのインスピレーション。

Hey remember that time I went to Paris?

2010-12-26T00:35:00.001Z

Sometimes I like to keep pictures and never show them, they are my secrets, my stories.
These aren't stories, they are an experience, but you get the idea.

The Cherry Blossom Girl

2010-12-22T11:06:00.001Z

Well I'm sure you know all about Alix, she's gorgeous, has the ultimate dream wardrobe and takes amazing photos apart and of course talented in many other ways. She's the sort who makes everyone else look bad I'm sure. Anyways, I really enjoyed looking at her pictures from the Chanel show she attended, I wish the pictures on style.com were like this.
More girl crushing on her to come soon, trust me, MAJOR girl crushing.

To Be Adored

2010-12-18T20:37:00.001Z

Don't have to say much about TBA that their clothes don't already say, I noticed that Urban Outfitters has started stocking their merchandise.
Anyways, enjoy the lovely pictures taken from their website.

Kate Bellm

2010-12-04T19:09:00.001Z

KATE BELLM WAS BORN IN LONDON ('87) WORKING BETWEEN BERLIN AND LONDON

개인의 취향

2010-11-21T08:43:00.001Z

If one moment could depict what it's like to live with me, then Personal Taste did it perfectly (I do this pretty much every day throughout the day). It usually goes like this;

Robinson Pfeffer/Adidas/F21/London

2010-11-20T19:26:00.001Z

So a few weeks ago (yes I am very late with posting but excuse me as I had exams) I went to London with Michelle for some press days and food (and I was super annoying and spent ages in Muji because my stock is low and I take ages when deciding on what to buy). We went to a Diner called Diner, yes that's right, Rabinson Pfeffer, Y-3 and Stella McCartney at Adidas and then onto the Forever 21 launch party.
Like Michelle said, I will write more when I have gone through my lookbook goodies!
Although I'll go ahead and say from what I saw, definitely loving the upcoming Y-3 collection & Stolen Girl Friend Club line, these were looking pretty epic.

Desert Fox

2010-11-19T06:24:00.001Z

[images via Studded Hearts]

My favourite picks from the collection. Bambi is phenomenal, I love her eyebrows (her whole face of course). I wish I could look this casually bad ass yet feminine at the same time.
The snakebite leggings; be still my heart.

Key pieces #2

2010-11-14T00:46:00.000Z

[image via vanillascented]

Anything with a good collar. Which is why I particularly like blouses. I love sharp collars, Peter Pan collars, (Miu Miu collars), most types of garments with a collar in it is already in my good books.
I love this, the clean cut collar, the blocks of material perfectly structured. And in black. It has won my love, I wish I knew where this was from.

Noelia Carballo

2010-11-13T03:14:00.001Z

Not much information but please check out Noelia's website and flickr.

Beautiful, beautiful images. Beautiful, beautiful girls.

Murakami knows #1

2010-11-08T01:43:00.001Z

[lookbook goodie scans]

"Don't you think it would be wonderful to get rid of everything and everybody and just go some place where you don't know a soul?"
— Haruki Murakami

Key pieces #1

2010-11-05T02:36:00.000Z

[images via JAK & JIL]

For me nothing beats a good white blouse and striped tops. Both have an effortlessly chic quality to them. I think anything with a Parisian association to it is instantly chic, of course it must be well executed and worn appropriately. It sounds silly but for me the first thing I notice about how others are dressed is how neat they come across. I know style is subjective but a sharp look with a clean finish is as good as it gets for me. Sadly I wish I could say the same for myself, I feel I need to invest in better quality essentials. I own several striped garments (picture below), but none of them are things I think particularly fit well on me. I have a terrible bad habit of buying things a size (or two) too large so they always bunch at weird places and hang completely wrong. I cannot stress enough how wearing appropriate sizes makes all the difference.
A blouse is my preferred choice for torso wear, the cut is often very flattering and it can be styled in many ways. A blouse is always a versatile piece to have. I think Acne make a fine white blouse (or any top for that matter).

