Tiffany S.

an important post with silly gifs

2012-02-01T23:30:00.000-08:00

I am so happy. I reckon my happiness rivals that of the challenger's when s/he defeats the Iron Chef in Kitchen Stadium. Its been exactly three weeks since I moved from Vancouver back to Toronto! A year ago, I would never have guessed that I'd be where I am now but I'm pretty sure it's exactly where I'm supposed to be.

This was supposed to be a long post, but there's not much more that needs to be said. I'm happy to be back and excited to shoot again. I'm also super happy to see my friends again. Let's drink!

Have a snowy weekend!

2012-01-28T16:04:00.000-08:00

I'm sure I'm not the only one who has allowed hunger to take over all rationality and semblance of humanity. Let's bond over it, so you forget how long I've been away from this blog! In all seriousness, I have a really good excuse. It's SO good that it's worth a post all on its own and I've left you a hint in the title of this post. While I haven't had a whole lot of time write, I have had a lot of time to read. To make up for my absence, here's enough reading material to make up for the whole month.

A thoughtful post by The Clothes Horse on the morality of the artist vs. their art

Every year send out a list of "unhealthy" things that are actually healthy. Here's this year's (warning: looks similar to last year's).

A blog all about maps!

Both cool, dorky, and fashionable: A handbag designed by Leonardo da Vinci!

Brilliant business card idea

Parisian apartments! Let's go to Paris and say in one of those beautiful places.

I am a feminist, and I'm not ashamed of it: a poignant post by Elizabeth May about why feminism is important

Schmoozing doesn't work, try non-networking

Yet another independent artist is ripped off by a global clothing retailer. I am unimpressed.

My exact thoughts on women and body types written in a more eloquent way than I ever could

The CFDA Releases Model Health Guidelines for Fashion Week

First Monday!

2012-01-02T16:22:00.000-08:00

Oh wow, the last time I wrote a blog post was last year! Ohohohoho aren't I witty? A new year's joke! Anyway, I hope everyone had a great New Year's Eve. I didn't do much myself because I'm sick.

I'm starting off this year with a simple but very elegant and beautiful portrait of the talented Carey Mulligan for W magazine. The cover caught my eye in a store and I knew I had to post it.

the end is nigh! oh wait... it's just the end of 2011

2011-12-30T22:36:00.000-08:00

It’s amazing how you can get so far from where you’d planned, and yet find it was exactly where you needed to be. -- Sarah Desson

I think this quote aptly describes the year I've had. If I had asked myself a few years ago where I thought I'd be at the end of 2011, it'd be a completely different picture with different people in it. Now I get to happily write this blog post and say that I am so glad those plans didn't come to fruition.

In 2011, I did less than 11 shoots. That's a little sad. That being said, I finally feel like I'm producing work that I like. I'd like to say that I'm finally where I want to be, but photographers are rarely happy and when they are, they're soon looking to outdo themselves. The Sarah Desson quote from above also speaks to pretty much all my shoots this year. I blogged about the Joie magazine shoot earlier this year and that's more or less how things have been. My shoot for XO was supposed to be outside, but the temperature unexpectedly dropped. Two shoots in the sunshine turned into pouring rain. But hey, I wouldn't have them any other way. I promise to shoot more next year... because I really, really want to.

Ten life-related things I loved from this year (obviously there are more): Meeting Zhang Jingna, Ariana (Duh), Deathly Hallows Part 2, Toronto & Toronto friends, Montreal, New York, Kobo, Bon Iver, Pinterest, Greek yoghurt

And now I bid thee adieu until next year with the following question: What Are You Doing New Years Eve?

3 days to go!

2011-12-22T23:58:00.000-08:00

For at least the past month and a half, my blogroll has been filled with Christmas gift guides. With 3 days left until Christmas, I figured I should make one too. I figured there are at least a dozen of you who have left shopping to the last minute and have to get something for the person who has it all. So to speak. So here are 8 last minute ideas:

Iron Chef Morimoto. This is the perfect gift for someone who can cook but can't cook like an Iron Chef. Why not just get them an Iron Chef and some secret ingredients?

Neuschwanstein castle. There`s probably someone on your gift list who would really appreciate a castle. Show them how much you care.

Time Turner. Everybody could use a few more hours in a day! Just remember that when using a time turner, it`s important not to run into yourself.

Magical Wardrobe - Antique wardrobes are really beautiful. This particular wardrobe has the bonus feature of being a portal.

Trip to Lothlórien. If you can find it.

Alexander McQueen collections. Make a loved one feel like a queen with his The Girl Who Lived in the Tree collection.

Flower Tunnel. Planting someone a beautiful flower tunnel in their backyard gives them their own sanctuary. I realize it`s winter, some improvisation might be necessary.

Large shelving units. I don`t think California Closets carries this particular model, so you might have to create it by hand. Bonus points for a dramatic reveal!

In all seriousness, the best Christmas gift you can give is something that shows someone you care. That in combination of coming clean... with care. I learned this from one of my favourite holiday films. So now I leave you with this scene:

Happy Christmas!!

Merry Monday!

2011-12-19T19:20:00.000-08:00

One of my favourite songs for the season. The video is adorable too!

One week until Christmas!

2011-12-17T09:09:00.000-08:00

Does someone want to explain to me how Christmas is in a week? Someone really needs to tell father time to fix his hourglass because I really don't think it's working properly. This weekend I'm going to see Sherlock Holmes because RDJ is a good time. I also made cookies. You?

Finding joy in the little things

Stop putting your own needs on the back burner and 29 other things to stop doing things to yourself

Modelling doesn't have to be over at 22.

Avoid these things and keep the creativity going

A hauntingly beautiful place

Magical Monday

2011-12-12T01:24:00.000-08:00

One of the most beautiful moments in fashion.

Have a lovely weekend

2011-12-11T06:22:00.000-08:00

School is over! Yay! Yet I remain inexplicably busy. How is your weekend so far? I've only a few things this week:

A real life replica Up! house!

Life must flow in your heart and be regulated by your discipline and craftsmanship. - from a great post by Rodney Smith

Shortbread recipe from Barefoot Contessa

Monster Monday!

2011-12-05T10:50:00.001-08:00

Enjoy Monstera Deliciosa!

Have a fun weekend

2011-12-02T23:42:00.000-08:00

Hey, happy December! How was your week? I didn't do anything spectacular except maybe sleep in too much. Your plans for the first weekend of December? Mine include working and studying because finals are next week.

This week I've deviated from the regular links containing pretty things, funny things and yummy things. I've traded them for intellectually stimulating things because I'm a nerd. On the off chance that you have a moment to sit down with your beverage of choice and relax, here are some things you might find interesting:

Long but super interesting article on mosquitoes that are genetically modified to squash its own population and hopefully prevent the spread of disease

This woman has not used money for 15 years. Amazing!

What is luxury in the face of today's economy?

Hey, you should make sure you're getting enough of that B12 stuff.

Live life to the fullest

Happy Monday!

2011-11-28T12:01:00.000-08:00

Instead of the usual pretty, let's stimulate our brains this Monday!

YES, I love RSA Animate.

Have a relaxing weekend

2011-11-26T00:27:00.000-08:00

I have to say, Black Friday makes me really really grateful to be Canadian (see what I did there? Happy American Thanksgiving!) because the whole concept of black Friday frightens me. Regular holiday shopping is scary enough but Black Friday is like the wildebeest stampede scene from The Lion King. So friends, at the risk of sounding like a PSA, Cyber Monday is the much safer alternative and as a bonus it saves Canadians lots of time because we don't have to cross the border. Hurrah! Wildebeest stampedes aside, what are your plans for the weekend? I have the following on my plate: homework, textbook, work, and make up thanksgiving with one of my best friends. I'd also like to catch up on sleep if that's possible. Did I even sleep this week?

I read tons of academic journal articles this week, which I really enjoyed. You're probably not as dorky as me though, so here are some other things for you to enjoy on Saturday morning:

A friend shared this song with me

A recipe for caramel stuffed apple cider cookies - just how amazing does that sound!?

Pretty dress from Jacob

Reddit AMA: 28 year old guy getting arranged marriage

A secret at Grand Central Station!

Discovered: The only night-flowering orchid in the world! (So far)

Black Friday/Cyber Monday/Week deals from a few of my favourite etsy shops:
* Art from Shanna Creations - 15% off everything with code BLACKFRIDAY2011
* Clothes and beautiful hair things from Alexandra Grecco - 20% off everything with code SNOWFLAKES
* Wooden signs from William Dohman - 15% off everything with code 15off

Simply Stunning: "Lost Things"

2011-11-21T05:04:00.000-08:00

Have a warm weekend

2011-11-20T08:41:00.000-08:00

It's cold. So cold that Vancouver had its first snowfall on Friday morning! You know what would be perfect for this weather? Boeuf bourguignon. Is it snowing where you are? How was your week? How has your weekend been so far? A friend and I sat on all the couches at a furniture store today. Tomorrow it's time for me to get down to work and write that paper that's been looming over my head. Here are some things I came across this week. Now sharing with you to read on a lazy Sunday morning!

Lightest material on earth invented

Do you worry too much? It'll be okay!

Make this Dark Chocolate Salted Caramel Tart

Found this blog post: Fashion is a Feminist Issue. It helped me better understand where I stand with my work vs my views.

Gorgeous lace things from Obakki

Marc Jacobs' entire collection is stolen + he may no longer be going to Dior

Make a pretty star window shade

Simply Stunning: "You Don't Know Me"

2011-11-14T05:57:00.000-08:00

I've moved my posts with beautiful things in it to Monday instead of Saturday, because weekends are beautiful enough. Let's start the week off with something lovely.

This video has no actual video, so just close your eyes for four and a half minutes.

apparat.net

Have a wonderful weekend

2011-11-11T23:48:00.000-08:00

Have you got anything exciting planned? My plans include a friend's birthday, homework, retouching and chores. You know my life is exciting like that. Whatever you're doing, have a great weekend and enjoy these links while sipping your Saturday morning tea:

I heard this song by Leagues & Fathoms on CBC radio 3 and it makes me smile

This week was the annual Victoria's Secret Fashions show. While it was tackier than ever, I loved the aquatic segment. When I was a girl, I wished I was a mermaid. This is my favourite look from the show.

