la tu la tee la twaa

Watching a Chaplin film for the nth time always feels like the first.
The man never ceases to amaze me.

Here's a little reminder for the start of your week:

'A day without laughter is a day wasted' 
-- Charlie Chaplin

For A Musing Monday

"I beg you to have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and to try to love the questions themselves as if they were locked rooms or books written in a very foreign language.
Don't search for the answers, which could not be given to you now because you would not be able to live them.
And the point is to live everything.
Live the questions now.
Perhaps then, someday far in the future, you will gradually, without even noticing it, live your way into the answer."

-- Rainer Maria Rilke, Letters to a Young Poet

Source: alimapure.tumblr.com via Mariana on Pinterest

"Countdown"

And I totally am talking about Beyonce's Countdown.

I've been obsessed with this song for a little over a month now (I know it's been out for a looong time). To tell you the truth, I didn't like it AT ALL when I first heard it. I thought it was a little hard on my ears and rhythmically all over the place. Clear example when first impressions are wrong.*

Me and boo, and my boo boo riding

All up in that black with his chick right beside him

Ladies, if you love your man show him you the finest

Grind up on it, girl, show him how you ride it

 It's like poetry- I don't know what any of it means. That's not true, I understand poetry more than popular culture- but that's just me. Point is, it gets me going. It gets me groovin'. It gets me grinding (another big lie).

Actually, I've never considered myself a Beyonce fan- which doesn't mean I've never liked her- but I think 4 (the album) has changed all that.

Love on Top and End of Time are also worth a listen.

I wish I could move like her.
She's one real sexy mama!

* Another example: When Coldplay's Yellow first came out, I couldn't stand it. I thought it was an "eh" song with too much hype... The Scientist shed new light on them for me and well, as they say, the rest if history (i.e. Big fan of Coldplay).

The Favourites: Top 10 Recap

So after almost a month (or more?), I've gotten through my own Top 10 Favourites challenge.*

Here they are, all 10 categories' Top 10

Day 1: Vegetables & Fruits

Day 2: Drinks

Day 3: Animals

Day 4: Flowers

Day 5: Websites

Day 6: Artists

Day 7: Books/Authors

Day 8: Actors/Actresses

Day 9: Movies

Day 10: Places I Have Visited

It was actually a lot of fun- and I'm sure all my lists will change in a matter of years. Maybe even months! It was also just a way to remind myself of the great things in life. It's often we take things for granted and don't look into the little things that uplift is, that we find solace in. Reading, watching your favourite movie or TV Show, talking to a friend, buying flowers, listening to music or maybe just closing your eyes and remembering an event, someone or something.

How do you unwind or cheer yourself up?

And just because, here's a cool cat. My kind of feline! **

Source: Uploaded by user via Mariana on Pinterest

*It wasn't really so much of a challenge as a starter to get me writing and busy on the blog.
** Says the Cat Lady.

The Favourites - Day 10: Cities (I Have Visited)

I believe that with every place you visit, you leave a part of yourself behind and, in return, are given something back. Call me a romantic, but it's true. 

“To my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in a position in which almost nothing is so familiar it is taken for granted.” - Bill Bryson*

1. Sao Paulo, Brazil

Source

I spent the happiest 6 years of my life childhood (and pre-adolescent days) living in this beautiful city. It holds its own special place in my heart. Though the memories grow vaguer as the years go by, I feel like I wouldn't be the person I am today without it being a part of my life- and the people!
I went back to visit in 2000, I hope to go back again soon.

Wait a minute, Mr. Postman

If you're my friend then you'd know how much I love mail. 

Good, old fashioned, regular snail mail. 

Hand-written or typed letter, postcard, a mini-gift package, a card, a drawing- all sealed up in an envelope with stamps on the upper right hand corner. I love it all!

Few things in life (ok, maybe I'm exaggerating) get a genuine smile out of me like checking the mailbox and finding an envelope with my name on it.*

This week I received a lovely card and bookmark from my amazing friend Maria (Shopgirl in the bloggin-sphere).