My inspiration for fine combing my wardrobe down to essentials and key pieces is Dead Fleurette. She has an awesome and very inspirational blog everyone should read. It made me realise how much of my clothes I purchase and never use. Rather than buying lots of so so pieces, I should invest in a few good quality and timeless garments. And with that; adieu, jusqu'à la prochaine fois!

Margaret Durow

2010-11-02T23:01:00.001Z

born nov 2, 1989
wisconsin

currently studying biological conservation
and environmental studies at uw madison

I think all I can say is WOW, see more at her website and flickr. Truly inspirational. I'm also curious to understand more when I look at her photographs.

Madoka Kinoshita

2010-10-24T11:17:00.001+01:00

Born in 1980. I was born in Osaka in Japan. I live in Osaka now.
I loved the picture to love cartoon and animation in Japan, to mimic it in the childhood, and to be drawn. I became an illustrator at 23 years old. I draw a picture with a PC and do the work such as a design of the front of the station, the design of the bankcard, the character design of the game. It began to draw the picture on the canvas by an acrylic pigment in 2009 29-year-old. It is because of beginning the idea that it wants to draw an original picture of one point thing different from the print drawn with the personal computer.Then what have I participate in the exhibition of the picture positively. The thing that a lot of people see my picture is happy.

I can't pick a favourite, they are all wonderful.
About to do some major plugging; check out her website (highly recommended), flickr, deviantart, blogspot, myspace and follow her twitter. Enjoy!

Banana Yoshimoto

2010-10-18T23:32:00.001+01:00

"Life is a performance, I thought. Perthaps the word "illusion" would have meant more or less the same thing, but to me "performance" seemed closed to the truth. Standing there in the midst of the crowd that evening, I felt this realization swirl dizzily through my body in a dazzling splendor of light, if only for an instant. Each one of us continues to carry the heart of each self we've ever been, at every stage along the way, and a chaos of everything good and rotten. And we have to carry this weight all alone, through each day that we live. We try to be as nice as we can to the people we love, but we alone support the weight of ourselves."

— Goodbye Tsugumi

I thought I would try some author recommendations as I've previously talked a little about books here on his blog.
I feel I don't express enough how much I love books. I love everything about them, the smell, the feel of the pages, the way they look, when you carry one or two or three at a time in your bag, old books, new books, vintage books, how you feel from reading something beautiful, sitting down somewhere and just reading in public, reading in bed, reading anywhere. It's something I couldn't live without. I would give up music and films and hell, I would even ration food but books is something I love. Now I feel a little bad as actually I rarely find time during term time to read but I usually read quite a few in a go when I get the chance. And let me tell you now, having read all of Yoshimoto's work, I can honestly say everything she writes is too magical to pass up on.
Literally, read A-N-Y of her works and I suggest leaving Goodbye Tsugumi or Amrita to read last as they are longer stories.
If you like Haruki Murakami but you feel like reading a book from a female perspective, Yoshimoto is the way to go (not that you should only read her if you feel like reading a female perspective, I'm just saying).
I wish I could discuss more about why she's fantastic but unfortunately I am not very eloquent with my words and no explanations could begin to give you an idea of what her work is like - just read it and you will understand.

If you want to read more on Japanese authors, I recommend taking a gander over at Keitii-chan's post. She gives much more detailed information and a good variety of authors to check out.

Regarding my layout

2010-10-16T19:23:00.002+01:00

Dear Readers,
Might I direct your attention to my new layout. So okay, it's hardly different but I gave in and converted to the new design templates. I'm considering whether or not to change my blog to a post per page instead of several to a page, what do you guys think?

BRB, off to play Red Dead Redemption on my Saturday night.

babyc (Bárbara Malagoli)

2010-10-09T13:18:00.000+01:00

See more at her flickr, cargocollective and check out her tumblr. Follow her twitter (Portuguese).