Pillows for long distance lovers. Gimmicky? Sweet? What do you think?

Pretty sequinned skirt

Heard this cute song on Bones

I love this beautiful treasure box necklace! See their other treasure lockets.

And most important (or just most relevant to me), I made a new website this week using tumblr! I'll like it to my .ca soon. Lookee!

Bi-Monthly... Saturdays? Oh and here is a single tune.

2011-11-06T18:22:00.000-08:00

Oh whoa, it's November 6. I didn't realize how far into November we were until I turned my clock back last night. Actually, that's a lie. All my clocks change automatically, so I didn't do any turning. The point I'm trying to make is: time is flying by way too fast. As Coldplay said, let's go back to the start.

The past two months have been so busy yet so incredibly unfruitful that I can squish both bi-monthly posts into one. My music hasn't changed ~~at all~~ much since the first time I blogged about Bon Iver (June?). I'm still listening to the same stuff plus one new song. I've actually had this song on my playlist for a few months, I've just never heard it until I hit "shuffle all" two weeks ago instead of playing just Bon Iver. Let's keep this confession between the two of us, okay?

Brother Sparrow - Agnes Obel
Picture fresh as water clear
Days have passed without you here
Street lights dancing on the dark across the park
Waiting for a word from you, waiting for a sign or two
Footsteps on the city ground, you know the sound

As I mentioned in the last post, the past two months have been filled with work and school. Work and school aren't exactly the MVPs of my life, as important as they are. So here are a few shining stars that made my life a little less boring:

Way at the beginning of September, I read The Hunger Games Series. Amazing. I love YA fiction and I love stories set in dystopian societies. Clearly I'm not going to give the plot away, but it's a good read. There's a movie coming out next year and it's probably not going to be anywhere as good as the books but I like Jennifer Lawrence.

I had one shoot in September with the lovely Riley and ever talented creative team Vincent and Talysia. I'll talk more about this shoot later, though.

One shoot in November with Vincent and Talysia again, featuring the stunning Natalie. I'm still working on these pictures and no idea when I'll be releasing.

I've been working on pouring better latte art. The goal is to nail it with every latte by the end of November; right now, I can only do 1/3 lattes and they're pretty sad. I'm pretty sure the problem is my shoddy microfoam. I'd really just like to blame the espresso machine, but that'd be what people would refer to as "copping out". Some baristas make fancy pictures, but I'd just like to pour a perfect rosetta like the one I had today. The one in the cell phone picture above.

hello, is it me you're looking for?

2011-10-28T07:30:00.000-07:00

There was once a time when I would write one apologetic blog post every few months. This is one of those posts. I wish I could say I was busy doing something really cool/photography related, but I'm really not. Between full time work, part time school, photography and trying to have some semblance of a social life, I've sort of left the blog by the wayside. I really wish I was one of those people who can take on a dozen projects at once and succeed at all of them and have a social life. The unfortunate thing is that my brain and I are locked in epic battle until the trumpets of Judgement Day. My brain rewards me dopamine to do things that are unproductive. How am I, a mere mortal, supposed to compete with that? Dopamine!

In all seriousness though, I'm hoping that be more or less caught up on everything on all my to-do lists that have been piling up since September. A friend reminded me the other day that I hardly ever post my work either. Part of it is because I'm really not shooting very much at all and the other part is that I simply forget. Expect a picture post soon!

Simply Stunning: "Follow the Ribbon" by Katrina Tang

2011-10-22T18:45:00.000-07:00

katrinatang.com via the drifter and the gypsy

Simply Stunning: Mecuro B Cotto

2011-10-08T21:04:00.000-07:00

mecurobcotto.com

Simply Stunning: "Shelter" - Birdy

2011-10-01T07:04:00.000-07:00

I like the XX. I like the way this was filmed. I like the colours, the softness, the lingering camera caresses.

Simply Stunning: my future home I

2011-09-10T19:22:00.000-07:00

I don't know if I've ever talked about how much I love beautiful interiors, but I do. So much. I have an interior design inspiration folder full of ideas for when I get my own apartment in the future. The only problem is that I love everything and could decorate my apartment 5 completely different ways. So here's a photo from the collection:

My home will always have flowers. Preferably in containers that aren't traditional vases.

you provide the food, I'll provide the perspective

2011-09-10T18:25:00.000-07:00

I don't really know a witty, funny way to say this, so I'm just going to say it: I don't think people fully realize how fortunate they are.

Over the last week, the reoccurring theme at work has been first world problems. On a daily basis there are a fair number of customers who fuss over the most inconsequential things. Don't believe me? Try working where I work and hearing any number of these complaints over the course of a day:

Out of chocolate chip cookies
Don't have egg salad sandwiches
Coffee is not hot enough
It's raining out
Chai lattes have tea bags in them
Whatever other complaint you can think of, we'll probably have heard it

One day I got so fed up with hearing them, I turned to my coworker after the umpteenth complaint and said "You know, there's a war in Libya." Then it turned into this thing at work where every time someone would complain, we'd joke privately about our poor customers and their first world problems. It's not really a joke when you go beyond our exasperated sighs and rolled eyes. A cup of coffee costs two dollars. Over a billion people in the world live on less than a dollar a day. So if you're able to drive or take public transit to a coffee shop, buy a coffee, then go back to your home where you can afford to pay rent or mortgage, you're doing pretty well in relation to about 1/5th of the world's population. So please, please stop getting huffy over things that don't mean anything in the long run. It's just a coffee. It's stuff. It's not your entire livelihood or your emotional well being.

Wanna hear a story? I once knew someone who was fairly wealthy, loved every minute of it, and really didn't know the meaning of perspective. When I say fairly wealthy, I mean his dad owned three sports cars and we're not talking about modified Hondas. We lived in a neighbourhood where it's very likely that the number of cars a family owns either equals or exceeds the number of people in the household. One day we were hanging out and I was thinking out loud and wondered about the spending habits of wealthy people and if it was necessary to live so excessively. I'm pretty sure I said something along the lines of "Do rich people really need a sports car when some people in third world countries don't even have shoes?" I swear on all the money in my bank account that it wasn't a loaded question, but I definitely got a reaction I didn't expect. The gist of it was "So you think my family should sell our cars, buy Hondas, and spend all our money on shoes?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!!!!!!". Needless to say, we don't talk anymore.

The point I'm trying to get at is that it's important to have a little perspective. Being able to afford the things we want without having to think about it is an incredible privilege and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. I understand how incredibly frustrating it is when something doesn't go the way it's supposed to, but your life probably isn't as hard as you seem to think it is. Of course I'll always listen if you want to talk, but I'm not really sure if I want hear about coffee not being hot enough in great length. Or at all.

Simply Stunning: some dreamy, romantic photos from Bruno Dayan

2011-09-05T00:41:00.000-07:00

from one of my favourite photographers, Bruno Dayan

Monthly Mix: July & August 2011

2011-09-01T11:53:00.000-07:00

Roslyn - Bon Iver & St. Vincent
sea and the rock below
cocked to the undertow
bones blood and teeth erode, they will be crashing low

Perth - Bon Iver
still alive, who you love
still alive, who you love
still alive, who you love

Holocene - Bon Iver
...and at once i knew i was not magnificent
strayed above the highway aisle
(jagged vacance, thick with ice)
i could see for miles, miles, miles

re: Stacks - Bon Iver
this is not the sound of a new man or crispy realization
it's the sound of the unlocking and the lift away
your love will be
safe with me

Walking on a Dream - Empire of the Sun
we are always running
for the thrill of it, thrill of it
always pushing up the hill
searching for the thrill of it

We Are The People - Empire of the Sun
I can't do well when I think you're gonna leave me. But I know I try.
are you gonna leave me now?
can't you be believing now?

W.O.W. - Architecture in Helsinki
hey you, I'm all out of luck so let the dreamin' get tough
and we can be invisible, love

There is a Light That Never Goes Out - The Smiths
and if a ten-ton truck kills the both of us
to die by your side
well, the pleasure, the privilege is mine

Teardrops - The XX
fever for lost romance reminds me baby of you
and I took a crazy chance
next time I'll be true

Quelqu'un m'a dit - Carla Bruni
mais qui est ce qui m'a dit que toujours tu m'aimais?
je ne me souviens plus c'était tard dans la nuit
j'entend encore la voix, mais je ne vois plus les traits
"Il vous aime, c'est secret, lui dites pas que j'vous l'ai dit"
tu vois quelqu'un m'a dit...

Sweet Disposition - The Temper Trap
and while our bloods still young
it's so young it runs
we wont stop till it's over
won't stop to surrender

Gila - Beach House
sure, you've got a handle on the past
it's why you keep your little lovers in your lap

The Sweetest Thing - Camera Obscura
I'm going on a date tonight
to try to fall out of love with you
I know, I know this is a crime
but I don't know what else to do

a really important question concerning... a champion for humanity!

2011-08-30T18:59:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I watched this terrible alien movie on TV and I also saw Cowboys vs. Aliens. It got me thinking. If aliens do invade earth, not only will they have more advanced technology, they will also be a lot smarter than us. What should we do? Give in, probably. I was talking about this at work yesterday and posed the following question to my coworker:

If aliens came to earth, who would you send to fight for us?

Some suggestions were thrown out:
John Wayne, Harrison Ford, the Piranhas from Piranhas 3, Yoda, Chuck Norris, Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers, Darth Vader, Maximus Decimus Meridius (from Gladiator), Batman, Superman, Michael Myers, Sauron, T-Rex from Jurassic Park.

Then my manager threw out the following: Make a list of 10 people you would bring into battle with you. The dream team. So, dearest reader, go forth and make a list. Make one RIGHT NOW and share it. Then look at mine, but not until you've made yours. GO!

Charlie Chaplin, small pox, Hercules, Gandalf, Doctor Manhattan

Professor X, Africanized Killer Bees, A Ninja, James Bond, Spencer Reid

Runners up include: A hippo, Voldemort, Stage 4 cancer, Jaws, Pink Panther, Hannibal Lecter, Jeffrey Dahmer, funnel spiders, Gogo Yubari.