Mail + Tea + Books = a very happy me

* Except bank statements, bills, etc ...

Who Can Take the Rainbow, Wrap it in a Sigh?

The candy man. The candy man can.

And Steven Meisel's Louis Vuitton 2012 Spring campaign can too.

This campaign is delicious. Fizzy. Cute. 

Or in the words of "James Lipton"*: SCRUMTRALESCENT

 Modern and yet retro, cutesy/girly but classy nonetheless. Just all around fun- and with "serious" campaigns all around, this one's bound to get your attention.

Now, I am not a big fan of Louis Vuitton- in fact, I love the design of their classic bags but I hate the monogram all over them**- and when I saw this campaign for the first time I thought it was Prada. 

Surprise, surprise.
Goodbye boring classic browns, hello colour!

* Well, Will Ferrell as James Lipton, that is.

** I know that's not always the case with all their bags and it is what makes them unique, but eh. I don't judge people who own them, but I do roll my eyes every once in a while...

One I do like? The bucket bag...

The Favourites - Day 9: Movies

I grew up watching movies and television, I'm not afraid to admit it. But I was also a child of the great outdoors. All I watched helped me be alone- my siblings are 7+ years older than me, and they didn't always want to play with me.*
Let's get down to it.

1. Wall-E (Dir. Andrew Stanton)

"Eeee-vaaa!"

Not since R2D2 has there been a robot so cuddly! Pixar/Disney never disappoint- and Wall-E is no exception. The dialogue is minimum and the basic storyline pretty simple, but it still manages to evoke meaning and sentimentality. 

It only, takes a moment...

2. Moulin Rouge (Dir. Baz Luhrman)

Ewan McGregor singing and making young girls feel things they've never felt before. Is that good enough reason? It's fast paced, colourful and the lavish sets make me feel like I'm living in black & white.

I can quote this movie front to back and obviously sing along to all songs. 

The only other movie that had such a strong effect on me and required to be viewed numerous times in one day was Babe. But I won't get into that...

3. Singin' in the Rain (Dir. Stanley Donen, Gene Kelly)

Sure, Gene Kelly's an amazing dancer but Donald O'Connor will make you laugh with his incredible stunts, dancing and facial expressions (How does he 'twist' his nose like that?!). Jean Hagen (who plays Lina Lamont) does one hell of a job and is one of the greatest supporting actress performances, in my opinion. 

It's THIS performance that made me go, "Hey, I want to do that (tap dance)"

4. Benny & Joon (Dir. Jeremiah S. Chechik)

"It's a shame about raisins."
And so my love of all things quirky and witty finds its way home. It never occurred to me that Joon was "sick"- in fact, I always thought her to be rather cool and smart.
A young Julianne Moore, a good looking Aidan Quinn and an incomparable romance between Sam (Johnny Depp) & Joon (Mary Stuart Masterson).
 This scene is, of course, one of my favourites. You need to watch it if you haven't already.

5. Amadeus (Dir. Milos Forman)

You know you're in for a treat when the opening Mozart number is Symphony No. 25 in G minor.
From then on, it just gets better and better- the film, that is. Mozart's life, not so much (if you don't count his musical genius). This Academy Award winner x8 does not fall short in anything. Filmed in Prague, at the time still under Communist rule, actual locations are like secondary characters. 

The supporting cast includes Christine Ebersole, Jeffrey Jones, a very young Cynthia Nixon, and Vincent Schiavelli, among others. Tom Hulce should have tied with F. Murray Abraham for Best Actor.
Favourite lines? Easy. Peter Shaffer, you make words melt in my ear, taste sweet in my mouth.

6. Young Frankenstein (Dir. Mel Brooks)

"What the hell you doing in the bathroom day and night? Why don't you get out and give someone else a chance!"

A tap dancing Frankenstein? Only in a Mel Brooks film. Written by one of my favourite actors, Gene Wilder, this truly is a funny movie. I don't really know what else to say about it, you just have to see it for yourself...
Many-a-night I imagine Frau Blucher (*horse whinny*) stopping by my room to say goodnight.