Lilly Piri

2010-10-03T10:20:00.001+01:00

These are such lovely illustrations! Very soft and I love the animals and colours! Not only is she awesome but she also has an awesome husband who I have linked in le description;

Lilly Piri was born in Brisbane, Australia, in 1985. She attended the Arts Academy in Brisbane for four years, before it closed its doors in 2006. She lives, draws and paints in Heidelberg, with her husband Heiko.

See more on her website, updates blog and her blog.

Vivienne Westwood shoe exhibition

2010-09-24T01:28:00.001+01:00

So after the Lu Flux presentation, some Westwood was in order. There was an exhibition at Selfridges of a history of her shoes. Heaven might I say. I took so many pictures but I will post my best picks slash favourites. I did no editing on these to keep true to the colour, not sure how much my camera may have actually distorted it (not much really, the lighting was fantastic).

And on the wall they had a history of Vivienne Westwood which you might find interesting so click on this picture to go to the original size and you can read through it yourself! Sadly photobucket resized it smaller but it is readable.

Lu Flux presentation

2010-09-22T18:46:00.001+01:00

Lu Flux is a London designer who specialises in creating unique pieces of ethical clothing. By working with salvaged, vintage and organic fabrics, combined with traditional techniques of knitting, pleating and patchwork, the contemporary menswear and womenswear collections represent an antithesis to the modern trent of expendable fashion. the aim is to make something new out of something old, so as to consume less and reduce waste.

So on Monday I got to attend the Lu Flux presentation and see the designs first hand. There was tea and cupcakes which were so pretty! And whilst people were walking around and looking at the clothes, there was also a painter in the middle doing portraits of the models one at a time. It was a lovely atmosphere and I'm glad I was able to attend. All of the garments had such great detail and care put in to them, I was especially amazed by the ribbon dress (apparently it took a whole day to make) and the mens suit created with material covered in illustrations. If I could I would wear these designs all day every day.

Excuse the bad quality pictures, I was feeling lazy about lugging around my dslr so I took my compact.
See more of her collections on her website.

There were also water colour painted lookbooks, they were lovely. These scans don't do them justice.

Amalia Chimera

2010-09-18T04:00:00.001+01:00

Amalia is yet another person who's work is just utterly enchanting. Apart from the photographs of hers I have posted here, she makes the most amazing animations. I strongly urge you to see them all on her website.

a • ma • li • a | ä • mä • lë • ä
proper noun
1. a girl with a viewfinder for an eye, a lens in place of arms, and a tripod for legs.
(full name: Amalia Royce Sieber)

chi • me • ra | kï • mæ • rä
noun
1. (in Greek mythology) a fire-breathing female monster with a lion's head, a goat's body, and a serpent's tail.
2. any mythical animal with parts taken from various animals.

Hey there, inquiring mind. My name is Amalia Sieber, internet moniker Amalia Chimera– this tends to require some clarification, as I often get emails addressed to "Miss Chimera." The confusion is all my fault.

I am a photographer, stop animator, motion graphics designer, and interaction designer. (What a handful.) I studied in the 5 year design program at DAAP, majored in Digital Design, and graduated in June '09.

I fill my free time taking many photos, drawing, sewing, collaging, losing sleep...I often bring the things I love into what I create, and I use those interests as motifs. My style is then a little whimsical, a little confusing, sometimes dark, but always colorful.

Abbey Lee Kershaw

2010-09-10T21:38:00.001+01:00

Warning; image heavy.
So why I don't have a single entry about Abbey Lee? I don't know, I feel so ashamed. This is my post to atone for my lack of Kershaw on this blog. She's made a name for herself and I hope she sticks around for a long time, I think she's stunning and I love her face and body. She's definitely in my top three favourite models. I know she's everyone's favourite it girl right now but I'm just adding my two cents. I think she deserves all of the attention she gets.
Read more about her here & her wiki page.
You can see a lot of her pictures here too.
I've posted some of my favourite photographs of her. Enjoy!

Sources; fashionising, TFS & FGR.