While I haven't come to a conclusion about who would be the champion, I did come to this conclusion: If we fail, Morgan Freeman would narrate the end of humanity and everything would be okay.

I bet you haven't made your list yet.

Bi-Monthly Mondays: July & August 2011

2011-08-29T05:59:00.000-07:00

I don't like this whole summer-ending-time-going-by-fast thing. What I DO like is fall clothes though, so maybe I'm not all that upset about summer being over. Wait, who am I kidding? Vancouver fall means rain for two months. Before I get all sulky about the future, let's talk about what made the last two months great.

My birthday! Who doesn't like their own birthday? I baked my own cake and went out with some fabulous people to Six Acres. Of course I wore a pretty dress and heels. Best birthday ever!

Blogging is something I do for fun and the minute it feels like an obligation, it's time to step back. I was starting to fall behind on my weekly posts and got a little stressed over it, so I quit posting for a while. I pretty much almost forgot about this post too.

Last week I was in Ontario with Ariana! Yay! And we went to the...

Toledo Zoo!

My trip to Toronto was far too short but it was so good.

Simply Stunning: Magdalena Frackowiak by Aitken Jolly for Dansk A/W 2011

2011-08-27T08:27:00.000-07:00

Dark, romantic, and sensual? Yes please.

via fashion gone rogue

last week

2011-08-26T08:12:00.000-07:00

I would stay forever if I could.

Simply Stunning: Sigur Ros - Glósóli

2011-08-21T16:02:00.000-07:00

Something beautiful.

Lately

2011-08-03T09:40:00.000-07:00

The beautiful Kimberley Rae, makeup by Win Liu, assisted by Jordan Alice. Styling and photography by yours truly x

Simply Stunning: We Live Young, a film by Nirrimi and Matt

2011-07-23T22:04:00.000-07:00

A beautiful, genuine short film from two very genuine people. This film is like a caress.

we live young from alba&boy on Vimeo.

vimeo

Thursday Talent: Jamie Beck

2011-07-21T11:58:00.000-07:00

Fashion films are all the rage right now and I'll admit to dipping my toes in last summer but honestly, I don't know if I'm ready for them yet. That being said, you know the moment you see something and you know exactly what you want to do? That happened to me.

I recently discovered Jamie Beck's cinemagraphs and I am head over heels. I am completely inspired. I love the subtlety of each image, soft movement... each work almost a film but not quite. Guess what you'll be seeing from me soon!

via tumblr

Simply Stunning: Valentino Haute Couture Fall 2011

2011-07-16T07:04:00.000-07:00

If you haven't already noticed from reading this blog or if you're new to this blog, I'm kinda that girl. What exactly do I mean by that? A secret (or not so secret) girly girl. I love lace, chiffon, silk, Josh Groban, flowers in my hair. So it's really no surprise that I love Valentino, especially Valentino Haute Couture Fall 2011. Call me a stereotype, I'm cool with that.

What I love most about this show is the hair and makeup. I love dewy, radiant skin and messy, romantic braided buns. Hair jewelry? Icing on the cake. Can I be a medieval fairy princess too?

Valentino & Vogue.it

Thursday Talent: J.K. Rowling

2011-07-14T05:24:00.000-07:00

If you have access to the internet, which I suspect you do because you're reading this, you'll know that the last Harry Potter movie EVER comes out at midnight. I started reading Harry Potter at the age of 9 or 10 (around the time the 4th book came out), then shortly after the movies started coming out and it never really occurred to me that the series would end. I'm super excited for the upcoming film, but I so don't want it to end. I know as a fact that one day, I will be reading Harry Potter to a child. And with that child, I will share the magic that J.K. Rowling so wonderfully bestowed upon all of us who grew up reading Harry Potter.

first blush

2011-07-12T22:51:00.000-07:00

So a while back, May to be exact, I was published in Joie magazine! Here's me...

Open publication - Free publishing - More art

Let me tell you about this shoot. The theme of the issue was "In Bloom" and I had this mood board put together with photos of girls in fields of flowers, lush forests, and there was colour everywhere. Guess what happened on the 17th of April, the Sunday before the shoot? It snowed. Not only did it snow, it snowed, rained and hailed. Needless to say, nothing was in bloom on the day of the shoot and it was cold and windy. Regardless, I decided to try to shoot outside anyway and things were not going the way there were supposed to. The girls were freezing, the creative team was freezing, and it looked like it was going to rain any second. So we had to switch gears and headed back to the apartment, touched up hair and makeup and went in a completely different direction. On the fly.

Here are a few that didn't make it in:

Simply Stunning: Chloé Resort 2012

2011-07-10T16:10:00.000-07:00

I love flowy, romantic dresses, especially this subtly sexy yet still very classy number from Chloé!

Thursday Talent: Tim Walker

2011-07-07T23:05:00.000-07:00

It was about time I featured my favourite photographer, the one photographer who inspires me more than any other photographer in the world. A well known name in the fashion world, but one who deserves every feature and millions more. Tim Walker is one of the few photographers I would drop everything for to assist. I would probably give up my spleen to work with him, watch him work, have a coffee with him, listen to him talk at me, etc.

wwww.timwalkerphotography.com

I don't mean to alarm you, but there's a velociraptor behind you

2011-07-04T12:39:00.000-07:00

Now that I have your attention, I regret to inform you that this post has little to do with dinosaurs. This post is actually about someone who's pretty awesome. Just as awesome as a velociraptor. Promise.

If you're a regular blog reader, you'll know that I mention one person pretty much every other post. Because really, why wouldn't you mention one of your best friends that you've known for 7 years? 7 years is pretty significant. Take the following into consideration: there are 7 Harry Potter books, 7 Horcruxes in the aforementioned books, 7 years at Hogwarts... shall I continue? Yeah, we both love Harry Potter. So I figured since Canada Post was on strike for a while and I meant to send her a random present which I spilled the beans on (which will also now be late, thanks Canada Post), this is a placeholder present in which I do the internet equivalent of an embarrassing public declaration.

I won't go into the details of how/when/where we met, but let's just say we both enjoyed AFI and wearing black a little too much. And then continued to be pretty much the same person. If I had to describe us in 140 characters, I'd say this: Ariana is the first edition of a book. I'm the version with the new cover. Exactly the same, but different enough that people buy both. Does that make sense? Or am I sleep deprived? I think it's rare that you meet someone who's pretty much you and could probably communicate with you in brain waves. Except in my opinion, Ariana is Nintendo DS and I'm gameboy colour. She's one of those friends you forget to take pictures with when out together because you're too busy being friends. Best friend one could ever have? Yep.

Monthly Mix: May & June 2011

2011-07-04T05:43:00.000-07:00

I've spent pretty much all my waking hours at work for the last month and a half. Part of that full-time work thing is listening to the same music all the time and honestly, listening to the stuff we have to listen to at work kind of makes a person not want to listen to anything at all when they get home. Although I'd be lying if I said I didn't catch myself singing along to some of the songs on 50's on 5 sometimes when doing things. Oh and be prepared to scroll a lot because there are double the amount of songs.

For fun, here's the work mix:

I Get Around - Beach Boys
Get around round round I get around
I get around
Round
Get around round round oooo
Wah wa ooo
Wah wa ooo
Wah wa ooo

Young Girl - Gary Puckett and The Union Gap
Young girl, get out of my mind
My love for you is way out of line
Better run, girl
You're much too young, girl

I Want to Hold Your Hand - The Beatles
Oh please say to me
You'll let me be your man
And please say to me
You'll let me hold your hand

Bad Moon Rising - Creedence Clearwater Revival
DOn't go round tonight
Well, it's bound to take your life
There's a ~~bathroom on the right~~ bad moon on the rise

Somewhere Over the Rainbow - Judy Garland
Someday I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me
More lyrics: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/l/leona_lewis/#share

You Can't Always Get What You Want - Rolling Stones
I saw her today at the reception
In her glass was a bleeding man
She was practiced at the art of deception
Well I could tell by her blood-stained hands

Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head - B.J. Thomas
Raindrops keep fallin' on my head
And just like the guy whose feet are too big for his bed
Nothin' seems to fit
Those raindrops are fallin' on my head, they keep fallin'

Sh-Boom - The Chords
If only all my precious plans would come true (sh-boom)
If you would let me spend my whole life lovin' you
Life could be a dream sweetheart

Brown Eyed Girl - by Van Morrison
Whatever happened
To Tuesday and so slow
Going down the old mine
With a transistor radio

And my own:

J'y Suis Jamais Allé - Amelie OST

Sous Le Ciel de Paris - Juliette Gréco (An Education OST)
Sous le ciel de Paris
Marchent des amoureux
Leur bonheur se construit
Sur un air fait pour eux

Contact High - Architecture in Helsinki
Four letter words won't hold any sway
And in a paradise that shakes the word romantic to the bone

Finn Bikkjen! - Casiokids
Bikkjen, min aller beste venn
eg skal aldri miste deg igjen
Bikkjen, min aller beste venn
eg skal aldri miste deg igjen

Miss It So Much - Röyksopp f. Lykke Li
Watching days turn to nights turn to weeks
Turn everything I got into techniques
My mechanical heart

Windowsill - Arcade Fire
Cause the tide is high
and its rising still
and I don't wanna see it at my windowsill

Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains) - Arcade Fire
We rode our bikes to the nearest park
Sat under the swings, we kissed in the dark
We shield our eyes from the police lights
We run away, but we don't know why

Until We Bleed - Kleerup f. Lykke Li
I'm naked
I'm numb
I'm stupid
I'm staying
And if Cupid's got a gun, then he's shootin'

Love and Some Verses - Iron & Wine
Love is a dress that you made
long to hide your knees
love to say this to your face
"I'll love you only"
for your days and excitement,
what will you keep for to wear?
someday drawing you different,
may I be weaved in your hair?