7. Lord of The Rings Trilogy (Dir. Peter Jackson)

"Suuure I know a Baggins! Frodo Baggins! He's my second cousin twice removed on my mother's side..."

This movie is to me what "The Godfather" is to men (Bazinga- I just went there). Orcs, and Hobbits and Elves- oh my! It doesn't hurt that they're all good looking too. 

The whole trilogy is amazeballs, but my favourite, without a doubt, is 'The Fellowship of the Ring'. The beginning of the journey where you get to know all these characters. Pippin's the comedic relief and because of that my favourite character throughout. 

And what an epic journey it was just waiting for the movies to be released! Needless to say, I'm psyched for "The Hobbit".

I'm also grateful of the movie's existance, because without it we wouldn't have this.**

8. Annie Hall (Dir. Woody Allen)

Annie Hall is every woman. And this is every awkward situation you've had with a guy you like.
Diane Keaton gave us the ultimate Ralph Lauren look and La di da, La di da... While Woody Allen just gave us, well, Woody Allen (which I do enjoy).
To me, this is one of his finest and the recent 'Midnight in Paris' was back on track with classic Allen.

9.  Sabrina (Dir. Billy Wilder)

Audrey Hepburn is all charm, charm, charm! All the while looking beautiful- transforming from girl-next-door to sophisticated-chic. The thing with Audrey Hepburn is she plays naive so convincingly- she was 'cute' before being cute was a thing.
I'm actually a sucker when it comes to romance and love stories and this.... *sigh* It can't get any more romantic than this.
Lovely.

10. Dr. Strangelove or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (Dir. Stanley Kubrick)

"Uh hello Dimitri?..."
When Theater of the Absurd becomes film.
When watching a Kubrick film it's not hard to see why the man is a legend. Kubrick understood moving pictures so well- every frame is part of the story and not a waste.
 George C. Scott and Peter Sellers (playing 3 different roles) are just more reason to love this film.

Honorable Mention: Die Hard (Dir. John McTiernan)

"Yippie ki yay, Motherfucker."

This movie gets an honorable mention because I don't really do action films. Except Die Hard. Die Hard I can watch dozens of times and not tire of it (Die Hard and Die Hard with a Vengeance, let's pretend No. 2 never existed...).
McClane's a bad ass, il capo di tutti capi. And he's got a wicked sense of humour. 

Honorable Villains: (two brits playing two germans) Alan Rickman and Jeremy Irons. Yum. 

There are many films I keep thinking about that I really love too- but perhaps I'll "fan-out" eventually...

So how about we have a movie night now. I'll get the popcorn ready!
What are some of your favourite movies? 

* Not complaining. They never EVER pushed me aside whenever they had get togethers or parties. Au contraire, to them, their "cute little sister" was a riot.
** Easily my favourite youtube video. Ever.

Top 10 Schmen...

I'm not 'giving up' on my Top 10 posts, but picking my favourite movies was a little harder than I thought.
Here are a few that I thoroughly enjoy watching but did not make it to my Top 10.

(At least not this time- mood always has something to do with choosing)

From top left: Lolita (Adrian Lyne), 500 Days of Summer, The Sound of Music, The Mask, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, Band of Outsiders, Roman Holiday, Atonement, Goodbye Lenin!, Kill Bill, Garden State, Before Sunrise

The Favourites: Day 8 - Actors/Actresses

I'll try to be as brief as I can with these as I know I tend to ramble on...

Who does everyone like to watch on screen? 

1. Kate Winslet

Starting with Kate Winslet just raises the stakes. She's brilliant.  Hamlet, Sense & Sensibility, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Little Children, Mildred Pierce... These are but a few of my favourite performances of hers.

2. Gene Wilder*

Gene Wilder has a legit acting background. This guy's an Actor's Studio alumni- it's no wonder his a comedic extraordinaire! 'Stir Crazy', to me, truly showcases his talent (and Richard Pryor's-- though he didn't need much showcasing...). Plus, he used to be married to original funny-lady Gilda Radner.