Tamara Lichtenstein

2010-09-07T12:39:00.001+01:00

I couldn't find much of a bio on her but I think her photographs do the talking really. I'm sure you've seen some of her work around (is it just me that seems to always remember a few photographs from someone and think to myself later I have to find out who it was?). I love her work, especially how she uses light/times of day perfectly. I also thinks she captures women in the same way Audrey Kawasaki paints them, beautifully with that mystery like they have a secret. Okay, remember I'm not good with words.
Anyways, check out her website, flickr, book and follow her twitter.

Hiromi Sato

2010-08-19T08:36:00.001+01:00

Not much information unfortunately but I think the illustration is so pretty! It looks like each one takes so very long to complete with all of its details. Check out her website to see more of her work and follow her Twitter.

Mini shopping day & recent book reads.

2010-08-12T03:48:00.001+01:00

I thought I would share some books I have read over the past three weeks whilst I was AWOL.
Check out the links to read more about them if you like.

First I read The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, I don't really have to say anything as it's a Murakami book. I'm a great fan of his work (who isn't?). This was a pleasure to read, but if I'm honest I felt like the ending had an anti-climax but it was a good read nonetheless. It's a pretty thick book and I was glad because I always feel sad when his books come to an end. The characters as always were unique with their perks and the story line not as heartbreaking as some other of his works (ie. Norwegian Wood, South of the Border, West of the Sun, Kafka on the Shore, etc) but it was still sort of tragic in a way, okay not tragic but you know, when you read a book and you just feel your heart sigh, etc. Okay I suck at book descriptions, moving on...

Next I read The Road. This isn't my usual choice of reading material if I am honest but it was available to read and I was told it was good. The narrative was a little... strange. Like it was very straightforward with the speech and describing situations but I felt there was no heart or anything in it (which is difficult given the story line). Sort of a "meh" book for me.

Next I read The Great Gatsby, okay I am going to say which probably most won't appreciate but I didn't really enjoy it as much as I had imagined... I mean it's one of those books that everyone says you have to read and I understand the portrait of an era and all but the love story didn't seem all that great to me and it had a mega anti-climax. I was almost getting into the story and then bam (for those who have read it will know what happens next) I was like 'really? is this how it ends...', I sort of felt cheated of an ending but I read the notes that came with the book and it said Fitzgerald was on a deadline that he rushed to meet so I suppose it's understandable, sort of.

Yesterday I finished Troublemaker. Okay so this is where I admit how sad I am, I am a HUUUUUUGE fan of Janet Evanovich's work, her books are the only ones I read that make me laugh so hard I fear wetting myself. This is the third installment of a Alex Barnaby series which they released as a comic and I kinda wish they didn't because if it was a book it would have been the equivalent of one chapter which is not enough for me. But I enjoyed seeing how the characters look as I always wonder how authors envision their characters. I always imagined her Stephanie Plum character series would have Sandra Bullock play Stephanie (partially due to a vote on her website for film roles). She is the only author I have been sad enough to write a fan e-mail to (oh I am actually cringing at the memory), it was such a nerdy e-mail too. I've been reading her books since I was about 10/11. And I look forward to her new releases every year. I've hardly written about the book/comic itself but it was okay, like I said, I would prefer a book. P.S She writes crime comedy most of the time.

And I just finished this earlier today (technically yesterday), Sizzling Sixteen, the 16th installment of her Stephanie Plum series, I can't say much except it's a great series, full of laughs and it's an easy read. It actually was what fueled my inner dreams of being a bounty hunter, I know it's nothing like in the book but a girl can dream.

If you're looking for reading material I would suggest the Murakami book out of all of them, or any Murakami as a matter of fact. I buy so many books that they don't fit on my shelf anymore (just the unread ones, I'd say 60+ maybe?) and now I have a few piles on my floor which I fear will fall on my cat and crush him whilst I am out one day...

So let me know about any recent reads you guys have had and any you recommend, I feel I need to stretch my selection of reading material.