Passing Afternoon - Iron & Wine
There are things that drift away like our endless, numbered days

Calgary - Bon Iver
So itʼs storming on the lake
Little waves our bodies break
There’s a fire going out
But there’s really nothing to the south

re: Stacks - Bon Iver
There's a black crow sitting across from me
His wiry legs are crossed
He is dangling my keys, he even fakes a toss
Whatever could it be
That has brought me to this loss?

"Flower Girls" by Signe Vilstrup for Elle Denmark, April 2011

2011-07-03T17:06:00.000-07:00

via The Photography Link

Thursday Talent: Csaba Markus

2011-06-30T22:23:00.000-07:00

“Creativity begins with an affinity for something. It’s like falling in love. There is an emotional connection. I want to bring passion and beauty into peoples’ homes as my work speaks of love, purity and strength of spirit.

Csaba Markus is one of my favourite artists ever. I first discovered his work in the summer of 2009 on my trip to Europe. His work is soft, feminine, regal, dreamy.

www.csabamarkus.com

Bi-Monthly Mondays: May & June 2011

2011-06-29T05:04:00.000-07:00

You know how people always say that time sneaks up on them and it's kind of irritating because they say it ALL THE TIME? Well time snuck up to me this month. I swear it was just yesterday that I was running down Madison Avenue, but apparently it's almost July. Maybe I've been sent to an alternate fairy land where a few hours there is actually a year on earth. Who knows. The point is that I usually spend the course of two months slowly preparing these posts and that didn't happen over May and June. In fact, I realized around 4am on Monday morning while lying in bed, that I had completely forgotten this post. So now it's happening on Wednesday.

I went to New York and it was incredible. I'm pretty sure I could have stayed there for another month. Just in case you missed all my New York blog posts, here are links:
Small Girl, Big City
Fun, Friends, and Rats on Subway Tracks
A Cupcake and a Stranger
Eating Things and Seeing Things
Everything is Beautiful
Pictures of Things Regularly Seen on Postcards
Reading, Walking, and Breathing
Break

Early May, I had an editorial in Joie magazine. I don't know how I managed to completely forget to blog about it, but a blog post with some unreleased images will be put up along with some words about the experience that was that shoot. Coming soon to a computer screen near you!

I got back from New York on May 18th, at 2am no less (delayed flights, bah!). Then I went to work at 10am the same day. How's that for super trooper? Eager beaver? Yep. As incredibly frugal as I am, it's nice to have a steady source of income again.

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, my favourite anime of all time. You'd better believe I'm re-watching this. The only thing better than watching FMA Brotherhood is watching it with a friend from the other side of the world and being super nerdy about it. What's that sound? The rush of potential suitors quickly exiting stage left? Whatever guys, you have no idea what you're missing out on.

A couple friends and I went to this adorable, cozy place for drinks one night in Gastown called Six Acres. The minute I stepped inside and saw that they had board games, I fell in love. Also, their menus with book covers. Book covers! If you're a in Vancouver, go to Six Acres. It's wonderful.

Summer! Glorious summer! Even though it's been pretty muggy over the past couple days, I know fabulous weather is just around the corner. That being said, it's good weather if it's not raining. I am in Vancouver after all. Weather aside, I'm just happy it's summer because I have a feeling it'll be the greatest summer ever.

After being back in Vancouver for a month and not having done ANY photography at all, it was high time that happened. So I did a shoot! I also styled for the first time in my life! Wait a minute... do I hear crickets chirping? I'll let you be the judge of my styling when the photos are released.

Simply Stunning: Alexander McQueen Resort 2011

2011-06-26T22:34:00.000-07:00

I forgot to blog on Friday for Saturday, then I was out all day today. Anyway, here are my favourite pieces from Alexander McQueen Resort 2012. If anyone wants to pull these for a shoot with me, I'd love you... close to forever. It's not like I can afford to buy and wear them.

via style.com

Thursday Talent: The Man Repeller

2011-06-23T22:17:00.000-07:00

I want to say that The Man Repeller (by Leandra Medine) is the most interesting and unique style blog ever, but it would be unfair since I haven't seen every single style blog on the internet. Besides have a great sense of style, I love the way she blogs. Probably the funniest fashion blogger out there.

www.themanrepeller.com

being twenty

2011-06-21T23:09:00.000-07:00

"I'm turning double digits this year! Can I have a birthday party?" That was what I asked my parents ten years ago. To me, turning 10 was monumental because from them on my age would have two numbers in it. I haven't had a birthday party since. I'm 20 this year and it's a year worth blogging about. What am I looking forward to the most? Eating all the desserts I will make for myself and my friends in celebration of my birthday because I'm actually celebrating it this year! Where am I celebrating? No idea. Half my heart is on the west coast, half is on the east coast. Actually it's more like I'm split 60/40, but I'm not saying which place has more of my heart. Could I possibly split myself in two so I could be with all my friends at once? Or maybe we can all meet in the middle. In Saskatchewan.

There are only two things I want for my birthday this year: Good food and good company.

I'm sure I've mentioned this on my blog at least twice but here it is again: the last eight or so months have indubitably been the best eight months of my life. I'm planning to make my 20th year of life even better. I was going to say I hope it's better, but why passively hope when I could take an active role in making this year awesome? That being said, I'm hoping my letter to Hogwarts will come this year.

Simply Stunning: Edita Vilkeviciute by Camilla Akrans for H&M Magazine Spring 2011

2011-06-18T20:44:00.000-07:00

Since I'm shooting a summery, beachy story this week, here's something summery and beachy from one of my favourite photographers!

via Fashion Gone Rogue

Thursday Talent: Cade Martin

2011-06-16T05:50:00.000-07:00

When you look at things different, stories emerge. There is beauty in the everyday. And when people learn to look for it, they'll find inspiration in the least likely places. That's when the narrative in the situation and in the subject comes into focus. And even fashion is dull without the right style.

I just discovered Cade Martin's work a couple weeks ago and instantly fell in love with his collaboration with Design Army and the Washington Ballet. I then went on to look at the rest of his portfolio and fell in love.

www.cademartin.com

Tagged! You're It - Meme

2011-06-14T22:56:00.000-07:00

I have never done a meme on this blog before and I never really considered doing that because I just didn't. I didn't even know there was a meme going around until Ariana bbm'd me telling me to do it and she's the only one who could convince me to do a meme.

Do you think you're hot?
No, it's actually quite cold in my house. Oh, we're talking physical appearance? No, hot is not how I would describe myself and it's a silly question. Hot is also not an adjective I like to use to describe people unless I'm tired or inebriated. BOO THIS QUESTION.

Upload a picture or wallpaper that you're using at the moment.
I'm really far too lazy for that. It's a photo from an editorial Benjamin Kanarek did for Harpar's Bazaar China with model Marlena Szoka.

When was the last time you ate chicken meat?
On Friday, I think. I took the chicken out of a couple leftover sandwiches and put them on the panini press at work.

The song(s) you listened to recently.
Turn it Off by Phantogram, Rebellion by Arcade Fire, Passing Afternoon by Iron & Wine, Until We Bleed by Kleerup f. Lykke Li, Star Fire Power by Gardens & Villa

What were you thinking as you were doing this?
Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals tomorrow. I am an excited and nervous Canuck fan. I am so tired. There's nothing to eat for lunch or dinner tomorrow. I guess I'm bringing yoghurt and celery to work to eat. I have to work until 9:30 tomorrow fml. My cat is sleeping and being really cute. Should I be mean and wake him up? I'm sleepy. Ha! I woke him up. I miss Toronto. Why do I always wake up with 14 emails in my inbox, none of them interesting? I really want to read my book. Sleepy. I think I should start calling my friends. Who uses the phone though?

I have a really bad case of monkey mind. It's rare that I'm not thinking and jumping from one thought to another.

Do you have nicknames? What are they?
Most people call me by my full name. Sometimes people call me Tiff. My close friends make up their own names for me or use common affectionate names. I only really allow people to give me nicknames if we're close or have known each other for a long time. It really annoys me when people I barely know decide to address me by something other than my full name. I'm a stick in the mud.

Tag 8 blogger friends...
I don't really have blogger friends in the way I have facebook friends. I think that if you are reading this blog and you also have a blog or you are really bored, you should do this. If you don't have a blog, write it in the comments! Come on out, you lurkers!

Simply Stunning: Never Let Me Go

2011-06-11T09:26:00.000-07:00

I had meant to see this film at TIFF last year, but never ended up going. Last week, I finally got around to seeing it and I love it. It's a beautiful film.

Thursday Talent: Stina Persson

2011-06-09T07:14:00.000-07:00

An incredible illustrator from Sweden! I love her use of colour and the lines.

www.stinapersson.com

a $12000 mistake

2011-06-08T00:19:00.000-07:00

I get that mistakes are part and parcel of the whole human experience but god do they ever suck. Sometimes they're small mistakes like eating way too much and getting sick. Sometimes they're big mistakes like being in a relationship with a compulsive liar and getting hurt. And sometimes they cost a lot like going to university for photography and paying $12000 for two years of tuition and learning nothing. And no, that amount does not include all the extra costs like books, prints, mats, film, and more film.

$12,000 can pay for a lot of things. Rent for over a year. A new wardrobe. New camera equipment. Two nice vacations. 2400 11x14 prints. Rodney Smith's workshop for 3 students. Sponsoring a child in Africa for over 20 years.

Don't get me wrong, I don't think that going to university for photography is the biggest mistake any photographer could ever make. Ever. I'm just talking about me and my experiences. University is great for some people and there are lots of students who love the program I was in. In its defense, its aim is to be a fine art school so my commercial leanings probably contributed to not doing as well as I could have. Also, I guess I'm just not a deep person and I don't have anything to say about the human condition. It's a little frustrating that we aren't really given the freedom to do whatever we want, but I can live with that. What I can't live with is being taught "photoshop" skills in which we're instructed to use gaussian blur for skin and being told that 4x5 transparency film is industry standard. Correct me if I'm wrong about the latter, I'm the one that left what was supposed to be one of the best photography programs anyway.