3. Jeremy Irons

His voice. That should be reason enough. Okay, and he's pretty good on screen too. Lolita, Brideshead Revisited, The Borgias, Die Hard, Dead Ringers, The Man in the Iron Mask...
I also was lucky enough to meet and speak to him, one on one, for a couple of minutes. He was doing a show in London ('Embers' with Patrick Malahide) and thanks to a highschool teacher had to opportunity to attend a Q&A.
I don't care how old he is or looks, he's sexy. Meow!

4. Shirley MacLaine

(She's Warren Beatty's sister!)
She's also incredibly funny and talented. My favourite of hers are those directed by Billy Wilder: The Apartment and Irma la Douce.
Plus, she's such a cute old lady now. And she worked with my all time favourite actress.

5. Charlie Chaplin

Actor. Writer. Producer. Composer. Director. Genius.
"Failure is unimportant. It takes courage to make a fool of yourself."

6. Meryl Streep

The Meryl. I say she needs her own category at the Academy Awards. Seriously. Every time she gets it right on the nose. I think the only thing she hasn't done, and correct me if I'm wrong, is a horror film. And I bet it won't be long...

7. Cate Blanchett

Why are people so traumatized with wrinkles? This set of pictures is proof of how lovely and HUMAN they are. And what is an actor without facial expressions?
She was the most convincing Bob Dylan in 'I'm Not There', and she's a woman. That's all I'm sayin'...

8. Jack Lemmon

Try to name something he wasn't good at. Go on, I dare you. He could easily "switch" from comedy to drama. I think few actors can do that- and in this day and age, it's unheard of!


9. Dustin Hoffman

Or Uncle Dusty as I like to call him (I'm weird like that).
Hook and Tootsie were two of my favourite films when I was younger. Although I never fully understood Tootsie at the time, I used to think it was amazing a man could dress up as a woman and fool everyone.
Like Meryl, anything he does, you believe it.
His latest interview on "Inside the Actor's Studio" is sweet- he made me tear up a couple of times because he would tear up. That's a real man (and human being) right there, ladies.

10. Ginger Rogers

Famously known as the Rogers bit of the Astaire and Rogers dancing duo- doing all of Astaire's steps in heels, and backwards! She wasn't just an amazing tap dancer, though. Drama was one of her fortes, but it was outshined by her films with Astaire.
The Major and the Minor is personally one of my favourites.

(Very) Honourable Mentions:

Ewan McGregor

As much as I love Ewan McGregor and most of his films, I don't think he's that good of an actor. (Did I really just say that?!).
Renton in 'Trainspotting' is one of those unforgettable performances.
But his american accent still doesn't convince me (and I really did like 'Beginners').
My years in high school were spent daydreaming about him. I liked him so much- now, don't laugh!- that I would fast forward to all his scenes in Black Hawk Down. Especially one in particular where he'd yell, "Fuck thiiiiiiiiiis!".
And I won't even mention the amount of times I've seen Moulin Rouge in my lifetime. Suffice to say, in one night I watched in 3 times.
(I'm much better now, thanks for asking!)

*Ahem* Moving on.

And, of course...

Audrey Hepburn

I don't just consider her my favourite actress. She's pretty much my life model. Her grace, elegance, humanitarian work and beauty are but a few things that made her who she was and an icon.
I won't say more, because I can already sense a post devoted entirely to her...

Agree or Disagree with any of these? Who would make it onto your top 10?

* What makes him extra special? I got him to sign my boob book (Freudian slip?) and meet him.

For the record, I wouldn't want him signing my boob... And I still consider that one of the greatest days of my life.

The Favourites: Day 7 - Books/Authors

"I buy books like a woman buys shoes."

I'm on a roll- another post so soon?
Delaying these posts is just haunting me. 

Books/Authors. This was especially hard for me to narrow down because there really is a lot of good stuff out there. I don't want to brag, but I studied this shit. And if there's anything I feel I can talk about and be comfortable about, it's literature. 

That being said, I need to read more contemporary writing- I always find myself reading the classics.

So recommend away!

1. Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling

You have to hand it to this woman, she really did get a generation of computer/video game kids reading again.