Lyzi Unwin (lyziscribbles)

2010-08-11T15:24:00.002+01:00

I originally found out about Lyzi's work on devianart and of course have long sinced admired her mixed media journal pages. Since then, I've followed her blog and she is just too awesome in general. I sound like such a creep but I generally just admire a lot of people's work and follow up links, etc.

Check out her deviantart, flickr, tumblr and her blogspot.

Not to mention she made an awesome Max costume!

And she bakes the most pretty looking cakes and cupcakes.

Aesthetically pleasing II

2010-07-12T21:50:00.001+01:00

Firstly let me apologize, I haven't been getting back to comments very well, laziness brings more laziness, the heat is putting me in a coma, I'm exaggerating without exaggerating.
So every now and then I do a splurge on magazines which is somewhat uncalled for. I mean the cost of some of them are ridiculous but I can't resist. Looks like I'll be on the Oliver Twist diet when I get back to University if I continue spending how I have.

I don't think I need to talk about Industrie, I think it was mentioned quite well on Susie's post. It's as good as rumoured. I will admit I haven't completely 100% read through but what I have sat down and read has been impressive.

Industrie Magazine — Issue 01 from Wednesday on Vimeo.

Now let me talk about what I consider to be my most impressive buy. I picked up a copy of this on my last magazine hunt.

The Thatcher’s Children — S/S 2010

“I will change the soul of this country, I will do it, either you are with me or against me. We shall prevail.”
For better or for worse, she did just that. The Thatcher years have left an indelible mark on British society, and some would agree the notions she set under way have spread into the mindsets of our global population.
Ironically, the ‘we are what we buy’ lifestyle of conspicuous consumption that began being sold to us ran counter to Thatcher’s own Victorian values. She would shrink the state and free the people in order to create a hard working, hard saving, self-reliant and thrifty nation, not a nation of money flaunters and credit borrowers. But that is the problem with freeing people; it’s easy to see what you’re freeing them from, harder to see what you’re freeing them for.
Were her ‘Victorian values’ naïve or can society be blamed for exploiting the ideologies of one woman with its inherent nature for greed? Now 31 years on from her election and 20 years since her departure, we ask the question, who are Thatcher’s children? How did the 80s, the politics, the music, the fashion… and Thatcher shape the young minds of the generation?
Her views on the individual in society are mirrored by her views on Britain and its role in the European Union.
“The community is not an end in itself but a family of nations that reflect the traditions and aspirations of all its members… The best way to build the European Community is through active co-operation between independent sovereign states… Europe is stronger precisely because France is France, Spain is Spain and Britain is Britain… It would be folly to try and fit them into some sort of identikit European personality. To suppress nationhood and concentrate power at the centre is ironic when countries such as the Soviet Union who tried to run things from the centre are learning to disperse power away from the centre… We don’t want to see a new Super-state dominating us from Brussels.”
The concept behind our cover was to reflect these views and create an image that makes us think about the individual within society and politics. The child represents Thatcher’s children, the individual and the nation. His wounds represent the damage done to our children by our society; the damage done to an individual when we are taught to follow, consume irresponsibly and aspire to materialistic goals at any cost.
We had to censor the image on the cover as it was deemed ‘politically incorrect’ by some countries. So at the threshold of a new British government, now is the time to question what is really politically correct.

Information from here.
Honestly, it was witty and articulate and I really enjoyed reading it. I won't be the first to admit that I am shallow and when I buy magazines what runs through my head is "ooh pretty". I just like to look at the pictures, sigh, I can't help it. Like I said, reading through I was thoroughly impressed, although, my being quite the dim one I wasn't 100% sure whether I was supposed to agree or disagree with some of the articles (mostly the political ones, I mean what the hell do I know about how it felt to live in Thatcher's rule? (Apart from what we learn in school)). As they put it quite well, the latter generation can't feel as passionately about the whole ordeal as we didn't experience it for ourselves. It was an interesting mix of content. I wish I started collecting these earlier.
Apart from the articles, it was also aesthetically pleasing. The editorials (VIVIENNE WESTWOOD PIRATE COLLECTION VS. PRINCE, BRILLIANT). The simplicity of some of the spreads were such a breath of fresh air after leafing through other magazines trying to cram as much as they can into as tiny a space as possible (no offense Vogue, I still love you).