Here's a bit of information that usually comes a major "wtf" to everyone: There was no studio. No studio at a school that is supposed to give me a photography degree. There wasn't even a building for the program. They were renovating the building and stuck all the students in a random building until they were done. They said they'd be done September 2010, but the last I heard from them they said they'd hopefully be done this coming fall. There was a "studio" that consisted of an unused classroom which had chalkboards and all. The ceiling in that room was so low that full length fashion couldn't have been done in there without photoshop. There were private "studios" that were emptied out offices with backdrops in them. The offices were so small that I had to sit in the hallway to shoot full length with a prime. I know that all that matters is the end result, but I don't actually want to cause the models I work with any discomfort. Also, do you know how embarrassing it is to have to tell a client on the day before we even start that we'll have to schedule a reshoot because a professor decided to book out the entire studio? Yeah.

As for equipment, they were a little lacking. If I'm not mistaken, they had one pair of pocketwizards. Each private "studio" had its own pair but most of the time they didn't work. If I wanted to use a beauty dish for a shoot, I had to rent it from a camera store. Also, the first year students weren't allowed to borrow much of anything and had to use hotlights. Second year was a little better because we were allowed to use flash. That being said, The speedotron packs were so ancient that at the end of a three hour shoot it fired every third time I pressed the shutter.

The reason this gets its own blog post instead of a small mention as a status update is because this is more than a case of me simply realizing that photography school isn't the place for me. To put it succinctly, the students in the program were so incredibly disappointed with the program that they petitioned for a tuition refund. Too bad school is not at all returning defective merchandise to a store.

If I were to give advice to photographers thinking about a photography degree, I'd say don't. If you're hell-bent on going to school, then go a school that offers a grueling diploma program that will teach you the nuts and bolts of the technical side of photography and the business aspects. Assist lots of people, do internships and shoot all the time. Those are the things that will teach you the skills that are applicable to working today. I was fortunate enough to assist an incredible photographer when I was out there and I learned more from him after three shoots than I ever learned at school.

Sensual

2011-06-07T05:00:00.000-07:00

"...the bottom of the spine – that's the most erotic part of anyone's body, man or woman.” - Alexander McQueen (The Guardian Weekend, July 6, 1996)

Bruna Erhardt by Renam Christofoletti for Vogue Brazil Brides via fashion gone rogue

Simply Stunning: Loren Kemp by Rokas Darulis for Fashion Gone Rogue

2011-06-04T09:39:00.000-07:00

Simplicity is so beautiful. I could have mornings like this forever.

via fashion gone rogue

Thursday Talent: Rodney Smith

2011-06-02T08:52:00.000-07:00

Rodney Smith has been one of my favourite photographers for the longest time. I can't remember how and when I found his work, all I remember is falling in love at first sight. Plus, his photographs are square. I love square photographs more than I love being a square. There isn't a single photo of his that I don't like. You know what makes him even better? He has a fabulous blog filled with wonderful writing.

www.rodneysmith.com & blog

Simply Stunning: Holly by Natalie J Watts for Vecu Spring 2011

2011-05-28T15:05:00.000-07:00

via Fashion Gone Rogue

Thursday Talent: Shenaz Engineer

2011-05-26T08:49:00.000-07:00

via Not Just a Label

rethinking social networking

2011-05-23T00:16:00.000-07:00

“The Internet is the first thing that humanity has built that humanity doesn't understand...” - Eric Schmidt

Since getting back from New York on Wednesday morning at 2am, I've worked 32 hours whilst fighting illness that has rendered me slightly less useful than usual. Let's just say I have sexy whiskey voice. Don't believe me? Call and find out. More importantly, I reactivated my facebook today. I've sort of finally came to terms with the fact that facebook has changed the way we communicate with each other whether I like it or not. Thanks a lot, Mark Zuckerberg. It's not that I'm not thankful for a new communication tool that can be used to achieve some pretty amazing things, because I am. But here's a question: how many of people actually think about what they post before pressing enter? And how many people actually speak to every facebook friend they have? I know I don't and I'm fully aware of the fact that a lot of those people don't even fit the traditional definition of a friend. So what's up with that?

As much as I update my facebook/twitter/blog and have accounts on other social networking websites, I'm not totally down with the whole social networking thing. From a pure work and networking standpoint, I get it and I fully recognize how it is incredibly helpful. I also understand how it helps people stay in touch and find people they haven't spoken to in years. Where I get confused and a little wary is when it comes to the personal life. I don't think people fully realize that what goes up on the internet is out of their hands. I have over 500 friends on facebook, which means that there are 500 people who see everything I write, every picture I post and everything my friends write to me. Hypothetically speaking, that might turn into 500 friends showing all of their 500 friends what I post and so on, so forth. See what I'm getting at here? Good thing I'm such a square that I couldn't possibly post anything that I'd regret.

What happens when someone is documented without their consent and put online? And I'm not talking about the occasional horrific picture of yourself that makes you want to immediately untag yourself. Let's take the Vancouver Canucks Game 2 penalty box flasher for example; unfortunately, that young lady's breasts are on the internet forever. But trust me when I say that a woman flashing her breasts at a hockey game is the least of our problems here. Last year, a 16-year-old girl was drugged and gang raped and the photos were put on facebook. As much as I like facebook and social media, this is why I can't fully get on board with it. As much as I love how social networking has enabled brilliant people to shine, it has also become yet another vehicle for people with underdeveloped prefrontal cortexes to hurt others.

The reason I deactivated my facebook in the first place was because I find it to be a disingenuous method of communication. What does it even mean to "like" something? Is there an inverse relationship between the volume of "likes" by a single individual with the sincerity of each "like"? What does it really mean when we make that status update? What are we really saying to our 500 friends and more importantly, what is it we're hoping they respond with?

"In short order--a matter of a few years--social networking and virtual worlds have transformed how young people, male as well as female, conceptualize both their selves and their relationships. According to Adriana Manago, a researcher at the Children's Digital Media Center in Los Angeles who studies college students' behaviour on MySpace and Facebook, young people's real-life identities are becoming ever more externally driven, sculpted in response to feedback from network 'friends'. Obviously, teens have always tested out new selves among their peers, but back in the dark ages (say, in the year 2000), any negative response was fleeting and limited to a small group of people they actually knew. Now their thoughts, photos, tastes, and activities are laid out for immediate approval or rejection by hundreds of people, many of whom are relative strangers. The self, Manago said, becomes a brand, something to be marketed to others rather than developed from within. Instead of intimates with whom you interact for the sake of exchange, friends become your consumers, an audience for whom you perform." - Peggy Orenstein, Cinderella Ate My Daughter

Before I deactivated my account, I posted a status update asking people for their contact info and received one reply from a person I regularly talk to outside of facebook. I never heard from any of the people who said they wanted to see me when I got back to Vancouver. Funny how that works.

Simply Stunning: A Single Man

2011-05-21T21:34:00.000-07:00

One of the most beautiful films I've ever seen and one of my favourite films of all time.

"A few times in my life I've had moments of absolute clarity, when for a few brief seconds the silence drowns out the noise and I can feel rather than think, and things seem so sharp and the world seems so fresh. I can never make these moments last. I cling to them, but like everything, they fade. I have lived my life on these moments. They pull me back to the present, and I realize that everything is exactly the way it was meant to be."

Thursday Talent: Yolanda Sanchez

2011-05-19T07:35:00.000-07:00

Yolanda Sanchez via Kathryn Markel Fine Arts

Simply Stunning: The Lady of Shalott by Alfred Lord Tennyson

2011-05-14T10:00:00.000-07:00

On either side the river lie
Long fields of barley and of rye,
That clothe the wold and meet the sky;
And thro' the field the road runs by
To many-tower'd Camelot;
And up and down the people go,
Gazing where the lilies blow
Round an island there below,
The island of Shalott.

Willows whiten, aspens quiver,
Little breezes dusk and shiver
Through the wave that runs for ever
By the island in the river
Flowing down to Camelot.
Four grey walls, and four grey towers,
Overlook a space of flowers,
And the silent isle imbowers
The Lady of Shalott.

By the margin, willow veil'd,
Slide the heavy barges trail'd
By slow horses; and unhail'd
The shallop flitteth silken-sail'd
Skimming down to Camelot:
But who hath seen her wave her hand?
Or at the casement seen her stand?
Or is she known in all the land,
The Lady of Shalott?

Only reapers, reaping early,
In among the bearded barley
Hear a song that echoes cheerly
From the river winding clearly;
Down to tower'd Camelot;
And by the moon the reaper weary,
Piling sheaves in uplands airy,
Listening, whispers, " 'Tis the fairy
Lady of Shalott."

There she weaves by night and day
A magic web with colours gay.
She has heard a whisper say,
A curse is on her if she stay
To look down to Camelot.
She knows not what the curse may be,
And so she weaveth steadily,
And little other care hath she,
The Lady of Shalott.

And moving through a mirror clear
That hangs before her all the year,
Shadows of the world appear.
There she sees the highway near
Winding down to Camelot;
There the river eddy whirls,
And there the surly village churls,
And the red cloaks of market girls
Pass onward from Shalott.

Sometimes a troop of damsels glad,
An abbot on an ambling pad,
Sometimes a curly shepherd lad,
Or long-hair'd page in crimson clad
Goes by to tower'd Camelot;
And sometimes through the mirror blue
The knights come riding two and two.
She hath no loyal Knight and true,
The Lady of Shalott.

But in her web she still delights
To weave the mirror's magic sights,
For often through the silent nights
A funeral, with plumes and lights
And music, went to Camelot;
Or when the Moon was overhead,
Came two young lovers lately wed.
"I am half sick of shadows," said
The Lady of Shalott.

A bow-shot from her bower-eaves,
He rode between the barley sheaves,
The sun came dazzling thro' the leaves,
And flamed upon the brazen greaves
Of bold Sir Lancelot.
A red-cross knight for ever kneel'd
To a lady in his shield,
That sparkled on the yellow field,
Beside remote Shalott.

The gemmy bridle glitter'd free,
Like to some branch of stars we see
Hung in the golden Galaxy.
The bridle bells rang merrily
As he rode down to Camelot:
And from his blazon'd baldric slung
A mighty silver bugle hung,
And as he rode his armor rung
Beside remote Shalott.