I jumped on the HP bandwagon when the 2nd book (my least favourite...) was published, but began from the beginning: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.
All I can say is, for the following 5 summers and beyond, my life was never the same!*

2. Sylvia Plath

with hubby, Ted Hughes

Let's put the whole "head in the oven" thing aside for a minute and just focus on her as a writer, a person. Yes she was angsty (depressed, what you will- I said no oven in the head talk!), but she had drive and passion. From Smith College to Cambridge University, from Mademoiselle editor to a renowned published novel. She's not everyone's cup of tea, and I respect that. The highest grade I ever got in college was a 2:1 (2 points away from a first...) on my BA Dissertation. Can you guess who it was based on?

You do not do, you do not do, anymore black shoe...

3. Le Petit Prince by Antione de St. Exupery

I've already spoken wonders about this book, I don't really think I need to say more. Other than, if you have not read it, you must!

4. Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov

Lolita, light of my life, fire of my loins. My sin, my soul. Lo-lee-ta: the tip of the tongue taking a trip of three steps down the palate to tap, at three, on the teeth. Lo. Lee. Ta.

That was all it took to hook me. Humbert Humbert is a tragic character, an anti-hero if you will. Everything about this book is so right, except Humbert and Lolita's relationship. 

I will not abstain from mentioning the two film adaptations I, personally, love: Kubrick's and Adrian Lyne. James Mason and Jeremy Irons were cast perfectly.

5. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

I read this book for the first about 4 or 5 years ago- pretty late in the game. My first reaction was, "I want a father like Atticus Finch". Not complaining about the one I have now, but Atticus is ... Atticus. A real life hero (in a novel)- more people need to be like him, methinks. Scout is also an unforgettable character.
Movie adaptation is also worth a watch- Gregory Peck does an outstanding job.

6. Sense & Sensibility by Jane Austen

I didn't think I'd like any Jane Austen novel and had never read one until I was forced to do so in college. Well, technically I could have just not read it, but that's not how I roll...
I was pleasantly surprised by Sense & Sensibility (and all of Austen's work, actually). It's not all just romance- and what's not to like about it! This is the kind of novel you stay in bed for, on a rainy day, all bundled up, with a nice cuppa tea at hand. 

7. Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts

This book is more than 1,000 pages long. It is also very, very, very  good. It took me about 4 months to finish it and it truly is one of the best things I ever read. I cried, I laughed and I learned a couple things about life.
" [...] food is music inside the body, and music is food inside the heart."

I, literally, have a little notepad full of quotes from the book- the book itself is full of annotations and folded pages... 1,000 pages may be daunting, but you'll be doing yourself a favour.

8. William Shakespeare

Good ol' Bill Shakey. I go through phases (more so when I was in highschool and college) where I randomly start quoting Shakespeare. I'll have little bits from his plays or sonnets stuck in my head, for no reason. And it's not because I actively sat down and memorized lines, they linger in my head. da-Dum, da-Dum, da-Dum, da-Dum, da-Dum.
We owe a lot of the English language to Sir William. Remember this viral picture from not too long ago?

9. Jules Verne

I picked up my first Jules Verne novel on a whim. I never read much of "science fiction" and believed it 'wasn't my thing' and it'd be too boring, but I was completely wrong! Jules Verne was  ahead of his time. I think he had a time machine of his own, to be honest. If you want to travel, this guy's the man to read.
Just look at him. I imagine sitting by the fireplace, eager children fidgeting about awaiting storytime with Grampa Verne... **

10. Pedro Paramo by Juan Rulfo

When I saw I like to read, I mean I like to read in English. Reading in Spanish, unfortunately, is so hard for me. I understand the language completely, but I'm a slow reader when it comes to my (supposedly) mother tongue, and that frustrates me. Pedro Paramo re-interested me in Latin literature. Magical Realism deserves all the recognition it gets. And this is definitely a classic.

I have a long list of many other books I've enjoyed reading, but I'll save that for later.

What are you reading now? What are your favourite books?