I also picked up a copy of Vogue Paris collections for F/W 11. I saw the price tag £24.95, uh whut? But of course I bought it. It's written in French and English, considerate, I like. The pictures are laid out nicely and clearly. It was split up into Paris, Milan, New York, London and accessories. There's not much I can say except it's good to keep a record of the collections.

And by this point I am feeling lazy so I'll just say that 10 is also not a disappointment if you're interested. (The interviews are awesome). If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask!

Sharon Gong

2010-07-11T04:37:00.001+01:00

I'm sure a lot of you have seen Sharon Gong's blog or photographs, if you haven't, here are some of her photographs. I think she has an impeccable eye for taking photographs. You should see more at her blogspot, website and flickr.

Olivia Bee

2010-07-08T13:54:00.001+01:00

Goddamn young talent again.

At the age of just 15, Olivia Grace Bolles from Portland, Oregon, USA, has shot distinctive documentary pictures of her teenage friends and family for the likes of Converse and Nike, and had her work featured in Seventeen, Frankie and American Photo magazine. Olivia Bee, as she is commonly known, started to take pictures almost accidentally when she was forced to study photography instead of video production, which she had signed up for in sixth grade. It wasn't until the summer before her freshman year that she really fell in love with photography and it was the confusion and chaos of growing up that caused her to start recording what was going on around her. “I realised that I could document my feelings, and things that take place in my life through a camera,” she says. ”The tangibility and the immediacy just appealed to me so much.”

Bee’s pictures are a raw and honest description of her life, showing herself and friends going through the sometimes hazy, uncomfortable and occasionally, almost delirious, experience of teenage life. “I'm inspired by the people around me – the interactions between my friends, and the interaction between people and nature,” she says, adding with a knowing slant, “but mostly just being a teenager is the greatest creative fuel for me”. Citing Ryan McGinley as her main inspiration, Olivia’s photos are like a beautifully shot diary – a way for her to remember this period of time, and how it felt. “I’m really bad with words, so I use pictures,” she says. “Seeing photos of my parents when they were young was pretty inspiring, and it made me have this huge desire to have these really beautiful memories. I make my photographs for me, it’s my diary, truly, and I want these images to document everything that is happening now, because these are memories that I know I don’t want to lose”.

Information from here.

See more at her website and flickr.

I was so impressed to see her in my Ten magazine!

Jae Liu (gunnmgally)

2010-07-04T12:34:00.001+01:00

Once again, a reason to love deviantart, the fantastic illustrators. I can't get enough! Please visit her deviantart and blogspot.

Shadesofeleven

2010-07-01T03:34:00.001+01:00

Reasons to love deviantart; all the great illustrators you can find!
I have hardly any information about this illustrator so I'll just link you and post some work of theirs.
Go visit their deviantart!

Johanna Torell

2010-06-29T10:39:00.001+01:00

Johanna Torell. Born in Höllviken, Sweden, 1986. Studied in London, England and Toronto, Canada.
Johanna currently lives in Toronto.

See more on her website and check out her blogspot.

Saga Sig revisited

2010-06-09T20:50:00.001+01:00

So a while ago I did this post on Saga. She recently got her site up (today, I'm a creep who surfed all of it), so I thought I would share even more of her fantastic photographs.
Her website is a pleasure to look through, so please do! Not to mention her blogspot, I found out about her website through her twitter.

I wish I could be one of these girls in her photographs, what a world!

Ella May

2010-06-05T00:03:00.001+01:00

I’m Ella, I’m lonely and I fly in my sleep.