All in the blue unclouded weather
Thick-jewell'd shone the saddle-leather,
The helmet and the helmet-feather
Burn'd like one burning flame together,
As he rode down to Camelot.
As often thro' the purple night,
Below the starry clusters bright,
Some bearded meteor, burning bright,
Moves over still Shalott.

His broad clear brow in sunlight glow'd;
On burnish'd hooves his war-horse trode;
From underneath his helmet flow'd
His coal-black curls as on he rode,
As he rode down to Camelot.
From the bank and from the river
He flashed into the crystal mirror,
"Tirra lirra," by the river
Sang Sir Lancelot.

She left the web, she left the loom,
She made three paces through the room,
She saw the water-lily bloom,
She saw the helmet and the plume,
She look'd down to Camelot.
Out flew the web and floated wide;
The mirror crack'd from side to side;
"The curse is come upon me," cried
The Lady of Shalott.

In the stormy east-wind straining,
The pale yellow woods were waning,
The broad stream in his banks complaining.
Heavily the low sky raining
Over tower'd Camelot;
Down she came and found a boat
Beneath a willow left afloat,
And around about the prow she wrote
The Lady of Shalott.

And down the river's dim expanse
Like some bold seer in a trance,
Seeing all his own mischance --
With a glassy countenance
Did she look to Camelot.
And at the closing of the day
She loosed the chain, and down she lay;
The broad stream bore her far away,
The Lady of Shalott.

Lying, robed in snowy white
That loosely flew to left and right --
The leaves upon her falling light --
Thro' the noises of the night,
She floated down to Camelot:
And as the boat-head wound along
The willowy hills and fields among,
They heard her singing her last song,
The Lady of Shalott.

Heard a carol, mournful, holy,
Chanted loudly, chanted lowly,
Till her blood was frozen slowly,
And her eyes were darkened wholly,
Turn'd to tower'd Camelot.
For ere she reach'd upon the tide
The first house by the water-side,
Singing in her song she died,
The Lady of Shalott.

Under tower and balcony,
By garden-wall and gallery,
A gleaming shape she floated by,
Dead-pale between the houses high,
Silent into Camelot.
Out upon the wharfs they came,
Knight and Burgher, Lord and Dame,
And around the prow they read her name,
The Lady of Shalott.

Who is this? And what is here?
And in the lighted palace near
Died the sound of royal cheer;
And they crossed themselves for fear,
All the Knights at Camelot;
But Lancelot mused a little space
He said, "She has a lovely face;
God in his mercy lend her grace,
The Lady of Shalott."

Thursday Talent: Julia Margaret Cameron

2011-05-13T15:35:00.000-07:00

Julia Margaret Cameron is one of the first notable female photographers. She started taking photographs way back when photography was invented. Whilst the main focus of photographers at the time was documentation and exloring the possibilities of this new medium, Cameron created dreamy potraiture that continues to inspire photographers today.

(Blogger was down yesterday. BOO.)

little opinions on the big apple

2011-05-12T06:11:00.000-07:00

Sadly, my time in New York City is over. So here are my personal do's and don'ts when you visit The Big Apple.

Do:
- Alice's Tea Cup and get a cup of Alice's tea or if you have more time, sit down for a nibble. Buy some bulk tea if you can; they were out of Alice's Tea when I was there, so I couldn't get any.
- Central Park and go for a walk in the little pathways away from the crowds and the other tourists. Find a quiet spot and lie in the grass. Bring a cup of tea, something to eat, and a book and/or a journal.
- Magnolia Bakery and get a cupcake or two but go at an odd time like 9am, 11am or 2pm. Stay far, far away from the bakery around noon and before dinner.
- Macaron Café for their macarons. Splash out and get a box of 6. Eat them all.
- Top of the Rock for a view of the Manhattan skyline
- Henri Bendel. Out of all the high end department stores I visited (Saks, Bergdorf Goodman), it was the prettiest. I love the layout of the store and the decor.
- Housing Works is a wonderful little thrift store with a good selection of stuff ranging from H&M to Betsey Johnson.
- Metropolitan Museum of Art. It's huge, you can pay by donation and has some great special exhibitions. If you're planning to visit between now and the beginning of July, go to Savage Beauty.

Skip:
- Time's Square in the afternoon. It's sort of overwhelming ... or underwhelming, depending on how you see it. Overwhelming because there is just too much concrete and too many buildings and too many people. Underwhelming because the lights are not at all spectacular during the day.
- The Empire State Building. It's really windy and there is stuff blocking your view, not worth it in my opinion. I heard there's a bar nearby where you can sit and have a drink and look at the skyline. I wouldn't know, I'm 19.
- The Guggenheim. Yeah the building is neat and Matthew Barney shot the creepy, creepy Cremaster Cycle here, but between it and the MoMA, I'd pick the MoMA. If you're a fan of Vladimir Kandinsky though, go to the Guggenheim because it's full of his work.
- Statue of Liberty. Honestly, it looks just like how it looks on postcards. It's one of those things where you get there and it's like "Oh, I guess that's it."

And here's a little something extra for you, places that have free wifi:
- Starbucks
- Au Bon Pain
- Time's Square
- Sephora
- MoMA (well it's free if you pay admission to go in)
- Borders

Go forth and visit NYC, my friends!

break

2011-05-10T05:09:00.000-07:00

"I have to be alone very often. I'd be quite happy if I spent from Saturday night until Monday morning alone in my apartment. That's how I refuel."
— Audrey Hepburn

reading, walking, and breathing

2011-05-08T20:15:00.000-07:00

I don't know if this is good thing to admit or not, but I've been reading a lot these past few days. I finished two books and I'm 3/4 of the way through a third. Considering the fact that I barely read a book last month, this is not a bad thing. There's just a huge gap in my 2011 book list. Other than reading, I've been walking a lot. I walked from one tourist attraction to the subway, then to another tourist attraction, then back to the subway, and so on. Considering the fact that my parents are here and I haven't seen them since January, I figure it wouldn't kill me to go to all the tourist things they want to see. Speaking of parents, happy mother's day!

pictures of things regularly seen on postcards

2011-05-07T21:26:00.000-07:00

I've been a lot of places, but I haven't had a lot of adventures worth mentioning. If they even are adventures. So here are some pictures.

everything is beautiful

2011-05-07T07:50:00.000-07:00

On Thursday I had the privilege of going to Savage Beauty. I say privilege because whilst it is an open exhibit, I certainly felt very privileged to be so close to the work of a master. Photographs weren't allowed and while there was definitely a lot of sneak photography going on, I didn't participate. I went through the entire exhibit twice. The first time was to take it all in and be completely blown away by the entire experience, the second was to stand and contemplate. I have to say, it was a little frustrating to hear some of the comments made by other people - "That's cool", "I wouldn't wear that", "Ew women wouldn't like the hips on that." Some people are just lacking in the brain department. That being said, I hope that many left the exhibit with a deeper understanding of fashion - that it's more than just clothes.

If I could only do one activity for the rest of my time in New York, it would be spending time at Savage Beauty. It was like being in the presence of a deity. McQueen and his work pretty much encapsulate all the reasons I love fashion. I can only hope that one day, my own work can reach his level of creativity and beauty. I left the exhibit completely inspired and headed to Alice's Tea Cup to write pages and pages in my journal. I plan to be back at Savage Beauty least once more.

Chanel No. 5 featuring Nicole Kidman directed by Baz Luhrmann

2011-05-06T21:55:00.000-07:00

Thursday Talent: Enjoy Cupcakes

2011-05-05T06:37:00.000-07:00

I'm in New York right now and in New York, there is this famous little place called Magnolia Bakery that is filled with delectable goodies (verified by yours truly). As much as I love Magnolia, I came across this cupcake place a few months ago that has over 50 different flavours. Perhaps this post doesn't really work for this particular themed post, but I think that if a shop can carry over 50 different cupcake flavours then the family that owns it is definitely talented. Here are just a handful of them:
Vanilla Mascarpone Chardonnay
Milk Chocolate, Blackberry, Syrah
Pomegranate Mimosa
Chocolate Dipped Coconut Haystack
Strawberry Basil Lemonade
Orange Clove Gingerbread

Amazing, right?

Enjoy Cupcakes

eating things and seeing things

2011-05-04T20:14:00.000-07:00

I'm really tired. I haven't really done anything for the last two days. I know I'm in New York and there are so many things to see and do, but I am tired. If I didn't relax for a couple days, I'm pretty sure my feet would have rebelled and left my body to fend for itself somewhere in the middle of Manhattan. I also haven't gotten a lot of sleep for whatever reason. My body insists on waking up every morning at the ungodly hour of 7 despite the fact that sometimes I don't get to sleep until 3. A phenomenon I will never understand. So I spent the last two days recouping because I know I'll be busy every day for the next two weeks.

Monday was Brittany's last day in New York, so we decided to do lots of touristy things. And eat lots of things. We were up bright and early for breakfast at Moonrock Diner Cafe, which was conveniently located right next to the MoMA. I don't know how I feel about the MoMA, I guess it's alright. It was cool to see all the artworks that I had to learn about in Art History but I think I prefer the Met. That being said, I'm also not really a modern art kind of person so perhaps my opinion doesn't count. Whilst I enjoyed it, I'd take Chiaroscuro and Sfumato any day over art installations. Unless they're old kitchens and kitchen things. I was definitely all over that exhibit. Although I have to say, I have a new found appreciation for cubism.

After the MoMA, it was basically food, food, food. We wandered down to Little Italy where we had lunch at this cute Italian place then walked down the street to a coffee shop. Our adventures then took us to Chinatown where we bought "I ♥ New York" shirts. We're tourists, what do you want from us? Since it was still a little early to be going to Times Square, we went to Magnolia for cupcakes, then Pink Berry for frozen yogurt.

Am I fat and happy? You bet.

a cupcake and a stranger

2011-05-04T07:06:00.000-07:00

Unlike the rest of my days in New York, I actually had a plan on Sunday. And here was the plan: get some sort of baked good and go to Central Park. Simple enough, right? Yeah, that's what I thought. So I followed the plan!

