A Valentino Summer

Ever since I got the issue of Teen Vogue in the mail, I haven't been able to stop ranting about the beautifully-cut Valentino dress worn by Elle Fanning in the February cover shoot. It appears that the spring/summer fashion trends favour old-fashioned lace cuts and bright classic reds (The tart shade, after all, is an apt choice for award season's numerous red carpet events. One only needs to look at Charlize Theron's choices for the Globes this year).

Elle models in a red Miu Miu dress with a full lace bodice, a scarlet Christopher Kane piece with white lace sleeves, Marc Jacobs & even some elegant Louis Vuitton. Accessories wise, the simple gold headband and thick Oscar de la Renta cuff goes wonderfully with the Valentino.

As for the charming starlet, one can no longer call her the 'second' or 'littlest' fanning. As said before, the lovely Elle Fanning is going places. Besides being a talented thespian, who shows not only breadth, but depth of acting, Elle can be said to have reached far into the world of fashion. Being personally invited  by Karl Lagerfeld to the Paris 2011 Haute Couture show is not something many teenagers can dream, let alone, boast about. Besides being on the top of fashion show invite lists from around the world, Elle Fanning is also the model, spokesperson & muse for established couture line Rodarte. And all of this, at the age of thirteen-going-on-fourteen.

You can read the full teen vogue article here, or watch Elle pirouette gracefully in Rodarte's short fashion film, The Curve of Forgotten Things.

Love Me Do

'Love is giving of your best self even on a bad day. Love means sticking together. Love is not taking things personally even if someone else is in a bad mood. Love is going to get ice-cream. Love is staying even when they drive you crazy. Love isn't a result of circumstances, love is a choice. Love is speaking kindly under pressure. Love is family. Love is kissing. Love isn't finding a soulmate, it's being a soulmate.'

It may be a little late, but this is love, from the Girl With The Glasses Show.

Of music & magic

'... The word conservatory sits soft and warm on my tongue. I love how it's almost always exclusively related to music. When I hear the word, I think of an underground labyrinth; a dimly lit place, with people tucked into cocoons and breathing in thick curls of music.'

I've been skipping meals and sleep and social activity of every kind, writing through the days for a creative writing fiction assignment. It took three days, but it was worth every second. I like the process, the creation of words on a blank page, the breath of satisfaction when your strings of words finally become a story worth telling. It's such a wonderful feeling.

Where the rain gets in.

My voice may not be loud

but it certainly carries far

A single note carries forth

Into the cavern

Out of the same mouth

I sing love and spite

Think less and live more

For this we are sure

Do you remember the faces

And how they melded together as one

And how he used to part the air with his tongue

And how the words used to flow endlessly

Into, from, down, around (a paper cup) 

To psychedelic dreams

And we will follow you to the depths of the aquamarine,

In a brilliantly-coloured yellow submarine.

Call it what you want!

CNY is coming to an end! There are a lot of essays to write. Some times I lie in bed at night and have mini panic attacks, just counting off the list of things I have to do. Then, the moment passes and I go back to reading the latest Marquez novella or scrolling through pages of 9gag. You know, just saving the panicking for future me.

Also, you know the dream where all your teeth fall out? I had that for the first time yesterday and it was tres frightening. It was terrible because in addition to the teeth falling out, my jaw broke into two and my dad refused to take me to the dentist. I don't know why he was a douchepacker in my dream. That is all!

The light in your eyes

I think that it's nice sometimes to watch people do something they love, even though you might not understand it very much yourself. Like watching people who love music talk about it, or listen to their favourite piece. The way their hands move, the nuances in facial expression, a creased brow slowly seeping into relaxation. It's like watching the truest form of happiness.

Be not inhospitable to angels

On Wednesday, 14th December 2011, George Whitman died at home in his apartment above his bookshop at the fine age of ninety eight. He will always be remembered as the man who brought fine English literature to the Parisian masses, as the angel who lead many to the joy of reading, and as the Don Quixote of the Latin Quarter. I, for one, will always be grateful for the opportunity I had to experience the magic of Shakespeare and Company. You will be missed.

Just like I knew you would

'For our last number, I'd like to ask your help. Would the people in the cheaper seats, clap their hands? And the rest of you, if you'd just rattle your jewelry.'

This is what I'm doing at 2am on Chinese New Year; watching old Beatles videos and falling in love with them all over again.

Oh, the places you'll go

School doesn't really feel like it has started with CNY holidays just around the corner! Explored Chinatown for a bit today and started to really get into the holiday spirit... Of course, the slew of new year shopping and anticipated haul of moolah doesn't hurt.

Besides the odd book sale or cup of tea with friends, going for Foster the People last Saturday was pretty amazing. It was an eclectic mix of fist-pumping beats and headbanging moments. Looking forward to Laneway next month hurrah!

On another note, I'm really enjoying the creative writing module I'm taking with a friend this semester. We read an excerpt from Letters to a Young Poet written by German Poet Rilke (whose series of beautiful poems about Angels I remember vividly) during our first lesson and discussed the reason for writing. We write, because it is a baring of souls, because it is the depth of human nature, and because we can't help but spill our thoughts into words. It was such a peculiar, yet pleasant feeling, just sitting quietly at a table and writing whatever comes to mind.

Somehow, I've got a feeling that this semester is going to be much more enjoyable than the last :)

Colour on the walls

Rodarte 

Chanel

Burberry

Not usually into haute couture, but reading Hywel Davis's Fashion Designer's Sketchbook (Thank you, Page One Warehouse sale) has proven to be mightily interesting.

It's awards season across the globe and everyone is looking absolutely gorgeous, flaunting 2012 spring/summer collections that were showcased last year during fashion week. Especially adore Rodarte's lovely floral summer dresses; a hot red carpet choice for stars like Kirsten Dunst, Natalie Portman & Elle Fanning in the past few years. Shouldn't be obsessing over five thousand dollar dresses, but hey, a girl can dream right?

Cannot wait to see 2012 autumn/winter collections! Burberry's prêt-à-porter menswear is particularly stunning.