I like things like dusty photographs and vintage underwear and love letters that were written years and years ago, Anna Karina and Godard films and Juliette Greco, patisserie and books that haunt you, dresses with silk collars, Indie, folk and jazz, rabbits and Tea in a pot and stripy socks, books that make me cry and sending letters, and getting them too, buttons and Lepidopterology and black and white films that have been coloured; Audrey Tautou and the sea and hats and velvet, the click of the shutter and sheet music and vinyl and stars, Louise Brooks and Eva Green and silent movies, Brigitte Bardot and fairgrounds and Balconies and Paris and the light the leaves make and many more thousands of things.

I sometimes take photos and I like the smell of darkrooms. One day I’m going to live in Paris and and smoke russian sobranies and wear suspenders and floral dresses and ride a vintage bike with a basket and go to Ladurée every sunday and walk on the quais.

I come from the Garden of England but I live in the south of France.

I’m sixteen years old.

I’m very pleased to meet you, will you take tea?

More young talent. She seems so dreamy and it shows in her photographs! Check out her portfolio and she has a lot more photos on her flickr, I seriously recommend you browse through, there are so many to be enchanted by. Also check out her tumblr.

Veronica B. Vallenes

2010-05-30T20:33:00.001+01:00

So this post is a cross between designer and photography in a way, I mean first of all I was first drawn to Veronica's pieces because of her designs (of course, I mean look at them, perfection), and on closer inspection I realize how utterly enchanted I am by the photography on her site. These images look like they could be straight out of a magazine. I may be a little biased because I am more a photography creep than a fashion one but I am always appreciative of good lighting, composition, colour filtering, etc. I think the outfits and photography go hand in hand and work so well. I've posted some stuff from her latest collection and some from one of her costumes category, but please feel free to see more on her website. She was also recently on Copenhagen Street Style here, such great style.

Not to mention she has a marvelous blog where she posts inspiring images. I had a good scroll through it and as always I urge you to do the same!
And as if that wasn't enough, she has a très talented sister who shot some of the photos from her costumes (see below).

COLLECTION AW/10 FOREVER -EVER
Photographer - Thomas Skou

Murder In Dreamland by Ella Fiskum Danz and Loop Loop Loop
Photographer - Christian Elgvin

All photos credited to her website

Antonella Arismendi revisited

2010-05-23T12:33:00.001+01:00

So I know I've already posted about Antonella Arismendi here before, but I just checked back on her site and there is more fantastic work of hers that I feel like sharing with you guys. I hope you enjoy these, how does she get her pictures to look so fantastic and dreamy?! She makes me want to invest in more camera equipment.
Her website. I encourage you to have a browse.

Sophie takes pictures

2010-05-14T21:24:00.001+01:00

I love how when I excuse myself to do work I just end up posting anyway. Well once again I have a photographer with next to none information available but the usual procedure of sharing as many links as possible, enjoy! Check out her blogspot and myspace for more pictures, and here is her tumblr and formspring.
I really love the last two pictures.

Chadwick Tyler

2010-05-11T13:28:00.001+01:00

If you were unaware of who Chadwick Tyler is, I'm sure all of you have bore witness to his photographs somewhere! Honestly, I think the bio on his website (read below) is an incredibly accurate sum up of his work. I think he truly captures a beautiful perspective of women which I have not seen before in other photographer's work.

Photographer Chadwick Tyler is a singular talent. His powerfully evocative images are unmistakeable for their representation of young women longing for release from the mundane. At the forefront of a new movement in aesthetics, Tyler's photography challenges contemporary notions of beauty by celebrating innocence and vulnerability.

Tyler became known in the art world for his seminal gallery show Tiberius whose haunting portraits depict 55 young women, each as their own wistful creature. Tyler has recently turned some of his attention to fashion, having shot the current Levi's campaign with BBH's creative director Mark Reddy. His work has also been featured in fashion magazines Dazed and Confused, The Last Magazine, V, French, Grey and others worldwide.

Currently Tyler is working on two books, and a new gallery show. He resides in New York.

Please check out his website, it is full of so so many more magical photographs which you should scroll through (each and every one!). I have spent a many hours just looking myself! (These are the things I do when I should be studying, tut tut!) And on that note I really should be writing an essay.
All images and information credited to his website.