I had originally planned to go to Levain bakery but for whatever reason, I kept missing my stop. I was on an older train that didn't announce the stops and apparently I have trouble paying attention to where I am. Having spent way too much time on transit, I ended up getting annoyed at myself and got off. I figured I might as well just walk up to Levain and see things along the way. It's not like there's much to see on the subway anyway. I ended up walking up the street and found Alice's Tea Cup and decided to go there instead. Unfortunately, they were out of their signature blend but I'll be back for some.

One of the things that struck me first when I arrived in New York was that everything was in bloom because nothing was in bloom in Toronto or Montreal. Central park is one of the nicest parks I've ever been to but maybe that's not saying too much because I think most parks are nice. Everything was beautiful and flowers were in bloom. While crowds are to be expected, I was still slightly irked by the amount of people. I think I'll be in Central Park early one morning with tea and some sort of baked good.

When I first got here, I was talking to Ariana about NYC since she'd been before and she told me New York guys are super flirty. I think every girl who visits New York probably has a funny flirty stranger story, so here's mine. I'm minding my own business in Central Park and this guy comes up to me and opens conversation with "You're the most adorable thing I've seen in the last 100 years." I counter with "You haven't even lived 100 years, so how would you know?" He tells me he's a raw foodist and I say I'm just visiting and he says he wants to take me out before I leave. Too bad I already have plans. He goes to shake my hand but I'm tangled in my camera and he throws me this one, "Why don't you untangle yourself and get tangled up in me." I gave him a look and he took it back, admitting it was lame. The lame lines... do they even work?

fun, friends, and rats on the subway tracks

2011-05-01T00:22:00.000-07:00

Today I saw rats darting around the subway tracks for the first time. To be honest, I thought they would be bigger and really gross. Like evil rats from the Nutcracker level of disgusting and repugnant. Someone once told me that the rats in New York were the size of cats, so I was kind of expecting that.

I got to meet a fabulous photographer and friend in the flesh today, the talented Miss Hortencia Caires. My equally talented and fabulous friend Brittany Alyse is also in New York right now! She arrived yesterday and this is the fourth city we've seen been in together, which is pretty darn cool. We went to the Met today, went to SoHo, had a giant cupcake, yummy dinner and hung out at Hortencia's apartment. It was a pretty low key kind of day and now I'm in my temporary home eating cake and fruit. Life is pretty wonderful right now.

Simply Stunning: Du Juan by Wing Shya for Flair Italia April 2011

2011-04-30T12:18:00.000-07:00

via mode.newslicious.net

soho

2011-04-29T20:19:00.000-07:00

small girl, big city

2011-04-29T16:31:00.000-07:00

I'm in New York! I've been here for only two days, but I have to say I'm really enjoying it. I haven't really done much other than familiarize myself with the city. I have to say, this is the only place I can navigate without whipping out google maps every so often. That being said, I got tragically lost on my way home yesterday when I was trying to transit home in the suburbs. It took me three hours. I wish I was joking.

All I've really done is walk around touristy places. Yesterday, I was at Bryant Park, 5th Avenue (Saks, Henri Bendel, etc), Rockefeller centre, and Time's Square. Some time in the middle of the day, it started pouring. Thirty seconds in the rain and BAM. SOAKED. Before you ask me why I didn't check the weather forecast and why I didn't bring an umbrella, I did. An umbrella doesn't protect me from sideways torrential downpour.

Today, all I did was walk around SoHo. I found this amazing little thrift store with this amazing Betsey Johnson dress for... $30. But it was a size too big. BOO. I really liked SoHo, so if I have time I will be back!

Thursday Talent: Chris + Lynn

2011-04-28T15:31:00.000-07:00

It's almost first week of May! This means that wedding season has officially begun! If I ever get married, there would be no doubt about who would photograph my wedding: the spectacular duo Chris + Lynn. Let their images speak for themselves:

chrispluslynn.com & blog

finding love

2011-04-27T23:18:00.000-07:00

This where I would regularly put the things I have loved over the last two months. Regularly being the key word here. I had the post ready to go, then I started thinking. A dangerous past time, I know. I'm not entirely sure a series of 182x122 pixel photos can really do justice to the best two months of my life. So here's a rare snippet into my life.

I remember when it was pouring rain one day last September and I went outside in a white sun dress. It poured as I ran and twirled and took picture after picture. Rain dripped from the ends of my hair and my dress clung to my body. I lay on the porch waiting for the self-timer to go off as it rained on me. It rained and rained. I remember feeling unsure.

November came and it became December and the two months melded into one long month. I remember lying in bed and thinking until I drifted off to sleep. I'm not sure when my thoughts stopped and where my dreams started. They seemed the same. Sometimes I would wake up with aching muscles and a weary mind. I remember how desperately I wanted to go home. I was so tired.

I gave up over winter break. I gave up on the dream I had been chasing since the age of 16. I gave up after a half-chase, a half-hearted effort. I thought "might as well quit before this gets anywhere, not that it will." Now that I think back, I'm not entirely sure what "this" was. Out of nowhere, I lost the passion I had for what I had loved so much. I was tired of looking at my work and I was tired of being so far away from home. I wasn't inspired to create and gradually forgot how to.

Winter break went by quickly. Too quickly. I didn't want to leave. I wasn't ready to return. All I wanted were a few more weeks at home where everything was familiar. If I couldn't find a home in Toronto where I had been for a year and a half, I wasn't sure it could ever be called home. January was quiet for me. I spent it reading books, watching movies, and making new plans. I surrounded myself with comfort and rest. At the end of the month, I decided to leave Toronto indefinitely.

In February, I made a conflicting decision. I decided to give photography another last, desperate effort without expecting much. I knew I would be leaving soon so I figured I might as well give it one last go. I gathered my things together, got out of bed, and gave my dreams one last shot.

That's where everything changed for me. Doors started to open and I was getting small opportunities that I thought were reserved for people who were, well, not me. It seems silly now, but I didn't think "yes" was a word I would hear often. When March came around, I had shoot after shoot lined up with amazing teams. Sometimes I would have 3 shoots a week and I loved every minute of it. I had forgotten what it felt like to be creative and work with great people. All the feelings I had before fell away and I was once again excited about photography. I was in love in a way I had never been before.

Around the same time, I met people and started going out more frequently. Before you judge me for being a hermit for a year and a half, let me tell you that living so far away from downtown does that to a person. Knowing that it takes almost an hour to commute each way makes a naturally quiet person retreat. Then a good friend of mine moved to Toronto, we hung out a lot and I met her roommate, then they had a dinner party where I met new people and as they say, the rest is history. Everything I didn't have for the first year and a half in Toronto fell into my lap during these last two months. It didn't hurt that I also visited Ariana in London and got to meet one of my biggest inspirations.

Last night was my last night in Toronto. I don't know when I'll be returning and for how long. I don't know how things will end up for me or how many times I might change my mind. What I do know is that I can truly say that I've never been happier and I know exactly what both my heart and my head want. So here I am in New York, once again thinking late into night. But they're different thoughts this time.

Simply Stunning: Ofelia by Silvia Camporesi

2011-04-23T15:38:00.000-07:00

www.silviacamporesi.it

Thursday Talent: Aoi Kotsuhiroi

2011-04-21T11:43:00.000-07:00

Aoi Kutsuhioroi's work is dark, sexy, expertly crafted and beautifully photographed. Wouldn't you like a pair of those incredible shoes?

aoikotsuhiroi.com

Wednesday's Child

2011-04-17T13:24:00.000-07:00

So yesterday in the middle of a pretty perfect day, I got the following twitter notification:

kthefashionista @tiffanysphoto this lucky girl got a cover !! issuu.com/xomag/docs/ima… #congrats

Best day ever? Yeah that's what I thought too.

Open publication - Free publishing - More fashion

Yay!! And here are some images that didn't make it in:

Big thanks to the following talent: Raisy Kazi for the beautiful makeup makeup, Irina Lavrega for amazing hair, Nalinie Budhu for impeccable styling, the stunning Krystal Reeve at NEXT, and the superbly talented Brittany Alyse for helping out.

Simply Stunning: Chasing Wolves by Harper Smith for Factory Magazine

2011-04-16T11:59:00.000-07:00

Now that we're well in Spring, I thought I might remind you all of the magic and beauty of winter and snow. Plus, it's raining today.

Chasing Wolves for Factory Magazine from Harper Smith on Vimeo.

harpersmithphotography.com

Thursday Talent: The Green Children

2011-04-14T04:57:00.000-07:00

Ages and ages ago, Ariana introduced me to The Green Children. I think that if Elves existed among us, this is what they'd listen to.

Monthly Mix: March & April 2011

2011-04-12T12:10:00.000-07:00

This is actually two weeks early and it's on a Tuesday instead of the usual Monday, but it feels like the right time to make this post for some reason or another. Also, I probably won't have time at the end of this month to do it. I have a feeling all the following songs will be on rotation for a while because for whatever reason, I'm incredibly content. I'll keep adding to it, but I'm not bored yet which is strange because I get bored quickly. In fact, this post is so unusual, I'll even format it differently!

Adele. I was introduced to Adele this month, whom I love. I'm not sure where I was when 19 came out, but somebody should have told me about her. Some favourites:

Daydreamer
Plus he's there for you
When he shouldn't be
But he stays all the same
Waits for you
Then sees you through

Chasing Pavements
Should I give up or should I just keep chasing pavements
Even if it leads nowhere?

Set Fire to the Rain
I set fire to the rain,
And I threw us into the flames
Well, it felt something died
'Cause I knew that was the last time

Someone Like You
You know how the time flies
Only yesterday was the time of our lives
We were born and raised in a summer haze
Bound by the surprise of our glory days

I've also had two of Mandy Moore's albums on a lot, Wild Hope & Amanda Leigh. I've more or less grown up listening to her and matured along with her music. When I was 10ish, I listened to So Real/I Wanna Be With You. Then A Walk to Remember came out in 2002 and while the movie was stupid (sorry romantic guys and gals, not into Nicholas Sparks at all), I liked the music. And here I am 10 years later, sometimes feeling like I'm 19 and sometimes 24 and still listening to Mandy Moore.