* Book 5 came out during my first trip to Europe! I remember I was in Paris and stopping at every bookstore to see if the had it in stock- my parents were not very pleased...


** I pretty much HATE all movie adaptations of Verne novels. Around the World in 80 Days with Niven and Cantinflas, I can get by with. Journey to the Center of the Earth with James Mason too, but am always disappointed at how different it is...

The Favourites - Day 5: Websites

Can you guys believe the internet has only been around for like a decade or so? It's amazing how long it has come- and how accessible/needed it is too.
Remember when you had to wait a minute or so to connect. 

Before MSN Messenger, before Facebook chat, before Skype or Facetime, there was ICQ and AOL.

Surfing the web used to be so limited and now...
Well, now it's just hard to do anything on the computer without opening new tabs/windows and jumping from page to page.

Before I begin I must note, some websites I do check daily and others just on a whim. Or if I'm looking for something in particular.

1. tumblr

Oh tumblr. How did I even get sucked into you? 

It used to be I had a livejournal account (personal entries are private) and now, it's all just become a collection of pictures on tumblr. Don't get me wrong- tumblr never ceases to amaze and inspire me!

Are you ready to tumbl?

2. Hello Giggles

I had a crush on Zooey Deschanel before she was Zooey, just ask any of my friends. So, it'd only make sense that I'd like a website she co-created.
I don't really check it all the time, but most articles are fun, witty, hilarious and just downright entertaining. And it's varied.
Plus, when you place your mouse over the three heads, they giggle!

3. Pinterest

What I like about this site is discovering how you have so much in common with people, you can't even imagine!
Pinterest is pretty much what it is: a collection of your inspiration boards. You like something you saw onlnine? You just Pin It, and voila! You can go back to it later and finish analysing/admiring it.
You can find my boards here.

4.  The Beauty Department

I wish I was good with makeup- as with clothes, but I'll get back to that another time...
I've never seen an episode of The Hills or The City in my life, and I didn't know who Lauren Conrad was for the longest time-- but I came across this website.
Their tutorials are Ah-mazing. That's all I need to say. And, in my opinion (which may not be much, actually) they're fashion/trend savvy.

5. Google

I had to include google. You know you like in the 21st Century when you say, "Google it".
And we all do google it. Google has the answers to everything (granted, it finds you many different answers, some not so reliable). Heck- most of the pictures from my favourites post I googled (or got from tumblr & pinterest). 

Plus, on holidays, they 'decorate' their logo.

6. Bloglovin'

I'm new to this whole blogging "thing" myself, but I've been following some blogs for a while. And bloglovin' makes it so easy! 

7. Beautiful Decay

I recently just "discovered" this website and it's intense. In all senses of the word.
Some art is not my style, but I think it's great to be exposed to things that are a little outside of your comfort zone.
It just also constantly reminds me of the great creative minds out there who DO, who ACT and are themselves. I praise that any chance I can.

8. Amazon

Online shopping isn't something I do, though I have tried it.
What I like about amazon is: it gives me prices, it lets your 'look inside' books, it recommends things you might like. 

9. Postcrossing

If you like old fashioned mail, then this is also the place for you!
I grew up having penpals in school, so this whole "send a postcard, get one back" is not a remote idea to me.
Mail needs to make a comeback!

10. Martha Stewart

Ah, the legend. Martha Stewart. What hasn't Martha Stewart done? I mean, she's been in jail. This lady is one tough cookie- and she makes mean cookies. And by mean, I mean delicious.
I love that she shares recipes for free online. And craft ideas.
She gets extra cool points for drinking beer with my favourite man on Earth.

So there you have it.

If you're wondering why I haven't included Facebook, it's simple: I don't have a Facebook account.
It's only been a month or so, but I decided to take a sabbatical from it.
Besides, I'm already on Twitter (and all those other sites)-- and E-MAIL. If you want to stay in touch with someone, if you truly wish to communicate, there's always e-mail.
It's my favourite.

I do, however, appreciate social networking sites in all their forms. I've found that you truly do make friends.

Artists is the category for tomorrow's post!