There is So Much About my Fate...

"There is so much about my fate that I cannot control, but other things do fall under the jurisdiction. I can decide how I spend my time, whom I interact with, whom I share my body and life and money and energy with. I can select what I can read and eat and study. I can choose how I’m going to regard unfortunate circumstances in my life-whether I will see them as curses or opportunities. I can choose my words and the tone of voice in which I speak to others. And most of all, I can choose my thoughts."

Elizabeth Gilbert

Goodbye, Elizabeth

A childstar, a leading lady, two Oscars, seven husbands and a double set of eyelashes. This woman, an actress in Hollywood's Golden Age, was a legend - both official (the American Film Institute named her seventh on its Female Legends list) and in the hearts of millions.

Unfortunately, her fairytale came to an end this morning when she died after being hospitalized for congestive heart failure. At 79, her grace and spirit was still a light in her four children, many grand children and even great-grand children's lives.

Rest in Peace, Elizabeth Taylor...

"Everything makes me nervous - except making films."

"The problem with people who have no vices is that generally you can be pretty sure they`re going to have some pretty annoying virtues."

 "My mother says I didn`t open my eyes for eight days after I was born, but when I did, the first thing I saw was an engagement ring. I was hooked."

"[2005] There`s still so much more to do. I can`t sit back and be complacent, and none of us should be. I get around now in a wheelchair, but I get around."

Dancing to Degas

The Impressionist style may have been labeled old fashioned and unoriginal in the beginning of the 20th century, but that does not mean it got any less beautiful. Edgar Degas, the French master, created fairytale pieces with off-centre compositions and captured moments of movement and grace. Enjoy his incredible ballet paintings...

"A painting requires a little mystery, some vagueness, some fantasy. When you always make your meaning perfectly plain you end up boring people."

- Edgar Degas

"Art is not what you see, but what you make others see."

"Nothing in art should seem accidental, not even movement."

Musical Magic: Kate Nash

You've probably guessed that I'm an indie/folk/rock girl when it comes to music. I love all types of music (sometimes I can't get enough of Beethoven), but I' always find myself drawn to the original, the wacky and uniquely beautiful. This singer encompasses these traits: her music tells of crazy adventures, useless love affairs and even imaginary friends (listen to Skeleton Song for that one.) She's different and that's why she's excellent. Her website: http://www.katenash.co.uk/ displays the personality of her music in visual form.

Her album art reminds of the typical 60's and 70's LP artwork:

Made of Bricks                     My Best Friend is You

Check out of my favourite Kate Nash Songs: Foundations

The Zooey with a Chanel Name

I saw this unique and utterly inspiring actress for the first time in Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy as astrophysicist and white mice keeper, Trilian (or Tricia Mcmillan) and knew she was something different. She grew up in a showbiz-orientated family (with a cinematographer father and actresses for a mom and sister) and even spent a part of her childhood in my native South Africa. He roles are known to be out of the ordinary and sometimes downright wacky (Elf, Yes Man), but that's what makes her refreshing.

Zooey Deschanel

 Definitely my favorite Zooey D movie so far...

Not only does she excel in the acting world, but her musical talents have brought on the band She & Him (with M. Ward). This indie band is known for using 60's influences in both sound and style.

The official She & Him music video for Don't Look Back

The Globes, of Course

The 68th annual Golden Globes has probably been the most discussed topic on the web in the last twenty-four hours, but I can't help it - it's where two of passions come together: the film world and fashion. As an actress one finds these awards inspiring, because you get to see and learn from the most increible talent the world has to offer. Some winners you agree with whole-heartedly, but others you wonder about and think: "why?" However, no matter what happens, this is where I usually get to know brand new shows and artists and discover even more about the craft I love so much.

 I've always been a fan of Colin Firth and he executed this difficult role of a stuttering King George VI with pure brilliance. Congratulations!

I'm a sucker for everything ballet, no matter how darkly portrayed. Well done to Natalie Portman for her Black Swan perfomance.

And to those who fell through the cracks:

 Inception was spectacular in every aspect of filmmaking and will always be one of my all time favourite films.

 When Johnny Depp steps in front of the camera, you don't even see a glimmer of Johnny Depp - it's all about the character and I admire him greatly for that. A good actor is believable, a great actor makes you wonder if the actor is even still in there: that's Depp!



As for the fashion: some of my personal favorites...

Sandra Bullock in fairy tale Jenny Packham.

Olivia Wilde in Marchesa with shimmery gold Christian Louboutins.

Natalie Portman in Viktor & Rolf.

Anne Hathaway in Armani Privé.

Julia Stiles in Romona Keveza.

For a complete listing of nominees and winners, go HERE

A Favourite Photographer: Ben Hassett

Mystery, strategic color, contrast and drama. Those are the words that describe this fine art and fashion photographer's work. He brings art to fashion and fashion to drama...

Photos: http://www.benhassett.com/

The Designer and the Tramp

John Galliano is the epitome of drama, theatrics, fantasy and intrigue. He never opts for the ordinary and, with his designs, creates a world where every dreamer could thrive. His Spring 2011 collection once again proves his mastery of the strange. This Charlie Chaplin inspired collection brings together two of my favourite things: unique fashion and the celebration of the dramatic.

"I had no idea of the character. But the moment I was dressed, the clothes and the make-up made me feel the person he was. I began to know him, and by the time I walked onto the stage he was fully born." - Charlie Chaplin

Happy Anniversary...

30 Years...

...is how long my parents have been married today, 17 December 2010.

My mom had just turned 20 and my dad was a mere 21 when they exchanged vows in 1980 and 30 years, countless ups and downs and four children later, they still have the world to talk about, cannot imagine life without one another and still look into each other's eyes with utter devotion.

To those of you who do not believe in fairy tale love, these two people are proof of its existence...

Some pictures of their three decades together...

God With Us



With the parents on their wedding day...

 

Christmas before children

The crazy 80's

On a gondola in Venice (a typical romantic scene)

And my absolute favourite, their Sound of Music moment in Austria....

Happy Anniversary!

A Favorite Photographer: Ruth Orkin

The Comic Book Readers  -  Ruth Orkin

It is great when you stumble across something, or someone, utterly inspiring. Ruth Orkin (1921-1985) was a renowned photojournalist and filmmaker who proved in a difficult time that the world is open for us to discover and learn from. She grew up in Hollywood, but worked everywhere in the USA, especially New York, as well as in Europe and Israel. Her film "The Little Fugitive" was nominated for an Academy Award in 1953 and some of her well-known photography projects include "American Girl in Italy" and "A World Through My Window". She captured what she thought was important in the moment and made everyday characters look magical, interesting and intriguing. 



Jinx in Goggles, Florence  -  Ruth Orkin

"Being a photographer is making people look at what I want them to look at."

- Ruth Orkin

Still from her 1953 film, The Little Fugitive

"To be a photojournalist takes experience, skill, endurence, energy, salesmanship, organization, wheedling, climbing, gatecrashing, etc. – plus an eye and patience."

- Ruth Orkin

Thanks to www.orkinphoto.com