Nothing That You Are
I heard you say
We were one and the same
Well wrong again
I could never do those things you did to me

Pocket Philosopher
Hey, come on let’s play a song
Two or three or four
Five or if you want more
Or maybe you got somewhere else to be

Looking Forward to Looking Back
You were asleep while I gathered my things in the dark
The burns on my fingers were all that was left of the spark

Can't You Just Adore Her?
She likes chocolate in the morning
She drinks her coffee late at night
You can sense that she is guarded
But that's alright

And some random stuff:

Heart Skips A Beat - Lenka
My world is full of loveliness
But I focus on the stress
My heart says "Go" but my brain says "No"
And it's only in the quiet that I hear myself breathe

Dangerous & Sweet - Lenka
I know that you are just like me oversensitive
We're an ordinary breed
Taking everything for much more than it means
Well, it's dangerous and it's sweet
Cut us and we bleed

Bette Davis Eyes - Kim Carnes/Leighton Meester's cover
She'll let you take her home
It whets her appetite
She'll lay you on her throne
She got Bette Davis eyes
She'll take a tumble on you
Roll you like you were dice

You've Got the Love (XX Remix) - Florence and the Machine
Sometimes it seems that the going is just too rough
And things go wrong no matter what I do
Now and then it seems that life is just too much
But you've got the love I need to see me through

Winter Winds - Mumford & Sons
And my head told my heart
"Let love grow"
But my heart told my head
"This time no, this time no"

Across the Universe - The Beatles
Thoughts meander like a
Restless wind inside a letter box
They tumble blindly as
They make their way across the universe

Celia - Simon & Garfunkel
Making love in the afternoon with Cecilia
Up in my bedroom (making love)
I got up to wash my face
When I come back to bed
Someone's taken my place

Lighthouse - Love, Robot
If there's one thing I know I can show you
What it means to be free but still hold you
So now the chills are running down my spine
And we will be needing to say goodbye
I'm here to stay so we can say goodnight

Enchanted - Taylor Swift/Owl City
This night is sparkling, don't you let it go
I'm wonderstruck, blushing all the way home
I'll spend forever wondering if you knew

Give Me Strength - Snow Patrol
My friends we've seen it all
When it made no sense at all
You dare to light my path
And found the beauty in the aftermath

last week

2011-04-10T19:24:00.000-07:00

image via Fashion Gone Rogue

Simply Stunning: Love Sonnet XVII by Pablo Neruda

2011-04-09T07:32:00.000-07:00

I don't love you as if you were the salt-rose, topaz
or arrow of carnations that propagate fire:
I love you as certain dark things are loved,
secretly, between the shadow and the soul.
I love you as the plant that doesn't bloom and carries
hidden within itself the light of those flowers,
and thanks to your love, darkly in my body
lives the dense fragrance that rises from the earth.

I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where,
I love you simply, without problems or pride:
I love you in this way because I don't know any other way of loving

but this, in which there is no I or you,
so intimate that your hand upon my chest is my hand,
so intimate that when I fall asleep it is your eyes that close.

via Wolf in the Fable ♥

Thursday Talent: Vivienne Mok

2011-04-07T11:06:00.000-07:00

Vivienne Mok is an extraordinarily talented photographer from France. Not only are her images dreamy and beautiful, she does all the styling, hair and makeup to boot.

portfolio & blog

Zemotion meetup part II

2011-04-03T11:05:00.000-07:00

I haven't actually had a chance until today to look at the few pictures I have from the meetup with Zhang Jinga about two weeks ago. But here they are, proof that I was there!

People doing stuff

People doing stuff again

Paul and Cornelia talking

Brittany, Shanene, Jingna, Me, and Denise (the only one in focus)

Us again ... Denise blurry this time.

Original post & more pictures at Jingna's blog

Simply Stunning: Obbaki SS2011 Editorial Film

2011-04-02T15:24:00.000-07:00

Obakki Spring/Summer 2011 Editorial Film from Obakki on Vimeo.

Candace Meyer for Obakki via Haute Design by Sarah Klassen

tiffany switches gears

2011-04-01T08:57:00.000-07:00

I'm sure everyone already knows my massive love of cats and the inevitability of my future status as crazy cat lady. Way before I started fashion photography, I was taking pictures of my cats. Then I did pictures of my friends' cats, stray cats, cats in foreign countries. I guess I just have a natural affinity for cats. I think this is really where my passions lie when it comes to photography. Whilst I do love fashion, I always seem to go back to cats when I'm around them. So I've decided that instead of continuing the pursue fashion, I'm going to specialize in cats because I really do love them.

Link to my new cat photography website!

Thursday Talent: Zoe Bradley

2011-03-31T09:04:00.000-07:00

I'm not even sure how I would begin to describe Zoe's work, so just look and be in awe of her extraordinary talent:

www.zoebradley.com

Simply Stunning: Julia, Sasha & Zivile by Zhang Jingna in 1000 Roses

2011-03-27T18:13:00.000-07:00

Since this Simply Stunning post is late, here's something extra stunning from one of my favourite photographers!

Zhang Jingna via fashiongonerogue

Thursday Talent: Zhang Jingna

2011-03-24T20:58:00.000-07:00

When I was 13, I joined this website called deviantart. I remember the first picture I ever posted: a horrible grainy picture of my cat in my bathtub. Thankfully I've come a long way since pictures of my cat. While I'm not really active on deviantart anymore, I still remember the people who first inspired me and continue to inspire me and Jingna has been a huge inspiration to me. So naturally, the zemotion meetup on Tuesday evening became the highlight of the year so far. It's probably safe to say that it's going to stay the highlight of the year because I can't think of anything right now that would top that. Not only is she an incredible artist, she's also super humble and very down to earth ♥

zhangjingna.com & blog

p.s. Here are a few pictures from the meetup!

Simply Stunning: Mulberry S/S 2011 by Tim Walker

2011-03-19T11:37:00.000-07:00

With all the warm weather we've been having this week plus the time change, I can really feel Spring coming just around the corner. So here's a little cheer and whimsy by my favourite photographer to remind you that it won't be cold forever.

Spring Summer 2011 - The Campaign from Mulberry on Vimeo.

via Coco's Tea Party

Thursday Talent: Bakerella

2011-03-17T19:40:00.000-07:00

If you have been to Starbucks recently and looked in their display case, you'll see that they recently started selling cake pops. What are cake pops? Cake balls on sticks. Cake lollipops. You get the picture. The world has one woman to thank for the popularity of these treats: Angie Dudley of Bakerella. Oh and might I mention I got to meet her and have a signed copy of her book? Yep. That's awesome.

www.bakerella.com

Esme

2011-03-14T16:32:00.000-07:00

Model: Esme (B&M, Peggi LePage)

Simply Stunning: Emporio Armani’s Irresistible Woman for Muse

2011-03-12T19:11:00.001-08:00

via fashiongonerogue

awareness

2011-03-11T19:36:00.000-08:00

As you have all heard, a major earthquake hit Japan today. If you haven't heard, then you might be living under a rock.

The morning after Japan was struck by the most powerful earthquake to hit the island nation in recorded history and the tsunami it unleashed -- and even as the earth continued to twitch with aftershocks -- the disaster's massive impact was only beginning to be revealed.

The 8.9-magnitude temblor, which was centered near the east coast of Japan, killed hundreds of people, caused the formation of 30-foot walls of water that swept across rice fields, engulfed entire towns, dragged houses onto highways, and tossed cars and boats like toys. Some waves reached six miles (10 kilometers) inland in Miyagi Prefecture on Japan's east coast. -- CNN

And in came the pouring of these kinds of tweets/facebook status updates:

"Sending out all of my love and prayers to Japan"

"Sending Love, Light* & prayers to all affected by this devastating earthquake + Tsunami"

"My prayers go out to anyone that is being effected by the disaster in Japan..."

"Sending out my deepest condolences to those affected by the earthquake in Japan."

Here's the thing: your wishes/thoughts/love/condolences/light/whatever you are mentally sending is not actually helping. I'm sure you mean well and I'm not saying you shouldn't post these things, but the dictionary definition of aware is "having knowledge". Nowhere does it say "changing the world" or "doing good". So pray tell, how does your knowledge of a situation have any effect on it? How does changing your status do anything? Wishes, thoughts, love, etc don't do anything tangible or useful.

Awareness is pretty meaningless. To give a concrete example, let's say you have a plant that is dying because it hasn't been watered for a while. What would be the logical thing to do? Update your facebook with "My thoughts and prayers go out to my plant that is dying"? Or perhaps you should change your profile picture to a picture of a plant to raise awareness for it. Does that seem completely absurd? Yeah that's what I thought. That's what awareness is. That act of doing nothing.

I feel like apologizing for having this mindset but I'm not going to. I believe that what I'm doing is making you aware of your own lack of action. If you really feel sorry and want to send love, then prove it and help.

The reality of the situation is that the people in Japan are in the middle of a disaster. They're probably not going to be checking twitter or facebook to see if people they don't know are caring for them. They're wondering what's happening, if they still have a home, if their family is alright, and what is going to happen next. They would be a lot more appreciative of actual action. A thousand dollars and a thousand helping hands are more useful than a thousand wishes. What are well wishes without action?

Show you care by donating.

Thursday Talent: Gobelins

2011-03-10T09:17:00.000-08:00

So today's Thursday Talent is a little different because it's not an individual I'm featuring. Today I'm featuring Gobelins L'Ecole de L'Image, a school that has only the brightest and best in animation. To say they're talented is pretty much the understatement of the year. Many of its students go on to work at Disney, Pixar (which is now owned by Disney), Dreamworks, etc. Here are a few of my favourite short films from its exceptionally gifted students:

www.gobelins.fr & youtube

Simply Stunning: Melissa Tammerijn by Sølve Sundsbø for Vogue Italia February 2011

2011-03-05T09:36:00.000-08:00

I'm so ready for colours, flowy dresses, and flowers! So here's a little light to remind everyone that it's not going to be -10 forever. Enjoy!

via fashiongonerogue