book review: the bell jar

Image courtesy of Goodreads.

The Bell Jar is poet Sylvia Plath's one and only novel, and it is neurotically lovely!

Plath explores the tribulations of being a virgin woman in the mid-twentieth century and, as has been suggested, of her own personal life. Although the protagonist, Esther Greenwood, is leading the path to her eventual confinement in an asylum, she is strangely easy to relate to. Always over analyzing situations, feeling the urge to do everything in life (not just one career path, or one location to live), having a hard time understanding the actions of others, and many more "insane issues" that prompt her (sort of) boyfriend into pronouncing her as neurotic.

The imagery in the novel is utterly wonderful, due to the fact that Plath is a marvelous poet. Even if the plot was lacking, the imagery alone could keep me stimulated until the very last word.

I do highly recommend this novel, although I have a feeling some may pass it off as uninteresting. If not the novel, I suggest you read some of her poetry!

jazzy morning

 

I spent my morning with Etta James, Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, Louis Armstrong, and Duke Ellington. There's something about listening to old jazz on a sunny morning that sets the day off right. Happy Friday everyone!

a few things to acquire

In line with my roots in a consumer culture, there are many, many things I'd like to possess at some point in my life. Here are a few fabulous items that I must acquire at one time or another...

This espresso set is to die for. I have no idea where I will ever be able to find these, but from here on out, I will be searching!

Image courtesy of New England Prepster.

How amazing is this shoe closet? This could be a wonderful do it yourself project and it's a delectable way to show off your shoe collection!

Image courtesy of Houzz.

A jewelery box is absolutely vital, and a very large one is even better. This is such a neat way to store your valuables! Again, if you're crafty, buy an old chest of drawers from a thrift shop and transform it into a massive jewelry box!

Image courtesy of deliciously organized.

Okay so this may just be a concept, but it's a genius one at that! Who wouldn't love an origami tea bag?? This needs to be mass produced immediately.

Image courtesy of Chung Designs.

I adore this door. And what an elegant color scheme!

Image courtesy of Fancy House Road.

And last, but certainly not least, I must acquire one of these lovely Cavallini & Co. notebooks. As wonderful as Moleskin notebooks are, sometimes it's nice to spice things up with a unique cover.

Image courtesy of Touch of Europe.

condo makeover {part one}

I have been crazy busy lately! Not only did I score the job that I so desperately wanted, but I got a condo, moved in, and managed to indulge in some DIY decor projects--all in one week! I will post pictures when I'm finished (at least for the time being anyway, when is one ever finished decorating?). In the meantime, here's a collection of my design inspiration...

Image courtesy of stylehive.

Image courtesy of Blog Catalog.

Image courtesy of Ada and Darcy.

Image courtesy of Chinoiserie Chic.

Image courtesy of Greige Design.

Image courtesy of Patricia Gray Inc.

toronto fall/winter fashion week

I had the pleasure of attending the fall/winter runway show for the talented Amanda Lew Kee last week, and it was spectacular. She of course embraced lots of black on black & gray (her use of these shades are always impeccable) in various fabrics (chiffon and velvet, among others). She also incorporated bursts of color here and there with out of the ordinary fabrics, which to be honest, I didn't care for. I absolutely adored her use of sheer fabrics, and I always love her leggings! (And if you notice, all of her models, and Lew Kee herself, were rocking a studded version of the Sam Edelman Zoe booty--I told you it was the go-to shoe!)

The show was hosted at The Heritage Centre at Exhibition Place and the venue was designed beautifully. I thought it was hilarious that they included BBM barcodes on the mannequins, because as sad as it is, that really is becoming a representation of our identity. 

I also enjoyed viewing some of the work by other designers, pictured above. There are some really wonderful pieces for fall/winter this year, it makes me feel a little better about summer always flying by so fast. 

Here are a few of her best looks for fall/winter 2011:

Images courtesy of Toronto Life.

book review: a child called "it"

Image courtesy of Goodreads.

Just finished reading this book, it was a quicky.  

A very graphic and disturbing memoir, A Child Called "It" sheds light on the often secret issue of child abuse. There were times when I had to put this book aside to regain my composure; it's unbelievable that a human being could be treated this way. As horrific as the majority of this memoir is, the triumphant ending is a reminder of what doesn't kill us makes us stronger. 

I recommend this book if you're completely oblivious to abuse, but I wouldn't classify it as a must-read, it's very unsettling.